Crocetin Induces Cytotoxicity in Colon Cancer Cells Via p53-independent Mechanisms

Li, Cai-Yan,Huang, Wen-Feng,Wang, Qun-Li,Wang, Fan,Cai, E.,Hu, Bing,Du, Jia-Cheng,Wang, Jing,Chen, Rong,Cai, Xiao-Jing,Feng, Jing,Li, Hui-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: Crocin has been proposed as a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the chemopreventive action and the possible mechanisms of crocin against human colon cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Cell proliferation was examined using MTT assay and the cell cycle distribution fractions were analyzed using fow cytometric analysis after propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was detected using theTUNEL Apoptosis Detection Kit with laser scanning confocal microscope. DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, while expression levels of p53, cdk2, cyclinA and P21 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: Treatment of SW480 cells with crocetin (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mmol/L) for 48 h signifcantly inhibited their proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) signifcantly induced cell cycle arrest through p53-independent mechanisms accompanied by P21 induction. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) caused cytotoxicity in the SW480 cells by enhancing apoptosis and decreasing DNA repair capacity in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: This report provides evidence that crocetin is a potential anticancer agent, which may be used as a chemotherapeutic drug.

New phenylpropanoids from Bulbophyllum retusiusculum

Yun-Shan Fang,Ming-Hui Yang,Le Cai,Jia-Peng Wang,Tian-Peng Yin,Jing Yu,Zhong-Tao Ding 대한약학회 2018 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.41 No.11

Two new phenylpropanoids, retusiusines A (1) and B (2), and a pair of new phenylpropyl enantiomers, (±)-retusiusine C (3a and 3b), together with eight known compounds, dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate (4), methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (5), 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanoic acid (6), dihydroferulic acid (7), methyl 3-(4-methoxyphenyl) propionate (8), 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenal (9), trans-p-coumaric acid (10) and dihydroconiferyl alcohol (11), were isolated from the tubers of Bulbophyllum retusiusculum. The absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined by calculating their electronic circular dichroism (ECD), spectra and specific optical rotations and comparing the calculated values with the experimental data. Compound 2 exhibited potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans (16 μg/mL). Compound 3 showed moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (64 μg/mL).

Predictive Significance of Claudin-3 for Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

Huang Zhi-Qun,Ye Jing,Liu Jing,Sun Li-Ying,Ong Hsiao Hui,Wei Yong-Hao,Fu Shu-Cai,Hu Xiao-Xun,Xu Yu,Wang De-Yun 대한천식알레르기학회 2023 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.15 No.4

Purpose: The abnormal expression of tight junction (TJ) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, there is no appropriate tool to distinguish and diagnose epithelial barrier defects in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of claudin-3 for epithelial barrier dysfunction in CRSwNP. Methods: In this study, TJ protein levels were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescent, and immunohistochemistry staining in control subjects and CRSwNP patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was created to assess the predictive value of TJ breakdown in clinical outcomes. In vitro, human nasal epithelial cells were cultured at the air-liquid interface to analyze the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) level. Results: The expression levels of occludin, tricellulin, claudin-3, and claudin-10 were decreased (all P < 0.05), and those of claudin-1 was increased (P < 0.05) in CRSwNP patients as compared to healthy subjects. Additionally, claudin-3 and occludin levels were negatively correlated with the computed tomography score in CRSwNP (all P < 0.05), and the ROC curve indicated that the claudin-3 level had the most predictive accuracy in evaluating epithelial barrier disruption (area under the curve = 0.791, P < 0.001). Finally, the time-series analysis showed the highest correlation coefficient between TER and claudin-3 (cross-correlation function = 0.75). Conclusion: In this study, we suggest that claudin-3 could be a valuable biomarker for predicting nasal epithelial barrier defects and disease severity in CRSwNP.

Antimicrobial glycoalkaloids from the tubers of Stephania succifera

Yan-Bo Zeng,Dai-Jing Wei,Wen-Hua Dong,Cai-Hong Cai,De-Lan Yang,Hui-Min Zhong,Wen-Li Mei,Hao Fu Dai 대한약학회 2017 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.40 No.4

Three new glycoalkaloids, N-formyl-asimilobine-2-O-b-D-glucoside (1), (-)-1-O-b-D-glucoside-8-oxotetrahydropalmatine(2), and 1-N-monomethylcarbamateargentinine-3-O-b-D-glucoside (3) were isolated fromtubers of Stephania succifera. The structures were establishedbased on spectroscopic analysis, and the antimicrobialactivities of the three glycoalkaloids are reported.

Preparation of Thermosensitive Hydrogels by means of Tandem Physical and Chemical Crosslinking

Hong-Liang Wei,Kai Yao,Zhe Yang,Hui-Juan Chu,Jing Zhu,Cun-Cai Ma,Zi-Xuan Zhao 한국고분자학회 2011 Macromolecular Research Vol.19 No.3

The tandem physical and chemical crosslinking was used to prepare injectable hydrogels. First, the terpolymers with diene groups were synthesized by the free radical copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA), N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and furfuryl methacrylate (FM). Second, dienophile-functionalized terpolymers were obtained from the terpolymers of NIPA, DMA, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and Nmaleoyl alanine (AMI) by a coupling reaction under N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). When the screened diene-functionalized terpolymer and dienophile-functionalized terpolymer were dissolved separately in water and mixed, physically cross-linked hydrogels formed rapidly within 10 s at 37 ℃. Subsequently, the physically crosslinked hydrogels could change gradually into chemically cross-linked hydrogels by a Diels-Alder reaction and the mechanical strength of the hydrogels could be improved. The swelling behavior study suggests that the hydrogels possess thermosensitivity and good reproducibility at different temperatures. The strategy described, i.e. incorporating the advantages of physically crosslinked hydrogels and chemically crosslinked hydrogels, has potential applications in the preparation of injectable hydrogels.

Biocatalysis and Fermentation Technology : Purification and Characterization of a Thermostable Xylanase from Paenibacillus sp. NF1 and its Application in Xylooligosaccharides Production

( Hong Chen Zheng ),( Ming Zhe Sun ),( Ling Cai Meng ),( Hai Sheng Pei ),( Xiu Qing Zhang ),( Zheng Yan ),( Wen Hui Zeng ),( Jing Sheng Zhang ),( Jin Rong Hu ),( Fu Ping Lu ),( Jun She Sun ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.4

High levels of extracellular xylanase activity (211.79 IU/mg) produced by Paenibacillus sp. NF1 were detected when it was submerged-cultured. After three consecutive purification steps using Octyl-Sepharose, Sephadex G75, and Q-Sepharose columns, a thermostable xylanase (XynNF) was purified to homogeneity and showed a molecular mass of 37 kDa according to SDS-PAGE. The specific activity of the purified XynNF was up to 3,081.05 IU/mg with a 14.55-fold purification. The activity of XynNF was stimulated by Ca2+, Ba2+, DTT, and β-mercaptoethanol, but was inhibited by Fe3+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, SDS, and EDTA. The purified XynNF displayed a greater affinity for oat spelt xylan with the maximal enzymatic activity at 60°C and pH 6.0. XynNF, which was shown to be cellulose-free, with high stability at high temperature (70°C-80°C) and low pH range (pH 4.0-7.0), is potentially valuable for various industrial applications. The enzyme hydrolyzed oat spelt xylan to yield mainly xylooligosaccharides (95.8%) of 2-4 degree of polymerization (DP2-4). Moreover, the majority of the xylooligosacharides (DP2- 4) products was xylobiose (61.5%). The thermostable xylanase (XynNF) thus seems potentially usefull in the production of xylooligosaccharides.

Over-expression of StLCYb increases b-carotene accumulation in potato tubers

Xiao-yan Song,Wen-jiao Zhu,Rui-min Tang,Jing-hui Cai,Min Chen,Qing Yang 한국식물생명공학회 2016 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.10 No.2

Lycopene b-cyclase (LCYb) is involved in the first step of the b-branch synthetic pathway of carotenoids from lycopene in plants. In this study, to explore the possibility of regulating b-carotene synthesis via the b-branchspecific pathway in potato, StLCYb gene was first isolated from potato cultivar Desiree, and its open reading frame was 1503 bp long without intron. The protein sequence of StLCYb showed high similarity with that of LCYbs in other species such as SlLCYb1, CaLCYb, NtLCYb and ApLCYb. StLCYb was expressed in all tissues and the highest level was observed in tubers followed in flowers, and the lowest level was in roots. HPLC detected an about 1.5–1.9 times increase in b-carotene content of transgenic potato tubers, in which the gene StLCYb was overexpressed, compared with the wild-type control. Besides, the expression levels of carotenoid-related genes StPSY, StPDS, StZDS, StCHYb and StZEP transcripts in the transgenic lines were significantly higher than in the wild-type control, which implied a positive regulation in promoting carotenoid synthesis. All these results suggest that b-carotene content in potato tubers could be regulated by modulating StLCYb expression.

Overexpression of Cyclooxygenase-1 Correlates with Poor Prognosis in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Yu, Zu-Hu,Zhang, Qiang,Wang, Ya-Dong,Chen, Jing,Jiang, Zhi-Mao,Shi, Min,Guo, Xin,Qin, Jie,Cui, Guang-Hui,Cai, Zhi-Ming,Gui, Yao-Ting,Lai, Yong-Qing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of COX-1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its prognostic value. mRNA of COX-1 was detected in 42 paired RCC and adjacent normal tissues with quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Expression of COX-1 was also evaluated in 196 RCC sections and 91 adjacent normal tissues with immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed to assess COX-1 expression in RCC and its prognostic significance. The results of qRT-PCR showed mRNA levels of COX-1 in RCC tissues to be significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemical assays also revealed COX-1 to be overexpressed in RCC tissues (p < 0.001). Statistical analysis demonstrated high expression of COX-1 was correlated with tumour size (p = 0.002), pathological stage (p = 0.003), TNM stage (p = 0.003, 0.007, 0.027, respectively), and tumour recurrence (p < 0.001). Survival analysis indicated patients with high expression of COX-1 had shorter survival time (p < 0.001), and COX-1 was an independent predictor. This is the first study to reveal overexpression of COX-1 in RRC and point to use as a prognostic marker in affected patients.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of natural prenylated flavonoids

Hua-Wei Lv,Qiao-Liang Wang,Meng Luo,Meng-Di Zhu,Hui-Min Liang,Wen-Jing Li,Hai Cai,Zhong-Bo Zhou,Hong Wang,Sheng-Qiang Tong,Xing-Nuo Li 대한약학회 2023 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.46 No.4

Prenylated flavonoids are a special kind of flavonoid derivative possessing one or more prenyl groups in the parent nucleus of the flavonoid. The presence of the prenyl side chain enriched the structural diversity of flavonoids and increased their bioactivity and bioavailability. Prenylated flavonoids show a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective effects, and anti-osteoclastogenic activities. In recent years, many compounds with significant activity have been discovered with the continuous excavation of the medicinal value of prenylated flavonoids, and have attracted the extensive attention of pharmacologists. This review summarizes recent progress on research into natural active prenylated flavonoids to promote new discoveries of their medicinal value.

Associations of HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility, glucocorticoids efficacy and health-related quality of life in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Man Zhang,Su‑Su Li,Qiao‑Mei Xie,Jian‑Hua Xu,Xiu‑Xiu Sun,Fa‑Ming Pan,Sheng‑Qian Xu,Sheng‑Xiu Liu,Jin‑Hui Tao,Shuang Liu,Jing Cai,Pei‑Ling Chen,Long Qian,Chun‑Huai Wang,Chun‑Mei Liang,Hai‑Liang Huang,Ha 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.10

Although the current glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is effective to a certain extent, the difference in therapeutic effect between patients is still a widespread problem. Some patients can have repeated attacks that greatly diminish their quality of life. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between HSP90AA2 polymorphisms and disease susceptibility, GCs efficacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese SLE patients. A case–control study was performed in 470 SLE patients and 470 normal controls. Then, 444 patients in the case group were followed up for 12 weeks to observe efficacy of GCs and improvement of HRQoL. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HSP90AA2 were selected for genotyping: rs1826330 and rs6484340. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The minor T allele of rs1826330 and the TT haplotype formed by rs1826330 and rs6484340 showed associations with decreased SLE risk (T allele: PBH = 0.022; TT haplotype: PBH = 0.033). A significant association between rs6484340 and improvement of HRQoL was revealed in the follow-up study. Five subscales of SF-36 were appeared to be influenced by rs6484340: total score of SF-36 (additive model: PBH = 0.026), physical function (additive model: PBH = 0.026), rolephysical (recessive model: PBH = 0.041), mental health (dominant model: PBH = 0.047), and physical component summary (additive model: PBH = 0.026). No statistical significance was found between HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms and GCs efficacy. These results revealed a genetic association between HSP90AA2 and SLE. Remarkably, HSP90AA2 has an impact on the improvement of HRQoL in Chinese population with SLE.