Traditional Chinese medicine for atopic eczema: PentaHerbs formula suppresses inflammatory mediators release from mast cells.

Background: PentaHerbs formula (PHF) containing Cortex Moutan, root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. (Ranunculaceae), Cortex Phellodendri, bark of Phellodendron chinensis Schneid. (Rutaceae), Flos Lonicerae, flower of Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Immunomodulatory and anti-SARS activities of Houttuynia cordata.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening form of pneumonia caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). From late 2002 to mid 2003, it infected more than 8000 people worldwide, of which a majority of cases were found in China. Owing to the absence of definitive therapeutic Western medicines, Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

DNA cleavage potency, cytotoxicity, and mechanism of action of a novel class of enediyne prodrugs.

We have discovered a novel class of (E)-3-acyloxy-4-(arylmethylidene)cyclodeca-1,5-diynes which exhibit promising enediyne-like DNA cleavage and cytotoxic activities. LC-MS analysis of the incubation mixture (pH 8.5, 37 degrees C) confirmed formation of 10-membered ring enediyne presumably via an allylic cation and suggested that the 1,4-benzenoid diradical might be one of the active species for DNA damage and cytotoxicity.

Regioselective Synthesis of Acyclic -Enediynes via an Acid-Catalyzed Rearrangement of 1,2-Dialkynylallyl Alcohols. Syntheses, Computational Calculations, and Mechanism.

A novel synthesis of acyclic -enediynes has been established by an acid-catalyzed rearrangement of 1,2-diyn-2-propen-1-ols possessing a C-aryl group in the presence of water, alcohols, or thiols. Reactivity of allyl alcohols and regio- and cis/trans diastereoselectivity of the allylic migration were examined. In the presence of (±)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), the parent allyl alcohol and the C-methyl-substituted failed to give enediynes, whereas the C-aryl-substituted and underwent the allylic rearrangement to provide predominantly -enediynes and at room temperature or below.