Herpetin, a New Bioactive Lignan Isolated from Herpetospermum caudigerum

Aim To study the chemical constituents of seeds of Herpetospermum caudigerum. Methods Column chromatography was used in the isolation procedure, and the structure was elucidated by spectral data, whose pharmacologic activity was assayed in vitro. Results A new compound named herpetin was isolated, whose structure was determined to be 3-benzofuran methanol-2, 3-dihydm-2-（4- hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ）-4-methoxy-6-[ tetrahydm-2-（ 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl ）-3-methanol ]-2- furanmethyl, showed significant inhibitory effects on HBV-DNA and the replication and expression of HBsAg and HBeAg. Conclusion Herpetin offers wide research and development prospect.

Multi-functional pharmacological credence of triterpenoid 16-hydroxy betulinic acid isolated from Mikania cordata

OBJECTIVE To isolate and characterize bioactive compound from traditionally important medicinal plant Mikania cordata,and to investigate muti-faced pharmacological activities of the isolated compound.METHODS A triterpeenoid,16-hydroxy betulinic acid(16 HBA) was isolated from Mikania cordata leaf and the structure of the compound was determined by NMR spectroscopic means.Antimicrobial activity of 16 HBA was tested by disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) against the tested microorganisms was determined.The analgesic property of 16 HBA was tested using acetic acid-induced writhes in mice and hot plate thermal stimulation in rats.The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using carrageenin-induced paw edema method.The antipyretic potential of 16 HBA was evaluated by using yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats.RESULTS The triterpenoid 16 HBA showed potent antibacterial activity with inhibition zone of diameter ranging from 12.0~17.5 mm and antifungal activity with mycelial growth inhibition ranges from 37.6%~54.5%.The MIC values for antibacterial and antifungal activities ranged from 31.5~125 and 250~1000 μg·mL-1 respectively.The compound(50 and100 mg·kg^(-1) body weight) showed potent peripheral and central analgesic activity having 55.19% and41% of writhing inhibition at 90 min after administration of the compound and the highest 55.98%,79.18% elongation of reaction time,respectively.In anti-inflammatory activity screening,the compound(100 mg·kg^(-1)) revealed the highest 77.08% edema inhibition at 4 h after administration of carrageenan.In antipyretic assay,16 HBA exhibited a strong antipyretic effect in yeast-induced rats.CONCLUSION The present study confirmed that 16-hydroxy betulinic acid isolated from Mikania cordata has potent antimicrobial,analgesic,anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.Our results can be seen as scientific support for the traditional and folklore usage of Mikania cordata in Bangladesh for the treatment of different ailments and provide opportunities to explore this plant as a source bioactive compounds for biochemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Extraction, Purification and Identification of Bone Morphogenetic Protein in Conditioned Medium of Osteosarcoma Cell (MG-63)

Objective: To find out a method of extraction and purification of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) from osteosarcoma cell conditioned medium, and evaluate the biological activity of BMP.Methods: Conditioned medium of osteosarcoma cell lines (MG-63) was collected, concentrated and dialyzed. The concentrated protein was purified through gel chromatography on Sephcryl-S-100. The purified protein was tested by BMP monoclonal antibody (McAb), its molecular weight (MW) was determined by SDS-PAGE and its biological activity was demonstrated by heterotopic ossification.Results: The purified protein was proved to be BMP by BMP McAb, had a satisfactory heterotopic ossification, and its MW was about 21 kD.Conclusion: BMP existed in the conditioned medium of osteosarcoma cell and had a satisfactory biological activity after purification. Because osteosarcoma cell can be cultured and grew for a long timein vitro, this method will be helpful to a vast extraction of BMP and clinical application. Key words osteosarcoma cell - conditioned medium - bone morphogenetic protein - protein purification This project was a key scientific and technological program of Hubei Provicial Scientific and Technological Committee (No. 002p1503).

Construction of a Metagenomic DNA Library of Sponge Symbionts and Screening of Antibacterial Metabolites

To study the bioactive metabolites produced by sponge-derived uncultured symbionts, a metagenomic DNA library of the symbionts of sponge Gelliodes gracilis was constructed. The average size of DNA inserts in the library was 20 kb. This library was screened for antibiotic activity using paper disc assaying. Two clones displayed the antibacterial activity against Micrococcus tetragenus. The metabolites of these two clones were analyzed through HPLC. The result showed that their metabolites were quite different from those of the host E. coli DNA and the host containing vector pHZ132. This study may present a new approach to exploring bioactive metabolites of sponge symbionts.

Antioxidant enzyme activities in different genders and tissues of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense

Information regarding antioxidant enzymes in amphioxus remains lacking, and this study was carried out to examine the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in different genders and tissues of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. Results show that (1) CuZn-SOD, CAT and GPX activities in the whole amphioxus B. belcheri tsing- tauense were basically at the same levels in male and female amphioxus, whereas both T-SOD and Mn-SOD activities in male amphioxus were significantly higher than that in the female (P<0.05); (2) The testis had significantly higher T-SOD and CuZn-SOD activities than the ovary (P<0.05); (3) CuZn-SOD activity was undetectable in the guts of male and female amphioxus; (4) For both male and female am- phioxus, the activities of CAT and GPX in the gonads including testis and ovary were the lowest (P<0.05) among the tissues examined; (5) The gut and gill had the same level GPX activities while the gut had a higher CAT activity; (6) There was no clear difference in CAT and GPX activities in the corresponding tissues between male and female amphioxus. The study on SOD, CAT and GPX activities in different genders and tissues of the protochordate provides data for future comparison of amphioxus antioxidant enzymes with those of invertebrates and vertebrates.

Effect of high-voltage discharge non-thermal plasma on g-C_3N_4 in a plasma-photocatalyst system

The synergistic effect of high voltage discharge non‐thermal plasma(NTP)and photocatalysts on contaminant removal has repeatedly confirmed by plenty of researches.Most previous plasma‐photocatalyst synergistic systems focused on the utilization of the ultraviolet light but ignored the visible light generated by high voltage discharge.Graphitic carbon nitride(g‐C3N4),a metal‐free semiconductor that exhibits high chemical stability,can utilize both the ultraviolet and visible light from high voltage discharge.However,the synergistic system of NTP and g‐C3N4 has been researched little.In this paper,the effect of NTP generated by dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)on g‐C3N4 is studied by comparing the photocatalytic activities,the surface physical structure and the surface chemical characteristics of pristine and plasma treated g‐C3N4.Experimental results indicate that the DBD plasma can change the physical structure and the chemical characteristics and to further affect the photocatalytic activity of g‐C3N4.The effect of NTP on g‐C3N4 is associated with the discharge intensity and the discharge time.For a long time scale,the effect of NTP on g‐C3N4 photocatalysts presents a periodic change trend.

Antioxidant and isozyme features of two strains of Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyceae)

Healthy sporophytes of two gametophyte mutants of Laminariajaponica with different heat resistances： kelp 901 （901, with comparatively stronger heat-resistance） and Rongcheng No. I （RC, sensitive to heat stress）, were respectively collected during October to December 2002 from Yantai and Rongcheng Sea Farm in the Shandong Peninsula of China. The contents of some biochemical materials and antioxidant capacity were analyzed under controlled laboratory conditions to identify if there is any relation between the overall antioxidant capacity and the heat-resistance in L. japonica and to understand possible mechanism of heat-resistance. Results show that： （1） the overall antioxidant capacity in healthy sporophyte of 901, such as vitamin E, polyphenol, and ascorbic acid contents and the enzymatic activity of SOD, POD, CAT, Gpx, PPO, and PAL, were not always higher than that of RC under controlled laboratory conditions, and no significance （P〉0.05） was shown in total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC） in 901 and RC. Result suggested that the difference in antioxidant capacity was not a decisive factor for different heat-resistances in L. japonica; （2） the simultaneous assay on isozymes was carried out using vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （PAGE）. Considerable differences in peroxide （PRX）, malate dehydrogenase （MDH）, malic enzyme （ME）, polyphenol oxidase （PPO） and glutamate dehydrogenase （GDH） were obtained in 901 and RC from either the band number, relative mobility （Rf）, or staining intensity, and ME could be used as an indicator to distinguish healthy sporophyte of 901 and RC under controlled laboratory conditions.

Chemical Behavior of Cadmium in Purple Soil as Affected by Surfactants and EDTA

A soil batch experiment was conducted to investigate both separate and compound effects of three types of surfactants: anionic dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid sodiumsalt (DBSS), cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and non-ionic nonyl phenol polyethyleneoxy ether (TX-100), as well as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on cadmium solubility, sorption kinetics, and sorption-desorption behavior in purple soil. The results indicated that both individual application of the three types of surfactants and surfactants combined with EDTA could stimulate Cd extraction from the soil with a general effectiveness ranking of EDTA/TX-100 > EDTA/DBSS > EDTA/CTAB > EDTA > TX-100 > DBSS > CTAB. Further study showed that the compound application of surfactants and EDTA had stronger (P < 0.05) effects on Cd solubility than those added individually. The application of surfactants and EDTA to purple soil (P < 0.05) decreased the proportion of Cd sorbed, while their effectiveness ranking was similar to that of enhanced solubilization. The sorption kinetics of Cd in purple soil was best described by the double-constant equation, while the Freundlich equation gave an excellent fit to the sorption isotherm curves. Therefore, surfactant-enhanced remediation of Cd contaminated soil is feasible and further research should be conducted.

Analysis of the Phytochemistry and Bioactivity of the Genus Polygonum of Polygonaceae

The main chemical constituents of the genus Polygonum(Polygonaceae)are flavonoids,quinones,phenylpropanoids,and terpenoids,which show anticancer,antitumor,anti-oxidative,anti-inflammatory,analgesic,antibacterial,insecticidal,and other pharmacological effects.This paper summarizes research on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of compounds from the genus Polygonum in last15years.

Chemical constituents and antioxidant activities of waste liquid extract from Apostichopus japonicus Selenka processing

Apostichopus japonicus Selenka is an ideal tonic food that is used traditionally in many Asian countries, and it contains many bioactive substances, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer materials. To convert waste liquid generated during production into a useful resource, extract from waste liquid was isolated by column chromatography and studied by the pyrogallol autoxidation and 1,10-phenanthroline-Fe^2＋ oxidation methods. Results show that the extract scavenged about 91% of the superoxide anion radical at a concentration of 1.4 mg/mL and 24% of the hydroxyl radical at 3.3 mg/mL. Four compounds were isolated and identified from the extract： 2,4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-azine; 2,4-dihydroxy- 1,3-diazine; 3-O-β-D-quinovopranosyl-（1→2）-4-O-sodium sulfate-β-D-xylopranosyl]-holosta-9（11）-ene313,12β,17α-triol; and 24-ethyl-5α-cholesta-7-ene-3β-O-β-D-xylopyranoside. All of these compounds are known in A. japonicus, and were found in the waste liquid for the first time.

Use of Several Plant Materials and Chemicals to inhibit Soil Urease Activity and Increase Nitrogen Recovery Rate of Urea by Plant

Effects of residues of 9 plants, lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodoraHook., P_1), robust eucalyptus (E. robusta Smith, P_2), Nepal camphortree (Cinnamomum glanduliferum(Wall.) Nees, P_3), tea (Camellia sinensis (Linn.) O. Ktze. f., P_4), oleander (Nerium indicum Mill,P_5), rape (Brassica campestris L., P_g), Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum L., P_7), tung(Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.), P_8), and croton (Croton tiglium L., P_9), 7 chemicals, boric acid (C_1),borax (C_2), oxalic acid (C_3), sodium oxalite (C_4), sodium dihydrogen phosphate (C_6), sodiumsilicate (C_7) and sodium citrate (C_8), and a natural organic substance, humic acid (C_5), onurease activity of a neutral purple soil and recovery of urea nitrogen by maize were studied throughincubation and pot experiments. Hydroquinone (HQ) was applied as the reference inhibitor. Afterincubation at 37℃ for 24 h, 7 inhibitors with higher ability to inhibit urease activity wereselected and then incubated for 14 days at 25℃. Results of the incubation experiments showed thatsoil urease activity was greatly inhibited by them, and the inhibition effect followed an order ofP_2>P_4>C_3>C_2>P_3>C_1>HQ>P_1. The 7 selected materials reduced the accumulative amounts of Nreleased from urea and the maximum urease activity by 11.7%～28.4% and 26.7%～39.7%, respectively,and postponed the N release peak by 2～4 days in the incubation period of 14 days under constanttemperature, as compared to the control (no inhibitor). In the pot experiment with the 7 materialsat two levels of addition, low (L) and high (H), the C_1 (H), C_3 (H), C_1 (L), P_4 (L) and C_2 (L)treatments could significantly increase the dry weights of the aboveground parts and the totalbiomass of the maize plants and the apparent recovery rate of urea-N was increased by 6.3%～32.4% ascompared to the control (no hibitor).

Stndy on Soil Magnetic Effect

A study on the effect of applied magnetic field was performed with six types of soils collected fromnortheastern China. Magnetic field was found to cause changes of soil physicc-chemical properties and soilenzyme activities. An appropriate applied magnetic field could cut down soil zeta-potential, soil specificsurface, soil water potential and soil swelling capacity; raise the charge density on soil colloids and theactivities of invertase, hydrogen peroxidase and amylase in the soils; enhance soil aggregation and improvesoil structural status and soil water-releasing capability.

Effects of surface physicochemical properties on NH_3-SCR activity of MnO_2 catalysts with different crystal structures

α‐,β‐,δ‐,andγ‐MnO2nanocrystals are successfully prepared.We then evaluated the NH3selective catalytic reduction(SCR)performance of the MnO2catalysts with different phases.The NOx conversion efficiency decreased in the order:γ‐MnO2>α‐MnO2>δ‐MnO2>β‐MnO2.The NOx conversion with the use ofγ‐MnO2andα‐MnO2catalysts reached90%in the temperature range of140–200°C,while that based onβ‐MnO2reached only40%at200°C.Theγ‐MnO2andα‐MnO2nanowire crystal morphologies enabled good dispersion of the catalysts and resulted in a relatively high specific surface area.We found thatγ‐MnO2andα‐MnO2possessed stronger reducing abilities and more and stronger acidic sites than the other catalysts.In addition,more chemisorbed oxygen existed on the surface of theγ‐MnO2andα‐MnO2catalysts.Theγ‐MnO2andα‐MnO2catalysts showed excellent performance in the low‐temperature SCR of NO to N2with NH3.

An Experimental Study on Alkaline/Surfactant/Polymer Flooding Systems Using Natural Mixed Carboxylate

Orthogonal-test-design method has been used to determine the optimal formula by phase behavior and interfacial tension studies, respectively. The effect of each component of two alkaline/surfactant/polymer flooding systems on interfacial tension is discussed, in which a low-price natural mixed carboxylate (SDC) is used as the major surfactant. The results indicate that the optimal composition is SDC (0.5%), alkaline NaHCO3/Na2CO3 with mass ratio of 1 (1.0%), and hydrolyzed polyacrylamide(0.1%). In the coreflood experiment, their oil recovery is increased by about 25.2% and 26.8% original oil in place, respectively.

Lonicerae Flos:A Review of Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities

Lonicerae flos,a widely used traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),has been used for several thousand years in China.As a famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine,it was used as heat-clearing drug and alexipharmic agent and was widely cultivated in Hunan province.L.flos mainly contains biologically active compounds such as caffeic acid derivatives,essential oil,flavonoids,iridoid glycosides and terpenoids.A range of biological activities has been reported from plant extracts including anti-inflammatory,antitumor,antioxidant,antiallergy,immunomodulating and antibacterial activity.In this study,the author investigated ancient books of TCM and nowadays reports,summarized the chemical constituents,biological activity of L.flos to provide a comprehensive systematic review.

Electrocatalytic generation of reactive species and implications in microbial inactivation

Controlling microbial proliferation in water systems,including wastewater,recreational water,and drinking water,is essential to societal health.Microbial inactivation through electrochemically generated reactive species(RS)mediated pathways provides an effective route toward this microbial control.Herein we provide an overview of recent progress toward electrocatalytic generation of RS and their application in water disinfection,with a focus on the selective production of RS,the microorganism interactions with RS(including both RS mechanisms of action and innate microorganism responses to RS),and practical implementation of electrochemically generated RS for microbial inactivation.The article is concluded with a perspective where the challenges and opportunities of RS‐based electrochemical disinfection of water are highlighted,along with possible future research directions.

Ethnobotany, Pharmacology and Chemistry of Medicinal Orchids from Veracruz

Orchidaceae is a large family of 1,260 species in Mexico, of which 433 grow in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Although economically important in horticulture because of the beauty of their flowers, researches have done little work regarding their medicinal properties. This paper aimed to present the results of ethnobotanical, pharmacological and active compounds research on Veracruz medicinal orchids. The ethnobotanical information was obtained by consulting the Atlas of the Mexican Traditional Medicine Plants, Veracruz Medicinal Flora Database （CITRO-UV project） and through field work in the Nahuatl community of Cuautlajapa, Veracruz. To obtain pharmacological and active compounds information of registered species, a search was carded out through MEDLINE （USA National Library of Medicine Journal Citation database）. Twelve medicinal orchids were recorded for Veracruz, i.e., Epidendrum chlorocorymbos Schltr., Habenaria floribunda Lindl., Isochillus latibracteatus A. Rich. ＆ Galeotti, lsochillus major Schltdl. ＆ Cham., Mormodes maculata var. unicolor （Hook.） L. O. Williams, Oestlundia luteorosea （A. Rich. ＆ Galeotti） W. E. Higgins, Oncidium ascendens Lindl., Scaphyglottis fasciculata Hook., Sobralia macrantha Lindl., Spiranthes eriophora （Rob. ＆ Greenm.）, Stanhopea oculata （G. Lodd.） Lindl. and Vanilla planifolia Andrews. Only two species have been investigated in terms of their pharmacology and active compounds. Also, information for another five species closely related to already identified ones was obtained. Given the relative poverty of current information on the topic, this paper demonstrates the need to further study the ethnobotanical, pharmacological and chemical aspects of the region＇s medicinal orchids.

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Local Plants

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of local plants was evaluated, with two strain i.e E. coil and S. aurri （gram positive and gram negative） microorganisms. The in vitro anti bacterial activity was performed by agar disc diffusion method. The most active antibacterial plants were S. trifiliatus and A. mexicana. The significant antibacterial activity of active extracts was compared with the standered, antimicrobics, streptomycin （10 μg/disc）. The results obtained in the present study suggest that S. trifoliatus and A. mexicana can be used in treating diseases caused by the test organism.

Characterization of Soil Quality Under Vegetable Production Along an Urban-Rural Gradient

Human activity and urbanization result in urban-rural environmental gradients. Understanding effect of the gradients on soil properties is necessary for management of the soils around urban areas. In this study, soil quality of some vegetable fields was characterized along an urban-rural gradient in Shaoxing County, Zhejiang Province. Fifteen soil physical and chemical properties were evaluated by using principal component analysis.Results showed that there was a great variation in the soil quality along the gradient. From rural to urban zones, soil organic matter, water-stable aggregates, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), total N and P, and available K increased, whereas soil pH value decreased. In addition, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn and Cr in the soils tended to be accumulated toward the urban zone. Sequential chemical extraction showed that mobility of all the heavy metals in the soils tended to increase from the rural to the urban zones. The variation of soil properties accounted for by the first principal component was significantly explained by the difference in application rates of municipal wastes.

Investigation of the Mutagenic Potential of Immunomodulator Arglabin Native in Tablets in the Ames Test

The mandatory preclinical safety evaluation is an essential prerequisite to obtain the qualitative and effective medicines. Due to the fact that drugs may reveal genotoxic properties, the investigation of their mutagenic activity is an obligatory part of the preclinical drug safety program. The aim of the research is to study mutagenic properties of a new original immunomodulator Arglabin native in tablets in the induced test of gene mutations （the Ames test） on Salmonella typhimurium strains. Materials and methods： Four strains of S. typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 were used to assess the mutagenicity in the Ames test. Results and conclusions： No statistically reliable dose-dependent increase in the number of revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium has been observed in the presence of the given drug within the investigated dose ranges from 5.0 to 100.0 μg/mL for strains TA100 and TA1535, and from 5.0 to 250 μg/mL for strains TA98 and TA1537 against the baseline of spantaneous mutations. Arglabin native in tablets does not reveal a mutagenic activity within the studied dose ranges on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537.