Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mononuclear leukocyte infiltration in the kidney have been shown to provoke the acceleration and deterioration of LN, such as accelerated and severe LN (ASLN). Development of a novel therapeutic remedy based on these molecular events to prevent the progression of the disease is clinically warranted. Citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal), a major active compound in a Chinese herbal medicine Litsea cubeba, was used to test its renoprotective effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse ASLN model by examining NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ROS and COX-2 production as well as Nrf2 activation. The analysis of mechanisms of action of Citral also involved its effects on IL-1β secretion and signaling pathways of NLRP3 inflammasome in LPS-primed peritoneal macrophages or J774A macrophages. Attenuated proteinuria, renal function impairment, and renal histopathology, the latter including intrinsic cell proliferation, cellular crescents, neutrophil influx, fibrinoid necrosis in the glomerulus, and peri-glomerular infiltration of mononuclear leukocytes as well as glomerulonephritis activity score were observed in Citral-treated ASLN mice. In addition, Citral inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and levels of ROS, NAD(P)H oxidase subunit p47phox, or COX-2, and it enhanced the activation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). In LPS-primed macrophages, Citral reduced ATP-induced IL-1β secretion and caspase-1 activation, but did not affect LPS-induced NLRP3 protein expression. Our data show that Citral alleviates the mouse ASLN model by inhibition of the activation signal, but not the priming signal, of NLRP3 inflammasome and enhanced activation of Nrf2 antioxidant signaling.

Peanut oil is favored by consumers due to its rich nutritional value and unique flavor. This study used headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to examine the differences in the peanut oil aroma on the basis of variety, roasting temperatures, and pressing components. The results revealed that the optimal conditions for extracting peanut oil were achieved through the use of 50/30 μm DVB/CAR/PDMS fibers at 60 °C for 50 min. The primary compounds present in peanut oil were pyrazines. When peanuts were roasted, the temperature raised from 120 °C to 140 °C and the content of aldehydes in peanut oil increased; however, the content of aldehydes in No. 9 oil at 160 °C decreased. The components of peanut shell oil varied depending on the peanut variety. The most marked difference was observed in terms of the main compound at the two roasting temperatures. This compound was a pyrazine, and the content increased with the roasting temperature in hekei oils. When the roasting temperature was lower, No. 9 oil contained more fatty acid oxidation products such as hexanal, heptanal, and nonanal. When the roasting temperature increased, No. 9 oil contained more furfural and 5-methylfurfural. Heren oil was easier to oxidize and produced nonanal that possessed a fatty aroma.

Bacopa caroliniana (BC) is a perennial creeping herb and popular aquarium plant. This plant is easily cultivated; consequently, it has the potential to be a raw material which is readily available for mass production if it contains useful bioactive substances. The information about the functionality of this plant has been very limited. Therefore, the aims of this research were to analyze the composition of the essential oil (EO) of BC and to study its insecticidal effect on rice weevils. Moreover, the interactive effects of active compounds of the EO on this activity were also investigated. A total of 18 volatile compounds was identified, accounting for ca. 94% of the BC-EO in terms of quantity. Of them, α-terpinolene was the largest compound. The impact of individual volatile compounds on the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase and insecticidal activity were determined. α-Terpinolene exhibited the highest activity on these assays. Both additive and synergistic effects existed in terms of the insecticidal activity. Many compounds found in the BC-EO are widely present in other EOs. Thus, the information obtained from this study is useful for EO-related research, applications in selecting EOs or in seeking the best combination of EOs or individual compounds to achieve efficient insecticidal effects.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is a medicinal and edible plant that has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. This study used headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and direct injection, combined with gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), to identify the volatile compounds in H. cordata. Extraction from different parts of the plant using different extraction techniques for the identification of volatile compounds were determined. A total of 93 volatile components were analyzed in the leaves, stems, rhizomes, and whole plant samples of H. cordata. The leaves contained more (Z)-3-hexenal, β-myrcene, (Z)-β-ocimene, and (4E,6E)-allo-ocimene; the stems contained more geranyl acetate and nerolidol; and rhizomes contained more α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, 2-undecanone, and decanoyl acetaldehyde. Among them, the essential oil extracted by HS-SPME could produce more monoterpenes, while direct injection could obtain higher contents of aliphatic ketones, terpene esters, sesquiterpenes, and was more conducive to the extraction of 2-undecanone and decanoyl acetaldehyde.

Three new benzenoids, 3-isopropenyl-2-methoxy-6-methyl-4,5-methylenedioxy- phenol (1), 2-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy-3,3'-dimethyl-5,6,5',6'-bimethylenedioxybiphenyl (2), 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-2,2'-dimethyl-5,6,5',6'-bimethylenedioxybiphenyl (3), together with two known benzenoids, 2,3,6-trimethoxy-5-methylphenol (4) and 2,3-methylenedioxy- 4-methoxy-5-methylphenol (5), were isolated from Antrodia camphorata. Our results support that compounds 1–5 potently inhibited LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values of compounds 1, 3 and 5 were 1.8 ± 0.2, 18.8 ± 0.6 and 0.8 ± 0.3 μg/mL, respectively.