Rheum Officinale Research Articles

Enhancing NKT cell-mediated immunity against hepatocellular carcinoma: Role of XYXD in promoting primary bile acid synthesis and improving gut microbiota

Ethnopharmacological relevance‘Xiayuxue decoction’ (XYXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound, composing of three natural medicines: Rheum officinale Baill., Prunus persica (L.) Batsch and Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker. It is derived from the famous traditional Chinese medical classics ‘Jingui Yaolue’ and has been used for thousands of years. In the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary liver Cancer issued by China's Health Commission, XYXD was applied in the treatment of primary liver cancer. Aim of the studyTo clarify the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of XYXD in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methodsFirstly, the active components of XYXD and its distribution in vivo were identified by Ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Then, the effective components and mechanism of XYXD against HCC were explored by network pharmacology combined with cell experiments in vitro. Furthermore, the anti-HCC effect of XYXD was determined by animal experiments in vivo. Metagenomic sequencing was used to detect its effect in gut microbiota, and targeted metabolism was used to detect the changes of bile acids in the liver. Finally, the related targets of NKT cell immune function activation were detected by RT-qPCR and Elisa. ResultsA total of 113 active ingredients in XYXD were identified, and the distribution of active ingredients in blood, liver, tumor, cecum, intestinal contents and feces was clarified. The circulation process and active ingredient group of XYXD were preliminarily clarified. In addition, we found five anti-HCC active ingredients in XYXD through network pharmacology combined with cell experiments in vitro, among which aloe emodin had the most significant effect, and predicted the potential mechanism of XYXD against HCC through NKT cell pathway. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of XYXD on liver tumor growth was clarified by animal experiments in vivo. The mechanism was mainly to promote the production of bile salt hydrolase (BSH) by increasing the abundance of Bacteroides and Lactobacillus, BSH converts conjugated bile acids into primary bile acids, and reduces the conversion of primary bile acids to secondary bile acids by reducing the abundance of Eubacterium, thereby increasing the content of primary bile acids. Primary bile acids trigger NKT cells in the liver to produce interferon-γ to exert anti-HCC immune effects. ConclusionThis study found that the traditional Chinese herbal formula XYXD can trigger the immune effect of NKT cells against HCC by regulating the interaction between gut microbiota and bile acids.

Induction of Nrf2-EpRE-mediated gene expression by hydroxyanthraquinones present in extracts from traditional Chinese medicine and herbs.

Hydroxyanthraquinones that can be present in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and herbal extracts have claimed beneficial intestinal effects. We examined the ability of a panel hydroxyanthraquinones, and methanolic extracts from selected TCM and herbal granules to activate Nrf2-EpRE mediated gene expression using a reporter-gene assay. The results indicate that purpurin, aloe-emodin, 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone and rhein induced Nrf2 mediated gene expressions with a high induction factor (IFs>10), with BMCL10 values (the lower confidence limit of the concentration giving 10% added response above background) of 16 μM, 1.1 μM, 23 μM and 2.3 μM, respectively, while aurantio-obtusin, obtusifolin, rubiadin 1-methyl ether and emodin were less potent (IFs<5), with BMCL10 values for added response above background level of 4.6 μM, 15 μM, 9.8 μM and 3.8 μM, respectively. All TCM extracts and the herbal extracts of Aloe Vera, Polygonum multiflorum, Rubia (cordifolia) and Rheum officinale activated the Nrf2-EpRE pathway. Of the TCM extracts, Chuan-Xin-Lian-Kang-Yan-Pian was the most potent Nrf2-inducer. LC-MS/MS analysis indicated the presence of selected hydroxyanthraquinones in the extracts and herbs, in part explaining their Nrf2-EpRE mediated activity. In conclusion, different hydroxyanthraquinones have different potencies of Nrf2 activation. The Nrf2 activation by extracts from TCM and herbs can be partially explained by the presence of selected hydroxyanthraquinones.

Optimal timing of free total rhubarb anthraquinones on immune regulation in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

Rhubarb is the peeled and dried root of Rheum palmatum L., Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. or Rheum officinale Baill. Free total rhubarb anthraquinones (FTRAs) isolated and extracted from rhubarb display the beneficial effects of anti-inflammation and immunological modulation. The timing of immune regulation is a major problem in the immunotherapy for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). several studies reported that FTRAs could reduce systemic inflammatory responses by inhibiting early immune overactivity in the gut in rats with SAP. But, the optimal timing of rhubarb and FTRAs administration is not clear in clinical practice. Therefore, the time window for the best efficacy of rhubarb and FTRAs in the treatment of SAP patients should be further elucidated. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and optimal timing of immune modulation with FTRAs in the treatment of SAP in rats. FTRAs (22.5, 45 and 90mg/kg), Rhubarb (RHU) (900mg/kg, positive control) or normal saline (vehicle control) were initiated at 0 (immediately), 48 and 72h every 12h for three times in total. The therapeutic effects of FTRAs and RHU on pancreas and intestinal tissues injury, secondary infection with pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), amylase, lipase, D-lactic acid (DLA), endotoxin (ET), proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, macrophages, dendritic cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the blood, small intestine and/or mesenteric lymph node (MLN) were determined in rats with SAP after treatment. The results showed that administration of FTRAs at 0h was superior to 48h and 72h, which significantly protected the injury of pancreas and intestinal tissues, reduced the mortality induced by secondary infection with PA, decreased the levels of amylase, lipase, DLA, ET, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-18 and Tregs, and increased the levels of IL-4, sTNF-αR, macrophages and dendritic cells, secretary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in the blood and/or small intestinal tissues in rats with SAP. In conclusion, our studies indicate that the treatment window of FTRAs for SAP is within 48h of development, administration of FTRAs at the early stage (0h, immune overreaction period) was the optimal time and superior to that of 48h and 72h for its therapeutic efficacy. The earlier the administration of FTRAs, the better the therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, our data may provide a scientific rationale for the clinical application and optimal timing of FTRAs in the treatment of SAP.

Preliminary exploration of method for screening efficacy markers compatibility in TCM prescriptions based on Q-markers: Anti-inflammatory activity of Dachaihu decoction as an example

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDachaihu Decoction (DD), a classic Chinese herbal prescription, is composed of radix of Bupleurum chinense DC. (Chaihu), radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Huangqin), radix of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Baishao), rhizoma of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. (Banxia), fructus of Citrus aurantium L. (Zhishi), rhizoma of Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Shengjiang), fructus of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Dazao) and rhizoma of Rheum officinale Baill. (Dahuang). DD has the traditional effects of soothing the liver, relieving depression and clearing heat from the stomach, and is mainly used to treat heat stagnation in the liver and stomach. Aim of the studyDachaihu decoction (DD), a classic prescription commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Although its pharmacological effects are clear, the efficacy components and mechanism of action remain intricate and difficult to clarify. Materials and methodsThe action targets and components of the anti-inflammatory activity of DD were predicted by network pharmacology; the effective components and targets were verified by HPLC and qPCR; the efficacy markers of DD were further screened by in vitro experiments; the pharmacological value of DD and its components compatibility were evaluated by in vitro experiments. ResultsThe key targets MMP9, JAK2, MAP2K1 and NR3C1 were screened by network pharmacology; HPLC analysis showed that paeoniflorin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein and saikosaponin B2 were identified as potential efficacy markers of DD; molecular docking combined with qPCR verification suggested that baicalin, naringin, neohesperidin, hesperidin and baicalein and wogonoside had certain ability to regulate above targets; in vitro studies revealed that paeoniflorin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein and saikosaponin B2 could inhibit the release of NO, pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase; after comprehensive comparison and analysis, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein and saikosaponin B2 were selected as the efficacy markers of DD; in vivo studies indicated that DD and its efficacy markers (components compatibility) had definite therapeutic effects on guinea pigs with cholecystitis. ConclusionsThe efficacy markers of DD including naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein and saikosaponin B2 can be used as components compatibility to exert anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, a method for obtaining the compatibility of efficacy markers by simplifying the prescription is initially established.

The active compound in Rheum officinale Baill, aloe-emodin promotes tomato seedling growth

The active compound in Rheum officinale Baill, aloe-emodin promotes tomato seedling growth

Variation and interaction mechanism between active components in Rheum officinale and rhizosphere soil microorganisms under drought stress

To explore the changes and the reaction mechanisms between soil microecological environment and the content of secon-dary metabolites of plants under water deficit, this study carried out a pot experiment on the 3-leaf stage seedlings of Rheum officinale to analyze their response mechanism under different drought gradients(normal water supply, mild, moderate, and severe drought). The results indicated that the content of flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids in the root of R. officinale varied greatly under drought stresses. Under mild drought stress, the content of substances mentioned above was comparatively high, and the content of rutin, emodin, gallic acid, and(+)-catechin hydrate in the root significantly increased. The content of rutin, emodin, and gallic acid under severe drought stress was significantly lower than that under normal water supply. The number of species, Shannon diversity index, richness index, and Simpson index of bacteria in the rhizosphere soil were significantly higher than those in blank soil, and the number of microbial species and richness index decreased significantly with the aggravation of drought stresses. In the context of water deficit, Cyanophyta, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Streptomyces, and Actinomyces were the dominant bacteria in the rhizosphere of R. officinale. The relative content of rutin and emodin in the root of R. officinale was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Cyanophyta and Firmicutes, and the relative content of(+)-catechin hydrate and(-)-epicatechin gallate was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In conclusion, appropriate drought stress can increase the content of secondary metabolites of R. officinale from physiological induction and the increase in the association with beneficial microbe.

Enema of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is characterized by high mortality rates, numerous complications, and extreme difficulties in treatment. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) enema has been widely utilized in clinical and experimental studies of SAP. It has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in protecting pancreatic function and delaying disease progression. The procedure of TCM enema is to perfuse the Chinese medicinal liquid of raw rhubarb (Rheum officinale Baill. DaHuang) from the anus into the rectum and colon. Basic steps of the procedure include boiling the herbal solution in advance, using a disposable enema kit to assist patients in taking a left lying position, raising the patient's hip 10 cm, and carefully inserting the enema 30-35 cm into the anus, with a drip speed of 60-80 drops/min. The medicine liquid temperature should be equivalent to the patient's body temperature, typically between 37-39 °C. The end of the enema operation should be slow, and Tui na (massage therapy) should be administered before extubation. The medication liquid should be kept in the rectum for more than 1 h. After issuing an enema, it is essential to observe the patient's feces and abdomen, and to evaluate the remission of abdominal signs and symptoms.

Clinical effect of fecal microbiota transplantation versus the traditional Chinese medicine Rheum officinale in a rat model of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis

Clinical effect of fecal microbiota transplantation versus the traditional Chinese medicine Rheum officinale in a rat model of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis

STUDY ON GENETIC VARIATION OF KELEMBAK (Rheum officinale Baill.) USING RAPD MOLECULAR MARKERS IN CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA

Kelembak (Rheum officinale Baill.) is native to mainland Central China and is reported as an endangered medicinal plant. This plant in Indonesia is distributed in mountainous areas; the center of rhubarb cultivation is in the Dieng Plateau. Mainly, this plant is grown for the roots as herbal medicine material (kelembak jamu) and in the industry for cigarette ingredients (kelembak Jawa). This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of nine accessions of R. officinale. Six selected RAPD primers were used to amplify the samples and produced 33 DNA fragments ranging from 270-2,710 bp. The genetic similarity ranged from 74.58% to 100% using the Dice similarity index. The dendrogram divided R. officinale into two main clusters separated between kelembak jamu and kelembak jawa. Cluster analysis revealed that Mangli accession (kelembak jamu) had a closer similarity to kelembak Jawa. The narrow genetic diversity of kelembak is essential information for future conservation and management programs in the cultivation of this species.

Drug-polysaccharide/herb interactions and compatibility rationality of Sijunzi decoction based on comprehensive pharmacokinetic screening for multi-components in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSijunzi decoction (SJZD) is composed of four herbs, namely Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (RG, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.), Atractylodes Macrocephalae Rhizoma (AM, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle (GRP, derived from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. or Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) based on the compatibility theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is a classical formula for the treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) in TCM. The polysaccharides and non-polysaccharides (NPSs) composition represented by flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids are the important pharmacodynamic material basis of SJZD. Aim of the studyThe aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of SJZD in normal rats and SDS rats, and explore the potential interactions between NPSs and polysaccharides in SJZD, as well as the compatibility rationality of SJZD. Materials and methodsSDS model was established by oral administration of Radix Rhei (Rheum officinale Baill.) extract, loaded swimming, and intermittent fasting. A rapid, sensitive and reliable ultrafast liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC–MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of fifteen representative compounds in rat plasma to investigate the differences in pharmacokinetics between normal and SDS rats. The SJZD-NPS samples were prepared by removing the polysaccharides of SJZD to explore the interactions between NPSs and polysaccharides of SJZD. According to the compatibility theory of TCM, four incomplete formulae of SJZD were obtained by randomly removing an herb (also called 'que fang' in TCM), and their pharmacokinetic differences were compared to elucidate the rationality of SJZD compatibility with oral administration to SDS rats. ResultsThe established UFLC–MS/MS method showed perfect performance in simultaneously analyzing fifteen compounds of SJZD in rat plasma. Compared with normal rats, the absorption efficiency of NPSs in SDS rats was lower, accompanied by the prolonged residence time (Cmax and AUC0-t reduced, while MRT0-t increased). Polysaccharides have the potential to enhance intestinal metabolism of glycosides among these components, thereby contributing to the circulating distribution of corresponding metabolites (e.g. aglycones). Furthermore, the compatibility of the four herbs in SJZD could alter their pharmacokinetic characteristics, and potentially improve the absorption of the effective components of RG and AM, which is in accordance with the principle that “monarch” and “minister” herbs play a major role in TCM. In detail, the improved absorption of ginsenosides was mainly regulated by GRP (the “guide” herb in SJZD), together with the effects of AM (“minister” herb) and Poria (“adjuvant” herb) on the pharmacokinetics of components in GRP, implying that herb-herb interactions existed in SJZD and demonstrated the compatibility rationality of SJZD potentially. ConclusionThis study laid a solid foundation for revealing the pharmacodynamic material basis and subsequent action mechanism of SJZD, as well as provided new insights into the compatibility of SJZD. The comprehensive pharmacokinetic approach adopted in the current research also provides a valuable strategy for TCM formulae research.

Effect and Mechanism of Pharmaceutical Excipients on Berberine to Alleviate Ulcerative Colitis via Regulating Gut Microbiota.

Background: Various potential effect of drugs on alleviating diseases by regulating intestinal microbiome as well as the pharmaceutical excipients on gut microbiota has been revealed. However, the interaction between them is rarely investigated. Methods: Histological analysis, immunohistochemistry analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis, RT-qPCR, and 16S rRNA analysis were utilized to explore the effect mechanism of the five excipients including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) F4M, Eudragit (EU) S100, chitosan (CT), pectin (PT), and rheum officinale polysaccharide (DHP) on berberine (BBR) to cure UC. Results: The combined BBR with PT and DHP group exhibited better therapeutic efficacy of UC with significantly increased colon length, and decreased hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) scores than other groups. Furthermore, the expression of tight junction ZO-1 and occludin in colon tissue were upregulated, and claudin-2 was downregulated. Ultimately, the serum content of tumor necrosis (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 was decreased. Moreover, the combined BBR with PT significantly promoted the restoration of gut microbiota. The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus was significantly increased by the supplement of PT and DHP, and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was downregulated. Conclusions: Our study may provide a new perspective that the selection of pharmaceutical excipients could be a crucial factor affecting the drugs’ therapeutic efficiency outcome.

Comparative Transcriptome Analyses of Different Rheum officinale Tissues Reveal Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with Anthraquinone, Catechin, and Gallic Acid Biosynthesis.

Rheum officinale Baill. is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb, its dried roots and rhizomes being widely utilized to cure diverse diseases. However, previous studies mainly focused on the active compounds and their pharmacological effects, and the molecular mechanism underlying the biosynthesis of these ingredients in R. officinale is still elusive. Here, we performed comparative transcriptome analyses to elucidate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the root, stem, and leaf of R. officinale. A total of 236,031 unigenes with N50 of 769 bp was generated, 136,329 (57.76%) of which were annotated. A total of 5884 DEGs was identified after the comparative analyses of different tissues; 175 and 126 key enzyme genes with tissue-specific expression were found in the anthraquinone, catechin/gallic acid biosynthetic pathway, respectively, and some of these key enzyme genes were verified by qRT-PCR. The phylogeny of the PKS III family in Polygonaceae indicated that probably only PL_741 PKSIII1, PL_11549 PKSIII5, and PL_101745 PKSIII6 encoded PKSIII in the polyketide pathway. These results will shed light on the molecular basis of the tissue-specific accumulation and regulation of secondary metabolites in R. officinale, and lay a foundation for the future genetic diversity, molecular assisted breeding, and germplasm resource improvement of this essential medicinal plant.

Nutritional Values and In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of 29 Different Chinese Herbs

The present study evaluated the nutritional values and in vitro fermentation characteristics of 29 different Chinese herbs in order to develop effective feed additives for livestock nutrition. The Chinese herbs were analyzed for their chemical composition. The in vitro fermentation characteristics were evaluated using the gas production technique with swine cecal chyme inoculum. The results showed that the Allium tuberosum Rottl (Semen allii tuberosi, SAT) had the highest gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and total amino acid (TAA) contents, whereas Anemones raddeanae Rhizoma (Agstache rugosus, AR) had the highest crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber contents compared with the other Chinese herbs. The Rhus chinensis Mill (Chinese gall, CG), Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl (Radix scrophulariae, RS), Punica granatum L (Punica granatum L, PGL), Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (White atractylodes rhizome, WAR), Sanguisorbae radix (Garden burnet, GB), Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Rhizoma anemarrhenaw, RA), and Rhei radix Et Rhizoma (Rheum officinale, RO) had a higher non-fiber carbohydrate content than the other Chinese herbs. The in vitro fermentation kinetic analysis showed that the RS, WAR, and RA had a higher gas production, a theoretical gas production, and a fractional rate of gas production than the other groups. Furthermore, the RA, WAR, RS, and Crataegi fructus (Crataegus pinnatifida Bun, CPB) had a higher total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration, and CPB had the highest acetate concentration, whereas the WAR and RS had higher propionate and butyrate concentrations than the other groups. Moreover, the Isatis indigotica Fort (Folium isatidis, FI) and SAT had higher ammonia-N concentration than the other groups. In summary, among the 29 different Chinese herbs, the SAT had the highest nutritional value, which is reflected in the highest contents of GE, CP, EE, and TAA, whereas the RA, WAR, and RS showed better intestinal fermentation profiles, which is reflected in the higher fermentation degree and suitable SCFAs fermentation pattern. These findings provide a theoretical basis for using Chinese herbs as feed additives or microbial carbon sources in the intestines of animals.

Integrative phosphatidylcholine metabolism through phospholipase A2 in rats with chronic kidney disease.

Dysregulation in lipid metabolism is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and also the important risk factors for high morbidity and mortality. Although lipid abnormalities were identified in CKD, integral metabolic pathways for specific individual lipid species remain to be clarified. We conducted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-definition mass spectrometry-based lipidomics and identified plasma lipid species and therapeutic effects of Rheum officinale in CKD rats. Adenine-induced CKD rats were administered Rheum officinale. Urine, blood and kidney tissues were collected for analyses. We showed that exogenous adenine consumption led to declining kidney function in rats. Compared with control rats, a panel of differential plasma lipid species in CKD rats was identified in both positive and negative ion modes. Among the 50 lipid species, phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) and lysophosphatidic acid (LysoPA) accounted for the largest number of identified metabolites. We revealed that six PCs had integral metabolic pathways, in which PC was hydrolysed into LysoPC, and then converted to LysoPA, which was associated with increased cytosolic phospholipase A2 protein expression in CKD rats. The lower levels of six PCs and their corresponding metabolites could discriminate CKD rats from control rats. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that each individual lipid species had high values of area under curve, sensitivity and specificity. Administration of Rheum officinale significantly improved impaired kidney function and aberrant PC metabolism in CKD rats. Taken together, this study demonstrates that CKD leads to PC metabolism disorders and that the dysregulation of PC metabolism is involved in CKD pathology.

Xiong Fu Powder Regulates the Intestinal Microenvironment to Protect Bones Against Destruction in Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rat Models

BackgroundChanges in the intestinal microenvironment affected bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and spleen deficiency (SD) was closely related to the intestinal microenvironment. In this study, we aimed to explore the aggravation of SD on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and the bone protection of compound Xiong Fu powder (XFP) on CIA with SD (SD-CIA) based on the intestinal microenvironment.MethodAn SD-CIA rat model was established using Rheum officinale Baill. decoction combined with CIA and then treated with XFP. The aggravating action of SD on CIA rats and the efficacy of XFP were evaluated using AI scores, H&E staining of the joint, and level of serum anti–collagen type II antibody (Col II Ab). Bone destruction was assessed by micro-CT and TRACP staining. In addition, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and ELISA were used to evaluate gut mucosal immunity. Moreover, metagenomic sequencing was used to determine the distribution and function of the gut microbiota.ResultsCompared with that in CIA rats, bone destruction in SD-CIA rats was aggravated, as manifested by increased AI scores, more severe joint pathological changes and radiological damage, and increased number of osteoclasts (OCs) in the ankle joint. Meanwhile, the proportion of Tregs/Th17 cells was biased toward Th17 cells in Peyer’s patches. Furthermore, the gene levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 were increased. In contrast, the expression of IL-10 and sIgA was decreased in the jejunum and ileum. XFP treatment improved bone damage and intestinal mucosal immune disorders compared with the SD-CIA group. In addition, the distribution and function of the gut microbiota were altered in the SD-CIA group. After XFP treatment, the community and function of the gut microbiota were regulated, manifested as increased abundance of several Lactobacillus species, such as L. acidophilus, which regulates the intestinal Tregs/Th17 cells and quorum sensing pathways, followed by promoting probiotic adhesion to the intestines.ConclusionSD can aggravate bone destruction in CIA rats. Compound XFP may attenuate bone destruction in SD-CIA rats by regulating the intestinal microenvironment. One of the mechanisms is the cross-talk between sIgA secretion regulated by intestinal mucosal Tregs and Th17 cells and adhesion of Lactobacillus mediated by quorum sensing.

The copper(II) complex of dantron showed therapeutic effect on bacterial gill-rot disease in tilapia infected by Flavobacterium columnar

Dantron (DA), a kind of polyhydric anthraquinone and one of the bio-active ingredient in Rheum officinale was chosen as the ligand to coordinate with the bio-active copper(II) ion to achieve its antibacterial copper(II) complex, DA-Cu. The coordination structure of DA-Cu, both in the crystal state and solution state, was studied by spectroscopy and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The inhibition zone, MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) values regarding the in vitro antibacterial activity of DA-Cu towards Flavobacterium columnar, which causes the bacterial gill-rot disease on fish, were significant and specific. DA-Cu in vivo acute toxicity on zebrafish and tilapia was evaluated, suggesting that the higher dose of DA-Cu than 0.1 mg/mL might give potential toxicity. The further therapeutic effect of DA-Cu on the tested tilapia challenged by Flavobacterium columnar was also studied, which showed its clear advantage (including the survival rate, relative weight gain rate, and feed conversion ratio) over DA and the positive control, Sanhuang San, at a much lower dosage of 0.025 mg/mL.

Quality evaluation of different varieties of rhubarb based on multicomponents and bioactivity: Application to quality control in the production of rhubarb decoction pieces.

In this work, we developed a novel HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of 16 bioactive components in rhubarb and used it to determine the contents. Through the determination of bioactive components and in vitro activity, we compared the differences between 18 batches of different varieties of rhubarb. The contents of 16 bioactive components in Rheum officinale Baill., Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf., and Rheum palmatum Linn. were 57.53-76.09, 98.88-130.61 and 36.18-48.66 mg/g, respectively. The average inhibition rates of alkaline phosphatase in R. tanguticum were the highest, reaching 79.53%. The average inhibition rates of thrombin and Na+ /K+ -ATPase in R. palmatum were the highest, reaching 80.93 and 62.42%, respectively. These results showed that there were significant differences in effective components and biological activities among different varieties of rhubarb. Through chemometric analysis, we preliminarily compared the differences in chemical composition of different varieties of rhubarb, and established a Fisher discriminant function which could accurately distinguish different varieties of rhubarb. Through correlation analysis and molecular docking, three potential components as quality markers of rhubarb were identified. The obtained results provide a comprehensive strategy for the quality control of multisource Chinese medicine and related products.

Phytoremediation potential evaluation of three rhubarb species and comparative analysis of their rhizosphere characteristics in a Cd- and Pb-contaminated soil

Screening or breeding exceptional plant species for heavy metal phytoremediation is as important as adopting feasible measures to enhance phytoremediation efficiency, which are largely based on clarifying the mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance and accumulation by plants. In this study, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) tolerance and accumulation characteristics of Rheum officinale, R. palmatum, and R. tanguticum were analysed to assess their phytoremediation potential. The seed germination test indicated that these three rhubarb species could tolerate 10 mg L−1 Cd and 100 mg L−1 Pb. However, when sown in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soil, all three rhubarb species exhibited a relatively high Cd accumulation capacity but a considerably low Pb accumulation capacity according to the bioconcentration factors of Cd (0.42–0.47 in shoots and 0.11–0.15 in roots) and Pb (0.004–0.008 in shoots and 0.007–0.013 in roots). The high Cd translocation factors (3.04–4.24) indicated that these three rhubarb species were suitable for Cd phytoextraction. The changes in rhizospheric physicochemical indices were generally similar among the three rhubarb plants in comparison with those of the unplanted soil. However, differential indicator rhizobacteria were identified for the three rhubarb plants, which may be primarily attributed to their different root system characteristics. These enriched rhizobacteria included many plant growth-promoting bacteria, and several of them were also involved in regulating heavy metal uptake by plants, indicating that three rhubarb species likely recruit differentially beneficial rhizobacteria to maintain plant growth and vitality and to regulate heavy metal uptake in the Cd- and Pb-polluted soil. This study identifies new candidate plant resources for the phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soils and provides novel insights into understanding the interactions among heavy metals, rhizobacteria, and plants.

Rheum officinale Baill. Treats zebrafish embryo thrombosis by regulating NOS3 expression in the arginine biosynthesis pathway

BackgroundRheum officinale Baill. (ROB), as one of the traditional Chinese medicines for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as cardiovascular protection, and has become a common drug in the clinical care of thrombosis. ObjectiveAlthough there are some pharmacological studies on ROB in the treatment of thrombotic diseases, the mechanism and material basis are still unclear. Based on the arginine biosynthesis signalling pathway, this research explored the target proteins and metabolites related to the intervention of ROB in thrombosis and expounded on the antithrombotic mechanism of ROB from the comprehensive perspectives of target prediction, intermediate metabolites and potential metabolic pathways. MethodsIn this research, ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology was used to qualitatively detect the chemical compounds of ROB, and the antithrombotic activity of ROB was evaluated by establishing a zebrafish model. The target function was predicted by network pharmacology, and differential metabolites were screened by metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis methods. Correlation analysis of network pharmacology and metabolomics screening results was conducted to identify the potential pathway of ROB intervention in thrombosis, and the prediction results were further verified. ResultsROB significantly reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining intensity in zebrafish induced by phenylhydrazine (PHZ) and improved the inhibition rate of thrombosis. By constructing the “herb-disease-component-target” network, it was concluded that the active ingredients of ROB in treating thrombosis involved emodin, aloe-emodin and physcion, and the key targets included nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3). A total of 341 differential metabolites in zebrafish with thrombosis were screened by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) experiments and targeted metabolomics verification showed that ROB was mainly involved in improving thrombosis by upregulating the expression of NOS3 mRNA and regulating the levels of arginine, glutamate and glutamine in the arginine biosynthesis pathway. ConclusionsROB improved thrombosis by regulating the expression of NOS3 mRNA and the contents of arginine, glutamate and glutamine in the arginine biosynthesis signalling pathway.

Home methods of hair dyeing using plant raw materials

Plant-based hair coloring is a natural hair coloring method, which allows to obtain a variety of colors and additionally nourishes the scalp and hair. The aim of the study was to present the knowledge on the available dyeing methods using plant materials and to investigate the color potential of particular herbs. Lawsonia inermis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Rheum officinale, Sambucus nigra, and Chamomilla recutita were selected to the research. A video dermatoscope was used to demonstrate the influence of the coloring process on the structure, appearance of the cortex, areola, and the core of the hair. The natural method of dyeing hair is characterized by a lower allergenic potential as compared to the synthetic method. However, taking into account the color limitations of the selected plant materials, obtaining the effect of full coverage of the hair with color, is not always possible. It was shown that the selection of additives with an appropriate pH value allows to obtain favorable results.