Microorganisms

L-Glutamine (L-Glutamic acid 5-amide) is a non-essential amino acid present abundantly throughout the body and involved in many metabolic processes. L-Glutamine provides a source of carbons for oxidation in some cells.

Kifunensine, a potent and selective inhibitor of class I α-mannosidases isolated from Actinomycete, prevents α-mannosidases I from trimming mannose residues on glycoproteins. Kifunensine inhibits ERAD.

β-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is a specific, irreversible and orally active lysyl oxidase (LOX) inhibitor. β-Aminopropionitrile targets the active site of LOX or LOXL isoenzymes. β-Aminopropionitrile can be used for the study of obesity.

NADPH is a coenzyme of glutathione reductase (GR), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and NADPH oxidase (NOX), and participates in redox reactions as a hydrogen donor. NADPH has the characteristic of selectively participating in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis. NADPH exerts antioxidant activity and resists reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage by providing reducing equivalents for the regeneration of glutathione (GSH) and thioredoxin (Trx); at the same time, it acts as a substrate of NOX to generate superoxide anions, mediating oxidative stress and immune response. NADPH participates in maintaining the intracellular reducing environment, biosynthesis and regulating gene expression (such as the Nrf2 pathway), and is mainly used in the study of oxidative stress-related diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer) and immune regulation mechanisms.

Monensin (Monensin A) sodium, an orally active antibiotic, is an ionophore that mediates Na⁺/H⁺ exchange. Monensin sodium is a potent Wnt signaling inhibitor. Monensin sodium causes a marked enlargement of the multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and regulates exosome secretion. Monensin sodium can be used for bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections research, and shows anticancer effects.

Deoxycholic acid (cholanoic acid), a bile acid, is a by-product of intestinal metabolism, that activates the G protein-coupled bile acid receptorTGR5.

Nystatin is an orally active polyene antifungal antibiotic effective against yeast and mycoplasma. Nystatin increases the permeability of plasma membranes to small monovalent ions, including chloridion. Nystatin is a cholesterol-sequestering agent, partially prevents Oxaliplatin-induced lipid raft aggregation, DR4 and DR5 clustering, and thereby reduces apoptosis.

Chloramphenicol is an orally active, potent and broad-spectrum antibiotic. Chloramphenicol shows antibacterial activity. Chloramphenicol represses the oxygen-labile transcription factor and hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in hypoxic A549 and H1299 cells. Chloramphenicol suppresses the mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and glucose transporter 1, eventually decreasing VEGF release. Chloramphenicol can be used for anaerobic infections and lung cancer research.

Cyclic AMP (Cyclic adenosine monophosphate), adenosine triphosphate derivative, is an intracellular signaling molecule responsible for directing cellular responses to extracellular signals. Cyclic AMP is an important second messenger in many biological processes.

Gentamicin sulfate, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, inhibits the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and to inhibit several strains of mycoplasma in tissue culture. Gentamicin sulfate inhibits DNase I with an IC₅₀ of 0.57 mM.

Meropenem (SM 7338) is a carbapenem antibiotic with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Meropenem has activity against susceptible and resistant N. gonorrhoeae (MIC value of 0.02-0.06 mg/mL), H. influenzae (MIC value of 0.03-0.12 mg/mL), and H. ducreyi (MIC value of 0.015-0.12 mg/mL).

L-Cysteine (Cysteine) is an orally active conditionally essential amino acid with hypoglycemic effects, which acts as a precursor for biologically active molecules such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), glutathione and taurine. L-Cysteine promotes the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells via the CBS/H2S pathway. L-Cysteine suppresses ghrelin and reduces appetite in rodents and humans. L-Cysteine can be used as an anorectic agent.

Chlorogenic acid is a major phenolic compound in Lonicera japonica Thunb. It is an orally active antioxidant activity, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, antiviral, anti-microbial, anti-hypertension compound.

Adenosine monophosphate is an adenosine A1 receptor agonist. Adenosine monophosphate has significant antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2. Adenosine monophosphate is a key cellular metabolite regulating energy homeostasis and signal transduction.

Aphidicolin is an inhibitor of DNA polymerase α and δ, prevents mitotic cell division by interfering DNA polymerase activity. Aphidicolin is an antibiotic produced by mold Cephalosporium aphidicola, inhibits cellular deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and the growth of herpes simplex virus. Aphidicolin exhibits anti-orthopoxvirus activity and potentiates apoptosis induced by arabinosyl nucleosides in a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line.

Betaine (Trimethylglycine) is a natural compound found in many foods and also an active methyl-donor which can maintain normal DNA methylation patterns^[1,2]. Betaine is found ubiquitously in plants, animals, microorganisms, and rich dietary sources including seafood, spinach, and wheat bran. Betaine also acts as an osmolyte, to maintain the avian’s cellular water and ion balance to improve the avian’s capacity against heat stress via preventing dehydration and osmotic inactivation. It helps in maintaining the protective osmolytic activity, especially in heat-stressed birds. Betaine may promote various intestinal microbes against osmotic variations and thus improve microbial fermentation activity.

Ionomycin calcium (SQ23377 calcium) is a potent, selective calcium ionophore and an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces conglobatus. Ionomycin calcium (SQ23377 calcium) is highly specific for divalent cations (Ca>Mg>Sr=Ba). Ionomycin (SQ23377) promotes apoptosis. Ionomycin calcium (SQ23377 calcium) also induces the activation of protein kinase C (PKC).

Menadione is a naphthoquinone that is converted into active vitamin K2 in the body. Menadione is a potential anticancer agent and radiosensitizer.

Cholic acid is a major primary bile acid produced in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. It facilitates fat absorption and cholesterol excretion. Cholic acid is orally active.

Ergothioneine is an imidazole-2-thione derivative with orally active histidine betaine. Ergothioneine is a specific inhibitor of p38-MAPK and Akt, which plays a protective role in cell apoptosis induced by stress. Ergothioneine has antioxidant activity.