Comparative study of characteristic compounds of three species of truffle.

The Panxi area in Sichuan Province is the main area for the production of truffles in China, and several species of truffle are known to exist in this region. Nevertheless, it is unclear what the differences in chemical composition between the truffles are. Using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with Compound Discoverer 3.0, we identified chemical components in three mainly known truffles from the Panxi region. Further analysis of chemical composition differences was conducted using principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Note that, 78.9% of the variance was uncovered by the principal component analysis model. As a result of the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model, the three species of truffles (Tuber pesudohimalayense, Tuber indicum, and Tuber sinense) from Panxi were better discriminated, with R2 X, R2 Y, and Q2 being 0.821, 0.993, and 0.947, respectively. In this study, 87 components were identified. T. pesudohimalayense contained significantly higher levels of nine different compounds than the other two species. Hence, it was possible to identify similarities and differences between three species of truffles from Panxi in terms of chemical composition. This can be used as a basis for quality control.

Two previously undescribed phthalides from Talaromyces amestolkiae, a symbiotic fungus of Syngnathus acus.

Amestolkins A (1) and B (2), two previously undescribed phthalides sharing the same planar structure of (1, 5-dihydroxyhexyl)-7-hydroxyisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one were isolated from Talaromyces amestolkiae. Their absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of spectroscopic evidences in high-resolution electrospray mass spectra (HRESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) combined with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and NMR calculations. 1 and 2 showed anti-neuroinflammatory activity by inhibiting the gene expressions of proinflammatory factors including C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as attenuating the excretion of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in BV-2 microglial cells at the concentration of 30 µM.

Hydroanthraquinones from Nigrospora sphaerica and Their Anti-inflammatory Activity Uncovered by Transcriptome Analysis.

Transcriptome analysis is shown to be an effective strategy to understand the potential function of natural products. Here, it is reported that 11 previously undescribed hydroanthraquinones [nigroquinones A-K (1-11)], along with eight known congeners, were isolated from Nigrospora sphaerica. Their structures were elucidated by interpreting spectroscopic and spectrometric data including high-resolution mass spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance. The absolute configurations of 1-11 were confirmed by electronic circular dichroism calculations. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 3 (isolated in the largest amount) might be anti-inflammatory. Assays based on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages and zebrafish embryos confirmed that some of the isolated hydroanthraquinones attenuated the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators in vitro and in vivo. Further Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that 4 (which showed the most obvious nitric oxide inhibition) could suppress the expression of nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB), phosphorylation of the inhibitor of NF-κB kinase and inhibit the transportation of NF-κB to the nucleus. Hence, the suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect. These results show that bioactivity evaluation on the basis of transcriptome analysis may be effective in the functional exploration of natural products.

Aureonitol Analogues and Orsellinic Acid Esters Isolated from Chaetomium elatum and Their Antineuroinflammatory Activity.

Overexpression of various pro-inflammatory factors in microglial cells tends to induce neurodegenerative diseases, for which there is no effective therapy available. Aureonitol (1) and seven analogues, including six previously undescribed [elatumenol A-F (2-4, 6-8, respectively)], along with two new orsellinic acid esters [elatumone A and B (9 and 10)], were isolated from Chaetomium elatum. The structures of the compounds were established through comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including high-resolution mass spectra and one- and two-dimensional NMR, and absolute configurations determined by the Mosher method, dimolybdenum tetraacetate-induced circular dichroism, and theoretical calculations including electronic circular dichroism and NMR. Metabolites 3, 4, 7, and 8 exhibited antineuroinflammatory activity by attenuating the production of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide, interleukin-6, interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and reactive oxygen species. Western blot results indicated 8 decreases the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 and suppresses the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) as well as the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of NF-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 microglial cells.

Glutamine supported early enteral therapy for severe acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several studies have shown that glutamine (Gln) may play an important role in energy metabolism, inflammatory reactions, and immune processes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Nevertheless, the results of individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Gln nutrition support for SAP are contradictory. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the clinical benefit of Gln-supported early enteral nutrition (G+EEN) in patients with SAP. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wan Fang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched for relevant studies published before December 2018. RCTs of G+EEN versus standard early enteral nutrition (EEN) for SAP were selected, with both started within 48 h of admission. RESULTS: Seven clinical RCTs including a total of 433 patients (EEN group: 218 patients; G+EEN group: 215 patients) were included. Compared with EEN, G+EEN increased serum albumin (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-1.15; p<0.01), reduced serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (SMD=-1.62; 95% CI, -1.98 to -1.26; p<0.01) and risks of mortality risk (risk ratio= 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.90; p=0.03) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)(risk ratio=0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.94; p<0.01), and shortened length of hospital stay (SMD=-1.19; 95% CI, -1.88 to 0.49; p<0.01); moreover, it did not significantly increase the incidence of infection-related complications, operative interventions, or APACHE II scores. CONCLUSIONS: G+EEN is beneficial in SAP management.

Dai-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang alleviates pulmonary and intestinal injury with severe acute pancreatitis via regulating aquaporins in rats.

BACKGROUND: Dai-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang (DHFZT) is a famous traditional Chinese prescription with intestinal obstruction, acute pancreatitis and cholecystalgia for thousands of years. Our previous work found that DHFZT could act against pulmonary and intestinal pathological injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). But the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The aim of present study was to investigate whether DHFZT could relieve pulmonary and intestinal injury by regulating aquaporins after SAP induced by sodium taurocholate in rats. METHODS: Forty of SD rats were used for dose dependant experiments of DHFZT.Accurate-mass Time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for qualitative screening of chemical compositions of DHFZT. Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham group (n = 8), model group (SAP, n = 8), DHFZT group (SAP with DHFZT treatment, n = 8). SAP models were established by retrograde injections of 5% sodium taurocholate solutions into rat pancreaticobiliary ducts. Blood samples were taken at 0, 12, 24, 48 h post-operation for detecting serum amylase, lipase, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10. Protein expression and location of aquaporin (AQP)1, 5, 8 and 9 were assessed by immunohistochemistry, western blot and immunofluorescence respectively. RESULTS: The study showed that 27 kinds of chemical composition were identified, including 10 kinds in positive ion mode and 17 kinds in negative ion mode. The results showed that AQP1, AQP5 of lung, and AQP1, AQP5, AQP8 of intestine in model group were significantly lower than that of sham group (P < 0.05), and which were obviously reversed by treatment with DHFZT. In addition, protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and endotoxin in peripheral blood were significantly suppressed by DHFZT, and that anti-inflammatory cytokine like IL-10 was just opposite. Finally, we also noted that DHFZT reduced serum levels of amylase, lipase and endotoxin, and also improved edema and pathological scores of lung and intestine after SAP. CONCLUSIONS: DHFZT ameliorated the pulmonary and intestinal edema and injury induced by SAP via the upregulation of different AQPs in lung and intestine, and suppressed TNF-α, IL-6 expression and enhanced IL-10 expression.

Iron-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as efficient electrocatalysts for water oxidation under acidic conditions.

The development of stable, Earth-abundant, and high-activity molecular water oxidation catalysts under acidic and neutral conditions remains a great challenge. Here, the use of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based iron(III) complex 1 {[phenyl(tris(3-methylimidazol-1-ylidene))borate]2Fe(III)}+ as a catalyst for water oxidation under acidic and neutral conditions was investigated. Two iron(II) carbene complexes, 2 {[2,6-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine]2Fe}2+ and 3 {[2,6-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid]2Fe}2+, were also used for comparison. A series of experiments demonstrate that complex 1 has excellent performance in terms of both catalytic activity and stability. In addition, the faradaic efficiency and turnover frequency (TOF) reach 95.0% and 2.8 s-1, respectively. An overpotential of ca. 490 mV is obtained at pH 1.5. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that dehydrogenation is the potential-determining step (PDS) in water oxidation. Complex 1 has a lower free energy barrier in this process than 2 and 3. High-valent Fe species are further proven in 1 by spectroelectrochemical measurements, which are crucial in promoting water oxidation. This study is expected to contribute to the development of homogeneous water oxidation catalysis under acidic and neutral conditions.

Trichodimerol inhibits inflammation through suppression of the nuclear transcription factor-kappaB/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 signaling pathway.

Excessive inflammation causes chronic diseases and tissue damage. Although there has been drug treatment, its side effects are relatively large. Searching for effective anti-inflammatory drugs from natural products has become the focus of attention. First isolated from Trichoderma longibraciatum, trichodimerol is a natural product with TNF inhibition. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages were used as a model to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of trichodimerol. The results of nitric oxide (NO) detection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) showed that trichodimerol could reduce the production of NO, ROS, and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Western blotting results showed that trichodimerol could inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-κB), p-IKK, p-IκB, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-1, and ASC, which indicated that trichodimerol may inhibit inflammation through the NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways. At the same time, molecular docking showed that trichodimerol can directly combine with the TLR4-MD2 complex. Hence, trichodimerol inhibits inflammation by obstructing the interaction between LPS and the TLR4-MD2 heterodimer and suppressing the downstream NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways.

The effect of Chinese herbal medicine on hemorrhagic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock (HS) in China. Many controlled trials have been undertaken to investigate its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CHM for Hemorrhagic Shock patients. METHODS: We screening the Web of ScienceDirect database, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China Biomedical Database web (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WanFang database (WF), from inception to January 2015. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared CHM plus conventional therapy with conventional therapy alone for HS patients were included. Meta-analysis on included studies was performed using fixed-effects model with RevMan 5.2. Risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as effect measure. STATA 12.0 was used for publication bias. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs involving 1076 participants were included in the meta-analysis. CHM combined with conventional therapy was tested to be more effective in reduce mortality (RR=0.24, 95%CI:0.13-0.46, P<0.0001), reduce the incidence of MODS (RR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.34-0.66,P<0.00001), symptomatic improvement: increase blood pressure (BP) (MD=8.83, 95%CI:6.82-10.84,P<0.00001), regulate heart rate (MD=-7.6,95%CI:-9.17 to -6.02,P<0.00001), increase urine volume (MD=7.26, 95%CI:5.00-9.53, P<0.00001), compared with conventional therapy alone. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: CHM combined with conventional therapy seems to be more effective on HS patients. However, the analysis results should be interpreted with caution due to the low methodological quality of the included trials. Future, the rigorously designed, high methodological quality, multicenter and large-scale trials are needed to confirm these conclusions.