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Pests threaten worldwide food security by decreasing crop yields and damaging their quality. Natural product-based molecular design and structural optimization have been one of the most effective ways to innovate pesticides for integrated insect management. To continue our previous studies on the discovery of insecticidal lead, a series of evodiamine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their insecticidal activities. The bioassay results demonstrated that compounds

The fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinensis are used as food raw materials of marketed healthcare products. To gain an insight into the chemical and biological profling of G. sinensis, twenty-five compounds including eleven undescribed ones (ganodermasines A‒K) and fourteen known ones were isolated. Among them, ganodermasines A‒D are undescribed diketopiperazine alkaloids, ganodermasines E and F are alkaloids containing a pyridine. The structures of undescribed compounds were identified by spectroscopic, computational, and crystallographic methods. The results of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory activity show that ganodermasines I and J could inhibit AchE with IC

In the search for novel more effective insecticides, natural products could be used as ideal template compounds due to their good environmental compatibility, various bioactivities, unique scaffolds and mode of action. We have found that natural product evodiamine, the main active component from the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth, displayed obvious insecticidal activities against lepidoptera pests. To continue our research, a series of evodiamine derivatives 3a-3aa were rationally designed and synthesized. The larvicidal activities results indicated that most of target compounds displayed better efficacy than evodiamine, matrine, and rotenone against Mythimna separata, Plutella xylostella and Helicoverpa armigera, among which 3z exhibited excellent larvicidal activities (65% at 2.5 mg/L against M. separata, 75% at 1.0 mg/L against P. xylostella, and 85% 10 mg/L against H. armigera, respectively), much better than evodiamine (0%), matrine (0%), and rotenone (0%). The preliminary structure activity relationships demonstrated that the fluorine atom at the E ring of evodiamine had a positive influence on the larvicidal activity. The calcium imaging experiment studies indicated that 3z could act on the ryanodine receptor (RyR) of M. separata and was an effective calcium activator for RyR.

Fischdiabietane A (

Background NOD-like receptor family CARD-containing 4 protein (NLRC4) is a cytosolic protein that forms an inflammasome in response to flagellin and type 3 secretion system (T3SS) proteins from invading Gram-negative bacteria. NLRC4 mutations have been recently identified in early-onset severe autoinflammatory disorders. In this study, we reported a novel mutation in NLRC4 in two Chinese patients, who manifested with recurrent urticaria and arthralgia. Methods We summarized the clinical data of the two patients. Gene mutations were identified by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Swiss-PdbViewer was used to predict the pathogenicity of the identified mutations. Cytokine levels and caspase-1 activation were detected in the patient PBMCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. All previously published cases with NLRC4 mutations were reviewed. Results We identified a missense heterozygous mutation (c.514G>A, p.Gly172Ser), which was located in the highly conserved residue of nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) of NLRC4. The mutation did not alter the expression of NLRC4 protein, but induced considerably much higher production of IL-1β and IL-6 in patient PBMCs than in healthy controls after LPS stimulation. Four NLRC4 inflammasomopathy phenotypes have been described, with severe inflammatory diseases including macrophage activation syndrome, enterocolitis and NOMID in patients with mutations in the NBD and HD1 domains, whereas a mild clinical phenotype was associated with two mutations in the WHD domain of NLRC4. Conclusion We identified a novel mutation in the NBD domain, and the patients just presented with a mild inflammatory phenotype. Thus, our findings reinforce the diversity of NLRC4 mutations and expand the clinical spectrum of associated diseases.

Sigma-1 (σ-1) receptor agonists are considered as potential treatment for stroke. TS-157 is an alkoxyisoxazole-based σ-1 receptor agonist previously discovered in our group. The present study describes TS-157 profile in a battery of tests for cerebral ischemia. Initial evaluation demonstrated the compound’s safety profile and blood–brain barrier permeability, as well as its ability to induce neurite outgrowth in vitro. The neurite outgrowth was shown to be mediated via σ-1 receptor agonism and involves upregulation of ERK phosphorylation (pERK). In particular, TS-157 also significantly accelerated the recovery of motor function in rats with transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Overall, the results herein support the notion that σ-1 receptor agonists are potential therapeutics for stroke and further animal efficacy studies are warranted.

Enzymatic hydrolysate of the crude polysaccharide (SFP) extracted from Sargassum fusiforme was purified by column DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100 to yield four components, namely, ESFP1, ESFP2, ESFP3 and ESFP4. These components were characterized by chemical composition assay, GC/MS, HPGPC, UV and FT-IR techniques. The in vitro antioxidant activities of the four purified fractions were investigated by measuring their radical scavenging activity and reducing power. The results suggested that all the four components possess good antioxidant activities. Among them, ESFP1 was found to possess the strongest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, and the greatest ferric reducing power. The immunomodulatory effect of these four polysaccharides was demonstrated by their ability to promote proliferation, and to enhance both phagocytic activity and NO release in a macrophage RAW264.7 model. The results revealed that the bioactivities of the polysaccharides are related to their molecular weight, and the uronic acid and sulfate contents.

Five new

Piperlongumine (PL) has been showed to have multiple pharmacological activities. In this study, we reported the synthesis of three series of PL derivatives, and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory effects in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Raw264.7 macrophages and a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of colitis. Our results presented that two meta-substituent containing derivatives 1–3 and 1–6, in which γ-butyrolactam replaced α,β-unsaturated δ-valerolactam ring of PL, displayed low cytotoxicity and effective anti-inflammatory activity. Molecular docking also showed that the meta-substituted derivative, compared with the corresponding ortho- or para-substituted derivative, had significant interactions with the amino acid residues of CD14, which was the core receptors recognizing LPS. In vitro and in vivo studies, 1–3 and 1–6 could inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the excessive production of reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg/day of 1–3 or 1–6 alleviated the severity of clinical symptoms of colitis in mice, and significantly reduced the colonic tissue damage to protect the colonic tissue from the DSS-induced colitis. These results suggested that meta-substituted derivatives 1–3 and 1–6 were potential anti-inflammatory agents, which may lead to future pharmaceutical development.

Three new phlorizin derivatives, 6"

β-ionone, a cyclic terpenoid compound present in many fruits, has been showed a broad spectrum of biological activities. In this paper, we synthesized a panel of β-ionone derivatives and tested their anti-proliferation activity on cancer cell by the MTT assay. The results showed that most of the β-ionone derivatives were more active than β-ionone and curcumin. Particularly, the β-ionone derivatives (1a, 1d and 1g) with ortho-substituents on the aromatic ring exhibited much stronger cytotoxicity than their corresponding meta- and para-substituted compounds. Importantly, the cytotoxicity of the β-ionone derivatives (1a, 1d and 1g) were relationship with their reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generation abilities, which could lead to the redox imbalance, lipid peroxidation, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), the activation of Bax and Caspase 3, followed by cell apoptosis. This work suggest that the “ortho effect”, the ROS-generation ability and drawing fluorine atom into drugs may play a potent role in enhancing the anticancer activity of β-ionone derivatives.

Two new C

We first design and synthesize a dendritic aromatic 6-carboxyl linker (H6TDCPB), which is successfully assembled with Cd(II) ion to construct a porous metal–organic framework with a raw Cd6 cluster...

Aristolochiae Fructus, a Chinese herbal medicine derived from the fruit of Aristolochia contorta Bge., contains nephrotoxic aristolochic acid analogues (AAAs). According to ancient medical texts, various medicinal parts of the fruit of A. contorta were ever used. In order to reveal which part could be safely and effectively used, it is necessary to analyze the chemical profiles of different medicinal parts. Herein we compared the chemical compositions and determined aristolochic acid I (AA-I) and aristolochic acid II (AA-II) in the four parts viz. outer pericarp, inner pericarp, septum, and seed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) was applied for chemical profiling. Ultra-high performance liquid coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS) was employed to quantify AA-I and AA-II in different parts. It was found that the chemical compositions of the four parts varied both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 10 AAAs, including 5 aristolochic acids and 5 aristolactams, together with 3 alkaloids, were unambiguously or tentatively identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. The quantitatively analytical results obtained by UHPLC-QqQ-MS showed that AA-I and AA-II exclusively accumulate in the seeds of A. contorta. These findings provide supporting data for the rational selection of medicinal parts.

A rare carotane-type sesquiterpenoid, forkienin A (1), a new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, forkienin B (2), and a new natural eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, forkienin C (3), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Fokienia hodginsii, along with eight known sesquiterpenoids. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR methods. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines.

Three new flavonoids, pinocembrin-7

Acute sympathetic stress causes excessive secretion of catecholamines and induces cardiac injuries, which are mainly mediated by β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs). However, α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-ARs) are also expressed in the heart and are activated upon acute sympathetic stress. In the present study, we investigated whether α1-AR activation induced cardiac inflammation and the underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were injected with a single dose of α1-AR agonist phenylephrine (PE, 5 or 10 mg/kg, s.c.) with or without pretreatment with α-AR antagonist prazosin (5 mg/kg, s.c.). PE injection caused cardiac dysfunction and cardiac inflammation, evidenced by the increased expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and chemokines MCP-1 and MCP-5, as well as macrophage infiltration in myocardium. These effects were blocked by prazosin pretreatment. Furthermore, PE injection significantly increased the expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and the cleavage of caspase-1 (p20) and interleukin-18 in the heart; similar results were observed in both Langendorff-perfused hearts and cultured cardiomyocytes following the treatment with PE (10 μM). Moreover, PE-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cardiac inflammation was blocked in Nlrp3-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, α1-AR overactivation induces cardiac inflammation by activating NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Zizhines G–O (1–9), nine new meroterpenoids, and seven known analogs (10–16) were isolated from the dried fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinensis. Their structures were identified by using spectroscopic data and CD curve comparison. The inhibitory activities of the selected new meroterpenoids toward AchE were assessed in vitro. Compounds 1–6 and 10–14 were found to exhibit AchE inhibitory activities at the concentration of 50 μM.

One new triterpenoid (

A 2D, extremely stable, metal-organic framework (MOF), NENU-503, was successfully constructed. It displays highly selective and recyclable properties in detection of nitroaromatic explosives as a fluorescent sensor. This is the first MOF that can distinguish between nitroaromatic molecules with different numbers of NO2 groups.

A series of carbamate derivatives of 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin have been synthesized, and their cytotoxicities against several human cancer cell lines, including HeLa, A549, HCT-8, and HL-60 cells, evaluated. Some of these compounds exhibited higher levels of cytotoxicity than the anticancer drug etoposide. 4β-4'-Demethylepipodophyllotoxin 1-(4-nitrophenyl) piperazinyl carbamate (19) was found to be the most potent compound of those synthesized in the current study, and induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in HeLa cells, which was accompanied by apoptosis. Furthermore, this compound activated the expression of Bax, p53 and caspase-3 in HeLa cells, leading to changes in the conformation of calf thymus DNA from the B-form to a more compact C-form.

In the addition of TMEDA in toluene, aryl Grignards could effectively and site-specifically ortho-arylate electron-deficient heteroarenes under mild conditions. This endeavor successfully changed the old low-yielding reaction, aryl Grignard addition to N-heteroarenes, into an efficient procedure for heterobiaryls. The combination of the inexpensive aryl Grignards, TMEDA, the cost-free air, no use of any transition-metal catalyst, the mild reaction conditions, and the high-yielding gram-scale results enables this new procedure to be cost-effective and potentially utilizable in industry.

Four new metabolites M-1 [1,2,18,19-tetradehydro-4-demethyl-3,17-epoxy-7,20(2H,19H)-cyclovobasan], M-2 [1,2,4,21,18,19-hexadehydro-4-demethyl-3,17-epoxy-7,20(2H,19H)-cyclovobasan], M-3 [1,2,18,19-tetradehydro-4-demethyl-4-formaldehyde-3,17-epoxy-7,20(2H,19H)-cyclovobasan], and M-4 [1,2,4,21,18,19-hexadehydro-4-demethyl-4-oxy-3,17-epoxy-7,20(2H,19H)-cyclovobasan] were isolated from the chloroform extract of koumine incubated with phenobarbital-treated rat liver microsomes. The structures of M-1, M-2, M-3, and M-4 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including ESI-TOF-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR experiments. The metabolic pathway of koumine was proposed. The cytotoxic activities between koumine and its metabolites were also compared in the A549 cell line.

An interesting aldehyde- and ketone-induced intermolecular tandem decarboxylation-coupling (Csp(3)-Csp) catalyzed by copper with use of natural alpha-amino acids as starting materials is developed under neutral conditions with the production of CO(2) and H(2)O as the only byproducts. Various functionalized nitrogen-containing compounds were obtained by this method. In these processes, interesting regioselectivites of the alkylation were observed, which has been rationalized by the relative stability of proposed resonance structures based on computation methods.

A new phenethanol, (2'R)-4-(2', 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butanoxy)-phenethanol (1), along with other eleven known benzene derivatives (2-12) were isolated from the roots, stems and leaves of Clausena excavata (Rutaceae). Compounds 3 and 4 are new natural products, and compounds 5-8, 10-12 were isolated from C. excavata for the first time. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses including HSQC, COSY and HMBC experiments. 1 was tested for its cytotoxicities against A549, HeLa and BGC-823 cancer cell lines, and antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that 1 did not exhibit cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.

The adsorption of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution by chitosan derivatives (KCTS and HKCTS) was studied in a batch adsorption system. The adsorption capacities and rates of Zn(II) ions onto chitosan derivatives were evaluated. The adsorption isothermal data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The kinetic experimental data properly correlated with the second-order kinetic model, which indicates that the chemical adsorption is the rate-limiting step. The apparent adsorption activation energy were 25.47 kJ mol- and 5.473 kJ mol-, respectively, and the second-order adsorption constant for KCTS and HKCTS were 0.00311 g (mg min)(-1) and 0.005 g (mg min)(-1), respectively.

To investigate monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes of the stems and leaves of Clausena excavata, an AcOEt fraction of the methanol extract was subjected on column chromatographies including silica gel and RP-18, as well as preparative HPLC. The structures of compounds isolated were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data as excamonoterpene (1), (6R, 9S)-9, 10-dihydroxy-4-megastigmen-3-one (2), (3R, 6R, 7E) -3-hydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-9-one (3), (3S) -3-hydroxy-7, 8-dihydro-beta-ionone (4), (3S, 5R, 6S) -3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-beta-ionone (5), (6R, 9R) -9-hydroxy-4-megastigmen-3-one (6), (3S, SR) -dihydroxy-6, 7-megstigmadien-9-one(7), (-)-loliolide(8), caryolane-1, 9alpha-diol(9) and 2, 6-dihydroxyhumula-3 (12), 7 (13), 9(E)-triene (10), were isolated from the stems and leaves of C. excavata. Compound 1 is a new monoterpene, named as excamonoterpene. Compounds 2-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Adiponectin, an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing effect, is secreted from adipocytes into circulation as high, medium, and low molecular weight (HMW, MMW, and LMW) forms. The HMW adiponectin is more metabolically active and the ratio of HMW adiponectin to total adiponectin directly correlates with insulin sensitivity. Evodiamine is an indole alkaloid found in the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Evodia rutaecarpa. In this study, evodiamine was found to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and 293T cells. Activation of AMPK by evodiamine promoted the assembly of HMW adiponectin and increased the HMW/total ratio of adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The Ca(2+)-dependent PI3K/Akt/CaMKII-signaling pathway was demonstrated to be involved in evodiamine-induced AMPK activation. This study revealed a novel role of this Ca(2+)-mediated signaling pathway in promoting the multimerization of adiponectin.

The nuclear transcription factor c-Myc is a member of the Myc gene family with multiple functions and located on band q24.1 of chromosome 8. The c-Myc gene is activated by chromosomal translocation, rearrangement, and amplification. Its encoded protein transduces intracellular signals to the nucleus, resulting in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and has the ability to transform cells and bind chromosomal DNA. c-Myc also plays a critical role in malignant transformation. The abnormal over-expression of c-Myc is frequently observed in some tumors, including carcinomas of the breast, colon, and cervix, as well as small-cell lung cancer, osteosarcomas, glioblastomas, and myeloid leukemias, therefore making it a possible target for anticancer therapy. In this minireview, we summarize unique characteristics of c-Myc and therapeutic strategies against cancer using small molecules targeting the oncogene, and discuss the prospects in the development of agents targeting c-Myc, in particular G-quadruplexes formed in c-Myc promoter and c-Myc/Max dimerization. Such information will be of importance for the research and development of c-Myc-targeted drugs.

To study the chemical constituents of the unmatured fruits of Citrus aurantium.The AcOEt fraction of the methanol extracts of the unmatured fruits of C. aurantium were subjected on column chromatographies including silica gel, RP-18 and HPLC. Compound structures isolated were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data.Three compounds were isolated from the unmatured fruits of C. aurantium, which were identified as citrauranoside (1), limonexin (2) and limonin (3).Compound 1 is a new chroman glycoside derivative, named as citrauranoside.

Two new coumarins, clauexcavatins A (1) and B (2), along with seven known ones (3-9), were isolated from the roots of Clausena excavata Burm. f. (Rutaceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.

A new 3D metal-organic coordination polymer [Cd(H(3)BPTC)(2)(bpy)](n) (1) (H(4)BPTC = 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2',6,6'-tetracarboxylic acid, bpy =4,4'-bipyridine) has been synthesized and characterized by single X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The one-dimensional metal-organic chains of the title complex, namely [Cd(H(3)BPTC)(2)](n), are held together through hydrogen bonding and bridging "second" ligand 4,4'-bpy to give a three-dimensional metal-organic network. The thermal stability of complex 1 was studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Compound 1 exhibits photoluminescence with an emission maximum at ca. 380 nm upon excitation at ca. 251 nm.

From bioactivity-directed fractionation of the EtOH extract of Endlicheria dysodantha, dysodanthin A and dysodanthin B, which are new hexahydrobenzofuranoid neolignans, have been isolated. In addition, the known neolignans, compound 4, which is a burchellin analogue, and megaphone acetate [1] were isolated. All four neolignans showed activities in the brine shrimp lethality test; compounds 1-3 also inhibited the growth of crown gall tumors on potato discs and were cytotoxic to human tumor cells in culture. This is the first report of these neolignans isolated from the genus Endlicheria and of their completely assigned 1H-and 13C-nmr data.

To investigate the biotransformation of furannoligularenone by hairy roots of Polygonum multiflorum.Furannoligularenone was added to the medium of hairy roots of P. multiflorum after precultured for 9 days, then they were co-cultured. The products were isolated and identified on the basis of their physical chemical properties and spectroscopic data. The T-C curve of biotransformation was investigated with HPLC.The hairy roots of P. multiflorum transformed the substrate to two products, 3-oxo-eremophila-1,7(11)-dien-12,8-olide(II) and 3-oxo-8-hydroxy-eremophila-1,7(11)-dien-12,8-olide(III). After co-cultured for 3 days, the mole conversion ratio of the substrate reached the highest (27.2%).It's possible to biotransform furannoligularenone by hairy roots of P. multiflorum.