Chemical Constituents from Stems of Cistanches deserticola

Objective To study the chemical constituents in the stems or Cisrancnes deserticola. Methods The compounds were purified by various column chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic （1 D, 2D NMR, IR, [α]D, and MS） and chemical analyses. Results Seven compounds were isolated and identified as kankanoside D1 （1）, ajugol （2）, cistanin （3）, uridine （4）, adenosine （5）, 6-deoxycatalpol （6）, and kankanoside D （7）. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound.

Cistanches Herba:Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects

Cistanches Herba, known as ‘‘Ginseng of the desert’’, is authenticated from the dried succulent stems of Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa. As a famous remedy in China for tonic the kidney, it is used to treat ＂kidney-deficiency syndrome＂-induced diseases such as infertility, forgetfulness, hearing lost, chronic constipation, etc.. As various biological activities, including anti-aging, antioxidant, estrogenic, anti-osteoporotic, and anti- inflammation effects, have been discovered, here we reviewed Cistanches Herba in biological characteristics, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities.

Antifatigue effects of peptide isolated from sheep placenta

Objective: Fatigue has become one of the major threats to human health in the 21 st century. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which proved to be safer and more effective, has become a hot spot in antifatigue research. Human placenta, also called "Ziheche", has drawn great attention in the antifatigue effect since the Tang dynasty. However, the shortage of human placenta restricts wide usage of it. According to the theory of TCM, sheep placenta(SP) also has the effect of nourishing blood, tranquilization, nourishing skin, and prolongation of life. The aim of this study was to examine the antifatigue effects of sheep placenta peptide(SPP), an extract of sheep placenta, in mice and the mechanism was also studied.Methods: Peptide from fresh SP was extracted via enzymolysis. SPP(0.13 g/kg) and soybean peptide(0.65 g/kg) were administrated orally and daily to mice for four weeks. Antifatigue effects of SPP were estimated on weight-loaded swimming test; A non-weight-loaded swimming test was conducted to elucidate underlying the mechanisms of the anti-fatigue effects.Results: Administration of SPP prolonged the weight-loaded swimming time in mice. In addition, SPP significantly decreased the levels of muscle malondialdehyde(MDA) and serum lactic acid(LD), and increased the activities of muscle glutathione peroxidase(GSH), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) and liver glycogen in mice after non-weight-loaded swimming test. Moreover, the electron microscope observation showed that the muscle fiber bundle ranked neatly, the H band, I band, Z line as well as M line were clear and the numbers of mitochondria was normal though some of the mitochondria were swell in SPP treated mice after non-weight-loaded swimming test.Conclusion: SPP possesses potent abilities for antifatigue; Increasing the anti-oxidant activities and energy reserve as well as improving the ultrastructures in gastrocnemius muscle cells, which may be the mechanisms of SPP exerting its antifatigue effects.

Hoechst-naphthalimide dyad with dual emissions as specific and ratiometric sensor for nucleus DNA damage

A ratiometric fluorescent sensor（Hoe-NI） was developed by connecting a nucleus targeted Hoechst unit to a naphthalimide dye via ＂click chemistry＂. The sensor achieves high specific nucleus labeling with wash-free staining method in various kinds of living cells. The fluorescence ratio of the two emission bands（450 nm for Hoechst and 505 nm for naphthalimide） is changed sensitively to the variation of DNA concentrations, which provides the quantitative information in the processes of DNA damage induced by hydroxyl radicals and antitumor drug. Therefore, Hoe-NI is a recommendable sensor for the monitoring of nuclear DNA damage that reveals the health status of cells.