Engeletin alleviates cerebral ischemia reperfusion-induced neuroinflammation via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB network

High-mobility group box1 (HMGB1) induces inflammatory injury, and emerging reports suggest that it is critical for brain ischemia reperfusion. Engeletin, a natural Smilax glabra rhizomilax derivative, is reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Herein, we examined the mechanism of engeletin-mediated neuroprotection in rats having transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. Male SD rats were induced using a 1.5 h tMCAO, following by reperfusion for 22.5 h. Engeletin (15, 30 or 60 mg/kg) was intravenously administered immediately following 0.5 h of ischemia. Based on our results, engeletin, in a dose-dependent fashion, reduced neurological deficits, infarct size, histopathological alterations, brain edema and inflammatory factors, namely, circulating IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ. Furthermore, engeletin treatment markedly reduced neuronal apoptosis, which, in turn, elevated Bcl-2 protein levels, while suppressing Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 protein levels. Meanwhile, engeletin significantly reduces overall expressions of HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB and attenuated nuclear transfer of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in ischemic cortical tissue. In conclusion, engeletin strongly prevents focal cerebral ischemia via suppression of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory network.     

Differences between migrasome,a ‘new organelle’, and exosome

The migrasome is a new organelle discovered by Professor Yu Li in 2015. When cells migrate, the membranous organelles that appear at the end of the retraction fibres are migrasomes. With the migration of cells, the retraction fibres which connect migrasomes and cells finally break. The migrasomes detach from the cell and are released into the extracellular space or directly absorbed by the recipient cell. The cytoplasmic contents are first transported to the migrasome and then released from the cell through the migrasome. This release mechanism, which depends on cell migration, is named ‘migracytosis’. The main components of the migrasome are extracellular vesicles after they leave the cell, which are easy to remind people of the current hot topic of exosomes. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles wrapped by the lipid bimolecular layer. With extensive research, exosomes have solved many disease problems. This review summarizes the differences between migrasomes and exosomes in size, composition, property and function, extraction method and regulation mechanism for generation and release. At the same time, it also prospects for the current hotspot of migrasomes, hoping to provide literature support for further research on the generation and release mechanism of migrasomes and their clinical application in the future.     

Effect of Flowering Stages on the Content of Active Ingredients and Antioxidant Capability of Bletilla striata Flowers

Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f. is a perennial herb with abundant active ingredients. Previous research mainly focused on its tubers, however, the study on flowers, especially the variation of active ingredient contents at different flowering stages, was rarely seen. This study analyzed the total phenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, anthocyanins, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside content of B. striata flowers which were in cultivated in Herb Garden of Zhejiang A&F University and collected in May, 2019, in order to investigate the changes in active ingredients and antioxidant capacity among different flowering stages (bud, initial, and full bloom). Changes in radical scavenging capability of DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), ABTS (2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)), and hydroxy were analyzed. Significant differences in active ingredient content of flowers were detected among different flowering stages. The total phenolic content increased continuously during the entire flowering stage. The contents of total flavonoid, total polysaccharide, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside reached peaks at the initial blooming stage and then fell as the flowering process continued. The antioxidant activity in initial stage was the highest than in any other flowering stages. Therefore, we conclude that the initial blooming stage is the best harvesting stage of B. striata flowers. This study provides a robust basis for the harvest and utilization of B. striata flowers in food, medical, and cosmetic industries.     

Triterpenoids from Meehania fargesii with Cytotoxic Activity1

In the investigation of Meehania fargesii, eighteen triterpenoids were isolated and identified, including a previously unknown compound with an 13,27-cycloursane skeleton, using techniques like 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-MS. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these compounds were evaluated against HCT116, MCF-7, and AGS cell lines using the CCK-8 method to examine their structure–activity relationship. Remarkably, compounds 13 and 16 exhibited higher cytotoxicity across all three cell lines compared to the positive drug. Western blot analysis revealed that these compounds activated apoptosis in HCT116 cells by promoting the Bax protein and inhibiting the Bcl-2 protein. This suggests that compounds 13 and 16 have potential as apoptosis-inducing agents in HCT116 cells.     

Terpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia and Their Cytotoxic Activities against H1975 Cells

Three previously undescribed diterpenoids, helioscopnoids A–C, and eight known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Euphorbia helioscopia. Their structures were established by extensive analysis of spectra and data comparison with previous literatures. Among them, compound 4 was identified as 24,24-dimethoxy-25,26,27-trinoreuphan-3β-ol with revised configurations of C-13, C-14, and C-17 (13R*, 14R*, 17R*). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that all compounds exhibited varying levels of cytotoxicity against H1975 cells, with compound 9 displaying the most potent activity, as indicated by cell viability rates of 18.13 % and 20.76 % at concentrations of 20 μM and 5 μM, respectively. This study expands the understanding of E. helioscopia terpenoids’ structural diversity and biological activities, contributing to the exploration of potential therapeutic applications.     

The legacy effect of biochar application on soil nitrous oxide emissions

Existing studies suggest that biochar application can reduce soil nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, mainly based on short-term results. However, it remains unclear what the effects (i.e., legacy effects) and underlying mechanisms are on N₂O emissions after many years of a single application of biochar. Here, we collected intact soil columns from plots without and with biochar application in a subtropical tea plantation 7 years ago for an incubation experiment. We used the N₂O isotopocule analysis combined with ammonia oxidizer-specific inhibitors and molecular biology approaches to investigate how the legacy effect of biochar affected soil N₂O emissions. Results showed that the soil in the presence of biochar had lower N₂O emissions than the control albeit statistically insignificant. The legacy effect of biochar in decreasing N₂O emissions may be attributed to the reduced effectiveness of the soil substrate, nitrification and denitrification activities, and the promotion of the further reduction of N₂O. The legacy effect of biochar reduced the relative contribution of nitrifier denitrification/bacterial denitrification, nitrification-related N₂O production, and the relative abundance of several microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle. Our global meta-analysis also showed that the reduction of N₂O by biochar increased with increasing application rate but diminished and possibly even reversed with increasing experimental time. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the abatement capacity of biochar on soil N₂O emissions may weaken over time after biochar application, but this remains under further investigation.     

Efficient polymer-mediated delivery system for thiocyclam: Nanometerization remarkably improves the bioactivity toward green peach aphids

The unscientific application of synthetic pesticides has brought various negative effects on the environment, hindering the sustainable development of agriculture. Nanoparticles can be applied as carriers to improve pesticide delivery, showing great potential in the development of pesticide formulation in recent years. Herein, a star polymer (SPc) was constructed as an efficient pesticide nanocarrier/adjuvant that could spontaneously assemble with thiocyclam or monosultap into a complex, through hydrophobic association and hydrogen bonding, respectively, with the pesticide-loading contents of 42.54% and 19.3%. This complexation reduced the particle sizes of thiocyclam from 543.54 to 52.74 nm for pure thiocyclam, and 3 814.16 to 1 185.89 nm for commercial preparation (cp) of thiocyclam. Interestingly, the introduction of SPc decreased the contact angles of both pure and cp thiocyclam on plant leaves, and increased the plant uptake of cp thiocyclam to 2.4–1.9 times of that without SPc. Meanwhile, the SPc could promote the bioactivity of pure/cp thiocyclam against green peach aphids through leaf dipping method and root application. For leaf dipping method, the 50% lethal concentration decreased from 0.532 to 0.221 g/L after the complexation of pure thiocyclam with SPc, and that decreased from 0.390 to 0.251 g/L for cp thiocyclam. SPc seems a promising adjuvant for nanometerization of both pure and cp insecticides, which is beneficial for improving the delivery efficiency and utilization rate of pesticides.     

pH对灵芝液态发酵代谢物及抗氧化活性的影响

已有研究报道灵芝栽培生长的最适pH在中性偏酸环境,在碱性范围的生长及代谢情况鲜见报道。本研究主要探究广泛pH对灵芝液态发酵代谢物及其抗氧化活性的影响。采用摇瓶液态培养后分析代谢物中灵芝三萜、胞内外多糖、菌丝体蛋白及抗氧化活性等指标,系统比较灵芝菌丝体在pH值2-11的生长和代谢情况。研究结果表明,灵芝菌丝体生长、合成灵芝三萜、胞内多糖、30E胞外多糖、菌丝体蛋白和菌丝体水解氨基酸的最适pH值分别为10、3、2、7、2和2。对应结果分别为17.13 g/L、33.86 mg/g、72.73 mg/g、7.86 g/L、71.42 mg/g和107.10 mg/g。比对照分别提高28.5%、77.3%、22.4%、96.5%、97.1%和70.8%。胞内多糖组分1和组分2最高分子量均在初始pH 4,分别为1.016×10⁸ g/mol和9.280×10⁴ g/mol,胞外多糖组分1最高分子量在初始pH 10,为4.946×10⁶ g/mol;对菌丝体的总抗氧化能力、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl,DPPH)自由基清除能力、羟自由基清除能力分析结果表明最佳的初始pH分别为3、7、9。本研究为液态发酵方式下灵芝生长及其代谢物定向调控发酵的工艺优化提供参考依据,同时发现灵芝菌丝体中优质蛋白及抗氧化活性可在功能性食品和化妆品领域推广应用。