Kreotoxin A administration inhibits hyperproliferation and inflammation of human ear keloid tissue and keloid-derived fibroblasts by downregulating HIF-1α expression.

Keloids represent a prevalent dermal fibroproliferative disorder. They only affect humans and exhibit several tumor characteristics, such as excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, which usually occurs after skin injury. Kreotoxin type A (KTA) can inhibit the release of acetylcholine, and thereby inhibit the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts and reducing the formation of scars. Thus, KTA could be used as a therapeutic agent for keloids. However, the mechanisms of action of KTA in keloid treatment remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of action of KTA in human keloid treatment using human tissue and a cell-based model. Integrative microarray analysis revealed that hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) expression was frequently upregulated in hypertrophic scar and keloid tissues, whereas it was downregulated in the KTA-treated samples. Furthermore, KTA addition to keloid-derived fibroblasts (KDFs) reduced the growth rate and viability, induced apoptosis, and decreased inflammation and oxidative stress in KDFs. However, overexpression of HIF-1α restored cell number and survival, decreased apoptosis, and promoted inflammation and oxidative stress in KTA-treated KDFs. Furthermore, KTA treatment reduced the expression of ECM proteins, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), collagen I and III, whereas HIF-1α overexpression abolished the effects of KTA on KDFs. In conclusion, our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of action of KTA as a potential therapeutic agent for keloids via modulating HIF-1α expression.

Appendicoscopy using single-operator cholangioscope in the management of acute obstructive appendicitis: a novel alternative (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of appendicoscopy using a single-operator cholangioscope (SOC) for the management of acute obstructive appendicitis. METHODS: This study describes 110 cases of acute obstructive appendicitis managed with the use of appendicoscopy between January 2021 and June 2023. The success rate (technical + clinical), procedure time, time to abdominal pain relief according to a visual analog scale score, postoperative length of hospital stay, and adverse event rates were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The technical success rate of appendicoscopy was 96.4%, and the clinical success rate was 91.8%. The mean ± standard deviation procedure time was 20.9 ± 10 minutes. The abdominal pain score at 6 hours after the procedure was ≤3 (visual analog scale method) in 99.1% of patients. The average length of postoperative hospital stay was 3.5 ± 1.5 days. No adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Appendicoscopy seems to be a feasible and effective alternative therapy for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of acute obstructive appendicitis.

Discrepancy Study of the Chemical Constituents of Panax Ginseng from Different Growth Environments with UPLC-MS-Based Metabolomics Strategy.

Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), the dried root and rhizome of P. ginseng C. A. Meyer, is widely used in many fields as dietary supplements and medicine. To characterize the chemical constituents in P. ginseng cultivated in different growth environments, a UPLC-TOF-MS method was established for qualitative analysis. Four hundred and eight ginsenosides, including 81 new compounds, were characterized in P. ginseng from different regions. Among the detected compounds, 361 ginsenosides were recognized in P. ginseng cultivated in the region of Monsoon Climate of Medium Latitudes, possessing the largest amount of ginsenosides in all samples. Furthermore, 41 ginsenosides in 12 batches of P. ginsengs were quantified with a UPLC-MRM-MS method, and P. ginsengs from different regions were distinguished via chemometric analysis. This study showed that the different environments have a greater influence on P. ginseng, which laid a foundation for further quality control of the herb.

Characterization of Ginsenosides from the Root of Panax ginseng by Integrating Untargeted Metabolites Using UPLC-Triple TOF-MS.

To compare the chemical distinctions of Panax ginseng Meyer in different growth environments and explore the effects of growth-environment factors on P. ginseng growth, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS) was used to characterize the ginsenosides obtained by ultrasonic extraction from P. ginseng grown in different growing environments. Sixty-three ginsenosides were used as reference standards for accurate qualitative analysis. Cluster analysis was used to analyze the differences in main components and clarified the influence of growth environment factors on P. ginseng compounds. A total of 312 ginsenosides were identified in four types of P. ginseng, among which 75 were potential new ginsenosides. The number of ginsenosides in L15 was the highest, and the number of ginsenosides in the other three groups was similar, but it was a great difference in specie of ginsenosides. The study confirmed that different growing environments had a great influence on the constituents of P. ginseng, and provided a new breakthrough for the further study of the potential compounds in P. ginseng.

[Cloning, prokaryotic expression, and functional identification of a sesquiterpene synthase gene (AsSS4) from Aquilaria sinensis].

A sesquiterpene synthase (AsSS4) full-length open reading frame (ORF) cDNA was cloned from wounded stems of Aquilaria sinensis by RT-PCR method. The result showed that the ORF of AsSS4 was 1,698 bp encoding 565 amino acids. Prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-AsSS4 was constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS. Recombinant AsSS4 protein was obtained after induction by IPTG and SDS-PAGE analysis with a MW of 64 kD. Enzymatic reactions using farnesyl pyrophosphate showed that recombinant AsSS4 protein purified by Ni-agarose gel yielded five sesquiterpene compounds, cyclohexane, 1-ethenyl-1-methyl-2, 4-bis(1-methylethenyl)-, ß-elemene, α-guaiene, α-caryophyllene and δ-guaiene. This paper reported the first cloning and functional characterization of AsSS4 gene from A. sinensis, which will establish a foundation for future studies on the molecular mechanisms of wound-induce agarwood formation in A. sinensis

[Cloning and expression analysis of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) reductase gene from Aquilaria sinensis].

The study aimed to clone the open reading frame of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) from Aquilaria sinensis and analyze the bioinformatics and expression of the gene. One unique sequence containing C4H domain was discovered in our previous reported wound transcriptome dataset of A. sinensis. The open reading frame of C4H was cloned by RT-PCR strategy with the template of mixed RNA extracted from A. sinensis stem which treated by different wound time. The bioinformatic analysis of this gene and its corresponding protein was performed. C4H expression profiles in responds to MeJA (methyl jasmonate) application were analyzed by real-time PCR. The length of C4H open reading frame (ORF) was 1 515 bp, encoding 514 amino acids. The GenBank accession number is KF134783. Inducible-experiments showed that the genes were induced by mechanical wound as well as MeJA induction, and reached the highest expression level at 8 h and 20 h, respectively. The full-length cDNA of C4H and its expression patterns will provide a foundation for further research on its function in the molecular mechanisms of aromatic compounds and flavonoids biosynthesis.

A review of the sources and pharmacological research of morroniside.

Introduction: Morroniside (Mor) is a bioactive compound found in Corni Fructus (CF) [Cornaceae; Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc.], which has been used as medicine and food in China, Korea, and Japan for over 2,000 years. This review summarizes recent progress on Mor, specifically focusing on its distribution, isolation, detection, and various pharmacological effects. Methods: A literature survey on Mor was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, and Google Scholar. After removing TCM prescription-related standards, medicinal herb processing-related research, and other irrelevant works of literature, we obtained relevant information on Mor's biological and pharmacological properties. Results: The main conclusions are as follows: Mor is widely distributed in the plant kingdom; the methods for extracting and isolating Mor are well established; and the technology for detecting it is accurate. Mor exhibits numerous pharmacological effects. Along with CF, Mor has shown renoprotective effects against diabetes, hepatoprotective effects against diabetes, triptolide, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and boneprotective effects against osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In addition, researchers have also explored other pharmacological effects of Mor, including neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemia, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer's disease; cardioprotective effects against acute myocardial infarction; protection of the digestive system from gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and colitis; protection of the skin by promoting hair growth, wound healing, and flap survival; and protection of the lungs from acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, Mor has anti-obesity effects, anti-inflammatory effects in the eye, and improves follicular development. Discussion: Overall, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacological effects of Mor, from which the limitations of the current research can be understood, which will help facilitate future research.

LMD and LC-MS-based chemical constituents and pharmacological effects assessment for two different processing methods of the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.

The plant of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. belongs to Ranunculaceae, and its root can be divided into two categories according to different processing methods, which included that one was directly dried without peeling the root of the P. lactiflora (PR), and the other was peeled the root of the P. lactiflora (PPR) after boiled and dried. To evaluate the difference of chemical components, UPLC-ESI-Q-Exactive Focus-MS/MS and UPLC-QQQ-MS were applied. The distribution of chemical components in different tissues was located by laser microdissection (LMD), especially the different ingredients. A total of 86 compounds were identified from PR and PPR. Four kind of tissues were isolated from the fresh root of the P. lactiflora (FPR), and 54 compounds were identified. Especially the content of gallic acid, albiflorin, and paeoniflorin with high biological activities were the highest in the cork, but they were lower in PR than that in PPR, which probably related to the process. To illustrate the difference in pharmacological effects of PR and PPR, the tonifying blood and analgesic effects on mice were investigated, and it was found that the tonifying blood and analgesic effects of PPR was superior to that of PR, even though PR had more constituents. The material basis for tonifying blood and analgesic effect of the root of P. lactiflora is likely to be associated with an increase in constituents such as paeoniflorin and paeoniflorin lactone after boiled and peeled. The study was likely to provide some theoretical support for the standard and clinical application.

Tissue-specific chemical expression and quantitative analysis of bioactive components of Moutan Cortex by laser-microdissection combined with UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS technique.

Moutan Cortex, is the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, which is classified into three specifications according to whether or not it is peeled and cored: Liandanpi, Guadanpi and whole root. In this study, the cork layer, cortex, phloem and xylem of P. suffruticosa fresh root were precisely separated by laser microdissection technique. UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS and UPLC-QQQ-MS techniques were used to analyse the differences in the chemical composition of different tissue parts of P. suffruticosa fresh root and Liandanpi, and to determine the optimal processing method of P. suffruticosa root. As a result, a total of 90 compounds were characterised, among which the cork layer had more types and higher contents of chemical constituents, and the xylem had fewer types and lower contents of chemical constituents. The proportion of xylem is larger, while the type and content of active ingredients is smaller. Therefore, the processing method of removing the wood core and retaining the cork bark can be used in the processing of Moutan Cortex. In this study, laser microdissection and ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to provide a theoretical basis for optimising the processing method of Moutan Cortex to enhance its pharmacological effects.

Single-operator cholangioscopy system for management of acute cholecystitis secondary to choledocholithiasis.

This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) + EyeMax (single-operator cholangioscopy system; SOC) (i.e., ERCP+SOC) for the treatment of choledocholithasis-associated acute cholecystitis. Twenty-five patients were evaluated between January 2022 and June 2023. The success rate (technical + clinical), procedure time, postoperative recovery, postoperative length of hospital stay, and complications rates were recorded. The procedure and clinical success rates were 92% (23/25) and 96% (24/25), respectively. The mean procedure time was 36.6±10 minutes (standard deviation [SD]). The average postoperative hospitalization was 2±0.8 days. No adverse events such as bleeding, perforation, or bile leakage occurred. Cholecystitis did not recur during the 2 to 18 months of follow-up. ERCP+SOC may be a feasible, safe, and effective alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis secondary to choledocholithiasis. ERCP+SOC was able to simultaneously resolve both biliary tract and gallbladder problems via natural orifice endoscopy. Its advantages included no skin wound, reduced postoperative pain, quick recovery, limited to no exposure to x-rays, and a short hospital stay.

[Genetic diversity of germplasm resources of Lonicera japonica by AFLP analysis].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic relationship of germplasm resources of Lonicera japonica in main producing areas of China and provide reference for developing new varieties of L. japonica. METHOD: Using 6 primer combinations, 13 germplasm of L. japonica were analyzed by AFLP marker. The genetic distance was worked out by using DPS V3.01 software, and the cluster was conducted based on UPGMA. RESULT: A total of 435 bands were obtained including 191 polymorphic ones. The average polymorphic frequency was 43.9%. Cluster analysis showed that the relationship of cultivated variety from the same genuine area was near, and the classification result based on AFLP marker of germplasm of L. japonica from Shandong province was basically consistent with those on their morphological character. CONCLUSION: AFLP marker can indicate the abundant genetic diversity of L. japonica and provide theoretical evidence for reasonable utilization and breeding new cultivar of L. japonica in molecular level.

Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn): a review.

OBJECTIVES: Crataegus pinnatifida (C. pinnatifida), including C. pinnatifida Bge. and its variant C. pinnatifida Bge. var. major N, E. Br., has traditionally been used as a homologous plant for traditional medicine and food in ethnic medical systems in China. Crataegus pinnatifida, especially its fruit, has been used for more than 2000 years to treat indigestion, stagnation of meat, hyperlipidemia, blood stasis, heart tingling, sores, etc. This review aimed to provide a systematic summary on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of C. pinnatifida. KEY FINDINGS: This plant contains flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, organic acids, saccharides and essential oils. Experimental studies showed that it has hypolipidemic, antimyocardial, anti-ischemia, antithrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic neuroprotective activity, etc. Importantly, it has good effects in treating diseases of the digestive system and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. SUMMARY: There is convincing evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies supporting the traditional uses of C. pinnatifida. However, multitarget network pharmacology and molecular docking technology should be used to study the interaction between the active ingredients and targets of C. pinnatifida. Furthermore, exploring the synergy of C. pinnatifida with other Chinese medicines to provide new understanding of complex diseases may be a promising strategy.

Deciphering the pharmacological mechanisms of Chaenomeles Fructus against rheumatoid arthritis by integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Chaenomeles Fructus is a plant that can be used for both food and medicine. Modern studies have shown that Chaenomeles Fructus has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects on arthritis. However, the mechanism of action of Chaenomeles Fructus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its main active ingredients are still unclear. This study was aimed at devising an integrated strategy for investigating the bioactivity constituents and possible pharmacological mechanisms of Chaenomeles Fructus against RA. The components of Chaenomeles Fructus were analyzed using UPLC-Q-Exactive orbitrap MS techniques and applied to screen the active components of Chaenomeles Fructus according to their oral bioavailability and drug-likeness index. Then, we speculated on the potential molecular mechanisms of Chaenomeles Fructus against RA through a network pharmacology analysis. Finally, the potential molecular mechanisms of Chaenomeles Fructus against RA were validated in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced RA rat model. We identified 48 components in Chaenomeles Fructus and screened seven bioactive ingredients. The results of the network pharmacology prediction and the experimental verification results were analyzed by Venn analysis, and the experimental results concluded that Chaenomeles Fructus mainly interferes with the inflammation of RA by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism and the MAPK signaling pathway. This study identified the ingredients of Chaenomeles Fructus by UPLC-Q-Exactive orbitrap MS and explained the possible mechanisms of Chaenomeles Fructus against RA by integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation.

[Comparative study on morphological character of leaves of various farm cultivars of Lonicera japonica].

OBJECTIVE: To provide theoretical evidence for dividing and breeding cultivars of Lonicera japonica, the botanical character of laminas leaves observed and compared. METHOD: Using the morphological method, the main character of leaves of 11 farm cultivars of L. japonica were systematically observed and the data were comparatively studied with statistical means. It included the length, width and the ratio of the length to the width of blade, density, length and thickness of the nonglandular hair in the epidermis. RESULT: The results showed that there were obvious differences in length, width and the ratio of the length to the width of blade, density and length of the nonglandular hair in the epidermis. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the differences of morphological character of leaves, the various farm cultivars could be identified.

Whitening Activity of Constituents Isolated from the Trichosanthes Pulp.

Whitening cosmetics market has a bright future, and pure natural whitening products of traditional Chinese medicine have always been a research hotspot. In this research, the whitening active ingredient of Chinese medicine Trichosanthes pulp was isolated and purified for the first time, and its whitening mechanism was clarified. Chromatographic methods such as silica gel, ODS, and HPLC were used to isolate and purify them. B16 cells were used to measure the antioxidant activity, tyrosinase activity, and melanin removal activity. A total of 20 compounds were isolated, including p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1), salicylic acid (2), vanillic acid (3), isovanillic acid (4), protocatechuate (5), trans-cinnamic acid (6), 4-coumaric acid (7), trans-ferulic acid (8), drechslerol-B (9), cyclotucanol 3-palmitate (10), 5-acetoxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (11), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (12), diosmetin (13), apigenin (14), chrysoeriol (15), luteolin (16), 4'-hydroxyscutellarin (17), quercetin (18), 3',5-dihydroxy-7-(ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-4'-methoxyflavone (19), and cofloxacin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside (20). Among them, compounds 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 have good antioxidant repairing effects; compounds 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 have high black inhibition; compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 have obvious tyrosine acidase inhibitory activity. The results laid foundation for the further development and utilization of Trichosanthes pulp resources and also provide a basis for the development of natural whitening cosmetics.

[Absorption and transport of 6 coumarins isolated from the roots of Angelica pubescens f. biserrata in human Caco-2 cell monolayer model].

OBJECTIVE: To study the absorption and transepithelial transport of six coumarins (umbelliferone, osthole, columbianadin, columbianetin acetate, angelol-A and angelol-B, isolated from the roots of Angelica pubescens f. biserrata) in the human Caco-2 cell monolayer model. METHODS: The in vitro cultured human colon carcinoma cell line, Caco-2 cell monolayer model, was applied to study the absorption and transport of the six coumarins from apical (AP) to basolateral (BL) side and from BL to AP side. The six coumarins were measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with ultraviolet absorption detector. Transport parameters and apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) were calculated and compared with those of propranolol as a control substance of high permeability and atenolol as a control substance of poor permeability. The transport mechanism of angelol-B was assayed by using iodoacetamide as a reference standard to inhibit ATP-dependent transport and MK571 as a well-known inhibitor of MRP2. RESULTS: The absorption and transport of six coumarins were passive diffusion as the dominating process. The P(app) values of umbelliferone, osthole, columbianadin, columbianetin acetate, angelol-A and angelol-B from AP to BL side were (2.679+/-0.263) x 10(-5), (1.306+/-0.324) x 10(-5), (0.595+/-0.086) x 10(-6), (2.930+/-0.410) x 10(-6), (1.532+/-0.444) x 10(-5) and (1.413+/-0.243) x 10(-5) cm/s, and from BL to AP side were (3.381+/-0.410) x 10(-5), (0.898+/-0.134) x 10(-5), (0.510+/-0.183) x 10(-6), (0.222+/-0.025) x 10(-6), (1.203+/-0.280) x 10(-5) and (0.754+/-0.092) x 10(-5) cm/s, respectively. In this assay, the P(app) value of propranolol was 2.18 x 10(-5) cm/s and the P(app) value of atenolol was 2.77 x 10(-7) cm/s. Among the 6 coumarins, the P(app) values of umbelliferone, osthole, angelol-A and angelol-B from AP to BL side were identical with that of propranolol, and columbianadin and columbianetin acetate lied between propranolol and atenolol. When replaced the HBSS with EBSS, and iodoacetamide or MK-591 were used in the experiment, the P(app) of angelol-B had no statistical difference as compared with the control group. In the mean total recoveries, umbelliferone was (83.31+/-3.52)%, angelol-A was (77.39+/-7.38)%, osthole, columbianadin and angelol-B were between 50% to 65%, and columbianetin acetate was lower than 10%. The accumulation rates of osthole and columbianadin in the Caco-2 cells were (36.15+/-5.87)% and (53.90+/-4.39)%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The absorption and transport of umbelliferone, osthole, columbianadin, columbianetin acetate, angelol-A and angelol-B are passive diffusion as the dominating process in Caco-2 cell monolayer model. Umbelliferone, osthole, angelol-A and angelol-B are estimated to be highly absorbed compounds, and columbianadin and columbianetin acetate are estimated to be moderately absorbed compounds. In the Caco-2 cells, osthol and columbianadin appear to accumulate, and columbianetin acetate may be metabolized. The absorption and transport of angelol-B are not influenced by the change of pH and the presence of iodoacetamide or MK571.

[Studies on chemical constituents in fruits of Eucalyptus globulus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the fruits of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and structurally elucidated by IR, NMR and MS evidences. RESULT: Fifteen compounds were obtained and identified as beta-sitosterol (1), betulinic acid (2), stigmasterol (3), euscaphic acid (4), 2a-Hydroxybetulinic acid (5), macrocarpal B (6), macrocarpal A (7), oleanolic acid (8), 3,4,3'-O-trimethylellagic acid (9), 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-(2"-O-acetyl )-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (10), camaldulenside (cypellocarpin C, 11), 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (12), 3-O-methylellagic acid (13), ellagic acid (14), and gallic acid (15). CONCLUSION: Compounds 4 and 5 from genera Eucalyptus, 1, 3 and 11 from plant E. globulus, and 6, 7, 9 and 15 from the fruits of E. globulus were isolated for the first time.

A new ellagic acid derivative from the fruits of Eucalyptus globulus Labill.

Four ellagic acid derivatives have been isolated from the fruits of Eucalyptus globulus Labill., one of which is new compound, identified as 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-alpha-L-2"-O-acetyl-rhamnopyranoside (1), the known compounds were identified as 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), ellagic acid (3) and 3-O-methylellagic acid (4), on the basis of the analysis of 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, IR and MS spectral data. It is alsoassignment the 13C NMR signals of 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside for the first.