Effects of the Cistanche tubulosa Aqueous Extract on the Gut Microbiota of Mice with Intestinal Disorders

Disorders of the gut microbiota are associated with many diseases. The aqueous extract from Cistanche tubulosa (CT), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been reported to play a role in protecting the human intestine. However, little is known about its effects on the gut microbiota. The present study was carried out to determine whether the CT aqueous extract can modulate the gut microbiome in mice with intestinal disorders. We found that the damaged intestinal morphology resulting from treatment with cefixime could be rescued using the CT aqueous extract. The comparison of microbial diversity between mice treated with the CT extract and control mice also indicated that the disorder in the microbiome community of model groups could be restored by treatment with high and medium concentrations of the CT aqueous extract. Treatment with cefixime led to a significant decrease in lactic acid bacteria; however, the supplementation of the CT aqueous extract recovered the growth of these lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, the CT aqueous extract was able to moderate the dramatic changes in the metabolic pathways of the gut microbiome induced by cefixime. These findings provided an insight into the beneficial effects of the CT aqueous extract on gut microbiota, and they also provided an important reference for the development of related drugs in the future.

Volatile Constituents of Cistanche tubulosa and Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials

The hydrodistilled volatile constituents of Cistanche tubulosa (commonly known as Desert Ginseng) have been chemically and biologically investigated. Based on the retention times and mass fragmentation of the obtained GC-MS chromatogram, 106 individual components which representing ≈ 99.29 % of the total volatile constituents have been identified. The major compounds (66.57% of the total composition) were identified as hexanal (15.98%), trans-sabinyl acetate (12.22%), allo-aromadendrene (9.30%), nonanoic acid (6.66%), 3Z- hexeny-2-methyl butanoate (6.09%), valeranone (5.25%), (E, E)-α-Farnesene (3.18%), a-pinene (3.06%), linalool isovalerate (3.03%) and a-humulene (1.8%). Estimation of the antioxidant activity of EO showed promising effect at 80 mg/mL concentration, it exerted 62.40, 863.29 and 62.72 % inhibition compared to TBHQ that showed 78.62, 77.56 and 79.23 % inhibition using DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene/Linoleic acid, respectively. The antioxidant activity was pronounced at 80 mg/mL than other concentrations. The volatile constituents showed inhibitory activity against gram positive bacteria ranged from 2.23 mg/100 mL ( for staphylococcus aureus ), and 15.68 mg/100 mL (for Bacillus cereus) compared to ciprofloxacin which showed inhibitory activity 0.185, and 0.182 mg/100 mL, respectively. Moreover, the MIC of volatiles towards gram negative bacteria are ranged from 18.35 (Escherichia coli) to 31.61 mg/100 mL (Klebsiella pneumonia) compared to ciprofloxacin with 0.184 to 0.188 mg/mL respectively. Additionally, the antifungal activity against candida albicans was rather promising (4.36 mg/mL).

Effects of Cistanche tubulosa Wight Extract on Locomotive Syndrome: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

In an aging society, preventing dysfunction and restoring function of the locomotive organs are necessary for long-term quality of life. Few interventional studies have investigated supplementation for locomotive syndrome. Additionally, very few interventional clinical studies on locomotive syndrome have been performed as placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind studies. We previously found that the administration of 30% ethanolic extract of Cistanche tubulosa improved walking ability in a cast-immobilized skeletal muscle atrophy mouse model. Therefore, we conducted a clinical study to evaluate the effects of C. tubulosa (CT) extract on the locomotive syndrome. Twenty-six subjects with pre-symptomatic or mild locomotive syndrome completed all tests and were analyzed in the study. Analyses of muscle mass and physical activity were performed based on the full analysis set. Intake of CT extract for 12 weeks increased step width (two-step test) and gait speed (5 m walking test) in patients over 60 years old compared with those in a placebo control (p = 0.046). In contrast, the skeletal muscle mass of the body trunk and limbs was unchanged following administration of CT extract. Adverse effects were evaluated by blood tests; no obvious adverse events were observed following the intake of CT extract. In conclusion, this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study demonstrated that treatment with CT extract significantly prevented a decline in walking ability without any notable adverse effects in patients with locomotive syndrome.

Cistanche Tubulosa Phenylethanoid Glycosides Induce Apoptosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Mitochondria-Dependent and MAPK Pathways and Enhance Antitumor Effect Through Combination With Cisplatin

BackgroundPrevious studies have been demonstrated that Cistanche tubulosa phenylethanoid glycosides (CTPG) exhibit antitumor effects on a variety of tumor cells. However, the antitumor effects of CTPG on HepG2 and BEL-7404 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are still elusive.ResultsOur study showed that CTPG significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 and BEL-7404 cells through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which was associated with the activation of MAPK pathways characterized by the up-regulated phosphorylation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 and mitochondria-dependent pathway characterized by the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. The release of cytochrome c and the cleavage of caspase-3, -7, -9 and PARP were subsequently increased by CTPG treatment. Moreover, CTPG significantly suppressed the migration of HepG2 through reducing the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Interestingly, CTPG not only enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes but also reduced the apoptosis of splenocytes induced by cisplatin. In H22 tumor mouse model, CTPG combined with cisplatin further inhibited the growth of H22 cells and reduced the side effects of cisplatin.ConclusionTaken together, CTPG inhibited the growth of HCC through direct antitumor effect and indirect immunoenhancement effect, improved the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin.

Cistanche tubulosa Phenylethanoid Glycosides Induce Apoptosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Mitochondria-Dependent and MAPK Pathways and Enhance Antitumor Effect through Combination with Cisplatin

Cistanche tubulosa is a type of Chinese herbal medicine and exerts various biological functions. Previous studies have been demonstrated that Cistanche tubulosa phenylethanoid glycosides (CTPG) exhibit antitumor effects on a variety of tumor cells. However, the antitumor effects of CTPG on HepG2 and BEL-7404 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are still elusive. Our study showed that CTPG significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 and BEL-7404 cells through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which was associated with the activation of MAPK pathways characterized by the up-regulated phosphorylation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 and mitochondria-dependent pathway characterized by the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. The release of cytochrome c and the cleavage of caspase-3, -7, -9, and PARP were subsequently increased by CTPG treatment. Moreover, CTPG significantly suppressed the migration of HepG2 through reducing the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Interestingly, CTPG not only enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes but also reduced the apoptosis of splenocytes induced by cisplatin. In H22 tumor mouse model, CTPG combined with cisplatin further inhibited the growth of H22 cells and reduced the side effects of cisplatin. Taken together, CTPG inhibited the growth of HCC through direct antitumor effect and indirect immunoenhancement effect, and improved the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin.