In this study, crude Cortex Periplocae polysaccharides (CCPPs) were extracted with water. CCPPs were decolored with AB-8 resin and deproteinated using papain-Sevage methods. Then, they were further purified and separated through DEAE-52 anion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography, respectively. Three main fractions—CPP1, CPP2, and CPP3, (CPPs)—were obtained. The average molecular weights, monosaccharide analysis, surface morphology, and chemical compositions of the CPPs were investigated by high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In addition, the antioxidant activities of these three polysaccharides were investigated. The results indicated that all of the CPPs were composed of rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose. These three polysaccharides exhibited antioxidant activities in four assays including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical, reducing power, and total antioxidant activity in vitro. The data indicated that these three polysaccharides could be utilized as potential natural sources of alternative additives in the functional food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Senescence affects the remobilization of nutrients and adaption of the plant to the environment. Combined stresses can result in premature senescence in plants which exist in the field. In this study, transcriptomic analysis was performed on mature leaves and leaves in three stages of premature senescence to understand the molecular mechanism. With progressive premature senescence, a declining chlorophyll (chl) content and an increasing malonaldehyde (MDA) content were observed, while plasmolysis and cell nucleus pyknosis occurred, mitochondria melted, thylakoid lamellae were dilated, starch grains in chloroplast decreased, and osmiophilic granules increased gradually. Moreover, in total 69 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in three stages of premature senescing leaves were found, which were significantly enriched in summarized Gene Ontology (GO) terms of membrane-bounded organelle, regulation of cellular component synthesis and metabolic and biosynthetic processes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that the plant hormone signal transduction pathway was significantly enriched. The common DEGs and four senescence-related pathways, including plant hormone signal transduction, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, carotenoid biosynthesis, and regulation of autophagy were selected to be discussed further. This work aimed to provide potential genes signaling and modulating premature senescence as well as the possible dynamic network of gene expression patterns for further study.

Dedicated to Ms. Gailian Xiao A novel and efficient catalyst system was developed for homocoupling reactions of aryl halides. The catalyst system consists of Pd(OAc)₂ and the peppery sensory component of tobacco leaves. This is the first time that a sensory component has been used in an organic reaction. Experiments using the catalyst system showed that the reactions proceeded smoothly under air in the absence of both an additional ligand and a reductant. Furthermore, the catalyst system can be applied to the coupling reactions of hetaryl iodides. Many functional groups (including a hydroxy group) are tolerated.

An asterisk after the author name Fengyu Bao has been omitted by mistake. The correct version is as follows: Fengyu Bao*aZhikai LiubHaixin BaiaHaiyan ZhangaPengfei Liu*bQidong ZhangcGuobi Chai*ca College of Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, P. R. of China baofengyu@henau.edu.cnb College of Tobacco, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, P. R. of China liupengfei523@126.comc Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. of China chaigb@ztri.com.cn Synlett 2020, 31, 1501. Publication Date: 09 October 2020 (online) © 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany