Objective To explore the mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix in the regulation of intestinal immunity in rats with spleen qi deficiency,which was based on G protein-coupled receptor 41(GPR41)/GPR43-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Methods The three-factor composite modeling method of eating disorder,diarrhea and fatigue was used to establish a model of spleen qi deficiency,and the rats were randomly divided into model,honey-processed Hedysari Radix,probiotics and blank groups with 15 rats per group.The honey-processed Hedysari Radix group was given by gavage 12.6 g·kg-1 aqueous extract of honey-processed Hedysari Radix.The probiotics group was given 0.625 g·kg-1 bifidobacterium triple viable solution by gavage.The blank and model groups were given the same dose of distilled water by gavage.Four groups were treated for 15 d with once a day.The expression levels of GPR41,GPR43,P38 MAPK,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)and extracellular regulatory protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)in colon tissues were detected by Western blotting.Results The relative expression levels of GPR41 in the blank,model,honey-processed Hedysari Radix and probiotics groups were 0.95±0.07,0.45±0.03,0.84±0.19 and 0.86±0.20;the relative expression levels of GPR43 were 1.17±0.11,0.41±0.06,0.66±0.03 and 0.57±0.01;the phosphorylated ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratios were 0.16±0.01,0.43±0.01,0.39±0.01 and 0.36±0.02;the phosphorylated JNK/JNK ratios were 0.58±0.05,1.47±0.10,0.90±0.11 and 0.90±0.11;the phosphorylated P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK ratios were 1.77±0.33,3.19±0.03,2.01±0.17 and 2.23±0.59,respectively.Compared with the model group,the differences of above indexes were statistically significant in the honey-processed Hedysari Radix and probiotics groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion The mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix regulating intestinal immunity in rats with spleen qi deficiency is related to the regulation of GPR41/GPR43 mediated MAPK signaling pathway.

Asarum forbesii is a perennial herb born in a shaded and humid environment, which is warm in nature. With the efficacy of warming lung, resolving fluid retention, and relieving coughs, it can be used to treat the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. To investigate the effects of different shading conditions on the composition and efficacy of A. forbesii, this study planted A. forbesii under 20% natural light(NL20), 40% natural light(NL40), 60% natural light(NL60), and 80% natural light(NL80) and utilized ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) and micro broth 2-fold dilution method to detect the volatile chemical compounds and the minimum inhibitory concentration. At the same time, the study investigated the effects of A. forbesii grown under different shading conditions on the signs, pathological changes of lung tissues, serum cytokine levels, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ in lung tissues, and relative expression of related genes of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. The results indicated that with the increase of shading, the content of kakuol, methyl eugenol, and asarinin in A. forbesii and the antibacterial effect showed a tendency of increasing first and then decreasing, and the NL40 group was significantly better than the other groups. Under the conditions of NL20 and NL40, A. forbesii significantly alleviated the pathological damage to lung tissues, restored the homeostasis of the lung, and enhanced the energy metabolism level of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. In addition, A. forbesii planted under the two conditions reduced the content of interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-13(IL-13), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC), increased the levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and aquaporin 1(AQP1), lowered the expression of MMP9, VEGF, TGF-β, and MAPK3. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of A. forbesii on the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung was positively correlated with the degree of shading, and the chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention were optimal under the conditions of NL20-NL40. This study can provide reference for the pharmacological research and cultivation of A. forbesii.
Animals ; Mice ; Lung/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Light ; Cytokines/genetics* ; Humans

Objective To explore the mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix in the regulation of intestinal immunity in rats with spleen qi deficiency,which was based on G protein-coupled receptor 41(GPR41)/GPR43-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Methods The three-factor composite modeling method of eating disorder,diarrhea and fatigue was used to establish a model of spleen qi deficiency,and the rats were randomly divided into model,honey-processed Hedysari Radix,probiotics and blank groups with 15 rats per group.The honey-processed Hedysari Radix group was given by gavage 12.6 g·kg-1 aqueous extract of honey-processed Hedysari Radix.The probiotics group was given 0.625 g·kg-1 bifidobacterium triple viable solution by gavage.The blank and model groups were given the same dose of distilled water by gavage.Four groups were treated for 15 d with once a day.The expression levels of GPR41,GPR43,P38 MAPK,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)and extracellular regulatory protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)in colon tissues were detected by Western blotting.Results The relative expression levels of GPR41 in the blank,model,honey-processed Hedysari Radix and probiotics groups were 0.95±0.07,0.45±0.03,0.84±0.19 and 0.86±0.20;the relative expression levels of GPR43 were 1.17±0.11,0.41±0.06,0.66±0.03 and 0.57±0.01;the phosphorylated ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratios were 0.16±0.01,0.43±0.01,0.39±0.01 and 0.36±0.02;the phosphorylated JNK/JNK ratios were 0.58±0.05,1.47±0.10,0.90±0.11 and 0.90±0.11;the phosphorylated P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK ratios were 1.77±0.33,3.19±0.03,2.01±0.17 and 2.23±0.59,respectively.Compared with the model group,the differences of above indexes were statistically significant in the honey-processed Hedysari Radix and probiotics groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion The mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix regulating intestinal immunity in rats with spleen qi deficiency is related to the regulation of GPR41/GPR43 mediated MAPK signaling pathway.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor often leading to liver metastasis and mortality. Despite some success with PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, the response rate for colon cancer patients remains relatively low. This is closely related to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment mediated by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Our previous work identified that a phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) allosteric inhibitor, HKB99, exerts a range of anti-tumor activities in lung cancer. Here, we found that upregulation of PGAM1 correlates with increased levels of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in human colon cancer samples, particularly in liver metastatic tissues. HKB99 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in cell culture and syngeneic tumor models. M2-polarization, induced by colon cancer cell co-culture, was reversed by HKB99. Conversely, the increased migration of colon cancer cells by M2-TAMs was remarkably restrained by HKB99. Notably, a decrease in TAM infiltration was required for the HKB99-mediated anti-tumor effect, along with an increase in CD8⁺ T cell infiltration. Moreover, HKB99 improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment in syngeneic tumors. Overall, this study highlights HKB99's inhibitory activity in TAM-mediated colon cancer progression. Targeting PGAM1 could lead to novel therapeutic strategies and enhance the effectiveness of existing immunotherapies for colon cancer.

Objective To investigate the effects of Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle and vinegar processed Curcumae Rhizoma(HRCR)on short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in colitis associated colon cancer(CAC)mice.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,sulfasazine group(SASP)and HRCR group,with 10 mice per group.Control group was given the same amount of drinking water,and the other group was given azoxymethane combined with dextran sulfate sodium to establish an CAC model.The SASP and HRCR groups were administrated with 0.455 g·kg-1 sulfasalazine and 6.825 g·kg-1 HRCR from the beginning of the experiment.The content of SCFAs in colon contents of mice was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results The contents of acetic acid,propionic acid,isobutyric acid,butyric acid,valeric acid,and hexanoic acid in the colon contents of control group mice were(2.80±0.54),(0.47±0.26),(0.02±5.90 x 10-3),(0.82±0.24),(9.85±2.24)×10-3,(7.21±4.21)×10-3 mg·g-1 respectively.Compared with the control group,the contents of acetic acid,propionic acid,isobutyric acid,butyric acid and valeric acid in the colon contents of mice in the model group were significantly reduced[(0.71±0.36),(0.24±0.08),(6.08±2.54)× 10-3,(0.13±0.03),(3.64±2.14)×10-3 and(1.99±0.81)×10-3 mg·g-1,all P＜0.01].Compared with the model group,the contents of acetic acid,propionic acid,butyric acid,valeric acid,and hexanoic acid in the colon contents of mice treated with HRCR were significantly increased after intervention[(1.58±0.25),(0.39±0.04),(0.34±0.08),(5.51±1.76)×10-3 and(6.67±1.73)×10-3 mg·g-1,P＜0.05,P＜0.01].Conclusion The metabolism of SCFAs in CAC mice can be regulated by decocted astragalus-vinegar Curcuma.

Objective To explore the protective mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix in regulating intestinal mucosal injury in rats with spleen qi deficiency.Methods The three-factor composite modeling method of bitter cold diarrhea,overwork and hunger and satiety disorder was used to construct a spleen qi deficiency model rats.After the model was successfully made,they were randomly divided into model group,honey-processed Hedysari Radix group and probiotic group,with 15 animals in each group.Another 15 normal rats were taken as the blank group.The honey-processed Hedysari Radix group was given 12.6 g·kg-1 water decoction of honey-processed Hedysari Radix by gavage,the probiotics group was given Bifidobacterium Lactobacillus triple viable tablets suspension at a dose of 0.625 g·kg-1,and the blank group and the model group were given the same dose of distilled water.The rats in the four groups were administered once a day for 15 days.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect diamine oxidase(DAO)in serum,D-lactic acid(D-LA),secretory immunoglobulin A factor,and Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK),zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin in colon tissues.Results The serum levels of DAO in the blank group,model group,honey-processed Hedysari Radix group and probiotic group were(138.93±9.78),(187.95±12.90),(147.21±6.92)and(166.47±3.37)pg·mL-1;the contents of D-LA were(892.23±49.17),(1 099.84±137.64),(956.56±86.04)and(989.61±51.75)μg·L-1;the contents of SIgA in colon tissues were(14.04±1.42),(11.47±2.39),(11.84±1.49)and(12.93±1.65)μg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of ZO-1 protein in colon tissues were 1.18±0.11,0.42±0.04,0.77±0.05 and 0.95±0.07;the relative expression levels of occludin protein were 1.35±0.31,0.61±0.17,1.19±0.19 and 0.88±0.13;the relative expression levels of AMPK protein were 0.91±0.02,0.35±0.09,0.74±0.08 and 0.59±0.11.Compared with the model group,there were significant differences in the serum content of DAO and D-LA,SIgA content in colon,and the content of ZO-1,occludin and AMPK protein in the honey-processed Hedysari Radix group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Honey-processed Hedysari Radix can enhance the protective effect on the intestinal mucosa of rats with spleen qi deficiency by regulating the expression of related inflammatory cytokines,intestinal mucosal upper cell enzymes and tight junction proteins in rats with spleen qi deficiency.

Objective To investigate the effects of Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle and vinegar processed Curcumae Rhizoma(HRCR)on short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in colitis associated colon cancer(CAC)mice.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,sulfasazine group(SASP)and HRCR group,with 10 mice per group.Control group was given the same amount of drinking water,and the other group was given azoxymethane combined with dextran sulfate sodium to establish an CAC model.The SASP and HRCR groups were administrated with 0.455 g·kg-1 sulfasalazine and 6.825 g·kg-1 HRCR from the beginning of the experiment.The content of SCFAs in colon contents of mice was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results The contents of acetic acid,propionic acid,isobutyric acid,butyric acid,valeric acid,and hexanoic acid in the colon contents of control group mice were(2.80±0.54),(0.47±0.26),(0.02±5.90 x 10-3),(0.82±0.24),(9.85±2.24)×10-3,(7.21±4.21)×10-3 mg·g-1 respectively.Compared with the control group,the contents of acetic acid,propionic acid,isobutyric acid,butyric acid and valeric acid in the colon contents of mice in the model group were significantly reduced[(0.71±0.36),(0.24±0.08),(6.08±2.54)× 10-3,(0.13±0.03),(3.64±2.14)×10-3 and(1.99±0.81)×10-3 mg·g-1,all P＜0.01].Compared with the model group,the contents of acetic acid,propionic acid,butyric acid,valeric acid,and hexanoic acid in the colon contents of mice treated with HRCR were significantly increased after intervention[(1.58±0.25),(0.39±0.04),(0.34±0.08),(5.51±1.76)×10-3 and(6.67±1.73)×10-3 mg·g-1,P＜0.05,P＜0.01].Conclusion The metabolism of SCFAs in CAC mice can be regulated by decocted astragalus-vinegar Curcuma.

HSP90 is a widely distributed molecular chaperone that participates in a variety of cellular processes and plays an important role in the meiosis of germ cells. However, its role in the gonadal development of hermaphroditic Whitmania pigra is not yet clear. To explore the effect of HSP90 on the germ cell development of Wh. Pigra, this study cloned the wpHSP90 gene, performed bioinformatics analysis, and measured its expression levels. The results showed that the cloned wpHSP90 was 2 592 bp in length, with an open reading frame(ORF) of 2 373 bp, encoding 790 amino acids. Prediction analysis revealed 85 phosphorylation modification sites on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues of the wpHSP90 protein. Structural domain prediction and multiple sequence alignment results showed that wpHSP90 contained two conserved domains of HSP90 and exhibited the highest homology with Helobdella robusta, with a sequence similarity of 80.72%. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression level of wpHSP90 in the gonads of 5-month-old Wh. pigra was positively correlated with temperature within the range of 12 ℃ to 28 ℃. The expression level in the female gonads was significantly higher than in the male gonads and correlated with the trend of germ cell development in the ovaries and testes. In conclusion, wpHSP90 may be involved in regulating the development of germ cells, particularly oocytes, in Wh. pigra. This study provides a reference for further research on the gonadal development mechanism in Wh. pigra.
Animals ; Female ; Male ; Temperature ; Ovary ; Gonads ; Testis ; Leeches ; Cloning, Molecular

To understand the current quality status and rearing situation of Bombyx Batryticatus, the authors collected 102 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus from different main producing areas and five major Chinese medicine markets from 2016 to 2018, and measured the properties and quality of the silk gland, to clarify the quality status of Bombyx Batryticatus from different producing areas and markets. In addition, 35 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus from 2019 to 2022 were used to verify the silk gland after revision. Moreover, Beauveria Bassiana was inoculated in the silkworm of 4-5 instars, and standardized rearing was carried out until they die. The death rate and the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus were measured to determine the differences in Bombyx Batryticatus of different instars, and explore the rationality of the infection age of Bombyx Batryticatus in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020). The results revealed that in the 102 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus, the qualification rate of silk gland was low; the content of total ash far exceeded the standard; the content of beauvericin varied greatly. The qualification rate of the silk gland of the 35 batches of Bombyx Batryticatus was only 47.49%, which could be increased to 73.00% if the number of silk gland was 2 to 4. The death rate of Bombyx Batryticatus at different infection ages was quite different, with uneven quality. Generally, the yield of Bombyx Batryticatus inoculated on the first day of the fifth instar was high with good quality. Therefore, in combination with the quality and actual production of Bombyx Batryticatus, the following suggestions were proposed for revision of Bombyx Batryticatus in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2025): The number of silk gland should be revised as 2-4 bright brown or bright black silk glands, after which, the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus could be guaranteed, and the "quality identification based on character" could also be reflected scientifically; the content determination index that the content of beauvericin shall not be less than 0.017% should be added to better control the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus; the infection age should be revised as the first day of the fifth instar to narrow the age span, which could better fit the actual production and ensure the quality of Bombyx Batryticatus.
Animals ; Bombyx ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Silk ; Larva

Light is the main source for plants to obtain energy.Asarum forbesii is a typical shade medicinal plant, which generally grows in the shady and wet place under the bushes or beside the ditches.It can grow and develop without too much light intensity.This experiment explores the effects of shading on the growth, physiological characteristics and energy metabolism of A.forbesii, which can provide reference and guidance for its artificial planting.In this experiment, A.forbesii was planted under 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% and no shade.During the vigorous growth period, the photosynthetic physiological characteristics such as fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigment content and ultrastructure, as well as the content of mitochondrial electron transport chain(ETC) synthase and nutrients were measured.The results showed that the photosynthetic pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and net photosynthesis rate(P_n) decreased with the decrease of shading.Under 20%-40% shading treatment, the plants had damaged ultrastructure, expanded and disintegrated chloroplast, disordered stroma lamella and grana lamella, and increased osmiophi-lic granules and starch granules.The activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase(NADH), succinate dehydrogenase(SDH), cytochrome C oxidoreductase(CCO) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) synthasewere positively related to light intensity.With the reduction of shading, the content of total sugar and protein in nutrients increased first and then decreased, and the content was the highest under 60% shade.In conclusion, under 60%-80% shading treatment, the chloroplast and mitochondria had more complete structure, faster energy metabolism, higher light energy-conversion efficiency, better absorption and utilization of light energy and more nutrient synthesis, which was more suitable for the growth and development of A.forbesii.
Asarum ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Chloroplasts ; Energy Metabolism ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Plant Leaves/metabolism*