Network pharmacology and verification experiment-based prediction of active components and potential targets of Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus-Saposhnikoviae Radix(Yizhiren-Fangfeng)for treatment of diabetic kidney disease

Background:In this study,we analyzed the potential active components,related crucial targets and possible signaling pathway mechanisms of Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus and Saposhnikoviae Radix(AOF-SR)herb pairs in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease(DKD)using network pharmacology and verification experiments.Methods:The active compounds and potential targets of AOF-SR were derived from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and PubChem databases,and the potential therapeutic targets of DKD were derived from the OMIM,Drugbank,and DisGeNET databases.The“compounds-diseases-targets”network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.6.0.ClusterMaker functionality in Cytoscape is being used to screen important targets for AOF-SR treatment of DKD.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of important targets were performed using DAVID database.In addition,according to the predicted results of network pharmacology,HK-2 cells were used to construct DKD model for verification experiment.HK-2 cells were divided into control group,high glucose(HG)group and AOF-SR(HG+AOF-SR)group to detect survival rate and expression of key proteins in NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.Results:A total of 38 compounds were selected from AOF-SR,of which 23 were Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus and 15 were Saposhnikoviae Radix.Through enrichment analysis of 82 important targets,88 signaling pathways were identified;some of these pathways,such as the NF-κB,PI3K-Akt,IL-17,and JAK/STAT signaling pathways,regulate the pathological process of DKD.In verification experiment,the HK-2 cells survival rate was higher in the HG+AOF-SR group than in the HG group(P<0.05).Moreover,western blotting results showed that the expression levels of NF-κB,p-PI3K,and p-Akt in HG+AOF-SR group were significantly lower than those in HG group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Overall,this study revealed the active compounds,important targets and possible mechanisms of AOF-SR treatment for DKD,and conducted preliminary verification experiments on its correctness,provided novel insights into the treatment of DKD by AOF-SR.

Gastroprotective Effect of Alpinia zerumbet(Pers.)Burttet Smith on Ethanol-induced Gastric Ulcers in vivo and vitro

[Objectives]To explore the protective effect of Alpinia zerumbet(Pers.)Burttet Smith ethanol extraction(YSJ)on gastric ulcers.[Methods]The ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model was generated by male Kunming mice.The mice were divided into six groups,including control,model(GU),positive omeprazole enteric-coated capsules(18 mg/kg),YSJ low(1.17 g/kg),medium(2.34 g/kg)and high(4.68 g/kg)dose groups.To observe the state of gastric tissues,hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining was applied and immunohistochemistry(IHC)was used to evaluate the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B p65(NF-κB p65),interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and Cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)in gastric tissues.The ulcer index,biochemical parameters,and inflammatory proteins were evaluated.In vitro,GES-1 cells were induced by anhydrous ethanol to found gastric ulcer model.The groups were the same as in vivo experiment.Cytotoxicity was tested by MTT and IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 were detected by Elisa assays.[Results]The injuries of gastric tissue in the model group were unambiguously observed and improved after YSJ treatment.The levels of interleukin 1 beta(IL-1β),interleukin 6(IL-6),interleukin 8(IL-8),and TNF-αin serum and tissues were decreased(P<0.05 or 0.01),whereas interleukin 4(IL-4)and prostaglandin E 2(PGE 2)were increased after treatment with YSJ(P<0.05 or 0.01).The levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-8 were decreased in YSJ groups,while IL-4 and PGE 2 presented the opposite trend.The protein expression of p-NF-κB,NF-κB,p-IκBα,IκBα,and TNF-αwas inhibited after treatment with YSJ(P<0.05 or 0.01).[Conclusions]These results demonstrate that YSJ alleviates the occurrence and development of gastric ulcers via inhibiting inflammation.

天然片断生境中山姜(Alpinia japonica)种群遗传结构

理论和实验研究表明片断化是导致生物多样性丧失的主要因素之一，但有关研究基本上集中在人类活动引发的片断化生境体系中。由于长期气候变化以及地形等因素的影响，一些物种的种群之间天然情况下就存在隔离，对这些种群进行研究可以弥补人类活动引起的片断化体系经历时间较短的不足。山姜是一个喜湿耐荫的多年生植物，分布在热带亚热带地区，由于气候和地形原因，该物种在浙江东部呈现天然片断化状态，如在浙江天童森林公园及其周边地区，仅分布在少数几个沟谷中。以这些种群为对象，采用RAPD标记分析经历长期天然片断化山姜种群遗传多样性程度和遗传分化格局。7条RAPD引物获得了69个位点，其中多态位点68个。种群水平遗传多样性较高，多态位点百分比、期望杂合度和Shannon多样性指数分别为78.81％-85.51％、0.3170-0.3430、0.4560-0.4914，这与其异交的繁殖方式有关，同时与山姜克隆生长，每个世代维持的时间长，种群更新降低也有关系。遗传变异大多分配在种群内，但种群问遗传分化达到显著程度，φST为0.297，计算的基因流中等，为0.592，不足以克服长期遗传漂变导致的种群分化，Mantel检验表明遗传距离与空间距离不存在相关关系，显示了长期片断化状态下遗传漂变的作用。

Oxyphyllones A and B,novel sesquiterpenes with an unusual 4,5-secoeudesmane skeleton from Alpinia oxyphylla

Two novel 4,5-secoeudesmane sesquiterpenoids, oxyphyllones A （1） and B （2） were isolated from the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 21） NMR spectra. These two compounds are the first example of naturally occurring sesquiterpenoids with a 4,5-secoeudesmane skeleton in the family of Zingiberaceae and oxyphyllone A （1） is the first 4,5-secoeudesmane type of 13-norsesquiterpenoid. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited no cytotoxicities against three cancer cell lines at 10 μg/mL. ？ 2009 Ning Hua Tan. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance alcohol extracts on primary dysmenorrheal

Objective:To study the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance(A.officinarum) 80% alcohol extract on the primary dysmenorrhea.Methods:A.officinarum 80% alcohol extract were enriched by macroporous adsorption resins.Female mice of primary dysmenorrhea model were established by oxytocin induction; the effects of A.officinarum 80% alcohol extract on primary dysmenorrhea were observed by body twist method; and the homogenate level of prostaglandin F_(2α)(PGF_(2α)),prostaglandin E_2(PGE_2) and Ca^(2+) in the uterus were observed in oxytocin-induced female mice.Results:The writhing frequency of primary dysmenorrhea mice was significantly decreased after treatment of A.officinarum 80% alcohol extract and the level of PGF_(2α),PGE_2 and Ca^(2+) in mice uterus was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01) in groups of mice treated with middle and high dosage of A.officinarum 80% alcohol extract compared with that of model group.Conclusions:These findings suggest that A.Officinarum 80% alcohol extract can significantly relieve primary dysmenorrhea.

Protective effects of organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla against hydrogen peroxide-induced cvtotoxicitv in PC12 cells

Alpinia oxyphylla,a traditional herb,is widely used for its neuroprotective,antioxidant and memory-improving effects.However,the neuroprotective mechanisms of action of its active ingredients are unclear.In this study,we investigated the neuroprotective effects of various organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla on PC12 cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury in vitro.Alpinia oxyphylla was extracted three times with 95%ethanol(representing extracts 1–3).The third 95%ethanol extract was dried and resuspended in water,and then extracted successively with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and n-butanol(representing extracts 4–6).The cell counting kit-8 assay and microscopy were used to evaluate cell viability and observe the morphology of PC12 cells.The protective effect of the three ethanol extracts(at tested concentrations of 50,100 and 200μg/mL)against cytotoxicity to PC12 cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner.The ethyl acetate,petroleum ether and n-butanol extracts(each tested at 100,150 and 200μg/mL)had neuroprotective effects as well.The optimum effective concentration ranged from 50–200μg/mL,and the protective effect of the ethyl acetate extract was comparatively robust.These results demonstrate that organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla protect PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide.Our findings should help identify the bioactive neuroprotective components in Alpinia oxyphylla.

phytochemical investigation and in vitro antioxidant activity of an indigenous medicinal plant Alpinia nigra B.L.Burtt

Objective:To investigate antioxidant potential of methanol extract of Alpinia nigra leaves.Methods:The study was done by using various in vitro methods such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH),2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)(ABTS),nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assays.Phytochemical constituents,total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the extract at different concentrations(10-500μg/mL)were determined.Results:Alpinia nigra leaves showed high free radical scavenging activity as evidenced by the low IG_(50)values in DPPH(64.51μg/mL),in ABTS(28.32μg/mL),in nitric oxide(80.02μg/mL)and in H_2O_2(77.45μg/mL)scavenging assays.Furthermore the TPC and TFC of the extract were found to be 69.25 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract and 78.84 mg quercetin equivalent per gram of extract respectively.Conclusions:The results of present comprehensive analysis demonstrated that Alpinia nigra leaves possess high phenolic,flavonoid contents and potential antioxidant activity,and could be used as a viable source of natural antioxidants and might be exploited for functional foods and neutraceutical applications.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Alpinia officinarum hance on rat colon inflammation and tissue damage in DSS induced acute and chronic colitis models

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible prophylactic effects of Alpinia officinarum hance on experimentally induced acute and chronic colitis models,in-vivo and in-vitro.Acute and chronic colitis were induced in Male Wistar rats by administration of Dextran Sulfate Sodium(DSS)in drinking water.DSS induction exhibited colon shrinkage,increased the Disease Activity Index(DAI)score,increased the levels of inflammatory markers and caused severe anemia.DSS induced animals,co-treated with the hexane extract of Alpinia officinarum(HEAO)(200 mg/kg body wt),effectively suppressed colonic injury that was evidenced by the reduced DAI score,colon weight/length ratio,histological damage,proinflammatory markers and MPO activity.Further,it restored the colonic antioxidants near to normal levels by regulating the oxidative stress via attenuation of lipid peroxidation.Our results revealed that the degree of colitis caused by the administration of DSS was significantly attenuated by HEAO.In addition,the in-vitro study showed that HEAO treatment inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells and down regulated the mRNA expression of NF-B and COX-2.Taken together,these results suggest that HEAO is a promising anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that support its possible therapeutic role in the treatment of colitis.

Antibacterial activity and bioactive compounds of 50% hydroethanolic extract of Alpinia zerumbet(Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm.

Objective: To evaluate antibacterial activity and the bioactive compounds of 50% hydroethanolic extract of Alpinia zerumbet(A. zerumbet) rhizomes.Methods: Eight reference microbial strains including two Gram-positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus(ATCC 29213) and Enterococcus faecalis(ATCC 29212)] and six Gram-negative bacteria [Escherichia coli(ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae(ATTC 700603), Proteus mirabilis(DMST 8212), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Vellore.(ATCC 15611), Shigella flexneri(ATCC 12022) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(ATCC 27853)], were used to test antimicrobial susceptibility by the broth microdilution method. Bioactive compounds were analyzed by using HPLC.Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration values of A. zerumbet extract were 8 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri and 16 mg/mL for Enterococcus faecalis and the other four Gram-negative bacilli. HPLC chromatograms revealed that the A. zerumbet extract contained hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids. Conclusions: The constituents of A. zerumbet rhizomes could be a potential source of antibacterial compounds, warranting further study of A. zerumbet extract.

Preventive effect of ethanol extract of Alpinia calcarata Rosc on Ehrlich's ascitic carcinoma cell induced malignant ascites in mice

Objective:To explore cytotoxic activity of ethanol extract of Alpinia calcarata Rose(EEAC) rhizome against Ehiiich ascites carcinoma(EAC) tumor bearing Swiss Albino mice.Methods: In the present study,its anti-neoplastic activity has been studied by monitoring parameters like tumor weight measurement,survival time,tumor cell growth inhibition,haematological characteristics etc.Results:It was found that EEAC at dose 8 mg/kg/day(i.p.) significantly decreased tumor weight(62.0%;P【0.01),increased life span(70.25%;P 【0.01) and reduced tumor cell growth rate(85.7%;P【0.01) in comparison to those of EAC bearing mice.The plant extract also improved the depleted haematological parameters like RBC WBC,Hb%,differential counts(e.g.lymphocytes,neutrophils,monocytes etc) of EAC bearing mice towards normal.The host toxic effects were not very high and recovered gradually towards normal within a few days after treatment.ConchiskHis:EEAC exhibits potent in vivo cytotoxic activity against EAC tumor bearing Swiss Albino mice.So,the plant can be considered as a probable new source of antitumor agents.

Investigation of in vivo neuropharmacological effect of Alpinia nigra leaf extract

Objective:To analyze in vivo neuro-pharmacological effects of Alpinia nigra as anxiety is a particular form of behavioral inhibition that occurs in response to novel environmental events.Methods:In present study,the extract of Alpinia nigra was evaluated for its central nervous system depressant effect using mice behavioral models,such as hole cross,open field and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests for its sedative properties and an elevated plusmaze test for its anxiolytic potential,respectively.Results:In anxiolytic study,the extract displayed increased percentage of entry into open arm ut the dose of 400 and 200 mg/kg.The extract produced a significant(P<0.01) increase in sleeping duration and reduction of onset of sleep compared to sodium thiopental at both doses(200 and400 mg/kg).The extract t.200 and 400 mg/kg) also showed a dose-dependent suppression of motor activity and exploratory activity of the mice in both open field and hole cross test.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that the treated extract has significant central nervous system depressant effect.Further studies on active constituent of the extract can provide approaches for therapeutic intervention.

Alpinia officinarum Hance extract alleviates particulate matter-induced lung injury in mice

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance(A. officinarum) extract on lung injury caused by particulate matter(PM). Methods: The Kunming mice were intranasally instilled with PM and treated with A. officinarum extract for 3 weeks. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood and lung samples were collected for biochemical, serological and histopathological studies. Results: Serological analysis showed that albumin levels, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly reduced after administrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of A. officinarum extracts to the PM injured mice. Markers of oxidative stress, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde levels and nitric oxide synthase activities, were significantly decreased. Correspondingly, total superoxide dismutase activity was improved dramatically. The expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were also down-regulated obviously. In addition, pathological sections of lung tissue showed that A. officinarum could reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells, pulmonary edema and pulmonary fibrosis. These results showed that A. officinarum extract could alleviate PMinduced lung injury via reducing the permeability of cell membranes in lung tissue, eliminating oxidative stress and relieving inflammatory response.Conclusions: A. officinarum extract was an efficient treatment for PM-induced lung injury in mice, and it may be a promising therapeutic agent in future.

Antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties of Alpinia galanga,Curcuma amada,and Curcuma caesia

Objective:To compare the antioxidant and anti-genotoxic properties of Alpinia(A.)galanga,Curcuma(C.)amada,and C.caesia.Methods:Cytotoxicity of ethanolic extracts of A.galanga,C.amada,and C.caesia at selected doses was evaluated by trypan blue,MTT,and flow cytometry-based assays.Genotoxicity and anti-genotoxicity(against methyl methanesulfonate,35μM and H2O2,250μM)of these plants were studied by comet assay in human lymphocytes in vitro.Furthermore,DPPH,ABTS,FRAP,lipid peroxidation,and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were performed to study the antioxidant potentials of the plants.Finally,anti-genotoxic potential of C.amada was validated in Swiss albino mice using comet assay.Phytochemical composition of C.amada was determined by GC/MS and HPLC.Results:The selected doses(2.5,5,and 10μg/mL)of A.galanga,C.amada,and C.caesia were non-toxic by cytotoxicity tests.All three ethanolic extracts of plant rhizomes demonstrated antioxidant and anti-genotoxic properties against methyl methanesulfonate-and H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.Multivariate analysis revealed that various antioxidant properties of these extracts in DPPH,ABTS,and FRAP assays were strongly correlated with their total phenolic constituents.C.amada extract conferred protection against cyclophosphamide-induced DNA damage in the bone marrow cells of mice and DNA damage was significantly inhibited by 2.5 mg/kg C.amada extract.Conclusions:C.amada is rich in potentially bioactive molecules and exhibits potent antioxidant activities.Its anti-genotoxicity against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress is also confirmed in this study.

Herb-drug interaction in the protective effect of Alpinia officinarum against gastric injury induced by indomethacin based on pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies in rats

Alpinia officinarum Hance of the Chinese traditional herb for the treatment of emesis, abdominal pain and diarrhea has been used to counteract gastric disease induced by indomethacin in rats without obvious side effects. However, the role of herb-drug interaction between indomethacin and A. officinarum based on pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion still remains unknown. In this study, an ultra-fast liquid-tandem mass spectrometry(UFLC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of indomethacin and its three metabolites, O-desmethylindomethacin(ODI), deschlorobenzoylindomethacin(NDI) and indomethacin acyl-b-D-glucuronide(IDAbG) by oral administration of indomethacin solution with and without the ethanolic extract of A. officinarum and applied to comparative pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies. Our results clarified that oral administration of A. officinarum produced significant alterations in the pharmacokinetic parameters of indomethacin. And the pharmacokinetic interaction between indomethacin and A. officinarum reduced the systemic exposure of indomethacin and increased its elimination. Tissue distribution results demonstrated that co-administration of A. Officinarum could not reduce the accumulation of indomethacin in the target tissue of the stomach, but could accelerate the excretions of indomethacin and its three metabolites including ODI, NDI and IDAb G in the bile and feces of rats in the excretion study.Therefore, A. Officinarum might have a gastrointestinal protective effect through the interaction role with indomethacin based on the pharmacokinetics and excretion in rats.

Extraction Optimization and Composition Analysis of Volatile Oil from Fruit of Alpinia zerumbet

[Objectives] The aim was to determine the optimum process for the extraction of volatile oil from Alpinia zerumbet fruit.[Methods]Steam distillation was used to extract volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit. Based on the single factor tests,an orthogonal test was designed to explore the effects of solid-liquid ratio,soaking time,extraction time and grinding degree of material on the extraction rate. The composition of volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry( GC-MS),and the relative mass fraction of each component was determined by peak area normalization. [Results] With volatile oil yield as the index,the optimum extraction process was determined: solid to liquid ratio of 1∶ 10,soaking time of 0. 5 h,grinding degree of passing through 24-mesh sieve and extraction time of 5 h. A total of 29 compounds were isolated. Among them,the contents of α-terpinene( 24. 894%),1,8-terpadiene( 15. 527%) andα-pinene( 6. 982%) were relatively high. [Conclusions]The optimized extraction process for volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit is stable and reasonable. Under the optimum extraction process,the extraction effect of volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit was the best. The chemical components of volatile oil from A. zerumbet fruit were determined by GC-MS as α-terpinene( 24. 894%),1,8-terpadiene( 15. 527%) and α-pinene( 6. 982%).

Improved Clonal Propagation of <i>Alpinia calcarata</i>Rosc., a Commercially Important Medicinal Plant and Evaluation of Chemical Fidelity through Comparison of Volatile Compounds

An efficient and improved clonal propagation of Alpinia calcarata, a commercially important medicinal plant was established on Murashige and Skoog medium. The axillary shoot proliferation was achieved with maximum 5.2 ± 0.7 shoots in 92.8% of rhizome explants in medium with 2.0 mg/L 6-benzylamiopurine (BAP) and 0.2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Axillary shoot buds (60%) upon subculture for 8 weeks in the same medium produced multiple shoot initials (12.1 ± 0.4) mediated with meristemoids (4.0 ± 0.5) and callus. A gradual reduction in the concentration of BAP or elimination of IAA was required for rapid induction of normal plants devoid of callus from propagules during subsequent subculture. Single clump of 3-4 multiple shoot initials during second subculture on medium with 1.0 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L IAA yielded an average of 21 shoots which was best among different propagules tried. The shoot multiplication rate was further enhanced to 32 shoots when the similar propagules passed to third subculture on medium with 1.0 mg/L BAP alone. Clumps of multiple shoot initials upon subculture on medium with 1.0 mg/L BAP alone exhibited 10 fold multiplication rates. Use of liquid medium in culture bottles with polypropylene caps supported fast growth of the shoots and spontaneous root formation on 50% of the shoots. Shoots transferred to half-strength MS liquid medium with 0.2 mg/L of IAA and IBA was optimum for maximum roots (8.14 ± 1.34) in 100% shoots. The rooted plants were hardened in mist chamber showed 95% survival and well established in the field. The acclimatized plants showed rhizome formation after 4-6 weeks of growth under shade house. Volatile chemicals profile of the leaves, rhizome and root of the in vitro and conventionally propagated plants analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were qualitatively and quantitatively similar. The analysis of growth characteristics of 36 month old in vitro and conventionally propagated plants showed a 50% increment of rhizome fresh biomass with prolific root and leaf growth in the former than the latter ones. The protocol described herein will have practical applications for the large scale production of uniform efficient plants for commercial cultivation of A. calcarata.

Pharmacological effects of volatileoil from Alpinia officinaruim in treating cardiovascular diseases

Galangal(Alpinia officinaruim Hance)is the rhizome of the perennial herb belonging to Zingiberaceae family.There are many active components in galangal,such as volatile oil,flavonoids,terpenoids,phenylpropanoids and glycosides,among which the content of volatile oil is higher.The bioactivities of galangal volatile oil on health effect includesanti-inflammatory,anti-hypertension,anti-oxidation and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.Cardiovascular disease(CVD)is a kind of diseases related to circulatory system,which is also called circulatory system diseases.Over the past decade,the number of people dying from CVD has increased by 12.5%worldwide,and it is now the leading cause of human death worldwide.Studies have shown that galangal volatile oil has good pharmacological effects in treating CVD.①Regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism:studies have found that abnormal lipid metabolism can lead to obesity,diabetes,CVD and other diseases.The serum total triglyceride(TG)content in liver and serum will increase in patients with abnormal fat metabolism.The results showed that the volatile oil of galangal could increase the excretion of neutral cholesterol,significantly reduce liver TG and serum TG,and thus regulate glucose and lipid metabolism,prevent lipid deposition and prevent CVD.②Improving insulin resistance(IR):inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as IL^(-1),IL-6 activation and expression of TNF-α,improves IR,thereby protecting myocardium from IR-mediated damage.Through the establishment of endothelial cell injury model induced by high glucose in vitro,it was found that the volatile oil of galangal can significantly reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-8,and inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 induced by high glucose,suggesting that it has protective effect on endothelial dysfunction and inflammation induced by high glucose.③Regulate blood oxygenation:during acute myocardial hypoxia,the activity of free radical scavenging system is decreased,and oxygen free radicals are produced in large quantity,which reacts with unsaturated fatty acids on the cell membrane and forms lipid peroxidation,resulting in myocardial structural damage.The results showed that the water extract of Galangal could reduce the content of MDA in blood and protect the SOD activity of ischemic and hypoxic myocardium.④Protective effect of vascular endothelial cells(ES):ES injury is the pathological basis of some cardiovascular diseases.The results showed that the volatile oil of galangal had a protective effect on ES apoptosis.Compared with the morphology and activity of ES treated with oxidized LDL,galangal volatile oil could ameliorate these morphological changes and improve cell viability.⑤Antiplatelet agglutination:inhibit platelet aggregation and thromboxane release,improve blood circulation,and have obvious anti-thrombotic effect,which has a good effect on the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.The results showed that the volatile oil of galangal had inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation and anticoagulant effect.In conclusion,the volatile oil of galangal can be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.Based on the mechanism of CVD,this study summarized the role of the essential oil of Alpinia officinaruim in CVD,providing basis for the clinical application of alpiniaofficinalis essential oil in the prevention and treatment of CVD and the development of new drugs.

Bioactive Diarylheptanoids from Alpinia coriandriodora

Eight new diarylheptanoids,coriandralpinins A-H(1-8),were isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia coriandriodora,an edible plant of the ginger family.Their structures,including the absolute configurations,were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and ECD calculations.Compounds 1-8 have a 1,5-O-bridged diarylheptanoid structure featuring polyoxygenated aryl units.When evaluated for intracellular antioxidant activity using t-BHP stressed RAW264.7 mac-rophages,all these compounds scavenged reactive oxygen species(ROS)in a concentration-dependent manner.Compounds 3 and 5 also showed inhibitory activity against NO release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.Six known flavonols,7,4′-di-O-methylkaempferol,7-O-methylquercetin,7,4′-di-O-methylquercetin,7,3′,4′-tri-O-methylquercetin,kaempferol 3-O-β-d-(6-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)glucopyranoside,and 3-O-β-d-glucopyranuronosylquercetin were also isolated and characterized from the rhizomes.

Effects of Different Harvest Periods on Seed Quality of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq.

[Objectives] To clarify the appropriate harvest period of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. seed and improve the quality of seeds. [Methods] In this experiment,the basic parameters and germination characteristics of A. oxyphylla Miq. seeds during different harvest periods were analyzed and compared. [Results] The results showed that the A. oxyphylla Miq. fruit picking period was closely related to the seed quality,and the seed maturity was highest 100 d after the flowering of A. oxyphylla Miq.,that is,the A. oxyphylla Miq. fruit skin turned from green to yellow( yellow-green),the peel had a small number of brown spots,it was spicy enough,the fruit dry/fresh weight ratio was greater than0. 34,the seed thousand kernel weight reached 11 g or more,and the dried seed moisture content was 13. 01%. Using the TTC method,the seed viability index was determined to be 85%,and in this case,it was the best time of harvesting seed. The water permeability of A. oxyphylla Miq. seed was poor,and the seed imbibition and water absorption time was long,about 72 h. The maximum water absorption rate was about23. 71% at the imbibition and water absorption stage,and it was inferred that the A. oxyphylla Miq. seeds were hard seeds. The germination time of A. oxyphylla Miq. seeds was long,the mature A. oxyphylla Miq. seeds began to germinate on the 12 th d,and the germination rate reached 75. 56% on the 50 th d. [Conclusions] This study determined the optimum harvest period of A. oxyphylla Miq. seeds,clarified the biological characteristics of slow seed water absorption and long germination cycle,and concluded that the seed coat was the main factor leading to slow seed water absorption and long seed germination cycle.