Multi-level advances in databases related to systems pharmacology in traditional Chinese medicine: a 60-year review.

The therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) involve intricate interactions among multiple components and targets. Currently, computational approaches play a pivotal role in simulating various pharmacological processes of TCM. The application of network analysis in TCM research has provided an effective means to explain the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the actions of herbs or formulas through the lens of biological network analysis. Along with the advances of network analysis, computational science has coalesced around the core chain of TCM research: formula-herb-component-target-phenotype-ZHENG, facilitating the accumulation and organization of the extensive TCM-related data and the establishment of relevant databases. Nonetheless, recent years have witnessed a tendency toward homogeneity in the development and application of these databases. Advancements in computational technologies, including deep learning and foundation model, have propelled the exploration and modeling of intricate systems into a new phase, potentially heralding a new era. This review aims to delves into the progress made in databases related to six key entities: formula, herb, component, target, phenotype, and ZHENG. Systematically discussions on the commonalities and disparities among various database types were presented. In addition, the review raised the issue of research bottleneck in TCM computational pharmacology and envisions the forthcoming directions of computational research within the realm of TCM.

Expulsion of selenium/protein nanoparticles through vesicle-like structures by Saccharomyces cerevisiae under microaerophilic environment.

Nano-selenium/protein is a kind of lower toxic supplement to human. Many microorganisms can reduce selenite/selenate to intracellular or extracellular selenium nanoparticles. This study examined the influence of dissolved oxygen on the expulsion of extracellular selenium/protein produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. More of the added selenite was reduced to extracellular selenium nanoparticles by yeast cells only under oxygen-limited condition than under aerobic or anaerobic condition. For the first time, we evidenced that selenium/protein nanoparticles synthesized in vivo were transported out of the cells by vesicle-like structures under microaerophilic environment. The characterizations of the extracellular spherical selenium/protein nanoparticles were also examined by SEM, TEM, EDX and FTIR.

Biosynthesis and structural characteristics of selenium nanoparticles by Pseudomonas alcaliphila.

In this paper, we report that selenium (Se) nanoparticles were first biosynthesized by Pseudomonas alcaliphila with a simple and eco-friendly biological method. The structural characteristics of Se nanoparticles were examined. The results showed that spherical particles appeared with diameters ranging from 50 to 500 nm during incubation and Se nanorods were present after incubating in an aqueous reaction solution for 24h. However, the formation of Se nanorods was interrupted when 5% (w/v) poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) was added in the aqueous reaction solution, obtaining stable spherical Se nanoparticles with a diameter of about 200 nm.

[Reduction of selenite to elemental red selenium under aerobic condition by Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR].

OBJECTIVE: We studied the reduction of soluble and highly toxic selenite to elemental red selenium, under aerobic condition by Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR, with organic carbon as electron donor. RESULTS: The strain could grow under pH 6-11 and resist to high concentration of selenite with the minimal inhibitory concentration of 50 mmol/L. After 5 days, the strain used sodium citrate as electron donor, and reduced 2.0 mmol/L selenite to elemental red selenium from the culture fluid, the elemental red selenium was stored outside the cells. The glutathione and nitrate could increase the number of reduction rate. CONCLUSION: This study implies the application of Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR to convert selenite to elemental red selenium.

[Study on biodegradation of polyacrylamide].

Phanerochaete chrysosporium was introduced into biodegradation of polyacrylamide(PAM), and effects of glucose amount, pH, N concentration, Mn2+ concentration and biodegradation time on biodegradation of PAM were studied. Results show that Phanerochaete chrysosporium has special abilities of enzyme catalysis biodegradation of PAM. And the removal rate of PAM is 50%. Nitrogen limitation (NH4+ = 0.2 g/L) and Mn2+ concentration (Mn2+ = 0.017 5 g/L) are optima of producing PAM biodegradation enzyme.