Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Extract Attenuates Homocysteine-Induced Vascular Inflammation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a main risk factor for phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and atherosclerosis. Phenotypic switching and proliferation of VSMCs are related to the progression of vascular inflammation. Chrysanthemum coronarium L. is a leafy vegetable with various biological functions, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. In this study, we aimed to identify the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic and preventive effects of C. coronarium L. extract (CC) in regulating homocysteine (Hcy)-induced vascular inflammation in human aortic VSMCs. CC did not exhibit cytotoxicity and inhibited Hcy-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration. In addition, CC promoted Hcy-induced expression of VSMC contractile phenotype proteins, including alpha-smooth muscle actin, calponin, and smooth muscle 22α. CC also decreased Hcy-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and expression of inflammatory markers nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-4 and soluble epoxide hydrolase. These results showed that CC attenuates Hcy-induced inflammatory responses, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic or preventive target for Hcy-induced vascular inflammation.

Chromosome-level genome of a leaf vegetable Glebionis coronaria provides insights into the biosynthesis of monoterpenoids contributing to its special aroma

Glebionis coronaria is a popular vegetable with special aroma and a medical plant in East Asia and Mediterranean, but its biological studies and breeding have been hindered by the lack of reference genome. Here, we present a chromosome-level reference genome of G. coronaria, with assembled genome size of 6.8 Gb, which is the largest among all the published genomes of diploid Asteraceae species. The large genome size of G. coronaria is mainly caused by the recent widespread explosions of long-terminal-repeat retrotransposons. Analyses of macro-synteny and synonymous mutation rate distribution indicate that the G. coronaria genome experienced a whole-genome triplication at 40-45 million years ago, shared with all Asteraceae species. In subtribe Artemisiinae, Glebionis arose before the divergence of Chrysanthemum from Artemisia, and Glebionis species evolved much faster than Chrysanthemum and Artemisia species. In G. coronaria, the synthesis genes of monoterpenoids 8-oxocitronellyl enol and isopiperitenone were expanded, and the higher expressions of these expanded genes in leaves and stems may contribute to its special aroma. The G. coronaria genomic resources will promote the evolution studies of Asteraceae, the metabolism mechanism studies of bioactive compounds, and the breeding improvement of agronomic traits in G. coronaria.

Health-promoting foods and food crops of West-Africa origin: The bioactive compounds and immunomodulating potential

The rural communities of the sub-Sahara regions in Africa are rich in diverse indigenous culinary knowledge and foods, food crops, and condiments such as roots/tubers, cereal, legumes/pulses, locust beans, and green leafy vegetables. These food crops are rich in micronutrients and phytochemicals, which have the potentials to address hidden hunger as well as promote health when consumed. Some examples of these are fermented foods such as ogi and plants such as Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Zingiber officinales (garlic), Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle), and condiments. Food crops from West Africa contain numerous bioactive substances such as saponins, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, and monoterpenoid chemicals among others. These bioresources have proven biological and pharmacological activities due to diverse mechanisms of action such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antioxidant activities which made them suitable as candidates for nutraceuticals and pharma foods. This review seeks to explore the different processes such as fermentation applied during food preparation and food crops of West-African origin with health-promoting benefits. The different bioactive compounds present in such food or food crops are discussed extensively as well as the diverse application, especially regarding respiratory diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The plants and herbs summarized here are more easily accessible and affordable by therapists and others having a passion for promising medicinal properties of African-origin plants.The mechanisms and unique metabolic potentials of African food crops discussed in this article will promote their applicability as a template molecule for novel drug discoveries in treatment strategies for emerging diseases. This compilation of antiviral plants will help clinicians and researchers bring new preventive strategies in combating COVID-19 like viral diseases, ultimately saving millions of affected people.

Complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach (Asteraceae)

Glebionis coronaria (Asteraceae) is widely distributed in China, and it regulates the stomach, strengthens the spleen, reduces blood pressure, and reinforces the brain. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of G. coronaria was reported. The total chloroplast genome cycle was 149,750 bp, and it formed a large single-copy (LSC, 82,290 bp), a small single-copy (SSC, 18,414 bp), and two inverted repeats (IR, 24,523 bp) regions. The GC content of this genome was 36.35%. The whole-genome contained 128 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that G. coronaria appeared within a clade comprised of Chrysanthemum species.

Cardenolides and pentacyclic triterpenes isolated from Acokanthera oblongifolia leaves: their biological activities with molecular docking study

Pentacyclic triterpenes and cardenolides were isolated from Acokanthera oblongifolia leaves. Their chemical structures were determined based on comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Their MIC was determined against 12 microorganisms. Their exerted cytotoxicity on the immortalized normal cells, hTERT-RPE1 was assessed by the sulforhodamine-B assay. The viral inhibitory effects of compounds against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and H5N1 influenza virus IV were evaluated. Four in vitro antioxidant assays were performed in comparison with BHT and trolox and a weak activity was exhibited. Acovenoside A was with potent against H5N1-IV and NDV with IC₅₀ ≤ 3.2 and ≤ 2.1 μg/ml and SI values of 93.75 and 95.23%, respectively, in comparison to ribavirin. Its CC₅₀ record on Vero cells was > 400 and 200 μg/ml, respectively. Acobioside A was the most active compound against a broad range of microbes while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive. Its MIC (0.07 μg/ml) was 1/100-fold of the recorded CC₅₀ (7.1 μg/ml/72 h) against hTERT-RPE1. The molecular docking of compounds on human DNA topoisomerase I (Top1-DNA) and IV glycoprotein hemagglutinin were studied using MOE program. This study has introduced the cardenolides rather than triterpenoids with the best docking score and binding interaction with the active site of the studied proteins.

Preventive Effects of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Extract on Bone Metabolism In Vitro and In Vivo

Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mass and bone microarchitectural failure, leading to an enhanced risk of bone fractures. Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (CC) is a natural plant with powerful antioxidant activity. This study investigated the antiosteoporotic effects of CC extracts in in vitro cell cultures and in vivo bone loss animal models. CC stimulated osteoblast differentiation and mineralized bone formation by osteoblasts by increasing the expression of bone formation markers (alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and osteoprotegerin/receptor activator nuclear factor-κB ligand ratio) in the murine preosteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. Additionally, CC was found to inhibit osteoclast differentiation by downregulating bone resorption markers (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein, and calcitonin receptor) in the murine macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7. CC prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss, preserved trabecular microarchitecture, and improved serum bone turnover markers in an osteoporotic mouse model. These findings suggest that CC extract may be considered as a natural therapeutic or preventive agent for osteoporotic bone loss.

Eco-friendly mechanobiological assisted extraction of phenolic acids and flavonoids from Chrysanthemum

A novel mechanobiological assisted extraction (MBAE) method was developed for simultaneous extraction of phenolic acids and flavonoids from Chrysanthemum morifolium. Optimization of extraction factors was performed by response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken design. The optimal parameters for MBAE were as follows: the amount of enzyme 1% (wt^-1), cellulase/pectinase ratio 2:1 (mgmg^-1), enzyme solution pH 4.88, extraction pH 10.0, grinding time 40 min and liquid/solid ratio 20:1 (mL/g). Five target compounds flavonoids were identified and quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in a negative mode. Under optimum conditions, the standard calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.01-20 μg mL^-1 and the correlation coefficients were above 0.999 with recoveries of 87.74-119.96%. The developed MBAE method showed the advantages of efficient, time-saving and environmentally friendly which had greater extraction capacity than conventional organic extraction. This is the first attempt that combining mechanochemistry and enzymes to simultaneously extraction phenolic acid and flavonoids from plant.

Therapeutic activity of sour orange albedo extract and abundant flavanones loaded silica nanoparticles against acrylamide-induced hepatotoxicity

The current research aims to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of sour orange albedo extract (SOAE) and two flavanones loaded-tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) using sol-gel technique, in adose100 mg/kg body weight taken orally or45 days against acrylamide (ACR)toxicity in rats. This was achieved through measuring the activities of specific biochemical parameters related to liver functions in tissue of ACR intoxicated rats as compared to normal one. Liver functions included alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers; superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde, MDA). Moreover, histological examination of liver was performed to confirm the biochemical findings. The present results clearly indicated disturbances in all biochemical parameters, such as increase in the liver function enzyme activities and MDA level. Results of ATPase enzyme activities revealed significant decrease in ACR intoxicated rats and liver biomarker enzymes declared significant decrease. On the other hand, treatment of intoxicated rats with the previous different nano-particles natural product demonstrated improvement in all biochemical parameters under investigation.

Sequencing and Analysis of Chrysanthemum carinatum Schousb and Kalimeris indica. The Complete Chloroplast Genomes Reveal Two Inversions and rbcL as Barcoding of the Vegetable

Chrysanthemum carinatum Schousb and Kalimeris indica are widely distributed edible vegetables and the sources of the Chinese medicine Asteraceae. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Asteraceae usually occurs in the inversions of two regions. Hence, the cp genome sequences and structures of Asteraceae species are crucial for the cp genome genetic diversity and evolutionary studies. Hence, in this paper, we have sequenced and analyzed for the first time the cp genome size of C. carinatum Schousb and K. indica, which are 149,752 bp and 152,885 bp, with a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (24,523 bp and 25,003) separated by a large single copy (LSC) region (82,290 bp and 84,610) and a small single copy (SSC) region (18,416 bp and 18,269), respectively. In total, 79 protein-coding genes, 30 distinct transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, four distinct rRNA genes and two pseudogenes were found not only in C. carinatum Schousb but also in the K. indica cp genome. Fifty-two (52) and fifty-nine (59) repeats, and seventy (70) and ninety (90) simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were found in the C. carinatum Schousb and K. indica cp genomes, respectively. Codon usage analysis showed that leucine, isoleucine, and serine are the most frequent amino acids and that the UAA stop codon was the significantly favorite stop codon in both cp genomes. The two inversions, the LSC region ranging from trnC-GCA to trnG-UCC and the whole SSC region were found in both of them. The complete cp genome comparison with other Asteraceae species showed that the coding area is more conservative than the non-coding area. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the rbcL gene is a good barcoding marker for identifying different vegetables. These results give an insight into the identification, the barcoding, and the understanding of the evolutionary model of the Asteraceae cp genome.

Crystal structure of 3′,4′,5-trihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone, C17H14O7

C17H14O7, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.6670(4) Å, b = 11.3338(4) Å, c = 11.6415(4) Å, β = 110.269(1) Å, V = 1444.05(9) Å3, Z = 4, R gt (F) = 0.038, wR ref (F 2 ) = 0.117, T = 296 K.

Diosmetin protects against retinal injury via reduction of DNA damage and oxidative stress

Visual impairment is a global public health problem that needs new candidate drugs. Chrysanthemum is a traditional Chinese drug, famous for its eye-protective function, with an unclear mechanism of action. To determine how chrysanthemum contributes to vision, we identified, for the first time, the component of chrysanthemum, diosmetin (DIO), which acts in protecting the injured retina in an adriamycin (ADR) improving model. We observed that DIO could attenuate the apoptosis of retinal cells in Sprague–Dawley rats and verified this effect in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, ARPE-19. Our further study on the mechanism revealed the counteractive effect of DIO on the attenuation of DNA damage and oxidative stress, which occurs in a wide range of retinal disorders. These results collectively promise the potential value of DIO as a retinal-protective agent for disorders that lead to blindness. In addition, we identified, for the first time, the component of chrysanthemum, DIO, which acts in protecting the injured retina.