Recent studies have revealed a significant association between Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis)infection and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Although cer-tain circular RNAs(circRNA)have been shown to suppress ESCC tumorigenesis and progression,their regulatory mechanisms in P.gingivalis infection-associated ESCC remain elusive.In this study,RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that P.gingivalis infection downregulated hsa_circ_0057552 expression in ESCC cells and tissues in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Actinomycin D assays further confirmed that P.gingivalis infection reduced the RNA stability of hsa_circ_0057552 in ESCC cells(P＜0.05).Functional assays in vitro and a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in vivo revealed that hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and tumor growth(P＜0.05).Additionally,PCR array screening combined with RT-qPCR and Western blotting in-dicated that P.gingivalis infection markedly upregulated human antigen R(HuR)expression at both RNA and protein levels(P＜0.05).Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that HuR knockdown signifi-cantly increased hsa_circ_0057552 expression(P＜0.01),whereas hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression had no regulatory effect on HuR.Finally,si-HuR treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of P.gingivalis on hsa_circ_0057552 transcription.This study demonstrated that P.gingivalis may promote the progression of ESCC through a novel mechanism involving the regulation of HuR/hsa_circ_0057552,thereby identif-ying a novel therapeutic target and molecular marker for P.gingivalis-associated ESCC.

Recent studies have revealed a significant association between Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis)infection and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Although cer-tain circular RNAs(circRNA)have been shown to suppress ESCC tumorigenesis and progression,their regulatory mechanisms in P.gingivalis infection-associated ESCC remain elusive.In this study,RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that P.gingivalis infection downregulated hsa_circ_0057552 expression in ESCC cells and tissues in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Actinomycin D assays further confirmed that P.gingivalis infection reduced the RNA stability of hsa_circ_0057552 in ESCC cells(P＜0.05).Functional assays in vitro and a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in vivo revealed that hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and tumor growth(P＜0.05).Additionally,PCR array screening combined with RT-qPCR and Western blotting in-dicated that P.gingivalis infection markedly upregulated human antigen R(HuR)expression at both RNA and protein levels(P＜0.05).Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that HuR knockdown signifi-cantly increased hsa_circ_0057552 expression(P＜0.01),whereas hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression had no regulatory effect on HuR.Finally,si-HuR treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of P.gingivalis on hsa_circ_0057552 transcription.This study demonstrated that P.gingivalis may promote the progression of ESCC through a novel mechanism involving the regulation of HuR/hsa_circ_0057552,thereby identif-ying a novel therapeutic target and molecular marker for P.gingivalis-associated ESCC.

Objective To establish a method for the determination of multi-component content of prepared Polygoni Multiflori Radix extract,and to compare the changes of chemical components in the decoction process of prepared Polygoni Multiflori Radix powder decoction pieces and traditional decoction pieces,so as to provide scientific basis for the preparation and clinical application of traditional decoction pieces.Methods The contents of gallic acid,5-hydroxymethylfurfural,2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside,emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside,physcion-8-O-β-D-glucoside and emodin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).With the extraction rate and alcohol-soluble extract as evaluation indexes,the effects of standard decoction method and non-standard decoction method on the extraction of prepared Polygoni Multiflori Radix powder decoction pieces and original decoction pieces were investigated.Results Non-standard decoction boiling method:the contents of gallic acid,5-hydroxymethylfurfural,2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside,emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside,physcion-8-O-β-D-glucoside and emodin in the prepared Polygoni Multiflori Radix powder decoction pieces were significantly increased,and the increase ratios were 71.18%,141.67%,146.29%,150.00%,625.00%and 296.00%,respectively.In particular,physcion-8-O-β-D-glucoside increased by 7.25 times.Standard decoction boiling method:the content of the above index components in the prepared Polygoni Multiflori Radix powder decoction pieces was significantly increased,and the increase ratios were 28.09%,10.53%,66.01%,45.45%,316.67%,and 65.85%,respectively.In particular,physcion-8-O-β-D-glucoside increased by 4.17 times.The relative standard deviation(RSD)of each index content of prepared powder decoction by standard decoction boiled method was within 10%.Conclusion The dissolution and quality uniformity of the index components of the prepared Polygoni Multiflori Radix powder decoction pieces are superior to those of the original decoction pieces,which can improve the accuracy of clinical medication and need to be reduced as appropriate.

The 95% ethanol extract of Baphicacanthis Cusiae Rhizoma et Radix was purified by multi-chromatographic methods including microporous resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and C_(18) reversed-phase column chromatography. Fourteen compounds were isolated and structurally identified, including five phenylethanoid glycosides, five phenylpropanoids, one lupinane triterpene, two alkaloids, and one flavonoid, listed as follows: 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-1-propanol B(1), threo-2,3-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene)-3-methoxypropanol(2), 2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanol-1-O-[3,4-O-di-acetyl-(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside(3), verbascoside(4), 2″,3″-di-O-acetyl martynoside(5),(+)-pinore-sinol(6), diospyrosin(7), daidzein(8), wiedemannioside B(9), buddlenol A(10), 2″-O-acetyl martyonside(11), lupeol(12), indirubin(13), and tryptanthrin(14). Compound 3 was a new phenylethanoid glycoside, and the other 10 compounds were isolated for the first time from Baphicacanthis Cusiae Rhizoma et Radix except compounds 12, 13, and 14.
Cardiac Glycosides ; Flavonoids ; Glycosides ; Molecular Structure ; Phenylethyl Alcohol ; Rhizome

The 70% ethanol extract of the whole plant of Souliea vaginata was purified by multi-chromatographic methods including macroporous resin,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,and C18-reversed-phase column chromatography. A new spirocyclic cycloartane triterpenoid was isolated and identified as( 16 R*,20 R*,23 S*,24 R*,25 S*)-16,23: 23,26-diepoxy-15α,24,25-trihydroxy-9,19-cycloart-3β-O-β-D-xylopyranoside( 1),and named as soulieoside S. Its planar structure and relative configuration were determined by spectroscopic techniques including 2 D NMR and HRESI-MS. As one of the main components of S. vaginata,compound 1 was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity by a lipopolysaccharide( LPS)-stimulated NO production model in RAW264. 7 macrophages,but it didn't show NO production inhibitory effect.
Actaea/metabolism* ; Glycosides ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Molecular Structure ; Triterpenes/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents contained in Acorus calamus.

METHODThe chemical constituents were separated and purified by various chromatographic methods including silica gel, ODS, HPLC and Sephadex LH-20, and their structures were identified on the basis of analysis on spectroscopic data.

RESULTTen compounds were separated from A. calamus and identified as 1beta, 4beta, 7alpha-trihydroxyeudesmane (1), bullatantriol (2), teuclatriol (3), threo-1', 2'-dihydroxyasarone (4), erythro-1', 2'-dihydroxyasarone (5), (+)-de-4'-O-methyleudesmin (6), (+)-de-4'-0-methylmagnolin (7), (+)-eudesmin (8), (+)-magnolin (9) and beta-sitosterol (10), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-2,4-9 were separated from this plant for the first time. Specifically, compounds 1-2,6-9 were obtained from Acorus genus for the first time.

Acorus ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Background and Objective:The mechanism of tumor tissues selectively uptaking the photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy(PDT)is still unclear.This study was to investigate the affinity of tumor cells to the photosensitizer photofrin-Ⅱ. Methods: Ultraviolet spectrophotometer was applied to measure the absorption spectra of various cell culture media.The fluorescence spectrum of photofrin-Ⅱ was determined by spectrofluorometer.The absorption and eIimination condition of photofrin-Ⅱ were detected in immortalized human esophageal epithelial cell line SHEE and its malignant transformation cell line SHEEC.Results:The maximum excitation wavelength of fluorescence for photofrin-Ⅱ was(395.0±0.5) nm, and the maximum emission wavelength of that was (634.1±0.5) nm.The laser at the wavelength of 630 nm used in this experiment could permeate various types of cell culture media.There was no significant difference in the absorption and elimination of photofrin-Ⅱ between SHEE and SHEEC at the same concentration and time.The absorption of photofrin-Ⅱ in SHEE and SHEEC increased with the increase in photofrin-Ⅱ concentration and duration. and reached the platform at the concentration of 30 μg/mL and a time point of 150 min.respectively.The photofrin-Ⅱ contents of SHEE and SHEEC showed a slight change after 15-30 min, and diminished rapidly after 30 min.Conclusion:High photosensitizer concentration in tumor tissues may be not correlated with the affinity of tumor cells.