Adsorption performance of ammonium molybdate modified Salix wood flour biochar for the treatment of monosodium glutamate wastewater.

ABSTRACTThe problem of wastewater pollution in the production of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is becoming more and more serious. A novel type of chemically modified Salix psammophila powder charcoal (SPPCAM) was synthesized to address the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in MSG wastewater. SPPCAM was prepared by carbonization method, in which inorganic ammonium molybdate (AM) was used as modifier and Salix psammophila powder (SPP) was used as raw material. Under optimal treatment conditions, maximum removal rates (removal capacities) of 45.9% (3313.2 mg·L-1) for COD and 29.4% (23.2 mg·L-1) for NH3-N in MSG wastewater were achieved. The treatment results significantly outperforming the unmodified Salix psammophila powder charcoal (SPPC), which only achieved removal rates (removal capacities) of 10.6% (763.9 mg·L-1) for COD and 12.9% (10 mg·L-1) for NH3-N. SPPC and SPPCAM before and after preparation were analysed by FT-IR and XRD, and Mo ions in the form of Mo2C within SPPCAM were successfully loaded. SEM, EDS-Mapping, BET, and other methods were used to analyse SPPCAM before and after MSG wastewater treatment, demonstrating that SPPCAM effectively treated organic pollutants in monosodium glutamate wastewater. The NH3-N in the treated MSG wastewater has reached the standard of safe discharge.

Pharmaceutical and pharmacological studies of Shen Ma Yi Zhi granule for prevention of vascular dementia: A review.

Background: With dementia significantly increasing hospitalization and disability rates, worldwide aging of the population presents major challenges to public health. The majority of cases of cognitive dysfunction among the elderly, however, are characterized by an identifiable, preventable and treatable vascular component. As such, increased study of preventative methods in the context of dementia is warranted. Traditional Chinese medicine compounds have been reported to be neuroprotective and improve cognitive function via a variety of mechanisms. Shen Ma Yi Zhi granule (SMYZG) is one such collection of compounds that has been proven clinically effective. Pharmacological mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and clinical applications of SMYZG have been previously studied using a variety of vascular dementia animal models. SMYZG activates and regulates four main signaling pathways relevant to vascular dementia including the AMPK/PPARα/PGC-1α/UCP2, Nrf2/HO-1, HIF-1/VEGF/Notch, and VEGF/Flk-1/p8 MAPK pathways. Furthermore, SMYZG influences anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant stress responses, reverses demyelination of brain white matter and vascular endothelium, regulates pericyte function and normalizes mitochondrial metabolism. Neuroprotective effects of SMYZG, as well as those promoting regeneration of vascular endothelium, have also been reported in studies of rat models of vascular dementia. Future research concerning SMYG is warranted for development of vascular dementia preventative management strategies.

Chinese herbal injections for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 180 million infections and 3.9 million deaths. To date, emerging clinical evidence has shown the synergetic benefits of Chinese herbal injections in treating this contagious respiratory disease. This review aims to summarize and analyze the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal injections in the therapy of COVID-19. METHODS: The literature from 3 electronic databases, PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science, were searched using the search terms "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2", "traditional Chinese medicine", "herb", "herbal", and "injection". Then the identified articles were comprehensively evaluated. RESULTS: Limited data demonstrated that Chinese herbal injections could significantly improve the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients, especially in combination with conventional treatment strategies. The benefits of which were mainly associated with the relief of symptoms, prevention of secondary infection, regulation of inflammation and immune function. There was also evidence showing the inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Nevertheless, available real-world data suggested the increased risk of adverse event. Furthermore, the defects of existing researches and the insights for discovering novel antiviral drugs were prospectively discussed. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based advances revealed that Chinese herbal injections such as XueBiJing injection and ShenMai injection, exerted potent effects against COVID-19. Further laboratory researches and clinical evaluation are needed to gather scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety.

[Inhibition of scutellarin on differentiation of colonic cancer stem cells via hedgehog signaling pathway].

The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of scutellarin on the differentiation of colonic cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo and to explore its underlying hedgehog signaling-based mechanism. The effect of scutellarin on the growth in vitro of HT-29 cells-derived cancer stem-like cells(HT-29 CSC) was observed with 3 D cell culture. The effect of scutellarin on the transformation of HT-29 CSC cells was assessed by soft agar colony formation assay. Fetal calf serum was used to induce differentiation of stem cells and observe the effect of scutellarin on HT-29 CSC cells differentiation in vitro. The effects of scutellarin on mRNA expressions of Lgr5, c-Myc, CK20 and Nanog in HT-29 CSC cells were determined by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). The effects of scutellarin on protein expressions of c-Myc, Gli1 and Lgr5 in HT-29 CSC cells were examined by Western blot. After subcutaneous implantation of HT-29 CSC cells in nude mice, the effect of scutellarin on the mouse body weight and the growth of HT-29 CSC-derived tumor were explored. qRT-PCR was used for evaluating the effect of scutellarin on mRNA levels of CD133, Lgr5, Gli1, Ptch1, c-Myc, Ki-67, CK20 and Nanog in tumor. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to detect the effect of scutellarin on protein expressions of c-Myc, Gli1, Lgr5, CD133 and Ki-67 in tumor. The in vitro experiments showed that scutellarin inhibited the growth, transformation and differentiation of HT-29 CSC cells, significantly down-regulated the mRNA levels of Lgr5, c-Myc, CK20 and Nanog in HT-29 CSC cells as well as the protein expression levels of c-Myc, Gli1 and Lgr5 in HT-29 CSC cells. Additionally, animal experiments showed that scutellarin significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice, and down-regulated the mRNA expressions of CD133, Lgr5, Gli1, Ptch1, c-Myc, Ki-67, CK20 and Nanog as well as the protein levels of c-Myc, Gli1, Lgr5, CD133 and Ki-67 of xenografts in nude mice. Taken together, scutellarin could inhibit the differentiation of colo-nic cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo, potentially by down regulation of hedgehog signaling pathway activity.

Herbicidal Spectrum, Absorption and Transportation, and Physiological Effect on Bidens pilosa of the Natural Alkaloid Berberine.

Berberine is a natural herbicidal alkaloid from Coptis chinensis Franch. Here we characterized its herbicidal spectrum and absorption and transportation in the plant, along with the possible mechanism. Berberine showed no effect on the germination of the 10 tested plants. The IC50 values of berberine on the primary root length and fresh weight of the 10 tested plants ranged from 2.91 to 9.79 mg L-1 and 5.76 to 35.07 mg L-1, respectively. Berberine showed a similar herbicidal effect on Bidens pilosa as the commercial naturally derived herbicide cinmethylin. HPLC and fluorescence analysis revealed that berberine was mainly absorbed by B. pilosa root and transported through vascular bundle acropetally. Enzyme activity studies, GC-MS analysis, and SEM and TEM observations indicated that berberine might first function on the cell membrane indicated by variation of the IUFA percent and then cause POD, PPO, and SOD activity changes and cellular structure deformity, which was eventually expressed as the decrease of cell adaptation ability and abnormal cell function and may even result in cell death. Environmental safety evaluation tests revealed that berberine was low in toxicity to Brachydanio rerio. These indicate that berberine has the potential to be a bioherbicide and/or a lead molecule for new herbicides.

[PCR, clone and sequence analysis of rDNA-ITS of Nelumbo nucifera from different geographical origins in China].

OBJECTIVE: To provide DNA molecular marker for identification of Nelumbo nucifera by exploring the differences of nrDNA-ITS sequence of N. nucifera originated from different habitats. METHOD: To compare nrDNA-ITS base sequence using specific PCR-ITS. RESULT: The completed sequence of ITS and 5.8 S rDNA, and the partial sequences of 18S rDNA and 26S rDNA, totally 750 bp, from N. nucifera were obtained. The differences among N. nucifera from different habitats and from different cultivars were found. CONCLUSION: The method can be used to identify N. nucifera among different species and to distinguish their fakes. It provided the basis for identifying N. nucifera from different geographical regions by comparison of their ITS sequences.

[Clinical study and electron microscope observation of tapeworm scolices on 548 cases of taeniasis treated with Binlang Chengqi Decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and mechanism of Chinese herbs in the treatment of taeniasis. METHODS: Five hundred and forty-eight cases of taeniasis were treated with Binlang Chengqi Decoction (BLCQD). The tapeworm scolices of ten cases were observed by electron microscope (EM). RESULTS: Among the 548 cases, 521 cases were cured and 27 cases were improved. The total effective rate was 100%. Foam-like secretion in the sucker of the tapeworm scolices and erosion of the epithelium in the cervical part were observed by scanning electron microscope. Observed by transmission electron microscope, the cortex was seriously damaged. The microvilli were exfoliated. The cells in the muscle layer and parenchyma layer were injured in various degrees. The mitochondria were tumefied or caved. And the nerve cord was damaged. CONCLUSION: BLCQD can not only paralyze the tapeworm scolex, but also injury the cells of the tapeworm scolex.