Metabolic Analysis of Four Cultivars of Liriope platyphylla

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the LK5 Herbal Complex on LPS- and IL-4/IL-13-Stimulated HaCaT Cells and a DNCB-Induced Animal Model of Atopic Dermatitis in BALB/c Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. The activation of the JAK-STAT pathway increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, further deteriorating AD. Therefore, for the treatment of AD, the JAK-STAT pathway is emerging as a significant target, alongside inflammatory cytokines. This study investigates the potential therapeutic effects of a novel herbal complex, LK5, composed of Scutellaria baicalensis, Liriope platyphylla, Sophora flavescens, Dictammus dasycarpus, and Phellodendron schneider, known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. We examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-AD effects of the LK5 herbal complex in HaCaT cells stimulated by LPS and IL-4/IL-13, as well as in a mouse model of AD induced by DNCB. In HaCaT cells stimulated with LPS or IL-4/IL-13, the LK5 herbal complex demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and downregulating the phosphorylation of STAT proteins. In a murine AD-like model induced by DNCB, administration of the LK5 herbal complex significantly ameliorated clinical symptoms, including dermatitis, ear thickness, and TEWL. Histological analysis revealed a reduction in epidermal thickness and mast cell infiltration. The LK5 herbal complex also inhibited pruritus induced by compound 48/80. Furthermore, the LK5 herbal complex treatment significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TSLP, IL-6, and IgE in plasma and ear tissue of AD-induced mice. These findings suggest that the LK5 herbal complex may modulate the immune response and alleviate AD symptoms by inhibiting STAT pathways.

Production of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Hairy Root Cultures of Salvia plebeia

Salvia plebeia (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant containing diverse bioactive constituents that have biological properties. In this study, we determined the optimal conditions (media and auxin) for the hairy root culture of S. plebeia for the growth and accumulation of phenolic compounds and evaluated its antioxidant activities. Rosmarinic acid and five phenylpropanoids were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. The hairy roots grown in 1/2 SH medium with 1 mg/L NAA had a high level of rosmarinic acid content. Hairy roots cultured in 1 mg/L NAA had the highest total content of five phenylpropanoids. Compared to wild-type roots grown in the field, hairy roots (NAA 1) expressed similar levels of rosmarinic acid but significantly enhanced phenylpropanoid accumulation. Furthermore, the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of hairy roots (NAA 1) were 2.22 and 1.73 times higher than those of wild-type roots. In the results of DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power assays, the hairy roots (NAA 1) showed higher free radical scavenging effects and reduction potential than the wild-type roots. These results suggest that S. plebeia hairy roots cultured under optimal conditions, which exhibit enhanced phenolic compound accumulation and antioxidant activity, can potentially be used as sources of antioxidants.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Lipophilic Fraction from Liriope platyphylla Seeds Using Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Experiments

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms counteract the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, aging, and cancer. Therefore, enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions may help manage these pathological conditions. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of lipophilic fraction of Liriope platyphylla seeds (LLPS) using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments. Here GC-MS analysis tentatively identified forty-three lipophilic compounds in LLPS. LLPS exhibited powerful antioxidant activity, according to the results from chemical-based antioxidant assays on DPPH, ABTS+, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radicals scavenging, lipid peroxidation, reducing antioxidant powers, and total antioxidant capacity. Additionally, LLPS enhanced cellular antioxidant capacity by inhibiting reactive oxygen species formation and elevating antioxidant enzyme levels, including catalase and heme oxygenase-1. Moreover, LLPS attenuated inflammatory response by reducing nitric oxide secretion and downregulating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-1β in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses showed that key compounds in LPPS, particularly phytosterols and fatty acid esters, exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties through regulating NFKB1, PTGS1, PTGS2, TLR4, PRKCA, PRKCD, KEAP1, NFE2L2, and NR1l2. Overall, these data suggest that LLPS may be a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent for developing functional foods.

Analytical Methods for Exploring Nutraceuticals Based on Phenolic Acids and Polyphenols

Phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes comprise an enormous family of bioactive molecules with a range of positive properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, or anti-inflammatory effects. As a result, plant extracts are often purified to recover phenolic compound-enriched fractions to be used to develop nutraceutical products or dietary supplements. In this article, we review the properties of some remarkable plant-based nutraceuticals in which the active molecules are mainly polyphenols and related compounds. Methods for the characterization of these extracts, the chemical determination of the bioactivities of key molecules, and the principal applications of the resulting products are discussed in detail.

Comparison of Secondary Metabolite Contents and Metabolic Profiles of Six Lycoris Species

Quantitative HPLC analysis was performed on six different species of Lycoris herbs to investigate variation in phytochemical content, especially galantamine and phenylpropanoid-derived compounds. The contents of these compounds differed widely among the Lycoris species, with L. radiata and L. chinensis containing the lowest and highest galantamine contents, respectively. Specifically, the galantamine content of L. radiata was 62.5% higher than that of L. chinensis. Following L. radiata, L. sanguinea contained the next highest galantamine content, which was 59.1% higher than that of L. chinensis. Furthermore, a total of 12 phenylpropanoid-derived compounds were found in the different Lycoris species, where L. sanguinea, L. squamigera, and L. uydoensis had the largest accumulation of these compounds. The total phenylpropanoid content of L. sanguinea was the highest, while that of L. radiata was the lowest. Seven of the phenylpropanoid-derived compounds, rutin, quercetin, catechin, epicatechin gallate, chlorogenic acid, benzoic acid, and kaempferol, were dominant. L. sanguinea, L. uydoensis, and L. squamigera showed amounts of these seven compounds that were 5–6 times greater than those of the other species in the study. To the best of our knowledge, our results provide the most detailed phytochemical information on these species to date, which is valuable for future applications using these medicinal plants.

Metabolic Analysis of Carotenoids and Phenolic Compounds Found in Green and Purple Kenaf

The chemical composition of the different plant parts of green ( Hibiscus cannabinus L. cv. Jangdae) and purple ( H. cannabinus L. cv. Jeokbong) kenaf cultivars were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Ten carotenoid and phenolic compounds were quantified in the different parts of green and purple kenaf. The accumulation of carotenoids and phenolic compounds in the different parts of both cultivars was slightly different. The total carotenoid content in all parts of purple kenaf was higher than that in green kenaf. In particular, lutein, β-carotene, and 9Z-β-carotene were found in all the plant parts of both purple and green kenaf. Most levels of these 3 carotenoids were higher in all parts of the purple cultivar than those found in the green cultivar. According to the detected phenolic compound content, the leaves of the green cultivar contained a higher level of total phenolics, even though the most levels of the individual phenolic compounds were higher in the purple cultivar due to the level of kaempferitrin, a major compound found in kenaf, being much higher than the levels observed for the other phenolic compounds. However, the flowers and stems of the purple cultivar had a higher level of total phenolics. Among the 10 different phenolic compounds, 7 (4-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, benzoic acid, rutin, and kaempferol) were present in all the plant parts of both kenaf cultivars. Purple kenaf leaves contain higher levels of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rutin, whereas the purple cultivar flowers have higher levels of p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and benzoic acid. This study provides valuable information on the chemical composition of different plant parts of green and purple kenaf cultivars.

Mitigating Effects of Liriope platyphylla on Nicotine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization and Quality Control of Compounds

In this study we investigated the mitigating effects of Liriope platyphylla Wang et Tang extract on behavioral sensitization and the quantification of its major compounds. The extract of L. platyphylla reduces the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein, which is increased by nicotine, back to normal levels, and increases the expression of dopamine transporter (DAT) protein, which is reduced by nicotine, back to normal levels in PC12 cells. In this study, rats received nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, subcutaneously) only for seven days and then received extract of L. platyphylla (200 or 400 mg/kg, oral) 1 h prior to nicotine administration for an additional seven days. The extract of L. platyphylla reduced locomotor activity compared to the nicotine control group in rats. The extract of L. platyphylla significantly attenuated the repeated nicotine-induced DAT protein expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), but there was no effect on increased TH protein expression in the dorsal striatum. These findings suggest that L. platyphylla extract has a mitigating effect on nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization by modulating DAT protein expression in the NAc. For quality control of L. plathyphylla, spicatoside A and D, which are saponin compounds, were quantified in the L. platyphylla extract. The amounts of spicatoside A and D in L. platyphylla extract obtained from ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry were 0.148 and 0.272 mg/g, respectively. The identification of these compounds in L. platyphylla, which can be used for quality control, provides important information for the development of drugs to treat nicotine dependence.

Transcriptome Analysis and Metabolic Profiling of Green and Red Mizuna (Brassica rapa L. var. japonica)

Mizuna (Brassica rapa L. var. japonica), a member of the family Brassicaceae, is rich in various health-beneficial phytochemicals, such as glucosinolates, phenolics, and anthocyanins. However, few studies have been conducted on genes associated with metabolic traits in mizuna. Thus, this study provides a better insight into the metabolic differences between green and red mizuna via the integration of transcriptome and metabolome analyses. A mizuna RNAseq analysis dataset showed 257 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) with a false discovery rate (FDR) of <0.05. These DEGs included the biosynthesis genes of secondary metabolites, such as anthocyanins, glucosinolates, and phenolics. Particularly, the expression of aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthetic genes was higher in the green cultivar. In contrast, the expression of most genes related to indolic glucosinolates, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids was higher in the red cultivar. Furthermore, the metabolic analysis showed that 14 glucosinolates, 12 anthocyanins, five phenolics, and two organic acids were detected in both cultivars. The anthocyanin levels were higher in red than in green mizuna, while the glucosinolate levels were higher in green than in red mizuna. Consistent with the results of phytochemical analyses, the transcriptome data revealed that the expression levels of the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis genes were significantly higher in red mizuna, while those of the glucosinolate biosynthetic genes were significantly upregulated in green mizuna. A total of 43 metabolites, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, organic acids, and amines, was identified and quantified in both cultivars using gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS). Among the identified metabolites, sucrose was positively correlated with anthocyanins, as previously reported.

Comparative Phytochemical Analyses and Metabolic Profiling of Different Phenotypes of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica Rapa ssp. Pekinensis)

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the interface between primary and secondary metabolites in oval- and rectangular-shaped Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) using gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition to differences in shape, there was significant morphological variation between the two cultivars. The rectangular variety had greater height and deeper green color, whereas the oval variety had more leaves and greater width. A total of 42 primary metabolites identified by GC-TOFMS were subjected to partial least-squares discriminant, which indicated significant differences in the primary and secondary metabolisms of the two cultivars. Furthermore, total glucosinolate and phenolic contents were higher in the oval cultivar, whereas the rectangular cultivar contained a higher level of total carotenoids. This metabolome study comprehensively describes the relationship between primary and secondary metabolites in the oval and rectangular cultivars of Chinese cabbage and provides information useful for developing strategies to enhance the biosynthesis of glucosinolates, phenolics, and carotenoids in Chinese cabbage. Additionally, this work highlights that HPLC and GC-TOFMS-based metabolite profiling is suitable techniques to determine metabolic differences in Chinese cabbage.

Comparative Transcriptome and Metabolic Profiling Analysis of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) under Salinity Stress

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) is a nutritional crop, which has high flavonoid content. However, buckwheat is a salt sensitive glycophyte cereal crop and the growth and grain yield of buckwheat are significantly affected by soil salinity. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of salt treated-buckwheat to understand the effects of salinity on buckwheat. A total of 50,681,938 clean reads were acquired from all samples. We acquired 94,950 unigenes with a mean length of 1133 bp and N50 length of 1900 bp assembly. Of these, 63,305 unigenes (66.7%) were matched in public databases. Comparison of the transcriptome expression patterns between control and salt treated groups showed that 4098 unigenes were up-regulated and 3292 unigenes were down-regulated significantly. Further, we found that genes involved with amino acid, lipid and nucleotide metabolism were most responsive to salt stress. Additionally, many genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis changed significantly following treatment. Those affected included phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. Chromatographic analysis was used to examine the differences in concentration of flavonoids, carotenoids, amino acids and organic acids in the samples following treatment. There was a significant increase in rutin (12.115 mg/g dry weight), following salt stress; whereas, six carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, 13Z-β-carotene, α-carotene, E-β-carotene and 9Z-β-carotene) did not significantly respond to salt stress. Ultimately, our data acts as a valuable resource for future research on buckwheat and can be used as the basis for future analysis focused on gene-to-metabolite networks in buckwheat.