Abstract Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix (Caowu), a traditional Chinese medicine and Mongolian medicine, has been commonly used owing to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we performed a qualitative analysis of aconite alkaloids (AAs) in raw and processed Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we quantified benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine, aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine in raw and processed Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix using a HPLC system coupled with a diode array detector. The analysis of AA fragmentation patterns in positive electrospray ionization mode revealed 155 AAs, including 6 with unambiguous identities, 109 with putative assignments, and 40 unknown compounds. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 macrophages were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of the alkaloid extracts of Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix. Importantly, alkaloid extracts of Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix at three different concentrations exhibited protective effect against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Thus, the proposed method can be used not only for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix, but also for evaluating other Aconitum spp. Our study lays a foundation for the clinical application of poisonous Aconitum.

Abstract Purpose of this study the mechanism of curcumin inhibiting pyroptosis in infectious acute lung injury through NLRP3 inflammatory pathway. In this study, SPF SD male rats were randomly divided into blank control group, curcumin group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, LPS + curcumin group, LPS + Nigerin treatment group, LPS + Nigerin + curcumin treatment group. Three in each group. Animal models were established according to the experimental design. Blood samples were collected after anesthesia, and the lung wet/dry weight ratio was calculated. TUNEL was used to detect pyroptosis of alveolar macrophages in left lower lobe, and Elisa was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in left lung tissue. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins such as NLRP3, Caspase1 and GSDMD in right lung alveolar lavage fluid. Compared with the blank control group, the lung wet weight and lung dry weight of the curcumin group were significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the lung wet weight and lung dry weight of the curcumin group There was a statistical difference in weight increase (P < 0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the apoptosis rate of lung tissue in the curcumin group, LPS group and LPS+ nigericin group was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the LPS + nigericin group, the lung tissue apoptosis rate in the LPS + curcumin + nigericin group was decreased, but there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). LPS and LPS combined with Nigerian bacteriocin can cause pyroptosis in lung tissue. Curcumin can inhibit pyroptosis of lung tissue macrophages caused by LPS and LPS combined with Nigerian bacteriocin, and reduce inflammatory response.

The predicted changes in precipitation patterns because of global change have profound effects on terrestrial ecosystems. In the present study, the principle and design details of a rainfall enrichment system (RAINES) for open field experiments in semi-arid and arid ecosystems are presented. The rainfall intensity, validity and uniformity of this experimental facility were also tested. During the period from 2008 to 2010, our data showed that the RAINES was able to simulate rainfall events with different rainfall sizes, frequencies and timing. The greatest advantage of the RAINES was its high uniformity in rainfall distribution over a relatively large experimental surface area (>65 m2), which was important for experimental studies of semi-arid and arid ecosystems where vegetation distribution is sparse. The rainfall validity of RAINES was steadily at 66% or higher as long as the hydraulic pressure exceeded 1.4 KPa and the wind speed was below 2.5 m s-1. Since the RAINES is light-weight, inexpensive and versatile enough to be used to simulate various rainfall events with needed properties in remote fields, it is able to provide reliable simulated rainfall in the field for studying possible responses of soil and vegetation processes to rainfall change in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The application of the RAINES will improve our understanding on the relationship between water availability and ecosystem processes in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, which will provide useful knowledge for the protection, restoration and sustainable management of semi-arid and arid desert ecosystems worldwide.

Los cambios predichos en los modelos de precipitación como resultado del cambio global tienen efectos profundos en los ecosistemas terrestres. Un equipo que simule la lluvia es una herramienta de investigación efectiva para explorar los efectos de los cambios en los modelos de lluvia sin varias restricciones naturales. En el presente estudio, se presentan los principios y detalles de diseño de un equipo simulador de lluvia (RAINES) para estudios a campo en ecosistemas áridos y semiaridos. También se determinaron la intensidad de lluvia, validez y uniformidad del RAINES. Durante el perÃodo 2008 al 2010, nuestros datos mostraron que el RAINES fue capaz de simular eventos de lluvia con diferentes cantidades, frecuencias y momentos de lluvia. La mayor ventaja del RAINES fue su gran uniformidad en la distribución de la lluvia sobre una superficie experimental relativamente grande (>65 m2). Esto es importante para estudios experimentales en ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos donde la distribución de la vegetación es dispersa. La validez de la lluvia provista por el RAINES fue al menos de 66% siempre y cuando la presión hidráulica excedió los 1.4 KPa y la velocidad del viento fue menor que 2.5 m s-1. El RAINES es de bajo peso, no costoso y lo suficientemente versátil como para ser usado para simular varios eventos de lluvia bajo condiciones de campo distantes. Es capaz de proveer lluvia simulada en forma confiable en el campo para estudiar la respuesta de procesos en el suelo y la vegetación a cambios en la cantidad de lluvia en ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos. El uso del RAINES mejorará nuestro entendimiento en la relación entre la disponibilidad de agua y los procesos en ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos. También proveerá conocimiento útil para la protección, restauración y menejo sustentable de ecosistemas de desierto áridos y semiáridos a escala mundial.

We presented a theoretical study on the detailed reaction mechanism and kinetics of the HNCS molecule with the OH-. The barrierless minimum energy path and the most favorable entrance channel have been determined by study the thermodynamic and kinetic characters of the channel with low energy barrier. The B3LYP/6-311++G** method was employed for all the geometrical optimizations and a multi-level extrapolation method based on the G3 energies was employed for further energy refinements. In addition, the analysis of the combining interaction between hydroxide ion and HNCS was performed by natural bond orbitals (NBO) analysis. The calculation results indicated that the reaction of OH- with HNCS had four channels, and the channel of H-atom in HNCS direct extraction to OH- (OH-+HNCS→IM1→TS3→IM4→P2(SCN- +H2O)) in singlet state was the main channel with the low potential energy and high equilibrium constant and reaction rate constant. SCN- and H2O were main products.