Analysis of indications for pulmonary peripheral lesions diagnosed using radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy.

The aim of the present study was to determine the indications for radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (rEBUS-D-TBLB) for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL) located at the bronchopulmonary segments and subsegments. Data collected from 774 patients who underwent rEBUS-D-TBLB for suspected PPL, including clinical information, distribution of lesions, diagnostic spectrum and diagnostic rate, were collected and retrospectively reviewed. Additionally, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to analyze the diagnostic yield of lesions in bronchopulmonary subsegments under the lesion diameter limit of 3 cm.

Three new alkaloids isolated from the stem tuber of Pinellia pedatisecta.

The present study was designed to determine the chemical constituents of the stem tuber of Pinellia pedatisecta. The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data. Three new alkaloids (compounds 1, 2, and 3) were obtained and identified as 9-((5-methoxypyridin-2-yl)methyl)-9H-purin-6-amine (1), 4-(2-(2, 5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)phenyl acetate (2), and N-(9-((5-methoxypyridin-2-yl)methyl)-9H-purin-6-yl)acetamide (3).

Pharmacokinetic Studies of Ganoderic Acids from the Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), by LC-MS/MS.

Ganoderma lucidum is a famous medicinal mushroom that has been widely used in clinical practice and as a dietary supplementa. The triterpenoid ganoderic acids are the main constituents of G. lucidum.

Anti-inflammatory diterpenoids from the root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus.

Five new ent-pimarane (1-3, 7, and 8) and three new ent-kaurane diterpenoids (4-6) and a new oleanane triterpene acid (9), together with 22 known compounds, were isolated from the root bark of the medicinal herb Acanthopanax gracilistylus. The structures of 1-9 were established based on the interpretation of high-resolution MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR data. The absolute configurations of 7 and 11 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism analysis.

Activity-guided isolation of NF-κB inhibitors and PPARγ agonists from the root bark of Lycium chinense Miller.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The root bark of Lycium chinense Miller, Lycii radicis cortex, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat different inflammation-related symptoms, such as diabetes mellitus. The pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a key regulator of inflammation, while the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a key modulator of genes involved in diabetes development. To identify putative active compound(s) from Lycii radicis cortex inhibiting NF-κB or activating PPARγ.

Metabolite identification of crude extract from Ganoderma lucidum in rats using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The metabolism of traditional Chinese medicine is very complicated and has been a great challenge. In the present paper, a new strategy was established to study the metabolism of crude extract from Ganoderma lucidum using the highly separative and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Based on the investigation of the metabolism of five representative single compounds (ganoderic acid), a total of 90 metabolites were identified from the bile sample after oral administration of the crude extract.

Phenanthrenes, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes, bibenzyls with their derivatives, and malate or tartrate benzyl ester glucosides from tubers of Cremastra appendiculata.

Eleven previously unknown compounds and 23 known compounds, including 20 phenanthrene or 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, five bibenzyls, seven malate or tartrate benzyl ester glucosides, adenosine and gastrodin were isolated from tubers of Cremastra appendiculata. Among the obtained compounds, two are the first isolated dimers with one phenanthrene or bibenzyl unit connected to C-3 of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-phenanthro[2,1-b]furan moiety. In addition, 33 of these compounds were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against two cancer cell lines.

Elution-extrusion counter-current chromatography separation of two new benzyl ester glucosides and three other high-polarity compounds from the tubers of Pleione bulbocodioides.

Introduction: The tubers of Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.) Rolfe, with gastrodin and benzyl ester glucosides as main components, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various cancers and bacterial infections. Up to now, their official quality control method is still inadequate, and the difficulty of obtaining these high-polarity compounds is one of the major reasons.

Pharmacokinetics of ganoderic acid D and its main metabolite by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

The present study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetics of ganoderic acid D (GD), a representative active triterpenoid from Ganoderma lucidum. A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the concentrations of GD and its main metabolite (ganoderic acid B) in rat plasma. Following protein precipitation, the analytes were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column.

Simultaneous determination of 24 constituents in Cortex Lycii using high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

A fast high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to determine 24 components including 11 phenolic compounds, 9 phenolic amides, and 4 cyclic peptides in Cortex Lycii. The analytes were quantified by a triple quadrupole instrument in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The fragmentation patterns of phenolic amides and cyclic peptides using ESI and collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques are reported.

Chemical constituents of Spatholobus suberectus.

Aim: To investigate chemical constituents of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn.

Methods: Isolation and purification were carried out by column chromatographic methods. Compounds were characterized based on their physical characteristics and spectra data.

[Roles of interleukin-10 differentiated dendritic cell of allergic asthma patients in T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro].

Objective: To explore the roles of interleukin (IL)-10 differentiated peripheral blood monocyte-derived dendritic cell (DC-10) of allergic asthma patients in T-lymphocytes proliferation in vitro.

Methods: From January to June 2011, 10 subjects with dust mite allergic asthma treated at Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled. Their peripheral blood monocytes were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque solution density gradient centrifugation and adherent method.

Neolignanamides, lignanamides, and other phenolic compounds from the root bark of Lycium chinense.

Seven new neolignanamides (1-7), including two pairs of cis- and trans-isomers, and a new lignanamide (8) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of an EtOH extract of the root bark of Lycium chinense, together with 22 known phenolic compounds (9-30), four of which were obtained from the genus Lycium for the first time. Compounds 5, 6, and 7 are unusual dimers having a rare connection mode between the two cinnamic acid amide units, while compounds 6, 7, and 8 are the first naturally occurring dimers derived from two dissimilar cinnamic acid amides. The cinnamic acid amides, neolignanamides, and lignanamides possess moderate radical-scavenging activity against the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and superoxide radicals.

Inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in A549 cell by transfected Napsin A.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a cellular process characterized by the loss of cell adhesion, inhibition of E-cadherin expression, and increased cell mobility. Cells without Napsin A are susceptible to transition. Further studies are required to investigate whether this transition can be reversed by restoration of Napsin A.

Biotransformation of gambogenic acid by Chaetomium globosum CICC 2445.

Microbial transformation of gambogenic acid (1), a caged polyprenylated xanthone isolated from the resin of Garcinia hanburyi, was carried out with Chaetomium globosum CICC 2445, after screening forty-six strains of filamentous fungi. A new caged polyprenylated xanthone, 16,17-dihydroxygambogenic acid (2), was specifically obtained, as a result of hydroxylation at C-16, and C-17. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods.

Simultaneous determination of atractylenolide II and atractylenolide III by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in rat plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma extract.

Atractylenolide II (AII) and atractylenolide III (AIII) are the major active components in Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma (AMR). In this study, a sensitive, rapid and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of AII and AIII in rat plasma using loliolide as internal standard (IS). After protein precipitation with ethyl acetate, the analytes were injected into an LC-MS/MS system for quantification.

Macromolecular and small-molecule modulation of intracellular Aβ42 aggregation and associated toxicity.

Aβ (amyloid β-peptide) has a central role in AD (Alzheimer's disease) where neuronal toxicity is linked to its extracellular and intracellular accumulation as oligomeric species. Searching for molecules that attenuate Aβ aggregation could uncover novel therapies for AD, but most studies in mammalian cells have inferred aggregation indirectly by assessing levels of secreted Aβ peptide. In the present study we establish a mammalian cell system for the direct visualization of Aβ formation by expression of an Aβ(42)-EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) fusion protein in the human embryonic kidney cell line T-REx293, and use this to identify both macromolecules and small molecules that reduce aggregation and associated cell toxicity.

Simultaneous determination of four sesquiterpenoids in Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma by GC-FID: optimisation of an ultrasound-assisted extraction by central composite design.

Introduction: Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma (AMR) is a traditional Chinese medicine containing several sesquiterpenoids with a series of effects. These bioactive compounds may be used as chemical markers for the quality control of AMR. It is necessary to optimise the extraction method and conditions in order to improve extraction productivity.

Pharmacophore-based discovery of FXR-agonists. Part II: identification of bioactive triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum.

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) belonging to the metabolic subfamily of nuclear receptors is a ligand-induced transcriptional activator. Its central function is the physiological maintenance of bile acid homeostasis including the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Accessible structural information about its ligand-binding domain renders FXR an attractive target for in silico approaches.

Proteomic studies on protective effects of salvianolic acids, notoginsengnosides and combination of salvianolic acids and notoginsengnosides against cardiac ischemic-reperfusion injury.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Salvia miltiorrhiza and Panax notoginseng are popularly used traditional Chinese medicine for cardiovascular disorders and they are often used in the form of combination. However, mechanisms of their cardioprotective effects were still not clear. In the present study, the protective effects of salvianolic acids (SA), notoginsengnosides (NG) and combination of SA and NG (CSN) against rat cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury were checked and the protein expression profiles of heart tissues were examined to search their possible protein targets.

Paraptosis accompanied by autophagy and apoptosis was induced by celastrol, a natural compound with influence on proteasome, ER stress and Hsp90.

In the present study, we found that celastrol, a natural compound with well-known apoptosis-inducing effect, could also induce paraptosis-like cytoplasmic vacuolization in cancer cell lines including HeLa cells, A549 cells and PC-3 cells derived from cervix, lung and prostate, respectively. Further study using HeLa cells indicated that the vacuoles induced by celastrol might be derived from dilation of endoplasmic reticulum. And, in celastrol-treated cells, markers of autophagy such as transformation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)I to LC3II and LC3 punctates formation were identified.

Fragmentation pathways of oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoids and their application in the qualitative analysis of Ganoderma lucidum by multistage tandem mass spectrometry.

The fragmentation pathways of oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum were systematically studied based on interpreting the mass spectra of 44 known triterpenoids using a combination of multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) experiments and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analysis. In negative ion mode, the fragmentation pathways of triterpenoid acids are rather characteristic. After the prominent loss of H(2) O or CO(2), cleavages take place on the A, B, C and D rings.

Differential proteomic analysis of platelets suggested possible signal cascades network in platelets treated with salvianolic acid B.

Background: Salvianolic acid B (SB) is an active component isolated from Danshen, a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Previous study suggested that SB might inhibit adhesion as well as aggregation of platelets by a mechanism involving the integrin α2β1. But, the signal cascades in platelets after SB binding are still not clear.

Clarifying the signal network of salvianolic acid B using proteomic assay and bioinformatic analysis.

Salvianolic acid B (SB) is a natural compound with protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion heart injury. However, the signal network of SB including both direct target proteins and downstream signal-related proteins has not been clarified. In the present study, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted to be the most possible direct protein target of SB by INVDOCK, a ligand-protein inverse-docking algorithm.

[Effect of Napsin A transfection into type II alveolar epithelial cells on pulmonary fibrosis].

Objective: To study the in vitro effect and mechanism of Napsin A gene transfection into type II alveolar epithelial cells on pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods: A recombinant lentiviral plasmid PLJM1-Napsin A was constructed and transfected into human type II alveolar epithelial cell line A549. The model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by the in vitro stimulation of A549 cells by transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1).