Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge: A Review on Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Applications

Xanthoceras sorbifolium leaves alleviate hyperuricemic nephropathy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate uric acid transport

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In China, Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge was first documented as "Wen Guan Hua" in the "Jiu Huang Ben Cao" in 1406 A.D. According to the "National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine," X. sorbifolium leaves are sweet and flat in nature and can dispel wind and dampness, suggesting that their extract can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. X. sorbifolium Bunge has also been used to treat arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, chronic hepatitis, and rheumatism, complications associated with hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN), a condition characterized by kidney damage resulting from high levels of uric acid (UA) in the blood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of a 70% ethanol extract from X. sorbifolium leaves (EX) in alleviating HN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mouse model of hyperuricemia was established to initially evaluate the hypouricemic effects and determine the effective dose of EX. Phytochemical analyses were conducted using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The potential key pathways of EX in the alleviation of HN were inferred using network pharmacology and bioinformatics. An HN rat model was then established, and experiments including biomarker detection, western blotting, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical and Masson's trichrome staining, and transmission electron microscopy were conducted to evaluate the effect of EX on UA transporter expression in vitro.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses revealed that the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway was the key pathway for the alleviation of HN progression by EX. EX treatment reduced serum biomarkers in HN rats, downregulated the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), urate transporter 1 (URAT1), Collagen I, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9, and upregulated the expression of ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) to improve renal interstitial fibrosis in HN rats. A high content of both quercitrin and cynaroside were identified in EX; their administration inhibited the increased expression of GLUT9 and URAT1 in damaged HK-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence that EX alleviates HN. The potential mechanism underlying this effect may be the regulation of UA transporters, such as GLUT9 and URAT1, by limiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to improve renal injury.

Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Reveal the Nutritional Potential of Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) Leaves and Flowers

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is a unique oilseed tree in China with high edible and medicinal value. However, the application potential of yellowhorn has not been adequately explored. In this study, widely targeted metabolomics (HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS) and network pharmacology were applied to investigate the nutritional potential of yellowhorn leaves and flowers. The widely targeted metabolomics results suggested that the yellowhorn leaf contains 948 non-volatile metabolites and 638 volatile metabolites, while the yellowhorn flower contains 976 and 636, respectively. A non-volatile metabolite analysis revealed that yellowhorn leaves and flowers contain a variety of functional components beneficial to the human body, such as terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans and coumarins, phenolic acids, amino acids, and nucleotides. An analysis of volatile metabolites indicated that the combined action of various volatile compounds, such as 2-furanmethanol, β-icon, and 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, provides the special flavor of yellowhorn leaves and flowers. A network pharmacology analysis showed that various components in the flowers and leaves of yellowhorn have a wide range of biological activities. This study deepens our understanding of the non-volatile and volatile metabolites in yellowhorn and provides a theoretical basis and data support for the whole resource application of yellowhorn.

Agronomic, physiological and transcriptional characteristics provide insights into fatty acid biosynthesis in yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) during fruit ripening

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is an oil-bearing tree species in northern China. In this study, we used yellowhorn from Heilongjiang to analyze the morphological and physiological changes of fruit development and conducted transcriptome sequencing. The results showed that the fruit experienced relatively slow growth from fertilization to DAF20 (20 days after flowering). From DAF40 to DAF60, the fruit entered an accelerated development stage, with a rapid increase in both transverse and longitudinal diameters, and the kernel contour developed completely at DAF40. From DAF60 to DAF80, the transverse and vertical diameters of the fruit developed slowly, and the overall measures remained stable until maturity. The soluble sugar, starch, and anthocyanin content gradually accumulated until reaching a peak at DAF80 and then rapidly decreased. RNA-seq analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the seed coat and kernel, implying that seed components have different metabolite accumulation mechanisms. During the stages of seed kernel development, k-means clustering separated the DEGs into eight sub-classes, indicating gene expression shifts during the fruit ripening process. In subclass 8, the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway was enriched, suggesting that this class was responsible for lipid accumulation in the kernel. WGCNA revealed ten tissue-specific modules for the 12 samples among 20 modules. We identified 54 fatty acid biosynthesis pathway genes across the genome, of which 14 was quantified and confirmed by RT-qPCR. Most genes in the plastid synthesis stage showed high expression during the DAF40-DAF60 period, while genes in the endoplasmic reticulum synthesis stage showed diverse expression patterns. EVM0012847 (KCS) and EVM0002968 (HCD) showed similar high expression in the early stages and low expression in the late stages. EVM0022385 (HCD) exhibited decreased expression from DAF40 to DAF60 and then increased from DAF60 to DAF100. EVM0000575 (KCS) was increasingly expressed from DAF40 to DAF60 and then decreased from DAF60 to DAF100. Finally, we identified transcription factors (TFs) (HB-other, bHLH and ARF) that were predicted to bind to fatty acid biosynthesis pathway genes with significant correlations. These results are conducive to promoting the transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism and the genetic improvement in terms of high lipid content of yellowhorn.

Yellowhorn Xso-miR5149-XsGTL1 enhances water-use efficiency and drought tolerance by regulating leaf morphology and stomatal density

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium) is a unique edible woody oil tree species in China. Drought stress is the major yield-limiting factor of yellowhorn. MicroRNAs play an important role in regulating the response of woody plants to drought stress. However, the regulatory function of miRNAs in yellowhorn remains unclear. Here, we first constructed coregulatory networks integrated with miRNAs and their target genes. According to GO function and expression pattern analysis, we selected the Xso-miR5149-XsGTL1 module for further study. Xso-miR5149 is a key regulator of leaf morphology and stomatal density by directly mediating the expression of the transcription factor XsGTL1. Downregulation of XsGTL1 in yellowhorn led to increased leaf area and reduced stomatal density. RNA-seq analysis indicated that downregulation of XsGTL1 increased the expression of genes involved in the negative control of stomatal density, leaf morphology, and drought tolerance. After drought stress treatments, the XsGTL1-RNAi yellowhorn plants were less damaged and had higher water-use efficiency than the WT plants, while destruction of Xso-miR5149 or overexpression of XsGTL1 had the opposite effect. Our findings indicated that the Xso-miR5149-XsGTL1 regulatory module plays a critical role in controlling leaf morphology and stomatal density; hence, it's a potential candidate module for engineering enhanced drought tolerance in yellowhorn.

L, E. E, Qi R, Mu X, Feng L, Ba G, Li Y, Zhang J, Bai L, Fu M. Metabolomics analysis reveals amelioration effects of yellowhorn tea extract on hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice

Yellowhorn tea (YT) is traditionally used as a lipid-lowering beverage in Mongolian minorities. However, the pharmacological effects of YT extract and its specific metabolic changes in hyperlipidemia models are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers using untargeted metabolomics techniques and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the changes in metabolic pathways associated with lipid lowering, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant in hyperlipidemic mice. A high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic mouse model was established. YT extract was administered as oral gavage at 0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 g/kg doses for 10 weeks. HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and the therapeutic effect of YT extract were evaluated based on histopathology and by assessing blood lipid levels. Liver inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indices were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Liver metabolites were evaluated using untargeted metabolomics. Biochemical and histological examinations showed that YT extract significantly reduced body-weight gain (p < 0.01) and fat deposition in tissues. YT extract significantly reduced the levels of serum and liver triglyceride and total cholesterol; inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α]; malondialdehyde; and leptin (p < 0.05) in hyperlipidemic mice. YT extract also significantly increased the levels of oxidative stress indicators (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and adiponectin. Metabolomics studies revealed several endogenous molecules were altered by the high-fat diet and recovery following intervention with YT extract. The metabolites that were significantly different in the liver after YT intake included citicoline, acetylcholine, pyridoxine, and NAD. Pathway analysis indicated that YT extract ameliorated HFD-induced hyperlipidemia in mice via three major metabolic pathways, namely, glycerophospholipid metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. This study demonstrates YT extract has profound effects on the alleviation of HFD-induced hyperlipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Barrigenol-like triterpenoid saponins from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia bunge and their anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting COX-2 and iNOS expression

The husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge were explored resulting in the isolation of nine undescribed compounds and seven known compounds. Their structures were defined by NMR spectroscopic techniques, HRESIMS analyses and DP4+ possibility analysis. Three of them showed evident inhibition on NO productions in LPS-induced BV-2 cells by controlling the expression of the nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Furthermore, they also markedly decreased the expression of the proteins COX-2 and iNOS. In addition, most compounds showed no cytotoxicity against Hep 3B, A549, HCT 116, AGS, MCF-7 cell lines. These findings showed that the husks of X. sorbifolia might have considerable potential for the prevention of inflammation-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Influence of planting yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) on the bacterial and fungal diversity of fly ash

Phytoremediation is a low-cost solution to fly ash pollution and the rhizosphere interactions between plant roots and the fly ash microbiome were important for the phytoremediation. To analyze the dynamic changes of the rhizosphere microbiome during yellowhorn cultivation in fly ash, the bacterial 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region and the fungal ITS region of the rhizosphere microbiome were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology. The changes in fly ash physicochemical properties and the heavy metal content of different yellowhorn tissues were also analyzed. The results showed that both the bacterial and fungal communities were noticeably different after yellowhorn cultivation compared with the control sample. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria levels increased (p < 0.05) and Firmicutes and Actinobacteria decreased (p < 0.05) in the bacterial community after yellowhorn cultivation. In the fungal community, Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota decreased (p < 0.05), while Chytridiomycota increased (p < 0.05). The levels of four heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Hg, Pb and As) decreased in the fly ash after yellowhorn cultivation. These metals were absorbed by the yellowhorn plants and accumulated in the fibrous root, taproot, stem and leaf tissues of these plants. Accordingly, the abundance of bacteria that could solubilize heavy metals increased (p < 0.05). In summary, the cultivation of yellowhorn affected the composition of the rhizosphere microbial communities in fly ash, which is of great significance for the biological remediation of fly ash.

GC/MS-Based Urine Metabolomics Study on the Ameliorative Effect of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Extract on Alzheimer’s Disease in Mice

The cause of Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia today, is still unclear, and in current research, there are no drugs that work relatively well. Therefore, the study for new drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease is an urgent research need. Research on the improvement of Alzheimer's disease with extracts of Xanthoceras sorbifolia has been increasing in recent years, but the mechanism is not fully understood. The experiments were conducted to validate the model and analyze the treatment effect through D-galactose and Aβ_25–35 induced dementia model mice, using the Morris water maze, to detect the learning behavior and brain tissue section to observe the hippocampal tissue structure of mice. We performed a nontargeted metabolomic analysis of the urine obtained from different groups of mice using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fourteen potential biomarkers were identified in the mice's urine, outlining five metabolic pathways of interest. It was shown that the extracts of Xanthoceras sorbifolia may exert protective effects on mice in dementia models through energy metabolism, neuroinflammation, and antioxidants. This study reveals the potential pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and the possible therapeutic mechanism of Xanthoceras sorbifolia, suggests relevant biomarkers, and provides an additional basis for the clinical application of Xanthoceras sorbifolia.