An ethnobotany survey of wild plants used by the Tibetan people of the Yadong River Valley, Tibet, China.

INTRODUCTION: Plant resources gathered from the wild are important sources of livelihood needs, especially for low-income populations living in remote areas, who rely on these plants for food, fuelwood, medicine and building materials. Yadong County is a valley at the border between the China, India and Bhutan in southern Tibet. Yadong is rich in biodiversity and culture, but ethnobotanical knowledge has not been systematically studied. This study aimed to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of Tibetans in Yadong County. METHODS: Ethnobotanical data were documented through free listings, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews during fieldwork. The culture importance index (CI) and informant consensus factor index (FIC) were used as the quantitative indices. RESULTS: In total, 163 informants (46 women and 117 men). A total of 3,031 use reports and 121 plant species belonging to 52 families and 91 genera were included. These use reports were then classified into 20 categories belonging to 9 major categories. The utilisation category that containing the most plant species was food, followed by economic, medicine, animal feed, social uses, other uses, environmental uses, materials and fuels. Among the economic plants, 32 medicinal plants are traditionally used in the local region. Plants with high CI included Fritillaria cirrhosa, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Betula utilis, Rheum nobile, and Urtica hyperborean. CONCLUSION: This research demonstrates the diversity of the types and functions of Yadong Tibetan traditional plant knowledge. Knowledge of edible and medicinal plants in this area is prominent, reflecting the ability to cope with the lack of fruits and vegetables and basic family medical care. There were exchanges between the traditional plant culture in the study area and its surroundings. With socioeconomic development, the commercial value of medicinal plants has increased, and locals are also seeking ways to adoptsustainable development to cope with the excessive consumption of plant resources.

Natural triterpenoids from licorice potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: The COVID-19 global epidemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a great public health emergency. Discovering antiviral drug candidates is urgent for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Objectives: This work aims to discover natural SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine licorice. Methods: We screened 125 small molecules from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (licorice, Gan-Cao) by virtual ligand screening targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Potential hit compounds were further evaluated by ELISA, SPR, luciferase assay, antiviral assay and pharmacokinetic study. Results: The triterpenoids licorice-saponin A3 (A3) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, with EC50 of 75 nM and 3.17 µM, respectively. Moreover, we reveal that A3 mainly targets the nsp7 protein, and GA binds to the spike protein RBD of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: In this work, we found GA and A3 from licorice potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection by affecting entry and replication of the virus. Our findings indicate that these triterpenoids may contribute to the clinical efficacy of licorice for COVID-19 and could be promising candidates for antiviral drug development.

Collection calendar: the diversity and local knowledge of wild edible plants used by Chenthang Sherpa people to treat seasonal food shortages in Tibet, China.

BACKGROUND: Wild edible plants (WEPs) are non-cultivated and non-domesticated plants used for food. WEPs provided food, nutrition, herbs and other plant products for people in underdeveloped areas, such as the Everest region, to maintain their daily lives. Chenthang Town is the only Sherpa ethnic township in Tibet, China. The core purpose of this research is to investigate, collect and record the WEPs and related local knowledge and functions within the Sherpa community. The ultimate goal is to answer the question of why Sherpa people choose these particular plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The field study was carried out in the six Sherpa communities of Chenthang Township from September 2019 to August 2020. The WEPs and related local knowledge were collected through semistructured interviews and direct observations. The field work was performed with the assistance of local guides. During the field survey, we collected plant specimens based on the principle of one plant with one vernacular name. In this study, we utilised a use report (UR) and cultural importance index (CI) to evaluate the comprehensive utilization value of WEPs in the daily diet of Sherpa people. RESULTS: We interviewed 78 people individually who provided us with 1199 use reports. In total, we collected 84 WEPs belonging to 65 genera in 41 families. These species were identified as 78 distinct ethno-species by local people, and the vernacular name of each ethno-species was recorded. Then, these use reports were classified into six use categories. All these plants were native wild plants. In these plants, Arisaema utile, Sorbus cuspidata and Elaeagnus umbellata have been introduced into home gardens by local people. Following the description of the Sherpa people, we articulated a collection calendar for WEPs. The Sherpa collect WEPs throughout nearly the entire year, January and February being the exceptions. CONCLUSION: The collection calendar of wild edible plants reflects the wisdom of the Sherpa in terms of survival. The Sherpa cleverly survive the food shortage periods by harnessing the phenology of different species. In general, WEPs can provide the Sherpa with seasonal carbohydrates, nutrition, healthcare supplements and other products and services necessary for survival, which is likely why the Sherpa choose these plants.

[A new quinoline alkaloid from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans].

Three compounds, including scolosprine C(1), uracil(2) and hypoxanthine(3), were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate fraction of centipede by silica gel normal-phase column chromatography, reversed-phase medium pressure preparation chromatography, and high-pressure semi-preparative HPLC. The structure was elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic analyses [such as nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and mass spectrometry(MS)] and literature review. Among them, compound 1 was a new quinoline alkaloid. In previous reports, we have described the isolation and structure elucidation of one new and two known quinoline alkaloids. In this paper, we would report the isolation and structure elucidation of scolosprine C in detail.

Design of a Multifunctional Biomaterial Inspired by Ancient Chinese Medicine for Hair Regeneration in Burned Skin.

In deep burn injuries, the dermis of the skin is often severely damaged, and hair follicles are also lost and lose the potential for regeneration. Therefore, the development of wound dressings that promote hair follicle regeneration has important clinical significance. In this study, inspired by an ancient Chinese medicine prescription, a novel fibrous membrane (P/Qu/Cup; P, PCL; Qu, quercetin; Cup, cuprorivaite, CaCuSi4O10) containing quercetin-copper (Qu-Cu) chelates was fabricated by using quercetin and a highly bioactive bioceramic (CaCuSi4O10) incorporated in PCL/gelatin electrospun fibers. The fibrous membrane can effectively release Qu and Cu ions to induce proliferation, migration, and differentiation of skin and hair follicle related cells, and the Qu, Cu ions, and Si ions released from the composite membrane revealed synergistic activity to stimulate hair follicle regeneration and wound healing. Our study demonstrated that the analysis of the common components in ancient Chinese prescription is an effective approach to design novel bioactive materials for regenerative medicine.

Incidence and Etiology of Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Mainland China.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We performed a nationwide, retrospective study to determine the incidence and causes of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in mainland China. METHODS: We collected data on a total of 25,927 confirmed DILI cases, hospitalized from 2012 through 2014 at 308 medical centers in mainland China. We collected demographic, medical history, treatment, laboratory, disease severity, and mortality data from all patients. Investigators at each site were asked to complete causality assessments for each case whose diagnosis at discharge was DILI (n = 29,478) according to the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method. RESULTS: Most cases of DILI presented with hepatocellular injury (51.39%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 50.76-52.03), followed by mixed injury (28.30%; 95% CI 27.73-28.87) and cholestatic injury (20.31%; 95% CI 19.80-20.82). The leading single classes of implicated drugs were traditional Chinese medicines or herbal and dietary supplements (26.81%) and antituberculosis medications (21.99%). Chronic DILI occurred in 13.00% of the cases and, although 44.40% of the hepatocellular DILI cases fulfilled Hy's Law criteria, only 280 cases (1.08%) progressed to hepatic failure, 2 cases underwent liver transplantation (0.01%), and 102 patients died (0.39%). Among deaths, DILI was judged to have a primary role in 72 (70.59%), a contributory role in 21 (20.59%), and no role in 9 (8.82%). Assuming the proportion of DILI in the entire hospitalized population of China was represented by that observed in the 66 centers where DILI capture was complete, we estimated the annual incidence in the general population to be 23.80 per 100,000 persons (95% CI 20.86-26.74). Only hospitalized patients were included in this analysis, so the true incidence is likely to be higher. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective study to determine the incidence and causes of DILI in mainland China, the annual incidence in the general population was estimated to be 23.80 per 100,000 persons; higher than that reported from Western countries. Traditional Chinese medicines, herbal and dietary supplements, and antituberculosis drugs were the leading causes of DILI in mainland China.

[Mechanism of lysosome-mediated eradication activity of macrophages on specific anti-Helicobacter pylori of patchouli alcohol].

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of patchouli alcohol in enhancing Helicobater pylori's action in eradicating macrophages and its mechanism. H. pylori was co-cultured with macrophages at a ratio of MOI=100 in different concentrations of patchouli alcohol. The effect of patchouli alcohol in eradicating macrophages was detected by agar dilution method. The effect of patchouli alcohol on NO and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in macrophages were measured by H. pylori by biochemical methods. Patchouli alcohol effect on H. pylori-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression and protein secretion in macrophages were detected by RT-qPCR and ELISA method. The eradication of H. pylori has significantly enhanced, and the destabilization of lysosomes has been reversed. Meanwhile, patchouli alcohol has an effect in inhibiting pro-inflammation and oxidation. The mechanism of patchouli alcohol in eradicating H. pylori and resisting oxidative stress may be associated to the blocking of bacteria escape lysosome combination procedures.

CSH guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced liver injury.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an important clinical problem, which has received more attention in recent decades. It can be induced by small chemical molecules, biological agents, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), natural medicines (NM), health products (HP), and dietary supplements (DS). Idiosyncratic DILI is far more common than intrinsic DILI clinically and can be classified into hepatocellular injury, cholestatic injury, hepatocellular-cholestatic mixed injury, and vascular injury based on the types of injured target cells. The CSH guidelines summarized the epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, and clinical manifestation and gives 16 evidence-based recommendations on diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of DILI.

Mutagenicity and genotoxicity effects of Lignosus rhinocerotis mushroom mycelium.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lignosus rhinocerotis mushroom is widely used as traditional medicine and as soup ingredient in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Its sclerotium is the part of edibility and is traditionally used for the treatment of fever, cough, asthma and cancer. In view of its safety profile, very little information is found in scientific literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the potential genotoxic and mutagenic effects of Lr in the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535 and TA1537, an in vitro chromosome aberration test in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO-K1) cells and an in vivo erythrocyte micronucleus test in ICR mice. RESULTS: In all tested concentrations, no mutagenicity was observed in either testing strain under both presence and absence of S9 metabolic mixture when tested up to the highest dose of 100mg/ml. No significant increases in chromosome aberration numbers or micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were observed. Erythropoiesis was not affected in animals gavaged up to 2000 mg/kg of Lr. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study conclude that Lignosus rhinocerotis mycelium does not provoke mutagenicity and genotoxicity in these applied systems.

Evaluation of DNA damage in Chinese toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans) after in vivo exposure to sublethal concentrations of four herbicides using the comet assay.

Chinese toad, Bufo bufo gargarizans, is frequently found in rice fields, muddy ponds, wetlands and other aquatic ecosystems in China. Because of its habitat, it has many chances of being exposed to pesticides, such as acetochlor, butachlor, chlorimuron-ethyl, and paraquat, which are extensively used in rice or cereal fields. Amphibians may serve as model organisms for determining the genotoxic effects of pollutants contaminating these areas. In the present study DNA damage was evaluated in the Chinese toad using the comet assay, as a potential tool for the assessment of ecogenotoxicity. The first step was to determine the acute toxicity of the above-mentioned herbicides. In acute tests, tadpoles were exposed to a series of relatively high concentrations of acetochlor, butachlor, chlorimuron-ethyl, and paraquat for 96 h. The LC(50 )(96 h) of acetochlor, butachlor, chlorimuron-ethyl and paraquat were measured as 0.76, 1.32, 20.1 and 164 mg l(-1), respectively. Also, negative effects on the behavior of tadpoles were observed with acetochlor, butachlor, and paraquat. Secondly, the comet assay was used for detecting DNA damage in Chinese toad tadpoles exposed to sublethal concentrations of four herbicides. Significant (P < 0.05) concentration-dependent increase in DNA damage (as indicated by tail length, tail moment, olive tail moment) were observed from erythrocytes of tadpoles exposed to sublethal concentrations of acetochlor, butachlor, paraquat, and methyl methanesulfonate, except chlorimuron-ethyl. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of Bufo bufo gargarizans for genotoxicity assessment of herbicides.

[Induction of free radicals after dietary exposure by mercury contaminated rice and protective effect of coexisting selenium].

Sprague-Dawley rats were reared by environmental mercury contaminated rice to survey the potential health risk of Wanshan mercury mining area. Electron spin resonance (ESR) was introduced to detect the species and the intensities of free radicals, using spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). The results showed that the mercury-contaminated rice significantly increased the levels of free radicals and MDA in rat brain at 7 days (p < 0.05). ESR spectrums showed that the principal spin adducts resulted from the trapping of alkyl free radical (alphaH = 22.7 x 10(-4)T +/- 1.6 x 10(-4)T, alphaN = 15.5 x 10(-4)T +/- 0.5 x 10(-4)T), and hydroxyl radical. Levels of free radicals and MDA increased slowly until after 90-day exposure period (83%, 100%). Element correlation analysis showed high correlations of mercury and selenium in the brain of rat fed with Wanshan rice, suggesting that the coexisting selenium in rice exhibited antagonistic effects on both mercury accumulation and toxicity. The slight increases of free radicals in rat brain at 7, 20 and 30-day exposure periods should be related with the scavenger effect of Se.