Ampelopsis megalophylla is an important species used in Chinese folk medicine. Flavonoids, the most important active components of plants, greatly determine the quality of A. megalophylla. However, biosynthesis of flavonoids at the molecular and genetic levels in A. megalophylla is not well understood. In this study, we performed chemical analysis and transcriptome analysis of A. megalophylla in different seasons (i.e., May, August, and October). Accumulation of flavonoids was higher in May than in the other two months. Genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, such as chalcone synthase, anthocyanidin synthase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, flavonoid-3′,5′-hydroxylase, caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, flavonoid 3′-monooxygenase, shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, and leucoanthocyanidin reductase, were identified based on transcriptome data. Fifty ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter, nine SNARE, forty-nine GST, and eighty-four glycosyltransferases unigenes related to flavonoid transport and biomodification were also found. Moreover, seventy-eight cytochrome P450s and multiple transcription factors (five MYB, two bHLH, and three WD40 family genes) may be associated with the regulation of the flavonoid biosynthesis process. These results provide insights into the molecular processes of flavonoid biosynthesis in A. megalophylla and offer a significant resource for the application of genetic engineering in developing varieties with improved quality.

Background: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a medicinal and edible plant. Purslane extract (POEE) exhibits lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Traditionally, this extract has been used to treat various inflammatory conditions, including skin inflammation, enteritis, and dysentery. However, its therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms in atherosclerosis (AS) remain unclear.Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database were employed to identify the active components of POEE. Network pharmacology was used to predict POEE’s mechanisms for alleviating AS. An in vitro foam cell model was established by treating RAW264.7 macrophages with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and the protective effects of POEE were assessed via the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while intracellular lipid accumulation was identified using Oil Red O staining. Protein expression related to cholesterol metabolism was analyzed by Western blot (WB). For in vivo validation, AS was induced in rats through a high-fat diet and carotid artery injury. After 4 weeks of daily POEE administration, the therapeutic efficacy was tested by measuring serum lipid levels, cardiac function, histopathological changes, and the cholesterol transport-related protein expression.Results: The bioactive compounds identified in POEE were categorized into 10 groups, including flavonoids (24), terpenoids (16), phenols (6), and alkaloids (4), and others. Network pharmacology predictions implicated POEE in modulating the “Lipid and Atherosclerosis” pathway. POEE significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) and free cholesterol (FC) levels in ox-LDL-stimulated macrophages, attenuating foam cell formation. Furthermore, POEE enhanced reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) by upregulating the expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 to promote cholesterol efflux, while suppressing CD36 and MSR1 expressions to inhibit cholesterol uptake. In vivo, POEE administration lowered serum triglycerides (TG), TC, FC, and LDL-C levels; elevated HDL-C; and ameliorated carotid artery lesions in AS rats. Concordantly, ABCA1 expression was upregulated and that of MSR1 was downregulated in POEE-treated carotid tissues.Conclusion: POEE alleviates atherosclerosis by enhancing RCT through regulation of cholesterol efflux and uptake pathways. POEE may be a promising therapeutic candidate for AS.

Chinese jujube (CJ) is a nutritious food. Its authenticity has received increasing attention. This research utilized computer vision, ultrafast gas-phase electronic nose, and GC-MS technologies to collect jujube samples from various regions in China, including Xinjiang, Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Shandong, and Hebei. Multidimensional trait data, encompassing spectra, texture, and odour, were gathered. By employing multivariate statistical methods, 46 trait characteristic factors (VIP > 1, P < 0.05) were identified and utilized to rapidly differentiate jujube samples originating from different regions. The multivariate statistical analysis and support vector machine (SVM) classification were also combined to develop a novel artificial intelligence algorithm. The accuracy of this innovative method was significantly higher than that of conventional discriminant analysis methods, achieving a perfect 100.0 % accuracy. As a consequence of this research, more intelligent algorithms can be developed that trace the origin of food based on multidimensional data.

The authentication of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS), Ziziphi Mauritianae Semen (ZMS), and Hovenia Acerba Semen (HAS) has become challenging. The chromatic and textural properties of ZSS, ZMS, and HAS are analyzed in this study. Color features were extracted via RGB, CIELAB, and HSI spaces, whereas texture information was analyzed via the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and Law’s texture feature analysis. The results revealed significant differences in color and texture among the samples. The fire–ice ion dimensionality reduction algorithm effectively fuses these features, enhancing their differentiation ability. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) confirmed the algorithm’s effectiveness, with variable importance in projection analysis (VIP analysis) (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) highlighting significant differences, particularly for the fire value, which is a key factor. To further validate the reliability of the algorithm, Back Propagation Neural Network (BP), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Deep Belief Network (DBN), and Random Forest (RF) were used for reverse validation, and the accuracy of the training set and test set reached 98.83–100% and 95.89–99.32%, respectively. The method provides a simple, low-cost, and high-precision tool for the fast and nondestructive detection of food authenticity.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are bioactive nanoscale vesicles secreted by plant cells, which have recently gained attention as promising therapeutic agents in tissue engineering owing to their low immunogenicity, inherent biological activities, and potential as drug delivery vehicles. This review comprehensively outlines the general properties, application-specific characteristics, and isolation techniques of PDEVs, with a particular emphasis on their roles in facilitating cell proliferation, differentiation, and immunomodulation to promote tissue regeneration. We further discuss the therapeutic efficacy of PDEVs derived from various plant sources across different tissue engineering contexts, as well as the application of engineered PDEVs in tailored regenerative strategies. In comparison to mammalian extracellular vesicles, PDEVs present distinct advantages, including minimized ethical concerns and reduced risks of immune rejection. Nevertheless, challenges remain for their clinical translation, such as the lack of standardized isolation protocols and inadequate assessment of long-term in vivo safety. This article synthesizes current understanding of PDEVs, underscores their multifunctional potential, and offers perspectives on engineering approaches aimed at enhancing their therapeutic performance. With continued development, PDEVs may emerge as innovative tools in tissue engineering, facilitating tissue repair and regeneration either through their innate bioactivity or as engineered drug delivery systems.