Aloin Regulates Matrix Metabolism and Apoptosis in Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells via the TAK1/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a degenerative disease that is characterized by decreased matrix synthesis and extra degradation, nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) apoptosis, and infiltration of inflammatory factors. Aloin, a colored compound from aloe plants, has been shown to be effective against skeletal degenerative diseases, but it is unclear whether it is protective against IDD. Herein, we investigated the role of aloin in NPCs. In our study, the upregulation of proinflammatory factors, apoptosis, and unbalanced matrix metabolism were observed in degenerative NP tissues. We found that aloin had a curative effect on extracellular matrix metabolism and apoptosis in TNF-alpha- (TNF-α-) treated NPCs by inhibiting oxidative stress and the proinflammatory factor expression. Further investigation revealed that aloin treatment suppressed the TAK1/NF-κB pathway. Moreover, the expression level of the NLPR3 inflammasome was downregulated after aloin treatment in TNF-α-treated NPCs. In summary, our results demonstrated that aloin treatment can reverse TNF-α-induced unbalanced matrix metabolism and apoptosis of NPCs via the TAK1/NF-κB/NLRP3 axis. This study supports that aloin can be a promising therapeutic agent for IDD.

Biologically Active Aldehydes In Extracts Of Lactarius Pergamenus (Fr.) Fr Fresh Fruiting Bodies

The biologically active aldehydes in extracts of fungi of the genus Lactarius were identified. It’s established that these substances are unstable, they are found in fresh and frozen fungi, but are absent in dried mushrooms and interact with 1,4-phenylenediamine to form a colored compound. Methylene chloride is the best extragent for these substances. TLC on silufol plates showed that there were several substances in Lactarius pergamenus fruiting bodies and they had varying degrees of stability. For selection of these substances, methylene chloride extract was separated on a column of silica gel. Fraction, which gave the most expressive reaction with 1,4-phenylenediamine on thin-layer chromatograms were analyzed by GC-MS both in the absence and in the presence of 1,4-phenylenediamine. As a result, it was found that 1,4-phenylenediamine or other aromatic amines interacted with highly active aldehydes, that were present in fruiting bodies. Among them 2,2-dimethylocta- 3,4-dienal was the most stable and was present in the biggest quantity. This substance very rarely occurs in the vegetable kingdom and in fungi extracts of Lactarius genus wasn’t previously described. Its possible function in fungi is prevention of damage by parasites and eating by animals.

New Spectrophotometric Method for Estimation of Ceftazidime in pure and pharmaceutical dosage

A new simple, rapid, inexpensive and nontoxic spectrophotometric method for thedetermination of Ceftazidime in the pure and local market formulation was proposed. Themethod is based on the coupling reaction between the diazotized drug and 4-tert-butylphenol(4-TBP) to produce a colored compound with a (λ max 500 nm). The optimal conditions for thefactors affecting the formation of this compound were studied. Beer's law was obeyed and alinear calibration curve was obtained over the range of (1–10 μg/mL) with a correlationcoefficient (r=0.9890), molar absorptivity (ε=6.62710 3 L/mol.cm), the limit of detection0.314 μg/mL, and the limit of quantification LOQ 1.047 μg/mL. the accuracy and precision ofthe method were checked and the method was applied successfully for the determination ofCeftazidime in commercial preparation and the values of recovery percent and RSD% rangedbetween (93.11 - 102.20%) and (0.48 - 9.54%) respectively.

Sensitive Spectrophotometric Method for Quantitation of Guaifenesin and Dropropizine in Their Dosage Forms

Guaifenesin and dropropizine were analyzed through oxidation with periodic acid to give formaldehyde which was allowed to condense with 4-Amino-5-hydrazino-4H [1,2,4]-triazole-3-thiol (AHTT). The condensation product was further oxidized to yield a purple colored compound with maximum absorption at 550 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 5–45 g for guaifenesin and 10–80 g for dropropizine. Both drugs were also successfully determined in their dosage forms.

Simple Analysis Used in Diagnosis and Follow-up of Schizophrenic Patients

Dopamine acts as neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral sympathetic nervous system. Determination of dopamine (DO) was performed by spectrophotometric analysis depending on the formation of new colored compound. The proposed procedure was efficient in quantitative determination of DO as pure material in pharmaceutical preparations and in urine samples. DO concentration in urine sample of patient confirms the affection with schizophrenia and the proposed procedure was used to facilitate diagnosis and followup of schizophrenic patients. It is recommended to apply the proposed procedures as routine analysis in pharmaceutical companies for quality control and in analytical laboratories to diagnose and follow up schizophrenia.

Aspergillus nidulans Mutants Defective in stc Gene Cluster Regulation

The genes involved in the biosynthesis of sterigmatocystin (ST), a toxic secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus nidulans and an aflatoxin (AF) precursor in other Aspergillus spp., are clustered on chromosome IV of A. nidulans. The sterigmatocystin gene cluster (stc gene cluster) is regulated by the pathway-specific transcription factor aflR. The function of aflR appears to be conserved between ST- and AF-producing aspergilli, as are most of the other genes in the cluster. We describe a novel screen for detecting mutants defective in stc gene cluster activity by use of a genetic block early in the ST biosynthetic pathway that results in the accumulation of the first stable intermediate, norsolorinic acid (NOR), an orange-colored compound visible with the unaided eye. We have mutagenized this NOR-accumulating strain and have isolated 176 Nor- mutants, 83 of which appear to be wild type in growth and development. Sixty of these 83 mutations are linked to the stc gene cluster and are likely defects in aflR or known stc biosynthetic genes. Of the 23 mutations not linked to the stc gene cluster, 3 prevent accumulation of NOR due to the loss of aflR expression.