Integrating Data Mining with Metabolomics to Analyze the Mechanism of the "Pearl-Borneol" Pair in Promoting Healing of Diabetic Wounds.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic diabetic wounds pose a significant threat to the health of diabetic patients, representing severe and enduring complications. Globally, an estimated 2.5% to 15% of the annual health budget is associated with diabetes, with diabetic wounds accounting for a substantial share. Exploring new therapeutic agents and approaches to address delayed and impaired wound healing in diabetes becomes imperative. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and remarkable efficacy in treating chronic wound healing. In this study, all topically applied proprietary Chinese medicines (pCMs) for wound healing officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) were collected from the NMPA TCM database. Data mining was employed to obtain a high-frequency TCM ingredients pair, Pearl-Borneol (1:1). METHOD: This study investigated the effect and molecular mechanism of the Pearl-Borneol pair on the healing of diabetic wounds by animal experiments and metabolomics. The results from animal experiments showed that the Pearl-Borneol pair significantly accelerated diabetic wound healing, exhibiting a more potent effect than the Pearl or Borneol treatment alone. Meanwhile, the metabolomics analysis identified significant differences in metabolic profiles in wounds between the model and normal groups, indicating that diabetic wounds had distinct metabolic characteristics from normal wounds. Moreover, Vaseline-treated wounds exhibited similar metabolic profiles to the wounds from the model group, suggesting that Vaseline might have a negligible impact on diabetic wound metabolism. In addition, wounds treated with Pearl, Borneol, and Pearl-Borneol pair displayed significantly different metabolic profiles from Vaseline-treated wounds, signifying the influence of these treatments on wound metabolism. Subsequent enrichment analysis of the metabolic pathway highlighted the involvement of the arginine metabolic pathway, closely associated with diabetic wounds, in the healing process under Pearl- Borneol pair treatment. Further analysis revealed elevated levels of arginine and citrulline, coupled with reduced nitric oxide (NO) in both the model and Vaseline-treated wounds compared to normal wounds, pointing to impaired arginine utilization in diabetic wounds. Interestingly, treatment with Pearl and Pearl-Borneol pair lowered arginine and citrulline levels while increasing NO content, suggesting that these treatments may promote the catabolism of arginine to generate NO, thereby facilitating faster wound closure. Additionally, borneol alone significantly elevated NO content in wounds, potentially due to its ability to directly reduce nitrates/nitrites to NO. Oxidative stress is a defining characteristic of impaired metabolism in diabetic wounds. RESULTS: The result showed that both Pearl and Pearl-Borneol pair decreased the oxidative stress biomarker methionine sulfoxide level in diabetic wounds compared to those treated with Vaseline, indicating that Pearl alone or combined with Borneol may enhance the oxidative stress microenvironment in diabetic wounds. CONCLUSION: In summary, the findings validate the effectiveness of the Pearl-Borneol pair in accelerating the healing of diabetic wounds, with effects on reducing oxidative stress, enhancing arginine metabolism, and increasing NO generation, providing a mechanistic basis for this therapeutic approach.

Medicinal flora of the baiku yao people - An ethnobotanical documentation in South China.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the medicinal plant knowledge of the Baiku Yao, a unique ethnic group in China. Despite existing research on their ethnobotanical practices, a comprehensive understanding of their medicinal flora remains lacking. This study aims to document and analyze the species distribution, utilization, and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by Baiku Yao. METHODS: Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in various Baiku Yao villages across different seasons from 2019 to 2023. Informants were interviewed, and plant specimens were collected and identified. Statistical analyses, including the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), were employed to understand plant importance in Baiku Yao culture. RESULTS: In an ethnobotanical survey conducted in the Baiku Yao region, 434 medicinal plant species were documented, highlighting significant ethnobotanical diversity and a deep cultural integration of traditional medicinal practices. The study revealed pronounced geographical variations in plant knowledge among villages, with a notable reliance on wild plants, as 85.48% were sourced from the wild, reflecting unique local ethnobotanical knowledge. Predominantly herbs and shrubs were used due to their accessibility and abundance in the local environment. High Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) values for certain species underscored their importance for local health needs and additional economic value. The utilization of various plant parts, particularly whole plants, roots, and leaves, indicates a holistic approach to medicinal applications, adapted to combat prevalent health issues such as skin and infectious diseases. The study also uncovered the Baiku Yao's cultural practices for countering "Gu" afflictions-a range of pathogenic conditions-with 18 diverse antidote plants used for skin, digestive, and musculoskeletal disorders. The study underscores the imperative of preserving this rich medicinal heritage through innovative models that engage youth and leverage new media, ensuring the inheritance and evolution of Baiku Yao's traditional knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Baiku Yao's medicinal plant use reflects a deep, culturally ingrained knowledge, closely tied to local ecology. The study highlights the importance of preserving this unique ethnobotanical heritage and suggests interdisciplinary approaches for future research.

Ethnobotanical insights into the traditional food plants of the Baiku Yao community: a study of cultural significance, utilization, and conservation.

BACKGROUND: The Baiku Yao, primarily residing in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces of China, is a distinctive branch of the Yao ethnic group, known for their profound cultural preservation and unique ethnobotanical knowledge. This study investigates the Baiku Yao community's utilization of traditional food plants, focusing on the relationship between their dietary practices and the local biodiversity within their mountainous living environment. It aims to illuminate the cultural significance and survival strategies embedded in their ethnobotanical knowledge, highlighting the potential for sustainable living and biodiversity conservation. METHODS: Through ethnobotanical surveys, key informant interviews, and quantitative analysis techniques such as the cultural food significance index (CFSI) and relative frequency of citations (RFC), this research systematically documents the diversity and cultural importance of edible plants in the Baiku Yao community. The study assesses how these plants contribute to the community's diet, traditional medicine, and overall cultural practices. RESULTS: A total of 195 traditional edible plants were documented, belonging to 142 genera and 68 families, with a significant concentration in certain families such as Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae. The Baiku Yao diet prominently features herbaceous plants, with wild (103 species) and cultivated (89 species) varieties as diverse food sources. They utilize various plant parts, particularly fruits and leaves, for multiple purposes, including nutrition, medicine, and fodder. Their processing techniques, from raw to fermented, showcase a rich culinary tradition and emphasize a holistic use of plants for enhancing diet and health in a concise overview. The RFC and CFSI analyses reveal a deep cultural reliance on a variety of plant species, with a notable emphasis on vegetables, fruits, spices, and medicinal herbs. Specific plants like Zingiber officinale, Zea mays, and Oryza sativa were highlighted for their high cultural significance. The study also uncovers the multifunctional use of these plants, not only as food but also for medicinal purposes, fodder, and other cultural applications, reflecting the Baiku Yao's profound ecological wisdom and their harmonious coexistence with nature. CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize the rich ethnobotanical knowledge possessed by the Baiku Yao, underscoring the importance of documenting, safeguarding, and transmitting this invaluable traditional knowledge. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation, advocating for concerted efforts to protect such traditional practices against the threats of modernization and cultural erosion.

Integrating Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Pharmacological Evaluation for Exploring the Polyrhachis vicina Rogers in Ameliorating Depression.

Purpose: To investigate the mechanisms of antidepressant action of active fraction of Polyrhachis vicina Rogers (AFPR) through network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation. Methods: GC-MS was used to predict chemical compounds, corresponding databases were used to predict chemical compound targets and depression targets, Cytoscape software was used to construct and analyze the protein interaction network map, DAVID database was used to analyze gene ontology (GO) and KEGG signaling pathway, and AGFR software was used to perform molecular docking. Subsequently, the underlying action mechanisms of AFPR on depression predicted by network pharmacology analyses were experimentally validated in a CORT-induced depression model in vitro and in vivo. Results: A total of 52 potential targets of AFPR on antidepressant were obtained. GO is mainly related to chemical synaptic transmission, signal transduction and others. KEGG signaling pathways are mainly related to cAMP signaling pathway and C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway. The experiment results showed that AFPR significantly increased the expression of PRKACA, CREB and BDNF in mouse brain tissue and PC12 cells. Furthermore, after interfered of cAMP in PC12 cells, the decreased expression of PRKACA, CREB and BDNF was reversed by AFPR. Conclusion: AFPR may exert antidepressant effects through multiple components, targets and pathways. Furthermore, it could improve neuroplasticity via the cAMP signaling pathway to improve depression-like symptoms.