Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine containing hawthorn for hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The traditional Chinese herb hawthorn is gaining attention for its potential to lower lipid levels due to its active components that positively influence lipid metabolism. Our meta-analysis of fourteen randomized controlled trials compared traditional Chinese medicine containing hawthorn with conventional lipid-lowering drugs for hyperlipidemia. Hawthorn-based medicine showed promise in reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, albeit less effective than standard drugs in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, caution is needed due to methodological limitations in some trials, emphasizing the importance of further well-designed studies to clarify hawthorn's efficacy in managing hyperlipidemia.

Elucidating the distinctive regulatory effects and mechanisms of active compounds in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge via network pharmacology: Unveiling their roles in the modulation of platelet activation and thrombus formation.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. (DS), as an important traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of usage for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Modern studies have shown that the chemical components of DS have many biological activities such as cardiovascular protection, anti-arrhythmia, anti-atherosclerosis, improvement of microcirculation, protection of myocardium, inhibition and removal of platelet aggregation. Nevertheless, the action mechanism of DS as well its active compounds on platelet activation has not been fully uncovered. This study aimed to find out the potential targets and mechanisms of DS in the modulation of platelet activation and thrombosis, using network pharmacology and biological experimental. These compounds with anti-thrombotic activity in DS, cryptotanshinone (CPT), isoeugenol (ISO) and tanshinone IIA (TSA), together with the corresponding targets being Src, Akt and RhoA are screened by network pharmacology. We confirmed that ISO, CPT and TSA dose-dependently inhibited platelet activation in vitro, mainly by inhibiting agonist-induced clot retraction, aggregation and P-selectin and ATP release. The western blot findings indicated that ISO, CPT, and TSA led to reduced levels of p-Akt and p-ERK in activated platelets. Additionally, ISO and TSA were observed to decrease p-cSrc expression while increasing RhoA expression. ISO, CPT, and TSA demonstrated a potential to restrict the advancement of carotid arterial thrombosis in vivo. We confirm that ISO, CPT and TSA are the key anti-thrombotic active compounds in DS. These active compounds exhibit unique inhibitory effects on platelet activation and thrombus formation by modulating the Akt/ERK and cSrc/RhoA signaling pathways.

Modifying the Expression of Cysteine Protease Gene PCP Affects Pollen Development, Germination and Plant Drought Tolerance in Maize.

Cysteine proteases (CPs) are vital proteolytic enzymes that play critical roles in various plant processes. However, the particular functions of CPs in maize remain largely unknown. We recently identified a pollen-specific CP (named PCP), which highly accumulated on the surface of maize pollen. Here, we reported that PCP played an important role in pollen germination and drought response in maize. Overexpression of PCP inhibited pollen germination, while mutation of PCP promoted pollen germination to some extent. Furthermore, we observed that germinal apertures of pollen grains in the PCP-overexpression transgenic lines were excessively covered, whereas this phenomenon was not observed in the wild type (WT), suggesting that PCP regulated pollen germination by affecting the germinal aperture structure. In addition, overexpression of PCP enhanced drought tolerance in maize plants, along with the increased activities of the antioxidant enzymes and the decreased numbers of the root cortical cells. Conversely, mutation of PCP significantly impaired drought tolerance. These results may aid in clarifying the precise functions of CPs in maize and contribute to the development of drought-tolerant maize materials.

Methodological, reporting, and evidence quality of systematic reviews of traditional Chinese medicine for ischemic stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study is to critically appraise whether published systematic reviews/meta-analyses of traditional Chinese medicine for adults with ischemic stroke are of sufficient quality and to rate the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Method: A literature search was performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and SinoMed databases by March 2022. The inclusion criteria were systematic reviews/meta-analyses of traditional Chinese medicine in adults who suffered from ischemic stroke. A Measurement Tool to Access Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Abstract (PRISMA-A) statements were used to assess the methodological and reporting quality of the included reviews. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was utilized to assess each report's evidence level. Results: Of the 1,908 titles and abstracts, 83 reviews met the inclusion criteria. These studies were published between 2005 and 2022. The results of AMSTAR-2 showed that 51.4% of the items were reported, but the registration, reasons for the inclusion of study design, the list of excluded studies, and funding information were ignored in the majority of the reviews. The results of PRISMA-A showed that 33.9% of items were reported, and the information on registration, limitation, and funding was not available in many publications. The assessment of the evidence with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation showed that more than half (52/83) of the included studies had either low or very low levels of evidence. Conclusion: The reporting quality in the abstract of systematic reviews/meta-analyses on traditional Chinese medicine for ischemic stroke is poor and does not facilitate timely access to valid information for clinical practitioners. Although the methodological quality is of a medium level, this evidence lacks certainty, especially with a high risk of bias in individual studies.

The mechanism of in vitro non-enzymatic glycosylation inhibition by Tartary buckwheat's rutin and quercetin.

Tartary buckwheat is rich in rutin, quercetin, and other flavonoids, which exert prominent effects by inhibiting non-enzymatic glycosylation. In this study, an in vitro non-enzymatic glycosylation model was established, and the inhibitory effects of rutin and quercetin on the early, middle, and late products of non-enzymatic glycosylation were determined. Furthermore, their effects on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and on protein functional groups and secondary structure were analyzed. These findings provided a theoretical basis for further investigation of the mechanism via which Tartary buckwheat's rutin and quercetin inhibited non-enzymatic glycosylation. The results showed that rutin and quercetin inhibited the formation of fructosamine, dicarbonyl compounds, and fluorescent AGE in a concentration-dependent manner. Rutin and quercetin exhibited antioxidant activity and could reduce the formation of protein oxidation products. The highest clearance rates for DPPH and ABTS+ were 62.74 % and 71.14 %, respectively.

Selenium and vitamin B6 cosupplementation improves dyslipidemia and fatty liver syndrome by SIRT1/SREBP-1c pathway in hyperlipidemic Sprague-Dawley rats induced by high-fat diet.

Previously, our group found that the dietary trace mineral element selenium and vitamin B6 (VitB6) alone was involved in lipid metabolism. However, the effects of selenium combined with VitB6 on hyperlipidemia and lipid metabolism have not been reported until now. We hypothesized that selenium and VitB6 cosupplementation would alleviate the hyperlipidemic and hepatic dysfunction and with minimum side effects in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet. Our results showed that selenium combined with VitB6 could improve dyslipidemia and displayed better in vivo hypocholesterolemic abilities at early intervention. Moreover, cosupplementation reduced atherogenic indexes (atherogenic index and atherogenic index of plasm) and the ratio of ApoB/ApoA1. The liver function index aspartate aminotransferase in serum was reduced, as was and total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in liver. The intervention also increased the levels of ApoA1 in serum and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of liver. In addition, the combination of selenium and VitB6 decreased liver lipid deposition and alleviated steatosis, reduced adipocyte size of white adipose tissue, increased the activities of hepatic lipase and total lipase and the hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) level, decreased the hepatic mRNA transcription of lipogenic and regulatory genes including Srebf1 and downstream fat synthesis-related enzymes (Acc and Fasn) and cholesterol synthesis speed limiting enzyme Hmgr, increased the mRNA abundance of Lcat and Cyp7a1, increased the protein expression of SIRT1 and PPARα, and up-regulated the protein expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c in the livers of hyperlipidemia rats. We first demonstrated that oral selenium and VitB6 cosupplementation exerted synergism in lowering blood and liver lipid profiles and antiatherosclerotic effects in hyperlipidemic rats by reducing endogenous cholesterol and lipid synthesis, enhancing the transport of cholesterol to hepatocytes and promoting fatty acid beta oxidation.

Effects and Action Mechanism of Huoxue Tongluo Formula on the Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Excessive infiltration and uncontrolled activation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are likely to destroy normal tissue architecture and cause uncontrolled inflammation. The present research attempted to screen potential signaling pathways of Huoxue Tongluo Formula (HXTLF) affecting the formation of NETs using network pharmacology technique. Active chemical components of HXTLF and therapeutic targets related to vasculitis were screened, and a chemical components-targets network diagram of HXTLF was constructed by Cytoscape. Finally, the inhibitory effect and mechanism of HXTLF on the formation of NETs were explored in vitro using LPS-induced NETs. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were conducted to determine the protein fluorescence intensity and relative expression. The experimental results illustrated that HXTLF mediated the expression levels of H3Cit and myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein in neutrophils activated by LPS, inhibited NETs formation, and reduced the concentration of interleukin- (IL-) 1ß, a proinflammatory factor in cells. Additionally, we activated and inhibited the AKT1 signaling pathway using the corresponding activator and inhibitor to explore the regulatory mechanism of HXTLF on AKT1 and other molecules in the treatment of vasculitis. The results demonstrated that HXTLF could inhibit the phosphorylation of AKT1, IKK, and NF-κB proteins, inhibit NETs formation, and reduce IL-1ß concentration, indicating that AKT1 exerts a vital role in the treatment of vasculitis after HXTLF administration. The current study initially revealed the pharmacological mechanism of HXTLF for vasculitis management using network pharmacology techniques and tests in vitro, which is expected to provide important theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanism of HXTLF and promoting its clinical application.

A metabolomics study of the intervention effect of Tartary buckwheat on hyperlipidemia mice.

Tartary buckwheat can improve hyperlipidemia and affect the changes of metabolic pathways to the body. In this study, we use LC/MS to obtain metabolic fingerprints of plasma samples collected from control (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD), Tartary buckwheat protein (BWP), and Tartary buckwheat starch (BWS). Using the metabolic network database, through OPLS-DA, the potential biomarkers and pathways of BWP and BWS intervention in hyperlipidemia mice are initially determined. The results showed that there are 30 metabolites in total, among which linoleic acid, glycerol, phosphatidyl, ethanolamine, and galactose ceramide are the most important differentially expressed metabolites in BWP and BWS plasma samples. These metabolites are involved in eight metabolic pathways, such as linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism. Tartary buckwheat can alleviate the symptoms of hyperlipidemia in mice by affecting the above-mentioned metabolic pathways. This research has a profound impact on the development of nutritious foods of buckwheat. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Tartary buckwheat, also known as wild buckwheat, is a typical embodiment homology of medicine and food. We have clarified that the protein and starch extracted from tartary buckwheat have the function of reducing blood lipids. It is expected to be applied to functional food materials in the health food market. Also, the effects of tartary buckwheat protein and starch in improving metabolic pathways can be generally applied as a physiological active compound of functional food supplements.

Emphasizing mindfulness training in acceptance relieves anxiety and depression during pregnancy.

Mindfulness intervention, which trains participants to monitor momentary experiences with an accepting attitude, is effective for reducing maternal anxiety and depression. Monitoring and acceptance are two central components of mindfulness training. The aim of the study is to clarify whether adding acceptance component to monitoring training can help improve the mental health of pregnant people by comparing the effects between mindfulness training on monitoring with an emphasis on acceptance training and training on monitoring alone. Pregnant people with depressive or anxious symptoms (N = 149) were randomized to either a 4-week online intervention of (1) monitoring training (MT), (2) monitoring with an emphasis on acceptance training (MAT), or (3) emotional regulation course conditions as an active control group. All mindfulness training was based on the WeChat platform. We used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale (RESE) to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression, mindfulness monitoring and acceptance skills, and the self-efficacy of emotional regulation pre-and postintervention. Of the 149 people enrolled in this study, 10 in the MT training group, 9 in the MAT group, and 15 in the control group did not complete the intervention. Monitoring with an emphasis on acceptance training significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved perceived self-efficacy in managing depression/distress compared with the monitoring training alone and the control group. In addition, participants in the monitoring group showed a downward trend in GAD-7 scores and an upward trend in scores of perceived self-efficacy in managing anger/irritation. This study not only shows that the 4-week online mindfulness training could be a promising technique to help people improve mental health; moreover, it provides evidence that emphasizing acceptance skills on mindfulness training may play a critical role because of its positive effects. We suggest that the online mindfulness intervention should be added as part of psychological care and recommend emphasizing acceptance training during pregnancy.

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on the formation and in vitro digestion of Tartary buckwheat starch/flavonoid complexes.

Tartary buckwheat is rich in flavonoids and starch, and the interaction between these two components affects the structural and digestive properties of the food product. In this study, we analyze the effects of thermal gelatinization (GT), ultrasonic treatment (UT), and high hydrostatic pressure treatment (HHP) on the compounding degree of starch and flavonoids in Tartary buckwheat and on the properties of the starch/flavonoid complex system (HBS-BF). Based on scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, the surface of HBS-BF becomes rough after GT or UT, and many small cavities appear. Comparatively, HHP treatment is less damaging to HBS-BF. Moreover, HHP maintains the original A-type crystal morphology of buckwheat starch in HBS-BF, whereas GT and UT change to V-type. Repeated HHP further improves the crystallinity and digestion resistance of HBS-BF. According to the recorded Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, HBS-BF by different methods does not exhibit new covalent bonds. Practical application: The results reported herein promote the application of Tartary buckwheat starch and flavonoids in the food industry by providing a theoretical basis for the development of starch anti-digestion mechanisms and the preparation of resistant starch.

Pretreatment of buckwheat globulin by ultra-high pressure: Effects on enzymatic hydrolysis and final hydrolysate lipid metabolism regulation capacities.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ultra-high pressure (UHP) pretreatment on the buckwheat globulin and the regulation of lipid metabolism disorder by its enzymatic hydrolysates (BGH). Buckwheat globulin hydrolysates pretreated by ultra-high pressure (UBGH) can significantly reduce the levels of total triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in model cells (MOD), significantly inhibit lipid accumulation and steatosis. In addition, UBGH can significantly reduce the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), increase the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), thus reducing the vicious cycle of lipid metabolism disorder caused by oxidative stress. RT-PCR and western blotting analysis showed that after UBGH intervention, compared with the MOD group, the mRNA expression levels of liver lipid and cholesterol metabolism related genes were significantly changed. UBGH significantly increased PPARα and LXRα and decreased SREBP2 mRNA expression. Therefore, UHP technology could enhance the regulatory effect of BGH on lipid metabolism disorder.

Antihyperlipidemic and Hepatoprotective Properties of Vitamin B6 Supplementation in Rats with High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality of hyperlipidemia are increasing year by year, showing a younger trend. At present, the treatment of hyperlipidemia is mainly dependent on western medicine, but its side effects on liver and kidney function are common in clinics. Therefore, it is necessary to study the treatment of hyperlipidemia by augmenting effective dietary nutrition supplements. Vitamin B6 (VitB6), as an essential cofactor for enzymes, participates in lipid metabolism. The effects of VitB6 on hyperlipidemia, however, have not been reported until now. AIM: The present study was to investigate the influence of VitB6 on hepatic lipid metabolism in hyperlipidaemia rats induced by a High-Fat Diet (HFD). METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were kept on HFD for two weeks to establish the hyperlipidemia model. The rats in low-dosage and high-dosage groups were received 2.00 and 3.00 mg/kg/- day of VitB6 for eight weeks, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that both doses of VitB6 reduced HFD-induced hepatic Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C); decreased blood cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, LDL-C, atherogenic index (AI), Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and ApoB/apolipoprotein A-1(ApoA1) ratio; increased liver High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum ApoA1; reduced hepatic steatosis and triglyceride accumulation, lowered fat storage, and recovered heart/body and brain/body ratio to a normal level. In addition, VitB6 supplementation markedly decreased HMGR level, increased the mRNA abundance of LDLR and CYP7A1, and protein expression of SIRT1, following the downregulation of SREBP-1 and PPARγ protein expression in the liver of hyperlipidemia rats. CONCLUSION: In summary, oral VitB6 supplementation can ameliorate HFD-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and dyslipidemia in SD rats by inhibiting fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, promoting fatty acid decomposition and cholesterol transport.

Effect of quercetin on the in vitro Tartary buckwheat starch digestibility.

Tartary buckwheat is one of the few pseudocereals with abundant flavonoids and starch. However, there are different views on the digestibility of Tartary buckwheat starch (TBS) because of its particle size and structure. In this study, fluorescence spectrum methods and enzymatic kinetics were used to investigate the interaction between TBS /two glycosidase (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and quercetin to explore its digestive properties and provide a perspective regarding the application of TBS in functional starch products. The results showed that the interaction between TBS and quercetin was probably weak hydrophobic force and hydrogen bonding. The inhibitory effect of quercetin on α-amylase was better than that on α-glucosidase. The half inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of quercetin to α-amylase and α- glucosidase was (270 ±â€¯3.31) and (544 ±â€¯9.01) µg/mL, respectively. The intrinsic fluorescence of two enzymes was statically quenched by forming a complex with quercetin. Quercetin also increased the microenvironment hydrophilicity of tryptophan residues in glycosidase. In vitro digestion experiment demonstrated that quercetin and TBS co-gelatinized together was more effective to inhibit TBS hydrolysis than quercetin itself alone. In the first-order kinetic and LOS model, quercetin-starch gel structure and quercetin inhibitory activity against enzymes had synergistic effects of the TBS digestion.

Study on the structure and digestibility of high amylose Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) starch-flavonoid prepared by different methods.

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) is the only food rich in flavonoid bioactive substances in grains. Studies have shown that flavonoids interaction with amylose has an important impact on the physical and chemical properties and structure of starch. In this study, Tartary buckwheat was used as a raw material. It was then threshed with pullulanase, and a high amylose Tartary buckwheat starch flavonoid complex (HBS/BF) was prepared by physical mixing (PM), water bath treatment (WT), acid-base precipitation (AP), microwave treatment (MT), and ultrasonic treatment (UT); the physical and chemical properties were then evaluated. The results show that HBS/BF-UT and HBS/BF-MT have a higher iodine binding rate than HBS/BF-PM; X-ray diffraction results show that HBS/BF-AP has a V-type crystal form, but the relative crystallinity was reduced. Fourier infrared spectroscopy showed that there is no new covalent bond between Tartary buckwheat starch and flavonoids. In vitro digestion showed that adding flavonoid significantly increased the digestibility of Tartary buckwheat starch. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: These results will provide a theoretical basis for further starch anti-digestion mechanisms and the preparation of resistant starch. These steps will provide insights into the application of Tartary buckwheat starch and flavonoids in the food industry.

Moxibustion combined with characteristic lifestyle intervention of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of abdominal obesity: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity occurs when excessive visceral and subcutaneous fat is built up around the abdomen and stomach, which negatively impacts human health. Moxibustion, arose from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been widely applied in the treatment of abdominal obesity. Several studies have shown the positive effects of moxibustion in prevention and treatment of endocrine issues and excess body weight. In this context, our study aims to examine the safety and efficacy of the combination of moxibustion and characteristic lifestyle intervention of TCM in the treatment of abdominal obesity. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will be a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial conducted from September 2020 to January 2022 that includes 150 participants who have abdominal obesity and meet the eligibility criteria. The participants will be randomly divided into 3 groups in a 2:2:1 allocation ratio. The intervention group will receive moxibustion combined with characteristic lifestyle intervention of TCM; the other group will receive moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the control group will receive lifestyle intervention only. Eight-week moxibustion sessions will be provided to participants assigned to the 2 intervention groups. The characteristic lifestyle intervention of TCM will also last 8 weeks, whereas the lifestyle intervention will last 12 weeks including 8-week treatment period, 4-week follow-up period. The primary outcome is the waist circumference measured by a tape measure. The secondary outcomes include obesity-related indicators, serum biochemical indexs, blood pressure, conversion score of physical symptoms, and measurement of the scale. Adverse events will be recorded during the treatment and follow-up period. DISCUSSION: The results are expected to provide clinical evidence for the application of the combination of moxibustion and characteristic lifestyle intervention of TCM in patients with abdominal obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04501198, Registered on 9 June 2020.

Plastrum Testudinis Extracts Promote NSC Differentiation into Dopaminergic Neuron by Regulating the Interaction of TET1 and FoxA2.

In recent years, stem cells have gained much attention for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, inducing neural stem cell directionally differentiation is a difficult problem in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by stem cell therapy. Plastrum Testudinis (PT) can enhance the number of TH-positive neurons in the PD rat brain substantia nigra, but the underlying mechanism has not been clarified. Here, we aimed at further investigating the mechanism by which PT can promote NSC differentiation into dopaminergic neurons. A rat model of PD was used for detecting the effect of PT on the rat brain substantia nigra in vivo. The results showed the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and TET1 enzyme were increased after treatment with PT. Consequently, Plastrum Testudinis extracts (PTEs) were used for inducing NSC differentiation into dopaminergic neurons ex vivo. During differentiation of NSCs induced by PTE, TH expression was increased, with a concomitant increase in both TET1 and FoxA2. Next, we performed coimmunoprecipitation analysis to examine the interaction between TET1 protein and FoxA2 protein. Our results show that PTE can increase the binding rate of TET1 and FoxA2. Thus, our findings show that PTE can increase the efficiency of NSCs to directionally differentiate into dopaminergic neurons and provide experimental evidence for PT in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

The Histological, Effectoromic, and Transcriptomic Analyses of Solanum pinnatisectum Reveal an Upregulation of Multiple NBS-LRR Genes Suppressing Phytophthora infestans Infection.

Utilization of disease resistance components from wild potatoes is a promising and sustainable approach to control Phytophthora blight. Here, we combined avirulence (Avr) genes screen with RNA-seq analysis to discover the potential mechanism of resistance in Mexican wild potato species, Solanum pinnatisectum. Histological characterization displayed that hyphal expansion was significantly restricted in epidermal cells and mesophyll cell death was predominant, indicating that a typical defense response was initiated in S. pinnatisectum. Inoculation of S. pinnatisectum with diverse Phytophthora infestans isolates showed distinct resistance patterns, suggesting that S. pinnatisectum has complex genetic resistance to most of the prevalent races of P. infestans in northwestern China. Further analysis by Avr gene screens and comparative transcriptomic profiling revealed the presence and upregulation of multiple plant NBS-LRR genes corresponding to biotic stresses. Six NBS-LRR alleles of R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R4, and Rpi-smira2 were detected, and over 60% of the 112 detected NLR proteins were significantly induced in S. pinnatisectum. On the contrary, despite the expression of the Rpi-blb1, Rpi-vnt1, and Rpi-smira1 alleles, fewer NLR proteins were expressed in susceptible Solanum cardophyllum. Thus, the enriched NLR genes in S. pinnatisectum make it an ideal genetic resource for the discovery and deployment of resistance genes for potato breeding.

RNA-Seq analysis revealed the molecular mechanisms of photobiomodulation effect on human fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: The photobiomodulation (PBM) effect has been applied to various clinical therapy for a long time. However, the mechanism related to the PBM effect in terms of wavelengths has been lack of in-depth study, except that ultraviolet radiation has attracted much attention due to its strong cell-killing effect. PURPOSE: To clarify the principle behind PBM and the main mechanism of improvement. METHODS: To carry on this study, we created light equipment using three LED chips, which emit 390 nm ultraviolet radiation, 415 nm blue light and 660 nm red light, respectively. We choose human fibroblasts (HF) to be irradiated by three different wavelengths for PBM test. In this study, we used cell counting kit (CCK-8) test to show the cell proliferation roughly and reported on a systematic RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis at transcriptional expression levels from HF, which accepted PBM of different wavelengths of light. RESULTS: We found that 415 nm blue light inhibited cell proliferation and 660 nm red light stimulated cell proliferation while 390 nm ultraviolet radiation has little influence on cell proliferation. Furthermore, RNA-seq results showed that CSF1R, PPP3CC, ITGAL, ITGAM, IL2RB, and several other differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are involved in the cell proliferation. Relative DEGs values for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene family have shown a great difference in blue and red light radiation especially on MMP25, MMP9, MMP21, and MMP13. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results provide a valuable resource to describe the variation of HFs under PBM of different light at gene level.

Structural and antioxidant analysis of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tartaricum Gaertn.) 13S globulin.

BACKGROUND: The main component of buckwheat seed storage proteins is 13S globulin. In this study, Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin was separated and its structural features were investigated using Edman sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The protective effect of its enzymatic hydrolysates against oxidative stress induced by H2 O2 was also evaluated to elucidate the antioxidant mechanism. RESULTS: Results showed that the isolated Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin contained one acidic and one basic subunit, which were linked by a disulfide bond. Six Tartary buckwheat active peptides were obtained from the enzymatic hydrolysates of Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin acidic subunit with a molecular weight of 38 kDa, namely Pep-1, Pep-2, Pep-3, Pep-4, Pep-5, and Pep-6. Pre-treatment of cells with Tartary buckwheat active peptides maintained the redox state balance of HepG2 cells and protected the activity of antioxidant enzymes in HepG2 cells. The Tartary buckwheat active peptides improved oxidative stress in HepG2 cells via the PPAR-α/HO-1 pathway. CONCLUSION: These results provide an insight into the antioxidant mechanism of Tartary buckwheat 13S globulin and suggest that Tartary buckwheat active peptides can be used as a functional ingredient in the food industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Effects of Orientin on Proliferation and Apoptosis of T24 Human Bladder Carcinoma Cells Occurs Through the Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-kappaB and the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND Orientin is a flavone isolated from medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which suppresses the growth of cancer cells in vitro. The effects of orientin in bladder cancer cells remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of orientin on proliferation and apoptosis of T24 human transitional cell bladder carcinoma cells in vitro in the presence of an agonist and an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). MATERIAL AND METHODS T24 cells were cultured and divided into four study groups: an untreated control group; a group treated with 100 µM orientin; a group treated with 100 µM orientin with NF-kappaB agonist, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA); and a group treated with 100 µM orientin and the NF-kappaB inhibitor, IkappaBalpha. The MTT assay was performed to assess cell viability, and flow cytometry evaluated the cell cycle. The expression of proteins in the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inflammatory cytokines were determined by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Orientin inhibited the proliferation of T24 cells, caused cell cycle arrest, reduced cell viability, and inhibited the expression of inflammatory mediators. Treatment of T24 cells with orientin inhibited the expression of NF-kappaB and components of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, and the NF-kappaB agonist, PMA, reversed these effects. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of T24 human bladder carcinoma cells in vitro with orientin inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis by suppressing the Hedgehog signaling pathway and NF-kappaB.