The Angelica dahurica: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Molecular evidence provides new insights into the evolutionary origin of an ancient traditional Chinese medicine, the domesticated "Baizhi"

Introduction

"Baizhi" is a famous herbal medicine in China, and it includes four landraces named as 'Hangbaizhi', 'Chuanbaizhi', 'Qibaizhi', and 'Yubaizhi'. Long-term artificial selection had caused serious degradation of these germplasms. Determining the wild progenitor of the landraces would be benefit for their breed improvements. Previous studies have suggested Angelica dahurica var. dahurica, A. dahurica var. formosana, or A. porphyrocaulis as potential candidates, but the conclusion remains uncertain, and their phylogenetic relationships are still in controversy.

Methods

In this study, the genetic variation and phylogenetic analyses of these species and four landraces were conducted on the basis of both the nrITS and plastome datasets.

Results

Genetic variation analysis showed that all 8 population of four landraces shared only one ITS haplotype, meanwhile extremely low variation occurred within 6 population at plastid genome level. Both datasets supported the four landraces might be originated from a single wild germplasm. Phylogenetic analyses with both datasets revealed largely consistent topology using Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood methods. Samples of the four landraces and all wild A. dahurica var. dahurica formed a highly supported monophyletic clade, and then sister to the monophyly clade comprised by samples of A. porphyrocaulis, while four landraces were clustered into one clade, which further clustered with a mixed branches of A. porphyrocaulis and A. dahurica var. dahurica to form sister branches for plastid genomes. Furthermore, the monophyletic A. dahurica var. formosana was far distant from the A. dahurica var. dahurica-"Baizhi" clade in Angelica phylogeny. Such inferences was also supported by the evolutionary patterns of nrITS haplotype network and K2P genetic distances. The outcomes indicated A. dahurica var. dahurica is most likely the original plant of "Baizhi".

Discussion

Considering of phylogenetic inference and evolutionary history, the species-level status of A. dahurica var. formosana should be accepted, and the taxonomic level and phylgenetic position of A. porphyrocaulis should be further confirmed. This study preliminarily determined the wild progenitor of "Baizhi" and clarified the phylogenetic relationships among A. dahurica var. dahurica, A. dahurica var. formosana and A. porphyrocaulis, which will provide scientific guidance for wild resources protections and improvement of "Baizhi".

Plant-Derived Coumarins: A Narrative Review of Their Structural and Biomedical Diversity

Plant-derived coumarin (PDC) is a naturally occurring heterocyclic backbone that belongs to the benzopyrone family. PDC and its based products are characterized by low toxicity and high distribution in a variety of herbal treatments that have numerous therapeutic potentials. These include anticoagulants, antibacterials, anti-inflammatory agents, anticancer agents, antioxidants, and others. So, it may be appropriate to investigate the qualities and potential bioactivities of PDCs. This article provides an overview of the biomedical potentials, availability, and clinical use possibilities of PDCs, with a focus on their important modes of action, using information on various pharmacological qualities discovered. The data used in this study came from published research between 2015 and 2023. We reviewed a selection of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, during that period. In conclusion, because of their abundance in medicinal plants, the clinical biochemistry attributes of PDCs are currently of interest. In a variety of medical specialties, PDCs serve a useful role as therapeutic agents.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the mechanism of a clinical proved recipe for external use of clearing heat and removing dampness in the treatment of immune-related cutaneous adverse events

Immune-related cutaneous adverse events (ircAEs) will undermine the patients' quality of lives, and interrupt the antitumor therapy. A clinical proved recipe for external use of clearing heat and removing dampness (Qing-Re-Li-Shi Formula, hereinafter referred to as "QRLSF") is beneficial to the treatment of ircAEs in clinical practice. Our study will elucidate the mechanism of QRLSF against ircAEs based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The active components and corresponding targets of QRLSF were collected through traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database. GeneCards, online Mendelian inheritance in man, and pharmacogenomics knowledgebase were used to screen the targets of ircAEs. The intersecting targets between drug and disease were acquired by venn analysis. Cytoscape software was employed to construct "components-targets" network. Search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins database was applied to establish the protein-protein interaction network and then its core targets were identified. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis was performed to predict the mechanism. The molecular docking verification of key targets and related phytomolecules was accomplished by AutoDock Vina software. Thirty-nine intersecting targets related to QRLSF against ircAEs were recognized. The analysis of network clarified 5 core targets (STAT3, RELA, TNF, TP53, and NFKBIA) and 4 key components (quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and ursolic acid). The activity of QRLSF against ircAEs could be attributed to the regulation of multiple biological effects via multi-pathways (PI3K-Akt pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, JAK-STAT pathway, chemokine pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, IL-17 pathway, TNF pathway, and Toll-like receptor pathway). The binding activities were estimated as good level by molecular docking. These discoveries disclosed the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics of QRLSF against ircAEs, providing a new strategy for such medical problem.

Angelica dahurica extract and its effective component bergapten alleviated hepatic fibrosis by activating FXR signaling pathway

Angelica dahurica (A. dahurica) has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of A. dahurica extract (AD) and its effective component bergapten (BG) on hepatic fibrosis and potential mechanisms. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 1 week, and mice were administrated with AD or BG by gavage for 1 week before CCl4 injection. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were stimulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and cultured with AD, BG, GW4064 (FXR agonist) or Guggulsterone (FXR inhibitor). In CCl4-induced mice, AD significantly decreased serum aminotransferase, reduced excess accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), inhibited caspase-1 and IL-1β, and increased FXR expressions. In activated HSCs, AD suppressed the expressions of α-SMA, collagen I, and TIMP-1/MMP-13 ratio and inflammatory factors, functioning as FXR agonist. In CCl4-induced mice, BG significantly improved serum transaminase and histopathological changes, reduced ECM excessive deposition, inflammatory response, and activated FXR expression. BG increased FXR expression and inhibited α-SMA and IL-1β expressions in activated HSCs, functioning as GW4064. FXR deficiency significantly attenuated the decreasing effect of BG on α-SMA and IL-1β expressions in LX-2 cells. In conclusion, AD could regulate hepatic fibrosis by regulating ECM excessive deposition and inflammation. Activating FXR signaling by BG might be the potential mechanism of AD against hepatic fibrosis.

Imperatorin from the aerial parts of Cleome viscosa L.: a characterization study and evaluation of the antibacterial activity

Cleome viscosa L., a member of the family Cleomaceae, is a potential medicinal plant, known for several bioactive properties such as: anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound healing, etc. Our study aimed to isolate a bioactive compound and assess its antibacterial activity. The crystal compound imperatorin was isolated and reported for the first time from the aerial parts of C. viscosa. The isolation was made using silica gel (100-200 mesh) column chromatography. The structure of imperatorin was investigated through single-crystal XRD, unit cell molecules, FTIR, and ESI-MS spectral analysis. The results validated imperatorin's triclinic crystal structure and P2i/c distance group. The electronic structure was also calculated (4.28/6.21 D) along with the frontier molecular orbital, dipole moment, atomic charges, and electrostatic map of particles in gaseous stage and active site. Imperatorin showed highest activity at 40 µg/mL concentration against Gram + ve bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (3 ± 0.2 mm), Bacillus subtilis (3 ± 0.6 mm), and Gram -ve bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae (3 ± 0.2 mm), Escherichia coli (5 ± 0.2 mm). The study highlights that the compound can be isolated in larger quantities as the plant is easily available across the tropics.

Selection and Verification of Standardized Reference Genes of Angelica dahurica under Various Abiotic Stresses by Real-Time Quantitative PCR

In traditional Chinese medicine, Angelica dahurica is a valuable herb with numerous therapeutic applications for a range of ailments. There have not yet been any articles on the methodical assessment and choice of the best reference genes for A. dahurica gene expression studies. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is widely employed as the predominant method for investigating gene expression. In order to ensure the precise determination of target gene expression outcomes in RT-qPCR analysis, it is imperative to employ stable reference genes. In this study, a total of 11 candidate reference genes including SAND family protein (SAND), polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTBP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT), TIP41-like protein (TIP41), cyclophilin 2 (CYP2), elongation factor 1 α (EF1α), ubiquitin-protein ligase 9 (UBC9), tubulin β-6 (TUB6), thioredoxin-like protein YLS8 (YLS8), and tubulin-α (TUBA) were selected from the transcriptome of A. dahurica. Subsequently, three statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) were employed to assess the stability of their expression patterns across seven distinct stimulus treatments. The outcomes obtained from these analyses were subsequently amalgamated into a comprehensive ranking using RefFinder. Additionally, one target gene, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), was used to confirm the effectiveness of the selected reference genes. According to the findings of this study, the two most stable reference genes for normalizing the expression of genes in A. dahurica are TIP41 and UBC9. Overall, our research has determined the appropriate reference genes for RT-qPCR in A. dahurica and provides a crucial foundation for gene screening and identifying genes associated with the biosynthesis of active ingredients in A. dahurica.

Biotransformation-guided purification of a novel glycoside derived from the extracts of Chinese herb Baizhi

Our pursuit of new compounds with enhanced bioavailability and bioactivity prompted us to employ the biotransformation-guided purification (BGP) approach which leverages proficient in vitro biotransformation techniques. Angelica dahurica roots, also called Baizhi in Chinese traditional medicine, are famous for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Herein, we applied the BGP methodology to Baizhi extracts, employing Deinococcus geothermalis amylosucrase (DgAS), an enzyme demonstrating catalytic competence across diverse substrates, for biotransformation. Initiating with a 70 % methanol extraction, we obtained the crude extract of commercial Baizhi powder, followed by an additional extraction using ethyl acetate. Notably, reactions performed on this extract yielded limited quantities of novel compounds. Subsequently, the extract underwent partitioning into four fractions based on HPLC profiling, leading to the successful isolation of a compound with significant yield from fraction 2 mixtures upon reaction with DgAS. Structural elucidation confirmed the compound as byakangelicin-7″-O-α-glucopyranoside (BG-G), a new alpha glycoside derivative of byakangelicin. Furthermore, validation experiments verified the capacity of DgAS to glycosylate pure byakangelicin, yielding BG-G. Remarkably, the aqueous solubility of BG-G exceeded that of byakangelicin by over 29,000-fold. In conclusion, BGP emerges as a potent strategy combining traditional medicinal insights with robust enzymatic tools for generating new compounds.

Ammidin ameliorates myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by inhibiting the ACSL4/AMPK/mTOR-mediated ferroptosis pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of ammidin on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes by observing the role of ferroptosis in the process of H/R injury, and to verify its target and regulatory signaling pathways.

METHODS

The network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the biological processes, core targets and related signaling pathways of Angelica dahurica in the treatment of ferroptosis. Cell viability was assessed using live cell imaging and cell counting kit-8. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) content were determined to assess the level of ferroptosis. Western blotting was performed to measure protein expression.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology predicted that Acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) was highly associated with myocardial H/R injury in the intersection of Angelica dahurica and ferroptosis. The top three active components of Angelica dahurica were found to be mandenol, alloisoimperatorin and ammidin, among which ammidin was found to have the strongest binding to the target proteins of the ACSL4/AMPK/mTOR pathway. H/R reduced the viability of cardiomyocytes, while the inhibition of ferroptosis by ferrostatin-1 alleviated the H/R-induced inhibition of cardiomyocyte viability. This was evidenced by the increased cell viability, SOD release, MMP level and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) protein expression, as well as the decreased LDH and MDA release and ROS production and ACSL4 protein expression (P < 0.05). To verify the existence of ferroptosis in myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. In addition, ammidin increased cell viability and GPX4 protein expression (P < 0.05), decreased ROS generation, and MDA and MTT expression (P < 0.05), then inhibited ferroptosis, and finally alleviated myocardial H/R injury by regulating the ACSL4/AMPK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Network pharmacology was used to predict the correlation between ammidin and ferroptosis following myocardial H/R injury. It was demonstrated that ammidin may regulate ferroptosis by inhibiting the ACSL4/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and reduce H/R injury in cardiomyocytes.

Molecular Mechanism of the Asarum-Angelica Drug Pair in the Treatment of Periodontitis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

(1) To examine the potential mechanism of the Asarum-Angelica drug pair against periodontitis and provide an experimental basis for the treatment of periodontitis with herbal medicine. (2) The core components and core targets of the Asarum-Angelica drug pair in the treatment of periodontitis were detected according to network pharmacology methods. Finally, the effect of the Asarum-Angelica drug pair on osteogenic differentiation was observed in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells. (3) According to the results of network pharmacology, there are 10 potential active ingredients in the Asarum-Angelica drug pair, and 44 potential targets were obtained by mapping the targets with periodontitis treatment. Ten potential active ingredients, such as kaempferol and β-sitosterol, may play a role in treating periodontitis. Cell experiments showed that the Asarum-Angelica drug pair can effectively promote the expression of osteoblast markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2), and BCL2 mRNA and protein in an inflammatory environment (p < 0.05). (4) Network pharmacology effectively analyzed the molecular mechanism of Asarum-Angelica in the treatment of periodontitis, and the Asarum-Angelica drug pair can promote the differentiation of osteoblasts.

Geographical distribution-based differentiation of cultivated Angelica dahurica, exploring the relationship between the secretory tract and the quality

Based on geographical distribution, cultivated Chinese Angelica dahurica has been divided into Angelica dahurica cv. 'Hangbaizhi' (HBZ) and Angelica dahurica cv. 'Qibaizhi' (QBZ). Long-term geographical isolation has led to significant quality differences between them. The secretory structure in medicinal plants, as a place for accumulating effective constituents and information transmission to the environment, links the environment with the quality of medicinal materials. However, the secretory tract differences between HBZ and QBZ has not been revealed. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the secretory tract and the quality of two kinds of A. dahurica. Root samples were collected at seven development phases. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (DESI-MSI) were used for the content determination and spatial location of coumarins. Paraffin section was used to observe and localize the root secretory tract. Origin, CaseViewer, and HDI software were used for data analysis and image processing. The results showed that compared to QBZ, HBZ, with better quality, has a larger area of root secretory tracts. Hence, the root secretory tract can be included in the quality evaluation indicators of A. dahurica. Additionally, DESI-MSI technology was used for the first time to elucidate the temporal and spatial distribution of coumarin components in A. dahurica root tissues. This study provides a theoretical basis for the quality evaluation and breeding of improved varieties of A. dahurica and references the DESI-MSI technology used to analyze the metabolic differences of various compounds, including coumarin and volatile oil, in different tissue parts of A. dahurica.

Water Extract of Angelica dahurica Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Loss

Angelica dahurica radix has a long history of traditional use in China and Korea for treating headaches, cold-damp pain and skin diseases. Despite various pharmacological studies on A. dahurica, its impact on bones remains unclear. Hence, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of A. dahurica's radix water extract (WEAD) on osteoclast differentiation. In vitro experiments showed that WEAD effectively suppresses osteoclast differentiation. Treatment of an osteoclast precursor with WEAD significantly suppressed the expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1), essential transcription factor for osteoclastogenesis, while increasing the expression of negative regulators, interferon regulatory factor 8 (Irf8) and v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (MafB). Consistent with the in vitro findings, the oral administration of WEAD (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) to mice subjected to surgical ovariectomy for a duration of six weeks alleviated bone loss, while also mitigating weight gain and liver fat accumulation. In addition, we also identified phytochemicals present in WEAD, known to regulate osteoclastogenesis and/or bone loss. These results suggest the potential use of WEAD for treating various bone disorders caused by excessive bone resorption.

Analysis of the rhizosphere bacterial diversity of Angelica dahurica var. formosana from different experimental sites and varieties (strains)

Background

Rhizosphere bacteria play important roles in plant growth and secondary metabolite accumulation. Moreover, only with favorable production areas and desirable germplasm can high-yield and high-quality medicinal materials be produced. However, whether origin and germplasm indirectly affect the yield and quality of Angelica dahurica var. formosana through rhizosphere bacterial effects are not known.

Methods

In this study, a high-throughput sequencing strategy was used to explore the relationship between the rhizosphere bacterial community and the cultivation of A. dahurica var. formosana from different production areas and germplasm for the first time.

Results

(1) Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum in the rhizosphere soil of A. dahurica var. formosana, and these bacteria were stable and conserved to a certain extent. (2) High abundance of Proteobacteria was an important rhizospheric indicator of high yield, and high abundance of Firmicutes was an important indicator of high quality. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes might have an important relationship with the yield and quality of A. dahurica var. formosana, respectively. (3) PCoA cluster analysis demonstrated that both production area and germplasm affected the bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere of A. dahurica var. formosana to a certain extent, and production area had the greatest effect. In addition to available potassium, the rhizosphere soil nutrient levels of different production areas strongly affected the bacterial diversity and community. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the exploitation and utilization of rhizosphere microbial resources of A. dahurica var. formosana and offer a novel approach for increasing the yield and quality of this crop.

The Prediction of Antioxidant Q-Markers for Angelica dahurica Based on the Dynamics Change in Chemical Compositions and Network Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the accumulation and mutual transformation patterns of the chemical components in Angelica dahurica (A. dahurica) and predict the quality markers (Q-Markers) of its antioxidant activity.

METHOD

The types of and content changes in the chemical components in various parts of A. dahurica during different periods were analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology (GC-MS). The antioxidant effect of the Q-Markers was predicted using network pharmacological networks, and molecular docking was used to verify the biological activity of the Q-Markers.

RESULT

The differences in the content changes in the coumarin compounds in different parts were found by using GC-MS technology, with the relative content being the best in the root, followed by the leaves, and the least in the stems. The common components were used as potential Q-Markers for a network pharmacology analysis. The component-target-pathway-disease network was constructed. In the molecular docking, the Q-Markers had a good binding ability with the core target, reflecting better biological activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The accumulation and mutual transformation patterns of the chemical components in different parts of A. dahurica were clarified. The predicted Q-Markers lay a material foundation for the establishment of quality standards and a quality evaluation.

Pyrrole-2-carboxaldehydes: Origins and Physiological Activities

Pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde (Py-2-C) derivatives have been isolated from many natural sources, including fungi, plants (roots, leaves, and seeds), and microorganisms. The well-known diabetes molecular marker, pyrraline, which is produced after sequential reactions in vivo, has a Py-2-C skeleton. Py-2-Cs can be chemically produced by the strong acid-catalyzed condensation of glucose and amino acid derivatives in vitro. These observations indicate the importance of the Py-2-C skeleton in vivo and suggest that molecules containing this skeleton have various biological functions. In this review, we have summarized Py-2-C derivatives based on their origins. We also discuss the structural characteristics, natural sources, and physiological activities of isolated compounds containing the Py-2-C group.

Kampo herbal ointments for skin wound healing

The management of skin wound healing problems is a public health issue in which traditional herbal medicines could play a determining role. Kampo medicine, with three traditionally used ointments, provides interesting solutions for these dermatological issues. These ointments named Shiunkō, Chuōkō, and Shinsen taitsukō all have in common a lipophilic base of sesame oil and beeswax from which herbal crude drugs are extracted according to several possible manufacturing protocols. This review article brings together existing data on metabolites involved in the complex wound healing process. Among them are representatives of the botanical genera Angelica, Lithospermum, Curcuma, Phellodendron, Paeonia, Rheum, Rehmannia, Scrophularia, or Cinnamomum. Kampo provides numerous metabolites of interest, whose content in crude drugs is very sensitive to different biotic and abiotic factors and to the different extraction protocols used for these ointments. If Kampo medicine is known for its singular standardization, ointments are not well known, and research on these lipophilic formulas has not been developed due to the analytical difficulties encountered in biological and metabolomic analysis. Further research considering the complexities of these unique herbal ointments could contribute to a rationalization of Kampo's therapeutic uses for wound healing.

Phytochemical Constituents, Folk Medicinal Uses, and Biological Activities of Genus Angelica: A Review

Genus Angelica is one of the widely distributed and well-known genera of family Umbelliferae. It is utilized mainly by Chinese and Korean populations especially in their folk medicine. Angelica comprises a lot of medicinally important phytoconstituents such as coumarins, furanocoumarins, flavonoids, essential oils, verbascosides, polysaccharides, etc. Members of this genus play important roles, namely antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, skin-whitening, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, and many others. This review draws attention to many species of genus Angelica with much focus on A. dahurica being one of the highly medicinally used species within this genus.