The Clausena lansium genome provides new insights into alkaloid diversity and the evolution of the methyltransferase family

Wampee(Clausena lansium)is an important evergreen fruit tree native to southern China that has a long history of use for medicinal purposes.Here,a chromosome-level genome of C.lansium was constructed with a genome size of 282.9 Mb and scaffold N50 of 30.75 Mb.The assembled genome contains 48.70%repetitive elements and 24,381 protein-coding genes.Comparative genomic analysis showed that C.lansium diverged from Aurantioideae 15.91-24.95 million years ago.Additionally,some expansive and specific gene families related to methyltransferase activity and S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase activity were also identified.Further analysis indicated that N-methyltransferase(NMT)is mainly involved in alkaloid biosynthesis and O-methyltransferase(OMT)participates in the regulation of coumarin accumulation in wampee.This suggested that wampee's richness in alkaloids and coumarins might be due to the gene expansions of NMT and OMT.The tandem repeat event was one of the major reasons for the NMT expansion.Hence,the reference genome of C.lansium will facilitate the identification of some useful medicinal compounds from wampee resources and reveal their biosynthetic pathways.

Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Alkaloid Biosynthesis Gene Family in Dendrobium catenatum

As one of the main active components of Dendrobium catenatum, alkaloids have high medicinal value. The physicochemicalproperties, conserved domains and motifs, phylogenetic analysis, and cis-acting elements of the genefamily members in the alkaloid biosynthesis pathway of D. catenatum were analyzed by bioinformatics, and theexpression of the genes in different years and tissues was analyzed by qRT-PCR. There are 16 gene families,including 25 genes, in the D. catenatum alkaloid biosynthesis pathway. The analysis of conserved domains andmotifs showed that the types, quantities, and orders of domains and motifs were similar among members ofthe same family, but there were significant differences among families. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that thegene family members showed some evolutionary conservation. Cis-acting element analysis revealed that therewere a large number of light-responsive elements and MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog)-related elements in these genes. qRT-PCR showed that expressions of gene family members involved in alkaloidsynthesis were different in different years and tissues of D. catenatum. This study provides a theoretical basisfor further exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of these genes in the alkaloid biosynthesis of D. catenatum.

Study of the Effectiveness of Papaver Sp. Alkaloids as Future Therapeutic Alternatives against Enterococcus Sp. Causing Hospital-Acquired Septicemic Infections

Background and Objective: In recent years, control of Enterococcus sp. It has been proven in the local medical environment to be a cause of acquired septicemia in various age groups, and medical instruments are considered an effective means of transmitting enterococcal septicemia, and catheters are at the forefront in terms of danger. Based on this risk, this study aimed to monitor the spread of Enterococcus sp., which causes blood poisoning acquired from catheters, and to compare its response to antibiotics with that of those isolated from clinical samples in children, as a first study locally. The effectiveness of alkaloids of different types of Papaver sp. In Syrian plants, they were tested against infection with this bacteria. Materials and Methods: The study dealt with two parts: The first part included collecting clinical samples from the University Children’s Hospital in Damascus/bacterial diagnostic laboratories/then isolating and diagnosing the bacteria by following a set of tests to identify the most prevalent genera and species and comparing their prevalence rate with Enterococcus. The second part;It included collecting plant samples, confirming the species taxonomically, then extracting alkaloids from plant parts (fruit, stem, Flowers), then comparing the extent of resistance of bacterial strains to antibiotics compared to the Enterococcus sp., and then confirming the antibacterial activity of the Papaver sp. alkaloids against Enterococcus sp. Result:In its first part, the study confirmed the significant contribution of the Enterococcus sp. to infections acquired from various sources, largely in catheter tip infections (9.09%) and to a lesser extent in other sources (3.7%), The second part was to confirm the effective-ness of the alkaloid extract of the Papaver sp., especially the two species Papaver syriacum, and Papaver dubium, against Enterococcus sp. with areole diameters that ranged between (15 - 26 mm) for the fruit extract and at a minimum inhibitory concentration (3.12 - 6.25 mml) and then the stem (5 - 20 mm). And the effectiveness of the Flowers extract is very weak to almost non-existent. Conclusions: The catheter and medical sources surrounding the patient constitute a dangerous source of multi-resistant Enterococcus sp., which poses a real threat to the lives of children, with new mechanisms represented by colonization of the skin and the ability to form biofilms Surfaces of medical instruments, with are resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. As an alternative and effective modern source to limit its spread in the future, the alkaloid extract of the fruits and stems of the wild Papaver sp. has proven a strong antibiotic effect, especially the two types: Papaver syriacum and Papaver dubium.

Synergistic effect of pinellia total alkaloids and uncaria total alkaloids on anticonvulsant action in mice and rats

Aim To investigate the synergistic effect of the combination of pinellia total alkaloid （PTA） and uncaria total alkaloid （UTA）, and explore the mechanism of anticonvulsant action. Methods Anticonvulsant and toxic effect profiles of combinations of PTA with UTA, alone and at three fixed ratios of 1：4, 1 ：1, 4：1, were evaluated in maximal electroshock （MES）-induced seizures and acute toxicity test in mice. Respective ED50 and LD50 were calculated with Bliss＇s method. Their synergistic effect were evaluated by isobolographic analysis and allowed the determination of benefit indices （BI） for respective combinations. The model of convulsive rats kindled by penicillin topically injected into cortex was used to investigated the content of Glu, Asp, Gly and GABA in hippocampus using high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. Results Combinations of PTA and UTA at the ratio of 4：1 were synergistic in MES test and antagonistic in acute toxicity test, showing the best profile for combinations of PTA with UTA. In contrast, the ratios of 1 ：4 and 1 ： 1, despite synergistic in MES test, were additive in acute toxicity test. The 4：1 combination and two drugs alone significantly decreased Glu level and increased GABA level in the hippocampus, but the GABA level in the 4：1 combination group was higher than that in the two drugs alone groups. They did not have significant influence on the levels of ASp and Gly. Conclusion Combinations of PTA and UTA at 4：1 ratio demonstrated synergistic effect in anticonvulsant action and antagonistic effect in toxicity. The anticonvulsant mechanism might be related to decreasing the excitability of Glutamatergic neurons and increasing the inhibition of GABAergic neurons.

Two Phenanthroindolizidine Alkaloids from Tylophora atrofolliculata

Two alkaloids tylophoridicine D (1) and tylophoridicine E (2) have been isolated from Tylophora atrofolliculata. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spect -roscopic analysis.

Two Novel Hydroperoxylated Lycopodium Alkaloids from Huperzia serrata

Two novel hydroperoxylated Lycopodium alkaloids, 11alpha-hydroperoxyphlegmariurine B (1) and 7-hydroperoxyphlegmariurine B (2), along with a known compound, phlegmanurine B (3), were isolated from the total alkaloid fraction of the Chinese medicinal herb Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.

Isolation and Identification of Eleven Tertiary Alkaloidsin Corydalis decumbens

Eleven tertiarv alkaloids were isolated from Corvdalis decumbens rhizome Their structures were identified as protopine(Ⅶ),allocryptopine(Ⅷ),cryptopine (Ⅸ),muramine(ⅩⅦ);(+)-tetrahydropalmatine(Ⅲ),(+)-kikemanine (Ⅳ),(一)-scoulerine (ⅩⅧ),(十)-bulbo- capnine (ⅩⅨ),and(一)一capnoidine(Ⅰ),(一)一bicuculline(Ⅴ),(+) coriumidine(ⅩⅣ), respecti vely。 Among these,cryptopine,muramine,(+)-kikemanine,(-)-scoulerine,(一)capnoidine,(一)一bicuculline were isolated for the first time from this plant

Insecticidal Activities of Alkaloids Extracted from Poisonous Plants

[Objective] Insecticidal activities of alkaloids extracted from 12 poisonous plants in Changbai Mountain were studied in the paper,to provide the basis for development and utilization of poisonous plants in Changbai Mountain.[Method] Leaf disc method was used to study the effects of alkaloids extracted from 12 poisonous plants on the growth and development of 3-5 instars of cabbage worm （Pieris rapae） and their antifeedant activities.[Result] The effects of alkaloids extracted from different poisonous plants on the growth and development of cabbage worm were also different.Five treatments of alkaloids extracted from Sophora flavescens,Datura stramonium L.,Arisaema amurense Maxim.,Veratum dahuricum Loes.and Tripterygium regelii Spragne et Takeda made the weight of test insects gradually decrease and finally die;the alkaloid treatments of Pueraria lobata （Willd.） Ohwi,Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb.,Cimicifuga dahurica （Turcz.） Maxim.and Corydalis ambigua Schleeht.could make cabbage worm pupate ahead of time,but the pupa state was deformed;the antifeedant rates of cabbage worm after the treatments of P.lobata,A.kusnezoffii,C.dahurica,A.amurense,V.dahuricum and C.ambigua for 48 h were all over 90%,and the antifeedant rates of C.dahurica and C.ambigua were the highest as 100%.[Conclusion]The reports on the insecticidal activities of five poisonous plants including P.lobata,A.kusnezoffii,C.dahurica,C.ambigua and A.amurense are rare,and they have important values on the development of botanical pesticides.

Kiridine, A C18-Diterpene Alkaloid from Aconitum kirinense

Kiridine, a new C18-diterpenoid alkaloid, was isolated from the roots of Aconitum kirinense. Its structure was elucidated by MS, 1D- and 2D- NMR, and mono-crystal X-ray analysis. It is the first norditerpene alkaloid containing a 9,14-methylenedioxy group and the substituent at C-14 is (-configuration.

氧化苦参碱对牙周膜干细胞干性标志物表达和成骨分化的作用

背景:人牙周膜干细胞是牙周再生组织工程潜在的功能细胞,然而长期体外培养会导致牙周膜干细胞干性减低并发生复制性衰老,从而影响其治疗效果。目的:探讨氧化苦参碱在体外对牙周膜干细胞干性维持和骨向分化的影响,并寻找潜在的影响机制。方法:采用组织块酶消化法从人牙周膜组织中分离、培养得到牙周膜干细胞,并使用流式细胞仪进行间充质细胞表面标志物鉴定。用0,2.5,5,10μg/mL氧化苦参碱孵育牙周膜干细胞,通过CCK8实验检测氧化苦参碱对牙周膜干细胞增殖活性的影响,筛选后续实验合适的药物质量浓度,采用Western blot检测牙周膜干细胞中干细胞非特异性蛋白SOX2和OCT4的表达,采用qRT-PCR、Western blot检测牙周膜干细胞中成骨相关基因和蛋白表达水平。结果与结论:①CCK8实验结果显示2.5μg/mL氧化苦参碱对牙周膜干细胞增殖活性有显著增强作用,后续实验选用2.5μg/mL氧化苦参碱进行干预;②与空白对照组相比,氧化苦参碱组牙周膜干细胞的干性标志物SOX2蛋白表达水平变化不明显(P>0.05),OCT4蛋白表达明显上调(P<0.05);③与成骨诱导组相比,氧化苦参碱+成骨诱导组牙周膜干细胞成骨相关基因ALP、RUNX2 mRNA表达及成骨相关蛋白ALP蛋白表达明显下调(P<0.05);④氧化苦参碱上调牙周膜干细胞干性标志物表达,抑制牙周膜干细胞骨向分化,高通量测序结果表明可能与WNT2、WNT16、COMP、BMP6有关。

中药生物碱类成分防治膝骨关节炎的作用与机制

背景:目前现代医疗手段治疗膝骨关节炎仍具有一定局限性,中药生物碱类成分可通过多种作用机制有效防治膝骨关节炎。目的:对中药生物碱类成分防治膝骨关节炎的作用机制进行综述,为临床开发治疗膝骨关节炎的药物提供科学依据。方法:查阅中国知网、万方、Pub Med、Web of Science和Google Scholar数据库从建库至2024年5月发表的相关文献,中文检索词为“膝骨关节炎,骨关节炎,破骨细胞,软骨细胞,生物碱”,英文检索词为“knee osteoarthritis,osteoarthritis,osteoclast,chondrocyte,alkaloids”,排除陈旧及无参考意义的文献,最终纳入68篇文献进行综述。结果与结论:虽然中药治疗膝骨关节炎的历史悠久,但仅有少量的天然化合物处于抗膝骨关节炎的临床前研究阶段,生物碱类成分对于防治膝骨关节炎具有较大潜能,其中苦参碱、氧化苦参碱、青藤碱、甜菜碱等已被证实可通过调控多条信号通路抑制炎症反应、抗氧化反应、抑制软骨细胞凋亡、促进软骨细胞增殖、抑制破骨细胞形成与分化等延缓膝骨关节炎的进展。

Norditerpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium orthocentrum (Ranunculaceae)

Two new norditerpenoid alkaloids, orthocentrine (1) and deacetylswinanine A (2), together with a known alkaloid, swinanine A (3), were isolated from the whole plants of Delphinium orthocentrum Franch. The structures of the new alkaloids (1 and 2) were elucidated as 7,10_dihydroxy_8,14,16_trimethoxy_19,20_didehydro_aconitane (7β,8β,14α,16β) (1) and 20_ethyl_2,3_didehydro_6,10_dihydroxy_7,8_methylenedioxy_1,14,16_trimethoxy_aconitane (1α,6β,14α,16β) (2) by spectroscopic evidence and chemical transformation.

The Alkaloids from Leaves of Croton hemiargyerius var. gymnodiscus

Aim Investigation of alkaloids from the leaves of Brazilian medicinal plantCroton hemiargyerius var. gymnodiscus. Methods Silica gel column chromatography was used repeatedlyfor the isolation and purification, and their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopyand comparison of the chemical and physical data with those of authentic samples reported inliterature. Results Twelve alkaloids were isolated and their structures were identified. ConclusionFour new alkaloids named hemiargines A (1), B (5), C (6) and D (7), together with eight knownalkaloids namely isoc-orydine (2), corydine (3), norcorydine (4), salutaridine (8), glaucine (9),tetrahydropalmatrubine (10), xylopinoine (11), and norlaudanosine (12) were isolated.

Abnormal Secondary Growth and Histochemical Localization of Alkaloids in Root System of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz.

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to clarify the structure,growth pattern and histochemical localization of alkaloids in root system of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz.[Method] Paraffin sectioning and histochemistry were employed for performing the analysis in this study.[Result] The root system of Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz.consists of taproot,lateral root and adventitious root.The primary structure of root system is normal,but secondary structure shows abnormal.The cambium and the extra cambium of taproot form a ＂U＂-shaped secondary vascular bundle and tertiary bundle in abnormal secondary structure.The sieve tube group is made of little sieve tube group which is differentiated from primary phloem and cambium.Meanwhile,the secondary xylem in tuberous root also appears to be a ＂U＂ shape.Parenchyma cells of secondary phloem occupy most of the tuberous root.The sieve tube group of tuberous root is mainly differentiated from parenchyma cell of secondary phloem.[Conclusion] The difference in abnormal secondary structure of taproot and tuberous root are attributed to their varied cambium compose and activity pattern.Alkaloids are mainly accumulated in parenchyma cell of the inside cortex and between bundle in taproot,while parenchyma of secondary phloem and pith in tuberous root.

Rapid analysis and identification for the alkaloids from Ranunculus japonicus by UPLC /Q-TOF-MS

To establish a rapid and effective method for analysis and identification of the alkaloids from Ranunculus japoni- cus Thunb by ultra-performance liquid chromatogaraphy with quadruple-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC/Q-TOF- MS） and discuss their fragmentation regularity, the UPLC/Q-TOF-MS was used to identify the alkaloids from Ranunculus japonicus Thunb by their MS data, tandem characteristic fragment ions and standards. In the end, 12 alkaloids were identi- fied from Ranunculus japonicus for the first time, and their fragmentation regularity was discussed. Thus, a rapid and effec- tive analysis and identification method for the alkaloids from Ranunculus japonicus by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS is established.

转录组测序分析黄连总碱抗脑缺血的作用机制

背景:黄连清热燥湿、泻火解毒,黄连及其成分对脑缺血有显著的保护作用,基于网络药理学和转录组测序探究黄连总碱抗脑缺血的作用机制。目的:在明确黄连总碱对脑缺血大鼠保护作用的基础上,基于网络药理学和转录组测序技术探讨黄连总碱干预脑缺血的作用机制。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组、阳性药物组和黄连总碱组,后3组采用改良线栓法制备大脑中动脉阻塞的缺血再灌注模型,假手术组不插入线栓,其余手术操作相同。通过TTC染色、Longa 5神经功能缺损评分、苏木精-伊红染色、尼氏染色评价黄连总碱对脑缺血再灌注模型大鼠的脑保护作用。对假手术组、缺血再灌注组、黄连总碱组大鼠脑组织进行转录组测序,通过差异表达基因筛选、基因本体论分析、京都基因与基因组百科全书分析以及转录组学与网络药理学关联分析,阐明黄连总碱干预脑缺血的作用特点,最后通过ELISA检测及免疫荧光染色对黄连总碱干预脑缺血的关键靶点进行验证。结果与结论:①黄连总碱可降低缺血再灌注模型大鼠Longa 5神经功能缺损评分及脑梗死面积,增加神经元、尼氏小体数目;②黄连总碱治疗后差异表达基因的基因本体论功能富集分析包括炎症反应、分裂原活化蛋白激酶级联的正调控等生物学过程;京都基因与基因组百科全书通路富集分析主要涉及白细胞介素17信号通路、神经活性配体-受体相互作用、环磷腺苷信号通路等通路;③转录组分析发现黄连总碱主要调控的基因有前列腺素内过氧化物合酶2、脑源性神经营养因子、瞬间受体电位A1等;④采用网络药理学分析发现,黄连总碱中9个成分可能通过87个成分靶点关联到过氧化物合酶2、脑源性神经营养因子及瞬间受体电位A1而发挥作用;⑤ELISA检测及免疫荧光染色结果进一步证实,黄连总碱调控脑缺血再灌注模型大鼠过氧化物合酶2、脑源性神经营养因子和瞬间受体电位A1的表达;⑥提示黄连总碱能明显改善脑缺血再灌注模型大鼠损伤,可能通过调控过氧化物合酶2、脑源性神经营养因子和瞬间受体电位A1而发挥作用。

Antitumor Alkaloids Isolated from Tylophora ovata

Four phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids, named tylophoridicine A (1), tylophorinine (2), O_methyl tylophorinidine (3) and tylophorinidine (4), were isolated from the roots of Tylophora ovata (Lindl.) Hook. ex Steud. Using modern NMR techniques including NOESY and 1H_NMR line broadening effect experiments, CD spectra and MS analysis as well as chemical methods, their structures were identified as (13aR)_6_hydroxy_3,7_dimethoxy_phenanthroindolizidine (1), (13aS,14R)_14_hydroxy_3,6,7_trimethoxy_phenanthro_indolizidine (2), (13aS,14S)_14_hydroxy_3,6,7_trimethoxy_phenanthroindolizidine (3), and (13aS,14S)_6,14_dihydroxy_3,7_dimethoxy_phenanthroindolizidine (4) respectively. Compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 2-4 are obtained from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 showed strong antitumor activities.

Determination of the Content of Total Alkaloids in Different Solvent Extracts from Climbing Groundsel Herb Produced in Guizhou Province and Their Antibacterial Activity

[Objective] This study aimed to compare the contents of total alkaloids in different solvent extracts from climbing groundsel herb produced in Guizhou Province and their antibacterial activity. [Method] The content of total alkaloids was measured by UV spectrophotometry, and Oxford cups were used to investigate the antibacterial activity of each solvent extract. [Result] There was a good linear correlation between the absorbance measured by the UV spectrophotometer and the content of total al- kaloids within the concentration of 0.011 0-0.054 8 mg/ml at 207 nm, and the re- gression equation was Y=23.654X＋0.021, R=0. 999 7 and the average recovery rate was 99.2%. The contents of total alkaloids in 60% ethanol extract, 95% ethanol and water ethanol were 38.71, 52.25 and 60.50 mg/g, respectively. The 60% ethanol ex- tract had strong antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylo- coccus aureus and Escherichia coil; the water extractive had stronger antibacterial activity against Escherichia colr, 95% ethanol extract had weak antibacterial activity, with no inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [Conclusion] This method is accurate, simple, with good repeatability, which can be used for the determination of alkaloids content of the climbing groundsel herb; there is no positive correlation between the content of total alkaloids in different solvent extracts of climbing groundsel herb and their antibacterial activity.

A review on medicinal importance,pharmacological activity and bioanalytical aspects of beta-carboline alkaloid "Harmine"

Harmine,a beta-carboline alkaloid,is widely distributed in the plants,marine creatures,insects, mammalians as well as in human tissues and body fluids.Harmine was originally isolated from seeds of Peganum harmal in 1847 having a core indole structure and a pyridine ring.Harmine has various types of pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial,antifungal,antitumor,cytotoxic, antiplasmodial,antioxidaant,antimutagenic,antigenotoxic and hallucinogenic properties.It acts on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A and monoamine oxidase A or B receptor,enhances insulin sensitivity and also produces vasorelaxant effect.Harmine prevents bone loss by suppressing osteoclastogenesis.The current review gives an overview on pharmacological activity and analytical techniques of harmine,which may be useful for researcheres to explore the hidden potential of harmine and and will also help in developing new drugs for the treatment of various diseases.

Effect of processing on the alkaloids in Aconitum tubers by HPLC-TOF/MS

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015, only processed Aconitum tubers can be clinically applied, and the effect of processing is unclear. This research aimed to explore the effect of processing on cardiac efficacy of alkaloids in Aconitum tubers. First, the chemical ingredients in unprocessed and processed Aconitum tubers were identified and compared by using high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-TOF/MS) and multivariate pattern recognition methods. Then the representative alkaloids in Aconitum tubers, aconitine, benzoylaconine, and aconine, which belong to diester-diterpenoid alkaloids,monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids, and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids, respectively, were selected for further validation of attenuated mechanism. Subsequent pharmacological experiments with aconitine, benzoylaconine,and aconine in SD rats were used to validate the effect of processing on cardiac functions. After processing the Aconitum tubers, it was found that the contents of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids were reduced, and those of monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids were increased, suggesting that diesterditerpenoid alkaloids were transformed into monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids.Through further decocting the aconitine in boiling water, it was confirmed that the three alkaloids could be progressively transformed. Pharmacological experiments with aconitine, benzoylaconine, and aconine in SD rats showed that aconitine at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg and aconine at a dose of 10 mg/kg enhanced the cardiac function, while benzoylaconine at a dose of 2 mg/kg weakened the cardiac function. The effect of processing is attributed to the transformation of the most toxic diester-diterpenoid alkaloids into less toxic monoesterditerpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids.