Effects and mechanism of action of Chrysanthemum morifolium (Jinsi Huangju) on hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Extraction methods, structural features and bioactivity diversity of polysaccharides from the genus Chrysanthemum: A review

The genus Chrysanthemum has been widely used as both folk medicine and food in East Asia for thousands of years, serving as a significant source of nutritional and pharmacological value. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, it clears heat and toxic materials and regulates liver function. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that polysaccharides from the genus Chrysanthemum, especially Chrysanthemum morifolium, Chrysanthemum indicum, and Coreopsis tinctoria, are vital representative macromolecules with diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antitumor, and antiviral properties as well as the ability to regulate the gut microbiota. It is well-known that different extraction and purification methods may cause differences in the primary structures of chrysanthemum polysaccharides (CPs), which in turn lead to different polysaccharide biological activities. However, the lack of a review summarizing the recent advances in CPs may have hindered their development and utilization. The present review aims to review information on the extraction and purification, structural characterization, biological functions, toxicity, and applications of CPs. In addition, this review may deepen our understanding of CPs, and offers a theoretical basis for the further development of CPs into functional foods and therapeutic agents.

Chrysanthemum extract mitigates high-fat diet-induced inflammation, intestinal barrier damage and gut microbiota disorder

An effective intervention for obesity without side effects is needed. Chrysanthemum may be the preferred choice due to its influence in the improvement of glycolipid metabolism. This study assessed the efficacy of chrysanthemum and its flavonoids in mitigating high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity, focusing on the integrity of the intestinal barrier, inflammation, and gut microbiota. Fifty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 5 groups randomly: normal control (NC), HFD, HFD with chrysanthemum aqueous extract (CM), HFD with a low-dose flavonoid extract of chrysanthemum (FLL), and HFD with a high-dose flavonoid extract of chrysanthemum (FLH). The results showed that after 9 weeks of intervention with CM, FLL and FLH, the body weight and blood lipid levels of mice were reduced. The chrysanthemum treatment regimens down-regulated the gene expression and protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6 and NF-κB, upregulated the gene expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin, and decreased the levels of LPS and diamine oxidase (DAO) in the serum. With CM, FLL and FLH, the levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were decreased, and the abundance of pernicious bacteria Lachnoclostridium, Streptococcus and Enterococcus was decreased. Notably, the purified chrysanthemum flavonoid extract showed greater effects as compared to the CM. The study demonstrated that chrysanthemum extracts could achieve anti-obesity effects by strengthening the intestinal barrier function, relieving inflammation and modulating the gut microbial composition.

Color-induced changes in Chrysanthemum morifolium: an integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of petals and non-petals

Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM), renowned for its diverse and vibrant varieties, holds significant ornamental and medicinal value. Despite this, the core regulatory mechanisms underlying its coloration, especially in non-petal tissues (i.e., the parts of CM that do not include petals, such as the reproductive tissues, receptacle and calyx), have been insufficiently studied. In this study, we performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on yellow, gold, and white CM petals, as well as non-petal tissues, to investigate the molecular processes driving color variation. A total of 90 differential metabolites were identified, with flavonoids, their derivatives, and lipids emerging as the predominant components of the metabolic profile. At the transcriptional level, 38 pathways were significantly enriched based on the expression of differential genes. The combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism, primarily involving lipids, served as a key regulatory pathway for both petal and non-petal parts across different tissue colors. Notably, white CM exhibited marked differences from their gold and yellow counterparts at both the metabolic and transcriptional levels. These findings offer critical insights into the molecular mechanisms governing CM coloration and provide a foundation for optimizing future breeding efforts.

Chrysanthemum morifolium attenuates metabolic and alcohol-associated liver disease via gut microbiota and PPARα/γ activation

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD) shows a high prevalence rate in liver patients, but there is currently no effective treatment for MetALD. As a typical edible traditional Chinese medicinal herb, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties of water extract of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (WECM) has been demonstrated. However, its therapeutic effect on MetALD and the associated mechanisms remain unclear.

PURPOSE

To investigate the underlying mechanisms of WECM against MetALD.

METHODS

We constructed a MetALD rat model following a high-fat & high-sucrose plus alcohol diet (HFHSAD). MetALD rats were treated with WECM at 2.1, 4.2, and 8.4 g/kg/d for six weeks. Efficacy was determined, and pathways associated with WECM against MetALD were predicted through serum and hepatic biochemical marker measurement, histopathological section analysis, 16S rDNA sequencing of the gut microbiota and untargeted serum metabolomics analyses. Changes in genes and proteins in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and gamma (PPARγ) signaling pathways were detected by RT‒PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

WECM treatment significantly attenuated hepatic steatosis, hyperlipidemia and markers of liver injury in MetALD rats. Moreover, WECM improved vascular endothelial function, hypertension, and systematic oxidative stress. Mechanistically, WECM treatment altered the overall structure of the gut microbiota through maintaining Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio and reducing harmful bacterial abundances such as Clostridium, Faecalibaculum, and Herminiimonas. Notably, WECM promoted 15-deoxy-△12, 14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) release and further activated the PPARγ to reduce serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels. Additionally, WECM upregulated PPARα and downregulated the levels of CD36 and FABP4 to improve lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide the first evidence that WECM treatment significantly improved hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in MetALD rats by regulating the gut microbiota and activating the 15d-PGJ2/PPARγ and PPARα signaling pathway.