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Summary: Golden buckwheat (Fagopyrum dibotrys or Fagopyrum cymosum) and Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) belong to the Polygonaceae and the Fagopyrum genus is rich in flavonoids. Golden buckwheat is a wild relative of Tartary buckwheat, yet golden buckwheat is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and Tartary buckwheat is a food crop. The genetic basis of adaptive divergence between these two buckwheats is poorly understood.Here, we assembled a high‐quality chromosome‐level genome of golden buckwheat and found a one‐to‐one syntenic relationship with the chromosomes of Tartary buckwheat. Two large inversions were identified that differentiate golden buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat.Metabolomic and genetic comparisons of golden buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat indicate an amplified copy number of FdCHI, FdF3H, FdDFR, and FdLAR gene families in golden buckwheat, and a parallel increase in medicinal flavonoid content. Resequencing of 34 wild golden buckwheat accessions across the two morphologically distinct ecotypes identified candidate genes, including FdMYB44 and FdCRF4, putatively involved in flavonoid accumulation and differentiation of plant architecture, respectively.Our comparative genomic study provides abundant genomic resources of genomic divergent variation to improve buckwheat with excellent nutritional and medicinal value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coix is a minor cereal crop with various applications in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Coix seed is called "Green Food", because of its high unsaturated fatty acid content with minimal toxic residues and heavy metals. Coix can be an excellent choice as a dietary supplement because of diverse bioactive compounds including phenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, fibers, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals with significant therapeutic effects such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and immunomodulatory, among others. The least attention has been given to the improvement of new elite cultivars of coix with high nutritional values and nutraceutical effects. To date, very few genomic studies, in particular, draft genome and de novo sequencing have been conducted to discover the genes responsible for nutritional traits and their molecular mechanisms that are insufficient for the efficient use of existing germplasms for molecular breeding of coix. Therefore, this review article attempts to highlight bioactive compounds identified from coix with their medicinal uses as well as the recent progress in coix genomic studies which will create research scope for the development of nutrient-rich coix varieties with high therapeutic values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Gelao people are a unique minority in Southwest China with a unique culture for the utilization of edible plants, including a large number of medicinal plants. They believe that at least 61 species are edible and have medicinal value. Ethnobotany research can reveal the local knowledge of the Gelao people regarding the traditional use of plants and the relationship between this minority and their living environment to help retain and pass on this traditional knowledge forever. Methods: Edible wild plants and their applied ethnic knowledge were investigated in three counties in northern Guizhou. Gelao residents were the main informants, and literature search, village interviews, participatory observation and quantitative ethnobotany evaluation were used. Results: A total of 151 species of wild plants in 67 families are collected and eaten by Gelao residents, among which 61 species were considered to have medicinal value, accounting for 40.4% of the total, and 43 were listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. There were 57 plant species with fruits as their edible parts, which are consumed as snacks, followed by 54 species whose young seedlings and leaves are the edible parts, most of which are consumed cold or stir-fried. Other edible parts included roots or rhizomes (bulbs), flowers, whole plants, seeds, fruiting bodies and stems. There were two consumption modes: raw and cooked. Raw foods were mainly consumed as snacks, which mainly comprise fruits. Cooked foods were mainly vegetables consumed cold or stir-fried. Some plants were used as seasonings, infused wines, condiments and grains. The main medicinal functions were nourishing and reducing heatiness. Nourishing plants were mainly "shen" plants and Liliaceae, while plants able to reduce heatiness were mainly Asteraceae. Others functions included anti-hangover, anticancer and insecticidal. There were 38 species of important edible wild plants (CFSI > 500) in northern Guizhou, which had a high utilization rate. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. were the most representative edible wild plants in this area. The species, edible parts, edible categories, consumption modes and medicinal functions of edible wild plants in this area are diverse, and the traditional knowledge on their uses is rich. However, the number of wild plant species eaten by the informants and their related knowledge were positively correlated with age, which indicates that the rich traditional knowledge in this area is gradually disappearing with urbanization. Conclusions: The Gelao have a rich history of consuming wild plants. With the development of the social economy, the traditional knowledge passed from older generations is gradually being lost and its inheritance is facing great risks. This study collects, sorts and spreads this precious traditional knowledge, which is of great value to its protection and inheritance and fully demonstrates the value and importance of our work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale) is a valuable traditional Chinese herbal medicine with high commercial value. In Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Ch.P., 2020 edition), the quality of D. officinale is mainly evaluated by its polysaccharide content. However, varying growth and production conditions, such as cultivation environment, origin, harvesting process, or processing methods, resulting in highly variable yields, quality, and composition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the content of secondary metabolites in D. officinale from different origins is consistent with the polysaccharide content. The results showed that the polysaccharide content and pass rate were ranked as GX > AH > GZ > YN. Based on the nontargeted metabolomics approach, we searched for differential components in 22 different regions of D. officinale, including amides, bibenzyls, disaccharide, flavonoids, organic nitrogenous compounds, and phenolic glycosides. The overall expression was opposite to the polysaccharide, and the most expressed was YN, followed by GZ, AH, and GX. These results indicated that the current quality standard for evaluating the quality of D. officinale by polysaccharide content alone is imperfect, and small molecule compounds need to be included as quality markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (DNL) is a traditional Chinese ethnobotanical herb. Dendrobine (DNE) has been designated as a quality indicator for DNL in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. DNE exhibits various pharmacological activities, including the reduction of blood lipids, regulation of blood sugar levels, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of DNE on lipid degeneration in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) liver cells and elucidate its specific mechanism. The findings aim to offer theoretical support for the development of drugs related to DNL. We utilized male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6 weeks old, to establish a NAFLD model. This model allowed us to assess the impact of DNE on liver pathology and lipid levels in NAFLD mice. We investigated the mechanism of DNE's regulation of lipid metabolism through RNA-seq analysis. Furthermore, a NAFLD model was established using HepG2 cells to further evaluate the impact of DNE on the pathological changes of NAFLD liver cells. The potential mechanism of DNE's improvement was rapidly elucidated using HT-qPCR technology. These results were subsequently validated using mouse liver samples. Following the in vitro activation or inhibition of PPARα function, we observed changes in DNE's ability to ameliorate pathological changes in NAFLD hepatocytes. This mechanism was further verified through RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. DNE demonstrated a capacity to enhance serum TC, TG, and liver TG levels in mice, concurrently mitigating liver lipid degeneration. RNA-seq analysis unveiled that DNE primarily modulates the expression of genes related to metabolic pathways in mouse liver. Utilizing HT-qPCR technology, it was observed that DNE markedly regulates the expression of genes associated with the PPAR signaling pathway in liver cells. Consistency was observed in the in vivo data, where DNE significantly up-regulated the expression of PPARα mRNA and its protein level in mouse liver. Additionally, the expression of fatty acid metabolism-related genes (ACOX1, CPT2, HMGCS2, LPL), regulated by PPARα, was significantly elevated following DNE treatment. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that DNE notably ameliorated lipid deposition, peroxidation, and inflammation levels in NAFLD hepatocytes, particularly when administered in conjunction with fenofibrate. Notably, the PPARα inhibitor GW6471 attenuated these effects of DNE. In summary, DNE exerts its influence on the expression of genes associated with downstream fat metabolism by regulating PPARα. This regulatory mechanism enhances liver lipid metabolism, mitigates lipid degeneration in hepatocytes, and ultimately ameliorates the pathological changes in NAFLD hepatocytes. [Display omitted] • Dendrobine has capable of improving hepatic pathological changes in mice with NAFLD. • Dendrobine ameliorates hepatocellular steatosis, lipid peroxidation and inflammation in NAFLD. • Dendrobine ameliorates hepatic steatosis by modulating PPARα-related signaling in NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qianbai biyan tablet (QT) is a compound prescription of traditional Chinese medicine which is used to treat nasal congestion, rhinitis, and nasosinusitis, with Senecio scandens as its main plant material. Several pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) were reported in Senecio scandens and others of Senecio species. Although Senecio scandens is assigned as the legal plant material of QT, whether replaced use of it by other Senecio plants can bring toxicity is unknown because of the lack of quantitative data about toxic PAs between different Senecio species. In the present study, adonifoline, senkirkine, and another PA presumed as emiline have been identified in QT; however, there was no senecionine detected in all tablets. PA contents in QTs varied in different companies and different batches. Adonifoline existed only in Senecio scandens, and senecionine was detected in all eight Senecio plants investigated in the present study. Data showed that replaced use of Senecio scandens with a low level of senecionine by other Senecio plants such as Senecio vulgaris containing a high level of senecionine is advertised to be forbidden. Data of the present study may be used as a reference to make new drug quality regularity and recommendation guideline for the safety of QT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese medicine Daji (the aerial part of Cirsium japonicum DC.) and its charred product (Cirsii Japonici Herba Carbonisata) have been widely used as hemostatic agents or diuretic agents to prepare a variety of Chinese herbal formula. Pectolinarigenin (PEC), one of the most abundant constituents in both Daji and its charred product, has been considered as the key effective substance responsible for the major pharmacological activities of Daji, including hemostasis, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor and anti-osteoporosis effects. However, the major metabolic pathways of PEC in humans and the influence of PEC metabolism on its biological activities are poorly understood. To characterize the main metabolic pathway(s) and key enzymes of PEC in human biological systems, as well as to reveal the influence of PEC metabolism on its biological activities. The metabolic stability assays of PEC were investigated in human liver microsomes (HLM). The O -glucuronide of PEC was biosynthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The key enzymes responsible for O- glucuronidation of PEC in humans were assigned by performing UGT reaction phenotyping, chemical inhibition and enzymatic kinetic assays. The agonist effects of PEC and its O -glucuronide on nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARα and PPARβ) were tested at the cellular level. PEC could be readily metabolized to form a mono- O -glucuronide in both human liver microsome (HLM) and human intestinal microsome (HIM). The mono- O -glucuronide was bio-synthesized by mouse liver S9 and its structure was fully characterized as PEC-7- O -β-D-glucuronide (PEC- O -7-G). UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT1A9 are key enzymes responsible for PEC-7- O -glucuronidation in HLM, while UGT1A1, UGT1A9 and 1A10 may play key roles in this reaction in HIM. Biological tests revealed that PEC displayed strong agonist effects on Nrf2, PPARα and PPARβ, whereas PEC-7- O -glucuronide showed relatively weak Nrf2 agonist effect and very weak PPAR agonist effects, indicating that PEC-7- O -glucuronidation strongly weaken its agonist effects on Nrf2 and PPAR. Our results demonstrate that 7- O -glucuronidation is the major metabolic pathway of PEC in human tissues, while UGT1A1, 1A3 and 1A9 are key contributing enzymes responsible for PEC-7- O -glucuronidation in human liver. It is also found that PEC 7- O -glucuronidation significantly weakens the Nrf2 and PPAR agonist effects. All these findings are very helpful for the pharmacologists to deep understand the metabolic rates of PEC in humans. [Display omitted] • PEC- O -glucuronidation is a major metabolic pathway of PEC in humans. • The glucuronide was biosynthesized and fully characterized as PEC-7- O -β-D-glucuronide. • UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT1A7-10 catalyzed PEC-7- O -glucuronidation. • PEC-7- O -glucuronidation strongly reduced the Nrf2 and PPAR agonist effects of PEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium, which belongs to the family of Orchidaceae, is a highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in China. It exerts pharmacological activities such as antitumor and hypoglycemia effects, and its main components are alkaloids, polysaccharides, and terpenoids, among others. In recent years, research on the clinical application of Dendrobium in antitumor therapy has gained increasing attention. Accumulating evidence suggests that the active components of Dendrobium possess significant inhibitory effects on the viability of cancer cells as evident from in vivo and in vitro experiments, which indicates that Dendrobium exerts significant anticancer effect in treating and preventing cancer development, inhibiting the underlying potential molecular mechanisms, including suppression of cancer cell growth and proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis induction, tumor angiogenesis, and reinforcement of cisplatin (DDP) -induced apoptosis. We herein present a review that summarizes the research progress of the application of Dendrobium in cancer therapy and its molecular mechanisms. This review describes the positive aspects of the active ingredients of Dendrobium in the treatment of cancers in various systems of the human body, their inhibitory effects on tumor survival and tumor microenvironment, and their potential mechanisms. Additionally, this review proposes future application prospects of Dendrobium in cancer therapy to promote further research and future extensive clinical applications of Dendrobium in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of hepatic lipid promotes systemic metabolic dysfunction and results in fatty liver. Our previous studies have shown that the alkaloids of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (DNLA) could regulate the lipid metabolism gene expression in livers of mice. However, the protective effects on hepatic lipid homeostasis and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups, including control group, model group, DNLA treatment group, and simvastatin positive control group. Mice in the control group and the other three groups were fed with control diet and high fat diet during the full course of this study, respectively. Hepatic lipid accumulation was induced by HFD in mice after 18 weeks of feeding. DNLA (15 mg/kg) and simvastatin (20 mg/kg) were administrated intragastrically in the DNLA treatment group and simvastatin positive control group for another 18 weeks, respectively. HE staining and Oil-Red-O staining of liver tissues were observed. TC and TG levels in liver were assayed. The amount of major bile acids in mice livers were quantified by UPLC-MS. Expression levels of genes were tested by the real-time PCR. The results of HE staining and Oil-Red-O staining showed that DNLA could improve hepatic lipid homeostasis. DNLA significantly decreased liver TC and TG levels in the DNLA group. Moreover, the UPLC-MS analysis showed that DNLA did not only influence the hepatic bile acid quantity but did raise the hydrophilicity. Compared with the model group, DNLA decreased the hepatic levels of several free bile acids, including LCA, DCA, CA, and CDCA, and increased most important taurine-conjugated bile acids levels in liver, including TMCAs, TCDCA, TUDCA, and THDCA. In addition, DNLA also decreased the CA/CDCA ratio. The gene expression levels of Cyp27a1 , Cyp3a11 , Fxr , and Shp were up-regulated in DNLA treatment group. DNLA may improve the hepatic abnormal lipid profile of HFD-fed mice via two pathways: (1) enhancing the taurine-conjugated bile acids which are highly hydrophilic and contribute to the excretion of cholesterol; (2) decreasing the CA/CDCA ratio which is positively related to cholesterol absorption. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]