Yujuan Li

Maca polysaccharides: A review of compositions, isolation, therapeutics and prospects

Maca polysaccharides, some of the major bioactive substances in Lepidium meyenii (Walp.) (Maca), have various biological properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as hepatoprotective activity and regulation function. Although many therapeutics depend on multiple structures of maca polysaccharides in addition to providing sufficient foundations for maca polysaccharide products in industrial applications, the relationships between the pharmacological effects and structures have not been established. Therefore, this article summarizes the extraction and purification methods, compositions, pharmacological effects, prospects and industrial applications of maca polysaccharides.

Yield enhancement strategies of rare pharmaceutical metabolites from endophytes

Endophytes are barely untapped as vital sources in the medicine. They are microorganisms which mostly exist in plants. As they are exploited, it is accepted that endophytes can produce active metabolites that possess same function as their hosts such as taxol, podophyllotoxin, hypericin, and azadirachtin. These metabolites have been promising potential usefulness in safety and human health concerns. We are supposed to adopt measures to raise production for the low yield of metabolites. This paper summarizes the latest advances in various bioprocess optimization strategies. These techniques can overcome the limitations associated with rare pharmaceutical metabolite-producing endophytic fungi. These strategies include strain improvement, genome shuffling, medium optimization, fermentation conditions optimization, addition of specific factor, addition of solid sorbent, and co-culturing. It will enable endophytes to produce high and sustainable production of rare pharmaceutical metabolites.

Maca polysaccharides: Extraction optimization, structural features and anti-fatigue activities

The maca polysaccharides optimal extraction conditions were obtained by using response surface methodology (RSM) method and the anti-fatigue activity of maca polysaccharides (MCP) was explored. The maca polysaccharides extract yield of RSM could reach 9.97u202fmg/g by using the model predicts, and the total sugar and protein purity were 61.00% and 4.46% with the further isolation process, respectively. And the monosaccharide compositions obtained by gas chromatograph (GC) were composed of rhamnose (rha), glucose (glc), galactose (gal) with the ratio of 2.34:10.21:1.00. Furthermore, the anti-fatigue activity was evaluated by the swimming parameter, biochemistry parameters (liver glycogen (LG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and lactic acid (LD)), the result indicated that the low-dose maca polysaccharides group had the significant anti-fatigue activity.

Ginsenosides: A Potential Neuroprotective Agent

Ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of pharmacological activities. Ginsenosides are the major constituents of ginseng. Ginsenosides have the unique biological activity and medicinal value, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, and inhibition of cell apoptosis. With the increase of stress in life, the incidence of nervous system diseases is also increasing. Neurological diseases pose a huge burden on peoples life and health. In recent years, some studies have shown that ginsenosides have a certain role in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. However, the research is still in its infancy, and the relevant mechanisms are complex. In the paper, we review the effects and mechanisms of ginsenosides on epilepsy, depression, cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury, Alzheimers disease, and Parkinsons disease. We hope to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of nervous system diseases by ginsenosides.

Optimization of Submerged Fermentation Medium for Matrine Production by Aspergillus terreus, an Endophytic Fungus Harboring Seeds of Sophora flavescens, Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract Different endophytes isolated from the seeds of Sophora flavescens were tested for their ability to produce matrine production. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the medium components for the endophytic fungus. Results indicated that endophyte Aspergillus terreus had the ability to produce matrine. The single factor tests demonstrated that potato starch was the best carbon source and the combination of peptone and NH4NO3 was the optimal nitrogen source for A. terreus. The model of RSM predicted to gain the maximal matrine production at 20.67 μg/L, when the potato starch was 160.68 g/L, peptone was 24.96 g/L and NH4NO3 was 2.11 g/L. When cultured in the optimal medium, the matrine yield was an average of 20.63 ± 0.11 μg/L, which was consistent with the model prediction. This study offered an alternative source for the matrine production by endophytic fungus fermentation and may have far-reaching prospect and value.

Study on Transformation of Ginsenosides in Different Methods

Ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine and has the extensive pharmacological activity. Ginsenosides are the major constituent in ginseng and have the unique biological activity and medicinal value. Ginsenosides have the good effects on antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and inhibition of the cell apoptosis. Studies have showed that the major ginsenosides could be converted into rare ginsenosides, which played a significant role in exerting pharmacological activity. However, the contents of some rare ginsenosides are very little. So it is very important to find the effective way to translate the main ginsenosides to rare ginsenosides. In order to provide the theoretical foundation for the transformation of ginsenoside in vitro, in this paper, many methods of the transformation of ginsenoside were summarized, mainly including physical methods, chemical methods, and biotransformation methods.

A Review: The Bioactivities and Pharmacological Applications of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been widely used in China and is regarded as the most important therapeutic. Polygonatum sibiricum (PS), a natural plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, has various functions associated with a number of its components. There are many compositions in PS including polysaccharides, steroids, anthraquinone, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, lignin, vitamins, various acids, and so on. Of these, polysaccharides play a significant role in PS-based therapeutics. This article summarizes Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP) have many pharmacological applications and biological activities, such as their antioxidant activity, anti-aging activity, an anti-fatigue effect, immunity enhancement effect, antibacterial effect, anti-inflammatory effect, hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effects, anti-osteoporosis effect, liver protection, treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM), anti-cancer effect, and may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and so on. This review summarized the extraction method, purification method, compositions, pharmacological applications, biological activities, biosynthesis, and prospects of PSP, providing a basis for further study of PS and PSP.

Maca Cosmetics: A Review on Constituents, Therapeutics and Advantages

Herbal cosmetics are the focus of attention nowadays, they have various therapeutics, including, anti-oxidant, anti-radiation, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory. Maca contains polysaccharides, phenolics, alkaloids, minerals and amino acids, which is said to suitable component for cosmetics due to the single action or synergy action. The review summarized the existed and potential therapeutic effects of maca ingredients in cosmetics. And compared to the marketed cosmetics, maca cosmetics have the merits of mild, low-toxicity and the clear relationship efficacy.

The Potential of Using Bee Pollen in Cosmetics: a Review

During ancient times in China, bee pollen was used for skin whitening and beauty. Around 70% of substances in bee pollen are biologically active, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and fatty acids, phenolic compounds, vitamins and bioelements.This review describes the cosmeceutical properties of bee pollen and the mechanism of its active components action, its beneficial influence on human skin. As a natural bee product, bee pollen may effectively enhance protective mechanisms against skin aging, skin dryness, ultraviolet B radiation, oxidative damage, inflammatory and melanogenesis, which are involved in a wide range of negative effects on human skin, thus they have attracted attention for health and cosmetic applications.

Structure Properties, Acquisition Protocols, and Biological Activities of Oleuropein Aglycone

Oleuropein aglycone, which is the major phenolic component of extra virgin olive oil, is gaining popularity and importance in scientific and public communities. This paper summarizes the structure properties, acquisition protocols, and biological activities of oleuropein aglycone. There are three hydrolytic methods used to obtain oleuropein aglycone from oleuropein-enzymatic hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, and acetal hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis can be achieved with exogenous enzymes and endogenous enzymes. In addition, the diverse pharmacological effects of oleuropein aglycone are summaried. These pharmacological effects include anti-Alzheimers disease, anti-breast cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-oxidative, and lipid-lowering properties. Therefore, we can use hydrolysis and biological activities to study oleuropein aglycone in the future.