Eucommia Ulmoides Research Articles

Determination of multiple pesticides in Eucommia ulmoides followed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry based on a solid-phase extraction method.

Eucommia ulmoides, a precious Chinese herbal medicine, lack of studies on the detection of its pesticide residues. A simple sample preparation based on the solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure was established for the analysis of 16 kinds of pesticides in Eucommia ulmoides by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selective ion monitoring mode. Here, the type and volume of extraction solvent and eluent, the kinds of sorbents in SPE Cleanert column, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, a good linear relationship was obtained in the range of 0.005 to 5.0mg/L with correlation coefficient (r) higher than 0.9990, and the average recoveries (AR) of 16 pesticides ranged from 79.6 to 109.2% at the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 0.5mg/kg. The relative standard deviations (RSD) were 0.78 to 9.56% (n = 6). The results show that the established method can not only fully meet the analytical requirements of various pesticides in Eucommia ulmoides, but also have the potential to be applied in the detection of pesticide residues in others Chinese herbal medicine.

The Effect of a Combination of Eucommia ulmoides and Achyranthes japonica on Alleviation of Testosterone Deficiency in Aged Rat Models

With aging, men inevitably encounter irreversible changes, including progressive loss of testosterone and physical strength, and increased fat mass. To assess the alleviatory effects of EUAJ on andropause symptoms, including in vivo testosterone deficiency, we administered EUAJ for 6 weeks in 22-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Before EUAJ (3:1) (E. ulmoides:A. japonica = 3:1, KGC08EA) administration, testosterone decline in 22-week-old SD rats was confirmed compared to 7-week-old SD rats (NC group). After administration of EUAJ (3:1) at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg for 6 weeks, testosterone, free testosterone, and mRNA expression levels (Cyp11a1 and Hsd3b1) were significantly increased at 40 mg/kg EUAJ (3:1), whereas mRNA expression levels of Cyp19a1 and Srd5a2 were significantly reduced at this concentration, compared to the control group. Swimming retention time was significantly increased at both 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg. In summary, EUAJ (3:1) enhanced testosterone production by increasing bioavailable testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and enzymes related to testosterone synthesis at 40 mg/kg. In addition, 80 mg/kg EUAJ (3:1) also increased physical and testicular functions.

A method of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy combined with residual neural network for comparison and differentiation of medicinal plants raw materials superior to traditional machine learning: a case study on Eucommia ulmoides leaves

BackgroundEucommia ulmoides leaf (EUL), as a medicine and food homology plant, is a high-quality industrial raw material with great development potential for a valuable economic crop. There are many factors affecting the quality of EULs, such as different drying methods and regions. Therefore, quality and safety have received worldwide attention, and there is a trend to identify medicinal plants with artificial intelligence technology. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the comparison and differentiation for different drying methods and geographical traceability of EULs. As a superior strategy, the two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) was used to directly combined with residual neural network (ResNet) based on Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy.Results(1) Each category samples from different regions could be clustered together better than different drying methods through exploratory analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis; (2) A total of 3204 2DCOS images were obtained, synchronous 2DCOS was more suitable for the identification and analysis of EULs compared with asynchronous 2DCOS and integrated 2DCOS; (3) The superior ResNet model about synchronous 2DCOS used to identify different drying method and regions of EULs than the partial least squares discriminant model that the accuracy of train set, test set, and external verification was 100%; (4) The Xinjiang samples was significant differences than others with correlation analysis of 19 climate data and different regions.ConclusionsThis study verifies the superiority of the ResNet model to identify through this example, which provides a practical reference for related research on other medicinal plants or fungus.

Potential Use of Limonene as an Alternative Solvent for Extraction of Gutta-Percha fromEucommia ulmoides

Potential Use of Limonene as an Alternative Solvent for Extraction of Gutta-Percha from<i>Eucommia ulmoides</i>

Adsorption behavior of amino functionalized MCM-41 on chlorogenic acid from Eucommia ulmoides leaves

Adsorption behavior of amino functionalized MCM-41 on chlorogenic acid from Eucommia ulmoides leaves

Aucubin ameliorates liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells activation in diabetic mice via inhibiting ER stress-mediated IRE1α/TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome through NOX4/ROS pathway

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is closely associated with hepatic injury, which could promote/exacerbate hepatic inflammation, steatosis, and accelerate liver fibrosis progression. Aucubin (AU), as an active ingredient isolated from Eucommia ulmoides, exists a nutritional value in hepatoprotective effect and diabetic complications. However, whether it possesses more outstanding features on improving liver injury in diabetic conditions and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Our research investigated the treatment of AU on liver fibrosis and potential mechanisms on high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and high glucose (HG)&TGF-β1-induced LX-2 cells. Results showed that AU restored hepatic function without affecting blood sugar levels in diabetic mice. Meanwhile, the enhanced levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-c were reversed in hepatic tissue after AU treatment. Histomorphology assays including H&E, Masson, PAS, Oil red and Sirius red staining showed that AU treatment reduced liver swelling, steatosis and fibrosis. Mechanistic studies showed that AU alleviated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inflammatory responses via inhibiting ER stress-mediated IRE1α/TXNIP signaling pathway, which could postpone the development of T2DM induced hepatic fibrosis. In addition, the ROS generation and the up-regulated expression of NADHP oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the liver tissue were suppressed by AU treatment. Moreover, in vitro model, NOX4 activation was prominently enhanced and AU treatment blocked HG&TGF-β1-induced NOX4 derived superoxide generation and thereby ameliorating hepatic stellate cell activation, which can be abrogated in the overexpression of NOX4 LX-2 cells. In addition, inhibition effects on ER stress-mediated IRE1α/TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome by AU treatment also were abolished in the overexpression of NOX4 LX-2 cells. Meanwhile, molecular docking results indicated that AU and NOX4 protein have a higher affinity. Taken together, AU might be a potential nutraceutical or therapeutic drug to ameliorate hepatic impairment and fibrosis in T2DM.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analyses of the 4-Coumarate: CoA Ligase (4CL) Gene Family in Eucommia ulmoides

4-Coumarate: coenzyme A ligase (4CL) is an important rate-limiting enzyme in phenylpropanoid metabolism that plays an important role in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid, flavonoid, lignin and other secondary metabolites in plants. However, the family members and functions have not been identified in Eucommia ulmoides (E. ulmoides). In this study, 35 Eu4CLs were identified in the E. ulmoides genome, and the gene structure, conserved domain, evolutionary relationship and expression pattern were comprehensively analyzed. The results show that 35 Eu4CLs were assembled into three subgroups according to the classification in Arabidopsis, where Eu4CLs in the same subgroup had similar gene structures and conserved protein motifs. Putative cis-element analysis of Eu4CL promoter regions uncovered numerous elements related to the response of stress and plant hormones. Expression patterns showed that Eu4CL4/5/13/34 expression levels were positively related to chlorogenic acid content in different periods, which indicate that the synthesis of chlorogenic acid in E. ulmoides was regulated by multiple genes, and the genes regulating the synthesis of chlorogenic acid in different tissues were different. In addition, nine selected Eu4CL genes showed different expression patterns under cold, WeJA (methyl jasmonate), and ethylene by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay, suggesting that Eu4CL genes not only play an important role in the synthesis of chlorogenic acid, but also plays an important role in the process of biotic and abiotic stress. Taken together, these findings provide theoretical reference for further exploring the molecular characteristics and biological functions of Eu4CL genes.

Central and Enteric Neuroprotective Effects by Eucommia ulmoides Extracts on Neurodegeneration in Rotenone-induced Parkinsonian Mouse.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of both the central and peripheral / enteric nervous systems. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are associated with the pathogenesis of PD, suggesting that anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory compounds could be neuroprotective agents for PD. Eucommia ulmoides (EU) is a traditional herbal medicine which exerts neuroprotective effects by anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Our previous study showed that treatment with chlorogenic acid, a component of EU, protected against neurodegeneration in the central and enteric nervous systems in a PD model. In this study, we examined the effects of EU extract (EUE) administration on dopaminergic neurodegeneration, glial response and α-synuclein expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and intestinal enteric neurodegeneration in low-dose rotenone-induced PD model mice. Daily oral administration of EUE ameliorated dopaminergic neurodegeneration and α-synuclein accumulation in the SNpc. EUE treatment inhibited rotenone-induced decreases in the number of total astrocytes and in those expressing the antioxidant molecule metallothionein. EUE also prevented rotenone-induced microglial activation. Furthermore, EUE treatment exerted protective effects against intestinal neuronal loss in the PD model. These results suggest that EU exerts neuroprotective effects in the central and enteric nervous systems of rotenone-induced parkinsonism mice, in part by glial modification.

Central and Enteric Neuroprotective Effects by Eucommia ulmoides Extracts on Neurodegeneration in Rotenone-induced Parkinsonian Mouse.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of both the central and peripheral / enteric nervous systems. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are associated with the pathogenesis of PD, suggesting that anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory compounds could be neuroprotective agents for PD. Eucommia ulmoides (EU) is a traditional herbal medicine which exerts neuroprotective effects by anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Our previous study showed that treatment with chlorogenic acid, a component of EU, protected against neurodegeneration in the central and enteric nervous systems in a PD model. In this study, we examined the effects of EU extract (EUE) administration on dopaminergic neurodegeneration, glial response and α-synuclein expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and intestinal enteric neurodegeneration in low-dose rotenone-induced PD model mice. Daily oral administration of EUE ameliorated dopaminergic neurodegeneration and α-synuclein accumulation in the SNpc. EUE treatment inhibited rotenone-induced decreases in the number of total astrocytes and in those expressing the antioxidant molecule metallothionein. EUE also prevented rotenone-induced microglial activation. Furthermore, EUE treatment exerted protective effects against intestinal neuronal loss in the PD model. These results suggest that EU exerts neuroprotective effects in the central and enteric nervous systems of rotenone-induced parkinsonism mice, in part by glial modification.

Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses revealed the improved growth, lipid metabolism, and flesh quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) by dietary Eucommia ulmoides bark and leaf supplementation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the dietary effects of Eucommia ulmoides bark and leaf (EB, EL) supplementation on the growth, lipid metabolism, flesh quality, and transcriptome of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). EB and EL were individually added to the basal diet (control) at concentrations of 20 g/kg and 40 g/kg, respectively, and then the three diets were fed to grass carp (59.7 ± 0.3 g) for 60 d. The results showed that the weight gain was improved, and the feed conversion ratio was decreased by supplementation with EB and EL (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, the EB and EL groups showed higher flesh hardness; water-holding capacity; and collagen, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) contents and lower mesenteric lipid and muscle crude lipid contents (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary EB and EL supplementation increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and decreased the contents of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in flesh (P < 0.05). In muscle transcriptome profiling, a total of 979, 1980 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and 29, 199 Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 13, 39 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were significantly enriched in the EB and EL groups, respectively. Some key pathways and genes involved in promoting growth, lipid metabolism and flesh quality were obtained, including mTOR and PPAR signaling pathways, muscle cytoskeleton- and extracellular matrix-related genes (myosin and collagen), etc. Overall, dietary EB and EL supplementation improved the growth, lipid metabolism, and flesh quality of grass carp, and several potential pathways and genes were identified behind the improvement mechanism of EB and EL supplementation.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Eucommia ulmoides extract and their potential biological function in cosmetics

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from plant extracts have recently emerged as a rapidly growing field with numerous applications in pharmaceutical and clinical contexts. The purpose of this research is to come up with a novel method for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles that use Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract as a reducing agent. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy, and the properties of AgNPs were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscope, Fourier Infrared Spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Zeta potential. The results showed that the AgNPs exhibited a characteristic absorption peak at 430 nm, their diameter ranged from 4 nm to 52 nm, and C, O, and Cl elements, which might represent flavonoids and phenolic components absorbed on the surface of AgNPs. The zeta potential of AgNPs was found to be −30.5 mV, which indicates repulsion among AgNPs and they have good dispersion stability. AgNPs have been found to suppress the tyrosinase activity both in mushroom tyrosinase and A375 cells, as well as diminish ROS formation in HaCat cells. According to this study, AgNPs is a novel material that can enhance skin health by preventing melanin development.

Effect of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Extract on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Parameters of Oxidative Stress, and Lipid Metabolism in Broiler Chickens.

Eucommia ulmoides bark has been traditionally used as a Chinese medicine to attenuate stress, but the leaf, which is rich in polyphenols and polysaccharides, has been rarely used. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts (EULEs) on oxidative stress and meat quality of broilers. A total of 252 broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatments and fed with a control basal diet (CON), or a diet containing 250 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of EULE for 51 days. Results showed that dietary supplementation of 250 mg/kg EULE increased significantly the average daily gain of broilers in the early stage (1–21 days), while 250 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of EULE decreased the feed conversion ratio in the whole period (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 250 mg/kg EULE reduced the level of MDA in the liver (P < 0.05), while 1,000 mg/kg EULE decreased the serum level of MDA (P < 0.05), and the HDL level in serum was increased by 250 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg EULE (P < 0.05). Additionally, 250 mg/kg EULE decreased abdominal fat ratio and serum triglyceride (TC) level in broilers, while 250 or 1,000 mg/kg of EULE reduced drip loss in breast muscle (P < 0.05), and 1,000 mg/kg EULE reduced the cooking loss in thigh muscle (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 250 mg/kg of EULE could attenuate oxidative stress and improve the growth performance and meat quality in broilers.

Research Progress on Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis by Eucommia Ulmoides

Research Progress on Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis by Eucommia Ulmoides

Cladosporium spp. (Cladosporiaceae) isolated from Eucommiaulmoides in China.

Eucommiaulmoides is a rare tree species in China with high medicinal and gum value. Nine strains of hyphomycetous fungi were isolated from the leaf litter of E.ulmoides in Guizhou Province. Preliminary identifications based on ITS indicated that they belong to the genus Cladosporium. Morphology and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the nrDNA, the partial translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) gene and partial of actin (act) gene confirmed that the strains represent four species, including two novel taxa, viz., Cladosporiumeucommiae and C.guizhouense and two new substrate records for known species.

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide reduces the injury of IL-1β-induced chondrocyte by inhibiting NF-κB pathway

To investigate the effects of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide on the injury of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)-induced chondrocyte and its possible mechanism. ATDC5 was treated with 10 μg/ml IL-1β to establish osteoarthritis chondrocyte inflammation model, mouse chondrocyte ATDC5 were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into blank group, model group, model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide low concentration group, model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide medium concentration group and model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide high concentration group. The cells in the blank group were cultured with conventional medium;the cells in the model group cells were cultured with a medium containing 10 ?g/ml IL-1β, and the cells in the model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide low concentration group, model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide medium concentration group and model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide high concentration group were co-cultured with medium containing 100, 200, 400 μg/ml Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide and 10 μg/ml IL-1β. After the cells of each group were cultured for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, CCK-8 method was used to detect cell viability. After the cells of each group were cultured for 48 h, flow cytometry and DAPI staining were used to detect cell apoptosis;ELISA method was used to detect the expression of TNF-α, NO, IFN-γ and IL-6 in cells; DCFH-DA method was used to detect the content of ROS in cells;Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TIMP-1, MMP-13 and NF-κB signaling pathway-related P65 and p-P65;Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the localization of NF-κB P65 cells. Compared with the blank group, the ATDC5 cell viability and the protein expression of TIMP-1 in the model group reduced (P<0.05), while apoptosis rate, the levels of TNF-α, NO, IFN-γ and IL-6, the content of ROS, the protein expression of MMP-13 and p-P65, and the number of P65+ in the nucleus increased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ATDC5 cell viability and the protein expression of TIMP-1 in the model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide low concentration group, model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide medium concentration group and model+Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide high concentration group increased (P<0.05), while apoptosis rate, the levels of TNF-α, NO, IFN-γ and IL-6, the content of ROS, the protein expression of MMP-13 and p-P65, and the number of P65+ in the nucleus reduced (P<0.05). The results showed that Eucommia ulmoides Oliv polysaccharide could promote proliferation of IL-1β-induced chondrocyte ATDC5 and inhibit its apoptosis, inflammatory response and matrix degradation. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activation of NF-κB pathway.

Network pharmacology-based pharmacological mechanism prediction on Eucommia ulmoides against rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation and progressive joint destruction. Eucommia ulmoides (EU) is a kidney-tonifying Chinese medicine that has been applied to treat RA for decides. The present study aims to explore pharmacological mechanisms of EU against RA using network pharmacology approach. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database was used to screen active ingredients of EU, and their relative targets were fished from UniProt database. RA-related targets were screened from GeneCards database and DisGeNET database. The overlapping genes between EU and RA were identified by Venn diagram, and further analyzed for protein-protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Fifty active ingredients were identified in EU, and corresponded to 207 targets. Meanwhile, 499 targets were closely associated with RA development. A total of 50 overlapping genes between EU and RA were identified, which were regarded as therapeutically relevant. GO enrichment analysis indicated that EU exerted antiRA effects depending on regulating multiple biological processes including inflammatory response, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis and matrix catabolism. Several key pathways such as TNF pathway, IL-17 pathway, T cell receptor pathway, NOD-like receptor pathway and Toll-like receptor pathway, were involved in the above biological processes. Network pharmacology revealed that EU exerts therapeutic effects on RA through multi-ingredients, multi-targets and multi-pathways, which provides basis for its clinical application and promising directions for subsequent research.

Qing`e Pill Inhibits Osteoblast Ferroptosis via ATM Serine/Threonine Kinase (ATM) and the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Primary Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is an aging-related disease that is the main etiology of fragility fracture. Qing’e Pill (QEP) is a mixture of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) consisting of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Psoralea corylifolia L., Juglans regia L., and Allium sativum L. QEP has an anti-osteoporosis function, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, online databases were employed to determine the chemical compounds of QEP and potential target genes in osteoporosis. Potential pathways associated with genes were defined by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. A compound–target–disease network was constructed. Hub genes screened through Cytoscape were intersected with the FerrDB database. The potential key genes were validated in HFOB 1.19 cells, and rat models were ovariectomized through Western blot, RT-qPCR, ELISA, HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses. The intersection targets of QEP and osteoporosis contained 121 proteins, whereas the target–pathway network included 156 pathways. We filtered five genes that stood out in the network analysis for experimental verification. The experiments validated that QEP exerted therapeutic effects on osteoporosis by inhibiting ferroptosis and promoting cell survival via the PI3K/AKT pathway and ATM. In conclusion, combining the application of network analysis and experimental verification may provide an efficient method to validate the molecular mechanism of QEP on osteoporosis.

Treatment with Herbal Formula Extract in the hSOD1G93A Mouse Model Attenuates Muscle and Spinal Cord Dysfunction via Anti-Inflammation.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a multicomplex neurodegenerative disease, has multiple underlying pathological factors and can induce other neuromuscular diseases, leading to muscle atrophy and respiratory failure. Currently, there is no effective drug for treating patients with ALS. Herbal medicine, used to treat various diseases, has multitarget effects and does not usually induce side effects. Each bioactive component in such herbal combinations can exert a mechanism of action to increase therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we investigated the efficacy of an herbal formula, comprising Achyranthes bidentata Blume, Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, and Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, in suppressing the pathological mechanism of ALS in male hSOD1G93A mice. Herbal formula extract (HFE) (1 mg/g) were orally administered once daily for six weeks, starting at eight weeks of age, in hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. To evaluate the effects of HFE, we performed footprint behavioral tests, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to detect protein expression and quantitative PCR to detect mRNA levels in the muscles and spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mice. HFE-treated hSOD1G93A mice showed increased anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and regulation of autophagy in the muscles and spinal cord. Thus, HEF can be therapeutic candidates for inhibiting disease progression in patients with ALS. This study has some limitations. Although this experiment was performed only in male hSOD1G93A mice, studies that investigate the efficacy of HEF in various ALS models including female mice, such as mice modeling TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP43) and ORF 72 on chromosome 9 (C9orf72) ALS, are required before it can be established that HEF are therapeutic candidates for patients with ALS.

Identification of key enzyme genes involved in biosynthesis pathways of lignan and lignin in Eucommia ulmoides based on transcriptome assembly

Lignan is the main medicinal component of Eucommia ulmoides, and lignin is involved in the defense of plants against diseases and insect pests.They are synthesized from coniferyl alcohol with the help of dirigent(DIR) and peroxidase(POD), respectively.In this study, transcriptome assembly of stems and leaves of E.ulmoides was performed, yielding 112 578 unigenes.Among them, 70 459 were annotated in seven databases.A total of 59 unigenes encodes 11 key enzymes in the biosynthesis pathways of lignin and lignin, of which 11 encode POD and 8 encode DIR.A total of 13 unigenes encoding transcription factors are involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism. Compared with leaves of E.ulmoides, 7 575 unigenes were more highly expressed in stems, of which 462 were involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.Our results extend the public transcriptome dataset of E.ulmoides, which provide valuable information for the analysis of biosynthesis pathways of lignan and lignin in E.ulmoides and lay a foundation for further study on the functions and regulation mechanism of key enzymes in lignan and lignin biosynthesis pathways.

The antihypertensive effects of Eucommia ulmoides leaf water/ethanol extracts are chlorogenic acid dependent

The antihypertensive effects of Eucommia ulmoides were determined between normal rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats daily gavaged with leaf extracts, bark extract, chlorogenic acid (CGA), and captopril. Significant composition difference between leaf and bark extracts were noted since CGA was only detected in leaf extract. The overall antihypertensive effects ranked as captopril > CGA > leaf extracts > bark extract, indicating the antihypertensive effect of E. ulmoides extract was CGA-dependent. The hypertension related targets of CGA were screened out and ten KEGG pathways of these targets were significantly enriched, indicating CGA took function in antihypertension via multiple biological processes. Molecular docking revealed CGA bound more tightly to hypertension related targets than captopril, indicating CGA positively participated in antihypertension. However, drug-likeness evaluation displayed the bioavailability of CGA was 5 times lower than captopril, which was consistent with dosage difference in animal experimental. Hence, the antihypertensive effect of CGA was bioavailability limited.