Jicheng Shu

Objectives: Drynaria fortunei, a species within the Drynaria genus, is a widely distributed medicinal plant with abundant resources. Its rhizome, Drynariae rhizoma, has been extensively utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for its therapeutic efficacy in promoting wound healing, alleviating pain, tonifying the kidneys, and strengthening bones. With a well-documented historical presence in classical texts, Drynariae rhizoma has played a significant role in traditional medical systems across various cultures. Recent phytochemical investigations have identified a diverse array of compounds in Drynariae rhizoma, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, steroids, and glycosides. Among these, flavonoids represent the principal active constituents, attracting considerable research attention due to their extensive pharmacological activities. This review systematically integrates and critically analyzes the recent research progress in this field,providing a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape,with the aim of identifying promising future directions for Drynariae rhizome. Methods: This review leveraged a wide range of online databases, including SciFinder, PubMed, SpringerLink, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, American Chemical Society (ACS) Publications, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), to collect relevant literature. Comprehensive searches were conducted using keywords such as “Drynariae Rhizoma”, “flavonoids”, “extraction”, “chemical constituents”, “analytical characterization”. To ensure the scientific accuracy of this study, the botanical name of the plant was meticulously cross-verified using authoritative platforms such as “World Flora Online” and “The Plant List.” Key findings: This article provides a comprehensive overview of the botany (including characteristics, distribution, and origin) and traditional applications (such as its historical evolution, botanical sources, and multi-ethnic as well as cross-national therapeutic practices) of Drynariae rhizoma. Additionally, it highlights the latest research advancements on its flavonoid compounds, encompassing extraction methods (e.g. solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction), analytical characterization (e.g. ultraviolet spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance), chemical constituents (with 60 flavonoid compounds identified to date), biological activities (e.g. anti-osteoporosis, anti-osteoarthritis, renal protection, dental health promotion, neuroprotection, lipid-lowering, and immunomodulation), and clinical applications. Furthermore, the review discusses current quality control strategies, highlighting the impact of geographical origin and processing methods on flavonoid content. Further in-depth studies are essential to comprehensively explore these areas, paving the way for enhanced understanding and application of Drynariae rhizoma in both traditional and modern medicines. Conclusions: A comprehensive analysis of existing literature reveals that the flavonoid constituents of Drynariae rhizoma exhibit remarkable therapeutic potential owing to their structural diversity and extensive pharmacological properties. Nevertheless, current understanding of its pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control parameters remains inadequate, highlighting the urgent need for more rigorous investigations to facilitate its broader applications in both traditional and contemporary medical practices. This review is anticipated to provide a rigorous scientific basis for subsequent investigations and clinical translation of therapies based on Drynariae rhizoma.

Eight chlorinated illudalane sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Saxiglossum angustissimum, including a pair of new pterosin enantiomers, (2R)-angupterosin (1) and (2S)-angupterosin (2), as well as a new pteroside, angupteroside (3). The structures of these compounds were determined through comprehensive analysis of HRESI-MS, NMR spectral data, ECD, and comparisons with previously reported literature. Remarkably, these chlorine-containing compounds (1–8) are rare and represent the first discovery of such metabolites within the family Pyrrosioideae. The chlorinated illudalane sesquiterpenoids from S. angustissimum may serve as valuable chemotaxonomic markers for this species. Furthermore, compounds 1–8 demonstrated inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO release in BV2 cells, highlighting their potential anti-inflammatory properties. Graphical abstract

Paclitaxel, which features low water solubility and permeability, is an efflux pump substrate. The current paclitaxel drugs are given intravenously after resolving the solubility issue. Yet, oral delivery to achieve therapeutic bioavailability is not effective due to low absorption. This study evaluated a natural compound, rubusoside, to improve oral bioavailability in an animal model. Free paclitaxel molecules were processed into nano-micelles formed in water with rubusoside. The particle size of the nano-micelles in water was determined using dynamic light scattering. The oral bioavailability of paclitaxel in nano-micelles was determined against Cremophor/alcohol-solubilized Taxol after oral and intravenous administration to pre-cannulated Sprague Dawley rats. When loaded into the rubusoside-formed nano-micelles, paclitaxel reached a supersaturated concentration of 6 mg/mL, 60,000-fold over its intrinsic saturation of 0.1 µg/mL. The mean particle size was 4.7 ± 0.7 nm in diameter. Compared with Taxol^®, maximum blood concentration was increased by 1.5-fold; the time to reach maximum concentration shortened to 0.8 h from 1.7 h; and, relative oral bioavailability increased by 88%. Absolute oral bioavailability was 1.7% and 1.3% for the paclitaxel nano-micelles and Taxol^®, respectively. Solubilizing paclitaxel with rubusoside was successful, but oral bioavailability remained low. Further inhibition of the efflux pump and/or first metabolism may allow more oral paclitaxel to enter systemic circulation.

Three new flavonoid glycosides, (S)-4',6,8-trihydroxyflavanone-7-C-glucoside (1), (R)-4',6,8- trihydroxyflavanone-7-C-glucoside (2) and distenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (3), along with nine known flavonoids (4-12) were isolated from the aerial of Pteridium acquilinum. Their structures were elucidated by the analysis of spectroscopy data and their comparison with the reported values. The two C-glycosyl flavanones (1 and 2), were isolated from this specie, which might be chemotaxonomic markers of this specie. In addition, three new flavonoids were preliminarily examined for their anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1-3 inhibited the NF-κB induction by 46.3%, 59.6% and 29.2%, respectively.

Three new pterosins, named as semipterosin A (1), B (2) and C (3), together with 11 known pterosins (4–14), were isolated from the aerial parts of Pteris semipinnata. Their structures were elucidated by HRESI-MS, NMR spectral data, CD and literature comparisons. Three new pterosins were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1–3 inhibited the NF-kB induction by 40.7%, 61.9% and 34.0%, respectively. This is the first report of the isolation of compounds 6–14 from this plant. Graphical abstract

Background: Safe and efficient disposal of millions of tons of pepper sauce waste (PSW) can be a challenge to pepper sauce manufacturers that are concerned about creating environmental hazards from the processing (e.g., preservative salt and vinegar) and intrinsic (e.g., the pungent capsaicins) ingredients. It will be immensely beneficial to process these waste materials before they go to disposal. This work presents integrated approaches for a complete utilization of waste materials by removing and recovering valuable by-products and/or ingredients while succeeding to minimal to zero hazards. Methods: Laboratory- and pilot-scale extraction processes were used to demonstrate the recovery of intrinsic compounds from PSW to pungent pepper oil. Flash chromatography was then applied to isolate the pungent capsaicins out of the pepper oil, thus generating a no-heat pepper oil. Results: By processing the waste materials, a number of valuable by-products with various yield percentages were produced. They included (1) hot red pepper oil (RPO, 8.0% v/w), (2) no-heat pepper residue (NHPR, 25.3% w/w), (3) no-heat red pepper oil (NHRPO, 4.0% v/w), (4) capsaicinoids (0.8% w/w), and (5) capsaicin (0.4% w/w). The optimum processing conditions for products 1, 2, and 3 include extracting the waste materials with 95% ethanol twice, each lasting three hours. The optimal isolation conditions of flash column chromatography to obtain products 4 and 5 include the use of the pre-packed chromatography column 130 g Redisep C18, preparing the sample concentration to 100 mg/mL, eluting with aqueous ethanol, and detecting capsaicins at a wavelength of 228 nm. Conclusions: An integrated approach is offered for the complete utilization of PSW. It not only turns organic food waste into numerous new commodities but also significantly reduces the volume and degree of potential environmental hazard to the disposal sites.