(±)-Salvicatone A: A Pair of C27-Meroterpenoid Enantiomers with Skeletons from the Roots and Rhizomes of Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib.

(±)-Salvicatone A (1), a C27-meroterpenoid featuring a unique 6/6/6/6/6-pentacyclic carbon skeleton with a 7,8,8a,9,10,10a-hexahydropyren-1 (6H)-one motif, was isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib. Its structure was characterized by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses along with computer-assisted structure elucidation, including ACD/structure elucidator and quantum chemical calculations with 1H/13C NMR and electronic circular dichroism. Biogenetically, compound 1 was constructed from decarboxylation following [4 + 2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction between caffeic acid and miltirone analogue. Bioassays showed that (-)-1 and (+)-1 inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells with an IC50 value of 6.48 ± 1.25 and 15.76 ± 5.55 µM, respectively. The structure-based virtual screening based on the pharmacophores in ePharmaLib, as well as the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations study, implied that (-)-1 and (+)-1 may potentially bind to retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor C to exert anti-inflammatory activities.

Competitive CatSper Activators of Progesterone from Rhynchosia volubilis.

The root Rhynchosia volubilis was widely used for contraception in folk medicine, although its molecular mechanism on antifertility has not yet been revealed. In human sperm, it was reported that the cation channel of sperm, an indispensable cation channel for the fertilization process, could be regulated by various steroid-like compounds in plants. Interestingly, these nonphysiological ligands would also disturb the activation of the cation channel of sperm induced by progesterone. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether the compounds in R. volubilis affect the physiological regulation of the cation channel of sperm. The bioguided isolation of the whole herb of R. volubilis has resulted in the novel discovery of five new prenylated isoflavonoids, rhynchones A - E (1:  - 5: ), a new natural product, 5'-O-methylphaseolinisoflavan (6: ) (1H and 13C NMR data, Supporting Information), together with twelve known compounds (7:  - 18: ). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses and drawing a comparison with literature data, while their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism calculations. The experiments of intracellular Ca2+ signals and patch clamping recordings showed that rhynchone A (1: ) significantly reduced cation channel of sperm activation by competing with progesterone. In conclusion, our findings indicat that rhynchone A might act as a contraceptive compound by impairing the activation of the cation channel of sperm and thus prevent fertilization.

A novel ent-pimarane-type diterpenoid from Sigesbeckia glabrescens with anti-inflammatory activity.

A novel ent-pimarane-type diterpenoid, sigesbeckia J (1), along with two known diterpenoids, siegesbeckia acid (2) and ent-18-acetoxy-16R,17-dihydroxykauran-19-oic acid (3), were isolated from the aerial parts of Sigesbeckia glabrescens Makino. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic interpretation. The absolute configuration of ent-pimarane-type diterpenoid (1) was determined by comparing experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compared with the positive control minocycline (IC50 32.84 µM), compound 1 exhibited moderate cell growth anti-inflammatory activities in vitro by testing their inhibition of LPS-induced NO production in BV2 microglial cells, with IC50 value of 58.74 µM.

[A new norsesquiterpenoid from Schisandra chinensis].

This study investigated the chemical components from the leaves and stems of Schisandra chinensis. Three norsesquiterpenoids were isolated from S. chinensis by various column chromatographies(silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and MCI), reversed-phase medium-pressure preparative, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Their structures were identified based on physicochemical properties, mass spectrometry(MS), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), ultraviolet(UV), and electro-nic circular dichroism(ECD) as(3R,4R,5R,6S,7E)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(1),(3S,5R,6R,7E)-3,5,6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(2), and(3S,4R,9R)-3,4,9-trihydroxymegastigman-5-ene(3). Compound 1 was a new compound, and its absolute configuration was determined by ECD. Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from the Schisandra plant for the first time.

Euphorfistrines A-G, cytotoxic and AChE inhibiting triterpenoids from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana.

Seven new triterpenoids including two cycloartanes (1-2), a lanostane (3), a tirucallane (4), a dammarane (5), an ursane (6), and an oleanane (7), along with nineteen known triterpenoids (8-26), have been obtained from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana. Their structures were established by NMR, HRESIMS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, Mosher's method, NMR calculations, ECD analysis, and comparison with structurally related known analogues. Among them, compounds 1 and 8 were a pair of cycloartane-type triterpenoids epimers. Our bioassays have established that compounds 1-5 and 10 displayed moderate cytotoxic effects, and the structure-activity relationships of cycloartane-type triterpenoids (CTTs) were further examined. Notably, some triterpenoids displayed moderate inhibitory effects against AChE by an in vitro screened experiment. Triterpenoid 7 (Euphorfistrine G, ETG) displayed the potent inhibitory effect with IC50 = 2.45 and Ki = 2.30 µM (inhibition kinetic). And, in silico docking analyses have been performed to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of compound 7.

Baphicacanthcusines A-E, Bisindole Alkaloids from the Leaves of Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek.

Four pairs of stereoisomeric indole alkaloids, (±)-baphicacanthcusines A-D (1-4), and one new indole alkaloid, baphicacanthcusine E (5), together with nine known compounds were identified from the leaves of Baphicacanthus cusia. (±)-1 and -2 possess an unprecedented skeleton in which two indole moieties are bridged by a phenylpropane unit. (±)-3 represents the first natural dispiro-oxazolidinone bisoxindoles. The absolute configurations in 1-5 were assigned based on quantum chemical calculations, including the calculated chemical shift with DP4plus analysis, the calculated optical rotation values, and the calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1-5 was proposed. Compounds (±)-1, (-)-2, and 11 exhibited cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 20.0-78.5 µM.

Two new alcohol glycosides from the roots of Paeonia intermedia C. A. Meyer.

Two new alcohol glycosides, 1-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-deoxypaeonisuffrone (1) and 9-O-ß-d-apiofuranoyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-xanthoarnol (2), together with eight known compounds (3-10), have been isolated from the dried roots of Paeonia intermedia C. A. Meyer. Their structures were mainly elucidated on the basis of ESIMS, one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. Antibacterial activities of compounds 1-10 were evaluated, and compounds 9 and 10 showed antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus argenteus CMCC26003 and Escherichia coli CMCC44103. [Formula: see text].

Constituents from the Seeds of Sophora Alopecuroides L.

Three new isoflavone glucosides, kudonol A-C (1-3), two new ester derivatives of phenylpropanoid, kudolignan A and B (4-5) and five known compounds, (-)-maackiain (6), neoliquiritin (7), methyl 4-coumarate (8), methyl ferulate (9) and (+)-wikstromol (10), were isolated from an extract of dried seeds of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Sophora alopecuroides L. Their structures were established by NMR and HRESIMS data analyses. The monosaccharide part's configuration of isoflavone glucosides was confirmed by acid hydrolysis and analyzed by a JAsco OR-4090 chiral detector, comparing it to standard substance D-glucose. The cytotoxicity effects against HeLa, Hep3B, MCF-7 and H1299 cells were tested by CCK-8 assay.

Chemical characteristics of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum and their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase.

The chemical characteristic of a well-known folk medicine Ganoderma lucidum has been investigated by a series of chromatographic technologies, which displayed the presences of 45 lanostane type triterpenoids, including two new nor-lanostane triterpenoids (40, 41). Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis (UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR). Notably, some triterpenoids displayed moderate inhibitory effects against AChE (acetylcholinesterase) by an in vitro screened experiment. Triterpenoid 2 displayed the potent inhibitory effect with IC50 10.8 and Ki 14.95 µM (inhibition kinetic). The preliminary SAR has been discussed by the docking analyses between ganoderic acids (1, 2) and AChE.

Diterpenoids from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana and their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase.

Chemical investigation has been performed on the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana, a traditional Chinese medicine. Three diterpenoids were obtained using various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic data including HRESIMS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, ECD, and calculated ECD, which gave two new diterpenoids, daphnane type (1) and ent-pimarene type (3). Additionally, the isolated compounds (1-3) displayed moderate inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase in an in vitro bioassay.

[Phenolic acid derivatives of Euphorbia ebracteolata].

A variety of chromatographic methods were applied to research the chemical composition of the roots of Euphorbia ebracteolata. Meanwhile, the structures of these compounds were identified by spectroscopic data, such as 1D, 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. In the present research, a new phenolic acid compound, 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-2-O-ß-D-[(6'-Gallic acyl)-glucopyranyl] isopentane(1), was isolated from the roots of E. ebracteolata, as well as three known compounds, isopropyl-2-O-ß-D-(6'-gallic acyl)-glucopyranoside(2), ellagic acid(3) and 3,4'-di-O-methylellagic acid(4) respectively. Additionally, compounds 2 and 4 were isolated from the Euphorbia genus for the first time.

[Cloning and expression analysis of a hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferasegene(IiHCT) from Isatis indigotica].

Based on the transcriptome data, we cloned the open reading frame of IiHCT gene from Isatis indigotica, and then performed bioinformatic analysis of the sequence. Further, we detected expression pattern in specific organs and hairy roots treated methyl jasmonate( MeJA) by RT-PCR. The IiHCT gene contains a 1 290 bp open reading frame( ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 430 amino acids. The predicted isoelectric point( pI) was 5.7, a calculated molecular weight was about 47.68 kDa. IiHCT was mainly expressed in stem and undetectable in young root, leaf and flower bud. After the treatment of MeJA, the relative expression level of IiHCT increased rapidly. The expression level of IiHCT was the highest at 4 h and maintained two fold to control during 24 h. In this study, cloning of IiHCT laid the foundation for illustrating the biosynthesis mechanism of phenylpropanoids in I. indigotica.

Two undescribed constituents from Salvia castanea Diels and evaluation of their cytotoxic activity.

One previously undescribed abietane diterpene alkaloid containing an oxazole ring (1), one unreported abietane diterpene (2), and nine known abietane diterpenes (3-11) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Salvia castanea Diels. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by a combination of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines (HepG2, A549, H460, MCF7, PC3, and Hela). The results showed that 1 exhibited a moderate cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells (IC50: 14.22 ± 1.05 µM) and was able to inhibit the cell growth of MCF7 and Hela cells by 35.08% and 47.26% respectively, at a concentration of 20 µM, while other compounds showed low cytotoxic activity.

Salvirrane A-F, six undescribed nordrimane sesquiterpene derivatives from Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib and their cytotoxic activities.

Six undescribed nordrimane sesquiterpene derivatives, salvirrane A-F (1-6), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib. Comprehensive spectral analysis and a quantum chemical calculation strategy were employed to determine their structures. These compounds represent four previously unreported nordrimane carbon skeletal types in Salvia genus, including 15-nor-drimane, 11,15-di-nor-drimane, 14,15-di-nor-drimane, and 11,14,15-tri-nor-drimane sesquiterpenes. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against several human cancer cell lines (A549, H460, Hep3B, MCF7, PC3, and HeLa). The results showed that 3 exhibited low activity against MCF7 cells (IC50,72.72 ± 6.95 µM) and moderate activity against HeLa cells (IC50, 9.80 ± 0.64 µM). Moreover, the EdU (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) assay demonstrates that 3 displays dose-dependent efficacy in suppressing the proliferation of HeLa cells. Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology implied that 3 may potentially bind to Src (proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase) to exert anti-proliferative activity.

Natural Prenylflavonoids from Sophora flavescens Root Bark against Multidrug-Resistant Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Targeting the Membrane Permeability.

The overuse of antibiotics in animal farming and aquaculture has led to multidrug-resistant methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MR-MSSA) becoming a common pathogen in foodborne diseases. Sophora flavescens Ait. serves as a traditional plant antibacterial agent and functional food ingredient. A total of 30 compounds (1-30) were isolated from the root bark of S. flavescens, consisting of 20 new compounds (1-20). In the biological activity assay, compound 1 demonstrated a remarkable inhibitory effect on MR-MSSA, with an MIC of 2 µg/mL. Furthermore, 1 was found to rapidly eliminate bacteria, inhibit biofilm growth, and exhibit exceptionally low cytotoxicity. Mechanistic studies have revealed that 1 possesses an enhanced membrane-targeting ability, binding to the bacterial cell membrane components phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and cardiolipin (CL). This disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity increases intracellular reactive oxygen species, protein and DNA leakage, reduced bacterial metabolism, and ultimately bacterial death. In summary, these findings suggest that compound 1 holds promise as a lead compound against MR-MSSA.

[Dynamic accumulation of three main triterpenic acids in submerged cultivation mycelium of Poria cocos].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dymamic accumulation of triterpenic acids production in submerged cultivation mycelium of Poria cocos. METHOD: Liquid culture method of P. cocos was established and RP-HPLC was applied to determine the contents of three main triterpenic acids dehydrotumulosic acid (DTA), 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid (eDTA) and polyporenic acid C (PAC) in submerged cultivation mycelium P. cocos at different culture stages and the contents were compared with cultivated P. cocos. The HPLC method is as follows, column: Plastisil ODS (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm); mobile phase: ACN/0.5% phosphate (80:20); flow rate: 1.0 mL . min-1; detective wavelength: 242 nm. RESULT: The maximum biomass occurred at the 8th d after inoluctation, however, the contents and yield of three compounds increased till the 17th day. The contents of three compounds were 1. 2% (DTA), 0. 42% (eDTA) and 1.0% (PAC) at the 17th day after inoculation, which were significantly higher than that in cultivated material [0.2% (DTA), 0. 12(eDTA) and 0. 16% (PAC) ]. Furthermore, a correlation analysis between the content ratios of three independent compounds was carried out. The results showed that DTA negatively correlated with eDTA and PAC, with R2 of 0. 857 6 and 0. 971 7, respectively, which suggested the role of DTA as an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of triterpenic acids in P. cocos. CONCLUSION: The sum content of three main terpenoids in submerged cultivation mycelium P. cocos was 5. 55 times as that in cultivated material, which strongly suggested the possibility of fermentation in the production of medicinally important triterpenic acids in the future.

Diterpenoids from Sigesbeckia glabrescens with anti-inflammatory and AChE inhibitory activities.

Fourteen previously undescribed diterpenoids, including seven ent-pimarane-type diterpenoids and seven phytane-type diterpenes, together with five known ones, were isolated from the aerial parts of Sigesbeckia glabrescens. The structures and absolute configurations of undescribed compounds were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic techniques, ECD calculations, Mo2(OAC)4-induced ECD, Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced ECD, calculated 13C NMR, and chemical methods. In the anti-inflammatory bioassay, siegetalis H showed potent inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 murine macrophages with an IC50 value at 17.29 µM. Furthermore, siegetalis H suppressed the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, siegetalis H suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, as well as the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, the AChE inhibition assay displayed that 3-O-acetyldarutigenol had a remarkable inhibitory effect against AChE with an IC50 value at 7.02 µM. Kinetic study on 3-O-acetyldarutigenol indicated that it acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, and the binding mode was explored by molecular docking.

Antiproliferative ent-abietane diterpenoids from Euphorbia fischeriana.

Euphorfinoids M and N (1 and 2), two previously undescribed ent-abietane diterpenoids, together with seven known analogues (3-9), were isolated from the roots of wild Euphorbia fischeriana. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive NMR, HR-ESIMS, ECD, and comparison with structurally related known analogues. Bioassays against proliferative effects of HeLa cell line showed that compound 1 was the most active with IC50 3.62 ± 0.31 µM.

Two new sesquiterpenoids with glycosides from the leaves and stems of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.

Two previously undescribed glycosidic bisnorsesquiterpenoids A - B (1 - 2), together with two known compounds (3 - 4), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra chinensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data (1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). The anti-inflammatory activity, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of compounds 1 - 4 were tested. However, all of these compounds showed only weak anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects.

Euphorfinoids A and B, a pair of ent-atisane diterpenoid epimers from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana, and their bioactivities.

Euphorfinoids A and B (1 and 2), a pair of ent-atisane diterpenoid epimers with a vicinal 2,3-diol moiety, together with four known analogues (3-6), were isolated from the roots of wild Euphorbia fischeriana. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive NMR, HR-ESIMS, NMR calculations, X-ray diffraction, and comparison with structurally related known analogues. Our bioassays have established that compound 1 displayed moderate anti-proliferative effects on Hcc1806 cell line with IC50 15.53 ± 0.21 µM, and compound 5 showed remarkable inhibitory effects against AChE with IC50 32.56 ± 2.74 µM by an in vitro screened experiment.