Introduction: This study aims to investigate the impact of geographical origin on the metabolite composition and bioactivity of Thesium chinense Turcz. (TCT), a member of the Apiaceae family renowned for its wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the whole plants of TCT from different regions in China, aiming to explore the geographical variation of TCT.Methods: A non-targeted metabolomics approach was employed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were utilized to identify and differentiate the metabolite profiles. We investigated the bioactivity, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid content (TFC), and the content of characteristic compounds from TCT sourced from different regions. This aims to further explore the metabolic differences and quality characteristics of TCT from various origins.Results: PCA and PLS-DA analyses indicated that samples from different origins could be clearly distinguished. The analysis revealed 54 differential metabolites, predominantly flavonoids and alkaloids. KEGG pathway analysis indicated significant variations in the biosynthesis pathways of flavonoids and flavanols among the samples. TCT from Anhui province exhibited the highest TFC and strongest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, while samples from Jilin province showed the lowest.Discussion: A strong correlation was observed between metabolite content and geographical origins, suggesting that the bioactivity of TCT is significantly influenced by its provenance. Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of TCT were validated, showing a strong predictive relationship with TFC. This research highlights the potential of metabolomics in discerning the subtleties of plant metabolomes, contributing to the advancement of traditional Chinese medicine and its integration into modern healthcare practices.

Synergistic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy (PTT) holds the promise of addressing the weakness of individualized chemotherapy and PTT. In this study, we synthesized a chemotherapeutic agent, PDA-Ce-CDs, which combines the photothermal conversion ability and the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), enabling synergistic enhancement of antitumor effects. Furthermore, the localized heating effect of NIR radiation promoted the uptake of the PDA-Ce-CDs and enhances the sensitivity of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, the antitumor activity of the PDA-Ce-CDs was evaluated through cell experiments and tumor-bearing mice experiments, confirming its excellent antitumor efficacy in vivo and in vitro. Our work presents a new strategy in cancer treatment by utilizing carbon dots in combination with photothermal agents for synergistic chemotherapy-photothermal therapy. This innovative approach offers a new therapeutic avenue for synergistic tumor treatment by harnessing the combined effects of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy.

Introduction: In recent years, global poultry consumption has increased rapidly, making chicken the most widely consumed meat worldwide by 2019. To increase livestock development, antibiotics are often added to animal feed as growth promoters. But overuse of antibiotics may alter the gut microbiota, make people more resistant to them, and raise the possibility that they will spread antibiotic resistance genes to the human microbiome. Therefore, identifying safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics in livestock production is crucial for maintaining and improving gut microbial balance, ultimately promoting poultry health. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms behind the impacts of BaiRui YuPingFeng Powder (TCYP) on intestinal health in broilers using combined metabolomics, bioinformatics analysis, and 16S rRNA sequencing.Methods: In a 42-day feeding trial, 300 one-day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups (six replicates per group; 10 broilers per replicate) fed a basal diet with or without supplements: control (CON), antibiotic (ATB), and TCYP at 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg. Growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, cecal microbiota composition, and metabolomic profiles were analyzed. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify potential targets and pathways, followed by qPCR validation of key genes.Results: Compared with the CON group, TCYP administration dose-dependently reduced the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) while increasing average daily gain (ADG), with the high-dose TCYP showing more pronounced effects (p < 0.05). Serum biochemical analysis revealed that TCYP treatment significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglycerides (TG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in a dose-dependent manner, while elevating albumin (ALB) content. These beneficial effects were particularly marked in the high-dose TCYP group (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination indicated that high-dose TCYP significantly enhanced villus height and the villus-to-crypt ratio (V/C) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that TCYP treatment significantly modified the β-diversity of cecal microbiota (p < 0.01). Compared to the CON group, ATB treatment increased the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Lachnospiraceae_unclassified but reduced Ruminococcaceae_unclassified and Firmicutes_unclassified. Notably, dietary TCYP supplementation maintained gut microbiota profiles similar to the CON group, demonstrating its stabilizing effect on microbial community structure in broilers. Metabolomic analysis identified differential metabolites primarily involved in lipid and lipid-like molecules, organic heterocyclic compounds, and organic acids and derivatives. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between Lachnospiraceae_unclassified and metabolites such as Gly-Leu, fumarate, and phenylpyruvic acid (|r| > 0.5, p < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis suggested that TCYP may improve intestinal health by regulating key targets, including MMP9, TGFB1, and PPARG, as well as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) results showed that, compared to the CON group, TCYP dose-dependently significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of PPARG, PDPK1, and Bcl2 in jejunal tissues (p < 0.05), while significantly downregulating the expression of MMP1 and Bax (p < 0.05).Conclusion: TCYP enhances growth performance and intestinal health in broilers through multiple mechanisms, including maintaining cecal microbial homeostasis, modulating lipid and amino acid metabolism, with potential involvement of the PPAR signaling pathway based on bioinformatics and gene expression analysis.

Introduction: Cholestasis is a common liver disorder that currently has limited treatment options. Gardenia Iridoid Glucosides (GIG) have been found to possess various physiological activities, such as cholagogic, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of GIG on bile acid enterohepatic circulation and explore the underlying mechanism in cholestatic rats. Methods: In order to identify key pathways associated with cholestasis, we conducted Gene Ontology (GO) Enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. In vivo experiments were then performed on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-treated rats to assess the impact of GIG. We measured bile flow and various biomarkers including total bilirubin (TB), total bile acids (TBA), total cholesterol (TC), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in the serum. We also examined the expression levels of bile salt export pump (BSEP), ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4), far-nesoid X receptor (FXR), small heterodimer partner (SHP), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) in liver tissue. In vitro experiments were conducted on primary hepatocytes to further investigate the mechanism of action of GIG on the expression of SHP, CYP7A1, NTCP, and FXR. Results: Our in vivo experiments demonstrated that GIG significantly increased bile flow and reduced the levels of TB, TBA, TC, MDA, GPT, and GOT, while increasing T-SOD levels in ANIT-treated rats. Addi-tionally, GIG ameliorated liver tissue damage induced by ANIT, upregulated the expression of BSEP and ABCB4, and modulated the protein expression of FXR, SHP, CYP7A1, and NTCP in model rats. In vitro experiments further revealed that GIG inhibited the expression of SHP, CYP7A1, and NTCP by suppressing the expression of FXR. Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the therapeutic potential of GIG for the treatment of cholestasis. GIG demonstrated beneficial effects on bile acid enterohepatic circulation and liver biomarkers in cholestatic rats. The modulation of FXR and its downstream targets may contribute to the mechanism of action of GIG. These findings highlight the potential of GIG as a therapeutic intervention for cholangitis.