New isoflavonolignan with quinone reductase inducing activity from Alhagi pseudalhagi (M.B.)

Bioassay-directed separation of the chloroform extracts from the air-dried aerial part of Alhagi pseudalhagi (M.B.) led to the isolation of a new isoflavonolignan (1), together with five known isoflavones (2–6) (Fig. 1). Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis of NMR, MS, IR, UV and CD spectral evidences. The quinone reductase (QR) inducing activities of the extracts and compound 1 were evaluated and the new isoflavonolignan (1) exhibited moderate quinone reductase (QR) inducing activity for hepa lclc7 cells.     

Quinone reductase (QR) inducers from Andrographis paniculata and identification of molecular target of andrographolide

In the present study, it was demonstrated that the petroleum extract of Andrographis paniculata (AP) had quinone reductase (QR) inducing activity, which might be attributed to the modification of key cysteine residues in Keap1 by Michael addition acceptors (MAAs) in it. To screen MAAs in AP, glutathione (GSH) was employed, and a LC/MS/MS method was implied. Three compounds, andrographoside, andrographolide, 14-deoxy-14,15-dehydroandrographolide were revealed could well conjugated with GSH. Then, andrographolide along with 4 new and 14 known compounds were isolated to conduct QR induction evaluation, and the CD (the concentration required to double the activity of QR) value of andrographolide is 1.43 μM. The QR induce activity of andrographolide might be attributed to its targeting multiple cysteine residues in Keap1, therefore, the alkylation of Keap1 by andrographolide was further studied and the result showed that four cysteine residues: Cys77, Cys151, Cys273 and Cys368 were alkylated, which indicated that Keap1 is a potential target for the QR induce activity of andrographolide.     

Three lignans and one coumarinolignoid with quinone reductase activity from Eurycorymbus cavaleriei

Four compounds, including one new lignan cavaol H (1), one new coumarinolignoid 5′-hydroxycleomiscosin B (4) and two known lignans (2–3) were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the twigs of Eurycorymbus cavaleriei. Their structures were established on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses including 1D-(¹H, ¹³C, and DEPT) and 2D-NMR (COSY, HMQC, and HMBC). The absolute stereochemistry of the two known lignans was firstly reported in this article by ¹H NMR studies on Mosher's ester derivatives. In the present study, quinone reductase induction activities of compounds 1–4 were assayed, compound 4 showed moderate quinone reductase induction with concentration to double the enzyme activity (CD) of 10.5 ± 0.8 μg/mL. Then we established LC-MS-MS analysis of glutathione (GSH) incubation with compound 4 to explain whether compound 4 induced quinone reductase through alkylating of the sulfhydryl groups of Keap1. Reconstructed selected ion chromatogram (SIC) of m/z 706 after compound 4 incubation with GSH was different from that with Tris–HCl buffer solution, which meant the quinone reductase induction activity of compound 4 attributed to alkylating the sulfhydryl groups of Keap1.     

Ganoderic acid Df,a new triterpenoid with aldose reductase inhibitory activity from the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum

Ganoderic acid Df, a new lanostane-type triterpenoid, was isolated from the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum. Its structure was characterized as 7β, 11β-dihydroxy-3, 15, 23-trioxo-5α-lanosta-8-en-26-oic acid by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra. This compound exhibited potent human aldose reductase inhibitory activity, with an IC₅₀ of 22.8 μM in vitro. A carboxyl group of this compound's side chain is essential for eliciting inhibitory activity because its methyl ester is much less active.     

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.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

Antioxidant flavonoid glycosides from Evolvulus alsinoides

Oxidative damage is an established outcome of chronic stress. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the modulatory role of ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides (EA) in terms of oxidative alterations at peripheral and central level in rats subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). CUS exposure for 7 days reduced Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase activity with increase in glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation, while decrease in reduced glutathione level in blood plasma, frontal cortex and hippocampus regions of brain. Oral administration of EA extract at 200 mg/kg p.o. normalized these stress induced oxidative alterations with an efficacy similar to that of melatonin. Further, EA extract was taken up for detailed chemical investigation. Two new flavonol-4′-glycoside, kaempferol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and kaempferol 4′-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated, along with eight known compounds (1, 2, 4 and 6–10). The structures of new compounds were established by detailed spectroscopic studies, while known compounds were characterized by direct comparison of their reported NMR data. All these compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity. Compounds 3, 5, 9 and 10 at 100 and 200 μg/ml showed significant in vitro antioxidant activity. Therefore, EA may hold great potential in preventing clinical deterioration in stress induced oxidative load and related disorders.     

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.     

Antitrypanosomal activity of polycarpol from Piptostigma preussi (Annonaceae)

Polycarpol, sitosterol and sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside isolated for the first time from Piptostigma preussi (Annonaceae) occur regularly in some Annonaceae such as Piptostigma genus. Polycarpol exhibits interesting antitrypanosomal activity with an ED₅₀ value of 5.11 µM on Trypanosoma brucei cells. Moreover, it inhibits T. brucei glycolytic enzymes GAPDH and PFK with IC₅₀ values of 650 and 180 µM respectively.     

A new proaporphine alkaloid from Meconopsishorridula

A new proaporphine alkaloid, 8, 9-dihydroprooxocryptochine (1), together with three known alkaloids, was isolated from the aerial parts of Meconopsishorridula Hook. f. & Thomson (Papaveraceae), a traditional Tibetan medicine. The structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic methods.     

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.     

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.     

A new triterpene glycoside from Centella erecta

A new (2α,3β)-23-sulphonyl-2,3-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1) together with eighteen known compounds were isolated from Centella erecta (L.f.) Fern. Their structures were elucidated mainly by NMR and HRESIMS, as well as on comparison with the reported data.     

杜仲1-脱氧-D-木酮糖-5-磷酸还原异构酶基因cDNA全长克隆与序列分析

以杜仲叶片cDNA为模板,采用反转录RCR及RACE技术分离出DXR基因cDNA全长。序列分析结果表明该基因序列全长1 814 bp,共编码478个氨基酸,推导的蛋白质分子量为51.71 kD,理论等电点5.79,命名为EuDXR。推导的EuDXR蛋白质序列具有植物DXR酶的5个典型基序,并预测出26个潜在的功能位点。系统进化树分析表明EuDXR蛋白与玉米、水稻亲缘关系最近,其次为橡胶、拟南芥、烟草。     

三年桐、千年桐感染枯萎病病原菌后的生理反应

枯萎病是油桐毁灭性病害。中国广泛种植的油桐有三年桐和千年桐,三年桐易感枯萎病,千年桐抗枯萎病。为探讨三年桐与千年桐在枯萎病应答过程中的差异,在对油桐枯萎病灾区调研的基础上,进行枯萎病病原菌的分离、鉴定,并进一步探讨三年桐、千年桐接种枯萎病病原菌后超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果表明:油桐枯萎病病原菌为尖孢镰刀菌,接种试验显示千年桐在接种尖孢镰刀菌后SOD、POD、CAT较三年桐均呈现较高活性,在接种后SOD、POD活性先升高后降低,CAT活性升高并维持高活性,MDA含量变化不明显;三年桐SOD活性和MDA含量均先升高后降低,POD活性先降低再升高,CAT活性先降低后升高又降低。千年桐作为抗病种,其抗病性可能与其本身具有较高的SOD、POD、CAT活性有关,并且和病原菌感染后酶活上升有关;三年桐为易感病种,接种后SOD、POD、CAT活性有变化,但仍不能抵御病原菌的危害。     

Homoisoflavanones from Ledebouria floribunda

The bulbs of Ledebouria floribunda (Baker) Jessop have yielded two novel compounds, 7-O-[α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopiranosyl]-5-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one (1) and 7-O-[α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopiranosyl]-5-hydroxy-3-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one (2) along with five other known compounds, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one or 3,9-dihidroeucomin (3), 5,7-dihidroxy-6-methoxy-3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one (4), 5,7-dihidroxy 3-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one or 4,4′-demethyl-3,9-dihydropuctatin (5), 5,7-dihidroxy-3-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-6-methoxy-chroman-4-one or 3,9-dihydroeucomnalin (6) and 7-hydroxy-3-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-5-methoxy-chroman-4-one (7). Their structures were elucidated by spectra analysis. The seven homoisoflavanones were found to be antioxidant against DPPH radical and β-carotene/linoleic acid system.     

麻疯树磷酸烯酮式丙酮酸羧化酶em>pepc基因全长cDNA克隆及序列分析

应用RT-PCR和RACE法从麻疯树总RNA中分离出pepc基因全长cDNA,长度为3 142 bp,阅读框2 898 bp,编码965个氨基酸,在GenBank中登录,序列号为EU069413。它的氨基酸序列与蓖麻、陆地棉、橙、大豆、花生、烟草、油菜、拟南芥的氨基酸同源性分别为94.94%、92.46%、90.60%、90.50%、90.50%、88.33%、84.61%、82.44%。该基因编码了pepc基因家族中的pepc1,蛋白属于C₃型PEPC。推测了pepc编码蛋白分子量为110.6 kD,并对其稳定性、二级结构、疏水性等特性进行了分析,最后确定了该蛋白的功能位点和结构域。     

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.