Purification and Structural Characterization of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides and Its Activities.

In this study, Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (named DOPS-1) was isolated from the stems of Dendrobium officinale by hot-water extraction and purified by using Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. The structural characterization, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity were carried out. Based on the results of HPLC, GC, Congo red experiment, together with periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, SEM, FT-IR, and NMR spectral analysis, it expressed that DOPS-1 was largely composed of mannose, glucose and galacturonic acid in a molar ratio of 3.2 : 1.3 : 1. The molecular weight of DOPS-1 was 1530 kDa and the main chain was composed of (1→4)-ß-D-Glcp, (1→4)-ß-D-Manp and 2-O-acetyl-(1→4)-ß-D-Manp. The measurement results of antioxidant activity showed that DOPS-1 had the strong scavenging activities on hydroxyl radicals, DPPH radicals and superoxide radicals and the high reducing ability in vitro. Moreover, DOPS-1 was cytotoxic to all three human cancer cells of MDA-MB-231, A549 and HepG2.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter Species: Mechanisms and Genomic Epidemiology.

The Campylobacter genus is a large and diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria that are known to colonize humans and other mammals, birds, reptiles, and shellfish. While it is now recognized that several emerging Campylobacter species can be associated with human disease, two species, C. jejuni and C. coli, are responsible for the vast majority of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Infection with C. jejuni, in particular, has also been associated with a number of extragastrointestinal manifestations and autoimmune conditions, most notably Guillain-Barré syndrome. The antimicrobial drugs of choice for the treatment of severe Campylobacter infection include macrolides, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycin. Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, are also commonly used for empirical treatment of undiagnosed diarrheal disease. However, resistance to these and other classes of antimicrobial drugs is increasing and is a major public health problem. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 300,000 infections per year are caused by drug-resistant Campylobacter. In this chapter, we discuss the taxonomy of the Campylobacter genus, the clinical and global epidemiological aspects of Campylobacter infection, with an emphasis on C. jejuni and C. coli, and issues related to the treatment of infection and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. We further discuss the use of next-generation sequencing for the detection and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genes.

Effects of volatile oil from ginger on the murine B16 melanoma cells and its mechanism.

In this study, the inhibitory effects of volatile oil from ginger on melanogenesis and its antioxidant characteristics were investigated. The effects of volatile oil from ginger on cell proliferation, melanin content and tyrosinase activity were determined using a microplate reader. In addition, the expression of melanogenesis-related protein was determined by western blotting. The results indicate that the tested concentrates of volatile oil from ginger showed inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and melanogenesis. This revealed that volatile oil from ginger exhibited apparent capacities for scavenging ROS and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, volatile oil from ginger improved the activities of GSH, SOD and CAT in B16 melanoma cells. These results demonstrated that volatile oil from ginger suppressed melanin synthesis through its antioxidant properties and the inhibitory effects on tyrosinase activity and melanogensis-related proteins. Hence, volatile oil from ginger could be used as an effective skin-whitening agent applied in food industry.

[A new C21 steroidal saponins from Periplocae Cortex].

To study the chemical constituents of Periplocae Cortex, the separation and purification of 70% alcohol extract were carried out by column chromatographies on AB-8 macroporous resin, silica gel and preparative HPLC. The structure of the compounds were identified by NMR and TOF-MS. A new compound was isolated and identified as 21-O-methyl-Δ5-pregnene-3ß, 14ß, 17ß, 21-tetraol-20-one-3-O-ß-D-oleandropyranosyl(1-->4)-ß-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-ß-D-cymaropyranosyl (1), named as periplocoside P.

Identification of multiple constituents in Chinese medicinal prescription Shensong Yangxin capsule by ultra-fast liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A practical method using ultra-fast liquid chromatography in tandem with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with dynamic background subtraction technology was developed for the rapid separation and identification of the complicated constituents in the Shensong Yangxin capsule (SSYX). The chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 2.6 µm) with a gradient elution program using methanol and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL min(-1). Accurate mass measurements of the molecular ions in the full scan and the characteristic fragment ions triggered by information-dependent acquisition provided reliable identification criteria. Thus, 99 compounds, including saponins, phenolic acids, tanshinones, lignans, terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids, were unambiguously or tentatively identified in 40 min by comparing their retention times and accurate mass measurements for each molecular ion and its subsequent fragment ions with those of authentic standards or literature data. Simultaneously, all the compounds were further assigned to the individual raw materials. In conclusion, these results will provide a basis for quality control and further study of SSYX, and the proposed technique based on high-resolution mass spectrometry would be expected to be adaptable to the analysis of complicated constituents in various complex matrices.

[Determination of twelve active compounds in Qili Qiangxin capsules by UPLC-MS].

In order to establish an UPLC-MS method for determination of twelve active compounds in Qili Qiangxin capsules including astragaloside, calycosin-7-0-glucoside, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rf, periplocin, periplocoside H1, hesperidin, narirutin, isoquercitrin, the chromatographic separations were performedon a Phenomenex UPLC Kinetex C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 2.6 microm) with gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acidat a flow rate of 0.4 mL x min(-1). The temperature was set as 40 degrees C and injection volume was 5 microL. The monitoring of all analytes was achieved under the negative ionization mode with TOF-MS and TOF-MS/MS method. The twelve analytes showed good linearity (R2 > 0.9990) within the test ranges, the average recoveries were 98.0%-102%, respectively, and the RSD were less than 3.9%, respectively. The established method is simple, rapid, and sensitive, and can be used for quality control of Qili Qiangxin capsules.

[Synthesis and characterization of 9-O-alkyl substituted palmatine derivatives].

For the establishment of chemical library of protoberberines provided for the bio-activity screening, the target compounds were synthesized by thermal degradation and nucleophilic substitution reactions with the bio-active alkaloid, palmatine (1), as the raw material, and their structures were identified and conformed by 1H-NMR and MS spectra. Among them, 13 compounds were new.

Studies on excretion kinetics of ten constituents in rat urine after oral administration of Shensong Yangxin Capsule by UPLC-MS/MS.

A rapid and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of 10 major active constituents in rat urine after oral administration of Shensong Yangxin Capsule (SSYX) using diazepam as an internal standard (IS). The urine samples were pretreated and extracted by solid-phase extraction prior to UPLC. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters C18 (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 µm) column using a gradient elution program with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Detection and quantitation were accomplished by a hybrid quadrupole mass spectrometer using electrospray ionization source and multiple reaction monitoring in the positive ionization mode. The mass transition ion-pairs (m/z) for quantitation were all optimized and the total run time was 4.50 min. The specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effect and stabilities were all validated for the analytes in urine samples. The validation results indicated that this method was simple, rapid, specific and reliable. The proposed method was successfully applied to investigate the urinary excretion kinetics of 10 compounds in rat after oral administration of SSYX.

Three new monoterpene glycosides from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora.

Three new monoterpene glycosides, 2'-O-benzoylpaeoniflorin, albiflorin R2, and albiflorin R3 (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic means including one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression through 5'-AMP activated protein kinase/Surtuin 1-Krüpple like factor 2 pathway and modulate blood pressure in ouabain induced hypertensive rats.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE) belonging to polyphenols, possess various biological effects including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-atherosclerosis, etc. GSPE is potential in regulating endothelial function. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear yet. In this study, by small interfering RNA (siRNA) knocking down, we proved that GSPE increase endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in human umbilical vessel cells (HUVECs) in vitro, which was attributed to its transcription factor Krüpple like factor 2 (KLF2) induction. Furthermore, GSPE activate 5'-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increase surtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein level, critical for KLF2 induction. We also illuminated the role of GSPE in hypertension treatment. By chronic administration of GSPE in ouabain induced hypertensive rats model, we access the effect of GSPE on blood pressure regulation and the possible mechanisms involved. After 5 weeks feeding, GSPE significantly block the ouabain induced blood pressure increase. The aortic NO production impaired by ouabain was improved. In conclusion, GSPE increase eNOS expression and NO production in an AMPK/SIRT1 dependent manner through KLF2 induction, and attenuate ouabain induced hypertension.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract alleviates ouabain-induced vascular remodeling through regulation of endothelial function.

Recent studies indicate that chronic ouabain treatment leads to hypertension and hypertensive vascular remodeling. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has been reported to be effective in treating arteriosclerosis, while little is known about its effect on systolic blood pressure and vascular remodeling. In this study, the effects of GSPE on systolic blood pressure and vascular remodeling were analyzed by treating ouabain-induced hypertensive rats with GSPE (250 mg/kg·d). The expression of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in thoracic aorta was examined by ELISA; the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-ß1 were detected using real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that the systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased following treatment with GSPE, with blocked vascular remodeling. The ET-1 content was reduced while NO production was increased in the GSPE group, which showed improved vascular endothelial function. Moreover, GSPE also reduced TGF-ß1 expression in the thoracic aorta, which is a determinant in vascular remodeling. In conclusion, GSPE antagonized ouabain-induced hypertension and vascular remodeling and is recommended as a potential anti-hypertensive agent for patients with hypertensive vascular diseases.

[Study on separation and analysis of anticoagulant compounds for anticoagulant activity in vitro on mixture of peptide from pepsin enzymolysis of centipede].

OBJECTIVE: To separate anticoagulant components from the pepsin enzymolysis of centipede by gel filtration and reverse-phase C18 chromatography, and to detect the distribution range of their molecular mass. METHOD: Cingula and 280 nm ultraviolet spectrometry were used to detect and collect the chromatographic solutions. The components' anticoagulant activity in vitro was detected with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) as the index, and the molecular mass range of the active composition was detected by MALDI-TOF-MS. RESULT: Anticoagulant active compounds were produced by gel filtration and reverse-phase C18 chromatography. The distribution range of relative molecular mass was determined to be from 597 to 1 146. CONCLUSION: Gel filtration and reverse-phase C18 chromatography are feasible for separating and purifying the pepsin enzymolysis of Centipede. The anticoagulant active compounds are oligopeptides.

[Protective effect of Qihuang Mingmu capsule on retina of diabetic mice and its impact on VEGF expression].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of Qihuang Mingmu capsule (QHMM) on retina of diabetic mice and its impact on VEGF expression. METHOD: Forty KK/Upj-Ay mice were randomly divided into the model group and high, middle and low dose QHMM (8.32, 4.16, 2.08 g x kg(-1)) groups. Additional 10 C57BL/6 mice were selected as the control group. Mice were orally administered for three months. Their general appearance, fasting blood-glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were observed. Pathological changes of retina were observed by light microscope and electron microscope. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), growth factor receptors-1 (Flt-1) and growth factor receptors-2 (Flk-1) were examined by Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot. RESULT: QHMM could ameliorate the symptoms of diabetic mice to varying degrees, decrease FBG and HbA1c, alleviate pathological lesions of retina and decrease the expressions of VEGF, Flt-1, Flk-1 mRNA and protein. CONCLUSION: QHMM has the protective effect on diabetic retinopathy of mice by inhibiting the expressions of VEGF, Flt-1 and Flk-1 and intervening VEGF-VEGFR signal transduction pathway.

Tentative identification of new metabolites of epimedin C by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Epimedin C is one of the major bioactive constituents of Herba Epimedii. The aim of this study is to characterize and elucidate the structure of metabolites in the rat after administration of epimedin C. Metabolite identification was performed using a predictive multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion (pMRM-IDA-EPI) scan in positive ion mode on a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer. A total of 18 metabolites were characterized by the changes in their protonated molecular masses, their MS/MS spectrum and their retention times compared with those of the parent drug. The results reveal possible metabolite profiles of epimedin C in rats; the metabolic pathways including hydrolysis, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, demethylation and conjugation with glucuronic acid and different sugars were observed. This study provides a practical approach for rapidly identifying complicated metabolites, a methodology that could be widely applied for the structural characterization of metabolites of other compounds.

Studies on target tissue distribution of ginsenosides and epimedium flavonoids in rats after intravenous administration of Jiweiling freeze-dried powder.

A simple and rapid liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was developed and validated for analysis of ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, icariin and epimedin A, B, C in rat target tissues (spinal cord, brain, muscle and sciatic nerve) after intravenous administration of Jiweiling freeze-dried powder using genistein as an internal standard (IS). The tissue samples were treated by protein precipitation with methanol prior to HPLC and chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column utilizing a gradient elution program with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous. Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was employed and the 11 analytes and IS were detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning under the negative ionization mode. Higher sensitivity was achieved and the optimized mass transition ion-pairs (m/z) for quantitation were selected. The calibration curves were linear over the investigated concentration ranges with correlation coefficients higher than 0.995. The intra- and inter-day RSDs were all less than 10% with the relative error (RE) within ± 9.3%. The mean extraction recoveries for all compounds were between 93.3 and 106%. The proposed method was successfully applied to investigate the target tissue distribution of the 11 compounds in rat after intravenous administration of Jiweiling freeze-dried powder.

[Simultaneous determination of ginsenosides and epimedium flavonoids in rat urine by HPLC-UV-ELSD].

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a HPLC-UV-ELSD method for the simultaneous determination of ginsenosides and epimedium flavonoids in rat urine after intravenous administration of Jiweiling freeze-dried powder. METHOD: Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 HPLC column, with gradient elution of acetonitrile and water as mobile phase. An UV detector was used at detection wavelength of 220 nm. An evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) was used at drift tube temperature of 80 degrees C and gas pressure of 172.4 kPa. RESULT: The calibration curves were linear over the investigated concentration ranges with all correlation coefficients higher than 0.998. The a intra- and inter-day RSD were less than 9.1% and the relative errors were verage extraction recoveries for all compounds were between 88.67% and 101.2%. The within the range of -11.58% to 10.89%. CONCLUSION: The proposed method showed appropriate accuracy and selectivity and was successfully applied to the rat urine samples analysis of saponins and flavonoids after intravenous administration of Jiweiling freeze-dried powder, which may provide some references to the apprehension of the action mechanism and clinical application.

[The endothelium injuries caused by homocysteine and treatmental effects of Tongxinluo powder].

AIM: To observe the effect of homocysteine (HCY) on the function of endothelium cell, and to discuss the possible mechanisms that Tongxinluo super powder affected. METHODS: Healthy male Wistar rats were divided into randomly the control group, the model group, the Tongxinluo group. The effect of Ach on isolated rat thoracic aorta in vitro was examined, the microcirculation was observed by microcirculation meter, the activity of SOD and GSH-PX and content of NO, MDA, ET, Ang II, TXA2, PGI2 was detected. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the effect of Ach on isolated rat thoracic aorta in vitro weakened markablely (P < 0.01), the format and percentage that capillary dilated declined significantly (P < 0.05), after treatment with Tongxinluo powder, the effect of Ach on isolated rat thoracic aorta in vitro was improved obviously (p < 0.01), and the format and percentage that capillary dilated were increased compared with model group; comparing with the control group, the level of Ang II and ET, TXA2 in plasm increased obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the content of PGI2 depressed manifestly (P < 0.05), at the same time, both content of NO and activity of SOD, (GSH-PX declined obviously (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). After treatment with Tongxinluo powder, the level of ET, AngII and TXA2 reduced significantly in different degree (P < 0.01), while the content of PGI2 appeared stepping up notably (P < 0.01), and both activity of SOD and NO level increased obviously (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: (1) The high homocystein might cause the contracted and dilated function decreased, it might get involved in endothelium disfunction as a result of the massive free radicals production and diastolic-contract factors balance disorder induced by high homocystein. (2) Tongxinluo powder could improve the function of endothelium-dependment dilation induced by high homocystein, that associated with inhibitting the excessive production of free radicals, and improved function of endothelium.

[Research on mineralization process of organic phosphorus in black soil in Northeast China].

Buried bag and incubation experiments were conducted to study mineralization process of organic phosphorus in black soil in Northeast China under different time sequences. The results showed that both the content and mineralized velocity of organic P decreased gradually as time went on, the cumulative mineralized rate increased step by step, whether it was used by the method of incubation or buried bag. Under incubation, two treatments' mineralized velocity reached the maximum at first month (31.67, 38.75 mg x kg(-1) x month(-1), respectively), and their cumulative mineralized rate and mineralized velocity at six months were 7.94%, 13.26 mg x kg(-1) x month(-1) and 9.24%, 17.99 mg x kg(-1) x month(-1), respectively. Under buried bag, the mineralized velocity of five treatments all reached the maximum at first year (55.67, 55.65, 49.60, 19.71, 22.52 mg x kg(-1) month(-1), respectively), and the cumulative mineralized rate and mineralized velocity of maize root and wheat root treatments at three years both were approximately 50% and 35 mg x kg(-1) x month(-1), which were higher than those under soybean root andgrass root treatments. From two methods of studies on the mineralization process of organic P, it could be seen that the original content of organic P influenced its mineralized rate and mineralized velocity: the higher of the original content of organic P, the higher of its mineralized rate and mineralized velocity.

[Relationships between water-stable aggregates and nutrient status in black soil after reclamation].

The study on the dynamics of water-stable aggregates in black soil after reclamation and its relation to soil nutrient status showed that the contents of soil water-stable aggregates decreased significantly at initial reclamation stage, but the declining became small with time. > 0.25 mm water-stable aggregates had a significant correlation with soil organic C, total N, total P and CEC, the correlation coefficients being 0.7625, 0.6794, 0.6084 and 0.8134, respectively, and also had a significant correlation with soil exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, Na. A closer relationship of the aggregates was found with soil organic C and CEC than with other fertility properties, while no evident correlation existed between the aggregates and soil total K, available P, available K and slow-release K. In order to maintain a good aggregate structure of black soil, it is of most importance to concern a proper balance of soil organic C.