New phenylbutenoids and terpene glycosides from Ginkgo biloba leaves.

Our continued works on the chemical constituents of Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba) leaves has led to the isolation of two novel phenylbutenoids (1, 2), along with five previously unidentified terpene glycosides (3-7). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 represent unique (Z)-phenylbutenoids, 3-6 are megastigmane glycosides, and 7 is identified as a rare bilobanone glycoside (Fig.

Gerberdriasins A-F, six undescribed coumarin derivatives from (Linn) Sch-Bip and their protective effects on scopolamine-induced injury in PC12 cells.

A chemical investigation on the herb (Linn) Sch-Bip led to the isolation and identification of six previously undescribed coumarin derivatives, named Gerberdriasins A-F (1-6). Structurally, their chemical structures and absolute configurations were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (1D and 2D NMR), high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS), experimental and quantum mechanical nuclear magnetic resonance (QM-NMR) methods, Mosher's method and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments. The biological activity of the obtained compounds showed that they displayed significant neuroprotective effects against scopolamine-induced injury in PC12 cells at the concentrations 12.

Vlasouliodes A-D, four new C dimeric sesquiterpenes exhibiting potential inhibition of MCF-7 cells from Vladimiria souliei.

As our ongoing interest to search bioactive dimeric sesquiterpenes from the genus Vladimiria (Asteraceae), the plant of Vladimiria souliei was studied. Based on the repetitive chromatographic fractionation, a chemical investigation on the roots of Vladimiria souliei led to the isolation and the identification of four previously undescribed sesquiterpene dimers, vlasouliodes A-D (1-4). Their chemical structures were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data.

Coumarin-monoterpenes from Gerbera anandria (Linn.) Sch.-Bip and their neuroprotective activity.

Thirty-two undescribed coumarin-monoterpenes, including the first report of six pairs of enantiomeric and twenty congeners, were isolated from the petroleum ether extract of the stems of Gerbera anandria (Linn.) Sch.-Bip.

New -kaurane diterpenoid acids from Franch and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Eleven undescribed -kaurane-type diterpenoid acids, namely noueinsiancins A-K (1-11), together with sixteen related known analogs (12-27) were isolated from Franch. The chemical structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were confirmed by the extensive spectroscopic data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory assay was applied to estimate the nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities of all compounds by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.

Vlasoulides A and B, a pair of neuroprotective C dimeric sesquiterpenes with a hexacyclic 5/7/5/5/(5)/7 carbon skeleton from the roots of .

Vlasoulides A and B (1 and 2), a pair of epimeric C sesquiterpene lactone dimers, featuring a 5/7/5/5/(5)/7 ring system were isolated from the roots of . Their chemical structures were determined by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Their absolute configurations were established by Mosher's method and ECD experiments.

A new bilobalide isomer and two cis-coumaroylated flavonol glycosides from Ginkgo biloba leaves.

A new bilobalide isomer (1), together with two flavonol glycosides (2, 3), have been isolated and elucidated from the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves. Significantly, 1 was a new sesquiterpene lactone with two lactone ring groups, both 2 and 3 were two flavonol glycosides with a same cis-coumaroylated fragment. Their chemical structures were elucidated by NMR and MS spectroscopic date and the absolute configuration of 1 was specific established by Cu-Kα X-ray crystallographic analyses.

Lineariifolianoids M-O, three rare sesquiterpene lactone dimers inhibiting NO production from Inula lineariifolia.

Three rare squiterpene lactone dimers lineariifolianoids M-O (1-3) were isolated from Inula lineariifolia for the first time. Their structures and absolute configuration were established on the basis of by NMR and MS spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, those three compounds exhibited significant inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.

Bilobetin induces kidney injury by influencing cGMP-mediated AQP-2 trafficking and podocyte cell cycle arrest.

Background: Ginkgo biloba (Gb) extracts have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine. Gb contains flavonoids, which are considered to be its active ingredients and have been used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. However, few scientific research studies on the side effects of flavonoid in Gb have been reported.

Vlasoulamine A, a Neuroprotective [3.2.2]Cyclazine Sesquiterpene Lactone Dimer from the Roots of Vladimiria souliei.

Vlasoulamine A (1), an unprecedented sesquiterpene lactone dimer featuring a fully hydrogenated pyrrolo[2,1,5- cd]indolizine core, and vlasoulones A and B (2 and 3), a pair of epimeric dimers formed from a proposed Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition between a germacrane sesquiterpene lactone and a eudesmane sesquiterpene, were isolated from the roots of Vladimiria souliei. Their structures and absolute configurations were established by NMR, MS, and single-crystal X-ray spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, 1 exhibited neuroprotective activity when evaluated for glutamate-induced cytotoxicity, nuclear Hoechst 33258 staining, and measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, using a rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell-based model system.

Five rare dimeric sesquiterpenes exhibiting potential neuroprotection activity from Vladimiria souliei.

Two rare C sesquiterpene lactone dimers, vlasouliolides J-K (1-2), together with three C sesquiterpene dimers, vlasoulioliones A-C (3-5), were isolated from Vladimiria souliei. Their chemical structures were elucidated by NMR and MS spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 1, 3 and 5 were unambiguously established by Cu-Kα X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Five rare C sesquiterpene lactone dimers with anti-inflammation activity from Vladimiria souliei.

Five rare sesquiterpene lactone dimers, vlasouliolides E-I, were isolated from Vladimiria souliei. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, 2 and 4 were unambiguously confirmed by Cu-Kα X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 6 (Prmt6) Is Essential for Early Zebrafish Development through the Direct Suppression of gadd45αa Stress Sensor Gene.

Histone lysine methylation is important in early zebrafish development; however, the role of histone arginine methylation in this process remains unclear. H3R2me2a, generated by protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (Prmt6), is a repressive mark. To explore the role of Prmt6 and H3R2me2a during zebrafish embryogenesis, we identified the maternal characteristic of prmt6 and designed two prmt6-specific morpholino-oligos (MOs) to study its importance in early development, application of which led to early epiboly defects and significantly reduced the level of H3R2me2a marks.

Splice blocking of zygotic sox31 leads to developmental arrest shortly after Mid-Blastula Transition and induces apoptosis in zebrafish.

Here we report that splice blocking morpholinos (Sb MO) against zebrafish sox31 elicit developmental arrest, likely through creating a series of dominant negative splicing variants. Embryos injected with the Sb MO develop normally before the Mid-Blastula Transition (MBT); however, they do not initiate epiboly. Microarray analysis of mRNAs collected at the dome stage revealed that the Sb MO impairs activation of a large set of zygotic genes and reduces degradation of maternal mRNA during MBT.

Caprin-2 enhances canonical Wnt signaling through regulating LRP5/6 phosphorylation.

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP5/6) are coreceptors for Frizzled and transmit signals from the plasma membrane to the cytosol. However, the mechanism for LRP5/6 signal transmission remains undefined. Here, we identify cytoplasmic activation/proliferation-associated protein 2 (Caprin-2) as a LRP5/6-binding protein.

Nuclear Dvl, c-Jun, beta-catenin, and TCF form a complex leading to stabilization of beta-catenin-TCF interaction.

In canonical Wnt signaling, Dishevelled (Dvl) is a critical cytoplasmic regulator that releases beta-catenin from degradation. Here, we find that Dvl and c-Jun form a complex with beta-catenin-T-cell factor 4 (TCF-4) on the promoter of Wnt target genes and regulate gene transcription. The complex forms via two interactions of nuclear Dvl with c-Jun and beta-catenin, respectively, both of which bind to TCF.

Developmental expression of cyclin H and Cdk7 in zebrafish: the essential role of cyclin H during early embryo development.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (Cdk7) is the catalytic subunit of the metazoan Cdk-activating kinase (CAK). Activation of Cdk7 requires its association with a regulatory subunit, Cyclin H. Although the Cdk7/Cyclin H complex has been implicated in the regulation of RNA polymerase in several species, the precise function of their orthologs in zebrafish has not been fully elucidated.

Delay of ZGA initiation occurred in 2-cell blocked mouse embryos.

One-cell mouse embryos from KM strain and B6C3F1 strain were cultured in M16 medium, in which 2-cell block generally occurs. Embryos of KM strain exhibited 2-cell block, whereas B6C3F1 embryos, which are regarded as a nonblocking strain, proceeded to the 4-cell stage in our culture condition. It is often assumed that the block of early development is due to the failure of zygotic gene activation (ZGA) in cultured embryos.