Immuno-enhancement effects of ethanol extract from Cyrtomium macrophyllum (Makino) Tagawa on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in BALB/c mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cyrtomium macrophyllum (Makino) Tagawa has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine for the treatment of various infectious diseases such as tapeworm infestation, colds, and viral diseases. However, no systematic study of the immunity of Cyrtomium macrophyllum ethanol extracts (CM) has yet been reported. The present work evaluates these traits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 male BALB/c mice were divided into 6 groups of 20 mice each: (1) normal group (sterile physiological saline), which served as a blank control; (2) model group (Cyclophosphamide, CY) group (sterile physiological saline), which served as a negative control; (3) low-dose CM (50 mg/kg BW); (4) intermediate-dose CM (100 mg/kg BW); (5) high-dose CM (200 mg/kg BW); (6) CM group (200 mg/kg BW). CY (0.2 ml) was administered via intraperitoneal injection. The other regimens were administered via gavage in 0.2 ml solution. Phytochemical of CM was characterized by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap. The acute toxicity effect of the ethanol extract of Cyrtomium macrophyllum was also investigated. RESULTS: The spleen and thymus indices of mice receiving low, intermediate, and high doses of CM recovered more quickly than those of CY mice, and they did so in a dose-dependent manner. These mice also showed higher T cell and B cell proliferation responses and macrophage function than those of CY mice, and their serum levels of interleukin-6 and interferon-γ had become normal. In acute toxicity test, CM exhibited no mortality and behavioral changes in mice. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins to be the major compounds present in the extract, at 27.64%, 30.87%, and 11.22%, respectively. We found that 16 compounds were characterized by the interpretation of their mass spectra obtained by the MS/MS. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that Cyrtomium macrophyllum ethanol extract improved immune function in CY-treated mice.

Two new C-methyl flavanones from the rhizomes and frond bases of Matteuccia struthiopteris.

Two new C-methyl flavanones, (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethyl-4'-methoxydihydroflavone-7-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1) and (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethyldihydroflavone-7-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (2), together with five known compounds, demethoxymatteucinol-7-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3), matteucinol-7-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4'-methoxydihydroflavone (5), methoxymatteucin (6), and thunberginol C (7), were first isolated from the EtOH extract of the rhizomes and frond bases of Matteuccia struthiopteris. The structures were established by spectral analyses, mainly HR-ESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR experiments (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC).

[Textual research on original plant of Chinese herbal medicine Cyrtomium Rhizome].

Through studies on morphological characteristics, distribution and ecological habitat described in ancient literatures, Osmunda japonica is believed to the original plant of Chinese herbal medicine Cyrtomium Rhizome. Meanwhile, analysis is also made on causes for descriptions that do not comply with characteristics of O. japonica such as toxicity, flowers and fruits, illustrations, indumentums and flakes as well as appearance of other original plants. It is suggested to list O. japonica as the only original plant of Cyrtomium Rhizome and distinguish it from other frequently seen medical plants. Separated studies are also conducted for pesticide effect and active ingredients of Dryoteris Crassrhizomae Rhizome and Woodwardia japonica that show better effects.

Acylphloroglucinols from Elaphoglossum crassipes: antidepressant-like activity of crassipin A.

Nine new terpenylated acylphloroglucinols, crassipins A-I, were isolated from the rhizomes and roots of the fern Elaphoglossum crassipes, and their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical derivatization. The absolute configurations of some of the compounds were established by CD and VCD in combination with a quantum mechanical method. Crassipin A (1), the major acylphloroglucinol of the Et(2)O extract of E. crassipes, as well as its peracetylated derivative (8), displayed antidepressant-like activity in a mouse forced-swimming test when administered orally at a dose of 15 mg/kg.

New isocourmarin and phthalide derivatives from the rhizomes of Matteuccia orientalis.

Five new compounds (1-5), were isolated from the rhizomes of Matteuccia orientalis (HOOK.) TREV. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their 1D-, 2D-NMR, MS, IR and circular dichroism (CD) data.

Antioxidant, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective potential of the extract from Parathelypteris nipponica (Franch. et Sav.) Ching.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant, free radical scavenging, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory potential of Parathelypteris nipponica (Franch. et Sav.) Ching. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of Parathelypteris nipponica (Franch. et Sav.) Ching (TMPN) was studied using in vitro and in vivo models, total flavonoids content in TMPN was found to be 262 +/- 5.6 mg/g (w/w). The TMPN exhibited strong antioxidant activity with EC50 values in reductive ability (0.18 +/- 0.02 mg/ml) and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) assay (0.10 +/- 0.01 mg/ml), strong free radical scavenging activity as evidenced by the low EC50 values in DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) (2.00 +/- 0.02 mg/ml), superoxide anion (0.60 +/- 0.05 mg/ml), OH radicals (0.26 +/- 0.03 mg/ml), and hydrogen peroxide (0.45 +/- 0.03 mg/ml) methods. Acute toxicity study revealed that the LD50 value of the extract was more than the dose 2000 mg/kg bodyweight of mice. Hepatoprotective activity of TMPN was determined by the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative tissue injury in rat liver, the extract showed significant hepatoprotective activity that was evident by enzymatic examination and histopathological study. In assessing anti-inflammatory activity the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test was used, the extract reduced carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema in dose-dependent manner, achieving high degree of anti-inflammatory activity. CONCLUSION: This study provides a scientific basis for the ethnomedical claims that Parathelypteris nipponica (Franch. et Sav.) Ching is effective against inflammation and liver injury.

[Studies on chemical constituents of rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris. METHOD: The constituents were separated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified on the basis of physical and spectral data. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as demethoxymatteucinol (1), matteucinol (2), pinosylvin (3), matteuorien (4), pinosylvin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), matteuorienate A (6). CONCLUSION: All Compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Phenols from the rhizomes of Arachniodes exilis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Arachniodes exilis. METHODS: The methanolic extract was isolated and purified by silica gel, C18 reverse phase silica gel and Sepadex LH-20 gel column chromatography. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of the physicochemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS: Eight phenolic compounds were obtained and identified as aspidin-BB (I), 4-methyl-2-butyl-3,5-dihydroxyphenol (II ), eriodictyol (III), epicatechin (IV), procyanidin B2 (V), miscathoside (VI), eriodictyol-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranuronide (VII), luteolin-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranuronide (VIII), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds II-VIII are obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Arachniodes rhomboidea].

OBJECTIVE: To study chemical constituents of Arachniodes rhomboidea. METHOD: Silica gel column chromatography and Sephadex LH -20 gel column chromatography were employed for the isolation and purification. The structures were identified on the basis of spectral data and chemical methods. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as follows: kaempferol (1), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), kaempferol-3, 7-O-alpha-L-dirhamnoside (4), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (5), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside (6). CONCLUSION: Compouds 1-6 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Jeju medicinal plants against acne-inducing bacteria.

Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are pus-forming bacteria that trigger inflammation in acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of Jeju medicinal plants against these etiologic agents of acne vulgaris. Ethanol extracts of Jeju plants were tested for antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The results from the disc diffusion assays revealed that four medicinal plants, Mollugo pentaphylla, Angelica anomala, Matteuccia orientalis, and Orixa japonica inhibited the growth of both pathogens. Among these, A. anomala had strong inhibitory effects. Its MIC values were 15.6 microg/ml and 125 microg/ml against P. acnes and S. epidermidis, respectively. The cytotoxic effects of the four extracts were determined by colorimetric MTT assays using two animal cell lines: human dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT cells. Although the M. orientalis root extract had moderate cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells at 200 microg/ml, most extracts exhibited low cytotoxicity at 200 microg/ml in both cell lines. In addition, the extracts reduced the P. acnes-induced secretion of interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in THP-1 cells, an indication of their anti-inflammatory effects. Based on these results, we suggest that M. pentaphylla, A. anomala, M. orientalis, and O. japonica are attractive acne-mitigating candidates for topical application.

Three new polyphenols from the rhizomes of Arachniodes exilis.

Three new polyphenols, araspidin BB (1), arachniodesin A (2) and arachniodesin B (3), together with two known compounds, epicatechin (4) and procyanidin B-2 (5), were isolated from the rhizomes of Arachniodes exilis. The structures of three new compounds were elucidated as 5-methyl-methylene-bis-phlorobutyrophenone (1), 4beta-ethoxycarbonylmethylepicatechin (2) and epicatechin-(4beta --> 8)-4beta-ethoxycarbonylmethylepicatechin (3), on the basis of their spectral analysis and by comparing them with the related model compounds. Compounds 4 and 5 were obtained from the title plant for the first time.

Cytotoxic and other compounds from Didymochlaena truncatula from the Madagascar rain forest.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOH extracts obtained from a plant identified as Didymochlaena truncatula led to the isolation of two cytotoxic alkaloids, camptothecin and 9-methoxycamptothecin. A second plant collection yielded three lignan derivatives, didymochlaenone A (1), didymochlaenone B (2), and (-)-wikstromol, one stilbene, (E)-3-methoxy-5-hydroxystilbene, and two stigmasterol derivatives, stigmast-4-en-3beta-ol and stigmast-4-en-3-one, but no camptothecins, and it is probable that a coding error led to a mistaken identification of the original extract. The structures of the new compounds 1 and 2 were established on the basis of extensive interpretation of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data.

[Studies on chemical constituents in rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris. METHOD: The compounds were isolated by normal phase silica gel chromatography. The structures were identified by physical and spectral data. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as woodwardic acid (1), ergost-6,22-diene-3beta,5alpha,8alpha-triol (2), apigenin (3), riboflavin (4), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-p-coumaric acid (5), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylcaffeic acid (6). CONCLUSION: All the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.