Pyrroloquinoline quinone:a potential neuroprotective compound for neurodegenerative diseases targeting metabolism

Pyrroloquinoline quinone is a quinone described as a cofactor for many bacterial dehydrogenases and is reported to exert an effect on metabolism in mammalian cells/tissues.Pyrroloquinoline quinone is present in the diet being available in foodstuffs,conferring the potential of this compound to be supplemented by dietary administration.Pyrroloquinoline quinone’s nutritional role in mammalian health is supported by the extensive deficits in reproduction,growth,and immunity resulting from the dietary absence of pyrroloquinoline quinone,and as such,pyrroloquinoline quinone has been considered as a“new vitamin.”Although the classification of pyrroloquinoline quinone as a vitamin needs to be properly established,the wide range of benefits for health provided has been reported in many studies.In this respect,pyrroloquinoline quinone seems to be particularly involved in regulating cell signaling pathways that promote metabolic and mitochondrial processes in many experimental contexts,thus dictating the rationale to consider pyrroloquinoline quinone as a vital compound for mammalian life.Through the regulation of different metabolic mechanisms,pyrroloquinoline quinone may improve clinical deficits where dysfunctional metabolism and mitochondrial activity contribute to induce cell damage and death.Pyrroloquinoline quinone has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective properties in different experimental models of neurodegeneration,although the link between pyrroloquinoline quinone-promoted metabolism and improved neuronal viability in some of such contexts is still to be fully elucidated.Here,we review the general properties of pyrroloquinoline quinone and its capacity to modulate metabolic and mitochondrial mechanisms in physiological contexts.In addition,we analyze the neuroprotective properties of pyrroloquinoline quinone in different neurodegenerative conditions and consider future perspectives for pyrroloquinoline quinone’s potential in health and disease.

Steroids, Tri- and Meroterpenoids with a Quinone Structure—A Review

Terpenoids with quinoid structures are found as natural products. This includes steroidal quinones, quinones with a secosteroid structure and meroterpenoid quinones. Importantly, catechol estrogens as endogenous metabolites of estradiol and estrone are precursors of reactive quinones and semiquinones, which are thought to contribute to estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. On the other hand, a number of quinones that include substituted naphthoquinones and anthraquinones are highly cytotoxic and have been used in cancer treatment. This makes the structures interesting synthetic targets. The following is a review of important natural and synthetic terpenoid and steroid quinone hybrids.

Quinones from Cordia species from 1972 to 2023:isolation,structural diversity and pharmacological activities

Plants of the genus Cordia(Boraginaceae family)are widely distributed in the tropical regions of America,Africa,and Asia.They are extensively used in folk medicine due to their rich medicinal properties.This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the isolation,structure,biogenesis,and biological properties of quinones from Cordia species reported from 1972 to 2023.Meroterpenoids were identified as the major quinones in most Cordia species and are reported as a chemotaxonomic markers of the Cordia.In addition to this property,quinones are reported to display a wider and broader spectrum of activities,are efficient scaffold in biological activity,compared to other classes of compounds reported in Cordia,hence our focus on the study of quinones reported from Cordia species.About 70 types of quinones have been isolated,while others have been identified by phytochemical screening or gas chromatography.Although the biosynthesis of quinones from Cordia species is not yet fully understood,previous reports suggest that they may be derived from geranyl pyrophosphate and an aromatic precursor unit,followed by oxidative cyclization of the allylic methyl group.Studies have demonstrated that quinones from this genus exhibit antifungal,larvicidal,antileishmanial,anti-inflammatory,antibiofilm,antimycobacterial,antioxidant,antimalarial,neuroinhibitory,and hemolytic activities.In addition,they have been shown to exhibit remarkable cytotoxic effects against several cancer cell lines which is likely related to their ability to inhibit electron transport as well as oxidative phosphorylation,and generate reactive oxygen species(ROS).Their biological activities indicate potential utility in the development of new drugs,especially as active components in drug-carrier systems,against a broad spectrum of pathogens and ailments.

醌类电极材料Calix[4]quinone在二次电池中的应用

随着社会对大型储能设备的环保、充放电性能以及可持续发展的要求越来越高,基于金属氧化物的传统锂/钠离子电极材料受限于比容量,已难以满足未来储能系统的要求。有机材料、锂-硫/氧、液态流体等电池的研发与应用已成为未来能源系统研究的重要内容。其中,有机正极材料中的羰基类化合物Calix[4]quinone(C4Q)是一种很有前途的正极材料。该分子的空间位阻小,8个羰基结构都能发生可逆电极反应,其理论比容量高达446mA·h/g,远超传统无机电极材料。C4Q不仅可以作为储锂材料,也可作为钠、锌、镁等二次电池的电极材料。本文分别介绍了C4Q在锂、钠二次电池和锌水系电池中的应用成果,并对C4Q今后进一步的开发利用做了展望。

A Three-dimensional Ba(Ⅱ) Coordination Polymer Based on H_4AQTC(Anthraquinone-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic Acid): Quinone Oxygen Atoms Participate in Coordination

A novel coordination polymer [Ba2（AQTC）（H2O）3]n（1, H4 AQTC = anthraquinone-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid） has been prepared under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Two quinone oxygen atoms and all carboxylate oxygen atoms of AQTC4- are involved in coordination. Two equivalent barium ions are mainly linked by carboxylate oxygen atoms into a dimer. Neighbouring dimers are further connected by the AQTC4- ligand through carboxylate oxygen atom, leading to a 1-D chain structure. Every two adjacent chains are mainly further connected by face carboxylate oxygen atoms and water molecule, generating a two-dimensional layer structure. Such 2-D layer structures are connected with O（6） and O（6C） atoms from water molecules to form a 3-D structure. In addition, luminescent properties of 1 are also investigated.

Transcriptome analysis of the effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium（PQQ·Na2） on reproductive performance in sows during gestation and lactation

Background: Pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ), which is a water soluble, thermo-stable triglyceride-quinone, is widely distributed in nature and characterized as a mammalian vitamin-like redox cofactor. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium(PQQ·Na2) on reproductive performance in sows.Results: Dietary supplementation with PQQ·Na2 significantly increased the total number of piglets born, the number of piglets born alive and the born alive litter weight. It also increased the antioxidant status in the placenta, plasma and milk. The concentration of NO was significantly increased in the plasma and placenta. RNA-seq analysis showed that462 unigenes were differentially expressed between the control(Con) treatment and PQQ treatment groups.Among these unigenes, 199 were upregulated, while 263 unigenes were downregulated. The assigned functions of the unigenes covered a broad range of GO categories. Reproduction(27, 7.03%) and the reproduction process(27, 7.03%) were assigned to the biological process category. By matching DEGs to the KEGG database, we identified 29 pathways.Conclusions: In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PQQ·Na2 in gestating and lactating sows had positive effects on their reproductive performance.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone regulates the redox status in vitro and in vivo of weaned pigs via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Background:Oxidative stress is a main cause of piglet gut damage and diarrhea.Pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ),is a novel redox cofactor with antioxidant properties.However,the effect and mechanism that PQQ supplementation decreases oxidative injury in weaned pigs is not understood.Therefore,the aim of this study is to confirm the effect of PQQ on regulating redox status in weaned pigs and the mechanism for antioxidant function by porcine intestinal epithelial cell line(IPEC-J2)challenged with H_(2)O_(2).Results:Experiment 1,144 Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire pigs(weaned at 28 d)were allocated to four groups:received a basal diet(control)and diets supplemented with 0.15%,0.30%and 0.45%PQQ,respectively.On d 28,growth performance,diarrhea incidence and redox factors were measured.Experiment 2,IPEC-J2 were treated with or without PQQ in the presence or absence of H_(2)O_(2)for indicated time points.Experiment 3,IPEC-J2 were transfected with or without Nrf2 siRNA,then treated according to Experiment 2.The cell viability,redox factors,protein of tight junctions and Nrf2 pathway were determined.In vivo,PQQ supplementation demonstrated dose-related improvements in average daily gain,and gain to feed ratio(Linear P<0.05).During d 0–28,compared to controls,0.45%PQQ supplementation for pigs decreased diarrhea incidence and MDA content in liver and jejunum,and increased concentration of SOD in liver;0.3%PQQ supplementation decreased ileal and liver MDA concentration;and 0.15%PQQ supplementation decreased ileal MDA concentration(P<0.05).In vitro,compared to cells cultured with H_(2)O_(2),pre-treatment with PQQ increased cell viability,tight junction proteins expression including ZO-1,ZO-2,Occludin and Claudin-1;and decreased ROS concentration and level of Caspase-3(P<0.05);as well as upregulated the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax and protein expression of nuclear Nrf2,HO-1.Notably,Nrf2 knockdown by transfection with Nrf2 siRNA largely abrogated the positive effects of PQQ pretreatment on H_(2)O_(2)-induced intracellular changes.Conclusions:PQQ administration attenuated oxidative stress in weaned pigs which is associated with activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

The Diterpenoid Quinones from Coleus forskohlii

Two new diterpenoid quinones, colean S and T were isolated from the chloroform extract of the leaves of Coleus forskohlii, and based on spectroscopic data, their structures were identified as 1,4-phananthrenedione-4b,5,6,8a,9,10-hexahydro-3,9 beta ,10 alpha- tri-hydroxy-4b,7,8-trimethyl-2-propylene(2), respectively.

Protective Effect of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone on TNF-α-induced Mitochondrial Injury in Chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis(OA)is a degenerative disease characterized by matrix degradation and cell death leading to a gradual loss of articular cartilage integrity.As a bacterial synthesis of quinine,pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ)is a strong redox cofactor with a variety of biological benefits,including antioxidant,anti-inflammation-induced mitochondrial metabolism regulation.This study was designed to investigate the effect of PQQ on TNF-α-induced mitochondrial damage in chondrocytes.Chondrocytes isolated from C57BL/6 mice were exposed to TNF-α50 ng/mL,TNF-α50 ng/mL+PQQ 10µmol/L for 24 h.Then,morphological study,functional study and mechanism study were taken.The results revealed TNF-α-induced chondrocyte mitochondrion damage could be reduced by application of PQQ,evidenced by elevated number of mitochondria,well-kept mtDNA integrity,preserved ATP level,reestablished mitochondrial membrane potential,and prevented mitochondrial function.The present work strongly suggests that the mitochondrion is an important target for OA chondrocyte damage induced by TNF-αand the PQQ protection from this damage ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction induced by TNF-α.PQQ might be a potential chemical for OA intervention.

Quinone oxidoreductase 1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and associated with outcome of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival

BACKGROUND Quinine oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)plays a vital role in protecting normal cells against oxidative damage and electrophilic attack.It is highly expressed in many solid tumors,suggesting a role in cancer development and progression.However,the role of NQO1 in gastric cancer and its effect on cancer development and prognosis have not been fully investigated.AIM To investigate the clinical relevance of NQO1 protein expression in gastric cancer and to explore the potential of NQO1 to serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.METHODS In this retrospective study,gastric cancer specimens of 175 patients who were treated between 1995 and 2011 were subjected to immunohistochemistry analyses for NQO1.The correlation of NQO1 expression with gastric cancer prognosis and clinical and pathological parameters was investigated.RESULTS NQO1 protein was overexpressed in 59.43%(104/175)of the analyzed samples.Overexpression of NQO1 was associated with a significantly inferior prognosis.In addition,multivariate analysis suggested that NQO1 overexpression,along with tumor stage and patient age,are prominent prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer.Moreover,NQO1 overexpression was correlated to a better response to 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy.CONCLUSION NQO1 overexpression is associated with a significantly poor prognosis and better response to 5-FU in patients with gastric cancer.These findings are relevant for improving therapeutic approaches for gastric cancer patients.

Effect of dietary supplementation of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium on growth performance, meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ) in the form of PQQ disodium(PQQ·Na2) on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers. A total of 720 one-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatments with 8 replicates of 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds were fed a PQQ·Na2-unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet(control) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 mg PQQ·Na2 kg-1 for 42 d. Compared with the control chicks, the chicks fed the diets supplemented with PQQ·Na2 had lower(P<0.05) feed:gain(F/G) during the grower phase and drip losses of breast muscles on day 42. As supplemental PQQ·Na2 level increased, plasma total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) on d 42, liver T-AOC on d 21 and heart T-AOC on d 21 and 42 increased linearly(P<0.05), but malondialdehyde concentrations in plasma, liver and heart on d 21 or 42 decreased linearly(P<0.001) or quadratically(P<0.005). The results from the present study indicate that dietary supplemental PQQ·Na2 can improve antioxidant ability and meat quality of broilers, and in general, it is implied that the optimal supplemental PQQ·Na2 level is 0.1 mg kg-1 of diet for broilers from 1 to 42 d of age.

Up-regulation of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 during human liver injury

AIM： To investigate the expression and activity of NAD（P）H quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） in human liver specimens obtained from patients with liver damage due to acetaminophen （APAP） overdose or primary biliary cirrhosis （PBC）. METHODS： NQOt activity was determined in cytosol from normal, APAP and PBC liver specimens. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to determine patterns of NQO1 expression using a specific antibody against NQO1. RESULTS： NQO1 protein was very low in normal human livers. In both APAP and PBC livers, there was strong induction of NQO1 protein levels on Western blot. Correspondingly, significant up-regulation of enzyme activity （16- and 22-fold, P〈0.05） was also observed in APAP and PBC livers, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis highlighted injury-specific patterns of NQO1 staining in both APAP and PBC livers. CONCLUSION： These data demonstrate that NQO1 protein and activity are markedly induced in human livers during both APAP overdose and PBC. Up-regulation of this cytoprotective enzyme may represent an adaptive stress response to limit further disease progression by detoxifying reactive species.

Resveratrol inhibits angiotensin II-induced ERK1/2 activation by downregulating quinone reductase 2 in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Our previous studies showed that resveratrol could inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） and repress mRNA and protein expression of quinone reductase 2 （NQO2）. This study further explored the potential mechanisms whereby resveratrol inhibits the proliferation of rat VSMCs. Lentiviral vectors that incorporated NQO2 small interfering RNA （siRNA） were constructed and transduced into rat VSMCs. The cell proliferation was detected using the bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） assay. Cultured rat VSMCs were stimulated with angiotensin II and the level of reactive oxygen species （ROS） was measured using a ROS assay kit. A realtime quantitative PCR was used to detect NQO2 mRNA levels. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK1/2） and NQO2 protein expression were determined by Western blotting analysis. The inhibitory effect of resveratrol （10 and 50 μmol/L） on the proliferation of rat VSMCs in the NQO2 siRNA group was significantly weaker than that in the normal and scrambled siRNA group （P 〈 0.01）. The ROS level in the NQO2 siRNA and resveratrol （50 μmol/L） treatment groups were lower than that in the normal and scrambled siRNA groups （P 〈 0.01 in both）. Compared with the normal and scrambled siRNA group, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was significantly decreased in the NQO2 siRNA and resveratrol （50 μmol/L） treatment group （P 〈 0.01 in both）. In conclusion, high concentration of resveratrol inhibits angiotensin II-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and subsequent proliferation by down-regulation of NQO2 in cultured rat VSMCs.

Antiplasmodial,cytotoxic activities and characterization of a new naturally occurring quinone methide pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative isolated from Salacia leptoclada Tul.(Celastraceae)originated from Madagascar

Objective:To validate scientifically the traditional use of Salacia leptoclada Tul.(Celastraceae)(S.leptoclada)and to isolate and elucidate the structure of the biologically active compound.Methods:Bioassay-guided fractionation of the acetonic extract of the stem barks of S.leptoclada was carried out by a combination of chromatography technique and biological experiments in viro using Plasmodium falciparum and P388 leukemia cell lines as models.The structure of the biologically active pure compound was elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.Results:Biological screening of S.leptoclada extracts resulted in the isolation of a pentacyclic triterpenic quinone methide.The pure compound exhibited both in vitro a cytotoxic effect on murine P388 leukemia cells with IC_(50)value of(0.041±0.020)μg/mL and an antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant strain FC29 of Plasmodium falciparum with an IC_(50)value of(0.052±0.030)μg/mL.Despite this interesting anti-malarial property of the lead compound,the therapeutic index was weak(0.788).In the best of our knowledge,the quinone methide pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative compound is reported for the first time in S.leptoclada.Conclusions:The results suggest that furthers studies involving antineoplastic activity is needed for the development of this lead compound as anticancer drug.

CIDNP Study of Photoinduced [2+2] Cycloadditions (the Paterno- Büchi Coupling) of Arylacetylenes and Quinone

CIDNP techniques were applied to study the mechanism of photocycloadditions of 2-chloro-5-methoxybenzoquinone 1 with arylacetylenes 2-5 in benzene-d6 and acetonitrile-d6 respectively.

1,4-Hydroquinone is a Hydrogen Reservoir for Fuel Cells and Recyclable via Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Photocatalytic splitting of water was carried out in a two-phase system. Nanocrystalline titanium dioxide was used as photocatalyst and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III)/(II) as electron transporter. Generated hydrogen was chemically stored by use of a 1,4-benzoquinone/1,4-hydroquinone system, which was used as a recyclable fuel in a commercialised direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The electrical output of the cell was about half compared to methanol. The conversion process for water splitting and recombination in a fuel cell was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy and compared to a simulated spectrum. Products of side reactions, which lead to a decrease of the overall efficiency, were identified based on UV-Vis investigations. A proof of principle for the use of quinoide systems as a recyclable hydrogen storage system in a photocatalytic water splitting and fuel cell cyclic process was given.

Uptake of resveratrol and role of resveratrol-targeting protein, quinone reductase 2, in normally cultured human prostate cells

Resveratrol is a dietary polyphenol espoused to have chemopreventive activity against a variety of human cancer types. We first reported that resveratrol significantly decreases the proliferation of both androgen-dependent and hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells. However, the effects of resveratrol in normal prostate epithelial and stromal cells, particularly with regard to its uptake, subcellular distribution and intracellular targets, have not been investigated. To advance the knowledge on accessibility and cellular disposition of resveratrol in prostate cells, [3H] resveratrol, fractionation of cell extracts into subcellular compartments, Western blot analysis, resveratrol affinity column chromatography and flow cytometry were used to study the uptake and intracellular distribution of resveratrol in normally cultured prostate stromal （PrSCs） and epithelial cells （PrECs）. Pretreatment of both PrSCs and PrECs for 2 days with resveratrol modulated its uptake and selectively increased its distribution to the membrane and organelle compartments. Resveratrol affinity column chromatography studies showed differential expression of a previously identified resveratrol-targeting protein, quinone reductase 2 （QR2）, in PrSCs and PrECs. Flow cytometric analysis comparing resveratrol-treated and untreated PrSCs showed a large decrease in G1-phase and a concomitant increase in S and G2/M-phases of the cell cycle. These results suggest that resveratrol suppresses PrSC proliferation by affecting cell cycle phase distribution, which may involve the participation by QR2.

Two New Abietane Quinones from Isodon lophanthoides var. Micranthus

The structures of two new abietane quinones, named micranthins A and B, were determined to be 7a-methoxy-14, 16-epoxy-8, 13-abietadiene-11, 12-dione (1) and 16-acetoxy-6, 7-dehydroroyleanone (2) respectively, which were isolated from Isodon lophanthoides var. micranthus.

Studies on Antibacterial QSAR of Diterpene Quinones from Sclvic Przewalskii Maxim

The antibacierial(staphylococcus aureus)activities of 23 diterpene quinones from the Salvia przewalskii Maxim,the artificial synthesis ones and that of the metabolism in pigs were examined in an effort to study the quantitative structure activity relationship with the Free-Wilson method.With the application of the multipiy regression,the Free-Wilson pattern was established by the dummy(indicator)variable of the structural fragments or substituents.The results showed:(1)The diketone moiety played the fundamental role in antibacterial activities,ortho-quinones was higher active than para-quinones.(2)The single bond existed between the C15 and the C16 at D-ring led to higher activity.(3)The saturation at the A-ring led to higher activity.(4)The components adjacent to nitrogen substituents at C15 led to higher activity.(5)The hydroxylation or dehydrogenation at A-ring led to less activity.The research results can provide the theoretical basis for developing a new antibacterial drug from the Salvia diterpene quinones.