The anti-inflammatory phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Illicium dunnianum (I. dunnianum) resulted in the isolation of five pairs of new lignans (1-5), and 7 known analogs (6-12). The separation of enantiomer mixtures 1-5 to 1a/1b-5a/5b was achieved using a chiral column with acetonitrile-water mixtures as eluents. The planar structures of 1-2 were previously undescribed, and the chiral separation and absolute configurations of 3-5 were reported for the first time. Their structures were determined through comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis [nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass (HR-ESI-MS), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV)] and quantum chemistry calculations (ECD). The new isolates were evaluated by measuring their inhibitory effect on NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. Compounds 1a, 3a, 3b, and 5a demonstrated partial inhibition of NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays revealed that 1a down-regulated the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), COX-2, and iNOS and the protein expressions of COX-2 and iNOS. This research provides guidance and evidence for the further development and utilization of I. dunnianum.
Lignans/isolation & purification* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Mice ; Animals ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Illicium/chemistry* ; Cyclooxygenase 2/immunology* ; Interleukin-6/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/immunology* ; Lipopolysaccharides

Chronic superficial gastritis(CSG)is a common disease of the digestive system that possesses a serious pathogenesis.Jinhong tablet(JHT),a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)prescription,exerts therapeutic effects against CSG.However,the molecular basis of its therapeutic effect has not been clarified.Herein,we employed ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q/TOF-MS)based chemical profile identification to determine the chemical components in JHT.Further,we applied network pharmacology to illustrate its molecular mechanisms.A total of 96 chemical constituents were identified in JHT,31 of which were confirmed using reference standards.Based on the bioinformatics analysis using the symptom-guided pharmacological networks of"chi,""blood,""pain,"and"inflammation,"and target screening through the interaction probabilities between compounds and targets,matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),dopamine d2 receptor(DRD2),and Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1(AKR1B1)were identified as key targets in the therapeutic effect exhibited by JHT against CSG.Moreover,according to the inhibitory activities presented in the literature and binding mode analysis,the structural types of alkaloids,flavonoids,organic acids,including chlorogenic acid(10),caffeic acid(13),(-)-corydalmine(33),(-)-isocorypalmine(36),isochlorogenic acid C(38),isochlorogenic acid A(41),quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside(42),isochlorogenic acid B(47),quercetin(63),and kaempferol(70)tended to show remarkable activities against CSG.Owing to the above findings,we systematically identified the chemical components of JHT and revealed its molecular mechanisms based on the symptoms associated with CSG.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the applicability of 3DMIA software to upper airway modeling in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS A total of 30 children diagnosed with OSAHS by polysomnography were included in this study. Data regarding upper airway structure were collected via spiral CT while sleeping and awake, from which a three-dimensional model of the upper respiratory tract from the nasopharynx to the supraglottic region using 3DMIA software was constructed. The upper airway volume and airway minimum cross-sectional area were measured employing software algorithms. RESULTS The upper airway volume and airway minimum cross-sectional area of the 30 children during sleep were significantly less than those while awake (P<0.01). CONCLUSION 3DMIA software modeling and software algorithm measurement are more objective than traditional radiology (e.g. Fujioka) with respect to evaluation of the extent of the upper airway narrowing in OSAHS children, and has good applicability to study upper airway morphology and function in children with OSAHS.

Background Dynamic observation in morphology and histology of conjunctival filtering bleb in rats can contribute to form ideal filtering blebs by interferencing the process of scarring.Objective This study was designed to observe the survival time,morphological and histopathological changes of conjunctival filtering bleb after filtering surgery.Methods Filtering surgeries were performed on 60 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats by implanting drainage tubes into the anterior chamber.The shape of filtering blebs was examined by slit lamp microscope 1 day,3,5,7,14,28 days after surgery.The filtering was typed according to the criteria of Kronfeld.Areas of the filtering bleb were measured and compared at various time points after surgery.Conjunctival and subconjunctival tissues at filtering zone were obtained 1 day,3,5,7,14,28 days after surgery,respectively,and hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for the histopathological evaluation.Results Well-elevated filtering blebs formed on the first day after surgery in 60 rat eyes.The survival time of filtering bleb was 7-17 days with the mean time of (11.93±2.23) days.Survival rate of the filtering blebs was 100％ in 1-5 days,77％ in 7 days,20％ in 14 days and 0 in 28 days after operation.The filtering blebs were functional (Ⅰ type) in 1-5 days after operation,23 eyes were functional in 7 days after operation (13 eyes were Ⅰ type,10 eyes were Ⅱ type),4 eyes were functional in 14 days after operation (2 eyes were Ⅰ type,2 eyes wereⅡtype).The filtering area shrunken from (7.50±1.08) mm2 to (1.83±0.35) mm2during the observational duration.The filtering blebs area of different days after surgery were statistically significant (F =180.056,P=0.000),and significant differences were found between any two timepionts after surgery (all at P =0.000).Histological examination showed that inflammatory finding was dominant in postoperative day 1-3,such as infiltration of inflammatory cells,vasodilatation and edema of tissue.However,proliferating manifestation became the main signs 5 days later,showing the increase of fibroblasts,neovascularization and collagen formation.Conclusions The model of conjunctival filtering blebs in rats can be successfully established by implanting silicone tube into anterior chamber.The inflammatory response,proliferation of fibroblasts and the accumulation of collagen fibers are involved in the scarring process of filtering blebs.