The mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus' effects on the proliferation of human basal-like breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 from p53/MDM2 pathway

The Protective Effect of a Functional Food Consisting of Astragalus membranaceus, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Angelica gigas or Its Active Component Formononetin against Inflammatory Skin Disorders through Suppression of TSLP via MDM2/HIF1α Signaling Pathways

An herbal mixture (SH003) of Astragalus membranaceus, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Angelica gigas exhibits therapeutic effects on carcinomas and immunosuppression. However, the role of JRP-SNF102, which is an advanced mixture of SH003, in regulating inflammatory responses is unexplored. We aim to substantiate the therapeutic potential of JRP-SNF102 and its active component, formononetin (FMN), as a functional food that moderates inflammatory responses. The inhibitory effects of JRP-SNF102 or FMN on thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels were evaluated in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-activated human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells and a mouse model of PMA-induced ear edema. The JRP-SNF102 or FMN inhibited the secretion and mRNA expression of TSLP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the activated HMC-1 cells. The expression levels of murine double minute 2 (MDM2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), and NF-κB were also suppressed by JRP-SNF102 or FMN in the activated HMC-1 cells. The JRP-SNF102 or FMN inhibited TSLP and VEGF levels, attenuating redness and ear thickness in mice with acute ear edema; JRP-SNF102 or FMN reduced the expression levels of MDM2, HIF1α, and NF-κB in the ear tissues. These findings suggest the potential for JRP-SNF102 as a functional food in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders through suppression of TSLP and VEGF.

Nutritional Characterization and Untargeted Metabolomics of Oyster Mushroom Produced Using Astragalus membranaceus var. mongolicus Stems and Leaves as Substrates

Astragalus membranaceus var. mongolicus (AMM) is an edible and medicinal material and is commonly used in East Asia. According to the pharmacopeia of China, the dried root of AMM is medicinal. However, the aerial parts of AMM are always directly discarded after harvest. The stems and leaves are also rich in active compounds, including saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides. To rationally use resources, waste products from AMM stems and leaves are useful substrates for edible fungus cultivation. Here, oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida) was cultivated on a basal substrate supplemented with AMM stems and leaves (AMM group). The nutritional and chemical composition of the fruiting body were analyzed by metabolomics and chemometrics. Our results showed that AMM addition to the substrate affected the fresh weight, moisture, fat, protein, and element concentrations, and amino acid composition of oyster mushroom. Moreover, 2,156 metabolites were detected and annotated based on the metabolomics data, of which 680 were identified as differentially expressed metabolites. Many active phytometabolites previously identified in AMM herbs were also detected in the metabolomics of oyster mushroom from AMM group, including 46 terpenoids, 21 flavonoids, 17 alkaloids, 14 phenylpropanoids, and 3 fatty acids. In summary, our results imply that oyster mushroom cultured with AMM stems and leaves might have very high nutritional therapy health care value.