Overexpression of (3S)-linalool synthase gene (LIS) regulates the glycyrrhizic acid biosynthesis in Glycyrrhiza uralensis hairy roots / 药学学报

(3S)-Linalool synthase (LIS) is a key enzyme involved in the monoterpene biosynthetic pathway. Based on our previous transcriptome study, the expression level of LIS gene was exceedingly related to glycyrrhizic acid (GA) biosynthesis. Therefore, we used hairy root culturing to further investigate the effect of LIS on the GA biosynthesis. A LIS gene (GenBank accession number: MZ169552) was cloned from Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The plant binary overexpression vector pCA-LIS was constructed by gene fusion. G. uralensis hairy roots overexpressing LIS were induced by the Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC15834. The expression levels of LIS were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and the contents of GA in hairy root lines were determined by UPLC. It was found that in the hairy root lines overexpressing LIS, the expression levels of LIS were significantly higher than that in the wild type, while the contents of GA were remarkably lower than those in the wild type and negative control. These findings indicate that the expression level of LIS is negatively correlated with the accumulation of GA. In this study, LIS was cloned from G. uralensis for the first time and the negative regulatory effect of LIS on GA biosynthesis was confirmed by reverse genetics. This work provides support for further improvement of the molecular regulatory network of GA biosynthesis in G. uralensis.

Effect of 1M3S nursing management mode combined with interventional surgery on intestinal microecological distribution in patients with primary liver cancer / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of 1M3S nursing management mode combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on intestinal microecological distribution in patients with primary liver cancer.Methods:A total of 115 patients with primary liver cancer in Hai′an people′s Hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to the admission time. Patients ( n=56) receiving routine nursing care from January 2017 to December 2018 were set as control group, patients ( n=59) receiving 1M3S nursing management from January 2019 to January 2020 were set as observation group. Another 34 healthy individuals were set as healthy group from January 2017 to January 2020 in Hai′an People′s Hospital. The general data were collected in all three groups, and the serum levels of endotoxin (ET), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected. Fecal samples were collected, and 16S rDNA sequencing method was used to analyze the fecal flora structure and species relative abundance among groups, and alpha diversity was analyzed. Results:At the level of phylum, the dominant phylum of the three groups were Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. After TACE, the ET, ALT and AST levels were (9.67±2.12) ng/L, (53.24±8.47) U/L, (55.48±8.15) U/L in the control group, (4.36±2.15) ng/L, (45.31±8.36) U/L, (47.25±8.21) U/L in the observation group ( t value was 13.328, 5.052, 5.392, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, there was an increase in the relative abundance percentage of Firmicutes( t value was 16.426, P<0.01) and Lachnospiraceae in the observation group ( t value was 4.527, P<0.01), and a decrease in the relative abundance percentage of Proteobacteria ( t value was 8.462, P<0.001) after intervention. Conclusions:TACE can affect the intestinal bacteria in patients with primary liver cancer, resulting in a decrease in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Lachnospiraceae, and an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes, while application of 1M3S nursing management mode can effectively reduce the level of endotoxin, improve liver function, and reduce the imbalance of intestinal flora caused by TACE.

Chemical Constituents of Pericarps of Zanthoxylum bungeanum / 中国实验方剂学杂志

<b>Objective::To study the chemical constituents of pericarps of <italic>Zanthoxylum bungeanum</italic>. <b>Method::The dried pericarps of <italic>Z</italic>. <italic>bungeanum</italic> were smashed, and then extracted and concentrated in 95%ethanol to obtain the total extract. The total extract was loaded on a silica gel CC, eluted with different polar solvents in sequence, and then concentrated to obtain corresponding parts. The methylene chloride fraction and the <italic>n</italic>-butanol fraction were separated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, ODS column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLC, etc. And their structures were identified based on physicochemical properties and various spectroscopic methods. <b>Result::Fourteen compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction and the n-butanol fraction of the <italic>Z</italic>. <italic>bungeanum</italic> and identified as(1<italic>S</italic>, 3<italic>S</italic>)-1-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-<italic>β</italic>-carboline-3-carboxylic acid(<bold>1</bold>), (3<italic>S</italic>)-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-<italic>β</italic>-carboline-3-carboxylic acid(<bold>2</bold>), apigenin-7, 4′-dimethyl ether(<bold>3</bold>), genkwanin(<bold>4</bold>), lcariside F₂(<bold>5</bold>), breyniaionoside A(<bold>6</bold>), 3-methoxyphenethyl alcohol-4-<italic>O</italic>-<italic>β</italic>-<italic>D</italic>-glucopynanoside(<bold>7</bold>), 1-<italic>O</italic>-<italic>β</italic>-<italic>D</italic>-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methoxy-5-hydroxybenzene(<bold>8</bold>), orcinol-<italic>O</italic>-<italic>β</italic>-<italic>D</italic>-glucopyranoside(<bold>9</bold>), syringin(<bold>10</bold>), 4-[(3<italic>S</italic>)-3-hydroxybutyl]-2-methoxyphenyl-<italic>β</italic>-<italic>D</italic>-glucopyranoside(<bold>11</bold>), (+ )-lyoniresinol-3a-<italic>O</italic>-<italic>β</italic>-<italic>D</italic>-glucopyranoside(<bold>12</bold>), 2-methylpropanyl-6-<italic>O</italic>-<italic>β</italic>-<italic>D</italic>-apiofuranosyl-<italic>β</italic>-<italic>D</italic>-glucopyranoside(<bold>13</bold>)and(<italic>E</italic>)-6-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylocta-2, 7-dienoic acid(<bold>14</bold>). <b>Conclusion::All compounds were isolated from <italic>Z</italic>. <italic>bungeanum</italic> for the first time, and compounds <bold>1-4, 12</bold> and <bold>14</bold> were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Effect of histone H3Ser10 phophorylation on oocyte meiotic in porcine / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveThe mechanism of histone phosphorylation modification in oocyte meiosis is less studied. This study is designed to investigate the pattern of histone H3 phophorylation and regulation of maturation process in the porcine oocytes.MethodsThe histone H3Ser10 (H3S10) phosphorylation expression was examined on the porcine oocyte meiotic process. The porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were divided into four groups, one group was cultured as control group, and the other 3 groups were supplemented with 5, 10, and 30 μmol/L ZM447439, and cultured in vitro for 27 h, respectively, 5, 10, and 30 μmol/L ZM4474349 treatment group. The proportion of each meiotic stage was counted. The phosphorylation pattern of histone H3S10 and the expression level of protein kinase Aurora B were detected at the porcine oocytes.ResultsCompared with histone H3S10 phosphorylation level of oocyte GVBD phase, the MI and AI phases were significantly increased (P<0.05), and H3S10 phosphorylation level of AI phase was remarkedly higher than that of MII phase (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the proportion of oocytes at the GVBD phase in the 10 and 30 μmol/L ZM4447439 treatment group [(32.14±0.51)%, (95.34±0.59)%]was higher than that of the control group [(2.56±0.03)%, P<0.05], the proportion of oocytes at the MI phase [(66.88±0.13)%, (4.66±0.04)%] significantly decreased than that of the control group [(87.42±0.14)%, P<0.05], and the proportion of oocytes at the AI stage [(1.01±0.03)%, (0.000±0.00)%] significantly decreased compared with the control group[(10.02 ± 0.21)%, P<0.05]. Compared with the control group (0), oocytes H3S10 dephosphorylation modification ratio in the 10 μmol/L and 30 μmol/L ZM4474349 treatment group [(35.2±0.39)%, (95.4±0.65)%]significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative expression level of Aurora B in the 10 and 30 μmol/L ZM4447439 treatment group was significantly reduced (P<0.05).ConclusionHstone H3S10 phosphorylation plays arolein the maturation of mammalian oocytes. AuroraB kinase inhibitors (ZM447439) treatment can reduce H3S10 phosphorylation and Aurora B expression level and lead to oocytesmaturation disorder.

Isolation and identification of chemical constituents of C14 pterosins from Pteris cretica / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of pterosins from Pteris cretica. Methods: According to the characteristics of UV absorption and MSn fragmentation of pterosins, the pterosins were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column and C18 semi-preparative column chromatography, and their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data. Results: A total of 19 pterosins with C14 were isolated and their structures were identified as (2S,3S)-pterosin T (1), (2S,3S)-pterosin C 3-O-β-D-glucoside (2), (2R,3S)-pterosin C 3-O-β-D-glucoside (3), (2S)-pterosin B 14-O-β-glucoside (4), 6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)- 2,5,7-trimethyl-1-indene-1-one (5), (2R,3S)-pterosin C (6), (2S,3S)-pterosin C (7), (2S)-pterosin P (8), (2R,3S)-pterosin S (9), (2S,3S)-pterosin S (10), (2R,3S)-pterosin Q (11), (2S,3S)-pterosin Q (12), (2S,3S)-pterosin C 14-O-β-D-glucoside (13), (2R,3S)-pterosin C 14-O-β-D-glucoside (14), (2S,3S)-pterosin S 14-O-β-D-glucoside (15), dehydropterosin B (16), (2R,3S)-pterosin Q 3-O-β-D-glucoside (17), (2S,3S)-pterosin Q 3-O-β-D-glucoside (18), and (2S,3S)-pterosin T 14-O-β-D-glucoside (19). Conclusion: Compounds 2-5, 10, 11, 14-19 are isolated from Pteris cretica for the first time.

A new alkaloid from Veratrum grandiflorum / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum grandiflorum and its antitumor activities. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel, C-18 reversed phase column chromatography, and their structures were identified by MS and NMR analyses. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-6 against HepG2 (human liver cancer cell line) were evaluated by MTT method. The effect of compound 3 on cell apoptosis of HepG2 was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Eight steroidal alkaloids were isolated and their structures were identified as (3S,15S)-3β-angeloyl-15α-acetylzygadenine (1), epirubijervine (2), veratramine (3), jervine (4), 3-angeloylzygadenine (5), veratrosine (6), veramitaline (7) and veralkamine (8). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new alkaloid, compounds 7-8 are isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound 3 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell line HepG2 with IC50 value of (13.70 ± 0.99) μmol/L, and induced early apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

A new coumarin from flowers of Edgeworthia gardneri / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the flowers of Edgeworthia gardneri. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel, AB-8 macroporous resin, sephadex LH-20, pre-HPLC. Their structures were determined on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. Results: Four compounds were isolated from the flowers of E. gardneri and elucidated as gardnerol C (1), daphnoretin-5-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (3), and dihydrokaempferol (4). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new coumarin named gardnerol C, and compound 4 is obtained from the genus for the first time.

Study on chemical constituents of Artemisia integrifolia (II) / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Artemisia integrifolia. Methods: Solvent extraction, silica gel column chromatography, and HPLC were used for isolation and purification. The structure was identified by NMR spectrum analysis. Anti-oxidant activity tests were performed using DPPH. Results: A total of 21 monomeric compounds were isolated from A. integrifolia and identified as 2R-(2Z-pentenoic acid methyl ester)-3S-(methyl acetate) cyclopentanone (1), methyl-4S-6α-hydroxy-3- oxoeudesma-1,11 (13)-dien-12-oate (2), methyl caffeate (3), dextrin inositol (4), monobutyl fumarate (5), caffeic acid (6), monobutyl malonate (7), 6,8-dimethoxycoumarin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (8), 3,5-O-di-caffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester (9), 3,4-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester (10), 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester (11), 3,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid methyl ester (12), 4,5-O- dicaffeoylquinic acid (13), 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (14) 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (15), o-hydroxycinnamic acid glucoside (16), 1,3-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (17), chlorogenic acid (18), 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (19), methyl 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinate (20), and o-hydroxycinnamate methyl glucoside (21). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new natural product. Compounds 2, 5, 7-11, 14, 16, and 21 are isolated from Artemisia for the first time, and the rest are isolated from A. integrifolia for the first time. Both caffeoyl quinic acid compounds had strong anti-oxidant capacity, and the activity is basically equivalent to Vc.

(2R,3S)-Pinobanksin-3-cinnamate promotes osteoblast differentiation through cAMP and cGMP pathways

Abstract Flavones have the potential of being used as a dietary supplement for bone health promotion beyond calcium and vitamin D. Recent studies have showed that flavones enhanced bone formation and inhibited bone resorption by affecting osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation through various cell signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the effects of a new flavone (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate, isolated from the metabolites of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. FJ-1 of Acanthus ilicifolius L., Acanthaceae, on osteoblast differentiation by using MC3T3-E1 cells. It was observed that (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate promoted osteoblast differentiation, as evidenced by increased mineralization process and alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as expression of genes encoding the bone differentiation. Moreover (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate treatment upregulated the gene expression of wingless-type MMTV integration site family, bone morphogenetic protein and runt-related transcription factor 2, and protein expression of phosphor-Smad1/5/8, β-catenin and runt-related transcription factor 2 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The osteoblast differentiation effects induced by (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate were attenuated by the bone morphogenetic protein antagonist Noggin, and wingless-type MMTV integration site family signaling pathway inhibitors Dickkopf-1. Co-treatment with adenosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate pathway inhibitors, H89 and KT5823, respectively, reversed the (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate-induced activations of p-Smad1/5/8, β-catenin, and runt-related transcription factor 2. Our data demonstrated that (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate promoted the osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, at least partially through the adenosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate signaling pathways, providing the scientific rational to develop (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate against bone loss-associated diseases.

Establishment of Bacterial Endotoxin Test for an Insoluble Drug Substance / 中国药师

Objective:To establish the bacterial endotoxin test for HSSYO-001-3S. Methods: HSSYO-001-3S was dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide,diluted by BET water and centrifuged,and then the supernatant was used for the bacterial endotoxin test. The ex-periment was carried out according to the gel-clot technique for bacterial endotoxin inspection and the related regulations in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition,volumeⅣ,general rule 1443). Results:HSSYO-001-3S was added with cosolvent and diluted by BET water to 1 mg·ml-1,and there was no interference effects to bacterial endotoxin test from the supernatant diluted four times or more. Conclusion:Bacterial endotoxin test can be used to control the quality of HSSYO-001-3S.

Two new polyhydric alcohols from fruits of Forsythia suspensa / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the fruits of Forsythia suspensa. Methods Compounds were isolated by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over macroporous resin, Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by physiochemical properties and spectral analysis. Results Two new compounds from the 50% ethanol extract of F. suspensa were isolated and identified as (2R,3S)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) - 3-methoxypropane-1,2-diol (1) and 2-methylhexane-1,2,3,6-tetraol (2). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new epimer of a known phenylpropanoid named (2R,3S)-forsythiayanoside D, and compound 2 is a new compound named rengyquaol.

Study on suitable areas of Lamiophlomis rotata in Sichuan province based on 3S technology / 中草药

Objective: Looking for the suitable areas of Lamiophlomis rotata based on 3S technology in Sichuan province to provide the basis for reasonable exploitation and protection of the L. rotata resource. Methods: By the ways of field researching and reviewing the related literature on L. rotata, to confirm its habitat characteristics. RS and GIS software was used to extract the environment factors such as climate, soil, topographic features, and community of L. rotata. The spatial overlay analysis on the various environmental factors were carried out to determine the distribution of L. rotata in Sichuan province. The area and combining with GPS was calculated to verify in field. Results: The result indicated that the suitable areas of L. rotata found by using 3S technology were generally consistent with the actual distribution of L. rotata. The suitable areas of L. rotata in Sichuan province were mainly distributed in 20 counties such as Aba country and Litang country. The total area of the suitable areas is about 135 200 hm2, accounting for 0.17% of the district area. Conclusion: Planting and protecting L. rotata in the suitable area will be benefit to the reasonable exploitation and protection of the L. rotata resource; This research method has the characteristics of scientificity and accuracy, which can be extended to other suitable area research of Chinese herbal medicine.

Chemical constituents from aerial parts of Hypoestes phyllostachya / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Hypoestes phyllostachya. Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, MCI, and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Results Eighteen compounds were isolated from 95% ethanol aqueous extract of H. phyllostachya and the structures were identified as (3R,6R,7E)-3-hydroxy-megastigma-4,7-dien-9-one (1), (3S)-3-hydroxy-β-ionone (2), (3S,5R,6S,7E)-5,6-epoxy-3- hydroxy-megastigma-7-en-9-one (3), grasshopper ketone (4), vomifoliol (5), (+)-dehydrovomifoliol (6), loliolide (7), 2,6-dimethyl- 2E,7-octadien-1,6-diol (8), bifurcanol (9), (12S)-hydroxygeranylgeraniol (10), nectandrin B (11), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (12), syringylethanone (13), paeonol (14), vanillin (15), dehydrozingerone (16), 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (17), and (2E)-4-hydroxy-2- hexenoic acid (18). Conclusion All compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Ganglioside GD3 synthase (GD3S), a novel cancer drug target

Gangliosides are a class of important glycosphingolipids containing sialic acid that are widely distributed on the outer surface of cells and are abundantly distributed in brain tissue. Disialoganglioside with three glycosyl groups (GD3) and disialoganglioside with two glycosyl groups (GD2) are markedly increased in pathological conditions such as cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. GD3 and GD2 were found to play important roles in cancers by mediating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, adhesion, angiogenesis and in preventing immunosuppression of tumors. GD3 synthase (GD3S) is the regulatory enzyme of GD3 and GD2 synthesis, and is important in tumorigenesis and the development of cancers. The study of GD3S as a drug target may be of great significance for the discovery of new drugs for cancer treatment. This review will describe the gangliosides and their roles in physiological and pathological conditions; the roles of GD3 and GD2 in cancers; the expression, functions and mechanisms of GD3S, and its potential as a drug target in cancers.

Identification of a thermal stable allergen in yam (Dioscorea opposita) to cause anaphylaxis

Yam (Dioscorea opposita) is commonly consumed in East Asia, but allergic reaction to this plant food is rare. To date, there is no report of anaphylactic reaction after ingestion of cooked yam. We described 3 cases with anaphylaxis after eating boiled yam and 1 present with oral allergy syndrome as well. Basophil activation test in patients showed positive reactivity to boiled yam extract. In immunoblotting, a 30-kDa protein was recognized by all patients' sera and a 17-kDa band was detected by 1 patient. N-terminal amino acid revealed the 30-kDa IgE reacted band was DB3S, dioscorin in Dioscorea tuber. It promoted us that DB3S was a thermal stable oral allergen to trigger anaphylactic reaction and oral allergy syndrome in cooked yam (D. opposita) allergy. Patients with this plant food allergy should avoid both raw and well-cooked yam.

Habitat areas extracting of Poria cocos in Anhui based on "3S" technologies / 中国中药杂志

"Adversity" is one primary element that impacts the pharmacology components of authentic Chinese herbal medicine. Knowledge about "adversity" is a precondition of yield estimation, quality monitoring, location selection and the geo-herbalism protection. Used 3S(GIS, RS and GPS) technology to combine multi-source key ecological factors of "Anling", and used parasitic relationships between organisms to extracting its suitable region for the first time. Results showed that the "Anling" were mainly distributed in Dabie coteau. Suitable area amount to 36.8 km², Yuexi, Shucheng, Jinzhai and Qianshan which account for about 93.55% of whole congenial region. The first three accounts for about 80.82%. It was Yuexi that account for 1/3 above especially. Field investigation verify accuracy of extraction about 91.67%, which has confirmed it is feasible that using the relationship between parasitic host and parasitic to extract native environment of parasitic traditional medicine based on 3S technology.

Cultural regionalization for Notopterygium incisum based on 3S technology platform Ⅲ. Functional regionalization for cultivation based on suitability evaluation of growth and production quality / 中国中药杂志

Based on the research results of suitability evaluation of growth and production quality, a functional production cultivation regionalization with high feasibility and operability to solve the problem of the separation of high quality and high yield were formatted for protection, wild monitoring, and cultivation of this plant by weighted sum of spatial suitability data of ecology and quality, as well as integrated with land use and cover data. The results of the study revealed that good quality and high yield area were mainly distributed in the original production areas in Sichuan province and where could carry out monitoring and commercialization cultivation. This method is expected to overcome shortage of traditional regionalization methods difficult to distinguish the contribution of ecological factors and quality factors, which provide an innovative theory and methodology for regionalization, and is helpful to practical application of wild resource protection, nature research, monitoring, and commercialization cultivation for Chinese material medica.

Study on suitable distribution areas of Sichuan safflower in Sichuan province based on 3S technologies / 中国中药杂志

Sichuan safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. In this paper, taking Sichuan province as an example, based on TM image, digital elevation model (DEM), meteorology, soil and other data, and using remote sensing and GIS technology to extract grassland, elevation, temperature and precipitation, soil and other influencing factors, the spatial distribution of the suitability of safflower was studied, and the field investigation was carried out. The results indicate that Sichuan safflower resources are mainly concentrated in the eastern and northeastern parts of Sichuan, and the suitable distribution area is about 6 277.14 km2. The area of suitable area of Dazhou is 1 143.45 km², which is suitable for the province area of 18.22%. From the county point of view, the suitable area of Dachuan is about 507.15 km², and accounting for 17.9% of county. In addition, Naxi, Qingshen, Jiangan and other 12 counties of the suitable area of more than 100 km², and accounted for more than 10% of the county. The results of remote sensing and GIS analysis are in accordance with the real area of Sichuan safflower resources. It is feasible to find out the area suitable for the growth of Sichuan safflower by 3S technologies. It can provide a scientific basis for the monitoring and development of Chinese herbal resources.

A new 3, 4-epoxyfurocoumarin from Heracleum moellendorffii Roots

Activity-guided isolation of Heracleum moellendorffii roots led to four coumarin derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The structures of these isolates were characterized by spectroscopic method to be angelicin (1), isobergapten (2), pimpinellin (3), and (3S, 4R)-3, 4-epoxypimpinellin (4). All the isolated compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 showed moderate inhibition activities against acetylcholinesterase with the IC₅₀ values of 10.2, 18.1, 21.5 and 22.9 µM, respectively. (3S, 4R)-3, 4-Epoxypimpinellin (4) was newly isolated from the plant source.

Effect of Acupuncture on ER and PR Expressions in Rats with DMBA-induced Mammary Cancer / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong on mammary estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expressions in rats with dimethylbenzanthracine (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer. Methods One hundred and twenty female SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomized into a model group of 60 rats and a blank group of 30 rats. The model group received an oral gavage of DMBA for model making. The blank group received an oral gavage of equal volume of sesame oil. At 15 weeks after model making, the model group of rats was randomized into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong, and the control and blank groups, only the same grasp and release. After the completion of acupuncture treatment (twenty-seventh week), abdominal venous blood was taken and serum tumor markers were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Tumor masses were counted and their shapes were recorded. The mass was taken and its height, maximum diameter and vertical diameter were measured using a 1 mm precision vernier caliper. Pathological changes in tumor tissues, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities were observed under an Olympus optical microscope.Results There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the average number and volume of mammary tumors between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the concentrations of various tumor markers (CA724, CA125, CA199, AEP, CA15-3, CEA and CA50) between the treatment or control group and the blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in CA15-3 concentration between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01).Conclusions Acupuncture can reduce the occurrence of rat DMBA-induced mammary tumor (including the number and volumes of the tumors). The mechanism of its action may be related to decreasing the concentrations of tumor markers CA724, CA125, CA199, CA15-3, AEP, CEA and CA50 and especially to decreasing CA15-3 concentration, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities.