In Silico Prediction and Bioactivity Evaluation of Chemical Ingredients Against Influenza A Virus From Isatis tinctoria L

Influenza A virus (IAV) is one of the major causes of seasonal endemic diseases and unpredictable periodic pandemics. Due to the high mutation rate and drug resistance, it poses a persistent threat and challenge to public health. Isatis tinctoria L. (Banlangen, BLG), a traditional herbal medicine widely used in Asian countries, has been reported to possess strong efficacy on respiratory viruses, including IAV. However, its effective anti-IAV components and the mechanism of actions (MOAs) are not yet fully elucidated. In this study, we first summarized the chemical components and corresponding contents in BLG according to current available chemical analysis literature. We then presented a network-based in silico framework for identifying potential drug candidates against IAV from BLG. A total of 269 components in BLG were initially screened by drug-likeness and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) evaluation. Thereafter, network predictive models were built via the integration of compound–target networks and influenza virus–host proteins. We highlighted 23 compounds that possessed high potential as anti-influenza virus agents. Through experimental evaluation, six compounds, namely, eupatorin, dinatin, linarin, tryptanthrin, indirubin, and acacetin, exhibited good inhibitory activity against wild-type H1N1 and H3N2. Particularly, they also exerted significant effects on drug-resistant strains. Finally, we explored the anti-IAV MOAs of BLG and showcased the potential biological pathways by systems pharmacology analysis. In conclusion, this work provides important information on BLG regarding its use in the development of anti-IAV drugs, and the network-based prediction framework proposed here also offers a powerfulful strategy for the in silico identification of novel drug candidates from complex components of herbal medicine.

Effects of perlite, grass charcoal and vermiculite on root growth of isatis (Isatis tinctoria L. Woad) and soil nutrient migration

Effects of perlite, vermiculite, and grass charcoal on root growth of Isatis and soil nutrients migration were studied, and the plant growth indicators and some soil properties of upper (0~5cm) and lower layer (5~15cm) were analyzed. The experiment treatments were loess (CK), loess : perlite = 3 : 1(A), loess : grass charcoal = 3 : 1(B), loess : vermiculite = 3 : 1(C), loess: perlite: grass charcoal = 6 : 1 : 1(A1), loess: perlite: vermiculite = 6 : 1 : 1(B1), loess: grass charcoal: vermiculite = 6 : 1 : 1(C1). The results showed that soil pH of vermiculite-containing treatments in the upper layer and grass charcoal treatment in the lower layer decreased significantly. Before planting, the available potassium and phosphorus of the upper layer were significantly higher than those of the lower layer, and soil organic matter (SOM) was slightly higher than that of the lower layer. After planting, the decrease of available potassium in the upper layer was less than that of the lower layer, and the decrease of available phosphorus and increase of SOM in the upper layer were slightly higher than that of the lower layer. In sum, it is preferred to choose B (loess : grass charcoal = 3 : 1) and A1 (loess: perlite: grass charcoal = 6 : 1 : 1) to improve the soil nutrient and utilization efficiency. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 947-954, 2021 (September) Special

Microscopic Mass Spectrometry Imaging Reveals the Distribution of Phytochemicals in the Dried Root of Isatis tinctoria

The dried root of Isatis tinctoria L. (Brassicaceae) is one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicines with well-recognized prevention and treatment effects against viral infections. Above 300 components have been isolated from this herb, but their spatial distribution in the root tissue remains unknown. In recent years, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become a booming technology for capturing the spatial accumulation and localization of molecules in fresh plants, animal, or human tissues. However, few studies were conducted on the dried herbal materials due to the obstacles in cryosectioning. In this study, distribution of phytochemicals in the dried root of Isatis tinctoria was revealed by microscopic mass spectrometry imaging, with application of atmospheric pressure–matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI) and ion trap–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (IT-TOF/MS). After optimization of the slice preparation and matrix application, 118 ions were identified without extraction and isolation, and the locations of some metabolites in the dried root of Isatis tinctoria were comprehensively visualized for the first time. Combining with partial least square (PLS) regression, samples collected from four habitats were differentiated unambiguously based on their mass spectrometry imaging.

A rapid method for identifying ploidy level in Isatis indigotica Fortune and Isatis tinctoria Linnaeus

The genus Isatis is widely distributed throughout the world. In this work, thirty-two Isatis indigotica Fortune germplasms, collected from different regions and geographical locations in China, were analyzed the ploidy levels by flow cytometry. I. indigotica Fort. and Isatis tinctoria Linnaeus distinguished with root tip chromosome compression staining and cell flow cytometry. Microscopic observation showed that the chromosome numbers of I. indigotica Fort. and I. tinctoria L. were 2n = 14 and 2n = 28, respectively. In order to establish a flow cytometric nuclear experiment system suitable for I. indigotica Fort., the leaves of I. indigotica Fort. were used to prepare nuclear suspension with LB01, OTTO, Tris·MgCl2, patent of Luochang and Galbraith extraction buffer. It was found that the histogram generated by LB01, OTTO, Tris·MgCl2 and Patent of Luochang dissociation solution has poor peak shapes and large CV values, and Galbraith dissociation solution extraction buffer was suitable for extracting nuclei from most germplasms. Flow cytometry proved to be a simple, rapid, and highly accurate method for identifying ploidy levels Isatis species.

A Comprehensive Review of the Chemistry, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, Adverse Events, and Quality Control of Indigo Naturalis

Indigo naturalis (IN), which is derived from indigo plants such as Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze, Persicaria tinctoria (Aiton) Spach, and Isatis tinctoria L., has been traditionally used in the treatment of hemoptysis, epistaxis, chest pain, aphtha, and infantile convulsion in China for thousands of years. Clinical trials have shown that the curative effect of IN for psoriasis and ulcerative colitis (UC) is remarkable. A total of sixty-three compounds, including indole alkaloids, terpenoids, organic acids, steroids, and nucleosides, have been isolated from IN, of which indole alkaloids are the most important. Indirubin, isolated from IN, was used as a new agent to treat leukemia in China in the 1970s. Indirubin is also an active ingredient in the treatment of psoriasis. Pharmacological studies have confirmed that IN has inhibitory effects on inflammation, tumors, bacteria, and psoriasis. Indigo, indirubin, tryptanthrin, isorhamnetin, indigodole A, and indigodole C are responsible for these activities. This review provides up-to-date and comprehensive information on IN with regard to its chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, clinical applications, adverse events, and quality control. This review may also serve a reference for further research on IN.