Article
Plant Sciences
Hao Zhang, Xupo Ding, Hao Wang, Huiqin Chen, Wenhua Dong, Jiahong Zhu, Jian Wang, Shiqing Peng, Haofu Dai, Wenli Mei
Summary: This study identified the bZIP gene family in Aquilaria trees and investigated its molecular evolution and potential functions. The results revealed the regulatory role of bZIP in the biosynthesis of 2-(2-phenethyl) chromones and agarwood formation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the potential functions of bZIP in Aquilaria trees.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Yang, Jiahong Zhu, Hao Wang, Dong Guo, Ying Wang, Wenli Mei, Shiqing Peng, Haofu Dai
Summary: This study identified and analyzed 101 R2R3-MYB genes in Aquilaria sinensis, and found that one subgroup 4 R2R3-MYB gene, AsMYB054, was negatively correlated with the accumulation of agarwood-specific compound PEC. Further experiments showed that AsMYB054 acted as a transcriptional repressor in the nucleus, inhibiting the expression of PEC biosynthesis-related genes AsPKS02 and AsPKS09. These findings provide insights into the regulatory role of AsMYB054 in PEC biosynthesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Peng Zhang, Xiaofei Li, Zhiyi Cui, Daping Xu
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of agarwood formation induced by wounding in Aquilaria sinensis, specifically focusing on the newly selected easier induced agarwood A. sinensis germplasm (EIAA). The results demonstrate a tradeoff between growth and defense during agarwood formation, with EIAA exhibiting stronger defense ability at physiological and biochemical levels compared to ordinary A. sinensis. This leads to higher agarwood yield and essential oil content in EIAA.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hang Zhang, Jia-Le Ma, Chuang Chang, He Ta, Yun-Fang Zhao, She-Po Shi, Yue-Lin Song, Peng-Fei Tu, Hui-Xia Huo, Jiao Zheng, Jun Li
Summary: Six previously unprecedented 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone-sesquiterpene hybrids, aquisinenins A-F (1 - 6), were isolated from Aquilaria sinensis by LC-MS-guided fractionation. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and computational data. Compound 6 showed the most effective protection against taurocholic acid-induced gastric mucosal damage by downregulating ER stress.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Pan Xiang, Wen-Hua Dong, Cai-Hong Cai, Wei Li, Li-Man Zhou, Hao-Fu Dai, Hui-Qin Chen, Wen-Li Mei
Summary: The study identified three new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones crassin I similar to K (1-3) from artificial holing agarwood originating from Aquilaria sinensis, along with one known analogue. The structures, including absolute configuration, were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques and HRESIMS analysis, with compounds 1 and 2 showing weak acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jun-Tao Li, Tong-Dong Kuang, Hui-Qin Chen, Li Yang, Hao Wang, Cai-Hong Cai, Shou-Bai Liu, Wen-Li Mei, Hao-Fu Dai
Summary: Two new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, aquilasinenones L and M, along with a new monomer analogue, were isolated from artificial agarwood originating from Aquilaria sinensis. The compounds were structurally elucidated and tested for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, with none showing any activity.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiale Ma, Huixia Huo, Hang Zhang, Lingxiao Wang, Yingxin Meng, Fengyu Jin, Xinyu Wang, Yimu Zhao, Yunfang Zhao, Pengfei Tu, Yuelin Song, Jiao Zheng, Jun Li
Summary: This study investigated the pro-apoptotic effect of taurocholic acid (TCA) and the therapeutic effect of Chinese agarwood 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone-enriched extract (CPE) on gastric epithelial cell death induced by TCA. The results showed that TCA activated cell apoptosis through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway, and CPE effectively inhibited this process. These findings have important implications for the treatment of bile reflux gastritis.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Leyao Chen, Huiqin Chen, Caihong Cai, Jingzhe Yuan, Cuijuan Gai, Shoubai Liu, Wenli Mei, Haofu Dai
Summary: Two rare flavonoid-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones and five new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones were isolated from ethanol extract of agarwood of Aquilaria walla. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 13.40 to 28.96 μM, with cisplatin as the positive control.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qian He, Dong-Bao Hu, Lu Zhang, Meng-Yuan Xia, Hui Yan, Xiao-Nian Li, Ji-Feng Luo, Yun-Song Wang, Jing-Hua Yang, Yue-Hu Wang
Summary: Six previously unknown compounds were isolated from the resinous heartwood of Aquilaria sinensis, along with 15 known compounds. Structural and configurational analyses were performed on these compounds, some of which showed neuroprotective activities in PC12 cell models.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zeqing Wu, Liangwen Yu
Summary: Current artificial agarwood-inducing techniques have low yields and produce low-quality agarwood. This study used a novel agarwood-inducing method (Agar-Bit) to extract a complete agarwood column from cultivated Aquilaria sinensis trees and analyzed its chemical composition. The results showed that the resin and microstructure changed along the agarwood column, and six chromones varied in different layers. Volatile components were mainly distributed in the agarwood layer, but important chromones were also detected in the brown inner layer. The findings provide insights for optimizing production and efficiency in agarwood induction and understanding the formation mechanism.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Yuxin Liu, Mengji Qiao, Yunlin Fu, Penglian Wei, Yingjian Li, Zhigao Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the mechanism and process of fungal-induced agarwood formation in Aquilaria sinensis. It found that the process of agarwood formation involves cell apoptosis and the production of characteristic components. The interxylary phloem was identified as a critical region for the production of agarwood. The study also showed that the harvesting time did not significantly affect the production of agarwood characteristic products.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hong-run Yang, Pei Wang, Fang-Zheng Liu, Jing-Zhe Yuan, Cai-Hong Cai, Fei Wu, Bei Jiang, Wen-Li Mei, Hao-Fu Dai
Summary: Four new 2-(2-phenethyl)chromone dimers (1-4) were isolated from agarwood originating from Aquilaria filaria from Philippines. The structures of these compounds were determined using spectroscopic analysis and comparison of experimental and computed ECD curves. Compounds 1-4 exhibited inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with IC50 values ranging from 33.94 to 57.53 μM.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng-neng Mi, Jing-zhe Yuan, Man-man Zhu, Li Yang, Yan-mei Wei, Hao Wang, Wen-xing Long, Wen-li Mei, Hao-fu Dai
Summary: Twelve new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives, along with eleven known compounds, were isolated from agarwood in this study. The compounds showed potential as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, expanding the structural diversity of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones from agarwood.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Hong Zhou, Xu-Yang Li, Hong -Bin Fang, He-Zhong Jiang, Yong-Xian Cheng
Summary: Five new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids (aquisinenoids F-J (1-5)) and five known compounds (6-10) were isolated from Aquilaria sinensis. Their structures and absolute configurations were identified using spectroscopic analyses and computational methods. Although no anticancer or anti-inflammatory activities were observed, the study provided insights into the structure-activity relationships (SAR).
BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yingying Chen, Shenghua Liang, Shuyao Wang, Baocai Li, Kun Wang, Yongjin Zhu, Risheng Yang, Xin Hao, Zhuoying Yang, Yingbai Shen, Rihong Jiang, Kaixiang Li
Summary: In this study, we investigated the defense mechanisms of Aquilaria sinensis saplings in response to mechanical damage and herbivory wounding. We identified specific volatile organic compounds and observed upregulation of jasmonic acid-related genes, indicating the dominance of the JA pathway in the plant's response.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
