Characteristics and fate behavior of environmentally persistent free radicals in atmospheric particulate matter

Background,aim,and scope Environmentally persistent free radicals(EPFRs)have received significant attention due to their longer lifetime and stable existence in various environments.The strong environmental migration ability of particulate matter allows EPFRs to migrate over long-distance transport,thereby impacting the quality of the local atmospheric environment.Additionally,EPFRs can also adhere to atmospheric particles and interact with typical gaseous pollutants to affect atmospheric chemical reactions.EPFRs can produce some reactive organic species,promoting oxidative stress in the human body,damaging biological macromolecules and ultimately affecting the organism health.EPFRs are considered as a novel type of pollutant that affects human health.Despite their significance,there are few literatures available on the characteristics and fate behaviors of EPFRs up to date.Therefore,supplemental reviews are crucial for providing comprehensive understanding of EPFRs.Materials and methods This review summarizes the characteristics of EPFRs in particulate matter,outlines the generation mechanism and influencing factors of EPFRs,and the impacts of EPFRs on environmental quality and organism health.Results The content of EPFRs in particulate matter ranges from 1017 to 1020 spins∙g−1.Due to the strong mobility of atmospheric particulate matter,the long-term exposure to high levels of EPFRs may aggravate the impact of particulate matter on human health.The interaction between EPFRs and typical gaseous pollutants can alter their fate and influence atmospheric chemical reactions.EPFRs are mainly produced by transition metal elements and substituted aromatic hydrocarbons through electron transfer.Additionally,the chemical bond rupture of organic substances through heat treatment or ultraviolet radiation can also produce EPFRs,and heterogeneous reactions are capable producing them as well.The production of EPFRs is not only influenced by transition metal elements and precursors,but also by various environmental factors such as oxygen,temperature,light radiation,and relative humidity.Discussion EPFRs in atmospheric particulates matters are usually rich in fine particulates with obvious seasonal and regional variations.They can easily enter the human respiratory tract and lungs with inhalable particulates,thereby increasing the risk of exposure.Additionally,EPFRs in atmospheric particulates can interact with some typical gaseous pollutants,impacting the life and fate of EPFRs in the atmosphere,and alter atmospheric chemical reactions.Traditionally,EPFRs are generated by transition metal elements and substituted aromatic hydrocarbons undergoing electron transfer in the post-flame and cool-zone regions of combustion systems and other thermal processes to remove HCl,H_(2)O or CO groups,ultimately produce semiquinones,phenoxyls,and cyclopentadienyls.Recent studies have indicated that EPFRs can also be generated under the conditions of without transition metal elemental.Organics can also produce EPFRs through chemical bond rupture during heat treatment or light radiation conditions,as well as through some heterogeneous reactions and photochemical secondary generation of EPFRs.The presence or absence of oxygen has different effects on the type and yield of EPFRs.The concentration,type,and crystal type of transition metal elements will affect the type,content,and atmospheric lifetime of EPFRs.It is generally believed that the impact of transition metal element types on EPFRs is related to the oxidation-reduction potential.The combustion temperature or heat treatment process significantly affects the type and amount of EPFRs.Factors such as precursor loading content,pH conditions,light radiation and relative humidity also influence the generation of EPFRs.EPFRs can interact with pollutants in the environment during their migration and transformation process in environmental medium.This process accelerates the degradation of pollutants and plays a crucial role in the migration and transformation of organic pollutants in environmental media.The reaction process of EPFRs may lead to the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)such as∙OH,which can induce oxidative stress,inflammation and immune response to biological lung cells and tissues,leading to chronic respiratory and cardiopulmonary dysfunction,cardiovascular damage and neurotoxic effects,ultimately impacting the health of organisms.Conclusions The interaction mechanism between EPFRs in particulate matter and gaseous pollutants remains unclear.Furthermore,research on the generation mechanism of EPFRs without the participation of transition metals is not comprehensive,and the detection of EPFRs is limited to simple qualitative categories and lack accurate qualitative analysis.Recommendations and perspectives Further research should be conducted on the generation mechanism,measurement techniques,migration pathways,and transformation process of EPFRs.It is also important to explore the interaction between EPFRs in atmospheric particulate matter and typical gaseous pollutants.

Free radicals trigger the closure of open pores in lignin-derived hard carbons toward improved sodium-storage capacity

The chemical activation of various precursors is effective for creating additional closed pores in hard carbons for sodium storage.However,the formation mechanism of closed pores under the influence of pore-forming agents is not well understood.Herein,an effective chemical activation followed by a high-temperature self-healing strategy is employed to generate interconnected closed pores in lignin-derived hard carbon(HCs).By systematic experimental design combined with electron paramagnetic res-onance spectroscopy,it can be found that the content of free radicals in the carbon matrix influences the closure of open pores at high temperatures.Excessively high activation temperature(>700 C)leads to a low free radical concentration,making it difficult to achieve self-healing of open pores at high tempera-tures.By activation at 700°C,a balance between pore making and self-healing is achieved in the final hard carbon.A large number of free radicals triggers rapid growth and aggregation of carbon microcrys-tals,blocking pre-formed open micropores and creating additional interconnected closed pores in as-obtained hard carbons.As a result,the optimized carbon anode(LK-700-1300)delivers a high reversible capacity of 330.8 mA h g^(-1) at 0.03 A g^(-1),which is an increase of 86 mA h g^(-1) compared to the pristine lignin-derived carbon anode(L-700-1300),and exhibits a good rate performance(202.1 mA h g^(-1) at 1 A g^(-1)).This work provides a universal and effective guidance for tuning closed pores of hard carbons from otherprecursors.

Decontamination of Cr(Ⅵ) from water using sewage sludge-derived biochar: Role of environmentally persistent free radicals

Biochar is a well-known material for pollutant removal owing to its low cost and rich surface functionality. A kind of highly active substance, called environmentally persistent free radicals(EPFRs), can be produced in the preparation process of biochar, playing an important role in the removal of pollutants.In this study, sludge-derived biochars(SBC_(120) and SBC_(270)) were prepared by the hydrothermal carbonization under two temperatures(120℃ and 270℃) to investigate their removal abilities of Cr(Ⅵ). The maximum removal amounts of Cr(Ⅵ) by SBC_(120) and SBC_(270) were 16.58 and 22.93 mg·g^(-1), respectively. It was further revealed that the appearance of Cr(Ⅲ), as a result of EPFRs on sludge-derived biochar(SBC) transferred electrons to Cr(Ⅵ) in neutral solutions. That is to say, oxygen-centered(O-centered) EPFRs on SBC_(120) and carbon-centered(C-centered) EPFRs on SBC_(270) all could be used as electron donors to Cr(Ⅵ) to make it become Cr(Ⅲ). This study not only provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of pollutants removal by sludge-derived biochar but also offers a new perspective on the direct effect of EPFRs on pollutants.

Abnormal Reactions of Free Radicals and Oxidative Damages in the Bodies of Patients With Chronic Glomerulonephritis

Objective To study the abnormal reactions of a series of free radicals and the oxidative damages induced by free radical abnormal reactions in the bodies of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. Methods Eighty chronic glomerulonephritis patients (CGNP) and eighty healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (?CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric assays. Results Compared with the average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HAV group, the average values of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly increased (P = 0.0001), while those of VC, VE and -CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly decreased (P = 0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of the concentration of blood creatinine as well as prolongation of the course of disease in the CGNP, the concentrations of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP increased gradually, while the concentrations of VC, VE and ?CAR in plasma as well as the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP decreased gradually (P = 0.002454 0.000001). The relative risk ratio (RR) of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damages in the bodies of CGNP ranged from 6.061 to 72.429. The reliability coefficient (alpha) that the above biochemical parameters were used to reflect the oxidative damages of the CGNP was 0.8137, standardized item alpha = 0.9728, Hotelling抯 T-Squared = 1135680.191, F = 53274.6478, P = 0.000001. Conclusions The findings in this study show that in the bodies of CGNP a series of free radical chain reactions result in severe pathological aggravation and induce oxidative damages in their bodies. Therefore, suitable dose of antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate oxidative damages in their bodies.

Component Analysis and Free Radicals Scavenging Activity of Physalis alkekengi L. Polysaccharide

A crude polysaccharide was extracted from Physalis alkekengi L. fruit. HPLC was used for the component analysis of the polysaccharide. The results indicate that Physalis alkekengi L. polysaccharide（PAP） was composed of rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, galactose, and glucose. Free radicals scavenging activity of PAP was studied through 3 free radicals scavenging tests. PAP exhibited high scavenging effects on OH and DPPH radicals, and both the scavenging rates were about 80%. The scavenging rate of O2^- radical was about 22%.

Changes of free radicals and digestive enzymes in saliva in cases with deficiency inspleen-yin syndrome

Objective：To explore the nature of deficiency in spleen-yin syndrome,which could provide scientific theoretical support and practical guidance for clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）syndrome differentiation based on biology,and had a strong clinical significance.Methods：Serum Cu and Zn were detected by atomic absorption spectrophotometer,serum vitamin E by high performance liquid chromatography,serum vitamin C by 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine Colorimetry,total superoxide dismutase（SOD）and Cu and Zn- SOD by the xanthine oxidase method,and malondialdehyde（MDA）by the 2-thiobarbituric acid method（TBA）.Total antioxidant capacity was detected by a colorimetry kit.Amylase Activity was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer.Lysozyme was detected by lysozyme detection plate,the diameter of bacteriolysis circle was measured and the corresponding content of lysozyme was obtained from a table of standard curve values.Results： No significant difference in total SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD was found between deficiency in spleen-yin group and normal group.However,such factors in deficiency in kidney-yin group were significantly lower than the other groups（P〈0.05）.The MDA content in both deficiency in spleen-yin group and deficiency in kidney-yin group were significantly higher than that of normal group（P〈0.05）,while the total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower than normal group（P〈0.05）.The vitamin E content in deficiency in kidney-yin group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups（P〈0.05）.No significant difference in the contents of vitamin C,Cu and Zn were observed in these groups.The Zn/Cu level in deficiency in kidney-yin group and the vitamin E level in deficiency in spleen-yin group decreased,but with no significant difference.Amylase activity in unit time in cases with deficiency in spleen-yin was lower than and had significant differences with that in normal cases,and higher than that in cases with deficiency in kidney-yin.The sectional velocity of saliva and the ratio of lysozyme in normal case group were significantly higher than other two groups,while deficiency in the spleen-yin group was significantly higher than the deficiency in kidney-yin group.Conclusion：All the results indicated that the objective pathological mechanism between the deficiency in spleen-yin and deficiency in kidney-yin was different.

May Chronic Childhood Constipation Cause Oxidative Stress and Potential Free Radical Damage to Children?

Objective To investigate whether chronic childhood constipation (CCC) may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to children, and to explore the mechanisms by which CCC may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to chronic constipation patients (CCPs). Methods Sixty CCPs and sixty healthy child volunteers (HCVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched for the CCPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods. Results Compared with average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HCVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the CCPs group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Linear regression and bivariate correlation analysis showed that with prolonged course of the CCPs, the levels of VC and VE in plasma as well as the activities of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the CCPs were decreased gradually (P<0.0001). Conclusion The findings in the present study suggest that chronic childhood constipation causes oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to children with chronic constipation.

STUDIES ON FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY IN CHINESE SEAWEEDS PART I. SCREENING RESULTS

Antioxidants have attracted the attention of researchers due to their beneficial effects as free radical scavengers. Application of a stable free radical named 1,1 diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) to screen the free radical scavenging activity in 27 species of Chinese seaweed showed that 15 of them had significant activity in at least one of the organic solvent extracts. The most interesting seaweed species were Gelidium amansii, Gloiosiphonia capillaris, Polysiphonia urceolata, Sargassum kjellmanianum, Desmarestia viridis, and Rhodomela teres.

Phytochemical screening and free radical scavenging activity of Citrullus colocynthis seeds extracts

Objective:To study the phytochemical screening of different extracts from Citrullus colocynthis(C.colocynthis)seeds extracts and to assess their antioxidant activity on the DPPH free radical scavenging.Methods:Phytochemical screening,total content of polyphenols and flavonoids of C.colocynthis seeds extracts,including a crude aqueous extract(E1),a defatted aqueous extract(E2),a hydromethanolic extract(HM),an ethyl acetate extract(EA)and a n-butanol extract(n-B)was carried out according to the standard methods and to assess their corresponding effect on the antioxidant activity of this plant.Results:None of these extracts contained detectable amount of alkaloid,quinone,antraquinone,or reducing sugar.Catechic tannins and flavonoids were abundant in E1,MM and EA,whilst terpenoids were abundantly present in E1 and n-B but only weekly in HM.Coumarins were found in E2,EA and n-B.Polyphenols,expressed as gallic acid equivalent,amounted,per 100 g plant matter,to 329,1002 and 150 mg in EA,HM an E1 respectively.Flavonoids,expressed as catechin equivalent,amounted.per 100 g plant matter to 620,241 and 94 mg in EA,HM and E1 respectively.Comparable values were found in n-B and E1,with lower values in E2.Quercetin,myricetin and gallic acid were found in the EA and HM extracts by thin layer chromatography,The antioxidative effect of these extracts yielded,when tested at a concentration of 2000μg/mL in a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay,a reducing percentage of 88.8%with EA,74.5%with HM and 66.2%with E1,and corresponding IC_(50)of 350,580and 500μg/mL as compared to 1.1μg/mL for ascorbic acid.Conclusions:These qualitative and quantitative analytical data document the presence in C.colocynthis extracts of such chemical compounds as flavonoids responsible for the antioxidant activity,as well as other biological activities of this plant.

DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL CHIRAL IONIC LIQUIDS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE

Two new chiral ionic liquids, 1 -((-)-menthoxycarbonylmethylene)-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphateand 1-((-)-menthoxycarbonylmethylene)-3-hexadecylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, were designed an d prepared. Theirchemical structures were characterized by ~1H-NMR. Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate(MMA) in these two ionic liquids was carried out using AIBN/CuCl_2/bipy as the initiating system. The resultant well-definedpolymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was employed as a macroinitiator to induce the atom transfer radical polymerization ofmenthyl methacrylate (MnMA) in chlorobenzene, which yielded a PMMA-b-PMnMA diblock copolymer with narrow polydispersity.

Effect of Diazepam on the Contents of Amino Acids and Free Radical during Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The protective effect and mechanism of diazepam on ischemia neurons during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion were studied. Sixty three Wistar rats were divided randomly into nine groups: control group , ischemia groups including subgroups of is3h, is3 h/rep1 h, is3 h/rep2 h, is3 h/rep3 h, diazepam treated groups , including subgroups of is3 h, is3 h/rep1 h, is3 h/rep2 h, is3 h/rep3 h with Zea longa's animal model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The comparison between the ischemia group and diazepam treated group showed that diazepam could obviously decrease the production of glutamate, asparate, MDA and increase the synthesis and release of GABA, SOD and GSH PX. It was concluded that diazepam exerted its protective effects on neurons through complex mechanisms of regulating the synthesis and release of excitotary/inhibitory amino acids and free radicals.

Traditional Chinese medicine “Qing Yi Tang” alleviates oxygen free radical injury in acute necrotizing pancreatitis

AIM To observe the changes in oxygen free radical (OFR) and the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine 'Qing Yi Tang' in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).METHODS After induction of ANP by injection of sodium taurocholate into pancreatic duct, 16 dogs were randomly divided into control group and Chinese medicine group. Serum amylase, SOD and MDA were determined on postoperative day 1, 2, 4 and 7. The animals were sacrificed on day 7. SOD and MDA in organs were determined, and pathological changes in pancreas were observed.RESULTS As compared with control group, the serum level of amylase (734U/L vs 2783U/L) and MDA (7.8nmol/ml vs 14.8nmol/ml) in Chinese medicine group were decreased on day 7 (P＜0.05), while SOD increased significantly (281nU/ml vs 55nU/ml, P＜0.01), and similar changes occurred in MDA and SOD in organs, especially in the pancreas; the pathological changes in the pancreas were alleviated as well.CONCLUSION 'Qing Yi Tang' is effective in clearing OFRs and alleviating pathological changes in ANP.

Quantitative interpretation to the chain mechanism of free radical reactions in cyclohexane pyrolysis

Pyrolysis of cyclohexane was conducted with a plug flow tube reactor in the temperature range of 873-973 K. Based on the experimental data, the mechanism and kinetic model of cyclohexane pyrolysis reaction were proposed. The kinetic analysis shows that overall conversion of cyclohexane is a first order reaction, of which the rate constant increased from 0.0086 to 0.0225 to 0.0623 s-1 with the increase of temperature from 873 to 923 to 973 K, and the apparent activation energy was determined to be 155.0±1.0 kJ mol-1. The mechanism suggests that the cyclohexane is consumed by four processes：the homolysis of C-C bond （Path I）, the homolysis of C-H bond （Path II） in reaction chain initia- tion, the H-abstraction of various radicals from the feed molecules in reaction chain propagation （Path III）, and the process associated with coke formation （Path IV）. The reaction path probability （RPP） ratio of XPath I：XPath II ： XPath III ： XPath IV was 0.5420：0.0045：0.3897：0.0638 at 873 K, and 0.4336 ： 0.0061 ： 0.4885 ： 0.0718 at 973 K, respectively.

SYNTHESIS OF HETEROARM STAR-SHAPED POLYMER BY THE USE OF POLYFUNCTIONAL CHAIN-TRANSFER AGENT via CONVENTIONAL FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

Heteroarm star-shaped polymers were synthesized by conventional free radical polymerization in two steps by the use of polyfunctional chain transfer agent.In the first step,free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of a polyfunctional chain transfer agent,pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropinate).At appropriate monomer conversions,two-arm PMMA having two residual thiol groups at the chain center or three-arm PMMA having one residual thiol group at the core were o...

Anxiolytic and free radical scavenging potential of Chinese celery(Apium graveolens) extract in mice

Objective: To elucidate the anxiolytic and free radical scavenging effect of methanolic extract of Apium graveolens(A. graveolens) in adult C57BL/6 mice.Methods: Sixty male mice were divided into 6 groups: control, vehicle, positive control and A. graveolens(125, 250 and 500 mg/kg). Different behavioral models of elevated plus maze, open field, light/dark, hole-board and pentobarbital-induced sleep were used to assess anxiety-like behavior. Biochemical parameters including monoamine oxidase-A(MAO-A) activity, lipid peroxidation, % inhibition of superoxide anion and glutathione peroxidase activity were measured. Histologic studies were also examined.Results: Mice receiving various doses of A. graveolens(125, 250 and 500 mg/kg)showed an alleviation of anxiety-like behavior as evidenced by the battery of behavioral tests. Likewise, A. graveolens treatment was found to significantly decrease MAO-A activity, lipid peroxidation as well as cause a significant increase of % inhibition of superoxide anion and glutathione peroxidase activity in both cortex and striatum. The total number of survival neurons found in the frontal cortex and striatum was significantly higher than that of the vehicle-treated group.Conclusions: Taken together, we showed that A. graveolens improve the behavioral changes which might be related to the inhibition of free radicals and modulation of MAOA activity resulting in an increased number of survival neurons. Our findings suggest the therapeutic potential of A. graveolens in the treatment of anxiety.

Autooxidation Mechanism of Pyrogallol and Its Free Radical Effects Studied by Means of ESR,UV and NMR

Pyrogallol(pyrogallic acid)is easy to be autooxidized,forming a free radical under alkaline condition,but the mechanism has not been clear.The mechanism of the autooxidation of pyrogallol was studied with ESR,UV and NMR techniques and it was found that pyrogallol was autooxidized to a quinone radical under alkaline condition.And at the same time oxygen recieved an electron from the reaction to form superoxide anions,the hydroxyl free radical was then produced by HaberWeiss reaction.The oxygen free radicals generated from this process promoted the autooxidation of pyrogallol.

Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated PEO-b-PDMS-b-fluorinated PEO by free radical addition

Fluorinated poly（ethylene oxide） propyl-b-polydimethylsiloxane-b-propyl fluorinated poly（ethylene oxide） （FPEO-b-PDMS-b- FPEO） was synthesized by a free radical addition of carbon-hydrogen of polyether segments of poly（ethylene oxide） propyl-b- polydimethylsiloxane-b-propyl poty（ethylene oxide） （PEO-b-PDMS-b-PEO） to hexafluoropropylene （HFP） using tert-butyl peroxypivalate as an initiator. In order to reduce the possibility of side reaction, the protection and deprotection via silylation were used for the end-hydroxyls in PEO-b-PDMS-b-PEO chain. The structure of Intermediates and FPEO-b-PDMS-b-FPEO was confirmed by means of Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The effects of amount of initiator, reaction temperature and time on free radical addition were investigated in detail. 2009 Xing Yuan Zhang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

In vitro evaluation of anti-acetylcholinesterase and free radical scavenging potential of leaf extracts of some selected medicinal plants

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical present in various solvent extracts from leaves of Ocimum sanctum(L.), Swertia chirayita(L.), Butea monosperma(Lam.) and Stevia rebaudiana(Bert.) as well as antioxidant and anticholinergic activities employing different in vitro models. Methods: Total phenol content of diethyl ether, chloroform and methanolic extracts obtained from leaves of different medicinal plants was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau's spectrophotometric method. Moreover, antioxidant and anticholinergic studies were conducted by four different in vitro methods which included diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbezoline-6-sulphonic acid), reducing activity by ferrous reduced antioxidant power and anti-acetylcholinesterase assay, in order to ensure pharmacological potential of the plants. Results: The methanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum showed the highest total phenol content which was(21.13±1.04) GAE/g DW and antioxidant activities compared to other plants with the IC50 value of 40.43 μg/mL in diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and 53.5 μg/mL in 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbezoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay as well as metal ion reduced by(78.22±0.38) TE/g DW in ferrous reduced antioxidant power assay. The inhibition percentage of the anti-acetylcholinesterase assay was(94.22±0.26)%. Conclusions: The results of our current study show that Ocimum sanctum leaf is the most significant source of phytochemicals that possesses antioxidant and anticholinergic properties. However, further investigation on isolation and characterization of active compound which is responsible for the pharmacological potential is needed.

Chemical composition and free radicals restraining activity of extracts from three Manglietia species leaves

The extracts from leaves of Manglietia insignis （Wall） Blume, Manglietia chingii Dandy and Manglietia yuyuanensis Law were prepared by organic solvent extraction and their components were analyzed by GC/MS and quantified. Meanwhile, the free radicals restraining activities were detected. The 21 compounds in M. insignis, 36 compounds in M. chigii and 20 compounds in M. yuyuanensis were identified. There were 11 common components in the extracts from three Manglietia species, and 12 components in two Manglietia species. The results of relative contents of every component in three extracts showed that the main constituents of M. insignis were terpenoids and alkene, amounting to 38.93%, followed by alkane （28.18%）, the nitrogen containing compounds （15.73%） and aromatic compounds （7.23 %）. The main constituents of leaf extract from M. chingii were the terpenoids and alkene, carboxylic acid, alkane and aromatic compounds, amounting to 30.22%, 14.17%, 13.87% and 13.29%, respectively, The main constituents of M. yuyuanensis were alcohol compounds, the terpenoids and alkene, and aromatic compounds, amounting to 28.00%, 25.38% and 18.00% respectively. The results showed that the three extracts had strong function of restraining oxygen free radicals. The ultra oxygen anions activity was restrained at the highest level, when the three extracts were diluted by hundred-fold, whereas the restraining capacity of hydroxyl free radicals reached maximum, when the three extracts were diluted by twenty-fold. The above results provide scientific evidences for further approaching the ecological healthy function of three MangUetia species

Effects of Longyanshen polysaccharides on free radical metabolism in senescence accelerated-prone mice

BACKGROUND： Along with aging, antioxidase activity decreases and oxygen-derived free radicals greatly accumulate, resulting in cellular senescence, or even cell death. This is manifested by hypomnesia and disordered metabolism of free radicals. Studies have reported that Longyanshen polysaccharides have the function of antioxidation and improved brain memory. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of Longyanshen polysaccharides on free radical metabolism in brain tissue to verify the anti-aging mechanisms in senescence accelerated-prone （SAMP8） mice. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The randomized, controlled, biochemical experiment was performed in the Department of Pharmacology and Scientific Experimental Center of Guangxi Medical University （China） from September 2005 to January 2008. MATERIALS： Forty SAMP8 mice were randomized into four groups： SAMP8 control group, as well as low-, mid-, and high-dose polysaccharide, with 10 mice in each group. Ten senescence accelerated-resistantprone （SAMR 1） mice served as the normal control group. Longyanshen polysaccharides, extracted from the medical plant Longyanshen, were supplied by the Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University Superoxide dismutase （SOD）, glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）, malonaldehyde （MDA）, nitric oxide （NO）, and total protein test kitwere purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute （China）. METHODS： SAMP8 mice were used to establish a dementia animal model. SAMP8 and SAMR1 control mice were administered 30 mL/kg saline. The low-, middle-, and high-dose polysaccharide groups were administered 45, 90, and 180 mg/kg Longyanshen polysaccharides, respectively. Each group was treated by intragastric administration, once daily, for 50 continuous days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： One hour after the last administration, mouse brain tissues were collected, and retro orbital blood sampling was performed. Spectrophotometry was used to measure SOD and GSH-Px activity, as well as MDA and NO concentration in sera and brains of SAMP8 mice. RESULTS： SOD and GSH-Px activity decreased significantly, and MDA and NO concentration increased significantly, in SAMP8 control group brain tissues, compared with the SAMP1 control group （P 〈 0.05）. Compared with the SAMP8 control group, Longyanshen polysaccharide-treated groups exhibited enhanced SOD and GSH-Px activity, as well as decreased MDA and NO concentration, in serum and brain tissue （P 〈 0.05）. Longyanshen polysaccharides exerted a similar effect on SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, and NO concentrations in serum and brain tissues of SAMP8 mice. CONCLUSION： Longyanshen polysaccharides scavenged free radicals effectively, reduced NO concentration and ameliorated NO toxicity, thereby influenced aging and stress, as well as improving memory capacity in the brain.