Effects of different precursors on the structure of lignin-based biochar and its ability to adsorb benzopyrene from sesame oil.

Agricultural by-products of sesame are promising bioresources in food processing. This study extracted lignin from the by-products of sesame oil production, namely, the capsules and straw of black and white sesame. Using acid, alkali, and ethanol methods, 12 distinct lignins were obtained to prepare biochar, aiming to investigate both the structural characteristics of lignin-based biochar (LBB) and its ability to remove benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) from sesame oil. The results showed that white sesame straw was the most suitable raw material for preparing biochar. In terms of the preparation method, acid-extracted lignin biochar was more effective in removing BaP than alkaline or ethanol methods. Notably, WS-1LB (white sesame straw acid-extracted lignin biochar) exhibited the highest BaP adsorption efficiency (91.44 %) and the maximum specific surface area (1065.8187 m2/g), characterized by porous structures. The pseudo 2nd and Freundlich models were found to be the best fit for the adsorption kinetics and isotherms of BaP on LBB, respectively, suggesting that a multilayer adsorption process was dominant. The high adsorption of LBB mainly resulted from pore filling. This study provides an economical and highly efficient biochar adsorbent for the removal of BaP in oil.

Characterization of aroma-active compounds in sesame hulls at different roasting temperatures by SAFE and GC-O-MS.

The study characterized the aroma-active compounds produced by sesame hulls at three roasting temperatures and analyzed the similarities and differences in the aroma profile of sesame hulls with whole seeds and kernels after roasting. Roasting hulls produced mainly furans, aldehydes, and ketones volatiles. 140 Compounds were identified as aroma-active compounds, including 36 key aroma compounds (odor activity value, OAV ≥ 1). Among them, furanone (caramel-like, OAV = 80), 3-methylbutanal (fruity, OAV = 124), and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (burnt, smoky, OAV = 160) gave hulls (180 °C) sweet, burnt, and smoky aroma. Due to the contribution of vanillin (fatty, sweet milk, OAV = 45), 2-hydroxy-3-butanone (caramel-like, roast, OAV = 46), and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (OAV = 78), hulls (200 °C) shown strong sweet and roast note. These results identified compounds that contributed significantly to the aroma of sesame hulls and elucidated the contribution of sesame hulls to the flavor of roasted whole seeds and sesame oil.

Modulation of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway by p38α MAPK.

Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 promotes apoptosis by targeting mitochondria through interaction with Bcl-2, an event that converts Bcl-2 from a survival to killer. However, how the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway is regulated remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined the regulation of the Nur77-Bcl-2 pathway by CCE9, a xanthone compound. Our results demonstrated that the apoptotic effect of CCE9 depended on its induction of Nur77 expression, cytoplasmic localization, and mitochondrial targeting. The activation of the Nur77-Bcl-2 pathway by CCE9 was associated with its activation of p38α MAPK. Inhibition of p38α MAPK activation by knocking down or knocking out p38α MAPK impaired the effect of CCE9 on inducing apoptosis and the expression and cytoplasmic localization of Nur77. In addition, CCE9 activation of p38α MAPK resulted in Bcl-2 phosphorylation and Bcl-2 interaction with Nur77, whereas inhibition of p38α MAPK activation or expression suppressed the interaction. Moreover, mutating Ser87 and Thr56 in the loop of Bcl-2, which are known to be phosphorylated by p38α MAPK, impaired the ability Bcl-2 to interact with Nur77. Together, our results reveal a profound role of p38α MAPK in regulating the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway through its modulation of Nur77 expression, Bcl-2 phosphorylation, and their interaction.

Bioactive prenylated xanthones from the stems of Cratoxylum cochinchinense.

Cochinchinones M-U (1-9), together with 12 known compounds (10-21), were isolated from the stems of Cratoxylum cochinchinense (Lour.) Blume. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analyses. In addition, their retinoid X receptor-α transcriptional activities were evaluated using an in vitro assay.

[Lignans isolated from stems of Sambucus williamsii and their proliferation effects on UMR106 cells].

The present study aims to investigate the lignan constituents from Sambucus williamsii and their proliferation effects on osteoblast-like UMR106 cells. Seven compounds were isolated and purified by macroporous resin D101, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40, ODS column chromatographies and Preparative HPLC(C-18). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as threo-guaiacylglycerol-beta-0-4'-conifery ether (1), lirioresinol A (2), 1-hydroxypinoresinol (3), 5-methoxybalanophonin (4), balanophonin (5), 5-methoxy-trans-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (6), and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (7). Compounds 3-7 were obtained from this genus for the first time. The proliferation effects of all isolated compounds on osteoblast-like UMR106 cells were determined. Compounds 1-7 (1 x 10(-12)-1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1)) increased UMR106 cell proliferation to some extent.

A new lignan glycoside from Forsythia suspensa.

Phytochemical investigation on Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl afforded ten compounds, including five lignan glycosides and five phenylethanoid glycosides. The compounds were isolated by using HP-20 macroporous resin, silica gel, octadecyl silica gel (ODS), size exclusion chromatography resin HW-40 chromatography, and preparative HPLC. The structures were established through application of extensive spectroscopic methods, including ESI-MS, 1D-and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. They were identified as forsythialanside E (1), 8'-hydroxypinoresinol-4'-O-ß-D-glucoside (2), 8'-hydroxypinoresinol (3), lariciresinol-4'-O-ß-D-glucoside (4), lariciresinol-4-O-ß-D-glucoside (5), forsythoside H (6), forsythoside I (7), forsythoside F (8), plantainoside B (9), and plantainoside A (10). Compound 1 was a new lignan glycoside.

Quinoid glycosides from Forsythia suspensa.

Phytochemical investigation on Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl afforded 10 compounds, including quinoid glycosides, lignan glycosides, phenylethanoid glycoside and allylbenzene glycoside together with 13 known ones. Their structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic data analyses, including IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR. Absolute configurations were determined by ECD calculation method and chemical degradation. In addition, all compounds were evaluated for their antiviral activity against influenza A (H1N1) virus and several were further evaluated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro. Among them, two previously known compounds showed significant activities against RSV with EC50 values of 3.43 and 6.72 µM.

New ursane-type triterpenoid saponins from the stem bark of Schefflera heptaphylla.

Phytochemical investigation on the stem bark of Schefflera heptaphylla led to the isolation of five new ursane-type triterpenoid saponins (1-5). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. It is noteworthy in this study that the genins of all compounds are reported for the first time. All compounds isolated from this plant were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells, and compounds 2 and 5 showed weak anti-inflammatory activities under their non-cytotoxic concentrations.

Triterpenoid saponins from the stem barks of Schefflera heptaphylla.

Nine new triterpenoid saponins, including four ursane-type triterpenoid saponins named heptursosides A-D (1-4), four oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins named heptoleosides A-D (5-8), and one dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin, heptdamoside A (9), along with two known saponins, asiaticoside D (10) and scheffoleoside B (11), were isolated from the stem barks of Schefflera heptaphylla. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. It is noteworthy in this study that the aglycone of 1-6 is reported for the first time, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for the presence of the tetracyclic triterpenoid saponin from Schefflera. All the saponins were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells, and 2, 6, 7, and 10 showed anti-inflammatory activities under their noncytotoxic concentrations.

Nardoaristolones A and B, two terpenoids with unusual skeletons from Nardostachys chinensis Batal.

Nardoaristolones A and B, two novel terpenoids derived from the aristolane-type sesquiterpenoid, were isolated from the underground parts of Nardostachys chinensis Batal. Nardoaristolone A is the first reported aristolane-chalcone derivative, while nardoaristolone B possesses a nor-aristolane sesquiterpenoid skeleton with an unusual 3/5/6 tricyclic ring system. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic measurements, and the absolute configurations were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments.

A conidiation-related gene is highly expressed at the resting urediospore stage in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici.

The production and germination of asexual spores in a diverse group of fungi play a crucial role in their infection cycles. These processes are regulated by a set of genes, namely, conidiation-related genes, involved in the production, morphological characteristics, and differentiation of conidia. In this study, we identified and characterized the PsCon1 gene, which is the first conidiation-related gene identified in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Sequence analysis revealed that PsCON1 has two conserved conidiation-specific protein 6 domains. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertion/deletion variations were detected in the coding region of PsCon1 among five Pst races. Quantitative RT-PCR assays revealed that PsCon1 was expressed at the highest level in resting urediospores of Pst, and gradually decreased after germination and infection. However, at 312 hpi, at the stage of forming large amounts of urediospores on leaves, the amount of PsCon1 mRNA was sharply increased but only 0.1-fold that of resting urediospores. Subcellular localization assays indicated PsCon1 heterologously expressed in Fusarium graminearum was located in the cytoplasm of conidia. The results suggest that PsCon1 may play a role in formation or survival of Pst urediospores.

Targeting truncated retinoid X receptor-α by CF31 induces TNF-α-dependent apoptosis.

A truncated version of retinoid X receptor-α, tRXR-α, promotes cancer cell survival by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. However, targeting the tRXR-α-mediated survival pathway for cancer treatment remains to be explored. We report here our identification of a new natural product molecule, CF31, a xanthone isolated from Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum, and the biologic evaluation of its regulation of the tRXR-α-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway. CF31 binds RXR-α and its binding results in inhibition of RXR-α transactivation. Through RXR-α mutational analysis and computational studies, we show that Arg316 of RXR-α, known to form salt bridges with certain RXR-α ligands, such as 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA), is not required for the antagonist effect of CF31, showing a distinct binding mode. Evaluation of several CF31 analogs suggests that the antagonist effect is mainly attributed to an interference with Leu451 of helix H12 in RXR-α. CF31 is a potent inhibitor of AKT activation in various cancer cell lines. When combined with TNF-α, it suppresses TNF-α activation of AKT by inhibiting TNF-α-induced tRXR-α interaction with the p85α regulatory subunit of PI3K. CF31 inhibition of TNF-α activation of AKT also results in TNF-α-dependent activation of caspase-8 and apoptosis. Together, our results show that CF31 is an effective converter of TNF-α signaling from survival to death by targeting tRXR-α in a unique mode and suggest that identification of a natural product that targets an RXR-mediated cell survival pathway that regulates PI3K/AKT may offer a new therapeutic strategy to kill cancer cells.

[Study on the HPLC fingerprint and simultaneous determination of three triterpene glycosides in Schefflera heptaphylla].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the HPLC fingerprint and simultaneously determination three triterpene glycosides in Schefflera heptaphylla. METHODS: The separation was carried out on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column eluted with methanol--0.1% glacial acetic acid as the mobile phase, and samples were detected by an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). The similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine (Version 2004 A) was used in data analysis. RESULTS: Schefflera heptaphylla from different regions were similar and the separation of three triterpene glycosides was good. CONCLUSION: This method is simple and reliable. The HPLC fingerprint and contents of three kinds of triterpene glycosides of Schefflera heptaphylla can be used for their quality control.

A new phenylpropanoid glucoside from the aerial parts of Lygodium japonicum.

A new compound, 4-O-caffeoyl-D-glucopyranose (1), and a new natural product, 3-O-caffeoyl-D-glucopyranose (2), together with six known compounds (3-8) were isolated from the aerial parts of Lygodium japonicum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analyses. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay was applied to evaluate their antioxidative capacities in vitro, which revealed that 1-8 showed strong antioxidative properties.

A new ursane-type triterpenoid from Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin.

A new ursane-type triterpenoid (1), together with 15 known compounds (2-16), was isolated from the barks of Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin. The structure of the new compound was determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data including IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 2-6 were isolated from Schefflera genus for the first time.

Xanthone and benzophenone glycosides from the stems of Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum.

Two new xanthone glycosides, namely pruniflorosides A and B (1, 2), a new benzophenone glycoside, prunifloroside C (3), and a new xanthone, pruniflorone S (4) were isolated from the stems of Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum, along with six known xanthones (5-10). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. In addition, their retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) transcriptional activities were evaluated in vitro.

Characterization of a wheat HSP70 gene and its expression in response to stripe rust infection and abiotic stresses.

Members of the family of 70-kD heat shock proteins (HSP70 s) play various stress-protective roles in plants. In this study, a wheat HSP70 gene was isolated from a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA library of wheat leaves infected by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. The gene, that was designated as TaHSC70, was predicted to encode a protein of 690 amino acids, with a molecular mass of 73.54 KDa and a pI of 5.01. Further analysis revealed the presence of a conserved signature that is characteristic for HSP70s and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that TaHSC70 is a homolog of chloroplast HSP70s. TaHSC70 mRNA was present in leaves of both green and etiolated wheat seedlings and in stems and roots. The transcript level in roots was approximately threefold less than in leaves but light-dark treatment did not charge TaHSC70 expression. Following heat shock of wheat seedlings at 40°C, TaHSC70 expression increased in leaves of etiolated seedlings but remained stable at the same level in green seedlings. In addition, TaHSC70 was differentially expressed during an incompatible and compatible interaction with wheat-stripe rust, and there was a transient increase in expression upon treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ET) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments had no influence on TaHSC70 expression. These results suggest that TaHSC70 plays a role in stress-related responses, and in defense responses elicited by infection with stripe rust fungus and does so via a JA-dependent signal transduction pathway.

[Study on the chemical constituents of roots and stems of Nardostachys chinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of roots and stems of Nardostachys chinensis. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography including silica gel, Diaion HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analyses. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as 8-hydroxypinoresinol-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 8-hydroxypinoresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 8-hydroxypinoresinol-4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), cycloolivil 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(4), ferulic acid (5), chlorogenic acid methyl ester (6). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated from this genus for the first time.

Bioactive xanthones from the stems of Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum.

Six new compounds, pruniflorones M-R (1-6), together with 19 known compounds (7-25) were isolated from the stems of Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data interpretation. In addition, their RXRalpha transcriptional activities were evaluated using an in vitro assay.

The anti-stress effects of Sarcandra glabra extract on restraint-evoked immunocompromise.

Sarcandra glabra was a renowned herb traditionally used as herbal tea or food supplement to enhance mental efficiency and to recover from stress or fatigue in China. We investigated the effects of Sarcandra glabra extract (SGE), with chemical composition clearly showed by HPLC fingerprint as quality control, on immunologic response including natural killer (NK) cell activity and its antioxidative capacity in splenocytes obtained from restraint mice. Our results found that daily oral administration of SGE (125, 500 mg/kg/d) for 5 consecutive days to restrained mice alleviated the stress-induced reduction of the number of lymphocytes, the balance of CD4(+) T/CD8(+) T and NK cell activity per spleen. SGE also significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxidation and increased oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) in splenocytes. These results indicated that SGE modulate stress-attenuated immunologic response, at least, partially explained by improving antioxidative capacity in immunocytes.