The impetus for developing analytical methods for phenolic compounds in natural products has proved to be multifaceted. Hundreds of publications on the analysis of this category of compounds have appeared over the past two decades. Traditional and more advanced techniques have come to prominence for sample preparation, separation, detection, and identification. This review provides an updated and extensive overview of methods and their applications in natural product matrices and samples of biological origin. In addition, it critically appraises recent developments and trends, and provides selected representative bibliographic examples.

Extraction, separation, and detection methods for phenolic acids and flavonoids

Analytical separation and detection methods for flavonoids.

It is of great importance to develop multifunctional bioactive scaffolds, which combine angiogenesis capacity, osteostimulation, and antibacterial properties for regenerating lost bone tissues. In order to achieve this aim, we prepared copper (Cu)-containing mesoporous bioactive glass (Cu-MBG) scaffolds with interconnective large pores (several hundred micrometer) and well-ordered mesopore channels (around 5 nm). Both Cu-MBG scaffolds and their ionic extracts could stimulate hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1a and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) expression in human bone marrow stromal cells(hBMSCs). In addition, both Cu-MBG scaffolds and their ionic extracts significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by improving their bone-related gene expression (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteopontin(OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN)). Furthermore, Cu-MBG scaffolds could maintain a sustained release of ibuprofen and significantly inhibited the viability of bacteria. This study indicates that the incorporation of Cu2þ ions into MBG scaffolds significantly enhances hypoxia-like tissue reaction leading to the coupling of angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Cu2þ ions play an important role to offer the multifunctional properties of MBG scaffold system. This study has demonstrated that it is possible to develop multifunctional scaffolds by combining enhanced angiogenesis potential, osteostimulation, and antibacterial properties for the treatment of large bone defects.

Copper-containing mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds with multifunctional properties of angiogenesis capacity, osteostimulation and antibacterial activity

Honey is rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, which exhibit a wide range of biological effects and act as natural antioxidants. The analysis of polyphenols has been regarded as a very promising way of studying floral and geographical origins of honeys. This review surveys recent literature on determination of these active compounds in honey. The analytical procedure to determine individual phenolic compounds involves their extraction from the sample matrix, analytical separation and quantification. We pay particular attention to sample pre-treatment and separation techniques (e.g., high-performance liquid chromatography and electrophoresis).

Analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids in honey

https://www.cell.com/trends/biochemical-sciences/pdf/S0968-0004(15)00048-1.pdf

Gangliosides: glycosphingolipids essential for normal neural development and function.

Dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in the development of human cancers. The lncRNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is reported to be a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers. However, the roles of GAS5 and its related miRNAs in osteosarcoma are poorly understood. This study explored the potential functions and mechanisms of GAS5 in the tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma. Here, the expression of GAS5, miR-221 and aplasia Ras homologue member I (ARHI) was determined in osteosarcoma tissues and cells by Real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The underlying mechanism of GAS5 in osteosarcoma growth was analyzed via MTT, Transwell, RT-qPCR, Western blot, dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, and xenograft models after GAS5 overexpression. GAS5 and ARHI levels were significantly reduced, while miR-221 increased, both in osteosarcoma tissues and cells. Overexpression of GAS5 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of osteosarcoma cells. GAS5 could directly bind to miR-221 to decrease miR-221 expression and enhance ARHI expression. The effect of GAS5 overexpression on the proliferation, migration and EMT was reversed by miR-221 mimics or ARHI siRNA in osteosarcoma cells. Additionally, GAS5 suppressed tumor volume, Ki-67 and PCNA staining, and EMT process in the development of osteosarcoma in vivo. Taken together, lncRNA GAS5 functions as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-221 to suppress cell growth and EMT in osteosarcoma by regulating the miR-221/ARHI pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4772-4781, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Long Noncoding RNA GAS5 Suppresses Cell Growth and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Osteosarcoma by Regulating the miR-221/ARHI Pathway.

This meta-analysis was conducted to study whether kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) improves short-term functional outcomes compared with mechanical alignment without changing the hip–knee–ankle angle. Prospective cohort studies were searched from electronic literature databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid interface), and Cochrane Library (Ovid interface). Total 1,159 records were identified. Six trials involving 561 patients were eligible for data extraction and meta-analysis. The included studies recorded outcomes in the follow-up range from 6 to 34 months. Primary outcomes were to assess the functional outcomes in follow-up, and KA group achieved better performance on WOMAC score (mean difference [MD] = −18.82, 95% CI: −16.06 to −5.58), knee function score (MD = 7.23, 95% CI: 0.52–13.94), Oxford knee score (MD = 4.76, 95% CI: 0.40–9.12), and knee range of flexion (MD = 4.48, 95% CI: 2.09–6.86), whereas other parameters including Knee Society score, knee range of extension, VAS pain score, and the occurrence of the complications were without significant difference (p > 0.05). Second outcomes evaluated the perioperative clinic indexes. Our meta-analysis showed that KA group had a shorter time of operation (MD = −15.44, 95% CI: −27.47 to −3.71) and a longer walk distance before discharge (MD = 53.24, 95% CI: 21.32–85.15) when compared with the MA group, whereas the change in hemoglobin, incision length, knee range of flexion before discharge, and length of stays were without significant difference (p > 0.05). Third outcomes were used to analyze the alignment data. Our study showed that KA had larger angles of femoral component and mechanical axis of the femur (MD = −1.95,95% CI: −2.77 to −1.13), tibial component and mechanical axis of tibia (MD = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.43–2.70), anatomic knee angle (MD = −0.72, 95% CI: −1.33 to −0.11), and operative limb alignment (MD = −1.97, 95% CI: −2.50 to −1.45,) compared with the MA group, but the hip–knee–ankle angles between the two groups were similar. KA provided better functional outcomes and better flexion following short-term follow-up of TKA. However, longer-term follow-up and larger sample studies are needed to put into research in the future.

Does Kinematic Alignment Improve Short-Term Functional Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty Compared with Mechanical Alignment? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Bone defects resulting from non-union fractures or tumour resections are common clinical problems. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to play vital roles in stem cell differentiation. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of lncRNA-H19 in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). Following the establishment of an osteogenic differentiation model in rats, the expression of H19, microRNA-149 (miR-149) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was measured by RT-qPCR. Thereafter, BMMSCs were isolated from rats and treated with a series of mimic, inhibitor or siRNA. SDF-1 expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OCN) content were detected. The mineralized and calcified nodules were assessed by alizarin red S and Von Kossa staining. BMMSC surface markers were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression of ALP, OCN, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osterix (OSX) proteins. Lastly, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were applied to verify the relationship of H19, miR-149 and SDF-1. Overexpressed H19 and SDF-1 and poorly expressed miR-149 were found in rats with osteogenic differentiation. H19 increased SDF-1 expression by binding to miR-149. H19 enhanced ALP activity, OCN content, calcium deposit and ALP, OCN, RUNX2 and OSX protein expression of BMMSCS by up-regulating SDF-1 via binding to miR-149. Taken together, up-regulated H19 could promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs by increasing SDF-1 via miR-149.

Long non-coding RNA-H19 stimulates osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via the microRNA-149/SDF-1 axis.

WNT5A promotes migration and invasion of human osteosarcoma cells via SRC/ERK/MMP-14 pathway.

The electrophoretic behaviour of 13 flavonoids commonly found in medicinal plants has been studied. The performance of two modes of separation, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC), was assessed and compared. MEKC was found to be more effective for separation of the analytes. The effect of structure on the electrophoretic behaviour of the flavonoids is also discussed.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1365%2Fs10337-004-0225-9.pdf

Shuanke Wang

Papers

Long Noncoding RNA GAS5 Suppresses Cell Growth and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Osteosarcoma by Regulating the miR-221/ARHI Pathway.

Does Kinematic Alignment Improve Short-Term Functional Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty Compared with Mechanical Alignment? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Long non-coding RNA-H19 stimulates osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via the microRNA-149/SDF-1 axis.

WNT5A promotes migration and invasion of human osteosarcoma cells via SRC/ERK/MMP-14 pathway.

Study of the electrophoretic behaviour of flavonoids