Insights into Q-markers of honey-fried licorice in treating spleen deficiency based on substance and energy metabolism regulation.

BACKGROUND: Honey-fried Licorice (HFL) is a dosage form of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome processed with honey, which has been recorded to exhibit better efficacy in tonifying the spleen compared to the raw product. In contrast, different processing methods of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome exhibit different efficacies and applications, but their current quality control index components remain consistent. PURPOSE: Based on the discovery and research strategy of traditional Chinese medicine decoction piece quality marker (Q-marker), this study aimed to conduct a multidimensional integration of constituents absorbed into the body and metabolomics based on the tonifying spleen and stomach effects of HFL to effectively identify the Q-marker of HFL. METHODS: In this study, a spleen deficiency rat model was established using the "exhausted swimming + poor diet" method to investigate the pharmacodynamics of tonifying the spleen and stomach by HFL. The constituents absorbed into blood was conducted using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, correlation analysis between metabolomics and constituents absorbed into blood recognized the Q-Marker of HFL. RESULTS: The pharmacodynamic data demonstrated that HFL exhibited a significant regulatory effect on the disordered levels of PP, trypsin, chymase, PL, α-Glu, MTL, GAS, VIP, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IgA in the spleen deficiency model. Furthermore, HFL was found to improve the pathological changes in the spleen and intestine in the spleen deficiency model, highlighting its significant "tonifying spleen and stomach" effect. In the serum containing HFL, a total of 17 constituents were identified as being absorbed into the blood. Among these, 11 were prototypical components, while 6 were metabolites. Metabolomics data revealed that 9 differentially expressed metabolic markers were observed. Furthermore, the analysis of endogenous metabolic markers indicated that 10 components exhibited significant correlations with these biomarkers. CONCLUSION: The effect of "tonifying spleen and stomach" of HFL is closely related to the regulation of the material and energy metabolism pathway. The Q-Marker of HFL is glycyrrhizic acid and 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid as the main control standards and liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, isolicorice flavonol, licorice chalcone C and Formononetin were used as auxiliary standards.

Research progress on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacological action, and applications of Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall: a review.

OBJECTIVES: Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall is a plant of the Juglandaceae family, and its leaves is the main part used as a medicine. It is used to relieve heat and pain, gasification, and dampness. The purpose of this review is to provide a systematic review about the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of this plant. KEY FINDINGS: Many compounds have been isolated and identified from the plant, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, quinones, essential oils, and other types of chemical constituents. Extensive pharmacological activities of the extracts or compounds of E. roxburghiana Wall in vivo and in vitro were mainly confirmed, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. SUMMARY: In this paper, the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of E. roxburghiana Wall were reviewed. In the future, E. roxburghiana Wall needs further study, such as paying more attention to quality control and the utilization on agriculture. In addition, discussing the medicinal components of decoction as well as the toxicity will also contribute to the progress of clinical trial studies.

Isolation, phytochemistry, characterization, biological activity, and application of Morinda officinalis How oligosaccharide: a review.

Morinda officinalis How oligosaccharide (MOO) stands as one of the principal active constituents of M. officinalis How, widely employed in traditional Chinese medicine. The methods for MOO extraction predominantly encompass hot water extraction, ethanol extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction. Distinct extraction techniques yield varying MOO quantities. MOO encompasses a diversity of oligosaccharides, including bajijiasu, sucrose, 1-kestose, nystose, mannose, 1F-fructofuranosylnystose, 1,1,1,1-kestohexose, fructoheptasaccharide, inulin-type hexasaccharide, inulin-type heptasaccharide, inulotriose, inulotetraose, inulopentaose, and mannose. MOO exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities, exerting specific effects on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, motor system, reproductive system, and immune system. It demonstrates antidepressant properties, offers potential in mitigating Alzheimer's disease, stimulates angiogenesis, and possesses anti-osteoporotic and other pharmacological effects. Clinically, when combined with various antidepressants, MOO exhibits specific therapeutic efficacy across multiple forms of depression. As a naturally occurring plant oligosaccharide, MOO holds diverse pharmaceutical applications. This article conducts a review of the latest extraction and purification methodologies, structural characterization analysis, biological activity assessment, and clinical applications of MOO. Such a comprehensive analysis yields innovative insights for advancing the research and application of MOO in the future.