The mechanism of Callistephus chinensis flavonoid compounds in the treatment of diabetes using network pharmacology and molecular docking

The purpose of this project is used for exploring the mechanism of Callistephus chinensis in the treatment of diabetes by network pharmacology and molecular docking methods.The target of Callistephus chinensis was obtained from SwissTargetPrediction database,while the target related to diabetes was obtained from GeneCards and OMIM databases.The target was added in String database to build the protein interaction network.GO biological process enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out by Metascape software,then the target-pathway network was constructed.Molecular docking was carried out in Discovery Studio 2016 Client software to verify the binding force of Callistephus chinensis flavonoid compounds with key targets.In this study,10 potential active components were selected from the flavonoid monomer compounds of Callistephus chinensis.1847 biological processes(BP),126 cell compositions(CC)and 256 molecular functions(MF)were obtained by GO enrichment analysis;a total of 194 pathways were involved in KEGG enrichment analysis of 192 cross targets.Network analysis showed that quercetin was the main active component of flavonoids in the treatment of diabetes,AKT1,TNF,VEGFA,EGFR,SRC and other related signals were in relation to the treatment of diabetes.This study showed that Callistephus chinensis flavonoid compounds play a role in the treatment of diabetes by regulating multi-target and multi-pathway.

Transcriptome Sequencing for Sugar and Flavonoid Metabolism in Prunus persica‘Jinxiangyu’

In this study,high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and RNA-seq transcriptome sequencing were used to study the changes in soluble sugar components and flavonoids in Prunus persica‘Jinxiangyu’at different developmental stages(20–90 d after flowering)and screen the key genes regulating the formation of soluble sugar and flavonoids in the fruits.The results showed that 60–85 d after flowering was the key stage of quality formation of Prunus persica‘Jinxiangyu’,and the content of soluble sugar,soluble solid,fructose,and sucrose in the fruit increased significantly during this period.The sugar content of ripe fruits was mainly fructose and sucrose.The content of kaempferol glycoside was low in the fruit.Quercetin glycoside content was higher in the young fruit stage and decreased with fruit maturity.There were no anthocyanin compounds in the fruit.The expression levels of genes involved in flavonoid metabolism(ANS,DFR,F3H,FLS,4CL1,etc.)were low in the fruit.A total of 181 differentially expressed genes were identified during fruit development to participate in five sugar metabolism pathways,among which the SDH gene had a higher expression level,which continuously rised in the later stage of fruit development.It mainly promoted the accumulation of fructose content in the later stage of fruit development.The expression levels of SPS1,SS,and SS1 genes were continuously up-regulated,which played a key role in sucrose regulation.The higher expression levels of SUS3 and INVA genes in the early stage of fruit development promoted the degradation of sucrose.

Noradrenergic, glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems are implicated in antidepressant-like effect of flavonoids extracted from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench.) fruit in the forced swimming test

Okra(Abelmoschus esculentus[L.]Moench.)is one of the most frequently used herbals in East or West Africa,and its various biological activities have been widely studied.Flavonoids extracted from many plants are reported to have neurological properties,e.g antidepressant and antifatigue.However,its neurological protect in antidepressant-like effect of flavonoids extracted from okra have not yet been demonstrated.The present study was aimed at investigating the antidepressant-like eff ect of the flavonoids extracted from okra fruit(FOF)using the forced swimming test(FST)pattern and preliminary exploration its potential mechanism.We also used the open fi eld test(OFT)to estimate the spontaneous locomotor activity.We found that oral administration(p.o.)of FOF(300 mg/kg)alone signifi cantly reduced the immobility time in the FST without changes in locomotor activity in the OPT.The experimental data indicated the antidepressant-like eff ect of FOF involved in noradrenergic,glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems.

Content Variation of Active Components in Mulberry Fruit During Ripening Process

Ten mulberry species were taken as materials to detect contents of DNJ,polysaccharide and flavonoid.The results indicated that the three active components differed significantly upon species.Hongguo 2 and Shushen 1,which are of high contents of active components,were selected as materials to measure contents change of active components in fresh fruits during ripening process after full-bloom stage.The research suggested that DNJ mass fractions of Hongguo 2 and Shushen 1 on the 3rd d in full-bloom stage were 0.074 1% and 0.072 5%;DNJ declined gradually with growth of the fruit and DNJ contents in the two cultivars decreased by 49.80% and 58.90% on the 31st d in full-bloom stage,compared with the 3rd d.As mulberry grew,polysaccharide contents in Hongguo 2 and Shushen 1 were increasing and achieved peaks on the 27th d in full-bloom stage at 9.570% and 10.276%,respectively.For total flavonoids,the contents in Hongguo 2 and Shushen 1 were both of two peaks on 11th d and 27th d.The mass fractions were 0.313%,0.444%,and 0.264%,0.326%,accordingly.In addition,DNJ contents in ripe seeds of Hongguo 2 and Shushen 1 were significantly higher than those in fruit,but total flavonoid contents were lower.Polysaccharide was not detected.It can be concluded that mulberry fruits growing for 27 d can be either as excellent food or for medicine.

Optimization of Extraction Technology of Pigments from Petals of Matthiola incana(L.)R.Br.of Different Colors

[ Objective] The paper aimed to study the optimum extraction technology of pigments from petals of Matthiola incana（ L. ） R. Br. of differ- ent colors. [Method] Petal pigments of Aida variety （white violet）, Francesco variety （ red violet） and Arabella variety （ purple violet） were ana- lyzed by colorimetric reaction method and ultraviolet-visible spectrum method, and the optimum extraction technology of flavonoid compounds from petals of them was determined by single factor experiment and orthogonal experiment. [ Result] The optimum extraction conditions of white violet were as follows： with 95% ethanol ＋ 5% HCI as solvent, solid-liquid ratio （ 1 ： 40）, extraction time （3 h）, extraction temperature （65 ℃ ）. The opti- mum extraction conditions of red violet and purple violet were as follows： with acetone as solvent, solid-liquid ratio （1：40）, extraction time （3 h）, extraction temperature （65 ℃）. [ Conclusion] The study provided theoretical foundation for further development and exploitation of pigments from M. incana（ L. ） R. Br.

Pure total flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfadyen act synergistically with arsenic trioxide in inducing apoptosis of Kasumi-1 leukemia cells in vitro

To investigate the potential effects of pure total flavonoid compounds（PTFCs） from Citrus paradisi Macfadyen separately or combined with arsenic trioxide on the proliferation of human myeloid leukemia cells and the mechanisms underlying the action of PTFCs. The effects of PTFCs separately or combined with arsenic trioxide on the proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia cells were determined by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide（MTT）, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry. Their effects on the expression levels of apoptosisrelated regulators were determined by Western blot assay. PTFCs combined with arsenic trioxide significantly inhibited the growth of Kasumi-1 cells, and apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. Hoechst 33258 staining showed more significant morphological changes and more apoptosis following the combined treatment. Western blots showed changes in the expression of genes for poly ADP-ribose polymerase（PARP）, caspase 3/9, and P65. The results indicated that PTFCs separately or combined with arsenic trioxide inhibited proliferation of leukemia cells in vitro and induced their apoptosis by modulating the expression of apoptosis-related regulator genes.