(-)-Asarinin from the Roots of Asarum sieboldii Induces Apoptotic Cell Death via Caspase Activation in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Comparative Biochemical and Pharmacodynamic Analyses of Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. Mandshuricum (Maxim) Kitag and Asarum sieboldii Miq var. Seoulense Nakai Roots

Background:Asarum heterotropoides and Asarum sieboldii are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, little is known about how they differ in terms of essential oil (EO) and ethanol extract (EE) content and composition. Moreover, the effect of various geographical locations on the essential oil (EO), ethanol extract (EE), and asarinin content of different Asarum samples remains unknown. We tested four root-drying methods, i.e., soil removal and shade drying (P1), water washing and shade drying (P2), and water washing and drying at 30 °C (P3) and 40 °C (P4). We used LC-MS and GC-MS to investigate these differences. We also investigated the pharmacodynamic effects of EO and EE. Results: Overall, the EO, EE and asarinin contents of the analysed samples were 19.21-51.53 μL.g-1, 20.00-45.00 μL.g-1, and 1.268-2.591 mg.g-1, respectively. P1 treatment yielded the lowest volatile oil content compared to the other three treatments. GC-MS analysis revealed 78 EO components. Among the six major EO components, eucarvone, 3,5-dimethoxytoluene, and methyl eugenol were higher in A. heterotropoides than in A. sieboldii. However, the latter had a higher myristicin content. LC-MS analysis identified 888 EE components in roots and leaves of A. heterotropoides and A. sieboldii; 317 differentially accumulated metabolites were identified. EO and EE showed a dose-dependent reduction in the degree of swelling and an increase in the inhibition rate of drug concentration on acetic acid writhing in mice. Asarum EO proved to be more effective than EE in the pharmacodynamic study. Conclusions: We conclude that Asarum species show inter- and intra-specific differences in EO and EE content and composition, which may influence the pharmacodynamics of Asarum root extracts.

The latest research progress: Active components of Traditional Chinese medicine as promising candidates for ovarian cancer therapy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ovarian cancer ranks the first in the mortality of gynecological tumors. Because there are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of ovarian cancer, most patients are in the advanced stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. The incidence of ovarian cancer is increasing year by year, and the incidence of ovarian cancer has a trend of younger age. In recent years. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a significant impact on improving the quality of life of cancer patients, reducing drug toxicity, preventing metastasis and recurrence, enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and prolonging survival time, so patients have benefited a lot.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review summarizes the mechanisms and molecular pathways through which active ingredients of TCM act in ovarian cancer. It explores the advantages of TCM in treating ovarian cancer. This review provides theoretical support for the use of TCM in the treatment of ovarian cancer, offering new perspectives for its clinical prevention and treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review conducted a literature search on PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for relevant studies on TCM active ingredients in preventing ovarian cancer. The search terms included "ovarian cancer" combined with "Chinese herbal medicine," "Herbal medicine," "Traditional Chinese medicine," and "Active ingredients of Chinese medicine". Based on existing experimental and clinical research, the paper systematically summarized and analyzed the mechanisms of TCM in treating ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

Active ingredients of TCM inhibit the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer through inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, suppressing tumor cell migration and invasion, inducing tumor cell autophagy, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy drugs. Chinese medicine provides a comprehensive treatment option for ovarian cancer patients, synergizing with radiotherapy and chemotherapy drugs to enhance treatment effectiveness and introduce new hope and possibilities in clinical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Active ingredients of TCM can inhibit the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer, but further clinical research is needed to support their application.

Natural small molecules synergize mesenchymal stem cells for injury repair in vital organs: a comprehensive review

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is a highly researched treatment that has the potential to promote immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antimicrobial activities. It is thought that it can enhance internal organ function, reverse tissue remodeling, and achieve significant organ repair and regeneration. However, the limited infusion, survival, and engraftment of transplanted MSCs diminish the effectiveness of MSCs-based therapy. Consequently, various preconditioning methods have emerged as strategies for enhancing the therapeutic effects of MSCs and achieving better clinical outcomes. In particular, the use of natural small molecule compounds (NSMs) as a pretreatment strategy is discussed in this narrative review, with a focus on their roles in regulating MSCs for injury repair in vital internal organs. Additionally, the discussion focuses on the future directions and challenges of transforming mesenchymal stem cell research into clinical applications.

The Emerging Role of Natural Products in Cancer Treatment

The exploration of natural products as potential agents for cancer treatment has garnered significant attention in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the diverse array of natural compounds, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, lignans, polyketides, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, highlighting their emerging roles in cancer therapy. These compounds, derived from various botanical sources, exhibit a wide range of mechanisms of action, targeting critical pathways involved in cancer progression such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Through a meticulous examination of preclinical and clinical studies, we provide insights into the therapeutic potential of these natural products across different cancer types. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and challenges associated with their use in cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize their efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and delivery methods. Overall, this review underscores the importance of natural products in advancing cancer therapeutics and paves the way for future investigations into their clinical applications.

(-)-Asarinin alleviates gastric precancerous lesions by promoting mitochondrial ROS accumulation and inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

(-)-Asarinin (Asarinin) is the primary component in the extract of the herb Asarum sieboldii Miq. It possesses various functions, including pain relief, anti-viral and anti-tuberculous bacilli effects, and inhibition of tumor growth. Gastric precancerous lesion (GPL) is a common but potentially carcinogenic chronic gastrointestinal disease, and its progression can lead to gastric dysfunction and cancer development. However, the protective effects of asarinin against GPL and the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored.

METHODS

A premalignant cell model (methylnitronitrosoguanidine-induced malignant transformation of human gastric epithelial cell strain, MC cells) and a GPL animal model were established and then were treated with asarinin. The cytotoxic effect of asarinin was assessed using a CCK8 assay. Detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) using DCFH-DA. Apoptosis in MC cells was evaluated using an annexin V-FITC/PI assay. We performed western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to analyze relevant markers, investigating the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic effects of asarinin on GPL and its intrinsic mechanisms.

RESULTS

Our findings showed that asarinin inhibited MC cell proliferation, enhanced intracellular ROS levels, and induced cell apoptosis. Further investigations revealed that the pharmacological effects of asarinin on MC cells were blocked by the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine. IHC revealed a significant upregulation of phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) protein expression in human GPL tissues. In vitro, asarinin exerted its pro-apoptotic effects in MC cells by modulating the STAT3 signaling pathway. Agonists of STAT3 were able to abolish the effects of asarinin on MC cells. In vivo, asarinin induced ROS accumulation and inhibited the STAT3 pathway in gastric mucosa of mice, thereby halting and even reversing the development of GPL.

CONCLUSION

Asarinin induces apoptosis and delays the progression of GPL by promoting mitochondrial ROS production, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and inhibiting the STAT3 pathway.

Comprehensive review of the phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of alkamides (2016-2022)

Alkamides refer to a class of natural active small-molecule products composed of fatty acids and amine groups. These compounds are widely distributed in plants, and their unique structures and various pharmacological activities have caught the attention of scholars. This review provides a collection of literatures related to the phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of alkamides published in 2016-2022 and their summary to provide references for further development of this class of ingredients. A total of 234 components (including chiral isomers) were summarized, pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, analgesic, neuroprotective, insecticidal, antioxidant, and antibacterial, and miscellaneous properties of alkamides were discussed. In addition, the pharmacokinetic characteristics and toxicity of alkamides were reviewed. However, information on the pharmacological mechanisms of the action, drug safety, and pharmacokinetics of alkamides is limited and thus requires further investigation and evaluation.

Altitudinal Variation on Metabolites, Elements, and Antioxidant Activities of Medicinal Plant Asarum

Asarum (Asarum sieboldii Miq. f. seoulense (Nakai) C. Y. Cheng et C. S. Yang) is a medicinal plant that contains asarinin and sesamin, which possess extensive medicinal value. The adaptation and distribution of Asarum's plant growth are significantly affected by altitude. Although most studies on Asarum have concentrated on its pharmacological activities, little is known about its growth and metabolites with respect to altitude. In this study, the physiology, ionomics, and metabolomics were investigated and conducted on the leaves and roots of Asarum along an altitude gradient, and the content of its medicinal components was determined. The results showed that soil pH and temperature both decreased along the altitude, which restricts the growth of Asarum. The accumulation of TOC, Cu, Mg, and other mineral elements enhanced the photosynthetic capacity and leaf plasticity of Asarum in high-altitude areas. A metabolomics analysis revealed that, at high altitude, nitrogen metabolism in leaves was enhanced, while carbon metabolism in roots was enhanced. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of some phenolic substances, including syringic acid, vanillic acid, and ferulic acid, were altered to enhance the metabolism of organic acids. The study uncovered the growth and metabolic responses of Asarum to varying altitudes, providing a theoretical foundation for the utilization and cultivation of Asarum.

Asarinin attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by activating PPARγ

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease that lacks effective treatment modalities. Once patients are diagnosed with IPF, their median survival is approximately 3-5 years. PPARγ is an important target for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Asarinin is a lignan compound that can be extracted from food plant Asarum heterotropoides. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of asarinin in a pulmonary fibrosis model constructed using bleomycin in mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. Intraperitoneal administration of asarinin to mice with pulmonary fibrosis showed that asarinin effectively attenuated pulmonary fibrosis, and this effect was significantly inhibited by the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662. Asarinin inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in vitro, while GW9662 and PPARγ gene silencing significantly inhibited this effect. In addition, asarinin inhibited not only the canonical Smad pathway of TGF-β but also the non-canonical AKT and MAPK pathways by activating PPARγ. Our study demonstrates that asarinin can be used as a therapeutic agent for pulmonary fibrosis, and that PPARγ is its key target.

Molecular cloning and characterization of Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase promoter gene from Asarum sieboldii Miq

Asarum sieboldii Miq., a perennial herb of the family Aristolochiaceae, is widely used in China to treat cold, fever, aphthous stomatitis, toothache, gingivitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Methyleugenol is the most representative pharmacological constituent of this medicinal herb. Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), which has been well known for occupying a critical position in the lignin biosynthesis pathway, is also shared with the biosynthesis of methyleugenol. To better understand the regulatory mechanisms of methyleugenol biosynthesis, a 1530-bp long promoter region of the AsCCR1 gene was isolated. PLACE and PlantCARE analysis affirmed the existence of the core promoter elements such as TATA and CAAT boxes, abiotic stress-responsive cis-regulation elements like abscisic acid-responsive element, G-box, and MBS in the isolated sequence. The histochemical assay suggested that it was a constitutive promoter, highly expressed in the root tissue. Moreover, the region of -200 bp to ATG (start codon) was enough to drive the expression of It GUS gene. Treatments with low temperature and high concentration of gibberellin or abscisic acid demonstrated the abiotic stress-induced expression of the AsCCR1 promoter. Overall, this study revealed the isolation and characterization of the AsCCR1 promoter. Moreover, it also provided a candidate gene for molecular breeding in A. sieboldii to enhance its pharmacological potential.

Intervention effects of traditional Chinese medicine on stem cell therapy of myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of global mortality, in which myocardial infarction accounts for 46% of total deaths. Although good progress has been achieved in medication and interventional techniques, a proven method to repair the damaged myocardium has not yet been determined. Stem cell therapy for damaged myocardial repair has evolved into a promising treatment for ischemic heart disease. However, low retention and poor survival of the injected stem cells are the major obstacles to achieving the intended therapeutic effects. Chinese botanical and other natural drug substances are a rich source of effective treatment for various diseases. As such, numerous studies have revealed the role of Chinese medicine in stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction treatment, including promoting proliferation, survival, migration, angiogenesis, and differentiation of stem cells. Here, we discuss the potential and limitations of stem cell therapy, as well as the regulatory mechanism of Chinese medicines underlying stem cell therapy. We focus on the evidence from pre-clinical trials and clinical practices, and based on traditional Chinese medicine theories, we further summarize the mechanisms of Chinese medicine treatment in stem cell therapy by the commonly used prescriptions. Despite the pre-clinical evidence showing that traditional Chinese medicine is helpful in stem cell therapy, there are still some limitations of traditional Chinese medicine therapy. We also systematically assess the detailed experimental design and reliability of included pharmacological research in our review. Strictly controlled animal models with multi-perspective pharmacokinetic profiles and high-grade clinical evidence with multi-disciplinary efforts are highly demanded in the future.

Kinetic modeling of the sesamin conversion into asarinin in the presence of citric acid loading on Hβ

In the present work, effects of reaction temperature, reactant concentration, catalyst loading, and rotation speed on the kinetics of sesamin conversion in a sesame oil system were studied by using citric acid loading on Hβ zeolite (CA/Hβ) as a catalyst. A kinetic model was built for sesamin conversion. The kinetic model fits correctly the experimental concentration of sesamin and asarinin (RS⁢e⁢s⁢a⁢m⁢i⁢n2 = 0.93 and RA⁢s⁢a⁢r⁢i⁢n⁢i⁢n2 = 0.97). The sesamin conversion is an endothermic reaction (△H_rIso = 3 4.578kJ/mol). The CA/Hβ catalyst could be easily regenerated by calcination, and there was no obvious loss of catalytic activity when reused. Knowledge of the sesamin conversion is of great significance for guiding production and improving the value and nutrition of sesame oil. In a word, this study lays the foundation for the scale-up of the production of asarinin from sesame oil using CA/Hβ as the catalyst.

Higenamine in Plants as a Source of Unintentional Doping

BACKGROUND

Higenamine is a β2 agonist of plant origin. The compound has been included in WADA's prohibited list since 2017. Higenamine may be detected in different plants and many food supplements of natural origin.

METHODS

Our literature search was conducted through PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Web of Science studies investigating the presence of higenamine in plants that are used in traditional folk medicine or included in food supplements. Our study aimed to assess the risk of adverse analytical findings caused by higenamine-containing plants.

RESULTS

Based on our literature search, Nelumbo nucifera, Tinospora crispa, Nandina domestica, Gnetum parvifolium, Asarum siebodii,Asarum heterotropoides, Aconitum carmichaelii, and Aristolochia brasiliensis are higenamine-containing plants. Based on data from Eastern folk medicine, these plants can provide numerous health benefits. Professional athletes likely ingest these plants without knowing that they contain higenamine; these herbs are used in treatments for different conditions and various foods/food supplements in addition to folk medicine.

CONCLUSION

Athletes and their teams must be aware of the issues associated with the use of plant-based products. They should avoid consuming higenamine-containing plants during and outside of competition periods.

The genus Asarum: A review on phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In essentially every quadrant of the globe, many species of genus Asarum are used as a common herbal medicine and appear in many formulas or Kampo. Crude drug from several medicinal plants of genus Asarum (MA) known as Asari Radix et Rhizoma (ARR) has been proven to have the functions of dispelling cold, relieving pain, and reducing phlegm according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory for thousands of years.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This article reviews the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and metabolic kinetics related research of genus Asarum to evaluate its ethnopharmacology use and future opportunities for research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information on relevant studies of the genus Asarum was gathered via the Internet using Baidu Scholar, Web of Science, Elsevier, ResearchGate, ACS, Pudmed and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Additionally, information was also obtained from some local books, PhD, MS's dissertations and Pharmacopeias.

RESULTS

The genus Asarum has played an important role in herbal treatment. At present, more than 277 compounds have been isolated or identified from genus Asarum. Among them, volatile oil and lignans are the major active constituents and important chemotaxonomic markers. Modern pharmacological studies indicated that genus Asarum and its active compounds possess a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protection, antitussive, immunosuppressive, anti-tumor, and microbicidal activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this review, therapeutic potential of genus Asarum has been demonstrated with the pharmacological effects on inflammation, CNS, respiratory regulation, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and microbial infection. The available literature showed that the major activities of the genus Asarum can be attributed to the active lignans and essential oils. Further in-depth studies on the aspects of the genus for mechanism of actions, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, drug interactions, and clinical trials are still limited, thereby intensive research and assessments should be performed.

In Silico Investigation of Phytoconstituents of Medicinal Herb 'Piper Longum' Against SARS-CoV-2 by Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Analysis

Unavailability of treatment for the SARS-CoV-2 virus has raised concern among the population worldwide. This has led to many attempts to find alternative options to prevent the infection of the disease, including focusing on vaccines and drugs. The use of natural products and herbal extracts can be a better option in beating the virus and boosting up immunity. In the present paper, we have done a systematic in silico study of papain-like protease of COVID-19 virus with the chemical constituents of herbal plant Piper Longum. Screening of the pharmacokinetic properties is done with thirty-two phytoconstituents of Piper Longum which help us in selecting the most active components of the plant. After selection molecular docking is performed with Aristololactam (C17H11NO4), Fargesin (C21H22O6), l-asarinin (C20H18O6), Lignans Machilin F (C20H22O5), Piperundecalidine (C23H29NO3), and Pluviatilol (C20H20O6). Molecular dynamic (MD) is also performed with the inhibitor-receptor complex which suggest significant inhibition and a stable complex of I-Asarinin with PLpro. Docking scores and simulation results suggest that I-Asarinin can act as a potential drug like candidate against COVID-19.

A novel study on the immunomodulatory effect of umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with traditional Chinese medicine Asarinin

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the key for the treatment of malignant hematological diseases, and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) that might occur after allogenic transplantation can be life threatening and promote disease recurrence. GVHD damages the various parts of the body by upregulating T helper 1 cytokines (Th1) cytokines and stimulating CD4、CD8 + T cells. GVHD can exhibit significant immunoregulatory effects, but could be easily affected by the mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) environment, and hence the MSC immunosuppressive effects on GVHD remain unpredictable. Hence, to better understand the role of MSC in the prevention and treatment of GVHD, umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) were pre-treated with Chinese medicine Asarinin and IFN-γ. In the mix lymphocyte reaction, we found that Asarinin pre-treated UC-MSC can exert significantly greater inhibition towards the proliferation of CD4 and CD8 + T cells, down-regulate Th1 type cytokines, up-regulate Th2 type cytokines, and reduce the inflammatory damage to liver, lung and intestine of aGVHD mice model. Moreover, Asarinin can cooperate with IFN-γto promote UC-MSC to secrete indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Our findings establish that Asarinin pre-treated UC-MSC can significantly promote the immunosuppressive effects of MSC on aGVHD after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Effects of Drought on the Biosynthesis of Methyleugenol in Asarum sieboldii Miq

Asarum sieboldii Miq., a perennial herb in the family Aristolochiaceae, is widely used to treat colds, fever, headache and toothache in China. However, little is known about the drought-tolerance characteristics of A. sieboldii. In this study, to elucidate the molecular–genetic mechanisms of drought-stress tolerance of A. sieboldii, RNA-seq was conducted. In total, 53,344 unigenes were assembled, and 28,715 unigenes were annotated. A total of 6444 differential-expression unigenes (DEGs) were found, which were mainly enriched in phenylpropanoid, starch and sucrose metabolic pathways. Drought stress revealed significant up-regulation of the unigenes encoding PAL, C4H, HCT, C3H, CCR and IGS in the methyleugenol-biosynthesis pathway. Under the condition of maintaining drought for 15 days and 30 days, drought stress reduced the biosynthesis of volatile oil by 24% and 38%, respectively, while the production of key medicinal ingredients (such as methyl eugenol) was increased. These results provide valuable information about the diverse mechanisms of drought resistance in the A. sieboldii, and the changes in the expression of the genes involved in methyleugenol biosynthesis in response to drought stress.

Full-length transcriptome analysis and identification of genes involved in asarinin and aristolochic acid biosynthesis in medicinal plant Asarum sieboldii

Asarum sieboldii, a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is used for curing inflammation and ache. It contains both the bioactive ingredient asarinin and the toxic compound aristolochic acid. To address further breeding demand, genes involved in the biosynthetic pathways of asarinin and aristolochic acid should be explored. Therefore, the full-length transcriptome of A. sieboldii was sequenced using PacBio Iso-Seq to determine the candidate transcripts that encode the biosynthetic enzymes of asarinin and aristolochic acid. In this study, 63 023 full-length transcripts were generated with an average length of 1371 bp from roots, stems, and leaves, of which 49 593 transcripts (78.69%) were annotated against public databases. Furthermore, 555 alternative splicing (AS) events, 10 869 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as well as their 11 291 target genes, and 17 909 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified. The data also revealed 97 candidate transcripts related to asarinin metabolism, of which six novel genes that encoded enzymes involved in asarinin biosynthesis were initially reported. In addition, 56 transcripts related to aristolochic acid biosynthesis were also identified, including CYP81B. In summary, these transcriptome data provide a useful resource to study gene function and genetic engineering in A. sieboldii.

Simultaneous Determination of 6 Antiallergic Components in Asarum sieboldii Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Owing to the side effects of current drugs for treating atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic disease in the skin, traditional herbal medicine is receiving much attention as an alternative treatment. Asarum sieboldii has traditionally been used to treat colds, fevers, headaches, coughs, neuralgia, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergies. In this study, 6 compounds (echinacoside, vanillic acid, kakuol, methyl eugenol, sesamin, and asarinin) in A. sieboldii were analyzed simultaneously using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the proposed analytical method was validated. In addition, the inhibitory effects of the A. sieboldii extract and the 6 analyzed compounds on the expression of chemokine were evaluated in HaCaT cells. The HPLC method showed high linearity, with a correlation coefficient of ≥0.9999. The limits of detection for the 6 compounds ranged from 0.00 to 0.02 µg/mL, and the limits of quantification ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 µg/mL. The intraday and interday precisions were 0.15%-1.90%; the accuracy was 97.36%-103.23%, and the recoveries of the 6 compounds were 97.45%-103.93%. The content of each compound in A. sieboldii, as determined using the corresponding calibration curve, was in the range of 0.380-12.062 mg/g. This optimized simultaneous quantification method will be suitable for improving the quality control of A. sieboldii. Moreover, the 6 compounds in A. sieboldii showed an inhibitory effect on the production of chemokines, which suggests that A. sieboldii has an antiallergic effect.

Facile Synthesis of Ultrastable Fluorescent Copper Nanoclusters and Their Cellular Imaging Application

Copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) are generally formed by several to dozens of atoms. Because of wide range of raw materials and cheap prices, Cu NCs have attracted scientists’ special attention. However, Cu NCs tend to undergo oxidation easily. Thus, there is a dire need to develop a synthetic protocol for preparing fluorescent Cu NCs with high QY and better stability. Herein, we report a one-step method for preparing stable blue-green fluorescent copper nanoclusters using glutathione (GSH) as both a reducing agent and a stabilizing agent. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) were used to characterize the resulting Cu NCs. The as-prepared Cu NCs@GSH possess an ultrasmall size (2.3 ± 0.4 nm), blue-green fluorescence with decent quantum yield (6.2%) and good stability. MTT results clearly suggest that the Cu NCs@GSH are biocompatible. After incubated with EB-labeled HEK293T cells, the Cu NCs mainly accumulated in nuclei of the cells, suggesting that the as-prepared Cu NCs could potentially be used as the fluorescent probe for applications in cellular imaging.

Cytotoxic Activity and Initiation of Apoptosis via Intrinsic Pathway in Jurkat Cells by Leaf Extract of Zanthoxylum rhetsa DC

BACKGROUND

Newer drugs are in demand for leukemia treatment that specifically targets tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Potent cytotoxic activities have been reported from various parts of Zanthoxylum rhetsa. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate antileukemic potential of leaf extract of Z. rhetsa along with probable mechanism of cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods: The antiproliferative activity of the extract on leukemic cell lines was evaluated using sulforhodamine B assay. The changes in cell death profile, cell cycle, and expression levels of pro-apoptotic markers (p53, Bax, cytochrome C, caspase 3, and MMP) and antiapoptic marker (Bcl2) on Jurkat cell lines were studied using flow cytometer. Comparison of oxidative stress induced by extract on Jurkat cells and normal mouse fibroblast cells was done. DNA fragmentation was studied using gel electrophoresis. Results: The leaf extract showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against Jurkat cell lines majorly via apoptotic mechanism. It arrested cells at G0/G1 and S phase of cell cycle. Apoptosis was associated with increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic markers and decrease of anti-apoptotic markers. The treatment with extract selectively increased the oxidative stress in Jurkat cells and showed DNA fragmentation. Conclusion: The methanol extract of leaves of Z. rhetsa show selective cytotoxic activity on Jurkat cell lines and induced apoptosis via intrinsic pathway.

Jinmaitong, a Traditional Chinese Compound Prescription, Ameliorates the Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Rats by Increasing Sciatic Nerve IGF-1 and IGF-1R Expression

Jinmaitong (JMT) is a Traditional Chinese Compound Prescription for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This study aims to investigate the effect of JMT on the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and the insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) expression in sciatic nerves of diabetic rats. Firstly, the chemical profile of JMT was characterized by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis. A total of 72 compounds were putatively identified. Secondly, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with neurotropin (NTP, 2.67 NU/kg/day) or JMT at low-dosage (0.4375 g/kg/day), medium-dosage (0.875 g/kg/day), and high-dosage (1.75 g/kg/day) for continuous 16 weeks. Blood glucose and body weight were detected every 4 weeks during the experiment. The mechanical pain and morphological change on sciatic nerves were detected by pain measurement instrument and microscopy. The IGF-1 level in serum and tissues were measured though ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expressions of IGF-1, IGF-1R, peripheral myelin protein zero (P0), and peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) in the tissues were measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. As a result, JMT had no significant effect on body weight, but reduced the fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic rats. Besides, the pathological morphology, mechanical pain thresholds, serum level and tissue expression of IGF-1, mRNA, and protein levels of IGF-1R, P0, and PMP22 were significantly improved in JMT group at middle dosage. In conclusion, JMT could ameliorate the behavioristics and morphology changes in DPN rats by promoting IGF-1 and IGF-1R gene and protein expressions in sciatic nerves, as well as regulating the peripheral nerve remyelination genes P0 and PMP22 expressions, which provides scientific evidence for the clinical application of JMT in DPN patients.

Comparative Transcriptomics Analysis for Gene Mining and Identification of a Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase Involved in Methyleugenol Biosynthesis from Asarum sieboldii Miq

Asarum sieboldii Miq., one of the three original plants of TCM ASARI RADIX ET RHIZOMA, is a perennial herb distributed in central and eastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. Methyleugenol has been considered as the most important constituent of Asarum volatile oil, meanwhile asarinin is also employed as the quality control standard of ASARI RADIX ET RHIZOMA in Chinese Pharmacopeia. They both have shown wide range of biological activities. However, little was known about genes involved in biosynthesis pathways of either methyleugenol or asarinin in Asarum plants. In the present study, we performed de novo transcriptome analysis of plant tissues (e.g., roots, rhizomes, and leaves) at different developmental stages. The sequence assembly resulted in 311,597 transcripts from these plant materials, among which 925 transcripts participated in 'secondary metabolism' with particularly up to 20.22% of them falling into phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. The corresponding enzymes belong to seven families potentially encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase (C4H), p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase (C3H), caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), and eugenol synthase (EGS). Moreover, 5 unigenes of DIR (dirigent protein) and 11 unigenes of CYP719A (719A subfamily of cytochrome P450 oxygenases) were speculated to be involved in asarinin pathway. Of the 15 candidate CADs, four unigenes that possessed high FPKM (fragments per transcript kilobase per million fragments mapped) value in roots were cloned and characterized. Only the recombinant AsCAD5 protein efficiently converted p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols, which are key intermediates employed not only in biosynthesis of lignin but also in that of methyleugenol and asarinin. qRT-PCR revealed that AsCAD5 had a high expression level in roots at three developmental stages. Our study will provide insight into the potential application of molecular breeding and metabolic engineering for improving the quality of TCM ASARI RADIX ET RHIZOMA.