Hypoglycemic effects of bioactive ingredients from medicine food homology and medicinal health food species used in China

The inhibitory activity of Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract and its major flavonoid components on pancreatic lipase

Inhibition of pancreatic lipase (PL) is a strategy to prevent obesity. The inhibitory effects of Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI) extract and its main flavonoid components, rutin and quercetin, on PL were investigated. The contents of rutin and quercetin in FSI extract were 44.10 ± 1.33 % and 6.07 ± 1.62 %, respectively. The IC50 values of FSI extract, rutin and quercetin on PL were 322, 258 and 71 μg/mL, respectively. Rutin and quercetin inhibited PL in a reversible and noncompetitive manner. The combination of rutin and quercetin exhibited synergistic inhibitory effects at low concentration. The binding of rutin/quercetin with PL caused the fluorescence quenching of protein. Fluorescence titration showed the binding affinity of quercetin with PL protein was stronger than that of rutin. Circular dichroism analysis showed the binding changed the secondary structure of PL with an increase in random coil and a decrease in α-Helix and β-Sheet. Molecular docking revealed that rutin and quercetin could interact with the amino acid residues around the catalytic site through multiple secondary interactions. In vivo studies showed that FSI extract can reduce fat absorption and promote fecal fat excretion through inhibition of PL activity, and the effects were mainly due to rutin and quercetin.

Chrysanthemum morifolium as a traditional herb: A review of historical development, classification, phytochemistry, pharmacology and application

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In recent years, Chinese herbal medicine has gained more and more recognition in disease prevention and control due to its low toxicity and comprehensive treatment. C. morifolium (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), as the medicine food homology plant with the bioactivity of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotection and cardiovascular protection, has important therapeutic effects and health benefits for colds, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases and various chronic diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

By reviewing the historical development, classification and distribution of germplasm resources, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and modern application of C. morifolium, the paper provides a reliable basis for the further research and application of chrysanthemum as therapeutic agents and functional additives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The literature and information about C. morifolium published in the last ten years were collected from various platforms, including Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and China Knowledge Network.

RESULTS

A comprehensive analysis confirmed that C. morifolium originated in China, and it went through the development process from food and tea to medicine for more than 3000 years. During this period, different cultivars emerged through several breeding techniques and were distributed throughout the world. Moreover, A variety of chemical components such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile oils, and terpenes in chrysanthemum have been proven they possess various pharmacology of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and prevention of chronic diseases by regulating inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress responses and signaling pathways, which are the essential conditions to play a role in TCM, nutraceuticals and diet.

CONCLUSION

This paper provides a comprehensive review of historical development, classification, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and modern application of C. morifolium. However, future studies should continue to focus on the bioactive compounds and the synergistic mechanism of the "multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway" of chrysanthemum, and it is necessary to develop more innovative products with therapeutic effects.

RG-I pectin-like polysaccharide from Rosa chinensis inhibits inflammation and fibrosis associated to HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway to improve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

A novel RG-I pectin-like polysaccharide, YJ3A1, was purified from the flowers of Rosa chinensis and its structure and hepatoprotective effect in vivo and in vitro were investigated. The backbone of this polysaccharide is mainly composed of 1, 4-galactan, 1, 4-linked α-GalpA and 1, 2-linked α-Rhap disaccharide repeating unit attached by 1, 6-linked β-Galp or 1, 5-linked α-Araf on C-4 of the Rhap. Interestingly, oral administration of YJ3A1 significantly ameliorates NASH-associated inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis and does not affect the liver morphology of normal mice at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The mechanism study suggests that the biological activity may associate to inactivating of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1)/TLR4/NF-κB and Akt signaling pathways by restraining the expression and release of HMGB1, thereby impeding the effect of NASH. The current findings outline a novel leading polysaccharide for new drug candidate development against NASH.

Discovery and identification of natural alkaloids with potential to impact insulin resistance syndrome in Cyclocarya paliurus. (Batal) leaves by UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with HepG2 cells

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) leaves, which contain a range of bioactive compounds, have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine homologous food since ancient times. However, there is a paucity of literature on comprehensive studies of alkaloids in the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.). For the first time, this study aimed to discover and identify alkaloids extracted from Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) leaves by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). A total of ten alkaloids have been identified from Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) leaves based on accurate mass spectra (mass accuracy, isotopic spacing and distribution) and comparison to fragmentation spectra reported in the literature. In vitro, alkaloids alleviated insulin resistance by increasing glucose consumption and glycogen content in insulin resistance HepG2 cells. The RNA-seq and western blotting results showed that alkaloids could upregulate the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and increase the phosphorylation of insulin receptor protein kinase B (AKT). This study not only clarified the chemical constituents and revealed that diverse alkaloids also presented from Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) leaves, also, it will provide chemical information on potential compounds for developing new drugs.

Advances in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus by natural plant polysaccharides through regulation of gut microbiota and metabolism: A review

The prevalence and impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health problem. The treatment process of T2DM is long and difficult to cure. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternative or complementary methods to deal with the various challenges brought by T2DM. Natural plant polysaccharides (NPPs) have certain potential in the treatment of T2DM. However, many studies have not considered the relationship between the structure of NPPs and their anti-T2DM activity. This paper reviews the relevant anti-T2DM mechanisms of NPPs, including modulation of insulin action, promotion of glucose metabolism and modulation of postprandial glucose levels, anti-inflammation and modulation of gut microbiota (GM) and metabolism. This paper provides an in-depth study of the conformational relationships of NPPs and facilitates the development of anti-T2DM drugs or dietary supplements with NPPs.

Tangzhiping Decoction Improves Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Exerts Protective Effects Against White Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Prediabetic Mice

Background

Prediabetes, characterized by a series of metabolic abnormalities, increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Tangzhiping (TZP), a clinically validated traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used to treat impaired glucose tolerance. However, the underlying mechanism of TZP in intervening prediabetes is not fully elucidated.

Purpose

The current study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of TZP against prediabetes mice and explore its potential mechanism.

Methods

After establishing a prediabetic animal model through 12 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, mice were subjected to TZP for 8 weeks. Various parameters related to body weight, glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity were measured. Histopathological examinations observed adipose cell size and liver lipid deposition. The Sable Promethion system assessed energy metabolism activity. Transcriptomic analysis of Epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) identified enriched pathways and genes. The key genes in the enriched pathways were identified through RT-PCR.

Results

Our data revealed that the administration of TZP reduced body weight and fat mass in a prediabetes mouse model. TZP normalized the glucose and insulin levels, improved insulin resistance, and decreased plasma TC and FFA. The alleviation of adipose tissue hypertrophy and lipid deposition by TZP was demonstrated through pathological examination. Indirect calorimetry measurements indicated a potential increase in VO2 and EE levels with TZP. The results of EWAT transcription showed that TZP reversed pathways and genes related to inflammation and catabolic metabolism. RT-PCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression of inflammation and lipolysis, including Tlr2, Ccr5, Ccl9, Itgb2, Lipe, Pnpla2, Cdo1, Ces1d, Echs1, and Acad11, were changed by TZP treatment.

Conclusion

TZP effectively alleviates obesity, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance. The effect of TZP might be associated with the regulation of gene expression in dysfunctional adipose tissue.

MeJA-induced hairy roots in Plumbago auriculata L. by RNA-seq profiling and key synthase provided new insights into the sustainable production of plumbagin and saponins

Naturally synthesized secondary metabolites in plants are considered an important source of drugs, food additives, etc. Among them, research on natural plant medicinal components and their synthesis mechanisms has always been of high concern. We identified a novel medicinal floral crop, Plumbago auriculata L., that can be treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) for the rapid or sustainable production of natural bioactives from hairy roots. In the study, we globally analyzed the changes in the accumulation of plumbagin and others in the hairy roots of Plumbago auriculata L. hairy roots (PAHR) 15834 in P. auriculata L. based on 100 μmol/L of MeJA treatment by RNA-seq profiling, and we found that there was a significant increase in the accumulation of plumbagin and saponin before 24 h. To explain the principle of co-accumulation, it showed that MeJA induced JA signaling and the shikimic acid pathway, and the methylvaleric acid (MVA) pathway was activated downstream subsequently by the Mfuzz and weighted gene co-expression analysis. Under the shared metabolic pathway, the high expression of PAL3 and HMGR promoted the activity of the "gateway enzymes" phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR), which respectively induced the high expression of key reaction enzyme genes, including chalcone synthase (CHS), isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), and farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPS), that led to the synthesis of plumbagin and saponin. We speculated that large amounts of ketones and/or aldehydes were formed under the action of these characteristic enzymes, ultimately achieving their co-accumulation through polyketone and high-level sugar and amino acid metabolism. The study results provided a theoretical basis for carrying out the factory refinement and biosynthesis of plumbagin and saponins and also provided new ideas for fully exploiting multifunctional agricultural crops and plants and developing new agricultural by-products.

Analysis on patents of health care products with substances of medicine food homology in China

Objective

The concept of substances of medicine food homology (SMFH) has garnered significant attention in recent years. This study conducts a systematic analysis of patent literature related to SMFH, and elucidates the development trends, technical hotspots, and the overall patent protection landscape of SMFH in China over the past two decades.

Methods

The patent search focused on the SMFH varieties as the objects of inquiry, with retrieval conducted in patent databases. Subsequently, the acquired data underwent processing, analysis, and visualization.

Results

While the technical threshold for pharmaceutical applications surpasses that of the food service sector, the former may assume a prominent role in the future. Research and development (R&D) activities in the southeast of China demonstrate robust activity than other regions. Colleges and scientific research institutions exhibit substantial advantages in patent applications compared with individuals and hold greater potential for future development.

Conclusion

The findings of this patent analysis indicate that China's SMFH industry are presently undergoing a transition from an extensive model to a high-quality model. The quality and technical standards of SMFH products are consistently improving. Consequently, there is a need for more stringent patent application requirements to align with the evolving development needs.

A review of botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and applications of the herb with the homology of medicine and food: Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton

Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is an outstanding herb with the homology of medicine and food. Its ripe fruits are traditionally used as an important tonic for kidneys and liver in China. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is rich in nutritional components and a variety of bioactive ingredients. A total of 206 compounds have been isolated and identified, they mainly include flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, iridoid glycosides, and triterpenoids. These compounds exert anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, liver protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has been traditionally used to treat many complex diseases, including osteoporotic bone pain, rheumatic bone, cancer, related aging symptoms, and so on. In the 2020 Edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there are more than 100 prescriptions containing L. lucidum W.T. Aiton. Among them, some classical preparations including Er Zhi Wan and Zhenqi fuzheng formula, are used in the treatment of various cancers with good therapeutic effects. Additionally, L. lucidum W.T. Aiton has also many excellent applications for functional food, ornamental plants, bioindicator of air pollution, algicidal agents, and feed additives. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has rich plant resources. However, the application potential of it has not been fully exploited. We hope that this paper provides a theoretical basis for the high-value and high-connotation development of L. lucidum W.T. Aiton in the future.

Probiotic-fermented edible herbs as functional foods: A review of current status, challenges, and strategies

Recently, consumers have become increasingly interested in natural, health-promoting, and chronic disease-preventing medicine and food homology (MFH). There has been accumulating evidence that many herbal medicines, including MFH, are biologically active due to their biotransformation through the intestinal microbiota. The emphasis of scientific investigation has moved from the functionally active role of MFH to the more subtle role of biotransformation of the active ingredients in probiotic-fermented MFH and their health benefits. This review provides an overview of the current status of research on probiotic-fermented MFH. Probiotics degrade toxins and anti-nutritional factors in MFH, improve the flavor of MFH, and increase its bioactive components through their transformative effects. Moreover, MFH can provide a material base for the growth of probiotics and promote the production of their metabolites. In addition, the health benefits of probiotic-fermented MFH in recent years, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-neurodegenerative, skin-protective, and gut microbiome-modulating effects, are summarized, and the health risks associated with them are also described. Finally, the future development of probiotic-fermented MFH is prospected in combination with modern development technologies, such as high-throughput screening technology, synthetic biology technology, and database construction technology. Overall, probiotic-fermented MFH has the potential to be used in functional food for preventing and improving people's health. In the future, personalized functional foods can be expected based on synthetic biology technology and a database on the functional role of probiotic-fermented MFH.

Review of isolation, purification, structural characteristics and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L

Portulaca oleracea L., also known as purslane, affiliates to the Portulacaceae family. It is an herbaceous succulent annual plant distributed worldwide. P. oleracea L. is renowned for its nutritional value and medicinal value, which has been utilized for thousands of years as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The extract derived from P. oleracea L. has shown efficacy in treating various diseases, including intestinal dysfunction and inflammation. Polysaccharides from P. oleracea L. (POP) are the primary constituents of the crude extract which have been found to have various biological activities, including antioxidant, antitumor, immune-stimulating, and intestinal protective effects. While many publications have highlighted on the structural identification and bioactivity evaluation of POP, the underlying structure-activity relationship of POP still remains unclear. In view of this, this review aims to focus on the extraction, purification, structural features and bioactivities of POP. In addition, the potential structure-activity relationship and the developmental perspective for future research of POP were also explored and discussed. The current review would provide a valuable research foundation and the up-to-date information for the future development and application of POP in the field of the functional foods and medicine.

Antihypertensive effect and mechanism of the traditional recipe of medicine food homology (Buyang Huanwu Decoction) in China: Meta analysis and network pharmacological exploration

Background

Hypertension has become a part of the lives of many people worldwide. With the development, an increasing number of people have begun to control their hypertension through products of medicine food homology, such as Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD). However, there has been no objective review of the regulation of hypertension by BYHWD.

Methods

As of 9 October 2023, this review made a detailed search of nine databases to look for random controlled trials (RCTs) focused on the use of BYHWD for treating hypertension. This was followed by network pharmacological analysis, and molecular docking assessment using AutoDockTools to explore the mode of action.

Results

BYHWD was effective in reducing SBP (MD: 0.767; 95 % CI: 0.629, 0.905; p = 0.000), DBP (MD: 0.427; 95 % CI: 0.292, 0.561; p = 0.000), 24h SBP (MD: 0.665; 95 % CI: 0.368, 0.962; p = 0.000), 24h DBP (MD: 0.547; 95 % CI: 0.318, 0.777; p = 0.000), dSBP (MD: 0.625; 95 % CI: 0.395, 0.855; p = 0.000), dDBP (MD: 0.632; 95 % CI: 0.401, 0.862; p = 0.000), nSBP (MD: 0.859; 95 % CI: 0.340, 1.377; p = 0.001), nDBP (MD: 0.704; 95 % CI: 0.297, 1.112; p = 0.001), pv (MD: 1.311; 95 % CI: 0.363, 2.259; p = 0.007) and NIHSS (MD: 1.149; 95 % CI: 0.100, 2.199; p = 0.032), and elevating CER (OR = 2.848; 95 % CI: 1.388, 5.843; p = 0.004). However, BYHWD did not significantly reduce HCY, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of AE. In terms of the mechanism of action, the main active ingredient of BYHWD is quercetin, and the core targets are AKT1, MMP9, and others. Molecular docking also showed that quercetin mainly interacts with the amino acid residue CYS-28 of MMP2. Second, the KEGG analysis showed that BYHWD mainly act on HIF-1, Apelin, and cGMP-PKG signalling pathways, and GO analysis showed that it related to the apical part of the cell, circulatory system processes, and nuclear receptor activity. Conclusion: BYHWD can lowered blood pressure, reduced plasma viscosity, and restored neurological function with good tolerability, and had no significant effect on HCY levels. This study further demonstrated that quercetin is the main active ingredient of BYHWD that acts via the AKT1 and HIF-1 signalling pathways. These results provide new guidance for people's dietary choices by the general public.

Effect of chin brick tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] on lipid metabolism and inflammation by modulating intestinal flora and bile acids in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tea (Camellia sinensis) has been consumed for centuries as a traditional remedy for various metabolic diseases. The pharmacological mechanisms of many conventional medicines, including tea, often need to be clarified. Chin brick tea is a unique Chinese black tea grown in Hubei, China, rich in tea elements such as tea polyphenols and tea polysaccharides.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We focus on the effects of commercial chin brick tea on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by altering intestinal flora and its metabolite, bile acids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Targeted UPLC-MS/MS was employed to quantify the tea elements in commercial chin brick tea. In this study, we performed an integrated approach of animal experiments, 16 S rDNA, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to explore the potential mechanism of action of chin brick tea in preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

RESULTS

After 14 weeks of administration, CBT extract could signiffcantly decrease the levels of body weight, liver weight, LDL-C, TC, ALT, IL-1β and IL-18, and slight increase HDL-C levels in NAFLD mice. The results indicated that the interventional impact of CBT with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD might depend on intestinal flora and its metabolites bile acids. Moreover, sequencing of 16 S rRNA genes demonstrated that CBT could signiffcantly improve the intestinal flora disorder of NAFLD mice. Speciffcally, CBT increased the levels of Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella, and Ruminococcaceae, while reducing the levels of Bacteroides in NAFLD mice. Then, a total of 23 bile acids were identified, 17 differential bile acids were obtained by screening, and CBT increase the primary bile acids/secondary bile acids ratio in NAFLD mice. Additionally, correlation analysis revealed that Bacteroides was negatively correlated with DCA and ωMCA, Lactobacillus was positively correlated with DCA and ωMCA, Bacteroides was positively correlated with NAFLD, Lactobacillus was negatively associated with NAFLD, and DCA and ωMCA were negatively correlated with NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

CBT extract has a good interventional impact on NAFLD mice. The mechanism by which this extract exerts its action is, at least partly, related to its regulation of intestinal flora and its metabolites bile acids.

Mechanisms of multi-omics and network pharmacology to explain traditional chinese medicine for vascular cognitive impairment: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

The term "vascular cognitive impairment" (VCI) describes various cognitive conditions that include vascular elements. It increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population and is the most common cognitive impairment associated with cerebrovascular disease. Understanding the etiology of VCI may aid in identifying approaches to target its possible therapy for the condition. Treatment of VCI has focused on vascular risk factors. There are no authorized conventional therapies available right now. The medications used to treat VCI are solely approved for symptomatic relief and are not intended to prevent or slow the development of VCI.

PURPOSE

The function of Chinese medicine in treating VCI has not yet been thoroughly examined. This review evaluates the preclinical and limited clinical evidence to comprehend the "multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway" mechanism of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It investigates the various multi-omics approaches in the search for the pathological mechanisms of VCI, as well as the new research strategies, in the hopes of supplying supportive evidence for the clinical treatment of VCI.

METHODS

This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statements. Using integrated bioinformatics and network pharmacology approaches, a thorough evaluation and analysis of 25 preclinical studies published up to July 1, 2023, were conducted to shed light on the mechanisms of TCM for vascular cognitive impairment. The studies for the systematic review were located using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect.

RESULTS

We discovered that the multi-omics analysis approach would hasten the discovery of the role of TCM in the treatment of VCI. It will explore components, compounds, targets, and pathways, slowing the progression of VCI from the perspective of inhibiting oxidative stress, stifling neuroinflammation, increasing cerebral blood flow, and inhibiting iron deposition by a variety of molecular mechanisms, which have significant implications for the treatment of VCI.

CONCLUSION

TCM is a valuable tool for developing dementia therapies, and further research is needed to determine how TCM components may affect the operation of the neurovascular unit. There are still some limitations, although several research have offered invaluable resources for searching for possible anti-dementia medicines and treatments. To gain new insights into the molecular mechanisms that precisely modulate the key molecules at different levels during pharmacological interventions-a prerequisite for comprehending the mechanism of action and determining the potential therapeutic value of the drugs-further research should employ more standardized experimental methods as well as more sophisticated science and technology. Given the results of this review, we advocate integrating chemical and biological component analysis approaches in future research on VCI to provide a more full and objective assessment of the standard of TCM. With the help of bioinformatics, a multi-omics analysis approach will hasten the discovery of the role of TCM in the treatment of VCI, which has significant implications for the treatment of VCI.

Flavonoids, Isoflavonoids and others Bioactives for Insulin Sensitizations

Diabetes is a chronic condition that has an impact on a huge part of the world. Both animals and humans have been demonstrated to benefit from natural goods, and organisms (animals, or microbes). In 2021, approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes, making it the one of the biggest cause of death worldwide. Various phytoconstituent preserved β- cells activity helps to prevent the formation of diabetes problems. As a result, β-cells mass and function are key pharmaceutical targets. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of flavonoids' effects on pancreatic β-cells. Flavonoids have been demonstrated to improve insulin release in cell lines of isolated pancreatic islets and diabetic animal models. Flavonoids are thought to protect β-cells by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling, activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, inhibiting nitric oxide production, and lowering reactive oxygen species levels. Flavonoids boost β-cells secretory capacity by improving mitochondrial bioenergetic function and increasing insulin secretion pathways. Some of the bioactive phytoconstituents such as S-methyl cysteine sulfoxides stimulate insulin synthesis in the body and increase pancreatic output. The berberine increased insulin secretion in the HIT-T15 and Insulinoma 6 (MIN6) mouse cell line. Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate protects against toxicity accrued by cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and hyperglycemia. Quercetin has been proven to boost insulin production by Insulinoma 1 (INS-1) cells and also protect cell apoptosis. Overall flavonoids have beneficial effects on β-cells by prevented their malfunctioning or degradation and improving synthesis or release of insulin from β-cells.

Cellulose cryogels from herbal residues for oily wastewater purification

Recycling herbal residues for oily wastewater purification is a potential way to use the wastes to treat wastes. Cellulose extracted from herbal residues is a fine material for cryogel fabrication. However, the cellulose cryogels were not suitable for oily wastewater treatment due to their amphiphilicity. To address this issue, the cryogels were modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), which made them hydrophobic and reduced their surface energy. In this study, the herbal residues (Ficus microcarpa L. f) were used in cryogel preparation for the first time. The cryogels exhibit super lightweight and low density. The modified cryogels show excellent sorption capacity for free oils, especially silicone oil (51.22 g/g), and outperformed some recent sorbents. They also effectively separated water-in-toluene emulsion stabilized by Span 80, with a separation efficiency of 98.57 % and a flux of 1474.67 L/m2h. This study demonstrated a novel application of waste herbal residues in the field of environmental remediation.

Laminarin Reduces Cholesterol Uptake and NPC1L1 Protein Expression in High-Fat Diet (HFD)-Fed Mice

Aberrantly high dietary cholesterol intake and intestinal cholesterol uptake lead to dyslipidemia, one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Based on previous studies, laminarin, a polysaccharide found in brown algae, has hypolipidemic activity, but its underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of laminarin on intestinal cholesterol uptake in vitro, as well as the lipid and morphological parameters in an in vivo model of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, and addressed the question of whether Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein (NPC1L1), a key transporter mediating dietary cholesterol uptake, is involved in the mechanistic action of laminarin. In in vitro studies, BODIPY-cholesterol-labeled Caco-2 cells were examined using confocal microscopy and a fluorescence reader. The results demonstrated that laminarin inhibited cholesterol uptake into Caco-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 20.69 μM). In HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice, laminarin significantly reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). It also decreased hepatic levels of TC, TG, and total bile acids (TBA) while promoting the excretion of fecal cholesterol. Furthermore, laminarin significantly reduced local villous damage in the jejunum of HFD mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that laminarin significantly downregulated NPC1L1 protein expression in the jejunum of HFD-fed mice. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of NPC1L1 attenuated the laminarin-mediated inhibition of cholesterol uptake in Caco-2 cells. This study suggests that laminarin significantly improves dyslipidemia in HFD-fed mice, likely by reducing cholesterol uptake through a mechanism that involves the downregulation of NPC1L1 expression.

Research progress of ginger in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors

Cancer seriously endangers human health. Gastrointestinal cancer is the most common and major malignant tumor, and its morbidity and mortality are gradually increasing. Although there are effective treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy for gastrointestinal tumors, they are often accompanied by serious side effects. According to the traditional Chinese medicine and food homology theory, many materials are both food and medicine. Moreover, food is just as capable of preventing and treating diseases as medicine. Medicine and food homologous herbs not only have excellent pharmacological effects and activities but also have few side effects. As a typical medicinal herb with both medicinal and edible uses, some components of ginger have been shown to have good efficacy and safety against cancer. A mass of evidence has also shown that ginger has anti-tumor effects on digestive tract cancers (such as gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, laryngeal cancer, and pancreatic cancer) through a variety of pathways. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of action of the main components of ginger and their potential clinical applications in treating gastrointestinal tumors.

Interactions between endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. DO14 and Dendrobium catenatum: Deciphering plant polysaccharide and flavonoid accumulation and underlying mechanisms by comparative transcriptome and metabolome analyses

Dendrobium catenatum, which belongs to the Orchidaceae family, has been used as a traditional medicine and healthy food in China for over 2000 years, and is of enormous economic value. Polysaccharides and flavonoids are two major functional ingredients in D. catenatum stems that contribute to its health benefits. D. catenatum lives in close association with endophytic fungi, but the literature regarding the further relations between them, especially the fungal-induced accumulation of metabolites in the host plant, is sparse. Our previous study showed that Pestalotiopsis sp. DO14 isolated from D. catenatum improved the host plant growth and metabolite accumulation. This study was performed to investigate dynamic variations of the growth traits, key metabolites (polysaccharides and flavonoids), and expression of key genes of D. catenatum under conditions of the DO14 colonization. Colonization with DO14 promoted D. catenatum growth as indicated by increased leaf area, mid-stem thickness, and plant height. The content of polysaccharides, mannose, and sucrose increased even without DO14 entering the host cells or forming a mature symbiotic relationship concurrent with improved photosynthesis rate. Furthermore, DO14 induced upregulation of genes involved in sugar and flavonoid metabolism, especially phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCKA), chalcone synthase (CHS) and UDP-glycose flavonoid glycosyltransferase (UFGT). These observations suggested that endophytic fungi induce the accumulation of polysaccharides and flavonoids by plants, increasing the efficiency of carbon assimilation and carbon turnover. The findings of this study provide insight into the mechanisms underlying Orchidaceae-endophyte interactions, and suggest potential novel applications of endophytic fungi in D. catenatum breeding to improved plant quality.

Curcumin derived from medicinal homologous foods: its main signals in immunoregulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

It has been for thousands of years in China known medicinal homologous foods that can be employed both as foods and medicines to benefit human and animal health. These edible herbal materials perform divert roles in the regulation of metabolic disorders, cancers, and immune-related diseases. Curcumin, the primary component derived from medicinal homologous foods like curcuma longa rhizome, is reported to play vital actions in organic activities, such as the numerous pharmacological functions including anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation and anti/pro-apoptosis in treating various diseases. However, the potential mechanisms of curcumin-derived modulation still need to be developed and attract more attention worldwide. Given that these signal pathways are enrolled in important bioactive reactions, we collected curcumin's last achievements predominantly on the immune-regulation signals with the underlying targetable strategies in the last 10 years. This mini-review will be helpful to accelerate curcumin and other extracts from medicinal homologous foods use in future human clinical applications.

Assessments of Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Potential of Tagetes Flavonoids through In Vitro, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies

Diabetes is a chronic fast-growing metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose levels. Tagetes minuta L. has been used as a traditional remedy for various illnesses for many years, and, furthermore, its oil is used in the perfume and flavor industries. T. minuta contains various metabolites, such as flavonoids, thiophenes, terpenes, sterols, and phenolics, with varied bioactivities. Flavonoids can inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, such as alpha-amylase, which is a convenient dietary strategy for controlling hyperglycemia. In the current investigation, the isolated flavonoids quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranoside), quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, quercetagetin-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, minutaside A, patuletin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, tagenols A and B, quercetagetin-3,7-dimethoxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, patuletin, quercetin-3,6-dimethyl ether, and quercetin-3-methyl ether from T. minuta were assessed for their alpha-amylase inhibition (AAI) efficacy using an in vitro assay, as well as molecular docking, dynamics simulation, and ADMET analyses. Our findings show that quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (1), quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetagetin-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), minutaside A (4), patuletin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), and quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6) had a notable AAI capacity (IC₅₀s ranged from 7.8 to 10.1 μM) compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ 7.1 μM). Furthermore, these compounds with the highest binding affinity among the tested flavonoids revealed high docking scores for AA (ranging from -12.171 to 13.882 kcal/mol) compared to that of acarbose (-14.668 kcal/mol). In MDS, these compounds were observed to show maximum stability and the greatest binding free energy, suggesting that they may contend with native ligands. In addition, the ADMET analysis showed that these active compounds had a broad span of drug-like, pharmacokinetic, and physicochemical features and did not possess any considerable undesired effects. The current results suggest the potential of these metabolites as AAI candidates. However, further in vivo and mechanistic studies are warranted to specify the efficacy of these metabolites.

"Medicine food homology" plants promote periodontal health: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and inhibition of bone resorption

"Medicine food homology" (MFH) is a term with a lengthy history. It refers to the fact that a lot of traditional natural products have both culinary and therapeutic benefits. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of MFH plants and their secondary metabolites have been confirmed by numerous research. A bacterially generated inflammatory illness with a complicated pathophysiology, periodontitis causes the loss of the teeth's supporting tissues. Several MFH plants have recently been shown to have the ability to prevent and treat periodontitis, which is exhibited by blocking the disease's pathogens and the virulence factors that go along with them, lowering the host's inflammatory reactions and halting the loss of alveolar bone. To give a theoretical foundation for the creation of functional foods, oral care products and adjuvant therapies, this review has especially explored the potential medicinal benefit of MFH plants and their secondary metabolites in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Research progress on the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia by medicinal and edible plants and its bioactive components

Hyperuricemia is another common metabolic disease, which is considered to be closely related to the development of many chronic diseases, in addition to the "three highs." Currently, although drugs show positive therapeutic effects, they have been shown to produce side effects that can damage the body. There is growing evidence that medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components have a significant effect on hyperuricemia. In this paper, we review common medicinal and edible plants with uric acid-lowering effects and summarize the uric acid-lowering mechanisms of different bioactive components. Specifically, the bioactive components are divided into five categories: flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and saponins. These active substances exhibit positive uric acid-lowering effects by inhibiting uric acid production, promoting uric acid excretion, and improving inflammation. Overall, this review examines the potential role of medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components as a means of combating hyperuricemia, with the hope of providing some reference value for the treatment of hyperuricemia.

The water extract of Potentilla discolor Bunge (PDW) ameliorates high-sugar diet-induced type II diabetes model in Drosophila melanogaster via JAK/STAT signaling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Potentilla discolor Bunge (PD) is a member of the Rosaceae family. It has been traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Additionally, people in folk also eat fresh and tender PD stems as vegetables or brew them as tea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to explore the antidiabetic effects and underlying mechanisms of the water extract of Potentilla discolor (PDW) in a fruit fly model of high-sugar diet-induced type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antidiabetic efficacy of PDW was evaluated in a fruit fly model of diabetes induced by a high-sugar diet (HSD). Various physiological parameters were tested to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of PDW. Gene expression levels related to insulin signaling pathways, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways were primarily analyzed using RT-qPCR to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that the water extract of Potentilla discolor (PDW) can ameliorate type II diabetes phenotypes induced by the HSD in fruit flies. These phenotypes include growth rate, body size, hyperglycemia, glycogen metabolism, fat storage, and intestinal microflora homeostasis. PDW also improved the body size of s6k and rheb knockdown flies, suggesting its potential to activate the downstream insulin pathway and alleviate insulin resistance. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PDW reduced the expression of two target genes of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, namely the insulin antagonist Impl2 and insulin receptor inhibitor Socs36E, which act as regulators inhibiting the activation of the insulin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence for the anti-diabetic activity of PDW and suggests that its underlying mechanism may involve the improvement of insulin resistance by inhibiting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

The Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Gynostemma Reveal the Phylogenetic Relationships of Species within the Genus

Gynostemma is an important medicinal and food plant of the Cucurbitaceae family. The phylogenetic position of the genus Gynostemma in the Cucurbitaceae family has been determined by morphology and phylogenetics, but the evolutionary relationships within the genus Gynostemma remain to be explored. The chloroplast genomes of seven species of the genus Gynostemma were sequenced and annotated, of which the genomes of Gynostemma simplicifolium, Gynostemma guangxiense and Gynostemma laxum were sequenced and annotated for the first time. The chloroplast genomes ranged from 157,419 bp (Gynostemma compressum) to 157,840 bp (G. simplicifolium) in length, including 133 identical genes: 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes and one pseudogene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genus Gynostemma is divided into three primary taxonomic clusters, which differs from the traditional morphological classification of the genus Gynostemma into the subgenus Gynostemma and Trirostellum. The highly variable regions of atpH-atpL, rpl32-trnL, and ccsA-ndhD, the repeat unilts of AAG/CTT and ATC/ATG in simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and the length of overlapping regions between rps19 and inverted repeats(IRb) and between ycf1 and small single-copy (SSC) were found to be consistent with the phylogeny. Observations of fruit morphology of the genus Gynostemma revealed that transitional state species have independent morphological characteristics, such as oblate fruit and inferior ovaries. In conclusion, both molecular and morphological results showed consistency with those of phylogenetic analysis.

Enrichment and health risks associated with trace elements in medicine food homology teas

Owing to the irreplaceable role of traditional Chinese medicine in the history of human resistance to diseases, medicine food homology teas (MFHTs) have emerged as a widely-consumed daily drink, although they may contain toxic or excessive trace elements. This study aims to determine the total and infused concentrations of nine trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, As, Pb, and Ni) in 12 MFHTs collected from 18 provinces in China, to evaluate their potential risks to human health, and to explore the factors affecting the trace element enrichment in traditional MFHTs. The exceedances of Cr (82%) and Ni (100%) in 12 MFHTs were higher than those of Cu (32%), Cd (23%), Pb (12%), and As (10%). The high values of the Nemerow integrated pollution index of dandelions and Flos sophorae (25.96 and 9.06, respectively) indicate severe trace metal pollution. The health risk assessment results showed that As, Cr, and Mn in the 12 types of MFHTs posed high non-carcinogenic risk. Honeysuckle and dandelion teas may be hazardous to human health through trace element exposure when consumed daily. The enrichment of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Pb in MFHTs is influenced by the MFHT type and producing area, whereas As and Cd are mainly controlled by the MFHT type. Environmental factors such as soil background values, rainfall, and temperature also affect the enrichment of trace elements in MFHTs collected from different producing areas.

Prospects for the application of traditional Chinese medicine network pharmacology in food science research

There has always been a particular difficulty with in-depth research on the mechanisms of food nutrition and bioactivity. The main function of food is to meet the nutritional needs of the human body, rather than to exert a therapeutic effect. Its relatively modest biological activity makes it difficult to study from the perspective of general pharmacological models. With the popularity of functional foods and the concept of dietary therapy, and the development of information and multi-omics technology in food research, research into these mechanisms is moving towards a more microscopic future. Network pharmacology has accumulated nearly 20 years of research experience in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and there has been no shortage of work from this perspective on the medicinal functions of food. Given the similarity between the concept of 'multi-component-multi-target' properties of food and TCM, we think that network pharmacology is applicable to the study of the complex mechanisms of food. Here we review the development of network pharmacology, summarize its application to 'medicine and food homology', and propose a methodology based on food characteristics for the first time, demonstrating its feasibility for food research. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Herbal formula BaWeiBaiDuSan alleviates polymicrobial sepsis-induced liver injury via increasing the gut microbiota Lactobacillus johnsonii and regulating macrophage anti-inflammatory activity in mice

Sepsis-induced liver injury (SILI) is an important cause of septicemia deaths. BaWeiBaiDuSan (BWBDS) was extracted from a formula of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Lilium brownie F. E. Brown ex Miellez var. viridulum Baker, Polygonatum sibiricum Delar. ex Redoute, Lonicera japonica Thunb., Hippophae rhamnoides Linn., Amygdalus Communis Vas, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., and Cortex Phelloderdri. Herein, we investigated whether the BWBDS treatment could reverse SILI by the mechanism of modulating gut microbiota. BWBDS protected mice against SILI, which was associated with promoting macrophage anti-inflammatory activity and enhancing intestinal integrity. BWBDS selectively promoted the growth of Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii) in cecal ligation and puncture treated mice. Fecal microbiota transplantation treatment indicated that gut bacteria correlated with sepsis and was required for BWBDS anti-sepsis effects. Notably, L. johnsonii significantly reduced SILI by promoting macrophage anti-inflammatory activity, increasing interleukin-10+ M2 macrophage production and enhancing intestinal integrity. Furthermore, heat inactivation L. johnsonii (HI-L. johnsonii) treatment promoted macrophage anti-inflammatory activity and alleviated SILI. Our findings revealed BWBDS and gut microbiota L. johnsonii as novel prebiotic and probiotic that may be used to treat SILI. The potential underlying mechanism was at least in part, via L. johnsonii-dependent immune regulation and interleukin-10+ M2 macrophage production.

Multi-Index Comprehensive Assessment Optimized Critical Flavonoids Extraction from Semen Hoveniae and Their In Vitro Digestive Behavior Evaluation

Critical flavonoids from Semen Hoveniae have huge potential bioactivities on hypoglycemic. A multi-index comprehensive assessment based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was performed to optimize the extraction process of flavonoids from Semen Hoveniae, which taking dihydromyricetin, taxifolin, myricetin and quercetin as indexes, and, then, an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion model was established to investigate the changes of flavonoids contents and their antioxidant capacity before and after digestion. The results showed that three influence factors acted significantly with the order of ethanol concentration > solid-liquid ratio > ultrasound time. The optimized extraction parameters were as follows: 1:37 w/v of solid-liquid ratio, 68% of ethanol concentration and 45 min for ultrasonic time. During in vitro digestion, the order of remaining ratio of four flavonoids in the extract was dihydromyricetin > taxifolin > myricetin > quercetin in gastric digestion, and remaining ratio of taxifolin was 34.87% while others were restructured in intestinal digestion. Furthermore, the 1,1-dipheny-2-picryhydrazyl free radical (DPPH ·) scavenging ability and oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) of extract were more stable in gastric digestion. After an hour's intestinal digestion, the extract had no DPPH antioxidant capacity, but amazingly, its ORAC antioxidant capacity was retained or increased, which implied that substances were transformed and more hydrogen donors were produced. This study has carried out a preliminary discussion from the perspective of extraction and put forward a new research idea, to improve the in vivo bioavailability of the critical flavonoids from Semen Hoveniae.

In Situ Interfacial Super-Assembly of Nanobiohybrids through Plant for Food-Grade Oral Medicine

Developing a next-generation oral drug delivery system with enhanced efficacy and limited side effects is highly desired for refractory diseases treatment such as colitis. The bioinspired assembly of drugs within food-grade plants highlights its potential value of this unique hybrid material. Herein, we report the preparation of drug-encapsulated vegetable nanobiohybrid superassembled frameworks as an oral food-grade drug delivery system (SAF-FGDD). The in situ superassembly of SAF-FGDD driven by natural transpiration from living plants is carried out through a sustainable and low-carbon manner, allowing for the assembly of distinct precursors inside edible living plants. As an example, mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory drug, is encapsulated in the frameworks for colitis treatment. The cell activity and feeding experiments of zebrafish and mice demonstrate the excellent efficacy of this SAF-FGDD. Compared with those of the control groups, the disease activity index scores and histological scores of the SAF-FGDD group were significantly decreased by 80% and 98%, respectively. The improved performance is attributed to the biocompatibility and protective effect of SAF-FGDD, allowing for abundant mesalazine to be released and act at the site of the intestine during the process of food digestion. In combination with mature soilless cultivation technology, plant-based organisms with natural structure-forming abilities possess broad commercial prospects in large-scale production of various food-grade functional materials.

Mitigation of Paeoniae Radix Alba extracts on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells and hyperglycemia in zebrafish, and identification of phytochemical constituents

Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA), as a Traditional Chinese Medicine, is widely used in Chinese cuisine due to high health-benefits and nutrition, but the effect of different polarity of solvents on the extraction of antioxidant and hypoglycemic constituents, as well as the major active compounds remain unclear. In this research, 40, 70, and 95% ethanol were firstly applied to extract the polyphenols from PRA, the extraction yields, total phenolics, and total flavonoids content, free radical scavenging ability, α-glucosidase inhibition ability, and anti-glycation ability of extracts were evaluated spectroscopically. The oxidative damage protection, hypoglycemic activity, and alleviation on peripheral nerve damage were evaluated by H₂O₂-induced HepG2 cells and hyperglycemic zebrafish models. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS was used to identify the major chemical constituents. The results showed that 40, 70, and 95% ethanol exhibited insignificant difference on the extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from PRA. All extracts showed promising DPPH⋅ and ABTS⋅⁺ scavenging ability, α-glucosidase inhibition and anti-glycation ability. In addition, PRA extracts could restore the survival rate of HepG2 cells induced by H₂O₂, and alleviate the oxidative stress by reducing the content of MDA and increasing the levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px. The 70% ethanol extract could also mitigate the blood glucose level and peripheral motor nerve damage of hyperglycemic zebrafish. Thirty-five compounds were identified from 70% ethanol extract, gallotannins, gallic acid and its derivatives, and paeoniflorin and its derivatives were the dominant bioactive compounds. Above results could provide important information for the value-added application of PRA in functional food and medicinal industry.

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides attenuates pressure-overload-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, drug therapies that can reverse the maladaptive process and restore heart function are limited. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) are one of the main active components of G. lucidum (Ganoderma lucidum), and they have various pharmacological effects. GLPs have been used as Chinese medicine prescriptions for clinical treatment. In this study, cardiac hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice. We found that GLPs ameliorate Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and attenuate pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. Further research indicated that GLPs attenuated the mRNA levels of hypertrophic and fibrotic markers to inhibit cardiac hypertrophy through the PPARγ/PGC-1α pathway. Overall, these results indicate that GLPs inhibit cardiac hypertrophy through downregulating key genes for hypertrophy and fibrosis and attenuate pressure overload-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy by activating PPARγ. This study provides important theoretical support for the potential of using GLPs to treat pathological myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure.

Multi-omics approaches for in-depth understanding of therapeutic mechanism for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is extensively utilized in clinical practice due to its therapeutic and preventative treatments for various diseases. With the development of high-throughput sequencing and systems biology, TCM research was transformed from traditional experiment-based approaches to a combination of experiment-based and omics-based approaches. Numerous academics have explored the therapeutic mechanism of TCM formula by omics approaches, shifting TCM research from the "one-target, one-drug" to "multi-targets, multi-components" paradigm, which has greatly boosted the digitalization and internationalization of TCM. In this review, we concentrated on multi-omics approaches in principles and applications to gain a better understanding of TCM formulas against various diseases from several aspects. We first summarized frequently used TCM quality assessment methods, and suggested that incorporating both chemical and biological ingredients analytical methods could lead to a more comprehensive assessment of TCM. Secondly, we emphasized the significance of multi-omics approaches in deciphering the therapeutic mechanism of TCM formulas. Thirdly, we focused on TCM network analysis, which plays a vital role in TCM-diseases interaction, and serves for new drug discovery. Finally, as an essential source for storing multi-omics data, we evaluated and compared several TCM databases in terms of completeness and reliability. In summary, multi-omics approaches have infiltrated many aspects of TCM research. With the accumulation of omics data and data-mining resources, deeper understandings of the therapeutic mechanism of TCM have been acquired or will be gained in the future.

The Effect of Mitochondria on Ganoderma lucidum Growth and Bioactive Components Based on Transcriptomics

Mitochondria are the power source of living cells and implicated in the oxidative metabolism. However, the effect of mitochondria on breeding is usually ignored in conventional research. In this study, the effect of mitochondria on Ganoderma lucidum morphology, yield, and main primary bioactive components was analyzed via structuring and comparing isonuclear alloplasmic strains. The crucial biological pathways were then explored based on the transcriptome. The results showed that isonuclear alloplasmic exhibited difference in mycelial growth rate in potato dextrose agar medium (PDA), basidiospore yield, and polysaccharide and triterpenoid content. Otherwise, mitochondria did not change colony and fruit body morphology, mushroom yield, or mycelial growth rate in solid-state fermentation cultivation material. The transcriptome data of two significant isonuclear alloplasmic strains S1 and S5 revealed that the involvement of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was mainly in pentose and glucuronate interconversions, starch and sucrose metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. The result was further confirmed by the other isonuclear alloplasmic strains. The above results further proved that mitochondria could affect the active components of G. lucidum. Our results provide information which will contribute to understanding of mitochondria and will be helpful for breeding improved varieties.

Exercise Combined with a Chinese Medicine Herbal Tea for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: Exercise and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal tea may improve glucose metabolism through quite different mechanisms while sharing some common effects. The purpose of this study was to discover whether the intervention of exercise combined with TCM herbal tea intervention could produce advanced improvement in glucose metabolism than exercise alone in community patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: This was a 12-week, randomized controlled trial in which 75 community patients with T2DM were randomly assigned to the single group (n = 39) receiving intervention of aerobic and resistance exercise three times per week and the combined group (n = 36) receiving intervention of TCM herbal tea (consisted of six substances) taken once daily besides the exercise. The change of glycated hemoglobin A1 (HbA1c), tested before and after intervention, served as the primary outcome. Other measurements include fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated serum protein (GSP), lipid profile, and physical fitness profile. Results: HbA1c and FPG levels and their changes showed no group difference. The level of GSP was lower, and its decrease was also larger after exercise combined with TCM herbal tea than after single exercise intervention (p < 0.05). Lipid profile and physical fitness parameters were similar in the two groups except the larger six-minute walk test (6MWT) power after the combined intervention (p < 0.05). Patients showed good compliance with the intervention and had similar exercise days or amount in the two groups. No patient reported serious adverse events or significant changes in other lifestyles. Conclusions: A 12-week of exercise combined with TCM herbal tea could not enhance the hypoglycemic effects by exercise alone in community patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the lower GSP level and larger 6MWT work brought by combined intervention suggest its potential benefits, and further studies are needed to explore the effects of longer period and larger dosage of intervention. Clinical Trial Registration Number: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800018721.

Metabolites of medicine food homology-derived endophytic fungi and their activities

Medicine food homology (MFH) substances not only provide essential nutrients as food but also have corresponding factors that can prevent and help treat nutritional imbalances, chronic disease, and other related issues. Endophytic fungi associated with plants have potential for use in drug discovery and food therapy. However, the endophytic fungal metabolites from MFH plants and their effects have been overlooked. Therefore, this review focuses on the various biological activities of 108 new metabolites isolated from 53 MFH-derived endophytic fungi. The paper explores the potential nutritional and medicinal value of metabolites of MFH-derived endophytic fungi for food and medical applications. This research is important for the future development of effective, safe, and nontoxic therapeutic nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Fruits of Hippophaë rhamnoides in human leukocytes and Caco-2 cell monolayer models—A question about their preventive role in lipopolysaccharide leakage and cytokine secretion in endotoxemia

Preparations from Hippophaë rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) have been traditionally used in the treatment of skin and digestive disorders, such as gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, uterine erosions, as well as oral, rectal, and vaginal mucositis, in particular in the Himalayan and Eurasian regions. An influence of an aqueous extract from the fruits of H. rhamnoides (HR) on leakage of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli through gut epithelium developed from the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) monolayer in vitro and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) translocation were the principal objectives of the study. Additionally, the effect of HR on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins: IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6; tumor necrosis factor: TNF-α) by the Caco-2 cell line, human neutrophils (PMN), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was evaluated. The concentration of LPS on the apical and basolateral sides of the Caco-2 monolayer was evaluated with a Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. GLUT2 translocation was evaluated using an immunostaining assay, whereas secretion of cytokines by cell cultures was established with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay. HR (500 μg/ml) significantly inhibited LPS leakage through epithelial monolayer in vitro in comparison with non-treated control. The treatment of Caco-2 cells with HR (50–100 μg/ml) showed GLUT2 expression similar to the non-treated control. HR decreased the secretion of most pro-inflammatory cytokines in all tested models. HR might prevent low-grade chronic inflammation caused by metabolic endotoxemia through the prevention of the absorption of LPS and decrease of chemotactic factors released by immune and epithelial cells, which support its use in metabolic disorders in traditional medicine.

Bioactivities and Mechanism of Actions of Dendrobium officinale: A Comprehensive Review

Dendrobium officinale has a long history of being consumed as a functional food and medicinal herb for preventing and managing diseases. The phytochemical studies revealed that Dendrobium officinale contained abundant bioactive compounds, such as bibenzyls, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The experimental studies showed that Dendrobium officinale and its bioactive compounds exerted multiple biological properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulatory activities and showed various health benefits like anticancer, antidiabetes, cardiovascular protective, gastrointestinal modulatory, hepatoprotective, lung protective, and neuroprotective effects. In this review, we summarize the phytochemical studies, bioactivities, and the mechanism of actions of Dendrobium officinale, and the safety and current challenges are also discussed, which might provide new perspectives for its development of drug and functional food as well as clinical applications.

Synergistic Hypolipidemic Effects and Mechanisms of Phytochemicals: A Review

Hyperlipidemia, a chronic disorder of abnormal lipid metabolism, can induce obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Increasing evidence indicates that phytochemicals may serve as a promising strategy for the prevention and management of hyperlipidemia and its complications. At the same time, the concept of synergistic hypolipidemic and its application in the food industry is rapidly increasing as a practical approach to preserve and improve the health-promoting effects of functional ingredients. The current review focuses on the effects of single phytochemicals on hyperlipidemia and its mechanisms. Due to the complexity of the lipid metabolism regulatory network, the synergistic regulation of different metabolic pathways or targets may be more effective than single pathways or targets in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. This review summarizes for the first time the synergistic hypolipidemic effects of different combinations of phytochemicals such as combinations of the same category of phytochemicals and combinations of different categories of phytochemicals. In addition, based on the different metabolic pathways or targets involved in synergistic effects, the possible mechanisms of synergistic hypolipidemic effects of the phytochemical combination are illustrated in this review. Hence, this review provides clues to boost more phytochemical synergistic hypolipidemic research and provides a theoretical basis for the development of phytochemicals with synergistic effects on hyperlipidemia and its complications.

Simultaneous detection of viable Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus in bird's nest, donkey-hide gelatin, and wolfberry using PMA with multiplex real-time quantitative PCR

Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus are common microbial contaminants within the homology of medicine and food that can cause serious food poisoning. This study describes a highly efficient, sensitive, specific, and simple multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (mRT-qPCR) method for the simultaneous detection of viable Salmonella spp., E. coli, and S. aureus. Primers and probes were designed for the amplification of the target genes invA, uidA, and nuc. Dead bacterial genetic material was excluded by propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment, facilitating the detection of only viable bacteria. This method was capable of detecting Salmonella spp., E. coli, and S. aureus at 102, 102, and 101 CFU/ml, respectively, in pure culture. PMA combined with mRT-qPCR can reliably distinguish between dead and viable bacteria with recovery rates from 95.7% to 105.6%. This PMA-mRT-qPCR technique is a highly sensitive and specific method for the simultaneous detection of three pathogens within the homology of medicine and food.

Innovative utilization of herbal residues: Exploring the diversity of mechanisms beneficial to regulate anaerobic fermentation of alfalfa

In order to increase the utilization of herbal residues, realize efficient utilization of resources, the bacterial community and anaerobic fermentation characteristics of alfalfa ensiling treated with 36 kinds of herbal residues were studied. All the herbal residues improved the anaerobic fermentation quality in different degrees, indicated by lower pH, NH₃-N and butyric acid concentrations. However, the contents of lactic and acetic acids varied widely in silage with different herbal residues. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the improved fermentation quality was closely associated with the variation of lactic acid bacteria community. Consequently, the herbal residues could improve anaerobic fermentation quality by stimulating desirable Lactobacillus species and inhibiting undesirable microbes. This study provides new insights for efficient utilization of herbal residues.

Therapeutic potential of non-starch polysaccharides on type 2 diabetes: from hypoglycemic mechanism to clinical trials

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) have been reported to exert therapeutic potential on managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Various mechanisms have been proposed; however, several studies have not considered the correlations between the anti-T2DM activity of NSPs and their molecular structure. Moreover, the current understanding of the role of NSPs in T2DM treatment is mainly based on in vitro and in vivo data, and more human clinical trials are required to verify the actual efficacy in treating T2DM. The related anti-T2DM mechanisms of NSPs, including regulating insulin action, promoting glucose metabolism and regulating postprandial blood glucose level, anti-inflammatory and regulating gut microbiota (GM), are reviewed. The structure-function relationships are summarized, and the relationships between NSPs structure and anti-T2DM activity from clinical trials are highlighted. The development of anti-T2DM medication or dietary supplements of NSPs could be promoted with an in-depth understanding of the multiple regulatory effects in the treatment/intervention of T2DM.

Inhibition of HMGB1/TLR4 Signaling Pathway by Digitoflavone: A Potential Therapeutic Role in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Digitoflavone (DG) is a natural flavonoid abundant in many fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. We investigated whether DG inhibits lipid accumulation and inflammatory responses in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in vivo and in vitro. The mouse ALD model was established by chronically feeding male C57BL/6 mice an ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet. In vitro, mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were stimulated with LPS/ATP, whereas HepG2 cells and mouse primary hepatocytes were treated with ethanol. DG reduced the serum levels of transaminase and serum and hepatic levels of triglycerides and malondialdehyde in ALD mice. DG downregulated SREBP1 and its target genes and upregulated PPARα and its target genes in the liver of mice with ALD. DG inhibited TLR4-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation, consequently reversing the inflammatory response, including the production of HMGB1, IL-1β, and IL-36γ, as well as the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils. DG blocked NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 inflammasome activation and HMGB1 release in LPS/ATP-stimulated MPMs. When Tlr4 was knocked in LPS/ATP-stimulated BMDMs, HMGB1 production and release were blocked, and NLRP3-mediated cleavage and release of IL-1β was suppressed in Hmgb1-silenced BMDMs. DG amplified these inhibitory effects in Tlr4 or Hmgb1 knockdown BMDMs. In ethanol-exposed hepatocytes, DG reduced lipogenesis and promoted lipid oxidation by inhibiting the HMGB1-TLR4 signaling pathway while suppressing the inflammatory response induced by ethanol exposure. Our data demonstrated that DG inhibited the occurrence of lipid accumulation and the inflammatory response via the HMGB1-TLR4 axis, underscoring a promising approach and utility of DG for the treatment of ALD.

Effects and Mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) have renal protection effect but there was no study on the diabetic nephropathy. This study was designed to investigate its effect and mechanism using a diabetic rat model induced by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p.). The diabetic rats were treated with GLP (300 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks. The blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, body weight, and the levels of blood creatinine, urea nitrogen, and urine protein were assessed. And renal pathologies were assessed by the tissue sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichome, and periodic acid-Schiff. The expression of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3 kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), the autophagy proteins beclin-1, LC3-II, LC3-I, and P62; the apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3 and caspase-9; and the inflammation markers IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-ɑ were assessed. Results showed that GLP alleviated the impairment of renal function by reducing urinary protein excretion and the blood creatinine level and ameliorated diabetic nephropathy. The expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the diabetic kidney were significantly reduced in the GLP treatment group compared to the without treatment group. GLP treatment activated the autophagy indicators of beclin-1 and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I but reduced p62 and also inhibited the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9 and IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-ɑ. In conclusion, the effect of GLP amelioration diabetic nephropathy may be via the PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by inhibition of the apoptosis and inflammation and activation of the autophagy process.

Chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of medicinal plants from Rosa genus

The genus Rosa (Rosaceae family) includes about 200 species spread in the world, and this genus shows unique advantages in medicine and food. To date, several scholars concentrated on compounds belonging to flavonoids, triterpenes, tannins, polysaccharide, phenolic acids, fatty acids, organic acids, carotenoids, and vitamins. Pharmacological effects such as antineoplastic and anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver protection, regulate blood sugar, antimicrobial activity, antiviral activity, as well as nervous system protection and cardiovascular protection were wildly reported. This article reviews the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, applications and safety evaluations of Rosa plants, which provides a reference for the comprehensive utilization of medicine and food resources and gives a scientific basis for the development of medicinal plants of the genus Rosa.

Natural sweeteners: Sources, extraction and current uses in foods and food industries

Food producers have leaned towards alternative natural and synthetic sweeteners in food formulations to satisfy market demands. Even so, several synthetic sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, saccharin, sucralose) are becoming less popular due to health-related concerns, lower nutritional values, and controversies around their safety. Conversely, natural sweeteners confer favourable customer perceptions due to their association to a healthier lifestyle and higher nutritional values. This article discusses the evidence of natural sweeteners in the available commercial products. A comprehensive review of natural sweeteners is presented, which includes their resources, properties and extraction methods, as well as a discussion on several emerging technologies that offer improvements to the traditional extraction methods. Finally, the progress of natural sweeteners in the food industry is assessed, and the commercial food products containing these natural sweeteners are mentioned.