Polyphenol-enriched Penthorum chinense Pursh ameliorates alcohol-related liver injury through Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway: Integrating network pharmacology and experiment validation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP) has acknowledged as an edible herbal medicinal plant for the prevention and treatment of alcoholic liver injury (ALI). However, only few of researches focus on the chemical material basis and potential mechanisms of PCP against ALI. AIM OF THE STUDY: Herein, we explored the therapeutic effects of PCP extract against ALI based on the integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experiment validation. METHODS: Based on the standard quality control of PCP herbs by UPLC fingerprint and quantitative determination, 80% ethanol extract fraction of PCP containing more polyphenols, compared to aqueous extract fraction of PCP, were chosen for further experiments. After oral administration of PCP ethanol extract, serum pharmacochemistry based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS analysis was implemented to evaluate the potential effective compounds. These absorbed prototypes in PCP were used to construct network pharmacology and predict the potential mechanisms of PCP extract against ALI. Then, the predicted targets and biological mechanisms of PCP extract were validated using animal experiments and molecular docking analysis. RESULTS: Although totally 19 polyphenol compounds were identified in PCP ethanol extract by UPLC-MS analysis, only 18 absorbed prototypes were found in the serum collected from mice at 1 h post-administration with PCP extract. These candidate active compounds were further screened into 13 compounds to construct network pharmacology and 433 targets were identified as PCP targets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the effects of PCP extract would involve in Ras signaling pathway. The animal experiments on chronic ALI model mice shown that the oral administration of PCP can alleviate ALI by attenuating hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and down-regulating the target proteins in Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Molecular docking analysis revealed the good binding ability between the three polyphenols (i.e. quercetin, apigenin, thonningianin B) in PCP with the top contribution in network pharmacology, and these target proteins (Ras, Raf, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2). CONCLUSION: Our results clarified that PCP ethanol extract could effectively alleviate ALI by down-regulating Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway promisingly. Quercetin, apigenin, and thonningianin B may be the active compounds of PCP, attributing to the intervention benefits of PCP against ALI.

The Effect of Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Plasma Treatment on the Nutritional and Physicochemical Characteristics of Various Legumes.

High activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) has been identified as a primary cause of oxidative rancidity in legumes. In this study, the application of dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma (DBD-ACP) (5 W, 10 min) resulted in an obvious decrease in LOX activity in mung bean (MB), kidney bean (KB), and adzuki bean (AB) flours by 36.96%, 32.49%, and 28.57%, respectively. Moreover, DBD-ACP induced significant increases (p < 0.05) in content of soluble dietary fiber, saturated fatty acids, and methionine. The starch digestibility of legumes was changed, evidenced by increased (p < 0.05) slowly digestible starch and rapidly digestible starch, while resistant starch decreased. Furthermore, DBD-ACP treatment significantly affected (p < 0.05) the hydration and thermal characteristics of legume flours, evidenced by the increased water absorption index (WAI) and gelatinization temperature, and the decreased swelling power (SP) and gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH). Microscopic observations confirmed that DBD-ACP treatment caused particle aggregation.

Structural properties and biological activities of soluble dietary fibers rich in pectic-polysaccharides from different buckwheat green leaves.

Buckwheat green leaves are commonly consumed as functional tea materials due to their various beneficial effects. Although buckwheat green leaves have abundant soluble dietary fibers (SDFs), the information about their structural properties and functional properties remains unknown, largely hindering their applications as functional/health products. Hence, to enhance the usage and application of SDFs from buckwheat green leaves as value-added health products, the structures and biological activities of SDFs derived from different buckwheat green leaves were investigated and compared. Results revealed that SDFs derived from Tartary buckwheat green leaves (TBSDF) and common buckwheat green leaves (CBSDF) were rich in complex pectic-polysaccharides, mainly composing of homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan I (RG I) pectic domains. Besides, TBSDF had higher proportion of RG I pectic domains than that of CBSDF. Furthermore, the existence of a high content of complex pectic-polysaccharides in TBSDF and CBSDF could contribute to their various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antiglycation, fat/bile acid binding, anticancer, and prebiotic effects. These results can provide some new insights into further development of buckwheat green leaves and related SDFs as value-added health products.

Oral administration of Huanglian-Houpo herbal nanoemulsion loading multiple phytochemicals for ulcerative colitis therapy in mice.

How to achieve stable co-delivery of multiple phytochemicals is a common problem. This study focuses on the development, optimization and characterization of Huanglian-HouPo extract nanoemulsion (HLHPEN), with multiple components co-delivery, to enhance the anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) effects. The formulation of HLHPEN was optimized by pseudo-ternary phase diagram combined with Box-Behnken design. The physicochemical properties of HLHPEN were characterized, and its anti-UC activity was evaluated in DSS-induced UC mice model. Based on preparation process optimization, the herbal nanoemulsion HLHPEN was obtained, with the droplet size, PDI value, encapsulation efficiency (EE) for 6 phytochemicals (berberine, epiberberine, coptisine, bamatine, magnolol and honokiol) of 65.21 ± 0.82 nm, 0.182 ± 0.016, and 90.71 ± 0.21%, respectively. The TEM morphology of HLHPEN shows the nearly spheroidal shape of particles. The optimized HLHPEN showed a brownish yellow milky single-phase and optimal physical stability at 25 °C for 90 days. HLHPEN exhibited the good particle stability and gradual release of phytochemicals in SGF and SIF, to resist the destruction of simulated stomach and small intestine environment. Importantly, the oral administration of HLHPEN significantly restored the shrunk colon tissue length and reduced body weight, ameliorated DAI value and colon histological pathology, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors in DSS-induced UC mice model. These results demonstrated that HLHPEN had a significant therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC mice, as a potential alternative UC therapeutic agent.

Bioactive compounds, health benefits, and industrial applications of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum).

Tartary buckwheat belongs to the family Polygonaceae, which is a traditionally edible and medicinal plant. Due to its various bioactive compounds, the consumption of Tartary buckwheat is correlated to a wide range of health benefits, and increasing attention has been paid to its potential as a functional food. This review summarizes the main bioactive compounds and important bioactivities and health benefits of Tartary buckwheat, emphasizing its protective effects on metabolic diseases and relevant molecular mechanisms. Tartary buckwheat contains a wide range of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, bioactive polysaccharides, and bioactive proteins and peptides, as well as D-chiro-inositol and its derivatives. Consumption of Tartary buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat-enriched products is linked to multiple health benefits, e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiobesity, antihypertensive, and hepatoprotective activities. Especially, clinical studies indicate that Tartary buckwheat exhibits remarkable antidiabetic activities. Various tartary buckwheat -based foods presenting major health benefits as fat and blood glucose-lowering agents have been commercialized. Additionally, to address the safety concerns, i.e., allergic reactions, heavy metal and mycotoxin contaminations, the quality control standards for Tartary buckwheat and its products should be drafted and completed in the future.

Pressurized hot water extraction, structural properties, biological effects, and in vitro microbial fermentation characteristics of sweet tea polysaccharide.

Although sweet tea is rich in bioactive polysaccharides, the knowledge regarding their structures, bioactivities, and gut microbial metabolism is still limited. Therefore, in order to promote the application of sweet tea polysaccharide (STP) in the food industry, the pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) of STP was optimized, and its structural properties and biological effects as well as microbial fermentation characteristics were investigated. The maximum extraction yield (4.64 % ± 0.03 %) of STP extracted by PHWE was obtained under the optimal conditions. Both homogalacturonan and arabinogalactan might exist as major polysaccharide fragments in STP. Additionally, STP exerted obviously in vitro antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and immunostimulatory effects, which might be related to its chemical properties, such as uronic acids, conjugated polyphenolics, and esterification degree. Furthermore, STP could be consumed by intestinal microbiota, and its fermentability was about 54 % at the end stage of fecal fermentation. Indeed, STP could modulate the microbial composition via improving the growth of several beneficial microbes, causing the release of beneficial short-chain fatty acids. Collectively, the findings indicate that the PHWE is an efficient method for extracting bioactive polysaccharides from sweet tea, and results can also provide a scientific basis for developing STP into functional foods or functional ingredients.

Quality assessment and Q-markers discovery of Tongsaimai tablet by integrating serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology for anti-atherosclerosis benefit.

BACKGROUND: The limited therapeutic outcomes of atherosclerosis (AS) have allowed, traditional Chinese medicine has been well established as an alternative approach in ameliorating AS and associated clinical syndromes. Clinically, Tongsaimai tablet (TSMT), a commercial Chinese patent medicine approved by CFDA, shows an obvious therapeutic effect on AS treatment. However, its effective mechanism and quality control still need thorough and urgent exploration. METHODS: The mice were orally administered with TSMT and their serum was investigated for the absorbed compounds using serum pharmacochemistry via the UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS analysis was employed to investigate these absorbed compounds in serum of mice orally administrated with TSMT. Based on these absorbed prototype compounds in serum derived from TSMT, a component-target-disease network was constructed using network pharmacology strategy, which elucidated the potential bioactive components, effective targets, and molecular mechanisms of TSMT against AS. Further, the screened compounds from the component-target network were utilized as the quality control (QC) markers, determining multi-component content determination and HPLC fingerprint to assess quality of nine batches of TSMT samples. RESULTS: A total of 164 individual components were identified in TSMT. Among them, 29 prototype compounds were found in serum of mice administrated with TSMT. Based on these candidate prototype components, 34 protein targets and 151 pathways related to AS were predicted, and they might significantly exhibit potential anti-AS mechanisms via synergistic regulations of lipid regulation, shear stress, and anti-inflammation, etc. Five potentially bioactive ingredients in TSMT, including Ferulic acid, Liquiritin, Senkyunolide I, Luteolin and Glycyrrhizic acid in quantity not less than 1.2798, 0.4716, 0.5419, 0.1349, 4.0386 mg/g, respectively, screened from the component-target-pathway network. Thereby, these indicated that these five compounds of TMST which played vital roles in the attenuation of AS could serve as crucial marker compounds for quality control. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, based on the combination of serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology, the present study firstly provided a useful strategy to establish a quality assessment approach for TSMT by screening out the potential anti-AS mechanisms and chemical quality markers.

Microwave-Assisted Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction, Structural Characteristics, and Biological Functions of Polysaccharides from Sweet Tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius) Leaves.

The leaf of sweet tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius) is widely used as an edible and medicinal plant in China, which is rich in bioactive polysaccharides. In order to explore and promote the application of sweet tea polysaccharides in the functional food industry, the microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction (MDAE) of polysaccharides from sweet tea leaves was optimized, and the structural properties and biological functions of sweet tea polysaccharides prepared by MDAE (P-DM) were investigated and compared with that of hot water extraction (P-W). The maximum yield (4.16% ± 0.09%, w/w) of P-DM was obtained under the optimal extraction conditions (extraction time of 11.0 min, extraction power of 576.0 W, water content in deep eutectic solvent of 21.0%, and liquid-solid ratio of 29.0 mL/g). Additionally, P-DM and P-W possessed similar constituent monosaccharides and glycosidic bonds, and the homogalacturonan (HG) and arabinogalactan (AG) might exist in both P-DM and P-W. Notably, the lower molecular weight, higher content of total uronic acids, and higher content of conjugated polyphenols were observed in P-DW compared to P-W, which might contribute to its much stronger in vitro antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antiglycation, and prebiotic effects. Besides, both P-DW and P-W exhibited remarkable in vitro immunostimulatory effects. The findings from the present study indicate that the MDAE has good potential to be used for efficient extraction of bioactive polysaccharides from sweet tea leaves and P-DM can be developed as functional food ingredients in the food industry.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Rhein on ulcerative colitis via inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and regulating gut microbiota.

This study aimed to analyze the therapeutic effect of Rhein on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice and its possible mechanism. LPS-induced UC cell model and DSS-induced UC mouse model were used to analyze the antiinflammatory effect of Rhein on UC in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify potential signaling pathways involved in Rhein treating UC, and the results were further confirmed through western blotting assay. 16sRNA sequencing was performed to study the regulatory effect of Rhein on gut microbiota in UC mice. As indicated by the results, Rhein could significantly inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß) in vivo and in vitro, and alleviate DSS-induced UC-associated symptoms in mice (e.g., colon shortening, weight loss, diarrhea and hematochezia). The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was predicted as the potential interacting protein of Rhein in the treatment of UC through network pharmacology analysis. It was found through western blotting assay that the Rhein treatment could significantly inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by decreasing the phosphorylated protein levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR and p70S6K1. By 16sRNA gene sequencing analysis, Rhein administration could partially reverse the gut dysbacteriosis of mice induced by DSS and decrease pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae and Turicibacter). It was positively correlated with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines above, whereas the increase in probiotics (e.g., Unspecified-S24-7 and Rikenellaceae) was negatively correlated with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Rhine had anti-UC efficacy, which was demonstrated by mitigating the UC symptoms and reducing intestinal inflammation by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and modulating gut microbiota.

pH/ROS dual-sensitive and chondroitin sulfate wrapped poly (ß-amino ester)-SA-PAPE copolymer nanoparticles for macrophage-targeted oral therapy for ulcerative colitis.

An oral nanoparticle (NPs) encapsulated in chitosan/alginate hydrogel (CA-Gel) with dual-sensitive in pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was developed to load curcumin (CUR) based on the intracellular-specific characteristics of macrophages. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) wrapped PBAE-SA-PAPE with intracellular pH/ROS dual-sensitive characteristics and CUR via a simple nanoprecipitation method to form NPs (CS-CUR-NPs), and mixed CA-Gel to acquire the final preparation (CS-CUR-NPs-Gel). CS-CUR-NPs displayed an ideal average particle size (179.19±5.61nm) and high encapsulating efficiency (94.74±1.15%). CS showed a good targeting ability on macrophages and the CA-Gel contribution in protecting NPs from being destroyed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. As expected, CS-CUR-NPs-Gel could significantly alleviate inflammation in DSS-induced UC mice via TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB pathway. This study is the first to attempt to design a novel pH/ROS dual-stimulated release strategy in helping intracellular CUR delivery and anticipated for efficient anti-UC therapy.

Structural and Biological Properties of Water Soluble Polysaccharides from Lotus Leaves: Effects of Drying Techniques.

In the present study, the influence of five drying techniques on the structural and biological properties of polysaccharides from lotus leaves (LLPs) was investigated. Results revealed that the yields, contents of basic chemical components, molecular weights, and molar ratios of compositional monosaccharides of LLPs varied by different drying technologies. Low molecular weight distributions were observed in polysaccharides obtained from lotus leaves by hot air drying (LLP-H), microwave drying (LLP-M), and radio frequency drying (LLP-RF), respectively. The high contents of bound polyphenolics were measured in LLP-H and LLP-M, as well as polysaccharides obtained from lotus leaves by vacuum drying (LLP-V). Furthermore, both Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of LLPs were similar, indicating that drying technologies did not change their basic chemical structures. Besides, all LLPs exhibited obvious biological properties, including in vitro antioxidant capacities, antiglycation activities, and inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase. Indeed, LLP-H exhibited higher 2,2-azidobisphenol (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging ability (IC50 values, LLP-H, 0.176 ± 0.004 mg/mL; vitamin C, 0.043 ± 0.002 mg/mL) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrate phenyl) hydrazine radical scavenging ability (IC50 values, LLP-H, 0.241 ± 0.007 mg/mL; butylated hydroxytoluene, 0.366 ± 0.010 mg/mL) than others, and LLP-M exerted stronger antiglycation (IC50 values, LLP-M, 1.023 ± 0.053 mg/mL; aminoguanidine, 1.744 ± 0.080 mg/mL) and inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase (IC50 values, LLP-M, 1.90 ± 0.02 µg/mL; acarbose, 724.98 ± 16.93 µg/mL) than others. These findings indicate that both hot air drying and microwave drying can be potential drying techniques for the pre-processing of lotus leaves for industrial applications.

Application and safety evaluation of an anti-aflatoxigenic chitosan pouch containing turmeric essential oil in the storage of traditional Chinese health food.

Aflatoxin contamination is one of the most important factors jeopardizing the quality of traditional Chinese health food (TCHF) during storage. Based on our previous work, we investigated the stability of chitosan (CH) films containing turmeric essential oil (TEO) and employed CH-TEO films as inner pouches, then stored them with inoculated Coix seed, nutmeg, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS). We found that the stability of CH-TEO was most affected by high temperature, and these pouches dramatically decreased aflatoxin accumulation and maintained levels of marker components of each TCHF. We found that glycerol tristearat in Coix seed and jujuboside A and spinosin in ZSS were negatively correlated with aflatoxin accumulation. After three months of storage with a CH-TEO pouch, we found little change in marker components contents, but observed that Coix seed had the relative lower sensory characteristics score. In addition, acute and 90-day subchronic toxicity test in Coix seed stored with the largest amount of TEO showed no significant signs of toxicity or treatment-related changes in animals. The present study is the first report on the study of a green, efficient, and low toxicity solution for aflatoxic contamination in TCHF, and provides strong support for its future use.

Mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Pill to ameliorate irinotecan-induced diarrhea investigated by the combination of serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese medicine suggests the use of natural extracts and compounds is a promising strategy to prevent irinotecan (CPT-11)-induced gut toxicity and resulting diarrhea. Previous work from our lab indicated the protective effect of Gegen Qinlian decoction; given this, we further speculated that Gegen Qinlian Pill (GQP) would exhibit similar therapeutic effects. The effective material basis as well as potential mechanisms underlying the effect of GQP for the treatment of CPT-11-induced diarrhea have not been fully elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: The application of natural extracts or compounds derived from Chinese medicine is deemed to a promising strategy to prevent irinotecan (CPT-11)-induced gut toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigated the beneficial effects of GQP on CPT-11-induced gut toxicity and further explored its anti-diarrheal mechanism. METHODS: First, the beneficial effect of GQP in alleviating diarrhea in mice following CPT-11 administration was investigated. We also obtained the effective ingredients in GQP from murine serum samples using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. Based on these active components, we next established an interaction network linking "compound-target-pathway". Finally, a predicted mechanism of action was obtained using in vivo GQP validation based on Gene Ontology (GO) functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. RESULTS: A total of 19, GQP-derived chemical compounds were identified in murine serum samples. An interaction network linking "compound-target-pathway" was then established to illuminate the interaction between the components present in serum and their targets that mitigated diarrhea. These results indicated GQP exerted a curative effect on diarrhea and diarrhea-related diseases through different targets, which cumulatively regulated inflammation, oxidative stress, and proliferation processes. CONCLUSION: Taken together, this study provides a feasible strategy to elucidate the effective constituents in traditional Chinese medicine formulations. More specifically, this work detailed the basic pharmacological effects and underlying mechanism behind GQP's effects in the treatment of CPT-11-induced gut toxicity.

Dietary quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) polysaccharides ameliorate high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia and modulate gut microbiota.

As the high nutritional and functional values of quinoa acknowledged, the increasing researches focus on the bioactivities and related mechanisms of its abundant carbohydrates. Herein, the beneficial effects of the soluble polysaccharide fraction from quinoa was investigated to lower the serum lipid of rats treated by high-fat diet (HFD) and call the disordered gut microbiota back. The polysaccharide faction was firstly extracted by ultrasonic-assisted extraction technology (yield of 9.65%) and characterized of the monosaccharide composition with glucose and arabinose (1.17:1, molar ratio). And then, the oral administration of quinoa polysaccharide of 300 mg·kg-1·day-1 and 600 mg·kg-1·day-1 for 8 weeks remarkably alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing the levels of serum total triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutamic pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) in rats fed with HFD, as well as the reduced hepatic lipid accumulation. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of gut microbiota could be disordered by the long term of HFD. Nevertheless, dietary supplementation of quinoa polysaccharide could enhance species richness and regulate the gut microbiota community structure, reducing the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroides, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria. Meanwhile, Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene revealed that intake of quinoa polysaccharide decreased the relative abundances of Desulfovibrio and Allobaculum, which were positively correlated with serum lipid profiles and beneficial to lessen intestinal inflammation. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that quinoa polysaccharide supplementation could ameliorate the hyperlipidemia induced by HFD in association with modulating gut microbiota in a positive way.

Genipin-crosslinked human serum albumin coating using a tannic acid layer for enhanced oral administration of curcumin in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Curcumin (CUR) is a promising edible phytochemical compound with ideal ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment activity; however, it is characteristically instable in the digestive tract and has a short retention time in colon. Therefore, we designed and fabricated an oral food-grade nanocarrier composed of tannic acid (TA)-coated, Genipin (Gnp)-crosslinked human serum albumin (HSA) to encapsulate CUR (TA/CUR-NPs). The resulting CUR nanoparticles (NPs) were about 220 nm and -28.8 mV. With the assistance of TA layer and Gnp-crosslinking, the entire nano-scaled system effectively delayed CUR release in simulated gastric fluid, prolonged its colon adhesion and increased its uptake in Caco-2 cells. As expected, TA/CUR-NPs oral administration significantly alleviated colitis symptoms in DSS-treated mice when compared with controls by inhibiting the TLR4-linked NF-κB signaling pathway. Collectively, this study indicates that we have developed a convenient, eco-friendly, nano-scaled vehicle for oral delivery of CUR with anti-UC benefit.

A feasible biocompatible hydrogel film embedding Periplaneta americana extract for acute wound healing.

The wound healing effects of pharmaceutic preparations of Periplaneta americana, Kangfuxin liquid, have been widely utilized in clinics. However, its wound repair efficacy is limited due to short retention capability on cutaneous wound location. Herein, Periplaneta americana extract (PAE), which showed pro-fibrogenic and pro-angiogeneic effects, was embedded into hydrogel film (PAE/Film) by solution cast method by blending polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl chitosan and carbomer at the weight ratio of 78/6/3, with glycerol as plasticizer. PAE/Film exhibited smooth, flexible, and excellent swelling ability (WVTR of 2464 ±â€¯31.5 g/m2/day), characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry, meting the condition of ideal wound dressing. The superior wound healing capacity of PAE/Film was demonstrated that it significantly accelerated wound healing process in vivo in both full-thickness skin defect and scald wounded models. Compared to saline, blank vehicle (drug-free) and free PAE group, PAE/Film could accelerate wound healed, promote re-epithelialization and collagen deposition by means of TGF-ß/Smad signal pathway activation. Taken together, this novel hydrogel film-loading PAE would be a useful pharmaceutic candidate for acute cutaneous wound health care.

Preparation, characterization and anti-aflatoxigenic activity of chitosan packaging films incorporated with turmeric essential oil.

Here, we studied the preparation, characterization, anti-aflatoxigenic activity, and molecular mechanism in vitro of chitosan packaging films containing turmeric essential oil (TEO). First, we took the mechanical properties as the evaluation Index, screened for the optimum preparation conditions of packaging films with 1.5 µL/cm2 TEO using single factor and orthogonal experiments, and characterized the film properties. We found that the addition of TEO affected the microcosmic structure of films and advanced water resistance capacity. In addition, we investigated the inhibitory effects of pure chitosan films and packaging films containing 1.5 µL/cm2 or 3.0 µL/cm2 TEO on the growth and conidial formation of Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus, CGMCC 3.4410), as well as the accumulation of aflatoxin over the course of seven days. We found that the packaging films possessed a prominent antifungal activity on A. flavus. Finally, we discuss preliminary results surrounding gene expression of packaging films which inhibit aflatoxin biosynthesis. The expressions levels of 16 genes related to aflatoxin biosynthesis were found to be either completely or almost completely inhibited. Therefore, the addition of the natural antifungal agent TEO in chitosan packaging films represent a remarkable method to significantly promote the development and application of antifungal packaging materials.

Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for Oral Delivery of Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids.

Flavonoids rich in Tartary buckwheat (TBFs) are the acknowledged health-promoting substances, even with the low oral bioavailability due to its chemical instability in gastrointestinal tract and poor intestinal absorption. To obtain the enhanced oral delivery, TBFs, obtained by an environmentally friendly extraction strategy in advance with the amount of 7.66 ± 0.47 mg rutin/g, was incorporated in biocompatible lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs). Its high encapsulation efficiency of 96.4% ± 1.1%, narrow size distribution of 61.25 ± 1.83 nm with spherical shape, and good storage stability were observed. Compared to free TBFs, TBFs/LPNs exhibited higher antioxidant activity and significant suppression on the pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophage. Moreover, the enhanced delivery of TBFs/LPNs was also embodied in the improved transmembrane transport in Caco-2 monolayer, suggesting its better intestinal absorption, and significantly immune-enhancing efficacy in immunosuppressed mice. These results demonstrated the new perspectives of Tartary buckwheat flavonoids-loaded nanosystem for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Determination of Multi-Class Mycotoxins in Tartary Buckwheat by Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry.

Considering crops are susceptible to toxicogenic fungi during plantation, pre-processing and storage, an ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UFLC-QTrap-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of the 12 most frequent mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, HT-2, T-2 toxin, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, B2, zearalanone, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol, in 14 batches of Tartary buckwheat cultivar, collected from different origins in Sichuan Province, China. Differing from those complicated approaches, a simple and cost-efficient pretreatment method based on dilute-and-shoot was employed. Based on optimized chromatographic and mass spectrometry conditions, these 12 mycotoxins could be analyzed with high correlation coefficients (all over 0.995), high precision (RSD 0.47-9.26%), stability (RSD 0.72-11.36%), and recovery (79.52% to 108.92%, RSD 4.35-14.27%). Furthermore, this analysis method exhibited good determination performance with little disturbance of the matrix effect. Finally, this proposed method was applied for 14 batches of Tartary buckwheat seeds, in which aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was detected in one moldy cultivar, Meigu No. 2, with its concentration exceeding the maximum residue limits set by EU regulations. The method thus established, which has significant advantages, could provide a preferred determination approach candidate for measurement of multiple mycotoxins measurement in Tartary buckwheat, even other kinds of foodstuffs.

Mechanisms of antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic properties of essential oil derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) on Aspergillus flavus.

The antifungal activity and potential mechanisms in vitro as well as anti-aflatoxigenic efficiency in vivo of natural essential oil (EO) derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) against Aspergillus flavus was intensively investigated. Based on the previous chemical characterization of turmeric EO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the substantially antifungal activities of turmeric EO on the mycelial growth, spore germination and aflatoxin production were observed in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, these antifungal effects were related to the disruption of fungal cell endomembrane system including the plasma membrane and mitochondria, specifically i.e. the inhibition of ergosterol synthesis, mitochondrial ATPase, malate dehydrogenase, and succinate dehydrogenase activities. Moreover, the down-regulation profiles of turmeric EO on the relative expression of mycotoxin genes in aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway revealed its anti-aflatoxigenic mechanism. Finally, the suppression effect of fungal contamination in maize indicated that turmeric EO has potential as an eco-friendly antifungal agent.