Understanding molecular mechanisms of Rhodiola rosea for the treatment of acute mountain sickness through computational approaches (a STROBE-compliant article).

Rhodiola rosea has been used in the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS) for a long time, but the mechanism of its action is not still completely clear. In this paper, the therapeutic mechanism of R rosea for AMS was investigated by analysis of the relationship between R rosea compositions and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) degradation pathway.System biology and network biology, computational approaches were used to explore the molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).Our results showed that chemical compositions of R rosea could inhibit the targets of HIF-1 degradation pathway in multi-composition/multi-target ways.We conclude that the 18 components with more than 2 targets and 5 targets (arrest-defective-1 [ARD1], forkhead transcription factor [FOXO4], osteosarcoma-9 [OS-9], prolyl hydroxylase 2 [PHD2], human double minute 2 [Hdm2]) deserve to be noticed, and PHD2, receptor for activated C-kinase1 (RACK1) and spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase-1 (SSAT1) may be the targets of active ingredients of rhodionin, rhodiosin, and rhodiolatuntoside, respectively.

Salidroside Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via AMPK-Dependent TXNIP/NLRP3 Pathway.

Our previous studies suggested that salidroside could alleviate hepatic steatosis in type 2 diabetic C57BLKS/Leprdb (db/db) mice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of salidroside on high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by investigating underlying mechanisms. Mice were fed with HFD or regular diet, randomly divided into two groups, and treated with salidroside or vehicle for 8 weeks. Then, biochemical analyses and histopathological examinations were conducted in vivo and in vitro. Salidroside administration attenuated HFD-induced obesity, blood glucose variability, and hepatic lipid deposition, markedly increasing insulin sensitivity in HFD mice. In addition, salidroside suppressed oxidative stress, thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the liver. In cultured hepatocytes, salidroside dose dependently regulated lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation as well as improved AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and insulin sensitivity. The inhibition of AMPK activation by inhibitor or short interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in the suppression of the beneficial effects of salidroside in hepatocytes. Our findings demonstrated that salidroside protects against NAFLD by improving hepatic lipid metabolism and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and these actions are related to the regulation of the oxidative stress and AMPK-dependent TXNIP/NLRP3 pathways.

[Effects of different light and GA3 on the germination and seedling growth of Rhodiola sachalinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To improve germination rate and research the seed germination character of Rhodiola sachalinensis. METHODS: Made seed germinated under water or with moisture, at light or dark condition, effects of 6 different light qualities (black, white, blue, green, red and far red light) illumination on seed germination were studied. The seedling growth at different temperature were studied as well. RESULTS: The results indicated that light was required for Rhodiola sachalinensis seeds germinate, 83.3% germination rate at light and soaking in watercondition; Seed germination were improved to 84%, 70.7% and 52.0% respectively in white, red and green light quality illumination, the germination rate reached 84% after 9 h of white light illumination. Germination rate were 80% after 100 mg/L GA3 treatment for 3 h under dark condition. 20 degrees C was the optimal temperature for Rhodiola sachalinensis seedling growth, under with the plant height, fresh weight and dry weight of plant were the best. Seedling growth rate and the dry weight increased obviously at 35 d and 50 d. CONCLUSION: The experiment definited the best condition for Rhodiola sachalinensis seed germination and seedling growth, supplied basic data for large scale planting Rhodiola sachalinensis using seed propagation technology.

Melatonin improves the survival of cryopreserved callus of Rhodiola crenulata.

An important aspect of the function of melatonin seems to be the mediation of stress caused by environmental and chemical factors. In the cryopreservation process, environmental changes including osmotic injury, desiccation, and low temperature can impose a series of stresses on plants. In this study, we evaluated the role of melatonin in stress protection during the process of cryopreservation using callus of an endangered plant species Rhodiola crenulata. The survival rate of the cryopreserved callus significantly increased when the callus was pretreated for 5 days with 0.1 µm melatonin prior to freezing in liquid nitrogen. Analysis of antioxidative activity following the pretreatment of callus with 0.1 µm melatonin showed a significant reduction in malondialdehyde production during various steps of cryopreservation. Enhanced peroxidase and catalase activity was observed in the callus after pretreatment with 0.1 µm melatonin compared to the control. These observations provide new evidence of the antioxidant/anti-stress function of melatonin, and it is the first report of its potential application in the preservation of elite endangered germplasm through the process of cryopreservation.

[Acquiring homozygous tetraploid germplasm by PEG-mediated protoplast fusion of Rhodiola sachalinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To acquire homozygous tetraploid germplasm of Rhodiola sachalinensis. METHOD: PEG-mediated protoplast fusions were conducted using callus of Rh. sachalinensis as materials. Protoplast fusion products were embedded and cultured in low-density, low-melting-point agar and marked according to the protoplast size, and single-celled sister lines were established to acquire genetically homozygous tetraploid germplasm. RESULT: R(D) and R(M) of newborn daughter cells or protoplasm, metaphase cells or protoplasm were approximately in line with the formula R(D) = 0.793 7R(M). The change range in diameter of the diploid cells without fusion, two protoplasts fusion product were: 16.7 microm < or = R < 21.3 microm, 21.0 microm < or = R' < 26.8 microm respectively. There is an overlap between the two diameter ranges. The protoplast inoculation density of 1 x 10(4) cells x mL(-1) was appropriate when protoplasts were anchored by low-intensity, low-melting-point agar. Under the conditions of this density, plating efficiency was high and single cell origin of the sister lines microclones grew rapidly, and it was easy to mark the single cell microclones, and separate from each other to subculture. The chromosome counts results showed that chromosome numbers of diploid and tetraploid of single cell lines were 26 and 52, respectively. The result from flow cytometry assay showed that there is no presence of chimerism in single-cell regeneration plantlets. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide a scientific basis for polyploid breeding of Rh. sachalinensis.

[Tissue culture and plant regeneration of Rhodiola henryi].

OBJECTIVE: To study the tissue culture and plant regeneration technologies and optimizing propagation system in vitro of Rhodiola henryi. METHOD: Orthogonal experiment designs were used in the study of Rh. henryi callus induction, shoot formation and rooting, and the data were analyzed by range analysis and variance analysis. RESULT: The optimal media to induce multiple callus from leaves were MS supplemented with 2,4-D 1.5 mg x L(-1) and 6-BA 0.5 mg x L the effect of the three factors was in sequence of explants > 2,4-D > 6-BA; The optimal media to induce multiple buds from stems were MS supplemented with 6-BA 1.5 mg x L\/1-1 NAA >6-BA; Plantlets were rooted on 1/2MS supplemented with IBA 1.0 mg x L-1, and rooting rate reached to 90% or more and transplant survival rate of plantlet reached 98% or more. CONCLUSION: An efficient system for tissue culture and plant regeneration of Rh. henryi was initially established.