Traditional Medicine In China Research Articles

Ethanobotany,Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity of Dioscorea bulbifera: A Comprehensive Review.

Dioscorea bulbifera (Family: Dioscoreaceae) also referred to as 'Air potato,' carries significant importance in the traditional medicine of China, West Africa and India. It is a common ingredient in numerous herbals and Ayurvedic formulations used to treat a variety of ailments. The literature review extensively examined the historical usage, phytoconstituents, characterisation of phytoconstituents, and medicinal uses of tubers, leaves, rhizomes and bulbils, with a particular focus on comparing research findings. Among the bioactive constituents, aglycone forms of steroidal saponins such as dioscorine, dioscin, diosbulbins, and diosgenin exhibit significant biological activities. Extracts from different parts of the plant exhibited pharmacological activities like anti-viral, anti-malarial, analgesic, antidiabetic, and anticancer. It is necessary to conduct an in-depth investigation to bridge between the traditional knowledge and scientific evidence. This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the ethnobotany, phytoconstituent, chemical characterization and pharmacological potential of D. bulbifera, highlighting its prospects and challenges for future research and medicinal application.

Extract of Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit stimulates basal glucose uptake and ameliorates palmitate-induced insulin resistance through AMPK activation in C2C12 myotubes

BackgroundThe fruit of Phyllanthus emblica L., a traditional medicine in China and India, is used to treat diabetes mellitus. Its water extract (WEPE) has demonstrated hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats, but its mechanisms on glucose utilization and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of WEPE on glucose utilization and insulin resistance using C2C12 myotubes.MethodsEffects of WEPE on glucose uptake, GLUT4 translocation, and AMPK and AKT phosphorylation were investigated in C2C12 myotubes and palmitate-treated myotubes. An AMPK inhibitor and siRNA were used to explore the mechanisms of WEPE. Glucose uptake was determined using a 2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino)-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) uptake assay, and protein expression and GLUT4 translocation were assessed via western blotting.ResultsIn normal myotubes, WEPE significantly stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane at concentrations of 125 and 250 µg/mL. This was accompanied by an increase in the phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream targets. However, both compound C and AMPK siRNA blocked the WEPE-induced GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. Moreover, pretreatment with STO-609, a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) inhibitor, inhibited WEPE-induced AMPK phosphorylation and attenuated the WEPE-stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation. In myotubes treated with palmitate, WEPE prevented palmitate-induced insulin resistance by enhancing insulin-mediated glucose uptake and AKT phosphorylation. It also restored the insulin-mediated translocation of GLUT4 from cytoplasm to membrane. However, these effects of WEPE on glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation were blocked by pretreatment with compound C.ConclusionsWEPE significantly stimulated basal glucose uptake though CaMKKβ/AMPK pathway and markedly ameliorated palmitate-induced insulin resistance by activating the AMPK pathway in C2C12 myotubes.

Isolation and antimicrobial activity of secondary metabolites of pothos tener wall

The Pothos genus is extensively utilised in traditional medicine in China and India. An underexplored species of Pothos tener Wall was identified in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using microdilutions and streak plates against Staphylococcus aureus, Eschericia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. Significant effectiveness was observed in the methanol extract, as indicated by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values for three different extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane) of P. tener. The isolates obtained were structurally analysed using Ultraviolet (UV)-spectroscopy, Fourier-transform Infra Red-Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Mass Spectroscopy (MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and antimicrobial testing after undergoing fractionation and subfractionation. The isolate obtained was stigmasterol with moderate antimicrobial activity against A. niger and A. hydrophila, with MIC equivalent to MBC of 500 µg/ml. The first report of stigmasterol from P. tener has potent antimicrobial properties, bolstering empirical data in this field.

Characteristics and comparative study of medicinal materials between China and India based on data mining from literatures

Ethnopharmacological relevanceChina and India have unique traditional medicine systems with vast territory and rich medical resources. Traditional medicines in China include traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine, Mongolian medicine, Uyghur medicine, Dai medicine, etc. In the third national survey of Chinese medicine resources, 12694 medicinal materials were identified. Traditional medicines in India include Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, etc. There are 7263 medicinal materials in India. Aim of the studyTo reveal the characteristics of medicinal materials between China and India respectively, and to compare the similarities and differences in terms of properties, tastes, medicinal parts and therapeutic uses and to promote the exchange of traditional medicine between China and India and the international trade of traditional medicine industry. MethodsThe information of medicinal materials between China and India was extracted from The Chinese Traditional Medicine Resource Records and Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, as well as from 71 Indian herbal monographs. The information of each medicinal material, such as types, families, genera, properties, distribution, medicinal parts, efficacy, therapeutic uses, dosage form and dosage, was recorded in Excel for statistical analysis and visual comparison. ResultsA total of 12694 medicinal materials in China and 5362 medicinal materials in India were identified. The medicinal materials were mostly distributed in Southwest China and northern India. Plants were the main sources of medicinal materials. The common medicinal parts in China were whole medicinal materials, roots and rhizomes, and India used more renewable fruits, seeds and leaves. They are commonly used in the treatment of digestive system diseases. There were 1048 medicinal materials used by both China and India, which were distributed in 188 families and 685 genera. The Chinese and Indian pharmacopoeias had a total of 80 species of medicinal materials used by both China and India. ConclusionsThe characteristics of medicinal materials between China and India were somewhat different, which was conducive to provide a reference basis for traditional medicine in China or India to increase the medicinal parts and indications when using a certain medicinal material, as well as to expand the source of medicine and introduce new resources. However, there were certain similarities and shared medicinal materials, which can tap the potential of bilateral trade of medicinal materials between China and India, so as to promote the medical cultural exchange and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), Pharmacological and Phytochemical Activities of Neglected Legume of the Mediterranean Basin, as Functional Food.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) has been widely cultivated in different parts of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean region, and the tree belongs to the family Leguminosae. Several studies have indicated that carobs and their products can improve human health and help prevent different specific chronic diseases. Carob can considered as functional food due to its high content in dietary fibers, low-fat content, and high content of minerals. Its fruit is a pod containing 10%-20% seeds, and the pods consist of sugars, proteins, crude fibers, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, vitamins, and lipids. In many countries in the Middle east, carob is mainly used to prepare as a traditional drink and some kinds of confectioneries. The powders can be utilized to prepare carob juice concentrate. The systematic review of documents from clinical trials and scientific societies dedicated to traditional medicine in China has been carried out. The goal of this review article is a survey of chemical compounds, and pharmaceutical benefits of carob, especially by considering traditional medicinal sciences. Moreover, clinical trials research promotes studies to highlight and focus on the scope of application of traditional medicinal science in the growing system of medicine.

The anti-colorectal cancer effect and metabolites of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAgrimonia pilosa Ledeb. (Rosaceae, A. pilosa) has been used in traditional medicine in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries for treatment of acute and chronic enteritis and diarrhea. Secondary metabolites have been isolated and tested for biological activities. It remains unclear in terms of its potential components of anti-colorectal cancer properties. Aim of the studyThe study aimed to how extracts from A. pilosa and their components influenced tumor microenvironment and the colorectal tumor growth in vivo on AOM/DSS induced colorectal cancer mice, the metabolites of A. pilosa was also been studied. Materials and methodsDifferent methods have been used to extract different parts of A. pilosa. And the anti-proliferation effect of these extracts on colon cancer cells have been tested. The components of A. pilosa and its metabolites in vivo were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) effects of A. pilosa and its components in vivo were studied on AOM/DSS induced CRC mice. The effects of constituents of A. pilosa on the composition of immune cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) were analyzed by flow cytometry. 16 S rDNA technology was used to analyze the effect of administration on the composition of intestinal microflora. Pathological section staining was used to compare the morphological changes and molecular expression of intestinal tissue in different groups. ResultsThe constituent exists in root of A. pilosa showed the strongest anti-proliferation ability on colon cancer cells in vitro. The extract from the root of A. pilosa could attenuate the occurrence of colorectal tumors induced by AOM/DSS in a concentration-dependent manner. Administration of the extract from the root of A. pilosa could affect the proportion of γδT cells, tumor associated macrophages and myeloid derived suppressor cells in TME, increasing the proportion of anti-tumor immune cells and decrease the immunosuppressive cells in the TME to promote the anti-tumor immune response. The administration of the extract adjusted the composition of gut microbiota and its components Agrimoniin and Agrimonolide-6-o-glucoside showed the strongest anti-CRC effect in vivo with adjusting the gut microbiota differently. ConclusionsThe extract from root of A. pilosa showed anti-colorectal cancer effects in vivo and in vitro, affecting the composition of gut microbiota and the anti-tumor immune response. Within all components of A. pilosa, Agrimoniin and Agrimonolide-6-o-glucoside showed remarkable anti-CRC efficiency in vivo and in vitro. Besides, the metabolites of extract from root of A. pilosa in gastrointestinal tract mainly composed of two parts: Agrimonolide-related metabolites and Urolithins. The extract from root of A. pilosa could contribute to potential drugs for assisting clinical anti-colon cancer therapy.

Novel pH-sensitive triptolide-loaded micelles: a potential approach to increase anti-tumor activity of the diterpenoid epoxide

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, a traditional medicine in China has bioactive but toxic triptolide (TP, a diterpenoid triepoxide) as its main active constituents. The applications of TP are hampered by its prominent toxicity and low solubility in water. In this study, a safe pH-sensitive material [methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)- adipic dihydrazide (ADH)] was synthesized and loaded with TP to form pH-sensitive polymeric micelles, thereby improving the safety and solubility of TP, as well as providing a theoretical basis for the wide application of TP. The mPEG-ADH/TP micelles were characterized by a series of indicators [namely entrapment efficiency (EE), critical micellar concentration (CMC), electrokinetic potential, stability, polydispersed index (PDI), and particle size]. Also, we ascertained the in vitro release of TP from mPEG-ADH/TP micelles along with pharmacokinetic investigations in vivo. Besides, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of mPEG-ADH/TP micelles against A549 cells, HCT116 cells, and HaCat cells and further conducted in vivo toxicity studies in rats. The TP-loaded mPEG-ADH micelles had smaller sized particles (48.3 nm), excellent PDI (0.142), stable property and higher EE (89.87%). Importantly, the TP in the mPEG-ADH/TP micelles was almost completely released at acidic pH (pH 5.0), while the drug was released slowly and sparingly at physiological pH (pH 7.4). The results suggest the release of TP from mPEG-ADH/TP micelles was sensitive to pH, which could facilitate targeting of the drug into intra-cellularly low pH endosomes and lysosomes as well as enhance cytotoxicity in cancer tissues. Moreover, mPEG-ADH/TP micelles exhibited excellent proliferation inhibition on tumor cells. In addition, the liver injury of rats in the 1 mg/kg dose of mPEG-ADH/TP micelles group was significantly reduced by Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. Taken together, mPEG-ADH/TP micelles could act as a promising alternative to enhance the efficacy of oncologic treatments.

Simultaneously ‘national medicine’ and ‘East Asian medicine’: A cross-boundary network of medical exchange in wartime East Asia

Abstract This article examines a transnational network of advocates for Kampō (traditional) medicine in Japan, occupied China, and Manchukuo during the Sino-Japanese War (1931–1945), shedding new light on collaborationism, Asianism, and the modernization of traditional medicine in East Asia. In the 1930s, despite deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations, the Kampō revival movement in Japan joined forces with the struggle to preserve traditional medicine in China. In 1938, the Association of East Asian Medicine was founded in Japan, gathering together Chinese, Korean, and Japanese advocates under the banner of ‘East Asian medicine’. This article delineates the evolution of what I call ‘medical Asianism’ and how it was institutionalized in different parts of the Japanese empire. Participants in this network differed in their priorities and ideological commitments, yet they tactfully utilized the Japanese imperial infrastructure and wartime circumstances to promote traditional medicine. Their work laid important intellectual and institutional foundations for the postwar development of traditional medicine across East Asia. This study also contributes to a more nuanced understandings of collaborationism. The type of collaboration examined in this article was preceded by a long history of intellectual exchange, based on a shared body of knowledge and morals, motivated by mutual empathy, and for a cause that was much valued in postwar Asia. As a result, unlike most Chinese collaborators who were prosecuted as ‘traitors’, protagonists in this study continued to prosper professionally and became valuable assets in the postwar rebuilding of Sino-Japanese relations.

Chemical characterization of different parts of Forsythia suspensa and α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitors screening based on UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and plant metabolomics analysis

Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl (FS) is an important plant with high edible and medicinal values. The edible fruit of FS is a common traditional medicine in China, Japan and Korea. Compared to the research on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the fruits, study on the other parts of FS, such as leaves and flowers is still limited. In this study, an integrated strategy based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS), plant metabolomics and correlation analysis was established for comprehensively chemical characterization of fruits, leaves and flowers of FS, and discovery of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory metabolites. The plant metabolic profiling of fruits, leaves and flowers of FS was performed by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, and a total of 74 secondary metabolites, including 15 phenylethanoid glycosides, 20 lignans, 10 cyclohexanol derivatives, 11 organic acids, 9 flavonoids, 3 triterpenes, and 10 other compounds were identified. Then, 29 differential secondary metabolites that responsible to distinguish the fruits, leaves and flowers of FS were further screened out by multivariate statistical analysis. Meanwhile, the α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibition of different parts of FS were evaluated and compared by in vitro experiments. The results demonstrated that the leaves of FS showed the highest inhibition on α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase with IC50 of 0.17 ± 0.04 mg/mL and 0.56 ± 0.33 mg/mL, respectively. Then, the correlation between differential metabolites and enzyme inhibitory activities were investigated by Pearson correlation analysis, and 12 potential α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitors were screen out. Additionally, the α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of five potential enzyme inhibitory components, including quercitrin, rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, pinoresinol-4-O-glucoside and phillyrin were further validated by in vitro assays and molecular docking analysis. The results showed that all the five potential inhibitors showed good inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, and the binding of the five inhibitors to enzymes mainly through hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic force, and ionic bonding. This study provided a feasible strategy for comparison and discrimination of different parts of medicinal plant and discovery of bioactive components, and also provided useful information for future utilization of different parts of FS.

A Review on Beneficial Properties of Purple Okra

Okra is one of the most popular and commercially grown vegetables in different parts of the India due its nutritive, medicinal and economic value. Generally, green tender pods of okra are used as edible purpose and green varieties are commercially cultivated for most okra growing areas even export market also dominated by green varieties despite being the higher nutritive value of purple okra or red okra than green okra. Purple okra has enormous health benefits and can be used as traditional medicine in China and Indonesia. Several epidemiological studies proof superiority of purple okra over green okra due to presence of different types of antioxidants like beta-carotene, anthocyanin and phenolic compounds. Higher nutrients’ composition of purple okra can prevent some chronic diseases like goitre, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, microbial infections, ulcers, and neurodegenerative diseases, irritation of the stomach and colon, gonorrhoea, sore throat, dysentery and also lower blood sugar. The fruits of purple okra have beneficial properties like anti-gastric acid, anti-oxidative, anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory and even have insecticidal properties.

Comparative plastome analysis and taxonomic classification of snow lotus species (Saussurea, Asteraceae) in Central Asia and Southern Siberia

Four species of Saussurea, namely S. involucrata, S. orgaadayi, S. bogedaensis, and S. dorogostaiskii, are known as the “snow lotus,” which are used as traditional medicines in China (Xinjiang), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Russia (Southern Siberia). These species are threatened globally, because of illegal harvesting and climate change. Furthermore, the taxonomic classification and identification of these threatened species remain unclear owing to limited research. The misidentification of medicinal species can sometimes be harmful to health. Therefore, the phylogenetic and genomic features of these species need to be confirmed. In this study, we sequenced five complete chloroplast genomes and seven nuclear ITS regions of four snow lotus species and other Saussurea species. We further explored their genetic variety, selective pressure at the sequence level, and phylogenetic relationships using the chloroplast genome, nuclear partial DNA sequences, and morphological features. Plastome of the snow lotus species has a conserved structure and gene content similar to most Saussurea species. Two intergenic regions (ndhJ–ndhK and ndhD-psaC) show significantly high diversity among chloroplast regions. Thus, ITS and these markers are suitable for identifying snow lotus species. In addition, we characterized 43 simple sequence repeats that may be useful in future population genetic studies. Analysis of the selection signatures identified three genes (rpoA, ndhB, and ycf2) that underwent positive selection. These genes may play important roles in the adaptation of the snow lotus species to alpine environments. S. dorogostaiskii is close to S. baicalensis and exhibits slightly different adaptation from others. The taxonomic position of the snow lotus species, confirmed by morphological and molecular evidence, is as follows: (i) S. involucrata has been excluded from the Mongolian flora due to misidentification as S. orgaadayi or S. bogedaensis for a long time; (ii) S. dorogostaiskii belongs to section Pycnocephala subgenus Saussurea, whereas other the snow lotus species belong to section Amphilaena subgenus Amphilaena; and (iii) S. krasnoborovii is synonymous of S. dorogostaiskii. This study clarified the speciation and lineage diversification of the snow lotus species in Central Asia and Southern Siberia.

First Report of Apiospora arundinis Causing Wet Root Rot of Pseudostellaria heterophylla in China.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is one of the traditional medicines in China. From 2020 to 2022, postharvest wet root rot disease was observed with an incidence of 2~5% on the tuberous roots of the harvested P. heterophylla in Zherong county, Fujian province, China, which usually occurs under damp and unventilated conditions. The symptoms of the disease were as follows: white mycelia grew on the surface of tuberous root initially and gradually wrapped around the roots, the internal root tissue turned yellow and became wet decay finally. To identify the causal agent, a total of 20 samples with symptomatic tuberous roots were collected. Small pieces (3 mm2) were treated by surface disinfection with 75% ethanol and 1% NaOCl, then rinsed 3 times with sterile water. These treated pieces were transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 7 d. Ten pure cultures were obtained using single-spore isolation method. The fungus colonies initially produced white aerial mycelium, subsequently exhibited yellow pigmentation. Mycelia were consisted of smooth, hyaline, branched, and septate hyphae. The conidia were solitary or clustered, brown or dark brown, smooth, ellipsoidal to spherical, 6.66 (5.50-7.81)×5.65 (4.17-7.22) µm (n=50) in size. The conidiophores were hyaline or pale brown and produced conidiogenous cells, which were pale brown, smooth, ampulliform, and 10.14 (8.82-15.30) um long (n=50). Based on these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as the genus Apiospora (Arthrinium). The rDNA-ITS region and partial β-tubulin gene (BenA) were amplified using the primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990) and Bt2a/Bt2b (Glass and Donaldson 1995), respectively. The sequences of isolates FJAT-32563 and FJAT-32564 were deposited in GenBank (ITS, OM920984 and OM920985; BenA, OM953823 and OM953824). All sequences had more than 99% similarity with those of A. arundinis strain CBS:106.12 (ITS, KF144883; BenA, KF144973). In the multilocus phylogenetic analysis (ITS + BenA), the two isolates clustered together with other strains of A. arundinis with 100% bootstrap support. The isolates were therefore identified as A. arundinis based on both morphological and molecular characteristics. To confirm the pathogenicity, fresh tuberous roots were selected and surface disinfected, then the roots were immersed with a quarter length in the conidial suspension (106/mL) for 30 min, whereas the control roots were immersed with sterile water (n=30). They were placed in petri dish with wet filter paper at 25±2℃, maintaining 80% relative humidity in the dark. The white aerial mycelium appeared at 5 days after inoculation, and wet root rot decaying occurred after inoculation for 21 days. The symptoms were similar to those described above, whereas the control roots were asymptomatic. The same fungus was re-isolated from the infected roots, showing similar morphological characteristics and molecular traits. Koch's postulates were completed and the pathogenicity test for the isolates has been repeated thrice. Previously, A. arundinis was reported to infect peach and sugarcane (Ji et al. 2020; Liao et al. 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. arundinis causing wet root rot of P. heterophylla in China. The disease would be a potentially new threat to this medicinal plant.

Some species of the genus Fagopyrum: chemical composition, pharmacological effects, prospects of use

This review analyzes and summarizes the information of research by domestic and foreign scientists on the chemical composition, pharmacological activity of metabolites of plants of the genus Fagopyrum. The genus Fagopyrum, a member of the Polygonaceae family, includes 15 species, most of them are cultivated on an industrial scale on the territory of the Russian Federation, China, India, Indonesia and North American countries. The greatest interest in medicine and pharmacy is represented by four types of buckwheat: seed buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and Tatar buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), perennial buckwheat (Fagopyrum dibotrys) and red-stem buckwheat (Fagopyrum rubricaulis). These types are widely used in traditional medicine of China, Tibet, the Russian Federation, for the treatment of lung diseases, skin, edematous syndromes and infectious diseases. Currently, more than 150 compounds related to flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, tannins, phagopyritols, triterpenoids, steroids, fatty acids, essential oils, alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, vitamins, amino acids, macro- and microelements have been isolated and identified from the studied buckwheat species. Extracts and isolated individual compounds have a wide range of pharmacological effects: antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antiallergic, antibacterial, angioprotective and adaptogenic. The information given in the review indicates that plants of the genus Fagopyrum are promising for further study and use in various industries.

First report of powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera fusca on Coreopsis tinctoria in China.

Coreopsis tinctoria is an annual herb and commonly cultivated in gardens due to its attractive flowers, its capitula also have been used as a traditional medicine in China, Asia, North America and Europe (Shen et al. 2021). In June 2023, severe powdery mildew infection was observed on C. tinctoria in a hillside near headwork of the middle route of the South to North Water Diversion Project (32°40'55''N, 111°41'59''E). Abundant irregular white spots were found on adaxial surface of the leaves and tender stems. Approximately 75% of the observed C. tinctoria plants showed these signs and symptoms. Generative hyphae were thin-walled, smooth or almost so, and 5 to 9 μm wide. Conidiophores were unbranched, straight, 80.5 to 162.5 × 9.3 to 12.9 μm (n=25), and produced one to three immature conidia. Foot-cells of conidiophores were cylindrical, 38.5 to 62.3 μm (n=20) long. Conidia were ellipsoid to ovoid, 25.1 to 31.9 × 15.2 to 19.5 μm (n=30). The morphological characteristics of asexual structures corresponded to Podosphaera sp. (Braun and Cook 2012). For further identification, genomic DNA was extracted directly from the mycelia and conidia using Chelex 100 (Sigma Aldrich, Shanghai, China). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and 28S large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA from the specimen (CT2302) were amplified using the primers ITS1/ITS4 (expected amplicon size 566 bp) (White et al. 1990) and NL1/NL4 (expected amplicon size 618 bp) (Baten et al. 2014), respectively. The sequences of ITS (GenBank accession no. OR649304) and LSU (GenBank accession no. OR649305) showed 99.63% and 100% identity values to the Podosphaera fusca isolate HMNWAFU-CF2012074 in the NCBI database (KR048109 for ITS and KR048178 for LSU), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined ITS and LSU sequences using MEGA 7.0 software indicated that CT2302 formed a monophyletic clade together with isolates of P. fusca. Therefore, this fungus was identified as P. fusca based on the morphological and molecular characteristics. Pathogenicity tests were performed by gently pressing the infected leaves onto 15 young leaves of five healthy plants and three noninoculated plants were used as controls. All plants were maintained in a greenhouse (25℃ and 70% relative humidity). Powdery mildew symptoms similar to those of originally diseased plants were observed on all inoculated leaves after 12 days, whereas no symptoms were observed on the control leaves. Powdery mildew caused by P. fusca (previously Sphaerotheca fusca) on C. tinctoria has been reported in Russia, Poland, Korea, Romania and Ukraine (Cho and Shin 2004; Rusanov and Bulgakow 2008). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. fusca on C. tinctoria in China. The identification of P. fusca as the causal agent on C. tinctoria is critical to the prevention and control of this disease in the future.

Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Study of Houttuynia cordata Thunb: A Review

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is a medicinal herb belonging to a family Saururaceae distributed in East Asian Country. It has long been used as edible vegetable and traditional medicine in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Many studies describe Houttuynia cordata as predominant in bioactive compounds such as volatile oils, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, steroid and polysaccharides. H. cordata has varieties of pharmacological properties including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral antioxidative, anticancer and antimutagenic effects. This review aimed to collect the comprehensive information on efficacy of Houttuynia cordata with its ethnobotanical value and also provide knowledge into disease prevention and treatment. This study summarizes detailed information about ethnomedicinal value of H. cordata from searching the keywords “Uses of Houttuynia” in Google Scholor, Pubmed, Science direct and screened out articles related to ethnobotanical value. The review concluded that H. cordata has significant potential for use in pharmaceuticals and functional foods, given its numerous health benefits and low toxicity. This study suggests that, it is necessary to identify actual bioactive metabolites and understand pattern of traditional use of the plant in different location of Nepal.

Sinomenium acutum Modulates Platelet Aggregation and Thrombus Formation by Regulating the Glycoprotein VI-Mediated Signalosome in Mice.

Sinomenium acutum (SA) has long been used as a traditional medicine in China, Japan, and Korea to treat a wide range of diseases. It has been traditionally used to ameliorate inflammation and improve blood circulation. However, its role in platelet activation has not been thoroughly investigated. Hence, we conducted this study to assess the potential inhibitory effect of SA on platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. The antiplatelet activities of SA were evaluated by assessing platelet aggregation, granular secretion, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and the Glycoprotein (GP) VI-mediated signalosome. The thrombosis and bleeding time assays were used to investigate the effect of SA (orally administered at 50 and 100 mg/kg for seven days) in mice. SA treatment at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL significantly reduced GPVI-mediated platelet aggregation, granular secretion, and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Further biochemical studies revealed that SA inhibited spleen tyrosine kinase, phospholipase Cγ2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and AKT phosphorylation. Interestingly, oral administration of SA efficiently ameliorated FeCl3-induced arterial thrombus formation without prolonging the tail bleeding time. These findings suggest that SA has beneficial effects in thrombosis and hemostasis. Therefore, SA holds promise as an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Euphorbia grantii Oliv. standardized extract and its fraction ameliorate doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in Ehrlich carcinoma bearing mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceEuphorbia plants have long been used as traditional medicine in China, Europe, America, Turkey, India, Africa, Iran, and Pakistan because of its high medicinal value and health advantages especially as a remedy for several types of cancer. Aim of the studyDoxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in cancer chemotherapy, with dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. The development of medicinal approaches to attenuate drug's toxicity represents an area of great concern in cancer research. Because research on this topic is still disputed and limited, we aim to investigate the potential of supplementation with Euphorbia grantii Oliv. on DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in Ehrlich carcinoma bearing mice. Materials and methodsThe high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of total methanolic extract (TE), and its bioactive dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) was applied for the determination of friedelin. Male BALB/c mice were used to keep the Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The experiment was performed for a 2-weeks period. ResultsA good linearity relationship was found to be with correlation coefficient (r2) value of 0.9924 for the isolated friedelin. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) was found to be 0.00179, and 0.000537 ng/band respectively for friedelin. The amount of friedelin in the TE and DCMF were determined by using calibration curve of standard as 106.32 ± 5.69 μg, and 159.2 ± 4.24 μg friedelin/mg extract, respectively. DOX-induced cardiomyopathy by decreasing the ejection fraction (EF) compared to the Ehrlich and negative control groups. It resulted in a decrease in the EF by 30 and 39% compared to the other groups. High and low doses of the TE and DCMF did not result in significantly different ejection fractions compared to the Ehrlich group. Co-administration of DCMF with DOX ameliorated the alteration in the serum CKMB and LDH levels. As revealed from histopathological study, DOX impairs viability of cardiac myocytes and DCMF could effectively and extensively counteract this action of DOX and potentially protect the heart from severe toxicity of DOX. ConclusionsFinally, our results indicated that Euphorbia grantii Oliv. would be the best option to reduce DOX adverse effects.

Role of gut microbiota on regulation potential of Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo in metabolic syndrome: In-vitro fermentation screening and in-vivo verification in db/db mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo (DEN) is a traditional medicine in China since Han dynasty. Decoction of its stem is often used in the treatment of Type-II diabetes (T2D), which is a typical metabolic disease accompanied with the impaired metabolic function of blood glucose and lipid. Aim of the studyOur study aimed to investigate the role of gut microbiota in differentiating DEN from different sources and its related pathway in the alleviation of metabolic syndromes induced by T2D. Materials and methodsThe aqueous extracts of four commercially available Dendrobium (DEN-1∼4) were prepared and screened through an in-vitro fermentation system. Based on their alterations in monosaccharide composition and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) formation during fermentation with db/db faecal fluid, one DEN extract was selected for further in vivo verification. The selected Dendrobium (DEN-4) was orally administered to db/db mice for 16 days once daily at the dosage of 200 mg/kg followed by evaluating its effect on blood glucose level, liver function and intestinal microenvironment including alterations of intestinal integrity and gut microbiota composition. In addition, liver metabolomics analysis was employed to reveal the related metabolic pathways. ResultsDifferent extent of SCFA formation and utilization of monosaccharides were observed for the extracts of four DEN from different sources with a negative correlation between SCFA level and the ratio of Utilized glucose/Utilized mannose observed in the in-vitro fermentation system with db/db faecal fluid. DEN-4 with the highest SCFA formation during the in-vitro fermentation was selected and exhibited significantly hypoglycaemic effect in db/db mice with the alleviation of hepatic steatosis and impaired lipid homeostasis. Further mechanistic studies revealed that orally administered DEN-4 could improve the intestinal integrity of db/db mice via elevating their tight junction protein (ZO-1 and Occludin) expression in the colon and improve the diversity of gut microbiota with enhanced formation of SCFA. Moreover, metabolomics and KEGG pathway analysis of liver tissues suggested that the alleviated metabolic syndrome in db/db mice by DEN-4 might possibly be achieved through activation of PPAR pathway. ConclusionOur current study not only revealed the potential of gut microbiota in differentiating DEN from different sources, but also demonstrated that DEN exhibited its beneficial effect on the T2D induced metabolic syndrome possibly through enhancement of intestinal integrity and activation of PPAR pathway via gut-liver axis in db/db mice.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Diversity of Endemic Golden Camellias Collected from China

Not only are the plants of the golden camellia group examples of high-quality camellia germplasm, but they are also a plant group with rich medicinal and nutritional value, and these plants are used as food, cosmetics and traditional medicine in China. There are approximately 50 species in this group around the world, and more than 30 species of golden camellia plants have been listed in China. The leaves and flowers of these species have similar shapes, and as such, they are often confused as the same species. Our study used simplified genome sequencing technology to construct a phylogenetic tree of plants in the Chinese golden camellia group, and we also described the evolutionary relationships. At the same time, the secondary metabolic indexes of the total phenols, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins and ellagic acid in the leaves were determined, and principal component clustering analysis was also performed. The results showed that the phylogenetic relationship and genetic distance among the plant species of Chinese golden camellia group plants were fully revealed. The cluster analysis of chemical secondary metabolism and genetic phylogenetic trees showed some of the same trends, thereby indicating that secondary metabolism golden camellia can be used as biomarkers for golden camellia. The research results provide phylogenetic information for the genotype and performance diversity of the golden camellia that is regionally distributed in China, as well as provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of potential bioactive substances.

Biomod2 modeling for predicting the potential ecological distribution of three Fritillaria species under climate change.

The Fritillaria species ranked as a well-known traditional medicine in China and has become rare due to excessive harvesting. To find reasonable strategy for conservation and cultivation, identification of new ecological distribution of Fritillaria species together with prediction of those responses to climate change are necessary. In terms of current occurrence records and bioclimatic variables, the suitable habitats for Fritillaria delavayi, Fritillaria taipaiensis, and Fritillaria wabuensis were predicted. In comparison with Maxent and GARP, Biomod2 obtained the best AUC, KAPPA and TSS values of larger than 0.926 and was chosen to construct model. Temperature seasonality was indicated to put the greatest influence on Fritillaria taipaiensis and Fritillaria wabuensis, while isothermality was of most importance for Fritillaria delavayi. The current suitable areas for three Fritillaria species were distributed in south-west China, accounting for approximately 17.72%, 23.06% and 20.60% of China's total area, respectively. During 2021-2100 period, the suitable habitats of F. delavayi and F. wabuensis reached the maximum under SSP585 scenario, while that of F. taipaiensis reached the maximum under SSP126 scenario. The high niche overlap among three Fritillaria species showed correlation with the chemical composition (P ≤ 0.05), while no correlation was observed between niche overlap and DNA barcodes, indicating that spatial distribution had a major influence on chemical composition in the Fritillaria species. Finally, the acquisition of species-specific habitats would contribute to decrease in habitat competition, and future conservation and cultivation of Fritillaria species.