Exposure to 1-nitropyrene after weaning induces anxiety-like behavior partially by inhibiting steroid hormone synthesis in prefrontal cortex.

1-Nitropyrene (1-NP) is a neurodevelopmental toxicant. This study was to evaluate the impact of exposure to 1-NP after weaning on anxiety-like behavior. Five-week-old mice were administered with 1-NP (0.1 or 1 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Anxiety-like behaviour was measured using elevated-plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT). In EPM test, time spending in open arm and times entering open arm were reduced in 1-NP-treated mice. In OFT test, time spent in the center region and times entering the center region were diminished in 1-NP-treated mice. Prefrontal dendritic length and number of dendrite branches were decreased in 1-NP-treated mice. Prefrontal PSD95, an excitatory postsynaptic membrane protein, and gephyrin, an inhibitory postsynaptic membrane protein, were downregulated in 1-NP-treated mice. Further analysis showed that peripheral steroid hormones, including serum testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), testicular T, and ovarian E2, were decreased in 1-NP-treated mice. Interestingly, T and E2 were diminished in 1-NP-treated prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal T and E2 synthases were diminished in 1-NP-treated mice. Mechanistically, GCN2-eIF2α, a critical pathway that regulates ribosomal protein translation, was activated in 1-NP-treated prefrontal cortex. These results indicate that exposure to 1-NP after weaning induces anxiety-like behaviour partially by inhibiting steroid hormone synthesis in prefrontal cortex.

Antifungal bioactivity of Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Franch. against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Franch. has been widely utilized in folk medicine by the Miao people in the southwestern region of China for treating skin sores which may be associated with microbial infection. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antifungal bioactivity of S. hookeriana var. digyna against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo, as well as its underlying mechanism and the key bioactive component. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antifungal bioactivity of 80% ethanol extract of S. hookeriana var. digyna (SHE80) was investigated in vitro using the broth microdilution method, time-growth curve, and time-kill assay. Its key functional component and antifungal mechanism were explored with combined approaches including UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology and metabolomics. The antifungal pathway was further supported via microscopic observation of fungal cell morphology and examination of its effects on fungal biofilm and cell membranes using fluorescent staining reagents. In vivo assessment of antifungal bioactivity was conducted using a mouse model infected with C. albicans on the skin. RESULTS: S. hookeriana var. digyna suppressed fluconazole-resistant C. albicans efficiently (MIC = 16 µg/mL, MFC = 64 µg/mL). It removed fungal biofilm, increased cell membrane permeability, induced protein leakage, reduced membrane fluidity, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, induced the release of reactive oxygen species, promoted cell apoptosis, and inhibited the transformation of fungi from the yeast state to the hyphal state significantly. In terms of mechanism, it affected sphingolipid metabolism and signaling pathway. Moreover, the predicted bioactive component, sarcovagine D, was supported by antifungal bioactivity evaluation in vitro (MIC = 4 µg/mL, MFC = 16 µg/mL). Furthermore, S. hookeriana var. digyna promoted wound healing, reduced the number of colony-forming units, and reduced inflammation effectively in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The traditional use of S. hookeriana var. digyna for fungal skin infections was supported by antifungal bioactivity investigated in vitro and in vivo. Its mechanism and bioactive component were predicted and confirmed by experiments, which also provided a new antifungal agent for future research.

Prenatal 1-Nitropyrene Exposure Causes Autism-Like Behavior Partially by Altering DNA Hydroxymethylation in Developing Brain.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social communication disability and stereotypic behavior. This study aims to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), a key component of motor vehicle exhaust, on autism-like behaviors in a mouse model. Three-chamber test finds that prenatal 1-NP exposure causes autism-like behaviors during the weaning period. Patch clamp shows that inhibitory synaptic transmission is reduced in medial prefrontal cortex of 1-NP-exposed weaning pups. Immunofluorescence finds that prenatal 1-NP exposure reduces the number of prefrontal glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) positive interneurons in fetuses and weaning pups. Moreover, prenatal 1-NP exposure retards tangential migration of GAD67-positive interneurons and downregulates interneuron migration-related genes, such as Nrg1, Erbb4, and Sema3F, in fetal forebrain. Mechanistically, prenatal 1-NP exposure reduces hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration-related genes through inhibiting ten-eleven translocation (TET) activity in fetal forebrain. Supplement with alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG), a cofactor of TET enzyme, reverses 1-NP-induced hypohydroxymethylation at specific sites of interneuron migration-related genes. Moreover, α-KG supplement alleviates 1-NP-induced migration retardation of interneurons in fetal forebrain. Finally, maternal α-KG supplement improves 1-NP-induced autism-like behaviors in weaning offspring. In conclusion, prenatal 1-NP exposure causes autism-like behavior partially by altering DNA hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration-related genes in developing brain.

Structure optimizing of flavonoids against both MRSA and VRE.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) cause more than 100,000 deaths each year, which need efficient and non-resistant antibacterial agents. SAR analysis of 162 flavonoids from the plant in this paper suggested that lipophilic group at C-3 was crucial, and then 63 novel flavonoid derivatives were designed and total synthesized. Among them, the most promising K15 displayed potent bactericidal activity against clinically isolated MRSA and VRE (MICs = 0.25-1.00 µg/mL) with low toxicity and high membrane selectivity. Moreover, mechanism insights revealed that K15 avoided resistance by disrupting biofilm and targeting the membrane, while vancomycin caused 256 times resistance against MRSA, and ampicillin caused 16 times resistance against VRE by the same 20 generations inducing. K15 eliminated residual bacteria in mice skin MRSA-infected model (>99 %) and abdominal VRE-infected model (>92 %), which was superior to vancomycin and ampicillin.

Trajectories of anxiety and depression among Chinese men who have sex with men on pre-exposure prophylaxis: a group-based trajectory model approach.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression can influence adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). However, there is limited research on the temporal dynamics of anxiety and depression among men who have sex with men (MSM) using PrEP. METHODS: From December 2018 to November 2020, we administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to participants in the China Real-World Oral Intake of PrEP (CROPrEP) to measure their anxiety and depression levels. The group-based trajectory model (GBTM) depicted the dynamic changes of anxiety and depression scores over time. RESULTS: A total of 1023 MSM were included, with 4523 follow-up assessments. The GBTM categorized the trajectories into three distinct patterns: consistently low (54.8% for anxiety, 60.7% for depression), consistently moderate (39.3% for anxiety, 31.4% for depression), and high but bell-shaped (5.9% for anxiety, 7.9% for depression). Higher anxiety levels were associated with being aged 18-30 years old, earning less than US$619 per month, female-identifying, adopting the bottom sexual role with men, and having two or more anal sex partners in the past three months; similarly, higher depression levels correlated with a monthly income under US$619, female-identifying, sexual behavior as bottom and a positive syphilis at baseline. PrEP adherence was notably lower in the high but bell-shaped anxiety and depression group compared to the other groups, particularly at the 12th-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring of anxiety and depression levels in MSM on PrEP is crucial. Provision of targeted mental health support is essential to enhance PrEP effectiveness.

Antimicrobial ingredients of Zanthoxylum motuoense and potential in fresh pork meat preservation.

Zanthoxylum motuoense (Tibetan prickly ash, MTHJ), different from the Chinese prickly ash species, is distributed only in the Tibet. Now the chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of MTHJ extracts were analyzed for the first time. As a result, Schinifoline (12), γ-Fagarine (8), (2E,7E,9E)-6 S-Hydroxy-N-(2-methylpropyl)-11-oxo-2, 7, 9-Dodecatrienamide (6), and Neoechinulin A (17) were found to be the major different factors by untarget LC-MS metabolomics together with quantitative analysis on target. These four compounds were also the major antibacterial constituents. Then, the antimicrobial activity of MTHJ fractions was evaluated with colony forming units (CFU), fluorescence microscopy imaging, SEM and investigating the potential food preservation. Nutritional composition, colour and sensory evaluation of extract-treated samples were evaluated along storage time. The results suggested the MTHJ may be used for meat products preservation, and the scores were significantly higher for its unique flavor, which offered a promising choice for food safety, preservation and reducing foodborne illness.

A dual mechanism with H2S inhibition and membrane damage of morusin from Morus alba Linn. against MDR-MRSA.

It's urgent to discover new antibiotics along with the increasing emergence and dissemination of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. In the present investigation, morusin exhibited rapid bactericidal activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) by targeting the phospholipid of bacterial inner membrane, increasing membrane rigidity and disrupting bacterial homeostasis together with the membrane permeability, which caused fundamental metabolic disorders. Furthermore, morusin can also accumulate ROS, suppress H2S production, and aggravate oxidative damage in bacteria. Importantly, morusin also inhibited the spread of wounds and reduced the bacterial burden in the mouse model of skin infection caused by MRSA. It's a chance to meet the challenge of existing antibiotic resistance and avoid the development of bacterial resistance, given the multiple targets of morusin.

Online distribution of HIV self-testing kits to promote HIV testing among men who have sex with men discontinuing pre-exposure prophylaxis after demonstration project completion in China: a multicentre open-label randomized controlled trial.

Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers potential solutions to challenges associated with site-based HIV testing (SBHT). However, the effectiveness of HIVST as an HIV prevention strategy for men who have sex with men (MSM) discontinuing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) after the completion of PrEP demonstration project has rarely been assessed. Methods: The China Real-world Study of Oral PrEP (CROPrEP) project was conducted in four cities in China. Participants were directed to community resources to continue their PrEP medication after the discontinuation of project-provided PrEP at the last CROPrEP visit. We conducted a multicentre open-label randomized controlled trial among MSM who had discontinued PrEP induced by the completion of CROPrEP. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group (1:1). Participants received regular health education and behavioural interventions throughout the trial. The intervention group was given a link to order free HIVST kits online, while the control group received information about free SBHT. Both groups completed internet-based follow-up surveys at three and six months. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who underwent HIV testing during the six-month follow-up period. This trial was registered at chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000038416). Findings: Between November 2020 and January 2021, we recruited a total of 620 participants (300 in the intervention group and 320 in the control group). The follow-up completion rates were 99·0% and 95·0% in the intervention and control groups, respectively. At baseline, the median age of participants was 32 (interquartile range: 26-37), and 77·7% underwent HIV testing in the past three months. The proportion of participants who underwent HIV testing in the past three months was higher in the intervention group than in the control group at both the three-month (adjusted risk difference [RD]: 36·7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 35·1-38·5, p < 0·001) and six-month (RD: 26·7, 95% CI: 24·6-28·7 p < 0·001) follow-up periods. Interpretation: Our study suggests that providing online distribution of HIVST kits for MSM with PrEP discontinuation induced by completion of the PrEP project effectively promoted HIV testing. This digital approach improves access to HIV testing for MSM and can be applicable to other settings where MSM turn to online public health services. Funding: The study was funded by the Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China; the Mega-Projects of National Science Research for the 13th Five-Year Plan; and the Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program, China.

Targeted quantitative analysis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in Alstonia scholaris by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry.

Monoterpene indole alkaloids exhibit structural diversity in herbal resources and have been developed as promising drugs owing to their significant biological activities. Confidential identification and quantification of monoterpene indole alkaloids is the key to quality control of target plants in industrial production but has rarely been reported. In this study, quantitative performance of three data acquisition modes of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry including full scan, auto-MS2 and target-MS2 , was evaluated and compared for specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and matrix effect using five monoterpene indole alkaloids (scholaricine, 19-epi-scholaricine, vallesamine, picrinine, and picralinal). Method validations indicated that target-MS2 mode showed predominant performance for simultaneous annotation and quantification of analytes, and was then applied to determine monoterpene indole alkaloids in Alstonia scholaris (leaves, barks) after extraction procedures optimization using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. The variations of A. scholaris monoterpene indole alkaloids in different plant parts, harvest periods, and post-handling processes, were subsequently investigated. The results indicated that target-MS2 mode could improve the quantitative capability of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for structure-complex monoterpene indole alkaloids in herbal matrices. Alstonia scholaris, monoterpene indole alkaloids, quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry, qualitative and quantitative analysis, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography.

Relationships of Low Serum Levels of Interleukin-10 With Poststroke Anxiety and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Clinical Acute Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationships among interleukin (IL)-10 levels, anxiety, and cognitive status after stroke remain controversial. We aimed to determine the associations of serum IL-10 levels with poststroke anxiety (PSA) and poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). METHODS: We recruited 350 patients with stroke, of whom only 151 completed a 1-month follow-up assessment. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the cognitive status and anxiety, respectively. Serum IL-10 levels were measured within 24 hours of admission. RESULTS: IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the PSA group than in the non-PSA group, and they were negatively associated with HAMA scores (r=-0.371, p<0.001). After adjusting for all potential confounders, IL-10 levels remained an independent predictor of PSA (odds ratio=0.471, 95% confidence interval=0.237-0.936, p=0.032). IL-10 levels were strongly correlated with behavior during interviews, psychic anxiety, and somatic anxiety. Patients without PSCI had higher IL-10 levels were higher in non-PSCI patients than in PSCI patients, and they were positively associated with MMSE scores in the bivariate correlation analysis (r=0.169, p=0.038), and also with memory capacity, naming ability, and copying capacity. However, IL-10 did not predict PSCI in the univariable or multivariable logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Low IL-10 levels were associated with increased risks of PSA and PSCI at a 1-month follow-up after stroke. Serum IL-10 levels may therefore be helpful in predicting PSA.

1-Nitropyrene disrupts testicular steroidogenesis via oxidative stress-evoked PERK-eIF2α pathway.

Our previous study showed 1-Nitropyrene (1-NP) exposure disrupted testicular testosterone synthesis in mouse, but the exact mechanism needs further investigation. The present research found 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor, recovered 1-NP-induced ER stress and testosterone synthases reduction in TM3 cells. GSK2606414, a protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) kinase inhibitor, attenuated 1-NP-induced PERK-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) signaling activation and downregulation of steroidogenic proteins in TM3 cells. Both 4-PBA and GSK2606414 attenuated 1-NP-induced steroidogenesis disruption in TM3 cells. Further studies used N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) as a classical antioxidant to explore whether oxidative stress-activated ER stress mediated 1-NP-induced testosterone synthases reduction and steroidogenesis disruption in TM3 cells and mouse testes. The results showed NAC pretreatment mitigated oxidative stress, and subsequently attenuated ER stress, particularly PERK-eIF2α signaling activation, and downregulation of testosterone synthases in 1-NP-treated TM3 cells. More importantly, NAC extenuated 1-NP-induced testosterone synthesis in vitro and in vivo. The current work indicated that oxidative stress-caused ER stress, particularly PERK-eIF2α pathway activation, mediates 1-NP-downregulated steroidogenic proteins and steroidogenesis disruption in TM3 cells and mouse testes. Significantly, the current study provides a theoretical basis and demonstrates the experimental evidence for the potential application of antioxidant, such as NAC, in public health prevention, particularly in 1-NP-induced endocrine disorder.

Gestational 1-nitropyrene exposure causes anxiety-like behavior partially by altering hippocampal epigenetic reprogramming of synaptic plasticity in male adult offspring.

1-Nitropyrene (1-NP), a typical nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is a developmental toxicant. This study was to evaluate gestational 1-NP-induced anxiety-like behavior in male adult offspring. Pregnant mice were orally administered to 1-NP daily throughout pregnancy. Anxiety-like behaviors, as determined by Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) and Open-Field Test (OFT), were showed in male adult offspring whose mothers were exposed to 1-NP. Gestational 1-NP exposure reduced dendritic arborization, dendritic length and dendritic spine density in ventral hippocampus of male adult offspring. Additional experiments showed that gephyrin, an inhibitory synaptic marker, was reduced in fetal forebrain and hippocampus in male adult offspring. Nrg1 and Erbb4, two gephyrin-related genes, were reduced in 1-NP-exposed fetuses. Accordingly, 5hmC contents in two CpG sites (32008909 and 32009239) of Nrg1 gene and three CpG sites (69107743, 69107866 and 69107899) of Erbb4 gene were decreased in 1-NP-exposed fetuses. Mechanistically, ten-eleven translocation (TET) activity and alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG) content were decreased in 1-NP-exposed fetal forebrain. Supplementation with α-KG alleviated 1-NP-induced downregulation of gephyrin-related genes, prevented hippocampal synaptic damage, and improved anxiety-like behavior in male adult offspring. These results indicate that early-life 1-NP exposure causes anxiety-like behavior in male adulthood partially by altering hippocampal epigenetic reprogramming of synaptic plasticity.

Gestational folic acid supplement prevents vitamin D deficiency-induced depression-like behavior by reversing cortical DNA hypomethylation in adult offspring.

Depression is a common mental disorder with an increasing incidence. Several studies have demonstrated that cortical DNA hypomethylation is associated with depression-like behaviors. This study aims to investigate whether maternal vitamin D deficiency (VDD) induces depression-like behaviors and to explore the effects of folic acid supplement on VDD-induced cortical DNA hypomethylation in adult offspring. Female mice were fed with a VDD diet, beginning at 5 weeks of age and throughout pregnancy. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated, and cortical 5-methylcytosine (5mC) content was detected in adult offspring. Results showed that depression-like behaviors were observed in adult offspring of the VDD group. Cortical Ache and Oxtr mRNAs were upregulated in female offspring of the VDD group. Cortical Cpt1a and Htr1b mRNAs were increased in male offspring of the VDD group. Moreover, cortical 5mC content was reduced in offspring of VDD-fed dams. The additional experiment showed that serum folate and cortical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) contents were decreased in the offspring of the VDD group. Folic acid supplement attenuated VDD-induced SAM depletion and reversed cortical DNA methylation. Moreover, folic acid supplement attenuated VDD-induced upregulation of depression-related genes. In addition, folic acid supplement alleviated maternal VDD-induced depression-like behaviors in adult offspring. These results suggest that maternal VDD induces depression-like behavior in adult offspring by reducing cortical DNA methylation. The gestational folic acid supplement prevents VDD-induced depression-like behavior by reversing cortical DNA hypomethylation in adult offspring.

Long-term cadmium exposure induces chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-like lung lesions in a mouse model.

Accumulating evidences demonstrate that long-term exposure to atmospheric fine particles and air pollutants elevates the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cadmium (Cd) is one of the important toxic substances in atmospheric fine particles and air pollutants. In this study, we aimed to establish a mouse model to evaluate whether respiratory Cd exposure induces COPD-like lung injury. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CdCl2 (10 mg/L, 4 h per day) by inhaling aerosol for either 10 weeks (short-term) or 6 months (long-term). The mean serum Cd concentration was 6.26 µg/L in Cd-exposed mice. Lung weight and coefficient were elevated in long-term Cd-exposed mice. Pathological scores and alveolar destructive indices were increased in long-term Cd-exposed mouse lungs. Mean linear intercept and airway wall thickness were accordingly elevated in Cd-exposed mice. Inflammatory cell infiltration was obvious and inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TGF-ß, were up-regulated in Cd-exposed mouse lungs. α-SMA, N-cadherin and vimentin, epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, and extracellular matrix collagen deposition around small airway, determined by Masson's trichrome staining, were shown in Cd-exposed mouse lungs. COPD-characteristic lung function decline was observed in long-term Cd-exposed mice. These outcomes show that long-term respiratory exposure to Cd induces COPD-like lung lesions for the first time.

Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Ascaris suum Activity of Different Zanthoxylum Species In Vitro and In Vivo.

Zanthoxylum plants (ZPs), including multiple Chinese prickly ash species, are dual-purpose functional foods favored by the general population around the world in foods, cosmetics, and traditional medicines and have antipruritic, insecticidal, and fungicidal bioactivities. For the first time, the anti-roundworm bioactivity of ZPs and the active ingredients were compared and investigated. Through nontarget metabolomics following targeted quantitative analysis, qinbunamides, sanshools, sanshooel, asarinin, and sesamin were found to be the main different components of Zanthoxylum species. Coincidentally, the 12 chemical components were also the dominant anti-roundworm ingredients of ZP extracts. The extracts of three species of Chinese prickly ash (1 mg/mL) decreased the hatchability of roundworm eggs significantly, and the ChuanJiao seed killed roundworms (insecticidal rate 100%) and alleviated the symptoms of pneumonia in mice. Furthermore, retention time-accurate mass-tandem mass spectrometry-ion ratio (RT-AM-MS/MS-IR) were modeled by assaying 108 authentic compounds of ZP extracts, and 20 metabolites were confidently identified in biological samples from ZP extract-treated mice by analyzing the m/z values and the empirical substructures. This study provides a good reference for the proper application of ZPs.

Significant anti-inflammatory aziridine-containing indole alkaloids from the Chinese medicinal plant Alstonia scholaris.

Two unique windmill-like aziridine-containing indole alkaloids, possessing an unprecedented 6/5/5/6/6/5/3 rigid ring system and an unusual azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane core, were isolated from Alstonia scholaris. Their structures were established by spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. The novel compounds exhibited significant anti-inflammatory bioactivity in vitro and alleviated LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice.

Steroidal alkaloids from the roots of Veratrum stenophyllum.

Three new steroidal alkaloids, veratrasines A - C (1-3), along with ten known analogues (4-13) were isolated from the roots of Veratrum stenophyllum. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and HRESIMS data and comparison with the reported data in the literatures. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 and 2 were proposed. Compounds 1, 3, and 8 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against MHCC97H and H1299 cell lines.

Steroidal alkaloid with unprecedented triheterocyclic architecture.

Veratrazine A (1), a steroidal alkaloid with a unique 6/5/5 triheterocyclic scaffold as the side chain, was isolated from Veratrum stenophyllum, and its structure was established via spectroscopic analyses and X-ray diffraction. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 is proposed. Bioassy exhibits moderate anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo.

Dimeric benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Thalictrum delavayi and their biological activities.

A phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of T. delavayi led to the isolation of five new dimeric benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, thalidelavines A-E (1-5), together with six known congeners (6-11). The structures and absolute configurations of new compounds were established based on analyses of spectroscopic data, ECD calculations, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Thalidelavines A-E (1-5) were structurally complex bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids with various configurations. These isolated alkaloids were evaluated for their cytotoxic and immunosuppressive effects. Among them, both 9 and 10 displayed significant cytotoxicities against T98G cell lines with an IC50 value of 2.1 µM, compared with the positive CPT-11 (IC50 = 3.0 µM). In addition, 5-7 showed remarkable immunosuppressive effects. These findings not only enrich the structural diversity of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, but also provide potential candidates for the further development of the antitumor and immunosuppressive agents.

Antifungal compounds of Chinese prickly ash against drug-resistant Candida albicans.

The leaf of Chinese prickly ash, a unique spice having typical pungent sensation, is a popular food in Southwest China with antipruritic, insecticidal and fungicidal functions, but its bioactive constituents of fungistatic capacity remain unknown. In present investigation, twenty-nine compounds were isolated from leaf of Chinese prickly ash, and their antifungal bioactivity against drug-resistant Candida albicans were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. As a result, three compounds 3, 10, 29 showed antifungal bioactivity by damage of the fungal biofilm, and they might recover sensitive of drug resistant C. albicans to Fluconazole. Then Chinese prickly ash leaf was proved to be a functional food against fungus for the first time in experiment.