A new polyketide:3R, 5R-(-)-talaroflavone (2), along with 15 known compounds were isolated from a EtOAc extract of a sponge-derived fungus Alternaria sp. F49. Compounds 1-2 and 3-4 were separated as two pairs of enantiomers by chiral HPLC from Ⅰ and Ⅱ. The structures of compounds 1-16 were elucidated by means of NMR and MS. Furthermore, the absolute configurations of compounds 1-2 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiment and CD analyses. Compounds 6, 8-10 were isolated from this genus (Alternaria sp.) for the first time. Compound 16 showed moderate COX-2 enzyme inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ of 7.3 μmol·L^-1.

The abnormal activation of hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway plays an important role in the development and progression of glioblastoma (GBM). As a transcription factor at the end of the HH pathway, the final effector of glioma-associated oncogene homoglog-1 (GLI1) is an important target in the treatment of GBM. The study was designed to evaluate the anti-tumor activities and mechanisms of a novel GLI1 inhibitor FL18 in GBM. MTT and colony formation assay were performed to determine anti-proliferation activity of FL18 in vitro. The effect of FL18 on cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. Transwell experiment was used to explore the inhibitory activity of FL18 in cell invasion. In vivo experiments, the subcutaneously transplanted and orthotopic U-87 MG GBM xenograft model were used to study the activity of FL18 on tumor growth. The optimized dual report gene screening model was used to detect the effect of FL18 on the transcriptional activity of GLI1. Western blot assay was used to study the mechanisms of action of FL18. The results showed that the IC₅₀ of FL18 in glioblastoma was in the nanomole level in vitro. It was observed that 22.5 and 45 mg·kg^-1 FL18 reduced the tumor volume with the rate of 55.4% and 89.8% in xenograft model in mice in situ. The IC₅₀ of FL18 on the inhibition of GLI1 transcriptional activity was 3.32×10^-11 mol·L^-1 analyzed by the optimized dual report gene screening model. By the Western blot experiments, it was proved that FL18 inhibited expression of GLI1 without influencing the upstream canonical HH/SMO signaling and cross-talk oncogenic pathway, such as ERK and AKT signaling. The results also demonstrated that FL18 significantly downregulated GLI1 target genes such as Bcl-2, MMP2 and MMP9 and increased the expression of c-caspase3, c-PARP and Bax. These data suggest that FL18 may generate the anti-glioma activity by inhibition of GLI1.

A simple, sensitive and reliable method was developed for simultaneous quantification of IMM-H007 and its major active metabolites-M1 and MP in the blood of rhesus monkey using HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The analytes and internal standard (IS) WS070119 were separated using a Capcell PAK ADME Column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 3 μm, Shiseido, Japan) with a gradient mobile phase of methanol/water containing 0.1% formic acid. The detection was performed in positive selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with electrospray ionization (ESI) source. Satisfactory linearity was obtained while the inter- and intra-assay precision and accuracy differences were no more than 15% with high recovery and good stability for the quantification, indicating the present method was specific, accurate and reliable. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of IMM-H007 in rhesus monkey. After single oral administration of IMM-H007 (70, 210, 630 mg·kg^-1), M1 and MP were detected in blood, while the concentration of IMM-H007 was much lower than its metabolites. The active metabolite MP with linear kinetics had a higher exposure than other analytes in vivo. The results provide an useful and reliable model for pharmacological and toxicological studies of IMM-H007 as well as its clinical application.

Focusing on the TCM-related adverse drug reactions, especially those conventionally non-toxic TCM induced hepatotoxicity, this paper has proposed and established the disease-syndrome-based toxicology evaluation pattern and approach for TCM, not only the normal rats, but the hepatic fibrosis model rat were studied hepatotoxic or hepatoprotective effects of rhubarb, meanwhile liver histopathology changes by histological tests such as HE and TUNEL staining. The metabolomics analysis method will be employed to screen the key metabolites and possible metabolic pathway of the dual effects of rhubarb in rats. The results showed that rhubarb could result in significant liver injury in normal rats, indicated by the elevation of plasma serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities (P < 0.01), as well as liver histopathology changes by histological tests such as HE and TUNEL staining; whereas the levels of ALT and AST were significantly decreased in the model group of rhubarb, and the histopathology of liver was significantly improved. The UPLC-QTOF/MS methods were used to characterize the differences metabolites in contrast group plasma of rats. Eventually, seven potential biomarkers such as taurine, L-arginine, creatine, L-valine, retinyl ester, and prostaglandin F2α were confirmed by multivariate statistical analysis and metabolic pathways enrichment analysis linked to six metabolic pathways, including taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, retinol metabolism and valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis. In summary, the results suggested the dual effects of rhubarb screened by taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis and arginine and proline metabolism may be the key metabolic pathway related to You Gu Wu Yun phenomenon of rhubarb. This study will provide new vision and illustration of scientific evidences for the hepatotoxicity assessment and rational use of those drugs containing anthraquinones.

Tadalafil (TD), a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, has a low oral bioavailability due to its extremely poorly aqueous solubility. The aim of this study was to enhance its solubility and dissolution by coamorphization with dapoxetine (DP), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor to manage premature ejaculation. Coamorphous TD-DP (molar ratio, 1:1) was prepared by solvent-evaporation method and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The supersaturated dissolution of TD from coamorphous TD-DP was investigated in various aqueous media and compared to that of crystalline TD. In addition, physical stability of coamorphous system was also evaluated under the conditions of 40℃/75% relative humidity (RH) and 25℃/60% RH for 90 days. DSC thermogram and PXRD pattern indicated the formation of the coamorphous TD-DP. In comparison to original TD crystal, the dissolution of TD from coamorphous system were significantly enhanced in various media (water, 0.01 mol·L^-1 HCl and pH 4.5 phosphate buffer). In addition, no crystallization phenomenon of the prepared coamorphous system was observed until 90 days' storage under 25℃/60% RH. However, when temperature and humidity were increased to 40℃/75% RH, the coamorphous TD-DP was recrystallized easily.

Uncaria rhynchophylla is one of the frequently used herbs in China, it is mainly used for heat-clearance, suppression of hyperactive liver, calming endogenous wind and arresting convulsion in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Alkaloids are the main active materials in Uncaria rhynchophylla, pharmacological studies have shown that Uncaria rhynchophylla and its alkaloids have comprehensive biological effects on the nervous system. Rhynchophylline is one of the most abundant alkaloids in Uncaria rhynchophylla. The recent studies demonstrate that rhynchophylline and its isomers (isorhynchophylline, corynoxine, corynoxine B) may be good drug candidates for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, etc. Although the structures of the 4 alkaloids are very similar, they have different effects on nervous system. For example, corynoxine and corynoxine B exhibit better sedative effects than isorhynchophylline. Rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline have been extensively studied. For development and utilization of rhynchophylline for nervous system disease, more studies are needed to unveil the structure-function relationship and the underlying mechanisms. Here, we summarizes the progresses the effects of rhynchophylline and its isomers on the nervous system.

This study was designed to determine the metabolites of Renduining injection in rats. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometric (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) and mass defect filter techniques were applied to analyze the metabolites of Reduning injection in rat plasma, bile, urine and feces. As a result, we determined 14 metabolites of geniposide, including oxidation, dehydration, hydroxymethylene loss, hydrolysis, ring-opened, cysteine conjugation and glucuronidation conjugation of aglycone; 9 metabolites of geniposidic acid, consisting of dehydration, ring-opened, double-bond reduction and cysteine conjugation; 6 metabolites of secoxylogain including hydrolysis, hydroxymethylene loss, hydroxylation and ethylation; 12 metabolites of chlorogenic acid, containing decarboxylation, hydrolysis, methylation, acetylation, cysteinylglycine conjugation and glutathione conjugation. It provided information for the therapeutic effect of Reduning in vivo.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a non-coding closed-loop single-stranded RNA molecule lacking the 5' end cap and the 3' poly (A) tail. Circular RNA is more abundant and stable than linear mRNA, and its expression is more conservative and specific. circRNA regulates cancer development through a variety of mechanisms, including miRNA sponges, regulating gene transcription, regulating RNA-binding proteins, and protein translation. This review summarizes the role of circRNA in cancer and helps to develop new clinical diagnostic techniques and treatments.

Aquaporin 1 (AQP1), the first water channel protein discovered among the aquaporin family, is a hydrophobic transmembrane protein involved in transcellular water movement. Recent evidence shows that AQP1 plays a role in tumor cell proliferation and migration, angiogenesis and tumor development and progression, representing a potential therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the structures, functions and inhibitors of AQP1, as well as the involvement of AQP1 in tumor development and progression.

In this study, azvudine (FNC), hydrochloride salt of azvudine (FNC-HCl) and triphosphate azovudine (FNC-TP) were tested against DENV-Ⅱ recombinant virus (DENV-Ⅱ Luc⁺). The inhibitory activity of FNC, FNC-HCl and FNC-TP on DENVs were detected by plaque assay. The effect on the expression of DENV-Ⅱ envelope protein E was detected by Western blot; the inhibitory of DENV-Ⅱ viral RNA by compounds was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of the three compounds on Vero cells. The results showed that FNC, FNC-HCl and FNC-TP inhibited the viral replication by inhibition of renilla luciferase activity of DENV-Ⅱ Luc⁺. The 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) of FNC, FNC-HCl and FNC-TP in the inhibition of DENVs replication were from 0.54-25.42 μmol·L^-1, while that of ribavirin was 40.78 ±1.02 μmol·L^-1 as the positive control. Western blot and real time quantitative PCR results showed that FNC, FNC-HCl and FNC-TP significantly inhibited the expression of DENV-Ⅱ E protein, and the replication of DENV-Ⅱ viral RNA. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations of FNC, FNC-HCl and FNC-TP were all greater than 3 000.00 μmol·L^-1. The results suggest that in vitro anti-DENVs activities of FNC, FNC-HCl and FNC-TP are superior to ribavirin, which are expected to become new candidates of anti-DENV drugs.