A highly sensitive and selective bioluminescent probe for hydrazine (BPH) was designed, synthe sized and evaluated for detection of hydrazine in vitro and in vivo. BPH was designed to include a specific recogni tion group (acetyl) of hydrazine at an appropriate modification site of the optical reporter hydroxyluciferin (Dluciferin), which showed excellent performance both in selectivity and sensitivity to hydrazine. The results showed that the bioluminescent probe BPH developed in this study is an innovative and widely applicable tool for detecting hydrazine in complex natural environment or in animals.

Chemical investigation on the rice culture of Corynespora cassiicola J9, an endophyte inhabiting in Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. resulted in isolation of eight compounds, including a new depsidone derivative, corynether C (1), and seven analogues, corynether B (2), corynetherlactone A (3), corynether A (4), diaryl ether (5), corynesidone C (6), corynesidone D (7), and corynesidone A (8). Their structures were deduced based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and HR-ESI-MS data. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activities against Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel by the leaf spray assay. Unfortunately, none of them showed inhibitory effects.

The method for analyzing the interaction between caffeine and human serum albumin (HSA) was established by capillary electrophoresis. Under physiological conditions, the interaction between ligand (caffeine)-receptor (HSA) was studied with frontier-analysis (FA) method, Hummel-Dreyer (HD) method and plug-plug kinetic (PPK) method. The interaction parameters of caffeine-HSA system were obtained using non-linear equation, Scatchard equation and Klotz equation. The results showed that FA, HD and PPK methods were suitable for caffeine-HSA system, among them, HD method was the best, and the Non-linear equation was the best theoretical model to caffeine-HSA system. Interaction parameter tests showed that caffeine-HSA interaction was a single site interaction and the binding stability was moderate. The mechanism of caffeine-HSA interaction has been elucidated, which can provide valuable information for further research of alkaloids.

This study aimed to explore the roles of exosomes in doxorubicin-resistance in breast cancer cells. Using breast cancer parental cell line (MCF-7), doxorubicin-resistant cell line (MCF-7/ADR) and sensitive cell line co-cultured with doxorubicin-resistant supernatant (MCF-7/EXO) as models, the effects of doxorubicin on proliferation or apoptosis of MCF-7, MCF-7/EXO and MCF-7/ADR cells were detected by CCK8, and light or fluorescent microscopy. Exosomes in the supernatants of cell culture were extracted by ultracentrifugation, and the quantity of exosomes was determined by transmission electron microscopy, BCA and DiI labeling assay. Expression levels of exosome-specific biomarkers CD63 and Flotillin-1 were detected by Western blot. The uptake of MCF-7/ADR cell-derived exosomes by MCF-7 cells was observed by laser confocal microscopy. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of multidrug resistance protein ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) in all three cell strains. Cell proliferation assays showed that IC₅₀ of MCF-7/EXO cells to doxorubicin was 0.83 ±0.09 μmol·L^-1, which was significantly higher than 0.15 ±0.05 μmol·L^-1 (P < 0.01) of MCF-7 cells, suggesting 5.5 times of increase in drug resistance. Apoptosis of MCF-7 cells was induced after doxorubicin treatment (P < 0.001), but MCF-7/EXO cells were not significantly different (P>0.05). Exosome quantification and specific marker detection showed that MCF-7/EXO cells had significantly more exosomes than MCF-7 cells (P < 0.05). PKH67 tracer markers indicated that MCF-7/ADR-derived exosomes could be taken up by MCF-7 cells. Western blot showed that the expression level of ABCB1 protein in MCF-7/EXO cells was significantly higher than that in MCF-7 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that exosomes of doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells can transmit drug resistance to sensitive cells, and the underlying mechanism may involve ABCB1 protein transport mediated by exosomes.

To accurately discriminate Stellariae Radix from its adulterants, four leading candidate DNA barcoding markers were evaluated. Sixty samples including Stellariae Radix and its adulterants have been newly collected and their total genomic DNA was extracted. Four DNA barcoding markers ITS, rbcL, psbA-trnH and matK were amplified and sequenced. Their sequence characteristic analyses, Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) distance calculation and Neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree constructions were accomplished using the MEGA 7.0 software. DNA Barcoding gaps of the four DNA barcoding markers were estimated by the distributions of interand intra-sequence specific variations. Species identification efficiency was calculated using the BLAST method. The results showed that ITS had the highest (95.2%) while matK demonstrated the lowest (75%) PCR and sequencing efficiency. The length range of the four markers were in the ranger of 211-797 bp, and the G+C content of ITS was highest (54.35%). The identification efficiency of matK and ITS was 92% and 90% respectively. Barcoding gap could be found in ITS sequences. The NJ phylogenetic tree constructed using ITS sequences showed that samples of Stellariae Radix were separately formed into one clade, and samples of adulterants like Stellaria bistyla were clearly belong to different branches from Stellariae Radix, whereas NJ trees constructed using psbA-trnH, rbcL and matK could not differentiate Stellariae Radix from its adulterants. Therefore, ITS regions as DNA barcodes can stably and accurately distinguished Stellariae Radix from its adulterants, and provide a new technique for modern identification of Stellariae Radix.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the new approaches for cancer treatment with high efficacy. However, applications of current photosensitizers are restricted to skin and superficial tumor due to poor in vivo targeting ability, poor water solubility and short wavelength excitement, which limits penetration therefore thera peutic depth. Here, a biodegradable polymeric micelle, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-polylactide copolymer (mPEG-PDLLA), is employed as drug delivery system to co-encapsulate strong two-photon absorption compound (L_TPA) and photosensitizers. This delivery system is designed to target tumor passively, resulting in near infrared light with an approximately 808 nm wavelength becoming able to indirectly excite photosensitizers through fluores cence resonance energy transfer. Tumor cells and microvessels could be damaged by the generated singlet oxygen. The average size of drug loaded micelles was approximately 55 nm and showed a spherical shape. Both com pounds could be released simultaneously from micelles under either weak acid and neutral pH conditions. Reactive oxygen species was produced intracellularly during two-photon PDT process and induced cell apoptosis/necrosis, which was quantified by Annexin-V/FITC assays. Time-dependent ex vivo organ distribution and in vivo anticancer efficacy results suggested that the drug carriers could accumulate in tumors and suppress tumor growth by twophoton PDT. All animals experiments were performed in line with national regulations and approved by the Animal Experiments Ethical Committee of College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University. In summary, we have employed two-photon PDT for breast cancer treatment successfully in a mouse model and have demonstrated the significance of delivery system in such therapeutics.

The roots and flowers of Gentiana waltonii and Gentiana robusta are used as Tibetan herb Jie-Ji in traditional Tibetan medicine, with iridoids as the main active ingredient and index components. To study the pathway of iridoid biosynthesis, roots, stems, leaves and flowers of G. waltonii and G. robusta were subjected to a high-throughput transcriptomic sequencing analysis by Illumina HiseqXTen. After removing insignificant reads and de novo splicing, 79 455 and 78 466 unigenes were obtained from G. waltonii and G. robusta respectively, with average length as 834 bp and 862 bp. The unigene GO functions could be divided into three categories of 65 branches. The unigenes were aligned in KOG database and were classified into 25 classes according to function. In KEGG database, 315 and 340 unigenes of G. waltonii and G. robusta were implicated in 20 standard secondary metabolic pathways, respectively. Furthermore, 80 and 57 unigenes of the two species were analyzed to encode 24 key enzymes in the pathway related to iridoid biosynthesis. There were differences in gene expression among different organs. Based on sequence data, significant amounts of SSRs, SNPs and InDels were detected in each dataset. This study provides a platform for further development of molecular markers, excavation of functional genes, and research into metabolic pathways and their regulatory mechanism within G. waltonii and G. robusta.

The combination of ginkgo ketoester tablet-donepezil (GD) is a popular combination commonly used in clinic for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. To evaluate the learning and memory improving ability of different proportions of the two drugs. We optimized the ratio of GD for treatment of dementia using a mouse model. Dementia was induced by multiple neuronal damages in mice. The experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Experimental Ethical Committee of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and all the procedures were strictly conducted in accordance with ethical principle of animal use and care. Morris water maze, brain hematosylin-eosin staining and the changes of the neurotransmitters and related enzymes in the plasma or brain tissues were tested to determine the effect of GD on dementia mice. The results showed that the dementia mice were significantly different from the normal group in terms of behavior, pathological sections and related indicators. Compared to the dementia mice, partial administration groups could improve learning and memory ability as well as indexes in the blood and brain tissues. Both the principal component analysis and multi-attribute comprehensive index methods were used to comprehensively evaluate the total effect of GD on anti-dementia. The results showed that the combination of two drugs at the dose of 0.5 to 1 times was in a dose-effect relationship, and the dose of 1 (the clinical equivalent) had the best treatment effect. Then based on the optimal dose, GD 1:1 had best effect, which was consistent with the clinical use of two drugs. This provides scientific basis for more effective application of the compatibility between ketoester tablet and donepezil for modern clinic medicine.

Lorlatinib (PF-06463922) is a highly selective and potent third generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor with dual activity against c-ros oncogene 1, a receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1). In November 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved lorlatinib for treatment of disease progression in ALK-positive and late-stage NSCLC patients who receive the treatment with crizotinib and at least one of other ALK inhibitors; and those with disease progression after treatment of alectinib or ceritinib as the first ALK inhibitor. The results of Phase Ⅰ/Ⅱ clinical trials showed that it has effective initial anti-tumor activity, strong intracranial therapeutic activity, with less tolerance and safety issues. This paper systematically reviewed the chemical structure, mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, usage and dosage, clinical research, safety and upcoming research fields of lolatinib, to provide an update on clinical or laboratory research and clinical practice.

A hyper-bilirubin cell model was established for its relevance to the pathological state of jaundice in human. This model was used to screen for the pharmacological components of Yin-Zhi-huang (YZH). Total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin in cells, and direct bilirubin in extracellular fluid were quantified after HepaRG cells were incubated with serum from rats injected with multiple components of YZH. Cellular uptake was determined by dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM) using LC-MS/MS. We found that the stable hyper-bilirubin HepaRG cell model could be established by incubating cells with 40 μg·mL^-1 bilirubin and 50 μg·mL^-1 probenecid. When the hyper-bilirubin cell model was incubated with serum from rats of YZH injection, there were 52.4% and 60.1% decrease in intercellular total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin, respectively, and 52.5% increase in extracellular direct bilirubin. Using DMRM mode, 53 components could be determined, and 8 potential bioactive candidates were identified from the serum. This method could be used to screen for bioactive metabolites of YZH. This strategy is simple, highly active, sensitive and specific, providing a new method for high throughput screening of therapeutic or toxic metabolites from traditional Chinese medicine. The regulations of Ethics Committee in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were abided in the rat experiment of this study.