A new phenolic glucoside from the leaves of Heliciopsis lobata

A new phenolic glucoside ester, 6'-E-(2'-methyl-2'-butenoyl) arbutin (1), was isolated from the leaves of Heliciopsis lobata. Its structure was elucidated by spectral analysis.     

Trans-2,2',4,4'-tetramethyl-6,6'-dinitroazobenzene from Aconitum sungpanense

Trans-2,2',4,4'-tetramethyl-6,6'-dinitroazobenzene from the leaves of Aconitum sungpanense was reported as a new compound. The structure was determined by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Benzofuran from seeds of Styrax officinalis

A new benzofuran was isolated from seeds of Styrax officinalis and has been identified as 5-[3"-(2-methylbutanoyloxy) propyl]-7-methoxy-2-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl) benzofuran (1) by means of spectroscopic analysis.     

A new compound from the leaves of Panax ginseng

Two compounds were isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng. Their structures were identified as 3beta,6alpha,12beta-triol-22,23,24,25,26,27-hexanordammaran-20-one, and dammar-20(22),24-diene-3beta,6alpha,12beta-triol by spectral and chemical methods. The complete signal assignments of the two compounds were carried out by means of 2D NMR spectral analysis.     

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect of mulberry (Morus alba) leaves on Caco-2

The effects of brewing time on dry weight content and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory active component released from mulberry (Morus alba) tea were studied. Different tea products showed significant differences in inhibitory activity against both sucrase and maltase. The most effective enzyme inhibition was observed when 3 to 5 min brewing time was applied in tea preparation. In a Caco-2 cell culture experiment the tea reduced the liberated glucose contents in both apical and basal sides of the cell monolayers. It can be concluded that hot water extract of mulberry leaves does have inhibitory effect against alpha-glucosidases, sucrase and maltase enzymes, and has a potential to be consumed as antidiabetic herb tea.     

A new flavanol from Daphne genkwa

A new flavanol, 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-8-ethoxycarbonylflavanol (1), was isolated from the ethanol extract of Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc. Its structure was defined by spectroscopic methods.     

A new flavan from Daphne odora var. atrocaulis

The isolation of a new flavan, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-ethoxycarbonylflavan (1), from the root of Daphne odora var. atrocaulis is reported.     

Antinociceptive activity of Maytenus rigida stem bark

Ethanol extract of Maytenus rigida stem bark and its fractions were assessed for antinociceptive activity in tail-flick test in rats. The activity was located in the chloroform, ethyl acetate and aq.methanol fractions. Phytochemical screening revealed that catechin was the only common class of compounds present on the ethanol extract as well as on the active fractions. 4'-Methylepigallocatechin, isolated from the ethyl acetate and aq.methanol fractions, showed antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick test (75 mg/kg; p.o.), which was reversed by the opiate antagonist naloxone (3 mg/kg; i.p.).     

A new chromone glycoside from Polygonum capitatum

A new chromone glycoside (1), 7-O-(6'-galloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxychromone was isolated from Polygonum capitatum.     

Furanoeremophilanes from Ligularia atroviolacea

A new furanoeremophilane, 1alpha-chloro-6beta-isobutyroxy-9-oxo-10beta-hydroxy-furanoeremophilane (1) was isolated from the root of Ligularia atroviolacea and identified mainly on the basis of detailed spectral analyses including X-ray. Moreover, five known furanoeremophilanes,1alpha-hydroxy-6beta-isobutyroxy-9-oxo-10beta-H-furanoeremophilane (2), 1alpha-hydroxy-6beta-isobutyroxy-9-oxo-10alpha-H-furanoeremophilane (3), 1alpha,10beta-dihydroxy-6beta-angeloyloxy-9-oxo-furanoeremophilane (4), furanoeremophil-3-en-15,6alpha-olide (5) and furanoeremophil-15beta,6alpha-olide (6) were isolated from the same source.     

Cytotoxic constituents from Anagyris foetida leaves

Anagyris foetida extracts were investigated in preliminary cytotoxic tests against two tumour cell lines. Chromatographic separations on active extracts led to the isolation of two alkaloids, anagyrine (1) and baptifoline (2), as well of isorhamnetin (3) and syringin 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4). In vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 1-3 was also evaluated.     

ent-Isopimarane diterpenoids of the leaves from Rabdosia forrestii

Two new diterpenes, forrestin H, ent-isopimaran-8 beta, 15R, 16-triol (1), forrestin I, ent-isopimaran-16-acetoxy-8 beta, 15R-diol (2) and the acetonide derivative of forrestin H were isolated from the leaves of Rabdosia forrestii. The structures were established on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis and of the modified Mosher's (1H) method.     

A new ellagic acid glycoside from Paeonia delavayi

A new ellagic acid glycoside, 4'-O-methylellagic acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from the root cortex of Paeonia delavayi. The structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods.     

A new phenolic glycoside from the roots of Lygodium japonicum

A new phenolic glycoside, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 4-O-(4'-O-methyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from the roots of Lygodium japonicum. The structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods.     

A new phenolic glycoside from Paeonia lactiflora

A new phenolic glycoside , 2-methoxy-5-(E)-propenyl-phenol-beta-vicianoside, was isolated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora. The structure of the new glycoside was elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

A new 2-arylbenzofuran from the root bark of Chinese Morus cathayana

A new 2-arylbenzofuran, sanggenofuran B (3',5'-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-4'-prenyl-2-arylbenzofuran), from the root bark of Chinese Morus cathayana is reported.     

Phytochemical and antimicrobial activities of the Daniellia oliveri leaves

The n-butanol soluble part and four chromatographic fractions of the aqueous ethanolic extract of the leaves of Daniellia oliveri were investigated for antimicrobial properties. All fractions showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus. A chromatographic fraction showed significant activity against the fungus Tricophyton rubrum.     

Flavonol-rich fractions of yaupon holly leaves (Ilex vomitoria, Aquifoliaceae) induce microRNA-146a and have anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects in intestinal myofibroblast CCD-18Co cells

Polyphenolics extracted from yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria, Aquifoliaceae) (YH) leaves were investigated in human colon cells for their chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory activities. An activity-guided fractionation allowed the selection of YH flavonol-rich fraction due to its preferential inhibition of HT-29 colon cancer viability over the normal CCD-18Co colon cells. Quercetin and kaempferol 3-rutinosides, main components identified in this fraction, protected CCD-18Co cells against reactive oxidative species (ROS) in part due to increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, up-regulation of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) known as a negative regulator of pro-inflammatory NF-κB activation was the underlying molecular mechanism that protected CCD-18Co from inflammation.     

In vivo hypoglycemic effects of phenolics from the root bark of Morus alba

Moracin M (1), Steppogenin-4′-O-β-D-glucosiade (2), Mullberroside A (3) were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. and identified by spectral evidence. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were studied in hypoglycemic effects on alloxan-diabetic mice. The results showed that compounds 1, 2 and 3 all produced hypoglycemic effects. The compound 2 in a dose of 50 mg/kg exerted significant effect (p < 0.05), 2 and 3 in a dose of 100 mg/kg exerted obviously effect (p < 0.01). Meantime, the compound 1 in a dose of 100 mg/kg can make the fasting blood glucose level have decreasing tendency.     

Biosynthesis of a syringyl 8-O-4′ neolignan in Eucommia ulmoides: formation of syringylglycerol-8-O-4′-(sinapyl alcohol) ether from sinapyl alcohol

To investigate the biosynthesis and stereochemistry of syringylglycerol-8-O-4′-(sinapyl alcohol) ether (SGSE), a syringyl 8-O-4′ neolignan, feeding experiments and enzyme assays using Eucommia ulmoides were carried out. Diastereoselective formation of erythro-SGSE was found. When [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol was administered to excised shoots of E. ulmoides, ¹⁴C was incorporated into free SGSE and SGSE glucosides. In stems, incorporation into (+)-erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE (0.037%) with 9.1% enantiomeric excess (% e.e.) was found; incorporation into the threo isomer was not detectable. Erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE glucosides (0.047%) dominated over threo forms (0.007%) with 74.0% diastereomeric excess (% d.e.); both diastereomers were levorotatory with 32.0% e.e. and 18.3% e.e., respectively. In leaves, higher incorporation into (−)-erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE (0.500%, 15.9% e.e.) than into the threo isomer (0.206%, 7.4% e.e.) was observed (41.6% d.e.). (−)-Erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE glucosides (1.692%, 25.0% e.e.) were produced at higher rates than threo isomers (0.177%, 16.4% e.e.) with 81.0% d.e. In incubations of a mixture of [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl and [8-¹⁴C]coniferyl alcohols with an insoluble enzyme preparation from stems of E. ulmoides, erythro-SGSE was preferentially produced. The highest % d.e. (82.8) was observed at 60 min with the (+)-erythro isomer (21.4% e.e.) and the (−)-threo form (4.3% e.e.).Part of this report was presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002, and the 47th Lignin Symposium, Fukuoka, October 2002