Effects of rAmb a 1-Loaded PLGA-PEG Nanoparticles in a Murine Model of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Amb a) contains many allergens. Allergic conjunctivitis caused by Ambrosia artemisiifolia and its related allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) are seldom studied at present. poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) is a very good nano-carrier, which has been applied in the medical field. In this context, we studied the immunotherapy effect and potential mechanism of recombinant Amb a 1 (rAmb a 1)-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. A mouse allergic conjunctivitis model was established with Ambrosia artemisiifolia crude extract, and the nanoparticles were used for AIT through direct observation of conjunctival tissue, degranulation of mast cells in conjunctival tissue, serum-specific antibodies, cytokines and other assessment models. The treatment of nanoparticles enhanced the secretion of T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokine Interferon-gama (IFN-γ) and the production of immunoglobulin G (IgG)2a (IgG2a), inhibited the secretion of T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokine Interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-4 and the level of IgE. Especially, degranulation of mast cells and expression of mast cell protease-1 (MCP-1) in conjunctival tissue was reduced significantly. In this study, we proved that the nanoparticles prepared by rAmb a 1 and PLGA-PEG have an immunotherapy effect on allergic conjunctivitis in mice.     

Characterization and discrimination of pollen by Raman microscopy

The chemical characterization and discrimination of allergy-relevant pollen (common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), white birch (Betula pendula), English oak (Quercus robur), and European linden (Tilia cordata)) has been studied by Raman microscopy. Spectra were obtained at different excitation wavelengths (514, 633, and 780 nm) and various methods were examined to minimize the strong fluorescence background. The use of a He–Ne laser (633 nm) for excitation yields high-quality single pollen Raman spectra, which contain multiple bands due to pollen components such as carotenoids, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Multivariate classification, i.e. principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis, demonstrated the validity of the approach for discrimination between different pollen species.     

Three new sesquiterpenes from Ainsliaea glabra

Three new sesquiterpenes: 4-acrylic-6-methyl-α-tetralone (1), ainsliaea acid A (2) and ainsliaea acid B (3), together with 8 known compounds (4-11) were isolated from the whole herb of Ainsliaea glabra and their structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESIMS. Compounds 1–6 were tested for the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the 293-NF-κB-luciferase reporter cell line induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and compound 2 was further tested for the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and IL-10 in RAW264.7 macrophages induced by LPS. The isolated compound 2 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity.     

Auroglaucin-related neuroprotective compounds from Vietnamese marine sediment-derived fungus Aspergillus niveoglaucus

Abstract

Two new auroglaucin-derived compounds, niveoglaucins A (1) and B (2), together with four known related compounds were isolated from extract of the marine sediment-derived strain of Aspergillus niveoglaucus. The structures of these compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high resolution MS. The plausible biosynthetic pathway was proposed for new compounds 1 and 2. The neuroprotective activity in 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson’s disease cell model was shown for niveoglaucin A (1).     

A new dolabellane diterpene and a new polyacetylene from the soft coral Clavularia viridis

A new dolabellane diterpene (1) and a new polyacetylene (2) were isolated from the soft coral Clavularia viridis. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2DNMR experiments and HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the modified Mosher’s method and 2 by ECD calculations. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicities against MCF-7 and A549 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 10.5 and 12.6 µM, respectively.     

A new pair of enantiomeric lignans from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia and their absolute configuration

A new pair of sesamin-type lignan enantiomers (±)-morifolia A (1a/1b) together with eight known analogues (2–9) were isolated from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia. Their structures were established by spectroscopic data and the absolute configurations of 1a/1b were determined by ECD calculation. All compounds were examined for their inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and compounds 1a, 1b, 2–4 and 7–9 exhibited pronounced inhibition with IC₅₀ values in the range of 1.97–8.01 (μM, being more active than the positive control, quercetin (IC₅₀ = 15.32 (M).     

13C NMR study of psilostachyinolides from some ambrosia species

¹³C NMR data are presented for the psilostachyinolides, psilostachyin C, psilostachyin, canambrin, psilostachyin B, altamisin, paulitin and isopaulitin, obtained from Ambrosia cumanensis H.B.K., Ambrosia psilostachya D.C. and Ambrosia canescens (Gray).     

Benzophenone glycosides from the pericarps of Aquilaria yunnanensis S. C. Huang

Abstract

Two new benzophenone glycosides, aquilarisides A (1) and B (2), together with six known analogues (3-8) were isolated from the pericarps of Aquilaria yunnanensis S. C. Huang. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Anti-inflammatory activities of all compounds 1–8 were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells using the Griess assay. Compound 2 indicated a weak inhibition of NO production.     

Sassarandainol: a new neolignan and anti-inflammatory constituents from the stem of Sassafras randaiense

A new neolignan, (R)-( ? )-sassarandainol (1), together with 10 known compounds (2–11), was isolated from the stem of Sassafras randaiense. The structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques. Among these isolates, γ-tocopherol (5), subamolide B (7) and β-sitosterone (9) exhibited moderate iNOS inhibitory activity on nitrite production induced (%) value of 30.51, 28.68 and 16.96, respectively.     

A New Approach to Dendrimers made from p-tert-Butyl Calix[4]arenes

A new family of hyperbranched molecules and dendrimers has been constructed from a diamide–dicalix derivative prepared from monocarbomethoxymethyl p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (‘tren’) via amide-formation reactions. The selective 1,3-di-O-functionalization of p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene moieties allows the synthesis of first- (G1) and second-generation (G2) calix-dendrimers. Replacement of the quadridentate amine by a trithia-ether-triamine-mono-ol, ’hyten’, again results in acylation of the amino groups, but with the generation of a central cavity with different complexing properties.

A new family of hyperbranched molecules and dendrimers has been constructed from a diamide–dicalix derivative prepared from monocarbomethoxymethyl p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (‘tren’) via amide-formation reactions. The selective 1,3-di-O-functionalization of p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene moieties allows the synthesis of first- (G1) and second-generation (G2) calix-dendrimers     

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-substituted coumarin as a selective ratiometric sensor for Cu2+ ion

A novel fluorescent chemosensor, (E)-7-(diethylamino)-3-((2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylimino)methyl)-2H-chromen-2-one 1a, has been synthesised and characterised. This chemosensor displayed an extreme selective fluorescence emission only with Cu²⁺ ion over all other metal ions examined. The Job’s plot experiment analysis suggested the binding ratio of the chemosensor 1a with Cu²⁺ was 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio. The association constant for Cu²⁺ towards receptor 1a obtained from Benesi–Hildebrand plot was found to be 4.859 × 10³ M^?1 with a detection limit 4.6 × 10^?8 M. Fluorescence enhancement caused by Cu²⁺ binding with chemosensor 1a attributed to combinational effect of intramolecular charge transfer and chelation-enhanced fluorescence occurred at pH 8.0.     

Neolignan and phenylpropanoid compounds from the fruits of Illicium simonsii Maxim

One new sesqui-neolignan compound, namely, sesqui-illisimonan A (1), one new neolignan, illisimonan A (2), and one new phenylpropanoid compound, illisimoid A (3) were isolated from the fruits of Illicium simonsii Maxim. The structures and absolute configurations of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic, including NMR, circular dichroism and calculated electronic circular dichroism methods. The antioxidant activities of compounds 1–3 were also evaluated. Vitamin E was selected as the positive control (IC₅₀ = 49.73 ± 0.88 μM). Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 55.76 ± 1.30 and 59.36 ± 0.50 μM, respectively. However, the compound 3 didn’t show obvious antioxidant activity.     

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia and their protective effects on ionising radiation injury

Two new flavonoids, corylifol F (1) and corylifol G (2), together with 19 known compounds, were isolated from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia L.. The structures of these compounds were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data and comparison with literature properties. The radioprotective effects of the isolated compounds against ionising radiation damage were also evaluated in vitro. The results showed that corylifol A exhibited radioprotective effects in both HBL-100 and MCF-7 cells, while psoralen, isopsoralen, corylifol C and bakuchiol showed obvious selective action to protect HBL-100 cells against damage caused by ionising radiation.     

Antifungal,anti-inflamatory and neuritogenic activity of newly-isolated compounds from Disporopsis aspersa

Abstract

A new ester (1) and a terpenoid (2) were isolated from the dried whole plant of Disporopsis aspersa (H_UA) E_NGL. ex D_IELS for the first time and their structures were elucidated, as well as their biological activities are described. The two compounds all showed good antifungal activities, especially furanone (2) exhibited better antifungal activity against Pseudoperonospora cubensis and Phytophthora infestans with EC₅₀ value of 22.82, 18.90?μg/mL, respectively. Compound 1 exhibited a significant promotion on the neurite outgrowth in NGF-induced PC-12 cells, and moderate inhibition on the NO production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV-2 microglial cells.     

Alkaloids from Juglans Mandshurica maxim induce distinctive cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The aim of this work was to further investigate the anticancer potential of Juglans mandshurica Maxim, including the separation of active constituents and their anti-proliferative effects with underlying mechanism of action. Five alkaloids (1–5) were isolated from the bark of J. mandshurica. Among them, 1 showed the highest cytotoxic activities against Hep3B and HepG2 cells with an IC50 values of 61.80 and 56.24 μM, respectively. Therefore, the cellular mechanism involved 1 was subsequently studied. Our results showed that 1 markedly caused apoptosis and autophagy, but without cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells. Interestingly, only autophagic cell death was induced in 1-treated Hep3B cells. It is concluded that the isolated alkaloids exerted a certain anti-hepatoma potential, and our results may provide a basis for the further investigation of the alkaloids extracted from J. mandshurica.     

A new aromatic glucoside from stem bark of Illicium difengpi K.I.B. et K.I.M.

A new aromatic glucoside, namely 4-methoxyphenyl-(6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), together with six known aromatic glucosides (2–7) were isolated from the stem bark of Illicium difengpi. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. The isolated aromatic glucosides were tested for anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1, 3 and 6 showed significant inhibitory effect on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in RAW 264.7 macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide.     

Bioactive furanocoumarins from the stems and leaves of Clausena hainanensis

A new furanocoumarin, clauhainanin A (1), together with seven known furanocoumarins (2–8), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Clausena hainanensis. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparisons with data reported in the literature. All known compounds (2–8) were isolated from C. hainanensis for the first time. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro. Compounds 1–8 exhibited significant inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.36 to 18.96 μM.     

Platinum(II)-thiosemicarbazone drugs override the cell resistance due to glutathione; assessment of their activity against human adenocarcinoma cells

New platinum(II) compounds of the thiosemicarbazone 1-(1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)ethan-1-one thiosemicarbazone (BzimetTSCH), [Pt(BzimetTSCH)Cl]·2H₂O (1) and [Pt(BzimetTSCH)(tpp)]Cl·H₂O·MeCN (2) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The coordination around platinum is square planar in both complexes. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human adenocarcinoma breast (MCF-7) and cervix (HeLa) cells. The apoptotic pathway of cell death was confirmed by cell cycle arrest test. Since deactivation of cisplatin caused by glutathione (GSH) seems to be an important determinant of its cytotoxic effects, the reactions of 1 and 2 with GSH were investigated by UV-absorption spectroscopy. The genotoxicities on normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) caused by 1 and 2 were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. The absence of micronucleus in MRC-5 cells confirms the in vitro non toxic behavior of the compounds. Moreover, the in vivo genotoxicities of 1 and 2 were evaluated by the Allium cepa test. Due to negligible genototoxic effect and high antitumor activity which is similar to that of cisplatin, 2 could be a candidate for further study as potential drug since the mitotic index is unchanged.     

Novel Stemphol Derivatives from a marine fungus Pleospora sp

Four novel stemphol derivatives, pleosporols A–D (1, 2 and mixture of 3 and 4) together with known compounds stemfolones (mixture of 5 and 6), stemphol (7) were isolated from a marine fungus Pleospora sp. (PO4) derived from the gut of marine isopod Ligia oceanica. The planar structures of novel compounds were elucidated on the basis of mass and NMR spectral analysis. The stereo-chemistries of 1–2 were determined by CD spectra, NOESY data, coupling constants analysis and modified Mosher’s method while the absolute configurations of 3–6 were not clear. Novel compounds contained α, β-unsaturated cyclohexanone ring and possibly derived from the oxidation of stemphol. All novel ones showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis CMCC26069 with MIC values less than 10 μg/mL.     

Nucleoside alkaloids with anti-platelet aggregation activity from the rhizomes of Ligusticum striatum

Two new (1–2) and six known (3–8) nucleoside alkaloids were isolated from the rhizomes of Ligusticum striatum DC. Compounds 1 and 2 (liguadenosines A and B) were unusual N-10 substituted adenosine derivatives. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and ECD calculation. Most of them significantly inhibited the abnormal increase in platelet aggregation induced by ADP at concentrations of 50 and 100 μM. Particularly, the inhibitory effect of 3 was equivalent to aspirin.