IHP

Integrated Human Practices

Overview

Diabetes, as one of the major chronic diseases worldwide, is increasingly threatening human health. According to data from the World Health Organization, the number of diabetes patients globally continues to rise, with type 2 diabetes rates particularly increasing year by year. This metabolic disorder not only leads to abnormally elevated blood sugar levels but is also accompanied by severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Although there are currently various hypoglycemic drugs available on the market, they are often expensive and come with side effects, imposing a heavy financial burden on patients. Therefore, developing new hypoglycemic drugs that are safe, effective, and affordable has become an urgent need to address this global health challenge.

The core objective of this project is to achieve the biosynthesis of isoorientin through glycosyltransferase (Gt6CGT) in Escherichia coli to address the high cost of traditional extraction methods, providing diabetes patients with a more cost-effective and safe treatment option. Isoorientin, a natural flavonoid compound, has been recognized as a potential candidate for diabetes treatment due to its significant hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the high cost of traditional extraction methods limits its widespread clinical application, and thus, this project aims to optimize its production through bioengineering techniques.

Our work will be carried out through literature review, market background analysis, expert interviews, and public surveys. On one hand, this allows us to gather a large amount of public information to understand the general awareness of diabetes and its treatment, providing a theoretical foundation for future outreach efforts. On the other hand, interviews with professionals in related fields help deepen our understanding of the project, and the suggestions provided by experts offer valuable direction for further refining our research. Below is a mind map of our team's work, clearly illustrating the pathways of integrated human practices and activities related to our project.

1. Literature review

Before we start our project, we want to know how feasible the project is, so, in this section, we aim to investigate past authoritative research and studies on isoorientin, including to what extent it remains effective in treating metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, some case study on biosynthesis of isoorientin to establish some theoretical foundations, and lastly some government document on safety and ethnic constrains related to our experiment, which in all is meant to validates the practical application of such biosynthesis method and future vast production.

1.1. Background

Isoorientin, a natural flavonoid of luteolin glycosides, exists extensively in many kinds of foods and possesses many functional activities, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases caused by oxidation, inflammation and proliferation of cancer cells.

Typically, one of the most critical functions on treating metabolic diseases like T2D is its hypoglycemic effect. In a study on the hypoglycemic effect of Gentianaceae flowering herbs through in-vivo models in glucose-hyperglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the result shows that isoorientin exhibited significant hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects at 15 mg/kg b.w.dose. [1] Furthermore, research have shown that isoorientin is capable of reverting TNF-α-induced insulin resistance in adipocytes and thus activating the insulin signaling pathway. Notably, ISO also induced 2-NBDG uptake in murine (139%) and human (60%) adipocytes made resistant to insulin by treatment with TNF-α, inhibiting TNF-α-induced insulin resistance and reducing the risk of diabetes. [2] These experiments highlight the effectiveness of isoorientin in inhibiting the activity of glycogenase, thereby reducing the breakdown of glycogen, promoting the storage of glycogen, and regulating blood sugar level.

Moreover, research have shown that the robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of isoorientin remain important in ameliorating a number of metabolic complications, which is essential in these metabolic diseases like T2D. Treatment with 300.00 μmol/L H2O2 decreased the viability of hepatocytes in BRL-3A rats by 30.00% after 24 h, and pretreatment with 80.00 μmol/L isomatridin inhibited oxidative damage caused by H2O2 and increased cell viability by 80.40%. [3] Meanwhile, isomaphytin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation by preventing the activation of NF-κB signaling pathways and decreasing the release of inflammation-related factors TNF-α in BV-2 microglia. [4] These facts illustrate that isoorientin presents promising functions on both treating metabolic diseases and its related complications by reducing oxidative damage and inflammation.

Currently, a few clinical studies on rooibos tea, which contains relatively high levels this flavone, have been published. It’s been shown that this can block the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme, and improve the lipid profile as well as redox status in adults at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. [5] As a result, the effectiveness of isoorientin-containing food has already been present in clinical studies and is gaining more and more attention in recent years, overall validating its promising future on treating diseases like diabetes.

Apart from direct extraction of isoorientin from plants, there has been alternative approaches to synthesis it. Kumazawa et al. found that isoorientin with a total rate of 15% could be chemically synthesized in 10 steps. Glucose-based receptor 5 is synthesized; dextran acetophenone derivatives were obtained by hydro hydrolysis; glucan acetophenone derivatives were condensed with 3,4-dibenzoxy benzaldehyde to form the corresponding flavonoid precursors; finally, I2-DMSO was applied to construct a flavone system to produce isoorientin. [6] Although quite applicable, it still has some drawbacks, including insufficient yield considering the relative expanses required for reaction environment and reactants, and thus inability of vast production given that it’s only carried out in advanced chemical labs. Consequently, some more newly developed techniques related with biosynthesis is considered in more effectively synthesizing isoorientin.

Research studies on Gentian triflorum C-glycosyltransferase (Gt6CGT) and luteolin expressed in Escherichia coli have presented an inspiring insight on biologically synthesizing isoorientin. In the study, Pei et al. adopted multiple strategies to improve isoorientin production from luteolin in Escherichia coli. According to the results, isoorientin production was improved substantially by adjusting induction strategies and controlling acetic acid accumulation. Additionally, a novel UDP-glucose synthesis pathway was reconstructed through cellobiose phosphorylase-catalyzed phosphorolysis of cellobiose for the production of glucose 1-phosphate, which serves as a precursor in UDP-glucose formation thus increasing the UDP-glucose supply and maximal isoorientin production reaching 1371 mg/L with a yield of 81.5%. [7] Beyond proving the feasibility of such method, this further validates the effectiveness of bioproduction and serves as the foundation for later research.

An advancement with higher yield is provided here. Pei et al. achieved production of isoorientin from luteolin and apigenin using coupled catalysis of glycosyltransferase and sucrose synthase. Applying the coupled catalysis of Gt6CGT with luteolin and apigenin, they obtained a yield of isoorientin of 3820 mg/L with a corresponding molar conversion of 94.7% by optimizing the reaction conditions of enzyme at pH7.5 and temperature 50°C, and the maximum number of UDP-glucose regeneration cycles reached 28.4 for isoorientin. [8] Compared with the above two methods, the coupled catalysis reaction here better presents a promising future as it even meets the requirement for industrial production, and more importantly ensuring a considerable yield of isoorientin.

Thus, selecting this as the theoretical support for our experiment, we would construct a means of biosynthesizing isoorientin that aims for not only higher yields by optimizing conditions, but also integrating some other methods that can hopefully facilitate the production, thus eventually serving the good for the entire humankind.

1.2. Government Policies on Ethics & Safety

After having our first initiatives, we consider it fulfilling all the regulations and laws on biology experiments in China. Firstly, our experiment does not involve in-vivo experiment in any animals, so regulations such as Technical Guidelines For Drug Research Based On Animal Law is self-evidently met. [9] In the meanwhile, our experiment is considered to fulfill all regulations under Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China. [10] The experiment and laboratory facilities also gained approval by Shanghai University. There will be not much ethical concerns for the research as well. Overall, this project fulfills all laws and regulations in China.

Isoorientin are a class of natural compounds with a wide range of biological activities that have been shown to have significant efficacy in regulating blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity. Isoflavone drugs manufactured using $E. coli$ bacteria offer a new therapeutic option for diabetics. Clinical trials have shown that is rhizobium is excellent at lowering fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels compared to conventional drugs, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

By using $E. coli$ fermentation technology to produce Isoorientin, we were able to significantly reduce production costs, making this new drug relatively inexpensive. By including the drug in the national health insurance, this allows our drug to reduce not only the financial burden on patients, but also the pressure on the healthcare system. Not only this but the use of isorhynchophyll reduces complications compared to the long term use of the traditional drug Metformin, for example avoiding the need for Metformin to be taken only with meals because of its irritating effect on the stomach, which further improves the patient experience and reduces healthcare costs. Chronic high blood glucose levels can lead to multiple complications in diabetic patients, which can have a serious impact on quality of life. Iso Orientin medication helps patients return to a normal state of life by effectively regulating blood sugar levels. Clinical trial data has shown that patients treated with Iso Orientin experience reduced fatigue, increased stamina and a significant improvement in overall quality of life.

The innovative nature of the $E. coli$ technology we use for the production of isorhynchophyll lies in the use of genetic engineering and metabolic engineering tools to make the production of isorhynchophyll more efficient and environmentally friendly. This approach not only increases the yield and purity of the drug, but also reduces the impact on the environment, reflecting the cutting edge of modern biotechnology.

2. Background Analysis

2.1. Value

Chronic high blood glucose levels can lead to multiple complications in diabetic patients, which can have a serious impact on quality of life. Iso Orientin medication helps patients return to a normal state of life by effectively regulating blood sugar levels. Clinical trial data has shown that patients treated with Iso Orientin experience reduced fatigue, increased stamina and a significant improvement in overall quality of life.

2.2. Safety

In clinical trials, the drug Iso Orientin produced using $E. coli$ showed a favourable safety profile. Most patients did not experience serious adverse reactions during use, and common adverse reactions such as mild gastrointestinal discomfort and headache were temporary and manageable. Rigorous clinical safety monitoring ensured the safety of the drug at all stages of use.

The safety of long-term use of the drug Iso Orientin has been well established. Large-scale follow-up studies have shown that patients have not experienced any new safety problems after more than two years of continuous use, and that important indicators such as liver and kidney function have remained normal. This demonstrates the safety and stability of the Isoorientin drug in long-term treatment.

Studies have shown that no significant drug interactions have been found between Isoorientin and other commonly used diabetes medications (e.g. metformin, insulin, etc.). This implies that Isoorientin can be used in combination with other drugs to provide more flexible treatment options and improve therapeutic efficacy.

2.3. Ethics

In the course of the development of the drug Isoorientin, all clinical trials followed internationally accepted ethical standards. Before participating in the trials, the subjects were informed in detail of the purpose, methodology, risks and benefits of the trials, and they all signed informed consent forms. The privacy and rights of the subjects were fully protected during the research process.

The company is committed to providing comprehensive and transparent drug information so that patients can fully understand the functions, potential risks and usage of the drug. Through multiple channels (e.g., drug inserts, official websites, doctor consultations, etc.), we ensure that patients are well-informed when making treatment decisions.

In the process of drug development and production, the company strictly abides by ethical norms to avoid any possible moral controversy. All animal tests comply with animal welfare standards and minimize animal suffering. At the same time, the Company actively participates in ethical discussions in the community and industry to continuously improve its ethical responsibility.

The use of fermentation technology for the production of Isoorientin has obvious environmental advantages. Energy consumption and waste emissions during production are significantly lower than traditional chemical synthesis methods. The company has also implemented a stringent environmental management system to ensure that the environmental impact of the production process is minimized, demonstrating its commitment to environmental ethics.

The detailed analysis of the above value, safety and ethical aspects demonstrates the potential and advantages of using $E. coli$ to manufacture an Isoorientin drug in the treatment of diabetes. This novel drug not only has remarkable therapeutic efficacy and good safety, but also demonstrates a high degree of ethical responsibility and environmental protection awareness, bringing new hope to diabetic patients.

2.4. SWOT Analysis

2.4.1. Strengths

Firstly, the ingredients in our products are all natural so there is minimal damage to the human body. Iso Orientin is a natural compound extracted from plants with potential safety and fewer side effects. Secondly, our products have multiple hypoglycemic mechanisms that favor recovery. Iso Orientin reduces blood sugar levels in multiple ways by promoting insulin secretion, inhibiting glycogenolysis, and α-glucosidase activity. Thirdly, our raw material is not a scarce resource, so our cost is not too high. Iso Orientin is widely distributed in a variety of plants, which provides the support of plant resources for large-scale production. Finally, our product has a strong biosynthetic potential. By constructing Gt6CGT recombinant $E. coli$ through recombinant technology, we can achieve the biosynthesis of iso-orientin and reduce the production cost.

2.4.2. Weakness

While there are many advantages to our products, there is no shortage of risks as well as disadvantages. The biggest risk is the technical challenge. This is an unprecedented and innovative experiment and therefore we have encountered many setbacks in our experimental work. Although we have successfully identified the related C-glucosyltransferase (Gt6CGT) from Gentiana tritici, there are still technical challenges in constructing and optimizing this synthetic pathway in $E. coli$ . Secondly, due to the complexity of our product the cost must not be too low and sufficient capital is required upfront. The production of iso-orientin requires advanced bioengineering techniques, including genetic recombination and fermentation processes, with high initial investment and operating costs.\

2.4.3. Opportunities

Regarding the market demand, there is a strong demand for diabetes treatment drugs in the market at present. In addition to traditional drugs such as thiazolidinediones and short-acting insulin secretagogues, it is necessary to provide new and low-cost drugs in the modern market, especially those that can effectively control blood sugar and reduce the risk of complications. This demand not only challenged the technology, but also provided a market opportunity for our research to apply iso-orientin to the treatment of diabetes. since the natural compound extracted from iso-orientin vegetarian plant, safety and fewer side effects could be guaranteed. In terms of cost, iso-orientin biosynthesis can be realized through gene recombination technology, which can reduce production cost compared with traditional drugs. These advantages, supported by technology, meet the market demand and provide us with opportunities for new diabetes treatment drugs

Within the development of biotechnology and genetic engineering technology is improving, the efficiency and cost of producing complex natural products have gradually increased, which provided an opportunity for the industrial production of iso-orientin. By using iso-orientin, it’s promising to create medicine with low expense, high efficiency and other advantages.

2.4.4. Threats

Although producing medicine using isoo-orientin has extensive advantages, threats still exist in many aspects such as competing pressure, regulations and medicine safety. For the pressure of market competition, the field of diabetes treatment is highly competitive. In view of a variety of mature drugs and treatment programs in the market, including oral drugs and injectable drugs, the public has trusted and relied on a series of common drugs. Therefore, in the face of competitive pressure, we need to use iso-orientin to develop advantages that traditional drugs lack with.

At the same time, we also must cope with medicine regulations and safety. Natural ingredients derived from plants are subject to rigorous regulatory review to ensure their safety and effectiveness, potentially adding to development process and costs, when we solve and regulate these threats, we can ensure the medicine is safe and regulated.

Ultimately, isoorientin has great potential to use as diabetes treatment, especially its multiple hypoglycemic mechanisms, natural sources and other advantages. By genetic engineering method, the production of iso-orientin can reduce the cost expense, but it also needs to overcome the technical challenge and market competition threats. Therefore, during the development process, it is necessary to pay more attention to the strategy of technological innovation, market competitiveness, creativity, and compliance to ensure the successful promotion and commercial profit of the project.

3. Surveys

3.1. Purpose

This study aims to assess the potential of synthetic isoorientin as a more affordable and effective therapeutic approach for regulating blood glucose by aggregating data from an online survey. It first presents the target population and market for diabetes treatment applications and then analyzes the significance and feasibility of synthesizing isoorientin using genetically engineered $E. coli$ , focusing on feedback from experts in related fields. Additionally, it explores the public's understanding and level of concern regarding diabetes and the use of natural plant extracts in treating chronic diseases. The second survey analyzes public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about diabetes, treatment options, medication characteristics, and costs. By gathering data from respondents of various ages, genders, and occupations, this study provides valuable insights for institutions and policymakers, helping to refine diabetes management and treatment strategies. Ultimately, it offers data-driven recommendations to enhance diabetes-related policies and practices.

3.2. Results Analysis

We collected a total of 323 and 624 valid questionnaires, categorizing participants by gender, age, and occupation. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the proportion of participants aged 25 and above is relatively high, with those aged 35-54 accounting for the largest share. Male participants make up the majority, approximately 57.8%, while the proportions of female and other non-binary genders are comparatively lower.

As shown in Figure 3, there is a positive correlation between age and awareness of diabetes, with those under 18 and aged 18-24 having the highest awareness levels, while those aged 55 and above have the lowest awareness, at only 39%. Additionally, 52% of participants reported having relatives diagnosed with diabetes, indicating that the disease is relatively common within the population.

Figure 3.Awareness of diabetes as a type of chronic disease

In summary（Table 1 and 2）, as people age, their understanding of the causes of diabetes and the side effects of medications tends to improve. Research data indicates that older age groups, particularly those aged 45 and above, are more likely to focus on and acquire knowledge about diabetes due to the higher prevalence of the disease. This increased understanding mainly comes from personal experience or observation of those around them, prompting them to take more proactive preventive measures and make more informed decisions in managing diabetes.

In Table 3，professionals in related fields demonstrate a significantly higher understanding of the causes of diabetes (3.58) and its medications (3.37), with average scores 0.73 and 1.13 points higher than those of participants from unrelated fields.

The results of the survey indicate that older adults and professionals in related fields have a higher level of understanding of the causes of diabetes and its side effects, and adults over 45 years of age are particularly concerned about diabetes. In addition, technologists in the bioengineering field showed the highest level of awareness of plant extracts for the treatment of diabetes, while non-technologists showed lower awareness.

Figure 4 shows that 43% of respondents are interested in using plant extracts for diabetes treatment, with the highest interest from art and cultural workers, followed by students and researchers. Figure 5 indicates 37% support plant extracts in disease treatment, with the most support from educators, homemakers, and art and cultural workers. These groups also showed the least opposition, with technical personnel ranking third.

The survey shows 35% of respondents have a background in synthetic biology, with 11.1% in healthcare. Key challenges in extracting isoorientin include process complexity, purity issues, and poor stability. High costs and difficulty in sourcing raw materials are also concerns

According to the table data, the feasibility of synthesizing isorhamnetin is rated highly among professionals in different fields, particularly in pharmacy and bioengineering, with scores of 3.69 and 3.68, respectively (Table 4). In terms of support for using synthetic biology to produce isorhamnetin for diabetes treatment, bioengineering professionals show the highest level of support, with a score of 3.86 (Table 5). Additionally, the bioengineering field also rates the market potential of isorhamnetin as a new option for diabetes treatment highly, with a score of 3.82 (Table 6).

The survey shows that most respondents have a basic understanding of diabetes, with 507 people (81.2%) being aware of the condition and recognizing that high-sugar, high-fat diets, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are major risk factors. However, only 59.6% were aware of the connection between genetic factors and diabetes. Regarding complications, cardiovascular disease and kidney damage were more commonly mentioned, while glaucoma and foot damage were less recognized.

Blood glucose levels were the most important factor in drug treatment, with 71.3% of respondents highlighting its significance. Although 88% of respondents had not heard of isoorientin, 34.9% expressed a willingness to try it, and 44.3% said they would try it after consulting with a doctor.

Respondents also suggested increasing awareness of diabetes prevention, promoting more preventative measures, and offering affordable and effective treatments. The findings indicate that public education is still needed on the causes, complications, and treatments for diabetes, providing a basis for future offline activities and educational content.

Conclusion

This study assessed the potential of synthetic isoorientin as a treatment for diabetes, analyzing feedback from online surveys. The results showed that most respondents have a basic understanding of diabetes and recognize high-sugar diets, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles as major risk factors. However, many are not fully aware of the role of genetic factors in diabetes. Older individuals and professionals in related fields demonstrated a higher understanding of diabetes and its treatments. Although isoorientin is unfamiliar to most respondents, many expressed a willingness to try it after consulting with a doctor. Blood glucose control was seen as the key factor in diabetes treatment. Participants suggested raising awareness of diabetes prevention, offering affordable and effective treatment options, and enhancing public education, providing valuable insights for future outreach efforts..

4. Academic Exchange Report

This academic exchange conference brings together several iGEM research teams, including: Bioplus-China, Bioplus-Shanghai, OTIA-Hangzhou, WLSA-ShanghaiAcademy, WuXY-DSAS, ZJU-China, ZJUT-China, iZJU-China, HiZJU-China 9 iGEM teams. We shared the latest research advances with these teams (including laboratory reports from the wet lab and feedback from human practice in the dry lab) and listened to the opinions and recommendations of experts and mentors. Here are some of the suggestions that our team has received from our academic exchanges with the Reflection team.

4.1. Summary of project work

The research topic of our team is diabetes drug synthesis project, which aims to use genetic engineering to express Gt6CGT protein through Escherichia coli, so as to realize isoorientin synthesis with luteolin as substrate. As of mid-July, wet lab has had a preliminary process. We have completed the vector construction. Then we transformed the homologous recombinant vector. The colony PCR results after the transformation of Rosetta strain showed that the recombinant vector was successfully constructed, and the target gene was successfully connected to the pET21a vector. Finally, we successfully carried out protein expression. The work of Dry lab is also in parallel. We conducted background research on the product (including literature review, expert interview and questionnaire data collection), and planned online and offline science popularization activities.

4.2. Specific recommendations made by experts

4.2.1. Questionnaire Design and Existing Data Utilization

Experts pointed out that while the team had taken some social science questions into account when designing the questionnaire, the need for further review was needed. Given that diabetes has been prevalent in the medical community for decades and there is a large amount of professional and representative questionnaire data, the literature research conducted by the team may not be more valuable in comparison. Therefore, the team should make full use of the existing literature and data, avoid duplication of efforts, and ensure that the questionnaire results are efficient and targeted.

4.2.2. Audience Analysis of Popular Science Activities

The instructor suggested that the team should clarify the specific situation and actual needs of the audience before carrying out science popularization activities. Popular science content should not only attract interest, but more importantly, convey knowledge relevant to the audience. For example, why people with diabetes should be concerned about isoorientin and why the ingredient is linked to their health. At the same time, we should reasonably design the activity program to ensure that the participants and popularizers are the groups who really need to understand our program, such as the population with a high incidence of diabetes (middle-aged and elderly).

4.2.3. Project Education and Logical Chain Establishment

In the results of the questionnaire, most respondents who knew isoorientin related program supported the therapeutic potential of plant extract, but the program popularity was still insufficient. Experts stressed that the team needs to explain the scientific basis and educational significance of the project through a clearer logical chain, and establish the relationship between popular knowledge of diabetes and increasing the popularity of the project. The team should consider the meaning of each activity and the desired results, and ensure that all conclusions are supported by solid logic to enhance the reliability and rationality of the project. The team can sort out scientific research ideas by establishing brain maps and reports, and make up for the gaps in the entire HP work.

4.2.4. Cost and Legal Considerations

In particular, experts pointed out that before proposing isoorientin as a more economical treatment, the team needs to evaluate its actual cost in detail and make a comprehensive comparison with existing treatments. Drug development involves not only production costs, but also lengthy research and development and patent approval processes. Therefore, the popularity of a drug cannot be measured solely by the difficulty of raw materials and processes. If we want to make the team work better, we should consider the legal and human environment in multiple aspects in future research, and consult relevant practitioners for further interviews (such as lawyers and pharmaceutical practitioners).

Through detailed analysis of these recommendations, research groups can optimize their research programs more comprehensively and improve the success rate of projects in future implementation. The meeting provided valuable feedback opportunities for the research teams, and the suggestions of the experts not only helped the team to identify the shortcomings of the existing research, but also provided guidance for its future research direction. Isoorientin biosynthesis project, as a research direction with great potential, has been concerned by experts. On the basis of this meeting, we will continue to improve and promote our respective research, strive to transform scientific exploration into practical applications, and contribute to solving major social health problems.

The success of this conference demonstrated the scientific research strength of the teams, and also highlighted the importance of academic exchanges and expert comments in promoting scientific research progress. I hope there will be more similar opportunities in the future to jointly promote the development and application of scientific research.

5.Interview

The purpose of this part is to understand the market value of the product and the means of improvement through interviews with stakeholders. These feedback will be implemented into wet lab's experimental process and the future development direction of the product. And then make sure that our products have real results.

5.1 Senior director, Joe Zhuo

Joe Zhuo, a senior director with extensive research experience in diabetes pharmacology, provided valuable insights into drug development. He identified key shortcomings in drug safety, market potential, and cost analysis in the project and emphasized the necessity of rigorous human testing to avoid potential side effects, especially for diabetes patients taking multiple medications. He noted that the hypoglycemic effect of isoorientin, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, holds promise for the Chinese market. However, he stressed the importance of considering not just raw material costs and patents but also legal and time constraints in drug production, suggesting further professional consultations for advice.

5.2 Professional health consultant, Jia Pu

Jia Pu, a professional health consultant, provided insights on the potential and challenges of using isoorientin, a plant extract, as a treatment for diabetes. She believes that natural medicine could address the issues of complex side effects associated with conventional diabetes drugs, as isoorientin offers a better balance of trace elements. However, she also noted that introducing a new natural product faces challenges, particularly in gaining public acceptance, as diabetes patients are accustomed to the side effects of existing medications, making them hesitant to switch to new treatments. This could complicate the drug's distribution.

5.3 the director of the geriatric department, Hu Yu

In a recent interview with Hu Yu, the director of the geriatric department at a tertiary hospital, we explored the clinical applications of isoorientin and its potential in diabetes treatment. Director Hu pointed out that although isoorientin is not currently used in clinical practice, its hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects show great research potential. She expressed cautious optimism about isoorientin’s future in clinical use, emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials to determine its safety and efficacy. Compared to conventional diabetes drugs, isoorientin, as a natural compound, may offer a safer alternative with fewer side effects, particularly in managing inflammation and oxidative stress. She also stressed that all new drugs must undergo strict clinical trials and be approved by regulatory authorities to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Although isoorientin’s clinical application requires further research, combining natural therapies with existing treatments remains an essential strategy for improving diabetes care outcomes.

5.4 the master director at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica，Ms. Li Jing

In the interview with Ms. Li Jing, the master director at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, our group has discussed many experimental problems, as well as the prospect of Isoorientin industrial production. Within the process of experiment, our team ensured precise outcomes and data after every procedure; meanwhile, the integrity and accuracy of the experiment are guaranteed in correct direction. However, to improve the experiment, Ms. Li Jing has repeatedly pointed that during every procedure, we should double check the experimental operations, such as controlling temperature, time and optical density. What’s more, since every experiment is not exactly the same, we should modify and adjust experiment within the experiment conditions. In addition, the global prospect of Isoorientin industrial production is promising: using Isoorientin for diabetes medicine was surely groundbreaking, hence, our team will continue to ameliorate our experiment procedures and operations.

5.5 Mrs. Yang

According to the interviewer, Mrs. Yang, we learnt that with the development of technology, more and more elderly people are becoming aware of the prevalence and dangers of diabetes. The prevalence and dangers of diabetes and the development of fasting blood glucose levels in hospitals as a method of detecting diabetes have made it easy for potential diabetics to check their health status and take precautions. It is also known that for diabetics, retinal disease caused by diabetes is one way to detect diabetes. For elderly diabetics, the medication regimen is the most inconvenient in the treatment of diabetes. According to Mrs. Yang’s answer, when receiving Metformin medication, one capsule needs to be taken after breakfast in the morning and one capsule after dinner in the evening, which makes it easy for the elderly to forget to take the medication. This is because metformin must be ingested after meals, otherwise it is damaging to the stomach. This inconvenience is rooted in the fact that metformin is irritating to the stomach, which makes it necessary for the patient to remember to take it exactly after meals, and if he forgets, he must wait until the next meal, which leads to a disorder in the regimen and increases the likelihood of diabetes onset. Therefore, according to our investigations, in elderly diabetic patients there are medications that do not cause much gastric irritation and can be ingested at any time. This is in line with the original design of Orientin - the use of natural medicines to reduce damage and irritation to the body.

6. Summary

This project aims to address the limitations of existing hypoglycemic drugs, which are often expensive and associated with significant side effects. Through an extensive literature review, we confirmed the hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of isoorientin. Additionally, we conducted interviews with experts and stakeholders. Experts highlighted that the production of isoorientin should not only consider the cost of raw materials but also comprehensively assess the legal, regulatory, and ethical issues involved in drug development, with particular emphasis on ensuring safety and efficacy in clinical applications. Based on this feedback, we expanded our literature review beyond the current research on isoorientin production to further explore issues related to safety, ethical compliance, and relevant policies in large-scale production and practical applications. Furthermore, in response to the expert feedback regarding the potential challenges in public acceptance of natural compounds, we designed a second survey aimed at assessing the public's awareness of diabetes causes, existing treatment options, and interest in plant-based therapeutic drugs, to better evaluate the market potential of isoorientin. At the same time, addressing the issues raised by expert reviewers concerning project education and the establishment of a logical chain, we conducted in-depth interviews with representatives from various industries and employed diverse methods to promote public science outreach, enhancing the project’s scientific rationale and reliability.

On the experimental side, our laboratory work benefited from detailed expert guidance. Based on Dr. Li Jing’s suggestions, we continuously optimized experimental conditions to increase enzyme expression and conducted a series of supplementary experiments to further investigate the physicochemical properties of the enzyme, providing more accurate data to support cost estimation for future large-scale production.

Through multi-layered human practices activities, including literature reviews, expert consultations, and public surveys, the team gained valuable insights that effectively guided wet lab research and the future commercialization of isoorientin. Feedback from experts across various fields ensured the scientific foundation, market competitiveness, and potential healthcare applications of the product, fully addressing the real medical needs of diabetes patients and providing a solid theoretical and practical basis for achieving sustainable diabetes treatment solutions.

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