Credible and Facile Fluorometric Detection of Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor Activity with a Water-Soluble Poly(diphenylacetylene) Derivative

Herein,a novel method for fl uorometric detection of soybean trypsin inhibitor(SBTI)activity based on a water-soluble poly(diphenylacetylene)derivative was reported.Fluorescence quenching of the polymer via p-nitroaniline,produced from the trypsin-catalyzed decomposition of N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-4-nitroanilide hydrochloride(L-BAPA),was well described using the Stern-Volmer equation.SBTI activity was quantitatively assessed based on changes in the fl uorescence intensity of the polymer.This strategy has several advantages,such as high sensitivity and ease of operation.Moreover,its applicability to other biochemical analyses is promising.

Determination of total flavonoids content in buckwheat and inhibition of α-amylase activity

Diabetes is one of the most difficult chronic diseases to cure in the world,which seriously affects people’s health and quality of life.Flavonoids in buckwheat can regulate blood glucose levels by inhibitingα-amylase activity.Therefore,sweet buckwheat produced in Inner Mongolia was used as the research object,and buckwheat fl avonoids were extracted by ultrasonic-assisted extraction method.Total fl avonoids content was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry.With acarbose as the positive control,the inhibition test ofα-amylase was carried out by DNS colorimetry to study the inhibition behavior of fl avonoids onα-amylase activity.The results showed that the extraction process of flavonoids was stable and reliable,and the established method for the determination of flavonoids was simple,accurate and reproducible.The total flavonoids content of buckwheat samples was 2.706 mg/g,buckwheat total fl avonoids extraction solution had an inhibitory eff ect onα-amylase,and its median inhibition concentration(IC_(50))was 38.53 mg/mL.The results of this experiment provide a technical reference for the development and utilization of fl avonoids in Inner Mongolia sweet buckwheat,and provide a theoretical reference for the development and application of flavonoid-rich hypoglycemic food.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of saffron(Crocus sativus L.) wastages and its antibacterial activity against six bacteria

Objective: To synthesis silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs) by using extract of saffron(Crocus sativus L.) wastages and to test their antibacterial activity against six bacteria.Methods: In this paper, the synthesis of Ag NPs using aqueous extract of saffron wastage as a green method without any chemical stabilizer and reducer is demonstrated. The synthesized Ag NPs were determined by UV–vis spectrum, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy analysis.Results: UV–vis spectrum showed a peak at 450 nm due to excitation of surface plasmon vibrations. Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy showed that nanoparticles were capped with plant secondary metabolites. X-ray diffraction analysis also demonstrated that the size range of the synthesized nanoparticles was 12–20 nm. Transmission electron microscope image illustrated Ag NPs with spherical shape and an average size of15 nm. The result of antibacterial activities showed that the biosynthesized Ag NPs had an inhibiting activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella flexneri and Bacillus subtilis.Conclusions: The biosynthesized Ag NPs showed significant antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella flexneri and Bacillus subtilis, so, it can be used in biomedical applications.

Research Progress on Plant Anti-Freeze Proteins

Plant antifreeze proteins(AFPs)are special proteins that can protect plant cells from ice crystal damage in low-temperature environments,and they play a crucial role in the process of plants adapting to cold environ-ments.Proteins with these characteristics have been found infish living in cold regions,as well as many plants and insects.Although research on plant AFPs started relatively late,their application prospects are broad,leading to the attention of many researchers to the isolation,cloning,and genetic improvement of plant AFP genes.Studies have found that the distribution of AFPs in different species seems to be the result of independent evolu-tionary events.Unlike the AFPs found infish and insects,plant AFPs have multiple hydrophilic ice-binding domains,and their recrystallization inhibition activity is about 10–100 times that offish and insect AFPs.Although different plant AFPs have the characteristics of low TH and high RI,their DNA and amino acid sequences are completely different,with small homology.With in-depth research and analysis of the character-istics and mechanisms of plant AFPs,not only has our understanding of plant antifreeze mechanisms been enriched,but it can also be used to improve crop varieties and enhance their freezing tolerance,yield,and quality through genetic engineering.In addition,the study of plant AFPs also contributes to our understanding of freezing resistance mechanisms in other organisms and provides new research directions for thefield of biotech-nology.Therefore,based on the analysis of relevant literature,this article will delve into the concepts,character-istics,research methods,and mechanisms of plant AFPs,summarize the latest research progress and application prospects of AFPs in plant,and provide prospects for the future development of AFP gene research.

Inhibitory activity of an extract from a marine bacterium Halomonas sp.HSB07 against the red-tide microalga Gymnodinium sp.(Pyrrophyta)

In recent years,red tides occurred frequently in coastal areas worldwide.Various methods based on the use of clay,copper sulfate,and bacteria have been successful in controlling red tides to some extent.As a new defensive agent,marine microorganisms are important sources of compounds with potent inhibitory bioactivities against red-tide microalgae,such as Gymnodinium sp.(Pyrrophyta).In this study,we isolated a marine bacterium,HSB07,from seawater collected from Hongsha Bay,Sanya,South China Sea.Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence and biochemical characteristics,the isolated strain HSB07 was identified as a member of the genus Halomonas.A crude ethyl acetate extract of strain HSB07 showed moderate inhibition activity against Gymnodinium sp.in a bioactive prescreening experiment.The extract was further separated into fractions A,B,and C by silica gel column chromatography.Fractions B and C showed strong inhibition activities against Gymnodinium.This is the first report of inhibitory activity of secondary metabolites of a Halomonas bacterium against a red-tide-causing microalga.

Inhibition of Carcinogen Induced Activity of γ-glutamyl Transpeptidase by CertainDietary Constituents in Mouse Skin

Cancer chemoprevention, a desirable and important facet of biomedical research, provides a practical approach to identify potentially useful inhibitors of cancer development, and offers an opporiunity to study the mechanism of carcinogenesis. During the recent Past a number of compounds have been tested for their anticarcinogenic potential specially constituents of our diet. The enzyme γglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) which catalyses the transfer of glutamyl groups of peptides to other peptides and amino acid and has been proposed as a marker of cell proliferation and neoplasia. It also serves as a tool to evaluate the carcinogenic and cocarcinogenic potential of environmental toxicants. In the present investigations, CGT activity induced by careinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydmiarbons, viz. 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA) and benzo(a) pyrene (BaP) was significantly inhibited by diallylsulfide (DAS) and indole-3-carbnol (I3C) in mouse skin. DAS and 13C are constituents of garlic and cruciferous vegetables respectively. A significant iIthibition in GGT levels was also observed in a strong mitogen (12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate) induced activity in mouse skin by pretreatment with DAS/13C. Therefore these dietary constituents seem to be strong modifiers of chemically induced carcinogenesis

Synthesis,algal inhibition activities and QSAR studies of novel gramine compounds containing ester functional groups

2,5,6-Tribromo-l-methylgramine （TBG）, isolated from bryozoan Zoobotryon pellucidum was shown to be very efficient in preventing recruitment of larval settlement. In order to improve the compatibility of TBG and its analogues with other ingredients in antifouling paints, structural modification of TBG was focused mainly on halogen substitution and N-substitution. Two halogen-substitute gramines and their derivatives which contain ester functional groups at N-position of gramines were synthesized. Algal inhibition activities of the synthesized compounds against algae Nitzschia cIosterium were evaluated and the Median Effective Concentration （EC50） range was 1.06-6.74 lag ml^-1. Compounds that had a long chain ester group exhibited extremely high antifouling activity. Quantitive Structure Activity Relationship （QSAR） studies with multiple linear regression analysis were applied to fred correlation between different calculated molecular descriptors and biological activity of the synthesized compounds. The results show that the toxicity （log （I/EC50）） is correlated well with the partition coefficient log P. Thus, these products have potential function as antifouling agents.

Panax notogiseng saponin inhibits ischemia-induced apoptosis by activating PI3K/Akt signal pathway in cardiomyocytes

The panax notoginseng saponin(PNS) had been clinically used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in China.It had been demonstrated that PNS could protect cardiomyocytes from injury induced by ischemi- a,but the underlying molecular mechanisms of this protective effect were still unclear.This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and molecular mechanisms of PNS on apoptosis in H9c2 cells in vitro and rat myocardial ischemia injury model in vivo.Annexin-V/PI assay shew that PNS could protect H9c2 cells from apoptosis induced by serum, glucose and oxygen deprivation(SGOD) in a dose-dependent manner.However,the anti-apoptotic effect of PNS was reversed by LY294002,a specific PI3K inhibitor.This antiapoptotic effect of PNS was confirmed by JC-1,a specific probe of mitochondrial membrane potential staining.PNS could significantly increase phos-Akt in H9c2 cells by Western blot assays and its effect could be inhibited by LY294002.Furthermore,PNS could improve ischemic-induced left ventricular function as reflected by EF,LVDd and LVDs.PNS could also inhibited cellular apoptosis in myocardial tissues in ischemic rats by TUNEL assay.PNS administration also increased the expression of phos-Akt in rat ischemic myocardial tissues.These results suggested that PNS could protect myocardial cells from apoptosis induced by ischemia in vitro model and in vivo model through activating-PI3K/Akt signal pathway which may be meaningful for further understanding the molecular mechanisms of cardiac protection of PNS.And the results might be useful in treatment of myocardial ischemia in future.

Bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced human dental pulp cell differentiation involves p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated canonical WNT pathway

Both bone morphogenetic protein 2（BMP2） and the wingless-type MMTV integration site（WNT）/p-catenin signalling pathway play important roles in odontoblast differentiation and dentinogenesis.Cross-talk between BMP2 and WNT/p-catenin in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation has been identified.However,the roles and mechanisms of the canonical WNT pathway in the regulation of BMP2 in dental pulp injury and repair remain largely unknown.Here,we demonstrate that BMP2 promotes the differentiation of human dental pulp cells（HDPCs） by activating WNT/p-catenin signalling,which is further mediated by p38mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） in vitro.BMP2 stimulation upregulated the expression of p-catenin in HDPCs,which was abolished by SB203580 but not by Noggin or LDN193189.Furthermore,BMP2 enhanced cell differentiation,which was not fully inhibited by Noggin or LDN193189.Instead,SB203580 partially blocked BMP2-induced p-catenin expression and cell differentiation.Taken together,these data suggest a possible mechanism by which the elevation of p-catenin resulting from BMP2 stimulation is mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway,which sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of BMP2-mediated pulp reparative dentin formation.

Atorvastatin activates autophagy and promotes neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury

Atorvastatin, a lipid-lowering medication, provides neuroprotective effects, although the precise mechanisms of action remain unclear. Our previous studies confirmed activated autophagy following spinal cord injury, which was conducive to recovery of neurological functions. We hypothesized that atorvastatin could also activate autophagy after spinal cord injury, and subsequently improve recovery of neurological functions. A rat model of spinal cord injury was established based on the Allen method. Atorvastatin（5 mg/kg） was intraperitoneally injected at 1 and 2 days after spinal cord injury. At 7 days post-injury, western blot assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dU TP nick-end labeling（TUNEL） staining results showed increased Beclin-1 and light chain 3B gene and protein expressions in the spinal cord injury ＋ atorvastatin group. Additionally, caspase-9 and caspase-3 expression was decreased, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells was reduced. Compared with the spinal cord injury ＋ saline group, Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores significantly increased in the spinal cord injury ＋ atorvastatin group at 14–42 days post-injury. These findings suggest that atorvastatin activated autophagy after spinal cord injury, inhibited apoptosis, and promoted recovery of neurological function.

Brazilin Content, Antioxidative and Lipase Inhibition Effects of Sappanwood （Caesa/pinia Sappan） from Indonesia

Determination of brazilin by High Performance Liquid Chromatography （HPLC） method and measurement of the antioxidative and lipase inhibition effects in the Caesalpinia sappan wood from various locations in Indonesia is described in this paper. Brazilin was separated from sample matrix using a reversed phase C 18, Shim-pack VP column with the mobile phase in a gradient elution for45 min from 5% to 100% methanol in 0.05% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid. Brazilin in ethanolic extracts ofC. sappan wood was in the range of 5.81 to 24.85 mg/g on dry-weight basis. Antioxidant and lipase inhibition activities expressed by IC50 values from all samples were in the range from 6.60 to 11.53 μg/mL and 50.76 to 203.21 μg/mL, respectively. Antioxidative and lipase inhibition potency of all ethanolic extracts were compared to vitamin C and chloramphenicol, isopropyl methylphenol and tetracyclin, respectively.

Inhibition of Micro RNA 219 Expression Protects Synaptic Plasticity via Activating NMDAR1, Ca MKIIγ,and p-CREB after Microwave Radiation

In recent decades,the potential health hazards of microwave exposure have been attracting increasing attention.Our previous studies have demonstrated that microwave exposure impaired learning and memory in experimental animal models[1,2].

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2,4-diaminopteridine derivatives as nitric oxide synthase inhibitor

A series of novel 2,4-diamino-pteridines （9a-l） were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） in vitro. It was found that 9a, 9d, 9e, 9h, 9i and 91 showed potent inhibitory activities similar to that of methotrexate （MTX）, while the activities of 9b, 9c, 9f, 9g, 9j and 9k are stronger than MTX.

Inhibitory Activities of Sole Cow Urine and Combined Cow Dung/Cow Urine against the Blight Disease of Ribwort (<i>Plantago lanceolata</i>) at the Cistercian Monastery in Mbengwi, Cameroon

Ribwort (Plantago lanceolata) is a small glabrous to pubescent perennial plant that is native to Europe, America, North Africa and Asia. Nowadays, it is cultivated in many countries across the globe, including Cameroon due to its extensive use in livestock and medicine. Unfortunately in Cameroon, however, the plant has been highly infested by blight, reducing its yield and medicinal value. To reduce blight infestation of ribwort and improve plant yields, we aimed to compare the efficacy of sole cow urine and combine cow dung/cow urine to inhibit blight disease caused by Phyllosticta ophiopogonis on ribwort. At the Cistercian Monastery in Mbengwi, Momo Division, Cameroon, we used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 Blocks consisting of two treatments (cow dung mixed with cow urine (combine cow dung/urine) and sole cow urine) and one control. After spraying the different blocks of ribworts plants with combined cow dung/urine and sole cow urine at a dosage of 3% concentration, we found an incidence of blight disease of 32.8% and 35.0% on ribworts sprayed with combined cow dung/urine and sole cow urine, respectively, compared to 67.8% in the control. This implies that a mixture of cow dung/cow urine reduces the incidence of blight disease significantly. Furthermore, our pathogenicity test showed that Phyllosticta ophiopogonis (fungus) was responsible for the blight disease. Therefore, to increase ribwort growth, improve adaption and reduce Phyllosticta ophiopogonis fungal infestation in Cameroon, we recommend that the plant should be sprayed with a mixture of cow dung and cow urine at 3% concentration.

A Novel Schiff Base Zinc Coordination Compound Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Human Osteosarcoma Cells

Various kinds of schiff base metal complexes have been proven to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. However,it remains largely unknown whether schiff base zinc complexes induce apoptosis in human cancer cells. Here,we synthesized a novel schiff base zinc coordination compound（SBZCC） and investigated its effects on the growth,proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. A novel SBZCC was synthesized by chemical processes and used to treat MG-63 cells. The cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle progression,mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The apoptosis-related proteins levels were determined by immunoblotting. Treatment of MG-63 cells with SBZCC resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Moreover,SBZCC significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced apoptosis,accompanied with increased Bax/Bcl-2 and Flas L/Fas expression as well as caspase-3/8/9 cleavage. Our results demonstrated that the synthesized novel SBZCC could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of MG-63 cells via activating both the mitochondrial and cell death receptor apoptosis pathways,suggesting that SBZCC is a promising agent for the development as anticancer drugs.

The Function and Meaning of Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand in Arterial Calcification

Osteoclast-like cells are known to inhibit arterial calcification. Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand（RANKL） is likely to act as an inducer of osteoclast-like cell differentiation. However,several studies have shown that RANKL promotes arterial calcification rather than inhibiting arterial calcification. The present study was conducted in order to investigate and elucidate this paradox. Firstly,RANKL was added into the media,and the monocyte precursor cells were cultured. Morphological observation and Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase（TRAP） staining were used to assess whether RANKL could induce the monocyte precursor cells to differentiate into osteoclast-like cells. During arterial calcification,in vivo and in vitro expression of RANKL and its inhibitor,osteoprotegerin（OPG）,was detected by real-time PCR. The extent of osteoclast-like cell differentiation was also assessed. It was found RANKL could induce osteoclast-like cell differentiation. There was no in vivo or in vitro expression of osteoclast-like cells in the early stage of calcification. At that time,the ratio of RANKL to OPG was very low. In the late stage of calcification,a small amount of osteoclast-like cell expression coincided with a relatively high ratio of RANKL to OPG. According to the results,the ratio of RANKL to OPG was very low during most of the arterial calcification period. This made it possible for OPG to completely inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast-like cell differentiation. This likely explains why RANKL had the ability to induce osteoclast-like cell differentiation but acted as a promoter of calcification instead.

Synthesis of novel 1,3-oxazole derivatives with insect growth-inhibiting activities

Straightforward and direct synthesis of 2-substituted-5-oxazolecarbaldehydes was achieved by treating propargylamides with mercury（II）perchlorate as catalyst and ammonium cerium（IV）nitrate as oxidant agent through intramolecular cyclization.These structurally interesting outcomes beneft to synthesize2,5-disubstituted-1,3-oxazoles with armyworm growth regulating activities.

Osteoclast-derived microRNA-containing exosomes selectively inhibit osteoblast activity

With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and National Basic Research Program of China,the research team led by Prof.Li Yingxian(李英贤)at the State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application,China Astronaut Research and Training Center,discovered that osteoclast-derived microRNA-containing exosomes selectively inhibited osteoblast activity,which was pub-

Comparative evaluation of polysaccharides isolated from Astragalus,oyster mushroom,and yacon as inhibitors of α-glucosidase

The incidence of diabetes has increased considerably, and become the third serious chronic disease following cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Though acarbose, metformin, and 1-deoxynojirimycin have good efficacy for clinical application as hypoglycemic drugs, their expensive costs and some degree of side effects have limited their clinical application. Recently, increasing attention has concentrated on the polysaccharides from natural plant and animal sources for diabetes. In order to illustrate the pharmaceutical activity of polysaccharides as natural hypoglycemic agents, polysaccharides isolated from Astragalus, oyster mushroom, and Yacon were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase. Polysaccharides were extracted and purified from Astragalus, Oyster mushroom, and Yacon with hot water at 90 °C for 3 h, respectively. The total sugar content of the polysaccharide was determined by the phenol-sulfuric acid method. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was measured by the glucose oxidase method. The results exhibited that the inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase were in decreasing order, Astragalus > oyster mushroom > Yacon. The α-glucosidase inhibition percentage of Astragalus polysaccharide and oyster mushroom polysaccharide were over 40% at the polysaccharide concentration of 0.4 mg·mL-1. The IC50 of Astragalus polysaccharide and oyster mushroom polysaccharide were 0.28 and 0.424 mg·mL-1, respectively. The information obtained from this work is beneficial for the use polysaccharides as a dietary supplement for health foods and therapeutics for diabetes.

Enzyme Activities in Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)-Polluted Soils

Perfluorooctanoic acid （PFOA） is a popular additive of the chemical industry; its effect on activities of important soil enzymes is not well understood. A laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to analyze the PFOA-induced changes in soil urease, catalase, and phosphatase activities. During the entire incubation period, the activities of the three soil enzymes generally declined with increasing PFOA concentration, following certain dose-response relationships. The values of EC10, the contaminant concentration at which the biological activity is inhibited by 10%, of PFOA for the soil enzyme activity calculated from the modeling equation of the respective dose-response curve suggested a sensitivity order of phosphatase 〉 catalase 〉 urease. The effect of PFOA on soil enzyme activities provided a basic understanding of the eco-toxicological effect of PFOA in the environment. Results of this study supported using soil ohosohatase as a convenient biomaxker for ecological risk assessment of PFOA-oolluted soils.