Sulfated Polysaccharides with Anticoagulant Potential: A Review Focusing on Structure-Activity Relationship and Action Mechanism.

Thromboembolism is the culprit of cardiovascular diseases, leading to the highest global mortality rate. Anticoagulation emerges as the primary approach for managing thrombotic conditions. Notably, sulfated polysaccharides exhibit favorable anticoagulant efficacy with reduced side effects. This review focuses on the structure-anticoagulant activity relationship of sulfated polysaccharides and the underlying action mechanisms. It is concluded that chlorosulfonicacid-pyridine method serves as the preferred technique to synthesize sulfated polysaccharides. The anticoagulant activity of sulfated polysaccharides is linked to the substitution site of sulfate groups, degree of substitution, molecular weight, main side chain structure, and glycosidic bond conformation. Moreover, sulfated polysaccharides exert anticoagulant activity via various pathways, including the inhibition of blood coagulation factors, activation of antithrombin III and heparin cofactor II, antiplatelet aggregation, and promotion of the fibrinolytic system.

Temporal patterns of organ dysfunction in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit: A group-based multitrajectory modeling analysis.

BACKGROUND: The course of organ dysfunction (OD) in Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is unknown. Herein, we analyze the temporal patterns of OD in intensive care unit-admitted COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Sequential organ failure assessment scores were evaluated daily within 2 weeks of admission to determine the temporal trajectory of OD using group-based multitrajectory modeling (GBMTM). RESULTS: A total of 392 patients were enrolled with a 28-day mortality rate of 53.6%. GBMTM identified four distinct trajectories. Group 1 (mild OD, n = 64), with a median APACHE II score of 13 (IQR 9-21), had an early resolution of OD and a low mortality rate. Group 2 (moderate OD, n = 140), with a median APACHE II score of 18 (IQR 13-22), had a 28-day mortality rate of 30.0%. Group 3 (severe OD, n = 117), with a median APACHR II score of 20 (IQR 13-27), had a deterioration trend of respiratory dysfunction and a 28-day mortality rate of 69.2%. Group 4 (extremely severe OD, n = 71), with a median APACHE II score of 20 (IQR 17-27), had a significant and sustained OD affecting all organ systems and a 28-day mortality rate of 97.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Four distinct trajectories of OD were identified, and respiratory dysfunction trajectory could predict nonpulmonary OD trajectories and patient prognosis.

Healthy eating habits and a prudent dietary pattern improve Nanjing international students' health-related quality of life.

Purpose: Low-quality dietary practices, such as fast food consumption and skipping meals, deteriorate the quality of life. However, the available studies on diet and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) used matrices not specific to nutrition. Moreover, how diet affects the HRQoL of international students in China is unknown. Therefore, using a cross-sectional study, the effect of dietary patterns and habits on the HRQoL of international students in Nanjing, China, was examined. Methods: The researchers collected dietary data using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) from February to March 2022. Then, the Food Benefit Assessment (FBA) was used to access HRQoL. Finally, the effect of eating habits and dietary patterns on HRQoL was explored using multilinear regression. Results: Approximately 454 responses were obtained, with the responses mostly from male subjects (56.4%) and those aged 26 years and above (75.6%). The quality of life according to the food consumed was about average for all the constructs except for aesthetics and disease prevention, as 65.8% skipped meals, particularly breakfast (47.8%). Furthermore, three dietary patterns were identified: prudent, Western, and animal protein patterns. Consequently, by skipping breakfast, vitality (ß = -2.362, p = 0.04), wellbeing (ß = -3.592, p = 0.007), digestive comfort (ß = -4.734, p = 0.008), and disease prevention (ß = -5.071, p = 0.031) were all reduced. However, consuming at least three meals daily enhanced vitality (ß = 2.254, p = 0.003) and disease prevention (ß = 4.441, p = 0.019). Furthermore, aesthetics (ß = 4.456, p = 0.05), physical appearance (ß = 5.927, p = 0.003), and vitality (ß = 3.323, p = 0.009) were also significantly increased by healthy dietary patterns. However, a more Westernized diet led to frequent snacking (ß = -4.631, p = 0.032), a decline in wellbeing (ß = -5.370, p < 0.001), and discomfort with digestion (ß = -5.101, p = 0.01). Finally, increased frequency of snacking (ß = -6.036, p = 0.012), a decrease in wellbeing (ß = -4.494, p = 0.004), digestive comfort (ß = -9.940, p < 0.001), physical appearance (ß = -4.926, p = 0.027), and disease prevention (ß = -5.835, p = 0.043) were all associated with an increase in animal protein patterns. Conclusion: This research indicates that healthy eating habits and patterns positively impact international students' HRQoL. Therefore, the appropriate authorities should advise students to consume healthy foods regularly to improve their HRQoL.

A new coumarin glucoside from Angelica pubescens.

A new coumarin glucoside named angelol A-3'-ß-D-glucoside and four known compounds (2-5) were isolated from the root of Angelica pubescens. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods involving HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was confirmed by the CD experiment. All compounds were tested for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity in vitro. The results showed that all compounds exhibited weak to moderate inhibition activities of NO production except compound 5.

Glucose restriction induces AMPK-SIRT1-mediated circadian clock gene Per expression and delays NSCLC progression.

The rhythmic expression of the circadian clock is intimately linked to the health status of the body. Disturbed circadian clock rhythms might lead to a wide range of metabolic diseases and even cancers. Our previous study showed that glucose restriction was able to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the current study, we found that glucose restriction enhanced apoptosis and cell growth delay in NSCLC cells. In addition, we used GEPIA database analysis to derive different effects of each circadian clock gene on lung cancer tissue. Among these circadian clock genes, Per (Period) is lowly expressed in cancer tissues and highly expressed in normal tissues. Moreover, the higher expression of Per in cancer patients has a better prognostic significance. Furthermore, we revealed that glucose restriction induced the expression of the circadian clock gene Per in NSCLC cells by upregulating SIRT1 (Sirtuin1) via activation of the energy response factor AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase). Changes in Per expression following upregulation or downregulation of AMPK were consistent with AMPK expression. Additionally, a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet significantly delayed tumor progression in a xenograft tumor model of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Meanwhile, the ketogenic diet increased the expression of AMPK, SIRT1 and Per in vivo. Besides, the ketogenic diet was found to restore the normal rhythmic level of Per by Zeitgeber Time (ZT) experiments. Taken these together, these results indicated a novel mechanism that glucose restriction induces AMPK-SIRT1 mediated circadian clock gene Per expression and delays NSCLC progression, which provided more evidence for glucose restriction as an adjuvant clinical therapeutic strategy in NSCLC.

Enriching adenosine by thymine-rich DNA oligomers.

Adenosine levels are important in various physiological and pathological activities, but detecting them is difficult because of interference from a complex matrix. This study designed a series of DNA oligomers rich in thymine to enrich adenosine. Their binding affinity (Kd range: 1.25-5.0 mM) to adenosine varied based on the DNA secondary structures, with a clamped hairpin structure showing the highest binding affinity. Compared to other designs, this clamped DNA hairpin underwent the least conformational change during adenosine binding. These DNAs also suppressed the precipitation of supersaturated adenine. Taken together, these results suggest that thymine-rich DNAs could be used to enrich and separate adenosine.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of paeonol derivatives with etherized aryl urea by regulating TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cell.

Thirty-three novel paeonol etherized aryl urea derivatives (PEUs) were synthesized via a bromination-Williamson Ether Synthesis-deprotection-nucleophilic addition reaction sequence. The structures of PEUs were characterized by LC-MS, HRMS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages were initially employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of all compounds. Remarkably, b16 exhibited a good anti-inflammatory activity at 2.5 µm which is the same as the potency of paeonol at 20 µm. The results of mechanism research displayed that the anti-inflammatory effect of b16 was ascribed to the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway and inflammatory factors. Additionally, b16 distinctly reduced the generation of free radicals in macrophages and strikingly increased the mitochondrial membrane potential. According to the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of PEUs, the incorporation of halogens on the benzene ring and the hydrogen of phenol hydroxyl substituted by aryl urea, were beneficial to enhance the anti-inflammatory activities. Molecular docking results illustrated that the binding ability of b16 to TLR4 was stronger than that of paeonol. In summary, the novel aryl urea-derivied paeonol b16 could be a new promising candidate for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

Glucose restriction induces ROS-AMPK-mediated CTR1 expression and increases cisplatin efficiency in NSCLC.

Cisplatin is one of the principal platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents for many types of cancer, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Copper transporter 1 (CTR1) plays a significant role in increasing cellular cisplatin uptake and sensitivity. The current study found that glucose restriction upregulated AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) through reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce CTR1 expression in NSCLC cells. Direct upregulation of ROS levels also activated AMPK expression. The changes in CTR1 expression were consistent with glucose concentrations and AMPK expression. Feeding a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (a glucose restriction diet) to a severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mouse xenograft model significantly enhanced the efficacy of cisplatin. The tumor size was significantly smaller in the group treated with cisplatin plus the low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet than in the group treated with cisplatin alone. Survival was longer in mice treated with the low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet than in the controls. Mice fed the low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet showed increased expression of CTR1 and AMPK in tumor tissues. These results suggest a novel mechanism whereby glucose restriction induces ROS-AMPK-mediated CTR1 expression in NSCLC, indicating glucose restriction as an effective adjuvant NSCLC therapy.

[Chemical constituents of cyclic peptides from fibrous roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla].

Four cyclic peptides were isolated from the 75% ethanol extract of the fibrous roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. Through mass spectrometry, NMR and other methods, they were identified as pseudostellarin L(1), heterophyllin B(2), pseudostellarin B(3), and pseudostellarin C(4). Among them, compound 1 was a new cyclic peptide, and compounds 2-4 were isolated from the fibrous roots of P. heterophylla for the first time. None of these compounds displayed cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, A549, HCT-116, and SGC-7901 cells.

Eleocharis dulcis corm: phytochemicals, health benefits, processing and food products.

Eleocharis dulcis, an aquatic plant belonging to Cyperaceae family, is indigenous to Asia, and also occurs in tropical Africa and Australia. The edible corm part of E. dulcis is a commonly consumed aquatic vegetable with a planting area of 44.46 × 103 hm2 in China. This work aims to explore the potential of E. dulcis corm for use as a new food source for sufficient nutrients and health benefits by reviewing its nutrients, phytochemicals, functions, processing and food products. Eleocharis dulcis corm contains starches, dietary fibers, non-starch polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, phenolics, sterols, puchiin, saponins, minerals and vitamins. Among them, phenolics including flavonoids and quinones could be the major bioconstituents that largely contribute to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and hypolipidemic functions. Peel wastes of E. dulcis corm tend to be enriched in phenolics to a much higher extent than the edible pulp. Fresh-cut E. dulcis corm can be consumed as a ready-to-eat food or processed into juice for beverage production, and anti-browning processing is a key to prolonging shelf life. Present food products of E. dulcis corm are centered on various fruit and vegetable beverages, and suffer from single categories and inadequate development. In brief, underutilized E. dulcis corm possesses great potential for use as a new food source for sufficient nutrients and health benefits. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

A new cyclic peptide from the fibrous root of Pseudostellaria heterophylla.

A new cyclic peptide, Pseudostellarin K (1), together with thirteen known compounds, including two cyclic peptides (2 and 3), one ß-carboline alkaloid (4), two amides (5 and 6), three phenylpropanoids (7-9) and other compounds (10-14), were isolated from the fibrous root of Pseudostellaria heterophylla. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1, 4-6, 10 were isolated from the genus pseudostellaria for the first time. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, A549, HCT-116 and SGC-7901 cell lines by MTT assay. Unfortunately, all these compounds displayed weak cytotoxic activities.

Compare of Interfractional Setup Reproducibility Between Vacuum-Lock Bag and Thermoplastic Mask in Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the difference of setup reproducibility between Vacuum-lock bag and Thermoplastic mask in the radiotherapy for breast cancer. Methods: A total of 100 invasive breast carcinoma patients were collected, among whom 50 patients were immobilized with Vacuum-lock bag (VB group), and the other 50 patients were immobilized with Thermoplastic mask (TM group). Set up reproducibility in different axes and comfort levels between two groups at three treatment progress points during the radiation therapy were collected and analyzed. Results: The linear regression model showed that fixed device was an independent factor of radiotherapy setup error (SE). Further subgroup analysis based on different axes showed that the SE caused by the fixed device was obvious in all directions. The comfort level in the VB group was significantly larger than that in the TM group at the beginning of treatment, reduced as the treatment progress going on, and finally disappeared within three weeks. Conclusions: Thermoplastic mask could significantly reduce positioning errors in the radiotherapy of breast cancer. Although more discomfort was found in the TM group, it could be eliminated as the treatment progresses.

Diosmetin Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis through Modulating Lipogenesis and Inflammatory Response in a STAT1/CXCL10-Dependent Manner.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an inflammatory lipotoxic disorder characterized by lipid accumulation and inflammation. Diosmetin (Dios), a flavonoid, has an active effect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, whereas its effect on NASH remains elusive. To investigate the effects of Dios on lipogenesis and inflammatory response and explore the molecular mechanisms of Dios on NASH, mice induced by high-fat diet (HFD), HepG2 cells stimulated by palmitic acid (PA), transcriptome sequencing, and molecular biological experiments were used. We show, by pathological analysis (HE, Oli Red O, and Masson staining) and biochemical parameters (TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, and AST), Dios alleviated liver lipid accumulation and inflammatory injury. According to liver RNA-Seq analysis, CXCL10 and STAT1 were assumed to be the key target genes of Dios on NASH. Significantly, Dios regulated STAT1/CXCL10 signal pathway and further attenuated NASH via regulating the expression of LXRα/ß, SREBP-1c, CHREBP, and NF-κB. In conclusion, Dios is proposed to alleviate NASH through suppression of lipogenesis and inflammatory response via a STAT1/CXCL10-dependent pathway.

Xianglian Pill ameliorates antibiotic-associated diarrhea by restoring intestinal microbiota and attenuating mucosal damage.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Xianglian Pill (XLP), a traditional Chinese pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment of gastrointestinal disease, possessing anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and analgesic activities, may represent a promising candidate for the treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism of XLP on the amelioration of AAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AAD was induced by intragastric administration of a mixture of cefuroxime and levofoxacin (300 mg/kg. bw + 200 mg/kg. bw) for five consecutive days. Then AAD mice were treated with XLP at the dose of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg. bw, respectively for 5 days. The physical manifestations, diarrhea status were monitored during the drug delivery. Histopathology of colon, intestinal microbiota, inflammatory cytokines, tight junction protein and short chain fat acids (SCFAs) were determined. RESULTS: Mice received cefuroxime and levofoxacin for 5 days developed medium to severe diarrhea. XLP treatment, however, mitigated the diarrhea status. Further evaluation revealed that XLP promoted the recovery of mucosa, maintained the integrity of tight junction, attenuated the inflammatory disorders, restored intestinal microbiota and increased SCFAs level in feces. CONCLUSION: XLP ameliorates AAD by restoring intestinal microbiota and attenuating mucosal damage.

Inulin as carriers for renal targeting delivery of ferulic acid.

Inulin (IN), as a classic diagnostic for determination of glomerular filtration rate, reached high concentration in kidney. Introducing drug into IN derivatives may be a new method to target kidney for drug delivery. To test the hypothesis, ferulic acid (FeA) was conjugated into IN by ester bond and amide bond (ethylenediamine as spacer), respectively, and the two FeA-IN conjugations, inulin ferulate (IN-FeA) and inulin ethylenediamine ferulate (IN-EDA-FeA) were obtained. NMR spectrum was involved to characterize the conjugations. The FeA in vitro release profiles were tested in mice plasma and renal homogenate. Finally, the biodistribution test was performed to evaluate their renal-targeting ability. Both IN-FeA and IN-EDA-FeA showed a higher release rate of FeA in renal homogenate than in mouse plasma suggesting the conjugates are relatively stable in plasma and more likely FeA release in kidney. The renal area under the curve (AUC) for IN-FeA and IN-EDA-FeA were 539.6 ± 107.9 and 558.5 ± 131.6 µg h/mL, respectively, which were 4.47 and 4.62 times of 120.8 ± 18.1 µg h/mL for free FeA. Meanwhile, significant smaller FeA accumulation in other organs was observed. These data indicated that IN-FeA and IN-EDA-FeA effectively targeted kidney for FeA delivery.

Magnoflorine from Coptis chinese has the potential to treat DNCB-induced Atopic dermatits by inhibiting apoptosis of keratinocyte.

AIMS: In Sheng Nong's herbal classic in China, Rhizoma coptidisa(RC) could be used to treat Atopic dermatitsb(AD), but its core ingredient(s) and mechanism remains unknown. The present study aimed to find out the ingredients against AD and expound its mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven alkaloids were isolated from RC to compare the inhibition against HaCaT cells by MTT assays and apoptosis of cells stimulated with TNF-α/IFN-γ by flow cytometry. The effects of target alkaloids against AD were evaluated on DNCBc (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene)-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. KEY FINDINGS: Seven alkaloids were isolated from RC successfully. The results from MTT and flow cytometry indicated that among these alkaloids, only magnoflorine d(MAG) had no obvious toxicity on cells, but could inhibit the apoptosis of the cells stimulated with TNF-α/IFN-γ. Further animal experiments confirmed that MAG significantly attenuated the AD-like symptom and inhibited the AD-induced increases in IgE/IL-4, as compared with control (P < 0.01). Moreover, MAG reduced the low Δψme(mitochondrial membrane potential) in HaCaT cells. The results of western blotting proved that MAG inhibited apoptosis of keratinocytes through decreasing the expressions of CTSBf (cathepsin B), Cyte Cg (cytochrome C), Bid and caspase-3/7/8/9. SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, MAG inhibited apoptosis by decreasing the expression of apoptotic pathway-related proteins, and laid a foundation for the study of AD mechanisms.

Root-Securing and Brain-Fortifying Liquid Upregulates Caveolin-1 in Cell Model with Alzheimer's Disease through Inhibiting Tau Phosphorylation.

In order to explore the effect of root-securing and brain-fortifying Liquid- (RSBFL-) mediated caveolin-1 (CAV-1) on phosphorylation of Tau protein and to uncover underlying mechanisms of RSBFL for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), hippocampal neurons isolated from neonatal SD rats and cultured in DMEM-F12 medium were induced by exogenous Aß1-42 to establish a cell model with AD. Meanwhile, pEGFP-C1-CAV1 and CAV1-shRNA plasmids were transfected into hippocampal neurons for CAV-1 overexpression and silence, respectively. The serum containing RSBFL was prepared for the intervention of AD model cells. The expression of CAV-1, GSK-3ß, and p-Tau in normal hippocampal neurons and AD model cells in the presence of serum containing RSBFL was evaluated. The model hippocampal neurons with AD induced by Aß1-42 revealed an obvious CAV-1 inhibition, enhanced GSK-3ß activity, and abnormal Tau phosphorylation. In contrast, the treatment with serum containing RSBFL could upregulate CAV-1 in AD hippocampal neurons (P < 0.05) with improved p-GSK-3ßSer9 and reduced p-GSK-3ßTyr216 (P < 0.01), as well as suppressed abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein. Therefore, RSBFL has an excellent protective effect on hippocampal neurons through increasing CAV-1 expression, inhibiting GSK-3ß activity, and reducing excessive abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein.

Curcumol Suppresses Breast Cancer Cell Metastasis by Inhibiting MMP-9 Via JNK1/2 and Akt-Dependent NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Curcumolhas been reported to possess antitumor activity. However, its effect and mechanisms against tumor metastasis are still unclear. This study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of curcumol on breast cancer cell metastasis and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that noncytotoxicity was caused by curcumol within 10 to 40 µg/mL in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells for 24 hours, whereas sustained treatment with curcumol for 14 days significantly suppressed the clonogenic activity of cells. Importantly, curcumol at noncytotoxic concentrations suppressed the migration ability of both MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells. Moreover, curcumol suppressed the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in the Boyden chamber migration and invasion assay and inhibited the adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells onto the matrigel. Further investigations revealed that curcumol decreased the enzyme activity and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, curcumol inhibited the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 and Akt (Ser473). Meanwhile, it also inhibited the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, JNK inhibitor SP600125 and Akt (Ser473) inhibitor LY294002 enhanced the inhibition of curcumol on NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Finally, supplementation with SP600125, LY294002, or NF-κB inhibitor Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of curcumol on MMP-9 expression and cell migration, invasion, and adhesion in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings provide evidence for the suppression of breast cancer cell metastasis by curcumol and suggest that the inhibition of MMP-9 via JNK1/2 and Akt (Ser473)-dependent NF-κB signaling pathways may be the underlying mechanisms.

Bioactivity-guided Isolation of antiosteoporotic compounds from Ligustrum lucidum.

The fruits of Ligustrum lucidum (FLL) has long been used for the treatment of osteoporosis in China, but the antiosteoporotic compounds in FLL are still poorly understood. In this study, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity-guided isolation of osteogenic components from FLL was carried out by using osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells. Eight compounds, namely tyrosol (1), tyrosyl acetate (2), hydroxytyrosol (3), salidroside (4), oleoside dimethyl ester (5), oleoside-7-ethyl-11-methyl ester (6), nuzhenide (7), and G13 (8), were isolated and identified. Further study showed that compounds 3, 4, 7, and 8 increased ALP activity in UMR-106 cells. Compounds 5, 6, and 7 promoted the proliferation of UMR-106 cells. The aqueous extract of FLL-activated ERα/ß-mediated gene transcription, whereas the isolated compounds were inactive. All eight isolated compounds also exhibited antioxidative activity, with compounds 1, 2, and 3 being the most potent. These results indicate that the antiosteoporotic effect of FLL is derived from different compounds together with different mechanisms such as ER-dependent or independent pathways and antioxidative effects. Salidroside (4) and nuzhenide (7) warrant further investigation as new pharmaceutical tools for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Antiosteoporotic compounds from seeds of Cuscuta chinensis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The seeds of Cuscuta chinensis (Tu-Si-Zi, TSZ) have long been used for the treatment of osteoporosis in China and some Asian countries. The compounds in TSZ responsible for the antiosteoporotic activity are still poorly understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to investigate the osteogenic compounds in TSZ, and to evaluate their antiosteoporotic effects in osteoblastic cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells were used for bioactivity-guided isolation of the active compounds. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in UMR-106 cells was measured by p-nitrophenyl sodium phosphate assay. The proliferation of UMR-106 cells was assayed by Alamar-Blue method. Estrogenic activity of the extracts and isolated compounds was evaluated by activation of estrogen response element (ERE) luciferase reporter expression in HeLa cells co-transfected with human estrogen receptor subtypes (ERα or ERß) expression vectors and 5×ERE luciferase reporter plasmid. Antiestrogenic activity of the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated by activation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) luciferase reporter expression in HeLa cells co-transfected with human estrogen receptor subtypes (ERα or ERß) expression vectors and 6×AP-1 luciferase reporter plasmid. RESULTS: ALP-guided fractionation led to the isolation of five known flavonoids, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, hyperoside and astragalin from the crude ethanolic extract of TSZ. Further study showed that kaempferol and hyperoside significantly increased the ALP activity in UMR-106 cells. Astragalin promoted the proliferation of UMR-106 cells whereas other compounds had no such effect. The isolated compounds showed estrogenic activity but quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin showed more potent ERß agonist activity. However, compared with their ER agonist activity, only quercetin and kaempferol showed potent ER antagonist activity by activating ERα/ß-mediated AP-1 reporter expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings validated the clinical use of TSZ in the treatment of osteoporosis, and demonstrated that kaempferol and hyperoside are the active compounds in TSZ for the osteogenic effect.