Antibacterial Activity of Plants in Cirsium: A Comprehensive Review.

As ethnic medicine, the whole grass of plants in Cirsium was used as antimicrobial. This review focuses on the antimicrobial activity of plants in Cirsium, including antimicrobial components, against different types of microbes and bacteriostatic mechanism. The results showed that the main antimicrobial activity components in Cirsium plants were flavonoids, triterpenoids and phenolic acids, and the antimicrobial ability varied according to the species and the content of chemicals. Among them, phenolic acids showed a strong antibacterial ability against Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecium. The antibacterial mechanisms include: (1) damaging the cell membrane, cell walls, mitochondria and nucleus of bacteria; (2) inhibiting the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids; (3) suppressing the synthesis of enzymes for tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways and glycolysis, and then killing the bacteria via inhibition of energy production. Totally, most research results on antimicrobial activity of Cirsium plants are reported based on in vitro assays. The evidence from clinical data and comprehensive evaluation are needed.

Prenatal Diagnosis and Molecular Cytogenetic Analyses of a Rare 17q12 Microdeletion and Microduplication in a Family with a Normal Phenotype.

Background: Copy number variants (CNVs) contribute significantly to normal and pathogenic genomic variations. Chromosome 17q12 microdeletion is implicated in structural or functional kidney and urethral abnormalities, MODY5 (type 5 diabetes), and neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorders. Conversely, microduplication of 17q12, though rare, elevates the risk of epilepsy and mental retardation. Case Presentation: This study focuses on a 33-year-old woman (gravida 1, para 0) who underwent amniocentesis at 22 weeks gestation due to bilateral hyperechogenic kidneys observed on prenatal ultrasound. Results: Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) unveiled a 1.46-Mb microdeletion on chromosome 17q12 in the fetus, spanning positions 35,802,057 to 37,261,945 (hg19). Trio whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed 17q12 microdeletion in the fetus and 17q12 microduplication in the father. Notably, at the 3-year follow-up, the baby exhibited a normal phenotype. Conclusions: This research provides a comprehensive description of the phenotype in a rare family featuring 17q12 microdeletion and microduplication. Employing a combination of karyotype analysis, CMA, WES, prenatal ultrasound, and genetic counseling proves helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications.

[Mechanism of astragaloside â £ in regulating autophagy of PC12 cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation by medicating Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α pathway].

This study explored the protective effect of astragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ) on oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)-induced autophagic injury in PC12 cells and its underlying mechanism. An OGD-induced autophagic injury model in vitro was established in PC12 cells. The cells were divided into a normal group, an OGD group, low-, medium-, and high-dose AS-Ⅳ groups, and a positive drug dexmedetomidine(DEX) group. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe autophagosomes and autolysosomes, and the MDC staining method was used to assess the fluorescence intensity of autophagosomes. Western blot was conducted to determine the relative expression levels of functional proteins LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin1, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, and HIF-1α. Compared with the normal group, the OGD group exhibited a significant decrease in cell viability(P<0.01), an increase in autophagosomes(P<0.01), enhanced fluorescence intensity of autophagosomes(P<0.01), up-regulated Beclin1, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, and HIF-1α(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and down-regulated p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the OGD group, the low-and medium-dose AS-Ⅳ groups and the DEX group showed a significant increase in cell viability(P<0.01), decreased autophagosomes(P<0.01), weakened fluorescence intensity of autophagosomes(P<0.01), down-regulated Beclin1, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, and HIF-1α(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and up-regulated p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR(P<0.01). AS-Ⅳ at low and medium doses exerted a protective effect against OGD-induced autophagic injury in PC12 cells by activating the Akt/mTOR pathway, subsequently influencing HIF-1α. The high-dose AS-Ⅳ group did not show a statistically significant difference compared with the OGD group. This study provides a certain target reference for the prevention and treatment of OGD-induced cellular autophagic injury by AS-Ⅳ and accumulates laboratory data for the secondary development of Astragali Radix and AS-Ⅳ.

Integrating serum metabolomics and network analysis to explore the antidepressant activity of crocin in rats with chronic unexpected mild stress-induced depression.

CONTEXT: Crocin exhibits anti-depressant properties. However, its underlying mechanisms and its relationship with metabolomics remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study elucidates the mechanism of action and potential targets of crocin in treating chronic unexpected mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats underwent 4 weeks of CUMS to establish the depression model. The normal control (distilled water), crocin (25 mg/kg), and fluoxetine (5.4 mg/kg) groups were orally administered for 4-weeks. Behavioural tests evaluated the effects of crocin, while liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics identified differential metabolites and their associated metabolic pathways. Subsequently, network pharmacology was utilized to predict the targets of crocin. RESULTS: Crocin significantly increased body weight (from 319.16 ± 4.84 g to 325.67 ± 2.84 g), sucrose preference (from 0.46 ± 0.09 to 0.70 ± 0.09), vertical activity (from 2.83 ± 1.94 to 8 ± 2.36), horizontal activity (from 1 ± 0.63 to 4.5 ± 3.08) and decreased immobilization time (from 13.16 ± 2.69 to 3.97 ± 3.00). Metabolomics analysis identified 7 metabolites and 5 associated metabolic pathways. From the combined analysis of network pharmacology and metabolomics, three targets (PRMT1, CYP3A4, and GLB1) are the overlapping targets and the two most important metabolic pathways are tryptophan metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into the antidepressant therapeutic effect of crocin and its underlying mechanisms. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic mechanism involved in the anti-depressant effect of crocin, establishing a strong foundation for future research in this area.

Genetic Counseling and Prenatal Diagnosis of a Maternally Inherited 15q11.2 Microduplication.

Unbalanced chromosome abnormalities (UBCA) are large genomic region variations that often result in minimal clinical effects. Copy number variants (CNVs), such as microdeletions and microduplications in 15q11.2, have been linked to various health issues, making prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling challenging. Microdeletions and microduplications in the genomic region 15q11.2 are associated with congenital heart defects, autism, schizophrenia, epilepsy, mental retardation and developmental delay. The literature on this microduplication is confusing and extensive, which is a great difficulty for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling. A 35-year-old female undergoing amniocentesis at Week 19 due to advanced maternal age revealed a normal 46,XX karyotype through G-banding analysis. However, Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) on the same amniocytes detected a 550-Kb maternally inherited chromosomal microduplication in 15q11.2. An integrated approach combining karyotype analysis, CMA, genetic counseling, and prenatal ultrasound is crucial for the accurate prenatal diagnosis of UBCAs and CNVs.

[Research status of Bovis Calculus and relevant Chinese patent medicines based on bibliometric analysis].

With scarce resources, natural Bovis Calculus is expensive and hard to meet clinical demand. At the moment, four kinds of Bovis Calculus are available on the market: the natural product, in vitro cultured product, synthesized product, and the product formed in cow after manual intervention. In this study, papers on the four kinds of Bovis Calculus products and relevant Chinese patent medicines were searched from Web of Science, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI). CiteSpace, citexs AI, and CNKI were employed for bibliometric analysis and knowledge map analysis. On this basis, the status, trend, and focuses of research on Bovis Calculus and relevant Chinese patent medicines were summarized. The results suggested overall slow development in the research on Bovis Calculus and relevant Chinese patent medicines with three typical growth stages. It is consistent with the development of Bovis Calculus substitutes and the national policy for the development of traditional Chinese medicine. At the moment, the research on Bovis Calculus and relevant Chinese patent medicines has been on the rise. In recent years, there has been an explosion of research on them, particularly the quality control of Bovis Calculus and the Chinese patent medicines, the pharmacological efficacy of Chinese patent medicines, such as Angong Niuhuang Pills, and the comparison of the quality of various Bovis Calculus products. However, there is a paucity of research on the pharmacological efficacy and the mechanism of Bovis Calculus. This medicinal and the relevant Chinese patent medicines have been studied from diverse perspectives and China becomes outstanding in this research field. However, it is still necessary to reveal the chemical composition, pharmacological efficacy, and mechanism through multi-dimensional deep research.

Mechanisms of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in treating chronic pelvic inflammatory disease based on network pharmacology and animal experiments / 数字中医药（英文）

@#【Objective】  To predict the active components and action targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) based on network pharmacology, explore possible mechanisms of the treatment through animal experiments, and provide a scientific basis for clinical applications of Wuyao (Linderae Radix). 【Methods】  Possible active components and targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of CPID were obtained applying network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. CPID rat models were established using the mixed Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Ureaplasma urealyticum plus the performance of mechanical injury. Hematoxylineosin (HE) staining was applied to observe the pathological changes in the uterus, fallopian tube, and spleens of rat models. The contents of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of rats were determined with the use of corresponding detection kits. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to measure the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the serum of rat models. Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentage of CD4+ and CD8a+ T cells as well as CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the spleen of rat models. 【Results】  A total of nine potential active components and four core therapeutic targets related to inflammatory response in Wuyao (Linderae Radix) were obtained. The animal experiments showed that Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly inhibited uterus swelling, regulated morphological changes in the fallopian tube and spleen,  effectively reduced inflammatory infiltration and injuries in the uterus and fallopian tube, and improved spleen functions in CPID rats. Moreover, Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly reduced the levels of NO, IL-6, and MDA, and increased the levels of IL-10 and SOD in the serum of rats. Wuyao (Linderae Radix) also elevated the percentage of CD4+T cells and the CD4+ T/CD8a+ T cell ratio, reduced the percentage of CD8a+ T cells, and raised the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs that had been abnormally decreased in rat models (P < 0.05). 【Conclusion】  Wuyao (Linderae Radix) could have therapeutic effects on CPID rats by relieving oxidative stress, mitigating inflammatory levels, and regulating the immuno-function of T cell subgroups to improve the pathological changes in CPID rats. It is a medicinal herb worth being further explored for its clinical values.

[Determination of tomatine in Solanum cathayanum by RP-HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To develop an HPLC method for determination of tomatine in the dried Solanum cathayanum of China Hubei Enshi. METHOD: The analysis was performed on a YMC-Pack ODS-AA column (4. 6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitrile and water in gradient mode. The concentration of acetonitrile in the mobile phase changes from 20% to 100% within 60 minutes. The detection wavelength was set 203 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and column temperature was set at 30 degrees C. RESULT: The linear relationship of tomatine was determined within the range from 0.1-0.6 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 7). The average recovery as 98.93% with RSD 1.2%. CONCLUSION: A convenient and reliable method was developed to determine the content of tomatine in the dried S. cathayanum.

[Chemical constituents of Solanum cathayanum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Solanum cathayanum. METHODS: Chemical constituents were isolated by chromatographic methods and identified by NMR analysis. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as lignoceric acid (I), beta-sitosterol (II), lupeol (III) 8-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5H-pyrido [2, 1-c] pyrazin-5-one (IV), ethly 2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahy-dropyrimidine-4-carboxylate (V). CONCLUSION: Compound I and III are isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound IV and V are isolated from the genus of Solanum for the first time.