ent-Atisane Diterpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia and Their Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Phytochemical investigation on the anti-inflammatory fraction extracted from the whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia L. led to the isolation of three new ent-atisane diterpenoids (1-3) and five known analogues (4-8). The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of the NMR, MS, IR, ECD, and X-ray crystallography. It is worth mentioning that compound 3 belongs to a rare class of ent-atisane diterpenoid featuring a hydroxyl group at C-9. Bioactivity investigation showed that compounds 4, 7, and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates their anti-inflammatory potential.

Maresin-2 alleviates allergic airway inflammation in mice by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, Th2 type immune response and oxidative stress.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. Maresin-2 (MaR2) is biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by macrophages, display strong anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving activity. To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of MaR2 on asthmatic mice induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in conjunction with the adjuvant aluminum hydroxide. Twenty four female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control, OVA, OVA + MaR2, and OVA + dexamethasone (Dexa) groups. MaR2 or Dexa were given as a treatment for OVA-induced asthma. Serum, bronchoalveolar alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected for further analysis. The Pathological changes of lung tissue, proportion of inflammatory cells in BALF, levels of inflammatory cytokines in BALF or serum, oxidative stress indices, and the protein concentration of ASC, MPO, Ly-6G, ICAM-1, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in lung tissues were evaluated. Compared with the OVA group, both OVA + MaR2 and OVA + Dexa group had reduced inflammation and mucus secretion in lung tissue, number of inflammatory cells in BALF, levels of related inflammatory cytokines in serum or BALF, and expressions of ASC, MPO, Ly-6G, ICAM-1, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 proteins in lung tissue. In addition, the oxidative stress was alleviated as indicated by decreased MDA, and elevated SOD and GSH. MaR2 has an obvious protective effect on OVA-induced bronchial asthma in mice, in a similar manner as Dexa. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the Th2 type immune response, the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and oxidative stress.

Quassinoids with Inhibitory Activities against Plant Fungal Pathogens from Picrasma javanica.

A bioactivity-guided study on the leaves of Picrasma javanica led to the isolation of 19 quassinoids, including 13 new compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic data analysis, X-ray crystallography studies, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data interpretation. Compounds 1-7 are rare examples of quassinoids with a keto carbonyl group at C-12. The biological activities of 11 of the more abundant isolates were evaluated against five phytopathogenic fungi in vitro, and several of them including 6 and 15 showed moderate inhibitory effects that were comparative to those of the positive control, carbendazim. In addition, the preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these quassinoids were also investigated.

Sesquiterpenoids from the roots of Vladimiria muliensis.

An unusual aromadendrane-type sesquiterpenoid with a rare hemiketal-containing 10/3 ring system, named vladimuliecin C (1), and one new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, named vladimuliecin D (4), together with four known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the roots of Vladimiria muliensis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by X-ray diffraction analysis. A possible biosynthetic process for the formation of 1 is proposed. Compound 1 showed moderate cytotoxicity against three human tumor cell lines.

Ervatamines A-I, Anti-inflammatory Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids with Diverse Skeletons from Ervatamia hainanensis.

Nine new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, ervatamines A-I (1-9), and five known ones (10-14), were isolated from Ervatamia hainanensis. The new structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison to known compounds. Their absolute configurations were determined by various methods including computational methods, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electronic circular dichroism spectroscopy, as well as chemical transformations. Ervatamine A (1) is a ring-C-contracted ibogan-type monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with an unusual 6/5/6/6/6 pentacyclic rearranged ring system. Ervatamines B-E (2-5) display a nitrogen-containing 9/6 ring system, which is rarely observed in nature. The epimeric ervatamines B (2) and C (3) possess a 22-nor-monoterpenoid indole alkaloid carbon skeleton, which was only found in deformylstemmadenine. Compounds 10 and 14 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities, with IC50 values of 25.5 and 41.5 µM, respectively, while the IC50 value of indomethacin as a positive control was found to be 42.6 µM. Additionally, compound 9 showed mild activity against 786-O and HL-60 cell lines.

Do soy isoflavones improve cognitive function in postmenopausal women? A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have demonstrated that soy isoflavone (SIF) supplementation can improve aspects of cognitive function. However, these findings remain controversial. We aimed to quantify the effects of SIF supplementation on improving cognitive function in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Databases and relevant Websites were searched for relevant studies up to March 2014. Two reviewers independently verified all potentially suitable randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the quality of identified RCTs was assessed using the Jadad scale and the Risk of Bias Tool from the "Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions." Any disagreement on study quality or data extraction was resolved by consensus; a third reviewer was consulted if needed. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) in cognitive function test scores were calculated between SIF-treated and placebo-treated groups. RESULTS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 10 placebo-controlled RCTs of SIF supplementation (1,024 participants; treatment duration of 6 wk to 30 mo). The overall SMD in summary cognitive function test scores (0.08) was statistically significant (95% CI, 0.02-0.15; P = 0.014). The summary SMD for visual memory (0.10) was statistically significant (95% CI, 0.02-0.18; P = 0.016). In subgroup analyses, the statistically significant SMDs were as follows: 0.12 (95% CI, 0-0.25; P = 0.044) for non-US countries; 0.16 (95% CI, 0.05-0.28; P = 0.004) for mean age younger than 60 years; and 0.15 (95% CI, 0.03-0.27; P = 0.011) for treatment duration less than 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: SIF supplementation seems to have a positive effect on improving summary cognitive function and visual memory in postmenopausal women. There may be a critical window of opportunity in initiating SIF use at an earlier age in postmenopausal women, and geography and treatment duration seem to be factors influencing the effects of SIF supplementation. All individuals in the included studies should be followed up to observe the incidence rates of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and future studies should report any adverse effects of SIF supplementation.

Lycodine-type alkaloids from Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

Four new lycodine-type alkaloids, namely 16-hydroxyhuperzine B (1), N-methyl-11-acetoxyhuperzine B (2), 8,15-dihydrolycoparin A (3) and (7S,12S,13R)-huperzine D-16-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), along with ten known analogues 5-14, were isolated from the whole plant of Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques (IR, MS, NMR, and CD) and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 possessed four connected six-membered rings, while compounds 3 and 4 were piperidine ring cleavage products. In particular, compound 4 was a lycopodium alkaloidal glycoside which is reported for the first time. Among the isolated compounds N-demethylhuperzinine (7), huperzine C (8), huperzine B (9) and lycoparin C (13) possessed significant inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase, and the new compound 1 showed moderate inhibitory activity. The structure activity relationships were discussed.

Effects of planting densities on water quality improvements and Pontederia cordata's physiology.

Various planting densities (5, 10, or 20 plants per tank) of Pontederia cordata were water-cultivated in purifying tanks to treat polluted water. Seasonal effects of the planting densities on the water quality improvement and the morphology and physiology of the plant were analyzed. Results indicated that planting densities affected the nitrogen and phosphorus removal of water, and the morphology and physiology of plants, including activity of peroxidise and catalase, content of chlorophyll and soluble protein (SP), the length of root, stem and leaf, tiller number and root density. When planting density increased from 10 to 20 plants per tank, the morphology and physiology of plants, and the nitrogen and phosphorus removal by plants improved slowly, but caused a tiller number decline in individual plants. This variation was significant in autumn, and associated with seasonal variations of plant physiology. During autumn, there were 26 tillers in each plant with 10 plants per tank, compared to 14 tillers per plant with 20 plants per tank. Increase in the nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the plants for 5-10 plants per tank was 5.41 and 0.79 g kg(-1), compared to 1.17 and 0.12 g kg(-1) for 10-20 plants per tank, respectively.

Eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids with diverse skeletons from Ligularia sagitta.

Five new highly oxygenated eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids, possessing C19 (1 and 2), C15 (3 and 4), and C14 (8) skeletons, along with eight known eremophilenolides were obtained from the aerial parts of Ligularia sagitta. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by X-ray diffraction analysis and that of 3 by ECD spectroscopy. Compounds 1-10 were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Staphyloccocus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Erwinia carotovora. Compounds 4 and 5 displayed broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against these bacteria with MIC values of approximately 7.25 µg/mL, followed by 3 and 6 with MIC values in the range of 23.0-125.0 µg/mL. Compounds 3 and 8 showed mild activity against three human tumor cell lines (IC50 ≈ 13 µM). Preliminary structure-activity relationships for these eremophilenolides are reported.

Antioxidant lignans from the roots of Vladimiria muliensis.

Three new lignans (1, 2, and 8) and ten known ones (3-7, 9-13) were isolated from the roots of Vladimiria muliensis. Their structures and configurations were elucidated by means of spectroscopic techniques (IR, MS, NMR, and CD) and chemical methods. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant activity was the greatest for lignans 7 and 10 with IC50 values of 11.2 and 7.3 µM against DPPH radical, and of 1.6 and 1.7 µM against ABTS+ radical, respectively. Moreover, 7 also displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity with MIC values around 7.25 µg/mL.

First insights into the large genome of Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc) Maxim, a Chinese Ttaditional medicinal plant.

Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc) Maxim is a member of the Berberidaceae family of basal eudicot plants, widely distributed and used as a traditional medicinal plant in China for therapeutic effects on many diseases with a long history. Recent data shows that E. sagittatum has a relatively large genome, with a haploid genome size of ~4496 Mbp, divided into a small number of only 12 diploid chromosomes (2n = 2x = 12). However, little is known about Epimedium genome structure and composition. Here we present the analysis of 691 kb of high-quality genomic sequence derived from 672 randomly selected plasmid clones of E. sagittatum genomic DNA, representing ~0.0154% of the genome. The sampled sequences comprised at least 78.41% repetitive DNA elements and 2.51% confirmed annotated gene sequences, with a total GC% content of 39%. Retrotransposons represented the major class of transposable element (TE) repeats identified (65.37% of all TE repeats), particularly LTR (Long Terminal Repeat) retrotransposons (52.27% of all TE repeats). Chromosome analysis and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Gypsy-Ty3 retrotransposons were performed to survey the E. sagittatum genome at the cytological level. Our data provide the first insights into the composition and structure of the E. sagittatum genome, and will facilitate the functional genomic analysis of this valuable medicinal plant.

Absolute structures of monoterpenoids with a δ-lactone-containing skeleton from Ligularia hodgsonii.

Bioactivity-directed fractionation of a methanol extract of Ligularia hodgsonii afforded two new monoterpenoids, liguhodgcins A (1) and B (2), with an unusual δ-lactone-containing skeleton. Moreover, liguhodgcin A (1) contained a chlorine atom. The structures and absolute configurations of the two compounds were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, ECD data, and computational approaches. A probable biosynthesis pathway to 1 and 2 was also proposed and discussed. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 was evaluated against the human leukemia (HL-60), human hepatoma (SMMC-7721), and human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines.

[Influence of disturbance intensity on nitrogen, phosphorus and permanganate index release of Potamogeton crispus during soaking in water].

Influence of various disturbance intensities on nitrogen, phosphorus and permanganate index (PI) release of Potamogeton crispus were investigated during the plant soaking in water, and the plant materials were collected in an urban lake of Beijing. Results showed that more rapid release of TP and PI from Potamogeton crispus were caused by disturbance, NH4(+) -N and TN in water were significantly increased (ANOVA, p < 0.05) under the condition of high disturbance (120 r/min) for 240 h. However, PI and TP were significantly decreased (ANOVA, p < 0.05) after 240 h disturbance in all treatments. When the release equilibrium of 2.13 g dry mass Potamogeton crispus in one liter of water was reached, the PI, TN, and TP released from unit mass Potamogeton crispus were 35, 5.1 and 4.1 mg x g(-1), respectively. The release ratio of TP from Potamogeton crispus was the highest, while the release ratio of PI was the lowest. The simulated experiment results showed that the highest pollution load to water released from Potamogeton crispus was the TP among the three nutrients. Phosphorus is one of the key factors which causing water eutrophication in lake, thus after submerged plants declining in lake, the field research of phosphorus release and migration from submerged plants into water is the focus of future research work.

Labdane diterpenoids and shikimic acid derivatives from Araucaria cunninghamii.

Four new (1-4) and two known compounds (5, 6) were isolated from the aerial parts of Araucaria cunninghamii. By analysis of UV, IR, MS, and NMR, the new compounds were identified as ENT-19-(Z)-coumaroyloxylabda-8(17),13(16),14-triene (1), ENT-19-( E)-coumaroyloxylabda-8(17),13(16),14-triene (2), shikimic acid N-butyl ester (3), and 5-(Z)-coumaroyloxyquinic acid N-butyl ester (4). Compounds 1 and 6 exhibited inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, and compound 1 also exhibited moderate activity against human leukemia cells (HL-60) and human hepatoma cells (SMMC-7721) with IC50 values of 8.90 and 11.53 µM, respectively.

Antifungal activities of triterpenoids from the roots of Astilbe myriantha Diels.

During a search for plant extracts that possess activity against the fungi that cause diseases in plants, a 95% ethanol extract from the roots of Astilbe myriantha Diels showed inhibitory activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the 95% ethanol extract led to the isolation of seven triterpenoids (1-7). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopy and by a comparison with literature data. Among these compounds, 3ß,6ß,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-27-oic acid (7) was the most active inhibitor of C. gloeosporioides, with >68.0% inhibition at 100mg/ml after 72h. Moreover, compound 7 displayed broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Niveum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubens, C. gloeosporioides, Penicillium citrinum, Colletotrichum lagenarium, and Penicillium digitatum, with EC50 values ranging from 13.9 to 34.0µg/ml. The potential of compound 7 as a fungicide is therefore promising. In addition, compound 1 was found to be a new triterpenoid, 3ß,6ß-dihydroxyurs-12-en-7α,27α-olide, which possesses six rings.

Vladimuliecins A and B: cytotoxic pentacyclic pregnanols from Vladimiria muliensis.

Two new steroids, vladimuliecins A (1) and B (2), were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation from the rhizome of Vladimiria muliensis. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first examples possessing a pentacyclic 3alpha,5alpha-cyclopregnane-type framework. The structures of vladimuliecins A (1) and B (2) and their deacetylated derivative (3) were determined on the basis of IR, MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and X-ray data analyses. The absolute configuration of the 10 stereogenic centers of compounds 1 and 2 was determined to be 3R,5R,6R,8S,9R,10R,13R,14R,17S,20R by means of auxiliary chiral MTPA derivatives and optical rotation calculation. A probable biosynthesis pathway to 1 and 2 is also proposed and discussed. In addition, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 2, and 3 was evaluated against selected cancer cell lines, including human leukemia cell (HL-60), human hepatoma cell (SMMC-7721), and human cervical carcinoma cell (HeLa) lines.

Antimicrobial triterpenoids from Vladimiria muliensis.

A new triterpenoid with a rearranged ursane skeleton, 3beta-acetoxyl-11alpha-methoxybauer-8-en-7alpha-ol ( 1), two new ursane triterpenoids, 1alpha,5alpha-dioxy-11alpha-hydroxyurs-12-en-3-one ( 2) and urs-3beta,13alpha,18beta-triol ( 3), together with three known ursane triterpenoids ( 4- 6) were isolated from the rhizome of Vladimiria muliensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (IR, EIMS, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and X-ray crystallography diffraction). Compounds 2 and 4 exhibited modest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus.

[Manipulative reduction and splint fixation for the treatment of middle and lower segment fracture of ulnar and radius].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcome of manipulative reduction and splint fixation for treatment of middle and lower fractures of ulnar and radius. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with lower segment fractures of ulnar and radius included 46 male and 22 female, aged from 1 to 26 years. The course was from 10 min to 1 week. There were 39 cases in right and 29 in left; 45 in inferior segment and 23 in middle segment. All cases were closed fractures. According to fracture displacement, different methods of manipulation and splint or plaster splint fixation were used to reduction and fixation. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patient were followed-up for 0.5 to 1 year (mean 8 months), the fractures were all healing. According to the effective evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 57 cases, good in 11. X-ray film showed anatomic reduction in 38 cases, similar to anatomic reduction in 20, functional reduction in 10. CONCLUSIONS: Manipulative reduction and splint fixation for the treatment of the ulnar and radial bone fractures is a method of simple, minimally invasive, effective and functional advantages of quick recovery.

Eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes from Senecio nemorensis.

Three new highly oxygenated eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes, 1 beta,10 beta(8,12)-diepoxy-7 beta,11 beta-dihydroxy-8 beta,12 alpha-dimethoxyeremophilane (1), 1 beta,10 beta-epoxy-7 beta-hydroxy-8 alpha-methoxyeremophil-11 alphaH-12,8 beta-olide (2), and 6 beta-isobutyryloxy-8 alpha-hydroxy-1-oxoeremophil-7(11),9-dien-12,8 beta-olide (3), together with nine known compounds (4-12) were isolated from the roots and aerial parts of Senecio nemorensis L. (Compositae). Structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence including IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques and were unequivocally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. The antimicrobial activity of the isolated compounds 1-3 and 8-12 was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.

Prenylisoflavone derivatives from the roots of Hedysarum scoparium.

Four new prenylisoflavone derivatives, namely, 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-prenyl-2''-hydroxyisopropyldihydrofurano[4,5:6,7]-isoflavone (1), 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-6-prenyl-2'''-hydroxyisopropyldihydrofurano[4,5:8,7]-isoflavone (2), 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-prenyl-1'',2''-peroxyl-3'',3''-dimethyldihydropyrano[5,6:6,7]-isoflavone (3), and 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-6-prenyl-1''',2'''-peroxyl-3''',3'''-dimethyldihydropyrano[5,6:8,7]-isoflavone (4), together with three known ones 5-7, were isolated from the roots of Hedysarum scoparium. Their structures were established by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, EI- or HR-ESI-MS as well as 1D- and 2D-NMR), and by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported for structurally related compounds.