The genus Sophora (Fabaceae) has been used in traditional medicine for years. Prenylated flavonoids are one of the constituents of Sophora species that play important roles in their biological properties. Different classes of prenylated flavonoids are produced by Sophora spp. including prenylated flavonol (e.g., sophoflavescenol), prenylated flavanone (e.g., sophoraflavanone G), prenylated flavonostilbene (e.g., alopecurones A and B), and prenylated chalcone (kuraridin). Prenylated flavonoids have a more lipophilic structure, which leads to its high affinity to the cell membranes and enhancement of the biological activity, which includes cytotoxicity, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, and estrogenic activities. However, it is reported that prenylation decreases the plasma absorption but increases the tissue accumulation. The presence of the prenyl or lavandulyl groups on C8 position of flavonoids plays an important role in the biological activity. It seems that prenylated flavonoids have the potential to be developed as new drugs or supplements for human health.

Abstract:In this study, regional climates of Iran were identified based on the properties of the monthly rainfall time series models of 28 main cities of Iran. The autocorrelation (ACF) and partial autocorrelation (PACF) of selected series revealed the seasonal behavior of the monthly rainfall. After the parameters of the models were estimated and the residuals of the models analysed to be time independent and the normality was checked using Portmanteau lack of fit and nonparametric tests, the multiplicative ARIMA model was fitted to monthly rainfall time series of the stations. To determine regional climates, a hierarchical cluster analysis was applied on autocorrelation coefficients at different lags and three main climatic groups were found based on the time series models, namely, simple, moderate and complex climates. The results of the time series modeling showed a high variation of the temporal pattern of the monthly rainfall over Iran except for the margins of the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The study also shows that the correlation between the seasonal autocorrelation coefficient of the rainfall time series and the rainfall coefficient of variation and elevation of the stations is significant while lag-one autocorrelation coefficient does not correlate to rainfall coefficient of variation and the elevation of the stations. Different models also imply the high variation in the spatial rainfall producing mechanism and different stationarity and periodicity characteristics of the rainfall temporal pattern over Iran. A nomenclature of the abbreviation is given at the end of the paper.

High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is the major promoter of reverse cholesterol transport and efflux of excess cellular cholesterol. The functions of HDL, such as cholesterol efflux, are associated with cardiovascular disease rather than HDL levels. We have reviewed the evidence base on the major classes of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, alkaloids, carotenoids, phytosterols, and fatty acids, and their effects on macrophage cholesterol efflux and its major pathways. Phytochemicals show the potential to improve the efficiency of each of these pathways. The findings are mainly in preclinical studies, and more clinical research is warranted in this area to develop novel clinical applications.

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