Objective: The study was designed to test solvent extracts of Rubus suavissimus (RS) for compounds that regulate lipid metabolism and to measure their relative activity as quantitative markers of lipid metabolism-regulating activities based on the spectrum-effect relationship. Method: RS was extracted with 95% ethanol, the different extraction parts were successively extracted with petroleum ether, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. The solution of different extraction parts was applied to the induced differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and the oil red O staining and triglyceride release from the cells were determined to screen the best metabolism-regulating site. Analysis of different extraction sited by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique to separate and identify the components. Based on specific assays, image intensity analysis, grey correlation and partial least squares regressions, the spectrum-effect relationship of the most abundant active components and their ability to regulate lipid metabolism were determined, and the quality markers were screened. Results: Ethyl acetate and n-butanol extraction site was the best metabolism-regulating site. Four components, including ellagic acid, centaurin-3-O-rutinoside, rubusoside and enantio-kauri-16-ene-19-carboxylic acid-13-O-β-D-glucoside were highly associated with metabolism-regulating effects. It could be used as quality markers for regulating lipid metabolism. Conclusion: Investigation of the quality markers of RS extracts based on the spectrum-effect relationship is of great importance for elucidating the pharmacodynamics, screening the core quality markers for therapeutic activity, and ensuring the safety and rational application of traditional medicines.

The role of melatonin (MT), an essential phytohormone controlling the physiological and biochemical reactions of plants to biotic and abiotic stress, in alleviating pesticide phytotoxicity remains unclear. This study explores the effects of MT (0 and 200 mg/L) and six doses of fluroxypyr-meptyl (FLUME) (0-0.14 mg/L) on the physiological response of rice (Oryza sativa). FLUME exposure inhibited the growth of rice seedlings, with MT treatment ameliorating this effect. To determine the biochemical processes and catalytic events involved in FLUME breakdown in rice, six rice root and shoot libraries exposed to either FLUME or FLUME-MT were generated and then subjected to RNA-Seq-LC-Q-TOF-HRMS/MS analyses. The results showed that 1510 root genes and 139 shoot genes exhibited higher upregulation in plants treated with an ecologically realistic FLUME concentration and MT than in those treated with FLUME alone. Gene enrichment analysis revealed numerous FLUME-degradative enzymes operating in xenobiotic tolerance to environmental stress and molecular metabolism. Regarding the FLUME degradation process, certain differentially expressed genes were responsible for producing important enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, glycosyltransferases, and acetyltransferases. Four metabolites and ten conjugates in the pathways involving hydrolysis, malonylation, reduction, glycosylation, or acetylation were characterized using LC-Q-TOF-HRMS/MS to support FLUME-degradative metabolism. Overall, external application of MT can increase rice tolerance to FLUME-induced oxidative stress by reducing phytotoxicity and FLUME accumulation. This study provides insights into MT's role in facilitating FLUME degradation, with potential implications for engineering genotypes supporting FLUME degradation in paddy crops.

Cinnamomum cassia Presl is a major food spice as well as traditional herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and stomachic properties, which must be dried to preserve its quality, but mostly by using traditional, ineffective drying method. In order to find a scientific drying method by evaluating different drying methods that could influence the quality of C. cassia, ten indices were employed to evaluate different drying methods in C. cassia using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method though calculating the total scores and ranking the priority. Four quality markers (Q-Markers) (coumarin, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxycinnamaldehyde) were isolated from the samples and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method under different drying methods. The results showed that various drying methods had multiple effects on the physicochemical qualities, essential oil content, and Q-Marker contents. Compared with other drying methods, oven-drying of 45 °C (45OD) maintained optimal levels of color and aroma, it also significantly shortened the drying time by 225 h than traditionally shade-drying (SHD) method with the drying rate (48.35 %), and obtained the highest essential oil content (3.05 %) and Q-Marker contents (30.23 mg g−1). Furthermore, the ash content (4.22 %) were satisfied with the stipulation of Chinese pharmacopoeia in 45OD samples. Applying AHP allowed us to identify 45OD as the optimal drying method with the highest total score (9.00), followed by the traditional shade-drying (SHD) method (7.88). The present study is the first report to apply the AHP method for quality evaluation of drying processing in C. cassia. It can provide the theoretical basis for evaluating an excellent method for C. cassia drying processing, as well as the rational use of different drying methods to furtherly develop the high quality C. cassia industry.

Rubusoside-a high-sweetened, nonsugar sweetener-is mainly extracted from Rubus chingii var. suavissimus (S. Lee) L. T. Lu or Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Chinese sweet leaf tea). We previously reported that rubusoside regulates lipid metabolism disorder in Syrian golden hamsters on a high-fat diet (HFD). This study aimed to reveal the underlying mechanisms through which rubusoside alleviates lipid metabolism disorder in vivo and in vitro. First, we analyzed the therapeutic properties of rubusoside in alleviating HFD-induced lipid metabolism disorder in C57BL/6J mice. Then, we analyzed the adipogenic effect of rubusoside in normal and Lgals3/Mknk2-overexpressing 3T3-L1 cells by exploring the mechanisms on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma/alpha (PPAR gamma/alpha), galectin-3 (Lgals3), mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting serine/threonine kinase-2 (Mknk2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) with RT-qPCR and Western blot. Our results showed a rubusoside-mediated reduction of HFD-induced weight gain, dyslipidemia, and decelerated hepatic steatosis and adipose tissue expansion in mice as well as improved adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Mechanistically, rubusoside up-regulated the PPAR gamma/alpha expression while down-regulating Lgals3 and Mknk2 expression in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, rubusoside attenuated the adipogenic activity of PPAR gamma through increasing its site-specific phosphorylation mediated by p38MAPK and ERK1/2. Taken together, our findings suggest that rubusoside alleviates lipid metabolism disorder through multiple pathways and thus holds potential for future development.

【Objective】The study was carried out to investigate the effects of different planting densities on the photosynthetic characteristics, yield and quality of Centella asiatica(L.) Urban, which will provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of yield and quality during artificial cultivation.【Method】Five different planting densities, including 30 000, 60 000, 120 000, 160 000, and 250 000 plants/hm2, were set in greenhouse by using single factor randomized block design.The Li-6400 portable photosynthesis measure system was used to determine the photosynthetic characteristics in leaves and the content of asiaticoside and madecassoside in herbs was determined by HPLC.【Result】The planting density had no significant effects on branching number, dry weight per plant, stem diameter, leaf thickness, petiole length, leaf length and width of C asiatica(L.) Urban seedlings among in five different densities. The chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate(Pn), stomatal conductance(Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration(Ci), and transpiration rate(Tr) increased gradually and then decreased with the increase of density. Although the highest Pn [(15.241 μmol CO2/(m2·s) ﹞ was appeared at the density of 120 000plants/hm2, there was no significant difference between 60 000 and 120 000 plants/hm2. The highest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll total content, Gs, Ci, and Tr were all appeared under the 60 000 plants/hm2, which was significantly higher than those of other treatments. With the increase of density, the fresh yield, the dry yield, and the drying rate showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, which were the highest(21.437 t/hm2, 4.196 t/hm2, and 19.599%, respectively) when the density was 60 000 plants/hm2. At the density of 60 000 plants/hm2, all the fresh yield, the dry yield, and the drying rate were significantly higher than those of other treatments. The total contents of asiaticoside and madecassoside ranged from 1.95%to 2.78% among different densities, which were exceeded the requirement of Chinese Pharmacopoeia Version 2020(0.8%).The contents of asiaticoside and madecassoside also showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing as the increase of density, and the total contents of asiaticoside and madecassoside were the highest(2.73%) when the density was 60 000 plants/hm2. Correlation analysis results showed that there was a significantly positive correlation between fresh yield and Tr, and a significantly positive correlation were also appeared among dry yield and Tr, Gs as well as total chlorophyll.【Conclusion】Planting density of 60 000 plants/hm2 was the most appropriate for C. asiatica in greenhouse. Reasonably dense planting could effectively increase the photosynthetic characteristics, increase photosynthetic efficiency, and improve the yield and quality of medicinal plants.

Obesity has become a serious disease due to energy intake imbalance and fat overload in the body. Dihydromyricetin (DHM), also called ampelopsin, is a flavanonol and exerts antiobesity activity in animal and cell models. Its effects on lipid mobilization, mitophagy, adipocyte browning, energy intake balance, inflammation-induced insulin resistance, and gut microbiota suggest that DHM can be a nutraceutical preventing obesity and can serve as a potential drug lead against obesity and comorbidities. In this mini review, molecular function, antiobesity mechanism, and pharmacokinetics of DHM were reviewed to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of DHM against obesity and provide a basis for further research on its action mechanism and clinical studies.

为探究外源一氧化氮(Nitric Oxide,NO)对三角褐指藻(Phaeodactylum tricornutum)响应氮胁迫的作用,本研究通过添加外源NO供体硝普钠(Sodium Nitroprusside,SNP)及NO清除剂[2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-teramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide,cPTIO],探讨外源NO对氮胁迫条件下的三角褐指藻细胞密度、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数、岩藻黄素含量、油脂相对含量等的影响.结果表明,缺氮会抑制三角褐指藻细胞的生长,显著降低叶绿素a(chla)含量与光合效率,降低岩藻黄素含量,增加脂质合成.与氮正常情况下相比,在缺氮条件下添加200μmol/L SNP可在一定程度上缓解缺氮对三角褐指藻生长、叶绿素含量、光合效率与岩藻黄素积累的抑制,并能显著促进油脂的积累.在缺氮条件下添加50μmol/L cPTIO对三角褐指藻的生长、叶绿素含量、光合效率及物质积累影响不大.本研究可为探明外源NO调控三角褐指藻响应氮胁迫的作用机制提供基础数据,也为进一步提高逆境条件下三角褐指藻的生物量及促进成分积累量提供参考依据.

Phycocyanin (PC) is a pigment-protein complex. It has been reported that PC exerts anti-colorectal cancer activities, although the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice were orally administrated with PC, followed by microbiota and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the effects of PC on colitis-associated cancer (CAC). Our results indicated that PC ameliorated AOM/DSS induced inflammation. PC treatment significantly reduced the number of colorectal tumors and inhibited proliferation of epithelial cell in CAC mice. Moreover, PC reduced the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Deferribacteres, Proteobacteria and Epsilonbacteraeota at phylum level. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the expression of genes involved in the intestinal barrier were altered upon PC administration, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed the IL-17 signaling pathway was affected by PC treatment. The study demonstrated the protective therapeutic action of PC on CAC.

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), a molecular chaperone, is overexpressed in patients suffering from obesity, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. GRP78, therefore, can be not only a biomarker to predict the progression and prognosis of obesity and metabolic diseases but also a potential therapeutic target for anti-obesity treatment. In this paper, GRP78 inhibitors targeting its ATPase domain have been reviewed. Small molecules and proteins that directly bind GRP78 have been described. Putative mechanisms of GRP78 in regulating lipid metabolism were also summarized so as to investigate the role of GRP78 in obesity and other related diseases and provide a theoretical basis for the development and design of anti-obesity drugs targeting GRP78.

The R2R3-MYB family is one of the largest plant transcription factor (TF) families playing vital roles in defense, plant growth, and secondary metabolism biosynthesis. Although this gene family has been studied in many species, isoflavonoid biosynthesis-related R2R3-MYB TFs in Callerya speciosa (Champ. ex Benth.) Schot, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, are poorly understood. Here, a total of 101 R2R3-MYB TFs were identified from C. speciosa transcriptome dataset. 25 clades divided into five functional groups were clustered based on the sequence similarity and phylogenetic tree. Conserved motifs and domain distribution, expression patterns, and coexpression networks were also employed to identify the potential R2R3-MYB TFs in the regulation of isoflavonoid biosynthesis. In silico evaluation showed that the deduced R2R3-CsMYB proteins contain highly conserved R2R3 repeat domain at the N-terminal region, that is the signature motif of R2R3-type MYB TFs. Eight potential TFs (CsMYB17, CsMYB36, CsMYB41, CsMYB44, CsMYB45, CsMYB46, CsMYB72, and CsMYB81) had high degrees of coexpression with four key isoflavonoid biosynthetic genes (CsIFS, CsCHS7, CsHID-1, and CsCHI3), in which CsMYB36 as a potential regulator possessed the highest degree. HPLC analysis showed that formononetin and maackiain contents were significantly increased during the development of tuberous roots, which might be controlled by both related R2R3-CsMYBs and structural genes involved in the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The transcriptome data were further validated by reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis, and similar expression profiles between TFs and key structural genes were identified. This study was the first step toward the understanding of the R2R3-MYB TFs regulating isoflavonoid biosynthesis in C. speciosa. The results will provide information for further functional analysis and quality improvement through genetic manipulation of these potential R2R3-CsMYB genes in C. speciosa.

BACKGROUNDObesity is among the most serious public health problems worldwide, with few safe pharmaceutical interventions. Natural products have become an important source of potential anti-obesity therapeutics. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) exerts antidiabetic effects. The biochemical target of DHM, however, has been unknown. It is crucial to identify the biochemical target of DHM for elucidating its physiological function and therapeutic value.OBJECTIVESThe objective of this study was to identify the biochemical target of DHM.METHODSAn abundant antiadipogenic flavanonol was extracted from the herbal plant Ampelopsis grossedentata through bioassay-guided fractionation and characterized with high-resolution LC-MS and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. Antiadipogenic experiments were done with mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. A biochemical target of the chemical of interest was identified with drug affinity responsive target stability assay. Direct interactions between the chemical of interest and the protein target in vitro were predicted with molecular docking and subsequently confirmed with surface plasmon resonance. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), which is associated with 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), were measured with real-time qPCR.RESULTSDHM was isolated, purified, and structurally characterized. Cellular studies showed that DHM notably reduced intracellular oil droplet formation in 3T3-L1 cells with a median effective concentration of 294 μM (i.e., 94 μg/mL). DHM targeted the ATP binding site of GRP78, which is associated with adipogenesis. An equilibrium dissociation constant between DHM and GRP78 was 21.8 μM. In 3T3-L1 cells upon treatment with DHM at 50 μM (i.e., 16 μg/mL), the expression level of PPARγ was downregulated to 53.9% of the solvent vehicle control's level.CONCLUSIONSDHM targets GRP78 in vitro. DHM is able to reduce lipid droplet formation in 3T3-L1 cells through a mode of action that is plausibly associated with direct interactions between GRP78 and DHM, which is a step forward in determining potential applications of DHM as an anti-obesity agent.

Sugarcane smut, caused by Sporisorium scitamineum, is one of the most devastating fungal diseases affecting sugarcane worldwide. To develop a potent sugarcane smut fungicide, secondary metabolites of marine-derived Bacillus siamensis were isolated and screened for inhibitory activities, which led to the discovery of five new 24-membered macrolactins, bamemacrolactins A-E (1-5), with 3 being the most potent inhibitor. The antifungal mechanism of 3 was studied by assessing its effects on mycelial morphology and the cell wall. Differential proteomics were used to analyze proteins in S. scitamineum upon treatment with bamemacrolactin C and to elucidate its antifungal mechanism. A total of 533 differentially expressed proteins were found. After the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses, eight target proteins were selected, and their functions were discussed. Six of the eight proteins were reported as antifungal targets. The target proteins are involved in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Therefore, the potent inhibition of S. scitamineum by compound 3 is most likely through oxidative phosphorylation and targeting a series of enzymes.

麦类饲料含非淀粉多糖(NSP)抗营养因子,严重影响麦类饲料的饲喂价值.添加木聚糖酶能减轻饲料中NSP的抗营养作用,但是麦类饲料中的木聚糖酶抑制蛋白会抑制外源添加的微生物来源木聚糖酶的活性,抗抑制性木聚糖酶的使用具有明显优势.文章综述谷物中存在的木聚糖酶抑制蛋白对外源添加木聚糖酶的抑制作用、抗抑制性木聚糖酶的潜在应用价值、研究现状及应用前景,以期麦类饲料能更好地在畜禽日粮中添加应用.

岩藻黄素(Fucoxanthin)是海洋褐藻中主要的叶黄素类类胡萝卜素,也是褐藻中主要的降脂活性成分之一.岩藻黄素具有抗肿瘤、抗炎症、抗肥胖等多种生物活性,在代谢调节方面,岩藻黄素能促进脂肪分解和脂肪酸氧化,上调白色脂肪组织中线粒体解偶联蛋白1(UCP1)的表达,具有显著的抗肥胖功效,但其具体作用机制还需要进一步研究.本文综述近年来岩藻黄素在促进前体脂肪细胞分化、诱导白色脂肪细胞棕色化、调节胆固醇代谢等方面作用机制的研究成果,为进一步研究岩藻黄素的降脂作用机制提供理论参考.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a fast-growing and high biomass producing plant species with wide usage of its materials such as fiber, food, and fuel. There are many varieties containing low concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In the present study, it assessed the agricultural feasibility of three industrial hemp varieties with different water management and nitrogen fertilizer treatments, and determined the best ones to cultivate in Hawaii, then evaluated the effects of plant density on the yield and the potential phytoremediation for the herbicide atrazine. The field experiments indicated that it was difficult to grow the variety F75 in Hawaii with a final weight of 13 g and did not live for the full growth season. However, the subtropical fiber hemp variety CHG grew to height of about 190 cm and its weight varied from 150 g to 280 g between two planting densities (100 plants m(-2) and 28 plants m(-2), respectively). The subtropical seed hemp variety CHY was intermediate at a mean height and weight of about 130 cm and 130 g, respectively. Estimated crop yields were 19 tons acre(-1) year(-1) (dry weight) for CHG stalks that could be used for building construction and 16 tons acre(-1) year(-1) (dry weight) for leaves could be used as animal forage. Approximately, 1.7 tons of seeds could be harvested per acre per year from variety CHY. Little water consumption (10 mm week(-1)) was needed, which corresponds with drought resistance of CHG variety. Use of nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 100 kg ha(-1) did not improve growth of CHG variety more than the existing nitrogen levels in the soil. Phytoremediation potential of industrial hemp was also assessed by field pot studies, in which field soils were fortified with 0, 0.25 and 0.50 mg kg(-1) of atrazine. The half-life (t(1/2)) of atrazine in hemp watered pots was 15 days, whereas t(1/2) was approximately 50 and 28 days in the no plant non-watered pots and the no plant watered pots, respectively, suggesting the degradation of atrazine in soils showed a higher efficiency planted with hemp under water irrigation condition. The CHG plants accumulated atrazine from soils, and the enrichment factor in CHG was increased over the course of 28 days (from 0.22 %-0.31 % to 0.63 %-0.89 %), then decreased after 49 days (0.28 %-0.30 %). Overall, these findings revealed that industrial hemp plants were useful for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with atrazine.

随着海水养殖集约化的快速发展,致病性弧菌引起的病害已被认为是海水鱼类和贝类养殖产业的“灾祸之源”.中草药含多种天然活性物质,既可以抑菌杀菌也能增强机体的免疫力,开发中草药防治水产养殖弧菌安全高效,当前已取得一定成效.文章就水产养殖弧菌的危害及致病机理、中草药对水产养殖弧菌的抑制作用、中草药防治水产养殖弧菌的机理、中草药在饲料中的添加方式4个方面进行陈述,以期为水产养殖弧菌性疾病的防治提供参考.

土壤处理除草剂影响病原菌的生长和植物抗病性,对土传病害的发生有一定的影响.随着除草剂应用的日益广泛,土壤残留除草剂对后茬作物的安全性及其对土传病害的影响备受关注.本研究综述了除草剂对主要土传病害的影响、国内外关于除草剂-作物-病原菌互作的相关研究现状,从宏基因组、蛋白质组和代谢组等水平分析土壤处理除草剂对作物抗病性、土传病原菌和拮抗菌等微生物的影响,阐述除草剂影响作物病害发生的可能机制,为防止病害流行,优化有害生物防治体系及化学农药的安全高效使用提供理论依据.

Metacasapase蛋白酶在植物生长发育及适应逆境胁迫方面发挥着重要的调控作用.近年来发现,在逆境胁迫诱导海洋浮游植物细胞程序性死亡(PCD)的过程中,metacaspase蛋白酶执行类似于其在高等植物中的功能,但它们的结构与生化特性等却有别于高等植物metacaspases.在对比分析metacaspases及其家族成员的基础上,本文总结了近年来海洋浮游植物metacaspase蛋白酶的相关研究成果,分别对其结构、生化特性、底物及功能等进行了阐述,旨在为深入研究其调控网络途径及作用机制提供参考.

Halosulfuron-methyl (HSM) is a safe, selective and effective sulfonylurea herbicide (SU) for the control of sedge and broadleaf weeds in sugarcane, corn, tomato, and other crops. The primary site of action is acetolactate synthase (ALS), a key enzyme of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) synthesis. In addition to ALS inhibition, BCAAs deficiencies and oxidative damage may be involved in toxic effects of SUs. However, secondary targets of HSM relevant to plant physiological responses are unclear. In the present study, comparative growth inhibition and peroxidization injury between sensitive and tolerance crops were observed at biochemical and physiological levels suggesting involvement of H2O2, ethylene, salicylic acid (SA) in the oxidative stress responses to HSM. HSM caused accumulation of H2O2, stimulated photorespiration and consequent accumulation of SA that worsened the peroxidization injury to the sensitive C3 plant soybean (Glycine max). The growth inhibition at low concentrations of HSM could be lessened by supplementary BCAAs, reactive oxygen species scavengers or ethylene inducers, whereas the oxidation damage at high concentrations of HSM could not be reversed and ultimately lead to plant death. H2O2 at a low level stimulated the antioxidase system including glutathione S-transferase activities in the HSM-tolerant C4 maize (Zea mays), which contributes to HSM tolerance. H2O2 plays an important role on HSM stress responses in both HSM-sensitive and HSM-tolerant soybean and maize.