Natural products isolation studies of the paleoendemic plant species Nothofagus gunnii and Nothofagus cunninghamii.

The first natural product isolation studies of Nothofagus gunnii (Hook.f.) Oerst and Nothofagus cunninghamii (Hook.f.) Oerst have been undertaken. A previously unreported stilbene derivative, pinosylvin monoacetate, was isolated from the leaves of N. gunnii, in addition to 14 known compounds; including the flavonoids galangin, pinobanksin, catechin and quercetin; sesquiterpenoids such as, ilicol and (+)-ß-costol acetate; 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxychalcone and pinosylvin. Four known flavonoid natural products, catechin, quercetin, ayanin, and avicularin were isolated from the leaves of N. cunninghamii. This study reveals that N. gunnii is a rich source of flavonoid, chalcone and stilbene compounds, while primarily hydroxyflavonoid compounds are found in N. cunninghamii. The isolated phytochemicals are consistent with the evolutionary relationships suggested to exist among Nothofagus species.

Branch-Localized Induction Promotes Efficacy of Volatile Defences and Herbivore Predation in Trees.

Induction of plant defences can show various levels of localization, which can optimize their efficiency. Locally induced responses may be particularly important in large plants, such as trees, that show high variability in traits and herbivory rates across their canopies. We studied the branch-localized induction of polyphenols, volatiles (VOCs), and changes in leaf protein content in Carpinus betulus L., Quercus robur L., and Tilia cordata L. in a common garden experiment. To induce the trees, we treated ten individuals per species on one branch with methyl jasmonate. Five other individuals per species served as controls. We measured the traits in the treated branches, in control branches on treated trees, and in control trees. Additionally, we ran predation assays and caterpillar food-choice trials to assess the effects of our treatment on other trophic levels. Induced VOCs included mainly mono- and sesquiterpenes. Their production was strongly localized to the treated branches in all three tree species studied. Treated trees showed more predation events than control trees. The polyphenol levels and total protein content showed a limited response to the treatment. Yet, winter moth caterpillars preferred leaves from control branches over leaves from treated branches within C. betulus individuals and leaves from control Q. robur individuals over leaves from treated Q. robur individuals. Our results suggest that there is a significant level of localization in induction of VOCs and probably also in unknown traits with direct effects on herbivores. Such localization allows trees to upregulate defences wherever and whenever they are needed.

Radiosensitizing effects of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharide on hypoxic A549 and H520 human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells.

Cyclocarya paliurus (CP) polysaccharide (CPP) is a chemical component contained in CP, which has been reported to possess significant hypoglycemic activity. The present study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effect and underlying mechanisms of CPP on hypoxic A549 and H520 human non­small cell lung carcinoma cells. Cell viability, apoptosis and proliferation were determined using Cell Counting kit­8 assay, flow cytometry and colony formation assay, respectively. mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. The results suggested that CPP markedly inhibited the viability of hypoxic A549 and H520 cells. In response to combined treatment with CPP and radiation, hypoxic A549 and H520 cells exhibited enhanced apoptosis; in addition, cell proliferation was suppressed and the expression levels of hypoxia­inducible factor­1α, survivin and cleaved caspase­3 were modified. Furthermore, CPP in combination with radiation affected the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/Akt/phosphatidylinositol­4,5­bisphosphate 3­kinase (PI3K) pathway. These findings indicated that CPP may enhance the radiosensitivity of hypoxic A549 and H520 cells; this effect may be associated with inhibition of the mTOR/Akt/PI3K pathway. The potential radiosensitizing effects of CPP on hypoxic A549 and H520 cells suggested that CPP may be an effective target for treatment of non­small cell lung carcinoma.

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in Patients with Fagales Pollen-Induced Oral Allergy Syndrome.

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is the most common food allergy-related condition in adults. This study aimed to investigate whether subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with Fagales pollen-containing extracts can improve the clinical symptoms of OAS in Korea. In total, 56 OAS patients were included: 19 subjects treated with SCIT, which included Fagales pollen extracts, and 37 not treated with immunotherapy (IT). We reviewed the patients' medical records and administered a telephone questionnaire at one point to assess baseline OAS features and changes in the patients' OAS and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) symptoms after treatment. Only 12 patients who received SCIT and 15 patients that did not receive SCIT could report on changes in OAS symptoms after treatment because the other patients practiced strict avoidance of their culprit fruits and vegetables, and they could not respond to the status of OAS. SCIT reduced the severity of OAS (p=0.005). Nine of the 12 patients (75%) that received SCIT reported a more than 50% reduction in OAS symptoms. In contrast, only three of the 15 patients (20%) that did not receive IT reported more than a 50% reduction in OAS symptoms. SCIT also reduced the severity of ARC symptoms (p<0.001). The results indicate that SCIT with Fagales pollen-containing extracts is associated with improved OAS symptoms in Korea.

Extraction, isolation and structural characterization of a novel polysaccharide from Cyclocarya paliurus.

A water soluble polysaccharide CP-III was extracted and purified from Cyclocarya paliurus. CP-III is identified as a novel pectin-like polysaccharide with molecular weight (Mw) of 72.7 kDa. The structural features of CP-III were characterized by methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Its depolymerized fragments were analyzed by hydrophilic interaction chromatography-Fourier transform mass spectrometry (HILIC-FTMS). The main chain of CP-III is composed of →4)GalAp(α1 → and →2)Rhap(α1 → 4)GalAp(α1→, repeatedly. The residue of →4)Galp(ß1 → and →5)Araf(α1 → alternately exists on the O-4 of partial →2)Rhap(α1 → residues as side chains. On the O-3 of sectional →5)Araf(α1 → residues is a secondary branch assembled by →3)Araf(α1→. Moreover, on the non-reducing terminus of →4)Galp(ß1 → occasionally have an →5)Araf(α1 → chain. Surprisingly, a sub-branch constructed by →6)Hexp(ß1 → with a galacturonate or methyl galacturonate exists on the O-3 of certain →4)Galp(ß1 → residues in the non-reducing terminus. In addition, a terminal Xyl is located on the O-3 of fractional →4)GalAp(ß1 → residue. The highly branched polysaccharide CP-III with high water solubility can be used as food supplement and medicinal carrier in the future.