[Hydrophidae identification through analysis on Cyt b gene barcode].

Hydrophidae, one of the precious traditional Chinese medicines, is generally drily preserved to prevent corruption, but it is hard to identify the species of Hydrophidae through the appearance because of the change due to the drying process. The identification through analysis on gene barcode, a new technique in species identification, can avoid the problem. The gene barcodes of the 6 species of Hydrophidae like Lapemis hardwickii were aquired through DNA extraction and gene sequencing.

[Progress of methodology for identifying target protein of natural active small molecules].

Drug targets are special molecules that can interact with drugs and exert pharmacological functions in human body. The natural active small molecules are the bioactive basis of traditional Chinese medicine, and the mechanism study is a hot topic now, especially for the identification of their target proteins. However, little progress has been made in this field until now.

Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Dimeric Sesquiterpenoids from Artemisia rupestris.

Twelve new dimeric sesquiterpenoids (1-12) were isolated from the dried whole plants of Artemisia rupestris. Their structures were determined using MS and NMR data, and the absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compounds 1-9 are presumably formed via biocatalyzed [2+2] or [4+2] cycloaddition reactions.

Chemical constituents from the roots and stems of Litsea cubeba.

A new monoterpene and a new lignan, named litsecols A and B (1 and 2), respectively, together with nine known compounds (3-11), were isolated in a continuous investigation on the roots and stems of Litsea cubeba. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configuration of 1 was resolved by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 2-5 and 7-9 showed significant inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine microglial (Bv-2) cell line.

New sesquiterpene and thiophene derivatives from Artemisia rupestris.

A new sesquiterpene, rupestrisin A (1), and three new thiophene derivatives, rupestrienes A-C (2-4), were isolated from Artemisia rupestris. Their structures were determined by analyses of MS and NMR spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by calculated ECD spectra using time-dependent density functional theory. In in vitro bioassays, compounds 1-4 showed inhibitory effects on LPS-stimulated NO production in BV-2 microglial cells with IC50 values of 24.

Biological Activity and Chemical Constituents of Essential Oil and Extracts of Murraya microphylla.

Murraya microphylla is the most closely related species to M. koenigii (Curry tree). Inspired by the traditional effects of M koenigii, the antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of the essential oil and extracts of M.

[Establishment and application of HPLC-QAMS for quality evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma].

A quantitative analysis method of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS) for simultaneous determination of six marker compounds (one from phenolic acids and five from phthalides) in Chuanxiong Rhizoma was established by applying HPLC and using butylidenephthalide as the internal reference substance. And also the feasibility and accuracy of the established method for quality evaluation and application of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were investigated and validated. The analysis was performed with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile - 0.

Three new compounds from Cinnamomum cassia.

Three new compounds, including two new diterpenoids, named epianhydrocinnzeylanol (1) and cinnacasiol H (2), and one hydroxylasiodiplodin, (3R,4S,6R)-4,6-dihydroxy-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (3), together with five known diterpenoids (4-8) and two known phenolic glycosides (9-10) were isolated from the barks of Cinnamomum cassia. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison of the chemical shift values with those of related known compounds. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolates were evaluated on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV-2 microglial cells and the compounds showed weak inhibition activities.

The Genus Neolitsea of Lauraceae: A Phytochemical and Biological Progress.

As one of the biggest genera in Lauraceae, Neolitsea owns a great application potential in industrial and traditional medical fields. Modern phytochemical and biological investigations revealed its structural diversity and diverse activities. This review summarizes the most recent progress on this regards, hopefully to provide a reference for full use and development of the Neolitsea resource.

Caruifolin D from artemisia absinthium L. inhibits neuroinflammation via reactive oxygen species-dependent c-jun N-terminal kinase and protein kinase c/NF-κB signaling pathways.

This work aims to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of natural sesquiterpene dimer caruifolin D from Artemisia absinthium L., which is an edible vegetable or traditional medicinal food in East Asia due to its sedation, anti-asthma and antipruritic effects. In this study, we reported that caruifolin D significantly inhibited the productions of various neuroinflammatory mediators from microglia in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide stimulation.

Natural small molecule FMHM inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response by promoting TRAF6 degradation via K48-linked polyubiquitination.

TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a key hub protein involved in Toll-like receptor-dependent inflammatory signaling pathway, and it recruits additional proteins to form multiprotein complexes capable of activating downstream NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway. Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a crucial role in various protein degradations, such as TRAF6, leading to inhibitory effects on inflammatory response and immunologic function. However, whether ubiquitination-dependent TRAF6 degradation can be used as a novel anti-inflammatory drug target still remains to be explored.

A new γ-alkylated-γ-butyrolactone from the roots of Solanum melongena.

A new γ-alkylated-γ-butyrolactone, named melongenolide A (1), along with nine known compounds were obtained from the roots of Solanum melongena, and their structures were identified as melongenolide A (1), (+)-syringaresinol (2), (+)-lyoniresinol (3), 5,5'-dimethoxy lariciresinol (4), (+)-(7R,8R)-4-hydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxy-8',9'-dinor-8,4'-oxyneoligna-7, 9-diol-7'-aldehyde (5), kaempferol-3-O-(2″,6″-di-O-p-trans-coumaroyl)-β-glucoside (6), arjunolic acid (7), vanillic acid (8), scoparone (9), and β-sitosterol (10). Compounds 2, 6, and 7 showed potent inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC50 values being 5.

Nitrogen Oxide Inhibitory Trimeric and Dimeric Carbazole Alkaloids from Murraya tetramera.

Two new structurally unique trimeric carbazole alkaloids, murratrines A and B (1, 2), and 11 new carbazole dimers, murradines A-K (3-13), and four known analogues (14-17) were isolated from the leaves and stems of Murraya tetramera. The structures and relative configurations of 1-13 were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis. Murratrines A and B (1, 2) both contain an unprecedented carbazole trimeric skeleton, and murradines A and D (3, 6) are the first natural C-1-C-3'-methyl-linked and C-6-C-3'-methyl-linked dimeric carbazole alkaloids, respectively.

Exotines A and B, Two Heterodimers of Isopentenyl-Substituted Indole and Coumarin Derivatives from Murraya exotica.

Exotines A and B (1 and 2), two heterodimers of isopentenyl-substituted indole and coumarin derivatives linked through a new fused heptacyclic ring system, were isolated from the roots of Murraya exotica. Their structures were established by comprehensive NMR and MS spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configurations were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis and ECD calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV-2 microglial cells with IC50 values of 9.

Anti-neuroinflammatory sesquiterpenes from Chinese eaglewood.

Nine new sesquiterpenes (1-9), together with seventeen known ones (10-26), were isolated from Chinese eaglewood. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of 6 was determined by the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 7, 10, 14, 15, and 21 exhibited significant inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells with IC50 values in the range 7.

[Simultaneous determination of benzophenones and xanthone in leaves of Aquilaria sinensis by RP-HPLC-UV].

This study is to develop a sensitive method by using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detector (HPLC-UV) to simultaneously determine four bioactive compounds, iriflophenone 3-C-beta-D-glucoside, iriflophenone 3,5-C-beta-D-diglucoside, mangiferin, and iriflophenone 2-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside in the leaves of Aquilaria sinensis. An Agilent Zorbax SB-C, column (4, 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used, and the gradient elution was performed with mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1).

Anti-inflammatory dimeric furanocoumarins from the roots of Angelica dahurica.

Seven new dimeric furanocoumarins, dahuribiethrins A-G (1-7), were isolated from the roots of Angelica dahurica. Their structures were determined by chemical derivatization and extensive spectroscopic techniques, including (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HSQC, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY experiments. Compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 exhibited significant inhibition of nitric oxide production in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.

[Lignans from stems of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert].

In order to clarify the chemical constituents of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert, a systematically phytochemical investigation was carried out. The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH- 20, MCI gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were determined on the basis of MS, NMR spectroscopic analysis and/or comparison with literature data. Eleven lignans were isolated from the 85% ethanol extract of the stems of C.

Structural elucidation of two new megastigmane glycosides from the leaves of Aquilaria sinensis.

The present study was designed to determine the chemical constituents and identify new components of the leaves of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg. The compounds were isolated and purified by repeated silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectrometry.

Characterization and quantitative analysis of phenylpropanoid amides in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and hybrid ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a famous edible and medicinal plant. Despite being widely cultivated and used, data on certain parts other than the fruit are limited.

Five new benzylphenanthrenes from Cremastra appendiculata.

Five new benzylphenanthrenes, cremaphenanthrenes L-P (1-5) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble extract of the tubers of Cremastra appendiculata. Their structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data and chemical methods. Compounds 1-5 were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic effects against colon (HCT-116), cervix (Hela), and breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines.

[Alkaloids from roots and stems of Litsea cubeba].

A phytochemical investigation on the roots and stems of Litsea cubeba led to the isolation of seven isoquinolone alkaloids. By spectroscopic analysis and comparison of their 1H and 13C-NMR data with those in literatures, these alkaloids were identified as (+)-norboldine (1), (+)-boldine (2), (+)-reticuline (3), (+)-laurotetanine (4), (+)-isoboldine (5), (+)-N-methyl-laurotetanine (6), and berberine (7), respectively. Among them, 7 was isolated from the genus for the first time.

Rapid preparation of (methyl)malonyl coenzyme A and enzymatic formation of unusual polyketides by type III polyketide synthase from Aquilaria sinensis.

(Methyl)malonyl coenzyme A was rapidly and effectively synthesized by a two-step procedure involving preparation of N-hydroxysuccinimidyl (methyl)malonate from (methyl)Meldrum's acid, and followed by transesterification with coenzyme A. The synthesized (methyl)malonyl coenzyme A could be well accepted and assembled to 4-hydroxy phenylpropionyl coenzyme A by type III polyketide synthase from Aquilaria sinensis to produce dihydrochalcone and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-6-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-2H-pyrone as well as 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-6-(5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxopentan-2-yl)-2H-pyrone.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effect of MC13, a Novel Coumarin Compound From Condiment Murraya, Through Inhibiting Lipopolysaccharide-Induced TRAF6-TAK1-NF-κB, P38/ERK MAPKS and Jak2-Stat1/Stat3 Pathways.

MC13 is a novel coumarin compound found in Murraya, an economic crop whose leaves are widely used as condiment (curry) in cuisine. The aims of the present study were to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MC13 on microglia-mediated inflammatory injury model as well as potential molecular mechanism. Cell viability and apoptosis assay demonstrated that MC13 was not toxic to neurons and significantly protected neurons from microglia-mediated inflammatory injury upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation.