Rosa Huang Liu

Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Clinacanthus nutans Aerial Parts

Four new sulfur-containing compounds, named clinamides A-C (1–3), and 2-cis-entadamide A (4), were isolated together with three known compounds from the bioactive ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Clinacanthus nutans. These secondary metabolites possess sulfur atoms and acrylamide functionalities. The structures of the isolated components were established by interpretation of their spectroscopic data, especially 1D and 2D NMR.

Complementary Usage of Rhodiola crenulata (L.) in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: The Effects on Cytokines and T Cells

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease predominantly involving T cells, no study of Rhodiola as an immunomodulator in COPD patients has been reported. In this study, COPD patients took Rhodiola crenulata 500 mg (n = 38) or placebo (starch/phosphate buffered saline) (n = 19) daily for 12 weeks and were compared with untreated, age‐matched, and sex‐matched non‐COPD control subjects. Our results showed that serum levels of IL‐2, IL‐10, and IFN‐γ in COPD patients before treatment are significantly higher than levels in non‐COPD controls (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in IFN‐γ was seen in the Rhodiola treatment group (p < 0.05) but not in the placebo group (p > 0.05). The results suggested that Rhodiola treatment had beneficial antiinflammation effects, lower COPD assessment test score and decreased high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, on COPD patients (p < 0.05). The effects of Rhodiola treatment on COPD patients were shown to decrease the IFN‐γ concentration and CD8+ count but increase the expressions of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD25+CD45+FOXP3+ in the blood significantly (p < 0.05). This is the first trial using Rhodiola as a complementary therapy for COPD patients. T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD through the increased expression of CD8+ T cells and IFN‐γ and may be a viable target for potential therapy. Copyright

Alkylamides of Acmella oleracea

Phytochemical investigation of the flowers of Acmella oleracea had resulted in the isolation of one new alkylamide, (2E,5Z)-N-isobutylundeca-2,5-diene-8,10-diynamide (1), together with four known analogues (2−5). The structures of these compounds were determined by the interpretation of spectroscopic methods, especially NMR technologies (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY). In addition, a convenient method for concentrating the alkylamide-rich fraction and analyzing fingerprint profile of A. oleracea was established.

Downregulated cardiac annexin VI mRNA and protein levels in chronically fibrillating human atria.

Objectives: We compared the expression and distribution of atrial annexin VI between patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or sinus rhythm (SR). Methods: Atrial appendages were obtained during cardiac surgery from 20 patients with chronic AF and 34 matched controls in SR. The expression and distribution of annexin VI were analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunoconfocal microscopy. Results: In the AF group, compared to SR, the mRNA was reduced to <35% and the protein to <50% in amount (for each atrium, all p < 0.01). Immunoconfocal microscopy confirmed the downregulation of annexin VI protein in AF and demonstrated the colocalization of annexin VI with both Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and L-type Ca2+ channels in the sarcolemma, but not with ryanodine receptors in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Conclusions: Atrial annexin VI, spatially colocalized with both Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and L-type Ca2+ channels in the myocyte membrane, is downregulated during chronic AF.

Resveratrol Can Be Stable in a Medium Containing Fetal Bovine Serum with Pyruvate but Shortens the Lifespan of Human Fibroblastic Hs68 Cells

This study is aimed at developing a method that can inhibit resveratrol (Res) degradation in Dulbeccos modified Eagle medium (DMEM) and at evaluating the effects of Res on the replicative lifespan of Hs68 cells. We hypothesized that Res can extend the lifespan of Hs68 cells if we can inhibit the oxidative degradation of Res in the medium. We found that the addition of ≥5 U/mL SOD to the medium could completely inhibit Res degradation in DMEM. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) contained 29.3 ± 1.1 U/mL of SOD activity. FBS could prevent Res degradation in the medium through SOD activity and Res–FBS interaction, but the regular FBS concentration (i.e., 10% FBS) exhibited an insufficient ability to completely inhibit Res degradation. We found that pyruvate (1 mM) could potentiate SOD to scavenge superoxide at approximately 2.2-fold. Thus, 10% FBS combined with pyruvate (1 mM) could completely inhibit Res degradation. When Res was not degraded, it still shortened the lifespan of Hs68 cells. Overall, the proposed method involving 10% FBS combined with pyruvate (1 mM) could completely prevent Res degradation. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, Res could induce the shortening of the lifespan of Hs68 cells. The stability of Res analogs (i.e., oxy-Res and acetyl-Res) in the medium and their effects on the lifespan of Hs68 cells were also investigated.

Comparing the functional components, SOD-like activities, antimutagenicity, and nutrient compositions of Phellinus igniarius and Phellinus linteus mushrooms

Many species of the genus Phellinus possess beneficial properties, including antioxidant, immune-enhancing, and antimutagenic effects. Phenolic compounds and polysaccharides are two kinds of bioactive compounds; however, few studies have compared the differences between Phellinus igniarius and Phellinus linteus in their functional components, functional activities, and nutrient compositions. Herein, the proximate compositions and microelements of the fruiting body of P. igniarius and P. linteus were determined. The fruiting body of P. igniarius and P. linteus were extracted by boiling water [water extract of P. igniarius (WEPI) and P. linteus (WEPL)]. The contents of total phenolics and polysaccharides, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like and antimutagenic activities of WEPI and WEPL, were compared. We found that WEPI was rich in phenolics and polysaccharides and had higher SOD-like activity than WEPL. Nutrient compositions were mainly different in minerals, whereas anitmutagenicity was similar. All of these results suggested that P. igniarius has greater potential for the development of antioxidant and immunomodulating food products than P. linteus.