Anti-tumor activity of polysaccharides extracted from Pinus massoniana pollen in colorectal cancer- in vitro and in vivo studies

Three undescribed diterpenoids from Pini Lignum Nodi with hepatoprotective activities

Three new abietane-type diterpenes, named pinusins A-C (1-3) were isolated from Pini Lignum Nodi (the dried tuberculate or branched nodes of Pinus massoniana Lamb.), together with five known diterpenoids (4-8), a flavonoid (9) and a monoterpene (10). The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on detailed spectroscopic analyses (1D, 2D NMR, HRESIMS, IR, and UV), while ECD calculations determined their absolute configurations. All compounds were assayed in vitro for their protective activities against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity at 10 μM. Compounds 1-4, 9, and 10 experimentally exerted protective effects against APAP-induced HepG2 cell damage.

Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharides alleviate LPS-induced myocardial injury through p110β-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/NFκB pathway

The inflammatory response is the core of the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis myocardial injury (SMI). Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide (PPPS) is a natural polymer with known biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of PPPS on SMI, myocardial enzyme levels, pathological changes, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, and related signaling pathways in LPS-induced SMI models were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, qPCR, Western blot analysis, with a particular focus on anti-inflammatory effects of PPPS. Animal experiments have shown that PPPS mitigates myocardial tissue injury and suppresses the inflammatory response. In the cellular experiments, PPPS protected H9c2 cells from LPS/adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced injury and inflammation. Transcriptome analysis and cardiomyocyte validation revealed that PPPS inhibited activation of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Additionally, intervention with the PI3K/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway activator counteracted the anti-inflammatory effects of PPPS. Further investigations indicated that PPPS exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in SMI by enhancing the expression of p110β protein and facilitating its interaction with PTEN, thereby inhibiting activation of the PI3K/AKT/NFκB signaling pathway. These results suggest that PPPS is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of SMI.

Specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for targeting the metastasis, immune responses, and drug resistance of colorectal cancer cells (CRC)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) involves various genetic alterations, with liver metastasis posing a significant clinical challenge. Furthermore, CRC cells mostly show an increase in resistance to traditional treatments like chemotherapy. It is essential to investigate more advanced and effective therapies to prevent medication resistance and metastases and extend patient life. As a result, it is anticipated that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) would be exceptional instruments that can control gene expression by RNA interference (RNAi). In eukaryotes, RNAi is a biological mechanism that destroys specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, thereby inhibiting gene expression. In the management of CRC, this method of treatment represents a potential therapeutic agent. However, it is important to acknowledge that siRNA therapies have significant issues, such as low serum stability and nonspecific absorption into biological systems. Delivery mechanisms are thus being created to address these issues. In the current work, we address the potential benefits of siRNA therapy and outline the difficulties in treating CRCby focusing on the primary signaling pathways linked to metastasis as well as genes implicated in the multi-drug resistance (MDR) process.

Polysaccharide extracted from Atractylodes macrocephala improves the spleen deficiency constipation in mice by regulating the gut microbiota to affect the 5-HT synthesis

BACKGROUND

The traditional herbal medicine Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (A. macrocephala) is commonly utilized for alleviating symptoms associated with spleen deficiency, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and constipation. These pharmacological effects are attributed to a variety of active constituents. However, the specific bioactive compounds responsible for promoting defecation and gastrointestinal transit in A. macrocephala remain unidentified.

METHODS

The primary polysaccharide characteristics of PAMK was elucidated by HPLC, FT-IR, and HGPGC. Efficacy of PAMK (0.07, 0.14, and 0.28 mg/g) on mice was evaluated in a spleen deficiency constipation mouse model by analyzing stool parameters, constipation-related physiological indexes, and SCFAs. The expression levels of 5-HT3R, 5-HT4R, and related receptor genes were examined by RT-qPCR, and neurotransmitters were examined using ELISA. Finally, the diversity of gut microbiota was analyzed with 16S rDNA sequencing.

KEY RESULTS

The results showed that PAMK significantly reduced the gastrointestinal transport time and increased the number of fecal pellets and fecal water content in spleen deficiency constipation model mice. PAMK kept the balance of 5-HT, SCFAs, TPH-1, SERT, CgA, and neurotransmitter levels (VIP, SP, MTL) in mice colon. In addition, PAMK could regulate the abundance of gut microbiota such as Alistopes, Bacteroides, and Odoribacter in spleen deficiency constipation model mice gut.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

It can be concluded that PAMK effectively ameliorated the symptoms of spleen deficiency constipation in mice by modulating the expression of 5-HT and its associated receptors. The underlying mechanism was elucidated, providing a solid theoretical foundation for the therapeutic application of A. macrocephala in treating spleen deficiency constipation and offering potential for developing novel approaches to address this condition.

Elemental composition of microstrobili and sprouts of <i>Pinus sylvestris, Pinus sibirica</i> and <i>Pinus pumila</i>

In recent years, the popularity of dietary supplements based on pine pollen has significantly increased due to over a thousand years of its use in Chinese traditional medicine and diverse biological activity. Microstrobili are harvested prior to flowering in order to obtain pine pollen, and, following its separation, waste comprising empty microstrobili in the amount of 90–95% of the mass of raw material is formed. In this work, the elemental composition of Pinus sylvestris, P. sibirica and P. pumila microstrobili obtained following the separation of pollen (empty microstrobili (EM) was determined and compared with pharmacopoeial raw material, i.e., P. sylvestris sprouts. The elemental composition was analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy with preliminary acid mineralisation in a microwave system. A comparative analysis of the elemental composition showed that EM contains a significant amount of K (8710–10187 mg/kg), Mg (627–1079 mg/kg), Mn (129–179 mg/kg), as well as Zn (37–67 mg/kg) and Cu (7.4–10.3 mg/kg). The series of accumulation of chemical elements was identical for microstrobili and sprouts of the studied pine species (K>Mg>Ca>Mn>Fe~Zn>Na>Cu>Ni~Cr>Co>Pb>Cd>Hg). EM can be used to enrich the diet with macroand microelements such as K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu. The content of toxic Cd, Pb and Hg was below the maximum permissible standards for medicinal plant raw materials and dietary supplements thereof. Obtained for the first time, data on the elemental composition of EM of P. sylvestris, P. sibirica, P. pumila and sprouts of P. sibirica and P. pumila can be used for further sanitary measurements of a new type of raw material.

Therapeutic approaches to colorectal cancer via strategies based on modulation of gut microbiota

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in terms of global incidence and second in terms of death toll among malignant tumors. Gut microbiota are involved in the formation, development, and responses to different treatments of CRC. Under normal physiological conditions, intestinal microorganisms protect the intestinal mucosa, resist pathogen invasion, and regulate the proliferation of intestinal mucosal cells via a barrier effect and inhibition of DNA damage. The composition of gut microbiota and the influences of diet, drugs, and gender on the composition of the intestinal flora are important factors in the early detection of CRC and prediction of the results of CRC treatment. Regulation of gut microbiota is one of the most promising new strategies for CRC treatment, and it is essential to clarify the effect of gut microbiota on CRC and its possible mechanisms to facilitate the prevention and treatment of CRC. This review discusses the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of CRC, the potential of gut microbiota as biomarkers for CRC, and therapeutic approaches to CRC based on the regulation of gut microbiota. It might provide new ideas for the use of gut microbiota in the prevention and treatment of CRC in the near future and thus reduce the incidence of CRC.