Two new withanolides from Physalis minima L.

Two new withanolides named physaminilides L (1) and M (2), together with four known ones (3-6) were isolated from the Physalis minima L. The structures were established by analysis of the HR ESIMS, IR and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were determined through NOESY and ECD spectra. For compounds 1-5 assayed at 20 µM and compound 6 at 10 µM, inhibition rates of hepatic fibrosis were 22.19%, 15.29%, 37.07%, 9.27%, 12.45%, and 37.03%, respectively.

Withanolides from the active extract of Physalis angulate and their anti-hepatic fibrosis effects.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Physalis angulata L., a traditional Chinese medicine called "Kuzhi" in China, was used traditionally to treat liver diseases (eg. icterus, hepatitis) as well as malaria, asthma, and rheumatism. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our study aimed to investigate the withanolides with anti-hepatic fibrosis effect from P. angulate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Withanolides were obtained from the EtOH extract of P. angulate by bioassay-molecular networking analysis-guided isolation using column chromatography and normal/reversed-phase semipreparative HPLC. The structures of new withanolides were elucidated by combinations of spectroscopic techniques with NMR and ECD calculations. MTT cell viability assay, AO/EB staining method, cell wound healing assay, ELISA and Western blot experiments were employed to evaluate the anti-hepatic fibrosis activity and to uncover related mechanism. Molecular docking analysis and cellular thermal shift assay were used to evaluate and verify the interaction between the active withanolides and their potential targets. RESULTS: Eight unreported withanolides, withagulides A-H (1-8), along with twenty-eight known ones were obtained from P. angulate. Withanolides 6, 9, 10, 24, 27, and 29-32 showed marked anti-hepatic fibrosis effect with COL1A1 expression inhibition above 50 %. Physalin F (9), the main component in the active fraction, significantly decreased the TGF ß1-stimulated expressions of collagen I and α-SMA in LX-2 cells. Mechanism study revealed that physalin F exerted its anti-hepatic fibrosis effect via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that withanolides were an important class of natural products with marked anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. The main withanolide physalin F might be a promising candidate for hepatic fibrosis treatment. The work provided experimental foundation for the use of P. angulate to treat hepatic fibrosis.

New Meroterpenoid and Isocoumarins from the Fungus Talaromyces amestolkiae MST1-15 Collected from Coal Area.

Three new compounds including a meroterpenoid (1) and two isocoumarins (8 and 9), together with thirteen known compounds (2-7, 10-16) were isolated from the metabolites of Talaromyces amestolkiae MST1-15. Their structures were identified by a combination of spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of experimental and electronic circular dichroism calculation, and compounds 8 and 9 were determined by Mo2(OAc)4-induced circular dichroism experiments. Compounds 7-16 showed weak antibacterial activities against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia with MIC values ranging from 128 to 512 µg/mL (MICs of ceftriaxone sodium and levofloxacin were 128 and 0.25 µg/mL, respectively).

Pseudosterins A-C, Three 1-Ethyl-3-formyl-ß-carbolines from Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Their Cardioprotective Effects.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is used in China not only as a functional food but also as an herb to tonify the spleen, enhance immunity, and treat palpitation. Our previous investigation showed that a fraction enriched in glycosides obtained from the roots of P. heterophylla possessed pronounced protective effects on H9c2 cells against CoCl2-induced hypoxic injury. However, the active compounds responsible for the observed effects were still unknown. In the current investigation, pseudosterins A-C (1-3), three new alkaloids with a 1-ethyl-3-formyl-ß-carboline skeleton, together with polydatin, have been isolated from the active fraction. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. The four compounds showed cardioprotective effects against sodium hydrosulfite-induced hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cells, with the three alkaloids being more potent. This is also the first report of alkaloids with a ß-carboline skeleton isolated from P. heterophylla as cardioprotective agents.