The Yi nationality herbal formula Wosi is used in China as a folk medicine to treat arthritis and related diseases. Despite its widespread use, the active ingredients, and pharmacological mechanisms are not performed. This is the first time to identify the active compounds from Wosi with the aim at providing the potential effect of Wosi and exploring its underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism in monosodium urate crystals (MSU)-induced arthritis rats. In this study, anti-hyperuricemia effect was assessed by reducing the serum uric acid levels and increasing uric acid excretion in the urine for the hyperuricemia rat model. Wosi significantly suppressed the degree of joint swelling and improved the symptoms of inflammation induced by MSU crystals. The inhibition of IL-2, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IL-6 secretion and IL-10 increase in the serum were also observed. This study also focuses on the screening of the main compounds from Wosi against cyclooxygenase for anti-inflammatory properties using molecular docking. The result showed 3-O-[α-L-pyran rhamnose(1-3)-β-D-pyran glucuronic acid]- oleanolic acid, 3-O-(β-D-pyran glucuronic acid)-oleanolic acid-28-O-β-D-pyran glucoside, and 3-O-[α-L-pyran rhamnose(1-3)-β-D-pyran glucuronic acid]-oleanolic acid-28-O-β-D-pyran glucoside with a higher binding affinity for COX-2 than COX-1 which indicated relatively higher interaction than COX-1. The preferential selectivity toward inhibiting COX-2 enzyme over COX-1 of three compounds from Wosi were evaluated using in-vitro cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1/2) inhibition assays. Meanwhile, the down-regulated protein expression of COX-2 and VCAM-1 in synovial tissue sections from ankle joints of experiments rats were confirmed by immunohistochemistry analysis after the Wosi treatment. In conclusion, three oleanolic acid glycosides were implied as mainly efficient compounds in Yi nationality herbal formula Wosi for arthritis therapy via selectively influencing COX-2 and VCAM-1 signaling.

• Heat processing plays a key role in chemical profiles and health benefits of fresh SG. • Fresh SG exhibits significant anti‐inflammatory effect based on PDE4 inhibition. • The heat-labile quality and safety aspects of four astilbin isomers are compared.

Chitin is the second most abundant natural renewable biomass, widely present in seafood waste. Nevertheless, its crystalline structure makes processing difficult. Ectoine, a high value compatible solute, is common in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. However, direct ectoine production from chitinous waste using wild-type microbial strains is rarely reported. Here, we show that Vibrio diabolicus X511 possesses a complete ectoine biosynthetic gene cluster (ectABC-ask) as well as native chitinolytic genes. These genomic features are consistent with the strain’s ability to directly ferment colloidal chitin, crab shell flakes, and shrimp shell powder for ectoine production, eliminating the need for exogenous chitinase supplementation. With 5 g/L yeast extract as the nitrogen source, strain X511 produced 2.172 g/L ectoine from colloidal chitin, a titer comparable to, or even higher than, those reported for several wild-type strains grown on soluble carbon sources. Using highly crystalline crab shell flakes and raw shrimp shell powder as substrates, the strain achieved titers of 0.259 g/L and 0.181 g/L respectively, accompanied by substrate weight losses of 60% and 43.47%. FESEM, XRD, and FTIR analyses confirmed the strain’s capacity to effectively disrupt crystalline structure of chitin and degrade raw shrimp shell biomass. These findings suggest that X511 may be a promising biocatalyst for the effective bioconversion of chitinous waste to high value chemicals.