Application Of Traditional Medicine Research Articles

Antioxidant Activity of Endophytic Fungi Extract Isolated from Peel of Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. ‘Prabumulih’))

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. 'Prabumulih') is a tropical fruit that is very popular for its unique aroma and sweet taste. It is also commonly believed that this fruit has potential applications in traditional medicine. However, the peel is not fully harnessed, despite its rich and intricate composition. This study presented findings regarding the endophytic fungi discovered within the peel of A comosus (L.) Merr. 'Prabumulih' and their performance as antioxidants. The endophytic fungal species were identified based on their morphological characteristics. The antioxidant assessment was carried out using the DPPH method. According to the findings of morphological identification, Trichoderma harzianum, an endophytic fungus, was found to exhibit the highest potential as an antioxidant source. Antioxidant activity showed a very strong category (IC50 = 18.74 µg/mL). Through the isolation of its pure constituents and subsequent in vivo testing, there is the potential for this extract from the endophytic fungus to evolve into an innovative source of antioxidants.

Development of AKR1B10 inhibitors from Ajuga nipponensis based on diseases and targets

Ten compounds (1-10) including one new neoclerodane diterpenoid (1) and nine known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Ajuga nipponensis. Their structures were established by performing detailed analysis of NMR, the structure of 1 was determined using HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, UV, and IR. Compounds 1 and 4-10 were isolated from Ajuga nipponensis for the first time. And it was the first time to report compounds 9 and 10 as natural products. Based on network pharmacology methods, 45 key targets were selected, which were compounds mapping to diseases. And compounds 2, 3, 7, and a (ajugacumbin B) exhibited excellent AKR1B10 inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 53.05±0.75, 87.22±0.85, 61.85±0.66, and 85.19±1.02nM respectively, with Epalrestat used as the positive control (82.09±1.62nM). Additionally, the interaction between active compounds and AKR1B10 had been discussed according to the molecular docking results. Ultimately, the analysis of GO and KEGG enrichment indicated that the key signaling pathway of the active compounds may be related to prostate cancer. Our study results demonstrate the hypoglycemic and anti-tumor properties of A. nipponensis for the first time, and provide a comprehensive understanding of its application in traditional medicine. Furthermore, this article establishes a reference for further research on the optimized experimental design of novel AKR1B10 inhibitors.

Genetic diversity of Citrullus colocynthis populations using phytochemical analysis and SCoT marker variations

AbstractCitrullus colocynthis L. Schard (bitter melon) is a drought-resistant medicinal plant growing in Egypt and many other countries in the arid environments of the World. In Egypt, it is abundant in several locations in Egypt's Eastern Desert, extending from the Nile River eastward to the Red Sea, particularly in the Kosseir region on the Red Sea coast. It has a wide range of applications in traditional medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anesthetic features. In this study, the genetic diversity was explored using chemical analysis of the secondary metabolites in seed extract in 15 populations from different sites in the Eastern Desert of Egypt to correlate the chemical variation with genetic differences among populations as revealed by DNA fingerprinting using the Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. A total of 81 chemical compounds were identified from the 15 populations. Retention time, peak area percentage, molecular weight, and chemical formula were determined for each compound. Ten SCoT primers produced 137 bands in the 15 populations of these; 85 bands were polymorphic, 50 were monomorphic, and two bands were unique to a single population. Populations located in the southern part of the Eastern Desert have similar levels of phytochemical and genetic diversity and are differentiated from populations in the northern part. On the other hand, populations in the middle part show a small resemblance to other populations in the north and south, indicating an impact of the ecology on the genetic differentiation and the chemical composition of the secondary metabolites in C. colocynthis.

Profit, Tradition, and African Wildlife: Examining Animal Commodification Through Eco-Bio-Communitarianism

In Southern Africa, there exists a large-scale commodification of fauna, extending to the utilisation of animals in traditional medicine. In South Africa alone, 1,175 documented cases of rhinoceros poaching transpired in a single annum, and analogously, an estimated 100,000 pangolins are smuggled from there to Asia annually. These and myriad other species, whether intact, in part, or processed into medicaments, are vented either in their country of origin for application in traditional medicine or exported illicitly across the globe for similar purposes. In this paper, I posit that this large-scale commodification conflicts with a relational African environmental ethic. To substantiate this claim, I consider two cardinal concepts in African ecological ethics, which will illuminate how animals should be utilised and considered morally. Firstly, the Shona concept of Ukama employs Felix Murove’s exegesis. Secondly, I explore eco-bio- communitarianism, precisely the Nso worldview of Godfrey Tangwa. Upon applying these concepts to the utilisation of fauna in traditional medicine by traditional healers and to the current largescale commercial exploitation of animals in conventional medicine, this thesis concludes that only the profit-driven use opposes an African environmental ethic.

NTFP Contribution in Livelihood of Rural Area of Western Himalayan Region of Himachal Pradesh.

Non-timber forest goods (NTFPs) refer to the various goods obtained from plants and animals inside forest ecosystems, which possess tangible values that are often not accounted for in a nation’s fiscal records. Throughout the course of human history, these items have been utilized for a diverse range of reasons, including but not limited to sustenance, animal feed, textile production, traditional medicine, agricultural resources, household goods, construction materials, and similar applications. These products are often intertwined with several traditional beliefs and cultural practices. The current investigation was conducted in three districts within the Himachal Pradesh region of northern India, with the aim of comprehending the significance of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the everyday livelihoods of rural communities residing in the Himalayan area. A total of 700 participants were surveyed using a prepared questionnaire.

A Case Report of Korean Medicine Treatment for a Patient with Cervical Dystonia

The purpose of this study is to report a case of cervical dystonia and the effects of a series of traditional Korean medicine treatments applied to the patient. The patient was treated with conventional treatment and traditional Korean medicine consisting of acupuncture, moxa, chuna therapy, and herbal medicine (<i>Hoesu-san-gami</i>) for 48 days. Progress was measured by Tsui’s score, the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, and the Neck Disability Index. We observed some improvements in the patient’s symptoms: Tsui’s score of 15 to 11, TWSTRS of 63.3 to 47.8, and NDI of 24 to 17. These findings indicate that the application of traditional Korean medicine to cervical dystonia can yield decent clinical outcomes.

Proximate and Phytochemical Analysis of Crude Powder and Different Extracts of Zaleya pentandra

Zaleya pentandra, a plant species found in disturbed soils and roads across Asia, Africa, and Australia, has been traditionally used for treating various ailments such as coughs, malaria, kidney stones, ulcers, and jaundice. Objectives: To conduct a quantitative examination of Z. pentandra, focusing on proximate analysis and metabolite composition and to better understand its features. Methods: Crude plant powder underwent analysis for total moisture, total ash, water-soluble ash, acid-insoluble ash, sulfated ash, water-soluble extractive, and alcohol-soluble extractive. Quantification (mg/gm) of principal metabolites i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in the crude plant powder was done. Dry plant powder was subjected to counter-current extraction using n-hexane, petroleum ether, and chloroform. UV-visible and FTIR spectra were examined to determine the chemical composition. Results: Our findings showed total moisture (9.306%), total ash (21.73%), water-soluble ash (12.75%), acid-insoluble ash (0.35%), sulfated ash (29.75%), water-soluble extractive (6.23%), alcohol-soluble extractive (5.7%). Principal metabolites included high quantities of carbs (65.34), proteins (15.29), and lipids (30.90) in the crude plant powder. n-hexane (3.073%), petroleum ether (4.45%) and chloroform (7.47%) were extracted. UV-visible and FTIR spectra revealed a variety of chemicals, indicating both polar and non-polar molecules with possible oxidative characteristics. Conclusions: Z. pentandra exhibits high carbohydrate, protein, and fat content. The diverse chemical composition suggests a high oxidative potential, supporting its traditional therapeutic uses. Further research, especially in identifying and isolating bioactive components, is warranted. Z. pentandra holds promise for traditional medicine and broader applications based on its nutritional and bioactive potential.

Isolation and Evaluation of Cytotoxic, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Ulcer Activity of Methanolic Extract of Ceriops decandra leaves

The current study was undertaken to provide scientific validation for the traditional medicinal applications of Ceriops decandra leaves in treating gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation. Additionally, the study aimed to isolate a pure component from the extracted leaves for further analysis. Lupeol was extracted from the crude methanolic extract of Ceriops decandra leaves by column chromatography as part of a phytochemical inquiry. Its structure was determined using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. In order to assess the cytotoxicity, the unrefined methanolic extract was divided into two fractions: a petroleum fraction and an aqueous fraction, employing the modified Kupchan method. The brine shrimp lethality test revealed that both the aqueous and petroleum ether fractions had significant cytotoxic activity, with LC50 values of 1.93 µg/l and 2.04 µg/l, respectively. These values were compared to the LC50 value of the standard Vincristine Sulphate, which was found to be 0.02 µg/l. The results of the anti-inflammatory trial demonstrated that the administration of the extract at doses of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg resulted in protection rates of 62.5% and 87.5%, respectively, as compared to the carrageenan control group after 3 hours post-injection. It is worth noting that Ibuprofen exhibited a higher level of protection, with a rate of 91.7%. In the context of ethanol-induced stomach ulcer, the administration of extracts at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg resulted in 45.5% and 59.1% protection against gastric ulcer, respectively. These findings were compared to the protective effect of Omeprazole, which demonstrated 63.6% protection and served as the standard reference. The findings suggest that the methanolic leaf extract of Ceriops decandra possesses robust cytotoxic and potent anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties. These results provide support for the traditional application of this extract in the management of gastrointestinal diseases, inflammation, and cancer.

Justicia adhatoda L. vasicin and vasicinone as bioactive phytochemical compounds: Isolation, characterization, and computational studies

Justicia adhatoda L. has wide applications in traditional and modern medicine. Its major potency is due to the presence of two alkaloids viz. Vasicine and Vasicinone. In industry, the demand for both marker compounds as well as quality Justicia adhatoda L. material is very high. The isolation of bioactive phytochemical compounds for the development of an in-house phytochemical reference standard library to verify quality control is of prime demand for an analytical chemist. For these reasons, the objective of the present study was to isolate two members of the alkaloids Vasicine and Vasicinone marker compounds from Justicia adhatoda L. Extraction was carried out by using a cold percolation method in a successive manner by increasing the order of polarity of the solvents from petroleum-ether to ethanol. Isolation was achieved for the above said two maker compounds by using separation, purification though column chromatography on silica-gel using mobile phase chloroform, and ethanol. Characterization of the isolated compounds was carried out by UV–VIS, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy techniques. The isolated and purified solid compounds were confirmed as Vasicine and Vasicinone by comparison and co-relating with observed spectroscopy data and literature data. The compounds had a good to high amount of yield (0.4 % to 0.63 %) with high purity (98–100 %) through HPL. Lastly, frontier molecular orbital analysis (HOMO and LUMO), and global descriptive parameters (such as chemical potential, electronegativity, hardness, softness, etc.) were analyzed using computational approaches. Results revealed a good correlation with experimental data except for a few alternations in 1H NMR data.

Intervention effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on lead-induced kidney injury mice and its mechanism: A study based on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe traditional medicinal application of Lycium barbarum is centered on the improvement of eyesight, as well as the nourishment of liver and kidney functions. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), serving as the principal active constituent of Lycium barbarum, has been identified as the main contributor to these beneficial effects. Previous studies have indicated that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide exhibits a renoprotective effect against lead-induced injury, but its mechanism and efficacy remain unclear. Aim of the studyThe objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of LBP in preventing lead-induced renal injury and investigate both the toxic mechanism of lead-induced renal injury and the efficacy mechanism of LBP against it, with a focus on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Materials and methodsThe drug effect and mechanism of LBP on lead-induced kidney injury were investigated by administering positive drugs and LBP to mice with established lead-induced kidney injury. ResultsThe renal function of mice with lead-induced renal injury was significantly restored, renal tissue lesions and renal mitochondrial damage were delayed, a disorder of hematological parameters induced by lead was improved, the increase of lead-induced renal index was reduced, and the body weight of mice with lead-induced renal injury was increased by the LBP intervention, as revealed by the results of pharmacodynamic experiments. Based on PI3K /AKT /mTOR signaling pathway, the toxic mechanism of lead-induced kidney injury and the pharmacodynamic mechanism of LBP against lead-induced kidney injury were studied. The results showed that lead could activate the TLR4 receptor, and then activate PI3K /AKT /mTOR signaling pathway, inhibit autophagy of kidney tissue cells, and enhance apoptosis of kidney tissue cells to induce kidney injury; LBP inhibits the activation of TLR4 receptor, which in turn inhibits the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, enhances the autophagy of kidney tissue cells, reduces the apoptosis of kidney tissues, and delays lead-induced kidney injury.

Crotonis Fructus-induced gut microbiota and serum metabolic disorders in rats.

Crotonis Fructus (CF), a poisonous traditional laxative, has been used to treat constipation, edema, ascites, and inflammation for more than 2000years. However, CF possesses toxicity and its toxic mechanism is still unclear. Thus, this research explored the deleterious impacts and underlying mechanisms of CF by evaluating alterations in gut microbiota composition and metabolites. High-throughput sequencing was employed on the 16S rDNA gene to explore the intestinal flora. The untargeted metabolomics method was utilized for evaluating serum metabolomics analysis. The results showed that CF could induce obvious hepatic and gastrointestinal damage by histopathologic morphology of the liver, stomach, duodenum, and colon. According to 16S rDNA sequencing, CF can cause gut microbiota disturbance in rats, and the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Clostridia_UCG_014_unclassified increased significantly, while the levels of beneficial bacterial Lactobacillus remarkably declined after CF treatment. Additionally, metabolomics analysis demonstrated that CF may induce toxicity by disrupting the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway and metabolites such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Moreover, a correlation study revealed the link between intestinal flora, serum metabolites, and toxicity-related biochemical markers. The results provide a new idea for the research and clinical application of toxic traditional medicine. KEY POINTS: • Crotonis Fructus could affect the gut flora and serum metabolic disruption in SD rats. • Crotonis Fructus could promote the proliferation of harmful bacteria and inhibit beneficial bacteria. • Glycerophospholipid metabolism was disturbed by Crotonis Fructus.

Characterization of Polyphenols and Volatile Compounds from Understudied Algerian Pallenis spinosa by HS-SPME-GC-MS, NMR and HPLC-MSn Approaches

Pallenis spinosa (L.) Cass. is a widespread plant in the Mediterranean region. Traditionally, it is used as a medicinal species to treat several ailments, from inflammation to skin injuries. Although the phytochemical content of this plant has already been investigated, there is currently limited data on Algerian P. spinosa. In this work, we focused on volatile compounds and non-volatile secondary metabolites extracted using HS-SPME and methanol from the aerial parts of P. spinosa collected from Northeast Algeria. Volatile constituents were analyzed by GC-MS, while non-volatile compounds were analyzed by NMR and HPLC-MSn. In total, 48 volatile compounds were identified, including sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (65.8%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (16.9%), and oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (8.3% and 6.5%, respectively). β-Chamigrene (16.2%), α-selinene (12.8%), β-pinene (10.6%), and β-caryophyllene (9.2%) were assessed as the main constituents. Concerning non-volatile metabolites, 23 polyphenols were identified (7.26 mg/g DW), and phenolic acids were predominant (5.83 mg/g DW). Tricaffeoylhexaric acid (1.76 mg/g DW), tetracaffeoylhexaric acid (1.41 mg/g DW), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (1.04 mg/g DW), caffeoyl dihexoside (0.35 mg/g DW), and chlorogenic acid (0.29 mg/g DW) were the most abundant ones. Several known flavonoids, such as tricin and patuletin glycosides, kaempferol, and apigenin, were also identified, and myricetin hexoside was detected in P. spinosa for the first time. Overall, our work is the first to report an exhaustive characterization of volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites from Algerian P. spinosa. The results represent a step forward in revealing the chemistry of this widespread plant species. Furthermore, they may contribute to rationalizing its traditional medicinal applications and preserve the biodiversity of Algerian flora.

Analysis of the Factors that Influence the Family in the Use of Traditional Medicine as Self Medication in Ilir Timur II District

Self-medication is a self-directed action in the application of both modern and traditional medicine. Traditional medicine has many benefits and its use is currently widespread due to its affordability and accessibility to the general public so it is widely used regularly even now. The increase in the use of traditional medicine globally makes people think it is always safe because it comes from plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the treatment profile, level of knowledge and factors that influence families in self-medication with traditional medicine. This study used descriptive analytic method with cross sectional design conducted in Ilir Timur II District, Palembang City. The results of the Chi-Square test found that the variables of gender (p-value 0.992), age (p-value 0.540), education (p-value 0.606), occupation (p-value 0.983), marital status (p-value 0.886), distance to health facilities (p-value 0.992), did not affect families in the use of traditional medicine as self-medication. A total of 98.6% have good knowledge about traditional medicine self-medication and there are no factors that influence the use of traditional medicine by families as self-medication.
 Keywords: Self-medication, family, traditional medicine

Antianxiety Studies on Leaves of Clitoria Ternatea Linn a High Potential Medicinal Plant

Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as “Butterfly Pea”, is a remarkable plant species that has gained increasing attention due to its diverse range of potential applications in traditional medicine, culinary arts, and nutraceutical industries. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Clitoria ternatea, including its botanical characteristics, phytochemical composition, traditional uses across cultures, and emerging pharmacological potential. By examining the various aspects of this plant, we highlight its significance and offer insights into its promising future. The goal of the contemporary revision is to verify the methanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea leaves’ ability to reduce anxiety using an elevated plus maze model. Swiss wister rats being given several dosages of the leaf extracts (150 mg/kg p.o.) and alprazolam (2.5 mg/kg p.o.) served as the positive control. The study’s findings indicate that greater doses of methanolic extract—300 mg/kg—possess pronounced anti-anxiety activity and are comparable to the effects of alprazolam. The plant may be used to produce anxiolytic action.

Comparative analysis of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase FAD7A-1 chloroplastic gene in castor

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are characterized by the presence of a double bond, three atoms away from the terminal methyl group in their chemical structure. These fatty acids play a crucial role in promoting health benefits. Castor, known for its applications in traditional medicine and as a lubricant, has been historically employed for its pain-relieving properties and enhancement of muscle activity. In the present study the omega-3 fatty acid desaturase FAD7A-1 chloroplastic (P48619, FAD3C_RICCO) gene sequence of castor was obtained from the NCBI data base was analyzed for its diversity, amino acid composition and phylogenetic relatedness with other species harboring the gene. The phylogenetic tree of 13 aligned sequences clustered into two clusters and the amino acids varied between the species evaluated.

Evaluation of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Applications Used in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: Traditional and complementary medicine practices have been used to protect and treat physical and mental diseases in different cultures and beliefs from past to present. In this study, it was aimed to determine which of the traditional and complementary medicine applications was used and its effectiveness in the pandemic.
 Methods: 979 people aged 18 and over (between 18 and 73) participated in the study. In the online survey, province, age, gender, occupation, education status, marital status, presence of children, presence of chronic diseases, COVID-19 diagnosis status, whether there is a COVID-19 vaccine, awareness of traditional and complementary medicine practices and nutritional and food supplements, utilization has been questioned.
 Results: It was observed that no nutritional and food supplements used by the participants before and during the coronavirus pandemic did not reduce the frequency of being diagnosed with COVID-19.
 Conclusions: In the study, it was observed that no food and nutritional supplement reduced the frequency of receiving COVID-19. However, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional and food supplements, it was concluded that the sample of the participants should be equal in terms of occupation, age, whether they were infected or not, and that it should be supported by researches by questioning whether the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 had mild symptoms or not.

Foliar sprays of salicylic acid induce diosgenin synthesis in the leaves of hellenia speciosa (J. Koenig) s.r. dutta

hellenia speciosa (J. Koenig) s.r. dutta, commonly known as spiral ginger, is a potent medicinal plant in the family Costaceae. it has a wide range of applications in traditional and modern medicine with many active ingredients. diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin obtained from h. speciosa. it is commercially used as an important raw material for the synthesis of steroidal drugs. Foliar sprays of salicylic acid (sa) were used to study the induction of diosgenin synthesis in the leaves of h. speciosa. three different concentrations, 1mM, 5mM, and 9mM, were applied on plants grown in shade net houses. after 60 days of weekly sa application, plants were harvested along with rhizome, dried, and extracted in methanol using the soxhlet apparatus. acid hydrolysis was performed to obtain diosgenin in the extract. the high- Pressure thin layer Chromatography (hPtlC) technique was used to detect the presence of diosgenin in the methanolic extract of leaves. elicitation of diosgenin synthesis was evident in all three extracts obtained from salicylic acid-treated plants. diosgenin was obtained at an rf maximum of 0.58-0.59. the amount of diosgenin was quantified with chromatographic techniques. the maximum quantity of diosgenin was present in the extract treated with 9mM sa. this experiment highlights the effect of stress signals on selected secondary metabolites.

Phytochemical Composition and Anti-Motility Effects of Napoleonae imperialis Methanol Crude Leaf Extract and Fractions in Rats

Background: Extracts from that Napoleonae imperialis leaves have traditionally been used to treat wounds and diarrhoea in south east Nigeria.
 Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate following scientific principles, the phytochemical composition and anti-motility effect of leaf extract and fractions prepared from the plants in experimental rats.
 Methods: Crude extract was prepared from the plant’s leaves and was subjected to phytochemical and acute toxicity tests. Thereafter, the extract was fractionated using column and thin layer chromatographic techniques. Anti-motility effect of the crude extract and fractions was evaluated using 80 rats assigned to 16 groups of 5 rats each. While group 1 served as control and group 2 was treated with Loperamide (0.5 mg/kg), groups 3-16 were treated with specific dose levels of the crude extract or fraction before charcoal meal 30 minutes after treatments. The animals were sacrificed in a further 30 minutes to assess the extents of movement of the charcoal meal along the gastrointestinal tract.
 Results: Alkaloids (31.09 +0.44 mg/100 g) were the most abundant phytochemical identified in the crude extract and was followed by flavonoids (17.19± 0.90 mg/100 g). Others were saponins (9.61±0.12 mg/100 g), tannins, (3.23±0.06 mg/100 g), phenolics (8.83±0.41 mg/100 g), steroids (5.24±0.10 mg/100 g), terpenoids (2.58±0.11 mg/100 g) and cardiac glycosides (4.95±0.08 mg/100 g). Results of acute toxicity (LD50) test showed no mortality nor obvious signs of toxicity, even at an oral dose of 5000 mg/kg in rats. Results of the anti-motility studies showed that Napoleonae imperialis crude extract and fractions significantly inhibited charcoal meal transit in rat’s gastrointestinal tract with 500 mg/kg of the extract producing an inhibitory effect of 51.44±3.53%. A repeat of the test on chromatographic fractions of the extract showed that fraction 5 had the highest anti-motility effect having produced an inhibitory effect of 87.70±6.04% on intestinal motility.
 Conclusion: Our findings have shown that Napoleonae imperialis leaves contain pharmacologically active components with antidiarrhoeal activities and may be the reason for its antidiarrheoal application in traditional medicine. The observed effects of the extract may be due to its flavonoids and tannins contents and may be via the anticholinergic and osmotic pathway. Solvent combination for fraction 5 may be the most ideal for higher anti-motility effects. More work is required to further establish these findings.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Analysis of Hollyhock (Alcea rosea Cavan) Using High-Throughput Sequencing

Hollyhock (Alcea rosea (Linn). Cavan) is an herbaceous flowering plant with significant applications in urban greening, soil remediation, and traditional medicine. However, its genetic diversity and molecular characteristics at the population level have not been explored yet. Here, the phenotypic and genetic diversity of 162 hollyhock accessions from China revealed extensive variation among 11 traits and strong correlations between several quantitative traits. Whole-genome re-sequencing of 32 randomly chosen accessions identified 10,468,760 core single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed evenly across the genome, except for on chromosome 21, and the average nucleotide diversity (π) was calculated to be 0.00397. Principal component analysis showed that these 32 accessions could be divided into four subpopulations, which was in agreement with the population structure analysis, and the subpopulations were strongly correlated with geographic location. A neighbor-joining dendrogram displayed similar clusters, except for accessions HuB25 and HLJ28, which formed two separate clusters. Our findings illuminate the genetic diversity in hollyhock and provide valuable information for hollyhock breeding.

Jieduquyuziyin prescription alleviates SLE complicated by atherosclerosis via promoting cholesterol efflux and suppressing TLR9/MyD88 activation.

Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JP), as a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is extensively applied to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its prescription is based on clinical practice and an evidence-based application of traditional medicines. It is approved by use in Chinese hospitals as a clinical prescription that can be directly used. The study aims to elucidate JP's efficacy on lupus-like disease combined with atherosclerosis and to explore its mechanism. To conduct in vivo experiments, we established a model of lupus-like disease with atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet and injected intraperitoneally with pristane. In addition, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and a TLR9 agonist (CpG-ODN2395) were utilized to examine the mechanism of JP on SLE combined with AS in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. Results indicated that JP reduced hair loss and levels of the spleen index, maintained stable body weight, alleviated kidney damage in mice, and reduced the expression levels of urinary protein, autoantibodies, and inflammatory factors in serum. Furthermore, JP is effective at alleviating the lupus-like symptoms observed in mice. In mice, JP inhibited aortic plaque deposition, stimulated lipid metabolism, and increased the expression of genes that regulate cholesterol efflux, including ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1), scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ). In vivo, JP inhibited the expression of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-induced signaling pathway, which links TLR9/MyD88/NF-kB to the expression of subsequent inflammatory factors. Furthermore, JP inhibited the expression of TLR9 and MyD88 in vitro. In addition, the JP treatment effectively reduced foam cell formation in RAW264.7 macrophages by increasing the expression of ABCA1/G1, PPAR-γ and SR-BI. JP played a therapeutic role in ApoE-/- mice with pristane-induced lupus-like diseases and AS, possibly through inhibition of TLR9/MyD88 signaling and promotion of cholesterol efflux.