: Boost Melanogenic Effects and Protection against Oxidative Damage in Melanocytes.

Vitiligo, an acquired depigmentation disorder, is characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes and epidermal melanin. In recent years, research has focused on promoting melanin biosynthesis and protecting melanocytes to reduce stress-related damage for the purpose of applying it to vitiligo treatment. L.

Quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-E-caffeoyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside, a Flavonoid Compound, Promotes Melanogenesis through the Upregulation of MAPKs and Akt/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways.

Quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-E-caffeoyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside is a flavonoid compound produced by various plants with reported antiprotozoal potential against and ; however, its effects on skin pigment regulation have not been studied in detail. In this investigation, we discovered that quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-E-caffeoyl)-D-glucopyranoside (coded as ) demonstrated a more increased melanogenesis effect in B16 cells. exhibited no cytotoxicity or effective stimulating melanin content or intracellular tyrosinase activity.

Total flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum moldavica L. improves pulmonary fibrosis by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the hedgehog signaling pathway.

Dracocephalum Moldavica L. is a traditional herb for improving pharynx and relieving cough. However, the effect on pulmonary fibrosis is not clear.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Gaertn and theoretical studies on intramolecular interactions.

Two undescribed pyrrolizidine alkaloids, 13-dehydrosenkirkine () and chloromethylretrorsine (), along with three known analogues, onetine (), retrorsine (), and usaramine -oxide (), were isolated from Gaertn. The structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated by extensive spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques, including HRESIMS, NMR, calculated C-NMR DP4+ analysis and comparison with experimental and calculated ECD spectra. The undescribed compounds were evaluated for their antitumour activity against HT29, HeLa, and HepG2 cells.

Sesquiterpenoids from and Their Melanogenic Activity.

A sesquiterpenoid with an unprecedented 5/5/4 tricyclic skeleton (), a -sesquiterpenoid with a rare 6/7 bicyclic skeleton (), 10 new sesquiterpenoids (-), and six known analogues (-) were isolated from the whole plants of . The structures of compounds - were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. Compound showed melanogenic promotion activity in murine melanoma (B16) cells more potent than the positive control used, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP).

Guaianolides and unusual 3-oxa-guaianolides from Artemisia macrocephala.

Eight undescribed guaianolides (macrocephalolides A-H) and two known analogues (parishin C, artabsinolide E) were isolated from the whole plant of Artemisia macrocephala growing in Xinjiang, China. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, with absolute configurations established by comparison of experimental and calculated ECD data, as well as confirmation of single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography. Macrocephalolides A-B featured an unusual type of 3-oxa-guaianolide with a cyclopentenone moiety.

Chemical components of var. and their cytotoxic and antibacterial activities.

Nineteen compounds, including seventeen alkaloids O-methylarmepavine (), (S)-6-methoxy-1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-methyl -1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-ol (), (+)-(IR,laR)-lahydroxymagnocurarin (), (6R,6aS,P)-(+)-corydine (), (+)-N-methyllaurotetanine (), magnoflorine (), 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethoxy-5-methyl-5H-dibenzoindol-4-one (), imperialine (), crispine B (), (S)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine (), methyl 2- (acetamino)benzoate (), 2-carboxyoxanilic acid methylester (), 4-[2-(methoxycarbonyl) anilino]-4-oxobutanoic acid methyl ester (), N-methylcorydaldine (), N-methyl-6,7- dimethoxyisoquinolone (), (5,6,7,8)-5-amino-(2Z,4Z)-1,2,3-trihybuta-2,4-dienyloxypentane- 6,7,8,9-tetraol (), nicotinic acid (), and two megastigmane type compounds, S(+)- dehydrovomifoliol () and megastigmane (), were isolated from the Aconitum barbatum var. puberulum Ledeb. Compounds and were isolated from this plant for the first time, of which compound was isolated from natural source for the first time.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and unusual millingtojanine A-B from Jacobaea vulgaris (syn. Senecio jacobaea L.).

Four undescribed pyrrolizidine alkaloids (seneciojanine A-D), two enantiomeric pairs of unusual alkaloids (millingtojanine A-B) with a unique tricyclic core, and nine known pyrrolizidine alkaloids were isolated from whole plant extracts of Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn. The structures of the undescribed compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses and comparison of theoretical and experimental ECD data. Several of the structures were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Rational Design of Hierarchical, Porous, Co-Supported, N-Doped Carbon Architectures as Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction.

Developing highly active nonprecious-metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great significance for reducing the cost of fuel cells. 3D-ordered porous structures could substantially improve the performance of the catalysts because of their excellent mass-diffusion properties and high specific surface areas. Herein, ordered porous ZIF-67 was prepared by forced molding of a polystyrene template, and Co-supported, N-doped, 3D-ordered porous carbon (Co-NOPC) was obtained after further carbonization.

Piperidine Alkaloids with Diverse Skeletons from Anacyclus pyrethrum.

Fifteen new piperidine derivatives, pyracyclumines A-J (1-10), including five pairs of enantiomers, (+)-1/(-)-1 to (+)-5/(-)-5, together with three known compounds, agrocybenine (11), 4,6,6-trimethyl-5,6-dihydro-2(1 H)-pyridone (12), and 3,5,5-trimethyl-1,5-dihydro-2 H-pyrrol-2-one (13), were isolated from the roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum. Pyracyclumines A, B, and H (1, 2, and 8) possess a novel 6/5/6/6 dimeric piperidine skeleton, a unique 6/5/6 dimeric piperidine skeleton, and a 1,4,6-triazaindan skeleton, respectively. Pyracyclumine C (3) is based on a rare cyclopentane-piperidine framework.

Urinary metabonomics study of anti-depressive effect of Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San on an experimental model of depression induced by chronic variable stress in rats.

Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San (CSGS), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been effectively used for the treatment of depression in clinic. However, studies of its anti-depressive mechanism are challenging, accounted for the complex pathophysiology of depression, and complexity of CSGS with multiple constituents acting on different metabolic pathways. The variations of endogenous metabolites in rat model of depression after administration of CSGS may offer deeper insights into the anti-depressive effect and mechanism of CSGS.

Laevigatbenzoate from Croton laevigatus Vahl.

A new trans-clerodane diterpenoid, laevigatbenzoate (1), was isolated from the leaves of Croton laevigatus Vahl. Its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration was determined by application of the CD excitation chirality method. This compound showed weak cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, with an IC(50) value of 45.

Online identification of the antioxidant constituents of traditional Chinese medicine formula Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San by LC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry and microplate spectrophotometer.

Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San (CSGS), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula containing seven herbal medicines, has been used in treatment of gastritis, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome and depression clinically. However, the chemical constituents in CSGS had not been studied so far. To quickly identify the chemical constituents of CSGS and to understand the chemical profiles related to antioxidant activity of CSGS, liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization hybrid linear trap quadrupole orbitrap (LC-LTQ-Orbitrap) mass spectrometry has been applied for online identification of chemical constituents in complex system, meanwhile, antioxidant profile of CSGS was investigated by the fraction collecting and microplate reading system.

Flavonoids from the stems of Croton caudatus Geisel. var. tomentosus Hook.

A new flavone, named crotoncaudatin (1), was isolated from the stems of Croton caudatus Geisel. var. tomentosus Hook.

Lactonecembranoids from Croton laevigatus.

Six new cembranoids, laevigatlactones A-F (1-6), and the known compound neocrotocembraneic acid (7) were isolated from leaves of Croton laevigatus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and that of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Compound 2 exhibited modest cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, with an IC(50) value of 38.