Characterization of Phenolic Compounds and Antiproliferative Effects of and Extracts.

The phenolic compounds of methanolic extracts of and were identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Carnosic acid and its metabolite carnosol were the most abundant terpene phenolic compounds of , while they were completely absent in . The main terpene phenolic constituent of was 12--methylcarnosic acid and its mass/mass fragmentation pathway was explained.

Sanguinarine is reduced by NADH through a covalent adduct.

Sanguinarine is a benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid with interesting cytotoxic properties, such as induction of oxidative DNA damage and very rapid apoptosis, which is not mediated by p53-dependent signaling. It has been previously documented that sanguinarine is reduced with NADH even in absence of any enzymes while being converted to its dihydro form. We found that the dark blue fluorescent species, observed during sanguinarine reduction with NADH and misinterpreted by Matkar et al.

Identification of key structural characteristics of Schisandra chinensis lignans involved in P-glycoprotein inhibition.

The aim of the present study was to determine the structural requirements for dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans essential for P-glycoprotein inhibition. Altogether 15 structurally related lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis or prepared by modification of their backbone were investigated, including three pairs of enantiomers. P-Glycoprotein inhibition was quantified using a doxorubicin accumulation assay in human promyelotic leukemia HL60/MDR cells overexpressing P-glycoprotein.

Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of Schisandra chinensis lignans.

Using exhaustive chromatographic separation we have isolated (-)-tigloyl-deangeloyl-gomisin F as a novel dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan from schisandra chinensis. With the help of HPLC, we further isolated (+)-schisandrin, (+)-deoxyschisandrin, (+)-γ-schisandrin, (-)-gomisin J, (+)-gomisin A, (-)-gomisin N, (-)-tigloyl-gomisin P, (-)-wuweizisu C, (-)-gomisin D, rubrisandrin A, (-)-gomisin G, (+)-gomisin K (3) and (-)-schisantherin C. A full NMR description of (-)-schisantherin C was carried out with the aim to confirm previous reports of its structure.

Evaluation of the antiradical activity of Schisandra chinensis lignans using different experimental models.

The in vitro antiradical activity of Schisandra chinensis lignans was investigated using DPPH, ABTS+, Fenton reaction inhibition and tyrosine-nitration inhibition assays, as were the in vivo antidiabetic activities of selected lignans in an animal model of alloxan-induced diabetes. Different degrees of antiradical activity were found, depending upon the structural parameters of the tested compounds. Unfortunately, the compounds showed no antidiabetic activity in concentration range tested.

Validated method for bioactive lignans in Schisandra chinensis in vitro cultures using a solid phase extraction and a monolithic column application.

A simple and rapid method for determination of six lignans found in plant cell cultures of Schisandra chinensis was developed and validated. The lignans were extracted from plant samples with methanol and the extracts were effectively cleaned by solid-phase extraction using Strata C18-E (Phenomenex) cartridges. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a Chromolith Performance RP-18e monolithic column (100 x 4.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans overcome drug resistance in lung cancer cells--study of structure-activity relationship.

A panel of nine dibenzo[a,c]cyclooctadiene lignans, schizandrin, gomisin A, gomisin N, gomisin J, angeloylgomisin H, tigloylgomisin P, deoxyschizandrin, gamma-schizandrin and wuweizisu C was examined for their effect on multidrug resistance, as well as their anti-proliferative activities. COR-L23/R, a multidrug resistant sub-line, which has been reported to over-express multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), was used for the experiments together with its parent cell line COR-L23 (human lung cell carcinoma). We found that lignans deoxyschizandrin and gamma-schizandrin at relatively non-toxic concentrations restored the cytotoxic action of doxorubicin to COR-L23/R cells.

Acidic gases, NH(3) and secondary inorganic ions in PM(10) during summertime in Beijing, China and their relation to air mass history.

In the summers of 2002-2003, acidic gases, ammonia and water-soluble ions in PM(10) were measured in Beijing. The mean concentrations of HCl, HONO, HNO(3), SO(2) and NH(3) are 0.6, 3.

Quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids--novel cell permeant and red fluorescing DNA probes.

Background: Quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids (QBAs) are naturally occurring compounds isolated from plants in the Fumariaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rutaceae families. In addition to having a wide range of biological activities, they are also attractive for their fluorescent properties. We observed interesting fluorescent characteristics in the QBAs-macarpine (MA), sanguirubine (SR), chelirubine (CHR), sanguilutine (SL), chelilutine (CHL), sanguinarine (SA) and chelerythrine (CHE) after interaction with living cells.

Separation procedures applicable to lignan analysis.

Lignans are a class of secondary plant metabolites produced by oxidative dimerization of two phenylpropanoid units. They have been found in many plants of Oriental medicine. In consequence of recent knowledge it is held that lignans are responsible for the key pharmacological activities of these plants.

Mass spectrometry of 1,3- and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids.

Samples of 1,3- (1) and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2) and their hexaacetate derivatives were examined using positive and negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. Differences in the various spectra allow the discrimination of each of the isomers. Specific losses in the spectra of 2 also permit the identification of the site of substitution of one of the caffeic acid moieties as being at the 5-position.

UVC-protective effect of caffeic acid on normal and transformed human skin cells in vitro.

Possible UVC-protective properties of CA, a plant phenolic compound with antioxidant activity, were investigated on human KF1 diploid fibroblast and A431 epidermoid carcinoma cell lines. Cell populations, untreated and treated by antioxidants (CA and alpha-tocopherol), were irradiated by UVC at the wavelength of 254 nm and their proliferation activity was determined by the MTT assay. The results show a strong protective effect of CA at both concentrations used (55.

Main flavonoids in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis cultivated in Europe and their comparative antiradical properties.

The content of the main flavonoids in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi cultivated in Central Europe was evaluated using the new simple RP-HPLC method with gradient of acetonitrile in mobile phase. The main components of the roots were baicalin (8.12% of dry root mass) and wogonin glucuronide (2.

Short-term temporal variation in PM2.5 mass and chemical composition during the Atlanta Supersite Experiment, 1999.

Measurements in urban Atlanta of transient aerosol events in which PM2.5 mass concentrations rapidly rise and fall over a period of 3-6 hr are reported. The data are based on new measurement techniques demonstrated at the U.

Diurnal variations of aerosol chemical compositions and related gaseous pollutants in Beijing and Guangzhou.

A new apparatus, Steam Jet Aerosol Collector (SJAC) combined with on-line Mobile Ion Chromatograph provides a reliable way to measure both aerosol components and related gas species simultaneously. The SJAC was applied in the field campaigns in Beijing and Guangzhou to investigate aerosol chemical compositions and related gaseous pollutants. The concentration levels and diurnal variations are discussed, which implies differences in atmospheric chemistry of gas-to-particle conversions in Beijing and Guangzhou.

CT-based study on potential mediastinal lymph node spread of patients with lung cancer. Contribution to 3-D treatment planning for adjuvant radiotherapy of the mediastinum.

Aims: To provide a schematized and graduated CT reference series of the mediastinum showing CT-detectable lymph node areas of lung cancer patients to support 3-D treatment planning and documentation for adjuvant irradiation of the mediastinum.

Patients And Methods: Cross sections of mediastinal structures from one male individual were schematized and overlaid with a 1 cm2 reference grid. Mediastinal CT scans of 100 consecutive patients with histologically proven lung cancer and CT-detectable lymph nodes were evaluated.

Determination of lignans in Schisandra chinensis using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) has been developed as a promising method for the determination of lignans in plant samples. The separation conditions have been optimized with respect to the different parameters including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and acetonitrile concentration, pH of the background electrolyte, separation voltage, and capillary temperature. The background electrolyte consisting of 40 mM SDS and 35% acetonitrile in 10 mM tetraborate buffer (pH 9.

Analysis of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) extract by means of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

The main constituents of artichoke extract were separated by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), using a buffer consisting of 100 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in 20 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 20 mM disodium tetraborate (pH 8.6) as background electrolyte. Optimum separation voltage of 28 kV (positive polarity) and a capillary temperature of 25 degrees C gave the best analysis.

Interaction of benzo[c]phenanthridine and protoberberine alkaloids with animal and yeast cells.

We compared the effects of four quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids--chelerythrine, chelilutine, sanguinarine, and sanguilutine--and two quaternary protoberberine alkaloids-berberine and coptisine--on the human cell line HeLa (cervix carcinoma cells) and the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces japonicus var. versatilis. The ability of alkaloids to display primary fluorescence, allowed us to record their dynamics and localization in cells.

Application of capillary electrochromatography using macroporous polyacrylamide columns for the analysis of lignans from seeds of Schisandra chinensis.

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) using polymer-based monolithic stationary phase has been developed as a promising method for the determination of lignans of Schisandra chinensis. The columns were prepared by in situ copolymerisation of acrylamide, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, vinylsulfonic acid and lauryl acrylate in presence of poly(ethylene glycol) as a porogenic agent. The columns [33 cm (24.

[Second malignancies after the therapy of Hodgkin's disease: the Freiburg collective 1940 to 1991].

Aim: To quantify the risk of second malignancies in patients with Hodgkin's disease treated at the Department of Radiotherapy, University Clinic Freiburg, with the object of comparing this risk with the international experience and as a contribution to the discussion about future treatment.

Patients And Methods: Second malignancies were reviewed in 1,588 patients treated for Hodgkin's disease between 1940 and 1991. Treatment consisted of involved or extended field radiotherapy as a single modality or in combination with chemotherapy.

Fate of products of degradation processes: consequences for climatic change.

The end products of atmospheric degradation are not only CO2 and H2O but also sulfate and nitrate depending on the chemical composition of the substances which are subject to degradation processes. Atmospheric degradation has thus a direct influence on the radiative balance of the earth not only due to formation of greenhouse gases but also of aerosols. Aerosols of a diameter of 0.

Lignans in the seeds and fruits of Schisandra chinensis cultured in Europe.

The fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Schisandraceae/Magnoliaceae) are a traditional Oriental medicine possessing adaptogenic and hepatoprotective activities.