Formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii and their ATP-citrate lyase inhibitory activities.

Three new formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids, eumaidials A-C (1-3), were isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii, along with ten known analogues (4-13). Their chemical structures were determined by various spectral data and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Eumaidial A (1) is the first ß-caryophyllene-based formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids from the genus Eucalyptus. Compounds 1-4 and 10 exhibited ATP-citrate lyase inhibitory activities, and compounds 2 and 3 suppressed the hepatocyte lipogenesis.

A new class of potent liver injury protective compounds: Structural elucidation, total synthesis and bioactivity study.

A new class of potent liver injury protective compounds, phychetins A-D (1-4) featuring an unique 6/6/5/6/5 pentacyclic framework, were isolated and structurally characterized from a Chinese medicinal plant Phyllanthus franchetianus. Compounds 2-4 are three pairs of enantiomers that were initially obtained in a racemic manner, and were further separated by chiral HPLC preparation. Compounds 1-4 were proposed to be originated biosynthetically from a coexisting lignan via an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction as the key step. A bioinspired total synthesis strategy was thus designated, and allowed the effective syntheses of compounds 2-4 in high yields. Some of compounds exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities in vitro via suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß. Notably, compound 4, the most active enantiomeric pair in vitro, displayed prominent potent protecting activity against liver injury at a low dose of 3 mg/kg in mice, which could serve as a promising lead for the development of acute liver injury therapeutic agent.

The Protective Effect of Sheng Mai Yin on Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via NLRP3/Caspase-1 Pathway.

Sheng Mai Yin (SMY) has therapeutic effects on myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), and myocarditis. To study whether SMY can relieve pyroptosis and play a protective role in diabetic cardiomyopathy, a molecular docking technique was used to predict the possible mechanism of SMY against DCM. Then, a DCM rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), divided into 5 groups: the DM group (model), SMY-L group (2.7 mL/kg SMY), SMY-M group (5.4 mL/kg SMY), SMY-H group (10.8 mL/kg SMY), and Met group (120 mg/kg metformin). Rats in the CTL group (control) and DM group were given normal saline. After 8 weeks, the levels of blood glucose, lipids, and myocardial enzymes were detected according to the kit instructions. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. HE and Masson were used to observing the pathological changes, collagen deposition, and collagen volume fraction (CVF). The apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was determined by Tunel. The IL-1ß level was determined by ELISA and RT-PCR. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD were measured using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The docking results suggested that SMY may act on NLRP3 and its downstream signal pathway. The in vivo results showed that SMY could reduce blood glucose and lipid levels, improve heart function, improve histopathological changes and myocardial enzymes, and alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis. SMY inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD and IL-1ß production. SMY can reduce DCM by regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway, providing a new research direction for the treatment of DCM.

Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside exerts cardioprotective effects through NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway in ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.

Ventricular remodeling (VR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the main pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF). Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (KR) is the flavonoid glycoside with the highest content in Lu'an GuaPian tea, which has good pharmacological activities. However, the mechanism of KR against VR after AMI remains unclear. Molecular docking was used to predict the targets of KR on the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway. Histological changes in the myocardium were visualized using HE staining, Masson staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected using TUNEL. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD. IL-1ß level in serum was detected using ELISA. Finally, the expressions of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 p20, GSDMD, and IL-1ß were measured using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Our results showed that KR had a good binding activity with NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD, significantly improved cardiac function, alleviated cardiac pathological changes, reduced the excessive deposition of myocardial interstitial collagen, and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AMI rats. Furthermore, KR could decrease the IL-1ß level and inhibit the expressions of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 p20, GSDMD, and IL-1ß. Our study suggests that KR can prevent and treat VR after AMI, and the protective effect is related to its regulatory NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside is present in Carthamus tinctorius L., Nymphaea candida, Afgekia mahidoliae and green tea, which has good pharmacological activities against liver injury, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, dementia, hyperglycemia, and myocardial infarction. Our previous study found that kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside had an obvious anti-inflammatory effect, and could significantly improve the cell survival rate of H9c2 myocardium inflammatory injury induced by LPS. In this study, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside significantly improved cardiac function, alleviated cardiac pathological changes, reduced the excessive deposition of myocardial interstitial collagen, and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AMI rats. Furthermore, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside could decrease the IL-1ß level and inhibit the expressions of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD and IL-1ß, suggesting that kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside could regulate NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.

In vivo and in vitro protective effects of shengmai injection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

CONTEXT: Shengmai injection (SMI) has been used to treat heart failure. OBJECTIVE: This study determines the molecular mechanisms of SMI against cardiotoxicity caused by doxorubicin (DOX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo, DOX (15 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected in model, Dex (dexrazoxane), SMI-L (2.7 mL/kg), SMI-M (5.4 mL/kg), and SMI-H (10.8 mL/kg) for 7 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to evaluate histological changes, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis was identified using TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL). Enzymatic indexes were determined. mRNA and protein expressions were analysed through RT-qPCR and Western blotting. In vitro, H9c2 cells were divided into control group, model group (2 mL 1 µM DOX), SMI group, ML385 group, and SMI + ML385 group, the intervention lasted for 24 h. mRNA and protein expressions were analysed. RESULTS: SMI markedly improved cardiac pathology, decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, increased creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD). Compared with the model group, the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) (SMI-L: 2.42-fold, SMI-M: 2.67-fold, SMI-H: 3.07-fold) and haem oxygenase-1(HO-1) (SMI-L: 1.64-fold, SMI-M: 2.01-fold, SMI-H: 2.19-fold) was increased and the protein expression of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) (SMI-L: 0.90-fold, SMI-M: 0.77-fold, SMI-H: 0.66-fold) was decreased in SMI groups and Dex group in vivo. Additionally, SMI dramatically inhibited apoptosis, decreased CK, LDH and MDA levels, and enhanced SOD activity. Our results demonstrated that SMI reduced DOX-induced cardiotoxicity via activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a new mechanism by which SMI alleviates DOX-induced 45 cardiomyopathy by modulating the Nrf2/Keap1 signal pathway.

Two New Oleanane-Triterpenoid Saponins from Clinopodium gracile.

Two new oleanane-triterpenoid saponins, clinograsaponins A (1) and B (2), together with twelve known ones (3-14), were isolated from the whole herb of Clinopodium gracile (Bentham) Matsumura. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical method. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their activities against ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).

[Acupuncture intervention induced improvement of oxidative stress by regulating PKCß/P66shc signaling in obese diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli"(ST36)-"Sanyinjiao"(SP6) on glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance (IR) in obese diabetic rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of obesity diabetes. METHODS: SPF male rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, meridian-acupoint EA (acupoint), non-meridian non-acupoint EA (non-acupoint), and medication (metformin) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The diabetes model was established by feeding the rats with high-fat diet for 8 weeks. EA (1.5 mA, 10 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to unilateral ST36 and SP6 for 20 min, once daily (except Sundays) for 4 weeks. Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of metformin (300 mg/kg) once daily for 4 weeks (except Sundays). The body weight and length were measured and the Lee's index was calculated. The contents of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in the plasma were detected by using a full-automatic biochemical analyzer. The content of fasting serum insulin (FINS) was assayed by using radioimmunoassay, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured, and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by using xanthine oxidase method, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) by color method, serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity by indirect method, reactive oxygen species (ROS) by Dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) direct method, and the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitive index (ISI) were calculated. The expression levels of pancreatic tissue P66shc mRNA and PKCß mRNA were detected by using RT-PCR, and the histopathological changes of the liver and adipose tissues were observed after H.E. staining. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the Lee's index, levels of FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C, MDA, ROS, and P66shc mRNA and PKCß mRNA expressions were significantly increased (P<0.05，P<0.01), and ISI, HDL-C, SOD, GSH-Px significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the model group. After the interventions, the levels of Lee's index,levels of FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C, MDA, ROS, and expressions of P66shc mRNA and PKCß mRNA were remarkably down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and those of ISI, HDL-C, SOD, and GSH-Px up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in both EA and medication groups. H.E. staining showed many white adipocytes in the adipose tissue, radial and cord-like arrangement of liver cells, and many of them with vacuoles in the cytoplasm of small vesicular lipid droplets in the model group; and relative reduction of white adipocytes in number, smaller in cell body, and no obvious abnormal changes of structure and arrangement of liver cells in the EA and medication groups. CONCLUSION: EA of ST36 and SP6 can improve glucose and lipid metabolism and IR in obese diabetic rats, which may be related to its function in suppressing PKCß/P66shc signaling and oxidative stress.

Enantiomeric pairs of meroterpenoids from Rhododendron fastigiatum.

Five pairs of optically pure meroterpenoid enantiomers (1a/1b-5a/5b) and two known compounds (6 and 7) were isolated from Rhododendron fastigiatum. Compounds 1a/1b-5a/5b were resolved from naturally scalemic mixtures by chiral HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, X-ray crystallographic experiments, and ECD analyses. Compounds 1a/1b, 2a/2b, 3b, 4a/4b, and 5a/5b were new meroterpenoids with different polycyclic systems. Two enantiomeric pairs (2a/2b and 3a/3b), 6, and 7 exhibited inhibitory effects on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in vitro.

New triterpenoids and PTP1B inhibitory constituents of Pseudolarix amabilis.

Six new triterpenoids, pseudolarins A-F (1-6), were isolated from the twigs of Pseudolarix amabilis, together with four known triterpenoids (7-10) and five known diterpenoids (11-15). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a 3,4:9,10-diseco-cycloartane triterpenoid possessing an unprecedented 5/5/7/6/5/6/5 ring system. Compounds 1, 5, 7, 9-11, and 13 showed inhibition against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in vitro.

[Flavonoids with PTP1B inhibition from Broussonetia papyrifera].

Eleven flavonoids were isolated from the twigs of Broussonetia papyrifera by column chromatography over silica gel,ODS,MCI gel,and Sephadex LH-20,as well as RP-HPLC.Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods including NMR,MS,UV,and IR as broupapyrin A(1),5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy-8-geranylflavone(2),8-prenylquercetin-3-methyl ether(3),broussonol D(4),broussoflavonol B(5),uralenol(6),broussonol E(7),8-(1,1-dimethylallyl)-5'-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflanvonol(8),broussoflavonol E(9),4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone(10),and butein(11).Compound 1 is a new isoprenylated flavonol.Compounds 3,6,10,and 11 were obtained from the genus Broussonetia for the first time,and 4 and 7 were firstly discovered in B.papyrifera.Compounds 1-5 and 7-9 showed significant inhibitory effects on PTP1 B with IC50 values ranging from(0.83±0.30) to(4.66±0.83) µmol·L-1.

Enhancement of Glucose Utilization by Loesenerine through AMPK Activation in Myotubes.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia derived from insulin resistance in periphery tissue. Effects of skeletal muscle on glucose disposal are closely related to insulin resistance. The potential effects on mitochondrial function of loesenerine, a macrocyclic spermidine alkaloid from the aerial part of Euonymus fortunei (TURCZ.) HAND.-MAZZ were observed after a high-throughout screening based on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay. Further pharmacological studies revealed that loesenerine activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway through increasing ADP/ATP ratio by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration. In addition, loesenerine induced 1.07-, 1.14-, and 1.22-fold increment of glucose uptake in C2C12 cells at the concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 µmol/L, respectively. Meanwhile, incubated with loesenerine for 12 h increased glucose consumption in a dose-dependent manner in C2C12 cells. This is the first report that macrocyclic spermidine alkaloid possesses potential hypoglycemic activity in vitro.

Flavans and diphenylpropanes with PTP1B inhibition from Broussonetia kazinoki.

Three new (1a/1b and 2b) and five known flavans (2a, 6a/6b, 7, and 8), one new flavan glycoside (3), and two new (4 and 5) and six known 1,3-diphenylpropanes (9-14) were isolated from the twigs of Broussonetia kazinoki. Compounds 1, 2, and 6 are scalemic mixtures, and were resolved by chiral HPLC to provide 1a/1b, 2a/2b, and 6a/6b. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including NMR, MS, and ECD analyses. Compounds 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 showed in vitro inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).

Role of granular activated carbon in the microalgal cultivation from bacteria contamination.

Microalgal wastewater treatment has been considered as one of the most promising measures to treat nitrogen and phosphorus in the municipal wastewater. While the municipal wastewater provides sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus for microalgal growth, the microalgae still faces serious biological contamination caused by bacteria in wastewater. In this study, the commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) was added into the simulated municipal wastewater to avoid the influence of bacteria on the growth of microalgae. The extracellular organic matter (EOM) in microalgal broth was then characterized to enlighten the role of GAC in reducing the bioavailability of EOM. The results showed that the GAC addition could increase the dry weight of microalgae from 0.06mgL-1 to 0.46mgL-1 under the condition of bacterial inoculation. The GAC could mitigate bacterial contamination mainly due to its adsorption of both bacteria and EOM that might contain algicidal extracellular substances. Moreover, compared to the control group, the GAC addition could mitigate the microalgal lysis caused by bacteria and thus greatly reduce the bioavailability of EOM from 2.80mgL-1 to 0.61mgL-1, which was beneficial for the improvement of biostability and reuse of effluent after the microalgal harvesting.

Isoprenylated phenolic compounds with PTP1B inhibition from Morus alba.

Two new Diels-Alder adducts, albasins A and B (1 and 2), one new isoprenylated 2-arylbenzofuran, albasin C (3), one new isoprenylated flavone, albasin D (4), together with sixteen known phenolic compounds, were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including NMR, MS, and ECD data. All the new compounds and most of the known ones showed significant inhibitory effects on PTP1B in vitro with IC50 values ranging from 0.57 to 7.49µM.

Malonylginsenosides with Potential Antidiabetic Activities from the Flower Buds of Panax ginseng.

LC-MS-guided phytochemical isolation of malonylginsenosides, featuring neutral elimination of CO2 and C3H2O3 by the negative mode collision-induced dissociation, from the flower buds of Panax ginseng led to the isolation of 19 malonyl-substituted triterpenoid saponins. They include 15 new malonylginsenosides, malonylfloralginsenosides-Re1-Re3 (1-3), -Rb1 and -Rb2 (4, 5), -Rd1-Rd6 (6-11), and -Rc1-Rc4 (12-15), and the known m-Rb1, m-Rc, m-Rb2, and m-Rd (16-19). Compound 11 represents the first dimalonyl saponin isolated from the Panax genus, while 2-4, 9, and 10 are five ginsenosides with single malonylation at the C-20 sugar chain. The antidiabetic activities of nine of these malonyl-substituted ginsenosides (1, 3, 4, 8, 13, and 16-19) and five of the corresponding non-malonyl ginsenosides (Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd) were evaluated by L6 myotubes' glucose consumption and AMPKα2ß1γ1 activation. Ginsenoside Rb2, 1, and 18 promoted glucose consumption of differentiated L6 myotubes, while ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rd and the malonylginsenosides 4, 8, 13, 16, 17, and 19 activated AMPKα2ß1γ1 (EC50: 0.0168-2.8 µM, fold: 1.7-4.7).

Activating blood circulation to remove stasis treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: A multi-center prospective randomized open-label blinded-endpoint trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the Chinese herbal therapeutic regimen of activating blood circulation (TRABC) in treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). METHODS: This was a multi-center prospective randomized open-label blinded-endpoint (PROBE) trial with HICH admitted to 12 hospitals. Totally 240 participants were randomized to the treatment group treated with TRABC in addition to conventional Western treatment or the control group with conventional Western treatment equally for 3 months. Primary outcome was degree of disability as measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Secondary outcomes were the absorption of hematoma and edema, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and patient-reported outcome measures for stroke and Barthel activities of daily living index. Adverse events and mortality were also recorded. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment, the rate of mRS 0-1 and mRS 0-2 in the treatment group was 72.5% and 80.4%, respectively, and in the control group 48.1% and 63.9%, respectively, with a significant difference between groups (P<0.01). Hematoma volume decreased significantly at day 7 of treatment in the treatment group than the control group (P=0.038). Average Barthel scores in the treatment group after treatment was 89.11±19.93, and in the control group 82.18±24.02 (P=0.003). NIHSS scores of the two groups after treatment decreased significantly compared with before treatment (P=0.001). Patient-reported outcomes in the treatment group were lower than the control group at day 21 and 3 months of treatment (P<0.05). There were 4 deaths, 2 in each group, and 11 adverse events, 6 in the treatment group and 5 in the control group. CONCLUSION: The integrative therapy combined TRABC with conventional Western treatment for HICH could promote hematoma absorption thus minimize neurologic impairment, without increasing intracerebral hematoma expansion and re-bleeding.

Himalensines A and B, Alkaloids from Daphniphyllum himalense.

Chemical investigation into the alkaloidal constituents of the Nepalese Daphniphyllum himalense has returned two new compounds, himalensines A (1) and B (2), with unprecedented carbon skeletons. Structures of the two alkaloids have been characterized on the basis of spectroscopic methods, especially via 2D NMR data analysis. Himalensine B (2) showed marginal inhibitory activities against two kinases, PTP1B and IKK-ß.

New Isoprenylated Phenolic Compounds from Morus laevigata.

Two new isoprenylated flavonoids, laevigasins A and B (1 and 2, resp.), and one new isoprenylated 2-arylbenzofuran, leavigasin C (3), together with eight known compounds, 4-11, were isolated from the twigs of Morus laevigata. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Laevigasin A (1) showed significant inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase in vitro. Notabilisin E (5), taxifolin (10), and hultenin (11) inhibited PTP1B phosphatase activity in vitro.

Isoprenylated Flavonoids with PTP1B Inhibition from Ficus tikoua.

Two new isoprenylated flavanones, ficustikousins A and B (1 and 2), together with seven known compounds (3-9) were isolated from the whole plant of Ficus tikoua (Moraceae). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-7 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against PTP1B in vitro.

Effect of ultrafiltration-membrane extracts of Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata on proliferation and genetic stability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells induced by cadmium chloride / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of ultrafiltration-membrane extracts of Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (UMERRP) on theproliferation and genetic stability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Protective effects on the proliferation, micronuclear rates, chromosome aberration rates, and apoptosis rates were observed by micronuclei test, karyotype analysis, and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the CdCl2 group, UMERRP with different molecular weights at 0. 8 g/L could obviously promote the proliferation (P <0. 05). Compared with the control group, micronuclear rates, chromosome aberration rates, and apoptosis rates were obviously enhanced in the CdCl2 group (P <0. 05). Compared with the CdCl2 group, UMERRP with different molecular weights could obviously decreased CdCl2 induced micronuclear rates, chromosome aberration rates, and apoptosis rates (P <0. 05). Of them, BMSC micronuclear rates and chromosome aberration rates decreased most obvious in UMERRP groups with molecular weight below 10 000 (P <0. 05). The apoptosis rate decreased most obviously in UMERRP groups with molecular weight ranging 100 000 and 200 000 (P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>UMERRP could reduce CdCl2 induced micronuclear rates, chromosome aberration rates, and apoptosis rates.</p>