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The genus Polygonatum Mill. belongs to the Liliaceae family, which is widely distributed all over the world. Modern studies have found that Polygonatum plants are very rich in chemical compounds such as saponins, polysaccharides and flavonoids. Steroidal saponins are the most commonly studied saponins in the genus Polygonatum and a total of 156 compounds have been isolated from 10 species of the genus. These molecules possess antitumor, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering and anti-osteoporotic activities. In this review, we summarize recent advances in studies of the chemical constituents of steroidal saponins from Polygonatum , including their structural characteristics, possible biosynthetic pathways and pharmacological effects. Then , the relationship between the structure and some physiological activities is considered. This review aims to provide reference for further exploitation and utilization of the genus Polygonatum. The structures, biosynthesis, and pharmacological effects of 156 steroidal saponins isolated from the genus Polygonatum are covered. [Display omitted] • Steroid saponins from Polygonatum have several potential pharmaceutical applications. • The structures and structural characteristics of these compounds are summarized. • The biosynthetic pathway of steroid saponins in Polygonatum is summarized. • The structure-activity relationship among Polygonatum steroid saponins is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunella is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants in the Labiatae family. There are approximately 15 species worldwide, distributed widely in the temperate regions and tropical mountains of Europe and Asia. In the genus Prunella , P. vulgaris is the most studied, following a several thousand-year history as a traditional antipyretic and antidotal Chinese herb. Furthermore, since ancient times, P. vulgaris has been widely used as a cool tea ingredient and consumed as a vegetable. The genus Prunella contains triterpenoids and their saponins, phenolic acids, sterols and associated glycosides, flavonoids, organic acids, volatile oil and saccharides. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed that Prunella possess antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, antihypertensive and hypoglycemic functions. The active components related to these functions are mainly triterpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and polysaccharides. This review mainly summarizes recent advances in traditional usage, chemical components and pharmacological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunella vulgaris L., better known as 'self-heal', has been extensively used in the traditional system of medicines. To reveal the regulatory mechanism of its development, TMT-based quantitative proteome analysis was performed in the Prunella vulgaris L. spica before and during ripening (Group A and Group B, respectively). This analysis resulted in the identification of 7655 proteins, of which 1910 showed differential abundance between the two groups. Pronounced changes in the proteomic profile included the following: 1) Stress-responsive proteins involved in protecting cells and promoting fruit ripening and seed development were highly abundant during ripening. 2) The degradation of chlorophyll, inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis and increased abundance of transketolase occurred simultaneously in the spica of Prunella vulgaris L., resulting in the spica changing color from green to brownish red. 3) The abundance of protein species related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis mainly increased during ripening, while flavonoid and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis mostly occurred before ripening. This study establishes a link between protein profiles and mature phenotypes, which will help to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the maturation of Prunella vulgaris L. at the proteome level and reveal the scientific connotation for the best time to harvest Prunella vulgaris L. This work provides a scientific basis for the production of high-quality medicinal Prunella vulgaris L., as well as a typical demonstration of molecular research used for the harvest period of traditional Chinese medicine. This work provided a comprehensive overview on the functional protein profile changes of Prunella vulgaris L. spica at different growing stages, as well as the scientific rationale of Prunella vulgaris L. harvested in summer after brownish red, thus laid an intriguing stepping stone for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of quality development. Unlabelled Image • Prunella vulgaris L. spica was sampled at five developmental stages (from heading to physiological maturity). • LC-MS matched 7655 proteins, of which 6405 can be quantified and 1910 proteins showed differences in abundance. • High abundance of stress-responsive protein species involved in fruit maturity and seed development during spica ripening. • The up-representation of transketolase, the degradation and inhibition synthesis of chlorophyll cause the spica changing color. • Increased levels of protein related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were observed during spica ripening [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunella vulgaris L. (P. vulgaris , Labiatae) is a perennial medicinal and edible plant widely used in China, Korea, Japan and Europe. The reddish brown spica of P. vulgaris (Prunellae Spica), which is collected in summer, has been commonly used in traditional medicine and food industry, while it is also used with whole grass in Europe and Taiwan. To clarify the regulatory pathways and mechanism of quality formation in P. vulgaris , targeted metabolomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses of Prunellae Spica samples from five consecutive developmental stages were carried out. The results showed that terpenoids were mainly synthesized in the maturity stage of Prunellae Spica, with the key enzymes and coding genes in downstream pathways being mainly expressed during ripening, while related enzymes in the upstream pathway showed the opposite pattern. Flavonoids mainly accumulated before ripening, with highly expressed pathway enzymes and coding genes. The accumulation of phenylpropanoids was relatively active throughout the development process. Rosmarinic acid (RA) and its synthetic intermediate products mainly accumulated via more active pathway enzymes and coding genes before ripening. The regulatory factors and metabolites related to RA synthesis were mainly enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, plant pathogen interaction, oxidative phosphorylation, and endoplasmic reticulum protein processing pathways. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation of Hedyotis corymbosa resulted in the isolation of eighteen compounds, including six iridoids ( 1 – 6 ), six monocyclic phenols ( 7 – 12 ), one triterpene ( 13 ), two sterols ( 14 – 15 ), one anthranquinone ( 16 ), one oxylipin ( 17 ) and one coumarin ( 18 ). The compounds were identified as scandoside methyl ester ( 1 ), deacetyl asperulosidic acid ( 2 ), deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester ( 3 ), daphylloside ( 4 ), 10- O -benzoyl deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester ( 5 ), 10- O -benzoyl scandoside methyl ester ( 6 ), p -hydroxybenzaldehyde ( 7 ), 4-methoxybenzene-1,2-diol ( 8 ), Z - p -hydroxyphenylacetyl ( 9 ), p -hydroxybenzoic acid ( 10 ), E - p -hydroxyphenylacetyl ( 11 ), protocatechuic acid ( 12 ), oleanic acid ( 13 ), daucosterol ( 14 ), β -sitosterol ( 15 ), 1-methoxy-2-hydroxyanthraquinone ( 16 ), (9R*,10S*,7E)-6,9,10-trihydroxyocta- dec-7-enoic acid ( 17 ) and hedyotiscone A ( 18 ). Compounds 4 , 7 – 9 , 11 and 17 were isolated from H . corymbosa for the first time, compound 8 was a new natural product. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized in the paper. The presence of (9R*,10S*,7E)-6,9,10-trihydroxyoctadec-7-enoic acid ( 17 ) in H . corymbosa could be used to differentiate it from Hedyotis diffusa . Compounds with a 10- O -benzoyl structure, such as compounds 5 and 6 , could be used as typical components for quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to ancient literature, Prunella vulgaris L. (P vulgaris) alleviates mastitis and has been used in China for many years; however, there are no relevant reports that confirm this or the mechanism of its efficacy. To explore the anti-acute mastitis effect and potential mechanism of P vulgaris extract. First, the active ingredients and targets of P vulgaris against mastitis were predicted using network pharmacology. Next, the relevant active ingredients were enriched using macroporous resins and verified using UV and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Lastly, a mouse model of acute mastitis was established by injecting lipopolysaccharides into the mammary gland and administering P vulgaris extract by oral gavage. The pathological changes in mammary tissue were observed by HE staining. Serum and tissue inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA method. MPO activity in mammary tissue was measured using colorimetry and MPO expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-3, and occludin) in mammary tissue was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. iNOS and COX-2 in mammary tissue were detected by Western blot. MAPK pathway and NF-κB pathway related proteins were also detected by Western blot. Network pharmacology predicted that phenolic acids and flavonoids in P vulgaris had anti-mastitis effects. The contents of total flavonoids and total phenolic acids in P vulgaris extract were 64.5% and 29.4%, respectively. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS confirmed that P vulgaris extract contained phenolic acids and flavonoids. The results of animal experiments showed that P vulgaris extract reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and interstitial congestion of mammary tissue. It also reduced the levels of serum and tissue inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and inhibited the activation of MPO. Furthermore, it downregulated the expression of MAPK and NF-κB pathway-related proteins. The expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-3 in mammary gland tissues were upregulated. P vulgaris extract can maintain the integrity of mammary connective tissue and reduce its inflammatory response to prevent acute mastitis. Its mechanism probably involves regulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways. [Display omitted] • Phenolic acids and flavonoids in P vulgaris may be effective ingredients of Prunella vulgaris L for anti-mastitis. • Experimental evidence supports P vulgaris as a potential remedy for acute mastitis. • UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS confirms phenolic acids and flavonoids in P vulgaris extract. • P vulgaris extract can improve the inflammatory reaction in the mammary gland tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PM) has attracted great interest, and tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside (TSG) was the main idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity constituent, but biological detoxification on idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of PM was not well investigated. This study aimed to illustrate biological detoxification mechanism on PM-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity by Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum). G. lucidum was used for biological detoxification of tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside (TSG)-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of PM. The TSG consumption and products formation were dynamically determined during transformation using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MSn). The transformation invertases (β -D-glucosidase and lignin peroxidase) were evaluated by using intracellular and extracellular distribution and activity assay. The key functions of lignin peroxidase (LiP) were studied by experiments of adding inhibitors and agonists. The entire TSG transformation process was confirmed in vitro simulated test. The cellular toxicity of TSG and the transformation products was detected by MTT. A suitable biotransformation system of TSG was established with G. lucidum , then p -hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,3,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde can be found as transformation products of TSG. The transformation mechanism involves two extracellular enzymes, β -D-glucosidase and LiP. β -D-glucosidase can remove glycosylation of TSG firstly and then LiP can break the double bond of remaining glycosides. The toxicity of TSG after biotransformation by G. lucidum was attenuated. This study would reveal a novel biological detoxification method for PM and explain degradation processes of TSG by enzymic methods. [Display omitted] • The idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. has attracted great interest. • Ganoderma lucidum can used for biological detoxification of tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside (TSG) of Polygonum multiflorum. • TSG first formed TSG aglycone, and then formed p -hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,3,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde. • β -D-glucosidase can remove glycosylation of TSG firstly and then LiP can break the double bond of remaining glycosides. • The cellular toxicity of TSG was attenuated after biotransformation in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal and edible homologs (MEHs) can be used in medicine and food. The National Health Commission announced that a total of 103 kinds of medicinal and edible homologous plants (MEHPs) would be available by were available in 2023. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become the third most common chronic metabolic disease that seriously threatens human health worldwide. Polysaccharides, the main component isolated from MEHPs, have significant antidiabetic effects with few side effects. Based on a literature search, this paper summarizes the preparation methods, structural characterization, and antidiabetic functions and mechanisms of MEHPs polysaccharides (MEHPPs). Specifically, MEHPPs mainly regulate PI3K/Akt, AMPK, cAMP/PKA, Nrf2/Keap1, NF-κB, MAPK and other signaling pathways to promote insulin secretion and release, improve glycolipid metabolism, inhibit the inflammatory response, decrease oxidative stress and regulate intestinal flora. Among them, 16 kinds of MEHPPs were found to have obvious anti-diabetic effects. This article reviews the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications by MEHPPs and provides a basis for the development of safe and effective MEHPP-derived health products and new drugs to prevent and treat diabetes. • Distinctive structure of MEHPPs biomacromolecules governs their properties. • MEHPPs have anti-diabetic effects significantly with few side effects. • The potential anti-diabetic mechanism of MEHPPs is elucidated. • Prospects and limitations of MEHPPs anti-diabetic are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were the most important causes of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). To date, approximately 25 LHON-associated mtDNA mutations have been identified in various ethnic populations. Three primary mutations, the 3460G > A, 11778G > A and 14484T > C, in genes encoding the subunits of respiratory chain complex I, were the most common LHON-associated mtDNA mutations. Moreover, secondary mutations in mt-tRNA genes have been reported increasingly to be associated with LHON, simply due to the high mutation rates of mt-tRNAs. There is a lack of functional analysis and a poor genetic evaluation of a certain mt-tRNA mutation, which failed to meet the classic pathogenicity scoring system. As a result, how to classify a pathogenic mutation in mt-tRNA gene became important for both geneticist and clinician to diagnosis the LHON or the suspicious of LHON. In this study, we reassessed the role of a point mutation in mt-tRNAThrgene which had been reported to be a mutation associated with LHON, the pathogenicity of this mutation has been discussed in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunella vulgaris polysaccharides (PVPs) have a variety of biological activities, but the mechanism and extent of their anti-hyperlipidaemic effect remain unclear. In vitro, PVPs had a significant inhibitory effect on angiotensin (Ang II)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. A metabolomics approach based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and chemometrics was established in this study to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of PVPs in a high-fat Sprague-Dawley rat model. In vivo, PVPs could significantly reduce the weight gain and the increases in serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C levels observed in rats fed a high-fat diet; they could also significantly increase serum GSH-Px activity, reduce the content of MDA and TNF-α and decrease abdominal fat volume in rats. Furthermore, PVPs exerted a repairing effect on morphological and structural damage in liver tissue cells in hyperlipidaemic rats fed a high-fat diet. PVPs improved lipid metabolism disorder in rats. Alanine, threonine, succinic acid, proline, inositol and arachidonic acid levels in the serum were considered potential biomarkers involved in amino acid, glucose, energy and lipid metabolism. Therefore, PVPs may interfere with hyperlipidaemia through anti-lipid peroxidation effects, attenuation of inflammation and regulation of glucose, amino acid, energy and lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are one of the most important causes of hearing loss. Of these, the homoplasmic A1555G and C1494T mutations at the highly conserved decoding site of the 12S rRNA gene are well documented as being associated with either aminoglycoside-induced or nonsyndromic hearing loss in many families worldwide. Moreover, five mutations associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss have been identified in the tRNA gene: A7445G, 7472insC, T7505C, T7510C, and T7511C. Other mtDNA mutations associated with deafness are mainly located in tRNA and protein-coding genes. Failures in mitochondrial tRNA metabolism or protein synthesis were observed from cybrid cells harboring these primary mutations, thereby causing the mitochondrial dysfunctions responsible for deafness. This review article provides a detailed summary of mtDNA mutations that have been reported in deafness and further discusses the molecular mechanisms of these mtDNA mutations in deafness expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]