Cell membrane chromatography and its application in the analysis of bioactive ingredients of TCMs

Traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） have a long history of clinical testing and reliable therapeutic efficacy. They have attracted international attention as excellent sources of bioactive compounds for the discovery of new drugs. However, TCMs usually contain hundreds or even thousands of components and only a few of these compounds are responsible for the pharmacological effects. The large number of components in TCMs makes the analysis and screening for bioactive compounds extremely difficult. Therefore, strategies for analysis and screening of bioactive compounds in TCMs have long been a focus of studies on TCMs. Cell membrane chromatography （CMC） has become a useful tool for studying the bioactive compounds of TCMs. This review summarizes the principles, characteristics, and application of CMC, and the possible problems faced when working with TCMs. This method will likely become increasingly important for screening and analysis of hioactive compounds in TCMs.

Effects of drying process of Yuanzhi (Radix Palygalae) on its bioactive ingredients

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of the drying processing in terms operational parameters on the bio- active constituents of six YuanzhJ （Radix Palygalae） samples across China. METHODS： Six Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae） samples were investigated using thermogravimetry analysis. The heating courses were set in two ways： the temperature-programmed process from room temperature to 150℃ ,and the constant-temperature course at 50℃, 70℃ and 90℃. RESULTS： The peak temperature of six Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae） samples ranged from 78℃ to 88℃. The mass loss rate of Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae） alcohol-soluble extract was significantly increased when heated at 90℃. Four types of bioactive ingredients were detected in volatile oils of Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae） sample from Shanxi province by Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results showed that the drying temperature exerted a great influence on types and amount of ingredients of Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae）. The kinetic study showed that the constant-temperature drying process of Yuanzhi Radix Palygalae） samples could be well de- scribed by the Page Model, especially for the drying process at 50~C, in which R2 and SD values were more than 0.98 and less than 0.04, respectively.The drying constant k of three Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae） samples from Shanxi, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces in China was corresponding to the Arrhenius equation, and their activation energies were 28.07, 2.5.38 and 21.48 kJ/mol, respectively. CONCLUSION： The drying process of Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae） was very important for bioactive ingredients improvement in Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae）. Temperature was a thermodynamic property significantly affecting the process.

Review on dietary supplements as an effective improvement of Alzheimer's disease:focus on structures and mechanisms

Alzheimer’s disease(AD),the major form of neurodegenerative diseases that can severely impede normal cognitive function,makes it one of the most common fatal diseases.There are currently over 50 million AD patients worldwide.The neuropathology of AD is perplexing and there is a scarcity of disease-modifying treatments.Currently,early diagnosis of AD has been made possible with the discovery of biological markers associated with pathology,providing strong support for the improvement of the disease status.The search for inhibitors of AD markers from dietary supplements(DSs)has become a major hot topic.Especially with the widespread use of DSs,DSs containing polyphenols,alkaloids,terpenes,polysaccharides and other bioactive components can prevent AD by reducing Aβdeposition,inhibiting tau protein hyperphosphorylation,reconstructing synaptic dysfunction,weakening cholinesterase activity,regulating mitochondrial oxidative stress,neuronal inflammation and apoptosis.This review summarizes the anti-AD effects of the main DSs and their bioactive constituents,as well as the potential molecular mechanisms covers from 2017 to 2023.Additionally,we discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by DSs in the process of AD prevention and treatment,aiming to further provide new perspectives for functional food development.

Functional butter for reduction of consumption risk and improvement of nutrition

Butter has become renowned among consumers because of its exceptional flavor and taste.Nevertheless,conventional butter is deemed“unhealthy”due to its high concentration of saturated fats and cholesterol,which are linked to the development of cardiovascular ailments.Improving the health benefits of butter has become an essential topic of research in the butter industry.This review focuses on researches that have made improvements to functionality of butter,including the changes in fatty acid composition,cholesterol reduction,incorporation with bioactive substances,development of new sources.The reduction of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol in butter can help reduce the risk of disease from eating butter.In addition,incorporating probiotics or natural plant extracts can achieve nutritional functions such as balancing intestinal flora,enhancing nutrient absorption,and increasing the body’s antioxidant capacity.Butter substitute products can be based on new vegetable oils,insect fats or microbial fats,which cater to the consumer demands for low-calorie butter while reducing the environmental impact that results from butter production.This review summarizes the effects and characteristics of various improvement methods and proposes some possible directions for future development of functional butter.

Simultaneous determination of fourteen components of Gumiganghwal-tang tablet in human plasma by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetic study

Gumiganghwal-tang is a traditional herbal medicine widely used for its anti-inflammatory,analgesic,and antipyretic effects.However,the safety and efficacy of its active ingredients based on an in vivo pharmacokinetic(PK)study have yet been investigated.We have established a sensitive and accurate UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method and conducted a PK study on 14 constituents of Gumiganghwal-tang through human plasma analysis.Analytical conditions were optimized according to the physicochemical properties of the 14 compounds to facilitate efficient separation and eliminate overlap or interference between peaks.KINETEX-C18 and Inertsil-C8 columns were used as UPLC stationary phases,and acetonitrile and aqueous formic acid were used as mobile phases.All the analytes were quantified with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode.The chromatograms of 14 bioactive compounds showed excellent elution and sensitivity,and each peak was selectively separated and quantified without interference with each other or impurities.The established analytical method was based on international guidelines and was successfully used to perform PK studies of 14 herbal ingredients in humans after oral administration with Gumiganghwal-tang tablets.The oral absorption of most active components of Gumiganghwal-tang was relatively rapid and remained considerably long in the body to be quantified in plasma up to 48 h after administration.

Overview on the edible mushrooms in Egypt

Edible Mushrooms have been valued as a valuable food source due to its nutritional and medicinal characteristics.Edible mushrooms contain various bioactive components such as proteins,polyunsaturated fatty acids,polysaccharides,dietary fibers,amino acids,vitamins,and minerals.They have essential health effects,such as antioxidant,antimicrobial,immune-stimulatory,and anticancer,cholesterol-lowering properties.Because of their nutritional and medicinal benefits,mushrooms have become increasingly popular in recent years all over the world.Mushrooms were considered immortality plants in Ancient Egypt and were given to mankind by the god Osiris.Mushrooms were declared a delicacy reserved only for Egyptian nobility due to their distinct flavor.The current study focuses on the common species of edible mushrooms in Egypt and their different bioactive ingredients,nutritional values and the health benefits.

Network Pharmacology-based Approaches Capture Essence of Chinese Herbal Medicines

Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）, a crucial component of the current medical system, has been extensively used in clinical practice due to its valuable therapeutic efficacy, and its potentials as an important source of new pharmacophores. TCM is characterized by holistic theory, which emphasizes maintaining the balance of the patient＇s whole body using herbal formulae（fangji in Chinese） composed of mixtures of herbs with multiple bioactive ingredients. Because of the complex nature of these formulae, it is necessary to develop systematic methods to identify their bioactive ingredients and to clarify their mechanisms of action. With the rapid progress in bioinformatics, systems biology, and polypharmacology, ＂network pharmacology＂, which shifts the ＂one target, one drug＂ paradigm to the ＂network target, multi-component＂ strategy, has attracted the attention because it can not only reveal the underlying complex interactions between a herbal formula and cellular proteins but detect the influence of their interactions on the function and behavior of the system. Growing evidence shows that the network pharmacology strategy can be a powerful approach to modern research on TCM. The present paper focuses on the basis of network pharmacology and the recent progress in its methodology, illustrates its utility in screening bioactive ingredients and elucidating the mechanisms of action of TCM herbal formulae, analyzes its limitations and problems, and discusses its development direction and application prospects.

Food supplements could be an effective improvement of diabetes mellitus:a review

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of endocrine and metabolism disorders,characterized by hyperglycemia,and increased risk of cardiovascular disease complications.Although oral hypoglycemic drugs have the effect of maintaining blood sugar control in diabetic patients,these drugs still have serious side effects for many patients,such as gastrointestinal diseases related to acarbose.Recently,certain food supplements and their bioactive ingredients have been shown to improve diabetes mellitus and can be readily found in the marketplace.This literature review focuses on food supplements with a hypoglycemic function,with an emphasis on their biologically active ingredients and pharmacological effects.The biologically active ingredients can be divided into 6 categories:polyphenols,polysaccharides,terpenoids,saponins,alkaloids,and others.The sources,models used for their study,efficacy,and mechanisms of action of food supplements are described.The sources,models used for their study,efficacy,and mechanisms of action of food supplements are described,including regulation of microflora,modulation of glucose metabolism,and improvement in insulin function.By classifying medicinal plants that can be used as food supplements and their activities,we have provided useful information to support further investigation and application of food supplements to prevent or improve diabetes mellitus.