Observing Confined Local Oxygen-induced Reversible Thiol/Disulfide Cycle with a Protein Nanopore.

Disulfide bonds play an important role in thiol-based redox regulation. However, owing to the lack of analytical tools, little is known about how local O mediates the reversible thiol/disulfide cycle under protein confinement. In this study, a protein-nanopore inside a glove box is used to control local O for single-molecule reaction, as well as a single-molecule sensor for real-time monitoring of the reversible thiol/disulfide cycle.

Profiling single-molecule reaction kinetics under nanopore confinement.

The study of a single-molecule reaction under nanoconfinement is beneficial for understanding the reactive intermediates and reaction pathways. However, the kinetics model of the single-molecule reaction under confinement remains elusive. Herein we engineered an aerolysin nanopore reactor to elaborate the single-molecule reaction kinetics under nanoconfinement.

Morphological and Molecular Phylogenetic Data of the Chinese Medicinal Fungus Reveal Its New Systematic Position in the Family Ophiocordycipitaceae.

A cordycipitoid fungus infecting Hepialidae sp. in Nepal was supposed to be identical to , originally described from southwestern China, and thus, transferred to the genus or in previous studies. However, our multi-gene (nrSSU-nrLSU---) phylogenetic and morphological studies based on the type specimen and additional collections of revealed that the fungus belongs to the genus (Ophiocordycipitaceae).

Inositol polyphosphate multikinase IPMK-1 regulates development through IP3/calcium signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK) is a conserved protein that initiates the production of inositol phosphate intracellular messengers and is critical for regulating a variety of cellular processes. Here, we report that the C. elegans IPMK-1, which is homologous to the mammalian inositol polyphosphate multikinase, plays a crucial role in regulating rhythmic behavior and development.

Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside Delays the Progression of Aging-Related Diseases and Extends the Lifespan of via DAF-16 and HSF-1.

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is a phytoestrogen and rich in food flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Among the beneficial pharmacological activities of SDG on health, many are age related, such as anticancer, antidiabetes, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. Thus, we investigated if SDG had an effect on antiaging in ().

Tectochrysin increases stress resistance and extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via FOXO/DAF-16.

Aging is related to the lowered overall functioning and increased risk for various age-related diseases in humans. Tectochrysin is a flavonoid compound and rich in a traditional Chinese Medicine Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-diarrhea, hepatoprotective, and neuro-protective effects.

The Effects of Age and Reproduction on the Lipidome of .

Aging is a complex life process, and a unified view is that metabolism plays key roles in all biological processes. Here, we determined the lipidomic profile of () using ultraperformance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). Using a nontargeted approach, we detected approximately 3000 species.

[Simultaneous determination of thirteen components in Tong'an injection by LC-MS/MS].

The aim of this study was to develop a simple, sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of syringaresinol, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, chelerythrine chloride, sinomenine, coptisine chloride, sanguinarine, chelidonine, magnolflorine, allocryptopine, protopine, farrerol, stylopine and dihydrosanguin-arine in Tong'an injection (TAI), which could be used for the quality control of TAI. The UPLC analysis was performed on Agilent Zorbax SB-Aq column (2.1 mm×150 mm,3.

Otophylloside B Protects Against Aβ Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major public health concern worldwide and the few drugs currently available only treat the symptoms. Hence, there is a strong need to find more effective anti-AD agents. Cynanchum otophyllum is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating epilepsy, and otophylloside B (Ot B), isolated from C.

Method to evaluate the quality of herbal medicines based on the dynamic changes of chemical compounds and pharmacological activity.

Quality control has been one of the key scientific issues in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. This study explored a novel method for quality evaluation of herbal medicines. High-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints and the osteoblast proliferation activity of 18 batches of Achyranthes bidentata, which were prepared with salt, were determined to establish a chromatographic database and an activity database.

Timosaponin B-II Ameliorates Palmitate-Induced Insulin Resistance and Inflammation via IRS-1/PI3K/Akt and IKK/NF-[Formula: see text]B Pathways.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of timosaponin B-II (TB-II) on palmitate (PA)-induced insulin resistance and inflammation in HepG2 cells, and probe the potential mechanisms. TB-II, a main ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, notably ameliorated PA-induced insulin resistance and inflammation, and significantly improved cell viability, decreased PA-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text] (TNF-[Formula: see text]) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Further, TB-II treatment notably decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO).

Timosaponin B-II ameliorates diabetic nephropathy via TXNIP, mTOR, and NF-κB signaling pathways in alloxan-induced mice.

Background: Many synthesized drugs with clinical severe side effects have been used for diabetic nephropathy (DN) treatment. Therefore, it is urgent and necessary to identify natural and safe agents to remedy DN. Timosaponin B-II (TB-II), a major steroidal saponin constituent in Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, exhibits various activities, including anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic functions.

Novel Application of Natural Anisole Compounds as Enhancers for Transdermal Delivery of Ligustrazine.

To improve the transdermal delivery of ligustrazine, Foeniculum vulgare food origin anisole compounds were employed as promoters. Transdermal fluxes of ligustrazine were determined by Franz-type diffusion cells. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectra were used to detect the biophysical changes of the stratum corneum and to explore the mechanism of permeation enhancement.

[Determination of residual organic solvents and macroporous resin residues in Akebia saponin D].

According to ICH, Chinese Pharmacopoeia and supplementary requirements on the separation and purification of herbal extract with macroporous adsorption resin by SFDA, hexane, acetidine, ethanol, benzene, methyl-benzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, styrene, diethyl-benzene and divinyl-benzene of residual organic solvents and macroporous resin residues in Akebia saponin D were determined by headspace capillary GC. Eleven residues in Akebia saponin D were completely separated on DB-wax column, with FID detector, high purity nitrogen as the carry gases. The calibration curves were in good linearity (0.

Enhancement of absorption and bioavailability of echinacoside by verapamil or clove oil.

Purpose: This present study investigated the absorption kinetics of echinacoside (ECH) in situ and in vitro and its oral bioavailability in rats. Additional aim was to find an agent(s) to promote ECH absorption and oral bioavailability among two efflux proteins and three absorption promoters.

Methods: ECH absorption behaviors were investigated by everted gut sac model in vitro and single-pass intestinal perfusion model in situ.

The Lifespan-Promoting Effect of Otophylloside B in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Aging is the major risk factor for many human diseases and degeneration. Thus, clinically effective medicine could delay the process of aging and aging-related diseases are desperately wanted. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), some were claimed to slow down aging.

Microcrystalline preparation of akebia saponin D for its bioavailability enhancement in rats.

Akebia Saponin D (ASD) or asperosaponin VI is the most abundant constituent of the rhizome of Dipsacus asper, which has been used for the treatment of lower back pain, traumatic hematoma and bone fractures. In recent years, it was reported that ASD was a potential treatment strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the low bioavailability of ASD limited its clinical utility.

Study on the anti-gout activity of chlorogenic acid: improvement on hyperuricemia and gouty inflammation.

Gout is a metabolic disorder associated with hyperuricemia resulting in the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints and tissues. Lowering serum uric acid (Sur) levels and anti-inflammation are highly essential in treating gout. Chlorogenic acid (CA), as one of the most abundant polyphenols in the Chinese medicines, has been rarely reported to have an anti-gout effect.

Absorption characteristics of the total alkaloids from Mahonia bealei in an in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion assay.

Aim: To investigate the absorption characteristics of the total alkaloids from Mahoniae Caulis (TAMC) through the administration of monterpene absorption enhancers or protein inhibitors.

Method: The absorption behavior was investigated in an in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) assay in rats.

Results: The intestinal absorption of TAMC was much more than that of a single compound or a mixture of compounds (jatrorrhizine, palmatine, and berberine).

Intestinal absorptive transport of Genkwanin from Flos genkwa using a single-pass intestinal perfusion rat model.

To investigate the absorptive transport behavior of genkwanin and the beneficial effects of monoterpene enhancers with different functional groups, the single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) of rats was used. The results showed that genkwanin was segmentally-dependent and the best absorptive site was the duodenum. The effective permeability coefficient (P eff ) was 1.

Antioxidant effects of Genkwa flos flavonoids on Freund׳s adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Genkwa flos (Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc.), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been traditionally used for over two thousand years in China for inflammation related symptoms, including joint pain.

Effect of nigranoic acid on Ca²⁺ influx and its downstream signal mechanism in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Schisandra chinensis has a long history of use as a famous traditional Chinese medicine. The plants of genus Schisandra, especially Schisandra neglecta, Schisandra rubriflora, and Schisandra sphaerandra are used in the same way as Schisandra chinensis in the folk medicine to treat insomnia, fatigue, increasing intelligence, and tranquilizing. Many studies showed that lignans were the major active components of Schisandra genus, whereas the bioactivity of abundant triterpenoids in Schisandra genus, such as nigranoic acid (SBB1, 3,4-secocycloartene triterpenoid), has not been examined yet in neuropathology.

Anti-rheumatoid arthritic activity of flavonoids from Daphne genkwa.

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-rheumatoid arthritic activity of four flavonoids from Daphne genkwa (FFD) in vivo and in vitro. Flavonoids of D. genkwa were extracted by refluxing with ethanol and purified by polyamide resin.

[Study on pharmacokinetics of asperosaponin VI and its active metabolite in rats].

To study the pharmacokinetics, excretion characteristics and plasma protein binding rate of asperosaponin VI (A-VI) and its active metabolite hederagenin (M1). A-VI and M1 concentrations in plasma, bile, urine and feces were determined by established LC-MS/MS to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. The plasma protein binding rate of A-VI was determined by equilibrium dialysis method.