Inhibition of Plasma Hyaluronan-Binding Protein Autoactivation by Laccaic Acid

Plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (PHBP) is a serine protease implicated in proteolysis under inflammatory conditions. We identified laccaic acid, a widely used food coloring from scale insects, as a potent inhibitor of the protease in terms of both autoactivation of the PHBP proenzyme (IC₅₀ = 0.35–0.55 μg/ml) and the catalytic activity of the active enzyme (IC₅₀ = 1.1 μg/ml).     

从天然提取物或分离部位中以碳酸酐酶II为靶点的抗骨质疏松活性筛选

目的是以碳酸酐酶Ⅱ(CAⅡ)为靶点筛选其抑制剂,以期寻找抗骨质疏松活性样品。实验是在96孔酶标板上对来源于178个科、608个属、1020种动植物2919个提取物或分离部位样品在CA-Ⅱ模型上进行了批量筛选。结果表明在10μg/ml浓度下发现了来源于40个科、61个属、72个种的100个样品有活性,其中5个样品的IC50小于2．50μg/ml,22个样品的IC50在2．51—5．00μg/ml范围,73个样品的IC50在5．01—10．00μg/ml范围。通过以上工作我们认为以碳酸酐酶Ⅱ为分子靶点的体外筛选方法稳定、方便、快速、微量、有效,特别适用于天然产物的抗骨质疏松活性筛选。     

从天然提取物或分离部位中以烯醇式丙酮酸转移酶为靶点的抗细菌活性筛选

目的是以烯醇式丙酮酸转移酶(EPT)为靶点筛选其抑制剂,以期寻找抗细菌活性样品。实验是在96％孔酶标板上对来源于169个科、560个属、916种动植物2490个提取物或分离部位样品在EPT模型上进行了批量筛选。结果表明在96.15μg/ml浓度下发现了来源于80个科、169个届、218个种的309个样品有活性,其中14个样品的IC50小于10．00μg/ml,40个样品的IC50在10．01-30．00μg/ml范围,83个样品的IC50在30．01—50．00μg/ml范围,172个样品的IC50在50．01—96.15μg/ml范围。通过以上工作我们认为以烯醇式丙酮酸转移酶为分子靶点的体外筛选方法稳定、方便、快速、微量、有效,特别适用于天然产物的抗细菌活性筛选。     

凹叶厚朴抑制α-糖苷酶与抗氧化活性研究

首次采用96微孔板法检测贵州和河南产凹叶厚朴抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性;并采用DPPH、ABTS和FRAP三种方法测定其抗氧化活性.贵州产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯(IC50 =7.22 μg,/mL)和正丁醇提取部位(IC50=36.59 μg/mL),河南产凹叶厚朴石油醚(IC50=107.04 μg/mL)和乙酸乙酯提取部位(IC50=17.17μg/mL),它们的活性都远高于于阳性对照Acarhose( IC50=1081.27 μg/mL).贵州产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯提取部位清除ABTS自由基的能力最强(IC50=8.81 μg/mL),强于阳性对照BHT(IC50=11.94 μg/mL);其次为河南产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯提取部位(IC50=12.73 μg/mL).研究结果表明,贵州产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯提取部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶和抗氧化活性最好.     

Elucidation of crucial structures for a catechol-based inhibitor of plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (factor VII activating protease) autoactivation

Plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (PHBP) is a serine protease the activation of which is implicated in inflammation. Previous investigations have suggested the presence of catechol-binding sites in its proenzyme form, pro-PHBP. Here we found that compounds with plural catechol groups conjugated with strong electron-withdrawing groups, such as tyrphostin AG 537 (IC(50)=18 nM), were potent inhibitors of pro-PHBP activation.     

草麻黄对α-葡萄糖苷酶的抑制作用研究

采用96微孔板法测定草麻黄抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性.草麻黄正丁醇(IC50=6.86 μg/mL)、乙酸乙酯(IC50 =77.28 μg/mL)和石油醚部位(IC50=190.20 μg/mL)抑制活性远高于阳性对照阿卡波糖(IC50=1081.27μg/mL).研究表明,草麻黄各部位均具有很好的α-筒萄糖苷酶抑制活性,可进行活性追踪分离活性成分.     

朱砂根抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶与抗氧化活性研究

对朱砂根抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶与抗氧化活性进行研究.利用96微孔板法筛选α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制活性;采用DPPH、ABTS和FRAP方法分析抗氧化活性.结果表明,乙酸乙酯部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶的活性最高(IC50=39.27 μg/mL),石油醚部位次之(IC50 =56.11 μg/mL),正丁醇部位活性最弱(IC50=62.05μg/mL),但均远大于阳性对照Acarbose(IC50=1081.27 μg/mL);乙酸乙酯部位抗氧化能力最强,正丁醇部位次之.乙酸乙酯部位清除DPPH自由基(IC50=38.55 mg/L)的能力比BHT( IC50=18.71 mg/L)低1/2,清除ABTS自由基的能力(IC50=3.60 mg/L)比BHT(IC50=7.44 mg/L)强,但比BHA(IC50=1.74 mg/L)弱,还原Fe3+的能力(FRAP=512.99 ±6.80 μmoTE/g)为BHT(FRAP=1581.68±97.41μmol TE/g)的1/3.结果显示朱砂根乙酸乙酯部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶和抗氧化活性最好.     

Molecular docking and enzyme kinetic studies of dihydrotanshinone on metabolism of a model CYP2D6 probe substrate in human liver microsomes

The effects of Danshen and its active components (tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, dihydrotanshinone and cryptotanshinone) on CYP2D6 activity was investigated by measuring the metabolism of a model CYP2D6 probe substrate, dextromethorphan to dextrorphan in human pooled liver microsomes. The ethanolic extract of crude Danshen (6.25-100 μg/ml) decreased dextromethorphan O-demethylation in vitro (IC(50)=23.3 μg/ml) and the water extract of crude Danshen (0.0625-1 mg/ml) showed no inhibition. A commercially available Danshen pill (31.25-500 μg/ml) also decreased CYP2D6 activity (IC(50)=265.8 μg/ml). Among the tanshinones, only dihydrotanshinone significantly inhibited CYP2D6 activity (IC(50)=35.4 μM), compared to quinidine, a specific CYP2D6 inhibitor (IC(50)=0.9 μM). Crytotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA produced weak inhibition, with IC(20) of 40.8 μM, 16.5 μM and 61.4 μM, respectively. Water soluble components such as salvianolic acid B and danshensu did not affect CYP2D6-mediated metabolism. Enzyme kinetics studies showed that inhibition of CYP2D6 activity by the ethanolic extract of crude Danshen and dihydrotanshinone was concentration-dependent, with K(i) values of 4.23 μg/ml and 2.53 μM, respectively, compared to quinidine, K(i)=0.41 μM. Molecular docking study confirmed that dihydrotanshinone and tanshinone I interacted with the Phe120 amino acid residue in the active cavity of CYP2D6 through Pi-Pi interaction, but did not interact with Glu216 and Asp301, the key residues for substrate binding. The logarithm of free binding energy of dihydrotanshinone (-7.6 kcal/mol) to Phe120 was comparable to quinidine (-7.0 kcal/mol) but greater than tanshinone I (-5.4 kcal/mol), indicating dihydrotanshinone has similar affinity to quinidine in binding to the catalytic site on CYP2D6.     

胸苷激酶基因治疗胃癌的体外实验

将单纯疱疹病毒胸苷激酶基因（ＨＳＶ－ｔｋ）导入恶性肿瘤细胞,随后可应用药物丙氧鸟苷（ｇａｎｃｉｃｌｏｖｉｒ, ＧＣＶ）选择性杀死肿瘤细胞．构建了含胸苷激酶与潮霉素磷酸转移酶（ｈｐｈ）融和基因（ＨｙｔＫ）的真核表达载体ＬＸｐｓｐ－ＨｙｔＫ．以脂质体（ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ）为介导,将这种质粒与仅含潮霉素Ｂ基因的质粒ＬＸＳＨ 分别转染胃癌细胞系ＢＧＣ－８２３,用６０ Ｕ／ｍ ｌ潮霉素Ｂ进行筛选,得到了可稳定传代的阳性克隆,分别命名为ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ 和ＢＧＣ－Ｈｙ．三种细胞的生长曲线无明显差别．用不同浓度的ＧＣＶ 分别作用于ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ, ＢＧＣ－Ｈｙ 及ＢＧＣ－８２３,０．０２～２００ μｇ／ｍ ｌ 的ＧＣＶ 对ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ 细胞有明显的杀伤作用（ＩＣ５０＝ ０．０２ μｇ／ｍ ｌ）,而对另外两种细胞几乎无毒性作用（ＩＣ５０＞ ２００μｇ／ｍ ｌ）．２０ μｇ／ｍ ｌＧＣＶ 作用９６ ｈ 后,仅存在２０％ 的ＢＧＣ－ＨｙｔＫ 就可使周围的大部分ＨＳＶ－ｔｋ－ 的肿瘤细胞死亡,说明存在较显著的“旁观者效应”     

河南鼠尾草抑制体内外α-糖苷酶活性研究

本文采用96微孔板法,首次对河南鼠尾草抑制酵母和大鼠小肠α-葡萄糖苷酶活性进行研究。河南鼠尾草乙酸乙酯提取物(IC50=28.73μg/mL)和正丁醇提取物(IC50=73.90μg/mL)抑制酵母α-葡萄糖苷酶活性远高于阳性对照Acarbose(IC50=1081.27μg/mL),但只有乙酸乙酯提取物(IC50=366.79μg/mL)具有抑制大鼠小肠α-葡萄糖苷酶活性,阳性对照Acarbose未检测出其IC50。结果表明,河南鼠尾草乙酸乙酯提取物和正丁醇提取物均具有较好的酵母α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制活性,但只有乙酸乙酯提取物具有良好的大鼠小肠α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制活性。     

肉桂抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性成分研究

为寻找肉桂中具有抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性的化学成分,采用高效液相色谱结合体外抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性筛选模型的方法,进行活性成分的跟踪分离,并对活性化合物进行酶抑制动力学研究.结果显示,肉桂石油醚提取物(IC50=350.37 μg/mL)的活性明显高于阳性对照阿卡波糖(IC50=1028.99 μg/mL),从中分离出2个活性成分,分别鉴定为桂皮醛( IC50 =277.89 μg/mL)和肉桂酸(IC50=286.22 μg/mL).酶抑制动力学结果表明它们对α-葡萄糖苷酶的抑制类型均为非竞争性抑制,Ki值分别为178.07 μg/mL和229.43 μg/mL.     

Studies on the secondary metabolites of a Pseudoalteromonas sp. isolated from sediments collected at the northeastern coast of Brazil

Continuing search for anticancer compounds from the marine environment, we have studied microorganisms that inhabit intertidal sediments of the northeastern Brazilian coast. Of the 32 strains isolated, 13 were selected for biological evaluation of their crude extracts. The acetate extract obtained from a Gram-negative bacterium was strongly active against cancer cell lines with IC(50) values that ranged from 0.04 (HL60 leukemia cells) to 0.26 μg/ml (MDA MB-435 melanoma cells). The bacterium was identified as a Pseudoalteromonas sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A bioassay-guided fractionation of the active extract led to the isolation of prodigiosin, a well-known tripyrrole red pigment with immunosuppressive and anticancer activities. Further experiments with ErbB-2 overexpressing cell lines, including HB4a-C3.6 (moderate overexpression), HB4a-C5.2 (high overexpression), and the parental HB4a cell line, were performed. Prodigiosin was moderately active toward HB4a cells with an IC(50) of 4.6 μg/ml, while it was 115 and 18 times more active toward HB4a-C3.6 cells (IC(50) of 0.04 μg/ml) and HB4a-C5.2 (IC(50) of 0.26 μg/ml) cells, respectively. These data suggest that, in spite of its previously described apoptosis-inducing properties, prodigiosin can selectively recognize cells overexpressing ErbB-2, which could be highly appealing in human breast cancer therapy.     

Tannic acid inhibited norovirus binding to HBGA receptors, a study of 50 Chinese medicinal herbs

Noroviruses (NoVs) are the leading cause of viral acute gastroenteritis affecting people of all ages worldwide. The disease is difficult to control due to its widespread nature and lack of an antiviral or vaccine. NoV infection relies on the interaction of the viruses with histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as host receptors. Here we investigated inhibition effects of Chinese medicinal herbs against NoVs binding to HBGAs for potential antivirals against NoVs. Blocking assays was performed using the NoV protrusion (P) protein as NoV surrogate and saliva as HBGAs. Among 50 clinically effective Chinese medicinal herbs against gastroenteritis diseases, two herbs were found highly effective. Chinese Gall blocked NoV P dimer binding to type A saliva at IC(50)=5.35 μg/ml and to B saliva at IC(50)=21.7 μg/ml. Similarly, Pomegranate blocked binding of NoV P dimer to type A saliva at IC(50)=15.59 μg/ml and B saliva at IC(50)=66.67 μg/ml. Literature data on preliminary biochemistry analysis showed that tannic acid is a common composition in the extracts of the two herbs, so we speculate that it might be the effective compound and further studies using commercially available, highly purified tannic acid confirmed the tannic acid as a strong inhibitor in the binding of NoV P protein to both A and B saliva (IC(50)≈0.1 μM). In addition, we tested different forms of hydrolysable tannins with different alkyl esters, including gallic acid, ethyl gallate, lauryl gallate, octyl gallate and propyl gallate. However, none of these tannins-derivatives revealed detectable inhibiting activities. Our data suggested that tannic acid is a promising candidate antiviral against NoVs.     

Free radical scavenging properties of sulfinpyrazone

Sulfinpyrazone, a potent uricosuric drug, was tested in vitro for its scavenging action against oxygen free radicals. In this study, sulfinpyrazone was able to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical with IC 50 value of 29.82 μg/ml compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, IC 50 value=20.15 μg/ml) and Trolox (IC 50 value=16.01 μg/ml). It was able to scavenge superoxide anion with IC 50 value of 27.72 μg/ml compared to Trolox (IC 50 value=22.08 μg/ml) and ascorbic acid (IC 50 value=14.65 μg/ml). The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of sulfinpyrazone is in a concentration-dependent fashion. In the range of concentrations used, sulfinpyrazone was not a scavenger toward H 2 O 2 . However, the intracellular H 2 O 2 -induced 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) fluorescence in HL-60 cells was significantly reduced by sulfinpyrazone during 30-60 min of incubation. Finally, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate induced-lucigenin chemiluminescence in whole blood was markedly inhibited by sulfinpyrazone. Our results suggest a new direction for the pharmacological actions of sulfinpyrazone in free radical scavenging properties.     

Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Sulfinpyrazone

Sulfinpyrazone, a potent uricosuric drug, was tested in vitro for its scavenging action against oxygen free radicals. In this study, sulfinpyrazone was able to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical with IC 50 value of 29.82 &#119 g/ml compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, IC 50 value=20.15 &#119 g/ml) and Trolox (IC 50 value=16.01 &#119 g/ml). It was able to scavenge superoxide anion with IC 50 value of 27.72 &#119 g/ml compared to Trolox (IC 50 value=22.08 &#119 g/ml) and ascorbic acid (IC 50 value=14.65 &#119 g/ml). The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of sulfinpyrazone is in a concentration-dependent fashion. In the range of concentrations used, sulfinpyrazone was not a scavenger toward H 2 O 2 . However, the intracellular H 2 O 2 -induced 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) fluorescence in HL-60 cells was significantly reduced by sulfinpyrazone during 30-60 min of incubation. Finally, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate induced-lucigenin chemiluminescence in whole blood was markedly inhibited by sulfinpyrazone. Our results suggest a new direction for the pharmacological actions of sulfinpyrazone in free radical scavenging properties.     

Characterization of Escherichia coli nucleoids released by osmotic shock

Nucleoids were isolated by osmotic shock from Escherichia coli spheroplasts at relatively low salt concentrations and in the absence of detergents. Sucrose-protected cells, made osmotically sensitive by growth in the presence of ampicillin or by digestion with low lysozyme concentrations (50-5 μg/ml), were shocked by 100-fold dilution of the sucrose buffer. Liberated nucleoids stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride hydrate (DAPI), the dimeric cyanine dye TOTO-1, or fluorescent DNA-binding protein appeared as cloud-like structures, in the absence of phase contrast. Because UV-irradiation disrupted the DAPI-stained nucleoids within 5-10 s, they were imaged by time-lapse microscopy with exposure times less than 2 s. The volume of nucleoids isolated from ampicillin- or low-lysozyme spheroplasts and minimally exposed to UV (<2 s) was on average ～42 μm(3). Lysozyme at concentrations above 1 μg/ml in the lysate compacted the nucleoids. Treatment with protease E or K (20-200 μg/ml) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS; 0.001-0.01%) caused a twofold volume increase and showed a granular nucleoid at the earliest UV-exposure; the expansion could be reversed with 50 μM ethidium bromide, but not with chloroquine. While DNase (1 μg/ml) caused a rapid disruption of the nucleoids, RNase (0.1-400 μg/ml) had no effect. DAPI-stained nucleoids treated with protease, SDS or DNase consisted of granular substructures at the earliest exposure similar to UV-disrupted nucleoids obtained after prolonged (>4 s) UV irradiation. We interpret the measured volume in terms of a physical model of the nucleoid viewed as a branched DNA supercoil crosslinked by adhering proteins into a homogeneous network.     

牛至油体外抗肿瘤活性研究

目的观察牛至油对肿瘤细胞株的生长抑制作用。方法采用MTT法检测不同浓度的牛至油对体外培养的多种肿瘤细胞株的生长抑制作用,计算半数抑制浓度(IC50)。结果不同浓度牛至油作用后,人肝癌细胞系HepG2、人子宫颈癌细胞系JTC-26和肺癌细胞系A549出现增殖阻滞。MTT法确定牛至油对肝癌HepG2的IC50为118μg/ml;人子宫颈癌JTC-26的IC50为118μg/ml;肺癌A549的IC50为59μg/ml。结论牛至油具有体外抗肿瘤活性。     

Schistosomicidal Effects of the Essential Oils of Citrus limonia and Citrus reticulata Against Schistosoma mansoni

We report the in vitro schistosomicidal effects of the essential oil obtained from Citrus limonia leaves (CL ‐EO ) and C. reticulata fruit peels (CR ‐EO ), cultivated in Brazil, against Schistosoma mansoni worms. Limonene (29.9%), β ‐pinene (12.0%), sabinene (9.0%), citronellal (9.0%), and citronellol (5.8%) are the major constituents of CL ‐EO ; limonene (26.5%), γ ‐terpinene (17.2%), linalool (11.1%), octanal (8.0%), myrcene (6.2%), and capraldehyde (3.9%) predominate in CR ‐EO . CL ‐EO displayed moderate lethal concentration 50% (LC ₅₀) of 81.7 and 38.9 μg/ml against male and female worms at 24 and 72 h, respectively. At concentrations of 25 and 100 μg/ml, CL ‐EO separated between 50 and 75% of the coupled worm pairs during the evaluated period. CR ‐EO presented moderate LC ₅₀ of 81.7 μg/ml against male and female worms at 24 and 72 h. However, this oil separated coupled worm pairs more effectively than CL ‐EO and displayed lower cytotoxicity to GM 07492‐A cells (IC ₅₀ = 987.7 ± 88.9 μg/ml) as compared to CL ‐EO (IC ₅₀ = 187.8 ± 2.9 μg/ml). The enantiomers (+)‐(R )‐limonene and (?)‐(S )‐limonene did not affect S. mansoni adult worm pairs significantly. Taken together, these data indicate that CL ‐EO and CR ‐EO exhibit moderate in vitro schistosomicidal activity against adult S. mansoni worms.     

Phytochemical profiling of Azima tetracantha Lam. leaf methanol extract and elucidation of its potential as a chain-breaking antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agent

Azima tetracantha, a traditional medicinal plant included in the order Brassicales and family Salvadoraceae, is widely used as a dietary supplement in folklore medicines. The plant is also used for the treatment of rheumatism, diarrhea and other inflammatory disorders. The present investigation focused on the phytochemical composition, radical scavenging, reducing potential and anti-proliferative activities of the A. tetracantha leaves. Quantitative estimation of the polyphenols and flavonoids revealed significantly elevated levels in the methanol extract. Corroborating with this, methanol extract exhibited higher in vitro anti-radical scavenging effect against 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (34.14 ± 2.19 μg/mL), and hydrogen peroxide (44.96 ± 1.77 μg/mL), as well as ferric reducing properties (58.24 ± 6.98 μg/mL). The methanolic extract also showed strong lipoxygenase (71.42 ± 6.36 μg/mL) and nitric oxide inhibitory activities (94.23 ± 8.11 μg/mL). Cytotoxic activity against MCF7 cells was found to be higher (IC50= 37.62 ± 2.94 μg/mL), than that of MDAMB231 cells (IC50= 69.11 ± 5.02 μg/mL). The qPCR-based analysis indicated dose-dependent increase in the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes such as executioner caspases and apoptotic protease activating factor-1. Overall, the results indicated the possible use of methanol extract of A. tetracantha leaves as a chain-breaking antioxidant molecule and are capable of inhibiting inflammatory enzymes and the proliferative potential of breast cancer cells.     

Production of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from β-lactoglobulin- and casein-derived peptides: an integrative approach

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition is one of the mechanisms by which reduction in blood pressure is exerted. Whey proteins are a rich source of ACE inhibitory peptides and have shown a blood pressure reduction effect i.e. antihypertensive activity. The aim of this work was to develop a simplified process using a combination of adsorption and microfiltration steps for the production of hydrolysates from whey with high ACE inhibitory activity and potency; the latter was measured as the IC50, which is the peptide concentration required to reduce ACE activity by half. This process integrates the selective separation of β-lactoglobulin- and casein-derived peptides (CDP) from rennet whey and their hydrolysis, which results in partially pure, less complex hydrolysates with high bioactive potency. Hydrolysis was carried out with protease N "Amano" in a thermostatically controlled membrane reactor operated in a batch mode. By applying the integrative approach it was possible to produce from the same feedstock two different hydrolysates that exhibited high ACE inhibition. One hydrolysate was mainly composed of casein-derived peptides with IC50=285 μg/mL. In this hydrolysate we identified the well-known potent ACE-inhibitor and antihypertensive tripeptide Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP) and another novel octapeptide Gln-Asp-Lys-Thr-Glu-Ile-Pro-Thr (QDKTEIPT). The second hydrolysate was mainly composed of β-lactoglobulin derived peptides with IC50=28 μg/mL. This hydrolysate contained a tetrapeptide (Ile-Ile-Ala-Glu) IIAE as one of the two major peptides. A further advantage to this process is that enzyme activity was substantially increased as enzyme product inhibition was reduced.