Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids alleviate Mn-induced neurotoxicity via PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in PC12 cells.
- Fu X et al (2021).
- Biochem Biophys Rep.
- PubMed:
- 33889759
A study was conducted on nine species of Jasminum in Pakistan to examine their pollen types and structures. The study found that these characteristics are conserved in all of the species and are not useful for determining evolutionary relationships. Some species had specific characteristics, such as heteropolarity or foveolate exine ornamentation, but overall, there was little variation. Pollen size differed within species, with Jasminum humile showing the most variation. Some species were unable to develop true pollen due to structural or functional disabilities. The results indicate that quantitative pollen data can be used for grouping Jasminum species but not to infer their evolutionary relationships.
This study used a network pharmacology approach to investigate the potential of certain alkaloids found in Uncaria Rhynchophylla (UR) for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). The researchers identified 10 alkaloids that corresponded to 90 anti-AD targets. They found that corynoxine, corynantheine, isorhynchophylline, dihydrocorynatheine, and isocorynoxeine are likely to become key components for AD treatment. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the Alzheimer's disease pathway was the most significantly enriched in alkaloids against AD. The study also found that UR alkaloids directly exert an AD treatment effect by acting on multiple pathological processes in AD. These findings suggest that UR alkaloids could be further studied as potential treatments for AD.
Researchers used genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to analyze the relationships among cowpea and asparagus bean landraces from southern Italy and other species. The analysis of SNPs derived from GBS showed that African cowpea samples were separated from other materials and Italian landraces clustered based on seed color/pattern. The wild subspecies of the species complex showed a clear separation between allogamous wild perennials and perennial out/inbreds, with the former being the more ancestral wild progenitors. The species appeared more closely related to cowpea than to other species analyzed. These findings demonstrate the utility of GBS technology in studying taxonomy and relationships between species.
Thapsigargin is a compound found in a plant that inhibits a calcium pump known as SERCA. It has been used as a tool for studying intracellular calcium regulation, protein unfolding, and cell death. Thapsigargin has also been chemically transformed into a prodrug for cancer treatment. However, the drug failed clinical trials, but the chemical synthesis of thapsigargin led to important scientific discoveries. This finding includes new understandings of sesquiterpene lactones, ATPase mechanisms, prodrug development, and plant taxonomy.
Researchers analyzed the levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in Eupatorium fortunei herbs and products derived from them. They found that the total PA amounts varied widely, with some exceeding the recommended intake limit. The study also showed that some PAs were neurotoxic to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in vitro. Specifically, intermedine, intermedine N-oxide, and lycopsamine N-oxide decreased cell viability at 30 μM, and intermedine N-oxide inhibited oligodendrogenesis of NPCs at 10 μM. While short-term intake seemed unlikely to lead to acute toxic effects, chronic use warranted caution. These findings highlight the need for safe monitoring of herbs and herbal products containing PAs.