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Objective(s): Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is one of the main complications of diabetes, and more than half of diabetes cases are accompanied by gastroparesis. This study aims to explore the effect of Atractylodes chinensis volatile oil (ACVO) on DGP rats.Materials and Methods: The rats were injected with STZ combined with a high-sugar and high-fat diet in an irregular manner to establish the DGP model. ACVO at different doses (9.11 mg/kg, 18.23 mg/kg, and 36.45 mg/kg) were given by intragastric administration. A mixture of cisapride and metformin was used as the positive control. At the end of the experiment, gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion were determined. Then the tissue samples and blood were taken from each group for serum analysis, western blot and immunopathological examination. Results: After treatment with ACVO, body weight increased and blood glucose decreased when compared with rats in the DGP group. Gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion were accelerated, and gastric acid secretion increased. The serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level was increased. Protein expressions and positive cells of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), acetylcholine transferase (CHAT), and stem cell factors (SCF) in the stomach were significantly increased determined by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The morphology and the number of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in the stomach were restored, determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Conclusion: ACVO effectively alleviated DGP in rats, and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling.

Atractylodes species are widely distributed across East Asia and are cultivated as medicinal herbs in China, Japan, and Korea. Their unclear morphological characteristics and low levels of genetic divergence obscure the taxonomic relationships among these species. In this study, 24 plant samples were collected representing five species of Atractylodes located in China; of these, 23 belonged to members of the A. lancea complex. High-throughput sequencing was used to obtain the concatenated nrDNA sequences (18SITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S) and plastid genomes. The concatenated nrDNA sequence lengths for all the Atractylodes species were 5,849 bp, and the GC content was 55%. The lengths of the whole plastid genome sequences ranged from 152,138 bp (A. chinensis) to 153,268 bp (A. lancea), while their insertion/deletion sites were mainly distributed in the intergenic regions. Furthermore, 33, 34, 36, 31, and 32 tandem repeat sequences, as well as 30, 30, 29, 30, and 30 SSR loci, were detected in A. chinensis, A. koreana, A. lancea, A. japonica, and A. macrocephala, respectively. In addition to these findings, a considerable number of heteroplasmic variations were detected in the plastid genomes, implying a complicated phylogenetic history for Atractylodes. The results of the phylogenetic analysis involving concatenated nrDNA sequences showed that A. lancea and A. japonica formed two separate clades, with A. chinensis and A. koreana constituting their sister clade, while A. lancea, A. koreana, A. chinensis, and A. japonica were found based on plastid datasets to represent a mixed clade on the phylogenetic tree. Phylogenetic network analysis suggested that A. lancea may have hybridized with the common ancestor of A. chinensis and A. japonica, while ABBA-BABA tests of SNPs in the plastid genomes showed that A. chinensis was more closely related to A. japonica than to A. lancea. This study reveals the extensive discordance and complexity of the relationships across the members of the A. lancea complex (A. lancea, A. chinensis, A. koreana, and A. japonica) according to cytonuclear genomic data; this may be caused by interspecific hybridization or gene introgression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants of the genus Atractylodes are perennial herbaceous plants in the family Asteraceae, whose rhizome is often used in the production of medicines and health products. There are 6 main species in this genus, namely A. macrocephala, A. lancea, A. chinensis, A. carlinoides, A. koreana and A. japonica. Among them, A. lancea and A. macrocephala are the most extensively investigated. Polysaccharides as the main active ingredients extracted and isolated from plants in this genus, show good pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro, such as immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic and intestinal protective activities. The pharmacological activities of polysaccharides are closely related to their extraction methods and physicochemical properties. This article discusses the extraction and separation methods, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, chemical structure characteristics and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from the genus Atractylodes. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the relationship of monosaccharide composition, relative molecular weight and structural modifications with the pharmacological activities of polysaccharides of the genus Atractylodes was carried out, which provided a reference for the development and utility of polysaccharides., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the review was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims The East Asian–Tethyan disjunction pattern and its mechanisms of formation have long been of interest to researchers. Here, we studied the biogeographical history of Asteraceae tribe Cardueae, with a particular focus on the temperate East Asian genus Atractylodes DC. to understand the role of tectonic and climatic events in driving the diversification and disjunctions of the genus. Methods A total of 76 samples of Atractylodes from 36 locations were collected for RAD-sequencing. Three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets based on different filtering strategies were used for phylogenetic analyses. Molecular dating and ancestral distribution reconstruction were performed using both chloroplast DNA sequences (127 Cardueae samples) and SNP (36 Atractylodes samples) datasets. Key Results Six species of Atractylodes were well resolved as individually monophyletic, although some introgression was identified among accessions of A. chinensis , A. lancea and A. koreana. Dispersal of the subtribe Carlininae from the Mediterranean to East Asia occurred after divergence between Atractylodes and Carlina L. +  Atractylis L. +  Thevenotia DC. at ~31.57 Ma, resulting in an East Asian–Tethyan disjunction. Diversification of Atractylodes in East Asia mainly occurred from the Late Miocene to the Early Pleistocene. Conclusions Aridification of Asia and the closure of the Turgai Strait in the Late Oligocene promoted the dispersal of Cardueae from the Mediterranean to East China. Subsequent uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau as well as changes in Asian monsoon systems resulted in an East Asian–Tethyan disjunction between Atractylodes and Carlina  +  Atractylis  +  Thevenotia. In addition, Late Miocene to Quaternary climates and sea level fluctuations played major roles in the diversification of Atractylodes. Through this study of different taxonomic levels using genomic data, we have revealed an overlooked dispersal route between the Mediterranean and far East Asia (Japan/Korea) via Central Asia and East China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new polyacetylenes (1–3), together with six known polyacetylenes (4–9), were isolated from a 95% aqueous ethanol extract of the Atractylodes japonica Koidz.ez Kitam. Their structures were elucidated by HR-ESI -MS and NMR techniques as well as comparison with those reported in literatures. The cytotoxic activity of 1–3 were also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Baizhu (BZ) is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (Compositae), which invigorates the spleen, improves vital energy, stabilizes the fetus, and is widely used for treating spleen deficiency syndrome. However, the impact of BZ on gastrointestinal function during pregnancy remains unexplored., Aim of the Study: This study elucidated the ameliorative effects of BZ on gastrointestinal health and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency diarrhea (SDD)., Methods: To simulate an irregular human diet and overconsumption of cold and bitter foods leading to SDD, a model of pregnant mice with SDD was established using an alternate-day fasting and high-fat diet combined with oral administration of Sennae Folium. During the experiment, general indicators and diarrhea-related parameters were measured. Gastric and intestinal motility (small intestinal propulsion and gastric emptying rates) were evaluated. Serum motilin (MTL), ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), gastrin (Gas), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), chorionic gonadotropin β (β-CG), progesterone (P), and estradiol (E2) were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and alcian blue periodic acid Schiff staining (AB-PAS). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression levels of the intestinal barrier and water metabolism-related proteins in colonic tissues. The pregnancy rate, ovarian organ coefficient, uterus with fetus organ coefficient, small size, average fetal weight, and body length of fetal mice were calculated., Results: The results showed that BZ significantly improved general indicators and diarrhea in pregnant mice with SDD, increased gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate, elevated the levels of gastrointestinal hormones (AMS, ghrelin, GH, and Gas) in the serum, and reduced lipid levels (TC and LDL-c). It also improved colonic tissue morphology, increased the number of goblet cells, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1, AQP3, AQP4, and AQP8 in colonic tissues, downregulating the mRNA and protein expression levels of claudin-2, thereby alleviating intestinal barrier damage and regulating the balance of water and fluid metabolism. BZ also held the levels of pregnancy hormones (β-CG, P, and E2) in the serum of pregnant mice with SDD. Moreover, it increased the pregnancy rate, ovarian organ coefficient, uterus with fetus organ coefficient, litter size, average fetal weight, and body length of fetal mice. These findings indicate that BZ can improve spleen deficiency-related symptoms in pregnant mice before and during pregnancy, regulate pregnancy-related hormones, and improve pregnancy outcomes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Wang Chenxing: Investigation, Data curation, Writing – original draft, preparation. Su Jie: Data curation, Writing – original draft. Tian Yajuan: Investigation, Data curation. Li Ting: Conceptualization, Methodology. Zhong Yuying: Investigation. Chen Suhong: Writing – review & editing. Lv Guiyuan: Methodology, Validation, Writing – review & editing., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce systemic inflammation and affect the growth and development of poultry. As a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (PAMK) can effectively improve the growth performance of animals and improve the immunity of animal bodies., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PAMK on LPS-induced inflammatory response, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of chicken embryonic myogenic cells., Methods: We used chicken embryonic myogenic cells as a model by detecting EdU/MYHC immunofluorescence, the expression of inflammation, proliferation, differentiation-related genes and proteins and the number of apoptotic cells in the condition of adding LPS, PAMK, belnacasan (an inhibitor of Caspase1) or their combinations., Results: The results showed that LPS stimulation increased the expression of inflammatory factors, inhibited proliferation and differentiation, and excessive apoptosis in chicken embryonic myogenic cells, and PAMK alleviated these adverse effects induced by LPS. After the addition of belnacasan (inhibitor of Caspase1), apoptosis in myogenic cells was inhibited, and therefore, the number of apoptotic cells and the expression of pro-apoptotic genes Caspase1 and Caspase3 were increased. In addition, belnacasan inhibited the increased expression of inflammatory factors, inhibited proliferation, differentiation and excessive apoptosis in chicken embryonic myogenic cells induced by LPS., Conclusions: This study provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanism of action of PAMK and exogenous LPS on chicken embryonic myogenic cells and lays the foundation for the development and application of green feed additives in animal husbandry industry., (© 2024 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

In this study, the chitosan‐based release microspheres were prepared by spray drying method. Chitosan was used as the carrier material, and Panax notoginseng extract, Codonopsis extract, and Atractylodes extract (the mass ratio was 2:7:5) were active substance. The spray drying preparation process of microsphere was optimized by single factor experiment and L9 (34) orthogonal design. Drug loading (DL), particle size, and sustained release performance of microspheres were investigated. The mass fraction of chitosan was 1.5%, the mass ratio of drug to chitosan was 1:3, the inlet air temperature was 130°C, and the injection rate was 400 ml/hr. The chitosan‐based microspheres prepared under the above conditions had a smooth surface, and the DL was 23.87 ± 0.93%; the average particle diameter was 10.27 ± 1.05 μm, and the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of the microspheres was 91.28 ± 1.04%. The preparation process of chitosan‐based drug microsphere prepared by spray drying method was simple and stable. The prepared microspheres in this paper showed a sustained release effect in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) is a traditional herbal medicine used for thousands of years in East Asia to improve a variety of illnesses and conditions, including cancers. This study explored the effect of AMK extract on apoptosis and tumor-grafted mice using AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. We investigated the compounds, target genes, and associated diseases of AMK using the Traditional Chinese Medical Systems Pharmacy (TCMSP) database platform. Cell viability assay, cell cycle and mitochondrial depolarization analysis, caspase activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and wound healing and spheroid formation assay were used to investigate the anti-cancer effects of AMK extract on AGS cells. Also, in vivo studies were conducted using subcutaneous xenografts. AMK extract reduced the viability of AGS cells and increased the sub-G1 cell fraction and the mitochondrial membrane potential. Also, AMK extract increased the production of ROS. AMK extract induced the increased caspase activities and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). In addition, AMK extract effectively inhibited AGS cell migration and led to a notable reduction in the growth of AGS spheroids. Moreover, AMK extract hindered the growth of AGS xenograft tumors in NSG mice. Our results suggest that AMK has anti-cancer effects by promoting cell cycle arrest and inhibiting the proliferation of AGS cancer cells and a xenograft model through apoptosis. This study could provide a novel approach to treat gastric cancer.

H9N2 avian influenza poses a significant public health risk, necessitating effective vaccines for mass immunization. Oral inactivated vaccines offer advantages like the ease of administration, but their efficacy often requires enhancement through mucosal adjuvants. In a previous study, we established a novel complex of polysaccharide from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz binding with zinc oxide nanoparticles (AMP-ZnONPs) and preliminarily demonstrated its immune-enhancing function. This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of AMP-ZnONPs as adjuvants in an oral H9N2-inactivated vaccine and the vaccine's impact on intestinal mucosal immunity. In this study, mice were orally vaccinated on days 0 and 14 after adapting to the environment. AMP-ZnONPs significantly improved HI titers, the levels of specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a in serum and sIgA in intestinal lavage fluid; increased the number of B-1 and B-2 cells and dendritic cell populations; and enhanced the mRNA expression of intestinal homing factors and immune-related cytokines. Interestingly, AMP-ZnONPs were more likely to affect B-1 cells than B-2 cells. AMP-ZnONPs showed mucosal immune enhancement that was comparable to positive control (cholera toxin, CT), but not to the side effect of weight loss caused by CT. Compared to the whole-inactivated H9N2 virus (WIV) group, the WIV + AMP-ZnONP and WIV + CT groups exhibited opposite shifts in gut microbial abundance. AMP-ZnONPs serve as an effective and safe mucosal adjuvant for oral WIV, improving cellular, humoral and mucosal immunity and microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract, avoiding the related undesired effects of CT.

Atractylodes chinensis is one of the most commonly used bulk herbs in East Asia; however, root rot can seriously affect its quality and yields. In contrast to chemical pesticides, biological control strategies are environmentally compatible and safe. For this study, 68 antagonistic bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizospheres of healthy Atractylodes chinensis. Strain SY42 exhibited the most potent fungicidal activities, with inhibition rates against F. oxysporum, F. solani, and F. redolens of 67.07 %, 63.40 % and 68.45 %, respectively. Through morphological observation and molecular characterization, strain SY42 was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa. The volatile organic components (VOCs) produced by SY42 effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of pathogenic fungi through diffusion. SY42 significantly inhibited the germination of pathogenic fungal spores. Following co-culturing with SY42, the mycelium of the pathogenic fungus was deformed, folded, and even ruptured. SY42 could produce cellulases and proteases to degrade fungal cell walls. Pot experiments demonstrated the excellent biocontrol efficacy of SY42. This study revealed that P. polymyxa SY42 inhibited pathogenic fungi through multiple mechanisms, which verified its utility as a biocontrol agent for the control of A. chinensis root rot., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Atractylodis Rhizoma is extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of skin and gastrointestinal ailments. Its active components have been proven to demonstrate numerous beneficial properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-ulcer activities. Furthermore, the volatile oil from Atractylodis Rhizoma (VOAR) has been reported to effectively inhibit and eradicate pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Of particular concern is Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, the predominant pathogen responsible for canine pyoderma, whose increasing antimicrobial resistance poses a serious public health threat. VOAR merits further investigation regarding its antibacterial potential against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius., Aim of the Study: The study aims to verify the in vitro antibacterial activity of VOAR against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. And a superficial skin infection model in mice was established to assess the in vivo therapeutic effect of VOAR., Materials and Methods: Thirty strains of S. pseudintermedius were isolated from dogs with pyoderma, and the drug resistance was analyzed by disc diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of VOAR were determined through the broth dilution method. The growth curve of bacteria in a culture medium containing VOAR was monitored using a UV spectrophotometer. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the effects of VOAR on the microstructure of S. pseudintermedius. The impact of VOAR on the antibiotic resistance of S. pseudintermedius was assessed using the disc diffusion method. Twenty mice were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the physiological saline group, the VOAR group, and the amikacin group. With the exception of the control group, the skin barrier of mice was disrupted by tap stripping, and the mice were subsequently inoculated with S. pseudintermedius to establish a superficial skin infection model. The modeled mice were treated with normal saline, VOAR, and amikacin for 5 days. Following the treatment period, the therapeutic effect of each group was evaluated based on the measures of body weight, skin symptoms, tissue bacterial load, tissue IL-6 content, and histopathological changes., Results: The MIC and MBC of VOAR against 30 clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius were found to be 0.005425% and 0.016875%, respectively. VOAR could exhibit the ability to delay the entry of bacteria into the logarithmic growth phase, disrupt the bacterial structure, and enhance the antibacterial zone in conjunction with antibiotic drugs. In the superficial skin infection model mice, VOAR significantly reduced the scores for skin redness (P < 0.0001), scab formation (P < 0.0001), and wrinkles (P < 0.0001). Moreover, VOAR markedly reduced the bacterial load (P < 0.001) and IL-6 content (P < 0.0001) in the skin tissues of mice. Histopathological observations revealed that the full-layer skin structure in the VOAR group was more complete, with clearer skin layers, and showed significant improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration and fibroblast proliferation compared to other groups., Conclusion: The results demonstrate that VOAR effectively inhibits and eradicates Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in vitro while also enhancing the pathogen's sensitivity to antibiotics. Moreover, VOAR exhibits a pronounced therapeutic effect in the superficial skin infection model mice., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: A statistical model is essential in determining the appropriate predictive indicators for therapies in many types of cancers. Predictors have been compared favorably to the traditional systems for many cancers. Thus, this study has been proposed as a new standard approach. A recent study on the clinical efficacy of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb) DC. (AL) revealed the higher clinical benefits in patients with advanced-stage intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) treated with AL compared with standard supportive care. We investigated the relationships between clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetic parameters of serum bioactivity of AL and its active constituent atractylodin and determined therapeutic ranges., Methods: Group 1 of advanced-stage ICC patients received daily doses of 1000 mg of standardized extract of the capsule formulation of AL (CMC-AL) for 90 days. Group 2 received daily doses of 1000 mg of CMC-AL for 14 days, followed by 1500 mg for 14 days, and 2000 mg for 62 days. Group 3 (control group) received palliative care. Cox proportional hazard model and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) were applied to determine the cut-off values of AUC 0-inf , C max , and C avg associated with therapeutic outcomes. Number needed to treat (NNT) and relative risk (RR) were also applied to determine potential predictors., Results: The AUC 0-inf of total AL bioactivity of >96.71 µg hour/ml was identified as a promising predictor of disease prognosis, that is, progression-free survival (PFS) and disease control rate (DCR). C max of total AL bioactivity of >21.42 was identified as a predictor of the prognosis of survival. The therapeutic range of total AL bioactivity for PFS and DCR is 14.48 to 65.8 µg/ml, and for overall survival is 10.97 to 65.8 µg/ml. Conclusions: The predictors of ICC disease prognosis were established based on the pharmacokinetics of total AL bioactivity. The information could be exploited to improve the clinical efficacy of AL in patients with advanced-stage ICC. These predictors will be validated in a phase 2B clinical study., Trial Registration: TCTR20210129007 (TCTR: www.clinicaltrials.in.th)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Abstract In this work, the essential oils (EO) were extracted from seven typical Chinese herbs, and their repellent and contact toxicities against Tribolium castaneum adults (red flour beetles) were evaluated. The experimental results showed that the above EOs presented the various levels of repellent and contact toxicities. The EOs extracted from A. lancea and A argyi of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family presented obvious repellent effects (Repellency Percentage > 90% at 3.15 nL/cm2 after 4 h exposure) and strong contact toxicity with LD 50 values of 5.78 and 3.09 μg/adult respectively. Based on literature researches and screening results, the EO from A. lancea was analyzed by GC-MS and chosen for further identification of bioactive components. Altogether 59 chemical components were identified and 17 of them were recognized as sesquiterpene compounds, accounting for 57.8% of the total weight of the EO. From the identified sesquiterpenes, three individual compounds (β -eudesmol, hinesol, valencene) were selected for the laboratory bioassays of the toxicity against red flour beetles. It was found that all the three compounds expressed some repellent effects. Although β -eudesmol (31.2%) and hinesol (5.1%) were identified as main constituents and had been considered to be symbolic characteristics of high medicinal value, valencene (0.3%) showed strong repellent property which could be comparable to that of DEET (N, N‑diethyl‑3‑methylbenzamide), a powerful commercial pesticides, and it had best toxicity with LD 50 values of 3.25 (μg/adult) in the contact test. This work may provide toxicity evidence of seven common herbs against red flour beetles, add the information for the development and comprehensive utilization of A. lancea , and will contribute to the application of grain preservation. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Seven EOs from common herbs were found to be potential resource to prevent Tribolium castaneum. • Atractylodes argyi and A. lancea (Compositae family) had high repellent and contact effects. • The toxicity of the three sesquiterpenoids from A. lancea were evaluated. • A micro active substance called valencene from A. lancea were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atractylodes DC., a member of the Asteraceae family, is a crucial medicinal plant in East Asia. However, determining the taxonomy and phylogeny of Atractylodes remains challenging due to its hybridization and similar morphological features. To address this issue, we conducted a study wherein we sequenced 21 complete plastomes of all species and cultivars in Atractylodes. Our analysis revealed that all the plastomes within this genus had a typical quadripartite structure and ranged from 153,129 to 153,300 bp in length. Comparative plastome analyses revealed ten highly variable regions (trn H- psb A, rps 18- rpl 20, trn L- trn F, psb A- trn K, ndh D- ccs A, rpl 20, trn K- mat K, psb C- trn S, trn L- rpl 32, pet A- psb J). A total of 4 polymorphic SSRs among 21 Atractylodes samples and 8 polymorphic SSRs among a wild and two cultivated populations of A. macrocephala were identified. Our phylogenetic analysis based on both plastid and RAD datasets was highly supported and provided insights into the plastid capture events that occurred in the A. lancea complex through putative ancient hybridization. Overall, our study provides a robust phylogeny and a temporal framework for further research on phylogeographic and population genetics of Atractylodes. The genomic resources we have accumulated will also be available for genetic engineering and germplasm exploration of this medicinally and economically important genus. • Atractylodes DC., a member of the Asteraceae family, is a crucial medicinal plant in East Asia. However, determining the taxonomy and phylogeny of Atractylodes remains challenging due to its hybridization and similar morphological features. • Our analysis revealed that all the 21 plastomes within this genus had a typical quadripartite structure and similar length. • Comparative plastome analyses revealed 10 highly variable regions and 4 polymorphic SSRs among 21 Atractylodes samples. • Our phylogenetic analysis based on both plastid and RAD datasets was highly supported and provided insights into the plastid capture events that occurred in the A. lancea complex through putative ancient hybridization. • Overall, our study provides a robust phylogeny and a temporal framework for further research on phylogeographic and population genetics of Atractylodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The root of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (AM) has been used for thousands of years in China, and it's extracts contain various constituents, such as volatile oils, polysaccharides, and lactones, with a myriad of pharmacological effects, including improves the healthy state of the gastrointestinal system and regulating immunity, hormone secretion, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidation, anti-aging, and antitumor properties. Recently, researchers have focused on the effect of AM in regulating bone mass; therefore, its potential mechanism of action in regulating bone mass needs to be elucidated., Aim of Review: This study reviewed the known and possible mechanisms of bone mass regulation by AM., Materials and Methods: Cochrane, Medline via PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, Chinese biomedical literature database, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Wanfang Database were used to search AM root extracts-related studies. The retrieval date was from the establishment of the database to January 1, 2023., Results: By summarizing 119 natural active substances that have been isolated from AM root to date, we explored its possible targets and pathways (such as Hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, and BMP/Smads pathways etc.) for bone growth and presented our position on possible future research/perspectives in the regulation of bone mass using this plant., Conclusions: AM root extracts (incuding aqueous, ethanol etc.) promotes osteogenesis and inhibits osteoclastogenesis. These functions promote the absorption of nutrients, regulate gastrointestinal motility and intestinal microbial ecology, regulate endocrine function, strengthen bone immunity, and exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Abstract An intuitive and practical way to control chemical equivalence of secondary metabolites in herbal materials based on chromatographic fingerprints deserves a thorough discussion, yet it is relatively unexplored. For the first time, we propose a mixture of three similarity indices, the congruence coefficient, the average of the peak area ratios, and the larger value between the maximum peak area ratio and the reciprocal of the minimum peak area ratio, to make up for the weak points of some widely used similarity indices and to evaluate the chemical equivalence of two fingerprints from various perspectives. The three similarity values are fed into a three-dimensional kernel density estimation to determine the quality of herbal materials. This estimation enables precise detection of anomalies in the absence of prior quality determination experience. Forty Atractylodes samples similar in appearance and indiscriminately used for medical purposes were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed approach. After a reference sample was postulated, a quality assessment of the 40 samples was performed using the three similarity values and the estimated kernel density. The samples that were judged by the developed approach to be of good quality were compared with those chosen by the most popular approach using decision criterion of a single similarity index. The benefits of the proposed approach were evident in that the qualified samples had the composition ratio and individual concentrations of multi-components closer to those of the reference in general, and their inter-sample deviation was significantly smaller. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A novel method was developed to assess chemical equivalence of herbal materials. • A mixture of three similarity indices from chromatographic fingerprints was used. • Three-dimensional kernel density estimation was applied in herbal fingerprints. • The new method was successfully applied to quality assessment of 40 real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (A. macrocephala) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used in China, Japan, and Korea due to its health benefits. Autotoxicity, as one of the major problems hindering continuous cultivation of A. macrocephala, has been reported to inhibit plant growth by various means. However, the impact of autotoxicity on the plant immune system is rarely reported. In this study, 2, 4-Ditertbutyl phenol (2,4-DP), an autotoxic compound, isolated from root exudates and rhizosphere soil of A. macrocephala was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results of germination trials showed that 2,4-DP had a significant inhibitory effect on seed germination. In addition, in non-inoculated seedlings, three concentrations of 2,4-DP (0.1, 1 and 10 mmol/L) affected indicators of systemic acquired resistance (SAR): accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), activities of protective enzymes, atractylenolides contents, and increased the disease index (DI). In inoculated seedlings, 2,4-DP decreased indicators of SAR and increased the DIs at low and high concentrations but increased indicators of SAR and decreased the DI at a moderate concentration. These results suggest that 2,4-DP has an inhibitory effect on the plant immune system, but it can induce the SAR at a certain concentration by controlling the pathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aimed to study intestinal absorption and pharmacokinetic characterization of three atractylenolides from low polar component of Atractylodes (LPA). LC-MS method was used to find absorbed components combined with pharmacochemistry and to determine plasma concentration combined with DAS 3.0 to calculate the PK parameters. Moreover, the everted gut sac model was used to investigate rat small intestinal absorption and transport characterization of atractylenolide I, II, III. In total, eight components were identified from the absorbed components, including two lactones (6, 7), three volatile oil (2, 3, 8), acids (1), prenylated dihydrobenzofuran derivative (4) and luteolin (5), respectively. The three atractylenolides are rapidly absorbed with Tmax as 1 h and more compatible with the two-compartment model in rats, and good linearity between Cmax and concentration. The cumulative absorption per unit area Q (ug·cm−2) of three atractylenolides were no significant difference and all linearly absorbed with different time, concentration in different intestinal segments, which indicated its absorption process was passive transport. In addition, the atractylenolides III showed most high absorption rate in all intestinal segments, and the absorption site of atractylenolides II was mainly duodenum segments. LC-MS is a systematically applicable approach for rapid screening, identification and quanlitation of absorbed components derived from atractylodes in vivo. Three atractylenolides showed similar PK characterization and passive transport through all intestinal segments. It looks more safe with less drug interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Recent studies have demonstrated that leaf inhabiting endophytic bacteria can be selective derived from the air, and root inhabiting endophytic bacteria can selectively come from the soil. We wonder if inhabiting bacteria in plant leaves can also come from the roots, and vice versa.Methods: We designed an experimental device to study plant Atractylodes lancea acquirements of bacterial endophytes from both the inside and abiotic environment. Inhabiting bacterial microbiota and volatile oil profiles in leaf and root compartment of Atractylodes lancea were estimated through Illumina Mi-seq platform and gas chromatography, respectively.Results: The majority of inhabiting bacterial endophytes in leaves and roots were coming from the soil. However, air-borne bacteria also participated in defining root endophytic bacteria populations. The bacteria population from different Atractylodes lancea compartments are under different selection, thus ultimately root and leaf endophyte types differ, which ultimately influence the volatile oil profiles in the leaf and root compartments of Atractylodes lancea.Conclusions: These results provide a first glimpse of the inhabiting bacterial microbiota that transmit between inside of plant leaf and root compartments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterial endophyte Pseudomonas fluorescens ALEB7B significantly enhances photosynthate accumulations in Atractylodes lancea . These carbohydrates are preferentially used by the host plant to synthesize secondary metabolites, rather than to increase plant biomass accumulation. Mechanisms underlying the allocation of endophyte–increased carbohydrate in different plant metabolic processes are largely unknown. We have studied how P. fluorescens ALEB7B enhances photosynthate accumulation and how bacterial elicitors regulate metabolic flux and increase medicinal sesquiterpenoid formation in A. lancea using the sterile tissue culture plantlets. P. fluorescens ALEB7B enhances plant photosynthate accumulation by synthesizing and secreting indole–3–acetic acid, which has been demonstrated using high–performance liquid chromatography analysis. The increased endogenous indole–3–acetic acid promotes plant root development and then assimilation. Increased carbohydrates provide the material basis for the formations of terpenoid hydrocarbon scaffolds, which has been proved using gas chromatography analysis. Further, protein and polysaccharide elicitors secreted by P. fluorescens ALEB7B have been separated and purified from the bacterial fermentation broth, which have been applied to A. lancea plantlets. Both elicitors can stimulate the conversions of terpenoid hydrocarbon scaffolds to oxygenous sesquiterpenoids, the active medicinal ingredients in A. lancea , by triggering the oxidative burst in planta . Moreover, this study separates an ABC transporter substrate–binding protein from protein elicitors secreted by P. fluorescens ALEB7B with an ÄKTA Prime Plus Purifier System and firstly shows that this protein is essential to induce oxygenous sesquiterpenoid accumulation in A. lancea . This study provides new perspectives for mechanisms of medicinal oxygenous terpenoid synthesis, which has important reference values to the cultivation of medicinal plants that have terpenoids as their active ingredients, such as Artemisia annua and Taxus chinensis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atractylodes japonica has been commonly used to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in Korean traditional medicine. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells in the GI tract and can regulate GI motility. Objective: To investigate the effects of the extract of Atractylodes japonica (AJE) on pacemaker potentials generated by ICCs from murine small intestine. Materials and Methods: Enzymatic digestion was performed to dissociate ICCs. All experiments on ICCs were performed after 12 h of culture. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials generated by ICC. Results: AJE (0.1—1 mg/mL) depolarized pacemaker potentials in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased the amplitudes of pacemaker potentials at all concentrations in the current-clamp mode. Pretreatment with Y25130 (a 5-HT3receptor antagonist), RS39604 (a 5-HT4receptor antagonist), or SB269970 (a 5-HT7receptor antagonist) had no effects on depolarization of pacemaker potentials induced by AJE. In addition, pretreatment with 1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide (a muscarinic M3receptor antagonist) inhibited AJE-induced depolarization of pacemaker potential; however, pretreatment with methoctramine (a muscarinic M2receptor antagonist) did not affect depolarization of pacemaker potentials induced by AJE. In the presence of an external Na+-free solution, the pacemaker potentials decreased, and under this condition, AJE did not depolarize the pacemaker potentials. Flufenamic acid, a nonselective cation channel (NSCC) blocker, decreased the pacemaker potential, which in turn inhibited AJE-induced depolarization of pacemaker potential. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that AJE depolarized the pacemaker potentials generated by ICC by stimulating muscarinic M3receptors, but not 5-HT receptors, through NSCCs. Therefore, AJE can be a novel prokinetic agent. Abbreviations used: ICCs:Interstitial cells of Cajal, GI:Gastrointestinal, NSCC:Non-selective cation channel, TRP:Transient receptor potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (AL) is usually used for the treatment of various diseases such as spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS). Both bran-processed and crude AL is included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The different efficacies of bran-processed and crude AL on SDS are largely unknown, and the mechanisms of AL effects have not been fully elucidated. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the effects of bran-processed and crude AL and then assess the mechanisms of treating SDS. Materials and Methods: The model of SDS in rats was established using excessive exertion, combined with an irregular diet and intragastric administration of the extract of Sennae Folium, and different doses of bran-processed and crude AL were gavaged. The serum was analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and small intestinal tissues were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The injury of SDS was alleviated by the treatment of bran-processed and crude AL. Compared to model group, the indexes of trypsin (TRY), amylase (AMS), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SS), gastrin (GAS), substance P (SP), Na+-K+-ATPase, and succinic dehydrogenase in serum of each administration group were increased by ELISA, and the mRNA expressions of VIP, SS, GAS, and SP in small intestinal tissues were increased by RT-PCR. Furthermore, in a dose-dependent manner, the bran-processed and crude AL increased the levels of TRY, AMS, VIP, and GAS and the mRNA expression levels of VIP. Compared with the crude AL, the bran-processed AL was more effective in treating SDS. Conclusion: Through the mechanisms of treating SDS by AL, both bran-processed and crude AL has alleviated the symptoms of SDS. Abbreviations used: AL: Atractylodes lancea; TRY: Trypsin; AMS: Amylase; VIP: Vasoactive intestinal peptide; SS: Somatostatin; GAS: Gastrin; SP: Substance P; ELISA: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; mRNA: Messenger ribonucleic acid; SDH: Succinic dehydrogenase; RT-PCR: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; TCM: Traditional Chinese medicine; SDS: Spleen deficiency syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atractylodes japonica is a source of herbal medicinal material "Sab-Joo" for herbal medicine "Baekchul" in Korea. Volatile aroma compounds may play some valuable therapeutic activities. Volatiles in raw and dried Sab-Joo(the rhizome of A. japonica) were analyzed by GC-MS after a dynamic headspace method. The mashed samples were stabilized at 40°C for 30min and volatile compounds were captured by 100 ㎛ polydimethylsiloxane coated SPME fiber just before DB-5MS column separation followed by mass spectrometric analysis (with electron impact mode).Among 58 detected peaks, the 15 major components were observed for their fate after drying of Sab-Joo. β-Elemene, β-maaliene, 2,3,4,5-tetramethyltricyclo[3.2.1.02,7] oct-3-ene, curcumene, 1-(3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ynyl)-1,2-dimethyl-3-methylene-cyclopropane, guaia-10,11- diene, and furanodiene were diminished after drying. α-Selinene and valencene were almost disappeared in dried Sab-Joo. Among the eight volatiles relatively increased after drying, five components, such as β-patchoulene, valencene, α-selinene, 9,10-dehydro-Isolongifolene, and (-)-aristolene were more than doubled up(percent change over 100%). β-Patchoulene, valencene increased about four times after drying. The major volatiles over 5%(NPA%) in the dried sample were all sesquiterpenes having molecular formula C15H24 (MW=204).The relative quantitative volatile profiles were quite different before and after drying Sab- Joo. Therefore the fate of the pharmaceutically/toxicallyimportant volatile components by the simple drying process should be carefully studied to maximize the efficacy and minimize the risk of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the primary cause of ventricular remodeling (VR). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma (AMR) on VR induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal control, ISO-induced and AMR groups. Rats in the ISO-induced and AMR groups were subcutaneously injected with 85 mg/kg/day ISO for two consecutive days. Compared with the ISO-induced group, AMR normalized the levels of hemodynamic parameters, markedly attenuated myocardial pathological damage, decreased the level of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, and inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. In addition, AMR inhibited oxidative stress and activation of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) when compared with the ISO-induced group. The results of the present study suggest that AMR may reverse VR via its antioxidative effect and inhibition of RAAS activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] To investigate the infrared identification of ZhuQin Formula and Atractylodes polysaccharides and its effect on immune function in immunocompromised mice. [Methods] In this experiment, the structure of polysaccharides was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experiment was divided into the polysaccharide groups of high, medium and low dose of ZhuQin, the extraction group of ZhuQin, the polysaccharide group of Atractylodes, the positive drug group, the blank group and the model group. The model of immunosuppressed mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. The carbon clearance index, immune organ index, serum hemolysin, spleen T and B lymphocyte transformation rate were determined. [Results] The results show that the polysaccharides have obvious absorption peaks of polysaccharides; Formula extracts and polysaccharides can enhance the immune function of immunosuppressive mice at a certain dose level, and the effect of formula polysaccharide is better than that of extract and single traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides. [Conclusions] The results suggest that the polysaccharides of ZhuQin Formula and Atractylodes may be acidic polysaccharides containing pyran ring and furan ring. ZhuQin Formula polysaccharide may play an immunomodulatory role manly by improving the specific immunity of the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping has historically been employed as an efficient management strategy to prevent disease outbreaks. Our previous studies indicated that intercropping of peanut with the Chinese medicinal herb, Atractylodes lancea effectively suppressed soil-borne peanut diseases, resulting in increased peanut yields. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this study, the below ground effects of A. lancea on both fungal and bacterial communities in the peanut rhizosphere were investigated using pyrosequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and16S rRNA gene amplicons, respectively. Closed cultivation systems were constructed to investigate the role of volatiles and exudates originating from rhizomes and roots of A. lancea on fungal and bacterial communities. Intercropping with A. lancea significantly altered fungal community composition in the peanut rhizosphere, coinciding with decline of Fusarium root rot and improvement of peanut growth. Volatiles originating from A. lancea rhizome material had more effects on fungal communities than on bacterial communities, and significantly suppressed F. oxysporum growth. Root exudates of A. lancea had no apparent inhibitory effect on F. oxysporum . Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed 21 volatiles originating from A. lancea rhizome material and terpenes and aromatic hydrocarbons were the most common types. Our results suggest that A. lancea suppressed pathogenic Fusarium populations by means of volatiles from the rhizome. Our results support the idea that intercropping with A. lancea or use of its effective components has a strong potential for managing soil-borne fungal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese Pharmacopoeia defines byakujutsu (Atractylodes rhizome) as the rhizome of Atractylodes japonica or A. macrocephala and sojutsu (Atractylodes lancea rhizome) as the rhizome of A. lancea, A. chinensis, or their interspecific hybrids. Because their pharmaceutical uses differ in traditional Japanese Kampo medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, with less apparent scientific evidence, we compared the pharmacological properties between byakujutsu and sojutsu. Crude drug specimens of byakujutsu ( n = 40) and sojutsu ( n = 49) obtained in markets were identified by their species using DNA profiling. Their pharmacological properties were evaluated by the inhibitory effect of a MeOH extract of the samples on nitric oxide (NO) production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells and by the inducing effect of boiling water extract of the samples on granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) secretion from murine normal colonic epithelial MCE301 cells. We authenticated A. macrocephala ( n = 8), A. japonica ( n = 35), and the hybrid between A. macrocephala and A. japonica ( n = 1), and they were used as byakujutsu. We authenticated A. chinensis ( n = 25), A. lancea ( n = 14), and the hybrid between A. chinensis and A. lancea ( n = 6), and they were used as sojutsu. The inhibitory effects of byakujutsu on NO production were significantly higher than those of sojutsu ( P < 0.05). This activity of A. japonica rhizome was significantly higher than that of A. macrocephala rhizome and A. lancea rhizome ( P < 0.01). The activity of A. chinensis rhizome was significantly higher than that of A. lancea rhizome ( P < 0.05). The extract of A. japonica rhizome significantly induced G-CSF secretion from MCE301 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These effects of byakujutsu samples were not significantly different from those of sojutsu samples. A. japonica rhizome had significantly higher activity than A. macrocephala rhizome; however, there were no statistically significant differences among A. japonica, A. chinensis, and A. lancea. The pharmacological differences of byakujutsu and sojutsu may not be large among highly variated crude drug samples with average values, and quality control with the identification of the original plant species of byakujutsu and sojutsu may guarantee their pharmacological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]