Search

AbstractD-allulose, an epimer of D-fructose at C-3 position, is a low-calorie rare sugar with favorable physiochemical properties and special physiological functions, which displays promising perspectives in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Currently, D-allulose is extremely sparse in nature and is predominantly biosynthesized through the isomerization of D-fructose by D-allulose 3-epimerase (DAEase). In recent years, D-allulose 3-epimerase as the key biocatalyst for D-allulose production has received increasing interest. The current review begins by providing a summary of D-allulose regarding its characteristics and applications, as well as different synthesis pathways dominated by biotransformation. Then, the research advances of D-allulose 3-epimerase are systematically reviewed, focusing on heterologous expression and biochemical characterization, crystal structure and molecular modification, and application in D-allulose production. Concerning the constraint of low yield of DAEase for industrial application, this review addresses the various attempts made to promote the production of DAEase in different expression systems. Also, various strategies have been adopted to improve its thermotolerance and catalytic activity, which is mainly based on the structure-function relationship of DAEase. The application of DAEase in D-allulose biosynthesis from D-fructose or low-cost feedstocks through single- or multi-enzymatic cascade reaction has been discussed. Finally, the prospects for related research of D-allulose 3-epimerase are also proposed, facilitating the industrialization of DAEase and more efficient and economical bioproduction of D-allulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The dirigent (DIR) genes encode proteins that act as crucial regulators of plant lignin biosynthesis. In Solanaceae species, members of the DIR gene family are intricately related to plant growth and development, playing a key role in responding to various biotic and abiotic stresses. It will be of great application significance to analyze the DIR gene family and expression profile under various pathogen stresses in Solanaceae species. Results: A total of 57 tobacco NtDIRs and 33 potato StDIRs were identified based on their respective genome sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of DIR genes in tobacco, potato, eggplant and Arabidopsis thaliana revealed three distinct subgroups (DIR-a, DIR-b/d and DIR-e). Gene structure and conserved motif analysis showed that a high degree of conservation in both exon/intron organization and protein motifs among tobacco and potato DIR genes, especially within members of the same subfamily. Total 8 pairs of tandem duplication genes (3 pairs in tobacco, 5 pairs in potato) and 13 pairs of segmental duplication genes (6 pairs in tobacco, 7 pairs in potato) were identified based on the analysis of gene duplication events. Cis-regulatory elements of the DIR promoters participated in hormone response, stress responses, circadian control, endosperm expression, and meristem expression. Transcriptomic data analysis under biotic stress revealed diverse response patterns among DIR gene family members to pathogens, indicating their functional divergence. After 96 h post-inoculation with Ralstonia solanacearum L. (Ras), tobacco seedlings exhibited typical symptoms of tobacco bacterial wilt. The qRT-PCR analysis of 11 selected NtDIR genes displayed differential expression pattern in response to the bacterial pathogen Ras infection. Using line 392278 of potato as material, typical symptoms of potato late blight manifested on the seedling leaves under Phytophthora infestans infection. The qRT-PCR analysis of 5 selected StDIR genes showed up-regulation in response to pathogen infection. Notably, three clustered genes (NtDIR2, NtDIR4, StDIR3) exhibited a robust response to pathogen infection, highlighting their essential roles in disease resistance. Conclusion: The genome-wide identification, evolutionary analysis, and expression profiling of DIR genes in response to various pathogen infection in tobacco and potato have provided valuable insights into the roles of these genes under various stress conditions. Our results could provide a basis for further functional analysis of the DIR gene family under pathogen infection conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Patchouli (“Guanghuoxiang”) or scientifically known as Pogostemon cablin Benth, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, has been used in traditional Chinse medicine (TCM) since the time of the Eastern Han dynasty. In TCM theory, patchouli can treat colds, nausea, fever, headache, and diarrhea. Various bioactive compounds have been identified in patchouli, including terpenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, organic acids, lignins, glycosides, alcohols, pyrone, and aldehydes. Among the numerous compounds, patchouli alcohol, β-patchoulene, patchoulene epoxide, pogostone, and pachypodol are of great importance. The pharmacological impacts of these compounds include anti-peptic ulcer effect, antimicrobial effect, anti-oxidative effect, anti-inflammatory effect, effect on ischemia/reperfusion injury, analgesic effect, antitumor effect, antidiabetic effect, anti-hypertensive effect, immunoregulatory effect, and others.For this review, we examined publications from the previous five years collected from PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. This review summarizes the recent progress in phytochemistry, pharmacology, and mechanisms of action and provides a reference for future studies focused on clinical applications of this important plant extract.

Objectives: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapy drug for treating malignant tumours. However, its cardiotoxicity has limited its clinical application. The Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, also known as Fuzi, has been used for treating heart failure. Nevertheless, there is still a deficiency of claeity as to whether the Fuzi polysaccharide (FPS) may prevent the side effects of DOX. Methods: Mice were intraperitoneally administered DOX (15 mg/kg) to establish a mouse model of DOX-induced chronic cardiotoxicity (DICC). The mice were then administered different doses of FPS or enalapril intragastrically. Key findings: In the DOX group, the activity of CK-MB and LDH and the content of NT-proBNP in serum of mice were increased. Myocardial infiltration of inflammatory cells and cytoplasmic vacuolation occurred. Levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and Bax increased, whereas levels of Bcl-2, STAT3, and p-STAT3 decreased. After administering FPS (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg), there were reductions in CK-MB activity and NT-proBNP levels. Cytoplasmic vacuolation, interstitial infiltration of blood, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were alleviated. The changes in protein expression mentioned above were reversed. Conclusions: FPS can protect heart function and structure in DICC mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and IL-6/STAT3 pathway-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hirudin, an acidic polypeptide secreted by the salivary glands of Hirudo medicinalis (also known as “Shuizhi” in traditional Chinese medicine), is the strongest natural specific inhibitor of thrombin found so far. Hirudin has been demonstrated to possess potent anti-thrombotic effect in previous studies. Recently, increasing researches have focused on the anti-thrombotic activity of the derivatives of hirudin, mainly because these derivatives have stronger antithrombotic activity and lower bleeding risk. Additionally, various bioactivities of hirudin have been reported as well, including wound repair effect, anti-fibrosis effect, effect on diabetic complications, anti-tumor effect, anti-hyperuricemia effect, effect on cerebral hemorrhage, and others. Therefore, by collecting and summarizing publications from the recent two decades, the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, novel preparations and derivatives, as well as toxicity of hirudin were systematically reviewed in this paper. In addition, the clinical application, the underlying mechanisms of pharmacological effects, the dose-effect relationship, and the development potential in new drug research of hirudin were discussed on the purpose of providing new ideas for application of hirudin in treating related diseases.

Objectives: Safflower is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of gynecological diseases and its flavonoids have potential anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose is to explore the possible effects of safflower total flavonoids (STF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory damage of Ishikawa cells. Method: In this study, LPS-induced endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells were used to establish an inflammatory injury model. The effective concentration of STF was screened by CCK-8 and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The apoptosis of damaged Ishikawa cells was detected by flow cytometry. The contents of caspase11 and caspase 3 in Ishikawa cells were observed by fluorescence imaging. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of related proteins and mRNA in damaged Ishikawa cells, and the possible mechanism of safflower flavonoids against LPS-induced endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells was analyzed by cell transcriptomics. Key findings: The STF-reduced tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 expression level; the expression level of the proteins ASK1, Caspase3, and Caspase11 was also significantly decreased, and the proteins ERα, p-PI3K, and p-AKT were significantly increased. The transcriptome results showed that the PI3K-Akt signal pathway may be the main signal pathway for the STF. Conclusion: The STF could regulate the PI3K/AKT signal pathway to treat the inflammatory injury of Ishikawa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]