Antimicrobial activity of clove and rosemary essential oils alone and in combination.

In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et Perry) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Characteristics of the microbial community in rhizosphere of Camptotheca acuminata cultured with exotic invasive plant Eupatorium adenophorum.

The traditional culture-dependent plate counting and culture-independent small-subunit-ribosomal RNA gene-targeted molecular techniques, Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) and terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (tRFLP) combined with 16S rDNA clone library were adopted to investigate the impacts of secretion from Camptotheca acuminata (abbreviated to Ca) roots on the quantities and structure of eukaryotic microbes and bacteria in the rhizosphere, and the possibility that Ca controls exotic invasive plant Eupatorium adenophorum (Ea). The counting results indicated that the number of bacteria increased in turn in rhizospheres of Ea, Ca-Ea mixed culture and Ca, while that of eukaryotic microbes decreased. PCR-SSCP profiles showed eukaryotic microbial bands (corresponding to biodiversity) in rhizosphere of Ea were more complex than those of Ca and CE.

[Gas exchange features of Ambrosia artemisiifolia leaves and fruits and their correlations with soil heavy metals].

Ambrosia artemisiifolia can survive well in the habitats of heavy human disturbance and partial soil pollution. Weather its photosynthetic features benefit their survival is worthwhile to concern. With a refuse dump in Changchun City (43 degrees 50'N, 125 degrees 23'E) as study site, this paper analyzed the contents of soil Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd, As, Sb and Hg at ten plots, and measured in situ the gas exchange in A.

BjMT2, a metallothionein type-2 from Brassica juncea, may effectively remove excess lead from erythrocytes and kidneys of rats.

The remedial effects of a plant metallothionein type-2 were observed from lead (Pb) injured rats. BjMT2 from Brassica juncea was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography, a purified BjMT2 protein was obtained which strongly reacted with the thiol reagent MBB (monobromobimane). The profiles of erythrocytes, renal tubules and glomerulus of kidney of rats suffered pathological changes from excess Pb were evidently improved by supplying the BjMT2.

Rapid and quantitative determination of solanesol in Nicotiana tabacum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was developed for the determination of solanesol in Nicotiana tabacum. Sample preparation was performed by ultrasonic extraction with methanol for 20 min and then supernatant was extracted with hexane. The method used atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) detection in positive-ion mode.

Biosorption effects of copper ions on Candida utilis under negative pressure cavitation.

Under the optimal condition of copper ions adsorption on yeast,we found some different effects among static adsorption, shaking adsorption and negative pressure cavitation adsorption, and the methods of yeast with different pretreatments also affect adsorption of copper ions. At the same time, the change of intercellular pH before and after adsorption of copper with BCECF was studied. The copper distribution was located by using PhenGreen (dipotassium salt and diacetate), and the surface of yeast was observed by an atomic force microscope.

Preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin from pigeonpea extracts with macroporous resins.

Vitexin and isovitexin are a pair of isomeric compounds known as the major constituents in pigeonpea leaves and possess various pharmacological activities. In the present study, the preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin with macroporous resins (Nankai Hecheng S & T, Tianjin, China) was studied. The performance and adsorption characteristics of eight macroporous resins including ADS-5, ADS-7, ADS-8, ADS-11, ADS-17, ADS-21, ADS-31 and ADS-F8 have been evaluated.

Optimization of luteolin separation from pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] leaves by macroporous resins.

In the present study, the performance and separation characteristics of eight macroporous resins for the separation of luteolin (LU) from pigeonpea leaves extracts have been evaluated. The adsorption and desorption properties of LU on macroporous resins including AB-8, NKA-9, NKA-2, D3520, D101, H1020, H103 and AL-2 have been compared. AL-2 resin offers the best adsorption and desorption capacity for LU than other resins based on the research results, and its adsorption data at 25 degrees C fit best to the Freundlich isotherm.

Capillary zone electrophoresis method for fingerprint of allantoic fluid in normal and infected SPF embryonated chicken eggs.

A capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed for fingerprint determination of allantoic fluid in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs. The effects of some crucial parameters, such as buffer type, pH, wavelength and running voltage on the separation were studied systematically. The components of the allantoic fluid were well separated using a fused-silica uncoated capillary with an effective length of 50 cm and an internal diameter of 50 microm.

Expression of BjMT2, a metallothionein 2 from Brassica juncea, increases copper and cadmium tolerance in Escherichia coli and Arabidopsis thaliana, but inhibits root elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings.

The protective function of a plant type-2 metallothionein was analysed after expression in Escherichia coli and in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. BjMT2 from Brassica juncea was expressed in E. coli as a TrxABjMT2 fusion protein.

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for determination of coenzyme Q10 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaves.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with multiple reaction monitoring has been proposed for the analysis of coenzyme Q10 in (CoQ10) tobacco leaves. The method used electrospray ionization with detection in positive ion mode. Sample pretreatment involved ultrasonic extraction of fresh tobacco leaves with anhydrous ethanol for 15 min and followed by extraction of the supernatant with hexane.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 10-substituted camptothecin analogues.

In an attempt to improve the antitumor activity and decrease the cytotoxicity of camptothecin, 18 new 10-substituted camptothecin derivatives were prepared. The cytotoxicity in vitro on cancer cell lines and antitumor activity in vivo, and inhibitory properties of topoisomerase I of these derivatives were evaluated. Most of these derivatives possessed lower cytotoxicities than CPT, and the compounds 13, 21, 22, 23, and 24 showed similar topoisomerase I inhibitory activity to CPT.

Review camptothecin: current perspectives.

The review provides a detailed discussion of recent advances in the medicinal chemistry of camptothecin, a potent antitumor agent that targets topoisomerase I. Thousands of CPT derivatives have been synthesized. Two of them, Topotecan and Irinotecan, are commercially approved for use in clinic as antitumor agents while more are still in clinic trials.

Rapid separation of four main taxoids in Taxus species by a combined LLP-SPE-HPLC (PAD) procedure.

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of paclitaxel and three related taxoids, 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III), baccatin III, and cephalomannine, in the extracts from the needles of three Chinese yew species, Taxus cuspidata, T. chinensis, and T. media.

Carbon dioxide exchange of larch (Larix gmelinii) cones during development.

Larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) cone scales are green, but little is known of their photosynthetic role in cone development or about how they differ in gas exchange characteristics from needle leaves.

Research advances on transgenic plant vaccines.

In recent years, with the development of genetics molecular biology and plant biotechnology, the vaccination (e.g. genetic engineering subunit vaccine, living vector vaccine, nucleic acid vaccine) programs are taking on a prosperous evolvement.

Simultaneous determination of catechin, rutin, quercetin kaempferol and isorhamnetin in the extract of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaves by RP-HPLC with DAD.

A rapid and specific reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with diode array detection (DAD) at room temperature was used and validated for the simultaneous determination of five flavonoids (catechin, CA; rutin, RU; quercetin, QU; kaempferol, KA; isorhamnetin, IS) in the extract of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaves. The sample pretreatment process involved ultrasonic extraction with 85% ethanol under the frequency of 80 kHz, at a temperature of 45 degrees C for 30 min and with the ratio of liquor to material of 15 mL g-1, followed by separation on HIQ SIL C18V column with methanol-acetonitrile-water (40:15:45, v/v/v) containing 1.

[Synthesis of camptothecin glycosides by phase transfer-catalysis and its inhibitory activity against topo I].

Aim: To find new anticancer drug based on the structure of 10-hydroxy camptothecin.

Methods: Six camptothecin glycosides (7-12) were synthesized by phase transfer catalysis. The structures of all compounds synthesized were determined by 1H NMR, IR and MS.

[Seasonal dynamics of hyperin content in Acanthopanax senticosus at different habitats].

The study with HPLC technology showed that hyperin only existed in A. senticosus leaf, flower and fruit, and its content was higher in leaf and flower than in fruit. The hyperin content in A.

Binding of phytoestrogens to rat uterine estrogen receptors and human sex hormone-binding globulins.

The interaction of phytoestrogens with the most important binding sites of steroid hormones, i.e. sex hormone-binding globulin and estrogen receptors, was investigated.

[Synthesis and antitumor activities of 10-hydroxy camptothecin derivatives].

Aim: To find new anticancer drug based on the structure of 10-hydroxy camptothecin.

Methods: Seven camptothecin derivatives (3 -9) were synthesized and the antitumor activities of these derivatives were evaluated.

Results: Structures of seven new compounds were determined by 1HNMR, IR, MS.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of water soluble quaternary salt derivatives of camptothecin.

In an effort to improve the water solubility of camptothecin, 16 water soluble 10-substituted quaternary ammonium salt derivatives of camptothecin were prepared. Their antitumor activity was evaluated on cancer cells in vitro. All of these salts possess lower cytotoxicities than CPT in comparison.

High yield production of salidroside in the suspension culture of Rhodiola sachalinensis.

Salidroside has been identified as the most potent ingredient of the Chinese medicine herb, Rhodiola sachalinensis. Since the natural supply of this herb is rapidly decreasing, we established a compact callus aggregate (CCA) strain and culturing system for high yield salidroside production. Several callus strains induced from the explants originated from root, stem, leaf and cotyledon of R.

Molecular diversity and characterization of nitrite reductase gene fragments (nirK and nirS) from nitrate- and uranium-contaminated groundwater.

Nitrate-contaminated groundwater samples were analysed for nirK and nirS gene diversity. The samples differed with respect to nitrate, uranium, heavy metals, organic carbon content, pH and dissolved oxygen levels. A total of 958 nirK and 1162 nirS clones were screened by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis: 48 and 143 distinct nirK and nirS clones, respectively, were obtained.