Objectives: Plant polysaccharides have attracted increasing attention due to their high efficiency and low toxicity. Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPP) is an essential substance extracted from Codonopsis pilosula, known for its excellent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. However, it is still unclear how CPP improves nerve protection and what its underlying molecular mechanisms are. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of CPP on Aβ_25-35-induced damage in PC12 cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: The neuroprotective effect of CPP was evaluated using Aβ_25-35-induced damage in pheochFfromocytoma (PC12) cells as an in vitro cell model. The cells were treated with CPP alone or in combination with SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38MAPK) in Aβ_25-35 culture. The cell viability was assessed using a 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using flow cytometry. The production levels of intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD), dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyFde (MDA) were determined using the colorimetric method. Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) staining, as well as 33258 were performed using fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, the effect of adding SB203580 was studied to determine the changes in cell apoptosis induced by CPP treatment and Aβ_25-35 induction. Results: The CPP markedly inhibited Aβ_25-35-induced reduction in the viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells. CPP also reduced the Aβ_25-35-induced increase in the expression of the apoptosis factors and the levels of free radicals (ROS and MDA) and reversed the Aβ_25-35-induced suppression of antioxidant activity. Additionally, inhibition of p38MAPK via the addition of their antagonists reversed the observed anti-apoptosis effects of CPP. Conclusions: CPP can efficiently provide neuroprotection against Aβ_25-35-induced damage in PC12 cells brought about via oxidation and apoptosis reactions, and the underlying mechanisms involve the p38MAPK pathways. Therefore, CPP could potentially be useful as a neuroprotective agent in natural medicine, pharmacy, and the food industry.

Introduction: The B3 transcription factor has been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana , Oryza sativa , and Solanum lycopersicum , among other species. This family of transcription factors regulates seed growth, development, and stress. Cannabis is a valuable crop with numerous applications; however, no B3 transcription factors have been identified in this plant. Materials and Methods: The cannabis B3 gene family was identified and analyzed using bioinformatics analysis tools, such as the NCBI database, plantTFDB website, TBtools, and MEGA software. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments were used to confirm its function. Results: The cannabis B3 family contains 65 members spread across 10 chromosomes. The isoelectric point ranged from 10.03 to 4.65, and the molecular weight ranged from 99,542.88 to 14,310.9 Da. Most of the members were found in the nucleus. The upstream promoter region of the gene contains a variety of cis-acting elements related to the stress response. RNA-seq data and qRT-PCR results showed that CsB3 genes were expressed differently in five organs of female Diku plants and in glandular hairs of nine distinct types of female cannabis inflorescences. Collinearity analysis revealed that there were more homologous genes between cannabis and dicotyledons than monocotyledonous plants, which was consistent with the evolutionary relationship. Conclusions: Hormones and external environmental factors might influence CsB3 expression. Furthermore, some genes such as CsB3-02 , CsB3-07 , CsB3-50 , CsB3-62 , and CsB3-65 may participate in cannabis growth and development and play a role in secondary metabolite synthesis. This study provides a solid foundation for further research into the gene function of the cannabis B3 family.