[Effects of nitrogen addition on acidolyzable organic nitrogen components and nitrogen mineralization in aggregates of Pinus massoniana plantations in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China]. / æ°®æ·»åŠ å¯¹ä¸‰å³¡åº“åŒºé©¬å°¾æ¾äººå·¥æž—åœŸå£¤å›¢èšä½“æœ‰æœºæ°®ç»„åˆ†å’Œæ°®çŸ¿åŒ–çš„å½±å“.

We sieved soils from a Pinus massoniana plantation in the Three Gorges Reservoir area into four aggregate sizes, including aggregates of 2000-8000 µm (large macroaggregates), 1000-2000 µm (coarse aggregates), 250-1000 µm (small macroaggregates), and <250 µm (microaggregates). We analyzed the differences in the acidolyzable organic N components and net N mineralization of the aggregates under different N addition levels (30, 60, and 90 kg N·hm-2·a-1, representing by N30, N60 and N90, respectively). The results showed that net nitrification rate of the aggregates ranged from 0.30-3.42 mg N·kg-1 and accounted for more than 80% of net nitrogen mineralization. Compared with the control, addition of 30, 60, and 90 kg N·hm-2·a-1 increased total N by 24.1%-45.5%, 6.4%-34.3%, and 7.9%-42.4% in the large aggregates, coarse aggregate, small macroaggregates, and microaggregates, increased net N mineralization rate by 1.3-7.2, 1.4-6.6, and 1.8-12.9 times, but decreased the contents of available phosphorus by 9.3%-36.9%, 12.2%-56.7%, and 19.2%-61.9%, respectively. The contents of total acidolyzable N, soil organic matter, and rates of net ammonification, net nitrification, and net N mineralization increased as the aggregate size decreased, while available phosphorus contents showed an opposite trend. The levels of acid-hydrolyzable N components were ranked as acidolyzable amino acid N > acidolyzable ammonia N > acidolyzable unknown N> acidolyzable amino sugar N. Total N was the dominant contributor to the increases in acid-hydrolyzable N components. Results of stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that acidoly-zable amino acid N and acidolyzable amino sugar N were predictors of net ammonification rate. Acidolyzable amino sugar N, acidolyzable amino acid N, and acidolyzable ammonia N were predictors of net nitrification, net nitrogen mineralization rate, and net nitrogen mineralization accumulation. The physical structure of aggregates was associa-ted with soil net N mineralization. Addition of N increased the contents and bioavailability of acidolyzable organic N, a large amount of which contributed to soil organic matter levels and the decrease in available phosphorus.

Succeeded high-temperature acid hydrolysis of granular maize starch by introducing heat-moisture pre-treatment.

Acid hydrolysis is a crucial method for modifying granular starch, but it is often conducted at low temperatures (below 55 °C) for an extended period of time to prevent crystallinity loss. The high-temperature acid hydrolysis (HTAH) behavior of heat-moisture treated (HMT) starch at 69 °C was investigated for the first time. The crystalline structure of starch was enhanced by HMT, confirmed by its rheological, thermal, and infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy results. The amorphous structure of HMT starch was preferentially hydrolyzed with high reactivity, related to a fast hydrolysis stage (4.17 × 10-2 min-1). And the crystalline flakes were separated from starch granules, accompanied by strengthened molecular interactions. HMT starch was transformed from 16.98 µm granules to 158 nm thick and 2.57 µm broad flakes with a 6.40 % increase in crystallinity after 40 min of hydrolysis. For native starch, the HTAH destroyed the crystalline structure due to gelatinization, resulting mainly gelatinous aggregates. These evidenced that the hydrolysis of granular starch was successfully performed at a relatively high temperature by introducing heat-moisture pre-treatment. This study could provide a novel perspective on the combination of increasing temperature and pre-treatment for granular starch hydrolysis intensification design, as well as a strategy for efficiently preparing small-sized crystalline starch, which has promising applications in Pickering emulsion and material filler.

Effects of carboxymethyl cellulose/pectin coating combined with ultrasound pretreatment before drying on quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.).

Turmeric is an herb with multiple bioactive substances and health benefits. Drying is one of the most important steps of its processing and sales. In order to obtain high-quality turmeric products, we used five different pretreatment methods to treat turmeric prior to pulse-spouted microwave vacuum drying (PSMVD), including carboxymethyl cellulose coating (CMC), pectin coating (P), ultrasound (US) and their combination (CMCUS or PUS). The effect of different pretreatments on the drying kinetics, quality attributes and microstructure of turmeric were evaluated. Results showed that the US pretreatment had the shortest drying time (60 min), while coating treatment did not significantly affect drying rate. Dried turmeric with coating pretreatment had lower rehydration ratio and water adsorption capacity compared with individual ultrasound treatment. Carboxymethyl cellulose coating protected bioactive substances better than pectin coating. Moreover, CMCUS pretreatment showed significantly lower total color change, higher curcumin content, total phenols and flavonoid content as well as antioxidant capacity in all dried samples. Microstructure observation showed that the polysaccharide coating covering the surface of turmeric might reduce the degradation of bioactive compounds. Therefore, the CMCUS pretreatment before PSMVD of turmeric was recommended due to the efficiency and quality protections.

[Preparation of nanoemulsion spray from Moslae Herba volatile oil and its antibacterial activity].

Moslae Herba is a commonly used aromatic Chinese medicinal with volatile oil as the main effective component and exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral effects. However, the irritation and instability of Moslae Herba volatile oil necessitate the preparation into a specific dosage form. In this study, the steam distillation method was employed to extract the Moslae Herba volatile oil. The content of thymol and carvacrol in Moslae Herba volatile oil was determined by HPLC as(0.111 9±0.001 0) and(0.235 4±0.004 7) mg·mL~(-1), respectively. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and surfactants compounding were applied in the selection of the optimal excipients(surfactant and cosurfactant). On this basis, a nanoemulsion was prepared from the Moslae Herba volatile oil and then loaded into pressure vessels to get sprays, whose stability and antibacterial activity were evaluated afterward. With clarity, viscosity, smell and body feeling as comprehensive indexes, the optimal formulation of the Moslae Herba volatile oil nanoemulsion was determined as follows: Moslae Herba volatile oil∶peppermint oil∶cremophor EL∶absolute ethanol∶distilled water 7.78∶1.58∶19.26∶6.15∶65.23. The as-prepared nanoemulsion was a light yellow transparent liquid, with Tyndall effect shown under the irradiation of parallel light. It has the pH of 5.50, conductivity of 125.9 µS·cm~(-1), average particle size of 15.45 nm, polydispersity index(PDI) of 0.156, and Zeta potential of-17.9 mV. Under a transmission electron microscope, the Moslae Herba volatile oil nanoemulsion was presented as regular spheres without adhesion and agglomeration. Stability test revealed that the Moslae Herba volatile oil nanoemulsion was stable at 4-55 ℃, which was free from demulsification and stratification within 30 days. After the centrifugation at 12 000 r·min~(-1) for 30 min, there was no stratification either. The nanoemulsion had good inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and resistant S. aureus strains, with the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.39, 3.12 and 1.56 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. The above results demonstrated that the nanoemulsion was prepared feasibly and showed stable physical and chemical properties and good antibacterial effects. This study provides a practicable technical solution for the development of anti-epidemic and anti-infection products from Moslae Herba volatile oil.

Effects of intermittent radio frequency drying on structure and gelatinization properties of native potato flour.

Radio frequency (RF) treatment technology has now been studied and used for kinds of food products as its rapid and volumetric heating effects. It is meaningful to study the characteristics of potato drying with a new RF treatment method. In this study, intermitted RF combined treatments were used to get high-efficiency dehydration effects for potato drying, but the impact and mechanism of RF radiation on drying efficiency or quality is still unknown. To explore the drying characteristics, the effects of different RF radiation and the associated intermittent periods on the characterization of color, crystalline, thermal, pasting, rheology, and structural properties of potato flour were systematically studied. Longer RF radiation period (7 min) has a positive effect on drying efficiency and quality. The effect of intermittent period was not as significant as that of RF radiation, but a slightly increasing trend of the quality properties with intermittent period also indicated the tempering effect. The combined action of RF intermittent treatment on potato drying was found and investigated in this study, which may support RF drying processing improvement.

[Potential geographical distribution and changes of Artemisia ordosica in China under future climate change]. / 未来气候变化下黑沙蒿在中国的潜在地理分布及变迁.

Artemisia ordosica is a forerunner species of wind-break and sand-fixation in desert steppe in China, which plays an important role in ecosystem restoration and reconstruction. How-ever, it could influence human health. Based on 89 valid data of current distribution of A. ordosica in China and 19 typical climatic factors, the MaxEnt model was used to simulate the potential distribution of A. ordosica in China under current and two scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5; 2050s and 2070s). The SDM toolbox of ArcGIS software was used to analyze the potential distribution range of A. ordosica and its changes in China. The importance of key climatic factors was evaluated by comprehensive contribution rate, Jackknife method, and response curve of environmental variables. The accuracy of model was tested and evaluated by area under the curve (AUC) of the test subject working characteristic (ROC). The results showed that the MaxEnt model worked well (AUC=0.980). which predicted that A. ordosica was mainly concentrated in and around Mu Us Sandy Land, consistent with the current actual distribution range. The distribution area of A. ordosica of potential high fitness under the future two scenarios decreased by 5.2%-26.8%, which was negatively affected by future climate change. Seasonal variation of temperature, mean precipitation in the coldest season, and mean annual temperature had the greatest impact. The core area of future potential distribution of A. ordosica in China was located in Mu Us Sandy Land, with a tendency for spreading to northeast (Jilin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning and some parts of Hebei).

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Inhibited Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 in COPD Patients.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying COPD remain largely unknown. Objective: The current study was designed to explore serum concentration of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in stable COPD patients and the potential effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on HIF-1α protein expression. Methods: Serum HIF-1α was quantified by ELISA in 102 stable COPD patients before and after 2-week orally taken LBP (100 mL/time, twice daily, 5-15 mg/mL). Correlation of serum LBP and lung function (FEV1%) or blood gas (PO2 and PCO2) was also analyzed. As a control, 105 healthy subjects were also enrolled into this study. Results: Serum concentration of HIF-1α was significantly higher in the stable COPD patients (37.34 ± 7.20 pg/mL) than that in the healthy subjects (29.55 ± 9.66 pg/mL, P<0.001). Oral administration of LBP (5 mg/mL, 100 mL, twice daily for 2 weeks) not only relieved COPD symptoms but also significantly reduced serum HIF-1α concentration (36.94 ± 9.23 vs 30.49 ± 6.42 pg/mL, P<0.05). In addition, level of serum HIF-1α concentration was significantly correlated with PCO2 (r = 0.283, P<0.001), but negatively and significantly correlated with PO2 (r = -0.490, P=0.005) or FEV1%(r = -0.420, P=0.018). Conclusion: These findings suggested that activation of HIF-1 signaling pathway may be involved in the pathophysiology of COPD and that stabilization of serum HIF-1α concentration by LBP might benefit the stable COPD patients.

An in vitro study on interaction of anisodine and monocrotaline with organic cation transporters of the SLC22 and SLC47 families.

Current study systematically investigated the interaction of two alkaloids, anisodine and monocrotaline, with organic cation transporter OCT1, 2, 3, MATE1 and MATE2-K by using in vitro stably transfected HEK293 cells. Both anisodine and monocrotaline inhibited the OCTs and MATE transporters. The lowest IC50 was 12.9 µmol·L-1 of anisodine on OCT1 and the highest was 1.8 mmol·L-1 of monocrotaline on OCT2. Anisodine was a substrate of OCT2 (Km = 13.3 ± 2.6 µmol·L-1 and Vmax = 286.8 ± 53.6 pmol/mg protein/min). Monocrotaline was determined to be a substrate of both OCT1 (Km = 109.1 ± 17.8 µmol·L-1, Vmax = 576.5 ± 87.5 pmol/mg protein/min) and OCT2 (Km = 64.7 ± 14.8 µmol·L-1, Vmax = 180.7 ± 22.0 pmol/mg protein/min), other than OCT3 and MATE transporters. The results indicated that OCT2 may be important for renal elimination of anisodine and OCT1 was responsible for monocrotaline uptake into liver. However neither MATE1 nor MATE2-K could facilitate transcellular transport of anisodine and monocrotaline. Accumulation of these drugs in the organs with high OCT1 expression (liver) and OCT2 expression (kidney) may be expected.

Plant-Derived Alkaloids: The Promising Disease-Modifying Agents for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a group of intestinal disorders with self-destructive and chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, requiring long-term medications. However, as many side effects and drug resistance are frequently encountered, safer and more effective agents for IBD treatment are urgently needed. Over the past few decades, a variety of natural alkaloids made of plants or medicinal herbs have attracted considerable interest because of the excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; additionally, these alkaloids have been reported to reduce the colonic inflammation and damage in a range of colitic models. In this review paper, we summarize the recent findings regarding the anti-colitis activity of plant-derived alkaloids and emphasize their therapeutic potential for the treatment of IBD; obvious improvement of the colonic oxidative and pro-inflammatory status, significant preservation of the epithelial barrier function and positive modulation of the gut microbiota are the underlying mechanisms for the plant-derived alkaloids to treat IBD. Further clinical trials and preclinical studies to unravel the molecular mechanism are essential to promote the clinical translation of plant-derived alkaloids for IBD.

Structurally Diverse Sesquiterpenoids from the Endangered Ornamental Plant Michelia shiluensis.

A preliminary phytochemical investigation on the MeOH extract of the leaves and twigs of the endangered ornamental plant Michelia shiluensis led to the isolation of 16 sesquiterpenoids. The isolated compounds comprised germacrane- (1-4, 13, 14), guaiane- (5-9, 15), amorphane- (10), and eudesmane-type (11, 12, 16) sesquiterpenoids. The new structures (1-12) were elucidated by spectroscopic and computational methods, and their absolute configurations (except for 9) were assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallographic data and/or electronic circular dichroism spectra. Shiluolides (A-D, 1-4) are unprecedented C16 or C17 homogermacranolides, and their putative biosynthetic pathways are briefly discussed. Shiluone D (8) is a rare 1,10- seco-guaiane sesquiterpenoid featuring a new ether-containing spirocyclic ring, whereas shiluone E (9) represents the first example of a 1,5-4,5-di- seco-guaiane with a rare 5,11 -lactone moiety. Shiluone F (10) is the first amorphane-type sesquiterpenoid possessing an oxetane ring bridging C-1 and C-7. Bioassay evaluations indicated that lipiferolide (13) showed noteworthy cytotoxicities toward human cancer cell lines MCF-7 and A-549, with IC50 values of 1.5 and 7.3 µM, respectively. Shiluone D (8) exerted inhibition against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (IC50: 46.3 µM).

HPLC-MS/MS determination of flavonoids in Gleditsiae Spina for its quality assessment.

Gleditsiae Spina, the thorn of Gleditsia sinensis Lam., has been used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-bacterial traditional medicine for hundreds of years in China. This study used high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry combined with chemometric methods to allow the fast and accurate identification and quantification of the flavonoids compounds in Gleditsiae Spina, and created reliable criteria for accurate identification of Gleditsiae Spina and its adulterants. This research provides good evidence for the classification and quality evaluation of Gleditsiae Spina. Firstly, eight flavonoids compounds were detected and identified on the basis of their mass spectra, fragment characteristics, and comparison with published data. Then the mass spectroscopic fragmentation pathways of these compounds were determined and, in addition rutin, isoquercitrin, and quercitrin were detected in Gleditsiae Spina for the first time. The quantification was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multi-reaction monitoring mode, and the baseline separation of the eight bioactive flavonoids components was achieved within 13 min. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully applied for simultaneous quantitative determination of the eight Gleditsiae Spina compounds and adulterants obtained from different sources in China. Then, we built a classification model which showed a high level of accuracy predicting 100% of the samples, correctly.

Paeoniflorin improves regional cerebral blood flow and suppresses inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the delayed neuroprotection induced by paeoniflorin (PF), the principal component of Paeoniae radix prescribed in Chinese medicine, and its underlying mechanisms in rats subjected to vascular dementia (VD). METHODS: A rat model of VD was induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO). Low-dose or high-dose PF (20 or 40 mg/kg once per day) was administrated for 28 days after VD. The behavioral analysis of rat was measured by water morris. Regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), regional cerebral blood flflow (rCBF) and mean transit time (MTT) were measured in the bilateral hippocampus by perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI). The levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Protein levels were evaluated by western blot analysis. mRNA levels were evaluated by real time-polymerase chain reaction. Western blotting was used to estimate p65 translocation. RESULTS: The behavioral analysis showed that PF could decrease the escape latency time (P<0.05), and increase the residence time of the original platform quadrant and the across platform frequency in water maze in VD rats (P<0.05). Likewise, PF remarkably promoted the rCBV (P<0.05), rCBF and decreased per minute MTT (P<0.05) in hippocampus of VD rats. Furthermore, PF decreased the release of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α as well as inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the hippocampus of VD rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PF also could decrease the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in the hippocampus of VD rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, PF signifificantly inhibited the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway in the hippocampus of VD rats. CONCLUSIONS: PF signifificantly attenuates cognitive impairment, improves hippocampus perfusion and inhibits inflflammatory response in VD rats. In addition, the anti-inflflammatory effects of PF might be due to inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. PF may be a potential clinical application in improving VD.

[Effects of cultural factors on yield of Linum usitatissimum (Tianya 9)].

Cultural factors influencing high yield and good quality Linum usitatissimum (Tianya 9) were investigated. The correlations between these factors and its yield were analyzed. Path coefficient and principal component analysis were conducted, adopting uniform design of the 8 cultivating factors, i.e. planting density (X1), base nitrogen quantity (X2), base phosphorus quantity (X3), base potassium quantity (X4), foliar fertilizer (potassium dihydrogen phosphate, X5), foliar fertilizer (boron fertilizer, X6), growth regulator (multi-effect azole, X7) and growth duration irrigation amount (X8), aiming at exploring better cultivating plan of L. usitatissimum for Gansu Province. The results indicated that the factors influencing the yield of L. usitatissimum were X1, X7, X2, X3, X5 and X4 in a descending order. Simulation and optimization of the highest yield was further implemented. Frequency analysis showed that the cultivating factors resulting in yield higher than 173.58 kg . hm-2 were 4. 68 - 4. 92 kg . hm-2 (X1) , 11. 59 - 14. 75 kg . hm-2 (X2), 17.26- 21.95 kg . hm-2 (X3), 7.00-12.50 kg . hm-2 (X4) , 1.41-1.81 kg . hm-2 (X5) and 751.74- 954.04 g . hm-2 (X7).

[Analysis of lignans and their metabolites derived from Schisandra chinensis and vinegar Schisandra chinensis in rats' plasma, bile, urine and faeces based on UHPLC-QTOF/MS].

UHPLC-QTOF/MS technique was used to study the differences of lignans and their metabolites derived from Schisandra chinensis and vinegar Schisandra chinensis in rat plasma, bile, urine and faeces by the data processing techniques such as the dynamic background subtract(DBS), mass defect filtering(MDF) and enhance peak list (EPL) in analysis. In order to enhance accuracy for Schisandra chinensis hepatoprotective effect, we established rat acute alcoholic liver injury model in this experiment, and studied the prototype components and metabolisms of Schisandra lignans in vivo under pathological condition. The main ingredients of alcohol extract are lignans, including deoxyschizandrin, schisandrin B, schizandrin C, schizandrol, schizandrol B,schisantherin, schisantherin B, schisanhenol, gomisin G, gomisin J. The metabolic transformation of lignans in rats was mainly induced by methylation, hydroxyl, oxidation, and so on. Finally, we identified 6 kinds of prototype components and their 20 potential metabolites in Schisandra chinensis group and vinegar Schisandra chinensis group.

Sesquiterpenoids and further diterpenoids from the rare Chloranthaceae plant Chloranthus sessilifolius.

Two new dimeric lindenane-type sesquiterpenoids (1 and 2, named chlorasessilifols A and B, resp.), one new ent-podocarpane-type C17 norditerpenoid (3), and one new ent-torarane-type diterpenoid (4), along with seven known terpenoids, were isolated from the whole plant of Chloranthus sessilifolius. The new structures were established by means of spectroscopic methods and/or observed cotton effects in the circular dichroism spectra. Among the isolates, 3α,7ß-dihydroxy-ent-abieta-8,11,13-triene (11) exhibited significant anti-neuroinflammatory activity by inhibiting the nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine BV-2 microglial cells, with an IC50 value of 4.3 µM.

Effect of a low-protein diet supplemented with keto-acids on autophagy and inflammation in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

Ketoacids (KA) are known to preserve muscle mass among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on a low-protein diet (LPD). The present study was to compare the effects of KA supplemented diet therapy in autophagy and inflammation in CKD rats' skeletal muscle. Rats with 5/6 nephrectomy were randomly divided into three groups and fed with either 11 g/kg/day protein [normal-protein diet (NPD)], 3 g/kg/day protein (LPD) or 3 g/kg/day protein which including 5% protein plus 1% KA (LPD + KA) for 24 weeks. Sham-operated rats with NPD intake were used as control. LPD could improve body weight, gastrocnemius muscle mass, as well as gastrocnemius muscle cross-sectional area, with the effect being more obvious in the LPD + KA group. The autophagy marker LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3), p62, Parkin and PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) were significantly attenuate in LPD + KA group than LPD group. LPD + KA group had the lower total mtDNA (mitochondiral DNA) and cytosol mtDNA, NACHT-PYD-containing protein 3 (NALP3) inflammasome than LPD group, but its reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase-1 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) level was higher. Immunoblotting showed IL-1ß (interleukin-1-beta) was lower in LPD and LPD + KA group than the NPD group, but IL-18 showed no significant difference among control and CKD group; toll-like receptor signalling-dependent IL-6 was higher in LPD + KA group than LPD group, but tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was not significantly changed between LPD + KA and LPD group. Systematic changes of the four cytokines were different from that of the tissue. Although LPD + KA could further ameliorate-activated autophagy than LPD, its effect on the activated inflammation state in CKD was not distinctly. Further study is still required to explore the method of ameliorating inflammation to provide new therapeutic approaches for CKD protein energy wasting (PEW).

ent-Abietane-Type and Related Seco-/Nor-diterpenoids from the Rare Chloranthaceae Plant Chloranthus sessilifolius and Their Antineuroinflammatory Activities.

Fourteen new ent-abietane-type diterpenoids, sessilifols A-N (1-14), and three related new norditerpenoids (15-17) were isolated from Chloranthus sessilifolius. The absolute configurations were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, the modified Mosher's method, and/or the observed Cotton effects in their electronic circular dichroism spectra. Sessilifols A (1) and B (2) possess an uncommon five-membered C-ring rearranged by oxidative cleavage of the C-13/C-14 bond in abieta-7,13-diene followed by the formation of a new C-C bond between C-12 and C-14. Sessilifol C (3) is a rare 7,8-seco-9-spiro-fused ent-abietane, whereas sessilifol O (15) represents the first example of a naturally occurring 14-norabietane-type diterpenoid. Compounds 6 and 9 were found to have moderate antineuroinflammatory activities by inhibiting the nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine BV-2 microglial cells, with IC50 values of 8.3 and 7.4 µM, respectively.

[Simultaneous determination of flavones and saponins of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae by HPLC-DAD-ELSD].

This study is to establish an HPLC-DAD-ELSD method for simultaneous determination of 5 flavones and saponins in Rhizoma Anemarrhenae including neo-mangiferin, mangiferin, timosaponin B II, timosaponin B III and timosaponin A III. Samples were analyzed on a Merck Purospher STAR column(4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile( A) and 0. 1% formic acid (B) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min(-1). The column temperature was set at 40 °C. The DAD detector wavelength was set at 254 nm. The ELSD conditions were as follows: the nebulizing gas flow rate was 2.0 L · min(-1) and temperature of drift tube was 105 °C. The volume was 10 µL. The five compounds were well separated with good linear correlations. The mean recoveries were between 102.0%-104.0%. This method was quick and reliable which provides a foundation for quality control of R. Anemarrhenae.

[Chemical constituents of bark of Taxus chinensis var. mairei].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the bark of Taxus chinensis var. mairei collected from southeast of China. METHODS: Chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography, Prep-TLC, and preparative HPLC. The structures were identified on the basis of 1D-and 2D-NMR spectral analysis. RESULTS: Twelve taxane diterpenoids were isolated from the bark of Taxus chinensis var. mairei grown in southeast of China. They were identified as: taxagifine (1), decinnamoyltaxagifine (2), 19-debenzoyl-19-acetyltaxinine M(3), 9-dihydro-13-acetyl-baccatin III (4), 7, 9-dideacetylbaccatin IV (5), 1,3-dihydro-taxinine (6), taxumairol C (7), taxezopidine J (8), 7-xylosyl-10-deacetyl-taxol A (9),10-deacetyltaxol (10), taxicin II (11), and 2alpha, 7beta, 10beta-triacetoxy-5alpha, 13alpha-dihydroxy-2 (3 --> 20) abeotaxa-4 (20), 11-dien-9-one (12). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1, 2, 4 - 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 are obtained from this plant for the first time. Compound 7 is obtained from the bark of Taxus chinensis var. mairei for the first time.

Vitamin C supplementation enhances compact morulae formation but reduces the hatching blastocyst rate of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos.

Vitamin C, an antioxidant that reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, is capable of significantly improving the developmental competence of porcine and mouse somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, the effects of vitamin C on the developmental competence of bovine SCNT embryos were investigated. The results indicated that vitamin C (40 µg/mL) positively affected the scavenging of intracellular ROS, cleavage rate at 24 h (76.67 vs. 68.26%, p<0.05), compact morulae formation (60.83 vs. 51.30%, p<0.05), and the blastomere apoptosis index (3.70 ± 1.41 vs. 4.43% ± 1.65, p<0.05) of bovine SCNT embryos. However, vitamin C supplementation did not significantly affect the blastocyst formation rate and proportion of inner cell mass over total cells per blastocyst on day 7. Moreover, vitamin C supplementation obviously impaired the total cell numbers per blastocyst (97.20 ± 11.35 vs. 88.57 ± 10.43, p<0.05) on day 7 and the hatching blastocysts formation rate on day 9 (26.51 vs. 50.65%, p<0.05) compared with that of the untreated group. Vitamin C supplementation preferentially improved the viability of bovine SCNT embryos prior to the blastocyst stage, but did not enhance the formation and quality of blastocysts in vitro. In conclusion, the effect of vitamin C on the development of bovine SCNT embryos is complex, and vitamin C is not a suitable antioxidant chemical for the in vitro culture of bovine SCNT embryos.