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Although a large number of studies have been conducted on lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) exposure individually, information regarding the toxicity of combined Pb and Cd exposure is relatively limited. The present study aims to investigate the toxicity of Pb-Cd combination exposure and the corresponding mechanism. A heavy metal exposure model was established in mice by subcutaneous intragastric administration of Pb-Cd (50:1) for 35 days. Body weight, diet, hair state, mental state, liver index, haematological index, biochemical indicators and pathological section analysis were used to comprehensively evaluate toxicity. Then, classical oxidative stress indexes and lipidomics techniques were used to explore the potential mechanism. The results showed that Pb-Cd caused the mice to have low appetite, poor spirit, significantly reduced activity, slow weight gain and irritated or drying hair. Pb-Cd also caused liver enlargement, significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme activities, and resulted in pathological changes to the liver. Prolonged Pb-Cd exposure led to significantly increased thrombocyte haematocrit (PCT), white blood cell (WBC), platelet (PLT) and monocyte (MON) counts and decreased red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and lymphocyte (LYM) counts. Pb-Cd increased oxidative stress by increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Finally, Pb-Cd triggered lipid metabolism disorders by regulating linoleic acid, sphingolipid and glycerolipid metabolism.

Given the opposing effects of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on metabolic homeostasis, this study examined the effects of deletion of Akt2 and AMPKα2 on fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis. Akt2–Ampkα2 double knockout (DKO) mice were placed on high fat diet for 5 months. Glucose metabolism, energy homeostasis, cardiac function, lipid accumulation, and hepatic steatosis were examined. DKO mice were lean without anthropometric defects. High fat intake led to adiposity and decreased respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in wild-type (WT) mice, which were ablated in DKO but not Akt2−/− and Ampkα2−/− mice. High fat intake increased blood and hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol, promoted hepatic steatosis and injury in WT mice. These effects were eliminated in DKO but not Akt2−/− and Ampkα2−/− mice. Fat diet promoted fat accumulation, and enlarged adipocyte size, the effect was negated in DKO mice. Fat intake elevated fatty acid synthase (FAS), carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (CHREBP), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), PPARγ, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase), and diglyceride O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), the effect was absent in DKO but not Akt2−/− and Ampkα2−/− mice. Fat diet dampened mitophagy, promoted inflammation and phosphorylation of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) and AMPKα1 (Ser485), the effects were eradicated by DKO. Deletion of Parkin effectively nullified DKO-induced metabolic benefits against high fat intake. Liver samples from obese humans displayed lowered microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B), Pink1, Parkin, as well as enhanced phosphorylation of Akt, AMPK (Ser485), and FoxO1, which were consolidated by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and mass spectrometry analyses from rodent and human livers. These data suggest that concurrent deletion of Akt2 and AMPKα2 offers resilience to fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis, possibly through preservation of Parkin-mediated mitophagy and lipid metabolism., Graphical abstract High fat intake suppresses FoxO1-mediated mitophagy through parallel regulation of Akt and AMPK. Hyperactivated Akt fosters AMPK phosphorylation at Ser485, disturbing AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172 indirectly to foster hepatic steatosis.Image 1

Four polysaccharides, MFPA1, MFPA2, MFPB1, and MFPB2, were isolated from Mori Fructus using DEAE-52 cellulose chromatography. MFPA1 (177 kDa) was composed of mannose, rhamnose, glucose, and xylose,...

Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide evoking mitochondrial damage and heart failure with little therapeutic remedies available. Recent reports depicted a role for unchecked autophagy in paraquat-induced cardiotoxicity. This study was designed to examine the role of the mitophagy receptor protein FUNDC1 in paraquat-induced cardiac contractile and mitochondrial injury using a murine model of FUNDC1 knockout (FUNDC1

Mori Fructus (MF) is a fruit rich in many nutrients. This study focused on the extraction, purification, partial chemical characterization and bioactivity of polysaccharides from MF. Firstly, a water extraction and alcohol precipitation method was used to obtain crude MF polysaccharides (MFPs). After removal of proteins, the crude MFPs were separated and purified by DEAE-cellulose 52, and then 6 MFPs (P1-MFPs to P6-MFPs) were obtained. In vitro ethanol dehydrogenase activation activity was used for preliminary screening of anti-alcoholic liver injury activity of these 6 polysaccharides. The results showed that P1-MFPs and P2-MFPs had better activities, when the concentration was 5 mg mL−1, and the activation rate reached (58.19 ± 1.3)% and (58.47 ± 1.5)%, respectively. Chemical characterization studies showed that their molecular weight was 316 and 398 kDa, respectively. P1-MFPs were mainly composed of mannose (11.0%), rhamnose (5.4%), galacturonic acid (4.7%), glucose (33.5%) and xylose (45.5%), meanwhile P2-MFPs were composed of mannose (7.2%), rhamnose (1.4%), glucose (28.6%) and xylose (62.8%). FT-IR spectroscopy showed that P1-MFPs and P2-MFPs contained a pyranose ring and beta glycone bond, both of which had a characteristic absorption peak of polysaccharides. The in vivo activity verification study indicated that P1-MFPs and P2-MFPs had the remarkable effect of correcting weight loss and biochemical index (ALT, AST, and TG in serum and MAD, SOD, and GSH-PX in liver) disorder in mice caused by acute alcoholic liver injury. These results revealed that P1-MFPs and P2-MFPs had the potential to become precursors to alcohol-induced liver injury or functional food.

In the present study, the dose-effect and time-effect relationships of Dufulin racemate (rac-DFL) and its R(S)-enantiomers in rats were investigated after oral administration to evaluate their safety. A total of six doses (2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg/kg) were administered and seven time-intervals (1 h, 3 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, and 14 d) were considered to observe the effects of rac-DFL, (R)-DFL, and (S)-DFL on general behavioral characteristics, liver and kidney functions, pathological changes, and lipid metabolism in rats. The results showed that the rats in each group exhibited a good mental state, agile activity, smooth and shiny fur, and normal diet. Viscera indices of heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney were 5.10–5.56, 4.15–4.59, 0.24–0.28, 6.08–6.48, and 11.02–11.98 mg/g for dose-effect relationships, and 5.01–5.94, 4.11–4.79, 0.24–0.30, 6.00–6.87, and 11.02–11.99 mg/g for time-effect relationships, respectively. Values of ALT, AST, TBil, DBil, IBil, BUN, Scr, β2-MG, and UA were 33.02–38.93 U/L, 108.17–126.53 U/L, 16.22–17.94 μmol/L, 5.75–8.12 μmol/L, 9.50–10.94 μmol/L, 4.03–5.85 mmol/L, 19.42–21.61 μmol/L, 48.16–52.73 mg/L, and 68.51–78.65 μmol/L, respectively. The statistical results showed that there were no significant differences in organ indices as well as liver and kidney function indices among different groups. In terms of pathological morphology, liver and kidney tissue sections of different groups of rats demonstrated normalcy. Rac-DFL, (R)-DFL, and (S)-DFL in the range of 2.5–100.0 mg/kg exerted no significant effect on lipid metabolism. Compared with the blank group, 35, 55, and 14 differential lipids were screened from rac-DFL, (S)-DFL, and (R)-DFL groups, respectively. These lipid changes completely returned to normalcy within 3 h. There were no significant differences at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 d after gavage. These results will aid further evaluation of the safety of dufulin and for provision of scientific evidence for its application as a pesticide.

To evaluate the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of the chemical constituents of Ligustrum lucidum in vitro, the spectrum-effect relationship was investigated. The high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint was established by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was tested in vitro by a high-throughput screening method. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis, gray correlation analysis, and partial least squares regression were used to explore the spectrum-effect relationships. Sixty batches of Ligustrum lucidum were collected from 16 provinces for testing. The results revealed differences among the batches of medicinal materials, and the similarity score was between 0.635 and 0.968. Thirty-three characteristic peaks (1-33) were calibrated by fingerprint evaluation software for traditional Chinese medicine. The spectrum-effect relationship study further revealed that the contents of peaks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 17, 25, 28, 31, and 33, which are potentially critical ingredients for quality control of Ligustrum lucidum fruit, were highly correlated with the inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity.

Traditional composite beams have the problem of large self-weights and require a considerable number of structural materials. In order to address these problems, this paper focuses on a new type of steel-concrete composite beam with transverse and longitudinal hidden girders (TALHGs). To investigate the flexural performance of such beams, five specimens with TALHGs were examined. The results indicate that the composite beams exhibit high flexural strength, good flexural rigidity and desirable ductility under monotonic load. Based on the test results, the influence of some key design parameters (e.g., concrete top slab thickness, concrete bottom slab thickness, the existence of a concrete bottom floor and H-shaped steel sizes) on the flexural performance of the composite beams were also evaluated. It is worth highlighting that this new design leads to significant savings in structural material demands (such as shear connectors, steel reinforcement, and concrete), which in turn saves the resource and construction cost.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Mori Fructus (MF) is a traditional Chinese medicine with long application history, which has protective effects on liver diseases. Mori Fructus polysaccharide (MFP) is one of the active ingredients of MF and possesses therapeutic effects against acute alcoholic liver injury. Recent researches have reported that the therapeutic effects of MFP might be related to the regulation of several lipid metabolic pathways. However, the mechanism of lipid metabolism was still unclear. Aim of the study This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of MFP on lipid metabolism in mice with acute alcoholic liver injury, and to enrich the application of its hepatoprotective effect. Materials and methods Fifty Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Kunming (KM) male mice were divided into five groups randomly, including normal control group, model group, bifendate positive group (220 mg/ kg), MFPA1 group (50 mg/ kg) and MFPB1 group (50 mg/ kg). A model of acute alcoholic liver injury was established by treating the mice with ethanol. The liver sections were processed and histopathological changes was observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The secretion levels of biochemical indexes in the liver and serum were assayed by ELISA. The untargeted lipidomics analysis was performed on a Q Exactive Focus quadrupole orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry coupled with a Dionex Ultimate 3000 RSLC (HPG) ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS) system (Thermo Fisher Scientific), with a HESI ionization source. Results It was observed that abnormal glutamic-pyruvic transaminase enzyme (ALT), glutamic-oxaloacetic aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were ameliorated after irrigation of MFP or bifendate. Histopathology examination showed that intragastric infusion of MFP can be helpful in the repair of damaged liver in mice. The multivariate analysis of hepatic lipids showed segregation of ethanol-fed groups from the normal controls. After the comparison of mass spectra, 10 lipids were found to have different content in the normal control group and the model group. Differential lipids that were increased by ethanol exposure included fatty acids, phosphatidylcholine, and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas lyso-phosphatidylcholine decreased. Among them, 4 lipids almost returned to the level of normal mice after MFP treatment. Conclusion The therapeutic effect of MFP on acute alcoholic liver injury may be achieved by regulating a variety of metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid metabolism, α - linolenic acid metabolism, and glycerolphospholipid metabolism. These results revealed that MFP efficiently exerted hepatoprotective benefits, and its potential effect was associated with the amelioration of lipid metabolism.

High-performance engineered structural systems are crucial for sustainable development in the field of construction. In our previous research, a novel steel&ndash, concrete composite beam with transverse and longitudinal hidden girders exhibited good flexural behavior and desirable ductility. However, there is a dearth of studies on the flexural response of a steel&ndash, concrete composite slab voided with thin-walled core boxes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the overarching flexural mechanism of the proposed structure when subjected to uniform vertical loads. The experimental detection results illustrated that the deflection value of the composite beam was 95.75% less than the GB/T 50152-2012 recommendation. Numerical results further validated this observation. The recorded data from the strain profile at the mid-span of the frame girder indicated that there was a considerable membrane effect, which delayed the strain growth of rebars, yielding appreciable bearing capacity. Thus, two original approaches to predicting the ultimate load of this novel structure are proposed, considering limit analysis using the upper-bound method and the membrane effect, with the latter closely linked to the experimental results. The findings can promote the extensive application of similar sustainable systems and inspire further advancements in advanced engineering structures.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity test is one of the important areas of natural product research, which is traditionally tested by spectrophotometry. In this work, a simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for testing AChE inhibitory activity in several natural products. Using galanthamine hydrobromide and huperzine A as positive controls, it was found that the optimal conditions for sample preparation are 7.0–8.0 for pH, 30 min for reaction time, 37 °C for reaction temperature, 1.1 × 10−3 U mL−1 for concentration of AChE, and 0.625 mM for acetylthiocholine iodide in the final reaction mixture with total volume 2 mL. The Diamonsil C18 column was used and the chromatographic conditions were mobile phase methanol–water–triethylamine (40:60:0.05, v/v/v), flow rate 1.0 mL min−1, injection volume 5 μL, run time 5 min, column temperature 37 °C, and wavelength 405 nm. The AChE inhibitory activity of anthocyanin with concentration of 10, 20, and 50 μg mL−1, blueberry extract and purple potato extract with concentration of 20, 100, and 500 μg mL−1 were further determined under this conditions. The results showed the inhibition ratios obtained from spectrophotometry were nearly adjacent and approximately lower than 10% and the values of absorbance mostly exceed 0.8, but the absorbance should ensure in the range of 0.15–0.8 to guarantee smaller relative error for spectrophotometry. While the inhibition ratios gained from HPLC method were higher than 20% and had greater difference, they had better comparability to the different concentrations of anthocyanin and its extracts. It is revealed that the HPLC method can be used for the evaluation of the AChE inhibitory activity in natural product extracts with deep color or not.

Used engine oil (UEO) accumulation increases the risk of urban environment through soil contamination and water pollution. Incorporating UEO into concrete as chemical admixtures is a feasible approach for its disposal, since it can serve similar functions to water reducing agents and air entraining admixtures in developing sustainable and durable concrete. However, the dosage levels of UEO that can be incorporated into concrete are restricted to approximately 0.3–0.5% by weight of cementitious materials due to UEO's poor dispersion. In this study, a typical superplasticizer was employed to achieve good dispersion of UEO in ternary blended concrete with fly ash and silica fume. The workability performances and mechanical properties of concrete admixed with UEO were investigated through slump and compression tests. The experimental results reveal that ternary blended concrete containing a high dosage of UEO (5% by weight of cementitious materials) compared favorably to ordinary concrete without sacrificing workability and compressive properties. C60 concrete with a 2% dosage level of UEO exhibited the maximum improvement in compressive strength by 4.4%. In addition, a scanning electron microscope was used to reveal the microstructural origins behind the alterations in the mechanical properties. Microscale images demonstrate that the addition of UEO aids in the microstructure densification of concrete. The findings in this paper not only provide a clean and innovative UEO disposal approach but will also contribute to developing sustainable concrete in the construction industry.

Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) exhibits high fire-resistance capacity and maintains structural integrity at elevated temperatures. However, conventional approaches for optimizing its mixture design and predicting its corresponding mechanical responses following fire exposure present particular difficulties in efficiency, accuracy, and safety issues. To address these issues, a convolution-based deep learning model was developed in the present paper. A dataset with 19 features, including concrete mix proportioning, heating profile, and fiber properties, was collected from previous experimental recordings to evaluate the model performance. The feasibility and generality of the proposed model were validated through the collected dataset and another widely used concrete dataset, where our model performs the best compared with multiple machine learning baseline models. In addition, the correlation between temperature and the relative compressive strength obtained by the proposed model echoes with Eurocode 2, which further demonstrates that our proposed model can accurately estimate the mechanical performances of FRC exposed to high temperatures. It is envisioned that the proposed deep-learning approach serves as an accurate and flexible property assessment tool that aids researchers and engineers in mixture design optimization and compressive strength estimation of FRC for different engineering needs.

Crude polysaccharides of Mori Fructus (MFPs) were found to have anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and immuno-enhancing activities. However, the structure of the polysaccharides was ambiguous and its holistic hepatic protection evaluation was defective. This study was conducted to illustrate the characterization of MFPs, and evaluate its hepatoprotective activities. The results found that MFPs contained 67.93±1.18% carbohydrates, 31.03±0.54% uronic acid, and little protein and sulfate. The average molecular weight was ranging from 112.2kDa to 181.9kDa. Monosaccharide component analysis indicated that MFPs was mainly composed of glucose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose and galactose. Both the acute and subacute alcoholic-induced liver injury animal models were adopted to evaluate the MFPs's hepatoprotective activity. After administration of MFPs, both serological indexes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) and hepatic indicators (glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde) were improved by comparing with the non-MFPs group. The hepatic histopathology results also showed a prominent lipid degeneration and microvesicular steatosis attenuation in the MFPs groups. These outstanding hepatic protecting activities of MFPs might be related to its activation of ethanol dehydrogenase, elimination of free radicals and/or inhibition of lipid peroxidation capacities. MFPs could be important active substances for preventing and remedying liver injury.

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects and explore mechanisms of chlorogenic acid against testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in mice. Benign prostatic hyperplasia model was induced in experimental groups by daily subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate (7.5mg/kg/d) consecutively for 14 d. A total of 60 mice were randomly divided into six groups: (Group 1) normal control group, (Group 2) benign prostatic hyperplasia model control group, (Group 3) benign prostatic hyperplasia mice treated with finasteride at a dose of 1mg/kg, (Group 4) benign prostatic hyperplasia mice treated with chlorogenic acid at dose levels of 0.8mg/kg (low dose group), (Group 5) benign prostatic hyperplasia mice treated with chlorogenic acid at dose levels of 1.6mg/kg (medium dose group) and (Group 6) benign prostatic hyperplasia mice treated with chlorogenic acid at dose levels of 3.2mg/kg (high dose group). Animals were sacrificed on the scheduled termination, pick out the eyeball to get blood, then prostates were weighed and prostatic index were determined. Then the serum acid phosphatase (ACP), prostatic acid phosphatase (PACP) and typeⅡ5-alpha-reductase (SRD5A2) levels were measured and observed morphological changes of the prostate. Comparing with benign prostatic hyperplasia model group, the high and medium dose of chlorogenic acid could significantly reduce prostate index and levels of acid phosphatase, prostatic acid phosphatase and typeⅡ5-alpha-reductase (P

In this paper, three purified Mori Fructus (M. Fructus) polysaccharides (MFP-1, MFP-2 and MFP-3) were successfully obtained from M. Fructus. Structural modification methods, including oxidative degradated, sulfated and carboxymethylated modification, were conducted and nine MFPs derivatives were obtained. The molecular structures of MFPs were studied and the results showed that MFP-1, MFP-2 and MFP-3, mainly composed of Ara, Gal, Rha, Glc and GalA, with a molecular weight approximately of 20.93 kDa, 56.23 kDa and 118.76 kDa, respectively. FT-IR spectrum of these MFPs all revealed the characteristic polysaccharide absorption bands, while the MFPs derivatives also exhibited some differences due to the structure modification. Hepatoprotective activities tests showed that MFP derivatives could significantly improve the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity by comparing with the native MFP. And among them, the C-MFP exhibited higher protection effect than the other two modification derivatives.

The present study deals with the downstream processing of anthocyanins from blackberries in order to obtain anthocyanins in a purified form. Adsorption was carried out employing four different mesh sizes of polyamide resin and among these, the 60–100 mesh polyamide resin showed the highest adsorption capacity (4.41 mg mL−1 of the adsorbent) and desorption capacity (3.29 mg mL−1 of the adsorbent). Adsorption results were found to correlate best using the Freundlich equation at all the temperatures studied. The second order kinetics model was found to be more appropriate to describe the adsorption of anthocyanins. Under all conditions, the polyamide resin showed optimal adsorption and desorption capacity towards anthocyanins at an initial concentration of 0.75 mg mL−1, an adsorption liquid pH of 1, an eluent pH of 3 and an ethanol concentration of 80%. The dynamic adsorption process parameters for the purification of anthocyanins using the 60–100 mesh polyamide resin were as follows: processing volume, 5 BV; the flow rate of adsorption, 5 BV per h; the temperature of adsorption, 15 °C; eluent volume, 3.5 BV and the flow rate of desorption, 5 BV per h. Polyamide resin adsorption resulted in a gram of concentrated blackberry extract that contained 432 mg of anthocyanins, which was superior to cation exchange resin adsorption (160 mg g−1) and macroporous adsorbent resin adsorption (176 mg g−1). This method provides an efficient and low-cost approach for anthocyanin purification for industrial applications.

Second hand smoke exposure increases the prevalence of chronic diseases partly attributed to inflammatory responses. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a proinflammatory cytokine, is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases although its role in second hand smoke exposure-induced cardiac anomalies remains elusive. This study evaluated the impact of MIF knockout on side-stream smoke exposure-induced cardiac pathology and underlying mechanisms. Adult WT and MIF knockout (MIFKO) mice were placed in a chamber exposed to cigarette smoke for 1 h daily for 60 consecutive days. Echocardiographic, cardiomyocyte function and intracellular Ca2+ handling were evaluated. Autophagy, mitophagy and apoptosis were examined using western blot. DHE staining was used to evaluate superoxide anion (O2-) generation. Masson trichrome staining was employed to assess interstitial fibrosis. Our data revealed that MIF knockout accentuated side-stream smoke-induced cardiac anomalies in fractional shortening, cardiomyocyte function, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, myocardial ultrastructure and mitochondrial content along with overt apoptosis and O2- generation. In addition, unfavorable effects of side-stream smoke were accompanied by excessive formation of autophagolysosome and elevated TFEB, the effect of which was exacerbated by MIF knockout. Recombinant MIF rescued smoke extract-induced myopathic anomalies through promoting AMPK activation, mitophagy and lysosomal function. Taken together, our data suggest that MIF serves as a protective factor against side-stream smoke exposure-induced myopathic changes through facilitating mitophagy and autophagolysosome formation.

Dufulin is a plant antiviral agent with a novel molecular structure and has been used widely to prevent and control tobacco and rice viral diseases. In this study, an UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed for rapid determination of dufulin racemate ( rac-DFL) and its R ( S)-enantiomers in rat plasma, tissues, urine, and feces. A MALDI-MSI method was further used for visual research on tissue distribution after intragastric administration of the three analytes. Toxicokinetic study showed that both ( R)-enantiomer of dufulin (( R)-DFL) and ( S)-enantiomer of dufulin (( S)-DFL) had a faster ability to reach C

A preparative separation method using macroporous absorptive resin coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography was developed for the separation of six fractions of the 80% ethanol extract of Periploca forrestii Schltr. The six ethanol fractions (5-95; A, B, C, D, E, and F) obtained were carefully analyzed to locate the corresponding peaks in the high-performance liquid chromatography chromatogram of the total extract, which was established in a previous study. Furthermore, the biological activities, including antioxidant activities, acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory capacities, antihyaluronidase activities, and anti-inflammatory effects, were evaluated in MH7A cells. The results demonstrated that fraction E could significantly prevent oxidation and inhibit hyaluronidase and acetyl cholinesterase. Finally, the main flavonoids in fractions A and E from P. forrestii Schltr. were purified, and the compounds were identified as chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside, and quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. The chemical structures were confirmed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of these compounds against complete Freund's adjuvant-induced secondary immune arthritis in rats were evaluated.

The purpose of this study was to investigate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulation in leaves of different plant species growing in the neighborhood of coal-fired power plant (CPP) and to identify potential bioindicators for PAHs pollution monitoring. The study was performed in 8 sites in the surrounding areas of CPP. PAHs concentrations in leaves of 21 plant species growing within 1 km of CPP ranged from 0.043 to 4.52 µg g−1. A higher mean concentration of PAHs was found in leaves of perennial herbs and shrubs compared with annual herbs and trees. Herbaceous plants had the highest concentrations of 5–6 rings PAHs, and 4-ring PAHs mainly existed in shrubs. For 2- to 3-rings PAHs, there was no significant difference among herbaceous plants trees and shrubs. Then, four representative plants were further chosen for investigating the effect of CPP on the spatial distribution patterns of PAH compounds. No distinct difference in the level of 2- to 3-rings PAHs was observed on Broussonetia kaempferi Sieb, whereas 4 rings, 5–6 rings, and Σ16PAHs had regional statistical differences. PAHs in Kalimeris indica (L.) Sch.-Bip had significant regional statistical differences. With the change of distance, the concentration of PAHs showed a significant decrease. Taraxacum mongolicum tended to capture the largest amount of both total PAHs and 5- to 6-ring PAHs, especially to BaP. These results could improve scientific evidence for the screening of bioindicators, in particular, T. mongolicum could be a priority.

In the present study, enzyme assisted extraction of Fructus Mori polysaccharides (FMPS) from F. mori using four kinds of enzymes and three compound enzymes were examined. Research found that glucose oxidase offered a better performance in enhancement of the extraction yields of FMPS, antioxidant and activate alcohol dehydrogenase activities. The glucose oxidase assisted extraction process was further optimized by using response surface method (RSM) to obtain maximum yield of crude FMPS. The results showed that optimized extraction conditions were ratio of enzyme amount 0.40%, enzyme treated time 38 min, treated temperature 58 °C and liquid-solid radio 11.0. Under these conditions, the mean experimental value of extraction yield (16.16 ± 0.14%) corresponded well with the predicted values and increased 160% than none enzyme treated ones. Pharmacological verification tests showed that F. mori crude polysaccharides had good antioxidant and activate alcohol dehydrogenase activities in vitro.

Microwave extraction combined ultrasonic pretreatment of flavonoids from Periploca forrestii Schltr. was investigated in this study, extraction process was first performed in an ultrasonic cleaner, then treated by microwave irradiation. The optimum ultrasonic time of 25 min was selected by single-factor experiments. A response surface methodology has been used to obtain a mathematical model that describes the process and analyzes the significant parameters ethanol concentration 59.92%, liquid to raw materials ratio 21.24 mL/g, microwave radiation time 209.53 s, and microwave power 274.14 w. In these optimum conditions, the yield of flavonoids from P. forrestii (TFPF) could be up to 9.11 ± 0.08%, which was increased by 14.30 and 19.86% compared microwave extraction and ultrasonic extraction, respectively. In vitro suppress hyaluronidase experimentation showed that TFPF purified using polyamide exhibited good anti-hyaluronidase ability with IC50 value of 1.033 mg/mL, possessing certain anti-antiallergic and potential application prospect in pharmaceutical production of treating inflammation and other related fields.