In vitro and in vivo studies of a decanuclear Ni(II) complex as a potential anti-breast cancer agent.

A non-platinum-metal decanuclear complex [NiL(CHCOO) (CHOH)]·8(CHOH) (Ni complex) has been developed with a tri-dentate 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde-2-aminophenol Schiff base ligand (HL). Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the Ni complex displays a sandwich loaf-shaped decanuclear structure and its anticancer activity was evaluated. The cell cytotoxicity results indicating that the Ni complex is most effective to human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and its mechanism were further investigated.

The Isosteroid Alkaloid Imperialine from Bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa Mitigates Pulmonary Functional and Structural Impairment and Suppresses Inflammatory Response in a COPD-Like Rat Model.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the world. Present therapies for COPD have limited effect on reducing the progression of COPD and suppressing the inflammatory response in the lung. Bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa D.

The total alkaloid fraction of bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa displays anti-inflammatory activity and attenuates acute lung injury.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Bulb of Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don (BFC) has been wildly used in China for a long time for folk medicine since its significant therapeutic effects on respiratory diseases, such as cough, expectoration, pneumonia and bronchial inflammation, which are related to respiratory inflammatory response. However, there is a lack of investigation on the in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of BFC.

[Three new records of medical plant in Hubei, China].

In order to have a better understanding of the species diversity of medical plants in Enshi, Hubei of China, extensive field investigations and specimen collections were conducted in Enshi and adjacent regions. Based on field observations of plants in their living habitats and comparative morphological studies on specimens in herbarium of Hubei minzu University and other available herbaria as well, three new records of medical plants in Hubei, Scutellaria yunnanensis, Alangium faberi var. heterophyllum, and Drymaria diandra, were reported in this paper.