Korean Red Ginseng Improves Astrocytic Mitochondrial Function by Upregulating HO-1-Mediated AMPKα-PGC-1α-ERRα Circuit after Traumatic Brain Injury.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) exerts beneficial effects, including angiogenesis and energy metabolism via the peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)-estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) pathway in astrocytes. However, the role of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) in HO-1-mediated mitochondrial function in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not well-elucidated. We found that HO-1 was upregulated in astrocytes located in peri-injured brain regions after a TBI, following exposure to KRGE. Experiments with pharmacological inhibitors and target-specific siRNAs revealed that HO-1 levels highly correlated with increased AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) activation, which led to the PGC-1α-ERRα axis-induced increases in mitochondrial functions (detected based on expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (MTCO2) and cytochrome c as well as O2 consumption and ATP production). Knockdown of ERRα significantly reduced the p-AMPKα/AMPKα ratio and PGC-1α expression, leading to AMPKα-PGC-1α-ERRα circuit formation. Inactivation of HO by injecting the HO inhibitor Sn(IV) protoporphyrin IX dichloride diminished the expression of p-AMPKα, PGC-1α, ERRα, MTCO2, and cytochrome c in the KRGE-administered peri-injured region of a brain subjected to TBI. These data suggest that KRGE enhanced astrocytic mitochondrial function via a HO-1-mediated AMPKα-PGC-1α-ERRα circuit and consequent oxidative phosphorylation, O2 consumption, and ATP production. This circuit may play an important role in repairing neurovascular function after TBI in the peri-injured region by stimulating astrocytic mitochondrial biogenesis.

Ficus erecta Thunb. Leaves Ameliorate Cognitive Deficit and Neuronal Damage in a Mouse Model of Amyloid-ß-Induced Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis is linked to amyloid plaque accumulation, neuronal loss, and brain inflammation. Ficus erecta Thunb. is a food and medicinal plant used to treat inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of F. erecta Thunb. against cognitive deficit and neuronal damage in a mouse model of amyloid-ß (Aß)-induced AD. First, we confirmed the inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts of F. erecta (EEFE) leaves on Aß aggregation in vivo and in vitro. Next, behavioral tests (passive avoidance task and Morris water maze test) revealed EEFE markedly improved cognitive impairment in Aß-injected mice. Furthermore, EEFE reduced neuronal loss and the expression of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), a neuronal marker, in brain tissues of Aß-injected mice. EEFE significantly reversed Aß-induced suppression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, indicating neuroprotection was mediated by the CREB/BDNF signaling. Moreover, EEFE significantly suppressed the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and expression of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), a marker of microglial activation, in brain tissues of Aß-injected mice, suggesting anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Taken together, EEFE protects against cognitive deficit and neuronal damage in AD-like mice via activation of the CREB/BDNF signaling and upregulation of the inflammatory cytokines.

Content Analysis of Korean Videos Regarding Restless Legs Syndrome on YouTube.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy and quality of Korean videos associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) on YouTube. METHODS: A YouTube search was performed on April 1, 2020 using the term "restless legs syndrome" in the Korean language. Two reviewers coded the source, content, and demographics of the included videos. Video quality was assessed using the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) instrument. RESULTS: Among the 80 videos analyzed, 44 (55.0%) were reliable, and 36 (45.0%) were misleading. There was a trend toward a higher number of mean daily views in the misleading videos than in the reliable videos. Most of the misleading videos (72.2%) advocated complementary and alternative medicine as a primary treatment for RLS. Although the reliable videos had higher mDISCERN scores than the misleading videos, the overall quality of the reliable videos was low. CONCLUSION: Many Korean videos regarding RLS on YouTube involve a risk of exposure to misinformation and are of unsatisfactory quality.

Ficus erecta Thunb Leaves Alleviate Memory Loss Induced by Scopolamine in Mice via Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Cholinergic System.

We examined the neuropharmacological effects of ethanol extract of Ficus erecta Thunb leaves (EEFE) on cognitive dysfunction in a scopolamine (SCO)-induced memory impairment animal model. Memory impairment was measured using the Y-maze test and passive avoidance task (PAT). For 19 days, EEFE (100 or 200 mg/kg) was treated through oral administration. Treatment with EEFE ameliorated memory impairment in behavioral tests, along with significant protection from neuronal oxidative stress and neuronal cell loss in the brain tissues of SCO-injected mice. Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of EEFE were further confirmed using in vitro assays. Our findings indicate that the mechanisms of neuroprotection and antioxidation of EEFE are regulated by the cholinergic system, promotion of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, and the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 signaling activation. The current study proposes that EEFE could be an encouraging plant resource and serve as a potent neuropharmacological drug candidate against neurodegenerative diseases.

POCU1b, the n-Butanol Soluble Fraction of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, Attenuates Obesity, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver, and Insulin Resistance via Inhibitions of Pancreatic Lipase, cAMP-Dependent PDE Activity, AMPK Activation, and SOCS-3 Suppression.

This study investigated the effects of the n-BuOH soluble fraction of Polygoni Cuspidati 80% ethanol extract (POCU1b) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), and insulin resistance (IR) to find a safe and more effective agent. HPLC profiling of POCU1b identified seven marker compounds. POCU1b increased glycerol release, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, and inhibited phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. Seven weeks of POCU1b treatment decreased body weight gain, weight and adipocyte size in fat tissues, serum lipids, and triglyceride and lipid droplets in the livers of HFD-fed rats. POCU1b improved blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and impaired insulin secretion in the pancreas. Further, POCU1b ameliorated adiponectin, leptin, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, increased AMPK and p-ACC expression, activated CPT-1 activity, and suppressed FAS mRNA, SOCS-3 protein expression, and NF-κB DNA-binding activity. When compared with the Xenical®-treated group, a positive group, the action of POCU1b on body weight was more effective than that of Xenical. POCU1b did not show side effects, such as oily spotting and loss of appetite. These results suggest that POCU1b possesses therapeutic or preventive potential for obesity, NAFL and IR via inhibitions of pancreatic lipase and cAMP-dependent PDE activity, AMPK activation, and SOCS-3 suppression, without oily spotting and loss of appetite.

Characteristics of the completed chloroplast genome sequence of Xanthium spinosum: comparative analyses, identification of mutational hotspots and phylogenetic implications.

BACKGROUND: The invasive species Xanthium spinosum has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for many years. Unfortunately, no extensive molecular studies of this plant have been conducted. RESULTS: Here, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of X. spinosum was assembled and analyzed. The cp genome of X. spinosum was 152,422 base pairs (bp) in length, with a quadripartite circular structure. The cp genome contained 115 unique genes, including 80 PCGs, 31 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Comparative analyses revealed that X. spinosum contains a large number of repeats (999 repeats) and 701 SSRs in its cp genome. Fourteen divergences (Π > 0.03) were found in the intergenic spacer regions. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Parthenium is a sister clade to both Xanthium and Ambrosia and an early-diverging lineage of subtribe Ambrosiinae, although this finding was supported with a very weak bootstrap value. CONCLUSION: The identified hotspot regions could be used as molecular markers for resolving phylogenetic relationships and species identification in the genus Xanthium.

Osteomeles schwerinae Extract and Its Major Compounds Inhibit Methylglyoxal-Induced Apoptosis in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

The accumulation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are related to diabetes and age-related disease. Osteomeles schwerinae C. K. Schneid. (Rosaceae, OSSC) is used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases in Asia. Previous studies have shown that OSSC elicits preventive effects in an in vivo model of diabetes. This study was to evaluate the antiapoptotic effects of dried leaves and twigs of OSSC extract and its major compounds in ARPE-19 cells-spontaneously arising human retinal pigment epithelial cells-under diabetic conditions. To examine the effects of an OSSC extract and its active compounds (acetylvitexin, hyperoside and quercitrin) on apoptosis in methylglyoxal (MG, the active precursor in the formation of AGEs)-treated ARPE-19 cells and the mechanism by which these effects occur, apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry analysis. Protein expression levels of phospho-p53 (p-p53), Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by western blot analyses. The OSSC extract inhibited apoptosis in MG-treated ARPE-19 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The major compounds also reduced the rate of apoptosis. Both the extract and major compounds also inhibited the expression of p-p53 and Bax and increased the levels of Bcl-2 that had been previously reduced by MG treatment. The OSSC extract (0.1 µg/mL) and its major compounds (0.01 µM) attenuated apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells under toxic diabetic conditions by downregulating of expression of p-p53 and Bax. OSSC may serve as an alternative therapy to retard the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Elaeagnus glabra f. oxyphylla Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairments in Mice by Improving Cholinergic Transmission via Activation of CREB/NGF Signaling.

We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of an Elaeagnus glabra f. oxyphylla (EGFO) ethanol extract in mice with scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction. Fifty male mice were randomly divided into a normal control group, a scopolamine-treated group, a scopolamine and EGFO extract-treated group, and a scopolamine and tacrine-treated group. EGFO (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) was received for 21 days. Step-through passive avoidance and Y-maze tests were performed to examine the effects of treatment on learning and memory impairments. Acetylcholine (Ach) levels and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity were measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), nerve growth factor (NGF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and apoptosis-related protein expression were determined via Western blot analysis. EGFO pretreatment significantly attenuated scopolamine-induced memory impairments, relative to findings observed in the scopolamine-treated group. Levels of cholinergic factors in the brain tissues were markedly attenuated in the scopolamine-treated group. EGFO treatment also attenuated neural apoptosis in scopolamine-treated mice by decreasing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax, Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3, and TUNEL staining. These results suggest that EGFO improves memory and cognition in a mouse model of memory impairment by restoring cholinergic and anti-apoptotic activity, possibly via activation of CREB/NGF signaling.

The newly developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for a potentially medicinal plant, Crepidiastrum denticulatum (Asteraceae), inferred from complete chloroplast genome data.

Medicinal effects of Crepidiastrum denticulatum have been previously reported. However, the genomic resources of this species and its applications have not been studied. In this study, based on the next generation sequencing method (Miseq sequencing system), we characterize the chloroplast genome of C. denticulatum which contains a large single copy (84,112 bp) and a small single copy (18,519 bp), separated by two inverted repeat regions (25,074 bp). This genome consists of 80 protein-coding gene, 30 tRNAs, and four rRNAs. Notably, the trnT_GGU is pseudogenized because of a small insertion within the coding region. Comparative genomic analysis reveals a high similarity among Asteraceae taxa. However, the junctions between LSC, SSC, and IRs locate in different positions within rps19 and ycf1 among examined species. Also, we describe a newly developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker for C. denticulatum based on amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS) technique. The markers, inferred from SNP in rbcL and matK genes, show effectiveness to recognize C. denticulatum from other related taxa through simple PCR protocol. The chloroplast genome-based molecular markers are effective to distinguish a potentially medicinal species, C. denticulatum, from other related taxa. Additionally, the complete chloroplast genome of C. denticulatum provides initial genomic data for further studies on phylogenomics, population genetics, and evolutionary history of Crepidiastrum as well as other taxa in Asteraceae.

Improvement in Diabetic Retinopathy through Protection against Retinal Apoptosis in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Rats Mediated by Ethanol Extract of Osteomeles schwerinae C.K. Schneid.

Retinal apoptosis plays a critical role in the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a common diabetic complication. Currently, the tight control of blood glucose levels is the standard approach to prevent or delay the progression of DR. However, prevalence of DR among diabetic patients remains high. Focusing on natural nutrients or herbal medicines that can prevent or delay the onset of diabetic complications, we administered an ethanol extract of the aerial portion of Osteomeles schwerinae (OSSCE), a Chinese herbal medicine, over a period of 17 weeks to spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) rats. OSSCE was found to ameliorate retinal apoptosis through the regulation of advanced glycation end product (AGE) accumulation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function via the inhibition of NF-κB activity, in turn, through the downregulation of PKCδ, P47phox, and ERK1/2. We further demonstrated in 25 mM glucose-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) that hyperoside (3-O-galactoside-quercetin), quercitrin (3-O-rhamnoside-quercetin), and 2″-O-acetylvitexin (8-C-(2″-O-acetyl-glucoside)-apigenin) were the active components of OSSCE that mediated its pharmacological action. Our results provide evidence that OSSCE is a powerful agent that may directly mediate a delay in the development or disease improvement in patients of DR.

Autophagy Activation by Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract Attenuates Environmental Pollutant-Induced Damage in Dermal Fibroblasts.

Pollution-induced skin damage results in oxidative stress; cellular toxicity; inflammation; and, ultimately, premature skin aging. Previous studies suggest that the activation of autophagy can protect oxidation-induced cellular damage and aging-like changes in skin. In order to develop new anti-pollution ingredients, this study screened various kinds of natural extracts to measure their autophagy activation efficacy in cultured dermal fibroblast. The stimulation of autophagy flux by the selected extracts was further confirmed both by the expression of proteins associated with the autophagy signals and by electron microscope. Crepidiastrum denticulatum (CD) extract treated cells showed the highest autophagic vacuole formation in the non-cytotoxic range. The phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK), but not the inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), was observed by CD-extract treatment. Its anti-pollution effects were further evaluated with model compounds, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and a CD extract treatment resulted in both the protection of cytotoxicity and a reduction of proinflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that the autophagy activators can be a new protection regimen for anti-pollution. Therefore, CD extract can be used for anti-inflammatory and anti-pollution cosmetic ingredients.

Molecular Phylogeny and Dating of Forsythieae (Oleaceae) Provide Insight into the Miocene History of Eurasian Temperate Shrubs.

Tribe Forsythieae (Oleaceae), containing two genera (Abeliophyllum and Forsythia) and 13 species, is economically important plants used as ornamentals and in traditional medicine. This tribe species occur primarily in mountainous regions of Eurasia with the highest species diversity in East Asia. Here, we examine 11 complete chloroplast genome and nuclear cycloidea2 (cyc2) DNA sequences of 10 Forsythia species and Abeliophyllum distichum using Illumina platform to provide the phylogeny and biogeographic history of the tribe. The chloroplast genomes of the 11 Forsythieae species are highly conserved, except for a deletion of about 400 bp in the accD-psaI region detected only in Abeliophyllum. Within Forsythieae species, analysis of repetitive sequences revealed a total of 51 repeats comprising 26 forward repeats, 22 palindromic repeats, and 3 reverse repeats. Of those, 19 repeats were common and 32 were unique to one or more Forsythieae species. Our phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of Forsythia and its sister group is Abeliophyllum using the concatenated dataset of 78 chloroplast genes. Within Forsythia, Forsythia likiangensis and F. giraldiana were basal lineages followed by F. europaea; the three species are characterized by minutely serrate or entire leaf margins. The remaining species, which are distributed in East Asia, formed two major clades. One clade included F. ovata, F. velutina, and F. japonica; they are morphologically supported by broadly ovate leaves. Another clade of F. suspensa, F. saxatilis, F. viridissima, and F. koreana characterized by lanceolate leaves (except F. suspensa which have broad ovate leaves). Although cyc2 phylogeny is largely congruent to chloroplast genome phylogeny, we find the discordance between two phylogenies in the position of F. ovata suggesting that introgression of the chloroplast genome from one species into the nuclear background of another by interspecific hybridization in East Asian Forsythia species. Molecular dating and biogeographic reconstructions suggest an origin of the Forsythieae species in East China in the Miocene. Distribution patterns in Forsythia indicated that the species were radially differentiated from East China, and the speciation of the European F. europaea was the result of both vicariance and dispersal in the late Miocene to Pliocene.

Flavonoids from Litsea japonica Inhibit AGEs Formation and Rat Lense Aldose Reductase In Vitro and Vessel Dilation in Zebrafish.

In our ongoing efforts to identify effective naturally sourced agents for the treating of diabetic complications, two new (1 and 2) and 11 known phenolic compounds (3-13) were isolated from an 80 % ethanol extract of Litsea japonica leaves. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic and chemical studies. These isolates (1-13) were subjected to an in vitro bioassay evaluating their inhibitory activity on advanced glycation end products formation and rat lens aldose reductase activity. Of the compounds evaluated, the flavonoids (3, 4, 6-8, 11, and 12) markedly inhibited advanced glycation end products formation, with IC50 values of 7.4-72.0 µM, compared with the positive control, aminoguanidine (IC50 = 975.9 µM). In the rat lens aldose reductase assay, consistent with the inhibition of advanced glycation end products formation, the flavonoids (3, 4, 6-8, 11, and 12) exhibited considerable inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase activity, with IC50 values of 1.1-12.5 µM. In addition, the effects of kaempferol (4) and tiliroside (7) on the dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels induced by high glucose in larval zebrafish were investigated. Only kaempferol significantly reduced the diameters of high glucose-induced hyaloid-retinal vessels, by 52.2 % at 10 µM, compared with those in the high glucose-treated control group.

The complete chloroplast genome of colchicine plants (Colchicum autumnale L. and Gloriosa superba L.) and its application for identifying the genus.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The complete chloroplast genome of two colchicine medicinal plants is reported for the first time. Deletion of ycf 15 gene occurred only in Colchicum but not in Gloriosa and suggests this as a potential marker for delineating the two species. Colchicum autumnale L. and Gloriosa superba L. are well-known sources of colchicine, a type of alkaloid and an ancient anti-inflammatory drug used to prevent gout. Accordingly, this alkaloid has been used as a chemical marker for identifying the expanded Colchicaceae family. In the present study, we report the complete chloroplast genome (cpDNA) sequence of two colchicine medicinal plants (G. superba and C. autumnale) that belong to the tribe Colchiceae of the Colchicaceae family. In C. autumnale, the circular double-stranded cpDNA sequence of 156,462 bp consists of two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 27,741 bp each, a large single-copy region (LSC) of 84,246 bp, and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 16,734 bp. The cpDNA sequence of G. superba is longer than that of C. autumnale (157,924 bp), which consists of two IRs (28,063 bp), an SSC (16,786 bp), and an LSC (85,012 bp). Significant structural differences between them were observed in the ycf15 gene. ycf15 gene was absent from C. autumnale cpDNA and affected the length of the chloroplast genome between the species. Furthermore, this gene loss event was specific to the expanded genus of Colchicum sensu Vinnersten and Manning. Therefore, this gene may be an effective and powerful molecular marker for identifying the Colchicum genus within the family.

Lignans from the stems and leaves of Brandisia hancei and their effects on VEGF-induced vascular permeability and migration of HRECs and DLAV formation in zebrafish.

In our continuing search for novel antiangiogenic agents, a new lignan glycoside, (7R,8R)-1-(4-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-{2-methoxy-4-[1-(E)-propene-3-ol]-phenoxyl}-propane-1,3-diol (1), along with three known lignans (2-4), were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of Brandisia hancei stems and leaves. These isolates (1-4) were subjected to an in vitro bioassay to evaluate their effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced vascular permeability and migration of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs). Of the compounds tested, compound 1 resulted in the greatest reduction in VEGF-induced vascular permeability by about 31.5% at 10 µM compared to the VEGF-treated control. In the migration assay, compounds 1 and 2 significantly decreased VEGF-induced HREC migration. Furthermore, zebrafish embryos treated with compounds 1 and 2 showed mild reductions of dorsal longitudinal anastomotic vessel (DLAV) formation.

Caffeoylated phenylpropanoid glycosides from Brandisia hancei inhibit advanced glycation end product formation and aldose reductase in vitro and vessel dilation in larval zebrafish in vivo.

In our continuing efforts to identify effective naturally sourced agents for diabetic complications, five caffeoylated phenylpropanoid glycosides, acteoside (1), isoacteoside (2), poliumoside (3), brandioside (4), and pheliposide (5) were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of Brandisia hancei stems and leaves. These isolates (1-5) were subjected to an in vitro bioassay evaluating their inhibitory activity on advanced glycation end product formation and rat lens aldose reductase activity. All tested compounds exhibited significant inhibition of advanced glycation end product formation with IC50 values of 4.6-25.7 µM, compared with those of aminoguanidine (IC50=1,056 µM) and quercetin (IC50=28.4 µM) as positive controls. In the rat lens aldose reductase assay, acteoside, isoacteoside, and poliumoside exhibited greater inhibitory effects on rat lens aldose reductase with IC50 values of 0.83, 0.83, and 0.85 µM, respectively, than those of the positive controls, 3,3-tetramethyleneglutaric acid (IC50=4.03 µM) and quercetin (IC50=7.2 µM). In addition, the effect of acteoside on the dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels induced by high glucose in larval zebrafish was investigated. Acteoside reduced the diameters of high glucose-induced hyaloid-retinal vessels by 69% at 10 µM and 81% at 20 µM, compared to the high glucose-treated control group. These results suggest that B. hancei and its active components might be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of diabetic vascular complications.

Proanthocyanidins from Spenceria ramalana and their effects on AGE formation in vitro and hyaloid-retinal vessel dilation in larval zebrafish in vivo.

Three new A-type proanthocyanidins (1-3), ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-afzelechin 3'-O-ß-D-glycopyranoside (1), ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-afzelechin (2), and ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-epicatechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-ent-afzelechin (3), and three known compounds (4-6) were isolated from the whole plant of Spenceria ramalana. The structures of the new proanthocyanidins were established by spectroscopic and chemical studies. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1-6 on the formation of advanced glycation end products were examined in vitro. Compounds 3 and 6 showed the strongest inhibition, with IC50 values of 17.4 ± 0.5 and 14.1 ± 1.6 µM, respectively. The effects of these isolates on the dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels induced by high glucose (HG) in larval zebrafish were also investigated. Compound 3 reduced the dilation of HG-induced hyaloid-retinal vessels most effectively. This compound reduced the diameters of HG-induced hyaloid-retinal vessels by about 157.7% and 164.1% at 10 and 20 µM, respectively, versus the HG-treated control group.

Comparative genomics of four Liliales families inferred from the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Veratrum patulum O. Loes. (Melanthiaceae).

The sequence of the chloroplast genome, which is inherited maternally, contains useful information for many scientific fields such as plant systematics, biogeography and biotechnology because its characteristics are highly conserved among species. There is an increase in chloroplast genomes of angiosperms that have been sequenced in recent years. In this study, the nucleotide sequence of the chloroplast genome (cpDNA) of Veratrum patulum Loes. (Melanthiaceae, Liliales) was analyzed completely. The circular double-stranded DNA of 153,699 bp consists of two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,360 bp each, a large single copy of 83,372 bp, and a small single copy of 17,607 bp. This plastome contains 81 protein-coding genes, 30 distinct tRNA and four genes of rRNA. In addition, there are six hypothetical coding regions (ycf1, ycf2, ycf3, ycf4, ycf15 and ycf68) and two open reading frames (ORF42 and ORF56), which are also found in the chloroplast genomes of the other species. The gene orders and gene contents of the V. patulum plastid genome are similar to that of Smilax china, Lilium longiflorum and Alstroemeria aurea, members of the Smilacaceae, Liliaceae and Alstroemeriaceae (Liliales), respectively. However, the loss rps16 exon 2 in V. patulum results in the difference in the large single copy regions in comparison with other species. The base substitution rate is quite similar among genes of these species. Additionally, the base substitution rate of inverted repeat region was smaller than that of single copy regions in all observed species of Liliales. The IR regions were expanded to trnH_GUG in V. patulum, a part of rps19 in L. longiflorum and A. aurea, and whole sequence of rps19 in S. china. Furthermore, the IGS lengths of rbcL-accD-psaI region were variable among Liliales species, suggesting that this region might be a hotspot of indel events and the informative site for phylogenetic studies in Liliales. In general, the whole chloroplast genome of V. patulum, a potential medicinal plant, will contribute to research on the genetic applications of this genus.

Identification of anti-HIV and anti-reverse transcriptase activity from Tetracera scandens.

We report here that an ethanol extract of Tetracera scandens, a Vietnamese medicinal plant, has anti-HIV activity and possesses strong inhibitory activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RTase). Using a MT-4 cell-based assay, we found that the T. scandens extract inhibited effectively HIV virus replication with an IC(50) value in the range of 2.0-2.5 µg/ml while the cellular toxicity value (CC50) was more than 40-50 µg/ml concentration, thus yielding a minimum specificity index of 20-fold. Moreover, the anti-HIV efficacy of the T. scandens extract was determined to be due, in part, to its potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 RTase activity in vitro. The inhibitory activity against the RTase was further confirmed by probing viral cDNA production, an intermediate of viral reverse transcription, in virus-infected cells using quantitative DNA-PCR analysis. Thus, these results suggest that T. scandens can be a useful source for the isolation and development of new anti- HIV-1 inhibitor(s). [BMB reports 2012; 45(3): 165-170].

The extract of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne inhibits EBV LMP1-induced NF-κB activation and the viability of EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection transforms B lymphocytes into proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). EBV latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is required for EBV-mediated B lymphocyte transformation, and LMP1-induced NF-κB activation is essential for LCL survival. To identify a novel inhibitor candidate for LMP1-induced NF-κB activation, crude ethanol extracts of medicinal plants were screened for the potential NF-κB inhibitory activity. Seventy percent ethanol extract of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne extract (CIE) strongly reduced LMP1-induced NF-κB activation. In addition, CIE inhibited LMP1-induced IKKα or IKKß activation. Interestingly, CIE treatment rapidly reduced LCL viability without exhibiting any adverse effects on the viability of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), EBV negative Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (BL41) or HeLa cells. Taken together, CIE has potent inhibitory effect on EBV LMP1-induced NF-κB activation and EBV-transformed LCL viability.