Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) has become a widely used method for gene expression analysis; however, its data interpretation largely depends on the stability of reference genes. The transcriptomics of Panax ginseng, one of the most popular and traditional ingredients used in Chinese medicines, is increasingly being studied. Furthermore, it is vital to establish a series of reliable reference genes when qRT-PCR is used to assess the gene expression profile of ginseng. In this study, we screened out candidate reference genes for ginseng using gene expression data generated by a high-throughput sequencing platform. Based on the statistical tests, 20 reference genes (10 traditional housekeeping genes and 10 novel genes) were selected. These genes were tested for the normalization of expression levels in five growth stages and three distinct plant organs of ginseng by qPCR. These genes were subsequently ranked and compared according to the stability of their expressions using geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper computational programs. Although the best reference genes were found to vary across different samples, CYP and EF-1α were the most stable genes amongst all samples. GAPDH/30S RPS20, CYP/60S RPL13 and CYP/QCR were the optimum pair of reference genes in the roots, stems, and leaves. CYP/60S RPL13, CYP/eIF-5A, aTUB/V-ATP, eIF-5A/SAR1, and aTUB/pol IIa were the most stably expressed combinations in each of the five developmental stages. Our study serves as a foundation for developing an accurate method of qRT-PCR and will benefit future studies on gene expression profiles of Panax Ginseng.

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a cluster of conditions characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system. Despite significant advancements in understanding these diseases, therapeutic options remain limited. The medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum has been recognized for its comprehensive array of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, which possess potential neuroprotective properties. This literature review collates and examines the existing research on the bioactivity of active compounds and extracts from Ganoderma lucidum in modulating the pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. The structural information and preparation processes of specific components, such as individual ganoderic acids and unique fractions of polysaccharides, are presented in detail to facilitate structure–activity relationship research and scale up the investigation of in vivo pharmacology. The mechanisms of these components against neurodegenerative diseases are discussed on multiple levels and elaborately categorized in different patterns. It is clearly presented from the patterns that most polysaccharides of Ganoderma lucidum possess neurotrophic effects, while ganoderic acids preferentially target specific pathogenic proteins as well as regulating autophagy. Further clinical trials are necessary to assess the translational potential of these components in the development of novel multi-target drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.

Wound infections are serious medical complications that can endanger human health. Latest researches show that conductive composite materials may make endogenous/exogenous electrical stimulation more effective, guide/comb cell migration to the wound, and subsequently promote wound healing. To accelerate infected wound healing, a novel medical silver nanoparticle-doped conductive polymer-based hydrogel system (Ag NPs/CPH) dressing with good conductivity, biocompatibility, and mechanical and antibacterial properties was fabricated. For the hydrogel dressing, Ag NPs/CPH, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and gelatin were used as the host matrix materials, and phytic acid (PA) was used as the cross-linking agent to introduce conductive polyaniline into the matrix, with antibacterial Ag NPs loaded via impregnation. After a series of analyses, the material containing 5 wt% of PVA by concentration, 1.5 wt% gelatin, 600 μL of AN reactive volume, and 600 μL of PA reactive volume was chosen for Ag NPs/CPH preparation. XPS and FTIR analysis had been further used to characterize the composition of the prepared Ag NPs/CPH. The test on the swelling property showed that the hydrogels had abundant pores with good water absorption (≈140% within 12 h). They can be loaded and continuously release Ag NPs. Thus, the prepared Ag NPs/CPH showed excellent antibacterial property with increasing duration of immersion of Ag NPs. Additionally, to evaluate in vivo safety, CCK-8 experiments of HaCat, LO2 and 293T cells were treated with different concentrations of the Ag NPs/CPH hydrogel soaking solution. The experimental results showed the Ag NPs/CPH had no significant inhibitory effect on any of the cells. Finally, an innovative infection and inflammation model was designed to evaluate the prepared Ag NPs/CPH hydrogel dressing for the treatment of severely infected wounds. The results showed that even when infected with bacteria for long periods of time (more than 20 h), the proposed conductive antibacterial hydrogel could treat severely infected wounds.

Background: Neuroblastoma is one of the common extracranial tumors in children (infants to 2 years), accounting for 8 ~ 10% of all malignant tumors. Few special drugs have been used for clinical treatment currently. Results: In this work, herbal extract ginsenosides were used to synthesize fluorescent ginsenosides carbon nanodots via a one-step hydrothermal method. At a low cocultured concentration (50 µg·mL^− 1) of ginsenosides carbon nanodots, the inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of SH-SY5Y cells reached ~ 45.00% and ~ 59.66%. The in vivo experiments showed tumor volume and weight of mice in ginsenosides carbon nanodots group were ~ 49.81% and ~ 34.14% to mice in model group. Since ginsenosides were used as sole reactant, ginsenosides carbon nanodots showed low toxicity and good animal response. Conclusion: Low-cost ginsenosides carbon nanodots as a new type of nanomedicine with good curative effect and little toxicity show application prospects for clinical treatment of neuroblastoma. It is proposed a new design for nanomedicine based on bioactive carbon nanodots, which used natural bioactive molecules as sole source.