Ophiopogon japonicus, a precious medicinal plant endemic to Zhejiang Province. Its tuberous roots are rich in bioactive components such as flavonoids, possessing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. To elucidate the impact of cadmium (Cd) stress on the accumulation and biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids in O. japonicus, this study exposed O. japonicus to different concentrations of Cd stress and explored the changes through integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis. The results demonstrated that Cd stress (1 mg/L and 10 mg/L) significantly increased the content of flavonoids in O. japonicus in a concentration-dependent manner. The metabolomics analysis revealed a total of 110 flavonoids including flavones, flavanols, flavonols, flavone and flavonol derivatives, flavanones, isoflavonoids, chalcones and dihydrochalcones, and anthocyanins in O. japonicus, among which flavones, flavonols, flavone and flavonol derivatives, and anthocyanins increased under Cd stress. The transcriptomics analysis identified several key flavonoid biosynthesis-associated genes with up-regulated expression under Cd stress, including 14 genes encoding 4-coumarate CoA ligase (4CL), 2 genes encoding chalcone isomerase (CHI), and 14 genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). The gene-metabolite regulatory network indicated significant positive correlations of 4CL (Cluster-21637.5012, Cluster-21637.90648, and Cluster-21637.62637) and CHI (Cluster-21637.111909 and Cluster-21637.123300) with flavonoid metabolites, suggesting that these genes promoted the synthesis of specific flavonoid metabolites, which led to the accumulation of total flavonoids under Cd stress. These findings provide theoretical support for the cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants in Cd-contaminated environments and offered new perspectives for studying plant responses to heavy metal stress.
Cadmium/toxicity* ; Flavonoids/biosynthesis* ; Metabolomics ; Ophiopogon/drug effects* ; Stress, Physiological ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution is one of the major environmental problems globally. Ophiopogon japonicus, a multifunctional plant extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated potential in environmental remediation. This study investigated the Cd accumulation pattern of O. japonicus under cadmium stress and identified the heavy metal ATPase (HMA) family members in this plant. Our results demonstrated that O. japonicus exhibited a Cd enrichment factor (EF) of 2.75, demonstrating strong potential for soil Cd pollution remediation. Nine heavy metal ATPase (HMA) members of P1B-ATPases were successfully identified from the transcriptome data of O. japonicus, with OjHMA1-OjHMA6 classified as the Zn/Co/Cd/Pb-ATPases and OjHMA7-OjHMA9 as the Cu/Ag-ATPases. The expression levels of OjHMA1, OjHMA2, OjHMA3, and OjHMA7 were significantly up-regulated under Cd stress, highlighting their crucial roles in cadmium ion absorption and transport. The topological analysis revealed that these proteins possessed characteristic transmembrane (TM) segments of the family, along with functional A, P, and N domains involved in regulating ion absorption and release. Metal ion-binding sites (M4, M5, and M6) existed on the TM segments. Based on the number of transmembrane domains and the residues at metal ion-binding sites, the plant HMA family members were categorized into three subgroups: P1B-1 ATPases, P1B-2 ATPases, and P1B-4 ATPases. Specifically, the P1B-1 ATPase subgroup included the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(YN[X]₄P), and TM6(M[XX]SS); the P1B-2 ATPase subgroup featured the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(K), and TM6(DKTGT); the P1B-4 ATPase subgroup contained the motifs TM4(SPC) and TM6(HE[X]GT), all of which were critical for protein functions. Molecular docking results revealed the importance of conserved sequences such as CPC/SPC, DKTGT, and HE[X]GT in metal ion coordination and stabilization. These findings provide potential molecular targets for enhancing Cd uptake and tolerance of O. japonicus by genetic engineering and lay a theoretical foundation for developing new cultivars with high Cd accumulation capacity.
Cadmium/metabolism* ; Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism* ; Ophiopogon/drug effects* ; Soil Pollutants/toxicity* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Stress, Physiological ; Multigene Family ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

Ophiopogonis Radix, a well-known Chinese herb, is dominantly cultivated in Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces, with the Zhejiang Ophiopogonis Radix acting as one of the eight Zhejiang-based traditional medical materials. Phytochemical studies have shown that Ophiopogonis Radix is rich in steroidal saponins, homoisoflavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides, which collectively confer it with cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammation, anticancer, antioxidation, and immune regulation activities. Studies also show that Ophiopogonis Radix originated from Zhejiang and Sichuan is discriminated in both chemical components and clinical efficacy, while the existing reviews of Ophiopogonis Radix appear to pose a particular focus on Sichuan species, but not for Zhejiang origin. This article systematically summarizes the structures and bioactivities of the compounds sourced from Zhejiang Ophiopogonis Radix as well as its molecular pharmacognosy and it will set the stage for a comprehensive understanding of geo-authentic Ophiopogonis Radix.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Humans ; Animals ; Pharmacognosy ; Ophiopogon/chemistry* ; China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Composition of Ophiopogon polysaccharide, Notoginseng total saponins and Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids (CONR) on myocardial apoptosis of diabetic atherosclerosis (DA) rabbits METHODS: Sixty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups [control group, model group, CONR high-dose group (450 mg/kg), CONR medium-dose group (150 mg/kg), CONR low-dose group (50 mg/kg), and simvastatin group] by using a completely random method, 10 in each group. DA model was established by intravenously injected alloxan combined with high-fat diet and abdominal aortic balloon injury. After mediation for 10 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (GHB), glycosylated serum protein (GSP), fructoseamine (FRA), aldose reductase (AR), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method; the expression of receptor of AGEs (RAGE) in myocardial tissue were observed by immunohistochemical method; and p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) protein expression in myocardial tissue were measured by Western blotting. The myocardial apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTPnick-end labeling (TUNEL) method, and apoptosis index (AI) was calculated. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, serum FBG, GHB, GSP, FRA, AR, AGEs and the expression of myocardium RAGE, p-JNK, caspase-3 proteins, as well as apoptosis index (AI) were significantly increased and bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of serum FBG, GHB, GSP, FRA and AR showed a significant decline in CONR high- and medium-dose groups (P<0.01). FBG and GHB showed a significant decline in CONR low-dose group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of serum AGEs and myocardium RAGE, p-JNK and caspase-3 protein as well as AI were significantly decreased and bcl-2 protein was significantly up-regulated in all treatment groups (P<0.01); high-dose CONR had the most significant effect on abovementioned indices compared with other treatment groups (P<0.01). Middle-dose CONR had better effect on serum AGEs compared with the low-dose group (P<0.01); middle-dose CONR and simvastatin groups had better effect on the expression of caspase-3, bcl-2 protein, myocardium apoptosis compared with the CONR low-dose group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION CONR may effectively inhibit myocardial apoptosis on DA rabbits by intervening AGEs-RAGE and JNK, caspase-3, and bcl-2 protein expressions.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; Male ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Dengzhan Shengmai Capsules( DZSMC),a well-known traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) formula,is comprised of the main drug of Erigeron breviscapus,and supplemented with Panax ginseng,Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis,with functions of supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin,promoting blood circulation and strengthening brain. DZSMC is the only Chinese patent drug with A-level evidence-based medicine in secondary prevention for stroke and ranks first among TCMs for neurological treatment. Modern studies indicate that the chemical constituents of DZSMC mainly include flavonoids,phenolic acids,lignans,saponins and so on. Pharmacological experimental studies have shown that DZSMC has such pharmacological effects as anti-oxidation,anti-inflammatory and anti-myocardial ischemia. DZSMC is mainly used in the convalescent care of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,and is often used in combination with various conventional therapeutic drugs to exert clinical efficacy through brain protection,neuroprotection,etc.,and improve clinical symptoms in patients. In this review,according to domestic and international related literature combined with research results obtained by our project,the research advances in the chemical constituents,pharmacological effects and clinical application of DZSMC have been systematically reviewed and summarized,providing reference and support for further study and secondary development of the formula.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Erigeron/chemistry* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ophiopogon ; Panax ; Phytochemicals/pharmacology* ; Phytotherapy ; Schisandra

Ophiopogon japonicus is one of the commonly used medicines,and it has gradually become a therapeutic food for people's daily health care. O. japonicus in Sichuan province is the famous Dao-di herbs in Sichuan province,and is mainly produced in Santai county,Sichuan province. With the unique geographical advantage,Santai county plans to declare the new food raw materials of O. japonicus based on the geographical indication products( Fu Cheng O. japonicus),so it is necessary to analyze and evaluate the nutritional components of O. japonicus in Santai county. The experimental results showed that the content of the nutrients was characterized by low fat,high polysaccharide,high potassium and high vitamin B2,which can be developed as new food raw materials.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Nutrients ; analysis ; Nutritive Value ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; Potassium ; analysis ; Riboflavin ; analysis

An analytical method based on UFLC-QTRAP-MS/MS was established for simultaneous determination of thirty-three components including steroidal saponins, homoisoflavonoids, amino acids and nucleosides in Ophiopogonis Radix. Thirty-three target components of commercial medicinal materials of Maidong were comparative analysis. Synergi™ Hydro-RP 100 column (2.0 mm × 100 mm, 2.5 μm) was used with 0.1% formic acid solution-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile for gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL·min⁻¹. In addition, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was employed. The data were comprehensively processed and analyzed with hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA), principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) methods. All components showed good linearity(>0.999 0) within the tested ranges. The average recoveries were between 96.23%-102.0%, and the relative standard deviation(RSD) were less than 5%. The results showed that there were significant differences in components between Ophiopogonis Radix and Liriopes Radix, with seven components obviously different. This method was useful for providing basis for the comprehensive evaluation and intrinsic quality control of Ophiopogonis Radix and Liriopes Radix , and may provide a new method reference for the identification of Ophiopogonis Radix and Liriopes Radix.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Liriope Plant ; chemistry ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; Phytochemicals ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Ultrafiltration is one of the most fascinating technologies, which makes it possible to improve the quality of traditional medicines for application in the pharmaceutical industry. However, researchers have paid little attention to the effect of ultrafiltration membrane on traditional medicines chemical constituents. In this work, Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f) Ker-Gawl. was used as an example to illuminate the influence of ultrafiltration with different material and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) membrane on natural chemical constituents as measured by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UFLC-IT-TOF/MS). Our results indicated that ultrafiltration membrane significantly impacted homoisoflavonoids, especially homoisoflavonoids that were almost completely retained on the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. We also found that the larger number of aglycone hydroxy and sugar moiety in steroid saponins, the higher the transmittance. Furthermore, the passage rate (%) of ophiogenin type saponins was higher than that of others. The possible adsorptive mechanisms were hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and benzene ring interaction by π-π stacking. In conclusion, it is crucial to choose appropriate ultrafiltration membrane based on the characteristics of produce products for application of ultrafiltration technique.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Isoflavones ; analysis ; Molecular Structure ; Molecular Weight ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Polymers ; Saponins ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Sulfones ; Ultrafiltration ; methods

For understanding the effect of MDG-1, a water-soluble β-D-fructan polysaccharide from Ophiopogon japonicas, on intestinal microecological balance, especially on the changes of lactobacillus, sixty 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were given a high-fat diet for six weeks and were also gavaged with saline once a day simultaneously. Then the mice which is below 30 grams or dropped more than 10% through lavage were eliminated and the rest were randomly divided into four groups: diet-induced obese (DIO) model group (n = 12, gavaged with saline), low-dose MDG-1 group (n = 12, gavaged with MDG-1, 75 mg · kg(-1)) , medial-dose MDG- 1 group (n = 12, gavaged with 150 mg · kg(-1)), and high-dose MDG-1 group (n = 12, gavaged with 300 mg · kg(-1)) according to the weight and blood glucose; the model group and MDG-1 group were placed on a high-fat diet while the normal control group (n = 12, gavaged with saline) were kept on a low-fat diet through the experiment. After 12-weeks of treatment, feces samples were collected and cultured for intestinal microecological balance analysis. Then the intestinal probiotics were cultured through traditional methods combined with modified gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method. The changes of lactobacillus in each treatment group were also detected by a statistical analysis of the total number of the intestinal flora. We have established the phylogenetic tree by 16S rDNA sequencing and use some molecular identification methods such as PCR-DGGE to analyse the changes of the dominant bacteria floras, and also get the pure culture. In conclusion, different concentrations of MDG-1 can increase the number of the intestinal probiotics, especially Taiwan lactobacillus and Lactobacillus murinus, and improve their diversity and promote proliferation in a dose-dependent way.
Animals ; Biodiversity ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Dietary Carbohydrates ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Humans ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; classification ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Obese ; Molecular Structure ; Obesity ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; Phylogeny ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry

This research is to establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of ophiopogonin D, ophiopogonin D', ophiopogonin C, deacetylophiopojaponin A and ophiogenin-3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-(1-->2)-β-D-glucoside in Ophiopogonis Radix. HPLC-ELSD analysis was performed on a Kromasil 100-5 C₁₈ column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm), with the mobile phase of acetonitrile (A) -water (B) in gradient elution mode (0-45 min, 35%-55% A), at a flow rate of 1 mL · min⁻¹. The column temperature was 35 °C and the drift tube temperature was 100 °C in a gas flow rate of 3.0 L · min⁻¹. The result showed that baseline of all the 5 constituents was well separated, and every constituent had wide linearity range and good linear relation (r > 0.999). The recovery rate was between 95.75% and 103.1%. The new established method for simultaneous determination of saponin constituents in Ophiopogonis Radix was sensitive and has good, repeatability. It could be applied to quality evaluation of Ophiopogonis Radix.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification