Black ginseng is a type of processed ginseng that is prepared from white or red ginseng by steaming and drying several times. This process causes extensive changes in types and amounts of secondary ...metabolites. The chief secondary metabolites in ginseng are ginsenosides (dammarane-type triterpene saponins), which transform into less polar ginsenosides in black ginseng by steaming. In addition, apparent changes happen to other secondary metabolites such as the increase in the contents of phenolic compounds, reducing sugars and acidic polysaccharides in addition to the decrease in concentrations of free amino acids and total polysaccharides. Furthermore, the presence of some Maillard reaction products like maltol was also engaged. These obvious chemical changes were associated with a noticeable superiority for black ginseng over white and red ginseng in most of the comparative biological studies. This review article is an attempt to illustrate different methods of preparation of black ginseng, major chemical changes of saponins and other constituents after steaming as well as the reported biological activities of black ginseng, its major saponins and other metabolites.
A quality marker (Q-marker) for Chinese materia medica (CMM, Zhongyao in Chinese) is a new concept proposed by the academician Changxiao Liu for the quality control of CMM. CMM refers to natural ...medicines used under the guidance of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, Zhongyi in Chinese), and includes Chinese herbal medicines (Zhongyaocai in Chinese), decoction pieces of Chinese medicines (Yinpian in Chinese) and proprietary Chinese medicines (Zhongchengyao in Chinese). The quality of Chinese herbal medicines is a prerequisite for using the decoction pieces of Chinese medicines and proprietary Chinese medicines.
We believe that the Q-markers for Chinese herbal medicines refer to certain types of substances or characteristics that can represent the quality of Chinese herbal medicines. In a narrow sense, the Q-marker refers to the active components (marker components) or chemicals that can be transferred during the subsequent processing of the proprietary Chinese medicines. Broadly speaking, the Q-marker refers to the morphological, chemical, biological, and ecological characteristics and markers that impact the quality of Chinese herbal medicines. We study on a Q-marker system for Chinese Herbal Medicines using burdock as an example in the paper.
Based on more than 20 years of research by our team, the present paper uses burdock as an example to discuss the establishment of a Q-marker system for Chinese herbal medicines.
The Q-marker system for burdock was established from the morphological, chemical and biological aspects of burdock. During cultivation, the ecological environment is an important factor that affects burdock quality and arctiin accumulation.
The Q-markers for the quality control of Chinese herbal medicines are the basis for CMM. The concept and theory of Q-marker provide guidance and correction for colleagues involved in the healthy development of the CMM industry.
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HPLC analysis determined six small-molecule organic acids, maltol, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), 17 ginsenosides, four oligosaccharides, and 20 amino acids in black ginseng samples with different ...processing times. Based on the content determination results, the differential ingredients in the processing of black ginseng were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Network pharmacological methods obtained the core targets and pathways of the above ingredients against prostate cancer. Finally, the entropy weight method was used to assign values to the above ingredients, targets, and pathways, and the vector space network pharmacology method was established to study the anti-prostate cancer mechanism of black ginseng in the process of "nine steaming and nine sun-drying". Based on principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), fructose, glucose, dencichin, glutamate, ginsenoside 20 (S)-Rg3, 20 (R)-Rg3, 20 (S)-Rh2, Rg1, Re, and Rc were the main differential ingredients in various steaming and sun-drying cycle periods of black ginseng. The results of vector space network pharmacology showed that the main reason for the change in the anti-prostate cancer pathway of black ginseng with the number of steaming and sun-drying was the different regulatory ability of black ginseng on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation pathway. It gave researchers a fresh perspective for exploring the anti-prostate cancer active components of black ginseng and the change in the mechanism of the effect of traditional Chinese medicine in processing.
As the treatments of diseases with Chinese herbs are holistic and characterized by multiple components, pathways, and targets, elucidating the efficacy of Chinese herbs in treating diseases, and ...their molecular basis, requires a comprehensive, network-based approach. In this study, we used a network pharmacology strategy, as well as
proteomics and metabonomics, to reveal the molecular basis by which
rhizome (AMR) ameliorates hypothyroidism. Eighteen main compounds from AMR and its fractions (volatile oil fraction, crude polysaccharides fraction, lactones fraction, oligosaccharide fraction, and atractyloside fraction) were identified by HPLC, and their targets were screened using the TCMSP database and Swiss Target Prediction. Disease targets were gathered from the TTD, CTD and TCMSP databases. Hub targets were screened by different plug-ins, such as Bisogene, Merge, and CytoNCA, in Cytoscape 3.7.1 software and analyzed for pathways by the DAVID database. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism pharmacological models were established through systems pharmacology based on proteomic and metabolomic techniques. Finally, AMR and its fractions were able to ameliorate the hypothyroidism model to different degrees, whereas no significant improvements were noted in the hyperthyroidism model. The lactones fraction and the crude polysaccharides fraction were considered the most important components of AMR for ameliorating hypothyroidism. These amelioration effects were achieved through promoting substance and energy metabolism. In sum, the integrative approach used in this study demonstrates how network pharmacology, proteomics, and metabolomics can be used effectively to elucidate the efficacy, molecular basis, and mechanism of action of medicines used in TCM.
Currently, the whole world is facing a life-threatening novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Natural products are well-known for their potential role against viral disease, and some anti-viral ...agents have been developed to combat these diseases. Herein, the authors investigated the possible effects of this Holy plant Nigella sativaL. (NS), against coronavirus, using evidence-based and mechanistic approaches to conclude the immune-boosting and alleviation of respiratory systemeffects of NS. The pharmacological studies established a prominent role in treating various respiratory, immune systems, cardiovascular, skin, and gastrointestinal disorders. Literature supported the significant anti-viral role and showed an inhibitory role for NS against MHV-A59 CoV (mouse-hepatitis virus–A59) infected Hela, i.e., HeLaCEACAM1a (HeLa-epithelial carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1a) cell. NS is a safe herbal product or dietary supplement and could be an effective and affordable community adjuvant treatment for coronavirus in the current scenario.
•We studied the temporal stability characteristics of near-surface soil moisture.•The strong temporal persistence existed for near-surface soil moisture.•Identified representative locations ...well-represented the mean soil moisture content.•The mean soil moisture contents can be predicted by other topography and soil factors.•A priori identification of representative locations is presently infeasible for other fields.
Temporal stability analysis is a statistical approach for describing the persistence of spatial patterns and characteristic behavior of soil moisture. Using temporal stability method, we aimed to identify statistically stable locations to estimate mean soil moisture content and examine the feasibility of confirming temporally stable locations by using other properties that were themselves relatively temporally stable. The temporal stability of near-surface soil moisture contents were investigated at three depths at the hillslope scale in an artificial revegetation desert area, China. Soil moisture were measured at soil depth of 0–6, 0–15 and 0–30cm, using temporary frequency-domain reflectometry (FDR) and time domain reflectometry (TDR), at ten locations along a hillslope with relatively homogeneous soil properties and vegetation cover but contrasting topography during May to September in 2006. Summary variables were determined at corresponding locations. Results indicated that strong temporal persistence existed at three depths, and the temporal stability was more pronounced at deep soil layer than at soil surface. The temporal stability characteristics were relatively lack in a state of transition from wet to dry. Identified statistically stable locations at three depths represented well for the mean soil moisture content; the offset values were 0.011, 0.002 and 0.001m3m−3 at 0–6, 0–15 and 0–30cm depth, respectively. The representative site for 0–6cm soil layer can serve as a good indicator of soil moisture at other depths. Elevation and soil properties were the leading factors affecting the spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture at the hillslope scale. The mean soil moisture contents at different depths can be predicted by other topographic and edaphic factors. This study is expected to be useful in characterizing mean soil moisture content in soil profiles on a hillslope scale, which helps to a good management of soil water on sloping land in desert areas.
The major objective of this study was to investigate the anti-chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) mechanism of
by metabolomics and network pharmacology. The study demonstrated that the flavonoids ...and polysaccharides of
could alleviate prostatitis by improving the level of DHT, reducing the secretion of PSA and TNF-α. Besides, both could enhance Na
/K
-ATPase activity, decrease the O
consumption, CO
production, heat production, energy expenditure of rats and promote respiratory exchange ratio of rats. Up to 28 potential biomarkers and 8 key metabolic pathways related to the treatment of CNP were elucidated by the metabolomics analysis, including phenylalanine metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism etc. Network pharmacology prediction also reflected the potential mechanism was associated with tryptophan metabolism and energy pathway. Generally, the potential anti-CNP mechanism of flavonoids and polysaccharides of
might be through reducing the expression of inflammation factors, adjusting the level of hormone and regulating the amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism and glucose and lipid metabolism.
Introduction Symbiotic microbial have a significant impact on the growth and metabolism of medicinal plants. Schisandra chinensis is a very functionally rich medicinal herb; however, its microbial ...composition and diversity have been poorly studied. Methods In the present study, the core microbiomes associated with the rhizospheric soil, roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of S. chinensis from six geographic locations were analyzed by a macro-genomics approach. Results Alpha and beta diversity analyses showed that the diversity of microbial composition of S. chinensis fruits did not differ significantly among the geographic locations as compared to that in different plant compartments. Principal coordinate analysis showed that the microbial communities of S. chinensis fruits from the different ecological locations were both similar and independent. In all S. chinensis samples, Proteobacteria was the most dominant bacterial phylum, and Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the most dominant fungal phyla. Nitrospira, Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomonas , and Pseudomonas were the marker bacterial populations in rhizospheric soils, roots, stems and leaves, and fruits, respectively, and Penicillium, Golubevia , and Cladosporium were the marker fungal populations in the rhizospheric soil and roots, stems and leaves, and fruits, respectively. Functional analyses showed a high abundance of the microbiota mainly in biosynthesis. Discussion The present study determined the fungal structure of the symbiotic microbiome of S. chinensis , which is crucial for improving the yield and quality of S. chinensis .
Recent studies have revealed that the properties Traditional Chinese Medicine is mostly associated with are substance and energy metabolism. Our study aimed to compare the effect of red ginseng (RG) ...(warm property) and ginseng leaves (GL; cold property) on the substance and energy metabolism of rats with hypothyroidism.
Rats were administered propylthiouracil intraperitoneally for 20 d to cause hypothyroidism. The reference group was orally administered Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparaia FZ (Fuzi in Chinese), while both the RG and GL groups were orally administrated crude drugs. The rectal, tail, toe, and axilla temperature of the rats were assayed every 3 d. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, heat production, and energy expenditure were measured via TSE phenoMaster/LabMaster animal monitoring system. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, Na+-K+-ATPase, fumarase, pyruvic acid and cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate were determined.
The lower levels of triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone and the higher level of thyroid stimulating hormone revealed the successful establishment of a hypothyroidism model. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, heat production, and energy expenditure in the FZ and RG groups were obviously increased. The activity of Na+-K+-ATPase and fumarase in the FZ and RG groups was significantly increased. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate level in the FZ and RG groups was increased, while the GL group showed the opposite.
Our research provides a new way to explore the efficiency of Chinese medicine on the basis of the relationship between drug property and effects on substance and energy metabolism.
Nonallergic hypersensitivity reaction (NHR) accounts for more than 77% of all immune-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions and has become a serious threat to public health. Here, proteomics ...was used to study the NHR mechanism of two typical substances, the compound 4880 and ovalbumin. Twelve different proteins were suggested as potential biomarkers for examining the NHR mechanism, and our results revealed that the mechanism mainly encompassed 2 processes, i.e., generation and effect processes. The generation process could be classified as direct stimulation, complement (classical and alternative), coagulation, kallikrein-kinin, and integrated pathways. Thus glutathione peroxidase 1, terminal complement complex (complement factor 4d and Bb), coagulation 13, kininogen-1, and IgE could be used as candidate biomarkers for the indication of the corresponding pathways respectively, the proteins were further confirmed by ELISA. And the effect process was mainly composed of histamine as well as proteins such as DCD and MYLPF, which could be used as important indices for the symptoms of NHR. Our study differs from previous studies in that C4880 was found to not only be involved in the direct stimulation pathway, but also in the activated complement and kallikrein-kinin pathways through the coagulation pathway. We also report for the first time that ovalbumin-induced NHR could be a combination of the coagulation, classical complement, and integrated pathways.
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