A comprehensive review of bupleuri radix and its bioactive components： with a major focus on treating chronic liver diseases.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bupleuri Radix (BR) has been recognized as an essential herbal medicine for relieving liver depression for thousands of years. Contemporary research has provided compelling evidence of its pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulation, and anticancer properties, positioning it as a promising treatment option for various liver diseases. Hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are among the prevalent and impactful liver diseases worldwide. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive systematic reviews that explore the prescription, bio-active components, and underlying mechanisms of BR in treating liver diseases. AIM OF THE REVIEW: To summarize the BR classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients in treating liver diseases and their mechanisms to inform reference for further development and research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature in the last three decades of BR and its classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients were collated and summarized by searching PubMed, Wiley, Springer, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, etc. RESULTS: BR and its classical prescriptions, such as Xiao Chai Hu decoction, Da Chai Hu decoction, Si Ni San, and Chai Hu Shu Gan San, have been utilized for centuries as effective therapies for liver diseases, including hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. BR is a rich source of active ingredients, such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, organic acids, and so on. These bioactive compounds exhibit a wide range of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and lipid metabolism regulation. However, it is important to acknowledge that BR and its constituents can also possess hepatotoxicity, which is associated with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes and oxidative stress. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using BR in therapeutic applications to ensure the safe and appropriate utilization of its potential benefits while minimizing any potential risks. CONCLUSIONS: To sum up, BR, its compounds, and its based traditional Chinese medicine are effective in liver diseases through multiple targets, multiple pathways, and multiple effects. Advances in pharmacological and toxicological investigations of BR and its bio-active components in the future will provide further contributions to the discovery of novel therapeutics for liver diseases.

Immediate Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Endometrial Blood Flow in Patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on endometrial blood flow among recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients. METHODS: Eighty RIF patients, enrolled from March 2022 to December 2022, were randomly allocated into either the EA group (40 cases) or the waiting-list (WL) group (40 cases) by using a random number table. The EA group underwent acupuncture at points of Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 4), Benshen (GB 13), bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1), Huangshu (KI 16), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Xuehai (SP10), and electric acupuncture apparatus was connected to EX-CA 1, KI 16, SP 6, and SP 10 with disperse-dense waves at 4/20 Hz frequencies for 30 min after transvaginal ultrasound, while the WL group received no intervention. The primary outcome measured was the endometrial volume blood flow. The secondary outcomes included the bilateral uterine artery index, endometrial volume, endometrial blood flow type, vascular distribution index (VIMV) for endometrial and ovary, clinical pregnancy rate, and embryo implantation rate. RESULTS: In the EA group, there was a notable decrease in the bilateral pulsatility index and a significant improvement in the endometrial blood flow type post-EA (P<0.05). Both the endometrial blood flow type and VIMV for the endometrium and right ovary were markedly higher in the EA group compared to the WL group post-treatment (P<0.05). Conversely, no significant disparities were observed in vascular index, flow index, vascular blood flow index, uterine arterial blood flow indices, endometrial volume, clinical pregnancy rate and embryo implantation rate between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). Besides, no adverse events related to EA were observed. CONCLUSIONS: EA can promptly ameliorate VIMV for the endometrial and right ovary, and endometrial blood flow type. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate the long-term effects of EA on blood flow of RIF patients and its implications for pregnancy outcomes. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200057377).

Proposal for the classification of sinomenine alkaloids.

The chemical structure of sinoacutine is formed by a phenanthrene nucleus and an ethylamine bridge. Because it has a similar parent structure to morphine, it is subdivided into morphinane. At present, all reports have pointed out that the basic skeleton of morphine alkaloids is salutaridine (the isomer of sinoacutine), which is generated by the phenol coupling reaction of (R)-reticuline. This study shows that the biosynthetic precursors of sinoacutine and salutaridine are different. In this paper, the sinoacutine synthetase (SinSyn) gene was cloned from Sinomenium acutum and expressed SinSyn protein. Sinoacutine was produced by SinSyn catalyzed (S)-reticuline, according to the results of enzyme-catalyzed experiments. The optical activity, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrum of sinoacutine and salutaridine were analyzed. The classification and pharmacological action of isoquinoline alkaloids were discussed. It was suggested that sinoacutine should be separated from morphinane and classified as sinomenine alkaloids.

Effect of glutamine on the systemic innate immune response in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella pullorum.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of glutamine on the growth performance and systemic innate immune response in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella pullorum. A total of 600 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were assigned randomly to 6 dietary treatments with 10 replicates for a 21-day feeding experiment. The experimental treatments were as follows: the control treatment (birds fed the basal diet), the Gln1 treatment, and the Gln 2 treatment (birds fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5%, and 1.0% Glutamine, respectively). At 3 d of age, half of the birds from each treatment were challenged oral gavage with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of S. pullorum suspension (1.0 mL per bird) or an equivalent amount of sterile saline alone, which served as a control. RESULTS: The results showed that S. pullorum infection had adverse effects on the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens compared with those of the CON treatment on d 7, decreased the spleen and bursa of fabricius relative weights (except on d 21), serum immunoglobulin A (IgA),immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations, and spleen melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and laboratory of genetics and physiology gene 2 (LGP2) mRNA expression levels, and increased the mRNA expression levels of spleen Nodinitib-1 (NOD1), Toll-like receptors 2,4 (TLR2, TLR4), DNA-dependent activator of IFN-regulatory factors (DAI), mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), P50, P65, and RelB on d 4, 7, 14, and 21. Supplementation with Gln improved the relative weights of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius (except on d 21), increased the serum IgA, IgG, and IgM concentrations and the mRNA expression levels of spleen MDA5 and LGP2, and decreased the mRNA expression levels of spleen NOD1, TLR2, TLR4, DAI, MAVS, P50, P65, and RelB of S. pullorum-challenged broiler chickens. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Gln might stimulate the systemic innate immune responses of the spleen in broiler chickens challenged with S. pullorum.

Acupuncture benefits to women with recurrent implantation failure: A propensity score-matched cohort study.

Objectives: The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving the live birth rate (LBR), ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), biochemical pregnancy rate (BPR), and pregnancy loss (early abortion rate, late abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate) in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Design: This retrospective study compares the outcomes of patients with RIF who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET) with or without acupuncture. Setting: The medical records of patients diagnosed with RIF and visiting Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital between January 2018 and June 2021 were reviewed. The Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital Ethics Committee approved this retrospective study (No. 2021-029). Participants: A total of 923 patients with RIF who underwent FET were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the Acupuncture (n = 303) and the Non-acupuncture groups (n = 620). Exposure: The Acupuncture group consisted of 303 RIF patients who received acupuncture therapy in addition to standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT)/delayed hormone replacement therapy (d-HRT) for FET. The Non-acupuncture group consisted of 620 RIF patients who received only standard HRT/d-HRT for FET. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome was the LBR. The secondary outcome referred to OPR, CPR, BPR, and pregnancy loss. Results: The Acupuncture group had significantly higher BPR (P = 0.08) and CPR (P = 0.049) than the Non-acupuncture group. A potentially higher LBR (P = 0.16) and OPR (P = 0.248) were observed in the Acupuncture group than in the Non-acupuncture group. However, the survival analysis did not show that acupuncture significantly promoted live birth. Conclusions: Acupuncture is an appropriate adjunctive technique in the in vitro fertilization process as it improves biochemical and clinical pregnancies. Therefore, it is necessary to be cautious about the role of acupuncture throughout the whole pregnancy cycle.

Research Status and Prospects of Acupuncture in Perioperative Medicine Over the Past Decade: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: Over the past decade, acupuncture in the perioperative period has attracted great interest, and a growing number of related literature has been published. Purpose: To analyze the general information and identify the research hotspots and trends of acupuncture in perioperative medicine in the last 10 years by bibliometric analysis. Methods: We searched the Web of Science Core Collection for publications on acupuncture in perioperative medicine from 2013 to 2023. The articles and reviews were collected with no language restriction. CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used for bibliometric and visual analysis of relevant literature. Results: A total of 814 bibliographic records were retrieved. Overall, the annual number of publications showed an increasing trend. China and its institutions were in a leading position regarding the publication number. With comparatively more scientific collaboration with China, the USA ranked second. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was the most prolific institution. Ha, In-Hyuk had the most publications, and Han JS and Lee A were the most cited authors. Medicine was the most popular journal and Journal of Clinical Oncology had the highest impact factor. "Acupuncture", "electroacupuncture" and "postoperative pain" were the top three keywords. The most popular topics were postoperative pain, postoperative ileus, and postoperative nausea and vomiting according to the keywords and references. And the clusters of postoperative cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, and breast cancer attracted relatively more attention recently. Conclusion: This study summarized the research status, hotspots, and trends of acupuncture in perioperative medicine in the past decade, which may aid researchers in better understanding this field. The research hotspots primarily focused on postoperative pain management and postoperative gastrointestinal function. The research of acupuncture for postoperative cognitive dysfunction, cancer-related surgery, and psychological states were the main frontiers topics and may be the focus in the future.

Rare earth elements detoxification mechanism in the hyperaccumulator Dicranopteris linearis: [silicon-pectin] matrix fixation.

Dicranopteris linearis is the best-known hyperaccumulator species of rare earth elements (REEs) and silicon (Si), capable of dealing with toxic level of REEs. Hence, this study aimed to clarify how D. linearis leaves cope with excessive REE stress, and whether Si plays a role in REE detoxification. The results show that lanthanum (La - as a representative of the REEs) stress led to decreased biomass and an increase of metabolism related to leaf cell wall synthesis and modification. However, the La stress-induced responses, especially the increase of pectin-related gene expression level, pectin polysaccharides concentration, and methylesterase activity, could be mitigated by Si supply. Approximately 70% of the Si in D. linearis leaves interacted with the cell walls to form organosilicon Si-O-C linkages. The Si-modified cell walls contained more hydroxyl groups, leading to a more efficient REE retention compared to the Si-free ones. Moreover, this [Si-cell wall] matrix increased the pectin-La accumulation capacity by 64%, with no effect on hemicellulose-La and cellulose-La accumulation capacity. These results suggest that [Si-pectin] matrix fixation is key in REE detoxification in D. linearis, laying the foundation for the development of phytotechnological applications (e.g., REE phytomining) using this species in REE-contaminated sites.

Systematic review of acupuncture to improve ovarian function in women with poor ovarian response.

Objective: To determine the effect of acupuncture in treating poor ovarian response (POR). Methods: We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, CNKI, CBM, VIP database, Wanfang Database, and relevant registration databases from inception to January 30, 2023. In this review, both Chinese and English peer-reviewed literature were included. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture as an intervention for POR patients undergoing in vitro fertilization were considered. Results: Seven clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eventually included for comparison (516 women). The quality of included studies was generally low or very low. For the meta-analysis, seven studies showed that compared with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) therapy, acupuncture combined with COH therapy could significantly increase the implantation rate (RR=2.13, 95%CI [1.08, 4.21], p=0.03), the number of oocytes retrieved (MD=1.02, 95%CI [0.72, 1.32], p<0.00001), the thickness of endometrium (MD=0.54, 95%CI [0.13, 0.96], p=0.01), and the antral follicle count (MD=1.52, 95%CI [1.08, 1.95], p<0.00001), reduce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (MD=-1.52, 95%CI [-2.41, -0.62], p=0.0009) and improve estradiol (E2) levels (MD=1667.80, 95%CI [1578.29, 1757.31], p<0.00001). Besides, there were significant differences in the duration of Gn (MD=0.47, 95%CI [-0.00, 0.94], p=0.05) between the two groups. However, no statistical variation was observed in improving clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, luteinizing hormone (LH) value, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) value, or reducing the dose of gonadotropin (Gn) values between the acupuncture plus COH therapy group and the COH therapy group. Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with COH therapy is doubtful in improving the pregnancy outcome of POR patients. Secondly, acupuncture can also improve the sex hormone level of POR women, and improve ovarian function. Furthermore, more RCTs of acupuncture in POR are needed to be incorporated into future meta-analyses. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020169560.

Recent Progress in Carrier-Free Nanomedicine for Tumor Phototherapy.

Safe and effective strategies are urgently needed to fight against the life-threatening diseases of various cancers. However, traditional therapeutic modalities, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, exhibit suboptimal efficacy for malignant tumors owing to the serious side effects, drug resistance and even relapse. Phototherapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), are emerging therapeutic strategies for localized tumor inhibition, which can produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or elevate the temperature to initiate cell death by non-invasive irradiation. In consideration of the poor bioavailability of phototherapy agents (PTAs), lots of drug delivery systems have been developed to enhance the tumor targeted delivery. Nevertheless, the carriers of drug delivery systems inevitably bring biosafety concerns on account of their metabolism, degradation, and accumulation. Of note, carrier-free nanomedicine attracts great attention for clinical translation with synergistic antitumor effect, which is characterized by high drug loading, simplified synthetic method and good biocompatibility. In this review, the latest advances of phototherapy with various carrier-free nanomedicines are summarized, which may provide a new paradigm for the future development of nanomedicine and tumor precision therapy.

Si-Ni-SAN ameliorates obesity through AKT/AMPK/HSL pathway-mediated lipolysis: Network pharmacology and experimental validation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Si-Ni-San (SNS) is a famous Chinese herbal formula used in China for thousands of years. It has clinical effects on a variety of lipid metabolism disorders, but the ameliorating effects of SNS on obesity and underlying mechanisms remained poorly elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of SNS on obesity from multiple perspectives in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model was established to evaluate the effect of SNS. Then network pharmacologic methods were performed to predict underlying mechanisms, and the core pathways were verified in animal and cell studies. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that SNS significantly reduced body weight, body fat content, white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion in obese mice, and lipid accumulation in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) cells. Network pharmacologic analysis identified 66 potential therapeutic targets, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of these genes revealed that the most important signaling pathway includes AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, lipid and atherosclerosis. Western blot assay confirmed that SNS activated hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) activity and promoted lipolysis through AMPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that SNS improves lipid accumulation through AKT/AMPK/HSL axis mediated lipolysis, which opens a new option for clinical treatment of obesity and associated complications.

Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Reveal the Mechanism of Cassiae Semen against Cataracts.

Cassiae semen (CS) is one of the most well-known herbs used in the treatment of cataracts in China. However, the potential mechanisms of its anticataract effects have not been fully explored. In this study, network pharmacology was used to investigate the potential mechanism underlying the actions of CS against cataracts, and molecular docking was performed to analyze the binding activity of proteins and compounds. qPCR was performed to detect the mRNA level of genes, and the cell apoptotic rate was measured using flow cytometry. We identified 13 active compounds from CS and 105 targets, as well as 238 cataract-related targets. PPI networks were constructed, and fifty key targets were obtained. These key targets were enriched in the regulation of transcription, apoptotic process, and signal transduction pathways. Molecular docking demonstrated that the compounds of CS exhibited good affinity to some critical targets. Furthermore, CS prevented the apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells induced by UVB lights by decreasing the gene expression of CASP3, ESR1, and TP53 and increasing the CRYAB gene expression. The present study attempted to explain the mechanisms for the effects of CS in the prevention and treatment of cataracts and provided an effective strategy to investigate active ingredients from natural medicines. Further studies are required to verify these findings via in vivo and in vitro experiments.

The impact of Rhodiola rosea on biomarkers of diabetes, inflammation, and microbiota in a leptin receptor-knockout mouse model.

Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent endocrine disease in the world, and recently the gut microbiota have become a potential target for its management. Recent studies have illustrated that this disease may predispose individuals to certain microbiome compositions, and treatments like metformin have been shown to change gut microbiota and their associated metabolic pathways. However, given the limitations and side effects associated with pharmaceuticals currently being used for therapy of diabetes, there is a significant need for alternative treatments. In this study, we investigated the effects of a root extract from Rhodiola rosea in a Leptin receptor knockout (db/db) mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Our previous work showed that Rhodiola rosea had anti-inflammatory and gut microbiome-modulating properties, while extending lifespan in several animal models. In this study, treatment with Rhodiola rosea improved fasting blood glucose levels, altered the response to exogenous insulin, and decreased circulating lipopolysaccharide and hepatic C-reactive protein transcript levels. We hypothesize that these changes may in part reflect the modulation of the microbiota, resulting in improved gut barrier integrity and decreasing the translocation of inflammatory biomolecules into the bloodstream. These findings indicate that Rhodiola rosea is an attractive candidate for further research in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Metabolomics analysis reveals the renal protective effect of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey in type 1 diabetic rats.

The dry root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey has garnered much interest owing to its medicinal properties against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS)-based metabolomics approach was used to illustrate the therapeutic mechanisms of ginseng extract on the serum and urinary metabolic profiles in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) rats. Pharmacological and renal parameters in response to the administration of ginseng were also evaluated. In total, 16 serum endogenous metabolites and 14 urine endogenous metabolites, including pyruvic acid, indoleacetic acid, and phenylacetylglycine, were identified as potential biomarkers for diabetes. Pathway enrichment and network analysis revealed that the biomarkers modulated by ginseng were primarily involved in phenylalanine and pyruvate metabolism, as well as in arginine biosynthesis. Moreover, the levels of several renal injury-related biomarkers in T1DM rats were significantly restored following treatment with ginseng. The administration of the extract helped maintain tissue structure integrity and ameliorated renal injury. The findings suggest that the regulatory effect of ginseng extract on T1DM involves metabolic management of diabetic rats, which subsequently attenuates T1DM-induced early renal dysfunction.

Effectiveness of five interventions used for prevention of gestational diabetes: A network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with short- and long-term health issues for mother and child; preventing these complications is crucially important. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the relationships among 5 interventions used to prevent GDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed to pool evidence from inception to June 30, 2020. The type of studies was confined to randomized control trials and quasi-randomized control trials published in English investigating the interventions for preventing GDM, including physical activity, dietary intervention, probiotic intervention, mixed intervention, and inositol supplementation. The data were pooled together to report the odds ratio (OR) of GDM with a corresponding 95% credible interval (CrI) and generate a network plot, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve plot, and contribution plot. In addition, loop inconsistency was examined, and a funnel plot combined with Egger test was used to measure heterogeneity. RESULTS: The network meta-analysis included 46 randomized control trials involving 16,545 patients. Compared with placebo, physical activity (OR: 0.64, 95% CrI: 0.46-0.88) and probiotic intervention (OR: 0.57, 95% CrI: 0.34-0.96) reduced the incidence of GDM significantly. However, dietary intervention, a combination of physical activity and diet intervention, and inositol supplementation did not significantly alter GDM risk. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity and probiotic intervention are more effective than placebo in reducing the risk of developing GDM. Future work should focus on the type, duration, frequency, and timing of physical activity and probiotic intervention.

Thiosulfatihalobacter marinus gen. nov. sp. nov., a novel member of the family Roseobacteraceae, isolated from the West Pacific Ocean.

Two strains (GL-11-2T and ZH2-Y79) were isolated from the seawater collected from the West Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, respectively. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Cells grew in the medium containing 0.5-7.5 % NaCl (w/v, optimum, 1.0-3.0 %), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and at 4-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C). H2S production occurred in marine broth supplemented with sodium thiosulphate. The almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two isolates were identical, and exhibited the highest similarity to Pseudoruegeria aquimaris JCM 13603T (97.5 %), followed by Ruegeria conchae TW15T (97.2%), Shimia aestuarii DSM 15283T (97.1 %) and Ruegeria lacuscaerulensis ITI-1157T (97.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates were affiliated with the family Roseobacteraceae and represented an independent lineage. The sole isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 10. The principal fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and cyclo-C19 : 0 ω8c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 62.3 mol%. The orthologous average nucleotide identity, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values among the genomes of strain GL-11-2T and the reference strains were 73.2-79.0, 20.3-22.5 and 66.0-80.8 %, respectively. Strains GL-11-2ᵀ and ZH2-Y79 possessed complete metabolic pathways for thiosulphate oxidation, dissimilatory nitrate reduction and denitrification. Phylogenetic distinctiveness, chemotaxonomic differences and phenotypic properties revealed that the isolates represent a novel genus and species of the family Roseobacteraceae, belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria, for which the name Thiosulfatihalobacter marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain, GL-11-2T=KCTC 82723T=MCCC M20691T) is proposed.

Multiresidue screening of pesticides in Panax Ginseng C. A. Meyer by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

In this study, an efficient screening method based on a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction method combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was established for the determination of 90 pesticides residues in Panax Ginseng. The accuracy of the method was then verified by analyzing the false positive rate and the screening detection limit in Ginseng. The results revealed that the screening detection limit of 33 of 90 pesticide residues were 0.01 mg·kg-1 , 22 species were 0.05 mg·kg-1 , 11 species were 0.10 mg·kg-1 , 8 species were 0.20 mg·kg-1 , and another 16 species were greater than 0.20 mg·kg-1 . A total of 73 pesticides were ultimately suitable to be practically applied for rapid analysis of pesticide residues in Ginseng. Finally, the established method was used to analyze the pesticide residues in 35 Ginseng samples available on the market. And the residual of dimethomorph, azoxystrobin, tebuconazole, and pyraclostrobin was relatively severe in Ginseng samples. This work expanded the range of pesticides detected and provided a rapid, effective method for pesticides screening in Ginseng.

Metabolomics analysis reveals the renal protective effect of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey in type 1 diabetic rats / 中国天然药物

The dry root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey has garnered much interest owing to its medicinal properties against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS)-based metabolomics approach was used to illustrate the therapeutic mechanisms of ginseng extract on the serum and urinary metabolic profiles in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) rats. Pharmacological and renal parameters in response to the administration of ginseng were also evaluated. In total, 16 serum endogenous metabolites and 14 urine endogenous metabolites, including pyruvic acid, indoleacetic acid, and phenylacetylglycine, were identified as potential biomarkers for diabetes. Pathway enrichment and network analysis revealed that the biomarkers modulated by ginseng were primarily involved in phenylalanine and pyruvate metabolism, as well as in arginine biosynthesis. Moreover, the levels of several renal injury-related biomarkers in T1DM rats were significantly restored following treatment with ginseng. The administration of the extract helped maintain tissue structure integrity and ameliorated renal injury. The findings suggest that the regulatory effect of ginseng extract on T1DM involves metabolic management of diabetic rats, which subsequently attenuates T1DM-induced early renal dysfunction.

Long-Term Carbohydrate-Containing Late-Evening Snack Significantly Improves the Ratio of Branched Chain Amino Acids to Aromatic Amino Acids in Adults with Liver Cirrhosis due to Hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: The liver is the primary organ for amino acid metabolism, and metabolic disorder of amino acids is common in liver disease. However, the characteristics of plasma amino acid profiles in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and the impacts of late-evening snack (LES) on cirrhosis are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of plasma amino acid profiles in patients with HBV-related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and the effects of late-evening snacks on plasma amino acid profiles. METHODS: 86 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and eighty patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in this study. The plasma amino acid profiles were measured by the amino acid analyzer. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, of which the liver cirrhosis group was to receive daily LES (n = 43) or non-LES (n = 43) for 6 months. Plasma amino acid profiles and biochemical parameters were measured in both groups at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, the plasma concentration in the liver cirrhosis group of threonine, serine, glycine, glutamine, cysteine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, arginine, and methionine increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the ratio of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) to aromatic amino acids (AAA) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). A carbohydrate-predominant LES treatment resulted in a significant increase in BCAA/AAA and decrease in the level of ammonia and glutamine compared with baseline after 6 months of supplementation (P < 0.05). Patients with Child-Pugh B and C are more responsive to changes in amino acid profiles than those with Child-Pugh A. CONCLUSIONS: The application of an LES carbohydrate module for six months in liver cirrhosis patients was associated with increased BCAA/AAA and decreased level of ammonia. Patients with Child-Pugh B and C grades were the most beneficial population.

Ampelopsin Inhibits Breast Cancer Cell Growth through Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway.

Ampelopsin, a flavonoid with a wide variety of biological activities, has been proposed to be a potent antitumor agent. However, the mechanism by which Ampelopsin shows anti-breast cancer activity remains unclear. Therefore, this study will explore the mechanism of Ampelopsin's anti-breast cancer activity by culturing MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method and plate cloning method were used to detect the proliferation inhibition of breast cancer cells. Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). 2',7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) method was used to determine the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hoechst 33258 staining was used to detect the apoptotic morphological changes. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the mitochondrial structure. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2. The results showed that Ampelopsin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells, and promote cells apoptosis. In addition, the occurrence of apoptosis in breast cancer cells was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the production of large amounts of reactive oxygen species, and the up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 expression. In conclusion, Ampelopsin-induced mitochondria damage leads to loss of mitochondria membrane potential, overproduction of ROS and activation of Bax, increasing mitochondria membrane permeability and ultimately inducing breast cell apoptosis. These findings provided a new perspective on the role of Ampelopsin in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Development and Evaluation of Curcumin Encapsulated Self-assembled Nanoparticles as Potential Remedial Treatment for PCOS in a Female Rat Model.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies affecting women of reproductive age and leads to metabolic disorders and infertility. The present study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin (Cur) encapsulated arginine (Arg) and N-acetyl histidine (NAcHis) modified chitosan (Arg-CS-NAcHis/Cur) nanoparticles (NPs). METHODS: In this study, amphiphilic chitosan (CS) conjugate was developed by modification with hydrophilic arginine (Arg) and hydrophobic N-acetyl histidine (NAcHis) group (Arg-CS-NAcHis). The synthesized conjugate was well characterized by FTIR and NMR studies. Self-assembled nanoparticles based on the synthesized conjugate were developed by simple sonication method and characterized for the physicochemical properties of zeta potential, particle size and drug encapsulation. Next, in vitro drug release, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake studies of the NPs were evaluated. Finally, the developed nanoparticles were examined for their therapeutic potential against estradiol valerate (EV) induced PCOS rats by evaluating hormone level changes and ovarian morphology. RESULTS: The results showed that zeta potential of the nanoparticles was 39.8±2.52 mV and the average size was 200 nm. The in vitro drug release profile showed sustained release pattern. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies also showed preferential effectiveness than free curcumin. Both the biochemical and histopathological studies showed positive effects in reverting the symptoms of PCOS rats to normalcy. CONCLUSION: Curcumin encapsulated arginine and N-acetyl histidine modified chitosan (Arg-CS-NAcHis/Cur) nanoparticles have been successfully developed. The present study suggested that treatment of the nanoparticles might reverse many of the PCOS symptoms. Therefore, these nanoparticles might be used as promising new candidate for delivery of curcumin to treat PCOS.