Composition, physicochemical properties, and anti-fatigue activity of water-soluble okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) stem pectins.

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, an annual herbaceous plant, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Water-soluble pectic hydrocolloids from okra stems (HOS) were extracted and purified using polydivinylbenzene HP-20 resins. The sugar composition of the purified HOS with an weight-average molecular weight of 178.4 ± 2.1 kDa and a polydispersity index of 1.02 ± 0.02 contained galacturonic acid (34%), galactose (31%), rhamnose (21%), arabinose (4.2%), glucuronic acid (2.5%), xylose (1.2%), and other monosaccharides (6.1%) by weight. Its favorable rheological behaviors were evident on relatively higher concentrations (20, 25, and 30 mg/mL) and moderately lower pH levels (3 and 5) of HOS. The anti-fatigue experiments in vivo demonstrated that a high dose of HOS (450 mg/kg feed) prolonged the exhaustive swimming time of mice, significantly induced an increase in blood glucose and glycogen, and decreased lactic acid and serum urea nitrogen levels. HOS digestion in vivo was fairly conducive to the improvement of energy storage capacity and renal function for physically induced fatigue, compared with the conventional herbal supplement Panax quinquefolium. Accordingly, HOS exhibits potential for reutilization of okra stem waste.

Xanthobacter-dominated biofilm as a novel source for high-value rhamnose.

Rhamnose is a high-value carbohydrate used in flavorings, aromatics, and pharmaceuticals. Current demand for rhamnose is filled through plant-based sources; however, microbially originated rhamnolipids have been proposed as an alternative source. A mixed microbial biofilm, cultured from a wastewater sludge, was found to comprise > 8 dry weight% rhamnose when provided volatile fatty acids as carbon source, and 24 dry weight% when given glucose. The latter rhamnose concentration is a fourfold higher production mass than the current plant-based origin and is competitive with yields from pure microbial cultures. The biofilm was characterized based on total carbohydrate production at varying nutrient levels, individual carbohydrate monomer production from varying organic acid substrates, and microbial community composition-based on 16s rRNA. Biofilm carbohydrate production was maximized at a C:N ratio of 28 (mol:mol). The production of rhamnose varied significantly based on carbon substrate; glucose had the greatest yield of rhamnose, followed by propionic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, valeric acid, and butyric acid. Microbial community analysis indicated an abundance of organisms within the Xanthobacter genus, which is known to produce rhamnose as zeaxanthin rhamnoside. Rhamnose production was heavily correlated with ribose production (R2 = 0.96). Results suggest that mixed microbial biofilms could be a competitive source of monomeric rhamnose that may be produced from mixed organic waste streams of variable composition via volatile fatty acids and glucose.

Aleurites moluccanus and its main active constituent, the flavonoid 2″-O-rhamnosylswertisin, in experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis.

ETHNOPHARMMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aleurites moluccana is used in folk medicine to treat pain, fever, asthma, hepatitis, gastric ulcer and inflammatory process in general, and the nut oil had been topically applied to treat arthritis and other joint pain, however the seeds are classified as toxic for oral use. AIM: Faced with the need for new alternative to treat the symptoms and modify rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of A. moluccanus' leaves dried extract in rats and mice submitted to complete Freund adjuvant (CFA)-induced RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar Rats and Swiss mice were submitted to CFA-induced RA in the right hindpaw. They received A. moluccanus extract (orally; p.o.), dexamethasone (subcutaneously), 2″-O-rhamnosylswertisin (p.o.) or vehicle (p.o.), from the 14th day after the CFA injection for up to 8 days. The mechanical hypersensitivity was evaluated using the von Frey filaments and the paw-oedema was measured using a plethysmometer. The rats' injected hindpaw was used to perform the histological analysis. RESULTS: A. moluccanus was able to significantly reduce the mechanical hypersensitivity in both ipsi- and contralateral hindpaws of mice injected with CFA, in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, the paw-oedema was progressively reduced by A. moluccanus. Similar results were obtained for the positive-control drug dexamethasone and the isolated compound 2″-O-rhamnosylswertisin. Besides the effects mentioned above, the extract was also effective to repair the joint damage in CFA-induced RA rats, including reduction of fibrosis, cartilage degradation and bone erosion scores. CONCLUSION: These results together with the literature data reinforce the anti-hypersensitivity and anti-inflammatory activity of A. moluccanus extract. Part of the observed effects is due to the presence of the compound 2″-O-rhamnosylswertisin. The fact that the extract acted as a disease modifier point this herbal product as a promisor and safe tool to treat RA and other associated chronic diseases.

Structure and gene cluster of the O antigen of Escherichia coli F17, a candidate for a new O-serogroup.

Escherichia coli F17 isolated from horse feces was studied in respect to the O antigen (O polysaccharide) structure and genetics. The lipopolysaccharide was isolated by phenol-water extraction of bacterial cells and cleaved by mild acid hydrolysis to yield the O polysaccharide, which was studied by sugar analysis and selective solvolysis with CF3CO2H along with one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The O polysaccharide was found to have a branched pentasaccharide repeat (O-unit) containing one residue each of d-galactose, d-mannose, l-rhamnose, d-glucuronic acid, and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine; about 2/3 units bear a side-chain glucose residue. To our knowledge, the F17 O-polysaccharide structure established is unique among known bacterial polysaccharide structures. The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli F17 between the conserved genes galF and gnd was sequenced and found to be 99% identical to that of E. coli 102,755 assigned to a novel OgN8 genotype (A. Iguchi, S. Iyoda, K. Seto, H. Nishii, M. Ohnishi, H. Mekata, Y. Ogura, T. Hayashi, Front. Microbiol. 7 (2016) 765). Genes in the cluster were annotated taking into account the F17 O-polysaccharide structure. The data obtained confirm that E. coli F17 and E. coli strains belonging to the OgN8 genotype can be considered as a candidate to a new E. coli O-serogroup. The O antigen of this novel type was demonstrated to make for an effective shield protecting the intimate outer membrane surface of bacteria from direct interaction with bacteriophages.

Characterization of Rhamnolipids Produced by an Arctic Marine Bacterium from the Pseudomonas fluorescence Group.

The marine environment is a rich source of biodiversity, including microorganisms that have proven to be prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. Arctic seas are less explored than warmer, more accessible areas, providing a promising starting point to search for novel bioactive compounds. In the present work, an Arctic marine Pseudomonas sp. belonging to the Pseudomonas (P.) fluorescence group was cultivated in four different media in an attempt to activate biosynthetic pathways leading to the production of antibacterial and anticancer compounds. Culture extracts were pre-fractionated and screened for antibacterial and anticancer activities. One fraction from three of the four growth conditions showed inhibitory activity towards bacteria and cancer cells. The active fractions were dereplicated using molecular networking based on MS/MS fragmentation data, indicating the presence of a cluster of related rhamnolipids. Six compounds were isolated using HPLC and mass-guided fractionation, and by interpreting data from NMR and high-resolution MS/MS analysis; the structures of the compounds were determined to be five mono-rhamnolipids and the lipid moiety of one of the rhamnolipids. Molecular networking proved to be a valuable tool for dereplication of these related compounds, and for the first time, five mono-rhamnolipids from a bacterium within the P. fluorescence group were characterized, including one new mono-rhamnolipid.

Optimization Extraction, Preliminary Characterization and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Semen Juglandis.

The optimization extraction process, preliminary characterization and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Semen Juglandis (SJP) were studied in this paper. Based on the Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology, the optimal extraction conditions for the SJP extraction were obtained as follows: temperature 88 °C, extraction time 125 min and ratio of liquid to solid 31 mL/g. Under these conditions, experimental extraction yield of SJP was (5.73 ± 0.014)% (n = 5), similar to the predicted value of 5.78%. Furtherly, the purified SJP obtained from SJP extract by DEAE-52 and Sephacryl S-100 chromatography was analyzed to be rhamnose, galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose and fucose in the molar ratio of 1:6.34:1.38:3.21:1.56. And the weight-average molecular weight and radius of gyration of the purified SJP in 0.1 M NaCl were determined to be 2.76 × 104 g/mol and 122 nm by SEC-MALLS, respectively. More importantly, it exhibited appreciable antioxidant activities compared to the standard Vc, such as DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 0.21 mg/mL), strong reducing power, ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50 0.29 mg/mL), and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (IC50 0.38 mg/mL). These results indicate that SJP may be useful for developing functional health products or natural antioxidant.

Structural elucidation of a pectin from flowers of Lonicera japonica and its antipancreatic cancer activity.

To investigate polysaccharide structure from Lonicera japonica, and study its effects on behavior of pancreatic cells, a homogenous polysaccharide, LJ-02-1, was extracted and purified from flowers of L. japonica by DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-200HR column. The molecular weight was estimated to be 54kDa. Monosaccharide composition was determined to be rhamnose, galacturonic acid, galactose and arabinose in the molar ratio of 10.77:7.88:15.45:65.89 by analyzing the PMP derivatives of the monosaccharides from 2M trifluoracetic acid hydrolysis via HPLC. Based on methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, and NMR spectra, the polysaccharide was elucidated to be a rhamnogalacturonan backbone and substituted partly at C-4 of rhamnose. The branches were determined to be T- and 1,4,6-linked ß-d-Galp, T- and 1,5-linked α-l-Araf. The polysaccharide might inhibit BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells growth at the concentration of 1mg/mL with inhibitory ratio of 66.7% and 52.1%, respectively.

Anticancer activity of glucomoringin isothiocyanate in human malignant astrocytoma cells.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) released from their glucosinolate precursors have been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis and they have received significant attention as potential chemotherapeutic agents against cancer. Astrocytoma grade IV is the most frequent and most malignant primary brain tumor in adults without any curative treatment. New therapeutic drugs are therefore urgently required. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antitumor activity of the glycosylated isothiocyanate moringin [4-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate] produced from quantitative myrosinase-induced hydrolysis of glucomoringin (GMG) under neutral pH value. We have evaluated the potency of moringin on apoptosis induction and cell death in human astrocytoma grade IV CCF-STTG1 cells. Moringin showed to be effective in inducing apoptosis through p53 and Bax activation and Bcl-2 inhibition. In addition, oxidative stress related Nrf2 transcription factor and its upstream regulator CK2 alpha expressions were modulated at higher doses, which indicated the involvement of oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis induced by moringin. Moreover, significant reduction in 5S rRNA was noticed with moringin treatment. Our in vitro results demonstrated the antitumor efficacy of moringin derived from myrosinase-hydrolysis of GMG in human malignant astrocytoma cells.

Efficient enzymatic synthesis of L-rhamnulose and L-fuculose.

L-Rhamnulose (6-deoxy-L-arabino-2-hexulose) and L-fuculose (6-deoxy-L-lyxo-2-hexulose) were prepared from L-rhamnose and L-fucose by a two-step strategy. In the first reaction step, isomerization of L-rhamnose to L-rhamnulose, or L-fucose to L-fuculose was combined with a targeted phosphorylation reaction catalyzed by L-rhamnulose kinase (RhaB). The by-products (ATP and ADP) were selectively removed by silver nitrate precipitation method. In the second step, the phosphate group was hydrolyzed to produce L-rhamnulose or L-fuculose with purity exceeding 99% in more than 80% yield (gram scale).

Protective effects of 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'dimethoxy-flavone 5-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, isolated from Annona squamosa leaves in thyrotoxicosis and in hepatic lipid peroxidation in rats.

Hitherto unknown protective effects of 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'dimethoxy-flavone 5-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (THDMF-Rha); isolated from Annona squamosa leaves were evaluated in l-thyroxine (l-T4)-induced thyrotoxicosis in rats. Administration of l-T4 at 500µg/kg body weight for 12days increased the levels of serum thyroid hormones, the activity of 5'-monodeiodinase-I (5'DI) and hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6Pase) as well as lipid peroxidation (LPO); with a parallel decrease in the levels of cellular antioxidants and serum lipids. However, administration of the isolated THDMF-Rha at a pre-standardized dose for 15days ameliorated the l-T4-induced alterations in the levels of thyroid hormones, hepatic LPO, G-6-Pase, 5'DI activity, and cellular levels of antioxidants and improved the status of different serum lipids, suggesting its antithyroidal and antioxidative potential. As compared to standard antithyroid drug, propylthiouracil, THDMF-Rha appeared to be more promising.

Optimization of alkaline extraction and bioactivities of polysaccharides from rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum.

The present study is to explore the optimal extraction parameters, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of alkaline soluble polysaccharides from rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum. The optimal extraction parameters were determined as the following: NaOH concentration (A) 0.3 M, temperature (B) 80 °C, ratio of NaOH to solid (C) 10-fold, and extraction time (D) 4 h, in which ratio of NaOH to solid was a key factor. The order of the factors was ratio of NaOH to solid (fold, C) > extraction temperature (°C, B) > NaOH concentration (M, A) > extraction time (h, D). The monosaccharide compositions of polysaccharides from P. odoratum were rhamnose, mannose, xylose, and arabinose with the molecular ratio of 31.78, 31.89, 11.11, and 1.00, respectively. The reducing power, the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging rate, the hydroxyl radicals scavenging rate, and the inhibition rate to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) peroxidation of the alkaline soluble polysaccharides from P. odoratum at 1 mg/mL were 9.81%, 52.84%, 19.22%, and 19.42% of ascorbic acid at the same concentration, respectively. They also showed antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli.

Synergistic antimicrobial efficacy of mesoporous ZnO loaded with 4-(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl isothiocyanate isolated from the Moringa oleifera seed.

The antimicrobial activities of isolated compounds from seed extracts of Moringa oleifera and synergistic antimicrobial efficacy through hybridized complex of organic-inorganic composite materials were studied. The two main components of the Moringa oleifera seed were isolated and determined to be niazimicin and 4-(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl isothiocyanate (RBI). The antimicrobial activity of the separated compounds of the Moringa oleifera seed were tested in vitro against 3 bacterial species and 2 fungal species by the paper disc diffusion assay and broth dilution methods. Both compounds showed antimicrobial activity against tested species and RBI was more effective than niazimicin. The MIC of RBI on S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and A. niger was 0.005%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 0.5%, and 0.5%, respectively, while the MIC of niazimicin on S. aureus was 0.1%. Next, we investigated the combined antimicrobial action of mesoporous ZnO and RBI by incorporating the compound within the pore of mesoporous ZnO. The MIC of mesoporous ZnO with RBI on S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and A. niger was 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.1%, respectively. A synergistic effect of RBI with mesoporous ZnO was shown. From these results, the mesoporous ZnO could act as a reservoir for RBI and mesoporous ZnO with RBI could be used for cosmetic preservatives.

[Applicability of a natural swelling matrix as the propellant of osmotic pump tablets].

The purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of a natural swelling matrix derived from boat-fruited sterculia seed (SMS) as the propellant of osmotic pump tablets. The sugar components, static swelling, water uptake and viscosity of SMS were determined and compared with that of polythylene oxide (WSR-N10 and WSR-303). Both ribavirin and glipizide were used as water-soluble and water-insoluble model drugs. Then, the monolayer osmotic pump tablets of ribavirin and the bilayer osmotic pump tablets of glipizide were prepared using SMS as the osmotically active substance and propellant. SMS was mainly composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose and galactose and exhibited relatively high swelling ability. The area of the disintegrated matrix tablet was 20.1 times as that at initial after swelling for 600 s. SMS swelled rapidly and was fully swelled (0.5%) in aqueous solution with relative low viscosity (3.66 +/- 0.03) mPa x s at 25 degrees C. The monolayer osmotic pump tablets of ribavirin and the bilayer osmotic pump tablets of glipizide using SMS as propellant exhibited typical drug release features of osmotic pumps. In conclusion, the swelling matrix derived from boat-fruited sterculia seed, with low viscosity and high swelling, is a potential propellant in the application of osmotic pump tablets.

An improved rapid method for the preparation of D-rhamnose.

A method is developed for the preparation of D-rhamnose from an O-polysaccharide (OPS) isolated by mild acid hydrolysis of Azospirillum brasilense SR75 cell mass. After the OPS hydrolysis, D-rhamnose was recovered by gel-permeation chromatography on Toyopearl TSK HW-40 and was crystallized. The sugar activity was demonstrated immunochemically. The advantages of the method are that it expedites and simplifies the extraction of D-rhamnose and increases its yield.

Rhamnolipid from Pseudomonas desmolyticum NCIM-2112 and its role in the degradation of Brown 3REL.

The biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas desmolyticum NCIM 2112 (Pd 2112) was confirmed as rhamnolipid based on the formation of dark blue halos around the colonies in CTAB-methylene blue agar plates and the content of rhamnose sugar. The average yield of rhamnolipid was 0.398 g/l/day when grown on hexadecane as sole carbon source. Pd 2112 emulsification potential associated with cell free culture broth was stable for 72 h using various hydrocarbons and vegetable oils. Chemical structure of the biosurfactant was identified as mono-rhamnolipid (Rha-C(6) -C(8) ) using HPTLC, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (1) H and (13) C NMR and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis. Pd 2112 mono-rhamnolipid (1 mg/ml) had increased permeabilization of Bacillus sp VUS NCIM 5342 and increased decolorization rate of textile dye Brown 3REL by 50%. Extracellular activities of lignin peroxidase and veratryl alcohol oxidase, enzymes involved in dye degradation, were significantly increased in the presence of mono-rhamnolipid by 324.52% and 100% respectively. Scanning electron micro-scopy observations revealed that rhamnolipid did not exert any disruptive action on Bacillus cells as compared to Tween 80. The mono-rhamnolipid of Pd 2112 has potential for its application in biodegradation of textile dyes.

[Pectin substances of the callus culture of Silene vulgaris (M.) G].

Pectin-protein fraction SVC was isolated from the callus culture of the bladder campion (Silene vulgaris). The main components in it were residues of D-galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, and protein. Using ion-exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration, and acid and enzymatic hydrolysis, it was shown that SVC contained a mixture of molecules of linear pectin, branched pectin polysaccharide, and pectin-protein polymer. A fragment of the linear chain of galacturonan amounted to more than half of the entire carbohydrate silenan chain. The branched area of the macromolecule is represented by rhamnogalacturonan I. The pectin-protein polymer consisted mainly of protein and weakly branched pectin fragments with molecular mass of more than 300 kDa.

Five naturally bioactive molecules including two rhamnopyranoside derivatives isolated from the Streptomyces sp. strain TN58.

Extraction of 25 L fermentation broth of the newly isolated Streptomyces sp. strain TN58 and various separation and purification steps led to the isolation of five bioactive metabolites, namely brevianamide F (C1), reported from a streptomycete for the first time, N(beta)-acetyltryptamine (C2), thiazolidomycin (C3), and two rhamnopyranosides (C4 and C5). These two rhamnopyranosides were produced directly, without precursor addition. The chemical structure of these five active compounds was established on the basis of (1)H, (13)C/APT and 2D NMR spectra, ESI and EI-MS data, and by comparison with data from the literature. According to the biological studies, we show in this work that the compounds C1, C2, C4 and C5 possess antimicrobial activities.

[Analysis of monosaccharides in Radix Rehmanniae by GC].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and purify the polysaccharides from Radix Rehmanniae and analysis the monosaccharides composition. METHOD: The polysaccharides were extracted with hot water and precipitated by alcohol. Proteins in the precipitates were removed by TCA method. The products were further purified with column chromatography on Superdex 200 and Sephadex G100. The SRP I and SRP II were identified as homogeneous polysaccharide by HPLC, respectively, and then analyzed by GC after being hydrolysised. RESULT: Two homogeneous polysaccharides (SRP I and SRP II) were obtained from Radix Rehmanniae. CONCLUSION: SRP I contained rhamnose, arabinose, glucose and galactose in the percentage of 6.11%, 66.46%, 3.93% and 21.50%. SRP I was composed of rhamnose, fucose, mannose, galactose and fructose in the percentage of 21.82%, 24.47%, 10.48%, 29.94% and 13.29%.

Myricarborin A and n-butyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, two novel compounds from the bark of Myrica rubra.

From the bark of Chinese Myrica rubra (Myricaceae) two novel compounds, myricarborin A and n-butyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, have been isolated along with (+)-S- myricanol, (-)-R- myricanol 5-O-beta-D-(6'-O-galloyl)-glucopyanoside and n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside. The structures of the novel compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods.

Myxotyrosides A and B, Unusual rhamnosides from Myxococcus sp.

Myxobacteria are gliding bacteria of the delta-subdivision of the Proteobacteria and known for their unique biosynthetic capabilities. Two examples of a new class of metabolites, myxotyrosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a Myxococcus sp. The myxotyrosides have a tyrosine-derived core structure glycosylated with rhamnose and acylated with unusual fatty acids such as (Z)-15-methyl-2-hexadecenoic and (Z)-2-hexadecenoic acid. The fatty acid profile of the investigated Myxococcus sp. (strain 131) is that of a typical myxobacterium with a high similarity to those described for M. fulvus and M. xanthus, with significant concentrations of neither 15-methyl-2-hexadecenoic acid nor 2-hexadecenoic acid being detected.