Fangji Fuling Decoction Alleviates Sepsis by Blocking MAPK14/FOXO3A Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To examine the therapeutic effect of Fangji Fuling Decoction (FFD) on sepsis through network pharmacological analysis combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments.@*METHODS@#A sepsis mouse model was constructed through intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by 250 ng/mL LPS to establish an in vitro cell model. Network pharmacology analysis identified the key molecular pathway associated with FFD in sepsis. Through ectopic expression and depletion experiments, the effect of FFD on multiple organ damage in septic mice, as well as on cell proliferation and apoptosis in relation to the mitogen-activated protein kinase 14/Forkhead Box O 3A (MAPK14/FOXO3A) signaling pathway, was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#FFD reduced organ damage and inflammation in LPS-induced septic mice and suppressed LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation in vitro (P<0.05). Network pharmacology analysis showed that FFD could regulate the MAPK14/FOXO signaling pathway during sepsis. As confirmed by in vitro cell experiments, FFD inhibited the MAPK14 signaling pathway or FOXO3A expression to relieve LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation (P<0.05). Furthermore, FFD inhibited the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway to inhibit LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis in the lung tissue of septic mice (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#FFD could ameliorate the LPS-induced inflammatory response in septic mice by inhibiting the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway.

Effect and mechanism of Poria cocos polysaccharides on myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating Rho-ROCK signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCP) on myocardial cell apoptosis in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI). Male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group(saline), a model group(saline), low-and high-dose PCP groups(100 and 200 mg·kg~(-1)), and a fasudil group(10 mg·kg~(-1)), with 16 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other four groups underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h to establish the MI/RI model. The myocardial infarct area was assessed by TTC staining. Histological changes were observed through HE staining. Myocardial cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining. Serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase MB(CK-MB), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and IL-18 levels, myocardial superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels were detected by ELISA. Protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), cleaved caspase-3, Ras homolog gene A(RhoA), myosin phosphatase target subunit 1(MYPT-1), phosphorylated MYPT-1(p-MYPT-1), and Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase 1(ROCK 1) were measured by Western blot. Pathological staining of myocardial tissue revealed that in the model group, there was focal necrosis of myocardial tissue, myocardial cell swelling, unclear boundaries, and neutrophil infiltration. These pathological changes were alleviated in the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group showed significantly reduced myocardial infarct area and myocardial cell apoptosis rate. Compared with the sham group, the model group exhibited elevated serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, increased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and decreased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. Compared with the model group, the PCP groups and the fasudil group showed lowered serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, decreased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and increased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. PCP exhibited a certain preventive effect on myocardial tissue pathological damage and myocardial cell apoptosis in MI/RI rats, possibly related to the inhibition of the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway activation, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

Origin identification of Poria cocos based on hyperspectral imaging technology / 中国中药杂志

To realize the non-destructive and rapid origin discrimination of Poria cocos in batches, this study established the P. cocos origin recognition model based on hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning. P. cocos samples from Anhui, Fujian, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Henan and Yunnan were used as the research objects. Hyperspectral data were collected in the visible and near infrared band(V-band, 410-990 nm) and shortwave infrared band(S-band, 950-2 500 nm). The original spectral data were divided into S-band, V-band and full-band. With the original data(RD) of different bands, multiplicative scatter correction(MSC), standard normal variation(SNV), S-G smoothing(SGS), first derivative(FD), second derivative(SD) and other pretreatments were carried out. Then the data were classified according to three different types of producing areas: province, county and batch. The origin identification model was established by partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) and linear support vector machine(LinearSVC). Finally, confusion matrix was employed to evaluate the optimal model, with F1 score as the evaluation standard. The results revealed that the origin identification model established by FD combined with LinearSVC had the highest prediction accuracy in full-band range classified by province, V-band range by county and full-band range by batch, which were 99.28%, 98.55% and 97.45%, respectively, and the overall F1 scores of these three models were 99.16%, 98.59% and 97.58%, respectively, indicating excellent performance of these models. Therefore, hyperspectral imaging combined with LinearSVC can realize the non-destructive, accurate and rapid identification of P. cocos from different producing areas in batches, which is conducive to the directional research and production of P. cocos.

Discrete element simulation study of mixing process of Guizhi Fuling Capsules: parameter calibration / 中国中药杂志

The mixing process is a critical link in the formation of oral solid preparations of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper took the extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules and Paeonol powder as research objects. The angle of repose, loose packing density, and particle size of the two powders were measured to calibrate discrete element simulation parameters for the mixing process. The discrete element method was used to calibrate the simulated solid density of Paeonol powder and extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules based on the Hertz-Mindlin with JKR V2 contact model and particle scaling. The Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to screen out the critical contact parameters that had a significant effect on the simulation of the angle of repose. The regression model between the critical contact parameters and the simulated angle of repose was established by the Box-Behnken experimental design, and the critical contact parameters of each powder were optimized based on the regression model. The best combination of critical contact parameters of the extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules was found to be 0.51 for particle-particle static friction coefficient, 0.31 for particle-particle rolling friction coefficient, and 0.64 for particle-stainless steel static friction coefficient. For Paeonol powder, the best combination of critical contact parameters was 0.4 for particle-particle static friction coefficient and 0.19 for particle-particle rolling friction coefficient. The best combination of contact parameters between Paeonol powder and extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules was 0.27 for collision recovery coefficient, 0.49 for static friction coefficient, and 0.38 for rolling friction coefficient. The verification results show that the relative error between the simulated value and the measured value of the angle of repose of the two single powders is less than 1%, while the relative error between the simulated value and the measured value of the angle of repose of the mixed powder with a mass ratio of 1∶1 is less than 4%. These research results provide reliable physical property simulation data for the mixed simulation experiment of extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules and Paeonol powder.

Characteristics, origin, and processing of Poria in Qing Dynasty Palace:evidence of both historical relics and documents / 中国中药杂志

Poria(Fu Ling) is a bulk traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)with a long history and complex varieties. The royal medical records of the Qing Dynasty include multiple medicinal materials of Fu Ling, such as Bai Fu Ling(white Poria), Chi Fu Ling(rubra Poria), and Zhu Fu Ling(Poria processed with cinnabaris). The Palace Museum preserves 6 kinds of specimens including Fu Ling Ge(dried Poria), Bai Fu Ling, Chi Fu Ling, Zhu Fu Ling, Bai Fu Shen(white Poria cum Radix Pini), and Fu Shen Mu(Poria cum Radix Pini). After trait identification and textual research, we found that Fu Ling Ge was an intact sclerotium, which was processed into Fu Ling Pi(Poriae Cutis), Bai Fu Ling and other medicinal materials in the Palace. The Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Pa-lace was mainly from the tribute paid of the officials in Yunnan-Guizhou region. The tribute situation was stable in the whole Qing Dynasty, and changed in the late Qing Dynasty. The cultural relics of Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Palace confirm with the archival documents such as the royal medical records and herbal medicine books, providing precious historical materials for understanding Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty and a basis for the restoration of the processing of the Fu Ling in the Qing Dynasty Palace.

Effect of Guizhi Fuling Capsule on Apoptosis of Myeloma Cells Through Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of Guizhi Fuling Capsule (GZFLC) on myeloma cells and explore the mechanisms.@*METHODS@#MM1S and RPMI 8226 cells were co-cultured with different concentrations of serum and the cell experiments were divided into negative (10%, 20% and 40%) groups, GZFLC (10%, 20%, and 40%) groups and a control group. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays and flow cytometry were used to detect the viability and apoptosis levels of myeloma cells. The effects on mitochondria were examined by reactive oxygen specie (ROS) and tetrechloro-tetraethylbenzimidazol carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) assays. Western blot was used to detect the expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), cleaved caspase-3, -9, cytochrome C (Cytc) and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1). RPMI 8226 cells (2 × 107) were subcutaneously inoculated into 48 nude mice to study the in vivo antitumor effects of GZFLC. The mice were randomly divided into four groups using a completely randomized design, the high-, medium-, or low-dose GZFLC (840, 420, or 210 mg/kg per day, respectively) or an equal volume of distilled water, administered daily for 15 days. The tumor volume changes in and survival times of the mice in the GZFLC-administered groups and a control group were observed. Cytc and Apaf-1 expression levels were detected by immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#GZFLC drug serum decreased the viability and increased the apoptosis of myeloam cells (P<0.05). In addition, this drug increased the ROS levels and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). Western blot showed that the Bcl-2/Bax ratios were decreased in the GZFLC drug serum-treated groups, whereas the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3, -9, Cytc and Apaf-1 were increased (all P<0.01). Over time, the myeloma tumor volumes of the mice in the GZFLC-administered groups decreased, and survival time of the mice in the GZFLC-administered groups were longer than that of the mice in the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissues from the mice in the GZFLC-administered groups revealed that the Cytc and Apaf-1 expression levels were increased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#GZFLC promoted apoptosis of myeloma cells through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and significantly reduced the tumor volumes in mice with myeloma, which prolonged the survival times of the mice.

Extracts of Poria cocos polysaccharides improves alcoholic liver disease in mice via CYP2E1 and NF-κB inflammatory pathways / 中国中药杂志

The present study investigated the effect of extract of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCP) on cytochrome P450 2 E1(CYP2 E1) and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory signaling pathways in alcoholic liver disease(ALD) mice and explored its protective effect and mechanism. Sixty male C57 BL/6 N mice of SPF grade were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a positive drug group(bifendate, 200 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-(200 mg·kg~(-1)) and low-dose(50 mg·kg~(-1)) PCP groups. Gao-binge mo-del was induced and the mice in each group were treated correspondingly. Liver morphological and pathological changes were observed and organ index was calculated. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were detected. Malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in liver tissues were detected by assay kits. The levels of interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. The activation of macrophages was observed by immunofluorescence staining and protein expression of CYP2 E1, Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), NF-κB p65, and phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65) were analyzed by Western blot. The ALD model was properly induced. Compared with the model group, the PCP groups significantly improved the pathological injury of liver tissues. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that compared with the model group, the groups with drug intervention showed decreased macrophages in liver tissues. Additionally, the PCP groups showed reduced ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and potentiated activity of SOD(P<0.01). PCP extract has the protective effect against alcoholic liver injury in mice, and the underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of CYP2 E1 and inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory injury, thereby inhibiting the development of ALD.

Suitable planting area of Poria cocos in Jinzhai county of Dabie Mountains region / 中国中药杂志

Dabie Mountain in Anhui province is a genuine producing area of Poria cocos, commonly known as Anling. Jinzhai county in Anhui province is a traditional producing area of P. cocos, and it is also a key county for poverty alleviation in Dabie Mountains. Poverty alleviation of traditional Chinese medicine producing area is an important measure to implement the major strategic deployment of the central government. The planting of P. cocos is helpful to promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine industry in Dabie Mountains and help poverty alleviation. P. cocos is a saprophytic fungus with special demands on soil and ecological environment, and its planting appears a scattered and irregular distribution. Traditional investigation methods are time-consuming and laborious, and the results are greatly influenced by subjective factors. In order to obtain the suitable planting area of P. cocos in Jinzhai county, according to the field survey, the research team has explored the regional, biological characteristics and cultivation methods of P. cocos in the county, and obtained the altitude distribution area suitable for the growth of P. cocos. Then, the MaxEnt niche model was used to analyze the relationship between ecological factors and distribution areas, and the potential distribution zoning of P. cocos in Jinzhai county was studied. Combined with the characteristics of P. cocos planting pattern, taking ZY-3 remote sensing image as the data source, the maximum likelihood method was used to extract the area that could be used for P. cocos cultivation in Jinzhai county, and the reason why artificial planting P. cocos was mainly distributed in the west of Jinzhai county was analyzed. The suitable regional classification of P. cocos in Jinzhai county was obtained by superposition of suitable altitude distribution area, MaxEnt analysis and area extracted from remote sensing image, which provided data support for the planting planning of P. cocos in Jinzhai county.

Study on mechanism of enhancing antioxidant activity in fermented Ziziphi Spinosae Semen with Poria cocos / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the antioxidant property changes in fermented Ziziphi Spinosae Semen(FZSS) with Poria cocos were analyzed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. Then the content determination of active ingredients and ~1H nuclear magnetic resonance(~1H-NMR) spectroscopy were also used to investigate the mechanism of FZSS with P. cocos in enhancing the antioxidant activity. The results showed that the content of active ingredients such as total phenols, total saponins and total polysaccharides were significantly increased during the fermentation time. The results of ~1H-NMR metabonomics showed that the contents of amino acids such as leucine, lysine, valine and alanine, nitrogen compounds such as creatine, creatinine, and betaine, and secondary metabolites, for instance, jujuboside A and spinosin were higher after fermentation, and above components showed positive correlation with antioxidant capacity in Pearson correlation analysis. Therefore, it was inferred that the enhancement of antioxidant activity of FZSS may be the result of the joint action of various chemical components. This study preliminarily clarified the mechanism of FZSS in enhancing the antioxidant activity, and provided new research ideas for the product development and utilization of FZSS.

Literature research and status analysis on clinical application of Guizhi Fuling Formula / 中国中药杂志

Guizhi Fuling Formula was first seen in Synopsis of Golden Chamber by ZHANG Zhongjing. It is composed of Cinnamomi Ramulus, Poria, Moutan Cortex, Persicae Semen, Peony and other drugs, commonly used in the treatment of gynecological diseases such as hysteromyoma, ovarian cyst, endometriosis, pelvic inflammation, dysmenorrhea, etc. In addition, it is also used in internal medicine and urology. This reflects the modern doctors' recognition of the famous prescriptions in ancient books. However, whether Guizhi Fuling Formula is really suitable for these diseases still needs further study for verification. The author systematically searched CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library database: 2 304 papers on clinical research of Guizhi Fuling, covering 13 systems and 128 diseases. Combined with the questionnaire of experts, we investigated the knowledge of experts of traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine and combination of Chinese and Western medicine on the applicable indications of Guizhi Fuling Formula in this paper, systematically elaborated the clinical applications of Guizhi Fuling Formula, and summarized the applicable indications of Guizhi Fuling Formula, in order to provide a reference for the clinical rational application of Guizhi Fuling Formula, and provide a reference also for clinical medication.

Study of integrative evidence chain in clinical trial of Guizhi Fuling Capsules based on "Yibing Tongzhi" in clinical applications / 中国中药杂志

Guizhi Fuling Capsules is a new-type traditional Chinese medicine preparation made by modern process method. It was widely used to treat uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammation, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, mammary gland hyperplasia and other gynecological diseases. Under the combination of disease and syndrome, the diagnosis and treatment model of "Yizheng Tongbing, Yibing Tongzhi" with Chinese patent medicine has been widely used in clinical practice. Meanwhile, the effectiveness and safety have been given more and more attention. Based on the effectiveness of Guizhi Fuling Capsules, this paper preliminarily summarized the dominant diseases in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of Guizhi Fuling Capsules. On the basis of the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine and modern pharmacological mechanism, the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Guizhi Fuling Capsules were explored. Finally, according to the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "Yizheng Tongbing, Yibing Tongzhi", all the clinical evidences were integrated to form an integrated evidence chain, so as to provide guidance for the safe and rational use of Guizhi Fuling Capsules.

An insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of Poria cocos improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice via modulation of gut microbiota / 中国天然药物

Metabolic syndrome characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis is becoming prevalent all over the world. Herein, a water insoluble polysaccharide (WIP) was isolated and identified from the sclerotium of Poria cocos, a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine. WIP was confirmed to be a (1-3)-β-D-glucan with an average Mw of 4.486 × 10 Da by NMR and SEC-RI-MALLS analyses. Furthermore, oral treatment with WIP from P. cocos significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism and alleviated hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. 16S DNA sequencing analysis of cecum content from WIP-treated mice indicated the increase of butyrate-producing bacteria Lachnospiracea, Clostridium. It was also observed that WIP treatment elevated the level of butyrate in gut, improved the gut mucosal integrity and activated the intestinal PPAR-γ pathway. Fecal transplantation experiments definitely confirmed the causative role of gut microbiota in mediating the benefits of WIP. It is the first report that the water insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of P. cocos modulates gut microbiota to improve hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thereby, WIP from P. cocos, as a prebiotic, has the potential for the prevention or cure of metabolic diseases and may elucidate new mechanism for the efficacies of this traditional herbal medicine on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Isolation of homogeneous polysaccharide from Poria cocos and effect of its sulfated derivatives on migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells / 中国中药杂志

SATB1 plays a crucial role in the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer,and inhibition of SATB1 expression can effectively control breast cancer metastasis. In this study,homogeneous polysaccharides were isolated from Poria cocos and their sulfated derivatives were prepared to screen out the polysaccharide compositions with inhibitory effects on SATB1 expression. Smal-molecule components were removed from P. cocos by ethanol extraction,and P. cocos crude polysaccharide PPS was obtained by water extraction and ethanol precipitation. Then PPS was successively separated by DEAE Sepharose fast flow anion-exchange and Superdex-75 gel permeation chromatographic steps to give PPSW-1. The structure of PPSW-1 was identified and its sulfated derivatives were prepared. Then their inhibitory effects on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated. A kind of polysaccharide,PPSW-1 with inhibitory effect on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells,was obtained from P. cocos,with a relative molecular weight of 3. 06×104,and structure of 1,6-branched 1,3-α-D-galactan. PPSW-1 and its sulfated derivative Sul-W-1 showed good inhibitory effect on cells migration,and the water solubility of Sul-W-1 was better than that of PPSW-1. In addition,it was found that polysaccharide of P. cocos and its sulfated derivative can inhibit expression of SATB1. In this study,a kind of homogeneous polysaccharide with inhibitory effect on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells was isolated from P. cocos,and its sulfated derivative with similar efficacy but better solubility was prepared,laying the foundation for the substance basis study of P. cocos.

Analysis of characteristics and problems of international trade of Poria cocos in China / 中国中药杂志

Poria cocos is one of medical materials frequently used in China and well marketed at home and abroad. Based on the analysis of exports and imports data of P. cocos, we found that large proportions of P. cocos were exported, while only a small proportions of those were imported in China between 2011 and 2016. During periods of these six years, the annual exporting trade of P. cocos in quantity significantly decreased, but that in dollars tend to increase slightly and the unit-prices of P. cocos significantly increased. Statistically, the average annual export trade of P. cocos from 2011 to 2016 in quantity and dollars were 9 279.73 tons and 35.454 million dollars, respectively. And the average annual export in unit-price was 4.14 dollars per kilogram. In total, P. cocos came from 29 provinces and exported to 44 countries through 21 ports. More than 98% of total exports of P. cocos were flew to the markets of countries in Asia, of which Hong Kong was the major partner in import trade of P. cocos. Large amount of P. cocos came from Guangdong province and exported mainly through Shenzhen port. Except the exports, China also imports P. cocos from other countries, among which Korea was the major country exports largest amount of P. cocos to China. And most of P. cocos were imported by Jilin province and mainly through Changchun port. To improve the export kinetic, quality and profits of P. cocos, and thus enhance the international competitiveness of the industry of P. cocos, Chinese governments should emphasize the researches on the products of P. cocos, broaden the demand space of the high-end customers, stimulate the high-end market grow in high speed and accelerate the process of standardization in future.

Post-marketing surveillance on Guizhi Fuling Jiaonang based on literature review / 中国中药杂志

To systemically evaluate the post-marketing safety of Guizhi Fuling Jiaonang. Computer retrieval was conducted in Medline, EMbase, the Web of Science, Clinical Trials. Gov, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data and CBM to collect relevant information. The papers were then screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 234 papers were included in this study, including 164 randomized controlled trials, 7 quasi-randomized controlled trials, 8 non-randomized controls, 56 case series, and 1 cohort study. The patients were only treated with Guizhi Fuling Jiaonang in 56 studies, and Guizhi Fuling Jiaonang was combined with other drugs in 178 studies. The total ADRs/AEs incidence was 1.99% in single use of Guizhi Fuling Jiaonang, and 8.21% in combined use, but showing no severe adverse reactions. Gastrointestinal system damage was most common in mild ADRs. In this study, it was found that the overall safety of Guizhi Fuling Jiaonang was acceptable. The direct evidences of the drug's safety case reports were systematically analyzed in this study, but the mechanism study on the safety of the drug after marketing or the prospective long-term clinical observation study was not sufficient, so the further studies on the safety of drug use should be conducted in order to provide better guidance for clinical medication.

Accumulation of biomass and four triterpenoids in two-stage cultured Poria cocos mycelia and diuretic activity in rats / 中国天然药物

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, an important medicinal and food fungus, is well known in East Asia. Due to growing market demand, long cultivation period, and consumption of pine trunk during cultivation, developing alternative methods for producing P. cocos and/or its active components is of interest. In the present study, the effects of different culture methods on biomass and accumulation of four triterpenoids were investigated. The ethanol extract of fermented mycelium (EFM) was orally administered to rats. Urine output and concentrations of electrolytes (Na, K, and Cl) were measured. Our results showed that mycelia grew better under continuous shaking culture condition (7.5 g DW·L), and higher triterpenoid levels were accumulated in two-stage culture (112 mg·L, 2.03%). The optimal starting time of static culture for triterpenoid yield was 4 d after shaking culture. Single administration of middle and high dose of EFM significantly increased urine output, Na and Cl excretion, and Na/K ratio. These results suggested that ethanol extract of cultured mycelia showed significant diuretic activity in rats and two-stage culture of P. cocos could be an alternative way to produce mycelia and triterpenoids.

Chemical constituents of surface layer of Poria cocos and their pharmacological properties (I) / 中国中药杂志

The surface layer of the sclerotia of Poria cocos, named Fu-Ling-Pi, is used as a diuretic in traditional Chinese medicine to treat edema and urinary dysfunction. Recent studies have showed that the triterpenes (lanostane and 3,4-secolanostane skeletons) and polysaccharides (beta-pachyman) are the main components of Fu-Ling-Pi and they exhibited various biological activities, such as anti-tumor, antibacterial and antioxidant, etc. This review was focused on the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical uses of this drug and it may provide scientific foundation for further development and utilization of Fulingpi.

Alleviating effects of dehydration under no hyperthermia on the immunomodulatory response to the polysaccharide fraction from fu-ling (Poria cocos) in male collegiate wrestlers / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It is well known that dehydration can impair bodily functions. To evaluate the impact of hydration status under ambient environmental temperature on the immune system, 25 male collegiate wrestlers were recruited to undergo an experimental dehydration program.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirteen subjects had controlled diets with individual energy requirements to prevent body mass loss and restricted water intake to cause 4.52% dehydration; they formed the dehydrated group (DE). These subjects developed a urine specific gravity of about 1.030 in 84 hours. Twelve other subjects had no water restriction and maintained their total body weight comprised the euhydrated group (EU). Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMNC) were isolated after dehydration to perform immune response testing by being incubated with a polysaccharide fraction from fu-ling, Poria cocos (polysaccharide fraction from Poria cocos, PCPS, 1 - 30 £g/L), to prepare a conditioned medium termed conditioned medium of PBMNC stimulated by PCPS (PCPS-MNC-CM). More PCPS (25 µg/L) was needed in the DE group to prepare the PCPS-MNC-CM, which was assayed with a growth inhibitory curve for treated U973 cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The treated U937 cells, incubated together with PCPS-MNC-CM from the DE group, exhibited a much lower nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) positive value of (63.7 ± 4.7)%. The concentration of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in PCPS-MNC-CM from subjects after dehydration was much lower than in the CM from the EU group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The immune response to PCPS in the DE group was lower than in normally hydrated subjects.</p>