To address the low efficiency and high labor demands of manual Codonopsis pilosula cultivation, as well as the limitations of existing flat-type transplanting machines that create trenches of inconsistent depth hindering root growth and seedling emergence, a C. pilosula film-covered outcrop tilted transplanting machine was developed. Based on theoretical analysis of the prototype\'s key components and agronomic requirements for oblique C. pilosula transplanting, the structure and working parameters of the rotary tiller soil throwing device, soil lifting device, track-type soil conveying device, seedling throwing device, and film covering device were determined. The core components\' working principles were analyzed, and the soil throwing process of the rotary tiller device was simulated using the discrete element method (DEM). A calculation domain was established, and the results showed that the average mass of the rotary tiller device was 49.44 kg, while the required soil lifting amount for the scraper-type soil lifting device was 21.84 kg, meeting the soil throwing requirements. Field experiments in 10 test areas demonstrated an average qualified rate of 89.50% for planting depth, 84.00% for planting posture, 90% for exposed plant spacing, 4.51 cm for plant spacing, and 8.67% coefficient of variation for planting spacing. These results meet industry standards for planting depth and planting spacing, confirming the machine\'s effectiveness in achieving high-quality tilted transplanting of C. pilosula seedlings.

Codonopsis Radix (CR), a traditional tonic medicinal material in China, has been proven to possess a variety of bioactive functions. However, its chemical composition and in vivo metabolic pattern have not been fully elucidated. In this study, AB-8 macroporous resin column chromatography was employed for the enrichment of small molecular components in CR. Furthermore, a method combining ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry with Acquire X intelligent data acquisition technology software was developed for the preliminary screening and identification of the chemical composition of CR in vitro and their metabolites in vivo. As a result, a total of 116 components were preliminarily characterized in the CR extract, including 28 polyacetylenes, 33 organic acids, 4 amino acids, 23 alkaloids, 9 phenylpropanoids, 6 terpenoids, 2 nucleosides, and 11 others. Additionally, a total of 84 compounds, including 37 prototype components and 47 metabolites, were identified in the plasma, urine, and feces of rats after oral administration of CR. Specifically, 11, 24, 19, 32, and 25 constituents were identified in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney, respectively. Of note, the lung and spleen are the organs with the highest distribution of CR compounds. These findings will serve as valuable data for future research on the correlation between the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of CR.

Campanumoea javanica Bl. (CJ) traditionally used in Southwestern China, is now widely consumed as a health food across the nation. Due to its similar efficacy to Codonopsis Radix (CR) and their shared botanical family, CJ is often used as a substitute for CR. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T. Shen (CPM), Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. (CP), and Codonopsis tangshen Oliv. (CT) are the primary sources of CR. However, details on the differences in composition, effectiveness, and compositional between CJ and CR are still limited. Besides, there is little evidence to support the application of CJ as a drug. In this study, we employed widely targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology analysis, and molecular docking to explore the disparities in metabolite profiles between CJ and CR and to predict the pharmacological mechanisms of the dominant differential metabolites of CJ and their potential medicinal applications. The widely targeted metabolomics results indicated that 1,076, 1,102, 1,102, and 1,093 compounds, most phenolic acids, lipids, amino acids, and flavonoids, were characterized in CJ, CPM, CP, and CT, respectively. There were an average of 1061 shared compounds in CJ and CRs, with 95.07% similarity in metabolic profiles. Most of the metabolites in CJ were previously unreported. Twelve of the seventeen dominant metabolites found in CJ were directly associated with treating cancer and lactation, similar to the traditional medicinal efficacy. The molecular docking results showed that the dominant metabolites of CJ had good docking activity with the core targets PIK3R1, PIK3CA, ESR1, HSP90AA1, EGFR, and AKT1. This study provides a scientific basis for understanding the similarities and differences between CJ and CR at the metabolome level, offering a theoretical foundation for developing innovative medications from CJ. Additionally, it significantly enhances the metabolite databases for both CJ and CR.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness. AMD is currently incurable; the best solution is to prevent its occurrence. To develop drugs for AMD, it is crucial to have a model system that mimics the symptoms and mechanisms in patients. It is most important to develop safer and more effective anti-AMD drug. In this study, the dose of A2E and the intensity of blue light were evaluated to establish an appropriate atrophic in vitro model of AMD and anti-AMD effect and therapeutic mechanism of Codonopsis lanceolata. The experimental groups included a control group an AMD group treated with A2E and blue light, a lutein group treated with 25 μM lutein after AMD induction, and three groups treated with different doses of C. lanceolata (10, 20, and 50 μg/mL) after AMD induction. Intrinsic apoptotic pathway (Bcl-2 family), anti-oxidative system (Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant response element), and anti-carbonyl effect (4-hydroxynonenal [4-HNE]) were evaluated using immunofluorescence, MTT, TUNEL, FACS, and western blotting analyses. A2E accumulation in the cytoplasm of ARPE-19 cells depending on the dose of A2E. Cell viability of ARPE-19 cells according to the dose of A2E and/or blue light intensity. The population of apoptotic or necrotic cells increased based on the A2E dose and blue light intensity. Codonopsis lanceolata dose-dependently prevented cell death which was induced by A2E and blue light. The antiapoptotic effect of that was caused by activating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, suppressing 4-HNE, and modulating Bcl-2 family proteins like increase of antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL and decrease of proapoptotic protein such as Bim. Based on these findings, 30 μM A2E and 20 mW/cm2 blue light on adult retinal pigment epithelium-19 cells was an appropriate condition for AMD model and C. lanceolata shows promise as an anti-AMD agent.

Codonopsis convolvulacea is a highly valued Chinese medicinal plant containing diverse bioactive compounds. While roots/tubers have been the main medicinal parts used in practice, leaves and stems may also harbor valuable phytochemicals. However, research comparing volatiles across tissues is lacking. This study performed metabolomic profiling of leaves, stems, and tubers of C. convolvulacea to elucidate tissue-specific accumulation patterns of volatile metabolites. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry identified 302 compounds, belonging to 14 classes. Multivariate analysis clearly differentiated the metabolic profiles of the three tissues. Numerous differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were detected, especially terpenoids and esters. The leaves contained more terpenoids, ester, and alcohol. The stems accumulated higher levels of terpenoids, heterocyclics, and alkaloids with pharmaceutical potential. The tubers were enriched with carbohydrates like sugars and starch, befitting their storage role, but still retained reasonable amounts of valuable volatiles. The characterization of tissue-specific metabolic signatures provides a foundation for the selective utilization of C. convolvulacea parts. Key metabolites identified include niacinamide, p-cymene, tridecanal, benzeneacetic acid, benzene, and carveol. Leaves, stems, and tubers could be targeted for antioxidants, drug development, and tonics/nutraceuticals, respectively. The metabolomic insights can also guide breeding strategies to enhance the bioactive compound content in specific tissues. This study demonstrates the value of tissue-specific metabolite profiling for informing the phytochemical exploitation and genetic improvement of medicinal plants.

Species of the genus Codonopsis (Campanulaceae) have a long history of application, acclaimed for its edible and therapeutic attributes. Scholarly inquiries into Codonopsis span botany, phytochemistry, quality assurance, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity, revealing a rich and comprehensive body of knowledge. This study synthesizes information from esteemed scientific databases like SciFinder, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese herbal classics to create a thorough scientific conceptual and theoretical framework for Codonopsis research. In this article, the phytochemical composition includes saccharides, polyacetylenes, polyenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, terpenoids, and organic acids was summarized. To date, over 350 monomeric compounds have been isolated and identified from Codonopsis, with recent studies primarily focusing on polysaccharides, aromatic derivatives, lignans, and polyacetylenes. Codonopsis exhibits broad pharmacological activities across various systems, including immune, blood, cardiovascular, central nervous, and digestive systems, with no significant toxicity or adverse effects reported. The existing research, focusing on various extracts and active parts without identifying specific active molecules, complicates the understanding of the mechanisms of action. There is an urgent need to advance research on the chemical composition and pharmacological effects to fully elucidate its pharmacodynamic properties and the basis of its material composition. Such efforts are crucial for the rational development, utilization, and clinical application of this herb.

In this work, the selenylation Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (Se-CPPS) were synthesized using an optimized microwave-assisted method. Then, physicochemical properties, including molecular weight, particle size, valence state of selenium, antioxidant capacity, release mechanism of selenium under gastrointestinal conditions, as well as their effects on HT-29 cell viability were comprehensively investigated. The results demonstrated that Se-CPPS with the highest selenium content (21.71 mg/g) was synthesized using 0.8% nitric acid concentration under microwave conditions of 90 min at 70 °C. FTIR and XPS analysis revealed that Se was bound to the polysaccharide chain in the form of O-Se-O and O-H···Se, with a valence state of either 0 or +4. In vitro investigations on antioxidant activity and selenium release capacity indicated that selenization not only enhanced the antioxidant activity of CPPS but also endowed Se-CPPS with robust selenium release capability in simulated gastric digestion. The effects of Se-CPPS on HT-29 cells was further investigated by CCK-8 method. The results showed that the selenide modification effectively reduced the toxicity of Na2SeO3 and enhanced the viability of CPPS. The findings of this study offer valuable methodological guidance for the synthesis of Se-polysaccharides with superior functional properties.

Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPP), the main active ingredient of Codonopsis pilosula, has gained significant attention as a liver-protective agent. Previous studies have demonstrated that CPP could alleviate gut microbiota dysbiosis in colitis or obese mice. However, the effects of CPP on mycotoxin-induced liver injury and gut microbiota dysbiosis are still poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of CPP on sterigmatocystin (STC)-induced liver injury, as well as its regulatory effects on gut microbiota. Our results revealed that CPP intervention significantly alleviated STC-induced liver injury, as evidenced by decreased liver index, reduced liver histopathological changes, and modulation of related molecular markers. Additionally, we found that CPP could alleviate liver injury by reducing liver inflammation and oxidative stress, inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis, and regulating lipid metabolism. Notably, we also observed that CPP could alleviate STC-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis by modulating the diversity and richness of gut microbiota, suggesting that gut microbiota modulation may also serve as a mechanism for CPP-mediated remission of liver injury. In summary, our study not only provided a new theoretical basis for understanding the hepatotoxicity of STC and the protective effects of CPP against STC-induced liver injury, but also provided new perspectives for the application of CPP in the fields of food, healthcare products, and medicine.

The majority of the immune cell population in the tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), which are the main players in coordinating tumor-associated inflammation. TAM has a high plasticity and is divided into two main phenotypes, pro-inflammatory M1 type and anti-inflammatory M2 type, with tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting functions, respectively. Considering the beneficial effects of M1 macrophages for anti-tumor and the high plasticity of macrophages, the conversion of M2 TAM to M1 TAM is feasible and positive for tumor treatment. This study sought to evaluate whether the glycopeptide derived from simulated digested Codonopsis pilosula extracts could regulate the polarization of M2-like TAM toward the M1 phenotype and the potential regulatory mechanisms. The results showed that after glycopeptide dCP1 treatment, the mRNA relative expression levels of some M2 phenotype marker genes in M2-like TAM in simulated TME were reduced, and the relative expression levels of M1 phenotype marker genes and inflammatory factor genes were increased. Analysis of RNA-Seq of M2-like TAM after glycopeptide dCP1 intervention showed that the gene sets such as glycolysis, which is associated with macrophage polarization in the M1 phenotype, were significantly up-regulated, whereas those of gene sets such as IL-6-JAK-STAT3 pathway, which is associated with polarization in the M2 phenotype, were significantly down-regulated. Moreover, PCA analysis and Pearson\'s correlation also indicated that M2-like TAM polarized toward the M1 phenotype at the transcriptional level after treatment with the glycopeptide dCP1. Lipid metabolomics was used to further explore the efficacy of the glycopeptide dCP1 in regulating the polarization of M2-like TAM to the M1 phenotype. It was found that the lipid metabolite profiles in dCP1-treated M2-like TAM showed M1 phenotype macrophage lipid metabolism profiles compared with blank M2-like TAM. Analysis of the key differential lipid metabolites revealed that the interconversion between phosphatidylcholine (PC) and diacylglycerol (DG) metabolites may be the central reaction of the glycopeptide dCP1 in regulating the conversion of M2-like TAM to the M1 phenotype. The above results suggest that the glycopeptide dCP1 has the efficacy to regulate the polarization of M2-like TAM to M1 phenotype in simulated TME.

BACKGROUND: Codonopsis Radix, commonly known as Dangshen in Chinese, is frequently used to treat deficiencies of spleen and lung Qi, gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue, asthmatic breathing, sallow complexion, lack of strength, shortness of breath, deficiencies of both Qi and blood, as well as impairments to both Qi and body fluids in suboptimal health status.
OBJECTIVE: This review systematically expounds on the modern pharmacological studies related to the use of Codonopsis Radix in invigorating Qi and nourishing the body in recent years. The aim is to provide theoretical research and reference for the in-depth and systematic exploration and development of the applications of Codonopsis Radix in the fields of food and medicine.
METHODS: This study employs \"Codonopsis Radix,\" \"Codonopsis,\" and \"Dangshen\" as keywords to gather pertinent information on Codonopsis Radix medicine through electronic searches of classical literature and databases such as PubMed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Wiley, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Baidu Scholar.
RESULTS: From previous studies, activities such as immune system modulation, gastrointestinal motility regulation, cardiac function revitalization, lung function improvement, blood circulation enhancement, aging process deceleration, learning and memory augmentation, fatigue resistance enhancement, and liver and kidney damage protection of Codonopsis Radix have been reported. Recognized as an important medicine and food homologous traditional Chinese herbal remedy for supplementing deficiencies, its mode of action is multi-elemental, multi-systemic, multi-organ, multi-mechanistic, and multi-targeted. Furthermore, the benefits of its tonic surpass its therapeutic value, establishing it as an extraordinary preventive and therapeutic medicine.
CONCLUSIONS: With its long history of traditional applications and the revelations of contemporary pharmacological research, Codonopsis Radix exhibits great potential as both a therapeutic agent and a dietary supplement for further research in medicine, nutrition, and healthcare.