The Effects of Radix Astragali Water Abstract on Energy Metabolism in Rat Yang-Deficiency Cold Syndrome Model through PPAR Signaling Pathway

Changes to PUFA-PPAR pathway during mesaconitine induced myocardial coagulative necrosis

Coagulation necrosis is characterized by the denaturation of structural proteins and lysosomal enzymes; its occurrence in myocardium can lead to heart failure. Current studies on myocardial injury primarily focus on inflammation, hypertrophy, and hemorrhage, while those on myocardial coagulation necrosis are still limited. Mesaconitine (MA), a C₁₉ diester diterpenoid alkaloid derived from Aconitum carmichaelii Debx, has strong cardiotoxicity. During this study, the myocardial cells of SD rats showed significant coagulative necrosis after 6 days of oral administration of MA at a dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day. Investigations of its biological mechanism showed abnormal levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors Alpha (PPARα) pathway related protein. Moreover, MA affected the PPARα signaling pathway through interactions with proteins such as POR, TFAM and GPD1, indirectly indicating that these above proteins are important targets for blocking myocardial coagulative necrosis. This study thus discusses the effects of the use of cardiotoxic compound, MA, to initiate myocardial coagulative necrosis and its associated toxic mechanisms.

Microalgae Bioactive Carbohydrates as a Novel Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Source of Prebiotics: Emerging Health Functionality and Recent Technologies for Extraction and Detection

There is a global interest in the novel consumption, nutritional trends, and the market of new prebiotic sources and their potential functional impacts. Commercially available nutritional supplements based on microalgae that are approved to be edible by FDA, like Arthrospira platensis (Cyanobacteria) and Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorophyta) become widely attractive. Microalgae are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids that have high bioactivity. Recently, scientists are studying the microalgae polysaccharides (PS) or their derivatives (as dietary fibers) for their potential action as a novel prebiotic source for functional foods. Besides, the microalgae prebiotic polysaccharides are used for medication due to their antioxidant, anticancer, and antihypertensive bioactivities. This review provides an overview of microalgae prebiotics and other macromolecules’ health benefits. The phytochemistry of various species as alternative future sources of novel polysaccharides were mentioned. The application as well as the production constraints and multidisciplinary approaches for evaluating microalgae phytochemistry were discussed. Additionally, the association between this potential of combining techniques like spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical analyses for microalgae sensation and analysis novelty compared to the chemical methods was emphasized.

Differentiation of Yin, Yang and Stasis Syndromes in Severe Aplastic Anemia Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Their Correlation with Iron Metabolism, cAMP/cGMP, 17-OH-CS and Thyroxine

Objective

To better understanding and differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) and their correlation with iron metabolism, cAMP/cGMP, 17-OH-CS and thyroxine.

Methods

Eighteen patients with SAA who underwent HSCT were enrolled. The syndrome was evaluated before conditioning and days after stem cell reinfusion (−10d, −1d, +7d, +30d, +60d, and +90d). The correlation of TCM syndrome (Yin, Yang, and stasis) to cyclic nucleotides, 17-OH-CS, thyroxine, and iron metabolism were analyzed and compared to data from normal subjects.

Results

More “Yin deficiency” (n=11, 11/18) syndrome was observed before HSCT, and nearly 61% was complicated with “blood stasis”. After conditioning, the proportion of “kidney Yin and Yang deficiency” increased to 61.6%. Fourteen days after HSCT, the syndrome developed into “Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency,” and the stasis score decreased. On +90day, majority patients were diagnosed with “Kidney Yang Deficiency” (35.7%) or “Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency” (28.6%), and 88.9% were diagnosed without stasis. The correlation analysis showed that cGMP might represent “Deficient Yang” as well as low total triiodothyronine (T3) and free T3 (FT3). There was also a positive relation between labile plasma iron (LPI), hepcidin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and “Yin deficiency”, and the last two factors, along with marrow nitric oxide synthase were also positively related to “Stasis” syndrome.

Conclusion

During HSCT, the syndrome evolved from “kidney Yin and Yang deficiency” to “kidney Yang deficiency” or “spleen–kidney Yang deficiency”, and the “stasis” along with “Yin deficiency” syndromes were quickly relieved within 90 days. The changes of cyclic nucleotides, 17-OH-CS, thyroxine, and iron metabolism indexes can be applied for better differentiation of TCM syndrome.

Transcriptomic analyses of the biological effects of black carbon exposure to A549 cells

Ambient black carbon (BC) is found to be associated with increased risk of diverse pulmonary diseases, including acute respiratory inflammation and decreased lung function. Freshly emitted BC (FBC) can be transformed into oxidized BC (OBC) through the photochemical oxidization in the air. How this oxidization process influences the toxicity of BC particles is unclear. Previous studies found FBC and OBC could induce oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aimed to further compare the regulating pathways and tried to reveal the crucial target genes caused by FBC and OBC in A549 cells based on transcriptomic data. A total of 47,000 genes in A549 cells after treated with FBC and OBC were examined using Affymetrix Human U133 plus 2.0 chips. Gene ontology (GO) classification (functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) classification (pathway enrichment of differentially expressed genes) were conducted and crucial genes were screened. The results showed that top 50 GO terms of FBC and OBC were not completely consistent. The Go term of cation channel was only identified in OBC group, probably caused by the characteristic that zeta potential of OBC is negative, while, that of FBC is positive. In addition transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (trpm7) gene was suggested to be closely related to this process caused by OBC. There are 47 identical pathways in FBC and OBC group among the top 50 KEGG. The inconsistent pathways are mostly related to inflammation with different up-regulation or down-regulation trends of crucial genes. The KEGG results suggested that FBC and OBC both cause inflammatory responses, but through different regulating pathways. In conclusion, OBC and FBC could induce similar toxic endpoints in A549 cells, but the underline regulating processes are not exactly the same.

A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics on Astragali Radix: Implications for Astragali Radix as a Personalized Medicine

Astragali radix (AR) is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practices indicate that AR possesses various biological functions, including potent immunomodulation, antioxidant, anti-inflammation and antitumor activities. To date, more than 200 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from AR. Among them, isoflavonoids, saponins and polysaccharides are the three main types of beneficial compounds responsible for its pharmacological activities and therapeutic efficacy. After ingestion of AR, the metabolism and biotransformation of the bioactive compounds were extensive in vivo. The isoflavonoids and saponins and their metabolites are the major type of constituents absorbed in plasma. The bioavailability barrier (BB), which is mainly composed of efflux transporters and conjugating enzymes, is expected to have a significant impact on the bioavailability of AR. This review summarizes studies on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics on AR. Additionally, the use of AR as a personalized medicine based on the BB is also discussed, which may provide beneficial information to achieve a better and more accurate therapeutic response of AR in clinical practice.