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Lack of tunability impedes the wide application of optomechanical systems; however, little research exists on mechanical frequency tuning. Herein, ultra-fine low-loss dynamical mechanical frequency tuning is achieved by compressing a microsphere along the axial direction. The tuning resolution reaches approximately 4% of the mechanical linewidth, and the variation range of the mechanical quality factor ( Q m ) is within 2.9% of the untouched Q m . The roles of geometric deformation, spring effect, and stiffness were also evaluated through simulation and experimental analysis. Furthermore, sine function modulation was displayed, with a Pearson coefficient exceeding 99.3%, to achieve arbitrary-function mechanical resonance tuning. This method paves the way for scalable optomechanical applications, such as mechanical vibration synchronization or optomechanics-based optical wavelength conversion.

The possibility of exchange reactions and thermal self-healing in blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and phenoxy resin was investigated herein. The analyses were based on characterization obtained via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile test. A new phenoxy resin was synthesized from eugenol, and blends with different types of TPU were prepared to investigate the exchange reaction, thermal self-healing, and mechanical properties. The influence of phenoxy resin content on the mechanical behavior and healing efficiency was studied. Improvement of storage modulus owing to the increase of phenoxy resin content was observed. Results suggest that the exchange reaction between phenoxy- and ester-type TPU occurred during thermal treatment. However, little exchange occurred between phenoxy resin and ether-type TPU. Specifically, only ester-type TPU exhibited a significant exchange reaction in the phenoxy resin blend. Furthermore, in the presence of a catalyst (e.g., zinc acetate), the exchange reaction readily occurred, and the healing efficiency improved by the addition of the catalyst and increase in the phenoxy content.

With limited biomass that can be currently utilized as a renewable resource, it is important to develop a method to convert biomass into materials that can replace fossil fuel product. In this paper, eugenol, a bio-based allyl chain-substituted guaiacol, was used to synthesize self-healable copolymers. Eugenol terminated polyurethane prepolymer (ETPU) was synthesized from eugenol and polyurethane prepolymers terminated with isocyanate groups. ETPU contained two allyl groups. Self-healing copolymer networks were obtained by copolymerization of ETPU and styrene monomer via free radical polymerization. Effects of ETPU content on the properties of copolymers were then studied. These copolymers containing ETPU exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical properties. These copolymers showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break than PS. Their maximum tensile strength reached 19 MPa. In addition, these copolymers showed self-healing property at elevated temperature due to the reversible nature of urethane units in ETPU.

Isosorbide (ISB), a nontoxic bio-based bicyclic diol composed from two fuzed furans, was incorporated into the preparation of flexible polyurethane foams (FPUFs) for use as a cell opener and to impart antioxidant properties to the resulting foam. A novel method for cell opening was designed based on the anticipated reversibility of the urethane linkages formed by ISB with isocyanate. FPUFs containing various amounts of ISB (up to 5 wt%) were successfully prepared without any noticeable deterioration in the appearance and physical properties of the resulting foams. The air permeability of these resulting FPUFs was increased and this could be further improved by thermal treatment at 160 °C. The urethane units based on ISB enabled cell window opening, as anticipated, through the reversible urethane linkage. The ISB-containing FPUFs also demonstrated better antioxidant activity by impeding discoloration. Thus, ISB, a nontoxic, bio-based diol, can be a valuable raw material (or additive) for eco-friendly FPUFs without seriously compromising the physical properties of these FPUFs.

Biological control of spider mites in hot and dry weather is a serious technical issue. A high-temperature adapted strain (HTAS) of the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes was selected from its conventional strain (CS), via long-term heat acclimation and frequent heat hardenings in our previous studies. However, the environment of high temperature is usually associated with enhanced ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the present study, the physiological effects of UV-B radiation on survival rate and egg damage of N. barkeri were investigated, as well as the activities and expression profiles of antioxidant enzymes to UV-B radiation stress. UV-B radiation had deleterious effects on egg hatchability and survival of N. barkeri. Adults of the HTAS strain were less UV-B resistant than those of the CS strain; they also had lower levels of enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase against oxidative damage and weaker upregulation of SOD genes. The mRNA expression of three SOD genes of CS adult females immediately increased whereas that of HTAS showed almost no difference under UV-B stress for 1 h. The results showed the HTAS of N. barkeri had lower fitness under UV-B stress compared with the CS of N. barkeri. These results suggested that long-term heat acclimation may exert a profound impact on the developmental physiology of N. barkeri.

Ethyl rosmarinate (RAE) is one of the active constituents from Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze, which is used for diabetic treatment in Chinese folk medicine. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of RAE on high glucose-induced injury in endothelial cells and explored its underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that both RAE and rosmarinic acid (RA) increased cell viability, decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and attenuated high glucose-induced endothelial cells apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by Hochest staining, Annexin V⁻FITC/PI double staining, and caspase-3 activity. RAE and RA both elevated Bcl-2 expression and reduced Bax expression, according to Western blot. We also found that LY294002 (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, or PI3K inhibitor) weakened the protective effect of RAE. In addition, PDTC (nuclear factor-κB, or NF-κB inhibitor) and SP600125 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, or JNK inhibitor) could inhibit the apoptosis in endothelial cells caused by high glucose. Further, we demonstrated that RAE activated Akt, and the molecular docking analysis predicted that RAE showed more affinity with Akt than RA. Moreover, we found that RAE inhibited the activation of NF-κB and JNK. These results suggested that RAE protected endothelial cells from high glucose-induced apoptosis by alleviating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and regulating the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2 pathway, the NF-κB pathway, and the JNK pathway. In general, RAE showed greater potency than RA equivalent.

Five novel compounds, including four neoclerodane diterpenoids, named ajugacumbins KN (1-4) along with a phytoecdysterone, named ajugacetalsterone E (5), were isolated from the whole herbs of Ajuga decumbens (Labiatae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis including IR, HRESIMS, CD, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic experiments. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities and the effects on superoxide anion generation and elastase release in FMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Peperomin E (PepE), a naturally occurring secolignan isolated from Peperomia dindygulensis, has drawn much attention recently owing to its anticancer and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitory activity. Here, a simple and sensitive ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of PepE in rat plasma for the first time. Samples were prepared by simple protein precipitation. Separation was performed on an XBridge™ C 18 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) aqueous formic acid. PepE and the internal standard arctigenin were detected in a positive-ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 413.2 → 261.0 and 373.2 → 137.2, respectively. The calibration curve for PepE was linear over the range of concentrations of 1.46-6000 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantitation of 1.46 ng/mL. Both intra- and interday precisions were within 11.05%, and the accuracy ranged from -11.5 to 5.51%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect were within acceptable limits. Stability tests showed that PepE remained stable throughout the analytical procedure. The validated method was then used to analyze the pharmacokinetics of PepE administered to rats orally (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) or intravenously (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg)., (Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

A new 19-oxo-18,19-seco-ursane-type triterpeonoid saponin, laevigin E (8), together with 17 known compounds (1 - 7 and 9 - 18) were isolated from the root bark of Ilex rotunda Thunb. Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic analysis. Among them, compounds 6, 9, 11, and 18 were isolated from this species for the first time, while compounds 10 and 12 were firstly isolated from the family Aquifoliaceae. Biological activity assay showed that all triterpenoids exhibit moderate cytotoxic activities against MCF7, A549, HeLa and LN229 cell lines. The four triterpenoid saponins (3, 4, 6, and 8) exhibit slightly better activities compared to the four triterpenoid sapogenins (1, 2, 5, and 7). Compound 8 showed the best cytotoxicity against A549, HeLa and LN229 cell lines with IC 50 of 17.83, 22.58 and 30.98 μm, respectively., (© 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Three novel limonoids, dictangustone G (1), dictangustone H (2), and dictangustone I (3) were isolated from the root bark of Dictamnus angustifolius. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis including UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic experiments. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities using Hela, A549, MCF7, and LN229 cell lines., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract from the whole plant of Agrimonia pilosa led to the isolation of 31 compounds, including 16 flavonoids (1-16), 5 triterpenes (17-21), 1 isocoumarin (22), 5 phenolic acids (23-27), 1 ceramide (28), 2 agrimols (29-30) and 1 fatty acid (31). Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 5, 7 and 20 were firstly isolated from the genus Agrimonia, and compounds 6, 10-11, 15, 26, 28 and 31 were isolated from the family Rosaceae for the first time. Moreover, the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarised.

Advanced lung cancer has poor prognosis owing to its low sensitivity to current chemotherapy agents. Therefore, discovery of new therapeutic agents is urgently needed. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effects of peperomin E, a secolignan isolated from Peperomia dindygulensis, a frequently used Chinese folk medicine for lung cancer treatment. The results indicate that peperomin E has antiproliferative effects, promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, while showing lower toxicity against normal human lung epidermal cells. Peperomin E inhibited tumor growth in A549 xenograft BALB/c nude mice without significant secondary adverse effects, indicating that it may be safely used to treat NSCLC. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of peperomin E have been investigated. Using an in silico target fishing method, we observed that peperomin E directly interacts with the active domain of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), potentially affecting its genome methylation activity. Subsequent experiments verified that peperomin E decreased DNMT1 activity and expression, thereby decreasing global methylation and reactivating the epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes including RASSF1A, APC, RUNX3, and p16INK4, which in turn activates their mediated pro-apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory signaling pathways in lung cancer cells. The observations herein report for the first time that peperomin E is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for NSCLC. The anticancer effects of peperomin E may be partly attributable to its ability to demethylate and reactivate methylation-silenced tumor suppressor genes through direct inhibition of the activity and expression of DNMT1., (© 2016 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.)

In the present study, two new limonoids, 1α, 7α-dihydroxyl-3α-acetoxyl-12α-ethoxylnimbolinin (1) and 1α-tigloyloxy-3α-acetoxyl-7α-hydroxyl-12β-ethoxylnimbolinin (2), together with other four known limonoids (3-6), were isolated from the fruits of Melia toosendan. Their structures were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic analyses (NMR and ESI-MS) and comparisons with the data reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities. Compound 4 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against an oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, with an MIC value of 15.2 μg·mL(-1). Compound 2 was also active against P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, with an MIC value of 31.25 μg·mL(-1). In conlcusion, our resutls indicate that these compounds may provide a basis for future development of novel antibiotics., (Copyright © 2016 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Peperomin E (PepE) is a type of secolignan that is a major component of the plant Peperomia dindygulensis. It has been shown to exert anticancer effects in various cancer cell lines; however, the effects of PepE on human gastric cancer remain unexplored., Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of PepE as a treatment of gastric cancer and to identify the underlying mechanisms of its anticancer activity., Study Design: The efficacy of PepE was examined using human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901, BGC-823, MKN-45 cell lines and normal gastric epithelial GES-1 cell line as an in vitro model and SGC-7901 xenograft mice as an in vivo model., Methods: Cell viability assays were used to examine the anticancer effect of 0-204.8µM concentrations of PepE in vitro. Additionally, flow cytometry and western blotting were used to elucidate the mechanism with a particular focus on apoptosis. SGC-7901 cells were injected into BALB/c mice, which were then treated with 5 or 15mg/kg/day dose of PepE. The in vivo activity of PepE was investigated by measuring tumors and conducting immunohistochemistry experiments. The safety of PepE was investigated by measuring blood biochemical parameters and conducting histopathological analysis. Taxol was used throughout as a positive control., Results: The results showed that PepE exhibited antiproliferative effects against gastric cancer cells and induced their apoptosis in a dose dependent manner with lower toxicity against normal gastric epithelial cells. Mechanistic evaluations indicated that PepE induced apoptosis by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential (MTP), inducing cytochrome C release from mitochondria, reducing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xl/Bad, increasing activation of caspase-3, and decreasing the levels of PI3K and pAkt. The apoptotic effect of PepE on SGC-7901 cells was partially blocked by an Akt activator SC79. PepE potently inhibited in vivo tumor growth with no obvious toxicity following subcutaneous inoculation of SGC-7901 cells in nude mice., Conclusions: These findings indicate that PepE can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through mitochondrial and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways with relative safety and may be a novel effective chemotherapeutic agent against gastric cancer., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

A new ellagic acid derivative, 3,3'-dimethylellagic acid-4'-O-(6″-galloyl)-β-D-glucoside, named runcinatside (5), together with four known compounds 3,3'-dimethylellagic acid (1), 3,3',4'-trimethylellagic acid (2), 3,3'-dimethylellagic acid-4'-O-β-D-glucoside (3) and 3-methylellagic acid-4'-O-α-L-rhamno-pyranoside (4), was isolated from the roots of Polygonum runcinatum Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Var. sinense Hemsl and the structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods and comparison with previously reported data. All compounds showed antioxidant activities in vitro and compound 5 possessed the highest activity.

Two new dimeric diarylheptanoids, named Alpinin C (1) and D (2), a new natural product of diarylheptanoid (3) along with three known diarylheptanoids (4-6) were isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses (1D and 2D NMR, HRTOFMS, IR). The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines HepG2, MCF-7, T98G and B16-F10. Compound 1 showed selective cytotoxicity against cell lines of MCF-7 and T98G, while compound 6 showed significant cytotoxicity to the all tested tumor cell lines with IC50 in the range from 8.46 to 22.68 μmol/L., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Peperomia dindygulensis, with secolignans (SLs) as major bioactive constituents, is a commonly used traditional folk medicine in mainland China for treatment of stomach, liver, mammary, and esophageal cancers. However, to date, there is no method available for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of SLs in this medicinal plant. The purpose of this study was to establish a sensitive, selective, and reproducible method for rapidly profiling, identifying, and determining SLs in the whole plant of P. dindygulensis. Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with ultraviolet detector (UV) and quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS) were used for this analyses. The fragmentation behaviors of different types of SLs were described. A total of thirteen SLs, including two new derivatives, were identified or tentatively characterized in P. dindygulensis samples. In addition, seven major SLs in herbal samples from different regions in China were successfully determined. The method developed in this study is suitable for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of SLs in P. dindygulensis, and may be applicable for determining or identifying SLs from other Pepermia genus plants., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Two new diterpenoid alkaloids, Guan-Fu base J (GFJ, 1) and Guan-Fu base N (GFN, 2) along with nineteen known alkaloids (3-21) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) Rapaics, which is the raw material of a new approval anti-arrhythmia drug "Acehytisine Hydrochloride". The structures of isolated compounds were established by means of 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic and chemical methods. All isolates obtained in the present study were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on blocking the ventricular specific sodium current using a whole-cell patch voltage-clamp technique. Among these 21 compounds, Guan-Fu base S (GFS, 3) showed the strongest inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 3.48 μM, and only hetisine-type C20 diterpenoid alkaloids showed promising IC50 values for further development., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To investigate the quinoline alkaloids from the roots of Dictamnus angustifolius G.Don ex Sweet (Rutaceae)., Method: The quinoline alkaloids were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis., Results: A new quinoline alkaloid, 5-methoxylrobustine (1), along with five known quinoline alkaloids were obtained, and their structures were identified as dictamnine (2), robustine (3), isopteleine (4), γ-fagarine (5), and skimmianine (6). Cytotoxicity testing of these alkaloids showed that all of them had weak cytotoxic activities against human breast cancer cells (MCF7)., Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new quinoline alkaloid. Alkaloid 3 showed stronger anti-proliferation effect than the other alkaloids., (Copyright © 2014 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance., Method: Compounds were isolated by repeated column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated with the T98G and B16F10 cell lines by the MTT assay., Results: A dimeric diarylheptanoid, named alpinin B (1), along with three known diarylheptanoids were obtained, and their structures were identified as alpinin B (1), 1, 7-diphenyl-3,5-heptanedione (2), (4E)-1, 7-diphenylhept-4-en-3-one (3) and (4E)-7- (4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylhept-4-en-3-one (4)., Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new dimeric diarylheptanoid. The biosynthetic pathway of 1 was speculated to originate from a Michael reaction between compounds 2 and 3. Compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against the human glioblastoma T98G cell line with IC50 of 27 μmol·L(-1)., (Copyright © 2014 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Taxadiene (3), a new taxane diterpenoid with an unusual hydroxy substituting at C-17, and six known compounds including two taxane diterpenoids (1 and 2) and four flavonoids (4-7) were isolated from the whole seedling of the Taxus chinensis var. mairei. Among them, compound 7 was isolated from T. chinensis var. mairei for the first time. Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and by comparison with reported literature data.

A new flavone glycoside, wogonin 7-O-β-D-ethylglucuronide (1), together with a new natural flavone glycoside baicalein 7-O-β-D-ethylglucuronide (2) and four known analogues, wogonoside (3), wogonin (4), oroxylin A 7-O-β-D-methylglucuronide (5) and oroxylin A (6), was isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The structure elucidation of the new compound was primarily based on HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Compounds 1 and 3 inhibited FeSO4-Cys-induced liver homogenate lipid peroxidation with IC50 at 18.2 μM and 24.9 μM, respectively, and exhibited strong cytoprotective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells at low concentrations of 10.0 μM and 3.0 μM.

A rapid and sensitive ultra fast performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five bioactive secolignans in Peperomia dindygulensis extract, including peperomin A, peperomin B, peperomin C, 4″-hydroxypeperomin B and 4″-hydroxypeperomin C in rat plasma. Arctigenin was used as the internal standard. The separation was performed on an Innovation™ Polar-RP C18 column by a gradient elution within a runtime of 7min. The mobile phase consisted of A (methanol) and B (0.1% formic acid in water) at a flow rate of 0.4mL/min. The detection was accomplished by using positive ion TurboIonSpray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was linear for all analytes over investigated range with all correlation coefficients greater than 0.9972. The lower limits of quantification were 1.1ng/mL for peperomin A, 1.24ng/mL for peperomin B, 1.02ng/mL for peperomin C, 1.91ng/mL for 4″-hydroxypeperomin B and 1.27ng/mL for 4″-hydroxypeperomin C. The intra- and inter-day precision (RSD%) was within 15% and the accuracy (RE%) ranged from -11.7% to 10.3%. This simple and sensitive method was fully validated and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of peperomin A, peperomin B, peperomin C, 4″-hydroxypeperomin B and 4″-hydroxypeperomin C in rat plasma after oral administration of P. dindygulensis extract., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Two novel protosappanins, named Caesappin A (1) and B (2), along with three known protosappanins were isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. Caesappin A is a new type protosappanin with a seven-membered ring fusing an acetal-type section. Compound 4 was isolated from the genus Caesalpinia for the first time. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and the absolute configuration was determined by the ECD experiment coupled with calculated ECD spectra. Their cytotoxic activities were evaluated using MTT assay., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Eleven compounds, including four flavonoids [(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone (1), 5-hydroxy-7,8,4'-trimethoxy-flavone (2), amentoflavone (10) and apigenin (11)], two penylpropanoids [sinapaldehyde (3) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-cinnamic aldehyde (4)], three phenolic acids [4-hydroxyl-3,5-dimethoxy-benzaldehyde (5), 4-hydroxyacetophen-one (6) and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (7)], one furan derivative [5-hydroxymethyl furfural (8)] and one steroid saponin [β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside (9)], were isolated and identified from Aletris spicata. Among them, compounds 1-7, 9 and 10 were reported from the genus Aletris for the first time. Furthermore, seven of them (1-6, 10) were obtained from the family Liliaceae for the first time. Chemotaxonomy of the isolated compounds is discussed briefly.

Aim: To elucidate the prognostic value of age for gastric cancer and identify the optimal treatment for elderly gastric cancer patients., Methods: We enrolled 920 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between January 2003 and December 2007 in our center. Patients were categorized into three groups: younger group (age < 50 years), middle-aged group (50-69 years), and elderly group (≥ 70 years). Clinicopathological features were compared among the three groups and potential prognostic factors were analyzed. The log-rank test was used to assess statistical differences between curves. Independent prognostic factors were identified by the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Stratified analysis was used to investigate the impact of age on survival at each stage. Cancer-specific survival was also compared among the three groups by excluding deaths due to reasons other than gastric cancer. We analyzed the potential prognostic factors for patients aged ≥ 70 years. Finally, the impact of extent of lymphadenectomy and postoperative chemotherapy on survival for each age group was evaluated., Results: In the elderly group, there was a male predominance. At the same time, cancers of the upper third of the stomach, differentiated type, and less-invasive surgery were more common than in the younger or middle-aged groups. Elderly patients were more likely to have advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and larger tumors, but less likely to have distant metastasis. Although 5-year overall survival (OS) rate specific to gastric cancer was not significantly different among the three groups, elderly patients demonstrated a significantly lower 5-year OS rate than the younger and middle-aged patients (elderly vs middle-aged vs younger patients = 22.0% vs 36.6% vs 38.0%, respectively). In the TNM-stratified analysis, the differences in OS were only observed in patients with II and III tumors. In multivariate analysis, only surgical margin status, pT4, lymph node metastasis, M1 and sex were independent prognostic factors for elderly patients. The 5-year OS rate did not differ between elderly patients undergoing D1 and D2 lymph node resection, and these patients benefited little from chemotherapy., Conclusion: Age ≥ 70 years was an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer after gastrectomy. D1 resection is appropriate and postoperative chemotherapy is possibly unnecessary for elderly patients with gastric cancer.

A new degraded limonoid, named isodictamdiol A (1), two known degraded limonoids (2, 3) and a new nature product of quinoline alkaloid (4) along with five known quinoline alkaloids (5-9) were isolated from the root bark of Dictamnus angustifolius G. Don ex Sweet.. Certain useful NMR data were generalized to determine the structures of compounds 1 and 4. The structural elucidation of Compound 4 was first reported herein. Compounds 1-9 showed significant inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by ADP at 250 μM, while Compound 4 showed potent anti-platelet aggregation activity., (© 2013.)

Four new limonoids (1-4), together with five known limonoids (5-9), were isolated from the fruits of Melia toosendan. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses (1D- and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, IR, [α](D)). The isolated compounds were evaluated for their neurite outgrowth-promoting activities. Compounds 2 and 6 significantly enhanced NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 50.0 μM., (© 2013.)

Aim: To elucidate the potential impact of intraoperative blood loss (IBL) on long-term survival of gastric cancer patients after curative surgery., Methods: A total of 845 stage I-III gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2003 and December 2007 in our center were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the amount of IBL: group 1 (< 200 mL), group 2 (200-400 mL) and group 3 (> 400 mL). Clinicopathological features were compared among the three groups and potential prognostic factors were analyzed. The Log-rank test was used to assess statistical differences between the groups. Independent prognostic factors were identified by the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Stratified analysis was used to investigate the impact of IBL on survival in each stage. Cancer-specific survival was also compared among the three groups by excluding deaths due to reasons other than gastric cancer. Finally, we explored the possible factors associated with IBL and identified the independent risk factors for IBL ≥ 200 mL., Results: Overall survival was significantly influenced by the amount of IBL. The 5-year overall survival rates were 51.2%, 39.4% and 23.4% for IBL less than 200 mL, 200 to 400 mL and more than 400 mL, respectively (< 200 mL vs 200-400 mL, P < 0.001; 200-400 mL vs > 400 mL, P = 0.003). Age, tumor size, Borrmann type, extranodal metastasis, tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, chemotherapy, extent of lymphadenectomy, IBL and postoperative complications were found to be independent prognostic factors in multivariable analysis. Following stratified analysis, patients staged TNM I-II and those with IBL less than 200 mL tended to have better survival than those with IBL not less than 200 mL, while patients staged TNM III, whose IBL was less than 400 mL had better survival. Tumor location, tumor size, TNM stage, type of gastrectomy, combined organ resection, extent of lymphadenectomy and year of surgery were found to be factors associated with the amount of IBL, while tumor location, type of gastrectomy, combined organ resection and year of surgery were independently associated with IBL ≥ 200 mL., Conclusion: IBL is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer after curative resection. Reducing IBL can improve the long-term outcome of gastric cancer patients following curative gastrectomy.

Aim: To study the chemical constituents from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by a combination of chromatographic materials including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative TLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS and NMR data analysis. The cytotoxic activities were evaluated against HepG2 cancer cell line using the MTT colorimetric method., Results: A new β-carboline alkaloid, griffonine (1), together with seven known alkaloids, hyrtioerectine B (2), 3-carboxy-6-hydroxy-β-carboline (3), hyrtiosulawesine (4), 5-hydroxyindole-3-carbaldehyde (5), 5-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl) indole (6), trigonelline (7), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (8) were isolated and identified. Alkaloids 1, 2 and 4 showed growth inhibitory effects on the HepG2 cell line with IC50 values of 23.5, 9.6 and 19.3 μmol·L(-1), respectively., Conclusion: Alkaloid 1 is new and was named griffonine. Alkaloids 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Alkaloids 1, 2 and 4 were potentially cytotoxic., (Copyright © 2013 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To study the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Trachelospermum jasminoides., Methods: Compounds were isolated by various chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral techniques. In addition, the inhibitory activity against HepG2 and HL-60 of compound 1 was evaluated., Results: Five compounds were isolated and identified as 3', 7-dimethoxyisoflavanone-4', 5-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), tracheloside (2), nortrachelogenin 5'-C-β-glucopyranoside (3), luteolin-4'-O-β-D-rutinoside (4), and luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5)., Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new isoflavonoid glycoside. It showed weak inhibitory activity against HepG2 and HL-60 cancer cells with IC50 values of 131.5 and 58.2 μmol·L(-1), respectively., (Copyright © 2013 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To study the water-soluble chemical constituents of the flower buds of Lonicera macranthoides., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by means of chromatographic techniques and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods., Results: Six compounds were isolated and identified as trans-linalool-3,7-oxide-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(1), secol oganoside(2), secoxyloganin(3),chlorogenic acid(4), caffeic acid(5), sucrose(6)., Conclusion: Compound 1 is isolated from nature as a single compound for the first time, compounds 2-3 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Aim: To investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Euphorbia hirta Linn., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis., Results: Nine compounds were isolated and identified as scopoletin (1), scoparone (2), isoscopoletin (3), quercetin (4), isorhamnetin (5), pinocembrin (6), kaempferol (7), luteolin (8), gallic acid (9)., Conclusion: Among them compounds 1-3, 5-8 were found from this plant for the first time., (Copyright © 2012 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of Siegesbeckia pubescens., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated by extraction, crystallization and various chromatographic methods, and the chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. In addition, the cytotoxic activity of compound 1 was evaluated using human lung cancer cell A 549., Results: Four compounds were obtained, and their structures were identified as (E)-3-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)phenyl dimethylcarbamate (1), ent-2-oxo-15, 16, 19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-ene (2), 16-acetylkirenol (3), 3, 7-dimethylquercetin (4)., Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new carbamate, and the IC(50) in MTT method of compound 1 was 58 μg·mL(-1)., (Copyright © 2012 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To study the chemical constituents of the fruits of Melia toosendan, three limonoids were isolated and purified by repeated silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC from the EtOAc extract of M. toosendan. Their structures were determined by their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data (1D-NMR, 2D-NMR) as: 24, 25, 26, 27-tetranorapotirucalla-(apoeupha)-1alpha-tigloyloxy-3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxyl-12alpha-acetoxyl-14, 20, 22-trien-21, 23-epoxy-6, 28-epoxy (1), nimbolinin B (2), and trichilinin D (3), separately. Compound 1 is a new compound, and compound 2 is obtained from this plant for the first time.

Two new rotenoids, 2-hydroxy-5-aminorotenonone (1) and elliptoic acid (2), were isolated from the roots of Derris elliptica collected in Guangdong Province, China. Their structures were established by extensive spectral analysis. Compound 1 is the first N-containing rotenoid and compound 2 is the third rotenoid with the cleavage of C(12)-C(12a).

From the chloroform-soluble fraction of the ethanol extracts of the whole plant of Taxus chinensis var. mairei (Lemee et Lev1), four compounds were isolated by using repeated column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Based on spectroscopic data (UV, IR, ESI-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR), the compounds were identified as taxamairin K (1), 2alpha, 4alpha-dideacetoxy-7beta-benzoyloxy-5beta,20-epoxy-9alpha, 10beta, 13alpha, 15-tetrahydroxy-11(15-->1) abeotaxa-11-ene (2), 7beta-xylosyl-taxol (3), 10-deacetoxy-7-xylosyl-taxol (4). Among them, taxamairin K is a new compound.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Smilax china., Method: The constituents of the rhizomes of S. china were isolated and purified by repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis., Result: Thirteen compounds were obtained and identified as kaemperol-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), engeletin (2), isoengeletin (3), kaempferol (4), dihydrokaempferol (5), dihydrokaempferol-5-O-P-D-glucopyranoside (6), rutin (7), kaempferol- 5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), 3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystibene (9), vanillic acid (10), 3, 5-dimethoxy4-O-beta-D-glu-copyranosylcinnamic acid (11), beta-sitosterol (12), and beta-daucosterol (13) , respectively., Conclusion: Compounds 1, 3, 7, 8, and 11 were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 8 and 11 were isolated from the genus Smilax for the first time.

In this study five new limonoids, toosendone [24,25,26,27-tetra-nor-6alpha-acetoxy-21,22-epoxy-7alpha-tigloyl-1alpha,3alpha,28-trihydroxyapotirucalla-(apoeupha)-14,20,22-trien-12-one, 1] and 12-ethoxynimbolinins A-D (2-5), together with five known limonoids, 1-acetyltrichilinin (6), 1-cinnamoyltrichilinin (7), trichilinin B (8), 1,7-di-O-acetyl-14,15-deoxyhavanensin (9) and 12-O-methylnimbolinin B (10),were isolated from the fruits of Melia toosendan. Their structures and relative configurations were established based on spectroscopic analysis. Compound 4 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33 277, with an MIC value of 15.6 microg/mL. Compounds 7 and 8 were also active against P. gingivalis ATCC 33 277, with MIC values of 31.3 and 31.5 microg/mL respectively.

There were five new diterpenoids, 18-beta-D-3',4'-diacetoxyxylopyranosyl-ent-kaur-16-ene (1), 18-beta-L-3',5'-diacetoxyarabinofuranosyl-ent-kaur-16-ene (2), 18-beta-D-3',6'-diacetoxyglucopyranosyl-ent-kaur-16-ene (3), ent-isopimar-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (4), and 5alpha-hydroxy-ent-rosa-15-en-18-oic acid (5), isolated from the whole herb of Sagittaria pygmaea. Their structures and relative configurations were established based on spectroscopic studies, chemical methods, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 2 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the oral pathogens, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25 175 and Actinomyces viscosus ATCC 27 044, with MIC values against both pathogens of 15.6 microg/mL. Compound 3 was active against only A. viscosus ATCC 27 044 with an MIC value of 62.5 microg/mL. Compounds 4 and 5 were active against S. mutans ATCC 25 175 and A. viscosus ATCC 27 044, with MIC values against both pathogens of 125.0 microg/mL.

Seven new ent-rosane diterpenoids, sagittines A-G (1-7), together with one new labdane diterpene, 13-epi-manoyl oxide-19-O-alpha-l-2',5'-diacetoxyarabinofuranoside (8), were isolated from the whole plant of Sagittaria sagittifolia. The structures and relative configurations of 1-8 were characterized using spectroscopic means, chemical methods, and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-4 exhibited antibacterial activity against the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Actinomyces naeslundiis ATCC 12104, with MIC values between 62.5 and 125 microg/mL. Compound 5 was active against only A. naeslundiis ATCC 12104, with an MIC value of 62.5 microg/mL.

Ponicidin and oridonin are novel diterpenoids isolated from Rabdosia rubescens. We tested their effects in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, as representing low and high invasive breast carcinoma, with normal MCF-10A cells. Clonogenicity and proliferation in MCF-7 cells were inhibited more significantly by ponicidin than oridonin, while the reverse was observed in MCF-10A cells. Ponicidin and oridonin induced S/G2M arrest and G1/S block in MCF-7 cells. In MCF-10A cells treated with either diterpenoid, induction of apoptosis was observed. Moreover, oridonin almost completely blocked MCF-10A progression from S to G2/M phase; in contrast, ponicidin-treated MCF-10A cells showed no discernable changes in cell cycle phase distribution. Neither diterpenoid affected growth of MDA-MB-231 cells, at the dose range effective for MCF-7 or MCF-10A cells. Ponicidin-treated MCF-7 cells expressed reduced levels of cyclin B1, cdc2, transcription factor E2F, and Rb including phosphorylation at S780. Less pronounced effects were found in cells treated with oridonin. Neither compound altered cyclin D1 and cdk4 in MCF-7 cells. In MCF-10A cells, oridonin was more active than ponicidin in inhibiting the expression of cyclin B1, cdc2, S780-phosphorylated Rb, and E2F. To further investigate induction of apoptosis in MCF-10A cells, we measured changes in NF-kappaB. Decreases in p65 or p50 forms of NF-kappaB and its upstream regulator I-kappaB were found in oridonin-treated MCF-10A and not MCF-7 cells. Taken together, these results provide a mechanistic framework for the cellular effects of ponicidin and oridonin in different stage breast cancer cells.

Aim: To study the chemical constituents of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth., Methods: The crude total alkaloids were enriched by acid-base treatment and solvent extraction. Isolation and purification were carried out by silica gel column chromatography and recrystallization etc. Structural determination of the pure compounds were based on physico-chemical properties and various spectral data analysis (1HNMR, 13CNMR, UV, IR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, ESIMS, HREIMS, NOESY)., Results: Fourteen compounds were obtained from Evodia rutaecarpa, ten of them were identified as evodianinine (1), rutaecarpine (2), evodiamine (3), wuchuyuamide I (4), hydroxyevodiamine (5), limonin (6), daucosterol (7), triacontanoic acid (8), nonacosane (9) and beta-sitosterol (10)., Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new alkaloid named evodianinine.

Antiangiogenic activity has been identified in an aqueous EtOH extract of Rabdosia rubescens, a component of the dietary supplement PC SPES. Bioassay-guided fractionation using a novel in vitro human endothelial cell-based assay for angiogenesis afforded the diterpenoids ponicidin (1) and oridonin (2), with significant antiangiogenic activity at subcytotoxic concentrations, suggesting that these constituents may strongly contribute to the demonstrated clinical efficacy of PC SPES as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer.

Around the Mt. Wuzhishan in Hainan Island, China, tourism development has been rapidly progressed by the government and private companies since the 1980s, especially since the late 1990s, and consequently the living conditions of the Li ethnic minority people in Shuiman village, located in its center, have been drastically changing. As expected by the government, the villagers' income has increased by means of wage labors, selling the local products to the tourists, and compensatory payments for crops grown in the customary land when its use right was transferred to the company. Various changes in their lifestyle have contributed to the release from poverty and the overall improvement in basic human needs and primary health care. The villagers' flexible decision-makings on their living and environment use, with application of their traditional knowledge for resource uses, have been effective for sustainable human-environment relations, though further changes due to orders and requests of the government and companies may lead to environmental deterioration. Furthermore, inter-household differentiation in income and the perception on tourism development and agricultural development has been enlarged. These situations are discussed from the viewpoint of community-based sustainable development.