Forage Production and Water Use Efficiency of Three Lucerne Varieties at Different Soil Water Availabilities

Huimin Yang,Guoli Liu,Shubin He,Yuying Shen,Xiaoyan Zhang 한국초지조사료학회 2009 한국초지조사료학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2009 No.08

Forage production and water use efficiency (WUE) of Lucerne were investigated in three varieties at different water availabilities. Forage production decreased with the severity of soil water availability. At 50% field water capacity (FWC), forage production dropped but in two varieties, Algonquin and Longdong, was still high and from 75%FWC to 50%FWC, forage production in Longdong decreased at the least rate. The greatest leaf WUE was observed in Longdong at all soil water availabilities. From 75%FWC to 50%FWC, it increased in Longdong and Xinjiangdaye, but decreased in Algonquin. With the severity of water deficit, δ¹³C value increased in all three varieties. At the same water availability, the greatest value was observed in Longdong. It suggested that moderate water stress can improve WUE in Lucerne. Longdong is to some extent more efficient in water use and may be more drought-tolerant with more steady production at moderate water deficit.

Chemical Composition and Antimigraine Activity of Essential Oil of Angelicae dahuricae Radix

Jingbo Sun,He Li,Jinghui Sun,Huimin Liu,JianGuang Chen,Chunmei Wang 한국식품영양과학회 2017 Journal of medicinal food Vol.20 No.8

The aim of this study was to explore the chemical composition and the effect of essential oil of Angelicae dahuricae radix on a nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced rat model of migraine. The CO2 supercritical fluid extraction method was optimized for the extraction of essential oil of A. dahuricae radix (EOAD) and its chemical composition was determined. The migraine model was established by subcutaneous injection of NTG (10 mg/kg) 1 h after the last administration of EOAD. The therapeutic effect of EOAD and its underlying mechanism were assessed by monitoring behavioral changes, levels of nitric oxide (NO) in serum and brain tissues, plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and endothelin (ET), and ET/NO ratio. The optimal conditions for CO2 supercritical fluid extraction of EOAD, as determined by orthogonal test [L9(34)], were as follows: 2 h extraction time, 20 MPa pressure, 40°C temperature, and 30 mesh. The yield of EOAD was 1.8%. On gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, 45 peaks were found in EOAD, and 22 compounds were identified and quantified. The main constituents of EOAD were 1-dodecanol (13.71%), elemene (7.54%), palmitic acid ethyl ester (7.32%), α-pinene (6.25%), and 1-pentadecanol (6.08%). Compared with rat migraine model controls, EOAD (35, 70, and 140 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of head shaking, head scratching, and hind leg shooting events, decreased serum and brain NO levels, decreased plasma CGRP, and increased ET levels in rats. ET/NO ratio was elevated to 28.68 in the EOAD high-dose group. EOAD ameliorates NTG-induced migraine in rats likely by modulating the levels of vasoactive substances.

Sustained ocular delivery of desmopressin acetate via thermoreversible in situ gel formulation: preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation

Lei Fang,Zhang Huimin,Luo Rui,Fei Qingsong,Bai Luyu,He Ning 한국약제학회 2022 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.52 No.5

Purpose The present study was designed to formulate a thermoreversible in situ gel system for sustained ocular delivery of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) for the treatment of polyuria. Methods The cold method was employed for the preparation of in situ gel formulations using different levels of poloxamer 407 (F-127) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS). The optimal formulation was selected based on gelation temperature, rheological behavior, and in vitro drug release, and further evaluated by thermal, ocular irritation, residence time, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic analyses. Results The optimal formulation, composed of F-127 (20%) and CMCTS (1.5%), showed appropriate fluidity at room temperature (25 °C) and transitioned to semisolid gels at physiological temperature (34 °C). The optimal gels showed pseudoplastic fluid properties and favorable thixotropy characteristics in rheological tests. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed even dispersal of DDAVP in the matrix of gels. Results from in vivo studies demonstrated that the newly prepared gel successfully prolonged the residence time of DDAVP, improved ocular bioavailability, and exerted the same antidiuretic effect as ophthalmic drops. Conclusion The developed thermoreversible ophthalmic in situ gel of DDAVP presents a promising formulation for the treatment of polyuria.

MicroRNA-375 is a therapeutic target for castration-resistant prostate cancer through the PTPN4/STAT3 axis

Gan Junqing,Liu Shan,Zhang Yu,He Liangzi,Bai Lu,Liao Ran,Zhao Juan,Guo Madi,Jiang Wei,Li Jiade,Li Qi,Mu Guannan,Wu Yangjiazi,Wang Xinling,Zhang Xingli,Zhou Dan,Lv Huimin,Wang Zhengfeng,Zhang Yanqiao,Q 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

The functional role of microRNA-375 (miR-375) in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial. Previously, we found that plasma exosomal miR-375 is significantly elevated in castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) patients compared with castration-sensitive PCa patients. Here, we aimed to determine how miR-375 modulates CRPC progression and thereafter to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hucMSC)-derived exosomes loaded with miR-375 antisense oligonucleotides (e-375i). We used miRNA in situ hybridization technique to evaluate miR-375 expression in PCa tissues, gain- and loss-of-function experiments to determine miR-375 function, and bioinformatic methods, dual-luciferase reporter assay, qPCR, IHC and western blotting to determine and validate the target as well as the effects of miR-375 at the molecular level. Then, e-375i complexes were assessed for their antagonizing effects against miR-375. We found that the expression of miR-375 was elevated in PCa tissues and cancer exosomes, correlating with the Gleason score. Forced expression of miR-375 enhanced the expression of EMT markers and AR but suppressed apoptosis markers, leading to enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and enzalutamide resistance and decreased apoptosis of PCa cells. These effects could be reversed by miR-375 silencing. Mechanistically, miR-375 directly interfered with the expression of phosphatase nonreceptor type 4 (PTPN4), which in turn stabilized phosphorylated STAT3. Application of e-375i could inhibit miR-375, upregulate PTPN4 and downregulate p-STAT3, eventually repressing the growth of PCa. Collectively, we identified a novel miR-375 target, PTPN4, that functions upstream of STAT3, and targeting miR-375 may be an alternative therapeutic for PCa, especially for CRPC with high AR levels.

Enrichment of C17:0-rich saturated fatty acids from sheep tail fat for adjuvant therapy of non-small-cell lung cancer

Xiaoqi Yu,Xiaoyi Liu,Yuanli Li,Huimin He,Xinxin Pei,Tengfei Ma,Yuanyuan Chen,Yi Wang,Hongxia Li,Wenchu Lin,Changzhi Xu,Buchang Zhang 한국식품과학회 2024 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.33 No.8

Heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), an odd-chain saturated fatty acid (OCSFA) in ruminant lipid, has been demonstrated to be potential for treating cancers. Our results also showed that sheep tail fat (STF) with higher level of C17:0-containing saturated fatty acids (SFAs) whereas lower level of oleic acid (C18:1), performed remarkable inhibition against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. To enrich the content of C17:0, a C17:0-rich SFA concentrate (HRSC) was prepared from STF by solvent crystallization and urea complexation methods (hexane/STF = 3.5/1, 4 °C for 8 h, and 80% ethanol/urea/free fatty acids = 8/1/1, 4 °C for 6 h). The content of C17:0 was up from 3.02 to 6.34% and the recovery was 4.17%. Biological experiments showed that HRSC exerted better antiproliferative effect against NSCLC cells. Moreover, HRSC performed enhanced inhibitory effect in A549 cell xenograft mouse model. Therefore, HRSC has the potential to be applied in adjuvant therapy for NSCLC.