Phenylspirodrimane with Moderate Reversal Effect of Multidrug Resistance Isolated from the Deep-Sea Fungus Stachybotrys sp. 3A00409.

Two new phenylspirodrimanes, stachybotrins K and L (1 and 2), together with eight known analogues (3-10), were isolated from deep-sea-derived Stachybotrys sp. MCCC 3A00409. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR data and mass spectroscopic analysis. Absolute configurations of new compounds were determined through a comparison of their circular dichroism (CD) spectra with other reported compounds. The possible reversal effects of all compounds were assayed in the resistant cancer cell lines. Stachybotrysin B (8) can reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in ABCB1-overexpression cells (KBv200, Hela/VCR) at the non-cytotoxic concentration. Doxorubicin accumulation assay and molecular-docking analysis reveal that the mechanism of its reversal MDR effect may be related to the increase in the intracellular concentration of substrate anticancer drugs.

Hypofibrinogenemia is an independent predictor of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in children with sepsis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially life-threatening condition in children with sepsis. We herein aimed to identify clinical and laboratory predictors of HLH in children with sepsis. We conducted a retrospective study of 568 children with sepsis admitted to Guangdong Women and Children Hospital from January 2019 to June 2022. HLH, while rare (6.34%), proved to be a highly fatal complication (37.14%) in children with sepsis. Children with HLH had higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and ferritin than children without HLH; conversely, they displayed decreased levels of neutrophils, hemoglobin, platelets, fibrinogen, and albumin. Additionally, the HLH group showed higher rates of prolonged fever (> 10 days), hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly than the non-HLH group. Our retrospective analysis identified hypofibrinogenemia (OR = 0.440, P = 0.024) as an independent predictor for the development of HLH in patients with sepsis. The optimal cutoff value for fibrinogen was found to be < 2.43 g/L. The area under the curve for diagnosing HLH was 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.73-0.87, P < 0.0001), with a sensitivity of 72.41% and specificity of 76.27%. Thus, hypofibrinogenemia emerges as a potentially valuable predictor for HLH in children with sepsis.

Hyposterolactone A, a 3α-Hydroxy Steroidal Lactone from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Hypocrea sp. ZEN14.

Chemical investigation of the deep-sea-derived fungus Hypocrea sp. ZEN14 afforded a new 3α-hydroxy steroidal lactone, hyposterolactone A (1) and 25 known secondary metabolites (2-26). The structure of the new compound was established by detailed spectroscopic analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation as well as a J-based configuration analysis. Compound 10 showed potent cytotoxicity against Huh7 and Jurkat cells with IC50 values of 1.4 µM and 6.7 µM, respectively.

Bioactivity-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory limonins from Chukrasia tabularis.

Chukrasia tabularis is an economically important tree and widely cultured in the southeast of China. Its barks, leaves, and fruits are consumed as a traditional medicine and perceived as a valuable source for bioactive limonin compounds. The extracts from root barks of C. tabularis showed significant anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this research was to explore the material basis of C. tabularis anti-inflammatory activity, and to purify and identify anti-inflammatory active ingredients. By a bioassay-guided isolation of dichloromethane fraction obtained two novel phragmalin limonins, Chukrasitin D and E (1 and 2), together with 12 known limonins (3-14). The chemical structure of these compounds is determined on the basis of extensive spectral analysis and chemical reactivity. In addition, the activities of these isolated limonins on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were evaluated. Limonins 1 and 2 indicated significant anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values of 6.24 and 6.13 µM. Compound 1 notably inhibited the production of NF-κB, TNF-α and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in macrophages. The present results suggest that the root barks of C. tabularis exhibited anti-inflammatory effect and the limonins may be responsible for this activity.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Melianodiol on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

Background: Ulcerative colitis is a unique inflammatory bowel disease with ulcerative lesions of the colonic mucosa. Melianodiol (MN), a triterpenoid, isolated from the fruits of the Chinese medicinal plant Melia azedarach, possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: The present study investigated the protective effects of MN on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages and DSS-mediated ulcerative colitis in mice. Methods: In the study, mice were given MN (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) and 5-ASA (500 mg/kg) daily for 9 days after induction by DSS for 1 week. The progress of the disease was monitored daily by observation of changes in clinical signs and body weight. Results: The results showed that MN effectively improved the overproduction of inflammatory factors (IL-6, NO, and TNF-α) and suppressed the activation of the NF-κB signalling cascade in LPS-mediated RAW264.7 cells. For DSS-mediated colitis in mice, MN can reduce weight loss and the disease activity index (DAI) score in UC mice, suppress colon shortening, and alleviate pathological colon injury. Moreover, MN treatment notably up regulated the levels of IL-10 and down regulated those of IL-1ß and TNF-α, and inhibited the protein expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, iNOS, NF-κB P65, p-P65, p-IKKα/ß, and p-IκBα in the colon. After MN treatment, the levels of MDA and NO in colonic tissue were remarkably decreased, whereas the levels of GSH, SOD, Nrf-2, Keap-1, HO-1, IκBα, and eNOS protein expression levels were significantly increased. Conclusion: These results indicate that MN can activate the Nrf-2 signalling pathway and inhibit the JAK/STAT, iNOS/eNOS, and NF-κB signalling cascades, enhance intestinal barrier function, and effectively reduce the LPS-mediated inflammatory response in mouse macrophages and DSS-induced intestinal injury in UC.

Three new phomalone derivatives from a deep-sea-derived fungus Alternaria sp. MCCC 3A00467.

Three new phomalone derivatives, phomalichenones E-G (1-3), and seven known analogues (4-10) were isolated from the cultures of a deep-sea-derived fungus Alternaria sp. MCCC 3A00467. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including the 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD spectrum. Among the compounds isolated, phomalichenone F (2) presented cytotoxic activity against human myeloma cancer U266 cells with IC50 value of 24.99 µg/mL. The most active compound, 10, showed cytotoxicity against U266, HepG2 and A549 cells with IC50 values of 13.26, 14.69 and 24.39 µg/mL, respectively.

A new cyclopeptide alkaloid from Clematis Florida.

One new 14-membered ring cyclopeptide alkaloid, plenane A (1), along with six known compounds (2-7), was isolated from the roots of Clematis florida. Their structures were elucidated by means of NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometry. In addition, their anti- inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages were evaluated in vitro. The compounds 1, 2 and 6 exhibited potent indirect inhibitory effects, with IC50 values of 40.92, 22.88 and 6.32 µM, respectively.

Anti-HIV Compounds from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Chaetomium globosum.

Chemical investigation on the deep-sea-derived fungus Chaetomium globosum led to the isolation of nine compounds. By extensive analyses of the 1D and 2D NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectra, their structures were elucidated as xylariol A (1), 1,3-dihydro-4,5,6-trihydroxy-7-methylisobenzofuran (2), epicoccone B (3), epicoccolide B (4), chaetoglobosin G (5), chaetoglobosin Fex (6), cochliodone A (7), cochliodone B (8), and chaetoviridin A (9), assorting as four phenolics (1-4), two cytochalosans (5-6), and three azaplilones (7-9). Compounds 1-3 were firstly reported from C. globosum. Under the concentrations of 20 µg/mL, 1, 2, and 3 exhibited potent in vitro anti-HIV activity with the inhibition rates of 70 %, 75 %, and 88 %, respectively.

Solitumergosterol A, a unique 6/6/6/6/5 steroid from the deep-sea-derived Penicillium solitum MCCC 3A00215.

A unique C30 steroid, solitumergosterol A (1), was isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium solitum MCCC 3A00215. The planar structure and relative configuration of 1 were established mainly on the basis of extensive analysis of its 1D and 2D NMR as well as HRESIMS data, while its absolute configuration was clarified by comparison of the experimental and theoretical ECD spectra. Noteworthily, 1 is a Diels-Alder adduct of a heterogeneous steroid bearing a 6/6/6/6/5 pentacyclic carbon skeleton. Solitumergosterol A (1) exhibited weak in vitro anti-tumor activity against MB231 cells by a RXRα-dependent mechanism.

The in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of triterpene saponins from Clematis florida.

Clematis florida is widely used in She Ethnopharmacy in China owing to its significant anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the active fraction of C. florida (CFAF) in an arthritis animal model and its possible mechanism. Pre-inflammatory cytokine levels were examined by ELISA. CFAF can significantly improve the symptoms of arthritis such as paw swelling, arthritic index, and histological condition in AA rat. CFAF can also reduce levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6. Further studies showed that triterpene saponins from CFAF induced anti-inflammatory activity inhibited inflammatory mediators by blocking JAK/STAT signalling pathways in the LPS-treated macrophages.

Anti-Food Allergic Compounds from Penicillium griseofulvum MCCC 3A00225, a Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus.

Ten new (1-10) and 26 known (11-36) compounds were isolated from Penicillium griseofulvum MCCC 3A00225, a deep sea-derived fungus. The structures of the new compounds were determined by detailed analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were established by X-ray crystallography, Marfey's method, and the ICD method. All isolates were tested for in vitro anti-food allergic bioactivities in immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. Compound 13 significantly decreased the degranulation release with an IC50 value of 60.3 µM, compared to that of 91.6 µM of the positive control, loratadine.

Rapid Determination of 7-Hydroxycoumarin Using a Nanogold/Poly-thionine Modified Glass Carbon Electrode.

This paper presents a novel voltametric procedure for 7-hydroxycoumarin determination by using a nanogold/poly-thionine modified electrode. The characterization of nanomaterials has been conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical methods. The electrochemical sensing of 7-hydroxycoumarin was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). By combining the excellent electrocatalytic property of nanogold and polymer materials, this sensor shows an improved electrochemical response for 7-hydroxycoumarin detection with a good linear relationship in the range of 5.0 × 10-6 - 3.0 × 10-5 mol L-1; the detection limit was 1.0 × 10-6 mol L-1. This method solves the problem that 7-hydroxycoumarin cannot be accurately quantified on a bare glassy carbon electrode, and also improves the detection sensitivity. This is expected to play a huge potential in the quantitative analysis of quality control, plasma concentration monitoring and mechanism research in vivo of this drug.

Graphostromols A-K, Eleven New Chained Polyketides from the Deep-Sea-Derived Graphostroma sp.

Chromatographic separation of the AcOEt extract of the fermented cultures of the deep-sea-derived fungus Graphostroma sp. resulted in the isolation of 11 new chained polyketides, namely graphostromols A-K (1-11). The structures of the new compounds were established by the extensive analyses of their NMR and HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute configuration at C-11 in 1 was determined on the basis of the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 1-5, bearing a 2,2,10,10-tetramethyldodecane skeleton, were discovered for the first time from nature. All isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five different cancer cell lines (HeLa, Eca-109, Biu-87, Bel-7402, and PANC-1). However, none showed positive effects.

Two new phenylspirodrimanes from the deep-sea derived fungus Stachybotrys sp. MCCC 3A00409.

Two new phenylspirodrimanes, stachybotrin H (1) and stachybotrysin H (9) together with eleven known analogues (2-8, 10-13) were isolated from deep-sea derived Stachybotrys sp. MCCC 3A00409. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR data and mass spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 9-12 showed weak cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines K562, Hela and HL60 with IC50 in the range of 18.5-52.8 µM.

A new indole-type alkaloid from the roots of Clematis florida var. plena.

One new indole-type alkaloid, α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-D- glucopyranosyl 6-methoxy-3-indolecarbonate (1), together with three known alkaloids (2-4), one aromatic acid (5) and five known saponins (6-10), was isolated from the roots of Clematis florida var. plena. Their structures were established by NMR spectroscopic analysis and acid hydrolysis. In in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, n-butanol extract was found to be potent against ear edema in mice, with inhibition rate of 48.7% at a dose of 800 mg/kg. Furthermore, compounds 8 and 9 obtained from the n-butanol extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities with inhibition rates of 50.9% and 54.7% at a dose of 200 mg/kg.

Discovery, gene modification, and optimization of fermentation of an enduracidin-producing strain.

Enduracidin significantly inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and had been widely used in many fields. However, as the poor technology for production of enduracidin and its scarcity, identification of novel strategies for production of enduracidin is important. Our group developed two methods to improve the yield of the production of enduracidin. The yield of enduracidin was increased by three- to fivefold. The highest yields of enduracidin A and enduracidin B achieved were 63.7 and 82.13 mg/ml. Thus, our results might provide a new reference method for the industrial production of enduracidin.

Diterpenoids from Wedelia prostrata and Their Derivatives and Cytotoxic Activities.

One new ent-kaurane diterpenoid, 11ß,16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (1), together with eight known analogues 2 - 9 were isolated from the aerial parts of Wedelia prostrata. One of the acidic diterpenoids, kaurenoic acid (3), was converted to seven derivatives, 10 - 16. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in vitro against human leukemia (K562), liver (HepG-2), and stomach (SGC-7901) cancer cell lines. Only four kaurenoic acid derivatives, 13 - 16, with 15-keto and substitutions at C(19) position, exhibited notable cytotoxic activities on these tumor cell lines with IC50 value ranging from 0.05 to 3.71 µm. Compounds 10 - 12, with oxime on C(15) showed moderate inhibitory effects and compounds 1 - 9 showed no cytotoxicities on them. Structure-activity relationships were also discussed based on the experimental data obtained. The known derivative, 15-oxokaurenoic acid 4-piperdin-1-ylbutyl ester (17), induced typical apoptotic cell death in colon SW480 cells upon evaluation of the apoptosis-inducing activity by flow-cytometric analysis.

[Diversity of culturable sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in deep-sea hydrothermal vent environments of the South Atlantic].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diversity of culturable sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in hydrothermal vent environments of the South Atlantic, and analyze their characteristics of sulfur oxidation. METHODS: We enriched and isolated sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from hydrothermal vent samples collected from the South Atlantic. The microbial diversity in enrichment cultures was analyzed using the Denatural Gradient Gel Electrophoresis method. Sulfur-oxidizing characteristics of the isolates was further studied by using ion chromatography. RESULTS: A total of 48 isolates were obtained from the deep-sea hydrothermal vent samples, which belonged to 23 genera and mainly grouped into alpha-Proteobacteria (58.3%), Actinobacteria (22.9%) and gama-Proteobacteria (18.8%). Among them, the genus Thalassospira, Martelella and Microbacterium were dominant. About 60% of the isolates exibited sulfur-oxidizing ability and strain L6M1-5 had a higher sulfur oxidation rate by comparison analysis. CONCLUSION: The diversity of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in hydrothermal environments of the South Atlantic was reported for the first time based on culture-dependent methods. The result will help understand the biogechemical process of sulfur compounds in the deep-sea hydrothermal environments.

Spatial distribution and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in deep-sea sediments of the Pacific Ocean.

Nitrification, the aerobic oxidation of ammonia to nitrate via nitrite, is performed by nitrifying microbes including ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA). In the current study, the phylogenetic diversity and abundance of AOB and AOA in deep-sea sediments of the Pacific Ocean were investigated using ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (amoA) coding genes as molecular markers. The study uncovered 3 AOB unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs, defined at sequence groups that differ by ≤5 %), which indicates lower diversity than AOA (13 OTUs obtained). All AOB amoA gene sequences were phylogenetically related to amoA sequences similar to those found in marine Nitrosospira species, and all AOA amoA gene sequences were affiliated with the marine sediment clade. Quantitative PCR revealed similar archaeal amoA gene abundances [1.68 × 10(5)-1.89 × 10(6) copies/g sediment (wet weight)] among different sites. Bacterial amoA gene abundances ranged from 5.28 × 10(3) to 2.29 × 10(6) copies/g sediment (wet weight). The AOA/AOB amoA gene abundance ratios ranged from 0.012 to 162 and were negatively correlated with total C and C/N ratio. These results suggest that organic loading may be a key factor regulating the relative abundance of AOA and AOB in deep-sea environments of the Pacific Ocean.