The objective of this study was to efficiently extract components with neuroprotective activity from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (RPL). The neuroprotective extracts of RPL were extracted by ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents (DESs) method, and optimized by response surface methodology with PC12 cell viability as a guide. The optimal process: DESs (composed of L-Proline and Glycerol, Betaine monohydrate and Benzyl alcohol in a ratio of 7:3 (v/v) with 60 % water), extraction time 22 min, liquid-to-solid ratio 42 mL/g, temperature 51 °C, ultrasonic power 243 W. These conditions yielded extracts with cell viability 81.44 ± 0.18 % (n = 3), which is much higher than conventional heat and standard DESs extraction methods. Then, the RPL neuroprotective purified extract (RNPE) was obtained by AB-8 macroporous resin, and characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. The results showed that RNPE was mainly composed of 50 compounds, including terpenoids, phenolics, sterols and so on, and it showed significant neuroprotection in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice. These results established ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction (UADE) as a sustainable approach for extracting neuroprotective agents from RPL, combining process efficiency with bioactive preservation. The integrated method, from screening of DESs to optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions and in vivo validation, establishes an efficient template for neuroprotective components.

A comparative and multidimensional approach is employed herein to assess how ultrasound affects the extraction yield, structural features, and chain conformation of Albizia julibrissin Durazz. bark polysaccharides. The results showed that ultrasound treatment can significantly (P < 0.05) improve the extraction yield, and the optimal extraction process parameters were 50 min, 70 ℃, 30 mL/g, and 201 W. In addition, this study found that ultrasound can alter the chemical composition, characteristic group content, monosaccharide composition molar ratio, molecular weight, and even relative content of glycosidic bond types of A. julibrissin bark polysaccharides. Interestingly, the ultrasound treatment followed the midpoint chain scission model and transformed HWE-AJPP1 from a flexible chain conformation to UAE-AJPP1 exhibiting a spherical structure. And the involvement of ultrasound also altered the relatively tight big block-like morphology of HWE-AJPP1, and UAE-AJBP1 showed remarkable thermostability. Compared with HWE-AJBP1, UAE-AJBP1 significantly (P＜0.001) enhanced the viability of injured oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced PC12 cells. And UAE-AJBP1 effectively restored mitochondrial membrane potential, attenuated intracellular ROS levels. The findings of this work establish a solid basis for further exploiting ultrasound-prepared polysaccharides from A. julibrissin bark and strongly supports ultrasound's wider application in polysaccharide-related fields.

The Belamcanda chinensis (L.) Redouté is a perennial herb belong to the genus Belamcanda, primarily found in China, but with additional distribution in North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and India. The rhizomes of B. chinensis have a long history of use as a traditional herbal medicine in China, one that is recognized for its effects in clearing heat, in detoxifying and eliminating phlegm, and in soothing the throat. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive search across several databases, both Chinese and international, using the primary keyword Belamcanda chinensis paired with a relevant research area (e.g., chemical composition, pharmacology). The databases included Sci-Finder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wiley, Springer Baidu Scholar and Research Gate, as well as domestic materia medica. We illustrated the chemical structures using ChemBioDraw Ultra 22.0 software. There are more than 10 proprietary Chinese medicines already on the market that consist of or originate from B. chinensis. More than 200 natural products have been isolated and identified from B. chinensis, including iridal-type triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, quinones, sesquiterpenes, and polysaccharides. Modern pharmacological studies indicate that both crude extracts and monomeric compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-diabetic activities, with potential regulatory pathways. Additionally, B. chinensis demonstrates toxicity to fish, mollusks and arthropods. Clinical studies have shown that formulas containing B. chinensis as the main ingredient have a good therapeutic effect on respiratory diseases. In summary, B. chinensis presents promising prospects for application in medicine, functional food, cosmetics and agriculture. Therefore, we have reviewed the chemical composition, pharmacological activities (both in vivo and in vitro), structure–activity relationships, toxicity and clinical application of B. chinensis over the past 40 years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent comprehensive utilization of the plants.

Rhododendron dauricum L. flowers are highly valued as ornamental plants in northern Chinese horticulture, yet while its leaves are well-known for their antitussive and anti-asthmatic effects, the flowers themselves remain an underutilized resource. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are intimately intertwined pathological processes that mutually reinforce each other in a self-perpetuating cycle, and current clinical treatments for diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation have become a significant focus of research. This study investigated the chemical composition and bioactivities of R. dauricum flower extract using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro assays. A total of 57 compounds were tentatively annotated in EFRD, with Morin, Quercetin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside and Procyanidin B2 as candidate compounds prioritized through network analysis. Network prediction revealed key targets (STAT3, JUN, ESR1, CXCL8, PTGS2) and pathways (MAPK, AGE-RAGE, PPAR). In vitro, assays demonstrated that EFRD exhibited dose-dependent scavenging of DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radicals, as well as a dose-dependent suppression of LPS-induced NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 release in RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC₅₀ values of 16.52, 29.91 and 72.09 μg/mL, respectively, indicating the most potent inhibition of NO. These findings demonstrate that R. dauricum flowers possess dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, providing a scientific basis for expanding their medicinal use.