Agricultural Research

Palmitic acid is a long-chain saturated fatty acid commonly found in both animals and plants. PA can induce the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) in in mouse granulosa cells. Palmitic acid is used to establish a cell steatosis model.

Rotenone is a mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I inhibitor. Rotenone induces apoptosis through enhancing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production.

Capsaicin ((E)-Capsaicin), an active component of chili peppers, is a TRPV1 agonist. Capsaicin induces a nociceptive response by binding to its receptors. Capsaicin has analgesic effects on neurological disorders. Capsaicin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effects.

Kainic acid is a potent excitotoxic agent. Kainic acid hydrate also is an agonist for a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptor. Kainic acid induces seizures.

Linoleic acid is a common polyunsaturated (PUFA) found in plant-based oils, nuts and seeds. Linoleic acid is a part of membrane phospholipids, and functions as a structural component to maintain a certain level of membrane fluidity of the transdermal water barrier of the epidermis. Linoleic acid induces red blood cells and hemoglobin damage via oxidative mechanism .

Triptolide is a diterpenoid triepoxide extracted from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii with immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antitumour effects. Triptolide is a NF-κB activation inhibitor.

Berberine chloride is an alkaloid that acts as an antibiotic. Berberine chloride induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inhibits DNA topoisomerase. Antineoplastic properties.

L-Methionine is an L-isomer of orally active Methionine, an essential amino acid. Methionine is a strong liver antidote that acts as a liver protector. L-Methionine can inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. L-Methionine has antitumor and antioxidant activity.

Caffeic acid is an inhibitor of both TRPV1 ion channel and 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO).

Astaxanthin, the red dietary carotenoid, is an orally effective and potent antioxidant. Astaxanthin inhibits NF-κB and down-regulates VEGF in blood glucose. Astaxanthin exerts anti-cancer cell proliferation, increases apoptosis, impairs migration and invasion by activating PPARγ and reducing the expression of STAT3. Astaxanthin also has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity and can be used in studies of cancer, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, and in the coloring of animal feed.

Urea is a powerful protein denaturant via both direct and indirect mechanisms. A potent emollient and keratolytic agent. Used as a diuretic agent. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) has been utilized to evaluate renal function. Widely used in fertilizers as a source of nitrogen and is an important raw material for the chemical industry.

Abscisic acid ((S)-(+)-Abscisic acid), an orally active phytohormone in fruits and vegetables, is an endogenously produced mammalian hormone. Abscisic acid is a growth inhibitor and can regulate many aspects of plant growth and development. Abscisic acid inhibits proton pump (H⁺-ATPase) and leads to the plasma membrane depolarization in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. Abscisic acid, a LANCL2 natural ligand, is a potent insulin-sensitizing compound and has the potential for pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Matrine (Matridin-15-one) is an alkaloid found in plants from the Sophora genus that can act as a kappa opioid receptor and u-receptor agonist. Matrine has a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-cancer, anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis effects. Matrine is potential in the research of disease like human non-small cell lung cancer, hepatoma, papillary thyroid cancer and acute kidney injury (AKI).

Brassinolide is a predominant plant growth modulator that regulate plant cell elongation.

Epibrassinolide (24-Epibrassinolide) is a ubiquitously occurring plant growth hormone which shows great potential to alleviate heavy metals and pesticide stress in plants. Epibrassinolide is a potential apoptotic inducer in various cancer cells without affecting the non-tumor cell growth.

trans-Zeatin is a plant cytokinin, which plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, and division; trans-Zeatin also inhibits UV-induced MEK/ERK activation.

Osthole (Osthol) is a natural antihistamine alternative. Osthole may be a potential inhibitor of histamine H₁ receptor activity. Osthole also suppresses the secretion of HBV in cells.

Piperine is an alkaloid, can be isolated from pepper. Piperine can inhibit the activity of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4. Piperine inhibits HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ of 61.94±0.054 μg/mL.

Carnosol is a potent Ribosomal S6 Kinase (RSK2) inhibitor that could be useful for treating gastric cancer, with an IC₅₀ of ~5.5 μM. Carnosol, a Nrf2 activator, increases the nuclear levels of Nrf2 and can promote the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1).

Narciclasine is a plant growth modulator. Narciclasine modulates the Rho/Rho kinase/LIM kinase/cofilin signaling pathway, greatly increasing GTPase RhoA activity as well as inducing actin stress fiber formation in a RhoA-dependent manner.