Two new jatrophane diterpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia with activity towards autophagic flux.

Nine jatrophane diterpenoids were isolated from the whole plant Euphorbia helioscopia, including two new ones, helioscopnins A (1) and B (2). Comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and ECD calculations elucidated their structures, including absolute configurations. All compounds were evaluated for bioactivity towards autophagic flux by flow cytometry using HM mCherry-GFP-LC3 cells. Compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9 significantly increased autophagic flux.

Terpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia and Their Cytotoxic Activities against H1975 Cells.

Three previously undescribed diterpenoids, helioscopnoids A-C, and eight known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Euphorbia helioscopia. Their structures were established by extensive analysis of spectra and data comparison with previous literatures. Among them, compound 4 was identified as 24,24-dimethoxy-25,26,27-trinoreuphan-3ß-ol with revised configurations of C-13, C-14, and C-17 (13R*, 14R*, 17R*). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that all compounds exhibited varying levels of cytotoxicity against H1975 cells, with compound 9 displaying the most potent activity, as indicated by cell viability rates of 18.13 % and 20.76 % at concentrations of 20 µM and 5 µM, respectively. This study expands the understanding of E. helioscopia terpenoids' structural diversity and biological activities, contributing to the exploration of potential therapeutic applications.

Polyurethane foam membranes filled with humic acid-chitosan crosslinked gels for selective and simultaneous removal of dyes.

Polyurethane foam membrane filled with humic acid-chitosan crosslinked gels (HA-CS-PUF) for dye removal was prepared by soaking the foams into humic acid-chitosan (HA-CS) crosslinked gels and hot-pressing them into membranes. Scanning electron microscope, derivative thermogravimetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the HA-CS-PUF membrane. Results showed that the interaction of HA and CS was mainly through ionic cross-linking between carboxyl and protonated amino groups. Three types of dyes, including positively charged methylene blue (MB), neutrally charged rhodamine B (RB) and negatively charged methyl orange (MO), were used to test membranes properties through static adsorption and membrane filtration experiments. It revealed that adsorption process was better fitted with Pseudo-second-order and Freundlich model. In membrane filtration experiments, we found that the retention rates of membrane 1 (ratio of HA to CS was 0:1) to MO and RB were 99.7% and 65%, respectively, and nearly no retention to MB. While membrane 4 (ratio of HA to CS was 0.2:1) can retain 97.7% of MO, 71.6% of RB and 62.1% of MB. Based on the experimental results, membrane 1 possessed the ability of selectively separating MB from MO/MB and RB/MB solutions, and membrane 4 can simultaneously retain RB and MB from RB/MB solution.

Carbon nanotube amendment for treating dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and hexachlorocyclohexane remaining in Dong-ting Lake sediment - An implication for in-situ remediation.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were largely sprayed on the floodplain soils before the project of Returning Farmland to Lake in China, which caused contamination of sediment in Dong-ting Lake with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and posed threats to human health and other organisms. In this study, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at different concentrations of 0.058, 0.145 and 0.29wt% were used to manage residual DDTs and HCHs in Dong-ting Lake sediment. The efficacy was assessed by DDTs and HCHs deriving from the aqueous equilibrium experiment and uptake in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). Desorption experiment and the quiescent flux experiment were conducted as well. The results showed that DDTs and HCHs were released from sediment. The p, p'-DDT was desorbed less readily than its metabolites and similarly α-HCH was desorbed less easily than other HCH isomers from sediment. Carbon nanotubes had great effects on treating DDTs and HCHs. The effectiveness of carbon nanotube amendment was dependent on type, dose and sediment-sorbent contact time In addition, carbon nanotubes being sprinkled on the surface of sediment as a cap and being injected into sediment as a mixture were considered as two effective ways to prevent DDTs and HCHs being released from sediment. Carbon nanotubes can be potentially useful as sorbents in in-situ remediation.