Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Song, Ging Chan, Li-Gen Lin, Derong Li, Kehan Zhang, Xiao-Qi Zhang, Wen-Cai Ye, Na Li, Qing-Wen Zhang
Summary: Eleven undescribed tetracyclic triterpenoids, along with twenty-six known compounds, were isolated from the fruits of Melia azedarach L.. Some of these compounds showed significant cytotoxicity against human cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Qi Wang, Zhen-Zhen Xia, Shao-Hua Yu, Zhen-Hua Tian, Bin Yan, Hai-Qiang Jiang, Hong-Lei Zhou
Summary: Two new limonoids were isolated from the fruits of Melia azedarach Linn, with compounds 3-4 showing significant cytotoxic activity against human pancreatic cancer cells and compounds 1-2 exhibiting moderate cytotoxicity. These findings suggest potential for developing these compounds as anti-cancer drugs.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Akiko Kawasaki, Hiroshi Hashimoto, Yoshie Shimotoyodome, Shotaro Ito, Junko Ishikawa, Yoshiya Sugai, Taketoshi Fujimori
Summary: This study identified limonoids such as toosendanin and hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acids as the major active components in Melia toosendan fruit extracts that can increase ceramide levels in the skin. It also showed for the first time that limonoids promote ceramide production in skin cells, suggesting the potential of Melia toosendan fruit extracts for developing products to improve skin barrier function.
Review
Chemistry, Organic
Tran Trung Hieu, Nguyen Thi Chung, Vo Cong Dung, Dau Xuan Duc
Summary: Melia azedarach, a member of the mahogany family, has been traditionally used in folk medicine and recent studies have revealed its diverse range of bioactivities and isolated organic compounds, suggesting its potential therapeutic value.
CURRENT ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Rui Guo, Ya-Tian Meng, Xiao-Juan Cao, Cun-Lin Wang, Xin Qiao, Qiong Zhang
Summary: Four new tirucallane-type triterpenoids (1-4) and four known analogues (5-8) were isolated from Melia toosendan Sieb. et Zucc. fruits. Their structures were determined using HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The relative configurations of 1-4 were confirmed by NOESY experiments, and the absolute configurations were established by comparing experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compound 4 and 5 exhibited moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 120.3 +/- 5.8 and 104.9 +/- 7.1 μM, respectively.
Article
Forestry
Jinfeng Cai, Xiaoming Yang, Wanwen Yu, Peng Xiang, Shuqing Zhang, Guibin Wang
Summary: In this study, 16 pairs of reliable SSR primers were designed and synthesized based on M. azedarach transcriptome data, and the genetic diversity of M. azedarach from 15 sources in 10 provinces in East, Central, and South China was analyzed. The results showed that the genetic diversity of M. azedarach was moderate, with genetic variation mainly present within the sources. This study provides a reference for genetic diversity analysis and molecularly assisted breeding of M. azedarach plants.
Article
Forestry
XinHao Huang, Hongyang Xu, Zhimin Yu, Yanhui Che, Hui Kang, Fan Zhu
Summary: Zinc is an industrial pollutant that negatively affects plant growth. This study investigated how zinc stress affects the photoprotective properties of Melia azedarach plants. The results showed that zinc treatment decreases photosynthesis and increases photodamage in leaves, with PSI being more damaged than PSII. The study also found that the NPQ and CEF pathways play a major protective role in avoiding photodamage under different levels of zinc stress.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Seong Cheol Kim, Dong Ryun Gu, Hyun Yang, Sung-Ju Lee, Jin Ah Ryuk, Hyunil Ha
Summary: The study investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of Melia toosendan fructus (MTE) on osteoclast differentiation and identified the triterpenoid compound toosendanin (TSN) as its principal active constituent. TSN was found to inhibit osteoclastogenesis by downregulating the expression of key transcription factors and molecules involved in bone resorption. Treatment with TSN also impaired the function of mature osteoclasts. In vivo, TSN administration mitigated bone loss in a mouse model. This suggests the potential use of TSN in the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive bone resorption.
Article
Forestry
Megersa Bedo Megra, Rakesh Kumar Bachheti, Mesfin Getachew Tadesse, Limenew Abate Worku
Summary: As the global population increases, there is a growing demand for additional pulpwood for paper production. This study evaluated the characteristics of Melia azedarach as a raw material for pulp and papermaking, and found it to be suitable for the industry.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Boyong Liao, Jing Tan, Wei Zhou, Yi Wang, Yongquan Li, Xiaoyang Chen
Summary: In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of Melia azedarach, which will serve as a valuable resource for future studies on the taxonomy and evolution of Melia.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yaqi Zhang, Guanyu Yan, Min Song, Xiqing Bian, Tiantian Xu, Yida Zhang, Jian-Lin Wu, Ging Chan, Qingwen Zhang, Na Li
Summary: This study identified the mass spectrometric characteristics of nimbolinin-type limonoids and discovered 60 nimbolinins, including 33 new ones and at least 10 bioactive compounds, utilizing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). It was found that nimbolinin A and toosendanin (TSN) can serve as good markers for Toosendan Fructus and Azedarach Fructus due to their differential contents. Furthermore, an UHPLC-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ/MS) quantification approach for nimbolinin A and TSN was developed for quality control purposes.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meihong Lin, Xiaoyang Bi, Lijuan Zhou, Jiguang Huang
Summary: This paper discusses 116 triterpenoid molecules with insecticidal activity from Meliaceae plants. Among the different genera, the insecticidal activities of plants from Entandrophragma and Melia have gained significant research attention. The chemicals exhibited antifeedant, poisonous, and growth-regulatory activities towards various insect species. Toosendanin was found to be the most effective antifeedant and insect growth-regulatory agent.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Limei Yi, Zhixiao Dong, Yu Lei, Junming Zhao, Yanli Xiong, Jian Yang, Yi Xiong, Wenlong Gou, Xiao Ma
Summary: The study utilized SRAP markers to detect genetic variability and structure of 80 prairie grass accessions, finding that they can be grouped into five clusters with three genetic memberships identified. Additionally, a low genetic differentiation was discovered among the accessions, with the North America group showing the highest genetic diversity within clusters.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Song, Hui-Juan Luo, Zi-Wei Li, Ling Qiu, Yu-Xin Zhao, Cheng-Wei He, Xiao-Qi Zhang, Wen-Cai Ye, Li-Gen Lin, Qing-Wen Zhang
Summary: Twelve undescribed limonoids, meliazedarines J-U, along with a known one, were isolated from the roots of Melia azedarach. Some of these compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages, suggesting their potential for treating inflammation-related diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lei Feng, Xiangni Tian, Yousry A. El-Kassaby, Jian Qiu, Ze Feng, Jiejie Sun, Guibin Wang, Tongli Wang
Summary: This study aimed to predict the current and future suitable habitats for Melia azedarach in China using seven data mining models. The random forest model showed the best performance in terms of prediction power and generalization capacity. The top climate factors affecting the species' suitable habitats were mean coldest month temperature, number of frost-free days, degree-days above 18 degrees C, temperature difference between mean warmest month temperature and mean coldest month temperature, mean annual precipitation, and degree-days below 18 degrees C. The study projected an increase in the future suitable habitat of this species under different climate scenarios.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)