Search Results (82)

Low-molecular-weight polypeptides (<3 kDa) were prepared from Periplaneta americana via enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration, yielding 3.53 ± 0.01 mg/g of peptide-rich extract. The extract was primarily composed of peptides, proteins, polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids. HPLC-MS analysis identified 1402 peptide sequences, 80.51% of which were below 1000 Da, predominantly consisting of tri-, tetra-, and octapeptides. Monosaccharide profiling detected D-(+)-galactose, and quantitative assays determined the contents of total phenolics (12.28 mg/g), flavonoids (15.50 mg/g), proteins (85.84 mg/g), and total sugars (17.62 mg/g). The biological activities of the extract were systematically evaluated. The peptide fraction inhibited hyaluronidase activity by 58% at 5 mg/mL, suggesting protection of extracellular matrix integrity. In HaCaT keratinocytes, it promoted cell proliferation by 62.6%, accelerated scratch wound closure by 54%, upregulated Wnt-10b and β-catenin expression, and reduced intracellular ROS levels under oxidative stress. In LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the extract decreased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production by 30%, 25%, and 28%, respectively, reduced MDA levels by 35.2%, and enhanced CAT and SOD activities by 12.3% and 60.3%. In vivo, complete closure of full-thickness skin wounds in mice was achieved by day 14. Safety evaluations using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay and human patch tests confirmed the extract to be non-irritating and non-toxic. These findings highlight Periplaneta americana extract as a promising multifunctional bioactive ingredient for cosmetic and dermatological applications. Further studies on its active components, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy are warranted to support its development in skin health and aesthetic medicine. Full article

Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., a medicinal plant rich in steroidal alkaloids, produces bulbs that clear heat, resolve phlegm, and detoxify. However, excessive yield-oriented cultivation has reduced the number of F. thunbergii plants that meet commercial standards. This study explored the effects of potassium application and shading on the bulb biomass and medicinal substance content of F. thunbergii. Shading increased the active ingredient content in bulbs by approximately 20.71% but reduced biomass by approximately 17.24%. Fertilization with different potassium concentrations under shading (K1S–K3S) alleviated shading-induced biomass reduction and increased active ingredient accumulation, with the K2S and K3S groups yielding significantly better results than the K1S group. Pharmacological experiments showed that the K2S group exerted the best antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Metabolome analysis showed that compared with those in the controls, peiminine, peimine, imperialine, solasodine, and cyclopamine were the most abundant steroidal alkaloids under K2S treatment. Transcriptome analysis identified key genes and biosynthetic pathways for major steroidal alkaloids, namely, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FtFPS) involved in steroidal alkaloid biosynthesis. Transcription factor analysis revealed that nine transcription factors predominantly expressed under the K2S treatment might regulate steroidal alkaloid biosynthesis. Furthermore, FtFPS was identified as a hub gene in the co-expression network and was verified to catalyze the biosynthesis of farnesyl pyrophosphate. The interaction between FtFPS and FtAP2/ERF was verified through yeast two-hybrid experiments. These findings offer new insights into the steroidal alkaloid biosynthesis mechanism triggered in F. thunbergii by potassium application and shading, supporting ecological strategies to enhance steroidal alkaloid levels in this species. Full article

(1) Backgroud Astragalus, a traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrates therapeutic effectiveness in acute pancreatitis (AP). Nevertheless, its precise pharmacological mechanism remains unclear, and clinical guidelines have not been established. This study aims to systematically elucidate the active compounds and molecular mechanisms underlying Astragalus’ therapeutic effects in AP, and provide clinical evidence supporting its efficacy. (2) Methods: TCMSP and Swiss Target Prediction identified drug targets; GeneCards, DrugBank, and OMIM provided disease targets. Venny determined the therapeutic targets, while STRING constructed a protein–protein interaction network. Cytoscape 3.10.3 validated core targets. DAVID was used to conduct GO and KEGG pathway analyses, visualized via Bioinformatic platform. Cytoscape 3.10.3 was used to build a “drug–ingredients–targets–pathways–disease” network. AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 and AutoDockTools 1.5.7 was used to performed molecular docking, with PyMOL 3.0 visualizing the results. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBMdisc were searched. The literature was screened, extracted, and evaluated, followed by a meta-analysis, using RevMan 5.4.1 and Stata 18. (3) Results: We identified 539 targets for the active ingredients of astragalus. Among 1974 disease-related targets, 232 were found to be therapeutic targets. The GO analysis yielded 589 entries, while the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified 147 relevant pathways. The top five active ingredients were quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, formononetin, and calycosin. Molecular docking analysis revealed potential synergistic effects between these components and core targets. The meta-analysis, comprising six randomized controlled trials, demonstrated a significantly higher total effective rate of clinical efficacy in the astragalus group compared to the control group. (4) Conclusions: Astragalus treats AP through the synergistic action of its components, targets, and pathways. Key active compounds, such as quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, formononetin, and calycosin, engage with pivotal targets, including TP53, AKT1, TNF, IL6, EGFR, CASP3, MYC, and HIF1A, within primary pathways, such as pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and lipid metabolism, and atherosclerosis. Astragalus effectively treats AP and alleviates clinical symptoms by reducing the time for gas or defecation passage, the disappearance time of abdominal pain or distension, and the recovery time of bowel sounds. Full article

Plant extracts are increasingly becoming an answer to expensive, high-dose, synthesized chemotherapy, with milder side effects and easier accessibility. Many botanical plants contain active ingredients, such as terpenoids and alkaloids, which may combat cancer; however, studies need to be performed to test whether they are solely effective enough and whether the extracted compounds are selective for the tumor itself. Many chemotherapy drugs were initially of botanical origin, such as vincristine from Catharanthus roseus and paclitaxel from the Taxus baccata tree. The objective of this review is to assess the mechanisms of herbal therapeutics in their role against malignancy. Ajwa, curcumin, ginseng, lycopene, and ursolic acid were all respectively evaluated in the paper for their prevalent properties, their method of extraction, notable usage in medicine, which pathways they activate, and whether the transductions can disrupt cancer formation or proliferation. The findings from the review demonstrated that all the therapeutics exhibited pro-apoptotic behavior, Ajwa and curcumin exerted cell cycle arrest upon neoplasms, and Ajwa, curcumin, and lycopene showed anti-metastatic behavior. Most extracts were tested on colorectal cancer, and the pathways most commonly applied were through BAX/Bcl2 and endoproteases, such as caspase-3 and caspase-9, indicating predominantly mitochondrial apoptosis. In addition, cell cycle arrest was noted to occur during the G2/M phase via Wnt/β-catenin in both curcumin and ginseng, independently of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in Ajwa constituents, reducing cell viability. All of these studies were demonstrated in vitro within varieties of single cell cultures, which did not take into account bioavailability nor properly demonstrate the tumor microenvironment, which may not yield the same results in vivo. Clinical trials need to be undergone to appropriately test effective dosages, as if a compound is strongly pro-apoptotic, it may not be selective just to tumor cells but also to healthy cells, which may impair their functions. Full article

Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb. (Rupohi thekera), an underutilized minor fruit from Assam, holds significant potential as it exhibits substantial traditional medicinal properties. However, its preservation and utilization remain limited, necessitating effective processing techniques. This study aimed to compare the impact of tray drying and freeze drying on the physico-chemical, antioxidant, and functional properties of G. lanceifolia. Fresh fruits were processed using both methods, followed by detailed analyses of nutritional composition, phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, and functional properties. Freeze drying resulted in greater retention of moisture (12.42 ± 0.81%), protein (4.44 ± 0.19%), carbohydrate content (8.29 ± 0.31 g/100 g), and reducing sugar (1.95 ± 0.12%), along with prominent color quality, while no significant difference in ash content was found for either drying method employed. Phytochemical extraction using different solvents (water, n-hexane, 80% methanol, 80% ethanol, and 80% acetone) revealed that freeze-dried samples extracted with acetone had the highest total phenolic content (634.00 ± 1.73 mg GAE/100 g), while methanol extraction yielded the highest total flavonoid content (382.33 ± 1.52 mg QE/100 g). Tray drying, on the other hand, exhibited superior DPPH and FRAP when subjected to ethanol extract (80.24 ± 0.42% and 83.83 ± 0.46 mg/100 g, respectively) and metal chelation capacity (23.69 ± 2.09%). Additionally, functional properties, such as glucose adsorption capacity and α-amylase inhibition, were found to vary between drying techniques, with freeze-dried samples showing better glucose adsorption and tray-dried samples demonstrating greater α-amylase inhibition. FTIR analysis highlighted distinct structural attributes of bioactive compounds retained through both methods. The findings underscore the potential of freeze drying for nutrient preservation and tray drying for cost-effective applications, paving the way for the industrial valorization of G. lanceifolia as a functional food ingredient. Full article

Microbial foods include microbial biomass, naturally fermented foods, and heterologously synthesized food ingredients derived from microbial fermentation. Terpenoids, using isoprene as the basic structure, possess various skeletons and functional groups. They exhibit diverse physicochemical properties and physiological activities, such as unique flavor, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and hypolipemic, making them extensively used in the food industry, such as flavor, fragrance, preservatives, dietary supplements, and medicinal health food. Compared to traditional strategies like direct extraction from natural species and chemical synthesis, microbial cell factories for edible terpenoids have higher titers and yields. They can utilize low-cost raw materials and are easily scaling-up, representing a novel green and sustainable production mode. In this review, we briefly introduce the synthetic pathway of terpenoids and the applications of microbial cell factories producing edible terpenoids. Secondly, we highlight several typical and non-typical microbial chassis in edible terpenoid-producing cell factories. In addition, we reviewed the recent advances of representative terpenoid microbial cell factories with a gram-scale titer in food flavor, food preservation, nutritional enhancers, and medicinal health foods. Finally, we predict the future directions of microbial cell factories for edible terpenoids and their commercialization process. Full article

The genus Mallotus oblongifolius (MO), a member of the Euphorbia family, exhibits a predominant distribution in Hainan Island and has been proven to possess diverse medicinal attributes. Research indicates that ultramicro-grinding fully exposes the active ingredients of Mallotus oblongifolius, enhancing bioavailability and efficacy, compared to before. Our study investigates the effects of ultrafine powder of Mallotus oblongifolius (MOUP) on Hainan pigs. A total of sixty-four healthy castrated pigs (ternary hybrid pigs, Duroc × Duroc × Tunchang) with comparable initial body weight (BW, 68.06 ± 1.03 kg, 150 days old) were allocated randomly into four groups: the control group (CONT), the antibiotic group (ANTI), the 0.1% MOUP group (PT1), and the 0.5% MOUP group (PT2). There were four replicate pens per treatment with four pigs per pen. The pre-test lasted for 7 days and the formal test lasted for 70 days. The CONT group was fed the basal diet, the ANTI group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg colistin sulfate, the PT1 group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1% MOUP, and the PT2 group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% MOUP. The findings of our study indicate that the inclusion of colistin sulfate and MOUP in the diet did not have any significant impact on the production performance or carcass indicators of Hainan pigs compared to the CONT group. However, it is noteworthy that the addition of MOUP to the diet resulted in a significant improvement in the lightness, tenderness, muscle fiber morphology, amino acid composition, and antioxidant activity of the longissimus dorsi muscle, particularly in the PT2 group, compared to the CONT group. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that the inclusion of MOUP in the dietary regimen yields enhancements in the meat quality of Hainan pigs, particularly when supplemented at a concentration of 0.5%. Full article

Polyploidization is a beneficial technique for enhancing the biomass of and secondary metabolite concentrations in plants. Java ginseng (Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn.) can be used as an alternative source of nutrition and has both ornamental and medicinal value. To improve the biomass and content of medicinal ingredients, this study established an in vitro system that was used to induce polyploidy of java ginseng. Tetraploids were successfully produced by exposing the axillary buds to colchicine. The most favorable medium for inducing polyploidy was Murashige and Skoog medium devoid of hormonal substances, while immersing stem segments in a solution of 1–3 mg/mL colchicine for 48 h could achieve tetraploidy induction with a maximum rate of 18.03%. Tetraploids were distinguished from diploids by flow cytometry, with the tetraploids exhibiting darker and thicker leaves, bigger fruit and pollen, and larger stomata but lower stomatal density, while the aboveground biomass yield was reduced significantly compared with that of the diploids. Tetraploidization also altered the metabolite profile, with 22 metabolite concentrations being significantly increased (p < 0.05) and 74 metabolite concentrations being significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the leaves of the tetraploids. The autotetraploid produced in this study could provide novel insights into artificial polyploid breeding and could be utilized as a germplasm to generate new polyploids. Full article

N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) is a key ingredient in bird’s nest, as well as in health products and infant formulas. However, the absence of suitable reference materials (RMs) makes it challenging to ensure the quality of these products. Currently, NANA is primarily extracted from bird’s nest, but this process is costly and difficult to scale up. In this study, we successfully prepared a large-scale yield of NANA RM from fermentation products, which increases the yield of the RM and reduces its cost. IR, MS, and NMR methods were used for the qualitative analysis of the NANA RM, and HPLC was used for homogeneity and stability testing. The F test showed that the NANA RM remained stable over a 12-month period. In collaboration with eight quantification laboratories in China, the certified value and uncertainty of the NANA RM were calculated. The certified value of the NANA RM is 98.26%, with an expanded uncertainty of 0.10% (k = 2). This prepared NANA RM can now be used for quality control in bird’s nest, health products, infant-formula-related food products, medicine, and cosmetics. Full article

Cinnamomum iners Reinw. ex Blume has long been recognized as a plant with food and medicinal uses. This study was designed to optimize the MAE process to produce a high-value, polyphenol-rich crude extract from cinnamon leaves (PCL). The primary goal was to apply response surface methodology (RSM) with a face-centered central composite design (FCCD) to identify the ideal conditions for microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Key factors such as the MAE time, microwave power, and solid-to-liquid ratio were examined to produce a polyphenol-rich crude extract from C. iners leaves. The resulting extracts were assessed for extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity. The results showed that MAE using a methanol solvent had a significant impact on antioxidant compound levels. The R² values for all responses, yield, TPC, TFC, and DPPH radical scavenging activity were 0.9497, 0.9494, 0.9199, and 0.9570, respectively, indicating that the developed quadratic polynomial models were accurate and suitable for analyzing MAE parameter interactions. The optimum MAE parameters were determined to be an MAE time of 25 min, microwave power of 214.24 W, and plant leaf–solvent ratio of 1:195.76 g/mL. In these optimized MAE conditions, the predicted extraction yield, TPC, TFC, and IC₅₀ of DPPH scavenging were 18.56%, 22.86 mg GAE/g, 13.89 mg QE/g, and 83.30 µg/mL, respectively. The enhanced efficiency of MAE comes from microwave-induced heating, which disrupts cell walls for faster compound release, making it more effective and time-efficient than traditional HRE for polyphenol extraction. This study demonstrated that polyphenols can be efficiently extracted from C. iners using MAE, producing a valuable extract with potential as a natural preservative in food and a skin-protective, anti-aging ingredient in cosmetics. Full article

Resveratrol, a valuable compound found in grapevines, is found in significant amounts in grapes and wine, but also in other parts of the plant (leaves, roots, shoots) and derived products (juice, raisins, powders, grape pomace). Synthesis factors considerably influence the resveratrol content, and research aims to optimise these factors to maximise yield, with applications in agriculture, food, cosmetics, and medicine. This literature survey aims to review and synthesise existing knowledge on aspects of resveratrol’s chemical structure and isomers, biological properties, and the factors influencing resveratrol synthesis and content in grapevine and sources of resveratrol in grapevine components, products, and by-products. Current research is focusing on methods to stabilise resveratrol to increase the functionality of food products and the bioavailability of the compound in the colon, thereby contributing to human health, which reflects the interdisciplinary interest in the use of resveratrol as an ingredient with nutraceutical properties. Full article

The bulbs of the lily plant Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. possess substantial medicinal properties for relieving coughs and clearing the lungs. However, excessive pursuit of yield during cultivation has led to a decrease in medicinal ingredients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of two single-factor treatments, shading (SK0) and potassium application (S0K), and their coupling treatment (SK) on bulb biomass and medicinal substance content, along with the role of rhizosphere microorganisms. Shading increased the content of active ingredients in bulbs by approximately 11.7% while decreasing bulb biomass by approximately 11.3%. SK treatment mitigated the biomass reduction caused by SK0 treatment while enhancing the accumulation of active ingredients in F. thunbergii, up to 1.2 times higher than that of SK0 treatment. In rhizosphere soil, Allorhizobium–Neorhizobium–Pararhizobium–Rhizobium (ANPR), Chryseobacterium, Brevundimonas, and Phoma exhibited significant positive correlations with medicinal components, among which ANPR, Brevundimonas, Chryseobacterium, and Phoma were responsive to SK treatments. Also, Burkholderia–Caballeronia–Paraburkholderia (BCP) and Brevundimonas responded to changes at different growth stages of F. thunbergii. The relative abundance of these microorganisms was associated with the alterations of soil factors resulting from shading or K application. Our results indicate that these microorganisms are beneficial to the growth of bulbs and the synthesis of active components in F. thunbergii. The combination of shading and K application may regulate the accumulation of medicinal substances in F. thunbergii by modulating the structure of the soil microbial community. Our results serve as a reference for soil improvement for medicinal plant cultivation. Full article

Various species from the genus Equisetum are recorded as food and folk medicine against both kidney complications and diabetes. Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. is documented as a folk remedy in Türkiye against several kidney disorders. This study was designed to evaluate the possible protective mechanisms of E. telmateia EtOH extract (ETE) against kidney disorders and diabetes through different routes, such as the prevention of ROS formation, inhibitory potential against various DM-related enzymes, and a reduction in the amount of the mediators leading to disorders in both systems at the cellular level. The objective was to achieve advanced precision for in vitro results while considering the effect of GIS on oral consumption. Both phytochemical and bioactivity studies were conducted before and after simulated digestion. The results showed that ETE is a rich source of flavonoids and phenolic acids. In addition, it has significant antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential. Treatment also yielded promising results at the cellular level for both antioxidative and inhibitor proteins, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of kidney disorders and diabetes. Following the in vitro digestion procedure, both the number of phytochemical ingredients and bioactivity parameters showed a considerable decreasing trend; however, the results are still significant enough to justify the traditional utilization of the genus Equisetum. This investigation demonstrated that ETE has noteworthy potential as a functional food for protection against diabetic kidney disease. Full article

Timely harvesting is an important prerequisite for quality standardization in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. To determine the harvest time of Artemisia argyi and clarify the influence of meteorological factors (MFs) on the harvest time, we selected two excellent germplasm resources, namely, “Nanyang 1” (NY) and Luoyang Artemisia argyi (LY), as examples. We examined the changes in yield, quality, and related traits on 11 sampling dates (SDs) after the six true-leaf stage. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between eight MFs on different SDs and yield, as well as quality indices. The results show that the SDs and MFs have a significant impact on yield and quality. The dynamic changes in growth traits and dry matter accumulation characteristics of NY and LY were basically consistent. From 75 to 90 d, Artemisia argyi was in the middle and late stages of the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth, during which the amount of dry matter accumulation stabilized. The leaves are the most representative medicinal part, with the comprehensive values of the LY leaf yield and main medicinal ingredient contents reaching their maximum at 75 d; the comprehensive values of the NY leaf yield and main volatile ingredient contents reached their maximum at 75 d, while the comprehensive value of the flavonoid and phenolic acid contents reached their maximum at 90 d. Therefore, LY is suitable for harvesting at 75 d, while NY can be harvested at either 75 or 90 d, depending on the harvest goals. In addition, the mean daily minimum temperature (MDMNT), effective accumulated temperature above 10 °C (≥10 °C EAT), and mean temperature daily range (MTDR) were found to be key MFs affecting harvest time. The dry matter accumulation of the roots and stems was significantly positively correlated with the MDMNT (p < 0.01). The dry matter accumulation of the leaves was significantly positively correlated with ≥10 °C EAT (p < 0.05). The total volatile oil content was significantly positively correlated with the MTDR (p < 0.05). These show that meteorological factors affect the harvest time in production practice. This study provides scientific support for determining the harvest time and managing the cultivation of Artemisia argyi. Full article

Background: Phyllanthus emblica is a medicinal and edible plant from the Euphorbiaceae family, notable for its rich content of polyphenols and flavonoids, which provide significant antioxidant properties. To exploit the full antioxidant potential of Phyllanthus emblica, this study developed a hydrogel system incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na), integrated with Phyllanthus emblica extract, for the purpose of wound healing. Methods: The extraction process of active ingredients of Phyllanthus emblica was optimized and assessed the antioxidant composition and activity of the extract. A series of hydrogel performance evaluations were performed on the Phyllanthus emblica extract-loaded PVA/CMC-Na hydrogel (AEPE composite hydrogel). Additionally, the wound healing efficacy was evaluated through cell culture experiments and wound healing assays using BALB/C mice. Results: The findings indicated that the extraction of Phyllanthus emblica with 95% ethanol yielded an extract rich in polyphenols, primarily gallic acid and ellagic acid, demonstrating high free radical scavenging capacity and robust antioxidant activity. The hydrogel matrix containing 12% PVA and 1% CMC-Na exhibited excellent physicochemical properties. The optimized AEPE composite hydrogel enabled sustained drug release over a 24 h period, exhibited low cytotoxicity and promoted cell migration. In a mouse dorsal wound healing model, the AEPE composite hydrogel showed pronounced anti-inflammatory and antioxidation effects, enhanced collagen deposition, and ultimately accelerated wound healing. Conclusions: The AEPE composite hydrogel demonstrated strong antioxidant characteristics and significant wound healing potential. Thus, this study could broaden the application prospects of Phyllanthus emblica in wound healing. Full article