Illicium verum is widely cultivated in southern China especially in Guangxi province. Its fruits has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine. In recent years, it has been the industrial source of shikimic acid. Usually the residues after extracting shikimic acid are treated as waste. Thus, the aim of this study was to optimize the extraction conditions of cellulase-ultrasonic assisted extraction technology for flavonoids from I. verum residues. The optimum extraction conditions with a maximum flavonoids yield of 14.76 % are as follows: the concentration of ethanol is 51.14 %, the liquid–solid ratio is 20.52 mL/g, the enzymatic hydrolysis pH is 5.303, the sonication time is 60 min, the enzyme solution temperature is kept at 45 °C, the amount of added enzyme is 70 mg/g, the enzymatic hydrolysis time is 2 h and the crushed mesh size is 0.355–0.85 mm. The data indicate that the cellulase-ultrasonic assisted extraction technology has the potential be used for the industrial production of flavonoids from I. verum.

Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices worldwide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are its main metabolic products. The misuse or mixing of cinnamon on the market is quite serious. This study used gas chromatography-ion migration spectroscopy (GC-IMS) technology to analyze the VOCs of cinnamon samples. The measurement results showed that 66 VOCs were detected in cinnamon, with terpenes being the main component accounting for 45.45%, followed by aldehydes accounting for 21.21%. The content of esters and aldehydes was higher in RG-01, RG-02, and RG-04; the content of alcohols was higher in RG-01; and the content of ketones was higher in RG-02. Principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and partial least squares regression analysis can be performed on the obtained data to clearly distinguish cinnamon. According to the VIP results of PLS-DA, 1-Hexanol, 2-heptanone, ethanol, and other substances are the main volatile substances that distinguish cinnamon. This study combined GC-IMS technology with chemometrics to accurately identify cinnamon samples, providing scientific guidance for the efficient utilization of cinnamon. At the same time, this study is of great significance for improving the relevant quality standards of spices and guiding the safe use of spices.

The death toll associated with cancer worldwide is constantly on the increase. Efforts to combat and treat the different forms of this disease is also evolving. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a lethal form of cancer, which is prevalent in Southern China, that is normally treated by using radiotherapy. Here, we will review products obtained from natural sources that have potential cytotoxic and apoptotic properties against NPC. These include grifolin, dihydroartemisinin, luteolin, honokiol, indole-3-carbinol, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, 6-O-angeloylenolin, cucurbitacin E, genistein, helenalin, celastrol, coronarin D, quercetin, trans-cinnamaldehyde, 5'-epimer episilvestrol, silvestrol, arnicolide D, brevilin A, and baicalin hydrate. Ethyl acetate extracts of Wedelia chinensis and aqueous extracts of Ajuga bracteosa are also included although the bioactive compounds involved have yet to be identified. The known mechanism of action of these products is discussed. It is anticipated that one or more of these substances may provide the general population with alternative and cost-effective ways to combat this fatal disease.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The fruits of Illicium verum, which is a medicinal and edible resource, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effects of I. verum extracts (IVEs) on human RA fibroblasts-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) by using a sensitive and selective ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC-HDMS) method. We subsequently analyzed the metabolites produced after the incubation of cultured RA-FLS with IVEs. Results: IVEs inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the migration of RA-FLS, and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors including TNF-α and IL-6. Twenty differential metabolites responsible for the effects of IVEs were screened and annotated based on the UPLC-HDMS data by using a cell metabolomics approach. Discussion: Our findings suggest that treating RA-FLS with IVEs can regulate lipid and amino acid metabolism, indicating that this extract has the potential to modify the metabolic pathways that cause inflammation in RA. Conclusions: This might lead to novel therapeutic strategies for managing patients with RA.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a pressing global health issue with limited treatment options. Chinese sweet leaf tea (CSLT), rich in polyphenols, shows promise in addressing MASLD due to its anti-inflammatory, obesity-reducing, and metabolic-regulating properties. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of CSLT polyphenols for MASLD treatment. Methods: A comprehensive approach combining bioinformatics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, high-throughput sequencing, and experimental validation was employed. CSLT extracts were screened for active compounds, and potential targets associated with MASLD were predicted. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to identify key regulators of lipid metabolism. Molecular docking studies validated interactions between core polyphenols and MASLD-related targets. In vitro studies using HepG2 cells and in vivo studies in a high-fat diet-induced rat model were conducted to assess the efficacy of polyphenol-rich CSLT extract (PE-CSLT) in ameliorating MASLD symptoms. Results: A total of Eighty-two chemical constituents were initially identified in CSLT. Twenty-six active compounds were screened in CSLT extracts, targeting one hundred and six proteins related to twenty MASLD-associated genes. PE-CSLT demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing body weight gain, serum lipid levels, and liver fat accumulation in MASLD rats. Gene expression analysis revealed modulation of key metabolic regulators, including SREBP1, ACACA, AMPK, and PPARα. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding of eleven PE-CSLT components to these targets. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PE-CSLT for MASLD, providing a scientific basis for its development as a novel drug. Conclusion: This study underscores the promise of natural products in modern medicinal practices and emphasizes the need for further clinical evaluation of PE-CSLT in MASLD management.