Widely targeted metabolomics analysis reveals the differences in nonvolatile compounds of citronella before and after drying.

Citronella is used as a spice and a traditional herbal medicine. Dried citronella is easy to store and transport, and it is unclear whether dried citronella has more or fewer medicinal components compared to fresh citronella. In the present study, various metabolites in fresh and dry citronella were detected using a widely targeted metabolomics strategy. We identified 712 metabolites and classified them into 31 categories, and we identified 132 flavonoids. After citronella was dried, the quantities of most kinds of flavonoids increased, but the quantities of amino acids, organic acids, and vitamins decreased, and the quantity of quercetin increased significantly. Therefore, the medicinal value of dry citronella may have increased, and the nutritional value of amino acids and vitamins may have decreased. The results of this study can serve as a new theoretical reference to study citronella and promote its nutrition and medicinal chemical composition.

Phenolic and carotenoid characterization of the ethanol extract of an Australian native plant Haemodorum spicatum.

Bloodroot (Haemodorum spicatum) is an Australian native bulb plant yielding red pigment. This study aimed to characterize the phenolic and carotenoid profiles of the 80% ethanol extract of the H. spicatum bulb by HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD. Results revealed the relatively low total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the bulb extract with the maximum absorbance at 477 nm. Only 2 carotenoids (lutein and capsanthin) were detected at relatively low levels in the extract. A total of 40 phenolic compounds were tentatively identified, including 5 phenolic acids, 13 flavonoids and 22 other phenolic compounds, where 35 were reported for the first time in H. spicatum, together with 3 previously reported phenylphenalenones, haemodorol, haemoxiphidone and 2,5,6-trimethoxy-9-phenyl-1H-phenalen-1-one, and 2 oxabenzochrysenones, 5-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1H-naphtho[2,1,8-mna]xanthen-1-one and 5-hydroxy-1H-naphtho[2,1,8-mna]xanthen-1-one. This study provided the most comprehensive phenolic and carotenoid profiles of H. spicatum up to date.

Effect of extrusion technology on hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) oil cake: Polyphenol profile and biological activities.

Effects of extrusion with varying barrel temperature, moisture content, and screw speed on hempseed oil cake were studied for the first time. Extrusion at lower moisture (30%) and higher screw speed (300 rpm) significantly increased the proportion of free polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenylpropionamide content, and α -glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities. Full factorial design confirmed the three-way interactions among all extrusion parameters for all chemical assays with the bound phenolic fraction, total flavonoid content, and DPPH inhibition activity of the free phenolic fraction. HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis tentatively identified 26 phenylpropionamides, and the contents of N-trans-caffeoyltyramine (66.26 µg/g) and total phenylpropionamides (85.77 µg/g) were significantly increased after extrusion at the lower moisture and higher screw speed extrusion conditions. The higher α -glucosidase inhibition activity at higher screw speed could be due to the N-trans-caffeoyltyramine (r = 0.99, p < 0.01), while the AChE inhibition activity appeared to be influenced more by the cannabisins A-C, M (r > 0.8, p < 0.01). PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Hempseed oil cake is a byproduct of oil extraction, with high protein and high fiber contents. The results of this research could be used directly in food industry to improve the nutritional and commercial value of hempseed oil cake by extrusion technology.

Phylogenetic and morphological significance of an overlooked flying squirrel (Pteromyini, Rodentia) from the eastern Himalayas with the description of a new genus.

The flying squirrels (Pteromyini, Rodentia) are the most diverse and widely distributed group of gliding mammals. Taxonomic boundaries and relationships within flying squirrels remain an area of active research in mammalogy. The discovery of new specimens of Pteromys ( Hylopetes) leonardi Thomas, 1921 previously considered a synonym of Hylopetes alboniger, in Yunnan Province, China allowed a morphological and genetic reassessment of the status of this taxon. Phylogenetic reconstruction was implemented using sequences of two mitochondrial (12S ribosomal DNA and 16S ribosomal DNA) and one nuclear (interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein) gene fragments. Morphological assessments involved examinations of features preserved on skins, skulls, and penises of museum specimens, supplemented with principal component analysis of craniometric data. Together these assessments revealed that this taxon should be recognized not only as a distinct species, and should also be placed within a new genus, described here as Priapomys.

Extrusion improves the phenolic profile and biological activities of hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) hull.

The impact of extrusion at different barrel temperature and screw speed on the hempseed hull was investigated. The extrusion treatments showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in total phenolic content, proportion of free phenolic compounds, and DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. At low screw speed (150 rpm), significantly (p < 0.05) higher α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities were observed in the extruded samples. The full factorial model revealed a significant interaction between extrusion parameters on total phenolic/flavonoid content and antioxidant activities for free fraction, and α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition for whole fraction. A total of 26 phenylpropionamides, including hydroxycinnamic acid amides and lignanamides, were identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. HPLC-DAD analysis showed a 25-78% increase in total phenylpropionamide content in hempseed hull after extrusion. Pearson's correlation displayed significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation of N-trans-caffeoyltyramine, the most abundant phenylpropionamide, with all biological activities (r = 0.832-0.940).

Comprehensive profiling of phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS to reveal their location and form of presence in different sorghum grain genotypes.

In this study, comprehensive profiling of the phenolic compounds in sorghum grain was achieved by analysing the free and bound extracts of sorghum bran and kernel fractions from five Australian sorghum genotypes (1 white, 2 red, 1 brown and 1 black coloured), using HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. A total of 110 phenolic compounds were annotated, out of which 56 were reported for the first time in sorghum grain. Compounds with matched authentic standards were quantified/semi-quantified. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) was performed and heatmaps generated, which provided direct visualisation of the distribution of individual phenolic compounds/subclasses between the sorghum samples. The results indicated that phenolic compounds were concentrated on the bran, and free and bound extracts had different phenolic composition. The phenolic compound/subclass profile varied greatly among sorghum genotypes. Brown sorghum genotype (IS131C) had the highest concentration of total phenolic contents, and the bran fraction of brown sorghum had the most abundant and diverse phenolic composition among all tested samples. This study provides the most comprehensive phenolic profile of Australian representative sorghum grains up to date.

Comparison of the phenolic contents, antioxidant activity and volatile compounds of different sorghum varieties during tea processing.

BACKGROUND: Sorghum grain is rich in phenolic compounds and has the potential to be developed into functional beverages such as sorghum grain tea, in which the health benefits and flavour are the important quality attributes to be considered in tea product development. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of grain tea processing steps on the phenolic contents, antioxidant activity and aroma profile (volatile compounds) of MR-Buster (red-coloured) and Shawaya Short Black 1 (black-coloured) sorghum and the results compared with those for our previously reported Liberty (white-coloured) sorghum. RESULTS: Tea processing had significant impacts on sorghum polyphenols and volatile compounds, but the effect and level varied among sorghum varieties. The phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in these three sorghum varieties were consistent in both raw grain and grain tea samples and in the order Shawaya Short Black 1 > MR-Buster > Liberty. However, the volatile profiles (both individual and grouped volatiles) were significantly different between sorghum varieties, and the abundance and diversity of the volatile compounds of the tea samples were in the order Liberty > MR-Buster > Shawaya Short Black 1. CONCLUSIONS: Black-coloured sorghum with high phenolic content and antioxidant activity is more suitable for making sorghum tea considering the health benefits. In terms of the aroma intensity and diversity, white-coloured sorghum could be the ideal material. However, future study is needed to determine the key volatile compounds that positively contribute to the aroma. This work provides important insights into the selection of grain materials for sorghum grain tea production. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Catharmus tinctorius volatile oil promote the migration of mesenchymal stem cells via ROCK2/Myosin light chain signaling.

MSC transplantation has been explored as a new clinical approach to stem cell-based therapies for bone diseases in regenerative medicine due to their osteogenic capability. However, only a small population of implanted MSC could successfully reach the injured areas. Therefore, enhancing MSC migration could be a beneficial strategy to improve the therapeutic potential of cell transplantation. Catharmus tinctorius volatile oil (CTVO) was found to facilitate MSC migration. Further exploration of the underlying molecular mechanism participating in the pro-migratory ability may provide a novel strategy to improve MSC transplantation efficacy. This study indicated that CTVO promotes MSC migration through enhancing ROCK2 mRNA and protein expressions. MSC migration induced by CTVO was blunted by ROCK2 inhibitor, which also decreased myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Meanwhile, the siRNA for ROCK2 inhibited the effect of CTVO on MSC migration ability and attenuated MLC phosphorylation, suggesting that CTVO may promote BMSC migration via the ROCK2/MLC signaling. Taken together, this study indicates that C. tinctorius volatile oil could enhance MSC migration via ROCK2/MLC signaling in vitro. C. tinctorius volatile oil-targeted therapy could be a beneficial strategy to improve the therapeutic potential of cell transplantation for bone diseases in regenerative medicine.

Panax notoginsenoside Rb1 Restores the Neurotrophic Imbalance Following Photothrombotic Stroke in Rats.

Mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) has neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia. Conversely, the precursor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) has the opposite function to its mature form, inducing apoptosis. However, whether the neuroprotection of Panax notoginsenoside Rb1 (PNS-Rb1) on ischemic stroke is due to, at least partially, its modulation of suppressing proBDNF/P75NTR/sortilin or upregulation of mBDNF is not clear. To test this hypothesis, rats induced by photothrombotic stroke were treated with PNS-Rb1 100 mg/kg or nimodipine 1 mg/kg twice a day until 3, 7, and 14 days. Our data indicate that PNS-Rb1 significantly reduced cerebral infarction rate, proBDNF/P75NTR/sortilin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) protein levels, and improved sensorimotor dysfunctions induced by ischemic stroke, upregulation of BDNF/TrkB levels, and its processing enzymes (tissue plasminogen activator, tPA) in a time-dependent manner. Taken together, our findings indicate that the improvement of sensorimotor dysfunctions by PNS-Rb1 following ischemic stroke is made, at least partially, by activating the BDNF/TrkB and inhibiting proBDNF/sortilin/P75NTR.

Panax notoginsenoside saponins Rb1 regulates the expressions of Akt/ mTOR/PTEN signals in the hippocampus after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Panax notoginsenoside saponins Rb1 (PNS-Rb1) is an important active ingredient of panax notoginseng for effective treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. However, the mechanism underlying its actions in the state of cerebral ischemia is still unclear. We asked whether the potential neuroprotection of PNS-Rb1 on the brain is due to, at least partially, its modulation of AkT/mTOR/PTEN signalling pathway along with down-regulation of caspase-3 in rats subjected to phototrombic stroke. To test this hypothesis, rats with induced photothrombotic stroke were treated with PNS-Rb1 (applied in three different doses, 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg,100 mg/kg, respectively) or saline, while sham operated rats injected with saline were used as the control. Our results indicate that PNS-Rb1 significantly alleviated the morphological lesion concomitant with improvement of cognitive and sensorimotor deficits induced by ischemic stroke. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses showed that PNS Rb1 in a dose dependent manner increased the expressions of P-Akt, P-mTOR and reduced P-PTEN and caspase-3. The present study suggests that the improvement of cognitive and sensorimotor deficits by PNS-Rb1 is made, at least partially, by the modulation of the Akt/mTOR/PTEN signalling pathway.

[Effect of Huayu Jiedu Recipe on the Expressions of NLRP3, Caspasel, and IL-1 ß in Kidneys of Obstructive Nephropathy Rats].

Objective To observe the effect of Huayu Jiedu Recipe (HJR) on the expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) , Caspase-1 , IL-1 ß in kidneys of obstructive nephropathy rats. Methods Totally 40 clean grade SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =10) and the model group (n =30). The model of obstructive nephropa- thy was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Totally 30 successfully modeled UUO rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Western medicine group, the Chinese medicine group, 10 in each group. Eplerenone (100 mg . kg ⁻¹ . d⁻¹) was administrated to rats in the Western medicine group. HJR (13.7 g . kg ⁻¹ . d⁻¹) was administrated to rats in the Chinese medicine group. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. All medica- tion was performed once daily for 10 successive days. The serum IL-1 ß level was detected. Protein and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1 ß in renal tissue were detected. TUNEL positive rate was detected by TUNEL method. Results The expression of NLRP3 was not obviously seen, Caspase-1 and IL-1 ß were weakly expressed, and only fewer amount of TUNEL positive cells could be seen in the sham-operation group. Compared with the sham-operation group, serum IL-1ß level increased (P < 0. 01) , mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 , and IL-1 ß were up-regulated in renal tissue of the model group (P <0. 01). NLRP3 was mainly expressed in renal interstitial macrophages and renal tubular epithelial cells. Caspase-1 and IL-1 ß were mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells. TUNEL positive cells were significantly increased, mainly dominated in interstitial expanded epithelial cells of distal tubules (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, serum IL-1 ß level was significantly decreased (P <0. 01) ; mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 , and IL- ß were obviously down-regulated (P <0. 01) , and the TUNEL positive rate was obviously decreased (P <0. 05, P < 0. 01) in the two medicated groups. Conclusion HJR could down-regulate mRNA and protein expres- sions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 , and IL-1ß, thus attenuating inflammatory injury of renal tissue.

Side-on coordination of a P-P bond in heterobinuclear tetraphosphorus complexes with a [Si(mu,eta(2:2)-P(4))Ni] core and nickel(I) centers.

The synthesis and characterization of the first heterobinuclear tetraphosphorus complexes 3a and 3b with a [Si(mu,eta(2:2)-P(4))Ni] core are reported. The latter result from conversion of the silylene-activated P(4) ligand LSiP(4) (1; L = CH[(C horizontal lineCH(2))CMe][N(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))](2)) with the beta-diketiminatonickel(I) complexes [(L'Ni)(2).toluene] (L' = CH[CMeN(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3))](2)) and [(L''Ni)(2).toluene] (L'' = CH[CMeN(2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3))](2)), respectively. Unexpectedly, the complexes 3a and 3b feature a [Si(mu,eta(2:2)-P(4))Ni] core with nickel(I) centers as shown by X-ray diffraction analysis, electron paramagnetic resonance, and magnetic measurements. The latter prove that the products are paramagnetic both in the solid state and in solution because of the presence of tetrahedral nickel(I) sites.

Facile dissociation of [(LNi(II))2E2] dichalcogenides: evidence for [LNi(II)E2] superselenides and supertellurides in solution.

Easy breakage to open-shells: The diamagnetic butterfly-like dichalcogen complexes 1 (E = Se) and 2 (E = Te) with a {Ni(II)(2)E(2)} core, undergo facile dissociation in solution via spin crossover to give the unprecedented mononuclear paramagnetic superselenide and supertelluride species 1' and 2', respectively, along with the nickel(I) fragment [LNi(I)]; R = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl.

[Analysis of essential oil in herbal pair Artemisia annua-Agastache rugosa by GC-MS and chemometric resolution method].

Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry, chemometric resolution method (CRM) and overall volume integration method were used to analyze the essential components of herbal pair Artemisia annua-Agastache rugosa (AA-AR) and compare it with that of single herbs AA and AR. The results showed that the components of volatile oil of herbal pair (AA-AR) were different from that of single herb drug in quality and quantity. 70, 69, and 48 essential components in essential oil of herbal pair (AA-AR), AA and AR were determined, accounting for about 85.93%, 88.85% and 93.23% of the total volatile oil, respectively. The volatile active components of the essential oils compounds in number are almost the sum of that of two single herbs, are mainly from herb AA, and the contents of each component from herb AR were relatively high. There are 51 common active constituents shared by herbal pair AA-AR and AA, and 34 common active constituents shared by herbal pair AA-AR and AR. There are 7 new components in the essential oils of herbal pair AA-AR, the relative content of arteannuic acid (2.99%) and p-propenyl-anisole (1.92%) are higher than others.

Long-term treatment with a Chinese herbal formula, Sheng-Mai-San, improves cardiac contractile function in aged rats: the role of Ca(2+) homeostasis.

A Chinese herbal formula Sheng-Mai-Yin (SMY), the liquid dosage form of Sheng-Mai-San, has been used clinically for treating heart failure, particularly in aged patients. To investigate the effect of SMY treatment on the contractile function of aged hearts, we first examined cardiac hemodynamics in aged rats. To define the mechanism involved in the enhancement of cardiac function, we investigated the effect of SMY treatment on Ca(2+) homeostasis in ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from aged rats. Ca(2+) release was assessed by measurements of changes in cardiac Ca(2+) transients and Ca(2+) sparks, using laser scanning confocal microscopy. The functional status of Ca(2+)-release regulators, including L-type Ca(2+) channels, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and ryanodine receptors (RyRs), was also assessed. The results indicated that SMY treatment (2 g/kg per day for 30 doses within 6 weeks, intragastically) significantly improved hemodynamic parameters in aged rats. SMY treatment markedly increased the amplitude and shortened the duration of Ca(2+) transients in aged cardiomyocytes, and reversed the age-related increase in frequency, decrease in amplitude, and changes in spatiotemporal properties of Ca(2+) sparks in cardiomyocytes. In addition, SMY treatment increased the L-type Ca(2+) current density, SR Ca(2+) content, and SR Ca(2+)-ATPase expression, and decreased the sensitivity of RyRs to Ca(2+), all of which are causally related to increases in the amplitude of Ca(2+) transients and the size of Ca(2+) sparks. In conclusion, the improvement in cardiac contractile function afforded by SMY treatment in aged rats is likely mediated by an increase in Ca(2+) release from the SR through L-type Ca(2+) current-activated RyRs.