Chemical transformation and target preparation of saponins in stems and leaves of Panax notoginseng

Wang, Ru-Feng,Li, Juan,Hu, Hai-Jun,Li, Jia,Yang, Ying-Bo,Yang, Li,Wang, Zheng-Tao The Korean Society of Ginseng 2018 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.42 No.3

Background: Notoginsenoside Ft1 is a promising potential candidate for cardiovascular and cancer disease therapy owing to its positive pharmacological activities. However, the yield of Ft1 is ultralow utilizing reported methods. Herein, an acid hydrolyzing strategy was implemented in the acquirement of rare notoginsenoside Ft1. Methods: Chemical profiles were identified by ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple-time-of-flight and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-ESI-MS). The acid hydrolyzing dynamic changes of chemical compositions and the possible transformation pathways of saponins were monitored by ultrahigh-performance LC coupled with tandem MS (UHPLC-MS/ MS). Results and conclusion: Notoginsenoside Ft1 was epimerized from notoginsenoside ST4, which was generated through cleaving the carbohydrate side chains at C-20 of notoginsenosides Fa and Fc, and vinaginsenoside R7, and further converted to other compounds via hydroxylation at C-25 or hydrolysis of the carbohydrate side chains at C-3 under the acid conditions. High temperature contributed to the hydroxylation reaction at C-25 and 25% acetic acid concentration was conducive to the preparation of notoginsenoside Ft1. C-20 epimers of notoginsenoside Ft1 and ST4 were successfully separated utilizing solvent method of acetic acid solution. The theoretical preparation yield rate of notoginsenoside Ft1 was about 1.8%, which would be beneficial to further study on its bioactivities and clinical application.

Risk Factors for Anxiety in Major Depressive Disorder Patients

Li-Min Xin,Lin Chen,Zhen-Peng Ji,Suo-Yuan Zhang,Jun Wang,Yan-Hong Liu,Da-Fang Chen,Fu-De Yang,Gang Wang,Yi-Ru Fang,Zheng Lu,Hai-Chen Yang,Jian Hu,Zhi-Yu Chen,Yi Huang,Jing Sun,Xiao-Ping Wang,Hui-Chun 대한정신약물학회 2015 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.13 No.3

Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic and clinical factors related to anxiety in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: This study involved a secondary analysis of data obtained from the Diagnostic Assessment Service for People with Bipolar Disorders in China (DASP), which was initiated by the Chinese Society of Psychiatry (CSP) and conducted from September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011. Based on the presence or absence of anxiety-related characteristics, 1,178 MDD patients were classified as suffering from anxious depression (n=915) or non-anxious depression (n=263), respectively. Results: Compared with the non-anxious group, the anxious-depression group had an older age at onset (t=−4.39, p<0.001), were older (t=−4.69, p<0.001), reported more lifetime depressive episodes (z=−3.24, p=0.001), were more likely to experience seasonal depressive episodes (χ2=6.896, p=0.009) and depressive episodes following stressful life events (χ2=59.350, p <0.001), and were more likely to have a family history of psychiatric disorders (χ2=6.091, p=0.014). Their positive and total scores on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and the 32-item Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32) (p<0.05) were also lower. The logistic regression analysis indicated that age (odds ratio [OR]=1.03, p<0.001), a lower total MDQ score (OR=0.94, p=0.011), depressive episodes following stressful life events (OR=3.04, p<0.001), and seasonal depressive episodes (OR=1.75, p=0.039) were significantly associated with anxious depression. Conclusion: These findings indicate that older age, fewer subclinical bipolar features, an increased number of depressive episodes following stressful life events, and seasonal depressive episodes may be risk factors for anxiety-related characteristics in patients with MDD.

Dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides from the leaves and stems of Panax notoginseng and their antiinflammatory activities

Li, Juan,Wang, Ru-Feng,Zhou, Yue,Hu, Hai-Jun,Yang, Ying-Bo,Yang, Li,Wang, Zheng-Tao The Korean Society of Ginseng 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.3

Background: Inflammation is widespread in the clinical pathology and closely associated to the progress of many diseases. Triterpenoid saponins as a key group of active ingredients in Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen were demonstrated to show antiinflammatory effects. However, the chemical structures of saponins in the leaves and stems of Panax notoginseng (PNLS) are still not fully clear. Herein, the isolation, purification and further evaluation of the antiinflammatory activity of dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from PNLS were conducted. Methods: Silica gel and reversed-phase C8 column chromatography were used. Furthermore, preparative HPLC was used as a final purification technique to obtain minor saponins with high purities. MS, NMR experiments, and chemical methods were used in the structural identifications. The antiinflammatory activities of the isolated saponins were assessed by measuring the nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharides. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the gene expressions of inflammation-related gene. Results: Eight new minor dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, namely notoginsenosides LK1-LK8 (1-8) were obtained from PNLS, along with seven known ones. Among the isolated saponins, gypenoside IX significantly suppressed the nitric oxide production and inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, interleukin 10, interferon-inducible protein 10 and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. Conclusion: The eight saponins may enrich and expand the chemical library of saponins in Panax genus. Moreover, it is reported for the first time that gypenoside IX showed moderate antiinflammatory activity.

Combination of FDG PET/CT and Contrast-Enhanced MSCT in Detecting Lymph Node Metastasis of Esophageal Cancer

Tan, Ru,Yao, Shu-Zhan,Huang, Zhao-Qin,Li, Jun,Li, Xin,Tan, Hai-Hua,Liu, Qing-Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Background: Lymph node metastasis is believed to be a dependent negative prognostic factor of esophageal cancer. To explore detection methods with high sensitivity and accuracy for metastases to regional and distant lymph nodes in the clinic is of great significance. This study focused on clinical application of FDG PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multiple-slice helical computed tomography (MSCT) in lymph node staging of esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifteen cases were examined with enhanced 64-slice-MSCT scan, and FDG PET/CT imaging was conducted for neck, chest and upper abdomen within one week. The primary lesion, location and numbers of metastatic lymph nodes were observed. Surgery was performed within one week after FDG PET/CT detection. All resected lesions were confirmed histopathologically as the gold standard. Comparative analysis of the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy based on FDG PET/CT and MSCT was conducted. Results: There were 946 lymph node groups resected during surgery from 115 patients, and 221 were confirmed to have metastasis pathologically. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of FDG PET/CT in detecting lymph node metastasis were 74.7%, 97.2% and 92.0%, while with MSCT they were 64.7%, 96.4%, and 89.0%, respectively. A significance difference was observed in sensitivity (p=0.030), but not the others (p>0.05). The accuracy of FDG PET/CT in detecting regional lymph node with or without metastasis were 91.9%, as compared to 89.4% for MSCT, while FDG PET/CT and MSCT values for detecting distant lymph node with or without metastasis were 94.4% and 94.7%. No significant difference was observed for either regional or distant lymph node metastasis. Additionally, for detecting para-esophageal lymph nodes metastasis, the sensitivity of FDG PET/CT was 72%, compared with 54.7% for MSCT (p=0.029). Conclusions: FDG PET/CT is more sensitive than MSCT in detecting lymph node metastasis, especially for para-esophageal lymph nodes in esophageal cancer cases, although no significant difference was observed between FDG PET/CT and MSCT in detecting both regional and distant lymph node metastasis. However, enhanced MSCT was found to be of great value in distinguishing false negative metastatic lymph nodes from FDG PET/CT. The combination of FDG PET/CT with MSCT should improve the accuracy in lymph node metastasis staging of esophageal cancer.

Preoperative Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Non-metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Wen, Ru-Min,Zhang, Yi-Jing,Ma, Sha,Xu, Ying-Li,Chen, Yan-Su,Li, Hai-Long,Bai, Jin,Zheng, Jun-Nian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with colorectal, lung, gastric cancer, pancreatic and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We here evaluated whether preoperative NLR is an independent prognostic factor for non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods: Data from 327 patients who underwent curative or palliative nephrectomy were evaluated retrospectively. In preoperative blood routine examination, neutrophils and lymphocytes were obtained. The predictive value of NLR for non-metastatic RCC was analyzed. Results: The NLR of 327 patients was $2.72{\pm}2.25$. NLR <1.7 and NLR ${\geq}1.7$ were classified as low and high NLR groups, respectively. Chi-square test showed that the preoperative NLR was significantly correlated with the tumor size (P=0.025), but not with the histological subtype (P=0.095)and the pT stage (P=0.283). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Effects of NLR on OS (P=0.007) and DFS (P=0.011) were significant. To evaluate the independent prognostic significance of NLR, multivariate COX regression models were applied and identified increased NLR as an independent prognostic factor for OS (P=0.015), and DFS (P=0.019). Conclusions: Regarding patient survival, an increased NLR represented an independent risk factor, which might reflect a higher risk for severe cardiovascular and other comorbidities. An elevated blood NLR may be a biomarker of poor OS and DFS in patients with non-metastatic RCC.

Dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides from the leaves and stems of Panax notoginseng and their antiinflammatory activities

Juan Li,Ru-Feng Wang,Yue Zhou,Hai-Jun Hu,Ying-Bo Yang,Li Yang,Zheng-Tao Wang 고려인삼학회 2019 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.43 No.3

Background: Inflammation is widespread in the clinical pathology and closely associated to the progressof many diseases. Triterpenoid saponins as a key group of active ingredients in Panax notoginseng (Burk.)F.H. Chen were demonstrated to show antiinflammatory effects. However, the chemical structures ofsaponins in the leaves and stems of Panax notoginseng (PNLS) are still not fully clear. Herein, the isolation,purification and further evaluation of the antiinflammatory activity of dammarane-type triterpenoidsaponins from PNLS were conducted. Methods: Silica gel and reversed-phase C8 column chromatography were used. Furthermore, preparativeHPLC was used as a final purification technique to obtain minor saponins with high purities. MS, NMRexperiments, and chemical methods were used in the structural identifications. The antiinflammatoryactivities of the isolated saponins were assessed by measuring the nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharides. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction wasused to measure the gene expressions of inflammation-related gene. Results: Eight new minor dammarane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, namely notoginsenosides LK1-LK8 (1e8) were obtained from PNLS, along with seven known ones. Among the isolated saponins,gypenoside IX significantly suppressed the nitric oxide production and inflammatory cytokines includingtumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin 10, interferon-inducible protein 10 and interleukin-1b. Conclusion: The eight saponins may enrich and expand the chemical library of saponins in Panax genus. Moreover, it is reported for the first time that gypenoside IX showed moderate antiinflammatory activity.

Sexual dimorphism-related gene expression analysis based on the transcriptome in Gynaephora qinghaiensis, a pest of grassland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Wang Hai-Zhen,Zhang Ru-yi,Yuyu-Li,Liu Xin 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

Gynaephora qinghaiensis is a pest in the alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) that seriously harms grassland vegetation. Sexual dimorphism (SD) is common in insects, but its molecular mechanism at the tran scriptome level in insects, especially in G. qinghaiensis, has not been reported. In this study, we conducted transcriptome analysis of pupae and adults of the two sexes (male and female) of G. qinghaiensis. A total of 204,557,900 clean reads assembled into 114,944 unigenes were obtained by RNA-Seq. To explore differences in the transcriptome levels of molecular characteristics related to SD between the two sexes of G. qinghaiensis, gene expression profiling was performed. A total of 88 differentially expressed unigenes related to sex determination were found in the pupae of G. qinghaiensis; of these, 74 were upregulated and 14 were downregulated in the female pupae compared to the male pupae. Forty-five unigenes related to sex determination were found in the adults of G. qinghaiensis; of these, 15 were upregulated and 30 were downregulated in the female adults compared to the male adults. This indicated some differences in the expression of genes involved in sex deter mination between male and female individuals of G. qinghaiensis. Therefore, we speculated that sex-determining genes may play an important role in the formation of sexual dimorphism in G. qinghaiensis. Our report provides a valuable genomic resource for further studies of grassland caterpillars and improves our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism between male and female insects.

Molecular cloning, expression profiles and subcellular localization of cyclin B in ovary of the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain

Wen-Xing Li,Hui-Yang Huang,Jing-Ru Huang,Jin-Jin Yu,Jun Ma,Hai-Hui Ye 한국유전학회 2013 Genes & Genomics Vol.35 No.2

A full-length cDNA of cyclin B was isolated from ovary of the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) in this study. This transcript encodes a polypeptide of 401 amino acids, which is highly homologous to cyclin B protein family. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) showed that cyclin B mRNA was expressed at highest levels in ovary of the mud crab. During the ovarian maturation process, realtime RT-PCR revealed that the abundance of cyclin B mRNA increased from the second stage (early-developing stage) to the fourth stage (nearly-ripe stage) and reached the peak level at the fifth stage (ripe stage). This result indicates the identified cyclin B gene might be related to the cell proliferation in ovary, both mitotically and meiotically. Immunohistochemistry showed that cyclin B protein was localized in the cytoplasm of prophase oocytes at the second stage while enriched in the nuclei of pro-metaphase oocytes at the fourth stage. It suggests the tested cyclin B protein might play different roles in ovary at the two stages.

Degradation of Lignocelluloses in Rice Straw by BMC-9, a Composite Microbial System

( Hongyan Zhao ),( Hai Ru Yu ),( Xu Feng Yuan ),( Ren Zhe Piao ),( Hu Lin Li ),( Xiao Fen Wang ),( Zong Jun Cui ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.5

To evaluate the potential utility of pretreatment of raw biomass with a complex microbial system, we investigated the degradation of rice straw by BMC-9, a lignocellulose decomposition strain obtained from a biogas slurry compost environment. The degradation characteristics and corresponding changes in the bacterial community were assessed. The results showed that rapid degradation occurred from day 0 to day 9, with a peak total biomass bacterium concentration of 3.3 × 10(8) copies/ml on day 1. The pH of the fermentation broth declined initially and then increased, and the mass of rice straw decreased steadily. The highest concentrations of volatile fatty acid contents (0.291 mg/l lactic acid, 0.31 mg/l formic acid, 1.93 mg/l acetic acid, and 0.73 mg/l propionic acid) as well as the highest xylanse activity (1.79 U/ml) and carboxymethyl cellulase activity (0.37 U/ml) occurred on day 9. The greatest diversity among the microbial community also occurred on day 9, with the presence of bacteria belonging to Clostridium sp., Bacillus sp., and Geobacillus sp. Together, our results indicate that BMC-9 has a strong ability to rapidly degrade the lignocelluloses of rice straw under relatively inexpensive conditions, and the optimum fermentation time is 9 days.

Fancd2os Reduces Testosterone Production by Inhibiting Steroidogenic Enzymes and Promoting Cellular Apoptosis in Murine Testicular Leydig Cells

Xiang Zhai,Xin-yang Li,Yu-jing Wang,Ke-ru Qin,Jin-rui Hu,Mei-ning Li,Hai-long Wang,Rui Guo 대한내분비학회 2022 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.37 No.3

Background: It is well-established that serum testosterone in men decreases with age, yet the underlying mechanism of this changeremains elusive. Methods: The expression patterns of Fancd2 opposite-strand (Fancd2os) in BALB/c male mice and testicular tissue derived celllines (GC-1, GC-2, TM3, and TM4) were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence. The Fancd2os-overexpressing or knockdown TM3 cells were constructed by infecting them with lentivirus particlesand were used to evaluated the function of Fancd2os. The testosterone production was measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the steroidogenic enzymes such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), P450 cholesterol sidechain cleavage (P450scc), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) were analysed using RT-PCR. The apoptosis of TM3cells induced by ultraviolet light or testicular tissues was detected using flow cytometry, Western blot or dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between the Fancd2os expression and TUNELpositive staining in mouse testicular Leydig cells. Results: The Fancd2os protein was predominantly expressed in mouse testicular Leydig cells and its expression increased with age. Fancd2os overexpression inhibited testosterone levels in TM3 Leydig cells, whereas knockdown of Fancd2os elevated testosteroneproduction. Fancd2os overexpression downregulated the levels of StAR, P450scc and 3β-HSD, while Fancd2os knockdown reversed this effect. Fancd2os overexpression promoted ultraviolet light-induced apoptosis of TM3 cells. In contrast, Fancd2os knockdown restrained apoptosis in TM3 cells. In vivo assays revealed that higher Fancd2os levels and mouse age were associated with increased apoptosis in Leydig cells and decreased serum testosterone levels. Pearson correlation analysis exhibited a strong positivecorrelation between the expression of Fancd2os and TUNEL-positive staining in mouse testicular Leydig cells. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Fancd2os regulates testosterone synthesis via both steroidogenic enzymes and the apoptoticpathway.