8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is a potent estrogen with high medicinal values. It also serves as an important precursor for many prenylated flavonoids. Microbial synthesis of 8-PN is mainly hindered by the low catalytic activity of prenyltransferases (PTS) and insufficient supply of precursors. In this work, a SfN8DT-1 from Sophora flavescens was used to improve the efficiency of (2S)-naringenin prenylation. The predicted structure of SfN8DT-1 showed that its main body is comprised of 9 α-helices and 8 loops, along with a long side chain formed by nearly 120 amino acids. SfN8DT-1 mutants with different side-chain truncated were tested in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A mutant expressing the truncated enzyme at K62 site, designated as SfND8T-1-t62, produced the highest 8-PN titer. Molecular docking of SfN8DT-1-t62 with (2S)-naringenin and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) showed that K185 was a potentially crucial residue. Alanine scanning within a range of 0.5 nm around these two substrates showed that the mutant K185A may decrease its affinity to substrates, which also indicated K185 was a potentially critical residue. Besides, the mutant K185W enhanced the affinity to ligands implied by the simulated saturation mutation, while the saturated mutation of K185 showed a great decrease in 8-PN production, indicating K185 is vital for the activity of SfN8DT-1. Subsequently, overexpressing the key genes of Mevalonate (MVA) pathway further improved the titer of 8-PN to 31.31 mg/L, which indicated that DMAPP supply is also a limiting factor for 8-PN synthesis. Finally, 44.92 mg/L of 8-PN was produced in a 5 L bioreactor after 120 h, which is the highest 8-PN titer reported to date.
Dimethylallyltranstransferase/metabolism* ; Flavonoids/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Prenylation ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism* ; Sophora/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epileptic seizure-like effect of Sophora alkaloid sophoridine on electroencepholography (EEG) and its possible characteristic and the mechanism of the seizure-like effect.

METHODChronic electron implantation was employed for the intracranial electroencepholography (IEEG) recording in rat, and the traditional anti-seizure drugs were for the mechanism study in mice.

RESULTCompared with the medial perforant path (PP) area and the temporal cortex (TC), the granule cells in hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG) area is more sensitive in the kindling effect by sc sophoridine. Under-threshold hypnotic dosage of diazepam and the hypnotic dosage of pentobarbital sodium can block the sophoridine kinded seizure in mice, but the phenytoin sodium can not block the seizure, also the dosage of it can block the maximal electroconvulsive shock (MES) seizure.

CONCLUSIONSophoridine-induced synchronous oscillations in the hippocampus could elicit the generation and development of seizure. And the hippocampus might play the crucial role and be the original part of the seizure. Sophoridine kinded seizure might belong to clonic seizures, and the diazepam is the ideal agent for the treatment.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Quinolizines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sophora ; chemistry

To investigate the effects of essential oil from three kinds of pungent herbs,namely Menthae Haplocalycis Herba,Atractylodis Rhizoma and Cnidii Fructus,on the transdermal absorption in vitro of alkaloids from Sophorae Flavescentis Radix. The modified vertical Franz diffusion cell was used to conduct a transdermal experiment in vitro with the isolated abdominal skin of the SD rats as the transdermal absorption barrier. The effects of such three kinds of pungent essential oil on percutaneous absorption of alkaloids from Sophorae Flavescentis Radix were investigated by determining the content of 6 alkaloids( oxymatrine,oxysophocarpine,N-methylcytisine,sophoridine,matrine,and sophocarpidine) in the transdermal acceptor with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry( UPLC-TQ-MS) technique simultaneously. With enhancement ratio( ER) as the index,their effects on promoting penetration was as follows: 1% Atractylodis Rhizoma oil > 1% Cnidii Fructus oil > 3% Azone ≈ 3% Atractylodis Rhizoma oil > 5%Atractylodis Rhizoma oil > 3% Cnidii Fructus oil ≈ 5% Cnidii Fructus oil > 3% Menthae Haplocalycis Herba oil > 5% Menthae Haplocalycis Herba oil > 1% Menthae Haplocalycis Herba oil > Blank. The results showed that these three kinds of pungent essential oil could be used as enhancers for alkaloids of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix,providing scientific guidance for improving percutaneous absorption of alkaloids from Sophorae Flavescentis Radix.
Alkaloids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Absorption ; Sophora ; chemistry

The research aimed at investigating the physicochemical properties, stability and skin penetration in vitro of total alkaloids of Sophora flavescens nanoemulsion. Prepare total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion and detect the determination of matrine and oxymatrine in the nanoemulsion using HPLC method. Transmission electron microscopy and laser particle size analyzer were utilized to detect the shape and size of the nanoemulsion respectively. And also the stability of nanoemulsion was studied under the conditions of low temperature (4 degrees C), normal temperature (25 degrees C) and high temperature (60 degrees C). Franz diffusion cell was used to research the transdermal absorption of nanoemulsion in vitro. The results found that the nanoemulsion we prepared presented appearance of rounded, uniform; its average diameter was (15.55 +/- 2.24) nm, and particle size distribution value was 0. 161; the appearance, diameter and percentage determination of total alkaloids of S. flavescens had no variations after 15 d under 4, 25, 60 degrees C respectively. The steady-state permeation rate was 4.564 1 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), 24 h cumulative amount of penetration was 110.7 microg x cm(-2), which was 1.86 fold of 24 h cumulative amount of aqueous solution (59.41 microg x cm(-2)). All the results demonstrated total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion had good permeability, and could provide a new preparation for its clinical application.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chemical Phenomena ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Emulsions ; Male ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Absorption ; Sophora ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of oxysophoridine (OSR) on glutamate (Glu) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) immuno-reaction positive neurons in the cortex and hippocampus of rats.

METHODImmunohistochemistry method (SABC) and the micrographic analysis technique were employed to monitor the effect of OSR in the variations of Glu and GABA immunoreaction positive neurons in the cortex and hippocampus of rats.

RESULTOSR administrated icv (10 mg) significantly increased the number of GABA immuno-reaction positive neurons while decreasing the number of glu immunoreaction positive neurons in cortex and hippocampus in rats (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONResults showed that the change of Glu and GABA caused by OSR may responsible for its inhibitory effects on the central nervous system.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sophora ; chemistry ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the modulatory effect of Sophora flaveacens and co-administration with Veratrum nigrum on the activity and mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in rat liver.

METHODRat liver microsomal cytochrome P450, b5, aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND), p-nitrophenol-hydroxylase (pNPH) activities were quantitated by UV chromatography. The mRNA expression level of five CYP isoenzymes CYP1A1, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C11, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1 were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS. flaveacen and its combination with V. nigrum can dramatically reduce P450 and b5 protein content. Both single and combined use inhibited the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase. At the mRNA level, the expression of CYP2C11 markedly induced exposure to V. nigrum, while decreased after combination with S. flaveacens. S. flaveacens can induce CYP2B1/2 gene expression, while the Sophora- Veratrum group showed weak inhibition. Both single and co-administrated group have some inhibitory effect on CYP3A1 gene expression, while CYP1A gene expression almost has no change in each group.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicated that compatibility of Sophora and Veratrum in a prescription also have herb-herb interactions based on P450. The possible mechanisms of its incompatible effects need to be further analysised via integrating with metabolic studies.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Veratrum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the hepatotoxicity mechanism of rats that induced by Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma.

METHODThe SD rats were randomly divided into the control and Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma (RRST) group, given distilled water and RRST 10 g x kg(-1) separately by orally for 7 days, and RRST 20 g x kg(-1) for other days until the 26th day. Blood was drawn from abdominal aorta after the rats were anesthetized by 25% urethane, and then centrifugally processed to get the serum for detection of ALT and AST. The liver tissues of control and experimental group were taken to prepare liver homogenate with cold NS, and centrifugally processed to get the supernatant. The activities of SOD and GSH, the content of gamma-GT and MDA were detected according to the methods of kit. The tumor necosis factor(TNF-alpha) was detected by ABC-ELISA. The expression of ICAM-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTAfter the rats were given RRST by oral for 26 days, the ALT and AST activities in serum increased, the content of GSH and the ratio of SOD and MDA decreased, the content of gamma-GT and TNF-alpha, the masculine expression of ICAM-1 increased.

CONCLUSIONAfter the rats were given RRST, the liver can be damaged obviously, and the mechanism of hepatotoxicity perhaps related to free radical and inflammatory factor.

Administration, Oral ; Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Female ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; metabolism

Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) encodes the rapid component of the cardiac delayed rectifier K+ current, which has an important effect on both proarrhythmia and antiarrhythmia. To investigate the effect of sophocarpine (SC) on HERG channel stably expressing in human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK293) cells, whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record HERG current and kinetic curves. As the result, it was found that SC inhibited HERG current in a concentration-dependent manner (10, 30, 100, and 300 micromol x L(-1)). At 0 mV, 10, 30, 100, and 300 micromol x L(-1) SC respectively inhibited IHERG by Istep ( 10.7 +/- 2.8)% , (11.3 +/- 5.5)% , (47.0 +/- 2.3)% and (53.7 +/- 2.5)% , and Itail (1.1 +/- 3.0)%, (17.1 +/- 3.3)%, (32.7 +/- 1.9)% (P < 0.05, n = 12) and (56.0 +/- 2.4)% (P < 0.05, n = 13). The time constants of inactivation, recovery from inactivation and onset of inactivation were accelerated. SC did not change other channel kinetics (activation and deactivation). It is concluded that SC inhibited the transfected HERG channels by influencing the inactivation state, which is the probable anti-arrhythmic mechanism.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Kidney ; cytology ; Kinetics ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of oxysophoridine (OSR) on primary cultured hippocampus neurons subjected to anoxia injury in neonatal rats and its mechanism.

METHODThe model of anoxia injury of hippocampus neurons in neonatal rats were primarily cultured in vitro by physical oxygen deficiency using glucose-free culture fluid. The survival rate of neurons, the leaking rate of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the intracellular contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were measured. The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in hippocampus neurons were detected with Ca(2+)-sensitive dual wavelength fluorescence spectrophotometer.

RESULTNeuron death occurred in the anoxia injury model group with increase of LDH leaking rate, the contents of NO, MDA, intracellular [Ca2+] and the elevated activity of NOS while decreased activities of SOD and GSH-PX. The hippocampus neurons subjected to anoxia injury were alleviated in OSR (0.625, 5, 10 microg x L(-1)) group.

CONCLUSIONOSR has significant protective effects on hippocampus neurons subjected to anoxic injury. The mechanism of its protective effect may relate to its reduction of calcium overload and against oxidation injury.

Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total base of Sophora alopecuroides on expression of SOD, MDA, NO, MPO in rats with experimental colitis (UC).

METHODSD rats were randomized into 6 groups and colitis was induced by administrating 2,4,6-trinitrobenzesulphonic acid (TNB) recatlly in rats. Rats were given drug by stomach after the first day for 3 weeks, and sacrificed at 23rd day to determine the content of MDA and activities of SOD, NO, MPO in colonic mucosa, and to estimate the symptom and colonic histology.

RESULTIn UC rats, SOD was significantly decreased whereas MDA, NO, MPO were increased when compared with the normal group (P < 0.05). In all treatment groups, Sophora alopecuroides could increase SOD, decrease MDA, NO, MPO (P < 0.05), and improve the symptoms and histological damages.

CONCLUSIONThe total dose of S. alopecuroides may ameliorates or alleviate the symptoms of UC through inhibiting oxygen free radical reaction, decreasing the generation of NO and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Colitis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism