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Cell cultures originating from 12 different plant species growing or grown in the Nordic countries were screened for their ability to synthesize polyphenols to assess their suitability for future studies and applications. The focus was on plant families Rosaceae and Ericaceae. On average, the Rosaceae cultures were the most efficient to produce hydrolysable tannins and the Ericaceae cultures were the most efficient to produce proanthocyanidins. This is in line with the general trend of polyphenols found in Rosaceae and Ericaceae leaves and fruits, even though several individual cell cultures differed from natural plants in their polyphenolic composition. Overall, several of the studied cell cultures exhibited capability in producing a large variety of polyphenols, including tannins with a high molecular weight, thus also showing promise for further studies concerning, for example, the accumulation of specific polyphenols or biosynthesis of polyphenols in the cell cultures.

Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Its predominant anthocyanin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), possesses antioxidant and many other potent biological activities. We aimed to investigate the effects of honeyberry extract (HBE) supplementation on HepG2 cellular steatosis induced by free fatty acids (FFA) and in diet-induced obese mice. HepG2 cells were incubated with 1 mM FFA to induce lipid accumulation with or without HBE. Obesity in mice was induced by a 45% high fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks and subsequent supplementation of 0.5% HBE (LH) and 1% HBE (MH) for 6 weeks. HBE suppressed fatty acid synthesis and ameliorated lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells induced by FFA. Moreover, HBE also decreased lipid accumulation in the liver in the supplemented HBE group (LH, 0.5% or MH, 1%) compared with the control group. The expressions of adipogenic genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1c), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were decreased both in the HepG2 cells and in the livers of HBE-supplemented mice. In addition, HBE increased mRNA and protein levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which are involved in fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, HBE treatment increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). Honeyberry effectively reduced triglyceride accumulation through down-regulation of hepatic lipid metabolic gene expression and up-regulation of the activation of AMPK and ACC signaling in both the HepG2 cells as well as in livers of diet-induced obese mice. These results suggest that HBE may actively ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Pterocephalus hookeri, as a kind of popular traditional Tibetan medicine, is reputed to treat inflammatory related diseases. In the present work, a cyclooxygenase-2 functionalized affinity solid-phase extraction HPLC system was developed and combined with preparative-HPLC for rapidly screening and separating cyclooxygenase-2 ligand from P. hookeri extracts. Firstly, ligands of cyclooxygenase-2 were screened from extracts by affinity solid-phase extraction HPLC system. Then directed by the screening results, the recognized potential active compounds were targeted separated. As a result, the major cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor of P. hookeri was obtained with a purity of >95%, which was identified as sylvestroside I. To test the accuracy of this method, the anti-inflammatory activity of sylvestroside I was inspected in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The results show that sylvestroside I significantly suppressed the release of prostaglandin E2 with dose-dependent, which was in good agreement with the screening result of the affinity solid-phase method. This method of integration of screening and targeted separation proved to be very efficient for the recognition and isolation of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from natural products.

Background: Pelemir (Cephalaria syriaca) is a bitter-tasting ancestral legume with a high polyphenol content and emerging potential as a functional food ingredient. This study investigated the acute metabolic effects of pelemir-enriched bread in adults. Methods: In this two-phase non-randomized trial, 60 participants in three groups (n = 20 per group: healthy controls [HCs], individuals with obesity [OB], and individuals with type 2 diabetes [T2D]) consumed regular or pelemir-enriched bread on two separate test days. Postprandial glucose, insulin, C-peptide, GLP-1, PYY, ghrelin, leptin, triglyceride, and IL-6 were measured over 120 min. Subjective appetite ratings were evaluated using visual analog scales (VASs). The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) values were compared using Wilcoxon tests and linear mixed-effects models. Results: Pelemir-enriched bread significantly increased iAUCs for insulin (p = 0.014), C-peptide (p = 0.046), and GLP-1 (p = 0.039) compared to regular bread. There was no significant change in iAUC for glucose. Group-stratified analyses showed a higher postprandial iAUC of glucose, insulin, and C-peptide in the OB group compared to the HC group. VAS-based appetite ratings did not show significant changes in hunger, fullness, or desire to eat, but a borderline significant reduction was observed in prospective food consumption after pelemir-enriched bread (p = 0.050). Conclusions: Acute consumption of pelemir-enriched bread may modulate postprandial insulin and incretin responses. Its modest impact on subjective appetite regulation supports further investigation of pelemir as a functional food rich in polyphenols, especially in populations with metabolic dysfunction.

Abelia chinensis R. Br. (Dipsacales: Caprifoliaceae) is one of the preferred nectar host plants for Culex pipiens pallens Coquillett (Diptera: Culicidae). However, the volatile compounds of its flowers that might be involved in directing mosquitoes' orientation to its nectaries remain unknown. In the present study, the volatile compounds released by A. chinensis florets were collected by solid phase microextraction fiber and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Based on the major component species in the volatile profile, a synthetic phytochemical blend (Blend B, composed of six compounds at their most attractive concentrations) was formulated, and its attractiveness was tested against the pentane extract of A. chinensis florets at most attractive concentration (Blend A) and a formerly developed synthetic phytochemical blend (Blend C) in the olfactometer, respectively. The results revealed that the volatile profile of A. chinensis florets was mainly composed of aromatic compounds, most of which had been reported to be attractive to other mosquito species. The synthetic Blend B was as attractive as Blend A (10-1-fold of the crude pentane extract) in the olfactometer bioassays, but they were not as attractive as the formerly developed Blend C. The present study indicated that quantitative and qualitative differences in the constituents of phytochemical blends could significantly affect their attractiveness to Cx. pipiens pallens, and the capture efficiency of phytochemical attractants deserves further research before being applied in the field.

This study was conducted to pursue the heavy metals in the soil and plants of a typical restored coal-mining area, China. The average concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, and Pb in soil were 26.4, 76.1, 188.6, 34.3, and 50.2 mg kg −1 , respectively, implying a significant accumulation of Cr, Ni, and Pb compared with the background values. Contamination factor indicates that the soil underwent none to medium pollution by Cu and Zn, medium to strong by Cr, none to strong by Pb, and medium pollution by Ni while the pollution load index means that the soil was subjected to intermediate contamination. Based on the critical threshold values to protect the plants, the investigated metals were unable to affect the plants. One-way ANOVA analysis shows that Cu, Zn, and Pb in plants varied with plant tissues. Cu-Cr, Cu-Ni, Zn-Ni, Zn-Pb, Cr-Ni, and Ni-Pb pairs had significant positive correlation both in soil and in plants due to the similar soil characteristics and plant physiologies. Correspondence analysis indicates that Pb was more likely to be accumulative in stems and leaves. In addition, the levels of Cu and Cr in plant followed an order of roots > stems > leaves; Zn and Ni leaves ≥ stems > roots; and Pb followed stems ≥ leaves > roots. Generally, this study suggests that the plants like Ligustrum lucidum Aiton and Weigela hortensis , which are capable of accumulating Cr, Ni, and Pb, should be the predominant species in the studied area.

This study analyzes the antifungal properties of (–)-nortrachelogenin and elucidates its mode of action against pathogenic fungi. We performed susceptibility tests against several pathogenic fungi and verified the absence of hemolysis against human erythrocytes. Its antifungal activity increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to intracellular stress and increased concentrations of both intracellular and extracellular trehalose without causing hemolysis. In addition, a cell wall regeneration study indicated its action on the cytoplasmic membrane. A cell surface study using 3,3′-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [DiSC3(5)] and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) demonstrated dissipation of the cytoplasmic membrane at high concentrations. Our study revealed a disturbance in the membrane at higher concentrations and externalization of phosphatidylserine in a dose-dependent manner, affecting other intracellular responses. Furthermore, we investigated the late stage of apoptosis using TUNEL and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) assays. (–)-Nortrachelogenin-treated cells underwent apoptosis which was triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction via depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, release of cytochrome c and calcium ion signaling, resulting in the activation of metacaspases. Different concentrations of (–)-nortrachelogenin induced membrane disruption and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Apoptosis and membrane disruption by (–)-nortrachelogenin was induced by different doses. Graphical Abstract Figure. Apoptosis and membrane disruption by (–)-nortrachelogenin was induced by different doses.

Context:Pterocephalus hookeri (C. B. Clarke) Hock., a traditional Tibetan herbal medicine rich in glycosides, has been used to treat several diseases including rheumatoid arthritis.Objective: To evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of total glycosides from P. hookeri, and its possible mechanisms of action.Materials and methods: Anti-arthritic activity of total glycosides from P. hookeri (oral administration for 30 days at 14–56 mg/kg) was evaluated using paw swelling, arthritis scores and histopathological measurement in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) Sprague-Dawley rats. The NF-κB p65 expression in synovial tissues, and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels was measured in AA rats, respectively. Further assessment of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of these glycosides were carried out using inflammation and hyperalgesia models induced by xylene, carrageenan, agar and acetic acid, respectively.Results: Total glycosides (56 mg/kg) decreased the paw swelling (38.0%, p < 0.01), arthritis scores (25.3%, p < 0.01) and synovial inflammation in AA rats. The glycosides significantly (p < 0.05–0.01) attenuated the inflammation induced by xylene, carrageenan, acetic acid and agar, increased the pain threshold in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and mechanical stimuli-induced hyperalgia in AA rats. The glycosides (14, 28, 56 mg/kg) also suppressed the NF-κB p65 expression (33.1–78.2%, p < 0.05–0.01), reduced MDA (21.3–35.9%, p < 0.01) and NO (20.3–32.4%, p < 0.05–0.01) levels, respectively, enhanced the SOD activity (7.8%, p < 0.05) at 56 mg/kg in AA rats.Discussion and conclusion: Our findings confirmed the anti-arthritic property of the total glycosides from P. hookeri, which may be attributed to its inhibition on NF-κB signalling and oxidative stress.

We tested in the field the hypothesis that the specialist butterfly Euphydryas aurinia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Melitaeinae) lays eggs on leaves of Lonicera implexa (Caprifoliaceae) plants with greater iridoid concentrations. We conducted our investigations in a Mediterranean site by analyzing leaves with and without naturally laid egg clusters. There were no significant differences in iridoid glycoside concentrations between leaves from plants that did not receive eggs and the unused leaves from plants receiving eggs, a fact that would seem to indicate that E. aurinia butterflies do not choose plants for oviposition by their iridoid content. However, the leaves of L. implexa that bore egg clusters had dramatically greater (over 15-fold) concentrations of iridoid glycosides than the directly opposite leaves on the same plant. These huge foliar concentrations of iridoids (15% leaf dry weight) may provide specialist herbivores with compounds that they either sequester for their own defense or use as a means of avoiding competition for food from generalist herbivores. Nevertheless, it may still be possible that these high concentrations are detrimental to the herbivore, even if the herbivore is a specialist feeder on the plant.

• Lonicera japonica is a widespread member of the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family utilized in traditional medical practices. This twining vine honeysuckle also is a much-sought ornamental, in part due to its dynamic flower coloration, which changes from white to gold during development. • The molecular mechanism underlying dynamic flower coloration in L. japonica was elucidated by integrating whole genome sequencing, transcriptomic analysis and biochemical assays. • Here, we report a chromosome-level genome assembly of L. japonica, comprising nine pseudochromosomes with a total size of 843.2 Mb. We also provide evidence for a whole-genome duplication event in the lineage leading to L. japonica, which occurred after its divergence from Dipsacales and Asterales. Moreover, gene expression analysis not only revealed correlated expression of the relevant biosynthetic genes with carotenoid accumulation, but also suggested a role for carotenoid degradation in L. japonica’s dynamic flower coloration. The variation of flower color is consistent with not only the observed carotenoid accumulation pattern, but also with the release of volatile apocarotenoids that presumably serve as pollinator attractants. • Beyond novel insights into the evolution and dynamics of flower coloration, the high-quality L. japonica genome sequence also provides a foundation for molecular breeding to improve desired characteristics.