Electrochemical investigation of redox reactions of herbal drug-shikonin and its determination in pharmaceutical preparations

The electrochemical behaviour of the anticancer herbal drug shikonin was investigated at glassy carbon electrode in 0.16 M HAc-NaAc (20% ethanol, pH 3.98) buffer solution using cyclic voltammetry, square-wave voltammetry and chronocoulometry. Shikonin gives a pair of quasi-reversible redox peaks at potentials of E _pc = 0.698 V and E _pa =0.632 V by absorption-controlled process at a scan rate of 100 mV/s. The electrode process dynamics parameters (saturated adsorptive amount Γ, charge transfer coefficient α, and apparent rate constant K _s) and reaction mechanism were also investigated with result of two electrons and two hydrogen ions participating in electrode reaction. The experimental conditions were optimized for the determination of shikonin and the square-wave anodic peak currents were linearly related to the shikonin concentrations in the range from 2.08 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.82 × 10⁻⁶ M with correlation coefficient of 0.998 and detection limit of 7.8 × 10⁻⁹ M. Using the established method without pretreatment and pre-separation, shikonin in herbal drug Gromwell Root was determined with satisfactory result.     

Secretin induces neurite outgrowth of PC12 through cAMP-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

The gastrointestinal functions of secretin have been fairly well established. However, its function and mode of action within the nervous system remain largely unclear. To gain insight into this area, we have attempted to determine the effects of secretin on neuronal differentiation. Here, we report that secretin induces the generation of neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. The expressions of Tau and beta-tubulin, neuronal differentiation markers, are increased upon secretin stimulation. In addition, secretin induces sustained mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and also stimulates the cAMP secretion. Moreover, the neurite outgrowth elicited by secretin is suppressed to a marked degree in the presence of either PD98059, a specific MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor, or H89, a specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that secretin induces neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells through cAMP- MAPK pathway, and provide a novel insight into the manner in which secretin participates in neuritogenesis.     

Chemical constituents from the submerged plant Potamogeton crispus and their effects on NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1

A new isopimarane-type diterpene(liwariverol,1) and eight known compounds were isolated and characterized from the EtOAc extract of the whole plant oi Potamogeton crispus.The structure of 1 was elucidated to be 17-hydroxy-8αH-isopimara-9(11),15- diene by means of spectroscopic methods.Among the isolates,crenulatoside A(2),an acyclic sesquiterpene glycoside,was found to have anti-oxidative activity with enhancement of the expression of the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells at 100μmol/L after a 24-h incubation.     

Stepwise fluorescence changes of quantum dots: single-molecule spectroscopic studies on the properties of turn-on quantum dots

Single-molecule spectroscopy of turn-on quantum dots induced by NADPH-dependent biocatalyzed transformations reveals that the fluorescence intensities of quantum dots functionalized with Nile Blue are stepwisely and reversibly changed in the presence of NADPH.     

In vitro metabolism of a new cardioprotective agent, KR-32570, in human liver microsomes

KR-32570 (5-(2-methoxy-5-chlorophenyl)furan-2-ylcarbonyl)guanidine) is a new reversible Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor for preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study was performed to identify the metabolic pathway of KR-32570 in human liver microsomes. Human liver microsomal incubation of KR-32570 in the presence of NADPH and UDPGA resulted in the formation of six metabolites, M1-M6. M1 was identified as O-desmethyl-KR-32570, on the basis of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) analysis with the synthesized authentic standard. M2 and M3 were suggested to be hydroxy-KR-32570 and hydroxy-O-desmethyl-KR-32570, respectively. M1, M2, and M3 were further metabolized to their glucuronide conjugates, M4, M5, and M6, respectively. In addition, the specific P450 isoforms responsible for KR-32570 oxidation to two major metabolites, O-desmethyl-KR-32570 and hydroxy-KR-32570, were identified using a combination of correlation analysis, chemical inhibition in human liver microsomes and metabolism by expressed recombinant P450 isoforms. The inhibitory potency of KR-32570 on clinically major P450s was investigated in human liver microsomes. The results show that CYP3A4 contributes to the oxidation of KR-32570 to hydroxy-KR-32570, and CYP1A2 play the predominant role in O-demethylation of KR-32570. KR-32570 was found to inhibit moderately the metabolism of CYP2C8 substrates.     

Fast and sensitive analysis of DNA hybridization in a PDMS micro-fluidic channel using fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer has been used to illustrate its applicability to the sensitive detection of DNA hybridization reactions in a PDMS microfluidic channel.     

Coordination Polymer Nanobamboos of {FexIn1−x}‐MIL‐88B: Induced Formation of a Virtual In‐MIL‐88B

A precise fabrication of nanobamboo structures made from hybrid coordination polymers of the type {Fe_xIn_1?x}‐MIL‐88B is demonstrated. The compositions of the hybrid coordination polymer nanobamboos of {Fe_xIn_1?x}‐MIL‐88B (x=0.06, 0.19, or 0.75) are regulated by altering the amount of metal ions used in the reactions. Interestingly, the formation of a virtual In‐MIL‐88B (precise structure, {Fe_0.06In_0.94}‐MIL‐88B), which cannot be created in a typical reaction, is induced by the assistance of a Fe‐MIL‐88B structure. The a and c cell parameters of {Fe_0.06In_0.94}‐MIL‐88B are calculated at 10.95 and 19.86 Å, respectively. These values of {Fe_0.06In_0.94}‐MIL‐88B are larger than those of pure Fe‐MIL‐88B owing to the large ionic size of In³⁺ within the framework.     

Herbicidal activity of curvuiinic acid isolated from Nimbya alternantherae

A phytotoxic compound, identified as 2-(2-acetyl-3,5-dihydroxyphenyl) acetic acid (curvulinic acid), was isolated from liquid cultures of the phytopathogenic fungus Nimbya alternantherae. The activity of curvulinic acid on seed germination and seedling growth of Capsella bursa-pastoris was evaluated. Percentage seed germination of C. bursa-pastoris was decreased with increasing concentrations of curvulinic acid. The compound had stronger inhibitory effects on root length than shoot length. At a concentration of 600 microg x mL(-1), curvulinic acid caused 73.5% and 66.7% growth inhibition on roots and shoots with IC50 values of 204.7 and 281.1 microg x mL(-1), respectively. The finding of curvulinic acid in N. alternantherae and its herbicidal activity are reported here for the first time.     

〈331〉晶向ZnTe单晶的太赫兹辐射-探测性能理论研究

根据光整流效应辐射太赫兹理论,计算了〈331〉晶向ZnTe单晶的太赫兹辐射性能.通过与〈110〉、〈111〉晶向对比,当晶体方位角为0°或180°时,利用〈331〉晶向ZnTe单晶辐射太赫兹信号可以与〈111〉晶向相当,强于〈110〉晶向.利用电光取样原理,计算了〈331〉晶向ZnTe单晶的太赫兹探测性能,通过理论计算为〈331〉晶向ZnTe 晶体有效辐射太赫兹波提供理论依据.