Chemical and rheological properties of proteoglycans from Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai

Structural and flow rheological properties of pumpkin pectic polysaccharide extracted by citric acid

The present study aimed to investigate the structural and physicochemical characteristics of acid-extracted pumpkin pectic polysaccharide (AcPP) and to evaluate their flow rheological properties. AcPP was extracted from pumpkin pulp using the citric acid extraction method. The physicochemical and structural properties were analyzed by chemical methods and instrumental analyses. The obtained results showed that AcPP consisted predominantly of GalA (85.99 %) and small amounts of Rha, Gal, and Ara, with the ratio of HG/RG-I being 81.39/16.75. In addition, AcPP had medium DE (45.34 %) and contained four macromolecular populations with different Mw of 106.03 (main), 10.15, 4.99, and 2.90 kDa. The NMR analysis further confirmed that AcPP contained a linear backbone consisting of α-1,4-linked GalA residues, some of which were partially methyl-esterified. Furthermore, AcPP was amorphous in nature and had favorable thermal stability. The effects of extrinsic factors on the flow rheological properties of AcPP were evaluated. In particular, the high concentrations of CaCl2 (8 mM) and MgCl2 (10 mM) were effective in enhancing the viscosity and non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior of the AcPP solution. This study elucidates the unique molecular structure of AcPP and suggests the potential of AcPP as a rheology modifier in low-viscous and mineral-reinforced beverages.

Structural elucidation and physicochemical properties of litchi polysaccharide with the promoting effect on exopolysaccharide production by Weissella confusa

Exopolysaccharide (EPS), as a secondary metabolite of microorganisms, has been commonly used in the dairy industry to replace the traditional stabilizers. However, the EPS production by microorganism is generally low, which limits its application. A litchi polysaccharide (Lzp2-2) with the promoting effect on EPS production by Weissella confusa was purified. The SEM and FT-IR analysis indicated that Lzp2-2 displayed a compact netlike structure and typical bands of carbohydrates. The structure of Lzp2-2 was further elucidated, which was comprised of a major backbone structure [→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → 6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → 3)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→] linked with two side chains [α-L-Araf-(1 → 5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, and β-D-Glcp-(1 → or α-L-Araf-(1→] at the O-3 and O-6) of β-D-Galp-(1→, respectively. Finally, Lzp2-2 was applied as an additive to the medium of yoghurt fermented by W. confusa. The results indicated Lzp2-2 not only promoted the EPS production to improve the viscosity, texture and mouthfeel of yoghurt, but also facilitated the generation of other secondary metabolites (volatile organic compounds), thus elevating the flavor of yoghurt.

Integrated transcriptome and proteome analyses unravel a series of early defence responses in Sarcandra glabra against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides critically threatens the growth and commercial cultivation of Sarcandra glabra . However, the defence responses and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the molecular reprogramming in S. glabra leaves infected with C. gloeosporioides . Leaf tissues at 0, 24 and 48h post-inoculation (hpi) were analysed by combining RNA sequencing and Tandem Mass Tag-based liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. In total, 18 441 and 25 691 differentially expressed genes were identified at 24 and 48hpi compared to 0hpi (uninoculated control), respectively. In addition, 1240 and 1570 differentially abundant proteins were discovered at 24 and 48hpi compared to 0hpi, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that transcription and translation levels were highly consistent regarding repeatability and expression. Analyses using databases KEGG and iPATH revealed tricitric acid cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were induced, whereas photosynthesis and tryptophan were suppressed. Enzymatic activity assay results were consistent with the upregulation of defence-related enzymes including superoxide dismutases, catalases, peroxidases and chitinases. The transcriptome expression results were additionally validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses. This study provides insights into the molecular reprogramming in S. glabra leaves during infection, which lay a foundation for investigating the mechanisms of host-Colletotrichum interactions and breeding disease-resistant plants.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a SERP 30 polysaccharide from the residue of Sarcandra glabra against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, a valuable dietetic Chinese herb, is still widely used today. Multiple ingredients of S. glabra with a variety of activities such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor were studied. However, the Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai polysaccharide hasn't been reported for its anti-inflammatory effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai polysaccharide was assessed in LPS-induced ARDS mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A polysaccharide coded as SERP 30 was obtained by water extraction, alcohol precipitation, and gel filtration. After the physicochemical properties determination and structural characterization, LPS induced-mice ARDS model was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and associated antioxidant activities of SERP 30. H&E staining was used to observe the seriousness of lung injury in mice. The ELISA method was used to measure the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) in the serum of the mice. The TBA method and the WST-1 method were used to evaluate the oxidative stress injury. Immunohistochemistry was used to distinguish the expression of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), heparinase (HPA), syndecan-1, and decorin in ARDS-mice lung tissue. Western blotting was used to confirm the expression of related proteins in mouse lung tissue.

RESULTS

SERP 30 had a potential role in improving lung damage, reducing inflammation, and preventing oxidative stress. Moreover, SERP 30 significantly attenuated the damage to the endothelial glycocalyx and maintained the integrity of the glycocalyx. The western blotting result implied that the main anti-inflammatory mechanism is directed towards NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways with inhibiting the activation of associated proteins.

CONCLUSION

This research provides a theoretical basis for treating ARDS by using a byproduct from food resource.

Transcriptome Characterization and Identification of Molecular Markers (SNP, SSR, and Indels) in the Medicinal Plant Sarcandra glabra spp

Sarcandra glabra has significant metabolically active bioingredients of pharmaceutical importance. The deficiency of molecular markers for S. glabra is a hindrance in molecular breeding for genetic improvement. In this study, 57.756 million pair-end reads were generated by transcriptome sequencing in S. glabra (Thunb.) Nakai and its subspecies S. glabra ssp. brachystachys. A total of 141,954 unigenes with 646.63 bp average length were assembled. A total of 25,620 simple sequence repeats, 726,476 single nucleotide polymorphisms, and 42,939 insertions and deletions were identified, and the associated unigenes and differentially expressed genes were characterized. This work enhanced the molecular marker resources and will facilitate molecular breeding and gene mining in S. glabra spp.

A polysaccharide from Lignosus rhinocerotis sclerotia: Self-healing properties and the effect of temperature on its rheological behavior

This work investigated the self-healing properties of Lignosus rhinocerotis polysaccharide (LRP) and the effect of temperature on its rheological behavior. Dynamic sweep tests (strain sweep, frequency sweep, and time sweep) showed that the LRP/water system possessed self-healing properties due to the entangled network formed by hyperbranched LRP molecular chains. The flow activation energy of LRP solution calculated by Arrhenius equation was shown to decrease with increasing LRP concentration, indicating that LRP solution at higher concentration was less sensitive to temperature. Temperature ramp test exhibited that LRP had a glass transition temperature (T_g) determined as 49.35 °C and the temperature effect was irreversible. Microrheological test revealed that the LRP aqueous solution can form a gel at room temperature with the concentration ≥ 20 mg/mL. This work provided a theoretical basis for the development of LRP-based self-healing materials and facilitated a deep understanding of the temperature effect on rheological behavior of LRP.

Bioactive structural basis of proteoglycans from Sarcandra glabra based on spectrum-effect relationship

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Proteoglycans are one of the active ingredients of great importance in Sarcandra glabra. The biological activities of proteoglycans extracted from Sarcandra glabra including suppressing tumor growth and antioxidant activity were studied. However, raw materials from different regions may cause differences in the activity of natural extracts, especially for bioactive biomacromolecules. Conventional identification of S.glabra cannot accurately reflect the distinguishing relationship between internal components and the pharmacological activity. The identification of biologically active structures was obtained by constructing multiple fingerprint and spectrum-effect relationship.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the bioactive structural basis of proteoglycans from S.glabra based on spectrum-effect relationship and chemometric methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multiple fingerprinting including HPSEC, PMP-HPLC, and FT-IR of proteoglycans was established from 18 batches of samples based on the structural characteristics. Both antitumor activity and antioxidant activity were determined. Mathematical analysis was used to analyze the spectrum-effect relationship.

RESULTS

PCA results showed monosaccharides including Xly, Rha, and GlcA, carboxyl group in acidic sugars, peptide bond in proteins, and methylene groups could be used as markers for distinguishing the samples from different sources. The results of the spectrum-effect relationship analysis indicated that the bioactive markers of inhibitory activity on MG63 and U2OS cells by PLS-DA were related to GlcA, Xyl, Fuc, β-glycosidic bonds, peptide linkage, and methylene groups. Markers composing monosaccharide for antioxidant activity were Xyl, GlcA, and GlcN. Meanwhile, the group markers were pyranose ring, carboxyl group, peptide linkage, and methylene structure.

CONCLUSIONS

The material basis that affects the pharmacological efficacy could be found according to the spectrum-effect relationship analysis. This study could lay a foundation for further exploring the relationship between structural characteristics and pharmacodynamics of macromolecular glycoconjugates in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Isofraxidin ameliorated influenza viral inflammation in rodents via inhibiting platelet aggregation

Platelets have been proved to exacerbate influenza infection and its complications. Inhibition of platelet activation may be a feasible method for preventing severe infection and secondary acute lung injury (ALI). Isofraxidin (IFD) is a natural coumarin isolated from the plants Sarcandra glabra and Siberian ginseng, and exerts anticancer, antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. In the present study, we examined the therapeutic effects of IFD in ADP- or arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation model and in influenza A virus (IAV)-induced ALI mouse model. The results showed that IFD significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and AA in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner as well as the release of soluble P-selectin and platelet factor 4. Moreover, IFD significantly relieved IAV-induced lung inflammation, reduced the expressions of platelet activation biomarkers (P-selectin and CD61), decreased the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MIP-2, suppressed peripheral platelet aggregation and prolonged the survival time of infected mice. The western blotting results also demonstrated that IFD reduced the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT and p38 in the activated platelets stimulated by ADP and IAV infection. But IFD did not have any effects on IAV replication. It indicated that IFD ameliorated IAV-induced severe lung damage and lethal infection by suppressing platelet aggregation via regulating PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways.

Skin-patch of Xin Huang Pian on relieving joint symptoms in patients with acute gouty arthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Trial

AIMS

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Xin Huang Pian skin patches for patients with acute gouty arthritis.

BACKGROUND

In China, patients with acute gouty arthritis benefit from skin patcheses with herbal medicines. But the clinical effects of skin patches with Xin Huang Pian are rarely reported.

DESIGN

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Trial.

METHODS

The trial was performed from January 2015-December 2018 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in China. It was conducted with one intervention group (skin patches of Xin Huang Pian, N = 30) and one active control group (skin patches of Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel, N = 31). Participants and study investigators were both blinded to the treatment assignments. The primary outcomes were the improvement of joints' symptoms. The secondary outcomes were changes in white blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein.

RESULTS

Skin patches of Xin Huang Pian showed quick effect on decreasing joint pain at 3rd day of treatment. Wherever only at 7th day, Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel markedly lowered joint pain. Xin Huang Pian also showed superior effect than Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel on improving joint swelling and range of motion and decreasing the levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. No adverse reactions were observed in skin patches of Xin Huang Pian treatment.

CONCLUSION

Skin patches of Xin Huang Pian appeared to be safe and efficacious for relieving joint symptoms in patients with acute gouty arthritis. The mechanism might be associated with the decreased levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

IMPACT

Skin-patcheses with Xin Huang Pian are more effective than Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel on improving joint pain, swelling and range of motion. Xin Huang Pian treatment showed superior effects compared with Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel on decreasing levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Patients with acute gouty arthritis may benefit from skin patches of Xin Huang Pian for effective relief from joint pain and swelling. Chinese Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR-TRC-1300 4122.