[Nutrient uptake strategy selection by first-order roots of Juglans mandshurica under shading and phosphorus limitation]. / 遮阴和磷限制下胡桃楸1çº§æ ¹å »åˆ†å¸æ”¶ç­–ç•¥é€‰æ‹©.

We investigated root growth of 1-year-old Juglans mandshurica seedlings under different light environments and varying doses of phosphorus fertilizer, to understand the relationship between root resource acquisition strategies and the variations of light and phosphorus availability. There were four shading intensities (full light, 65% full light, 35% full light, and 20% full light) along with three doses of phosphate fertilizer (0 (CK), 200% soil background available phosphorus, and 500% soil background available phosphorus). We measured in root morphology characteristics, architectural characteristics, and mycorrhizal colonization rates of first-order roots. The results showed that average diameter, average root length, and mycorrhizal colonization rates of first-order roots gradually decreased, and the specific root length, specific surface area, branching ratio and branching intensity showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increases of shading degree. As the phosphorus content decreased, the first-order root diameter gradually became thinner, and the mycorrhizal infection rate gradually increased. Root morphology and architecture of J. mandshurica would undergo adaptive changes under shade, adapting to the shading environment by expanding specific root length, specific surface area, branching ratio and branching intensity. Under phosphorus limitation, root system of J. mandshurica would increase phosphorus absorption through symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. When J. mandshurica was artificially regenerate in forest land with a light transmittance of 35%, root morphology and architecture would adapt to the shading environment. The symbiosis between J. mandshurica and mycorrhizal fungi would be enhanced under phosphorus limitation, which could improve phosphorus absorption of roots.

[Spectrum-effect relationship of the blood-activating efficacy of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma].

This study aims to establish the high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of different batches of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, determine their pharmacodynamic indexes of promoting blood circulation, and explore the spectrum-effect relationship between the chemical components of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and the efficacy of promoting blood circulation. Firstly, the HPLC fingerprints of different batches of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were established. Then, the pharmacodynamic indexes were determined after the capillary coagulation experiment and the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats, including capillary coagulation time, percentage of cerebral ischemic area, cerebral water loss rate, and brain-body index. Afterward, the partial least-squares method was used to explore the spectrum-effect relationship between the chemical components of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and the pharmacodynamic indexes. The results showed that this study successfully established the HPLC fingerprints of different batches of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, found 23 common peaks, and identified 12 of them, all of which were saponins. The method was proved stable and reliable. Both the capillary coagulation experiment and the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)-induced cerebral ischemia-reperfusion experiment on rats revealed that there were obvious differences in the pharmacodynamic indexes of different batches of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. The relationships between 23 common components of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in different batches and the pharmacodynamic indexes were discussed by means of spectrum-effect correlation analysis, of which 17 components had positive effects while 6 components had negative effects on the pharmacodynamic indexes. This study provides a certain reference basis for the clinical rational use and quality control of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.

[Spectrum-effect relationship of hemostatic effects of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma with different commodity specifications].

This article aims to establish the fingerprints, determine the hemostatic pharmacodynamic indicators, and explore the spectrum-effect relationship of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in 12 different specifications. Firstly, HPLC and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) were employed to establish the fingerprints of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. The rat plasma recalcification experiment and the rat gastric bleeding experiment were conducted to determine the pharmacodynamic indicators, including plasma recalcification time(PRT), thrombin time(TT), prothrombin time(PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT). Afterwards, the partial least squares method was employed to explore the spectrum-effect relationship of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in different specifications. Twenty-six common peaks were detected in the HPLC fingerprints of different specifications of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and 11 out of the 26 common peaks represented saponins. The content of dencichine was determined by LC-MS. The rat experiments showed that the pharmacodynamic indicators were significantly different among different specifications of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. The spectrum-effect relationship was explored between 27 common components and pharmacodynamic indicators. Among them, 16 components had positive effects on the pharmacodynamic indicators of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and 11 exerted negative effects. This study provides a basis for the precision medication and quality control of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.

Anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum Murray reduce nicotine withdrawal-induced anxiety and craving in mice.

Lycium ruthenicum Murray is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and is believed to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-fatigue effects. Anthocyanins are considered to be one of the main active components. The previous work by our research team found that the anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum extract (ALRM) produce a stable anti-anxiety effect. The mechanisms of action include reducing the level of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) as well as regulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen activation, protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathways, and others, all of which are related to the mechanisms of nicotine addiction. To investigate the effects of ALRM on anxiety and craving behavior after nicotine withdrawal, the components of ALRM were analyzed using the UPLC-Orbitrap MS method. The effects of ALRM on anxiety behavior induced by nicotine withdrawal were investigated in mice using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light-dark box (LDB) tests. The effects of ALRM on craving behavior after nicotine withdrawal were further investigated using the conditional place preference (CPP) test. The EPM and LDB tests demonstrated that ALRM could alleviate the anxiety behavior induced by nicotine withdrawal and reduce nicotine craving in mice. Based on the identified ALRM components, the network pharmacology method was used to predict the mechanism of ALRM alleviating anxiety after nicotine withdrawal in mice. It was speculated that ALRM was involved in the production and transmission of dopamine, choline, and other nervous system functions and exhibited a potential role in treating nicotine addiction.

Nardosinone Alleviates Parkinson's Disease Symptoms in Mice by Regulating Dopamine D2 Receptor.

Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (nardostachys) is the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. Recent studies have shown that nardostachys may exert an anti-PD effect. In this study, the UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS method was used to analyze the brain components of nardostachys in rats. Based on the results of UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS analysis, nardosinone was identified to be the most effective anti-PD compound in nardostachys. To further verify this inference, a mouse PD model was established and the effect of nardosinone on PD mice was determined using classic behavioral tests. The results showed that nardosinone was indeed effective for relieving PD symptoms in mice. Moreover, network pharmacology analysis was used to elucidate the mechanism underlying the anti-PD effect of nardosinone. Dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) was identified as the key target of nardosinone-PD interaction network, which was further verified by molecular docking and Western blotting. The results demonstrated that nardosinone and DRD2 could interact with each other. Furthermore, the expression level of DRD2 was decreased in the brain tissue of PD mice, and nardosinone could restore its expression to a certain extent. In conclusion, our findings suggest that nardosinone may reduce the motor and cognitive symptoms in the animal PD model by regulating DRD2 expression.

[Study on mechanism of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix against post-traumatic stress disorder based on molecular docking and network pharmacology].

This paper aims to investigate the active components and mechanism of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix against post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The main components and targets of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix were obtained by literature mining methods, SwissTargetPrediction, BATMAN and ETCM database. PTSD-related genes were collected from DrugBank, TTD and CTD databases. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed based on STRING, and the core targets of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix in the treatment of PTSD were selected according to the topological parameters. Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct the compound-target network. DAVID database was used for GO enrichment analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis. The relationship network of "compound-target-pathway" was constructed through Cytoscape 3.7.2 to analyze and obtain the key targets and their corresponding components in the network, and their results were verified by molecular docking. The results showed that a total of 47 components(such as valeraldehyde, dihydrovalerin, valerate, chlorovaltrate K, 8-hydroxypinoresinol, 6-hydroxyluteolin, apigenin, farnesin, vanillin, luteolin, kaempferol, glycosmisic acid and pogostemon) of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix may act on 94 key targets such as CNR1, MAOA, NR3 C1, MAPK14, MAPK8, HTR2 C and DRD2. Totally 29 GO terms were obtained by GO functional enrichment analysis(P<0.05), and 20 signaling pathways were obtained from KEGG pathway enrichment, mainly involving neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, serotonergic synapse, calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, dopaminergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, neurotrophin signaling pathway, gap junction, cholinergic synapse, estrogen signaling pathway, glutamatergic synapse and long-term potentiation. Molecular docking analysis showed that hydrogen bonding, π-π interaction and hydrophobic effecting may be the main forms of interaction. This study used the network of compound-target-pathway and molecular docking technology to screen the effective components of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix against PTSD, and explore its anti-PTSD mechanism, so as to provide scientific basis for exploring the anti-PTSD drugs from traditional Chinese medicine and clarifying its mechanism of action.

Discovery and proteomics analysis of effective compounds in Valeriana jatamansi jones for the treatment of anxiety.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Zhizhu Xiang (ZZX for short) is the root and rhizome of Valeriana jatamansi Jones, which is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used to treat various mood disorders for more than 2000 years, especially anxiety. However, there have been few investigations to clarify the compounds in ZZX for the treatment of anxiety. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our previous study has identified five anti-anxiety components, including hesperidin, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B and isochlorogenic acid C and chlorogenic acid, from extract of ZZX. In order to find the optimal combination and the underlying mechanism of these five components in the treatment of anxiety disorder, researches were designed based on uniform design method and proteomic technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples with different proportion and content of the five active components were arranged by uniform design method. Then a mathematical model was formulated using partial least square method and stepwise regression analysis. Moreover, the empty bottle stress-induced anxiety rat model was established, and the anti-anxiety effect was recorded by the unconditioned reflex elevated maze test and the open field test. In addition, the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) technique, along with the multidimensional liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry were applied in proteomic study. At last, the result of proteomic analysis was further confirmed by Western blot. RESULTS: The optimal combination of the components from the extract of ZZX was 1.153 mg/kg hesperidin, 2.197 mg/kg Isochlorogenic acid A, 0.699 mg/kg Isochlorogenic acid B and 1.249 mg/kg Chlorogenic acid. Total 6818 proteins were identified using proteomic analysis and 80 differentially expressed proteins were used for further bioinformatic analysis. These proteins were involved in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, protein digestion and absorption, cholesterol metabolism, Chagas disease, and AGE/RAGE signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The composition and proportion of anti-anxiety components in extract of ZZX was disclosed, and there was an anti-anxiety effect for the combined components of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Through proteomic analysis and Western blot, it was found that the effective components of extract of ZZX can exert synergistic anti-anxiety effects via the regulation of multi-signaling pathways. These findings could provide a preliminary research basis for the development of new low-toxic, efficient, stable and controllable anti-anxiety drugs.

Anxiolytic Effect of Alcohol-Water Extracted Suanzaoren-Wuweizi Herb-Pair by Regulating ECS-BDNF-ERK Signaling Pathway Expression in Acute Restraint Stress Male Rats.

Herb-pairs are the basic units of composition in Chinese herbal formulae, where the bridge linking Chinese medicine and prescription consists of two Chinese medicine herbs. The Suanzaoren-Wuweizi herb-pair (SWHP) is commonly used as a sedative or tranquilizer. SWHP has been demonstrated to exert an antianxiety effect in animal models of anxiety. However, little information about its mechanism is available and the effects of SWHP have not been investigated. This study examined the effects of SWHP on ameliorating anxiety-like behaviors by regulating endocannabinoids system (ECS)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathway expression, induced by restraint stress (RS) procedures. The antianxiety effects of SWHP on RS rats were then examined through the open-field test (OF) and the elevated plus maze test (EPM). The concentration of BNDF, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), and p-CREB expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of the rats was then measured by western blot. The number of positive cells of CB1 and CB2 in the rats' hippocampus CA1 region was measured by immunohistochemistry. These results gave compelling evidence that SWHP could modify anxiety-like behaviors of RS rats through regulation of the ECS-BDNF-ERK signaling pathway. Our study demonstrated that SWHP improved anxiety-like behaviors in RS rat models by regulating the ECS-BDNF-ERK signaling pathway. The findings indicate that SWHP may have a therapeutic application in the RS model of anxiety disorder, which proposes a potential new direction for research into anxiety disorders regarding mechanisms and the development of novel antianxiety drugs.