[Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge flower extract inhibits benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the inhibitory effect of the extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge flower against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: MTT assay was used to examine the effect of the extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge flower on proliferation of benign prostatic hyperplasia cells (BPH-1), and cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes following the treatment were analyzed using annexin V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, PI3K and AKT in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting. A rat model of BPH established by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate was treated with the flower extract for 28 days, and pathological changes in the prostate tissue were observed with HE staining. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase3 and PI3K/AKT in the prostate tissue were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: Within the concentration range of 125-1000 µg/mL, the flower extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge significantly inhibited the proliferation of BPH-1 cells and caused obvious cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase; the apoptotic rate of the cells was positively correlated with the concentration of the flower extract (P < 0.05). Bcl-2, p-PI3K and p-AKT expression levels were significantly down-regulated and Bax and caspase-3 expression levels were significantly increased in the cells after treatment with the flowers extract (P < 0.05). In the rat models of BPH, the rats treated with the flowers extract at moderate and high doses showed obviously decreased expressions of p-AKT and Bcl-2 and an increased expression of Bax in the prostate tissue; a significantly lowered p-AKT expression was observed in the prostate tissue of rats receiving the low-dose treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The flower extract of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge has a inhibitory effect on BPH both in vitro and in rats, suggesting its potential value in the development of medicinal plant preparations for treatment of BPH.

Enhancement of phenolics content and biological activities of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) treated with thermal and ageing process.

This study is the first to compare the chemical compositions and biological activities of a conventional dried Dimocarpus longan with a novel black D. longan that underwent a thermal ageing process. Pericarp, aril, and seed of both D. longan were macerated in 95% v/v ethanol. Their chemical compositions were investigated using a Folin-Ciocalteu assay, aluminum chloride assay, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activities were evaluated in terms of radical scavenging and iron (III) reduction capacity. An enzyme inhibition assay was used to evaluate the hyaluronidase inhibition. Inflammatory cytokine secretion was evaluated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After being exposed to a heating and ageing procedure, gallic acid and ellagic acid content were increased tenfold, while the corilagin content was doubled. Black D. longan seed extract was the most potent anti-hyaluronidase and antioxidant with the strongest free radical scavenging and reduction power, while black D. longan aril extract resulted in the highest inhibition of inflammatory cytokine secretion. Black D. longan contained more biologically active compounds and possessed more potent biological activities than conventional dried D. longan. Therefore, thermal ageing treatment is suggested for producing black D. longan, for which seed extract is suggested as a cosmeceutical active ingredient and aril extract for anti-inflammation.

Mineral Content, Antioxidant Activity and Essential Oil of Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Radlk. Leaves: Plant from South American Biodiversity.

Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae) is an edible plant from the South American biodiversity that is a potential source of bioactive compounds. The mineral content and antioxidant activity of Allophylus edulis leaves were investigated, as well as the composition and the antioxidant activity of the essential oil. The mineral content was determined by ICP - OES and the antioxidant assays were assessed by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, and magnesium were the main minerals found in A. edulis leaves. Of the toxic metals that were present, a low level of aluminum was detected. The essential oil of A. edulis has (E)-nerolidol as major compound and both, the leaves, and the essential oil isolated from the leaves have antioxidant potential. These findings could provide a framework for developing new food and non-food products with A. edulis leaves.

The role of cell wall polysaccharides disassembly in Lasiodiplodia theobromae-induced disease occurrence and softening of fresh longan fruit.

Cell wall polysaccharides in fruits act a pivotal role in their resistance to fungal invasion. Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griff. & Maubl. is a primary pathogenic fungus causing the spoilage of fresh longan fruit. In this study, the influences of L. theobromae inoculation on the disassembly of cell wall polysaccharides in pericarp of fresh longans and its association with L. theobromae-induced disease and softening development were investigated. In contrast to the control, samples with L. theobromae infection showed more severe disease development, lower firmness, lower amounts of cell wall materials, covalent-soluble pectin, ionic-soluble pectin, cellulose and hemicellulose, whereas higher value of water-soluble pectin, higher activities of cell wall polysaccharide-disassembling enzymes (cellulase, ß-galactosidase, polygalacturonase and pectinesterase). These findings revealed that cell wall polysaccharides disassembly induced by enzymatic manipulation was an essential pathway for L. theobromae to infect harvested longans, and thus led to the disease occurrence and fruit softening.

Chitosan postharvest treatment suppresses the pulp breakdown development of longan fruit through regulating ROS metabolism.

The influences of Kadozan, a novel chitosan formulation, on the pulp breakdown and ROS metabolism in postharvest 'Fuyan' longans were studied. Compared with control longans, the longans treated with 1:500 Kadozan dilution (VKadozan: VKadozan + Water) exhibited the suppressed development of pulp breakdown, higher AsA and GSH amounts, higher activities of ROS-scavenging enzymes like SOD, CAT, APX and POD, higher reducing power, and higher scavenging ability for DPPH radical, but a lower MDA amount, lower levels of ROS including O2- and H2O2. These findings indicated that the application of 1:500 Kadozan dilution (VKadozan: VKadozan + Water) for harvested longans could enhance the ROS-scavenging capacity to decrease the generation and accumulation of ROS, and a lower level of ROS could slow down the peroxidation progress of membrane lipids, alleviate the damage of longan pulp cellular membrane structure, and ultimately suppress pulp breakdown occurrence of harvested longans.

Effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment on pulp breakdown, softening, and cell wall polysaccharide metabolism in fresh longan fruit.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) is prone to pulp softening and pulp breakdown, leading to a loss of its nutrients including polysaccharides. ROS is one main factor affecting fruit quality. This work intended to explicate the influences of hydrogen peroxide, acting as a ROS, on pulp softening, pulp breakdown, and cell wall polysaccharides metabolism in longan fruit during storage. Contrasted to the control group, hydrogen peroxide-treated samples exhibited lower firmness, lower amounts of CWM, ISP, CSP, hemicellulose and cellulose, but higher breakdown index, WSP amount, expression levels of DlPG, DlPE, Dlß-Gal, DlCx and DlXET and activities of their corresponding enzymes (PG, PE, ß-Gal, Cx, XET). These results suggested that hydrogen peroxide reduced longan pulp firmness due to the increased gene expression levels and enzymes activities related to cell wall polysaccharide degradation to boost their decomposition, thereby led to the accelerated pulp softening and the expedited pulp breakdown of harvested longans.

Phenolic profiling and evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of Lepisanthes fruticosa (Roxb) Leenh fruit extracts.

The present study focused on the phytochemical profiling along with evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of various crudes and fractions obtained from Lepisanthes fruticosa (Roxb) Leenh fruit. Ethanolic seed crude extract exhibited the strongest radical scavenging, ß-carotene bleaching activity, α-glucosidase inhibition and the highest total phenolic content (TPC). Column chromatography afforded various fractions with fraction M4 being the most potent due to the strongest radical scavenging, ß-carotene bleaching, α-glucosidase inhibition and greatest amount of TPC. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of ethanolic seed crude extract and fraction M4 showed the presence of various phytochemicals with antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, which include mostly flavonoids and tannins. The results may suggest that the ethanolic crude seed extract and its fraction could be an excellent source of bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant and antidiabetic potential.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Cardiospermum halicacabum and its anticancer activity in human melanoma cells (A375) through the modulation of apoptosis pathway.

Metallic nanoparticles were extensively examined to explore their impending exploitations over pharmaceutical purposes. Current work attempting to explores the cytotoxic capacity of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles besides to human melanoma cell line (A375). Viability of cells was resoluted, and the promising cytotoxicity potential was exhibited by zinc oxide nanoparticles. Cellular adhesion and morphology was determined by propidium iodide assay. Characterization studies like UV-Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation, transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spec, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) examination confirms the accessibility of measurement, form and volume. The mRNA expression of apoptotic genes like caspase 3, 8 and 9 was elevated followed by the exposure to ZnO nanoparticles and it was narrowly proved that ZnO nanoparticles stimulates the apoptotic cell necrosis at the transcriptional stage. Cardiospermum halicacabum down regulated the apoptotic gene expressions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was augmented at concentration reliant mode, that changed normalize numerous indicator pathways and manipulate the kinetic cellular actions. ZnO nanoparticle synthesized Cardiospermum halicacabum might persuades programmed cell necrosis via elevated ROS levels in cells. CH-ZnONPs was further stimulates the markers of apoptosis and aggravates necrosis of cancerous cells, toxicity to cells, and accretion of ROS. With sourced on above whole data, this might accomplished that CH-ZnONPs amalgamated Cardiospermum halicacabum appreciably possessed a toxicity to human melanoma cells (A375) via provoking the apoptotic cell necrosis, entailed feasible efficacy of CH-ZnONPs besides malignancy management.

Effects of chitosan treatment on the storability and quality properties of longan fruit during storage.

Effects of various concentrations of Kadozan (chitosan) treatment on storability and quality properties of harvested 'Fuyan' longans were investigated. Compared to the control samples, Kadozan treated-longans displayed lower fruit respiration rate, lower pericarp cell membrane permeability, pericarp browning index, pulp breakdown index, fruit disease index, and weight loss, but higher rate of commercially acceptable fruit, higher levels of pericarp chlorophyll, carotenoid, anthocyanin, flavonoid and total phenolics, higher amounts of pulp total soluble sugar, sucrose, total soluble solids, and vitamin C. These results revealed Kadozan treatment could increase storability and retain better quality of harvested longan fruit. Among different concentrations of Kadozan, the dilution of 1:500 (VKadozan: VKadozan + Water) showed the best results in storability and maintained the best quality of longans during storage. These findings demonstrated that Kadozan could be a facile and eco-friendly postharvest handling approach for increasing storability and lengthening shelf-life of harvested 'Fuyan' longan fruit.

A novel chitosan alleviates pulp breakdown of harvested longan fruit by suppressing disassembly of cell wall polysaccharides.

Longan pulp is an excellent source of polysaccharides and other nutrients that have many health benefits. However, longans is susceptible to pulp breakdown after harvest and loses its nutrition values. To solve this problem, this study aimed to study the effects of a novel chitosan, Kadozan, on pulp breakdown index, contents of pectin, cellulose and hemicelluloses, and activities of enzymes in longan pulp relating to disassembly of polysaccharides (XET, PE, PG, ß-Gal, and cellulase). The data illustrated that, compared to the control longans, chitosan-treated longans contained higher amounts of CWM, CSP, ISP, cellulose and hemicelluloses, but exhibited lower pulp breakdown index, lower activities of cell wall-disassembling enzymes, and contained lower WSP amount. These results suggested that Kadozan with a dilution of 1:500 (VKadozan: VKadozan + Water) could significantly decrease activities of disassembling-enzymes and depolymerization of polysaccharides in cell wall, and subsequently alleviate pulp breakdown and prolong storage-life of postharvest longans.

Antimycobacterial activity of an anthracycline produced by an endophyte isolated from Amphipterygium adstringens.

The search for new compounds effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still a priority in medicine. The evaluation of microorganisms isolated from non-conventional locations offers an alternative to look for new compounds with antimicrobial activity. Endophytes have been successfully explored as source of bioactive compounds. In the present work we studied the nature and antimycobacterial activity of a compound produced by Streptomyces scabrisporus, an endophyte isolated from the medicinal plant Amphipterygium adstringens. The active compound was detected as the main secondary metabolite present in organic extracts of the streptomycete and identified by NMR spectroscopic data as steffimycin B (StefB). This anthracycline displayed a good activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294 strain, with MIC100 and SI values of 7.8 µg/mL and 6.42, respectively. When tested against the rifampin mono resistant M. tuberculosis Mtb-209 pathogen strain, a better activity was observed (MIC100 of 3.9 µg/mL), suggesting a different action mechanism of StefB from that of rifampin. Our results supported the endophyte Streptomyces scabrisporus as a good source of StefB for tuberculosis treatment, as this anthracycline displayed a strong bactericidal effect against M. tuberculosis, one of the oldest and more dangerous human pathogens causing human mortality.

Comparative RNA-Seq Analysis of High- and Low-Oil Yellow Horn During Embryonic Development.

Yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is an endemic oil-rich shrub that has been widely cultivated in northern China for bioactive oil production. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to oil content in yellow horn. Herein, we measured the oil contents of high- and low-oil yellow horn embryo tissues at four developmental stages and investigated the global gene expression profiles through RNA-seq. The results found that at 40, 54, 68, and 81 days after anthesis, a total of 762, 664, 599, and 124 genes, respectively, were significantly differentially expressed between the high- and low-oil lines. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed some critical GO terms related to oil accumulation, including acyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] desaturase activity, pyruvate kinase activity, acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity, and seed oil body biogenesis. The identified differentially expressed genes also included several transcription factors, such as, AP2-EREBP family members, B3 domain proteins and C2C2-Dof proteins. Several genes involved in fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and pyruvate metabolism were also up-regulated in the high-oil line at different developmental stages. Our findings indicate that the higher oil accumulation in high-oil yellow horn could be mostly driven by increased FA biosynthesis and carbon supply, i.e. a source effect.

Integrated strategy based on high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with multiple data mining techniques for the metabolic profiling of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge husks in rat plasma, urine, and feces.

An integrated strategy based on high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with multiple data mining techniques was developed to screen the metabolites in rat biological fluids after the oral administration of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge husks. Mass defect filtering, product ion filtering, and neutral loss filtering were applied to detect metabolites from the complex matrix. As a result, 55 metabolites were tentatively identified, among which 45 barrigenol-type triterpenoid metabolites were detected in the feces, and six flavonoids and four coumarins metabolites were in the urine. Moreover, eight prototype constituents in plasma, 36 in urine and 23 in feces were also discovered. Due to the poor bioavailability of barrigenol type triterpenoids, most of them were metabolized by intestinal flora. Phase I metabolic reactions such as deglycosylation, oxidation, demethylation, dehydrogenation, and internal hydrolysis were supposed to be their principal metabolic pathways. Coumarins were found in all the biosamples, whereas flavonoids were mainly in the urine. Unlike the saponins, they were mainly metabolized through phase II metabolic reactions like glucuronidation and sulfonation, which made them eliminated more easily by urine. This work suggested the metabolic profile of X. sorbifolia husks for the first time, which will be very valuable for its further development.

Novel green synthetic strategy to prepare ZnO nanocrystals using rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel extract and its antibacterial applications.

In the present investigation, we report a sustainable novel green synthetic strategy to synthesis zinc oxide nanocrystals. This is the first report on sustainable biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanocrystals employing Nephelium lappaceum L., peel extract as a natural ligation agent. Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanocrystals was carried out via zinc-ellagate complex formation using rambutan peel wastes. The successful formation of zinc oxide nanocrystals was confirmed employing standard characterisation studies. A possible mechanism for the formation of ZnO nanocrystals with rambutan peel extract was also proposed. The prepared ZnO nanocrystals were coated on the cotton fabric and their antibacterial activity were analyzed. ZnO nanocrystals coated cotton showed good antibacterial activity towards Escherichia coli (E. coli), gram negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), gram positive bacteria.

XsFAD2 gene encodes the enzyme responsible for the high linoleic acid content in oil accumulated in Xanthoceras sorbifolia seeds.

BACKGROUND: Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge is a valuable oilseed tree that has linoleic acid-rich seed oil. Microsomal oleate desaturase (FAD2; EC 1.3.1.35) is responsible for the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid during fatty acid synthesis. In this study, XsFAD2 was cloned from developing embryos of X. sorbifolia. RESULTS: XsFAD2 contained three histidine boxes, a C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum retrieval motif, and five putative transmembrane domains representing the characteristics of membrane-bound fatty acid desaturase. XsFAD2 expression in yeast cells resulted in linoleic acid (18:2) and palmitolinoleic acid (16:2) production, confirming the biological activity of the enzyme encoded by XsFAD2. These fatty acids are not normally present in wild-type yeast. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that XsFAD2 is located in a subgroup of FAD2 enzymes specifically or highly expressed in developing seeds. The expression level of XsFAD2 in seeds was much higher than those in leaves and petals. Furthermore, XsFAD2 expression pattern correlated well with linoleic acid accumulated in seeds. CONCLUSION: Results suggested that XsFAD2 is responsible for the high linoleic acid content in X. sorbifolia seed oil. This study provides insight on the regulation mechanism of fatty acid synthesis in X. sorbifolia seeds and a valuable gene for improving the oil quality in oilseed trees.

Modification of pectin and hemicellulose polysaccharides in relation to aril breakdown of harvested longan fruit.

To investigate the modification of cell wall polysaccharides in relation to aril breakdown in harvested longan fruit, three pectin fractions (WSP, water soluble pectin; CSP, CDTA-soluble pectin; ASP, alkali soluble pectin) and one hemicellulose fraction (4 M KOH-SHC, 4 M KOH-soluble hemicellulose) were extracted, and their contents, monosaccharide compositions and molecular weights were evaluated. As aril breakdown intensified, CSP content increased while ASP and 4 M KOH-SHC contents decreased, suggesting the solubilization and conversion of cell wall components. Furthermore, the molar percentage of arabinose (Ara), as the main component of the side-chains, decreased largely in CSP and ASP while that of rhamnose (Rha), as branch point for the attachment of neutral sugar side chains, increased during aril breakdown. Analysis of (Ara+Gal)/Rha ratio showed that the depolymerization of CSP and ASP happened predominantly in side-chains formed of Ara residues. For 4 M KOH-SHC, more backbones were depolymerized during aril breakdown. Moreover, it was found that the molecular weights of CSP, ASP and 4 M KOH-SHC polysaccharides tended to decrease as aril breakdown intensified. These results suggest that both enhanced depolymerization and structural modifications of polysaccharides in the CSP, ASP and 4 M KOH-SHC fractions might be responsible for aril breakdown of harvested longan fruit.

Transcriptome analysis of yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge): a potential oil-rich seed tree for biodiesel in China.

BACKGROUND: Yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge) is an oil-rich seed shrub that grows well in cold, barren environments and has great potential for biodiesel production in China. However, the limited genetic data means that little information about the key genes involved in oil biosynthesis is available, which limits further improvement of this species. In this study, we describe sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly to produce the first comprehensive and integrated genomic resource for yellow horn and identify the pathways and key genes related to oil accumulation. In addition, potential molecular markers were identified and compiled. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Total RNA was isolated from 30 plants from two regions, including buds, leaves, flowers and seeds. Equal quantities of RNA from these tissues were pooled to construct a cDNA library for 454 pyrosequencing. A total of 1,147,624 high-quality reads with total and average lengths of 530.6 Mb and 462 bp, respectively, were generated. These reads were assembled into 51,867 unigenes, corresponding to a total of 36.1 Mb with a mean length, N50 and median of 696, 928 and 570 bp, respectively. Of the unigenes, 17,541 (33.82%) were unmatched in any public protein databases. We identified 281 unigenes that may be involved in de novo fatty acid (FA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis and metabolism. Furthermore, 6,707 SSRs, 16,925 SNPs and 6,201 InDels with high-confidence were also identified in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This transcriptome represents a new functional genomics resource and a foundation for further studies on the metabolic engineering of yellow horn to increase oil content and modify oil composition. The potential molecular markers identified in this study provide a basis for polymorphism analysis of Xanthoceras, and even Sapindaceae; they will also accelerate the process of breeding new varieties with better agronomic characteristics.

First record of L-quebrachitol in Allophylus edulis (Sapindaceae).

Allophylus edulis, commonly called 'Chal chal', is a member of the Sapindaceae occurring in the Uruguayan and Brazilian native flora. During the phytochemical analysis of two Chal chal specimens from two well-differentiated geographical zones (Assis, São Paulo, Brazil, and Santa Lucía, Canelones, Uruguay), considerable amounts of L-quebrachitol were isolated from both samples. The isolation was carried out from the ethanolic twig extracts obtained by maceration of both vegetal samples. White easily distinguishable crystals were mechanically separated, washed, and characterized by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and by MS data. Such techniques confirmed that the crystals isolated from sources collected in both countries resulted in the same compound, l-quebrachitol, a natural product not previously reported for this species and one that has been investigated as a sugar substitute for diabetics. Worthy of note, the content of L-quebrachitol in A. edulis may be the chemical basis to explain its ethnobotanical uses, since infusions of this plant are used to treat diabetes in the practice of local traditional medicine.