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Antrodia camphorata is used as a medicinal fungus in Taiwan to treat fatigue, food intoxication, and enhance liver function. Here we identified fermented metabolic components from the mycelium of A. camphorata KH37 and explored their anti-hepatoma potentials with study models of human hepatoblastoma cell lines. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the solid fermentation powder of A. camphorata KH37 led to the isolation of one new quinonol, antroquinonol Z (1), and nine known compounds (2–10). Treatment with 10 μM antrocamols LT1 (2) or LT3 (3) reduced cell viability of HepG2 and Huh-7 cells to about 60% in 48 hours. Antroquinonol Z (1) exhibited mild cytotoxicity against Huh-7 cells in 48 and 72 hours. Interestingly, two fractions showed cytotoxicity in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells, even better than compounds isolated from these fractions. The significant cytotoxicity of partially purified samples from A. camphorata KH37 exhibited a potential for developing alternative or complementary therapeutics against hepatoma.

Eupafolin, a constituent of the aerial parts of Phyla nodiflora, has neuroprotective property. Because reducing the synaptic release of glutamate is crucial to achieving pharmacotherapeutic effects of neuroprotectants, we investigated the effect of eupafolin on glutamate release in rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes and explored the possible mechanism. We discovered that eupafolin depressed 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced glutamate release, and this phenomenon was prevented in the absence of extracellular calcium. Eupafolin inhibition of glutamate release from synaptic vesicles was confirmed through measurement of the release of the fluorescent dye FM 1-43. Eupafolin decreased 4-AP-induced [Ca2+]i elevation and had no effect on synaptosomal membrane potential. The inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels reduced the decrease in glutamate release that was caused by eupafolin, and docking data revealed that eupafolin interacted with P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. Additionally, the inhibition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) prevented the effect of eupafolin on evoked glutamate release. Eupafolin also reduced the 4-AP-induced activation of CaMK II and the subsequent phosphorylation of synapsin I, which is the main presynaptic target of CaMKII. Therefore, eupafolin suppresses P/Q-type Ca2+ channels and thereby inhibits CaMKII/synapsin I pathways and the release of glutamate from rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes.

Ultraviolet rays are the main cause of skin aging. Isoflavone structures are good anti-ultraviolet natural compounds and have an especially strong anti-ultraviolet B (UVB) effect. However, the anti-ultraviolet A (UVA) effect of isoflavones is more controversial. Therefore, this study aims to discover which isoflavone analogue possesses a strong anti-ultraviolet A. We found the isoflavonoid intermediate deoxybenzoin-3A (DOB-3A) to be a similar isoflavone structural compound with strong anti-ultraviolet A effects. Ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 350 nm are used to irradiate the fibroblasts of the human skin. Western blot, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscope analyses were used to explore its anti-ultraviolet A mechanism. We established the results that DOB-3A (1) reduced the death of fibroblasts caused by ultraviolet A, (2) avoided the damage to the organelles and structures after UVA irradiation, (3) inhibited the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide-induced damage, and (4) decreased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) caused by UVA. Based on the above findings, DOB-3A is a very good anti-ultraviolet A isoflavone-related structure. Because it is simple to synthesize and has good effects, DOB-3A is a suitable anti-ultraviolet A product with an isoflavone structure. Moreover, DOB-3A's structure provides a reference for the synthesis of anti-UVA isoflavones.

Carotenoids, including carotenes and xanthophylls, have been identified as bioactive ingredients in foods and are considered to possess health-promoting effects. From a biopharmaceutical perspective, several physicochemical characteristics, such as scanty water solubility, restricted dissolution, and susceptibility to oxidation may influence their oral bioavailability and eventually, their effectiveness. In this review, we have summarized various formulation approaches that deal with the modification of crystalline status for carotenoids, which may improve their physicochemical properties, oral absorption, and biological effects. The mechanisms involving crystalline alteration and the typical methods for examining crystalline states in the pharmaceutical field have been included, and representative formulation approaches are introduced to unriddle the mechanisms and effects more clearly.

Two new dimeric abietane-type diterpenoids, 12-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7α-yl 7β-hydroxyisopimara-8(14),15-diene-18-peroxoate (trivial name japonicinol A, 1) and 6α,7α-O-(7,8-secoabieta-9(11),13-diene-8,12-dioxo-7-ylidene)ferruginol (trivial name japonicinol B, 3), together with three known dimeric abietane-type diterpenoids, sugikurojin J (2), sugikurojin B (4) and formosaninol (5), were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Structure elucidation was accomplished by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR and HREIMS, as well as by comparison of their NMR data with those of related known analogues. At the concentration of 50 μM, compounds 1–5 inhibited xanthine oxidase activity by 31.3, 23.4, 18.7, 17.3 and 24.4%, respectively. In addition, compound 4 also inhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity by 19.2%.

To explore valuable endophytic fungus from Formosan Lauraceous plants as natural medicinal products, the fungus, Diaporthe caulivora isolated from leaves of Neolitsea daibuensis, was investigated. Through a thorough investigation of the ethanolic extract of the solid fermentation of D. caulivora 09F0132, six undescribed alkyne-geranylcyclohexenetriols, caulivotrioloxins A-F, one undescribed trichopyrone, diapopyrone, two undescribed sesquiterpenes, caulibysins A-B, one compound firstly isolated from the natural source, 3-O-desmethyl phomentrioloxin, and eight known compounds have been successfully identified. The absolute configuration of caulibysin A was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and those of (3R,8S)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)phthalide and (3S,8S)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)phthalide were determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Among the isolated compounds, caulivotrioloxin A concentration-dependently decreased the cellular melanin contents and tyrosinase activities in mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells, suggesting the anti-melanogenic potentials. The anti-melanogenic effects of caulivotrioloxin A involved the decrease in the protein expressions of melanogenic enzymes, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2. Taken together, these results suggested that the isolates from D. caulivora could be served as natural melanogenesis inhibitors for cosmeceutical applications.

Oenothera laciniata Hill is a perennial herb traditionally used to alleviate inflammatory complications. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-melanogenic activities of O. laciniata. The methanolic extract (OLM) of O. laciniata and its different fractions, including ethyl acetate (OLEF), n-butanol (OLBF), and water (OLWF) fractions, were prepared. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by total phenolic content, the radical-scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+•), and superoxide anion (O2−•), reducing capacity, and metal chelating ability. OLM and its fractions exhibited potent antioxidant activity in these in vitro assays, with a correlation between radical-scavenging activity and total phenolic content. OLM and its fractions inhibited the mushroom tyrosinase activity superior to the reference control, ascorbic acid. In B16-F10 melanoma cells, OLM and its fractions significantly decreased melanin production and tyrosinase activity. Mechanistic investigations revealed that OLM and its fractions inhibited tyrosinase and TRP-2 expressions via downregulating MITF and phosphorylated CREB and differentially inducing ERK or JNK phosphorylation. Additionally, OLM and its fractions caused no significant cytotoxicity towards B16-F10 or skin fibroblast cells at concentrations used in these cellular assays. These findings demonstrated the potential of O. laciniata extracts as the ideal skin protective agent with dual antioxidant and anti-melanogenic activities.

Decreasing synaptic release of glutamate may counteract glutamate excitotoxicity in many neurological diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of albanin A, a constituent in the root bark of

Two new sesquarterpenoids, i.e. ferrugicadinol A (1) and ferrugicryptomeridiol (3), and one known sesquarterpenoid, ferrugicadinol (2) were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Their structures were identified by extensive spectral analysis and comparison with the data of known analogues.

Crystallization kinetics evaluated by the modified formula and optical properties of CdO and ZnO in 0.5ZnO-0.5CdO thin films have been investigated. The characterization used grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry. When the thin films are annealed at temperatures from 573 K to 773 K for 10–60 min, the GIXRD results show that all the films are composed of CdO and ZnO as major and second phases, respectively. In addition, a trace phase of CdSiO3 appeared for thin films annealed at 723 K and 773 K for 45 and 60 min, respectively, while CdSiO3 also appeared when annealing at 773 K for 30 min. The crystallinity of CdO increases with annealing temperature and duration, whereas the crystallinity of ZnO increases only slightly with temperature and duration. The activation energies of ZnO and CdO crystallization in 0.5ZnO-0.5CdO thin films are 49.51 kJ/mol and 112.45 kJ/mol, respectively. The crystallization of CdO and ZnO can be described by a modified formula: ln ( 1 1 − α ′ ) = [ 30 t × exp ( − 49.51 × 10 3 R T ) ] 0.24 and ln ( 1 1 − α ′ ) = [ 104820 t × exp ( − 112.45 × 10 3 R T ) ] 0.27 , for 573 K ≤ T ≤ 773 K and 10 min ≤ t ≤ 60 min, respectively. All films have an average optical transparency of nearly 80% in the wavelength range greater than 500 nm in the visible range, and the band gap energy of the thin films increases from 2.68 eV to 3.10 eV as the crystallinity of ZnO increases from 5.12% to 20.91% when the thin films are annealed for 60 min at 573 K–773 K and shows a blueshift effect.

The densification and biocompatibility of sintered 3.0 mol% yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) ceramics, with X wt% Fe 2 O 3 and 5.0 wt% mica powders (denoted by 3Y-TZP: X-5.0 wt% mica) have been studied. When the pellets of 3Y-TZP: X-5.0 wt% mica were sintered at 1300 °C for 1 h, the relative shrinkage increases from 19.20–19.43% with the X increased from 0.3 to 1.0. The relative shrinkage of pellets containing 1.0 wt% Fe 2 O 3 ( X =1.0) increased from 19.43–19.59% when sintering temperatures were raised from 1300 °C to 1450 °C. X-ray diffraction results show that the pellets of 3Y-TZP: X-5.0 wt% mica sintered at 1400 °C for 1 h only contained single phase of tetragonal ZrO 2 (t-ZrO 2 ). When the sintering temperature was higher than 1400 °C, the Vickers microhardness was greatest in the pellets with X =0.5. Within pellets with the same Fe 2 O 3 content, the dominant wavelength ( λ d ) was only slightly different for pellets sintered at 1300 °C and those sintered at 1450 °C. The results of the materials were evaluated in vitro cytotoxicity tests reveals that the powders and sintered pellets are safe materials. The oral mucosa irritation tests did not find erythema or histopathological change including normal epithelium, and was free from leucocyte infiltration, vascular congestion and oedema.

The medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum contains many bioactive triterpenoids, ganoderic acid A (GAA) being one of the major ones. The present study explored the microbial biotransformation of GAA, isolating 283 strains of soil actinomycetes and determining their abilities to biotransform GAA with ultra-performance liquid chromatography analysis. One positive strain, AI 045, was selected to validate the biotransformation activity. The strain was identified as Streptomyces sp. based on the sequenced 16S rRNA gene. The produced compound obtained from the biotransformation of GAA was purified with the preparative high-performance liquid chromatography method and identified as 3-O-acetyl GAA based on mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data. The present study is the first report that bacteria have the novel ability to biotransform the triterpenoids of fungus G. lucidum. Moreover, the identified 3-O-acetyl GAA is a new triterpenoid product discovered in microbes.

Neolitsea acuminatissima (Lauraceae) is an endemic plant in Taiwan. One new carboline alkaloid, demethoxydaibucarboline A (1), two new eudesmanolide-type sesquiterpenes, methyl-neolitacumone A (2), neolitacumone E (3), and twelve known compounds (4&ndash, 15) were isolated from the root of Neolitsea acuminatissima. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Glucuronidation represents a major metabolism process of detoxification for carcinogens in the liver. However, intestinal bacterial &beta, Glucuronidase (&beta, G) has been considered pivotal to colorectal carcinogenesis. To develop specific bacterial-&beta, G inhibitors with no effect on human &beta, G, methanolic extract of roots of N. acuminatissima was selected to evaluate their anti-&beta, G activity. Among the isolates, demethoxydaibucarboline A (1) and quercetin (8) showed a strong bacterial &beta, G inhibitory effect with an inhibition ratio of about 80%. Methylneolitacumone A (2) and epicatechin (10) exhibited a moderate or weak inhibitory effect and the enzyme activity was less than 45% and 74%, respectively. These four compounds specifically inhibit bacterial &beta, G but not human &beta, G. Thus, they are expected to be used for the purpose of reducing chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID). The results suggest that the constituents of N. acuminatissima have the potential to be used as CID relief candidates. However, further investigation is required to determine their mechanisms of action.

Three new abietane-type diterpenoids, 7β-acetoxy-12-methoxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-6α,11-diol (1), 7α-acetoxy-12-methoxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-6α,11-diol (2), and 6α-acetoxy-12-methoxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-7α,11-diol (3), as well as two known abietane-type diterpenoids, 12-methoxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-6α,7β,11-triol (4) and 6α-acetoxy-12-methoxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-7β,11-diol (5), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of NMR data with those of related metabolites.

Kinetics of anatase transition to rutile TiO 2 from titanium dioxide precursor powders synthesized by a sol-gel process have been studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), nano beam electron diffraction (NBED) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). The DTA result shows residual organic matter decomposed at 436 K. The transition temperature for amorphous precursor powders converted to anatase TiO 2 occurred at 739 K. Moreover, the full anatase transition to rutile TiO 2 occurred at 1001 K. The activation energy of anatase TiO 2 formation was 128.9 kJ/mol. On the other hand, the activation energy of anatase transition to rutile TiO 2 was 328.4 kJ/mol. Mesoporous structures can be observed in the TEM image.

Zih-Chan Lin,1,* Chiang-Wen Lee,2,3,* Ming-Horng Tsai,4 Horng-Huey Ko,5 Jia-You Fang,1,2 Yao-Chang Chiang,6,7 Chan-Jung Liang,8,9 Lee-Fen Hsu,10 Stephen Chu-Sung Hu,11,12 Feng-Lin Yen5,8,13 1Graduate Institute of BioMedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, 2Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Kweishan, Taoyuan, 3Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Institute of Technology and Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chiayi, 4Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Yunlin, 5Department of Fragrance and Cosmetic Science, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 6Center for Drug Abuse and Addiction, China Medical University Hospital, 7Center for Drug Abuse and Addiction, China Medical University, Taichung, 8Center for Lipid and Glycomedicine Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 9Center for Lipid Biosciences, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 10Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi Campus, Chiayi, 11Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 12Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 13Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Exposure to particulate matter (PM), a major form of air pollution, can induce oxidative stress and inflammation and may lead to many diseases in various organ systems including the skin. Eupafolin, a flavonoid compound derived from Phyla nodiflora, has been previously shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Unfortunately, eupafolin is characterized by poor water solubility and skin penetration, which limits its clinical applications. To address these issues, we successfully synthesized a eupafolin nanoparticle delivery system (ENDS). Our findings showed that ENDS could overcome the physicochemical drawbacks of raw eupafolin with respect to water solubility and skin penetration, through reduction of particle size and formation of an amorphous state with hydrogen bonding. Moreover, ENDS was superior to raw eupafolin in attenuating PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in HaCaT keratinocytes, by mediating the antioxidant pathway (decreased reactive oxygen species production and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity) and anti-inflammation pathway (decreased cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production through downregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB signaling). In summary, ENDS shows better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities than raw eupafolin through improvement of water solubility and skin penetration. Therefore, ENDS may potentially be used as a medicinal drug and/or cosmeceutical product to prevent PM-induced skin inflammation. Keywords: eupafolin, nanoparticles, particulate matter, oxidative stress, cyclooxygenase-2, keratinocytes

In continual study on the heartwood of Rhamnus nakaharai, a new alaternin-8-O-glucoside, namely 1,2,6,8-tetrahydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone-8-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), together with some known compounds were further isolated and characterised by 1-D, 2-D NMR and other spectral evidences. The free radical scavenging and antityrosinase activities of the isolates, including alaternin (1a), emodin (2a), emodin-8-O-β-glucopyranoside (2), 6-methoxysorigenin-8-O-β-glucopyranoside (3) and 6-methoxysorigenin (3a) were tested. Alaternin (1a) exhibited to be mild DPPH radical scavenger with half as potent as vitamin C, while both alaternin (1a) and emodin-8-O-β-glucopyranoside (2) exhibited stronger SOD-like activity than that of BHA. 6-Methoxysorigenin (3a), a reported potential antioxidant, and its 8-O-glucoside (3) both performed significant inhibitory effect on mushroom tyrosinase with about twice as potent as kojic acid, the positive control.

Malignant melanoma is developed from pigment-containing cells, melanocytes, and primarily found on the skin. Malignant melanoma still has a high mortality rate, which may imply a lack of therapeutic agents. Lakoochin A, a compound isolated from Artocarpus lakoocha and Artocarpus xanthocarpus, has an inhibitory function of tyrosinase activity and melanin production, but the anti-cancer effects are still unclear. In the current study, the therapeutic effects of lakoochin A with their apoptosis functions and possible mechanisms were investigated on A375.S2 melanoma cells. Several methods were applied, including 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, and immunoblotting. Results suggest that lakoochin A attenuated the growth of A375.S2 melanoma cells through an apoptosis mechanism. Lakoochin A first increase the production of cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROSs), mitochondrial ROSs then promote mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway activation and raise downstream apoptosis-related protein and caspase expression. This is the first study to demonstrate that lakoochin A, through ROS-MAPK, apoptosis-related proteins, caspases cascades, can induce melanoma cell apoptosis and may be a potential candidate compound for treating malignant melanoma.

In this study, we examined the potential of synthetic isoflavones for application in cosmeceuticals. Twenty-five isoflavones were synthesized and their capacities of free-radical-scavenging and mushroom tyrosinase inhibition, as well as their impact on cell viability of B16F10 murine melanoma cells and HaCaT human keratinocytes were evaluated. Isoflavones that showed significant mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activities were further studied on reduction of cellular melanin formation and antityrosinase activities in B16F10 melanocytes in vitro. Among the isoflavones tested, 6-hydroxydaidzein (2) was the strongest scavenger of both ABTS(.+) and DPPH(.) radicals with SC50 values of 11.3 ± 0.3 and 9.4 ± 0.1 μM, respectively. Texasin (20) exhibited the most potent inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase (IC50 14.9 ± 4.5 μM), whereas retusin (17) showed the most efficient inhibition both of cellular melanin formation and antityrosinase activity in B16F10 melanocytes, respectively. In summary, both retusin (17) and texasin (20) exhibited potent free-radical-scavenging capacities as well as efficient inhibition of cellular melanogenesis, suggesting that they are valuable hit compounds with potential for advanced cosmeceutical development.

Zinc titanate precursor powders were synthesized from the initial materials of TiCl 4 and Zn(NO 3 ) 2 ·6H 2 O using a hydrothermal route at various pH environments. The phase formation mechanism of the zinc titanate precursor powders synthesized at various pH using a hydrothermal process was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), nanobeam electron diffraction (NBED) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). The XRD results show that the phase formation was affected by the pH environment. The zinc titanate precursor powders synthesized at pH 5 and calcined at 500 °C for 1 h, anatase TiO 2 and ZnO as the major and secondary phase, respectively. The phases of rutile TiO 2 , Zn 2 TiO 4 and ZnTiO 3 appeared when the precursor powders calcined at 1000 °C for 1 h. Moreover, when the zinc titanate precursor powders were synthesized at pH 9 and calcined at 500 °C for 1 h, the phases of ZnO and Zn 2 Ti 3 O 8 appeared. When the zinc titanate precursor powders calcined at 1000 °C for 1 h, Zn 2 TiO 4 and rutile TiO 2 was the major phase and the minor phases, respectively. However, when the zinc titanate precursor powders were synthesized at pH 7 and calcined at 1000 °C for 1 h, phase formation was similar to the precursor powders synthesized at pH 9 and calcined at 1000 °C for 1 h, but the minor phase of ZnTiO 3 disappeared. The SAED results of zinc titanate precursor powders synthesized at various pH and calcined at different temperatures for 1 h also agreed with the XRD results.

The thermal behavior and crystallization kinetics of cerium dioxide (CeO 2 ) precursor powders synthesized using a precipitation route at 293 K and pH=9 were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and high resolution TEM. The formula of precursor powders can be expressed as CeO 2 ·1/2H 2 O. The activation energy of CeO 2 crystallization from cerium dioxide precursors was obtained by the non-isothermal method and was 73.49 kJ/mol. The parameter of growth morphology ( n ) and index of crystallization were approximated as 2.0, meaning that two-dimensional growth with plate-like morphology was the primary mechanism of CeO 2 crystallization from cerium dioxide precursor powders.

In situ synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 nanopowders using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and NH4OH as initial materials has been successfully fabricated by a coprecipitation process without the addition of surfactant. Characteristics and properties of the mesoporous TiO2 nanopowders were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetry (DSC/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrent–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) analyses, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). The results of TG and XRD showed that the NH4Cl decomposed between 513 and 673 K. XRD results showed that the anatase TiO2 only contained a single phase when the calcination temperature of the precursor powder was less than 673 K. Whereas phases of anatase and rutile TiO2 coexist after calcining at 773 K for 2 h. The crystalline size of the anatase and rutile TiO2 was 14.3 and 26.6 nm, respectively, when the precursor powder was calcined at 773 K for 2 h. The BET and BJH results showed a significant increase in surface area and pore volumes when the NH4Cl was completely decomposed. The maximum values of BET specific surface area and volume were 172.8 m2/g and 0.392 cm3/g, respectively. The average pore sizes when calcination was at 473 and 773 K for 2 h were 3.8 and 14.0 nm, respectively.

Background Crude extract of breadfruit has been reported to have antitumor activity against various cancer cell lines with unknown mechanism. Purpose This study aims to investigate the proapoptotic effect of cyclocommunol (CYC), a prenylflavonoid from breadfruit, in two oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines, SCC2095 and Ca922. Methods The antiproliferative effects of CYC were assessed by MTT assays and PI/annexin V analysis. SCC2095 cells were transiently transfected with Mcl-1 plasmid in overexpression experiment. Other methods used to investigate the mechanism of CYC included Western blotting, acridine orange staining and confocal microscopic visualization. Results Our results showed that CYC suppressed the viability of SCC2095 and Ca922 with IC50 values at 48 h of 4.2 and 5.0 µM, respectively. This decrease in viability occurred in a caspase-dependent apoptotic manner. In addition, CYC down-regulated the phosphorylation/expression of Akt/mTOR and Mcl-1, accompanied by reactive oxygen species generation, and autophagy induction. Notably, overexpression of Mcl-1 using Mcl-1-tag-myc partially rescued CYC-mediated caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, and cytotoxicity. In summary, our study demonstrated the proapoptotic activity of CYC on OSCC, partially through down-regulation of Mcl-1. Conclusion CYC from breadfruit has translational value as a proapoptotic agent for OSCC.

Melanoma is the most malignant form of skin cancer and is associated with a very poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the apoptotic effects of cudraflavone C on A375.S2 melanoma cells and to determine the underlying mechanisms involved in apoptosis. Cell viability was determined using the MTT and real-time cytotoxicity assays. Flow cytometric evaluation of apoptosis was performed after staining the cells with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide. The mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated using the JC-1 assay. Cellular ROS production was measured using the CellROX assay, while mitochondrial ROS production was evaluated using the MitoSOX assay. It was observed that cudraflavone C inhibited growth in A375.S2 melanoma cells, and promoted apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway mediated by increased mitochondrial ROS production. In addition, cudraflavone C induced phosphorylation of MAPKs (p38, ERK, and JNK) and up-regulated the expression of apoptotic proteins (Puma, Bax, Bad, Bid, Apaf-1, cytochrome C, caspase-9, and caspase-3/7) in A375.S2 cells. Pretreatment of A375.S2 cells with MitoTEMPOL (a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant) attenuated the phosphorylation of MAPKs, expression of apoptotic proteins, and the overall progression of apoptosis. In summary, cudraflavone C induced apoptosis in A375.S2 melanoma cells by increasing mitochondrial ROS production; thus, activating p38, ERK, and JNK; and increasing the expression of apoptotic proteins. Therefore, cudraflavone C may be regarded as a potential form of treatment for malignant melanoma.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the roots of Myrica adenophora led to isolation of 24 known compounds and hitherto unknown compounds, including three A-type proanthocyanidins [adenodimerins A-C], two esters of sucrose [myricadenins A and B ], and the phenolic glycoside 6'-O-galloyl orbicularin. Spectroscopic analyses were used to determine their structures. Adenodimerin A, myricananin C, and myricetin showed strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities, with SC50 values of 7.9, 16.3, and 15.9 μM, respectively. Adenodimerin A, myricanone, myricananin C, (-)-myricanol, myricanol 11-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and myricetin showed stronger 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities than the positive control, with SC50 values of 7.5, 19.6, 12.0, 22.3, 19.6, and 15.6 μM, respectively. 5-Deoxymyricanone, porson, 12-hydroxymyricanone (-)-myricanol, and (+)-galeon exhibited anti-tubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv in vitro and MICs values of 25.8, 40.0, 35.8, 30.0, and 15.0 μg/mL, respectively. Myricadenin A, myricanone, myricananin C, and (-)-myricanol exhibited anti-inflammatory activities in the iNOS assay with EC50 values of 18.1, 1.00, 13.0, and 7.5 μM, respectively.

The phase formation and microstructure of zinc titanate precursors prepared at pH 5 by hydrothermal routes using TiCl 4 and Zn(NO 3 ) 2 ·6H 2 O as the initial materials were studied. When the zinc titanate precursors were calcined at 773 K for 1 h, only the single phase anatase TiO 2 was obtained. The Zn 2 Ti 3 O 8 phase first appeared at 873 K and decomposition started at 1073 K. After calcination at 1073 K for 1 h, only the Zn 2 TiO 4 and rutile TiO 2 appeared. The crystalline size of Zn 2 Ti 3 O 8 increased from 11.9 nm to 38.6 nm with increasing the calcination temperature from 873 K to 1173 K. The crystalline size of anatase TiO 2 also increased from 15.3 nm to 50.8 nm when the calcination temperature increased from 773 K to 1173 K. However, the crystalline size of rutile TiO 2 stayed at about 57.5 nm for calcination temperature between 1173 K and 1273 K.

The isothermal crystallization kinetics and effect of crystallinity on the optical properties of cerium dioxide (CeO 2 ) nanopowders synthesized using a coprecipitation route at 293 K and pH 9 were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrophotometry. The activation energy of CeO 2 crystallization from dried cerium dioxide precursor powders by isothermal method of 64.1±3.24 kJ/mol was obtained. The average value of the growth morphology parameter ( n ) is 1.94, meaning that two-dimensional growth with plate-like morphology was the primary mechanism of CeO 2 crystallization from cerium dioxide precursor powders. The indirect band gap energy ( E i ) of CeO 2 decreased from 3.03 eV to 2.83 eV when the crystallinity increased from 18% to 82%, and the direct band gap energy ( E d ) of CeO 2 also decreased from 3.76 eV to 3.64 eV.