Isolation,Characterization, and Possible Anti‐Alzheimer's Disease Activities of Bisabolane‐Type Sesquiterpenoid Derivatives and Phenolics from the Rhizomes of Curcuma longa

One new bisabolane‐type sesquiterpenoid, together with four known bisabolane‐type sesquiterpenoid derivatives and seven phenolics, was isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic (IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, and NMR) data analysis. The possible anti‐Alzheimer's disease (AD) activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated using Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model, and 1β‐hydroxybisabola‐2,10‐dien‐4‐one had the highest possible anti‐AD activity.     

眼虫Astasia longa类核纤层蛋白基因的初步研究

利用PCR和克隆测序技术,对眼虫Astasia longa的核纤层蛋白（lamin）基因进行了研究。参考多种相对较低等多细胞动物的已知序列,设计出扩增lamin基因尾部区的引物,扩增获得两个主要片段：序列Ⅰ（650bp）和序列Ⅱ（797bp）。测序分析表明,序列Ⅱ包含序列Ⅰ,并具有lamin基因尾部特征（编码“CaaX“序列的四种密码子 终止密码子）的序列片段。     

The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: The databases such as Pubmed and Cochrane Library were searched to collect the article about Curcuma longa extract and curcumin in the treatment of OA. Then, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected and their data were extracted. Finally, the RevMan5.3 was utilized for risk of bias assessment and meta-analysis, the STATA15.0 were utilized for publication bias assessment, and GRADE tool were used for the evidence quality assessment of primary outcomes.Results: A total of 15 RCTs involving 1621 participants were included. (1) Compared with placebo, Curcuma longa extract and curcumin (C.) can decrease the visual analog scale (VAS) and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score-pain, the WOMAC score-function and the WOMAC score-stiffness. In terms of adverse events, Curcuma longa extract and curcumin are comparable with those of placebo. (2) Compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Curcuma longa extract and curcumin have similar effects on joint pain, function and stiffness. The incidence of adverse events in Curcuma longa extract and curcumin was lower. (3) Compared with the NSAIDs group, C.+NSAIDs can also decrease the VAS and WOMAC score-pain, the WOMAC score-function and the WOMAC score-stiffness. In terms of adverse events, the addition of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin to NSAIDs did not increase adverse events.Conclusion: Curcuma longa extract and curcumin may be a safer and effective supplement for OA patients. It is recommended to use Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplement for OA patients for more than 12 weeks.     

姜黄根茎中姜黄素类成分含量的产地差异及其与环境因子的CCA分析

采用HPLC法对产自四川崇州和犍为、广东四会、广西玉林和博白及金秀、云南马关的姜黄(Curcuma longaL.)根茎中姜黄素类成分含量进行测定,并利用典范对应分析方法(CCA)研究了不同产地姜黄根茎中姜黄素类成分含量与地理-气候因子及根际土壤养分因子间的相关性。结果表明:不同产地根际土壤中有机质、全N、全P和全K含量分别为14.03～32.79、0.39～0.92、0.56～1.55和2.29～9.23 g.kg-1,根际土壤养分含量差异较明显;姜黄多生长在中性偏酸、水肥性能良好的土壤中。姜黄根茎中姜黄素、去甲氧基姜黄素和双去甲氧基姜黄素含量及姜黄素类成分总含量的平均值分别为1.53%、0.42%、0.67%和2.61%;不同产地姜黄根茎中姜黄素类成分含量有显著差异,且同一产地采自不同采样点及不同采样时间的样品姜黄素类成分的含量也有一定差异。姜黄素类成分总含量以广西博白产姜黄根茎最高(4.29%)、广东四会产姜黄根茎最低(1.73%)。CCA分析结果表明:在经度、纬度、海拔、年均气温、极端最高温、极端最低温、年降水量、日照时数和无霜期等地理-气候因子中,年均气温和极端最低温与姜黄素类成分含量极显著正相关;而在pH值及有机质、全N、全P、全K含量等根际土壤养分因子中,有机质含量与姜黄素类成分含量极显著正相关。分析结果显示:影响姜黄根茎中姜黄素类成分含量的主要环境因子是年均气温、极端最低温和根际土壤的有机质含量。     

A hot water extract of Curcuma longa inhibits adhesion molecule protein expression and monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-stimulated human endothelial cells

The recruitment of arterial leukocytes to endothelial cells is an important step in the progression of various inflammatory diseases. Therefore, its modulation is thought to be a prospective target for the prevention or treatment of such diseases. Adhesion molecules on endothelial cells are induced by proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and contribute to the recruitment of leukocytes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of hot water extract of Curcuma longa (WEC) on the protein expression of adhesion molecules, monocyte adhesion induced by TNF-α in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treatment of HUVECs with WEC significantly suppressed both TNF-α-induced protein expression of adhesion molecules and monocyte adhesion. WEC also suppressed phosphorylation and degradation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IκBα) induced by TNF-α in HUVECs, suggesting that WEC inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway.     

An Activator Stimulating the Hydrolysis of Phospholipids by Phospholipase B from Torulaspora delbrueckii

An activator stimulating the enzymatic hydrolysis of phospholipids was purified to a homogeneous state from autolyzed Torulaspora delbrueckii cell washings. Autolyzed cell washings were extracted with chloroform and ethanol, and the activator was purified about 130-fold by sequential column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephacel, Sephacryl S-300, and TSK gel G 3000 SW (high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC). The molecular weight of the activator was about 175,000 as estimated by gel filtration on HPLC. However, the purified activator gave two protein bands corresponding to molecular weights from 102,000 to 129,000 and from 71,000 to 88,000, respectively, on SDS- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, when stained with silver stain reagent and periodic acid-Shiff (PAS) reagent. The activator was sensitive to heat treatment at 70°C for lOmin. The purified activator had no enzymatic activity, but stimulated the hydrolysis of phospholipids by water-soluble and membrane-bound phospholipases B if the substrates were pre-incubated with the activator. No stimulation of hydrolysis by the enzyme was observed when the activator was pre-incubated with the enzyme. The hydrolytic rate of phosphatidylcholine by the enzyme at acidic pH (pH 2.6) depended upon the amount of activator added. On the other hand, the hydrolytic rate at alkaline pH (pH 7.6) was stimulated greatly by more than 0.04 nmol of the activator.     

Two new genera and twelve new species of Anthuridea (Crustacea: Isopoda) from off the West Coast of New Zealand

Abstract

From the shelf and upper slope off the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the following new taxa of Isopoda Anthuridea (Crustacea) are described: Kupellonura proberti n. sp. (Hyssuridae); Quantanthura pacifica n. sp., Haliophasma platytelson n. sp. and H. novaezelandiae n. sp. (Anthuridae) Albanthura stenodactyla n. gen. et sp., A. rotunduropus n. sp., Bullowanthura crebrui n. sp., Leptanthura tmncatitelson n. sp., L. exilis n. sp., L. profundicola n. sp., Paranthura longa n. sp., and Psittanthura egregia n. gen. et sp. (Paranthuridae). Most of these are blind, unpigmented species, adapted to life in deep water. Albanthura n. gen. is blind, has a single telsonic statocyst, short flagella of the antennae, a maxilliped with 3 palpal articles, and a triangular carpus on pereopods 4 to 7. Psittanthura n. gen. is also blind, with very unusual, enlarged subchelae of pereopods 1 and 2, a large, rectangular telson with a single statocyst; the maxillipedal palp is composed of 1 large and 1 small, distal article; a mandibular palp is absent.     

Modulatory effects of some natural products on hepatotoxicity induced by combination of sodium valproate and paracetamol in rats

Possible hepatoprotective effect of Curcuma longa and/or Nigella sativa against hepatotoxicity induced by coadministration of sodium valproate (SV) and paracetamol was studied. Rats were divided into 10 groups, control groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received vehicles, C. longa (200 mg/kg, p.o.), N. sativa (250 mg/kg, p.o.), or both herbs for 21 days, respectively. Toxicity groups 5, 6, and 7 received SV (300 mg/kg, i.p.), paracetamol (1000 mg/kg, p.o.) for the last 4 days or both for 21 days, respectively. Protection groups 8, 9, and 10 received C. longa, N. sativa, or both, respectively, 1 h before the administration of both the drugs for 21 days. SV and/or paracetamol significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, relative liver/body weight ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and caspase‐3 (Casp‐3) while significantly decreased albumin, total protein, glutathione (GSH) reduced, GSH peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Preadministration of C. longa and/or N. sativa caused protective effect against the hepatotoxicity induced by both drugs.     

Preparation of carbon dot‐based ratiometric fluorescent probes for cellular imaging from Curcuma longa

This work derived biocompatible and stable probes based on fluorescent nanoparticles (FNPs) from a natural source, Curcuma longa. The multi‐color fluorescence emissions from carbonized Curcuma longa (C‐FNPs) obtained through defined dehydration conditions are soluble in water and have a small particle size (~17 nm). The surface passivation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) capped with amine groups in FNPs (P‐FNPs) generated a probe with a higher quantum yield and longer fluorescence lifetime than obtained with C‐FNPs. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction spectra confirmed the associated chemical moieties of C‐FNPs and P‐FNPs. Furthermore, the prepared material showed non‐toxic effects with almost 100% cell viability, even at high concentrations. In conclusion, fluorescence sensors from natural sources may be useful for numerous biomedical research applications.