Sesquiterpene lactone glucosides from Sonchus asper

From the methanolic extract of the roots of Sonchus asper, two new sesquiterpene glucosides, together with two known sesquiterpene glucosides and a known aglycone were isolated. Structures were identified as 11beta,13-dihydrourospermal A, 15-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-11beta,13-dihydrourospermal A, 15-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylurospermal A, 15-O-[6'-(p-hydroxyphenylacetyl)]-beta-D-glucopyranosylurosperm al A and 14-O-methylacetal-15-O-[6'-(p-hydroxyphenylacetyl)]-beta-D-+ ++glucopyranosylurospermal A, by spectroscopic means.     

Urolithin A induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by inhibiting Bcl-2, increasing p53-p21 proteins and reactive oxygen species production in colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer globally. Prevention of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis is vital for prolonging patient survival. Polyphenols provide a wide range of health benefits and prevention from cancer. In the gut, urolithins are the major metabolites of polyphenols. The objective of our study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the anticancer effect of urolithin A (UA) on colorectal cancer cells. UA was found to inhibit the cell proliferation of CRC cell lines in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in HT29, SW480, and SW620 cells. Exposure to UA resulted in cell cycle arrest in a dose-dependent manner along with alteration in the expression of cell cycle–related protein. Treatment of CRC cell lines with UA resulted in the induction of apoptosis. Treatment of HT29, SW480, and SW620 with UA resulted in increased expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, p53 and p21. Similarly, UA treatment inhibited the anti-apoptotic protein expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, exposure of UA induced cytochrome c release and caspase activation. Furthermore, UA was found to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in CRC cells. These findings indicate that UA possesses anticancer potential and may be used therapeutically for the treatment of CRC.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12192-020-01189-8.     

Effect of Different Concentrations of Cryoprotectant and Extender on the Hatching of Indian Major Carp Embryos (Labeo rohita, Catla catla,andCirrhinus mrigala) Stored at Low Temperature

Rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) embryos were examined for hatching success after short-term (8–13 h) storage at low temperature (4°C) using three concentrations of three cryoprotectants, methanol (1, 2, and 3 M), dimethyl sulfoxide (1.282, 1.923, and 2.564 M, equal to 10, 15, and 20%), and glycerol (1.087, 1.63, and 2.174 M, equal to 10, 15, and 20%), separately as well as together with a single concentration of sucrose (0.5 M). The aim was to determine the toxicity of cryoprotectants for fish embryos at 4°C. Of the cryoprotectants used, methanol was found to be most suitable for low-temperature storage in the refrigerator. The hatching rate of embryos was significantly higher when sucrose was added to methanol when compared with methanol alone. Of the three concentrations of methanol tested, survival was maximal at 2 M in the presence of 0.5 M sucrose (rohu, 57.5 ± 5.24; catla, 47.5 ± 5.24; and mrigal, 32.5 ± 5.24). Both rohu and catla embryos survived with either 1 or 2 M methanol, with or without the addition of sucrose, but the addition of sucrose was essential for survival of mrigal at 1 and 2 M methanol.     

Tranilast attenuates methotrexate‐induced renal and hepatic toxicities: Role of apoptosis‐induced tissue proliferation

Drug‐induced organ toxicity is a frequently encountered obstacle in the field of medical practice that limits the use of numerous pharmacologically valuable drugs. Methotrexate (MTX)‐induced organ toxicity is unfortunately the rate‐limiting factor for its clinical application. In the current study, MTX injection induced significant renal and hepatic toxicities manifested on functional, biochemical, and histopathological scales. This was associated with a significant elevation in both renal and hepatic contents of TNF‐related apoptosis–inducing ligand (TRAIL) and caspase‐8, biomarkers of tissue apoptosis. Inline, immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that tissue increased expression of Ki67 as a biomarker of tissue regeneration in both organs. Tranilast (TRAN) is a small molecular weight anti‐inflammatory and antiallergic agent. TRAN's coadministration with MTX in the current study induced a significant tissue recovery via modulation of TRAIL/caspase‐8 signaling and modulation of apoptosis‐induced tissue proliferation confirmed by quantification of Ki67 expression. In conclusion, TRAN can be proposed as an effective drug to attenuate MTX‐induced organ toxicity via modulation of apoptosis‐induced tissue proliferation pathway.     

Evidence for balancing selection from nucleotide sequence analyses of human G6PD

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) mutations that result in reduced enzyme activity have been implicated in malarial resistance and constitute one of the best examples of selection in the human genome. In the present study, we characterize the nucleotide diversity across a 5.2-kb region of G6PD in a sample of 160 Africans and 56 non-Africans, to determine how selection has shaped patterns of DNA variation at this gene. Our global sample of enzymatically normal B alleles and A, A-, and Med alleles with reduced enzyme activities reveals many previously uncharacterized silent-site polymorphisms. In comparison with the absence of amino acid divergence between human and chimpanzee G6PD sequences, we find that the number of G6PD amino acid polymorphisms in human populations is significantly high. Unlike many other G6PD-activity alleles with reduced activity, we find that the age of the A variant, which is common in Africa, may not be consistent with the recent emergence of severe malaria and therefore may have originally had a historically different adaptive function. Overall, our observations strongly support previous genotype-phenotype association studies that proposed that balancing selection maintains G6PD deficiencies within human populations. The present study demonstrates that nucleotide sequence analyses can reveal signatures of both historical and recent selection in the genome and may elucidate the impact that infectious disease has had during human evolution.     

^14CO2 Fixation and Translocation of Photoassimilates as Selection Criteria of Egyptian Taro Genotypes

The growth characterlstlcs, different physlological parameters, photosynthetic activity （^14CO2 fixation）, and the translocatlon rate of photoassimllates In different taro （Colocasia esculenta L. Schott） genotypes was studled In order to determlne the posslble use of these parameters as selectlon crlterla for dlfferent wldely used genotypes of taro （Delta No. 9, 15, 20, 21, and balady）. The results obtalned suggest that Delta No. 21 shows the most slgnlflcant increase In all parameters tested compared wlth the control （balady）, followed by Delta No. 9, 15, and 20, respectively. The results show a positive correlation between photosynthetlc actlvlty, translocatlon efflclency, and total yield. The selected clone Delta No. 21 Is recommended for cultlvatlon In the delta reglon of Egypt.     

The uptake of trace elements by spinach and bean varieties of different root parameters

The uptake by plants of trace elements from the soil depends to a large extent on root characteristics and activities. Differences between plant species and varieties in the uptake of trace elements are well known. Less understood, however, are the mechanisms governing these differences and the relative significance of various root parameters.Spinach and bean varieties were, therefore, compared with respect to their root lengths and number of root apices, and to the uptake of Mn, Fe and Zn from soil-sand mixtures. The results showed significant differences among the varieties tested, both in root characteristics and in the uptake of trace elements. However, no relationships were evident between the trace element uptake by spinach varieties and their root characteristics. Contrary to this the Fe-uptake by bean varieies exhibited a clear dependence on the total number of root apices. The uptake of Mn and Zn showed a similar relationship with some exceptions. Whether the apical regions of individual roots are the most active sites of uptake or rather affect the solubility of trace elements will be the subject of further investigations.