Colorectal cancer and throat cancer are the world’s most prevalent neoplastic diseases, and a serious threat to human health. Plant triterpene glycosides have demonstrated antitumor activity. In this study, we investigated potential anticancer effects of mogroside IVe, a triterpenoid glycoside from monk fruit, using in vitro and in vivo models of colorectal and laryngeal cancer. The effects of mogroside IVe on the proliferation of colorectal cancer HT29 cells and throat cancer Hep-2 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the expression levels of p53, phosphorylated ERK1/2, and MMP-9 were analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that mogroside IVe inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the proliferation of HT29 and Hep-2 cells in culture and in xenografted mice, which was accompanied by the upregulation of tumor suppressor p53, and downregulation of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2. This study revealed the suppressive activity of mogroside IVe towards colorectal and throat cancers and identified the underlying mechanisms, suggesting that mogroside IVe may be potentially used as a biologically-active phytochemical supplement for treating colorectal and throat cancers.

In this work, the aqueous two-phase extraction parameters and in vitro antioxidant activity of total flavonoids from Ginkgo biloba were investigated. The partition behavior of the flavonoids in an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was analyzed, the extraction parameters were optimized using response surface methodology, and the antioxidant activity of the flavonoids was determined by free-radical scavenging tests (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay) and the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The results showed that the concentration of ammonium sulfate was negatively correlated with the phase-volume ratio, whereas the concentration of polyethylene glycol was positively correlated. The maximum yield of flavonoids (4.11 mg g⁻¹) was obtained under the following optimal extraction conditions: Concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG)1500 30% and (NH₄)₂SO₄ 22% (mass fraction), and liquid/solid ratio 40:1 (mL g⁻¹). The antioxidant activity tests showed that the flavonoids from the G. biloba leaf exhibited free-radical scavenging activity, with an IC₅₀ of 2.66 mg L⁻¹, which was superior to that of vitamin C. The free-radical scavenging ability of the flavonoids was proportional to the flavonoid concentration. The total reducing power of the Ginkgo flavonoids was slightly lower than that of vitamin C. In this study, the distribution of flavonoids in an ATPS was analyzed and a mathematical model for the ATPS extraction of Ginkgo flavonoids was established, which provides a reference for further development and utilization of G. biloba.

The unregulated use of acetaminophen (APAP), an antipyretic and analgesic drug, harms hepatocytes and kidney cells, leading to liver failure and acute kidney injury. Herein, we investigate whether APAP damages macrophages in the immune system by observing its effects on macrophage proliferation and apoptosis. Using proteomics, we analyzed the effects of APAP on macrophage protein expression profiles and evaluated whether polydatin, the active ingredient in grapes and wine, can repair the damaged cells. The results showed that APAP alters the morphology and physiological processes of macrophages, inhibits macrophage proliferation, and promotes apoptosis. We observed 528 differentially expressed proteins when 500 µg/mL APAP was administered to the cells. These proteins are involved in biological processes including cell division, apoptosis, and acute phase response. Overall, our findings demonstrate that APAP harms the immune system by damaging macrophages and that polydatin can repair this damage.

The aim of this work was to synthesize a high-temperature polyol ester from Jatropha oil. The synthesis process was accomplished via chemical modifications involving epoxidation to remove the double bonds in Jatropha oil, hydrolysis to add hydroxyl groups, and then esterification with pentaerythritol to form the saturated polyol ester. The high decomposition temperature 359°C of the polyol ester was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The lower peroxide value 0.07 meq/kg and iodine value 0.02 mg I₂/100 g of the polyol esters were also determined.

The journal retracts the article, “Antiproliferative Activity of Triterpene Glycoside Nutrient from Monk Fruit in Colorectal Cancer and Throat Cancer”