A recent large-scale intraspecific IR expansion and evolutionary dynamics of the plastome of Peucedanum japonicum.

Peucedanum japonicum (PJ), a member of the Apiaceae family, is widely distributed and cultivated in East Asian countries for edible and functional foods. In this study, we compared the plastid genomes (plastomes) and 45S nuclear ribosomal DNA (45S nrDNA) simultaneously from 10 PJ collections. Plastome-based phylogenetic analysis showed that the PJ accessions were monophyletic within the genus Peucedanum.

Cycloartane-type triterpenoids from Combretum quadrangulare Kurz with PCSK9 secretion inhibitory activities.

Nine previously undescribed (1-9) and seven known (10-16) cycloartane-type triterpenoids were isolated and characterized from Combretum quadrangulare Kurz using physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of these compounds were determined through modified Mosher's method and quantum chemical calculation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra. Their inhibitory activities against PCSK9 secretion were assessed, and a plausible structure-activity relationship was delineated.

Butanolides and clerodane diterpenes from the twigs of Casearia grewiifolia and their effects on adiponectin secretion.

Three butanolides derivatives, grewiifolides A-C, and nine clerodane diterpenes, grewiifolins M-U, as well as a known sterol were isolated from the twigs of Casearia grewiifolia. The chemical structures and configurations of all isolates were established by various spectroscopic means and chemical derivatization. In a cell-based phenotypic assay using the adipogenesis model of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs), grewiifolide B significantly promoted adiponectin-secretion with EC value of 24.

Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by serratane triterpenes from Huperzia serrata and their molecular docking study.

During the search for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory compounds from the natural resources, two new serratane triterpenes, 3-O-dihydro-p-coumaroyltohogenol (1) and 21-O-acetyltohogenol (2), along with four known serratane triterpenes (3-6), were isolated from the whole plant of Huperzia serrata. The chemical structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by NMR study, HRMS analysis, and chemical modification. All isolates were evaluated for their PTP1B inhibitory activities.

Chemical constituents from the roots of Cynanchum wilfordii with PCSK9 secretion inhibitory activities.

From the Cynanchum wilfordii roots, 32 compounds, including 5 previously undescribed (1, 4-6, 12) and 27 known (2, 3, 7-11, 13-32) compounds, were isolated, and their structures were elucidated using NMR spectroscopic data and MS data aided by ECD calculations or the modified Mosher's reaction. All isolates were tested for their inhibitory effects on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) secretion. Among the isolates, compound 4, a methyl cholesterol analog, exhibited the most potent effect in reducing PCSK9 secretion, along with PCSK9 downregulation at the mRNA and protein levels via FOXO1/3 upregulation.

Dihydrostilbenes and flavonoids from whole plants of Jacobaea vulgaris.

The isolation of previously undescribed 12 compounds from the MeOH extract of Jacobaea vulgaris whole plants is disclosed, comprising 11 dihydrostilbenes (1-11) and one flavanone (12), and eight known compounds (six flavonoids, one dihydrostilbene, and one caffeoylquinic acid). Structural elucidation employed spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HRESIMS, and ECD calculations. Evaluation of the compounds' effects on PCSK9 and LDLR mRNA expression revealed that compounds 1 and 3 downregulated PCSK9 mRNA while increasing LDLR mRNA expression, suggesting potential cholesterol-lowering properties.

No Interference of H9 Extract on Trastuzumab Pharmacokinetics in Their Combinations.

Trastuzumab is used to treat breast cancer patients overexpressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, but resistance and toxicity limit its uses, leading to attention to trastuzumab combinations. Recently, the synergistic effect of trastuzumab and H9 extract (H9) combination against breast cancer has been reported. Because drug exposure determines its efficacy and toxicity, the question of whether H9 changes trastuzumab exposure in the body has been raised.

Stereochemical assignment of clerodane-type diterpenes from the fruits of Casearia grewiifolia and their ability to inhibit PCSK9 expression.

More than 20 natural products have been reported to modulate PCSK9-mediated cholesterol regulation, and small-molecule-derived proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors continue to be developed and identified. Here, twelve undescribed clerodane-type diterpenes (1-9 and 12-14) and two known compounds were isolated from the chloroform-soluble extract of the dried fruits of Casearia grewiifolia Vent. using a PCSK9 mRNA expression monitoring assay.

Acyclic Triterpenoids from Seeds with Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Expression and Secretion Inhibitory Activity.

Cholesterol is one of the primary causes of cardiovascular disease. Investigating and developing potential drugs to effectively treat hypercholesterolemia are therefore of critical importance. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have been developed to lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Suppresses Triacylglycerol Synthesis in Hepatocytes and Enterocytes.

Regulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and pancreatic lipase (PL) activities is important in the treatment of triacylglycerol (TG)-related metabolic diseases. , also known as mangosteen, is a traditional medicine ingredient used in the treatment of inflammation in Southeast Asia. In this study, The ethanolic extract of peel inhibited human recombinant DGAT1 and DGAT2, and PL enzyme activities .

Antimicrobial Agent against Methicillin-Resistant Biofilm Monitored Using Raman Spectroscopy.

The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has become a major challenge worldwide. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-a leading cause of infections-forms biofilms on polymeric medical devices and implants, increasing their resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotic administration before biofilm formation is crucial.

Change of metformin concentrations in the liver as a pharmacological target site of metformin after long-term combined treatment with ginseng berry extract.

Metformin as an oral glucose-lowering drug is used to treat type 2 diabetic mellitus. Considering the relatively high incidence of cardiovascular complications and other metabolic diseases in diabetic mellitus patients, a combination of metformin plus herbal supplements is a preferrable way to improve the therapeutic outcomes of metformin. Ginseng berry, the fruit of Meyer, has investigated as a candidate in metformin combination mainly due to its anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-hepatic steatosis and anti-inflammatory effects.

Chemical constituents from with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 expression and secretion inhibitory activity.

Six new flavanones, including sanggenol W (1), morusalnol D-F (2-4) and neovanone A and B (5 and6), and fourteen known compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of the dried root bark of using various column chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods. The isolated compounds were tested for LDLR, PCSK9 and IDOL mRNA regulatory activity, and it was found that betulinic acid (13) showed the most potent effect on downregulation of PCSK9 and upregulation of LDLR at both mRNA and protein levels, showing comparable results to berberine, the positive control.

Reducing effect of intragastrically administered saikosaponin A on alcohol and sucrose self-administration in rats.

Saikosaponin A (SSA) is an active ingredient of the Asian medicinal herb, L. When administered the intraperitoneal (i.p.

Computational Prediction of the Phenotypic Effect of Flavonoids on Adiponectin Biosynthesis.

machine learning applications for phenotype-based screening have primarily been limited due to the lack of machine-readable data related to disease phenotypes. Adiponectin, a nuclear receptor (NR)-regulated adipocytokine, is relatively downregulated in human metabolic diseases. Here, we present a machine-learning model to predict the adiponectin-secretion-promoting activity of flavonoid-associated phytochemicals (FAPs).

Isocoumarins and Benzoquinones with Their Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Expression Inhibitory Activities from Dried Roots of .

A phytochemical investigation of the -hexane-soluble chemical constituents roots allowed for selection using a proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) mRNA expression monitoring assay in HepG2 cells. This led to the isolation of two previously undescribed isocoumarins of natural origin, 8'Z,11'Z-octadecadienyl-6,8-dihydroxyisocoumarin () and 3-pentadecyl-6,8-dihydroxyisocoumarin (), along with 20 previously reported compounds (-). All of the structures were established using NMR spectroscopic data and MS analysis.

Alkaloids and Coumarins with Adiponectin-Secretion-Promoting Activities from the Leaves of .

Fractionation of a methanol extract of leaves led to the identification of five new quinoline alkaloids (, , , , and ), three new coumarins (, , and ), and 20 known compounds. The structures were determined by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of was proposed by electronic circular dichroism calculation.

Analgesic effects of saikosaponin A in a rat model of chronic inflammatory pain.

Saikosaponin A (SSA) is the main active ingredient of roots of the East Asian medicinal plant, L. The present study was aimed at delving into the analgesic properties of SSA in a model of chronic inflammatory pain. To this end, rats were initially treated intraplantarly with complete Freund's adjuvant for induction of hyperalgesia.

Chemical Constituents from the Roots and Rhizomes of and Their Effects on Proprotein Convertase Substilisin/Kexin Type 9 Expression.

This study was conducted to further investigate bioactive molecules from that can inhibit proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression. After interpreting NMR spectroscopic data and MS spectral data of all isolates, a new naturally occurring compound, 6-hydroxy-vitexin-2″--rhamnoside (), was identified along with 30 known compounds. The calculation of the gauge-including atomic orbital (GAIO) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) proposed the absolute configuration of as (2,3)-methyl-2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)tartrate by comparing the calculated ECD with experimental data.

Sesquiterpene lactone and its unique proaporphine hybrids from Magnolia grandiflora L. and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Two undescribed sesquiterpene lactone-proaporphine hybrid skeletons, two undescribed sesquiterpenes, and four known compounds were isolated from the aerial part of Magnolia grandiflora L. The structures of isolated compounds were unambiguously determined based on the interpretation of a combination of NMR spectroscopy, HRESIMS, DP4+ probability calculation of carbon data, X-ray crystallographic analyses, and ECD calculation. The isolated compounds were investigated for their anti-inflammatory activity against nitric oxide production and the protein expression of COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.

Co-Treatment with the Herbal Medicine SIP3 and Donepezil Improves Memory and Depression in the Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a lethal, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has been linked to a deficiency of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Currently, many acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, are widely used for the treatment of AD. On the other hand, the efficacy of long-term donepezil use is limited.

Flavonostilbenes Isolated from the Stems of as Potential SIRT1 Activators.

The cumulative effects of cell damage result in aging, which gradually decreases human function in various aspects and leads to multiple age-related chronic diseases. To overcome the adverse effects of aging, silent mating type information regulation 2 homologue (SIRT1) activators are promising bioactive compounds that mimic calorie restriction to improve quality of life and prevent aging. In this study, 11 new flavonostilbenes (-) and three known compounds (-) were purified from stems of .

Acylated saponins and flavonoid glycosides from the fruits of Stewartia koreana.

Three acylated saponins and three flavonoid glycosides, along with nine known flavonoids, were isolated from the fruits of Stewartia koreana Nakai ex Rehder (Theaceae) using relative mass defect filtering analysis. The structures of these compounds were determined by performing spectroscopic analyses and using chemical methods. Furthermore, all the isolates were evaluated for their effects on the mRNA expression of the genes for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) as well as their inhibitory activities on PCSK9 and LDLR binding.

Suppressing effect of a saikosaponin-enriched extract of on alcohol and chocolate self-administration in rats.

Recent studies demonstrated that saikosaponin (SS) A and other SSs extracted from L (Apiaceae) roots abolished different behaviours motivated by drugs of abuse and palatable foods in rats. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of an SS-enriched extract fraction of roots on operant, oral self-administration of alcohol and chocolate in rats. To this end, female Sardinian alcohol-preferring and Wistar rats were trained to lever-respond for alcohol (15% v/v) and chocolate (5% w/v powdered Nesquik in water), respectively.