The Tanshinones (Tan) Extract From Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Induces ROS-Dependent Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer via AKT Hyperactivation-Mediated FOXO3/SOD2 Signaling.

CONTEXT: Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer to relieve the symptom of "blood stasis and toxin accumulation." Tanshinones (Tan), the main lipophilic constituents extracted from the roots and rhizomes of SM, have been reported to possess anticancer functions in several cancers. But the mechanism of how the active components work in pancreatic cancer still need to be clarified. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Tan in pancreatic cancer and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The viabilities of PANC-1 and Bxpc-3 cells were determined by MTT assay, after treatment with various concentrations of Tan. The apoptotic cells were quantified by annexin V-FITC/PI staining and DAPI staining assays. The expression of relative proteins was used western blotting. Tumor growth was assessed by subcutaneously inoculating cells into C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS: Our experiments discovered that Tan effectively suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Mechanistically, we propose that Tan enhances intracellular ROS levels by activating the AKT/FOXO3/SOD2 signaling pathway, ultimately leading to apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. In vivo assay showed the antitumor effect of Tan. CONCLUSION: Tan, a natural compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza, was found to effectively suppress pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and promote apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we propose a positive feedback loop mechanism. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular pathways driving pancreatic cancer progression.

Comparative chloroplast genome analysis of four Polygonatum species insights into DNA barcoding, evolution, and phylogeny.

The Polygonatum genus represents a perennial herb with the Liliaceae family, boasting substantial economic and medicinal significance. The majority of Polygonatum plants exhibit notable similarity while lacking distinctive identifying characteristics, thus resulting in the proliferation of adulterated medicinal materials within the market. Within this study, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of four Polygonatum plants and compared them with four closely akin species. The primary objectives were to unveil structural variations, species divergence, and the phylogenetic interrelations among taxa. The cp genomes of the four Polygonatum species were typified by a conventional quadripartite structure, incorporating a large single copy region (LSC), a small single copy region (SSC), and a pair of inverted repeat regions. In total, we annotated a range of 131 to 133 genes, encompassing 84 to 86 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 0 to 2 pseudogenes (ycf1, infA). Our comparative analyses unequivocally revealed a remarkable consistency in gene order and GC content within the Polygonatum genus. Furthermore, we predicted a potential 59 to 64 RNA editing sites distributed across 22 protein-coding genes, with the ndhB gene exhibiting the most prominent propensity for RNA editing sites, boasting a tally of 15 sites. Notably, six regions of substantial potential variability were ascertained, characterized by elevated Pi values. Noteworthy, molecular markers for species identification, population genetic scrutiny, and phylogenetic investigations within the genus were identified in the form of the psaJ-rpl33 and trnS + trnT-psaD barcodes. The resultant phylogenetic tree unequivocally depicted the formation of a monophyletic clade comprising species within the evolutionary framework of Liliaceae, demonstrating closer evolutionary affinities with Maianthemum, Dracaeneae, and Asparageae. This comprehensive compendium of findings collectively contributes to the advancement of molecular species identification, elucidation of phylogenetic interrelationships, and the establishment of DNA barcodes tailored to the Polygonatum species.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of the medicinal herb Eleutherococcus nodiflorus and its phylogenetic implications.

Eleutherococcus nodiflorus (Dunn) S. Y. Hu is a momentous medicinal plant belonging to the Araliaceae family. In the current investigation, we determined the complete chloroplast genome of E. nodiflorus and analyzed the phylogenetic relationship among Eleutherococcus plants. The chloroplast genome of E. nodiflorus exhibited a typical quadripartite structure with a full length of 156,770 bp, including 133 genes, containing 88 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 1 presumed pseudogene (ycf1). The overall GC content observed was 37.95%, with the highest GC content of 43.02% found in the IR region. Comparative genome analysis revealed five highly variable regions among Eleutherococcus species, providing potential markers for further investigations on species identification and population genetics. A total of 44 small simple repeats were identified throughout the chloroplast genome of E. nodiflorus. The phylogenetic analysis indicated a sister relationship between E. nodiflorus and E. eleutheristylus, suggesting a close genetic relationship between the two Eleutherococcus plants. These results enhance the understanding of the plant evolution within Eleutherococcus plants and provide basic genetic resources for the development of species identification and investigation of population genetic diversity of the Eleutherococcus genus and Araliaceae.

Complete chloroplast genome of the medicinal herb Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc.) Yamazaki and the phylogenetic relationship analysis within the tribe Veroniceae.

Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc.) Yamazaki is a traditional medical plant with versatile biological activities. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast genome sequence of V. axillare with a total length of 152,691 bp, containing two IR regions of 25,765 bp each, an LSC region of 83,559 bp, and an SSC region of 17,602 bp. The genome encodes 131 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, eight rRNAs, and one pseudogene (ycf1). The overall GC content is 38.3%, with the highest content of 43.31% in IR region. Comparative analysis revealed 4 potential hotspots among V. axillare and other Veroniceae plants, providing potential markers for population investigations in the tribe Veroniceae. A total of 56 simple sequence repeats were identified in V. axillare. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a sister relationship between V. axillare and V. sibiricum, suggesting a close genetic relationship between the two Veronicastrum species. Our results provide basic genetic resources for investigating the evolutionary status of V. axillare within the tribe Veroniceae.

Optimization of technological parameters for preparation of lycopene microcapsules.

Lycopene belongs to the carotenoid family with high degree of unsaturation and all-trans form. Lycopene is easy to isomerize and auto oxide by heat, light, oxygen and different food matrices. With an increasing understanding of the health benefit of lycopene, to enhance stability and bioavailability of lycopene, ultrasonic emulsification was used to prepare lycopene microcapsules in this article. The results optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) for microcapsules consisted of four major steps: (1) 0.54 g glycerin monostearate was fully dissolved in 5 mL ethyl acetate and then added 0.02 g lycopene to form an organic phase, 100.7 mL distilled water which dissolved 0.61 g synperonic pe(R)/F68 as the aqueous phase; (2) the organic phase was pulled into the aqueous phase under stirring at 60 °C water bath for 5 min; (3) the mixture was then ultrasonic homogenized at 380 W for 20 min to form a homogenous emulsion; (4) the resulting emulsion was rotary evaporated at 50 °C water bath for 10 min under a pressure of 20 MPa. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) of lycopene microcapsules under the optimized conditions approached to 64.4%.