Effects Of Anthraquinones Research Articles

Effects of Anthraquinones on Immune Responses and Inflammatory Diseases.

The anthraquinones (AQs) and derivatives are widely distributed in nature, including plants, fungi, and insects, with effects of anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, antibacterial and antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, etc. Inflammation, including acute and chronic, is a comprehensive response to foreign pathogens under a variety of physiological and pathological processes. AQs could attenuate symptoms and tissue damages through anti-inflammatory or immuno-modulatory effects. The review aims to provide a scientific summary of AQs on immune responses under different pathological conditions, such as digestive diseases, respiratory diseases, central nervous system diseases, etc. It is hoped that the present paper will provide ideas for future studies of the immuno-regulatory effect of AQs and the therapeutic potential for drug development and clinical use of AQs and derivatives.

Effects of anthraquinones from Cassia occidentalis L. on ovalbumin-induced airways inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCassia occidentalis Linn. is a traditional ayruvedic edible shrub containing anthraquinones (AQs) as the principle active constituents. In folk medicine, it has a variety of uses including treatment of whooping cough (‘pertussis’) and inflammatory diseases. Despite these applications, limited data are available to validate the effects of C. occidentalis AQs on airways inflammation in asthma. Aim of the studyTo explore the anti-inflammatory potential of AQs extracted from C. occidentalis using an in vivo model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. Materials and methodsExtraction and optimization of AQs from C. occidentalis was performed by mechanochemistry. Allergic asthma in BALB/c mice was sensitized and challenged by OVA, and the effects of AQs investigated in a mouse model. OVA-specific IgE concentrations in serum, and Th1/Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ) concentrations, inflammatory cell counts and classification in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. Histopathological evaluation of lung tissue was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining. Th1/Th2 cytokine mRNA expression was analyzed using the 2-ΔΔCt method. ResultsTreatment with AQs decreased inflammatory cell counts and production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in BALF, and OVA-specific IgE in serum. In contrast,Th1 cytokine IFN-γ production in BALF was promoted. AQs also decreased mRNA expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine in lung tissue. Histological studies demonstrated that AQs substantially inhibited OVA-induced cellular infiltration, mucus hypersecretion and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung. ConclusionsThese findings demonstrated the inhibitory effects of AQs, derived from C. occidentalis, on OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice. The results suggest a promising ethnopharmacological use for AQs in patients with asthma.

Antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic effects of anthraquinones and related constituents from the aqueous dissolved Aloe exudates

In this study, 25 known anthraquinones and related compounds were isolated from aqueous dissolved Aloe exudates. The antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic activities of the isolated compounds were then investigated. Compounds 8, 11, 20, and 23 showed good antioxidant activity based on peroxyl radical-scavenging and reducing capacity assays at a concentration of 10.0 μM. Additionally, compounds 7, 9, 15–16, 18, 21–22 and 24–25 showed potent peroxyl radical-scavenging activities with values ranging from 5.28 to 14.60 at 10.0 μM. Moreover, compounds 8, 11, 15, 20 and 22 exhibited significantly suppressed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in nuclear factor-κB ligand-activated osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells, with values of 125.67, 118.54, 127.64, 125.82 and 124.98%, respectively. These results indicate that Aloe is an excellent source of antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic phytochemicals.

Effect of Anthraquinone on Alkaline Pretreatment and Enzymatic Kinetics of Sugarcane Bagasse Saccharification: Laboratory and Pilot Scale Approach

A laboratory (2 L) scale alkaline pretreatment with and without anthraquinone addition was performed to evaluate the influence of temperature, alkaline loading, residence time, heating and stirring system on mass yield and solubilization rates of the main components. The best conditions were scaled up to pilot scale (350 L), and enzymatic conversion of structural carbohydrates into sugars for cellulosic ethanol production was analyzed. The tested conditions were 130–170 °C, 0.5–1.5% NaOH, 30–90 min with and without 0.15% w/w of anthraquinone (AQ). The AQ addition did not lead to substantial cellulose preservation in the laboratory scale; however, in the pilot scale the AQ addition resulted in 67.4% and 28.5% of cellulose preservation for reactions at 130 °C, 1.5% NaOH, 30 min (5Pil) and 170 °C 1.5% NaOH, 30 min (7Pil) respectively in relation to those studies without addition. The most efficient heating and agitation system of pilot reactor was probably the determining factor for effective performance. Te...

Targeted tumor therapy by Rubia tinctorum L.: analytical characterization of hydroxyanthraquinones and investigation of their selective cytotoxic, adhesion and migration modulator effects on melanoma cell lines (A2058 and HT168-M1).

BackgroundAlizarin and purpurin are di- and trihydroxyanthraquinones derived from Rubia tinctorum L. Previous pharmacological studies have demonstrated that they exhibit certain degree of selective inhibitory effects towards cancer cells suggesting their application as a targeted drug for cancer. Our present work was aimed to investigate the suitability of hydroxyanthraquinones of Rubia tinctorum L. for targeted tumor therapy. The effects of alizarin, purpurin and an aqueous extract from transformed hairy root culture of Rubia tinctorum L. were examined on (1) cell proliferation, (2) apoptosis, (3) cell adhesion/morphology and (4) migration (chemotaxis, chemokinesis) of human melanoma cell lines (A2058, HT168-M1) and human fibroblast cells (MRC-5), as well as (5) the aqueous extract was analytically characterized.MethodsThe aqueous extract was prepared from R. tinctorum hairy root culture and qualitatively analyzed by HPLC and ESI–MS methods. The cell growth inhibitory activity of anthraquinones was evaluated by MTT-assay and by flow cytometry. The effect of anthraquinones on cell adhesion was measured by an impedance based technique, the xCELLigence SP. For the chemotaxis assay NeuroProbe® chamber was used. Computer based holographic microscopy was applied to analyze chemokinetic responses as well as morphometry. Statistical significance was determined by the one-way ANOVA test.ResultsIn the aqueous extract, munjistin (Mr = 284, tR = 18.4 min) as a principal component and three minor anthraquinones (pseudopurpurin, rubiadin and nordamnacanthal) were identified. The purpurin elicited a stronger but not apoptosis-mediated antitumor effect in melanoma cells (A2058: 10−6–10−5 M: 90.6–64.1 %) than in normal fibroblasts (10−6–10−5 M: 97.6–84.8 %). The aqueous extract in equimolar concentrations showed the most potent cytotoxicity after 72 h incubation (A2058: 10−6–10−5 M: 87.4–55.0 %). All tested substances elicited chemorepellent effect in melanoma cells, while in MRC-5 fibroblasts, only the alizarin exhibited such a repellent character. Indices of chemokinesis measured by holographic microscopy (migration, migration directness, motility and motility speed) were significantly enhanced by alizarin and purpurin as well, while morphometric changes were weak in the two melanoma cell lines.ConclusionsOur results highlight the effective and selective inhibitory activity of purpurin towards melanoma cells and its possible use as a targeted anticancer agent. The anthraquinones of the cytotoxic extract are suggested to apply in drug delivery systems as an anticancer drug.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12935-015-0271-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cytotoxic effects of anthraquinones from the rhizome of Rheum tataricum on HeLa and MDA-MB-435 cells

Cytotoxic effects of anthraquinones from the rhizome of Rheum tataricum on HeLa and MDA-MB-435 cells

The effect of anthraquinones in daiokanzoto on increasing the synthesis of sennoside A-metabolic enzyme derived from bifidobacteria

The effect of anthraquinones in daiokanzoto on increasing the synthesis of sennoside A-metabolic enzyme derived from bifidobacteria

Differential behavior between acacia and Japanese larch woods in the formation and decomposition of hexenuronic acid during alkaline cooking

The effects of anthraquinone (AQ) and polysulfide (PS) on the hexenuronic acid (HexA) content of pulp during kraft cooking were studied using Acacia mearnsii (acacia) and Larix leptolepis (Japanese larch) sapwood. In contrast to the results of cooking Japanese larch at an H-factor of 1200, the HexA contents of acacia pulp with a kappa number of 20 at an H-factor of 291 did not differ greatly between the kraft, kraft-AQ, and PS-AQ cooking methods, although the hydroxide ion concentration in the acacia cooking liquor decreased on the addition of AQ or sulfur. To explain this difference, we studied the behavior of the formation and degradation of HexA during alkaline cooking of glucuronoxylan from cotton linter, which was cooked with 1.0 and 2.0 mol/l NaOH. The relationship between HexA content and H-factor during alkaline cooking of glucuronoxylan was clarified. The amount of HexA and its rate of decomposition were higher in the 2.0 mol/l solution than in the 1.0 mol/l solution. At a low H-factor similar to that for hardwood cooking, HexA content increased to a maximum level and then started to decrease at high hydroxide ion concentrations such as 2.0 mol/l, whereas it slowly decreased at low hydroxide concentrations such as 1.0 mol/l. At an H-factor of around 450, the HexA formation/degradation curve for 1.0 mol/l of hydroxide crossed the decomposition curve for 2.0 mol/l of hydroxide. Therefore, it was shown that at a low H-factor, a decrease in hydroxide ion concentration during acacia wood cooking had little effect on the HexA content of pulp.

Effect of additives on fiber yield improvement for kraft pulping of kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis)

Projected decline in future wood resources has prompted researchers to try various additives in existing pulping processes for fiber yield improvement. Many studies have been conducted in the past aimed at improving kraft pulp yield with the use of additives in the cooking liquor. In this study, the effects of anthraquinone (AQ) and 2-methylanthraquinone (MAQ) on the pulp yield of kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis) were investigated. Three different active alkali doses (14%, 16% and 19% as NaOH) along with 0.1% of AQ or MAQ on chips were used to obtain various levels of delignification of the hardwood. Addition of AQ or MAQ to kraft pulping, increased fiber yield (0.5-2.7% on chips) and improved delignification selectivity (lignin vs. carbohydrate removal). Increases in pulp yield due to AQ or MAQ were more significant at lower doses of active alkalis. The viscosities and the physical strength properties of the pulps with kappa numbers 16-19 were comparable to kraft although there was a minor decrease in tensile strength for the kraft/MAQ pulp.

Effect of anthraquinone on brightness value and crystalline structure of pulp during soda processes

AbstractThe dependence of crystalline structure and optical properties of pulp on anthraquinone (AQ) added to the soda process at different cooking times was determined in this study. Wheat (Triticum aestevum L.) straw was used as the raw material for pulp. Soda and soda-AQ processes were selected for pulping at 80 min and 120 min. The soda-AQ process improved the yield and viscosity of pulp delignification ratio for pulping in comparison with the soda process. Crystallinity of pulp samples decreased by adding anthraquinone to the soda process because of stabilized less ordered cellulose and amorphous hemicelluloses in pulp. It was determined that crystallinity of pulp samples decreased with longer cooking time, from 80 min to 120 min, in both soda and soda-AQ processes. Monoclinic structure was dominant in pulp samples; however, the triclinic structure ratio increased in both soda and soda-AQ processes compared to raw material. It was found that brightness and lightness values in pulp samples decreased when using anthraquinone depending on the changes of the crystalline structure.

Photodegradation of nitro-PAHs in viscous organic media used as models of organic aerosols.

Many types of organic aerosol material have been found to behave as viscous liquids. In the current work, photodegradation of selected nitrated polycyclic aromatic compounds, 1-nitropyrene and 3-nitrofluoranthene, in viscous organic phases used as model systems for organic aerosols has been investigated. Experiments have been conducted in the presence and absence of anthraquinone, an atmospherically relevant photochemical radical sensitizer. The photodegradation of nitro-PAH is strongly accelerated by the presence of anthraquinone, and a viscous medium does not inhibit the photoinduced decay of nitro-PAH. In fact, the effect of anthraquinone is more pronounced in a viscous solvent containing tertiary hydrogen, DOP, compared to cyclohexane, a nonviscous solvent. This is related to a faster decay of anthraquinone in DOP and hence, presumably, a higher radical yield in DOP. The nitro-PAH degradation in DOP is faster at higher temperature; an observation primarily ascribed to faster diffusion at higher temperature giving rise to more efficient radical formation. In glycerine, a polar viscous solvent, significant formation of amino-PAH occurs due to photoreduction of the nitro-PAH. This is also the case in N2-purged guaiacol, a model substance for wood smoke organic material. Nitro-PAH photoreduction is enabled by the presence of hydrogen-atom donors and low levels of dissolved O2. A simple approach to estimate the O2 concentration in atmospheric organic aerosol material is presented. Low levels of O2 are predicted for wood smoke and secondary organic aerosol making amino-PAH formation in this aerosol material an interesting possibility.

Effect of Redox Catalysts on Oxidative Degradation of Cotton Lignin

The effects of anthraquinone and demethylated lignin on the oxidation of cotton lignin are compared. Results of the estrogen activity of certain aromatic acids are presented.

Mechanism of anthraquinone-induced calcium release from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The anthraquinones, doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, daunorubicin and rubidazone are shown to be potent stimulators of Ca2+ release from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles and to trigger transient contractions in chemically skinned psoas muscle fibers. These effects of anthraquinones are the direct consequence of their specific interaction with the [3H] ryanodine receptor complex, which constitutes the Ca2+ release channel from the triadic junction. In the presence of adenine nucleotides and physiological Mg2+ concentrations (approximately 1.0 mM), channel activation by doxorubicin and daunorubicin exhibits a sharp dependence on submicromolar Ca2+ which is accompanied by a selective, dose-dependent increase in the apparent affinity of the ryanodine binding sites for Ca2+, in a manner similar to that previously reported with caffeine. Unlike caffeine, however, anthraquinones increase [3H]ryanodine receptor occupancy to the level observed in the presence of adenine nucleotides. A strong interaction between the anthraquinone and the caffeine binding sites on the Ca2+ release channel is also observed when monitoring Ca2+ fluxes across the SR. Millimolar caffeine both inhibits anthraquinone-stimulated Ca2+ release, and reduces anthraquinone-stimulated [3H]ryanodine receptor occupancy, without changing the effective binding constant of the anthraquinone for its binding site. The degree of cooperativity for daunorubicin activation of Ca2+ release from SR also increases in the presence of caffeine. These results demonstrate that the mechanism by which anthraquinones stimulate Ca2+ release is caused by a direct interaction with the [3H]ryanodine receptor complex, and by sensitization of the Ca2+ activator site for Ca2+.

Electrocatalytic effects of redox polymer films on the reduction of O 2 on silicon semiconductors

Polymeric films with anthraquinone groups (PAQ) were coated on n- and p-type Si semiconductors and the electrocatalytic reduction of O 2 in aprotic solution was investigated. Comparisons were made between the effects of anthraquinone (AQ) in solution and in a polymer film, to a bare semiconductor. PAQ coated electrodes exhibited superior catalytic stability for the reduction of O 2 to that obtained with AQ in solution. Cyclic voltammetry showed that the n-Si/PAQ interface changed from ohmic to rectifying after several sweeps in potential. The evolution of an oxide film, and associated interface states, on the silicon surface is postulated as the chemical basis for these changes.

Effect of anthraquinones on endwise degradation of hydrocellulose in relation to alkaline pulping

Anthraquinones promote early delignification and stabilisation of cellulose during alkaline pulping. Alkali-catalysed endwise depolymerisation of hydrocellulose was studied at 97°C under nitrogen. In the presence of sodium anthraquinone-2-sulphonate (AQS), the rates of both the chain-propagated unzipping reaction and the competing termination reaction were lowered. Since the former reaction was inhibited to a greater extent than the latter, less dissolution of cellulose occurred at this temperature. These findings are inconsistent with a mechanism that hypothesises coupling of an oxidative stabilisation of cellulosic chain-ends with chemical reduction of an anthraquinone catalyst. The inhibitory action of AQS at 97°C is ascribed to its possible action of diminishing the degree of ionisation of cellulosic reducing chain-ends. As a possible mechanism for the accelerated dissolution of cellulose at pulping temperatures, it is suggested that anthraquinones promote intrachain scissions in cellulose, enhancing the dissolution of chain fragments before unzipping. An anomalously high rate of peeling near neutrality is attributed to an uncatalysed reaction occurring simultaneously with the base-catalysed degradation.

The Effect of Anthraquinone and Anthrahydroquinone Penetration on Delignification in the Soda Pulping of Norway Spruce

Abstract The extent of anthraquinone (AQ) penetration into handcut Norway spruce chips as a function of cooking time was examined through the combined use of 14C-label-led AQ and various wood sectioning techniques. The results indicated that in the initial stage of the cook, the AQ was deposited mainly at or near the chip surfaces in contrast to the alkali which penetrated to the chip core. With increasing cooking time, free and/ or combined AQ concentration at the transverse surface of the chips first decreased then increased both in this region and in the chip interior. This non-uniform distribution of AQ and alkali within the chips during the initial stage of pulping was also manifest by the Kappa number which increased significantly in proceeding from chip exterior to core. A substantial reduction in Kappa number without sacrifice in yield was achieved by impregnating the chips with an alkaline solution of anthrahydroquinone prior to pulping with alkali as compared with AQ addition in the conventional...

Inhibition of mineralization of urea nitrogen in soil

The effects of anthraquinones and some other quinonoid and phenolic compounds on mineralization of urea N in soils were studied by estimating the influence on urease activity and nitrification. Anthraquinones did not affect the mineralization of urea N but 1,4-naphthoquinone; 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone; 2–3-dichlorohydroquinone; 4,6-di-tert.butyl-o-benzoquinone; 4-tert.butylpyrocatechol and 4,6-di-tert.butylpyrocatechol inhibited urease activity and nitrification. The hydrolysis of urea (100 ppm) was not prevented by partial reduction in urease activity. The effective substances also inhibited dehydrogenase activity.

Effect of anthraquinone and some of its derivatives on the corrosion resistance of metals in sulfuric acid solutions

Effect of anthraquinone and some of its derivatives on the corrosion resistance of metals in sulfuric acid solutions