Angelica Sinensis Research Articles

Screening of polysaccharides from the differently processed products of Angelica sinensis with the best liver protection effect on chicken and the intervention mechanism study based on tandem mass tag proteomics and multiple reaction monitoring approach.

The incidence of colibacillosis in poultry is on the rise, significantly affecting the chicken industry. Ceftiofur sodium (CS) is frequently employed to treat this disease, resulting in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) buildup. Processing plays a vital role in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine. The potential intervention in liver injury by polysaccharides from the differently processed products of Angelica sinensis (PDPPAS) induced by combined CS and LPS remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of PDPPAS on chicken liver injury caused by CS combined with LPS buildup and further identify the polysaccharides with the highest hepatoprotective activity in chickens. Furthermore, the study elucidates polysaccharides' intervention mechanism using tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) methods. A total of 190 1-day-old layer chickens were randomly assigned into 12 groups, of which 14 chickens were in the control group and 16 in other groups, for a 10-day trial. The screening results showed that charred A. sinensis polysaccharide (CASP) had the most effective and the best hepatoprotective effect at 48 h. TMT proteomics and MRM validation results demonstrated that the intervention mechanism of the CASP high-dose (CASPH) intervention group was closely related to the protein expressions of FCER2, TBXAS1, CD34, AGXT, GCAT, COX7A2L, and CYP2AC1. Conclusively, the intervention mechanism of CASPH had multitarget, multicenter regulatory features.

A novel traditional Chinese medicine combination for radiation

ObjectiveTo formulate an efficacious radioprotective combination of Chinese medicines with minimal toxicity. MethodsAqueous and alcoholic extracts from 38 traditional Chinese herbs were prepared. To produce drug-containing sera, rats received six doses of each extract via oral gavage at 12-h intervals. Subsequently, human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells were cultured in these drug-containing sera. The cell viability was assessed after different doses of irradiation to identify the radioprotective effects of Chinese herbal extracts. The efficacy of a selected Chinese herbal extract combination was further confirmed through cell viability analysis via in vitro colony formation and survival rate assessments in C57BL/6 mice post-irradiation. ResultsExtracts from Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR; two extracts), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), Platycladi Cacumen (PC), Schisandrae chinensis Fructus (SF), Scutellariae Radix (SR), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome (GRR) demonstrated radioprotective effects. The combination of the seven Chinese herbal extracts notably increased the survival and viability of the BEAS-2B cells exposed to varying doses of X-rays. Moreover, the group of mice receiving Chinese medicine combination and irradiation exhibited prolonged survival after exposure to 6.5 ​Gy X-rays with a median survival of （14 ​± ​2）d compared to （11 ​± ​2）d in the irradiated group without the herbal treatment. Additionally, the Chinese medicine combination group displayed a significantly higher 28 ​d survival rate (30%) compared to the irradiation-only group (16.6%, P ​< ​0.05). ConclusionThe novel combination of Chinese herbal extracts from ASR, CRP, PC, SF, SR, and GRR has the potential for radiation protection applications.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides modified selenium nanoparticles for effective prevention of acute liver injury

As a global public health issue, the treatment of acute liver injury (ALI) is severely limited due to the lack of specific drugs. In order to address the challenges, innovative strategies for selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) with excellent antioxidant properties have been actively developed to effectively prevent ALI. However, the functional activity of Se NPs is severely affected by poor stability and bioavailability. The aim of this work is to develop a stabilization system (ASP-Se NPs) for Angelica sinensis polysaccharides modified Se NPs. The results showed that ASP-Se NPs with smaller size (62.38 ± 2.96 nm) showed good stability, specific accumulation in liver and enhanced cell uptake, thus exerting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. The results of in vivo experiments further confirmed that ASP-Se NPs effectively prevented CCl4-induced ALI by improving liver function, inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and liver pathological damage. This work provides a new alternative method for effectively preventing ALI and improving liver function.

A comprehensive review of the anticancer effects of decursin.

Cancer is a globally complex disease with a plethora of genetic, physiological, metabolic, and environmental variations. With the increasing resistance to current anticancer drugs, efforts have been made to develop effective cancer treatments. Currently, natural products are considered promising cancer therapeutic agents due to their potent anticancer activity and low intrinsic toxicity. Decursin, a coumarin analog mainly derived from the roots of the medicinal plant Angelica sinensis, has a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and especially anticancer activities. Existing studies indicate that decursin affects cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, and metastasis. It also indirectly affects the immune microenvironment and can act as a potential anticancer agent. Decursin can exert synergistic antitumor effects when used in combination with a number of common clinical anticancer drugs, enhancing chemotherapy sensitivity and reversing drug resistance in cancer cells, suggesting that decursin is a good drug combination. Second, decursin is also a promising lead compound, and compounds modifying its structure and formulation form also have good anticancer effects. In addition, decursin is not only a key ingredient in several natural herbs and dietary supplements but is also available through a biosynthetic pathway, with anticancer properties and a high degree of safety in cells, animals, and humans. Thus, it is evident that decursin is a promising natural compound, and its great potential for cancer prevention and treatment needs to be studied and explored in greater depth to support its move from the laboratory to the clinic.

Levistilide A Exerts a Neuroprotective Effect by Suppressing Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming and Preventing Microglia Polarization Shift: Implications for Parkinson's Disease.

The microglia, displaying diverse phenotypes, play a significant regulatory role in the development, progression, and prognosis of Parkinson's disease. Research has established that glycolytic reprogramming serves as a critical regulator of inflammation initiation in pro-inflammatory macrophages. Furthermore, the modulation of glycolytic reprogramming has the potential to reverse the polarized state of these macrophages. Previous studies have shown that Levistilide A (LA), a phthalide component derived from Angelica sinensis, possesses a range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. In our study, we have examined the impact of LA on inflammatory cytokines and glucose metabolism in microglia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, we explored the effects of LA on the AMPK/mTOR pathway and assessed its neuroprotective potential both in vitro and in vivo. The findings revealed that LA notably diminished the expression of M1 pro-inflammatory factors induced by LPS in microglia, while leaving M2 anti-inflammatory factor expression unaltered. Additionally, it reduced ROS production and suppressed IκB-α phosphorylation levels as well as NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Notably, LA exhibited the ability to reverse microglial glucose metabolism reprogramming and modulate the phosphorylation levels of AMPK/mTOR. In vivo experiments further corroborated these findings, demonstrating that LA mitigated the death of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons and reduced microglia activation in the ventral SNpc brain region of the midbrain and the striatum. In summary, LA exhibited neuroprotective benefits by modulating the polarization state of microglia and altering glucose metabolism, highlighting its therapeutic potential.

Elucidating shared biomarkers in gastroesophageal reflux disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: insights into novel therapeutic targets and the role of angelicae sinensis radix.

Background: The etiological underpinnings of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain elusive, coupled with a scarcity of effective therapeutic interventions for IPF. Angelicae sinensis radix (ASR, also named Danggui) is a Chinese herb with potential anti-fibrotic properties, that holds promise as a therapeutic agent for IPF. Objective: This study seeks to elucidate the causal interplay and potential mechanisms underlying the coexistence of GERD and IPF. Furthermore, it aims to investigate the regulatory effect of ASR on this complex relationship. Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) approach was employed to delineate the causal connection between gastroesophageal reflux disease and IPF, with Phennoscanner V2 employed to mitigate confounding factors. Utilizing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and publicly available microarray data, we analyzed potential targets and mechanisms related to IPF in GERD. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to explore the targets and efficacy of ASR in treating GERD-related IPF. External datasets were subsequently utilized to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF. Results: The IVW analysis demonstrated a positive causal relationship between GERD and IPF (IVW: OR = 1.002, 95%CI: 1.001, 1.003; p < 0.001). Twenty-five shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO functional analysis revealed enrichment in neural, cellular, and brain development processes, concentrated in chromosomes and plasma membranes, with protein binding and activation involvement. KEGG analysis unveiled enrichment in proteoglycan, ERBB, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways in cancer. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis identified seven hub genes. Network pharmacology analysis demonstrated that 104 components of ASR targeted five hub genes (PDE4B, DRD2, ERBB4, ESR1, GRM8), with molecular docking confirming their excellent binding efficiency. GRM8 and ESR1 emerged as potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF (ESR1: AUCGERD = 0.762, AUCIPF = 0.725; GRM8: AUCGERD = 0.717, AUCIPF = 0.908). GRM8 and ESR1 emerged as potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF, validated in external datasets. Conclusion: This study establishes a causal link between GERD and IPF, identifying five key targets and two potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF. ASR exhibits intervention efficacy and favorable binding characteristics, positioning it as a promising candidate for treating GERD-related IPF. The potential regulatory mechanisms may involve cell responses to fibroblast growth factor stimulation and steroidal hormone-mediated signaling pathways.

Herbal Approach in Premenstrual Syndrome – A Review

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common phenomenon experienced by many women in the days leading up to their menstrual cycle. The physical and emotional symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe disruptions in daily life. While conventional treatments exist, an increasing number of individuals are turning to herbal approaches to find relief from PMS symptoms such as Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus), Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis), Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), In addition to herbal remedies, lifestyle and dietary adjustments play a crucial role in managing PMS. A diet rich in whole foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can contribute to overall well-being. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms by promoting circulation and releasing endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators. The herbal approach to managing PMS offers a natural and holistic alternative for women seeking relief from the challenges of premenstrual syndrome. While individual responses to herbal remedies may vary, many women find comfort and support in the wisdom of nature.

Angelica Sinensis Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles for Liver-Targeted Delivery of Oridonin.

The present work aimed to study the feasibility of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) as an instinctive liver targeting drug delivery carrier for oridonin (ORI) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ASP was reacted with deoxycholic acid (DOCA) via an esterification reaction to form an ASP-DOCA conjugate. ORI-loaded ASP-DOCA nanoparticles (ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs) were prepared by the thin-film water method, and their size was about 195 nm in aqueous solution. ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs had a drug loading capacity of up to 9.2%. The release of ORI in ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs was pH-dependent, resulting in rapid decomposition and accelerated drug release at acidic pH. ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs significantly enhanced the accumulation of ORI in liver tumors through ASGPR-mediated endocytosis. In vitro results showed that ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs increased cell uptake and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and in vivo results showed that ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs caused effective tumor suppression in H22 tumor-bearing mice compared with free ORI. In short, ORI/ASP-DOCA NPs might be a simple, feasible, safe and effective ORI nano-drug delivery system that could be used for the targeted delivery and treatment of liver tumors.

Ligusticum cycloprolactam inhibits IL-1β-induced apoptosis and inflammation of rat chondrocytes via HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Chondrocytes are unique resident cells in the articular cartilage, and the pathological changes of them can lead to the occurrence of osteoarthritis(OA). Ligusticum cycloprolactam(LIGc) are derivatives of Z-ligustilide(LIG), a pharmacodynamic marker of Angelica sinensis, which has various biological functions such as anti-inflammation and inhibition of cell apoptosis. However, its protective effect on chondrocytes in the case of OA and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. This study conducted in vitro experiments to explore the molecular mechanism of LIGc in protecting chondrocytes from OA. The inflammation model of rat OA chondrocyte model was established by using interleukin-1β(IL-1β) to induce. LIGc alone and combined with glycyrrhizic acid(GA), a blocker of the high mobility group box-1 protein(HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathway, were used to intervene in the model, and the therapeutic effects were systematically evaluated. The viability of chondrocytes treated with different concentrations of LIGc was measured by the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8), and the optimal LIGc concentration was screened out. Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit was employed to examine the apoptosis of chondrocytes in each group. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), prostaglandin-2(PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in the supernatant of chondrocytes in each group. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), caspase-3, HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB p65. The mRNA levels of HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB p65, and myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88) in chondrocytes were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). The safe concentration range of LIGc on chondrocytes was determined by CCK-8, and then the optimal concentration of LIGc for exerting the effect was clarified. Under the intervention of IL-1β, the rat chondrocyte model of OA was successfully established. The modeled chondrocytes showed increased apoptosis rate, promoted expression of COX-2, PGE2, and TNF-α, up-regulated protein levels of Bax, caspase-3, HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 and mRNA levels of HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB p65, and MyD88, and down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2. However, LIGc reversed the IL-1β-induced changes of the above factors. Moreover, LIGc combined with GA showed more significant reversal effect than LIGc alone. These fin-dings indicate that LIGc extracted and derived from the traditional Chinese medicine A. sinensis can inhibit the inflammatory response of chondrocytes and reduce the apoptosis of chondrocytes, and this effect may be related to the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. The pharmacological effect of LIGc on protecting chondrocytes has potential value in delaying the progression of OA and improving the clinical symptoms of patients, and deserves further study.

Improvement of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis through a combination of Astragalus radix and Angelica sinensis radix via mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway-induced autophagy in rat.

There is a major need for effective, well-tolerated treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in clinic. Astragalus radix (AR; Huangqi) and Angelica sinensis radix (AS; Danggui) have been frequently used in the treatment of IPF. This study aimed to reveal the pharmacological effects and the mechanisms of the action of an AR-AS combination in treating IPF. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=5): control, bleomycin (BLM) model, AR, AS, AR + AS, and prednisone (PDN) groups. A transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced MRC-5 cell model were also used. Pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy were evaluated by performing hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson staining, immunohistochemical staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, and hydroxyproline assay following the treatment of AR, AS, and the AR-AS herb pair. Rats administered the AR-AS herb pair had lower α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin, and vimentin levels in lung tissues, and lower inflammatory cytokine levels in rat serum. In addition, the AR-AS herb pair induced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated autophagy and reduced oxidative stress in BLM-induced rats. The effects of the AR and AS combination were confirmed in MRC-5 cells treated with TGF-β1. Specifically, the combination of AR and AS attenuated MRC-5 cell fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress while inducing autophagy. The combination of AR and AS protects against IPF by inducing autophagy via inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway. The synergistic action of AR and AS is superior to that of either AR or AS alone.

Screening, evaluation and identification of promising plant extracts for development of novel natural preservatives

Chemical preservatives are widely employed as the primary approach to inhibit food spoilage, yet their acceptance among consumers is progressively diminishing. Consequently, researchers have increasingly made efforts to explore natural preservatives. Phytochemicals with diverse bioactivities offer promising opportunities for development of natural preservatives. In this study, extracts from a total of 90 plant materials were screened and evaluated for their inhibitory effects against the two pathogenic fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum. Initially, 20 plant extract samples that exhibited an inhibition rate exceeding 85 % against either or both fungal strains were conducted for further screening. Then, evaluations of their minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), spore germination, and mycelial growth were carried out for the subsequent screenings. Finally, GC-MS analysis was preformed to detect the chemical composition of the selected plant extracts. Thus, the antifungal index of the 90 plants was calculated, forming a repository of raw material for plant-based preservatives. The results revealed significant antifungal activities in the petroleum ether (PE) fractions of Cinnamomum cassia, Syzygium aromaticum, Amomum tsaoko, Nardostachys jatamansi, Angelica sinensis, and chloroform fractions of Cinnamomum cassia, Syzygium aromaticum, Houpoea officinalis and Ruta graveolens. Especially, the MICs of Cinnamomum cassia PE fraction (CMPE) against the Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum were only 0.125 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, CMPE also exhibited strong inhibiton effects on sprore germination (> 90 %) and mycelial growth (> 50 %, 1 day). These plant extract fractions are considered as potential candidates for novel natural preservatives.

ASAP: a platform for gene functional analysis in Angelica sinensis

BackgroundAngelica sinensis (Danggui), a renowned medicinal orchid, has gained significant recognition for its therapeutic effects in treating a wide range of ailments. Genome information serves as a valuable resource, enabling researchers to gain a deeper understanding of gene function. In recent times, the availability of chromosome-level genomes for A. sinensis has opened up vast opportunities for exploring gene functionality. Integrating multiomics data can allow researchers to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying gene function in A. sinensis and further enhance our knowledge of its medicinal properties.ResultsIn this study, we utilized genomic and transcriptomic data to construct a coexpression network for A. sinensis. To annotate genes, we aligned them with sequences from various databases, such as the NR, TAIR, trEMBL, UniProt, and SwissProt databases. For GO and KEGG annotations, we employed InterProScan and GhostKOALA software. Additionally, gene families were predicted using iTAK, HMMER, OrholoFinder, and KEGG annotation. To facilitate gene functional analysis in A. sinensis, we developed a comprehensive platform that integrates genomic and transcriptomic data with processed functional annotations. The platform includes several tools, such as BLAST, GSEA, Heatmap, JBrowse, and Sequence Extraction. This integrated resource and approach will enable researchers to explore the functional aspects of genes in A. sinensis more effectively.ConclusionWe developed a platform, named ASAP, to facilitate gene functional analysis in A. sinensis. ASAP (www.gzybioinformatics.cn/ASAP) offers a comprehensive collection of genome data, transcriptome resources, and analysis tools. This platform serves as a valuable resource for researchers conducting gene functional research in their projects, providing them with the necessary data and tools to enhance their studies.

Comparative Study of Rice Wine-Processed and Unprocessed Angelica sinensis by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and Chemometrics

As a common pharmaceutical plant, Angelica sinensis (called Danggui (DG) in Chinese) is widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics and frequently processed with rice wine. Eight batches of rice wine-processed (WDG) samples and unprocessed DG were prepared to compare the chemical component differences. High-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was combined with a molecular network strategy. The 140 components were identified, thereby providing a comprehensive characterization of DG and WDG. Chemometrics was used to compare the variations in these components, and the results revealed higher abundances of certain amino acids and organic acids in WDG. These differences may explain the higher efficacy of WDG. This study shows the differences between DG and WDG included variation in the content, which provides a basis for the study of WDG and support for the standardization of Chinese medicine processing.

Aerial parts of Angelica sinensis supplementation for improved broiler growth and intestinal health

This research examined the impact of incorporating Angelica sinensis's aerial components (APA), commonly referred to as "female ginseng", into broilers' diet. Two hundred eighty-eight 1-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to the 4 experimental groups with 6 replications and 12 birds/replicate. The 4 groups were fed the diets included 4 concentrations of APA (0 %, 1 %, 2 %, and 3%, respectively). The study spanned 42 days, categorized as the starter phase (1-21 days) and the finisher phase (22-42 days). Notably, broilers fed with 3% APA demonstrated a pronounced surge in feed consumption and weight gain during the 22-42 days and over the full 42-day period (P<0.05). Furthermore, when examining the broilers' intestinal structure, there was a notable increase in the villus height and villi ratio across the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, with a decrease in crypt depth upon 3% APA inclusion (P<0.05). On a molecular note, certain genes connected to the intestinal mechanical barrier, such as Zona Occludens 1 and Claudin-2, saw significant elevation in the jejunum (P<0.05). The jejunum also displayed heightened levels of antimicrobial peptides like lysozyme, mucin 2, sIgA, IgG, and IgM, showcasing an enhanced chemical and immune barrier(P<0.05). Delving into the 16SrDNA sequencing of intestinal content, a higher microbial diversity was evident with a surge in beneficial bacteria, particularly Firmicutes, advocating a resilient and balanced microecosystem. The findings imply that a 3% APA dietary addition bolsters growth metrics and fortifies the intestinal barrier's structural and functional integrity in broilers.

Longitudinal Distribution Map of the Active Components and Endophytic Fungi in Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels Root and Their Potential Correlations.

The three distinct medicinal parts of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Ang) roots are the head, body, and tail (ARH, ARB, and ART, respectively). How endophytic fungi shape the differences in metabolic components among these parts remains unclear. We quantified the distribution of active components and endophytic fungi along the ARH, ARB, and ART and their relationships. Based on the metabolic components and their abundances detected via non-target metabolism, the different medicinal parts were distinguishable. The largest number of dominant metabolic components was present in ART. The difference between ART and ARH was the greatest, and ARB was in a transitional state. The dominant active molecules in ART highlight their effects in haemodynamics improvement, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hormone regulation, while ARH and ARB indicated more haemostasis, blood enrichment, neuromodulation, neuroprotection and tranquilisation, hepatoprotection, and antitumour activities than that of ART. The ARHs, ARBs, and ARTs can also be distinguished from each other based on the endophytic fungi at the microbiome level. The most dominant endophytic fungi were distributed in ART; the differences between ART and ARH were the largest, and ARB was in a transition state, which is consistent with the metabolite distributions. Structural equation modelling showed that the endophytic fungi were highly indicative of the metabolic components. Correlation analysis further identified the endophytic fungi significantly positively correlated with important active components, including Condenascus tortuosus, Sodiomyces alcalophilus, and Pleotrichocladium opacum. The bidirectional multivariate interactions between endophytic fungi and the metabolic components shape their spatial variations along the longitudinal direction in the Ang root.

Comprehensive analysis of phenylpropanoids and butylidenephthalides in Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels from different regions and processing methods by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with chemometrics

Comprehensive analysis of phenylpropanoids and butylidenephthalides in Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels from different regions and processing methods by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with chemometrics

Biochar derived from traditional Chinese medicine residues: An efficient adsorbent for heavy metal Pb(II)

Biochar (BC) is widely used in the remediation of soil and wastewater polluted by heavy metals, but there are few reports on the characteristics of biochar derived via pyrolysis from different traditional Chinese medicine residues (TCMRs). In this study, biochars were prepared by slow pyrolysis of five common Chinese medicine residues, namely, Salvia miltiorrhiza (DNS), Ligusticum striatum (CX), Angelica sinensis (DG), Codonopsis pilosula (DGS), and Astragalus membranaceus (HQ). The biochars were systematically investigated by determining their physicochemical properties and using common characterization techniques. The Spearman correlation matrix between factors was used to examine relationships between properties of different biochars. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption characteristics of biochar on Pb(II) and the mechanisms involved. The results showed that the physicochemical properties and adsorption performance of biochar were related to the type of its pharmaceutical residue. Biochar produced from materials with higher lignin content showed a better adsorption of the heavy metal Pb(II). All biochars were alkaline, with yields ranging from 29.30 to 38.65 %, and the main structure comprised of mesopores and macropores. The FT-IR and Boehm experiments revealed that the various TCMR biochars contained comparable functional groups, but their content varied. XRD and TEM results show that all biochar is amorphous with a crystalline structure, with the surface dominated by cellulose crystals and graphitic carbon. The O/C ratio (<0.2) and H/C ratio (<0.6) of biochars suggested that it had a desirable half-life. The TGA results confirmed its stability in the environment. The results of mineral experiments confirm the enrichment of the mineral content of biochar during biomass pyrolysis.The biochars' adsorption kinetics followed pseudo-second-order models (R2 > 0.99), and their isotherms were consistent with the Langmuir model (R2 > 0.99), indicating a monolayer chemisorption process. The biochar samples exhibited varying adsorption capacities for Pb(II), with the highest capacity observed for BDNS (36.42 mg/g). The adsorption mechanism mainly involved precipitation, complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups, and ion exchange. This study indicates that biochars from herbal residues exhibit promising potential for adsorbing heavy metal Pb(II), suggesting biochar production as a viable method for recycling herbal residues.

Anti-platelet aggregation activities of different grades of Angelica sinensis and their therapeutic mechanisms in rats with blood deficiency: insights from metabolomics and lipidomics analyses.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the radix of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (RAS) is mainly used to replenish and invigorate the blood circulation. This study investigated anti-platelet aggregation activities were used by New Zealand rabbits, and high-performance liquid chromatography data were obtained to determine the spectrum-effect relationship for different commercial grades of RAS. Plasma and urine metabolites were examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the role of these metabolites in a rat model of blood deficiency (BD). Plasma and spleen metabolites were additionally examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography plus Q-Exactive tandem mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to clarify the mechanisms of RAS in treating BD. The third grade of RAS exhibited the best activity in replenishing and invigorating blood in vitro and in vivo. Ferulic acid, ligustilide, senkyunolide I, uridine, and guanine are quality markers of anti-platelet aggregation activity. Based on the metabolomics results, 19 potential biomarkers were screened in plasma, and 12 potential metabolites were detected in urine. In lipidomics analyses, 73 potential biomarkers were screened in plasma, and 112 potential biomarkers were screened in the spleen. RAS may restore lipid metabolism by regulating disorders of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism (thereby improving energy metabolism), and arachidonic acid metabolism (thereby promoting blood circulation). These results provide a deeper understanding of the effects of different grades of RAS and a scientific reference for the establishment of grading standards and for the clinical use of RAS.

Danggui Buxue decoction regulates the immune function and intestinal microbiota of cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressed mice.

Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the combination of Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelica sinensis (AS) is a classic prescription of tonifying qi and enriching blood. DBD has the functions of hematopoietic, immune enhancement and inflammation inhibition, usually used to treat qi and blood deficiency symptoms. Cyclophosphamide (CY) can inhibit humoral and cellular immunity, leading to the overall immune disorder of the body, resulting in immunosuppressive (IS). Pre-laboratory studies confirmed the immunomodulatory effects of DBD, but its mechanisms have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, the main purpose was to determine the effects of DBD on the immune function and intestinal mucosal barrier function of IS mice induced by CY, and initially explored the immunomodulatory mechanism of DBD. 100g of AR and 20g of AS were accurately weighed and 0.5g/mL of the DBD was obtained by boiling, filtration and rotary evaporation. Then, mice in the DBD group were administered 5g/kg of DBD by gavage, positive group were administered 40mg/kg of levamisole hydrochloride, whereas those in the control and model groups were given the corresponding volume of normal saline by gavage for 1week. At the end of the experiment, blood, spleen, thymus, ileum and cecum contents of all the experimental mice were collected aseptically. IS mouse model induced by intraperitoneal injection of 80mg/kg CY for three consecutive days. Pathomorphology was used to observe the physical barrier of the intestine, flow cytometry to detect splenic lymphocytes, immunohistochemistry to determine the content of intestinal barrier-associated proteins, ELISA to measure the secretion of ileal SIgA, qRT-PCR to detect the mRNA expression of immune-related genes in the intestine, and high-throughput sequencing and analysis of cecum contents. DBD alleviated spleen tissue damage and restored impaired immune functions, such as increased thymus index and CD4+/CD8+ subsets of spleen lymphocytes. In addition, DBD could increase ileum villi length and the ratio of villi length to crypt depth (V/C), and decrease crypt depth. Moreover, DBD administration up-regulated the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, MUC-2 mRNA in ileum. And the secretions of sIgA and ZO-1 in ileum were also significantly improved. Furthermore, the administration of DBD can increase the diversity of gut microbiota, improve the composition of intestinal flora and increase the relative abundance of beneficial genus, such as Bacteroides. DBD alleviated CY-induced immune damage by decreasing the ratio of spleen index to CD4+/CD8+ of T lymphocyte subsets. And the intestinal barrier function of mice was by improves improving the intestinal morphology of the ileum and up-regulating the expression levels of ZO-1, MUC-2 and SIgA. DBD regulates CY-induced gut microbiota dysregulation in mice by increasing species diversity and richness, regulating the phylum, class and order levels of Bacteroidetes.

Bioinspired chitosan based functionalization of biomedical implant surfaces for enhanced hemocompatibility, antioxidation and anticoagulation potential: an in silico and in vitro study.

Endowing implanted biomaterials with better hemocompatibility, anticoagulation, antioxidant and antiplatelet adhesion is necessary because of their potential to trigger activation of multiple reactive mechanisms including coagulation cascade and potentially causing serious adverse clinical events like late thrombosis. Active ingredients from natural sources including Foeniculum vulgare, Angelica sinensis, and Cinnamomum verum have the ability to inhibit the coagulation cascade and thrombus formation around biomedical implants. These properties are of interest for the development of a novel drug for biomedical implants to potentially solve the current blood clotting and coagulation problems which lead to stent thrombosis. The objective of this study was to incorporate different anticoagulants from natural sources into a degradable matrix of chitosan with varying concentrations ranging from 5% to 15% and a composite containing all three drugs. The presence of anticoagulant constituents was identified using GC-MS. Subsequently, all the compositions were characterized principally by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy while the drug release profile was determined using UV-spectrometry for a 30 days immersion period. The results indicated an initial burst release which was subsequently followed by the sustained release pattern. Compared to heparin loaded chitosan, DPPH and hemolysis tests revealed better blood compatibility of natural drug loaded films. Moreover, the anticoagulation activity of natural drugs was equivalent to the heparin loaded film; however, through docking, the mechanism of inhibition of the coagulation cascade of the novel drug was found to be through blocking the extrinsic pathway. The study suggested that the proposed drug composite expresses an optimum composition which may be a practicable and appropriate candidate for biomedical implant coatings.