Schizanrins [corrected] B, C, D, and E, four new lignans from Kadsura matsudai and their antihepatitis activities

Bioassay-directed fractionation of ethanolic extract of Kadsura matsudai Hayata has resulted in the isolation of four novel C(18) dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, schizanrin B (1), schizanrin C (2), schizanrin D (3), and schizanrin E (4). Schizanrin B (1) showed moderate to strong activity for antihepatitis in both anti-HBsAg and anti-HBeAg assays, and 3 and 4 also were active in the latter assay [corrected]. Compounds 1--4 were inactive in vitro against HIV replication in H9 lymphocytes. All new structures were elucidated using spectral analysis. Their structural elucidation by spectral and structure--activity relationships is also discussed.

Three new furan derivatives and a new fatty acid from a Taiwanese marine sponge Plakortis simplex

Three new furan derivatives, plakorsins A-C (6-8), together with a new fatty acid, plakortic acid (9), have been isolated from the Taiwanese marine sponge Plakortis simplex in addition to the known metabolites chondrillin (1), 6-epi-chondrillin (2), 2-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-5-acetic acid methyl ester (methyl 1,4-epoxy-1-oxo-2-hexenoate) (3), dimethyl beta-ketoadipate (4), and the monomethyl ester of cis,cis-muconic acid (5). The structures of these compounds were established mainly on the basis of spectral data and chemical methods. Biological studies revealed that compound 7 exhibited cytotoxic activity against COLO-250 and KB-16 cells, and compound 1 is active against KB-16 cells.

Antagonism of free-radical-induced damage of adlay seed and its antiproliferative effect in human histolytic lymphoma U937 monocytic cells

The goal of our current research was to investigate the antioxidative effects of methanolic extracts from different parts of adlay seed and their antiproliferative activity in malignant human cells. The methanolic extracts from different parts of adlay seeds were from the hull (AHM), testa (ATM), bran (ABM), and polished adlay (PAM). AHM exhibited greater capacity to scavenge superoxide anion radicals in the PMS-NADH system than ATM, ABM, or PAM. The scavenging capacities of AHM and ATM on hydrogen peroxides were about 20% at a dose of 250 microg/mL. Using the method of deoxyribose degradation to assess damage caused by hydroxyl radicals, AHM was found to inhibit damage in deoxyribose at a higher concentration. However, ATM, ABM, and PAM exhibited prooxidative activity at the same concentration. The inhibitory effect on enzymatic oxidation of xanthine to uric acid was found to follow the order AHM > ATM =. ABM. However, PAM was inactive. All test samples were positive for inhibition of TPA-induced free radical formation on neutrophil-like leukocytes and were found to follow the order AHM > ATM > ABM > PAM. When human histolytic lymphoma U937 monocytic cells were exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide, AHM protected the cells against the cytotoxicity caused by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. In addition, AHM exhibited antiproliferative activity against human histolytic lymphoma U937 monocytic cells in a dose-dependent manner. The antiproliferative properties of AHM appear to be attributable to its induction of apoptotic cell death as determined by flow cytometry. These results show that AHM displays multiple antioxidant effects and induces apoptosis of malignant human cells.

Nonprotein amino acids in edible lentil and garden pea seedlings

Commercial edible seedlings of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris L.) contain high concentration of nonprotein amino acids and trigonelline. Both seedlings grown in the laboratory or purchased in a supermarket were studied by HPLC. Samples from both origins contained trigonelline, alpha-aminoadipic acid, homoserine, beta-(isoxazolin-5-on-2-yl)-alanine (BIA), and gamma-glutamyl-BIA. Garden pea seedlings also contained a uracil-alanine derivative (isowillardiine) in substantial amount. Some of these compounds such as BIA and alpha-aminoadipic acid have neurotoxic activity.

A novel anti-HBeAg homolignan, taiwanschirin D from Kadsura matsudai

A novel C19 homolignan, taiwanschirin D (1), possessing a 3,4-(1-[(Z)-2-methoxy-2-oxoethylidenel)pentano (2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan)-3(2-oxoacetate) skeleton, was isolated from the stem of Kadsura matsudai Hayata. Its structure was determined from physical and spectral data including 2D NMR spectra. The Anti-HBeAg test revealed that taiwanschirin D (1) had moderate activity at a concentration of 94.3 microM (50 microg/ml).

Four new compounds, ficusal, ficusesquilignan A, B, and ficusolide diacetate from the heartwood of Ficus microcarpa

Three new lignans, ficusal (1) and ficusesquilignans A (2), B (3) and one new gamma-lactone, ficusolide diacetate (4), were isolated from the wood of Ficus microcarpa L.f. Their structures were determined by spectral evidence.

Dihydrophenanthrenes from Spiranthes sinensis

Six novel dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, sinensols A-F (1-6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Spiranthesis sinensis. Their structures were determined on the basis of various spectroscopic data, in particular those yielded by MS and 2D NMR techniques.

Association of heat shock protein 70 with semen quality in boars

This study attempted to clarify the relationship between the levels of 70kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) and semen quality in boars. Semen samples from 29 (13 Duroc, 9 Landrace, and 7 Yorkshire) boars (mean age=25.2+/-2.2 months) were examined. Three to four ejaculates per boar, collected during cool and hot seasons, were evaluated in terms of the sperm concentration, sperm motility, percentage of normal and abnormal sperm, as well as percentage of sperm with proximal and distal plasma droplets. Significant seasonal and breed differences in semen quality were observed. Experimental results indicate that the semen quality of Landrace boars was better than those of Yorkshire and Duroc boars (P<0.05) and semen quality declined significantly during the hot season (P<0.05). One-dimensional SDS-PAGE analysis of spermatozoa proteins indicated that protein profiles did not significantly differ between seasons and among breeds. Both constitutive and stress-inducible form of HSP70 were detected in boar spermatozoa by Western blot analysis. The level of HSP70, which revealed no difference among breeds within a season, was significantly lower during the hot season in all the three breeds (P<0.05). Although there appeared to be low correlation coefficients between the level of HSP70 and semen quality traits, the semen quality tended to decline significantly in samples with a lower level of HSP70. Results in this study suggest that the levels of HSP70 in boar spermatozoa are significantly lower during the hot season and might be associated with semen quality.

Synthesis of 60- and 72 kDa heat shock proteins in early porcine embryogenesis

Proteins of selected embryonic stages were metabolically labeled with [(35)S]-methionine and analyzed by two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) to study protein expression from 4- to 8-cell to blastocyst stage of porcine embryos. Two proteins with molecular weights of 60 and 72kDa were de novo synthesized during the 4- to 8-cell stage were the earliest that were detected. They were identified as HSP60 and HSP72 according to their locations on 2-D autoradiography and the immunoblotting result of anti-HSP 60 and HSP 72 antibodies of 1-cell stage of porcine embryos. In protein translation in early pig embryogenesis the timing of their synthesis suggests that HSP60 and HSP72 play significant roles as chaperones.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors from Saposhnikovia divaricata and Panax quinquefolium

A series of polyacetylenes, falcarinone, panaxynol, falcarindiol, panaxydol, and panaxytriol, were isolated from Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk and Panax quinquefolium L. These polyacetylenes were identified as active principles on the inhibition of nitrite production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Treatment with 10 microM of panaxynol, falcarindiol, panaxydol and panaxytriol decreased the LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated accumulation of nitrite by 71.92 +/- 3.07, 69.95 +/- 3.68, 45.48 +/- 6.11 and 36.85 +/- 8.80%, respectively. The IC50 value of falcarinone, panaxynol, falcarindiol, panaxydol and panaxytriol was > 20, 2.23, 1.98, 6.58 and 9.85 microM, respectively.

Cytotoxicity of extractives from Taiwania cryptomerioides heartwood

The cytotoxicity of the dominant lignans and sesquiterpenoids from Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) was investigated. Three human tumor cells including A-549 lung carcinoma. MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma and HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma were selected to illustrate the structure-cytotoxicity relationships of Taiwania's dominant compounds. Taiwanin A, taiwanin E and dimethylmatairesinol exhibited significant cytotoxicity against three human tumor cells. Among them, taiwanin A possesses the strongest cytotoxic activity. In addition, the morphology-based evaluation, flow cytometric analysis, and DNA fragmentation assays demonstrated that the tumor cell death induced by taiwanin A was due to apoptosis.

Six new compounds from the heartwood of Diospyros maritima

Six new compounds, diospyrolide (1), diospyrolidone (2), diethyl (2R)-malate (3), 3-(E)-coumaroylbetulin-28-yl ethyl nonanedioate (4), 3-(E)-coumaroylbetulin-28-yl ethyl succinate (5), and 3-(E)-coumaroylbetulin-28-yl ethyl (2R)-2-hydroxysuccinate (6), have been isolated from the heartwood of Diospyros maritima. Compounds 1 and 2 are novel trinorlupanes, and 4, 5 and 6 are lupane derivatives. Their structures were determined using spectral and chemical methods.

Taraxastane-type triterpenes from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa

Seven new taraxastane-type triterpenes-20-taraxastene-3beta, 22alpha-diol (1), 3beta-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-22alpha-ol (2), 3beta-acetoxy-22alpha-methoxy-20-taraxastene (3), 3beta-acetoxy-20alpha,21alpha-epoxytaraxastan-22alp ha-ol (4), 3beta-acetoxy-19alpha-methoxy-20-taraxastene (5), 3beta-acetoxy-19alpha-hydroperoxy-20-taraxastene (6), 3beta-acetoxy-20alpha,21alpha-epoxytaraxastane (7)-were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Selection of drug-resistant variants in the female genital tract of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected women receiving antiretroviral therapy

We investigated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 RNA, proviral DNA, and antiretroviral drug-resistant variants in cervicovaginal secretions of HIV-1-infected women receiving antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of detectable HIV-1 RNA in genital secretions was inversely related to the number of antiretroviral drugs taken by the patients. Proviral DNA was detected in approximately half of all samples of cervicovaginal secretions from HIV-1-infected women, regardless of the presence or absence of HIV-1 RNA in cervicovaginal secretions and of the antiretroviral regimen. In cervicovaginal secretions of most women with persisting genital viral replication, HIV variants exhibiting mutations associated with drug resistance against protease and reverse-transcriptase pol genes were found. Our observations indicate that antiretroviral therapy is not effective in purging the female genital tract of cell-associated provirus and that antiretroviral drugs that penetrate the female genital tract at suboptimal concentrations exert a potent selective pressure on genital HIV variants when local replication of free HIV-1 RNA persists.

Four new terpenes from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis

A new monoterpene, platydiol (1), and three new diterpenes, platyclolactonic acid (2), 14,15-bisnor-8(17)-labdene-16,19-dioic acid (3), and 6,7-dehydrosandaracopimaric acid (4), were isolated from the pericarp of Platycladus orientalis. Their structures were elucidated by spectral and chemical methods.

Six new ursane- and oleanane-type triterpenes from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa

Four new ursane-type triterpenes, 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-methoxy-12-ursene (1), 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-ethoxy-12-ursene (2), 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroperoxy-12-ursene (3), 3beta-hydroxy-11alpha-hydroperoxy-12-ursene (4), and two new oleanane-type triterpenes, 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-ethoxy-12-oleanene (5), 3beta-acetoxy-111alpha-hydroperoxy-12-oleanene (6), together with 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxy-12-ursene (7), 3beta,11alpha-diacetoxy-12-ursene (8), 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxy-12-oleanene (9), were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa L. f. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Podocarpane-type trinorditerpenes from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides

Five new podocarpane-type trinorditerpenes were isolated from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides. Structures of 1beta, 14-dihydroxy-13-methoxy-6,8,11,13-podocarpatetraene (1), 1beta, 14-dihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (2), 13-hydroxy-12-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-3-one (3), 14-hydroxy-13-methoxy-1,8,11,13-podocarpatetraen-3-one (4), and 13-methoxy-8,12-podocarpatriene-11,14-dione (5) were determined by NMR, MS, and other spectral and chemical evidence.

New taxanes with an opened oxetane ring from the roots of Taxus mairei

Two novel taxoids, taxumairols N (1) and O (2), have been isolated from extracts of the roots of Taxus mairei. The structures of 1 and 2 were identified as 7beta,9alpha,10beta,13alpha-tetraacetoxy-2alp ha, 4alpha,5alpha,20-tetrahydroxytax-11-ene and 7beta,9alpha,10beta, 13alpha-tetraacetoxy-1beta,2alpha,4alpha,5alp ha, 20-pentahydroxytax-11-ene on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques including COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments.

Six podocarpane-type trinorditerpenes from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides

Six podocarpane-type trinorditerpenes were isolated from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides. Their structures, 14-hydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (1), 13-hydroxy-12-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (2), 12-hydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (3), 14-hydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (4), 13-hydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (5), and 13,14-dihydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (6), were determined principally from spectral evidence.

The decline of porcine sperm motility by geldanamycin, a specific inhibitor of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90)

Sperm motility is an important parameter for fertility. The molecular mechanisms of mammalian sperm motility are still largely undefined. Our previous observations suggested that heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) may be associated with porcine sperm motility. The aim of the present study was to further characterize the plausible novel function of HSP90 on sperm motility. Semen from normal, sexually mature boars with sperm motility higher than 80% was used. An HSP90-specific inhibitor, geldanamycin (GA), was added to diluted semen at 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0 microg/mL and the semen was then incubated at 37 degrees C for 15, 30, 45 or 60 min. Sperm motility was determined by using computer-assisted semen analyzer at the end of incubation. The results indicated that GA significantly reduced sperm motility in a dose and time dependent manner. Moreover, incubation of semen with 5.0 microg/mL GA for 15 min completely stopped sperm motility. To test the reversibility of the GA effect on sperm motility, GA was removed after 30 min incubation and was replaced with fresh extender alone or with extender plus 5 mM caffeine, then incubated for another 15, 30, 45 or 60 min. The results showed that simply removing GA did not reverse the inhibitory effect on sperm motility, while adding caffeine partially reversed this inhibitory effect. However, the effect of 2.5 or 5.0 microg/mL GA was not reversed by caffeine. Considering the specificity of GA targeting to HSP90, the above observations suggested that HSP90 may play a crucial role in regulating porcine sperm motility.

Free amino acids present in commercially available seedlings sold for human consumption. A potential hazard for consumers

The importance of fresh seedlings for human consumption on European markets continues to increase. Although the contents of free amino acids and potentially toxic free nonprotein amino acids in these fresh and supposedly healthy seedlings is very different from those of the seeds, the crude composition is never mentioned on commercial packages. A commercial product containing seven different kinds of fresh seedlings including kamut, adzuki bean, chickpea, mungbean, pinto bean, garden pea, and lentil has been analyzed by HPLC. Per 100 g of fresh product, 548.2 mg of total free amino acids was found, of which 56.7 mg is free nonprotein amino acids including beta-(isoxazolin-5-on-2-yl)alanine, homoserine, and isowillardiine and the plant hormone trigonelline (N-methylnicotinic acid). The highest amounts of free nonprotein amino acids and trigonelline are found in garden pea (28.3 mg/100 g), mungbean (9.59 mg/100 g), and lentil (7.50 mg/100 g) seedlings. Trigonelline is present in all legume seedlings examined.

A novel cytotoxic C-methylated biflavone from the stem of Cephalotaxus wilsoniana

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an ethanolic extract of Cephalotaxus wilsoniana has resulted in the isolation of a novel C-methylated biflavone, taiwanhomoflavone-A (1). Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Taiwanhomoflavone-A is cytotoxic with ED50 values of 3.4, 1.0, 2.0 and 2.5 microg/ml, respectively, against KB epidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx, COLO-205 colon carcinoma, Hepa-3B hepatoma, and Hela cervix tumor cells.