Caragisides A – C,New Isoflavone Glucosides from Caragana conferta with Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation

Caragisides A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), three new isoflavone glucosides, were isolated from the BuOH sub‐fraction of the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Caragana conferta, along with ononoside ( 4 ), reported for the first time from this species. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including MS and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 – 3 showed significant inhibition of platelet aggregation.     

Enzymatic Synthesis of Acylphloroglucinol 3‐C‐Glucosides from 2‐O‐Glucosides using a C‐Glycosyltransferase from Mangifera indica

A green and cost‐effective process for the convenient synthesis of acylphloroglucinol 3‐C‐glucosides from 2‐O‐glucosides was exploited using a novel C‐glycosyltransferase (MiCGTb) from Mangifera indica. Compared with previously characterized CGTs, MiCGTb exhibited unique de‐O‐glucosylation promiscuity and high regioselectivity toward structurally diverse 2‐O‐glucosides of acylphloroglucinol and achieved high yields of C‐glucosides even with a catalytic amount of uridine 5′‐diphosphate (UDP). These findings demonstrate for the first time the significant potential of a single‐enzyme approach to the synthesis of bioactive C‐glucosides from both natural and unnatural acylphloroglucinol 2‐O‐glucosides.     

Xylocosides A – G,Phenolic Glucosides from the Stems of Xylosma controversum

Seven new phenolic glucosides, xylocosides A–G ( 1 – 7 ), together with 18 known compounds were isolated from the stems of Xylosma controversum Clos . In compounds 3 – 6 , the glucose residue is esterified at C(6) by 2‐hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid. These new structures were established by spectroscopic‐data interpretation and chemical methods.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Fungicidal Activity of Novel 1,5‐Diaryl‐3‐(glucopyranosyloxy)‐1H‐pyrazoles

Five novel pyrazole‐coupled glucosides, 1,5‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosides 5a – 5e , were synthesized by the phase‐transfer catalytic reaction of 1,5‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐ols 4a – 4e with acetobromo‐α‐D ‐glucose in H₂O/CHCl₃ under alkaline conditions, using Bu₄N⁺Br^? as catalyst. Then, glucosides 5a – 5c were deacetylated in a solution of Na₂CO₃/MeOH to yield the 1,5‐diaryl‐3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐1H‐pyrazoles 6a – 6c . Their structures were characterized by ¹H,¹H‐COSY, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ¹⁹F‐NMR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis. The structures of 5d and 6c were also determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. A preliminary in vitro bioassay indicated that compounds 4e and 5d exhibited excellent‐to‐medium fungicidal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum at the dosage of 10 μg/ml.     

Size Effect of Colloidal Selenium Particles on the Inhibition of LPS‐Induced Nitric Oxide Production

We have studied the size‐dependent inhibition capabilities of colloidal selenium (Se) particles on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. Four particle sizes of the nano‐Se, ranging from 45 ? 220 nm in diameter, were examined. All of them, unlike their bulk material, show clear capabilities of inhibition and a trend dependent on the particles size. The inhibition becomes more potent as the particle size increases. It indicates that pursuing the reduction of colloidal sizes into nanoscale is not favoured in this biological system.     

Anti-Inflammatory,Antioxidative, and Nitric Oxide-Scavenging Activities of a Quercetin Nanosuspension with Polyethylene Glycol in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Quercetin (Qu) is a dietary antioxidant and a member of flavonoids in the plant polyphenol family. Qu has a high ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) molecules; hence, exhibiting beneficial effects in preventing obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation. However, quercetin has low bioavailability due to poor water solubility, low absorption, and rapid excretion from the body. To address these issues, the usage of Qu nanosuspensions can improve physical stability, solubility, and pharmacokinetics. Therefore, we developed a Qu and polyethylene glycol nanosuspension (Qu-PEG NS) and confirmed its interaction by Fourier transform infrared analysis. Qu-PEG NS did not show cytotoxicity to HaCaT and RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, Qu-PEG NS effectively reduced the nitrogen oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, Qu-PEG NS effectively lowered the levels of COX-2, NF-κB p65, and IL-1β in the LPS-induced inflammatory RAW 264.7 cells. Specifically, Qu-PEG NS exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by scavenging the ROS and RNS and mediated the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways. In addition, Qu-PEG NS had a high antioxidant effect and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. Therefore, the developed novel nanosuspension showed comparable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial functions and may also improve solubility and physical stability compared to raw quercetin.     

New α‐Tetralone Galloylglucosides from the Fresh Pericarps of Juglans sigillata

Three new α‐tetralone galloylglucosides, 1 – 3 , were isolated from the fresh pericarps of Juglans sigillata (Juglandaceae), together with six known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined as 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐7‐hydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (1S)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐8‐hydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐7,8‐dihydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), respectively, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis. The antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds 2, 4 , and 7 – 9 were evaluated.     

Purification,Structural Characterization and Immunomodulatory Effects of Polysaccharides from Amomum villosum Lour. on RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Amomum Villosum Lour. (A. villosum) is a folk medicine that has been used for more than 1300 years. However, study of the polysaccharides of A. villosum is seriously neglected. The objectives of this study are to explore the structural characteristics of polysaccharides from A. villosum (AVPs) and their effects on immune cells. In this study, the acidic polysaccharides (AVPG-1 and AVPG-2) were isolated from AVPs and purified via anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The structural characteristics of the polysaccharides were characterized by methylation, HPSEC-MALLS-RID, HPLC, FT-IR, SEM, GC-MS and NMR techniques. AVPG-1 with a molecular weight of 514 kDa had the backbone of → 4)-α-d-Glcp-(1 → 3,4)-β-d-Glcp-(1 → 4)-α-d-Glcp-(1 →. AVPG-2 with a higher molecular weight (14800 kDa) comprised a backbone of → 4)-α-d-Glcp-(1 → 3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1 → 4)-α-d-Glcp-(1 →. RAW 264.7 cells were used to investigate the potential effect of AVPG-1 and AVPG-2 on macrophages, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as a positive control. The results from bioassays showed that AVPG-2 exhibited stronger immunomodulatory activity than AVPG-1. AVPG-2 significantly induced nitric oxide (NO) production as well as the release of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and upregulated phagocytic capacities of RAW 264.7 cells. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that AVPG-2 was able to turn the polarization of macrophages to the M1 direction. These results suggested that AVPs could be explored as potential immunomodulatory agents of the functional foods or complementary medicine.     

Rapid identification of glycerophospholipids from RAW264.7 cells by UPLC/ESI ‐QTOF‐MS

The study aims to develop a rapid, sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization quadruple time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS) analytical method for identifying glycerophospholipids (GPLs) from RAW264.7 cells. A total of 78 GPLs including 22 phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), 49 phosphatidylcholines (PCs), four phosphatidylglycerols, one phosphatidylinositol and two unknown GPLs were identified. PC (14:0/16:1), PC (14:0/16:0), PE (0:0/20:3), PE (22:5/0:0) and PE (22:3/0:0) were identified for the first time. The UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS method is suitable for targeting analysis of GPLs from RAW264.7 cells, which allows us to find out new GPLs compositions related to inflammatory diseases and to explain their pharmacological roles in inflammatory process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Mechanism of Ligand‐Induced Activation or Inhibition of μ‐ and κ‐Opioid Receptors

G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important targets for treating severe diseases. However why certain molecules act as activators whereas others, with similar structures, block GPCR activation, is poorly understood since the same molecule can activate one receptor subtype while blocking another closely related receptor. To shed light on these central questions, we used all‐atom, long‐time‐scale molecular dynamics simulations on the κ‐opioid and μ‐opioid receptors (κOR and μOR). We found that water molecules penetrating into the receptor interior mediate the activating versus blocking effects of a particular ligand–receptor interaction. Both the size and the flexibility of the bound ligand regulated water influx into the receptor. The solvent‐accessible inner surface area was found to be a parameter that can help predict the function of the bound ligand.     

O‐Glycosylation/Alkylation and Antimicrobial Activity of 4,6‐Diaryl‐2‐Oxonicotinonitrile Derivatives

A series of glycosylation and alkylation reactions of 6‐phenanthernyl‐2‐pyridone derivatives 1a , 1b containing electron withdrawing and electron donating substituents at 4‐position is reported. Regioselective 2‐O‐ alkylated/glycosylated products were obtained exclusively, irrespective of the electronic nature of alkylating or the glycosyling agent. Glycosylation of 1a , 1b with glucosyl/galactosyl and lactosyl bromides afforded 2a , 2b ; 4a , 4b ; and 6a , respectively. Alkylation of 1a , 1b with epichlorohydrin, propargyl, allyl bromides, and 3‐chloropropanol resulted in compounds 8 , 9 , 10 and 13 , respectively. Deprotection of O‐glycosylated products under conventional conditions provided the free glycosides 3a , 3b ; 5a , 5b ; 7a , 12 ; and 13 , respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration for some of the newly synthesized compounds showed high significant activity against Gram (+ve) and Gram (−ve) and antifungal activities. Among the screened compounds, the 4‐trifluromethyl phenyl derivatives 2a , 3a , 4a , 8a , and 11a exhibited strong antimicrobial activity.     

Synthesis of benzyl O-(2,3,3'-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-apiofuranosyl)-(1→3)-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-D-xylopyranoside and its X-ray structure

The protected apiose-containing disaccharide, benzyl O-(2,3, 3'-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-apiofuranosyl)-( 1→3)-2, 4-di-O-benzoyl-α-D-xylopyranoside, was synthesized and its X-ray structure provided.     

Synthesis of an analog of ( )-goniopypyrone from 3- O- benzyl-1,2- O-isopropylidene-5- C-phenyl-α-D-gluco-pentofuranose

8,9-Dimethoxy-7-epi-goniopypyrone, an analog of ( )-go-niopypyrone, was synthesized from 3-O-benzyl-1, 2-O-iso-propylidene-5-C-phenyl-α-D-gluco-pentofuranose (3).