Isospongian Diterpenoids from the Leaves of Amomum tsao-ko Promote GLP-1 Secretion via Ca/CaMKII and PKA Pathways and Inhibit DPP-4 Enzyme.

Three uncommon isospongian diterpenoids including a new one, 3-epi-kravanhin A (2), were isolated from the leaves of Amomum tsao-ko. Compounds 2 and 3 dose-dependently promoted GLP-1 secretion on STC-1 cells with promotion ratios of 109.7 % and 186.

New labdane diterpenoids from Alpinia galanga: A new type of GLP-1 secretagogues targeting the PKA-CREB and PI3K-Akt signaling axes.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretagogues are fascinating pharmacotherapies to overcome the defects of GLP-1 analogs and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in treating diabetes and obesity. To discover new GLP-1 secretagogues from natural sources, alpigalangols A-Q (1-17), 17 new labdane diterpenoids including four unusual nor-labdane and N-containing ones, were isolated from the fruits of Alpinia galanga. Most of the isolates showed GLP-1 promotive effects in NCl-H716 cells, of which compounds 3, 4, 12, and 14-17 were revealed with high promoting rates of 246.

Sesquiterpenoids from with GLP-1 Stimulative Effects through Ca/CaMKII and PKA Pathways and Multiple-Enzyme Inhibition.

Six new sesquiterpenoids (-), a pair of enantiomers ( and ), and six known ones (-) were isolated from the fruits of . The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data and ECD calculations. The stereochemistry of and was reported for the first time.

One novel alkaloid from the stems of .

The 6-methoxy-cannabisin I (), a new alkaloid, together with five known compounds oleraisoindole A (), cannabisin F (), apigenin (), syringin () and ethyl-syringin () were isolated from stems. Their structures were identified by the analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound was isolated from for the first time.

Bioactivity-Guided High Performance Counter-Current Chromatography and Following Semi-Preparative Liquid Chromatography Method for Rapid Isolation of Anti-Inflammatory Lignins from Dai Medicinal Plant, var. .

The development of Dai medicine is relatively slow, and has great economic and medicinal value. It is still difficult to obtain medicinal components from the low-polarity parts of belonging to Dai medicine. In this study, we introduced one simple and quick strategy of separating target compounds from the barks of var.

Polyoxypregnane Glycosides from Root of and Inhibited Nitric Oxide Levels in LPS Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells.

Six new polyoxypregnane glycosides, marstenacisside F1−F3 (1−3), G1−G2 (4−5) and H1 (6), as well as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl-11α,12β-di-O-benzoyl-tenacigenin B (7), were isolated from the roots of Marsdenia tenacissima. Their structures were established by an extensive interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. Compounds 1−7 were tenacigenin B derivatives with an oligosaccharide chain at C-3.

Rhizome Extract Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis: Active Ingredient Investigation and Evaluation.

is an important food spice and ethnic medicine in Southwest China. In this study, we found that the EtOAc-soluble fraction (AHE) of the rhizome ethanol extract could ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). To explore active constituents, five pairs of previously unreported enantiomers (-), together with nine known ones (-), were obtained.

Functional characterization, antimicrobial effects, and potential antibacterial mechanisms of new mastoparan peptides from hornet venom (Vespa ducalis, Vespa mandarinia, and Vespa affinis).

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a major threat to global public health, and there is an urgent need to find effective, antimicrobial treatments that can be well tolerated by humans. Hornet venom is known to have antimicrobial properties, and contains peptides with similarity to known antimicrobial eptides (AMPs), mastoparans. We identified multiple new AMPs from the venom glands of Vespa ducalis (U-VVTX-Vm1a, U-VVTX-Vm1b, and U-VVTX-Vm1c), Vespa mandarinia (U-VVTX-Vm1d), and Vespa affinis (U-VVTX-Vm1e).

Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from stems.

Two previously unreported monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, 19(20)-5-carboxymethylvallesiachotamine () and 19(20)-5-carboxymethylvallesiachotamine (), along with five known indole alkaloids (-) were isolated from stems. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic data. Among these isolates, compounds and were the two new Δ geometric isomers.

Development of a strategy for a quick process for separation of volatile compounds in counter-current chromatography: purification of cinnamaldehyde from by high performance counter-current chromatography.

It is a challenge for many researchers to separate volatile compounds. In this study, we introduce a rapid and efficient method of separating target compound from the twigs of by high performance counter-current chromatography. Under the bioassay guidance, the total extract exhibited a potential activity against NO production in RAW 264.

A novel pentacyclic triterpene from the canes of (Rubiaceae).

One novel pentacyclic triterpene, 24-dimethoxymethyl-3,6,19- trihydroxy -12-en-28-oic acid (), along with six known compounds -, were isolated from the canes of Roxb. Their structures were determined according to spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds (-) were scanned against NO production in LPS-activated RAW 264.

Single glucose molecule transport process revealed by force tracing and molecular dynamics simulations.

Transporting individual molecules across cell membranes is a fundamental process in cellular metabolism. Although the crystal diffraction technique has greatly contributed to our understanding of the structures of the involved transporters, a description of the dynamic transport mechanism at the single-molecule level has been extremely elusive. In this study, we applied atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based force tracing to directly monitor the transport of a single molecule, d-glucose, across living cell membranes.

RACK1 is required for adipogenesis.

Adipose tissue plays a critical role in metabolic diseases and the maintenance of energy homeostasis. RACK1 has been identified as an adaptor protein involved in multiple intracellular signal transduction pathways and diseases. However, whether it regulates adipogenesis remains unknown.

AS160 controls eukaryotic cell cycle and proliferation by regulating the CDK inhibitor p21.

AS160 (TBC1D4) has been implicated in multiple biological processes. However, the role and the mechanism of action of AS160 in the regulation of cell proliferation remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that AS160 knockdown led to blunted cell proliferation in multiple cell types, including fibroblasts and cancer cells.