Steroids from herbs of Reineckia carnea and their anticomplement activities

A new polyhydroxylated pregnane, named lβ,2β,3β,4β,5β,6β-hexolhydroxy-pregn-16-en-20-one (1), along with nine known (2–10) steroidal saponins were isolated from the whole plant of Reineckia carnea. Structure elucidations of all compounds were established by interpretation of their NMR spectral data, HR-ESI-MS and comparing with literatures. In addition, these compounds were evaluated with anticomplement activity. The result showed that compound 1 exhibited anticomplement effects with the CH₅₀ values of 0.043 mg/mL, but saponins (2–10) showed no inhibition. Interestingly, hydrolysis of steroidal saponins (2–10) resulted in its aglycones (2a–10a) correspondingly which showed anticomplement activity with the CH₅₀ values of 0.049–0.156 mg/mL.     

A Novel Canthin-6-One Alkaloid Isolated from Cell Suspension Cultures of Brucea Javanica (L.) Merr

During investigation of cell suspension cultures of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr., the canthin-6-one alkaloid 5,11-dimethoxycanthin-6-one (1) was isolated. The structural determination is based on spectral analysis. Five other alkaloids, canthin-6-one-3-N-oxide (2), 11-hydroxycanthin-6-one (3), canthin-6-one (4), 5-methoxycanthin-6-one (5), and 11-methoxycanthin-6-one (6), were also identified.     

Bruceines K and L from the Ripe Fruits of Brucea javanica

Bruceine K ( 1 ), a pentacyclic C₂₀‐quassinoid bearing a unique 12,20‐epoxy moiety, and bruceine L ( 2 ), along with the ten known compounds (6S,7E)‐6,9,10‐trihydroxy‐ and (6S,7E)‐6,9‐dihydroxymegastigma‐4,7‐dien‐3‐one ( 3 and 4 , resp.), cleomiscosins A–C, luteoline, quercetine, bruceantinol, pinoresinol, and thevetiaflavone, were isolated from the ripe fruits of Brucea javanica. Bruceines K ( 1 ) and L ( 2 ) were determined to be (1β,2α,11β,12β,14ξ,15β)‐12,20‐epoxy‐1,2,11,13,14,15‐hexahydroxypicras‐3‐en‐16‐one and (1β,2α,11β,12β,15β)‐13,20‐epoxy‐1,2,11,12‐tetrahydroxy‐16‐oxo‐15‐(senecioyloxy)picras‐3‐en‐21‐oic acid methyl ester (senecioic acid=3‐methylbut‐2‐enoic acid), respectively, on the basis of NMR (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC) and ESI‐MS data. Among the known compounds, (6S,7E)‐6,9,10‐trihydroxy‐ and (6S,7E)‐6,9‐dihydroxymegastigma‐4,7‐dien‐3‐one ( 3 and 4 , resp.), cleomiscosin C, luteoline, quercetine, and thevetiaflavone were isolated for the first time from the Brucea plants.     

Structural analysis and anticomplement activity of a novel homogenous polysaccharide isolated from Juniperus tibetica kom

Abstract

Juniperus tibetica Kom., a common forest species in Tibet, has been traditionally used in Tibetan medicine to treat rheumatic arthritis. In order to investigate the effective substances of J. tibetuca, anticomplent assay-guided fractionation using gradient anion-exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography was applied to the crude polysaccharides of the twigs and leaves of J. tibetica and led to the isolation of a homogenous polysaccharide, YB-PS. It exhibited a robust anticomplement activity (CH₅₀: 461?±?10?μg/mL) through the classical pathway of complement system activation by targeting complement components C1q, C3, C4 and C5. The structure of YB-PS was studied by monosaccharide composition and methylation analyses, 1?D, 2?D NMR data and scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that YB-PS was composed of Ara, Gal, and Glc with a molar ratio of 5.8:3.0:1.2. Its backbone was comprised of 1,3-linked α-Araf, 1,3,5-linked α-Araf, 1,2,4-linked α-Galp, and 1,3-linked α-Glcp with terminal α-Araf, β-Galp and 1,4-linked β-Galp as branches. YB-PS was found to have a sheet structure with smooth surface. This study provided scientific foundation for YB-PS as a potential complement inhibitor to treat diseases involved with excessive activation of the complement system.     

Medicinal Activities and Nanomedicine Delivery Strategies for Brucea javanica Oil and Its Molecular Components

Brucea javanica oil (BJO) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various types of cancer and inflammatory diseases. There is significant interest in understanding the medicinal activities of BJO and its molecular components, especially quassinoids, and in exploring how they can be incorporated into nanomedicine delivery strategies for improved application prospects. Herein, we cover the latest progress in developing different classes of drug delivery vehicles, including nanoemulsions, liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, and spongosomes, to encapsulate BJO and purified quassinoids. An introduction to the composition and medicinal activities of BJO and its molecular components, including quassinoids and fatty acids, is first provided. Application examples involving each type of drug delivery vehicle are then critically presented. Future opportunities for nanomedicine delivery strategies in the field are also discussed and considered within the context of translational medicine needs and drug development processes.     

Quassinoids from the Roots of Eurycoma longifolia and Their Anti-Proliferation Activities

A phytochemical investigation on the roots of medicinal plant Eurycoma longifolia resulted in the isolation of 10 new highly oxygenated C₂₀ quassinoids longifolactones G‒P (1–10), along with four known ones (11–14). Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic data. Notably, compound 1 is a rare pentacyclic C₂₀ quassinoid featuring a densely functionalized 2,5-dioxatricyclo[5.2.2.0^4,8]undecane core. Compound 4 represents the first example of quassinoids containing a 14,15-epoxy functionality, and 7 features an unusual α-oriented hydroxyl group at C-14. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferation activities on human leukemia cells. Among the isolates, compounds 5, 12, 13, and 14 potently inhibited the in vitro proliferation of K562 and HL-60 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.90 to 8.20 μM.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Curcuma wenyujin dreg and their biological activities

Four new sesquiterpenoids,4,8-dioxo-6β-hydroxyl-7β,1 1-epoxycarabrane(1),4,8-dioxo-6β-hydroxyl-7,1 1-epoxycarabrane(2),wenyujinins Q and R(3-4),and nine known sesquiterpenoids(5-13) were isolated from the Curcuma wenyujin(C wenyujin) dreg.Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated using 1D,2D NMR,and HR-ESI-MS data.All the compounds were isolated for the first time from the C.wenyujin dreg and evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities.Compounds 3,5-8 exhibited strong broad-spectrum antifungal activities against tested nine pathogenic fungi.     

Unprecedented Quassinoids with Promising Biological Activity from Harrisonia perforata

Perforalactone A ( 1 ), a new 20S quassinoid with a unique cagelike 2,4‐dioxaadamantane ring system and a migrated side chain, was isolated from the plant Harrisonia perforata together with two biosynthetically related new quassinoids. The structures of these natural products were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, computational modeling, and the CD excitation chirality method. The compounds exhibited notable biological properties, including insecticidal activity against Aphis medicaginis Koch and antagonist activity at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of Drosophila melanogaster. The structural features of these compounds may be related to their promising biological characteristics. Their biosynthesis and an alternative origin of quassinoid‐type natural products are also discussed.     

New isolates from leaves of Nicotiana tabacum and their biological activities

Three new isolates (1?3) including one new sterol and two new flavonoids together with three known sterols (4?6) were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus and cytotoxic activities. The results showed that compounds 2 and 3 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 34.2 and 33.4%, respectively, which were roughly equivalent to that of positive control. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1 and 4–6 against five human tumour cell lines were also tested, and tested compounds showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumour cell lines.     

Three quinolizidine dimers from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides and their hepatoprotective activities

Sophoralines A–C, three novel [2 + 2] cycloaddition dimers of matrine-based alkaloids with an unprecedented 6/6/6/6/4/6/6/6/6 nonacyclic skeleton containing 11 stereogenic centers, were isolated from Sophora alopecuroides. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations were further determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for 1 and quantum chemical calculations of electronic circular dichroism(ECD) spectra for 2 and 3. Moreover, 1 exhibi...     

Triterpenoid saponins from the seeds of Celosia argentea and their anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities

Three new triterpenoid saponins, named celosin E (1), celosin F (2) and celosin G (3), together with a known compound cristatain (4), were isolated from the seeds of Celosia argentea L. (Amaranthaceae). All the isolated compounds were obtained for the first time from this plant. The structures of new compounds were characterized on the basis of extensive NMR experiments and mass spectrometry data. The antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of the four compounds were tested in vitro.     

Arylnaphthalide lignans from Saussurea medusa and their anti-inflammatory activities

Five new arylnaphthalide lignans (1 ? 4a/4b), together with five known analogues (5–9), were isolated from whole plants of Saussurea medusa. Compound 4 was characterized as an aryltetralin lignan with an unusual C-7′-C-9 oxygen bridge group, and a chiral HPLC analysis was carried out to afford one pair of enantiomers (4a/4b). Structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All compounds were firstly isolated from S. medusa, and compounds 1–5, 7 and 8 had never been obtained from the genus Saussurea previously. Furthermore, this is the first report of arylnaphthalide lignans isolated from S. medusa. anti-inflammatory activities of the compounds were evaluated by determining their inhibitory activities on the production of NO by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds (?)-4a and 5 exerted the significant inhibition activities with IC₅₀ values of 13.4 ± 1.5 and 15.7 ± 1.1 μM, respectively, which even exceeded the positive control quercetin (IC₅₀ = 15.9 ± 1.2 μM). Compounds 2, (+)-4b, 6 and 9 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 19.7 ± 1.9 to 47.4 ± 3.1 μM. Further analysis by molecular docking showed that almost all the active compounds could interact with the amino acid residues of iNOS proteins, which also supported their anti-inflammatory activities.     

Coumarinolignans Isolated from the Seeds of Brucea javanica

A new coumarinolignan, cleomiscosin E ( 1 ), together with the known compound cleomiscosin A ( 2 ), has been isolated from the seeds of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr . Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectral studies. These two compounds exhibited potent anti‐inflammatory activities by inhibiting the nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated RAW264.7 macrophages.     

Prenylated sulfonyl amides from the leaves of Glycosmis pentaphylla and their potential anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities

Six previously undescribed sulfur-containing amides were isolated from the leaves of Glycosmis pentaphylla. Their structures were delineated by HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and DP4+ analyses based on gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) NMR calculations. Compounds 1–4 belong to the type of methylsulfonylpropenoic acid amides. Through different cyclization pathways of geranyloxy, compounds 1 and 2 carry uncommon cyclohexane-1, 3-diol and cyclohex-3-en-1-ol moiety, respectively. Compound 3 is the oxidation product of the double bond Δ^{6′′(7′′)} of geranyloxy. Compound 5 is elucidated as the type of methylsulfonylpropanoic acid amide. Compound 6 represents a rare sulfur-containing amide possessing a morpholin-3-one moiety. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. Compound 4 significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with the IC₅₀ value of 0.55 µM. Moreover, compounds 3 and 4 exhibited different anti-proliferative activities against HepG-2 with IC₅₀ values ??of 11.52 and 9.41 µM, respectively.     

Anticomplement and antitussive activities of major compound extracted from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaf

Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaf (CNOL), as a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used for the treatment of influenza and colds over a long history. However, the mechanism of colds related to the effects of CNOL have been little studied. In this study, the anticomplement and antitussive activities of different polarity extracts of CNOL were evaluated. Ethyl acetate extract (EAE) among different extracts not only significantly decreased cough times by 21–58% (P < 0.01), but also had anticomplement effects demonstrated by the CH₅₀ values of 0.100 mg/ml. A total of 28 constituents (10 coumarins, 13 flavonoids and five phenolics) were identified in EAE based on the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry technique. Eight compounds in EAE were evaluated by an ammonia-induced cough model to reveal the antitussive mechanisms and classical anticomplement pathway. The results indicated that the antitussive effects of scopoletin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol may depend on central mechanisms and that flavonoids such as compounds of kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol have better anticomplementary activity than coumarins like compounds of scopolin, scopoletin and isofraxidin. Taken together, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol could be important chemical markers in the present study that might be used to evaluate the quality and biological activity of CNOL.     

Two new flavonoids from Artemisia argyi with their anticoagulation activities

A new flavone glycoside, eupatilin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and a new flavone, 5,6,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-7,5′-dimethoxyflavone (2), were isolated from Artemisia argyi. Their structures were unambiguously elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Both flavonoids were evaluated for in vitro anticoagulation activities. Compound 1 significantly extended thrombin time. Compound 2 had obvious effect in increasing prothrombin time.     

Two Natural Flavonoid Substituted Polysaccharides from Tamarix chinensis: Structural Characterization and Anticomplement Activities

Two novel natural flavonoid substituted polysaccharides (MBAP-1 and MBAP-2) were obtained from Tamarix chinensis Lour. and characterized by HPGPC, methylation, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-IT-MSⁿ), and NMR analysis. The results showed that MBAP-1 was a homogenous heteropolysaccharide with a backbone of 4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→ and →3,4,6)-β-d-Glcp-(1→. MBAP-2 was also a homogenous polysaccharide which possessed a backbone of →3)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→ and →3,4)-β-d-Glcp-2-OMe-(1→. Both the two polysaccharides were substituted by quercetin and exhibited anticomplement activities in vitro. However, MBAP-1 (CH₅₀: 0.075 ± 0.004 mg/mL) was more potent than MBAP-2 (CH₅₀: 0.249 ± 0.006 mg/mL) and its reduced product, MBAP-1R (CH₅₀: 0.207 ± 0.008 mg/mL), indicating that multiple monosaccharides and uronic acids might contribute to the anticomplement activity of the flavonoid substituted polysaccharides of T. chinensis. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of MBAP-1 was also more potent than that of MBAP-2. In conclusion, these two flavonoid substituted polysaccharides from T. chinensis were found to be potential oxidant and complement inhibitors.     

Purification and characterization of two grandiuvarones from Desmos chinensis leaves and their antimicrobial activities

Abstract

A novel aromatic compound, grandiuvarone B (5-acetoxy-3-benzoyloxymethyl-5H-oxepin-4-one), along with a known compound grandiuvarone A (5-acetoxy-6-benzoyloxymethyl-5H-oxepin-4-one) were isolated from methanol extracts of Desmos chinensis leaves. Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and circular dichroism (CD). Grandiuvarone A and grandiuvarone B are isomers and the S configuration of grandiuvarone B was reported for the first time. We then determined their antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. Results revealed that grandiuvarone B exhibited better antifungal activity against A. flavus, with MIC values of 0.01?mg/mL compared to grandiuvarone A (MIC values of 0.02?mg/mL). In the presence of each active compound at 160?μg/g of aquafeed, A. flavus growth was completely inhibited. Grandiuvarone B also showed antibacterial activity against the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum.     

吲唑衍生物及其生物活性研究进展

吲唑衍生物具有抗肿瘤、抗菌、抗炎及治疗骨质疏松等多种生物活性,因此,在药物化学领域受到广泛的关注,具有巨大研究前景及价值。本文总结归纳了近几年来与吲唑衍生物相关的文献,对单取代、双取代及多取代吲唑衍生物及其生物活性的最新研究进展进行了综述,希望能为开发高效低毒的吲唑衍生物提供一定的理论基础。