Efficient decolorization of oligosaccharides in ginseng (Panax ginseng) residue using ultrasound-assisted macroporous resin.

An efficient decolorization method for ginseng residue oligosaccharides (GROs) using ultrasound-assisted D392 macroporous resin was developed. The decolorization effects and color differences of activated carbon adsorption, hydrogen peroxide oxidation, and resin adsorption were evaluated. The optimal conditions of the three decolorization methods for static, dynamic, ultrasound-assisted resin adsorption were compared. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted decolorization had the best decolorization effect of greatly decreasing the decolorization time to 80 min. Color difference analysis revealed the process of pigment removal during GRO decolorization. The UV-visible full-wavelength scan showed that most pigments were removed after decolorization. The characterizations by the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the chemical structure and crystallinity of the GROs did not change upon decolorization. In addition, the molecular weight distribution did not change significantly. This research contributes to further exploration of the structures and functions of GROs.

Artesunate-loaded porous PLGA microsphere as a pulmonary delivery system for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has emerged to be a significant cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Artesunate (ART) extracted from Chinese herb Artemisia annua L, has been proven to possess desirable anti-cancer efficacy, especially for the metastatic NSCLC treatment. Moreover, the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere has been considered to be a potential pulmonary delivery system for the sustained drug release to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of lung cancer. Herein, the ART-loaded porous PLGA microsphere was prepared through the emulsion solvent evaporation approach. The microsphere was demonstrated to possess highly porous structure and ideal aerodynamic diameter for the pulmonary administration. Meanwhile, sustained ART release was obtained from the porous microsphere within 8 days. The release solution collected from the microsphere could be effectively uptake by the cells and further induce the cell apoptosis and the cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase to execute the anti-proliferative effect, using human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 as a model. Additionally, strong inhibitory effect on the cell migration and invasion could be obtained after the treatment with release solution. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the ART-loaded PLGA porous microsphere could achieve excellent anti-cancer efficacy, providing a potential approach for the NSCLC treatment via the pulmonary administration.

Polyphenol- and Caffeine-Rich Postfermented Pu-erh Tea Improves Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome by Remodeling Intestinal Homeostasis in Mice.

Postfermented Pu-erh tea (PE) protects against metabolic syndrome (MS), but little is known regarding its underlying mechanisms. Animal experiments were performed to determine whether the gut microbiota mediated the improvement in diet-induced MS by PE and its main active components (PEAC). We confirmed that PE altered the body composition and energy efficiency, attenuated metabolic endotoxemia and systemic and multiple-tissue inflammation, and improved the glucose and lipid metabolism disorder in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice via multiple pathways. Notably, PE promoted the lipid oxidation and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) in HFD-fed mice. Polyphenols and caffeine (CAF) played critical roles in improving these parameters. Meanwhile, PE remodeled the disrupted intestinal homeostasis that was induced by the HFD. Many metabolic changes observed in the mice were significantly correlated with alterations in specific gut bacteria. Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were speculated to be the key gut bacterial links between the PEAC treatment and MS at the genus and species levels. Interestingly, A. muciniphila administration altered body composition and energy efficiency, promoted the browning of WAT, and improved the lipid and glucose metabolism disorder in the HFD-fed mice, whereas F. prausnitzii administration reduced the HFD-induced liver and intestinal inflammatory responses. In summary, polyphenol- and CAF-rich PE improved diet-induced MS, and this effect was associated with a remodeling of the gut microbiota.