Bufadienolide-like chemicals are mostly composed of the active ingredient of Chansu and they have anti-inflammatory, tumor-suppressing, and anti-pain activities; however, their mechanism is unclear. This work used bioinformatics analysis to study this mechanism via gene expression profiles of bufadienolide-like chemicals: (1) Differentially expressed gene identification combined with gene set variation analysis, (2) similar small -molecule detection, (3) tissue-specific co-expression network construction, (4) differentially regulated sub-networks related to breast cancer phenome, (5) differentially regulated sub-networks with potential cardiotoxicity, and (6) hub gene selection and their relation to survival probability. The results indicated that bufadienolide-like chemicals usually had the same target as valproic acid and estradiol, etc. They could disturb the pathways in RNA splicing, the apoptotic process, cell migration, extracellular matrix organization, adherens junction organization, synaptic transmission, Wnt signaling, AK-STAT signaling, BMP signaling pathway, and protein folding. We also investigated the potential cardiotoxicity and found a dysregulated subnetwork related to membrane depolarization during action potential, retinoic acid receptor binding, GABA receptor binding, positive regulation of nuclear division, negative regulation of viral genome replication, and negative regulation of the viral life cycle. These may play important roles in the cardiotoxicity of bufadienolide-like chemicals. The results may highlight the potential anticancer mechanism and cardiotoxicity of Chansu, and could also explain the ability of bufadienolide-like chemicals to be used as hormones and anticancer and vasoprotectives agents.

Smilax glabra , a perennial vine with high pharmaceutical value, exhibits seed dormancy under natural conditions that severely restricts artificial propagation and industrial-scale cultivation. This study aims to systematically investigate the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying temperature-stratification-induced (25 °C/4 °C) dormancy release in S. glabra seeds, providing a scientific basis for optimizing seed propagation protocols. In this study, ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV) was employed to monitor the dynamic variations in soluble sugars, starch, soluble protein content, and enzymatic activities (including phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH)) during temperature stratification (25 °C/4 °C) of S. glabra seeds. Additionally, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and RNA-seq were integrated to systematically characterize the phytohormone metabolic profiles and molecular biological mechanisms underlying seed stratification. The results demonstrated that alternating temperatures of 25 °C/4 °C effectively broke seed dormancy. During the dormancy release process, seeds consumed soluble proteins and starch, while starch-degrading genes ( AMY and BAM ) were significantly upregulated to drive starch conversion into soluble sugars. Meanwhile, PGI activity exhibited a marked decrease, while MDH and G6PDH activities showed overall upward trends. At the hormone metabolism level, downregulation of NCED and upregulation of CYP707A synergistically reduced ABA levels, while upregulation of GA20ox and KAO promoted GA biosynthesis; downregulation of DELLA protein-encoding genes relieved GA signal suppression, collectively forming the “ABA decline-GA rise” hormonal balance shift that drives seed germination. Simultaneously, JA biosynthesis genes LOX2 and AOS were upregulated, leading to OPDA accumulation, but OPDA was not converted into JA. Furthermore, the upregulation of the negative regulator JAZ blocked JA signal transduction, thereby relieving JA-mediated inhibition of germination. This study reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying 25 °C/4 °C temperature-stratification-mediated dormancy release in S. glabra seeds through integrated physiological, metabolic, and transcriptional analyses.

Fertilization is essential for high yield and quality in Chinese herbs. Grona styracifolia (Osbeck) H. Ohashi, a distinctive medicinal plant in the Lingnan region, currently encounters cultivation issues stemming from the ove... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

Background/Objectives: Recurrent oral ulceration (ROU) is the most prevalent disorder of the oral mucosa, affecting approximately 20% of the global population. Current therapies are limited by adverse effects and high recurrence rates. Ai-Fen, enriched in the anti-inflammatory monoterpenoid L-borneol (54.3% w/w), exhibits therapeutic potential but suffers from poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. This study aimed to improve the physicochemical properties and in vivo efficacy of Ai-Fen through the preparation of solid dispersions. Methods: Ai-Fen solid dispersions (AF-SD) were prepared by a melt-fusion method using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) as the carrier. An L₉(3³) orthogonal design was employed to optimize three critical parameters: drug-to-carrier ratio, melting temperature, and melting duration. The resulting dispersions were systematically characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A chemically induced ROU model in rats (n = 8 per group) was established to evaluate the effects of AF-SD on ulcer area, serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and histopathological outcomes. Results: The optimal formulation was obtained at a drug-to-carrier ratio of 1:2, a melting temperature of 70 °C, and a melting time of 5 min. Under these conditions, L-borneol release increased 2.5-fold. DSC and PXRD confirmed complete conversion of Ai-Fen to an amorphous state, while FTIR revealed a 13 cm⁻¹ red shift in the O-H stretching band, indicating hydrogen-bond formation. In vivo, AF-SD reduced ulcer area by 60.7% (p < 0.001) and achieved a healing rate of 74.16%. Serum TNF-α and IL-6 decreased by 55.5% and 49.6%, respectively (both p < 0.001), whereas VEGF increased by 89.6% (p < 0.001). Histological analysis confirmed marked reduction in inflammatory infiltration, accelerated re-epithelialization (score 2.50), and a 5.9-fold increase in neovascularization. Conclusions: AF-SD markedly enhanced the bioavailability of Ai-Fen through amorphization and accelerated ROU healing, likely via dual mechanisms involving suppression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation and promotion of angiogenesis. This formulation strategy provides a promising approach for modernizing traditional herbal medicines.