Screening Quality Markers of Regulating Lipid Metabolism Activity of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee Based on Spectral Effect Relationship

Objective: The study was designed to test solvent extracts of Rubus suavissimus (RS) for compounds that regulate lipid metabolism and to measure their relative activity as quantitative markers of lipid metabolism-regulating activities based on the spectrum-effect relationship. Method: RS was extracted with 95% ethanol, the different extraction parts were successively extracted with petroleum ether, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. The solution of different extraction parts was applied to the induced differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and the oil red O staining and triglyceride release from the cells were determined to screen the best metabolism-regulating site. Analysis of different extraction sited by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique to separate and identify the components. Based on specific assays, image intensity analysis, grey correlation and partial least squares regressions, the spectrum-effect relationship of the most abundant active components and their ability to regulate lipid metabolism were determined, and the quality markers were screened. Results: Ethyl acetate and n-butanol extraction site was the best metabolism-regulating site. Four components, including ellagic acid, centaurin-3-O-rutinoside, rubusoside and enantio-kauri-16-ene-19-carboxylic acid-13-O-β-D-glucoside were highly associated with metabolism-regulating effects. It could be used as quality markers for regulating lipid metabolism. Conclusion: Investigation of the quality markers of RS extracts based on the spectrum-effect relationship is of great importance for elucidating the pharmacodynamics, screening the core quality markers for therapeutic activity, and ensuring the safety and rational application of traditional medicines

Bacterial composition and physicochemical characteristics of sorghum based on environmental factors in different regions of China

The fermentation process for Jiang-flavored baijiu using sorghum as the raw material involves a variety of microorganisms. However, the specific physicochemical characteristics of sorghum and microbial composition on its surface have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to perform a comprehensive comparative analysis of the variations in physicochemical properties and surface microflora in waxy sorghum samples from three prominent production regions in China (Renhuai, Jinsha, and Duyun). Multivariate statistical assessments were conducted that incorporated local soil and climate variables. The results showed that Cyanobacteria, unclassified bacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota were the dominant bacteria in these regions. These bacteria were associated with ethyl acetate, ethyl caprylate, ethyl lactate, and butyl groups, which synergistically produce flavorful compounds. The surface bacterial communities were affected by soil total phosphorus, altitude, diurnal temperature range, monthly mean temperature, precipitation, and effective accumulated temperature. The findings of this study provide a new perspective on microorganisms related to Jiang-flavored baijiu and can help establish a reference for the stability of liquor quality

Metabolomics of the Protective Effect of Ampelopsis grossedentata and Its Major Active Compound Dihydromyricetin on the Liver of High-Fat Diet Hamster

The flavonoid dihydromyricetin (DMY) is the main component of Ampelopsis grossedentata (Hand-Mazz) W. T. Wang (AG), a daily beverage and folk medicine used in Southern China to treat jaundice hepatitis, cold fever, and sore throat. Recently, DMY and AG were shown to have a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism disorder. However, the mechanisms of how DMY and AG protect the liver during lipid metabolism disorder remain unclear. In this study, we first analyzed the chemical compounds of AG by HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn. Of the 31 compounds detected, 29 were identified based on previous results. Then, the effects of DMY and AG on high-fat diet hamster livers were studied and the metabolite levels and metabolic pathway activity of the liver were explored by 1H NMR metabolomics. Compared to the high-fat diet group, supplementation of AG and DMY attenuated the high-fat-induced increase in body weight, liver lipid deposition, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels, and normalized endogenous metabolite concentrations. PCA and PLS-DA score plots demonstrated that while the metabolic profiles of hamsters fed a high-fat diet supplemented with DMY or AG were both far from those of hamsters fed a normal diet or a high-fat diet alone, they were similar to each other. Our data suggest that the underlying mechanism of the protective effect of DMY and AG might be related to an attenuation of the deleterious effect of high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia on multiple metabolic pathways including amino acid metabolism, ketone body metabolism, energy metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and enhanced fatty acid oxidation

Tailoring grain boundary stability of zinc-titanium alloy for long-lasting aqueous zinc batteries

Abstract The detrimental parasitic reactions and uncontrolled deposition behavior derived from inherently unstable interface have largely impeded the practical application of aqueous zinc batteries. So far, tremendous efforts have been devoted to tailoring interfaces, while stabilization of grain boundaries has received less attention. Here, we demonstrate that preferential distribution of intermetallic compounds at grain boundaries via an alloying strategy can substantially suppress intergranular corrosion. In-depth morphology analysis reveals their thermodynamic stability, ensuring sustainable potency. Furthermore, the hybrid nucleation and growth mode resulting from reduced Gibbs free energy contributes to the spatially uniform distribution of Zn nuclei, promoting the dense Zn deposition. These integrated merits enable a high Zn reversibility of 99.85% for over 4000 cycles, steady charge-discharge at 10 mA cm−2, and impressive cyclability for roughly 3500 cycles in Zn-Ti//NH4V4O10 full cell. Notably, the multi-layer pouch cell of 34 mAh maintains stable cycling for 500 cycles. This work highlights a fundamental understanding of microstructure and motivates the precise tuning of grain boundary characteristics to achieve highly reversible Zn anodes