Kinetic resolution of aromatic β-amino acids by ω-transaminase

Racemic aromatic β-amino acids have been kinetically resolved into (R)-β-amino acids with high enantiomeric excess (>99%) by a novel ω-TA with ca. 50% conversion.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of myristicin on RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid

Myristicin (1-allyl-5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene) is an active aromatic compound found in nutmeg (the seed of Myristica fragrans), carrot, basil,cinnamon, and parsley. Myristicin has been known to have anti-cholinergic, antibacterial,and hepatoprotective effects, however, the effects of myristicin on virus-stimulated macrophages are not fully reported. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of myristicin on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-stimulated macrophages was examined. Myristicin did not reduce the cell viability of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages at concentrations of up to 50 μM. Myristicin significantly inhibited the production of calcium, nitric oxide (NO),interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon inducible protein-10, monocyte chemotactic protein(MCP)-1, MCP-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, and leukemia inhibitory factor in dsRNA[polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid]-induced RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion,myristicin has anti-inflammatory properties related with its inhibition of NO, cytokines,chemokines, and growth factors in dsRNA-stimulated macrophages via the calcium pathway.     

Physicochemical properties, in vitro antioxidant activities and inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase of polysaccharides from Ampelopsis grossedentata leaves and stems

In the present study, polysaccharides named ALPS and ASPS were isolated from Ampelopsis grossedentata leaves and stems, respectively. Physicochemical properties, in vitro antioxidant activities and the inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase of ALPS and ASPS were investigated. It was found that both ALPS and ASPS were acid protein-bound heteropolysaccharides, although with considerably different chemical composition and molecular weight distribution. Meanwhile, in comparison with ALPS, ASPS exhibited stronger antioxidant activity and inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase according to the in vitro evaluation. Moreover, our results suggested that protein and uronic acid might, at least partly, contribute positively to the biological behavior of ALPS and ASPS.