Comparative phytochemical studies on the roots of Polygala azizsancarii and P. peshmenii and neuroprotective activities of the two xanthones.

Six known sucrose mono-, di- and triesters and five xanthone derivatives were isolated from the roots of Polygala peshmenii Eren, Parolly, Raus & Kürschner which is a narrow species endemic to Türkiye. Among the xanthones, 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-methylenedioxy-5,6-dimethoxy-xanthone is an undescribed compound isolated for the first time from a natural source. The studies on the roots of P. azizsancarii Dönmez have resulted in the isolation of four known compounds including sucrose mono-, di- and triesters. The structures of the sucrose esters and xanthones isolated from P. azizsancarii and P. peshmenii were established by spectroscopic methods, including 1D-NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT-135), 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC). Neuroprotective activities of two xanthones, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone and 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone isolated from the roots of P. azizsancarii were evaluated in vitro using in a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. SKNAS human neuroblastoma cells were used in the study and treated with different consecrations of Aß25₋35 oligomer for up to 48 h. Cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay. The distribution of ß-amyloid, α-synuclein, tau, JAK2, STAT3, caspase 3 and BMP-2 were investigated using indirect immunoperoxidase staining. Our results suggested that both xanthones control tau aggregation with no effect on ß-amyloid plaque formation. In addition, for neuronal pathophysiology in AD cell model, decreased distributions of JAK/STAT3 and BMP2 signaling pathways were demonstrated, therefore they play a role in the protective effect on neurons in neurodegenerative disease. A significant decrease in caspase 3 immunoreactivity was detected after the administration of both compounds in AD cells. Therefore, both compounds control neuronal pathophysiology and rescue cell death in AD disease.

The complete chloroplast genome of Polygala subopposita, an endemic milkwort in China.

Polygala subopposita is an endemic milkwort species in China. In this study, we present the assembly of its chloroplast genome (plastome) for the first time. The total plastome size is 164,784 bp in length, consisting of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,235 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 8,037 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 36,756 bp that have expanded approximately 10 kb into the SSC region. A total of 111 unique genes were identified in the plastome, including 77 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and four rRNA genes. Interestingly, the trnQUUG gene was found to have two additional copies in the IRs, and the clpP gene lost its entire intron 2. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a close relationship between P. subopposita and P. crotalarioides. These findings provide valuable genomic resources for further research on the phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of Polygalaceae.

Dataset of pollination traits in Fabales.

The data presented in this paper is supporting the research article "Reconstructing an historical pollination syndrome: keel flowers" (Aygören Uluer et al., 2022). We present a dataset containing information on number of species, geographic distribution, floral type (keeled or not), presence or absence of fused petals, floral symmetry, presence or absence of a pentamerous corolla (petals+petaloid sepals in Polygalaceae), androecium type, presence or absence of enclosed reproductive organs, presence or absence of three distinct petal types (petals+ petaloid sepals in Polygalaceae), flower size, corolla size (i.e., in open flower) and/or filament size (i.e., entire filament size particularly in subfamily Caesalpinioideae), flower colour, UV reflectance, habit, height, inflorescence type and inflorescence size for 758 Fabales genera. The information was obtained from hundreds of appropriate, previously published sources. This the largest morphological dataset constructed for Fabales to date, and the data presented in this article can be used for morphology, biogeography, ancestral state, ancestral area analyses of any Fabales clades.

Xanthones and Xanthone O-ß-D-Glucosides from the Roots of Polygala azizsancarii Dönmez.

Nine xanthone derivatives (1-9) were isolated from the roots of Polygala azizsancarii, which is a narrow endemic species for the flora of Türkiye. Based on all of the evidence, the structures of 1-9 were established as two previously undescribed xanthone O-glucosides, 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone (1), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-2,7-dimethoxyxanthone (2), and seven previously described xanthones, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone (3), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,7-dimethoxyxanthone (4), 1,2,3,4,7-pentamethoxyxanthone (5), 1,3-dihydroxy-2,5,6,7-tetramethoxyxanthone (6), 1,3-dihydroxy-4,7-dimethoxyxanthone (7), 1,7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (8), and 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-methylenedioxyxanthone (9). The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, including 1D-NMR (1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, DEPT-135), 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC, INADEQUATE), and HR-MS. The solid-state structures of 1-4, including the absolute configurations of the stereogenic carbons of the sugar moiety in 1 and 2, were established by X-ray crystal-structure analyses. For the newly described compounds, the trivial names sancarosides A (1) and B (2) are proposed.

Oligosaccharide and glucose esters from the roots of Polygala arillata.

The root of plant Polygala arillata has been used in the Oriental medicine as a tonic and for the treatment of certain diseases. Our current research on phytochemical profile of the roots of P. arillata led to the isolation of a new oligosaccharide ester (1, polygaloside), a new glucose ester (7, arillatoside), along with five known sucrose esters (2-6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive chemical and spectroscopic methods as well as comparison with those reported in the literature. The occurence of various oligosaccharide esters in P. arillata including unique compounds plays taxonomical impact and suggests potential in medicinal uses of the title plant.

Structural Analysis of Polygalaxanthones, C-Glucosyl Xanthones of Polygala tenuifolia Roots.

Polygalaxanthone III, a xanthone glycoside that is a major constituent of "Polygala Root" (Polygala tenuifolia roots, Onji in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia), has been used as a standard in the quality control of crude drugs. However, we previously noted differences in the chromatographic properties of one of three samples of polygalaxanthone III. Therefore, standardization of the standard itself is extremely important. The structures of three standard samples commercially available as polygalaxanthone III were characterized by LC/MS and NMR. LC/MS analysis revealed that two molecular types exist. Both types are chromatographically separable but have an identical mass number with distinguishable MS/MS spectra. One dimensional (1D)-NMR analyses demonstrated that both had the same xanthone moiety and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) analyses revealed that they are structural isomers at the connecting position of glucose to apiose 1-position. Consequently, the isomers were identified as polygalaxanthone III and its regioisomer, polygalaxanthone XI. Based on the findings, we recommend using the LC-MS/MS detection method, which discriminates polygalaxanthone III and XI, to confirm the quality of the standard.

Evaluation of Biological Activity of Polygala Boliviensis in Experimental Models.

The plants of the genus Polygala (Polygalaceae) are employed in folk medicine for the treatment of several pathologies, including disorders of the bowel and kidney, as anesthetic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antiedematogenic and antinociceptive activities of methanolic extract of Polygala boliviensis A. W. Benn (MEPB) in mice. The antinociceptive activity of MEPB was evaluated using the writhing, formalin, and tail immersion tests. The carrageenan-induced paw edema test was used to assess the antiedematogenic activity of MEPB. Mice motor performance was evaluated in the rota rod and open field tests and the acute toxicity were evaluated over 14 days. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of MEPB. Oral administration of MEPB (75- 600 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhing induced by acetic acid. In the formalin test, the oral pre-treatment with MEPB (75 - 600 mg/kg) produced a dose-related inhibition only of the late phase. MEPB (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced the carrageenan-induced paw edema. In contrast, the treatment with MEPB (300 and 600 mg/kg) did not prevent the thermal nociception in the tail immersion test. MEPB (600 mg/kg)-treated mice did not show any motor performance alterations. Over the study duration of 14 days, there were no mortality or toxic signs recorded in the group mice given 6000 mg/kg of MEPB. The present study demonstrated, for the first time, the antinociceptive and antiedematogenic properties of Polygala boliviensis.

Mycoheterotrophic Epirixanthes (Polygalaceae) has a typical angiosperm mitogenome but unorthodox plastid genomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fully mycoheterotrophic plants derive carbon and other nutrients from root-associated fungi and have lost the ability to photosynthesize. While mycoheterotroph plastomes are often degraded compared with green plants, the effect of this unusual symbiosis on mitochondrial genome evolution is unknown. By providing the first complete organelle genome data from Polygalaceae, one of only three eudicot families that developed mycoheterotrophy, we explore how both organellar genomes evolved after loss of photosynthesis. METHODS: We sequenced and assembled four complete plastid genomes and a mitochondrial genome from species of Polygalaceae, focusing on non-photosynthetic Epirixanthes. We compared these genomes with those of other mycoheterotroph and parasitic plant lineages, and assessed whether organelle genes in Epirixanthes experienced relaxed or intensified selection compared with autotrophic relatives. KEY RESULTS: Plastomes of two species of Epirixanthes have become substantially degraded compared with that of autotrophic Polygala. Although the lack of photosynthesis is presumably homologous in the genus, the surveyed Epirixanthes species have marked differences in terms of plastome size, structural rearrangements, gene content and substitution rates. Remarkably, both apparently replaced a canonical plastid inverted repeat with large directly repeated sequences. The mitogenome of E. elongata incorporated a considerable number of fossilized plastid genes, by intracellular transfer from an ancestor with a less degraded plastome. Both plastid and mitochondrial genes in E. elongata have increased substitution rates, but the plastid genes of E. pallida do not. Despite this, both species have similar selection patterns operating on plastid housekeeping genes. CONCLUSIONS: Plastome evolution largely fits with patterns of gene degradation seen in other heterotrophic plants, but includes highly unusual directly duplicated regions. The causes of rate elevation in the sequenced Epirixanthes mitogenome and of rate differences in plastomes of related mycoheterotrophic species are not currently understood.

Chemical constituents from the stems of Securidaca inappendiculata Hassk.

Three new neolignan glycosides, (7R,8S)-4-hydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8,4'-oxyneoligna-7,9,9'-triol-4-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), (7R,8S)-4-hydroxy-3,5'-dimethoxy-4',7-epoxy-8,3'-neoligna-9,9'-diol-9'-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-4-O-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), and (7R,8S)-4-hydroxy-3,5,5'-trimethoxy-4',7-epoxy-8,3'-neoligna-9,9'-diol-9'-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-4-O-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), one new phenolic glycoside, securiphenoside B (4) and two new hemiterpene glycosides, securiterpenoside E-F (5-6) were isolated from the stems of Securidaca inappendiculata Hassk. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, CD and chemical evidence. Furthermore, compound 2 showed moderate hepatoprotective activity compared with bicyclol in vitro.

Polygala anatolica Boiss. et Heldr.: is a potential remedy for inflammation and pain? / Polygala anatolica Boiss. et Heldr.: ¿es un remedio potencial para la inflamación y el dolor?

Species of Polygala genus have been used for the treatment of inflamation and pain in Turkish traditional medicine. The aim of the present study is to assess the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of P. anatolica. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the aerial parts and roots of P. anatolica were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The methanol extracts prepared from the aerial parts and roots of P. anatolica were found to be active in carrageenan- and PGE2-induced paw edema models and in Whittle method. Methanolic extract of the aerial part inhibited serotonin-induced hind paw edema, while the root extract did not exert inhibitory effect in the same model. In addition, Fr. B and C obtained from the methanol extract of P. anatolica aerial parts showed significant anti- inflammatory activity. Morover, the analgesic effect of the methanol extracts prepared from the roots and aerial parts and Fr.B and Fr.C were found to be statistically significant without inducing ulceration. The methanol extract obtained from the aerial parts of the plant and its saponoside and flavonoid fractions showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in the trials.

Las especies del género Polygala se han utilizado para el tratamiento de la inflamación y el dolor en la medicina tradicional turca. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar las actividades antiinflamatorias y analgésicas de P. anatolica. Se investigaron los extractos de n-hexano, acetato de etilo y metanol de las partes aéreas y raíces de P. anatolica por sus efectos antiinflamatorios y analgésicos. Los extractos de metanol preparados a partir de las partes aéreas y raíces de P. anatolica se encontraron activos en modelos de edema de pata inducidos por carragenina y PGE2 por el método de Whittle. El extracto metanólico de la parte aérea inhibió el edema de la pata trasera inducido por serotonina, mientras que el extracto de raíz no ejerció un efecto inhibidor en el mismo modelo. En suma, la fracción B y C obtenidos a partir del extracto metanólico de partes aéreas de P. anatolica mostraron actividad antiinflamatoria significativa. Además, el efecto analgésico de los extractos de metanol preparados a partir de las raíces y las partes aéreas y la fracción B y C resultaron ser estadísticamente significativas sin inducir la ulceración. El extracto de metanol obtenido de las partes aéreas de la planta y sus fracciones de saponósidos y flavonoides mostraron actividades antiinflamatorias y analgésicas en los ensayos.

Phylogenomic inference in extremis: A case study with mycoheterotroph plastomes.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Phylogenomic studies employing large numbers of genes, including those based on plastid genomes (plastomes), are becoming common. Nonphotosynthetic plants such as mycoheterotrophs (which rely on root-associated fungi for essential nutrients, including carbon) tend to have highly elevated rates of plastome evolution, substantial genome reduction, or both. Mycoheterotroph plastomes therefore provide excellent test cases for investigating how extreme conditions impact phylogenomic inference. METHODS: We used parsimony and likelihood analysis of protein-coding gene sets from published and newly completed plastomes to infer the phylogenetic placement of taxa from the 10 angiosperm families in which mycoheterotrophy evolved. KEY RESULTS: Despite multiple very long branches that reflect elevated substitution rates, and frequently patchy gene recovery due to genome reduction, inferred phylogenetic placements of most mycoheterotrophic lineages in DNA-based likelihood analyses are both well supported and congruent with other studies. Amino-acid-based likelihood placements are broadly consistent with DNA-based inferences, but extremely rate-elevated taxa can have unexpected placements-albeit with weak support. In contrast, parsimony analysis is strongly misled by long-branch attraction among many distantly related mycoheterotrophic monocots. CONCLUSIONS: Mycoheterotrophic plastomes provide challenging cases for phylogenomic inference, as substitutional rates can be elevated and genome reduction can lead to sparse gene recovery. Nonetheless, diverse likelihood frameworks provide generally well-supported and mutually concordant phylogenetic placements of mycoheterotrophs, consistent with recent phylogenetic studies and angiosperm-wide classifications. Previous predictions of parallel photosynthesis loss within families are supported for Burmanniaceae, Ericaceae, Gentianaceae, and Orchidaceae. Burmanniaceae and Thismiaceae should not be combined as a single family in Dioscoreales.

Poligalen, a new coumarin from Polygala boliviensis, reduces the release of TNF and IL-6 independent of NF-kB downregulation.

An unusually substituted coumarin, named poligalen, was isolated from a chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Polygala boliviensis. This coumarin was identified by one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, and the structure of the compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Poligalen exhibits immunomodulatory effects, reducing the levels of IL-6 and TNF after LPS stimulation in peritoneal macrophages. However, poligalen potentiates NF-kB activation.

Antinociceptive effect of hydroalcoholic extract and isoflavone isolated from Polygala molluginifolia in mice: evidence for the involvement of opioid receptors and TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels.

PURPOSE: The plants of the genus Polygala (Polygalaceae) have been used for a long time in folk medicine to treat pain and inflammation. The species Polygala molluginifolia is native to southern Brazil and is popularly known as "cânfora". The presented study analyzes the antinociceptive effect of hydroalcoholic extract from Polygala molluginifolia (HEPm) and an isoflavone (ISO) isolated from the extract, in behavioral models of pain in mice, as well as the mechanism underlying this effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phytochemical analysis of HEPm was performed through a capillary electrophoresis analysis and colorimetric test. The antinociceptive effects of HEPm and ISO (10-1000 mg/kg, i.g.) were evaluated by applying the formalin test; mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia to postoperative pain in mice. The possible involvement of opioid receptors, TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels in the antinociceptive effect of HEPm and ISO were also evaluated. Finally, the nonspecific effects of HEPm and ISO were evaluated by measuring locomotor activity (Open-field Test) and corporal temperature. RESULTS: The 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″:7,6] isoflavone (ISO) was identified in HEPm by capillary electrophoresis analysis and selected for the experimental tests. The oral administration of HEPm or of ISO significantly inhibited the neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin-induced pain, edema formation and local hyperemia, without causing any change to locomotor activity. Acute and repeated treatment of animals with HEPm reduced mechanical and thermal (heat and cold) hyperalgesia in the postoperative pain. In addition, administering HEPm or ISO markedly reduced nociceptive behavior induced by the peripheral and central injection of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels activators. Finally, the antinociception provided by the administration of HEPm or ISO was reversed by the preadministration of naloxone. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results provide the first experimental evidence of the significant antinociceptive effect of HEPm and ISO in animal models of acute pain without causing sedation or locomotor dysfunction. This effect appears to be mediated, at least in part, by the activation of opioid receptors and/or by the inhibition of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels. Moreover, this study adds new scientific evidence and highlights the therapeutic potential of the medicinal plant Polygala molluginifolia in the development of phytomedicines with analgesic properties.

Are microsatellite fragment lengths useful for population-level studies? The case of Polygala lewtonii (Polygalaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellites, despite being commonly used population-level markers, contain biases because scoring relies solely on fragment length. Their complexity can lead to homoplasy, the effects of which are poorly understood. We investigated the impact of using fragment lengths, repeats, or flanking region sequences on common population-level analyses. METHODS: Five polymorphic microsatellite markers amplified across the central Florida scrub endemic Polygala lewtonii (Polygalaceae) and its close, widespread congener P. polygama. We genotyped 147 individuals of P. lewtonii and 156 of P. polygama, and sequenced the amplicons of four markers across all individuals. We ran basic statistics, spatial clustering analysis, historical demographics, and migration tests. RESULTS: One population of intermediate morphology was genetically clearly identified as P. polygama, making it the southernmost population of this species. Statistics were comparable between the fragment length and repeat numbers, with some notable differences. Flanking regions exhibited surprisingly high polymorphism between species, and between geographically distant conspecific populations. DISCUSSION: The increasing use of markers developed in one species and amplified in another is only a good practice if precautions are taken, notably the sequencing of the fragments between species and populations. Flanking region sequences are a useful marker at the interspecific level.

Two New Flavonol Glycosides from Polygala sibirica L. var megalopha Fr.

Two new flavonol glycosides, named polygalin H (1) and polygalin I (2), as well as the known compound polygalin D (3), were isolated from the whole plant of Polygala sibirica L. var megalopha Fr. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. These flavonol glycosides exhibited strong inhibitory activities against xanthine oxidase in vitro. Their half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were calculated, which were 9.48, 8.31, 16.00 µM, respectively.

Evolution of mycoheterotrophy in Polygalaceae: The case of Epirixanthes.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The mycoheterotrophic lifestyle has enabled some plant lineages to obtain carbon from their mycorrhizal symbionts. The mycoheterotrophic genus Epirixanthes (Polygalaceae) consists of six species from tropical Asia. Although it is probably closely related to the chlorophyllous genus Salomonia and linked to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, lack of DNA sequence data has thus far prevented these hypotheses from being tested. Therefore, the evolutionary history of Epirixanthes remains largely unknown. METHODS: We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of Epirixanthes based on nuclear ITS and plastid matK data. Divergence times were inferred using a Bayesian relaxed clock approach, and we phylogenetically analyzed its mycorrhizal symbionts. We furthermore assigned these symbionts to operational taxonomic units, compared them with symbionts of other Polygalaceae, and measured their phylogenetic diversity. KEY RESULTS: We found that Epirixanthes is placed in tribe Polygaleae as sister to Salomonia. Epirixanthes has a Miocene-Oligocene stem age and grows exclusively in symbiosis with fungi of Glomeraceae. Salomonia and some Polygala species are linked to both Glomeraceae and Acaulosporaceae, resulting in higher phylogenetic diversity values. The majority of the symbionts of Epirixanthes are not found in Salomonia or Polygala, although a few shared fungal taxa are found. CONCLUSIONS: Epirixanthes forms a relatively young mycoheterotrophic lineage. The Oligocene-Miocene origin suggests its evolution was influenced by the environmental dynamics in Southeast Asia during this time. Although comparison of fungi from Epirixanthes with those from Salomonia and Polygala suggests some specialization, many other mycoheterotrophic plants are linked to a more narrow set of Glomeraceae.

Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae): a review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae) is a multi-purpose plant with a long history of use in African traditional medicine to treat various sexually transmitted infections, hernias, coughs, fever, ascariasis, constipation, headaches, rheumatism, stomach ache, malaria, tuberculosis, pain, epilepsy, pneumonia, skin infections, and it is also used as an aphrodisiac for men. The current paper provides an overview of the present phytochemistry, toxicology, ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological properties of S. longipedunculata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information reported in this paper was collected from a literature search using various computerised databases including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scielo, PubMed and Google Scholar. The extra information was sourced from various academic dissertations, theses and botanical books. RESULTS: Phytochemically, extracts from various parts of S. longipedunculata, especially the root bark, contain numerous valuable compounds including xanthones, some benzyl benzoates and triterpene saponins amongst others. Toxicity studies, both in vivo and in vitro, revealed that extracts are only toxic at relatively high concentrations. Furthermore, extracts have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, insecticidal, pesticidal, and anticonvulsant properties. CONCLUSIONS: S. longipedunculata is an important plant species with potential benefits in the treatment of transmissible and infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, and those caused by community acquired microorganisms. Although extracts from this species generally have little toxicity at low concentrations, further efforts are required to investigate the potential toxicity of S. longipedunculata. The antimicrobial properties of extracts and purified compounds against microorganisms causing sexually transmitted infections are also deserving of further research. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic properties of extracts and compounds of the species need to be explored as there is insufficient data available on these aspects.

Chemical investigation of the roots of Polygala sibirica L.

AIM: To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Polygala sibirica L. (Polygalaceae) METHOD: The isolation was performed by solvent extraction and various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, semi-preparative HPLC, and preparative TLC. The chemical structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HR-ESI-MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. RESULTS: A total of sixteen compounds, including five xanthones (5, 7-10), five saccharide esters (1, 3, 4, 12, 13), two flavonoids (14, 16), two triterpenoids (11, 15), one phenylpropanoid (6), and one benzophenone glycoside (2) were isolated. Their structures were determined as sibiricose A7 (1), sibiriphenone A (2), polygalatenoside A (3), polygalatenoside C (4), lancerin (5), 3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamic acid (6), 6-hydroxy-1, 2, 3, 7-tetramethoxyxanthone (7), 1, 3, 7-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone (8), onjixanthone II (9), 1, 2, 3, 6, 7-pentamethoxyxanthone (10), presenegenin (11), 3'-O-3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamoyl-6-O-4-methoxy benzoyl sucrose (12), tenuifoliside C (13), 5, 3'-dihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavonol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (14), tenuifolin (15), and rhamnetin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (16). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 and 2 are two new compounds from P. sibirica.

Anti-inflammatory action of hydroalcoholic extract, dichloromethane fraction and steroid α-spinasterol from Polygala sabulosa in LPS-induced peritonitis in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polygala sabulosa A. W. Bennett is a small herb popularly known as "timutu-pinheirinho" that is widely distributed in southern Brazil and that is used to treat disorders of the bowel and kidney and as a topical anesthetic and expectorant in folk medicine. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of the hydroalcoholic extract (HEPs), CH2Cl2 fraction and the steroid α-spinasterol obtained from the aerial parts of Polygala sabulosa in a model of acute inflammation induced by intraperitoneal injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effect of HEPs (3-300 mg/kg, i.g.), CH2Cl2 fraction (0.003-30 mg/kg, i.g.) and steroid α-spinasterol (0.001-1mg/kg, i.p. or 1-10mg/kg, i.g.), were evaluated in mice subjected to the acute inflammation caused by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.02 µg/kg). The anti-inflammatory activity of the HEPs, CH2Cl2 fraction and steroid were assessed by determining the total numbers of leukocytes and differential cell counts (neutrophils and mononuclear cells) and levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6) or anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in peritoneal fluid. RESULTS: The administration of HEPs (3-300 mg/kg, i.g.) completely inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration (300 mg/kg, i.g.) and it reduced TNF-α (100-300 mg/kg) and IL-1ß (100mg/kg) levels in LPS-injected mice. Furthermore, the administration of CH2Cl2 fraction (0.003-30 mg/kg, i.g.) or α-spinasterol (0.001-10mg/kg, by i.p. or i.g.) significantly reduces inflammatory cell infiltration in LPS-injected mice. Moreover, dexamethasone (0.5mg/kg, i.p., used as a positive control) inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in LPS-injected mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results provide the first experimental evidence demonstrating that HEPs have significant anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammation. These effects appear to be, at least in part, due to the presence of α-spinasterol. These findings support the widespread use of Polygala sabulosa in popular medicine and demonstrate that this plant has therapeutic potential for the development of phytomedicines with anti-inflammatory properties.

Antimicrobial activity of Carpolobia lutea extracts and fractions.

Carpolobia lutea (G. Don) (Polygalaceae) is a tropical medicinal plant putative in traditional medicines against gonorrhea, gingivitis, infertility, antiulcer and malaria. The present study evaluated the antimicrobial, antifungal and antihelicobacter effects of extracts C. lutea leaf, stem and root. The extracts were examined using the disc-diffusion and Microplates of 96 wells containing Muller-Hinton methods against some bacterial strains: Eschericia coli (ATCC 25922), E. coli (ATCC10418), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphyllococus aureus (ATCC 6571), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Bacillus subtilis (NCTC 8853) and four clinical isolates: one fungi (Candida albican) and three bacteria (Salmonella, Sheigella and staphylococcus aureus). The Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 19659) and the Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Cândida albicans (ATCC 18804) and Helicobacter pylori (ATCC 43504). Some of these extracts were found to be active against some tested strains but activity against H. pylori was >1000mg/ml and good fungistatic activity against C. albican. The MIC against C. albican is in the order n-HF > CHF > ETF= EAF.The order of potency of fraction was the ethanol root > n-HF leaf > ethanol fraction stem > chloroform fraction leaf = ethyl acetate fraction leaf. Polyphenols were demonstrated in ethanol fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, crude ethyl acetate extract and ethanol extract, respectively. These polyphenols isolated may partly explain and support the use of C. lutea for the treatment of infectious diseases in traditional Ibibio medicine of Nigeria.