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Background: Ilex asprella (Hook. Et Arn.) Champ. Ex Benth. is one of the representative medicinal plants that naturally grows in South China. It serves as a major component of herbal tea as an aid for sore throat, toothache, and acne, and it is a folk medicine for treating upper respiratory tract inflammation resulting from fever, infectious hepati...
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Context 1
... peak areas versus the five concentration of the analytes (0.5, 5, 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL for each) were plotted for the construction of the chlorogenic acid, luteoloside, quercitrin, quercetin, and kaempferol and the calibration curves for the HPLC quantification approach. Table 1 presented the correlation coefficients, the calibration curve, and linearity curve equations in the Supplemental Information through combining the MS spectrum and the retention time (RT) with reference compound. Afterward, the LOQ and LOD were decided through the dilution of the analyte solutions until reaching the S/N, which were supposed to be between 3 and 10. ...Context 2
... were, altogether, 12 components of the samples of Ilex asprella being tentatively identified, which represented the most obvious detectable five peaks, by matching the empirical molecular formula according to the known components in the previous literature. The RTs, accurate masses, and fragment ions are summarized in Table 1. Also, Figure 1 presents the structures of the identified components. ...Similar publications
Background: Ilex asprella (Hook. Et Arn.) Champ. Ex Benth. is one of the representative medicinal plants that naturally grows in South China. It serves as a major component of herbal tea as an aid for sore throat, toothache, and acne, and it is a folk medicine for treating upper respiratory tract inflammation resulting from fever, infectious hepati...
Citations
... Subsequently, near-infrared spectroscopy, combined with the partial least squares algorithm, has proven to be a practical approach for regularly assessing quality control parameters (moisture, total ash, and caffeine) in I. paraguariensis (Rossi and Lozano 2020). Chen et al. (2019) have developed an HPLC analytical method that could offer quantitative chemical pattern recognition and quality assessment for I. asprella. Zhou et al. (2018) reported a new approach utilizing ultra-HPLC coupled with an electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-qTOF-MS) to systematically evaluate the quality homogeneity of I. kudingcha (Synonym of I. kaushue). ...
Inflammation assists in the healing process as a part of the natural defensive mechanism. Apart from the healing process, inflammatory mechanisms contribute to the progression and development of a range of ailments, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and so on. A new anti-inflammatory medication that is safe, potent, non-toxic, or less toxic is now required as the existing anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs are associated with various side effects. In this context, we have reviewed the genus Ilex for traditional uses related to inflammation and anti-inflammatory properties (in vitro and in vivo) by utilizing databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. According to ethnomedicinal information, these plants have been used to treat various inflammatory conditions. A total of 12 species were found with anti-inflammatory potential, where some studies were conducted using crude extracts and others with pure compounds. Many chemical compounds have been reported from the Ilex species; however, the bioactive composition explored for anti-inflammatory effects include rotundarpene, triterpenoid saponins, chlorogenic acid, ursolic acid, ilexgenin A, isoquercetin, kaempferol, ilexchinenosides J-Q and salicifoneoliganol. The mechanistic insights into how Ilex species deal with inflammatory stimuli in the mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription, and arachidonic acid pathways have also been highlighted. The toxicity profile of studies has also been discussed to assess safety. These plants can be developed as drug-developing candidates after detailed follow-up studies.
... Quercetin is an effective ingredient of plants widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine, including Cacumen Platycladi, and it is naturally present in the flowers, leaves, and fruits of many plants. It has inhibitory effects on the proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, and metabolism of tumor cells through multiple signaling pathways, in numerous cancer types (20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Quercetin promotes and protects the function of the intestinal tight junction barrier (25) and degrades some intestinal bacteria, decreasing their amount in a time-dependent manner (26). ...
Background:
Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by the alterations of the mucosa and gastrointestinal physiology, and the core of these alterations is endothelial cells. Quercetin is a flavonoid presents in some traditional Chinese medicine, plants, and fruits. Its protective effects in several gastrointestinal tumors have been demonstrated, but its effects on bacterial enteritis and pyroptosis-related diseases have rarely been studied.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of quercetin on bacterial enteritis and pyroptosis.
Design:
In vitro experiments were performed using rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells divided into seven groups: control group (no treatment), model group (10 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+1 mM adenosine triphosphate [ATP]), LPS group (10 μg/mL LPS), ATP group (1 mM ATP), and treatment groups (10 μg/mL LPS+1 mM ATP and 5, 10, and 20 μM quercetin). The expression of pyroptosis-associated proteins, inflammatory factors, tight junction proteins, and the percentage of late apoptotic and necrotic cells were measured. In vivo analysis was performed using specific pathogen-free Kunming mice pretreated with quercetin and the water extract of Cacumen Platycladi for 2 weeks followed by 6 mg/kg LPS on day 15. Inflammation in the blood and intestinal pathological changes were evaluated.
Results:
Quercetin used in vitro significantly reduced the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. It also inhibited phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and increased cell migration and the expression of zonula occludens 1 and claudins, while reduced the number of late apoptotic cells. The in vivo results showed that Cacumen Platycladi and quercetin significantly reduced inflammation, protected the structure of the colon and cecum, and prevent fecal occult blood induced by LPS.
Conclusions:
These findings suggested the ability of quercetin to reduce inflammation induced by LPS and pyroptosis through TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
... ex Benth. [9] and I. pubescens Hook. & Arn. ...
... asp?content=7, accessed on 15 March 2021). Other species, such as I. asprella [9] and I. hainanensis Merr. [35], are used as folk medicines. ...
... Some of these species are cultivated for medicinal purposes and others harvested from the wild, or both. The quantities used can be huge, e.g., more than 10,000 tons a year for I. asprella [9]. ...
The hollies (Ilex L., Aquifoliaceae) form a large (>669 spp.) genus of forest trees and shrubs, which is almost cosmopolitan in mesic environments but most diverse in subtropical China and montane South America. Throughout the range of the genus, Ilex species have been utilized as beverages, medicines, ornamentals, honey plants, timber, and for various other minor uses. Recent studies on the genomics, evolution, and biogeography of Ilex now make it possible to take a systematic approach to understanding and expanding the economic importance of the genus, but information on existing uses is scattered among numerous published and unpublished sources. We therefore review the existing literature on utilization of Ilex species, supplementing this with information from the grey literature and product websites. We show that, despite the number and diversity of known uses, most Ilex species are not known to be utilized at present, suggesting considerable unrealized potential. We highlight gaps in our knowledge and opportunities for expanded usage. Finally, we discuss how the availability of a new phylogeny and whole genome can assist screening of additional wild species for economic potential and facilitate breeding programs for species already under cultivation.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that seriously affects the life quality of patients. As a patent medicine of Chinese traditional medicine, YuXueBi capsule (YXBC) is widely used for treating RA with significant effects. However, its active compounds and therapeutic mechanisms are not fully illuminated, encumbering the satisfactory clinical application. In this study, we developed a method for identifying the chemical compounds of YXBC and the absorbed compounds into blood of rats using ultra performance liquid chromatography/ion mobility-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/IM-QTOF-MS) combined with UNIFI analysis software. A total of 58 compounds in YXBC were unambiguously or tentatively identified, 16 compounds from which were found in serum of rats after administration of YXBC. By network pharmacology, these prototype compounds identified in serum were predicted to regulate 30 main pathways (including HIF-1 signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, IL-17 signaling pathway, and so on) through 146 targets, resulting in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, analgesia, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study provides a scientific basis for the clinical efficacy of YXBC in the treatment of RA.
Ilex asprella (Hook. et Arn.) Champ. ex Benth is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicines in southern China. The seeds of Ilex asprella usually have extremely low germination due to their dormancy characteristics, which severely impacts the efficiency of seedling raising and increases labor costs. In this study, to improve the seed germination of I. asprella, the effects of germination substrate, hormone, winnowing, and stratification treatments on the seed germination of I. asprella were investigated. The results of the germination matrix showed that the highest germination percentage of 45.2% was achieved under the 20°C/10°C day/night temperature and vermiculite germination medium conditions. The results of hormone treatments revealed that 100–400 mg/L of gibberellin (GA) and 50–100 mg/L of salicylic acid (SA) were found to be effective in releasing the dormancy of I. asprella seeds. Moreover, winnowing could effectively eliminate unsaturated seeds and impurities, thus improving the seed germination of I. asprella. Furthermore, warm temperature (15°C) stratification could expand the temperature range of I. asprella’s seed germination, which was beneficial for seed germination of I. asprella and for seed nursery at room temperature in production practice. The present study obtained a method to break dormancy and increase seed germination in I. asprella, thereby forming a groundwork for improving the efficiency of large-scale planting of I. asprella.
The roots of Ilex asprella (Rla) are a well-known traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of viral and bacterial infectious diseases, such as influenza, tonsillitis, sphagitis, and trachitis. However, due to the complexity of the chemical constituents in Rla, few investigations have acquired a comprehensive understanding of material basis. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) was used for the identification of chemical constituents from the extract of Rla in negative ion mode. Their chemical structures were tentatively elucidated based on exact formulas, fragmentation patterns and literature data. A total of 32 compounds were discovered and tentatively characterised in Rla, including 4 phenolic glycosides and 28 triterpenoid glycosides. 10 compounds have not been previously reported in Rla and 8 of them have not been previously reported in the literature. The chemical composition of Rla was identified and summarised, providing a basis for further study on Rla.
Ethnopharmacological relevance:
Shenshuaifu Granule (SSF) is an in-hospital preparation approved by the Guangdong Food and Drug Administration of China. It has been clinically used against kidney diseases for more than 20 years with a definite curative effect.
Aim of the study:
Cisplatin (CDDP) is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug in clinical practice, primarily excreted by the kidney with nephrotoxicity as a common side effect. Approximately 5-20% of cancer patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI) after chemotherapy; however, prevention and control strategies are currently unavailable. Therefore, it is important to identify safe and effective drugs that can prevent the nephrotoxicity of CDDP. SSF is an herbal formulation with 8 herbs, and has been used to protect the kidney in China. Nonetheless, its mechanism in relieving CDDP nephrotoxicity remains unclear. Therefore, this work attempt to prove that SSF can alleviate CDDP nephrotoxicity. We also explore its mechanism.
Materials and methods:
First, the Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) of a few herbs in SSF were performed for quality control. Several open-access databases were used to identify the active ingredients of SSF, their corresponding targets, and CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity targets. We performed Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Next, the results of network pharmacology were validated using CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity mouse models. Renal function in the mice was assessed by analyzing the levels of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). On the other hand, renal damage was assessed by determining the level of tubular injury and apoptotic cells using Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Terminal Dutp Nick End-Labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. The expression of inflammatory and apoptotic-related targets including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Cox-2, Bax, Bcl-2, Cleaved-caspase 3, and Cleaved-caspase 9 was determined using Western Blot (WB) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, WB was used to analyze the expression of proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in the kidneys of mice with CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity. Finally, molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the binding abilities between major active ingredients of SSF and core targets.
Result:
Through network pharmacology, we identified 127 active ingredients of SSF and their corresponding 134 targets. Additional screening identified 14 active ingredients and 17 targets for further analysis. In biological process (BP), the targets were enriched in inflammation and apoptosis, among others. In KEGG terms, they were enriched in apoptosis and NF-κB pathways. Animal experiments revealed that SSF significantly reduced the levels of Scr and BUN and prevented renal tubular damage in mice treated with CDDP. In addition, SSF inhibited inflammation and apoptosis by targeting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Molecular docking revealed good binding capacities of active ingredients and core targets.
Conclusion:
In summary, the experimental findings were consistent with the network pharmacological predictions. SSF can inhibit inflammation and apoptosis by targeting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Taken together, our data suggest that SSF is an alternative agent for the treatment of CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity.
