Anti-tumor promoters phenolics and triterpenoid from Hippophae rhamnoides

A 70% ethanol extract of the branches of Hippophae rhamnoides exhibited remarkable antitumor activity in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test in mice using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene as an initiator and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a promoter. From the active fraction of the 70% ethanol extract, three phenolic compounds, (+)-catechin (1), (+)-gallocatechin (2), and (−)-epigallocatechin (3) and a tritepenoid, ursolic acid (4) were isolated and identified. These compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on TPA-induced inflammation (1 µg/ear) in mice. Within the tested compounds, 3 and 4 showed marked anti-inflammatory effects, with a 50% inhibitory dose of 1.7 and 0.2 μmol/ear.     

Bioassay-guided isolation of an anti-ulcer chromene from Eupatorium aschenbornianum: Role of nitric oxide,prostaglandins and sulfydryls

Eupatorium aschenbornianum is considered useful in the treatment of gastric ulcer. In the current study the validity of this practice was tested by using the experimental model of an ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats. The results show that E. aschenbornianum had gastroprotective activity, that the hexane extract had the highest protective activity (85.65 ± 4.76%), and that encecanescin isolated from this extract was the main active gastroprotective agent. The effect elicited by encecanescin was attenuated by N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, N-ethylmaleimide and indomethacin, which suggests that NO, prostaglandins and sulfydryl groups are involved in the mechanisms of gastroprotective action.     

A new diterpene from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata Nees

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Andrographis paniculata yielded one novel diterpene (13R, 14R) 3, 13, 14, 19-tetrahydroxy-ent-labda-8 (17), 11-dien-16, 15-olide 1 which has an uncommon cis-diol groups in the lactone moiety, and 3, 19-isopropylidene-14-deoxy-ent-labda-8 (17), 13-dien-16, 15-olide 2, probably an artifact diterpene, together with eight known diterpenoids 3–10. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectral methods. The structure and stereochemistry of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses.     

Phenylpropanoid glycosides and triterpenoid of Pedicularis kansuensis Maxim

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of Pedicularis kansuensis Maxim. led to the isolation of one new triterpenoid and two new phenylpropanoid glycosides, along with ten known compounds. Their structures were established by extensive 1D and 2D NMR, as well as other spectrum analysis. Biological evaluation of the three new compounds against Hela cell and Hep-6 cell with MIC values ranging from 9 to 20 μg/ml.     

Bioactive 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives from Morus wittiorum

Investigation of an ethanol extract from the stem bark of Morus wittiorum led to the isolation of five new 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives that were named wittifuran S, wittifuran T, wittifuran V, wittifuran W and wittifuran X (1–5). Structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Two new wittifurans and five previously isolated compounds were assayed for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.     

Short-term effects of clear-cutting on the biomass and richness of epiphytic bryophytes in managed subtropical cloud forests

? Managed laurel forests in the Canary Islands have undergone clear-cutting with rotation periods of less than 30 y. Forest owners have recently requested a drastic reduction in the cutting interval. The effects of this new harvesting cycle on organisms like epiphytic bryophytes are not well known.

? This study investigates how time since last clear-cut, host species and characteristics of tree zones influence the biomass, cover and richness of epiphyte bryophytes in managed laurel forests in La Palma, Canary Islands. Four forest ages (8, 15, 25 and 60 y) and three host tree species (Erica arborea, Laurus novocanariensis and Myricafaya) were studied.

? Biomass, cover and richness of bryophytes increased through the chronosequence, both at the level of each plot and overall for L. novocanariensis. Most of the biomass (53%) and richness (81%) was concentrated in one of the tree species (L. novocanariensis), in plots for which 60 y had elapsed since the last clear-cutting. Trunks supported greater bryophyte biomass and richness than canopies, even in the oldest plots.

? Our results suggest that the current rotation periods used to manage laurel forests are insufficiently long to allow for complete reestablishment of epiphytic bryophyte assemblages.

     

Sesquiterpenes from Vladimiria souliei and their inhibitory effects on NO production

As a part of our ongoing search for plant-derived compounds that inhibit nitric oxide production, the methanol extract of the roots of Vladimiria souliei was found to show significant inhibitory effects on INF-γ-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Bioactivity-guided isolation of the extract yielded two most active sesquiterpenes, including a new compound, named souliene A (1) and alismol (2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (IR, ESIMS, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). Two isolates showed promising inhibitory effects on INF-γ-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells.     

New hydroquinone diglycoside acyl esters and sesquiterpene and apocarotenoid from Ecdysanthera rosea

Phytochemical studies on the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Ecdysanthera rosea led to the isolation of three new compounds, hydroquinone diglycoside acyl esters, ecdysanrosin A (1) and sesquiterpene, 5β-hydroperoxycostic acid (2) and apocarotenoid, 2, 4, 7-trimethyl-2, 4, 6, 8-tetraene-dialdehyde (3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis.     

Effects of a bio-assay guided fraction from Polygonum cuspidatum root on the viability,acid production and glucosyltranferase of mutans streptococci

Polygonum cuspidatum root has been traditionally used for the treatment of dental diseases in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of P. cuspidatum root on the development of dental caries, especially its effects against bacterial viability and caries-inducing factors of Strptococcus mutans and Strptococcus sobrinus. Among methanol extract of P. cuspidatum root and its fraction tested, ethyl acetate fraction, composed of polydatin, resveratrol, anthraglycoside B, and emodin, showed inhibitory effects on glycolytic acid production and glucosyltransferase activity of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in addition to antibacterial activities.     

Two novel biphenyl dimers from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan

Two novel biphenyl dimers, caesappanin A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data including IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR. Preliminary bioassays showed that compound 1 possessed potent cytotoxic effects against 4 cell lines including HCT-8, BGC-823, A549 and A2780 with IC₅₀ between 1.67 μM and 4.88 μM.     

A new asymmetric diamide from the seed cake of Jatropha curcas L.

A new asymmetric diamide (E)-N-(3-acetamidopropyl)-cinnamamide named curcamide (1) has been isolated from the ethanol extract of the seed cake of Jatropha curcas L. along with 7 known compounds identified as isoamericanin (2), isoprincepin (3), caffeoylaldehyde (4), isoferulaldehyde (5), glycerol monooleate (6), syringaldehyde (7), and β-ethyl-d-glucopyranoside (8). The synthesis and antibacterial activity of the new compound have been also studied.     

Regeneration, in vitro glycoalkaloids production and evaluation of bioactivity of callus methanolic extract of Solanum tuberosum L.

Callus and differentiated shoots initiated from Solanum tuberosum L. on MS media containing BA, IAA, and Kin. Glycoalkaloids are produced in callus and shoots in concentrations higher than original tubers using HPLC. Callus methanolic extract had promising anticancer activity with low IC₅₀ values against human carcinoma cell lines of breast, lymphoplastic leukemia, larynx, liver, cervix, colon, and brain, IC₅₀ (µg/mL) were 2.7, 3.7, 6, 6.7, 10, 13.6, and 22.3 respectively. Antioxidant capacity of the extract (76.4%) performed using ESR. Preliminary screening showed that the extract exhibited in vitro virucidal activity against Herpes simplex. The extract possessed in vitro schistomicidal and fasciolicidal activity.     

Determination of chemical profile, antioxidant, DNA damage protection and antiamoebic activities of Teucrium polium and Stachys iberica

This work deals with the evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, DNA preventing and antiamoebic activities of the water extracts of Teucrium polium and Stachys iberica. In all systems, T. polium extract exhibited excellent activity potential than that of S. iberica. The amount of total phenolics and flavonoids were high in this extract. In the presence of 40 mg/ml T. polium extract, a significant protection was observed for native super coiled DNA of pBR322 plasmid DNA. In the presence of 32 mg/ml of T. polium extract, no trophozoite was after the 24th hour.     

外来树种火炬树化感作用的研究

以盐肤木和黄栌为参照树种,用火炬树树叶水浸提液、林下土壤水浸提液浸种24 h,研究了浸提液对侧柏、油松、香椿、臭椿、小麦、小白菜种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,研究了火炬树的化感作用。结果表明:火炬树完整鲜叶水浸提液处理小白菜种子,其发芽率和发芽势分别为88.0%、82.5%,与对照发芽率(94.0%)和发芽势(91.5%)无显著差异,而破碎鲜叶水浸液则极显著影响小白菜的发芽率和发芽势,分别降低为24.8%和5.0%;火炬树完整鲜叶和破碎鲜叶水浸液都能促进小白菜苗高生长,但都抑制小白菜胚根的伸长。与鲜叶相比,火炬树干叶水浸提液的化感作用明显降低。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液极显著影响小麦发芽率,分别比对照的发芽率和发芽势降低11.0%和83.5%,干叶水浸提液则不影响小麦的发芽率,为95.0%,但发芽势比对照降低23.0%。与盐肤木和黄栌相比,火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对小麦幼茎及胚根生长的抑制作用最强。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对4个乡土树种的种子萌发产生了不同程度的抑制作用,对香椿及臭椿发芽率的抑制作用极显著。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对4个树种的苗高以及油松苗胚根的伸长没有显著影响,但却极显著地抑制了侧柏、香椿及臭椿胚根的伸长。火炬树林下表层土壤水浸提液对小麦幼苗的生长没有抑制作用,能明极显著促进香椿的生长;处理55 d时,香椿苗平均高为8.63 cm,极其显著高于对照(5.14 cm)。     

Glycocerebroside bearing a novel long-chain base from Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae)

A new glycocerebroside (1), along with one reported one (2), was isolated from the ethanol extract of Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae) and was fully characterized. The structures of two compounds were identified as (2S, 3S, 4R, 8E)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-2-[(R)-2′- hydroxypalmitoyl]amino-8-heptadecaene (1) and (2S, 3R, 8E)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-hydroxy-2-[(R)-2′-hydroxypalmitoyl]amino-8-octadecaene (2) by using spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹³C, and 2D NMR, MS) and chemical degradation.     

Isolation, stability and bioactivity of Jatropha curcas phorbol esters

Jatropha curcas seed oil, which can be utilized for biodiesel production upon transesterification, is also rich in phorbol esters (PEs). In this study, PEs from J. curcas oil (Jatropha factors C₁ and C₂ (purified to homogeneity), Jatropha factors C₃ and (C₄ + C₅) (obtained as mixtures) and PE-rich extract (containing all the above stated Jatropha factors) were investigated. The concentrations of Jatropha PEs were expressed equivalent to Jatropha factor C₁. In the snail (Physa fontinalis) bioassay, the order of potency (EC₅₀, μg/L) was: PE-rich extract < factor C₃ mixture < factor C₂ < factor C₁ < factor (C₄ + C₅). In the Artemia salina bioassay, the order of potency (EC₅₀, mg/L) was: factor C₂ < factor C₃ mixture < factor C₁ < factor (C₄ + C₅) mixture. In addition, Jatropha PEs exhibited platelet aggregation (ED₅₀, μM, factor C₂ < factor C₃ mixture < factor C₁ < factor (C₄ + C₅) mixture. The stability of a PE-rich extract was evaluated and found to be low at room temperature but favourable in ethanol over a range of temperatures. By integrating the isolation methodology developed in this study in the Jatropha biodiesel industry, PEs could be obtained as value-added co-products.     

Anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng may not be linked to antioxidant activity: Comparison between American ginseng and Scutellaria baicalensis using an ob/ob mice model

Antioxidants have been considered as a useful remedy in diabetes therapeutics, and thus, herbal medicines with antioxidant properties may play major role in treating diabetes. In this report, we performed a comparative study using American ginseng and Scutellaria baicalensis to test whether the anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng is associated with its antioxidant activity. We used a simple water extraction procedure to prepare American ginseng root extract (AGE) and S. baicalensis extract (SbE), and utilized these two antioxidant herbs to evaluate their anti-diabetic effect in obese diabetic ob/ob mice. HPLC analysis was used to identify major constituents in the AGE and SbE. After 12 days of daily intraperitoneal injection, AGE at 300 mg/kg showed significant effects on fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.01) and glucose tolerance test (P < 0.01) compared to vehicle-treated mice. Animal body weights also reduced significantly after 12-day treatment (P < 0.01). However, SbE, a very strong antioxidant extract, administered at 5–50 mg/kg (based on our previous studies without adverse events) for 12 days did not show any significant effects on blood glucose and body weight changes. No effects were shown when baicalein, an effective antioxidant constituent in SbE, was administered at 1–5 mg/kg. It appears that the anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng may not be linked to its antioxidant actions. The mechanisms of American ginseng's effects on reducing high blood glucose levels and body weight remain to be investigated in future experiments.     

A secoiridoid with quinone reductase inducing activity from Cortex fraxini

A new secoiridoid named chinensisol (1) along with twenty known compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of Cortex fraxini. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR, MS, IR and UV spectral evidences. The quinone reductase (QR) inducing activities of the compounds were evaluated and the results showed that compounds 1, 9 and 14 had moderate QR inducing activities with CD values (concentration required to double the specific activity of QR) of 72.4 ± 7.7, 34.3 ± 3.3 and 42.0 ± 0.4 μM respectively.     

Monoterpenoid inhibitors of NO production from Paeonia suffruticosa

Three pairs of monoterpene glycosides (1–6), of which compounds 1, 3, and 4 as new compounds, together with one new monoterpene (7) were obtained from the ethanol extract of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews. Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical methods and spectral data. On this basis, the spectral characteristics of three pairs of monoterpene glycosides were also discussed. The inhibitory effects of isolated compounds on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages were evaluated, and NO production was suppressed significantly by compounds 4–7.