Biological activities of leaf extracts from selected species and their relationship with bufadienolides content.

Context: species (Crassulaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine as remedies in infectious diseases and cancer treatment.

Objective: Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of Raym.-Hamet & H.

Utilizing Genome-Wide mRNA Profiling to Identify the Cytotoxic Chemotherapeutic Mechanism of Triazoloacridone C-1305 as Direct Microtubule Stabilization.

Rational drug design and in vitro pharmacology profiling constitute the gold standard in drug development pipelines. Problems arise, however, because this process is often difficult due to limited information regarding the complete identification of a molecule's biological activities. The increasing affordability of genome-wide next-generation technologies now provides an excellent opportunity to understand a compound's diverse effects on gene regulation.

Genome-wide mRNA profiling identifies RCAN1 and GADD45A as regulators of the transitional switch from survival to apoptosis during ER stress.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress conditions promote a cellular adaptive mechanism called the unfolded protein response (UPR) that utilizes three stress sensors, inositol-requiring protein 1, protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, and activating transcription factor 6. These sensors activate a number of pathways to reduce the stress and facilitate cell survival. While much is known about the mechanisms involved that modulate apoptosis during chronic stress, less is known about the transition between the prosurvival and proapoptotic factors that determine cell fate.

Primary endothelial cell-specific regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 and HIF-2 and their target gene expression profiles during hypoxia.

During hypoxia, a cellular adaptive response activates hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs; HIF-1 and HIF-2) that respond to low tissue-oxygen levels and induce the expression of a number of genes that promote angiogenesis, energy metabolism, and cell survival. HIF-1 and HIF-2 regulate endothelial cell (EC) adaptation by activating gene-signaling cascades that promote endothelial migration, growth, and differentiation. An HIF-1 to HIF-2 transition or switch governs this process from acute to prolonged hypoxia.

PIWI proteins contribute to apoptosis during the UPR in human airway epithelial cells.

Small noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate a large portion of the human transcriptome. miRNAs have been shown to play an important role in the unfolded protein response (UPR), a cellular adaptive mechanism that is important in alleviating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and promoting cell recovery. Another class of small noncoding RNAs, the Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) together with PIWI proteins, was originally shown to play a role as repressors of germline transposable elements.

The effect of mangiferin on skin: Penetration, permeation and inhibition of ECM enzymes.

Mangiferin (2-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone) is a polyphenol with strong antioxidant properties. Mangiferin is obtained from the mango tree (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae).

miR-429 regulates the transition between Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)1A and HIF3A expression in human endothelial cells.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) are heterodimeric transcription factors that allow cells to adapt and survive during hypoxia. Regulation of HIF1A and HIF2A mRNA is well characterized, whereas HIF3A mRNA regulation and function are less clear. Using RNA-Seq analysis of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells, we found two isoforms of HIF3A were expressed, HIF3A2 and HIF3A3.

The hypoxia-inducible miR-429 regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in human endothelial cells through a negative feedback loop.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) 1 and 2 are dimeric α/β transcription factors that regulate cellular responses to low oxygen. HIF-1 is induced first, whereas HIF-2 is associated with chronic hypoxia. To determine how HIF1A mRNA, the inducible subunit of HIF-1, is regulated during hypoxia, we followed HIF1A mRNA levels in primary HUVECs over 24 hours using quantitative PCR.

RNAdigest: a web-based tool for the analysis and prediction of structure-specific RNAse digestion results.

Despite recent developments in analyzing RNA secondary structures, relatively few RNA structures have been determined. To date, many investigators have relied on the traditional method of using structure-specific RNAse enzymes to probe RNA secondary structures. However, if these data were combined with novel computational approaches, investigators would have an informative and valuable tool for RNA structural analysis.

Mangiferin has an additive effect on the apoptotic properties of hesperidin in Cyclopia sp. tea extracts.

A variety of biological pro-health activities have been reported for mangiferin and hesperidin, two major phenolic compounds of Honeybush (Cyclopia sp.) tea extracts. Given their increasing popularity, there is a need for understanding the mechanisms underlying the biological effects of these compounds.

Regulation of the unfolded protein response by microRNAs.

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an adaptive response to the stress that is caused by an accumulation of misfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It is an important component of cellular homeostasis. During ER stress, the UPR increases the protein-folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum to relieve the stress.

Regulation of angiogenesis by hypoxia: the role of microRNA.

Understanding the cellular pathways that regulate angiogenesis during hypoxia is a necessary aspect in the development of novel treatments for cardiovascular disorders. Although the pathways of angiogenesis have been extensively studied, there is limited information on the role of miRNAs in this process. miRNAs or their antagomirs could be used in future therapeutic approaches to regulate hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, so it is critical to understand their role in governing angiogenesis during hypoxic conditions.

Micropropagation of Cyclopia genistoides, an endemic South African plant of economic importance.

An efficient micropropagation protocol of Cyclopia genistoides (L.) Vent., an indigenous South African shrub of economic importance, was established.

Comparative analysis of phenolic acids in mistletoe plants from various hosts.

Phenolic acids present in mistletoe plants collected from various hosts were analysed with the use of HPLC. The following numbers of compounds were found in the mistletoe plant material gathered from respective hosts: Sorbus aucuparia- 12 compounds; Acer plantanoides--14 compounds: Malus domestica, Pyrus communis and Populus nigra--13 compounds each; Quercus robur--15 compounds. Altogether 21 phenolic acids were chromatographically identified in the tested material.

Captopril: determination in blood and pharmacokinetics after single oral dose.

The study describes a specific, precise, sensitive and accurate method for determination of unchanged captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in human plasma. Captopril was stabilized by forming an adduct with p-bromophenacyl bromide and this adduct was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The standard curve was linear over a range of 30-800 ng ml-1.

Chromatographic studies of the enantiomeric composition of some therapeutic compositions applied in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases.

A gas-liquid chromatographic system with alpha-cyclodextrin in formamide medium (coated on Chromosorb) was used for the separation of enantiomers of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene and camphene in medicines applied in the therapy of liver and kidney diseases. The drugs under investigation were produced in Poland (Terpichol and Terpinex), in Germany (Rowachol and Rowatinex) and in Slovenia (Uroterp). It was found that, depending on the manufacturer, medicines possessing similar chemical compositions differ considerably from one another regarding the content of enantiomers, mainly those of alpha-pinene.

Fluorescence enhancement of two terpenes commonly present in essential oils.

The fluorescence spectra of anethole and eugenol dissolved in methanol-aqueous binary systems with the addition of alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin were studied. Observed enhancement of the fluorescence intensity is possibly due to the higher quantum yield of the cyclodextrin-hydrocarbon inclusion complexes. The measured fluorescence intensities for eugenol and anethole in the presence of alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin were processed using principal component analysis.

The metabolism of anthracene and 9,10-dimethylanthracene by bacteria isolated from waters.

The metabolism of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons i.e. anthracene and 9,10-dimethylanthracene by Micrococcus sp.