Mechanism of action of Orthosiphon stamineus against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Insights from systems pharmacology and molecular docking approaches

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of a metabolic syndrome caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Orthosiphon stamineus also known as Orthosiphon aristatus is a medicinal plant with possible potential beneficial effects on various metabolic disorders. This study aims to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of O. stamineus on hepatic fat accumulation and to further use the computational systems pharmacology approach to identify the pharmacokinetic properties of the bioactive compounds of O. stamineus and to predict their molecular mechanisms against NAFLD. Methods: The effects of an ethanolic extract of O. stamineus leaves on cytotoxicity, fat accumulation and antioxidant activity were assessed using HepG2 cells. The bioactive compounds of O. stamineus were identified using LC/MS and two bioinformatics databases, namely the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for the Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Pathway enrichment analysis was performed on the predicted targets of the bioactive compounds to provide a systematic overview of the molecular mechanism of action, while molecular docking was used to validate the predicted targets. Results: A total of 27 bioactive compounds corresponding to 50 potential NAFLD-related targets were identified. O. stamineus exerts its anti-NAFLD effects by modulating a variety of cellular processes, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial β-oxidation, inflammatory signalling pathways, insulin signalling, and fatty acid homeostasis pathways. O. stamineus is significantly targeting many oxidative stress regulators, including JNK, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), NFKB1, PPAR, and AKT1. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the expected high affinity for the potential targets, while the in vitro assay indicates the ability of O. stamineus to inhibit hepatic fat accumulation. Conclusion: Using the computational systems pharmacology approach, the potentially beneficial effect of O. stamineus in NAFLD was indicated through the combination of multiple compounds, multiple targets, and multicellular components.     

A systematic review of antiglycation medicinal plants

Background and objectivesThe present review shows a list of anti-glycation plants with their anti-glycation activity mechanisms that can attract the attention of pharmacologist for further scientific research towards finding better remedy for diabetic complications.MaterialsGoogle scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched. The terms were advanced glycation end products (AGEs), medicinal plants, antiglycation products.Resultsplants that studied in this review inhibit glycation in several possible mechanisms. Some of these plants inhibit the production of shiff base and amadori products. The others inhibit the generation of amadori products in the advanced phase. Some others blocked the aggregation of AGEs and some plants have antioxidant activity and reduce AGEs formation by preventing oxidation of amadori product and metal-catalyzed glucoxidation.ConclusionThis review can help pharmacologist to find antiglycation natural substance that can be useful in treatment of diabetic complications.     

重庆大娄山脉毛茛科珍贵药用植物及民间验方

本文介绍在第四次全国中药资源普查中对重庆大娄山脉的调查,从民间收集珍贵的中草药传统使用经验及知识。通过访问并采集相关的植物标本,整理出8种毛茛科珍贵草药——金山铜骨七、金山拐枣七、金山绿升麻、金山拐子药、金山鸡爪连、溪边飞蛾七、金山岩乌头、雪上一枝蒿,并对其基源植物、凭证标本、采集加工、单验方进行梳理。     

至阳八阵穴隔附子饼灸治疗糖尿病胃轻瘫临床研究

目的观察至阳八阵穴隔附子饼灸治疗脾胃气虚型糖尿病胃轻瘫的疗效及对胃泌素(GAS)、胃动素(MTL)和血管活性肠肽(VIP)水平的影响。方法86例脾胃气虚型糖尿病胃轻瘫患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组43例。治疗组给予至阳八阵穴隔附子饼灸;对照组口服枸橼酸莫沙必利片。治疗12周后观察胃轻瘫主要症状指数量表症状积分改善情况、胃排空率及血清GAS、MTL、VIP水平。结果治疗组治疗后在胃轻瘫主要症状指数量表症状积分及胃排空率方面明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组治疗后血清GAS、MTL水平明显高于对照组,血清VIP水平明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组总有效率为90.7%,明显高于对照组的72.1%(P<0.05)。结论采用至阳八阵穴隔附子饼灸能快速促进糖尿病胃轻瘫患者胃功能的恢复,改善症状和体征,其作用机制可能与升高患者血清GAS和MTL水平,降低VIP水平有关。     

基于高通量测序技术研究药食两用薏苡仁中污染真菌多样性

目的:调查药食两用薏苡仁中污染真菌多样性,为其安全使用提供参考依据。方法:收集薏苡仁样品18批,提取真菌DNA并扩增ITS2序列,基于Illumina MiSeq PE250平台进行高通量测序。结果:共检测到4门18纲44目99科149属的真菌,子囊菌门Ascomycota是最优势菌门,镰刀菌属Fusarium(3.05%~60.32%)是属水平最优势属,其次是曲霉属Aspergillus(2.20%~45.44%)、白僵菌属Beauveria(0.07%~63.21%)、链格孢属Alternaria(0.80%~11.92%)、Arachnomyces(0.03%~39.36%)和青霉属Penicillium(0.24%~8.03%)。此外,共检测到5种潜在产毒真菌,分别是烟曲霉A.fumigatus、土曲霉A.terreus、梨孢镰刀菌F.poae、囊状青霉P.capsulatum和展青霉P.paxilli。结论:高通量测序技术可以快速有效地检测薏苡仁中污染真菌种类,为薏苡仁污染真菌毒素提供风险预警。     

Fighting the global pest problem: preface to the special Toxicon issue on insecticidal toxins and their potential for insect pest control.

Arthropod pests are responsible for major crop devastation and are vectors for the transmission of new and re-emerging diseases in humans and livestock. Despite many years of effective control by conventional agrochemical insecticides, a number of factors are threatening the effectiveness and continued use of these agents. These include the development of insecticide resistance and use-cancellation or de-registration of some insecticides due to human health and environmental concerns. Several approaches are being investigated for the design of new (bio)pesticides. These include the development of transgenic plants and recombinant baculoviruses as delivery systems for a variety of insect-selective toxins. Additional approaches for the development of foliar sprays include the rational design of peptidomimetics based on the key residues of these toxins that interact with the insect target. This special issue provides an overview of these phyletically selective animal, plant and microbial toxins and their diverse mechanisms of action to paralyze or kill arthropods. In addition, it reviews their potential for biopesticide discovery and validation of novel insecticide targets and provides an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of biopesticides in the global control of arthropod pests.     

粤东地区菊科药用植物资源研究

资源丰富,共有植物64属、115 种.文章介绍了的种类、生境、药用功效和利用现状,提出了保护及开发利用菊科植物资源的一些建议.     

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants around Mt.Yinggeling,Hainan Island,China

Aim of the study

The main objectives were to collect information on the use of medicinal plants and compare medicinal plant traditions between Run and Qi.

Materials and methods

Information was obtained from semi-structured interviews, personal conversation and guided fieldtrips with herbalists.

Results

385 species belonging to 290 genera in 104 families were used for the treatment of various diseases. Rubiaceae (20 species), Euphorbiaceae and Compositae (19 species respectively) were predominant families used by herbalists. The most species were used for injuries (20.1%), muscular–skeletal system disorders (18.3%) and infections/infestations (18.0%). The coefficient of similarity (36.6%) shown a high consensus of plant species used by Run and Qi. The ‘informant agreement ratio’ values for both Run and Qi are rather low (less than 0.3).

Conclusions

Traditional medicinal plants still play an important role in medical practices of Li Ethnic Group around Mt.Yinggeling. There is a close relationship of medicinal plant traditions between Run and Qi. Further investigation is necessary to record this valuable knowledge before its disappearance.