Protective effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius extract against lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury

AIM:To investigate the hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of an extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius in vivo.METHODS:C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to five groups and intraperitoneally administered 0.9% saline,Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius extract [Danhong injection(DHI),0.75 and 3 g/kg mixed extract] or reduced glutathione for injection(RGI,300 mg/kg) for 30 min before exposure to lipopolysaccharide(LPS,16 mg/kg). After intraperitoneal LPS stimulation for 90 min or 6 h,the mice were sacrificed by ether anaesthesia,and serum and liver samples were collected. Histological analysis(H&E) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d UTP nick end-labelling(TUNEL) staining were performed. Alanine transferase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBil),glutathione-S-transferase(GST),malondialdehyde(MDA),tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,and caspase-3 levels were measured. Bax,Bcl-2,P-IκBα,IκBα,P-NF-κB p65,and NF-κB p65 protein levels were determined by Western blot. TNF-α,IL-6,caspase-3,Bax and Bcl-2 m RNA expression was measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).RESULTS:Hematoxylin-eosin staining and TUNEL results suggested that DHI(3 g/kg) treatment alleviated inflammatory and apoptotic(P < 0.01) injury in the liver of mice. DHI treatment dose-dependently blunted the abnormal changes in biochemical parameters such as ALT(72.53 ± 2.83 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01),AST(76.97 ± 5.00 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01),TBil(1.17 ± 0.10 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01),MDA(0.81 ± 0.36 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01),and GST(358.86 ± 12.09 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01). Moreover,DHI(3 g/kg) remarkably decreased LPS-induced protein expression of TNF-α(340.55 ± 10.18 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01),IL-6(261.34 ± 10.18 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01),and enzyme activity of caspase-3(0.93 ± 0.029 for 3 g/kg,P < 0.01). The LPS-induced m RNA expression of TNF-α,IL-6 and caspase-3 was also decreased by DHI. Western blot analysis revealed that DHI antagonised LPS-stimulated decrease of Bcl-2 and increase of Bax protein expression. Furthermore,DHI inhibited LPS-induced IκBα and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:DHI may be a multi-function protectant against acute hepatic injury in mice through its antiinflammatory,anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic activities.

Color spaces of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) for quality assessment

Objective:In this study,safflower(Carthamus tinctorius L.)was taken as a representative example to examine the application of color characteristics to evaluate quality.Methods:A computer vision system was established for the objective and nondestructive assessment of color using image processing algorithms.Color parameters were investigated based on the RGB,L*a*b and HSV color spaces.The content of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA),a major bioactive constituent of safflower,was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The relationship between HSYA content and color values was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis.A multiple linear regression model was established to predict the HSYA content from color values.Results:The red color and lightness of safflower were found to be significantly related to HSYA content.The prediction equation obtained by multiple regression was reliable with an R2 value of 0.805(P<.01).Conclusion:The results suggest that the computer vision technique could be used as a promising and non-destructive technology for color measurement and quality evaluation of CHM.

Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) a Potential Source of Drugs against Cryptococcal Infections, Malaria and Leishmaniasis

In this research we present that Carthamus Tinctorius L.(gen.Asteraceae,otherwise known as Safflower)(Fig.1)may contain agents active in Cryptococcal infections,malaria and Leishmaniasis,as treatment options are becoming scarce due to drug resistance development.Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities(antimicrobial,antimalarial,antileishmanial)of C.tinctorius L.were analyzed.The composition of volatile oil of safflower dried flowers was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry with flame ionization detector(GC-FID)and in vitro sensitivity assays were performed to assess biological activity.8 known and 3 unknown compounds were detected in the extract(Fig.1).Then the Safflower ointment was manufactured and its acute toxicity study on rats was tested.The volatile oil of C.tinctorius L exhibited activity against Cryptococcus neoformans,Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania donovani.Safflower volatile oil has anticryptococcal,antimalarial and antileishmanial effects.The prepared ointment had an excellent acute toxicity safety profile.

Assay for the developmental toxicity of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to zebrafish embryos/larvae

Objective:To explore the developmental toxicity and the potential toxicological mechanism of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) on zebrafish embryos/larvae.Methods:Mortality,malformations and increased apoptosis induced by safflower were assessed in zebraflsh embryos from 6 to 96 hours post-fertilization.Enzymes and genes in the anti-oxidative and apoptotic pathways were also assayed.Results:The lethal concentration 50 of safflower to zebrafish embryos was 345.6 mg/L.Hatching inhibition,abnormal spontaneous movement,depressed heart rate,pericardial edema,yolk sac edema,abnormal head-trunk angle,inhibition of melanin release,enlarged yolk,and short body length were observed in safflower-treated zebrafish.Additional apoptotic cells mainly appeared around the heart.Safflower exposure changed the activities of defense enzymes (SOD T,CAT↑,MDA↑,GPX without trend),increased MDA content,decreased caspase-3 activity,and altered mRNA levels of related genes (ogg1 ↓,p53↓,Cu/Zn-sod↑,Mn-sod↓,cat↓,gpx↑).Conclusion:Safflower exhibits developmental toxicity for zebrafish embryos/larvae.The developing heart was speculated as the target organ of toxicity.Oxidative stress and increased apoptosis have roles in the developmental toxicity of safflower.This article provides a novel method to research the teratogenicity and possible mechanisms of toxicity of traditional Chinese medicines that are prohibited or contraindicated in pregnant women.

Influence of Meta-Topolin on Efficient Plant Regeneration via Micropropagation and Organogenesis of Safflower (<i>Carthamus tinctorius</i>L.) cv. NARI-H-15

The effect of meta-Topolin (mT) was assessed to develop a reliable protocol for efficient plant regeneration of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cv. NARI-H-15. For micropropagation, 7 - 9 days old shoot-tip explants cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/L meta-Topolin (mT) + 0.5 mg/L CPPU showed 97.7% adventitious shoot formation (42.4 shootlets) than node after 45 days of culture. For organogenesis, the seedling explants of immature leaf cultured on 1.5 mg/L CPPU or 1.5 mg/L NAA fortified medium produced high amount of callus than cotyledon and stem calli after 60 days of culture. However, MS basal medium fortified with 4.0 mg/L mT + 1.5 mg/L CPPU was found beneficial to stimulate 100% organogenic response (74.7 shootlets) from immature leaf calli than cotyledon and stem derived calli after 45 days of culture. The healthy plantlets obtained from micropropagation and organogenesis process cultured on 1/4 MS basal salts, 1.5% sucrose (w/v) and 0.8% agar (w/v) medium supplemented with NAA (1.5 mg/L) and mT (0.1 mg/L) produced maximum of 96% (12.8 rootlets) and 84% (7.3 rootlets) adventitious rooting, respectively than mT and CPPU tested medium. However, maximum of 67% and 42% survival rate was noticed when in vitro raised plants from micropropagation and organogenesis were hardened in pots containing soil mix and maintained under green house condition. This optimized regeneration protocol might be helpful in regeneration of new genotypes and cultivars of safflower to improve agronomic traits through in vitro selection process and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system.

Molecular mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Carthamus tinctorius L. in the treatment of myocardial ischemia based on network pharmacology: a comparative study

Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,the similarities and differences of anti-myocardial ischemia mechanism between Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge(SM)and Carthamus tinctorius L.(CT)were studied.Firstly,based on the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology(TCMSP),the related compounds of SM and CT were obtained,and the potential targets of these compounds were collected by the target fishing method.Genecards database was used to obtain targets related to myocardial ischemia.The cross targets of CT,SM,and myocardial ischemia were then selected,and the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed based on the STRING database.The cross targets were imported into the Metascape database for Gene Oncology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis.Cytoscape software was used to build the topological network diagram of the drug-compound-target path.Finally,the binding ability of the active ingredient and the key target was verified by molecular docking.65 active ingredients and 38 potential targets were screened from SM,and 22 active ingredients and 58 potential targets were excavated from CT.Important targets common to SM and CT were TNF,IL6,VEGFA,AKT1,etc.The common enrichment pathways involved are fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,IL-17 signaling pathway,pathways in cancer,and toxoplasmosis.The findings suggested that the two traditional Chinese medicines exerted the effect of myocardial ischemia through the characteristics of multiple targets,multiple pathways,and multiple compounds.

Antidiabetic Potential of Carthamus oxycantha M.Bieb. Seeds in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common disorders of metabolic abnormalities. It is characterized by hyperglycemia followed by abnormalities in insulin release, insulin work, or both. This persistent hyperglycemia is concerned with long-term complications, dysfunction and collapse of various organs, notoriously the kidneys, heart, nerves, blood vessels and eyes. The seeds of the Carthamus oxycantha have been used by the practitioners as a traditional remedy for diabetes mellitus in the rural areas of district Jhang as well as other areas of Pakistan. Aim of the Study: The purpose of the present study was to reveal the antidiabetic capability of seeds of Carthamus oxycantha in short-term and long-term studies. Materials and Methods: Aqueous ethanolic extract of seeds was prepared by a rotary evaporator. The antidiabetic activity of the seeds was assessed by using normoglycemic and glucose loaded rats. However, two kinds of studies i.e. short-term as well as long-term treatment were carried out in alloxan induced diabetic rats for the finalized both doses i.e. 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Blood samples were tested by an electrochemical technique using a glucometer. Results: The promising results were achieved for the antidiabetic potential of the ethanolic extract of seeds of Carthamus oxycantha at both of the doses i.e. 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. The antihyperglycemic potential was also evaluated in normoglycemic and glucose loaded animals. Treatment with 100 mg/kg AEECO presented significant reduction (p < 0.05) as well as highly significant reduction (p < 0.01) in short term and long term study. Statistical data showed that AEECO presented comparable effects to that of the standard drug Glibenclamide at 0.5 mg/kg. Phytochemical studies of AEECO also disclosed the presence of flavonoids, resins, glycosides, steroids and alkaloids. In conclusion, the antidiabetic properties of AEECO may be attributed either due to the release of insulin or possibly due to the peripheral uptake of glucose. It may also be due to protection of beta cells from toxic effects of alloxan or the presence of flavonoids may exhibit various biological activities as they have been stated for their antidiabetic potential. However, further studies are required to explore the active moieties responsible for antidiabetic potential.

Cloning,expression and activity analysises of chalcone synthase genes in Carthamus tinctorius

Objective:Flavonoids are the bioactive compounds in safflower(Carthamus tinctorius),in which chalcone synthase(CHS)is the first limiting enzyme.However,it is unclear that which chalcone synthase genes(CHSs)are participated in flavonoids biosynthesis in C.tinctorius.In this study,the CHSs in the molecular characterization and enzyme activities were investigated.Methods:Putative chalcone biosynthase genes were screened by the full-length transcriptome sequences data in C.tinctorius.Chalcone biosynthase genes in C.tinctorius(CtCHSs)were cloned from cDNA of flowers of C.tinctorius.The cloned gene sequences were analyzed by bioinformatics,and their expression patterns were analyzed by real-time PCR(RT-PCR).The protein of CtCHS in the development of flowers was detected by polyclonal antibody Western blot.A recombinant vector of CtCHS was constructed.The CtCHS recombinant protein was induced and purified to detect the enzyme reaction(catalyzing the reaction of p-coumaryl-CoA and malonyl-CoA to produce naringin chalcone).The reaction product was detected by HPLC and LC-MS.Results:Two full-length CtCHS genes were successfully cloned from the flowers of safflower(CtCHS1 and CtCHS3),with gene lengths of 1525 bp and 1358 bp,respectively.RT-PCR analysis showed that both genes were highly expressed in the flowers,but the expression of CtCHS1 was higher than that of CtCHS3 at each developmental stage of the flowers.WB analysis showed that only CtCHS1 protein could be detected at each developmental stage of the flowers.HPLC and LC-MS analyses showed that CtCHS1 could catalyze the conversion of p-coumaryl-CoA and malonyl-CoA substrates to naringin chalcone.Conclusion:CtCHS1 is involved in the biosynthesis of naringin chalcone in safflower.

红花(Carthamus tinctorius)热激转录因子CtHSFA9的克隆及表达分析

根据课题组前期转录组文库信息获得的红花热胁迫相关转录因子Unigene的全长序列,设计引物并克隆该基因,采用生物信息学方法对其氨基酸序列的理化性质、系统发育、蛋白质亚细胞定位、结构域及跨膜区域等进行预测和分析。此外,试验还采用RT-qPCR方法分析该基因在红花各组织包括根、茎、叶、花及4个不同发育时期的种子中的表达情况。结果发现,所获序列全长1326 bp,可编码441个氨基酸,相对分子质量50.41 kD。其中,最丰富的氨基酸为亮氨酸(Leu),带正电残基64个,带负电残基75个。信号肽及亚细胞定位揭示该基因不存在明显信号肽且该基因属细胞核定位。SMART分析表明该基因具有典型HSF结构域。进化树分析表明,该序列与热激转录因子HSFA9基因相似度较高,与刺菜蓟的亲缘关系最近,因此可将其命名为CtHSFA9。荧光定量PCR分析表明CtHSFA9基因在红花根组织中相对表达量最高,叶次之,花中最低。在不同发育时期种子中,以花后18 DAF(Day after flower)中表达量最高,22 DAF次之,在14 DAF表达量最低。本研究初步明确了红花CtHSFA9基因的结构特点和进化关系,其属于HSF热激转录因子家族,可为后续开展红花逆境相关转录因子的机理研究做铺垫,同时也为植物抗逆性状的改良提供研究基础。

Phytochemistry,Pharmacology and Medicinal Properties of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Carthamus tinctorius L. is commonly known as Safflower. C. tinctorius extracts and oil are important in drug development with numerous pharmacological activities in the world. This plant is cultivated mainly for its seed, which is used as edible oil. For a long time C. tinctorius has been used in traditional medicines as a purgative, analgesic, antipyretic and an antidote to poisoning. It is a useful plant in painful menstrual problems, post-partum hemorrhage and osteoporosis. C. tinctorius has recently been shown to have antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. Carthamin, safflower yellow are the main constituents in the flower of C. tinctorius. Carthamidin, isocarthamidin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, safflor yellow A, safflamin C and luteolin are the main constituents which are reported from this plant. Caryophyllene, p-allyltoluene, 1-acetoxytetralin and heneicosane were identified as the major components for C. tinctorius flowers essential oil. Due to the easy collection of the plant and being widespread and also remarkable biological activities, this plant has become both food and medicine in many parts of the world. This review presents comprehensive analyzed information on the botanical, chemical and pharmacological aspects of C. tinctorius.

Flavonoids from Carthamus tinctorius

Two new flavonoids, (2S)-4′ ,5-dihydroxyl-6,7-di-O-β-D-glu-copyranosylflavanone (1) and 6-hydroxykaempferol 6,7-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), were isolated fromCarthamus tinctorius . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means including 2D NMR,ESIMS and CD.

Enzymatic biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid glycosides via promiscuous glycosyltransferases from Carthamus tinctorius

Enzymatic glycosylation catalyzed by glycosyltransferases (GTs) has great potential in creating diverse novel and bioactive glycosides. Herein, three new GTs (UGT84 A33, UGT71 AE1 and UGT90 A14) from Carthamus tinctorius exhibited robust catalytic promiscuity to benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, and were used as enzymatic tools in glycosylation of bioactive benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Seven novel benzylisoquinoline alkaloids O-glycosides were synthesized with high efficiency. These studies indicate the significant potential of promiscuous GTs in synthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids glycosides for drug discovery.

Isocartormin, a novel quinochalcone C-glycoside from Carthamus tinctorius

A new semi-quinonechalcone C-glycoside isocartormin along with cartormin and saf fl omin C were isolated from the water extract of Carthamus tinctorius L. The structure of isocartormin was determined by extensive analysis of HR-MS, 1D-and 2D NMR data, and by comparison with those of cartormin reported previously by our group. Isocartormin was identified as a diastereoisomer of cartormin with a reverse configuration at C-18.

UGT88B2: A promiscuous O-glycosyltransferase from Carthamus tinctorius

Objective:In order to obtain new glycosyltransferases with highly efficient catalysis,the glycosyltransferases from Carthamus tinctorius which contains diverse types of glycosides were mined.Methods:A new glycosyltransferase gene(UGT88B2)with full length was obtained by PCR and further transformed into Escherichia coli for heterologous expression.The catalytic activity of recombinant UGT88B2 was determined by HPLC-MSn.The structures of representative catalytic products were elucidated by MS and NMR.Results:UGT88B2 exhibited catalytic promiscuity and various patterns in glycosylation of flavonoids with high efficiency.Conclusion:A new glycosyltransferase named UGT88B2 was successfully mined and can be employed as enzymatic tools in glycosylation of flavonoids.

Regeneration of Carthamus tinctorius from Jimsar

Objective To investigate the factors significantly affecting the shoot buds regeneration of Carthamus tinctorius from Jimsar （CTJ）. Methods Through tissue culture experiments, the influences of culture temperature, illuminance, relative humidity, explants type, seedlings age, and plant growth regulators added in culture media on in vitro regeneration of CTJ were investigated. Results The culture temperature was set at 24 ℃ in daytime and 16 ℃ at night, illuminance at 9000 lx, and 60% relative humidity were suitable for CTJ regeneration. Cotyledons excised from 6-8 d old seedlings were more responsive than even-aged euphyll, hypocotyl, and root explants because of inducing adventitious buds. The highest percentage of regenerated shoots （79. 1%） with about five adventitious buds per responding explant was obtained from MS basal medium containing 12.0 mg/LTDZ, 2.5 mg/L IBA, and 1.5 mg/L 2-ip （No. 14 medium）. Regenerated shoot buds （80%） could elongate successfully after 1-2 weeks transferred to shoot elongation medium. Conclusion Suitable factors of shoot buds regeneration for CTJ were determined. It may also make a useful reference for regeneration researches of other C. tinctorius varieties in China.

Effect of Vigna radiata, Tamarix ramosissima and Carthamus lanatus extracts on Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica: An in vitro study

Objective:Current therapy strategies of leishmaniasis have some problems such as high cost,toxicity and side effects.Plant extracts can be a source of drugs to control leishmaniasis.In this study,the effect of hydroalcoholic and chloroformic extracts of Vigna radiata,Tamarix ramosissima,and Carthamus lanatus on Leishmania major and L.tropica was studied.Methods:The plant samples were collected from west of Iran and their extracts were prepared.Antipromastigote activity assay of all extracts was done using tetrazolium-dye assay.Results:Only high concentrations of V.radiata and C.lanatus were able to inhibit Leishmania,while both high and low concentrations of T.ramosissima had antileishmanial effect.No difference was observed between hydroalcoholic with chloroformic extract of each plant.Conclusion:Altogether,the results revealed the antileishmanial activity of T.ramosissima extracts against L.major and L.tropica,indicating its potential as an antileishmanial agent.

红花蜂花粉多糖提取工艺的优化及其抗氧化性质研究

采用水提醇沉法从红花(Carthamus tinctorius L.)蜂花粉中提取多糖,以多糖提取率为指标,设计正交试验优化多糖提取的工艺条件,并观察红花蜂花粉多糖在体外的抗氧化作用。结果表明,红花蜂花粉多糖的最佳提取工艺条件为提取温度90℃、提取时间12 h、料水质量比1:15;此工艺条件下多糖平均得率为2.35%。体外抗氧化结果表明,红花蜂花粉多糖对羟基自由基(.OH)和超氧阴离子自由基(O2-.)有一定的清除作用。

红曲霉与红花双向发酵体系的初步研究

以红曲霉(Monascus)作为发酵菌株,中药红花(Carthamus tinctorius)作为发酵基质进行了双向发酵试验。结果表明,红花对于红曲霉的生长和次级代谢产物莫那可林K(Monacolin K)的积累具有促进作用,同时基质中红花黄色素提取率也得到了提高,经过对发酵条件的优化,双向发酵的最佳工艺条件为红曲霉接种量6%,红花添加量3%,葡萄糖添加量6%,发酵温度28℃,发酵11 d。在此工艺条件下,Monacolin K的产量达到25.23 mg/L,比未加红花的对照提高了32.6%;红花黄色素提取率为5.18%,比未加红曲霉的对照提高了8.1%。

基因组DNA标记在红花种质遗传多样性研究中的应用

红花(Carthamus tinctorius L.)是一种重要的药用和油用经济作物,具有很高的经济价值,但因其地理分布广泛和种质资源混杂而限制了红花资源的充分开发利用。近年来,分子标记技术的快速发展为红花种质资源的分类及辅助育种提供了极大的帮助。对RAPD、AFLP、ISSR、RAMP、SRAP几种分子标记技术在红花种质资源分析中的研究进展进行了综述,并对分子标记技术在红花种质资源及遗传多样性研究中的进一步应用进行了分析和探讨。

中压制备与大孔树脂联用快速分离羟基红花黄色素A

用水超声法提取红花(Carthamus tinctorius L.)中红花黄色素A,提取液经D-101大孔吸附树脂色谱柱进行粗分,所得水及体积分数30%的乙醇洗脱物用中压制备色谱进行两次分离纯化,所得产物经高效液相色谱分析,羟基红花黄色素A纯度为95.968%。该方法省时、简便、高效,值得推广应用。