Water-Assisted/Water-Accelerated Photoreaction of trans-2,3,4',5-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-d-glucoside from the Roots of Polygonum multiflorum.

The photoreaction of 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-d-glucoside (TSG) has been investigated. Water-assisted/water-accelerated photodimerization of trans-TSG favored the formation of syn-head-to-tail [2 + 2] photocyclobutane under 365 nm irradiation as a result of hydrophobic association and a fluorescent solute-solute aggregate from their excited singlet states. In contrast, irradiation with 254 nm led to [2 + 2] photocycloreversion. The two cyclobutane dimers were first obtained through straightforward photoreaction and identified as multiflorumiside A and multiflorumiside C through the detailed analysis of high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance. Therefore, trans-TSG should be protected from light and water.

Degradation kinetics of malvidin-3-glucoside and malvidin-3,5-diglucoside exposed to microwave treatment.

Understanding the factors that contribute to the degradation of bioactive compounds during microwave treatment is meaningful for the practical application of this novel technology. The influence of microwave power, energy density, temperature, pH value, and initial concentration of anthocyanins (Acys) on the degradation behavior of malvidin-3-glucoside (Mv-3-glu) and malvidin-3,5-diglucoside (Mv-3,5-diglu) was investigated in this study. Results showed that the degradation of both Acys was accelerated with the increase of microwave power, energy density, temperature, pH value, and initial concentration of Acys. The degradation process of both Acys followed the first-order kinetics model (R² > 0.94), whereas the relationship between Acys degradation and energy density fitted to the logistic model well (R² > 0.98). In addition, Mv-3-glu was more susceptible to the microwave treatment than Mv-3,5-diglu. Compared with heating in a 98 ± 2 °C water bath, both Acys degraded more rapidly under microwave treatment at 100 °C, indicating the occurrence of microwave effect. The results provide a guide for the scientific application of microwave treatment.

Separation and identification of highly fluorescent compounds derived from trans-resveratrol in the leaves of Vitis vinifera infected by Plasmopara viticola.

A method for identification of highly fluorescent compounds in vine leaves infected by Plasmopara viticola was developed using reversed phase liquid chromatography with simultaneous diode array and fluorometric detection. Fluorescent compounds were extracted from leaves with a methanol-water mixture (70:30). Separation by HPLC was performed using a C(18) column and gradient elution with water-acetonitrile mixtures (20-80% of acetonitrile). The main unknown fluorescent compound was identified by line spectral comparison with a standard obtained by UV photoisomerization of trans-resveratrol glucoside, and its structure was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Identification and structural elucidation of the fluorescent compound in the leaves of Vitis vinifera allows early detection of Plasmopara viticola invasion.

Effect of Electromagnetic Pulses (EMP) on associative learning in mice and a preliminary study of mechanism.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) on associative learning in mice and test a preliminary mechanism for these effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A tapered parallel plate gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell with a flared rectangular coaxial transmission line was used to expose male BALB/c mice to EMP (peak-intensity 400 kV/m, rise-time 10 ns, pulse-width 350 ns, 0.5 Hz and total 200 pulses). Concurrent sham-exposed mice were used as a control. Associative learning, oxidative stress in the brain, serum chemistry and the protective action of tocopherol monoglucoside (TMG) in mice were measured, respectively. RESULTS: (1) Twelve hour and 1 day post EMP exposure associative learning was reduced significantly compared with sham control (p<0.05) but recovered at 2 d post EMP exposure. (2) Compared with the sham control, lipid peroxidation of brain tissue and chemiluminescence (CL) intensity increased significantly (p<0.05), while the activity of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase [SOD], Glutathione [GSH], Glutathione Peroxidase [GSH-Px], Catalase [CAT]) decreased significantly (p<0.05) at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 1 d post EMP exposure. All these parameters recovered at 2 d post EMP exposure. (3) No significant differences between the sham control group and EMP exposed group were observed in serum cholesterol and triglycerides. (4) Pretreatment of mice with TMG showed protective effects to EMP exposure. CONCLUSIONS: EMP exposure significantly decreased associative learning in mice and TMG acted as an effective protective agent from EMP exposure. This mechanism could involve an increase of oxidative stress in brain by EMP exposure.

Kinetics and mechanism of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-d-glycoside (THSG) degradation in aqueous solutions.

The hydrolytic kinetics and degradation mechanism of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-d-glycoside (THSG) extracted from Radix Polygoni Multiflori (a commonly used official Chinese herbal Heshouwu), were investigated using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The influences of pH (1.5-9.9), temperature (25-60°C) and irradiation on the hydrolysis of THSG were studied in aqueous solutions. The results showed that the degradation of THSG was pH-, temperature- and irradiation-dependent and all followed first-order kinetics. The effect of temperature on the rate of THSG degradation was characterized using the Arrhenius equation. Maximum stability of THSG was found at pH 1.5 (t(0.5)=47.57 d). THSG was unstable in alkaline and irradiation conditions. The active energy (E(a)) of THSG degradation in aqueous solution at pH 6.8 (most frequently adopted extract solvent) under lucifugal and irradiation conditions was 47.7kJmol(-1) and 25.3kJmol(-1), respectively. Three hydrolytic products of THSG were identified by LC-MS. Cis-trans isomerism took place under irradiation, and hydrolysis took place in acid-base conditions. Moreover, further oxidation on aglycon occurred after hydrolytic cleavage of phenolic glycoside in acidic conditions. The possible hydrolytic pathways of THSG are proposed.

Photostability of rebaudioside A and stevioside in beverages.

The Coca-Cola Company and Cargill, Inc. have initiated the development and commercialization of the Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) derived sweetener rebaudioside A. Efforts were focused on high purity rebaudioside A (>97% by HPLC), commonly known as rebiana. In the course of the development program, extensive stability studies were carried out on rebiana, all supporting good stability for use in all food and beverage applications, including conditions where rebiana-sweetened beverages were exposed to light. Our findings on rebiana light stability refute those of an earlier study that suggested rebaudioside A to be unstable to sunlight exposure, while the structurally homologous stevioside is stable. We replicated the earlier study and found no significant photodegradation for either rebaudioside A or stevioside.

Mycosporines from freshwater yeasts: a trophic cul-de-sac?

Mycosporine-like amino-acids (MAAs) are found in aquatic bacteria, algae, and animals. A related compound, the mycosporine-glutaminol-glucoside (myc-glu-glu), has recently been reported in freshwater yeasts. Although animals depend on other organisms as their source of MAAs, they can efficiently accumulate them in their tissues. In this work we assessed the potential transfer of the yeast mycosporine myc-glu-glu from the diet into the copepod Boeckella antiqua and the ciliate Paramecium bursaria. For this purpose, we performed experiments to study the feeding of B. antiqua and P. bursaria on the yeast Rhodotorula minuta and their ability to bioaccumulate myc-glu-glu. Bioaccumulation of myc-glu-glu in B. antiqua was assessed through long-term factorial experiments manipulating the diet (Chlamydomonas reinhardii and C. reinhardii + yeasts) and radiation exposure (PAR and PAR + UVR). Shorter term experiments were designed in the case of P. bursaria. The composition and concentration of MAAs in the diet and in the consumers were determined by HPLC analyses. Our results showed that even though both consumers ingested yeast cells, they were unable to accumulate myc-glu-glu. Moreover, when exposed to conditions that stimulated the accumulation of photoprotective compounds (i.e. UVR exposure), an increase in MAAs concentration occurred in copepods fed C. reinhardii plus yeasts as well as in those fed only C. reinhardii. This suggests that the copepods were able to modify their tissue concentrations of MAAs in response to environmental clues but also that the contribution of yeast mycosporines to total MAAs concentration was negligible.

Daily variation in cellular content of UV-absorbing compounds mycosporine-like amino acids in the marine dinoflagellate Scrippsiella sweeneyae.

Sudden exposure experiments to high PAR (photosynthetically available radiation) or high PAR+UVR (ultraviolet radiation) were conducted for the marine dinoflagellate Scrippsiella sweeneyae acclimated to either low PAR or high PAR to determine the induction of cellular mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA) in relation to photosynthesis status. When the exposure to high PAR (30.8 Wm(-2)) was provided at different time in the light period for S. sweeneyae acclimated to low PAR (7.7 Wm(-2)) which suppressed photosynthesis, S. sweeneyae could enhance the induction of MAA but it only occurred in the first half of the light period. When UVR exposure was provided for the culture acclimated to high PAR which enhanced photosynthesis, cellular MAA content did not increase during the entire light period, but displayed daily variation similar to the control for two and half days. Daily variation of cellular MAA content did not synchronized with that of cell volume and cellular chlorophyll a content. The individual MAAs also revealed similar daily variations with different phase, which increased for a few hours in the beginning of the light period, except for cellular palythine content. Thus the total cellular MAA content revealed daily variation with changing the relative composition within a few hours. As one of the biological protective strategies against harmful UVR in sunlight, the daily vertical migration in the bloom forming dinoflagellates might be accompanied by the daily variation of cellular MAA content for a photosynthesis at daytime.

Manipulating anthocyanin composition in Vitis vinifera suspension cultures by elicitation with jasmonic acid and light irradiation.

Jasmonic acid altered the accumulation of major anthocyanins in Vitis vinifera cell culture. Peonidin 3-glucoside content at day three was increased from 0.3 to 1.7 mg g(-1) dry cell wt while other major anthocyanins were increased by smaller increments. By day 14, the content of methylated and acylated anthocyanins (peonidin 3-p-coumaroylglucoside and malvidin 3-p-coumaroylglucoside) was 6.3 mg g(-1) DCW, in response to treatment with jasmonic acid, and comprising approximately 45% (w/w) of total anthocyanins. In comparison, the untreated control culture contained 1.2 mg g(-1) DCW which made up approximately 32% (w/w) of total anthocyanins. Light further enhanced anthocyanin accumulation induced by jasmonic acid elicitation. The content of peonidin 3-glucoside at day 3 was 6.6 mg g(-1) DCW, 22-fold higher than control cultures while the content in response to light irradiation alone was 0.6 mg g(-1) DCW. When a highly pigmented cell line was elicited with jasmonic acid total anthocyanins increased from 9.2 to 20.7 mg g(-1) DCW, but there was no change in the anthocyanin composition.

Redox reactions of tocopherol monoglucoside in aqueous solutions: a pulse radiolysis study.

The reactions between tocopherol monoglucoside (TMG), a water-soluble vitamin-E derivative, with Br2.-, N3., (SCN)2.-, NO2., OH. and various halogenated peroxyl radicals were examined using a pulse radiolysis technique. The results demonstrate that TMG forms a stable phenoxyl radical at pH > 6.8. The thus-formed phenoxyl radical shows pH-dependent decay kinetics and is disproportionated by 2nd order kinetics at pH 2.3. It was observed that the TMG reactivity towards a halogenated peroxyl radical increases with the number of halogen atoms at the carbon atom having a peroxyl group. The reaction between the TMG phenoxyl radical and ascorbic acid was also examined using a pulse radiolysis technique. The results indicate that the TMG phenoxyl radical is repaired by ascorbate. Kinetic studies indicate that TMG may act as an antioxidant to repair free-radical damage to some biologically important compounds. The one-electron reduction potential for TMG was found to be 0.522 V +/- 0.06 vs. NHE.

Studies on phenyl glycosides as inhibitors of D-glucose uptake by Rhesus monkey kidney cells.

Some analogs of phenyl 6-halogeno-6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosides have been found to be inhibitors of glucose uptake by Rhesus monkey kidney cells (LLCMK2 cells). The structures of the glycone and aglycone parts were both found to contribute to the inhibitory activity. Introduction of alkyl groups into the phenyl residue caused appreciable enhancement of the inhibition. p-(sec-Butyl)phenyl-6-chloro-6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which is the most potent inhibitor in this series, showed competitive and reversible inhibition. As a result of this study, we prepared p-azidophenyl-6-chloro-6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside as a possible compound for photoaffinity labeling of the glucose uptake site in animal cells.