Floral organogenesis of Delavaya toxocarpa (Sapindaceae; Sapindales)

The floral organogenesis and development of Delavaya toxocarpa Franch. （Sapindaceae） were studied trader scanning electron microscope and light microscope to determine its systematic position within Sapindaceae. Flowers arise in terminal thyrses. The sepal primordia initiate in a spiral （2/5） sequence, which are not synchronous. The five petal primordia initiate almost synchronously and alternate with sepal primordia. Eight stamens initiate almost simultaneously and their differentiation precedes that of the petals. The last formed petal and one stamen initiate from a common primordium. Mature stamens curve inwards and cover the ovary in bud. The gynoecium begins as a hemispheric primordium on which two carpellary lobes arise simultaneously. Later in development a single gynocium is formed with two locules and two ovules per locule. Floral morphology suggests a closer affinity with Sapindaceae, although certain features of floral ontogenesis are similar to those observed in certain members of the former Hippocastanaceae, such as Handeliodendron.

Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 induction in anti-vascular inflammation effects of Xanthoceras sorbifolia in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To define the effects of Xanthoceras sorbifolia(EXS) on vascular inflammation and the mechanisms in endothelial cells.METHODS: Vascular protective effects of an ethanol extract of seeds from EXS(1-50 μg/mL) against tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced vascularinflammation were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).RESULTS: EXS significantly decreased TNF-α-induced expression of cell adhesion molecules, such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and endothelial cell selectin,in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with EXS significantly inhibited translocation and transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) increased by TNF-α. EXS also significantly inhibited formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS). Moreover, the vascular protective effects of EXS were linked to up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and nuclear factor E2-related factor-2(Nrf-2) expression. EXS-induced HO-1 expression was significantly decreased in SnPP(HO-1 inhibitor)-and HO-1 siRNA-treated cells, whereas an increase was found in cobalt protoporphyrin IX(CoPP)(HO-1 inducer)-treated cells. In addition, pretreatment with EXS increased HO-1 and Nrf-2 expression under TNF-α stimulation with or without N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of EXS on TNF-α-induced vascular inflammation were partially reversed in SnPP-and of HO-1siRNA-treated cells but increased by CoPP.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EXS may have important implications for prevention of vascular complications associated with vascular inflammation by inhibition of the NF-κB/ROS pathway and activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

A New Diol from Dimocarpus longan Seeds

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of Dimocarpus longan seeds in Sapindaceae.Methods The chemical constituents were isolated from the ethanol extract of D.longan seeds by silica gel column chromatography.Their structures were identified on the basis of physical and chemical properties and spectral analysis.Results One compound was isolated and identified as 2-methyl-1,10-undecanediol,named longandiol(1).Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound.