Atropa belladonna is a medicinal plant and main commercial source of tropane alkaloids (TAs) including scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which are anticholine drugs widely used clinically. Based on the high throughput transcriptome sequencing results, the digital expression patterns of UniGenes representing 9 structural genes (ODC, ADC, AIH, CPA, SPDS, PMT, CYP80F1, H6H, TRII) involved in TAs biosynthesis were constructed, and simultaneously expression analysis of 4 released genes in NCBI (PMT, CYP80F1, H6H, TRII) for verification was performed using qPCR, as well as the TAs contents detection in 8 different tissues. Digital expression patterns results suggested that the 4 genes including ODC, ADC, AIH and CPA involved in the upstream pathway of TAs, and the 2 branch pathway genes including SPDS and TRII were found to be expressed in all the detected tissues with high expression level in secondary root. While the 3 TAs-pathway-specific genes including PMT, CYP80F1, H6H were only expressed in secondary roots and primary roots, mainly in secondary roots. The qPCR detection results of PMT, CYP80F1 and H6H were consistent with the digital expression patterns, but their expression levels in primary root were too low to be detected. The highest content of hyoscyamine was found in tender stems (3.364 mg x g(-1)), followed by tender leaves (1.526 mg x g(-1)), roots (1.598 mg x g(-1)), young fruits (1.271 mg x g(-1)) and fruit sepals (1.413 mg x g(-1)). The highest content of scopolamine was detected in fruit sepals (1.003 mg x g(-1)), then followed by tender stems (0.600 mg x g(-1)) and tender leaves (0.601 mg x g(-1)). Both old stems and old leaves had the lowest content of hyoscyamine and scopolamine. The gene expression profile and TAs accumulation indicated that TAs in Atropa belladonna were mainly biosynthesized in secondary root, and then transported and deposited in tender aerial parts. Screening Atropa belladonna secondary root transcriptome database will facilitate unveiling the unknown enzymatic reactions and the mechanisms of transcriptional control.
Alkaloids ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Atropa belladonna ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; genetics ; Hyoscyamine ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; metabolism ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; metabolism ; Tropanes ; metabolism

Atropa belladonna L. is the officially medicinal plant species and the main commercial source of scopolamine and hyoscyamine in China. In this study, we reported the simultaneous overexpression of two functional genes involved in biosynthesis of scopolamine, which respectively encoded the upstream key enzyme putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT; EC 2.1.1.53) and the downstream key enzyme hyoscyamine 6beta-hydroxylase (H6H; EC 1.14.11.11) in transgenic hair root cultures of Atropa belladonna L. HPLC results suggested that four transgenic hair root lines produced higher content of scopolamine at different levels compared with nontransgenic hair root cultures. And scopolamine content increased to 8.2 fold in transgenic line PH2 compared with that of control line; and the other four transgenic lines showed an increase of scopolamine compared with the control. Two of the transgenic hair root lines produced higher levels of tropane alkaloids, and the content increased to 2.7 fold in transgenic line PH2 compared with the control. The gene expression profile indicated that both PMT and H6H expressed at a different levels in different transgenic hair root lines, which would be helpful for biosynthesis of scopolamine. Our studies suggested that overexpression of A. belladonna endogenous genes PMT and H6H could enhance tropane alkaloid biosynthesis.
Atropa belladonna ; enzymology ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Hyoscyamine ; metabolism ; Methyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; enzymology ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; enzymology ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; enzymology ; genetics ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; metabolism ; Synthetic Biology ; Tropanes ; metabolism

The Solanaceae plants distributed in China belong to 105 species and 35 varietas of 24 genera. Some medicinal plants of Solanaceae are rich in tropane alkaloids(TAs), which have significant pharmacological activities. In this paper, the geographical distribution, chemical components, traditional therapeutic effect, pharmacological activities, and biosynthetic pathways of TAs in Solanaceous plants were summarized. Besides, the phylogeny of medicinal plants belonging to Solanaceae was visualized by network diagram. Fourteen genera of Solanaceae plants in China contain TAs and have medical records. TAs mainly exist in Datura, Anisodus, Atropa, Physochlaina, and Hyoscyamus. The TAs-containing species were mainly concentrated in Southwest China, and the content of TAs was closely related to plant distribution area and altitude. The Solanaceae plants containing TAs mainly have antispasmodic, analgesic, antiasthmatic, and antitussive effects. Modern pharmacological studies have proved the central sedative, pupil dilating, glandular secretion-inhibiting, and anti-asthma activities of TAs. These pharmacological activities provide a reasonable explanation for the traditional therapeutic efficacy of tropane drugs. In this paper, the geographical distribution, chemical components, traditional therapeutic effect, and modern pharmacological activities of TAs-containing species in Solanaceae were analyzed for the first time. Based on these data, the genetic relationship of TAs-containing Solanaceae species was preliminarily discussed, which provided a scientific basis for the basic research on TAs-containing solanaceous species and was of great significance for the development of natural medicinal plant resources containing TAs.
Biosynthetic Pathways ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; Solanaceae/genetics* ; Tropanes

The prevention of and the controlling of symptoms, reductions in the frequency of exacerbations, and disease severity are central to the pharmacologic therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients are inclined to be older, have more comorbidities, and use polypharmacy as a result. Long-acting inhaled muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) is a preferred treatment modality. However, the cardiovascular (CV) safety of anti-cholinergics, including LAMA, has been an issue. In contrast, the results of the UPLIFT trial and a pooled analysis of data from 30 trials of tiotropium illustrates the association of tiotropium with reductions in the risk of all cause mortality, CV mortality and CV events. And, the UPLIFT trial provides clues regarding the additive advantages of tiotropium in COPD patients who already are using long-acting inhaled beta2 agonists and inhaled corticosteroids. Following the contribution of tiotropium as a first LAMA, new LAMAs such as aclidinium and glycopyrrolate (NVA-237) seem to be emerging.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; Comorbidity ; Glycopyrrolate ; Humans ; Muscarinic Antagonists ; Polypharmacy ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Scopolamine Derivatives ; Tiotropium Bromide

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate efficacy of tiotropium as add-on therapy on top of standard regimens for uncontrolled asthma, specifically in terms of FEV1, morning and evening PEF, reduction in exacerbations, rescue medication use, and quality of life improvement.
METHODS: A search was done for eligible trials after which validity screen and data extraction was performed. Results were presented as mean differences, standard errors, and 95% confidence intervals, and graphically as forest plots. Estimates were pooled using the random effects model with I2 and Chi2 tests used to assess heterogeneity. Adverse events were reported as dichotomous variables.
RESULTS: Four studies were included totaling 1617 participants. The tiotropium group had statistically significant improvement in FEV1 (95% Cl, 0.14 [0.09, 0.19], p<0.00001), morning (95% Cl, 20.03 [11.71, 28.35], p<0.00001) with trend towards benefit in reduction of rescue medications (95% Cl, 0.12 [-0.17,0.4],p=0.42) and quality of life improvements (95% Cl, 0.1 [-0.05,0.25], p=0.20). Homogeneity (I2= 0%, Chi2= 0.47-3.22) was found across studies.
CONCLUSION: Tiotropium is associated with significant improvement in pulmonary function among patients with uncontrolled asthma, with possible benefit in reduction of rescue medications and quality of life improvement.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Asthma ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Confidence Intervals ; Quality Of Life ; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena ; Scopolamine Derivatives ; Tiotropium Bromide ; Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: A combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (SFC) and tiotropium bromide (TIO) is commonly prescribed for COPD patients but there is little data on their effectiveness, particularly in COPD patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This study compared the spirometric improvement based on the change in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and IC as well as the clinical outcomes of the therapeutic strategies with SFC and TIO versus the individual components in patients with severe COPD and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. METHODS: This study examined the spirometric data and clinical outcomes of 214 patients with COPD and hyperresponsiveness, who were divided into three groups according to the therapeutic regimen (TIO only, SFC only, and a triple therapy regimen). RESULTS: All regimen groups showed early improvement in the FEV1 and IC (at 3- and 6 months after treatment). However, long-term beneficial effects were observed only in the SFC group (at 24 months after treatment). However, these beneficial effects decreased after a 36-month follow up. In all spirometric results, the 12-, 24-, and 36-months data showed a similar degree of improvement in the three groups. The triple therapy group showed higher St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores and lower acute exacerbations and hospitalization. CONCLUSION: SFC can be a more important component in the pharmacological treatment of severe COPD patients with hyperresponsiveness than TIO, particularly in the spirometric and clinical outcomes.
Albuterol ; Androstadienes ; Diethylpropion ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Scopolamine Derivatives ; Treatment Outcome ; Fluticasone ; Tiotropium Bromide ; Salmeterol Xinafoate

Airway Remodeling ; drug effects ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Scopolamine Derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Tiotropium Bromide

Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Androstadienes ; therapeutic use ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Fluticasone ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scopolamine Derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Silicosis ; drug therapy ; Tiotropium Bromide

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of tiotropium bromide powder inhalation on stable bronchiectasis.

METHODSTwenty-two patients with stable bronchiectasis received inhalation of totropium bromide powder at the daily dose of 18 microg, and on days 1 and 28, the patients were examined for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEVl), predicted value [FEVl(%)], forced expiratory volume (FEV), and FEVl/FVC. The symptom score and BODE index were also recorded.

RESULTSAfter 1 month of inhalation therapy, the FEV1% of the patients showed a moderate increase but the increment was not statistically significant (t=-1.875, P>0.05); the symptom score and BODE index decreased significantly after the therapy (t=7.091, P<0.001; t=2.982, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLong-term inhalation of tiotropium bromide powder can improve the clinical symptoms and BODE index and enhance the exercise tolerance and quality of life of the patients with bronchiectasis.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adult ; Aged ; Bronchiectasis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Powders ; Receptor, Muscarinic M3 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Scopolamine Derivatives ; administration & dosage ; Tiotropium Bromide

1) Atropine and scopolamine in doses of 0. 05, 0. 1, 0, 15, 0. 2 and 0. 25 mg produced bradycardia in humans. 2) The bradycardia induced by 0. 05 and 0, 1 mg of atropine was restored to normal rhythm by 0. 2 and 0. 15 mg of atropine, respectively. 3) The bradycardia induced by 0. 05 and 0. 1 mg of scopolamine was reversed to tachycardia by 0. 2 and 0. 15 mg of scopolamine, respectively. 4) The scopolamine(0.05mg) induced bradycardia was restored to normal rhythm by atropine 0.15 mg and reversed to tachycardia by atropine 0.2mg 5) The atropine(0.1 mg) induced bradycardia was partially restored by scopolamine 0.15 and 0. 2 mg. 6) It was argued that these results were not explainable by a central vagal effect of a direct effect of atropine and scopolamine on the heart but explainable by the blocking effect of these drugs to the sympathetic ganglia.
Atropine* ; Bradycardia* ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Heart ; Humans ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide* ; Tachycardia