Chemical constituents of two sages with free radical scavenging activity

From the aerial parts of Salvia trichoclada Bentham and S. verticillata L. one new and two known phenolic acids, 3-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl propionic acid (1), 3-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl) lactic acid (2), and rosmarinic acid (3); two flavonoids, apigenin 4'-methyl ether 7-O-glucuronide (4), and luteolin 7-O-beta glucuronide (5); two lupan type triterpene aglycones, lupeol (6), and 30-hydroxylup-20 (29)-en-3-on (7); an oleanane-type triterpene acid, oleanolic acid (8); and an ursan-type triterpene acid, ursolic acid (9) were isolated. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Different extracts of the plants were examined for their free radical scavenging activities by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Some of the polar extracts showed high free radical scavenging activity.     

Ceratoluteolin: A new flavonoid from Salvia ceratophylla from Jordan

Ceratoluteolin 1, a new luteolin derivative was isolated from Salvia Ceratophylla growing wild in Jordan along with other 14 known compounds including two sterols, two triterpenes, four flavonoids and six phenolic compounds, one of which is reported for the first time from Lamiaceae family. The isolated compounds were genkwanin-4′-methyl ether 2, β-sitosterol 3, oleanolic acid 4, ursolic acid 5, apigenin 6, β-sitosteryl glucoside 7, p-hydroxyphenyl caffeate 8, caffeic acid 9, shimobashiric acid B 10, methyl rosmarinate 11, butyl rosmarinate 12, luteolin 13, luteolin-7-O-glucoside 14 and rosmarinic acid 15. Complete structural verification of the isolated compounds was achieved by careful inspection of their spectral data including NMR (1D & 2D) and HREIMS.     

Molecular Recognition of Rosmarinic Acid from Salvia sclareoides Extracts by Acetylcholinesterase: A New Binding Site Detected by NMR Spectroscopy

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition is one of the most currently available therapies for the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) symptoms. In this context, NMR spectroscopy binding studies were accomplished to explain the inhibition of AChE activity by Salvia sclareoides extracts. HPLC‐MS analyses of the acetone, butanol and water extracts eluted with methanol and acidified water showed that rosmarinic acid is present in all the studied samples and is a major constituent of butanol and water extracts. Moreover, luteolin 4′‐O‐glucoside, luteolin 3′,7‐di‐O‐glucoside and luteolin 7‐O‐(6′′‐O‐acetylglucoside) were identified by MS² and MS³ data acquired during the LC‐MSⁿ runs. Quantification of rosmarinic acid by HPLC with diode‐array detection (DAD) showed that the butanol extract is the richest one in this component (134 μg mg^?1 extract). Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy binding experiments of S. sclareoides crude extracts in the presence of AChE in buffer solution determined rosmarinic acid as the only explicit binder for AChE. Furthermore, the binding epitope and the AChE‐bound conformation of rosmarinic acid were further elucidated by STD and transferred NOE effect (trNOESY) experiments. As a control, NMR spectroscopy binding experiments were also carried out with pure rosmarinic acid, thus confirming the specific interaction and inhibition of this compound against AChE. The binding site of AChE for rosmarinic acid was also investigated by STD‐based competition binding experiments using Donepezil, a drug currently used to treat AD, as a reference. These competition experiments demonstrated that rosmarinic acid does not compete with Donepezil for the same binding site. A 3D model of the molecular complex has been proposed. Therefore, the combination of the NMR spectroscopy based data with molecular modelling has permitted us to detect a new binding site in AChE, which could be used for future drug development.     

Diterpenoid tanshinones and phenolic acids from cultured hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and their antimicrobial activities

Four diterpenoid tanshinones and three phenolic acids were isolated from the crude ethanol extract of the cultured hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by bioassay-guided fractionation. By means of physicochemical and spectrometric analysis, they were identified as tanshinone ΙΙA (1), tanshinone Ι (2), cryptotanshinone (3), dihydrotanshinone Ι (4), rosmarinic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), and danshensu (7). These compounds were evaluated to show a broad antimicrobial spectrum of activity on test microorganisms including eight bacterial and one fungal species. Among the four tanshinones, cryptotanshinone (3) and dihydrotanshinone Ι (4) exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than tanshinone ΙΙA (1) and tanshinone Ι (2). The results indicated that the major portion of the antimicrobial activity was due to the presence of tanshinones and phenolic acids in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots, which could be used as the materials for producing antimicrobial agents for use in agricultural practice in the future.     

Determination of rosmarinic acid in sage and borage leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography with different detection methods

Rosmarinic acid is separated and identified on the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV-mass spectrometry data in 80% methanol in water extracts from the leaves of Salvia species (S. officinalis, S. glutinosa, S. aethiopis, S. sclarea, and Borago officinalis) as a dominant radical scavenger towards the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) stable radical in HPLC-DPPH* system. The content of rosmarinic acid in the plants is calibrated and quantitated from chromatograms obtained by UV detection at 280 nm. The concentration ranges from 13.3 to 47.3 mg of the phenolic acid per gram dried leaves of all plants is tested. S. glutinosa and S. sclarea have the highest concentration of rosmarinic acid. The amount of rosmarinic acid in borage leaves is similar compared with Salvia officinalis (15 mg/g). The HPLC-DPPH* system is calibrated for quantitative DPPH* scavenging assessment of rosmarinic acid. The results reveal excellent correlation (r2 = 0.98) between the rosmarinic acid concentration and antiradical activity.     

Phytochemical Fingerprinting and In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of the Aerial Parts of Thymus marschallianus Willd. and Thymus seravschanicus Klokov Growing Widely in Southern Kazakhstan

The chemical composition of the hydroethanolic extracts (60% v/v) from the aerial parts of Thymus marschallianus Willd (TM) and Thymus seravschanicus Klokov (TS) from Southern Kazakhstan flora was analyzed together with their hexane fractions. Determination of antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of both extracts was also performed. RP-HPLC/PDA and HPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS showed that there were some differences between the composition of both extracts. The most characteristic components of TM were rosmarinic acid, protocatechuic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, and apigenin 7-O-glucuronide, while protocatechuic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, and eriodictyol predominated in TS. The content of polyplenols was higher in TS than in TM. The GC-MS analysis of the volatile fraction of both examined extracts revealed the presence of thymol and carvacrol. Additionally, sesquiterpenoids, fatty acids, and their ethyl esters were found in TM, and fatty acid methyl esters in TS. The antioxidant activity of both extracts was similar. The antibacterial activity of TS extract was somewhat higher than TM, while antifungal activity was the same. TS extract was the most active against Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43504 with MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) = 0.625 mg/mL, exerting a bactericidal effect. The obtained data provide novel information about the phytochemistry of both thyme species and suggest new potential application of TS as a source of bioactive compounds, especially with anti-H. pylori activity.     

Constituents of the Whole Herb of Clinoponium laxiflorum

The isolation and identification of twenty‐two components (including one new compound) from the whole herb of Clinoponium laxiflorum (Hay) Matsum (Labiatae) are described. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral and chemical transformation. One new compound is methyl rosmarinate. The other twenty‐one compounds include three steroids (α‐spinasterol, α‐spinasteryl‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, and β‐sitosteryl‐3‐O‐β‐glucopyranoside), three triterpenes (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, and betulinic acid), nine flavonoids (didymin, apigenin‐7‐O‐β‐glucopyranoside, luteolin‐7‐O‐β‐glucopyranoside, isosakuranetin, narigenin, apigenin, luteolin, narirutin, and hesperidin), three lignolic acids (rosmarinic acid, 3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)lactic acid, and caffeic acid), and three phenols (4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde, and 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid).     

Analysis of Danshen and twelve related Salvia species

Danshen is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, but over twenty Salvia species are used as Danshen by local herbalists. In this study, twelve Salvia species from the plateau of Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces were collected, analyzed and compared with Danshen by HPLC. The results showed that most of the Salvia species were good sources of rosmarinic acid and tanshinones. The highest amount of both rosmarinic acid and tanshinone IIA were found in S. przewalskii Maxim. These results pave the way for a better therapeutic exploitation of these plants.     

Constituents of Clinopodium Umbrosum

The isolation and identification of fifteen crystalline components from the whole herb of Clinopodium umbrosum (Bieb.) C. Koch (Labiatae) are described. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral evidence and chemical transformation. These compounds include five steroids (α-spinasterone, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, α-spinasterol, and α-spinasteryl-3-O-β-glucopyranoside), four triterpenoids (3β-hydroxyurs-11-en-28,13-olide, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid), four flavonoids (luteolin, luteolin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside, apigenin-7-O-β-glucuronide, and apigenin-7-O-β-methylglucuronate), and two lignolic acids [3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)- lactic acid and rosmarinic acid].     

Benzolignanoid and Polyphenols from Origanum Vulgare

A new dihydrobenzodioxane derivative, origalignanol ( 10 ), together with nine polyphenolic compounds, salvianolic acid A ( 1 ), salvianolic acid C ( 2 ), lithospermic acid ( 3 ), apigenin 7‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide ( 4 ), apigenin 7‐O‐β‐D‐(6″‐methyl)glucuronide ( 5 ), luteolin, ( 6 ), luteolin 7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ), luteolin 7‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide ( 8 ), and luteolin 7‐O‐β‐D‐xylopyranoside ( 9 ), were isolated from the aqueous ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Origanum vulgare for the first time. The structure of new compound 10 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Compound 5 is probably an artifact formed during the isolation. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed strong DPPH radical scavenging activity with an EC₅₀ of 7.2 ± 0.4, 9.6 ± 0.9, and 9.5 ± 0.7 μM, respectively, and protected rat hepatocytes from CCl₄‐damage at 100 μM.     

Salvia officinalis L.: composition and antioxidant-related activities of a crude extract and selected sub-fractions

The composition and antioxidant properties of a methanol: acetic acid (99:1, v/v) soluble crude extract isolated from S. officinalis L. leaves through maceration and selected fractions isolated thereof are presented in this study. The total phenol content was estimated as gallic acid equivalents, whilst qualitative-quantitative phenolic content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. Antioxidant evaluation consisted of ferric reductive capacity and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radical scavenging determinations. The crude extract contained hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids and diterpenoids, whilst caffeic acid, carnosic acid, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and rosmarinic acid were identified from their chromatographic and spectral characteristics and quantified from their respective calibration curves. The crude extract and sub-fractions demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in the antioxidant-related assays used, except the n-hexane fraction, which was unable to reduce iron(III) at reasonable concentrations. Although the positive controls, ascorbic acid, BHA and BHT, were more potent than the S. officinalis samples, two fractions were significantly (p < 0.05) more potent iron(III) reducing agents than pycnogenol, a proanthocyanidin-rich commercial preparation.     

Phenolic acid contents, essential oil compositions and antioxidant activities of two varieties of Salvia euphratica from Turkey

This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of n-hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), methanol (MeOH) and essential oils (EO) extracts obtained from Salvia euphratica var. euphratica and Salvia euphratica var. leiocalycina and to determine their essential oil and phenolic acid compositions. The samples were screened for their antioxidant activity by using DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. Methanol extracts of both varieties exhibited strong antioxidant activities. Our results showed that rosmarinic acid was dominant phenolic acid of MeOH extracts (39.4 and 55.8?μg?mg?1, respectively). The chemical compositions of essential oils of two varieties were analysed and their main components were determined as eucalyptol (18.4%) and trans-pinocarvyl acetate (24.9%), respectively. It can be said that these varieties could be used as natural antioxidant.     

Interactions of acetylcholinesterase with salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid from Salvia miltiorhiza water extract investigated by NMR relaxation rate

In order to understand whether the ameliorating effect on old ages memory disorder by the root of Salvia miltiorhiza is related to the acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） inhibition, two main ingredients, salvianolic acid B （1） and rosmarinic acid （2）, which were isolated from S. miltiorhiza water extract, were investigated in vitro by NMR relaxation rate in this work. The results showed that the proton selective relaxation rates and the molecular rotational correlation time of proton pairs for compounds 1 and 2 increased significantly by adding of AChE in mixing solution. The study reveals that the two compounds might bind to the enzyme and have ACHE inhibitory effect, which could contribute to the ameliorating effect at some extent on old ages memory disorder.     

Phenolic compounds from the aerial parts of Diplomorpha canescens

One new C-methyl flavanone glucoside, farrerol 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) was isolated from the aerial parts of Diplomorpha canescens (MEISN.) C. A. MEYER. Fourteen known phenolic compounds such as farrerol (2), luteolin 7-methyl ether 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (-)-pinoresinol (4), (-)-lariciresinol (5), (-)-dihydrosesamin (6), (±)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (7), rutarensin (8), umbelliferone (9), coniferyl aldehyde (10), sinapyl aldehyde (11), p-coumaric acid methyl ester (12), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (13), p-hydroxyacetophenone (14) and syringaldehyde (15) were also isolated for the first time from this plant. Structure of 1 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic data including two dimensional (2D)-NMR, circular dichroism (CD) and by the application of Klyne's rule.     

Structural determination of abutilins A and B,new flavonoids from Abutilon pakistanicum,by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

Two new flavonoids, abutilin A and B, were isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of Abutilon pakistanicum and their structures assigned from ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, DEPT and by 2D COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments. Ferulic acid (3), (E)‐cinnamic acid (4), 5‐hydroxy‐4′,6,7,8‐tetramethoxyflavone (5), kaempferol (6), luteolin (7) and luteolin 7‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside (8) have also been reported from this species. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacokinetics of salvianolic acid B,rosmarinic acid and Danshensu in rat after pulmonary administration of Salvia miltiorrhiza polyphenolic acid solution

A sensitive and accurate LC–MS/MS method was established for quantifying salvianolic acid B (Sal B), rosmarinic acid (Ros A) and Danshensu (DA) in rat plasma. Salvia miltiorrhiza polyphenolic acid (SMPA), active water‐soluble ingredients isolated and purified from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge included Sal B, Ros A and DA. The pharmacokinetic analysis of Sal B, Ros A and DA after pulmonary administration of SMPA solution to rat was performed by LC–MS/MS. Results from the pharmacokinetic studies showed that the peak concentration of DA was 21.85 ± 6.43 and 65.39 ± 3.83 ng/mL after pulmonary and intravenous administration, respectively. DA was not detected at 2 h after administration. The absolute bioavailabilities of Sal B and Ros A were respectively 50.37 ± 27.04 and 89.63 ± 12.16% after pulmonary administration of 10 mg/kg SMPA solution in rats. The absolute bioavailability of Sal B increased at least 10‐fold after pulmonary administration, compared with oral administration. It was concluded that the newly established LC–MS/MS method was suitable for describing the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Sal B, Ros A and DA in rat after pulmonary administration of SMPA solution. The data from this study will provide a preclinical insight into the feasibility of pulmonary administration of SMPA.     

Antioxidant, anti-glycation and anti-inflammatory activities of phenolic constituents from Cordia sinensis

Nine compounds have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of C. sinensis, namely protocatechuic acid (1), trans-caffeic acid (2), methyl rosmarinate (3), rosmarinic acid (4), kaempferide-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), kaempferide-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (8) and kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamno-pyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), all reported for the first time from this species. The structures of these compounds were deduced on the basis of spectroscopic studies, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-9 were investigated for biological activity and showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageen induced rat paw edema test. The antioxidant activities of isolated compounds 1-9 were evaluated by the DPPH radical scavenging test, and compounds 1, 2, 4 and 7-9 exhibited marked scavenging activity compared to the standard BHA. These compounds were further studied for their anti-glycation properties and some compounds showed significant anti-glycation inhibitory activity. The purity of compounds 2-5, 8 and 9 was confirmed by HPLC. The implications of these results for the chemotaxonomic studies of the genus Cordia have also been discussed.     

An Improved HPLC Post-Column Methodology for the Identification of Free Radical Scavenging Phytochemicals in Complex Mixtures

The importance of natural antioxidants principally relates to their health-promoting properties. The discovery of new sources of established compounds or more potent compounds is a costly exercise and any technique capable of aiding this procedure would be highly significant. An approach combining chromatographic separation, component analysis and post-column identification of free radical scavenging has been reported. However, its effectiveness is dependent upon various factors and the number of samples analyzed without operator intervention is restricted. A more applicable technique using a 10% to 100% methanol with 2% acetic acid mobile phase and a citric acid-sodium citrate buffered methanolic 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical reagent is presented, whereby free radical scavengers can be detected within crude extracts of variable polarity without special considerations. As an illustration, acetone, 70% (aq.) methanol and acetonitrile-soluble extracts were prepared from sage (Salvia officinalis L.) for extraction of polar and non-polar radical scavengers and analyzed. Radical scavenging components were identified as carnosic, caffeic and rosmarinic acids and luteolin-7-O-glycoside. Others radical scavengers were tentatively identified as benzoic and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and diterpenoids. Through the application of this technique, carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid were identified as the principal free radical scavengers.     

Polyphenol extraction from eight Perilla frutescens cultivars

Eight cultivars of Perilla frutescens (L.) (var. frutescens and var. crispa) Britt. belonging to red and green varieties were harvested in China and Japan. Water extractions of dried plants were investigated at a small industrial scale, and their polyphenolic contents were determined, identified and compared. Three cinnamic derivatives (coumaroyl tartaric acid, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid) ranged from 0.1 to 11 mg/g dry weight. Six flavonoids (apigenin 7-O-caffeoylglucoside, scutellarein 7-O-diglucuronide, luteolin 7-O-diglucuronide, apigenin 7-O-diglucuronide, luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, and scutellarein 7-O-glucuronide) ranged from 3.5 to 18.5 mg/g. Six anthocyanins (0.7–2 mg/g) were detected in only red-green or red cultivars, including cis-shisonin, shisonin, malonylshisonin and cyanidin 3-O-(E)-caffeoylglucoside-5-O-malonylglucoside. The eight cultivars were classified into four chemotypes: two rich in phenolic acids (20–43%) and flavones (50–80%), with or without anthocyanins (0–7%) and two with mainly flavones (90–98%), with or without anthocyanins (0–7%). These extracts could be used for colored water beverages or various antioxidant pharmaceutical/biomedical applications.     

Novel Diterpenoids from Salvia dugesii

Two novel rearranged clerodane diterpenoids, dugesin A ( 1 ) and dugesin B ( 2 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia dugesii, together with five known clerodane diterpenoids: isosalvipuberulin ( 3 ), salvipuberulin ( 4 ), tilifodiolide ( 5 ), salvifolin ( 6 ), and salvifaricin ( 7 ). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of different spectroscopic techniques. The isolation and identification of these compounds are significant from both biosynthetisis and chemotaxonomy points of view.