The instability of secondary metabolite production is a ubiquitous problem in plant cell culture. In order to understand the instability in plant cell culture, we investigated anthocyanin accumulation in suspension cultures of Vitis vinifera, as a model system, in our laboratory. Not only the anthocyanin contents but also its composition exhibited instability along with the long-term subculture. New methods were developed to indicate the instability of plant cell culture. Both the definition of instability coefficient (delta) and the application of factor scores were the first time in this field. To examine the effects of culture conditions on instability of anthocyanin biosynthesis, different subculture cycles and inoculum sizes had been investigated. Subculture cycle and inoculum size were both environmental cues driving the instability. Compared with subculture cycle, inoculum size was more effective in working on the instability of anthocyanin accumulation. Among all the conditions investigated in our study, (6.5 d, 2.00 g), (7 d, 2.00 g), (7.5 d, 2.00 g), (7 d, 1.60 g) and (7 d, 2.40 g), the condition of 7 d-subculture cycle together with 1.60 g-inoculum size was the best one to keep the stable production of anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; Culture Techniques ; methods ; Time Factors ; Vitis ; growth & development ; metabolism

Saussurea medusa is a rare traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Besides anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, it has effects of disinhibiting cold, dispelling dampness and promoting blood circulation. Flavonoids are the main medicinal compounds in S. medusa. Contents of flavonoids and expression of flavonoids biosynthesis related genes in white and red (induced by low temperature, high sucrose and high light) callus were analyzed. The results showed that the total flavone in red line was 3.60 times higher compared to white line. The accumulation of rutin in red line (0.25% of dry weight) was 2.40 times higher compared to white line. Anthocyanins were abundant in red line, with the contents of cyanidin 3-O-glucosidechloride and cyanidin 3-O-succinyl glycoside 0.12% and 0.19% of dry weight respectively. CHS, F3'H, FNS, FLS, DFR and ANS genes were highly expressed in red line compared to white line. Expression of three transcription factors (MYB, bHLH and WD40) in red line was significantly higher than that in white line, especially the expression of MYB (19.70 times higher compared to white line). These results indicated that high expression levels of transcription factors induced high expression of structural genes in red line, thereby enhancing the flavonoids biosynthesis. The expression of bHLH and WD40 was similar, whereas it was significantly different from that of MYB, indicating that bHLH and WD40 could form a binary complex to regulate expression of structural genes and flavonoids biosynthesis.
Anthocyanins ; chemistry ; Cell Line ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saussurea ; chemistry ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

The current situation of plant extract in domestic and international market was analyzed in the paper. The quality control of 20 plant extracts which have reasonably good sales in USA market was compared and analyzed. The analysis of the quality control of six plant extracts indicated that there were two main reasons leading to the varied quality specifications among different suppliers. One reason was that the plant species utilized by different companies were different. The other reason was that the extraction processes were different among different production plants. Comparing with the significant international suppliers of plant extracts, the product quality of Chinese companies were not satisfactory. It was suggested that chromatography and chromatographic fingerprint techniques should be applied to improve the quality control standard of plant extract in our country.
Anthocyanins ; isolation & purification ; China ; Chromatography ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proanthocyanidins ; isolation & purification ; Quality Control ; Species Specificity ; Vaccinium ; chemistry ; Vitis ; chemistry

The flower color of Dendrobium catenatum(D. officinale) tends to fade during storage. In order to clarify the influence of storage conditions on the pigment components in flowers, two conditions were applied:temperature and illumination. The contents of pigments in the D. catenatum flower were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC, and the changes of them during storage were analyzed. The results showed that illumination and temperature had an effect on the pigments of D. catenatum flower during sto-rage. Illumination significantly promoted the degradation of pigments. The contents of total chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins in the light samples were significantly lower than those in the dark. The total chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins in the light samples were decreased by 46.5%, 63.4%, and 69.2% respectively. Illumination had a greater effect on fat-soluble pigments than water-soluble pigments. Among the three temperature treatments, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin were as follows:-20 ℃>4 ℃>room temperature, it is indicated that-20 ℃ was the best temperature to maintain the stability of pigment composition. The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin in the light samples decreased by 34.8%, 69.0%, 72.5%, 61.6%, 36.1%, respectively. After storage for 5 months, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin constituent at-20 ℃ was significantly higher than those at 4 ℃ and room temperature. The results show that light avoiding and low-temperature can effectively slow down the degradation of pigment components. Therefore, it is suggested that D. catenatum flower should be stored in light avoiding and low-temperature conditions in actual production and processing, which can prolong the usable time.
Anthocyanins/analysis* ; Carotenoids/analysis* ; Chlorophyll/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Drug Storage ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Light ; Pigments, Biological/analysis* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Spectrophotometry ; Temperature

Anthocyanins are a ubiquitous group of water-soluble plant pigments of the flavonoid family, with anticancer property through HER-2 signaling pathway. Nowadays, molecular docking plays an important role in exposing the active sites and obtaining the bioactive conformation involving protein-ligand interactions. According to the crystal structure of HER-2 kinase domain and 12 main antitumor compounds of anthocyanins as well as ATP, a molecular docking study was performed by MVD program. All 12 compounds could bind to the same cavity of HER-2 kinase domain by high affinity (MolDock Score < -105 kJ/mol for anthocyanidins, < -130 kJ/mol for anthocyanidins-glc), where hydrophobic force and hydrogen bond played key roles. Additionally, this cavity overlapped with ATP binding (MolDock Score = -161 kJ/mol) domain; the binding of anthocyanins presumably interfered the H bond formation between ATP and HER-2. These results indicate that anthocyanins may competitively bind to ATP binding site in HER-2 kinase domain by suppressing HER-2 activation and downstream signaling cascade. This may provide useful theoretical instruction for the molecular mechanism of HER-2 kinase activity inhibition by anthocyanins in cancer prevention and treatment.
Anthocyanins ; chemistry ; Catalytic Domain ; Hydrogen Bonding ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; chemistry

Studies have shown that targeting xanthine oxidase (XO) can be a feasible treatment for fructose-induced hyperuricemia and hyperglycemia. This study aimed to evaluate the dual regulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of diacylated anthocyanins from purple sweet potato (diacylated AF-PSPs) on hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia induced by a high-fructose/high-fat diet. The body weight, organ index, serum biochemical indexes, and liver antioxidant indexes of mice were measured, and the kidneys were observed in pathological sections. The relative expression levels of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of fructose metabolism pathway enzymes in kidney were detected by fluorescent real-time quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR) reaction technique, and the expression of renal transporter protein and inflammatory factor pathway protein was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique. Results showed that diacylated AF-PSPs alleviated hyperuricemia in mice, and that this effect might be related to the regulation of liver XO activity, lipid accumulation, and relevant renal transporters. Diacylated AF-PSPs reduced body weight and relieved lipid metabolism disorder, liver lipid accumulation, and liver oxidative stress, thereby enhancing insulin utilization and sensitivity, lowering blood sugar, and reducing hyperglycemia in mice. Also, diacylated AF-PSPs restored mRNA levels related to renal fructose metabolism, and reduced kidney injury and inflammation. This study provided experimental evidence for the mechanisms of dual regulation of blood glucose and uric acid (UA) by diacylated AF-PSPs and their utilization as functional foods in the management of metabolic syndrome.
Mice ; Animals ; Hyperuricemia/drug therapy* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Anthocyanins/chemistry* ; Ipomoea batatas/chemistry* ; Fructose/adverse effects* ; Hyperglycemia/drug therapy* ; Lipids

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins on atherosclerosis (AS) in mice.

METHODNormal mice were taken as the control group, and hyperlipemia mice were divided into the model group, Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins low, medium and high dose groups, and the simvastatin drug control group. After the oral administration, blood lipid indicators were detected by enzymatic analysis. The histomorphological changes in aortas, hearts and livers were observed, and liver-related indicators were determined by using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.

RESULTCompared with the high-fat group, L. ruthenicum anthocyanins low, medium and high dose groups showed significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherosclerotic index (AI) (P < 0.05). However, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level showed a trend of higher than the model group. Liver's total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), malondialdehyde (MDA) was markedly decreased (P < 0.01); the percentage of aortic plaque area of each anthocyanins dose group in the total area was significantly lower than the model group (P < 0.05); severity of aorta, heart and liver were significantly lighter than the high-fat group. But the media dose group was similar with the simvastatin group.

CONCLUSIONL. ruthenicum anthocyanins can interfere the formation of AS, while lowering blood lipid levels in mice.

Animals ; Anthocyanins ; therapeutic use ; Atherosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Anthocyanin (Ay) on Cadmium-Induced Mouse testis Damage.

METHODSMouse testis damage model were constructed and testis malonaldehyde (MDA) and protein carbonxyl content (PCO), as well as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined.

RESULTSThe intoxication of cadmium can cause the increase of MDA and PCO content in mouse testis (P < 0.05), however, the activities of SOD and CAT were altered (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAy have the strong potent to scavenge free radicals, owing to its special chemical structures, and act as a protector to inhibit the oxidative stress induced by cadmium.

Animals ; Anthocyanins ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; Catalase ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; Protein Carbonylation ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects

To study the effects of the anthocyanin single component cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Cy-3-glu) on the proliferation and migration of mouse melanoma cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, B16-F10 cells were treated with different concentrations of Cy-3-glu. Cell viability was analyzed by a CCK-8 method. Cell migration was determined by the callus scratching technique. Cell cycle was measured by the flow cytometry. The expression levels of genes involved in cell cycle regulation were detected by real-time PCR. Protein expression levels of p-AKT, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin were analyzed by Western blot. The growth and migration of B16-F10 cells in C57BL/6J mice were monitored by the cryogenically cooled IVIS-imaging system. The results showed that Cy-3-glu significantly inhibited the growth (P < 0.001) and migration (P < 0.01) of B16-F10 cells, and arrested the cell cycle in the S phase. After Cy-3-glu treatment, the expression levels of p-AKT (P < 0.05), N-cadherin and vimentin (P < 0.001) were decreased significantly, and the expression level of E-cadherin was dramatically increased (P < 0.05). The size and weight of tumors and tumor metastasis in mice fed with a diet containing Cy-3-glu were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Cy-3-glu inhibits proliferation and migration of B16-F10 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, cell adhesion and migration signals.
Animals ; Anthocyanins ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Melanoma, Experimental ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo provide a theoretical basis for the further development of new drugs, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and the liver function in mice of anthocyanin from Ligustrum vicaryi were investigated.

METHODSThe 240 experimental mice were splitted equally for 6 kinds of experiments and 40 rats in each kind of experiment were divided into 5 groups (n = 8): normal saline control group (NS); aspirin control group (Asp); high-concentration anthocyanin group (HA); medium-concentration anthocyanin group (MA); low-concentratior anthocyanin group (LA). The analgesia effect of anthocyanin at different concentration was detenmined by hot-plate test and acetic acid writhin test, and the anti-inflammatory effect of anthocyanin was performed by ear edema, ahdomen capillary permeability and cotton granuloma. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in blood serum were determined, and the activities of SOD, T-AOC and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver were measured, while the histological changes of liver tissue were observed.

RESULTSThe pain threshold of mice was enhanced and the times of twist body wa decreased by medium-concentration and high-concentration anthocyanin. The activity of SOD was increased and the conentrs of NO and PGE were reduced in blood serum. High-concentration anthocyanin inhibited the ear swelling , the increase of celiac capillary permeability and th granuloma hyperplasia, and increased the activities of SOD and T-AOC while decreased the content of PGE2. The activities of SOD, T-AOC. GSH-PX were increased in liver, but the morphology of liver tissues in each group had no significant changes.

CONCLUSIONAnthocyanin Ligustrum vicaryi has definite anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which is related to increasing the antioxidant capacity and decreasing th contents of NO and PGE2, and has not obvious damage to liver in the range of experimental concentration.

Analgesics ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anthocyanins ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Aspirin ; pharmacology ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Edema ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Ligustrum ; chemistry ; Liver ; drug effects ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism