Combination of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd protects the retina against bright light-induced degeneration.

Photoreceptor degeneration is a central pathology of various retinal degenerative diseases which currently lack effective therapies. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are noted for Panax notoginsenoside saponins (PNS) and related saponin compound(s). However, the photoreceptor protective potentials of PNS or related saponin compound(s) remain unknown. The current study revealed that PNS protected against photoreceptor loss in bright light-exposed BALB/c mice. Combination of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd, two major saponin compounds of PNS, recapitulated the retinal protection of PNS and attenuated retinal oxidative stress and inflammatory changes. Rb1 or Rd partially alleviated all-trans-Retinal-induced oxidative stress in ARPE19 cells. Rb1 or Rd suppressed lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced proinflammatory gene expression in ARPE19 and RAW264.7 cells. Rb1 or Rd also modulated the expression of proinflammatory microRNA, miR-155 and its direct target, anti-inflammatory SHIP1, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The retinal expression of miR-155 and SHIP1 was altered preceding extensive retinal damage, which was maintained at normal level by Rb1 and Rd combination. This work shows for the first time that altered expression of miR-155 and SHIP1 are involved in photoreceptor degeneration. Most importantly, novel retinal protective activities of combination of Rb1 and Rd justify further evaluation for the treatment of related retinal degenerative disorders.

Apigenin-7-diglucuronide protects retinas against bright light-induced photoreceptor degeneration through the inhibition of retinal oxidative stress and inflammation.

Vision impairment in retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration is primarily associated with photoreceptor degeneration, in which oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are mechanistically involved as central players. Therapies with photoreceptor protective properties remain to be developed. Apigenin-7-diglucuronide (A7DG), a flavonoid glycoside, is present in an assortment of medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory or ant-oxidant activities. However, the pharmacological significance of A7DG remains unknown in vivo. The current study isolated A7DG from Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kuprian and investigated the retinal protective effect A7DG in mice characterized by bright light-induced photoreceptor degeneration. The results showed that A7DG treatment led to remarkable photoreceptor protection in bright light-exposed BALB/c mice. Moreover, A7DG treatment alleviated photoreceptor apoptosis, mitigated oxidative stress, suppressed reactive gliosis and microglial activation and attenuated the expression of proinflammatory genes in bright light-exposed retinas. The results demonstrated for the first time remarkable photoreceptor protective activities of A7DG in vivo. Inhibition of bright light-induced retinal oxidative stress and retinal inflammatory responses was associated with the retinal protection conferred by A7DG. The work here warrants further evaluation of A7DG as a pharmacological candidate for the treatment of vision-threatening retinal degenerative disorders. Moreover, given the general implication of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration, A7DG could be further tested for the treatment of other neurodegenerative disorders.

Preparation of C18-functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell magnetic nanoparticles for extraction and determination of phthalic acid esters in Chinese herb preparations.

The extraction and determination of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) residue in Chinese herbal preparations (CHP) by C18-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (C18-FS-MNP) has been firstly performed. It was synthesized through coating Fe3O4 nanoparticles with sodium silicate, followed by freeze-drying technique and then modified with C18 groups. C18-FS-MNPs prepared via freeze-drying technique were superior to those particles prepared via common vacuum drying method in terms of dispersion and extraction recovery. C18-FS-MNPs demonstrated obvious enrichment effect for four model PAEs and 478-627-fold enrichment factors were obtained. The limit of detection was <1.89ng/mL and relative standard deviation was ranging from 3.7 to 5.8%. It was successfully applied for determination of trace PAEs residue in CHP with good recoveries.

Characterization of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 blood infections using RT-qPCR to quantify glutamate dehydrogenase copy numbers.

This study characterized the dynamic distribution of bacteria in the blood of pigs infected with Streptococcus suis serotype 2 using specific primers and a TaqMan probe designed to amplify the highly conserved S. suis serotype 2 glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) gene sequences. Gene copy numbers were used to determine the concentration of bacteria in the blood of infected pigs over time using established TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR methodologies (RT-qPCR). The results showed that the detection limit of the RT-qPCR was 10 GDH gene copies. The advantages of utilizing this approach are the high levels of specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility. Bacteria were detected in the blood of infected pigs after 24 h post infection and S. suis GDH gene copies in the experimental group were highest (10(4.15)) on day 7 post infection. Data presented in this report demonstrate that the TaqMan RT-qPCR detection method can be used to characterize the dynamic changes occurring during S. suis serotype 2 blood infections in Bama minipigs thereby facilitating research associated with defining pathogenic mechanisms associated with this organism.

Orthogonal separation on one beta-cyclodextrin column by switching reversed-phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction chromatography.

A dual retention combined with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) has been observed on beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) bonded stationary phase. A typical U-shaped retention curve was achieved owing to dual retention mechanism. Based on this observation, a beta-CD column can be operated under reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) modes. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) analysis can be realized on just a beta-CD column by switching these two different separation modes. In this study, off-line 2D-LC analysis for a natural product was carried out to prove the orthogonal separation between RP-LC and HILIC modes on a Click beta-CD column. Herba Hedyotis Diffusae, the whole grass of Hedyotis Diffusae wild was extracted with water, pretreated with macroporous resin and then first separated at RP-LC mode on the Click beta-CD column to obtain successive fractions, which were then reanalyzed at HILIC mode on the same Click beta-CD column. The result proved that both separation modes on the Click beta-CD column have good retention and peak shape, and these two separation modes have good orthogonality. 2D-LC analysis revealed abundant information in the natural product. Especially numerous minor components were enriched and separated. The mobile phase used in RP-LC and HILIC modes can be same and the switch between these two separation modes is easily realized by changing the ratio of the acetonitrile and water. Hence the mobile phase in this 2D-LC system is completely compatible. This advantage makes this combination is an appropriate 2D-LC method for the solutes having retention at both separation modes.