OBJECTIVETo study sesquiterpenoids of Coniogramme maxima.

METHODChemical constituents were separated by chromatography and their structures were identified according to physicochemical property and spectrum data.

RESULTFifteen compounds were separated by chromatography technique. Their structures were determined by spectral data, including 10 sesquiterpenoids as (3S)-pteroside D (1), epi-pterosin L (2), pterosin D (3), onitin (4), pterosin Z (5), onitisin (6), onitisin-glucopyranoside (7), onitin-15-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), (2S,3R)-pterosin-L-2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9) and (3R)-peterosin D-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10). The other compounds were uracil (11), 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (12), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde (13), beta-sitosterol (14) and daucosterol (15).

CONCLUSIONThe above 15 compounds are separated from C. maxima for the first time, including 9 compounds being first separated from genus Coniogramme.

Ferns ; chemistry ; Indans ; chemistry ; Indenes ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Indenes ; analysis ; Workplace

OBJECTIVE: The anti-apoptotic protein Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1) is a regulator of apoptosis linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and BI-1-/- mice exhibit increased sensitivity to tissue damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of BI-1 in the pathogenesis of chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression-like behaviors in BI-1-/- mice. METHODS: We delivered CMS for 2 or 6 weeks in BI-1-knockout and wild-type mice. Control groups of BI-1-knockout and wild-type mice were left undisturbed. The measured parameters were sucrose consumption at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, spontaneous locomotion, and a forced swimming test (FST) at weeks 2 and 6. RESULTS: Significant decreases in sucrose consumption and increases in immobility time in the FST were observed in both stress groups compared with the non-stress groups. Interestingly, at week 2, but not at week 6, BI-1-/--stress mice showed less sucrose intake and greater immobility time than did BI-1+/+-stress mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that BI-1 may play role in protecting against the depressogenic effects of CMS in the short term, but not in the long term. Further study is required to deepen understanding of the role of BI-1 in protecting against depression.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Depression ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Female ; Humans ; Indenes ; Locomotion ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Motor Activity ; Sucrose ; Swimming

Cell lines of Bcap37 and Bcap37/MDR1 (the high P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expressing cell line) were used as model to investigate the different accumulations of (E)-2-(4-(diethylamino methyl) benzylidene)-5,6-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydroinden-one (BYZX) in the two kinds of cells. It was authenticated that whether BYZX was the substrate of P-gp. Meanwhile, the inhibitive effects of BYZX on the P-gp were investigated by determining the fluorescence intensity of rhodamine 123 in the model cells, with and without BYZX. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was used to determine the accumulations of BYZX in the two cells. The results showed that the amount of BYZX accumulation in Bcap37/MDR1 cells were as many as those in Bcap37 cells (P > 0.05), and the concentrations of BYZX accumulated in the Bcap37/MDR1 cells did not increase when co-incubated with P-gp inhibitor verapamil. Furthermore, different concentrations of BYZX also had no effects on the efflux of rhodamine 123 (P > 0.05). These results indicated that there were no interactions between BYZX and P-gp. BYZX will not be pumped out of the cells, and it also not inhibited the P-gp. It was the useful advantage for its absorption.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Indenes ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Rhodamine 123 ; metabolism ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

Agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) are of interest as a treatment of type II diabetes, and indenone derivatives are a new class of non-TZD PPARgamma agonists. Based on existing indenone derivatives, a series of novel ones have been designed and synthesized. Meanwhile the structures have been comfirmed with 1H NMR and MS. Among them, 17b and 19 showed higher agonistic activities than rosiglitazone.
Drug Design ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Indenes ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; PPAR gamma ; agonists ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology

Brazilein is an active small molecular compound extracted from Caesalpinia sappan L. with favorable pharmacological properties on immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. C. sappan has been used as a traditional medicine in China for hundreds of years for various diseases. However, the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein is still unknown. The purpose of the present study was to thoroughly evaluate the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein in ICR mice to support the future drug development and modernization of this potent traditional Chinese medicine. The results showed that, although no apparent toxicity on the reproducibility of the male was observed, brazilein might cause considerable risks to the fetuses and females as indicated by the ratios of dead fetuses and reabsorptions. In conclusion, our results from the present study provided some useful insights about the safety profile of brazilein, suggesting that brazilein should be used with caution in pregnant women.
Animals ; Benzopyrans ; toxicity ; Caesalpinia ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Female ; Indenes ; toxicity ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Reproduction ; drug effects

Objective: To investigate the effects of the pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 on nerve injury in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH). Methods: Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=24): Sham group, ICH group and MCC950 group. ICH group and MCC950 group rats were injected with autogenous non-anticoagulant blood to establish ICH model, and then the rats in MCC950 group were intraperitoneally injected with MCC950 at the dose of 10 mg/kg(2 mg/ml) for 3 days after ICH model was established. Seventy-two hours after the establishment of the model, the forelimb placement test, the corner test and mNSS score were performed to observe the neurological function of the rats with ICH. The volume of hematoma was observed in fresh brain tissue sections. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of brain tissue. The dry-wet weight ratio was calculated to evaluate the changes of brain tissue edema. The degeneration of neurons was observed by FJC staining. The neuronal apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining. The protein expression and activation levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD were determined by Western blot. Results: Compared with sham group, the percentage of successful placement of left forelimb and left turn was decreased significantly (P＜0.01, P＜0.05), mNSS score was increased significantly (P＜0.01) in ICH group. Hematoma volume was increased significantly, the number of microglial cells around the hematoma was increased, the number of neurons was decreased, nerve cell swelled, some cells showed pyknotic necrosis, and the staining was deepened. The water content of the right base was increased significantly (P＜0.05). The number of FJC positive and TUNEL positive cells around the hematoma was increased significantly (P＜0.05). The levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1/pro-caspase-1 ratio, GSDMD-N, GSDMD, GSDMD-N/GSDMD ratio, IL-1β and IL-18 were increased significantly (P＜0.01, P＜ 0.05). Compared with ICH group, the percentage of successful placement of left forelimb and left turn was increased significantly in MCC950 group (P＜0.05), while the mNSS score and the volume of hematoma were decreased significantly (P＜0.01), the swelling degree of nerve cells around the hematoma was reduced significantly, and the number of pyrotic necrotic cells was decreased. The water content of the right base was decreased significantly (P＜0.05), and the number of FJC positive and TUNEL positive cells around the hematoma was decreased significantly (P＜0.05). The levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1/pro-caspase-1 ratio, GSDMD-N, GSDMD, GSDMD-N/GSDMD ratio, IL-1β and IL-18 were decreased significantly (P＜0.05). Conclusion: MCC950 can ameliorate nerve injury after ICH by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome mediated inflammation and pyroptosis.
Animals ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/pathology* ; Furans ; Hematoma ; Indenes ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Interleukin-18 ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfonamides ; Water

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Kaixin Powder (, KXP) on melatonin receptor (MR) expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a depression rat model.

METHODSSeventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a blank control group, model group, ramelteon group, KXP high-dosage group (HKXP), medium-dosage group (MKXP) and low-dosage group (LKXP). To establish the depression model, all groups except the blank control group were singly housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test were used to evaluate induction of depression. KXP at 260, 130 and 65 mg/(kg•d) was also respectively administered to the rats in the HKXP, MKXP and LKXP groups for 21 days. Ramelteon [0.83 mg/(kg•d)] was given to the positive drug control group. An equivalent volume of physiological saline was given to the blank and model groups. The liquid chip method was used to measure the concentration of plasma melatonin (MT). Mel1a (MT1) and Mel1b (MT2) expression levels were determined by Western blotting. In addition, a radioactive ligand-binding assay was used to analyze the specific binding properties and dynamic characteristics between MR and (125)I-Mel.

RESULTSThe results of weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test showed that our model successfully produced depressive symptoms and depressive-like behavior. The concentration of plasma MT in the model group decreased significantly at night but increased in the MKXP group (P<0.05). The HKXP group showed significantly increased expression of MT1 (P<0.05); however, the expression of MT2 in all groups exhibited no significant differences (P>0.05). The maximum binding capacity (B(max)) for specific binding between MR and 125I-Mel in the MKXP group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of each group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSKXP may have a similar effect as ramelteon. KXP improved depressive-like behavior by increasing the concentration of plasma MT and MT1 expression, thereby increasing three B(max) of MR to achieve the desired antidepressant effect.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Depression ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drinking Behavior ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Indenes ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; Male ; Melatonin ; blood ; metabolism ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Melatonin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Weight Gain ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate brazilein's role in energy metabolism of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice.

METHODFourty mice were randomly divided into the sham group, ischemia group, brazilein 5 mg x kg(-1) group and brazilein 10 mg x kg(-1) group, each with ten cases. Cerebral ischemia model was the built. Mice were injected with brazilein three days before the operation, then they were killed. Cerebrum homogenate was prepared for the detecting of ATP, ADP, AMP and lactic acid by HPLC, expressions of MCT1 and MCT2 in mRNA level by RT-PCR.

RESULTThe lactic acid in cerebrum increased sharply 20 minutes after cerebral ischemia and decreased 1 hour after reperfusion, then returned to the normal level 24 hours after reperfusion. The charge of energy decreased significantly at the beginning of the ischemia-reperfusion, and the charge restored 1 hour after reperfusion though it was still much lower than the normal level at the time point of 24 hours. Moreover, MCT1 and MCT2 upregulated accompanied with the increase of lactate, MCT2 mRNA enhanced in brazilein 5 mg x kg(-1) group (P < 0.05) while both the two factors increased in brazilein 10 mg x kg(-1) group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBrazilein might protect neurons by changing the charge of energy.

Animals ; Benzopyrans ; administration & dosage ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Indenes ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Symporters ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTwo recent whole-exome sequencing researches identifying somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) gene in pituitary corticotroph adenomas provide exciting advances in this field. These mutations drive increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and promote adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production. This study was to investigate whether the inhibition of USP8 activity could be a strategy for the treatment of Cushing's disease (CD).

METHODSThe anticancer effect of USP8 inhibitor was determined by testing cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and ACTH secretion. The immunoblotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were conducted to explore the signaling pathway by USP8 inhibition.

RESULTSInhibition of USP8-induced degradation of receptor tyrosine kinases including EGFR, EGFR-2 (ERBB2), and Met leading to a suppression of AtT20 cell growth and ACTH secretion. Moreover, treatment with USP8 inhibitor markedly induced AtT20 cells apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSInhibition of USP8 activity could be an effective strategy for CD. It might provide a novel pharmacological approach for the treatment of CD.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; physiology ; Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Indenes ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism