Comprehensive bioremediation effect of phosphorus-mineralized bacterium Enterobacter sp. PMB-5 on cadmium contaminated soil-crop system.

Phosphate-mineralizing bacteria (PMBs) have been widely studied by inducing phosphate heavy metal precipitation, but current researches neglect to study their effects on soil-microbe-crop systems on cadmium (Cd) contaminated. Based on this, a strain PMB, Enterobacter sp. PMB-5, was inoculated into Cd contaminated pots to detect soil characteristics, Cd occurrence forms, soil biological activities, plant physiological and biochemical indicators. The results showed that the inoculation of strain PMB-5 significantly increased the available phosphorus content (85.97%-138.64%), Cd-residual fraction (11.04%-29.73%), soil enzyme activities (31.94%-304.63%), plant biomass (6.10%-59.81%), while decreased the state of Cd-HOAc (11.50%-31.17%) and plant bioconcentration factor (23.76%-44.24%). These findings indicated that strain PMB-5 could perform the function of phosphorus solubilization to realize the immobilization of Cd in the complex soil environment. Moreover, SEM-EDS, FTIR, XPS, and XRD analysis revealed that strain PMB-5 does not significantly alter the soil morphology, structure, elemental distribution, and chemical composition, which suggested that remediation of Cd contamination using strain PMB-5 would not further burden the soil. This research implies that PMB-5 could be a safe and effective bioinoculant for remediating Cd-contaminated soils, contributing to the sustainable management of soil health in contaminated environments.

Exploring the potential mechanism of Heng-Gu-Gu-Shang-Yu-He-Ji therapy for osteoporosis based on network pharmacology and transcriptomics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Heng-Gu-Gu-Shang-Yu-He-Ji (Osteoking, OK) is a well-known formula for fracture therapy. In clinic, OK is effective in treating fractures while alleviating osteoporosis (OP) symptoms. However, active components of OK and the associated molecular mechanisms remain not fully elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to systematically evaluate the anti-osteoporosis efficacy of OK and for the first time combine network pharmacology with high-throughput whole gene transcriptome sequencing to study its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the osteoporosis model was established by the castration of both ovaries. The level of serum bone turnover factor was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Micro-CT and HE staining were used to observe the changes of bone histopathology, and nano-indentation technique was used to detect the biomechanical properties of rat bone. The main active Chemical components of OK were identified using UPLC-DAD. Efficacy verification and mechanism exploration were conducted by network pharmacology, molecular docking, whole gene transcriptomics and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: In our study, OK significantly improved bone microarchitecture and bone biomechanical parameters in OVX rats, reduced osteoclast indexes such as C-telopeptide of type I collage (CTX-I) and increased Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) levels. Mechanistically, PI3K/AKT pathway was a common pathway for genome enrichment analysis (KEGG) of both network pharmacology and RNA-seq studies. G protein-ß-like protein (GßL), Ribosomal-protein S6 kinase homolog 2 (S6K2), and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) appeared differentially expression in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These results were also confirmed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: OK may be used to treat osteoporosis, at least partly by activating PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway.

Identification of histone deacetylase inhibitors as neutrophil recruitment modulators in zebrafish using a chemical library screen.

Tissue injury-induced neutrophil recruitment is a prerequisite for the initiation and amplification of inflammatory responses. Although multiple proteases and enzymes involved in post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins regulate leukocyte recruitment, an unbiased functional screen of enzymes regulating inflammatory leukocyte recruitment has yet to be undertaken. Here, using a zebrafish tail fin amputation (TFA) model to screen a chemical library consisting of 295 compounds that target proteases and PTM enzymes, we identified multiple histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that modulate inflammatory neutrophil recruitment. AR-42, a pan-HDAC inhibitor, was shown to inhibit neutrophil recruitment in three different zebrafish sterile tissue injury models: a TFA model, a copper-induced neuromast damage and mechanical otic vesicle injury (MOVI) model, and a sterile murine peritonitis model. RNA sequencing analysis of AR-42-treated fish embryos revealed downregulation of neutrophil-associated cytokines/chemokines, and exogenous supplementation with recombinant human IL-1ß and CXCL8 partially restored the defective neutrophil recruitment in AR-42-treated MOVI model fish embryos. We thus demonstrate that AR-42 non-cell-autonomously modulates neutrophil recruitment by suppressing transcriptional expression of cytokines/chemokines, thereby identifying AR-42 as a promising anti-inflammatory drug for treating sterile tissue injury-associated diseases.

A mosaic mutation in the CLCNKB gene causing Bartter syndrome: A case report.

Background: Type III Bartter syndrome (BS) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CLCNKB (chloride voltage-gated channel Kb) gene that encodes CLC-Kb. CLC-Kb is mainly located in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and regulates chloride efflux from tubular epithelial cells to the interstitium. Type III BS is characterized by metabolic alkalosis, renal salt wasting, hyperreninemia, and hyperaldosteronism with normal blood pressure. Case presentation: We reported the case of a 3-day-old girl whose initial symptom we diagnosed as jaundice, but we accidentally found metabolic alkalosis. She showed recurrent metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, and hypochloremia and also had hyperreninemia and hyperaldosteronism with normal blood pressure. Both oral potassium supplements and potassium infusion therapy were unable to entirely restore the electrolyte imbalance. She was suspected of Bartter syndrome and genetic tests were performed on her and her parents. Next-generation sequencing identified CLCNKB gene mutation including heterozygous mutation c.1257delC (p.M421Cfs*58) and a low-level mutation c.595G > T (p.E199*); both mutations were also verified in the parents. Conclusion: We reported the case of a classic Bartter syndrome in a newborn with a heterozygous frameshift mutation and a mosaic non-sense mutation in the CLCNKB gene.

Targeting Multiple End Organs in Lupus and Other Systemic Rheumatic Diseases by Inhibiting Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase.

Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk) plays a vital role in activating and differentiating B-cells and regulating signaling in myeloid cells. Indeed, the potential use of Btk inhibitors in preventing lupus has been reported. Here, we extend these observations to 4 additional models of end-organ inflammation: (a) BWF1 lupus nephritis mice, (b) anti-GBM nephritis, (c) bleomycin-induced systemic sclerosis like skin disease, and (d) bleomycin-induced lung disease. In agreement with the previous studies, BTK inhibitor (BTKB66) treatment was effective in treating lupus nephritis in terms of reducing renal damage both functionally and histologically, accompanied by significant decrease in proteinuria. Both low-dose and high-dose BTKB66 profoundly blocked renal disease in the anti-GBM nephritis model, with efficacy that was comparable to that seen with dexamethasone. This study provides the first evidence that BTK inhibition has both therapeutic and preventative effects in bleomycin-induced SSc-like disease, in terms of reducing skin thickness, fibrosis, collagen deposition, and inflammation. Likewise, significantly lower lung inflammatory cell infiltration was observed after treatment with BTKB66. Therapeutic benefit was associated with lower numbers of macrophages, proliferating macrophages and activated T-cells in the respective injured organs. The observation that these immune cells play key roles in driving end organ inflammation in multiple systemic rheumatic diseases have broad implications for the use of BTKB66 in managing patients with systemic rheumatic diseases where multiple end organs are afflicted, including lupus and systemic sclerosis.

Abietane-Type Diterpenoids From Nepeta bracteata Benth. and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Terpenes possess a wide range of structural features and pharmaceutical activities and are promising for drug candidates. With the aim to find bioactive terpene molecules, eight new compounds were isolated from the medicinal plant Nepeta bracteata Benth., including seven new abietane-type diterpenoids (1-7), along with a new ursane-type triterpenoid (8). The structures of compounds 1-8 were elucidated through the detailed spectroscopic analyses of their 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, and the absolute configurations of compounds 1-7 were determined by comparing their experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compound 1 was a novel degraded carbon diterpene with the disappearing of methyl signal at C-19, while compound 7 possessed a new norabietane-type diterpenoid carbon skeleton with the presence of five-membered lactone arising from ring rearrangement. The anti-inflammatory of all obtained isolates were evaluated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and the results of anti-inflammatory activity screening showed that compared with the LPS model group, all compounds were significantly down-regulation the TNF-α inflammatory factor at the specific concentration, except for compound 6.

Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Ovarian Responses and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients Undergoing IVF-ET: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of different transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) modes on ovarian responses and pregnancy outcomes in patients with infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Two hundred infertility patients undergoing IVF-ET were divided randomly into experimental groups (TEAS groups: E-I, E-II, E-III, and E-IV, 40 cases each group) and a control group (mock TEAS group, 40 patients) using the random number method. The patients in the experimental groups received TEAS treatment of 20, 30, 40 and 50 mA for the E-I, E-II, E-III and E-IV groups, respectively. The control group received a treatment of 5 mA. TEAS was applied at acupoints of Guanyuan (RN 4), Zhongji (RN 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zigong (EX-CA 1), and Taixi (KI 13), once a day for 30 min each time for a treatment period of 10-13 d. Treatment effect was assessed using the following indicators: endometrial thickness on the 6th day of gonadotropin treatment (GN6 day), endometrial thickness on the day on chorionic gonadotropin administration (HCG day), number of ovarian follicles on HCG day, number of ova captured, amount of estrogen required for each harvested ova, number of mature ova divided by the total number of ova, percentage of high-quality embryos, and clinical pregnancy. RESULTS: Endometrial thickness in the experimental groups on the HCG day was significantly better than that of the control group after TEAS stimulation (P=0.01). TEAS exhibited a greater impact on the number of ova captured (P=0.003). However, the effect of TEAS stimulation on the high-quality embryo rate and clinical pregnancy in patients was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TEAS is an effective method in improving the ovarian state. When the stimulus intensity was at 40 mA and above, it could be helpful to improve the patient's endometrial condition and endometrial receptivity and to retrieve more oocytes. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-11001780).

First Report of Athelia rolfsii Causing Southern Blight on Sarcandra glabra in China.

Sarcandra glabra, belonging to the family Chloranthaceae, is a Chinese medicinal plant. The whole dry plant can be used as a medicine; it is rich in bioactive phytochemicals that possess anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor properties (Xie et al. 2020). The current market price of S. glabra is around US$5/kg, and the annual demand is 3 500 000~4 000 000 kg in China (Pan et al. 2007). To meet consumer demand for safe and high-quality herbal products, the artificial cultivation of S. glabra has been vigorously promoted. In 2020, it was observed that a plant disease affected S. glabra growth in Hunan province. The disease symptoms included constriction at the base of the stem, with decay and a white mycelium covering. The plants finally died with a disease incidence ranging from 15% to 20%. Using our previously published methods (Yi et al. 2019), one fungal isolate was isolated from the cultured symptomatic stem tissue on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and was named as Kb. The isolate was subsequently transferred into 70% glycerol for preservation. The Kb colony varied in color from white to light yellow. The septate hyphae grew rapidly on PDA medium, at approximately 25 mm/day, at 28 °C. On the fifth day, rhizomorphs were formed at the edge and on the center of the PDA plate. On the sixth day, sclerotia developed into a rapeseed shape (d = 1.2~2.3 mm) with a smooth surface, and with white, yellow, or chestnut brown coloring. Morphologically, Kb was similar to Sclerotium rolfsii (Sun et al. 2020). Vigorously growing aerial hyphae were selected for molecular identification. The internal transcribed spacers (ITS) were amplified using the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (Glass et al. 1995). BLAST searches against Genbank indicated that Kb's ITS sequence shared 97% similarity with that of Athelia rolfsii (MN696630.1). Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, Kb was identified as A. rolfsii. The sequence was deposited in GenBank (MW288292). Pathogenicity tests were carried out using the following procedures. Three healthy S. glabra seedlings were inoculated at the stem base with a PDA plug (5 mm in diameter) covered with 5-day-old fungal mycelium cultured at 28 °C, while the remaining three seedlings were inoculated with distilled water only, as the control. Plants were incubated in a greenhouse at 28 °C. At 7 days post inoculation, the inoculated sites infected with the putative pathogen displayed identical constrictions as previously observed in the field. In contrast, the controls remained symptomless. The pathogen was reisolated from these infected seedlings, and its culture showed the same morphological and molecular traits as the original isolates. No pathogens were isolated from the control plants. Pathogenicity tests were repeated three times. Koch's postulates were fulfilled. Although S. rolfsii has been previously reported to cause Southern Blight on mung bean crops in China (Sun et al. 2020), this is the first report on A. rolfsii causing similar symptoms of Southern Blight on S. glabra in Hunan Province, China. Identification of the pathogens causing each disease is important for the development of effective disease management strategies and for extensive artificial cultivation.

Decoding the Mechanism of Shen Qi Sha Bai Decoction in Treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been shown to be efficacious in treating leukemia for thousands of years. It has been shown that Shen Qi Sha Bai Decoction (SQSBD) has been extensively used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the mechanism of SQSBD in treating AML remains unclear. In this study, we employed network pharmacology to analyze the potential active components and elucidate molecular mechanism of SQSBD in treating AML. A total of 268 active components were identified from SQSBD, among which 9 key components (Quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, licochalcone A, formononetin, wogonin, ß-sitosterol, oroxylin A, naringenin, and baicalein) were hit by the 6 hub targets (CDK1, MAPK1, JUN, PCNA, HSB1, STAT3) associated with leukemia. Molecular docking showed that two core active components, quercetin and licochalcone A, exhibited the highest component-like properties (DL), and could bind well to CDK1 and MAPK1 protein. The experimental validation of these two components showed that quercetin inhibited cell growth through CDK1 dephosphorylation-mediated cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in human AML U937 and HL60 cells, and licochalcone A induced cell differentiation in these leukemia cells via activation of MAPK1 and upregulation of CD11b. All these results indicate that SQSBD is effective in the treatment of AML, and quercetin and licochalcone A are the major candidate compounds for AML treatment.

[Distribution characteristics of Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin, Xinjiang].

Based on the results of the fourth national survey of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan city, Xinjiang, this study counted the types of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin. The spatial distribution differences of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin of Xinjiang were analyzed by using grid technology, trend surface analysis, global spatial autocorrelation analysis, and local spatial autocorrelation analysis, so as to clarify the overall change trend and aggregation degree of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin in horizontal and vertical directions. The results showed the following: in the horizontal direction, the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in the central part of Turpan Basin was high, and there were great differences in the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin under different grid sizes. The spatial scale effect of the richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin is obvious. Among them, under the 30 km×30 km scale, the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources shows a high spatial correlation, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 5 km×5 km scale presents a near random distribution state, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 80, 90, and 100 km scale sits negatively related. Vertical direction, Chinese medicine resources appear rich at the range of-154-150 m and 900-1 050 m following by range of 1 050-1 200 m.

Distribution characteristics of Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin, Xinjiang / 中国中药杂志

Based on the results of the fourth national survey of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan city, Xinjiang, this study counted the types of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin. The spatial distribution differences of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin of Xinjiang were analyzed by using grid technology, trend surface analysis, global spatial autocorrelation analysis, and local spatial autocorrelation analysis, so as to clarify the overall change trend and aggregation degree of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin in horizontal and vertical directions. The results showed the following: in the horizontal direction, the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in the central part of Turpan Basin was high, and there were great differences in the species richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin under different grid sizes. The spatial scale effect of the richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Turpan Basin is obvious. Among them, under the 30 km×30 km scale, the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources shows a high spatial correlation, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 5 km×5 km scale presents a near random distribution state, and the richness of the types of Chinese medicine resources at 80, 90, and 100 km scale sits negatively related. Vertical direction, Chinese medicine resources appear rich at the range of-154-150 m and 900-1 050 m following by range of 1 050-1 200 m.

[Chemical constituents from green walnut husks and their antitumor activity in vitro].

Fourteen chemical constituents, including 5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-1-tetralone(1), 4,8-dihydroxy-1-tetralone(2), 4,5-dihydroxy-α-tetralone(3), blumenol B(4), dehydrovomifoliol(5), megastigm-5-ene-3,9-diol(6), juglanin B(7), blumenol C(8), loliolide(9), oleracone B(10), syringarsinol(11), pinoresinol(12), methyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate(13), and isovanillic acid(14), were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction of 95% methanol extract of green walnut husks by silica gel and MCI column chromatography, and Pre-HPLC. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, such as NMR, MS and so on. Among them, compounds 1, 4-6, 8-13 were isolated from the green walnut husks for the first time, and compounds 4-6, 8, 10, 12, 13 were isolated from the Juglans genus for the first time. All of isolates were detected their inhibitory activities against HeLa, HGC-27 and Ht-29 cell lines by the MTT assay. The result showed that compounds 2, 3, 7, 9 and 11 exhibited inhibitory activity against the tested cell line. The IC_(50) of 7 were 26.5, 9.0, 25.4 µmol·L~(-1), respectively.

Chemical constituents from green walnut husks and their antitumor activity in vitro / 中国中药杂志

Fourteen chemical constituents, including 5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-1-tetralone(1), 4,8-dihydroxy-1-tetralone(2), 4,5-dihydroxy-α-tetralone(3), blumenol B(4), dehydrovomifoliol(5), megastigm-5-ene-3,9-diol(6), juglanin B(7), blumenol C(8), loliolide(9), oleracone B(10), syringarsinol(11), pinoresinol(12), methyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate(13), and isovanillic acid(14), were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction of 95% methanol extract of green walnut husks by silica gel and MCI column chromatography, and Pre-HPLC. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, such as NMR, MS and so on. Among them, compounds 1, 4-6, 8-13 were isolated from the green walnut husks for the first time, and compounds 4-6, 8, 10, 12, 13 were isolated from the Juglans genus for the first time. All of isolates were detected their inhibitory activities against HeLa, HGC-27 and Ht-29 cell lines by the MTT assay. The result showed that compounds 2, 3, 7, 9 and 11 exhibited inhibitory activity against the tested cell line. The IC_(50) of 7 were 26.5, 9.0, 25.4 μmol·L~(-1), respectively.

Two new daphnane diterpenes from the roots of Stelleropsis tianschanica.

Two new daphnane diterpenes named tianchaterpenes A and B were isolated from the roots of Stelleropsis tianschanica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR analyses and HRESIMS. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HeLa and HCT-8 cell lines. The results showed that all compounds displayed weak cytotoxicities to the HeLa cells and were inactive to the HCT-8 cells.

[Chemical constituents from roots of Stelleropsis tianschanica].

The constituents from 95% ethanol extract of the roots of Stelleropsis tianschanica were purified by column chromatography techniques, leading to the isolation of 17 compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic dataas 5'-methoxy lariciresinol(1), pinoresinol(2), daphnoretin(3), acutissimalignan B(4),(+)-secoisolariciresinol(5),(+)-epipinoresinol(6), 7-methyi-daphnoretin(7), thero-8S-7-methoxysyringylglycerol(8), 1-O-methyl-guaiacylglycerol(9), 2R-22'-ferulic acid ester-2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester(10), vesiculosin(11), 4ß,5ßH-guai-9,7(11)-dien-12,8-olide-1α,8α-diol(12),(-)-nortrachelogenin(13), 4α,5ßH-guai-9,7(11)-dien-12,8-olide-1α,8α-diol(14), matairesinol(15), lariciresinol(16)and isolariciresinol(17). Among them, compounds 1-13 wereobtained for the first time fromthe genus Stelleropsis. Compounds 3, 7, 10-14 were tested for their activation of orphan nuclear receptor TR3 with the immunofluorescence technology in 50 µmol•L⁻¹. The results showed that compound 10 displayed moderate activity with the activity ratio of 76.38%, and the others were only about 50.0%.

[Effects of Nitrogen Application on Selenium Uptake, Translocation and Distribution in Winter Wheat].

In order to better understand the effects of nitrogen application on accumulation, translocation and distribution of selenium in winter wheat and to provide theoretical reference for reasonable nitrogen application and increasing selenium content of grains. A pot experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions with Se1 (0.74 mg·kg-1) or Se2 (2.60 mg·kg-1) levels of selenium, and each Se treatment was supplied with N1 (100 mg·kg-1) or N2 (200 mg·kg-1) levels of nitrogen, respectively. Selenium concentrations and biomass amounts of different parts of wheat were determined at jointing and maturity stage. The results showed that grain yield increased with increasing nitrogen levels by 13.2% and 24.0% in Se1 and Se2 treatment, respectively. Regardless of N rate, Se concentration of wheat increased with raising Se amended rate (P<0.01). Increasing nitrogen application could promote Se uptake of root and thus increase the selenium concentration of wheat grains and leaves, which was greater in Se1 treatment than in Se2 treatments. Se concentrations in wheat grain increased by 22.6% and 12.1% with the increasing N application rate in low and high Se treatment, respectively. The distribution ratios of Se in each organ ranked the same as BCFs, following the order of leaf > grain > glume > root. Increasing N fertilization increased the distribution ratio of Se in grains by 11.1% and 25.9% in low and high selenate treatments, respectively. High nitrogen fertilization could promote uptake and translocation of Se in wheat under low Se conditions, and improve Se use efficiency as well in the agricultural production.

Diarylpentanol constituents from the aerial part of Stelleropsis tianschanica.

Five diarylpentanol derivatives including two new compounds stellerasme A (1), stellerasme B (2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Stelleropsis tianschanica. Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, CD, 1D and 2D NMR). All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity activity against HeLa and KB cell lines, and compound 1 showed selective activities against HeLa cell line with an IC50 value of 7.4 µM.

[Study on Glycosides Constituents from Guangdong Liangcha Granules(II)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the glycosides from Guangdong Liangcha Granules. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated by various chromatographic techniques and the structures of chemical constituents were identified by spectroscopic analysis and literature. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as ilexoside B (1), asprellanosides B (2), asprellanoside A (3), 4', 5 ,7 -tri- hydroxyflavone-6-O-ß3-D-glucopyranosyl ester(4), isoviolanthin (5),3-O-methy-lellagic acid 4'-O-rhamnopyranoside (6). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 5 are firstly obtained from Guangdong Liangcha Granules.

[Effect of bushen tiaojing recipe on the quality of the oocytes and reproductive hormones in the follicular fluid in IVF-ET patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Bushen Tiaojing Recipe (BTR) on the quality of oocytes, reproductive hormones, and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients. METHODS: Sixty infertility patients who prepared for IVF-ET were assigned to two groups according to the treatment order, the treatment group [20 cases, treated with BTR + controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)] and the control group (treated with COH alone, 40 cases). Age, the time limit for infertility, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) concentration, usage days and the dosage of gonadotropins (Gn), serum levels of estradiol (E2), luteotropic hormone (LH), and progesterone (P) on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved occytes, the fertilization rate, the number of embryos, the high quality embryo rate, and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared. Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH, E2, testosterone (T), and P in the follicular fluid were detected via chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in mature granulosa cells was detected by real-time fluorescent PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 53.3%. Of them, 19 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 47.5% in the control group, while 20 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 65.0% in the treatment group. But there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Gn dosage was lower and the high quality embryo rate was higher in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum concentrations of E2, LH, or P on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved oocytes, or the fertilization rate (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, FSH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly lower and LH concentrations were significantly higher in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The LH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).There was no statistical difference in E2, T, or P concentrations (P > 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). It was also higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: During the IVF-ET process, BTR could elevate the quality of oocytes, and increase the sensitivity of ovarian follicles to exogenous Gn, which was correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells, and changing concentrations of FSH and LH.

Antiproliferative triterpenoid saponins from the stem of Psychotria sp.

Six new triterpenoid saponins, psychotrianosides A-F (1-6), and two known triterpenoid saponins, psychotrianoside G (7) and ardisianoside D (8), were isolated from Psychotria sp. Their structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxic activities of 1-8 against five human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MCF-7/ADM, HepG2, and HepG2/ADM) are reported for the first time. Psychotrianoside C (3) showed the most potent antiproliferative activity among these saponins, and the IC50 value of 3 against MDA-MB-231 was 2.391 ± 0.161 µM. Compound 3 was also found to induce apoptosis.