Introduction Eleutherococcus giraldii (Harms) Nakai, commonly known as Hong-mao-wu-jia, is an ethnomedicinal plant whose stem bark is used within the broader Wu-jia-pi tradition. In traditional Chinese medicine and regional materia medica, its stem bark, regionally referred to as Chuan-wu-jia-pi, is used to dispel wind-dampness, reduce swelling, and strengthen tendons and bones, particularly for rheumatic disorders characterized by joint pain and limb weakness. Representative preparations include decoctions, medicated wine, and pills. However, because Wu-jia-pi may refer to materials derived from different botanical sources and medicinal parts, source attribution and evidence interpretation remain challenging. This review critically evaluates the ethnomedicinal relevance, authentication, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality evaluation, and safety of E. giraldii, with emphasis on evidence strength and translational limitations. Methods PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched from inception to 25 March 2026. After duplicate removal, screening, and eligibility assessment, 111 sources were included for narrative synthesis. Evidence was interpreted by botanical source, medicinal part, test material, extraction or fractionation procedure, chemical characterization, dose or concentration, model, administration or exposure route, positive control, endpoint, mechanistic validation, safety relevance, and reporting completeness. Results E. giraldii contains polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, nucleobases, nucleosides, and other minor constituents, with marked variation among plant parts and preparations. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects are supported by relatively consistent preclinical evidence, whereas hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, neuroactive, antiviral, antitumor, anti-hypoxic, and anti-fatigue activities remain preliminary or heterogeneous. Current quality evaluation relies mainly on botanical authentication, marker assays, and chromatographic fingerprinting, but marker-efficacy relationships remain insufficiently defined. Evidence is also insufficient for conclusions on chronic, genotoxic, reproductive, interaction-related, and preparation-specific safety. Discussion The current evidence is limited by inconsistent authentication, incomplete medicinal-part and dose reporting, heterogeneous preparations, limited mechanistic validation, and inadequate safety assessment. Future studies should use authenticated materials, medicinal-part-specific designs, standardized characterization, mechanistic pharmacology, marker-efficacy correlation, and systematic toxicological evaluation.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of Gelsemium elegans extract powder (GEE) on broilers under high stocking density (HSD). A total of 78 one-day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups: normal stocking density (NSD), HSD, HSD + 0.06% GEE, HSD + 0.12% GEE, and HSD + 0.6% GEE. The results showed that HSD impaired broiler growth and physiological functions. Dietary supplementation with 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet Gelsemium elegans extract) significantly improved growth performance (marked increases in body weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain), reversed immune organ inhibition (evidenced by significantly increased weight and index of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius), reduced serum corticosterone levels, repaired intestinal structural damage, and corrected intestinal flora imbalance (with a decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio) (P < 0.05). However, medium and high doses of GEE (0.12% and 0.6%, 400 and 2000 mg/kg diet Gelsemium elegans extract) inhibited broiler growth by inducing abnormal expression of myostatin. Therefore, 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet Gelsemium elegans extract) was identified as an effective and safe dose under the current experimental conditions. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet Gelsemium elegans extract) can effectively improve broiler growth performance and physiological functions under HSD, and its mechanism involves reducing serum corticosterone levels, enhancing immune function, repairing intestinal morphological damage, and correcting intestinal flora imbalance.

Gelsemium elegans (G.elegans) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with acute toxic effects and mechanisms still poorly understood. In this study, acute neurotoxic effects induced by the powdered alcoholic extract of G.elegans (480 mg/kg) were evaluated in rats. The study found that N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA, 8.75 mg/kg), baclofen (0.3 mg/kg), sarcosine (560 mg/kg) have antagonistic effects on G.elegans acute poisoning, and the rescue rates are 80

Implant of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising therapy for the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but the chronic inflammation environment impairs the capacity of MSCs. This study aimed to alleviate the function of synovial membrane-derived MSCs (SM-MSCs) by regulating circRNA and its downstream molecules. In the present study, chronic inflammatory stimulation (TNF-α treatment) weakened the migration and ligament differentiation abilities of SM-MSCs, and reduced the expression level of circRNA_02540, screened from candidates dysregulated in relevant pathological tissues (Jiang et al. in Ann Transl Med 9:1685, 2021; Xiang et al. in J Cell Biochem 120:18031–18040, 2019). Upregulating circRNA_02540 alleviated the functions of SM-MSCs under inflammatory milieu. RNA-sequencing identified 348 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in circRNA_02540 overexpression group. Bioinformatics analyses screened 23 upregulated DEGs involved in migration and differentiation relevant processes, and used to construct the ceRNA network of circRNA_02540. Next, ZIC1 and miR-203a-3p were screened out. Overexpression of miR-203a-3p or knockdown of ZIC1 inhibited the positive effects of circRNA_02540 on the function of SM-MSCs. Knockdown of ZIC1 inhibited the positive effects exerted by silencing miR-203a-3p on SM-MSC, and overexpression of ZIC1 alleviated the inhibitory effects of miR-203a-3p on the function of SM-MSCs. In conclusion, circRNA_02540 promoted the migration and ligament differentiation abilities of SM-MSCs by sponging miR-203a-3p and enhancing ZIC1 expression, providing a potential solution to enhance the function decline of MSCs used for ACL reconstruction.

T-2 toxin is a highly toxic mycotoxin. Although specific detection methods are available for certain Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs), a rapid and high-throughput screening approach applicable to complex CHM matrices remains lacking. In this study, a previously established indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was adapted for the detection of T-2 toxin in CHMs, with Ziziphi Spinosae Semen used as the representative matrix for method validation. The optimized assay showed a limit of detection of 1.42 mu g kg(-)& sup1;, mean recoveries of 84.6-94.2%, and CVs < 10.5%. The validated ic-ELISA was subsequently applied to screen 13 types of commercially available CHMs. T-2 toxin equivalents were detected in 9 of the 13 samples, at levels ranging from 2.0 to 4.9 mu g kg(-)& sup1;. Because formal validation was conducted only in Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and the commercial survey was limited to one retail batch per CHM type from a single city without confirmatory LC-MS/MS analysis, the results for the other CHM matrices should be interpreted as preliminary screening findings that warrant confirmation in broader surveys.

Tildipirosin is a relatively new macrolide antibiotic with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, effectively inhibiting Gram-positive bacteria (such as staphylococci and streptococci) and certain Gram-negative bacteria (such as Pasteurella multocida, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Glaesserella parasuis, etc). Based on its unique antibacterial activity and excellent pharmacokinetic properties-including a long half-life, high bioavailability, and exceptional intracellular permeability-it has demonstrated good efficacy in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases in large animals. In recent years, research on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical applications of tildipirosin has increased, providing data support for dose optimization, efficacy evaluation, and safe use in animals. However, systematic summaries regarding its tissue distribution across different animal species, pulmonary concentration characteristics, antimicrobial spectrum, Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model establishment, and drug residues and withdrawal periods remain insufficient. This paper systematically reviews existing literature on tildipirosin's antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics, clinical efficacy, and residue safety. It aims to provide scientific evidence and practical guidance for establishing optimal dosing regimens, preventing and treating respiratory diseases, and ensuring food safety in animal-derived products.

Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) is widely recognized as one of the most toxic plants globally, particularly harmful to humans. Some reports indicate that it is non-toxic to pigs and even has a growth-promoting effect; however, the underlying reasons for this paradox remain unclear. Gelsenicine is the main toxic component of G. elegans. This study characterized gelsenicine-induced toxicity using electrophysiological recordings, molecular dynamic simulations, c-Fos immunostaining, and multi-omics technologies. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive analysis comparing the toxic effects of gelsenicine across various animal species through examinations of tissue distribution, blood gas analysis, metabonomics, and behavioral tests. We demonstrated that gelsenicine-induced hypoxia leads to respiratory depression in mice by enhancing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA receptors (GABARs). Glycine significantly ameliorated hypoxia and improved the survival of gelsenicine-poisoned mice. Under gelsenicine-induced hypoxic conditions, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function and mitochondrial energy metabolism processes were perturbed, resulting in neuronal excitotoxicity. Finally, we confirmed that pigs could tolerate hypoxia and were resistant to gelsenicine toxicity due to high concentrations of circulating glycine and low levels of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that hypoxic protection should be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for gelsenicine poisoning. Our study contributes to preventing potential risks posed by G. elegans poisoning to human and animal health.

Gelsemium elegans a plant of the Loganiaceae family, is highly toxic and contains many alkaloids of potential pharmacological value. Koumine, is the most abundant component of G. elegans, and belongs to monoterpene indole alkaloids and is valued in medical research as it has important anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties. The biosynthesis pathway of this compound has been little studied, and is poorly understood, limiting the ability to improve koumine production via breeding or synthetic biology. To investigate G. elegans biosynthesis of koumine, its genomes was sequenced and assembled (331.82 Mb) and a comprehensive transcriptome cDNA library from different tissues and hormone treatments constructed and sequenced using PacBio (10.9 Gb subreads). Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques, we identified 29 alkaloids in extracts of G. elegans and analyzed their synthesis and accumulation in different tissues and this data was compared to the transcriptomic data to identify 20 candidate genes likely to be involved in the synthesis of koumine. Finally, a preliminary validation of the functions of two candidate genes GeLAMT and GeTDC were performed and found that both proteins catalyze the production of products in koumine biosynthesis. This data provides a rich molecular resource for the study of G. elegans, as well as the first functional validation of genes in G. elegans, that will help to inform further MIA biosynthetic pathway studies.

This study is centered on optimizing the derivatization reaction conditions and the protein precipitation reagent system for the detection of guanidine compounds (GCs) in animal liver and kidney. It introduces a two-dimensional liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet detection (2D-LC-UV) method. The optimal derivatization conditions were identified through an orthogonal experiment, with the most favorable reaction conditions being 100 °C for 5 min, and optimal concentrations of benzoin and potassium hydroxide (KOH) determined to be 30 mmol/L and 8 mol/L, respectively. Furthermore, a 50 % methanol-0.5 % hydrochloric acid solution was selected as an effective protein precipitation reagent. Methodological validation demonstrated that, in mouse liver and kidney tissues, the linear range for GCs was 5-500 μmol/L (r2 > 0.99), with a limit of quantification of 5 μmol/L. Analysis of animal samples revealed an organ-specific metabolic distribution of GCs. This study furnishes reliable technical support for the detection of guanidino compounds in animal biological samples.

BACKGROUND:Endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) can be identified by electrophysiological and radiological examinations. OBJECTIVES:We aimed to investigate the relationship between audiometric glycerol test and delayed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the inner ear after intratympanic gadolinium in patients with unilateral Ménière's disease (MD). MATERIAL AND METHODS:Forty-two patients with unilateral definite MD underwent audiometric glycerol test and delayed MRI following intratympanic gadolinium application. RESULTS:The degree of cochlear ELH was moderately positively correlated with the mean hearing threshold below 2 kHz. For those ears with positive glycerol results, the best hearing threshold was measured at 3 h and the maximal improvement of hearing threshold was observed within the third hour. The overall positive rates of glycerol test did not differ between ELH (+) and ELH (-) subgroups based on the MRI findings. Significant temporal changes in the positive rate were only observed in the ELH (+) subgroup. The rebound rate did not change significantly over time in either subgroup. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE:In MD patients, glycerol-induced dynamic shift of hearing threshold may be modified by the hydropic status of the inner ear. For those without radiological ELH, glycerol test could be used as additional diagnostic tool to detect hydrops.

Gelsemium is a highly toxic plant belonging to the genus Gelsemium in the family Loganiaceae. Its main toxic components are Gelsemium alkaloids. Evidence suggests that these alkaloids may possess notable mobility and diffusion capacity. After animal ingestion, the alkaloids may be excreted via feces, posing soil risks. Therefore, this study developed a two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) method based on the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) approach for the detection of Gelsemium alkaloids in soil samples. The proposed method is suitable for detecting Gelsemium alkaloids in soil, especially the primary toxic constituents gelsemine and humantenmine. In this study, we optimized the extraction solvent and selected a mixture of acetonitrile and acetone at a volume ratio of 1:5 (V/V = 1:5) with 1 % formic acid as the optimal extraction solvent. Method validation demonstrated: good linearity was observed for gelsemine and humantenmine in soil over the ranges of 20-1000 ng/g and 50-1000 ng/g. The correlation coefficients were higher than 0.999. The limit of detection for gelsemine was 10 ng/g, and humantenmine was 20 ng/g. The extraction recoveries were all above 90 %. The intraday and interday relative standard deviations (RSDs) were all less than 14 %. Stability test results ranged from 0.8 % to 14 %. This method can clearly identify Gelsemium alkaloids in soil. 2D-LC markedly enhances sensitivity, selectivity, and efficiency over conventional methods, outperforming high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in sensitivity and offering greater cost-effectiveness than mass spectrometry (MS). Therefore, this method is suitable for monitoring of Gelsemium alkaloid residues in soil, providing a reliable approach to ensure soil ecological safety and assess pollution risks.

Gelsemium has a long history of medicinal use but is also a poisonous plant. Some low-toxicity alkaloids in Gelsemium exhibit anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and other pharmacological effects; however, certain alkaloids in Gelsemium are highly toxic. Nevertheless, the molecular targets underlying the biological effects of Gelsemium alkaloids remain poorly understood. We employed electrophysiological techniques and molecular modeling to examine the modulatory effects of Gelsemium alkaloids on inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors, as well as to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their molecular interactions. Our findings indicate that low-toxicity alkaloids primarily exert their pharmacological effects through actions on glycine receptors, with the binding site located at the orthosteric site between two α-subunits. Both highly toxic and low-toxicity alkaloids target GABAA receptors, using the β+/α− interface transmembrane structural domains as common binding sites. These results identify the targets through which Gelsemium alkaloids affect the central nervous system and predict the binding modes and key amino acids involved from a computational modeling perspective. However, further experimental validation through mutational studies is necessary to strengthen these findings.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABARs) primarily function by suppressing inflammatory responses, modulating neuronal excitability, and maintaining intracellular homeostasis, whereas N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a key role in mediating pathological processes through the regulation of excitatory neurotransmission and immune responses. Viral infections have the capacity to modify the expression and functionality of these receptors, either directly or indirectly, thereby contributing to dysregulation within the neurological and immune systems and triggering a range of disease states. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms through which various viral infections interact with GABARs and NMDARs, emphasizing the possible intricate roles these receptors play in viral pathogenesis. Additionally, it underscores their potential as therapeutic targets for antiviral interventions, particularly in addressing immune dysregulation and neurological disorders.

Introduction: Gelsemium, a whole grass in the family Loganiaceae, is the world's poisonous plants. Due to its flower's resemblance to honeysuckle, there has been a rise in cases of accidental ingestion of Gelsemium, leading to poisoning and even fatalities in recent years. Although this problem has been apparent for many years, there is now promise that it can be better understood. This work seeks to comprehensively summarizes. Methods: References for this review were collected by searching CNKI (http://www.cnki.com.cn) and PubMed untill 29 October 2023. The selection of articles was performed by reading the title, abstract, and keywords. Results: Gelsedine-type alkaloids are identified as the primary toxic constituents in Gelsemium. Animal experimentation has elucidated the acute neurotoxic impact of Gelsemium, primarily characterized by inhibition of the respiratory center. This effect may be intricately linked to the disruption of GABA/Glu equilibrium and NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. Some studies have found the potential reduction of toxicity in Gelsemium through processing and compatibility with traditional Chinese Medicine. However, prompt endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are paramount in clinical instances of Gelsemium poisoning. Additionally, there is evidence supporting the efficacy of enhancing CYP3A4/5 enzyme metabolism can diminish the concentration of Gelsemium and mortality rates from poisoning. Discussion: This review provides a summary of clinical symptoms and rescue measures for Gelsemium poisoning, aiming to enhance treatment options and mitigate toxic effects. The elucidation of Gelsemium's neurotoxic mechanism may offer insights for future research, particularly in understanding Gelsemium's regulatory role on GABA receptor and NMDA receptor, which is expected to identify and develop specific antidotes for Gelsemium poisoning.

T-2 toxin (T-2) is a fungal toxin commonly found in contaminated grains. It can remain in animal-derived products after eating contaminated feed, and has potential teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. Previous T-2 toxin immunoassay detection methods often utilize mouse monoclonal antibodies (MmAbs). However, in comparison to MmAbs, rabbit monoclonal antibodies (RmAbs) demonstrate higher affinity and sensitivity. This study successfully prepared an RmAb targeting T-2 using single B cell clone technology, with an IC50 of 0.089 ng/ml. By optimizing the working concentrations of the coating antigen and antibody, a one-step ic-ELISA method for detecting T-2 in milk, feed and Pork Samples was established based on RmAb, with a detection limit 0.32 to 1.42 mu g/kg. This method reduces reaction time to under 1 h and achieves average recovery rates of 75.5-100.8 %, and the CV was less than 11.6 %, indicating high accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of the ic-ELISA. In conclusion, this study developed a highly specific and sensitive RmAb and established a one-step ic-ELISA based on this antibody for detecting T-2. The method proved to be reliable and rapid, providing a valuable reference for advancing T-2 residue detection techniques in foods.

This study explores the effects of disinfectant and antibiotic exposure on gut health, focusing on gut microbiota balance and gut immune function. Our analysis indicates that disinfectants increase the proportion of Gram-positive bacteria, particularly increasing Staphylococcus levels, while antibiotics increase the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria, especially Bacteroides levels. These changes disrupt microbial harmony and affect the gut microbiome's functional capacity. Additionally, our research reveals that both disinfectants and antibiotics reduce colon length and cause mucosal damage. A significant finding is the downregulation of NLRC4, a key immune system regulator in the gut, accompanied by changes in immune factor expression. This interaction between chemical exposure and immune system dysfunction increases susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease and other gut conditions. Given the importance of disinfectants in disease prevention, this study advocates for a balanced approach to their use, aiming to protect public health while minimizing adverse effects on the gut microbiome and immune function. IMPORTANCEDisinfectants are extensively employed across various sectors, such as the food sector. Disinfectants are widely used in various sectors, including the food processing industry, animal husbandry, households, and pharmaceuticals. Their extensive application risks environmental contamination, impacting water and soil quality. However, the effect of disinfectant exposure on the gut microbiome and the immune function of animals remains a significant, unresolved issue with profound public health implications. This highlights the need for increased scrutiny and more regulated use of disinfectants to mitigate unintended consequences on gut health and maintain immune system integrity.

We established an efficient method using high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) combined with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) for isolating and purifying Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) alkaloids. First, the two-phase solvent system composed of 1% triethylamine aqueous solution/n-hexane/ethyl acetate/ethanol (volume ratio 4:2:3:2) was employed to separate the crude extract (350 mg) using HSCCC. Subsequently, the mixture that resulted from HSCCC was further separated by Prep-HPLC, resulting in seven pure compounds including: 14-hydroxygelsenicine (1, 12.1 mg), sempervirine (2, 20.8 mg), 19-(R)-hydroxydihydrogelelsevirine (3, 10.1 mg), koumine (4, 50.5 mg), gelsemine (5, 32.2 mg), gelselvirine (6, 50.5 mg), and 11-hydroxyhumanmantenine (7, 12.5 mg). The purity of these seven compounds were 97.4, 98.9, 98.5, 99, 99.5, 96.8, and 85.5%, as determined by HPLC. The chemical structures of the seven compounds were analyzed and confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance (13 C NMR) spectra. The results indicate that the HSCCC-prep-HPLC method can effectively separate the major alkaloids from the purified G. elegans, holding promising prospects for potential applications in the separation and identification of other traditional Chinese medicines.

AIM:The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolism of Gelsemium elegans in human, pig, goat and rat liver microsomes and to elucidate the metabolic pathways and cleavage patterns of the Gelsemium alkaloids among different species. METHODS:A human, goat, pig and rat liver microsomes were incubated in vitro. After incubating at 37°C for 1 hour and centrifuging, the processed samples were detected by HPLC/Qq-TOFMS was used to detect alcohol extract of Gelsemium elegans and its metabolites. RESULTS:Forty-six natural products were characterized from alcohol extract of Gelsemium elegans and 13 metabolites were identified. These 13 metabolites belong to the gelsemine, koumine, gelsedine, humantenine, yohimbane, and sarpagine classes of alkaloids. The metabolic pathways included oxidation, demethylation and dehydrogenation. After preliminary identification, the metabolites detected in the four species were different. All 13 metabolites were detected in pig and rat microsomes, but no oxidative metabolites of Gelsedine-type alkaloids were detected in goat and human microsomes. CONCLUSION:In this study, Gelsemium elegans metabolic patterns in different species are clarified and the in vitro metabolism of Gelsemium elegans is investigated. It is of great significance for its clinical development and rational application.

Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by sepsis is one of the most common critical diseases, which is difficult to treat and has a high fatality rate. Koumine is one of the main active components of Gelsemium plants and has been confirmed to have potential for drug development; however, its therapeutic effects on ALI have not yet been studied. This study established ALI due to sepsis using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and assessed the therapeutic effects of koumine by measuring mouse survival rates, lung tissue pathological damage, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress levels. Additionally, network pharmacology was utilized to explore the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that koumine inhibited the release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), thereby inhibiting inflammatory response, reducing lung injury score and lung wet to dry ratio. In addition, koumine reduced oxidative stress in mice by reducing myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) content. Network pharmacology analysis showed that 52 putative targets were relevant, and SLC6A4, HTR3A, JAK2 and JAK3 were the key targets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the related mechanisms involved neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, serotonergic synapses, cholinergic synapses, etc. In summary, this study confirmed the potential therapeutic effect of koumine in sepsis induced ALI, suggesting its development prospect as a novel candidate drug for ALI, and providing data support.