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Two new iridoid glycosides, piasezkiiosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from aqueous extract of the whole plant of Rehmannia piasezkii. Their structures were established from the spectroscopic data, chemical transformation, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 exhibited weak hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced HepG2 cell damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We established myocardial injury models in vivo and in vitro to investigate the cardioprotective effect of gomisin D obtained from Schisandra chinensis. Gomisin D significantly inhibited isoproterenol-induced apoptosis and hypertrophy in H9C2 cells. Gomisin D decreased serum BNP, ANP, CK-MB, cTn-T levels and histopathological alterations, and inhibited myocardial hypertrophy in mice. In mechanisms research, gomisin D reversed ISO-induced accumulation of intracellular ROS and Ca2+. Gomisin D further improved mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders by regulating the TCA cycle. These results demonstrated that gomisin D had a significant effect on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, calcium overload and improving mitochondrial energy metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new iridoid glycosides (1–4), rehmaglutosides L–O, were isolated from the air-dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were established from the spectroscopic data obtained and by chemical evidence. The known mellittoside (5) and ajugol (6) were also obtained in the current investigation, and the structure of mellittoside was unequivocally defined using X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1–6 were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines and proliferation effects on Lactobacillus Reuteri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven new pentasaccharides (1–7), rehmaglupentasaccharides A-G, were isolated from the air-dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were established from the spectroscopic data obtained and by chemical evidence. The known verbascose (8) and stachyose (9) were also obtained in the current investigation, and the structure of stachyose was unequivocally defined using X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1–9 were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines, influence on dopamine receptor activation, and proliferation effects against Lactobacillus reuteri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of Salvia deserta led to the isolation of eight new pentacyclic triterpenoids including three oleanane- (1 − 3) and five ursane-type (4 − 8) triterpenoids, whose structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculation. Weak immunosuppressive potency was observed for compounds 1, 2, and 4 − 8 via inhibiting the secretion of cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-induced macrophages RAW264.7 at 20 μM. In addition, compounds 1, 2, and 4 − 6 exhibited moderate protective activity on t-BHP-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icon cognitive impairment is one of the main difficulties for older users to use smart products. This study explores the impact of icon style, icon concreteness and both together on understanding icons by comparing the cognitive differences between two groups of users, young and old. The performance of different types of icons on cognitive performance was analyzed specifically through a comprehensive cognitive load assessment method of behavioral, physiological and subjective data. The results showed that the cognitive performance of skeuomorphism concrete icons was higher and the cognitive load was lower when the user group was novice or older users with less experience in interacting with the GUI; the cognitive performance of flat concrete icons was higher and the cognitive load was lower when the user group was familiar or young users with more experience in interacting with the GUI. From the perspective of cognitive differences between young and old, the results of this study provide a reference for future icon design of interactive interfaces for older people smart terminals to help designers and developers achieve a better user experience for the aging group, which has practical significance for the age-friendly design of graphical interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combined with behavioral assessments was used in our study to investigate the dynamic process of motor cortical functional reorganization after infarction. Therefore, we could provide a theoretical basis and build a useful evaluation system for rehabilitation after stroke and various other cerebral injuries. Acute stroke patients with a single lesion in the middle cerebral artery supply area and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited. A longitudinal observational study involving 20 patients with stroke was conducted using repeated fMRI. Task-based fMRI data were acquired 3 times over a period of 3 months. The behavioral assessment included dynamometer and finger-tapping tests to evaluate the strength and dexterity of each upper arm. Behavioral results: The behavioral assessments demonstrated large improvements in session 2 and session 3. fMRI results: The healthy group showed activation in the contralateral primary sensory-motor cortex (S1M1) when executing tasks with either the left or right hand. Compared with the healthy subjects, the patients demonstrated greater activation in the ipsilateral frontal and parietal cortices and supplementary motor areas (SMAs). Across all sessions, more motor activation was observed in the left infarction group. Our results show that motor cortical activation induced by moving the paretic hand changes over time. There were differences in motor functional recovery and motor cortex compensation between the dominant hemisphere and nondominant hemisphere after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulty balance in the game level design is particularly important for user experience (UX). This study uses cognitive control and flow theory as a starting point, and based on the functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology, this research obtained oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (ΔHbO2) signals from three brain areas in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), namely the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the ventral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), and the frontal area (FPA). Combined with the subjective flow state scale to explore the reaction difference between the video game players (VGPs) and the non-video game players (NVGPs) during the entire period of playing video games and the moment of game difficulty changes. The results show that VGPs and NVGPs have significant differences between flow state and HbO2 signals in different brain regions of the PFC. The players' flow state is affected by the game difficulty. The HbO2 signals in the players' DLPFC and FPA have a linear dependence relation with the flow state. This research proves that VGPs and NVGPs have different UX with game difficulty changes from the cognitive perspective. The results provide a reference for the future game level design about game difficulty balance to achieve a better UX in the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new phenylpropanoids, 4-O-(1''-O-cis-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyran osyl-1-allyl-3-methoxy-benzene (1), 4'-O-(1''-O-cis-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranosyl-hydroxymegastigm-4-en-3-one (2), together with nine known compounds were obtained from the leaves of Solanum capsicoides. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, and comparing spectral data with those in literature. Meanwhile, their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated on (LPS)-induced RAW 246.7 cells, and 1, 9, and 10 showed better inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 17.19 ± 1.12, 18.15 ± 0.47, and 19.8 ± 0.95 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new aromatic glycoside (1) and twelve (2–13) known aromatic glycosides were isolated from the n-butyl alcohol of the 70% EtOH extract of the aerial part of Bupleurum chinense. Among them, compounds 4–7, 9, 11–13 were isolated from Umbelliferae plants for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 6 and 10 showed moderate cytotoxic activities on MGC-803 cell lines with IC50 values of 8.63 ± 0.08 and 13.65 ± 1.73 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ent-kaurane diterpenoid, named kaurane daturoside A (1), was isolated from the 70%-EtOH extract of dried pericarps of Datura metel L., along with six known terpenoids, 16α,17-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-diglycoside (2), cyclosieversioside F (3), astragaloside II (4), ginsenoside Rg1 (5), astrojanoside A (6), celerioside E (7). The isolated structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analyses, and the compounds 2, 3, 7 were separated from Solanaceae for the first time. Meanwhile, among isolates, compounds 2 and 5 exhibited anti-inflammatory activities against LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells (IC50<11.00 μM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new amide, named rehmagluamide (1), and a new hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, named nepetoidin F (2), together with six known compounds, 2′-O-methyluridine (3), puroglutamic acid (4), biliverdic acid (5), peterolactam (6), nicotinic acid (7), nicotinamide (8), were isolated from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. All the structures of compounds were identified by the interpretation of their spectroscopic data and comparison with those reported in the literatures. The protective effects of compounds 1–7 on normal rat kidney tubule epithelioid (NRK-52e) cells injury induced by LPS were investigated. The results indicated that compounds 1, 2, and 7 exhibited protective effects against LPS-induced NRK 52e cells injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new steroids meteloside F (1) and meteloside G (2), together with six known ones (3–8), were isolated and identified from the seeds of Datura metel L. The chemical constituents were isolated by silica gel, ODS chromatogram columns. and preparative HPLC. The structures of these compounds were established by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS. The compounds exhibited inhibition on the nitric oxide release of lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values from 30.2 to 44.8 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new iridoids (1-5), jiohenrins A-E, together with sixteen known compounds (6-21), were isolated from the whole plants of Rehmannia henryi. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight new iridoids (1–8) and an ionone glucoside (9), together with 31 known compounds (10–40), were isolated from the whole plants of Rehmannia henryi. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data and chemical evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia oleifera C. Abel has been widely cultivated in China, and a group of bioactive constituents such as triterpeniod saponin have been isolated from C. oleifera C. Abel. In the current study, a new triterpeniod saponin was isolated from the EtOH extract of the roots of C. oleifera C. Abel, named as oleiferoside W, and the cytotoxic properties of oleiferoside W were evaluated in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. At the same time the inducing apoptosis, the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ), the up-regulation of related pro-apoptotic proteins, such as cleaved-PARP, cleaved-caspase-3, and the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2/Bax were measured on oleiferoside W. Furthermore, the function, inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis, of oleiferoside W could be reversed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). In conclusion, our findings showed that oleiferoside W induced apoptosis involving mitochondrial pathway and increasing intracellular ROS production in the A549 cells, suggesting that oleiferoside W may have the possibility to be a useful anticancer agent for therapy in lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new natural products reported in peer-reviewed articles in 2016 in journals with good reputations were reviewed and analyzed. The advances that Asian research groups made in the field of natural products chemistry in 2016 were summarized. Compounds with unique structural features and/or promising bioactivities originating from Asian natural sources were discussed based on structural classification. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Tripterygium wilfordiiHook. f. is the traditional medicinal plants in China. Triptolide, wilforgine, and wilforine are the bioactive compounds inT. wilfordii.In this study, the contents of three metabolites and transcription levels of 21 genes involved in three metabolites biosynthesis inT. wilfordiiwere examined using high-performance liquid chromatography and reverse transcription PCR after application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on hairy roots in time course experiment (3–24 h). The results indicated that application of MeJA inhibited triptolide accumulation and promoted wilforgine and wilforine metabolites biosynthesis. In hairy roots, wilforgine content reached 693.36 μg/g at 6 h after adding MeJA, which was 2.23-fold higher than control. The accumulation of triptolide and wilforine in hairy roots increased the maximum at 9 h, which was 1.3- and 1.6-folds more than the control. Most of the triptolide secretes into the medium, but wilforgine and wilforine cannot secrete into the medium. The expression levels of unigenes which involved terpenoid backbone biosynthesis exist the correlation with marker metabolites (triptolide, wilforgine and wilforine) after induction by MeJA, and can be then used to infer flux bottlenecks inT. wilfordiisecondary metabolites accumulation. These results showed that these genes may have potential applications in the metabolic engineering ofT. wilfordiimetabolites production. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether hederacochiside C (HSC) possesses antischistosomal effects and anti-inflammatory response activities inSchistosoma japonicum-infected mice. Different concentrations of HSC were administrated to the mice infected by schistosomula or adult worm by intravenous injection twice a day for five consecutive days. The total worm burden, female worm burden, and the egg burden in liver of mice treated with 400 mg/kg HSC were fewer than those in non-treated ones. Murine immune responses following HSC treatment were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Our results indicated that 200 mg/kg HSC could reduce the expression of IgG, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 in comparison to infected group, exhibiting best immunomodulatory effects. In addition, scanning electron microscopical examination revealed that male worms treated with HSC lost their normal surface architecture since its surface showed extensive swelling, erosion, and peeling in tegumental regions. Remarkable amelioration was noticed in histopathological investigations, and 200 mg/kg HSC treatment could reduce the size of granulomatous inflammatory infiltrations in the liver which was reflected in nearly normalization of liver architecture. These results suggested that HSC had potential antischistosomal activity and provided a basis for subsequent experimental. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three new flavonoid glycosides (1–3) and one new aristololactamN-glycoside (4) were isolated from the rhizome ofAristolochia championii. The structures of compounds1–4were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data and chemical evidence (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR). Their structures were determined as 8-(5-formyl-2-furanmethyl)-isorhamentin 3-O-robinobioside (1), 8-(5-methyl-2-furanoyl)-isorhamentin 3-O-robinobioside (2), 8-formylisorhamentin 3-O-robinobioside (3), and N-β-D-glucopyranosylaristololactam V (4), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes ofIris tectorumresulted in the isolation and characterization of three new apocynin derivatives, apocynin-4-O-β-D-(6′-O-syringyl)glucopyranoside (1), scrophenoside C-7-ethyl ether (2,3), together with a new naturally occurring compound but known by synthesis, apocynin-4-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (4), and five known ones (5–9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To identify the boundary conditions for proactive employees making whistle-blowing decisions, we developed a cross-level model comprising employee proactive personality and two types of whistle-blowing intentions that incorporates the influences of organizational- and individual-level attributes. Analyses of data collected from 432 Chinese employees in 32 companies indicated that proactive personality was positively related to internal whistle-blowing intention and even more positively related to external whistle-blowing intention when individuals were working in organizations characterized by an instrumental ethical climate and employees with a high level of moral identity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A number of epidemiological studies have explored the association between lycopene or lycopene-rich food intake and the risk of colorectal cancer, but the results of these studies have not been consistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in the PubMed and EMBASE databases to quantitatively assess the association between lycopene consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer. A total of 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the summary relative risk (RR) for highest versus lowest category indicated no significant association between lycopene consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer [RR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80–1.10]. However, a significant inverse association was observed between lycopene consumption and the site of cancer in the colon (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.96). We also found that the incidence of colon cancer and lycopene intake did not exhibit dose-response relationships. The Grades of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) quality in our study was very low. In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicates that lycopene consumption is not associated with the risk of colorectal cancer. Further research will be needed in this area to provide conclusive evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new triterpenoid saponins, oleiferoside N and oleiferoside O, were isolated from the EtOH extract from the roots ofCamellia oleiferaC. Abel. Their structures were elucidated as 16α-acetoxy-21β,22α-O-diangeloyloxy-23,28-dihydroxyolean-12-ene 3β-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (1), 16α-acetoxy-21β-O-angeloyloxy-23,28-dihydroxy-22α-O-(2-methylbutanoyloxy)olean-12-ene 3β-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (2), on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (IR, ESI-MS, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and acid hydrolysis. Both were characterized to be oleanane-type saponins with sugar moieties linked to C-3 of the aglycone. Cytotoxic activities of two saponins were evaluated against four human tumor cell lines (A549, B16, BEL-7402, and MCF-7) by using the MTTin vitroassay. Compounds1and2showed moderate cytotoxic activities toward the tested cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Phytochemical investigation of the 95% EtOH extract of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. resulted in the isolation of two novel polyacetylenes, (2S)-(3Z,11E)-decadiene-5,7,9-triyne-1,2-diol (1) and (2R)-(3E,11Z)-decadiene-5,7,9-triyne-1,2-diol (2), together with two known polyacetylenes (3 and 4). The structures of these novel compounds were determined by extensive two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and optical rotation. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activities against C26 cell growth and inhibitory effects on the lipo-poly-saccharides-induced nitric oxide production using murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. However, compounds 1, 2, and 4 just showed weak activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation on the EtOAc extract of the bark ofZanthoxylum simulansled to the isolation of four new lignans including zanthoxylumin A (1), zanthoxylumin B (2), ( − )-magnolin (3), and ( − )-pinoresinol-di-3,3-dimethylallyl ether (4). Their structures were established by comprehensive analysis of the spectral data, especially 1D and 2D NMR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new 20α-ursane-type triterpenoids (1–2) were isolated from the roots ofIlex cornuta, along with three known triterpenoids (3–5). The structures of compounds1–2were determined as 3β, 23-dihydroxy-20α(H)-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 3β,19α,23-trihydroxy-20α(H)-urs-12-en-28-oic acid 3β-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (2), on the basis of hydrolysis and spectral evidence, including 1D- and 2D-NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analyses. These pure isolates (1–5) were tested for their cytotoxic activities by MTT assay. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Four new ionone and ionone glycosides (1–4), and a new monoterpene (5), together with 10 known analogues (6–15), were isolated from the air-dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. Furthermore, in in vitro assays, compound 3 (10 μM) exhibited moderate hepatoprotective activities against d-galactosamine-induced HL-7702 cell damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chiroptical properties of an iridoid glycoside ajugol were fully investigated by quantum chemical calculations of specific optical rotation at the sodium D line ([α]D value), optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). TDDFT calculations of the [α]D value and ORD of ajugol over the range of 365–633 nm were in good agreement with the experimental data. The predicted ECD spectrum of ajugol was also consistent with the experiment, showing a strong negative Cotton effect (CE) at around 190 nm and a weak positive CE at around 220 nm. Our results unambiguously determined the absolute configuration (AC) of the aglycone part of ajugol as (1S, 5R, 6R, 8S, 9S) and supported the generally accepted AC assignments of iridoid glycosides. Semi-empirical rule for the enol ether chromophore, basis set selection, and effect of glucose group on ECD spectra were also discussed in the case of ajugol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new monacolin analogs, monacolins O (1) and P (2), along with three known analogs, have been isolated from the ethanolic extract ofMonascus purpureus-fermented rice. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR and CD spectral analyses as well as chemical method. Both1and2were tested against five tumor cell lines, and compound1exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against A2780 and A549 cell lines, with IC50values of 3.7 and 8.0 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The cytotoxic activity of 36 saponins isolated from roots ofPulsatilla chinensis(Bunge) Regel against the human cancer cell lines (A549, SGC-7901) and the human hepatic cell line (HL-7702) was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Saponins1–14showed considerable cytotoxic activity, whereas saponins15–36showed no significant activity, which suggested that a free carboxylic group located at C-28 of aglycon is essential for their cytotoxic activity. Moreover, the analysis of structure–activity relationships also suggested that the oleanane-type saponins showed better cytotoxic activity than lupane-type saponins, and the length and linkage of glycolic chain attached to C-3 of aglycon displayed an important effect to the potent cytotoxicity. In conclusion, oleanolic acid 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-α-l-arabinopyranoside (5) exhibited the most significant cytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new polyoxygenated cyclohexene bonianol A (1) and another new polyoxygenated seco-cyclohexene bonianol B (2) were isolated from the leaves of Uvaria boniana, and their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods including IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new carboxylic acids (1–6), together with 11 known ones (7–17), were isolated from the aerial parts of Lysimachia clethroides. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. Five new carboxylic acids (1 and 3–6) were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against aldose reductase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new C28 sterols with a cyclopentane ring at C-22 and 26, alkesterol A (1) and alkesterol B (2), along with β-sitosterol (3), were isolated from the berries of Physalis pubeacens L. (cape gooseberry). The structures of the new compounds were established by HR-EI-MS, 1D and 2D (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR experiments. The known compound was identified by comparison of spectral data with published references. The two new compounds showed some cytotoxic activities by MTT assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]