Biochemometrics to Identify Synergists and Additives from Botanical Medicines: A Case Study with Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal).

A critical challenge in the study of botanical natural products is the difficulty of identifying multiple compounds that may contribute additively, synergistically, or antagonistically to biological activity. Herein, it is demonstrated how combining untargeted metabolomics with synergy-directed fractionation can be effective toward accomplishing this goal. To demonstrate this approach, an extract of the botanical goldenseal ( Hydrastis canadensis) was fractionated and tested for its ability to enhance the antimicrobial activity of the alkaloid berberine (4) against the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

Secondary Metabolites from the Leaves of the Medicinal Plant Goldenseal ().

The study presented herein constitutes an extensive investigation of constituents in L. (Ranunculaceae) leaves. It describes the isolation and identification of two previously unknown compounds, 3,4-dimethoxy-2-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid () and 3,5,3'-trihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxy-6,8--dimethyl-flavone (), along with the known compounds (±)-chilenine (), (2)-5,4'-dihydroxy-6--methyl-7-methoxy-flavanone (), 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,8-di--methyl-7-methoxy-flavanone (), noroxyhydrastinine (), oxyhydrastinine () and 4',5'-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3'-oxo-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4-1,3-dioxolo-[4',5':4,5]-benzo[1,2-]-1,2-oxazocin)-2-spiro-1'-phtalan ().

A new mass spectrometry based bioassay for the direct assessment of hyaluronidase activity and inhibition.

The development of drug resistance by bacterial pathogens is a growing threat. Drug resistant infections have high morbidity and mortality rates, and treatment of these infections is a major burden on the health care system. One potential strategy to prevent the development of drug resistance would be the application of therapeutic strategies that target bacterial virulence.

Ethanolic Echinacea purpurea Extracts Contain a Mixture of Cytokine-Suppressive and Cytokine-Inducing Compounds, Including Some That Originate from Endophytic Bacteria.

Echinacea preparations, which are used for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections, account for 10% of the dietary supplement market in the U.S., with sales totaling more than $100 million annually.