Uptake and accumulation of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in a soil-ginseng system and toxicological mechanisms on ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer).

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is regarded as a priority environmental pollutant. This study explored the adsorption and accumulation of DEHP within the ginseng-soil system and the mechanism of DEHP toxicity to ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). Under exposure to 22.10 mg/kg DEHP in soil, DEHP mainly accumulated in ginseng leaves (20.28 mg/kg), stems (4.84 mg/kg) and roots (2.00 mg/kg) after 42 days. The oxidative damage, metabolism, protein express of ginseng were comprehensively measured and analyzed. The results revealed that MDA presented an activation trend in ginseng stems and leaves after 42 days of DEHP exposure, while the opposite trend was observed for POD. Levels of ginsenoside metabolites Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rd, Rf and CK decreased in the ginseng rhizosphere exudates under DEHP stress. Further investigations revealed that DEHP disrupts ginsenoside synthesis by inducing glycosyltransferase (GS) and squalene synthase (SS) protein interactions. Molecular docking indicated that DEHP could stably bind to GS and SS by intermolecular forces. These findings provide new information on the ecotoxicological effect of DEHP on ginseng root.

Ginger and 6-gingerol prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal barrier damage and liver injury in mice.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation-related diseases present a significant public health problem. Ginger is a flavoring spice and medicinal herb with anti-inflammatory activity. This study investigated the preventive effects of ginger extract (GE) and its main bioactive component, 6-gingerol (6G), on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and liver injury in mice. RESULTS: GE and 6G were orally administered to mice for seven consecutive days before LPS administration. After 24 h, the mice were sacrificed. GE and 6G were found to significantly reverse LPS-induced inflammation in the mouse ileum by modifying the NF-κB pathway. They also alleviated apoptosis in the ileum by downregulating Bax and cytochrome c gene expression and by inhibiting the caspase-3 pathway. Through the aforementioned mechanisms, GE and 6G restored the intestinal barrier by increasing ZO-1 and claudin-1 protein expressions. Gut-derived LPS induced inflammation and apoptosis in the liver; these effects were markedly reversed through GE and 6G treatment. 6G was the most abundant component in GE, as evidenced through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and accounted for >50% of total gingerols and shogaols in GE. CONCLUSION: The current results support the use of GE and 6G as dietary supplements to protect against gut-derived endotoxemia-associated inflammatory response and disorders. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase system extraction of polyphenolic compounds from Aronia melanocarpa pomace by response surface methodology.

Aronia melanocarpa berries are abundant in polyphenolic compounds. After juice production, the pomace of pressed berries still contains a substantial amount of polyphenolic compounds. For efficient utilization of A. melanocarpa berries and the enhancement of polyphenolic compound yields in Aronia melanocarpa pomace (AMP), total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) from AMP were extracted, using ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase system (UAE-ATPS) extraction method. First, the influences of ammonium sulfate concentration, ethanol-water ratio, ultrasonic time, and ultrasonic power on TP and TF yields were investigated. On this basis, process variables such as ammonium sulfate concentration (0.30-0.35 g mL-1), ethanol-water ratio (0.6-0.8), ultrasonic time (40-60 min), and ultrasonic power (175-225 W) were further optimized by implementing Box-Benhnken design with response surface methodology. The experimental results showed that optimal extraction conditions of TP from AMP were as follows: ammonium sulfate concentration of 0.324 g mL-1, ethanol-water ratio of 0.69, ultrasonic time of 52 min, and ultrasonic power of 200 W. Meanwhile, ammonium sulfate concentration of 0.320 g mL-1, ethanol-water ratio of 0.71, ultrasonic time of 50 min, and ultrasonic power of 200 W were determined as optimum extraction conditions of TF in AMP. Experimental validation was performed, where TP and TF yields reached 68.15 ± 1.04 and 11.67 ± 0.63 mg g-1, respectively. Close agreement was found between experimental and predicted values. Overall, the present results demonstrated that ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase system extraction method was successfully used to extract total phenolics and flavonoids in A. melanocarpa pomace.

Intervention of maiwei dihuang oral liquid on hormonotherapy in treating active systemic lupus erythematosus / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the intervention of Maiwei Dihuang Oral Liquid (MDOL) on hormonotherapy in treating active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty SLE patients in active stage were randomly and equally allocated into two groups, and administered with prednisone, which was medicated in initial dose of 0.5-1 mg/kg, and with the dose being reduced conditionally 6-8 weeks. To the 30 patients in the treated group 10 ml MDOL twice daily was given additionally. The therapeutic course was 3 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The therapeutic effect in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) was significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.01), but was superior in the treated group (P < 0.05). The dose of prednisone used was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and the scores of Yin-deficiency fire-flourishing syndrome were obviously decreased (P < 0.01) in the treated group while in the control group, these indexes were unchanged (P > 0.05), the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01). The occurrence of adverse reaction was significantly lower in the treated group than that in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MDOL can obviously improve the effect of hormonotherapy in SLE, it has advantages in reducing the dosage used and antagonizing the adverse reactions of glucocorticoid.</p>