Search

Objective: To evaluate the toxicity of extracts from disposable chopsticks, toothpicks, and paper cups on L-929 cells., Methods: We followed national standards to prepare the extracts from disposable chopsticks, toothpicks, and paper cups used for the cell culture media, and the morphology of L-929 cells was observed with an optical microscope. The loss rate for adherent cells was evaluated with the trypan blue exclusion method, and cell proliferation was determined using the WST-1 assay., Results: Compared with the control group, the cells cultured in media containing the extracts showed signs of apoptosis and necrosis after culturing for 4 or 7 days, and the loss rate for adherent cells was significantly increased (P < 0.05). An obvious decrease in cell viability was also observed (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The extracts from disposable chopsticks, toothpicks, and paper cups can affect the growth and proliferation of L-929 cells and are potentially toxic to humans.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of two extracts from a new Chinese accession (G-309) of Cannabis sativa L. (Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol <0.2%) with high content of propyl side chain phytocannabinoids. Dried flowering tops, as such and after hydrodistillation of the essential oil, were extracted with acidic hexane to produce the Cannabis Chinese hexane extract 1 (CChHE1) and 2 (CChHE2), respectively. The phytochemical profile of CChHE1 and CChHE2 was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) analyses. The antioxidant properties were assessed by several in vitro cell-free assays. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans. Phytochemical analyses highlighted a high content of cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA) and tetraydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA) in CChHE1, and cannabidivarin (CBDV) and tetraydrocannabivarin (THCV) in CChHE2. Both extracts showed remarkable antioxidant activity and strong antimicrobial properties (MIC 39.06 and MBC 39.06-78.13 μg/ml) against both ATCC and methicillin-resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, standardized extracts of C. sativa Chinese accession could be promising for their possible use as novel antibacterial agents for the treatment of widespread S. aureus infections., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of corn silk decoction on lipid profile in patients with angina pectoris. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database were searched up to January 2019 for randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of corn silk decoction on total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with angina pectoris. Study evaluation and synthesis methods were in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook, and data were analyzed using Review Manager (version 5.3) software. Random effects model was applied in this systematic review and meta-analysis to compensate for potential heterogeneity among the included studies. A total of four randomized controlled trials were eligible for meta-analysis. Pooled results of these studies indicated that corn silk decoction might improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with angina pectoris. Subgroup analyses showed that corn silk decoction or modified corn silk decoction plus conventional pharmaceutical treatment could have favorable effects on blood lipids. However, the lack of blinding in most studies may have led to overestimation of these effects. Further studies with better design are needed to confirm these findings., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

This study explored the effect of different nonthermal pretreatments, osmosonication (OS), osmotic dehydration, and ultrasound methods on the physical and chemical properties of China- and Ghana-sourced ginger samples under relative humidity convective drying. The chemical properties of pretreated dried ginger slices were assessed for antioxidant properties (ABTS and DPPH); total phenolic content; total flavonoids content; and 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-gingerol and 6-shogaol levels. The physical properties compared were weight loss, rehydration ratio (RR), texture, and drying kinetics. Results revealed that OS pretreatment led to a higher preservation of the chemical properties with the Ghana-sourced ginger exhibiting the highest values. The OS-treated samples obtained the highest weight losses and RRs, but the RR was higher in the Chinese ginger. OS pretreatment also gave the lowest textural value with the China-sourced samples exhibiting the lowest firmness. Weibull model best fitted the experimental results (R 2 > 0.99). PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Ginger remains among the most notable medicinal spices worldwide. It is used as a raw material for the pharmaceutical, beverage, cosmetics, and the food industries. Long-term storage of ginger is one of paramount importance, hence any pretreatment that reduces its moisture content and lessens its drying time but preserves its quality is ideal. In this study, we report the effect of different nonthermal pretreatments, osmosonication, osmotic dehydration, and ultrasound on the physical and chemical properties of China- and Ghana-sourced ginger samples under relative humidity convective drying. The present findings will offer more information in the selection of the best pretreatment technique for drying ginger., (© 2019 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula from the Ming Dynasty "Jingyue's Complete Works". In China, it is prevalent for the treatment of a wide range of ailments, with a particular emphasis on functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Clinical evidence suggests that CSS has been found to be a highly effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of Functional Dyspepsia (FD), however, there is a limited amount of high-quality clinical evidence, particularly randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to support this claim., Aim of the Study: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) for treating functional dyspepsia (FD) by comparing it to placebos, as well as to investigate the impact of CSS on the gut microbiota in individuals diagnosed with FD., Materials and Methods: This was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial implemented at Shuguang Hospital in Shanghai. Between May 2021 and December 2022, 94 participants satisfying the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for FD were enrolled. They were assigned randomly to either the CSS group or the placebo group, with an equal allocation ratio of 1:1. Patients in both groups received the intervention for four weeks. The primary outcome was the dyspepsia symptom scores evaluated by using single dyspepsia symptom scale (SDS) after four weeks of treatment. The secondary outcomes were the solid gastric empties rate measured by a barium strip method, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), and Functional dyspepsia Quality of life scale (FDDQL). In addition, after unblinding, 30 patients in the CSS group were randomly selected and divided into before and after treatment of the FD groups (FD1, FD2), and 30 healthy participants were selected as healthy control group (HC), and the gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing., Results: After four weeks of treatment, the SDS score exhibited a significant improvement in the CSS group compared to the placebo group (t = 4.882; P ＜0.001). The difference in barium strip gastric emptying rate in the CSS group showed a significant ascent compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The HAMA, HAMD, and FDDQL scores in the CSS group showed a statistically significant increase compared to the control group (all P < 0.01). The results of 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that FD patients had less diverse and abundant microbiota than the healthy people. Additionally, the application of CSS resulted in the modulation of certain bacterial populations, leading to both up-regulation and down-regulation of their quantities., Conclusions: These findings suggested that CSS is more effective compared to a placebo in treating FD, relieves anxiety and depression, increases gastric emptying rate in FD patients, and that CSS also affects the bacterial community structure in FD patients., Trial Registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100045793. Registered 25 Mach 2021., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Tumors have a huge impact on human life and are now the main cause of disease-related deaths. The main means of treatment are surgery and radiotherapy, but they are more damaging to the organism and have a poor postoperative prognosis. Therefore, we urgently need safe and effective drugs to treat tumors. In recent years, Chinese herbal medicines have been widely used in tumor therapy as complementary and alternative therapies. Medicinal and edible herbs are popular and have become a hot topic of research, which not only have excellent pharmacological effects and activities, but also have almost no side effects. Therefore, as a typical medicine and food homology, some components of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA, called Baishao in China) have been shown to have good efficacy and safety against cancer. Numerous studies have also shown that Paeoniae Radix Alba and its active ingredients treat cancer through various pathways and are also one of the important components of many antitumor herbal compound formulas. In this paper, we reviewed the literature on the intervention of Paeoniae Radix Alba in tumors and its mechanism of action in recent years and found that there is a large amount of literature on its effect on total glucosides of paeony (TGP) and paeoniflorin (PF), as well as an in-depth discussion of the mechanism of action of Paeoniae Radix Alba and its main constituents, with a view to promote the clinical development and application of Paeoniae Radix Alba in the field of antitumor management.

Background: Triphala (TLP), as a Chinese Tibetan medicine composing of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica (1.2:1.5:1), exhibited hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and gut microbiota modulatory effects. Nonetheless, its roles in prevention of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the related mechanistic insights involving the interplay of gut microbiota and hepatic inflammation are not known., Purpose: The present study seeks to determine if TLP would prevent HFD-induced NAFLD in vivo and its underlying mechanisms from the perspectives of gut microbiota, metabolites, and hepatic inflammation., Methods: TLP was subjected to extraction and chemo-profiling, and in vivo evaluation in HFD-fed rats on hepatic lipid and inflammation, intestinal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and permeability, and body weight and fat content profiles., Results: The TLP was primarily constituted of gallic acid, corilagin and chebulagic acid. Orally administered HFD-fed rats with TLP were characterized by the growth of Ligilactobacillus and Akkermansia, and SCFAs (acetic/propionic/butyric acid) secretion which led to increased claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 expression that reduced the mucosal permeability to migration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into blood and liver. Coupling with hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride lowering actions, the TLP mitigated both inflammatory (ALT, AST, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and pro-inflammatory (TLR4, MYD88 and NF-κB P65) activities of liver, and sequel to histopathological development of NAFLD in a dose-dependent fashion., Conclusion: TLP is promisingly an effective therapy to prevent NAFLD through modulating gut microbiota, mucosal permeability and SCFAs secretion with liver fat and inflammatory responses., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacology Relevance: The Euphorbiaceae family, which contains about 300 genera and more than 5000 species, is widely distributed in different regions. Trigonostemon genus comprises a wide group of tropical and temperate plants belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. This genus includes at least 50 species throughout tropical Asia, extending from India and Sri Lanka to New Guinea. They have been employed by local populations for the treatment of asthma, poisonous snake bites, and food poisoning., Aim of the Review: The main aim of the review is to critically analyze the reported traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Trigonostemon species., Materials and Methods: Scientific databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, CNKI, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library and SciFinder, were searched using keywords such as "Trigonostemon", "South China", "chemical constituents", or "traditional use". Thus, available articles from 2000 to 2020 were collected and analyzed., Results and Discussion: This paper provides systematic data that Trigonostemon species possess a diverse phytochemical composition, (including diterpenes, alkaloids, coumarins, lignins, sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols) found in different plant organs. Research on Trigonostemon plants has revealed critical therapeutic properties, such as antiviral, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal activities., Conclusions: It is envisaged that the current review will add value to more scientific research on Trigonostemon species and enhance/promote the increased interest in the sustainable use of Trigonostemon species as well as lead to the validation of unverified ethnobotanical claims. Future studies on Trigonostemon species would focus on establishing the links between the traditional uses, active compounds and reported pharmacological activities., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Quercus Infectoria galls (QIG) have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Uyghur medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, hemorrhage, skin disease, and many other human ailments. Medicinal applications of QIG have become increasingly popular in Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, and Iran., Aim of the Review: The present paper reviewed the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, analytical methods, biological activities, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and drug interactions of QIG to assess the ethnopharmacological uses, explore its therapeutic potential, and identify future opportunities for research., Materials and Methods: Information on QIG was gathered via the Internet (using Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Elsevier, ACS, Pubmed, Web of Science, CNKI, and EMBASE) and libraries. Additionally, information was also obtained from local books and PhD and MS dissertations., Results: QIG has played an important role in traditional Chinese medicine. The main bioactive metabolites of QIG include tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and steroids. Scientific studies on the QIG extract and its components have shown its wide range of pharmacological activities, such as cholinesterase- and monoamine oxidase-inhibitory, antitumor, anti-hypertension, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory., Conclusions: The ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, pharmacological, and analytical methods of QIG were highlighted in this review, which provides information for future studies and commercial exploration. QIG has a huge potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Moreover, comprehensive toxicity studies of this plant must be conducted to ensure its safety. Additional investigations are recommended to transmute the ethnopharmacological claims of this plant in folklore medicines into scientific rationale-based information. Research on pharmacokinetics studies and potential drug interactions with standard-of-care medications is still limited, which calls for additional studies particularly on humans. Further assessments and clinical trials should be performed before it can be integrated into medicinal practices., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The genus Orobanche consists of annual, biennial or perennial fleshy parasitic herb species, many of which are in use as traditional medicines and wild gathered foods since a long time. Recently, Orobanche spp. are increasingly accepted as edible medicines with nourishing properties. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of their ethnopharmacological background., Aim of the Review: This review focuses on the advancements in botanical classification, and summary of traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Orobanche species, in order to check for scientific support of their traditional uses and the safe treatment of human ailments and diseases., Materials and Methods: In this review, the results of a systematic and comprehensive literature survey about Orobanche spp over the past 60 years (from 1960 to 2020) is presented. The selected literature includes periodicals, doctoral dissertations, master dissertations conference papers and various books. The literature was identified through search engine websites and a cross-checked with the Chinese pharmacopeia, classic Chinese and European herbals, regional medicinal monographs, and online ethnobotanical databases., Results: The literature about the traditional uses revealed that Orobanche spp. were used as medicine and food in many regions of the world, but mainly in China and North America while in Europe they were primarily used as food items. Phenylpropanoid derivatives and alkaloids, were reported as their main bioactive compounds, showing antioxidant, immune system enhancing, androgenic, antibacterial and antiviral properties., Conclusions: Orobanche spp. are increasingly being used for tonic purposes in China. Their ethnopharmacological background suggests potential usages as healthy foods and food supplements. They have the potential to be developed into herbal medicines for tonifying the kidney, against impotence and spermatorrhea, dermatological problems and wounds, as well as infantile diarrhoea. However, the pharmacological studies conducted with extracts derived from Orobanche spp. were not useful for rationally explaining the traditional uses. More investigations are required to provide a pharmacological basis for the traditional claims and the relationship between traditional uses, clinical uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties. Additionally, quality control should be emphasized to ensure the safe and effective use of Orobanche derived products., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Xuezhikang (XZK), an extract derived from red yeast rice, is commonly employed as a traditional Chinese medicine for treating coronary heart disease, improving endothelial function, decreasing blood lipids and preventing other cardiovascular events both within China and globally. However, there have not been studies of the toxicity associated with XZK. In this publication we hope to summarize and evaluate an acute study, a 26-week chronic toxicity study, and the genetic toxicity potential of XZK. Firstly, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were treated with XZK at dose of 10 g/kg to observe the acute toxicity. Then, we sought to assess the toxicity of XZK (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) in SD rats for 26 weeks with a 4-week recovery period. Lastly, we assessed the genotoxicity of XZK utilizing an Ames test, chromosomal aberration assay, and mammalian micronucleus test. The results of the acute study, XZK did not induce toxicity up to the maximum doses of 10 g/kg in rats, so an LD 50 could not be determined. In the chronic study, XZK administrated via gavage did not alter weight, food intake, urinalysis parameters, hematological analysis parameters, organ weight, organ to weight ratio, microscopic and macroscopic examination of organs. Also, we found no genotoxicity markers at any dose of XZK tested. The results revealed that the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for XZK, based on the 26-week toxicity study, was 2000 mg/kg., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Glechomae Herba (GH) is derived from the dried aerial part of Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr., which is harvested from spring to autumn. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxification. The aim of this paper was to study the chemical composition and the anti-complement activity of GH collected in different months. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry based on predicted compounds screening and diagnostic ion filter strategy was developed for identifying the chemical composition of GH collected in different months. A total of 102 compounds-40 chlorogenic acids (CGAs), 32 phenolic acids, and 30 flavonoids-were reasonably identified in GH. Thirty-four CGAs were discovered in GH for the first time. The correlations between chemical compositions and anti-complement activities of GH collected in different months were analyzed. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were found to be negatively correlated with anti-complement activity, and CGAs were positively correlated with anti-complement activity. At the same time, six CGA standards had obvious anti-complement activity. It was demonstrated that different harvest months had a significant impact on the difference in chemical composition and anti-complement activity of GH. And CGAs might play an important role in the anti-complement activity of GH., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: As the dry rhizome of Anemone raddeana Regel, Rhizoma Anemones Raddeanae (RAR), which belongs to Ranunculaceae, is usually used to treat wind and cold symptoms, hand-foot disease and spasms, joint pain and ulcer pain in China. It is well known that the efficacy of RAR can be distinctly enhanced by processing with vinegar due to the reduced toxicity and side effects. However, the entry of vinegar into liver channels can cause a series of problems. In this paper, the differences in the acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects between RAR and vinegar-processed RAR were compared in detail. The changes in the chemical compositions between RAR and vinegar-processed RAR were investigated, and the mechanism of vinegar processing was also explored., Methods: Acute toxicity experiments were used to examine the toxicity of vinegar-processed RAR. A series of studies, such as the writhing reaction, ear swelling experiment, complete Freund's adjuvant-induced rat foot swelling experiment and cotton granuloma, in experimental mice was conducted to observe the anti-inflammatory effect of vinegar-processed RAR. The inflammatory cytokines of model rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time of Flight mass spectrometer Detector (LC-Q-TOF) was used to analyse the chemical compositions of the RARs before and after vinegar processing., Results: Neither obvious changes in mice nor death phenomena were observed as the amount of vinegar-processed RAR in crude drug was set at 2.1 g/kg. Vinegar-processed RAR could significantly prolong the latency, reduce the writhing reaction time to reduce the severity of ear swelling and foot swelling, and remarkably inhibit the secretion of Interleukin-1β(IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) proinflammatory cytokines. The content of twelve saponins (e.g., Eleutheroside K) in RAR was decreased after vinegar processing, but six other types (e.g., RDA) were increased., Conclusions: These results revealed that vinegar processing could not only improve the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of RAR but also reduce its own toxicity., Trial Registration: Not applicable.

Constipation is a common bowel disease in adults with the symptoms of dry stool or difficulty passing stool. Compared with medication therapy, patients show more compliance with the diet therapy, and thus the diet therapy normally exhibits better therapeutic effect. Allium mongolicum Regel s a perennial herb of Liliaceae native to Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China, which is traditionally used for constipation. In this paper, we partly clarify the effectiveness of A. mongolicum on constipation from two aspects, including maintaining colon water content and increasing intestinal transit. In loperamide-induced constipation mice model, nine days oral administration of A. mongolicum 50% ethanolic extract increased luminal side water content and regulated intestinal movement rhythm to normalize stools. The activity at least partly related to down-regulation of colon aquaporins 3 (AQP3) expression, and up-regulation and activation of G protein alpha (Gα) and phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K). Further, activities on intestine movements were tested using compounds isolated from A. mongolicum . Three kinds of major flavonoids significantly increased cellular calcium flux in HCT116 cells and promoted mice intestine smooth muscle contraction. The activity may be related to M choline receptor, μ opioid receptor, 5-HT3 receptor, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor.

Excessive food intake and metabolic disorder promote obesity and diabetes. In China, peanut skin is used as a herbal medicine to treat hemophilia, thrombocytopenic purpura, and hepatic hemorrhage. In the present study, we demonstrated that peanut skin extract (PSE) safely reduced appetite, body weight, fat tissue, plasma TG and TC, and blood glucose level in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Moreover, the leptin/leptin receptor/neuropeptide Y (NPY) and adiponectin signaling pathways involved in the antiobesity effects of PSE are confirmed through leptin and adiponectin overexpression and leptin receptor silencing in mice. PSE consisted of oligosaccharide and polyphenol in a mass ratio of 45 : 55, and both parts were important for the antiobesity function of PSE. Our results suggested that PSE can be developed as functional medical food to treat metabolic disorders and obesity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2019 Lan Xiang et al.)

Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts more than 80% of the lung cancer cases. Polysaccharides in rice bran and its fermentation products have been proven to suppress many cancers. However, the report on inhibiting NSCLC is few. In this paper, the polysaccharides with suppression activity to H1299 NSCLC in the fermentation products of full-fat rice bran and defatted rice bran were studied in vitro and in vivo. Method: Polysaccharides (GSRBPs) were extracted from Ganoderma sinense – full-fat rice bran (GS-FRB) and Ganoderma sinense – defatted rice bran (GS-DRB) fermentation products. The structure information of the GSRBPs was studied using HPLC analysis. The anti-tumor activities on H1299 NSCLC of GSRBPs in vitro study was performed using MTT method. The in vivo studies use BALB/c-nu nude mice as H1299 NSCLC bearing mice. Result: All the polysaccharides contained two fractions, GSFPS-1 and GSFPS-2. The molecular weight and the ratio of GSFPS-1 and GSFPS-2 were different in GS-FRB and GS-DRB. At the earlier state of fermentation, all polysaccharides were composed of D-glu, D-man, D-xyl and L-ara with certain molar ratios. But at the latter stage, polysaccharides in GS-FRB were composed of D-glu, D-man, D-xyl, L-ara and D-fru, while these in GS-DRB only composed of D-glu and D-man. In the in vitro study, the IC50 of RBS and GSRBPs was as GS-DRB-11 (40.62 μg/mL), GS-FRB-9 (43.82 μg/mL), GS-DRB-7 (48.08 μg/mL), RBS (49.56 μg/mL), GS-DRB-9 (49.91 μg/mL), GS-DRB-13 (51.89 μg/mL), GS-FRB-11 (53.75 μg/mL), GS-FRB-7 (56.84 μg/mL), GS-DRB-13 (60.63 μg/mL) from small to large. In the in vivo study, the H1299 NSCLC inhibition rate (InRa) of RBS and GSRBPs were GS-DRB-11 (86.81%) > GS-DRB-9 (86.01%) > GS-FRB-9 (84.88%) > GS-DRB-7 (82.21%) > GS-DRB-13 (78.04%) > RBS (76.06%) > GS-FRB-13 (65.44%) > GS-FRB-11 (64.70%) > GS-FRB-7 (27.87%). The GSFPS-2 area percent was negatively correlated to the IC50 and was positively correlated to the InRa. This means the GSFPS-2 had much higher anti-tumor activity than GSFPS-1. Conclusion: GSFPS-2 had higher anti-tumor activities, and the lipid in the rice bran has a decisive effect on the structures of polysaccharides produced by fermentation. Therefore, GSRBPs could be considered as potential novel agents to suppress H1299 non-small-cell lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. (ST) (Fabaceae) is distributed chiefly in south-central and southeast China and Vietnam. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the root and rhizome of ST are toxic and mainly used in the treatment of pharyngeal and laryngeal diseases. Modern studies provide new insights into the pharmacological and toxicological aspects of ST. The pharmacological and toxicological properties of ST were reviewed in this paper based on the literature from Google Scholar and CNKI, and the bioinformatics platforms were applied to explore the pharmacological and toxicological potentials of ST. The results of the literature analysis showed that ST has hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects and produces obvious toxicity to the liver and nervous and cardiovascular system. The results of bioinformatics showed that the compounds from ST may be applied to the treatment of cancer and digestive and nervous system diseases and show the possibility to cause hematotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. The present review demonstrates that attention should be paid to the potential toxicity of ST in the treatment of diseases and provides the reference for the subsequent pharmacological toxicological studies on the mechanism and chemical basis of ST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (Lamiaceae) is a plant of the genus Lamiaceae, and its root is the main part used as a medicine. In China, Scutellaria baicalensis is still an important traditional Chinese medicine with the functions of clearing away heat and dampness, purging fire and detoxification. This medicinal plant is widely distributed in China, Russia, Mongolia, North Korea and Japan. The purpose of this paper was to provide a systematic and comprehensive overview on the traditional usages, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of this plant. Furthermore, the possible development trends and perspectives for future research on this medicinal plant are also discussed., Key Findings: So far, over 40 compounds have been isolated and identified from Scutellaria baicalensis, including flavonoids, terpenoids, volatile oils and polysaccharides. The compounds and extracts isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including the effects on the nervous system, effects on the immune system, liver protection, antitumour effects, antibacterial and antiviral effects, antioxidant effects and other pharmacological effects., Summary: As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Scutellaria baicalensis has shown significant effects on the treatment of various diseases, especially hepatitis, diarrhoea, vomiting and high blood pressure. Numerous traditional uses of Scutellaria baicalensis have been confirmed by current investigations. However, it is also necessary to further study the drug-forming properties and pharmacokinetics of the active constituents of Scutellaria baicalensis, as well as to establish quality control standards for different areas of Scutellaria baicalensis, and to carry out the research at the cellular and molecular levels., (© 2019 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.)

In order to clarify the chemical color change of teak (Tectona grandis L.F.), the difference of chemical composition between the heartwood and sapwood of teak was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based on the acetone extractive compounds. The results showed that the difference in content of the main components between heartwood and sapwood was not obvious. However, the amount of extractives in heartwood was higher than that in sapwood, especially for phenols, quinones, and ketones. The most obvious different substances in the acetone extractive between heartwood and sapwood were 4-tert-butyl-2-phenyl-phenol,2-methyl-anthraquinone, and 2,3-dimethyl-1,4,4a,9a-tetrahydro-9,10-anthracenedione, which might be the main composition for the chromatic aberration of teak. This paper focuses on a preliminary study and further work such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet photometric detector (UV)/mass spectrometry (MS) will be carried out., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Zijuan tea ( Camellia sinensis var. assamica), an anthocyanin-rich cultivar with purple leaves, is a valuable material for manufacturing tea with unique color and flavor. In this paper, four new phenylpropanoid substituted epicatechin gallates (pECGs), Zijuanins A-D (1-4), were isolated from Zijuan green tea by different column chromatography. Their structures were identified by extensive high resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and experimental and calculated circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analyses. Detection of the changes in fresh tea leaves collected from April to September and the final processed product by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-HRMS suggested that production of compounds 1 and 2 may be enhanced by the processing procedure of Zijuan green tea. Additionally, 1-4 were proposed to be synthesized through interaction between the abundant secondary metabolite ECG and phenolic acids from tea leaves by two key steps of phenol-dienone tautomerism. 1 and 2 showed impressive activity in protecting SH-SY5Y cells against H 2 O 2 -induced damage at the concentration of 1.0 μM.

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, causing the disease COVID-19, spread from Wuhan throughout China and has infected people over 200 countries. Thus far, more than 3,400,000 cases and 240,000 deaths have occurred worldwide, and the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the globe. While numbers of cases in China have been steadying, the number of infections outside China is increasing at a worrying pace. We face an urgent need to control the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, which is currently expanding to a global pandemic. Efforts have focused on testing antiviral drugs and vaccines, but there is currently no treatment specifically approved. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is grounded in empirical observations and the Chinese people use TCM to overcome these sorts of plagues many times in thousands of years of history. Currently, the Chinese National Health Commission recommended a TCM prescription of Qing-Fei-Pai-Du-Tang (QFPDT) in the latest version of the "Diagnosis and Treatment guidelines of COVID-19" which has been reported to provide reliable effects for COVID-19. While doubts about TCM still exist today, this review paper will describe the rationalities that QFPDT is likely to bring a safe and effective treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2019, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) broke out in Wuhan and other places. Seven versions of the Diagnosis and Treatment Program for Coronavirus Disease-2019 successively issued by the Chinese government have designated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a necessary medical strategy. Based on the changes in TCM diagnosis and treatment strategies in these seven versions of Diagnosis and Treatment Program for Coronavirus Disease-2019, this paper collected data reported by the Chinese government media; analyzed the understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, treatment methods, and prescriptions of COVID-19 by TCM and evaluated the clinical efficacy of TCM strategies. COVID-19 is associated with TCM disease of pestilence, and its pathogenesis can be summarized as an "epidemic pathogen invading the body, followed by entering the internal organs and transforming into heat, resulting in pathogen trapping in the interior and healthy qi collapsing, and deficiency of qi and yin". Pathological processes should be emphasized in syndrome differentiation. The manifestations of qi deficiency and yin deficiency are exhibited during the recovery period. TCM strategies represented by Qing Fei Pai Du Tang have shown apparent advantages in improving symptoms, promoting virus clearance, and shortening hospitalization, as well as surprising efficacy of zero patient progressing from mild to severe cases in a TCM cabin hospital. Clinical data illustrate the effectiveness of TCM strategies proposed by the Chinese government. This major epidemic may bring new opportunities for TCM development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the current study was to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil of Artemisia asiatica together with investigating the antibacterial effects it exerts on several common respiratory infection causing bacteria including Haemophilus influenzae. Its mechanism of action was studied using various state-of-the-art assays like scanning electron microscopy, DNA, RNA and protein leakage assays, growth curve assays etc. The essential oil was extracted from the leaves of A. asiatica by supercritical CO 2 fluid extraction technology. Chemical composition of essential oils was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity was evaluated against 6 bacteria by the paper disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericide concentration (MBC) values of the essential oil were estimated by agar dilution method. The antibacterial mechanism was evaluated by growth curve, the integrity of cell membrane and scanning electronmicroscope (SEM). Gas chromatographic analysis of the A. asiatica essential oil led to the identification of 16 chemical constituents accounting for 97.2% of the total oil composition. The major components were found to be Piperitone, (z)-davanone, p-cymene and 1, 8-cineole. The essential oil showed maximum growth inhibition against Haemophilus influenzae with a zone of inhibition of 24.5 mm and MIC/MBC values of 1.9/4.5 mg/mL respectively. Bacteria treated with the essential oil led to a rapid decrease in the number of viable cells. On adding the essential oil of A. asiatica to the bacterial culture, the constituents of the bacterial cell got released into the medium and this cell constituent release increased with increasing doses of the essential oil. SEM showed that the bacterial cells treated with the essential oil showed damaged cell wall, deformed cell morphology and shrunken cells., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, a single species of Eucommia genus belonging to the Eucommiaceae family, is an endemic in China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for nearly two thousand years. Records from different historical periods highlight E. ulmoides and its officinal botanical parts, usefulness in adaptation to disease and its central role in Chinese medicine theory. There are also historical collection documents for minorities in China. Tearing the leaves, bark and fruit produces strands of latex; a description of E. ulmoides's morphological features is recorded in this paper. This review summarizes 204 natural compounds isolated from this plant, which are divided into seven categories: lignans, iridoids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, terpenes and others. These components possess wide-ranging pharmacological efficacies, such as antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemia, anti-oxidative, anti-osteoporosis, antitumor, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective activities. This review aims to provide a reference for extensive researches of E. ulmoides crude drugs, especially for quality control, biosynthesis and structure modification of active ingredients and pharmacological mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the incidence rate of nephrotoxicity in Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f (TwHF) preparations approved by the China Food and Drug Administration and the potential risk factors. Methods: CENTRAL, PubMed, SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, China Important Conference Papers Database, China Dissertation Database, and online clinical trial registry websites were searched for articles that reported on nephrotoxicity of TwHF preparations until November 23, 2017. There was no limitation for study design. Results: A total of 36 articles involving 2,017 participants were included. Results showed that the incidence of nephrotoxicity associated with TwHF preparations was 5.81% (95% confidence interval: 4.43–7.57). Subgroup analysis showed that the disease type, combined medication, duration, and study design were not correlated with the incidence of nephrotoxicity. Conclusion: The incidence rate of nephrotoxicity in TwHF preparations was 5.81%. The possible risk factors, such as disease type, the combination with other drugs, medication time, and study design, were not found to be correlated with the incidence of nephrotoxicity. However, due to the limited number of included articles, the limited sample size, and the poor methodology quality, the incidence rate of nephrotoxicity of TwHF preparations might be overestimated, and more prospective articles are needed to explore the potential influence factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Daodi-herb is a part of Chinese culture, which has been naturally selected by traditional Chinese medicine clinical practice for many years. Sweet wormwood herb is a kind of Daodi-herb, and comes from Artemisia annua L. Artemisinin is a kind of effective antimalarial drug being extracted from A. annua. Because of artemisinin, Sweet wormwood herb earns a reputation. Based on the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (PPRC), Sweet wormwood herb can be used to resolve summerheat-heat, and prevent malaria. Besides, it also has other medical efficacies. A. annua, a medicinal plant that is widely distributed in the world contains many kinds of chemical composition. Research has shown that compatibility of artemisinin, scopoletin, arteannuin B and arteannuic acid has antimalarial effect. Compatibility of scopoletin, arteannuin B and arteannuic acid is conducive to resolving summerheat-heat. Chemical constituents in A. annua vary significantly according to geographical locations. So, distribution of A. annua may play a key role in the characteristics of efficacy and chemical constituents of Sweet wormwood herb. It is of great significance to study this relationship., Objectives: We mainly analyzed the relationship between the chemical constituents (arteannuin B, artemisinin, artemisinic acid, and scopoletin) with special efficacy in A. annua that come from different provinces in china, and analyzed the relationship between chemical constituents and spatial distribution, in order to find out the relationship between efficacy, chemical constituents and distribution., Methods: A field survey was carried out to collect A. annua plant samples. A global positioning system (GPS) was used for obtaining geographical coordinates of sampling sites. Chemical constituents in A. annua were determined by liquid chromatography tandem an atmospheric pressure ionization-electrospray mass spectrometry. Relationship between chemical constituents including proportions, correlation analysis (CoA), principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (ClA) was displayed through Excel and R software version2.3.2(R), while the one between efficacy, chemical constituents and spatial distribution was presented through ArcGIS10.0, Excel and R software., Results: According to the results of CoA, arteannuin B content presented a strong positive correlation with artemisinic acid content (p = 0), and a strong negative correlation with artemisinin content (p = 0). Scopoletin content presented a strong positive correlation with artemisinin content (p = 0), and a strong negative correlation with artemisinic acid content (p = 0). According to the results of PCA, the first two principal components accounted for 81.57% of the total accumulation contribution rate. The contribution of the first principal component is about 45.12%, manly including arteannuin B and artemisinic acid. The contribution of the second principal component is 36.45% of the total, manly including artemisinin and scopoletin. According to the ClA by using the principal component scores, 19 provinces could be divided into two groups. In terms of provinces in group one, the proportions of artemisinin are all higher than 80%. Based on the results of PCA, ClA, percentages and scatter plot analysis, chemical types are defined as "QHYS type", "INT type" and "QHS type.", Conclusion: As a conclusion, this paper shows the relationship between efficacy, chemical constituents and distribution. Sweet wormwood herb with high arteannuin B and artemisinic acid content, mainly distributes in northern China. Sweet wormwood herb with high artemisinin and scopoletin content has the medical function of preventing malaria, which mainly distributes in southern China. In this paper, it is proved that Sweet wormwood Daodi herb growing in particular geographic regions, has more significant therapeutical effect and higher chemical constituents compared with other same kind of CMM. And also, it has proved the old saying in China that Sweet wormwood Daodi herb which has been used to resolve summerheat-heat and prevent malaria, which distributed in central China. But in modern time, Daodi Sweet wormwood herb mainly has been used to extract artemisinin and prevent malaria, so the Daod-region has transferred to the southern China.

Objective. The traditional Chinese medicine Kangai injection as an adjuvant method in combination with chemotherapy has been widely used for treating breast cancer in clinical practice in China. This study systematically reviewed the clinical effect and safety of traditional Chinese medicine Kangai injection as an adjuvant method in combination with chemotherapy for treating Chinese patients with breast cancer. Methods. Seven databases were searched in this study, namely, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Sino Med, VIP, and Wanfang Data. The timeframe of retrieval was set from the founding date of each database to November 1, 2017. Results. Fifteen papers were included in this study. The quality of all the studies included was low. All the studies were carried out among the Chinese population. Meta-analyses showed that, compared with single-use chemotherapy, using a Kangai injection combined with chemotherapy to treat Chinese breast cancer patient can increase the total effective rate [RR = 1.15, 95% CI (1.01, 1.32), and P=0.033], improve the quality of life [RR = 1.30, 95% CI (1.14, 1.48), and P≤0.001], decrease the incidence of weight loss [RR = 0.49, 95% CI (0.32, 0.77), and P=0.002], decrease WBC count [RR = 0.78, 95% CI (0.68, 0.89), and P≤0.001], decrease incidence of renal and liver dysfunction [RR = 0.58, 95% CI (0.46, 0.73), and P≤0.001], and decrease cardiac dysfunction [RR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.18, 0.94), and P=0.035]. For the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions [RR = 0.89, 95% CI (0.65, 1.21), and P=0.452], decreased platelet count [RR=0.49, 95% CI (0.18, 1.30), and P=0.150], and alopecia [RR = 1.01, 95% CI (0.89, 1.14), and P=0.879], these two groups showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion. Kangai injection as an adjuvant method in combination with chemotherapy for treating Chinese breast cancer patients can improve their life quality and physical conditions and reduce the adverse reactions that result from chemotherapy. However, the present conclusion is only suitable for the Chinese population. The long-term, high-quality researches are required to further verify the above conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a famous fruit in south China, and it is also effective for chest tightness or chest pain, irritability, flatulence, epigastric pain and neuralgic pain, hernia pain and testicular swelling, cough, etc. It is valued because a great amount of polyphenol was found in litchi pericarp. In this paper, we got litchi pericarp pure extract by a simple purification method, then evaluated its activity to clear oxygen free radicals in vitro, and evaluated its myocardial protection effect in vivo through acute myocardial ischemia rat model. The results showed that the pure extract had protective effect on myocardial ischemia injury in a certain dose-effect relationship, which reflected in the electrocardiogram, myocardial pathological morphology and other indicators such as cardiac function enzymes, serum and myocardial antioxidant capacity, and eNOS, Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression. Furthermore, we analyzed the components of pure extract by UPLC-MS, ESI-MS and NMR. The main components of PLPE were procyanidin which were identified as procyanidin B2(1), (-)-epicatechin(2), epicatechin-(4β → 8,2β → O → 7)-epicatechin-(4β → 8)-epicatechin(3), A-type procyanidin trimer(4), B-type procyanidin dimer(5) and procyanidin A2(6).This study proved that litchi pericarp extract may have antioxidant activity and cardioprotection effect. It suggested that litchi pericarp may be good for cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pteridium aquilinum, Osmunda cinnamomea Linn, and Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching are three fern species widely consumed as potherbs and traditional medicinal herbs in China. Nevertheless, no detailed comparative assessments of their nutrient values and bioactivities have been reported. In this paper, we examined the nutrient content of these ferns and the bioactivities of their extracts with a comparative method. The results indicated that they were nutrient dense for proteins, carbohydrates, fat and minerals. Compared with Pteridium aquilinum and Osmunda cinnamomea Linn, the extract from Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching was found to possess the strongest antioxidant activity, protective effects on biomolecules, cellular antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative effects owing to its highest total phenolic (476.52 ± 11.26 mg GAE per g extract) and total flavonoid (924.81 ± 4.25 mg RNE per g extract) contents. Further, Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching can lead to caspase-3 activation, poly ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) reduction and inhibition of wound-healing in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. These results demonstrate the remarkable potential of Pteridium aquilinum, Osmunda cinnamomea Linn, and Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching as valuable sources of nutrients and natural antioxidants, and among which Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching has potential anticancer properties.

The loquat is widely cultivated in China, its succulent fruits, leaves and flower are used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. The study is aimed to analyse the content of the four triterpene compounds ( ursolic acid, corosolic acid, maslinic acid, oleanolic acid) in different organs, and investigate the dynamic changes in different phenological period. The triterpenic acids content in the samples was measured by HPLC based on the plant phenological observations. The results showed that order of four triterpenic acids content in different organs from high to low was defoliation (23.2 mg x g(-1)) > mature leaves (21.7 mg x g(-1)) > young leaves (17.5 mg x g(-1)) > fruits (7.36 mg x g(-1)) > flowers (6.40 mg x g(-1)). The triterpenic acids were not detected in the seeds. The total amount of the four triterpenic acids in the loquat leaves collected in the different phenological stages of sprout, flower bud, blossom and fruit varied between 17.8 and 26.2 mg x g(-1) (defoliation), 16.5 and 23.5 mg x g(-1) (mature leaves), 14.7 and 21.5 mg x g(-1) (young leaves), respectively. The content increased progressively with the leaf development, maturation and aging. There was a higher level of the dry material and triterpenic acids accumulation in the mature leaves during fruit enlargement. This paper attempts to present the case for medicinal plants of a broad geographical distribution to study on the secondary metabolites and harvesting time.

In this paper, the varying pattern of the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms, including bacteria, actinomycetes and fungus, was observed during the cultivation of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. And the correlations between number of rhizospheric microorganisms and the quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were also studied. The results showed that the rhizospheric microorganism source of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was rich. The distribution of rhizospheric microorganisms (soil bacteria, fungus, actinomycetes, potassium-solubilizing bacteria, inorganic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, organic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria) collected from different origin places existed significant difference (P < 0.05). The varying pattern for the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms was showed as following: the amount of bacteria > the amount of actinomycetes > the amount of fungus. The medicinal quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was influenced by their habits, and the increase of cultivation years caused the obvious decrease of the quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Therefore, the increase of cultivation years will cause the variation of the soil micro-ecology flora, and decrease the nutrient absorption and the utilization of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, which will make the decrease of the medical quality of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

In this paper, the effect and mechanism of Salicornia bigelovii Torr. plant salt (SPS) on blood pressure in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were investigated. The results showed that the edible salt induced hypertension, but the SPS did not. Organ indices and Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining analysis indicated that SPS had a protective effect on the kidney and liver. In comparison with the edible salt-treated group, nitric oxide (NO) content, angiotensin-II (Ang-II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in the serum of the SPS-treated group had no obvious changes, but serum creatinine concentration significantly decreased. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity increased while malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased in the SPS-treated group. In conclusion, a long-term high salt intake could lead to hypertension. SPS, as a salt substitute, could increase the body's antioxidant ability to protect the kidney and liver from the damage caused by a high salt intake and effectively avoid the occurrence of hypertension.

Background: The Hani people, who reside in Yuanyang County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, rely on rice terrace farming as their primary livelihood. They utilize plants in various traditional ritual practices. The Hani people have categorized the value of plants based on their natural attributes and have refined the ways of using different plants in specific rituals through practical observations and experiences derived from their agricultural culture. Although the plants used in these rituals hold significant cultural value, they have yet to be studied from the perspective of ethnobotany. This study aims to approach the ritual plants using ethnobotanical methods. Methods: Ethnobotanical fieldwork was conducted in 10 villages in Yuanyang County between 2021 and 2023. Data were collected from the local Hani people through semi-structured interviews and participatory observations and 41 informants were interviewed during the field investigations. The frequency of citation (FC) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) were utilized to evaluate the relative importance of ritual plants among the local communities. Results: A total of 36 plant species, belonging to 18 families and 34 genera, were recorded as being used in 11 ritual practices by the Hani people. Rosaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae were found to have the highest number of species. Most of the ritual plants used by the Hani people were collected from the wild. FC and RFC analysis showed that the preferred plants for Hani rituals were Rhus chinensis Mill, Oryza sativa L., Phyllostachys sulphurea (Carr.) A. et C. Riv. and Musa basjoo Siebold & Zucc. ex Iinuma. The 11 rituals are all centered around the performance of people, crops and livestock. The Hani people use plants in different rituals mainly based on their biological attributes. Conclusions: Many rituals of the Hani people are closely related to their production and livelihood, and the plants used in these rituals are deeply rooted in Hani's traditional ecological knowledge and beliefs. The Hani people's reverence for nature, respect for life, gratitude towards ancestors, and seeking blessings and disaster prevention for their families, crops, and livestock are all reflected in these rituals and their utilization of ritual plants. The Hani people showcase their agricultural culture in the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces through plant-based ritual performances. Studying ritual plants in the core area of the Hani Rice Terraces is of great significance for protecting the Hani Terrace farming culture. In the future, it is essential to pay more attention to the role of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract from the aerial parts ofViburnum betulifoliumBatal. afforded four new tetrahydrofuran lignans, betulifolium A-D (1,2,4, and5), together with two known compounds vibsanol-9′-al (3) and sarcomeginal (6). This paper deals with the isolation and structure elucidation of the new compounds on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR analyses and HR-ESI-MS data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Meconopsis plants (Chinese: 绿绒篙), belonging to the family Papaveraceae, have been used as traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) for thousands of years. Meconopsis has the effects of clearing heat, reducing swelling, and easing pain, and is mainly prescribed for heat syndromes, hepatitis, pneumonia, and pain in joints. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of major isoquinoline alkaloids and flavonoids. Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated its antitumor, hepatoprotective, analgestic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antitussive, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, resource availability, in-depth in vivo pharmacological study and qualitative and quantitative analysis are still insufficient and deserve further efforts. This paper provides a comprehensive advance on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies of the genus, in hopes of promoting a better understanding of their medicinal values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the leaves of Indocalamus herklotsii, Indocalamus decorus, and Indocalamus latifolius were collected from Nanjing in different seasons to study the seasonal changes of the total flavonoids, tea polyphenols, and soluble sugar contents in the leaves. There existed significant differences in the test active ingredients contents among the leaves of the three Indocalamus species. The leaf total flavonoids content of the three Indocalamus species in different seasons ranged in 1.7%-2.7%, being the highest for I. herklotsii and I. decorus in spring and for I. latifolius in winter. The leaf tea polyphenols content varied from 5.5% to 7.6%; and the leaf soluble sugar content was 1.0%-8.5%, with the maximum in spring. Within the three months after leaf unfolding, the active ingredients contents in I. herklotsii and I. decorus leaves increased with leaf age. The optimal period for harvesting Indocalamus leaves was from December to next March. Among the three Indocalamus species, I. latifolius had the highest contents of the three active ingredients in leaves, suggesting that I. latifolius had greater potential value in the utilization of its leaf active ingredients than the other two species.

In the present paper, the contents of metal elements from six kinds of desert plants, namely Haloxylon ammodendron, Caragana microphylla, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, Salix bordensis, Elaeagnus angusti folia, and Salix psammophila in Inner Mongolian were determined by ICP-AES technique. The recovery ratio obtained by standard addition method ranged between 94.98% and 120.25%, and the RSD was lower than 3.4%. The results of determination showed that the major elements Ca, K, Mg, Na and Al, and trace elements essential to plant vital activities such as Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn exhibit different orders in content in the six kinds of desert plants, and the contents of four elements, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn are lower than the average content of terrestrial plants. The above results provided reliable data and theory bases for improving environment in west China and choosing weather-resistant and sand-fixation tree species.

In this paper, a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method was applied to analyse the volatile compounds in a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Rhioxma Curcumae Aeruginosae. SPME parameters such as fibers, extraction temperature, extraction time and desorption time were investigated. Thirty-five volatile compounds were separated and identified. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 8.4%, showing that the method has a good reproducibility. The volatile constituents were also analyzed by steam distillation (SD) and thirty-seven compounds were identified. The similar results obtained by the two methods showed that SPME is a good alternative for the analysis of volatile constituents in Rhioxma Curcumae Aeruginosae samples and it is a relatively simple, rapid and solvent-free method.

The current situation of plant extract in domestic and international market was analyzed in the paper. The quality control of 20 plant extracts which have reasonably good sales in USA market was compared and analyzed. The analysis of the quality control of six plant extracts indicated that there were two main reasons leading to the varied quality specifications among different suppliers. One reason was that the plant species utilized by different companies were different. The other reason was that the extraction processes were different among different production plants. Comparing with the significant international suppliers of plant extracts, the product quality of Chinese companies were not satisfactory. It was suggested that chromatography and chromatographic fingerprint techniques should be applied to improve the quality control standard of plant extract in our country.

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Though inflammatory response is beneficial to body damage repair, if it is out of control, it can produce adverse effects on the body. Although purely western anti-inflammatory drugs, orthodox medicines, can control inflammation occurrence and development, it is not enough. The clinical efficacy of anti-inflammation therapies is unsatisfactory, thus the search for new anti-inflammation continues. Chinese Material Medica (CMM) remains a promising source of new therapeutic agents. CMM and herbal formulae from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), unorthodox medicines, play an improtant anti-inflammatory role in multi-targets, multi-levels, and multi-ways in treating inflammation diseases in a long history in China, based on their multi-active ingredient characteristics. Due to these reasons, recently, CMM has been commercialized as an anti-inflammation agent which has become increasingly popular in the world health drug markets. Major research contributions in ethnopharmacology have generated vast amount of data associated with CMM in anti-inflammtion aspect. Therefore, a systematic introduction of CMM anti-inflammatory research progress is of great importance and necessity. Aim of the study: This paper strives to describe the progress of CMM in the treatment of inflammatory diseases from different aspects, and provide the essential theoretical support and scientific evidence for the further development and utilization of CMM resources as a potential anti-inflammation drug through a variety of databases. Material and methods: Literature survey was performed via electronic search (SciFinder®, Pubmed®, Google Scholar and Web of Science) on papers and patents and by systematic research in ethnopharmacological literature at various university libraries. Results: This review mainly introduced the current research on the anti-inflammatory active ingredient, anti-inflammatory effects of CMM, their mechanism, anti-inflammatory drug development of CMM, and toxicological information. Conclusion: CMM is used clinically to treat inflammation symptoms in TCM, and its effect is mediated by multiple targets through multiple active ingredients. Although scholars around the world have made studies on the anti-inflammatory studies of CMM from different pathways and aspects and have made substantial progress, further studies are warranted to delineate the inflammation actions in more cogency models, establish the toxicological profiles and quality standards, assess the potentials of CMM in clinical applications, and make more convenient preparations easy to administrate for patients. Development of the clinically anti-inflammatory drugs are also warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pinus massoniana bark extract (PMBE) is a mixture of flavonoids, and showed a capability of inducing cell apoptosis; however, its properties have not yet been fully investigated. This paper evaluates the antitumor effects of PMBE in murine sarcoma S180 both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the growth inhibition of S180 cells was concentration dependent on PMBE as shown by the CCK-8 assay. The AO/EB staining and flow cytometry assay showed that PMBE induced S180 cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the cells in the S phase were decreased by treatment with PMBE. In vivo, the treatment of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg PMBE reduced the tumor weight and volume of S180-bearing NIH mice by 9%-67% and 13%-68%, respectively. Peripheral leukocyte count and lymphoproliferation were increased significantly after treatment with PMBE. Our results suggest that PMBE inhibits the tumor cell growth by inducing cell apoptosis and improving lymphoproliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new neolignans, sinensiols B-G (1–6), together with three known analogues (7–9) were isolated from the whole plant of Selaginella sinensis. Their planar structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D, 2D NMR, IR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of new compounds were elucidated by comparing their experimental CD spectra with known ones and using the reversed helicity rule for the 1L b band ECD of dihydrobenzofuran neolignans. Sinensiols A-D (7 , 1–3) belong to sesquilignan with a dimer of dihydrobenzo[ b ]furan moiety. The potential precursors of sinensiols A, B, D were also reported in this paper. In addition, all new compounds were screened for their cytotoxicity against A549 and HepG2 human cancer cell lines, and they didn't show inhibition on the growth of cancer cells. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract (+)-usnic acid (UA) is an active natural phenolic acid ingredient originating from Chinese traditional Tibetan herb. Usnea acid is expected to become a new agent for anticancer and remarkable antitumor. To reveal its metabolic profile, metabolites identification of UA in vivo was studied using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) in this present study. The chromatographic separation was performed on a C 18 column with a mobile phase consisted of methanol and water with a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. The mass spectral analysis conducted in a negative electrospray ionization mode combined with information-dependent acquirement technology (IDA) was used to trace all the potential UA metabolites. Several sensitive and specific multiple data-mining techniques especially key product ions (KPIs) filter were applied to hunt and identify metabolites rapidly. As a result, a total of 36 metabolites were detected after oral administration of UA, including 33, 8 and 16 in rat urine, plasma and bile, respectively. These results showed that the probable metabolite pathways of UA were oxidation, reduction, dihydroxylation, glycine conjugation, glucuronide conjugation, N -acetylcysteine conjugation and methylation. It is the first time to elucidate the profile of UA in vivo. These results not only provided the basis of UA pharmacological properties, but also gave the guidance in clinical medication. Moreover, the analysis strategy and methodology proposed in this paper could be widely used in characterization of other phenolic acids metabolites. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri (VBRB) is usually used to focus other drugs effect on liver in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, no sufficient scientific data are available to support this concept. In this paper, the liver targeting enhancing effect of VBRB on rhein was investigated. 432 of rats were divided into two large groups according to the dose of rhein, low dose group of rhein (LDGR) and high dose group of rhein (HDGR). In each group, the rats were further divided into four subgroups, rhein control and rhein co-administered with three different doses of VBRB peroral. Concentrations of rhein and its metabolite in different tissues were determined by HPLC. Compared to the control group, VBRB significantly increased the distribution of both rhein and its metabolite in liver and meanwhile decreased their distribution in other tissues, indicating a strong liver targeting enhancing effect. This liver targeting effect of VBRB depended on the dose of VBRB and rhein. Low and high dose of VBRB had a more strong effect than medium dose in HDGR; high dose of rhein was more sensitive than low dose of rhein (P <0.05). Rhein existed in two forms after peroral administration in vivo. It was found that the liver targeting effect of VBRB was more remarkable with the native form of rhein compared to its derivative form. The results of this paper demonstrated that co-administration with VBRB is a simple and efficiencient method for liver targeting therapy, and the meridine guide theory of TCM was credible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper aims to investigate the effects of verbascoside and martynoside isolated from Pedicularis dolichocymba on sports anaemia. Forty mice were divided into four groups: Group R (control group, nonsupplemented and maintained at rest), Group E (nonsupplemented and undergoing exercise), Group VE (supplemented with verbascoside 10mg/kg per day and undergoing exercise), and Group ME (supplemented with martynoside 10mg/kg per day and undergoing exercise). After 5 weeks intensive swimming exercises, we measured the RBC count, the hemoglobin concentration, the hematocrit (Hct), the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). We studied the shapes of RBC and measured the plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA). We found Group E showed lower RBC, hemoglobin and Hct levels, higher MCHC, MCH, plasma MDA levels and the abnormally shaped RBCs percentage than Groups R, VE and ME. Group ME showed lower RBC and Hct levels, higher MCH, plasma MDA levels and the abnormally shaped RBCs percentage than Group VE. The results indicated that verbascoside and martynoside have the potential of antagonizing sports anaemia, the mechanism of this effect might be related to preventing RBC from free radical damage. Moreover, verbascoside was found to be more active than martynoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species of the genus Cirsium have been used as traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. It is believed that Cirsium has the efficacies of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, dispelling blood stasis, detoxifying and eliminating carbuncle. At present, they are mainly used in treatment of the hemoptysis, hematemesis, hemoptysis, hematuria, traumatic bleeding and Henoch-Schonlein purpura. They are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. This paper systematically collated the classification, traditional use, pharmacological action, phytochemistry and clinical application of Cirsium plants in the past ten years, intending to provide a critical appraisal of current knowledge for future in-depth study and rational development and utilization of Cirsium plants. This paper searched various databases (SciFinder, Science Direct, CNKI, Wiley online library, Spring Link, Web of Science, PubMed, Wanfang Data, Weipu Data), Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 Edition, Chinese Flora, Chinese Materia Medica and some local books on ethnopharmacology. More than ten species of Cirsium have been used as folk medicine, and modern pharmacological studies have shown that Cirsium has the effects of protecting liver, antioxidation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, antibacterial, etc. More than 200 chemical constituents such as flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, phenylpropanoids have been isolated from Cirsium. Some ingredients show a wide variety of bioactivities including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor and other activities. At present, Cirsium medicinal plants, as traditional Chinese medicine, were mainly used to treat nephritis, Henoch-Schonlein purpura and hemorrhage, although some species used in folk lack of quality control systems. Cirsium plants are a safe and effective medicine for cooling blood and hemostasis. Recent studies on pharmacology and phytochemistry also provide solid scientific evidences for the traditional application of this genus. It also shows significant hepatoprotective activity and may be a potential clinical candidate for the treatment of liver disease. However, the qualitative and quantitative analysis, pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics and mechanism of action also need in-depth study. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Six selected plants, belonging to 3 families from Nanjing of China, were extracted with the solvent 95% (v/v) ethanol to yield 11 extracts. The extracts were evaluated for their effects on the growth of eight clinical bacteria, two fungi and one yeast using a modified agar diffusion method. The results showed that the majority of the extracts investigated showed greater activities against the Gram-positive bacteria than against the Gram-negative bacteria, the fungi and the yeast. The strongest antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the stem extracts of Mahonia fortunei against multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, followed by the stem extracts of Mahonia bealei, while Bacillus thuringiensis was the most sensitive to all extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Edible flowers (EFs) represent valuable sources of both food and medicinal resources, holding the promise to enhance human well-being. Unfortunately, their significance is often overlooked. Ethnobotanical studies on the EFs are lacking in comparison with their botanical and phytochemical research. The practice of consuming flowers as food has a rich culture and long history in China, especially among different linguistic groups in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. However, economic activities have led to a decline of this tradition. Consequently, preserving the traditional knowledge and culture tied to the EFs in Xishuangbanna becomes both essential and pressing. Methods: The field ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Xishuangbanna during five visits in April 2021 and May 2023, covering 48 villages and 19 local markets of all three county-level areas and 9 different linguistic groups. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and on-site field surveys, relevant information regarding the EFs of Xishuangbanna was systematically collected and documented. Additionally, the relative frequency of citation (RFC) values were calculated from the survey data. Results: A total of 212 taxa (including species and varieties) of EFs from 58 families and 141 genera were documented in the study area. The edible parts of flowers were classified into 13 categories including peduncle, petal, flower buds, inflorescence as a whole, and etc. They were consumed in 21 ways and as 8 types of food. The inflorescence was the most commonly consumed category, accounting for 85 species (40.1%) of the total categories. They always eat flowers as vegetables (184 species, 86.8%). The preparing form of stir-frying was the preferred food preparation method (138, 65.1%). The Xishuangbanna locals had profound knowledge of which EFs required specific processing to remove their toxicity or bitterness. The dishes can be made from either exclusively from the flowers themselves or by incorporating them alongside other plant parts like stems and leaves. Some EFs with high RFC value, such as Musa acuminata and Bauhinia variegata var. candida, showed significant cultural meanings. These edible flowers occupy specific positions in local traditional culture. Conclusion: Traditional knowledge regarding edible flowers holds substantial significance and serves as a representative element of the flower-eating culture in Xishuangbanna. Nevertheless, this knowledge and cultural practice are currently decreasing. Serving as a bridge between tradition and modernity, the flower-eating culture, which derives from local people's practical experience, shows the potential of EFs and can be applied to the conservation of biocultural diversity, healthy food systems, and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insampaedok-san (IS) has traditionally been prescribed as a medication for cold-related symptoms in Northeast Asia, including Korea and China. In this study, we focused on elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory activity of IS water extract (ISE) in macrophages. ISE significantly enhanced the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by increasing the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose-dependent manner. ISE, which consists of many herbs, contains a large number of active compounds whose pharmacological targets and mechanisms are complicated. Therefore, network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the potential key components, targets, and mechanisms of ISE as immunomodulators. Subsequently, the network pharmacology results were validated experimentally. Seven key components were identified through HPLC-QTOF-MS. As predicted by the network pharmacology analysis, ISE increased the mRNA expression of Tnf and Il6. Furthermore, ISE increased the phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activity of the p65 subunit of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In contrast, rapamycin, an NF-κB inhibitor, suppressed the ISE-induced mRNA expression of Tnf and Il6. In conclusion, ISE is an immune activator that can elevate the production of NO, PGE2, and proinflammatory cytokines mediated by NF-κB signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) flowers will compete with tea leaves in nutrition and are abandoned as an undesirable by-product. In this study, the biological efficacy of tea flowers was investigated. Further exploration of its antifungal activity was explained. Methods: Tea flowers harvested from China were characterized in term of component, antioxidant ability, tyrosinase inhibition, and antifungal ability. Chemical compounds of tea flowers were analyzed by LC-MS. Disinfectant compounds were identified in tea flowers, and 2-ketobutyric acid exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavusCCTCC AF 2023038. The antifungal mechanism of 2-ketobutyric acid was further investigated by RNA-seq. Results: Water-soluble tea flower extracts (TFEs) exhibited free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS) as well as a high ferric-reducing ability. However, no inhibition of tyrosinase activity was observed. In the antifungal test, 6.4 mg/mL TFE reached 71.5% antifungal rate and the electrical conductivity of the culture broth increased with increasing concentration of TFE, implying that it damaged the fungal cell membrane by the TFE. Several disinfectants were identified in TFE by LC-MS, and 2-ketobutyric acid was also confirmed to be capable of fungal inhibition. Propidium iodide (PI) staining indicated that 2-ketobutyric acid caused damage to the cell membrane. RNA-seq analysis revealed that 3,808 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in A. flavus CCTCC AF 2023038 treated by 2-ketobutyric acid, and more than 1,000 DEGs involved in the integral and intrinsic component of membrane were affected. Moreover, 2-ketobutyric acid downregulated aflatoxin biosynthesis genes and decreased the aflatoxin production. Conclusions: Overall, TFE exhibited excellent antioxidant ability and fungal inhibition against A. flavus CCTCC AF 2023038 due to its abundant disinfectant compounds. As a recognized food additive, 2-ketobutyric acid is safe to use in the food industry and can be utilized as the basis for the research and development of strong fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]