Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po decoction alleviates depressive-like behavior and promotes hippocampal neurogenesis in chronic unpredictable mild stress induced mice via activating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po decoction (ZZHP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classic recipe, has been extensively applied for the remedy of depression. However, the underlying mechanism of ZZHP hasn't been fully elucidated and it needs to be further clarified. AIM OF STUDY: The aim of the study is to uncover the mechanisms of ZZHP's effect on depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were employed to establish Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) models. Behavioral tests were conducted for evaluating the antidepressant effects of ZZHP. Then, the monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus through High Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrochemical Detection (HPLC-ECD) were utilized to assess the effect of ZZHP on the maintenance of monoamine neurotransmitter homeostasis. Immunofluorescence staining and Golgi staining were detected to analyze the effects of ZZHP on neuroplasticity in the hippocampus. Western Blot (WB) was utilized to examine the effects of ZZHP on BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathways. Finally, behavioral tests, WB and immunofluorescence staining were repeated after TrkB receptor antagonist was added to further confirm the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: Our results shown that ZZHP attenuated depressive-like symptoms in CUMS mice. Moreover, ZZHP remarkably reversed the reduction and maintained the homeostasis of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus. Simultaneously, ZZHP protected neuronal synaptic plasticity and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis. Furthermore, ZZHP stimulated the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway in the hippocampus. The addition of TrkB receptor antagonist inhibited the antidepressant effects of ZZHP, suggesting that ZZHP could not work without triggering the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that ZZHP can alleviate depressive-like behavior and promote hippocampal neurogenesis in CUMS mice via activating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway.

Novel assays for quality evaluation of XueBiJing: Quality variability of a Chinese herbal injection for sepsis management.

XueBiJing is an intravenous five-herb injection used to treat sepsis in China. The study aimed to develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)- or liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (LC-UV)-based assay for quality evaluation of XueBiJing. Assay development involved identifying marker constituents to make the assay therapeutically relevant and building a reliable one-point calibrator for monitoring the various analytes in parallel. Nine marker constituents from the five herbs were selected based on XueBiJing's chemical composition, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. A selectivity test (for "similarity of response") was developed to identify and minimize interference by non-target constituents. Then, an intercept test was developed to fulfill "linearity through zero" for each analyte (absolute ratio of intercept to C response, <2%). Using the newly developed assays, we analyzed samples from 33 batches of XueBiJing, manufactured over three years, and found small batch-to-batch variability in contents of the marker constituents (4.1%-14.8%), except for senkyunolide I (26.5%).

Novel assays for quality evaluation of XueBiJing:Quality variability of a Chinese herbal injection for sepsis management / 药物分析学报

XueBiJing is an intravenous five-herb injection used to treat sepsis in China.The study aimed to develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)-or liquid chromatography-ultraviolet(LC-UV)-based assay for quality evaluation of XueBiJing.Assay development involved identifying marker constituents to make the assay therapeutically relevant and building a reliable one-point cali-brator for monitoring the various analytes in parallel.Nine marker constituents from the five herbs were selected based on XueBiJing's chemical composition,pharmacokinetics,and pharmacodynamics.A selectivity test(for"similarity of response")was developed to identify and minimize interference by non-target constituents.Then,an intercept test was developed to fulfill"linearity through zero"for each analyte(absolute ratio of intercept to C response,＜2％).Using the newly developed assays,we analyzed samples from 33 batches of XueBiJing,manufactured over three years,and found small batch-to-batch variability in contents of the marker constituents(4.1％-14.8％),except for senkyunolide I(26.5％).

Role of phosphorous additives on nitrogen conservation and maturity during pig manure composting.

This study compared different types and addition amounts of phosphorous additives on nitrogen conservation and maturity during pig manure composting. Phosphogypsum and superphosphate were applied with the same amount of phosphorus (5% of the initial total nitrogen, molar basis) or weight (10% of initial dry matter) and compared to a control treatment without additives. Results show that phosphorous additives could effectively conserve nitrogen. Adding phosphogypsum could significantly reduce NH3 emission and total nitrogen loss, but increase N2O emission. Application of 10% superphosphate mitigated NH3 emissions and total nitrogen loss but inhibited the organic matter degradation and compost maturity. More importantly, with the addition of 5% initial total nitrogen (i.e., 2.5% dry matter), superphosphate could synchronously reduce NH3 and N2O emissions and improve compost quality by introducing additional nutrients into the compost. In comprehensive evolution of gaseous emissions, nitrogen loss, and compost maturity, superphosphate addition with 2.5% of initial dry matter was suggested to be used in practice.

Dietary Supplementation of Foxtail Millet Ameliorates Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer in Mice via Activation of Gut Receptors and Suppression of the STAT3 Pathway.

Coarse cereal intake has been reported to be associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer. However, evidence from intervention studies is absent and the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains largely unexplored. This study sought to investigate the effects of foxtail millet and rice, two common staple grains in Asia, on the progression of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) and define the mechanism involved. In total, 40 BALB/c mice were randomized into four groups. The Normal and azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) groups were supplied with an AIN-93G diet, while the millet- and rice-treated groups were supplied with a modified AIN-93G diet. Compared to the AOM/DSS-induced CAC mice supplemented with rice, an increased survival rate, suppressed tumor burden, and reduced disease activity index were observed in the millet-treated group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were decreased in the millet-treated group compared to both the AOM/DSS and AOM/DSS + rice groups. Millet treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3 and the related signaling proteins involved in cell proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. These beneficial effects were mediated by the activation of gut receptors AHR and GPCRs via the microbial metabolites (indole derivates and short-chain fatty acids) of foxtail millet. Moreover, millet-treatment increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroidales_S24-7 compared to the rice-treated mice. This study could help researchers to develop better dietary patterns that work against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and for CAC patients.

Preparation of a low-cost and eco-friendly superabsorbent composite based on wheat bran and laterite for potential application in Chinese herbal medicine growth.

A low-cost and eco-friendly superabsorbent composite is prepared through the free-radical graft co-polymerization of wheat bran (WB), acrylic acid (AA) and laterite (LA) in an aqueous solution. Elemental map, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that the LA evenly distributed in the superabsorbent composite and wheat bran-g-poly(acrylic acid)/laterite (WB-g-PAA/LA) formed successfully. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the WB-g-PAA/LA had high thermal stability. Furthermore, the properties of the WB-g-PAA/LA, such as swelling in saline solutions and degradation, are also assessed. The final WB-g-PAA/LA (5 wt%) superabsorbent composite attained an optimum water absorbency of 1425 g g-1 in distilled water and 72 g g-1 in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution. The water absorbency of WB-g-PAA/LA (10 wt%) is even greater than that of the WB-g-PAA. Moreover, the water-retention capacity of WB-g-PAA/LA (5 wt%) is high, and the water-retention process followed a zero-order reaction. The reaction rate constant is 8.2428 × 105 exp(-Ea/RT) and the apparent activation energy (Ea) is 35.11 kJ mol-1. Furthermore, WB-g-PAA/LA (5 wt%) may regulate the release of urea, indicating that the superabsorbent composite could provide a promising application as a urea fertilizer carrier. Additionally, it increased the germination and growth rates of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, suggesting it could influence the growth of Chinese herbal medicine.

Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Prevents Radiation-Induced Toxicity in H9c2 Cardiomyocytes.

The present study was designed to elucidate the key parameters associated with X-ray radiation induced oxidative stress and the effects of STS on X-ray-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Cytotoxicity of STS and radiation was assessed by MTT. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by SOD and MDA. Apoptosis was measured by the flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258, clonogenic survival assay, and western blot. It was found that the cell viability of H9c2 cells exposed to X-ray radiation was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner and was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase as well as apoptosis. STS treatment significantly reversed the morphological changes, attenuated radiation-induced apoptosis, and improved the antioxidant activity in the H9c2 cells. STS significantly increased the Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax levels and decreased the Bax and caspase-3 levels, compared with the cells treated with radiation alone. STS treatment also resulted in a significant increase in p38-MAPK activation. STS could protect the cells from X-ray-induced cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Therefore, we suggest the STS could be useful for the treatment of radiation-induced cardiovascular injury.

Impact of esterified bacteriochlorophylls on the biogenesis of chlorosomes in Chloroflexus aurantiacus.

A chlorosome is an antenna complex located on the cytoplasmic side of the inner membrane in green photosynthetic bacteria that contains tens of thousands of self-assembled bacteriochlorophylls (BChls). Green bacteria are known to incorporate various esterifying alcohols at the C-17 propionate position of BChls in the chlorosome. The effect of these functional substitutions on the biogenesis of the chlorosome has not yet been fully explored. In this report, we address this question by investigating various esterified bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) homologs in the thermophilic green non-sulfur bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus. Cultures were supplemented with exogenous long-chain alcohols at 52 °C (an optimal growth temperature) and 44 °C (a suboptimal growth temperature), and the morphology, optical properties and exciton transfer characteristics of chlorosomes were investigated. Our studies indicate that at 44 °C Cfl. aurantiacus synthesizes more carotenoids, incorporates more BChl c homologs with unsaturated and rigid polyisoprenoid esterifying alcohols and produces more heterogeneous BChl c homologs in chlorosomes. Substitution of phytol for stearyl alcohol of BChl c maintains similar morphology of the intact chlorosome and enhances energy transfer from the chlorosome to the membrane-bound photosynthetic apparatus. Different morphologies of the intact chlorosome versus in vitro BChl aggregates are suggested by small-angle neutron scattering. Additionally, phytol cultures and 44 °C cultures exhibit slow assembly of the chlorosome. These results suggest that the esterifying alcohol of BChl c contributes to long-range organization of BChls, and that interactions between BChls with other components are important to the assembly of the chlorosome. Possible mechanisms for how esterifying alcohols affect the biogenesis of the chlorosome are discussed.