Chemical characterization and comparative analysis of different parts of Cocculus orbiculatus through UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Cocculus orbiculatus (L.) DC. (C. orbiculatus) is a medicinal herb valued for its dried roots with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, and other therapeutic properties. Despite its traditional applications, chemical investigations into C. orbiculatus remain limited, focusing predominantly on alkaloids and flavonoids. Furthermore, the therapeutic use of C. orbiculatus predominantly focuses on the roots, leaving the stems, a significant portion of the plant, underutilized. This study employed ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) with in-house and online databases for comprehensive identification of components in various plant parts. Subsequently, untargeted metabolomics was employed to analyze differences in components across different harvest periods and plant sections of C. orbiculatus, aiming to screen for distinct components in different parts of the plant. Finally, metabolomic analysis of the roots and stems, which contribute significantly to the plant's weight, was conducted using chemometrics, including principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and heatmaps. A total of 113 components, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and organic acids, were annotated across the root, stem, leaf, flower, and fruit, along with numerous previously unreported compounds. Metabolomic analyses revealed substantial differences in components between the root and stem compared to the leaf, flower, and fruit during the same harvest period. PLS-DA and OPLS-DA annotated 10 differentiating components (VIP > 1.5, P < 0.05, FC > 2 or FC < 0.67), with 5 unique to the root and stem, exhibiting lower mass spectrometric responses. This study provided the first characterization of 113 chemical constituents in different parts of C. orbiculatus, laying the groundwork for pharmacological research and advocating for the enhanced utilization of its stem.

Quantitative analysis of six sesquiterpene glycosides from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. under different growth conditions by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry in MRM mode.

INTRODUCTION: The sesquiterpene glycosides (SGs) from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. have immunomodulatory effects. However, there are no studies on the growth conditions affecting its contents and quantitative analysis methods. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, a quantitative analysis method for six SGs from D. nobile was established. We explored which growth conditions could affect the contents of SGs, providing a basis for the cultivation and clinical application of D. nobile. METHODS: Firstly, based on the optimization of mass spectrometry parameters and extraction conditions for six SGs in D. nobile, a method for the determination of the contents of six SGs was established using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Then, the methodology of the established method was validated. Secondly, the established method was applied to determine the contents of six SGs from 78 samples of D. nobile grown under different growth conditions. Finally, chemometrics analysis was employed to analyze the results and select optimal growth conditions for D. nobile. RESULTS: The results indicated significant variations in the contents of SGs from D. nobile grown under different growth conditions. The primary factors influencing SG contents included age, geographical origin, altitude, and epiphytic pattern. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the established method for determining SG contents from D. nobile is stable. In particular, the SG contents were relatively high in samples of 3-year-old D. nobile grown at an altitude of approximately 500 m on Danxia rocks in Chishui, Guizhou.

Antiosteoporosis effect of bryodulcosigenin on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in experimental rats.

PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is a bone disease which commonly occurred in postmenopausal women. Almost 10 percent of world population and approximately 30% of women (postmenopausal) suffer from this disease. Alternative medicine has great success in the treatment of osteoporosis disease. Bryodulcosigenin, a potent phytoconstituent, already displayed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. In this study, we made effort to analyze the antiosteoporosis effect of bryodulcosigenin against ovariectomy (OVX) induced osteoporosis in rats. METHODS: Swiss albino Wistar rats were grouped into fIve groups and given an oral dose of bryodulcosigenin (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) for eight weeks. Body weight, uterus, bone mineral density, cytokines, hormones parameters, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), and its ratio were estimated. RESULTS: Bryodulcosigenin significantly (p < 0.001) suppressed the body weight and enhanced the uterine weight and significantly (p < 0.001) increased the bone mineral density in whole femur, caput femoris, distal femur and proximal femur. Bryodulcosigenin significantly (P < 0.001) altered the level of biochemical parameters at dose dependent manner, significantly (P < 0.001) improved the level of estrogen and suppressed the level of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Bryodulcosigenin significantly (P < 0.001) improved the level of OPG and suppressed the level of RANKL. CONCLUSIONS: Bryodulcosigenin reduced the cytokines level and suppressed the TGF-ß and IGF. We concluded that bryodulcosigenin is an antiosteoporosis medication based on the findings.

Dithiocarbonate-Protected Au25 Nanorods of a Chiral D5 Configuration and NIR-II Phosphorescence.

Innovative surface-protecting ligands are in constant demand due to their crucial role in shaping the configuration, property, and application of gold nanoclusters. Here, the unprecedented O-ethyl dithiocarbonate (DTX)-stabilized atomically precise gold nanoclusters, [Au25(PPh3)10(DTX)5Cl2]2+ (Au25DTX-Cl) and [Au25(PPh3)10(DTX)5Br2]2+ (Au25DTX-Br), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The introduction of bidentate DTX ligands not only endowed the gold nanocluster with unique staggered Au25 nanorod configurations but also generated the symmetry breaking from the D5d geometry of the Au25 kernels to the chiral D5 configuration of the Au25 molecules. The chirality of Au25 nanorods was notably revealed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and chiral separation was induced by employing chiral DTX ligands. The staggered configurations of Au25 nanorods, as opposed to eclipsed ones, were responsible for the large red shift in the emission wavelengths, giving rise to a promising near-infrared II (NIR-II, >1000 nm) phosphorescence. Furthermore, their performances in photocatalytic sulfide oxidation and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions have been examined, and it has been demonstrated that the outstanding catalytic activity of gold nanoclusters is highly related to their stability.

Removal of Cu(II) by sodium hexametaphosphate and nano zero-valent iron modified calcium bentonite: characteristic, adsorption performance and mechanism.

Cu (II) is a toxic heavy metal commonly identified in groundwater contaminants. Bentonite-based cutoff wall is the most used method in isolating and adsorbing contaminants, while the bentonite in it easily to fail due to Cu(II) exchange. This study synthesized a novel material through the modification of calcium bentonite (CaB) utilizing sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) and nano zero-valent iron (NZVI). The characteristics, adsorption performance, and mechanism of the NZVI/SHMP-CaB were investigated comprehensively. The results showed that SHMP can disperse CaB and reduce flocculation, while NZVI can be further stabilized without agglomeration. The best adsorption performance of NZVI/SHMP-CaB could be obtained at the dosage of 2% SHMP and 4% NZVI. The NZVI/SHMP-CaB exhibited an outstanding removal efficiency of over 60% and 90% at a high Cu(II) concentration (pH = 6, Cu(II) = 300 mg/L) and acidic conditions (pH = 3-6, Cu(II) = 50 mg/L), respectively. The adsorption of Cu(II) by NZVI/SHMP-CaB followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and fitting results from the Freundlich isothermal model suggested that the adsorption process occurred spontaneously. Besides the rapid surface adsorption on the NZVI/SHMP-CaB and ion exchange with interlayer ions in bentonite, the removal mechanism of Cu(II) also involved the chemical reduction to insoluble forms such as Cu0 and Cu2O. The generated FePO4 covered the surface of the homogenized NZVI particles, enhancing the resistance of NZVI/SHMP-CaB to acidic and oxidative environments. This study indicates that NZVI/SHMP-CaB is a promising alternative material which can be used for heavy metal removal from contaminated soil and water.

The predictive value of NLR, PLR and MLR in the differential diagnosis of benign uterine diseases and endometrial malignant tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in the differential diagnosis of benign uterine diseases and endometrial malignant tumors. METHODS: 80 patients with endometrial malignant tumor diagnosed in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were selected as the study group, and 74 patients with benign uterine diseases confirmed by pathology in our hospital during the same period were randomly selected as the control group. The differences of NLR, PLR and MLR in the peripheral blood of patients in each group were compared, and the value of individual indicators in the diagnosis of endometrial malignant tumor was evaluated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: In peripheral blood, the NLR, PLR and MLR value in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) were significantly higher than those in patients with benign uterine diseases (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of NLR, PLR, MLR in peripheral blood were 0.777, 0. 675 and 0.698. The best cutoff values were 2.02, 132.06 and 0.166. The sensitivity and specificity were 62.5% and 79.7%, 62.5% and 63.5%, 81 3% and 47.3%. The combination of these three indicators can significantly improved the diagnostic efficiency in endometrial cancer (AUC = 0.780), and the sensitivity and specificity were 60% and 83.8%. CONCLUSIONS: In peripheral blood, NLR, PLR and MLR have certain diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis of endometrial cancer. When NLR, PLR and MLR are elevated, we should be alert to the occurrence of endometrial malignant tumors, and the combined diagnostic efficiency is high.

Metabolites rapid-annotation in mice by comprehensive method of virtual polygons and Kendric mass loss filtering: A case study of Dendrobium nobile Lindl.

With significant advancements in high-resolution mass spectrometry, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of chemical component data acquired from natural products. Therefore, the rapid and efficient extraction of valuable mass spectral information from large volumes of high-resolution mass spectrometry data holds crucial significance. This study illustrates a targeted annotation of the metabolic products of alkaloid and sesquiterpene components from Dendrobium nobile (D. nobile) aqueous extract in mice serum through the integration of an in-houses database, R programming, a virtual metabolic product library, polygonal mass defect filtering, and Kendrick mass defect strategies. The research process involved initially establishing a library of alkaloids and sesquiterpenes components and simulating 71 potential metabolic reactions within the organism using R programming, thus creating a virtual metabolic product database. Subsequently, employing the virtual metabolic product library allowed for polygonal mass defect filtering, rapidly screening 1705 potential metabolites of alkaloids and 3044 potential metabolites of sesquiterpenes in the serum. Furthermore, based on the chemical composition database of D. nobile and online mass spectrometry databases, 95 compounds, including alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, and endogenous components, were characterized. Finally, utilizing Kendrick mass defect analysis in conjunction with known alkaloids and sesquiterpenes targeted screening of 209 demethylation, methylation, and oxidation products in phase I metabolism, and 146 glucuronidation and glutathione conjugation products in phase II metabolism. This study provides valuable insights for the rapid and accurate annotation of chemical components and their metabolites in vivo within natural products.

Immune-related adverse events in non-small cell lung cancer: Occurrence, mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has heralded a transformative era in the therapeutic landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While ICIs have demonstrated clinical efficacy in a portion of patients with NSCLC, these treatments concurrently precipitate a spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), encompassing mild to severe manifestations, collectively posing a risk of significant organ damage. Consequently, there exists an imperative to augment our comprehension of the pathophysiological underpinnings of irAEs and to formulate more efficacious preventive and ameliorative strategies. In this comprehensive review, we delineate the clinical presentation of organ-specific irAEs in patients with NSCLC and provide an in-depth analysis of recent advancements in understanding the mechanisms driving ICI-induced toxicity. Furthermore, we discuss potential strategies and targets for ameliorating these irAEs. Ultimately, this review aims to furnish valuable insights to guide further research endeavours in the context of irAEs in NSCLC patients.

Hypolipidemic effect and gut microbiota regulation of Gypenoside aglycones in rats fed a high-fat diet.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino has traditional applications in Chinese medicine to treat lipid abnormalities. Gypenosides (GPs), the main bioactive components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, have been reported to exert hypolipidemic effects through multiple mechanisms. The lipid-lowering effects of GPs may be attributed to the aglycone portion resulting from hydrolysis of GPs by the gut microbiota. However, to date, there have been no reports on whether gypenoside aglycones (Agl), the primary bioactive constituents, can ameliorate hyperlipidemia by modulating the gut microbiota. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study explored the potential therapeutic effects of gypenoside aglycone (Agl) in a rat model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia. METHODS: A hyperlipidemic rat model was established by feeding rats with a high-fat diet. Agl was administered orally, and serum lipid levels were analyzed. Molecular techniques, including RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fecal microbiota sequencing, were used to investigate the effects of Agl on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota composition. RESULTS: Agl administration significantly reduced serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and mitigated hepatic damage induced by HFD. Molecular investigations have revealed the modulation of key lipid metabolism genes and proteins by Agl. Notably, Agl treatment enriched the gut microbiota with beneficial genera, including Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Blautia and promoted specific shifts in Lactobacillus murinus, Firmicutes bacterium CAG:424, and Allobaculum stercoricanis. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive study established Agl as a promising candidate for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. It also exhibits remarkable hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective properties. The modulation of lipid metabolism-related genes, along with the restoration of gut microbiota balance, provides mechanistic insights. Thus, Agl has great potential for clinical applications in hyperlipidemia management.

Construction of in vitro liver-on-a-chip models and application progress.

The liver is the largest internal organ of the human body. It has a complex structure and function and plays a vital role in drug metabolism. In recent decades, extensive research has aimed to develop in vitro models that can simulate liver function to demonstrate changes in the physiological and pathological environment of the liver. Animal models and in vitro cell models are common, but the data obtained from animal models lack relevance when applied to humans, while cell models have limited predictive ability for metabolism and toxicity in humans. Recent advancements in tissue engineering, biomaterials, chip technology, and 3D bioprinting have provided opportunities for further research in in vitro models. Among them, liver-on-a-Chip (LOC) technology has made significant achievements in reproducing the in vivo behavior, physiological microenvironment, and metabolism of cells and organs. In this review, we discuss the development of LOC and its research progress in liver diseases, hepatotoxicity tests, and drug screening, as well as chip combinations. First, we review the structure and the physiological function of the liver. Then, we introduce the LOC technology, including general concepts, preparation materials, and methods. Finally, we review the application of LOC in disease modeling, hepatotoxicity tests, drug screening, and chip combinations, as well as the future challenges and directions of LOC.

Photosynthetic gas exchange, plant water relations and osmotic adjustment of three tropical perennials during drought stress and re-watering.

Planting vegetation on slopes is an effective way of improving slope stability while enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the landscape. However, plants growing on slopes are susceptible to natural drought stress (DS) conditions which commonly lead to water deficit in plant tissues that affect plant health and growth. This study investigated the photosynthetic gas exchange, plant water status and proline accumulation of three tropical perennials namely Clerodendrum paniculatum, Ipomoea pes-caprae and Melastoma malabathricum after being subjected to DS and re-watering (RW). During DS, there was a significant decrease in light-saturated photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate (Asat), stomatal conductance (gs sat), and transpiration rate (Tr) for all three plant species. Leaf relative water content, shoot water potential, and leaf, stem and root water content also declined during DS. Proline concentration increased for all three species during DS, reaching especially high levels for C. paniculatum, suggesting that it heavily relies on the accumulation of proline to cope with DS. Most of the parameters recovered almost completely to levels similar to well-watered plants after RW, apart from M. malabathricum. Strong linear correlations were found between Asat and gs sat and between gs sat and Tr. Ultimately, C. paniculatum and I. pes-caprae had better drought tolerance than M. malabathricum.

Hypoglycemic Effects and Quality Marker Screening of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. at Different Growth Years.

(1) Background: The effect of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (D. nobile) on hyperglycemic syndrome has only been recently known for several years. Materials of D. nobile were always collected from the plants cultivated in various growth ages. However, regarding the efficacy of D. nobile on hyperglycemic syndrome, it was still unknown as to which cultivation age would be selected. On the other hand, with the lack of quality markers, it is difficult to control the quality of D. nobile to treat hyperglycemic syndrome. (2) Methods: The effects of D. nobile cultivated at year 1 and year 3 were checked on alloxan-induced diabetic mice while their body weight, diet, water intake, and urinary output were monitored. Moreover, levels of glycosylated serum protein and insulin were measured using Elisa kits. The constituents of D. nobile were identified and analyzed by using UPLC-Q/trap. Quality markers were screened out by integrating the data from UPLC-Q/trap into a network pharmacology model. (3) Results: The D. nobile cultivated at both year 1 and year 3 showed a significant effect on hyperglycemic syndrome at the high dosage level; however, regarding the significant level, D. nobile from year 1 showed the better effect. In D. nobile, most of the metabolites were identified as alkaloids and sesquiterpene glycosides. Alkaloids, represented by dendrobine, were enriched in D. nobile from year 1, while sesquiterpene glycosides were enriched in D. nobile from year 3. Twenty one metabolites were differentially expressed between D. nobile from year 1 and year 3. The aforementioned 21 metabolites were enriched to 34 therapeutic targets directly related to diabetes. (4) Conclusions: Regarding the therapy for hyperglycemic syndrome, D. nobile cultivated at year 1 was more recommended than that at year 3. Alkaloids were recommended to be used as markers to control the quality of D. nobile for hyperglycemic syndrome treatment.

Garlic-derived compounds: Epigenetic modulators and their antitumor effects.

Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease that poses a serious threat to human health worldwide. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the prognosis and survival rate of cancer remain poor due to late diagnosis, drug resistance, and adverse reactions. Therefore, it is very necessary to study the development mechanism of cancer and formulate effective therapeutic interventions. As widely available bioactive substances, natural products have shown obvious anticancer potential, especially by targeting abnormal epigenetic changes. The main active part of garlic is organic sulfur compounds, of which diallyl trisulfide (DATS) content is the highest, accounting for more than 40% of the total composition. The garlic-derived compounds have been recognized as an antioxidant for cancer prevention and treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of the antitumor effect of garlic-derived compounds remains unclear. Recent studies have identified garlic-derived compound DATS that plays critical roles in enhancing CpG demethylation or promoting histone acetylation as an epigenetic inhibitor. Here, we review the therapeutic progress of garlic-derived compounds against cancer through epigenetic pathways.

Highly-Efficient and Robust Zn Anodes Enabled by Sub-1-µm Zincophilic CrN Coatings.

For exploring advanced Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) with long lifespan and high Coulombic efficiency (CE), the critically important point is to limit the undesired Zn dendrite and parasitic reactions. Among the coating for electrode is a promising strategy, relying on the trade-off between its thickness and stability to achieve the ultra-stable Zn anodes in ZIBs. Herein, a submicron-thick (≈0.4 µm) zincophilic CrN coatings are fabricated by a facile and industry-compatible magnetron sputtering approach. It is exhilarating that the ultrathin and dense CrN coatings with strong adsorption ability for Zn2+ exhibit an impressive lifespan up to 3700 h with ≈100% CE at 1 mA cm-2. Along with the experiments and theoretical calculations, it is verified that the introduced CrN coatings cannot only effectively suppress the dendrite growth and notorious parasitic reactions, but also allow the uniform Zn deposition due to the reduced nucleation energy. Moreover, the as-assembled Zn@CrN‖MnO2 full cell delivers a high specific capacity of 171.1 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1, much better than that of Zn‖MnO2 analog (97.8 mAh g-1). This work provides a facile strategy for scalable fabrication of ultrathin zincophilic coating to push forward the practical applications of ZIBs.

Assembly of Luminescent Chiral Gold(I)-Sulfido Clusters via Chiral Self-Sorting.

Due to the ubiquity of chirality in nature, chiral self-assembly involving self-sorting behaviors has remained as one of the most important research topics of interests. Herein, starting from a racemic mixture of SEG-based (SEG=SEGPHOS) chlorogold(I) precursors, a unique chiral butterfly-shape hexadecanuclear gold(I) cluster (Au16 ) with different ratios of RSEG and SSEG ligands is obtained via homoleptic and heterochiral self-sorting. More interestingly, by employing different chlorogold(I) precursors of opposite chirality (such as RSEG -Au2 and SBIN -Au2 (BIN=BINAP)), an unprecedented heteroleptic and heterochiral self-sorting strategy has been developed to give a series of heteroleptic chiral decanuclear gold(I) clusters (Au10 ) with propellor-shape structures. Heterochiral and heteroleptic self-sorting have also been observed between enantiomers of homoleptic chiral Au10 clusters to result in the heteroleptic chiral Au10 clusters via cluster-to-cluster transformation. Incorporation of heteroleptic ligands is found to decrease the symmetry from S4 of homoleptic meso Au10 to C2 of heteroleptic chiral Au10 clusters. The chirality has been transferred from the axial chiral ligands and stored in the heteroleptic gold(I) clusters.

Formulation of PG-FA-L composite modifier for repairing expansive soil based on the statistical mixed design method.

The generation of large amounts of solid waste has led to exploration of solid waste-modified expansive soils; however, the effect of a single solid waste-modified expansive soil is not ideal. This study proposes a composite modification of expansive soils using a PG-FA-L system. Statistical analysis showed that the properties of the cured soil were significantly improved. PG and FA increased soil strength after a certain threshold, and L increased it at all stages. The presence of PG accelerated the volcanic ash reaction. Both PG and FA have a small effect on the swelling of the soil, whereas lime improves it significantly, but has a negative effect after a certain threshold. The 28-day unconfined compressive strength and deformation characteristics were used to derive the relevant regions for roadbed fill requirements and determine the optimum dosage.

Age-dependent dendrobine biosynthesis in Dendrobium nobile: insights into endophytic fungal interactions.

Introduction: Dendrobium nobile (D. nobile), a valued Chinese herb known for its diverse pharmacological effects, owes much of its potency to the bioactive compound dendrobine. However, dendrobine content varies significantly with plant age, and the mechanisms governing this variation remain unclear. This study delves into the potential role of endophytic fungi in shaping host-microbe interactions and influencing plant metabolism. Methods: Using RNA-seq, we examined the transcriptomes of 1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 3-year-old D. nobile samples and through a comprehensive analysis of endophytic fungal communities and host gene expression in D. nobile stems of varying ages, we aim to identify associations between specific fungal taxa and host genes. Results: The results revealing 192 differentially expressed host genes. These genes exhibited a gradual decrease in expression levels as the plants aged, mirroring dendrobine content changes. They were enriched in 32 biological pathways, including phagosome, fatty acid degradation, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Furthermore, a significant shift in the composition of the fungal community within D. nobile stems was observed along the age gradient. Olipidium, Hannaella, and Plectospherella dominated in 1-year-old plants, while Strelitziana and Trichomerium prevailed in 2-year-old plants. Conversely, 3-year-old plants exhibited additional enrichment of endophytic fungi, including the genus Rhizopus. Two gene expression modules (mediumpurple3 and darkorange) correlated significantly with dominant endophytic fungi abundance and dendrobine accumulation. Key genes involved in dendrobine synthesis were found associated with plant hormone synthesis. Discussion: This study suggests that the interplay between different endophytic fungi and the hormone signaling system in D. nobile likely regulates dendrobine biosynthesis, with specific endophytes potentially triggering hormone signaling cascades that ultimately influence dendrobine synthesis.

New dammarane-type triterpenoids from hydrolyzate of total Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activity.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a key factor and regulator of glucose, lipid metabolism throughout the body, and a promising target for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a famous oriental traditional medicinal herbal plant and functional food, which has shown many beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study is to assess the inhibitory activity of five new and four known dammarane triterpenoids isolated from the hydrolysate product of total G. pentaphyllum saponins. The bioassay data showed that all the compounds exhibited significant inhibitory activity against PTP1B. The structure-activity relationship showed that the strength of PTP1B inhibitory activity was mainly related to the electron-donating group on its side chain. Molecular docking analysis suggested that its mechanism may be due to the formation of competitive hydrogen bonding between the electron-donating moiety and the Asp48 amino acid residues on the PTP1B protein.

Ruthenium(v) terminal arylimido corroles: isolation, spectroscopic characterization and reactivity.

Terminal Ru(v)-imido species are thought to be as reactive to group transfer reactions as their Ru(v)-oxo homologues, but are less studied. With the electron-rich corrole ligand, relatively stable and isolable Ru(v)-arylimido complexes [Ru(tBu-Cor)(NAr)] (H3(tBu-Cor) = 5,15-diphenyl-10-(p-tert-butylphenyl)corrole, Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (Mes), 2,6-(iPr)2C6H3 (Dipp), 2,4,6-(iPr)3C6H2 (Tipp), and 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3 (BTF)) can be prepared from [Ru(tBu-Cor)]2 under strongly reducing conditions. This type of Ru(v)-monoarylimido corrole complex with S = ½ was characterized by high-resolution ESI mass spectrometry, X-band EPR, resonance Raman spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and elemental analysis, together with computational studies. Under heating/light irradiation (xenon lamp) conditions, the complexes [Ru(tBu-Cor)(NAr)] (Ar = Mes, BTF) could undergo aziridination of styrenes and amination of benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds with up to 90% product yields.