Euonymus Alatus Research Articles

Protective effect of Epicatechin on APAP-induced acute liver injury of mice through anti-inflammation and apoptosis inhibition

Epicatechin (EC) is the most effective compound in Euonymus alatus (Thunb.)Sieb, and possesses a series of benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiobesity and anticancer effects. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of EC in Acetaminophen(N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP)-induced acute liver injury in C57BL/6J mice and explored the possible mechanisms involved in these effects.

3T3-L1 지방전구세포에서 1-O-feruloyl-β-D-glucose의 지방생성억제효과

Obesity is the most common metabolic disease and is caused by an excess accumulation of body fat. 1-O-Feruloyl-β-D-glucose (FG) is a phenolic compound isolated from the corks of Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. This study was designed to investigate the effect of FG on adipogenesis using 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. First, we evaluated the effects of FG on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. Up to 5 μM, FG did not affect the proliferation of or cause cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Therefore, we used FG at 0-5 μM for subsequent experiments. FG inhibited the accumulation of lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. To understand the mechanism underlying the anti-adipogenic effect of FG, western blot analyses were performed. We found that FG suppressed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ protein expression, a representative adipogenesis-related transcription factor. In addition, FG inhibited aP2/fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) protein expression, a target gene of PPARγ. In conclusion, these data suggest that FG inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by inhibiting the expression of PPARγ and FABP4.

Molecular tools enabling pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) as a model plant and oilseed cash cover crop.

Summary Thlapsi arvense L. (pennycress) is being developed as a profitable oilseed cover crop for the winter fallow period throughout the temperate regions of the world, controlling soil erosion and nutrients run‐off on otherwise barren farmland. We demonstrate that pennycress can serve as a user‐friendly model system akin to Arabidopsis that is well‐suited for both laboratory and field experimentation. We sequenced the diploid genome of the spring‐type Spring 32‐10 inbred line (1C DNA content of 539 Mb; 2n = 14), identifying variation that may explain phenotypic differences with winter‐type pennycress, as well as predominantly a one‐to‐one correspondence with Arabidopsis genes, which makes translational research straightforward. We developed an Agrobacterium‐mediated floral dip transformation method (0.5% transformation efficiency) and introduced CRISPR‐Cas9 constructs to produce indel mutations in the putative FATTY ACID ELONGATION1 (FAE1) gene, thereby abolishing erucic acid production and creating an edible seed oil comparable to that of canola. We also stably transformed pennycress with the Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) gene, producing low‐viscosity acetyl‐triacylglycerol‐containing seed oil suitable as a diesel‐engine drop‐in fuel. Adoption of pennycress as a model system will accelerate oilseed‐crop translational research and facilitate pennycress’ rapid domestication to meet the growing sustainable food and fuel demands.

Towards the synthetic design of camelina oil enriched in tailored acetyl-triacylglycerols with medium-chain fatty acids.

The ability to manipulate expression of key biosynthetic enzymes has allowed the development of genetically modified plants that synthesise unusual lipids that are useful for biofuel and industrial applications. By taking advantage of the unique activities of enzymes from different species, tailored lipids with a targeted structure can be conceived. In this study we demonstrate the successful implementation of such an approach by metabolically engineering the oilseed crop Camelina sativa to produce 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols (acetyl-TAGs) with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Different transgenic camelina lines that had been genetically modified to produce MCFAs through the expression of MCFA-specific thioesterases and acyltransferases were retransformed with the Euonymus alatus gene for diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) that synthesises acetyl-TAGs. Concomitant RNAi suppression of acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase increased the levels of acetyl-TAG, with up to 77 mole percent in the best lines. However, the total oil content was reduced. Analysis of the composition of the acetyl-TAG molecular species using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry demonstrated the successful synthesis of acetyl-TAG containing MCFAs. Field growth of high-yielding plants generated enough oil for quantification of viscosity. As part of an ongoing design-test-learn cycle, these results, which include not only the synthesis of 'designer' lipids but also their functional analysis, will lead to the future production of such molecules tailored for specific applications.

Interspecific association and functional group classification of the dominant populations in shrub layer in secondary forest of Pinus tabuliformis in Qinling Mountain, China.

We analyzed the interspecific association among 20 dominant populations in shrub layer in secondary natural forest of Pinus tabuliformis in Qinling Mountain, China, with X2-test, the association coefficients and the percentage of common occurrence. The results showed that the species pairs with significant positive associations accounted for only 7.4% of the total 190 species pairs. The species pairs such as Lespedeza bicolor and Elaeagnus pungens, Toxicodendron vernicifluum and Pinus tabuliformis, Euonymus alatus and Cerasus tomentosa had extremely significant positive correlations, whereas most of the species pairs showed weak interspecific association. The ratio of positive and negative correlations was less than 1. The results suggested that the interspecific association was relatively weak. Species were with certain independence among dominant populations. Community structure was at an unstable mid-stage with dynamic succession. According to the interspecific association and cluster analysis, combined with biological and ecological characters, the 20 dominant populations in shrub layer were classified into four functional groups. The ecological requirement and resource use pattern of species within the same functional groups were similar, exhibiting a close connection between the shrub species. The connection between different functional groups was relatively loose.

Preliminary characterization of a virus associated with Euonymus alatus dieback

Preliminary characterization of a virus associated with <i>Euonymus alatus</i> dieback

Isolation and Characterization of ��-glucosidase Inhibitors from Euonymus alatus

Isolation and Characterization of ��-glucosidase Inhibitors from Euonymus alatus

Physiological and Quality Responses of Turfgrass and Ornamental Plants to Weather‐Based Irrigation Control

At 600 L person−1 d−1, the United States has the highest water use per capita in the world. In urban settings, large portions of municipal water supplies are used for the irrigation of amenity landscapes, which often include turfgrass, as well as other ornamental plant materials. As water resources have become more constrained, irrigation technologies such as weather‐based irrigation controllers have been promoted as one component of comprehensive water conservation efforts. While weather‐based controllers have been shown to save water over standard, manually programmed irrigation controllers, the effects of their use on plant physiology and quality remain largely unknown. This study investigated the physiological and plant quality responses of a Kentucky bluegrass blend (Poa pratensis L.) and two perennial plant species [Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Siebold ‘Compactus’ and Paeonia lactiflora Pall.] to the use of three weather‐based irrigation controller schedules/depths and one standard, manually programmed irrigation controller schedule/depth. Kentucky bluegrass and P. lactiflora both exhibited physiological stress, as well as negative plant quality responses to the use of some weather‐based controllers. Further research is needed to identify weather‐based controllers that successfully combine water saving potential with positive plant physiological and quality responses.

Membrane topology and identification of key residues of EaDAcT, a plant MBOAT with unusual substrate specificity.

Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the sn-3 position of diacylglycerol to form 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol (acetyl-TAG). EaDAcT belongs to a small, plant-specific subfamily of the membrane bound O-acyltransferases (MBOAT) that acylate different lipid substrates. Sucrose gradient density centrifugation revealed that EaDAcT colocalizes to the same fractions as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-specific marker. By mapping the membrane topology of EaDAcT, we obtained an experimentally determined topology model for a plant MBOAT. The EaDAcT model contains four transmembrane domains (TMDs), with both the N- and C-termini orientated toward the lumen of the ER. In addition, there is a large cytoplasmic loop between the first and second TMDs, with the MBOAT signature region of the protein embedded in the third TMD close to the interface between the membrane and the cytoplasm. During topology mapping, we discovered two cysteine residues (C187 and C293) located on opposite sides of the membrane that are important for enzyme activity. In order to identify additional amino acid residues important for acetyltransferase activity, we isolated and characterized acetyltransferases from other acetyl-TAG-producing plants. Among them, the acetyltransferase from Euonymus fortunei possessed the highest activity invivo and invitro. Mutagenesis of conserved amino acids revealed that S253, H257, D258 and V263 are essential for EaDAcT activity. Alteration of residues unique to the acetyltransferases did not alter the unique acyl donor specificity of EaDAcT, suggesting that multiple amino acids are important for substrate recognition.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Man-Pen-Fang, a Chinese herbal compound, on chronic pelvic inflammation in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has become the focus of research for the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) based on unique medical theory system. Man-Pen-Fang (MPF), a Chinese herbal compound, which is composed of Thlaspi arvense L. (Cruciferae), Gleditsia sinensis Lam. (Leguminosae), Smilax china L. (Liliaceae), Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. (Celastraceae) and Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) (Caryophyllaceae) MPF has been used for the treatment of CPID and exerted significant clinical curative effects. However, the corresponding active principles and anti-inflammatory mechanism of MPF are still unknown. Aim of the studyThe objective of present study is to evaluate the effect of MPF on CPID in the chronic pelvic inflammation (CPI) rat model and elucidate its possible anti-inflammatory mechanism. Materials and MethodsThe CPI in rats was induced by administration with E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Beta-hemolytic streptococcus. MPF (8.112g/(kg d) (20 times of adult dosage), 4.056g/(kg d) (10 times of adult dosage) and 2.028g/(kg d) (5 times of adult dosage)) and Jingangteng Capsule 2g/(kg d) (20 times of adult dosage) were administered orally for 20 days. The serum levels of five inflammation-associated cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TGF-β1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1, P53, Fas, FasL and MMP-2 in the uterus tissue were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, the expression of NF-κB p65 in uterus and ovary tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry assay and the pathological changes induced in the uterus and ovary tissues were observed by histology. ResultsMPF caused a reduction in serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TGF-β1. The expression of P53 mRNA, Fas/FasL mRNA and MMP-2 mRNA in the uterus tissue was significantly elevated after treating with MPF, in contrast the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was decreased. Furthermore, the expression of NF-κB p65 in uterus and ovary tissue was inhibited after treating with MPF. ConclusionsThese results taken together suggest that MPF has a significant anti-CPID effect, probably due to inhibition of the inflammation reaction by the promotion, and the induction of the apoptosis of inflammatory cells and downregulation of the serum levels of inflammation cytokines.

Quality Characteristics and Optimization of Rice Pound Cake prepared with Euonymus alatus by Using Response Surface Methodology

Quality Characteristics and Optimization of Rice Pound Cake prepared with Euonymus alatus by Using Response Surface Methodology

Quality Characteristics and Optimization of Rice Pound Cake prepared with Euonymus alatus by Using Response Surface Methodology

This research was studied to optimize the recipe of rice pound cake with two concentrations of Euonymus alatus and grape seed oil, using central composite design (CCD). The mixing condition of rice pound cake was optimized by subjecting it to sensory evaluation and mechanical and physicochemical ana...

Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce a reduced viscosity oil from lignocellulose

BackgroundAcetyl-triacylglycerols (acetyl-TAGs) are unusual triacylglycerol (TAG) molecules that contain an sn-3 acetate group. Compared to typical triacylglycerol molecules (here referred to as long chain TAGs; lcTAGs), acetyl-TAGs possess reduced viscosity and improved cold temperature properties, which may allow direct use as a drop-in diesel fuel. Their different chemical and physical properties also make acetyl-TAGs useful for other applications such as lubricants and plasticizers. Acetyl-TAGs can be synthesized by EaDAcT, a diacylglycerol acetyltransferase enzyme originally isolated from Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush). The heterologous expression of EaDAcT in different organisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, resulted in the accumulation of acetyl-TAGs in storage lipids. Microbial conversion of lignocellulose into acetyl-TAGs could allow biorefinery production of versatile molecules for biofuel and bioproducts.ResultsIn order to produce acetyl-TAGs from abundant lignocellulose feedstocks, we expressed EaDAcT in S. cerevisiae previously engineered to utilize xylose as a carbon source. The resulting strains were capable of producing acetyl-TAGs when grown on different media. The highest levels of acetyl-TAG production were observed with growth on synthetic lab media containing glucose or xylose. Importantly, acetyl-TAGs were also synthesized by this strain in ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX)-pretreated corn stover hydrolysate (ACSH) at higher volumetric titers than previously published strains. The deletion of the four endogenous enzymes known to contribute to lcTAG production increased the proportion of acetyl-TAGs in the total storage lipids beyond that in existing strains, which will make purification of these useful lipids easier. Surprisingly, the strains containing the four deletions were still capable of synthesizing lcTAG, suggesting that the particular strain used in this study possesses additional undetermined diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity. Additionally, the carbon source used for growth influenced the accumulation of these residual lcTAGs, with higher levels in strains cultured on xylose containing media.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that S. cerevisiae can be metabolically engineered to produce acetyl-TAGs when grown on different carbon sources, including hydrolysate derived from lignocellulose. Deletion of four endogenous acyltransferases enabled a higher purity of acetyl-TAGs to be achieved, but lcTAGs were still synthesized. Longer incubation times also decreased the levels of acetyl-TAGs produced. Therefore, additional work is needed to further manipulate acetyl-TAG production in this strain of S. cerevisiae, including the identification of other TAG biosynthetic and lipolytic enzymes and a better understanding of the regulation of the synthesis and degradation of storage lipids.

The protective effect of the active components of ERPC on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceEuonymus alatus, Radix trichosanthis, Panax notoginseng and Coptis chinensis are popular plants used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. Aim of the studyThe aim of the study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of the active components of Euonymus alatus, Radix trichosanthis, Panax notoginseng and Coptis chinensis (cERPC) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the rats and explore the underlying mechanism involved. MethodsAfter diabetes was induced in rats for 20 weeks, cERPC or water was administered for 12 weeks. After a hot plate test, motor nerve conduction velocity and sciatic nerve blood flow were determined; the sciatic nerves were isolated for toluidine blue staining; and the fibre area, fibre diameter, axon area, axon diameter and myelin thickness were evaluated. The levels of the myelin basic protein, myelin protein zero, Oct6 and Krox20 were measured by western blot or immunofluorescence. ResultscERPC was efficient in reducing the response latency, increasing motor nerve conduction velocity, enhancing sciatic nerve blood flow and ameliorating the pathological changes in diabetic rats. cERPC also had a role in increasing the levels of myelin basic protein and myelin protein zero and improving the expression of Oct6 and Krox20 in sciatic nerves of diabetic rats. ConclusionscERPC ameliorates diabetic peripheral neuropathy by attenuating electrophysiological, circulatory and morphological alterations, which is mediated by the Oct6-Krox20 pathway.

Simultaneous determination of seven compounds in Euronymus alatus by HPLC-DAD

Euonymus alatus has been widely used as traditional medicine to prevent the development of atherosclerosis, treat dysmenorrhea, regulate blood circulation, relieve pain and eliminate stagnant blood [1 – 3]. E. alatus consist of quercetin, kaempferol and rutin such as flavonoid and alatamine, eunymine, evorine such as alkaloid [4,5]. We developed HPLC analysis method for simultaneous determination of isolated seven compounds moretenone (1), moretenol (2), friedelanol (3), lupenone (4), β-sitosterol (5), betulin (6) and glycerol 1-tetracosanoate (7) from E. alatus. Validation of the analytical method was evaluated by linearity, precision, and accuracy test. The correlation coefficient (R2) value of seven compounds showed a very good linearity (R2> 0.9990). Relative standard deviation (RSD) values were showed that 0.12 – 0.99% at intra-day, 0.12 – 1.00% at inter-day, respectively. The recovery test was carried out to verify the accuracy of the method and recovery was ranged with 97.24 – 109.55%. As results, developed method was accurate and reliable to the quality evaluation of moretenone, moretenol, friedelanol, lupenone, β-sitosterol, betulin and glycerol 1-tetracosanoate isolated from E. alatus.

Neuroprotective compounds from Euonymus alatus

Neuroprotective compounds from Euonymus alatus

Lignans from the twigs of Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. and their biological evaluation

Lignans from the twigs of Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. and their biological evaluation

Defining the extreme substrate specificity of Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase, an unusual membrane-bound O-acyltransferase.

Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) synthesizes the unusually structured 3-acetyl-1,2-diacylglycerols (acetyl-TAG) found in the seeds of a few plant species. A member of the membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) family, EaDAcT transfers the acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) to produce acetyl-TAG. Invitro assays demonstrated that the enzyme is also able to utilize butyryl-CoA and hexanoyl-CoA as acyl donors, though with much less efficiency compared with acetyl-CoA. Acyl-CoAs longer than eight carbons were not used by EaDAcT. This extreme substrate specificity of EaDAcT distinguishes it from all other MBOATs which typically catalyze the transfer of much longer acyl groups. Invitro selectivity experiments revealed that EaDAcT preferentially acetylated DAG molecules containing more double bonds over those with less. However, the enzyme was also able to acetylate saturated DAG containing medium chain fatty acids, albeit with less efficiency. Interestingly, EaDAcT could only acetylate the free hydroxyl group of sn-1,2-DAG but not the available hydroxyl groups in sn-1,3-DAG or in monoacylglycerols (MAG). Consistent with its similarity to the jojoba wax synthase, EaDAcT could acetylate fatty alcohols invitro to produce alkyl acetates. Likewise, when coexpressed in yeast with a fatty acyl-CoA reductase capable of producing fatty alcohols, EaDAcT synthesized alkyl acetates although the efficiency of production was low. This improved understanding of EaDAcT specificity confirms that the enzyme preferentially utilizes acetyl-CoA to acetylate sn-1,2-DAGs and will be helpful in engineering the production of acetyl-TAG with improved functionality in transgenic plants.

Effects of Process Parameters on the Extraction of Quercetin and Rutin from the Stalks of Euonymus Alatus (Thumb.) Sieb and Predictive Model Based on Least Squares Support Vector Machine Optimized by an Improved Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of quercetin and rutin from the stalks of Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb in our laboratory, which aimed at evaluating and optimizing the process parameters, was investigated in this work. In addition, process parameters such as ethanol solution concentration, solvent volume/sample ratio, ultrasound power and extraction time, ultrasound frequency and extraction temperature were also first applied for evaluating the influence of extraction of quercetin and rutin. Optimum process parameters obtained were: ethanol solution 60%, extraction time 30 min, solvent volume/sample ratio 40 mL/g, ultrasound power 200 W, extraction temperature 30 °C and ultrasound frequency 80 kHz. Further a hybrid predictive model, which is based on least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) in combination with improved fruit fly optimization algorithm (IFOA), was first used to predict the UAE process. The established IFOA-LS-SVM model, in which six process parameters and extraction yields of quercetin and rutin were used as input variables and output variables, respectively, successfully predicted the extraction yields of quercetin and rutin with a low error. Moreover, by comparison with SVM, LS-SVM and multiple regression models, IFOA-LS-SVM model has higher accuracy and faster convergence. Results proved that the proposed model is capable of predicting extraction yields of quercetin and rutin in UAE process.

WITHDRAWN: Combination of Astragalus membranaceus and Euonymus alatus (THUNB.) SIEB. for treatment of diabetes: a network-based pharmacology research

WITHDRAWN: Combination of Astragalus membranaceus and Euonymus alatus (THUNB.) SIEB. for treatment of diabetes: a network-based pharmacology research