Hepatoprotective activity of Cichorium endivia L. extract and its chemical constituents

The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective properties of Cichorium endivia L. extract (CEE), and to identify its chemical constituents. CEE significantly blocked the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, oral administration of CEE to mice before the treatment of t-BHP exhibited a markedly protective effect by lowering serum levels of ALT and AST, inhibiting the changes in liver biochemistry including MDA, SOD, GSH and GST, as well as ameliorating the liver injuries according to the histopathological observations. According to the acute oral toxicity test, the LD(50) of CEE was greater than 5,000 mg/kg, which demonstrates that the CEE can be considered practically non-toxic. Phytochemical analysis of CEE showed the presence of five compounds identified as 2-furanmethanol-(5'→11)-1,3-cyclopentadiene-[5,4-c]-1H-cinnoline, which is a new cinnoline derivative derived from a natural source but not synthesis, 2-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, kaempferol, and adenosine. In the ORAC assay, CEE and its constituents kaempferol and kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside had considerable antioxidant potency. Taken together, CEE protects hepatic tissue from oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo, potentially due to its phenolic substances, and does not cause acute oral toxicity, which suggests that CEE may be a valid and safe remedy to cure liver disease.     

Constituents from Bupleurum montanum (Coss. & Dur.) (Apiaceae)

A chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Bupleurum montanum (Coss. & Dur.) (Apiaceae) afforded five compounds, quercitin 1, tamarexetin 2, isorhamnetin-3-rutinoside 3, kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside 4, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (Protocatechuic acid) 5. The structural elucidation was performed mainly by MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectrum data.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of cumin oil (Cuminum cyminum, Apiaceae)

Cumin oil samples (Cuminum cyminum L.) from four different geographical origins were analyzed using GC-MS and GC-FID for their qualitative and quantitative composition. The major compounds in all cumin oils were the monoterpenes beta-pinene, p-cymene and gamma-terpinene and the terpenoid aldehydes cuminic aldehyde and the isomeric menthadien carboxaldehydes. All essential oils, and cuminic aldehyde, were tested, using agar diffusion and serial dilution methods, against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from different sources of food (pork fillet, minced meat and sausages) and clinical isolates, as well as three different Candida albicans isolates. All cumin oils and cuminic aldehyde exhibited a considerable inhibitory effect against all the organisms tested, except Pseudomonas spp.     

Chemical constituents of Nepalese propolis (II)

A novel flavanonol (1), three new isoflavones (2-4) and a new flavan-3-ol (5) were isolated along with ten other known flavonoids (6-15) from the methanolic extract of propolis collected from Chitwan, Nepal. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oil from Tornabenea bischoffii (Apiaceae)

The chemical composition of Tornabenea bischoffii J. A. Schmidt essential oil from Cape Verde was studied by GC and GC/MS. Sixty volatile compounds were identified of which myristicin was the major constituent (33.6%). Using the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free-radical scavenging method and the in vitro assay for prevention of lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric reactive species, significant antioxidant activities were evidenced.     

New Guaiane Sesquiterpenes from the Fruits of Torilis japonica

Three new guaiane type sesquiterpenes were isolated from the methanolic extract of the fruits of Torilis japonica together with a known compound, torilin (1). Their structures were established as 11-acetoxy-8-isobutyryl-4-guaien-3-one (2), 11-acetoxy-8-methacrylyl-4-guaien-3-one (3), and 11-acetoxy-8-propionyl-4-guaien-3-one (4) by spectroscopic methods. These compounds inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophages RAW 264.7 cells.     

Bioactive constituents from Rollinia emarginata (Annonaceae)

From an Argentine collection of the tropical tree Rollinia emarginata (Annonaceae), vomifoliol, dehydrovomifoliol, blumenol C, loliolide, 7-epiloliolide, vanillin, dihydroactinolide, as well as other common plant constituents were obtained, and identified by their NMR and MS features compared with authentic samples. Antifeedant and toxic actions were exerted to the polyphagous moth Spodoptera frugiperda by the ethanol extract of the plant, at 250 ppm in the larval diet. Additionally, in greenhouse studies, a 200 ppm aqueous solution of the extract produced a post-emergency herbicidal effect on the annual weed common lambsquarter (Chenopodium album).     

The coloring constituents of Scleroderma sinnamariense (Sclerodermaceae)

Two known coloring constituents, methyl 4,4'-dimethoxyvulpinate (1) and 4,4'-dimethoxyvulpinic acid (2) have been isolated from the fruit body of fungus Scleroderma sinnamariense Mont. The methanolic extract, its fractions and compound (2) showed moderate activity to inhibit the growth of some pathogenic testing microbes used.     

Essential oil composition of the different parts of Eryngium corniculatum Lam. (Apiaceae) from Spain

The essential oil from the different parts (inflorescences, stems+leaves and roots) of E. corniculatum Lam. gathered in Guadalajara (Spain) has been extracted by steam distillation and analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Quantitative and qualitative differences have been found between the analysed parts, although all of them contained the same principal compound, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde, representing the 50.8%, 50.0%, and 29.8% of the total oil for inflorescences, stems+leaves and roots, respectively. Other representative constituents of the oil were similar in the different fractions: in the inflorescences compounds were found to be alpha-pinene (4.0%), chrysanthenyl acetate (4.0%), 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde (3.3%), (2Z,6E)-farnesol (2.0%), (E)-nerolidol (2.1%) and (Z)-beta-ocimene (2.1%), while the stems+leaves oil showed 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde (3.8%), alpha-pinene (3.4%), (E)-nerolidol (2.4%) and (2Z,6E)-farnesol (2.1%), and in the roots oil a phyllocladene isomer (13.0%), (E)-nerolidol (9.4%), beta-eudesmol (4.1%) and (2Z,6E)-farnesol (2.1%) were found. The presence of C-10 compounds as the main fraction for an Eryngium species is worth mentioning. This is the first report on the chemical composition of this Mediterranean endemic species.     

Secondary Metabolite Profiling,Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Activity of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth

The present study aimed to analyze the phytoconstituents of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth. Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of ethanol (EE), chloroform (CE) and dichloromethane (DCME) of stem extracts were evaluated using in vivo experimental models. The extracts were analyzed for phytoconstituents using GC-HRMS. Anti-inflammatory activity of CE, EE and DCME was accessed using carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and the carrageenan-induced air-pouch model in Wistar albino rats. The hepatotoxicity-induced animal models were investigated for the biochemical markers in serum (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total lipids and total protein) and liver (total protein, total lipids, GSH and wet liver weight). In the in vivo study, animals were divided into different groups (six in each group) for accessing the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity, respectively. GC-HRMS analysis revealed the presence of 102 compounds, among which 24 were active secondary metabolites. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of stem extracts was found in the order: indomethacin > chloroform extract (CE) > dichloromethane extract (DCME) > ethanolic extract (EE), and hepatoprotective activity of stem extracts in the order: CE > silymarin > EE > DCME. The results indicate that N. triquetra stem has a higher hepatoprotective effect than silymarin, however the anti-inflammatory response was in accordance with or lower than indomethacin.     

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Sprouts Modified with Probiotic Yeast

Buckwheat sprouts are a source of various nutrients, e.g., antioxidant flavonoids, which have a positive effect on human health. This study analyzed the content of phenolic compounds and assessed their impact on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and dietary fiber in modified buckwheat sprouts. For this purpose, the buckwheat seeds were modified by adding Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii. The modified buckwheat sprouts showed a higher content of total phenol compounds (1526 µg/g d.w.) than the control sprouts (951 µg/g d.w.) and seeds (672 µg/g d.w.). As a consequence, a higher antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect were noted. Probiotic-rich sprouts also had the highest content of total dietary fiber and its soluble fraction. A correlation between phenolic compounds and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as dietary fiber, was shown. The interaction between dietary fiber and phenolic compounds affects the bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity of phenolic compounds in food. The introduction of probiotic yeast into the sprouts had a positive effect on increasing their nutritional value, as well as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. As a consequence, the nutraceutical potential of the raw material changed, opening a new direction for the use of buckwheat sprouts, e.g., in industry.     

Properties of DNA from Various Local Strains of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna radiata)

The buoyant density of DNA from various local strains of mung-bean nodule bacteria (Bradyrhizobium sp.) was determined by ultracentrifugation in an equilibrium CsCl gradient. The number of GC base pairs (61.1-62.7% mol %) and DNA melting point (94.3-95.0°C) were calculated from the buoyant density. DNA preparations purified by ultracentrifugation in a CsCl gradient by electrophoresis show a bimodal distribution. The DNA composition varies little (1.6 mol %). The electrophoretic distribution of local and Type-strain mung-bean nodule bacteria are identical. This proves that they belong to a single taxonomic group.     

Studies on the constituents of Lagochilus leiacanthus (Labiatae)

Two flavanones, 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone (1), 5,2',6'-trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavanone (2) and their 2'-O-β-D-glucosides (3, 4), and a neoclerodane-type diterpene, 15-demethoxyscupolin I (5), together with twenty-eight known compounds were isolated from the extracts of Lagochilus leiacanthus. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic means. The two new flavanones and some known flavonoids showed the inhibitory activity on the release of β-hexosaminidase from RBL-2H3 cells.     

Xanthones and other constituents of Allanblackia monticola (Guttiferae)

A xanthone derivative, 3,6,7-trihydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone has been isolated from the stem bark of Allanblackia monticola together with other known compounds, 2,6-dihydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone, allanxanthone A, epicathechin and oleanolic acid acetate. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

Chemical constituents of the Mexican mistletoe (Psittacanthus calyculatus)

A phytochemical study of the methanol-soluble fraction of an aqueous extract of a sample of Psittacanthus calyculatus collected from the host plant Prosopsis laevigata (Smooth Mesquite) using several techniques, including co-chromatography coupled with UV detection, chromatographic purifications and IR, NMR and MS studies, resulted in the identification of gallic acid, two flavonol-3-biosides and the nonprotein amino acid N-methyl-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline.     

Bioactive constituents of Iris hybrida (Iridaceae): Processing effect

Iris genus plants are a valuable source of bioactive compounds, which are an important component for pharmaceutical development. The present article shows the potential for mineral nutrition with application of magnesium sulfate, iron chelates and potassium oxide affecting the phenolic compound contents in Iris hybrida ‘Tsikavynka’, I. hybrida ‘Tambo’ and I. hybridа ‘Widecombe Fire’. The effect of mineral processing was specific to plant organs and varied in the component composition. The Iris rhizomes had an increased total phenolic compound content after treatment (up to 10% of the total isoflavonoid content, up to 8% of phenolic acids, up to 5% of γ-pyrones and up to 13% of flavonoids), determined using UV–vis spectroscopy. A positive effect of nutrition on the biosynthesis and content of individual isoflavonoids (tectoridin, nigricin d -glucoside, genistin, iristectorigenin B, nigricin, irigenin and irisolidone) and xanthone mangiferin in Iris rhizomes by HPLC was established. In addition, an increase in the chlorogenic acid amount in Iris leaves was noted. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of Iris phenylpropanoid metabolism to mineral nutrition and can be used to predict medical plant cultivation with increased content of bioactive constituents.     

Isolation of chemical constituents from Enicosanthum cupulare (King) Airy-Shaw

Six chemical constituents were isolated from Enicosanthum cupulare (King) Airy-Shaw. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined using 1D, 2D-NMR and were found to be identical to those previously reported for these compounds. Three aporphine alkaloids, O-methylmoschatoline, liriodenine and oxostephanine were isolated from this plant for the first time. In addition, we examined the effects of these compounds on melanogenesis in murine B16 melanoma cells; O-methylmoschatoline increased melanin content in these cells.