ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To explore the effect of pinobanksin-3-acetate (PB3A) on microRNA (miRNA) expression profile of human colon cancer cells for providing new methods of treatment of colon cancer and development of targeted drug.METHODS: The method of miRNA expression profiling was used to observe the miRNA differential expression in human colon cancer SW480 cells after treated with PB3A.The expression of miRNA-198 and miRNA-296-5p in the SW480 cells was detected by RT-qPCR.The network databases of miRWalk, MicroT, miRanda and so on were used to predict the target genes regulated by these miRNAs, and pathway significant enrichment analysis was performed.RESULTS: miRNA microarray analysis showed that after treated with propolis flavonoid PB3A for 24 h, 267 miRNAs with differential expression twice or more in the SW480 cells were observed.Among them, there were 30 miRNAs with 10-fold or more differential expression, in which 28 were up-regulated and 2 were down-regulated.The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expression levels of miRNA-198 and miRNA-296-5p were consistent with the results of miRNA microarray analysis, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Bioinformatic analysis revealed that miRNA-198 has 859 target genes, and miRNA-296-5p has 906 target genes.The target genes of miRNA-198 were clustered in pathways in cancer, axon guidance, Wnt signaling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, insulin signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway, while the target genes of miRNA-296-5p were clustered in axon guidance, Wnt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, endocytosis, melanogenesis, insulin signaling pathway and calcium signaling pathway.CONCLUSION: Propolis flavonoid PB3A affects the expression of miRNA in colon cancer SW480 cells.The abnormal expression of miRNA-198 and miRNA-296-5p may be involved in the inhibitory effect of PB3A on colon cancer.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and HPLC. The structures of the compounds were identified on the basis of chemical and spectral methods. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of the the the aerial parts of G. uralensis and identified as (2S)-3'-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-4',5,7-trihydroxy-dihydroflavanone (1), pinocembrin (2), sigmoidin B (3), licoflavanone (4), 6-prenylnaringenin (5), pinobanksin (6), galangin (7), genistein (8), pratensein (9), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-rutinoside (10), rutin (11), and α,α'-dihydro-3,5,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxy-5'-isopentenyl-stilbene (12). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound named hydroxylicoflavanone, and compounds 3, 6, 7, and 9 are isolated from this plant for the first time.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the sources, types, chemical composition of propolis and the correlation between propolis and source plants, thus to provide a reference for the research, development and utilization of the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of propolis and its source plants. METHODS: The sources and chemical composition of propolis were reviewed and classified based on the literature. RESULTS: The extremely complex chemical composition of propolis depends on the local flora at different geographic locations. Propolis can be classified according to characteristic chemical compounds of the source plants. Propolis is a good research material for plant chemists to study the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of propolis source plants. CONCLUSION: Studies of the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of propolis and its source plants will greatly promote the development and utilization of propolis and source plants.