The traditional herb Polygonum hydropiper from China: a comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and applications.

CONTEXT: Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) (PH) is a traditional Chinese traditional medicine with a pungent flavor and mild drug properties. PH is mainly distributed in the channel tropism in the stomach and large intestine. PH has multiple uses and can be used to treat a variety of diseases for a long time. OBJECTIVE: This review summarizes the phytochemical and pharmacological activities, and applications of PH from 1980 to 2022. We also provide suggestions for promoting further research and developing additional applications of PH. METHODS: The data and information on PH from 1980 to 2022 reviewed in this article were obtained from scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Science Citation Index, SciFinder Scholar (SciFinder), Springer, American Chemical Society (ACS) Publications, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), etc. Some information was obtained from classic literature on traditional Chinese medicines. The search terms were Polygonum hydropiper, phytochemistry compositions of Polygonum hydropiper, pharmacological activities of Polygonum hydropiper, and applications of Polygonum hydropiper. RESULTS: The comprehensive analysis of the literature resulted in 324 compounds being isolated, identified, and reported from PH. Regarding traditional uses, the majority of phytochemical and pharmacological studies have indicated the diverse bioactivities of PH extracts, flavonoids, and volatile oil elements, including antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. CONCLUSIONS: PH has a long history of diversified medicinal uses, some of which have been verified in modern pharmacological studies. Further detailed studies are required to establish scientific and reasonable quality evaluation standards and action mechanisms of active constituents from PH.

[Study on mechanism of Phytolaccae Radix and its split components based on network pharmacology].

This paper aimed to explore the mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix by means of network pharmaco-logy. Based on the theoretical hypothesis of the nature and taste of traditional Chinese medicine, the chemical components of the separated components of Phytolaccae Radix were selected by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicines IntegratedDatabase(TCMID) databases in combination with related literatures. Relevant target analysis was carried out based on PubChem and SwissTargetPrediction databases. Targets corresponding to disease were excavated based on GeneCards for each split component, corresponding potential targets were obtained through mapping the target set of target compounds to disease targets. GO biological process analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the mapped targets with the help of DAVID database. Based on Cytoscape software and the corresponding efficacy, the network diagram of "medicinal material-split components-compound-target-pathway" was constructed to explore the mechanism of different efficacy of the separated components of Cytoscape. And the target purgation and diuretic mapping was used as the target of the traditional efficacy of smoothening secretion for the first time. The study explored esculentoside component, fatty oil component and phenolic acid component, a total of 30 target compounds and 301 corresponding targets, involving 44 potential targets for "anti-inflammatory", 50 potential targets for "immunoregulation", 52 potential targets for "smoothening secretion", 28 potential targets for "antibacterial activity", 28 potential targets for "antiviral effect", and 29 potential targets for "antitumor effect". Topological analysis revealed 14 key gene targets such as MAPK8, MAPK14, EGFR and PTGS2. A total of 684 GO entries and 235 KEGG pathways were obtained through bioinformatics enrichment analysis, mainly involving TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappaB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. This study revealed the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel action mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix, which provided certain basis for the next step to clarify the split components of Phytolaccae Radix through the method of system biology, and injected new content and significance into the study of properties and flavors theory.

Clinical application and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor characterized by a rapid proliferation rate, less survivability, high mortality, and metastatic potential. This review focuses on updated research about the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an adjuvant therapy to lung cancer treatment and the mechanisms of TCM effect on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. We summarized the recent 5 years of different research progress on clinical applications and antitumor mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of lung cancer. As a potent adjuvant therapy, TCM could enhance conventional treatments (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and epidermal growth factor receptors [EGFRs] tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs]) effects as well as provide synergistic effects, enhance chemotherapy drugs chemosensitivity, reverse drug resistance, reduce adverse reactions and toxicity, relieve patients' pain and improve quality of life (QOL). After treating with TCM, lung cancer cells will induce apoptosis and/or autophagy, suppress metastasis, impact immune reaction, and therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKIs. Therefore, TCM is a promisingly potent adjuvant therapy in the treatment of lung cancer and its multiple mechanisms are worthy of an in-depth study.

New Thymoquinol Glycosides and Neuroprotective Dibenzocyclooctane Lignans from the Rattan Stems of Schisandra chinensis.

Three new lignans (1 - 3), together with four new thymoquinol glycosides (4 - 7), were isolated from 70%-EtOH extract of the rattan stems of Schisandra chinensis. The structures of 1 - 7 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, and these new compounds were identified as pinobatol-9-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1), 1,2,13,14-tetramethoxydibenzocyclooctadiene 3,12-O-ß-d-diglucopyranoside (2), 3,7-dihydroxy-1,2,13,14-tetramethoxydibenzocyclooctadiene 12-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3), thymoquinol 2-O-ß-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), thymoquinol 2-O-α-d-arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (5), thymoquinol 5-O-ß-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (6), and thymoquinol 5-O-α-d-arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (7). The neuroprotective activity of 1 - 7 was evaluated on PC12 cells with neurotoxicity induced by amyloid-beta 1 - 42 (Aß1 - 42 ). Compounds 2 and 3 showed protecting activity against Aß-induced toxicity in PC12 cells.

[Study on active constituents against Alzheimer's disease from Valeriana amurensis].

In this study, the chemical constituentsfrom Valeriana amurensis AD-effective fraction were investigated based on the effect of Valeriana amurensis on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in previous study. Valeriana amurensis was extracted with 75% ethanol and the obtained extract were extracted and subjected to AB-8 macroporous resin column to obtain the AD-effective fraction of Valeriana amurensis. 9 compounds (1-9) were isolated with silica gel, ODS column chromatography and preparative HPLC. The structures of these compounds were determined as 6-hydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylenehexahydrocyclopenta[c]-pyran-1(3H)-one (1), suspensolide F (2), loganin(3), α-morroniside(4), ß-morronisid (5), partinovalerosidate (6), zansiumloside A (7), (-)-angelicoidenol-2-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (8), citroside A (9). Compounds 6-9 were isolated from the valerian genus for the first time and further investigated the anti-AD effect of compounds 1-9 in vitro found that compound 2 and 6 protected the PC12 cells from injury significantly.

[Exploring effective components of laxative effect of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma based on Chinese herbal processing theory].

Anemarrhena asphodeloides processed by salt and raw product was compared including both chemical composition and laxative function in order to find the possible active substance to cure constipation. Processed and raw Anemarrhenae laxative effect on experimental constipation models was observed as well as chemical composition using UPLC-MS technology and the total sugar content was determined by phenol sulfuric acid method. Processed Anemarrhenae water extract improved excrement more than raw which has significant difference compared with the blank group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the total ion flow spectrum showed no significant difference in most substance, but the total sugar content was significantly higher than raw product. Anemarrhenae ancient be recognized benefitting for draining body water in traditional Chinese medicine which has been lost in modern books because it is manifested as excellent laxative effect not diuretic effect. Saccharides carbohydrate may have closely relationship with this magically effect.

Protective effects of hesperidin on concanavalin A-induced hepatic injury in mice.

Hesperidin (HDN) is a citrus bioflavonoid, which widely exists in many plants. Previous researches have proved that HDN has several functions such as anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immune regulation and so on. In the present study, we explored the protective effects of HDN on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatic injury. Acute hepatic injury model was established successfully by intravenous administration of Con A (15 mg/kg) in male C57BL/6 mice, and HDN was pretreated for 10 days before Con A challenge. It was found that the hepatic injury was notably improved in HDN pretreated mice. Furthermore, hepatic oxidative stress and the production of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IFN-γ were decreased by HDN pretreatment. More importantly, compared with Con A-treated mice, the expression and releasing of HMGB1 and T-cell activation were markedly reduced in HDN pretreated mice. Thus, these results suggest that HDN protects mice from Con A-induced hepatic injury by suppressing hepatocyte oxidative stress, producing cytokines, expressing and releasing HMGB1 and activating T cells.

Five withanolides from the leaves of Datura metel L. and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Four new withanolides named dmetelins A-D (compounds 1-4), along with the known compound 7α,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,24-trienolide (5) were isolated from the leaves of Datura metel L. (Solanaceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry data. All the compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells. Compounds 1, 4 and 5 showed significant inhibitory activities, and compounds 2 and 3 showed moderate inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 17.8, 11.6, 14.9, 33.3 and 28.6 µM, respectively.

[Progress of research on diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica with recombinant antigen].

With the development of molecular biology technology and immunological technique, recombinant antigens for diagnosis of schistosomiasis have become a hot topic. This paper reviews the researches on recombinant antigens for diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica in ten years.

Curcumin inhibits HMGB1 releasing and attenuates concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice.

Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from the plant curcuma longa, exhibits a number of pharmacological properties and has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, the potential protective effects of curcumin in inflammatory liver diseases have not been clearly elucidated. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of curcumin on hepatic injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A), and its possible molecular mechanisms in mice. Acute live injury model was established successfully by intravenous administration of Con A (15mg/kg) in male C57BL/6 mice. Curcumin was administered to mice 2h prior to Con A injection. It was found that curcumin pretreatment significantly protected animals from T cell-mediated hepatitis as evidenced by decreased elevation of serum ALT, associated with reduced hepatic necrosis, apoptosis and mortality. In addition, curcumin pretreatment markedly reduced hepatic oxidative stress and pro inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IFN-γ. Furthermore, curcumin pretreatment dramatically suppressed the releasing of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in liver tissues. These results suggest that curcumin pretreatment protects the mice from Con A-induced liver injury via inhibiting hepatocyte oxidative stress, inflammation and releasing of HMGB1.

Defects in NKG2D ligand expression result in failed tolerance induction at the maternal-fetal interface: a possible cause for recurrent miscarriage.

Certain maternal immune responses against the fetus at the maternal-fetal interface may contribute to recurrent miscarriage (RM). Trophoblast cells involve in forming of maternal-fetal interface and interact with many immune cells, including NK cells. NK cells accumulate at the maternal-fetal interface and play a critical role during pregnancy. NKG2D ligands can activate NK cells through engaging with corresponding receptors. The 5'-end flanking regions of DNA sequence of some NKG2D ligands contain heat shock elements. It is very possible that oxidative stress, produced in pathological process of RM, induces abnormal NKG2D ligand expression in the trophoblast cells, which stimulate cytotoxicity of NK cells. Moreover, in normal pregnancy, soluble NKG2D ligands are secreted into sera by syncytiotrophoblast cells, which disturb NKG2D-mediated maternal anti-fetus immunity. Reduction of soluble NKG2D ligand levels in association with upregulation of NKG2D on immune cells may also contribute to pathogenesis of RM.

[Spatial variations of biogenic elements in coastal wetland sediments of the Jiulong River Estuary].

To reveal the spatial distribution of biogenic elements and their influencing factors in the typical subtropical coastal wetland, both surface and core sediment samples were collected from the Jiulong River Estuary, southeast China in summer 2009. The biogenic elements including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur (C, N, P, S) were determined by Element Analyzer and Flow Injection Analyzer. The concentrations of TC, TN, TP, and TS were (12.64 +/- 2.66) g x kg(-1), (1.57 +/- 0.29) g x kg(-1), (0.48 +/- 0.06) g x kg(-1), and (2.61 +/- 1.37) g x kg(-1), respectively. Further, these biogenic elements showed a distinct spatial pattern which closely related with the vegetation type and tide level. Values of TC, TN, TP in the surface sediment of mangrove vegetation zones were higher than those in the cord-grass and mudflat zones, while TC, TN, TP concentrations in the high tide level regions were higher than those in the middle and low tide level regions. The TS concentration was the highest in cord-grass vegetation and middle tidal level zones. The TC and TN values in sedimentary core decreased gradually with depth, and they were the highest in the mangrove sites, followed by cord-grass and mudflat sites at the same depth. In mudflat sedimentary core, the average content of TP was the lowest, whereas TS was the highest. Redundancy analysis revealed that vegetation type, pH and tide level were the main factors influencing the distribution of biogenic elements in surface sediments of the Jiulong River Estuary, by explaining 24.0%, 19.0% and 11.6% of total variation in the four biogenic elements (C, N, P and S), respectively.