JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2023
·
IF 5.4
Yan Cao,Jinpeng Lv,Yan Tan,Ruolin Chen,Xiaoxue Jiang,Duo Meng,Kun Zou,Min Pan,Liming Tang
Ethnopharmacological relevance Tribuloside, a natural flavonoid extracted from Chinese medicine Tribulus terrestris L., has shown potent efficacy in treating various diseases. In China, the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. have long been utilized for relieving headache, dizziness , itchiness, and vitiligo . Water-based extract derived from Tribulus terrestris L. can enhance melanogenesis in mouse hair follicle melanocytes by elevating the expression of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and melanocortin-1 recepter (MC-1R). Nevertheless, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of tribuloside on pigmentation in both laboratory settings and living organisms. Aim of the study The present research aimed to examine the impact of tribuloside on pigmentation, and delve into the underlying mechanism. Materials and methods Following the administration of tribuloside in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMCs), we utilized microplate reader, Masson-Fontana ammoniacal silver stain, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to measure melanin contents, dendrite lengths, melanosome counts; L-DOPA oxidation assay to indicate tyrosinase activity, Western blotting to evaluate the expression of melanogenic and associated phosphodiesterase (PDE)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway proteins. A PDE-Glo assay to verify the inhibitory effect of tribuloside on PDE was also conducted. Additionally, we examined the impact of tribuloside on the pigmentation in both zebrafish model and human skin samples. Results Tribuloside had a notable impact on the production of melanin in melanocytes, zebrafish, and human skin samples. These functions might be attributed to the inhibitory effect of tribuloside on PDE, which could increase the intracellular level of cAMP to stimulate the phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding (CREB). Once activated, it induced microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression and increased the expression of tyrosinase, Rab27a and cell division cycle protein 42 (Cdc42), ultimately facilitating melanogenesis, melanocyte dendricity, and melanin transport. Conclusion Tribuloside acts on the PDE/cAMP/PKA pathway to enhance melanogenesis, melanocyte dendricity, and melanosome transport; meanwhile, tribuloside does not have any toxic effects on cells and may be introduced into clinical prescriptions to promote pigmentation.
研究领域:
药理学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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民族药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
·
2015
·
IF 3.015
Fenju Qin,Jie Zhang,Linsen Zan,Weiqiang Guo,Jin Wang,Lili Chen,Yi Cao,Ouxi Shen,Jian Tong
The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the GATA-4/SF-1 signalling pathway is involved in the inhibitory effects of melatonin on testosterone production in both the TM3 Leydig cell line and in C57BL/6J mice. In-vitro experiments demonstrated that melatonin treatment significantly reduced testosterone levels in cell culture medium ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); and decreased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophospha accumulation ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and mRNA/protein expression of GATA-4 , SF-1 (NR5A1) , StAR , P450SCC (CYP11A1) and 3β-HSD ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These effects were blocked by N-acetyl-2-benzyltryptamin, a melatonin receptor antagonist . Similar effects of melatonin on testosterone production ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and down-regulation of transcription factors GATA-4 and SF-1 ( P < 0.01) were also observed in mice treated with intratesticular injections of melatonin. Overall, the data suggest that the inhibitory effects of melatonin on testosterone production are mediated via down-regulation of GATA-4 and SF-1 expression.
研究领域:
内分泌学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Plant Science
·
2019
·
IF 4.106
Zhang Qiang,Liu Xiaofei,Zhang Zhifei,Liu Ningfang,Li Danzhu,Hu Longxing
Melatonin (MT), polyamines (PAs), and ethylene have been suggested to play key roles in plant growth and development in response to environmental abiotic stresses. However, the effect of melatonin on polyamine and ethylene metabolism under waterlogging stress has rarely been elucidated. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin pretreatment on waterlogging stress in alfalfa. The experiment was arranged into four treatment groups control with water pretreatment (CK-MT), control with melatonin pretreatment (CK+MT), waterlogging pretreated with water (WL-MT) and waterlogging pretreated with melatonin (WL+MT), with three replications. Six-week-old alfalfa seedlings were pretreated with 100 μM melatonin and exposed to waterlogging stress for 10 days. Plant growth rate, different physiological characteristics, and gene expression level were measured. Results showed that waterlogging induced melatonin accumulation, and melatonin pretreatment increased endogenous MT levels for the control and water-logged plants. Waterlogging stress caused a significant reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn), while also causing increased leaf electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Pretreatment with melatonin alleviated the waterlogging-induced damage and reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm and Pn. Waterlogging stress significantly increased leaf polyamines (Put, Spd, Spm) and ethylene levels, and the increased PAs and ethylene levels are coupled with higher metabolic enzymes and gene expressions. While pretreatment with melatonin further increased Put, Spd and Spm levels, it also decreased ethylene levels under waterlogging, and those increased PAs levels or decreased ethylene levels are regulated by the metabolic enzymes and gene expressions. The results in this study provide more comprehensive insight into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of melatonin-improved waterlogging tolerance in alfalfa. Furthermore, they suggested that melatonin improved waterlogging tolerance in alfalfa at least partially by reprogramming ethylene and PA biosynthesis, attributable to the increased PAs and decreased ethylene levels, which leads to more enhanced membrane stability and photosynthesis as well as less leaf senescence caused by ethylene.
研究领域:
植物生理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
·
2025
·
IF 3.1
Saiqa Menhas,Minjie Chen,Hui Jin,Jiang Xu,Saiyong Zhu,Daohui Lin
Foliar application of melatonin shows promise in alleviating oxidative stress in rice, though its influence on metal-nutrient dynamics remains unclear. This study investigated the optimal dosage, timing, and concentration of melatonin for regulating elemental uptake, maintaining redox homeostasis, and managing nutrient dynamics in rice cultivated in cadmium (Cd) and selenium (Se)-enriched soils. Melatonin (50, 200 µM) was applied at vegetative stages: jointing (J) and tillering (T). At the J stage, melatonin improved biomass and photosynthetic pigments but inadequately regulated metal-nutrient dynamics due to incomplete redox homeostasis. However, applying 200 µM melatonin during the T stage significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced Se and iron (Fe) root uptake by 48% and 11%, respectively, while also improving shoot translocation. Notably, M200 reduced chromium (Cr) translocation to shoots by 82% (p < 0.05), thereby increasing root retention capacity. Additionally, 50 µM melatonin reduced root Cd uptake by 54% and increased its translocation to shoots by 53% (p < 0.05), alleviating root toxicity and enhancing the detoxification response in aerial tissues. Melatonin application reduced oxidative stress markers, increased proline levels, and enhanced antioxidative enzyme activities, with M200 at the T stage showing pronounced effects. This strategy represents a promising technological approach for managing elemental homeostasis in rice cultivation.
研究领域:
植物生理学
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环境科学
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农业科学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BMC PLANT BIOLOGY
·
2019
·Vol. 19
·期 1
·1-15
·
IF 3.67
Li Taotao,Wu Qixian,Zhu Hong,Zhou Yijie,Jiang Yueming,Gao Huijun,Yun Ze
Background Banana anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum musae, is one of the most severe postharvest diseases in banana. Melatonin is widely known for its role in enhancing plant stress tolerance. However, little is known about the control of melatonin on anthracnose in postharvest banana fruit.Results In this study, exogenous melatonin treatment could significantly reduce the incidence of anthracnose in ripe yellow banana fruit and delay fruit senescence. However, melatonin treatment did not affect the growth of Colletotrichum musae in vitro. Transcriptomic analysis of banana peel showed that 339 genes were up-regulated and 241 were down-regulated in the peel after melatonin treatment, compared with the control. Based on GO terms and KEGG pathway, these up-regulated genes were mainly categorized into signal transduction, cell wall formation, secondary metabolism, volatile compounds synthesis and response to stress, which might be related to the anti-anthracnose of banana fruit induced by melatonin treatment. This view was also supported by the increase of volatile compounds, cell wall components and IAA content in the melatonin-treated fruit peel via the metabolomic analysis. After melatonin treatment, auxin, ethylene and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were enhanced, which might be involved in the enhanced fruit resistance by regulating physiological characteristics, disease-resistant proteins and metabolites.Conclusion sOur results provide a better understanding of the molecular processes in melatonin treatment delaying banana fruit senescence and anthracnose incidence.
研究领域:
植物病理学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
PLANT BIOLOGY
·
2020
·Vol. 22
·期 4
·679-690
·
IF 2.167
A. Sami,F. A. Shah,M. Abdullah,X. Zhou,Y. Yan,Z. Zhu,K. Zhou
Melatonin has emerged as an essential molecule in plants, due to its role in defence against metal toxicity. Aluminium (Al) and cadmium (Cd) toxicity inhibit rapeseed seedling growth. In this study, we applied different doses of melatonin (50 and 100 µ m ) to alleviate Al (25 µ m ) and Cd (25 µ m ) stress in rapeseed seedlings. Results show that Al and Cd caused toxicity in rapeseed seedling, as evidenced by a decrease in height, biomass and antioxidant enzyme activity. Melatonin increased the expression of melatonin biosynthesis-related Brassica napus genes for caffeic acid O-methyl transferase ( BnCOMT ) under Al and Cd stress. The genes BnCOMT-1 , BnCOMT-5 and BnCOMT-8 showed up-regulated expression, while BnCOMT-4 and BnCOMT-6 were down-regulated during incubation in water. Melatonin application increased the germination rate, shoot length, root length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings. Melatonin supplementation under Al and Cd stress increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, chlorophyll and anthocyanin content, as well as photosynthesis rate. Both Cd and Al treatments significantly increased hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels in rapeseed seedlings, which were strictly counterbalanced by melatonin. Analysis of Cd and Al in different subcellular compartments showed that melatonin enhanced cell wall and soluble fractions, but reduced the vacuolar and organelle fractions in Al- and Cd-treated seedlings. These results suggest that melatonin-induced improvements in antioxidant potential, biomass, photosynthesis rate and successive Cd and Al sequestration play a pivotal role in plant tolerance to Al and Cd stress. This mechanism may have potential implications in safe food production.
研究领域:
植物学
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环境科学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CRYSTENGCOMM
·
2014
·Vol. 17
·期 3
·612-620
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IF 3.858
Yan Yan,Jia-Mei Chen,Tong-Bu Lu
Pharmaceutical cocrystals have been extensively investigated as a promising approach to improve drugs' physicochemical properties. Cocrystals are usually prepared using solution-mediated methods and grinding methods. In this study, a cocrystal of pimelic acid with poorly soluble melatonin was produced using a melt crystallization method by controlling the crystallization within a specific temperature range. The cocrystal was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The binary phase diagram and the formation enthalpy established by differential scanning calorimetry provided the rationale for this spontaneous cocrystallization system. The cocrystal exhibited higher apparent solubility, a faster dissolution rate and acceptable stability as compared to the original melatonin. The study has shown that the melt crystallization method can be considered as a competitive route for producing pharmaceutical cocrystals with improved properties and the thermodynamic investigation can provide in depth understanding and guidance on the melt crystallization of cocrystals.
研究领域:
药学
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热力学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2022
·
IF 9.231
Songyang Yao,Xuening Liu,Yao Fu,Shengyu Guan,Yunjie Liu,Laiqing Yan,Pingli He,Guoshi Liu
Since the global demanding of natural melatonin-enriched milk has been significantly increased in the populations of children and elder, the accurate and quick melatonin detection from milk is urgently required. Thus, the regular methods no longer satisfy this requirement. In the current study, we reported a novel method to extract melatonin from milk for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry melatonin detection. This novel method was to use cold methanol (-20℃) to precipitate proteins and fat in milk with one step to extract melatonin. Compared to the regular methods, it was devoid of procedures of sample drying, solid phase extraction and sample reconstitution. It could short the extraction time from the regularly 150 min to 60 min/per 24 milk samples. We believe that this novel method provides a possibility to detect large scale of milk samples in relatively short time with more efficiency and less cost compared to the regular method.
研究领域:
分析化学
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生物医学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
·
2025
·
IF 3.9
Tu Chun Yan,Gao Yong Qiang,Zheng Lu,Ma Jun Wei,Shen Ren Fang,Zhu Xiao Fang
Aluminum (Al) toxicity represents a significant constraint on crop growth in acidic soils. Al stress can stimulate the biosynthesis of melatonin (MT) in rice ( Oryza sativa L.). The exogenous application of 20 μM MT markedly reduces Al accumulation in root tips and effectively mitigates Al stress. By enhancing the levels of root hemicellulose and down-regulating the expression of two genes sensitive to aluminum rhizotoxicity ( OsSTAR1 and OsSTAR2) , which function to obscure Al binding sites within the cell wall, MT significantly improves the fixation of Al by the cell wall. Furthermore, MT diminishes cytoplasmic entry of Al by reducing expression levels of nramp aluminum transporter 1 gene ( OsNRAT1 ), while inducing expression of an aluminum-sensitive gene ( OsALS1 ), thereby promoting vacuolar compartmentation to lower cytoplasmic Al concentration. Additionally, MT substantially decreases Nitric oxide (NO) accumulation induced by Al in roots. The alleviation effect exerted by MT on Al toxicity can be replicated through administration of the NO scavenger carboxyl-PTIO (c-PTIO). Moreover, the Al-sensitive phenotype exhibited in the osgsnor mutant, coupled with the absence of mitigation by MT, further substantiates that MT alleviates Al toxicity in rice primarily via regulation of NO content, potentially relying on NO signal transduction pathways. In summary, MT plays a pivotal role in modulating rice resistance to Al toxicity and stimulates multiple pathways to enhance tolerance against this abiotic stressor. This study provides new insights into understanding mechanisms underlying rice resistance to abiotic stresses.
研究领域:
植物学
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环境科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 3.4
Qiang Zheng,Song-Lin Xu,Xin-Lin Guo,Chuan-Yu Wang,Meng-Die Ma,Jin-Fang Ge
Objectives Investigating the effect of melatonin (MLT) on the pharmacokinetics and related neurotransmitter and amino acid metabolism of vigabatrin (VGB) in epileptic rats in vivo. Methods High performance liquid chromatography was used to examine the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of VGB after intragastric administration dosing (50，100，200) mg/kg singly or in combination with melatonin (20 mg/kg) in rats. The single-compartment model of first-order elimination was fitted with the nonlinear mixed-effect model of first-order estimation. Targeting metabolomics were used to measure and analyze the amino acid levels in the hippocampus of kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic rats treated with VGB alone or coupled melatonin. Results Melatonin significantly alters the pharmacokinetics of VGB, primarily by lengthening the elimination t 1/2 , Tmax, MRT and Vz/F, and decreasing the Cmax of both vigabatrin R(−) enantiomer (R-VGB) and vigabatrin S(+) enantiomer (S-VGB). Moreover, the concentrations of R-VGB and S-VGB were increased significantly in the lung and spleen of VGB + MLT group at 15 min compared with that of the VGB group. At 1 h, S-VGB levels increased significantly in spleen. At 4 h, the levels of S-VGB in the hippocampus and R-VGB in the prefrontal cortex increased significantly. Results of targeted metabolomics experiment showed that compared with control group, the level of aminobutyric acid/glutamate (GABA/Glu) in hippocampus of KA-induced epileptic rats was decreased, while glutamate/glutamine (Glu/Gln), tyrosine, dopamine, 3-methoxytyramine, tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine, arginine and phenylalanine were significantly increased. These elevated levels of neurotransmitters and amino acids were decreased in VGB- and VGB + MLT treated group. Conclusions MLT affected the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of VGB in rats, prolonging its elimination time and improving the tissue distribution. Moreover, it might help VGB improve the imbalance of neurotransmitters and amino acids in the hippocampus of epileptic rats.
研究领域:
药理学
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神经科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Omega
·
2024
·
IF 3.7
Hong Zhang,Zongquan Zhao,Zihan Wang,Shibin Nie,Chao Han
Inhibitory foam technology plays an important role in inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion. To enhance the stability and inhibitory performance of inhibitory foam for coal spontaneous combustion, a novel physicochemical composite inhibitor was developed in this work. CaCl2 was chosen as an inorganic salt physical inhibitor to compound with the chemical inhibitor melatonin (MLT) due to its corresponding good foam stability. When the mass ratio of CaCl2 to MLT was 4:1, the lowest CO release concentration of 7337.06 ppm at 200 °C was observed in the composite inhibitor-treated coal. Furthermore, the addition of 20 wt % of the composite inhibitor resulted in a foam half-life of 3067 min, which was 5.89 times longer than that of the water-based foam. In comparison with the water-based foam, the inhibitory foam based on 20 wt % CaCl2–MLT composite inhibitor exhibited more excellent foam stability, wetting ability, and inhibition performance. The release of CO at 200 °C was 7854.6 ppm, showing a reduction of 63.2% compared to the raw coal. Moreover, the composite inhibitory foam could significantly delay the onset of the characteristic temperature and reduce the weight change during the decomposition stage by 12.8%.
研究领域:
矿业工程
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消防工程
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2018
·
IF 3.115
Chang-An Geng,Tong-Hua Yang,Xiao-Yan Huang,Yun-Bao Ma,Xue-Mei Zhang,Ji-Jun Chen
Ethnopharmacological relevance Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are fascinating sources for natural drug candidates. Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng) is a famous TCM used for alleviating central nervous system (CNS) disorders, while its antidepressant constituents are still disputed. Aim of the study The present study was designed to assess the antidepressant property of U. rhynchophylla and characterize the active constituents targeting melatonin receptors which are closely related to CNS diseases. Materials and methods The total extract and each fraction of U. rhynchophylla were extensively assessed for their agonistic activity on melatonin receptors in vitro . The following bioassay-guided fractionation yielded the active constituents, whose activity was confirmed by dose-dependent bioassay and antagonistic experiment on HEK293 cells. Their antidepressant effects were evaluated on forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and open-field test (OFT) mice models in vivo . Their metabolic profiles in mice plasma were analyzed by LCMS-IT-TOF. Results The stems and hooks of U. rhynchophylla were revealed with agonistic activity on melatonin receptors (MT 1 and MT 2 ). Under the guidance of bioassay, two flavanols , catechin and epicatechin were obtained and showed obviously activity agitating MT 1 (EC 50 = 25.8 and 156.1 μM) and MT 2 (EC 50 = 47.3 and 208.8 μM) receptors. The agonistic activity of catechin on melatonin receptors can be antagonized by luzindole at the concentrations of 1.57–100 μM. Catechin could significantly reduce the immobility time in both FST and TST mice models at doses of 80 and 40 mg/kg, without obvious effect on locomotor activity in OFT mice model. Five phase II (M1-M5) and one phase I (M6) metabolites of catechin were detected in mice plasma after intragastric ( i.g .) administration. Conclusion Catechin is a potent antidepressant candidate from U. rhynchophylla by targeting melatonin receptors. The main metabolic pathways of catechin in mice plasma are glucuronidation (M3) and methylated glucuronidation (M4 and M5). This study provides valuable information for understanding the antidepressant potency of Gouteng and its active constituents.
研究领域:
药理学
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神经科学
·
植物化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）