Based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) technology and molecular docking, the bitter-tasting substances(hereafter referred to as "bitter substances") in Cistanche deserticola extract were investigated, and the bitter taste and efficacy relationship was explored to lay the foundation for future research on de-bittering and taste correction. Firstly, UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was used for the qualitative analysis of the constituents of C. deserticola, and 69 chemical components were identified. These chemical components were then subjected to molecular docking with the bitter taste receptor, leading to the screening of 20 bitter substances, including 6 phenylethanol glycosides, 5 flavonoids, 3 phenolic acids, 2 cycloalkenyl ether terpenes, 2 alkaloids, and 2 other components. Nine batches of fresh C. deserticola samples were collected from the same origin but harvested at different months. These samples were divided into groups based on harvest month and plant part. The bitterness was quantified using an electronic tongue, and the content of six potential bitter-active compounds(pineconotyloside, trichothecene glycoside, tubulin A, iso-trichothecene glycoside, jinshihuaoside, and jingnipinoside) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The total content of phenylethanol glycosides, polysaccharides, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids was determined using UV-visible spectrophotometry. Chemometric analyses were then conducted, including Pearson's correlation analysis, gray correlation analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), to identify the bitter components in C. deserticola. The results were consistent with the molecular docking findings, and the two methods mutually supported each other. Finally, network pharmacological predictions and analyses were performed to explore the relationship between the targets of bitter substances and their efficacy. The results indicated that key targets of the bitter substances included EGFR, PIK3CB, and PTK2. These substances may exert their bitter effects by acting on relevant disease targets, confirming that the bitter substances in C. deserticola are the material basis of its bitter taste efficacy. In conclusion, this study suggests that the phenylethanol glycosides, primarily pineconotyloside, mauritiana glycoside, and gibberellin, are the material basis for the "bitter taste" of C. deserticola. The molecular docking technique plays a guiding role in the screening of bitter substances in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The bitter substances in C. deserticola not only contribute to its bitter taste but also support the concept of the "taste-efficacy" relationship in TCM, providing valuable insights and references for future research in this area.
Molecular Docking Simulation ; Taste ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cistanche/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry

Objective To investigate the expressions of Wnt2 and β-catenin in Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury and to explore their roles in myocardial cell apoptosis.Methods Cardiomyoblast cells were damaged by different concentrations of DOX(1 mg/L,2 mg/L,3 mg/L,4 mg/L) for 72 h.The effect of different concentrations of DOX on cardiomyocyte growth curve was detected according to the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-h-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay.DOX(1 mg/L) was used to induce the model of cardiomyoblast cell injury.Cardiomyocytes were divided into 4 groups:group A:DOX-injured cardiomyocytes for 12 h ;group B:DOX-injured cardiomyocytes for 24 h ; group C:DOX-injured cardiomyocytes for 48 h; group D:normal cardiomyocytes.The expressions of Wnt2,β-catenin and p53 were observed by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) at the time point of 12 h,24 h and 48 h.Results DOX significantly inhibited cardiomyocyte proliferation in a dose dependent fashion.The protein and mRNA expressions of Wnt2 increased in the DOX-induced myocardial injury group compared with the group D,with statistical significance (F =224.115,P ＜ 0.05) ;The expressions of β-catenin,p53 were significantly increased compared with the group D,and the higher expression appeared with the time extending(F =188.145,231.927,all P ＜ 0.05).Significantly positive correlation between Wnt2 and β-catenin expression was observed(r =0.940,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions These findings suggest that Wnt2/β-catenin signaling pathway may play important roles in the cardiovascular disease and be useful for exploring the molecular mechanism of myocardial injury..

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Astragalus membranaous on angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ)-induced transform-ing growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) production of cardiac ifbroblasts.Methods Cardiac ifbroblasts were culturedin vitro. Cells were allocated into 3 groups: control group, Astragalus membranaous groups (50, 100, 200 mg/ml), Ang II group (10-7 mol/L) and AngⅡ/Astragalus membranaous groups (50, 100, 200 mg/ml). The proliferation of each group was tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method. TGF-β1 was measured by ELISA.Results The proliferation of cardiac ifbroblasts had signiifcant difference between each groups (F=71.84,P=0.000). The proliferation of cardiac ifbroblasts with Ang II stimulation was higher than that of cells without Ang II stimulation (P<0.05). Astragalus membranaous inhibited Ang II-induced cardiac ifbroblasts proliferation dose dependently (P<0.05). The TGF-β1 production had signiifcant difference between each groups (F=786.81,P=0.000). The TGF-β1 production in AngII/astragalus membranaous groups was lower than that in Ang II group (P<0.05). The TGF-β1 production in Ang II group was the highest, and had signiifcant difference as compared to other groups (P<0.05). Astragalus membranaous inhibited Ang II-induced TGF-β1 production dose dependently (P<0.05).Conclusions Ang II can stimulate the proliferation of cardiac ifbroblasts, and promote the TGF-β1 production. Astragalus membranaous can inhibit the proliferation of Ang II-induced cardiac ifbroblasts, and reduce the TGF-β1 production of cardiac ifbroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of blood pressure in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy after delivery and the risk factors. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, we collected subjects from villages and towns in Liuyang by cluster sampling method. Before enrolling in this cohort, all had established health records from January 2010 to December 2011. We collected the medical records and maternal health care manuals of this cohort as our data materials, focusing on the blood pressure records as well as related features. We compared the differences of recovery rate of postpartum blood pressure in different kinds of antenatal blood pressure groups with χ2 test. In order to explore the main factors influencing the recovery rate of blood pressure of patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, we conducted univariate and multivariate analysis by χ2 test and unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 460 women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in our analysis, the recovery rate of postpartum blood pressure reached 88.7%. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors influencing the recovery rate of postpartum blood pressure included advanced age (OR=0.436), higher degree of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (OR=0.436), and hypertension with simultaneously high systolic and diastolic blood pressures (OR=0.192). CONCLUSION For most patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, the blood pressure may decrease to normal level 42 days after delivery. Women with advanced age, higher degree of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and hypertension with simultaneously high systolic and diastolic blood pressures should be given more attention.
Blood Pressure ; Diastole ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Systole

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and to discuss the risk factors of premature birth in rural areas of Liuyang. METHODS: We collected subjects from villages and towns in Liuyang through cluster sampling method. Before enrolling in this cohort, all of them had established health records from January 2010 to December 2011. We followed up the early, middle and late stages of pregnancy until delivery, and collected medical records and maternal health care manual of this cohort as our data materials. We explored the main influence factors of premature delivery by χ2 test and unconditional logistic regression analysis for single factor and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among 6270 women who enrolled in our cohort, 259 were diagnosed as premature birth. The incidence (4.13%) was lower than the national average level. Non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of premature birth were as follows: OR of placental abruption was 7.678 (95% CI: 2.249-26.215), that of premature rupture of fetal membranes (PROM) was 5.177 (95% CI: 3.945-6.793), that of uterine abnormal and deformity was 2.675 (95% CI: 1.007-7.107), that of placenta anomaly was 2.633 (95% CI: 1.666-4.162), that of hypertension in pregnancy was 2.172 (95% CI: 1.044-4.521), that of pregnancy complications was 1.806 (95% CI: 1.033-3.157), that of male fetus was 1.429 (95% CI: 1.086-1.881). Protective factors of preterm birth were too frequent prenatal examination (OR=0.502, 95% CI: 1.033-3.157) and single pregnancy (OR=0.155, 95% CI: 0.075-0.319). CONCLUSION Preterm delivery is caused by complicated factors, such as placental abruption, PROM and male fetus. Comprehensive measures should be taken to reduce preterm birth.
Abruptio Placentae ; etiology ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Sampling Studies ; Young Adult