Quantitative measurement of collagen methylation by capillary electrophoresis

Collagen methylation has been exploited in various applications involving living cells. We have observed correlation between the collagen methylation with the rate of cell proliferation in three-dimensional (3-D) microenvironment. To quantify the degree of collagen methylation, we have developed a capillary zone electrophoresis method. Using a polyvinyl alcohol-coated fused-silica capillary and UV detection at 200 nm, we have optimized pH and separated the native collagen into three major bands in phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 2.5) with 0.05% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Under these conditions, the methylated collagens were separated into four major bands, which changed with different methylation reaction conditions. We propose an index to quantify the degree of collagen methylation that also correlates with their effects on cell proliferation.     

Synthetic studies of proanthocyanidins. Part 3: Stereoselective 3,4-cis catechin and catechin condensation by TMSOTf-catalyzed intramolecular coupling method

TMSOTf-catalyzed intramolecular condensation for catechin and epicatechin units are described. A potential electrophile and a nucleophile were connected with diester linkers and TMSOTf-catalyzed condensation was examined. In comparison with intermolecular catechin and catechin condensation, the intramolecular condensation required high reaction temperature and reversed 3,4-cis product was obtained. The condensed product was transformed into the natural 3,4-cis (+)-catechin-(4β→8)-(+)-catechin dimer.     

Determination of methylated dibenzothiophenes in environmental sarnples by on-line HPLC-CGC

Concurrent solvent evaporation with a loop-type interface was used for on-line HPLC-CGC in the analysis of methylated dibenzothiophene (DBT) isomers in oil samples. The chromatographic behavior of 20 methyl DBT's was studied by HPLC on an aminopropylsilane DBTA phase and by GC on a selective methyl-phenylsilicone phase. That provided a method for analyzing by GC-flame photometric detection, the individual components of the DBT family, previously picked out of the crude oil matrix by HPLC. The GC oven temperature was shown to be critical during HPLC eluent introduction into the GC pre-column. Too high a temperature induced a severe broadening of early eluted peaks whereas a temperature too close to the boiling point of the liquid at the inlet pressure induced double peaks. Optimized conditions were retained on this basis and may be used for the analysis of other families of polyaromatic hydrocarbons.     

Versatile chromatographic method for catechin determination in development of topical formulations containing natural extracts

Catechin is found in several natural sources, as Eugenia dysenterica and Syzygium cumini extracts. Its antioxidant and UV‐protective properties suggest a potential use in cosmetic and dermatological formulations. A simple analytical method capable of giving support to experiments performed along the development of topical formulations containing this natural substance (i.e. drug assay, skin permeation and stability studies), however, is still needed. Thus, this work aimed to develop and validate a selective HPLC method for catechin determination during the development of topical formulations. Separation was achieved using an RP‐C₁₈ column (300 × 3.9 mm; 10 μm), with a mobile phase of methanol–phosphoric acid 0.01 m (15: 85, v/v), a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, temperature set at 40°C and UV detection at 230 nm. The method was linear in a range from 0.5 to 10.0 μg/mL (r = 0.9998), precise with an overall variation coefficient of 5.5% and accurate with catechin recovery from the skin layers >85%. Additionally, the method was sensitive (limit of detection, 0.109 μg/mL; limit of quantification, 0.342 μg/mL) and selective against plant extracts, skin matrices and formulation interferents, as well as catechin degradation products. It was also robust regarding both methodology parameters and analytical stability.     

Three new compounds from Sarcandra glabra

One new sesquiterpene lactone,1 α,8 α,9 α-trihydroxyeudesman-3(4),7(11)-dien-8 β,12-olide(1) and two new phenylpropanoidsubstituted catechin glycosides,glabraoside C(2) and glabraoside D(3) were isolated from the whole plant of Sarcandra glabra. Their structures were established by the analyses of spectral and chemical evidences.     

Preparation of Catechin Nanoemulsion from Oolong Tea Leaf Waste and Its Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Cells DU-145 and Tumors in Mice

Anti-cancer activity of catechin nanoemulsions prepared from Oolong tea leaf waste was studied on prostate cancer cells DU-145 and DU-145-induced tumors in mice. Catechin nanoemulsions composed of lecithin, Tween-80 and water in an appropriate proportion was prepared with high stability, particle size of 11.3 nm, zeta potential of −67.2 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 83.4%. Catechin nanoemulsions were more effective than extracts in inhibiting DU-145 cell growth, with the IC₅₀ being 13.52 and 214.6 μg/mL, respectively, after 48 h incubation. Furthermore, both catechin nanoemulsions and extracts could raise caspase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities for DU-145 cell apoptosis, arresting the cell cycle at S and G2/M phases. Compared to control, catechin nanoemulsion at 20 μg/mL and paclitaxel at 10 μg/mL were the most effective in reducing tumor volume by 41.3% and 52.5% and tumor weight by 77.5% and 90.6% in mice, respectively, through a decrease in EGF and VEGF levels in serum.     

Beneficial Effects of Green Tea Catechins on Female Reproductive Disorders: A Review

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide after water, and green tea accounts for 20% of the total tea consumption. The health benefits of green tea are attributed to its natural antioxidants, namely, catechins, which are phenolic compounds with diverse beneficial effects on human health. The beneficial effects of green tea and its major bioactive component, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), on health include high antioxidative, osteoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-diabetic effects. However, the review of green tea’s benefits on female reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and dysmenorrhea, remains scarce. Thus, this review summarises current knowledge on the beneficial effects of green tea catechins on selected female reproductive disorders. Green tea or its derivative, EGCG, improves endometriosis mainly through anti-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic, anti-proliferative and proapoptotic mechanisms. Moreover, green tea enhances ovulation and reduces cyst formation in PCOS while improving generalised hyperalgesia, and reduces plasma corticosterone levels and uterine contractility in dysmenorrhea. However, information on clinical trials is inadequate for translating excellent findings on green tea benefits in animal endometriosis models. Thus, future clinical intervention studies are needed to provide clear evidence of the green tea benefits with regard to these diseases.     

Substitution pattern elucidation of hydroxypropyl Pinus pinaster (Ait.) bark polyflavonoid derivatives by ESI(−)‐MS/MS

The structure of condensed tannins (CTs) from Pinus pinaster bark extract and their hydroxypropylated derivatives with four degrees of substitution (DS 1, 2, 3 and 4) has been characterized for the first time using negative‐ion mode electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI(?)‐MS/MS). The results showed that P. pinaster bark CTs possess structural homogeneity in terms of monomeric units (C₁₅, catechin). The oligomer sizes were detected to be dimers to heptamers. The derivatives showed typical phenyl‐propyl ether mass fragmentation by substituent elimination (58 amu) and inherent C₁₅ flavonoid fissions. The relative abundance of the product ions revealed a preferential triple, tetra‐/penta‐ and octa‐ hydroxypropylation substitution pattern in the monomer, dimer and trimer derivatives, respectively. A defined order of –OH reactivity towards propylene oxide was established by means of multistage experiments (A‐ring ≥ B‐ring > C‐ring). A high structural heterogeneity of the modified oligomers was detected. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

高速逆流色谱分离同分异构体

应用高速逆流色谱法对同分异构体的分离纯化进行研究。实验结果表明,以正己烷-乙酸乙酯-水(体积比为1∶10∶10)为两相溶剂系统,上相为固定相,下相为流动相,进行二次高速逆流色谱分离,可从茶多酚中分离出g级的儿茶素同分异构体——(-)-表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)和(-)-没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(GCG),其高效液相色谱纯度均在98%以上。选择四氯化碳-氯仿-甲醇-水(体积比为7∶3∶7∶3)为溶剂系统,下相为固定相,上相为流动相,经一次高速逆流色谱即可将药物中间体溴代苯胺同分异构体进行有效的分离。     

胶束电动毛细管色谱-电喷雾质谱联用法同时测定妇宁栓中的5种有效成分

应用胶束电动毛细管色谱-电喷雾电离质谱联用法同时测定了妇宁栓中的小檗碱、巴马汀、苦参碱、儿茶素和黄芩苷5种主要有效成分的含量。在未涂层石英毛细管柱(80 cm×50 μm)中,以40 mmol/L月桂酸-100 mmol/L氨水溶液(含25%的乙腈,pH 9.5)为缓冲液,分离电压为25.0 kV,各组分在16 min内得到完全分离。电喷雾质谱检测时采用50%异丙醇水溶液(含3 mmol/L乙酸)为鞘液。结果表明,小檗碱、巴马汀、苦参碱、儿茶素、黄芩苷的线性范围分别为0.03～15、0.05～15、0.2～250、1.5～300和2.0～500 mg/L,检出限分别为0.01、0.02、0.05、0.5、0.6 mg/L。5种组分的加标回收率为94.0%～104.0%,相对标准偏差(RSD)在0.3%～3.2%之间。该法简便、快速、准确,重现性好,可用于妇宁栓中小檗碱、巴马汀、苦参碱、儿茶素、黄芩苷含量的同时测定。