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BMC Plant Biology Mar 2024Plant growth and quality are often affected by environmental factors, including geographical location, climate, and soil. In this study, we describe the effect of...
BACKGROUND
Plant growth and quality are often affected by environmental factors, including geographical location, climate, and soil. In this study, we describe the effect of altitudinal differences on the growth and active ingredients in Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. (R. tanguticum), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb known for its laxative properties.
RESULTS
The results showed that plants grown at lower altitudes had better growth performances than those in higher altitude areas. The yield varied by 2.45-23.68 times with altitude, reaching a maximum of 102.01 t/ha. In addition, total anthraquinone and total sennoside contents decreased with increasing altitude, whereas total tannins increased with increasing altitude. The total anthraquinone content of the indicator compound reached 5.15% at five experimental sites, which exceeded the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard by 70.87%. The content of the other two categories of active ingredients reached a maximum value of 0.94% (total sennosides) and 2.65% (total tannins). Redundancy analysis revealed that annual rainfall, annual average temperature, annual sunshine hours, and pH significantly affected growth and active ingredients. Moreover, key metabolites, such as flavonoids, amino acids and their derivatives, phenolic acids, lipids, and terpenes, were differentially expressed between samples from low- and high-altitude cultivation areas. These metabolites were enriched in the flavonoid and flavonol biosynthetic pathway and the monoterpene biosynthetic pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that high anthraquinone content was observed in the lowest-latitude cultivation area due to low rainfall and alkaline soil pH. Key metabolites were significantly upregulated in high-latitude cultivation areas. These results provide a scientific basis for quality control and the systematic cultivation of R. tanguticum.
Topics: Rheum; Tannins; Anthraquinones; Soil
PubMed: 38539101
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04933-9 -
Clinical Rheumatology May 2024In this prospective cohort study, we provide several prognostic models to predict functional status as measured by the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ)....
OBJECTIVE
In this prospective cohort study, we provide several prognostic models to predict functional status as measured by the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ). The early adoption of the treat-to-target strategy in this cohort offered a unique opportunity to identify predictive factors using longitudinal data across 20 years.
METHODS
A cohort of 397 patients with early RA was used to develop statistical models to predict mHAQ score measured at baseline, 12 months, and 18 months post diagnosis, as well as serially measured mHAQ. Demographic data, clinical measures, autoantibodies, medication use, comorbid conditions, and baseline mHAQ were considered as predictors.
RESULTS
The discriminative performance of models was comparable to previous work, with an area under the receiver operator curve ranging from 0.64 to 0.88. The most consistent predictive variable was baseline mHAQ. Patient-reported outcomes including early morning stiffness, tender joint count (TJC), fatigue, pain, and patient global assessment were positively predictive of a higher mHAQ at baseline and longitudinally, as was the physician global assessment and C-reactive protein. When considering future function, a higher TJC predicted persistent disability while a higher swollen joint count predicted functional improvements with treatment.
CONCLUSION
In our study of mHAQ prediction in RA patients receiving treat-to-target therapy, patient-reported outcomes were most consistently predictive of function. Patients with high disease activity due predominantly to tenderness scores rather than swelling may benefit from less aggressive treatment escalation and an emphasis on non-pharmacological therapies, allowing for a more personalized approach to treatment. Key Points • Long-term use of the treat-to-target strategy in this patient cohort offers a unique opportunity to develop prognostic models for functional outcomes using extensive longitudinal data. • Patient reported outcomes were more consistent predictors of function than traditional prognostic markers. • Tender joint count and swollen joint count had discordant relationships with future function, adding weight to the possibility that disease activity may better guide treatment when the components are considered separately.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; C-Reactive Protein; Severity of Illness Index; Antirheumatic Agents; Mitoxantrone
PubMed: 38536518
DOI: 10.1007/s10067-024-06946-z -
Nature Communications Mar 2024Hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis suffers from insufficient catalytic activity due to the high energy barrier of hydrogen extraction from HO. Herein, we report that...
Hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis suffers from insufficient catalytic activity due to the high energy barrier of hydrogen extraction from HO. Herein, we report that mechanochemically synthesized keto-form anthraquinone covalent organic framework which is able to directly synthesize HO (4784 μmol h g at λ > 400 nm) from oxygen and alkaline water (pH = 13) in the absence of any sacrificial reagents. The strong alkalinity resulted in the formation of OH(HO) clusters in water, which were adsorbed on keto moieties within the framework and then dissociated into O and active hydrogen, because the energy barrier of hydrogen extraction was largely lowered. The produced hydrogen reacted with anthraquinone to generate anthrahydroquinone, which was subsequently oxidized by O to produce HO. This study ultimately sheds light on the importance of hydrogen extraction from HO for HO photosynthesis and demonstrates that HO synthesis is achievable under alkaline conditions.
PubMed: 38531862
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47023-y -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Mar 2024The development of nanomaterials for delivering natural compounds has emerged as a promising approach for atherosclerosis therapy. However, premature drug release...
The development of nanomaterials for delivering natural compounds has emerged as a promising approach for atherosclerosis therapy. However, premature drug release remains a challenge. Here, we present a ROS-responsive biomimetic nanocomplex co-loaded with Geniposide (GP) and Emodin (EM) in nanoliposome particles (LP NPs) for targeted atherosclerosis therapy. The nanocomplex, hybridized with the macrophage membrane (Møm), effectively evades immune system clearance and targets atherosclerotic plaques. A modified thioketal (TK) system responds to ROS-rich plaque regions, triggering controlled drug release. In vitro, the nanocomplex inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis and macrophage lipid accumulation, restores endothelial cell function, and promotes cholesterol effluxion. In vivo, it targets ROS-rich atherosclerotic plaques, reducing plaque area ROS levels and restoring endothelial cell function, consequently promoting cholesterol outflow. Our study demonstrates that ROS-responsive biomimetic nanocomplexes co-delivering GP and EM exert a synergistic effect against endothelial cell apoptosis and lipid deposition in macrophages, offering a promising dual-cell therapy modality for atherosclerosis regression.
Topics: Humans; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Liposomes; Reactive Oxygen Species; Emodin; Atherosclerosis; Cholesterol; Iridoids
PubMed: 38528554
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02389-5 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024One factor for the lacking integration of the middle ear stapes footplate prosthesis or the missing healing of stapes footplate fractures could be the known osteogenic...
One factor for the lacking integration of the middle ear stapes footplate prosthesis or the missing healing of stapes footplate fractures could be the known osteogenic inactivity. In contrast, it was recently demonstrated that titanium prostheses with an applied collagen matrix and immobilised growth factors stimulate osteoblastic activation and differentiation on the stapes footplate. Regarding those findings, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of bone regeneration including bone remodeling in the middle ear. Ten one-year-old female merino sheep underwent a middle ear surgery without implantation of middle ear prostheses or any other component for activating bone formation. Post-operatively, four fluorochromes (tetracycline, alizarin complexion, calcein green and xylenol orange) were administered by subcutaneous injection at different time points after surgery (1 day: tetracycline, 7 days: alizarin, 14 days: calcein, 28 days: xylenol). After 12 weeks, the temporal bones including the lateral skull base were extracted and histologically analyzed. Fluorescence microscopy analysis of the entire stapes with the oval niche, but in particular stapes footplate and the Crura stapedis revealed evidence of new bone formation. Calcein was detected in all and xylenol in 60% of the animals. In contrast, tetracycline and alizarin could only be verified in two animals. The authors were able to demonstrate the osseoregenerative potential of the middle ear, in particular of the stapes footplate, using fluorescence sequence labelling.
Topics: Sheep; Female; Animals; Fluorescent Dyes; Osteogenesis; Ear, Middle; Tetracyclines; Anthraquinones; Fluoresceins; Xylenes
PubMed: 38528064
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57630-w -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the main cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide and a major public issue affecting the health of people. Therefore, it is essential to...
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the main cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide and a major public issue affecting the health of people. Therefore, it is essential to explore effective drugs for the treatment of DN. In this study, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, Zhijun Tangshen Decoction (ZJTSD), a prescription modified from the classical formula Didang Decoction, has been used in the clinical treatment of DN. However, the chemical basis underlying the therapeutic effects of ZJTSD in treating DN remains unknown. In this study, compounds of ZJTSD and serum after oral administration in rats were identified and analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS). Meanwhile, a semi-quantitative approach was used to analyze the dynamic changes in the compounds of ZJTSD . UPLC-Q/TOF-MS analysis identified 190 compounds from ZJTSD, including flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and other categories. A total of 156 xenobiotics and metabolites, i.e., 51 prototype compounds and 105 metabolites, were identified from the compounds absorbed into the blood of rats treated with ZJTSD. The results further showed that 23 substances with high relative content, long retention time, and favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics deserved further investigations and validations of bioactivities. In conclusion, this study revealed the chemical basis underlying the complexity of ZJTSD and investigated the metabolite profiling and pharmacokinetics of ZJTSD-related xenobiotics in rats, thus providing a foundation for further investigation into the pharmacodynamic substance basis and metabolic regulations of ZJTSD.
PubMed: 38523634
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1363678 -
Medicine Mar 2024The objective of this study was to investigate the potential targets and mechanism of Rheum palmatum L in the treatment of colorectal cancer based on the network...
The objective of this study was to investigate the potential targets and mechanism of Rheum palmatum L in the treatment of colorectal cancer based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking, which could provide the theoretical basis for clinical applications. The potential components were screened using TCMSP database and articles. The gene targets of colorectal cancer were screened through the Genecards database and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database. Then, the common targets of components and colorectal cancer were used to construct the network diagram of active components and targets in Cytoscape 3.7.0. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) diagram was generated using String database, and the targets were further analyzed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Molecular docking between gene targets and active components was analyzed via AutoDock, and visualized through PyMol. Among this study, main targets might be TP53, EGF, MYC, CASP3, JUN, PTGS2, HSP90AA1, MMP9, ESR1, PPARG. And 10 key elements might associate with them, such as aloe-emodin, beta-sitosterol, gallic acid, eupatin, emodin, physcion, cis-resveratrol, rhein, crysophanol, catechin. The treatment process was found to involve nitrogen metabolism, p53 signaling pathway, and various cancer related pathway, as well as the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, interleukin-17 signaling pathway and thyroid hormone signaling pathway. The molecular docking was verified the combination between key components and their respective target proteins. Network pharmacological analysis demonstrated that R palmatum was could regulated p53, AGE-RAGE, interleukin-17 and related signaling pathway in colorectal cancer, which might provide a scientific basis of mechanism.
Topics: Humans; Rheum; Molecular Docking Simulation; Interleukin-17; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Emodin; Colorectal Neoplasms; Drugs, Chinese Herbal
PubMed: 38518016
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037477 -
Clinical and Experimental Hypertension... Dec 2024Emodin is a traditional medicine that has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Previous research has indicated that emodin can alleviate...
BACKGROUND
Emodin is a traditional medicine that has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Previous research has indicated that emodin can alleviate myocardial remodeling and inhibit myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. However, the mechanism by which emodin affects myocardial fibrosis (MF) has not yet been elucidated.
METHODS
Fibroblasts were treated with ANGII, and a mouse model of MF was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Cell proliferation was examined by a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Dihydroethidium (DHE) was used to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and Masson and Sirius red staining were used to examine changes in collagen fiber levels. PI3K was over-expressed by lentiviral transfection to verify the effect of emodin on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis. Changes in cardiac function in each group were examined by echocardiography.
RESULTS
Emodin significantly inhibited fibroblast proliferation, decreased intracellular ROS levels, significantly upregulated collagen II expression, downregulated α-SMA expression, and inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation in vitro. Moreover, the in vivo results were consistent with the in vitro. Emodin significantly decreased ROS levels in heart tissue and reduced collagen fibrillogenesis. Emodin could regulate the activity of PI3K to increase the expression of collagen II and downregulate α-SMA expression in part through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and emodin significantly improved cardiac structure and function in mice.
CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed that emodin targeted the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to inhibit the development of myocardial fibrosis and may be an antifibrotic agent for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Emodin; Reactive Oxygen Species; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Fibrosis; Collagen
PubMed: 38507311
DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2024.2326022 -
Journal of Applied Biomedicine Mar 2024The aim of this study was to investigate whether luteoloside, a flavonoid, could protect human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) against inflammation and oxidative stress...
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate whether luteoloside, a flavonoid, could protect human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) against inflammation and oxidative stress induced by methylglyoxal (MGO), one of the advanced glycated end products (AGE) substances.
METHODS
HDPCs were stimulated with MGO and treated with luteoloside. MTT assay was used to determine cell viability. Protein expression was measured via western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured with a Muse Cell Analyzer. Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and Alizarin red staining were used for mineralization assay.
RESULTS
Luteoloside down-regulated the expression of inflammatory molecules such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP-2, MMP-9, and COX-2 in MGO-induced HDPCs without showing any cytotoxicity. It attenuated ROS formation and enhanced osteogenic differentiation such as ALP activity and Alizarin red staining in MGO-induced HDPCs. Overall, luteoloside showed protective actions against inflammation and oxidative stress in HDPCs induced by MGO through its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and osteogenic activities by down-regulating p-JNK in the MAPK pathway.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that luteoloside might be a potential adjunctive therapeutic agent for treating pulpal pathological conditions in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Topics: Humans; Osteogenesis; Pyruvaldehyde; Cells, Cultured; Reactive Oxygen Species; Dental Pulp; Magnesium Oxide; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Inflammation; Anthraquinones; Glucosides; Luteolin
PubMed: 38505968
DOI: 10.32725/jab.2024.002 -
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Apr 2024To investigate the effects of emodin on alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation and neovascularization.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of emodin on alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation and neovascularization.
METHODS
The ability of emodin to target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was predicted by molecular docking. The effects of emodin on the invasion, migration, and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were determined by cell counting kit-8, Transwell, and tube formation assays. Analysis of apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry. CD31 levels were examined by immunofluorescence. The abundance and phosphorylation state of VEGFR2, protein kinase B (Akt), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and P38 were examined by immunoblot analysis. Corneal alkali burn was performed on 40 mice. Animals were divided randomly into two groups, and the alkali-burned eyes were then treated with drops of either 10 μM emodin or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) four times a day. Slit-lamp microscopy was used to evaluate inflammation and corneal neovascularization (CNV) in all eyes on Days 0, 7, 10, and 14. The mice were killed humanely 14 d after the alkali burn, and their corneas were removed and preserved at -80 ℃ until histological study or protein extraction.
RESULTS
Molecular docking confirmed that emodin was able to target VEGFR2. The findings revealed that emodin decreased the invasion, migration, angiogenesis, and proliferation of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. In mice, emodin suppressed corneal inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibited the development of corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burn. Compared to those of the PBS-treated group, lower VEGFR2 expression and CD31 levels were found in the emodin-treated group. Emodin dramatically decreased the expression of VEGFR2, p-VEGFR2, p-Akt, p-STAT3, and p-P38 in VEGF-treated HUVEC.
CONCLUSION
This study provides a new avenue for evaluating the molecular mechanisms underlying corneal inflammation and neovascularization. Emodin might be a promising new therapeutic option for corneal alkali burns.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Corneal Neovascularization; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Burns, Chemical; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Emodin; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; Molecular Docking Simulation; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Signal Transduction; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Inflammation; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38504533
DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20240203.005