Genome-Wide Identification of 2-Oxoglutarate and Fe (II)-Dependent Dioxygenase (2ODD-C) Family Genes and Expression Profiles under Different Abiotic Stresses in Camellia sinensis (L.).

The 2-oxoglutarate and Fe (II)-dependent dioxygenase (2ODD-C) family of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases potentially participates in the biosynthesis of various metabolites under various abiotic stresses. However, there is scarce information on the expression profiles and roles of 2ODD-C genes in Camellia sinensis. We identified 153 Cs2ODD-C genes from C. sinensis, and they were distributed unevenly on 15 chromosomes. According to the phylogenetic tree topology, these genes were divided into 21 groups distinguished by conserved motifs and an intron/exon structure. Gene-duplication analyses revealed that 75 Cs2ODD-C genes were expanded and retained after WGD/segmental and tandem duplications. The expression profiles of Cs2ODD-C genes were explored under methyl jasmonate (MeJA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and salt (NaCl) stress treatments. The expression analysis showed that 14, 13, and 49 Cs2ODD-C genes displayed the same expression pattern under MeJA and PEG treatments, MeJA and NaCl treatments, and PEG and NaCl treatments, respectively. A further analysis showed that two genes, Cs2ODD-C36 and Cs2ODD-C21, were significantly upregulated and downregulated after MeJA, PEG, and NaCl treatments, indicating that these two genes played positive and negative roles in enhancing the multi-stress tolerance. These results provide candidate genes for the use of genetic engineering technology to modify plants by enhancing multi-stress tolerance to promote phytoremediation efficiency.

Using Network Pharmacology to Explore the Mechanism of Panax notoginseng in the Treatment of Myocardial Fibrosis.

Objective: The mechanism of Panax notoginseng in treating myocardial fibrosis (MF) was investigated using network pharmacology. Methods: Effective ingredients and potential targets of Panax notoginseng were screened in relevant databases to construct a compound-target network. Targets of MF were then screened to select common targets and construct a protein-protein interaction network. This was followed by Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking then verified the results of network analysis. Results: A total of 14 effective ingredients and 119 potential targets for MF were predicted. Quercetin, beta-sitosterol, and gossypetin were speculated to be the main active ingredients. The mechanism of action may be related to AGE-RAGE, proteoglycans, and IL-17 signaling pathways. Five key targets (IL6, ALB, AKT1, TNF, and VEGFA) may be involved in the treatment of MF using Panax notoginseng. Conclusions: This study embodies the complex network relationship of multicomponents, multitargets, and multipathways of Panax notoginseng in treating MF and provides a novel method for further research on this herb's mechanism.

A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Renal Interstitial Fibrosis via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis.

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the main pathological manifestation of end-stage renal disease. Recent studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in the pathogenesis and development of RIF. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as an effective treatment for kidney diseases, can improve kidney damage by affecting the apoptotic signaling pathway mediated by ER stress. This article reviews the apoptotic pathways mediated by ER stress, including the three major signaling pathways of unfolded protein response, the main functions of the transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein. We also present current research on TCM treatment of RIF, focusing on medicines that regulate ER stress. A new understanding of using TCM to treat kidney disease by regulating ER stress will promote clinical application of Chinese medicine and discovery of new drugs for the treatment of RIF.

Using Network Pharmacology to Explore the Mechanism of Peach Kernel-Safflower in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanism of peach kernel-safflower in treating diabetic nephropathy (DN) was investigated using network pharmacology. METHODS: Network pharmacology methodology was applied to screen the effective compounds of peach kernel-safflower in the SymMap and TCMSP databases. Potential targets were then screened in the ETCM, SEA, and SymMap databases to construct a compound-target network. This was followed by screening of DN targets in OMIM, Gene, and GeneCards databases. The common targets of drugs and diseases were selected for analysis in the STRING database, and the results were imported into Cytoscape 3.8.0 to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Next, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. Finally, Schrödinger molecular docking verified the reliability of the results. RESULTS: A total of 23 effective compounds and 794 potential targets resulted from our screening process. Quercetin and luteolin were identified as the main effective ingredients in peach kernel-safflower. Furthermore, five key targets (VEGFA, IL6, TNF, AKT1, and TP53), AGE-RAGE, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, IL-17, and HIF-1 signaling pathways may be involved in the treatment of DN using peach kernel-safflower. CONCLUSIONS: This study embodies the complex network relationship of multicomponents, multitargets, and multipathways of peach kernel-safflower to treat DN and provides a basis for further research on its mechanism.