Quantitative determination of polysaccharide in Curcuma wenyujin, a traditional Chinese medicine, by a phenol-sulfuric acid method

Curcuma wenyujin has been widely used as a traditional medicine in China. In this paper a strategy for the quantitative determination of the polysaccharide by a phenol-sulfuric acid method was described. Involved in three factors, 5% phenol volume, H2SO4 volume, and temperature of water bath, we adopted the L9（3）3 orthogonal array design to gain the optimal colorimetric method. 3.0 ml of polysaccharide solution, 1.0 ml, 5% phenol and 7.0 ml H2SO4 were mixed with constant stirring in a glass vessel, and then kept in a water bath at 40 ℃. After cooling to room temperature for 20 min, the absorbance values were recorded by the UV-2501 PC spectrometer at the wavelength range of 485 nm. The polysaccharide content in Curcuma wenyujin were 3.21%, 3.23%, 3.20%, 3.18~/0, 3.22% and 2.38%, respectively. All results showed that this method was adequate, valid and applicable, may be applied to the determination of other bacterial polysaccharide as well.

Science Letters:Evaluation of a kinetic uricase method for serum uric acid assay by predicting background absorbance of uricase reaction solution with an integrated method

A patented kinetic uricase method was evaluated for serum uric acid assay. Initial absorbance of the reaction mixture before uricase action （A0） was obtained by correcting the absorbance at 293 nm measured before the addition of uricase solution, and background absorbance （Ab） was predicted by an integrated method. Uric acid concentration in reaction solution was calculated from AA, the difference between A0 and Ab, using the absorptivity preset for uric acid. This kinetic uricase method exhibited CV〈4.3% and recovery of 100%. Lipids, bilirubin, hemoglobin, ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione and xanthine 〈0.32 mmol/L in serum had no significant effects. △A linearly responded to 1.2 to 37.5 μmol/L uric acid in reaction solution containing 15 μl serum. The slope of linear response was consistent with the absorptivity preset for uric acid while the intercept was consistent with that for serum alone. Uric acid concentrations in clinic sera by different uricase methods positively correlated to each other. By Bland-Altman analysis, this kinetic uricase method accorded with that by quantifying the total change of UV absorbance on the completion of uricase reaction. These results demonstrated that this kinetic uricase method is reliable for serum uric acid assay with enhanced resistance to both xanthine and other common errors, wider range of linear response and much lower cost.

Preparation and Application of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid (SA) is widely distributed in many monocots and dicots and has many physiological effects. It can induce heat production in the thermogenic inflorescences of Arum lily([1]), block the biosynthesis of ethylene, and more attractively, it seems to be an important natural signal molecule in the induction of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in tobacco, cucumber and other plants([2,3]). Studies in recent years showed that SA was also intimately related to the resistance of plants to aboitic stress, for example, SA increased chilling resistance of maize seedlings. Hence, SA has been accepted as a kind of new plant hormones. Up to date, the quantification of SA usually has been performed by HPLC[4,5], which often needs a large quantity of sample and a verbose pretreatment. Compared to HPLC, immunoassays, including radio-immunoassays (RIA) and enzyme-immunoassays (EIA), are easy to perform and have been widely used in the quantification of other plant hormones, such as IAA([6]), ABA([7,8]), GAs([9]), cytokinins et al([10]), and jasmonic acid (JA)([11]), and other low-molecular-weight, none-immunogenic compounds in plants([12]). Till now, only an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for SA based on polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) has been developed by our group([13]), although Bennett et al([14]) had prepared SA PAbs using 4-aminosalicylic acid linked to KLH as immunogen in goat. However, the sensitivity of the ELISA we established formerly was relatively low, and also relatively larger quantity of sample is needed than other ELISAs for plant hormones. In this paper, an ELISA for SA based on monoclonal antibody raised against SA-NH-CH2-NH-KLH was introduced, and the fluctuation of SA content in cucumber leaves after inoculated with Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae was determined.

Development of a Label-Free Colorimetric Aptasensor with Rationally Utilized Aptamer for Rapid Detection of Okadaic Acid

Okadaic acid(OA)is a typical marine toxin with strong toxicity causing diarrheic shellfish poisoning(DSP).Aptamers show great advantages in toxin detection and attract increasing attentions in the field of food analysis.In this study,a label-free col-orimetric aptasensor was constructed for visual and rapid detection of OA in shellfish.To exploit the binding capability of the anti-OA aptamer,the inherent molecular recognition mechanism of aptamer and OA was studied,based on molecular docking,fluorescent assay,and biolayer interferometry.Consistent results showed that the stem-loop near the 3’terminal of the aptamer exhibit dominate binding capacity.Based on the revealed recognition information,the aptamer was thus rationally utilized and combined with AuNPs and cationic polymer polydiallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride(PDDA)for the development of the label-free colorimetric aptasensor,in which the 3’terminal was thoroughly exposed to OA.The aptasensor provided robust performance with a linear detection range of 100-1200 nmol L-1,a limit of detection of 41.30 nmol L-1,recovery rates of 91.6%-106.2%,as well as a high selectivity towards OA in shellfish samples.The whole detection process can be completed within 1 h.To our best knowledge,this is the first time that the anti-OA aptamer was thoroughly studied,and a label-free colorimetric aptasensor was rationally designed in this way.This study not only provides a rapid detection method for highly sensitive and specific detection of OA,but also serves as a reference for the design of efficient aptasensors in the future.

Prescreening teratogenic potential of chlorinated drinking water disinfection by-products by using Hydra regeneration assay

Practicability of method for the Hydra regeneration assay on the prescreening teratogenic potential of chlorinated drinking water disinfection by products was studied through both the assays of toxicity of adult Hydra (T) and inhibition of the growth of regeneration Hydra (I) by using chloroform, dichloromethane and chloroacetic acid. The results showed that T 50 / I 50 ratios of chloroform and chloroacetic acid were 2 77 and 6 16 respectively, with teratogenic potential. T 50 / I 50 ratio of dichloromethane was 1.69, with weaker teratogenic potential. These experimental results indicated preliminarily that the Hydra regeneration assay has certainly applied value as a prescreening assay for developmental toxicity.

Novel neuroprotective and hepatoprorective effects of citric acid in acute malathion intoxication

Objective: To study the effect of citric acid given alone or combined with atropine on brain oxidative stress, neuronal injury, liver damage, and DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes induced in the rat by acute malathion exposure. Methods: Rats were received intraperitoneal(i.p.) injection of malathion 150 mg/kg along with citric acid(200 or 400 mg/kg, orally), atropine(1 mg/kg, i.p.) or citric acid 200 mg/kg+atropine 1 mg/kg and euthanized 4 h later. Results: Malathion resulted in increased lipid peroxidation(malondialdehyde) and nitric oxide concentrations accompanied with a decrease in brain reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase(GPx) activity, total antioxidant capacity(TAC) and glucose concentrations. Paraoxonase-1, acetylcholinesterase(ACh E) and butyrylcholinesterase activities decreased in brain as well. Liver aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were raised. The Comet assay showed increased DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Histological damage and increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(i NOS) were observed in brain and liver. Citric acid resulted in decreased brain lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. Meanwhile, glutathione, GPx activity, TAC capacity and brain glucose level increased. Brain ACh E increased but PON1 and butyrylcholinesterase activities decreased by citric acid. Liver enzymes, the percentage of damaged blood lymphocytes, histopathological alterations and i NOS expression in brain and liver was decreased by citric acid. Meanwhile, rats treated with atropine showed decreased brain MDA, nitrite but increased GPx activity, TAC, ACh E and glucose. The drug also decreased DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes, histopathological alterations and i NOS expression in brain and liver. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a beneficial effect for citric acid upon brain oxidative stress, neuronal injury, liver and DNA damage due to acute malathion exposure.

Estrogen affects neuropathic pain through upregulating N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion of rats

Estrogen affects the generation and transmission of neuropathic pain,but the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear.Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1（NMDAR1） plays an important role in the production and maintenance of hyperalgesia and allodynia.The present study was conducted to determine whether a relationship exists between estrogen and NMDAR1 in peripheral nerve pain.A chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury model of chronic neuropathic pain was established in rats.These rats were then subcutaneously injected with 17β-estradiol,the NMDAR1 antagonist D（-）-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid（AP-5）,or both once daily for 15 days.Compared with injured drug na？ve rats,rats with chronic sciatic nerve injury that were administered estradiol showed a lower paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and a shorter paw withdrawal thermal latency,indicating increased sensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain.Estrogen administration was also associated with increased expression of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity（as assessed by immunohistochemistry） and protein（as determined by western blot assay） in spinal dorsal root ganglia.This 17β-estradiol-induced increase in NMDAR1 expression was blocked by co-administration with AP-5,whereas AP-5 alone did not affect NMDAR1 expression.These results suggest that 17β-estradiol administration significantly reduced mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in rats with chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve,and that the mechanism for this increased sensitivity may be related to the upregulation of NMDAR1 expression in dorsal root ganglia.

Effect of pollution on DNA damage and essential fatty acid profile in Cirrhinus mrigala from River Chenab

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic pollution on DNA damage and the fatty acid profile of the bottom dweller fish （Cirrhinus mr^gala）, collected from the River Chenab, in order to assess the effect of the toxicants on the quality of the fish meat. The levels ofCd, Hg, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr and Sn and of phenols from this river were significantly higher than the permissible limits set by the USEPA. Comet assays showed DNA damage in Cirrhinus mr^gala collected from three different sampling sites in the polluted area of the river. Significant differences were observed for DNA damage through comet assay in fish collected from polluted compared to control sites. No significant differences were observed for DNA damage between farmed and fish collected from upstream. The micronucleus assay showed similar trends. Fish from the highly polluted sites showed less number of fatty acids and more saturated fatty acids in their meat compared to fish from less polluted areas. Several fatty acids were missing in fish with higher levels of DNA in comet tail and micronucleus induction. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid （20：5n-3） was found missing in the fish from polluted environment while it was found in considerable amount in farmed fish 7.8±0.4%. Docosahexaenoic acid （22：6n-3） also showed significant differences as 0.1±0.0 and 7.0±0.1% respectively, in wild polluted and fanned fishes.

Synergistic renoprotective effect of a compiled branched-chain amino acids and Cymbopogon schoenanthus extract against experimentally induced oxido-nitrosative renal insult

Objective: To better investigate the protective role of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)and Cymbopogon schoenanthus(CS) extract against the potassium dichromate(PDC)-induced oxido-nitrosative nephrotoxic insult in the experimental rat model. Methods: Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: The 1 st group served as control; the 2^(nd)was injected with a single dose of PDC(15 mg/kg b.w i.p.);the 3^(rd), 4^(th), and 5^(th) groups were respectively treated with BCAAs, CS, and their combination for 15 d prior to induction of renal insult via PDC single dose(15 mg/kg b.w s.c.). The experimental period was terminated in all groups 2 d after induction of renal insult. The harvested kdney samples were divided for biochemical assays and histological examination. Results: The PDC-induced nephrotoxic effect caused a depletion of renal oxidative scavengers glutathione, superoxide dismutase with consequent lipo-oxidative cellular membrane deterioration manifested by a rise in malonaldehyde, oxidized glutathione, myeloperoxidase and the concomitant increase in inflammatory response elements tumor necrosis factor α, nitric oxide, and interleukin 1 β.Moreover, the comet assay and increased 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine proved an accelerated apoptotic DNA fragmentation. These local renal changes were met with global altered blood biochemistry. The BCAAs and CS or their compiled administration showed an ameliorative effect against PDC-induced nephrotoxic in a synergistic pattern. Conclusions: Both BCAAs and CS or their combined administration afford potential competitors against renal insult induced by polyvalent anion pollutants in experimentally studied animals model. As a route for novel drug discovery, further investigation should be attempted to optimize their augmenting reno-protecting potential.

Characterization of Monoclonal Antibody to L-Homocysteic Acid and Its Immunohistochemistry in Rat Hippocampus

L-homocysteic acid (HCA) and other amino acids were conjugated to rat brain material (extracted rat brain protein) with glutaraldehyde to form HCA- and amino acids-brain material conjugates. The specificity of monoclonal antibody (McAb) was tested on serial dilution test and absorption test on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using these conjugates as antigens instead of amino acids-BSA (bovine serum albumin) conjugates used previously. The characterized McAb was applied for immunohistochemical staining using PAP (peroxidase antiperoxidase) technique in combination with silver enhancement of diamino-benzene (DAB) products. The results indicated that McAb to L-HCA reacted with L-HCA-brain material conjugates, but not with other amino acids-brain material conjugates so far tested. McAb absorbed with L-HCA-brain material abolished or decreased immunoreactivity of L-HCA-brain material with McAb. The antibody selectively stained subpopulation of cells and processes in the hippocampus fixed with glutaradehyde. Absorption of McAb with L-HCA-brain material abolished immunohistochemical staining. These results suggested that McAb was specific for L-HCA-brain materials and could be used for imunohistocytochemistry. This would provide a new tool for immunohistochemical visualization and localization of L-HCA in the nervous system.

Secalonic Acid and Benzoic Acid Analogues Exhibiting Cyto toxicity against Cancer Cells Isolated from Claviceps yanagawaensis

The genus Claviceps (Clavicipitaceae) is noted for producing ergot alkaloids that cause ergotism. Claviceps yanagawaensis, a parasite of Zoysia japonica (family: Poaceae), has been isolated in Japan. Bioactivity screening showed that a methanol extract from a rice culture of C. yanagawaensis was cytotoxic to cancer cells. In our search for active substances, the new secalonic acid analogues (-)-5-epi-F-7 (1) and ergochrysin C (2) and a new benzoic acid analogue, dimethyl bigutol (3), were isolated along with the known compounds 3,4-dihydroxy-5-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)benzoic acid (4) and methyl veratrate (5). The structures of 1 - 3 were elucidated by NMR, MS, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. MTT assays of 1 - 5 using cancer cell lines (HepG2, HL60, HT29, PANC-1, and T98G) showed that 1 - 4 exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Purification of Jinggangmycin and Its Content Determination

[ Objective ] In order to get the standard substance of Jinggangmycin used in quality control, Jinggangmycin was purified from its original pesticide and its content was determined, t Method] Mixed solvents were selected to recrystallize Jinggangmycin （content 62% ）. Phenol-sulfuric acid colofirnetric method was adopted to determine its content, and the effects of different determination conditions on the content results were also studied. E Result~ The purity of the samples after re-eryatallization was increased to 97.7%. The optimal conditions for phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetric method to determine the content of Jinggan^nyein were as follows： anhydrous glucose as control sample, 5% phenol, 1.0 ml phenol solution, 5.0 nfl sulfuric acid, stilly placed for20 min after reaction, 490 nm as detec- tion wavelength; the correlation coefficient of glucose standard curve （ R2 ） was 0. 993 9; the average recovery of standard addition was 99.72%, RSD was 0. 362 8%. ~ Conclusion] Re-cryatallization is a good way to refine Jinggan^nycin. Phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetric method can be used to determine the content of Jinggangmycin with simple operation, high accuracy and strong reliability, which can be widely applied in industrial production.

牛膝中齐墩果酸含量测定方法的研究

本文报道怀牛膝中齐墩果酸的薄层扫描测定法。用氯仿－甲醇－甲酸（２０：１：０．２）为展开剂，在硅胶Ｇ－ＣＭＣ－Ｎａ薄层板上分离齐墩果酸，１０％硫酸乙醇溶液显色，用ＣＡＭＡＧ Ⅱ型薄层扫描仪进行定量测定。测定参数：反射法单波长（λ＝５３０ｍｍ）锯齿扫描，背景补偿，线性参数ＳＸ＝３，狭缝０．６ｍｍ×０.６ｍｍ。同时测定了怀牛膝生品中齐墩果酸的含量为１．８４％。

A Novel Enhancer for Fe^(2+)-Catalyzed Light Emission Reaction of Luminol and Dissolved Oxygen

EDTA was used as an enhancer for Fe 2+ catalyzed light emission from luminol oxidation by dissolved oxygen. As a result, the limit of detection for ferrous ion with flow injection analysis was improved by a factor of 160 by addition of EDTA to the luminol solution. Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ were determined simultaneously with a novel copper-coated zinc reductor minicolumn installed in one of the shunt after sample splitting in the manifold. The reductor minicolumn can be used for 3000 determinations at least. The dynamic range of determination was 1×10 -9 ～1×10 -5 mol·L -1 , with the limit of detection of 2.7×10 10 and 3.5×10 10 mol·L 1 ,for Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ , respectively. The preci sion for determination of 2×10 7 mol·L 1 of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ was 2.3% and 4.0% (n=8), respectively, at a sampling rate of 60 h -1 . Cr 3+ and Co 2+ interfere. Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ in mixture were determined with satisfactory results. Samples of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ were determined simultaneously and the results in good agreement with the standard spectrophotometric method. Indications were shown that EDTA functions as an enhancer, Fe 2+ as a catalyst, and oxygen is the oxidant of the chemiluminescent reaction, and the mechanism of the reaction was discussed.

Immunomagnetic assay combined with CdSe/ZnS amplification of chemiluminescence for the detection of abscisic acid

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important plant hormone. It plays a key role in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress and in controlling seed germination, growth, and stomatal aperture. A rapid, sensitive analytical method for the ABA detection is urgently required for further investigation of ABA signaling. In this work, an immunomagnetic assay combined with CdSe/ZnS amplification of chemiluminescence has been developed for the detection of ABA. The result could be read out in 30 min at least, with the simplified procedure of immunomagnetic assay. Under the optimized condition, a linear range from 1 pM to 10 nM was obtained. An unexpected result induced by the dose hook effect was discussed. This method provided the high selectivity for ABA over other components that might be contained in real samples.

Melatonin lowers edema after spinal cord injury

Melatonin has been shown to diminish edema in rats. Melatonin can be used to treat spinal cord injury. This study presumed that melatonin could relieve spinal cord edema and examined how it might act. Our experiments found that melatonin （100 mg/kg, i.p.） could reduce the water content of the spinal cord, and suppress the expression of aquaporin-4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein after spinal cord injury. This suggests that the mechanism by which melatonin alleviates the damage to the spinal cord by edema might be related to the expression of aquaporin-4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein.

Actions of four organic acids in radix isatidis on endotoxin-neutralization investigated by kinetic turbidimetric assay

OBJECTIVE:To investigate anti-endotoxin action of four OAs reacted with endotoxin by the LAL assay with KTA.METHODS:Using a incubating kinetic tube reader and kinetic turbidimetric assay(KTA),the concentration-response time curve of endotoxin reacted with limulus amebocyte lysate(LAL) at 37℃ were obtained and the action of four organic acids(OAs) on it were investigated.The four OAs were benzoic acid,salicylic acid,syringic acid and 2-amino-benzoic acid from Radix isatidis.Meanwhile,the temperature variation caused by endotoxin with the four OAs was studied by the rabbit pyrogen test(RPT).RESULTS:It was showed that a low concentration(1 mg/mL) of the four OAs had a little effect of anti-endotoxin,and when the concentrations of the four OAs were 30 mg/mL,the endotoxin was neutralized completely.The relationships between the concentrations of endotoxin and the OAs were all linear with correlation coefficients of greater than 0.9995,indicating that the four OAs all had strong anti-endotoxin action,while syringic acid had the strongest action among the four OAs with IC50 of 12.84 mg/mL.CONCLUSION:The investigations of KTA agreed well with the results obtained by means of RPT.

Combined measurement of serum tumor markers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

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Clinicopathological features of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in patients with lung cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of hypoxiainducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) expression in patients with lung cancer.Methods Cancerous and noncancerous tissues were collected post-operation from 115 patients with lung cancers by the self-control method. Total RNA was extracted from the lung tissues. The status of tissue HIF-1α expression and intercellular distribution was observed by immunochemistry using a tissue microarray. The expression levels of circulating HIF-1α and VEGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The expression of serum HIF-1α [(138.3 ± 28.8) μg/L] in the group of patients with lung cancer was significantly higher(P < 0.01) than that in the group of patients with pneumonia [(58.8 ± 14.5) μg/L] and the control group of patients ((24.1 ± 3.3) μg/L)There was a strong positive correlation of serum HIF-1α levels(r = 0.937, P < 0.01) with serum VEGF levels. The specific concentration of total RNA [(1.52 ± 1.14) μg/mg wet lung tissues] in the cancerous tissues was significantly higher(t = 8.494, P < 0.001) than that in the noncancerous tissues ((0.58 ± 0.33) μg/mg)The clinicopathological features of HIF-1α expression in lung cancer tissues revealed a significant relationship between positive HIF-1α expression and patient sex(χ~2 = 4.494, P = 0.034), tumor size(χ~2 = 4.679, P = 0.031), differentiation degree(χ~2= 8.846, P = 0.012), and presence of lymphatic node metastasis(χ~2= 6.604, P = 0.037).Conclusion Abnormal HIF-1α expression in lung cancer is closely related with nucleic acid metabolism and angiogenesis, and it may be helpful in the diagnosis and identification of lung cancer.