Anticancer Activities of Substituted Cinnamic Acid Phenethyl Esters on Human Cancer Cell Lines

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and sixteen substituted cinnamic acid phenethyl esters were prepared via conventional procedures in order to test their in vitro anticancer activities by either MTT assay or SRB assay on six different human cancer cell lines. The results indicated that in the concentration of 10 μmol·L -1 the lead compound CAPE possessed anticancer activities against human HL 60, Bel 7402, and Hela cell lines, and two other compounds possessed potent anticancer activities against Bel 7402 and Hela cell lines.

Effects of Exogenous Cinnamic Acids on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Cucumber Seedlings

In order to study the effects of exogenous cinnamic acids on plant growth, contents of photosynthetic pigment, root activities and ATPase activities of root membrane at cucumber seedling stage, the seedlings of Shandong Mici cucumber were tested. The results showed that seedlings growth, contents of photosynthetic pigment, root activities and ATPase activities of root membrane were inhibited by cinnamic acids. The growth and root activities of seedlings were significantly （P〈0.05） lower in the soil amended with 100 mg kg^-1 cinnamic acids compared to the control. The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a＋b and carotenoid of seedlings significantly （P〈0.05） decreased in the soil amended with 200 mg kg^-1 cinnamic acids, whereas ATPase activities exhibited a higher sensitivity and greatly decreased in the soil amended with 50 mg kg^-1 cinnamic acids. These results suggested that cinnamic acids could induce a stress condition, and the stress intensities increased with enhanced cinnamic acid concentration.

Caffeic acid hinders the proliferation and migration through inhibition of IL-6 mediated JAK-STAT-3 signaling axis in human prostate cancer

Background:Caffeic acid(CA)is considered a promising phytochemical that has inhibited numerous cancer cell proliferation.Therefore,it is gaining increasing attention due to its safe and pharmacological applications.In this study,we investigated the role of CA in inhibiting the Interleukin-6(IL-6)/Janus kinase(JAK)/Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3(STAT-3)mediated suppression of the proliferation signaling in human prostate cancer cells.Materials and Methods:The role of CA in proliferation and colony formation abilities was studied using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay and colony formation assays.Tumour cell death and cell cycle arrest were identified usingflow cytometry techniques.CA treatment-associated protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)families,IL-6/JAK/STAT-3,proliferation,and apoptosis protein expressions in PC-3 and LNCaP cell lines were measured using Western blot investigation.Results:We have obtained that treatment with CA inhibits prostate cancer cells(PC-3 and LNCaP)proliferation and induces reactive oxygen species(ROS),cell cycle arrest,and apoptosis cell death in a concentration-dependent manner.Moreover,CA treatment alleviates the expression phosphorylated form of MAPK families,i.e.,extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1(ERK1),c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),and p38 in PC-3 cells.IL-6 mediated JAK/STAT3 expressions regulate the proliferation and antiapoptosis that leads to prostate cancer metastasis and migration.Therefore,to mitigate the expression of IL-6/JAK/STAT-3 is considered an important target for the treatment of prostate cancer.In this study,we have observed that CA inhibits the expression of IL-6,JAK1,and phosphorylated STAT-3 in both PC-3 and LNCaP cells.Due to the inhibitory effect of IL-6/JAK/STAT-3,it resulted in decreased expression of cyclin-D1,cyclin-D2,and CDK1 in both PC-3 cells.In addition,CA induces apoptosis by enhancing the expression of Bax and caspase-3;and decreased expression of Bcl-2 in prostate cancer cells.Conclusions:Thus,CA might act as a therapeutical application against prostate cancer by targeting the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling axis.

Calcium-Magnesium Ca/Mg Ratios and Their Agronomic Implications for the Optimization of Phosphate Fertilization in Rainfed Rice Farming on Acidic Ferralsol in the Forest Zone of Ivory Coast

This study is a contribution to improving rice productivity on acidic plateau soils of the tropical rainforest zone. It is based on taking into account the cationic balances of the soil in order to optimize the phosphorus (P) nutrition of rice on these acidic soils, where this nutrient constitutes a limiting factor for agricultural production. Three (3) pot trials were conducted in Adiopodoumé in the forested south of Côte d’Ivoire. The interactive effects of calcium carbonate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Ca ha−1) and magnesium sulfate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Mg ha−1) were evaluated on the response of NERICA 5 rice at doses 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg P ha−1 of natural phosphate from Togo, applied only once at the start of the experiment. Additional fertilizers of nitrogen (N) (100 kg N ha−1) and potassium (K) (50 kg KCl ha−1) were added to each of the tests in a split-plot device. The test results revealed a paddy production potential of approximately 3 to 5 t⋅ha−1 for NERICA 5 on an acidic soil, under the effect of the interaction of P, Ca and Mg. The quadratic response of rice yield to the doses of these fertilizers would be more dependent on their balance, itself influenced by Ca nutrition. For the sustainability and maintenance of rice production in agro-ecology studied, it was recommended doses of 38 kg Ca ha−1, 34 kg Mg ha−1 in a Ca/Mg ratio (1/1) with intakes of 41 kg P ha−1, overall in a ratio 1/1/1 (P/Ca/Mg) more favorable to the availability of free iron considered a guiding element of mineral nutrition. Thus, these promising results should be confirmed in a real environment for better management of the fertilization of rice cultivated on acidic plateau soils in Côte d’Ivoire.

HPLC Determination of Harpagoside and Cinnamic Acid in Radix Scrophulariae

A gradient HPLC method was established for the determination of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in Radix Scrophulariae (Xuanshen) and a proposition was put forward for the lowest content of the characteristic and active constituent (harpagoside) for qualified Radix Scrophulariae. The experimental conditions were as follows: Ultrasphere ODS column (250 mm 4.6 mm, 5 mm), mobile phase: acetonitrile-water (containing 1.0% acetic acid) (20:8050:50) (20 min), flow-rate 1 mLmin-1, room temperature, detection wavelength 278 nm. Twenty-eight samples of Xuan-shen (Radix Scrophulariae) from different districts of China were analyzed and the contents of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in Xuan-shen were 0.041~0.244% and 0.012~0.068% respectively. The recoveries (RSD)% were 97.13(0.80)% for harpagoside and 99.38(0.51)% for cinnamic acid. The method is simple and accurate. It can be used for the quality control of Radix Scrophulariae. We propose that the content of harpagoside in qualified Radix Scrophularia should be no less than 0.05%.

Determination of Plasma Concentration of Cinnamic Acid by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Its Pharmacokinetics in Rats after Oral Administration of Zi-Shen Pill

Aim To develop a simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographicmethod for determination of plasma concentration of cinnamic acid and pharmacokinetic study in ratsafter a single oral dose of traditional Chinese medicinal preparation Zi-Shen pill. Method Plasmasamples were acidified with hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate . Cinnamic acid wasdetermined by HPLC using a G_(18) column. A mobile phase ofmethanbl-acetonitrile-water-triethyl-amine (7:22:73 = 0.2, V/V), with the pH adjusted to 4.0 withphosphoric acid, and with a UV detector set at 340 nm. Results The standard curve was linear overthe range of 1.92- 192.0 μg·mL^(-1). The LLOQ was 1.92 μg·mL^(-1) . The RSDs of within-day andbetween-day precision were < 8%. The mean recovery was 82.0% . Conclusion After validation, themethpd has been used to investigate the pharmacokinetic profiles of the traditional Chinesemedicinal preparation Zi-Shen pill.

酪氨酸激酶抑制剂对cyclopiazoni cacid引起的大鼠主动脉血管环收缩效应的影响

目的 探讨酪氨酸激酶在Ca2 +池操纵性Ca2 +内流中的作用。方法 记录大鼠胸主动脉环收缩反应。结果 ①不同剂量酪氨酸激酶抑制剂 genistein (1～ 10 0 μmol·L-1)和tyrphostin 2 5 (Tyr 2 5 ,1～ 30 μmol·L-1)均以浓度依赖性抑制cyclopiazonicacid (CPA)引起的平滑肌收缩平台期。Tyr 2 5的最大作用浓度为 10 μmol·L-1,抑制率为 42 %±11%。② 10 μmol·L-1Tyr 2 5和 1μmol·L-1nifedipine(Nif)对CPA引起电压依赖性Ca2 +通道 (VDCC)开放过程的抑制作用存在部分交叉。③ 1μmol·L-1Nif预处理阻断VDCC作用后 ,10 μmol·L-1Tyr 2 5只能部分阻断CPA引起的Ca2 +池操纵性Ca2 +通道 (SOCC)开放过程 ,再加入 6 0 μmol·L-1SK&F96 36 5可完全阻断SOCC的开放过程。结论 CPA引起平滑肌的收缩过程中 。

Effects of Calcium and Jasmonic Acid on CBF Expression in Spinach

[Objective] This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of calcium and Jasmonic acid（JA） on the expression of CBF in spinach. [Methods] The seedlings of spinach were treated with low temperature （4 ℃）, JA or A23187, then used for detecting the expression of CBF by northern blotting. [Results] The results showed that the CBF expression was regulated by low temperature and JA positively. [Conclusions] Low temperature may increase the JA content of the cell firstly, then JA induced the increase of cytosolic calcium concentration （[Ca2＋]cyt）, and the JA induced Ca2＋ transmitted the low temperature signal through CaM or CaM related proteins, regulating the CBF expression.

IP_3 Sensitive Calcium Channel Involved in the Jasmonic Acid Induced Calcium Mobilization

[Objective] This study was to investigate the role of IP3 sensitive calcium channel in the JA-induced calcium mobilization pathway.[Method] Arabidopsis thaliana leaves were labeled by Fluorescent probe Fluo-3/AM under low temperature at 4 ℃ to measure the fluorescent intensity of intracellular Ca2＋ which was pretreated with heparin on jasmonic acid（JA）-induced.[Results] When A.thaliana leaf cells were pretreated with 10,50 or 100 ng/ml heparin,intercellular free Ca2＋ fluorescence intensity was reduced in comparison with negative control.Once the heparin-pretreated A.thaliana leaf cells were stimulated with 100 μmol/L JA,intercellular Ca2＋ fluorescence intensity increased gradually and tended to be stable at a degree equivalent with that in negative control.[Conclusion] The experiment showed that the pretreatment with heparin could inhibit the increase of the intracellular Ca2＋ concentration significantly which JA-induced in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana.

富里酸和Ca^(2+)共存对嗜酸性氧化亚铁硫杆菌介导生成次生高铁矿物的影响

为揭示富里酸和Ca^(2+)共存对嗜酸性氧化亚铁硫杆菌(Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans)氧化酸性矿山废水(AMD)中的Fe^(2+)和形成次生高铁矿物的影响,分析了pH、Fe^(2+)氧化率、铁沉淀率以及次生高铁矿物矿相、基团等相关指标。结果表明,Ca^(2+)确实具有提高嗜酸性氧化亚铁硫杆菌氧化Fe^(2+)的能力。低质量浓度(0.2 g/L)的富里酸对嗜酸性氧化亚铁硫杆菌活性的提高具有促进作用,高质量浓度(0.4 g/L)的富里酸具有抑制作用,而增加Ca^(2+)反过来能够减弱高浓度富里酸对嗜酸性氧化亚铁硫杆菌的抑制作用。对形成的次生高铁矿物进行X射线衍射(XRD)和傅立叶红外光谱(FTIR)分析,结果表明高浓度富里酸促进了另一次生高铁矿物草黄铁矾的生成。

氟碳铈矿除Ca、Si制备脱硝催化剂及其脱硝性能的研究

包头混合稀土精矿是氟碳铈矿(CeCO_(3)F)和独居石(CePO_(4))的共生矿物,结构复杂,难以分解,且Ca、Si杂质嵌布在矿物表面,影响了稀土矿物的脱硝活性,因此在使用天然矿物作为催化剂之前,有必要对其进行除杂预处理。采用酸浸固氟焙烧方案将氟碳铈矿制成脱硝催化剂,具体工艺为:第一步,HCl除Ca,HCl浓度为6mol/L,氟碳铈矿与NaCl(固氟剂)质量比为1∶5,混合并搅拌12h后于500℃下焙烧2h;第二步,HF除Si,HF浓度为13mol/L,除Ca后粉末与NaCl质量比为1∶5,混合并搅拌12h后于500°C下焙烧2h。氟碳铈矿除Ca、Si后制备的催化剂中Ca含量降至1.85%,Si含量降至0.17%,稀土元素含量相比原矿提高了约22%。氟碳铈矿除Ca、Si后,表面形成了发达的孔结构,比表面积增大,活性元素增多,且部分Ce的价态由+3价转变为+4价,还形成了晶格氧,这些组织结构的变化为催化剂脱硝过程提供了更多的氧化还原中心,使得催化剂脱硝性能显著提高。因此,用除杂后的氟碳铈矿作脱硝催化剂比直接用天然矿物具有更大的优势。

Effects of Cinnamic Acid on Bacterial Community Diversity in Rhizosphere Soil of Cucumber Seedlings Under Salt Stress

To investigate the effects of a plant autotoxin, cinnamic acid, on bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil of cucumber seedlings under salt stress, we used cucumber as the experimental material, cinnamic acid as the autotoxin, and NaCl to apply salt stress. Bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）, and clone sequencing. Salt stress decreased the diversity of bacterial species in rhizosphere soil of cucumber seedlings at several growth stages. Cinnamic acid exacerbated the effects of salt stress at high concentrations, but alleviated its effects at low concentrations. Cloning and sequencing results indicated that DGGE bands amplified from soil samples showed high homology to uncultured bacterial species. Cinnamic acid at 50 mg kg^-1 soil improved cucumber growth and was the most effective treatment to alleviate the effects of salt stress on bacterial communities.

RP-HPLC Determination and Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Cinnamic Acid in Rat Plasma After Administration of Di-Gu-Pi Decoction and Pure Cinnamic Acid

A sensitive, simple, and accurate method was developed for the determination and pharmacokinetic comparison of cinnamic acid in rat plasma after the administration of a Traditional Chinese Medicinal preparation, Di-Gu-Pi decoction, and pure cinnamic acid using RP-HPLC. Di-Gu-Pi was extracted with 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate, which was followed by purification with ion exchange column chromatography. The plasma samples taken from rats were deproteinized with methanol. The reversed-phase （HPLC） system with a Diamonsil C18 column and methanol-acetonitfile-water （8： 32： 60, volume ratio） （adjusted to pH = 3.0 with glacial acetic acid） as the mobile phase was employed for the separation of cinnamic acid in the plasma samples. The detection was set at 272 nm and 3-（p-fluoro-phenyl）-2-propenoic acid was chosen as the internal standard. The calibration curve was linear in a range from 0. 10 to 25.0μg/mL （R2 = 0. 9988, n = 9）. The precision was 3.42%-10. 10%; the between-day precision was 2. 84%-8.91% ; the accuracy was - 1.51%-1.26% ; the mean recovery was 99. 9%. The method was found to be sensitive, simple, accurate and appropriate for the determination of cinnamic acid.

Synthesis and Characterization of Rare Earth Tesnary Complexes with Cinnamic Acid and O-Phenanthroline

Thirteen solid rare earth tesnary complexes with cinnamic acid C 6H 5CH=CHCOOH, HL and o phenanthroline (phen), RE(phen)L 3 were synthesized. Their IR absorption spectra, molar conductance, TG DTA, X ray power diffraction analysis and fluorescence spectra were studied. The results show that all coordination compounds are oxidized and decomposed around 400 ℃ to 540 ℃. They are all crystalline material. The fluorescence spectra indicate that the fluorescence emission intensity of Eu(phen)L 3 is the highest among them.

Synthesis of a magnetic-separated chitosan-palladium complex and its catalytic activity in the reaction of acrylic acid with iodobenzene

A magnetic-separated catalyst of chitosan-palladium complex （Fe3O-CS-Pd） based on chitosan coated Fe3O4 microspheres was prepared by the ＂bottom-up＂ approach. The catalytic behavior of the catalyst in the cross coupling reaction of acrylic acid （AA） with iodobenzene （ArI） was investigated. Compared with the traditional homogeneous palladium catalysts, the catalyst was easily separated and reused.

Effect of electroacupuncture on glial fibrillary acidic protein and nerve growth factor in the hippocampus of rats with hyperlipidemia and middle cerebral artery thrombus

Electroacupuncture(EA)has been shown to reduce blood lipid level and improve cerebral ischemia in rats with hyperlipemia complicated by cerebral ischemia.However,there are few studies on the results and mechanism of the effect of EA in reducing blood lipid level or promoting neural repair after stroke in hyperlipidemic subjects.In this study,EA was applied to a rat model of hyperlipidemia and middle cerebral artery thrombosis and the condition of neurons and astrocytes after hippocampal injury was assessed.Except for the normal group,rats in other groups were fed a high-fat diet throughout the whole experiment.Hyperlipidemia models were established in rats fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks.Middle cerebral artery thrombus models were induced by pasting 50%FeCl3 filter paper on the left middle cerebral artery for 20 minutes on day 50 as the model group.EA1 group rats received EA at bilateral ST40(Fenglong)for 7 days before the thrombosis.Rats in the EA1 and EA2 groups received EA at GV20(Baihui)and bilateral ST40 for 14 days after model establishment.Neuronal health was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining in the brain.Hyperlipidemia was assessed by biochemical methods that measured total cholesterol,triglyceride,low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein in blood sera.Behavioral analysis was used to confirm the establishment of the model.Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and nerve growth factor in the hippocampal CA1 region.The results demonstrated that,compared with the model group,blood lipid levels significantly decreased,glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was significantly weakened and nerve growth factor immunoreactivity was significantly enhanced in the EA1 and EA2 groups.The repair effect was superior in the EA1 group than in the EA2 group.These findings confirm that EA can reduce blood lipid,inhibit glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and promote nerve growth factor expression in the hippocampal CA1 region after hyperlipidemia and middle cerebral artery thrombosis.All experimental procedures and protocols were approved by the Animal Use and Management Committee of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,China(approval No.BUCM-3-2018022802-1002)on April 12,2018.

18β-glycyrrhetinic Acid-induced Apoptosis and Relation with Intracellular Ca^2＋ Release in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Objective:To study the effects of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) on proliferation inhibition, apop totic induction, and the relationship between GA-induced apoptosis and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cells. Methods: After MCF-7 cells were treated with GA at the concentrations from 50 μmol/L to 250 μmol/L for 24 h, cell viability of proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. After the cells were treated with 100 μmol/L, 150 μmol/L, and 200 μmol/L GA for 24 h, the rates of cell apoptosis were examined by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling method and flow cytometry with Annexin V/propidium iodide fluorescent stain. After the cells treated with 150 μmol/L GA for 24 h, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured by Fure-2 fluorescein load method. Results: After the cells were treated with GA at the concentrations from 100 μmol/L to 250 μmol/L, the rates of proliferative inhibition were increased significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.01) in a dose dependent fashion. IC50 of the proliferation inhibition was 234.33 μmol/L. Treated with 100 μmol/L, 150 μmol/L, and 200 μmol/L, the rates of cell apoptosis were increased significantly (P<0.01). Intracellular Ca2+ concentration after treatment with GA was higher evidently than that of control (P<0.05). Conclusion: 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid has the effects of the proliferation inhibition and the apoptotic induction on MCF-7 cells. The rise of intracellular Ca2+ level may be depended on apoptosis induced by GA in MCF-7 cells.

Targeted mutagenesis of amino acid transporter genes for rice quality improvement using the CRISPR/Cas9 system

High grain protein content(GPC) reduces rice eating and cooking quality(ECQ). We generated OsAAP6 and OsAAP10 knockout mutants in three high-yielding japonica varieties and one japonica line using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Mutation efficiency varied with genetic background in the T_0 generation, and GPC in the T_1 generation decreased significantly,owing mainly to a reduction in glutelin content. Amylose content was down-regulated significantly in some Osaap6 and all Osaap10 mutants. The increased taste value of these mutants was supported by Rapid Visco Analysis(RVA) profiles, which showed higher peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity and lower setback viscosity than the wild type. There were no significant deficiencies in agronomic traits of the mutants. Targeted mutagenesis of OsAAP6 and OsAAP10, especially OsAAP10, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system can rapidly reduce GPC and improve ECQ of rice, providing a new strategy for the breeding cultivars with desired ECQ.

A 3D Homochiral Mn(Ⅱ) Coordination Polymer Based on the Ligand 2,2'-(Ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)) Dicinnamic Acid

A 3D homochiral coordination polymer [Mn（edca）]n（1） was synthesized from a flexible coupled cinnamic acid ligand, 2,2？-（ethane-1,2-diylbis（oxy）） dicinnamic acid（H_2 edca） and MnCl_2×4 H_2 O under solvothermal conditions. The complex crystallizes in orthorhombic, space group P2_12_12_1 with a = 5.5785（8）, b = 13.0393（18）, c = 23.133（3） A, V = 1682.7（4） A^3, M_r = 407.27, D_c = 1.608 Mg/cm^3, F（000） = 836, Z = 4, the final R = 0.0240 and wR = 0.0590 for 2983 observed reflections（I 〉 2σ（I））. In 1, the edca2＋ anions alternately bridge the Mn（Ⅱ） cations to form one-dimensional（1 D） infinite helical chains of [Mn（edca）]n, which are further connected by the ligands generating a three-dimensional（3D） homochiral network. The photoluminescence of 1 was also investigated in solid state at ambient temperature.