The Mechanism by Which Pereskia aculeata Mill.Regulates Ferroptosis and Interferes with Colon Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate the mechanism by which Pereskia aculeata Mill.regulates ferroptosis and interferes with colon cancer using network pharmacology.[Methods]The effect of P.aculeata on HCT116 cells was observed by examining cell morphology.The intersection of P.aculeata,colon cancer,and ferroptosis targets was determined using the Venny 2.1.0 online platform.DAVID database was used to perform GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Cytoscape_v3.10.0 was used for network mapping and PPI analysis.[Results]The observation of cell morphology indicated that P.aculeata suppressed the growth of HCT116 cells.GO and KEGG analysis identified 67 genes involved in potential pathways,including the MAPK signaling pathway and Apoptosis,18 of which were located on the MAPK pathway.After conducting PPI visualization analysis and ranking based on Degree values,we identified TP53,TNF,EGFR,MAPK14,and AKT1 as the top five targets with the highest Degree values.[Conclusions]P.aculeata may activate the p53 gene through the MAPK signaling pathway,inducing ferroptosis and ultimately resulting in tumor cell death.

Effects of <i>Pereskia aculeata</i>Miller on the Biochemical Profiles and Body Composition of Wistar Rats

Pereskia aculeata Miller commonly known as “ora-pro-nobis” has been used extensively in folclore medicine. Plant belongs to the family Cactacea and it is found in the Brazil (reaching Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul states). The purpose was to evaluate the effects of plant on biochemical and corporal profiles of Wistar rats. The 80 animals were divided randomly into 4 groups by sex (n = 10 females and 10 males per group) as follows: G1 group (water/rat food ad libitum);G2 group (drink A: commercial condensed milk, sugar and water/rat food ad libitum);G3 group (drink B: P. aculeata juice/rat food ad libitum);G4 group (drink C: commercial condensed milk, sugar and P. aculeate juice/rat food ad libitum). After 35 days their biochemical and corporal profiles were analyzed (cholesterol, glycemia, triglycerides, HDL-c, AST, ALT, Lee Index, weight and visceral fat). Intake of the plant caused no changes in the lipid profile of Wistar rats. However, intake in male rats of the same prevented the increase in triglycerides front of a hypercaloric diet. There were significant changes in glycemic index due to the high carbohydrate content of the plant. The plant was effective in reducing the levels of AST and ALT in male rats and ALT only in females. The use of the plant did not cause significant changes in the index of Lee but the Pereskia aculeata Miller may reduce visceral fat gain in female with a regular diet.

Hygroscopic Behavior of Lyophilized Powder of Grugru Palm (<i>Acrocomia aculeata</i>)

The objective of this study was to determine adsorption isotherms and hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized powder from grugru palm. The powders of grugru palm were obtained by lyophilization process without maltodextrin (T1) and with 8% matodextrin (T2). The experimental data were obtained through the static gravimetric method at temperatures (25℃, 30℃, 35℃ and 40℃), with different saturated solutions of salts. The models of GAB, BET, Henderson and Oswin were fitted to experimental data. The values obtained for hygroscopicity were 7.68% and 6.86% and the degrees of caking were 0.33% and 0.09% for T1 and T2, respectively. Mathematical models of adsorption isotherms for grugru palm powders can be classified as Type III. The GAB and Oswin models represented better the behavior of isotherms for T1 and T2. Grugru palm powder showed an increase in the humidity of the monolayer Xm along with increasing temperature. The grugru palm powder demonstrated to be a non-hygroscopic product, non-caking features.

Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Pereskia aculeata Miller on Joint Swelling in Rats with Adjuvant-induced Arthritis

[Objectives]To explore the effect of ethanolic extract of Pereskia aculeata Miller(EEPA)on joint swelling in adjuvant arthritis rats.[Methods]60 SD rats were randomly selected.Except for the blank group,the remaining animals were injected with complete Freund's adjuvant to establish the adjuvant arthritis rat models,which were divided into 6 groups:blank group,positive group,model group,and EEPA high-dose(64 mg/kg),EEPA medium-dose(32 mg/kg),EEPA low-dose(16 mg/kg)groups,10 in each group.The changes of ankle joint swelling diameter and arthritis index score were observed,and the spleen index was calculated.The serum prostaglandin E2(PGE2)level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).[Results]The degree of ankle swelling diameter,arthritis index score,expression of serum inflammatory factors,and spleen index in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group,indicating that there was an inflammatory reaction and abnormal immune organs,and the modeling was successful.Under the intervention of EEPA drugs,the degree of ankle swelling diameter and arthritis index score of EEPA group with different doses were significantly lower than that of the model group(P<0.05),and the level of serum inflammatory factors was also lower than that of the model group(P<0.05).The index was lower than the model group and close to the normal group(P<0.05),and the higher the EEPA dose,the lower the index expression level(P<0.05).[Conclusions]EEPA can reduce joint swelling and inhibit the level of inflammatory factors to some extent in adjuvant arthritis rats.

Acrocomia aculeata(Jacq.)Lodd.Oil Microencapsulation by Complex Coacervation:Preservation of Bioactive Compounds

Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. shows possibilities for pharmaceutical, food and chemical use. However, its application is limited due to the loss of its bioactive components. Microencapsulation may be an alternative to reduce such problems. A step-by-step optimization approach was used in this work for preservation of bioactive compounds. The applied technique to microencapsulate the Acrocomia aculeata oil was efficient, producing between 64% and 99% of microcapsules and 59% to 97% of encapsulated oil. In the experimental design, temperature was the parameter that significantly influenced the carotenoids of microcapsules. Complex coacervation helped to preserve carotenoids and the antioxidant activity, and an interaction between the temperature and the content was observed for such preservation.

Description of the male Dolichovespula flora Archer(Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

An aerial nest of Dolichovespula flora Archer, 1987, was discovered at Mt. Shaohua （Shaanxi, China） and all three castes of this species were collected. For the first time the male of Dolichovespulaflora Archer, 1987 is reported and illustrated. The specific status of the related D. kuami Kim ＆ Yoon, 1996 from South Korea is briefly discussed.

基于正交试验的木麒麟扦插生根最优组合筛选

以木麒麟枝条为插穗,以基质、生根剂、浸泡时间设计3因素3水平的正交试验,通过生根率、平均根长、生根插穗数、平均生根数等指标计算根系效果指数来考察不同组合的生根效果,以期筛选出适宜木麒麟扦插生根的最优组合。结果表明:从L_(9)(3^(4))正交试验设计的9个处理来看,以处理1(A_(1)B_(1)C_(1)组合)的根系效果指数最高,为5.79;从极差值来看,3个因素对根系效果指数的影响表现为基质>生根剂>浸泡时间;从k值来看,最优组合为A_(1)B_(2)C_(3),即以河沙为基质,以萘乙酸为生根剂浸泡60 min;从各因素不同水平之间的多重比较结果来看,基质对木麒麟插穗的生根率、平均根长、平均生根数和根系效果指数影响显著,表明该因素是影响木麒麟生根的主要因素,其中各组合中根系效果指数最优的组合是A1B_(0)C_(0)。综合上述分析可知,适宜木麒麟扦插生根的最优组合是A1B_(1)C_(1),即以河沙为基质直接扦插。

New record of Panurginus niger Nylander (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae: Panurginae) from China

This paper is a supplementary work to the total 14 species of genus Panurginus described recently from the eastern Palaearctic Region. This genus is not well studied in China and where there were only two known species, P nigripes Morawitz and P flavotarsus Wu. The type species of the genus, P niger Nylander, known from Russia and Mongolia, is newly recorded from northern China. The total species now known from China are three species in two species groups, the niger-group and the herzi-group. A key to males of these Chinese species is given.

Macauba as Promising Substrate for Crude Oil and Biodiesel Production

The preparation of macauba fruits （Acrocomia aculeate （Jacq.） Lodd. ex Martius） both for oil extraction by continuous pressing and biodiesel production were investigated. The fruits and its pulp and kernel were characterized for their resulting oils. Experimental design was carried out to study the transesterification of each oil to obtain the concentrations of ethanol and catalyst that would provide the best biodiesel yield. A higher amount of biodiesel was produced from the best conditions to evaluate some characteristics as specified by ANP （National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels）. The results showed a variation in the fruits composition and different characteristics presented by the pulp and kernel oil. It was possible to define technological steps to obtain oil from the fruits of macauba and find the optimal conditions to biodiesel production, concentration of catalyst 4.42% and 5% and 13.3：1 and 9：1 ethanol：oil molar ratio to kernel oil and pulp oil, respectively.

Characterization of Grugru Palm Pulp for Food Applications

Studies are needed to know the grugru palm （Acrocomia aculeata） potential for food industry. This study aimed to characterize physicochemical quality and minerals in the mesocarp （pulp） of grugru palm, Grugru palm fruits from NE Brazil production area were collected and analyzed. The determinations included： respiratory rate, sugars, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, humidity, water activity （aw）, ashes, protein, lipids, total phenolics, total carotenoids, vitamin C, color and minerals. The fruit respiration rate was 74.45 mL CO2 kg-1 h1. High levels were found for sugars, soluble solids, pH, aw, lipids and carotenoids; however, the pulp showed low acidity, moisture and ashes. The values found for lipids, minerals and vitamin C are equivalent to those observed in the literature. The grugru palm fruit has a high rate of respiration, which turns necessary the use of conservation techniques and methods. The grugru palm fruit pulp shows physical quality parameters attractive to the consumer, physicochemical quality and nutritive composition which can be considered for food ingredients and alternative source of ingredient for supplementation of diet food for needy population.

木麒麟的主要成分及其药理作用研究

仙人掌科木麒麟属植物木麒麟在巴西传统医学中作为药用植物使用,在我国南方部分地区也有种植,并用药。木麒麟不仅含有蛋白质、纤维素以及微量元素等诸多重要营养成分,还含有甾醇、生物碱、黄酮类和萜类等生物活性成分,具有抗炎、抗癌、抑菌、抗氧化、镇痛、促进伤口愈合以及保护心血管等作用。对近年来木麒麟的安全性、营养成分、化学成分和药理作用的研究概况进行综述,为进一步开发木麒麟提供理论参考。

油松毛虫的生物学特性及其防治

经过长期对油松毛虫的观察研究和防治,经过多次的实地观察和实践,总结了该虫的年生活史、发育过程、天敌种类和防治方法,介绍了加强测报、人工防治、化学防治、生物防治等措施,以提高防治效果,保护大面积森林不受侵害。

Microbial Biomass Dynamics in a Tropical Agroecosystem： Influence of Herbicide and Soil Amendments

The influences of herbicide alone and in combination with the soil amendments with contrasting resource qualities on dynamics of soil microbial biomass C （MBC）, N （MBN）, and P （MBP） were studied through two annual cycles in rice-wheat-summer fallow crop sequence in a tropical dryland agroecosystem. The experiment included application of herbicide （butachlor） alone or in combination with various soil amendments having equivalent amount of N in the forms of chemical fertilizer, wheat straw, Sesbania aculeata, and farm yard manure （FYM）. Soil microbial biomass showed distinct temporal variations in both crop cycles, decreased from vegetative to grain-forming stage, and then increased to maximum at crop maturity stage. Soil MBC was the highest in herbicide ＋ Sesbania aculeata treatment followed by herbicide ＋ FYM, herbicide ＋ wheat straw, herbicide ＋ chemical fertilizer, and herbicide alone treatments in decreasing order during the rice-growing period. During wheat-growing period and summer fallow, soil MBC attained maximum for herbicide ＋ wheat straw treatment whereas herbicide ＋ FYM, herbicide ＋ Sesbania, and herbicide ＋ chemical fertilizer treatments showed similar levels. The overall trend of soil MBN was similar to those of soil MBC and MBP except that soil MBN was higher in herbicide ＋ chemical fertilizer treatment over the herbicide ＋ wheat straw treatment during rice-growing period. In spite of the addition of equivalent amount of N through exogenous soil amendments in combination with the herbicide, soil microbial biomass responded differentially to the treatments. The resource quality of the amendments had more pronounced impact on the dynamics of soil microbial biomass, which may have implications for long-term sustainability of rainfed agroecosystems in dry tropics.