Cistanche Deserticola Research Articles

Cistanches Herba, from an endangered species to a big brand of Chinese medicine

Cistanches Herba (CH, Chinese name: Roucongrong), is a very precious, tonic Chinese medicine. Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa are the two commonly used species and authenticated in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Due to the parasitic nature of Cistanche plants, the wild source was once endangered and listed in the Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. However, after continuously struggling in the past decades, CH has grown up to a big brand of Chinese medicine featured with the cultivation area as 1.26 million mu, the annual output as 6000 tons, and the related industrial output value as more than 20 billion China Yuan, attributing to large-scale cultivation and in-depth phytochemical and pharmacological investigations. Noteworthily, great achievements have reached concerning the research and development of relevant products, such as modern drugs, traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, and dietary supplements. The current review summarizes the research progresses concerning the distribution and cultivation, phytochemistry, pharmacology, metabolism and product development of CH in the past decades, and the emerging challenges and developing prospects are discussed as well.

Metabolome profiling and molecular docking analysis revealed the metabolic differences and potential pharmacological mechanisms of the inflorescence and succulent stem of Cistanche deserticola.

Cistanche deserticola is an endangered plant used for medicine and food. Our purpose is to explore the differences in metabolism between inflorescences in non-medicinal parts and succulent stems in medicinal parts in order to strengthen the application and development of the non-medicinal parts of C. deserticola. We performed metabolomics analysis through LC-ESI-MS/MS on the inflorescences and succulent stems of three ecotypes (saline-alkali land, grassland and sandy land) of C. deserticola. A total of 391 common metabolites in six groups were identified, of which isorhamnetin O-hexoside (inflorescence) and rosinidin O-hexoside (succulent stems) can be used as chemical markers to distinguish succulent stems and inflorescences. Comparing the metabolic differences of three ecotypes, we found that most of the different metabolites related to salt-alkali stress were flavonoids. In particular, we mapped the biosynthetic pathway of phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) and showed the metabolic differences in the six groups. To better understand the pharmacodynamic mechanisms and targets of C. deserticola, we screened 88 chemical components and 15 potential disease targets through molecular docking. The active ingredients of C. deserticola have a remarkable docking effect on the targets of aging diseases such as osteoporosis, vascular disease and atherosclerosis. To explore the use value of inflorescence, we analyzed the molecular docking of the unique flavonoid metabolites in inflorescence with inflammation targets. The results showed that chrysoeriol and cynaroside had higher scores for inflammation targets. This study provides a scientific basis for the discovery and industrialization of the resource value of the non-medicinal parts of C. deserticola, and the realization of the sustainable development of C. deserticola. It also provides a novel strategy for exploring indications of Chinese herb.

Immunological activities of the aqueous extracts of Cistanche deserticola as a polysaccharide adjuvant for inactivated foot-and-mouth disease vaccines

ABSTRACTInactivated foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines generally require adjuvants to enhance the immunogenicity. To test whether the aqueous extracts of Cistanche deserticola (AECD) could be developed into a polysaccharide adjuvant for inactivated FMD vaccines in mice. Experimental vaccines were prepared with inactivated FMD viral antigen plus AECD or inactivated FMD vaccine plus AECD to subcutaneously immunize mice. AECD developed an FMDV-specific humoral response by increasing IgG antibodies and IL-4 in CD4+ T cells and enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and a balanced Th1/Th2 response. Importantly, AECD induced Th1 type immunity by augmenting the activation of T subsets (CD4+, CD8+, CD44+) and the induction of IFN-γ in T lymphocytes, especially CTL response and neutralizing antibodies in sera. In addition, AECD maintained the higher levels of CD80, CD40, MHC-II, CD86 on CD11c+ cells and decreased the Treg frequency. Our results suggested that AECD had the potential utility as an polysaccharide adjuvant for FMD vaccines.

Folk nomenclature of plants in Cistanche deserticola-associated community in South Gobi, Mongolia

Cistanche deserticola is an important medicinal plant in Mongolia. Despite its significant role in local healing systems, little traditional knowledge had been reported. The present study investigated folk names of C. deserticola and other species of the same community in Umnugobi Province, South Gobi region of Mongolia, based on ethnobotanical approaches. The high correspondence between folk names and scientific names of plant species occurring in Cistanche-associated community shows the scientific meaning of folk nomenclature and classification in Mongolia. The Mongolian and folk names of plants were formed on the basis of observations and understanding of wild plants including their morphology, phenology and traditional uses as well. Results from this study will support the conservation of C. deserticola itself, a rare and endangered plant species listed in the Monglian Red Data Book. Our documentation of folk nomenclature based on 96 plant species in the Cistanche community, as a part of traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity, will be very helpful for making strategy of plant biodiversity conservation in Mongolia.

Study on nasal absorption of Cistanche deserticola phenylethanol glycosides nanoemulsion in vivo

To investigate the transnasal absorption characteristics of Cistanche deserticola phenylethanol glycosides nanoemulsion and its influencing factors. With the use of the classic in vivo nasal circulation perfusion model in rats, the absorption rate constant was used as the index to compare the nasal absorption characteristics of C. deserticola phenylethanol glycosides nanoemulsion and its aqueous solution in different concentrations, and to explore the effects of pH value of the preparation and absorption accelerator Azone on the nasal absorption of C. deserticola phenylethanol glycosides nanoemulsion. The results showed that, as compared with the aqueous solution group, the absorption rate constant was significantly higher in C. deserticola phenylethanol glycosides nanoemulsion with the same concentration(P<0.05), and C. deserticola phenylethanol glycosides nanoemulsion was more easily absorbed by the nasal cavity of rats; with the increase of the concentration of C. deserticola phenylethanol glycosides, the transnasal absorption amount of nanoemulsion was also increased in a dose-dependent manner. When the pH value of nanoemulsion was 6.0 and the ratio of Azone was 2%, the absorption rate constant was highest and the effect of promoting infiltration was the best.

Beneficial effect of 2’-acetylacteoside on ovariectomized mice via modulating the function of bone resorption

2’-Acetylacteoside-(2’-AA), a bioactive constituent isolated from Cistanche deserticola, has been proven to possess a variety of important pharmacological effects, thus brought an increased amount of scientists’ attention. As the extract of C. deserticola exhibited significant anti-osteoporotic bioactivity in our previous study, we proposed that 2’-AA maybe one of the responsibilities. As a result, 2’-AA (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight/day) exhibited significant anti-osteoporotic effects on ovariectomized (OVX) mice after 12 weeks of oral administration, confirmed by the increased bone mineral density, enhanced bone strength and improved trabecular bone micro-architecture including bone mineral content, tissue mineral content, trabecular number, and trabecular separation of OVX mice. Moreover, the properties of bone resorption markers including cathepsin K, TRAP and deoxypyridinoline were significantly suppressed, whereas the activities of bone formation index like ALP and BGP as well as the weights of the body, uterus, and vagina were seemingly not influenced by 2’-AA intervention. Mechanistically, the above therapeutic effect of 2’-AA on bone resorption of OVX mice operated maybe mainly through RANKL/RANK/TRAF6-mediated NF-κB/NFATc1 pathway, which was confirmed by the down-regulated expressions of RANK, TRAF6, IκB kinase β, NF-κB and NFATc1. Summarily, 2’-AA exhibited significant anti-osteoporotic activity and may be regarded as a promising anti-osteoporotic candidate for future clinical trial.

Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological studies on aerial parts of Cistanche tubulosa

Cistanche tubulosa ( C.tubulosa ) possess a wide spectrum of medicinal properties, especially for use in anti-senescence, antioxidant, neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, hepatoprotection, antineoplastic, anti-osteoporosis, anti-aging, promotion of bone formation and reduces impotence. This original article has comprehensive information on the aerial part of cistanche tubulosa covering the botanical, physico-phytochemical, macroscopic, microscopic, spectroscopic and pharmacological aspects in detail. These data will lay the ground for its correct identification and distinguishing it from other Cistanche species specially the Cistanche deserticola. These will also be useful to promote its clinical application as an aphrodisiac and anti-aging medicine. The standardization parameters and distinguishing characters enlisted in this study will ensure the efficacy, safety and will be helpful for the preparation of monograph of this holoparastic herb.

Echinacoside protects dopaminergic neurons by inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β signaling pathway in MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease model

Persistent microglia-mediated neuroinflammation contributes to the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation is considered to influence the pathogenesis of PD profoundly. Promoting DA neuron survival and/or inhibiting neuroinflammation may offer neuroprotection for PD. In the present study, we found that echinacoside (ECH), a phenylethanoid glycoside derived from Cistanche Deserticola, ameliorated motor deficit induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in a mouse PD model, characterized as decreased mobility distance in open field test and average time in rotarod test, as well as increased turn time and total time in pole test. ECH administration promoted the reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and the number of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) under MPTP injury as the molecular docking simulation predicted that ECH would interact with TH. Moreover, ECH improved cell viability in MPP+-damaged SH-SY5Y cell, a cell line for DA neuron, in vitro. Furthermore, ECH administration alleviated MPTP-triggered microglial activation, thus downregulated the expression and activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in mice SN, along with the involved proteins including Caspase (CASP)-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The inhibition of NLRP3/CASP-1/IL-1β neuroinflammatory signaling was further confirmed in murine N9 microglia activated by MPP+ insult after ECH treatment in vitro. Furthermore, MCC950, a selective inhibitor for NLRP3 activation, reduced the enhancive expression of NLRP3/CASP-1/IL-1β in MPP+-insulted N9, and also facilitated the inhibition of inflammation synergistically mediated by ECH treatment. All the collected data revealed that ECH ameliorated PD mice neuroethology through promoting DA neuron survival and inhibiting the activated microglia-mediated NLRP3/CASP-1/IL-1β inflammatory signaling. These findings highlight the crucial roles of NLRP3 inflammasome involved in PD neuropathology and ECH exertes neuroprotection for PD as double-targeting neuroinflammation and DA neuronal survival.

Chemical fingerprint and quantitative analysis of Cistanche deserticola by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS

Chemical fingerprint and quantitative analysis of Cistanche deserticola by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS

Effects of root extract of host plants on seed germination and haustorium formation of Cistanche deserticola

We examined the effects of root extracts of Haloxylon ammodendron and Beta vulgaris in Chenopodiaceae extracted by water and ethanol on seed germination and haustorium formation of Cistanche deserticola by filter paper culture dish method. The results showed that only adding root extract had no effect on seed germination and haustorium formation of C. deserticola. The germination rate of C. deserticola seeds treated by adding 10 mg·kg-1 gibberellin to the root extracted by ethanol was not significantly different from that of the control (GA3), whereas those treated by adding gibberellin to the ethanol extract of two kinds of host root was increased by more than 10 times. The germination rate of C. deserticola seeds in the treatment with adding 1 mg·kg-1 fluridone (FL) to root extract was not significantly different from that in the control with only fluridone, while those in the treatment with B. vulgaris root water extraction was the highest (39.4%). Compared to the treatment of adding gibberellin to the root extract, the germination rate of C. deserticola seeds was only increased. When FL was added to the host root extract, the haustorium was formed on the germination tube, with the formation rate of the ethanol extraction group being the highest (16.2%). Seed germination rate of C. deserticola increased to 52.3% when GA3 and FL were added to the ethanol extract of H. ammodendron, but the formation rate of haustorium was not different from that of FL treatment. Only 6.7% of the seed formation haustorium in the control was significantly lower than that in FL treatment. There were differences in the position and shape of the haustorium of C. deserticola seeds under different treatments. The haustorium produced by adding the extract of the host root mostly appeared at the top of the bud tube, and many papillae raised into claws. The haustorium of FL treatment without adding the extract of the host root mostly appeared at the bottom or the top of the bud tube splitting. The results indicated that ethanol extraction and water extraction could extract the substances that could promote the formation of C. deserticola seeds haustorium from the host root, but did not affect seed germination. GA3 and FL could significantly improve the germination rate of C. deserticola seeds, but the formation of the haustorium was affected by some substances in the host root extract.

Regulatory relationship between quality variation and environment of Cistanche deserticola in three ecotypes based on soil microbiome analysis

The environment affects the composition and function of soil microbiome, which indirectly influences the quality of plants. In this study, 16S amplicon sequencing was used to reveal the differences in soil microbial community composition of Cistanche deserticola in three ecotypes (saline-alkali land, grassland and sandy land). Through the correlation analysis of microbial community abundance, phenylethanoid glycoside contents and ecological factors, the regulatory relationship between microbial community and the quality variation of C. deserticola was expounded. The metabolic function profile of soil microbiome was predicted using Tax4Fun. Data showed that the soil microbial communities of the three ecotypes were significantly different (AMOVA, P < 0.001), and the alpha diversity of grassland soil microbial community was the highest. Core microbiome analysis demonstrated that the soil microbial communities of C. deserticola were mostly have drought, salt tolerance, alkali resistance and stress resistance, such as Micrococcales and Bacillales. The biomarkers, namely, Oceanospirillales (saline-alkali land), Sphingomonadales (grassland) and Propionibacteriales (sandy land), which can distinguish three ecotype microbial communities, were excavated through LEfSe and random forest. Correlation analysis results demonstrated that 2′-acetylacteoside is positively correlated with Oceanospirillales in saline-alkali land soil. The metabolic function profiles displayed highly enriched metabolism (carbohydrate and amino acid metabolisms) and environmental information processing (membrane transport and signal transduction) pathways. Overall, the composition and function of soil microbiomes were found to be important factors to the quality variation of C. deserticola in different ecotypes. This work provided new insight into the regulatory relationship amongst the environment, soil microbial community and plant quality variation.

Cistanche deserticola Addition Improves Growth, Digestibility, and Metabolism of Sheep Fed on Fresh Forage from Alfalfa/Tall Fescue Pasture.

Simple SummaryCistanche deserticola is a functional plant which mainly grows in desert and is parasitic on roots of the host species Haloxylon ammodendron. It has advantages in improving bodily intestinal peristalsis, immunity, anti-aging, anti-oxidation, and liver health and was supplied for sheep in this experiment to study the effects of C. deserticola addition on nutrients digestion, nitrogen balance, energy utilization, and methane production. The results revealed that C. deserticola has good utilization value in animal nutrition. The data are useful for further research on this natural plant additive to improve the health and productivity of the sheep fed on fresh forage from alfalfa/tall fescue pastures.This study is targeted at evaluating whether C. deserticola addition promotes digestion, nitrogen and energy use, and methane production of sheep fed on fresh forage from alfalfa/tall fescue pastures. The sheep feeding trial was conducted with four addition levels with C. deserticola powder, and a basal diet of fresh alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Addition levels of 4% and 6% improved average body weight gain (BWG) by 215.71 and 142.86 g/d, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 0.20 and 0.14, respectively. Digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ether extract (EE) was 62.25%, 65.18%, 58.75%, and 47.25% under the addition level of 2%, which is greater than that in the control group. C. deserticola addition improved energy utilization efficiency, while addition levels of 2% and 4% increased nitrogen intake and deposited nitrogen. Overall, C. deserticola has the potential to improve growth performance, digestion of sheep, so it has suitability to be used as a feed additive.

Total Glycosides of Cistanche deserticola Promote Neurological Function Recovery by Inducing Neurovascular Regeneration via Nrf-2/Keap-1 Pathway in MCAO/R Rats

BackgroundThe traditional Chinese medicine Cistanche deserticola has been reported to be valid for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, its active components for the protection of ischemic stroke are not clear. We aimed to explore the active components of C. deserticola against ischemic stroke as well as its potential mechanisms.MethodsWe investigated the brain protective effects of extracts from C. deserticola, total glycosides (TGs), polysaccharides (PSs), and oligosaccharides (OSs) in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R). 2, 3, 5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to assess the cerebral infarction volume, and Evans blue assay was adopted to assess the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Then, the expressions CD31, α-SMA, PDGFRβ, SYN, PSD95, MAP-2, ZO-1, claudin-5, occludin, Keap-1, and Nrf-2 were analyzed using western blotting or immunofluorescence, and the activities MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px were analyzed using kits.ResultsTGs treatment remarkably decreased neurological deficit scores and infarction volumes, promoted angiogenesis and neural remodeling, and effectively maintained blood-brain-barrier integrity compared with the model group. Furthermore, TGs significantly decreased MDA levels and increased antioxidant activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) in brains. Meanwhile, TGs remarkably downregulated Keap-1 expression and facilitated Nrf-2 nuclear translocation. On the contrary, no protective effects were observed for PSs and OSs groups.ConclusionTGs are the main active components of C. deserticola against MCAO/R-induced cerebral injury, and protection is mainly via the Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway.

Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide induces melanogenesis in melanocytes and reduces oxidative stress via activating NRF2/HO-1 pathway.

As a main part of pigmentation disorders, skin depigmentation diseases such as vitiligo and achromic naevus are very common and get more attention now. The pathogenesis of depigmentation includes melanocyte dysfunction and loss, which are possibly caused by heredity, autoimmunity and oxidative stress. Among them, oxidative stress plays a key role; however, few clinical treatments can deal with oxidative stress. As reported, Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide (CDP) is an effective antioxidant; based on that, we evaluated its role in melanocyte and further revealed the mechanisms. In this study, we found that CDP could promote melanogenesis in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs) and mouse melanoma B16F10 cells, it also induced pigmentation in zebrafish. Furthermore, CDP could activate mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway, then up‐regulated the expression of microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) and downstream genes TYR, TRP1, TRP2 and RAB27A. Otherwise, we found that CDP could attenuate H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in melanocytes. Further evidence revealed that CDP could enhance NRF2/HO‐1 antioxidant pathway and scavenge intracellular ROS. In summary, CDP can promote melanogenesis and prevent melanocytes from oxidative stress injury, suggesting that CDP helps maintain the normal status of melanocytes. Thus, CDP may be a novel drug for the treatment of depigmentation diseases.

Cistanche polysaccharides enhance echinacoside absorption in vivo and affect the gut microbiota

The polysaccharides and phenylethanoid glycosides from Cistanche deserticola have been demonstrated with various health benefits, however the interactive effect between these two kinds of compounds in vivo are not in detail known. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic actions of cistanche polysaccharides with phenylethanoid glycoside and the effects of polysaccharides on gut microbiota. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with different kinds of cistanche polysaccharides for 20 days, on the last day, all rats were administered the echinacoside at 100 mg/kg. The results were compared mainly on the difference of pharmacokinetic parameters, gut microbiota composition, and short chain fatty acids contents. The results indicated that all the cistanche polysaccharides, including crude polysaccharide, high molecular weight polysaccharide and low molecular weight polysaccharide, could regulate the gut microbiota diversity, increase beneficial bacteria and particularly enhance the growth of Prevotella spp. as well as improve the production of short chain fatty acids and the absorption of echinacoside. By exploring the synergistic actions of polysaccharides with small molecules, these findings suggest that cistanche polysaccharides, particularly low molecular weight polysaccharides, could be used as a gut microbiota manipulator for health promotion.

Study on Neuroendocrine-Immune Function of Cistanche deserticola and Its Rice Wine Steaming Products in Glucocorticoid-Induced Rat Model.

The desert-dwelling Cistanche herb was first recorded in the “Shen Nong Herbal Classic” and is listed as the top-grade herbal medicine in this publication. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia records that pieces of Cistanche deserticola (CD) and rice wine-steamed Cistanche deserticola (WCD) can be used in the clinic as the main types of decoctions. After being steamed with rice wine, the antiaging and tonifying kidney-yang effects are enhanced. In this study, we detected the chemical content of CD and WCD and the pharmacological mechanism of invigorating kidney-yang deficiency in model rats. Aim. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of CD and WCD on the neuroendocrine-immune function of kidney-yang deficiency in glucocorticoid-overdosed model rats. Materials and methods. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were selected. The rats were subcutaneously injected with corticosterone water suspension for the glucocorticoid-overdosed model rats. The positive control rats were gavaged with Jinkuishenqi pills and high-, medium-, and low-dose CD/WCD suspensions (1.646 g/(kg day), 5.48 g/(kg day), 2.74 g/(kg day), and 1.37 g/(kg day), respectively); the blank control (BC) and model control (MC) groups were given the same volume of distilled water as those in the drug group for 40 consecutive days at a dose of 1 mL/100 g. After the last administration, the blood was collected from the abdominal aorta, and serum levels of T, CRH, ACTH, CORT, cortisol, IL-10, IL-6, IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were measured. Organ indexes of the thymus gland and the spleen were calculated. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, Fas, and FasL in the adrenal gland was measured by immunohistochemistry. The pathological changes in the thymus gland and the adrenal gland were observed by HE staining (×200). T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of CaM mRNA in the hypothalamus and hypophysis tissues was also measured by RT-PCR. Results. Compared with the MC group, the CD and WCD groups exhibited increases in activity, the organ index of the thymus and the spleen, the serum levels of T, CRH, ACTH, CORT, cortisol, IL-2, and IL-10, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and the expression of Bcl-2, caspase-3, Fas, FasL, and CaM in the hypophysis tissue. The CD and WCD groups also exhibited reductions in the IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels in serum and the expression of CaM mRNA in the hypothalamus. Conclusions. Each dose of CD and WCD could counteract the dysregulated sex hormone and immune factors in glucocorticoid-overdosed model rats, enhancing and restoring the effect of the hypothalamic nerve cells and improving immune function.

Cistanches deserticola PhG-RE through Inhibiting ERS Apoptosis Mechanism to Protect Myocardial Cell Apoptosis from H2O2-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

The herb Cistanche deserticola has some myocardial protective effects. This study attempted to explain the mechanism by which PhG-RE protects myocardial cells and verify if this protection occurs through regulating the apoptosis mechanism associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Rat myocardial cells were exposed to 150 μg·mL−1 PhG-RE for 24 h and then to 100 μmol·mL−1 H2O2 for 18 h to induce ERS and establish a cell damage model. Thapsigargin (TG), a specific ERS activator, and 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), an ERS inhibitor, were used to validate the accuracy of the experiment. Our results demonstrated that PhG-RE significantly improved cell viability, protected cells, and reduced cell damage and apoptosis. PhG-RE played a role similar to that of the ERS inhibitor 4-PBA in protecting myocardial cells against apoptosis and damage induced by ER stress. Furthermore, PhG-RE significantly attenuated the mRNA expression of the ERS-associated apoptotic factors GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase-12 and the protein expression of the ERS-associated apoptotic factors GRP78, CHOP, Caspase-12, and p-JNK. Taken together, these findings suggest that PhG-RE can effectively protect myocardial cells and reduce cell apoptosis and damage, which may be related to the regulation of ERS-associated apoptosis.

Induction of callusogenesis in a culture of isolated seeds of Cistanche Deserticola

Induction of callusogenesis in a culture of isolated seeds of Cistanche Deserticola

Metabolome and transcriptome profiling reveals quality variation and underlying regulation of three ecotypes for Cistanche deserticola.

Cistanche deserticola is a plant used both as food and medicine. We are interested in understanding how C. deserticola responds to environmental conditions. Samples were collected from three ecotypes grown in saline-alkali land, grassland and sandy land. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis were performed by using RNA-seq and LC-ESI-MS/MS. Among 578 metabolites identified, 218, 209 and 215 compounds were found differentially produced among the three ecotypes. Particularly, 2'-acetylacteoside, belonging to phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) is the most significantly differentially produced with a VIP > 0.5 and fold change > 2, representing a potential chemical marker to distinguish the three ecotypes. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 52,043 unigenes, and 947, 632 and 97 of them were found differentially expressed among the three ecotypes. Analysis of the correlation between the metabolome profiles and transcriptome profiles among three ecotypes identified that the 12 key genes related to PhGs biosynthesis were differentially expressed. Particularly, the expression of PAL, ALDH and GOT genes were significantly up-regulated in saline-alkali land compared to the other two. In summary, we found PhGs content was higher in saline-alkali land compared with other ecotypes. This is likely due to the up-regulation of the PhGs biosynthetic genes in response to the saline-alkali conditions.

A Study on the Latest Research Trends in Natural products with Anti-Aging Effects

In this study, four types of retinol, retinyl palmitate, adenocin, and polytoxylate-dretinamide, which are the ingredients of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Notice, included in the study. also we looked at trends in research on Sciadopitys verticillata, Prunella vulgaris, Celosia cristata L., Brazilin, Persicaria hydropiper, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, Forsythiae Fructus, Lithospermum root, Rheum undulatum L. and Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma a natural material that has the efficacy of antioxidant aging. The anti-aging study so far has been found to be centered mainly on collagen production and elastase synthesis inhibition mechanisms. However, given that the aging process of the skin is caused by various ageing processes, it is believed that anti-aging studies using safe and effective natural materials that can help the skin age with various mechanisms should be conducted.