Five Mesoporous Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks: Syntheses, Structures, and Fluorescence Sensing of Fe3+, Cr2O72-, and H2O2 and Electrochemical Sensing of Trinitrophenol.

When a multicarboxylate aromatic ligand, 3,5-di(2',4'-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid (H5L), was employed, five structurally similar lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs), {[Pr10L6(OH)3Cl(H2O)6]·4C2H8N}n (1), {[Nd10L6(OH)4 (H2O)9]·4C2H8N}n (2), {[Gd10L6(OH)4(H2O)3]·4C2H8N}n (3), {[Ho10L6(OH)4 (H2O)3]·4C2H8N}n (4) and {[Er10L6(OH)4(H2O)6]·4C2H8N}n (5), were synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses disclosed that all five Ln-MOFs crystallize in the trigonal R3 space group. They have three-dimensional mesoporous structure featuring the coexistence of binuclear and tetranuclear species as inorganic building units. The mesoporous structure of 3 was verified by the gas adsorption experiment of N2. Fluorescence analysis showed that 3 can selectively detect Fe3+, Cr2O72-, and H2O2; furthermore, it can be used for the electrochemical detection of trinitrophenol. With the merit of an excellent highly sensitive detection performance, 3 has unpredictable application prospects in future research fields.

Novel Multifunctional Samarium-Organic Framework for Fluorescence Sensing of Ag+, MnO4 -, and Cimetidine and Electrochemical Sensing of o-Nitrophenol in Aqueous Solutions.

A novel Sm-metal-organic framework (MOF) sensor with the molecular formula Sm8(HDBA)6·H2O has been prepared based on a penta-carboxyl organic ligand (H5DBA = 3,5-di(2',4'-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid) and samarium nitrate under solvothermal conditions. Sm-MOF is characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Structural analysis shows that the dimer metal units are alternately connected to form a one-dimensional chain, and this chain is connected by the bridging carboxyl oxygen of the ligand H5DBA to form a two-dimensional double-layer plane, which then expands into a three-dimensional microporous framework. Fluorescence detection studies show that Sm-MOF can detect Ag+ ions, MnO4 - anions, and cimetidine tablets with high sensitivity and selectivity and can also be used to electrochemically detect o-nitrophenol in water. High-sensitivity detection capability of the Sm-MOF can enrich the application of samarium complexes in multifunctional sensors.

A Multifunctional Tb-MOF Detector for H2O2, Fe3+, Cr2O7 2-, and TPA Explosive Featuring Coexistence of Binuclear and Tetranuclear Clusters.

A novel three-dimensional microporous terbium(III) metal-organic framework (Tb-MOF) named as [Tb10 (DBA)6(OH)4(H2O)5]·(H3O)4 (1), was successfully obtained by a solvothermal method based on terbium nitrate and 5-di(2',4'-dicarboxylphenyl) benzoic acid (H5DBA). The Tb-MOF has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, and fluorescence properties, and the purity was further confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Structural analysis shows that there are two kinds of metal cluster species: binuclear and tetranuclear, which are linked by H5DBA ligands in two µ7 high coordination fashions into a three-dimensional microporous framework. Fluorescence studies show that the Tb-MOF can detect H2O2, Fe3+, and Cr2O7 2- with high sensitivity and selectivity and can also be used for electrochemical detection of exposed 2,4,6-trinitrophenylamine (TPA) in water. The highly selective and sensitive detection ability of the Tb-MOF might make it a potential multifunctional sensor in the future.

Gan-Dan-Liang-Yi-Tang alleviates p-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia through modification of the serotonergic and immune system.

Gan-Dan-Liang-Yi-Tang (GDLYT) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been historically used for the treatment of insomnia. However, investigations into its pharmacological ingredients and the mechanism underlying its sedative and hypnotic effects remain limited. The present study reported the detailed mechanisms underlying the sedative and hypnotic effects of GDLYT. Kunming mice were administered GDLYT at various sub-hypnotic doses, which underwent sodium pentobarbital treatment test, pentetrazole induced convulsant studies and p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) induced insomnia model. Potentiated hypnotic and sedative effects in mice was studied, and also the changes in related neurotransmitter and immune factors were evaluated. The results suggested that GDLYT possessed weak sedative effects on pentetrazole-induced convulsive activity in normal mice at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg, with an increase in sleep onset in subhypnotic dose of sodium pentobarbital-treated mice. GDLYT was also able to alleviate insomnia induced by PCPA in the rodent models, and increased 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus and corpus striatum of PCPA-treated rats. Furthermore, the hypnotic effects of GDLYT were modified, which allowed for PCPA-induced immune system changes, including increased interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-2 expression levels. The results of the present study indicated that GDLYT induced sedative and hypnotic bioactivity by regulating serotonergic activity in the central nervous system and immune system.

A representative prescription for emotional disease, Ding-Zhi-Xiao-Wan restores 5-HT system deficit through interfering the synthesis and transshipment in chronic mild stress-induced depressive rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ding-Zhi-Xiao-Wan (DZ, also known as Kai-Xin-San) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of emotional disease. Previously, we have found that in a variety of animal models of depression (such as tail suspension model, model of chronic fatigue and forced swimming model) DZ demonstrated significant antidepressant behavior and promoted the production of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). However, the mechanisms of 5-HT regulation are still unclear. Therefore, the current study is designed to further investigate the antidepressant effect of DZ by observing its influence on 5-HT synthesis, metabolism, transport and other key links, so as to clarify the molecular mechanism of its 5-HT regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Solitary rising combined with the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS) was used to establish the rat model of depression. The rats were given DZ for 3 weeks, the behavior change and the following items in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were detected simultaneously: 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), monoamine oxidase (MAO) and 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) were observed. RESULTS: Our results showed that treatment with the DZ significantly improved the behavior and simultaneously increased the 5-HT level in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex tissues and hippocampus extracellular of depressive rats. In future studies revealed that DZ could significantly increase the protein and mRNA expression of the key enzymes TPH during the 5-HT synthesis process in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the depressed rats, and suppress the expression of 5-HTT protein and mRNA at the same time. But it had no effects on MAO-A and MAO-B activities. CONCLUSION: We believe that antidepressant effect of DZ is caused by the increase of 5-HT synthesis and reduction of 5-HT re-uptake, and eventually increase the content of 5-HT in the brain and the synaptic gaps.

Effect of kai xin san on learning and memory in a rat model of paradoxical sleep deprivation.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of kai xin san (KXS, at doses of 500, 250, and 125 mg/kg body weight per day), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, on learning and memory in paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD)-induced cognition deficit rats. Two behavior tests (the Open Field test and the Morris water maze task) were used for testing the effects of KXS on a PSD-induced learning and memory deficit model. Furthermore, its effect on the glutamic acid (GLU) and γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain tissue, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), and phosphorylated-CREB (p-CREB) expression in the hippocampus was also tested. KXS exerted the greatest cognition against the 48 h PSD-induced cognitive deficit and these effects may be mediated by decreasing the GLU and GABA levels and increasing the levels of BDNF, CREB, and p-CREB. This study indicates that the effect of KXS on learning and memory in a rat model of PSD could be associated with the modulation of neurotransmitter levels and the expression of some genes in the brain that contribute to memory functions.

[Effect and mechanism of dingzhixiao wan on scopolamine-induced learning-memory impairment in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Dingzhixiao Wan (DZXW), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of Acorus tatarinowii, Polygala tenuifolia, Poria cocos and Panax ginseng in a proportion of 2: 2: 3: 3, on learning-memory impairment induced by scopolamine and its possible mechanisms. METHOD: The mice were randomly divided into six groups: the control group, the model group, the positive huperzine A (0.05 mg x kg(-1)) group, DZXW 700 mg x kg(-1), 350 mg x kg(-1) and 175 mg kg(-1) groups. DZXW extracts were orally administrated to the mice for 7 days. Scopolamine (1.5 mg x kg(-1), ip) was injected to establish the learning and memory impairment model in mice. Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess the learning and memory ability of each group. After the test, the activities of glutamic acid (Glu), gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), acetylcholine (Ach) and acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) in brain tissue were measured. RESULT: The praxiology test showed that DZXW significantly decreased the average latency of model mice in the place navigation test, and enhanced the frequency for passing through the platform in the spatial probe test, the percentage between target quadrant swimming distance and time. Moreover, DZXW could significantly increase the contents of Glu and 5-HT, DA and Ach, while reducing the levels of GABA and AchE in mice brain. CONCLUSION: DZXW could significantly ameliorate the scopolamine-induced learning-memory impairment in mice and improve their learning-memory capacity, which may be related to its effect on adjusting Glu/GABA system and increasing Ach and monoamine neurotransmitter contents in mice brain.