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Introduction: Paeonia lactiflora contains diverse active constituents and exhibits various pharmacological activities. However, only partial identification of biologically active substances from P. lactiflora has been achieved using low-throughput techniques. Here, the roots of P. lactiflora, namely, Fenyunu (CK), Dafugui (DFG), and Red Charm (HSML), were studied. The primary and secondary metabolites were investigated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESIMS/MS). Methods: The chemical compounds and categories were detected using broadly targeted UPLC–MS/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were carried out for metabolites of different varieties of P. lactiflora. Results: A total of 1237 compounds were detected and classified into 11 categories. HCA, PCA, and OPLS-DA of these metabolites indicated that each variety of P. lactiflora was clearly separated from the other groups. Differential accumulated metabolite analysis revealed that the three P. lactiflora varieties contained 116 differentially activated metabolites (DAMs) involved in flavonoid, flavone, and flavonol metabolism. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that, in 65 pathways, 336 differentially abundant metabolites (DMs) were enriched in the CK and DFG groups; moreover, the type and content of terpenoids were greater in the CK group than in the DFG group. The CK and HSML groups contained 457 DMs enriched in 61 pathways; the type and amount of flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins were greater in the CK group than in the HSML group. The DFG and HSML groups contained 497 DMs enriched in 65 pathways; terpenoids and alkaloids were more abundant in the HSML variety than in the DFG variety. Conclusions: A total of 1237 compounds were detected, and the results revealed significant differences among the three P. lactiflora varieties. Among the three P. lactiflora varieties, phenolic acids and flavonoids composed the largest and most diverse category of metabolites, and their contents varied greatly. Therefore, CK is suitable for medicinal plant varieties, and DFG and HSML are suitable for ornamental plant varieties. Twelve proanthocyanidin metabolites likely determined the differences in color among the three varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an emerging subset of organic complexes, metal complexes have garnered considerable attention owing to their outstanding structures, properties, and applications. In this content, metal-organic cages (MOCs) with defined shapes and sizes provide internal spaces to isolate water for guest molecules, which can be selectively captured, isolated, and released to achieve control over chemical reactions. Complex supramolecules are constructed by simulating the self-assembly behavior of the molecules or structures in nature. For this purpose, massive amounts of cavity-containing supramolecules, such as metal-organic cages (MOCs), have been extensively explored for a large variety of reactions with a high degree of reactivity and selectivity. Because sunlight and water are necessary for the process of photosynthesis, water-soluble metal-organic cages (WSMOCs) are ideal platforms for photo-responsive stimulation and photo-mediated transformation by simulating photosynthesis due to their defined sizes, shapes, and high modularization of metal centers and ligands. Therefore, the design and synthesis of WSMOCs with uncommon geometries embedded with functional building units is of immense importance for artificial photo-responsive stimulation and photo-mediated transformation. In this review, we introduce the general synthetic strategies of WSMOCs and their applications in this sparking field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia lactiflflora Pall. has a long edible and medicinal history because of the very high content of biologically active compounds. However, little information is available about the metabolic basis of pharmacological values of P. lactiflora flowers. In this study, we investigated metabolites in the different parts of P. lactiflora flowers, including petal, stamen petaloid tissue and stamen, by widely targeted metabolomics approach. A total of 1102 metabolites were identified, among which 313 and 410 metabolites showed differential accumulation in comparison groups of petal vs. stamen petaloid tissue and stamen vs. stamen petaloid tissue. Differential accumulated metabolites analysis and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the flavonoids were the most critical differential metabolites. Furthermore, difference accumulation of flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins and alkaloids might lead to the differences in antioxidant activities and tyrosinase inhibition effects. Indeed, stamen petaloid tissue displayed better antioxidant and anti-melanin production activities than petal and stamen through experimental verification. These results not only expand our understanding of metabolites in P. lactiflora flowers, but also reveal that the stamen petaloid tissues of P. lactiflora hold the great potential as promising ingredients for pharmaceuticals, functional foods and skincare products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary reason for postharvest loss is blue mold disease which is mainly caused by Penicillium expansum. Strategies for disease control greatly depend on the understanding of mechanisms of pathogen-fruit interaction. A member of the glycoside hydrolase family, β-glucosidase 1b (eglB), in P. expansum was significantly upregulated during postharvest pear infection. Glycoside hydrolases are a large group of enzymes that can degrade plant cell wall polymers. High homology was found between the glycoside hydrolase superfamily in P. expansum. Functional characterization and analysis of eglB were performed via gene knockout and complementation analysis. Although eglB deletion had no notable effect on P. expansum colony shape or microscopic morphology, it did reduce the production of fungal hyphae, thereby reducing P. expansum 's sporulation and patulin (PAT) accumulation. Moreover, the deletion of eglB (Δ eglB) reduced P. expansum pathogenicity in pears. The growth, conidia production, PAT accumulation, and pathogenicity abilities of Δ eglB were restored to that of wild-type P. expansum by complementation of eglB (Δ eglB -C). These findings indicate that eglB contributes to P. expansum 's development and pathogenicity. This research is a contribution to the identification of key effectors of fungal pathogenicity for use as targets in fruit safety strategies. • High-level eglB expression was observed during P. expansum infection. • EglB encodes a plant cell wall degrading enzyme. • eglB was functionally characterized by knockout and complementation. • ∆eglB reduces sporulation and PAT accumulation via reduced mycelial production. • eglB contributes to P. expansum virulence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The development of near-infrared (NIR) photochromic materials, particularly activated by visible light, are of increasing interest for their potential application in photoresponsive optoelectronics and functional bio-materials. Here, a novel D-DTE-A type dithienylethene NDB , which was modified by difluoroboron β-diketonate (BF 2 bdk) and dimethylphenylamine (DMPA) moieties, has been developed. It exhibited solvent-dependent photophysical properties before irradiation, and the visible light-triggered NIR photochromic behavior with solvent-dependent features was only observed in Toluene. Moreover, it displayed intense fluorescent turn-on acid-sensing properties in less polar solvent [Toluene, Dichloromethane (DCM) and Ethyl acetate (EA)] through the blockage of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) effect. Specially, NDB with photochromic inactivity in DCM could perform a unique gated photochromism in the presence of TFA/TEA. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A novel D-A type dithienylethene modified by BF 2 bdk moiety was developed. • It exhibited solvent-dependent photophysical properties before irradiation. • Solvent-dependent and vis light-triggered NIR photochromism was observed. • It displayed fluorescent turn-on acid-sensing properties in less polar solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new estrone derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. All new estrone derivatives were investigated for their in vitro cytotoxic efficacies against a panel of three human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, LNCaP, and DU145). The derivatives 6 , 7 , 10 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 and 26 showed important cytotoxic actions against individual carcinoma cell line collections. Moreover, antagonistic activities of compounds ( 7 , 15 , 16 and 21 ) towards a 1 -ARs (α 1A , α 1B , and α 1D ) were further evaluated using dual-luciferase reporter assays, and the compounds 16 and 21 exhibited better a 1 -ARs subtype selectivity. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) suggested that the substitute’s type and position on the phenyl group leads to the interesting variations within pharmacological effects of resultant molecular systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dithienylethenes 1 and 2 , consisting of three photochromic units linked by imidazole bridges, together with its N-methylated derivatives 3 and 4 , have been synthesized. Their photochromic properties and fluorescence behaviors have also been investigated in solution by irradiation with various wavelengths of UV light. It was found that the dithienylethene 1 showed selective photochromism, indicated by the fluorescence change upon irradiation with 365 nm and 302 nm light. However, dithienylethenes 2 , 3 and 4 only underwent a photocyclization reaction in the middle switchable unit under the same conditions. Moreover, for dithienylethenes 2 and 4 , introduction of fluorine atoms on the cyclopentene evidently enhanced the photochromic properties compared with perhydro-substituted dithienylethenes 1 and 3 . And dithienylethene 3 could act as one potential fluorescent molecular switch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salsola collina Pall has a long history of being used as a traditional medicine to treat hypertension, headache, insomnia, constipation and vertigo. However, only a few biologically active substances have been identified from S. collina. Here, the shoots and roots of S. collina, namely L-Sc and R-Sc, were studied. The primary and secondary metabolites were investigated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). A total of 637 putative metabolites were identified and these metabolites were mainly classified into ten different categories. Correlation analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis of metabolites showed that the L-Sc samples could be clearly separated from the R-Sc samples. Differential accumulated metabolite analysis revealed that most of differential primary metabolites were significantly lower in the L-Sc than in the R-Sc. Conversely, the major differential secondary metabolites had higher levels in the L-Sc than in the R-Sc. Further analysis indicated that the flavonoids were the major putative antioxidant components and most of putative antioxidant components exhibited higher relative concentrations in the L-Sc than the R-Sc. These results improve our understanding of metabolite accumulation and provide a reference for the study of medicinal value in S. collina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]