Bioactive Peptides and Evaluation of Cardiac Cytoprotective Effects of Red Millet Yellow Wine as Functional Food.

Red millet yellow wine, a functional beverage fermented from grain, has physiological functions including relieving cardiovascular diseases. However, the active components and mechanism of red millet yellow wine largely remain to be elucidated. In this study, bioactive peptides in red millet yellow wine and the cardiac cytoprotective effects were first investigated.

Inhibitors Targeting the F-BOX Proteins.

F-box proteins are involved in multiple cellular processes through ubiquitylation and consequent degradation of targeted substrates. Any significant mutation in F-box protein-mediated proteolysis can cause human malformations. The various cellular processes F-box proteins involved include cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Anti-diabetic effects of linarin from via AMPK activation.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of linarin, a flavonoid extracted from (CIF), and its potential mechanisms.

Methods: The effects of linarin on cell viability and glucose consumption in HepG2 cells were measured. Meanwhile, monosodium glutamate (MSG) mouse model was constructed to monitor the changes of insulin tolerance, glucose tolerance, triglyceride and cholesterol.

Preparation and pharmacokinetics of linarin solid dispersion and liposome.

Objective: The current investigation aimed to determine the appropriate dosage form by comparing solid dispersion and liposome to achieve the purpose of improving the solubility and bioavailability of linarin.

Methods: Linarin solid dispersion (LSD) and linarin liposome (LL) were developed via the solvent method and the thin film hydration method respectively. The Transwell chamber model of Caco-2 cells was established to evaluate the absorption of drug.

A comprehensive comparative study on LSD1 in different cancers and tumor specific LSD1 inhibitors.

LSD1 was significantly over-expressed in several cancer types, and its aberrant overexpression was revealed to play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of cancer. Several LSD1 inhibitors that were discovered and developed so far were found to be effective in attenuating tumor growth in both in vivo and in vitro studies. However, the major challenge associated with the development of cancer therapies is personalized treatment.

Jaridon 6, a new diterpene from Rabdosia rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara, can display anti-gastric cancer resistance by inhibiting SIRT1 and inducing autophagy.

Tumor resistance is the main cause of treatment failure and is associated with many tumor factors. Jaridon 6, a new diterpene extracted from Rabdosia rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara, which has been previously extracted by our research team, has been tested having more obvious advantages in resistant tumor cells.

Antioxidation and active constituents analysis of flower residue of .

Objective: To make full usage of resource and turn waste into treasure, the chemical constituents and bioactivity were firstly investigated on Damask rose () flower residue (DRFR).

Methods: DPPH and ABTS experiments were applied to assess the antioxidant activity of DRFR. Then, column chromatography was used to purify compounds from an antioxidation extract (DRFR-A), and the chemical structure was identified using NMR.

Generation and characterization of a paclitaxel-resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line.

The main aim of this study was to establish a novel paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line and to investigate its biological significance. A cell line, MGC803/PTX, was established by gradually increasing PTX density on the basis of MGC803 over a period of 10 months. In addition, a pair of resistant cell lines (SW620 and SW620/PTX) were added to further explain the resistant mechanism of PTX.

Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula inhibits fibrosis via suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a Bleomycin-induced systemic sclerosis mouse model.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. So far, no Western medicine treatment can completely inhibit or reverse the progress of SSc, while at the same time, our previous series of studies have shown that the treatment of SSc by the Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula (WYHZTL), a Chinese herbal decoction, shows a delightful prospect. The aim of this study is to further investigate the mechanism of anti-fibrosis of WYHZTL formula in SSc mouse model.

Mechanism evaluation of the interactions between flavonoids and bovine serum albumin based on multi-spectroscopy, molecular docking and Q-TOF HR-MS analyses.

The mechanism of interactions between a flavonoid glycoside (linarin) and 6 flavonoids with various hydroxyl and methoxyl substituents (luteolin, apigenin, acacetin, tricin, 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone, and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3',5'-trimethoxyflavone) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by multi-spectroscopy, molecular docking, and quadrupole (Q)-time of flight (TOF) high resolution (HR) mass spectrometry (MS). Fluorescence spectra and molecular docking predicted that each of the flavonoids had only one probable binding site inside the hydrophobic cleft of BSA. The binding constants appeared to correlate positively with the number of hydroxyl groups, and negatively with the number of methoxyl groups.

Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula, a Chinese herbal decoction, improves skin fibrosis by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation through down-regulation of survivin and cyclin D1 in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Fibrosis is a major contributor to systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related morbidity, and rapid, progressive skin involvement predicts later mortality. Western medicine therapies for SSc cannot produce satisfactory effects currently, while Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as the Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo (WYHZTL) formula, a Chinese herbal decoction, has shown amazing anti-fibrosis efficacy on SSc in clinical applications. This study is aiming to investigate the anti-fibrotic mechanism of WYHZTL formula for the treatment of SSc.

High performance liquid chromatography time of flight electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for quantification of sesquiterpenes in Chrysanthemi indici Flos active extract.

Background: Chrysanthemi indici Flos, a traditional herbal medicine is used to clearing heat-toxicity, removing the liver fire, and improving eyesight. In our preliminary work, an active extract of CTC in C. An indici Flos with anti-hepatitis B virus and liver protective activity was found by HepG2.

Two new sesquiterpene lactones from the fruits of Illicium jiadifengpi.

Two new seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenes, 3,4-dehydroneomajucin (1) and 1,2,3,4-tetradehydroneomajucin (2), were isolated from the fruits of Illicium jiadifengpi. The structure of these compounds was determined using 1D and 2D NMR and ESI-MS. The isolates were evaluated for their anti-hepatitis B virus activities on the Hep G2.

A new sesquiterpene lactone from the fruits of Illicium henryi.

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of the fruits of Illicium henryi.

Method: Chromatographic separations on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel and MCI gel were used to isolate the compounds. The structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data analyses.

Two new monoterpenes from the fruits of Illicium lanceolatum.

Two new monoterpenes, p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-O-β-D-glucoside and trans-2,4-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-trans-1-acetic acid γ-lactone were isolated from the fruits of Illicium lanceolatum along with trans-2,4-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-cis-1-acetic acid γ-lactone, (1R,2R,4R)-8-p-menthen-1,2-diol, trans-sobrerol, (1S,2S,4R)-p-menthane-1,2,8-triol and (1S, 2S, 4R, 8R)-p-menthane-1,2,9-triol. The structures of the isolates were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis and they showed no inhibitory effects on the in vitro growth of microbial organisms (Escherichia coli, Staphyloccocus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) at less than 1.0 mg/mL.

Diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum kirinense.

A new C(18)-diterpenoid alkaloid, kirinenine A (1), was isolated from the root of Aconitum kirinense, along with eight known diterpenoid alkaloids. The structures of all compounds were characterized on the basis of extensive NMR and MS analyses and by comparison with literature values, and the new one was further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic diffraction. All the compounds were isolated from the title plant for the first time.

Isolation, characterization and cytotoxic activity of benzophenone glucopyranosides from Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl).

Two benzophenone glucopyranosides have been isolated from the nut shell part of Mahkota Dewa. The structures were identified as 2,4',6-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone-2-O-β-d-glucoside (Mahkoside A) and 2,4',6-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-6″-acetyl-benzophenone-2-O-β-d-glucoside (Mahkoside B). Mahkoside B was recognized as a novel compound.

Design, synthesis and vasodilative activity of tanshinone IIA derivatives.

A new series of tanshinone IIA (DIIA) derivatives were synthesized through the reaction of brominated tanshinone IIA (1-Br DIIA) and aromatic acids in the presence of K(2)CO(3). Twenty compounds were synthesized, and all of them were novel. Vasodilative activities for synthesized compounds were valuated in vitro on the contractile response of vascular thoracic aorta smooth muscle from Wistar rats.

Two new compounds from Urena lobata L.

Two new compounds 1 and 2 have been isolated from the aerial parts of Urena lobata L. The structures of the two new compounds were established as ceplignan-4-O-β-d-glucoside (1) and 2,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid-7-(2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-2,7-octadienoic acid) anhydride-5-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl(1 → 2)-β-d-glucoside (urenoside A) (2), on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence, including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data as well as mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS).

Synthesis and vasodilative activity of tanshinone IIA derivatives.

A series of 2,2'-(substituted methylene)bis-(1,6,6-trimethyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrophenanthro[1,2-b]furan-10,11-dione) derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of tanshinone IIA (D(1)) and aromatic aldehyde in the presence of p-TsOH. Bromination derivative of D(1) and hydrolysis product of cryptotanshinone (D(2)) were also prepared in this work. Vasodilation activity in vitro of them was valuated on the contractile response of vascular thoracic aorta smooth muscle from Wistar rats for the first time.

[The isolation and identification of a new lignanoside from Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring].

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.

Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorption resin, Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel column chromatography and identified on the basis of their physicochemical and spectral data.

[Study on the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring].

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.

Methods: Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the chemical constituents.

[Isolation and structure identification of the chemical constituents from pine needles of Pinus massoniana Lamb].

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of the water-extracts of the pine needles of Pinus massoniana Lamb..

Methods: Pine needles were collected in Xixia country and extracted with boiling water for two times and the water-extracts were concentrated.

[Isolation and structural identification of chemical constituents from Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring].

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of the water-extracts of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring.

Methods: Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the constituents.

[Isolation and structure identification of lignans from pine needles of pinus massoniana Lamb].

Aim: To study the chemical constituents from the water-extracts of pine needles of Pinus massoniana Lamb.

Methods: Chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify compounds. Their physico-chemical properties and spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1H-1H, 13C-1H NMR, DEPT, HMBC etc.