A new flavone glucoside together with known ellagitannins and flavones with anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities from the flowers of pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i>)

<p>A new flavone glucoside tricetin 4′-<i>O</i>-β-glucopyranoside (<b>1</b>) and four known ellagitannins and flavones tricetin (<b>2</b>), luteolin (<b>3</b>), ellagic acid (<b>4</b>), and granatin B (<b>5</b>) were isolated from the flowers of <i>Punica granatum</i> L. (Lythraceae). Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR as well as mass spectrometry analyses. Among all tested compounds, tricetin (<b>2</b>) exhibited the strongest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity that was comparable to the anti-diabetic drug acarbose. Comparative structure-function analysis of tri-, tetra-, and pentahydroxy flavones [apigenin, luteolin (<b>3</b>), and tricetin (<b>2</b>), respectively] suggested that a greater number of hydroxyl groups on the flavone molecule enhanced its suppression of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase activities.</p

The changes in mean nGS<i>albedo</i> and the annual amount of non-GSSC in the grassland biome by year on the Tibetan Plateau.

<p>The changes in mean nGS<i>albedo</i> and the annual amount of non-GSSC in the grassland biome by year on the Tibetan Plateau.</p

Changes in annual mean <i>albedo</i>, mean nGS<i>albedo</i> and mean GS<i>albedo</i> from 2000 through 2013 on the Tibetan Plateau.

<p>Changes in annual mean <i>albedo</i>, mean nGS<i>albedo</i> and mean GS<i>albedo</i> from 2000 through 2013 on the Tibetan Plateau.</p

Growing season carries stronger contributions to <i>albedo</i> dynamics on the Tibetan plateau

<div><p>The Tibetan Plateau has experienced higher-than-global-average climate warming in recent decades, resulting in many significant changes in ecosystem structure and function. Among them is <i>albedo</i>, which bridges the causes and consequences of land surface processes and climate. The plateau is covered by snow/ice and vegetation in the non-growing season (nGS) and growing season (GS), respectively. Based on the MODIS products, we investigated snow/ice cover and vegetation greenness in relation to the spatiotemporal changes of <i>albedo</i> on the Tibetan Plateau from 2000 through 2013. A synchronous relationship was found between the change in GSNDVI and GSalbedo over time and across the Tibetan landscapes. We found that the annual average <i>albedo</i> had a decreasing trend, but that the <i>albedo</i> had slightly increased during the nGS and decreased during the GS. Across the landscapes, the nGS<i>albedo</i> fluctuated in a synchronous pattern with snow/ice cover. Temporally, monthly snow/ice coverage also had a high correspondence with <i>albedo</i>, except in April and October. We detected clear dependencies of <i>albedo</i> on elevation. With the rise in altitude, the nGS<i>albedo</i> decreased below 4000 m, but increased for elevations of 4500–5500 m. Above 5500 m, the nGS<i>albedo</i> decreased, which was in accordance with the decreased amount of snow/ice coverage and the increased soil moisture on the plateau. More importantly, the decreasing <i>albedo</i> in the most recent decade appeared to be caused primarily by lowered growing season <i>albedo</i>.</p></div

The elevation-dependent correlations between the mean non-GSSC and nGS<i>albedo</i>, where *, **, and *** indicate the statistical significance level at 95%, 99%, and >99%, respectively.

<p>The elevation-dependent correlations between the mean non-GSSC and nGS<i>albedo</i>, where *, **, and *** indicate the statistical significance level at 95%, 99%, and >99%, respectively.</p

Spatial patterns of the changing rates (i.e., slope of the regression line) and the spatial changes in the corresponding <i>P</i> values from 2000 through 2013: (A) nGS<i>albedo</i>, (C) non-GSSC, and (B) and (D) are labels at four significance levels.

<p>The slopes of nGSalbedo and non-GSSC change trends are divided into several levels representing their change magnitudes. The P values (B) and (D) are divided into four significance levels: P<0.01, 0.010.1.</p

Average changes in land areas of snow/ice cover and nGSalbedo by month in nGS on the Tibetan Plateau during 2000–2013.

<p>Average changes in land areas of snow/ice cover and nGSalbedo by month in nGS on the Tibetan Plateau during 2000–2013.</p

Study area and the distribution of vegetation, NDVI, and <i>albedo</i> during 2000–2013 on the Tibetan Plateau: (A) vegetation, (B) average GS_NDVI (May–September), (C) average GS<i>albedo</i> (May–September), and (D) average nGS<i>albedo</i> (January–April and October–December).

<p>Study area and the distribution of vegetation, NDVI, and <i>albedo</i> during 2000–2013 on the Tibetan Plateau: (A) vegetation, (B) average GS_NDVI (May–September), (C) average GS<i>albedo</i> (May–September), and (D) average nGS<i>albedo</i> (January–April and October–December).</p

The changing rate of non-GSSC and nGS<i>albedo</i> by elevation for the grassland biome on the Tibetan Plateau, where * and ** indicate the statistical significance level at 95% and 99%, respectively.

<p>The changing rate of non-GSSC and nGS<i>albedo</i> by elevation for the grassland biome on the Tibetan Plateau, where * and ** indicate the statistical significance level at 95% and 99%, respectively.</p

Changes in mucin 1 expression in a rat model of allergic airway inflammation

<p><b>Purpose</b>: To explore the distribution and expressional changes of mucin 1 (Muc1) in airway of rats with allergic airway inflammation. <b>Materials and Methods</b>: Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to induce acute allergic inflammation in male Wistar rats. The distributions and expressions of Muc1 in lungs of normal and model rats were assessed by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting, respectively. <b>Results</b>: Immunohistochemical staining showed that Muc1 distributed in airway epithelial cells with ciliates, but not those nonciliated cells. Mucin 1 protein expression in the lung was increased during the development of allergic airway inflammation when compared with the normal rats. <b>Conclusion</b>: Mucin 1 distributes in the airway epithelial cells with ciliates and the expressional increase of Muc1 in lung may imply its functions on allergic inflammatory episodes.</p