Sesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Sarcandra glabra / 中国天然药物

Sarglanoids A-F, six new sesquiterpenoids belonging to eudesmane (1-5) and eremophilane (6) types, were isolated from the leaves of Sarcandra glabra, a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1-2 were rare N-containing eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids. Compound 3 exhibited inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values at 20.00 ± 1.30 μmol·L-1. These findings provide scientific evidence for sesquiterpenoids as the material foundation of S. glabra.

Lignans with (N, N-diethyl)methyl amino group from Buxus rugulosa / 中国天然药物

Buxrugulosides A-E, four lignan glycosides (1-4) and a protocatechuate derivative (5) featuring a rare (N, N-diethyl)methyl amino group at aromatic rings, were obtained from the aerial parts of Buxus rugulosa, which is famous for treating coronary heart disease. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and by comparing their CD data with previous reports. Compound 1 was a rare sesquilignan, and all of these compounds were the first example of lignans with (N, N-diethyl)methyl amino group.

Resveratrol suppresses human cervical carcinoma cell proliferation and elevates apoptosis via the mitochondrial and p53 signaling pathways.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin, on various cancer cell lines. However, the effects of resveratrol on the regulation of human cervical carcinoma, and the mechanisms underlying these effects, remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of resveratrol in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells were investigated. The results revealed that resveratrol inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in HeLa human cervical cancer cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Resveratrol induced cell shrinkage in HeLa cells and apoptosis accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and -9. Furthermore, resveratrol upregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2-associated X protein and downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-extra large in HeLa cells. In addition, p53, a protein that is essential for cell survival and cell cycle progression, exhibited elevated expression levels in resveratrol-treated HeLa cells. Therefore, resveratrol may be a promising novel inhibitor of human cervical cancer.

16S rDNA-based molecular profiles of circulating bacteria in patients with severe acute pancreatitis / 肠外与肠内营养

Objective:This study aims to characterize the bacterial profile presenting in peripheral blood of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients and investigate the potential role of circulating microorganisms in the development of systemic infection.Methods:A total of 30 patients with SAP were recruited in this study and divided into three groups:infected,sepsis and Septic shock (n =10 for each group).The peripheral blood was collected sterilely for extraction of DNA,which was subsequently amplified using the universe primers targeted the V6-V8 region of 16S ribosomal RNA genes.The amplicons were separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE),and then the gels were stained and photographed.The bands were cut out and sequenced to determine the closest bacterial relatives.Results:As shown in DGGE profile,multiple DNA bands (3 to 8 bands) were detected in peripheral blood from all (100％) of SAP patients complicated with septic shock.The microorganisms most frequently presenting in the blood of these cases included Escherichia coli,Bacillus coagulans,Pseudomonas putida,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Klebsiella pneumonia,with an incidence of 40 ％ or higher.In patients with sepsis,bacterial DNA consisting of 2 to 4 bands was observed in 90％ of the blood samples.The most common bacterial species was Pseudomonas putida (60％),followed by Shigella flexneri (40％),Staphylococcus aureus (30％) and Enterococcusfaecium (20％).By contrast,the positive rate of blood bacterial DNA was relatively lower in infected patients (70 ％).Of them,single bacterial species was commonly found in the blood samples.Conclusions:Our data showed that the bacterial profiles presenting in peripheral blood are distinct among SAP patients with different manifestations.Polymicrobial translocation could contribute to the development of systemic infection,offering novel insights into the pathogenesis of sepsis in SAE The findings are helpful for the prevention and treatment for bacterial infection and complications of SAP.

[Macroscopic and Microscopic Identification of Ganoderma and The Confusable Medicinal Mushrooms of "Zhi"].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of Ganoderma and the confusable medicinal mushrooms of "Zhi". METHODS: The methods of macroscopic and microscopic examination were employed to authenticate Ganoderma and the other medicinal mushrooms of "Zhi" in the fungal group. RESULTS: The medicinal mushroom named "Zhi" could be distinguished from each other by the shape of pileus, stipe and the characteristics of mycelium and spore. CONCLUSION: There are abundant resources of fungal group from Ganodermataceae in China. The medicinal mushrooms of "Zhi", which are quite complicated in the market, are needed to be differentiated.

[Study on HPLC-DAD Fingerprint of Xiaoying Jiedu Decoction].

OBJECTIVE: Based on backtracking method, identification and quality evaluation of Xiaoying Jiedu Decoction (XYJDD) by HPLC fingerprint analysis were carried out. METHODS: HPLC-DAD fingerprint of XYJDD was conducted with Dikma Platisil ODS C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) and gradient elution with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-(0.1% phosphoric acid-0.1% triethylamine solution) at column temperature of 30 °C. On the basis of the established chromatographic pattern of XYJDD tracking backward to the corresponding crude herbal drugs in the formula and the attribution of most peaks in the XYJDD fingerprint can be figured out. RESULTS: 16 peaks of XYJDD HPLC fingerprint were assigned by parallel comparison with the fingerprint of the five corresponding crude drugs in the formula of Scutellariae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Houttuyniae Herba, Aurantii Fructus, Arnebiae Radix. Four peaks can be identified with the chemical reference substances. CONCLUSION: The entirety of XYJDD HPLC fingerprint enhances the specialty for control and assessment of the product quality, and the backtracking experimental method can be expected to be applied in chromatographic fingerprinting analysis of complex Chinese patent medicine.

Effect of alemtuzumab on intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes and intestinal barrier function in cynomolgus model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Alemtuzumab has been used in organ transplantation and a variety of hematologic malignancies (especially for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia). However, serious infectious complications frequently occur after treatment. The reason for increased infections postalemtuzumab treatment is unknown at this stage. We explore the effect of alemtuzumab on intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and intestinal barrier function in cynomolgus model to explain the reason of infection following alemtuzumab treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve male cynomolguses were randomly assigned to either a treatment or control group. The treatment group received alemtuzumab (3 mg/kg, intravenous injection) while the control group received the same volume of physiological saline. Intestinal IELs were isolated from the control group and the treatment group (on day 9, 35, and 70 after treatment) for counting and flow cytometric analysis. Moreover, intestinal permeability was monitored by enzymatic spectrophotometric technique and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The numbers of IELs were decreased significantly on day 9 after treatment compared with the control group (0.35 ± 0.07 × 10 8 and 1.35 ± 0.09 × 10 8 , respectively; P < 0.05) and were not fully restored until day 70 after treatment. There were significant differences among four groups considering IELs subtypes. In addition, the proportion of apoptotic IELs after alemtuzumab treatment was significantly higher than in the control group (22.01 ± 3.67 and 6.01 ± 1.42, respectively; P < 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of D-lactate and endotoxin was also increased significantly on day 9 after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Alemtuzumab treatment depletes lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and intestine of cynomolgus model. The induction of apoptosis is an important mechanism of lymphocyte depletion after alemtuzumab treatment. Notably, intestinal barrier function may be disrupted after alemtuzumab treatment.</p>

[Chemical constituents of Juncus setchuensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Juncus setchuensis. METHODS: Column chromatography was used in the isolation procedure. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectral data. RESULTS: Eight compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (1), physcion (2), stigmasterol (3), stigmast-3,6-dione (4), vanillin (5), n-heptacosanoic acid (6), trans-hydroxycinnamic (7) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid (8). CONCLUSION: Compound 1, 2, 4 and 6 are obtained from this genus for the first time and all the compounds are obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Study on the chemical constituents of Psoralea corylifolia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Psoralea corylifolia. METHODS: Column chromatography was used in the isolation procedure. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectral data. RESULTS: Seven compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as isopsoralen (1), psoralen (2), bavachalcone (3), 4", 5"-dehydroisopsoralidin (4), methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (5), psoralidin (6), corylin (7). CONCLUSION: Compounds 4 and 5 are obtained from Psoralea for the first time.

Nuclear factor kappa B impairs insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle cells of rat with sepsis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) on insulin signaling in skeletal muscle cells of rat with sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group and sepsis group.Sepsis model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture in sepsis group. At 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h after operation, the gastrocnemius was harvested. Conventional HE staining was used to observe the morphology of skeletal muscle cells. IRS-1 protein and tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Ser(307) phosphorylation of IRS-1 were detected by Western Blotting and immuno-precipitation. Activities of NF-kappaB in skeletal muscle cells were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in sepsis group was significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.01), while Ser(307) phosphorylation of IRS-1 in sepsis group was significantly higher than in control group (P < 0.01). In sepsis group, NF-kappaB activity in skeletal muscle cells was significantly higher than in control group (P < 0.01). There was significant negative correlation between activity of NF-kappaB and tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 (r = 0.972, P < 0.01). There was significant positive correlation between activities of NF-kappaB and Ser(307) phosphorylation of IRS-1 (r = 0.969, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is no inflammatory cell infiltrate in skeletal muscle cells with sepsis. But the activity of NF-kappaB in skeletal muscle cells is obviously enhanced, and it is closely related with disorder of insulin signaling in skeletal muscle cells of rat with sepsis.</p>

[Determination of baicalin in Xiaoyanling Decoction by high-performance liquid chromatography].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of baicalin in Xiaoyanling Decoction. METHODS: HPLC method was used for determination. A Kromosil C18 column was used. The mobile phase consisted of MeOH-acid water (H(2)O:H(3)PO(4)=53:0.2) 40:60, and the detective wavelength was 277 nm. RESULTS: The content of baicalin in each Xiaoyanling Decoction sample was not less than 0.40 mg/ml (RSD<5%). CONCLUSION: The content of baicalin in Xiaoyanling Decoction is high and stable, and it can be used as the quality standard for Xiaoyanling Decoction.

[Effect of ultra-fine powder technique on dissolution rates of andrographolide and dehydroandrographolide in Andrographis paniculata].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ultra-fine powder technique on dissolution rates of the components in Andrographis paniculata. METHODS: High performance liquid chromatography was employed to determine the concentration of andrographolide and dehydroandrographolide in common powdered or ultra-fine powdered Andrographis paniculata. RESULTS: The dissolution rates of andrographolide and dehydroandrographolide in ultra-fine powdered Andrographis paniculata were higher than those of the general powder. CONCLUSION: Ultra-fine powder technique promotes the dissolution rates of andrographolide and dehydroandrographolide.