Sedative and hypnotic effects of the saponins from a traditional edible plant Liriope spicata Lour. in PCPA-induced insomnia mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Liriope spicata Lour., a species listed in the catalogue of 'Medicinal and Edible Homologous Species', is traditionally used for the treatment of fatigue, restlessness, insomnia and constipation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study is aimed to evaluate the sedative and hypnotic effect of the saponins from a natural plant L. spicata Lour. in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The total saponin (LSTS) and purified saponin (LSPS) were extracted from L. spicata, followed by a thorough analysis of their major components using the HPLC-MS. Subsequently, the therapeutic efficacy of LSTS and LSPS was evaluated by the improvement of anxiety and depression behaviors of the PCPA-induced mice.

RESULTS

LSTS and LSPS exhibited similar saponin compositions but differ in their composition ratios, with liriopesides-type saponins accounting for a larger proportion in LSTS. Studies demonstrated that both LSTS and LSPS can extend sleep duration and immobility time, while reducing sleep latency in PCPA-induced mice. However, there was no significant difference in weight change among the various mice groups. Elisa results indicated that the LSTS and LSPS could decrease levels of NE, DA, IL-6, and elevate the levels of 5-HT, NO, PGD2 and TNF-α in mice plasma. LSTS enhanced the expression of neurotransmitter receptors, while LSPS exhibited a more pronounced effect in regulating the expression of inflammatory factors. In conclusion, the saponins derived from L. spicata might hold promise as ingredients for developing health foods with sedative and hypnotic effects, potentially related to the modulation of serotonergic and GABAAergic neuron expression, as well as immunomodulatory process.

Enhancing astaxanthin accumulation through the expression of the plant-derived astaxanthin biosynthetic pathway in Dunaliella salina

Dunaliella salina, a microalga that thrives under high-saline conditions, is notable for its high β-carotene content and the absence of a polysaccharide cell wall. These unique characteristics render it a prime candidate as a cellular platform for astaxanthin production. In this study, our initial tests in an E. coli revealed that β-ring-4-dehydrogenase (CBFD) and 4-hydroxy-β-ring-4-dehydrogenase (HBFD) genes from Adonis aestivalis outperformed β-carotene hydroxylase (BCH) and β-carotene ketolase (BKT) from Haematococcus pluvialis counterparts by two-fold in terms of astaxanthin biosynthesis efficiency. Subsequently, we utilized electroporation to integrate either the BKT gene or the CBFD and HBFD genes into the genome of D. salina. In comparison to wild-type D. salina, strains transformed with BKT or CBFD and HBFD exhibited inhibited growth, underwent color changes to shades of red and yellow, and saw a nearly 50% decline in cell density. HPLC analysis confirmed astaxanthin synthesis in engineered D. salina strains, with CBFD + HBFD-D. salina yielding 134.88 ± 9.12 μg/g of dry cell weight (DCW), significantly higher than BKT-D. salina (83.58 ± 2.40 μg/g). This represents the largest amount of astaxanthin extracted from transgenic D. salina, as reported to date. These findings have significant implications, opening up new avenues for the development of specialized D. salina-based microcell factories for efficient astaxanthin production.

Functional Characterization of a CruP-Like Isomerase in Dunaliella

Dunaliella bardawil is a marine unicellular green algal that produces large amounts of β-carotene and is a model organism for studying the carotenoid synthesis pathway. However, there are still many mysteries about the enzymes of the D. bardawil lycopene synthesis pathway that have not been revealed. Here, we have identified a CruP-like lycopene isomerase, named DbLyISO, and successfully cloned its gene from D. bardawil. DbLyISO showed a high homology with CruPs. We constructed a 3D model of DbLyISO and performed molecular docking with lycopene, as well as molecular dynamics testing, to identify the functional characteristics of DbLyISO. Functional activity of DbLyISO was also performed by overexpressing gene in both E. coli and D. bardawil. Results revealed that DbLyISO acted at the C-5 and C-13 positions of lycopene, catalyzing its cis-trans isomerization to produce a more stable trans structure. These results provide new ideas for the development of a carotenoid series from engineered bacteria, algae, and plants.

Sedative and hypnotic effects of Polygala tenuifolia willd. saponins on insomnia mice and their targets

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polygala tenuifolia Willd. has been widely used in the treatment of cancer, forgetfulness, depression and other diseases.

AIM OF REVIEW

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sleep-enhancing effect and mechanism of P. tenuifolia saponins (PTS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The total saponin (YZ-I) and purified saponin (YZ-II) fractions were extracted and ICR mice model of insomnia was established by p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) induction to observe anxiety and depression behaviors. Effects of YZ-I and YZ-II on the levels of neurotransmitters, hormones, and inflammation cytokines were detected by ELISA, RT-qPCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

The results showed that YZ-I and YZ-II reduced the immobility time of mice and prolonged the sleep time of mice and significantly increased the concentrations of 5-HT, NE, PGD2, IL-1β and TNF-α. YZ-I and YZ-II regulated GABAARα2, GABAARα3, GAD65/67, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A, while regulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as DPR, PGD2, iNOS and TNF-α to exert sedative and hypnotic effects.

CONCLUSION

PTS are mainly achieved sedative and hypnotic effects by altering serotonergic, GABAergic and immune systems, but the effects and mechanisms of action of YZ-I were different from YZ-II.

Translocation of a fish spike from the pharynx to the thyroid gland: A case report

BACKGROUND

A fish spike stuck in the throat is a common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergency. However, it is very rare for a fish spike to reach the thyroid tissue through the throat, which is very dangerous and can lead to pharyngeal fistula, cervical abscess, mediastinal abscess, and thyroid abscess. Proper and timely management can help reduce complications, especially in elderly patients.

CASE SUMMARY

In the case presented here, the causative factor was dentures, but improper management aggravated the condition. In the case presented here, an elderly woman with a history of accidentally swallowing fish bones for 20 d had a sensation of foreign bodies in her throat. Eventually, computed tomography (CT) of the neck showed that the left side of the thyroid gland had a dense shadow in the form of a stripe.

CONCLUSION

If a fishbone foreign body is not visible during endoscopic examination but the patient has significant symptoms, the surgeon should be aware that the fishbone may be lodged in the thyroid. To avoid a misdiagnosis, ultrasound, CT, and other tests can be used to clarify the diagnosis. T The first step in treating a fish bone in the thyroid gland is to determine the position of the foreign body and the extent of the infection, and to develop a personalized surgical plan for its removal. At the same time, scientific information should be made available to the general public so that people know that if a fish bone is accidentally lodged, they should not force it to be swallowed or be spit out by inducing vomiting, which are incorrect methods and may aggravate the condition or even cause it to migrate outside the cavity, leading to serious complications, as in this reported case.

Choline Dehydrogenase Contributes to Salt Tolerance in Dunaliella through Betaine Synthesis

In Dunaliella tertiolecta, a microalga renowned for its extraordinary tolerance to high salinity levels up to 4.5 M NaCl, the mechanisms underlying its stress response have largely remained a mystery. In a groundbreaking discovery, this study identifies a choline dehydrogenase enzyme, termed DtCHDH, capable of converting choline to betaine aldehyde. Remarkably, this is the first identification of such an enzyme not just in D. tertiolecta but across the entire Chlorophyta. A 3D model of DtCHDH was constructed, and molecular docking with choline was performed, revealing a potential binding site for the substrate. The enzyme was heterologously expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) and subsequently purified, achieving enzyme activity of 672.2 U/mg. To elucidate the role of DtCHDH in the salt tolerance of D. tertiolecta, RNAi was employed to knock down DtCHDH gene expression. The results indicated that the Ri-12 strain exhibited compromised growth under both high and low salt conditions, along with consistent levels of DtCHDH gene expression and betaine content. Additionally, fatty acid analysis indicated that DtCHDH might also be a FAPs enzyme, catalyzing reactions with decarboxylase activity. This study not only illuminates the role of choline metabolism in D. tertiolecta's adaptation to high salinity but also identifies a novel target for enhancing the NaCl tolerance of microalgae in biotechnological applications.

Dual Roles of Two Malic Enzymes in Lipid Biosynthesis and Salt Stress Response in Dunaliella salina

Triacylglycerols (TAG) from microalgae can be used as feedstocks for biofuel production to address fuel shortages. Most of the current research has focused on the enzymes involved in TAG biosynthesis. In this study, the effects of malic enzyme (ME), which provides precursor and reducing power for TAG biosynthesis, on biomass and lipid accumulation and its response to salt stress in Dunaliella salina were investigated. The overexpression of DsME1 and DsME2 improved the lipid production, which reached 0.243 and 0.253 g/L and were 30.5 and 36.3% higher than wild type, respectively. The transcript levels of DsME1 and DsME2 increased with increasing salt concentration (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.5 mol/L NaCl), indicating that DsMEs participated in the salt stress response in D. salina. It was found that cis-acting elements associated with the salt stress response were present on the promoters of two DsMEs. The deletion of the MYB binding site (MBS) on the DsME2 promoter confirmed that MBS drives the expression of DsME2 to participate in osmotic regulation in D. salina. In conclusion, MEs are the critical enzymes that play pivotal roles in lipid accumulation and osmotic regulation.

Semen Ziziphus jujube Saponins Protects HaCaT Cells against UV Damage and Alleviates the Aging of Caenorhabditis elegans

The role of Semen Ziziphus jujube saponins in sedative and hypnosis has attracted much attention. The study aimed to investigate its possible UV damage protection and anti-aging effects. Total saponins (SZR I) and purified saponins (SZR II) were analyzed and compared by infrared spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The protective effects of SZR I, SZR II, and their three monomers on HaCaT cells damaged by UV were studied, and their anti-aging activities were observed by Caenorhabditis elegans with paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The results showed that SZR I and SZR II differ in chemical composition but both have the same three monomers. The cell survival rate treated with SZR I and SZR II at a concentration of 400 μg/mL increased by 34.45 and 88.98%, respectively, indicating that they could promote the proliferation of UVB-damaged HaCaT cells. Jujuboside A, Jujuboside B, and spinosin from the saponins exhibited similar effects on UVB-damaged HaCaT cells. SZR I and SZR II had little effect on reproductive performance but could delay the senescence caused by heat and oxidative stress of the C. elegans model. These results provide useful data that Semen Z. jujube saponin is a potential natural product with UV damage protection and anti-aging characteristics.

Roles of Two Phytoene Synthases and Orange Protein in Carotenoid Metabolism of the β-Carotene-Accumulating Dunaliella salina

Phytoene synthase (PSY) is a key enzyme in carotenoid metabolism and often regulated by orange protein. However, few studies have focused on the functional differentiation of the two PSYs and their regulation by protein interaction in the β-carotene-accumulating Dunaliella salina CCAP 19/18. In this study, we confirmed that DsPSY1 from D. salina possessed high PSY catalytic activity, whereas DsPSY2 almost had no activity. Two amino acid residues at positions 144 and 285 responsible for substrate binding were associated with the functional variance between DsPSY1 and DsPSY2. Moreover, orange protein from D. salina (DsOR) could interact with DsPSY1/2. DbPSY from Dunaliella sp. FACHB-847 also had high PSY activity, but DbOR could not interact with DbPSY, which might be one reason why it could not highly accumulate β-carotene. Overexpression of DsOR, especially the mutant DsORHis, could significantly improve the single-cell carotenoid content and change cell morphology (with larger cell size, bigger plastoglobuli, and fragmented starch granules) of D. salina. Overall, DsPSY1 played a dominant role in carotenoid biosynthesis in D. salina, and DsOR promoted carotenoid accumulation, especially β-carotene via interacting with DsPSY1/2 and regulating the plastid development. Our study provides a new clue for the regulatory mechanism of carotenoid metabolism in Dunaliella. IMPORTANCE Phytoene synthase (PSY) as the key rate-limiting enzyme in carotenoid metabolism can be regulated by various regulators and factors. We found that DsPSY1 played a dominant role in carotenogenesis in the β-carotene-accumulating Dunaliella salina, and two amino acid residues critical in the substrate binding were associated with the functional variance between DsPSY1 and DsPSY2. Orange protein from D. salina (DsOR) can promote carotenoid accumulation via interacting with DsPSY1/2 and regulating the plastid development, which provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of massive accumulation of β-carotene in D. salina.

DbMADS regulates carotenoid metabolism by repressing two carotenogenic genes in the green alga Dunaliella sp. FACHB-847

MADS transcription factors are involved in the regulation of fruit development and carotenoid metabolism in plants. However, whether and how carotenoid accumulation is regulated by algal MADS are largely unknown. In this study, we first used functional complementation to confirm the functional activity of phytoene synthase from the lutein-rich Dunaliella sp. FACHB-847 (DbPSY), the key rate-limiting enzyme in the carotenoid biosynthesis. Promoters of DbPSY and DbLcyB (lycopene β-cyclase) possessed multiple cis-acting elements such as light-, UV-B-, dehydration-, anaerobic-, and salt-responsive elements, W-box, and C-A-rich-G-box (MADS-box). Meanwhile, we isolated one nucleus-localized MADS transcription factor (DbMADS), belonging to type I MADS gene. Three carotenogenic genes, DbPSY, DbLcyB, and DbBCH (β-carotene hydroxylase) genes were upregulated at later stages, which was well correlated with the carotenoid accumulation. In contrast, DbMADS gene was highly expressed at lag phase with low carotenoid accumulation. Yeast one-hybrid assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that DbMADS could directly bind to the promoters of two carotenogenic genes, DbPSY and DbLcyB, and repress their transcriptions. This study suggested that DbMADS may act as a negative regulator of carotenoid biosynthesis by repressing DbPSY and DbLcyB at the lag phase, which provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of carotenoid metabolism in Dunaliella.

The hypoglycemic activities and underlying mechanisms of two saponins-rich components from fried Ziziphus jujuba Mill. kernel

Dried Ziziphus jujuba Mill. kernel is a potential natural source of nutraceutical and therapeutic agents in China. Recent researches have shown that the saponins of dried Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Kernel (SZJs) had various biological effects. However, the hypoglycemic activities and underlying mechanisms of SZJs remain obscure. In the current study, two saponins SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 mainly composed of betulinic acid, spinosin, jujuboside A, jujuboside B were extracted and isolated from dried Z. jujuba Mill. kernel. The SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 could significantly inhibit the activities of digestion enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylases. The hypoglycemic ability of SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 was further investigated and the results showed that SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 could improve the hyperglycemic by increasing the glucose consumption, improving the superoxide dismutase (SOD), hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK) activities and decrease the MDA content of insulin resistant HepG2 cells. Furthermore, SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 could activate the phosphorated Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase α (p-AMPKα), phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110α (PI3K-p110α), and phosphorated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Ser9) (p-GSK3β), indicating that the SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 might improve the insulin resistant symptoms by improving the energy metabolic level and increasing the glycogen synthase activity of HepG2 cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effect of fermentation modification on the physicochemical characteristics and anti-aging related activities of Polygonatum kingianum polysaccharides

In order to fully investigate the anti-aging value of the plants polysaccharides, the fermentation method was applied to modify the Polygonatum kingianum polysaccharides (PKPS), and the ultra-filtration was used to further segment the hydrolyzed polysaccharides. It was found that the fermentation induced an increase in the in vitro anti-aging-related activities of PKPS including antioxidant, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity, and cellular aging-delaying ability. In particular, the low Mw fraction PS2-4 (10-50 kDa) separated from the fermented polysaccharide exhibited superior anti-aging activity on experimental animals. PS2-4 extended the Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan by 20.70 %, with an increased effect of 10.09 % compared to the original polysaccharide; it was also more effective than the original one in improving movement ability and reducing lipofuscin accumulation of worms. This fraction was screened as the optimal anti-aging active polysaccharide. After fermentation, the main molecular weight distribution of PKPS changed from 50-650 kDa to 2-100 kDa, and the chemical composition and monosaccharide composition also changed; the initial rough and porous microtopography turned into smooth state. These alterations in physicochemical characteristics suggest that fermentation exerted an influence on the structure of PKPS, which contributed to the enhanced anti-aging activity, indicating that fermentation was promising in the structural modification of polysaccharides.

Engineering the β-Carotene Metabolic Pathway of Microalgae Dunaliella To Confirm Its Carotenoid Synthesis Pattern in Comparison To Bacteria and Plants

Dunaliella salina is the most salt-tolerant eukaryote and has the highest β-carotene content, but its carotenoid synthesis pathway is still unclear, especially the synthesis of lycopene, the upstream product of β-carotene. In this study, DsGGPS, DsPSY, DsPDS, DsZISO, DsZDS, DsCRTISO, and DsLYCB genes were cloned from D. salina and expressed in Escherichia coli. A series of carotenoid engineering E. coli strains from phytoene to β-carotene were obtained. ZISO was first identified from Chlorophyta, while CRTISO was first isolated from algae. It was found that DsZISO and DsCRTISO were essential for isomerization of carotenoids in photosynthetic organisms and could not be replaced by photoisomerization, unlike some plants. DsZDS was found to have weak beta cyclization abilities, and DsLYCB was able to catalyze 7,7',9,9'-tetra-cis-lycopene to generate 7,7',9,9'-tetra-cis-β-carotene, which had not been reported before. A new carotenoid 7,7',9,9'-tetra-cis-β-carotene, the beta cyclization product of prolycopene, was discovered. Compared with the bacterial-derived carotenoid synthesis pathway, there is higher specificity and greater efficiency of the carotenoid synthesis pathway in algae. This research experimentally confirmed that the conversion of phytoene to lycopene in D. salina was similar to that of plants and different from bacteria and provided a new possibility for the metabolic engineering of β-carotene. IMPORTANCE The synthesis mode of all trans-lycopene in bacteria and plants is clear, but there are still doubts in microalgae. Dunaliella is the organism with the highest β-carotene content, and plant-type and bacterial-type enzyme genes have been found in its carotenoid metabolism pathway. In this study, the entire plant-type enzyme gene was completely cloned into Escherichia coli, and high-efficiency expression was obtained, which proved that carotenoid synthesis of algae is similar to that of plants. In bacteria, CRT can directly catalyze 4-step continuous dehydrogenation to produce all trans-lycopene. In plants, four enzymes (PDS, ZISO, ZDS, and CRTISO) are involved in this process. Although a carotenoid synthetase similar to that of bacteria has been found in algae, it does not play a major role. This research reveals the evolutionary relationship of carotenoid metabolism in bacteria, algae, and plants and is of methodologically innovative significance for molecular evolution research.

Potential anticancer activities of securinine and its molecular targets

BACKGROUND

Securinine is an alkaloid identified from the roots and leaves of the shrub Flueggea suffruticosa (Pall.) Baill. The molecular structure of securinine consists of four rings, including three chiral centers. It has been suggested that securinine can be chemically synthesized from tyrosine and lysine. Securinine has long been used to treat central nervous system diseases. In recent years, more and more evidence shows that securinine also has anticancer activity, which has not been systematically discussed and analyzed.

PURPOSE

This study aims to propose an overall framework to describe the molecular targets of securinine in different signal pathways, and discuss the current status and prospects of each pathway, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the development securinine as an effective anticancer drug.

METHODS

The research databases on the anticancer activity of securinine from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect to 2021 were systematically searched. This paper follows the Preferred Reporting Items and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

RESULTS

Securinine has the ability to kill a variety of human cancer cells, including, leukemia as well as prostate, cervical, breast, lung, and colon cancer cells. It can regulate the signal pathways of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin, Wnt and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription, promote cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibit cancer cell metastasis. Securinine also has the activity of inducing leukemia cell differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Although there has been some experimental evidence indicating the anticancer effect of securinine and its possible pharmacology, in order to design more effective anticancer drugs, it is necessary to study the synergy of intracellular signaling pathways. More in vivo experiments and even clinical studies are needed, and the synergy between securinine and other drugs is also worth studying.

Effects of Piperonyl Butoxide on the Accumulation of Lipid and the Transcript Levels of DtMFPα in Dunaliella tertiolecta

As one of the sources of biodiesel, microalgae are expected to solve petroleum shortage. In this study, different concentrations of piperonyl butoxide were added to the culture medium to investigate their effects on the growth, pigment content, lipid accumulation, and content of carotenoids in Dunaliella tertiolecta. The results showed that piperonyl butoxide addition significantly decreased the biomass, chlorophyll content, and total carotenoid content but hugely increased the lipid accumulation. With the treatment of 150 ppm piperonyl butoxide combined with 8000 Lux light intensity, the final lipid accumulation and single-cell lipid content were further increased by 21.79 and 76.42% compared to those of the control, respectively. The lipid accumulation in D. tertiolecta is probably related to the increased expression of DtMFPα in D. tertiolecta under the action of piperonyl butoxide. The phylogenetic trees of D. tertiolecta and other oil-rich plants were constructed by multiple sequence alignment of DtMFPα, demonstrating their evolutionary relationship, and the tertiary structure of DtMFPα was predicted. In conclusion, piperonyl butoxide has a significant effect on lipid accumulation in D. tertiolecta, which provides valuable insights into chemical inducers to enhance biodiesel production in microalgae to solve the problem of diesel shortage.

A strategy to promote carotenoids production in Dunaliella bardawil by melatonin combined with photoinduction

Microalgae are considered to be a very promising class of raw material for carotenoid production. In this study, melatonin (MLT), a widely used plant growth regulator, was added to the autotrophic medium of Dunaliella bardawil to explore its effects on the growth and pigment accumulation of Dunaliella bardawil. The results showed that the induction of exogenous MLT alone was not beneficial to the growth and pigment accumulation of Dunaliella bardawil, and the higher the concentration, the more obvious the inhibitory effect on the algal cells. Therefore, a strategy to promote carotenoid accumulation in Dunaliella bardawil by combining exogenous MLT and light induction was carried out. Under 4500 LUX light intensity, the content of zeaxanthin was significantly increased under exogenous MLT induction. In the 200 μg/mL, 300 μg/mL, and 400 μg/mL MLT-treated groups, the zeaxanthin single-cell content in the 300 μg/mL-treated group was as high as 0.38 ng/mL (0.17 ng/mL in the control group), which was 1.24-fold higher compared to the control. Under 9500 LUX light intensity, all carotenoids showed an increasing trend in all experimental groups, except for zeaxanthin, which showed a decreasing trend. The effect of 300 μg/mL showed the most obvious in the 200 μg/mL,300 μg/mL, and 400 μg/mL MLT treatment groups, where the lutein, α-carotene and β-carotene contents were 1.24, 1.14 and 1.31 times higher than those of the control group, respectively. Overall, exogenous MLT at high light intensities had a significant effect on pigment accumulation in Dunaliella bardawil.

Role of polyphenols from Polygonum multiflorum Caulis in obesity-related disorders

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (PMC) has been widely consumed as folk medicine in China for anti-obesity, sleep-enhancing and many other pharmacological effects. However, the material basis and underlying mechanism of PMC on obesity-related disorders were still not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To screen active constituents from PMC and explore their multitarget mechanisms in the treatment of obesity and its associated disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Several major constituents were extracted from PMC and LC-MS assay were used to identify the compounds. The lipase inhibitory activity and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were determined. Furthermore, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice were established to explore the potential pharmacological functions and related mechanisms using kits, RT-qPCR and biochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Regarding the lipase inhibitory activity, the inhibition rate of EA and n-Bu extracts at 4 mg/mL reached over 80%. Effects on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes proliferation and differentiation were also obvious, indicating that EA and n-Bu extracts might exert potential anti-obesity functions. LC-MS assay further showed that polyphenols including emodin and physcion comprised majority of EA and n-Bu extracts. EA and n-Bu extracts treatment could significantly modulate the antioxidant response and lipid accumulation in C. elegans, as evidenced by increased SOD and CAT contents, reduced MDA levels, higher TG contents and changes of related mRNA expression levels. In HFD-induced mice, the inhibition ratio of body weight as well as the histological and biochemical indexes of liver, plasma and epididymal adipose tissues were also reversed by EA and n-Bu extracts treatment. Moreover, EA and n-Bu extracts administration increased the microbial diversity, reshaped the microbiota structure and enhanced the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the multicomponent and multitarget characteristics of PMC in preventing obesity related disorders. The results provided novel insights for the development and utilization of PMC.

[Long term prognosis of fulminant myocarditis and predictors related to impaired cardiac function post discharge]

Objective: To compare the long-term prognosis of fulminant myocarditis (FM) and non-fulminant myocarditis (NFM) patients who survived and discharged from hospital, and to explore the factors associated with the long-term prognosis and impaired cardiac function. Methods: This study was a retrospective study. Consecutive patients with acute myocarditis hospitalized in Tongji Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were enrolled and divided into FM group and NFM group according to the type of myocarditis. Then, patients in the FM group were further divided into normal cardiac function group and impaired cardiac function group according the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). All patients with acute myocarditis were treated with antiviral, immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive medications and symptomatic and supportive treatment, while FM patients were treated with comprehensive treatment plan. Clinical data at admission of enrolled patients were collected through the electronic medical record system. Patients were clinically followed-up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, then once a year after discharge by clinical visit. The primary endpoints included major cardiovascular events, impaired cardiac function was defined by LVEF<55%. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the occurrence of LVEF<55% and left ventricular enlargement during the follow-up of patients in FM group and NFM group, and Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of impaired cardiac function in patients with FM during follow-up. Results: A total of 125 patients with acute myocarditis were enrolled (66 in FM group and 59 in NFM group). Compared with NFM group, the proportion of FM patients with the lowest LVEF<55% during hospitalization was higher (P<0.01), and the recovery time of normal LVEF during hospitalization was longer (P<0.01). The proportion of LVEF<55% at discharge was similar between the two groups (P=0.071). During the follow-up of 12 (6, 24) months, 1 patient (1.5%) died due to cardiac reasons in FM group after discharge, 16 patients (24.2%) had sustained LVEF<55% after discharge, and 8 patients (12.1%) had left ventricular enlargement. In NFM group, 3 patients (5.1%) had sustained LVEF<55%, and 1 patient (1.7%) had left ventricular enlargement. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the incidence of sustained LVEF<55% in FM group was higher than that in NFM group (P=0.003), and the incidence of left ventricular enlargement was also higher than that in NFM group (P=0.024). Subgroup analysis of patients in the FM group showed that, compared with the normal cardiac function group, the time from onset to admission was shorter (P=0.011), the proportion of LVEF<55% at discharge was higher (P=0.039), the proportion of coronary angiography was higher (P=0.014), and the LVEF recovery time during hospitalization was longer (P=0.036) in FM patients with impaired cardiac function. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that longer LVEF recovery time during hospitalization was an independent risk factor for cardiac function impairment after discharge of FM patients (HR=1.199, 95%CI 1.023-1.406, P=0.025). Conclusions: The incidence of reduced LVEF is significantly higher in FM patients than that in NFM patients. Longer LVEF recovery time during hospitalization is an independent risk factor for cardiac function impairment in FM patients after discharge.

Anticancer Effects and Molecular Target of Theaflavins from Black Tea Fermentation in Vitro and in Vivo

Black tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and numerous epidemiological studies have shown that drinking black tea is good for health. As a natural tea pigment formed during the fermentation of black tea, the content of theaflavins accounts for only 2-6% of the dry weight of black tea, but they have a great impact on the color and taste of black tea soup. Recently, a large number of studies have shown that theaflavins have a significant anticancer effect. In this Perspective, we first state the physical and chemical properties, separation and purification methods, and biological formation pathways of theaflavins and analyze their safety and oral bioavailability and the structure-activity relationship of their antioxidant and anticancer activities; then, we describe in detail their anticancer effect in vitro and in vivo and highlight their various molecular targets involved in cancer inhibition. The anticancer molecular targets of theaflavins are mainly cell-cycle regulatory proteins, apoptosis-related proteins, cell-migration-related proteins, and growth transcription factors. Finally, the possibility of developing new health-care food based on theaflavins is discussed. This Perspective is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the anticancer application of theaflavins in the future.

The expression pattern of β-carotene ketolase gene restricts the accumulation of astaxanthin in Dunaliella under salt stress

Dunaliella salina can accumulate a large amount of β-carotene which is generally considered to be its terminal product of carotenoid metabolism. In this study, it was proved that D. salina has the ketolase (DsBKT) of catalyzing the synthesis of astaxanthin, the downstream products of β-carotene. Therefore, the reason why D. salina does not synthesize astaxanthin is the purpose of this study. The enzymatic activity of DsBKT was detected by functional complementation assays in Escherichia coli, results showed that DsBKT had efficient ketolase activity toward β-carotene and zeaxanthin to produce astaxanthin, indicating that there were complete astaxanthin-producing genes in Dunaliella. Unlike the induced expression of Lycopene cyclase (catalyzing β-carotene synthesis) under salt stress, the expression of DsBKT was very low under both normal and stress conditions, which may be the main reason why D. salina cannot accumulate astaxanthin. On the contrary, with the astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis as a control, its BKT gene was significantly upregulated under salt stress. Further study showed that DsBKT promoter had strong promoter ability and could stably drive the expression of ble-egfp in D. salina. Obviously, DsBKT promoter is not the reason of DsBKT not being expressed which may be caused by Noncoding RNA.

Targets and underlying mechanisms related to the sedative and hypnotic activities of saponins from Rhodiola rosea L. (crassulaceae)

Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) are popularly used as a natural supplement for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. Here, saponin extracts from R. rosea were investigated for their roles on relieving sleeplessness. The levels of neurotransmitters, hormones, and inflammation cytokines in plasma, and the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were detected using ELISA, RT-PCR, and western blotting. First, the butanol fraction extracted from R. rosea was collected as the total saponins (HJT-I), then a saponin-rich fraction (HJT-II) was obtained after the further purification of HJT-I. The saponin contents of HJT-I and HJT-II were 28.92% and 65.69%, respectively. Second, behavioral tests were performed and showed that both HJT-I and HJT-II could effectively reduce the duration of immobility in the tail suspension test, and shorten sleep latency and prolong the sleep duration time in the sodium barbital-induced sleeping test, with HJT-II better than HJT-I. Third, ELLISA results showed that the concentrations of GABA, 5-HT, norepinephrine (NA), PGD2, and IL-1β in plasma were significantly increased after HJT-I and HJT-II administration, while IL-6 was decreased. HJT-I and HJT-II also exhibited differential modulation of the receptors of 5-HT, GABA, PGD2, and IL-1β expression. In hypothalamus, HJT-II was more powerful than HJT-I in regulation of the GABA_ARα2, GABA_ARα3, and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65/67 expression, as well as 5-HT_2A and IL-1β. As for DPR and PGD2, HJT-II was more effective in the hippocampus. The efficacy of HJT-I was better than HJT-II at stimulating GABA_ARα2, GAD 65/67, 5-HT_1A, and IL-1β expression in the hippocampus. In conclusion, the potential sedative and hypnotic effects of HJT-I and HJT-II may possibly be related to the serotonergic, GABA_Aergic, and immune systems, while the underlying mechanism of HJT-I and HJT-II differed from each other.

Flavonoids from Rosa davurica Pall. fruits prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity and liver injury via modulation of the gut microbiota in mice

Rosa davurica Pall. (RDP) fruits are popularly consumed as beverages and healthy food in China because of their various beneficial activities. In particular, flavonoids are one of the major active ingredients of RDP fruits with predominant pharmacological effects. However, the anti-obesity activities of flavonoids from RDP fruits and their regulation effect on the gut microbiota have not been determined. In the present study, the flavonoid-rich extracts (RDPF) were isolated from RDP fruits and their anti-obesity effects were investigated using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. The results showed that RDPF intervention significantly inhibited the body weight, liver weight, kidney weight and epididymal adipose tissue weight of HFD-fed mice without affecting the calorie intake. Plasma lipid levels were also significantly lowered by RDPF treatment. Histological examination showed that RDPF supplementation partially recovered HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in the liver. RDPF also prevented oxidative injury of the liver, as evidenced by the altered superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1C (SREBP-1C), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACOX1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) and CAT mRNA in the livers of mice were also regulated by RDPF administration. 16S rRNA gene sequence data further indicated that RDPF addition increased the microbial diversity and reshaped the community composition. Intriguingly, RDPF intervention did not exhibit inhibitory tendency toward the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, but markedly decreased the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae. This study provided novel insights into the application of RDPF in the food industry.

Creatinine combined with light increases the contents of lutein and β-carotene, the main carotenoids of Dunaliella bardawil

Dunaliella bardawil, a unicellular green alga, can accumulate a large amount of lutein and β-carotene under stresses. Using chemical inducers combined with abiotic stress to promote the accumulation of high value-added products such as lipids and carotenoids in microalgae has attracted more and more attention. In this study, creatinine was added into autotrophic medium to investigate its effects on the growth, chlorophyll content, and the ingredients and content of carotenoids in D. bardawil. The results showed that creatinine alone could significantly increase the biomass, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of D. bardawil, among which the contents of lutein and β-carotene were further increased, while the content of zeaxanthin was decreased. In order to further improve the content of the two carotenoids, different light intensities combined with creatinine have been adopted. Under 6.589 W/m² light intensity, creatinine could effectively increase the production of lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene. Compared with the control, the content of lutein increased by 46 % and the content of β-carotene increased by 77 % when the concentration of creatinine was 500 μg/mL. In conclusion, creatinine can effectively improve the production lutein and β-carotene in D. bardawil, which is more conducive under lower light intensity.

Inhibitory effect of chloroform extracts from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl. on fat accumulation

BACKGROUND

Excess lipid accumulation can accelerate the development of various metabolic diseases. Blossoms of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl. (CAVA) have been reported to possess inhibitory capacities on lipid deposition. However, the constituents responsible for the observed bioactivity and the underlying mechanisms are still not clearly understood.

PURPOSE

To screen constituents from blossoms of CAVA with inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation and to explore the action mechanism.

METHODS

The chloroform (CHL) extracts are prepared from blossoms of CAVA by fractional extraction and are characterized using LC-MS assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes are induced with differentiation medium (DMI) and treated with CHL extracts. High fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice are further established and administrated with CHL extracts for 12 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Oil Red O staining, ELISA, RT-qPCR, western blot and 16S rRNA gene sequence methods are employed.

RESULTS

14 compounds are identified in CHL extracts and trigonelline hydrochloride, nobiletin and 7-demethylsuberosin are most abundant. CHL extracts treatment significantly inhibit differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells by regulating expression of preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα). CHL extracts intervention also significantly attenuate features of obesity and improved plasma biochemical profiles in HFD-fed mice. HFD-triggered hepatic steatosis and epididymal adipose tissues (EATs) hypertrophy are also reversed by CHL extracts administration through enhancing antioxidant responses and modulating lipogenesis and energy expenditure-related genes and proteins. 16S rRNA gene sequence data further show that CHL extracts enhance the diversity of gut microbiota. CHL extracts at lower concentrations reduce the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and the abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae. CHL extracts at higher doses markedly increase the abundance of Lachnospiraceae.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that CHL extracts probably suppress lipid accumulation through inhibiting differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and attenuating metabolic syndromes in HFD-fed mice.

Structural characterization of novel arabinoxylan and galactoarabinan from citron with potential antitumor and immunostimulatory activities

This study aimed to extract polysaccharides from citron and analyze their structures and potential bioactivities. Two novel polysaccharides CM-1 and CM-2 were purified from citron by DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. Monosaccharide composition, linkage and NMR data were used to infer their sugar chains composition. The anti-breast cancer cells and immunoregulatory activities of CM-1 and CM-2 were investigated. Results indicated that CM-1 (Mw = 21,520 Da), composed of arabinose, xylose, mannose and glucose in a molar ratio of 10.78:11.53:1.00:1.70, was arabinoxylan (AX) with (1 → 4)-linked β-d-Xylp skeleton monosubstituted with α-l-Araf units at O-3 position. While CM-2 (Mw = 22,303 Da), composed of arabinose, mannose, glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 25.46:1.45:1.00:6.57, was galactoarabinan (GA) with (1 → 5)-linked α-l-Araf backbone substituted by β-d-Galp units at O-2 and/or O-3 positions. Both polysaccharides exhibited potential inhibiting cancer and immunostimulatory activities in vitro, especially CM-1. These results provide a basis for further research on citron polysaccharides.

Regulation of carotenoid degradation and production of apocarotenoids in natural and engineered organisms

Carotenoids are important precursors of a wide range of apocarotenoids with their functions including: hormones, pigments, retinoids, volatiles, and signals, which can be used in the food, flavors, fragrances, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. This article focuses on the formation of these multifaceted apocarotenoids and their diverse biological roles in all living systems. Carotenoid degradation pathways include: enzymatic oxidation by specific carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) or nonspecific enzymes such as lipoxygenases and peroxidases and non-enzymatic oxidation by reactive oxygen species. Recent advances in the regulation of carotenoid cleavage genes and the biotechnological production of multiple apocarotenoids are also covered. It is suggested that different developmental stages and environmental stresses can influence both the expression of carotenoid cleavage genes and the formation of apocarotenoids at multiple levels of regulation including: transcriptional, transcription factors, posttranscriptional, posttranslational, and epigenetic modification. Regarding the biotechnological production of apocarotenoids especially: crocins, retinoids, and ionones, enzymatic biocatalysis and metabolically engineered microorganisms have been a promising alternative route. New substrates, carotenoid cleavage enzymes, biosynthetic pathways for apocarotenoids, and new biological functions of apocarotenoids will be discussed with the improvement of our understanding of apocarotenoid biology, biochemistry, function, and formation from different organisms.

Potential roles of dietary flavonoids from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl. in atherosclerosis development

Dietary consumption of flavonoids correlated positively with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the precise roles of flavonoids from the blossoms of Citrus aurantium Linn variant amara Engl (CAVA) in atherosclerosis (AS) are still poorly understood. This study aimed to find novel flavonoid-type skeletons with protection against AS. Total flavonoids (CAVAF), homoeriodictyol (HE) and hesperetin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (HG) were isolated from the blossoms of Citrus aurantium Linn variant amara Engl. by chromatography. Their suppressive effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses and ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation were systematically and comparatively investigated using macrophage RAW264.7 cells. HE was more powerful than HG in inhibiting LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and gene expression in RAW264.7 cells. HE and HG showed different responses to extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), P38, P65, IκBα, IκKα/β phosphorylation, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation. HE and HG also differentially decreased oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced foam cell formation by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), phospholipid ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), phospholipid ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), scavenger receptor class B type I (SRB1), scavenger receptor class A type I (SRA1) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) expression at gene and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells. HG showed weaker potential than HE in preventing AS development. Their chemical differences might partially explain the discrepancy in their bioactivity. In conclusion, HE and HG might be developed into novel therapeutic agents against inflammation and AS-associated diseases.

Analysis and predication of tuberculosis registration rates in Henan Province, China: an exponential smoothing model study

Background

The World Health Organization End TB Strategy meant that compared with 2015 baseline, the reduction in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) incidence should be 20 and 50% in 2020 and 2025, respectively. The case number of PTB in China accounted for 9% of the global total in 2018, which ranked the second high in the world. From 2007 to 2019, 854 672 active PTB cases were registered and treated in Henan Province, China. This study was to assess whether the WHO milestones could be achieved in Henan Province.

Methods

The active PTB numbers in Henan Province from 2007 to 2019, registered in Chinese Tuberculosis Information Management System were analyzed to predict the active PTB registration rates in 2020 and 2025, which is conductive to early response measures to ensure the achievement of the WHO milestones. The time series model was created by monthly active PTB registration rates from 2007 to 2016, and the optimal model was verified by data from 2017 to 2019. The Ljung-Box Q statistic was used to evaluate the model. The statistically significant level is α = 0.05. Monthly active PTB registration rates and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 2020 to 2025 were predicted.

Results

High active PTB registration rates in March, April, May and June showed the seasonal variations. The exponential smoothing winter’s multiplication model was selected as the best-fitting model. The predicted values were approximately consistent with the observed ones from 2017 to 2019. The annual active PTB registration rates were predicted as 49.1 (95% CI: 36.2–62.0) per 100 000 population and 34.4 (95% CI: 18.6–50.2) per 100 000 population in 2020 and 2025, respectively. Compared with the active PTB registration rate in 2015, the reduction will reach 23.7% (95% CI, 3.2–44.1%) and 46.8% (95% CI, 21.4–72.1%) in 2020 and 2025, respectively.

Conclusions

The high active PTB registration rates in spring and early summer indicate that high risk of tuberculosis infection in late autumn and winter in Henan Province. Without regard to the CI, the first milestone of WHO End TB Strategy in 2020 will be achieved. However, the second milestone in 2025 will not be easily achieved unless there are early response measures in Henan Province, China.

Bergaptol from blossoms of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses and ox-LDL-induced lipid deposition

Aberrant activation of inflammation and excess accumulation of lipids play pivotal roles in atherosclerosis (AS) progression. Constituents from Citrus aurantium Linn variant amara Engl (CAVA) were effectively investigated for their various bioactivities, especially anti-inflammation. Bergaptol (BER) is particularly abundant in Citrus products. Accumulating studies have confirmed its predominant anti-cancer and antioxidant functions, whereas few studies focused on its antiatherogenic functions. In the current study, BER was isolated from CAVA for the first time. Macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) or oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) to mimic inflammatory responses and AS development. BER treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-6, TNF-α, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). BER also potently blocked LPS-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, as evidenced by the inhibitory effects on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P38, P65, IκBα and IκKα/β phosphorylation, and NF-κB nuclear translocation. Furthermore, BER treatment markedly mitigated ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation by inhibiting scavenger receptor class A type I (SRA1) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)-dependent cholesterol uptake. In conclusion, BER might be a novel therapeutic agent for AS prevention through inhibiting inflammatory responses and cholesterol uptake.

Functional Identification of Two Types of Carotene Hydroxylases from the Green Alga Dunaliella bardawil Rich in Lutein

The salt-tolerant unicellular alga Dunaliella bardawil FACHB-847 can accumulate large amounts of lutein, but the underlying cause of massive accumulation of lutein is still unknown. In this study, genes encoding two types of carotene hydroxylases, i.e., β-carotene hydroxylase (DbBCH) and cytochrome P450 carotenoid hydroxylase (DbCYP97s; DbCYP97A, DbCYP97B, and DbCYP97C), were cloned from D. bardawil. Their substrate specificities and enzyme activities were tested through functional complementation assays in Escherichia coli. It was showed that DbBCH could catalyze the hydroxylation of the β-rings of both β- and α-carotene, and displayed a low level of ε-hydroxylase. Unlike CYP97A from higher plants, DbCYP97A could not hydroxylate β-carotene. DbCYP97A and DbCYP97C showed high hydroxylase activity toward the β-ring and ε-ring of α-carotene, respectively. DbCYP97B displayed minor activity toward the β-ring of α-carotene. The high accumulation of lutein in D. bardawil may be due to the multiple pathways for lutein biosynthesis generated from α-carotene with zeinoxanthin or α-cryptoxanthin as intermediates by DbBCH and DbCYP97s. Taken together, this study provides insights for understanding the underlying reason for high production of lutein in the halophilic green alga D. bardawil FACHB-847.

Targets and underlying mechanisms related to the sedative and hypnotic activities of saponin extracts from semen Ziziphus jujube

Semen Ziziphus jujube (SZJ) has been widely consumed because it is recognized as edible in China to treat insomnia disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets remain obscure. SZJ-I and SZJ-II with a saponin content of 52.10% and 75.20%, respectively, were extracted from SZJ. LC-MS analysis presented quite different chemical profiles of SZJ-I and SZJ-II. Mice with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced insomnia were used to comparatively and systematically test the sedative-hypnotic activities of SZJ-I and SZJ-II. In vivo behavioral tests revealed that SZJ-I and SZJ-II significantly shortened the immobility time and potentiated sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep. SZJ-II with a higher saponin content showed greater potency than SZJ-I. SZJ-I and SZJ-II also protected against PCPA-triggered neuropathological damages in the brain. Concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NE), glutamate (Glu), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin D₂ (PGD₂) in plasma were significantly affected by SZJ-I and SZJ-II application. SZJ-I and SZJ-II also exhibited differential modulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT_1A), 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT_2A), GABA_A receptor α2 (GABA_ARα2), GABA_A receptor α3 (GABA_ARα3), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65/67, IL-6 and IL-1β expression in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. SZJ-I and SZJ-II might exert excellent sedative-hypnotic effects through multiple mechanisms that worked simultaneously. SZJ-I and especially SZJ-II are promising candidates for relieving insomnia.

Natural Products with Analgesic Effect from Herbs and Nutraceuticals Used in Traditional Chinese Medicines

BACKGROUND

Pain is one of the most common clinical symptoms . This review aims to describe research on herbs and their active ingredients in treating pain and provide a valuable reference for the development and utilization of analgesic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The literature search was performed from 1995 to October 2016, covering the relevant studies that concern the treatment of pain with TCM. Active ingredients extracted from TCM with analgesic activity are summarized and classified into six categories, including polysaccharides, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other constituents.

RESULTS

There are two pathways constituting the analgesic mechanisms of TCM: through the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The former pathway includes increasing the content of endogenous analgesic substances like opiate peptide, cutting down the second messenger of neurotransmitter like nitric oxide (NO), reducing the content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in brain tissues, blocking the central calcium channel, reducing excitatory amino acids in brain tissues, inhibiting their receptors and raising the content of the central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The latter one usually involves the decrease in the secretion of peripheral algogenic substances, the induction of pain-sensitive substances, the accumulation of a local algogenic substance, the increase in the release of peripheral endogenous analgesia materials and the regulation of c-Fos gene (immediate early gene).

Transgenic microalgae as bioreactors

Microalgae are unicellular organisms that act as the crucial primary producers all over the world, typically found in marine and freshwater environments. Most of them can live photo-autotrophically, reproduce rapidly, and accumulate biomass in a short period efficiently. To adapt to the uninterrupted change of the environment, they evolve and differentiate continuously. As a result, some of them evolve special abilities such as toleration of extreme environment, generation of sophisticated structure to adapt to the environment, and avoid predators. Microalgae are believed to be promising bioreactors because of their high lipid and pigment contents. Genetic engineering technologies have given revolutions in the microalgal industry, which decoded the secrets of microalgal genes, express recombinant genes in microalgal genomes, and largely soar the accumulation of interested components in transgenic microalgae. However, owing to several obstructions, the industry of transgenic microalgae is still immature. Here, we provide an overview to emphasize the advantage and imperfection of the existing transgenic microalgal bioreactors.

1137A life support based comprehensive treatment regimen dramatically lowers the in-hospital mortality of patients with fulminant myocarditis —- a multiple center study

Background

Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is characterized by rapid onset and progression to cardiac and circulatory failure. It has high mortality; however, patients may benefit from short-term circulatory support. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a life support–based comprehensive treatment regimen (LSBCTR) for FM and demonstrated that it saved the lives of FM patients.

Methods

One hundred and fourteen FM patients were recruited from January 2007 to October 2017 were divided into two groups: those who received LSBCTR (65 cases), including management of fluids and nutrients, use of antiviral drugs and large doses of glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone over 200 mg) and immunoglobulins, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and life support (artificial positive pressure respiration, intra-aortic balloon pump [IABP] with or without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO]), and those who received traditional methods (74 cases). The primary endpoints were in-hospital death and length of hospital stay for survivors.

Results

Of the population, 41 patients (36.0%) died in the hospital. In-hospital mortality rates were 3.0% (2/65) for the LSBCTR group and 52.7% (39/74) for the traditional treatment group (P<0.001). Early life support (IABP with or without ECMO and a respirator) and early applications of CRRT, antiviral therapy, and sufficient doses of glucocorticoids and immunoglobulins individually contribute to the efficiency of reducing in-hospital mortality. Vasoactive agents did not improve prognosis, especially noradrenaline, which dramatically increased the incidence of death.

Conclusion

Our data described comprehensive treatment for patients with FM that can dramatically reduce in-hospital mortality. Its generalization and application in clinical practice will efficiently save lives.

Clinical Trial: NCT03268642.

Anti-fatigue Effects of Active Ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review

Background:

The application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of fatigue has long been practiced in clinical and showed significant effects.

Objective:

This article summarizes the work done on the natural products from TCM that are reported to have effects of treating fatigue, in the past two decades.

Method:

Research status, sources, models, efficacy and mechanisms of active ingredients and their monomer in the treatment of fatigue are discussed.

Results:

Pharmacological research shows that active ingredients of polysaccharide can significantly improve body’s resistance through promoting glycogen synthesis, reducing sports metabolites and increasing hypoxia tolerance; Alkaloids have been proven to be effective in promoting the reserving of various glucogen substances, improving exercise endurance and speeding up the metabolism of body’s urea nitrogen in mice; With the increase of glycosides amount, up goes the sport endurance, liver glycogen content and the ability of clear lactate index in mice, indicating that saponin has clear, dose-dependent anti-fatigue effect; Polyphenols have also functions of resisting fatigue, where they reduce free radicals accumulated and thus slow down the rapid declination of exercise capacity when doing sports; There are other active ingredients of TCM that have biological activities, like some proteins, anthraquinones, terpenes, unsaturated fatty acid monomer compounds; And research has found that tonic medicine can promote the elimination of fatigue and improve athletic ability.

Conclusion:

It is hoped that the data summarized in this review will be beneficial to the screening of new nature-derived drugs with the ability of relieving and improving fatigue.

Sodium azide intervention, salinity stress and two-step cultivation of Dunaliella tertiolecta for lipid accumulation

A two-step strategy was employed to culture Dunaliella tertiolecta, an oleaginous unicellular green alga, combined by the salt stress and sodium azide intervention, to observe their effects on its lipid accumulation. When the algae cultured at different salt concentrations reached the logarithmic growth phase, sodium azide was added. The results showed that the addition of sodium azide significantly increased the lipid content and had no significant effect on cell biomass. The lipid yield and single cell lipid content under 50 μM sodium azide increased by 10.4% and 21.7%. Under the two-step culture condition, combining of the treatment of 50 μM sodium azide and 2.5 M salt stress, the total lipid productivity and single-cell lipid content were 10% and 70.5% higher than that of the control. It seemed that sodium azide and salinity might have a synergistic effect on the lipid accumulation of D. tertiolecta. It can be concluded that sodium azide is an effective inducer of lipid accumulation in D. tertiolecta, and two-stage cultivation is a feasible way to improve lipid accumulation in microalgae.

Health functions and structure-activity relationships of natural anthraquinones from plants

Anthraquinone compounds with the anthraquinone ring structure are widely found in traditional Chinese medicines and they are attracting a lot of attention due to their good pharmacological activity. Diversities of anthraquinones depend on their chemical structures, such as the number of anthraquinone rings and the substituents; what's more, the difference in chemical structure determines the difference in physiological activity. Based on results of previous studies, this review summarizes several natural anthraquinones identified from Chinese herbal medicines and their physiological activities including anti-cancer, anti-pathogenic microorganisms, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-osteoporosis, anti-depression, and anti-constipation. The source, effect, model, and action mechanism of the active anthraquinones are described in detail, from which their structure-activity relationship is summarized. By analyzing the relationship between anthraquinone structure and function, we found that, on the whole structure, the anthraquinone ring and anthraquinone glycosides have significant anticancer activity and anti-constipation activity, while for their substituents, anthraquinones substituted by alizarin have significant antioxidant activity and the polarity of the substituents is closely related to their antibacterial activities.

Identification of narciclasine from Lycoris radiata (L'Her.) Herb. and its inhibitory effect on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages

Lycoris radiata (L'Her.) Herb. (L. radiata) was traditionally used as a folk medicine in China for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, the specific component responsible for its considerable toxicity remained unclear thus restricting its clinical trials. Narciclasine (NCS) was isolated from L. radiata and treatment of NCS for 72 h exhibited significant antiproliferative effects against L02, Hep G2, HT-29 and RAW264.7 cells. However, what needs to be emphasized is that at safe working concentrations of 0.001-0.016 μM, administration of NCS for 24 h inhibited the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ɑ), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages thereby suppressing production of nitric oxide (NO), IL-6, TNF-ɑ and IL-1β. NCS supplementation also inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation by suppressing NF-κB P65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, IκBɑ degradation and phosphorylation, and IκKɑ/β phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and P38, and expression of COX-2 was also attenuated by NCS. These results suggested that NCS might exert anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways even at very low doses.

Effects of diosgenin and its derivatives on atherosclerosis

The effects of diosgenin are discussed with respect to endothelial dysfunction, lipid profile, macrophage foam cell formation, VSMC viability, thrombosis and inflammation during the formation of atherosclerosis.