Natural indigo, as one of the oldest dyes, is also a pivotal dye utilized in cotton fabrics today. A diversity of plants rich in indigo compounds belong to traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Indigo compounds have a variety of biological and pharmacological activities, including anticonvulsant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer activities. A substantial progress in indigo biosynthesis has been made lately. This paper summarizes the value of indigo from the aspects of cultural history, biosynthetic pathways and the medicinal activities of its related derivatives involved in the pathways. In addition, the latest research advancements in indigo biosynthetic pathways is demonstrated in this paper, which would lay the theoretical foundation for the exploration and utilization of natural indigo.
Biosynthetic Pathways ; Coloring Agents ; Indigo Carmine/metabolism* ; Indigofera/metabolism*

Indigo and indigo-like pigments are widely used in the industry of textile, food and medicine. Now people pays more and more attention to developing an alternative method of indigo production which is "environment-friendy", especially microbial biosynthesis of indigo. Many microorganisms involved in the biosynthesis of indigo have been isolated and characterized, and monooxygenase and dioxygenase have been identified to catalyze indigo biosynthesis. Some genes encoding for these enzymes have been cloned and used to construct "engineering bacteria". With this kind of bacteria, more efficient fermentation systems for indigo production have been exploited. In the meantime, biotransformation of the indigo produced by microorganisms has been under investigation. These progresses will bring us a greener method of indigo and indigo-like pigments production.
Biotechnology ; Coloring Agents ; metabolism ; Dioxygenases ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Indigo Carmine ; Indoles ; metabolism ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; metabolism ; Pseudomonas ; metabolism ; Sphingomonas ; metabolism

Basidiomycete PM2, a lignin-degrading white rot fungus, produces lgnin peroxidase (Lip) and manganese peroxidase (Mnp) in nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures. This fungus was selected for its ability to decolorize azo group of dyes. In order to improve production of the peroxidases and rapid dye decolorizing activity by basidiomycete PM2, the addition of veratryl alcohol or Tween 80 to nutrient nitrogen limited liquid cultures were tested. It was found to have a large stimulatory effect on Mnp activities and decolorization rate of azo dyes. A maximum Mnp activities of 254.2 u/L with veratryl alcohol and 192.2 u/L with Tween 80 were achieved respectively. These values were about 3.4-fold and 2.5-fold higher than that obtained in the control cultures (without alcohol or Tween 80), whereas the levels of Lip activity detected were very low (about 12 u/L)in all the cultures. In further experiments using three kinds of azo dyes of congo red, orange G and orange IV, enzyme activities and dye decolorization were investigated in the above-mentioned cultures. The results showed that Mnp activities and decolorization were notably higher than those obtained in the control cultures in the presence of azo dyes. Cultures supplemented with Tween 80 were more adequate for dye decolorization. The rates of the decolorization with Tween 80 of congo red (95.4%), orange G (98.5%) and orange IV (54.4%) after 24 hours of dye incubation were higher than that supplemented with veratryl alcohol. According to the results, Mnp activities secreted by basidiomycete PM2 play an essential role in the process of dye decolorization. Tween 80 was the main factor affecting the decolorization. The analysis of structure of the three kinds of azo dyes indicats that the extent of decolorization is affected by the dye molecular structure. The types and quantity of the substituted groups on the aromatic ring of azo dyes have effect on the percentage of biological decolorization.
Azo Compounds ; metabolism ; Basidiomycota ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Benzyl Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Coloring Agents ; metabolism ; Oxygenases ; biosynthesis ; Peroxidases ; biosynthesis ; Polysorbates ; pharmacology

Anthraquinone dyes, which contain anthraquinone chromophore groups, are the second largest class of dyes after azo dyes and are used extensively in textile industries. The majority of these dyes are resistant to degradation because of their complex and stable structures; consequently, a large number of anthraquinone dyes find their way into the environment causing serious pollution. At present, the microbiological approach to treating printing and dyeing wastewater is considered to be an economical and feasible method, and reports regarding the bacterial degradation of anthraquinone dyes are increasing. This paper reviews the classification and structures of anthraquinone dyes, summarizes the types of degradative bacteria, and explores the possible mechanisms and influencing factors of bacterial anthraquinone dye degradation. Present research progress and existing problems are further discussed. Finally, future research directions and key points are presented.
Adsorption ; Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; classification ; metabolism ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Coloring Agents ; chemistry ; classification ; metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo understand the penetrability of trypan blue to the normal prostate as well as to the inflammatory prostate and the prostate with benign hyperplasia in rats.

METHODSSixty SD male rats were randomized into 4 groups: NP (normal prostate) group (n = 15), BP (bacterial prostatitis) group (n = 15), BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) group (n = 15), and BPH-BP (benign prostatic hyperplasia with bacterial prostatitis) group (n = 15). Five rats were taken from each group as non-staining controls (NC, n = 5 x 4) and the other 10 were injected by tail intravenation with 1% trypan blue and then the prostates were isolated from the rats killed by anaesthesia after 2 hours. The color of the prostates and other tissues of the animals were observed and the contents of the trypan blue in the tissues of the prostates were determined separately by colorimetry.

RESULTSApart from the tissues of brains and spinal cord the surface and the inner tissues of the prostates with NP, BP, BPH and BPH-BP from the rats injected with the dye were also dyed blue similar to that of the muscles, livers, intestines and others. The content of the trypan blue in the tissues of the prostates with NP, BP and BPH-BP was obviously higher than those with NP and BPH.

CONCLUSIONThe penetrability of trypan blue with properties of ionization and larger molecular weight is high in either the normal prostate or the prostate with BP, BPH and BPH-BP, and much higher in inflammatory prostate than in the normal prostate and the prostate with BPH.

Animals ; Coloring Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trypan Blue ; pharmacokinetics

Dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP-type peroxidase) represents a group of heme-containing peroxidases able to decolour various organic dyes, most of which are xenobiotics. To identify and characterize a new DyP-type peroxidase (ZmDyP) from Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 (ATCC 31821), ZmDyP was amplified from the genomic DNA of Z. mobilis by PCR, and cloned into the Escherichia coli expression vector pET-21b(+). Alignment of the amino acid sequence of ZmDyP with other members of the DyP-type peroxidases revealed the presence of the active site conserved residues D149, R239, T254, F256 as well as the typical GXXDG motif, indicating that ZmDyP is a new member of the Dyp-type peroxidase family. pET-21b(+) containing ZmDyP gene was expressed in E. coli by IPTG induction. The expressed enzyme was purified by Ni-Chelating chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified enzyme revealed a molecular weight of 36 kDa, whereas activity staining gave a molecular weight of 108 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme could be a trimer. In addition, ZmDyP is a heme-containing enzyme as shown by a typical heme absorption peak of Soret band. Moreover, ZmDyP showed high catalytic efficiency with 2, 2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) as a substrate. These results enrich the pool of DyP-type peroxidases and lay a foundation for further studies.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Catalysis ; Coloring Agents ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peroxidases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Zymomonas ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) exposure on the permeability of blood-testicle barrier (BTB) in mice.

METHODSAdult male BALB/c mice were exposed to EMP at 200 kV/m for 200 pulses with 2 seconds interval. The mice were injected with 2% Evans Blue solution through caudal vein at different time points after exposure, and the permeability of BTB was monitored using a fluorescence microscope. The testis sample for the transmission electron microscopy was prepared at 2 h after EMP exposure. The permeability of BTB in mice was observed by using Evans Blue tracer and lanthanum nitrate tracer.

RESULTSAfter exposure, cloudy Evans Blue was found in the testicle convoluted seminiferous tubule of mice. Lanthanum nitrate was observed not only between testicle spermatogonia near seminiferous tubule wall and sertoli cells, but also between sertoli cells and primary spermatocyte or secondary spermatocyte. In contrast, lanthanum nitrate in control group was only found in the testicle sertoli cells between seminiferous tubule and near seminiferous tubule wall.

CONCLUSIONEMP exposure could increase the permeability of BTB in the mice.

Animals ; Blood-Testis Barrier ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Coloring Agents ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Evans Blue ; Lanthanum ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Permeability ; radiation effects ; Seminiferous Tubules ; metabolism ; radiation effects

BACKGROUND: During normal wound healing the formation of scars and fibrous tissue occurs, which consists largely of collagen fibril, but excessive fibrosis and scar formation become clinical problems. Collagen remodelling during scar formation is dependent on both continued collagen synthesis and collagen catabolism. Halofuginone, a plant alkaloid, is known to inhibit collagen type I synthesis at the transcriptional level. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of topical application of halofuginone on the healing of wounds. METHOD: Topical solutions containing halofuginone of variable concentrations were applied on the full-thickness excisional wounds of hairless mice and 0.1% halofuginone ointments applied on the suture site of rats and the normal skin of hairless mice daily. In addition, we performed a one-time intradermal injection of 0.1% halofuginone solution on the normal skin of the hairless mice. We examined the collagen content of the skin of hairless mice and rats treated with halofuginone solutions and ointments during the healing process by performing hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome stains. We assessed, from time to time, the change in the full-thickness excisional wound size of hairless mice treated with halofuginone solutions of variable concentrations during the healing process and observed clinically the healing process of hairless mice with the full-thickness excisional wound. RESULT: 1. The wound size after daily application of 0.001% and 0.1% halofuginone solutions on the full-thickness excisional wounds of hairless mice decreased more slowly in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05).
Animals ; Cicatrix ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Coloring Agents ; Fibrosis ; Injections, Intradermal ; Metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Ointments ; Plants ; Rats ; Skin ; Sutures ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Direct Black 38, a kind of benzidine-based azo dye, is widely used as a dye for fabric, leather, cotton, cellulosic material, paper, wool, silk, and so on. Benzidine-based azo dyes are proven as a mutagen and linked to bladder cancer. In 1978, Natonal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended that three widely used benzidine-based dyes (Direct Black 38, Direct Blue 6, and Direct Brown 95) should be treated as carcinogens. In this experiment, metabolism of the benzidine-based dye. Direct Black 38 was examined by using an isolated liver perfusion system. To measure the metbolites of Direct Black 38,/ 8.0 micrometer, 30.5 micrometer and 63,3 micrometer of Direct Black 38 was added into the recirculating perfusate of the isolated perfused rat liver. Samples were collected at 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90. 120 minute. They were treated with sep-pak and methanol, and the metabohtes were detected and quantified with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Residual non-reactive dye in the perfusate and liver was reduced to benzidine and then analyzed by HPLC. Detected metabolites of ?Direct^-Black 38 were benzidine, N-acetylbenzidine, and N,N'-diacetylbenzidine. The average conentration of benzidine was 0.1 micrometer and this concentration was maintained throughout the experimental period. The average concentration of N-acetylbenzidine was 0.22 micrometer and took the same pattern of benzidine. When 30.5 micrometer of Direct BIact 38 was added to the perfusate, only. N,N'-diacetylbenzidin.e increased slightly with time. From the above results we suggest that only small amount of Dirst Black 38 might be metabolized to benzidine regardless of the s, amount of the Direct Black 38. There are some possible explanations. The liver was damaged during the perparation. And the function of the perfused liver decreased rapidly because adsorbing of dye. The benzidine, acetylbenzidine and diacetylbenzidine metabolized to other metabolites were not detected in this experiment.
Animals ; Carcinogens ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Coloring Agents ; Liver* ; Metabolism* ; Methanol ; Occupational Health ; Perfusion ; Rats* ; Silk ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Wool

The aim of this study was to compare and analyze protein staining in order to select the optimal staining method for proteomic research. Proteins from acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4 and protein molecular weight marker were separated respectively by 2-D or 1-D electrophoresis and detected respectively by the typical Coomassie brilliant blue, the colloidal Coomassie brilliant blue, the modified Coomassie brilliant blue and the silver staining protocols. The protein detection sensitivity, compatibility with mass spectrometry (MS) and facility of the four staining protocols were compared. The results indicated that the silver staining exhibited the highest sensitivity and MS showed the lowest compatibility 10% of protein identification rate. The detection sensitivity of the modified Coomassie brilliant blue staining was superior to that of other two Coomassie brilliant blue stainings, close to but lower than the silver staining, however the compatibility with MS was better (protein identification rate about 55%). It is concluded that the protein detection sensitivity of the modified Coomassie brilliant blue staining is high, and its compatibility with MS is better, this modified Coomassie brilliant blue staining is an optimal staining method for proteomic research.
Coloring Agents ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Rosaniline Dyes ; Silver Staining ; Staining and Labeling