Jinyinqingre Oral Liquid alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a prevalent and severe clinical condition characterized by inflammatory damage to the lung endothelial and epithelial barriers, resulting in high incidence and mortality rates. Currently, there is a lack of safe and effective drugs for the treatment of ALI. In a previous clinical study, we observed that Jinyinqingre oral liquid (JYQR), a Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation prepared by the Taihe Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, exhibited notable efficacy in treating inflammation-related hepatitis and cholecystitis in clinical settings. However, the potential role of JYQR in ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and its anti-inflammatory mechanism remains unexplored. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of JYQR in ALI using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and an in vitro RAW264.7 cell model. JYQR yielded substantial improvements in LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. Additionally, JYQR administration led to a noteworthy reduction in total protein levels within the BALF, a decrease in MPAP, and attenuation of pleural thickness. These findings collectively highlight the remarkable efficacy of JYQR in mitigating the deleterious effects of LPS-induced ALI. Mechanistic investigations revealed that JYQR pretreatment significantly inhibited NF-κB activation and downregulated the expressions of the downstream proteins, namely NLRP3 and GSDMD, as well as proinflammatory cytokine levels in mice and RAW2647 cells. Consequently, JYQR alleviated LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway. JYQR exerts a protective effect against LPS-induced ALI in mice, and its mechanism of action involves the downregulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD inflammatory pathway.

Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study of eight volatile constituents in rats orally administrated with the essential oil of Artemisiae argyi Folium by GC-MS/MS.

Artemisia argyi is commonly used as a remedy for gynecological and respiratory disease in traditional Chinese medicine. The essential oil is considered as the major active ingredients of A. argyi, mainly composed of eucalyptol, α-thujone, camphor, borneol, bornyl acetate, eugenol, ß-caryophyllene, and caryophyllene oxide, while limited study addresses the in vivo disposition of these volatile ingredients. In present study, a rapid, sensitive and selective GC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the quantification of the eight volatile constituents in rat plasma and tissues after orally dosing with the essential oil of Artemisiae Argyi Folium (AAEO) using naphthalene as an internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted from biosamples by liquid-liquid extraction with hexane/ethyl acetate. The GC separation was achieved on a TG-5SILMS column (30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm film thickness) and MS detection was performed on selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The assay had a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) less than 2 ng/ml for the analytes with good linearity (r ≥ 0.9907). Their disposition profile in rat plasma and tissues was characterized after orally giving AAEO, and the data revealed the analytes underwent rapid absorption from GI tract and were mainly transferred to the liver, heart, kidney, lung, and spleen with prompt elimination. The results provided a meaningful basis for guiding the pharmacodynamic study and clinical applications of this herbal medicine.

Metabolic profiles of Xiao Chai Hu Tang in mouse plasma, bile and urine by the UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS technique.

Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT) is sold as traditional medicine or dietary supplement in worldwide. To understand metabolism profile of traditional medicine is key point in their logical pharmacological research and clinical application. Based on our previous research of the chemical and absorption signature of XCHT in vitro, we proposed a novel strategy to identify the bioactive components of XCHT in vivo. This strategy have two steps: firstly, based on the parents' database in vitro, built-in and editable biotransformations for phase I and phase II metabolism reactions with MassHunter Metabolite ID software (building metabolites database). Secondly, mouse plasma, bile and urine samples were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS technique, and the absorbed parents and metabolites were compared and identified with the XCHT's digital library using MassHunter Metabolite ID software. In total, 27 parent compounds and 26 metabolites of XCHT were identified in vivo, 2'-O-xylosyl saikosaponin b2 or b1 was reported for the first time. Saponins and their related metabolites were predominantly excreted into the bile, but flavonoids were excreted by both hepatic as well as renal excretion. Flavonoids, saponins, gingerol and their related metabolites were the absorbed components in cardiovascular system and bioactive components of XCHT. Phase I reactions (hydrolysis, hydroxylation and oxidation) and phase II reactions (glucuronidation) were identified and involved in the mouse metabolism of XCHT.

Achieving deep-level nutrient removal via combined denitrifying phosphorus removal and simultaneous partial nitrification-endogenous denitrification process in a single-sludge sequencing batch reactor.

The feasibility of coupling denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) with simultaneous partial nitrification-endogenous denitrification (SPNED) was investigated in a single-sludge sequencing batch reactor for deep-level nutrient removal from municipal and nitrate wastewaters. After 160-day operation, the DPR process simultaneously reduced most PO43--P and NO3--N anoxically, and the SPNED process achieved further total nitrogen (TN) removal at low dissolved oxygen condition with TN removal efficiency of 90.8%. The effluent NH4+-N, PO43--P and TN concentrations were 1.0, 0.1 and 7.2 mg/L, respectively. Microbial analysis revealed that Dechloromonas (6.7%) dominated DPR process, whereas the gradually enriched Nitrosomonas (4.5%) and Candidatus Competibacter (6.8%) conducted SPNED process accompanied with sharply eliminated Nitrospirae (1.4%). Based on these findings, a novel strategy was proposed to achieve further nutrient removal in conventional treatment through integrating the DPR-SPNED process. As a result, ∼100% of extra carbon and ∼10% of oxygen consumptions would be reduced with satisfactory effluent quality.

Evaluating the potential for sustaining mainstream anammox by endogenous partial denitrification and phosphorus removal for energy-efficient wastewater treatment.

This study demonstrated a novel process configuration for sustaining mainstream anammox by integrating the anammox and endogenous partial denitrification-and-phosphorus removal (EPDPR) in two-stage sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). In the EPDPR-SBR, high nitrate-to-nitrite transformation (68.2%) and P removal (99.3%) were achieved by adjusting the anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic durations and influent nitrate concentration, providing a suitable NO2--N/NH4+-N (∼1.37) for subsequent anammox reaction. In the Anammox-SBR, ∼95% of TN was removed without external carbon and oxygen demands. Satisfactory effluent quality (∼6 mgTN/L and 0.2 mgP/L) achieved in the integrated EPDPR/anammox opens a new window towards the energy-efficient wastewater treatment. Microbial analysis further revealed that Dechloromonas (1.6-9.6%) and Candidatus Competibacter (6.4-5.8%) respectively conducted P removal and NO2--N production (79.2%) from NO3--N denitrification in the EPDPR-SBR, whereas Candidatus Kuenenia (7.0-29.7%) dominated NO2--N and NH4+-N removal (91.3% and 99.5%) in the Anammox-SBR, with 10 genera identified as denitrifying bacteria (0.6-8.1%) further reduced 18.9% of the produced NO3--N.

[Effect of the Influent C/P Ratio on the Nutrient Removal Characteristics of the SNEDPR System].

This study focuses on the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal characteristics in a simultaneous nitrification-endogenous denitrification and phosphorus removal (SNEDPR) system at different influent C/P ratios. An extended anaerobic/low aerobic (dissolved oxygen:0.5-1.0 mg·L-1) sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with municipal sewage was studied by adjusting different C/P ratios (10, 15, 20, 30, and 60). The experimental results show that the proper reduction of the influent C/P ratio (C/P ratio reduced from 60 to 30) enhances the competitive advantages of phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) in the SNEDPR system. The highest phosphorus removal efficiency was achieved at a C/P ratio of 30, with the anaerobic phosphorus release rate (PRR) and aerobic phosphorus uptake rate (PUR, used as P/MLSS) reaching 3.5 mg·(g·h)-1 and 4.2 mg·(g·h)-1 respectively, and an average effluent PO43--P concentration below 0.3 mg·L-1. The percentage of PAOs contributing to the storage of endogenesis carbon (PPAO, An) reached 88.1%. However, a poor phosphorus removal performance was observed with further reduction of the influent C/P ratios to 10; both the PO43--P removal efficiency and PPAO, An decreased from 38.1% and 82.4% to 3.1% and 5.3%, respectively. The PRR and PUR were 0.2 mg·(g·h)-1 and 0.24 mg·(g·h)-1, respectively. The COD removal performance was not affected by the decreasing influent C/P ratios; the average COD removal efficiency stabilized at 85%. In addition, the nitrification performance became worse with decreasing C/P ratios (from 60 to 20) because the effluent NH4+-N and NO2--N concentrations increased from 0 and 6.9 mg·L-1 to 5.1 mg·L-1 and 16.2 mg·L-1, respectively. The nitrificaton performance recovered when the C/P ratios further decreased to 10, but the nitrite accumulation was disturbed as both the effluent NH4+-N and NO2--N concentrations reduced to 0. The effluent NO3--N concentration increased from 0.08 mg·L-1 to 14.1 mg·L-1. The SNED efficiency first decreased from 62.1% to 36.4% and then increased to 56.4%. The advantageous competition of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) improved when the influent C/P ratio was lower than 15. The enhancement of the endogenous denitrification ability of GAOs might explain the recovery denitrification performance of the system when the influent C/P ratios decreased from 20 to 10.

[Effect of Different Sludge Retention Time (SRT) Operations on the Nutrient Removal Characteristics of a SNEDPR System].

This study focuses on the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal characteristics in a simultaneous nitrification endogenous denitrification and phosphorus removal (SNEDPR) system operating at different sludge retention time (SRT). Four extended anaerobic/low aerobic (dissolved oxygen:0.5-1.0 mg·L-1)-operated sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) fed with municipal sewage were studied at different SRT of 5, 10, 15, and 25 d. The experimental results show that a shorter SRT at an SRT ≥ 10 d enhances the competitive advantage of PAOs in the system and an efficient phosphorus removal performance of the SNEDPR system was achieved at a SRT of 10 d and 15 d. Especially at an SRT of 10 d; the average PPAOs, An was 68.4%, the PRA and PUA reached 31.9 and 34.3 mg·L-1, respectively. The nitrification performance of the system was not affected by SRT changes. The most efficient nitrogen removal performance was achieved at a SRT of 15 d, with a high average TN removal and SNED efficiencies reaching 89.6% and 71.8%, respectively. At a SRT ≥ 10 d, the COD removal performance of the SNEDPR system was also not affected by SRT changes. The COD removal efficiencies were higher than 78%. However, when the SRT was shortened to 5 d, the C, N, and P performances of the system worsened due to the loss of biomass; the SNED and PO43--P removal efficiencies were as low as 5.7% and 0.5%, respectively. In addition, at an SRT=15 d, the sludge-settling performance of the system was the best. The SV and SVI were 20% and 64 mL·g-1, respectively, and the sludge concentration increased with the extension of the SRT. Under long SRT (25 d) operation, the system showed a good resistance to shock loads, but the sedimentation performance of the sludge deteriorated.

[Operating Characteristics of a DPR-SNED System Treating Low C/N Municipal Wastewater and Nitrate-containing Sewage].

In order to realize the simultaneous treatment of low C/N municipal wastewater and high nitrate wastewater, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR), inoculated with activated sludge, was used to initiate the denitrifying phosphorus removal coupled with simultaneous nitrification and endogenous denitrification (DPR-SNED). The anaerobic/anoxic/hypoxic durations and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration were appropriately controlled, and the nitrogen and phosphorus removal characteristics were examined. The experimental results demonstrated that, in the anaerobic/hypoxia operation mode, with an anaerobic duration of 3 h and DO concentration of 0.5-1.0 mg·L-1, the simultaneous nitrification of phosphorus removal (SNEDPR) system successfully began in 60 d. The effluent PO43--P concentration was below 0.5 mg·L-1, the nutrient and COD removal efficiencies were stably maintained above 90% and 80%, respectively, and the SNED efficiency and CODins efficiency reached 70% and 95%, respectively. When the operation mode was anaerobic/anoxic/hypoxic and nitrate-containing sewage was added at the beginning of the anoxic stage, DPR-SNED was achieved with the effluent PO43--P concentration<0.5 mg·L-1, nutrient and COD removal efficiencies above 88% and 90%, respectively, and SNED efficiency and CODins efficiency maintained at 62% and 90%, respectively. After the successful initiation of DPR-SNED, enhanced intracellular carbons storage was achieved by phosphorus-and glycogen-accumulating organisms using the limited carbons in raw municipal wastewater to provide sufficient carbon sources for subsequent nutrient removal. In addition, the endogenous partial denitrification ensured the efficient nitrogen removal performance of the DPR-SNED system at low C/N conditions (average 4).

[Simultaneous Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal Characteristics of An Anaerobic/Aerobic Operated SPNDPR System Treating Low C/N Urban Sewage].

This study focused on the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal performance optimization of simultaneous partial nitrification-endogenous denitrification and phosphorus removal (SPNDPR) systems. An anaerobic (180 min)/aerobic operated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with domestic wastewater was used for investigating the startup and optimization of SPNDPR by regulating the aeration rate and aerobic duration time. The experimental results showed that at an aerobic aeration rate of 0.8 L·min-1 and aerobic duration time of 150 min, the effluent PO43--P concentration was about 1.5 mg·L-1, with the effluent NH4+-N and NO3--N concentrations gradually decreasing from 10.28 and 8.14 mg·L-1 to 0 and 2.27 mg·L-1, respectively, and effluent NO2--N concentration increasing to 1.81 mg·L-1. When the aeration rate was increased to 1.0 L·min-1 and the aerobic duration time was shortened to 120 min, the phosphorus removal and partial nitrification-endogenous performance of the system gradually increased, but the total nitrogen (TN) removal performance initially decreased and then gradually increased. The final effluent PO43--P and NH4+-N were stably below 0.5 and 1.0 mg·L-1, respectively, aerobic nitrite accumulation and simultaneous nitrification-endogenous denitrification (SND) efficiencies were 98.65 and 44.20%, respectively, and TN removal efficiency was 79.78%. The concurrence of aerobic phosphorus absorption, denitrifying phosphorus removal, partial nitrification, and nitrification-endogenous in the aerobic stage of the SPNDPR system ensured the simultaneous removal of N and P from low C/N wastewater.

[Investigation on bupleurum resources in northwest area of Hubei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species and the distribution of Bupleurum genus in northwest of Hubei province and provide basis for the standardization planting of Bupleurum in the region. METHODS: Investigated and collected specimens on the spot, com- pared them with literatures and specimen collected before. RESULTS: The main species of Bupleurum plants was B. marginatum, only very few of them was B. scorzonerifolium, no B. chinense was found in northwest of Hubei province. CONCLUSION: B. marginatum is the mainstream species of Bupleurum plants and the roots of B. marginatum are the actual source of commodity with the name of "Beichaihu (the roots of B. chinense)" in northwest of Hubei province.