The regulation of key flavor of traditional fermented food by microbial metabolism: A review.

The beneficial microorganisms in food are diverse and complex in structure. These beneficial microorganisms can produce different and unique flavors in the process of food fermentation. The unique flavor of these fermented foods is mainly produced by different raw and auxiliary materials, fermentation technology, and the accumulation of flavor substances by dominant microorganisms during fermentation. The succession and metabolic accumulation of microbial flora significantly impacts the distinctive flavor of fermented foods. The investigation of the role of microbial flora changes in the production of flavor substances during fermentation can reveal the potential connection between microbial flora succession and the formation of key flavor compounds. This paper reviewed the evolution of microbial flora structure as food fermented and the key volatile compounds that contribute to flavor in the food system and their potential relationship. Further, it was a certain guiding significance for food industrial production.

[Observation of the long-term clinical efficacy of "Fuyang Guben" acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on perennial allergic rhinitis and its effects on the total IgE and IL-4 in the serum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of "Fuyang Guben" (supporting yang and consolidating root) acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), and to explore its functioning mechanism. METHODS: The patients with PAR were randomly divided into acupuncture + western medicine group (n=30) and western medicine group (n=30). In the western medicine group, fluticasone propionate nasal spray was administered, one spray in each nostril in one treatment, once a day, for 6 weeks. On the basis of the western medicine group, fuyangguben acupuncture-moxibustion therapy was supplemented. Acupuncture was applied to Shangxing (GV23), Yintang (GV24+), and bilateral Yingxiang (LI20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN8), Sibai (ST2), Hegu (LI4) and Chize (LU5); warm needling was applied at Dazhui (GV14). The patients of this group received 30 min of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy 3 times weekly during the first 4 weeks and twice a week in the last 2 weeks, totally for 6 weeks. Before treatment, after treatment, in week 10, 18 and 30 of follow-up visits, the reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS), the total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS), the total ophthalmic symptom score (TOSS), and the score of the rhinitis quality of life (RQLQ) scale were compared in the patients of the two groups separately. Using ELISA, the serum concentrations of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were detected before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the rTNSS, TNNSS, TOSS, as well as RQLQ score were lower in comparison with those before treatment in each group (P<0.05).The rTNSS, TNNSS, TOSS and the score of RQLQ in the week 10, 18 and 30 of follow-up visits were reduced when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.05), and these scores in the acupuncture + western medicine group were remarkably lower than those of the western medicine group (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum contents of total IgE and IL-4 were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment in the acupuncture + western medicine group (P<0.05), and these indicators in the acupuncture + western medicine group were lower than those of the western medicine group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: On the base of treatment with fluticasone propionate nasal spray, "Fuyang Guben" acupuncture-moxibustion therapy is safe and effective on PAR, presenting a remarkably long-term efficacy. The functioning mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of total IgE and IL-4 in serum.

Effects of three medical nutrition therapies on nutritional metabolism and intestinal flora in overweight/obese with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have shown that energy restriction could be beneficial for controlling bodyweight in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aim to compare the effects of a high-protein diet (HPD), a high-protein and high-dietary fiber diet (HPHFD), and a calorie-restricted diet (CRD) on metabolic health and gut microbiota in overweight/obese PCOS patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We will enroll a total of 90 overweight/obese PCOS patients into this eight-week open-label randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: CRD group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, 0.8-1.2 g/kg protein, carbohydrate energize 55-60%, and fat energize 25-30%), HDP group (energy coefficient 20 kcal/kg.day, water ≥1500 mL, and 1.5-2.0 g/kg protein) and HPHFD group (based on the high protein diet with 15 g more dietary fiber supplement). The primary outcome is body weight, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. The secondary outcomes will include changes in blood lipids, inflammation, glucose tolerance, blood pressure, and gut microbiota compositions. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements at baseline will be compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis test when appropriate. Within-group difference after 8-week intervention will be compared using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Between-group differences in adiposity measurements after 8-week diet intervention will be compared using linear mixed model and ANCOVA. The gut microbiota will be analyzed using 16S amplicon sequencing and the sequencing data will be analyzed using the standardized QIIME2 piperline.

The effects of music therapy on peripherally inserted central catheter in hospitalized children with leukemia.

To explore the effect of music therapy on children with leukemia who have peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC).In this study, we divided 107 patients undergoing PICC into music group (47 cases) and control group (60 cases). The music group received music therapy during PICC, while the control group was given no complementary treatment. The total length of catheterization, the use of sedatives and the changes of pain level and emotion level before and after PICC placement were compared between two groups.Compared with the control group, the total PICC placement time of the music group was significantly shorter (35(30-40) vs. 60(60-60); Z = -8.307; p < 0.001), and the use of sedative medications was also significantly reduced (4.35% (n = 2) vs. 91.84% (n = 45); p < 0.001). Moreover, the pain of catheterization was significantly alleviated. The median difference of pain scores of the music group was significantly less (2(1-3) vs. 5(5-5); p < 0.001). The mood of patients was also improved. The median difference of emotional scores of the music group was significantly more (5(4.75-6) vs. 3(3-3); p < 0.001) than the control group.Music therapy is effective to use in PICC. It can shorten the treatment time, reduce the use of sedative medications, and improve the children's emotion and pain response significantly, which is worth clinical application.

Dietary supplementation of probiotics fermented Chinese herbal medicine Sanguisorba officinalis cultures enhanced immune response and disease resistance of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) against Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila, a Gram-negative bacterium, is one of the major pathogens causing bacterial sepsis in aquatic animals due to drug resistance and pathogenicity, which could cause high mortality and serious economic losses to the aquaculture. Sanguisorba officinalis (called DiYu in Chinese, DY) is well known as herbal medicine, which could inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, hemostasis and regulate the immune response. Moreover, the active ingredients in DY could remarkably reduce drug resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of probiotic fermentation cultures on A. hydrophila through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Three lactic acid bacteria, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG), Lactobacillus casei (LC) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), were selected to ferment the Chinese herbal medicine DY. The assays of antagonism showed that all three fermented cultures could influence the ability of A. hydrophila growth, among which L. rhamnosus fermented DY cultures appeared to be the strongest inhibitory effect. In addition, the biofilm determination revealed that L. rhamnosus fermented DY cultures could significantly inhibit the biofilm formation of A. hydrophila compared to the other groups. Furthermore, protease, lecithinase and urease activities were found in the three fermentation cultures. Three probiotics fermented DY cultures were orally administration with crucian carp to evaluate the growth performance, immunological parameters and pathogen resistance. The results showed that the three fermentation cultures could promote the growth performance of crucian carp, and the immunoglobulins, antioxidant-related enzymes and immune-related genes were significantly enhanced. Besides, the results showed that crucian carp received L. rhamnosus (60.87%), L. casei (56.09%) and L. plantarum (41.46%) fermented DY cultures had higher survival rates compared with the control group after infection with A. hydrophila. Meanwhile, the pathological tissue results revealed that the probiotic fermented cultures could largely improve the tissues damage caused by the pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, this study proved that the fermentation cultures of three probiotics could effectively inhibit the growth of A. hydrophila, regulate the level of immune response and improve the survival rate against A. hydrophila in crucian carp. The present data suggest that probiotic fermented Sanguisorba officinalis act as a potential gut-targeted therapy regimens to protecting fish from pathogenic bacteria infection.

[Synthesis of seleno-polysaccharides from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos via microwave and its immunological activity].

In this study, the microwave-assisted method was used to synthesize seleno-polysaccharides from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, and the optimal process conditions were optimized.Meanwhile, the immunological activity of seleno-polysaccharides from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was investigated.The results showed that under the conditions of nitric acid concentration of 0.512%, reaction temperature of 70.0 ℃, microwave power of 600 W, reaction time of 44.0 min, and m(Na_2SeO_3)∶m(polysaccharides)=1.0, the selenium content of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos seleno-polysaccharides was 3.89 mg·g~(-1).The results of in vitro immunoassay showed that polysaccharides and seleno-polysaccharides from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos could promote the proliferation of mouse RAW264.7 macrophages as compared with the conditions in the normal group.Compared with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos polysaccharides, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos seleno-polysaccharides could significantly facilitate the proliferation of mouse RAW264.7 macrophages and promote the production of IL-1ß and TNF-α at the concentration of 20-160 µg·mL~(-1).This study provided references for broadening the application of polysaccharides from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos.

[Synthesis, characterization, and immunological activity of Rehmannia glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides].

The present study explored the optimum synthesis process of Rehmannia glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides with acetic acid as a catalyst, characterized the structure of R. glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), thermogravimetry(TG), and atomic force microscopy(AFM), and preliminarily investigated the immunological activity of R. glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides. The results showed that the optimal conditions for the synthesis of R. glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides included m(acetic acid)∶m(R. glutinosa polysaccharides)=0.80, m(Na_2SeO_3)∶m(R. glutinosa polysaccharides)=1.25, reaction temperature of 80.0 ℃, and reaction time of 7.0 h. Under these conditions, the selenium content of R. glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides was 2.239 mg·g~(-1). The acetic acid catalysis method was milder than the nitric acid method, without affecting the structure of polysaccharides. The results of IR, SEM, TG, and AFM showed that R. glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides were properly prepared. The results of immunological activity showed that compared with the control group, R. glutinosa seleno-polysaccharides could significantly promote the phagocytic capacity of mouse monocyte macrophages and improve the spleen index and thymus index of mice. In the concentration range of 15-240 µg·mL~(-1), the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes of mice was strengthened, and the IL-2 and IFN-γ secretion by Th1 cytokines was promoted. This study can provide references for the further development and application of R. glutinosa polysaccharides.

[Acetylation of Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides and antioxidant activity of acetylated derivatives].

This study aims to acetylate Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides by acetic anhydride method, optimize process parameters and evaluate their antioxidant activity. With the degree of substitution(D_s) as a criterion, the effects of reaction time, acetic anhydride-to-polysaccharides ratio and temperature were investigated. Process parameters were optimized by single-factor experiment and response surface methodology. The infrared spectroscopy(IR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) proved the successful acetylation and were employed to preliminarily analyze the structural characteristics of acetylated derivatives. The results showed that the D_s was 0.327 under the optimal technological conditions, including m(acetic anhydride):m(R. glutinosa polysaccharides)=2.70, reaction time 3.0 h and temperature 48 ℃. Further, the antioxidant properties of acetylated derivatives were investigated in vitro and acetylation was found effective to improve the antioxidant activity of R. glutinosa polysaccharides. This study provides a reference for the further development and application of R. glutinosa polysaccharides.

YinQiSanHuang Jiedu decoction for the treatment of hepatitis B-related compensated liver cirrhosis: study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B-related compensated liver cirrhosis is related to a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and antiviral therapy is the preferred method. As the pathological mechanisms of liver fibrosis are complex, drugs developed for a single target are difficult to be effective in clinical practice, so there are no chemical drugs or biological drugs with clear efficacy available for clinical application at present. Traditional Chinese medicine is a kind of medical science that has been gradually formed during thousands of years and continuously enriched by the people of all ethnic groups in China. Traditional Chinese medicine shows curative effects in the treatment of liver diseases, especially in the field of liver fibrosis prevention and treatment. This study aims to test the integrative medicine (Chinese medicine plus antiviral therapy) effective on lowing hepatocellular carcinoma risk among patients with hepatitis-related compensated liver cirrhosis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multi-center randomized controlled trial, and a total of 5 hospitals and 802 patients will be involved in. All the subjects are randomly allocated to the YinQiSanHuang Jiedu decoction (YQSHD) group (n = 401) or the placebo group (n = 401). The YQSHD group receives YQSHD granule with entecavir (ETV), and the placebo group receives YQSHD placebo with ETV. The treatment period will last for 52 weeks, and the follow-up period for 52 ± 2 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the annual incidence of HCC. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after treatment. The objective of this trial is "the integrative of YQSHD with ETV reduce the annual incidence of HCC to 1%." ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Guang'anmen Hospital, China (No.2019-006-KY), and the other centers in the trial will not begin recruiting until the local ethical approval has been obtained. Trial final results will be disseminated via publication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900021532 . Registered on February 26, 2019.

New tirucallane-type triterpenoids from the resin of Boswellia carteriiand their NO inhibitory activities.

Six new tirucallane-type triterpenoids (1-6), along with ten known triterpenoids, were isolated from methylene chloride extract of the resin of Boswellia carterii Birdw. By the application of the comprehensive spectroscopic data, the structures of the compounds were clarified. The experimental electronic circular dichroism spectra were compared with those calculated, which allowed to assign the absolute configurations. Compounds 5 and 6 possesed a 2, 3-seco tirucallane-type triterpenoid skeleton, which were first reported. Their inhibitory activity against NO formation in LPS-activated BV-2 cells were evaluated. Compound 9 showed appreciable inhibitory effect, with an IC50 value of 7.58 ± 0.87 µmol·L-1.

[Study on chemical constituents from fruiting bodies of Ganoderma calidophilum].

Chemical constituents were isolated and purified from fruiting bodies of Ganoderma calidophilum by various column chromatographic techniques, and their chemical structures were identified through combined analysis of physicochemical properties and spectral data. As a result, 11 compounds were isolated and identified as(24E)-lanosta-8,24-dien-3,11-dione-26-al(1), ganoderone A(2), 3-oxo-15α-acetoxy-lanosta-7,9(11), 24-trien-26-oleic acid(3),(23E)-27-nor-lanosta-8,23-diene-3,7,25-trione(4), ganodecanone B(5), ganoderic aldehyde A(6), 11ß-hydroxy-lucidadiol(7), 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone(8), methyl gentiate(9), ganoleucin C(10), ganotheaecolumol H(11). Among them, compound 1 is a new triterpenoid. The cytotoxic activities of all of the compounds against tumor cell lines were evaluated. The results showed that compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 showed cytotoxic activity against BEL-7402, with IC_(50) values of 26.55, 11.35, 23.23, 18.66 µmol·L~(-1); compounds 1 and 3-6 showed cytotoxic activity against K562, with IC_(50) values of 5.79, 22.16, 12.16, 35.32, and 5.59 µmol·L~(-1), and compound 4 showed cytotoxic activity against A549, with IC_(50) value of 42.50 µmol·L~(-1).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Aconitum kusnezoffii Rchb. (Ranales, Ranunculaceae).

Aconitum kusnezoffii Rchb. is a medicinal plant in the Ranunculaceae family. In this study, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome of A. kusnezoffii. The total length of the mitochondrial genome of A. kusnezoffii is 440,720 bp and the GC content of 46.85%. The mitochondrial genome contained 37 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNAs, and three rRNAs. These data will provide the basis for the systematic evolutionary analysis of Ranunculaceae.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Fabales, Leguminosae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of an important medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. is reported for the first time. The mitochondrial genome sequence of G. uralensis was 463,869 bp in length and had a GC content of 45.19%. The genome contained 40 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 30 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and three ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The phylogenetic tree was built based on 25 plants, using the maximum-likelihood method. These data will provide certain help to determine the taxonomic status of G. uralensis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Euonymus alatus (celastraceae, Euonymus L.).

The complete mitochondrial genome of medicinal plant, Euonymus alatus, was sequenced for the first time. The genome sequence is 1,045,106 bp in length (GenBank accession number MW009108), with 44.98% GC contents. There are 72 genes in the genome, including 41 known protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and three ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The phylogenetic trees of 28 species are constructed using the maximum-likelihood method. The information will provide references for phylogenetic research.

A novel cytotoxic flavonoid C-glycoside from premna fulva.

Premna fulva Craib, locally known as "Zhangu" in China, is a kind of traditional medicinal plant. A phytochemical investigation on this plant led to the isolation of a novel flavonoid glycoside along with three known analogues. The chemical structure of the new compound was determined by spectral and chemical analysis as apigenin 8-C-ß-D-xylopyranoside (1). Compound 1 showed weak inhibitory activities in vitro against to four tumor cell lines (HL-60, Bcap37, SMMC7721, and P388) with IC50 values of 12.58, 19.31, 31.02, and 48.19 µg/mL, respectively. The result might be helpful to explain the application of P. fulva in Traditional Chinese Medicine.[Figure: see text].

Pre-mixed nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture treatment of pain induced by postoperative dressing change for perianal abscess: Study protocol for a randomized, controlled trial.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the safety and analgesic efficacy of pre-mixed nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture treatment of pain induced by dressing change for perianal abscess. DESIGN: This protocol is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: This study will be implemented in the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Subjects enrolled in this study are hospitalized patients who suffered from moderate to severe pain due to dressing change after incision and drainage. Two hundred patients will be selected and randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention group will get routine pain treatment plus pre-mixed nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture treatment and the control group will be treated with routine pain management plus medical air treatment. All these patients, medical staff and investigators are blind to the nature of the gas in each cylinder, which is randomized. Data will be collected at baseline (T0), 5 min (T1) after the starting of intervention and 5 min post intervention (T2) for each group. The primary outcome is the level of pain relief at T1 and T2. The secondary outcomes cover physiological parameters, adverse events, satisfaction of patients and health professionals and the acceptance from patients. DISCUSSION: Results of this study will be discussed and the safety and effect of nitrous oxide/oxygen treatment of pain induced by dressing change will be proven. IMPACT: When the finding of this study has an active effect on the treatment of pain caused by dressing change, it may provide more options for nursing staff to choose nurse-led analgesia techniques and then improving the level and quality of pain care as well as patients' overall satisfaction with the Anorectal Department in China.

Efficacy and safety of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction in chronic hepatitis B: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global public health problem. Antiviral therapy is the primary treatment. Studies have shown that a combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and conventional antiviral drugs has better efficacy than conventional antiviral for treatment of CHB. YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction (YQSH) is a TCM compound preparation that has shown an effect on anti-hepatitis B virus and on slowing progression of hepatitis B-related liver diseases. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of YQSH combined with entecavir and its preventive effect on hepatitis B cirrhosis, we designed this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. The objective is that the combination of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction with entecavir will reduce the annual incidence of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis to 1%. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial involving five hospitals. A total of 802 patients are randomly allocated to two groups: the YQSH group (n = 401) or the placebo group (n = 401). The YQSH group receives YQSH with entecavir; the placebo group receives granules of placebo with entecavir. Patients receive treatment for 52 weeks and then are followed up for 52 ± 2 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the annual incidence of cirrhosis. The secondary outcome measures are hepatitis B virus DNA negative rate, hepatitis B surface antigen negative rate, hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion rate, liver function (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase , gamma-glutamyl transferase , alkaline phosphatase , serum albumin, and total bilirubin), spleen thickness, evaluation scores of patients' clinical symptoms, and safety assessment. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after treatment. DISCUSSION: Combination therapy could become a trend for treatment of CHB, and this trial expects to provide credible clinical evidence for the future combination of TCM and conventional antiviral drugs for the treatment of CHB. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900021521. Registered on 25 February 2019.

Siderophore Production by Rhizosphere Biological Control Bacteria Brevibacillus brevis GZDF3 of Pinellia ternata and Its Antifungal Effects on Candida albicans.

Brevibacillus brevis GZDF3 is a gram-positive, plant growth-promoting rhizosphere bacterium (PGPR) isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Pinellia ternata (an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine). The GZDF3 strain produces certain active compounds, such as siderophores, which are the final metabolite products of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and independent non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NIS) activity. With the present study, we attempted to investigate the siderophore production characteristics and conditions of Bacillus sp. GZDF3. The antibacterial activity of the siderophores on pathogenic fungi was also investigated. Optimal conditions for the synthesis of siderophores were determined by single factor method, using sucrose 15 g/l, asparagine 2 g/l, 32°C, and 48 h. The optimized sucrose asparagine medium significantly increased the production of siderophores, from 27.09% to 54.99%. Moreover, the effects of different kinds of metal ions on siderophore production were explored here. We found that Fe3+ and Cu2+ significantly inhibited the synthesis of siderophores. The preliminary separation and purification of siderophores by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) provides strong antibacterial activity against Candida albicans. The synergistic effect of siderophores and amphotericin B was also demonstrated. Our results have shown that the GZDF3 strain could produce a large amount of siderophores with strong antagonistic activity, which is helpful in the development of new biological control agents.

The complete chloroplast genome of Ligusticum jeholense (Umbelliferae, Ligusticum L.).

Ligusticum jeholense is an important medicinal plant. Chloroplast genome information is helpful for the development of molecular markers and the study of plant phylogeny. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of L. jeholense. The genome sequence is 148,493 bp in size (GenBank accession number MN652885), with 37.25% GC contents. There are 127 genes in the genome, including 83 known protein-coding genes (PCGs), 36 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 8 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The maximum-likelihood method are used to construct phylogenetic tree of 32 species. These data will provide certain theoretical basis for plant genetics research.

Liver-target nanotechnology facilitates berberine to ameliorate cardio-metabolic diseases.

Cardiovascular and metabolic disease (CMD) remains a main cause of premature death worldwide. Berberine (BBR), a lipid-lowering botanic compound with diversified potency against metabolic disorders, is a promising candidate for ameliorating CMD. The liver is the target of BBR so that liver-site accumulation could be important for fulfilling its therapeutic effect. In this study a rational designed micelle (CTA-Mic) consisting of α-tocopheryl hydrophobic core and on-site detachable polyethylene glycol-thiol shell is developed for effective liver deposition of BBR. The bio-distribution analysis proves that the accumulation of BBR in liver is increased by 248.8% assisted by micelles. Up-regulation of a range of energy-related genes is detectable in the HepG2 cells and in vivo. In the high fat diet-fed mice, BBR-CTA-Mic intervention remarkably improves metabolic profiles and reduces the formation of aortic arch plaque. Our results provide proof-of-concept for a liver-targeting strategy to ameliorate CMD using natural medicines facilitated by Nano-technology.