The traditional ethnic herb Tadehagi triquetrum from China: a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.

CONTEXT: Tadehagi triquetrum (Linn.) Ohashi (Fabaceae) (TT), is a traditional herbal medicine used especially in China's ethnic-minority communities, such as the Zhuang, Dai, Li and Wa aeras. As an ethnic medicine, it has long been used to treat various diseases. OBJECTIVE: This review summarised the phytochemical and pharmacological progress on TT from 1979 to October, 2021 by highlighting its chemical classification, structural features, pharmacological applications and folk applications to provide inspirations and suggestions for accelerating further research of this traditional phytomedicine. METHODS: The information on TT in this article has been obtained using these multiple scientific databases including Scifinder, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS publications, Springer, PubMed, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar. Some information was also collected from classic literature on traditional Chinese medicines. RESULTS: More than 70 compounds have been isolated and reported from TT to date by the comprehensive analysis of the current literature. A large number of traditional uses and pharmacological studies have exhibited diversified bioactivities of various TT extracts and its metabolites, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-hepatitis B virus, hepatoprotective, insecticidal, etc. CONCLUSIONS: As a famous traditional medicine with a long history, TT has various medicinal uses and some of them have been supported by modern pharmacological researches. Further detailed studies on the action mechanisms, pharmacodynamics and structure-function relationships of single compounds or active constituents from TT are also required.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Artemisia sieversiana and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Two previously undescribed dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, named sieverlignans D-E (1-2), as well as eight known ones (3-10), were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia sieversiana. Their structures were elucidated from extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HRMS, NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments. This study is the first to report dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in the genus Artemisia and this plant. All the compounds were evaluated for their anti-neuroinflammatory activities on the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in BV-2 murine microglial cells. Compounds 1 and 6 exhibited the moderate activities with their IC50 values of 47.7 and 21.9 µM, compared to a positive control quercetin with the IC50 value of 16.0 µM.

COPII Components Sar1b and Sar1c Play Distinct Yet Interchangeable Roles in Pollen Development.

The development of pollen is a prerequisite for double fertilization in angiosperms. Coat protein complex II (COPII) mediates anterograde transport of vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. Components of the COPII complex have been reported to regulate either sporophytic or gametophytic control of pollen development. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome encodes five Sar1 isoforms, the small GTPases essential for COPII formation. By using a dominant negative approach, Sar1 isoforms were proposed to have distinct cargo specificity despite their sequence similarity. Here, we examined the functions of three Sar1 isoforms through analysis of transfer DNA insertion mutants and CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutants. We report that functional loss of Sar1b caused malfunction of tapetum, leading to male sterility. Ectopic expression of Sar1c could compensate for Sar1b loss of function in sporophytic control of pollen development, suggesting that they are interchangeable. Functional distinction between Sar1b and Sar1c may have resulted from their different gene transcription levels based on expression analyses. On the other hand, Sar1b and Sar1c redundantly mediate male gametophytic development such that the sar1b;sar1c microspores aborted at anther developmental stage 10. This study uncovers the role of Sar1 isoforms in both sporophytic and gametophytic control of pollen development. It also suggests that distinct functions of Sar1 isoforms may be caused by their distinct transcription programs.

Chemical characterization of constituents from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua and their cytotoxic and antioxidant evaluation.

Twenty-four compounds were isolated from the roots of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua, including a new octopamine dimer, named trans-bis(N-feruloyl)octopamine (1). The structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. All the extracts and compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic and antioxidant activities by using MTT and chemiluminescence assay. The extracts showed activity against MCF-7 and HepG-2 cell lines from IC50 0.30 to 1.01 mg mL-1. Compound 3 exhibited activity against HepG-2 cell lines with IC50 8.99 µM. Compound 7 exhibited activity against Hela cell lines with IC50 2.53 µM and BGC-823 cell lines with IC50 7.77 µM. Moreover, compound 7 showed antioxidant with IC50 12 µM compared to the positive control with IC50 77 µM. Compound 16 exhibited activity against HepG-2 cell lines with IC50 1.05 µM and MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 1.89 µM. These results indicated that this plant might be potential in natural medicine and healthy food.

Triterpenoids from stems of Kadsura heteroclita.

In the present work, we reported the triterpenoids isolated from n-butanol fraction of Kadsura heteroclita which is a Tujia ethnomedicine with trivial name "Xuetong". This effort resulted in the isolation of six unpresented triterpenoids xuetongsu A-F (1-6), along with five known triterpenoids (7-11). The structures of the reported compounds were established on the 1D, and 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectra, along with CD spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, the absolute stereochemistry of compound 7 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities were evaluated for all isolated compounds, compound 7 shown weak cytotoxic activity against HL-60 with IC50 value of 50.0 µM.

[Studies on identification of Phragmitis Rhizoma and its counterfeits].

The study aims to explore the main differential characteristics of Phragmites Rhizoma and its counterfeits (rhizomes of Arundo donax, Triarrhena lutarioriparia and Miscanthus sinensis) and provide experimental basis for the reasonable applications of gramineous plants through system research and comparison of plant morphogenesis, character, transverse organization characteristics and powder microscopic characteristics.

Effects of Graded Levels of Chromium Methionine on Performance, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, Fatty Acid Profiles of Fat, Tissue Chromium Concentrations, and Antioxidant Status in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

A 97-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary chromium methionine (CrMet) on performance, carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid profiles of fat, tissue chromium concentrations, and antioxidant status in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred pigs with a mean initial body weight (BW) 30.18 ± 0.28 kg were allotted to 5 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 6 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design based on BW and sex. Treatments were added with 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 µg/kg chromium as CrMet. Blood samples were obtained from the anterior vena cava on days 97. Carcass characteristics, pork quality, and tissue chromium concentration data were collected from one pig per pen. The results indicated that supplemental CrMet did not significantly affect growth performance, carcass traits, or meat amino acid profiles. Chromium at 100, 400, and 800 µg/kg decreased drip loss but increased shear force (P < 0.05). Pigs fed 100 or 400 µg/kg had a higher 24-h pH than the control (P < 0.05). While meat color, muscle moisture, crude protein, or crude fat were not affected by CrMet. Supplemental 800 µg/kg chromium reduced C18:0 levels in belly fat (P < 0.05), and chromium supplementation increased cis-9, trans 11-conjugated linoleic acid levels linearly (P < 0.05). Dietary CrMet supplementation increased serum, kidney, and muscle chromium contents (P < 0.05) but did not affect liver chromium contents. Besides, tissue chromium concentrations were increased linearly with increased chromium dosage (P < 0.05). Chromium at 400 µg/kg increased serum glutathione peroxidase activities (P < 0.05), and chromium at 800 µg/kg decreased serum total antioxidant capacity levels (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, liver and kidney antioxidant status were not significantly affected by CrMet. These results indicated that dietary supplementation CrMet did not significantly influence growth and carcass traits, but improved meat quality at the expense of tenderness. Therefore, the long-term exposure to 800 µg/kg chromium affected fatty acid compositions and reduced serum antioxidant capacity.

Effects of chromium methionine supplementation on growth performance, serum metabolites, endocrine parameters, antioxidant status, and immune traits in growing pigs.

The effects of dietary chromium methionine (CrMet) on growth performance, serum metabolites, endocrine parameters, antioxidant status, and immune traits in growing pigs were investigated. A total of 180 crossbred pigs (30.18 ± 0.28 kg initial body mass) were randomly divided into five groups, each group with six pens, six pigs per pen. Pigs were fed on the same basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 µg/kg Cr from CrMet for 35 days. The results showed that supplemental CrMet did not affect growth performance. Cr at 200-800 µg/kg significantly decreased serum glucose levels (P < 0.05), while other serum metabolites were unaffected by Cr supplementation. Serum growth hormone (GH) levels were significantly decreased by Cr addition (P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels were linearly decreased with increased Cr dose, and a significant reduction was observed in pigs fed 800 µg/kg Cr diets (P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin A, G, and M concentrations were increased linearly with increased Cr dosage, and pigs fed 400 µg/kg Cr had greater serum immunoglobulin M contents (P < 0.05). Cr at 400 µg/kg significantly increased serum superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity activities (T-AOC) (P < 0.05). However, Cr at 800 µg/kg increased serum catalase activities, while decreasing serum T-AOC contents (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant increase in serum malondialdehyde levels for pigs fed 800 µg/kg Cr diets (P < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary supplementation CrMet decreased serum glucose, GH, and IGF-I levels. Besides, supplemental 400 µg/kg Cr as CrMet improved serum antioxidant status and immune responses, but additional 800 µg/kg Cr resulted in lipid peroxidation in growing pigs.

Chemical composition, anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxic activity of the liposoluble constituents from different parts of Acanthopanax evodiaefolius by the Herbal Blitzkrieg Extractor.

The liposoluble constituents of leaves (LCL) and stem barks (LCSB) from Acanthopanax evodiaefolius Franch were extracted by Herbal Blitzkrieg Extractor (HBE), and their chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS. 18 compounds were identified, representing 71.98% of LCL, while 35 compounds were identified, accounting for 98.28% of the LCSB. Their cytotoxic activity and inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were tested and the LCL showed significant NO, IL-6 and TNF-α inhibition activity. These results provide the scientific basis for looking for new natural anti-inflammatory substances and exploiting and developing resources of A. evodiaefolius Franch.

[In vivo studies on metabolic network compatibility of herba houttuyniae injection and sodium neohouttuynin injection in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study metabolic rule in rats for heartleaf houttuynia herb injection and Sodium New Houttuyfonate injection. METHODS: The GC-MS was used to determine metabolites in plasma and urine of rats after intravenous and oral administration of heartleaf houttuynia herb injection as multi-component and Sodium New Houttuyfonate injection as single component. RESULTS: For rats 8 common metabolites were determined in plasma after intravenous administration of heartleaf houttuynia herb injection and Sodium New Houttuyfonate injection, meanwhile 39 in urine. The 16 common metabolites were determined in plasma after oral administration, and 12 in urine. The 9 and 11 of same metabolites were determined in plasma and urine respectively after intravenous and oral administration of heartleaf houttuynia herb injection, 8 and 17 common metabolites for Sodium New Houttuyfonate injection. CONCLUSION: The metabolites of heartleaf houttuynia herb and Sodium New Houttuyfonate injection in rats are the same or similar after intravenous and oral administration, and there are the same structure types between metabolites and original constituents of preparations. The metabolic pathways of the two preparations in rats are the same. There is metabolic Network Compatibility in organism between multi-components, single components and different administration forms for traditional Chinese medicine.