Development of SCAR (sequence-characterized amplified region) markers as a complementary tool for identification of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) from crude drugs and multicomponent formulations

In vivo and in vitro study on the regulatory mechanism of XiaoChaiHu decoction on PANoptosis in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In accordance with the tenets of traditional Chinese medicine, sepsis is categorized into three distinct syndromes: heat syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, and deficiency syndrome. Xiaochaihu decoction (XCHD) has many functions, including the capacity to protect the liver, cholagogue, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pathogenic microorganisms. XCHD exerts the effect of clearing heat and reconciling Shaoyang. The XCHD contains many efficacious active ingredients, yet the mechanism of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) remains elusive.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of XCHD against SIC using an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and molecular biology techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology methods identified the active ingredients, target proteins, and pathways affected by XCHD in the context of SIC. We conducted in vivo experiments using mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced SIC, evaluating cardiac function through echocardiography and histology. XCHD-containing serum was analyzed to determine its principal active components using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The effects of XCHD-containing serum on SIC were further tested in vitro in LPS-treated H9c2 cardiac cells. Protein expression levels were quantified via Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, molecular docking was performed between the active components and ZBP1, a potential target protein. Overexpression of ZBP1 in H9c2 cells allowed for a deeper exploration of its role in modulating SIC-associated gene expression.

RESULTS

UPLC-MS/MS identified 31 shared XCHD and XCHD-containing serum components. These included organic acids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which have been identified as the active components of XCHD. Our findings revealed that XCHD alleviated LPS-induced myocardial injury, improved cardiac function, and preserved cardiomyocyte morphology in mice. In vitro studies, we demonstrated that XCHD-containing serum significantly suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in LPS-induced H9c2 cells. Mechanistic investigations showed that XCHD downregulated genes associated with PANoptosis, a novel cell death pathway, suggesting its protective role in sepsis-damaged hearts. Conversely, overexpression of ZBP1 abolished the protective effects of XCHD and amplified PANoptosis-related gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides the first evidence supporting the protective effects of XCHD against SIC, both in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism involves the inhibition of ZBP1-initiated PANoptosis, offering new insights into treating SIC using XCHD.

Development of species-specific ISSR-derived SCAR marker for early discrimination between Cinnamomum verum and Cinnamomum cassia

BACKGROUND

Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon) and Cinnamomum cassia (cassia cinnamon) are two important species belonging to family Lauraceae. These species are recognized by morphological, chemical composition and essential oil contents. The appropriate identification of species would be considerably improved by a genetic method. The main objective of the present study was to develop molecular markers distinguishing between C. verum and C. cassia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total 71 ISSR (Inter simple sequence repeat) and four universal barcoding (ITS, rbcL, matK, and psbA-trnH) genes were used to distinguish both the species. No sequence variation was observed between the two species for any DNA barcode gene. However, one ISSR i.e. ISSR-37 showed a clear distinction between the species and produced 570 bp and 746 bp amplicons in C. verum and C. cassia, respectively. The polymorphic bands were converted into species-specific SCAR markers. The SCAR-CV was specific to C. verum and amplified 190 bp band, however there was no amplification seen in the C. cassia samples.

CONCLUSION

The SCAR marker generated in this study can be employed as efficient, economical, and reliable molecular tool for the identification of C. verum.

Contribution to the microscopic identification of Zingiber officinale

Zingiber officinale Roscoe has a very long history of use throughout the world, both as a spice and as a medicinal plant. During the last two years in the midst of a global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 the use of various herbal products with ginger rhizome as active ingredient increased because of its numerous health beneficial properties. A detailed characteristic of the crude powdered drug is presented by microscopic photographs for the first time. Although the structure of ginger rhizome is relatively simple and well-studied, the presented results in combination with the detailed analysis of the literature provide additional insight to the pharmacopoeial guidelines for the identification of ginger powder.

Role of natural products in alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis-A review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RHA) is one of the most prevalent complex, chronic, inflammatory diseases, manifested by elevated oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Prolonged administration of NSAIDs, steroids, and DMARDs, used in the treatment of RHA, is associated with deleterious side effects. This necessitates the urge of new and safe approaches for RHA management, based on the complementary and alternative system of medicine. Documented evidences have suggested that supplementation with nutritional, dietary, and herbal components; can play a crucial role as an adjuvant, in the alleviation of the RHA symptoms, through their influence on the pathological inflammatory processes. Dietary phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, and alkaloids with their ability to modulate prooxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways, have been effective in delaying the arthritic disease progression. Moreover, in scientific explorations, herbs containing phenolic compounds, alkaloids, carotenoids flavonoids, spices such as ginger, turmeric, Ayurvedic formulations, different diets such as Mediterranean diet, vegan diet, beverages, and oils such as sesame oil, rice bran oil, vitamins, and probiotics are proven to modulate the action of inflammatory molecules, involved in RHA pathology. Subsequently, the purpose of this review article is to summarize various in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies in RHA, which have documented remarkable insights into the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immunomodulatory, bone erosion preventing properties of dietary, nutritional, and herbal components with the focus on their molecular level mechanisms involved in RHA. Even though major findings were derived from in vitro studies, several in vivo and clinical studies have established the use of diet, herbal, and nutritional management in RHA treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Thickening of the synovial membrane, bone erosion, and cartilage destruction is known to trigger rheumatoid arthritis causing inflammation and pain in bone joints. Continuous intake of NSAIDs, steroids, and DMARD therapy are associated with detrimental side effects. These side effects can be overcome by the use of dietary, nutritional, and herbal interventions based on the complementary and alternative therapy. This concept portrays the food components and other natural components having the potential to promote health, improve general well-being, and reduce the risk of RHA.

Food adulteration: Sources, health risks, and detection methods

Adulteration in food has been a concern since the beginning of civilization, as it not only decreases the quality of food products but also results in a number of ill effects on health. Authentic testing of food and adulterant detection of various food products is required for value assessment and to assure consumer protection against fraudulent activities. Through this review we intend to compile different types of adulterations made in different food items, the health risks imposed by these adulterants and detection methods available for them. Concerns about food safety and regulation have ensured the development of various techniques like physical, biochemical/immunological and molecular techniques, for adulterant detection in food. Molecular methods are more preferable when it comes to detection of biological adulterants in food, although physical and biochemical techniques are preferable for detection of other adulterants in food.

Molecular markers: a potential resource for ginger genetic diversity studies

Ginger is an economically important and valuable plant around the world. Ginger is used as a food, spice, condiment, medicine and ornament. There is available information on biochemical aspects of ginger, but few studies have been reported on its molecular aspects. The main objective of this review is to accumulate the available molecular marker information and its application in diverse ginger studies. This review article was prepared by combing material from published articles and our own research. Molecular markers allow the identification and characterization of plant genotypes through direct access to hereditary material. In crop species, molecular markers are applied in different aspects and are useful in breeding programs. In ginger, molecular markers are commonly used to identify genetic variation and classify the relatedness among varieties, accessions, and species. Consequently, it provides important input in determining resourceful management strategies for ginger improvement programs. Alternatively, a molecular marker could function as a harmonizing tool for documenting species. This review highlights the application of molecular markers (isozyme, RAPD, AFLP, SSR, ISSR and others such as RFLP, SCAR, NBS and SNP) in genetic diversity studies of ginger species. Some insights on the advantages of the markers are discussed. The detection of genetic variation among promising cultivars of ginger has significance for ginger improvement programs. This update of recent literature will help researchers and students select the appropriate molecular markers for ginger-related research.

Development of sequence characterized amplified region from random amplified polymorphic DNA amplicons

Among the PCR-based markers that are most widely used in molecular genetic studies, SCARs (sequence characterized amplified regions) have the advantage of being less sensitive to the conditions of a standard PCR due to its primer size when compared to RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and hence are more specific and reproducible. Moreover, SCARs require no radioactive isotopes and detect only a single locus. Here, we describe the development of SCAR from RAPD amplicons.

An impression on current developments in the technology, chemistry, and biological activities of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is widely cultivated as a spice for its aromatic and pungent components. The essential oil and oleoresins from ginger are valuable products responsible for the characteristic flavor and pungency. Both are used in several food products such as soft beverages and also in many types of pharmaceutical formulations. More than 100 compounds have been reported from ginger, some of which are isolated and characterized, others are tentatively identified by GC-MS and / or LC-MS. [6]-Gingerol, the major gingerol in ginger rhizomes, has been found to possess many interesting pharmacological and physiological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and cardiotonic effects. Ginger is considered as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA. Due to all these properties, ginger has gained considerable attention in developed countries in recent years, especially for its use in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. The present review is a persuasive presentation of the current information on processing, chemistry, biological activities, and medicinal uses of ginger. Further studies are required for the validation of the beneficial uses. Formulation for novel products and new usages may emerge in the years to come, based on the revealed results of various studies.