Severe Arrhythmia Caused by a Chinese Herb Liquor

Background:: Icariin (ICA), one of the main effective components isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., has been reported to possess extensive pharmacological actions, including enhanced sexual function, immune regulation, anti-inflammation, and antiosteoporosis. Methods:: Our study was designed to investigate the effect of ICA on cell proliferation and differentiation and the molecular mechanism of OPG/RANKL mediated by the Estrogen Receptor (ER) in hFOB1.19 human osteoblast cells. Results:: The experimental results show that ICA can stimulate cell proliferation and increase the activity of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Osteocalcin (BGP) and I Collagen (Col I) and a number of calcified nodules. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression of OPG and RANKL and the OPG/ RANKL mRNA and protein expression ratios were upregulated by ICA. The above-mentioned results indicated that the optimal concentration of ICA for stimulating osteogenesis was 50ng/mL. Subsequent mechanistic studies comparing 50ng/mL ICA with an estrogen receptor antagonist demonstrated that the effect of the upregulated expression is connected with the estrogen receptor. In conclusion, ICA can regulate bone formation by promoting cell proliferation and differentiation and upregulating the OPG/RANKL expression ratio by the ER in hFOB1.19 human osteoblast cells.

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Identification and Expression Profiling of Nonphosphorus Glycerolipid Synthase Genes in Response to Abiotic Stresses in Dendrobium catenatum

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10061204 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1204

Author(s):

Xinqiao Zhan ◽

Yichun Qian ◽

Bizeng Mao

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Drought Stress ◽

Expression Profiling ◽

Abiotic Stresses ◽

Membrane Lipids ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Limited Information ◽

Gene Structures ◽

Functional Investigation

Dendrobium catenatum, a valuable Chinese herb, frequently experiences abiotic stresses, such as cold and drought, under natural conditions. Nonphosphorus glycerolipid synthase (NGLS) genes are closely linked to the homeostasis of membrane lipids under abiotic stress in plants. However, there is limited information on NGLS genes in D. catenatum. In this study, a total of eight DcaNGLS genes were identified from the D. catenatum genome; these included three monogalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase (DcaMGD1, 2, 3) genes, two digalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase (DcaDGD1, 2) genes, and three sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol synthase (DcaSQD1, 2.1, 2.2) genes. The gene structures and conserved motifs in the DcaNGLSs showed a high conservation during their evolution. Gene expression profiling showed that the DcaNGLSs were highly expressed in specific tissues and during rapid growth stages. Furthermore, most DcaNGLSs were strongly induced by freezing and post-freezing recovery. DcaMGD1 and DcaSQDs were greatly induced by salt stress in leaves, while DcaDGDs were primarily induced by salt stress in roots. Under drought stress, most DcaNGLSs were regulated by circadian rhythms, and DcaSQD2 was closely associated with drought recovery. Transcriptome analysis also revealed that MYB might be regulated by circadian rhythm and co-expressed with DcaNGLSs under drought stress. These results provide insight for the further functional investigation of NGLS and the regulation of nonphosphorus glycerolipid biosynthesis in Dendrobium.

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Modulation of the growth performance, biochemical parameters, and non-specific immune responses of the hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×E. lanceolatus♂) by two kinds of Chinese herb

Aquaculture Reports ◽

10.1016/j.aqrep.2021.100604 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 100604

Author(s):

Qi He ◽

Shiqiang Xiao ◽

Chunli Zhang ◽

Yanfa Zhang ◽

Herong Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Biochemical Parameters ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Hybrid Grouper ◽

Epinephelus Fuscoguttatus

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Icariin protects against cage layer osteoporosis by intervening in steroid biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism

Animal Diseases ◽

10.1186/s44149-021-00001-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhengwang Yu ◽

Jie Huang ◽

Zhongxin Zhou

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Steroid Biosynthesis ◽

Metabolic Pathway Analysis ◽

Effective Prevention ◽

Calcium Diet ◽

Low Calcium Diet ◽

Low Calcium

AbstractCage layer osteoporosis (CLO) is a common bone metabolism disease in the breeding industry of China. However, effective prevention for CLO has not been developed. Icariin (ICA), the main bioactive component of the Chinese herb Epimedium, has been shown to have good therapeutic effects on bone-related diseases. In this study, the effects of ICA were further evaluated in a low-calcium diet-induced CLO, and a serum metabolomics assay was performed to understand the underlying mechanisms. A total of 144 31-wk-old Lohmann pink-shell laying hens were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 6 replicates of 6 hens per replicate. The 4 dietary treatment groups consisted of a basal diet (3.5% calcium), a low-calcium diet (2.0% calcium), and a low-calcium diet supplemented with 0.5 or 2.0 g/kg ICA. The results showed that ICA exerted good osteoprotective effects on low-calcium diet-induced CLO. ICA significantly increased femur bone mineral density, improved bone microstructure, decreased bone metabolic level, and upregulated mRNA expression of bone formation genes in femoral bone tissue. Serum untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that 8 metabolite levels were significantly changed after ICA treatment, including increased contents of 7-dehydrocholesterol, 7-oxocholesterol, desmosterol, PC (18:1(9Z)/18:1(9Z)), PS (18:0/18:1(9Z)), N,N-dimethylaniline and 2-hydroxy-butanoic acid and decreased N2,N2-dimethylguanosine. Metabolic pathway analysis based on the above 8 metabolites indicated that ICA mainly perturbed steroid biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism. These findings suggest that ICA can effectively prevent bone loss in low-calcium diet-induced CLO by mediating steroid biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism and provide new information for the regulation of bone metabolic diseases.

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Digital RNA-seq transcriptome plus tissue anatomy analyses reveal the developmental mechanism of the calabash-shaped root in Tetrastigma hemsleyanum

Tree Physiology ◽

10.1093/treephys/tpab024 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Taihe Xiang ◽

Jiangshan Li ◽

Shuying Bao ◽

Zhengxian Xu ◽

Leizhen Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Membrane ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Acc Oxidase ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Cell Periphery ◽

Vascular Bundles ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Short Root ◽

Tetrastigma Hemsleyanum ◽

Intrinsic Component

Abstract Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is a liana plant with promising medicinal and ornamental values. Its calabash-shaped roots (CRs) are served as a traditional Chinese herb. However, it takes a long growth period to form CRs. In the present study, three types of architectural roots, including fine roots (FRs), bar-shaped roots (BRs) and CRs, were employed as materials, and the characteristics of histo-anatomy and digital RNA-seq transcriptome profiles were analyzed. Among the three types of roots, the vascular bundles in FRs were intact, while some of the vascular bundles degenerated in BRs, and only few traces of vascular bundles existed in CRs. Meanwhile, no obvious cell inclusions were found in the cytoplasm of FRs, while a few inclusions were found in BRs, and abundant inclusions were detected in CRs, which might be the main source of medicinal components in roots. The transcriptome profiles and qRT-PCR validation indicated that seven up-regulated genes encoding xyloglucan glycosyltransferase, ACC oxidase, CYP711A1, SHORT-ROOT transcript factor, galacturonosyltransferas, WAT1 and WRKY, and two down-regulated genes encoded LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase and CYP83B1, were probably involved in the formation and development of CRs. Besides, GO terms of intrinsic component of membrane, integral component of membrane, cell periphery, membrane part, plasma membrane, membrane, intrinsic component of plasma membrane, cellular chemical homeostasis, and plasma membrane part were probably related to the formation of CRs. KEGG pathways related to the development of CRs probably included MAPK signaling pathway-plant, plant hormone signal transduction, and circadian rhythm-plant. Our finding suggested a probable mode for the formation of CRs.

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Icaritin promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation by down-regulating AFP gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08043-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hui Li ◽

Yujuan Liu ◽

Wei Jiang ◽

Junhui Xue ◽

Yuning Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Liver Cancer ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

New Drugs ◽

Phase Iii ◽

P53 Expression ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Cellular Apoptosis ◽

Afp Promoter

Abstract Background Icaritin, an active ingredient of the Chinese herb Epimedium, plays an anti-tumor role in liver cancer by inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular cells and promoting their apoptosis. In China, phase II and a large phase III clinical trial of icaritin reagent for the treatment of hepatocellular cancer is under-going, but the specific mechanism of icaritin action was unclear. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), an oncofetal protein, produced in the healthy fetal liver and yolk sac. Intracellular AFP promoted cellular proliferation and inhibited cellular apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study was aimed to investigate the effect of icaritin on HCC through p53/AFP pathway. Methods Real-time RT PCR and western blot were used to detect p53 and AFP expression levels in HCC cells treated with icaritin. The mechanism of icaritin affecting p53 expression was verified by ubiquitination experiment, and the binding activity of icaritin on p53 in AFP promoter region was verified by luciferase experiment. EdU, MTT and flow cytometry were used to determine whether icaritin affected HCC cellular proliferation and apoptosis through p53/ AFP pathway. Expression levels of p53 and AFP in xenograft mouse model were determined by western blotting. Results Our results showed icaritin inhibited AFP expression at mRNA and protein level. AFP was also identified as the target gene of the p53 transcription factor. Icaritin abrogated murine double minute (Mdm) 2-mediated p53 ubiquitination degradation to improve the stability of p53. Up-regulated p53 protein levels then transcriptionally inhibited the AFP promoter. Icaritin-mediated decrease of AFP through Mdm2/p53 pathways inhibited HCC cellular proliferation and promoted HCC cellular apoptosis. Conclusion Our findings revealed the mechanism of icaritin in promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation in liver cancer cells. The regulatory mechanism of icaritin in AFP protein down-regulation provides a theoretical and experimental basis for further research into new drugs for the treatment of liver cancer.

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Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of traditional Chinese herb, Solanum japonense Nakai. (Solanaceae)

Mitochondrial DNA Part B ◽

10.1080/23802359.2020.1860713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 211-213

Author(s):

Xiaoxia Zhang ◽

Xiaofeng Zhang ◽

Huan Wang ◽

Shilong Chen ◽

Tingfeng Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chloroplast Genome ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Complete Chloroplast Genome ◽

Traditional Chinese Herb

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The complete chloroplast genome of Isodon rubescens, a traditional Chinese herb

Mitochondrial DNA Part B ◽

10.1080/23802359.2020.1860704 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 337-338

Author(s):

Zhiyong Yue ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Baozhen Zhou ◽

Hanping Wang

Keyword(s):

Chloroplast Genome ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Complete Chloroplast Genome ◽

Traditional Chinese Herb

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HBP1-mediated transcriptional repression of AFP inhibits hepatoma progression

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research ◽

10.1186/s13046-021-01881-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhengyi Cao ◽

Yuning Cheng ◽

Jiyin Wang ◽

Yujuan Liu ◽

Ruixiang Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transcriptional Regulation ◽

Transcriptional Repression ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Gene Promoter ◽

Hepatoma Cells ◽

Luciferase Assay ◽

B Virus ◽

And Migration ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Common Malignancy

Abstract Background Hepatoma is a common malignancy of the liver. The abnormal high expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is intimately associated with hepatoma progress, but the mechanism of transcriptional regulation and singularly activation of AFP gene in hepatoma is not clear. Methods The expression of transcription factor HBP1 and AFP and clinical significance were further analyzed in hepatoma tissues from the patients who received surgery or TACE and then monitored for relapse for up 10 years. HBP1-mediated transcriptional regulation of AFP was analyzed by Western blotting, Luciferase assay, Realtime-PCR, ChIP and EMSA. After verified the axis of HBP-AFP, its impact on hepatoma was measured by MTT, Transwell and FACS in hepatoma cells and by tumorigenesis in HBP1−/− mice. Results The relative expressions of HBP1 and AFP correlated with survival and prognosis in hepatoma patients. HBP1 repressed the expression of AFP gene by directly binding to the AFP gene promoter. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-encoded protein HBx promoted malignancy in hepatoma cells through binding to HBP1 directly. Icaritin, an active ingredient of Chinese herb epimedium, inhibited malignancy in hepatoma cells through enhancing HBP1 transrepression of AFP. The repression of AFP by HBP1 attenuated AFP effect on PTEN, MMP9 and caspase-3, thus inhibited proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells. The deregulation of AFP by HBP1 contributed to hepatoma progression in mice. Conclusions Our data clarify the mechanism of HBP1 in inhibiting the expression of AFP and its suppression in malignancy of hepatoma cells, providing a more comprehensive theoretical basis and potential solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatoma.

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