Filicinic Acid-Based Meroterpenoids with Antiproliferative Activity against Prostate Cancer PC-3 Cells from .

Nine new structurally diverse filicinic acid-based meroterpenoids (-) with four kinds of carbon skeletons were isolated from the rhizomes of . Their structures, including the absolute configurations, were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, quantum chemical calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structurally, compounds - feature an unprecedented 6/6/5/6/6/6 hexacyclic system with a rare oxaspiro[4.

Undescribed matrine-type alkaloids from Sophora alopecuroides with anti-inflammatory activity.

A phytochemical investigation on the alkaloid fractions of Sophora alopecuroides L. led to the production of 11 undescribed matrine-type alkaloids, sophaloseedlines I-S (1-11), 12 known analogs (12-23), and an unexpected artificial matrine-derived Al(III) complex (24). The corresponding structures were elucidated by the interpretation of spectroscopic analyses, quantum chemical calculation, and six instances (1-4, 18, and 24), verified by X-ray crystallography.

Undescribed phloroglucinol derivatives with antiviral activities from Dryopteris atrata (Wall. Ex Kunze) Ching.

Nine undescribed phloroglucinol derivatives (dryatraols A-I) with five different backbones and three known dimeric acylphloroglucinols were isolated from the rhizome of Dryopteris atrata (Wall. Ex Kunze) Ching (Dryopteridaceae). Dryatraol A contains an unprecedented carbon skeleton-a butyrylphloroglucinol and a rulepidanol-type sesquiterpene are linked via a furan ring to form a 6/5/6/6 ring system.

Direct C-H Thiolation for Selective Cross-Coupling of Arenes with Thiophenols via Aerobic Visible-Light Catalysis.

An aerobic metal-free, visible-light-induced regioselective thiolation of phenols with thiophenols is reported. The cross-coupling protocol exhibits great functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal that the disulfide radical cation plays a crucial role in the visible-light catalysis of aerobic thiolation.

Thiol Activation toward Selective Thiolation of Aromatic C-H Bond.

Direct C-S bond coupling is an attractive way to construct aryl sulfur ether, a building block for a variety of biological active molecules. Herein, we disclose an effective model for regioselective thiolation of the aromatic C-H bond by thiol activation instead of arene activation. Strikingly, this method has been applied into anisole derivatives that are not available in the arene activation approach to forge a single thioether isomer with high reactivity.

Photoelectrochemical cell for P-H/C-H cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution.

Photoelectrochemistry enables the formation of a variety of active intermediates for organic synthesis in an environmentally friendly manner. Herein, a photoelectrochemical cell is fabricated to realize activation of P-H/C-H bonds for cross-coupling hydrogen evolution. As compared with an electrochemical cell, nearly 90% external bias input is saved to drive the C-P bond construction with good to excellent yields.

Direct Arylation of Unactivated Alkanes with Heteroarenes by Visible-Light Catalysis.

The functionalization of aliphatic C-H bonds is both a major challenge and a desirable goal in organic synthesis. Here, we describe the successful arylation of unactivated alkanes with heteroarenes by using iridium polypyridyl complexes as the photocatalyst and persulfate as the HAT catalyst precursor under visible-light irradiation. This reaction features good functional group tolerance and broad scope with regard to both alkane and heteroarene substrates (37 examples), which allows direct access to alkyl-substituted -heteroarenes, a key structural motif in natural products and bioactive molecules.

Regioselective Amination of an Aromatic C-H Bond by Trifluoroacetic Acid via Electrochemistry.

A trifluoroacetic acid-facilitated amination of alkoxyl arene has been established via anodic oxidation in an undivided cell. In the absence of any additional metal or oxidant reagents, a series of aromatic and heteroaromatic amine derivatives have been synthesized in good to excellent yields. Our findings reveal the possibility of achieving complete -selective amination of a simple arene, which emerges as an efficient route for facile and large-scale organic synthesis.

The transformation of triclosan by laccase: Effect of humic acid on the reaction kinetics, products and pathway.

This study systematically explored the effect of humic acid (HA) (as model of natural organic matter) on the kinetics, products and transformation pathway of triclosan (TCS) by laccase-catalyzed oxidation. It was found that TCS could be effectively transformed by laccase-catalysis, with the apparent second-order rate constant being 0.056 U mL min.

Upregulation of microRNA-143 reverses drug resistance in human breast cancer cells via inhibition of cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1.

Cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1), originally termed anamorsin, is an anti-apoptotic molecule that acts as a downstream effector of the receptor tyrosine kinase-Ras signaling pathway. Overexpression of CIAPIN1 contributes to multidrug resistance (MDR) and microRNA (miR)-143 is typically considered a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of miR-143 as a treatment for drug-resistant breast cancer via the downregulation of CIAPIN1 .

Deletion of interleukin-6 alleviated interstitial fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy of mice through affecting TGFβ1 and miR-29 pathways.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been shown to be an important regulator of cardiac interstitial fibrosis. In this study, we explored the role of interleukin-6 in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy and the underlying mechanisms. Cardiac function of IL-6 knockout mice was significantly improved and interstitial fibrosis was apparently alleviated in comparison with wildtype (WT) diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ).

Silencing of MICAL-L2 suppresses malignancy of ovarian cancer by inducing mesenchymal-epithelial transition.

Ovarian cancer remains the disease with the highest associated mortality rate of gynecologic malignancy due to cancer metastasis. Rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton by cytoskeleton protein plays a critical role in tumor cell metastasis. MICAL-L2, a member of MICAL family, can interact with actin-binding proteins, regulate actin cross-linking and coordinate the assembly of adherens junctions and tight junctions.

The human epididymis protein 4 acts as a prognostic factor and promotes progression of gastric cancer.

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), represented as an epididymis-specific gene and designated a WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2 (WFDC2), is amplified in many tumors. However, little is known about its clinical significance and biological function in gastric carcinomas. We found that HE4 was more commonly observed in gastric carcinoma tissues than in normal tissues and was significantly correlated with Lauren classification, TNM stage, and tumor size by immunohistochemistry.

SERPINA3 promotes endometrial cancer cells growth by regulating G2/M cell cycle checkpoint and apoptosis.

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common gynecologic cancer worldwide and is one of the leading causes of death in women. Therefore, it is urgent to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of EC. SERPINA3 is a member of the serpin super-family of protease inhibitors.

Scutellarin exerts its anti-hypertrophic effects via suppressing the Ca2+-mediated calcineurin and CaMKII signaling pathways.

Scutellarin is a flavonoid extracted from a traditional Chinese herb, Erigeron breviscapus Hand Mazz, which has been broadly used in treating various cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated its effect on cardiac hypertrophy and the underlying mechanism. Both in vitro and in vivo cardiac hypertrophy models were employed to explore the anti-hypertrophic action of scutellarin.

Effects of Tai Chi exercise on patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi exercise on the levels of blood glucose, insulin and insulin receptors of patients with type 2 diabetes. Twelve subjects aged 58-75 years old (66.5 +/- 8.