This study characterized the basic structure of partridge tea leaves polysaccharides and comparatively analyzed the in vitro lipid-lowering activity of total partridge tea polysaccharide (PTPS) and its two purified homogeneous fractions, namely PTPS-I (13,560 Da) and PTPS-III (30,935 Da). In terms of structural composition, PTPS-I and PTPS-III share identical monosaccharide types but differ significantly in monosaccharide proportions, glycosidic linkages and backbone structures. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PTPS, PTPS-I, and PTPS-III could effectively reduce intracellular lipid levels and oxidative stress in free fatty acids (FFA)-injured L02 cells and alleviate the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential in damaged hepatocytes. At the high concentration of 400 μg/mL, PTPS-III showed a superior effect in reducing triglyceride (TG) content compared with the other two samples, with the value reaching 0.31 ± 0.024 mmol/mg prot. Additionally, 400 μg/mL PTPS markedly decreased total cholesterol (TCHO) content and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, which were 0.55 ± 0.039 mmol/mg prot and 29.92 ± 0.22 μmol/mg prot, respectively. PTPS-I of 400 μg/mL significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content to 1.31 ± 0.288 μmol/mg prot and inhibited the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by 9.67%. The three polysaccharide fractions could elevate the mRNA expression of Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1 in the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and the gene expression of PPARα, CPT-1 and ACOX1 in the lipid metabolism pathway, and ultimately regulate lipid accumulation in L02 cells. This study validated the in vitro antilipid activities of partridge tea leaves polysaccharide and provided fundamental data for research on its bioactivity and functional components. Further in vivo assays and mechanism exploration will be conducted to evaluate its potential application in fatty liver intervention product development.

Background: Liver cells are particularly susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction due to external stimuli, leading to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox imbalance. The aim of this study was to extract and purify the polyphenolic fractions of Mallotus peltatus (Geiseler) Mull. Arg. and evaluate their potential protective effect against H 2 O 2 ‐induced oxidative stress injury in hepatocytes. Methods: The extraction process of polyphenols in MPMA was optimized by the response surface method. Then, we purified the crude extracts with macroporous resin HPD600 to obtain MPMAP‐I, MPMAP‐II, and MPMAP‐III. The physical properties and component composition of the samples were analyzed by FT‐IR and UPLC‐MS/MS. An in vitro H 2 O 2 ‐induced oxidative stress injury model in hepatocytes was established to investigate the protective effect of MPMAP‐I on L02 cells. The effect was assessed by measuring cell survival rate, enzyme activities, intracellular ROS levels, cell apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the mRNA expression of related signaling pathways. Results: The results showed that the optimized extraction conditions of MPMA were 60% ethanol, 140 min, 85°C, and liquid‐to‐solid ratio of 30 mL/g. All three purified fractions contained different polyphenols (such as kaempferol 3‐O‐sophoroside, corilagin, and cirsiliol) and had great antioxidant activities. MPMAP‐I treatment could increase the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx in H 2 O 2 ‐induced L02 cells, reduce the content of MDA, the activities of transaminases, the production of intracellular ROS, and the rate of cell apoptosis, and restore mitochondrial function. Furthermore, these effects might be related to the inactivation of the Bcl2/Bax/caspase‐3 apoptotic pathway and the activation of the Nrf2/γ‐GCL antioxidant pathway. Conclusion: Our study provided a theoretical basis for the protective effect of MPMA polyphenols on liver injury, which is helpful to improve the development and application of MPMA in medicine and healthcare products.

Background: Liver cells are particularly susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction due to external stimuli, leading to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox imbalance. The aim of this study was to extract and purify the polyphenolic fractions of Mallotus peltatus (Geiseler) Mull. Arg. and evaluate their potential protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury in hepatocytes.Methods: The extraction process of polyphenols in MPMA was optimized by the response surface method. Then, we purified the crude extracts with macroporous resin HPD600 to obtain MPMAP-I, MPMAP-II, and MPMAP-III. The physical properties and component composition of the samples were analyzed by FT-IR and UPLC-MS/MS. An in vitro H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury model in hepatocytes was established to investigate the protective effect of MPMAP-I on L02 cells. The effect was assessed by measuring cell survival rate, enzyme activities, intracellular ROS levels, cell apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the mRNA expression of related signaling pathways.Results: The results showed that the optimized extraction conditions of MPMA were 60% ethanol, 140 min, 85 degrees C, and liquid-to-solid ratio of 30 mL/g. All three purified fractions contained different polyphenols (such as kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside, corilagin, and cirsiliol) and had great antioxidant activities. MPMAP-I treatment could increase the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx in H2O2-induced L02 cells, reduce the content of MDA, the activities of transaminases, the production of intracellular ROS, and the rate of cell apoptosis, and restore mitochondrial function. Furthermore, these effects might be related to the inactivation of the Bcl2/Bax/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway and the activation of the Nrf2/gamma-GCL antioxidant pathway.Conclusion: Our study provided a theoretical basis for the protective effect of MPMA polyphenols on liver injury, which is helpful to improve the development and application of MPMA in medicine and healthcare products.

Russula cyanoxantha (Schaeff.) Fr. is an edible mushroom in China. Its polysaccharides are important active components, but in-depth studies on them are still insufficient. In this study, two polysaccharides RCP-I (15,138 Da) and RCP-II (16,455 Da) from R. cyanoxantha were extracted by ultrasonic hot water extraction, and then purified by DEAE-52 Sepharose Fast Flow column and Sephadex G-100 size-exclusion column. Their primary structures were elucidated though analytical techniques including monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation analysis and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, their inhibitory effects on HepG-2 and A549 cells, as well as their immunomodulatory effects on RAW364.7 cells were investigated. Structural characterization revealed that RCP-I contained 10.22 % fucose, 24.00 % mannose, 21.33 % glucose and 44.44 % galactose. RCP-II contained 11.15 % fucose, 19.64 % mannose, 16.13 % glucose and 53.08 % galactose. Cellular assays demonstrated that RCP-I exhibited better antiproliferation effect against HepG-2 and A549 cells, whereas RCP-II showed a stronger immunomodulatory effect on RAW264.7 cells. The higher mannose content in RCP-I is likely the primary reason for its enhanced anti-cancer activity against HepG-2 and A549 cells, while the higher galactose content in RCP-II may account for its superior immune activation of RAW264. These findings lay a foundation for the potential use of R. cyanoxantha polysaccharides as immunomodulators.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:Rosa cymosa Tratt is a traditional Chinese medicine with long history of medicinal use. The fruit of R. cymosa, which named as 'Xiao Jin Ying Zi, has been documented has the function of treatment of contusions, injuries, and wind-phlegm cough. AIMS OF THE STUDY:The objective of this study was to isolate the biological polyphenolic extracts from R. cymosa fruit, identify its main components, and evaluate its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. METHODS:The polyphenolic extract from R. cymosa fruit (PRCF) was obtained using an optimized orthogonal extraction method and purified by D140 macroporous resin column. The components were characterized by UV and IR spectroscopy. The composition of PRCF was analyzed using the UPLC-QTRAP-MS system. The antioxidant activities of PRCF were systematically evaluated through the inhibition rates of various radicals, iron ion reduction power, and total reducing power. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of PRCF was assessed using a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage model. The expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines was evaluated at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Additionally, protein expressions within the NF-κB and autophagy pathways were analyzed. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation of P65 protein and lysosomal levels in macrophages were assessed to elucidate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of PRCF. RESULTS:The PRCF primarily comprises phenolic acids and flavonoid components, including protocatechuic acid, gentisic acid, and procyanidin B2. UV and IR spectra indicated characteristic absorptions of aromatic rings, hydroxyl groups, and carboxyl groups. The PRCF showed excellent scavenging activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals, as well as significant total reducing power. Furthermore, PRCF inhibited the secretion of NO, TNFα and IL-6 in LPS-induced macrophages, mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX2, as well as the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation level of P65 proteins. Additionally, PRCF significantly decreased the expression of P62 proteins and increased conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II protein and the lysosomal expression in LPS-induced inflammatory macrophages. CONCLUSIONS:The purified polyphenolic-rich extract PRCF demonstrated strong antioxidant activity by scavenging multiple free radicals. Additionally, the extract suppressed inflammatory responses in activated macrophages by modulating autophagy levels and regulating protein expression in the NF-κB pathway.

In the present study, one polysaccharide (named PSP-1) was purified from peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) seed meal, and its structural characteristics, as well as preventive constipation activity, were investigated. The weight average molecular weight of PSP-1 was 15.3 kDa and was composed of arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, and mannose in the molar ratio of 1:4.8:5.1:0.4:0.2. The primary structure of PSP-1 was elucidated through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and methylation analysis, revealing its glycosidic linkages and branching pattern. In the loperamide-induced constipated rat, PSP-1 significantly increased fecal parameters and accelerated intestinal transit (69 min reduction). PSP-1 enhanced total short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) production by 9.1 %, particularly propionic and butyric acids. Furthermore, PSP-1 had a bidirectional effect on gastrointestinal hormones: it increased the serum levels of motilin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, and substance P by 12.8 %, 13.0 %, and 13.4 %, respectively, while decreasing the levels of secretin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide by 21.7 % and 17.6 %, respectively. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that PSP-1-mediated gut microbiota rebalances, suppressing pathogens and enriching beneficial genera. These findings suggested that PSP-1, a natural plant extract, maybe a dietary supplement that helps prevent constipation, providing a theoretical reference for its application in functional foods.

Mallotus peltatus (Geiseler) Mull. Arg. (MPMA) is a specialty plant used to make tea in Hainan Province, China. However, its hypolipidemic activity has been rarely studied. In this study, three polyphenol fractions (MPMAP-1, MPMAP-2, and MPMAP-3) were purified from a 60% ethanol extract of MPMA, and the hypolipidemic activities were evaluated by establishing an FFA-induced L02 cell model to determine lipid accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and gene levels related to the Nrf2/ARE pathway and lipid metabolism. In addition, noninduced and high glucose-induced models were established using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to evaluate the lipid-lowering activity of MPMAP-1. The results showed that all three polyphenols could significantly inhibit lipid accumulation, reduce intracellular MDA content, and enhance the activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx in FFA-induced L02 cells. The qRT-PCR results indicated that the amount of fat accumulation in L02 cells could be regulated by modulating the relative expression of mRNA in the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and lipid metabolism pathway. The noninduced model and high glucose-induced model demonstrated that MPMAP-1 was able to reduce lipid accumulation and ROS levels and increase the activities of antioxidant enzymes in C. elegans. In summary, our results suggested that polyphenol compounds of MPMA may be a promising natural product for lipid-lowering.

In China, Pyracantha fortuneana has been consumed as a nutritious plant to improve indigestion. In the current study, the main chemical composition of P. fortuneana fruits was extracted and analysed for composition. Free fatty acids (FFA)-induced normal human hepatic L02 cells were used to construct a high-fat cell model, and lipid deposition in Caenorhabditis elegans was induced by a high concentration of glucose to study the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of the main components. The results showed that the flavonoid content of PFF (P. fortuneana Flavonoid Fractions) was 80.28%, and it contained various flavonoids such as epicatechin, isoquercetin, rutin, quercetin, and myricitrin, while the saponin content of PFS (P. fortuneana Saponin Fractions) was 74.4%, and it contained saponins such as shionone, crategolic acid, and ursolic acid. PFF and PFS significantly reduced the content of lipid droplets in high-fat L02 cells, inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential decline, regulated the fat accumulation by up-regulating the relative mRNA expression levels in the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, as well as the CPT-1 and SIRT1 genes in lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, both PFF and PFS significantly reduced lipid deposition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and catalase activity in C. elegans. In summary, our results indicated that the flavonoids and saponins of P. fortuneana are potential natural products in antihyperlipidemic effect.

Two polysaccharides, LFP-I and LFP-II, were isolated from L. Fumosum mushroom, and their structures and immunostimulatory effects were investigated. Structural analysis revealed that LFP-I had a molecular weight of 13,288 Da and consisted of fucose (13.12 %), mannose (15.75 %), glucose (46.46 %) and galactose (24.67 %). LFP-II, with a molecular weight of 13,288 Da, was primarily composed of glucose. Bond structure analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterization confirmed that LFP-I possessed an α-D-(1 → 6)-linked galactan backbone with double substitutions at the O-2 and O-3 positions with mannan and glucofuranosyl units, including β-D-(1 → 6)-linked short glucan side chains and terminal fucose. LFP-II featured a backbone of β-D-(1 → 3)-linked glucan with monosubstitution at the O-6 positions with glucose. In cellular experiments, LFP-I and LFP-II were found to enhance phagocytosis and the secretion of immune cytokines (NO, TNF-α, and IL-6) by up-regulating their mRNA expression in macrophages, with LFP-II being particularly effective. From the perspective of structure-activity relationships, LFP-II exhibited a stronger immunomodulatory effect on macrophages, which was attributed to its higher β-glucan content in the backbone. Overall, our findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of L. Fumosum polysaccharides as functional foods or immunomodulatory agents in food health.

Introduction:The incidence of diabetes is rising annually, significantly impacting public health and imposing a substantial economic burden on society. Ophiopogonin D (Op D) exhibits certain hypoglycemic effects; however, its mechanisms remain unclear. Methods:β-cell dedifferentiation, distinct from β-cell apoptosis, is a pathogenic mechanism we aim to explore regarding Op D's regulatory effects. We established an animal model of β-cell dedifferentiation to assess Op D's impact on glucose tolerance, blood glucose levels, and insulin secretion. We employed immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to analyze the expression levels of dedifferentiation-related proteins. Additionally, we created an in vitro β-cell dedifferentiation model using INS-1 cells to evaluate Op D's influence on insulin secretion and dedifferentiation. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to explore potential mechanisms by which Op D ameliorates dedifferentiation, with further validation via Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and related assays were used to assess Op D's effects on oxidative stress. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tracing agents marked the ER, and laser confocal microscopy examined ER morphology, with ER stress inducers and inhibitors employed to clarify Op D's mechanisms. Results:Results indicated that Op D reduced blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, enhanced insulin secretion, mitigated pancreatic atrophy, and increased PDX1 and FOXO1 expression levels. Furthermore, Op D inhibited ER stress, decreased GRP78 expression, reduced NGN3 levels, elevated PDX1, NKX6.1, and MAFA expression, and decreased oxidative stress-related products (ROS, MDA) while increasing SOD and GSH levels. Discussion:These findings demonstrate that Op D can improve β-cell dedifferentiation by modulating the GRP78/ROS/PDX1 pathway to inhibit ER stress.

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides possess excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Hydrogel dressing garnered remarkable efficacy in rejuvenating damaged skin, however, the impact of their mechanical strength on wound healing is still unclear. Herein, we reported Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides (GP)-dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DG) (GPDG) hydrogels with different mechanical properties for tackling infected wounds. Neutral GP was extracted and purified from Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., and its structural characteristics were exclusively confirmed. Next, GPDG hydrogels with low and high mechanical strength (low-GPDG and high-GPDG) were induced by UV crosslinking using Irgacure 2959 as photosensitizer. GPDG-based hydrogels could sustain DG release in the wound microenvironment. Furthermore, biocompatible GPDG hydrogels possessed robust antibacterial and cell proliferation-promotion bioactivities. When RAW264.7 cells were cultured on hydrogel scaffolds, the hard property of high-GPDG triggered excessive pro-inflammatory responses. On S. aureus-infected full-thickness skin wound test, low-GPDG demonstrated remarkable capacities in mitigating inflammatory infiltration, enhancing cell migration, facilitating macrophages M2 polarization and epithelialization, suppressing excessive collagen accumulation, which predominantly facilitated wound regeneration. In contrast, high-GPDG caused excessive inflammation and fibrosis in the wound, which was not beneficial for wound closure, ultimately resulting in apparent scars. Collectively, the study highlighted the significant role of soft GPDG hydrogels for the regenerative healing of infected wounds.

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLiriope spicata Lour., a species listed in the catalogue of ‘Medicinal and Edible Homologous Species’, is traditionally used for the treatment of fatigue, restlessness, insomnia and constipation.Aim of the studyThis study is aimed to evaluate the sedative and hypnotic effect of the saponins from a natural plant L. spicata Lour. in vivo.Materials and methodsThe total saponin (LSTS) and purified saponin (LSPS) were extracted from L. spicata, followed by a thorough analysis of their major components using the HPLC-MS. Subsequently, the therapeutic efficacy of LSTS and LSPS was evaluated by the improvement of anxiety and depression behaviors of the PCPA-induced mice.ResultsLSTS and LSPS exhibited similar saponin compositions but differ in their composition ratios, with liriopesides-type saponins accounting for a larger proportion in LSTS. Studies demonstrated that both LSTS and LSPS can extend sleep duration and immobility time, while reducing sleep latency in PCPA-induced mice. However, there was no significant difference in weight change among the various mice groups. Elisa results indicated that the LSTS and LSPS could decrease levels of NE, DA, IL-6, and elevate the levels of 5-HT, NO, PGD2 and TNF-α in mice plasma. LSTS enhanced the expression of neurotransmitter receptors, while LSPS exhibited a more pronounced effect in regulating the expression of inflammatory factors. In conclusion, the saponins derived from L. spicata might hold promise as ingredients for developing health foods with sedative and hypnotic effects, potentially related to the modulation of serotonergic and GABAAergic neuron expression, as well as immunomodulatory process.

Partridge tea is a plant used as a speciality tea drink in Hainan Province, China. The aim of this study was to isolate polyphenols from partridge tea, investigate their main constituent compositions and ameliorative effects on insulin resistance in insulin resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2) cells. PTP was obtained from partridge tea, then PTP1, PTP-2 and PTP-3 were obtained after further purification. The polyphenol contents of PTP, PTP-1, PTP-2, PTP3 were determined to be 15.9%, 51.4%, 42.51% and 22.74%, respectively. PTP and PTP-1 had similar compositions, and the contents of the main components of PTP-1 was higher than that of PTP. Structural compositions and contents of PTP-2 and PTP-3 differ significantly. Further analysis indicated that PTP failed to have significant hypoglycaemic activity, while other three polyphenols regulated the fat metabolism disorders caused by insulin resistance, thus improving the body's utilization of blood glucose. In addition, the three polyphenols reversed the damage caused by insulin resistance in IR-HepG2 cells by up-regulating the activities of HK (200 mu g/mL PTP-1: 2.8414 mol/min/mL) and PK (200 mu g/mL PTP-1: 10.7204 U/L), increasing the activity of SOD and CAT and decreasing the level of MDA. The mRNA results showed that PTP-1, PTP-2 and PTP-3 could achieve hypoglycaemic efficacy in the body by regulating the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT signal pathway. In summary, our results suggested that the polyphenols of partridge tea could be a promising natural source for preventing and treating hyperglycemia.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Penthorum chinense Pursh is a traditional Miao ethnomedicine rich in bioactive components, widely recognized for its hepatoprotective properties. However, the hepatoprotective effects of its flowers and leaves have not been individually elucidated. Aims of the study The objective of this study was to isolate and purify flavonoids-rich fractions from the flowers (PFF) and leaves (PLF) of P. chinense, and to assess their potential protective effects against oxidative, alcohol-induced, and free fatty acid (FFA) induced injury in hepatic cells. Materials and methods The P. chinense flowers and leaves flavonoids-rich fractions were extracted by the method optimized by response surface methodology, and the extracts were subsequently purified using petroleum ether and microporous column. The physical characteristics and component composition of PFF and PLF were analyzed by FT-IR and UPLC-MS/MS. The hepatoprotective activities of PFF and PLF were evaluated by the alcohol, H2O2, and FFA-induced hepatocyte injury cellular model in vitro. The protective effects of PFF and PLF on the hepatic cells were evaluated by assessing cell apoptosis rate, enzymes activities, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mRNA expression in relevant signaling pathways. Results The results revealed that PFF was mainly composed of pinocembrin, quercitrin and quercetin, while PLF was predominantly composed of quercetin, pinocembrin, and kaempferol and their derivatives. PFF and PLF exhibited distinct effects on increasing the cell proliferation rate, regulating the MDA, GOT and GPT levels, and modulating the mRNA expression in apoptosis and antioxidant pathways in alcohol damaged LO2 cells. PFF exhibited superior efficacy in reducing cell apoptosis in alcohol-damage cells compared to PLF. Both PFF and PLF alleviated mitochondrial stress in H2O2-induced LO2 cells. Additionally, the PFF and PLF attenuated lipid accumulation and activated mRNA expressions in PPARα/ACOX1/CPT-1 lipid metabolism pathways, as well as Nrf2/ARE oxidative stress pathways. Conclusion This study compared the hepatoprotective activities of flavonoids-rich fractions purified from the flowers and leaves of P. chinense. The results contribute to the enhanced development and utilization of various parts of P. chinense aimed at medical and health food applications.

Introduction:Leeches are flesh-eating and bloodsucking parasitic worms. They are being used as a traditional Chinese medicine for centuries in activating blood and dissolving statis, dreging the meridims and tick. Hirudin, an active peptide product present in leech, has blood anticoagulant property and can assist in the treatment of thrombosis and diseases related to blood circulation. The efficacy and potential mechanism of action of leeches in such diseases should be further explored. Materials and methods:First, network pharmacology was used to screen the predicted potential targets of the active constituents of leech and AS. The common targets of the active constituents of leech and AS were obtained using Venn diagram. Further, the drug-active-constituent-target network diagram, protein-protein interaction, and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were used to construct the active-constituent-AS target-pathway network diagram. Subsequently, the protein-drug molecule docking model was drawn. Finally, the results of network pharmacology were validated using a mouse model of AS. Results:In total, 34 active constituents of leech and 1172 AS-related gene targets were selected, took the drug action targets and potential disease targets to get the common targets, and took the top 10 of degree value as the main active constituents for the treatment of atherosclerosis. There were 89 common targets and 12 core targets. The main targets included MAPK, EGFR, PIK3CB, etc. Potential regulatory pathways included cancer pathways, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, Rap1 signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications. Animal experiments using mouse model of AS confirmed that AS plaques were smaller after treatment with leeches. SRC level was measured using western blotting. Expression of SRC in myocardial tissue was remarkably lower in the mice treated with leech than in the mice from model group fed on high-fat chow. Conclusions:To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the mechanism of action of the active components of leech in AS prevention. The active components of leeches play a coordinated role in preventing AS through multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel mechanism of action related to inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism. This study provided a reference for subsequent cellular and animal experiments.

Pyracantha fortuneana is a cultivated pant extensively cultivated worldwide for its ornamental value and ecological benefits. In this study, a polysaccharide with anti-photoaging activity was extracted and purified from P. fortuneana fruit (PPFP). The structural constitution of PPFP was elucidated by molecular weight determination, FT-IR, monosaccharide composition analysis, smith degradation, methylation, and NMR spectroscopy. The results revealed that PPFP is a macromolecular polysaccharide with a weight-average molecular weight of 70,895 Da. The PPFP is predominantly characterized by →3,6)-β-Galp-(1→, →5,3)-α-Araf-(1 → and →4,2)-α-Xylp-(1→, →4)-β-Galp-(1 → and →4)-β-GalpA-(1 → glycosidic linkages, with t-α-Araf-(1 → and t-α-Glcp-(1 → terminal units. The anti-photoaging activity and potential mechanism of action of PPFP was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that PPFP exerted anti-photoaging effect on UVB-damaged HaCaT cells by ameliorating cell apoptosis, regulating the mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress level, alleviating the phosphorylation level of the proteins in MAPK pathways, and repairing the expression of tight junction proteins. Moreover, PPFP enhanced the lifespan and diminished the oxidative stress in UVB-injured Caenorhabditis elegans. Collectively, this study comprehensively elucidates the anti-photodamaging potential of P. fortuneana fruit polysaccharide and offers a novel plant-derived adjuvant therapy for the treating photodamage.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the potential protective effects of vanillic acid (VA) against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity and unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The DOX -induced myocardial toxicity model was established in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. Simultaneously, different concentrations of VA were administered for intervention. After modeling, rat cardiac function was evaluated using an ultrasound machine. The detection of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) levels in rat serum using a biochemical analyzer. HE staining method was used to observe myocardial pathological changes, Masson's trichrome staining was performed to assess the degree of myocardial fibrosis. The observation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels in myocardial tissue using assay kits. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, P62, LC3I/II, Mfn2, Drp1, OPA, and Fis1. Results: Compared to the DOX group, intervention with VA demonstrates ameliorative effects on doxorubicininduced cardiotoxicity, as evidenced by improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), and a reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) in rats. Additionally, the application of VA reduced the levels of CK-MB in rat serum. However, there were no statistically significant differences observed in heart rate. Histological examination reveals that VA administration positively impacts the arrangement of myocardial fibers and mitigates myocardial fibrosis in the rat hearts subjected to doxorubicin-induced injury. Moreover, relative to the DOX group, the use of VA alleviates DOXinduced myocardial cell apoptosis. VA treatment also upregulates the expression levels of PINK1 and Parkin, leading to the activation of mitochondrial autophagy. Furthermore, VA enhances the expression levels of mitochondrial dynamics proteins Mfn2, Drp1, and Fis1 while downregulating the expression of OPA. Among them, the high-dose group of VA (60 mg/kg & sdot;d) showed the most pronounced improvement in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Conclusion: VA attenuated DOX-induced myocardial injury by up regulating the PINK1/Parkin/Mfn2 signaling pathway.

The Rosa cymosa Tratt, an herbal plant from the Rosaceae family, has historically been valued in China for its medicinal and edible properties. In this study, a novel polysaccharide from R. cymosa fruit, termed PRCP (purified R. cymosa polysaccharide), was isolated using water extraction, decolorization, deproteinization, and ion- exchange chromatography. The structural characteristics of PRCP were investigated using monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation, GPC, FTIR, CD, and NMR spectroscopy. The immunomodulatory effect and potential mechanism of PRCP were evaluated in vitro using a macrophage cell model. Results indicated that PRCP (37.28 kDa) is a highly branched polysaccharide (72.61 %) primarily composed of arabinogalactan, rhamnogalacturonan, and galactoglucan domains with 13 types of glycosidic linkage fragments. Furthermore, PRCP appears to modulate immunomodulatory effects by influencing the phosphorylation of P38 and JNK proteins in the MAPK pathway. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of PRCP as a promising natural functional food ingredient for immunostimulation.

SCOPE:Dried Ziziphus jujuba Mill. kernel is a potential natural source of nutraceutical and therapeutic agents in China. Recent researches have shown that the saponins of dried Z. jujuba Mill. kernel (SZJs: SZJ-1 and SZJ-2) have various biological effects. However, the hypoglycemic activities and underlying mechanisms of SZJs remain obscure. METHOD AND RESULTS:In the current study, two saponins SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 mainly composed of betulinic acid, spinosin, jujuboside A, and jujuboside B are extracted and is olated from dried Z. jujuba Mill. kernel. The SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 could significantly inhibit the activities of digestion enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylases. The hypoglycemic ability of SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 is further investigated and the results show that SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 can improve the hyperglycemic by increasing the glucose consumption, improving the superoxide dismutase (SOD), hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK) activities, and decrease the MDA content of insulin resistant HepG2 cells. Furthermore, SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 can activate the phosphorated adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase α (p-AMPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110α (PI3K-p110α), and phosphorated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Ser9) (p-GSK3β). CONCLUSION:These results indicating that the SZJ-1 and SZJ-2 might improve the insulin resistant symptoms by improving the energy metabolic level and increasing the glycogen synthase activity of HepG2 cells.