Overcompensation or limitation to photosynthesis and root hydraulic conductance altered by rehydration in seedlings of sorghum and maize

In view of the prospect of irregular extremes of high and low rainfall due to climate change, the mechanisms underlying plant responses to periods of drought and re-watering need to be understood. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) were grown in pots of loess soil at three soil moisture levels to examine the effects of different levels of drought over 10 days and plant responses to re-watering (5 days of rehydration). Photosynthesis-related traits recovered rapidly both in sorghum and maize on re-watering, suggesting that photosynthetic function was not severely damaged after a short drought period, although the values of these traits were dramatically reduced during drought per se. However, the two species differed in the extent to which they recovered from severe stress. In sorghum, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) returned to control levels after re-watering. However, in maize, these parameters exceeded control levels after re-watering. Both overcompensation and pre-drought limitation were observed. Over a range of growth conditions, close relationships between G_s and root hydraulic conductance (K_r) were observed in pooled data sets. P_n, K_r, and their related characteristics were compared among species and treatments. Our results showed that the recovery of K_r is similar between sorghum and maize, at least after a short time of re-watering, although the two species differ in drought-tolerance capacity. Our results also suggest that sorghum can endure moderate drought by adjusting certain traits, but is still as vulnerable as maize under severe drought stress.

Integration of full-length transcriptomics and targeted metabolomics to identify benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes in Corydalis yanhusuo

Corydalis yanhusuo W.T.Wang is a classic herb that is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine and is efficacious in promoting blood circulation,enhancing energy,and relieving pain.Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids(BIAs)are the main bioactive ingredients in Corydalis yanhusuo.However,few studies have investigated the BIA biosynthetic pathway in C.yanhusuo,and the biosynthetic pathway of species-specific chemicals such as tetrahydropalmatine remains unclear.We performed full-length transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to identify candidate genes that might be involved in BIA biosynthesis and identified a total of 101 full-length transcripts and 19 metabolites involved in the BIA biosynthetic pathway.Moreover,the contents of 19 representative BIAs in C.yanhusuo were quantified by classical targeted metabolomic approaches.Their accumulation in the tuber was consistent with the expression patterns of identified BIA biosynthetic genes in tubers and leaves,which reinforces the validity and reliability of the analyses.Full-length genes with similar expression or enrichment patterns were identified,and a complete BIA biosynthesis pathway in C.yanhusuo was constructed according to these findings.Phylogenetic analysis revealed a total of ten enzymes that may possess columbamine-O-methyltransferase activity,which is the final step for tetrahydropalmatine synthesis.Our results span the whole BIA biosynthetic pathway in C.yanhusuo.Our full-length transcriptomic data will enable further molecular cloning of enzymes and activity validation studies.

Elucidating the interaction of kansui and licorice by comparative plasma/tissue metabolomics and a heatmap with relative fold change

Although compatibility is highly advocated in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), inappropriate combination of some herbs may reduce the therapeutic action and even produce toxic effects. Kansui and licorice, one of TCM “Eighteen Incompatible Medicaments”, are the most representative cases of improper herbal combination, which may still be applied simultaneously under given conditions. However, the potential mechanism of their compatibility and incompatibility is unclear. In the present study, two different ratios of kansui and licorice, representing their compatibility and incompatibility respectively, were designed to elucidate their interaction by comparative plasma/tissue metabolomics and a heatmap with relative fold change. As a result, glycocholic acid, prostaglandin F2a, dihydroceramide and sphinganine were screened out as the principal alternative biomarkers of compatibility group;sphinganine, dihydroceramide, arachidonic acid, leukotriene B4, acetoacetic acid and linoleic acid were those of incompatibility group. Based on the values of biomarkers in each tissue, the liver was identified as the compatible target organ, while the heart, liver, and kidney were the incompatible target organs. Furthermore, important pathways for compatibility and incompatibility were also constructed. These results help us to better understand and utilize the two herbs, and the study was the first to reveal some innate characters of herbs related to TCM “Eighteen Incompatible Medicaments”.

Tomato SlAN11 regulates flavonoid biosynthesis and seed dormancy by interaction with bHLH proteins but not with MYB proteins

The flavonoid compounds are important secondary metabolites with versatile human nutritive benefits and fulfill a multitude of functions during plant growth and development.The abundance of different flavonoid compounds are finely tuned with species-specific pattern by a ternary MBW complex,which consists of a MYB,a bHLH,and a WD40 protein,but the essential role of SlAN11,which is a WD40 protein,is not fully understood in tomato until now.In this study,a tomato WD40 protein named as SlAN11 was characterized as an effective transcription regulator to promote plant anthocyanin and seed proanthocyanidin(PA)contents,with late flavonoid biosynthetic genes activated in 35S::SlAN11 transgenic lines,while the dihydroflavonol flow to the accumulation of flavonols or their glycosylated derivatives was reduced by repressing the expression of SlFLS in this SlAN11-overexpressed lines.The above changes were reversed in 35S::SlAN11-RNAi transgenic lines except remained levels of flavonol compounds and SlFLS expression.Interestingly,our data revealed that SlAN11 gene could affect seed dormancy by regulating the expressions of abscisic acid(ABA)signaling-related genes SlABI3 and SlABI5,and the sensitivity to ABA treatment in seed germination is conversely changed by SlAN11-overexpressed or-downregulated lines.Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that SlAN11 interacted with bHLH but not with MYB proteins in the ternary MBW complex,whereas bHLH interacted with MYB in tomato.Our results indicated that low level of anthocyanins in tomato fruits,with low expression of bHLH(SlTT8)and MYB(SlANT1 and SlAN2)genes,remain unchanged upon modification of SlAN11 gene alone in the transgenic lines.These results suggest that the tomato WD40 protein SlAN11,coordinating with bHLH and MYB proteins,plays a crucial role in the fine adjustment of the flavonoid biosynthesis and seed dormancy in tomato.

A review of Behcet's disease from the perspectives of both Western and Chinese Medicine

Behcet's disease is a condition with a complicated and unclear etiology that comprises multi-systemic, chronic, inflammatory vasculitis. Behcet's disease can affect every tissue and organ in the body,and is characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, skin lesions, and other manifestations. The incidence of Behcet's disease has a distinct regional specificity, and is most prevalent along the Silk Road, a route that stretched between the Mediterranean, Middle East and Far East.This article reviews the recent literature to evaluate the prevalence, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis and mechanism, and current treatments of Behcet's disease. Furthermore, the etiology of Behcet's disease will be evaluated from the aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) syndrome differentiation. As Behcet's disease is complex and intractable, its treatment warrants further research.Traditionally, Behcet's disease is treated with Western Medicine(WM) via medications that act locally and systemically; this WM treatment protocol usually has a good effect, but relapse can occur after reducing the dosage. Thus, it may be ideal to treat Behcet's disease via a combination of WM and TCM.Recent studies have indicated that such a combination of Chinese and Western treatments has a better effect than either treatment alone. The aim of the present review is to describe the clinical features of Behcet's disease, and to outline its possible pathogenesis in terms of both TCM and WM. Based on these findings, the present review proposes a Behcet's disease treatment protocol composed of a combination of Chinese and WM that can effectively improve the occurrence of relapse caused by the reduction of the dosage of Western medication.

Methodology of network pharmacology for research on Chinese herbal medicine against COVID-19:A review

Traditional Chinese medicine,as a complementary and alternative medicine,has been practiced for thousands of years in China and possesses remarkable clinical efficacy.Thus,systematic analysis and examination of the mechanistic links between Chinese herbal medicine(CHM)and the complex human body can benefit contemporary understandings by carrying out qualitative and quantitative analysis.With increasing attention,the approach of network pharmacology has begun to unveil the mystery of CHM by constructing the heterogeneous network relationship of“herb-compound-target-pathway,”which corresponds to the holistic mechanisms of CHM.By integrating computational techniques into network pharmacology,the efficiency and accuracy of active compound screening and target fishing have been improved at an unprecedented pace.This review dissects the core innovations to the network pharmacology approach that were developed in the years since 2015 and highlights how this tool has been applied to understanding the coronavirus disease 2019 and refining the clinical use of CHM to combat it.

Comparative pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution of Dahuang-Gancao decoction in normal and experimental constipation mice

Dahuang-Gancao decoction(DGD)is a classical formula,which is commonly used for reliving constipation in Chinese clinic.The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacodynamic,pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution alternations of DGD in normal and constipation mice.DGD exhibited stronger purgative effect in constipation mice by the increased fecal excretion and reduced first defection time compared with normal mice.The Cmax,AUC0-t and MRT0-t of rhein,aloe-emodin,rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside,sennoside A,and glycyrrhizic acid as main bio-active components in DGD were markedly increased in constipation mice.The tissue distribution of the analytes in constipation mice were higher than those in normal mice with rhein>rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside>aloe-emodin>glycyrrhizic acid>emodin in liver,and glycyrrhizic acid>rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside>liquitin>sennoside A>rhein>aloe-emodin>emodin in colon.The kidney concentrations of the analytes showed a descending order of rhein>rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside>sennoside A>glycyrrhizic acid>aloe-emodin>emodin,most of them were higher while rhein was lower in constipation mice than normal mice.The higher exposure of the anthraquinones in plasma,liver and colon may result in the stronger purgative effect in the constipation mice than normal mice.Rhein is mainly excreted through the kidney,the decreased level of rhein in constipation mice may explain the alleviated side effects.Accumulation of glycyrrhizic acid in colon may related with the moderate property of licorice.These results provided the experimental basis for understanding the therapeutic effects and metabolite profile of DGD.

Studies on blood enrichment and anti-tumor effects of combined Danggui Buxue Decoction,Fe and rhEPO based on colon cancer-related anemia model and gut microbiota modulation

Colon cancer-related anemia(CCRA)is mainly caused by systemic inflammation,intestinal bleeding,iron deficiency and chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in colon cancer.However,the best therapeutic schedule and related mechanism on CCRA were still uncertain.Studies on blood enrichment and anti-tumor effects of combined Danggui Buxue Decoction(DBD),Fe and rhEPO based on CCRA and gut microbiota modulation were conducted in this paper.Here,CCRA model was successfully induced by subcutaneous inoculation of CT-26 and i.p.oxaliplatin,rhEPO+DBD high dosage+Fe(EDF)and rhEPO+DBD high dosage(ED)groups had the best blood enrichment effect.Attractively,EDF group also showed antitumor activity.The sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that compared to P group,the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae and opportunistic pathogen(Odoribacter)in ED and EDF groups were decreased.Interestingly,EDF also decreased the relative abundances of cancer-related bacteria(Helicobacter,Lactococcus,Alloprevotella)and imbalance-inducing bacteria(Escherichia-Shigella and Parabacteroides)and increased the relative abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria(Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014),however,ED showed the opposite effects to EDF,this might be the reason of the smaller tumor volume in EDF group.Our findings proposed the best treatment combination of DBD,rhEPO and Fe in CCRA and provided theoretical basis and literature reference for CCRA-induced intestinal flora disorder and the regulatory mechanism of EDF.

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.

Five new polyhydroxylated furostanol saponins from the rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis

Five new polyhydroxylated furostanol saponins were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis,and their structures were determined as tupistrosides J–N(1–5),together with four known furostanol saponins(6–9),on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis.Among them,compounds 3 and 5 showed cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines SW620 with IC50 values of 72.5±2.4 and 77.3±2.5μmol·L^–1,respectively.Compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against human cancer cell line HepG2 with IC50 value of 88.6±2.1μmol·L^–1.

Construction of immobilized films photocatalysts with CdS clusters decorated by metal Cd and BiOCl for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotics

A kind of CdS/Cd-BiOCl immobilized films photocatalyst was prepared.The optical and physicochemical properties of the CdS/Cd-BiOCl photocatalysts were analysed,and the detailed characterization revealed CdS/Cd-BiOCl films photocatalyst with good charge carrier separation effect.The reusabilities and photocatalytic properties of the samples were studied.The 15%Cd S/Cd-Bi OCl photocatalyst exhibited superior performance in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline(TC)and favorable stability under visible light irradiation.As for the photodegradation rate of TC,15%CdS/Cd-BiOCl exhibited an excellent photodegradation activity,which is 4.06 and 9.53 times higher than that of Cd S/Cd and Bi OCl,respectively.The results showed that dominant active species are·O_(2)^(-)and·OH radicals during photodegradation.The charge transfer in Z-scheme CdS/Cd-BiOCl films photocatalyst could synchronously generate conduct band(CB)electrons in BiOCl and valence band(VB)holes in CdS,and metal Cd served as electron mediator.This work can be a reference for the design of film photocatalysts and new insight for photodegradating towards contaminants.

Comparison of prechilling stratification and sulfuric acid scarification on seed germination of Panicum virgatum under drought stress

In semi-arid regions of the Loess Plateau,water deficiency restricts plant performance. Panicum virgatum(switchgrass), which is a highly versatile grass,had been introduced to the Plateau as a restoration species.To determine if prechilling stratification(PCS) and sulfuric acid scarification(SAS) can optimize establishment,P. virgatum cvs Pathfinder, Trailblazer and Alamo were tested under different ambient water potentials by measuring germination and root and shoot growth along water potential gradients under laboratory conditions. Both PCS and SAS improved total germination percentage(TGP), with PCS being more beneficial. The effect of PCS and SAS on mean germination time(MGT) weakened gradually with increasing drought stress. Both PCS and SAS showed no obvious effect on promoting root and shoot growth. Both PCS and SAS reduced base water potential requirement for reaching 50% germination of Pathfinder and Trailblazer, with this effect greater for PCS.These results indicate that embryo dormancy may be a major factor limiting germination of P. virgatum under drought conditions. Pathfinder appears to be more suitable for a semi-arid environment, whereas Alamo appears to be unsuitable for drought conditions. Given the large difference between predicted value and measured value,the reliability and applicable scope of linear regression estimated ψ_(50) needs further investigation, specification and optimization.

Mangiferin inhibited neuroinflammation through regulating microglial polarization and suppressing NF-κB,NLRP3 pathway

Inflammation plays important roles in the progress of neurodegenerative diseases,such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.Microglia is responsible for the homeostasis of the central nervous system(CNS),and involved in the neuroinflammation.Therefore,it could be potential in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases to suppress the microglia-mediated neuroinflammation.Mangiferin,a major glucoside of xanthone in Anemarrhena Rhizome,has anti-inflammatory,anti-diabetes,and anti-oxidative properties.However,the effect of mangiferin on the inflammatary responses of microglia cells are still poorly understand.In this study,we investigated the mechanism by which mangiferin inhibited inflammation in LPS-induced BV2 microglia cells.BV2 cells were pretreatment with mangiferin followed by LPS stimulation.In vitro assays,NO and cytokines production were quantified.Western blot and immunocytochemistry were used to examine the effect of mangiferin on the polarization of BV2 cells and signaling pathway.The results showed that mangiferin treatment significantly reduced NO,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-αproduction,also reduced the mRNA and protein of iNOS and COX-2,promoted the polarization of inflammatory toward anti-inflammatory,and inhibited activation of NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome.These data suggest that mangiferin has an anti-neuroinflammatory property via regulating microglia macrophage polarization and suppressing NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathway,and may act as a potential natural therapeutic candidate for neuroinflammatory diseases.

Steroidal constituents from Helleborus thibetanus and their cytotoxicities

Thibetanosides E-H(1-4),four new steroidal constituents including three rare sulfonates(2-4),were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Helleborus thibetanus,together with nine known steroidal compounds(5-13).Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis,including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and chemical evidence.In this study,compounds 2-13 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HCT116,A549 and HepG2 tumor cell lines in vitro.Among them,compound 8(thibetanoside C)showed cytotoxicities against A549 cells(IC50 39.6±1.9μmol·L^-1)and HepG2 cells(IC50 41.5±1.1μmol·L^-1),respectively.Compound 9(23S,24S)-24-[(O-β-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-3β,23-dihydroxy-spirosta-5,25(27)-diene-1β-yl O-(4-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→2)-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside)showed cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells(IC5033.6±2.1μmol·L^-1).