In this study, the effects of different processing techniques on the chemical components of Raphani Semen (RS) were evaluated. An established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was adopted for the simultaneous determination of glucoraphanin, sinapine thiocyanate, raphanin, and erucic acid in the fried products of Raphani Semen to evaluate the chemical changes during frying processing as well as optimize the best frying technology of Raphani Semen. Then, the chemical components in the fried Raphani Semen were identified by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). A total of 54 compounds in processed Raphani Semen were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The results showed that the content of glucoraphanin and sinapine thiocyanate was the highest in the fried products at 130°C for 10 min, and the effect of “Enzyme Killing and Glycosides Preserving” was the best. Therefore, this condition was chosen as the best frying technology of Raphani Semen. This study provided a more scientific basis for evaluation of the quality of Raphani Semen fried products and optimization of the frying technology of Raphani Semen.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), influencing various stages from initiation to metastasis. Understanding the role of TAMs in HCC is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Macrophages exhibit plasticity, resulting in M1 and M2 phenotypes, with M1 macrophages displaying antitumor properties and M2 macrophages promoting tumor progression. Targeting TAMs to alter their polarization could offer new avenues for HCC treatment. β,β-dimethylacrylalkannin (DMAKN), a natural naphthoquinone, has gained attention for its antitumor properties. However, its impact on TAMs modulation remains unclear. This study investigates DMAKN’s modulation of TAMs and its anti-HCC activity. Using an in vitro model with THP-1 cells, we induced M1 macrophages with LPS/IFN-γ and M2 macrophages with IL-4/IL-13, confirming polarization with specific markers. Co-culturing these macrophages with HCC cells showed that M1 cells inhibited HCC growth, while M2 cells promoted it. Screening for non-toxic DMAKN concentrations revealed its ability to induce M1 polarization and enhance LPS/IFN-γ-induced M1 macrophages, both showing anti-HCC effects. Conversely, DMAKN suppressed IL-4/IL-13-induced M2 polarization, inhibiting M2 macrophages’ promotion of HCC cell viability. In summary, DMAKN induces and enhances M1 polarization while inhibiting M2 polarization of macrophages, thereby inhibiting HCC cell growth. These findings suggest that DMAKN has the potential to regulate TAMs in HCC, offering promise for future therapeutic development.