Five new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa.

Five undescribed eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes, remophilanetriols E-I (1-5), along with seven known compounds (6-12) were isolated from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic data analysis and their absolute configurations were determined by comparing their calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and experimental ECD spectra. The anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities of all compounds were evaluated in vitro by MTT methods, and compounds 2, 8, 10, and 12 exhibited excellent anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities. In addition, compound 2 can reduce the levels of ROS and apoptosis in TGF-ß1-induced BEAS-2B cells.

Intranasal immunisation with recombinant Toxoplasma gondii uridine phosphorylase confers resistance against acute toxoplasmosis in mice.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Currently, control measures for T. gondii infection are insufficient due to the lack of effective medications or vaccines. In this paper, recombinant T. gondii uridine phosphorylase (rTgUPase) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified via Ni2+-NTA agarose. rTgUPase was inoculated intranasally into BALB/c mice, and the induced immune responses were evaluated by mucosal and humoral antibody and cytokine assays and lymphoproliferative measurements. Moreover, the protective effect against the T. gondii RH strain infection was assessed by calculating the burdens of tachyzoites in the liver and brain and by recording the survival rate and time. Our results revealed that mice immunised with 30 µg rTgUPase produced significantly higher levels of secretory IgA (sIgA) in nasal, intestinal, vaginal and vesical washes and synthesised higher levels of total IgG, IgG1 and, in particular, IgG2a in their blood sera. rTgUPase immunisation increased the production of IFN-gamma, interleukin IL-2 and IL-4, but not IL-10 from isolated mouse spleen cells and enhanced splenocyte proliferation in vitro. rTgUPase-inoculated mice were effectively protected against infection with the T. gondii RH strain, showing considerable reduction of tachyzoite burdens in liver and brain tissues after 30 days of infection, and a 44.29% increase in survival rate during an acute challenge. The above findings show that intranasal inoculation with rTgUPase provoked mucosal, humoral and cellular immune responses and indicate that rTgUPase might serve as a promising vaccine candidate for protecting against toxoplasmosis.

Title: L'immunisation intranasale avec l'uridine phosphorylase recombinante de Toxoplasma gondii confère une résistance contre la toxoplasmose aiguë chez la souris. Abstract: La toxoplasmose est causée par Toxoplasma gondii, qui infecte tous les animaux à sang chaud, y compris les humains. Actuellement, les mesures de contrôle de l'infection à T. gondii sont insuffisantes en raison du manque de médicaments ou de vaccins efficaces. Dans cet article, l'uridine phosphorylase recombinante de T. gondii (rTgUPase) a été exprimée dans Escherichia coli et purifiée via de l'agarose Ni2+-NTA. La rTgUPase a été inoculée par voie intranasale à des souris BALB/c et les réponses immunitaires induites ont été évaluées par des dosages d'anticorps et de cytokines muqueuses et humorales et par des mesures de lymphoprolifération. De plus, l'effet protecteur contre l'infection par la souche RH de T. gondii a été évalué en calculant la charge de tachyzoïtes dans le foie et le cerveau et en enregistrant le taux et la durée de survie. Nos résultats ont révélé que les souris immunisées avec 30 µg de rTgUPase produisaient des taux significativement plus élevés d'IgA sécrétoires (sIgA) dans les lavages nasaux, intestinaux, vaginaux et vésicaux et synthétisaient des taux plus élevés d'IgG totales, d'IgG1 et, en particulier, d'IgG2a dans leur sérum sanguin. L'immunisation par la rTgUPase a augmenté la production d'IFN-gamma, d'interleukine IL-2 et IL-4, mais pas d'IL-10 à partir de cellules de rate de souris isolées et a amélioré la prolifération des splénocytes in vitro. Les souris inoculées par la rTgUPase ont été efficacement protégées contre l'infection par la souche RH de T. gondii, montrant une réduction considérable de la charge de tachyzoïtes dans les tissus hépatiques et cérébraux après 30 jours d'infection et une augmentation de 44,29 % du taux de survie lors d'une épreuve aiguë. Les résultats ci-dessus montrent que l'inoculation intranasale de rTgUPase provoque des réponses immunitaires muqueuses, humorales et cellulaires et indiquent que la rTgUPase pourrait servir de candidat vaccin prometteur pour la protection contre la toxoplasmose.

Diarylpentanoids and phenylpropanoids from the roots of Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm.

Three pairs of undescribed diarylpentanoid enantiomers (1-3) and five undescribed phenylpropanoids (4-8), along with seven known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Anthriscus sylvestris. The structures of compounds (1-8) were determined by analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra, HRESIMS, and electronic circular dichroism. In addition, the inhibitory activities against hypoxia-stimulated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells abnormal proliferation were evaluated by MTT assay. The mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2, BAX, Caspase3, and IL-6 were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that compounds (-)-1, (+)-1, (-)-2, (+)-3, 4, 8-10, 14, and 15 inhibited the abnormal proliferation of PASMCs by regulating the levels of apoptosis and inflammatory factors.

Salviamilthone A-O, diterpenoid quinones from Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Fifteen undescribed diterpenoid quinones salviamilthone A-O (1-15), together with three known diterpenoid quinones (16-18), were isolated from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR data, while the relative and absolute configurations were confirmed by NOESY correlations and comparison between experimental and calculated ECD spectra. In the evaluation of bioactivities, salviamilthone J (10), salviamone (18) (10 µM) significantly increased cell viability and decreased the expression of IL-1ß in lipopolysaccharide-induced BEAS-2B cells. These data provide the molecular justification for the usage of Salvia miltiorrhiza in treating acute lung injury.

A new species of Trychosis Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with a key to the species known from China.

A new species of Ichneumonidae, Trychosisnaolihense Meng & Ren, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Specimens were collected from Naolihe National Natural Reserve, Heilongjiang Province, China. A key to the currently known species from China is provided.

Diterpenoid quinones from the Salvia miltiorrhiza and their lung protective activity.

Seven new diterpenoids quinones (1-6), together with five known ones (7-11), were isolated from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Their structures were elucidated by using 1D and 2D NMR data, while the relative and absolute configurations were confirmed by interpretations of the NOESY correlations and comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. In the evaluation of bioactivities, salviamilthiza C (3), significantly increased cell viability and decreased the expression of IL-1ß in LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells.

Ionones and lignans from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa.

Nine undescribed compounds, together with 21 known components, were isolated from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configurations of undescribed compounds were determined by comparison of their calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroic (ECD) spectra and interpretation of their optical rotation data. The α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds were investigated and all of them exhibited slightly inhibitory activities.

Ten undescribed diterpenoid quinones derived from the Salvia miltiorrhiza.

This study aimed to report the structure elucidation of the compounds isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, and their biological evaluations. Ten undescribed diterpenoid quinones and 10 known analogues were isolated from the dried roots of S. miltiorrhiza. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis, including nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectra, and ultraviolet and infrared spectra. Their absolute configurations were determined by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. In the evaluation of bioactivities, Salvianolactone acid I, epi-danshenspiroketallactone F, danshinspiroketallactone, grandifolia G, and 2H-Naphtho [1,8-bc]furan (10 µM) significantly increased cell viability and decreased the nuclear transport of p-P65 in lipopolysaccharide-induced bronchial epithelial cells. It was concluded that the diterpenoid quinones might belong to potent targeted lung-protective agents.

Saffloflavone, a new flavonoid from the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. and its cardioprotective activity.

A new flavonoid, saffloflavone , along with six known compounds, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside, quercetin-3-O-ß-d-glucoside, quercetin-7-O-ß-d-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-ß-d-glucoside and kaempferol 3-O-ß-d-glucoside were isolated from the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. All the structures were determined by interpretation of their spectroscopic data. The cardioprotective effects of all the isolates against oxidative stress of H9c2 cells induced by H2O2 were investigated. The results showed that compounds 4-6 exhibited protective effects against of H9c2 cells injury induced by H2O2.

Renoprotective activity of a new amide and a new hydroxycinnamic acid derivative from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa.

A new amide, named rehmagluamide (1), and a new hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, named nepetoidin F (2), together with six known compounds, 2'-O-methyluridine (3), puroglutamic acid (4), biliverdic acid (5), peterolactam (6), nicotinic acid (7), nicotinamide (8), were isolated from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. All the structures of compounds were identified by the interpretation of their spectroscopic data and comparison with those reported in the literatures. The protective effects of compounds 1-7 on normal rat kidney tubule epithelioid (NRK-52e) cells injury induced by LPS were investigated. The results indicated that compounds 1, 2, and 7 exhibited protective effects against LPS-induced NRK 52e cells injury.

A new quinic acid derivative with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis.

A new quinic acid derivative (1) along with seven known compounds (2-8) were isolated from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis. All the structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of the analysis of multiple spectroscopic data. The α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds were investigated. The results showed that compounds 1-3, 6, and 8 have moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

Iridoid glycosides and lignans from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Eills.

Four previously undescribed iridoid glycosides, including two bis-iridoid glycosides, and three undescribed lignans, together with 16 known analogues, were isolated from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Eills. Their structures were elucidated on basis of spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations of three of the unknown compounds were determined by interpretation of their electronic circular dichroic (ECD) and [α] [Formula: see text] data. The α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated and all the compounds exhibited slightly inhibitory activity with the values of IC50 greater than 50 µM.

Two new norsesquiterpenoids with estrogenic activity from the stems and leaves of Dioscorea oppositifolia L.

Two new norsesquiterpenoids, dioscopposin A (1) and dioscopposin B (2), as well as 21 known compounds (3-23) were isolated from the stems and leaves of Dioscorea oppositifolia L. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were deduced by the comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Estrogenic activity of all the isolated compounds were evaluated using MCF-7 cells proliferation assay and compounds 2, 3, 7, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 21 exhibited proliferation activity.

Renoprotective Mono- and Triterpenoids from the Fruit of Gardenia jasminoides.

This paper describes the isolation and characterization of 17 new and 12 known terpenoids from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides. The structures of eight new triterpenoids and nine new monoterpenoids, including their absolute configurations, were defined by spectroscopic analysis in combination of quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) NMR calculations. The cytoprotective effects of the isolated compounds against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in normal rat kidney tubule epithelioid (NRK 52e) cells were investigated in vitro. Compounds 10, 18, 20, 21, 24, and 26 exhibited significant protective effects with EC50 values from 14.2 nM to 1.6 µM.

Influence on radiosensitivity of lung glandular cancer cells when ERCC1 gene silenced by targeted siRNA.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the influence on radiosensitivity of lung glandular cancer cells when excisions repair cross-complementing group1 (ERCC1) gene was silenced by targeted siRNA. METHODS: siRNA which targeting to ERCC1 and control siRNA was designed and synthesized. The human lung glandular cancer SPC-A-1 cells was transfected. A total of 56 nude mice were divided into two groups, and two kinds of SPC-A-1 cells were transplanted to armpit of right forelimb, to establish the nude mice subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model of human lung glandular cancer cells. After the tumor was developed, the nude mice were randomly divided into four groups and accepted different doses of X-Ray radiation, then the change of tumor volume, survival time of mice in every group were recorded and the average lifetime was calculated. Twenty-one days later of X-ray experiment, two mice were taken and killed in each group and the tumors organizations were stripped. The cell apoptosis rate and cell cycle distributions were obtained by FCM (flow cytometry). RESULTS: The volume of tumor which ERCC1 gene was silenced was less than single irradiation group after X-ray irradiation, and the growth speed was slower and the lifetime of mice was lengthened as well (P < 0.05). The cells apoptosis rate and the rate of G2/M cells which ERCC1 gene was silenced were higher than the same dose control group and the rate of G1 cells were lower, which indicated that the cells could be stopped at G2/M point, the cell proliferation was inhibited, the cell apoptosis was promoted and the radiation sensitivity was improved after the ERCC1 was silenced. CONCLUSIONS: The radiation sensitivity of lung glandular tumor could be improved after the ERCC1 gene was silenced by siRNA.

[Coinfection with HBV and HCV in 128 AIDS patients infected through blood transmission].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features of 128 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients infected through blood transmission who were coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: The prevalence, liver functions, and some immunological profiles of 128 AIDS patients coinfected with HBV and HCV were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 128 AIDS patients, 107 (83.6%) were coinfected with HCV, among which 40 (31.3%) patients had abnormal liver functions or liver damage and 15 (11.7%) patients experienced hepatitis symptoms. Three (2.3%) AIDS patients were singly coinfected with HBV, and all of them had abnormal liver functions and hepatitis symptoms. Seven (5.5%) patients were coinfected with HIV/HCV/HBV and none of them had abnormal liver functions or hepatitis symptoms. Eleven (8.6%) patients were only infected with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of blood-transmitted HIV patients coinfected with HCV is higher than with HBV. The clinical outcomes of HIV coinfection with HCV and HBV are different.

[AIDS complicated by Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: report of 20 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in diagnosis and treatment of AIDS complicated by Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP), and explore the relations between preventive medication and occurrence as well as recurrence of PCP. METHODS: The clinical characteristics of 20 patients with AIDS complicated by PCP (identified from a cohort of 109 patients with AIDS) treated in our hospital during July 2000 to May 2002 were analyzed. RESULTS: All the 20 cases had fever, 90 % of whom also had cough or expectoration, and chest radiography revealed bilateral interstitial changes in 80 % of the cases. CONCLUSION: It is possible to diagnose PCP by typical clinical findings and chest X-ray, and compound sulfamethoxazole may prove effective for preventing the occurrence of PCP.