High-throughput transcriptional profiling of perturbations by Panax ginseng saponins and Panax notoginseng saponins using TCM-seq

Panax ginseng(PG)and Panax notoginseng(PN)are highly valuable Chinese medicines(CM).Although both CMs have similar active constituents,their clinical applications are clearly different.Over the past decade,RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)analysis has been employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of extracts or monomers.However,owing to the limited number of samples in standard RNA-seq,few studies have systematically compared the effects of PG and PN spanning multiple conditions at the transcriptomic level.Here,we developed an approach that simultaneously profiles transcriptome changes for multiplexed samples using RNA-seq(TCM-seq),a high-throughput,low-cost workflow to molecularly evaluate CM perturbations.A species-mixing experiment was conducted to illustrate the accuracy of sample multiplexing in TCM-seq.Transcriptomes from repeated samples were used to verify the robustness of TCM-seq.We then focused on the primary active components,Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)and Panax ginseng saponins(PGS)extracted from PN and PG,respectively.We also characterized the transcriptome changes of 10 cell lines,treated with four different doses of PNS and PGS,using TCM-seq to compare the differences in their perturbing effects on genes,functional pathways,gene modules,and molecular networks.The results of transcriptional data analysis showed that the transcriptional patterns of various cell lines were significantly distinct.PGS exhibited a stronger regulatory effect on genes involved in cardiovascular disease,whereas PNS resulted in a greater coagulation effect on vascular endothelial cells.This study proposes a paradigm to comprehensively explore the differences in mechanisms of action between CMs based on transcriptome readouts.

文山三七(Panax notoginseng)种植区三七与土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn的分布特征及评价

为了调查文山州三七(Panax notoginseng)主要种植区(丘北县、砚山县、文山县和广南县)土壤和三七Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn含量,通过GPS定位采集三七根区0~15 cm深度土壤样品和三七样品各30个,分析土壤中重金属总量和不同形态含量及三七中对应重金属含量,并进行空间分布分析。结果表明:(1)土壤Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn平均含量分别为55.56、0.36、43.53和119.62 mg·kg^(-1),超标率分别为6.67%、53.3%、13.33%和0。各形态Pb、Cu和Zn含量表现为残渣态>有机物结合态>铁锰氧化物结合态>碳酸盐结合态>可交换态。各形态Cd含量表现为铁锰氧化物结合态>残渣态>碳酸盐结合态>有机物结合态>可交换态。(2)三七和土壤Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn总量和不同形态含量均以丘北县最高,广南县最低。(3)三七根系Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn平均含量分别为2.93、0.35、5.21和11.11mg·kg^(-1),三七植株各部位重金属含量表现为根系>剪口>茎叶>花果。调查区三七和土壤重金属含量存在空间差异,且以土壤Cd污染为主,应采取一定措施降低三七Cd含量。

生物质炭、有机肥和钙镁磷肥对三七(Panax Notoginseng)Cd含量的影响

选择生物质炭、钙镁磷肥、有机肥三种改良剂,在云南三七主产区进行田间试验,比较不同改良剂对降低五加科人参属三七（Panax Notoginseng）Cd含量的效果。结果表明,生物质炭和钙镁磷肥处理均显著降低了三七主根、剪口、茎、叶的Cd含量,降低幅度分别为25.4%~43.6%、40.2%~40.9%、34.3%~51.2%和33.0%~33.5%,且生物质炭、钙镁磷肥处理下三七主根干重较对照分别显著提高48.7%和50.4%;生物质炭和钙镁磷肥处理土壤有效Cd含量分别减少56.1%和58.1%,表明生物质炭和钙镁磷肥能有效降低土壤Cd生物有效性、抑制三七Cd吸收。这与生物质炭和钙镁磷肥处理通过降低土壤酸性、提高土壤CEC及有机质含量有关。有机肥处理三七植株生物量和三七各部位Cd含量与对照相比均无显著差异。此外,生物质炭和钙镁磷肥处理显著降低了三七主根、剪口、茎、叶Cd的富集系数（Accumulation coefficient,AF）,对三七Cd转移系数（Transfer coefficient,TF）影响则不显著,而有机肥处理对三七Cd的AF与TF均无影响;各处理三七须根Cd的AF在2.84~4.64之间,显著高于其他部位,而三七主根、剪口、茎、叶等部位Cd的AF和TF均小于1,表明三七须根对土壤Cd富集能力较强而转移能力较差,Cd易集中于三七地下部,Cd污染土壤中施用生物质炭与钙镁磷肥能有效降低Cd在三七体内的富集。

三七(Panax notoginseng)根残体化感自毒效应研究

为研究三七(Panax notoginseng(Burk)F.H.Chen)采收过程中残留须根的化感自毒效应,采用土培和水培2种方法,按不同比例添加三七须根粉碎物,检测根残体作用下土培三七土壤中皂苷的动态变化及水培三七根部形态结构变化。结果显示,土培条件下,随着须根粉碎物处理时间的延长,土壤中皂苷成分种类增加、总皂苷含量减少。水培条件下,随着处理时间的延长,添加须根粉碎物处理后的三七根尖细胞壁增厚,细胞中出现菌丝体;随着处理时间及处理浓度的增加,细胞开始皱缩甚至破碎,细胞中无完整细胞器结构,三七根部细胞结构差异明显。研究表明三七采收过程中残留在土壤中的须根腐解释放的化学物质可能是导致三七自毒效应的因素之一。

文山三七(Panax notoginseng)种植区土壤As空间分布特征及理化性质对三七As含量的影响

三七（Panax notoginseng（Burk.）F.H.Chen）是云南文山州的道地中药材,文山州由于地壳原始分化成分的作用和含砷矿的开采等原因,使三七种植区存在普遍的土壤砷污染现象。通过野外大田调查和室内分析相结合的方法,研究了云南文山三七主要种植区（文山县、丘北县、砚山县、广南县）土壤总砷和有效砷的空间分布特征和土壤物理化学特征（pH值、有机质含量、阳离子交换量CEC、总P、速效P、土壤质地）,探讨了三七不同部位（茎叶、花果、主根、须根、剪口）As含量的影响因素。将有助于了解文山三七种植区砷污染空间分布特点,寻求三七砷含量的调控途径,对降低三七砷含量和提高三七品质具有一定的实践和理论意义。研究结果表明,（1）土壤有效As和总As平均质量分数分别为0.29 mg·kg-1和28.51mg·kg-1,土壤有效As占总As质量分数的0.06%~2.08%。76.67%的土壤样品总As含量达到国家土壤环境质量的二级标准。土壤有效As和总As含量空间分布表现出西北高,东南低的趋势。（2）三七各部位中As质量分数为0.14~0.32 mg·kg-1,砷含量符合优质三七砷的限量标准（≤1.0 mg·kg-1）,三七各部位对As的富集系数为0.004~0.011,均较低。（3）90%的土壤为酸性土壤,pH值≤6.5;土壤全P质量分数为1.27 g·kg-1,土壤速效P质量分数为66.87 mg·kg-1,均属于丰富水平;土壤有机质质量分数为15.77 g·kg-1,CEC为26.74 cmol·kg-1,属于较高水平;40%的土壤为黏土,43.4%为壤质黏土。（4）土壤总As和土壤有效As含量主要受到随机人为因素的影响,表现出与土壤CEC、pH值和有机质含量之间显著的正相关关系。三七须根中As含量与土壤总As、有效As、土壤黏粒含量、CEC、pH值和总P含量之间具有显著的正相关性。总之,壤质黏土、低pH值和CEC有利于降低三七As含量,三七种植过程中应避免施用含As有机肥和磷肥。研究结果在系统了解文山三七种植区的土壤As空间分布和调控途径方面具有一定的创新价值和意义,特别需要关注是三七产业的发展布局中,应该进行适当的引导和科学的安排三七种植区。

连续2年土壤砷胁迫对三七(Panax notoginseng)细胞膜透性和抗氧化酶活性的影响

通过盆栽试验和室内分析相结合的方法,研究不同砷处理(As5+:0、20、80、140、200和260 mg/kg,采用Na3As O4配制)对三七营养生长期叶片中的细胞膜透性、丙二醛(MDA)含量和抗氧化酶[超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和多酚氧化酶(PPO)]活性的影响,探讨三七细胞膜透性和抗氧化系统酶活性对砷胁迫的响应。结果表明:(1)随着砷质量分数的增加,叶片细胞膜透性和MDA含量逐渐升高;连续2年砷处理为260 mg/kg时,细胞膜透性和MDA含量分别比对照增加160.5%和48.8%;叶片中丙二醛含量与砷质量分数呈极显著正相关关系;(2)第1年砷胁迫,SOD和PPO活性维持稳定,POD活性有所降低;连续2年砷胁迫,SOD活性随着砷质量分数的增加呈现先升高后降低的趋势,且砷处理为260 mg/kg时,酶活性仅为对照的35.7%;POD和PPO活性随砷质量分数的增加而降低;2年砷胁迫CAT活性均随着砷质量分数的增加而增加。总之,在砷胁迫条件下,三七叶片细胞膜受到严重伤害,抗氧化酶系统中POD和PPO活性受到抑制,SOD和CAT是三七叶片中清除过氧化作用的关键酶,连续2年砷胁迫对三七叶片的影响具有一定的累积效应。

三七(Panax notoginseng)对不同光照强度的生理生态适应性研究

为探讨三七（Panax notoginseng）对不同光照强度的生理生态适应机制,本研究以二年生三七为材料,研究其在不同光照强度下的生长特性、叶片解剖结构、生物量积累与分配以及光合生理特性.结果表明：处理120d后,透光率为5.10％荫棚下三七株高、叶面积、茎粗均显著高于其他遮阴处理（P＜0.05）.随着光强降低,三七叶片厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、根生物量比、气孔导度、蒸腾速率均随之减小,而其叶生物量比、茎生物量比及水分利用速率却随之增大.透光率为46.5％ ～5.10％荫棚下,随着透光率的减小,三七净光合速率随之增大,暗呼吸速率随之减小,但在最低透光率2.80％的环境下,三七其净光合速率反而减小,暗呼吸速率反而增大.综合来看,三七表现出典型喜阴植物的特征,在光照强度相对较低的生长环境下三七的净光合速率较高,生长表现较好,根生物量积累较多.

不同颜色农膜对药用植物三七(Panax notoginseng)种苗生长的影响

通过研究不同颜色滤光农膜大棚对三七种苗形态和生物量的影响,为三七健康育苗选择适合颜色农膜提供理论依据。研究采用红、橙、黄、绿、青、蓝和紫色农膜搭建三七生长棚,在三七种苗子条膨大中期,测定与分析不同彩色农膜下三七种苗的形态特征和生物量积累。结果表明,在红色和橙色农膜大棚下三七种苗株高和冠幅最大;根数、根长及块根直径在青色农膜大棚下具有最大值;在黄色农膜大棚下三七种苗茎粗显著大于其他颜色农膜大棚下的三七种苗的茎粗;在蓝色农膜大棚下叶绿素含量相对值最高;橙色、黄色、青色和紫色农膜大棚下生物量积累最大;与其他颜色农膜相比,青色和黄色农膜下三七生物量根重比较大,绿色农膜大棚下叶重比较大。总的来看,在橙色、黄色、青色和紫色农膜大棚下三七种苗生长较好。

Panax notoginseng saponins preconditioning protects rat liver grafts from ischemia/reper- fusion injury via an antiapoptotic pathway

BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of primary graft dysfunction and renders an al- lograft more immunogenic in orthotopic liver transplanta- tion (OLT). Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) has been re- ported to exert protective effects against I/R injury to vari- ous organs. The objective of this study is to investigate whether PNS preconditioning protects rat liver grafts from I/R injury via an antiapoptotic pathway. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as donors and recipients of orthotopic liver transplantation ( OLT) and were divided into PNS preconditioning group (group P) and normal saline control group (group N) randomly according to whether PNS (50 mg/kg) was injected intra- venously 1 hour before liver grafts harvesting, and sham group (group S). The animals were separately killed 2, 6 and 24 hours after reperfusion. Plasma samples were collect- ed for test of alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Liver tissues were collected to de- tect histological changes, apoptosis and the expression of TNF-α, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 mRNA. RESULTS: The serum levels of ALT and AST and the apop- tosis index (AI) of liver tissue in group P were lower than in group N significantly 2, 6 and 24 hours after reperfusion. Compared with group N, the expression of TNF-a and Caspase-3 mRNA was reduced significantly in group P 2 and 6 hours after reperfusion and the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was enhanced significantly in group P 6 and 24 hours after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: PNS preconditioning protects liver grafts from I/R injury effectively in rat OLT via an antiapoptotic pathway. The antiapoptotic mechanisms of PNS may in- clude inhibiting the expression of TNF-a and Caspase-3 and enhancing the expression of Bcl-2.

A Novel Hexanordammarane Glycoside from the Roots of Panax notoginseng

Notoginsenoside R10, a novel hexanordammarane glycoside was isolated from the roots of Panax nototginseng, as a minor constituent. Its structure was determined as 6-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)-3?,6?,12?-trihydroxy-22,23,24,25,26,27-hexanordammaran-20-one(1), by means of spectroscopic methods.

Effects of initiating time and dosage of Panax notoginseng on mucosal microvascular injury in experimental colitis

AIM To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng(PN) on microvascular injury in colitis, its mechanisms, initial administration time and dosage.METHODS Dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-or iodoacetamide(IA)-induced rat colitis models were used to evaluate and investigate the effects of ethanol extract of PN on microvascular injuries and their related mechanisms. PN administration was initiated at 3 and 7 d after the model was established at doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0g/kg for 7 d. The severity of colitis was evaluated by disease activity index(DAI). The pathological lesions were observed under a microscope. Microvessel density(MVD) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Vascular permeability was evaluated using the Evans blue method. The serum concentrations of cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)A121, VEGFA165, interleukin(IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, were detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Myeloperoxidase(MPO) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) were measured to evaluate the level of oxidative stress. Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α protein was detected by western blotting.RESULTS Obvious colonic inflammation and injuries of mucosa and microvessels were observed in DSS-and IA-induced colitis groups. DAI scores, serum concentrations of VEGFA121, VEGFA165, VEGFA165/VEGFA121, IL-6 and TNF-α, and concentrations of MPO and HIF-1α in the colon were significantly higher while serum concentrations of IL-4 and IL-10 and MVD in colon were significantly lower in the colitis model groups than in the normal control group. PN promoted repair of injuries of colonic mucosa and microvessels, attenuated inflammation, and decreased DAI scores in rats with colitis. PN also decreased the serum concentrations of VEGFA121, VEGFA165, VEGFA165/VEGFA121, IL-6 and TNF-α, and concentrations of MPO and HIF-1α in the colon, and increased the serum concentrations of IL-4 and IL-10 as well as the concentration of SOD in the colon. The efficacy of PN was dosage dependent. In addition, DAI scores in the group administered PN on day 3 were significantly lower than in the group administered PN on day 7.CONCLUSION PN repairs vascular injury in experimental colitis via attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress in the colonic mucosa. Efficacy is related to initial administration time and dose.

Allelochemicals of Panax notoginseng and their effects on various plants and rhizosphere microorganisms

Panax notoginseng(Araliaceae)is an important ginseng herb with various health benefits and a history of cultivation in southwestern China over 400 years.In recent years?.notoginseng has faced serious continuous-cropping obstacles due to its large-scale cultivation.In this study,we aim to explore the allelochemicals of P.notoginseng and their interactions with various plants and rhizosphere microor-ganisms.The chemical constituents of the soil cultivated with 3-year-old P.notoginseng were studied by column chromatography,spectroscopic and GC-MS analyses.We identified 13 volatile components and isolated six triterpenes(1-4,6-7)and one anthraquinone(5).Compounds 1-7 were tested for their effects on seed germination and root elongation in P.notoginseng,corn,wheat,turnip,water spinach and Arabidopsis thaliana.We also examined the effect of compounds 1-7on the growth of ten rhizosphere microorganisms of P.notoginseng.At a concentration of 1.0 ug mL',compounds 3 and 5-7 caused the death of P.notoginseng root cells and compounds 2,6 and 7 induced the death of root cells of A.thaliana.Compounds 1-5and 7 inhibited elongation of A.thaliana root tip cells at a concentration of 10.0μg mL^-1.Moreover,at a concentration of 0.1 mg mL^-1,compounds 3,4,6 and 7 inhibited the growth of probiotics and promoted the growth of pathogens of P.notoginseng.These results suggest that these isolated ursane-type triterpenoid acids and anthraquinone are potential allelochemicals that contribute to continuous-cropping obstacles of P.notoginseng.

Two New Dammarane Glycosides from the Acid Hydrolysis Product of Panax Notoginseng

Two new dammarane glycosides named notoginsenoside T1 and T2 were isolated from the mild acid hydrolysis products of the root saponins of Panax notoginseng. On the basis of spectroscopic evidences, their structures were elucidated to be 6-O-?-D-glucopyranosyl-24(25)-epoxy-3?,6?,12?,23ξ-tetrahydroxydammar-20(22)(E)-ene 1 and 6-O-?-D-glucopyranosyl-24(25)-epoxy-23ξ-methoxyl-3?,6?,12?-trihydroxydamm-ar-20(22)(E)-ene 2, respectively.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit bone marrow stromal cells

Objective To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs).Methods BMSCs from 3-month-old New Zealand rabbits were isolated and cultured by the density gradient centrifugation combined with adherent method.The cultured BMSCs were divided into three groups:normal control,H2O2 treatment(100μmol/L),and PNS pretreatment(0.1g/L).Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels as the index of oxidative stress were measured by using 2'7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.Flow cytometry was used to observe the apoptosis of BMSCs by staining with annexinV-FITC/PI.The protein expression of Bax in BMSCs was analyzed by Western blotting.Activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by spectrofluorometry.Results Pretreatment with PNS significantly decreased intracellular ROS level induced by H2O2(P<0.01).PNS markedly attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis rate from 38.68% to 19.24%(P<0.01).PNS reversed H2O2-induced augmentation of Bax expression.Furthermore,PNS markedly reduced the altered in activity of caspase-3 enzyme induced by H2O2(P<0.01).Conclusion PNS has a protective effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit BMSCs by scavenging ROS and decreasing Bax expression and caspase-3 activity.

Simultaneous determination of 74 pesticide residues in Panax notoginseng by QuEChERS coupled with gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

This study established a method for the simultaneous determination of 74 pesticide residues in Panax notoginseng by QuEChERS pretreatment method coupled with GC-MS/MS,and carried out pesticide residue analysis on 20 batches of market samples in China.The samples were extracted with acetonitrile,cleaned up with primary secondary amine(PSA)and octadecylsilane(C18)and determined by GC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode.Matrix-matched calibration was recommended to combat the matrix effect.A good linearity was observed in the range of 10−500 ng/mL with correlation coefficients≥0.9950.The mean recoveries for most of the pesticides were in the range of 70%−120%with RSD<20%.The limits of detection ranged 0.28–2.00μg/kg,while the limits of quantification were 0.94–6.65μg/kg.Following the application of“top-down”approach,the expanded measurement uncertainty for all the analytes was<30%.The proposed method was successfully applied to determine pesticide residues in 20 market samples in China,where 9 pesticides were detected and quintozene exceeded the criteria domestically and abroad.

Effects of Continuous Cropping of Panax notoginseng on the Properties of Rhizosphere Soil

[Objective] This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of continuous cropping of Panax notoginseng on the properties of rhizosphere soil. [Method] A total of 12 rhizospheres oil samples were collected in the fields continuously cropped with P. notoginseng for different years and the soil properties including pH value, contents of available N, available K, available P,total N, total K, total P and organic matter were determined. [Result] With the increase in the number of years of continuous cropping, seven soli indices: soil pH value, organic matter content, total N, total P, total K, available P and available K gradually increased, while available N showed a gradual downward trend. The contents of organic matter content, total N, total P, total K,available P, available K and available N after three years of continuous cropping were increased by 74.93%, 65.85%, 123.82%,18.78%, 341.67%, 120.16% and-32.16%, respectively, indicating that continuous cropping of P. notoginseng resulted in nutrient enrichment in rhizosphere soils. The pH value and available N in IBC(soil inside the border check) and UBC(soil under the border check) were higher than that in BBC(soil beside the border check), suggesting that the soil was gradually alkalized due to the continuous cropping of P. notoginseng. [Conclusion] These results suggest that pH change and nutrient imbalance may be the obstacles to the continuous cropping of P. notoginseng.

Anticancer effects of saponin and saponin–phospholipid complex of Panax notoginseng grown in Vietnam

Objective:To evaluate the antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo of saponin–phospholipid complex of Panax notoginseng.Methods:The in vitro cytotoxic effect of saponins extract and saponin–phospholipid complex against human lung cancer NCI-H460 and breast cancer cell lines BT474 was examined using MTS assay.For in vivo evaluation of antitumor potential,saponin and saponin–phospholipid complex were administered orally in rats induced mammary carcinogenesis by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene,for 30 days.Results:Our data showed that saponin–phospholipid complex had stronger anticancer effect compared to saponin extract.The IC50 values of saponin–phospholipid complex and saponin extract for NCI-H460 cell lines were 28.47 mg/m L and 47.97 mg/mL,respectively and these values for BT474 cells were 53.18 mg/mL and 86.24 mg/mL,respectively.In vivo experiments,administration of saponin,saponin–phospholipid complex and paclitaxel(positive control) effectively suppressed 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene-induced breast cancer evidenced by a decrease in tumor volume,the reduction of lipid peroxidation level and increase in the body weight,and elevated the enzymatic antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase,catalase,glutathione peroxidase in rat breast tissue.Conclusions:Our study suggests that saponin extract from Panax notoginseng and saponin–phospholipid complex have potential to prevent cancer,especially breast cancer.

Protective effects of panax notoginseng saponin on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats through phosphoinositide-3-kinase protein kinase B signaling pathway inhibition

BACKGROUND Intestinal inflammation is a common digestive tract disease, which is usually treated with hormone medicines. Hormone medicines are effective to some extent, but long-term use of them may bring about many complications.AIM To explore the protective effects of panax notoginseng saponin(PNS) against dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced intestinal inflammatory injury through phosphoinositide-3-kinase protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway inhibition in rats.METHODS Colitis rat models were generated via DSS induction, and rats were divided into control(no modeling), DSS, DSS + PNS 50 mg/k, and DSS + PNS 100 mg/kg groups. Then, the intestinal injury, oxidative stress parameters, inflammatory indices, tight junction proteins, apoptosis, macrophage polarization, and TLR4/AKT signaling pathway in colon tissues from rats in each of the groups were detected. The PI3 K/AKT signaling pathway in the colon tissue of rats was blocked using the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor, LY294002.RESULTS Compared with rats in the control group, rats in the DSS group showed significantly shortened colon lengths, and significantly increased disease activity indices, oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory indices, as well as significantly decreased expression of tight junction-associated proteins. In addition, the DSS group showed significantly increased apoptotic cell numbers,and showed significantly increased M1 macrophages in spleen and colon tissues.They also showed significantly decreased M2 macrophages in colon tissues, as well as activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway(all P < 0.05). Compared with rats in the DSS group, rats in the DSS + PNS group showed significantly lengthened colon lengths, decreased disease activity indices, and significantly alleviated oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory responses. In addition, this group showed significantly increased expression of tight junction-associated proteins, significantly decreased apoptotic cell numbers, and significantly decreased M1 macrophages in spleen and colon tissues. This group further showed significantly increased M2 macrophages in colon tissues, and significantly suppressed activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, as well as a dose dependency(all P < 0.05). When the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was inhibited, the apoptosis rate of colon tissue cells in the DSS + LY294002 group was significantly lower than that of the DSS group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION PNS can protect rats against DSS-induced intestinal inflammatory injury by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and therefore may be potentially used in the future as a drug for colitis.

Antidepressant Effects of Ginsenosides from Panax notoginseng

Ginsenosides Rg 1,Rb 1,R 1,Rd,and Re are major constituents of Panax notoginseng,a famous traditional Chinese medicinal herb,which has both stimulative and inhibitory effects on the central nervous system (CNS).The monoamine hypothesis proposes that depression is a result of the depletion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT),norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in addition to the activation of monoamine oxidase in the CNS.The purpose of this study was to determine whether P.notoginseng Saponin (PNS) has an antidepressant activity.We investigated the antidepressant-like activities of Rg 1,Rb 1,R 1,Rd,and Re in mice,using two animal models of depression.In addition,we analyzed the neurochemicals by the chronic unpredictable mild stress test.Our results showed that Rb 1,Rd,and Re treatment at 10 mg kg-1 significantly reduced the duration of immobility in both the tail suspension and forced swimming tests.Rb 1,Rd,and Re increases in 5HT and NE levels at 10 mg kg-1 in both the frontal cortex and hippocampus.Dopamine levels increased in the hippocampus and the striatum.Moreover,5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were found increased in the hippocampus.These findings suggest that the antidepressant effects of Rb 1,Rd,and Re may be related to the increase in 5-HT and NE in the CNS,and through the alterations in the synthesis or metabolism of dopamine.

Neuroprotective effect of panax notoginseng saponins and its main components

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the first cause of adult disability in industrial countries [1]. It is charicaterized by hemiplegia, hemianopsia, aphasia, mouth askew and sever sequelae. It is considered that an ischemic disease without any specific treatment method and few effective drugs such as tPA (human tissue-type plasminogen activator) and Edarovone with specific therapeutic window will cause a lot of disadvantages if being used inaccurate. Root of Panax notoginseng (PN) which is one of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), was first found in “Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica” around 200 AD. Panax notogineng saponins(PNS) is a multi-components mixture containing ginseng and saponins as the most important bioactive components which are commonly used in clinical treatment. Also, ginseng and saponins form the main components of many herbal medicines in the market, e.g., Xueshuantong injection [2], Xuesaitong injection [3], Xuesaitong soft capsule [4] and so on. The main monomers of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are Ginsenoside-Rb1, Gensenoside-Rg1, Gensenoside-Re, Gensenoside-Rd and Panax notoginseng saponins-R1 [5]. In this review, we found some important points as well as shortcomings that require special consideration. We therefore highlighted the advances in neuro-protection of PNS and its main monomers in the area of experimental research.