Sexual dimorphism in the gut microbiota and sexual dimorphism in chronic diseases: Association or causation?

Understanding the sexual dimorphism in diseases is essential to investigate the pathogenesis of some chronic diseases (e.g., autoimmune diseases, etc). The gut microbiota has been found to show a notable impact on the pathology of several chronic diseases in recent years. Intriguingly, the composition of the gut microbiota varies between sexes. Here, we reviewed 'facts and fiction' regarding sexual dimorphism in chronic diseases and sexual dimorphism in the gut microbiota respectively. The association and causative relationship between them aiming to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in chronic diseases were further explored. The development of gender-special food products based on the sexual dimorphism in the gut microbiota were recommended, which would be beneficial to facilitating the personalized treatment.

Chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Cryptomeria fortunei / 中成药

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk ex Otto et Dietr.METHODS The ethyl acetate fraction of 95％ ethanol extract from C.fortunei was isolated and purified by silica,MCI,and Sephadex LH-20 column,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as isopimaric acid (1),sandaracopimaric acid (2),acetylisocupressic acid (3),imbricataloic acid (4),isocupressic acid (5),pinifolic acid (6),13-epicupressic acid (7),19-acetylagathadiol (8),agatadiol (9),phytol (10),elemol (11).CONCLUSION Compounds 1-10 are identified as diterpenoids and compound 11 is identified as sesquiterpenoid;Compounds 2,3,6-11 are obtained from this plant for the first time.

A new cassane diterpene from Caesalpinia bonduc / 药学学报

Five cassane diterpenes were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc (Leguminosea) by a combination of various chromatographic methods, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectroscopic techniques, their structures were identified as 3β-acetoxy-cassa-12,14(17),15-trien-7β-ol (1), caesalmin C (2), caesall E (3), caesalpinin MJ (4), and 1-deacetylcaesalmin C (5). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound and 2, 4, 5 were isolated from the plant for the first time.