Search Results (77)

Tetrahymena pyriformis is biologically similar to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, the parasite that causes “white spot disease” in fish. Because it has immune evasion genes and grows quickly, T. pyriformis serves as an ideal model for developing treatments against I. multifiliis and related parasites. This study tested water extracts from 10 traditional Chinese herbs against T. pyriformis and identified 5 with strong antiparasitic effects: Morus alba, Psoralea corylifolia, Sophora flavescens, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Pomegranate Peel. Combination tests showed that certain pairs, especially P. corylifolia with M. alba, worked together synergistically. When infected guppies were treated with this herbal combination at a concentration of 1.39 g/L (1:144 dilution), their 10-day survival rate reached 66.7%. Gill tissue analysis identified 577 genes with changed activity after treatment—228 increased and 349 decreased. These genes were linked to immune responses, metabolism, and cell processes. The key differentially expressed genes include those involved in the IL-17 signaling pathway, amino sugar metabolism, and the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. These results show that the herbal combination works by both directly killing parasites and boosting the fish’s immune system. This study provides a scientific basis for using natural herbal treatments as an eco-friendly way to control parasitic diseases in aquaculture. Full article

Background: Epilepsy comprises a range of disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by recurrent seizures, impacting approximately 60 million individuals globally. In this study, we designed and derived a series of peptide analogs 1–30 of 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid (TMCA) from the herbal combinations of Polygala tenuifolia and Gastrodia elata, recognized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Methods: All the analogs were synthesized, and their anticonvulsant efficacy was subsequently assessed. The anticonvulsant activity of all TMCA analogs was evaluated using two acute seizure models in mice: the maximal electroshock (MES) and the sc-pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) models. Furthermore, we explored the electroencephalogram (EEG) and double-labeling immunofluorescence experiments were carried out as well. Results: Our findings indicated that compounds 11, 19, 22, and 23 demonstrated favorable anticonvulsant activities during the initial assessment. Compounds 19 and 23 also played roles in controlling the onset of epilepsy in EEG, modulating levels of GABA aminotransferase (GABA-AT)/gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA_AR), interacting with active sites of GABA-AT and GABA_AR obtained from docking simulation methods. Conclusions: Novel derivatives in this study provide new cores for further design and optimization inspired by TCM herb pair drugs P. tenuifolia and G. elata, with the aim of exploring new anticonvulsant agents. Full article

Passive protection is widely assumed to preserve biodiversity and ecological integrity, yet the evidence for long-term vegetation stability in protected temperate forests remains inconclusive. We resurveyed two deciduous forests in SW Poland after 30 years of strict protection to assess temporal changes in their understory vegetation, functional structure, and habitat conditions. Using paired phytosociological relevés (n = 40), collected using the Braun-Blanquet method, we compared baseline (1989–1991) and recent (2022) data with respect to species frequency, Ellenberg indicator values, basic functional traits, and functional diversity. Species composition proved highly stable: only 10% of vascular plant species exhibited significant changes in frequency in particular layers, largely reflecting the vertical redistribution of woody species rather than species turnover. Habitat conditions showed no significant temporal changes. In contrast, the functional structure of the herb layer changed markedly, with significant increases in community-weighted means of seed mass, plant height, and specific leaf area, accompanied by a significant rise in functional diversity. These shifts were partly driven by the increasing abundance of woody species and some opportunistic and invasive species. Our results demonstrate that functional traits may reveal directional ecological changes in passively protected forests even when species composition and habitat indicators remain unchanged, highlighting the importance of trait-based approaches for long-term forest surveys. Full article

The Belamcanda chinensis (L.) Redouté is a perennial herb belong to the genus Belamcanda, primarily found in China, but with additional distribution in North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and India. The rhizomes of B. chinensis have a long history of use as a traditional herbal medicine in China, one that is recognized for its effects in clearing heat, in detoxifying and eliminating phlegm, and in soothing the throat. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive search across several databases, both Chinese and international, using the primary keyword Belamcanda chinensis paired with a relevant research area (e.g., chemical composition, pharmacology). The databases included Sci-Finder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wiley, Springer Baidu Scholar and Research Gate, as well as domestic materia medica. We illustrated the chemical structures using ChemBioDraw Ultra 22.0 software. There are more than 10 proprietary Chinese medicines already on the market that consist of or originate from B. chinensis. More than 200 natural products have been isolated and identified from B. chinensis, including iridal-type triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, quinones, sesquiterpenes, and polysaccharides. Modern pharmacological studies indicate that both crude extracts and monomeric compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-diabetic activities, with potential regulatory pathways. Additionally, B. chinensis demonstrates toxicity to fish, mollusks and arthropods. Clinical studies have shown that formulas containing B. chinensis as the main ingredient have a good therapeutic effect on respiratory diseases. In summary, B. chinensis presents promising prospects for application in medicine, functional food, cosmetics and agriculture. Therefore, we have reviewed the chemical composition, pharmacological activities (both in vivo and in vitro), structure–activity relationships, toxicity and clinical application of B. chinensis over the past 40 years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent comprehensive utilization of the plants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atherosclerosis (AS)-related cardiovascular diseases are a major global health threat, with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypic switching, abnormal proliferation, and migration as key progression drivers. Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), a core ferritinophagy mediator overexpressed in AS plaques, may promote VSMCs ferroptosis by perturbing mitochondrial iron metabolism and ROS homeostasis, but precise mechanisms remain unclear. The classic Chinese herbal combination “Gualou-Xiebai” (GLXB) has anti-AS effects, yet how it modulates NCOA4-mediated ferroptosis to inhibit VSMCs’ functions is unknown. This study addresses this gap to advance GLXB’s therapeutic potential and identify AS targets. Methods: An AS model was established in ApoE^−/− mice by 12-week high-fat diet feeding, with model validation confirmed via ultrasound monitoring and H&E staining. NCOA4 was genetically modulated (knockdown and overexpression) to assess its role in plaque formation and lipid deposition using H&E staining, aortic imaging, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. In vitro, VSMCs were stimulated with ox-LDL to induce proliferation and migration. NCOA4 was silenced using siRNA to examine associated ferroptosis levels and molecular mechanisms. Protein interactions between NCOA4 and the mitochondrial iron storage protein FTMT were evaluated by Co-IP and GST pull-down assays, while mitochondrial ROS (mitoROS) levels were measured to explore functional relationships. The extent of ferroptosis and the underlying regulatory mechanisms were assessed following treatment with GLXB-containing serum or transfection with small interfering RNA targeting LOX-1 (si-LOX-1). Results: NCOA4 knockdown reduced aortic lipid deposition, plaque burden, VSMC proliferation/migration, and mitochondrial ferroptosis. NCOA4 bound and suppressed FTMT, inducing mitochondrial iron overload, ROS accumulation, membrane depolarization, and ferroptosis. Combining NCOA4 silencing with FTMT inhibition elevated mitoROS, confirming the axis’s role in iron homeostasis. GLXB attenuated VSMCs dysregulation in vivo and in vitro, an effect abrogated by LOX-1 overexpression. Conclusions: NCOA4 promotes AS by binding FTMT, disrupting mitochondrial iron homeostasis, and triggering VSMCs ferroptosis. GLXB inhibits LOX-1-mediated NCOA4 expression, mitigating ferroptosis and VSMCs dysregulation, supporting its potential as a targeted anti-AS therapy. Full article

Dendrobium officinale, a perennial epiphytic herb of the orchid family renowned for its ornamental value and diverse medicinal properties, has attracted considerable global attention due to its rarity and increasing market demand. However, large-scale cultivation has led to confusion regarding its germplasm resources and genetic backgrounds, posing significant challenges for the effective conservation, management, and utilization of D. officinale germplasm. In this study, we systematically analyzed the abundance and characteristics of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and developed highly polymorphic genomic SSR markers using whole-genome resequencing (WGRS) data from 15 D. officinale genotypes. A total of 494,783 SSRs were identified in the “Niu2020” reference genome. Mononucleotide repeats were the most abundant motifs, followed by dinucleotide repeats, with A/T and AT/TA being the predominant types, respectively. Of the SSRs with unique flanking sequences (unique SSRs), 121,544 out of 388,553 (31.28%) were polymorphic across the 15 genotypes. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values of these SSRs ranged from 0.13 to 0.92, with an average of 0.59. Subsequently, 10,364 pairs of SSR primers were successfully designed from polymorphic SSR loci with PIC values ≥ 0.5 and major allele size differences ≥ 3 bp. Ultimately, 20 primer pairs were randomly selected for experimental validation. Of these, 18 successfully amplified the target fragments and exhibited high levels of polymorphism (PIC values ranged from 0.31 to 0.74), confirming the effectiveness and practical utility of the newly developed markers. The SSR fingerprints and polymorphic markers developed in this study provide a valuable resource and establish a robust technical foundation for enhancing the efficiency of cultivar identification, genetic research, and molecular breeding in D. officinale. Full article

Background/Objectives: Juzentaihoto (JTT), a traditional Kampo formula composed of ten medicinal herbs, is widely prescribed in Japan for immune enhancement and general health maintenance. This exploratory, open-label pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and immunomodulatory effects of JTT in cancer patients and to explore its potential mechanisms of action. Methods: Ten cancer patients received oral JTT (7.5 g/day) for 14 days, while healthy volunteers served as a reference group. Peripheral natural killer (NK) cell phenotypes and CD95 expression were analyzed by flow cytometry, and serum Fas ligand (FasL) concentrations were measured by ELISA. Complementary in vitro assays using PBS-extracted, autoclaved JTT were conducted to assess Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat and primary T cells by flow cytometry and Western blotting for cleaved caspase-8 and -3. Additional experiments with staurosporine (intrinsic apoptosis) and TRAIL in OSC-19 carcinoma cells were performed to determine pathway specificity. Results: In patients, most NK-cell markers showed no statistically significant within-subject changes, although a trend-level increase in NKp46 and a significant reduction in NK-cell CD95 expression (paired p = 0.014) were observed. Between-group differences primarily reflected baseline disparities between cancer patients and healthy controls. In vitro, JTT (50–100 µg/mL) partially attenuated FasL-induced apoptosis and reduced cleaved caspase-3 without affecting cleaved caspase-8, suggesting selective downstream modulation of the extrinsic pathway. Conclusions: Within the limitations of a small, non-randomized cohort without placebo, these findings are hypothesis-generating and indicate that JTT selectively modulates Fas-mediated lymphocyte apoptosis without promoting tumor immune evasion. Further randomized trials and mechanistic studies incorporating co-culture or 3D tumor–immune models are warranted to confirm these observations and identify active constituents. Full article

Ecological restoration of mine wastelands is central to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem recovery worldwide. However, the long-term ecological consequences of active restoration versus natural regeneration remain debated, particularly in mountainous karst landscapes. Using a space-for-time substitution, we established a five-stage chronosequence—recently abandoned, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, and a late-successional forest (>35 years)—in a typical underground coal-mine wasteland in eastern Yunnan, southwest China. Each age class contained paired active restoration and natural regeneration sites; the late-successional forest served as a reference. We surveyed nested vegetation plots (20 × 20 m with shrub and herb subplots) in summer and autumn, recorded vertebrate species with camera traps, and quantified α-diversity (species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity, Simpson’s diversity, Pielou’s evenness) and β-diversity (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, non-metric multidimensional scaling). Overall plant α-diversity was highest in natural regeneration and lowest in active restoration, whereas tree-layer diversity was highest in active restoration and shrub and herb layers were richer under natural regeneration. Preliminary data from our camera traps suggested that animal species richness ranked late-successional forest > natural regeneration > active restoration, but evenness peaked in active restoration, suggesting early-stage homogenization. Plant β-diversity indicated stronger compositional divergence among active restoration sites and greater similarity between natural regeneration and the reference forest; both modes converged toward the reference forest over time but followed distinct patterns. These findings suggest that active restoration accelerates structural development yet increases between-site heterogeneity, whereas natural regeneration maintains higher overall diversity and compositional similarity to reference communities. Our results provide preliminary empirical guidance for selecting restoration strategies in similar karst coal-mine landscapes. Full article

Background: Epilepsy is a cluster of central nervous system (CNS) disorders identified by recurrent seizures, which affects about 60 million people around the world. In this research, a total of 40 types of 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid (TMCA) piperazine amide derivatives were designed and synthesized, inspired by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb pair drugs Polygala tenuifolia and Acori tatarinowii, followed by determination of their anticonvulsant potency. Methods: All the TMCA analogues were tested for their anticonvulsant potential through two acute models of seizures induced in mice: the maximal electroshock (MES) and sc-pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) models. In addition, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitory activity was determined in vitro. Results: The results showed that compounds A3, A9, A12, A14, B9, and B12 exhibited preferable anticonvulsant activity in the primary evaluation. In addition, the molecular docking results predicted good interactions of screened analogues with the LDH. Molecular dynamic simulation was used to reveal the consensual binding affinity between the most promising compound (B9) and active site interactions with LDH. Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis and silver and immunofluorescence staining were performed to illustrate the anti-epilepsy potential of compound B9. Conclusions: Novel derivatives in this study provide new cores for the further design and optimization inspired by TCM herb pair drugs P. tenuifolia and A. tatarinowii, with the aim to explore new anticonvulsant agents. Full article

In the present study, pectin films with antioxidant activity were obtained in response to the increasing demand for active packaging systems related to the need for safe finished products with a long shelf life. To obtain the films, Cannabis sativa L. herb extract was used as the active agent. The samples with the highest extract contents of 20:80 2.0F and 80:20 2.0F (PA:PC ratio + wt.% extract) were characterized by a polyphenols content of 0.9067 ± 0.0184 [%]. They also showed the highest antioxidant activity, at ABTS = 1.79 ± 0.04 [mg/mL] and DPPH = 4.44 ± 0.10 [mg/mL]. Mechanical tests conducted showed that samples without extract addition, regardless of the pectin apple to citrus ratio, were characterized by similar values of mechanical parameters (p > 0.05). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to demonstrate the strength and direction of the relationship between pairs of variables. Statistical analysis showed strong correlations between antioxidant indices and polyphenol content. Full article

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a semi-perennial herb from the Asteraceae family, is native to the Paraguay–Brazil border region. The growing industrial interest in this species is due to its natural sweetening properties, such as steviol and its derivatives, which offer sweetness without adding calories. Morphological traits are crucial for assessing genetic variability and ensuring distinctness, homogeneity, and stability (DHS) for cultivar protection. This study characterized 19 elite Stevia genotypes from Embrapa Cerrados’ Active Germplasm Bank (BAG) using 21 morphological descriptors from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA). Genetic distances were calculated using the simple coincidence index complement method, and clustering was performed via the Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). The results showed that 17 of the 21 descriptors (>80%) effectively differentiated the genotypes, revealing significant genetic variability. Dendrogram analysis identified at least four major similarity groups, highlighting the potential of these genotypes for Stevia breeding programs. These findings underscore the suitability of these elite genotypes for developing superior varieties adapted to Cerrado conditions, supporting future cultivation and genetic improvement efforts. Full article

Monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests (MEBFs) represent one of the most species-rich and structurally complex vegetation types, and one of the most widely distributed forests in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. However, they have yet to undergo a comprehensive analysis on their community diversity, spatial differentiation patterns, and underlying drivers across Yunnan. Based on extensive field surveys during 2021–2024 with 548 MEBF plots, this study employed the Unweighted Pair Group Method for forest community classification and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling for ordination and interpretation of community–environment association. A total of 3517 vascular plant species were recorded in the plots, including 1137 tree species, 1161 shrubs, and 1219 herbs. Numerical classification divided the plots into 3 alliance groups and 24 alliances: (1) Castanopsis–Schima (Lithocarpus) Forest Alliance Group (16 alliances), predominantly distributed west of 102°E in central-south and southwest Yunnan; (2) Castanopsis–Machilus (Beilschmiedia) Forest Alliance Group (6 alliances), concentrated east of 101°E in southeast Yunnan with limited latitudinal range; (3) Castanopsis–Camellia Forest Alliance Group (2 alliances), restricted to higher-elevation mountainous areas within 103–104° E and 22.5–23° N. Climatic variation accounted for 81.1% of the species compositional variation among alliance groups, with contributions of 83.5%, 57.6%, and 62.1% to alliance-level differentiation within alliance groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Precipitation days in the driest quarter (PDDQ) and precipitation seasonality (PS) emerged as the strongest predictors of community differentiation at both alliance group and alliance levels. Topography and soil features significantly influenced alliance differentiation in Groups 2 and 3. Collectively, the interaction between the monsoon climate and topography dominate the spatial differentiation of MEBF communities in Yunnan. Full article

Vegetable intake among military Service Members (SMs) is well below public health guidelines, with only 12.9% meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). Low vegetable consumption negatively impacts diet quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and poses risks to health and performance. Given the high physical and mental demands of military life, improving diet quality, including through increased vegetable intake, is crucial for optimizing health and readiness. Providing meal kits may help improve vegetable intake by reducing access-related barriers for SMs living or working on a military base. Furthermore, the addition of spices and herbs is a readily modifiable accompanying approach to address taste-related barriers and increase intake that has shown promise in other populations with poor diet quality. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether heat-and-serve meal kits with spices and herbs could increase vegetable intake and liking among active-duty SM by simultaneously targeting barriers to healthy eating and modifiable sensory factors. Methods: Conducted at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, the study randomly distributed heat-and-serve meal kits (n = 400) featuring either spiced (n = 200) or plain versions (n = 200) of four vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and kale). Each kit contained a quick response (QR) code for participants to upload post-consumption photos and rate vegetable liking on a nine-point Likert scale. Food photography (SmartIntake^®) was used to estimate vegetable consumption. Paired t-tests were used to determine differences between the intake of plain and spiced vegetables. Results: Intake of the heat-and-serve vegetables was very high for both the spiced and plain preparations (1.73 out of 2 cups, 87%). There was minimal difference (p = 0.87) between the consumption of spiced (1.75 cups) and plain (1.725 cups) vegetables, suggesting that both were well accepted. Overall, convenient and accessible meal options, alongside sensory-driven strategies, appear to improve some barriers to vegetable consumption in SM populations. Conclusions: Future studies should explore long-term outcomes and adaptability across different military environments, while considering additional factors, including convenience and time constraints, that influence dietary choices in the military. Full article

Fire is important in boreal forest ecosystems, but comprehensive recovery analysis is lacking for soil nutrients and plant traits in China boreal forests, where the strict “extinguish at sight” fire prevention policy has been implemented. Based on over 50 years of forest fire recordings in the Daxing’anling Mts, 48 pairs of burnt and unburnt controls (1066 plots) were selected for 0–20 cm soil sampling and plant surveys. We recorded 18 plant parameters of the abundance of each tree, shrub, grass, and plant size (height, diameter, and coverage), 7 geo-topographic data parameters, and 2 fire traits (recovery year and burnt area). We measured eight soil properties (soil organic carbon, SOC; total nitrogen, TN; total phosphorus, TP; alkali-hydrolyzed P, AP; organic P, Po; inorganic P, Pi; total glomalin-related soil protein, T-GRSP; easily-extracted GRSP, EE-GRSP). Paired T-tests revealed that the most significant impact of the fire was a 25%–48% reduction in tree sizes, followed by decline in the plant diversity of arbors and shrubs but increasing plant diversity in herbs. GRSP showed an >18% increase and P_o decreased by 17% (p < 0.05). Redundancy ordination showed that the post-fire recovery years and burnt area were the most potent explainer for the variations (p < 0.05), strongly interacting with latitudes and longitudes. Plant richness and tree size were directly affected by fire traits, while the burnt area and recovery times indirectly increased the GRSP via plant richness. A fire/control ratio chronosequence found that forest community traits (tree size and diversity) and soil nutrients could be recovered to the control level after ca. 30 years. This was relatively shorter than in reports on other boreal forests. The possible reasons are the low forest quality from overharvesting in history and the low fire severity from China’s fire prevention policy. This policy reduced the human mistake-related fire incidence to <10% in the 2010s in the studied region. Chinese forest fire incidences were 3% that of the USA. The burnt area/fire averaged 5 hm² (while the USA averaged 46 hm², Russia averaged 380 hm², and Canada averaged 527 hm²). Overharvesting resulted in the forest height declining at a rate of >10 cm/year. Our finding supports forest management and the evaluation of forest succession after wildfires from a holistic view of plant–soil interactions. Full article

Short-term observations suggest that environmental changes affect the diversity and composition of soil fungi, significantly influencing forest resilience, plant diversity, and soil processes. However, time-series experiments should be supplemented with geobiological archives to capture the long-term effects of environmental changes on fungi–soil–plant interactions, particularly in undersampled, floristically diverse tropical forests. We recently conducted trnL-P6 amplicon sequencing to generate a sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) record of the regional catchment vegetation of the tropical waterbody Lake Towuti (Sulawesi, Indonesia), spanning over one million years (Myr) of the lake’s developmental history. In this study, we performed 18SV9 amplicon sequencing to create a parallel paleofungal record to (a) infer the composition, origins, and functional guilds of paleofungal community members and (b) determine the extent to which downcore changes in fungal community composition reflect the late Pleistocene evolution of the Lake Towuti catchment. We identified at least 52 members of Ascomycota (predominantly Dothiodeomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, and Leotiomycetes) and 12 members of Basidiomycota (primarily Agaricales and Polyporales). Spearman correlation analysis of the relative changes in fungal community composition, geochemical parameters, and paleovegetation assemblages revealed that the overwhelming majority consisted of soil organic matter and wood-decaying saprobes, except for a necrotrophic phytopathogenic association between Mycosphaerellaceae (Cadophora) and wetland herbs (Alocasia) in more-than-1-Myr-old silts and peats deposited in a pre-lake landscape, dominated by small rivers, wetlands, and peat swamps. During the lacustrine stage, vegetation that used to grow on ultramafic catchment soils during extended periods of inferred drying showed associations with dark septate endophytes (Ploettnerulaceae and Didymellaceae) that can produce large quantities of siderophores to solubilize mineral-bound ferrous iron, releasing bioavailable ferrous iron needed for several processes in plants, including photosynthesis. Our study showed that sedaDNA metabarcoding paired with the analysis of geochemical parameters yielded plausible insights into fungal-plant-soil interactions, and inferred changes in the paleohydrology and catchment evolution of tropical Lake Towuti, spanning more than one Myr of deposition. Full article