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Abstract Objective Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors of the digestive system. The advanced metastasis of gastric cancer severely limits the conventional approaches for its treatment, while certain traditional Chinese medicinal compounds have been reported to possess promising abilities in inhibiting tumor metastasis. Such as Poria (PA), known as Fu Ling in Chinese, is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from Poria cocos, a fungus belonging to the polyporaceae family. Methods The proliferation capacity of cells was measured using the MTT assay, while the invasion and migration abilities of cells after treatment with different concentrations of PA were evaluated through wound healing assay and Transwell assay. The differential expression of mRNA was analyzed using qPCR. The in vivo growth of tumors was assessed by subcutaneous tumor formation in mice. Results Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that PA significantly inhibits the proliferation of GC. Moreover, in vitro experiments have revealed that PA not only suppresses the invasion and migration of GC cells but also reverses TNF-β-induced EMT. Further experiments have revealed that PA inhibits cell invasion, migration and EMT by inducing ferroptosis in GC cells. Conclusion In brief, the present study shows that PA inhibits tumor metastasis by inducing ferroptosis in GC cells. Our findings suggest that PA may have therapeutic potential in GC.

Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors of the digestive system. The advanced metastasis of gastric cancer severely limits the conventional approaches for its treatment, while certain traditional Chinese medicinal compounds have been reported to possess promising abilities in inhibiting tumor metastasis. Such as Poria (PA), known as Fu Ling in Chinese, is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from Poria cocos, a fungus belonging to the polyporaceae family. Methods: The proliferation capacity of cells was measured using the MTT assay, while the invasion and migration abilities of cells after treatment with different concentrations of PA were evaluated through wound healing assay and Transwell assay. The differential expression of mRNA was analyzed using qPCR. The in vivo growth of tumors was assessed by subcutaneous tumor formation in mice. Results: Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that PA significantly inhibits the proliferation of GC. Moreover, in vitro experiments have revealed that PA not only suppresses the invasion and migration of GC cells but also reverses TNF-β-induced EMT. Further experiments have revealed that PA inhibits cell invasion, migration and EMT by inducing ferroptosis in GC cells. Conclusion: In brief, the present study shows that PA inhibits tumor metastasis by inducing ferroptosis in GC cells. Our findings suggest that PA may have therapeutic potential in GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore prescription medication rules and potential mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) based on the technology of data mining and network pharmacology. Methods The prescriptions related to the treatment of ALD were retrieved in Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature and VIP databases. After the data were collated according to the filter criteria, IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18 software were used to analyze the prescription rules and association rules. Then, the medication rules of TCM in the treatment of ALD were summarized, and the core drug combinations were obtained. Active ingredients in the core drug combinations for ALD and their targets were screened by network pharmacology. GO and KEGG analysis were performed on the main targets, and molecular docking technique was used to verify the binding ability of active ingredients to main targets. Results A total of 143 prescription for ALD were screened, involving 222 Chinese medicine, among which 28 highfrequency Chinese medicine were used with a frequency ≥ 25 times. Eight core drug combinations were obtained by associations rule analysis. It has been found that there are 215 intersection targets between “Poria-Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Hearba Artemisiae Scopariae” and ALD, including six core targets of AKT1, TNF, VEGFA, IL-1β, SRC, EGFR. One hundred and sixty-eight of signaling pathways are involved, including cancer pathways, PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species, lipid and atherosclerosis, etc. Molecular docking results showed that the main active components including cerevisterol, genkwanin and demethoxycapillarisin had good binding ability to AKT1. Conclusion The main active ingredients in “Poria-Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Hearba Artemisiae Scopariae” can participate in the regulation of key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT by acting on key target proteins (AKT1, TNF, and VEGFA). Subsequently, they play a role in inhibiting inflammatory response and apoptosis, slowing down liver fibrosis, and promoting hepatocyte repair. This study provides data support and theoretical guidance for the study of TCM in the treatment of ALD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

InstructionPoria (Poria cocos) is known for its health-promoting effects and is consumed as a food due to its potential hypoglycemic activity. However, the composition of Poria is complex, and the bioactive compounds that inhibit α-glucosidase are not clear.MethodsIn this study, the fingerprint of the Poria methanol extract characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the model of the corresponding spectrum-effect relationship for α-glucosidase was first established to screen the active compounds from Poria. Then, the predicted bioactive compounds were knocked out and identified using mass spectrometry. Finally, the potential binding sites and main bonds of each compound with α-glucosidase were studied using molecular docking.ResultsThe results have shown that at least 11 compounds from Poria could inhibit α-glucosidase effectively. Moreover, eight individual compounds, i.e., poricoic acid B (P8), dehydrotumulosic acid (P9), poricoic acid A (P10), polyporenic acid C (P12), 3- epidehydrotumulosic acid (P13), dehydropachymic acid (P14), 3-O-acetyl-16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid (P21), and pachymic acid (P22), were identified, and they exhibited effective inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase.DiscussionThe possible inhibitory mechanism of them based on molecular docking showed that the binding sites are mainly found in the rings A, B, and C of these compounds, and C-3 C-16 and side chains of C-17, with the phenylalanine, arginine, tyrosine, histidine, and valine of α-glucosidase. The main interactions among them might be alkyl and hydrogen bonds, which theoretically verified the inhibitory activity of these compounds on α-glucosidase. The achievements of this study provided useful references for discovering bioactive compounds with hypoglycemic effects from Poria.

In recent years, the scientific names of many cultivated and well-known medicinal fungal species have been changed. However, the results of taxonomic and nomenclature works on these economically important fungi are often overlooked or ignored in applied researches. The incorrect use of scientific names may cause uncertainty in research and in the global medicinal mushroom market. In this paper, we briefly review the current taxonomy and nomenclature of “Fuling” medicinal mushroom and make a proposal for biochemists, pharmacists and businessmen on the correct use of scientific names related to this species. Based on the recent taxonomic results and nomenclatural proposals, the use of the names Wolfiporia extensa, W. cocos and especially Poria cocos for the “Fuling” mushroom are incorrect and misleading; therefore, the acceptance of the names Pachyma hoelen or Wolfiporia hoelen is recommended.

In recent years, the scientific names of many cultivated and well-known medicinal fungal species have been changed. However, the results of taxonomic and nomenclature works on these economically important fungi are often overlooked or ignored in applied researches. The incorrect use of scientific names may cause uncertainty in research and in the global medicinal mushroom market. In this paper, we briefly review the current taxonomy and nomenclature of "Fuling" medicinal mushroom and make a proposal for biochemists, pharmacists and businessmen on the correct use of scientific names related to this species. Based on the recent taxonomic results and nomenclatural proposals, the use of the names Wolfiporia extensa, W. cocos and especially Poria cocos for the "Fuling" mushroom are incorrect and misleading; therefore, the acceptance of the names Pachyma hoelen or Wolfiporia hoelen is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poria, the dried sclerotium of Wolfiporia cocos, is a medicinal mushroom that is widely used in traditional Japanese medicine. The fruit body of W. cocos is rarely found in the natural environment in Japan, therefore an optimized technique for fruit body formation is essential for producing new strains through crossbreeding and for biological research. Here, we developed a cultivation technique for fruit body formation of W. cocos using three strains collected from different areas of Japan. When mycelia were cultured on sawdust-based medium after liquid medium culture, all strains successfully formed fruit bodies as a brown honeycomb-like structure. Furthermore, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms of the three strains using the STE3-like pheromone receptor protein gene, STE3.2, and found a genetic marker for discriminating one strain from the others. The results are expected to promote extensive studies on crossbreeding and domestic production of W. cocos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is an emerging area of advanced research in plant protection. In this study, an eco-friendly and rapid protocol was developed where silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized by using Streptomyces spp. The biocontrol agent was isolated from different tea soils and the efficient strain (VASC201) was identified by dual culture and antibiosis. Nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from this efficient strain. The silver nanoparticles exhibited their resonance peak at 448 nm under ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The structural analysis of the silver nanoparticles synthesized by the Streptomyces spp. exhibited a strong crystalline structure. The morphology and chemical composition of the silver nanoparticle were examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and were predominantly spherical in shape and uniformly distributed without significant agglomeration. The average crystalline size of the prepared silver nanoparticle was found to be 51.2 nm. The stretching vibrational peak at 3420, 2920 and 2350 cm-1 in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were attributed to various functional group of metal nanoparticle synthesis. We assessed the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles against Poria hypolateritia and Phomopsis theae. The results showed that the nanoparticles showed very good inhibitory effect of about 69.90% inhibition of Poria at 5 ppm concentration on the 15th day. Phomopsis was inhibited to 67.47% at 5 ppm of silver nanoparticles at the same time interval.

Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Poria cocos (PC) is a medicinal product widely used in Asia. This study was undertaken to define the alterations of lipid metabolites in rats fed a high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia and to explore efficacy and mechanism of action of PC in the treatment of diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Plasma samples were then analyzed using UPLC-HDMS. The untreated rats fed a high-fat diet exhibited significant elevation of plasma triglyceride and total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. This was associated with marked changes in plasma concentrations of seven fatty acids (palmitic acid, hexadecenoic acid, hexanoylcarnitine, tetracosahexaenoic acid, cervonoyl ethanolamide, 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid, and 5,6-DHET) and five sterols [cholesterol ester (18:2), cholesterol, hydroxytestosterone, 19-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone, and cholic acid]. These changes represented disorders of biosynthesis and metabolism of the primary bile acids, steroids, and fatty acids and mitochondrial fatty acid elongation pathways in diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Treatment with PC resulted in significant improvements of hyperlipidemia and the associated abnormalities of the lipid metabolites.

Poria carnegieae was described from Arizona growing on the woody ribs of the saguaro cactus, Carnegiea gigantea, and was transferred to Ceriporiopsis due to morphological evidence. Posterior phylogenetic studies showed a relationship of Poria carnegieae with Bjerkandera. New sequence data and morphologic evidence are presented to support the transfer of Ceriporiopsis carnegieae to Bjerkandera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) has been associated with increased cardiopulmonary outcomes, mediated by a hypothesized biological mechanism of systemic inflammation and oxidation. This randomized, double‐blinded and placebo‐controlled trial among 120 healthy adults in Wuhan, China, was conducted to evaluate whether the supplementation of herbal product composed of Ginseng, Lilii Bulbus and Poria (GLP) which have been shown to have anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant activity offers protective effects on PM2.5‐induced damage to cardiopulmonary health. Participants received four rounds of health examinations and two rounds of blood sample collection from November 2018 to January 2019. Compared to the placebo group, the GLP group showed significant increased antioxidant biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and paraoxonase1 (PON1). What is more, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), an inflammatory biomarker, was significantly decreased in the GLP group. In addition, nitric oxide and club cell secretory protein (CC16) were increased but heart rate was decreased in the GLP group. As for pulmonary function indicators, significantly increased fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was observed in the GLP group. Taken together, we concluded that GLP supplementation is associated with decreased inflammatory biomarker and increased antioxidant biomarkers suggesting cardiopulmonary benefits against PM2.5 exposure among young adults in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of Poria and effective constituents on gastrointestinal injury animals in the area of the side effects which caused by Rhubarb. Mice were administered i.g. with Rhubarb until the induction of diarrhea followed by gastrointestinal injury. The gastrointestinal injured mice were treated with high, medium and low doses of poria water extract and it's subfractions for 5 days. All indexes were determined to evaluate the action of poria in the pair treatment. The results showed that the higher dose of poria water decoction was discovered to be the most effective dose to treat gastrointestinal injury induced by rhubarb. Body weight, thymus and spleen indexes, the small intestinal propulsion rate and D-xylose absorption in mice with diarrhea and intestinal injury were analyzed to reveal the significant difference with the model group (P<0.01). EAF (Ethyl Acetate Fraction), PEF (Petroleum Ether Fraction) and CPF (Crude Polysaccharide Fraction) not only increase the levels of AMS, GAS and VIP significantly but also ameliorate diarrhea and intestinal injury situation compared with the model group (P<0.01). EAF, PEF and CPF were the most effective components to alleviate diarrhea and gastrointestinal injury induced by rhubarb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poria is an herb with both medicinal and dietary application. It has been used in various traditional Chinese patent medicines and medicinal decoctions for the treatment of arrhythmia. However, the specific mechanisms involved in the antiarrhythmic effects of Poria have, until now, remained unknown. This present study sought to explore the potential compounds and mechanisms by which Poria ameliorates BaCl 2 -induced arrhythmia. We initiated by using network pharmacology to predict probable components, targets, and associated signaling pathways before optimizing the extraction process of Poria. We then applied Poria extract to a zebrafish model of BaCl 2 -induced arrhythmia. We combined network pharmacology and untargeted metabolomic analysis to predict the likely signaling and metabolic pathways governed by Poria. Finally, we verified putative mRNA and metabolite targets of Poria involved in the intervention of arrhythmia by PCR, molecular docking, enzymatic inhibition and targeted metabolomics. We found that triterpenoids may be the main components of Poria responsible for its effects on arrhythmia, and that the optimal extraction process for its water extract is 9 volumes of water with the 7.5 h first extraction period, and the second extraction period of 1.5 h. Through experimentation, we have found that the water extract of Poria can interfere with BaCl 2 induced arrhythmia in zebrafish by significantly increasing the heart rate, reducing the SV-BA distance, and pericardial area, and the degree of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in zebrafish. In addition, PCR validation revealed that Poria can regulate the calcium signaling pathway by upregulating the gene expression levels of ADRB1, HTR7, CALMB1, and PPP3CA. Meanwhile, through molecular docking and enzyme activity inhibition, it was found that the compounds in Poria can bind to ADRB1, HTR7, CALMB1, and PPP3CA, respectively. Targeted metabolism confirmed that Poria can downregulate the synthesis of cAMP in the calcium signaling pathway, as well as the synthesis of valine and isoleucine in valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis. Overall, our study indicates that Poria exerts its antiarrhythmic effect through regulating the calcium signaling pathway and valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis. Our findings not only establish a mechanistic framework for elucidating the antiarrhythmic effects of Chinese patent medicine containing Poria , but also provide a medicinal basis for the study of its dual use as medicine and food. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recent studies have revealed that the property of drug is mainly associated with the body's substance and energy metabolism. The present study aimed to evaluate the drug property of Poria , called Fuling (FL) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in terms of its effects on the substance and energy metabolism in rat models of cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency syndromes, compared with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparaia , called Fuzi (FZ) in TCM, with hot property, and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma , called Zhimu (ZM) in TCM, with cold property, as reference drugs, respectively. The appearance score, toe and rectal temperatures of the animals treated were assessed at different time points. Several indices in vivo correlated with substance and energy metabolism (glucokinas, phosphoglycerate kinase, cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome c oxydase, and Na+-K+-ATPase), endocrine system (triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid), nervous system (acetylcholin esterase), and cyclic nucleotide system were determined. The changes in appearance score and indices in vivo suggested the successful establishment of cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency syndrome models. FZ reversed the decreased levels of indices (substance and energy metabolism and endocrine system) and alleviated the syndrome of cold-deficiency model, and ZM showed obviously therapeutic effect on heat-deficiency syndrome (appearance score, substance and energy metabolism, and endocrine system). FL could alleviate cold-deficiency syndrome and raise the decreased levels of glucokinas, phosphoglycerate kinase, cytochrome c reductase and triiodothyronine in cold-deficiency model, but had no significant effect on heat-deficiency syndrome. Drug property of FL was inferred as trending to " flat and warm ", which still need further study. It was advisable to adopt both cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency models to study the drugs with " flat " property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sijunzi decoction, a renowned Chinese prescription has long been utilized to treat gastrointestinal problems. In the context of this research work, the use of Ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was made to separate and characterize the components of Sijunzi decoction. The performance of Liquid chromatography was carried out on a C8 column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm); moreover, the mobile phase were consisted of 0.2% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B). In accordance with the findings, characterization of 120 chemical compounds was performed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. The key constituents among them included ginsenosides (in Radix Ginseng), 16 triterpene carboxylic acids (in Poria), sesquiterpenes (in Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), triterpenesaponins (in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle) as well as flavonoids (in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle) in Sijunzi decoction. This research developed the bases for prospective research associated with Sijunzi decoction, together with being expected to be useful to rapidly extract and characterize the constituents in other Traditional Chinese herbal formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatotoxicity induced by Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PM) has been worldwide reported. Hence, it is worthwhile to find herbs with detoxification based on the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine. In this work, rat model with PM/LPS-stimulated idiosyncratic liver injury was used. The effects of Poria, Licorice and Panax notoginseng on rats of PM/LPS-induced liver injury were investigated, respectively, hoping to find the most effective herbal medicine to reduce the hepatotoxicity. The biochemical and histological tests showed that PM induced the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of rats with modest inflammation triggered by non-injurious dose of LPS. We found that the combined use of Poria and PM in the ratio of 1:2 could significantly ameliorate the PM/LPS-induced liver injury and systemic inflammation. Furthermore, UPLC/QTOF-MS-based metabolomics was performed to identify possible biomarkers and underling biological pathways. Ten metabolites were expressed differentially among LPS, PM/LPS and detoxification-treated groups by PCA and OPLS-DA analysis, which could be potential biomarkers. MetaboAnalyst and pathway enrichment analysis revealed that alterations of these metabolites were primarily involved in three pathways: arginine and proline metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis and sphingolipid metabolism. This research provides systematic experimental basis for the hepatoprotective effects of Poria against PM/LPS-induced liver injury for the first time, and these findings may help better understand the mechanisms of underlying pathophysiologic processes.

Poria is an important medical herb in clinic. The authors isolated a polysaccharide(PCP-Ⅰ) from Poria in previous studies, which is composed of galactose, mannose, fucose and glucose. PCP-Ⅰ exhibited significant adjuvant effects on H1N1 influenza vaccine, hepatitis B surface antigen and anthrax protective antigen, and its adjuvant activity was stronger than aluminium adjuvant. However, little is known about the chemical structure of PCP-Ⅰ at present. In this study, weak acid hydrolysis was used to obtain the backbone oligosaccharide of PCP-Ⅰ. Then periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were performed to investigate the chemical structural features of PCP-Ⅰ and its hydrolytic oligosaccharide(PCP-Ⅰ-hy-1). These results suggested that the backbone of PCP-Ⅰ was composed of galactose with α anomeric carbon and β anomeric carbon. The linking residues of galactan are(1→),(l→6) and(1→2,6).

Aims: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a new, non-thermal ablation modality for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The multi-centre EUropean Real World Outcomes with Pulsed Field AblatiOn in Patients with Symptomatic AtRIAl Fibrillation (EU-PORIA) registry sought to determine the safety, efficacy, and learning curve characteristics for the pentaspline, multi-electrode PFA catheter., Methods and Results: All-comer AF patients from seven high-volume centres were consecutively enrolled. Procedural and follow-up data were collected. Learning curve effects were analysed by operator ablation experience and primary ablation modality. In total, 1233 patients (61% male, mean age 66 ± 11years, 60% paroxysmal AF) were treated by 42 operators. In 169 patients (14%), additional lesions outside the PVs were performed, most commonly at the posterior wall (n = 127). Median procedure and fluoroscopy times were 58 (interquartile range: 40-87) and 14 (9-21) min, respectively, with no differences due to operator experience. Major complications occurred in 21/1233 procedures (1.7%) including pericardial tamponade (14; 1.1%) and transient ischaemic attack or stroke (n = 7; 0.6%), of which one was fatal. Prior cryoballoon users had less complication. At a median follow-up of 365 (323-386) days, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of arrhythmia-free survival was 74% (80% for paroxysmal and 66% for persistent AF). Freedom from arrhythmia was not influenced by operator experience. In 149 (12%) patients, a repeat procedure was performed due to AF recurrence and 418/584 (72%) PVs were durably isolated., Conclusion: The EU-PORIA registry demonstrates a high single-procedure success rate with an excellent safety profile and short procedure times in a real-world, all-comer AF patient population., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: B.S. is a consultant for and has received honoraria as well as research funding from Abbott, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Biosense Webster. S.B. has received honoraria from Medtronic and Biosense Webster. K.R.J.C. is a consultant for and has received honoraria as well as research funding from Abbott, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Biosense Webster. S.B. is consultant for Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Microport, and Zoll. R.A.: none. R.M.: none. T.R. has received research grants from the Goldschmidt-Jacobson Foundation, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Heart Foundation, and the sitem insel support fund, all for work outside the submitted study. He has received speaker/consulting honoraria or travel support from Abbott/SJM, Bayer, Biosense-Webster, Biotronik, Boston-Scientific, Daiichi Sankyo, Farapulse, Medtronic, and Pfizer-BMS, all for work outside the submitted study. He has received support for his institution’s fellowship program from Abbott/SJM, Biosense-Webster, Biotronik, Boston-Scientific, and Medtronic for work outside the submitted study. L.R. received research grants from Medtronic and speaker/consulting honoraria from Abbott and Medtronic. T.K.: none. K.N. is a consultant for Biosense Webster, Boston Scientific, Field Medical, and LifeTech Scientific. A.F.: educational grant from Boston Scientific. N.R.: consultant for Boston Scientific. J.H.: speakers fees from Boston Scientific and Biosense Webster. M.H.R.: none. A.O.: none. P.v.d.V.: none. Y.B. has received research grants from Medtronic and Atricure. He has received speaker/consulting honoraria from Abbott/SJM and Boston-Scientific, all for work outside the submitted study. B.A.M.: none. C.W.S. and E.M.A.: salaried employees of Boston Scientific., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Poria(Fu Ling) is a bulk traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)with a long history and complex varieties. The royal medical records of the Qing Dynasty include multiple medicinal materials of Fu Ling, such as Bai Fu Ling(white Poria), Chi Fu Ling(rubra Poria), and Zhu Fu Ling(Poria processed with cinnabaris). The Palace Museum preserves 6 kinds of specimens including Fu Ling Ge(dried Poria), Bai Fu Ling, Chi Fu Ling, Zhu Fu Ling, Bai Fu Shen(white Poria cum Radix Pini), and Fu Shen Mu(Poria cum Radix Pini). After trait identification and textual research, we found that Fu Ling Ge was an intact sclerotium, which was processed into Fu Ling Pi(Poriae Cutis), Bai Fu Ling and other medicinal materials in the Palace. The Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Pa-lace was mainly from the tribute paid of the officials in Yunnan-Guizhou region. The tribute situation was stable in the whole Qing Dynasty, and changed in the late Qing Dynasty. The cultural relics of Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Palace confirm with the archival documents such as the royal medical records and herbal medicine books, providing precious historical materials for understanding Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty and a basis for the restoration of the processing of the Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Palace.

Carboxymethyl poria polysaccharide plays important anti-tumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory roles. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the healing impacts of two different sources of carboxymethyl poria polysaccharides [Carboxymethylat Poria Polysaccharides I (CMP I) and Carboxymethylat Poria Polysaccharides II (CMP II)] on ulcerative colitis in mice caused by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). All the mice were arbitrarily split into five groups ( n = 6): (a) control (CTRL), (b) DSS, (c) SAZ (sulfasalazine), (d) CMP I, and (e) CMP II. The experiment lasted for 21 days, and the body weight and final colon length were monitored. A histological analysis of the mouse colon tissue was carried out using H&E staining to assess the degree of inflammatory infiltration. The levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-4 (IL-4)] and enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)] in the serum were examined using ELISA. Additionally, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was used to analyze the microorganisms in the colon. The results indicated that both CMP I and CMP II alleviated weight loss, colonic shortening, and inflammatory factor infestation in colonic tissues caused by DSS ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ELISA results revealed that both CMP I and CMP II reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO, and elevated the expression of IL-4 and SOD in the sera of the mice ( p < 0.05). Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing showed that CMP I and CMP II increased the plenitude of microorganisms in the mouse colon relative to that in the DSS group. The results also indicated that the therapeutic effect of CMP I on DSS-induced colitis in the mice was superior to that of CMP II. This study demonstrated that carboxymethyl poria polysaccharide from Poria cocos had therapeutic effects on DSS-induced colitis in mice, with CMP I being more effective than CMP II.

Structure modification of carboxymethylation and ferulic acid in pachymaran of PORIA were carried out. Antioxidation activities in vitro and vivo of carboxymethyl pachymaran and npachymaranferulate were detected. Within the effective cocnentration range, carboxymethyl pachymaran and pachymaranferulate stiil had certain reducing capacity and antioxidant capacity. Their reducing capacity and scavenging activity showed significant dose-effect relationship with sample concentration. And when the concentration reached a certain level, both reducing capacity and scavenging activity became stable. Antioxidant capacity of pachymaranferulate was slightly stronger than that of carboxymethyl pachymaran, but was weaker than ascorbic acid. Besides, scavenging actions of carboxymethyl pachymaran and pachymaranferulate to O2- were weaker than ?OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on extensive literature search, the composition, pharmacological action and clinical application of Poria with hostwood have been summarized, to provide scientific data for further research & development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of indigenous biocontrol agents such as Streptomyces griseus and Streptomyces lydicus along with Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum for controlling red root rot disease of tea plants. In response to biological treatments, disease incidence, green leaf yield, biometric and physiological parameters and organoleptic characters of made tea were assessed. Among the thirteen treatments tested, soil drenching of carbendazim was superior in terms of reducing red root rot incidence followed by combination of S. griseus and T. harzianum recorded in two consecutive field experiments. In contrast, the maximum green leaf yield and plant growth was achieved in soil application of these biocontrol agents. However, the performance of this dual combination of biocontrol agents was on par with systemic fungicide in terms of disease control. Correspondingly, the biometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were also considerably increased in biologically treated plants when compared to untreated control. The disease increased from 38.7% to 47.6% in untreated control plots and those plants were unhealthy in terms of leaf yellowing, stunted growth with heavy flowering, drying of branches and sudden death of bushes. The tea quality parameters such as theaflavin and thearubigin contents were significantly increased in the range of 0.75–1.43% and 10.38–13.22% respectively in biocontrol treated plants. This was also reflected in tea liquor characteristics. Our results suggested that the combination of biocontrol agents represent a promising alternative for effective management of red root rot disease in tea plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poria is an important medicine for inducing diuresis to drain dampness from the middle energizer. However, the specific effective components and the potential mechanism of Poria remain largely unknown. To identify the effective components and the mechanism of Poria water extract (PWE) to treat dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency syndrome (DSSD), a rat model of DSSD was established through weight-loaded forced swimming, intragastric ice-water stimulation, humid living environment, and alternate-day fasting for 21 days. After 14 days of treatment with PWE, the results indicated that PWE increased fecal moisture percentage, urine output, D-xylose level and weight; amylase, albumin, and total protein levels; and the swimming time of rats with DSSD to different extents. Eleven highly related components were screened out using the spectrum-effect relationship and LC-MS. Mechanistic studies revealed that PWE significantly increased the expression of serum motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), ADCY5/6, p-PKAα/β/γ cat, and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein in the stomach, and AQP3 expression in the colon. Moreover, it decreased the levels of serum ADH, the expression of AQP3 and AQP4 in the stomach, AQP1 and AQP3 in the duodenum, and AQP4 in the colon. PWE induced diuresis to drain dampness in rats with DSSD. Eleven main effective components were identified in PWE. They exerted therapeutic effect by regulating the AC-cAMP-AQP signaling pathway in the stomach, MTL and GAS levels in the serum, AQP1 and AQP3 expression in the duodenum, and AQP3 and AQP4 expression in the colon., (Copyright © 2023 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To improve the quality control methods of Poria and develop and utilize its resources fully, alkaline extraction was used in this study to determine the yield and content of alkali-soluble polysaccharides of Poria. The alkali-soluble extracts of Poria were obtained according to the optimum extraction conditions on the basis of single-factor test, and 30 batches of samples were determined. The structure and chemical composition of the alkali-soluble extracts was characterized by high-performance gel permeation chromatography(HPGPC), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone(PMP-HPLC). The results showed that the content of the alkali-soluble extracts was in the range of 46.98%-73.86%. The main component was β-(1→3)-glucan, and its molecular mass was about 1.093×10~5. Further, the content of alkali-soluble polysaccharides of Poria was measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC coupled with the evaporative light scattering detector(HPLC-ELSD), and 30 batches of samples were measured. The results indicated that the content of alkali-soluble polysaccharides determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry was in the range of 73.70%-92.57%, and the content of samples from Hubei province was slightly higher than that from Yunnan province, Anhui province and Hunan province. The content of alkali-soluble polysaccharides determined by HPLC-ELSD was in the range of 51.42%-76.69%, and the samples from Hunan province had slightly higher content than that from the other three provinces. The content determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry was higher than that by HPLC-ELSD. However, the content determined by HPLC-ELSD was close to that of alkali-soluble extract, which could accurately characterize the content of alkali-soluble polysaccharides in Poria, and the method was simple and repeatable. Therefore, it is recommended that the quantitative analysis method for alkali-soluble extract and alkali-soluble polysaccharides by HPLC-ELSD be used in the quality standards of Poria in Chinese Pharmacopeia.

A method for the acid-alkali extraction and preparative separation of triterpene acids from poria was established. The triterpene acids were enriched and separated into two fractions after extraction at the optimized pH value. The two fractions were subjected to high-speed counter-current chromatography for the preparative separation of triterpene acids, separately. As a result, dehydropachymic acid, pachymic acid, 3-epi-dehydropachymic acid, poricoic acid B, dehydrotumulosic acid, and 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid were obtained with purities of 94.1%, 96.2%, 93.5%, 85.9%, 80.1%, and 93.1%, respectively. The structures were identified by ESI-MS,1H NMR, and13C NMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Highlights: [•] The vibrational microspectroscopic identification method is proposed first. [•] Chemical compositions of hyphae and clumps in dry Poria powder are characterized. [•] Three types of hyphae are classified according to the infrared spectral features. [•] A new kind of spherical particles in dry Poria powder are found and studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the symmetry and parallelism of the skeletal and soft-tissue poria by three-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Methods: The locations of the bilateral skeletal and soft-tissue poria in 29 patients with facial asymmetry (asymmetric group) and 29 patients without facial asymmetry (symmetric group) were measured in 3D reconstructed models of CT images by using a 3D coordinate system. The mean intergroup differences in the anteroposterior and vertical angular deviations of the poria and their anteroposterior and vertical parallelism were statistically analyzed. Results: The symmetric and asymmetric groups showed significant anteroposterior angular differences in both the skeletal and the soft-tissue poria (p = 0.007 and 0.037, respectively; Mann-Whitney U-test). No significant differences in the anteroposterior and vertical parallelism of the poria were noted (p ≤ 0.05; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Conclusions: In general, the skeletal poria are parallel to the soft-tissue poria. However, patients with facial asymmetry tend to have asymmetric poria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Decay resistance of pine sapwood treated with titanium alkoxide solutions was tested against the brown-rot fungi Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta for exposure times of 10 and 16 wk. In practice, wood-specimens were vacuum-impregnated by alcoholic solutions of titanium alkoxide with concentrations in the range of 5–16 mass % (solid content in solution) and subsequently cured under different humidity conditions. Results reveal that treated wood degraded up to 5% in comparison to untreated one that deteriorated 38% and 50%, respectively against both wood-decay fungi. Even full protection (mass loss below 3%) was achieved against brown rot with titanium alkoxide solution containing solid content of around 5 mass% with a weight percentage gain (WPG) of 9 mass%. With increased concentration, fungal resistance decreased slightly which was associated with more cracks and imperfections formed in the deposited layers of titanium dioxide in the adjacent wood matrix. Thermal analysis verified that a considerable amount of precursor remained in the wood structure as un-hydrolyzed organic residues. These organics, being bioactive, had the tendency to induce similar fungicidal effects as those of conventional fungicides. The amount of organic residues is correlated with the decay resistance of the tested samples. In a prolonged decay test, mass losses of 16-wk incubated samples do not show behavior different from that of the wood samples incubated for 10 wk. This result implies that the decay protection is permanent and confirms further the fungicidal activity of titanium-alkoxide-treated wood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poria, a dried sclerotium of Wolfiporia cocos Ryvarden et Gilbertson (Polyporaceae) has been used as a crude drug in both Chinese and Japanese (Kampo) traditional medicines. Recently, cultivated products of Chinese Poria strains have accounted for most of the market, while the cultivation of Japanese Poria strains has not been successful. Aiming to determine the relationship between the differences in cultivation characteristics and genetic polymorphism, we conducted a field cultivation experiment, a rot test, and rapid amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of Poria strains collected from China and Japan: 3 Chinese and 7 Japanese strains. In field cultivation, although there was no marked inferiority of Japanese strains to Chinese ones in either mycelium propagation or the rate of sclerotium formation, Chinese strains formed whiter sclerotia with a mean size more than twice that of Japanese ones. Representatives of Chinese and Japanese strains, Yunnan and Kaimondake, respectively, were tested for wood-rotting ability. More wood was utilized and the wood color was darker in trials of the Yunnan strain. Amplifications of total DNA of these 10 fungal strains with 2 primers, PC-6 and PC-11, in RAPD analysis showed a difference in the amplicon profile between Japanese and Chinese strains, suggesting differences in their genetic background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new triterpenes, poricoic acid AE 1 and poricoic acid CE 2, were isolated from the surface layer of the mushroom Poria cocosSchw. Wolf, together with four known triterpenes, 3Oacetyldehydroeburicoic acid, 3oxolanosta7,911,2431trien21oic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, and poricoic acid A. The structures of the two new triterpenes were elucidated as 16αhydroxy3,4secolanosta428,7,911,2431tetraene3,21dioic acid3ethyl ester 1 and 3,4secolanosta428,7,911,2431tetraene3,21dioic acid3ethyl ester 2 mainly on the basis of HRESIMS, EIMS, and 2DNMR analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]