Naringenin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in citrus, grapefruits and tomatoes, has been used as a traditional anti-inflammatory agent for centuries. However, the molecular mechanism of naringenin in intestinal inflammation remains unknown so far. The present study investigated a molecular basis for the protective effect of naringenin in dextran sulphate Sodium-induced murine colitis. Pre-administration of naringenin significantly reduced the severity of colitis and resulted in down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators (inducible NO synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), cyclo-oxygenase-2 (Cox2), TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA) in the colon mucosa. The decline in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically TNF-α and IL-6, correlated with a decrease in mucosal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA and protein. Phospho-NF-κB p65 protein was significantly decreased, which correlated with a similar decrease in phospho-IκBα protein. Consistent with the in vivo results, naringenin exposure blocked lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In addition, in vitro NF-κB reporter assays performed on human colonic HT-29 cells exposed to naringenin demonstrated a significant inhibition of TNF-α-induced NF-κB luciferase expression. Thus, for the first time, the present study indicates that targeted inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway might be an important mechanism for naringenin in abrogating experimental colitis.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall is one of the most well-known herbs in China, Korea, and Japan for more than 1,200 years. Paeoniflorin, the major bioactive component of peony root, has recently been reported to have anticolitic activity. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. The present study was to explore the possible mechanism of paeoniflorin in attenuating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Pre- and coadministration of paeoniflorin significantly reduced the severity of colitis and resulted in downregulation of several inflammatory parameters in the colon, including the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and the mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators (MCP-1, Cox2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17). The decline in the activation of NF-κB p65, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK correlated with a decrease in mucosal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) but not TLR2 or TLR5 expression. In accordance with the in vivo results, paeoniflorin downregulated TLR4 expression, blocked nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, and reduced the production of IL-6 in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Transient transfection assay performed in LPS-stimulated human colon cancer HT-29 cells indicated that paeoniflorin inhibits NF-κB transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. TLR4 knockdown and overexpression experiments demonstrated a requirement for TLR4 in paeoniflorin-mediated downregulation of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, for the first time, the present study indicates that paeoniflorin abrogates DSS-induced colitis via decreasing the expression of TLR4 and suppressing the activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

Targeted activation of pregnane X receptor (PXR) in recent years has become a therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel disease. Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavonoid with antiinflammation activity. The current study investigated the role of chrysin as a putative mouse PXR agonist in preventing experimental colitis. Pre-administration of chrysin ameliorated inflammatory symptoms in mouse models of colitis (dextran sodium sulfate-and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced) and resulted in down-regulation of nuclear transcription factor kB (NF-kB) target genes (inducible NO synthase, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, cyclooxygenase 2, tumor necrosis factor-a, and interleukin 6) in the colon mucosa. Chrysin inhibited the phosphorylation/degradation of inhibitor kBa (IkBa), which correlated with the decrease in the activity of myeloperoxidase and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin 6 in the colon. Consistent with the in vivo results, chrysin blocked lipopolysaccharide -stimulated nuclear translocation of NF-kB p65 in mouse macrophage RAW264.7. Furthermore, chrysin dose-dependently activated human/mouse PXR in reporter gene assays and up-regulated xenobiotic detoxification genes in the colon mucosa, but not in the liver. Silencing of PXR by RNA interference demonstrated necessity of PXR in mediating chrysin's ability to induce xenobiotic detoxification genes and NF-kB inactivation. The repression of NF-kB transcription activity by chrysin was confirmed by in vitro PXR transduction. These findings suggest that the effect of chrysin in preventing chemically induced colitis is mediated in large part by a PXR/NF-kB pathway. The data also suggest that chrysin or chrysin-like flavonoids could be further developed as intestine-specific PXR activators.

We report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation on the regiochemistry of a series of TNT endohedral fullerenes ScxGd3-xN@C80 (x = 0-3) in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, which demonstrates that the regioselectivity of the TNT-based endohedral fullerenes ScxGd3-xN@C80 (x = 0-3) in the exohedral cycloadditions depends remarkably on the size of the encaged cluster.

Two new water-soluble Gd-containing endohedral metallofullerenes [ScxGd3-xN@C80OmOHn (x = 1, 2; m approximately 12; n approximately 26)] were synthesized in a simple one-step reaction and characterized by Fourier transform (FT)-IR as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Their observed longitudinal relaxivities (R1) for water protons are 20.7 and 17.6 mM(-1) s(-1), respectively, which are significantly higher than that of the commercial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent (Gd-DTPA, 3.2 mM(-1) s(-1)). These results indicate these trimetallic nitride endohedral fullerenols are potential next-generation high-efficiency MRI contrast agents.

Zinc antimonide thin films with high thermoelectric performance are produced by a simple sputtering method. The phase-pure Zn(4)Sb(3) and ZnSb thin films fulfill the key requirements for commercial TE power generation: cheap elements, cheap fabrication method, high performance and thermal stability. In addition, two completely new meta-stable crystalline phases of zinc antimonide have been discovered.

The synthesis, isolation, and spectroscopic characterizations of an endohedral fullerene with four heteroatoms encapsulated (ScYErN@C80) are reported for the first time. The isomeric structure and electronic properties of this molecule are studied by various spectrometry methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), laser desorption time-of-flight (LD-TOF) mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and visible-near infrared (vis-NIR) absorption spectroscopy. The carbon cage of ScYErN@C80 is assigned as Ih-C80, and the four-membered ScYErN cluster is suggested to rotate rapidly inside the fullerene cage. Six electrons are transferred from the nuclear cluster ScYErN to the fullerene cage, which leads to a closed-shell electronic structure of the Ih-C80 and results in excellent stability of this molecule.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSESaponins isolated from Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen have been shown to relieve thrombogenesis and facilitate haemostasis. However, it is not known which saponin accounts for this haemostatic effect. Hence, in the present study we aimed to identify which saponins contribute to its haemostatic activity and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHPlatelet aggregation was analysed using a platelet aggregometer. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time were measured using a blood coagulation analyser, which was further corroborated with bleeding time and thrombotic assays. The interaction of notoginsenoside Ft1 with the platelet P2Y12 receptor was determined by molecular docking analysis, cytosolic Ca 2+ and cAMP measurements, and phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt assays. KEY RESULTSAmong the saponins examined, Ft1 was the most potent procoagulant and induced dose-dependent platelet aggregation. Ft1 reduced plasma coagulation indexes, decreased tail bleeding time and increased thrombogenesis. Moreover, it potentiated ADP-induced platelet aggregation and increased cytosolic Ca 2+ accumulation, effects that were attenuated by clopidogrel. Molecular docking analysis suggested that Ft1 binds to platelet P2Y12 receptors. The increase in intracellular Ca 2+ evoked by Ft1 in HEK293 cells overexpressing P2Y12 receptors could be blocked by ticagrelor. Ft1 also affected the production of cAMP and increased phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt downstream of P2Y12 signalling pathways. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONSFt1 enhanced platelet aggregation by activating a signalling network mediated through P2Y12 receptors. These novel findings may contribute to the effective utilization of this compound in the therapy of haematological disorders.