The Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Effects of Mesona Chinensis Benth Extracts

Enhancement of wound healing by a bilayer hydrogel and nanofiber scaffold infused with Calophyllum inophyllum oil and Platostoma palustre aqueous extract

Natural wound dressings have attracted substantial interest among researchers due to their biocompatible, bioactive, and eco-friendly properties. This paper focuses on introducing the bio-engineered bilayer design, fabrication, and characterizations of a Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil (CIO) - loaded scaffold within a polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) matrix, fortified with Hsiantsao aqueous extract. The scaffold - consisting of a semi-hydrophobic hydrogel and a hydrophilic nanofiber - was successfully synthesized using polymerization and centrifugal electrospinning techniques. Engineered to create a synergistic effect; physiologically, the fabricated bilayer scaffold demonstrated increased flexibility in the stress-strain curve via elongation; it also exhibited prompt high water absorption and maintained a neutral pH value (7.125 to 7.325). Chemically, the scaffold showed superior biocompatibility, robust antioxidants (82.19 % ± 0.08 in DPPH scavenging, 90.23 % ± 0.22 in ABTS scavenging), and confirmed antimicrobial activities. In a rat wound model, the CIO-loaded PVA/SA/Hsiantsao scaffold markedly improved wound healing by day 15, reaching a wound closure rate of 98.22 % ± 0.82. Also, the scaffold degraded up to 47 % in vitro within a month, indicating its eco-friendly characteristics. From these findings, this study underscores the potential of the bilayer CIO-loaded PVA/SA/Hsiantsao scaffold as an advanced wound care dressing, setting the stage for prospective clinical applications.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of flavonoid accumulation in different cultivars of Platostoma palustre

BACKGROUND

Platostoma palustre is a kind of plant resource with medicinal and food value, which has been differentiated into many different varieties after a long period of breeding. The cultivars of Taiwan(TW) and Pingyuan(PY) are widely grown in Guangdong, but a clear basis for species differentiation has not yet been established, resulting in the mixing of different species which limits their production and application.

RESULTS

Regarding leaf surface morphology, the TW exhibited greater leaf area, non-glandular hairs, and the number of stomata than the PY. Regarding chemical activities, the TW exhibited higher total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity than the PY. In metabolomics, a total of 85 DAMs were detected, among which four flavonoid DAMs were identified, all of which were up-regulated in TW expression. Transcriptome analysis identified 2503 DEGs, which were classified according to their functional roles. The results demonstrated that the DEGs were primarily involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, sorting and degradation. A total 536 transcription factors (TFs) were identified, of which bHLH and MYB were the top two most abundant TFs families. Combined analysis of metabolome and transcriptome indicated that the phenylpropanoid pathway plays a significant role in flavonoid synthesis. Furthermore, real-time fluorescence qrt-PCR validation demonstrated that the expression trend of 10 DEGs was consistent with the transcriptomics data.

CONCLUSION

The phenylpropanoid pathway affects the synthesis of secondary metabolites, resulting in functional differences. In this study, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of flavonoid synthesis in P. palustre and to provide a theoretical basis for the identification, differentiation and breeding cultivation of different cultivars of P. palustre.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the WRKY gene family reveal essential roles in abiotic stress responses and polysaccharides and flavonoids biosynthesis in Platostoma palustre (Blume) A. J. Paton

BACKGROUND

Platostoma palustre (Blume) A. J. Paton is an economic crop with medicinal and edible properties. WRKY transcription factors are widely involved in the growth and development, response to adversity stress, and hormone transduction of plants. The identification of the WRKY gene family has been completed in many plants, however, it has not yet been identified and analyzed at the genome-wide level in P. palustre.

RESULTS

In this study, we identified 133 PpWRKY gene family members (PpWRKYs) at the whole genome level of P. palustre, which were unevenly distributed on 15 chromosomes. Based on their protein structure and phylogenetic characteristics, the 133 PpWRKYs were divided into 3 subgroups. Segmental duplication events might play a crucial role in the expansion of the PpWRKY gene family. Through the transcriptome expression data analysis, the expression profiles of PpWRKY genes under Cd, red light, salt, and drought stresses were analyzed in this study, suggesting that WRKY transcription factors may play a crucial role in responding to different abiotic stresses in P. palustre. Notably, PpWRKY92 exhibited simultaneous responses to Cd, light intensity, salt, and drought stresses. Additionally, PpWRKY21, 75, 90, 52, 124, 39, 115, 122, 20, and 76 demonstrated a strong correlation with both monosaccharides and flavonoids. Taken together, PpWRKY20, 39, 75, 76, 90, 92, 115, 122, and 124 were found to be associated with the abiotic stress response and polysaccharides and flavonoids biosynthesis in P. palustre, except the low-expressed PpWRKY21 and 52.

CONCLUSION

The present study laid the foundation for the abiotic stress response and metabolite regulation of this gene family in P. palustre.

Preparation technologies, structural features, and biological activities of polysaccharides from Mesona chinensis Benth.: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mesona chinensis Benth. (or Platostoma palustre (Blume) A. J. Paton) is an important medicinal and edible plant also known as the Hsian-tsao in China and Southeast Asian countries. It is cold in nature and sweet in taste, with the effects of clearing heat, relieving heatstroke and diuretic, and traditionally used to treat heatstroke, erysipelas, hypertension, joint pain and other diseases in folk medicine. It is also a popular supplement with the function of detoxifying and heat-clearing use in Asia. It is used to be processed into the popular tea, Bean jelly, and so on. Published studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides from M. chinensis (MCPs) are one of the principal bioactive ingredients with a variety of health-promoting effects in the prevention and treatment of diseases, including antioxidant, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, regulation of gut microbiota, and other pharmacological properties.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to compile the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities including the mechanism of action of MCPs, and to further understand the applications of M. chinensis in order to lay the foundation for the development of MCPs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By inputting the search term "Mesona chinensis polysaccharides", relevant research information was obtained from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

RESULTS

More than 40 polysaccharides have been extracted from M. chinensis, different extraction and purification methods have been described, as well as the structural features and pharmacological activities of MCPs have been systematically reviewed. Polysaccharides, as important components of M. chinensis, were mainly extracted by methods such as hot water dipping method, hot alkali extraction method, enzyme-assisted extraction method and ultrasonic-assisted extraction method, subsequently obtained by decolorization, deproteinization, removal of other small molecules and separation on various chromatographic columns. The chemical composition and structure of MCPs show diversity and have a variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, regulation of gut microbiota, and so on.

CONCLUSIONS

This article systematically reviews the research progress of MCPs in terms of extraction and purification, structural characteristics, rheological gel properties, pharmacological properties, and safety assessment. The potentials and roles of M. chinensis in the field of medicine, functional food, and materials are further highlighted to provide references and bases for the high-value processing and utilization of MCPs.

Functionality and Health-Promoting Properties of Polysaccharide and Plant-Derived Substances from Mesona chinensis

Mesona chinensis, in Thai called Chao Kuay and in Chinese Hsian-tsao, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This herbal plant grows widely in Southern China, Taiwan (China), Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The Mesona plant is used to make functional products such as drinks and soft textured sweet treats, and also traditional medicine, to treat heat stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, high blood sugar, hepatic diseases, colon diseases, inflammatory conditions, and to alleviate myalgia. The proximate composition of M. chinensis is a mixture of protein, fat, fiber, ash, and minerals. The main biological compounds in M. chinensis extracts are polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, with wide-ranging pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, carcinoma-inhibitory, renal-protective, antihypertensive, DNA damage-protective, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review investigated the proximate composition, polysaccharide type, and pharmacological properties of M. chinensis extracts. Phytochemical properties enhance the actions of the gut microbiota and improve health benefits. This review assessed the functional and medicinal activities of M. chinensis extracts. Future studies should further elucidate the in vitro/in vivo mechanisms of this plant extract and its impact on gut health.

Composition of Polygonatum zanlanscianense Pamp. Steam and Leaf Phenolic Extract and Its Protective Mechanism on t-BHP-Induced Oxidative Damage of HepG2 Cells

Plant phenolic compounds have attracted considerable attention because of their health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the composition and antioxidant activity of phenol extracts from Polygonatum zanlanscianense Pamp. steam and leaf (PPP). The FTIR, UPLC-Q-Obtrip-MS, and HPLC-DAD methods were used to analyze the composition of PPP, and 20 phenolic compounds were preliminarily identified. Among them, the contents of hyperin, astragalin, and diosmetin levels were the highest. Treatment with PPP can significantly reduce t-BHP-induced cell damage in HepG2 cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Meanwhile, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities can be increased. Moreover, PPP enhanced Nrf2 expression, which was consistent with that of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), whereas the expression of Keap1, the Nrf2 inhibitor, was decreased. All findings indicate that PPP can serve as a natural bioactive substance for preventing oxidative stress.

In vitro and in vivo exploration of the anti-atopic dermatitis mechanism of action of Tibetan medicine Qi-Sai-Er-Sang-Dang-Song decoction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tibetan medicine Qi-Sai-Er-Sang-Dang-Song Decoction(QSD, ཆུ་སེར་སེང་ལྡེང་སུམ་ཐང་།)is a traditional Tibetan medical formulation with demonstrated clinical benefits in atopic dermatitis (AD). However, its potential mechanism and molecular targets remain to be elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to explore the activity and mechanism of QSD on AD in multiple dimensions by combining in vitro and in vivo experiments with network pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AD effect of QSD was investigated by evaluating the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 cells. AD-like skin lesions in female BALB/c mice were induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). QSD or dexamethasone (positive control) were gavagely administered daily for 15 consecutive days. The body weight and skin lesion severity were recorded throughout the study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) analysis were used to illuminate the molecular targets associated with the anti-AD effects of QSD. Meanwhile, the ingredients of QSD in the blood were revealed and analyzed by Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) method. Network pharmacology was used to predict the targets and mechanism of active ingredient therapy for AD. In addition, the network pharmacology outcomes were further verified by molecular docking.

RESULT

After treatment with QSD, the levels of NO and IL-6 were decreased in the cell supernatant. Herein, QSD markedly decreased the eosinophil and mast cells infiltration in the dorsal skin of the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. Moreover, QSD reconstructed the epidermal barrier by increasing the content of collagen fibers and changing the arrangement of DNCB-treated mice. QSD not only inhibited the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) but also inhibited phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) proteins in the dorsal skin. Four active ingredients were identified through UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, including (-)-epicatechin, kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, cassiaside, and questin. After the network pharmacological analysis, six core targets of QSD closely related to AD were obtained, including TNF-α, IL-6, Caspase-3 (CASP3), Epidermal growth factor (EGFR), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), and Neurotrophic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 1 (NTRK1). Meanwhile, through Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment, the Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway occupies an important position in the QSD treatment of AD. The molecular docking results showed that the six core targets are stable in binding to the four active ingredients as indicated by the molecular docking results.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-AD effect of QSD might be related to the reconstruction of the epidermal barrier and inhibition of inflammation, which regulated the MAPK pathway. Hence, it provided a promising idea for the study of Tibetan medicine prescriptions for the treatment of AD.