Qijiao Shengbai Capsules (QJ) are frequently used as a supportive treatment for cancer and leukopenia, conditions that may arise from chemotherapy or radiotherapy, stimulating Qi and invigorating blood. Still, the specifics of the pharmacological mechanism of QJ are not evident. Laser-assisted bioprinting This research project undertakes the task of deciphering the efficacious components and mechanisms of QJ through a synthesis of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints and network pharmacology. quality use of medicine HPLC fingerprint analyses were performed on twenty batches of QJ. Employing the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (version 2012), the similarity evaluation across 20 QJ batches demonstrated a value greater than 0.97. Analysis by reference standard revealed eleven common peaks, including ferulic acid, calycosin 7-O-glucoside, ononin, calycosin, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin, formononetin, baohuoside I, and Z-ligustilide. By constructing the 'component-target-pathway' network, network pharmacy identified 10 key QJ components, including ferulic acid, calycosin 7-O-glucoside, ononin, and calycosin. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and other signaling pathways were influenced by the components, which regulated potential targets such as EGFR, RAF1, PIK3R1, and RELA, for auxiliary treatment of tumors, cancers, and leukopenia. The AutoDock Vina molecular docking analysis confirmed a strong binding capacity for 10 essential components with their core targets, with binding energies each under -5 kcal/mol. HPLC fingerprint analysis and network pharmacology methods were used in this study to preliminarily reveal the effective components and mechanisms of QJ. This work provides a framework for quality control and guides further exploration of its mechanism.
Due to the diverse origins of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces, relying solely on traditional characteristics for differentiation proves challenging, and the utilization of multiple Curcumae Radix sources with varying origins can potentially impact its therapeutic effectiveness. DX3-213B price In this investigation, the Heracles Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose was employed to swiftly identify and analyze the volatile odor constituents present in 40 batches of Curcumae Radix samples procured from Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Guangxi. Multiple sources of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces provided the basis for establishing odor fingerprints, allowing for the identification and analysis of odor components. Chromatographic peak analysis subsequently formed the foundation for a fast identification method. For the purpose of verification, Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Factor Analysis, and SIMCA were constructed. Concurrently, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and variable importance in projection (VIP) were employed to identify odor components with statistical significance (p<0.05) and high variable importance (VIP>1). Thirteen odor components, including -caryophyllene and limonene, were postulated as differential odor markers for Curcumae Radix decoction pieces of distinct origins. Employing the Heracles Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, the study successfully ascertained the odor characteristics of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces and precisely and rapidly categorized them according to their origin. Quality control, including real-time online detection systems, can be implemented in the production of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces, using this approach. This study details a groundbreaking technique for the prompt evaluation and quality control of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces.
In higher plants, chalcone isomerase plays a critical role as a rate-limiting enzyme within the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, directly impacting the production of flavonoids. Different regions of Isatis indigotica were the source of RNA, which was then converted to cDNA in this study. The chalcone isomerase gene, IiCHI, isolated from I. indigotica, was cloned using primers that were designed to include enzyme restriction sites. A complete open reading frame was evident within the 756-base-pair IiCHI sequence, resulting in the production of 251 amino acids. Through homology analysis, IiCHI's close resemblance to the Arabidopsis thaliana CHI protein, encompassing typical chalcone isomerase active sites, became evident. IiCHI's classification, as determined by phylogenetic tree analysis, is consistent with the CHI clade. The construction and purification of the pET28a-IiCHI recombinant prokaryotic expression vector culminated in the production of the recombinant IiCHI protein. Through in vitro enzymatic analysis, the IiCHI protein's ability to convert naringenin chalcone into naringenin was demonstrated, yet this protein was unable to catalyze the production of liquiritigenin from isoliquiritigenin. Above-ground parts of the plant, as determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), exhibited higher IiCHI expression levels compared to their below-ground counterparts, with the flowers demonstrating the greatest expression, followed by leaves and stems, and no expression detected in the roots and rhizomes. Through this investigation, the role of chalcone isomerase in *Indigofera indigotica* has been confirmed, along with the referenced biosynthesis process of flavonoid compounds.
Examining the response mechanisms of 3-leaf stage Rheum officinale seedlings to varying drought gradients (normal, mild, moderate, and severe) was the focus of this pot experiment, which aimed to uncover the link between soil microecology and the content of plant secondary metabolites. Results from the study on R. officinale's root system showed considerable differences in flavonoid, phenol, terpenoid, and alkaloid content, attributed to the varying degrees of drought stress experienced. Mild drought stress led to a relatively high concentration of the previously enumerated substances, especially in the root, where rutin, emodin, gallic acid, and (+)-catechin hydrate increased significantly. The levels of rutin, emodin, and gallic acid were considerably reduced in response to severe drought stress, contrasting with the levels found in plants experiencing a normal water supply. Bacterial species abundance, Shannon diversity, richness, and Simpson index were notably higher in rhizosphere soil samples than in control soil samples; progressive drought conditions led to a marked decrease in microbial species and richness. The rhizosphere of *R. officinale*, in conditions of water scarcity, showed Cyanophyta, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Streptomyces, and Actinomyces as the prevailing bacterial types. A positive association exists between the relative content of rutin and emodin in the root of R. officinale and the relative abundance of Cyanophyta and Firmicutes, and the relative content of (+)-catechin hydrate and (-)-epicatechin gallate and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In summary, appropriate drought stress has the potential to augment the presence of secondary metabolites in R. officinale, arising from both physiological induction and enhanced connections with beneficial microbes.
Our investigation into the contamination of Coicis Semen by mycotoxins, coupled with predictions of associated exposure risks, aims to offer guidance on safety procedures and the adjustment of mycotoxin limits for Chinese herbal medicines. In 100 Coicis Semen samples collected from five major Chinese medicinal material markets, the content of 14 mycotoxins was quantitatively determined using UPLC-MS/MS. Upon analyzing the sample contamination data using Chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA, a probability evaluation model based on Monte Carlo simulation was constructed. Margin of exposure (MOE) and margin of safety (MOS) served as the basis for the health risk assessment. In Coicis Semen samples, zearalenone (ZEN) detection was 84%, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 75%, deoxynivalenol (DON) 36%, sterigmatocystin (ST) 19%, and aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) 18%, with average contamination levels reaching 11742 g/kg, 478 g/kg, 6116 g/kg, 661 g/kg, and 213 g/kg, respectively. Samples analyzed against the 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia's criteria showed that AFB1, aflatoxins and ZEN surpassed the permitted thresholds, with respective over-standard rates of 120%, 90%, and 60%. Although Coicis Semen's exposure to AFB1, AFB2, ST, DON, and ZEN was low, a high proportion (86%) of the samples showed contamination from two or more toxins, highlighting a critical need for further analysis. Improving research on the combined toxic effects of various mycotoxins is essential for rapidly evaluating the cumulative exposure to mixed contamination and for updating the standards for tolerable toxin levels.
This study explored the physiological and biochemical responses of 2-year-old Panax notoginseng to cadmium stress, using pot experiments to examine the influence of brassinosteroid (BR). Exposure to 10 mg/kg of cadmium, according to the findings, significantly impaired root viability in P. notoginseng, notably elevating the levels of H₂O₂ and MDA in both leaves and roots, resulting in oxidative stress within P. notoginseng, and diminishing the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes. Chlorophyll content in P. notoginseng was affected by cadmium stress, resulting in an elevation in leaf Fo, a decrease in Fm, Fv/Fm, and PIABS, and impairment of the photosynthetic system in P. notoginseng. Exposure to cadmium led to an increase in soluble sugars within the leaves and roots of P. notoginseng, while simultaneously suppressing the production of soluble proteins, reducing both fresh and dry weight, and ultimately inhibiting the growth of the plant. BR's 0.01 mg/L external application decreased H₂O₂ and MDA levels in *P. notoginseng* leaves and roots exposed to cadmium stress, mitigating cadmium-induced oxidative damage in the plant. This treatment also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and root function in *P. notoginseng*, leading to increased chlorophyll content. Furthermore, BR application reduced the F₀ of *P. notoginseng* leaves, while increasing Fₘ, Fᵥ/Fₘ, and PIABS, thereby alleviating cadmium-induced photosynthetic system damage and improving soluble protein synthesis.