The fruit of Lycium barbarum L. (FLB) has been used as medicines and functional foods for more than 2000 years in East Asia. In this study, carotenoid, phenolic, flavonoid, and polysaccharide contents as well as the antioxidant activities of FLB from 13 different regions in China from a total of 78 samples were analyzed. The results showed that total carotenoid contents ranged from 12.93 to 25.35 mg β-carotene equivalents/g DW. Zeaxanthin dipalmitate was the predominant carotenoid (4.260–10.07 mg/g DW) in FLB. The total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total polysaccharide contents ranged from 6.899 to 8.253 mg gallic acid equivalents/g DW, 3.177 to 6.144 mg rutin equivalents/g DW, and 23.62 to 42.45 mg/g DW, respectively. Rutin content ranged from 0.1812 to 0.4391 mg/g DW, and ferulic acid content ranged from 0.0994 to 0.1726 mg/g DW. All of these FLB could be divided into two clusters with PCA analysis, and both individual carotenoids and total carotenoid contents could be used as markers for regional characterization. The phenolic components were the main substance for the antioxidant activity of FLB. Considering the functional component and antioxidant activities, FLB produced in Guyuan of Ningxia was the closest to Daodi herbs (Zhongwei of Ningxia), which is commercially available high quality FLB. The results of this study could provide guidance for comprehensive applications of FLB production in different regions.

Background: Bovis Calculus (NBC) is widely used for the management of convulsive disorder, but its clinical application is constrained by limited availability and high cost. Bovis Calculus Artifactus (BCA) and Bovis Calculus Sativus (BCS) are commonly employed as substitutes. However, systematic evidence comparing their anticonvulsant efficacy and pharmacological characteristics remains limited. Methods: This study evaluated the substitution potential of BCA and BCS relative to NBC and characterized their distinct pharmacological profiles in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced acute seizure mouse model. Seizure latency and duration were evaluated, hippocampal pathology was examined by hematoxylin–eosin and Nissl staining, neurotransmitters and neuroinflammatory factors were quantified. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were used to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results: The results showed that preventive administration of NBC, BCA, and BCS significantly alleviated PTZ-induced acute seizures, although their efficacy patterns differed markedly. NBC exhibited the broadest anticonvulsant spectrum, significantly prolonging seizure latency at multiple seizure stages. BCS showed a more restricted effect, primarily delaying stage IV seizures, whereas BCA predominantly reduced seizure frequency without significantly affecting seizure latency, suggesting that seizure frequency may represent a sensitive endpoint for evaluating certain anticonvulsant agents. Histopathological analyses demonstrated that all three preparations exerted neuroprotective effects in hippocampal subregions. NBC provided the most extensive morphological preservation in H&E staining, while all treatments significantly improved neuronal survival as assessed by Nissl staining. Biochemical analyses revealed distinct regulatory characteristics among the three Bovis Calculus sources. All treatments partially restored PTZ-induced neurotransmitter disturbances and attenuated neuroinflammatory responses. BCA showed prominent regulation of neurotransmitters and IL-1β, NBC exhibited broader modulation of neurotransmitter homeostasis, whereas BCS displayed stronger suppression of IL-6 and TNF-α despite limited effects on 5-HT regulation. These findings indicate that comparable protective effects against PTZ-induced acute seizures may be achieved through different neurochemical and inflammatory regulatory patterns. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses further suggested the potential involvement of PI3K-AKT and MAPK-related signaling pathways in the effects of NBC and its substitutes. Conclusions: Collectively, this study provides a comparative evaluation of NBC, BCA, and BCS and indicates that their protective activities against PTZ-induced seizures are associated with distinct neurochemical and anti-inflammatory profiles. These findings offer experimental evidence supporting the rational evaluation and application of alternative Bovis Calculus resources.

Buddleja officinalis Maxim , a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for thousands of years. In this study, the antibacterial activity of Buddleja officinalis extracts (BOE) (the flavonoid extract and essential oil of B. officinalis ) was evaluated. Furthermore, a novel self-stabilized B. officinalis extract Pickering emulsion (BOEPE) was synthesized via the high-velocity homogenization method with BOE, aimed at improving the antibacterial activity of BOE. The results showed that BOE exhibited antibacterial activity, with a synergistic effect observed between flavonoid extract and essential oil. Additionally, BOEPE was successfully developed with good photostability. BOEPE demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against 11 tested bacterial strains, including three standard bacteria, four gram-positive (G+) bacteria, and four gram-negative (G-) bacteria. Compared with flavonoids extract and essential oil, the antibacterial activity of BOEPE improved 5-100 fold and more than 15 fold, respectively. More importantly, it also enhanced antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria (methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carbapenem-resistant klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), and extended-spectrum β-lactamases Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL)). Especially for ESBL, the of BOEPE’s antibacterial efficacy was enhanced by over 500-fold compared to the flavonoids extract alone. Collectively, this study developed a potent antibacterial BOEPE formulation, which represents a promising alternative for treating infections.