Genetic variations in the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 are related to cigarette smoking behavior in Han Chinese smokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking behavior is influenced by multiple genes, including the bitter taste gene TAS2R38. It has been reported that the correlation between TAS2R38 and smoking behavior has ethnicity-based differences. However, the TAS2R38 status in Chinese smokers is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between genetic variations in TAS2R38 (A49P, V262A and I296V) and smoking behaviors in the Han Chinese population. METHODS: The haplotype analyses were performed and smoking behavior questionnaire was completed by 1271 individuals. Genetic association analyses for smoking behavior were analyzed using chi-square test. Further, for investigating the molecular mechanism of TAS2R38 variants effect on smoking behavior, we conducted TAS2R38-PAV and TAS2R38-AVI expression plasmids and tested the cellular calcium assay by cigarette smoke compounds stimulus in HEK293. RESULTS: Significant associations of genetic variants within TAS2R38 were identified with smoking behavior. We found a higher PAV/PAV frequency than AVI/AVI in moderate and high nicotine dependence (FTND ≥ 4; X2 = 4.611, 1 df, p = 0.032) and strong cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference (X2 = 4.5383, 1 df, p = 0.033) in participants. Furthermore, in the in vitro cellular calcium assay, total particle matter (TPM), N-formylnornicotine and cotinine, existing in cigarette smoke, activated TAS2R38-PAV but not TAS2R38-AVI-transfected cells. CONCLUSION: Our data highlights that genetic variations in TAS2R38 are related to smoking behavior, especially nicotine dependence and cigarette smoke flavor intensity preference. Our findings may encourage further consideration of the taste process to identify individuals susceptible to nicotine dependence, particularly Han Chinese smokers.

Three new sesquiterpenes from the stems of Nicotiana tabacum and their bioactivities.

Three new sesquiterpenes, methyl 4-isopropyl-7-methoxy-6-methylnaphthalene-1-carboxylate (1), methyl 2-hydroxy-4-isopropyl-7-methoxy-6-methylnaphthalene-1-carboxylate (2), and methyl 2-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-isopropyl-7-methoxynaphthalene-1-carboxylate (3), together with three known sesquiterpenes (4-6), were isolated from the stems of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were determined by means of HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. The results showed that compounds 2, 3, and 5 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 33.6, 35.8, and 36.7%. Compounds 1-6 showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7) with IC50 values in the range of 6.7-9.6 µM.

Three new benzolactones from Lavandula angustifolia and their bioactivities.

Three new benzolactones (1-3), together with four known ones (4-7), were isolated from the whole herb of Lavandula angustifolia. Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, UV, and IR) and comparison with data reported in the literature. New compounds were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities and cytotoxic activities. The results revealed that compounds 1-3 showed obvious anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 26.9, 30.2, and 28.4%, which were at the same grade as positive control. Compounds 1-3 also showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumor cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 32.1-7.6 µM.

Antiviral sesquiterpenes from leaves of Nicotiana tabacum.

Three unreported sesquiterpenes possessing two new skeletons, tabasesquiterpenes A-C (1-3), together with three known sesquiterpenes (3-6) were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compound 2 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 35.2%, which were higher than that of positive control (ningnanmycin). The other compounds also showed potential anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates in the range of 20.5-28.6%.

Anti-TMV activity flavones from the leaves of Yunnan local air cured tobacco.

Four new flavones, tobaflavones E-H (1-4), together with two known flavones (5 and 6), were isolated from the leaves of Dali Tiandeng tobacco (a variety of Yunnan local air cured tobacco). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D- and 2D NMR techniques. Compound 2 is the first naturally occurring flavone bearing a (4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl)methyl moiety. These compounds were also evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results revealed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 35.3% and 39.6%, respectively. The rates are higher than those of positive control. The other compounds also showed potential anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates in the range of 18.7-28.4%, respectively.

Flavones from Cassia siamea and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity.

Two new flavones, siameflavones A and B (1 and 2), together with five known flavones (3-7) were isolated from the stem of Cassia siamea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (Anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compounds 1-5 showed weak anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates in the range of 11.6-18.5%.

Fistulains A and B, New Bischromones from the Bark of Cassia fistula, and Their Activities.

Fistulains A and B (1 and 2), two novel bischromones with unique coupling patterns, alone with their biosynthetic related compound 3, were isolated from the bark of Cassia fistula. Fistulain A represents a new type of dimeric chromone alkaloid biogenetically derived from a chromone and a tricyclic alkaloid through an unusual C-14-N linkage. Fistulain B has a new carbon skeleton with a C-14-C-5' linkage formed between two different chromone units. Fistulain A displayed anti-TMV activity, and both 1 and 2 showed weak cytotoxicities.

Aspergillines A-E, highly oxygenated hexacyclic indole-tetrahydrofuran-tetramic acid derivatives from Aspergillus versicolor.

Aspergillines A-E (1-5) are highly oxygenated cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-derived alkaloids bearing a rigid and sterically congested hexacyclic indole-tetrahydrofuran-tetramate scaffold, isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus vesicolor. Apergillines A-C represent a new subclass of CPA-derived alkaloids, and aspergillines B and E possess a butanoic acid methyl ester moiety. The structures, including absolute configuration, were elucidated by interpretation of the NMR, X-ray crystallographic, and circular dichroism data. All compounds displayed anti-TMV and cytotoxic activities.

Biphenyls from Nicotiana tabacum and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus.

Five new biphenyls, tababiphenyls A-E (1-5), together with five known ones (5-10), were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum, of which compound 1 possessed a seldom reported 6-carbons unit in biphenyls. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. All compounds were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compounds 3 and 5 exhibited high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rate of 48.4% and 32.1%, respectively, which were higher than that of positive control (ningnanmycin). The other compounds also showed potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 18.6-28.7%, respectively.

Bis(azido-κN)bis-[6-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine-κ(2)N(1),N(6)]manganese(II).

In the title complex, [Mn(N(3))(2)(C(8)H(8)N(6))(2)], the complete molecule is generated by the application of twofold symmetry, and is in a distorted octa-hedral environment, coordinated by four N atoms of two bidentate 6-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine ligands and two N atoms from two azide anions. The two chelated 6-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine ligands form a dihedral angle 74.75 (5)°. The mononuclear mol-ecules are alternatively linked into layers parallel to the ac plane via N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Adjacent layers are connected into a three-dimensional supra-molecular framework by futher N-H⋯N hydrogen-bonding inter-actions.

Phenolic compounds from Nicotiana tabacum and their biological activities.

Three new phenolic compounds, nicotphenols A-C (1-3), together with 14 known phenols (4-17), were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-3 were tested for their anti-HIV-1 activities and cytotoxicities. They all showed significant cytotoxic abilities and modest anti-HIV-1 activities, respectively.