Antihyperglycemic activity of Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharose in diabetic mice induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin

Extraction and characterization of hepatoprotective polysaccharides from Anoectochilus roxburghii against CCl4-induced liver injury via regulating lipid metabolism and the gut microbiota

Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharides exhibit notable hepatoprotective effects, but the underlying substance basis and mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, four new polysaccharides named ARP-1a, ARP-1b, ARP-2a and ARP-2b, were isolated from A. roxburghii. Their structural characteristics were systematically analyzed using HPGPC, HPLC, GC-MS, IR and NMR analysis. ARP-1a, the leading polysaccharide isolated from A. roxburghii, was further evaluated for its hepatoprotective effects on acute liver injury mice induced by CCl4. ARP-1a significantly reduced the serum ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, liver MDA content, and increased the SOD and CAT activities and GSH level in liver. H&E staining revealed that ARP-1a pretreatment could markedly relieve liver injury. Further mechanism exploration indicated that ARP-1a could relieve CCl4-induced oxidative damage through activating the Nrf2 signaling. In addition, metabolomics, lipidomics and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ARP-1a. Multi-omics analysis indicated that ARP-1a exerted hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced acute liver injury by regulating lipid metabolism and modulating the gut microbiota. In conclusion, the above results suggest that ARP-1a can be considered a promising and safe candidate for hepatoprotective drug, as well as a potential prebiotic for maintaining intestinal homeostasis and promoting human intestinal health.

Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide reduces D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury by regulating the activation of multiple inflammasomes

BACKGROUND

Acute liver injury (ALI) is a serious syndrome with a high mortality rate due to viral infection, toxic exposure, and autoimmunity, and its severity can range from mildly elevated liver enzymes to severe liver failure. Activation of the nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is closely associated with the development of ALI, and the search for an inhibitor targeting this pathway may be a novel therapeutic option. Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide (ARP) is a biologically active ingredient extracted from Anoectochilus roxburghii with immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities and pharmacological effects. In this study, we focused on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury by ARP through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome.

METHODS

An inflammasome activation model was established in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) to investigate the effects of ARP on caspase-1 cleavage, IL-1β secretion, and ASC oligomerization in inflammasomes under different agonists. We used the D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury model in mice, intraperitoneally injected ARP or MCC950, and collected liver tissues, serum, and intraperitoneal lavage fluid for pathological and biochemical indexes.

RESULTS

ARP effectively inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and had an inhibitory effect on non-classical NLRP3, AIM2, and NLRC4 inflammasomes. It also effectively inhibited the oligomerization of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) from a variety of inflammatory vesicles. Meanwhile, ARP has good therapeutic effects on acute liver injury induced by D-GaIN/LPS.

CONCLUSION

The inhibitory effect of ARP on a wide range of inflammasomes, as well as its excellent protection against acute liver injury, suggests that ARP may be a candidate for acute liver injury.

Synthesis of Pseudostellaria heterophylla polysaccharide-gold nanocomposites and their antitumor effect through immunomodulation

Polysaccharides from natural sources have an excellent immune function and low toxicity; however, their limitations such as short half-life and instability limit their sustained pharmacological activity. In this context, the combination of polysaccharides and nanotechnology have been developed to promote the stability and prolong the immune activities of polysaccharides. To synthesize and explore the antitumor effect and immunomodulatory activity of PHP-AuNPs. Polysaccharides extracted from Pseudostellaria heterophylla were used to synthesize gold nanocomposites (PHP-AuNPs), and their physicochemical properties and immunoregulatory effect in vitro and in vivo were analyzed. The PHP-AuNPs were green synthesized with high biosafety. PHP-AuNPs can activate macrophages in vitro and decrease the tumor weight and volume, whereas they increase the immune organ index in vivo. Besides, PHP-AuNPs showed a beneficial effect for maintaining the immune balance of CD4+/CD8+ T cells and modulating the release of cytokines such as TNF-α increase and IL-10 decrease in mice. All these results suggested that PHP-AuNPs exhibit a remarkable antitumor effect and stronger immunomodulatory activity than that of free PHP-1. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The P. heterophylla polysaccharide-gold nanocomposites (PHP-AuNPs) were synthesized and physicochemical properties were characterized. The cytotoxicity in vitro and immunomodulatory effects of PHP-AuNPs on macrophages were analyzed. The immune-antitumor effects in vivo of PHP-AuNPs have also been confirmed.

Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal the regulatory mechanisms of Anoectochilus roxburghii in response to high-temperature stress

BACKGROUND

High temperatures significantly affect the growth, development, and yield of plants. Anoectochilus roxburghii prefers a cool and humid environment, intolerant of high temperatures. It is necessary to enhance the heat tolerance of A. roxburghii and breed heat-tolerant varieties. Therefore, we studied the physiological indexes and transcriptome of A. roxburghii under different times of high-temperature stress treatments.

RESULTS

Under high-temperature stress, proline (Pro), H2O2 content increased, then decreased, then increased again, catalase (CAT) activity increased continuously, peroxidase (POD) activity decreased rapidly, then increased, then decreased again, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and soluble sugars (SS) content all decreased, then increased, and chlorophyll and soluble proteins (SP) content increased, then decreased. Transcriptomic investigation indicated that a total of 2740 DEGs were identified and numerous DEGs were notably enriched for "Plant-pathogen interaction" and "Plant hormone signal transduction". We identified a total of 32 genes in these two pathways that may be the key genes for resistance to high-temperature stress in A. roxburghii.

CONCLUSIONS

To sum up, the results of this study provide a reference for the molecular regulation of A. roxburghii's tolerance to high temperatures, which is useful for further cultivation of high-temperature-tolerant A. roxburghii varieties.

Serum metabolome profiling, network pharmacology analysis, and experimental validation of Anoectochilus roxburghii in the treatment of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. (AR) has been traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases, but the specific mechanism underlying its hepatoprotective effect remains unclear. Here, serum metabolomics and network pharmacology were employed to investigate the hepatoprotective mechanism of AR. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: normal, model, positive, high-dose AR, middle-dose AR, and low-dose AR. The positive group received therapeutic doses of silibinin, whereas the AR-treated groups received different doses of AR extract once daily. After 10 days of intragastric administration, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with a 50% CCl4 olive oil solution (2 mL/kg) to induce liver injury. Serum and liver samples were obtained, and GC-MS was utilized to monitor changes in serum metabolome. The levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and hydrooxproline in serum significantly increased in the model group. On the contrary, AR-treated group showed a significant decrease in the levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and hydrooxproline. Histopathological observation also revealed that the extent of liver injury was alleviated in the AR-treated group. Fifty differential metabolites were identified, suggesting that AR may prevent liver damage by modulating carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism.

Molecular and Functional Analysis of Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase Genes Enhancing Salt Tolerance in Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl

Trehalose is a reducing disaccharide, acting as a protectant against various environmental stresses in numerous organisms. In plants, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) plays a crucial role in trehalose biosynthesis. Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. is a prominent species of the Anoectochilus genus, widely utilized as a health food. However, the functional analysis of TPS in this species has been limited. In this study, TPS genes were cloned from A. roxburghii. The ArTPS gene, with an open reading frame spanning 2850 bp, encodes 950 amino acids. Comparative and bioinformatics analysis revealed that the homology was presented between the ArTPS protein and TPSs from other plant species. The ORF sequence was utilized to construct a prokaryotic expression vector, Pet28a-ArTPS, which was then transformed into Escherichia coli. The resulting transformants displayed a significant increase in salt tolerance under the stress conditions of 300 mmol/L NaCl. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the expression of ArTPS genes responded to NaCl stress. The accumulation of G6P was upregulated, whereas the content of T6P exhibited an opposite expression trend. The glycometabolism products, including trehalose, exhibited notable changes under NaCl stress, although their variations may differ in response to stimulation. The content of kinsenoside, a characteristic product of A. roxburghii, was significantly upregulated under NaCl stress. These results suggest that the ArTPS genes function in response to NaCl stimulation and play a key role in polysaccharide and glycoside metabolism in Anoectochilus. This study provides new insights into the engineering modification of the health food A. roxburghii to enhance the medicinal activity of its ingredients.

Isolation, structural and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl.: A review

Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. (A. roxburghii), a valuable herbal medicine in China, has great medicinal and edible value. Polysaccharides, as one of the main active components of A. roxburghii, comprise glucose, arabinose, xylose, galactose, rhamnose, and mannose in different molar ratios and glycosidic bond types. By varying the sources and extraction methods of A. roxburghii polysaccharides (ARPS), different structural characteristics and pharmacological activities can be elucidated. ARPS has been reported to exhibit antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and immune regulation activities. This review summarizes the available literature on the extraction and purification methods, structural features, biological activities, and applications of ARPS. The shortcomings of the current research and potential focus in future studies are also highlighted. This review provides systematic and current information on ARPS to promote their further exploitation and application.

Characterization of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase genes facilitating flavonoid biosynthesis from two species of medicinal plant Anoectochilus

Background

Anoectochilus roxburghii and Anoectochilus formosanus, belong to the Anoectochilus genus, have been used for Chinese herbal drugs as well as health food. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), the key enzyme in primary metabolism and phenylpropanoid metabolism, produces secondary metabolites (flavonoids) in plants, which are beneficial for the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid metabolites.

Methods

The PAL genes were cloned from A. formosanus and A. roxburghii according to our previous transcriptomic analysis. The PALs were introduced into pCAMBIA2300-35S-PAL-eGFP to generate 35S-PAL-eGFP. The constructs were further used for subcellular localization and transgenic Arabidopsis. The expression of AfPAL and ArPAL under precursor substance (L-Phe), NaCl, UV, and red-light were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

Results

AfPAL and ArPAL , encoding 2,148 base pairs, were cloned from A. formosanus and A. roxburghii. The subcellular localization showed that the ArPAL and AfPAL were both localized in the nucleus with GPF. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the ArPAL and AfPAL genes function in the phenylalanine pathway as well as response to induced conditions. Overexpression of the AfPAL and ArPAL could increase flavonoids and anthocyanin content in the transgenic Arabidopsis.

Discussion

The results suggest that AfPAL and ArPAL play a crucial role in the flavonoid biosynthesis in Anoectochilus. Also, our study provides new insights into the enrichment of secondary metabolites of traditional Chinese medicines A. formosanus and A. roxburghii, which can improve their medicinal active ingredients and be used for drug discovery in plants.

Study on the physicochemical properties and immunomodulatory anti-tumor effect of the Pholiota adiposa polysaccharide

In this study, the extraction, purification, physical and chemical properties, and biological activity of the Pholiota adiposa (PAP) polysaccharide were investigated. One fraction (PAP-1a) of Pholiota adiposa polysaccharides was isolated using DEAE Sepharose™ Fast Flow and Sephacryl™ S-300 High-Resolution columns. The HPLGPC results revealed that the molecular weight of PAP-1a was 16.453 kDa. PAP-1a was composed of mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, and fucose and their molar % was 33.41, 0.53, 1.33, 0.07, 0.27, 5.28, 38.31, 0.83, 18.04 and 2.23, respectively. PAP-1a could activate macrophages to secrete NO and cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-12p70. When hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs) and macrophages were co-cultured, it was observed that PAP-1a inhibited the growth of Hep-G2, Hep-3B, and Huh7 via immunoregulation. It triggered cell apoptosis by blocking the cell cycle in the G0/G1 stage. Furthermore, PAP-1a had no direct cytotoxicity against the hepatocyte cell line L02 and macrophages RAW264.7.

Therapeutic effect and mechanism of polysaccharides from Anoectochilus Roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. in diet-induced obesity

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that polysaccharides from Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. (ARPs) can reduce blood glucose levels, ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation. However, whether ARPs have a beneficial effect on diet-induced obesity remain to be determined.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of ARPs in improving obesity and metabolic disorders induced by high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS

In this study, 6-week-old male mice were fed with HFD or chow diet for 13 weeks, and a dietary supplementation with ARPs was carried out. Glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were performed to measure the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Adipose tissue and liver were isolated for analysis by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunostaining.

RESULTS

At week 13, body weight and fat mass were significantly increased by HFD, but ARPs supplementation abolished these phenotypes. Compared with HFD group, thermogenic genes including Ucp-1, Pgc-1α, Prdm16 and Dio2 in adipose tissue were up-regulated in ARPs-treated mice. In addition, ARPs decreased liver lipid accumulation by reducing lipid synthesis and increasing oxidation. Meanwhile, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance induced by HFD were improved by ARPs. Mechanistically, ARPs can promote fat thermogenesis via AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Dietary supplementation of ARPs can protect mice against diet-induced obesity, fatty liver and insulin resistance. Our study reveals a potential therapeutic effect for ARPs in regulating energy homeostasis.

Evaluation of Antidiabetic Properties of the Leaves Extract of Ficus vallis-choudae Delile in a Model of Type 2 Diabetes Induced by High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin

This work aimed to determine the phytochemical composition of the aqueous extract of leaves of Ficus vallis-choudae (AEFV) and to evaluate its antidiabetic properties on a model of type 2 diabetes induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ). The phytochemical analysis was carried out according to several methods using the standard of each bioactive compound. Type 2 diabetes was induced by feeding rats for 4 weeks with HFD lard followed by injection of a low dose of STZ (35 mg/kg). After induction, the rats were divided into groups and treated for 28 days with metformin (40 mg/kg) and the AEFV at doses of 110, 220, and 440 mg/kg. The results showed that the AEFV contains saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and total polyphenols. In addition, it dramatically reduced body mass, body mass index (BMI), atherogenic index (AI), coronary heart risk index (CRI), and abdominal fat and increased homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels, and cardioprotective index (CI). The AEFV also lowered blood glucose levels, insulinemia, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, and total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-c), and very-low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (VLDL-c) levels. There was a decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and in urea and serum creatinine levels following the administration of AEFV. The AEFV caused increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver, kidneys, and heart of rats. The AEFV has hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and cardioprotective properties, thus validating its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Combination of Anoectochilus roxburghii Polysaccharide and Exercise Ameliorates Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders in Obese Mice

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders that threatens public health. Nevertheless, its exact mechanism and relative intervention remain largely obscure. Accumulating evidence indicate that tither Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide (ARP) or exercise (EX) exhibited the beneficial effects on metabolic health. However, the synergetic beneficial effects of ARP and EX as a combined intervention on obesity-induced metabolic disorders remain largely obscure. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and intervened with ARP and EX for 12 continuous weeks. The results indicated that the ARP, EX, and ARP combined with EX treatment group regulated lipogenesis by suppressing the fatty acid pathway, dampening the system oxidative stress by stimulating Nrf2-mediated phase II enzyme system, and promoting the mitochondrial function by activating the mitochondrial complexes and PGC-1α in HFD mice. More importantly, the combination of ARP and EX showed an even greater beneficial effects relative to either ARP or EX alone, especially in decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. Taken together, these findings further confirmed that ARP and EX could be effective interventions on obesity-induced metabolic abnormalities, and that the combination of ARP and EX exhibited the beneficial synergetic effects.

Physicochemical properties of polysaccharides from Ligusticum chuanxiong and analysis of their anti-tumor potential through immunoregulation

We investigated the extraction, purification, physicochemical properties and biological activity of Ligusticum chuanxiong polysaccharides (LCXPs). Two polysaccharide fractions (Ligusticum chuanxiong [LCX]P-1a and LCXP-3a) were obtained by DEAE Sepharose™ Fast Flow and Sephacryl™S-300 high resolution column chromatography. The results showed that the molecular weight of LCXP-1a and LCXP-3a was 11.159 kDa and 203.486 kDa, respectively. LCXP-1a is composed of rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, and glucose at a molar percentage of 0.52 : 1.88 : 1.06 : 95.36, But LCXP-3a has another molar percentage of mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, and fucose of 0.64 : 6.69 : 1.03 : 43.74 : 2.20 : 26.90 : 0.82 : 15.94 : 1.80. Both LCXP-1a and LCXP-3a could stimulate macrophages to produce NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12p70. Co-culturing macrophages and hepatocellular carcinoma cells showed that LCXP-1a and LCXP-3a inhibited the growth of HepG2 and Hep3B through immunoregulation. They arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, there was no cytotoxicity to the hepatocyte cell line, LO2. We also noted that the immunomodulatory activity and anti-tumor activity of LCXP-3a were significantly better than those of LCXP-1a. Our data demonstrate that LCXP-3a is potentially a well-tolerated and effective immunomodulatory adjuvant cancer treatment.

Characterization of Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide and its therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetic mice

Anoectochilus roxburghii is a traditional herb in China that can be potentially used to treat diabetes. A novel polysaccharide ARLP-W was isolated from Anoectochilus roxburghii by chromatography on DEAE-52 cellulose. Chemical analysis indicated that ARLP-W (8.1 × 10⁴ Da) was mainly composed of mannose and glucose. The main linkages of glycosidic bonds of ARLP-W were β-1, 4-Manp and α-1, 4-Glcp. The terminal Glcp was connected to Manp-via O-3. RT-qPCR and western blotting analysis showed that ARLP-W caused a significant reduction in the levels of the key gluconeogenesis enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in the liver. The results of the insulin resistance tests indicated that ARLP-W increased glucose absorption. These results indicate that ARLP-W has a good therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes and can assist with further development and application treatment of diabetes.

The ameliorative activity of Chrysobalanus orbicularis in streptozotocin-induced type II diabetes mellitus rat model

Chrysobalanus orbicularis is a medicinal plant present in West Africa in the Itsekiri speaking part of Nigeria. It is used conventionally in diabetes mellitus management. This research investigates the ameliorative activity of the aqueous leaf extract of C. orbicularis in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Freshly prepared streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight [BW]) was administered intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. Three diabetic groups were placed on aqueous leaf extract of C. orbicularis at 11.076, 22.134, and 44.268 mg/kg BW respectively; a group was placed on metformin (44.28 mg/kg BW), and the other two groups were the diabetic control and normal control. The experiment lasted for 28 days, thereafter, fasting blood glucose levels and body weight variations were recorded. Also, glycogen level, antioxidant enzyme, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities, malonaldehyde (MDA) as well as glucose transporters 2 and 4 levels were analyzed using standard procedures. Diabetic rats administered aqueous extract of C. orbicularis leaf significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the fasting blood glucose and MDA levels, and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. In addition, administration of aqueous extract of C. orbicularis leaf to diabetic rats demonstrated a momentous increase in liver glycogen level, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, glutathione transferase, and hexokinase activities as well as GLUT-2 and GLUT-4 levels. The data from this study suggest that the aqueous extract of C. orbicularis leaf may be beneficial in the management of diabetic mellitus and its secondary effects.

Purification, structure and conformation characterization of a novel glucogalactan from Anoectochilus roxburghii

Anoectochilus roxburghii (AR) has been used in food, medicine and ornamental industries for a long time. Anion exchange resin was proposed to purify the sub-fraction of water-extracted AR polysaccharide (ARPP-70), and a homogeneous polysaccharide ARPP-70a was obtained. The structural features of ARPP-70a were characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and high performance size exclusion chromatograph coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering (HPSEC-MALLS). The relative weight average molecular weight for ARPP-70a was determined to be 14.8 kDa, and the molar ratio of glucose to galactose was 1.0:3.2. The structure of ARPP-70a was elucidated to be glucogalactan, with backbone comprising β-1,4-linked Galp and some α-1,4-linked Glcp. The conformation characteristics of ARPP-70a were supposed to exist as a random coil chain in 0.1 M NaNO₃ solution. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant activity assays revealed ARPP-70a exhibited appreciable antioxidant potential. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to obtain this type of glucogalactan, and provide systematic information on its structural and conformational properties. This study improved the understanding of the physicochemical characteristics of AR polysaccharide, which is beneficial for its further application in food and medicinal industry.

Quantitative determination of multi-class bioactive constituents for quality assessment of ten Anoectochilus, four Goodyera and one Ludisia species in China

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Administration of Herbarium Mixture (Guazuma ulmifolia/Tecoma stans) on Metabolic Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

The use of herbarium mixture has been empirical, and the properties are not yet known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of herbarium mixture (Guazuma ulmifolia [G. ulmifolia]/Tecoma stans [T. stans]) on metabolic profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was carried out in 40 patients with T2DM. They were between 40 and 65 years of age, with body mass index (BMI) between 25.0 and 34.9 kg/m² and HbA1c >7.0%. BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipids, kidney, and liver function were measured. The patients were randomly assigned to receive the herbarium mixture (G. ulmifolia/T. stans) 400 mg before each meal, or placebo for 90 days. Herbarium mixture group showed decreased waist circumference (99 ± 14 vs. 98 ± 15 cm; P = .019), fasting glucose (12.0 ± 5.7 vs. 10.3 ± 5.1 mM; P = .019), and HbA1c (9.9% ± 2.7% vs. 8.9% ± 2.5%, P = .002). In conclusion, the administration of herbarium mixture (G. ulmifolia/T. stans) improved the glycemic profile in patients with T2DM. ClinicalTrial registration: NCT03313856 ClinicalTrials.gov.

Effect of Anoectochilus roxburghii flavonoids extract on H2O2 - Induced oxidative stress in LO2 cells and D-gal induced aging mice model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anoectochilus roxburghii (A. roxburghii) is a popular folk medicine in many Asian countries, which has been used traditionally for treatment of some diseases such as diabetes, tumors, hyperlipemia, and hepatitis. The ethanol extract from A. roxburghii was recently shown to exert better ability to scavenge free radicals in vitro and possess antioxidant on natural aging mice in vivo.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study is to characterize the chemical composition, and investigate the protective effect of the A. roxburghii flavonoids extract (ARF) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in LO2 cells in vitro and D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mice model in vivo, and explore the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical components of the flavonoids extract fromA. roxburghii were detected by ultraperformance lipid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). H₂O₂ was used to establish an oxidative stress model in LO2 cells. Cytotoxic and protective effects of ARF on the LO2 cells were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cell supernatants were measured by commercial reagent kits. Kun-Ming mice were induced to aging with D-gal (400 mg/kg, BW) by subcutaneous injection for 58 days. From the 28th day to the 58th day of D-gal treatment, ARF (122.5, 245 and 490 mg/kg, BW) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg, BW) were orally administrated to aging mice once a day for consecutive 30 days. After 25 days of the treatment with ARF, learning and memory were assessed using Morris Water Maze (MWM). At the end of the test period, the animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and the levels of SOD, GSH-PX, and MDA in serum, liver homogenates and brain homogenates were measured. The levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) were determined in brain homogenates. Skin and liver histopathological morphology were observed by H&E staining. Furthermore, antioxidant-related gene expression levels in the liver were carried out by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

Nine flavonoids were identified in the extracts of A. roxburghii. In vitro assay, a high concentration of ARF (>612.5 μg/ml) reduced the survival rate and had toxic effects on LO2 cells. In addition, ARF (245 μg/ml, 490 μg/ml) and Vitamin C (200 μg/ml) markedly inhibited generations of MDA and increased activities of SOD, GSH-PX in H₂O₂-induced LO2 cells supernatants. In vivo assay, ARF (122.5 mg/kg, 245 mg/kg and 490 mg/kg) and Vitamin E (100 mg/kg) not only ameliorated learning and memory ability but also improved skin and liver pathological alterations. Strikingly, ARF significantly decreased MDA and MAO levels, markedly enhanced antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX) activities. Further, compared to the D-gal group, ARF could obviously up-regulate glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) and glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPx-4) mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that ARF protects LO2 cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and exerts the potent anti-aging effects in D-gal aging mice model, which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress. Flavonoid compounds may contribute to the anti-oxidative capability and modulating aging.

The purification, structural characterization and antidiabetic activity of a polysaccharide from Anoectochilus roxburghii

Anoectochilus roxburghii, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been widely used for treating numerous chronic diseases.

First demonstration of protective effects of purified mushroom polysaccharide-peptides against fatty liver injury and the mechanisms involved

Fatty liver (FLD) disease is a consequence of metabolic syndrome, which is a health problem worldwide with a phenomenal rise in prevalence. In this study, two hepatoprotective polysaccharide-peptides were extracted from the mushroom Auricularia polytricha followed by chromatographic fractionation of the extract on the ion exchanger DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex-200 to yield two purified fractions: APPI and APPII. The monosaccharide compositions, FT-IR, N-terminal sequences, internal peptide sequences and molecular weights of the two fractions were determined. Furthermore, their hepatoprotective effect on human hepatoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in an animal model of fatty liver disease was evidenced by the findings that APPI and APPII diminished lipid deposit in cells, blood and the liver, increased cellular antioxidant activity and viability, and protected the liver against injury. The mechanistic study revealed that APPI and APPII activated the adiponectin pathway, up-regulated expression of genes controlling free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation, such as AMPK, CPTl, ACOX1 and PPARα genes, enhanced lipid metabolism, preserved hepatic function, promoted the antioxidant defense system and reduced lipid peroxidation. Hence the bioactive compounds of A. polytricha could serve as therapeutic agents in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Anti-Diabetic Effects and Mechanisms of Dietary Polysaccharides

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial, heterogeneous metabolic disorder, causing various health complications and economic issues, which apparently impacts the human's life. Currently, commercial diabetic drugs are clinically managed for diabetic treatment that has definite side effects. Dietary polysaccharides mainly derive from natural sources, including medicinal plants, grains, fruits, vegetables, edible mushroom, and medicinal foods, and possess anti-diabetic potential. Hence, this review summarizes the effects of dietary polysaccharides on diabetes and underlying molecular mechanisms related to inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and diabetes in various animal models. The analysis of literature and appropriate data on anti-diabetic polysaccharide from electronic databases was conducted. In vivo and in vitro trials have revealed that treatment of these polysaccharides has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, which enhance pancreatic β-cell mass and alleviates β-cell dysfunction. It enhances insulin signaling pathways through insulin receptors and activates the PI3K/Akt pathway, and eventually modulates ERK/JNK/MAPK pathway. In conclusion, dietary polysaccharides can effectively ameliorate hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, low-grade inflammation, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and, thus, consumption of polysaccharides can be a valuable choice for diabetic control.

Antidiabetic effects of Olea europaea L. leaves in diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. It has broad occurrence worldwide, affecting millions of people, and can cause serious complications. The olive (Olea europaea L.) has important pharmacological functions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activities. Olive leaves are used in traditional medicine for diabetes and hypertension.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the effect of the ethanolic extract of olive leaves (EEOL) on the metabolism of rats with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were either given normal feed or a high-fat diet (70% standard laboratory feed, 15% sucrose, 10% lard and 5% yolk powder) for four weeks, followed by administration of STZ (35 mg/kg, via ip). Animals with fasting glucose levels above 200 mg/dL were considered diabetic. Animals were divided into 5 groups, which received ethanol (10 mL/kg), metformin (250 mg/kg), or EEOL at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg during 10 weeks by oral gavage. Blood samples were used to measure hematological and biochemical parameters, and kidneys were removed for posterior analysis. Body weight was recorded weekly.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in body weight was observed among diabetic animals treated with ethanol and EEOL compared to the control group. Moreover, animals treated with EEOL showed an improvement in glucose levels and in levels of inflammatory and metabolic markers when compared to diabetic animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate a potential anti-diabetic activity of olive leaves, however more studies are needed to validate clinical effects.

High-fat diet and streptozotocin in the induction of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a new proposal

Our objective was to establish a diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) model in rats using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HF-STZ). Male Wistar rats (240-250g) were divided into a control group (commercial feed), and HF-STZ group, (66.5%-commercial feed, 13.5%-lard, and 20%-sugar). STZ (40mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle was administered on the 13th day. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed (2.5mg of glucose/kg v.o.) on both groups. After 39 days of treatment, blood and tissue samples were collected for analyses. The weight gain after STZ administration was lower in the HF-STZ group than in the control group with reductions in muscle mass and adipose tissue. The HF-STZ group showed hyperglycemia after STZ administration (glucose on day 39: HF-STZ: 499 ± 60; control: 134 ± 9mg/dL). Serum glucagon was 23% lower, and insulin levels were unaltered. The HOMA index was 4-times higher in the HF-STZ. The HF-STZ group showed increased post-prandial (330%) and fasting (125%) triglycerides, and while glycogen content in the liver and muscles decreased (70-80%). The area under the curve (OGTT) was 282% higher in the HF-STZ group. The combination of high-fat diet with STZ (i.p) generated rats with hyperglycemia associated with hypertriglyceridemia and introduced many other alterations present in human DM2.

Progress in the discovery of naturally occurring anti-diabetic drugs and in the identification of their molecular targets

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic metabolic disease, severely affects patients' life and intensively increases risks of developing other diseases. It is estimated that 0.4 billion individuals worldwide are subjected to diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus. At present, although various synthetic drugs for diabetes such as Alogliptin and Rosiglitazone, etc. have been used to manage diabetes, some of them showed severe side effects. Given that the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, natural occurring drugs are beneficial alternatives for diabetes therapy with low adverse effects or toxicity. Recently, more and more plant-derived extracts or compounds were evaluated to have anti-diabetic activities. Their anti-diabetic mechanisms involve certain key targets like α-glucosidase, α-amylase, DPP-4, PPAR γ, PTP1B, and GLUT4, etc. Here, we summarize the newly found anti-diabetic (type 2 diabetes mellitus) natural compounds and extracts from 2011-2017, and give the identification of their molecular targets. This review could provide references for the research of natural agents curing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Effects of supplemental lighting with different light qualities on growth and secondary metabolite content of Anoectochilus roxburghii

Background

Anoectochilus roxburghii is a widespread herbaceous plant with high medicinal value. Wild A. roxburghii resources face extinction due to their slow growth rate and over exploitation. The growing market demand has led to advances in the field of artificial planting of A. roxburghii. Methods to increase the economic benefits of cultivation and the production of medicinal ingredients are very useful.

Methods

A. roxburghii was exposed to red light, blue light (BL), yellow light (YL), green light, or white light as supplemental lighting at night (18:00-02:00) in a greenhouse or were left in darkness (control, CK) to investigate the effects of various light qualities on growth indices, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, root vitality, stomatal density, soluble proteins, sugars, and the accumulation of secondary metabolites.

Results

Supplementation of BL had a positive effect on A. roxburghii growth and secondary metabolite accumulation. Leaf number, stem diameter, fresh weight, dry weight, chlorophyll a content, and secondary metabolite (total flavonoids, total polyphenols) content increased significantly. YL treatment showed significantly higher soluble sugar and polysaccharide contents than the control.

Discussion

BL treatment was conducive to promoting the growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites (total flavonoids, total polyphenols); YL treatment significantly increased the content of soluble sugar and polysaccharides more than the control. Polysaccharides and total flavonoids are important medicinal ingredients of Anoectochilus, so future research will focus on the combination of blue and YL.

Cytoskyrin C, an unusual asymmetric bisanthraquinone with cage-like skeleton from the endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp

Cytoskyrin C (1), a new bisanthraquinone with asymmetrically cytoskyrin type skeleton, together with a known symmetrical analogue (+)-epicytoskyrin (2), were isolated from an endophytic fungus ARL-09 (Diaporthe sp.). Cytoskyrin C (1) featured an asymmetrically cage-like structural motif arising from the dimerization of anthraquinone monomers by three carbon‑carbon bonds 9a/3', 3/9a' and 1/1'. The structure and absolute configuration of compound 1 were determined by spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculation and exciton chirality methods. Moreover, a plausible biogenetic pathway of 1-2 was predicted. Their cytotoxicities against SMMC-7721 cell as well as effects on NF-κB signaling pathway were evaluated. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Macrophage immunomodulatory activity of the polysaccharide isolated from Collybia radicata mushroom

Polysaccharides from Collybia radicata mushroom (CRP) possess many functions, such as antiviral, anti-aging and hypolipidemic activities. However, little is known about their immunomodulatory activity. To address this issue, we did a thorough research into their immune effects on murine macrophages. The results showed that the 14942Da polysaccharide not only obviously improved the proliferation and phagocytosis of macrophages, but also induced the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin factors (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10). At a concentration of 850.0μgmL^-1, the polysaccharide stimulated their proliferation and phagocytosis to 2.1 and 3.4 times, respectively, as compared to the negative group. Meanwhile, it raised the production of NO by inducing iNOS in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, it enhanced the release of these cytokines to multiples from 2.3 to 3.6 times. As an inhibitor of TLR4 (Toll-like Receptor 4), TAK242 suppressed the secretion of NO, iNOS and cytokines above 51%, and ORP acted on the cells mainly via TLR4. Consequently, the polysaccharide has a potent immunomodulatory activity by stimulating macrophages and can be considered as a novel potential immunopotentiator in medical and food industries.

The vascular protective effects of Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharose under high glucose conditions

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anoectochilus roxburghii has been used as a health food and a herb for treatment diabetes in China for hundreds years. Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharose (ARP) is the major active component of the plant.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study investigated the vascular protection of ARP in vivo and in vitro experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hypoglycemic activity of ARP was examined in diabetic mice. Moreover, the further vascular protective effects in vitro were investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by high glucose (HG, 35mM).

RESULTS

Compared with untreated diabetic mice, ARP (100 or 300mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels. Histological examination showed that ARP ameliorated endothelial damage to some extent, especially ARP at dosage of 300mg/kg. In vitro assay, pretreatment with ARP (10, 20 and 30μg/mL) markedly inhibited generations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in HG-induced HUVECs. ARP pretreatment not only suppressed HG-induced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity via increasing the expression of the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), but also adjusted the MMPs/TIMPs balance to maintain homeostasis of vascular structure. Moreover, pretreatment with ARP could significantly reduce p-NF-κB p65, p-p38 MAPK expression levels in HG-induced HUVECs.

CONCLUSIONS

The vascular protective effects of ARP might be associated with NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathway. ARP might be used as useful substance in the treatment of vasculopathy in diabetic patients.

Protective effect of a polysaccharide from Anoectochilus roxburghii against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. is traditionally used for the treatment of various types of chronic and acute hepatitis in China. Considering that Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide (ARPT) is the main constituent of Anoectochilus roxburghii, the present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of ARPT and its possible mechanism in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced mice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The hepatoprotective activity of ARPT (150, 300 and 500mg/kg) were investigated on CCl₄-induced acute liver damage in mice. The activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) were determined in serum. The hepatic levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in liver homogenates. The levels of cytochrome P450 sub family 2E1 (CYP2E1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), KC (Murine IL-8 ortholog), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expressions of CYP2E1, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and caspase-3 were evaluated by western blot assays. The hepatic levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MIP-2 and TGF-β1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, histopathological observation and terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) were carried out on the separated livers of mice.

RESULTS

ARPT significantly decreased serum ALT and AST activities, hepatic MDA level, and markedly enhanced antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT and GSH-Px) activities and GSH level in hepatic tissue, in a dose-dependent manner, when compared to the model group. Histopathological observation revealed the hepatoprotective effect of ARPT against the damage. Furthermore, ARPT remarkably inhibited CYP2E1 mRNA expression, decreased NF-κB p65 expression and therefore to prevent the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-2 and KC), suppressed TGF-β1 expression and hepatocytes apoptosis. Moreover, ARPT could prevent DNA fragmentation based on TUNEL assay results.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that ARPT possessed hepatoprotective effect against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and the action might in part be through reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.

Immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharide compounds in macrophages revealed by high resolution AFM

Polysaccharide compounds (PCs), which composed of different kinds of polysaccharides always isolated from different kinds of traditional Chinese medicine, are now attracting more and more attentions due to their strong immunomodulatory activities beyond the corresponding one-component polysaccharides. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that PCs-1 and PCs-2 had strong immunomodulatory effects on macrophages both in in vitro and in vivo models by atomic force microscopy (AFM). By high resolution AFM imaging, PCs-1 and PCs-2 were found to inhibit LPS induced cell surface particle size and roughness increase in RAW264.7 macrophages, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of PCs-1 and PCs-2 on macrophages. PCs-1 and PCs-2 were also proved to increase the particle size and roughness of resting RAW264.7 macrophages, which suggested that PCs could activate resting RAW264.7 macrophages. And additionally, PCs-1 and PCs-2 were also found to reverse the surface particle size and roughness decrease of peritoneal macrophages isolated from cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressive mice, suggesting the activation effects of PCs-1 and PCs-2 on immunosuppressive macrophages. These results further enhanced our understanding of macrophage activations by direct imaging of cell surface ultrastructure and also highlighted AFM as a novel nanotool for macrophage detections. And most importantly, these results also indicated the outstanding immunomodulatory effects of PCs on macrophages, which therefore suggested that PCs could be served as a kind of novel immunomodulatory agents that would benefit human health. SCANNING 38:792-801, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-insulin resistance activities of aqueous extract from Anoectochilus burmannicus

This study investigated biological activities including antioxidative stress, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐insulin resistance of Anoectochilus burmannicus aqueous extract (ABE). The results showed abilities of ABE to scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals in a dose‐dependent manner. Besides, ABE significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) production in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated RAW 264.7 via inhibition of mRNA and protein expressions of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The LPS‐induced mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) were suppressed by ABE. Moreover, ABE exerted anti‐insulin resistance activity as it significantly improved the glucose uptake in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α treated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. In addition, ABE at the concentration of up to 200 μg/mL was not toxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and did not induce mutations. Finally, the results of our study suggest the potential use of A. burmannicus as anti‐inflammatory, anti‐insulin resistance agents, or food supplement for prevention of chronic diseases.

Herbal medicines and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver of patients who consume little or no alcohol, becomes increasingly common with rapid economic development. Long-term excess fat accumulation leads to NAFLD and represents a global health problem with no effective therapeutic approach. NAFLD is considered to be a series of complex, multifaceted pathological processes involving oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Over the past decades, herbal medicines have garnered growing attention as potential therapeutic agents to prevent and treat NAFLD, due to their high efficacy and low risk of side effects. In this review, we evaluate the use of herbal medicines (including traditional Chinese herbal formulas, crude extracts from medicinal plants, and pure natural products) to treat NAFLD. These herbal medicines are natural resources that can inform innovative drug research and the development of treatments for NAFLD in the future.

The renal protective effects of Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharose on diabetic mice induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. 1832 is an herbal medicine used to treat diabetes in China. Considering that Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharose (ARP) is the main constituent of Anoectochilus roxburghii, the present study is aimed to investigate the renal protection of ARP and its possible mechanism in diabetic mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were induced to diabetes with high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ). ARP (100, 300 mg/kg) was orally administrated to diabetic mice once a day for consecutive 15 days. The fasting glucose level, expressions of key proteins of p38 MAP kinase cascade, inflammatory factors, fibronectin (FN) and the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were measured. Furthermore, the histological examination of the separated kidneys was also carried out.

RESULTS

Compared with the diabetic mice, ARP administration induced a significant decrease in blood glucose level and improved the body weight of diabetic mice. In addition, ARP inhibited the expression of renal p38 MAP kinase cascade and its downstream inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), FN as well as MMP2/9. Moreover, the histological examination showed an apparent reduction of mesangial matrix deposition and damage of microvascular structure after ARP administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effects of ARP on diabetic renal damage may be attributed to the inhibition of p38 MAP kinase cascade and then attenuating the inflammatory responses and high glucose-induced renal damage.