Medium effect on dielectric relaxation behaviors of 4A zeolite bulk dispersion system

Dielectric spectra of 4A zeolite particles bulked in deionized water (4A/W) or cyclohexane (4A/C) were measured respectively under different temperatures, and two dielectric relaxations were found in both of 4A/W and 4A/C. Because of existence of water molecules in pores, both low and high frequency relaxation times (τ_LFR and τ_HFR) of 4A/Wdecreasedmore sharply than 4A/C with increasing temperature. According to the temperature dependence of τ_LFR and τ_HFR, the activation energies of Na⁺ interacting with framework under hydrated and dehydrated environments were calculated respectively, and the original properties of Na⁺ in dehydrated zeolite were obtained by analyzing the dielectric properties of 4A/C. Furthermore, a transient state of Na⁺ motion with temperature was found in 4A/C system.     

Free energy perturbation (FEP) simulation on the transition states of cocaine hydrolysis catalyzed by human butyrylcholinesterase and its mutants

A novel computational protocol based on free energy perturbation (FEP) simulations on both the free enzyme and transition state structures has been developed and tested to predict the mutation-caused shift of the free energy change from the free enzyme to the rate-determining transition state for human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)-catalyzed hydrolysis of (-)-cocaine. The calculated shift, denoted by DeltaDeltaG(1 --> 2), of such kind of free energy change determines the catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) change caused by the simulated mutation transforming enzyme 1 to enzyme 2. By using the FEP-based computational protocol, the DeltaDeltaG(1 --> 2) values for the mutations A328W/Y332A --> A328W/Y332G and A328W/Y332G --> A328W/Y332G/A199S were calculated to be -0.22 and -1.94 kcal/mol, respectively. The calculated DeltaDeltaG(1 --> 2) values predict that the change from the A328W/Y332A mutant to the A328W/Y332G mutant should slightly improve the catalytic efficiency and that the change from the A328W/Y332G mutant to the A328W/Y332G/A199S mutant should significantly improve the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme for the (-)-cocaine hydrolysis. The predicted catalytic efficiency increases are supported by the experimental data showing that kcat/KM = 8.5 x 10(6), 1.4 x 10(7), and 7.2 x 10(7) min(-1) M(-1) for the A328W/Y332A, A328W/Y332G, and A328W/Y332G/A199S mutants, respectively. The qualitative agreement between the computational and experimental data suggests that the FEP simulations may provide a promising protocol for rational design of high-activity mutants of an enzyme. The general computational strategy of the FEP simulation on a transition state can be used to study the effects of a mutation on the activation free energy for any enzymatic reaction.     

An important role for peroxiredoxin II in survival of A549 lung cancer cells resistant to gefitinib

Redox adaptation is an important concept that explains the mechanisms by which cancer cells survive under persistent endogenous oxidative stress and become resistant to certain anticancer agents. To investigate this concept, we determined the expression levels of peroxiredoxins (Prxs), antioxidant enzymes in drug-resistant non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Prx II was remarkably increased only in A549/GR (gefitinib-resistant) cells compared with A549 cells, consistent with methylation/demethylation. Prx II was highly methylated in the A549 cells but was demethylated in the A549/GR cells. The elevated expression of Prx II resulted in the downregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death and upregulation of cell cycle progression in the A549/GR cells. When Prx II mRNA in the A549/GR cells was knocked down, the levels of ROS and apoptosis were significantly recovered to the levels of the controls. In addition, signaling molecules involved in apoptosis were increased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells. There was no difference in the expression of MAPK/ERK between the A549/GR cells and A549/GR-shPrx II cells, but the phosphorylation of JNK was increased in the A549/GR cells and was markedly decreased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells. Colony number and tumor growth were significantly decreased in the A549/GR-shPrx II cells compared with the A549/GR cells. Our findings suggest that Prx II has an important role in cancer cell survival via the modulation of signaling molecules involved in apoptosis and the phosphorylation of JNK by the downregulation of ROS levels in A549/GR cells.     

OCS+经由A2П←X2П激发的光解离光谱

在超声分子束条件下,由423、420、412.2和408.4nm的电离激光使OCS分子通过[3+1]共振增强多光子电离(REMPI)制备出OCS+(X2Π)离子后,在260-325nm范围内扫描解离激光获得了OCS+离子经由A2Π3/2←X2Π3/2(000)和A2Π1/2←X2Π1/2(000,001)跃迁的分质量光解离谱(母体离子OCS+的凹陷谱和碎片离子S+的增强谱).其中A2Π1/2←X2Π1/2(001)跃迁的光解离谱是首次观察到.由A2Π3/2←X2Π3/2(000)光解离谱得到了A2Π3/2电子态的光谱常数T0=31411.3cm-1,ν1=814.3cm-1;由A2Π1/2←X2Π1/2(000)光解离谱得到了A2Π1/2电子态的光谱常数ν1=816cm-1,ν2=(380.4±2.8)cm-1,ν3=(2052.7±5.1)cm-1,而从A2Π1/2←X2Π1/2(001)光解离谱拟合出的A2Π1/2电子态的ν1(786.4cm-1)稍有不同,表明在A2Π1/2←X2Π1/2(001)跃迁中X2П1/2电子态的C-O键振动(ν3)激发影响了A2Π1/2电子态C-S键的振动(ν1).实验结果表明:在A2Π1/2←X2Π1/2(000,001)跃迁的光解离谱中能够显著观察到属于A2Π电子态的ν2弯曲振动模激发的谱峰,例如A2Π1/2(020,120,021,…),而在A2П3/2(υ1υ2υ3)←X2Π3/2(000)跃迁的光解离谱中几乎没有观察到属于ν2弯曲振动模激发的谱峰.这种弯曲振动激发和A2П电子态的旋轨分裂分量(Ω)的相关性可以通过A2Π电子态的Fermi共振和Renner-Teller效应来解释.     

基于甲氧基柱[5]芳烃的聚丙烯酸酯有机膜对对硝基苯衍生物的吸附行为

柱芳烃是一类有别于冠醚、杯芳烃、葫芦脲等的柱状大环分子,具有独特的富电子空腔和口腔的可修饰性。 它们可以包结多种有机污染物,对有机污染物的吸附和脱除具有广泛的应用前景。 本文通过核磁共振和紫外滴定的方法首先研究了对硝基苯衍生物与甲氧基柱[5]芳烃(MeP5A)的包结行为,测定了包结常数。 在此基础上,将MeP5A物理混合到聚丙烯酸酯(PA)乳液中,首先制备了甲氧基柱[5]芳烃/聚丙烯酸酯(MeP5A/PA)共混乳液,然后通过静电纺丝技术,得到了MeP5A/PA纳米纤维膜。 采用红外光谱、扫描电子显微镜对MeP5A/PA纳米纤维膜的结构和形貌进行了表征。 将MeP5A/PA纳米纤维膜用于4种对硝基苯衍生物的吸附实验。 结果表明,对硝基苯乙腈显示出与MeP5A最强的包结作用,其K_a=(6.0±0.3)×10² L/mol,PA膜中引入MeP5A,增大了吸附量,但并未改变纤维状形貌。 MeP5A/PA纳米纤维膜的最佳吸附平衡时间为2 h,且MeP5A/PA纳米纤维膜中MeP5A的含量越高,吸附量越大。 但当吸附溶液中MeP5A浓度达到4 mmol/L时(对应的膜中含有的MeP5A物质的量为1.4×10^-2 mmol),其吸附基本达到平衡,继续增加MeP5A物质的量,其吸附量变化不大。     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of Dual Template Based Pt/Cu‐zeolite A/Graphene for Methanol Electrooxidation

A novel Pt/Cu‐zeolite A/graphene based electrocatalyst was successfully prepared by chemical reduction method for methanol electrooxidation. Graphite oxide and Cu functionalized zeolite A were simultaneously reduced by NaBH₄ to prepare Cu‐zeolite A/graphene support which was used to deposit Pt nanoparticles. The nanostructure and composition of as‐prepared Pt/Cu‐zeolite A/graphene composites were characterized by X‐ray diffractometer, X‐ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy. The electrocatalytic properties of Pt/Cu‐zeolite A/graphene modified electrode for methanol oxidation were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in 0.10 mol/L H₂SO₄ + 0.50 mol/L CH₃OH solution. Compared with Pt/zeolite A/graphene electrode and Pt/graphene electrode, Pt/Cu‐zeolite A/graphene based electrode exhibited obviously enhanced current and higher electrocatalytic activity for methanol electrooxidation. The increased electrocatalytic activity was attributed to the presence of zeolite A and reduced graphene oxide based dual template, which significantly increased the effective electrode surface and facilitated the diffusion of analytes into the electroactive catalyst.     

含1,1-二（4-（N,N-二甲基胺基）苯基）-2,3,4,5-四苯基噻咯的聚合物在三种阴极结构中的电致发光性能

设计合成了一种1,1-位为二（4-（N,N-二甲基胺基）苯基的新型噻咯单体,并与2,7-芴单体聚合得到六苯基噻咯单体投料量为1%、10%、20%的三种共聚物PF-N-HPS1～20.研究了这些共聚物的紫外吸收光谱、电化学性质、光致发光光谱和电致发光性能.PF-N-HPS的HOMO能级为5.25～5.58eV,呈现绿光发射.以PF-N-HPS为发光层,制作了三种聚合物发光二极管（器件结构A：ITO/PEDOT/PF-N-HPS/Al;器件结构B：ITO/PEDOT/PF-N-HPS/Ba/Al;器件结构C：ITO/PEDOT/PF-N-HPS/TPBI/Ba/Al）.其中器件结构A的电致发光效率仅为0.1～0.33cd/A,说明PF-N-HPS中的4-（N,N-二甲基胺基）苯基结构不能使单独的Al阴极实现良好的电子注入.采用了低功函金属Ba阴极的器件结构B能改善电子的注入,使电致发光效率提高到0.85～1.44cd/A.器件结构C采用TPBI（HOMO：6.2eV）作为电子传输和空穴阻挡层,促进了电子和空穴的有效复合,进一步提高了电致发光效率（4.56～7.96cd/A）,其中TPBI层将噻咯聚合物与金属阴极隔离可能减少发光层在阴极界面处的激子猝灭也起到了一定的作用,器件结构C较器件结构B还获得了更好的绿光光谱.     

Trapping rhodium carbenoids with aminoalkynes for the synthesis of diverse N-heterocycles

A convergent approach for the synthesis of diverse N-heterocycles is described. The reaction involves trapping of diazo-derived rhodium carbenoids with gold activated aminoalkynes, and accommodates both the donor/acceptor (D/A) as well as acceptor/acceptor (A/A) diazo carbonyls. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the Rh(II)/Au(I) catalyzed reaction of aminoalkynes with D/A diazos is concerted, while the reaction with A/A diazo is stepwise and proceeds with carbene N–H insertion and a subsequent Conia-ene cyclization.     

细菌视紫红质多重突变体结构变化及其中间态的寿命

采用基因定点突变的方法, 构建了细菌视紫红质(Bacteriorhodopsin, BR)的3种突变体蛋白, 即单突变体BRE194Q、三突变体BRI119T/T121S/A126T和四突变体BRI119T/T121S/A126T/E194Q. 测定了突变体和野生型BR在水溶液和聚乙烯醇(PVA)膜中的紫外-可见吸收光谱和拉曼光谱, 采用显微视频录像技术记录了PVA膜中野生型和3个突变体样品的M态寿命. 与野生型BR相比较, 在水溶液中, 单突变体的可见吸收光谱的最大吸收峰发生了轻微红移, 三突变体和四突变体的最大吸收峰则分别发生了11.0和12.0 nm的明显蓝移. 在PVA膜中, 3个突变体BR的可见吸收光谱的最大吸收峰均发生蓝移, 四突变体BR的最大吸收峰为557 nm, 蓝移达15.0 nm. 四突变体BR在水溶液中的共振拉曼光谱不仅表现有与M态特征相关的1567和1573 cm-1谱带, 还有L态特征带1334 cm-1及N态特征带1200, 1328, 1530和1549 cm-1. 在PVA膜中的样品与在水溶液中的比较, 四突变体共振拉曼光谱的1334和1549 cm-1带消失, 同时1187 cm-1带的强度下降. 显微视频录像技术记录的PVA膜中样品的M态寿命表明, 野生型BR的M态寿命最短, 单突变体的M态寿命小于1.0 s, 三突变体的寿命为3.0 s, 四突变体的寿命为2.0 s.     

Sulfation of hesperetin,naringenin and apigenin by the human cytosolic sulfotransferases: a comprehensive analysis

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed sulfation as a major pathway for the metabolism of hesperetin, naringenin and apigenin. The current study was designed to identify the human cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) enzyme(s) capable of sulfating these flavonoid compounds. Of the thirteen human SULTs, six (1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1B2, 1C4, 1E1) displayed significant sulfating activity toward hesperetin, five (1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1B2, 1C4) displayed sulfating activity towards naringenin, and four (1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1C4) showed sulfating activity towards apigenin. Of the four human organ specimens tested, liver and intestine cytosols displayed much higher hesperetin-, naringenin- and apigenin-sulfating activity than lung and kidney cytosols. Moreover, sulfation of hesperetin, naringenin and apigenin was shown to take place in HepG2 human hepatoma cells and Caco-2 human colon adenocarcinoma cells under cultured conditions. Taken together, these results provided a biochemical basis underlying the metabolism of hesperetin, naringenin and apigenin through sulfation in humans.

     

毛细管区带电泳测定液态奶及奶粉中的A2 β-酪蛋白及总β-酪蛋白

β-酪蛋白（β-CN）是牛乳中的主要酪蛋白。它包含13种变异体,其中A2是牛β-CN的主要变异体之一。定量测定A2 β-CN对A2乳制品的评价十分重要。该文建立了对液态奶和奶粉中A2 β-CN及总β-CN分离并定量的毛细管区带电泳（CZE）分析方法。使用熔融石英毛细管（50 μm×30/40 cm有效/总长度）,以50 mmol/L Na₂HPO₄+140 mmol/L柠檬酸+0.2%（质量分数）HPMC+4 mol/L尿素溶液（pH为2.7）作为分离缓冲溶液,在214 nm下检测。总β-CN和A2 β-CN的校准峰面积与其质量浓度间呈良好的线性关系,相关系数在0.9968~0.9997之间,加标回收率为85.5%~106.4%。对两款巴氏奶和两款奶粉中A2 β-CN和总β-CN进行分析,A2 β-CN和总β-CN的日内精密度分别为2.4%~4.7%和2.6%~4.8%,日间精密度分别为4.0%~6.3%和3.9%~6.7%。所建立的CZE方法可分离液态奶及奶粉中的A2 β-CN,并可对A2 β-CN及总β-CN进行定量。通过计算A2 β-CN在总β-CN中的占比来评价A2乳制品的质量,为保护消费者的利益提供了方法依据。     

Dextran-coated CdSe quantum dots for the optical detection of monosaccharides by resonance light-scattering technique

A resonance light-scattering (RLS) detection method for saccharides was developed using dextran-coated CdSe quantum dots (dextran-CdSe-QDs) optical probes. The dextran-CdSe-QDs can be aggregated with concanavalin A (Con A), and the change in RLS intensity is used to monitor the extent of aggregation. The presence of glucose competitively binds with Con A, dissociating the Con A/dextran-CdSe-QDs complexes, affording the RLS intensity change and hence determining glucose concentrations in the range from a few to about 90 mM. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the competitive interaction between glucose and dextran-CdSe-QDs with Con A. The competitive strategy could also be used to detect similar types of saccharides and the affinities of various monosaccharides for Con A increased in the order galactose?glucose < fructose < mannose. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine glucose in the human serum.

A resonance light-scattering (RLS) detection method for saccharides was developed using dextran-coated CdSe quantum dots (dextran-CdSe-QDs) optical probes. The dextran-CdSe-QDs were coupled to concanavalin A (Con A) to facilitate the aggregation of nanoparticles. The presence of glucose competitively binds with Con A, dissociating the Con A/dextran-CdSe-QDs complexes affording the RLS intensity change and hence determining glucose in the range from a few millimolar to about 90 mM. The proposed method was applied to the determination of glucose in human serum samples with satisfactory results.

     

Investigation of high current density on zinc electrodeposition and anodic corrosion in zinc electrowinning

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this work, the effects of high current density (500 A/m2, 600 A/m2, 700 A/m2, 800 A/m2) on zinc electrodeposition as well as the anodic corrosion...     

Morphology and thermal properties of poly(L‐lactide)/poly(butylene succinate‐co‐butylene adipate) compounded with twice functionalized clay

Poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA)/poly(butylene succinate‐co‐butylene adipate) (PBSA) blends were compounded with Cloisite 25A® (C25A) and C25A functionalized with epoxy groups, respectively. Epoxy groups on the surface of C25A were introduced by treating C25A with (glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxy silane (GPS) to produce so called Twice Functionalized Organoclay (TFC). Variation of morphology and properties of PLLA/PBSA/C25A composites was investigated before and after the treatment with GPS. The morphological structure of the composites was analyzed by using X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The silicate layers of PLLA/PBSA/TFC were exfoliated to a larger extent than PLLA/PBSA/C25A. Incorporation of the epoxy groups on C25A improved significantly elongation at break as well as tensile modulus and tensile strength of PLLA/PBSA/C25A. The larger amount of exfoliation of the silicate layers in PLLA/PBSA/TFC as compared with that in PLLA/PBSA/C25A was attributed to the increased interfacial interaction between the polyesters and the clay due to chemical reaction. Thermo gravimetric analysis revealed that both T_5%, which was the temperature corresponding to 5% weight loss, and activation energy of thermal decomposition of PLLA/PBSA/TFC were far superior to those of PLLA/PBSA/C25A as well as to those of PLLA/PBSA, indicating that the composites with exfoliated silicate layers were more thermally stable than those with intercalated silicate layers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 478–487, 2005     

Determination of degree of substitution for N-acylated chitosan using IR spectra

Chitosans with various degrees of deacetylation (D.D.), which were used as standard sample for FTIR determination, were prepared from completely deacetylated chitosan by homogeneous N-acetylation reaction. By combining four probable probe bands, i.e. 1655, 1560, 1380 and 1320 cm-1, eight probable reference bands, i.e. 3430, 2920, 2880, 1425, 1155, 1070, 1030 and 895 cm-1 and two baseline methods, the most suitable ratios Aprobe band/Aeterence band from IR spectra to determine the degree of acetylation of chitosan were evaluated from 48 combinations to be A1560/A2880, A1560/A2920 and A1655/A3430(A1560/A2880 is mostly recommended). The second baseline method, i.e. linking between adjacent two valleys, was better for measuring the absorbances of 1560 and 1655 cm-1 bands. The determination range of the D.D. (1%-100%) covered almost the whole range. The standard curves with A1560/A2880 and A1655/A3430 were also suitable for the determination of degree of substitution of other N-acylated chitosan, such as N-pr     

Cytokine mRNA expression and serum cortisol evaluation during murine lung inflammation induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A model system was characterized for investigating the potential role of cortisol in MTB induced immunopathology. Serum cortisol levels were evaluated in two mouse strains; C57BL/6 mice develop lung granulomas following acute Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection while A/J mice are deficient in this process. Serum cortisol levels were examined post infection, as well as immunoregulatory mRNA expression in the lung, measured using bioluminescent RT-PCR techniques. Prior to infection, the A/J mice constitutively maintain nearly 75&percent; higher serum cortisol than C57BL/6 mice. Both A/J and C57BL/6 mice exhibited approximately 30&percent; reduction in relative serum cortisol following infection. At no time did serum cortisol levels in the A/J fall below constitutive levels in the non-infected C57BL/6. The overall elevated cortisol in the A/J may affect pulmonary immunoresponsiveness; A/J mice exhibited earlier induction of IL-10 and TNF-alpha than C57BL/6 mice, with a relative lack of IL-2 during late infection. Conversely, the C57BL/6 mice demonstrated higher IL-12(p40) and IL-2 messages at the latter stages of disease than the A/J mice. Both mice demonstrated high IFN-&gama; mRNA. The high constitutive serum cortisol in the A/J mice may therefore contribute to establishment of an environment counter-productive to initiation of protective Th1 cell and granulomatous responses.     

Improved high performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of carotenoids in the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Microalgae have become an important commercial source of carotenoids and microalgae-derived functional foods are consumed by people worldwide. Therefore, an HPLC method was developed to discern the variety and content of carotenoids in the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The microalga sample was powdered, extracted, saponified and subjected to HPLC analysis. A mobile phase of methanol-acetonitrile-water (84:14:2, v/v/v) (A) and methylene chloride (100%) (B) with the following gradient elution was developed: 100% A and 0% B in the beginning, maintained for 14 min, decreased to 95% A in 25 min, 75% A in 30 min, 74% A in 35 min, 45% A in 50 min and returned to 100% A in 55 min. A total of 32 carotenoids were resolved within 49 min by using a C30 column with flow rate at 1 mL/min and detection at 450 nm. An internal standard beta-apo-8'-carotenal was used to quantify all the carotenoids. All-trans-lutein was present in exceptionally large amount (125034.4 microg/g), followed by cis isomers of lutein (27975.3 microg/g), all-trans-alpha-carotene (2465.8 microg/g), zeaxanthin (2170.3 microg/g), cis isomers of beta-carotene (2159.3 microg/g), all-trans-beta-carotene (2155.0 microg/g), cis isomers of alpha-carotene (1766.7 microg/g), beta-cryptoxanthin (334.9 microg/g), neoxanthin and its cis isomers (199.7 microg/g), neochrome (65.2 microg/g), auroxanthin (38.5 microg/g) and violaxanthin and its cis isomers (38.1 microg/g).     

Modulating the coupling efficiency of human cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 at electrode surfaces through protein engineering

This study shows that regulating the electron flow to the heme of human cytochrome P450 CYP3A4, using artificial redox chains, can significantly enhance its coupling efficiency and catalytic activity at electrode surfaces. The human CYP3A4 was fused at the genetic level either to the reductase domain of CYP102A1 (BMR) to create the CYP3A4/BMR or to Desulfovibrio vulgaris flavodoxin (FLD) to create the CYP3A4/FLD. Direct electrochemistry of the CYP3A4, CYP3A4/BMR and CYP3A4/FLD on glassy carbon and gold electrodes showed that the BMR and FLD flavo-proteins reduced the electron transfer rate to the CYP3A4 heme. Electrocatalysis resulted in appreciably higher product formation with the immobilized CYP3A4/BMR and CYP3A4/FLD on both surfaces due to an increased coupling efficiency. Rotating disk electrode studies and quantification of hydrogen peroxide were consistent with the proposed mechanism of a longer lived iron-peroxy species in the immobilized CYP3A4/BMR and CYP3A4/FLD. The approaches in this study provide a better understanding of cytochrome P450 uncoupling at electrode surfaces and aids in the construction of improved cytochrome P450 biosensors and bioelectrocatalysts.     

Studies in the chemistry of erythrina alkaloid derivatives—III : Two isomers of 2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7a,8,9,10,11-dodecahydro-2,10-dioxo-1H-benzo[d]naphthalene

Diketone 2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7a,8,9,10,11-dodecahydro-2,10-dioxo-1H-benzo[d]-naphthalene prepared by annulation of N-(1-cyclohexenyl)pyrrolidine with vinyl methyl ketone, was found to consist of two stereoisomers. Theoretical dipole moments of these were calculated, and their structures were shown by moment dipole measurements to be cis A/B, cis A/C and trans A/B, cis A/C, respectively. The isomer trans A/B, cis A/B was converted into trans A/B, cis A/C dodecahydro-1H-benzo[d]naphthalene by the Wolff-Kishner reduction.     

Analysis of alkannin derivatives from Alkanna species by high-performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array/mass spectrometry

Alkannin, shikonin (A/S) and their derivatives are enantiomeric hydroxynaphthoquinone red pigments found in the roots of almost 150 species of the Boraginaceae family. A/S have been shown to exhibit strong wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and recent extensive research has well established their antitumor properties. A/S and their derivatives comprise the active ingredients of several pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. Although A/S have been efficiently synthesized and have been produced by cell tissue cultures in high yield, most of the pharmaceutical preparations worldwide contain A/S extracted from the roots of Boraginaceous species, found in nature. In the present study, a high-performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array/mass spectrometry (HPLC/PDA/MS) method was established to identify monomeric hydroxynaphthoquinones of the alkannin series and other metabolites from Boraginaceous root extracts. This method can be applied for the identification of alkannin derivatives and other metabolites from Boraginaceous cell cultures, and also to determine active ingredients in pharmaceutical preparations containing A/S derivatives. A phytochemical investigation of the Alkanna genus grown in Greece was also performed. Fifty-three root samples belonging to 10 species of the genus Alkanna (A. calliensis, A. corcyrensis, A. graeca, A. methanaea, A. orientalis, A. pindicola, A. primuliflora, A. sieberi, A. stribrnyi and A. tinctoria) were collected from several regions of the Greek flora and analyzed for their constituent hydroxynaphthoquinones and other metabolites. In most of the above Alkanna samples tested, the main hydroxynaphthoquinones were determined to be beta,beta-dimethylacrylalkannin, isovalerylalkannin + alpha-methyl-n-butylalkannin and acetylalkannin. The hydroxynaphthoquinone constituents and their proportions were found to vary among Alkanna species. Unknown metabolites (not monomeric hydroxynaphthoquinones) were detected by HPLC-PDA-MS, while in several Alkanna species hydroxynaphthoquinones were detected for the first time.