Effects of Quercetin Extracted from Flower Buds of Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

[Objectives]To investigate the effects of quercetin extracted from flower buds of Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai on the proliferation,apoptosis and migration of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.[Methods]MTT assay,inverted microscope observation,hoechst33342 staining,flow cytometry(FCM)and wound healing assay were adopted to investigate the proliferation,morphological changes,apoptosis level and cell migration ability of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells,respectively.[Results]The morphological changes of cells in the treatment groups included gradually decreased number,reduced volume,vague cell contour,loose intercellular connection,uneven cytoplasm distribution and increased cell debris.With the increase of drug concentration,quercetin significantly inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells(P<0.05).The number of apoptotic bodies increased gradually.When the concentration reached 100μmol/L,a large number of nuclear fragments appeared,and the level of apoptosis was statistically different(P<0.05).The mobility and migration ability of cells showed a decreasing trend,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]This study can provide experimental basis for clinical application of quercetin against breast cancer.

Optimization of Solid-state Fermentation Conditions of Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai by Response Surface Methodology

[Objectives]To optimize the solid-state fermentation process of Flos Sophorae Immaturus by Penicillium with Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai as raw material.[Methods]The fermentation conditions were optimized by single factor experiment and response surface methodology with quercetin content as the dependent variable.[Results]According to the established model,the optimal fermentation process of Flos Sophorae Immaturus was obtained as follows:temperature 29.97℃,time 6.88 d,rotation speed 180.86 rpm,inoculation amount 3.93 mL,and the expected content of quercetin was 34.8053 mg/g.Based on this,the fermentation parameters were adjusted,and the actual content was 33.67 mg/g,which was close to the predicted value.[Conclusions]The optimization of fermentation process of Flos Sophorae Immaturus by response surface methodology provides a reference for the development and utilization of this medicinal material.

Therapeutics Progression in Pancreatic Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors, which often result from diagnoses of advanced stages and ineffective therapies. A main reason for this extremely poor prognosis is the cancer’s tendency to invade adjacent tissues and metastasize to regional lymph at a relatively early stage. Nowadays, the resistance to conventional chemotherapy is becoming crucial in poor clinical outcomes of PC. In order to improve the prognosis and clinical outcomes of PC, there is a pressing need to develop new therapeutic strategies not only aimed at preventing invasion and metastasis, but also improving the resistance of chemotherapies. The resistance to conventional therapeutic agents in cancer may be sustained by a fraction of cancer cells within the tumor, which is called the cancer stem cells (CSCs). Combined therapies targeting CSCs and their progenies may represent the most promising approach for the future treatment of patients with PC.

Technical Regulations for Standardized Planting of Rare and Multi-purpose Wild Fruit Kadsura coccinea

The cultivation technology were standardized for improving the yield and quality,and the commodity value and the competitiveness of fruit market,and solving the bottleneck problem—fruit quality and yield that affect the industrial development of rare and multi-purpose wild fruit Kadsura coccinea(Lem.)A.C.Smith.Through the investigation of K.coccinea production area and planting area,collection and analysis of fruit samples,it was found that in most planting area,the varieties of K.coccinea were mixed,with great differences in fruit quality and yield,which makes it impossible to realize large-scale planting.In view of these problems,a series of studies have been carried out and the technical regulations for standardized planting of rare and multi-purpose wild fruit K.coccinea were formulated.

Diurnal Variation of Photosynthetic Physiological Characteristics of Kadsura coccinea(Lem.)A.C.Smith

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the diurnal variations of photosynthetic and physiological characteristics in 3-year-old Kadsura coccinea(Lem.)A.C.Smith plants.[Methods]A Li-6400 portable photosynthetic system was used to study the diurnal variations of the photosynthetic physiological characteristics of K.coccinea.[Results]The diurnal variation of the net photosynthetic rate(Pn)of K.coccinea leaves showed a"double peak"curve,and there was a lunch break at noon.The maximum value of Pn[4.51 mmol/(m^(2)·s)]appeared at 10:00,and the daily average Pn was 3.98 mol/(m^(2)·s);and the stepwise regression analysis showed that photosynthetically active radiation(PAR)and stomatal conductance(Gs)were the main factors affecting Pn.The partial correlation analysis and path analysis showed that the order of effects on Pn was Gs>PAR.[Conclusions]This study provides a reference for further research on the development and utilization of K.coccinea.