Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs), as a class of compounds widely found in plants, are particularly abundant in grapes and blueberries. It is a polymer comprising many different monomers, such as ...catechins and epicatechins. The monomers are usually linked to each other by two types of links, A-linkages (C-O-C) and B-linkages (C-C), to form the polymers. Numerous studies have shown that compared to high polymeric procyanidins, OPCs exhibit antioxidant properties due to the presence of multiple hydroxyl groups. This review describes the molecular structure and natural source of OPCs, their general synthesis pathway in plants, their antioxidant capacity, and potential applications, especially the anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, cardiovascular disease prevention, and antineoplastic functions. Currently, OPCs have attracted much attention, being non-toxic and natural antioxidants of plant origin that scavenge free radicals from the human body. This review would provide some references for further research on the biological functions of OPCs and their application in various fields.
The unique linear dunes in the northern Kumtagh Desert of northwest China have inspired enthusiastic debate among aeolian geomorphologists over their origins and classification. Their uniqueness lies ...not only in their morphology, but also in their geomorphological patterns. In this paper, the geomorphological patterns and ages of the linear dunes in the northern Kumtagh Desert are analyzed using the pattern analysis method that was recently adopted by geomorphologists. The analysis suggests that these linear dunes have developed since 13 ka BP, during the late part of the most recent deglaciation stage, when the region’s dry climate was favorable for dune formation. The differences in dune construction time within this region result from the complex factors that control their formation and spatial variations in the local environment, but these factors were not strong enough to prevent us from estimating the dune age recorded by the geomorphological patterns with acceptable precision. It is also suggested that the pattern analysis method can be used to estimate dune ages in the absence of more reliable dating methods.
Tumor necrosis factor‑related apoptosis‑inducing ligand (TRAIL)‑based cancer therapy offers promise as TRAIL can kill cancer cells without apparent toxicity towards normal cells. However, intrinsic ...or acquired resistance to TRAIL inseveral types of cancer cell has become a major challenge in TRAIL‑based cancer therapy. Juglone is a natural compound isolated from walnut trees. In the present study, it was demonstrated that juglone sensitized melanoma cells to TRAIL‑induced cytotoxicity by MTT and crystal violet assays. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that juglone potentiated TRAIL‑induced cell death. Western blot assay demonstrated that the expressions of cleaved poly(ADP‑ribose) polymerase (PARP) and cleaved caspase 3 were markedly increased in the juglone combined with TRAIL group. Exposure to TRAIL alone did not induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of p38 orincrease of p53 in the TRAIL‑resistant melanoma cells, as determined by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. However, exposure to TRAIL in combination with juglone markedly increased the production of ROS, activated p38 and increased p53, compared with the cells treated with either juglone or TRAIL alone. Pretreatment with N‑acetyl cysteine, a ROS scavenger, significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of juglone in combination with TRAIL, which further supported that ROS was involved in the juglone‑induced sensitization of TRAIL. In conclusion, juglone potentiated TRAIL‑induced apoptosis in melanoma cells, and these effects were partially mediated through the ROS‑p38‑p53 pathway. These findings suggested that juglone may be a potential sensitizer for TRAIL therapy in the treatment of melanoma.
Icariin is a major constituent of flavonoids isolated from the herb Epimedium. It displays antidepressant-like activity in mice behavioral despair models and chronic mild stress models. In this ...study, a chronic social defeat protocol is used as a mouse model for depression, and the social avoidance effects of icariin administration are investigated. The data indicate that social defeat significantly reduces mice social interaction time and that icariin administered at 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg for 28 consecutive days produce remarkable increases in social interaction time. Impaired glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function is related to depression and normalization of GR function is closely associated with the recovery from depression. In this study, GR binding affinity and protein expression were evaluated by radioactive ligand and western blot, respectively. Our results demonstrate that both GR binding affinity and protein expression in the social defeat model are remarkably decreased and that icariin administration attenuates social defeat-induced GR down-regulation. In the present study, our data also show that icariin administration significantly inhibits social defeat-induced increases of corticosterone and IL-6 levels. The potential mechanisms of icariin induced GR modulation, such as effects on HPA-axis function, proinflammatory signaling pathway and membrane steroid transporters, need further study.
► Icariin displays antidepressant-like activity in the social defeat model. ► The antidepressant effects of icariin are attributed to normalization of GR. ► Icariin induced GR up-regulation is partly due to its anti-inflammatory potential.
Abstract Background Vitiligo is an acquired depigmented disorder that causes great damage to patient's appearance and mental health. Surgical treatment plays a vital role in patients with refractory ...vitiligo. Recipient‐site preparation (such as liquid nitrogen, mechanical dermabrasion, chemical peeling and laser) is a key step in surgical treatment. Among them, mechanical dermabrasion and CO2 laser can achieve accurate ablation in different parts and depths. Objectives To compare the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical dermabrasion and CO2 laser and their preference for different parts in cultured epithelial sheets transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo. Methods We used a self‐controlled study to compare the efficacy of mechanical dermabrasion and CO2 laser in 120 stable vitiligo patients of different parts at different time points after cultured epithelial sheets transplantation. Results No overall difference between the mechanical dermabrasion group and the CO2 laser group. While the recovery rate of different parts of the mechanical dermabrasion group was significantly different (p < 0.05). Two methods have distinct efficacy for different parts, and CO2 laser is better at treating uneven parts. Conclusions Both mechanical dermabrasion and CO2 laser have good results in cultured epithelial sheets transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo.
Concentrations of heavy metals continue to increase in soil environments as a result of both anthropogenic activities and natural processes. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic heavy metals and ...poses health risks to both humans and the ecosystem. Herein, we explore the impacts of Cd on a soil–plant system composed of oilseed rapes (
Brassica napus
and
Brassica juncea
) and bacteria. The results showed that Cd accumulation within tissues of two species of oilseed rapes enhanced with increasing concentrations of Cd in soils, and Cd treatment decreased their chlorophyll content and suppressed rapeseeds growth. Meanwhile, Cd stress induced the changes of antioxidative enzymes activities of both
B. napus
and
B. juncea
. Response to Cd of bacterial community was similar in soil-two species of oilseed rapes system. The impact of Cd on the bacterial communities of soils was greater than bacterial communities of plants (phyllosphere and endophyte). The α-diversity of bacterial community in soils declined significantly under higher Cd concentration (30 mg/kg). In addition, soil bacterial communities composition and structure were altered in the presence of higher Cd concentration. Meanwhile, the bacterial communities of bulk soils were significantly correlated with Cd, while the variation of rhizosphere soils bacterial communities were markedly correlated with Cd and other environmental factors of both soils and plants. These results suggested that Cd could affect both the growth of plants and the indigenous bacterial community in soil–plant system, which might further change ecosystem functions in soils.
The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two Chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of stable COPD.
A multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, and randomized controlled trial (RCT) ...was conducted. All groups were treated with additional conventional medicines. There were a 6-month treatment and a 12-month follow-up for 5 times. Primary outcomes included lung function test, exacerbation frequency, score of SGRQ. Second outcomes consisted of 6MWD, BODE index, psychological field score, inflammatory factors and cortisol.
A total of 331 patients were randomly divided into two active treatment groups (Bushen Yiqi (BY) granule group, n = 109; Bushen Fangchuan (BF) tablet group, n = 109) and a placebo group (n = 113). Finally 262 patients completed the study. BY granule & BF tablet increased the values of VC, FEV1 (%) and FEV1/FVC (%), compared with placebo. BY granule improved PEF. Both treatments reduced acute exacerbation frequency (P = 0.067), BODE index and psychological field score, while improved 6MWD. In terms of descent rang of SGRQ score, both treatments increased (P = 0.01). Both treatments decreased inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8, and IL-17(P = 0.0219). BY granule obviously descended IL-17(P<0.05), IL-1β (P = 0.05), IL-6, compared with placebo. They improved the level of IL-10 and cortisol. BY granule raised cortisol (P = 0.07) and decreased TNF-α. Both treatments slightly descended TGF-β1. In terms of safety, subject compliance and drug combination, there were no differences (P>0.05) among three groups.
BY granule and BF tablet were positively effective for the treatment of COPD, and the former performed better in general.
Chinese Clinical Trial Register center ChiCTR-TRC-09000530.
A series of hesperidin derivatives were prepared and identified by IR, 1H NMR, and MS spectra. All the synthetic compounds had been evaluated in vitro and in vivo based on α-glucosidase inhibition, ...glucose consumption of HepG2 cells and blood glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The results revealed that all the compounds exhibited the anti-hyperglycemic activities. Compounds 3 and 7a had the excellent inhibition on α-glucosidase as compared to acarbose. Compound 3 could improve the glucose consumption of HepG2 cell and apparently reduce the blood glucose level of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Compound 3 exhibited the promising anti-hyperglycemic activity.
A series of hesperidin derivatives were prepared and identified by IR, 1H NMR, and MS spectra. These compounds were evaluated in vitro and in vivo based on α-glucosidase inhibition, glucose consumption of HepG2 cells, and blood glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The results revealed that all the compounds exhibited anti-hyperglycemic activities. The inhibition at 10−3M of compounds 3 and 7a on α-glucosidase were 55.02% and 53.34%, respectively, as compared to 54.80% by acarbose. Treated by compound 3 and the reference drug metformin, glucose consumption of HepG2 cell were 1.78 and 2.11mM, respectively. After the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were oral administrated with compound 3 at 100mgkg−1d−1 for 10days, the blood glucose level of 3 treated mice (13.23mM, P<0.05) showed significant difference when compared to model control (23.03mM). Thus, compound 3 exhibited promising anti-hyperglycemic activity.
Tourism safety perception is one of the factors influencing destination image, but there is a lack of systematic research on the multidimensional influence of tourism safety perception on destination ...image. In this paper, based on the survey data collected from 623 tourists traveling in Xinjiang, China, we classified the respondents into three types of high, medium, and low levels of tourism safety perception by cluster analysis, and studied the influence of tourism safety perception on destination image in multiple dimensions by means of content analysis, diversity index, one-way ANOVA, and factor analysis. We found that tourism safety perception significantly affects the cognitive image, affective image, and conative image of the destination. Tourists with a high safety perception evaluate and affectively experience destination attributes more positively with higher satisfaction and stronger willingness to revisit and recommend. Tourism safety perception affects the stereotype image of the destination to a certain extent. Tourists in general produce a broadly homogeneous stereotype image, but there are differences in diversity and emotions. Tourists with a high safety perception have a richer and more positive stereotype image. This study enriches and deepens the theory regarding the influence of tourism safety perception on destination image, and also provides a richer theoretical basis for destination image construction and precision marketing.
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