In a rat model of D-galactose-induced liver injury, this research reveals DHZCP's capacity to reduce liver injury via multiple targets. The resulting effect and underlying mechanism revolve around modulating the ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt/FoxO4 signaling cascade within the liver. These findings hold promise for developing novel pharmacological approaches to DHZCP treatment in the context of aging-related liver diseases.

Currently, the Paris rugosa (Melanthiaceae) plant is solely found in Yunnan province, China, and its chemical composition remains largely unexplored. Nine compounds, including a novel pariposide G(1) and eight previously known substances—cerin(2), stigmast-4-en-3-one(3), ecdysone(4), ophiopogonin C'(5), methyl protogracillin(6), gracillin(7), parissaponin H(8), and parisyunnanoside G(9)—were isolated and identified from the ethanol extract of P. rugosa rhizomes, employing column chromatography and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This study marks the initial isolation of compounds 1-9 from this plant species. The antibacterial and antifungal capabilities of all the compounds were scrutinized. The study's findings indicated that ophiopogonin C' effectively inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 468001 mol/L, and likewise inhibited a fluconazole-resistant strain of C. albicans, with a corresponding MIC90 of 466002 mol/L.

The present study contrasted the chemical profiles, component levels, dry extract yields, and pharmacological outcomes of extracts from mixed single decoctions versus the compounded Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD). The goal was to empirically evaluate the equivalence of these decocting approaches and assess the suitability of TCM formula granules in clinical practice. The same decoction process was employed in the creation of the GQD combined decoction and its individual constituent decoctions. The chemical profiles of the two groups were compared using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). IBMX inhibitor High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) served as the method for comparing the levels of nine characteristic components in the two distinct groups. Using a mouse model of delayed diarrhea induced by irinotecan, the pharmacological effects of each group on chemotherapy-induced diarrhea were compared. A UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS analysis, performed in both ESI~+ and ESI~- modes, identified 59 chemical components within the compound decoction and mixed single decoction samples, revealing no marked discrepancies in the detected constituent species. In the compound decoction, baicalin and wogonoside levels were elevated, contrasting with the mixed single decoctions, which contained higher levels of puerarin, daidzein-8-C-apiosylglucoside, berberine, epiberberine, wogonin, glycyrrhizic acid, and daidzein. The further statistical evaluation exhibited no significant difference in the content of the nine defining components between the compound decoction and the mixed individual decoctions. No significant difference was observed in the dry paste yield of the two groups. Compared to the model group, the compound decoction and mixed single decoction treatments led to improvements in mice's weight loss and diarrhea severity. A decrease in the colon tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-), interleukin-1(IL-1), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), interleukin-10(IL-10), malondialdehyde(MDA), and nitric oxide(NO) was observed in both of them. Their actions resulted in a significant rise in the concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Microscopic examination using HE staining demonstrated a similar, close packing of colon tissue cells with distinct nuclei in both groups, showing no notable distinctions. No meaningful distinctions were observed between the compound decoction and the mixed single decoctions regarding the types of chemical components, the quantities of nine key components, the dry paste yield, or their efficacy in treating chemotherapy-induced diarrhea. A benchmark for assessing the comparative flexibility and superiority of combined versus single decocting methods in TCM decoction and formula granule preparation is presented by these findings.

This study will optimize stir-frying parameters for Kansui Radix with vinegar, highlighting the conversion of representative toxic diterpenes. The aim is to provide a model for the standardization of production for Kansui Radix stir-fried with vinegar. The toxic constituents 3-O-(2'E,4'Z-decadienoyl)-20-O-acetylingenol (3-O-EZ) and kansuiphorin C (KPC) in Kansui Radix, and the products ingenol and 20-deoxyingenol formed through stir-frying with vinegar, were carefully chosen for this research. NCM460 (normal human colon mucosal epithelial cell line) and HT-29 (a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line) served as models to evaluate intestinal toxicity and water-draining activity. To evaluate the conversion of harmful components, an HPLC method was subsequently devised. With a Box-Behnken design, the processing parameters of temperature, time, and vinegar amount for Kansui Radix were optimized, using ingenol and 20-deoxyingenol content as the evaluation metrics. In the stir-frying process of Kansui Radix with vinegar, 3-O-EZ and KPC underwent a transformation, initially forming monoester 3-O-(2'E,4'Z-decadienoyl)ingenol(3-EZ) and 5-O-benzoyl-20-deoxyingenol(5-O-Ben), eventually converting to almost non-toxic ingenol and 20-deoxyingenol, respectively. Meanwhile, the activity of removing water was maintained. Six compounds demonstrated a notable linear relationship between concentration and peak area (R² = 0.9998), displaying recovery rates ranging from 98.20% to 102.3% (RSD = 2.4%). Compared to untreated Kansui Radix, the content of representative diterpenes and intermediate products in Kansui Radix stir-fried with vinegar was reduced by 1478% to 2467%, and conversely, the content of converted products was increased from 1437% to 7137%. Within the range of process parameters, temperature exhibited a substantial effect on the overall product composition, with time exhibiting a lesser but still noteworthy impact. The ideal parameters consisted of 210, 15 minutes, and 30% vinegar. Experimental results exhibited a 168% relative error compared to the predicted values, highlighting the process's stability and reproducibility. By focusing on the alteration of toxic components during the stir-frying process of Kansui Radix with vinegar, using a screening process to identify optimal parameters, improved consistency in production, decreased toxicity, and maximized efficacy can be attained. This methodology offers a basis for optimizing the processing of similar toxic Chinese medicines.

The researchers in this study are attempting to optimize the solubility and bioavailability of daidzein by engineering -cyclodextrin-daidzein/PEG (20000)/Carbomer (940) nanocrystals. In the preparation of the nanocrystals, daidzein was used as a model drug, PEG (20000) as a plasticizer, Carbomer (940) as a gelling agent, and NaOH as a crosslinking agent. The -cyclodextrin-daidzein/PEG (20000)/Carbomer (940) nanocystals were formulated using a two-step approach. Employing -cyclodextrin, insoluble daidzein was encapsulated to form inclusion complexes, which were then embedded in PEG (20000)/Carbomer (940) nanocrystals. The 0.8% mass fraction of NaOH proved optimal, based on thorough analysis of drug release rate, redispersability, SEM morphology, encapsulation rate, and drug loading measurements. By employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), the feasibility of the daidzein nanocrystal preparation was confirmed through determining its inclusion status. Placental histopathological lesions Following daidzein loading, the average zeta potential of the prepared nanocrystals was -3,747,064 mV and the particle size was 54,460,766 nm, contrasting with the values of -3,077,015 mV and 33,360,381 nm before loading, respectively. Hydroxyapatite bioactive matrix SEM images demonstrated an alteration in the spatial arrangement of nanocrystals after the incorporation of daidzein. The nanocrystals displayed exceptional dispersion attributes in the redispersability experiment. A significantly faster in vitro dissolution rate of nanocrystals in intestinal fluid was observed compared to daidzein, displaying adherence to the first-order drug release kinetic model. To ascertain the polycrystalline characteristics, drug-loading capacity, and thermal stability of the nanocrystals, both before and after drug incorporation, XRD, FTIR, and TGA analyses were performed. The nanocrystals, imbued with daidzein, manifested an evident antibacterial response. Because the nanocrystals facilitated greater solubility of daidzein, they had a more substantial inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when compared to daidzein. Substantial improvements in the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of the poorly soluble drug daidzein are facilitated by the utilization of prepared nanocrystals.

Ligustrum lucidum, a perennial woody plant, is a member of the Ligustrum genus, categorized within the Oleaceae family. Medicinal value is high in the dried fruit of this species. The authors explored the variability and efficiency of species identification using three specific DNA barcodes (rbcL-accD, ycf1a, ycf1b) alongside four general DNA barcodes (matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2) to expedite and improve molecular identification of Ligustrum species. The findings indicated that the genetic markers matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2, and ycf1a were ineffective in distinguishing Ligustrum species, and the rbcL-accD sequence exhibited a high frequency of insertions and deletions, making it unsuitable for use as a reliable species barcode. The ycf1b-2 barcode, exhibiting a DNA barcoding gap and a high PCR amplification and DNA sequencing success rate, proved the most suitable DNA barcode for accurate L. lucidum identification.