Stereochemical insights into neuroprotective alkaloids from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia.

A new alkaloid featured with a dibenz[c,e]azepin-5-one scaffold, namely emililactam A (3), together with a known pyrrolidine alkaloid (emilisonchine, 1) and a known flavonoid alkaloid [8-(2″-pyrrolidinone-5″-yl)-quercetin, 2] were isolated from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated as racemic forms which were further separated, for the first time, to their corresponding enantiomers [(+)-1/(-)-1 and (+)-2/(-)-2], respectively, by using chiral-phase HPLC. The structure of new compound 3 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis.

The Regulatory Effects of Licochalcone A on the Intestinal Epithelium and Gut Microbiota in Murine Colitis.

The gut epithelium is a mechanical barrier that protects the host from the luminal microenvironment and interacts with the gut microflora, which influences the development and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Licochalcone A (LA) exerts anti-inflammatory effects against UC; however, whether it also regulates both the gut barrier and microbiota during colitis is unknown. The current study was conducted to reveal the regulatory effects of LA on the intestinal epithelium and gut microflora in C57BL/6 mice subjected to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS).

Analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. and their in vitro neurotoxicity.

This study was to analyze the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in Eupatorium fortunei herbs and its derived finished products with a view to evaluating their effects on the proliferation and oligodendrogenesis of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Using a LC-MS/MS method with 32 PAs reference standards, 8 PAs including intermedine, intermedine N-oxide, lycopsamine, lycopsamine N-oxide, retronecine, seneciphylline and senkirkine and 7-acetylintermedine N-oxide were identified with intermedine N-oxide and lycopsamine N-oxide being most abundant. The total PA amounts were found to vary from 0.

Glycyrrhetinic Acid Maintains Intestinal Homeostasis via HuR.

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is one of the main components of the traditional Chinese medicine of licorice, which can coordinate and promote the effects of other medicines in the traditional prescription. We found that GA could promote the proliferation, decrease the apoptotic rate, and attenuate DFMO-elicited growth arrest and delay in restitution after wounding in IEC-6 cells via HuR. GA failed to promote proliferation and to suppress apoptosis after silencing HuR by siRNA in IEC-6 cells.

Simultaneous Determination and Risk Assessment of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Thunb. by UPLC-MS/MS Together with Chemometrics.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural toxins found in some genera of the family Asteraceae. However, it has not been reported whether PAs are present in the widely used Asteraceae plant Thunb. ().

Cryptoporic acid S, a new drimane-type sesquiterpene ether of isocitric acid from the fruiting bodies of Cryptoporus volvatus.

A new drimane-type sesquiterpene with an isocitric acid moiety, cryptoporic acid S (1), together with six known compounds, cryptoporic acid D (2), β-sitosterol (3), β-daucosterol (4), stigmast-4-en-3-one (5), ergosterol (6), and (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol (7), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Cryptoporus volvatus. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR analysis. In the meanwhile, compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for antioxidant activity using the methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (DPPH-RSA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and they exhibited moderate antioxidant activities.

An unusual sesquiterpene coumarin from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis.

A sesquiterpene coumarin, sinkiangenorin E, consisting of a novel bicyclo[4.3.1]decane-type sesquiterpene system, was isolated from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis.

Synergistic anti-tumor activity and mechanisms of total glycosides from Cimicifuga dahurica in combination with cisplatin.

Objective: To determine the effect and mechanism of combination treatment of the total glycosides from Cimicifuga dahurica (TGCD) and cisplatin (CDDP) in vitro in human colon cancer cells (HCT-8) and in vivo in mouse hepatoma cells (H22)-bearing mice.

Methods: H22 tumor-bearing imprinting control region (ICR) mice were treated with TGCD, CDDP, and TGCD + CDDP for 10 days. Tumor volume and tumor weight were evaluated.

[Chemical constituents of lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx].

In order to find the cardiotonic constituents of lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., the investigation was carried out. Silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, medium-pressure MCI and reverse phase ODS column chromatography were used to separate the 90% EtOH extract of the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx.

Cajaninstilbene acid prevents corticosterone-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Background/aims: Cajaninstilbene acid (3-hydroxy-4-prenyl-5-methoxystilben-2 -carboxylic acid, CSA), a natural stilbene isolated from the leaves of Cajanus cajan, has attracted considerable attention for its wide range of pharmacological activities. This study investigated whether CSA protects against corticosterone (CORT)-induced injury in PC12 cells and examined the potential mechanisms underlying this protective effect.

Methods: Cell viability and cytotoxicity were detected using a 3-(4,5-desethyithiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit, respectively.

[Research on allelopathic effects of phellamurine].

Conducted research on new allelochemicals phellamurine extracted from deciduous of Phellodendron amurense, which worked in allelopathy effect to seed germination and growth process of P. amurense and P. chinense in order to interpret the causes of rare seedlings of wild populations of P.

[Chemical constituents contained in aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents contained in ethanol extracts from aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia.

Method: The compounds were separated and purified with various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.

Result: Fifteen compounds were separated from ethyl acetate fraction of 90% ethanolic extract and identified as rhamnetin (1), isorhamnetin (2), quercetin (3), luteolin (4), tricin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 8-(2"-pyrrolidinone-5"-yl) -quercetin (6), 5, -2', 6'-trihydroxy-7, 8-dimethoxyflavone-2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), succinic acid (8), fumaric acid (9), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (10), 4-hydroxy isophthalic acid (11), 3, 4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (12), esculetin (13), isowedelolactone (14) and uracil (15), respectively.

Oxidative stress suppression by luteolin-induced heme oxygenase-1 expression.

Luteolin, a flavonoid that exhibits antioxidative properties, exerts myocardial protection effects. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet fully understood. To investigate the effects of luteolin on myocardial injury protection and its possible mechanisms, a myocardial injury model was established with intragastric administration of 4 mg/kg isoproterenol (ISO) to male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-220 g) daily for 2 days.

[Neuroprotective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells].

This study is to investigate the protective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. While PC12 cells were exposed to 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, cell survival rate was reduced and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased. In parallel, corticosterone caused significant elevations of DNA fragmentation, [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity.

Protective effect of stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L. on Abeta(25-35)-induced cognitive deficits in mice.

Cajanus cajan (L.) is a traditional Chinese herb medicine which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbenes containing extract-fraction from C.

Immunosuppressive effects of new cyclolanostane triterpene diglycosides from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida.

Two new cyclolanostane diglycosides, cimifoetiside A (1) and cimifoetiside B (2), were isolated from an 80% ethanolic extract of the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L. (Ranuculaceae). Using spectral data and chemical analysis, the structures of 1 and 2 were identified as (23R, 24S) cimicigenol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1''-->3')-beta-D-xylopyranoside and (23R, 24S) cimicigenol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1''-->2')-beta-D-xylopyranoside, respectively.

[Hypocholesterolemic effect of stilbene extract from Cajanus cajan L. on serum and hepatic lipid in diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice].

Cajanus cajan L. is a natural plant, which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbene extract from Cajanus cajan L.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L. on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in mice.

Cajanus cajan (L) is a natural plant which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L (sECC) on diet-induced (for 4 weeks) hypercholesterolemia in Kunming mice. All experimental mice were divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, sECC-treated with 200 or 100 mg/kg/day, and simvastatin group.

[Cytotoxicity and mechanism of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside on HepG2 cells].

Objective: To elucidate the cytotoxicity and mechanism of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside isolated from C. dahurica on HepG2 cells and to find the leading compound for new drug development.

Method: MTT, AO/EB staining observation, flow cytometry and western blot methods were used to study the cytotoxicity, morphological changes, cell cycle distribution and protein expression profile of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside on HepG2 cells.

[Advances in study on chemical constituents from plants of genus Pfaffia and their bioactivities].

The progress in the studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of the genus Pfaffia is summarized in recent 20 years. These plants contain various chemical constituents and have broad bioactivities such as sthenic, anti-tumor, analgesic and anti-inflammatory and should be further investigated.

Siraitic acid F, a new nor-cucurbitacin with novel skeleton, from the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii.

A new cucurbitane triterpene, siraitic acid F (1), has been isolated from the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey, and its structure has been elucidated as 29-nor-4,24-diene-3,11-dioxo-19-hydroxy-6,19-cyclocucurbitane-26-oic acid on the basis of spectroscopic evidences, including a series of 2D NMR analyses.

[Studies on the new triterpenoid saponin of the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida].

Objective: To find new active constituents from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida.

Method: Various column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and purification of the principles. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidences.

[Studies on new trierpenoid constituents from the Rhizoma of Cimicifuga foetida].

Objective: To find new active constituents from Rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida.

Method: Various column chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidences.

Two new cyclolanostanol glycosides from the aerial parts of Cimicifuga foetida.

Two new cyclolanostanol glycosides, cimifoetiside IV (1) and cimifoetiside V (2) and two known compounds have been isolated from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L. On the basis of spectral and chemical evidences, the structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated to be 25-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1" --> 2')-beta-D-xylopyranoside (1) and cimigenol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1"' --> 2")-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1" --> 2')-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2). The known compounds were identified as 25-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranoside (3) and 23-O-acetylshengmanol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranoside (4).