Outdoor cultures of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the effluent of anaerobically digested activated sludge: The effects of pH and free ammonia.

A freshwater algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa was cultured outdoors using anaerobically digested activated sludge effluent. The effects of pH variations were evaluated. The coupled pH variations and free ammonia toxicity significantly affected the algal growth, lipids accumulation and contamination control during every season. The free ammonia toxicity at high pH levels actually inhibited the algal growth. Compared to an optimal algal growth at a pH of 5.7-6.5, biomass productivity at a high pH of 8.3-8.8 was reduced by 67.15±6.98%, 54.39±6.42% and 83.63±5.71% in the spring, fall and summer, respectively. When the pH rose above 9.1-9.6, algae were unable to grow in the wastewater. However, high pH levels reduced contamination (e.g., bacteria and microalgae grazers) and triggered lipids accumulation in algal cells. These findings suggest that pH control strategies are essential for this type of algal wastewater system, where ammonia is the dominant nitrogen source.

Clinical curative effect observation of therapy of Chinese drug iontophoresis in treatment of degenerative osteoarthropathy.

Degenerative osteoarthropathy is a kind of arthrosis induced by various factors, with main pathological feature of articular cartilage and syndesmophyte formation. In recent years, its morbidity increases year by year and tend to appear more among young people. Its curative effect has yet to be improved. This paper mainly discussed the clinical curative effect of therapy of Chinese drug iontophoresis in degenerative osteoarthropathy. A total of 296 cases of degenerative osteoarthropathy was randomly divided into two groups (with no consideration on gender): Chinese drug iontophoresis group: joint was treated by therapy of Chinese drug iontophoresis and MTZ-F experiment; frequency electrotherapy group: joint was only treated by medium frequency electrotherapy. Two groups were both treated for 30 min for one time, 1 time for a day, total for 4 weeks. Result of the study found that, total effective rate of medium frequency electrotherapy group was 74.3%, Chinese medicine iontophoresis group was 93.2%; curative effect of Chinese medicine iontophoresis group was superior to electrotherapy group. It indicates that, Chinese medicine iontophoresis has good clinical effect in the treatment of osteoarthropathy and deserves to be popularized and applied.

Cycloartane triterpenoids from the stems of Schisandra glaucescens and their bioactivity.

Five new cycloartane triterpenoids, schiglausins K-O (1-5), including one hexanortriterpenoid (1) and one octanortriterpenoid (2), as well as two known compounds (6-7), were isolated from the stems of Schisandra glaucescens Diels. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including extensive NMR spectra. Compounds 2-7 were tested for their FXR agonistic and antagonistic effects. Compound 7 exhibited significant antagonistic effect against FXR with IC(50) of 1.50 µM.

Lignans from Kadsura angustifolia and Kadsura coccinea.

Further phytochemical investigation of Kadsura angustifolia and Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of six lignans and one flavonoid, including two new lignans named kadangustin L(1) and kadcoccilignan (2). The structures and stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data.

Lanostane triterpenoids from the stems of Schisandra glaucescens.

Ten new triterpenoids, schiglausins A-J (1-10), as well as four known compounds, were isolated from the stems of Schisandra glaucescens. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including extensive NMR spectra and CD experiment. Compound 8 was determined to be a norlanostane triterpenoid. The crystal structure of compound 1 has been determined using single-crystal X-ray analysis while its absolute configuration was assigned on the basis of the CD spectrum. All isolates were tested for their FXR agonistic and antagonistic effects.

19-oxygenated ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon pharicus.

Eight new 19-oxygenated ENT-kaurane diterpenoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon pharicus. Their structures were determined by means of extensive spectroscopic techniques including interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Selected compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, PC-3, MCF-7, and SH-SY5Y cell lines.

Antiproliferative diterpenoids from the leaves of Isodon rubescens.

A phytochemical study of Isodon rubescens leaves led to the isolation of five new diterpenoids, isorubesins A-E ( 1- 5), and fifteen known diterpenoids. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Most of the diterpenoids were tested for cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7 human tumor cells. Some of them showed potent inhibitory activity. Compound 5 is the first reported atisane-type diterpenoid from this plant.

Cytotoxic ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon sinuolata.

Five (1-5) ent-kaurane diterpenoids and 17 other known ones, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Isodon sinuolata. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a small panel of cell lines. Some compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity.

ent-Kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon pharicus.

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Isodon pharicus led to the isolation of 13 new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, compounds 1-13, together with 12 known analogues (14-25). The structures of the new compounds were determined by means of extensive spectroscopic techniques including interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Selected compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, PC-3, MCF-7, and SH-SY5Y cell lines.

Cytotoxic ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon henryi.

Chromatographic fractionation of the extract of Isodon henryi resulted in the isolation of seven new ENT-kaurane diterpenoids, named minheryins A-G (1-7), together with the six known ENT-kaurane diterpenoids leukamenin F (8), excisoidesin (9), leukamenin E (10), wangzaozin A (11), pseurata A (12), and racemosin A (13), which were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 7-13 were tested for their cytotoxicity against K562 and HepG2 cell lines, and they all exhibited significant activities with IC50 values<0.50 microg/mL. Isolates 1-5 were evaluated against the K562 cell line, and only 3 showed weak activity.

ent-Kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon scoparius.

Nine new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, isoscoparins D-L (1-9), and an artificial product, the acetonide of rabdoloxin A (10), along with 16 known analogues (11-26), were isolated from the leaves of Isodon scoparius. The new structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Selected compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, PC-3, MCF-7, and SH-SY5Y cell lines.

Three new compounds from Kadsura longipedunculata.

Two new tetrahydrofuran lignans, kadlongirins A and B (1, 2), a new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid, 2,7-dihydroxy-11,12-dehydrocalamenene (3), together with seven known lignans, grandisin, fragransin B1, vladirol F, kadsuralignan C, otobaphenol, isoanwulignan, and 4-[4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutyl]-2-methoxy-phenol, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Kadsura longipedunculata. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 exhibited weak anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 activity with an EC50 value of 16.0 microg/ml, and therapeutic index (TI) value of 6.7.

Propindilactones E-J, Schiartane Nortriterpenoids from Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua.

Six new nortriterpenoids, propindilatones E-J (1-6), and two known (7, 8) schiartane-type nortriterpenoids were isolated from the stems of Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the structure of compound 4 was confirmed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The absolute configuration of compounds 1-3 was established using CD methods. Compounds 4-6 were noncytotoxic against K562, A549, and HT-29 human cancer cells.

ent-Kaurane Diterpenoids from Isodon nervosus.

A pentacyclic ent-kauranoid, nervonin A ( 1), with an unprecedented cyclobutane moiety in the structure, and nine other new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, nervonins B-J ( 2- 10), along with 10 known ones ( 11- 20), were isolated from Isodon nervosus. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. All diterpenoids were assayed for their cytotoxicity against K562, A549, and HepG2 human cell lines. Compounds 2, 11, 16, 17, and 20 showed significant cytotoxicity.

Lanopropic acid, a novel natural 2,3-secolanostane triterpenoid from Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua.

A triterpenetricarboxylic acid with a novel 2,3-secolanostane-type framework named lanopropic acid ( 1) was isolated from the aerial parts of Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua. The structure of 1 was elucidated as 2,3-secolanost-9(11),24( Z)-diene-2,3,26-trioic acid on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction studies. This is the first report of natural occurrence of 2,3-secolanostane type triterpenoid.

Alboatisins A-C, ent-atisene diterpenoids from Isodon albopilosus.

Three biogenetically interesting ent-kaurane-derived metabolites, alboatisins A-C (1-3), featuring a C-13-oxygenated ent-atisane skeleton, have been isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon albopilosus. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Compound 2 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 and HT-29 human cancer cells, with IC50 values of 8.3 and 7.9 microM, respectively.

[Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on neuronal apoptosis in rabbit with kaolin-induced syringomyelia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on neuronal apoptosis in rabbits with kaolin-induced syringomyelia. METHODS: Twenty-four of 30 Chinese white rabbits were subjected to injection of 25% kaolin mixed with equal volume (0.6 ml) of cerebrospinal fluid drawn from the cisterna magna under ketamine anesthesia. Twelve of these 24 rabbits then received intravenous injection of 5 ml of GBE (5 ml/days for 14 days, GBE treatment group) while the other 12 were treated with the same amount of saline administered in similar manner (saline group). The 6 rabbits without kaolin treatment received a sham operation to serve as the control group. At different time points after the operation, the rabbits were killed and the spinal cord samples examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Histologically, ischemia and edema in the cervical cord of rabbits in GBE treatment group were less severe than those in saline group. TUNEL-positive and bax-positive neurons were less numerous in GBE treatment group than in saline group, and the former group showed more Bcl-2-positive neurons. The number of apoptotic neurons reached the peak level on day 7 after kaolin injection. CONCLUSION: GBE can ameliorate kaolin-induced hydrocephalus in the upper cervical cord and inhibit kaolin-induced neuron apoptosis.