The Therapeutic Potential of Intra-Articular Injection of Synthetic Deer Antler Peptides in a Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Synthetic deer antler peptides (TSKYR, TSK, and YR) stimulate the proliferation of human chondrocytes and osteoblasts and increase the chondrocyte content of collagen and glycosamino-glycan in vitro. This study investigated the peptide mixture's pain relief and chondroprotective effect in a rat model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis. Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control (saline), positive control (hyaluronic acid), and ex-perimental (peptides). Intra-articular collagenase injections were administered on days 1 and 4 to induce osteoarthritis in the left knees of the rats. Two injections of saline, hyaluronic acid, or the peptides were injected into the same knees of each corresponding group at the beginning of week one and two, respectively. Joint swelling, arthritic pain, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Injection of the peptides significantly reduced arthritic pain compared to the control group, as evidenced by the closer-to-normal weight-bearing and paw withdrawal threshold test results. Histological analyses showed reduced cartilage matrix loss and improved total cartilage degeneration score in the experimental versus the control group. Our findings suggest that intra-articular injection of synthetic deer antler peptides is a promising treatment for osteoarthritis.

Therapeutic Potential of Salvia miltiorrhiza Root Extract in Alleviating Cold-Induced Immunosuppression.

The interaction between environmental stressors, such as cold exposure, and immune function significantly impacts human health. Research on effective therapeutic strategies to combat cold-induced immunosuppression is limited, despite its importance. In this study, we aim to investigate whether traditional herbal medicine can counteract cold-induced immunosuppression. We previously demonstrated that cold exposure elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in mice, similar to the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatments. This cold-induced rise in circulating IgG was mediated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and linked to vascular constriction. In our mouse model, the cold-exposed groups (4 °C) showed significantly elevated plasma IgG levels and reduced bacterial clearance compared with the control groups maintained at room temperature (25 °C), both indicative of immunosuppression. Using this model, with 234 mice divided into groups of 6, we investigated the potential of tanshinone IIA, an active compound in Salvia miltiorrhiza ethanolic root extract (SMERE), in alleviating cold-induced immunosuppression. Tanshinone IIA and SMERE treatments effectively normalized elevated plasma IgG levels and significantly improved bacterial clearance impaired by cold exposure compared with control groups injected with a vehicle control, dimethyl sulfoxide. Notably, bacterial clearance, which was impaired by cold exposure, showed an approximately 50% improvement following treatment, restoring immune function to levels comparable to those observed under normal temperature conditions (25 °C, p < 0.05). These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of traditional herbal medicine in counteracting cold-induced immune dysregulation, offering valuable insights for future strategies aimed at modulating immune function in cold environments. Further research could focus on isolating tanshinone IIA and compounds present in SMERE to evaluate their specific roles in mitigating cold-induced immunosuppression.

Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Bioactive Peptides in Human Bone Cells from Tortoiseshell and Deer Antler Gelatin.

Tortoiseshell and deer antler gelatin has been used to treat bone diseases in Chinese society. A pepsin-digested gelatin peptide with osteoblast-proliferation-stimulating properties was identified via LC-MS/MS. The resulting pentapeptide, TSKYR, was presumably subjected to further degradation into TSKY, TSK, and YR fragments in the small intestine. The above four peptides were chemically synthesized. Treatment of tripeptide TSK can lead to a significant 30- and 50-fold increase in the mineralized nodule area and density in osteoblast cells and a 47.5% increase in the number of chondrocyte cells. The calcium content in tortoiseshell was relatively higher than in human soft tissue. The synergistic effects of calcium ions and the peptides were observed for changes in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, these peptides can enhance the expression of RUNX2, OCN, FGFR2, and FRFR3 genes in osteoblasts, and aggrecan and collagen type II in chondrocyte (patent pending).

Cloning, expression, identification and characterization of borneol dehydrogenase isozymes in Pseudomonas sp. TCU-HL1.

Borneol is a bicyclic plant monoterpene. It can be degraded by soil microorganisms through the conversion of borneol dehydrogenase (BDH) and a known camphor degradation pathway. Recombinant BDH from Pseudomonas sp. TCU-HL1 was produced in the form of inclusion body. The refolded BDH1 tends to precipitate. Insoluble recombinant BDH1 was converted into a soluble form by adding glycerol in LB medium. The kcat and kcat/Km values of soluble form BDH1 for (+)-borneol turned out to be about 34-fold and 45-fold higher, respectively, than those of the refolded enzyme. On the other hand, a gene knockout mutant, TCU-HL1Δbdh, was constructed to investigate the possible presence of a second copy of the bdh gene in TCU-HL1 genome. A new gene, bdh2, encoding a BDH isozyme, was identified, and the recombinant BDH2 protein was produced in a soluble form. Both bdh1 and bdh2 genes are expressed in the crude extract of wild type TCU-HL1, as shown by RT-qPCR results. Both BDH isozymes prefer to degrade (+)-borneol, rather than (-)-borneol, probably because (+)-camphor is the main form present in nature.

Efficient Photodynamic Killing of Gram-Positive Bacteria by Synthetic Curcuminoids.

In our previous study, we have demonstrated that curcumin can efficiently kill the anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium acnes by irradiation with low-dose blue light. The curcuminoids present in natural plant turmeric mainly include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. However, only curcumin is commercially available. Eighteen different curcumin analogs, including demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, were synthesized in this study. Their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive aerobic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis was investigated using the photodynamic inactivation method. Among the three compounds in turmeric, curcumin activity is the weakest, and bisdemethoxycurcumin possesses the strongest activity. However, two synthetic compounds, (1E,6E)-1,7-bis(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione and (1E,6E)-1,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione, possess the best antibacterial activity among all compounds examined in this study. Their chemical stability is also better than that of bisdemethoxycurcumin, and thus has potential for future clinical applications.

Rapid identification of dragon blood samples from Daemonorops draco, Dracaena cinnabari and Dracaena cochinchinensis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION: Dragon blood is a deep-red plant resin which has been used as folk medicine for more than a thousand years. It can be produced from at least four entirely different plant families: Asparagaceae, Arecaceae, Chamaesyce, and Fabaceae. Current pharmacopeia states that the only "authentic" source of dragon blood is the palm tree, Daemonorops draco. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to find a high-throughput method to screen and identify the plant sources of commercial dragon blood products. METHODOLOGY: A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) based method for rapid screening of dracorhodin in commercial dragon blood samples was established in this study. RESULTS: Well-resolved peaks of dracorhodin in spectra were observed in the crude extracts of samples. Dragon blood samples from two other plant species, Dracaena cinnabari and Dracaena cochinchinensis, were also examined. Their indicator compounds, loureirin A and B, were detected in these plants. CONCLUSION: A MALDI-TOF based method for preliminarily examination of commercial dragon blood samples is reported here. In contrast to MALDI-TOF, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a time-consuming and costly method, not ideal for routine and large-scale screening of commercial samples.

Resolution of isoborneol and its isomers by GC/MS to identify "synthetic" and "semi-synthetic" borneol products.

Borneol is a plant terpene commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Optically pure (+)-borneol and (-)-borneol can be obtained by extraction from the plants Dipterocarpaceae and Blumea balsamifera, respectively. "Synthetic borneol" is obtained from the reduction of (±)-camphor to lead to four different stereoisomers: (+)-isoborneol, (-)-isoborneol, (+)-borneol, and (-)-borneol. In contrast, "semi-synthetic borneol" is produced from the reduction of natural camphor, (+)-camphor, to afford two isomers: (-)-isoborneol and (+)-borneol. We established a convenient method to identify them by treating the four stereoisomers with two chiral reagents, (R)-(+)-α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetyl chloride ((R)-(+)-MTPA-Cl) and (1S)-(-)- camphanic chloride. The resulting derivatives from the above mentioned method were analyzed by gas chromatography. The enantiomers of (+)- and (-)-isoborneol were successfully separated from (+)- and (-)-borneol isomers in this study to make this a useful method in the identification of "synthetic" and "semi-synthetic" borneols. Furthermore, we also examined five different commercial borneols. During this course, a novel and unprecedented partial epimerization from isoborneol-camphanic ester to borneol-camphanic ester was observed. However, this phenomenon did not occur in isoborneol-MTPA esters epimerization to borneol-MTPA case under the same conditions. The DFT calculation of activation energies for both reactions was in a good agreement with the results obtained from GC analysis.

Borneol Dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. Strain TCU-HL1 Catalyzes the Oxidation of (+)-Borneol and Its Isomers to Camphor.

Most plant-produced monoterpenes can be degraded by soil microorganisms. Borneol is a plant terpene that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Neither microbial borneol dehydrogenase (BDH) nor a microbial borneol degradation pathway has been reported previously. One borneol-degrading strain, Pseudomonas sp. strain TCU-HL1, was isolated by our group. Its genome was sequenced and annotated. The genome of TCU-HL1 consists of a 6.2-Mbp circular chromosome and one circular plasmid, pTHL1 (12.6 kbp). Our results suggest that borneol is first converted into camphor by BDH in TCU-HL1 and is further decomposed through a camphor degradation pathway. The recombinant BDH was produced in the form of inclusion bodies. The apparent Km values of refolded recombinant BDH for (+)-borneol and (-)-borneol were 0.20 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.01 mM, respectively, and the kcat values for (+)-borneol and (-)-borneol were 0.75 ± 0.01 and 0.53 ± 0.01 s-1, respectively. Two plant BDH genes have been reported previously. The kcat and kcat/Km values of lavender BDH are about 1,800-fold and 500-fold lower, respectively, than those of TCU-HL1 BDH. IMPORTANCE: The degradation of borneol in a soil microorganism through a camphor degradation pathway is reported in this study. We also report a microbial borneol dehydrogenase. The kcat and kcat/Km values of lavender BDH are about 1,800-fold and 500-fold lower, respectively, than those of TCU-HL1 BDH. The indigenous borneol- and camphor-degrading strain isolated, Pseudomonas sp. strain TCU-HL1, reminds us of the time 100 years ago when Taiwan was the major producer of natural camphor in the world.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress contributes to arsenic trioxide-induced intrinsic apoptosis in human umbilical and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Arsenic trioxide is an old drug and has been used for a long time in traditional Chinese and Western medicines. However, the cancer treatment of arsenic trioxide has heart and vascular toxicity. The cytotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide and its molecular mechanism in human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSC) and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HMSC-bm) were investigated in this study. Our results showed that arsenic trioxide significantly reduced the viability of HUMSC and HMSC-bm in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Arsenic trioxide is able to induce apoptotic cell death in HUMSC and HMSC-bm, as shown from the results of morphological examination, flow cytometric analyses, DAPI staining and comet assay. The appearance of arsenic trioxide also led to an increase of intracellular free calcium (Ca(2+) ) concentration and the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). The caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities were time-dependently increased in arsenic trioxide-treated HUMSC and HMSC-bm. In addition, the proteomic analysis and DNA microarray were carried out to investigate the expression level changes of genes and proteins affected by arsenic trioxide treatment in HUMSC. Our results suggest that arsenic trioxide induces a prompt induction of ER stress and mitochondria-modulated apoptosis in HUMSC and HMSC-bm. A framework was proposed for the effect of arsenic trioxide cytotoxicity by targeting ER stress.

Transcriptional regulation of the iac locus from Acinetobacter baumannii by the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid.

The iac locus is involved in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) catabolism in Acinetobacter baumannii. Nine structural genes of iac are transcribed in the same direction, whereas iacR, which encodes a MarR-type transcriptional regulator, is transcribed in the opposite direction. The IacA protein, which is encoded by the second structural gene of the iac locus, is expressed in an IAA-dependent manner. Here, we characterized gene expression from this locus in wild type A. baumannii and in an iacR mutant; this revealed that the iacH promoter is negatively regulated by IacR. The transcriptional site of iacH was determined by using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends; one IacR-binding site was identified between positions -35 and +28 of the iacH promoter. Sequence analysis and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that recombinant IacR binds specifically to a sequence with dyad symmetry in the iacR-iacH overlapping promoters in the absence of IAA. In addition, a two-plasmid expression system in Escherichia coli showed that IAA probably serves as a ligand that binds to IacR and releases it from the iacH promoter, thereby allowing RNA polymerase to transcribe iac. Thus, iac is expressed in order to promote IAA degradation, whereas free IacR is required for iac repression. We conclude that IacR serves as a key regulator of IAA degradation in A. baumannii in the rhizosphere. These results provide new insights into the possible role of A. baumannii in the environment.

Biological Activities of Deer Antler-Derived Peptides on Human Chondrocyte and Bone Metabolism.

Orally administered "tortoiseshell and deer antler gelatin" is a common traditional medicine for patients with osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. From the pepsin-digested gelatin, we previously isolated and identified the osteoblast-stimulating pentapeptide, TSKYR. Its trypsin digestion products include the dipeptide YR, enhancing calcium ion uptake, and tripeptide TSK, resulting in remarkable 30- and 50-fold increases in mineralized nodule area and density in human osteoblast cells. These peptides were chemically synthesized in this study. The composition of deer antler preparations comprises not only proteins and peptides but also a significant quantity of metal ion salts. By analyzing osteoblast growth in the presence of peptide YR and various metal ions, we observed a synergistic effect of calcium and strontium on the effects of YR. Those peptides could also stimulate the growth of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and human chondrocytes, increasing collagen and glycosaminoglycan content in a three-dimensional environment. The maintenance of bone homeostasis relies on a balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Deer antler peptides were observed to inhibit osteoclast differentiation, as evidenced by ROS generation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) activity assays, and gene expression in RAW264.7 cells. In summary, our findings provide a deep understanding of the efficacy of this folk medicine.

Novel therapeutic activities of dragon blood from palm tree Daemonorops draco for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds.

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy of Jinchuang Ointment, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in treating chronic non-healing diabetic wounds has been demonstrated over the past decades. Both in vitro and in vivo angiogenic activities have been reported for its herbal ingredients, including dragon blood from the palm tree Daemonorops draco and catechu from Uncaria gambir Roxb. Additionally, crude extracts of dragon blood have exhibited hypoglycemic effects not only in animal studies but also in cell-based in vitro assays. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that crude dragon blood extract promotes the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes. Partially purified fractions of dragon blood crude extract significantly enhance the expression of muscle cell differentiation-related genes such as myoG, myoD, and myoHC. Our results also demonstrate that crude extracts of dragon blood can inhibit platelet-derived growth factor-induced PAI-1 expression in primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby favoring changes in hemostasis towards fibrinolysis. Consistent with previous reports, reduced expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) accelerates wound healing. However, further separation resulted in a significant loss of both activities, indicating the involvement of more than one compound in these processes. Stem cells play a crucial role in muscle injury repair. Neither dragon blood nor catechu alone stimulated the proliferation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Interestingly, the proliferation of both types of stem cells was observed when crude extracts of dragon blood and catechu were present together in the stem cell growth medium. CONCLUSIONS: Dragon blood from D. draco offers multifaceted therapeutic benefits for treating chronic nonhealing diabetic wounds from various perspectives. Most drugs in Western medicine consist of small molecules with defined ingredients. However, this is not the case in TCM, as the activities of dragon blood reported in this study. Surprisingly, the activities documented here align with descriptions in ancient Chinese medical texts dating back to A.D. 1625.

Hypoglycemic effects of dracorhodin and dragon blood crude extract from Daemonorops draco.

BACKGROUND: Dragon blood is a red fruit resin from the palm tree Daemonorops draco and is a herbal ingredient used in the traditional Chinese medicine, "Jinchuang Ointment," which is used to treat non-healing diabetic wounds. According to the Taiwan Herbal Pharmacopeia, the dracorhodin content in dragon blood should exceed 1.0%. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that dracorhodin and dragon blood crude extracts can stimulate glucose uptake in mouse muscle cells (C2C12) and primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RSMC). Dracorhodin is not the only active compound in dragon blood crude extracts from D. draco. Next, we orally administered crude dragon blood extracts to male B6 mice. The experimental group displayed a decreasing trend in fasting blood glucose levels from the second to tenth week. In summary, crude extracts of dragon blood from D. draco demonstrated in vivo hypoglycemic effects in B6 male mice. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a scientific basis "Jinchuang ointment" in treating non-healing wounds in patients with diabetes.

Novel hierarchical carbon microspheres@layered double hydroxides@copper lignosulfonate architecture for polypropylene with enhanced flame retardant and mechanical performances.

Due to the inherent defect of flammability of polypropylene (PP), a novel and highly efficient carbon microspheres@layered double hydroxides@copper lignosulfonate (CMSs@LDHs@CLS) flame retardant was designed and prepared, which was attributed to the strong electrostatic interaction between carbon microspheres (CMSs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and lignosulfonate as well as the chelation effect of lignosulfonate on copper ions, and then it was incorporated into the PP matrix. Significantly, CMSs@LDHs@CLS not only observably improved its dispersibility in PP matrix, but also simultaneously achieved excellent flame retardant properties for composites. With the addition of 20.0 % CMSs@LDHs@CLS, the limit oxygen index of CMSs@LDHs@CLS and PP composites (PP/CMSs@LDHs@CLS) reached 29.3 % and achieved the UL-94 V-0 rating. Cone calorimeter tests indicated that the peak heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke production of PP/CMSs@LDHs@CLS composites exhibited declines of 28.8 %, 29.2 % and 11.5 %, respectively, compared with those of PP/CMSs@LDHs composites. These advancements were attributed to the better dispersibility of CMSs@LDHs@CLS in PP matrix and illustrated that CMSs@LDHs@CLS observably reduced fire hazards of PP. The flame retardant property of CMSs@LDHs@CLS might relate to condensed phase flame retardant effect of char layer and catalytic charring of copper oxides.

Vanillin catabolism in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1.

Genes encoding vanillin dehydrogenase (vdh) and vanillate O-demethylase (vanAB) were identified in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 using gene disruption and enzyme activities. During growth on vanillin or vanillate, vanA was highly upregulated while vdh was not. This study contributes to our understanding of lignin degradation by RHA1 and other actinomycetes.

Genomic and transcriptomic studies of an RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine)-degrading actinobacterium.

Whole-genome sequencing, transcriptomic analyses, and metabolic reconstruction were used to investigate Gordonia sp. strain KTR9's ability to catabolize a range of compounds, including explosives and steroids. Aspects of this mycolic acid-containing actinobacterium's catabolic potential were experimentally verified and compared with those of rhodococci and mycobacteria.

Identification and characterization of an indigo-producing oxygenase involved in indole 3-acetic acid utilization by Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii harbours a gene cluster similar to the iac locus of Pseudomonas putida 1290, which can catabolize the plant hormone indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) as an energy source. However, there has been no evidence showing that IAA can be utilized by A. baumannii. This study showed that A. baumannii can grow in M9 minimal medium containing IAA as the sole carbon source. A mutagenesis study indicated that iacA, encoded in the iac locus of A. baumannii, is involved in the catabolism of IAA. As shown by western blotting analysis, the IacA protein was detected in A. baumannii grown in M9 minimal medium with IAA but not with pyruvate, suggesting that the expression of iacA is regulated by the presence of IAA. In vitro studies have shown that IacA can oxidize indole, an IAA-like molecule, converting it to indoxyl, which spontaneously dimerises to form indigo. In this study, we show that the crude extracts from either wild-type A. baumannii or Escherichia coli overexpressing IacA can oxidize IAA. These results imply that the iac gene cluster of A. baumannii is involved in IAA degradation and that the iacA gene is upregulated when cells encounter IAA in their native environments.

Role of Herbal Extracts of Catechu from Uncaria gambir in the Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Wounds.

Catechu is a dried decoction from twigs with the leaves of Uncaria gambir. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities have been previously reported because of its high catechin and epicatechin content (>21%). It is also one of the components used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, "Jinchuang Ointment," which has excellent efficacy in treating chronic diabetic wounds. An in vivo zebrafish embryo platform and an in vitro cell-based tube formation assay were used to measure the angiogenic activity of catechu extracts. Interestingly, for the first time, catechu extracts stimulated angiogenic activity on both platforms. The expression of the IL-8 gene was induced in HMEC1 cells after treatment with catechu extracts for 1 h only. In contrast, the upregulation of FGFR2, FGFR3, NF-κB, STAT3, and vimentin persisted for 24 h. A summary of the possible mechanisms underlying the angiogenic activity of catechu extracts in HMEC1 cells is shown. Unexpectedly, catechu extracts inhibited the migration of HaCaT cells. These results can account for the intense blood flow flux in porcine excisional wound sites in our previous studies, which provides insights into the therapeutic activity of catechu extract in chronic diabetic wounds.

Rapid Identification of Commercial Frankincense Products by MALDITOF Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Frankincense is a resin secreted by the Boswellia tree. It is used in perfumery, aromatherapy, skincare, and traditional Chinese medicine. However, all Boswellia species are under threat owing to habitat loss and overexploitation. As a result, the market is getting flooded with counterfeit frankincense products. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to establish a high-throughput method to screen and identify the authenticity of commercial frankincense products. We report, for the first time, a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based method for rapid and high-throughput screening of frankincense samples. METHODS: MALDI-TOF MS, HPLC, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and in vitro antiinflammatory activity assay were used to examine the frankincense samples. RESULTS: Well-resolved peaks of frankincense triterpenoids in the spectra were observed in the crude extract of commercial samples, including α-boswellic acids (αBAs), ß-boswellic acids (ßBAs), 11-keto-ß-boswellic acids (KBAs), acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acids (AKBAs), and their esters. These compounds can be used as indicators for determining the authenticity of frankincense. CONCLUSION: Unlike LC-MS, which is a time-consuming and expensive method, and TLC, which requires a reference sample, our inexpensive, rapid high-throughput identification method based on MALDI-TOF MS is ideal for large-scale screening of frankincense samples sold in the market.