Oxygen regulation of microbial communities and chemical compounds in cigar tobacco curing.

Introduction: Curing is a critical process that determines the sensory quality of cigars. The impact of oxygen on cigar curing and the mechanisms by which it regulates microbial changes affecting cigar quality are not well understood. Methods: In this study, we selected handmade cigars from the same batch and conducted curing experiments in environments with varying oxygen concentrations (equivalent to 0.1%, 6-12, and 15% of atmospheric oxygen concentration). We collected samples over 60 days and analyzed the distribution of microbial communities using high-throughput sequencing. Combined with the analysis of total sugars, proteins, flavor substances, and other chemical compounds, we elucidated how different oxygen concentrations affect the cigar curing process, influence microbial community succession, and ultimately impact cigar quality. Results: Our results revealed significant differences in bacterial community composition under different oxygen conditions. Under aerobic conditions, Cyanobacteria were the dominant bacteria, while under oxygen-limited conditions, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium predominated. As oxygen concentration decreased, so did the richness and diversity of the bacterial community. Conversely, oxygen concentration had a lesser impact on fungi; Aspergillus was the dominant genus in all samples. We also found that Enterococcus showed a positive correlation with aspartic acid, alanine, and 4-aminobutyric acid and a negative correlation with cysteine. Cigars cured at 15% oxygen concentration for 60 days exhibited optimal quality, particularly in terms of flavor richness and sweetness. Discussion: These findings suggest that oxygen concentration can alter cigar quality by regulating aerobic and anaerobic microbial community succession. The relationship between specific microbial communities and flavor compounds also provides a theoretical reference for developing artificial control technologies in the cigar curing process.

Mass spectrometry imaging as a promising analytical technique for herbal medicines: an updated review.

Herbal medicines (HMs) have long played a pivotal role in preventing and treating various human diseases and have been studied widely. However, the complexities present in HM metabolites and their unclear mechanisms of action have posed significant challenges in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Over the past two decades, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has garnered increasing attention as a robust analytical technique that enables the simultaneous execution of qualitative, quantitative, and localization analyses without complex sample pretreatment. With advances in technical solutions, MSI has been extensively applied in the field of HMs. MSI, a label-free ion imaging technique can comprehensively map the spatial distribution of HM metabolites in plant native tissues, thereby facilitating the effective quality control of HMs. Furthermore, the spatial dimension information of small molecule endogenous metabolites within animal tissues provided by MSI can also serve as a supplement to uncover pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms of HMs. In the review, we provide an overview of the three most common MSI techniques. In addition, representative applications in HM are highlighted. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and propose several potential solutions. We hope that the summary of recent findings will contribute to the application of MSI in exploring metabolites and mechanisms of action of HMs.

PM2.5 chemical components are associated with in-hospital case fatality among acute myocardial infarction patients in China.

Recent studies have linked the cardiovascular events with the exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5); however, the impact of PM2.5 chemical components on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) case fatality remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we included 178,340 hospitalised patients with AMI utilising the inpatient discharge database from Sichuan, Shanxi, Guangxi, and Guangdong, China spanning 2014-2019. We evaluated exposure to PM2.5 and its components (black carbon (BC), organic matter (OM), sulphate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), and ammonium (NH4+)) using bilinear interpolation based on the patient's residential address. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models to investigate the associations of PM2.5 and its five components with in-hospital AMI case fatality. Per interquartile range (IQR) increment in short-term exposure (7-day average) to overall PM2.5 (odds ratio (OR): 1.086, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.045-1.128), SO42-(1.063, 1.024-1.104), BC (1.055, 1.023-1.089), OM (1.052, 1.019-1.086, and NO3- (1.045, 1.003-1.089) were significantly associated with high risk of in-hospital AMI case fatality. The ORs per IQR increment in long-term exposure (annual average) were 1.323 (95 % CI: 1.255-1.394) for PM2.5, followed by BC (1.271, 1.210-1.335), OM (1.243, 1.188-1.300), SO42- (1.212, 1.157-1.270), NO3- (1.116, 1.075-1.159), and NH4+ (1.068, 1.031-1.106). Our study suggests that PM2.5 chemical components might be important risk factors for in-hospital AMI case fatality, highlighting the importance of targeted reduction of PM2.5 emissions, particularly BC, OM, and SO42-.

The role of seasonal characteristics in addressing scattering species for improved visibility in Shanghai, China.

Submicron particle extinction significantly contributed to reduced horizontal visibility during severe pollution episodes. However, seasonal variations in the scattering coefficients of chemical components, particularly with their size and mass concentration, are still not fully understood. This study investigated the scattering coefficients of the main chemical components of submicron particles (PM1) in Shanghai using advanced instruments. We discovered that the main scattering species exhibited seasonal variations. Notably, organics (OA) and ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) dominated in spring, summer, and autumn, whereas ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) was the primary scattering species in winter. Analyzing the particle scattering coefficient size revealed that the scattering coefficients for OA in Shanghai exhibited bimodal distributions in spring, autumn, and winter, with peak sizes of 500-700 nm. The distribution was unimodal in summer, with a 400-500 nm peak size range. In addition, the peak particle size distributions of NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4 demonstrated a pattern of winter > spring/autumn > summer, potentially owing to the different species sources and formation pathways throughout the four seasons. Seasonal variations in the mass scattering efficiency (MSE) showed that OA exhibited a higher MSE than NH4NO3 or (NH4)2SO4. Further, NH4NO3 exhibited a higher MSE in winter, whereas (NH4)2SO4 exhibited the highest MSE in summer at 5.63. This study highlighted the importance of considering seasonal characteristics controlling scattered species and their precursors to enhance visibility. These findings can assist in formulating visibility control strategies in Shanghai.

[Identification of chemical components of large-leaf yellow tea by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry].

Large-leaf yellow tea, a slightly fermented yellow tea that is unique to China, has a stronger hypoglycemic effect than other tea varieties, such as green and black tea. Research on large-leaf yellow tea has focused on its hypoglycemic effect owing to the lack of comprehensive techniques to characterize its chemical components; thus, its development and further promotion are limited. Therefore, the development of a reliable analytical method to fully characterize the chemical components of large-leaf yellow tea is urgently required. In this study, a reliable strategy based on the data-acquisition technology of ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q TOF/MS) was established to rapidly screen and analyze the main chemical components of large-leaf yellow tea by combining the information of neutral loss groups and characteristic fragment ions. The chromatographic separation experiments were performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) with gradient elution using 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile as the mobile phases. The flow rate was 0.2 mL/min, the sample volume was 2 µL, and the column temperature was 35 ℃. The mass spectral information of the components in a large-leaf yellow tea solution was collected using the full-information tandem MS (MSE) technique in positive and negative ion modes. The specific chemical components of large-leaf yellow tea was identified as follows. First, a self-established database of tea chemical components was constructed based on the literature. The mass spectral cleavage pathways of different types of compounds in large-leaf yellow tea were then sorted using reference substances, and the characteristics of the fragment ions and neutral loss groups were summarized. The precise mass-to-charge ratio of the target chemical components were then obtained based on the mass spectral information. Finally, the structures of the compounds in large-leaf yellow tea were confirmed based on their chromatographic retention times, mass spectral cleavage pathways, characteristic fragment ions, and neutral loss groups. A total of 87 chemical components, including 10 catechins, 32 flavonoids, 16 phenolic acids, 12 tannins, 6 theaflavins, and 11 compounds in other classes, were identified in large-leaf yellow tea. Representative compounds of various classes, including gallocatechin gallate, quercetin, vitexin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucose, and theaflavin, were selected, and their characteristic fragment ions and neutral loss groups were investigated in detail to reveal the cleavage pathways of different types of compounds in large-leaf yellow tea. The UPLC-Q TOF/MS method established in this study can comprehensively identify the main chemical components of large-leaf yellow tea in a simple, highly sensitive, stable, and reliable manner. This study provides a scientific basis and data support for the discovery of functional ingredients and quality evaluation of large-leaf yellow tea.

Pollutant Emissions and Oxidative Potentials of Particles from the Indoor Burning of Biomass Pellets.

Residential solid fuel combustion significantly impacts air quality and human health. Pelletized biomass fuels are promoted as a cleaner alternative, particularly for those who cannot afford the high costs of gas/electricity, but their emission characteristics and potential effects remain poorly understood. The present laboratory-based study evaluated pollution emissions from pelletized biomass burning, including CH4 (methane), NMHC (nonmethane hydrocarbon compounds), CO, SO2, NOx, PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm), OC (organic carbon), EC (element carbon), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), EPFRs (environmentally persistent free radicals), and OP (oxidative potential) of PM2.5, and compared with those from raw biomass burning. For most targets, except for SO2 and NOx, the mass-based emission factors for pelletized biomass were 62-96% lower than those for raw biomass. SO2 and NOx levels were negatively correlated with other air pollutants (p < 0.05). Based on real-world daily consumption data, this study estimated that households using pelletized biomass could achieve significant reductions (51-95%) in emissions of CH4, NMHC, CO, PM2.5, OC, EC, PAHs, and EPFRs compared to those using raw biomass, while the differences in emissions of NOx and SO2 were statistically insignificant. The reduction rate of benzo(a)pyrene-equivalent emissions was only 16%, much lower than the reduction in the total PAH mass (78%). This is primarily attributed to the more PAHs with high toxic potentials, such as dibenz(a,h)anthracene, in the pelletized biomass emissions. Consequently, impacts on human health associated with PAHs might be overestimated if only the mass of total PAHs was counted. The OP of particles from the pellet burning was also significantly lower than that from raw biomass by 96%. The results suggested that pelletized biomass could be a transitional substitution option that can significantly improve air quality and mitigate human exposure.

Integrating serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology and untargeted metabolomics strategies to reveal the material basis and mechanism of action of Feining keli in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Feining keli (FNKL) is herbal preparation mainly made from Senecio cannabifolius Less., In recent years, more and more studies have found that FNKL has excellent therapeutic effects on chronic bronchitis (CB). Nevertheless, its pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action are still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to explore the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action of FNKL in treating CB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CB rat model was induced using nasal drops of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in combination with smoking. Various assessments including behavioral and body mass examination, lung index measurement, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as histological analyses using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining were conducted to validate the reliability of the CB model. The serum components of FNKL in CB rats were identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography Orbitrap Exploris mass spectrometer (UHPLC-OE-MS). Network pharmacology was used to predict the network of action of the active ingredients in FNKL based on these serum components. Signaling pathways were enriched and analyzed, and molecular docking was conducted for key targets. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using GROMACS software. The mechanism was confirmed through a series of experiments including Western blot (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Additionally, untargeted metabolomics was employed to identify biomarkers and relevant metabolic pathways associated with the treatment of CB with FNKL. RESULTS: In CB rats, FNKL improved body mass, lung index, and pathological damage of lung tissues. It also decreased interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malonaldehyde (MDA) levels, and percentage of lung collagen fiber area. Furthermore, FNKL increased IL-10 and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, which helped alleviate bronchial inflammation in the lungs. A total of 70 FNKL chemical components were identified in CB rat serum. Through network pharmacology analysis, 5 targets, such as PI3K, AKT, NF-κB, HIF-1α, and MYD88, were identified as key targets of FNKL in the treatment of CB. Additionally, the key signaling pathways identified were PI3K/AKT pathway、NF-κB/MyD88 pathway、HIF-1α pathway. WB, IF, and RT-PCR experiments were conducted to confirm the findings. Molecular docking studies demonstrated successful docking of 16 potential active components with 5 key targets. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations indicated the stability of quercetin-3-galactoside and HIF-1α. Metabolomics analysis revealed that FNKL primarily regulated pathways related to alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, bile secretion, arachidonic acid metabolism, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and folate biosynthesis. Furthermore, the expression levels of traumatic acid, traumatin, alpha linolenic acid, cholic acid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, deoxycholic acid, 7,8-dihydroneopterin, and other metabolites were found to be regulated. CONCLUSION: FNKL exhibits positive therapeutic effects on CB, with quercetin-3-galactoside identified as a key active component. The mechanism of FNKL's therapeutic action on CB involves reducing inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and regulating metabolism, and its molecular mechanism was better elucidated in a holistic manner. This study serves as a reference for understanding the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action of FNKL in treating CB, and provides avenues for exploring the effects of compounded herbal medicines on CB.

Phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and detoxification of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.: a comprehensive review.

Background: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PM), a kind of perennial plant, belongs to the genus Polygonum of the family polygonaceae.The dry root of PM (also called Heshouwu), is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has a series of functions and is widely used in clinic for hair lossing, aging, and insomnia. While, PM also has some toxicity, its clinical drug safety has been concerned. In this paper, the chemical components, toxic mechanisms and detoxification strategies of PM were reviewed in order to provide evidence for its clinical application. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review of published literature of PM, including English and Chinese databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang. Results: PM contains a variety of chemical compounds, including stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids, phospholipids, and has many pharmacological activities such as anti-aging, wound healing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The PE has certain therapeutic effect, and it has certain toxicity like hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and embryotoxicity at the same time, but.these toxic effects could be effectively reduced by processing and compatibility. Conclusion: It is necessary to further explore the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms of the main active compounds of PE.This article provides scientific basis for the safe clinical application of PM.

Effects of artificial management on culm properties of Dendrocalamus brandisii.

The artificial cultivation and management were extensively carried out in Dendrocalamus brandisii stands. However, the influences of artificial management on the anatomical and chemical characteristics of the bamboo culms were unknown. In this study, the fiber morphology, chemical composition and sugar accumulation of the D. brandisii culms with management and without management were compared in order to determine the influences of artificial management on bamboo culms. The results indicated that artificial management had a significant influence on the fiber morphology, resulting in shorter fiber length, larger L/T ratio, and smaller W/Lu value. However, the management not only increased the contents of moisture, ash, SiO2, and extractive, but also increased the holocellulose contents and decreased the lignin contents, as compared to those without management. Moreover, the management significantly increased the endogenous carbohydrates storage in the culms so as to improve the shoot production. The bamboos under management conditions could still be utilized as a raw material for papermaking. This provided a theoretical basis for the artificial management of D. brandisii stands.

[Identification of chemical components in Qinggu San reference sample of classial prescription based on UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap HRMS combined with molecular network technology].

The method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap HRMS)combined with molecular network was developed in this study for rapidly analyzing the chemical components of the Qinggu San reference sample of classical prescription. Firstly, an ACQUITY UPLC BEH Shield RP_(18) column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm)was used, and acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid were taken as the mobile phases for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL·min~(-1), and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Under these conditions, the mass spectrum data were collected in both positive and negative ion modes of the heated electrospray ionization source. Subsequently, the mass spectrum data of the Qinggu San reference sample were uploaded to the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Network(GNPS)platform for calculation and analysis, and a visual molecular network was built with Cytoscape 3.8.2 software. On this basis, the chemical components of the Qinggu San reference sample were identified by fragmentation regularity of standard compounds, retention time, accurate relative molecular weight of HR-MS, characteristic fragment ions information, literature, and databases. Finally, a total of 105 chemical components were identified and speculated in the Qinggu San reference sample, including 19 iridoid glycosides, 23 flavonoids, 15 phenylpropanoids, 11 triterpene saponins, and 37 other components. Meanwhile, two of these components are potential new compounds. The method used in this study not only achieved rapid and accurate identification of chemical components in the Qinggu San reference sample and provided a scie-ntific basis for the study of pharmacological substances and quality control of Qinggu San compound preparations but also provided a refe-rence for the rapid identification of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations.

Chemical components with biological activities in the roots of Ilex pubescens.

Two new triterpenoids, ilexsaponin U (1) and ilexsaponin V (2), and three new phenylpropanoids, pubescenoside S (3), pubescenoside T (38), and pubescenoside U (39), along with thirty-four existing compounds were isolated from the roots of Ilex pubescens. The elucidation of their structures involved comprehensive spectroscopic techniques, including IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR experiments. The anti-inflammatory effects of almost all the compounds were evaluated in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Among these, compounds 1, 4, 8, 11, 12, 26, 27, 29 and 33 exhibited varying degrees of inhibition of inflammatory factors. Notably, compounds 1, 4 and 8 significantly inhibited the mRNA levels of iNOS, IL-6, IL-1ß and TNFα, comparable to or exceeding the effect of the positive control (dexamethasone, DEX). We also evaluated the cardioprotective effects of these compounds in OGD/R-induced H9c2 cells. The results revealed that compounds 2, 3, 7, 8, 26, 35, 36 and 37 at 20 µM significantly increased cell viability by 24.9 ± 3.4%, 28.0 ± 0.3%, 37.6 ± 0.2%, 44.86 ± 0.5%, 9.47 ± 2.1%, 23.9 ± 0.4%, 39.5 ± 3.1% and 28.2 ± 0.1%, respectively. Some of them exhibited effects equal to or greater than that of the positive control (diazoxide, DZ) at 100 µM, showing a 21.9 ± 3.0% increase.

The genus Litsea: A comprehensive review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and other studies.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus L. has high medicinal value and has traditional been used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, as well as diabetes, edema, colds, arthritis, asthma, and traumatic injuries. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This work addresses the missing information by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the traditional uses, chemical components, and pharmacological applications of the more reported species of the genus L. The origin of the genus, its toxicology, and the use of classical therapies in modern medicine were also discussed. It provides references for historical evidence, resource development, and medical research on the genus. METHOD: ology: Data about the genus L. were gathered via Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Connected Papers, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), electronic ancient books and local chronicles. The WFO Plant List (wfoplantlist.org) and Flora of China (www.iplant.cn) confirmed L.'s Latin name, and the species information. The program ChemBioDraw Ultra 14.0 was used to create the molecular structures of the compounds that were displayed in the text. RESULT: Currently, at least 740 constituents have been isolated and identified from L. These include 9 groups of chemicals, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. They have been shown to have over 20 biological properties in vivo and in vitro, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects. CONCLUSION: Based on pharmacological investigations, chemical components, and traditional folk applications, L. is considered a medicinal plant having a variety of pharmacological actions. However, although the pharmacological activity of the L. genus has been preliminary demonstrated, most have only been assessed using simple in vitro cell lines or animal disease models. In order to fully elucidate the pharmacological activity and mechanisms of L., future studies should be conducted in a more comprehensive clinical manner.

Chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and parasitic mechanisms of Cistanche deserticola: An update.

BACKGROUND: C. deserticola, a highly esteemed medicinal herb in China, commonly referred to as "desert ginseng", has been renowned for its unique pharmacological properties in clinical use for countless centuries. Despite its long-standing reputation, our current comprehension of its active components and pharmacological effects remains shallow and incomplete. Moreover, the unclear mechanism underlying its pharmacological actions hinders the advancement and utilization of novel drug formulations derived from C. deserticola. Furthermore, as a unique parasitic plant, the current research on its parasitic mechanisms is limited, hampering efforts to enhance both its medicinal composition and overall yields. PURPOSE: The objective of this review is to meticulously assess, condense, and evaluate the salient aspects pertaining to the chemical composition, pharmacological impacts, and parasitic mechanisms of C. deserticola. Furthermore, the aim is to furnish valuable references that can inform and guide future research endeavors and developmental activities related to C. deserticola. METHODS: This review adheres to the rigorous standards outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A thorough examination and analysis of pertinent research findings, published up to February 6, 2024, has been conducted. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Science Direct were exhaustively searched using targeted keywords and operators to delve into the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and parasitic mechanisms exhibited by C. deserticola. RESULTS: The review comprehensively summarizes the advancements in research regarding the chemical composition, pharmacological impacts, and toxicological safety of C. deserticola. It delves into the parasitic mechanisms of C. deserticola from three distinct angles: seed germination, haustorium induction, and recognition of signal substances. Furthermore, the review pinpoints pertinent issues and offers insightful recommendations for future exploration and research pertaining to C. deserticola. CONCLUSION: In recent years, C. deserticola has garnered considerable attention due to its distinctive pharmacological properties. This comprehensive review aims to establish a scientific foundation for the development of potential novel drugs and the enhancement of both the quantity and quality of C. deserticola. It accomplishes this by meticulously analyzing and evaluating the latest research findings pertaining to its chemical composition, pharmacological impacts, and parasitic mechanisms.

Ambient particle composition and toxicity in 31 major cities in China.

Current assessment of air quality or control effectiveness is solely based on particulate matter (PM) mass levels, without considering their toxicity differences in terms of health benefits. Here, we collected a total of 465 automobile air conditioning filters from 31 major Chinese cities to study the composition and toxicity of PM at a national scale. Dithiothreitol assay showed that normalized PM toxicity (NIOG) in different Chinese cities varied greatly from the highest 4.99 × 10-3 for Changsha to the lowest 7.72 × 10-4 for Yinchuan. NIOG values were observed to have significant correlations with annual PM10 concentration (r = -0.416, p = 0.020) and some PM components (total fungi, SO4 2- and calcium element). The concentrations of different elements and water-soluble ions in PM also varied by several orders of magnitude for 31 cities in China. Endotoxin concentrations in PM analyzed using limulus amebocyte lysate assay ranged from 2.88 EU/mg PM (Hangzhou) to 62.82 EU/mg PM (Shijiazhuang) among 31 Chinese cities. Besides, real-time qPCR revealed 10∼100-fold differences in total bacterial and fungal levels among 31 Chinese cities. The concentrations of chemical (water soluble ions and trace elements) and biological (fungi, bacteria and endotoxin) components in PM were found to be significantly correlated with some meteorological factors and gaseous pollutants such as SO2. Our results have demonstrated that PM toxicity from 31 major cities varied greatly up to 6.5 times difference; and components such as fungi and SO4 2- in PM could play important roles in the observed PM toxicity. The city-specific air pollution control strategy that integrates toxicity factors should be enacted in order to maximize health and economic co-benefits. This work also provides a comprehensive view on the overall PM pollution situation in China.

Exploring the gut microbiota mediated biotransformation of Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham.: Insights from metabolite spectrum with UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and bioinformatics analysis of gut microbiota metabolites.

Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham., a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used clinically, exhibits various pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral, and antibacterial activities. However, its water extracts' chemical components and metabolites are inadequately understood, limiting further research. In this study, the chemical components and metabolism processes of Senecio scandens, both in vivo (plasma, feces, urine, and bile) and in vitro (gut microbiota and liver microsomes), were characterized based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. Additionally, metabolites detectable in fecal samples and intestinal microbiota incubated but absent in liver microsomes were identified as characteristic metabolites of intestinal microbiota. The targets of the characteristic metabolites of intestinal microbiota were collected, followed by exploration of potential pathways through KEGG enrichment analysis. As a result, a total of 133 chemical components were preliminarily identified, including 35 organic acids, 21 alkaloids, 19 flavonoids and their glycosides, 17 phenylpropanoids, 10 jacaranda ketones, and 31 other compounds. Notably, 12 of these were potentially novel compounds. In addition, 39 prototype components in rats and 109 metabolites were identified and characterized, including 102 in vivo and 52 metabolites in vitro (51 in rat gut microbiota and 24 in rat liver microsomes). The main metabolic pathways include oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, methylation, glucuronidation, sulfonation, and acetylation reactions. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the characteristic metabolites of intestinal microbiota may be related to the ErbB, FoxO, mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. In summary, the chemical components and metabolites of Senecio scandens were comprehensively identified using a rapid and accurate method, providing a scientific basis for the in-depth study of the material basis and its clinical application of Senecio scandens.

Exploring differences in the physicochemical and nutritional properties of mango flours and starches.

Mangoes contain several components that are beneficial for health, in addition to being potential sources of starch for the food industry. However, a substantial amount of fruit is lost in the field because it does not meet commercial standards, resulting in food losses and environmental damage. Herein, the physicochemical properties of mango flours and starches obtained from different parts of the fruit of two cultivars were evaluated. Mango peel flours have higher levels of proteins, fibers, minerals, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity than pulp flours, in addition to a higher yellowing index and water and oil-holding capacity, and can be used as a functional flour. The pulp flours, with the higher starch content, showed characteristics that make them valuable as a potential ingredient in soft baking and gluten-free products. Mango starches have circular and oval shapes, with a bimodal distribution. All starches showed an A-type crystallinity pattern. Pulp starches showed a higher peak viscosity and breakdown, with a lower setback, and can be used as a thickening or gelling agent. The higher thermal stability of kernel starch suggests its application in sauces, baking, dairy products, and canned foods.

Prediction of developmental toxic effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) water-soluble components via machine learning through observation of PM2.5 from diverse urban areas.

The global health implications of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) underscore the imperative need for research into its toxicity and chemical composition. In this study, zebrafish embryos exposed to the water-soluble components of PM2.5 from two cities (Harbin and Hangzhou) with differences in air quality, underwent microscopic examination to identify primary target organs. The Harbin PM2.5 induced dose-dependent organ malformation in zebrafish, indicating a higher level of toxicity than that of the Hangzhou sample. Harbin PM2.5 led to severe deformities such as pericardial edema and a high mortality rate, while the Hangzhou sample exhibited hepatotoxicity, causing delayed yolk sac absorption. The experimental determination of PM2.5 constituents was followed by the application of four algorithms for predictive toxicological assessment. The random forest algorithm correctly predicted each of the effect classes and showed the best performance, suggesting that zebrafish malformation rates were strongly correlated with water-soluble components of PM2.5. Feature selection identified the water-soluble ions F- and Cl- and metallic elements Al, K, Mn, and Be as potential key components affecting zebrafish development. This study provides new insights into the developmental toxicity of PM2.5 and offers a new approach for predicting and exploring the health effects of PM2.5.

Chemical composition and bioactivity variability of two-step extracts derived from traditional and "QiNan" agarwood (Aquilaria spp.).

One of the primary applications for agarwood lies in the extracts, instead, there are obvious differences in the demands for agarwood components with different application fields. To obtain the rough separation and clarify each part's activity, four extracts of essential oil, hydrolat, extractum, and ethanol precipitation from traditional agarwood (TraA) and "Qinan" agarwood (QinA) were obtained by steam-solvent multistage extraction and ethanol precipitation. We investigated the chemistry and biological activity of multistage extracts using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and in vitro activity testing. The results demonstrated that two kinds of agarwood essential oils contained mainly sesquiterpenoids, yet the sesquiterpene species were remarkably diverse in two kinds of agarwood essential oils. Then, the TraA and QinA hydrolat, all predominantly aromatic and sesquiterpene, but with differences from the essential oil ingredients. Additionally, the extractum chiefly contained chromones and the ethanol precipitation method worked well to separate the impurities in the TraA extract, however, it was ineffective for the QinA extract. Ultimately, essential oils and extractums all have antioxidant properties, with extractums outperforming essential oils. Moreover, both extractums and essential oils exhibited excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory activity. The findings pointed to the feasibility of separating the primary components from TraA and QinA using a multi-stage extraction technique, providing a scientific basis for the efficient utilization of all components of agarwood, as well as the functional product development and differentiated utilization of extract products in incense, fragrance, perfume, and daily chemicals.

Cordyceps: Alleviating ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular injury - A comprehensive review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cordyceps has a long medicinal history as a nourishing herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), including cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) and myocardial ischemic/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), are major contributors to mortality and disability in humans. Numerous studies have indicated that Cordyceps or its artificial substitutes have significant bioactivity on ischemic CCVDs, however, there is a lack of relevant reviews. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review was conducted to investigate the chemical elements, pharmacological effects, clinical application and drug safety of Cordycepson ischemic CCVDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted on the Web of Science, PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases using the keywords "Cordyceps", "Cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury", and "Myocardial ischemic/reperfusion injury" or their synonyms. The retrieved literature was then categorized and summarized. RESULTS: The study findings indicated that Cordyceps and its bioactive components, including adenosine, cordycepin, mannitol, polysaccharide, and protein, have the potential to protect against CI/RI and MI/RI by improving blood perfusion, mitigating damage from reactive oxygen species, suppressing inflammation, preventing cellular apoptosis, and promoting tissue regeneration. Individually, Cordyceps could reduce neuronal excitatory toxicity and blood-brain barrier damage caused by cerebral ischemia. It can also significantly improve cardiac energy metabolism disorders and inhibit calcium overload caused by myocardial ischemia. Additionally, Cordyceps exerts a significant preventive or curative influence on the factors responsible for heart/brain ischemia, including hypertension, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates Cordyceps' prospective efficacy and safety in the prevention or treatment of CI/RI and MI/RI, providing novel insights for managing ischemic CCVDs.