A new cytotoxic disaccharide glycoside from the tubers of Arisaema franchetianum

A new disaccharide glycoside, franchoside A (1), and 17 known compounds were isolated from the tubers of Arisaema franchetianum Engler. The chemical structure of the previously undescribed compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18 showed significant cytotoxic activities at varying IC50 values in the range of 4.0-10.6 μM against five cancer cell lines. Compounds 8, 10, 13 and 17 (10 μM) exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and the release of NO from RAW264.7 macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while compounds 1, 9, 14, 15 and 16 showed weak anti-inflammatory activities.

Electroacupuncture improves cognitive dysfunction in rats with Alzheimer's disease by regulating microglial cells

OBJECTIVES

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on microglia (MG), Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in hippocampal CA1 region of Alzheimer's di-sease (AD) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms in the treatment of AD.

METHODS

Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model and EA groups, with 12 rats in each group. The AD rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose combined with intrahippocampal injection of aggregated Aβ25-35. The rats in the EA group were given EA (2 Hz/20 Hz, 2 mA) at "Baihui"(GV20) and"Shenting"(GV24) for 30 min, once daily, 6 days a week for 4 weeks. Morris water maze test was used to detect the learning and memory ability and spatial exploration ability of rats. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hippocampus. The ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The positive expression of MG marker io-nized calcium adaptor protein (Iba-1) in hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The expression levels of serum inflammatory factor interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were detected by ELISA. The mRNA expression levels of JAK2, STAT3, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (Arg-1) in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein and phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Compared with the sham operation group, the escape latency of the model group was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), and the number of crossing the original platform was significantly reduced (P<0.01), the positive expression of Iba-1 in CA1 region, the content of serum IFN-γ, the relative mRNA expressions of JAK2, STAT3 and iNOS, and the protein and phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the content of serum TGF-β1 and the relative expression of Arg-1 mRNA were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the escape latency of rats in the EA group was significantly shortened (P<0.01), the number of crossing the original platform was significantly increased (P<0.01), the positive expression of Iba1, the content of serum IFN-γ, the mRNA expressions of JAK2, STAT3 and iNOS, and the protein and phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the content of serum TGF-β1 and the expression of Arg-1 mRNA were significantly increased (P<0.01). Moreover, pathological and ultrastructural observation showed a reduction in the number of hippocampal neurons, changement of nuclear morphology, dilation of intercellular space, and decreased number of mitochondria in the model group；these situations were relatively milder in the EA group.

CONCLUSIONS

EA can improve the learning and memory function of AD rats, which may be associated with its functions in decreasing MG activities, and inhibiting the JAK2 / STAT3 signaling pathway in the hippocampus.

Phenolic constituents with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities from the rhizomes of Iris domestica

Four undescribed flavonoid glucosides (iridins B-C, tectoridin A and ampelopsinin A); one undescribed phenolic glucoside (diplostephioside B); one undescribed phenolic compound (phenanthrenetriol A); and seventeen known compounds were isolated from the rhizomes of Iris domestica. The chemical structures of the undescribed compounds were established by spectroscopic/spectrometric data interpretation using HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD. Tectoridin A, nigricin A and naringenin exhibited anti-inflammatory activities with inhibition rates of 53.71%, 57.68% and 88.71%, respectively, against the NF-κB signaling pathway at a concentration of 10 μM. 4'-O-methylnyasol (10 μM) exhibited 84.91% antiproliferative activity against the K562 human leukemia cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 4.20 μM.

[Two cases with generalized intracranial calcification due to hereditary folate malabsorption and literature review]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical, biochemical and genetic features of two Chinese children with hereditary folate malabsorption. Method: Clinical features, laboratory examinations, treatment and SLC46A1 gene of two cases were studied. Reports on hereditary folate malabsorption utill September of 2016 were searched and the clinical and genetic characteristics of reported cases were summarized. Result: The two patients presented with megaloblastic anemia from their infant period and seizures, psychomotor retardation and regression. In case1, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was 100 fl. Serum folate was 9.96 nmol/L. Folate and 5-methylenetetrahydrofolate in cerebrospinal fluid were 0 and 0.01 separately. In case 2, MCV was 93.9 fl. Serum folate was 4.49 nmol/L. The concentration of folate and 5-methylenetetrahydrofolate in cerebrospinal fluid were both zero. On their brain CT, progressive bilateral symmetrical calcification was observed. On their SLC46A1 gene, four mutations were identified. Case 1 had one novel mutation, c. 1238T>C (L413P) and c. 194-195insG (p.Cys66LeufsX99). From Case 2, two reported mutations, c. 1A>T (M1L) and c. 194-195insG (p.Cys66LeufsX99) were identified. The administration of folinic acid (60 to 120 mg per day) was initiated after diagnosis. Clinical improvement and normalized hematologic markers were observed after treatment. Totally 37 cases were reported in reviewed English literature, including 30 cases with mutations on SLC46A1 gene (only one Chinese patient). All the cases had the onset in infancy. The ratio of boys to girls was 1 to 1.5. Main manifestations were characterized by megaloblastic anemia (77%), failure to thrive (50%), diarrhea (27%), psychomotor retardation (63.6%), epilepsy (27%), and infection of respiratory system (45.5%). The concentration of folate in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid was decreased (72.7% and 63.6% respectively). Hypoimmunoglobulinemia accounted for 27.3%. Most of mutations in HFM were distributed between p. 65 and p. 68 (c.194-c.204), mainly due to insertion- or deletion-related frame shifts or generation of stop codons. Oral and parenteral folinic acid treatment was effective. Conclusion: Hereditary folate malabsorption often presented with megaloblastic anemia, abnormalities of digestive and nervous system, and hypoimmunoglobulinemia with recurrent infections. Low level of serum and CSF folate and screening SLC46A1 gene are keys to the etiologic study of the patients. Early supplement with folinic acid is beneficial to the prognosis.

[Clinical and laboratory studies on four Chinese patients with succinate-CoA ligase deficiency noticed by mild methylmalonic aciduria]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical and genetic features of the patients with secondary methylmalonic aciduria due to succinate-CoA ligase deficiency.

METHOD

From February 2011 to April 2014, 4 Chinese patients with succinate-CoA ligase deficiency and mild methylmalonic aciduria were enrolled in this study. The clinical course, biochemical features, brain MRI findings, and mutations were analyzed.

RESULT

Four patients presented with severe psychomotor retardation, hypotonia, seizures, feeding problems and failure to thrive from the age of one day to 6 months. Three of them had intractable epilepsies. One had hearing defect. Mild methylmalonic aciduria was detected by elevated urine methylmalonic acid and blood propionylcarnitine at the age of 6 months to 2 years and 8 months. Five mutations, c. 550G>A, c. 751C>T, c. 809A>C, c. 961C>G and c. 826-2A>G in SUCLG1 of three patients were identified. On SUCLA2, one novel mutation, c. 970C>T, was found in one patient. After treatment, the disease in all four patients was improved.

CONCLUSION

Four Chinese patients with succinyl-CoA ligase deficiency caused by SUCLG1 and SUCLA2 mutations were noticed by mild methylmalonic aciduria and diagnosed using high-throughput genomic sequencing. Succinate-CoA ligase deficiency is a rare cause of methylmalonic aciduria. Biochemical and gene studies are necessary for the differential diagnoses.