Antitrypanosomal sesquiterpene lactones from Saussurea costus

In the course of a larger screen of 1800 plant and fungal extracts, the ethyl acetate extract of Saussurea costus roots potently inhibited the growth of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Subsequent HPLC based activity profiling led to the identification of the sesquiterpene lactones arbusculin B (1), α-cyclocostunolide (2), costunolide (3), and dehydrocostuslactone (4). They were tested for in vitro antitrypanosomal activities and cytotoxicity alongside the structurally related sesquiterpene lactones parthenolide (5), zaluzanin D (6), and eupatoriopicrin (7), and had IC₅₀s between 0.8 and 22 μM. Cytotoxic IC₅₀s were from 1.6 to 19 μM, and selectivity indices from 0.5 to 6.5.     

A new dicoumarin and anticoagulant activity from Viola yedoensis Makino

A new dicoumarin, named as dimeresculetin (1), together with another dicoumarin, euphorbetin (2) and esculetin (3) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the dried whole plants of Viola yedoensis Makino. The structure of 1 was elucidated as 7-hydroxy-6-[(6,7-dihydroxy-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-5-yl)oxy]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one on the basis of extensive NMR, as well as the other spectral analysis. Compounds 1–3 exhibited anticoagulant activities with respect to activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT).     

Antidiarrhoeal activity of carbazole alkaloids from Murraya koenigii Spreng (Rutaceae) seeds

The bioassay guided fractionation of the n-hexane extract of the seeds of Murraya koenigii Spreng (Rutaceae) resulted in the isolation of three bioactive carbazole alkaloids, kurryam (I), koenimbine (II) and koenine (III). The structures of the compounds were confirmed from their ¹H-, ¹³C-, and 2D-NMR spectral data. Of the three compounds (I) and (II) exhibited significant inhibitory activity against castor oil-induced diarrhoea and PGE₂-induced enteropooling in rats. The compounds also produced a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in the charcoal meal test in Wister rats.     

Two new benzofuran derivatives with anti-inflammatory activity from Liriope spicata var. prolifera

Two new benzofuran derivatives, 2-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-5,6-methylenedioxy-benzofuran () and 2-(4′-hydroxybenzoyl)-5,6-methylenedioxy-benzofuran (), along with 8 known compounds were isolated from 60% EtOH extract of the fibrous roots of Liriope spicata var. prolifera. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. In an in vitro bioactive assay, the two new benzofuran derivatives showed anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against neutrophil respiratory burst stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) with IC₅₀ value of 4.15 ± 0.07 and 5.96 ± 0.37 μM, respectively.     

New flavane gallates isolated from the leaves of Plicosepalus curviflorus and their hypoglycemic activity

Two new flavane gallates were isolated from the leaves of Plicosepalus curviflorus. The structure of the new compounds was established as 2S,3R-3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavane-5-O-gallate (1) and 2S,3R-3,3′,4′,5,5′,7-hexahydroxyflavane-4′,5-di-O-gallate (2), respectively. In addition, seven known compounds (−)-catechin (3), quercetin (4), lupeol (5), β-sitosterol (6), pomolic acid (7), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8) and 4-methoxycinnamic acid (9) were reported for the first time from the genus Plicosepalus. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were investigated for their hypoglycemic activity and showed significant hypoglycemic activity in Swiss Albino mice.     

New flavonol glycosides from Aconitum burnatii Gáyer and Aconitum variegatum L.

Six flavonol glycosides, compounds 1-3 from A. burnatii Gáyer and 4-6 from A. variegatum L., were obtained from their methanol extracts of aerial parts. The identified structures were quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-(6-E-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-(6-E-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-β-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (4), quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), and kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6). Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were isolated for the first time. The antioxidant potential of the methanol extracts and pure compounds was tested with different assays.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur established for stand conversion from Picea abies

Efforts in Europe to convert Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations to broadleaf or mixed broadleaf-conifer forests could be bolstered by an increased understanding of how artificial regeneration acclimates and functions under a range of Norway spruce stand conditions. We studied foliage characteristics and leaf-level photosynthesis on 7-year-old European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) regeneration established in open patches and shelterwoods of a partially harvested Norway spruce plantation in southwestern Sweden. Both species exhibited morphological plasticity at the leaf level by developing leaf blades in patches with an average mass per unit area (LMA) 54% greater than of those in shelterwoods, and at the plant level by maintaining a leaf area ratio (LAR) in shelterwoods that was 78% greater than in patches. However, we observed interspecific differences in photosynthetic capacity relative to spruce canopy openness. Photosynthetic capacity (A₁₆₀₀, net photosynthesis at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 1600 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) of beech in respect to the canopy gradient was best related to leaf mass, and declined substantially with increasing canopy openness primarily because leaf nitrogen (N) in this species decreased about 0.9 mg g⁻¹ with each 10% rise in canopy openness. In contrast, A₁₆₀₀ of oak showed a weak response to mass-based N, and furthermore the percentage of N remained constant in oak leaf tissues across the canopy gradient. Therefore, oak photosynthetic capacity along the canopy gradient was best related to leaf area, and increased as the spruce canopy thinned primarily because LMA rose 8.6 g m⁻² for each 10% increase in canopy openness. These findings support the premise that spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of beech through processes that determine N status of this species; leaf N (mass basis) was greatest under relatively closed spruce canopies where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing light harvesting mechanisms. Spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of oak through processes that control LMA; LMA was greatest under open spruce canopies of high light availability where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing CO₂ fixation mechanisms.     

Nepetalactone content in shoot cultures of three endemic Nepeta species and the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity

Rapid micropropagation of Nepeta rtanjensis, N. sibirica and N. nervosa was performed. Qualitative and quantitative nepetalactone content in methanol extracts of in vitro grown plants was analysed by reverse-phase HPLC coupled with UV and MS detection. Only trans,cis-nepetalactone was detected in shoots of N. rtanjensis, while cis,trans-nepetalactone stereoisomer was present in N. sibirica. No nepetalactone was observed in shoots of N. nervosa. The antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts, against eight bacterial and eight fungal species, was evaluated. All the tested extracts showed significant antibacterial and strong antifungal activity. However, N. rtanjensis extract exhibited the best antimicrobial potential.     

Three new antibacterial active diarylheptanoids from Alpinia officinarum

Three new diarylheptanoids, together with ten known ones, were isolated from the ethanol extract from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance. The structural identification of these compounds was mainly achieved by spectroscopic methods. The new compounds were elucidated as 7-(4″, 5″-dihydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl -4-heptene-3-one (1), 1, 7-diphenyl-5-heptene-3-one (2) and 4-phenethyl-1, 7-diphenyl -1-heptene-3, 5-dione (3), respectively. All of the compounds showed antibacterial activity against Helicobactor pylori. Especially, the three new compounds showed strong antibacterial activity against Hp-Sydney strain 1 with the MIC values of 9–12 μg/mL, and against Hp-F44 with the MIC values of 25–30 μg/mL.     

New amide alkaloid from the aerial part of Piper capense L.f. (Piperaceae)

Together with apigenine dimethylether and piperchabamide A, a new amide alkaloid, Kaousine and the Z form of antiepilepsirine were isolated from the aerial part of Piper capense L.f (Piperaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectrometric methods and their in vitro antiparasitic activities were evaluated on Plasmodium falciparum.     

New coumarin glycosides from the leaves of Diospyros crassiflora (Hiern)

Two new 5-methylcoumarin glycosides named diosfeboside A (1) and B (2) and five known compounds namely kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), ursolic acid (4), betulinic acid (5), stigmasterol (6) and stigmasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7) were isolated from the leaves of Diospyros crassiflora (Hiern). Their structures were established through interpretation of 1 and 2D NMR, mass spectra analysis and comparison with reported data. In vitro cytotoxic activity of the new compounds against human carcinoma cell lines (HL-60, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and KB) was evaluated and no cytotoxicity was observed for each of them.     

Four new phenanthrenes from Monomeria barbata Lindl

Three biphenanthrene compounds (1–3) and a triphenanthrene compound (4), together with six known biphenanthrene compounds (5–10), were isolated from the tubers of Monomeria barbata Lindl. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS). These four new compounds were tested in vitro for the cytotoxic activity against liver carcinoma (HepG-2), promyelocytic leukaemia (HL60), ovarian carcinoma (Skov-3) and epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cancer cell lines and the antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging. Compounds 1–4 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and HL60 cell lines, and potent antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging.     

Structure and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide POJ-U1a extracted by ultrasound from Ophiopogon japonicus

An ultrasonic technique was employed to extract polysaccharides from Ophiopogon japonicus. The ultrasonic extracted polysaccharides (POJ-U) were purified, and POJ-U1a (a homogeneous fraction) was obtained. The structural characteristics of POJ-U1a were investigated by infrared spectra, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the relative molecular weight of POJ-U1a was 4.02 × 10³ Da. POJ-U1a was an α-configuration polysaccharide with a highly branched structure, and consisted of pyranoside and funanside. The backbone of POJ-U1a consisted of 1,6-α-d-glucopyranose and 1,3,6-α-d-glucofuranose in the molar ratio of 7:3, while the branched chains were mainly composed of 1,3-α-d-glucopyranose and 1-α-d-glucopyranose in the molar ratio of 1:3. The branched structure of POJ-U1a was proved intuitively by AFM. Significant antioxidant activity of POJ-U1a has been proved as shown by its DPPH radical scavenging, hydrogen radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging activities, which indicated that POJ-U1a showed strong antioxidant activity.     

A new coumarin from Sarcandra glabra

Sarcandracoumarin (1), the first coumarin having a 1-phenylethyl substituent at the C-3 position, was isolated along with eleven known phenolic compounds from the water extract of Sarcandra glabra. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 exhibited moderate or weak cytotoxicity against several tumor cell lines.     

One new sesquiterpene from Saussurea laniceps

One new guaiane-type sesquiterpene (1) was isolated from Saussurea laniceps. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. The immunomodulatory activity of compound 1 was evaluated. It was found that compound 1 showed significant inhibition for proliferation of murine T cells in vitro.     

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.     

Cerebrosides with antiproliferative activity from Euphorbia peplis L.

Two new cerebrosides have been isolated from the whole plants of Euphorbia peplis L. The structures were established by FT-IR spectroscopy, FAB MS, EI-MS, ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

赤桉GAPDH家族基因的克隆及其序列分析

GAPDH is a typical structural protein in eukaryote organism, which plays an important role involved in the biosynthesis of cell composition and the expression of genetic information. In order to reveal the biological function of GAPDH in the growth and development of Eucalyptus, 3 genes were obtained and named as EC-GAP1, EC-GAP2 and EC-GAP3 by amplification with primers for GAPDH genes conserved regions and RACE method from the young leaf of Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The bioinformatics analysis suggested that the proteins encoded by corresponding genes owned the typical conserved domains of GAPDH and showed high homology with those of other plant species.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of cis-mulberroside A from Ramulus mori

This study examined the analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of cis-mulberroside A isolated from Ramulus mori in several models of inflammatory pain in mice. Cis-mulberroside A (25 and 50 mg/kg) given by p.o. route 30 min before challenge produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the acetic acid-induced pain and Evans blue leakage in mice. In addition, this compound exhibited significant systemic anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema in a concentration-related manner (33.1–68.5% inhibition), and similar results were achieved in formalin test. Suppressive effects of cis-mulberroside A on the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages were also assessed. Collectively, cis-mulberroside A showed high analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The above results will be the supporting evidence for the potential anti-rheumatoid activity of R.mori in Chinese traditional medicine.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Carpesium divaricatum and their cytotoxic activity

In the course of searching for cytotoxic terpenoids from medicinal plants in China, two new eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, 5α-hydroxy-13-methoxy-7αH,11αH-eudesm-4(15)-en-12,8β-lactone (1) and 1β-hydroxy-7αH,11αH-eudesm-4(15)-en-12,8β-lactone (2), along with fourteen known sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium divaricatum. The structures of new compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods, including IR, HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of selected sesquiterpene lactones against human oral epidermoid carcinoma (KB), human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human hepatoma (HepG-2) cells was also evaluated by MTT method.