Quality Assessment of Artemisia rupestris L. Using Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by Single Marker and Fingerprint Analysis.

The chromatographic fingerprint of 14 batches of Artemisia rupestris L. samples were established in this study. The constituents of ten components in Artemisia rupestris L. were determined using quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) and the external standard method (ESM). Due to their stability and accessibility, chlorogenic acid and linarin were used as references to calculate the relative correction factors (RCFs) of apigenin-C-6,8-pentoside-hexoside, apigenin-C-6,8-di-pentoside, luteolin, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, chrysosplenetin B, and sbsinthin, based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The value calculated by QAMS was consistent with that of the ESM, and the reproducibility of RCFs was found to be reliable. In conclusion, simultaneous determination of the ten components by the QAMS method and chromatographic fingerprint analysis were feasible and accurate in evaluating the quality of Artemisia rupestris L. and can be used as reference in traditional Chinese medicine quality control.

Identification of metabolites of rupestonic acid in rat urine by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

Rupestonic acid, a potential anti-influenza agent, is an important and characteristic compound in Artemisia rupestris L., a well-known traditional Uighur medicine for the treatment of colds. In the present study, high-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect and identify the metabolites in rat urine after oral administration of rupestonic acid. A total of 10 metabolites were identified or partially characterized. The structure elucidations of the metabolites were performed by comparing the changes in accurate molecular masses and fragment ions with those of the parent compound. The results showed that the main metabolites of rupestonic acid in rat urine were formed by oxidation, hydrogenation and glucuronidation. A metabolism pathway was proposed for the first time based on the characterized structures. This metabolism study can provide essential information for drug discovery, design and clinical application of rupestonic acid.

Acetylenic spiroketal enol ethers from Artemisia rupestris and their synergistic antibacterial effects on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Synergistic bioassay-guided isolation of the extracts of Artemisia rupestris L, which belongs to the family Asteraceae, afforded two acetylenic spiroketal enol ethers, namely rupesdiynes A (1) and B (2). Their structures were determined based on spectroscopic analysis and experimental and calculated ECD investigations. The two compounds exhibited synergistic activity and were able to reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin four-fold, with a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of 0.5 in combination with oxacillin against the oxacillin-resistant EMRSA-16. Biofilm formation inhibitory and Ethidium bromide (EtBr) efflux assay were further employed to verify the possible mechanism of the synergistic antibacterial effect. Additionally, molecular docking studies were conducted to investigate the binding affinities of the two compounds with penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) of EMRSA-16. Taken together, rupesdiynes A (1) and rupesdiyne B (2) showed moderate synergistic activity against EMRSA-16 with oxacillin via inhibiting biofilm formation and efflux pump activity, respectively.

Exploring the molecular mechanism of Artemisia rupestris L. for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma via PI3K/AKT pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy in China. Most tumors develop from chronic inflammation. Artemisia rupestris L. (ARL) has been found to have a significant effect on viral influenza and hepatitis, but the mechanism of action of ARL against liver cancer is unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study objective was to explore the mechanism of action of ARL for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by ethanol extract and in vitro experimental design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interactions between ARL and cellular target proteins against HCC were analyzed through network pharmacology and network topology with the utilization of the DAVID database. The rate of HepG2 cells' growth inhibition was assessed using the MTT assay in vitro cellular assay; hoechst33342 detects apoptosis of cells; the ability of HepG2 cells to migrate and invade was assessed using the transwell assay and the cell scratch experiment; and the levels of protein expression in HepG2 cells were assessed using the western blot assay. RESULTS: Network pharmacology prediction results demonstrated that 22 active ingredients were tested, 176 possible action targets were discovered, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was found to be the most pertinent action pathway for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In vitro results showed that it can effectively restrict HepG2 cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion as well as the regulation of protein expressions. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, Quercetin, Linarin, and Kaempferol were found most essential active ingredients from ARL that regulate the antitumor effects against HCC through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The study provides a fundamental basis for further comprehensive evaluation of ARL to treat tumor diseases in general and its therapeutic potential against hepatocellular carcinoma in particular.

Bioactive compounds from dichloromethane extract of Artemisia rupestris L. alleviates CCl4/ConA-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting PI3K-AKT pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Artemisia rupestris L. (AR) is a traditional medicinal herb commonly used in the Uyghurs and Kazakhs; it was first documented in the Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica written by Zhao Xuemin in the Qing Dynasty of China and is used clinically to treat colds, hepatitis, and allergic diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: The material basis and mechanisms of AR in acute liver injury (ALI) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to reveal the possible active components involved in liver protection in AR and to preliminarily explore their pharmacological mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical composition of the ethanolic extract (ARA) was identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and confirmed by 32 reference standards. The pharmacodynamic results were utilized to screen the active part within the ARA that contribute to the amelioration of CCl4/ConA-induced ALI. The main active components and core targets were predicted by network pharmacology and verified by molecular docking combined with qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: A total of 131 chemical components were identified in the ARA. The extraction parts of ARA had different therapeutic effects on ALI, among which the dichloromethane extract (ARA-D), which might constitute the main effective fraction of ARA, had significant anti-ALI effects. The network pharmacology results showed that targets including PIK3R1, AKT1, and EGFR, as well as 7 compounds, such as artemetin, vitexicarpin and rupestonic acid may play pivotal roles in treating CCl4/ConA-induced ALI. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was the main pathway involved. In each model, ARA-D dose-dependently reduced the increase in ALT levels. High-dose ARA-D markedly decreased ALT activity from 196.79 ± 24.82 to 66.37 ± 16.19 U/L in the CCl4 model group and from 178.00 ± 28.39 to 50.67 ± 7.39 U/L in the ConA model group. Further studies revealed that ARA-D significantly inhibited TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 expression and inhibited the protein expression of PI3K, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in CCl4/ConA-induced ALI. CONCLUSION: ARA-D exhibits protective effects against ALI induced by CCl4/ConA, potentially through inhibition of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These findings may help to determine the material basis and mechanisms of action of ARA-D for liver protection and provide ideas for future comprehensive studies.

Cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. polysaccharide CARP2 as an adjuvant for influenza vaccines to prolong immune responses.

In the study, the adjuvant features of the immunoregulatory polysaccharide component CARP2 isolated from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. for influenza virus vaccine (IVV) and the mechanism responsible for its action in DCs were further explored. CARP2 showed a typical absorbance peak of polysaccharides in spectral analysis. At two doses of CARP2-adjuvanted IVV, IgG, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, and effector/memory T cells were generated and lasted for 275 days without adverse events. CARP2 primed rapid HI and IgG, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, splenocyte proliferation, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), and facilitated the generation of INF-γ and IL-4 by activating DCs and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Additionally, CARP2 achieved the ten-fold dose-sparing effect. In vitro, CARP2 stimulated DCs to prime the production of Th1/Th2 cytokines and CCR7 and activated MyD88-dependent pathway by upregulating the expressions of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF-6, and p65. In contrast, MyD88, TRAF-6, and NF-κB inhibitors partially blocked the effect through reducing related cytokines and proteins. Overall, CARP2 promoted IVV efficacy, which was involved in the modulation of Th1/Th2 responses and shifted toward Th1-polarizing response via TLR4/MyD88/TRAF/NF-κB activation in DCs.

Improving adjuvanticity of crude polysaccharides from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. for influenza vaccine by promoting long-term immunity and TH1/TH2 response with dose-sparing effect.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Influenza virus vaccines (IVV) with balanced TH1/TH2 responses are critical for controlling seasonal influenza. Emerging evidences suggest that herbal polysaccharides can induce potent TH1 or mixed TH1/TH2 responses. AIM OF STUDY: The study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of crude polysaccharides from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. (CPCAR) as an adjuvant for IVV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CPCAR was prepared with hot extraction and ethanol precipitation method and primary physico-chemical characters were tested. Mice were vaccinated by subcutaneous route with IVV formulated with different dose of CPCAR to detecting the elicited TH1/TH2 responses and long-term immune responses with dose-sparing sparing effect. RESULTS: IVV formulated with CPCAR without LPS contamination could augment balanced TH1/TH2 responses, as indicated by early IgG response, hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibodies, effector T-cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Moreover, CPCAR elicited long-term IgG, HAI antibodies, memory T cells, and balanced CD4/CD8 responses within 168 days after vaccination. Compared with IVV alone, a low or high dose of IVV formulated with CPCAR improved the levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a and enhanced memory T cells and balanced CD4/CD8 responses, displaying a 10-fold dose-sparing effect. As determined by IgE response and monitoring results of weekly body weight and daily symptoms after vaccination, anaphylaxis or adverse effect was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, the study demonstrated the potential of CPCAR as an aqueous polysaccharide adjuvant for IVV to induce rapid and balanced TH1/TH2 responses and long-lasting immunity with dose-sparing effect.

Immunoregulatory properties of the cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. polysaccharide as a potential adjuvant.

Two components (CARP-1 and CARP-2) were fractionated from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. and then characterized by HPGPC and HPLC. CARP-1 with a molecular weight of 2.72 × 104 Da and CARP-2 with a molecular weight of 2.08 × 104 Da were mainly composed of galactose, arabinose, glucose and rhamnose. Polysaccharides were the active components as confirmed by the increased CD40, CD86, TNF-α, and IL-6, allogeneic T-cell activation, and reduced endocytosis in vitro assays. CARP-1 and CARP-2 at 10 to 3200 µg/mL was not cytotoxic to the splenocytes of mice. After immunization, CARP-1 and CARP-2 combined with OVA elicited mixed Th1/Th2 responses, especially polarized Th1 response. Furthermore, TLR4 inhibitor decreased CARP-1- and CARP-2-induced DC activation. Western blot revealed that CARP-1 and CARP-2 stimulated the phosphorylation changes of target proteins in NF-κB and MAPK pathways in a dose- or time-related manner. Overall, CARP-1 and CARP-2 could be exploited as an effective and safe adjuvant for vaccines.

Flavonoids from Artemisia rupestris and their synergistic antibacterial effects on drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

This study seeks to discover flavonoids from a traditional Chinese herb, Artemisia rupestris L., with synergistic antibacterial effects against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Five flavonoids, artemetin (1), chrysosplenetin (2), pachypodol (3), penduletin (4) and chrysoeriol (5) were obtained by various column chromatographic methods. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Three of the compounds (2, 4 and 5) exhibited synergistic activity when combined with norfloxacin against SA1199B, an effluxing fluoroquinolone-resistant strain. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs) of 2, 4 and 5 in combination with norfloxacin were 0.375, 0.079 and 0.266 respectively, suggesting synergy. Compound 5 also showed synergistic effects against EMRSA-15 and EMRSA-16 when combined with ciprofloxacin and oxacillin exhibiting FICIs of 0.024 and 0.375 respectively. Real time ethidium bromide (EtBr) efflux assay, qRT-PCR and molecular docking were employed to explore the mechanisms of the synergistic effects.

Immune-Enhancing Activity of Aqueous Extracts from Artemisia rupestris L. via MAPK and NF-kB Pathways of TLR4/TLR2 Downstream in Dendritic Cells.

Artemisia rupestris L. has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine owing to its immunomodulatory activity. Aqueous extracts of Artemisia rupestris L. (AEAR) contain the main functional component and can activate the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and enhance the adaptive immunity as the adjuvant against infections. To explore the underlying mechanism of immunomodulatory activities of AEAR, DCs were produced from bone-marrow cells of mice and the effects of AEAR on cell viability were assessed by the Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) method and annexin V/propidium iodide staining assays. Then, the effects of AEAR on the morphology, maturation, and function of DCs were detected using a microscope, flow cytometry-based surface receptor characterization, and endocytosis assays. The secretion levels of cytokines were then analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The activation state of DCs was evaluated by the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The activity of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, which were involved in the regulation of AEAR on DCs, was further detected by Western blot. AEAR did not have a cytotoxic effect on DCs or mouse splenocytes. AEAR remarkably enhanced the phenotypic maturation of DCs and promoted the expression of costimulatory molecules and the secretion of cytokines in DCs. AEAR also significantly decreased the phagocytic ability of DCs and augmented the abilities of DCs to present antigens and stimulate allogeneic T-cell proliferation. Simultaneously, AEAR potently activated toll-like receptor (TLR)4-/TLR2-related MAPKs and induced the degradation of IκB and the translocation of NF-κB. In short, AEAR can profoundly enhance the immune-modulating activities of DCs via TLR4-/TLR2-mediated activation of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways and is a promising candidate immunopotentiator for vaccines.

Adjuvanticity of aqueous extracts of Artemisia rupestris L. for inactivated foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in mice.

Several methods have been developed to improve the efficacy of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccine. The study aims to determine whether aqueous extracts of Artemisia rupestris L. (AEAR) as an immunoactivator in combination with inactivated FMDV vaccine can promote immune responses in mice. Intramuscular co-immunization in ICR mice with different doses of AEAR plus FMDV vaccine could substantially improve the FMDV-specific antibody production (IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a) and lead to significant lymphocyte proliferative responses. Th1-type immune responses were also observed, including proliferative responses of CD8+, CD4+, CD4+CD44+, and CD8+CD44+ T cells and the killing efficacy of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. AEAR also elicited the higher levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in CD4+ T cells as well as the higher level of IFN-γ in CD8+ T cells. The medium dose of AEAR induced the significant adjuvant activity. Further tests in mice indicated that AEAR could activate DCs maturation by increasing the expression levels of co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD86, CD80, and MHC-II) on dendritic cells (DCs) from splenocytes and reduce the activity of regulatory T cells (Treg). Abnormal behaviors, side effects or death were not observed in immunized mice. AEAR could boost humoral and cell-mediated immunity elicited by FMDV vaccine, especially Th1-type immune responses.

Adjuvant-active aqueous extracts from Artemisia rupestris L. improve immune responses through TLR4 signaling pathway.

Activating innate immunity by an adjuvant is required in vaccine development. The study aims to investigate adjuvant effects of aqueous extracts of Artemisia rupestris L. (AEAR) in vivo and in vitro. ICR mice were subcutaneously administered with antigen and AEAR at various doses to evaluate their immune responses of antibodies, dendritic cells (DCs), regulatory T cells (Treg), splenic lymphocyte, and cytokine. The evaluation results showed that AEAR could largely increase titers of antigen-specific antibodies (IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a) and T cell proliferation. AEAR also increased expression of IFN-γ in CD8+T cells as well as IL-4 and INF-γ expression in CD4+T cells. Expression levels of MHC-II, CD40, CD80, and CD86 on DCs were significantly elevated, whereas the Treg frequency was significantly decreased. AEAR (200µg) showed remarkable adjuvant activity. Furthermore, AEAR enhanced MHC-II, CD40, CD80, and CD86 expression as well as the yields of TNF-α and IL-12 on DCs through toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) in vitro. Those results indicated that AEAR could serve as an efficacious immune stimulator for vaccines because it significantly enhanced specific immune responses by promoting DCs maturation and reduced Treg through TLR4 signaling pathway.

Optimal dose analysis of Th1/Th2 immuno-enhancement effects of cultivated Artemisia rupestris crude polysaccharides on foot-and-mouth disease inactivated vaccine via intramuscular route / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To investigate the optimal dose of Th1/Th2 immuno-enhancement effects of cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. crude polysaccharides (CARCP) on foot-and-mouth disease vaccine (FMDV) via the intramuscular route. Methods:ICR mice were intramuscularly immunized twice with different concentrations of CARCP mixed with FMDV at 2-week intervals. FMDV-specific antibodies, isotypes, and IgE in serum were detected by ELISA. Splenocyte proliferation was detected by MTT. T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in the spleen were detected by flow cytometry. Clinical signs and local reactions at the injection site were monitored daily, and the body weight of mice was weighed after immunization.Results:The medium dose of CARCP could significantly improve FMDV-specific IgG, IgG 1, and IgG 2a antibody levels and the IgG 2a/IgG 1 ratio ( P<0.05) and lead to significant splenocyte proliferative responses ( P<0.01). The medium dose of CARCP could also significantly increase the level of CD3 +CD4 + and CD3 +CD8 + T cells as well as CD4 +/CD8 + ratio ( P<0.05), elicited the higher levels of IFN-γ in CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells ( P<0.05). No local adverse reactions at the injection site were observed after immunization. There was no significant difference in body weight or growth between each group( P>0.05). CARCP did not significantly induce an IgE response ( P>0.05). Conclusions:CARCP as an FMDV adjuvant promotes Th1/Th2 immune responses, especially in favor of the Th1 response, and has a certain safety profile. The best immune enhancement is achieved with CARCP at medium doses.

Chemical constituents of Artemisia rupestris / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents of the whole plants of Artemisia rupestris. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by NMR and MS spectroscopic method. Results: Eighteen compounds were isolated and purified, which structures were identified as 2α-(2',4'-hexadiynoyl)-1,6-dioxaspiro [4,5]-deca-3-ene (1), chrysophanol (2), ethyl vanillate (3), methyl linolenate (4), 8,11-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (5), eicosane coumaric acid ester (6), emodin (7), 2,5-di-tert-butylphenol (8), phellopterin (9), syringic acid (10), 7-methoxycoumarin (11), vanillin (12), imperatorin (13), oroxylin A (14), 5-hydroxy-3,4',6,7-tetramethoxyflavone (15), erucylamide (16), octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate (17) and 3,5,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone (18). Conclusion: Compounds 1, 4, 11-14 and 18 are isolated from A. rupestris for the first time, and all the other compounds were isolated from the genus Artemisia for the first time.

HPLC dual-wavelength fingerprint of Artemisia rupestris L / 中国药科大学学报

@#To establish HPLC dual-wavelength fingerprint of Artemisia rupestris L. , and provide a scientific basis for the improvement of its quality specifications. The separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18(4. 6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm)column maintained at 32 ℃, with methanol-0. 2% formic acid-water gradient elution at flow rate of 1. 0 mL/min and the UV detection wavelength at both 245 and 325 nm. The sample injection volume was 20 μL. The fingerprint of Artemisia rupestris L. was established. 7 and 8 common peaks were found, respectively, of which 5 common peaks were identified, and the similarity among 9 batches of Artemisia rupestris L. and the fingerprints of control was over 0. 9. The HPLC dual-wavelength fingerprint of Artemisia rupestris L. was established for the first time, providing a new scientific basis for its identification and quality control.

Immunomodulatory activity of wild Artemisia rupestris L. crude polysaccharide as an adjuvant / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective@#To investigate the enhancement effect of Xinjiang wild Artemisia rupestris L. crude polysaccharides (WARCP) as an adjuvant on ovalbumin (OVA) vaccine in mice immunized intramuscularly.@*Methods@#ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (5 per group), including 9 g/L NaCl group (blank control), OVA group (10 μg OVA), low dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+50 μg WARCP), medium dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+200 μg WARCP), high dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+400 μg WARCP), and aluminum adjuvant (Alum)/OVA group (positive control group, OVA+100 μg Alum). ICR mice were immunized intramuscularly and weighted. The OVA-specific antibodies and subtypes in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T cells subsets from spleen and lymph nodes were detected by flow cytometry.@*Results@#The medium-dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced IgG and IgG1 levels and increased early antibody levels (all P<0.05). The medium-dose WARCP/OVA group and the high-dose WARCP/OVA group significantly enhanced IgG2a levels (all P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant comparing with Alum/OVA group (P>0.05). The low-dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced the percentage of CD4+ T cells in spleen and CD4+ T, CD8+ T, CD4+CD44+ T cells in lymph nodes (all P<0.05). The medium dose WARCP/OVA group and the high dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced the CD4+ T, CD8+ T, CD4+CD44+ T, CD8+CD44+ T cells in spleen and CD8+CD44+ T cell in lymph nodes (all P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Plant-derived WARCP as an OVA protein vaccine adjuvant can enhance cellular immunity and humoral immunity, and it is safe and reliable. The results in this study provide a theoretical basis for the popularization and application of WARCP.

Immunomodulatory activity of wild Artemisia rupestris L. crude polysaccharide as an adjuvant / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective To investigate the enhancement effect of Xinjiang wild Artemisia rupestris L. crude polysaccharides (WARCP) as an adjuvant on ovalbumin (OVA) vaccine in mice immunized intramuscularly. Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (5 per group), including 9 g/L NaCl group (blank control), OVA group (10 μg OVA), low dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+50 μg WARCP), medium dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+200 μg WARCP), high dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+400 μg WARCP), and aluminum adjuvant (Alum)/OVA group (positive control group, OVA +100 μg Alum). ICR mice were immunized intramuscularly and weighted. The OVA-specific antibodies and subtypes in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T cells subsets from spleen and lymph nodes were detected by flow cytometry. Results The medium-dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced IgG and IgG1 levels and increased early antibody levels (all P<0.05). The medium-dose WARCP/OVA group and the high-dose WARCP/OVA group significantly enhanced IgG2a levels (all P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant comparing with Alum/OVA group (P>0.05). The low-dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced the percentage of CD4+ T cells in spleen and CD4 + T, CD8+ T, CD4 +CD44 + T cells in lymph nodes (all P<0.05). The medium dose WARCP/OVA group and the high dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced the CD4 + T, CD8 + T, CD4 +CD44 + T, CD8 +CD44+ T cells in spleen and CD8+CD44+ T cell in lymph nodes (all P<0.05). Conclusions Plant-derived WARCP as an OVA protein vaccine adjuvant can enhance cellular immunity and humoral immunity, and it is safe and reliable. The results in this study provide a theoretical basis for the popularization and application of WARCP.

Development of Plant Metabolomics Analytical Approach Based on Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Artemisia rupestris L / 分析化学

Due to the diversity and complexity, the change of chemical components in medicinal plant according to the time, cultivated varieties or ecological condition is difficult to recognize using traditional phytochemistry method. In order to analyze the pharmacodynamics material basis in Uighur medicinal plant Artemisia rupestris L. in an effective and comprehensive way, a plant metabolomics approach was established based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This study firstly focused on the effect of extraction solvents,redissolve solvents and ultrasonic time on the untargeted metabolomics, then the optimal preparation condition was selected according to metabolites coverage. After methodology validation, the approach was applied to acquire metabolic information in root, stem, branchlet, leaf and flower of Artemisia rupestris L. The results showed that the metabolome in flower was obviously different with the other organs. Coupling with multivariate statistical analysis, a batch of differential metabolites were picked out, in which 61 flavonoids, 97 rupestonic acid derivatives, 7 chlorogenic acids and 15 other compounds were primarily recognized according to the characteristic fragmentation rules of specific structure type and database retrieval. Additionally,the distribution characteristics of the above 180 differential metabolites was illustrated by cluster heat map. In conclusion,this study provided important information about the rational utilization of effective parts from Artemisia rupestris L.,and offered a novel strategy for quality control,variety improvement and reasonable development of medicinal plants.

Efficacy of using Xinjiang wild Artemisia rupestris L.crude polysaccharides as an immunologic adju-vant for influenza virus vaccine / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of using Xinjiang wild Artemisia rupestris L. crude polysaccharides ( WARCP) as an immunologic adjuvant for influenza virus vaccine( IVV) .Methods ICR mice were subcutaneously immunized with 0.3 μg of IVV and 1.5 μg of IVV alone or co-administered with 200 μg of WARCP on 0 d and 14 d.Antibody levels in serum samples were detected by using indirect ELISA.MTT method was used to measure the proliferation of splenocytes.The growth conditions of mice were observed as well.Results No significant differences in the body weight were observed between mice from different groups (P>0.05).The levels of influenza virus-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a were signifi-cantly increased in mice injected with WARCP adjuvant (P<0.05).The levels of IgG antibody in mice im-munized with low-dose of IVV and WARCP were significantly higher than those in mice immunized with high-dose of IVV alone (P<0.05), indicating at least 80% reduction in vaccine dosage by adding WARCP as adjuvant.Moreover, WARCP significantly promoted the proliferation of lymphocytes (P<0.05).Conclu-sion Adding WARCP to IVV enhanced the efficacy of IVV by boosting humoral and cellular immunity re-sponses with the advantages of high safety and dose-sparing.This study suggested the possibility of using WARCP as a novel immunologic adjuvant for influenza virus vaccine.

Crude polysaccharides extracted from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. in Xinjiang enhances the effi-cacy of OVA / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of using crude polysaccharides extracted from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. ( CARCP) in Xinjiang as an immunologic adjuvant for ovalbumin ( OVA) . Methods The mice were subcutaneously immunized twice with OVA vaccine formulated with CARCP. ELISA assay was performed to measure the levels of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies. Flow cytometry analy-sis was performed to detect the percentages of different T lymphocyte subsets ( CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+T cells, CD4+CD44+ and CD8+CD44+T cells) in splenocytes as well as the expression of intracellular cyto-kines ( CD4+IFN-γ, CD8+IFN-γ) and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells. Results The levels of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies in serum, the percentages of CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD4+CD44+ and CD8+CD44+T cells as well as the ratio of CD4+/CD8+T lymphocytes increased significantly in mice immunized with OVA in combination with CARCP (P<0. 05). Moreover, CARCP enhanced the expression of CD4+IFN-γand CD8+IFN-γ( P<0. 05 ) , but inhibited the expression of CD 4+CD 2 5+Foxp 3+Treg cells ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion As an adjuvant for OVA, CARCP enhanced the humoral and cellular immune responses, especially the T cell immune responses.