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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1393198.].
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The quality of Polygonatum cyrtonema rhizome is considerably influenced by steaming, a post-harvest procedure; however, the mechanisms behind this quality formation are not well understood. This study explored two innovative streaming methods for Polygonatum cyrtonema rhizome: constant temperature and humidity steaming and drying (CTHSD) and constant temperature and humidity combined with vacuum-steam pulsed steaming and drying (CTH + VSPSD). Traditional atmospheric steaming, simmering, and drying (ASD) were also used. We evaluated the microstructure, colour and polysaccharide, reducing sugar, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, amino acid, phenolics and diosgenin contents as well as its antioxidant capacity. Results indicated that all methods enhanced antioxidant activity, released phenolic compounds and disrupted the microscopic pore wall structure. The processed samples exhibited increased browning values owing to non-enzymatic browning reactions between amino acids and reducing sugars. Notably, the CTH + VSPSD method yielded the highest antioxidant capacity, better preservation of polysaccharides and lower levels of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural compared to other methods. Additionally, CTH + VSPSD reduced production time by 66.7 % while achieving a comparable colour profile to that of conventional ASD technology. Therefore, the CTH + VSPSD method shows great promise for producing high-quality Polygonatum cyrtonema rhizome products.
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High concentration Ca2+ in karst soil is harmful to agriculture. Some dominant plants can adapt well to karst soil, but how Ca2+ affect plant is unknown. Drynaria roosii is a Ca2+-tolerant fern and its dry rhizome is a common Chinese medicine of Miao nationality in Guizhou, China. This study analyzed the physiological and proteomic characteristics of the rhizome of D. roosii under calcium stress. Physiological results indicated that calcium stress may lead to osmotic stress. Proteomic results showed that 147 differentially expressed proteins (96 increased, 51decreased) were identified under calcium stress, and these proteins mainly involved in signal transduction, protein translation, material transport, antioxidant defense and secondary metabolism. This study will lay a foundation for studying the calcium adaptation mechanism of D. roosii at the molecular level.
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An immobilized hydrogen-producing consortium investigated biohydrogen production from food waste using a combination of sodium alginate and cassava rhizome biochar. We investigated the effect of varying the biochar concentration from 0 to 3% and the size of immobilized cells from 1 to 7 mm. Immobilized cells were prepared using 50% (v/v) enriched hydrogen-producing consortium, 2% (w/v) sodium alginate, and 0 to 3% (w/v) cassava rhizome biochar. The optimal conditions for achieving the highest hydrogen production in the batch fermentation reactor were identified as a biochar concentration of 2% (w/v) and an immobilized cell size of 2 mm. The highest hydrogen yield, maximum hydrogen production rate, and lag time recorded were 0.69 mmol H2/g-COD, 0.02 mmol H2/g-COD.h, and 41.51 h, respectively. This research highlights the potential of cassava biochar technology for efficient biohydrogen production from food waste, contributing to renewable energy generation and sustainable waste management.
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Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a form of chronic liver disease that is characterized by liver inflammation and steatosis, with possible progression to fibrosis. Currently, no drugs have been approved for the treatment of NASH. In this study, we isolated a polysaccharide from Atractylodes lancea rhizome (AP) and established a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet -induced NASH mouse model to investigate the preventive effect and potential mechanism of AP on NASH. The results showed that AP effectively reduced liver lipid accumulation and inflammation and reduced autophagy and ferroptosis in hepatocytes, thereby preventing the development of NASH. These findings suggest that AP may be a promising natural candidate for the treatment of NASH.
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Atractylodes , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica , Polissacarídeos , Rizoma , Transdução de Sinais , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53 , Animais , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/tratamento farmacológico , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/metabolismo , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/etiologia , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/patologia , Polissacarídeos/farmacologia , Polissacarídeos/uso terapêutico , Polissacarídeos/química , Atractylodes/química , Rizoma/química , Camundongos , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Metionina/deficiência , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Hepatócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Hepatócitos/metabolismo , Fígado/metabolismo , Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos , Fígado/patologia , Ferroptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Dieta , Deficiência de Colina/complicaçõesRESUMO
Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (A. macrocephala) is a perennial herb of the genus Atractylodes. The rhizome of A. macrocephala (AMR) is its medicinal part. It primarily grows in Southeast Asia and function to invigorate the spleen and qi, drying dampness and removing water. It has long been used for cancer treatment, relieving inflammation, and improving gastrointestinal function, highlighting its remarkable medicinal value. This paper focuses on recent advancements in the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of AMR from 2018 to the present, while exploring its therapeutic and scientific potential. In recent years, more than 120 compounds have been identified in AMR. The primary active components have been identified as sesquiterpenoids, polysaccharides and polyacetylenes. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that AMR has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunity enhancement, gastrointestinal function improvement, and other pharmacological effects. It is mainly employed in the clinical treatment of tumors and gastrointestinal diseases, showing promising developmental potential. Its mechanism may be related to reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the expression of inflammatory mediators and factors, and alleviating apoptosis through related signaling pathways. It is hoped that this review can provide a theoretical reference and scientific basis for further systematic research and extensive clinical application of AMR.
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Paris polyphylla is an important traditional medicinal plant of the Himalayan region. It is extensively used for the production of natural steroidal saponins and flavonoids. Although seed dormancy of wild plants can be broken to be artificially maintained and regenerated through micropropagation in the laboratory, the success of secondary metabolite production in higher quantities and the synthesis of superior plant metabolites have been very limited. In this study, we present differential metabolic profiling of P. polyphylla plants maintained for 8 years in natural and greenhouse conditions. Untargeted profiling of the metabolites through ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), followed by statistical analysis, identified secondary metabolites that were enriched in the naturally occurring plant roots compared with the greenhouse plant roots. A multivariate statistical analysis revealed the differential distribution of the compounds between the two groups. Overall, we identified 1,182 secondary metabolites, with 116 metabolites being differentially upregulated and 256 metabolites being downregulated. Moreover, 810 metabolites showed no significant variation under both growing conditions. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the naturally forest-grown P. polyphylla plants were significantly enriched in steroidal saponins, lipids, vitamins, flavonoids, and flavonols. An analysis of the top 10 differentially upregulated secondary metabolites indicated a significantly enriched quantity of spirost-5-en-3,12-diol and kaempferol synthesis pathways, which are known to reduce the effect of free radicals scavengers inside the cell. In addition, veratramine alkaloids were also enriched under natural conditions. Our findings indicated that naturally maintained P. polyphylla plants are suitable for the extraction of medicinally important compounds. Our study established a causal relationship between the metabolic composition of the roots and their natural growth condition. This study highlighted the importance of environmental conditions in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites of plants.
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INTRODUCTION: Melanogenesis, the process responsible for melanin production, is a critical determinant of skin pigmentation. Dysregulation of this process can lead to hyperpigmentation disorders. METHOD: In this study, we identified a novel Reed Rhizome extract, (1'S, 2'S)-syringyl glycerol 3'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (compound 5), and evaluated its anti-melanogenic potential in zebrafish models and in vitro assays. Compound 5 inhibited melanin synthesis by 36.66% ± 14.00% and tyrosinase in vivo by 48.26% ± 6.94%, surpassing the inhibitory effects of arbutin. Network pharmacological analysis revealed key targets, including HSP90AA1, HRAS, and PIK3R1, potentially involved in the anti-melanogenic effects of compound 5. RESULTS: Molecular docking studies supported the interactions between compound 5 and these targets. Further, gene expression analysis in zebrafish indicated that compound 5 up-regulates hsp90aa1.1, hrasa, and pik3r1, and subsequently down-regulating mitfa, tyr, and tyrp1, critical genes in melanogenesis. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that compound 5 inhibits melanin production via PI3K-Akt and Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathways, positioning it as a promising candidate for the treatment of hyperpigmentation.
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This study combines experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate ginger root extract (GRE) as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic environments at temperatures ranging from 303 to 333 K. Experimental techniques, including weight loss measurements, were used to assess the inhibiting performance and adsorption behavior of GRE, while GC-MS, FT-IR, and UV-visible spectrophotometric methods provided further characterization. Results indicated that the inhibition efficiency of GRE increased with higher concentrations and decreased with temperature, highlighting its potential to effectively prevent corrosion in H2SO4 medium. GC-MS analysis identified four major phenolic compounds-6-gingerol, 6-isoshogaol, zingerone, and vanillyl glycol-and two secondary metabolites, α-Farnesene and ß-Bisabolene. Among these, 6-gingerol, the most active and abundant constituent, was selected for computational studies. Optimal corrosion inhibition of 81.3 % was achieved at 303 K with a GRE concentration of 10 g/L for 1 h. Thermodynamic activation parameters suggested a temperature-dependent process, and alignment with the Langmuir isotherm indicated a physical adsorption mechanism. Quantum chemical calculations for 6-gingerol revealed highest occupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO) values of -6.286 eV and -0.366 eV, respectively, in its protonated state, and -8.338 eV and -0.247 eV, respectively, in its neutral state. Molecular simulations showed a binding affinity of -4.736 kJ/mol between 6-gingerol and the steel surface, supporting the experimental findings and underscoring the potential of GRE as an effective corrosion inhibitor.
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This study investigated the structural composition and antioxidant properties of pectic polysaccharides extracted from Rohdea japonica (Thunb.) Roth. Pectins, which belong to a complex category of acidic polysaccharides, possess a wide range of biological effects stemming from their distinctive structural domains. The polysaccharides were extracted using water, and were subsequently purified through ion exchange and gel permeation chromatography. In order to elucidate their structural features, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques were applied. Two specific polysaccharides, WRJP-A2a and WRJP-A3b, with molecular weights of 42.7 kDa and 64.1 kDa, respectively, were identified to contain varying proportions of homogalacturonan, rhamnogalacturonan I, and rhamnogalacturonan II domains. Regarding antioxidant capacity, WRJP-A3b exhibited superior scavenging capabilities against DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals, potentially attributed to its higher galacturonic acid content and abundance of homogalacturonan domains. These results enhance our comprehension of the structure-activity interplay of pectic polysaccharides sourced from Rohdea japonica (Thunb.) Roth and their potential utility in the healthcare and functional food sectors.
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Antioxidantes , Pectinas , Polissacarídeos , Pectinas/química , Pectinas/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Polissacarídeos/química , Polissacarídeos/farmacologia , Peso Molecular , Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/química , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/farmacologia , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Picratos/química , Picratos/antagonistas & inibidores , Ácidos HexurônicosRESUMO
The present study aimed to prepare polysaccharides from the pomace of Polygonatum rhizome and characterize their structural features and biological activities. After hot water extraction and DEAE-52 cellulose fractionation, a neutral polysaccharide (PKP) was obtained with 91.85% sugars and 0.45% proteins. Structural characterization indicated that PKP contained a main fraction with a molecular weight of 4.634 × 103 Da and was composed of â1)-ß-D-Fruf-(2â and â6)-ß-D-Fruf-(2â residues. PKP was a semi-crystalline polymer, and the Congo red assay suggested the presence of triple-helix structure in PKP. PKP exhibited moderate radical scavenging activity (including 15.55% inhibition of DPPH, 21.48% inhibition of ABTS, and 22.52% inhibition of ·OH) and could effectively protect MRC-5 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage at 0.01 mg/mL through inhibiting apoptosis, decreasing SA-ß-galactosidase activity, and downregulating the expression levels of p16 and p53. Therefore, PKP could be used in functional foods and pharmaceuticals as an antioxidant. This study provides an attractive method for utilizing polysaccharides from waste materials.
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Szechwan lovage rhizome (SLR, the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., Chuanxiong in Chinese transliteration) is one Chinese materia medica (CMM) commonly used to activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis. SLR is applicable to most blood stasis syndromes. It has significant clinical efficacy in relation to human diseases of the cardiocerebrovascular system, nervous system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, etc. Apart from China, SLR is also used in Singapore, Malaysia, the European Union, and the United States of America. However, the current chemical markers in pharmacopeia or monography for the quality assessment of SLR are not well characterized or specifically characterized, nor do they fully reflect the medicinal efficacy of SLR, resulting in the quality of SLR not being effectively controlled. CMM can only have medicinal efficacy when they are applied in vivo to an organism. The intensity of their pharmaceutical activities can more directly represent the quality of CMM. Therefore, the chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of SLR are reviewed in this paper. In order to demonstrate the medicinal efficacy of SLR in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, bioassay methods are put forward to evaluate the pharmaceutical activities of SLR to improve hemorheology, hemodynamics, and vascular microcirculation, as well as its anti-platelet aggregation and anticoagulation properties. Through comprehensive analyses of these pharmaceutical properties, the quality and therapeutic value of SLR are ascertained.
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Overuse of artificial chemical fertilizers could be detrimental to the environment. Utilizing beneficial microorganisms as biofertilizers is a sustainable technique that promotes soil health, crop yield, and ecosystem preservation. Curcuma longa L. is utilized as a medication since it has its antibacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor characteristics, which reduce inflammation and hasten wound healing. The effect of E. cloacae strain MSR1, which is common in the roots of alfalfa grown in the Al-Ahsaa region, on C. longa plants is being investigated. C. longa rhizomes were planted under greenhouse conditions after being submerged in a solution of E. cloacae strain MSR1 (OD 500) or water treatment as a control for 12 hours. After 240 days of growing, ten randomly selected plants from each treatment were collected, and the vegetative growth and yield metrics were assessed. To investigate how E. cloacae influences C. longa production and chemical composition (photosynthetic pigment, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and curcuminoid), measurements were conducted as well as genes diketide-CoA and curcumin synthases genes. Our research showed that C. longa's growth and yield were favorably impacted by E. cloacae. Significant increases in the related plants' chlorophyll a,b, carotenoid, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels were likewise a reflection of the enhanced effects shown in the growth and yield parameters. Treatment with E. cloacae raised the curcuminoid's three sub-components' compositions to varying degrees: bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin. Comparing E. cloacae treated plants to the control, high expression levels of the genes diketide-CoA and curcumin synthase-1, -2, and 3 were also found. The treatment of E. cloacae is a good biostimulant candidate for boosting growth and yield as well as raising the medicinal qualities of C. longa, according to the overall results.
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Drynaria rhizome (DR) is used as a natural remedy to ameliorate obesity (OB) in East Asia; in parallel, the gut microbiota (GM) might exert a positive impact on OB through their metabolites. This study elucidates the orchestrated effects of DR and GM on OB. DR-GM, - a key signaling pathway-target-metabolite (DGSTM) networks were used to unveil the relationship between DR and GM, and Molecular Docking Test (MDT) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) were adopted to underpin the uppermost molecules. The NR1H3 (target) - 3-Epicycloeucalenol (ligand), and PPARG (target) - Clionasterol (ligand) conjugates from DR, FABP3 (target) - Ursodeoxycholic acid, FABP4 (target) - Lithocholic acid (ligand) or Deoxycholic acid (ligand), PPARA (target) - Equol (ligand), and PPARD (target) - 2,3-Bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)butyrolactone (ligand) conjugates from GM formed the most stable conformers via MDT and DFT. Overall, these findings suggest that DR-GM might be a promising ameliorator on PPAR signaling pathway against OB.
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Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Obesidade , Rizoma , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Obesidade/metabolismo , Obesidade/tratamento farmacológico , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Obesidade/microbiologia , Rizoma/química , Polypodiaceae/química , Humanos , Bactérias/efeitos dos fármacos , Bactérias/metabolismo , Bactérias/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologiaRESUMO
Boiled lotus rhizome discs (BLRDs), as common processed products of lotus rhizome, have gained increasing attention from consumers and food manufacturers. However, the blue pigment formed during boiling affects its appearance and reduces the appetite of BLRDs. In this study, the effects of polyphenols and iron contents on blue pigment formation in BLRDs in different regions and months were investigated. Results revealed that blue variation was more serious in March and April of the second year in Wuhan, and polyphenols and iron contents in these two months were significantly higher than those in other months. Then, UPLC and UV-Vis analysis showed that polyphenols causing the formation of blue pigment in BLRDs were L-dopa, gallocatechin, catechin, epigallocatechin, chlorogenic acid and epicatechin, among which L-dopa (52.450 mg/100 g in fresh lotus rhizome (FLR)) and gallocatechin (36.210 mg/100 g in FLR) possessed the greatest effect. Moreover, the ESI-Q-TOF-MS analysis of L-dopa-iron chelate and gallocatechin-iron chelate suggested that the blue pigment of BLRDs was mainly in the form of bis-complexes under boiling conditions. The study on formation mechanism of blue pigment in BLRDs can provide a reference for lotus rhizome processing.
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Ferro , Polifenóis , Rizoma , Rizoma/química , Polifenóis/química , Polifenóis/análise , Ferro/química , Quelantes de Ferro/química , Pigmentos Biológicos/química , Catequina/química , Catequina/análogos & derivados , Catequina/análise , Levodopa/química , Lotus/química , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Culinária , Temperatura Alta , Ácido Clorogênico/química , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por ElectrosprayRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) plays a vital role in numerous biological processes as well as responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, its function in ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a significant medicinal and dietary vegetable, remains largely unexplored. Although the NF-Y family has been thoroughly identified in many plant species, and the function of individual NF-Y TFs has been characterized, there is a paucity of knowledge concerning this family in ginger. METHODS: We identified the largest number of NF-Y genes in the ginger genome using two BLASTP methods as part of our ginger genome research project. The conserved motifs of NF-Y proteins were analyzed through this process. To examine gene duplication events, we employed the Multiple Collinearity Scan toolkit (MCScanX). Syntenic relationships of NF-Y genes were mapped using the Dual Synteny Plotter software. Multiple sequence alignments were performed with MUSCLE under default parameters, and the resulting alignments were used to generate a maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree with the MEGA X program. RNA-seq analysis was conducted on collected samples, and statistical analyses were performed using Sigma Plot v14.0 (SYSTAT Software, USA). RESULTS: In this study, the ginger genome was utilized to identify 36 NF-Y genes (10 ZoNF-YAs, 16 ZoNF-YBs, and 10 ZoNF-YCs), which were renamed based on their chromosomal distribution. Ten distinct motifs were identified within the ZoNF-Y genes, with certain unique motifs being vital for gene function. By analyzing their chromosomal location, gene structure, conserved protein motifs, and gene duplication events, we gained a deeper understanding of the evolutionary characteristics of these ZoNF-Y genes. Detailed analysis of ZoNF-Y gene expression patterns across various tissues, performed through RNA-seq and qRT-PCR, revealed their significant role in regulating ginger rhizome and flower growth and development. Additionally, we identified the ZoNF-Y family genes that responded to abiotic stresses. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first identification of the ZoNF-Y family in ginger. Our findings contribute to research on evolutionary characteristics and provide a better understanding of the molecular basis for development and abiotic stress response. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for further functional characterization of ZoNF-Y genes with an aim of ginger crop improvement.
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Evolução Molecular , Família Multigênica , Filogenia , Estresse Fisiológico , Zingiber officinale , Zingiber officinale/genética , Estresse Fisiológico/genética , Fator de Ligação a CCAAT/genética , Fator de Ligação a CCAAT/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Genoma de Planta , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Duplicação Gênica , SinteniaRESUMO
A new bamboo species, Yushaniadezhui, from Kunming, Yunnan, China is described and illustrated in this paper. The new species used to be misidentified as Y.polytricha. Based on careful comparison of morphological features and molecular phylogeny evidence, we confirmed its identity as a new member of the genus Yushania. Yushaniadezhui resembles Y.maculata, Y.polytricha and Y.weixiensis in several aspects, such as culm height and branch complement structure. However, the glabrous culm leaf sheaths and internodes, the absence of auricles and oral setae on most foliage leaves, except the one-year-old foliage leaves, the pubescence on the adaxial surface of the one-year-old foliage leaves and its limestone habitat preference can readily distinguish this new species from its related taxa. Moreover, we emphasise that individuals from various populations and molecular markers with different inheritance patterns for phylogeny reconstruction should be included in new species discovery, especially in plant groups with complex evolutionary histories.
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Objective: The objective of this investigation was to elucidate the key active compounds and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of airpotato yam rhizome (AYR) in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Methods: By utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking, key targets and signaling pathways of AYR against CRC were predicted and subsequently validated in cellular and mouse xenograft models. Results: This study initially predicted that quercetin was the primary compound in AYR that might have potential efficacy against CRC and that EGFR and AKT1 could be the main targets of AYR, with the EGF/EGFR-induced PI3K/AKT signaling pathway potentially playing a crucial role in the anti-CRC effects of AYR. Molecular docking analysis further indicated a strong binding affinity between quercetin and EGFR, primarily through hydrogen bonds. Additionally, the AYR-derived drug-containing serum was found to inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, as demonstrated by decreased levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and BCL2, which ultimately led to enhanced apoptosis of HCT116 and HT29 cells. The potential antitumor effects of AYR were investigated in nude mouse xenograft models of human HCT116 and HT29 cells, in which AYR was found to induce tumor cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor formation. Conclusion: AYR may promote CRC cell apoptosis by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which provides a basis for further research on the safe and effective use of AYR for the treatment of CRC.
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The ramet system is a typical structural type in the life history of clonal plants. This massive structure is formed by many similar ramets connected by underground rhizomes, which are independent and mutually influential. Therefore, the ramet system is unique to bamboo forests, and its role in the construction, maintenance, and productivity of bamboo populations is irreplaceable. Mulch management is a high-level cultivation model for bamboo forests that is used to cultivate bamboo shoots. However, the basic conditions of bamboo ramet systems in this managed model are poorly understood. This study analyzed the underground rhizome morphology, bud bank, and branching of bamboo ramets in a Phyllostachys praecox C.D. Chu et C.S. Chao 'Prevernalis' forest to explore the growth patterns of bamboo ramets in high-level management fields. In mulched bamboo forests, the bamboo rhizomes, distributed in intermediate positions of the bamboo ramet system, were long with many lateral buds and branches, and those at the initial and distal ends were short with few lateral buds and branches. The initial end of the ramet system reduced the ramet system, the intermediate part expanded the ramet system, and the distal end promoted ramet system regeneration. Owing to the continuous reduction, expansion, and renewal of ramet systems, the bamboo rhizome system demonstrates mobility and adaptability. This study found that a higher level of bamboo forest management increased the possibility of artificial fragmentation of the ramet system and that improving the efficiency of the ramet system was beneficial for maintaining its high vitality. Thus, this study provides a crucial reference for guiding the precise regulation of bamboo ramet systems in artificial bamboo forests.
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This study investigated the antibacterial properties of Coptis rhizome, a plant traditionally used for respiratory infections, against Streptoccus pneumonia (S. pneumoniae), for which there has been minimal empirical evidence of effectiveness. The study particularly examined autolysis, indirectly associated with antibacterial resistance, when using Coptis rhizome for bacterial infections. In our methodology, Coptis rhizome was processed with ethanol and distilled water to produce four different extracts: CRET30, CRET50, CRET70, and CRDW. The antibacterial activity of these extracts were tested through Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays, disk diffusion tests, and time-kill assays, targeting both standard (ATCC 49619) and resistant (ATCC 70067) strains. The study also evaluated the extracts' biofilm inhibition properties and monitored the expression of the lyt gene, integral to autolysis. The results prominently showed that the CRET70 extract demonstrated remarkable antibacterial strength. It achieved an MIC of 0.125 µg/mL against both tested S. pneumoniae strains. The disk diffusion assay recorded inhibition zones of 22.17 mm for ATCC 49619 and 17.20 mm for ATCC 70067. Impressively, CRET70 resulted in a 2-log decrease in bacterial numbers for both strains, showcasing its potent bactericidal capacity. The extract was also effective in inhibiting 77.40% of biofilm formation. Additionally, the significant overexpression of the lytA gene in the presence of CRET70 pointed to a potential mechanism of action for its antibacterial effects. The outcomes provided new perspectives on the use of Coptis rhizome in combating S. pneumoniae, especially significant in an era of escalating antibiotic resistance.