[Chemical constituents of Lindera aggregata and their bioactivities: a review].

The medicinal Lindera aggregata(Lindera, Lauraceae) boasts abundant resources, which is widely used in clinical settings. It has been found that the main chemical constituents of this medicinal species are sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenoid dimers, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Some unreported novel structures, including lindenane-type sesquiterpene dimers and trimers, have been discovered from L. aggregata in recent years. The extracts and active components of L. aggregata have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antalgic, liver-protecting, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and glucose-lowering activities, and their mechanisms of action have been comprehensively investigated. This study summarizes the research on the chemical constituents and bioactivities of L. aggregata over the past decade, which is expected to serve as a reference for the future research and utilization of L. aggregata.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and biological activities of Sarcandra glabra].

Sarcandra glabra, a medicinal plant in family Chloranthaceae, has been taken as an important raw material for multiple Chinese patent drugs due to its diverse indications. Considering the diversified chemical constituents and rich biological activities of S. glabra, numerous phytochemical and pharmacodynamic investigations were conducted to explore the material basis for its medicinal use. It has been found that its main chemical constituents were sesquiterpenoids, sesquiterpenoid polymers, phenolic acids, coumarins, and flavonoids. As revealed by pharmacological research, it possesses multiple biological activities like anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, and neuroprotection. Some unreported novel structures, including polymers of lindenane sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes, sesquiterpene trimers, and adducts of flavonoids and monoterpenes, have been identified from S. glabra in recent years. Moreover, biological studies relating to its anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities have been deepened. This paper reviewed the chemical constituents and bioactivities of S. glabra explored over the past ten years, so as to provide a scientific basis for further development and utilization of this plant.

[A new cembranoid diterpene from Olibanum].

Five compounds were isolated from the alcohol extract of Olibanum by MCI, silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). On the basis of spectral data and literature data, the compounds were identified as:(1S,3R,4S,7R,11S,12R)-1:12,4:7-diepoxisonane-8(19)-ene-3,11-diol(1), boscartin A(2),(+)-resinolin(3),(+)-5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one(4), and acerogenin A(5). Compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 3-5 were isolated from Olibanum for the first time. The structure of compound 1 was determined by spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for PC12 neurotoxicity, and the results showed that they were both safe compounds.

[Research progress on chemical constituents from Chloranthus plants and their biological activities].

The genus Chloranthus has 13 species and 5 varieties in China, which can be found in the southwest and northeast regions. Phytochemical studies on Chloranthus plants have reported a large amount of terpenoids, such as diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and sesquiterpenoid dimers. Their anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, antifungal, antivirus, and neuroprotection activities have been confirmed by previous pharmacological research. Herein, research on the chemical constituents from Chloranthus plants and their biological activities over the five years was summarized to provide scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Chloranthus plants.

[Chemical constituents of sesquiterpenes from Chloranthus multistachys].

With repeated silica gel, octadecyl silica(ODS), and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, normal-phase and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), etc., a pair of new enantiomers and 5 known compounds were separated from the 95% ethanol extract of Chloranthus multistachys. These compounds were identified by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(including 1 D-NMR and 2 D-NMR), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism(CD) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry(MS), and some other methods as(1R,4R,5R,8S,10R)-chloraeudolide H(1 a),(1S,4S,5S,8R,10S)-chloraeudolide H(1 b), hydroxyisogermafurenolide(2), 4α-hydroxy-5α,8ß(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8,12-olide(3), chloraniolide A(4), chlorantene D(5), 4α,8ß-dihydroxy-5α(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8,12-olide(6). Compounds 1 a and 1 b are a pair of new eudesmane-type sesquiterpene enantiomers, and compounds 2-4 were isolated from C. multistachys for the first time.

[A new sesquiterpene from Chloranthus henryi].

Eight sesquiterpenes were isolated and purified from the ethanol extract of Chloranthus henryi by column chromatographies over silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20,and preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were established by spectral data and physiochemical properties as(1S,6S,8S,10R)-8-ethoxy-10-methoxychlomultin C(1),tianmushanol(2),multistalide A(3),myrrhterpenoid N(4),1α,9α-dihydroxy-8,12-expoxy-eudesma-4,7,11-trien-6-one(5),4ß,10α-aromadendranediol(6),oplopanone(7),10α-hydroxycadinan-4-en-3-one(8). Among them, compound(1) was a new compound, and compounds 2-8 were isolated from Chloranthus henryi for the first time.

Cadmium Isotopic Fractionation in the Soil-Plant System during Repeated Phytoextraction with a Cadmium Hyperaccumulating Plant Species.

Analysis of stable metal isotopes can provide important information on biogeochemical processes in the soil-plant system. Here, we conducted a repeated phytoextraction experiment using the cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator Sedum plumbizincicola X. H. Guo et S. B. Zhou ex L. H. Wu (Crassulaceae) in four different Cd-contaminated agricultural soils over five consecutive crops. Isotope composition of Cd was determined in the four soils before and after the fifth crop, in the plant shoots harvested in all soils in the first crop, and in the NH4OAc extracts of two contrasting soils with large differences in soil pH (5.73 and 7.32) and clay content (20.4 and 31.3%) before and after repeated phytoextraction. Before phytoextraction NH4OAc-extractable Cd showed a slight but significant negative isotope fractionation or no fractionation compared with total Cd (Δ114/110Cdextract-soil = -0.15 ± 0.05 (mean ± standard error) and 0.01 ± 0.01‰), and the extent of fractionation varied with soil pH and clay content. S. plumbizincicola preferentially took up heavy Cd from soils (Δ114/110Cdshoot-soil = 0.02-0.14‰), and heavy isotopes were significantly depleted in two soils after repeated phytoextraction (Δ114/110Cdsoil:P5-soil:P0 = -0.15 ± 0.02 and -0.12 ± 0.01‰). This provides evidence for the existence of specific Cd transporters in S. plumbizincicola, leading to positive isotope fractionation during uptake. After phytoextraction by five sequential crops, the NH4OAc-extractable Cd pool was significantly enriched in heavy isotopes (Δ114/110Cdextract:P5-extract:P0 = 0.07 ± 0.02 and 0.18 ± 0.05‰) despite the preferential uptake of heavy isotopes, indicating the occurrence of root-induced Cd mobilization in soils, which is supposed to favor heavy Cd in the organo-complexes with root exudates. Our results demonstrate that Cd is taken up by S. plumbizincicola via specific transporters, partly after active mobilization from the more strongly bound soil pool such as iron/manganese (hydr)oxide-bound Cd during repeated phytoextraction. This renders S. plumbizincicola a suitable plant for large-scale field phytoremediation.

Oral Bioavailability of As, Pb, and Cd in Contaminated Soils, Dust, and Foods based on Animal Bioassays: A Review.

Metal contamination in soil, dust, and food matrices impacts the health of millions of people worldwide. During the past decades, various animal bioassays have been developed to determine the relative bioavailability (RBA) of As, Pb, and Cd in contaminated soils, dust, and foods, which vary in operational approaches. This review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of different animal models (swine and mice), dosing schemes (single gavage dose, repeated gavage dose, daily repeated feeding, and free access to diet), and end points (blood, urine, and tissue) in metal-RBA measurement; compares metal-RBA obtained using mouse and swine bioassays, different dosing schemes, and different end points; and summarizes key findings on As-, Pb-, and Cd-RBA values in contaminated soils, dust, and foods. Future directions related to metal-RBA research are highlighted, including (1) comparison of metal-RBA determinations between different bioassays and different laboratories to ensure robust bioavailability data, (2) enhancing the metal-RBA database for contaminated dust and foods, (3) identification of physiological and physicochemical mechanisms responsible for variability in metal-RBA values, (4) formulation of strategies to decrease metal-RBA values in contaminated soils, dust, and foods, and (5) assessing the impacts of cocontaminants on metal-RBA measurement.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and biological activities from Turpinia species].

Turpinia species have been used as local Chinese medicines. It has been widely concerned about their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Modern studies showed that the chemical constituents of Turpina species include flavonoids, triterpenoids, megastigans and phenoli acids. Its pharmacological research mainly focused on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immuneregulation effect. In this paper, the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of Turpinia species were summarized, in order to provide scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Turpinia species.

[Chemical constituents from fruits of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia].

The present study is to investigate the chemical constituents from the dried ripe fruits of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia The compounds were isolated by using a variety of chromatographic methods including silicagel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, reversed-phase HPLC, and other methods. Their structures were identified by NMR, and MS date. As a result, 18 compounds were isolated and identified as ent-2-oxo15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-ene (1), chrysosplenol D (2), casticin (3), luteolin (4), eupatrin (5), apigenin (6), 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (7), luteolin-4'-O-glucoside (8), hypolaetin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (9), swertisin (10), agestricin D (11), 5,3'-dihydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxyflavanone (12), tomentic acid (13), 2α,3ß,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (14), 3'-acetoxy-4'-angeloyloxy-3',4'-dihydroseselin (15), dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (16), 3,5'-dimethoxy-4',7-epoxy-8,3'-neolignane-5,9,9'-triol (17) and salicifoliol (18). Among them, compounds 1, 2, 5-15, 17 and 18 were obtained from V. trifolia var. simplicifolia Cham for the first time and compounds 1, 5, 7-11, 15, 17 and 18 were isolated from thegenus Vitex for the first time.

Enhanced phytoremediation of soils contaminated with PAHs by arbuscular mycorrhiza and rhizobium.

Greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a legume (Sesbania cannabina), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus mosseae), and rhizobia (Ensifer sp.) symbiosis for remediation of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in spiked soil. AMF and rhizobia had a beneficial impact on each other in the triple symbiosis. AMF and/or rhizobia significantly increased plant biomass and PAHs accumulation in plants. The highest PAHs dissipation was observed in plant + AMF + rhizobia treated soil, in which >97 and 85-87% of phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively, had been degraded, whereas 81-85 and 72-75% had been degraded in plant-treated soil. During the experiment, a relatively large amount of water-soluble phenolic compounds was detected in soils of AMF and/or rhizobia treatment. It matches well with the high microbial activity and soil enzymes activity. These results suggest that the mutual interactions in the triple symbiosis enhanced PAHs degradation via stimulating both microbial development and soil enzyme activity. The mutual interactions between rhizobia and AMF help to improve phytoremediation efficiency of PAHs by S. cannabina.

[Sesquiterpenes with anti-metastasis breast cancer activity from Chloranthus henryi].

To study sesquiterpenes with anti-metastasis breast cancer activity from Chloranthus henryi, ten sesquiterpenes ,zedoarofuran (1), chlorajapolide D (2), 4ß, 8ß-dihydroxy-5α(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8, 12-olide (3), curcolonol (4), lasianthuslactone A (5), chlomultin C (6), (1E,4Z)-8-hydroxy-6-oxogermacra-1(10), 4, 7(11) -trieno-12, 8-lactone (7), shizukanolide E (8) , shizukanolide F (9) , 9α-hydroxycurcolonol (10), and five bis-sesquiterpenes, shizukaol B (11), shizukaol C (12) , cycloshizukaol A (13) , sarcandrolide B (14) , henriol A(15), were isolated by using different kinds of column chromatography methods from the ethyl acetate part of Ch.henryi and their structures were identified based on spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2, 8, 9, and 10 were obtained from the genus Chloranthus for the first time. Compounds 2, 5, 8-10, 12,and 14 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Some isolated compounds were subjected to evaluate the anti-metastasis breast cancer activity by using pharmacological methods, and only compounds 4, 11, and 12 were potent active.

[Constituents from Ranunculus ternatus and Their Inhibitory Effects on Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis].

Objective: To explore the chemical constituents of Ranunculus ternatus and their inhibitory effects on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Methods: All compounds were separated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography etc. Their structures were identified by NMR spectroscopy. The absolute concentration method was used for susceptibility test on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains with Ranunculus ternatus. Results: Seven compounds were isolated and identified as 2-deoxy-D-ribono-1,4-lactone( 1),isomaltol-α-D-glucoside( 2),vanillic acid-4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside( 3), salicoside( 4),n-butyl-ß-D-fructofuranoside( 5),3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid( 6),and caffeic acid( 7). Conclusion: Compounds 1 ~ 6 are isolated from this genus for the first time. All compounds except 5 of Ranunculus ternatus reveal modest activity to inhibit multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

[Study on chemical constituents from Chloranthus multistachys].

To investigate the chemical constituents from the shoots of Chloranthus multistachys.All compounds wereisolated by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, reversed-phase HPLC, and other methods.Their structures were elucidated by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry, and other modernspectroscopies.As a result, 19 compounds were isolated from the shoots of C.multistachys and identified as zederoneepoxide(1), chlomultin C(2), curcolonol(3), sarcaglaboside A(4), zedoarofuran(5), (1E,4Z)-8-hydroxy-6-oxogermacra-1(10), 4,7(11)-trieno-12,8-lactone(6), chloranoside A(7), istanbulin A(8), (8α)-6,8-dihydroxycadina-7(11),10(15)-dien-12-oicacid-γ-lactone(9), codonolactone(10), lasianthuslactone A(11), 12,15-epoxy-5αH,9ßH-labda-8(17),13-dien-19-oicacid(12), 12R,15-dihydroxylabda-8(17),13E-dien-19-oicacid(13), N-transcinnamoyltyramine(14), trans-N-p-coumaroyltyramine(15), dibutyl phthalate (16), flavokawain A(17), bergenin(18), and enedione(19).Compounds 1, 2, 4, 7-10, 12-19 were isolated from C.multistachys for the first time and compounds 14-19 were obtained from the genus Chloranthus for the first time.

[Sesquiterpenes of Chloranthus serratus Root].

OBJECTIVE: To study sesquiterpenes from the root of Chloranthus serratus. METHODS: The sesquiterpenes of Chloranthus serratus were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. The structures of these isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: Ten sesquiterpenes were isolated and identified as follows: 1ß, 8ß-dihydroxy-eudesman-4 (15), 7 (11) -dien-8α, 12-olide (I), curcolonol (II), 4ß, 8ß-dihydroxy-5α (H) -eudesm-7 (11) -en-8, 12-olide (III), 1ß, 8,ß-dihydroxy-eudesman-3, 7 (11) -dien-8α, 12-olide (IV), multistalactone E (V), zedoarofuran (VI), 8ß,9α-dihydroxylindan-4(5), 7(11) -dien-8α,12-olide(VII), serralactone A (VIII), 8-epi-ivangustin (IX), and chloranthalactone E (X ). CONCLUSION: Compounds I, II, IV - VII, IX and X are isolated from Chloranthus serratus for the first time.

[Pharmacognostical study on four origin plants of folk medicine Sikuaiwa].

In order to develop characteristic folk medicine resources in Jiangxi, a pharmacognostical study was systematically performed for four different origin plants of Sikuaiwa, the result of study provides the microscopic features of powder and tissue of the crude drug. The research provided reference for the identification of Sikuaiwa, as well as a theoretical basis for the further development and the formulation of quality standards.

[Chemical constituents of Polygala tenuifolia root].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the root of Polygala tenuifolia. METHODS: Silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and ODS chromatographic techniques were used to study the chemical constituents of Polygala tenuifolia, and the chemical structures were elucidated by application of spectral data. RESULTS: Eight-compounds were obtained and their structure were identified as 7-hydroxy-1-methoxy-2,3-methylenedioxyxanthone(1), 1, 7-dihydroxy-2, 3-dimethoxyxanth one(2), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2, 7-dimethoxyxanthone(3),7-hydroxy-1,2, 3-trimethoxyxanthone(4), 1,2,3,6, 7-pentamethoxyxanthone(5), 1,3, 7-trihydroxy-2, 6-dimethanoxyxanthone (6),7-hydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone(7) and 1,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyxanthone(8). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1,6,7 and 8 are isolated from Polygala tenuifolia for the first time.

Characteristic cembrane-type diterpenoids with nitric oxide inhibitory activity from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii Birdw.

Five new characteristic cembrane-type diterpenoids (olibacartiols A-E, 1-5) were acquired from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii. The structures of these diterpenoids were characterized by detailed spectroscopic analysis, and compounds 1-3 were unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated using LPS-induced BV2 cell model and compounds 2-5 showed moderate NO inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 8.84 ± 1.02, 9.82 ± 1.95, 9.75 ± 2.24, and 7.39 ± 1.24 µM, respectively.

Arsenic effectively improves the degradation of fluorene by Rhodococcus sp. 2021 under the combined pollution of arsenic and fluorene.

The performance of bacterial strains in executing degradative functions under the coexistence of heavy metals/heavy metal-like elements and organic contaminants is understudied. In this study, we isolated a fluorene-degrading bacterium, highly arsenic-resistant, designated as strain 2021, from contaminated soil at the abandoned site of an old coking plant. It was identified as a member of the genus Rhodococcus sp. strain 2021 exhibited efficient fluorene-degrading ability under optimal conditions of 400 mg/L fluorene, 30 °C, pH 7.0, and 250 mg/L trivalent arsenic. It was noted that the addition of arsenic could promote the growth of strain 2021 and improve the degradation of fluorene - a phenomenon that has not been described yet. The results further indicated that strain 2021 can oxidize As3+ to As5+; here, approximately 13.1% of As3+ was converted to As5+ after aerobic cultivation for 8 days at 30 °C. The addition of arsenic could greatly up-regulate the expression of arsR/A/B/C/D and pcaG/H gene clusters involved in arsenic resistance and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation; it also aided in maintaining the continuously high expression of cstA that codes for carbon starvation protein and prmA/B that codes for monooxygenase. These results suggest that strain 2021 holds great potential for the bioremediation of environments contaminated by a combination of arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This study provides new insights into the interactions among microbes, as well as inorganic and organic pollutants.

Two new flavonol glycosides from the Tibetan medicinal plant Aconitum tanguticum.

Two new flavonol glycosides characterized as quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-α-l-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroylrhamnopyranosyl)-(1 â†’ 6)]-ß-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1) and kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-α-l-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl rhamnopyranosyl)-(1 â†’ 6)]-ß-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), together with two known flavonol glycosides quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)- [α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)]-ß-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (3) and kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)]-ß-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (4), were isolated from the whole plant of Aconitum tanguticum (Maxim.) Stapf. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and the total (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts were assigned.