Previously, we reported an interesting reaction by which esculeogenin A [(5alpha,22S,23S,25S)-3beta,23,27-trihydroxyspirosolane], a sapogenol of tomato-saponin, esculeoside A, was easily converted into a pregnane derivative, 5alpha-pregn-16-en-3beta-ol-20-one, merely by refluxing with pyridine and water. Its chemical mechanism including air oxidation is here described.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a nonapeptide expressed in several brain regions. In addition to its well-characterized role in osmoregulation, AVP regulates paternal behavior, aggression,circadian rhythms, and the stress response. In the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), AVP gene expression is tightly regulated by gonadal steroid hormones. However, the degree by which AVP is regulated b...

Par-4 has been suggested to mediate dopamine neurotransmission. Dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) activation induces a signalling complex of AKT1, PP2A and beta-arrestin2 which dephosphorylates/inactivates AKT1 thereby activating GSK-3beta, transducing dopamine-dependent behaviour. DRD2 activation also results in down-regulation of PKA activity. Among other substrates PKA phosphorylates GSK-3beta. Pr...

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients have low salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androgen biomarker levels, but high salivary oestrogen levels. The hypothesis was that the healthy glands contain DHEA-sulphate processing intracrine machinery; the local androgen/oestrogen imbalance suggests that this is disarranged in SS. Indirect immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of...

Several lines of evidence suggest that some neurotoxicity in AD is due to proteolytic fragments of APP. In this study, we compared the potency of neurotoxicity induced by CT with that of A-beta neurotoxicity and our results showed that various CT peptide fragments (CTFs; CTF99, AICD, CTF31) caused neurotoxicity in cultured cells and primary cortical neurons, induced strong non-selective inward ...

Several lines of evidence suggest that some neurotoxicity in AD is due to proteolytic fragments of APP. In this study, we compared the potency of neurotoxicity induced by CT with that of A-beta neurotoxicity and our results showed that various CT peptide fragments (CTFs; CTF99, AICD, CTF31) caused neurotoxicity in cultured cells and primary cortical neurons, induced strong non-selective inward ...

Aerial parts of Inula montana were investigated for its sesquiterpenoid composition. Five sesquiterpene lactones, isoinuviscolide, gaillardin, 1beta-hydroxy-3beta-acetoxy-eudesm-4(15), 11(13)-dien-12-8beta-olide, pulchellin-C and pulchellin-E were identified for the first time in this plant. One of them, 1beta-hydroxy-3beta-acetoxy-eudesm-4(15),11(13)-dien-1 2-8beta-olide, is a novel natural pr...

Three novel compounds, together with five known ingredients, octacosanol, 3',4',5-trihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, isorhamnetin, and ent-kaurane-3beta,16beta,17-triol, were obtained from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon), and their structures were elucidated as ent-kaurane-3beta,16beta,17,18-tertol (1), 3R,7E-9-butoxyl-megastigma-3-ol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyra...

Using Vorbrüggen's protocol, reaction of persilylated uracil with xylofuranose derivatives having 3beta-oxy-3alpha-alkyl substitution produced both alpha- and beta-nucleosides. Only the beta-nucleosides were formed from substrates having the reverse stereochemistry at C-3 or lacking the 3-alkyl substituent. Participation of the 3beta-oxy substituent in stabilizing the incipient C-1 carbonium io...

The phytochemical studies of Eschweilera longipes Miers (Lecythidaceae) have led to the identification of a new triterpene 3beta, 24-dihydroxyfriedelane, the known 1beta, 2beta, 3beta, 19beta-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (1beta-hydroxyeucaphic acid) besides the saponin sitosterol 3betaO-betaD-glucopyranoside. The structures were established from the IR, NMR and mass spectra data including ...