Chrysanthemum indicum and Chrysanthemum morifolium: Chemical Composition of Their Essential Oils and Their Potential Use as Natural Preservatives with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

Optimal harvest period and quality control markers of cultivated Flos Chrysanthemi Indici using untargeted/targeted metabolomics, chemometric analysis and in vivo study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (FCI), the flower of Chrysanthemum Indicum L., is a popular traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treatment of inflammatory diseases in China. FCI is also a functional food, and is widely used as herbal tea for clearing heat and detoxicating.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore quality control markers of FCI based on the optimal harvest period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, UPLC-Q-TOF/MS based untargeted metabolomics was applied to explore the chemical profiles of FCIs collected at bud stages (BS), initial stages (IS), full bloom stages (FS) and eventual stages (ES) from eight cultivated regions in China. Subsequently, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammatory model and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model were used to confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of FCIs collected at IS/FS. Then, UPLC-PDA targeted metabolomics was used to quantitatively analyze 9 constituents with anti-inflammatory activity (7 flavonoids and 2 phenolic acids) changed significantly (VIP > 4) during flowering stages. Finally, ROC curves combined with PCA analysis based on the variation of 9 active constituents in FCIs from different flowering stages were applied to screen the quality markers of FCI.

RESULTS

FCIs at IS/FS had almost same chemical characteristics, but quite different from those at BS and ES. A total of 32 constituents in FCIs including flavonoids and phenolic acids were changed during flowering development. Most of the varied constituents had the highest or higher contents at IS/FS compared with those at ES, indicating that the optimal harvest period of FCI should be at IS/FS. FCI extract could effectively suppress nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and regulate the abnormal levels of cytokines and PGE2 in carrageenan-induced paw edema model rat. The results of quantitatively analysis revealed that the variation trends of phenolic acids and flavonoids in FCIs were different during flowering development, but most of them had higher contents at IS/FS than those at ES in all FCIs collected from eight cultivated regions, except one sample from Anhui. Finally, linarin, luteolin, apigenin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were selected as the Q-markers based on the contribution of their AUC values in ROC and clustering of PCA analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the optimal harvest period of FCI and specifies the multi-constituents Q-markers of FCI based on the influence of growth progression on the active constituents using untargeted/targeted metabolomics. The findings not only greatly increase the utilization rate of FCI resources and improve quality control of FCI products, but also offer new strategy to identify the Q-markers of FCI.

The powerful antioxidant effects of plant fruits, flowers, and leaves help to improve retinal damage and support the relief of visual fatigue

With the popularization of electronic products, visual fatigue is inevitably frequent. The causes of visual fatigue are varied, but from the perspective of physiological mechanisms, it is mainly closely related to retinal function or structural damage, especially the light source from various mobile devices and office equipments nowadays, which induces oxidative stress damage in the retina and exacerbates the degree of visual fatigue, resulting in the inability to use the eyes for a long period of time, pain in the eyes and periorbital area, blurred vision, dry eyes, tearing, and other discomforts. Food ingredients derived from natural plants have greater application in relieving visual fatigue. Therefore, this paper presents a detailed compilation of six plants that are widely used for their visual fatigue-relieving function, in the hope of providing more raw material choices for the development of products with visual fatigue-relieving functions in the future.

From lab to nature: Recent advancements in the journey of gastroprotective agents from medicinal chemistry to phytotherapy

Peptic ulcer, affecting 10 % of the global population, results from imbalances in gastric juice pH and diminished mucosal defences. Key underlying factors are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori infection, undermining mucosal resistance. Traditional treatments like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists exhibit drawbacks such as adverse effects, relapses, and drug interactions. This review extensively explores the ethnomedicinal, synthetic and pharmacological facets of various potential peptic ulcer treatments. Rigorous methodologies involving electronic databases, and chemical structure verification via 'PubChem' and 'SciFinder' enhance the review's credibility. The provided information, spanning medicinal insights to intricate pharmacological mechanisms, establishes a robust groundwork for future research and the development of plant-derived or synthetic molecules for peptic ulcers, offering a promising alternative to conventional therapies.

Strategies for the quality control of Chrysanthemi Flos: Rapid quantification and end-to-end fingerprint conversion based on FT-NIR spectroscopy

INTRODUCTION

Chrysanthemi Flos (CF) is widely used as a natural medicine or tea. Due to its diverse cultivation regions, CF exhibits varying quality. Therefore, the quality and swiftness in evaluation holds paramount significance for CF.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to construct a comprehensive evaluation strategy for assessing CF quality using HPLC, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and chemometrics, which included the rapid quantification analyses of chemical components and the Fourier transform (FT)-NIR to HPLC conversion of fingerprints.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 145 CF samples were utilised for data collection via NIR spectroscopy and HPLC. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were optimised using various spectral preprocessing and variable selection methods to predict the chemical composition content in CF. Both direct standardisation (DS) and PLSR algorithms were employed to establish the fingerprint conversion model from the FT-NIR spectrum to HPLC, and the model's performance was assessed through similarity and cluster analysis.

RESULTS

The optimised PLSR quantitative models can effectively predict the content of eight chemical components in CF. Both DS and PLSR algorithms achieve the calibration conversion of CF fingerprints from FT-NIR to HPLC, and the predicted and measured HPLC fingerprints are highly similar. Notably, the best model relies on CF powder FT-NIR spectra and DS algorithm [root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 2.7590, R2 = 0.8558]. A high average similarity (0.9184) prevails between predicted and measured fingerprints of test set samples, and the results of the clustering analysis exhibit a high level of consistency.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive strategy provides a novel and dependable approach for the rapid quality evaluation of CF.

Influence of low-cost Thai leucoxene minerals on the growth, bioactive compounds, and antibacterial activities of Chrysanthemum indium L. cuttings in in vitro culture

The effects of low-cost Thai leucoxene mineral (LM) at different concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mg/L) on the growth and antibacterial properties of Chrysanthemum indium L. cuttings under in vitro were evaluated. The primary chemical composition of LM was approximately 86% titanium dioxide (TiO2), as determined by dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The crystalline structure, shape, and size were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. LM at 40 and 50 mg/L significantly increased plant height, leaf number, node number, and fresh and dry weight. These growth-promoting properties were accompanied by improved chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, LM treatment at 40 and 50 mg/L had positive effects on antibacterial activity, as indicated by the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. The high levels of phenolic compounds in the plants contributed to the MIC and MBC values. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of LM in enhancing the growth of Chrysanthemum plants in in vitro culture and improving their antibacterial abilities.

An Efficient Workflow for Quality Control Marker Screening and Metabolite Discovery in Dietary Herbs by LC-Orbitrap-MS/MS and Chemometric Methods: A Case Study of Chrysanthemum Flowers

LC-MS is widely utilized in identifying and tracing plant-derived food varieties but quality control markers screening and accurate identification remain challenging. The adulteration and confusion of Chrysanthemum flowers highlight the need for robust quality control markers. This study established an efficient workflow by integrating UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS with Compound Discoverer and chemometrics. This workflow enabled the systematic screening of 21 markers from 10,540 molecular features, which effectively discriminated Chrysanthemum flowers of different species and cultivars. The workflow incorporated targeted and untargeted methods by employing diagnostic product ions, fragmentation patterns, mzCloud, mzVault, and in-house databases to identify 206 compounds in the flowers, including 17 screened markers. This approach improved identification accuracy by reducing false positives, eliminating in-source fragmentation interference, and incorporating partial verification utilizing our established compound bank. Practically, this workflow can be instrumental in quality control, geolocation determination, and varietal tracing of Chrysanthemum flowers, offering prospective use in other plant-derived foods.

Salmonella spp. in poultry production-A review of the role of interventions along the production continuum

Salmonella is a significant pathogen of human and animal health and poultry are one of the most common sources linked with foodborne illness worldwide. Global production of poultry meat and products has increased significantly over the last decade or more as a result of consumer demand and the changing demographics of the world's population, where poultry meat forms a greater part of the diet. In addition, the relatively fast growth rate of birds which is significantly higher than other meat species also plays a role in how poultry production has intensified. In an effort to meet the greater demand for poultry meat and products, modern poultry production and processing practices have changed and practices to target control and reduction of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella have been implemented. These strategies are implemented along the continuum from parent and grandparent flocks to breeders, the farm and finished broilers to transport and processing and finally from retail to the consumer. This review focuses on common practices, interventions and strategies that have potential impact for the control of Salmonella along the poultry production continuum from farm to plate.

Review of Phytochemical Potency as a Natural Anti-Helicobacter pylori and Neuroprotective Agent

Phytochemicals are plant secondary metabolites that show health benefits for humans due to their bioactivity. There is a huge variety of phytochemicals that have already been identified, and these compounds can act as antimicrobial and neuroprotection agents. Due to their anti-microbial activity and neuroprotection, several phytochemicals might have the potency to be used as natural therapeutic agents, especially for Helicobacter pylori infection and neurodegenerative disease, which have become a global health concern nowadays. According to previous research, there are some connections between H. pylori infection and neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. Hence, this comprehensive review examines different kinds of phytochemicals from natural sources as potential therapeutic agents to reduce H. pylori infection and improve neurodegenerative disease. An additional large-scale study is needed to establish the connection between H. pylori infection and neurodegenerative disease and how phytochemicals could improve this condition.

Phytochemicals, therapeutic benefits and applications of chrysanthemum flower: A review

Chrysanthemum is a flowering plant belonging to a genus of the dicotyledonous herbaceous annual flowering plant of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. It is a perpetual flowering plant, mostly cultivated for medicinal purposes; generally, used in popular drinks due to its aroma and flavor. It is primarily cultivated in China, Japan, Europe, and United States. These flowers were extensively used in various healthcare systems and for treating various diseases. Chrysanthemum flowers are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit strong properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-allergic, anti-obesity, immune regulation, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective activities. The main aim of the present review was to investigate the nutritional profile, phytochemistry, and biological activities of flowers of different Chrysanthemum species. Also, a critical discussion of the diverse metabolites or bioactive constituents of the Chrysanthemum flowers is highlighted in the present review. Moreover, the flower extracts of Chrysanthemum have been assessed to possess a rich phytochemical profile, including compounds such as cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl) glucoside, delphinidin 3-O-(6" -O-malonyl) glucoside-3', rutin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, rutinoside, and others. These profiles exhibit potential health benefits, leading to their utilization in the production of supplementary food products and pharmaceutical drugs within the industry. However, more comprehensive research studies/investigations are still needed to further discover the potential benefits for human and animal utilization.

Repurposing drugs to treat trichinellosis: in vitro analysis of the anthelmintic activity of nifedipine and Chrysanthemum coronarium extract

Albendazole is the most common benzimidazole derivative used for trichinellosis treatment but has many drawbacks. The quest for alternative compounds is, therefore, a target for researchers. This work aims to assess the in vitro anthelmintic effect of nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, and a methanol extract of the flowers of Chrysanthemum coronarium as therapeutic repurposed drugs for treating different developmental stages of Trichinella spiralis in comparison with the reference drug, albendazole. Adult worms and muscle larvae of Trichinella spiralis were incubated with different concentrations of the studied drugs. Drug effects were evaluated by parasitological and electron microscopic examination.As a result, the effects of these drugs on muscle larvae were time and dose-dependent. Moreover, the LC₅₀ after 48 h incubation was 81.25 µg/ml for albendazole, 1.24 µg/ml for nifedipine, and 229.48 µg/ml for C. coronarium. Also, the effects of the tested drugs were prominent on adult worms as the LC₅₀ was 89.77 µg/ml for albendazole, 1.87 µg/ml for nifedipine, and 124.66 µg/ml for C. coronarium. SEM examination of the tegument of T. spiralis adult worms and larvae showed destruction of the adult worms' tegument in all treated groups. The tegument morphological changes were in the form of marked swellings or whole body collapse with the disappearance of internal contents. Furthermore, in silico studies showed that nifedipine might act as a T. spiralis β-tubulin polymerization inhibitor.Our results suggest that nifedipine and C. coronarium extract may be useful therapeutic agents for treating trichinellosis and warrant further assessment in animal disease models.

Hydrogen Protection Boosts the Bioactivity of Chrysanthemum morifolium Extract in Preventing Palmitate-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction by Restoring MFN2 and Alleviating Oxidative Stress in HAEC Cells

As the most important natural antioxidants in plant extracts, polyphenols demonstrate versatile bioactivities and are susceptible to oxidation. The commonly used ultrasonic extraction often causes oxidation reactions involving the formation of free radicals. To minimize the oxidation effects during the ultrasonic extraction process, we designed a hydrogen (H₂)-protected ultrasonic extraction method and used it in Chrysanthemum morifolium extraction. Hydrogen-protected extraction improved the total antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and polyphenol content of Chrysanthemum morifolium water extract (CME) compared with air and nitrogen (N₂) conditions. We further investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of CME on palmitate (PA)-induced endothelial dysfunction in human aorta endothelial cells (HAECs). We found that hydrogen-protected CME (H₂-CME) best-prevented impairment in nitric oxide (NO) production, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein level, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, H₂-CME prevented PA-induced endothelial dysfunction by restoring mitofusin-2 (MFN2) levels and maintaining redox balance.

Bacillus subtilis DSM29784 attenuates Clostridium perfringens-induced intestinal damage of broilers by modulating intestinal microbiota and the metabolome

Necrotic enteritis (NE), especially subclinical NE (SNE), without clinical symptoms, in chicks has become one of the most threatening problems to the poultry industry. Therefore, increasing attention has been focused on the research and application of effective probiotic strains as an alternative to antibiotics to prevent SNE in broilers. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of Bacillus subtilis DSM29784 (BS) on the prevention of subclinical necrotic enteritis (SNE) in broilers. A total of 480 1-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each with six replicates pens of twenty birds for 63 d. The negative (Ctr group) and positive (SNE group) groups were only fed a basal diet, while the two treatment groups received basal diets supplemented with BS (1 × 109 colony-forming units BS/kg) (BS group) and 10mg/kg enramycin (ER group), respectively. On days 15, birds except those in the Ctr group were challenged with 20-fold dose coccidiosis vaccine, and then with 1 ml of C. perfringens (2 × 108) at days 18 to 21 for SNE induction. BS, similar to ER, effectively attenuated CP-induced poor growth performance. Moreover, BS pretreatment increased villi height, claudin-1 expression, maltase activity, and immunoglobulin abundance, while decreasing lesional scores, as well as mucosal IFN-γ and TNF-α concentrations. In addition, BS pretreatment increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and decreased that of pathogenic species; many lipid metabolites were enriched in the cecum of treated chickens. These results suggest that BS potentially provides active ingredients that may serve as an antibiotic substitute, effectively preventing SNE-induced growth decline by enhancing intestinal health in broilers.

In Vitro Anticancer and Antibacterial Activities of the Essential Oil of Forsskal’s Basil Growing in Extreme Environmental Conditions

Many species belonging to the genus Ocimum are used for aromatic, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes. The essential oil (OFEO) obtained by hydrodistillation of the flowering aerial parts of Forsskal’s Basil “Ocimum forskolei Benth” growing in extreme environmental conditions in Mecca Region, Saudi Arabia was analyzed by GC-MS. The main constituents were phenylpropanoids (methyl eugenol 55.65% and eugenol 11.66%), monoterpene (linalool 9.75%), and sesquiterpenes (germacrene D 3.72% and β-caryophyllene 2.57%). The OFEO was tested against MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cancer cells and compared with normal fibroblast cells (MRC5). The MTT assay showed that HCT116 was more sensitive to OFEO (IC50 5.34 μg/mL), which reduced the number of HCT116 colonies at 6 μg/mL, while causing complete colony death at 12 and 24 μg/mL. Western Blotting and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the level change of different proteins with respect to GAPDH. OFEO upregulated the apoptotic protein (caspase 3), and downregulated the cell proliferation proteins (AKT and pAKT), cell cycle arrest (PCNA, Cyclin D1), and the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 proteins. OFEO was also tested against reference strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus by using the well-diffusion and assessing their MICs, which ranged from 250 to 500 μg/mL.

Fast and non-destructive discriminating the geographical origin of Hangbaiju by hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics

Hangbaiju is highly appreciated flower tea for its health benefits, and its quality and price are affected by geographical origin. Fast and accurate identification of the geographical origin of Hangbaiju is very significant for producers, consumers and market regulators. In this work, hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics, was used, for the first time, to explore and implement the geographical origin classification of Hangbaiju. The hyperspectral images in the spectral range of 410-2500 nm for 75 samples of five different origins were collected. As a versatile chemometrics tool, bagging classification tree-radial basis function (BAGCT-RBFN), compared with classification tree (CT), radial basis function network (RBFN), was applied to discriminate Hangbaiju samples from different origins. The results showed that BAGCT-RBFN based on optimal wavelengths yielded superior classification performances to CT and RBFN with full wavelengths. The recognition rates (RR) of the training and prediction sets by BAGCT-RBFN were 96.0 % and 92.0 %, respectively. Hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometric can be considered as a powerful, feasible and convenient tool for the classification of Hangbaiju samples from different origins. It promises to be a potential way for origin discriminant analysis and quality monitor in food fields.

Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil from Allium tenuissimum L. Flowers

Allium tenuissimum L. as a kind of food condiment in northern China, is popular among more and more consumers owning to its special flavor from the flower. However, its composition has not been widely studied. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of essential oil from Allium tenuissimum L. flowers. Gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to detect the chemical composition. The antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens was evaluated by measuring the zones of inhibition (ZOI), the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). The antioxidant effect was tested by the scavenging capacity on DPPH, ABTS+•, and •OH. The results of GC-MS showed that 72 volatile components were isolated and the structures 68 of them were identified, which comprised about 91.92% of the total composition of the oil. Among these compounds, terpenoid compounds and sulfurous compounds had the highest contents, especially dimethyl trisulfide. Our investigation demonstrated that the essential oil has better antimicrobial efficiency to Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus flavus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, the essential oil had a strong stability to UV. Furthermore, the essential oil exhibited a high radical-scavenging effect on DPPH, ABTS+•, and •OH, which is significant for application in the food industry. In conclusion, the essential oil could be used as an inexpensive and natural antibacterial and antioxidant agent in food.

Research progress on antiviral constituents in traditional Chinese medicines and their mechanisms of action

CONTEXT

Viruses have the characteristics of rapid transmission and high mortality. At present, western medicines still lack an ideal antiviral. As natural products, many traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have certain inhibitory effects on viruses, which has become the hotspot of medical research in recent years.

OBJECTIVE

The antiviral active ingredients and mechanisms of TCM against viral diseases was studied in combination with the pathogenesis of viral diseases and antiviral effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

English and Chinese literature from 1999 to 2021 was collected from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 (CP), and CNKI (Chinese). Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), active ingredients, antiviral, mechanism of action, and anti-inflammatory effect were used as the key words.

RESULTS

The antiviral activity of TCM is clarified to put forward a strategy for discovering active compounds against viruses, and provide reference for screening antivirus drugs from TCM. TCM can not only directly kill viruses and inhibit the proliferation of viruses in cells, but also prevent viruses from infecting cells and causing cytophilia. It can also regulate the human immune system, enhance human immunity, and play an indirect antiviral role.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Based on the experimental study and antiviral mechanism of TCM, this paper can provide analytical evidence that supports the effectiveness of TCM in treating virus infections, as well as their mechanisms against viruses. It could be helpful to provide reference for the research and development of innovative TCMs with multiple components, multiple targets and low toxicity.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Compounds Containing Lonicera japonica, Chrysanthemum morifolium, and Siraitia grosvenorii Inhibits the Growth of Streptococcus mutans

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is one of the common complications after endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia. This work attempted to design and screen out the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds containing Lonicera japonica Thunb., Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat., and Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey ex A. M. Lu et Z. Y. Zhang, and further explored its antibacterial effect on POST. The antibacterial activities of Lonicera japonica, Chrysanthemum morifolium, and Siraitia grosvenorii on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) UA159 was measured. Lonicera japonica (40 mg/mL), Chrysanthemum morifolium (10 mg/mL), and Siraitia grosvenorii (10 mg/mL) effectively inhibited the growth of S. mutans. Then, 5 different TCM compounds were designed using the U5 (5³) uniform design experimentation method. TCM compound C3 (50 mg/mL Lonicera japonica, 10 mg/mL Chrysanthemum morifolium, and 15 mg/mL Siraitia grosvenorii) significantly promoted the inhibition zone and inhibited the biofilm formation of S. mutans. In addition, TCM compound C3 exerted great antibacterial effects on S. mutans and had the least effect on cell viability of primary human pharyngeal epithelial cells. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that TCM compound containing Lonicera japonica, Chrysanthemum morifolium, and Siraitia grosvenorii inhibited the growth of S. mutans. Thus, this study provides a theoretical basis for screening out the optimal compatibility of effective components in TCM mouthwash for relieving POST.

Metabolic Profiling of Heliotropium crispum Aerial Parts Using HPLC and FTIR and In Vivo Evaluation of Its Anti-Ulcer Activity Using an Ethanol Induced Acute Gastric Ulcer Model

This study explored the antiulcer potential of methanol extract and fractions of Heliotropium crispum roots against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Metabolic profiling of H. crispum aerial parts using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of different metabolites with various functional groups. Meanwhile, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of three main peaks assigned to myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In vivo, antiulcer activity results showed that the disease control group displayed five tiny ulcers less than 2 mm in diameter in addition to two hemorrhagic streaks. However, in the standard control group, only one small ulcer was visible for the total methanol extract. Gastric tissues and contents were evaluated to determine many parameters such as ulcer score, ulcer index, percentage inhibition of ulcer, gastric pH, gastric juice volume, and acidity. Results were endorsed by histopathological evaluation; gastric pH and mucus content were significantly increased, but gastric juice volume was significantly decreased. All fractions showed a significant decrease in ulcer index and % inhibition except the n-hexane fraction, whose results were insignificant compared to the disease control group. Thus, it was concluded that H. crispum shows an antiulcer effect by decreasing gastric juice volume and acidity, whereas gastric pH and mucus contents were increased that is attributed to the synergistic action of its detected polyphenolic compounds.

Prophylactic Anti-Osteoporotic Effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. Flower Using Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis in Rat Model and Molecular Modelling Approaches

The anti-osteoporotic activity of ethanol extract from the Matricaria chamomilla L. flower was evaluated using steroid-induced osteoporosis in a rat model for the first time. Biochemical parameters such as serum calcium, phosphate, magnesium, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase were assessed. At a 400 mg/kg body weight dose, the extract showed 54.01% and 27.73% reduction in serum calcium and phosphate ions serum levels, respectively. Meanwhile, it showed a 20% elevation in serum magnesium level, compared to the steroid-treated group. It also showed a significant decrease in creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels, by 29.41% and 27.83%, respectively. The obtained results were further supported by biomechanical analyses, which revealed that a 400 mg/kg body weight dose of the flower extract increased bone strength and thickness. At the same time, it does not affect the bone length, compared to the diseased group. Histopathological examination revealed that the extract showed a significant increase in trabecular thickness, and it had restored the architecture of the cortical and trabecular structure with well-organized bone matrix. The possible inhibitory effect of the major phenolic compounds identified from the plant extract on cathepsin K was investigated using molecular docking. Rutin (4) had the best-fitting score within the active site, as evidenced by the free binding energy, (∆G = −54.19 Kcal/mol). ADMET/TOPKAT revealed that the examined compounds had variable pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties that could be improved to enhance the bioavailability during incorporation in various dosage forms. Thus, it can be concluded that this plant extract showed potential therapeutic benefits for osteoporosis.

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Quality Control of Xiasangju: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula

As a traditional Chinese herbal formula, Xiasangju (XSJ) is widely used in China for antipyresis and influenza treatment. However, XSJ still fails to have a comprehensive summary of the research progress in the last decade. This review summarizes the advanced research on the extraction process, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, and quality control of XSJ. Current research mainly focuses on quality control and the pharmacological effects of single herbs and active ingredients, but many pharmacological mechanisms of the formula are unclear. The development of active ingredients reflects the active characteristics of triterpenes, phenolic acids and flavonoids, but the hepatotoxicity of Prunella vulgaris L. has not been taken into account. XSJ has extensive historical practical experiences, while systematic clinical trials remain lacking. Therefore, it is necessary to study the active ingredients and define the mechanisms of XSJ to develop multiple applications, and further studies on the dose range between its hepatoprotective activity and hepatotoxicity are necessary to improve the safety of the clinical application. In this review, the current problems are discussed to facilitate the reference basis for the subsequent research on the development of XSJ and future application directions.

Antioxidant Effect of Chrysanthemum morifolium (Chuju) Extract on H2O2-Treated L-O2 Cells as Revealed by LC/MS-Based Metabolic Profiling

Chrysanthemum has a long history of being used to attenuate various oxidative stress-related discomforts and diseases; however, its mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the antioxidant effect of chrysanthemum aqueous extract was investigated, and the potential mechanisms were explored via a metabolomics study. Chrysanthemum extract could significantly inhibit hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-mediated cell death in L-O2 hepatocytes. Propidium iodide staining and annexin V-PI dual staining revealed that the antioxidant effect of chrysanthemum extract was related to the relief of cell cycle arrest and inhibition of non-apoptotic cell damage. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also upregulated by chrysanthemum extract. Through metabolomics studies, it was found that chrysanthemum extract mainly targeted the arginine synthesis pathway and purine metabolism pathway, in which antioxidation-related endogenous substrates including L-arginosuccinate, citrulline and inositol monophosphate were significantly upregulated by chrysanthemum extract. These results indicated that chrysanthemum extract can antagonize oxidative stress through multiple pathways and have potential therapeutic applications.

Essential oil for the control of fungi, bacteria, yeasts and viruses in food: an overview

This review begins with a general introduction to essential oils (EO) and their relation to food and microorganisms. Classification and characteristics of EO, addressing the major compounds with antimicrobial action. Subsequently, the main microorganisms followed by a collection of the main works published in recent years that approached the influence of the EO on the protection against microorganisms and food decontamination. At last, the major gaps and future perspectives on the subject. Using EO for fighting food contamination is a way of sustainably supplying the need for new antimicrobials to ensure microbial safety and is a viable source to solve the problem of current microbial resistance. Form of application, EO composition and microbiological load are reported as the responsible factors for the treatment's success. The EO's effects on fungi and bacteria are already well known, but its effect on viruses and yeasts is something to be explored.

HPLC-FLD analysis of amino acids content in Chrysanthemum morifolium

Chrysanthemum morifolium (Asteraceae family) have long been used as a tonic, antioxidant, antipyretic, analgesic, sedative, antitumor, neuroprotector, hepatoprotector and cardioprotector agent. This species should be reconsidered as possible sources of many biocompounds, especially amino acids. Thus, the aim of this study was to validate the chromatographic method for detection of amino acids and their identification in flowers and leaves of Ch. morifolium of variant Pectoral. HPLC-FLD method was evaluated in terms of linearity, precision, repeatability, accuracy, LOD and LOQ. The calibration curves of all analytical standards of amino acids were linear (R2 > 0.99) over the range of 0.015–0.625 μmol/mL, the LODs and the LOQs were in the range of 0.001–0.096 µg/mL and 0.004–0.321 µg/mL, respectively. During the HPLC-FLD assay ten amino acids in free form and fifteen amino acids after hydrolysis in Ch. morifolium flowers were identified. Besides, twelve amino acids were detected in free form and fourteen amino acids after hydrolysis in Ch. morifolium leaves. The results of HPLC-FLD analysis showed that the predominant amino acid was L-proline in both types of herbal raw materials. Its total content was 31.67±0.02 μg/mg in Ch. morifolium flowers and 18.56±0.02 μg/mg in Ch. morifolium leaves. This phytochemical study confirms that flowers and leaves of Ch. morifolium (Pectoral) are rich sources of amino acids and can exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities.

Various Fertilization Managements Influence the Flowering Attributes, Yield Response, Biochemical Activity and SoilNutrient Status of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)

Optimal nutrient management is critical for optimizing flowering, yield, quality and improving soil health. A key approach for making chrysanthemum crop cultivation profitable is balanced fertigation at the right time. This is possible by fertigation through drip. The present study was designed in 2019–2021 at a model floriculture center, Pantnagar, to investigate the response of split application of NPK through drip fertigation on flowering attributes, yield, biochemical activity and soil nutrient status of chrysanthemum. Plants received application of NPK with five treatment combinations: T1-NPK @ 100:150:100 kg/ha/year, T2-NPK @ 100:150:100 kg/ha/year, T3-NPK @ 100:150:100 kg/ha/year, T4-NPK @ 75:112.5:75 kg/ha/year and T5-NPK @ 75:112.5:75 kg/ha/year at vegetative, bud and flowering stages. The results reveal that the plants treated with treatment T3 (NPK @ 100:150:100 kg/ha/year) exhibited maximum increases in floral bud diameter (31.45%), number of inflorescences per branch (24.44%), diameter of inflorescence (15.32–28.44%), weight of inflorescence (24.30%), stem diameter, inflorescence stem length, number of inflorescences per plant (6.16%), number of inflorescences per hectare (53.46%), chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content, total chlorophyll content (40.20%), carotene content of inflorescence (69.56%), organic carbon (1.22-fold), available nitrogen content (7.46%), available phosphorus and available potassium (1.14-fold) compared to the control. Conclusively, the results suggest that split application of NPK through drip fertigation may improve the inflorescence attributes, yield, biochemical activity and soil nutrient status of chrysanthemum.

Antibacterial Effect of Chrysanthemum Buds' Crude Extract Against Salmonella Typhimurium and Potential Application in Cooked Chicken

The objective of this study was to clarify the antibacterial activity and mechanism of Chrysanthemum buds' crude extract (CBCE) against Salmonella Typhimurium, and explore the potential application in cooked chicken. The zone of inhibition (ZI), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were used to assess the in vitro antibacterial activity of CBCE against Salmonella Typhimurium. The antibacterial mechanism was elucidated by revealing the changes in intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) concentration, membrane potential, content of biomacromolecule, and cell morphology. Furthermore, the effect of CBCE on the counts of Salmonella Typhimurium and color of cooked chicken during storage was studied. The results showed that the ZI, MIC, and MBC of CBCE against Salmonella Typhimurium were 12.9 ± 0.53-13.6 ± 0.14 mm, 40, and 80 mg/mL, respectively. In the process of inhibiting Salmonella Typhimurium by CBCE, the reduction of intracellular ATP concentration, cell membrane depolarization, leakage of protein and nucleic acid, and destruction of cell morphology were observed. Moreover, after treatments with CBCE, the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium in cooked chicken was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) values of cooked chicken were found between untreated and treated samples, as well as the color of cooked chicken treated with CBCE did not change significantly (p > 0.05) during the six days of storage. Overall, our findings suggested that CBCE exhibited the antibacterial effect against Salmonella Typhimurium, and had the potential to be used as a natural food preservative for the control of Salmonella Typhimurium in chicken products.

Chemical Antioxidant Quality Markers of Chrysanthemum morifolium Using a Spectrum-Effect Approach

Traditionally, the quality evaluation of Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM) cv. (Juhua) attributes its habitats and processing methods, however, this strategy of neglecting bioactive ingredients usually results in deviation of quality evaluation. This study aims to explore the quality marker (Q-marker) based on spectrum-effect relationship and quality control strategy of CMs. The chromatographic fingerprint of 30 flower head samples of CMs from five different habitats including Hang-baiju, Gongju, Huaiju, Taiju and Boju were constructed by high performance liquid chromatography and analyzed through chemometrics methods such as similarity analysis (SA), cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The common peaks were quantified by external standard method and relative correction factor method. The in-vitro radical scavenging capacity assays of DPPH·, ·OH and ABTS were carried out. The Q-marker was explored by the correlation analysis between the contents of common peaks and in-vitro radical scavenging capacity, and then used to evaluate the quality of 30 flower head samples of CMs. A total of eight common peaks were appointed in 30 flower head samples of CMs, and their similarities ranged from 0.640 to 0.956. CA results showed that 30 flower head samples of CMs could be divided into five categories with reference to the Euclidean distance of 5. PCA results showed that common peaks played a major role in differential contribution of CMs. The quantification of common peaks hinted that their contents possessed significant variation whether for different accessions or the same accessions of CMs. The correlation analysis showed that chlorogenic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, unknown peak 1, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside could be used as the Q-markers for the quality evaluation of 30 flower head samples of commercially available CMs. The analysis strategy that combines chromatographic fingerprint analysis, multiple ingredients quantification, in-vitro chemical anti-oxidant activity evaluation and spectrum-effect relationship analysis clarified the therapeutic material basis and discovered the Q-markers, which possibly offers a more comprehensive quality assessment of CMs.

Highly divergent isolates of chrysanthemum virus B and chrysanthemum virus R infecting chrysanthemum in Russia

BACKGROUND

Chrysanthemum is a popular ornamental and medicinal plant that suffers from many viruses and viroids. Among them, chrysanthemum virus B (CVB, genus Carlavirus, family Betaflexiviridae) is widespread in all chrysanthemum-growing regions. Another carlavirus, chrysanthemum virus R (CVR), has been recently discovered in China. Information about chrysanthemum viruses in Russia is very scarce. The objective of this work was to study the prevalence and genetic diversity of CVB and CVR in Russia.

METHODS

We surveyed the chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) germplasm collection in the Nikita Botanical Gardens, Yalta, Russia. To detect CVB and CVR, we used RT-PCR with virus-specific primers. To reveal the complete genome sequences of CVB and CVR isolates, metatransciptomic analysis of the cultivars Ribonette, Fiji Yellow, and Golden Standard plants, naturally co-infected with CVB and CVR, was performed using Illumina high-throughput sequencing. The recombination detection tool (RDP4) was employed to search for recombination in assembled genomes.

RESULTS

A total of 90 plants of 23 local and introduced chrysanthemum cultivars were surveyed. From these, 58 and 43% plants tested positive for CVB and CVR, respectively. RNA-Seq analysis confirmed the presence of CVB and CVR, and revealed tomato aspermy virus in each of the three transcriptomes. Six near complete genomes of CVB and CVR were assembled from the RNA-Seq reads. The CVR isolate X21 from the cultivar Golden Standard was 92% identical to the Chinese isolate BJ. In contrast, genomes of the CVR isolates X6 and X13 (from the cultivars Ribonette and Fiji Yellow, respectively), were only 76% to 77% identical to the X21 and BJ, and shared 95% identity to one another and appear to represent a divergent group of the CVR. Two distantly related CVB isolates, GS1 and GS2, were found in a plant of the cultivar Golden Standard. Their genomes shared from 82% to 87% identity to each other and the CVB genome from the cultivar Fiji Yellow (isolate FY), as well as to CVB isolates from Japan and China. A recombination event of 3,720 nucleotides long was predicted in the replicase gene of the FY genome. It was supported by seven algorithms implemented in RDP4 with statistically significant P-values. The inferred major parent was the Indian isolate Uttar Pradesh (AM765837), and minor parent was unknown.

CONCLUSION

We found a wide distribution of CVB and CVR in the chrysanthemum germplasm collection of the Nikita Botanical Gardens, which is the largest in Russia. Six near complete genomes of CVR and CVB isolates from Russia were assembled and characterized for the first time. This is the first report of CVR in Russia and outside of China thus expanding the information on the geographical distribution of the virus. Highly divergent CVB and CVR isolates have been identified that contributes the better understanding the genetic diversity of these viruses.

Clinical Evaluation of Pinggan Yiqi Yangshen Recipe Combined with Labetalol Hydrochloride and Magnesium Sulfate in the Treatment of PIH

Background

To observe the clinical effect of Pinggan Yiqi Yangshen recipe combined with labetalol hydrochloride and magnesium sulfate in the treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

Methods

A total of 126 patients with PIH diagnosed in our hospital from January 2016 to May 2018 were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, with 63 cases in each group. The control group was treated with labetalol combined with magnesium sulfate. On the basis of the control group, the experimental group was treated with Pinggan Yiqi Yangshen recipe. Clinical efficacy, blood pressure, renal function, and biochemical indexes were compared between the two groups. Moreover, pregnancy outcomes and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

Results

After treatment, the total effective rate in the experimental group was higher than in the control group. Blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in the experimental group were more significantly downregulated than the control group. Renal function indexes and biochemical indexes in the experimental group were more significant than those in the control group. The incidence of cesarean section, preterm birth, and abnormal fetal heart rate in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group. There was no difference in the incidence of fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal asphyxia, and adverse reactions between the two groups.

Conclusion

Pinggan Yiqi Yangshen recipe combined with labetalol hydrochloride and magnesium sulfate can effectively reduce the blood pressure of patients with PIH, help patients to return to normal levels of biochemical indexes and renal function indexes, and improve pregnancy outcomes with high safety, which is worthy of further promotion and application in clinical practice.

Bacillus subtilis DSM29784 Alleviates Negative Effects on Growth Performance in Broilers by Improving the Intestinal Health Under Necrotic Enteritis Challenge

Along with banning antibiotics, necrotic enteritis (NE), especially subclinical enteritis (SNE), poses a significant threat to the chicken industry; however, probiotics are a potentially promising intervention. We aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of Bacillus subtilis DSM29784 (BS) on the treatment of Clostridium perfringens (CP)-induced SNE in broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old broiler chicks were divided into three treatment groups, namely control (Ctr), SNE, and BS treatment (BST) groups, all of which were fed with a basal died for 21days, and then from day 22 onward, only the BST group had a BS supplemented diet (1×10⁹ colony-forming units BS/kg). On day 15, all chicks, except the Ctr group, were challenged with a 20-fold dose coccidiosis vaccine and 1ml CP (2×10⁸) on days 18–21 for SNE induction. Beneficial effects were observed on growth performance in BST compared to SNE broilers. BST treatment alleviated intestinal lesions and increased the villus height/crypt depth ratio. Further, BST broilers showed increased maltase activity in the duodenum compared with SNE chicks, and a significantly decreased caspase-3 protein expression in the jejunum mucosa. Moreover, an increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Bifidobacterium beneficial gut bacteria and an altered gut metabolome were observed. Taken together, we demonstrate that the manipulation of microbial gut composition using probiotics may be a promising prevention strategy for SNE by improving the composition and metabolism of the intestinal microbiota, intestinal structure, and reducing inflammation and apoptosis. Hence, BS potentially has active ingredients that may be used as antibiotic substitutes and effectively reduces the economic losses caused by SNE. The findings of this study provide a scientific foundation for BS application in broiler feed in the future.

Natural Products and Their Potential Anti-HAV Activity

The role of purified natural products in the prevention and treatment of countless diseases of bacterial, fungal, and viral origin cannot be overestimated. New antiviral drugs have been obtained from natural sources and transformed into preparations for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. Flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, proanthocyanins, polysaccharides, organic acids, proteins, polypeptides, and essential oils derived from plants, animals, or microorganisms can control and combat foodborne viral infections, including hepatitis A. The components of essential oils are characterized by numerous therapeutic and antioxidant properties and exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and antiviral activity. Due to these properties, they can be used to preserve meat, fruit, vegetables, and their products. Over the past two decades, much effort has been made to identify natural products, mostly of plant origin, to combat foodborne viruses. Natural plant extracts have several potential uses, not limited to increasing the safety of food products and improving their quality, but also as natural antiviral agents.

Concentration-dependent emission of floral scent terpenoids from diverse cultivars of Chrysanthemum morifolium and their wild relatives

Floral scent is an important trait that has a significant influence on the reproduction of many flowering plants and the market value of several ornamental crops. The family of Asteraceae is well known for its unique floral structure (capitulum) that consists of many florets. Although the constituents of either floral essential oils or emitted floral volatiles have been reported in many species of Asteraceae, little information is available on the mechanisms that determine floral volatile emission. In the present study, a total of 44 species/varieties of Chrysanthemum were analyzed to determine the relationship between the internal accumulation of floral terpenoids and their release as volatiles. By performing both headspace collection and organic extraction, it has been found that the emission rates of floral terpenoids are largely correlated to their internal concentrations. Particularly, the flowers of cultivated C. morifolium, when compared to their wild relatives, were found to exhibit lower emission rates that contain lowered concentrations of floral terpenoids. The differences were largely determined by six monoterpenes and five sesquiterpenes that were revealed by principal component analysis. Besides, the relationship between concentrations and emission rates of floral terpenoids as well as the sizes of capitulum was studied in detail. Separated into three different parts, disc florets were found to have a larger contribution to floral volatile emission than ray florets, whereas the phyllaries and receptacles are the main parts of volatiles accumulation. Finally, the potential biosynthetic pathway of the floral terpenoids produced in capitula of Chrysanthemum was proposed. In summary, our findings on the diversity and variations of floral terpenoids in Chrysanthemum reveal correlations between their production and emission. These findings can be useful to develop different plant breeding methods to create novel aromatic cultivars of Chrysanthemum.

Nanoemulsions: The rising star of antiviral therapeutics and nanodelivery system-current status and prospects

Nanoemulsions (NEs) of essential oil (EO) have significant potential to target microorganisms, especially viruses. They act as a vehicle for delivering antiviral drugs and vaccines. Narrowing of drug discovery pipeline and the emergence of new viral diseases, especially, coronavirus disease, have created a niche to use NEs for augmenting currently available therapeutic options. Published literature demonstrated that EOs have an inherent broad spectrum of activity across bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. The emulsification process significantly improved the efficacy of the active ingredients in the EOs. This article highlights the research findings and patent developments in the last 2 years especially, in EO antiviral activity, antiviral drug delivery, vaccine delivery, viral resistance development, and repurposing EO compounds against SARS-CoV-2.