Hyaluronidase inhibitors from "Cimicifugae Rhizoma" (a mixture of the rhizomes of Cimicifuga dahurica and C. heracleifolia).

From the 80% acetone extract of "Cimicifugae Rhizoma" (a mixture of Cimicifuga dahurica and C. heracleifolia used medicinally), seven new fukiic acid derivatives (1-7) and a new phenylethanoid derivative (8) were isolated along with eight known compounds (9-16). Fukinolic acid (9) and cimicifugic acids A-J (10-16, 5-7) showed stronger hyaluronidase inhibitory activities than the positive control, rosmarinic acid.

Phenolic constituents of the aerial parts of Cimicifuga simplex and Cimicifuga japonica.

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Cimicifuga simplex afforded four new fukinolic acid analogues, cimicifugic acids K-N (1-4), and 10 known compounds, and C. japonica afforded three new fukinolic acid analogues, cimicifugic acids K-M (1-3), a new phenolic glycoside, shomaside F (5), and 10 known compounds. Cimicifugic acids K-N showed more potent hyaluronidase inhibitory activities than rosmarinic acid.

[Assessment of antioxidant activity of natural compound by water- and lipid-soluble antioxidant factor].

We evaluated the antioxidant activity of natural compounds in water-soluble and lipid-soluble phases and found that ferulic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid showed stronger activity in the water-soluble phase. Various fractions isolated from Bidens pilosa showed this activity mainly in the water-soluble phase. Antioxidant activity in the lipid-soluble phase of propolis depended on the lipophilic extraction.

Biosynthesis of 1-deoxynojirimycin in Commelina communis: a difference between the microorganisms and plants.

1-Deoxynojirimycin is a glycosidase-inhibitory alkaloid obtained from several plants and microorganisms. Administration experiments using [1-(13C)] glucose in the higher plant Commelina communis and 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses of products suggested that 1-deoxynojirimycin was biosynthesized through a different route compared with that in Streptomyces and Bacilli microorganisms.