The Role of Endogenous Metal Nanoparticles in Biological Systems

The blood and tissues of vertebrate animals and mammals contain small endogenous metal nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were observed to be composed of individual atoms of iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, and other metals. Metal nanoparticles can bind proteins and produce proteinaceous particles called proteons. A small fraction of the entire pool of nanoparticles is usually linked with proteins to form proteons. These endogenous metal nanoparticles, along with engineered zinc and copper nanoparticles at subnanomolar levels, were shown to be lethal to cultured cancer cells. These nanoparticles appear to be elemental crystalline metal nanoparticles. It was discovered that zinc nanoparticles produce no odor response but increase the odor reaction if mixed with an odorant. Some other metal nanoparticles, including copper, silver, gold, and platinum nanoparticles, do not affect the responses to odorants. The sources of metal nanoparticles in animal blood and tissues may include dietary plants and gut microorganisms. The solid physiological and biochemical properties of metal nanoparticles reflect their importance in cell homeostasis and disease.

C3 plant isotopic variability in a boreal mixed woodland: implications for bison and other herbivores

Plant isotopic baselines are critical for accurately reconstructing ancient diets and environments and for using stable isotopes to monitor ecosystem conservation. This study examines the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions (δ13C, δ15N) of terrestrial C3 plants in Elk Island National Park (EINP), Alberta, Canada, with a focus on plants consumed by grazers. EINP is located in a boreal mixed woodland ecozone close to the transition area between historic wood and plains bison habitats, and is currently home to separate herds of wood and plains bison. For this study, 165 C3 plant samples (grasses, sedges, forbs, shrubs, and horsetail) were collected from three habitat types (open, closed, and wet) during two seasons (summer and fall). There were no statistically significant differences in the δ13C or δ15N values of grasses, sedges, shrubs and forbs. On the other hand, plant δ13C and δ15N values varied among habitats and plant parts, and the values increased from summer to fall. These results have several implications for interpreting herbivore tissue isotopic compositions: (1) consuming different proportions of grasses, sedges, shrubs, and forbs might not result in isotopic niche partitioning, (2) feeding in different microhabitats or selecting different parts of the same types of plants could result in isotopic niche partitioning, and (3) seasonal isotopic changes in herbivore tissues could reflect seasonal isotopic changes in dietary plants rather than (or in addition to) changes in animal diet or physiology. In addition, the positively skewed plant δ15N distributions highlight the need for researchers to carefully evaluate the characteristics of their distributions prior to reporting data (e.g., means, standard deviations) or applying statistical models (e.g., parametric tests that assume normality). Overall, this study reiterates the importance of accessing ecosystem-specific isotopic baselines for addressing research questions in archaeology, paleontology, and ecology.

Red Panda feces from Eastern Himalaya as a modern analogue for palaeodietary and palaeoecological analyses

Modern feces samples of the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens) were examined using multiproxy analysis to characterize the dietary patterns in their natural habitat in India. An abundance of Bambusoideae phytoliths and leaves (macrobotanical remains) provide direct evidence of their primary dietary plants. In contrast, Bambusoideae pollen is sporadic or absent in the pollen assemblages. An abundance of Lepisorus spores and its leaves along with broadleaved taxa, Betula, Engelhardtia, and Quercus are indicative of other important food sources. Average δ13C values (− 29.6‰) of the red panda feces indicate typical C3 type of plants as the primary food source, while the, δ15N values vary in narrow range (3.3–5.1‰) but conspicuously reveal a seasonal difference in values most likely due to differing metabolic activities in summer and winter. The multiproxy data can provide a baseline for the reconstruction of the palaeodietary and palaeoecology of extinct herbivores at both regional and global scales.

Loliolide from Artemisia princeps Suppresses Adipogenesis in Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells via Activation of AMPK and Wnt/β-catenin Pathways

Regulating the adipogenic differentiation mechanism is a valid and promising mechanism to battle obesity. Natural products, especially phytochemicals as nutraceuticals, are important lead molecules with significant activities against obesity. Loliolide is a monoterpenoid hydroxyl lactone found in many dietary plants. The effect of loliolide on adipogenic differentiation is yet to be determined. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate its anti-adipogenic potential using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) and assess its mechanism of action. Adipo-induced hBM-MSCs were treated with or without loliolide and their adipogenic characteristics were examined. Loliolide treatment decreased the lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic transcription factors, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1c. Adipo-induced hBM-MSCs also displayed increased AMPK phosphorylation and suppressed MAPK activation following loliolide treatment according to immunoblotting results. Importantly, loliolide could stimulate Wnt10b expression and active β-catenin translocation to exert PPARγ-linked adipogenesis suppression. In conclusion, loliolide was suggested to be a potential anti-adipogenic agent which may be utilized as a lead compound for obesity treatment or prevention.

Medicinal Dietary Plants of the Yi in Mile, Yunnan, China

Background: The Yi is the largest ethnic group in Yunnan Province (China), with a population of five millions. The Yi people tend to live in mountainous areas, and their culture includes a unique dietary system for treating and protecting people against illnesses. Medicinal plants occupy an essential place in the Yi diet because they play a key role in health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, few studies have addressed these medicinal dietary plants and their importance in the Yi’s daily lives. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the medicinal dietary plants used by the Yi in Mile City, (2) document the traditional knowledge held about these plants, (3) identify species with important cultural significance to the Yi in Mile City, and (4) analyze the special preparation methods and consumption habits of these plants. Methods: Field investigations were performed in six villages in Mile City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, from July 2017 to May 2018. Information was collected using direct observation, semi -structured interviews, key informant interviews, individual discussions and focus group discussions. The use -value (UV) and frequency of utilization index (FUI) of these plants were analyzed. Plant samples and voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification.Results: This study documented 124 species belonging to 62 families and 102 genera. These plants included: angiosperms (117 spp.), gymnosperms (3), pteridophytes (2), lichens (1), and fungi (1). The 20 species with the highest UV were noted as being particularly important to the Yi people’s daily life in Mile City. The primary medicinal preparation method for plants recorded in the study was decoction. The most commonly used plant parts were fruits and roots. The most frequently used edible parts were fruits, and the most frequently used medicinal parts were roots. The medicinal parts were used to treat diseases such as rheumatism, oedemas, kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency, gastritis, parasites and so on. Conclusion: A wide variety of medicinal dietary plants are used by the Yi people in Mile City. Those plants, which have both rich nutritional and medicinal value, occupy an essential part of the Yi dietary and medicine culture. Ethnobotanical surveys of medicinal dietary plants provide a theoretical reference for the conservation and sustainable use of the plant resources and could contribute to the protection of the Yi food culture and traditional medicine in Mile City. In addition, this information provides a sound basis for developing and using Yi ethnic medicine and health products.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal dietary plants used by the Yi people in southeastern Yunnan, China

Background With a population of more than 5 million, Yi is the largest of the 25 ethnic groups in Yunnan Province, China. Yi people tend to live in mountainous areas, and their culture includes a unique dietary system for treating illnesses and protecting people against them. Medicinal plants occupy an essential place in the Yi diet because they play a key role in health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. The objectives of this paper were to document the medicinal dietary plants and the traditional knowledge associated with them and describes this paper adequately. Methods Field investigations were carried out in six villages in Mile County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, from July 2017 to May 2018. Information was collected using participatory rural appraisal (PRA), direct observation, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, individual discussions, focus group discussions, and questionnaires. Results The study documented 124 species belonging to 62 families and 102 genera. These included: angiosperms (117 spp.), gymnosperms (3), pteridophytes (2), lichens (1), and fungi (1). The most commonly used plant parts were fruits and roots. The most frequently used edible parts were fruits, and the most frequently used medicinal parts were roots. The medicinal parts were used to treat conditions such as cough, catarrh, rheumatism, swelling, kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency, gastric disease, and others. Some of the plants required special preparation. Several had good economic potential due to their significant effects. In addition, a number of these plants are scarce and require conservation. The use-value (UV) and frequency of utilization index (FUI) of medicinal dietary plant species were analyzed. The 20 species with the highest UV were noted as particularly important to the Yi people’s daily life in Mile county. Conclusion A wide variety of medicinal dietary plants is used by Yi people in Mile. These plants occupy an essential position in the Yi diet and medicine. These plants are not only nutritious but also have medicinal value and, by consuming them, the Yi people maintain health and treat diseases through their daily diet. Ethnobotanical surveys of medicinal dietary plants provide a theoretical reference for the conservation and sustainable use of these plant resources and can contribute to the protection of the Yi food culture and traditional medicine in Mile. In addition, this information provides a basis for the development and utilization of Yi ethnic medicine and health products.

Pharmacologic Overview of Chlorogenic Acid and its Metabolites in Chronic Pain and Inflammation

Background: Natural phenolic compounds in medicinal herbs and dietary plants are antioxidants which play therapeutic or preventive roles in different pathological situations, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. One of the most studied phenolic compounds in the last decade is chlorogenic acid (CGA), which is a potent antioxidant found in certain foods and drinks. Objective: This review focuses on the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive bioactivities of CGA, and the putative mechanisms of action are described. Ethnopharmacological reports related to these bioactivities are also reviewed. Materials and Methods: An electronic literature search was conducted by authors up to October 2019. Original articles were selected. Results: CGA has been shown to reduce inflammation and modulate inflammatory and neuropathic pain in animal models. Conclusion: The consensus of the literature search was that systemic CGA may facilitate pain management via bolstering antioxidant defenses against inflammatory insults.