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As a part of our ongoing studies on cytotoxic triterpenoids from the genus Bupleurum , a 70 % ethanol extract of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. was systematically separated by silica gel column chromatography, HP-20 macroporous resin column chromatography, ODS column chromatography and HPLC, 15 triterpenoids were obtained, of which two were new compounds. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and other spectroscopic methods. Additionally, these compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against four selected cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. Some of the isolated compounds exhibited appreciable cytotoxic activities against these four human cancer cell lines. [Display omitted] • 15 triterpenoids saponins were isolated from the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. (Apiaceae). • Two new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. • The cytotoxicity of all isolates were assessed against four cancer cell lines via the MTT assay. • Five saponins (1, 6, 8, 11 and 12) exhibited significant cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present a novel approach to fabricate a granular ceramic material utilizing a composite of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), carbon, and kaolin. The optimal mass ratio of the prepared material was kaolin, nZVI, activated carbon, and appropriate additives = 40%:40%:10%:10%. The resulting composite demonstrated microelectrolysis effects, enhancing its reactivity for pollutant removal. Activated carbon within the composite significantly increased the interlayer spacing of kaolin, and improved material performance. Furthermore, the addition of activated carbon proved effective in preventing the agglomeration of nZVI, and ensuring a stable and efficient pollutant removal process. The results of 40-day column experiments showed that nano iron-carbon-kaolin micro-electrolysis particles (NIMP) consistently demonstrated stable trichloroethane (TCE) removal with an average removal rate of 88.15 ± 3.24%. Batch experiments confirmed that the synthesized material can achieve complete dechlorination of TCE, which was consistent with density functional theory calculations. The developed material exhibited a robust soil structure and high reactivity for pollutant reduction, making it a promising substrate filler for efficiently degrading refractory organic pollutants. It holds great potential for applications in areas such as water treatment and soil remediation. [Display omitted] • A granular ceramic material was synthesized using Fe0-carbon-kaolin nanocomposites. • The synthesized material demonstrated microelectrolysis properties and exhibited high mechanical strength. • Stable TCE removal efficiency was observed in column experiments using the synthesized material as a substrate filler. • The treatment process utilizing the synthesized material achieved complete dechlorination of TCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment systems are considered as hotspots for release of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into the environment. Anaerobic-aerobic sequential (AAS) bioreactors now are intensively used for wastewater treatment worldwide. However, the occurrence of ARGs in wastewater treatment systems exposed to low-level (i.e., sub-inhibitory) antibiotic is poorly known. Here, we studied the distribution patterns of seven tetracycline resistance genes ( tet genes) including tet (A), tet (C), tet (G), tet (X), tet (M), tet (O), and tet (W), as well as one mobile element [class 1 integron ( intI1 )] in AAS bioreactors under exposure to tetracycline from 50 μg/L to 500 μg/L. Additionally, effect on the removal performance of nutrients and tetracycline in both anaerobic and aerobic units was also investigated. A tetracycline concentration gradient selected for bacterial resistance in the anaerobic reactor, with the exception of tet (A) and tet (W), and the tetracycline removal deteriorated by 47%. However, the abundance of tet and intI1 genes reduced in the subsequent aerobic unit, and the removal of tetracycline, soluble COD, and NH 4 + -N maintained at average efficiencies of 91%, 90%, and 93%, respectively. The level of tet (X) was largely unaffected by AAS treatment. It is notable that intI1 genes probably played a crucial role on the horizontal dissemination of tet genes. The tetracycline levels and intI1 genes appear to be the primary factors influencing the occurrence of tet genes in AAS bioreactors. Nonetheless, AAS treatments still show promise for reducing antibiotics, ARGs and mobile elements without affecting nutrient removal, and need further research for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicago sativa L. is an important source of functional foods and supplements, which can improve human health. The present work was carried out to search for potential antioxidants from M. sativa to treat neurodegeneration. Four new isoflavane glycosides ( 1 – 4 ) were isolated from M. sativa , along with seven known compounds ( 5 – 11 ). Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by multi-spectroscopic data analyses, chemical methods, and quantum chemical ECD calculations. The compounds ( 1 – 11 ) were tested for their antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonicacid) (ABTS) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All the isolated compounds displayed different degrees of antioxidant effects. Meanwhile, some isolates also possessed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. A possible mechanism of interaction between the active compounds and AChE was also investigated by molecular docking studies. Furthermore, compounds ( 1 – 6 and 10 – 11 ) exhibited potent neuroprotective effects against H 2 O 2 -induced cellular damage in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]