Assembly and characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Ventilago leiocarpa.

KEY MESSAGE: We reported the mitochondrial genome of Ventilago leiocarpa for the first time. Two and one sites lead to the generation of stop and stat codon through editing were verified. Ventilago leiocarpa, a member of the Rhamnaceae family, is frequently utilized in traditional medicine due to the medicinal properties of its roots. In this study, we successfully assembled the mitogenome of V. leiocarpa using both BGI short reads and Nanopore long reads. This mitogenome has a total length of 331,839 bp. The annotated results showed 36 unique protein-coding, 16 tRNA and 3 rRNA genes in this mitogenome. Furthermore, we confirmed the presence of a branched structure through the utilization of long reads mapping, PCR amplification, and Sanger sequencing. Specifically, the ctg1 can form a single circular molecule or combine with ctg4 to form a linear molecule. Likewise, ctg2 can form a single circular molecule or can be connected to ctg4 to form a linear molecule. Subsequently, through a comparative analysis of the mitogenome and cpgenome sequences, we identified ten mitochondrial plastid sequences (MTPTs), including two complete protein-coding genes and five complete tRNA genes. The existence of MTPTs was verified by long reads. Colinear analysis showed that the mitogenomes of Rosales were highly divergent in structure. Finally, we identified 545 RNA editing sites involving 36 protein-coding genes by Deepred-mt. To validate our findings, we conducted PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing, which confirmed the generation of stop codons in atp9-223 and rps10-391, as well as the generation of a start codon in nad4L-2. This project reported the complex structure and RNA editing event of the V. Leiocarpa mitogenome, which will provide valuable information for the study of mitochondrial gene expression.

Active Fraction of Polyrhachis Vicina Roger (AFPR) Ameliorate Depression Induced Inflammation Response by FTO/miR-221-3p/SOCS1 Axis.

Purpose: Neuroinflammation is a significant etiological factor in the development of depression. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated notable efficacy in the treatment of inflammation. Our previous study surfaces that the active fraction of Polyrhachis vicina Roger (AFPR) has antidepressant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects, but the specific mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of AFPR on inflammation in depression via the FTO/miR-221-3p/SOCS1 axis. Methods: Chronic unpredictable stress (CUMS)-induced rats and LPS-induced BV2 cells were employed to simulate depression models in vivo and in vitro. The levels of inflammatory factors were detected using the ELISA assay. The expression of genes and proteins was detected using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Gene interactions were detected using the dual luciferase reporter gene. Protein-RNA interactions were investigated using RNA methylation immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). Neuroinflammation in the brain was examined through H&E staining, while neuronal apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining. Results: The results showed that AFPR ameliorated depression induced inflammation by increasing SOCS1 expression. However, SOCS1 was identified as a target of miR-221-3p. Overexpression of miR-221-3p decreased the expression of SOCS1 and increased the levels of NF-κB, IL-7, and IL-6. In addition, we found that miR-221-3p was regulated by FTO-mediated m6A modification through MeRIP and RIP experiments. Interference with miR-221-3p and overexpression of FTO resulted in increased SOCS1 gene expression and decreased levels of NF-κB, IL-7, and IL-6, which were reversed by AFPR. Conclusion: AFPR inhibits the maturation of pri-miR-221-3p through FTO-mediated m6A modification, reduces the production of miR-221-3p, increases the expression of SOCS1, and reduces the level of inflammation, thereby improving depressive symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory Study on the Constituents of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. & Sav., Angelica pubescence Maxim and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Essential Oils.

Umbelliferae plants, which are widely used as traditional Chinese medicine because of their characteristics of relieving rheumatism, alleviating fever, circulating blood and easing pain. This experimental study was based on ear edema model caused by 12-O-tetracycline-propylphenol-13-acetic acid (TPA) in mice and compared with the Ibuprofen (Ib) group. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the composition of the essential oils from the four studied Umbelliferae plants (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, A. dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. & Sav., A. pubescens Maxim and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Biologically active components in volatile oils from the four studied Umbelliferae plants were evaluated. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and RelA (p65) in mouse skin were determined by immunohistochemical method. The refractive index of the four essential oils was calculated. A total of 239 compounds were identified by GC-MS from the four studied plants, and the main constituents were osthole (44.61%, APEOs), obepin (0.59%, APEOs & 86.58%, FVEOs), undecanol (8.58%, ADEOs), α-muurolene (7.95%, ADEOs) and cis-anethol (9.11%, ADEOs). E-ligustilide (0.14%, APEOs & 81.14%, ASEOs), (-)-spathulenol (0.08%, FVEOs & 1.21%, ASEOs), (-)-terpinen-4-ol (4.91%, FVEOs), 2-butylthiolane (5.76%, APEOs) and α-bisabolol (3.80%, APEOs). This study showed that all the essential oils from the four studied Umbelliferae plants contained various lactones, including ligustrongolactone, trans-anisol and imperatorin. According to the results of the TPA induction test in the mouse ear edema model, the essential oils of four Umbelliferae plants reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, COX-2, IL-6 and p65. All of them showed extraordinary biological activity in anti-inflammatory, so they have potential application value for biomedical products, pharmaceutical preparations, natural functional nutrients and cosmetic additives.

Chemical constituents, biological activities and anti-rheumatoid arthritic properties of four citrus essential oils.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease with predominant synovitis that has no complete cure or preventive treatment. Citrus essential oils, used in natural fragrances, contain a variety of functional ingredients that are worthy of investigation for their potential as natural anti-inflammatory drug sources. In this study, essential oils were hydro distilled from the peels of four citrus species: Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (CSEOs), Citrus paradisi Macfad. (CPEOs), Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck (CLEOs) and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CREOs). Altogether, 81 compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), of which d-limonene (17.96%-94.66%) was an abundant component of all four oils. The stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-pyrrole hydrazine (DPPH) free radical test showed that all four essential oils had excellent antioxidant properties (IC50 , 0.76-13.86 µg/mL). Furthermore, the oils remarkably increased the first G1 phase of the cell cycle, which inhibited the pro-inflammatory factor expression. An immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the four essential oils inhibited the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and cyclooxygenase-2 and they exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in a rat model that was similar to that of the common drug, Ibuprofen. These results show that the CSEOs, CPEOs, CLEOs, and CREOs have significant antirheumatic activities and thus have great potential in developing functional food or drugs for treating RA.

Protective effect of Amomum Roxb. essential oils in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury mice and its metabolomics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Several Amomum species are commonly used in food as flavoring agents and traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammation-related diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to investigate the protective effects of Chinese herbal medicines, including six Amomum Roxb. essential oils (AEOs), against acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The compositions of AEOs were analyzed using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. RAW264.7 cells were treated with AEOS (0-100 µg/mL) and stimulated with LPS. C57 mice received AEOs (100 mg/kg) via atomization system for seven consecutive days, and then, intratracheal instillation of LPS was applied to establish an in vivo model of acute lung injury. RESULTS: We identified three AEOs demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects and amelioration of LPS-induced lung tissue pathological damage. Furthermore, we found that these AEOs reduced lung wet/dry weight ratios and protein concentrations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice with LPS-induced ALI. Additionally, AEOs reduced the levels of malondialdehyde, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß but increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase in lung tissue, alveolar lavage fluid, and serum samples. We also found that these three AEOs affected proteins related to the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our findings revealed that AEOs ameliorate inflammatory and oxidative stress in mice with ALI through the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway.

A comparative study on chemical compositions and biological activities of four essential oils: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) Presl, Salvia japonica Thunb. and Rosa rugosa Thunb.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Essential oils (EOs) are important active ingredients in Chinese herbal medicine. Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) Presl, Salvia japonica Thunb., and Rosa rugosa Thunb. are used in local and traditional medicine to treat inflammation-related diseases. While the constituents and bioactivities of EOs of the above four Chinese herbals have been reported previously, but their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities have not been systematically evaluated. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to research the chemical constituents, anti-inflammatory activities, and antioxidant activities of EOs of four Chinese herbal medicines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh plant materials were collected both in August 2018. The compositions of EOs were determined by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. TPA (12-O-tetradecylphophenol-13-acetate)-induced mouse ear model was evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of EOs. The reduction of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and RelA protein of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the signal pathway (P65) were measured. The antioxidant activities of EOs from four plants were determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. RESULTS: A total of 217 compounds were separated and identified from four EOs, mainly including trans-cinnamylaldehyde (68.75%), citronellal (38.16%), linalool (1.02-33.73%), geraniol (19.39%) and citronellol (17.18%). All four EOs reduced the damage of the ear tissue and had certain anti-inflammatory effects, and the EOs of C. citratus (CyCEOs) and S. japonica (SJEOs) had the best anti-inflammatory activities among others, even better than ibuprofen. The four EOs exhibited different DPPH radical-scavenging activities (IC50, 0.101-1.017%), where most of them were much lower than that of EOs of C. citratus (CiCEOs) (IC50, 0.101%) and EOs of R. rugosa (RREOs) (IC50, 0.142%). CONCLUSIONS: The main components determine diverse propertise of these four EOs, our results suggested that four EOs presented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect via reducing the expression of TNF-a, IL-6, COX-2, and NF-κB p65, which may provide a new approach for development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.