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Peanut meal is a by-product of peanut oil extraction. It is rich in protein, soluble polysaccharides, vitamins, and other conventional nutrients, as well as a variety of functional factors, including flavonoids, antioxidant peptides, tannins, phenols, steroids, and triterpenoids. Peanut meal can be used directly as feed, and it can be processed through microbial fermentation and microbial enzyme synergistic treatment to improve the quality of peanut meal. Fermentation can make the proportion of amino acids in peanut meal more balanced, reduce or eliminate aflatoxin B1 and antinutritional factors in peanut meal. The direct substitution of peanut meal and fermentation products for part of soybean meal and fish meal in livestock and poultry feed can not only realize the reuse of peanut meal resources, but also improve the production performance of livestock and poultry, increase the economic benefits of livestock and poultry farms. Therefore, the paper introduces the nutritional composition of peanut meal, discusses its utilization in feed, its application in animal production, and its impact on the economic benefits of livestock and poultry breeding, so as to provide reference for the efficient utilization of peanut meal in the livestock and poultry breeding industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Inula japonica (TEIJ) in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI). Methods: Protective effects of TEIJ in the inflammation and oxidative stress were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice. Meanwhile, Western blot and real-time qPCR were carried out to investigate the underlying mechanism of TEIJ for ALI as well as immunohistochemistry. Key findings: TEIJ significantly alleviated the course of ALI via suppressing the interstitial infiltrated inflammatory cells, the increase of inflammatory factors and the decrease of anti-oxidative factors. TEIJ inactivated the MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway to suppress the transcription of its downstream target genes, such as TNF-α, IL-6, etc. Meanwhile, TEIJ activated the Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathway to regulate expression levels of Nrf2 and its target proteins. The results of LC-QTOF-MS/MS indicated potential active constituents of I. japonica, terpenoids and flavonoids. Additionally, terpenoids and flavonoids synergistically alleviated LPS-induced ALI depending on MAPK/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathways. Conclusion: I. japonica could be considered a potential agent to treat ALI via regulating the MAPK/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv.) Rehd. et Wils is a traditional Chinese medicine to treat acute appendicitis, rheumarthritis, abdominal pain, and painful menstruation for a long history. The investigation of S. cuneata led to the isolation and identification of twenty-three secondary metabolites, including two new compounds, sargentodoxosides A (1) and B (2), and twenty-one known ones (3-23). Their structural characterization was conducted by HRESIMS, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra. All the isolated compounds were assayed for their agonistic activities against the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Nine of the isolated compounds displayed significant agonistic effects against FXR at 0.1 µM, suggesting that they could be served as potential agents for the development of FXR agonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Alisma contains 11 species distributed worldwide, of which at least two species (A. orientale [Sam.] Juzep. and A. plantago-aquatica Linn.) have been used as common herbal medicines. Secondary metabolites obtained from the genus Alisma are considered to be the material basis for the various biological functions and medicinal applications. In this review, we mainly focused on the recent investigations of secondary metabolites from plants of the genus Alisma and their biological activities, with the highlighting on the diversity of the chemical structures, the biosynthesis of interesting secondary metabolites, the biological activities, and the relationships between structures and bioactivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CYP3A4-mediated Phase I biotransformation is the rate-limiting step of elimination for many commonly used clinically agents. The modulatory effects of herbal medicines on CYP3A4 activity are one of the risk factors affecting the safe use of drug and herbal medicine. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of nearly hundred kinds of herbal medicines against CYP3A4 were evaluated based on a visual high-throughput screening method. Furthermore, biflavone components including bilobetin (7-demethylginkgetin, DGK), ginkgetin (GK), isoginkgetin (IGK), and amentoflavone (AMF) were identified as the main inhibitory components of Ginkgo biloba L. (GB) and Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) Spring (ST), which displayed very strong inhibitory effects toward CYP3A4. The inhibitory effects of these biflavones on clinical drugs that mainly undergo CYP3A4-dependent metabolism were evaluated. The IC 50 of GK toward tamoxifen, gefitinib and ticagrelor were found to be of 0.478 ± 0.003, 0.869 ± 0.001, and 1.61 ± 0.039 μM, respectively. These results suggest the potential pharmacokinetic interactions between the identified biflavones and clinical drugs undergoing CYP3A4-mediated biotransformation. The obtained information is important for guiding the rational use of herbal medicine in combination with synthetic pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: The investigation of Morinda officinalis led to the isolation of twelve compounds (1—12), including three new iridoid glycosides morindalins A—C (1—3) and nine known compounds (4—12). Their structural identifications were conducted using HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra as well as quantum chemical computations. Compound 6 displayed the most significantly agonistic activity against farnesoid X receptor (FXR) with an EC50 value of 7.18 μM, and its agonistic effect was verified through the investigation of FXR downstream target genes including small heterodimer partner 1 (SHP1), bile salt export pump (BSEP), and organic solute transporter subunit alpha and beta (OSTα and OSTβ). The potential interaction of compound 6 with FXR was analyzed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics stimulation, revealing that amino acid residues Leu287, Thr288, and Ser332 played a crucial role in the activation of compound 6 towards FXR. These findings suggested that compound 6 could be regarded as a potential candidate for the development of FXR agonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: Uncaria rhynchophylla has been widely used to treat central nervous system diseases for a long history. After investigation of U. rhynchophylla, eleven monoterpene indole alkaloids, including four new compounds uncarialins J—M (1—4) and seven known analogues (5—11), were isolated and identified. Their structural characterization was conducted using HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, and quantum chemical computations. Compounds 1, 2, 7, and 9—11 displayed significant agonistic effects towards 5‐HT1A receptor, and their EC50 values were 7.86, 7.32, 2.24, 1.18, 1.52, and 3.75 μmol/L, respectively. Furthermore, in vivo experimental results fully revealed that hirsuteine (7) displayed a significant antidepression effect in unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)‐induced depression mice mainly via regulating 5‐HT1A signaling pathway. Molecular docking and site‐directed amino acid mutation verified that amino acid residues Asp116 and Asn386 were the binding sites of hirsuteine (7) with 5‐HT1A receptor. In addition, pre‐treatment of mice with WAY 100635 also blocked the anti‐depression effect of hirsuteine (7), which further demonstrated that 5‐HT1A receptor was a potential target of hirsuteine (7) to effectively treat depression. These findings indicated the therapeutic material basis of U. rhynchophylla and the anti‐depression underlying mechanism of hirsuteine (7), and further provided the useful guidance for the development of hirsuteine (7) as a potential antidepressant candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxylesterase 2 (CES 2) is a key enzyme in the activation of the prodrug irinotecan (CPT-11) in the treatment against colorectal cancer and also has some relationship with the side effect of CPT-11 in clinical applications. Herein, a near infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (DSAB) has been designed for CES 2 which possesses the advantages of prominent selectivity and high sensitivity, and DSAB has been successfully applied for the imaging of endogenous CES 2 in living cells. Moreover, a high-throughput screening method for CES 2 inhibitors has been established using DSAB and discovered four novel CES 2 inhibitors from various herbal medicines. These results fully demonstrated that DSAB is a promising molecular tool for the investigation of the biological functions of CES 2 in living systems and the discovery of novel CES 2 inhibitors for the treatment of CES 2 related physiological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a genus of the Asteraceae, Inula is widely distributed all over the world, and several of them are being used in traditional medicines. A number of metabolites were isolated from Inula species, and some of these have shown to possess ranges of pharmacological activities. The genus Inula contains abundant sesquiterpenoids, such as eudesmanes, xanthanes, and sesquiterpenoid dimers and trimers. In addition, other types of terpenoids, flavonoids, and lignins also exist in the genus Inula. Since 2010, more than 300 new secondary metabolites, including several known natural products that were isolated for the first time from the genus Inula. Most of them exhibited potential bioactivities in various diseases. The review aimed to summarize the advance of recent researches (2010–2020) on phytochemical constituents, biosynthesis, and pharmacological properties of the genus Inula for providing a scientific basis and supporting its application and exploitation for new drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new indole diterpenoid, drechmerin I (1), was isolated from the fermentation broth of Drechmeria sp. isolated from the root of Panax notoginseng. Its structure was elucidated based on 1 D and 2 D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrum (HRESIMS), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic analyses as well as TD DFT calculations of ECD spectra. Drechmerin I (1) was assayed for its antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, B. subtillis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. Drechmerin I (1) showed antimicrobial activities against B. subtillis with an MIC value of 200 μg/mL. The interaction of S. aureus peptide deformylase with drechmerin I (1) was investigated by molecular docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new protostane-type triterpenoid, 5β,29-dihydroxy alisol A (1) was isolated from Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale (Sam.) Sam. as well as 12-deoxyphorbol-13α-pentadecanoate (2). We first report the presence of compound 2 in the genus Alisma. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses. All the isolated compounds were assayed for their inhibitory effects against human carboxylesterase 2 (HCE-2). Compounds 1 and 2 displayed inhibitory activities against HCE-2 with IC50 values of 29.2 and 4.6 μM, respectively. The interaction mechanisms of HCE-2 with compounds 1 and 2 were investigated by molecular docking, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical constituent investigation of Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale has led to isolation and identification of thirteen compounds, including one new sesquiterpene, (10S)-11-hydroxy-β-cyperone (1), three sesquiterpenes (2-4), five phenylpropanoids (5-9), and four alkaloids (10-13). We report herein, for the first time, the presence of compounds 2-13 in the genus Alisma. Their structures were established using 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses. All the isolated compounds were assayed for their inhibitory activities against nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and antioxidant activities by DPPH scavenging assay. Compounds 1-13 displayed significant inhibitory effects against NO production at a certain concentration, while compound 5 showed antioxidant activity with IC50 of 55.28 μM. The interactions of compounds 1, 5, and 11 with iNOS were investigated using molecular docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims:Uncaria rhynchophylla, known as “Gou-teng”, is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to extinguish wind, clear heat, arrest convulsions, and pacify the liver. Although U. rhynchophylla has a long history of being often used to treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases, its efficacy and potential mechanism are still uncertain. This study investigated neuroprotective effect and the underlying mechanism of U. rhynchophylla extract (URE) in MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells and MPTP-induced mice. Methods: MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells and MPTP-induced mice were used to established Parkinson’s disease (PD) models. Quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics were used to uncover proteomics changes of URE. Western blotting was used to validate main differentially expressed proteins and test HSP90 client proteins (apoptosis-related, autophagy-related, MAPKs, PI3K, and AKT proteins). Flow cytometry and JC-1 staining assay were further used to confirm the effect of URE on MPP+-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Gait analysis was used to detect the behavioral changes in MPTP-induced mice. The levels of dopamine (DA) and their metabolites were examined in striatum (STR) by HPLC-EC. The positive expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was detected by immunohischemical staining and Western blotting. Results: URE dose-dependently increased the cell viability in MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics results confirmed that HSP90 was an important differentially expressed protein of URE. URE inhibited the expression of HSP90, which further reversed MPP+-induced cell apoptosis and autophagy by increasing the expressions of Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, p-ERK, p-PI3K p85, PI3K p110α, p-AKT, and LC3-I and decreasing cleaved caspase 3, Bax, p-JNK, p-p38, and LC3-II. URE also markedly decreased the apoptotic ratio and elevated mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DΨm). Furthermore, URE treatment ameliorated behavioral impairments, increased the contents of DA and its metabolites and elevated the positive expressions of TH in SN and STR as well as the TH protein. Conclusions: URE possessed the neuroprotective effect in vivo and in vitro, regulated MAPK and PI3K-AKT signal pathways, and inhibited the expression of HSP90. U. rhynchophylla has potentials as therapeutic agent in PD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new protostane-type triterpenoids, 17-epi alisolide (1) and 24-epi alismanol D (2), were isolated from Alisma orientalis together with one known compound. Their structural elucidations were conducted by NMR, UV and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses, and comparison with the literature data. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for inhibitory effects on HCE-2. Compound 2 displayed moderate inhibitory activity against HCE-2 with IC50 value of 23.1 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pair of novel sesquiterpenoids, (8R)-alismanoid A (1a) and (8S)-alismanoid A (1b), possessing an unprecedented 1,2-seco bisabolene carbon skeleton, were isolated from rhizomes of Alisma orientale together with two new sesquiterpenoids: a 15-nor guaiane alismanoid B (2) and alismanoid C (3). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and theoretical calculations, and a plausible biosynthetic pathway for compound 1 is discussed. Meanwhile, compounds 1–3 were investigated for their protective effects on H2O2-induced damage in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y), and compounds 1b, 2, and 3 showed significantly protective activities at a certain concentration. Further, the action mechanism of compound 3 was proved to be through inhibition of H2O2-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Herein, these results suggest that sesquiterpenoids are potential candidate drugs for treating Parkinson's disease induced by reactive oxygen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new phenol glycoside, physanguloside A (1), was isolated from Physalis angulata together with four known compounds. We report herein, for the first time, the presence of compounds 2–5 in the genus Physalis. The structures of all the compounds were established by NMR, IR, UV and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses, and comparison with the literature data. All isolated compounds were assayed for inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production by LPS-induced in RAW 264.7 macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]