Comparison of laxative and antioxidant activities of raw, processed and fermented Polygoni Multiflori Radix

doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(12)60014-4

Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines

Volume 10, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 63-67

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(12)60014-4 Get rights and content

Abstract

Aim

To observe the anti-oxidative activity and adverse laxative effect of raw, traditional processed and fermented products of Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR), and furthermore, to evaluate the fermentation method used in the processing procedure of PMR.

Methods

In vitro ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was carried out to evaluate the anti-oxidative activity. Modulation of normal defecation and effect on gastrointestinal motility in mice were carried out to investigate their adverse laxative effect.

Results

Fermented PMR induced less severe laxative adverse effect than Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (PMRP). PMR fermented with Rhizopus sp. (FB) could modulate the defecation significantly. The gastrointestinal motility was inhibited by PMRP and PMR fermented with Rhizopus oryzae (FA). FA and FB showed better antioxidant activity than PMRP in 50% and 95% ethanol group. Contents of 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) were reduced significantly after traditional processing but maintained after fermentation. Emodin and physcion were increased after traditional processing and fermented with Rhizopus oryzae.

Conclusion

All processing procedure, including fermentation, might reduce its anti-oxidative activity. However, most of the processed products could lessen the adverse effect on gastrointestinal tract compared to PMR. Fermentation with Rhizopus oryzae was considered as a promising processing method of PMR.

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Influence of sampling location and processing on the assembly and network of Polygoni Multiflori Radix surface microbiome
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The raw and processed roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb is a popular traditional Chinese medicine. However, Polygoni Multiflori Radix is easily contaminated by toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins during harvesting, processing, and transportation, thereby posing a health risk for consumers. This study aims to investigate the presence of fungi on the surface of raw and processed Polygoni Multiflori Radix collected from four producing areas using high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, the genera Xeromyces, Cystofilobasidium, Eurotium, and Aspergillus were the dominant fungus, and significant differences are presented in four areas and two processed products. Three potential mycotoxin-producing fungi were detected, namely Trichosporon cutaneum, Aspergillus restrictus, and Fusarium oxysporum. The α-diversity and network complexity showed significant differences in four areas. Chao 1 and Shannon were highest in Yunnan (YN), then incrementally decreased from SC (Sichuan) to AH (Anhui) and GD (Guangdong) areas. Meanwhile, α-diversity was also strongly influenced by processing. Chao 1 and Shannon indices were higher in the raw group, however, the network complexity and connectivity were higher in the processed group. In conclusion, the assembly and network of the surface microbiome on Polygoni Multiflori Radix were influenced by sampling location and processing. This work provides details on the surface microbiome of Polygoni Multiflori Radix samples, which could ensure the drug and consumers' safety.
Identification, pathogenic mechanism and control of Rhizopus oryzae causing postharvest fruit rot in pumpkin
2023, Postharvest Biology and Technology
Fruit rot, caused by a variety of pathogens, is one of the most severe postharvest diseases of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), seriously affects the storage life of postharvest pumpkin. Understanding pathogenic factors is the premise and basis for taking effective control measures. In 2022, an uncommon fruit rot was observed in the storage in Harbin, China. Five different fungal isolates were obtained from infected pumpkin fruits, and identified as Rhizopus oryzae based on morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. oryzae causing fruit rot in pumpkin in China. Pathogenicity tests of the isolates revealed that most isolates were virulent pathogens. R. oryzae isolates causing pumpkin fruit rot greatly increased cutinase polygalaturonase, pectinesterase, pectin lyase, β-galactosidase, cellulase, and hemicellulose activities, and released their associated cell wall component products. The rapid disassembly of the host cells walls by these enzymes was concomitant with flesh softening and rapid growth of R. oryzae, and was probably the main determinant of this fungus as a pathogen. In addition, R. oryzae isolates infected muskmelon, strawberry, wild peach, apple, emerald melon, white pear and tomato fruits, but not cocozelle and cucumber fruits. R. oryzae isolates were the most sensitive to pyraclostrobin, moderately sensitive to physcion. Pyraclostrobin, the most effective fungicide evaluated, completely inhibited sporangiospore germination at ＜0.01 mg·L⁻¹. Pyraclostrobin treatment of inoculated pumpkin fruit with 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mg·L⁻¹ reduced subsequent disease by approximately 80%. Therefore, the use of intercropping host and non-host plants, and chemical fungicides can be considered to control the fruit rot in pumpkin. These results provide a basis for controlling R. oryzae in postharvest pumpkin fruit.
Deciphering biotransformation of anthraquinone electron shuttles in Rheum palmatum L. for value-added production
2022, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers
Citation Excerpt :
Evidently, this repeated fed-batch mode of operation for resveratrol bioconversion is more economically-promising than enzyme or cell immobilization strategies in terms of reusing cycles. Yu et al. [24] also stated that the fermentation of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb by Rhizopus oryzae increased emodin and physcion from 2.86 to 6.86 mg/g and from 4.91 to 10.6 mg/g, respectively. As Lin et al. [25] disclosed, the fermentation of P. multiflorum by Ganoderma lucidum could significantly attenuate biotoxicity of P. multiflorum through degradation of tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside (TSG).
Recent findings indicated that electron mediating characteristics of electrochemical catalysis would enhance disease-treating efficacy of herbal medicine. In particular, biomass energy-amplifying and electron transfer-stimulating medicines could even treat not only brain-associated diseases, but also virus-caused infections. Exploring different electron shuttle (ES)-bearing medicinal herbs for biorefinery should have potentials to develop value-added production (e.g., medicated diet).
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were used as the bioenergy-evaluating platform to select the most promising anthraquinone (AQ) ES-abundant herb. Optimal conditions of water and ethanol extraction were determined to maximize bioenergy content of resultant extract. According to HPLC, MS/MS and TAC analyses, serial acclimation to select effective rhubarb-degrading bacteria was implemented to maximize the product formation.
Rheum palmatum L. was the most favorable AQ-plentiful medicinal herb to exhibit bioenergy-stimulating activities. Extraction at higher ethanol % could obtain the maximal recovery of AQ content; however, an increased inhibition was resulted as MFC results indicated. With 3-4 cycles of acclimation using appropriate food-originated microbes, the production of aloe-emodin and chrysophanol increased ca. 400% and 270%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this first-attempt study provided a novel bioenergy perspective to maximize AQ production of rhubarb fermentation. Moreover, significant reduction of biotoxicity potency should be top-priority concern to guarantee this GRAS production.
Shouhui Tongbian Capsule ameliorates constipation via gut microbiota-5-HT-intestinal motility axis
2022, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy
Citation Excerpt :
The prescription of SHTB consists of 8 Chinese herbal products, including Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., Aloe, Cassiae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Asini Corii Colla, Panax ginseng, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. Aloe has been well accepted to promote intestinal absorption functions [15,16] and Polygoni Multiflori Radix can also promote gastrointestinal motility [17]. It has been recently reported that Asini Corii Colla and Ginseng are able to improve gastrointestinal functions as well, yet their effects on constipation are not well-characterized [18–20].
Constipation has become an epidemic enteric medical problem, accompanied with increasing long-term sequelae. Gut microbiota and serotonin (5-HT) have been believed as predominant player in the treatment of constipation. In clinical practices, Shouhui Tongbian Capsule (SHTB) was found to effectively improve constipation symptoms and promote gastrointestinal motility. However, the specific mechanism of SHTB is not clearly elucidated. Our current study aims to explore the therapeutic effects of SHTB against the development of constipation and the underlying mechanisms related to gut bacterial and 5-HT. We established loperamide hydrochloride (LH)-induced experimental constipation mouse model to evaluate the effect of SHTB. 16S RNA sequencing, fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), high performance liquid chromatograph, and molecular biological analysis were performed to investigate the potential mechanisms of SHTB. Our data demonstrated that SHTB significantly ameliorated LH-induced experimental constipation and accelerated enteric motility via promoting 5-HT biosynthesis in enterochromaffin cells and enteric neuron growth of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in both the small intestine and colon. Additionally, SHTB significantly modulated gut microbiota dysbiosis and potentially altered microbiota metabolites to enhance intestinal 5-HT production. Finally, FMT study confirmed that the effects of SHTB on 5-HT production and constipation are dependent on modulating intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. In conclusion, our current study deciphered therapeutic mechanism of SHTB in the treatment of experimental constipation from perspectives of gut microbiota-5-HT-intetinal motility axis and provides novel insights into the appropriate and safe application of SHTB in the clinic.
Investigation of toxicity attenuation mechanism of tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside in Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. by Ganoderma lucidum
2021, Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Citation Excerpt :
During the bidirectional fermentation process, the enzymes produced by the fungi can lead to decomposition of the toxic components in the Chinese traditional medicine. Currently, the major fungi being used in the bidirectional fermentation of PM included Aspergillus niger, Monascus, Rhizopus oryzae, Cordyceps sinensis, Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus plantarum (Yu et al., 2012; Shin and Kim, 2016). These fungi had a limited transformation rate and were harm to the environmental pollution and human body.
The idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PM) has attracted great interest, and tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside (TSG) was the main idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity constituent, but biological detoxification on idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of PM was not well investigated.
This study aimed to illustrate biological detoxification mechanism on PM-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity by Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum).
G. lucidum was used for biological detoxification of tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside (TSG)-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of PM. The TSG consumption and products formation were dynamically determined during transformation using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MSn). The transformation invertases (β-D-glucosidase and lignin peroxidase) were evaluated by using intracellular and extracellular distribution and activity assay. The key functions of lignin peroxidase (LiP) were studied by experiments of adding inhibitors and agonists. The entire TSG transformation process was confirmed in vitro simulated test. The cellular toxicity of TSG and the transformation products was detected by MTT.
A suitable biotransformation system of TSG was established with G. lucidum, then p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,3,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde can be found as transformation products of TSG. The transformation mechanism involves two extracellular enzymes, β-D-glucosidase and LiP. β-D-glucosidase can remove glycosylation of TSG firstly and then LiP can break the double bond of remaining glycosides. The toxicity of TSG after biotransformation by G. lucidum was attenuated.
This study would reveal a novel biological detoxification method for PM and explain degradation processes of TSG by enzymic methods.
Polygonum multiflorum: Recent updates on newly isolated compounds, potential hepatotoxic compounds and their mechanisms
2021, Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Citation Excerpt :
In a comparative pharmacological study, oral administration of processed and raw PM to Kunming mice has resulted in a higher gastrointestinal motility inhibition effect by the processed PM, while the raw PM has the obvious adverse laxative effect. In vitro study of the authors has also shown the reduction of antioxidant activity of PM after processing (Yu et al., 2012). These pharmacological activity variations have resulted from hydrolysis of the glycosides.
Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.(PM), (known as Heshouwu (何首乌) in China) is one of the most important and well mentioned Chinese medicinal herbs in the literature for its use in blackening hair, nourishing liver and kidney, anti-aging, anti-hyperlipidemia, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotection, cardio-protection and improving age-related cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to give a comprehensive and recent update on PM: new compounds or isolated for the first time, potential hepatotoxic compounds and their mechanisms. Moreover, future perspectives and challenges in the future study of this plant are conversed which will make a new base for further study on PM.
A comprehensive review of relevant published literature on PM using the scientific databases SCOPUS, PubMed, and Science Direct was done.
PM is broadly produced in many provinces of China and well known in other Eastern Asian Countries for its ethno-medical uses. Previous phytochemical investigation of PM had led to the isolation of more than 175 compounds including recently isolated 70 new compounds. Most of the new compounds isolated after 2015 are majorly dianthrone glycosides and stilbene glycosides. Processing has also a significant effect on chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of PM. PM-induced liver injury is increasing after the first report in Hong Kong in 1996. Hepatotoxicity of PM was constantly reported in Japan, Korea, China, Australia, Britain, Italy, and other countries although its toxicity is related to idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. More interestingly, although there is indispensable interest to predict idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of PM and understand its mechanisms, the responsible hepatotoxic compounds and mechanisms of liver damage induced by PM are still not clear. There is a big controversy on the identification of the most responsible constituent. Anthraquinone and stilbene compounds in PM, mainly emodine and TSG are mentioned in the literature to be the main responsible hepatotoxic compounds. However, comparing the two compounds, which one is the more critical toxic agent for PM-induced hepatotoxicity is not well answered. Affecting different physiological and metabolic pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation and TCA cycle pathway, metabolic pathways, bile acid excretion pathway and genetic polymorphisms are among the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity of PM.
Deeper and effective high throughput experimental studies are still research hotspots to know the most responsible constituent and the mechanism of PM-induced hepatotoxicity.

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Available online 20 Jan. 2012

Research funding This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 30760312, 81060337), Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province, China (No. 2010ZC105) and Key project of Science foundation by Department of Education, Yunnan Province, China (No. 0920044).

These authors have no any conflict of interest to declare.

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Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

References (21)

Chemical modification of isoflavones in soyfoods during cooking and processing [J]

Am J Clin Nutr

Antioxidant activity of stilbene glycoside from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb in vivo [J]

Food Chem

Comparative research on quality of various shenqu fermented with different pure inoculation [J]

China J Chin Mat Med

Effects of pure breed fermentation on major effective component in semen sojae praeparatum [J]

J Gansu Coll Trad Chin Med

Preliminary study on the isolation of endophytic fungus of Catharanthus roseus and its fermentation to produce products of therapeutic value [J]

Chin Trad Herb Drug

Optimization of spontaneous fermentation and acid hydrolysis of extracting diosgenin from the rhizome of Dioscorea zingiberensis [J]

J Plant Res Envi

The primary studies on preparation of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb by fermentation method [J]

Nat Prod Res Dev

Effect of fermentation on the anthraquinones content in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei [J]

Yunnan J Trad Chin Med Mat Med

Optimization of extracting process of Polygonum multiflorum [J]

Chin Trad Herb Drug

Research on the process of Radix Polygoni Multiflori steaming [J]

Chin Trad Herb Drug

Cited by (33)

Influence of sampling location and processing on the assembly and network of Polygoni Multiflori Radix surface microbiome

Identification, pathogenic mechanism and control of Rhizopus oryzae causing postharvest fruit rot in pumpkin

Deciphering biotransformation of anthraquinone electron shuttles in Rheum palmatum L. for value-added production

Shouhui Tongbian Capsule ameliorates constipation via gut microbiota-5-HT-intestinal motility axis

Investigation of toxicity attenuation mechanism of tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside in Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. by Ganoderma lucidum

Polygonum multiflorum: Recent updates on newly isolated compounds, potential hepatotoxic compounds and their mechanisms