Comparison of Acylated Plant Pigments: Light-resistance and Radical-scavenging Ability

The acylated plant pigments synthesized by lipase-catalyzed transesterification with aromatic acids were compared in respect of their light-resistance and radical-scavenging ability. With both the flavonols and anthocyanins, their acylated derivatives were more stable against illumination with fluorescent light than their non-acylated glucosides. Their radical-scavenging ability partially decreased or was retained by acylation to the glucoside molecules.     

A theoretical study of the different radical-scavenging activities of catechin, quercetin, and a rationally designed planar catechin

To improve the radical-scavenging activity of catechin, a planar catechin analogue was designed and synthesized by Fukuhara [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124 (2002) 5952]. Although the planar catechin is less active than quercetin, it is much more active than catechin in its ability to scavenge galvinoxyl radical, suggesting that the rational design was successful. However, an interesting question remains: what is the basis for the enhanced radical-scavenging activity of the planar catechin? By DFT calculations, we determined that the galvinoxyl radical is scavenged through an electron-transfer mechanism rather than a hydrogen-atom-transfer mechanism. Moreover, the antioxidant anion, derived from proton dissociation, plays a key role in the radical-scavenging process. Hence, the different radical-scavenging activities of the three antioxidants may result from the different ionization potentials of their anions.     

Kinetic resolution of (±)-diethyl- and dibenzyl hydroxy(phenyl)methanephosphonates and their acyl derivatives with lipases

Abstract

A wide variety of commercially available lipases and microbial whole cells were tested for biotransformations of (±)-diethyl and dibenzyl hydroxyl(phenyl)methanephosphonates. Biocatalytic hydrolysis of acylated hydroxyphosphonates by whole cells of Bacillus subtilis gave optically active compounds with 95%ee _S. Enantioselectivities obtained when using commercially available enzymatic preparations were less satisfactory, leading to both compounds with an enantiomeric excess in the range 15 35%. Screening lipases for their ability to acylate these phosphonates or to hydrolyze their acylated derivatives enabled selection of enzymes and organisms suitable for use in both processes.     

Phenolic-rich juice prevents DNA single-strand breakage and cytotoxicity caused by tert-butylhydroperoxide in U937 cells: the role of iron chelation

The antioxidant potential of phenolic compounds is generally linked to their ability to scavenge free radicals. However, in addition to their radical-scavenging activity, phenolic compounds can chelate metal ions, such as iron, to prevent their participation in Fenton-type reactions, which lead to the formation of free radicals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of a phenolic-rich juice made from grapes, cherries and berries to protect human myeloid leukemia (U937) cells from oxidative stress caused by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tB-OOH). Preincubation of cells with extracts of the phenolic-rich juice at different concentrations (0-200 microM ferulic acid equivalents) for 3 h partially prevented cell death and abolished the DNA cleavage induced by tB-OOH. Moreover, when preincubating cells with the 100-microM juice extract (the dose that diminished cell death by around 50%), the partial prevention of tB-OOH-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening was observed. The radical scavenger antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene-diamine (DPPD) and the intracellular iron chelator o-phenanthroline (o-Phe) were also tested to know whether protective effects depended on radical-scavenging or iron-chelating activities. o-Phe prevented cell death, DNA cleavage and ROS generation, whereas DPPD only prevented cell death, suggesting that phenolics in the juice afforded protection against induced oxidative stress, most probably by means of an iron-chelating mechanism.     

Oxidative dimer produced from a 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic ester

The DPPH radical-scavenging abilities of the naturally occurring phenolic acid, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid, and its methyl ester were evaluated. Both compounds in acetonitrile scavenged as many as four radicals compared to three or fewer radical consumption in acetone or ethanol. Only the ester showed relatively high ability in methanol. Oxidation with o-chloranil in acetonitrile resulted in methyl 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoate giving a novel benzocoumarin-type dimer, its chemical structure being confirmed by spectroscopic evidence. The formation of this dimer might partly account for the higher radical-scavenging efficiency of the ester in acetonitrile or methanol.     

4种地衣提取物抗氧化和抗肿瘤活性研究

本研究初步评估了4种药用地衣(太白茶、金刷把、黑石耳、红石耳)不同溶剂提取物的抗氧化活性及其粗多糖的抗肿瘤活性。通过测定清除DPPH自由基、羟基自由基和还原能力,对4种地衣不同溶剂提取物进行体外抗氧化活性评价,结果表明,金刷把和黑石耳的甲醇提取相清除DPPH自由基能力高于其它溶剂提取相,其IC50值(半抑制浓度)分别为0.7847 mg/mL和0.5595 mg/mL;黑石耳甲醇提取相(IC50=0.5747 mg/mL)清除羟基自由基能力优于阳性对照物Vc(IC50=0.6126 mg/mL);黑石耳氯仿提取相、金刷把乙酸乙酯提取相和太白茶甲醇提取相清除羟基自由基能力与Vc相当;4种地衣甲醇提取相还原能力均较强,且与其浓度呈较好的量效关系。利用MTT法分析4种地衣多糖对HeLa、A375和Hep G2细胞体外生长增殖的抑制作用,结果显示黑石耳粗多糖对Hep G2细胞的抑制作用较为突出(IC50=0.2567 mg/mL),而金刷把抑制HeLa细胞的生长增殖作用最强,其IC50值为0.4332 mg/mL。     

Sterol glucosylation by the plasma membrane from cotyledons of Phaseolus aureus

Membrane fractions were isolated from dark grown cotyledons of Phaseolus auneus by differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Endoplasmic reticulum-, Golgi apparatus- and plasma membrane-rich fractions were identified by their respective enzymic activities and tested for their ability to transfer glucose from UDP-glucose to endogenous sterols to form steryl glucosides. The glucosyltransferase activity was shown to be located mainly at the plasma membrane.ABBREVIATIONS SG steryl glucoside - ASG acylated steryl glucoside - UDP-glc Uridine diphosphoglucose     

猪消化道中产苯乳酸乳酸菌的益生特性研究

【目的】建立一种简单有效的产苯乳酸乳酸菌的筛选方法,并筛选到高产苯乳酸的乳酸菌。【方法】菌株经过添加了苯丙氨酸的培养基厌氧培养后,利用高效液相色谱法检测发酵液中苯乳酸的含量。【结果】从猪的消化道中共分离得到31株产苯乳酸的乳酸菌,其中菌株R53的苯乳酸产量最大,为321.7 mg/L。菌株R53对.OH、O2和DPPH都有清除能力,清除率分别达到11.2%、52.7%和63.2%。同时R53也能降低培养基中胆固醇的含量,清除率为32.5%。【结论】乳酸菌R53经菌落形态、细胞形态、生化反应实验、16S rDNA测序,最终确定为植物乳杆菌。植物乳杆菌R53能产生苯乳酸,具有清除胆固醇和抗氧化能力。     

Antioxidant properties and free radical-scavenging reactivity of a family of hydroxynaphthalenones and dihydroxyanthracenones

This study was undertaken to investigate the free radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities of various structurally related hydroquinones including hydroxynaphthalenones and dihydroxyanthracenones. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy and spin trapping techniques were used to evaluate the ability of hydroquinones to scavenge hydroxyl, diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, and galvinoxyl radicals. In addition, the oxygen radical absorbing capacity assay using fluorescein (ORAC-FL) was used to obtain the relative antioxidant capacity of these radicals. The rate constants of the first H atom abstraction by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (k(2)), were obtained under pseudo-first-order conditions. The free radical-scavenging activities and k(2) values discriminate well between hydroxynaphthalenones and dihydroxyanthracenones, showing that the latter have better antioxidant properties. The aforementioned experimental data agree with quantum-chemical results demonstrating the relevance of intramolecular H bonding to radical-scavenging activities.     

Structure of the ceramide moiety of GM1 ganglioside determines its occurrence in different detergent-resistant membrane domains in HL-60 cells

To investigate the effect of the ceramide moiety of GM1 ganglioside on its association with detergent resistant membrane domains (DRMs) in human leukemia HL-60 cells, [(3)H] labeled GM1 molecular species (GM1s) with ceramides consisting of C18 sphingosine acetylated or acylated with C(8), C(12), C(14), C(16), C(18), C(22), C(24), C(18:1), C(22:1), or C(24:1) fatty acids (FAs), or C20 sphingosine acetylated or acylated with C(8) or C(18) FA were prepared and added to culture media. GM1s uptake by HL-60 cells was affected by the structure of their ceramides. Resistance to removal with trypsin and the stoichiometry of [(125)I] cholera toxin (CT) binding indicated that the added GM1s were incorporated into the membranes of the cells used for the isolation of DRMs in a manner resembling endogenous gangliosides. The ceramide moieties of the GM1s determined their occurrence in DRMs and the dependence of their recovery in this membrane fraction on the amount of Triton X-100 (TX) used for extraction as well as on cholesterol depletion. The GM1s with sphingosine acylated with C(14), C(16), C(18) C(22), or C(24) FAs were similarly abundant in DRMs. GM1s acylated with C(18:1), C(22:1), or C(24:1) were less abundant than those acylated with saturated FA of the same length. GM1s acetylated or acylated with C(8) FA were detected in DRMs in the lowest proportion. Depletion of 73% of cell cholesterol with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin significantly affected the recovery in DRMs of GM1s acetylated or acylated with C(8) or unsaturated FAs but not of GM1 acylated with C(18), C(22), or C(24) FAs. After cross-linking with CT B subunit, all GM1s were recovered in DRMs in a similarly high proportion irrespective of their ceramide structure or cholesterol depletion. DRMs prepared with low TX concentration at the TX/cell protein ratio of 0.3:1 were separated by multistep sucrose density gradient centrifugation into two fractions. The GM1s with sphingosine acetylated or acylated with C(18) or C(18:1) FAs occurred in these fractions in different proportions.     

1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging compounds from soybean miso and antiproliferative activity of isoflavones from soybean miso toward the cancer cell lines

Guided by their DPPH radical-scavenging activity, nine compounds were isolated from soybean miso. Of these, 8-hydroxydaidzein, 8-hydroxygenistein and syringic acid had as high DPPH radical-scavenging activity as that of alpha-tocopherol. The antiproliferative activity of four of the isolated isoflavones toward three cancer cell lines was examined. 8-Hydroxygenistein showed the highest activity (IC50=5.2 microM) toward human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60).     

The importance of polymerization and galloylation for the antiproliferative properties of procyanidin-rich natural extracts

Grape (Vitis vinifera) and pine (Pinus pinaster) bark extracts are widely used as nutritional supplements. Procyanidin-rich fractions from grape and pine bark extract showing different mean degrees of polymerization, percentage of galloylation (percentage of gallate esters) and reactive oxygen species-scavenging capacity were tested on HT29 human colon cancer cells. We observed that the most efficient fractions in inhibiting cell proliferation, arresting the cell cycle in G(2) phase and inducing apoptosis were the grape fractions with the highest percentage of galloylation and mean degree of polymerization. Additionally, the antiproliferative effects of grape fractions were consistent with their oxygen radical-scavenging capacity and their ability to trigger DNA condensation-fragmentation.     

Synthesis and radical-scavenging activity of C-methylated fisetin analogues

The radical-scavenging reaction of fisetin, a natural antioxidant found in strawberries, is known to proceed via hydrogen transfer to produce a fisetin radical intermediate. Thus, introduction of an electron-donating group into the fisetin molecule is expected to stabilize the radical, leading to enhanced radical-scavenging activity. In this study, fisetin derivatives in which methyl substituents were introduced at the ortho positions relative to the catechol hydroxyl groups were synthesized and their radical scavenging activities were evaluated and compared with that of the parent fisetin molecule. Among the methyl derivatives, 5′-methyl fisetin, in which the inherent planar structure of fisetin was retained, exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity. Introduction of methyl substituents may be effective for the enhancement of various biological activities of antioxidants, particularly radical-scavenging activity.     

川芎粗多糖抗氧化和细胞毒活性研究

通过川芎粗多糖(LCP)对DPPH离子、超氧阴离子、.OH、总抗氧化能力、螯合能力、还原性和脂质过氧化能力的抗氧化效果和对肝癌细胞HepG2的抑制作用研究。结果显示:LCP具有较强的还原力,对超氧阴离子自由基、脂质过氧化产物有良好的抑制作用,其对肝癌细胞HepG2也具有一定的抑制作用。LCP有望作为天然抗氧化剂及功能性食品得到开发与应用。     

Anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVIs) selectively bind acylated anthocyanins in Vitis vinifera L. (grapevine) suspension culture

Anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVIs) appear as dark red-to-purple spheres of various sizes in vacuoles of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cell suspension culture due to their interaction with anthocyanins. AVIs were purified and the bound anthocyanins extracted and analysed by HPLC from two lines of V. vinifera isolated from the same callus accumulating anthocyanin in the dark, yet varying in their anthocyanin profiles and accumulation. An intermediate-pigmented line (FU-1) with a 1.3:1 ratio of acylated:non-acylated anthocyanins, a colour value of 0.84 units and cyanidin and peonidin as the dominant species was compared with a high-pigmented line (FU-2) with a 1.2:1 ratio of acylated:non-acylated anthocyanins, a colour value of 3.72 units and malvidin predominating. The profile of AVI-bound anthocyanins showed an increase in acylated anthocyanins in both lines of approx. 28–29%, with no apparent preference for anthocyanin species. This resulted in a ratio of acylated:non-acylated anthocyanins of 6.2:1 for FU-1 and 4.9:1 for FU-2. The reasons for the selectivity of the AVIs for acylated (specifically p-coumaroylated) species compared with the whole cell profile are discussed.     

Influence of acylation of a Peptide corresponding to the amino-terminal region of endothelial nitric oxide synthase on the interaction with model membranes

Covalent attachment of fatty acids to proteins is a common form of protein modification which has been shown to influence both structure and interaction with membranes. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is dually acylated by the fatty acids myristate and palmitate. We have synthesized four peptides corresponding to the first 28 amino acids of the N-terminal region of eNOS. Besides the nonacylated eNOS sequence, three additional peptides with different degrees of acylation have been obtained: myristoylated, doubly palmitoylated, and dually myristoylated and doubly palmitoylated. Acylation itself, myristic and/or palmitic, confers the peptide the ability to adopt extended conformations, indicated by the fact that the CD spectrum of all acylated peptides has a minimum at approximately 215 nm characteristic of beta-sheet structure. The nonacylated sequence interacts with model membranes composed of acidic phospholipids probably through ionic interactions with the polar headgroup of the phospholipids. However, the acylated peptides are able to insert deeply into the hydrophobic core of both neutral and acidic phospholipids, maintaining the spectral features of extended conformations. When DMPC vesicles containing cholesterol and sphingomyelin at 10% were used, the insertion of the triacylated peptide almost completely canceled the thermal transition, although the interaction of the other acylated peptides also reduced the transition amplitude but to a much lower extent and affected only the acyl chains in the fluid state.     

荸荠皮多糖体外清除自由基活性的研究

采用DPPH自由基法、邻苯三酚自氧化法和水杨酸法分别表征了荸荠皮多糖清除DPPH自由基(DPPH.)、超氧阴离子自由基(O2-.)和羟基自由基(.OH)的能力。结果显示,脱蛋白和未脱蛋白荸荠皮多糖具有清除自由基的活性,但该活性明显低于茶多酚。脱蛋白多糖清除DPPH.的能力高于未脱蛋白多糖,其清除50%DPPH.的作用质量浓度(EC50)分别为50.26 mg.L-1和76.22 mg.L-1。两种多糖清除.OH和O2-.的能力相当,其EC50(g.L-1)分别为0.118和0.124以及10.87和9.53。     

Identification of covalently bound fatty acids on acylated proteins immobilized on nitrocellulose paper

A general method for identification of fatty acids covalently bound to acylated proteins following their electrophoretic transfer onto nitrocellulose paper is described. As demonstrated for [3H]palmitoylated RAS1 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the acylated acyl carrier protein of Spirodela oligorrhiza, this procedure alleviates the need for elution of proteins from polyacrylamide gel slices. Fatty acid ligands of such proteins are hydrolyzed directly from their immobilized state on the nitrocellulose paper, then derivatized with p-nitrophenacyl bromide, and finally resolved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The amount of acylated protein required for identification of acyl groups is minimized compared to that required for more conventional approaches by coupling a radioactive flow detector with the HPLC system.     

Aromatase inhibitors in cigarette smoke, tobacco leaves and other plants

A chance observation that cigarette smoke interferes with the aromatase assay led us to investigate tobacco leaf and smoke extracts for the presence of aromatase inhibitors. The highest inhibitory activity was found in the basic fraction of cigarette smoke. Further purification of this fraction led to the identification of N-n-octanoylnornicotine. Synthesis and testing of a series of acylated nornicotines and anabasines for their ability to inhibit aromatase showed an interesting correlation of activity with the length of the acyl carbon chain, with maximum activity at C-11. The acylated derivatives showed activity which was significantly greater than that of nicotine and anabasine. In vivo studies in rats indicated that administration of this inhibitor delayed the onset of NMU-induced breast carcinoma and altered the estrus cycle. These in vivo studies suggest that tobacco alkaloid derivatives exert their effects by suppression of the aromatase enzyme system. Toxicity studies indicated relatively low toxicity with LD50 for N-n-octanoylnornicotine = 367 mg/kg body weight. When extracts from thirty five varieties of vegetables, plant leaves, and fruits were analyzed, seventeen showed quantitatively significant aromatase inhibition which was comparable to that of green tobacco leaf, suggesting that naturally occurring substances may affect endocrine function through aromatase inhibition.     

水杨酸酰化对胭脂萝卜天竺葵素稳定性和抗氧化活性的影响

为探究水杨酸作为酰化剂对胭脂萝卜天竺葵素的稳定性和抗氧化活性的影响,以保留率为指标,分析光、温度、金属离子、pH及氧化剂对酰化天竺葵素稳定性的影响,探究酰化天竺葵素对羟自由基、DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基的清除能力。结果表明:酰化天竺葵素对光、温度、Al3+、pH的稳定性显著提高,对Fe2+、Mg2+和Zn2+以及氧化剂H2O2的稳定性无显著差影响。酰化天竺葵素对羟自由基、DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基的清除能力与未酰化天竺葵素无显著差异。以上结果表明采用水杨酸酰化胭脂萝卜天竺葵素不影响其抗氧化活性,还能提高其对光照、温度、pH及铝离子的稳定性。