leaves: phytochemical profile and -inhibitory activity on inflammatory mediators implicated in periodontal disease.

Context: Virtually all parts of L. (Salvadoraceae) are used in traditional medicine. The twigs and leaves are used for oral health, but leaves are far less investigated.

Structures and bioactivities of monomeric and dimeric carvotacetones from Sphaeranthus africanus.

Four previously undescribed carvotacetones including one monomeric (1) and three dimeric (8, 9, 10) derivatives, together with six known compounds were isolated from the n-hexane extract of the aerial parts of Sphaeranthus africanus L. The structures of the previously undescribed compounds were elucidated as 3-angeloyloxy-5-isobutanoyloxy-7-hydroxycarvotacetone (1), 7,7'-oxybis{3-angeloyloxy-5-[(2R*,3R*)-2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbutanoyloxy]carvotacetone} (8), (2″S*,3″R*)-7-{3-angeloyloxy-5-[(2R*,3R*)-2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbuta-noyloxy]carvotaceton-7-yloxy}-3-angeloyloxy-5-(2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbutanoyloxy)carvo-tacetone (9), and 7,7'-oxybis{3-angeloyloxy-5-[(2S*,3R*)-2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbutanoyl-oxy]carvotacetone} (10). The three dimeric derivatives (8-10) showed potent anti-proliferative activity against human cancer cell lines (CCRF-CEM, MDA-MB-231, U-251, HCT-116) with IC values ranging from 0.

Formation of 5-Aminomethyl-2,3-dihydropyridine-4(1)-ones from 4-Amino-tetrahydropyridinylidene Salts.

Various 4-aminotetrahydropyridinylidene salts were treated with aldehydes in an alkaline medium. Their conversion to 5-substituted β-hydroxyketones in a one-step reaction succeeded only with an aliphatic aldehyde. Instead, aromatic aldehydes gave 5-substituted β-aminoketones or a single δ-diketone.

Glycolipid-enriched fraction of Osmanthus fragrans inhibits LPS-induced expression of inflammatory genes, COX-2, E-selectin, and Interleukin-8.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Osmanthus fragrans Lour. is a small ornamental tree native to the Southeastern parts of China. It is mainly cultivated because of its characteristic fragrance, and used in the food and perfume industry.

Author Correction: S-nitrosoglutathione inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by S-nitrosation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

C13 Megastigmane Derivatives From β-Damascenone Inhibits the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Leukocyte Adhesion Molecules as Well as NF-κB Signaling.

In order to identify active constituents and to gain some information regarding their mode of action, extracts from leaves of were tested for their ability to inhibit inflammatory gene expression in endothelial- and monocyte-like cells (HUVECtert and THP-1, respectively). Bioactivity-guided fractionation using expression of (COX-2) mRNA as a readout resulted in the isolation of two C13 megastigmane glycosides, gusanlungionoside C () and citroside A (), and the phenylalcohol glycoside phenylmethyl-2--(6--rhamnosyl)-ß-D-galactopyranoside (). Further analysis identified six additional megastigmane glycosides and the aglycones β-damascenone (), megastigmatrienone (), 3-hydroxy-β-damascenone (), and 3-oxo-7,8-dihydro-α-ionol ().

S-nitrosoglutathione inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by S-nitrosation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β.

Murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes share many similarities with primary fat cells and represent a reliable in vitro model of adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to probe the effect of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on adipocyte differentiation. Adipogenesis was induced with a mixture of insulin, dexamethasone, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine in the absence and presence of increasing GSNO concentrations.

Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative compounds from Sphaeranthus africanus.

Background: Sphaeranthus africanus has been used in traditional Vietnamese medicine to treat sore throat, and to relieve pain and swelling. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant had not yet been investigated. Previously, we isolated five carvotacetones (1-5) from this plant that displayed cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines.