The bio-active components of the Mongolian medicine Horcha-6 and therapeutic mechanism in the rat migraine model

Background:The active components of Horcha-6 were identified using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.Also,we investigated the potential mechanisms that explain why Horcha-6 may be effective in treating migraines through the use of network pharmacology and a rat migraine model.Methods:After identifying the active components of Horcha-6,the corresponding genes of the active components’target were obtained from the Universal Protein database,and a“compound-target-disease”network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software.For the in vivo experiments,nitroglycerin was injected intraperitoneally into rats to create a migraine model.Pre-treatment with Horcha-6 was administered orally for 14 days,and rats were subjected to migraine-related behavior tests.RNA sequencing was performed to identify the gene expression regulated by Horcha-6 in the trigeminal nerve.Results:A total of 903 chemical components of Horcha-6 have been collected in the liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.We discovered 55 of the Horcha-6 bio-active components that were evaluated based on their Percent Human Oral Absorption(≥30%)and DL values(≥0.185)on the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database.The“compound-target-disease”network contained 163 intersection targets with the migraine state.Gene Ontology analysis indicated that these components significantly regulated the immune response,vascular function,oxidative stress,etc.When Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis was performed,we observed that most of the target genes were significantly enriched in the inflammation and neuro-related signaling pathway,toll-like receptor signaling pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,etc.These predictions were further demonstrated via in vivo animal model experiments.The RNA sequencing results showed that 41 genes were down-regulated(P<0.05)and 86 genes were up-regulated(P<0.05)in the Horcha-6 treated group compared with the untreated group.Those genes were mainly involved in neuromodulation,vascular function,and hormone metabolism.Conclusion:The 55 bio-active components in Horcha-6 regulate inflammation,hormone metabolism,and neurotransmitters and have potential as a therapy to treat migraines.

Modern research thoughts and methods on bio-active components of TCM formulae

TCM formulae are the important guidances for clinical application of traditional Chinese medicines,which follow the principles of diagnosis and treatment in TCM.Elucidating the bio-active components of TCM formulae is the key to the modernization and internationalization of traditional Chinese medicines.With the rapid development of modern instruments and technology,many new theories,methods and strategies are emerging,which upgrade the research of TCM formulae into a higher level.Only when the medicinal efficacy,bio-active components,function mechanism of TCM formulae are understood,we can guarantee TCM safety and quality control.In this paper,we summarized the latest modern research thoughts and methods on bio-active components of TCM formulae including formula decomposition study,serum pharmacology and serum pharmacochemistry,association analysis,biochro-matography,network pharmacology,metabolomics and proteomics,so as to provide reference for the research and development of TCM in the future.

Separation and Bio-activities of Spirostanol Saponin from Tribulus terrestris

Gross saponins of Tribulus terrestris（GSTT） have exact effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.But as a mixture,the specific efficient component of GSTT is still unknown.Nine monomers of spirostanol saponins were isolated and idendified as JA―JI（named transitorily） by means of NMR spectrometry.After bio-activity screening on them,we defined that monomers tigogenin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl（1→2）-[β-D-xylopyranosyl（1→3）]-β-D-glucopyranosyl（1→4）-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl（1→2）]-β-D-galactopyranoside（compound JB） and hecogenin3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl（1→4）-β-D-galactopyranoside（compound JG） have cytoprotective bio-activity.Compound JB display effective dose in 10-8 and 10-9 mol/L,and JG in 10-6―10-9 mol/L.Survival rate,lactate dehydrogenase（LDH） and apoptosis also show that JB（at dose 10-8,10-9 and 10-10 mol/L） can protect myocardial injury caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation（H/R）.While morphology change also shows JG has cytoprotective bio-activity.

Thermal Analysis of Sclerotium of Pleurotus tuber-regium (osu) for Effective Drying

Thermal drying could lead to the deterioration of substance which affect its nutraceutical and chemical properties. Hence, thermal stability of substance is necessary in course of its drying to acertain the degree of temperature it will be subjected to. In this research, sclerotium of Pleurotus tuberregium is subjected to thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Both thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis were conducted from ambient temperature to 1000°C at a rate of 20°C/min constant heating rate, while differential scanning calorimetry was conducted from ambient temperature to 400°C at a rate of 10°C/min constant heating rate. Besides, the oxides contents of sclerotium of Pleurotus tuberregium were determined using x-ray fluorescence analysis and the mircostruture was determined with scanning electron microscopy. It was discovered that complete dehydration of the sample ended at about 110.38°C and oxidation reaction occurred between 233.42°C to 373.82°C with release of heat by the sample. Sclerotium of Pleurotus tuber-regium is thermal stable up to 233.42°C with decompostion of steroid which is its second major component at about 400°C to 480°C. The x-ray fluorescence analysis of sclerotium of Pleurotus tuber-regium revealed that Na2O, MgO, SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 are the major compound and SEM analysis showed that it is a solid with amorphous structure having some fibrous skeleton. This study revealed that sclerotium of Pleurotus tuberregium could be dried to minimal moisture content without the deterioration of its nutritional and medinicnal properties.

Naturally Derived Formulations and Prospects towards Cancer

Traditional Medicine (TM) and their secondary metabolites are being increasingly recognized as useful complementary treatments toward the cancer. A large number of clinical studies have reported and proven concern of cancer patients. Here we have also reported recent studies on the biochemical and cellular mechanisms of Traditional Medicine (TM). Nowadays, Chemotherapy and surgery are standard methods for treatment of cancer, but still it’s not been fully successful. Some progress has been made in cancer diagnosis and treatment, but high incidence rate of cancer and low survival rate of patient are still being reported worldwide. Since ancient times, a number of traditional medicines known as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Iranian, Chinese, Korean, acupuncture, Muti, Ifa, and African medicine are widely used for therapeutic purposes and are becoming popular as Traditional Medicine (TM). It has been reported that plants synthesize plethora of “secondary metabolites” or “phytochemicals”, proven to possess anti-mutagenic and anti-cancer properties in many research studies. There are many possibilities for further organized research for screening of medicinal plants for their potential and efficacy against chronic diseases such as a cancer and other inflammatory diseases. Therefore, researcher’s interest should be in identification and standardization of new anti-cancer drug with low side effects and greater efficacy, that is easily acceptable in medical community and which may overcome the challenges in present and future cancer therapy. This review explores therapeutic value of certain bio-active principals of plant which could serve as potential pharmacologically active drug for treatment of cancer in future.

The Effect of the Extracts of Endophytic Fungi on Pancreatic a-Amylase Activity

Inhibitors of pancreatic a-amylase offer an effective strategy to lower the levels of postprandial hyperglycemia by controlof starch breakdown. Among 86 fungal endophytes isolated from 15 medicinal plants Aspergillus terreus-AFl04S, Aspergillusegypticus-HT166S and Penicillium sp.-CC200 exhibited strong pancreatic amylase inhibitory potential were selected. Endophyteswere subjected to ethyl acetate extraction and tested for a-amylase inhibition, in order to assess and evaluate their inhibitory potentialon pancreatic a-amylase. Analysis showed concentration dependent enzyme inhibition up to 83% with half inhibition （IC50） valuesfor less 25 mg.mL1, which is lower than acarbose as control. It was observed 3-fold increasing of Vmax and maintenance Km atcontrol level in the presence of extracts A. terreus-AFl04S and Penicillium sp.-CC200, while in presence of extract A.egypticus-HT166S Km was doubled, and Vmax was maintained at the control level. Kinetic studies allow proposing the competitivemode of a-amylase inhibition by extracts A. egypticus-HT166S and uncompetitive inhibition by extracts A, terreus-AFl04S andPenicillium sp.-CC200.

Verification and Improvement of the MTT Method for in vitro HSS Bioactivity Activity Determination

To optimize the experimental conditions of MTT colorimetric assay for HSS bioactivity in vitro,we studied the optimal combination of the major conditions of the MTT assay by orthogonal test and other experiments,and compared HSS bioactivity in vitro measured by the improved MTT protocol and published MTT assay at serial protein doses.Results showed that the absorbance value(A value)of the MTT assay directly correlated with the number of human hepatoma cell lines SMMC7721.The result of orthogonal test was the number of 5×104 SMMC7721 cells/ml,culture period 6 h before adding HSS,concentration of HSS 100μg/ml,incubation time with HSS 36 h.Additionally,several experiments demonstrated the optimal combination of other conditions was 50μg MTT,incubation time for MTT 6 h,DMSO was used to dissolve the MTT formazan crystals and measured with ELISA scanner at 570 nm.The result of determining HSS bio-activity in vitro by optimized MTT protocol showed that sHSS bio-activity increased with the growth of protein dose,but decreased when it beyond a certain dose.The optimized MTT protocol was a sensitive,convenient and stable quantitative method to evaluate HSS bio-activity.

Recycling of isabgol(Plantago ovata Forsk.)straw biomass and mineral powder with bio-inoculants as an effective soil amendment for isabgol cultivation

Efficient utilization of isabgol(Plantgo ovata Forsk.)straw biomass through preparation of bio-active organic fertilizer in a natural composting process has not been studied.In this study,phosphate rock and silicate mineral(mica)powder were used as natural sources of phosphorus(P)and potassium(K),respectively.Cow dung slurry as a natural decomposer was mixed with the straw biomass at a 10:1(weight/weight)ratio along with mineral powder.Then,nutrient-mobilizing bio-inoculants were used in the composting process after attaining thermal stabilization.The agronomic effectiveness of the resulting bio-active compost(BAC)as a bio-organic fertilizer was compared with that of conventional organics(farmyard manure and vermicompost)and chemical fertilizer(CF)by growing isabgol under field conditions.Composting with the natural sources of P and K along with the bio-inoculants increased the total nitrogen(13.6 g kg^(-1)),P(38.7 g kg^(-1)),and K(31.2 g kg^(-1))contents in the final product(i.e.,BAC)compared with composting without the mineral powder and bio-inoculants.Application of BAC remarkably improved the seed yield(2.5%)and husk quality of isabgol in comparison with conventional organics and CF.Compared with CF,BAC significantly boosted the economic yield of isabgol by improving the husk recovery(2.5%)and mucilage yield(4.12%).Furthermore,BAC significantly improved the soil quality by increasing organic carbon(C),available nutrients,and microbial biomass C contents,as well as enzyme activity.The positive correlation between soil and plant parameters also highlighted the benefits of BAC for isabgol production through soil quality improvement.Therefore,it can be considered as a zero-waste technology,whereby a large quantity of straw biomass generated from isabgol cultivation,which contains essential nutrients,can be recycled back to the soil.Furthermore,BAC can be effectively used as a bio-active organic fertilizer,particularly in systems where chemical inputs are restricted,such as organic agriculture.

Hybrid zeolite-based ion-exchange and sulfur oxidizing denitrification for advanced slaughterhouse wastewater treatment

The discharge of slaughterhouse wastewater(SWW)is increasing and its wastewater has to be treated thoroughly to avoid the eutrophication.The hybrid zeolite-based ion-exchange and sulfur autotrophic denitrification(IX-AD)process was developed to advanced treat SWW after traditional secondary biological process.Compared with traditional sulfur oxidizing denitrification(SOD),this study found that IX-AD column showed:(1)stronger ability to resist NO_(3)^(-) pollution load,(2)lower SO_(4)^(2-) productivity,and(3)higher microbial diversity and richness.Liaoning zeolites addition guaranteed not only the standard discharge of NH_(4)^(+)-N,but also the denitrification performance and effluent TN.Especially,when the ahead secondary biological treatment process run at the ultra-high load,NO_(3)-N removal efficiency for IX-AD column was still~100%,whereas only 64.2%for control SOD column.The corresponding average effluent TN concentrations for IX-AD and SOD columns were 5.89 and 65.55 mg/L,respectively.Therefore,IX-AD is a promising technology for advanced SWW treatment and should be widely researched and popularized.

A perspective of the engineering applications of carbon-based selenium-containing materials

Carbon-based selenium-containing materials are novel materials just being invented recently.Owing to the low cost and bio-compatible features of carbon and selenium,these materials are practical.The unique chemical-and bio-activities of selenium endow them wide range of applications in catalysis,environment-protection,fertilizer and biocide development etc.Recent progresses in this field are summarized and prospected from the engineering application viewpoint in this mini-review.