The genome and population genomics of allopolyploid Coffea arabica reveal the diversification history of modern coffee cultivars.

Coffea arabica, an allotetraploid hybrid of Coffea eugenioides and Coffea canephora, is the source of approximately 60% of coffee products worldwide, and its cultivated accessions have undergone several population bottlenecks. We present chromosome-level assemblies of a di-haploid C. arabica accession and modern representatives of its diploid progenitors, C. eugenioides and C. canephora. The three species exhibit largely conserved genome structures between diploid parents and descendant subgenomes, with no obvious global subgenome dominance. We find evidence for a founding polyploidy event 350,000-610,000 years ago, followed by several pre-domestication bottlenecks, resulting in narrow genetic variation. A split between wild accessions and cultivar progenitors occurred ~30.5 thousand years ago, followed by a period of migration between the two populations. Analysis of modern varieties, including lines historically introgressed with C. canephora, highlights their breeding histories and loci that may contribute to pathogen resistance, laying the groundwork for future genomics-based breeding of C. arabica.

Self-Stimulated Photodynamic Nanoreactor in Combination with CXCR4 Antagonists for Antileukemia Therapy.

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unsatisfactory, owing to the absence of efficacious therapy regimens over decades. However, advances in molecular biology, including inhibiting the CXCR4/CXCL12 biological axis, have introduced novel therapeutic options for AML. Additionally, self-stimulated phototherapy can solve the poor light penetration from external sources, and it will overcome the limitation that traditional phototherapy cannot be applied to the treatment of AML. Herein, we designed and manufactured a self-stimulated photodynamic nanoreactor to enhance antileukemia efficacy and suppress leukemia recurrence and metastasis in AML mouse models. To fulfill our design, we utilized the CXCR4/CXCL12 biological axis and biomimetic cell membranes in conjunction with self-stimulated phototherapy. This nanoreactor possesses the capability to migrate into the bone marrow cavity, inhibit AML cells from infiltrating into the visceral organ, significantly enhance the antileukemia effect, and prolong the survival time of leukemic mice. Therefore, this nanoreactor has significant potential for achieving high success rates and low recurrence rates in leukemia treatment.

Collision of herbal medicine and nanotechnology: a bibliometric analysis of herbal nanoparticles from 2004 to 2023.

BACKGROUND: Herbal nanoparticles are made from natural herbs/medicinal plants, their extracts, or a combination with other nanoparticle carriers. Compared to traditional herbs, herbal nanoparticles lead to improved bioavailability, enhanced stability, and reduced toxicity. Previous research indicates that herbal medicine nanomaterials are rapidly advancing and making significant progress; however, bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping for herbal nanoparticles are currently lacking. We performed a bibliometric analysis by retrieving publications related to herbal nanoparticles from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database spanning from 2004 to 2023. Data processing was performed using the R package Bibliometrix, VOSviewers, and CiteSpace. RESULTS: In total, 1876 articles related to herbal nanoparticles were identified, originating from various countries, with China being the primary contributing country. The number of publications in this field increases annually. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Saveetha University in India are prominent research institutions in this domain. The Journal "International Journal of Nanomedicine" has the highest number of publications. The number of authors of these publications reached 8234, with Yan Zhao, Yue Zhang, and Huihua Qu being the most prolific authors and Yan Zhao being the most frequently cited author. "Traditional Chinese medicine," "drug delivery," and "green synthesis" are the main research focal points. Themes such as "green synthesis," "curcumin," "wound healing," "drug delivery," and "carbon dots" may represent emerging research areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings assist in identifying the latest research frontiers and hot topics, providing valuable references for scholars investigating the role of nanotechnology in herbal medicine.

[A new sesquiterpenoid from Lindera aggregata].

The chemical composition of the aqueous part of the extract from Lindera aggregata was studied, which was separated and purified by the macroporous resin column chromatography, MCI medium pressure column chromatography, semi-preparative high-performance liquid phase and other methods. The structures of the compounds were identified according to physical and chemical properties and spectroscopic data. Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified from the aqueous extracts, which were identified as(1S,3R,5R,6R,8S,10S)-epi-lindenanolide H(1), tachioside(2), lindenanolide H(3), leonuriside A(4), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethyl ß-D-glucopyranoside(5), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol-1-O-6-α-L-rhamnose-(1→6)-O-ß-D-glucoside(6), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(7),(+)-lyoniresin-4-yl-ß-D-glucopyranoside(8), lyoniside(9), norboldine(10), norisopordine(11), boldine(12), reticuline(13). Among them, compound 1 was a new one, and compounds 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 were obtained from L. aggregata for the first time. The inflammatory model was induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in the RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that compounds 1, 8, 10 and 12 had significant anti-inflammatory activity.

Two-dimensional chiral metal-organic framework nanosheets L-hyp-Ni/Fe@SiO2 composite for HPLC separation.

In this study, we have synthesised a chiral l-hyp-Ni/Fe@SiO2 composite as a chiral stationary phase (CSP) for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the first time. This was achieved by coating two-dimensional (2D) chiral metal-organic framework nanosheets (MONs) l-hyp-Ni/Fe onto the surface of activated SiO2 microspheres using the "wrapped in net" method. The separation efficiency of the l-hyp-Ni/Fe chromatographic column was systematically evaluated in normal-phase HPLC (NP-HPLC) and reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) configurations, employing various racemates as analytes. The findings revealed that 16 chiral compounds were separated using NP-HPLC, and five were separated using RP-HPLC, encompassing alcohols, amines, ketones, esters, alkanes, ethers, amino acids and sulfoxides. Notably, the resolution (Rs) of nine chiral compounds exceeded 1.5, indicating baseline separation. Furthermore, the resolution performance of the l-hyp-Ni/Fe@SiO2-packed column was compared with that of Chiralpak AD-H. It was observed that certain enantiomers, which either could not be resolved or were inadequately separated on the Chiralpak AD-H column, attained separation on the 2D chiral MONs column. These findings suggest a complementary relationship between the two columns in racemate separation, with their combined application facilitating the resolution of a broader spectrum of chiral compounds. In addition, baseline separation was achieved for five positional isomers on the l-hyp-Ni/Fe@SiO2-packed column. The effects of the analyte mass and column temperature on the resolution were also examined. Moreover, during HPLC analysis, the l-hyp-Ni/Fe columns demonstrated commendable repeatability, stability and reproducibility in enantiomer separation. This research not only advances the utilisation of 2D chiral MONs as CSPs but also expands their applications in the separation sciences.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the HSF Gene Family Reveals Its Role in Astragalus mongholicus under Different Light Conditions.

Astragalus mongholicus is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with important medicinal value and is widely used worldwide. Heat shock (HSF) transcription factors are among the most important transcription factors in plants and are involved in the transcriptional regulation of various stress responses, including drought, salinity, oxidation, osmotic stress, and high light, thereby regulating growth and developmental processes. However, the HFS gene family has not yet been identified in A. mongholicus, and little is known regarding the role of HSF genes in A. mongholicus. This study is based on whole genome analysis of A. mongholicus, identifying a total of 22 AmHSF genes and analyzing their physicochemical properties. Divided into three subgroups based on phylogenetic and gene structural characteristics, including subgroup A (12), subgroup B (9), and subgroup C (1), they are randomly distributed in 8 out of 9 chromosomes of A. mongholicus. In addition, transcriptome data and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses revealed that AmHSF was differentially transcribed in different tissues, suggesting that AmHSF gene functions may differ. Red and blue light treatment significantly affected the expression of 20 HSF genes in soilless cultivation of A. mongholicus seedlings. AmHSF3, AmHSF3, AmHSF11, AmHSF12, and AmHSF14 were upregulated after red light and blue light treatment, and these genes all had light-corresponding cis-elements, suggesting that AmHSF genes play an important role in the light response of A. mongholicus. Although the responses of soilless-cultivated A. mongholicus seedlings to red and blue light may not represent the mature stage, our results provide fundamental research for future elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms of HSF in the growth and development of A. mongholicus and its response to different light conditions.

Effects of stand ages on soil enzyme activities in Chinese fir plantations and natural secondary forests.

Forest type and stand age are important biological factors affecting soil enzyme activities. However, the changes in soil enzyme activities across stand ages and underlying mechanisms under the two forest restoration strate-gies of plantations and natural secondary forests remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the variations of four soil enzyme activities including cello-biohydrolase (CBH), ß-1,4-glucosidase (ßG), acid phosphatase (AP) and ß-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), which were closely associated with soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling, across Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations and natural secondary forests (5, 8, 21, 27 and 40 years old). The results showed that soil enzyme activities showed different patterns across different forest types. The acti-vities of AP, ßG and CBH in the C. lanceolata plantations were significantly higher than those in the natural secon-dary forests, and there was no significant difference in the NAG activity. In the plantations, AP activity showed a decreasing tendency with the increasing stand ages, with the AP activity in the 5-year-old plantations significantly higher than other stand ages by more than 62.3%. The activities of NAG and CBH decreased first and then increased, and ßG enzyme activity fluctuated with the increasing stand age. In the natural secondary forests, NAG enzyme activity fluctuated with the increasing stand age, with that in the 8-year-old and 27-year-old stand ages being significantly higher than the other stand ages by more than 14.9%. ßG and CBH enzyme activities increased first and then decreased, and no significant difference was observed in the AP activity. Results of the stepwise regression analyses showed that soil predictors explained more than 34% of the variation in the best-fitting models predicting soil enzyme activities in the C. lanceolata plantations and natural secondary forests. In conclusion, there would be a risk of soil fertility degradation C. lanceolata plantations with the increasing stand age, while natural secondary forests were more conducive to maintaining soil fertility.

Omentin-1 inhibits the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia by attenuating local inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent disease affecting elderly men, with chronic inflammation being a critical factor in its development. Omentin-1, also known as intelectin-1 (ITLN-1), is an anti-inflammatory protein primarily found in the epithelial cells of the small intestine. This study aimed to investigate the potential of ITLN-1 in mitigating BPH by modulating local inflammation in the prostate gland. METHODS: Our investigation involved two in vivo experimental models. Firstly, ITLN-1 knockout mice (Itln-1-/-) were used to study the absence of ITLN-1 in BPH development. Secondly, a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH mouse model was treated with an ITLN-1 overexpressing adenovirus. We assessed BPH severity using prostate weight index and histological analysis, including H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro, the impact of ITLN-1 on BPH-1 cell proliferation and inflammatory response was evaluated using cell proliferation assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In vivo, Itln-1-/- mice exhibited elevated prostate weight index, enlarged lumen area, and higher TNF-α levels compared to wild-type littermates. In contrast, ITLN-1 overexpression in TP-induced BPH mice resulted in reduced prostate weight index, lumen area, and TNF-α levels. In vitro studies indicated that ITLN-1 suppressed the proliferation of prostate epithelial cells and reduced TNF-α production in macrophages, suggesting a mechanism involving the inhibition of macrophage-mediated inflammation. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that ITLN-1 plays a significant role in inhibiting the development of BPH by reducing local inflammation in the prostate gland. These findings highlight the potential of ITLN-1 as a therapeutic target in the management of BPH.

Effect of tuina on sleep quality, psychological state and neurotransmitter level in patients with insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Abnormal psychological state and neurotransmitter levels are important factors affecting sleep quality. Numerous studies have shown that tuina can improve the symptoms of sleep disorders in patients with insomnia while relieving anxiety and depression and regulating neurotransmitter levels. However, there have been no meta-analyses on the effect of tuina on psychological states and neurotransmitter levels. Objectives: A meta-analysis was performed to systematically evaluate the effects of massage on sleep quality, psychological state, and neurotransmitter levels in patients with insomnia. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to July 2023 using eight electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on tuina therapy for insomnia. Gray literature was also searched. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook. Reviewer Manager 5.4 and Stata 16.0 were employed for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 23 studies were included, including 1780 patients with insomnia, of whom 892 and 888 were in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Meta-analysis indicated that tuina therapy was superior to other therapies for the treatment of insomnia in increasing the total effective rate [OR = 4.12, 95%CI (2.80, 6.06), p < 0.00001] and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level [MD = 16.03, 95% CI (13.40, 18.65), p < 0.00001], while reducing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score [MD = -2.34, 95% CI (-2.94, -1.74), p < 0.00001], Athens Insomnia Scale score [MD = -2.10, 95% CI (-2.67, -1.52), p < 0.00001], self-rating anxiety scale score [MD = -6.77, 95% CI (-8.34, -5.20), p < 0.00001] and self-rating depression scale score [MD = -6.60, 95% CI (-8.82, -4.37), p < 0.00001]. Subgroup analysis showed that tuina alone or in combination with other therapies was superior to drugs or acupuncture alone in improving all outcomes (p < 0.05). Only two studies reported minor adverse events. Conclusion: Tuina for insomnia has certain therapeutic advantages and can significantly improve sleep quality, relieve anxiety-depressive states, and increase 5-HT levels with high safety. Due to the limitations of the quality of the included studies, additional high-quality clinical trials are required for further verification. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=447839, identifier CRD42023447839.

Modified SiP single-polarization CADD receiver.

In cost-sensitive application scenarios, increasing the data rate per channel under a limited receiver bandwidth is critical, and thus, the transceivers with low costs and high electrical spectral efficiencies (ESEs) are highly desirable. In this Letter, we demonstrate a modified silicon photonic (SiP) carrier-assisted differential detection (CADD) receiver with a record ESE for single polarization. The ESE of the conventional CADD is mainly limited by the transfer function that originated from the optical delay and hybrid. We modify the transfer function of the CADD by placing an additional delay in parallel to the original delay path. Consequently, the modified transfer function exhibits a sharper slope around the zero frequency, leading to a higher ESE. Here we employ complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible SiP integration to further reduce the cost and footprint of the modified CADD receiver. In the experiment, 280-Gb/s raw rate (net 226-Gb/s) 16-QAM OFDM signal after 80-km SMF transmission was detected using a 36.5-GHz SiP modified CADD receiver, with a bit error ratio below the 24% SD-FEC threshold. To our best knowledge, we achieve a record net 6.2-b/s/Hz ESE for an integrated single-polarization DD receiver with a 16-QAM format.

Morphological Changes and Strong Cytotoxicity in Yarrowia lipolytica by Overexpressing Delta-12-Desaturase.

In this study, delta-12 desaturase was overexpressed in Yarrowia lipolytica using the single-copy integrative vector pINA1312 and multicopy integrative vector pINA1292, resulting in the engineered yeast strains 1312-12 and 1292-12, respectively. The content of intracellular linoleic acid (LA) in the 1292-12 strain was much higher than in the 1312-12 strain and the control group. One interesting finding was that the 1292-12 strain showed obvious changes in surface morphology. The 1292-12 colonies were much smaller and smoother, whereas their single cells became much larger compared to the control strain. In addition, the dry cell weight (DCW) of the 1292-12 strain was obviously increased from 8.5 to 12.7 g/L, but the viable cell number sharply decreased from 107 to 105/mL. These results indicated that increased LA content in Yarrowia lipolytica could induce morphological changes or even oxidative stress-dependent cell death. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were accumulated in the 1292-12 strain, while the antioxidant activities of intracellular catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly decreased by 27.6 and 32.0%, respectively. Furthermore, it was also revealed that these issues could be ameliorated by the exogenous supplementation of vitamin C, fish and colza oil.

[Optimization of processing technology of bark of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex based on quality by design concept].

Based on the concept of quality by design(QbD), this study optimized the processing technology of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex. According to the processing method and ingredient requirements of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the content of syringin and pedunculoside, alcohol extract, fragmentation rate, and moisture content were taken as the critical quality attributes(CQAs). The soaking time, moistening time, and drying time were taken as critical process parameters(CPPs) by single factor tests. The weight coefficients of CQAs were determined by the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weighting method, and the comprehensive score was calculated. With the comprehensive score as the response value, Box-Behnken design was employed to establish a mathematical model between CPPs and CQAs, and the design space for the processing of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex was built and verified. The results of ANOVA showed that the mathematical model had the P value below 0.05, the lack of fit greater than 0.05, adjusted R~2=0.910 5, and predicted R~2=0.831 0, which indicated that the proposed model had statistical significance and good prediction performance. Considering the factors in production, the best processing conditions of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex were decoction pieces of about 1 cm soaking for 1 h, moistening for 4 h, and drying at 60-70 ℃ in a blast drier for 2 h. The optimized processing technology of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex was stable and feasible, which can provide a reference for the standardized preparation and stable quality of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex.

Chromosome-scale assembly and gene editing of Solanum americanum genome reveals the basis for thermotolerance and fruit anthocyanin composition.

Solanum americanum serves as a promising source of resistance genes against potato late blight and is considered as a leafy vegetable for complementary food and nutrition. The limited availability of high-quality genome assemblies and gene annotations has hindered the exploration and exploitation of stress-resistance genes in S. americanum. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of a thermotolerant S. americanum ecotype and identify a crucial heat-inducible transcription factor gene, SaHSF17, essential for heat tolerance. The CRISPR/Cas9 system-mediated knockout of SaHSF17 results in remarkably reduced thermotolerance in S. americanum, exhibiting a significant suppression of multiple HSP gene expressions under heat treatment. Furthermore, our transcriptome analysis and anthocyanin component investigation of fruits indicated that delphinidins are the major anthocyanins accumulated in the mature dark-purple fruits. The accumulation of delphinidins and other pigment components during fruit ripening in S. americanum coincides with the transcriptional regulation of key genes, particularly the F3'5'H and F3'H genes, in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. By integrating existing knowledge, the development of this high-quality reference genome for S. americanum will facilitate the identification and utilization of novel abiotic and biotic stress-resistance genes for improvement of Solanaceae and other crops.

Effects of qigong exercise on physical fitness and patient-reported health outcomes in lung cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a three-month Guolin Qigong (GQ) intervention on physical fitness and patient-reported health outcomes among patients with lung cancer. METHODS: This pilot study was a non-randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants who were over 18 years of age and diagnosed with stage I-IV lung cancer were enrolled in the study and received either the GQ intervention or usual care (UC). Participants in the GQ group performed GQ at least twice a week (one hour per session) for three months. Physical fitness (chair stand, arm curl, sit and reach, back scratch, 8-foot up and go, 6-min walk test) was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, six months, and 12 months. Self-reported quality of life and sleep (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and six months. RESULTS: Forty-nine participants (65% females, 59.1 ± 7.0 years old, ranging from 39 to 71 years old) were enrolled in the study, and 25 participants completed all tests at 12-month follow-up (13 in GQ vs. 12 in UC; 68% females, 59.3 ± 5.5 years old). Compared to the UC group, results for the chair stand and arm curl tests improved significantly in the GQ group from baseline to post-intervention (P = 0.024 and P = 0.041, respectively). Similarly, the 8-foot up and go test improved in the GQ group from baseline to post-intervention and 12 months (P = 0.004 and P = 0.008, respectively) when compared to the UC group. Between-group analyses also revealed a statistically significant improvement in global health status/quality of life from baseline to six months (P = 0.018) and quality of sleep from baseline to post-intervention (P = 0.034) in favor of the GQ group. CONCLUSION: GQ had a beneficial effect on lower and upper body strength, locomotor performance (speed, agility, and balance while moving), quality of sleep, and quality of life among lung cancer survivors, but further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059145).

Cerebral Mechanism of Tuina on the Descending Pain Inhibitory System in Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is reputedly the most common musculoskeletal disease of the lower limbs and the main cause of pain and disability among older individuals. Pain is the most significant and widespread symptom of KOA. The descending pain inhibitory system has a cardinal role in normal pain consciousness, and its malfunction may be one of the pathophysiological mechanisms in KOA. Crucially, the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and periaqueductal gray (PAG), as important components of the descending pain inhibitory system, directly modulate the activity of the spinal neurons involved in pain transmission. Tuina, a manual therapy, is effective and safe for reducing clinical symptoms of KOA; however, the mechanism that influences pain through the descending pain inhibitory system in KOA is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the modulatory implications of Tuina on the RVM and PAG, which have critical roles in the descending pain inhibitory system in patients with KOA. METHODS: This randomized controlled parallel trial will be conducted at the Tuina Clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (Zhengzhou, China). Patients with KOA will be randomly assigned (1:1) to 6 weeks of health education or Tuina. All patients in both groups will accept a resting-state functional magnetic resonance scan at the beginning and end of the experiment, and the resting-state functional connectivity and the voxel-based morphometry analysis will be performed to detect the RVM and PAG function and structure changes. The clinical outcome assessments will be (1) the pressure pain thresholds, (2) the Numerical Rating Scale, (3) the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and (4) the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Considering that this trial is a study of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging technology, resting-state functional connectivity and voxel-based morphometry are the primary outcomes, and clinical outcome assessments are secondary outcomes. Adverse events will be documented and assessed throughout. All main analyses will be carried out on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. The outcome evaluators and data statisticians will be masked to the treatment group assignment to reduce the risk of bias. RESULTS: This trial was approved by the ethics committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. Enrollment began in December 2023, and the results of this trial are expected to be submitted for publication in May 2025. CONCLUSIONS: This trial will identify a possible relationship between function and structure changes of RVM and PAG and the improvement of clinical variables, elucidating the effect of Tuina on the descending pain inhibitory system of patients with KOA. This trial will provide much-needed knowledge for Tuina for patients with KOA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300070289; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=182570. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/52820.

Trollius chinensis Bunge: A Comprehensive Review of Research on Botany, Materia Medica, Ethnopharmacological Use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Quality Control.

Trollius chinensis Bunge, a perennial herb belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine. Documented in the Supplements to the Compendium of Materia Medica, its medicinal properties encompass a spectrum of applications, including heat clearance, detoxification, alleviation of oral/throat sores, earaches, eye pain, cold-induced fever, and vision improvement. Furthermore, T. chinensis is used in clinical settings to treat upper respiratory infections, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, esoenteritis, canker, bronchitis, etc. It is mainly used to treat inflammation, such as inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and nasal mucosa. This comprehensive review explores the evolving scientific understanding of T. chinensis, covering facets of botany, materia medica, ethnopharmacological use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control. In particular, the chemical constituents and pharmacological research are reviewed. Polyphenols, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids, are highly abundant among T. chinensis and are responsible for antiviral, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. The flower additionally harbors trace amounts of volatile oil, polysaccharides, and other bioactive compounds. The active ingredients of the flower have fewer side effects, and it is used in children because of its minimal side effects, which has great research potential. These findings validate the traditional uses of T. chinensis and lay the groundwork for further scientific exploration. The sources utilized in this study encompass Web of Science, Pubmed, CNKI site, classic monographs, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Medicine Dictionary, and doctoral and master's theses.

A two-stage exacerbated hypoxia nanoengineering strategy induced amplifying activation of tirapazamine for microwave hyperthermia-chemotherapy of breast cancer.

Microwave hyperthermia (MH) is an emerging treatment for solid tumors, such as breast cancer, due to its advantages of minimally invasive and deep tissue penetration. However, MH induced tumor hypoxia is still an obstacle to breast tumor treatment failure. Therefore, an original nanoengineering strategy was proposed to exacerbate hypoxia in two stages, thereby amplifying the efficiency of activating tirapazamine (TPZ). And a novel microwave-sensitized nanomaterial (GdEuMOF@TPZ, GEMT) is designed. GdEuMOF (GEM) nanoparticles are certified excellent microwave (MW) sensitization performance, thus improving tumor selectivity to achieve MH. Meanwhile MW can aggravate the generation of thrombus and caused local circulatory disturbance of tumor, resulting in the Stage I exacerbated hypoxia environment passively. Due to tumor heterogeneity and uneven hypoxia, GEMT nanoparticles under microwave could actively deplete residual oxygen through the chemical reaction, exacerbating hypoxia level more evenly, thus forming the Stage II of exacerbated hypoxia environment. Consequently, a two-stage exacerbated hypoxia GEMT nanoparticles realize amplifying activation of TPZ, significantly enhance the efficacy of microwave hyperthermia and chemotherapy, and effectively inhibit breast cancer. This research provides insights into the development of progressive nanoengineering strategies for effective breast tumor therapy.

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids with their antitumor activity from the aerial parts of Corydalis impatiens (pall.) Fisch.

Phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of Corydalis impatiens (pall.) Fisch (Papaveraceae) resulted in the identification of four previous undescribed benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, impatienines A-D (1-4), together with 14 known analogues (5-18). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (IR, HR-ESIMS, 1D- and 2D-NMR) as well as ECD calculations. All the compounds obtained were investigated for their inhibitory effect on the growth of A549, H1299 and HepG2 cancer cells. Compounds 7 and 15 exhibited pronounced inhibition against the A549 cancer cells with IC50 values of 6.81 µM and 3.17 µM, while the positive control cisplatin was 1.83 µM. Compounds 1-3 showed moderate inhibitory on the H1299 cancer cells. Compounds 4, 10-12, and 16 showed signiffcant activity against HepG2 cancer cells with IC50 values range of 4.41-8.75 µM.

Effects of extraction methods on the physicochemical properties and functionalities of pectic polysaccharides from burdock (Arctium lappa L.).

In this work, the effects of four different extraction methods, acid (HCl), alkali (NaOH), enzymes (cellulase/pectinase), and buffer (pH 7.0) on the physicochemical properties and functionalities of burdock pectin were systematically investigated and compared. Buffer extraction gave a low yield (2.8 %) and is therefore limited in its application. The acid treatment hydrolyzed the neutral sidechains and gave a homogalacturonan content of 72.6 %. By contrast, alkali and enzymes preserved the sidechains while degrading the polygalacturonan backbone, creating a rhamnogalacturonan-I dominant structure. The branched structure, low molecular weight, and high degree of methylation (42.3 %) contributed to the interfacial adsorption, emulsifying capacity, and cellular antioxidant activity of the enzyme-extracted product. For the acid-extracted product, the strong intramolecular electrostatic repulsion restricted the formation of a contact interface to prevent coalescence of the emulsion. In addition, they did not have sufficient reducing ends to scavenge free radicals. Although a high branching size (5.0) was adopted, the low degree of methylation (19.5 %) affected the emulsifying capacity of the alkali-extracted products. These results provide useful information for pectic polysaccharides production with tailored properties.