•Two new polysaccharides were purified from stem of P. alkekengi.•Hydrolyzed monosaccharides were identified by HPLC with a refractive index detector.•Surface characteristics of two polysaccharides ...are different.•Two purified polysaccharides showed some different antioxidant properties.•Purified polysaccharides possess potential Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.
Physalis alkekengi L. (P. alkekengi) is an important medicinal plant in China. In this study, two polysaccharides (SPAP-1 and SPAP-2) were isolated from the stem of P. alkekengi using hot water extraction method. The extract was further purified by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-200 chromatography. The chemical characteristics, surface features and thermal stability of SPAP-1 and SPAP-2 were evaluated. For the first time, high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection and amino column (without sample derivatization) was performed to analyze the monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides obtained from the stem of P. alkekengi. As a result, SPAP-1 (Mw = 9.1 kDa) consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, galacturonic acid, mannose, and glucose in the ratio of 1.0:1.5:1.9:29.1:1.03, while SPAP-2 (Mw = 13.5 kDa) comprised of rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, mannose and glucose in the ratio of 31.8:14.8:1.0:6.5:22.6. Additionally, the antioxidant effects of SPAP-1 and SPAP-2 were evaluated by ferric reducing power, 2,2′-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate acid) (ABTS) and 2.2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The results showed that the purified polysaccharides exerted significant scavenging activities. Subsequently, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects in vitro of the polysaccharides were investigated, which showed that, SPAP-1 and SPAP-2 showed moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Thus, the polysaccharide content in P. alkekengi stem as promising source of natural products possess good antioxidant activities and may exert beneficial effects on cognitive function.
Polysaccharides from Physalis alkekengi L. have been proven to possess many biological activities. In our previous study, a homogeneous polysaccharide (PPSB) was extracted and purified from the ...fruits of Physalis alkekengi L., and the structure characterization was analyzed. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PPSB on RAW264.7 macrophage cells activation and the underlying molecular mechanism. PPSB could activate RAW264.7 cells by not only enhancing the pinocytic and phagocytic activity, but also promoting the production of NO, ROS, TNF-α, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. Meanwhile, PPSB up-regulated the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I/II) and costimulatory molecules such as CD40, CD80 and CD86. Mechanism studies showed that PPSB induced the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways. Moreover, the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 induced by PPSB in RAW264.7 cells were suppressed by specific MAPKs and NF-κB inhibitors. Further experiments with blocking antibodies demonstrated that the releases of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 and the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB induced by PPSB were decreased after TLR2 and TLR4 were blocked. Our date illustrated that PPSB was capable of activating the RAW264.7 cells via MAPKs and NF-κB signaling mediated by TLR2 and TLR4.
•PPSB promoted the cell proliferation, pinocytosis and phagocytosis, and the production of NO, ROS and cytokines in RAW264.7.•PPSB upregulated the expressions of major histocompatibility complex and costimulatory molecules on RAW264.7 cells.•PPSB activated the MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells.•TLR2 and TLR4 were involved in PPSB-induced activation of RAW264.7 cells.
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•Physalinol A was identified from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino.•The absolute configurations was evidenced by ECD calculations and X-ray diffraction.•The ...compound 1 with a rare 1,10-seco-7,10-peroxy bridge structure.
Physalinol A (1), a novel 1, 10-seco-physalin with a peroxy bridge, was isolated from the organic extracts of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino. The structure was determined on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was evidenced by X-ray diffraction data and further confirmed by ECD calculations. The isolated compound 1 has no cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and PC-3 cancer cell lines and a weak antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coil. In addition, compound 1 also exhibited a weak anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysacaride (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with an IC50 value of 57.3 ± 1.03 μM.
Physalins, active ingredients from the
Physalis alkekengi
L. var.
franchetii
(
P. alkekengi
) plant, have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities. Whereas the bioactivity of ...physalins have been confirmed, their biosynthetic pathways, and those of quite a few derivatives, remain unknown. In this paper, biosynthesis and structure modification-related genes of physalins were mined through transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling. Firstly, we rapidly and conveniently analyzed physalins by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS utilizing mass accuracy, diagnostic fragment ions, and common neutral losses. In all, 58 different physalin metabolites were isolated from
P. alkekengi
calyxes and berries. In an analysis of the physalin biosynthesis pathway, we determined that withanolides and withaphysalins may represent a crucial intermediate between lanosterol and physalins. and those steps were decanted according to previous reports. Our results provide valuable information on the physalin metabolites and the candidate enzymes involved in the physalins biosynthesis pathways of
P. alkekengi
. In addition, we further analyzed differential metabolites collected from calyxes in the Jilin (Daodi of
P. alkekengi
) and others. Among them, 20 physalin metabolites may represent herb quality biomarkers for Daodi
P. alkekengi
, providing an essential role in directing the quality control index of
P. alkekengi
.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, and recurring inflammatory skin disease. Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast) Makino (PAF), a traditional Chinese medicine, is primarily used for ...the clinical treatment of AD. In this study, a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced AD BALB/c mouse model was established, and a comprehensive pharmacological method was used to determine the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of PAF in the treatment of AD. The results indicated that both PAF gel (PAFG) and PAFG+MF (mometasone furoate) attenuated the severity of AD and reduced the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells in the skin. Serum metabolomics showed that PAFG combined with MF administration exerted a synergistic effect by remodeling metabolic disorders in mice. In addition, PAFG also alleviated the side effects of thymic atrophy and growth inhibition induced by MF. Network pharmacology predicted that the active ingredients of PAF were flavonoids and exerted therapeutic effects through anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that PAFG inhibited the inflammatory response through the ERβ/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway. Our results revealed that PAF can be used as a natural-source drug with good development prospects for the clinical treatment of AD.
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•PAF combined with MF plays a synergistic therapeutic effect and alleviates the side effects caused by MF alone.•PAF suppresses AD-induced inflammatory response by suppressing Th2 immune response.•The active components of PAF in improving skin inflammation are flavonoids.•PAF treats AD by activating the ERβ/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway.
Carotenoid profiles of fruits and calyces of red (Physalis alkekengi L.) and yellow (P. pubescens L.) Physalis were characterized by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS
. Altogether 69 carotenoids were detected in red ...Physalis, thereof, 45 were identified. In yellow Physalis, 40 carotenoids were detected and 33 were identified. Zeaxanthin esters with various fatty acids were found to be the most abundant carotenoids in red Physalis, accounting for 51-63% of total carotenoids, followed by β-cryptoxanthin esters (16-24%). In yellow Physalis, mainly free carotenoids such as lutein and β-carotene were found. Total carotenoid contents ranged between 19.8 and 21.6 mg/100 g fresh red Physalis fruits and 1.28-1.38 mg/100 g fresh yellow Physalis fruits, demonstrating that Physalis fruits are rich sources of dietary carotenoids. Yellow Physalis calyces contained only 153-306 μg carotenoids/g dry weight, while those of red Physalis contained substantially higher amounts (14.6-17.6 mg/g dry weight), thus possibly exhibiting great potential as a natural source for commercial zeaxanthin extraction.
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are commonly found in thermally processed foods, and long-term high AGE feeding has been reported to have negative effects on body health. In the current study, ...the effect of Physalis alkekengi L. fruit polysaccharide (PFP) on preventing dietary AGE-induced insulin resistance (IR) in mice was investigated. The results showed that PFP administration can significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance induced by dietary AGEs in mice. Compared to AGE-treated mice, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS) index of PFP-treated mice were improved significantly (p < 0.05). The levels of endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines in the liver decreased, while the levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 and insulin receptor substrate-2 in the liver increased (p < 0.05). The 16S rRNA analysis showed that PFP administration reversed the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and reduced lipopolysaccharide generation and inflammation-related bacteria, including Desulfovibrio and Acetatifactor. In addition, PFP administration also increased short-chain fatty acid levels in feces compared to dietary AGE-treated mice. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that certain specific genera, including Alistipes and Caproiciproducens, are closely related to IR-related parameters. These findings suggest that PFP can prevent dietary AGE-induced IR by modulating the gut microbiota and increasing microbial metabolites.
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Physalis Calyx seu Fructus (PCF) is a herb widely used in China for its function of clearing heat and detoxifying, benefitting the pharynx and reducing phlegm, both in health care and in tea ...drinking. However, the quality of its fruit and calyx is uneven and the storage period is short. Therefore, it is crucial to develop other parts of PCF with longer storage periods and obvious medicinal effects. Firstly, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to develop the fingerprint of different parts of PCF, and various chemometric analyses were conducted to screen out chemical markers. The calyxes of PCF were found to cluster together, distinct from the fruits, roots, stems and leaves. The active components of PCF were concentrated in the persistent calyxes, and flavonoids were mainly found in the persistent calyxes and leaves. Secondly, the extraction of persistent calyxes showed the strongest scavenging ability of DPPH and ABTS. Finally, the important chemical markers were verified by network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking. It provides a reference for the clinical application of PCF, and the obtained chemical markers offer a scientific basis for quality evaluation.
