Multi-omics integrated analyses indicated that non-polysaccharides of Sijunzi decoction ameliorated spleen deficiency syndrome via regulating microbiota-gut-metabolites axis and exerted synergistic compatibility.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula to invigorating spleen and replenishing qi, Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is composed of four herbs, which is applied to cure spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) clinically. The non-polysaccharides (NPSs) of SJZD (SJZD_NPS) are important pharmacodynamic material basis. However, the amelioration mechanism of SJZD_NPS on SDS has not been fully elaborated.

The compatibility rationality of Sijunzi decoction based on integrated analysis of tissue distribution and excretion characteristics in spleen deficiency syndrome rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As a classical prescription for treating spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS), Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is composed of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (RG, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.

Caffeoyl-coenzyme A O-methyltransferase mediates regulation of carbon flux fluctuations during phenylpropenes and lignin biosynthesis in the vegetative organ roots of Asarum sieboldii Miq.

Asarum sieboldii Miq. possesses remarkable medicinal value due to its essential oil enriched with phenylpropenes (e.g.

Deciphering anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia potential of liangwanoside II based on metabolite profile characterization combined with targeted network pharmacology.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Metapanax delavayi (Franch.) J.Wen & Frodin (Araliaceae), known as "liang wang cha" in China, has been used to treat prostatitis as herbal tea in folk.

A mechanism of Sijunzi decoction on improving intestinal injury with spleen deficiency syndrome and the rationality of its compatibility.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD) is a renowned formula for the treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Its non-polysaccharides (NPS) component, dominated by various compounds of SJZD, has shown the remarkable efficacy in SDS, especially in gastrointestinal injury. However, the principle of compatibility of SJZD and the micro-mechanism of effect on SDS are still unclear.

Drug-polysaccharide/herb interactions and compatibility rationality of Sijunzi decoction based on comprehensive pharmacokinetic screening for multi-components in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is composed of four herbs, namely Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (RG, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.

Alcohol-soluble polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale flowers as an antidepressant by regulating the gut-brain axis.

This research aimed to explore the antidepressant components from Dendrobium officinale flowers (DOF) aqueous extract and their mechanism. Multiple depressive models were successfully used to show that alcohol-soluble polysaccharide-enriched fractions separated from DOF aqueous extract exhibited significant antidepressant effects. Subsequently, a novel alcohol-soluble polysaccharide named ASP was isolated, and its molecular mass was 3.

Chemical profiles of the active fraction from Prinsepia utilis Royle leaves and its anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia evaluation in animal models.

Background: The Prinsepia utilis Royle leaves (P. utilis) is a folk herb used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) control by ethnic minorities for centuries in China with rich in resources. Our previous studies have confirmed the anti-BPH effect of its water extract (QCJ) and the active fraction (Fr.

An integrated strategy of MS-network-based offline 2DLC-QTOF-MS/MS coupled with UHPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS for the characterization and quantification of the non-polysaccharides in Sijunzi decoction.

Sijunzi decoction (SJZD), a classic recipe in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been applied for the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. While there are reports on pharmaceutical substances of SJZD focusing on its polysaccharides, the composition of non-polysaccharides (NPSs) has not yet been holistically clarified. In the current study, offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (2DLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was used for comprehensive NPS chemical profiling of SJZD.

Amelioration of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia by adjusting the interplay between gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism: Radix Scutellariae as a case.

Background: Our previous clinical research showed that the interaction between gut microbiota and bile acids (BAs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) changed significantly. We hypothesized that T2DM could be improved by adjusting this interaction mediated by farnesoid X receptor (FXR). T2DM belongs to the category of "xiaoke" in traditional Chinese medicine.

Tunicyclin L, a cyclic peptide from Psammosilene tunicoides: Isolation, characterization, conformational studies and biological activity.

Tunicyclin L (1), cyclo (L-Pro-Gly-L-Phe-L-Ile-L-Pro-L-Phe -L-Thr-L-Val), and 11 known compounds, including one cyclic peptide (2), eight carboline alkaloids (3 -10), one lignan (11) and one flavone (12) were isolated from the roots of Psammosilene tunicoides. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive UV, IR, MS, NMR spectroscopic data and comparison with literature. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction results revealed the stereochemistry of the 24-membered ring cyclic peptide (1).

A Comparison of Characterization and Its Actions on Immunocompetent Cells of Polysaccharides from Sijunzi Decoction.

Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is a classic recipe in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with strong immune-enhancement activity. To further understand the characterization and immunomodulatory effect of polysaccharides from SJZD, the monosaccharide compositions of crude polysaccharide (SJZDP), polysaccharide fraction (S-3), and homogeneous polysaccharide (S-3-AG) from SJZD were compared by GC analysis, as well as their immunomodulatory effects on Peyer's patch cells, splenocytes, and macrophages which are related to intestinal immunity, specific immunity, and nonspecific immunity. The results showed that S-3-AG mainly contained Ara with a proportion of 38.

[Comprehensive mass spectrum analysis of two flavone-6,8-C-di-glycosides and its application by high resolution electrospray ionization tandem mass spectroscopy in both negative and positive ion modes].

The tandem mass spectrum of apigenin-6,8-C-di-glucoside( 1) and apigenin-6-C-glucose-8-C-rhamnoside( 2) were obtained by high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry( HR-ESI-MS/MS) in both positive and negative ion modes. The elemental composition of each ion was determined according to its accurate mass-to-charge,hence,the fragmentation pathways of each compound were proposed in both negative and positive ion modes. Comprehensive analysis of each ion and its proposed fragmentation pathways of the two compounds was initially conducted in both negative and positive ion mode HR-ESI-MS/MS to explore the diagnostic ions for flavone-6,8-C-di-glycosides and the characteristic ions for each compound and their cleavage rules.

In vitro and in vivo metabolism of Cistanche tubulosa extract in normal and chronic unpredictable stress-induced depressive rats.

Cistanche tubulosa, one species of Cistanches Herba, was recently confirmed to have antidepressant efficacy in chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) rats by restoring homeostasis of intestinal microbiota. In this paper, we aim to explore the metabolic profile of C. tubulosa in normal and CUS induced depressive model rats in vitro and in vivo.

Antidepressant-Like Effects of Extract on Chronic Unpredictable Stress Rats Through Restoration of Gut Microbiota Homeostasis.

Growing evidence shows that neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, are linked with gut microbiome through the gut-brain axis. Cistanches Herba is well known for the treatment of "kidney-yang" deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and has been used for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in recent years. In this study, chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced depression model was established to explore the impact of extract (CTE) on behavioral tests, monoamine neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors in hippocampus and colon, gut microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production.

Alleviating the Intestinal Absorption of Rhein in Rhubarb through Herb Compatibility in Tiaowei Chengqi Tang in Caco-2 Cells.

Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (TWCQT) is composed of rhubarb, processed liquorice, and Natrii Sulfas, which is used as a purgative in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study focused on the intestinal absorption of rhein in disassembly of the TWCQT extracts through the Caco-2 cell monolayer model to explicate the possible detoxification mechanism of herb-herb compatibility in TWCQT. The results showed that the intestinal absorption of rhein occurred through active diffusion, and rhein might be composed of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) substrates.

Human intestine and liver microsomal metabolic differences between C19-diester and monoester diterpenoid alkaloids from the roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx.

The roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. show excellent effects against rheumatism and cardiovascular diseases, but the effective compounds, C-diester and monoester diterpenoid alkaloids (DDAs and MDAs) are toxic for their narrow therapeutic windows. It is noteworthy to investigate intestinal metabolism of these toxic compounds mainly by oral administration, because gut also express drug-metabolizing enzymes as well as liver.

Purification, Preliminary Characterization, and Immunological Activity of Polysaccharides from Crude Drugs of Sijunzi Formula.

Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD) is a conventional prescription for curing spleen deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine and polysaccharide is its main ingredient. In order to explore the effective ingredients contributing to the immunological activity of SJZD, we isolated and purified seven homogeneous polysaccharides from Radix Ginseng (RS-3-1 and RS-3-2), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (BZ-3-1, BZ-3-2, and BZ-3-3), Poria (FL-3-1), and Radix Glycyrrhizae (GC-3-1) decoctions, respectively. The molecular weight of seven homogeneous polysaccharides ranged from 5.

The bioassay-guided isolation of antifungal saponins from Hosta plantaginea leaves.

Four new steroidal saponins hostaside Ⅰ (1), hostaside Ⅱ (2), hostaside Ⅲ (3), and hostaside Ⅳ (4), together with five known steroidal saponins (5-9), were isolated by the bioassay-guided fractionation from the leaves of Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Aschers, a worldwide well-known ornamental plant. Hostasides Ⅰ and Ⅱ showed significant antifungal activities, and they could inhibit the growth of Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporium with MIC values as low as 4 μg/ml.

Borneol enhances the antidepressant effects of asiaticoside by promoting its distribution into the brain.

Asiaticoside (AS) has antidepressant effects, with poor druggability characterized with inaccessibility into the brain. Here, we assessed AS distribution in the asiaticoside-borneol formula (FAB), with AS administrated orally. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied for AS detection.

In vivo and in vitro metabolites from the main diester and monoester diterpenoid alkaloids in a traditional chinese herb, the aconitum species.

Diester diterpenoid alkaloids (DDAs), such as aconitine (AC), mesaconitine (MA), and hypaconitine (HA), are both pharmacologically active compounds and toxic ingredients in a traditional Chinese herb, the Aconitum species. Many DDA metabolism studies have been performed to explore mechanisms for reducing toxicity in these compounds and in Aconitum species extracts for safe clinical administration. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the metabolism of toxic AC, MA, and HA and corresponding monoester diterpenoid alkaloids (MDAs) in the gastrointestinal tract and liver in different animal species and humans in vivo and/or in vitro, where these alkaloids are primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, carboxylesterases, and intestinal bacteria, which produces phase I metabolites, ester hydrolysed products, and lipoalkaloids.

Lamiophlomis rotata, an orally available Tibetan herbal painkiller, specifically reduces pain hypersensitivity states through the activation of spinal glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors.

Background: Lamiophlomis rotata is an orally available Tibetan herb prescribed for the management of pain, with shanzhiside methylester (SM) and 8-O-acetyl-SM as quality control ingredients. This study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive properties of L. rotata, determine whether SM and 8-O-acetyl-SM are principle effective ingredients, and explore whether L.

Comparative study of bioactive constituents in crude and processed Glycyrrhizae radix and their respective metabolic profiles in gastrointestinal tract in vitro by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI/MS analyses.

Two HPLC methods with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI/MS), respectively, were developed to investigate the differences of chemical constituents and their metabolism in gastrointestinal tract in vitro between two decoctions of crude and processed Glycyrrhizae radix. Total of eleven constituents (liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, licuraside, isoliquiritin, ononin, glycyrrhizin, liquiritigenin-7,4'-diglucoside, licorice saponin A3, 22β-acetoxylglycyrrhizic acid, licorice saponin G2, and yunganoside E2) were identified in the two decoctions, whereas lower contents of these constituents were usually found in the decoction of processed Glycyrrhizae Radix. [corrected] Furthermore, these constituents were metabolized into their respective aglycons in human intestinal bacteria juice, and the metabolism ratios were all higher in processed Glycyrrhizae Radix [corrected] decoction.

Functional gene-guided discovery of type II polyketides from culturable actinomycetes associated with soft coral Scleronephthya sp.

Compared with the actinomycetes in stone corals, the phylogenetic diversity of soft coral-associated culturable actinomycetes is essentially unexplored. Meanwhile, the knowledge of the natural products from coral-associated actinomycetes is very limited. In this study, thirty-two strains were isolated from the tissue of the soft coral Scleronephthya sp.