The present study optimized the ethanol extraction process of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus drug pair by network pharmacology and Box-Behnken method. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to screen out and verify the potential active components of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus, and the process evaluation indexes were determined in light of the components of the content determination under Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The analytic hierarchy process(AHP) was used to determine the weight coefficient of each component, and the comprehensive score was calculated as the process evaluation index. The ethanol extraction process of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus was optimized by the Box-Behnken method. The core components of the Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus drug pair were screened out as spinosin, jujuboside A, jujuboside B, schisandrin, schisandrol, schisandrin A, and schisandrin B. The optimal extraction conditions obtained by using the Box-Behnken method were listed below: extraction time of 90 min, ethanol volume fraction of 85%, and two times of extraction. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, the process evaluation indexes were determined, and the optimized process was stable, which could provide an experimental basis for the production of preparations containing Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus.
Ethanol ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Network Pharmacology ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Ziziphus/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; Schisandra/chemistry* ; Fruit/chemistry* ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

There are 500 species of Viola(Violaceae) worldwide, among which 111 species are widely distributed in China and have a long medicinal history and wide varieties. According to the authors' statistics, a total of 410 compounds have been isolated and identified from plants of this genus, including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, nitrogenous compounds, sterols, saccharides and their derivatives, volatile oils and cyclotides. The medicinal materials from these plants boast anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities. This study systematically reviewed the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Viola plants to provide a basis for further research and clinical application.
Viola/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Flavonoids ; Terpenes/pharmacology* ; China

Two prenylated 2-arylbenzofurans were isolated from roots of Artocarpus heterophyllus, with a combination of various chromatographic approaches, including ODS, MCI, Sephadex LH-20, and semipreparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). They were identified as 5-[6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5,7-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-1,3-benzenediol(1) and 5-[2H,9H-2,2,9,9-tetramethyl-furo[2,3-f]pyrano[2,3-h][1]benzopyran-6-yl]-1,3-benzenediol(2) with spectroscopic methods, such as HR-ESI-MS, IR, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR, and named artoheterins B(1) and C(2), respectively. The anti-respiratory burst activities of the two compounds were evaluated with rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs) stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA). The results showed that 1 and 2 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on respiratory burst of PMNs with IC_(50) values of 0.27 and 1.53 μmol·L~(-1), respectively.
Rats ; Animals ; Molecular Structure ; Artocarpus/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Plant Roots/chemistry*

We reported the discovery of six novel coumarins, toddasirins A-F (1-6), each endowed with modified isoprenyl or geranyl side chains, derived from the roots of Toddalia asiatica. Comprehensive structural elucidation was achieved through multispectroscopic analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, and advanced quantum mechanical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was assessed. Notably, compounds 1-3 and 6 demonstrated notable inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 3.22, 4.78, 8.90, and 4.31 μmol·L^-1, respectively.
Mice ; Animals ; Coumarins/chemistry* ; Rutaceae/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Nitric Oxide ; Molecular Structure

Zanthoxylum belongs to the Rutaceae family, and there are 81 Zanthoxylum species and 36 varieties in China. Most of the Zanthoxylum plants are used as culinary spice. In recent years, scholars in China and abroad have carried out in-depth research on Zanthoxylum plants, and found that the peculiar numbing sensation of Zanthoxylum plants originates from amides. It is also determined that amides are an important material basis for exerting pharmacological effects, especially in anti-inflammatory analgesia, anesthesia and other aspects. In this paper, 123 amides in 26 Zanthoxylum plants and their pharmacological activity that have been reported were summarized, which provided scientific reference for the clinical application of Zanthoxylum plants and the research and development of new drugs, and also facilitated the sustainable development and utilization of Zanthoxylum plant resources.
Zanthoxylum/chemistry* ; Amides/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; China

This study explored toxicity attenuation processing technology of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction for the first time, and further explored its detoxification mechanism. Nine processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction were prepared by orthogonal experiment with three factors and three levels. Based on the decrease in the content of the main hepatotoxic component diosbulbin B before and after processing of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae by high-performance liquid chromatography, the toxicity attenuation technology was preliminarily screened out. On this basis, the raw and representative processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae were given to mice by gavage with 2 g·kg~(-1)(equival to clinical equivalent dose) for 21 d. The serum and liver tissues were collected after the last administration for 24 h. The serum biochemical indexes reflecting liver function and liver histopathology were combined to further screen out and verify the proces-sing technology. Then, the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant indexes of liver tissue were detected by kit method, and the expressions of NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) and glutamate-cysteine ligase(GCLM) in mice liver were detected by Western blot to further explore detoxification mechanism. The results showed that the processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction reduced the content of diosbulbin B and improved the liver injury induced by Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bul-biferae to varying degrees, and the processing technology of A_2B_2C_3 reduced the excessive levels of alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST) induced by raw Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae by 50.2% and 42.4%, respectively(P<0.01, P<0.01). The processed products of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction reversed the decrease protein expression levels of NQO1 and GCLM in the liver of mice induced by raw Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae to varying degrees(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and it also reversed the increasing level of malondialdehyde(MDA) and the decreasing levels of glutathione(GSH), glutathione peroxidase(GPX), and glutathione S-transferase(GST) in the liver of mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In summary, this study shows that the optimal toxicity attenuation processing technology of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae stir-fried with Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction is A_2B_2C_3, that is, 10% of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction is used for moistening Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae and processed at 130 ℃ for 11 min. The detoxification mechanism involves enhancing the expression levels of NQO1 and GCLM antio-xidant proteins and related antioxidant enzymes in the liver.
Mice ; Animals ; Antioxidants/analysis* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Paeonia/chemistry* ; Glutathione/analysis*

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of blueberry on regulating the mitochondrial inner membrane protein mitofilin/Mic60 in an in vitro model of metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MAFLD). Methods L02 human hepatocytes were induced by free fatty acids (FFA) to establish MAFLD cell model. A normal group, a model group, an 80 μg/mL blueberry treatment group, a Mic60 short hairpin RNA (Mic60 shRNA) transfection group, and Mic60 knockdown combined with an 80 μg/mL blueberry treatment group were established. The intracellular lipid deposition was observed by oil red O staining, and the effect of different concentrations of blueberry pulp on the survival rate of L02 cells treated with FFA was measured by MTT assay. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were measured by visible spectrophotometry. The expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hepatocytes was observed by fluorescence microscopy, and the mRNA and protein expression of Mic60 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results After 24 hours of FFA stimulation, a large number of red lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of L02 cells was observed, and the survival rate of L02 cells treated with 80 μg/mL blueberry was higher. The results of ALT, AST, TG, TC, MDA and the fluorescence intensity of ROS in blueberry treated group were lower than those in model group, while the levels of SOD, GSH, Mic60 mRNA and protein in blueberry treated group were higher than those in model group. Conclusion Blueberry promotes the expression of Mic60, increases the levels of SOD and GSH in hepatocytes, and reduces the production of ROS, thus alleviating the injury of MAFLD hepatocytes and regulating the disorder of lipid metabolism.
Humans ; Blueberry Plants/chemistry* ; Hepatocytes/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Liver Diseases/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Superoxides/metabolism* ; Mitochondrial Membranes/metabolism* ; Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

Three new cucurbitane-type triterpenoid glycosides were separated from the ethyl acetate extract of Citrullus colocynthis by a variety of chromatographic techniques. According to the data of NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and/or comparison with the reported data, the three novel cucurbitane-type triterpenoid glycosides were identified as colocynthenin E(1), colocynthenin G(2), and colocynthenin H(3). The cell inflammation model was established with RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide and then used to determine the anti-inflammatory activities of the three compounds. Compounds 2 and 3 showed mild anti-inflammatory activities with the IC_(50) of 48.21 and 40.11 μmol·L~(-1), respectively, compared with that(IC_(50)=7.57 μmol·L~(-1)) of the positive control dexamethasone.
Citrullus colocynthis/chemistry* ; Triterpenes/chemistry* ; Glycosides/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*

The chemical constituents of the seeds of Moringa oleifera were isolated and purified by using Sephadex LH-20, Toyo-pearl HW-40F, silica gel, ODS, and MCI column chromatography. The structures of compounds were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry, ~1H-NMR, ~(13)C-NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and ~1H-~1H COSY, as well as physicochemical properties of compounds and literature data. Twelve compounds were isolated from 30% ethanol fraction of the seeds of M. oleifera and identified as ethyl-4-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-α-L-rhamnoside(1), ethyl-3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-α-L-rhamnoside(2),(4-hydroxybenzyl)ethyl carbamate(3),(4-aminophenyl)acetic acid(4), ethyl-α-L-rhamnoside(5), methyl-α-L-rhamnoside(6), moringapyranosyl(7), 2-[4-(α-L-rhamnosyl)phenyl]methyl acetate(8), niaziridin(9), 5-hydroxymethyl furfural(10), 4-hydroxybenzeneacetamide(11), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid(12). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 are two new compounds, compound 3 is a new natural product, and compounds 4-5 were yielded from Moringa plant for the first time. All compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro. Compound 10 showed excellent inhibitory activity with IC_(50) of 210 μg·mL~(-1).
Moringa oleifera/chemistry* ; alpha-Glucosidases ; Moringa ; Seeds ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

The growth environment of medicinal plants plays an important role in the formation of their medicinal quality. However, there is a lack of combined analysis studying the close relationship between the growth environment, chemical components, and related biological activities of medicinal plants. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of different soil moisture treatments on the efficacy to eliminate dampness and relieve jaundice and the flavonoid content of Sedum sarmentosum, and explored their correlation. The flavonoid content in the decoction of S. sarmentosum growing under field conditions with soil moisture levels of 35%-40%(T1), 55%-60%(T2), 75%-80%(T3), and 95%-100%(T4) was compared. The effects of these treatments on liver function parameters, liver inflammation, and oxidative damage in mice with dampness-heat jaundice were evaluated, and the correlation between pharmacological indicators and flavonoid content was analyzed. The results showed that the total flavonoid and total phenolic acid content in the decoction of S. sarmentosum were highest in the T1 treatment, followed by the T3 treatment. The content of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin was highest in the T2, T1, and T3 treatments, respectively. Among the different moisture treatments, the T3 group of S. sarmentosum effectively reduced the levels of serum ALT, AKP, TBIL, DBIL, TBA, as well as hepatic TNF-α and IL-6 in mice with jaundice, followed by T2 treatment, especially in reducing AST level. The T4 treatment had the poorest effect. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between AST, ALT, AKP levels in mice and the total content of quercetin and the three flavonoids. MDA showed a significant negative correlation with the total flavonoid content and kaempferol. TNF-α exhibited a significant negative correlation with the content of isorhamnetin. In conclusion, S. sarmentosum growing under field conditions with a soil moisture level of 75%-80% exhibited the best efficacy to eliminate dampness and relieve jaundice. This study provides insights for optimizing the cultivation mode of medicinal plants guided by pharmacological experiments.
Mice ; Animals ; Flavonoids/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Quercetin ; Sedum/chemistry* ; Kaempferols ; Soil ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Jaundice/drug therapy*