Ormosanine improves neuronal functions in spinal cord-injured rats by blocking peroxynitrite/calpain activity

Comparative analysis of antimicrobial compounds from endophytic Buergenerula spartinae from orchid

A rare fungal endophyte, identified as Buergenerula spartinae (C28), was isolated from the roots of Cymbidium orchids and was characterised and evaluated for its antimicrobial activities. Bio-guided fractionation revealed 4 fractions from B. spartinae (C28) having antibacterial activities against at least one bacterial pathogen tested (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus). However, inhibitory activities were absent against pathogenic fungi (Ganoderma boninense, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium solani). Fraction 2 and fraction 4 of B. spartinae (C28) exhibited potent antibacterial activities against S. aureus (MIC: 0.078 mg/mL) and B. cereus (MIC: 0.313 mg/mL), respectively. LCMS analysis revealed the presence of antibacterial agents and antibiotics in fraction 2 (benoxinate, pyropheophorbide A, (-)-ormosanine and N-undecylbenzenesulfonic acid) and fraction 4 (kaempferol 3-p-coumarate, 6-methoxy naphthalene acetic acid, levofuraltadone, hinokitiol glucoside, 3-α(S)-strictosidine, pyropheophorbide A, 5'-hydroxystreptomycin, kanzonol N and 3-butylidene-7-hydroxyphthalide), which may be responsible for the antibacterial activities observed. Most of the bioactive compounds profiled from the antibacterial fractions were discovered for the first time from endophytic isolates (i.e. from B. spartinae (C28)). Buergenerula spartinae (C28) from Cymbidium sp. is therefore, an untapped resource of bioactive compounds for potential applications in healthcare and commercial industries.

Fuscoside Attenuates Bone Loss in Bone Defects by Regulating The Rankl/Nlrp3/Opg Pathway in Rats

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the beneficial effect of fuscoside in the repair of bone defects (BDs) and the possible molecular mechanism thereof.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, a BD was induced by drilling the rat tibia. The rats were then administered oral fuscoside, at 200 or 300 mg/kg, for 2 weeks. The effect of treatment was assessed based on the bone formation score and on the levels of cytokines and biochemical markers in serum. Tibial expression of the proteins involved in the Rankl/Nlrp3/Opg pathway was determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay, and histopathological changes by haematoxylin and eosin and TRAP staining.

RESULTS

In the fuscoside-treated BD rats, the bone formation score improved and inflammatory cytokine levels were reduced. The levels of biochemical markers improved as well, as did the expression of apoptosis proteins. Fuscoside also attenuated the expression of Rankl, Opg, Nlrp3, Runx2, Osterix, and Osteocalcin (Oc) proteins in the tibial tissue of the BD rats and reversed the abnormal histopathological changes.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that fuscoside improves BD repair by reducing the differentiation of osteoclasts and by regulating the Rankl/Nlrp3/Opg pathway.