The discovery of microRNAs encapsulated in milk-derived exosomes has revealed stability under extreme conditions reflecting the protection of membranes. We attempted to determine the variations in nanoparticles derived from milk after fermentation, and provide evidence to determine the effects of these exosomes on cells with potential bioactivity. Using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, we compared the morphology and particle size distribution of exosomes from yogurt fermented with three different combinations of strains with those from raw milk. The protein content of the exosome was significantly reduced in fermented milk. The cycle threshold showed that the expression of miR-29b and miR-21 was relatively high in raw milk, indicating a loss of microRNA after fermentation. Milk-derived exosomes could promote cell growth and activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. These findings demonstrated biological functions in milk exosomes and provided new insight into the nutrient composition of dairy products.

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Capoamycin-type antibiotics (2–5) and polyene acids (6, 7) were isolated from marine Streptomyces fradiae strain PTZ0025. Their structures were established by extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high resolution electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS) analyses and chemical degradation. Compounds 3, 4, 6, 7 were found to be new and named as fradimycins A (3) and B (4), and fradic acids A (6) and B (7). Compounds 3–5 showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.0 to 6.0 μg/mL. Interestingly, Compounds 3–5 also significantly inhibited cell growth of colon cancer and glioma with IC50 values ranging from 0.13 to 6.46 μM. Fradimycin B (4), the most active compound, was further determined to arrest cell cycle and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. The results indicated that fradimycin B (4) arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis and necrosis in colon cancer and glioma cells. Taken together, the results demonstrated that the marine natural products 3–5, particularly fradimycin B (4), possessed potent antimicrobial and antitumor activities.

In this study, the presence of microRNAs in coconut water was identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the results of high-throughput small RNA sequencing. In addition, the differences in microRNA content between immature and mature coconut water were compared. A total of 47 known microRNAs belonging to 25 families and 14 new microRNAs were identified in coconut endosperm. Through analysis using a target gene prediction software, potential microRNA target genes were identified in the human genome. Real-time PCR showed that the level of most microRNAs was higher in mature coconut water than in immature coconut water. Then, exosome-like nanoparticles were isolated from coconut water. After ultracentrifugation, some particle structures were seen in coconut water samples using 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate fluorescence staining. Subsequent scanning electron microscopy observation and dynamic light scattering analysis also revealed some exosome-like nanoparticles in coconut water, and the mean diameters of the particles detected by the two methods were 13.16 and 59.72 nm, respectively. In conclusion, there are extracellular microRNAs in coconut water, and their levels are higher in mature coconut water than in immature coconut water. Some exosome-like nanoparticles were isolated from coconut water, and the diameter of these particles was smaller than that of animal-derived exosomes.

Five curvularin macrolides (1-5) were isolated from the cultured broth of marine actinomycete Pseudonocardia sp. HS7 that was obtained from the cloacal aperture of sea cucumber Holothuria moebii. The structures of these isolates were characterized as (11S,15R)-11-hydroxycurvularin (1), (11R,15R)-11-hydroxycurvularin (2), curvularin-7-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (3), trans-dehydrocurvularin (4) and curvularin (5) based on their NMR and HRESIMS data as well as chemical degradation. Compound 3 is a new macrolide with a rare α-D-glucopyranose substituent. Compounds 1-4, 5a and 5c (the acyl products of 5), suppressed the proliferation of all six tested cancer cell lines and 4 is the most active compound with IC50 values ranging from 0.59 to 3.39 μM. The 11-hydroxycurvularins 1 and 2 also showed antibacterial activity inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli.

Introduction !Sea cucumbers are soft-bodied worm-like echinoderms and belong to the class Holothuroidea, which has 25 families, including about 200 genera with more than 1400 species [1]. Sea cucumbers have economic importance in Asian countries, especially in China where some sea cucumbers are used in traditional medicine [2] and are also perceived as a delicacy. In recent decades, sea cucumbers have gained great attention among researchers around the world, not only due to their nutritive value, but also for their potential health benefits and therapeutic uses [3]. A number of biological activities including anticancer, antiangiogenic, anticoagulant, antihypertension, and anti-inflammatory effects are ascribed to various species of sea cucumbers. Different classes of compounds such as triterpenoid glycosides (saponins), sulfated polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycan, sterols, phenolics, lectins, peptides, glycosphingolipids, and fatty acids were found to be present in sea cucumbers [3]. To date, more than 100 triterpenoid glycosides with widely studied anticancer and antiviral activities have been isolated and identified from sea cucumbers [1]. Holothuria moebii Ludwig is a species of sea cucumbers of the Holothuriidae family. Members of this species are always found under rocks near the ebb tide line and distributed mainly in the seas of Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, South Japan, South China, Philippines, Indonesia, South Pacific, and North Austria [2]. Until now, there have been no reports on the constituents or medicinal uses of this species. As a part of our ongoing project for the discovery of novel antitumor agents from natural resources [4][5][6][7], we have conducted chemical studies on a methanol extract prepared from the whole bodies of H. moebii and investigated the bioactivity of the isolated compounds. Four sulfated saponins, 1-4 (l " Fig. 1), were isolated from sea cucumber H. moebii. Alkaline hydrolysis of saponin 3, the major compound in the crude saponins, produced desulfated saponin 3B with an unusual modified xylose. Compound 2 is a new triterpenoid glycoside and 3B is a new artificial compound. We report herein the isolation Abstract !The bioactive ingredients of sea cucumber Holothuria moebii were investigated, and four sulfated saponins (1-4) and one desulfated saponin (3B) with an unusual 3,4-epoxy xylose were obtained from this study. Compound 2 is a new triterpenoid saponin and 3B is a new artificial compound. Supporting information available online at

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