title: Calycosin orchestrates the functions of Danggui Buxue Tang, a Chinese herbal decoction composing of Astragali Radix and Angelica Sinensis Radix: An evaluation by using calycosin-knock out herbal extract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a classical Chinese herbal decoction containing two herbs, Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR), which serves as dietary supplement for treating women menopausal syndromes. Pharmacological studies indicate that DBT has estrogenic, erythropoietic and osteogenic properties; however, the action mechanism for this complex herbal decoction is not known. Calycosin, a major flavonoid in AR, shares similar structure with β-estradiol, and thus which is hypothesized to be the critical compound of DBT. Here, we aim to investigate the role of calycosin in DBT in terms of its biological functions by using a calycosin-depleted DBT decoction (DBT(Δcal)). The biological functions of DBT(Δcal) and parental DBT were systematically compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to standardize DBT decoction, four chemical markers were determined and quantified by HPLC. A semi-preparative HPLC method was utilized to prepare DBT(Δcal). The authenticity of DBT(Δcal) was evaluated by LC-QQQ-MS/MS. To reveal the effect of calycosin on DBT functions, several cell assays related to the known properties of DBT were revealed, including estrogenic, erythropoietic and osteogenic functions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared to parental DBT, the estrogenic, erythropoietic and osteogenic abilities were markedly reduced in DBT(Δcal). However, calycosin alone did not show significant responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that calycosin is a bioactive chemical in DBT decoction, and which could play a key linker in orchestrating multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal functions. These discoveries should be invaluable in drug development and in investigating the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine from a new perspective.
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Amy Guo-wei
authors: AG
authors: Gong
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Ning
authors: N
authors: Li
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Kei-man
authors: KM
authors: Lau
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Pinky Sum-chi
authors: PS
authors: Lee
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Yan
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Miranda Li
authors: ML
authors: Xu
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Candy Ting-wai
authors: CT
authors: Lam
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Ava Yeung-yeung
authors: AY
authors: Kong
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Huang-quan
authors: HQ
authors: Lin
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors: Tina Ting-xia
authors: TT
authors: Dong
authors: Division of Life Science, Center for Chinese Medicine R&D, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. Electronic address: botsim@ust.hk.
authors: Karl Wah-keung
authors: KW
authors: Tsim
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D029971:Angelica sinensis; D027885:Astragalus propinquus; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; C477279:danggui buxue decoction; C121707:7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
keywords: Angelicae Sinensis Radix; Astragali Radix; Calycosin; Chemical knock-out; Danggui Buxue Tang