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This study investigated the growing environmental concern of particulate matter (PM)-induced pulmonary injury and explored novel preventive strategies. In particular, it evaluated the protective effects of Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex. Kitam root extract (AJ), which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, against PM2.5-induced subacute pulmonary injuries in Balb/c mice. The experimental design involved administering AJ at a concentration from 400 to 100 mg/kg over a ten-day period, with comparisons made to the mucolytic agent ambroxol hydrochloride (AX). The results revealed that AJ significantly alleviated PM2.5-induced pulmonary injuries, mucus overproduction, and respiratory acidosis in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, body surface redness was reduced by up to 55% at a concentration of 100 mg/kg compared to the control. These effects were evidenced by reduced mRNA expression of the mucus-associated genes MUC5B and MUC5AC and increased concentrations of substance P (up to 475%) and acetylcholine (up to 355%) in the lungs at 400 mg/kg, compared to the intact vehicle control. Particularly, the 400 mg/kg dose of AJ demonstrated comparable effectiveness to AX, highlighting its potent mucolytic and expectorant activities. The results of this study highlight the fact that AJ could act as a promising alternative for respiratory protection, with potential applications as a functional food ingredient. This study substantiates AJ’s role in enhancing respiratory health, emphasizing its capacity as a candidate for further development into therapeutic agents against toxic environmental exposure.

Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam. is a perennial herbal plant, and its dried rhizomes have been widely used as traditional medicine in China and Japan. In this study, we assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of A. japonica using the high-throughput sequencing approach. The cp genome of A. japonica is 153,208 bp in length with the overall GC content of 37.7%, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,147 bp, which was separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,255 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,659 bp. 113 unique genes were annotated in the genome, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 represented tRNA genes, and four denoted rRNA genes. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis with 38 complete cp sequences showed that Atractylodes formed a monophyletic clade, and A. japonica and A. koreana formed a subclade in Atractylodes. This study provides the chloroplast genome structure features and phylogenetic relationship of A. japonica.

Premise Atractylodes japonica (Asteraceae) is endemic to East Asia, where its rhizomes are used in traditional medicine. To investigate the genetic diversity of this species, we developed polymorphic microsatellite markers. Methods and Results We obtained a total of 175,825 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 system. Eighteen polymorphic SSR primer pairs were selected to determine heterozygosity levels and allele numbers in 80 individuals from four A. japonica populations. The levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.133 to 0.892, respectively. Cross‐amplification in the related species A. macrocephala and A. lancea was successful in 15 and 14 of the 18 markers, respectively. Conclusions These microsatellite markers will be useful for future studies involving A. japonica population genetics and breeding.

Premise: Atractylodes japonica (Asteraceae) is endemic to East Asia, where its rhizomes are used in traditional medicine. To investigate the genetic diversity of this species, we developed polymorphic microsatellite markers. Methods and Results: We obtained a total of 175,825 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 system. Eighteen polymorphic SSR primer pairs were selected to determine heterozygosity levels and allele numbers in 80 individuals from four A. japonica populations. The levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.133 to 0.892, respectively. Cross‐amplification in the related species A. macrocephala and A. lancea was successful in 15 and 14 of the 18 markers, respectively. Conclusions: These microsatellite markers will be useful for future studies involving A. japonica population genetics and breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant phytochemical accumulation is influenced by various external factors that change with the seasons (e.g., harvesting time). Atractylodes japonica, an important medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, is used to treat several human diseases. We analyzed the influence of harvesting time on phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activity of A. japonica roots. We investigated the correlation between phenolic compound and minerals contents and antioxidant activity in different harvests. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied significantly with the harvesting time. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis revealed significant changes in the concentration of various phenolics between harvests. The content of different types of phenolics were significantly higher in the samples collected in October. Among them, chlorogenic acids (133,833.30 µg/g dry weight of root extract) were the most dominant phytochemical compounds detected. Samples harvested in October had higher concentrations of flavonoids, including rutin, orientin, vitexin, and apigenin. Roots harvested in October had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity than that of those harvested later. Root mineral concentrations also varied with the harvest time. The analysis revealed that macro elements such as Ca ad Mg contents were significantly increased with delaying harvesting time, whereas a different trend was observed for the microelements including Fe, Cu, Al, and As contents in the October harvest. We also found a significant relationship between antioxidant activity and phenolic compound content. The most abundant minerals (Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Al) correlated positively with the antioxidant activity indicating that these elements and compounds may be associated with the A. japonica antioxidant potential. Furthermore, A. japonica root extracts inhibited NIH/3T3 cellular proliferation in a season- and dose-dependent manner. Hence, harvesting time influenced the antioxidant properties and phenolic compound accumulation of A. japonica roots. These results indicate that the harvesting time is essential for obtaining the specific phytochemicals.

Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam. is a perennial herbal plant, and its dried rhizomes have been widely used as traditional medicine in China and Japan. In this study, we assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of A. japonica using the high-throughput sequencing approach. The cp genome of A. japonica is 153,208 bp in length with the overall GC content of 37.7%, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,147 bp, which was separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,255 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,659 bp. 113 unique genes were annotated in the genome, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 represented tRNA genes, and four denoted rRNA genes. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis with 38 complete cp sequences showed that Atractylodes formed a monophyletic clade, and A. japonica and A. koreana formed a subclade in Atractylodes. This study provides the chloroplast genome structure features and phylogenetic relationship of A. japonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atractylodes japonica has been commonly used to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in Korean traditional medicine. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells in the GI tract and can regulate GI motility. Objective: To investigate the effects of the extract of Atractylodes japonica (AJE) on pacemaker potentials generated by ICCs from murine small intestine. Materials and Methods: Enzymatic digestion was performed to dissociate ICCs. All experiments on ICCs were performed after 12 h of culture. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials generated by ICC. Results: AJE (0.1—1 mg/mL) depolarized pacemaker potentials in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased the amplitudes of pacemaker potentials at all concentrations in the current-clamp mode. Pretreatment with Y25130 (a 5-HT3receptor antagonist), RS39604 (a 5-HT4receptor antagonist), or SB269970 (a 5-HT7receptor antagonist) had no effects on depolarization of pacemaker potentials induced by AJE. In addition, pretreatment with 1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide (a muscarinic M3receptor antagonist) inhibited AJE-induced depolarization of pacemaker potential; however, pretreatment with methoctramine (a muscarinic M2receptor antagonist) did not affect depolarization of pacemaker potentials induced by AJE. In the presence of an external Na+-free solution, the pacemaker potentials decreased, and under this condition, AJE did not depolarize the pacemaker potentials. Flufenamic acid, a nonselective cation channel (NSCC) blocker, decreased the pacemaker potential, which in turn inhibited AJE-induced depolarization of pacemaker potential. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that AJE depolarized the pacemaker potentials generated by ICC by stimulating muscarinic M3receptors, but not 5-HT receptors, through NSCCs. Therefore, AJE can be a novel prokinetic agent. Abbreviations used: ICCs:Interstitial cells of Cajal, GI:Gastrointestinal, NSCC:Non-selective cation channel, TRP:Transient receptor potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intensive survey of naturally-occurring regulators of polar auxin transport (PAT) was conducted in two oriental medicinal species from the Asteraceae, Saussurea costus and Atractylodes japonica, using the radish hypocotyl bioassay system and physicochemical analyses. Costunolide and santamarine were identified as well as dehydrocostus lactone from S. costus roots, and atractylenolide II and (+)-eudesma-4(14),7(11)-dien-8-one from Atractylodes japonica rhizomes as physiologically novel compounds possessing inhibitory activities of PAT. Costunolide and santamarine showed ca. 40% inhibition of PAT in the radish hypocotyl segments at a dose of 2.5 μg/plant and 1 μg/plant, respectively. Inhibitory effects of atractylenolide II and (+)-eudesma-4(14),7(11)-dien-8-one were ca. 10 times lower than those of costunolide and santamarine. Structure–activity relationships and possible mechanisms to inhibit PAT are also discussed.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been emerging worldwide as one of the most important problems in communities and hospitals. Therefore, new agents are needed to treat acute oral infections from MRSA. In this study, antibacterial compounds from the roots of Atractylodes japonica (A. japonica) were isolated and characterized. The compounds were isolated from the root extracts using HPLC-piloted activity-guided fractionations. Four A. japonica compounds were isolated and identified as atractylenolide III (1), atractylenolide I (2), diacetylatractylodiol [(6E,12E)-tetradeca-6,12-diene-8,10-diyne-1,3-diol diacetate, TDEYA, 3). and (6E,12E)-tetradecadiene-8,10-diyne-1,3-diol (TDEA, 4), which was obtained by hydrolysis of TDEYA. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) was determined in the setting of clinical MRSA isolates. Compound 4 showed anti-MRSA activity with a MIC value of 4-32 μg/mL. The overall results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the extract of A. japonica as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Atractylodes japonica is a perennial herb in Compositae family, which is used for stomach disorders as a traditional Chinese medicine (Guo et al. ). In 2013, a leaf spot disease was first observed on plants of A. japonica in a production field of Fushun County, Liaoning Province, China. The disease had a speckled appearance initially. Lesions with grey-white centre and brown margin gradually developed and enlarged. Eventually, infections usually caused yellowing of the leaves and premature defoliation. The causal agent of infection on plants was identified as Paraphoma chrysanthemicola based on morphological and cultural characteristics, pathogenicity tests and phylogenetic analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a leaf spot disease on A. japonica caused by P. chrysanthemicola in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of herbal acupuncture (Atratylodes japonica, Coix lachrymajobi, Ephedra sinica, Atratylodes japonica mixed with Coix lachrymajobi and Ephedra sinica mixed with Green tea) at Pungnyung(ST40) and Umnungchon(SP9) on weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, serum of lipid concentrations, liver function and HDL to total cholesterol ratio of rats fed high fat diet for 5weeks. Methods : Experimental groups were divided into normal group(Normal), high fat diet group(Control), high fat diet and Atractylodes japonica-herbal acupuncture group (AJ), high fat diet and Coix lachrymajobi-herbal acupuncture group(CL), high fat diet and Ephedra sinica-herbal acupuncture group (ES), high fat diet and Atractylodes japonica+Coix lachrymajobi-herbal acupuncture group(AJ+CL), Ephedra sinica+Green tea-herbal acupuncture group(ES+GT). Herbal acupuncture was bilaterally treated at the level of 132.5mg/kg body weight per 2day. Results : Body weight and food efficiency were decreased in AJ, ES, AJ+CL, ES+GT. The level of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid were increased in AJ, ES, ES+GT. That of serum HDL-cholesterol was increased in AJ. The change of food intake, the level of serum phospholipid and ALP were not significant. The HDL to Total cholesterol ratio was increased in AJ and ES. Conclusions : Atractylodes japonica-herbal acupuncture in ST40·SP9 is effective on Body weight, food efficiency ratio, the level of serum lipid, protection of liver function and prevention cardiovascular risk by obesity induced by high fat diet. Herbal acupuncture mixed Ephedra sinica with Green tea can control the body weight, food efficiency ratio and the level of serum lipid.

Background/Aims: There are limited therapeutic options available for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). We tested the effects of Atractylodes japonica rhizome, a perennial plant native to North Asia, on both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) motility in guinea pigs. Methods: The extract of A. japonica rhizome was administered orally at different doses to test its effects on upper GI motility as determined from charcoal transit in native guinea pigs and in guinea pigs pretreated with thyrotropin-releasing hormone or mustard oil. Regarding its effect on lower GI motility, the removed guinea pig colon was suspended in a chamber containing Krebs-Henseleit solution and the transit time of artificial feces was measured with various dilutions of the extract. As for in vivo assay, weight and number of fecal pellets expelled were determined under the same drug preparation used in upper GI motility experiment. Results: The extract of A. japonica rhizome had no significant effect on upper GI motility in either normal or altered physiological states. However, the extract increased colonic transit time in the in vitro model. In the fecal expulsion study, the cumulative weight and number of pellets did not differ significantly between the control group and groups treated with the extracts. In the animals pretreated in vivo with thyrotropin-releasing hormone, however, the weight and number of fecal pellets were significantly decreased in animals treated with 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses of extract. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the extract of A. japonica rhizome can be a potential agent for IBS-D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During our survey of the aromatic medicinal herbaceous plants looking for activity on bone metabolism, we found that Atractylodes japonica rhizomes increased the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Chemical constituents of Atractylodes japonica were separated by hydro-distillation extraction (HDE), and characterized by GC/MS. The effects of Atractylodes japonica essential oils (AEOs) on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were tested. AEO significantly ( p<0.05) increased the growth and differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, indicating that has potential for use as a natural treatment for osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some anti-allergic activities of the rhizome of Atractylodes japonica have been previously reported, the active principle(s) for anti-allergic action is not fully elucidated and the effect of this plant material on atopic dermatitis (AD) is not known. In this study, the 70% ethanol extract of the rhizome of A. japonica was found to significantly inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX)-catalyzed leukotrienes (LT) production from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-1 cells. From the extract of A. japonica, three major sesquiterpene derivatives including atractylenolide I, atractylenolide III and eudesma-4,7-dien-8-one were successfully isolated. Among these compounds, only atractylenolide I was shown to strongly inhibit 5-LOX from RBL-1 cells (IC = 18.6 μM). To evaluate the effects of experimental AD, the ethanol extract of A. japonica (200 mg/day) was administered orally to hapten-treated NC/Nga mice which is an animal model of AD. It was firstly found that the extract significantly inhibited AD-like symptoms in mice, as judged by severity score and scratching behavior. Taken together, it is concluded that A. japonica possesses the inhibitory activity on 5-LOX and an animal model of AD, and atractylenolide I may contribute, at least in part, to these anti-allergic actions of A. japonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a key transcription factor and plays an important role in the regulation of genes involved in adipogenic differentiation, glucose metabolism and insulinsignal transduction. Methods: In this study, the effects of the root extract of Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi (Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, ARA) on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the possible mechanism of glucose transport were investigated. 3T3-L1 cells were cultured with insulin and ARA extract. Results: In 3T3-L1 cells, ARA extract significantly enhanced adipogenic differentiation and upregulated the expression of PPARγ genes and protein in a dose-dependent manner. ARA also promoted glucose transport by increasing the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and insulin receptor substrates-1(IRS-1) levels.Conclusion: Our results suggest that ARA extract may be an attractive therapeutic agent for managing T2D via promoting the differentiation of adipocytes with the upregulation of PPARγ levels and the activation of the insulin signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and aim: Atractylodes japonica Koidz (Compositae) has been commonly used to treat the gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in Korean traditional medicine, but its pharmacological roles in the regulation of GI motility have not been clarified yet. Methods: Atractylodes japonica was sequentially partitioned with MeOH, n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc and n-BuOH saturated with H2O, and the effects of Atractylodes japonica extracts on the spontaneous contractility of GI muscle strips prepared from rats were measured. Results: Among five different fractionations, EtOAc extracts of Atractylodes japonica (AJEA) dose-dependently increased the low frequency contraction of distal colon longitudinal muscles (DCLM), and the ED50 values were revealed to be 1.71×10−9 g/ml. Among GI tracts, a prominent contractile response to AJEA was observed only in the DCLM. The contractile patterns produced by AJEA remarkably differed from those caused by acetylcholine and 5-HT. 4-DAMP and methoctramine at 0.5μM significantly blocked the AJEA (1.0μg/ml)-induced contraction of DCLM, but ondansetron, GR113808 and methysergide at 1.0μM in combination did not change the AJEA-induced DCLM contractions. Acetylethylcholine mustard (5.0μM) significantly diminished the AJEA-induced DCLM contractions, whereas p-chlorophenyl alanine (1.0μM) did not affect the stimulatory effects of AJEA on the DCLM contractions. Conclusion: The present results suggest that AJEA may specifically act on the DCLM among GI smooth muscles, and AJEA-induced DCLM contraction is likely mediated, at least, by activation of ChAT and acetylcholinergic muscarinic receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phytochemical investigations of the rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. resulted in the isolation of four sesquiterpenes (1–4), five polyacetylenes (5–9), oleanolic acid (10), and 5-hydromethyl furaldehyde (11). Among them, seven compounds (3, 5–10) were firstly isolated from the A. chinensis, and all have been reported in the genus Atractylodes except compound 10. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An oriental herbal combination (BDX-1) was isolated from Achyranthes bidentata and Atractylodes japonica. We previously tested the clinical effectiveness of BDX-1 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and found that it has a beneficial therapeutic effect. Here, we provide experimental evidence for the effectiveness of BDX-1 on RA in murine models. The oral administration of BDX-1 was found to markedly inhibit collagen-induced arthritis, adjuvant-induced arthritis, and zymosan-induced inflammation. It also inhibited carrageenan-induced acute edema and acetic acid-induced writhing response. In addition, the biological activity of BDX-1 was found to be strongly increased by fermentation. Our results suggest that BDX-1 could be useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant phytochemical accumulation is influenced by various external factors that change with the seasons (e.g., harvesting time). Atractylodes japonica, an important medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, is used to treat several human diseases. We analyzed the influence of harvesting time on phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activity of A. japonica roots. We investigated the correlation between phenolic compound and minerals contents and antioxidant activity in different harvests. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied significantly with the harvesting time. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis revealed significant changes in the concentration of various phenolics between harvests. The content of different types of phenolics were significantly higher in the samples collected in October. Among them, chlorogenic acids (133,833.30 µg/g dry weight of root extract) were the most dominant phytochemical compounds detected. Samples harvested in October had higher concentrations of flavonoids, including rutin, orientin, vitexin, and apigenin. Roots harvested in October had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity than that of those harvested later. Root mineral concentrations also varied with the harvest time. The analysis revealed that macro elements such as Ca ad Mg contents were significantly increased with delaying harvesting time, whereas a different trend was observed for the microelements including Fe, Cu, Al, and As contents in the October harvest. We also found a significant relationship between antioxidant activity and phenolic compound content. The most abundant minerals (Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Al) correlated positively with the antioxidant activity indicating that these elements and compounds may be associated with the A. japonica antioxidant potential. Furthermore, A. japonica root extracts inhibited NIH/3T3 cellular proliferation in a season- and dose-dependent manner. Hence, harvesting time influenced the antioxidant properties and phenolic compound accumulation of A. japonica roots. These results indicate that the harvesting time is essential for obtaining the specific phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gas purge micro solvent extraction method was applied for the first time to obtain essential oil fingerprints from plants. • Broad spectrum information on volatile and semi-volatile fraction of medicinal plant was obtained. • The proposed method allows better extraction performances for semi-volatile compounds respect to classical steam distillation. • Atractylodes japonica , Atractylodes lancea , and Atractylodes macrocephal essential oils were characterized and compared. In this work, a new an innovative micro liquid extraction technique named "gas purge micro solvent extraction" (GP-MSE) have been tested, hyphenated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), to evaluate its capability to extract volatile fractions from vegetal samples respect to classical steam distillation extraction procedure, by comparing essential oil fingerprints from three different Atractylodes species. GP-MSE showed higher extraction capabilities and sensitivities (in particular for semi-volatile components), obtaining more structured essential oil fingerprints with high reliabilities (relative standard deviation of the peak areas between 0.34% and 5.83%), requiring at the same time smaller sample amounts and reduced extraction times. Essential oil profile data were also submitted to principal component analysis and included cosine angle in order to highlight differences among the Atractylodes species under investigation. GP-MSE can be considered an alternative, simple, fast, sensitive and environmentally friendly extraction method, with high extraction efficiencies and reproducibility toward both volatile and semi-volatile compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam. is a perennial herbal plant, and its dried rhizomes have been widely used as traditional medicine in China and Japan. In this study, we assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of A. japonica using the high-throughput sequencing approach. The cp genome of A. japonica is 153,208 bp in length with the overall GC content of 37.7%, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,147 bp, which was separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,255 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,659 bp. 113 unique genes were annotated in the genome, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 represented tRNA genes, and four denoted rRNA genes. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis with 38 complete cp sequences showed that Atractylodes formed a monophyletic clade, and A. japonica and A. koreana formed a subclade in Atractylodes . This study provides the chloroplast genome structure features and phylogenetic relationship of A. japonica ., Competing Interests: The authors reported no potential conflict of interest., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)