Effects of Rheum palmatum Root on In Vitro and In Vivo Methane Production and Rumen Fermentation Characteristics.

This study investigated the impact of Rheum palmatum root (RP) for reducing methane and its impact on rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in cattle. Rumen fluid was collected from three cannulated steers (736 ± 15 kg) and mixed with buffer (1:3 ratio) for the in vitro trial. Treatments were divided into control and RP supplement groups (1%, 3%, and 5% of substrates), with each sample incubated at 39 °C for 24 and 48 hours. Methane was measured after incubation, showing a dose-dependent linear decrease after 48 hours. Quadratic changes were observed in total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate. Additionally, in vitro dry matter digestibility decreased linearly with RP inclusion. In vivo trials involved four Korean steers in a 2 × 2 crossover design over 3 weeks, with treatments including a control group and a group with 3% RP addition. Dry matter intake (DMI) tended to decrease in the RP group compared to the control. Methane emissions (g/kg DMI) were not affected by RP addition. Blood metabolites indicated higher lipase concentrations in the RP group. In conclusion, RP reduced methane production in the in vitro trial but had no effect in the in vivo trial, likely due to adaptation of ruminal bacteria to RP.

Design of multiple-function matrix encapsulated with Marjoram extract to support cellular functions, stimulate collagen synthesis and decrease infection in wound.

This study aimed to assess the role of the combination of design techniques of the engineered substrates, and the effect of encapsulating Marjoram (Origanum Majorana L.) into the matrix network was studied. To this end, PVA-PEG matrices were designed through 3 techniques of freeze-thaw (FT), the combination of both methods of freeze-drying and freeze-thawing(FT-FD), and ternary technique(freeze-drying,freeze-thawing,cross-linking(FT-FD/CL)), by combining equal volume ratios of both polymers. The results indicated the ternary technique can provide better physicochemical properties(porosity: 96%, lower degradation rate, higher modulus) compared to FT and FT-FD methods. Afterward, encapsulation of Marjoram-extracted bio-actives in the matrix network designed with the ternary technique demonstrated that the increase in the extract concentration up to 3% can increase encapsulation efficiency. The encapsulation also caused a more cohesive network by better bonding between functional groups in herbal biomolecules and polymer chains of the matrix. Mass transport mechanisms and release kinetics of matrix-encapsulated bio-actives indicated a deviation from Fickian diffusion and the release by diffusion and swelling process. Biologically, matrix-loaded herbal carbohydrate(Epi-alpha-Cadinol) improved fibroblast adhesion and distribution on the substrate surface, and led to the better synthesis of collagen fibers, especially in 3% herbal extract, and antibacterial activities owing to the controlled release of sesquiterpenoids and N-Acetyl-L-proline.

Role and molecular mechanisms of HuangQiSiJunZi decoction for treating triple-negative breast cancer as explored via network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms of HuangQiSiJunZi Decoction (HQSJZD) for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses. METHODS: Effective chemical components together with action targets of HQSJZD were selected based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Meanwhile, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were extracted from TNBC sample data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Additionally, we built a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and acquired hub genes. Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) datasets were utilized to verify the accuracy of hub gene expression. Additionally, enrichment analyses were conducted on key genes. Furthermore, TNBC severity-related high-risk factors were screened through univariate together with multivariate Cox regressions; next, the logistic regression prediction model was built. Moreover, differential levels of 22 immune cell types in TNBC tissues compared with normal tissues were analyzed. The hub gene levels within pan-cancer and the human body were subsequently visualized and analyzed. Finally, quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to validate the correlation of the hub genes in TNBC cells. RESULTS: The study predicted 256 targets of active ingredients and 1791 DEGs in TNBC, and obtained 16 hub genes against TNBC. The prognostic signature based on FOS, MMP9, and PGR was independent in predicting survival. A total of seven types of immune cells, such as CD4 + memory T cells, showed a significant difference in infiltration (p < 0.05), and immune cells were related to the hub genes. The HPA database was adopted for hub gene analyses, and as determined, FOS was highly expressed in most human organs. The results of RT-qPCR validation for the FOS hub gene were consistent with those of bioinformatic analyses. CONCLUSION: HQSJZD might regulate the interleukin-17 and aging pathways via FOS genes to increase immune cell infiltration in TNBC tissues, and thus, may treat TNBC and improve the prognosis. The FOS genes are likely to be a new marker for TNBC.

A New Frontier in Phytotherapy: Harnessing the Therapeutic Power of Medicinal Herb-derived miRNAs.

Medicinal herbs have been utilized in the treatment of various pathologic conditions, including neoplasms, organ fibrosis, and diabetes mellitus. However, the precise pharmacological actions of plant miRNAs in animals remain to be fully elucidated, particularly in terms of their therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action. In this review, some important miRNAs from foods and medicinal herbs are presented. Plant miRNAs exhibit a range of pharmacological properties, such as anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory effects, and neuromodulation, among others. These results have not only demonstrated a cross-species regulatory effect, but also suggested that the miRNAs from medicinal herbs are their bioactive components. This shows a promising prospect for plant miRNAs to be used as drugs. Here, the pharmacological properties of plant miRNAs and their underlying mechanisms have been highlighted, which can provide new insights for clarifying the therapeutic mechanisms of medicinal herbs and suggest a new way for developing therapeutic drugs.

Epiphytic Patterns Impacting Metabolite Diversity of Drynaria roosii Rhizomes Based on Widely Targeted Metabolomics.

Drynaria roosii Nakaike, a fern widely distributed in China and some countries in Southeast Asia, is a commonly used herbal medicine in tonic diets and Chinese patented medicine. The metabolites of its dried rhizomes are easily affected by the epiphytic pattern, whether on rock tunnels (RTs) or tree trunks (TTs). The current research focused on rhizomes from these two patterns, RTs and TTs (further divided into subclasses TA, TB, TC, and TD, based on trunk differences) and conducted a widely targeted metabolomics analysis. A total of 1435 components were identified across 13 categories, with flavonoids, amino acids, and their derivative, lipids, identified as the main components. They accounted for 19.96%, 12.07%, and 12.14% of all metabolites, respectively. The top five flavonoids in TB were eriodicty-ol-7-O-(6″-acetyl)glucoside, quercetin-3-O-sophoroside (baimaside), dihydrochar-cone-4'-O-glucoside, morin, and hesperetin-7-O-glucoside, with relative contents 76.10, 24.20, 17.02, 15.84, and 14.64 times higher than in RTs. Principal component analysis revealed that samples with different epiphytic patterns clustered into five groups. The RT patterns revealed unique metabolites that were not detected in the other four epiphytic species (TA, TB, TC, and TD), including 16 authenticated metabolites: 1 alkaloid, 1 amino acid derivative, 7 flavonoids, 2 lignans, 1 lipid, 1 alcohol, 1 aldehyde, and 2 phenolic acids. These differences in epiphytic patterns considerably affected the accumulation of both primary and secondary metabolites. The comparison of diversity between RTs and TTs can guide the selection of a cultivation substance and the grading of collective rhizomes in the wild. This comprehensive analysis of D. roosii rhizome metabolites also offers fundamental insights for identifying active components and understanding the mechanisms underlying their potential pharmacological activities.

Evaluation of Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements Use in Patients with Respiratory Diseases Applied to Tertiary Health Institution.

Objectives: In recent years, especially with the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the use of herbal products for various health problems has been increasing worldwide. This study aimed to determine the frequency of herbal product/dietary supplement use, the most used products, and the factors affecting the use of these products in patients who applied to the Chest Diseases Clinic. Materials and Methods: This descriptive survey study was conducted at Chest Diseases Clinic using a face-to-face interview technique. Adult individuals with subacute respiratory complaints for > 3 weeks or a diagnosis of chronic chest disease were included in the study. The questionnaire form included questions about personal characteristics, data related to disease and treatment, use of herbal products/dietary supplements, and attitudes toward these products. A total of 444 participants with all the data included in the study. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and binary logistic regression tests were used. Results: It was determined that 49.3% of the participants used herbal products/dietary supplements, and the most frequently used products were honey, linden, ginger, lemon, and carob. According to the results of the binary logistic regression test, it was determined that patients over 60 years old [odds ratio (OR)= 2.0, 95% confidence interval (Cl): 1.1-3.8, p= 0.042], those with a high education level (OR= 2.0, 95% Cl: 1.1-3.6, p= 0.018), those who live in urban (OR= 1.8, 95% Cl: 1.1-3.0, p= 0.018), and those with a diagnosis of post-COVID syndrome (OR= 2.7, 95%, Cl: 1.3-5.5, p= 0.007) are more likely to use these products. It was determined that 57.9% of the participants used these products to relieve the symptoms of the disease. Conclusion: Considering the high probability of using these products in patients with respiratory tract disease, it is essential for public health that health professionals question the use of these products and provide counseling on this issue.

A novel strategy and characteristics of PVA/citric acid cross-linked hydrophilic elastic sponge of cellulose based on medicinal herb residue.

A new ultra-hydrophilic elastic sponge composite has been proposed. Medicinal herbs, commonly used in herbal medicine and subsequently discarded, are rich in natural polymer substances, making them promising candidates for various material industries. TEMPO-oxidized cellulose was extracted from medicinal herb residue, and the physicochemical properties of an ultra-hydrophilic elastic sponge, prepared through a PVA and CA impregnate cross-linking process, were investigated. The fabricated composite sponge exhibited an increase in compressive stress-strain proportional to the PVA cross-linking concentration, and its water retention capability was assessed through retention tests. Swelling tests for various solvents were conducted to evaluate the potential use of the sponge in diverse industries, revealing the highest swelling ratio in water. Pressure distribution measurements using prescale film indicated that the sponge's shock absorption capacity was enhanced by PVA cross-linking, leading to improved pressure dispersion.

Evaluation of Chemical Composition among the Multi Colored Germplasm of Abrus precatorius L.

The medicinal plant Abrus precatorius L. was traditionally used in the Siddha and Ayurvedic systems of medicine in India. The Indian center of origin holds a vast variability in its seed color. The objective of this study was to assess the total monomeric anthocyanin, flavonol, as well as the antioxidative potential, protein content and ash content among the accessions. A total of 99 accessions conserved in the Indian National Genebank were used in this study. The methods used for the estimation of total monomeric anthocyanin, flavonol, as well as the antioxidative potential, protein content and ash content were the pH differential method, Oomah method, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential, Dumas method and gravimetric method, respectively. The completely black colored accession was recorded with highest total monomeric anthocyanin (51.95 mg/100 g of cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalent) and flavonol content (66.41 mg/g of quercetin equivalent). Red + black colored accessions have recorded the maximum value with respect to antioxidants (14.18 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent). The highest amount of protein content was found in a completely white colored accession (20.67%) and the maximum ash content was recorded in red + black colored accession (4.01%). The promising accessions identified can be used by pharmaceutical companies in drug development and in curing degenerative diseases.

Complete chloroplast genomes of the hemiparasitic genus Cymbaria: Insights into comparative analysis, development of molecular markers, and phylogenetic relationships.

The hemiparasitic tribe Cymbarieae (Orobanchaceae) plays a crucial role in elucidating the initial stage of the transition from autotrophism to heterotrophism. However, the complete chloroplast genome of the type genus Cymbaria has yet to be reported. In addition, the traditional Mongolian medicine Cymbaria daurica is frequently subjected to adulteration or substitution because of the minor morphological differences with Cymbaria mongolica. In this study, the complete chloroplast genomes of the two Cymbaria species were assembled and annotated, and those of other published 52 Orobanchaceae species were retrieved for comparative analyses. We found that the Cymbaria chloroplast genomes are characterized by pseudogenization or loss of stress-relevant genes (ndh) and a unique rbcL-matK inversion. Unlike the high variability observed in holoparasites, Cymbaria and other hemiparasites exhibit high similarity to autotrophs in genome size, guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and intact genes. Notably, four pairs of specific DNA barcodes were developed and validated to distinguish the medicinal herb from its adulterants. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the genus Cymbaria and the Schwalbea-Siphonostegia clade are grouped into the tribe Cymbarieae, which forms a sister clade to the remaining Orobanchaceae parasitic lineages. Moreover, the diversification of monophyletic Cymbaria occurred during the late Miocene (6.72 Mya) in the Mongol-Chinese steppe region. Our findings provide valuable genetic resources for studying the phylogeny of Orobanchaceae and plant parasitism, and genetic tools to validate the authenticity of the traditional Mongolian medicine "Xinba.".

Possible mechanism for the protective effect of active ingredients of astragalus membranaceus on diabetes nephropathy.

Astragali Radix (AR), a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb, exhibits protective effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in extensive researches. Aticles focusing on AR in PubMed were collected and reviewed in order to summarize the latest pharmacological effects on DN. The action mechanisms for protectiving effects of AR were associated with regulation of anti-fibrosis, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-podocyte apoptosis, restoration of mitochondrial function, restoration of endothelial function in diabetes nephropathy experimental models. Consequently, AR hold promise as potential novel therapeutics for the treatment of DN.

A Narrative Review of Herbal Remedies for Managing Hirsutism.

Hirsutism is a condition that can have medical, social, and psychological implications, affecting 5% to 10% of women worldwide. Management options include cosmetic procedures and pharmacological interventions. However, medications used to treat hirsutism can have side effects, ranging from mild symptoms like nausea and headaches to more serious complications such as vascular clots, heart attacks, hepatotoxicity, osteoporosis, and effeminization of a male fetus. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the potential benefits of medicinal plants on hirsutism as a complementary approach, specifically whether they can be used as adjuvants to cosmetic procedures. Databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ISI, SID, and Mag Iran have been checked with related keywords from 2000 to 2023. Moreover, related articles were isolated. In total, ten trials were identified in the search. The results suggested that various herbs, including fennel, licorice, spearmint, saw palmetto, green tea, combination of Zingiber and neem, curcumin, and teupolioside have the potential as herbal remedies for hirsutism. However, further extensive well-designed studies involving a large sample size on the most promising herbs are necessary to determine their efficacy.

Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy): An insight on the multifarious pharmacological paradigms of a most promising medicinal ayurvedic herb.

Medicinal herbs are being widely accepted as alternative remedies for preventing various diseases especially in India and other Asian countries. However, most plant-based herbal medicines are not yet being scientifically accepted worldwide. "Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.F. & Thomson", one of the most promising plant species of Tinospora known as "Giloy" or Guduchi that is used in several traditional medicines in treating diseases e.g., metabolic and immune disorders, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, has been widely investigated. Varieties of bioactive phytochemical constituents isolated from the stem, root and whole plant of T. cordifolia have been identified. In the last two decades, the diverse pharmacological activities of T. cordifolia have been continuously studied. Due to its therapeutic efficacy in immune modulation, it could be effective in viral and other diseases treatment as well. A medicinal plant could be well-suited not only for the treatment of target site but also for boosting the body's immune system. As an alternate source of medication, medicinal herbs are continuously showing better compatibility with the human body with minimal side effects than other therapies. Keeping this in mind, the present review highlights the pharmacological potential of T. cordifolia against various diseases.

Enriched soil amendments influenced soil fertility, herbage yield and bioactive principle of medicinal plant (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) grown in two different soils.

High cost of chemical fertilizers and poor nutrient content in conventional organic sources (manure, compost, charcoal etc.) can be addressed through development of enriched organic amendments. However, there is a need to evaluate enriched organic amendments as a potential alternative of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, an effort was made to prepare enriched organic amendments through blending distillation waste of aromatic plant biomass (DWB) with naturally available low-grade rock phosphate (RP) and waste mica (WM). Enrich compost (ENC) was produced from DWB in a natural composting process, blended with mineral powder, whereas biochar fortified mineral (BFM) was prepared by blending biochar, derived from DWB through hydrothermal reaction, with mineral powder. The main aims of the present study were to investigate the impacts of ENC and BFM applications on soil properties, and herbage yield and quality of a medicinal herb Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.). The performances of ENC and BFM at two different rates (2.5 and 5 t ha-1) were compared with the application of conventional farmyard manure (FYM, 5 t ha-1) and chemical fertilizers (CF, NPK 60-40-20 kg ha-1) in two different soils in a pot experiment. Both, ENC and EBC improved soil quality and fertility by increasing soil organic carbon, available nutrients, microbial biomass and enzyme activity. The ENC and BFM increased total herbage yields by 21 and 16.3 % compared to FYM. In both soils, the CF treatment produced the maximum dry herbage yields (32.7-37.4 g pot-1), which however were comparable to ENC (31.9-33.7 g pot-1) and BFM (30.7-35.1 g pot-1) treatments. Bioactive compound (sennoside) production in senna was significantly improved by ENC and BFM compared to CF. The present study indicates that ENC and BFM could not only help to overcome the limitation of conventional FYM, but also have the potentials to substitute costly chemical fertilizers, particularly in medicinal plant cultivation.

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, a Traditional Chinese Edible Medicinal Herb, Promotes Neuronal Differentiation, and the Morphological Maturation of Newborn Neurons in Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells.

Neurogenesis in the adult brain comprises the entire set of events of neuronal development. It begins with the division of precursor cells to form a mature, integrated, and functioning neuronal network. Adult neurogenesis is believed to play an important role in animals' cognitive abilities, including learning and memory. In the present study, significant neuronal differentiation-promoting activity of 80% (v/v) ethanol extract of P. cocos (EEPC) was found in Neuro-2a cells and mouse cortical neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Subsequently, a total of 97 compounds in EEPC were identified by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS. Among them, four major compounds-Adenosine; Choline; Ethyl palmitoleate; and L-(-)-arabinitol-were further studied for their neuronal differentiation-promoting activity. Of which, choline has the most significant neuronal differentiation-promoting activity, indicating that choline, as the main bioactive compound in P. cocos, may have a positive effect on learning and memory functions. Compared with similar research literature, this is the first time that the neuronal differentiation-promoting effects of P. cocos extract have been studied.

A comprehensive review on ayurvedic herb Leptadenia reticulata (Jeevanti): a phytochemistry and pharmacological perspective.

Leptadenia reticulata is a vital Ayurvedic medicinal herb, commonly known as Jivanti or Jiv, and contains revitalising, rejuvenating, and lactogenic activities. It has been used in traditional medicine for treating respiratory disorders, wounds, inflammation, cough, dehydration, tuberculosis, colitis, chickenpox, dysentery, eye diseases, night blindness, fever, and snake bites. It is a perennial herb of Indian origin belonging to the Asclepiadaceae family and has been utilised for its therapeutic properties since ancient times. It is a key ingredient in several marketed herbal drugs, including chyawanprash, speman, and leptaden. Several potent compounds, including ß-sitosterol, γ-sitosterol, phytol, α-amyrin, ß-amyrin, apigenin, reticulin, deniculatin, leptaculatin, diosmetin, and rutin are present in this herb and attributed various pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-abortifacient, anticancer, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiulcer properties. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the distribution, ethnobotanical use, botanical description, phytocompounds, and pharmacological activities of Leptadenia reticulata.

Leptadenia reticulata is a vital Ayurvedic herb containing revitalising, rejuvenating, and lactogenic activities.It is present in polyherbal formulations chyawanprash, speman, and leptaden.Its secondary metabolites have anticancer, anticholesterol, antidiabetic, antiabortifacient, and anti-inflammatory potential.This review shows the distribution, morphology, and therapeutic potential of Leptadenia reticulata.A summary of the phytochemicals present in Leptadenia reticulata will also be provided.

Potential of rosmarinic acid from Orthosiphon aristatus extract for inflammatory induced diseases and its mechanisms of action.

Orthosiphon aristatus has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb for various illnesses in Southeast Asia and Europe. The most dominant bioactive compound of the herb is rosmarinic acid (RosA) which has been demonstrated for its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. This review describes the recent progress of studies on multi-target molecular pathways of RosA in relation to targeted inflammatory-associated diseases. An inclusive literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Springer Link, PubMed, Medline, Wiley and Science Direct for studies reporting on the anti-inflammatory actions of RosA from 2008 until 2023. The keywords of the search were RosA and anti-inflammatory in relation to hepatoprotective, chondroprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective and toxicity. Only publications that are written in English are included in this review. The inhibition and deactivation of pro-inflammatory biomolecules by RosA were explained based on the initial inflammation stimuli and their location in the body. The activation of Nrf2/HO-1 expression to inhibit NF-κB pathway is the key mechanism for hepatoprotection. Besides NF-κB inhibition, RosA activates PPARγ to alleviate ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardial injury for cardioprotection. The regulation of MAPK and T-cell activation is important for chondroprotection, whereas the anti-oxidant property of RosA is the main contributor of neuroprotection. Even though less studies on the anti-inflammation of RosA extracts from O. aristatus, but the effective pharmacological properties of RosA has promoted it as a natural potent lead for further investigation.

Systematic evaluation of combined herbal adjuvant therapy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined traditional Chinese medicine in the adjuvant treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) by Meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang databases were searched by computer. Random controlled clinical trials (RCTS) using traditional Chinese medicine as adjuvant therapy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy were screened, and Stata16.0 software was used to perform meta-analysis on the final included literatures. Results: A total of 18 studies involving 1392 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the clinical effective rate OR=2.99 (CI: 2.18-4.10, I2 = 42.7%, P<0.05); Visual acuity MD=0.10(CI: 0.06-0.13, I2 = 0%, P<0.05); Fundus efficacy OR=5.47 (CI: 1.33-22.51, I2 = 71.4%, P<0.05); Neovascularisation regression rate OR=8 (CI: 3.83-16.71, I2 = 30.1%, P<0.05); Macular foveal thickness MD=-44.24 (CI: -84.55-3.93, I2 = 95.6%, P<0.05); Absorption of vitreous hemorrhage OR=4.7 (CI: 2.26-9.77, I2 = 0%, P<0.05); Fasting blood glucose MD=-0.23, (CI: -0.38-0.07, I2 = 0%, P<0.05); 2h postprandial blood glucose MD=-0.19 (CI: -0.52-0.14, I2 = 0%, P=0.25). From the results, the combined Chinese medicine adjuvant therapy showed better efficacy than the control group. A total of 69 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine were involved in 18 studies, among which the top four applied frequencies were Panax notoginseng, Rehmannia rehmannii, Astragalus membranaceus and Poria cocos. Most of the medicines were sweet and bitter in taste, the qi tended to be slight cold and cold, and the meridian tropism belongs to the liver meridian. Conclusion: The combination of traditional Chinese medicine adjuvant therapy has a good curative effect on PDR patients. However, the relevant clinical trials are few and more high-quality clinical trials are still needed, what's more the attention should be paid to the exploration of its safety.

[Properties of new exotic traditional Chinese medicinal Vernonia amygdalina leaves:a literature research].

The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Delile of the family Asteraceae(also known as "bitter leaf"), rich in biological activities, are used as both medicine and food for a long time in West tropical Africa. They have been introduced into Southeast Asia and Fujian and Guangdong provinces of China in recent years. However, little is known about the properties of the plant in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which limits its combination with other Chinese medicinal herbs. In this study, 473 articles on V. amygdalina leaves were selected from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP to summarize their components, pharmacological effects and clinical research. V. amygdalina leaves presented anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological effects. On the basis of the theory of TCM properties, the leaves were inferred to be cold in property and bitter and sweet in flavor, acting on spleen, liver, stomach and large intestine and with the functions of clearing heat, drying dampness, purging fire, removing toxin, killing insects and preventing attack of malaria. They can be used to treat dampness-heat diarrhea, interior heat and diabetes, malaria, insect accumulation and eczema(5-10 g dry leaves by decoction per day and an appropriate amount of crushed fresh leaves applying to the affected area for external use). Due to the lack of TCM properties, V. amygdalina leaves are rarely used medicinally in China. The determination of medicinal properties of the leaves is conducive to the introduction of new exotic medicinal herbs and the development of new TCM resources, which facilitated further clinical application and research and development of Chinese medicinal herbs.

Corrigendum: Effects of dietary nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) seed meals on growth, non-specific immune indices, antioxidant status, gene expression analysis, and cold stress tolerance in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1038748.].

Novel SNP based analysis of genetic diversity in Polygonatum verticillatum Linn. across Indian Himalayas.

Polygonatum verticillatum Linn. is an endangered medicinal herb from Himalayas whose rhizomes have recently been used to curate symptoms of COVID-19. During present investigation, a gene bank of P. verticillatum was established at High Altitude Herbal Garden of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun at Chakrata, at 2600 m amsl with germplasm collected from different states and union territory of India including Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir covering a wide range of geographical locations from an altitude of 1800 to 3600 m amsl. Genotyping by sequencing was applied to a set of 66 accessions of P. verticillatum to identify genome-wide high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for analysis of genetic diversity. Neighbour-joining tree created from the distance matrix data grouped the genotypes into five distinct clusters. The results of principal coordinate analysis and Cluster analysis overlapped to identify Narkanda, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) and Sunil village, Chamoli (Uttarakhand) as the regions with undisturbed, highly diverse natural populations of P. verticillatum. The species displayed little congruence in terms of genetic similarities with altitudinal range. This investigation is first of its kind on generation and utilization of SNPs to analyse genetic diversity in P. verticillatum with a very vivid sample collection across the entire Himalayan range in India. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03654-4.