Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yangao Jiang, Zhe Hu, Zhiguang Han, Junhui Zhang, Shijie Han, Lin Hao
Summary: Chinese fir, one of the most important native tree species in southern China, has undergone noticeable climate-induced changes. This study collected and reviewed published papers (1978-2020) on tree growth of Chinese fir forests in China, and developed a comprehensive growth dataset from 482 sites. The dataset includes various variables such as mean DBH, mean H, volume, biomass, and related information. The regression equations derived from this study can be used to predict and assess the potential of carbon sequestration and afforestation activities in Chinese fir forests.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biao Zheng, Haoqiang Yang, Xiaoli Xu, Zhouyang Xiang, Zhou Hong, Huiquan Zheng, Aimin Wu, Huiling Li
Summary: In this study, the hemicellulose composition and structure of C. lanceolata stem during xylogenesis were investigated. The results showed that the hemicellulose in C. lanceolata mainly consisted of O-acetylgalactoglucomannan (GGM) and 4-O-methylglucuronoarabinoxylan (GAX). The thickness of the cell wall and the molecular weight of hemicellulose increased with growth time, while the degree of glycosyl substitutions decreased and the total degree of acetylation increased. Genes related to hemicellulose biosynthesis were mainly expressed in the mature part. This study is of great significance for the genetic breeding and high-value utilization of C. lanceolata.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rui Xu, Shundan Cheng, Jing Zhou, Mulualem Tigabu, Xiangqing Ma, Ming Li
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between leaf functional traits and C, N, P stoichiometry of Chinese fir from different geographical provenances, as well as their relationship with the main environmental factors. The results showed significant differences in intraspecific leaf traits among provenances, and these differences were related to geographical origin and environmental factors. These findings are important for evaluating the species' adaptation to climate change and developing long-term conservation strategies.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yuan Ji, Liming Zhu, Zhaodong Hao, Shunde Su, Xueyan Zheng, Jisen Shi, Renhua Zheng, Jinhui Chen
Summary: In this study, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of Chinese fir was constructed and sequenced, providing insights into the genome structure of Chinese fir and generating gene data that will facilitate molecular investigations on tree growth mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Quy Thi Ngoc Tran, Regina Ching Hua Lee, Hon Jin Liu, Danli Ran, Vincent Zhan Lin Low, Dong Quang To, Justin Jang Hann Chu, Christina Li Lin Chai
Summary: This study reports a new class of small-molecule CHIKV inhibitors, oxindole-labdanes, which can effectively block the replication of CHIKV with good selectivity. Compound (E)-42 shows high antiviral activity and minimal cytotoxicity to host cells, demonstrating both prophylactic and therapeutic effects. This finding opens up a new avenue for the development of antiviral drugs against CHIKV infection.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Erenius Toppo, Naif Abdullah Al-Dhabi, Chinnakulandai Sankar, Sanmugapriya Nagul Kumar, Kanniappan Buvanesvaragurunathan, Santhanam Sylvester Darvin, Antony Stalin, Kedeke Balakrishna, Stanislaus Antony Ceasar, Perumal Pandikumar, Savarimuthu Ignacimuthu, Kuppusamy Sivasankaran, Paul Agastian
Summary: The study evaluated the anti-NAFLD effects of IAN derivatives, showing the potential efficacy of IAN-19P for NAFLD treatment, though further robust investigations are needed to establish its potential.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Weiwei Tang, Jing Wang, Qiang Lv, Paul Promise Michael, Wenjun Ji, Min Chen, Yu Huang, Bo Zhou, Dan Peng
Summary: Our study showed that ClWRKY48 promoted the expression of phosphate transporter genes, increased phosphate uptake, and delayed the transition from vegetative stage to reproductive phase in Arabidopsis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Antim Kumar Maurya, Neha Baliyan, Rakshak Kumar, Vijai Kant Agnihotri
Summary: A new and efficient method for synthesizing thio analogues of hedychenone was reported, and the compounds exhibited strong α-glucosidase inhibition and antibacterial activities. This study provides a new direction for the development of antidiabetic agents.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nur-e-Alam, Ifat Parveen, Michael D. Threadgill, James B. Orton, Rahman M. Hafizur, Israr Khan, Mai Al-Oqail, Adnan J. Al-Rehaily
Summary: Clutia lanceolata, a medicinal plant found in Ethiopia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, is traditionally used in Saudi Arabia for diabetes treatment. Phytochemical analysis of this species previously only identified methylthiocoumarins, but further study has led to the discovery of 19 new diterpenoids in three structural classes. The structures were confirmed through various techniques such as HRMS, NMR, and X-ray crystallography. Some of these compounds, including one closely related to saudin and another with a different core tetracycle, showed strong enhancement of glucose-triggered insulin release in murine pancreatic islets. Biosynthetic proposals for these compounds are also suggested. Lanceolide P (16) is proposed as a lead compound for further development in diabetes treatment.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xi Peng, Meifang Zhao, Shuguang Liu, Wende Yan
Summary: The study found that the tipping leaf length ratio varies with tree age, and the changes in leaf shape and tipping leaf length ratio at different growth stages reflect trees' tradeoff strategies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
T. Soumya, T. Lakshmipriya, Karel D. Klika, P. R. Jayasree, P. R. Manish Kumar
Summary: This study revealed the anticancer potential of petroleum ether extract from Curcuma mutabilis rhizome (CMRP) and a labdane diterpenoid compound called Cm epoxide. Both CMRP and Cm epoxide exhibited superior antiproliferative activity against various human cancer cell lines through induction of apoptosis. The compounds were found to be pharmacologically safe in acute toxicity assessment using a Swiss albino mice model.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Liming Yin, Tingshuang Zhang, Feike A. Dijkstra, Changfu Huo, Peng Wang, Weixin Cheng
Summary: The order of roots has a significant impact on the priming effect, with higher order roots showing higher decomposition rates and priming effects, as well as higher ratios of fungi to bacteria and enzyme activities. The difference in carbon:nitrogen ratio of litter may be the reason for these patterns.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Xinxin Cao, Xinxin Wang, Yu Zhang, Defeng Xu, Xiuqing Song, Jinhai Yu, Jie Bao, Junsheng Zhang, Hua Zhang
Summary: A phytochemical investigation on the ethanol extract of Leonurus japonicus led to the isolation of 18 labdane type diterpenoids, including six new 5,5,5-di-spirocyclic compounds, two new 6,5,5-di-spirocyclic compounds, six known 6,5,5-di-spirocyclic compounds, one new rare 14,15-dinor derivative, and three new compounds incorporating a γ-lac-tone unit. In vitro neuroprotective assay showed that compounds 7 and 12 exhibited concentration-dependent neuroprotective activity comparable to N-acetylcysteine.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF NATURAL MEDICINES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Chao Tu, Ying-Xin Zhao, Chang-Lin Yang, Xing-Jie Zhang, Xiao-Li Li, Kaunda-Joseph Sakah, Rui-Han Zhang, Wei-Lie Xiao, Mei-Feng Liu
Summary: Wulfenioidones A-K (1-11), abietane diterpenoids with highly oxidized 6/6/6 aromatic tricyclic skeleton, were isolated from the whole plant of Orthosiphon wulfenioides. Their planar structures and absolute configurations were determined through spectroscopic data interpretation, electronic circular dichroism calculation, and X-ray crystallography analysis. Bioactivity screening revealed the LDH inhibition effect of compounds 1-4, 6, and 8, with IC50 values ranging from 0.23 to 3.43 μM. Compound 1 selectively inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome and prevented macrophage cell pyroptosis.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Menghan Li, Shuang Gao, Jianxun Luo, Zeyu Cai, Sheng Zhang
Summary: In this study, the effects of exogenous acetic acid (AA) on Cunninghamia lanceolate seedlings were investigated. The results showed that AA could alleviate drought-induced damages by regulating physiological processes and protection mechanisms.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shibin Zhao, Julian Maceren, Mia Chung, Samantha Stone, Raphael Geiben, Melissa L. Boby, Bradley S. Sherborne, Derek S. Tan
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health, with Gram-negative bacteria presenting unique challenges due to their low permeability and efflux pumps. Limited understanding of the chemical rules for overcoming these barriers hinders antibacterial drug discovery. Efforts to address this issue, such as screening compound libraries and using cheminformatic analysis, have led to the design of sulfamidoadenosines with diverse substituents, showing potential utility in accumulation in Escherichia coli.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jichun Li, Qing Li, Shuai Xia, Jiahuang Tu, Longbo Zheng, Qian Wang, Shibo Jiang, Chao Wang
Summary: This study successfully developed a short peptide mimetic as a MERS-CoV fusion inhibitor by reproducing the key recognition features of the HR2 helix. The resulting 23-mer lipopeptide showed comparable inhibitory effect to the 36-mer HR2 peptide HR2P-M2. This has important implications for developing short peptide-based antiviral agents to treat MERS-CoV infection.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Krista Jaunsleine, Linda Supe, Jana Spura, Sten van Beek, Anna Sandstrom, Jessica Olsen, Carina Halleskog, Tore Bengtsson, Ilga Mutule, Benjamin Pelcman
Summary: Beta(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists can stimulate glucose uptake by skeletal muscle cells and are therefore potential treatments for type 2 diabetes. The chirality of compounds has a significant impact on the activity of these agonists. This study found that certain synthesized compounds showed higher glucose uptake activity. These findings provide important information for the design of novel beta(2)AR agonists for T2D treatment.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xin Xu, Jia Chen, Guan Wang, Xiaojuan Zhang, Qiang Li, Xiaobo Zhou, Fengying Guo, Min Li
Summary: The study focuses on EZH2, a promising therapeutic target for various types of cancers. Researchers designed and synthesized a series of novel derivatives aiming to enhance the EZH2 inhibition activity. Among them, compound 28 displayed potent EZH2 inhibition activity and showed high anti-proliferative effects in lymphoma cell lines and xenograft mouse models. The study suggests that compound 28 has potential as a therapeutic candidate for EZH2-associated cancers.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Wei Zhang, Wei Liu, Ya-Dong Zhao, Li-Zi Xing, Ji Xu, Rui-Jun Li, Yun-Xiao Zhang
Summary: This study developed a series of aromatic amide derivatives based on Rhein and investigated their inhibitory activity against alpha-Syn aggregation. Two of these compounds showed promising potential in treating Parkinson's disease by stabilizing alpha-Syn's conformation and disassembling alpha-Syn oligomers and fibrils.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mani Sharma, S. S. S. S. Sudha Ambadipudi, Neeraj Kumar Chouhan, V. Lakshma Nayak, Srihari Pabbaraja, Sai Balaji Andugulapati, Ramakrishna Sistla
Summary: Therapeutically active lipids in drug delivery systems can enhance the safety and efficacy of treatment. The liposome formulation created using synthesized biologically active lipids showed additive anti-cancer effects and reduced tumorigenic potential.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)