As a new member of persistent organic pollutants, the potent neurotoxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) found in epidemiological studies and laboratory research has drawn increasing attention around the world. Previous studies showed that apoptosis driven by oxidative stress and autophagy were both observed in PFOS-induced toxicity. Taurine has been demonstrated to exert potent protections against oxidative stress as an efficient antioxidant. Whether taurine could protect against the PFOS neurotoxicity is not known. In the present study, PC12 cells were treated with several concentrations of PFOS (31.25, 250 μM) for 24 h. 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was applied to assess the cell viability. DCFH-DA detector was used to explore the production of ROS. Caspase 3 activity was used to reflect the possible apoptosis pathway. The lyso-tracker red dying was invited to evaluate the autophagy. Our data showed that taurine could significantly reverse the decreased viability and the increased ROS production in PC12 cells treated with PFOS. Moreover, the increased autophagy and apoptosis elicited by PFOS in PC12 cells could also be attenuated by taurine. Collectively, our results indicate that taurine may be an effective antioxidant in fighting against PFOS cytotoxicity and therefore could potentially serve as a preventative and therapeutic agent for environmental pollution-related toxicities.

Neopanaxadiol (NPD), the main panaxadiol constituent of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), has been regarded as the active component for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, few references are available about pharmacokinetic evaluation for NPD. Accordingly, a rapid and sensitive method for quantitative analysis of NPD in beagle dog plasma based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Analytes were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction and chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax Stable Bond C column. Detection was performed in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions both at m/z 461.4 → 425.4 for NPD and internal standard of panaxadiol. All validation parameters, such as lower limit of quantitation, linearity, specificity, precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability, were within acceptable ranges and the method was appropriate for multitude sample determination. After oral intake, NPD was slowly absorbed and eliminated from circulatory blood system and corresponding plasma exposure was low. Application of this quantitative method will yield the first pharmacokinetic profile after oral administration of NPD to beagle dog. The information obtained here will be useful to understand the pharmacological effects of NPD.

Background: Ocotillol, RT₅ and F₁₁, the main active components of ocotillol type ginsenosides, have attracted a lot of attention due to their beneficial effects on neurodegenerative disease models of Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacokinetic (PK) is a bridge linking the herbal medicines and their pharmacological responses. However, few data are available regarding PK behaviors of ocotillol type ginsenosides. Methods: The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods were developed and validated to calculate the concentrations of 3 ginsenosides in different biological matrices. Rat and beagle dog plasma samples were deproteinized with methanol and separated on Shim-pack GIST C₁₈ column. All of the analytes were detected in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring. Results: The methods showed good linearity (r > 0.996) in the established concentration range. All validated data, such as specificity, intra- and inter-day precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability were within required limits. The values of C_max and AUC_(0–t) indicated ocotillol type ginsenosides had low systemic exposure and poor absorption into blood. T_1/2 and MRT_(0–t) demonstrated the elimination process of ocotillol type ginsenosides might be slow. Double peaks were observed in the mean plasma concentration versus time profiles of ocotillol, RT₅, and F₁₁ after oral intake. Conclusions: This was the first PK investigation of the ocotillol type ginsenosides in rats and beagle dogs. The results we found here were helpful to our understanding of the absorption mechanism of ocotillol type ginsenosides and provided the scientific basis for further pre-clinical research.

A non-enzymatic glucose sensing nanomaterial which consists of the NiCo2O4 nanosheets grown on reduced graphene oxide (NiCo2O4@rGO) is synthesized by a simple co-precipitation procedure. Firstly, the morphology and composition of the NiCo2O4@rGO are analyzed. Subsequently, the glucose sensing characteristics of the NiCo2O4@rGO are researched by Cyclic Voltammetry and Amperometry. The test results show that the prepared NiCo2O4@rGO has excellent glucose sensing properties. In the two linear detection range of 0.01mM-5.50mM and 5.50mM-15.50mM, the sensitivity reaches 4372.9μA·mM-1cm-2 and 1686.1μA·mM-1cm-2, respectively. In addition, in order to reduce the cost of electrochemical testing and improve the convenience and practicability of detection, a portable potentiostatic glucose detection system based on three electrodes is designed. Through testing, it is found that the non-enzymatic glucose detection system based on NiCo2O4@rGO has good practical application potential in the field of glucose detection.