Rhizophagus Irregularis regulates flavonoids metabolism in paper mulberry roots under cadmium stress.

Broussonetia papyrifera is widely found in cadmium (Cd) contaminated areas, with an inherent enhanced flavonoids metabolism and inhibited lignin biosynthesis, colonized by lots of symbiotic fungi, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which Rhizophagus irregularis, an AM fungus, regulates flavonoids and lignin in B. papyrifera under Cd stress remain unclear. Here, a pot experiment of B. papyrifera inoculated and non-inoculated with R. irregularis under Cd stress was carried out. We determined flavonoids and lignin concentrations in B. papyrifera roots by LC-MS and GC-MS, respectively, and measured the transcriptional levels of flavonoids- or lignin-related genes in B. papyrifera roots, aiming to ascertain the key components of flavonoids or lignin, and key genes regulated by R. irregularis in response to Cd stress. Without R. irregularis, the concentrations of eriodictyol, quercetin and myricetin were significantly increased under Cd stress. The concentrations of eriodictyol and genistein were significantly increased by R. irregularis, while the concentration of rutin was significantly decreased. Total lignin and lignin monomer had no alteration under Cd stress or with R. irregularis inoculation. As for flavonoids- or lignin-related genes, 26 genes were co-regulated by Cd stress and R. irregularis. Among these genes, BpC4H2, BpCHS8 and BpCHI5 were strongly positively associated with eriodictyol, indicating that these three genes participate in eriodictyol biosynthesis and were involved in R. irregularis assisting B. papyrifera to cope with Cd stress. This lays a foundation for further research revealing molecular mechanisms by which R. irregularis regulates flavonoids synthesis to enhance tolerance of B. papyrifera to Cd stress.

[Review on building energy saving and outdoor cooling effect of vertical greenery systems]. / åž‚ç›´ç»¿åŒ–çš„å»ºç­‘èŠ‚èƒ½ä¸Žå®¤å¤–é™æ¸©æ•ˆåº”ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

Vertical greenery system (VGS) is a sustainable solution to promote building energy saving and emission reduction, mitigate the urban heat island effect, as well as a crucial component of urban ecological construction. We summarized four main mechanisms of the thermal effects of VGSs, including shading effect, evapotranspiration effect, thermal insulation effect, and wind control effect. We elucidated the effects of VGSs on building cooling and energy saving, and analyzed the cooling effects of VGSs on plant canopy and outdoor ambient air, as well as their influence on mitigating the urban heat island effect. Based on available research on the thermal effects of VGSs, we identified key directions for future research, aiming to expedite the development of green cities and achieve carbon neutrality.

Root damage of street trees in urban environments: An overview of its hazards, causes, and prevention and control measures.

Root damage from urban street trees represents a substantial concern arising from the conflict between root growth and limited growth spaces. Nonetheless, the phenomenon of root damage, which threatens the safety of urban facilities, appears to have received little scholarly attention. Moreover, the effectiveness of some proposed measures for root damage prevention and control has not yet received consistent evaluation. Accordingly, this review aims to examine root damage, including its causes and available prevention and control measures. Urban trees are found to have a high potential to exert root damage on infrastructures when the following factors exist. These include large and mature tree, fast-growing trees, trees planted in limited soil volumes, shallow-rooted tree with buttress roots, trees whose diameter at breast height exceeds 10 cm, old and cracked road paving, high soil surface moisture content, short distances between trees and sidewalks (<2 to 3 m), and underground pipes that are already broken and made of metals or stones. The phenotypic traits of trees may be the primary factor causing root damage when there is a mismatch between the root-soil requirements of urban street trees and the actual soil environment. The poor effectiveness of root damage prevention and control measures may be attributed to the lack of connection between the development of control measures and the mechanism of root damage.

Huangqin decoction alleviates lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by triggering Sirt1/NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological entity characterized by intrahepatic ectopic steatosis. As a consequence of increased consumption of high-calorie diet and adoption of a sedentary lifestyle, the incidence of NAFLD has surpassed that of viral hepatitis, making it the most common cause of chronic liver disease globally. Huangqin decoction (HQD), a Chinese medicinal formulation that has been used clinically for thousands of years, has beneficial outcomes in patients with liver diseases, including NAFLD. However, the role and mechanism of action of HQD in lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in NAFLD remain poorly understood. AIM: To evaluate the ameliorative effects of HQD in NAFLD, with a focus on lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS: High-fat diet-induced NAFLD rats and palmitic acid (PA)-stimulated HepG2 cells were used to investigate the effects of HQD and identify its potential mechanism of action. Phytochemicals in HQD were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify the key components. RESULTS: Ten primary chemical components of HQD were identified by HPLC analysis. In vivo, HQD effectively prevented rats from gaining body and liver weight, improved the liver index, ameliorated hepatic histological aberrations, decreased transaminase and lipid profile disorders, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors and insulin resistance. In vitro studies revealed that HQD effectively alleviated PA-induced lipid accumulation, inflammation, and insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. In-depth investigation revealed that HQD triggers Sirt1/NF-κB pathway-modulated lipogenesis and inflammation, contributing to its beneficial actions, which was further corroborated by the addition of the Sirt1 antagonist EX-527 that compromised the favorable effects of HQD. CONCLUSION: In summary, our study confirmed that HQD mitigates lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in NAFLD by triggering the Sirt1/NF-κB pathway.

Immuno-genomic-radiomics to predict response of biliary tract cancer to camrelizumab plus GEMOX in a single-arm phase II trial.

Background & Aims: Immunotherapy is an option for the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC), although it has a low response rate. In this post hoc analysis, we investigated the predictive value of an immuno-genomic-radiomics (IGR) analysis for patients with BTC treated with camrelizumab plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) therapy. Methods: Thirty-two patients with BTC treated with camrelizumab plus GEMOX were prospectively enrolled. The relationship between high-throughput computed tomography (CT) radiomics features with immuno-genomic expression was tested and scaled with a full correlation matrix analysis. Odds ratio (OR) of IGR expression for objective response to camrelizumab plus GEMOX was tested with logistic regression analysis. Association of IGR expression with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was analysed with a Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: CT radiomics correlated with CD8+ T cells (r = -0.72-0.71, p = 0.004-0.047), tumour mutation burden (TMB) (r = 0.59, p = 0.039), and ARID1A mutation (r = -0.58-0.57, p = 0.020-0.034). There was no significant correlation between radiomics and programmed cell death protein ligand 1 expression (p >0.96). Among all IGR biomarkers, only four radiomics features were independent predictors of objective response (OR = 0.09-3.81; p = 0.011-0.044). Combining independent radiomics features into an objective response prediction model achieved an area under the curve of 0.869. In a Cox analysis, radiomics signature [hazard ratio (HR) = 6.90, p <0.001], ARID1A (HR = 3.31, p = 0.013), and blood TMB (HR = 1.13, p = 0.023) were independent predictors of PFS. Radiomics signature (HR = 6.58, p <0.001) and CD8+ T cells (HR = 0.22, p = 0.004) were independent predictors of OS. Prognostic models integrating these features achieved concordance indexes of 0.677 and 0.681 for PFS and OS, respectively. Conclusions: Radiomics could act as a non-invasive immuno-genomic surrogate of BTC, which could further aid in response prediction for patients with BTC treated with immunotherapy. However, multicenter and larger sample studies are required to validate these results. Impact and implications: Immunotherapy is an alternative for the treatment of advanced BTC, whereas tumour response is heterogeneous. In a post hoc analysis of the single-arm phase II clinical trial (NCT03486678), we found that CT radiomics features were associated with the tumour microenvironment and that IGR expression was a promising marker for tumour response and long-term survival. Clinical trial number: Post hoc analysis of NCT03486678.

Effects of vertical greenery systems on the spatiotemporal thermal environment in street canyons with different aspect ratios: A scaled experiment study.

Many studies have focused mainly on the thermal and energy performance of VGSs on a building scale; however, little is known about the cooling effect of VGSs in street canyons and its response to different aspect ratios (building height/street width, H/W). Therefore, a scaled outdoor experiment was conducted to investigate the spatiotemporal variation of the urban wind and thermal environment caused by west-facing vertical greenery systems (VGSs) in street canyons with H/W = 1 and 2 in the subtropical city of Guangzhou, China. On a typical hot day (26th Oct. 2021), VGSs reduced wind speed by 38.0 % and 21.0 % in street canyons with H/W = 1 and 2, respectively. Compared with the reference cases, the temperature regimes of VGS cases (H/W = 1 and 2), including west-facing wall temperature (Tw-west), east-facing wall temperature (Tw-east), ground temperature (Tg), and air temperature (Ta), were all significantly decreased. Because of the cooling effect of VGSs, the maximum reduction of Tw-west in the upper level of street canyons with H/W = 1 and 2 was 20.3 and 16.8 °C, respectively. The maximum reduction of Tg in the center of the VGS case with H/W = 2 was 4.6 °C, which was more pronounced than in the VGS case with H/W = 1 (1.8 °C). The maximum reduction of Ta at the pedestrian level along the central axis of street canyons with H/W = 1 and 2 was 0.8 and 1.6 °C, respectively, which was more pronounced than at the upper level. The reduction of Tw-west in the upper level and of Tg and Ta in the VGS case with H/W = 2 was greater than that in the VGS case with H/W = 1 due to lower wind speed and albedo.

Does improving basic public health services promote household consumption of rural migrant workers? Evidence from China.

Background: Transforming rural migrant workers' consumption potential into a consumption booster requires ensuring their equal rights as urban residents. The adequate access to Basic Public Health Services (BPHS) help effectively tackle rural migrant workers' health challenges and promote the well-being of this vulnerable population. Assessing the welfare effects of BPHS through a consumption perspective offers valuable insights and provides policy implications for enhancing the equity of BPHS and achieving common prosperity. Methods: Utilizing the household-level data from China Migrants Dynamic Survey 2017 (CMDS 2017), this study comprehensively evaluated the effects of BPHS on rural migrant workers' household consumption by combining the methods of OLS, PSM, and IV. Results: The enhancement of BPHS promotes rural migrant workers' household consumption even after considering endogeneity problems. Mechanism analysis indicates that BPHS imposes its positive effects on rural migrant workers through improving health literacy and increasing citizenization willingness. Furthermore, we identified heterogeneous effects across individual and household characteristics of rural migrant workers, and their flow patterns. Conclusion: Our analysis indicates that BPHS plays a greater role in promoting household consumption of socially vulnerable groups, such as trans-provincial migration, rural migrant workers in old generations, and with lower-level income. Overall, these results suggest that the welfare effects of BPHS are inclusive in China.

New stilbenoligan and flavonoid from the roots of Caragana stenophylla Pojark. and their anti-inflammatory activity.

A phytochemical investigation on the 80% ethanol extract of the roots of Caragana stenophylla Pojark. resulted in the isolation of 20 compounds, including two new ones, named kompasinol P (2) and 3,5,7,2',3'-pentahydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavanone (3). Among them, a pair of enantiomers, (7S, 8 R, 7'R, 8'S)-kompasinol A (1a) and (7 R, 8S, 7'S, 8'R)-kompasinol A (1b), were successfully separated by the chiral-phase HPLC resolution for the first time. The absolute configurations of 1a and 1b were determined by the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. 15 isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity via inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1a/1b, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 16-18 showed moderate inhibition with IC50 values ranging from 11.45 to 68.54 µM.

Bioactive-guided isolation and identification of oligostilbenes as anti-rheumatoid arthritis constituents from the roots of Caragana stenophylla.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The roots of Caragana stenophylla have been used as folk medicine due to the functions of activating blood, diuresis, analgesic and tonicity, especially in treating rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. However, the anti-rheumatoid arthritis mechanisms and bioactive ingredients have not previously been fully investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects of the roots of Caragana stenophylla ethanol extract (EC), elucidate its mechanism of action and identify its active substances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of EC was assessed using type II-collagen induced arthritis in rats. Arthritis severity was evaluated by foot paw volume, arthritis index, joint swelling degree and histopathology. The serum inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were also detected by immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, the protein expression of IκB, p-IκB, iNOS and COX-2 was analyzed by western blot. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were employed to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of fractions and compounds in vitro. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was adopted to appraise the ingredients of the active fraction of the roots of C. stenophylla. Furthermore, various chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic methods were used for isolation and structure elucidation of compounds. RESULTS: The results showed that EC could reduce type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis model arthritic score and histopathology markedly at dose of 240 mg/kg. Besides, EC could suppress the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9), and the expression levels of COX-2, p-IκB and iNOS also were declined. While, the levels of IL-10 and IκB were increased. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited potent inhibitory effects against nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Eleven main components including 1 flavonoid and 10 oligostilbenes from active fraction were isolated by mass directed chromatographic techniques. Their structures were determined on the basis of various spectroscopic methods and by comparison with the published NMR data. CONCLUSION: The roots of C. stenophylla attenuated arthritis severity, restored serum cytokine imbalances by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway in type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis model. Oligostilbenes were essential ingredients in ethyl acetate extract of C. stenophylla roots. Stilbenes and flavonoids should be responsible for its anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities.

Current Progress and Future Perspectives of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Biliary Tract Cancer.

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is an uncommon and aggressive neoplasm, with most patients presenting in an advanced stage. Systemic chemotherapy is the limited treatment available but is unsatisfactory, while targeted therapy is still awaiting validation from clinical trials. Given the potential effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of BTC, this review aims to summarize the evidence-based benefits and predictive biomarkers for using inhibitors of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) ligand, or programmed cell death protein-1 and its ligand (PD-1 and PD-L1) as monotherapy or combined with other anti-tumor therapies, while also pointing out certain pitfalls with the use of ICIs which need to be addressed.

Delivery Mechanism of the Pharmaceutical Complex of Genistein-Adenine Based on Spectroscopic and Molecular Modelling at Atomic Scale.

Genistein (GS) exhibits various biological activities, but its clinical application is limited because of the low bioavailability. In this study, a GS-adenine pharmaceutical complex was prepared through solvent evaporation to improve the bioavailability of GS, and a molecular model of a two-component supramolecular pharmacological transport mechanism was established. The structure of GS-adenine was characterized, in addition, interaction patterns between GS and adenine were investigated using density functional theory. The results showed that the solubility of GS-adenine was five times higher than that of GS, and the cumulative release rate of GS-adenine was 86 %. The results of fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular dynamic simulations showed that GS-adenine bound to the Sudlow's site I of HSA mainly through hydrophobic interactions. This study provides a useful reference for synthesizing pharmaceutical complexes to improve solubility and for exploring the mechanism of multiple pharmaceutical components in vivo.

VBA-AMF: A VBA Program Based on the Magnified Intersections Method for Quantitative Recording of Root Colonization by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.

The extent of mycorrhizal fungi colonization is an important factor for determining the function of mycorrhizal fungi in fungi-host interaction, and quantifying the extent of mycorrhizal fungi colonization is a fundamental and essential task for researchers engaged in mycorrhizal studies. Intersect methods, such as the gridline intersect and magnified intersections methods, are accurate and objective, and are widely used to assess the colonization status of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus. However, no convenient procedures or add-ins for Excel spreadsheets have been developed to simplify these methods. Here, we propose a procedure using the Visual Basic for Application (VBA) program in Excel that is based on the magnified intersections method, which we refer to as VBA-AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). Time-saving and convenience are the two most prominent advantages of the VBA-AMF procedure, as it enables researchers to compute the colonization rate of AM fungi in roots, and consequently the extent of root colonization by AM fungi. VBA-AMF can also be modified to measure the status of other fungal colonizations in plant roots following the same strategy.

Effects of Elevated Ozone Concentrations on Root Characteristics and Soil Properties of Elaeocarpus sylvestris and Michelia chapensis.

The increasing concentration of surface ozone (O3) was observed during recent decades in the world, which affects tree roots and forest soils. Meanwhile, the impact of ozone on tree roots is greatly affected by soil condition. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the possible effects of ozone on tree roots and soil processes. In this study, The influences of surface ozone (O3) stress on the root biomass, morphology, nutrients, soil properties, and soil enzyme activity of Elaeocarpus sylvestris and Michelia chapensis seedlings were examined at four O3 concentrations (charcoal-filtered air, 1 × O3 air, 2 × O3 air, and 4 × O3 air). Elevated O3 concentrations were found to significantly increase the root C content, N content, C/P ratio, and N/P ratio, and significantly decrease the root biomass, number of root tips, and root C/N ratio of both species. The soil organic matter content, pH, total N content, and urease and catalase activities of both species tended to increase. The limitation in root growth and responses in the root structure of E. sylvestris induced by elevated O3 concentrations led to increased bulk density and decreased soil porosity and void ratio. These profound effects of O3 concentrations on the roots and soil characteristics of these two species underscore the importance of research in O3 science.

The inhibition mechanism of the uptake of lamivudine via human organic anion transporter 1 by Stellera chamaejasme L. extracts.

Stellera chamaejasme L. is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history to treat stubborn skin ulcer, and it also has antiviral and antitumor effects. Neochamaejasmine B (NCB), Neochamaejasmine A (NCA) and Chamaechromone (CMC) are the major components in dried roots of Stellera chamaejasme L.. Our studies suggested that NCB, NCA and CMC are inhibitors of Organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1). OAT1 is encoded by solute carrier family 22 member 6 gene (SLC22A6) in humans and plays a critical role in the organic anion drug uptake and excretion in the kidney. Lamivudine is the typical substrate of OAT1 and is frequently used in combination with other antiviral drugs in clinical antiviral treatments. The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction and its mechanism between these bi-flavone components in Stellera chamaejasme L. and lamivudine via OAT1 both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the uptake studies in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells overexpressing OAT1 suggested that NCB inhibited the uptake of 6-CFL and lamivudine.Similar results were obtained for NCA and CMC. NCB was a noncompetitive and competitive inhibitor interaction with OAT1. IC50 values of NCB, NCA and CMC for inhibiting OAT1-mediated lamivudine transport were 2.46, 8.35 and 0.61 µmol·L-1, respectively. In vivo, the pharmacokinetic results of lamivudine in rats showed that the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞) and maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) of lamivudine after co-administration is increased 2.94-fold and 1.87-fold, respectively, compared to lamivudine administration alone. The results of interactions between lamivudine and these bi-flavone components in Stellera chamaejasme L. extracts via OAT1 in vivo are consistent with studies in vitro. The inhibition of OAT1-mediated uptake of lamivudine by NCB, NCA and CMC is the possible mechanism for Stellera chamaejasme L. extracts improving the oral bioavailability of lamivudine in rats.

Changes of Cinnamomum camphora root characteristics and soil properties under ozone stress in South China.

High O3 exposure affects the forest growth and soil characteristics. Although there is substantial evidence that O3 does impose a stress on forest trees, the effects of O3 on roots and soil of evergreen broad-leaved tree species in South China remain unknown. The effects of ozone (O3) fumigation on the root biomass, root morphology, root nutrient, soil physical, and chemical properties were examined in Cinnamomum camphora seedlings grown under four O3 treatments (charcoal-filtered air (CF) or O3 at 1×, 2× and 4× ambient concentration). O3 significantly decreased root biomass and root carbon (C). Regardless of O3 level, elevated O3 significantly resulted in reduced root surface area, volume, number of forks, and specific root length (SRL). The percentages of fine to total root in terms of root surface area and root volume of seedlings under the CF and 1 × O3 treatments were significantly higher than those of seedlings under the 4 × O3 treatment, indicating that high O3 level impaired the growth performance of fine roots. O3 affected root growth and structures, which increased soil bulk density and reduced soil total porosity and void ratio. The soil pH under all O3 fumigation treatments significantly increased compared with CF treatment, whereas the organic matter significantly decreased. In conclusion, although the increased O3 level enhanced root N and P under 2 and 4 × O3 treatments compared with 1 × O3 treatment as compensation mechanisms to prevent O3-induced decrease in root C gain and root functions, O3 still decreased the root biomass and root tips, and changed the soil physical and chemical properties.

Study of ciprofloxacin biodegradation by a Thermus sp. isolated from pharmaceutical sludge.

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is an antibiotic drug frequently detected in manure compost and is difficult to decompose at high temperatures, resulting in a potential threat to the environment. Microbial degradation is an effective and environmentally friendly method to degrade CIP. In this study, a thermophilic bacterium that can degrade CIP was isolated from sludge sampled from an antibiotics pharmaceutical factory. This strain is closely related to Thermus thermophilus based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and is designated C419. The optimal temperature and pH values for CIP degradation are 70°C and 6.5, respectively, and an appropriate sodium acetate concentration promotes CIP degradation. Seven major biodegradation metabolites were identified by an ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. In addition, strain C419 degraded other fluoroquinolones, including ofloxacin, norfloxacin and enrofloxacin. The supernatant from the C419 culture grown in fluoroquinolone-containing media showed attenuated antibacterial activity. These results indicate that strain C419 might be a new auxiliary bacterial resource for the biodegradation of fluoroquinolone residue in thermal environments.

[Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound combined with triamcinolone acetonide on oral mucosal ulcer healing in syrian hamster].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound（LIPUS） combined with triamcinolone acetonide on oral mucosal ulcer in syrian hamster in several ways, including healing time, contents of superoxide dismutase（SOD）and malondialdehyde (MDA). METHODS: Sixty syrian hamsters were randomly divided into 5 groups, including a baseline group (containing a normal baseline group and a model baseline group, n=6) and 4 experimental groups (LIPUS processing and drug use group, LIPUS group, drug group and a normal control group without any processing, n=12). Four experimental groups and model baseline group were given oxygen free radicals to model the oral mucosal ulcer. At 24 h after the last treatment, the healing time of ulcer, content of SOD and MDA were compared between each group. SPSS 20.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Compared with LIPUS group,drug group and control group, the healing time of oral mucosal ulcer in LIPUS and drug combined group was shortened. At 24 h after the last treatment, the activity of SOD showed that the LIPUS and drug combined group[(2.32±0.30) U/mgprot] were significantly higher than the model baseline group[(1.48±0.29) U/mgprot], the LIPUS group[(1.83±0.15) U/mgprot], the drug group[(1.76±0.25) U/mgprot] and control group[(1.71±0.18) U/mgprot] (P<0.05). The results of MDA content showed that the LIPUS and drug combined group [(8.17±0.21) nmol/mgprot] were significantly lower than the model baseline group[(9.41±0.22) nmol/mgprot], the LIPUS group[(9.00±0.44) nmol/mgprot], the drug group [(9.04±0.43) nmol/mgprot] and control group[(9.03±0.46) nmol/mgprot] (P<0.05). After oral mucosal ulcer healing, the activity of SOD and MDA showed that the LIPUS and drug combined group, the LIPUS group, the drug group and control group were not significantly different from the normal baseline group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound combined with triamcinolone acetonide can effectively improve the activity of SOD and reduce the contents of MDA in ulcerated tissues, and therefore accelerate the process of ulcer healing．.

[Chemical constituents from roots of Caragana stenophylla and their anti-tumor activities].

Fourteen compounds were isolated from the 80% ethanol extract of Caragana stenophylla root, by using a combination of various chromatographic approaches, including silica gel sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. On the basis of their physical and chemical properties and spectroscopic data, their structures were elucidated as 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy lphenyl)-3-methoxyl benzofuran-6-ol (1), mucodianin C (2), isopterofuran (3), formononetin (4), afromosin (5), calycosin (6), acacetin (7), 3-O-methylkaempferol (8), liquiritigenin (9), isoliquiritigenin (10), variabilin (11), resveratrol (12), zhebeiresinol (13), and 2, 3-dicarboxy-6, 7-dihydroxy-1-(3', 4'-dihydroxy)-phenyl-1, 2-dihydronaphthalen (14). Compound 1 is a new benzofuran derivative, named as mucodianin S; compounds 2, 3, 11, 13, 14 were isolated from the genus Caragana for the first time, and compounds 4-10 were firstly isolated from Caragana stenophylla. MTT assay was used to determine their cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds against human tumor cell lines, and 2 showed cytotoxicity against human hepato cellular cancer (HepG2) and human cervical (HeLa) lines, with IC50 values of (16.18±0.95), (3.75±0.08) µmol•L ⁻¹, respectively.

Natural neuro-inflammatory inhibitors from Caragana turfanensis.

Because of the critical role of over-activated microglia in the progress of neurodegenerative diseases, it has been selected as a potential therapeutic target for drug discovery. In order to find natural neuroinflammatory inhibitors, we carried out a bioactivity-oriented phytochemical research of Caragana turfanensis Kom. (Krassn.), which is a folk medicine widely distributed in Xinjiang. As a result, a new coumarin lactone caraganolide A (1) and 35 known components were characterized from the effective extract of C. turfanensis. Furthermore, their anti-neuroinflammatory effects were evaluated in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells using Griess assay to determine the release of nitric oxide (NO). Compounds 1, 2, 4-6, 9, 13-15, 20, 29 and 30 exhibited significant inhibitory activities and no obvious cytotoxicities were observed at their effective concentrations. It is noteworthy, the new compound caraganolide A (1) (IC50 1.01±1.57µM) and 3',7,8-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (5) (IC506.87±2.23µM) exhibited more excellent action than that of positive control minocycline (IC50 9.07±0.86µM).