Multi-environment evaluations across ecological regions reveal climate and soil effects on amides contents in Chinese prickly ash peels (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.).

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors difference is the key factor for the difference in the production, transformation and accumulation of effective components in plants. UPLC-MS/MS and multivariate statistical methods were applied to describe the region difference of amides compounds in Chinese prickly ash peels from different regions and their correlation with climatic factors and soil factors. RESULTS: Amides compounds contents were significantly higher in high altitude areas, with obvious altitude change trend. Two ecotypes were classified based on the amides compounds contents, one was the high altitude-cool type from Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and western Shaanxi province, and the other one was low altitude-warm type from eastern Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei and Shandong province. Amides compounds content were negatively correlated with annual mean temperature, max temperature of warmest month, mean temperature of wettest quarter and mean temperature of warmest quarter (P < 0.01). Except for hydroxy-γ-sanshool and ZP-amide A, the residual amides contents were significantly positively correlated with organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil and negatively correlated with soil bulk density. Low temperature, low precipitation and high organic carbon in soil were conducive to amides accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: This study aided in site specific exploration of high amides contents yielding samples, enriched the environment factors effects on amides compounds, and provided scientific foundation for the improvement of Chinese prickly ash peels quality and the location of high-quality production areas.

Evaluation of climate factors affecting the quality of red huajiao (Zanthoxylum bungeanum maxim.) based on UPLC-MS/MS and MaxEnt model.

Through field investigation, UPLC-MS/MS technology and MaxEnt model were performed to predict the suitable distribution area for red huajiao (Zanthoxylum bungeanum maxim.) in China from 2021 s to 2060 s, and evaluate the effects of climate factors on the quality of red huajiao. The results demonstrated that mean temperature of the coldest quarter and min temperature of the coldest month were the most important environmental variables influencing red huajiao distribution. Suitable habitats for red huajiao were located mainly in dry and hot valley zone in the Qinba Mountains and the semi-humid and semi-arid areas of the Loess Plateau. The amides contents were higher in high suitability areas, while it was decreased in medium and low suitability areas, and temperature, wind speed and precipitation played a key role in their accumulation. This investigation was of great significance for the planting area optimization, quality control, benefit improvement and industrial development of red huajiao.

Evaluating the Impacts of Climate Factors and Flavonoids Content on Chinese Prickly Ash Peel Color Based on HPLC-MS and Structural Equation Model.

Climate affects Chinese prickly ash peel color directly through temperature and illumination and indirectly influences it through its effect on flavonoid compounds. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation strategy based on high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) technology and a structural equation model was applied to evaluate the effects of climate factors and flavonoids on Chinese prickly ash peel color. There were obvious geographical variations of peel color and flavonoid compounds with an obvious east-west distribution trend which were divided into high-altitude type and low-altitude type. Through path analysis, the wind speed, temperature and annual sunshine duration were found to be the key environmental factors affecting the flavonoids content and peel color, and their direct effects were higher than their indirect effect. Based on HPLC-MS technology and a structural equation model, correlation models of climatic factors and flavonoids with peel color were established, and the factors that had greater weight on pericarp color were obtained. Our results provide experimental evidence that climate factors affect the peel color by affecting flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation, reveal the geographical variation of peel color and flavonoid component contents in Chinese prickly ash peel, establish a quantization color method for rapid evaluation of peel quality, expand on the influence of climatic factors on flavonoids content and peel coloration and promote agricultural practice in areas with similar climatic conditions.

Regulation mechanisms of flavonoids biosynthesis of Hancheng Dahongpao peels (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim) at different development stages by integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids have strong free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity. The high abundance of flavonoids in Chinese prickly ash peels have many benefits to human health. In this study, 'Hancheng Dahongpao', a main cultivar, was taken as materials to investigate the flavonoids biosynthesis mechanism of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim at three key development stages by integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis. RESULTS: A total of 19 differentially accumulated metabolites were identified, the key flavonoids compounds were kaempferol, quercetin and their glycoside derivatives, and two major anthocyanins (peonidin O-hexoside and peonidin 3-O-glucoside). 5 gene networks/modules including 15 important candidate genes were identified, which was highly correlated with flavonoids. Among these genes, ZM-163828 and ZM-184209 were strongly correlated with kaempferol and quercetin, and ZM-125833 and ZM-97481 were controlled the anthocyanins biosynthesis. Moreover, it was shown that MYB-ZM1, MYB-ZM3, MYB-ZM5, MYB-ZM6 and MYB-ZM7 coordinately controlled flavonoids accumulation through regulating the structural genes. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, this study systematically revealed the flavonoids metabolic pathways and candidate genes involved in flavonoids biosynthesis and laid a foundation for the potential targets for the breeding of new valuable Chinese prickly ash cultivars.

Decreased synovial fluid pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) levels may reflect disease severity in post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury-induced cartilage degeneration is the key risk factor for post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (PTKOA).Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a common neuropeptide exerting a wide spectrum of functions, has been proved to inhibit inflammation and prevent cartilage degeneration. OBJECTIVE: The current study was performed to investigate circulating and synovial fluid PACAP concentrations in ACL injury patients to determine their relationship with the disease progression of the severity of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (PTKOA). METHODS: 72 ACL injury patients receiving arthroscopical examination and surgery were enrolled in the study. Meanwhile, 60 gender-and-age non-traumatic patellar dislocation patients were enrolled as controls. The VAS score, Lysholm Score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score were all recorded to evaluate the clinical severity. Serum and synovial fluid (SF) PACAP levels were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The IL-1ß and TNF-α levels were also investigated. The degree of meniscus injury was assessed by MR imaging. The modified Mankin score was recorded to examine the cartilage histopathological alternations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to discuss the diagnostic value of PACAP levels for the prediction of the radiographic grading in comparison with IL-1ß and TNF-α. RESULTS: Serum PACAP levels between PTKOA patients and patellar dislocation did not reach significant differences. However, SF PACAP levels were significantly lower in PTKOA patients than controls. In addition, SF PACAP levels were negatively associated with MRI imaging grade for meniscus injury and VAS score, and were positively associated with Lysholm and IKDC scores. In addition, SF PACAP levels were negatively related to Mankin score as well as the expressions of IL-1ß and TNF-α. ROC analysis curve showed that attenuated PACAP may serve as a favorable marker for the diagnosis of MRI for meniscus injury. CONCLUSIONS: SF PACAP concentrations showed an independent and negative association with disease severity in PTKOA following ACL injury. Local treatment with PACAP may act as a possible adjuvant therapy for delaying the process of PTKOA.

The synovial fluid neuropeptide PACAP may act as a protective factor during disease progression of primary knee osteoarthritis and is increased following hyaluronic acid injection.

The correlation of serum and synovial fluid (SF) pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) levels with disease progression of primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) was explored. Radiographic severity of OA was determined by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grades. PACAP levels were measured by ELISA before treatment, and 4 and 8 wk following hyaluronic acid (HA) injection. Levels of IL-1ß and MMP-3 were also detected. The numeric pain scale (NPS), revised Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and American Knee Society Score (AKSS) were employed to evaluate to symptomatic severity. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to compare the diagnostic value of PACAP, IL-1ß, and MMP-3 for the K-L grade. PACAP concentrations in SF but not serum were significantly lower in OA patients compared with controls. SF PACAP levels were negatively associated with K-L grades and higher NPS as well as worse AKSS and OKS. Further analysis demonstrated that PACAP concentration in SF was negatively correlated with expressions of IL-1ß as well as MMP-3 and may act as a marker for radiographic progression along with MMP-3. Last, we found SF PACAP levels exhibited an incremental trend after HA injection. These findings confirmed the crucial role of PACAP deficiency in the development of primary knee OA.

Role of TGF­ß1 expressed in bone marrow­derived mesenchymal stem cells in promoting bone formation in a rabbit femoral defect model.

Bone defects represent a major clinical and socioeconomic problem without suitable treatment options. Previous studies have shown that transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF­ß1) is important in the development of various diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of rabbit bone marrow­derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) expressing TGF­ß1 in the treatment of rabbit femoral defects. First, rabbit BMSCs were identified and cultured. TGF­ß1 was then stably overexpressed in the rabbit BMSCs by lentivirus transfection, which was expressed at a high level in the femoral defects treated with TGF­ß1­overexpressing BMSCs, compared with PBS­treated controls. In addition, the TGF­ß1­overexpressing BMSCs promoted new bone formation in the rabbit femoral defect model, and increased the expression of bone­related markers at week 2 and week 6. Therefore, the study demonstrated that BMSCs overexpressing TGF­ß1 may provide a novel therapeutic option for femoral defects.

Characteristic differences in essential oil composition of six Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae) cultivars and their biological significance.

Great variations have been found in composition and content of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae), resulting from various factors such as harvest time, drying and extraction methods (Huang et al., 2006; Shao et al., 2013), solvent and herbal parts used (Zhang, 1996; Cao and Zhang, 2010; Wang et al., 2011). However, in terms of artificial introduction and cultivation, there is little research on the chemical composition of essential oil extracted from Z. bungeanum Maxim. cultivars, which have been introduced from different origins. In this study, the composition and content of essential oil from six cultivars (I-VI) have been investigated. They were introduced and cultivated for 11 years in the same cultivation conditions. Cultivars were as followings: Qin'an (I) cultivar originally introduced from Qin'an City in Gansu Province; Dahongpao A (II) from She County in Hebei Province; Dahongpao B (III) from Fuping County; Dahongpao C (IV) from Tongchuan City; Meifengjiao (V) from Feng County; and, Shizitou (VI) from Hancheng City, in Shaanxi Province, China. This research is expected to provide a theoretical basis for further introduction, cultivation, and commercial development of Z. bungeanum Maxim.