The expression of three opsin genes and phototactic behavior of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Evidence for visual function of opsin in phototaxis

Phototaxis in nocturnal moths is widely utilized to control pest populations in practical production. However, as an elusive behavior, phototactic behavior is still not well understood. Determination of whether the opsin gene plays a key role in phototaxis is an interesting topic. This study was conducted to analyze expression levels and biological importance of three opsin genes (Se-uv, Se-bl, and Se-lw) and phototactic behavior of Spodoptera exigua. The three opsin genes exhibited higher expression levels during daytime, excluding Se-bl in females, whose expression tended to increase at night. And cycling of opsin gene levels tended to be upregulated at night, although the magnitude of increase in females was lower than that in males exposed to constant darkness. The results of western blotting were consistent with those of qRT-PCR. Furthermore, opsin gene expression was not influenced by light exposure during the scotophase, excluding Se-uv in males, and tended to be downregulated by starvation in females and copulation in both female and male moths. To determine the relationship between opsin gene expression and phototactic behavior, Se-lw was knocked down by RNA interference. Moths with one opsin gene knocked down showed enhanced expression of the other two opsin genes, which may play important roles in compensation in vision. The Se-lw-knockdown moths exhibited reduced phototactic efficiency to green light, suggesting that Se-LW contributes to phototaxis, and increases phototactic efficiency to green light. Our finding provides a sound theoretical basis for further investigation of visual expression pattern and phototactic mechanisms in nocturnal moths.

Techniques for extraction and isolation of natural products: a comprehensive review

Natural medicines were the only option for the prevention and treatment of human diseases for thousands of years. Natural products are important sources for drug development. The amounts of bioactive natural products in natural medicines are always fairly low. Today, it is very crucial to develop effective and selective methods for the extraction and isolation of those bioactive natural products. This paper intends to provide a comprehensive view of a variety of methods used in the extraction and isolation of natural products. This paper also presents the advantage, disadvantage and practical examples of conventional and modern techniques involved in natural products research.

Functional analysis by RNAi of an glutaredoxin gene in Helicoverpa armigera

Glutaredoxins play crucial roles in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis via scavenging of excess reactive oxygen species. In this study, a glutaredoxin domain-containing cysteine-rich gene from Helicoverpa armigera, named HaGdccr, was characterized. Sequence analysis revealed that it contains a glutaredoxin domain and a conserved cysteine and shares high sequence identity with other insect genes. HaGdccr mRNA expression was highest in molting larvae of the 3rd instar and was mainly detected in the central nervous system of larvae and the wings of adults. Quantitative real-time PCR results revealed that the expression of HaGdccr was suppressed at 1 and 6 h and increased at 24 h after the larvae were treated with 4 °C and hydrogen peroxide. When the larvae were exposed to 20 °C, HaGdccr decreased at 1 h and was induced at 12 and 24 h. HaGdccr transcription level was downregulated at 2 and 12 h and upregulated at 24 h after the adults were exposed to 0 °C. However, transcript levels were increased by high temperature in both larvae and adults. After knockdown of HaGdccr by RNA interference, the expression of antioxidant genes, including thioredoxin-like (Trx-like), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and thioredoxin (Trx), was increased, whereas that of thioredoxin peroxidase (Tpx) was decreased. In addition, we found that HaGdccr knockdown enhanced the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and the contents of hydrogen peroxide and ascorbate. Taken together, these results indicate that HaGdccr may play significant roles in protecting organisms against oxidative damage.

Coptidis rhizoma and its main bioactive components: recent advances in chemical investigation, quality evaluation and pharmacological activity

Background

Coptidis rhizoma (CR) is the dried rhizome of Coptis chinensis Franch., C. deltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao or C. teeta Wall. (Ranunculaceae) and is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of various diseases including bacillary dysentery, typhoid, tuberculosis, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, empyrosis, pertussis, and other illnesses.

Methods

A literature survey was conducted via SciFinder, ScieneDirect, PubMed, Springer, and Wiley databases. A total of 139 selected references were classified on the basis of their research scopes, including chemical investigation, quality evaluation and pharmacological studies.

Results

Many types of secondary metabolites including alkaloids, lignans, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saccharides, and steroids have been isolated from CR. Among them, protoberberine-type alkaloids, such as berberine, palmatine, coptisine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine, columamine, are the main components of CR. Quantitative determination of these alkaloids is a very important aspect in the quality evaluation of CR. In recent years, with the advances in isolation and detection technologies, many new instruments and methods have been developed for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the main alkaloids from CR. The quality control of CR has provided safety for pharmacological applications. These quality evaluation methods are also frequently employed to screen the active components from CR. Various investigations have shown that CR and its main alkaloids exhibited many powerful pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic, anti-Alzheimer and hepatoprotective activities.

Conclusion

This review summarizes the recent phytochemical investigations, quality evaluation methods, the biological studies focusing on CR as well as its main alkaloids.

[Effects of Biochar and Organic Fertilizer on Saline-alkali Soil N2 O Emission in the North China Plain]

Based on the winter wheat-summer maize rotation field experiment, the effects of biochar and organic fertilizer on saline-alkali soil N₂O emissions in the summer maize season were studied in Binzhou in the Shandong Province to provide a theoretical basis for reducing N₂O emissions from saline-alkali soil. The experiment includes six treatments with three replications:CK[N:0.2 t·(hm²·a)^-1, P₂O₅:0.12 t·(hm²·a)^-1, K₂O:0.2 t·(hm²·a)^-1], C1[5 t·(hm²·a)^-1biochar], C2[10 t·(hm²·a)^-1 biochar], C3[20 t·(hm²·a)^-1 biochar], M1[7.5 t·(hm²·a)^-1 organic fertilizer], and M2[10 t·(hm²·a)^-1 organic fertilizer]. The same nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer was applied for each treatment. The results showed that the dynamic trend of the soil N₂O fluxes among different treatments were similar. The peak N₂O emissions occurred after fertilization (base fertilizer and topdressing). The N₂O cumulative emission fluxes accounted for nearly half of the emissions during the whole growth period, and the N₂O emissions of the C1, C2, and C3 treatments were lower than that of CK after fertilization. Compared with CK, the N₂O cumulative emissions from C1 and C2 were reduced by 45.3% and 31.6%, respectively, but C3, M1, and M2 increased by 17.3%, 37.4%, and 27.6%, respectively. Biochar and organic fertilizer both affected N₂O emission fluxes. Applying biochar can reduce N₂O emissions, while organic fertilizer can increase N₂O emissions. In summary, biochar has a great advantage in reducing N₂O emissions in the farmland.

Prognostic analysis of different morphology of the necrotic-viable interface in osteonecrosis of the femoral head

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the collapse progression in different morphologies of the necrotic-viable interface in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

METHODS

A total of 168 patients (202 hips) with Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage II ONFH were included. Ending with the collapse of the femoral head, all patients received conservative treatment but without surgical intervention and were followed for three to 91 months. Bilateral hip-joint radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were examined, and the largest layer of necrosis within the coronal section of MRI images was selected together with its anteroposterior radiograph to observe the morphology of the necrotic-viable interface. The morphology was divided into four types: I, type transverse; II, type "V"; III, type zigzag; IV, type closed. The collapse rate and the time to collapse in different morphologies were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 120 hips collapsed in two years or less, 61 were type-I, 51 were type-II, and 8 were type-III. Non-collapse occurred in all 17 hips with type-IV ONFH during long-term follow-up. In 202 hips with ARCO stage-II ONFH, the collapse rate in type-I ONFH was significantly higher than that of type-II and type-III ONFH (P < 0.01 for both). The time to collapse was markedly shortened.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of ONFH-induced collapse is influenced by the morphology of the necrotic-viable interface. Effective mechanical support for preventing the collapse of the femoral head is necessary when the morphology of the necrotic-viable interface is type transverse.

Triterpenoids from Cyclocarya paliurus and their inhibitory effect on the secretion of apoliprotein B48 in Caco-2 cells

Five previously undescribed compounds including two triterpenoid aglycones, 3β,23-dihydroxy-1,12-dioxo-olean-28-oic acid and 3β,23,27-trihydroxy-1-oxo-olean-12-ene-28-oic acid, and three triterpenoid glucosides cyclocarioside L-N, along with 17 known compounds were isolated from a CH₃Cl-soluble extract of the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus. Two 27-nor-triterpenoid glycosides were isolated from the genus for the first time. Furthermore, the characterized compounds were tested for the inhibitory effects on apoliprotein B48 secretion in Caco-2 cells. Seven triterpenoid aglycones together with four triterpenoid saponins significantly decreased the apoliprotein B48 oversecretion induced by oleic acid in Caco-2 cells.

Concealing the taste of the Guinness World's most bitter substance by using a synthetic nanocontainer

Upon supramolecular encapsulation by using a synthetic nanocontainer (cucurbit[7]uril), the taste of the Guinness World's most bitter substance, denatonium benzoate, was dramatically concealed during a two-bottle preference drinking test in a mammalian model, demonstrating the significant potential of cucurbit[7]uril as a taste-masking nanocontainer for the first time.

Norditerpenoids and Dinorditerpenoids from the Seeds of Podocarpus nagi as Cytotoxic Agents and Autophagy Inducers

Nine new norditerpenoids and dinorditerpenoids, 2-oxonagilactone A (1), 7β-hydroxynagilactone D (2), nagilactones K and L (3 and 4), 3β-hydroxynagilactone L (5), 2β-hydroxynagilactone L (6), 3-epi-15-hydroxynagilactone D (7), 1α-chloro-2β,3β,15-trihydroxynagilactone L (8), and 15-hydroxynagilactone L (9), were isolated from the seeds of Podocarpus nagi, along with eight known analogues. The structures of the new compounds were established based on detailed NMR and HRESIMS analysis, as well as from their ECD spectra. The absolute configuration of the known compound 1-deoxy-2α-hydroxynagilactone A (16) was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All of the isolates were tested for their cytotoxic activities against cancer cells. The results indicated that compounds 4 and 6, as well as several known compounds, displayed cytotoxicity against A2780 and HEY cancer cells. Among the new compounds, 2β-hydroxynagilactone L (6) showed IC₅₀ values of less than 2.5 μM against the two cell lines used. Furthermore, compound 6 induced autophagic flux in A2780 cells, as evidenced by an enhanced expression level of the autophagy marker phosphatidylethanolamine-modified microtubule-associated protein light-chain 3 (LC3-II) and increased mRFP-GFP-LC3 puncta. Also, compound 6 activated the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, while pretreatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 decreased compound 6-induced autophagy.

Structure Based Design of N-(3-((1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-yl)ethynyl)benzenesulfonamides as Selective Leucine-Zipper and Sterile-α Motif Kinase (ZAK) Inhibitors

A series of N-(3-((1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-yl)ethynyl)benzenesulfonamides were designed as the first class of highly selective ZAK inhibitors. The representative compound 3h strongly inhibits the kinase activity of ZAK with an IC50 of 3.3 nM and dose-dependently suppresses the activation of ZAK downstream signals in vitro and in vivo, while it is significantly less potent for the majority of 403 nonmutated kinases evaluated. Compound 3h also exhibits orally therapeutic effects on cardiac hypertrophy in a spontaneous hypertensive rat model.

Cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activity of C21 steroids from the roots of Cynanchum atratum

Two new (1-2) and two known C₂₁ steroids (3-4) were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum atratum. Their structures were elucidated by detailed 1D and 2D spectroscopic. The MTT assay showed that compounds 1-4 displayed obvious cytotoxic activities against HepG2 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 10.19μM to 76.12μM. Compounds 1-3 also exhibited cytotoxic effects in A549 cells with IC₅₀ values of 30.87-95.39μM. Compound 3 showed the antiproliferative activity via G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and proapoptosis in HepG2 cells by Flowcytometry analysis. Western blotting analysis revealed that compound 3 could induce HepG2 cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway by downregulating Bcl-2 expression, upregulating Bax protein expression, and activating caspase-9 and caspase-3.

Clausoxamine, an alkaloid possessing a 1,3-oxazine-4-one ring from the seeds of Clausena lansium and the anti-obesity effect of lansiumamide B

One alkaloid with an unprecedented skeleton and one alkaloid with anti-obesity effect were isolated from the seeds of Clausena lansium.

Chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester induces G1 cell cycle arrest, triggers apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in ovarian cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Panacis Japonici Rhizoma (PJR) is one of the most famous Chinese medical herbs that is known for exhibiting potential anti-cancer effects.

PURPOSE

This study aims to isolate and investigate the anti-cancer potential of saponins from PJR in ovarian cancer cells.

METHODS

The compounds were separated by comprehensive chromatographic methods. By comparison of the 1H- and 13C NMR data, as well as the HR-ESI-MS data, with the corresponding references, the structures of compounds were determined. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell viability, along with flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis. JC-1 staining, Annexin V-PI double staining as well as Hoechst 33; 342 staining were used for detecting cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the relative protein level. Transwell assays were performed to investigate the effect of the saponin on cell migration and invasion and zymography experiments were used to detect the enzymatic activities.

RESULTS

Eleven saponins were isolated from PJR and their anti-proliferative effects were evaluated in human ovarian cancer cells. Chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester (1) exhibited the highest anti-proliferative potential among these isolates with the IC50 values at less than 10 µM in both ovarian cancer A2780 and HEY cell lines. Compound 1 induced G1 cell cycle arrest accompanied with an S phase decrease, and down-regulated the expression of cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK6. Further study showed that compound 1 effectively decreased the cell mitochondrial membrane potential, increased the annexin V positive cells and nuclear chromatin condensation, as well as enhanced the expression of cleaved PARP, Bax and cleaved-caspase 3 while decreasing that of Bcl-2. Moreover, compound 1 suppressed the migration and invasion of HEY and A2780 cells, down-regulated the expression of Cdc42, Rac, RohA, MMP2 and MMP9, and decreased the enzymatic activities of MMP2 and MMP9.

CONCLUSION

These results provide a comprehensive evaluation of compound 1 as a potential agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

The chloroform extract of Cyclocarya paliurus attenuates high-fat diet induced non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis in Sprague Dawley rats

BACKGROUND

Hepatic steatosis (HS) is the early stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease which is caused by impaired hepatic lipid homeostasis. Cyclocarya paliurus, an herbal tea consumed in China, has been demonstrated to ameliorate abnormal lipid metabolism for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the regulative effect of chloroform extract from Cyclocarya paliurus (ChE) on treatment of HS, as well as key factors involved in hepatic lipid metabolism.

STUDY DESIGN

Sprague Dawley rats were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induce HS and treated with or without ChE by gavage for 4 weeks.

METHODS

The body weight, relative liver weight and liver fat content were measured. Serum and liver total cholesterol, triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acids, as well as hepatic malonaldehyde levels were accessed by biochemical methods. Serum and liver TNF-α levels were quantified by ELISA kit. Histologic analysis and ¹H-MRS study were performed to evaluate HS level. RT-PCR and Western blot were also applied to observe the expression changes of key factors involved in hepatic lipid intake, synthesis, utilization and export.

RESULTS

ChE significantly decreased the rats' body weight, serum lipid and TNF-α level. ChE also reduced their relative liver weight, liver fat content, hepatic oxidative products and TNF-α level. Hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed rats was effectively regressed after 2-weeks administration of ChE. Moreover, ChE treatment remarkably reduced HFD-induced high expression level of fatty acid synthesis genes (including sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and fatty acid synthase). However, it had no effect on mRNA expression of some genes involved in lipid uptake, β-oxidation and lipid outflow.

CONCLUSION

ChE exerted a promising regression effect on HS due to a reduced level of serum non-esterified fatty acids which might lead to a decrease in the amount of lipid taken in by the liver, as well as owing to the inhibition of hepatic lipid de novo synthesis to reduce liver lipid production.

[Multiregion sequencing reveals intratumor heterogeneity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the intratumor heterogeneity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

We used whole-exome sequencing and array-based comparative genomic hybridization to profile mutations and changes in copy number from 11 regions within 2 cases of ESCC and from the metastatic lymph nodes.

RESULTS

The numbers of somatic single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) in 4 regions within the tumors in case 1 and case 2 were 93±17 and 124±28, respectively. The majority of SNPs were non synonymous mutations, synonymous mutations, nonsense mutations and splicing junction mutations. The average indels in the 4 tumor regions of case 1 and case 2 were 40±6 and 51±3, respectively. These small indels mainly occurred in exonic (frame-shift and non-frame-shift), untranslational regions of genes and splicing junction regions. All regions from a tumor exhibitedo bvious heterogeneity, and mutational similarity of all four regions within a tumor was less than 25%. Furthermore, gene copy number alteration (gain or loss) varied among multiple regions of a tumor, and the similarity of gene copy number was less than 20%. Phylogenetic analysis of the somatic mutation frequency suggests that multiple, genomic heterogeneous clones co-exist within a primary ESCC, and metastatic subclones may evolve from the primary non-metastatic parental clone. These results indicated that a single-region sampling can not reflect the architecture of the genomic landscape of mutations in ESCC tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Sequence analysis of whole genome exon in multiple regions can provide strong evidence for genomic heterogeneity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Molecular identification of three novel glutaredoxin genes that play important roles in antioxidant defense in Helicoverpa armigera

Glutaredoxins (Grxs), also known as thioltransferases, play key roles in maintaining intracellular redox balance and protecting cells from oxidative damage in plants and mammals. We tested whether Grxs play important roles in antioxidant defense in insects using the moth, Helicoverpa armigera. We obtained the full-length cDNA sequences of three novel Grx genes, named HaGrx, HaGrx3, and HaGrx5. Sequence analysis indicated that HaGrx shared a high amino acid identity (58%-78%) and a CPYC motif of conserved redox activity with homologues from other selected insect species. In contrast, HaGrx3 and HaGrx5 both shared a CGF(S/G) motif, a conserved catalytic domain, with other orthologous genes. Quantitative real-time PCR results revealed that HaGrx, HaGrx3, and HaGrx5 exhibited temporally- and spatially-dependent patterns of expression. The mRNA expression of HaGrx, HaGrx3, and HaGrx5 was induced by various temperature stresses and H2O2 treatments. We further investigated the knockdown of HaGrx, HaGrx3, and HaGrx5 in H. armigera larvae and found that most of the selected antioxidant genes were up regulated. However, Tpx was down regulated, and further interpretation of the complementary functions of these antioxidant genes is still required. We also determined the effect of HaGrx, HaGrx3, and HaGrx5 knockdown on antioxidant enzymatic activity and metabolite content. The enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, and POD, and the metabolite contents of hydrogen peroxide, ascorbate, protein carbonyl, and total GSH increased after RNAi mediated knockdown of HaGrx, HaGrx3, and HaGrx5. These results supported our hypothesis that HaGrx, HaGrx3, and HaGrx5 play important roles in antioxidant defense of Helicoverpa armigera and provided a theoretical basis for further in-depth study of physiological function in the insect glutaredoxin family genes.

C21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum stauntonii induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells

Two new (1-2) and three known (3-5) C21 steroidal glycosides were isolated from Cynanchum stauntonii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data as well as HRTOFMS analysis. The cytotoxicity of the compounds against A549, HepG2, and 4T1 cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay. Compound 4 exhibited good inhibitory activities with the IC50 values 26.82, 12.24, and 44.12 μM, respectively. Furthermore, compound 4 could induce G1 phase arrest, upregulate the expression levels of caspases-3, -9, and Bax, and downregulate the expression level of Bcl-2. These results indicated that compound 4 might be valuable to anticancer drug candidates.

Antiviral benzofurans from Eupatorium chinense

Eleven benzofuran dimers, (+)-dieupachinins A-E, (-)-dieupachinins A-E and dieupachinin F, a benzofuran trimer trieupachinin A, as well as seven known compounds were isolated from the roots of Eupatorium chinense. The enantiomers of racemates dieupachinins A-E were separated by chiral HPLC. The structures with absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, X-ray diffraction analysis, and circular dichroism experiments. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiviral activities against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Anti-proliferative activities of terpenoids isolated from Alisma orientalis and their structure-activity relationships

This study aimed to isolate terpenoids from Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep. and elucidate their antiproliferative activities, as well as structure-activity relationships. Fourteen protostane-type triterpenoids were isolated from the rhizome of A. orientalis. Among these triterpenoids, alisol A (1), alisol A 24-acetate (2), alisol B (3), alisol B 23-acetate (4), and alisol G (8) presented inhibitory effects on cancer cell lines tested. Compounds 3 and 4 showed the highest potential; IC50 values for HepG2, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7 cells were 16.28, 14.47, and 6.66 μM for 3 and 18.01, 15.97, and 13.56 μM for 4, respectively. Based on these results, we concluded that the degree of C-16 oxidation and the double bond between C-13 and C-17 may be significant in anti-proliferative activities. Further study showed that 3 and 4 effectively induced apoptosis, as confirmed by flow cytometry. Increased intracellular calcium concentration and endoplasmic reticulum stress were detected after treatment with 4 in HepG2 cells. Although compounds 1 and 2 induced minimal apoptosis, they evidently delayed the G2/M phase in HepG2 cells. Further study showed that 1-4 also enhanced LC3II expression, indicating autophagy is occured.

A novel 12, 23-epoxy dammarane saponin from Panax notoginseng

The present study investigated the chemical constituents of the roots and rhizomes of Panax notoginseng. Compounds were isolated by various column chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated by the extensive analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical evidences. A novel 12, 23-epoxy dammarane-type saponin, named epoxynotoginsenoside A (1), together with four known compounds (2-5), was isolated and characterized.