Mechanism prediction of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Angelica sinensis Diels in treating interstitial lung disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which Astragalus mongholicus Bunge(AM),and Angelica sinensis Diels(AS)act in interstitial lung disease(ILD)based on computational prediction.Methods:We screened the ingredients of AM and AS in PubMed,the Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)Databases,etc.Then obtained the potential effective components.By sharing the same molecular with ILD,we got the possible target genes for ILD treatment and constructed components–targets–disease network with Cytoscape software.The CTD(Comparative Toxicogenomics Database)database was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of these target genes.Results:59 active ingredients that can be druggable were chosen from AM,67 active ingredients were chosen from AS.77 overlapping target genes for AM and ILD and 36 overlapping target genes for AS and ILD were acquired.The hub targets of AM were PTGS2,PTGS1,CDK2,MAOA,ESR1,TOP2A,GSK3B,ESR2,PPARG,NOS2,The hub targets of AS were PTGS2,GABRA1,PTGS1,CHRM1,SLC6A2,ADRA1B,ADRAIA,ADRB2,CHRM3,GABRA2,CHRM2.Quercetin,kaempferol,daidzein,pavilion,7-Hydroxycoumarin,and 5-Hydroxycoumarin were the main active ingredients which have more effective targets.Prediction of the protein-protein interaction network showed PTGS2,GSK3B,PPARG,etc.,were the important predicted targets.The enriched KEGG pathways,including the Immune System,Metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins,Cytokine Signaling in the Immune system,Generic Transcription Pathway,The interleukin pathway,Metabolism of proteins,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,Metabolic pathways,Innate Immune System,Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,Metabolism,GPCR downstream signaling,Amine ligand-binding receptors,Class A/1,Calcium signaling pathway.Molecular docking showed that quercetin,kaempferol,daidzein,pavilion,7-Hydroxycoumarin,5-Hydroxycoumarin had good binding activities with PTGS2 and GSK3B,which mainly mediated PI3K/Akt and other important signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of ILD.Conclusion:The components in AS and AM share some common targets,such as PTGS2.AM and AS may ameliorate ILD through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway which is mediated by GSK3B.PTGS2,PPARG may also be vital target genes in the treatment of ILD with AM and AS.

Mechanism prediction of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Angelica sinensis Diels in treating interstitial lung disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which Astragalus mongholicus Bunge(AM),and Angelica sinensis Diels(AS)act in interstitial lung disease(ILD)based on computational prediction.Methods:We screened the ingredients of AM and AS in PubMed,the Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)Databases,etc.Then obtained the potential effective components.By sharing the same molecular with ILD,we got the possible target genes for ILD treatment and constructed components–targets–disease network with Cytoscape software.The CTD(Comparative Toxicogenomics Database)database was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of these target genes.Results:59 active ingredients that can be druggable were chosen from AM,67 active ingredients were chosen from AS.77 overlapping target genes for AM and ILD and 36 overlapping target genes for AS and ILD were acquired.The hub targets of AM were PTGS2,PTGS1,CDK2,MAOA,ESR1,TOP2A,GSK3B,ESR2,PPARG,NOS2,The hub targets of AS were PTGS2,GABRA1,PTGS1,CHRM1,SLC6A2,ADRA1B,ADRAIA,ADRB2,CHRM3,GABRA2,CHRM2.Quercetin,kaempferol,daidzein,pavilion,7-Hydroxycoumarin,and 5-Hydroxycoumarin were the main active ingredients which have more effective targets.Prediction of the protein-protein interaction network showed PTGS2,GSK3B,PPARG,etc.,were the important predicted targets.The enriched KEGG pathways,including the Immune System,Metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins,Cytokine Signaling in the Immune system,Generic Transcription Pathway,The interleukin pathway,Metabolism of proteins,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,Metabolic pathways,Innate Immune System,Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,Metabolism,GPCR downstream signaling,Amine ligand-binding receptors,Class A/1,Calcium signaling pathway.Molecular docking showed that quercetin,kaempferol,daidzein,pavilion,7-Hydroxycoumarin,5-Hydroxycoumarin had good binding activities with PTGS2 and GSK3B,which mainly mediated PI3K/Akt and other important signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of ILD.Conclusion:The components in AS and AM share some common targets,such as PTGS2.AM and AS may ameliorate ILD through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway which is mediated by GSK3B.PTGS2,PPARG may also be vital target genes in the treatment of ILD with AM and AS.

Study on mechanism and molecular docking verification of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix in treating ischemic stroke

Background:Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been shown to be effective in treating ischemic stroke(IS),and the combination of Angelicae Sinensis Radix(ASR)and Astragali Radix(AR)is a core TCM prescription that is widely acknowledged for its efficacy in IS treatment.This study utilized network pharmacology methods to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix in IS treatment,with preliminary validation conducted through molecular docking.Methods:Information on the structure,targets,main biological functions,and pathways of the active components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix was collected using databases such as PubChem,PharmMapper,UniProt,and GeneCards.The results were visualized using software such as Cytoscape 3.6.1,Ledock,and pymol.Results:We retrieved 20 active components and 149 targets associated with the compatibility of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix from various databases,and GeneCards database was used to search 3350 IS-related gene targets,including 78 key targets of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix for the treatment of IS.Enrichment analysis of these 78 targets using gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)revealed the involvement of 48 GO terms in the treatment of IS,mainly in biological processes such as metabolism,biological regulation,and stress response.The composition of biological devices such as supercavitary membrane,cell fluid,and extracellular space was also involved.The biological functions mainly included protein binding,ion binding,hydrolytic enzyme activity,and others.The identified pathways were estrogen signaling pathway,mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway,PI3K-AKT signaling pathway,RAP1 signaling pathway,P53 signaling pathway,PPAR signaling pathway,FOXO signaling pathway,RAS signaling pathway,prolactin signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,and TNF signaling pathway.Molecular docking analysis showed that the 17 key active components of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix had strong binding activity with 13 IS key targets.Conclusion:Through the application of network pharmacology methods,it was found that the use of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix for treating ischemic stroke mainly targets the MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways,involving several crucial compounds and genes.Nevertheless,additional in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to verify these findings.

Seven new 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarin derivatives from Angelica dahurica

Objective:To study the chemical constituents of the roots of Angelica dahurica,a well-known Chinese herbal medicine named Baizhi in Chinese.Methods:Compounds were separated by various chromatographies,and the structures of new compounds were elucidated based on the analysis of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data(1D,2D NMR,HRESI MS,IR,and UV).The absolute configurations of new compounds were determined by the calculated electronic circular dichroism and chemical derivatization.The inhibitory activities of all isolates against nitric oxide(NO)production were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7macrophage cells.Results:Seven new 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarin derivatives(1a/1b,2a/2b,3a/3b,4)together with a known furanocoumarin(5)were isolated from the roots of A.dahurica.The new compounds included three pairs of enantiomers,(4S,2’’R)-angelicadin A(1a)/(4R,2’’S)-angelicadin A(1b),(4S,2’’S)-angelicadin A(2a)/(4R,2’’R)-angelicadin A(2b),and(4S,2’’S)-secoangelicadin A(3a)/(4R,2’’R)-secoangelicadin A(3b),together with(4R,2’’R)-secoangelicadin A methyl ester(4).The known xanthotoxol(5)inhibited the NO production with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value of(32.8±0.8)μmol/L,but all the new compounds showed no inhibitory activities at the concentration of100μmol/L.Conclusion:This is the first report of the discovery of 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarins from A.dahurica.The results are not only meaningful for the understanding of the chemical constituents of A.dahurica,but also enrich the reservoir of natural products.

Polysaccharide from Angelica Sinensis Suppresses Inflammation and Reverses Anemia in Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced Rats

The antinlammatory and antianemic activities of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide(ASP)isolated from roots of Angelica sinensis(AS)was investigated in a complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA)-induced arthritic rat model.It was observed that serum iron(SI)and total iron binding capacity(TIBC)levels were elevated after 4-week oral administration of ASP.Red blood cell(RBC)count and hemoglobin(Hb)concentrations were ameliorated as well.Moreover,infammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-a were decreased strikingly in CFA-induced arthritic rats after treatment of ASP.Evidence also showed that ASP strongly inhibited hepcidin expression through the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription(JAK2/STAT3)pathway.Furthermore,ASP exhibited reduced primary and secondary lesions in adjuvant arthritis,attenuating synovitis and inflammatory joint damage.Data presented in this article collectively indicated that ASP significantly decreased proinflammatory cytokines(TNF-a,IL-6),which might play a crucial role in the CFA-induced arthritic rats,and had a therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis in rats.Results of Western blot analysis indicated that ASP inhibited the activation of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in the CFA-induced arthritic rats.

EFFECT OF ANGELICA SINENSIS ON AFFERENT DISCHARGE OF SINGLE MUSCLE SPINDLE IN TO ADS

Objective In drugs for i nvigorating blood circulation, to find a herb that can stimulate afferent discha rge of muscle spindle. Methods A single muscle spindle was isolated from sartorial mus cle of toad. Using air-gap technique, afferent discharge of the muscle spindle was recorded. Effects of Angelica Sinensis, Salvia Miltiorrhiza, and Safflower o n afferent discharge of the muscle spindle were observed. Results Angelica Sinensis could distinctly increase afferent di scharge frequency of the muscle spindle, and this increase was dose-dependent. But Salvia Miltiorrhiza and Safflower had no this excitatory effect. Conclusion It is known that Angelica Sinensis can invigorate bl ood circulation, and we have found its excitatory effect on muscle spindle which makes it possible to serve people with muscle atrophy if more evidences from cl inical experiments are available.

EFFECTS OF REINFORCED DECOCTION OF ANGELICAE SINENSIS FOR ENRICHING BLOOD ON THE IMMUNITY OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSED MICE

Objective To investigate the effect of reinforced Decoction of Angelicae Sinensis for enriching blood (RDAEB) on the immunity of immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy). Methods Mice were given RDAEB through stomach perfusion for 10 d (50 mg/d). Then, RBC-C3bR rate,RBC-IC rate (as the index- es of erythrocyte immunity)and E-rosette forming rate,acidic a-naphthyl acetate esterase positive rate, lymphocyte transformation rate (as the indexes of cellular immunity) of mice were tested. Results RBC-C3Br rate, RBC-IC rat- e,E-rosette forming rate, acidic α-naphthyl acetate esterase positive rate and lymphocyte transformation rate in the Cy-RDAEB group were markedly higher than those in the Cy group (P<0.0l),and returned to the levels of normal group. Conclusion RDAEB is effective in recovering and enhancing cellular and erythrocyte immunity of immuno- suppressed mice.

Neolignan glycoside from Angelica dahurica

A new neolignan glycoside, 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-9-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(7R,8S)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol was isolated from the fresh roots of Angelica dahurica. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis.

Effect of co-existent components in CO2 supercritical fluid extract of Angelica Sinensis Radix on metabolism of Z-ligustilide after oral administration in rats

Objective:To establish a basis for Angelica Sinensis Radix(ASR)as a dietary supplement for colorectal cancer chemoprevention,the effect of co-existent components in supercritical fluid extract(SFE)of ASR on the pharmacokinetics of Z-ligustilide after oral administration was investigated in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Incubation in gastrointestinal contents and incubation in rat liver tissue homogenates post-mitochondrial supernatant(PMS)experiments were used to study changes in the levels of Z-ligustilide in vitro.Results:Within 4 hours,the level of Z-ligustilide in SFE declined at a slower rate than in its pure form.Clearance of Z-ligustilide after administration in its pure form was significantly slower than that of SFE of ASR(CL,0.96±0.16 mL·min/kg versus 1.24±0.21 mL·min/kg P<0.05;AUC,243.37±16.84 versus 176.69±12.59 mg·min/L).Conclusion:These phenomena may be attributed to the interactions between the co-existent components in SFE of ASR and Z-ligustilide enhancing the stability of Z-ligustilide.These results suggest that the bioavailability of Z-ligustilide in SFE of ASR is improved.However,stabilization of plasma concentration was not sustained,so that the efficacy of active components could not be maintained.Thus,further processing of SFE of ASR is required.

Optimal Formula of Angelica sinensis Ameliorates Memory Deficits in β-amyloid Protein-induced Alzheimer's Disease Rat Model

Objective:Angelica(A.)sinensis is used as a traditional medical herb for the treatment of neurodegeneration,aging,and inflammation in Asia.A.sinensis optimal formula(AOF)is the best combination in A.sinensis that has been screened to rescue the cognitive ability in P-amyloid peptide(Ap25-35)-treated Alzheimer’s disease(AD)rats.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of AOF on the learning and memory of AD rats as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms.

福参 (Angelica morri Hayata)色原酮化合物的结构确定(英文)

目的 :研究福参的活性成分。方法 :采用柱色谱及重结晶法进行分离纯化 ,通过光谱法进行结构鉴定 ,化学沟通法确定绝对构型。结果 :分得一个色原酮divaricatol(1)。结论 :化合物 1首次从当归属植物中分得。到目前为止 ,福参中分离到的色原酮类化合物与中药防风的基源植物防风 (SaposhnikoviadiavaricataSchischk.Syn .LedebouriellaseseloidesWolff)

Expression of c-Fos protein and nitricoxide synthase in neurons of cerebral cortex from fetal rats in hypoxia and protective role of Angelica sinensis

BACKGROUND: Both c-Fos protein and nitricoxide synthase (NOS) have been used as general indexes in relative research about neurons, but it is lack of reports that c-Fos protein and NOS are applied synchronously to study the neurons of hypoxic fetal rats in uterus. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of hypoxia in uterus on the expression of c-Fos protein and NOS in neurons of cerebral cortex from fetal rats and whether Angelica sinensis has the protective effect on these neurons in hypoxia. DESIGN: Randomized control experiment. SETTING: Department of Histology and Embryology, Luzhou Medical College. MATERIALS: Twelve adult female Wistar rats in oestrum and 1 male Wistar rat with bodymass from 220 to 250 g were chosen. Parenteral solution of Angelica sinensis mainly contained angelica sinensis, 10 mL/ampoule, was provided by Department of Agent of the Second Hospital Affiliated to Hubei Medical University (batch number: 01062310). METHODS: This experiment was completed in the Department of Histology and Embryology of Luzhou Medical College from September 2003 to June 2004. ① Twelve adult female Wistar rats in oestrum and 1 male Wistar rat were housed in one rearing cage. Vaginal embolus was performed on conceive female rat at 8:00 am next day. On the 15th conceiving day, all conceiving rats were divided randomly into three groups: control group, hypoxia group and Angelica group with 4 in each group. Rats in hypoxia group and Angelica group were modeled with hypotonic hypoxia in uterus. Angelica group: Rats were injected with 8 mL/kg Angelica sinensis injection through caudal veins before hypoxia. Hypoxia group: Rats were injected with the same volume of saline. Control group: Rats were not modeled and fed with normal way. ② Twenty embryos of rats were chosen randomly from each group and then routinely embedded in paraffin. Paraffin sections were cut from the brain of embryos to anterior fontanelle. Double-label staining was used to detect the expression of nNOS and c-Fos in neurons of cerebral cortex from embryos of rats. OLYMPUS Bx-50 microscope was used to observe sections and DP12 digit camera was also used under 400 times to detect types of cells. Under microscope, the number of c-Fos, NOS, c-Fos/NOS positive neurons in cerebral cortex from embryos of rats were counted in 2 fields with magnification of 400 in one section per animal. ③ The data in experiments were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by q test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Results of immunohistochemical double-label staining of c-Fos/NOS from cerebral cortex; ② Comparison of amount immunohistochemical double-label staining of c-Fos/NOS positive cells from cerebral cortex. RESULTS: ① The positive NOS cells and c-Fos/NOS cells in the three groups were mainly distributed in cerebral cortex, but positive c-Fos neurons were not observed. ② Positive NOS cells and c-Fos/NOS cells in hypoxia group were more than those in control group (76.55±12.02, 50.45±10.39; 33.35±7.42, 26.35 ±6.67, P < 0.05), but those in Angelica group were less than those in hypoxia group (51.70±9.82, 35.65 ±8.37, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypoxia can stimulate the increase of expression of c-Fos protein and NOS in neurons of cerebral cortex. However, Angelica sinensis can decrease this expression so as to play a protective role in cerebral neurons of hypoxic fetal rats.

Effects of Angelica sinensis on longitudinal bone growth rate in adolescent female rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of A.sinensis on longitudinal bone growth rate in adolescent female rats.METHODS A.sinensis was extracted with 30% EtOH for 3h at 90℃in a reflux apparatus.Female Sprague-Dawley rats(33d-old)were randomly divided into three groups:control(vehicle),recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH;20μg·kg-1·d-1),and A.sinensis(300mg·kg-1·d-1).A.sinensis extracts or vehicle was administered orally twice daily for 4d.Longitudinal bone growth rate in newly synthesized bone was observed using tetracycline labeling(20mg·kg-1,intraperitoneally).RESULTS A.sinensis significantly increased longitudinal bone growth rate in adolescent female rats at 300mg·kg-1(6.1%,357.34±32.67μm·d-1)compared to control group(336.80±14.47μm·d-1).CONCLUSION A.sinensis extract significantly increased longitudinal bone growth rate and growth plate height in adolescent female rats.These results suggest that A.sinensis could be helpful for increasing bone growth rate in children who have growth retardation.

EFFECTS OF BU GU ZHI(PSORALEA CORYLIFOLIA L) AND BAI ZHI(DAHURIAN ANGELICA ROOT) EXTRACTS ON MELANOCYTE ADHESION AND MIGRATION

Objective To find direct effect of Chinese herbs Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea corylifolia L) and Bai Zhi (Dahurian angelica root) Extracts on melanocyte adhesion and migration in vitro. Methods Ethanol extracts obtained from two kind of Chinese medicinable herbs were tested. Human melanocytes were obtained from neonatal foreskins and 48-well culture dish covered with fibronectin were used to perform melanocyte adhesion assay; Motility was assessed using the micropore filter method. Results: The extracts of Bu Gu Zhi(Psoralea corylifolia L), Bai Zhi(Dahurian angelica root) obviously showed an effect in increasing of human melanocyte adhesion and migration on fibronectin. Conclusion It is suggested that Buguzhi(Fructus Psoraleae) and Baizhi(Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) might induce melanocyte adhesion and/or migration in the treatment of vitiligo.

Identification of antidepression constituents from Angelica Sinensis Radix contrubuting to Xiaoyaosan

Aim The study focused on identification and antidepression active verification of constituents from An- gelica Sinensis Radix contrubuting to Xiaoyaosan based on UPLC-PDA guided isolation technique. Methods The UPLC-PDA chromatogram of Xiaoyaosan was compared with that of Angelica Sinensis Radix. The relative retention time of each peak and the Uhraviolet spectra providing by PDA were used in the analyses. Constituents were isola- ted from Angelica Sinensis Radix under the guidance of UPLC-PDA investigation. Structures of the isolates were elu- cidated by NMR techniques. Anti-depression effect was evaluated on glutamate-induced neurons. Results Five marker peaks of Xiaoyaosan fingerprint were belong to Angelica Sinensis Radix, and they were determined as conife- ryl ferulate（ I）, E-butylidenephthalide （ II）, ligustilide （III）, Z-butylidenephthalide （ IV ）, 14-Acetoxy-12-sene- cioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-l-ol（V）. Compound V was isolated from the plants of Umbelliferae for the first time. Treatment with compound I, III, IV can protect PC12 and SH-SY5Y cell from glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Antidepression bioactivity of compound I was first investigated. Conclusion UPLC-PDA guided iso-lation technique was confirmed to be a rapid and accurate method to identify the main active constituents from An- gelica Sinensis Radix contrubuting to Xiaoyaosan.

Identification of <i>Angelica acutiloba</i>and Related Species by Analysis of Inter- and Intra-Specific Sequence Variations in Chloroplast and Nuclear DNA Sequences

Japanese Angelica Root prepared from Angelica acutiloba var. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae, known in Japan as “Toki” and “Hokkai Toki”, is an important crude drug used in Kampo medicine (traditional Japanese medicine). However, since these Angelica varieties have recently outcrossed with each other, it is unclear whether Japanese Angelica Root sold for use in Kampo medicine is a pure variety. Here, we describe DNA sequence polymorphisms that can be used to distinguish between A. acutiloba var. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae. In our analyses, differences in the trnK region of chloroplast DNA distinguished among some A. acutiloba varieties and related species, but not between A. acutiloba var. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. iwatensis. One geographical strain of A. acutiloba var. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae showed identical sequences in three regions of chloroplast DNA, but differences in the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. One strain of A. acutiloba var. iwatensis and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae had identical sequences in all of the chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA regions examined. These findings show that A. acutiloba var. acutiloba has hybridized with A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae and that the “Hokkai Toki” variety resulted from outcrossing with A. acutiloba var. iwatensis. Molecular authentication based on analyses of chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences of A. acutiloba and related species is an efficient method to authenticate Japanese Angelica Root at the variety level. Therefore, these analyses can determine whether a product is derived from A. acutiloba var. acutiloba or A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae.

Authentication and Genetic Origin of Medicinal <i>Angelica acutiloba</i>Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis

Some Angelica species are used for medicinal purposes. In particular, the roots of Angelica acutiloba var. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae, known as “Toki” and “Hokkai Toki”, respectively, are used as important medicinal materials in traditional Japanese medicine. However, since these varieties have recently outcrossed with each other, it is difficult to determine whether the Japanese Angelica Root material used as a crude drug is the “pure” variety. In this study, we developed an efficient method to authenticate A. acutiloba var. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae from each other and from other Angelica species/varieties. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method efficiently discriminated each Angelica variety. A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae was identified via a characteristic fragment amplified by the decamer primer OPD-15. This fragment showed polymorphisms among Angelica species/varieties. The unique fragment derived from A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae was also found in one strain of A. acutiloba var. acutiloba, implying that this strain arose from outcrossing between A. acutiloba var. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae. This RAPD marker technique will be useful for practical and accurate authentication among A. acutiloba var. acutiloba, A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae, and their adulterants.

Influence of Soil Fertility on Angelica Quality and Yield

We studied the relationship between soil fertility indicator and angelica yield and quality by the methods of correlation analysis and path analysis. The results showed that, in Yunnan Province, the content of ferulic acid (major indicator of angelica quality) is 1.5-2.5 mg/g and single plant fresh weight (major indicator of yield) is 60-250 g. The content of angelica ferulic acid and angelica single plant fresh weight are positively correlated with the content of total N, quick-acting K, organic matter, whereas negatively correlated with the content of quick-acting P. It is shown that the most direct factor that influence the content of the angelica ferulic acid is the quick-acting K, and the least direct factor is organic matter; the most direct factor that influences the single plant fresh weight of angelica is the total N, while the least direct factor is the quick-acting P. In conclusion, the soil fertility indicators that have great influence on quality and yield of angelica are the quick-acting K, total N, quick-acting P and organic matter.

Preventive effect of Angelica gigas Nakai extract oral administration on dry eye syndrome

Objective:To identify the preventive effect of Angelica gigas Nakai(A.gigas Nakai)extract in a benzalkonium chloride-induced dry eye model.Methods:A total of 28 mice were divided into 4 groups:1)Normal group:mice received only saline;2)positive control group:mice received an oral solution without A.gigas Nakai extract at 10:00 a.m.and 0.2%benzalkonium chloride eye drops at 2:00 p.m.;3)A.gigas Nakai extract(5 mg);4)A.gigas Nakai extract(10 mg).Both group 3)and group 4)received an oral solution with A.gigas Nakai extract(either 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg)at 10:00 a.m.and 0.2%benzalkonium chloride eye drops at2:00 p.m.After 14 d of follow-up,tear volume measurement and fluorescein staining were evaluated for the recovery effects on ocular surface.Histologic analysis was conducted by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Apoptosis on ocular epithelium layer was examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining.Expression of TNF-a was also measured using western blot analysis.Results:An increase in both the tear volume and the sustained fluorescein staining scores was observed,demonstrating the preventive effects of A.gigas Nakai extract.Structure changes such as irregularity of the epithelial layer and corneal epithelial cell death were inhibited in the A.gigas Nakai extract groups.Expression of TNF-αmoderately declined;however,its expression level was still higher,compared to the normal group.Conclusions:Results from the current study show the significant preventive effect of A.gigas Nakai extract in a mouse model of benzalkonium chloride-induced dry eye syndrome.Thus,A.gigas Nakai extract could be considered as an oral preventive agent for dry eye syndrome in the future.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides ameliorate 5-flourouracil-induced bone marrow stromal cell proliferation inhibition via regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Chemotherapy may cause cellular oxidative stress to bone marrow.Oxidative damage of bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment is closely related to chronic myelosuppression after chemotherapeutic treatment.Angelica sinensis polysaccharides(ASP)are major effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine Angelica with multi-target anti-oxidative stress features.In the current study,we investigated the protective roles and mechanisms of ASP on chemotherapy-induced bone marrow stromal cell(BMSC)damage.The human bone marrow stromal cell line HS-5 cells were divided into control group,5-FU group,5-FU+ASP group,and 5-FU+LiCl group to investigate the mechanism of ASP to alleviate 5-FU-induced BMSC proliferation inhibition.The results showed that 5-FU inhibits the growth of HS-5 cells in a time and dose-dependent manner;however,ASP partially counteracted the 5-FU-induced decrease in cell viability,whereas Wnt signaling inhibitor Dkk1 antagonized the effect of ASP on HS-5 cells.ASP reversed the decrease in total cytoplasmicβ-catenin,p-GSK-3β,and CyclinD1 following 5-FU treatment and modulated nuclear expression ofβ-catenin,Lef-1,and C-myc proteins.Furthermore,ASP also enhanced the antioxidant capacity of cells and reduced 5-FU-induced oxidative stress,attenuated FoxO1 expression,thus weakened its downstream apoptosis-related proteins and G0/G1 checkpoint-associated p27^(Kip1) expression to alleviate 5-FU-induced apoptosis and to promote cell cycle progression.All the results above suggest that the protective role of ASP in 5-FU-treated BMSCs proliferation for the chemotherapy may be related to its activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and keeping homeostasis betweenβ-catenin and FoxO1 under oxidative stress.The study provides a potential therapeutic strategy for alleviating chemotherapeutic damage on BMSCs.