A fragment of the β-glucosidase gene from the rumen fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum J11 encodes a recombinant protein that exhibits activities in β-glucosidase and β-glucanase.

Lignocellulose, the most abundant organic waste on Earth, is of economic value because it can be converted into biofuels like ethanol by enzymes such as β-glucosidase. This study involved cloning a β-glucosidase gene named JBG from the rumen fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum J11. When expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli, the rJBG enzyme exhibited significant activity, hydrolyzing 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside and cellobiose to release glucose.

Exopolysaccharides of Amy-1 Mitigate Inflammation by Inhibiting ERK1/2 and NF-κB Pathways and Activating p38/Nrf2 Pathway.

is a probiotic for animals. Evidence suggests that diets supplemented with can reduce inflammation; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear and requires further exploration. The exopolysaccharides of amy-1 displayed hypoglycemic activity previously, suggesting that they are bioactive molecules.

Cytotoxic and Anti-Inflammatory Triterpenoids in the Vines and Leaves of .

The vines and leaves of L. are used as herbal medicines to treat inflammation-related disorders. However, their safety profile remains uncharacterized, and the constituents in their extracts that exert anti-inflammatory and adverse effects remain unclear.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens exopolysaccharide preparation induces glucagon-like peptide 1 secretion through the activation of bitter taste receptors.

The exopolysaccharide preparation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens amy-1 (EPS) regulates glycemic levels and promotes glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion in vivo and in vitro. This study aimed to identify the molecular mechanism underlying EPS-induced GLP-1 secretion. HEK293T cells stably expressing human Gα-gustducin were used as a heterologous system for expressing the genes of human bitter taste receptor (T2R) 10, 14, 30, 38 (PAV), 38 (AVI), 43, and 46, which were expressed as recombinant proteins with an N-terminal tag composed of a Lucy peptide and a human somatostatin receptor subtype 3 fragment for membrane targeting and a C-terminal red fluorescent protein for expression monitoring.

Bitter Melon Extract Yields Multiple Effects on Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Likely Contributes to Anti-diabetic Functions.

The intestines have been recognized as important tissues for metabolic regulation, including glycemic control, but their vital role in promoting the anti-diabetic effects of bitter melon, the fruit of L, has seldom been characterized, nor acknowledged. Evidence suggests that bitter melon constituents can have substantial interactions with the intestinal epithelial cells before circulating to other tissues. We therefore characterized the effects of bitter melon extract (BME) on intestinal epithelial cells.

Exopolysaccharides of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens modulate glycemic level in mice and promote glucose uptake of cells through the activation of Akt.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a probiotic for animals. A strain of B. amyloliquefaciens designated amy-1 was isolated from soil, and the exopolysaccharides (EPSs) of the strain were characterized in terms of their effect on glycemic control.

A highly active beta-glucanase from a new strain of rumen fungus Orpinomyces sp.Y102 exhibits cellobiohydrolase and cellotriohydrolase activities.

A new strain of rumen fungus was isolated from Bos taurus, identified and designated Orpinomyces sp.Y102. A clone, celC7, isolated from the cDNA library of Orpinomyces sp.

Characterization of two truncated forms of xylanase recombinantly expressed by Lactobacillus reuteri with an introduced rumen fungal xylanase gene.

The xylanase R8 gene (xynR8) from uncultured rumen fungi was cloned and successfully expressed in Lactobacillus reuteri. A xylanase activity of 132.1 U/mL was found in the broth of L.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Mechanisms of Fatsia polycarpa Hayata and Its Constituents.

Fatsia polycarpa, a plant endemic to Taiwan, is an herbal medicine known for treating several inflammation-related diseases, but its biological function needs scientific support. Thus, the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of the methanolic crude extract (MCE) of F. polycarpa and its feature constituents, that is, brassicasterol (a phytosterol), triterpenoids 3 α -hydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (HODA), 3 α -hydroxyolean-11-en-28,13 β -olide (HOEO), fatsicarpain D, and fatsicarpain F, were investigated.

Biological activity of oleanane triterpene derivatives obtained by chemical derivatization.

Nine new derivatives of oleanane triterpenoids isolated from Fatsia polycarpa Hayata were synthesized through chemical transformations. Acetylation was effected by reaction with acetic anhydride in pyridine to afford compounds 1-5, while compound 6 was obtained using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC·HCl) in CH2Cl2. The others derivatives 7-9 were obtained in reactions of the corresponding triterpenoids with EDC·HCl, 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine hydrochloride and 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine in CH2Cl2.

The antimicrobial activities of phenylbutyrates against Helicobacter pylori.

Three phenyl derivatives of butyrate, 2-phenylbutyrate (2-PB), 3-phenylbutyrate (3-PB) and 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PB), were evaluated in terms of their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Our results indicated that PBs demonstrated specific inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli but did not influence the growth of Bifidobacterium bifidium and Lactobacillus reuteri. PBs also exhibited synergistic effects on H.

Norcucurbitane triterpenoids from the fruits of Momordica charantia var. abbreviata.

Two new 27-norcucurbitane triterpenoids, 27-nor-3beta-hydroxy-7beta-methoxycucurbita-5,23(E)-dien-25-one (1) and 27-nor-3beta-hydroxy-5beta,19-epoxycucurbita-6,23(E)-dien-25-one (2), together with two known cucurbitane triterpenes, 23(E)-7beta-methoxycucurbita-5,23,25-trien-3beta-ol (3) and 5beta,19-epoxy-25-methoxycucurbita-6,23(E)-dien-3beta-ol (4), were isolated from the fruits of Momordica charantia var. abbreviata. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with the data of known analogues.

Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the fruit pulp of Momordica charantia.

Three new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, 5beta,19-epoxy-23(R)-methoxycucurbita-6,24-dien-3beta-ol (1), 5beta,19-epoxy-23(S)-methoxycucurbita-6,24-dien-3beta-ol (2), and 3beta-hydroxy-23(R)-methoxycucurbita-6,24-dien-5beta,19-olide (3), were isolated from the fruit pulp of Momordica charantia. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive NMR (1H, 13C, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and EI-MS studies. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxic activity against the SK-Hep 1 cell line.

Structural modeling and further improvement in pH stability and activity of a highly-active xylanase from an uncultured rumen fungus.

Rumen fungi are a rich source of enzymes degrading lignocelluloses. XynR8 is a glycosyl hydrolase family 11 xylanase previously cloned from unpurified rumen fungal cultures. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that xynR8 was obtained from a Neocallimastix species.

EMCD, a hypoglycemic triterpene isolated from Momordica charantia wild variant, attenuates TNF-α-induced inflammation in FL83B cells in an AMP-activated protein kinase-independent manner.

Insulin resistance is a causative factor for type 2 diabetes, whereas the development of insulin resistance is closely related to chronic inflammation induced by factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon, has been used as an herbal medicine and reported to ameliorate inflammation and hyperglycemia. Previously, a triterpene 5β,19-epoxy-25-methoxy-cucurbita-6,23-diene-3β,19-diol (EMCD), purified from M.

Cucurbitane triterpenoids from Momordica charantia and their cytoprotective activity in tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced hepatotoxicity of HepG2 cells.

Two novel pentanorcucurbitane triterpenes, 22-hydroxy-23,24,25,26,27-pentanorcucurbit-5-en-3-one (1) and 3,7-dioxo-23,24,25,26,27-pentanorcucurbit-5-en-22-oic acid (2) together with a new trinorcucurbitane triterpene, 25,26,27-trinorcucurbit-5-ene-3,7,23-trione (3) were isolated from the methyl alcohol extract of the stems of Momordica charantia. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2 and 3 showed potent cytoprotective activity in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced hepatotoxicity of HepG2 cells.

Activation of PI 3-kinase/Akt/NF-kappaB and Stat3 signaling by avian reovirus S1133 in the early stages of infection results in an inflammatory response and delayed apoptosis.

Avian reovirus (ARV) strain S1133 causes apoptosis in host cells in the middle to late stages of infection. This study investigated the early-stage biological response and intracellular signaling in ARV S1133-infected Vero and chicken cells. Treatment with conditioned medium from ARV S1133-infected cells increased the chemotactic activity of U937 cells.

Octanorcucurbitane triterpenoids protect against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced hepatotoxicity from the stems of Momordica charantia.

Four novel octanorcucurbitane triterpenes, octanorcucurbitacins A-D (1-4), together with one known octanorcucurbitane triterpene, kuguacin M (5), were isolated from the methyl alcohol extract of the stems of Momordica charantia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compound 3 inhibited tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced hepatotoxicity against HepG2 cells.

PI 3-kinase/Akt and STAT3 are required for the prevention of TGF-beta-induced Hep3B cell apoptosis by autocrine motility factor/phosphoglucose isomerase.

We established Hep3B cells stably-expressing wild-type and mutated AMF/PGI with differing enzymatic activities in order to investigate how AMF/PGI affects TGF-beta-induced apoptosis, and demonstrated that AMF/PGI against TGF-beta-induced apoptosis was correlated with its enzymatic activity. AMF/PGI did not alter TGF-beta-receptor expression nor affect TGF-beta-induced PAI-1 gene promoter or Smad3/4 activity. AMF/PGI induced PI 3-kinase activity, IRS and Akt phosphorylation, which can further regulate BAD phosphorylation.

The identification, purification, and characterization of STXF10 expressed in Streptomyces thermonitrificans NTU-88.

Multiple xylanolytic enzymes of Streptomyces thermonitrificans NTU-88 were induced by oat-spelt xylan and separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide and zymogram gels. Nineteen clear spots differed in pI and molecular weight values were found on the zymogram, and only spot one was seen on the corresponding silver-stained gel. These results revealed that multiple xylanases were secreted when S.

A cell-based screening identifies compounds from the stem of Momordica charantia that overcome insulin resistance and activate AMP-activated protein kinase.

Treatment of insulin resistance is a critical strategy in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. The crude extracts from all parts of Momordica charantia L. have been reported by many studies for the effective treatment of diabetes and related complications.

Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the stems of momordica charantia.

Four new cucurbitane-type triterpenes, cucurbita-5,23(E)-diene-3beta,7beta,25-triol (1), 3beta-acetoxy-7beta-methoxycucurbita-5,23(E)-dien-25-ol (2), cucurbita-5(10),6,23(E)-triene-3beta,25-diol (5), and cucurbita-5,24-diene-3,7,23-trione (6), together with four known triterpenes, 3beta,25-dihydroxy-7beta-methoxycucurbita-5,23(E)-diene (3), 3beta-hydroxy-7beta,25-dimethoxycucurbita-5,23(E)-diene (4), 3beta,7beta,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23(E)-dien-19-al (7), and 25-methoxy-3beta,7beta-dihydroxycucurbita-5,23(E)-dien-19-al (8), were isolated from the methyl alcohol extract of the stems of Momordica charantia. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Caecomyces sympodialis sp. nov., a new rumen fungus isolated from Bos indicus.

A new anaerobic rumen fungus was isolated from the rumen fluid of a yellow cow (Bos indicus). This fungus appears to be a previously undescribed species of the genus Caecomyces, it possessing uniflagellate zoospores, a spherical holdfast, tubular sporangiophores and bulbous rhizoids. This new fungus also features distinctive multisporangiate thallus sympodially distributed on sporangiophores.

Cloning, characterization and phylogenetic relationships of stxI, a endoxylanase-encoding gene from Streptomyces thermonitrificans NTU-88.

A thermostable xylanase gene (stxI) obtained from Streptomyces thermonitrificans NTU-88 on domain analysis revealed an N-terminal catalytic domain featuring homology to a known xylanase within the glycoside hydrolase family 11. Recombinant STXI retained more than 60% of its activity following its incubation for at 60 degrees C for 24h. These characteristics were close to thermophile and mesophile Streptomyces strains.

Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from Momordica charantia.

Five new cucurbitane-type triterpenes, (23E)-25-methoxycucurbit-23-ene-3beta,7beta-diol (1), (23E)-cucurbita-5,23,25-triene-3beta,7beta-diol (2), (23E)-25-hydroxycucurbita-5,23-diene-3,7-dione (3), (23E)-cucurbita-5,23,25-triene-3,7-dione (4), and (23E)-5beta,19-epoxycucurbita-6,23-diene-3beta,25-diol (5), together with one known triterpene, (23E)-5beta,19-epoxy-25-methoxycucurbita-6,23-dien-3beta-ol (6), have been isolated from the methanol extract of the stems of Momordica charantia. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.