Melatonin Supplementation during In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced by Imidacloprid Exposure.

Imidacloprid (IMI) is an endogenous neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in agriculture and has attracted researchers' attention because of its risks to the environment and human health. Melatonin (MT) is an antioxidant hormone produced by the pineal gland of the brain. Studies have shown that it has a variety of physiological functions and plays a crucial role in the development of animal germ cells and embryos. The potential protective effects of MT against oocyte damage caused by neonicotinoid pesticide toxicity remain unclear. In this study, we report the toxicity of IMI against, and its effects on the quality of, porcine oocytes and the protective effect of MT on IMI-exposed oocytes. The results show that IMI exposure adversely affected oocyte maturation, while MT supplementation ameliorated its toxic effects. Specifically, IMI exposure increased oxidative stress (OS), endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and apoptosis, which may affect polar body expulsion rates and blastocyst formation. Also, IMI exposure reduced oocyte cleavage rates and the number of cells in blastocysts. However, all of these toxic effects can be restored after a melatonin supplementation treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that melatonin has a protective effect on IMI-induced defects during porcine oocyte maturation.

Protective effect of onion peel extract on ageing mouse oocytes.

Mammalian oocytes not fertilized immediately after ovulation can undergo ageing and a rapid decline in quality. The addition of antioxidants can be an efficient approach to delaying the oocyte ageing process. Onion peel extract (OPE) contains quercetin and other flavonoids with natural antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of OPE on mouse oocyte ageing and its mechanism of action. The oocytes were aged in vitro in M16 medium for 16 h after adding OPE at different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 µg/ml). The addition of 100 µg/ml OPE reduced the oocyte fragmentation rate, decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, increased the glutathione (GSH) level, and improved the mitochondrial membrane potential compared with the control group. The addition of OPE also increased the expression of SOD1, CAT, and GPX3 genes, and the caspase-3 activity in OPE-treated aged oocytes was significantly lower than that in untreated aged oocytes and similar to that in fresh oocytes. These results indicated that OPE delayed mouse oocyte ageing by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis and enhancing mitochondrial function.

Dihydromyricetin supplementation during in vitro culture improves porcine oocyte developmental competence by regulating oxidative stress.

Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a dihydroflavonoid compound, exhibits a variety of biological activities, including antitumor activity. However, the effects of DHM on mammalian reproductive processes, especially during early embryonic development, remain unclear. In this study, we added DHM to porcine zygotic medium to explore the influence and underlying mechanisms of DHM on the developmental competence of parthenogenetically activated porcine embryos. Supplementation with 5 µM DHM during in vitro culture (IVC) significantly improved blastocyst formation rate and increased the total number of cells in porcine embryos. Further, DHM supplementation also improved glutathione levels and mitochondrial membrane potential; reduced natural reactive oxygen species levels in blastomeres and apoptosis rate; upregulated Nanog, Oct4, SOD1, SOD2, Sirt1, and Bcl2 expression; and downregulated Beclin1, ATG12, and Bax expression. Collectively, DHM supplementation regulated oxidative stress during IVC and could act as a potential antioxidant during in vitro porcine oocytes maturation.

Wedelolactone facilitates the early development of parthenogenetically activated porcine embryos by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting autophagy.

Wedelolactone (WDL) is a coumaryl ether compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Eclipta prostrata L. It is a natural polyphenol that exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-free radical, and antioxidant activities in the bone, brain, and ovary. However, its effect on embryonic development remains unknown. The present study explored the influence of WDL supplementation of porcine oocytes culture in vitro on embryonic development and the underlying mechanisms and its effect on the levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Keap1/Nrf2/ARE). The results showed that WDL (2.5 nM) significantly increased the blastocyst formation rate, mitochondrial activity, and proliferation ability while reducing the reactive oxygen species accumulation, apoptosis, and autophagy. These findings suggested that WDL can enhance the growth and development of early porcine embryos to alleviate oxidative stress and autophagy through regulating NRF2 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (MAP1LC3) gene expression levels.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley - A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley (syn. Rhus verniciflua or vernicifera Stokes, Anacardiaceae) (RVS), the lacquer tree, also known as sumac, has been used in China, Japan and South Korea for thousands of years as a highly durable coating material and a traditional herbal medicine, which contains medicinal ingredients with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-rheumatic activities. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review intends to provide a comprehensive and critical appraisal of RVS, including its phytochemical data, botanical and pharmacological literature that support its therapeutic potential in treatment on human diseases, with emphasis on the isolation of natural occurring compounds and detailed pharmacological investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specific information of RVS was collected by using the key words "Toxicodendron vernicifluum", "Rhus verniciflua Stokes", "Rhus vernicifera Stokes" and "Lacquer tree" through published scientific materials (including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Scifinder, Springer, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar) and other literature sources. RESULTS: The major phytoconstituents, 175 of which are presented in this review, including flavonoids, urushiols, terpenes, phenolic acids and other types of compounds, of which flavonoids and urushiols are main components. The extracts and isolates purified from RVS showed a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, tyrosinase inhibition and so on. CONCLUSION: The modern pharmacological research of RVS mainly focus on the pharmacological effects of crude extract or active constituents, of which the flavonoids are widely studied. However, there are few reports on the relationship between pharmacological effects and their structures. And at present, there is still a lack of researches that are of both effective and in-depth. Meanwhile, there is little research on quality control. Apart from the wood and lacquer, other botanical parts also need to be explored further. In addition to phenolic compounds, the study on other types of components in T. vernicifluum would start more sparks for the discovery of new bioactive principles.

Melatonin alleviates defects induced by zearalenone during porcine embryo development.

Zearalenone (ZEA), which is produced by several fusarium mycotoxins, is found in animal feed and food products, and can exert estrogen-like activity. Melatonin (MT) is emerging as a supplement that can fight the toxic effects of mycotoxins. With a variety of physiological functions that play crucial roles in the development of animal germ cells and embryos, melatonin regulates circadian rhythms and has an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative role. This study investigated the protective effects of melatonin against ZEA in porcine early embryonic development. Our results showed that ZEA adversely affected this development, while melatonin supplementation ameliorated the toxic effects. ZEA exposure increased oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial function, which may affect blastocyst formation. Moreover, we found that ZEA exposure promotes apoptosis, DNA damage, and autophagy in porcine blastocysts. The toxic effects of ZEA on early embryos may be the result of oxidative stress-mediated early apoptosis, while melatonin treatment significantly improved these phenotypes in ZEA-exposed porcine early embryos. Taken together, our results indicate that melatonin has a protective effect on defects caused by ZEA during early porcine embryonic development.

Photoprotective effects of 2S,3R-6-methoxycarbonylgallocatechin isolated from Anhua dark tea on UVB-induced inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) induces inflammation and causes skin aging. The signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles, discolored spots, loss of skin moisture, and disruption of the skin barrier, are mostly caused by inflammatory signaling among various skin layers. The cells on the outermost surface of the skin are keratinocytes; these cells protect the skin against environmental stress and play an important role in immunomodulation by secreting cytokines in response to environmental stress. In the present study, we found that UVB activates STAT1 to mediate inflammatory signaling, yet STAT1 (S272) and STAT (Y702) shows different responses against UVB exposure. Anhua drak tea is a post-fermented dark tea produced in Anhua and Xinhua country in Hunan province of China. Treatment with 2S,3R-6-methoxycarbonylgallocatechin (MCGE), an epigallocatechin gallate derivative isolated from black tea (Anhua dark tea), effectively suppresses STAT1 activation and inflammatory cytokines, and activates Nrf2 pathway to protect cells from reactive oxygen species production in UVB exposed keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). Interestingly, the effects of MCGE were independent on MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, MCGE regulates inflammatory cytokines in monocyte-keratinocyte (THP-1, HaCaT) co-culture and macrophage differentiation models. These results suggest that MCGE potentially can be used as a photoprotective agent against UVB-induced inflammatory responses.

New α-ditetralonyl glucoside from the green walnut husk of Juglans mandshurica.

One new α-ditetralonyl glucoside (1), was isolated from the green walnut husk of Juglans mandshurica (Juglandaceae), together with twelve known compounds (2-13). The structure of the new compound was determined as (2R,4S,10S,12S)-2-[7-(12,13,16-trihydroxy-α-tetralonyl-13-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside)]- 4,8-dihydroxy-α-tetralone-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and acidic hydrolysis. Compounds 6, 7 and 11 were isolated from the genus Juglans for the first time. Compound 1-13 showed weak cytotoxic against A549 and HeLa cell lines.

L-carnitine prevents bovine oocyte aging and promotes subsequent embryonic development.

L-carnitine (LC) is well known for its antioxidant activity. In this study, we explored the potential mechanistic effects of LC supplementation on aged bovine oocytes in vitro. We showed that in-vitro maturation could enhance the subsequent developmental capacity of aging oocytes, when supplemented with LC. After in vitro fertilization, the blastocyst formation rate in the aged oocytes post-LC treatment significantly increased compared to that in untreated aged oocytes (29.23 ± 2.20% vs. 20.90 ± 3.05%). Furthermore, after LC treatment, the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species in aged oocytes significantly decreased, and glutathione levels significantly increased, compared to those in untreated aged oocytes. Mitochondrial membrane potential, the percentage of early apoptotic oocytes, and caspase-3 activity were significantly reduced in LC-treated aged oocytes compared to those in untreated aged oocytes. Furthermore, during in vitro aging, the mRNA levels of the anti-apoptotic genes, Bcl-xl and survivin in LC-treated aged oocytes were significantly higher than those in untreated aged oocytes. Overall, these results indicate that at least in in vitro conditions, LC can prevent the aging of bovine oocytes and improve the developmental capacity of bovine embryo.

α-Tetralonyl Glucosides from the Green Walnut Husks of Juglans mandshurica and Their Antiproliferative Effects.

Two new α-tetralonyl glucosides, (4S)-4,5,8-trihydroxy-α-tetralone-5-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1: ) and (4S)-4,8-dihydroxy-α-tetralone-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2: ), together with eight known compounds (3:  - 10: ) were isolated from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica. The structural characterization of all compounds was performed by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS experiments. The isolated compounds were assayed for their cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines, A549 and HeLa. Four compounds (7:  - 10: ) exhibited inhibitory effects against two human cancer cell lines with GI50 values between 1.3 and 5.8 µM.

Zeasesquiterpene A-E, new sesquiterpenes from the roots of Zea mays.

Zeasesquiterpene A-E (1-5), five new sesquiterpenes with two cyclohexanes, were isolated from the roots of Zea mays. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and ECD analysis. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for the compounds (1-6) were hypothesized. All isolated compounds were screened for cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines (A549, MDA-MB-231, SK-Hep-1, SNU638 and HCT116) in vitro by MTT assay. Compound 4 showed potential cytotoxic activities against A549 (14.3 µΜ) and SNU638 (9.7 µΜ). By contrast, compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity to the four human cancer cell lines (A549, SK-Hep-1, SUN638 and HCT116), and the IC50 values are from 19.5 µΜ to 22.5 µΜ.

Triterpene saponins from Clematis mandshurica and their antiproliferative activity.

Six new triterpene saponins, clematomandshurica saponins F-K (1-6), together with a known compound (7), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis mandshurica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and hydrolysis. Compounds 5-7 exhibited antiproliferative effects against PC-3 human prostate cancer cells with GI50 values of 1.29, 1.50, and 0.71 µM, respectively.

Saponins with neuroprotective effects from the roots of Pulsatilla cernua.

Four new oleanene-type triterpenoid saponins together with six known saponins were isolated from the roots of Pulsatilla cernua and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 2D NMR spectra and chemical evidence. Among these one of the aglycones (gypsogenin) is reported for the first time from this genus. Some of these compounds showed significant neuroprotective effects against the cytotoxicity induced by ß-amyloid(25-35) (Aß(25-35)) on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

[Optimization of extraction technics of total saponins from Pulsatilla cernua].

OBJECTIVE: The extraction condition of total saponins from Pulsatilla cenua by ultrasonic wave was optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiments. METHODS: The largest absorbency of saponin was intended to be 470 nm by wavelength scan method with the pulchinenoside B4 as control sample, the linear relationship was observed between the absorbency and the content of saponin in the range of 0 - 0.040 mg/mL. RESULTS: The optimal conditions of extraction was as following: 80% of alcohol concentration, 40 min of ultrasonic time, 1: 20 of solid to liquid ratio, 80 W of ultrasonic power and one time for extraction. Among them, alcohol had the most significant effect on the extraction of total saponins. CONCLUSION: The content of total saponins in Pulsatilla cernua was 4. 32% under the optimal condition. The method developed here is efficient, stable, accurate and repeatable.

Phenolic glycosides from Pyrola japonica.

Five new phenolic glycosides, 2-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-5-hydroxyphenylacetic acid methyl ester (4), 4-hydroxy-2-[3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl]-5-methylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 4-hydroxy-2-[(E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl]-5-methylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), 4-hydroxy-2-[(2E,6Z)-8-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl]-5-methylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), and 2,7-dimethyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene-5,8-diol 5-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10), were isolated from the whole plants of Pyrola japonica (Pyrolaceae), together with androsin, (-)-syringaresinol glucoside, homoarbutin, pirolatin, hyperin, monotropein and chimaphilin.