Correlation of Glucose Metabolism with Cancer and Intervention with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Cancer is a complex disease with several distinct characteristics, referred to as "cancer markers" one of which is metabolic reprogramming, which is a common feature that drives cancer progression. Over the last ten years, researchers have focused on the reprogramming of glucose metabolism in cancer. In cancer, the oxidative phosphorylation metabolic pathway is converted into the glycolytic pathway in order to meet the growth requirements of cancer cells, thereby creating a microenvironment that promotes cancer progression. The precise mechanism of glucose metabolism in cancer cells is still unknown, but it is thought to involve the aberrant levels of metabolic enzymes, the influence of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the activation of tumor-promoting signaling pathways. It is suggested that glucose metabolism is strongly linked to cancer progression because it provides energy to cancer cells and interferes with antitumor drug pharmacodynamics. Therefore, it is critical to unravel the mechanism of glucose metabolism in tumors in order to gain a better understanding of tumorigenesis and to lay the groundwork for future research into the identification of novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multiple targets, multiple components, and less toxic side effects and has unique advantages in tumor treatment. In recent years, researchers have found that a variety of Chinese medicine monomers and compound recipes play an antitumor role by interfering with the reprogramming of tumor metabolism. The underlying mechanisms of metabolism reprogramming of tumor cells and the role of TCM in regulating glucose metabolism are reviewed in this study, so as to provide a new idea for antitumor research in Chinese medicine.

Remarkable effects of microbial factors on soil phosphorus bioavailability: A country-scale study.

Low soil phosphorus (P) bioavailability causes the widespread occurrence of P-limited terrestrial ecosystems around the globe. Exploring the factors influencing soil P bioavailability at large spatial scales is critical for managing these ecosystems. However, previous studies have mostly focused on abiotic factors. In this study, we explored the effects of microbial factors on soil P bioavailability of terrestrial ecosystems using a country-scale sampling effort. Our results showed that soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and acid phosphatase were important predictors of soil P bioavailability of agro- and natural ecosystems across China although they appeared less important than total soil P. The two microbial factors had a positive effect on soil P bioavailability of both ecosystem types and were able to mediate the effects of several abiotic factors (e.g., mean annual temperature). Meanwhile, we revealed that soil phytase could affect soil P bioavailability at the country scale via ways similar to those of soil MBC and acid phosphatase, a pattern being more pronounced in agroecosystems than in natural ecosystems. Moreover, we obtained evidence for the positive effects of microbial genes encoding these enzymes on soil P bioavailability at the country scale although their effect sizes varied between the two ecosystem types. Taken together, this study demonstrated the remarkable effects of microbial factors on soil P bioavailability at a large spatial scale, highlighting the importance to consider microbial factors in managing the widespread P-limited terrestrial ecosystems.

Identifying Active Substances and the Pharmacological Mechanism of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. in Treating Radiation-Induced Lung Injury Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Verification.

Background: Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is a traditional Chinese herb widely used mainly because of the pharmacological effects related to heat clearance and detoxification. Emerging clinical evidence indicates that the efficacy of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. on RILI is upstanding. Nevertheless, its underlying therapeutic mechanism remains unclear and warrants further elucidation. Methods: The major active components and corresponding targets of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. were retrieved from the traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology database (TCMSP) and literature review. The related targets of RILI were retrieved from the GeneCards database. Common targets among the active compounds and diseases were identified through Venn diagram analysis. Cytoscape was employed to construct and visualize the network relationship among the drug, active compounds, targets, and disease. The protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed by STRING. The reliability (the binding affinity) of the core targets and active compounds was verified by molecular docking. Results: A search of the TCMSP database and related literature revealed 12 active compounds of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. against RILI. The core active compounds included quercetin, kaempferol, hyperoside, and rutin. Hub nodes including TP53, VEGFA, JUN, TNF, and IL-6 were identified in the PPI network. The GO categories were classified into three functional categories: 112 biological processes, 9 molecular functions, and 32 cellular components of the active compounds of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated the enrichment of target genes in several key cancer-related signaling pathways, including the cancer pathways, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. Molecular docking analysis validated the effective binding capacity of the main active compounds with the core targets. Conclusion: The main active components of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. have a potential pharmacological effect against RILI via the cancer pathways, TNF signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Exploratory analysis of the associations between urinary phytoestrogens and thyroid hormones among adolescents and adults in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010.

Phytoestrogens are naturally plant-derived compounds that could bind to estrogen receptors and mimic estrogenic effects. Previous studies showed a positive association between phytoestrogens and hypothyroidism; however, little is known on phytoestrogens and thyroid hormones. This study was designed to investigate the associations between urinary phytoestrogens and thyroid hormone levels. Based on the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010, 4103 participants were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Linear regression models and multiple linear regressions models were applied to examine the relationships between urinary phytoestrogens and thyroid hormone levels. Urinary O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA) was found to be correlated with serum FT4 levels in the female 20-60-year-of-age group (ß=0.018, 95% CI: 0.006, 0.031). Higher enterolactone (ENT) levels were significantly positively associated with TSH levels in the 12-19-year-of-age female group (ß=0.196, 95% CI: 0.081, 0.311). In the male group, enterodiol (END) was significantly positively correlated with TSH and TT3 in the 12-19-year-of-age group, respectively (TT3: ß=3.444, 95% CI: 0.150, 6.737; TSH: ß=0.104, 95% CI: 0.005, 0.203). However, equol (EQU) levels were negatively associated with TT4 (12-19-year-of-age: ß=- 0.166, 95% CI: - 0.279, - 0.034; 20-60-year-of-age: ß=- 0.132, 95% CI: - 0.230, - 0.034). Our study provided epidemiological evidence that urinary phytoestrogens were powerfully associated with thyroid hormone levels. The results also supported that phytoestrogens acted as endocrine disruptors. It is imperative and important to pay attention to the intake of phytoestrogens.

A comprehensive synthesis unveils the mysteries of phosphate-solubilizing microbes.

Phosphate-solubilizing microbes (PSMs) drive the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus (P) and hold promise for sustainable agriculture. However, their global distribution, overall diversity and application potential remain unknown. Here, we present the first synthesis of their biogeography, diversity and utility, employing data from 399 papers published between 1981 and 2017, the results of a nationwide field survey in China consisting of 367 soil samples, and a genetic analysis of 12986 genome-sequenced prokaryotic strains. We show that at continental to global scales, the population density of PSMs in environmental samples is correlated with total P rather than pH. Remarkably, positive relationships exist between the population density of soil PSMs and available P, nitrate-nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon in soil, reflecting functional couplings between PSMs and microbes driving biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and carbon. More than 2704 strains affiliated with at least nine archaeal, 88 fungal and 336 bacterial species were reported as PSMs. Only 2.59% of these strains have been tested for their efficiencies in improving crop growth or yield under field conditions, providing evidence that PSMs are more likely to exert positive effects on wheat growing in alkaline P-deficient soils. Our systematic genetic analysis reveals five promising PSM genera deserving much more attention.

Sini powder () decoction alleviates mood disorder of insomnia by regulating cation-chloride cotransporters in hippocampus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Sini Powder () decoction (SND) in the treatment of insomnia. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, model, SND-treated, and Estazolamtreated groups (n=15 in each group). Sleep deprivation (SD) rat model was established using the modifified multiple platform method for 14 h per day for 14 days, and the behavior of the rats were observed. Na-K-Cl-cotransporter (NKCC1) and K+/Cl- cotransporter (KCC2) in the hippocampus were tested by immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot. RESULTS: SD rats displayed anxiety-like behavior, which was alleviated by SND. The protein expressions of NKCC1 and KCC2 in the hippocampus were signifificantly decreased in SD rats compared with those in control rats (P<0.05); these proteins were signifificantly increased by SND (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of KCC2 was signifificantly decreased in SD rats (0.62±0.35 vs. 2.29±0.56; P=0.044), while SND showed a tendency to increase the mRNA of KCC2 in SD rats (P>0.05). By contrast, the mRNA expression of NKCC1 was signifificantly increased in the hippocampus of SD rats (6.58±1.54 vs. 2.82±0.32; P=0.011), while SND decreased the mRNA expression of NKCC1 (6.58±1.54 vs. 2.79±0.81; P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese medicine SND could alleviate mood disorder of SD rats by regulating cation-chloride cotransporters, such as NKCC1 and KCC2. These fifindings would have major implications in the mechanism of SND to relieve insomnia.

[Chemical Constituents from Semiliquidambar cathayensis Roots].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Semiliquidambar cathayensis. METHODS: The roots of Semiliquidambar cathayensis were extracted with 80% ethanol for reflux. Chemical constituents were isolated by silica gel chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography from petrol ether part and ethyl acetate part of extracts. Their structures were identified on the basis of physico-chemical characters and spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: Eleven compounds were obtained from the roots of Semiliquidambar cathayensis, and identified as 3-acetyl-12-ene-oleanolic acid methyl ester (1), ß-sitosterol (2), 3-acetyl-12-ene-oleanol-ic acid (3), 2α,3ß-dihydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (4), (24R)-5α-stignast-3,6-dione (5), betulonic acid (6), stearic acid (7), hexadecanoic acid (8), 3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (9), arjunolic acid (10) and daucosterol (11). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1,3 - 6 and 8 are isolated from this genus for the first time.

Quantitative determination of acetylshikonin in macaque monkey blood by LC-ESI-MS/MS after precolumn derivatization with 2-mercaptoethanol and its application in pharmacokinetic study.

AIM: To develop and validate a novel precolumn derivatization method for the quantitative determination and pharmacokinetic application of acetylshikonin in macaque monkeys by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). METHODS: 2-Mercaptoethanol was added to the blood sample as the derivatization reagent. The derivatization reaction formed 1 major derivation product, which was well correlated with acetylshikonin. The acetylshikonin concentrations in the biological samples were calculated by quantitative determination of the major derivation product using LC-ESI- MS/MS. Separation was achieved using a C18 column (2 mm x 50 mm, 5 microm) at room temperature and a linear gradient elution with a mobile phase containing methanol (1.96% acetic acid) and 10% methanol in water (1.96% acetic acid and 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. In addition, the major derivative, named derivative III, was identified by UV spectra, MS, and the (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR spectra. RESULTS: Good linearity was obtained within the range of 5 and 2000 ng/mL (r>0.99 using a linear regression model with 1/x2 weighting) for acetylshikonin. The interday and intraday precisions were found to be less than 12.3%, with the exception of the lowest concentration, which was less than 17.2%. The interday and intraday accuracies, which were between -3% and 0.6%, were also observed. After the administration of acetylshikonin (80 mg/kg, po) in macaque monkeys, the pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained through the non-compartmental analysis, where the area under the concentration-time curve to the last measurable concentration, the terminal elimination halflife, and the mean residual time were 615.4+/-206.5 ng x dh/mL,12.3+/-1.6 h, and 10.2+/-0.7 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: The method was validated and applied to the quantitative determination and pharmacokinetic study of acetylshikonin in the blood samples of macaque monkeys.