The composition and stability of the microbial community structure of roots and root zone soils play a key role in the healthy growth of plants. We examined the distribution characteristics of phenolic acids and saponins, as well as microbial communities in the root space (root endosphere, rhizoplane soil, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil) of healthy and root rot disease-affected Panax notoginseng. The results showed that after infection with root rot, the rhizoplane soil exhibited significant decreases in organic matter and hydrolyzable nitrogen and significant increases in available phosphorus, available potassium, and total nitrogen. The contents of phenolic acids (except benzoic acid) and ginsenoside Rg2 in the root endosphere significantly increased. Ferulic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in the rhizoplane soil significantly increased. Rhodococcus increased significantly in the root endosphere, rhizoplane, and rhizosphere soil; Nitrospira decreased significantly in the rhizoplane, rhizosphere, and bulk soil; and Plectosphaerella decreased significantly in the root endosphere and rhizoplane soil. Moreover, the accumulation of most autotoxins can promote the growth of pathogens. In summary, the spatial autotoxic substances and microbial community differences in P. notoginseng roots jointly induce the occurrence of root rot.IMPORTANCEPanax notoginseng is highly susceptible to soil-borne diseases induced during planting, and root rot, which usually occurs in the root and stem parts of the plant, is the most severe. We divided the root environment of P. notoginseng into four parts (root endosphere, rhizoplane soil, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil) and studied it with unplanted soil as the control. In this study, we examined the changes in the content of autotoxic substances in the root space of P. notoginseng, along with the interplay between these substances and microorganisms. This study revealed the mechanism underlying root rot and provided a theoretical basis for alleviating continuous cropping obstacles in P. notoginseng.

The etiology of alopecia is so complex that current therapies with single-mechanism and attendant side-effects during long-term usage, are insufficient for treatment. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) is supposed to treat alopecia with multiple mechanisms, but difficult to penetrate skin efficiently due to water-solubility. Here, we designed water-in-oil microemulsion (PNS ME) using jojoba oil, fractioned coconut oil, RH 40 + Span 80 and cosurfactant D-panthenol, to help PNS penetrating the skin. Particularly, D-panthenol not only enlarges the microemulsion area, reduces the usage amounts of surfactants thus relieves skin irritation, but stimulates the migration of dermal papilla cells (DPCs), displaying cooperative effects on anti-alopecia. PNS ME penetrates through sebum-rich corneum via high-affinity lipid fusion, targets to hair follicles (HFs), where it resides in skin for sustained drug release, accelerates angiogenesis to build well-nourished environment for HFs, and facilitates the proliferation and migration of DPCs in vitro. PNS ME markedly improved hair density, skin pigmentation, new hair weight, skin thickness, and collagen generation of telogen effluvium mice. Moreover, PNS also took outstanding curative effects on androgenetic alopecia mice. Upon further exploration, PNS ME caused dramatic upregulations of β-catenin, VEGF and Ki67, suggesting it might function by triggering Wnt/β-catenin pathway, accelerating vessels formation, and activating the hair follicle stem cells. Notably, PNS ME indicated longer-term safety than minoxidil tincture. Together, PNS ME provides a comprehensive strategy for alopecia, especially it avoids defects by high-proportioned surfactants in traditional microemulsion, exhibiting milder and safer, which shows bright prospect of applying microemulsion in hair growth promotion.

UNASSIGNED: Panax notoginseng, a medicinal herb in China, is attacked by several pathogens during its cultivation. Dazomet (DZ) is a soil fumigant that is effective in controlling soil-borne pathogens, but its long-term effects on P. notoginseng growth and soil properties are unknown.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted field experiments over two consecutive years to assess the impact of three concentrations of DZ fumigation (35 kg/666.7 m2, 40 kg/666.7 m2, and 45 kg/666.7 m2) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and P. notoginseng growth. Correlation analyses were performed between microbial community changes and soil properties, and functional predictions for soil microorganisms were conducted.
UNASSIGNED: DZ fumigation increased total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available phosphorus, available potassium, and ammonia nitrogen levels in the soil. DZ fumigation promoted the nutrient accumulation and improvement of agronomic traits of P. notoginseng, resulted in a 2.83-3.81X yield increase, with the highest total saponin content increasing by 24.06%. And the 40 kg/666.7 m2 treatment had the most favorable impact on P. notoginseng growth and saponin accumulation. After DZ fumigation, there was a decrease in the relative abundance of pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium, Plectosphaerella, and Ilyonectria, while beneficial bacteria such as Ramlibacter, Burkholderia, and Rhodanobacteria increased. The effects of fumigation on soil microorganisms and soil physicochemical properties persisted for 18 months post-fumigation. DZ fumigation enhanced the relative abundance of bacteria involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, reduced the relative abundance of plant-animal pathogenic fungi, reduced the occurrence of soil-borne diseases.
UNASSIGNED: In conclusion, DZ fumigation enhanced soil physicochemical properties, increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria in the soil, and rebalanced soil microorganism populations, consequently improving the growth environment of P. notoginseng and enhancing its growth, yield, and quality. This study offers a theoretical foundation for DZ fumigation as a potential solution to the continuous cropping issue in perennial medicinal plants such as P. notoginseng.

Five previously undescribed protopanaxatriol-type saponins, notoginsenosides Ta-Te (1-5), together with eighteen known triterpenoid saponins (6-23) were isolated from the roots of Panax notoginseng. The structures of new compounds were determined by HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 were the first examples of ginsenosides featuring a 6-deoxy-β-d-glucose moiety from Panax species. Compounds 1-4, 7, 10, 12, 21-22 showed protective effects on L02 cells against the injury of acetaminophen (APAP). Among them, notoginsenoside R1 (12), ginsenoside Rg1 (21), and ginsenoside Re (22) were the most potent ones, with cell viabilities >80%. Moreover, compounds 12 and 22 remarkably alleviated APAP-induced liver injury in mice. These saponins are potential hepatoprotective agents.

BACKGROUND: Sanqi, the root of Panax notoginseng, has long been recognized for its therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases. Saponins, including ginsenosides and notoginsenosides, are the main bioactive components of P. notoginseng. The biosynthesis of saponins is closely related to the defense responses orchestrated by endogenous hormones.
RESULTS: To provide new insights into the underlying role of phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) in the synthesis and regulation of saponins, we performed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography analysis of different tissues of P. notoginseng aged 2-4 years. Moreover, by combined evaluation of saponin content and transcriptome profiling of each tissue, the spatial and temporal distribution of saponins was analyzed. N notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rd accumulated in the underground tissues, including the root, tuqi, fibril and rhizome. In agreement with this data, the corresponding genes of the endogenous hormone JAs, especially coronatine insensitive 1 (COI1) and myelocytomatosis proteins 2 (MYC2), were predominantly expressed in the underground tissues. The tissue- and age-specific distribution of saponins was consistent with the expression of genes involved in JA biosynthetic, metabolic and signaling pathways.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study has revealed the temporal and spatial effects of endogenous phtohormones in the synthesis and regulation of notoginsenosides, which will provide a significant impact on improving the ecological planting technology, cultivating new high-quality varieties and protecting the rare resources of medicinal P. notoginseng. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gastric precancerous lesion (GPL) is a crucial stage in the development of gastric cancer, characterized by incomplete intestinal epithelial chemotaxis and heterogeneous hyperplasia with high malignant potential. Early intervention in GPL is vital for preventing gastric cancer. Additionally, there are shared risk factors and pathogenesis between tumors and coronary heart disease (CHD), with an increasing number of tumor patients GPL complicated with CHD due to improved survival rates. Reperfusion therapy in CHD can result in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated unique advantages in treating GPL and MIRI by promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Panax ginseng total saponin (PNS), a component of TCM known for its blood circulation benefits, has shown positive effects in inhibiting tumor growth and improving myocardial ischemia. This study utilized a GPL-MIRI mouse model to investigate the effects of PNS in treatment. Results indicated that PNS significantly improved typical GPL lesions in mice, such as incomplete intestinal epithelialization and heteroplasia, and also reduced myocardial infarction. At the molecular level, PNS exhibited a bidirectional regulatory role in the GPL-MIRI model. It enhanced the autophagic process in gastric mucosal cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, while suppressed excessive autophagy in cardiomyocytes. These findings offer new insights and treatment strategies for managing GPL and MIRI using the TCM compound PNS.

Panax notoginseng and Panax quinquefolium are important economic plants that utilize dried roots for medicinal and food dual purposes; there is still insufficient research of their stems and leaves, which also contain triterpenoid saponins. The extraction process was developed with a total saponin content of 12.30 ± 0.34% and 12.19 ± 0.64% for P. notoginseng leaves (PNL) and P. quinquefolium leaves (PQL) extracts, respectively. PNL and PQL saponin extracts showed good antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and RAW264.7 cells. A total of 699 metabolites were identified in PNL and PQL saponin extracts, with the majority being triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids and amino acids. Fourteen ginsenosides, 18 flavonoids or alkaloids, and 16 amino acids were enriched in both saponin extracts. Overall, the utilization of saponins from medicinal plants PNL and PQL has been developed to facilitate systematic research in the functional food and natural product industries.

UNASSIGNED: Plant-derived nanovesicles have emerged as potential agents for combating tumors. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Panax notoginseng-derived nanovesicles (PnNVs) on the proliferation and migration of squamous cell carcinoma. Additionally, we explored the relationship between plant tuber size and the physical properties, composition and bioactivity of these nanovesicles.
UNASSIGNED: We isolated PnNVs from Panax notoginseng tubers of varying sizes: small-sized (s_PnNVs), medium-sized (m_PnNVs) and large-sized (l_PnNVs), and evaluated for size, potential, and morphology. Cellular uptake efficiency was assessed using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The ability of different PnNVs to inhibit oral squamous cell carcinoma cells was evaluated using plate cloning, CCK8 assay, and scratch healing assay. Off-target metabolomics was used to compare metabolic compounds of different PnNVs.
UNASSIGNED: Our findings revealed that s_PnNVs exhibited lower potential but had the highest cellular uptake efficiency, whereas m_PnNVs were characterized by the smallest size and lowest cellular uptake efficiency. Notably, m_PnNVs demonstrated the most effective inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma growth and migration. Compositional analyses showed that PnNVs were rich in proteins and contained lower levels of RNA, with l_PnNVs having the highest protein content. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of specific antitumour-related metabolites in m_PnNVs compared to s_PnNVs and l_PnNVs.
UNASSIGNED: Overall, our results underscore the influence of plant tuber size on the bioactivity of the nanovesicles from which they are derived, emphasizing its importance for experimental design and study reproducibility.

Humic acid (HA) can substantially enhance plant growth and improve soil health. Currently, the impacts of HA concentrations variation on the development and soil quality of Panax notoginseng (Sanqi) from the forest understorey are still unclear. In this study, exogenous HA was administered to the roots of Sanqi at varying concentrations (2, 4, and 6 ml/L). Subsequently, the diversity and community structure of bacteria and fungi were assessed through high-throughput sequencing technology. The investigation further involved analyzing the interplay among the growth of sanqi, soil edaphic factors, and the microbial network stability. Our finding revealed that moderate concentrations (4 ml/L) of HA improved the fresh/dry weight of Sanqi and NO3--N levels. Compared with control, the moderate concentrations of HA had a notable impact on the bacterial and fungal communities compositions. However, there was no significant difference in the α and β diversity of bacteria and fungi. Moreover, the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Bradyrhizobium) and harmful bacteria (Xanthobacteraceae) increased and decreased at 4 ml/L HA, respectively, while the bacterial and fungal network stability were enhanced. Structural equation model (SEM) revealed that the fresh weight of Sanqi and bacterial and fungal communities were the factors that directly affected the microbial network stability at moderate concentrations of HA. In conclusion, 4 ml/L of HA is beneficial for promoting Sanqi growth and soil quality. Our study provides a reference for increasing the yield of Sanqi and sustainable development of the Sanqi-pine agroforestry system.

BACKGROUND: Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the major effective components of Panax notoginseng (burk) F.H.Chen which is one of the classic promoting blood circulation herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. PNS is widely used in China for the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke. Pathological low shear stress is a causal factor in endothelial inflammation and thrombosis. However, the mechanism of PNS against low shear related endothelial inflammation is still unclear.
UNASSIGNED: This study aims to investigate the effects of PNS against endothelial inflammation induced by low shear stress and to explore the underlying mechanical and biological mechanisms.
METHODS: Mouse model of carotid partial ligation for inducing low endothelial shear stress was established, the pharmacodynamic effect and mechanism of PNS against endothelial inflammation induced by low shear stress through Piezo1 were explored. Yoda1-evoked Piezo1 activation and expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were determined at static condition. Microfluidic channel systems were used to apply shear stress on HUVECs and Piezo1 siRNA HUVECs to determine PECAM-1, p-YAP and VCAM-1 expression. And platelet rich plasma (PRP) was introduced to low shear treated endothelial cells surface to observe the adhesion and activation by fluorescence imaging and flowcytometry.
RESULTS: PNS attenuated endothelial inflammation and improved blood flow in a reasonable dose response pattern in carotid partial ligation mouse model by influencing Piezo1 and PECAM-1 expression, while suppressing yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear translocation. We found Piezo1 sensed abnormal shear stress and transduced these mechanical signals by different pathways in HUVECs, and PNS relieved endothelial inflammation induced by low shear stress through Piezo1. We also found Piezo1 signalling has interaction with PECAM-1 under low shear stress, which were involved in platelets adhesion to endothelial cells. Low shear stress increased YAP nuclear translocation and increased VCAM-1 expression in HUVECs which might activate platelets. PNS inhibited low shear induced Piezo1 and PECAM-1 expression and YAP nuclear translocation in HUVECs, furthermore inhibited platelet adhesion and activation on dysfunctional endothelial cells induced by low shear stress.
CONCLUSIONS: PNS ameliorated endothelial inflammation and thrombosis induced by low shear stress through modulation of the Piezo1 channel, PECAM-1 expression, and YAP nuclear translocation. PNS might serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for ameliorating endothelial inflammation induced by abnormal blood shear stress.