Two undescribed benzopyran derivatives from Ranunculus sceleratus L. with their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells.

Previous studies on Ranunculus sceleratus L. have shown the existence of coumarins and their anti-inflammatory effect. Phytochemical work was conducted to investigate the bioactive compounds, leading to the isolation of two undescribed benzopyran derivatives, namely ranunsceleroside A (1) and B (3), together with two known coumarins (2, 4) from the whole plant of R. sceleratus L. All compounds were structurally identified by extensive spectroscopic analysis and then investigated for their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, repectively. As a result, compound 1-4 presented inhibitory effects on the production of NO, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner, which provides a potential chemical basis for the traditional use of R. sceleratus L. as an anti-inflammatory plant.

Review on Research Progress and Prospects of Cicada Flower, Isaria cicadae (Ascomycetes).

Cicada flower, Isaria cicadae Miq., has been a traditional Chinese medicine for approximately 1600 years. Many works on its identification, bioactivities, and clinical use against some disorders have been published, but some inaccuracies and inconsistencies need to be further clarified. In combination with our > 20 years of research and application of cicada flower and examination of the literature and patents published in recent years, this article summarizes and reviews the life cycle and taxonomy, genome size and mating type, molecular systematic classification and cultivation, active ingredients, and pharmacological functions of I. cicadae.

Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Constituents of Artificial Culture of Ophiocordyceps longissima (Ascomycetes).

In this study, the compositions of Ophiocordyceps longissima mycelia, synnemata, and fruiting bodies were first analyzed in order to clarify its chemical basis for development as a health food or medicine. We found that the contents of crude protein, polysaccharides, and macroelements were highest in mycelia, whereas effective components, including mannitol, ergosterol, adenosine, inosine, Zn, and Se, were lowest in mycelia. Polysaccharide, mannitol, and ergosterol levels in synnemata (2.33, 4.54, and 0.66 g/100 g, respectively) were similar to those in fruiting bodies, but was significantly different from those of mycelia (4.79, 1.77, and 0.43 g/100 g). Trehalose content in fruiting bodies (2.15 g/100 g) was >4 times higher than that in synnemata (0.5 g/100 g). Adenosine content in fruiting bodies (0.024 g/100 g) was 3-4 times higher than that of synnemata, whereas inosine, cytosine, guanosine, and uridine (0.093, 0.145, 0.053, and 0.073 g/100 g) were highest in synnemata. Cu and Se were lower in mycelia (3.30 × 10⁻4 and 3.1 × 10⁻5 g/100 g) than in synnemata (1.85 × 10⁻³ and 7.2 × 10⁻5 g/100 g) and fruiting bodies (1.67 × 10⁻³ and 4.3 × 10⁻5 g/100 g). As, Hg, Cd, and Pb in mycelia were under the limit of edible fungus health standard; Pb was not found, but Cd, Hg, and As were detected in fruiting bodies. These findings suggest that O. longissima could be utilized in different culture methods according to market demand and might be a possible health food or medicinal resource.

Protective effects of total flavonoids from Litsea coreana on alcoholic fatty liver in rats associated with down-regulation adipose differentiation-related protein expression.

Alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) is a reversible condition, but it can potentiate the development of alcoholic hepatitis and even cirrhosis by increasing oxidant generation, which is one of the key pathogenic factors and could result in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Total flavonoids from Litsea coreana (TFLC), an active component extracted from Litsea coreana leve, have been shown to have therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia. The present study was to evaluate the protective effects of TFLC on alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) in rats, and investigate the potential mechanism. An AFL model in rats was established by intaking different doses of alcohol (concentration from 5% to 40%) over 12 weeks. Serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TNF-α, insulin, and glucose were measured, histopathologic changes were determined, and expression of adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) in the liver were evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The results showed that treatment with TFLC resulted in decreased serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, TNF-α, glucose and insulin, as well as improved liver index. Morphological evaluation revealed rats in model group developed a severe steatosis, but the severities of liver steatosis were effectively ameliorated in TFLC (200 and 400 mg/kg) treated groups. Expression of hepatic ADRP were increased in model group, and suppressed in TFLC treated groups. These results suggest that TFLC had a protective effect on AFL rats; the mechanism may be involved in regulation serum lipid profiles via down-regulation of hepatic expression of ADRP in AFL rats.

Preventive effects of total flavonoids of Litsea coreana leve on hepatic steatosis in rats fed with high fat diet.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the protective effects of total flavonoids of Litsea Coreana leve (TFLC) on rat high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were given either a high fat diet alone or the same diet plus TFLC for 4 weeks. RESULTS: TFLC improved liver histology with reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as decreased the over accumulation lipids in serum and liver. TFLC increased serum levels of leptin and insulin, while decreased serum TNFalpha level in high fat diet fed rat. Furthermore, TFLC was found increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) in high fat diet fed rat liver. These benefits were associated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) in high fat diet fed rat liver. CONCLUSIONS: TFLC exerts protective effects against hepatic steatosis in rats fed with high fat diet possibly through its antioxidant actions, improving the adipocytokines release and increasing the expression of PPARalpha.

Preliminary study of total flavonoids from Litsea coreana Levl. on experimental adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

Litsea coreana Levl., a traditional Chinese medicine, has long been used for its diverse benefits such as detoxification and detumescence. Total flavonoids from Litsea coreana Levl. (TFLC) are the effective fraction of L. coreana. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of TFLC against Feund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis in rats. Arthritis was evaluated by secondary paw swelling, polyarthritis index, body weight and histopathologic analysis. Con A- or LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and cytokine (IL-1 and IL-2) production were assessed by MTT assay and activated mouse cell proliferation assay, respectively. The results indicate that therapeutic administration of TFLC (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, ig x 12 days) could significantly suppress secondary arthritis in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). In vivo, TFLC (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, ig x 12 days) augmented splenocyte proliferation and increased IL-2 production in splenocytes, while reduced IL-1 activity in peritoneal macrophages (PM(Phi)) of AA rats. In vitro, TFLC at concentrations from 0.005 to 50 microg/ml exerted the same immunoregulatory effects on AA rats as those in vivo. In addition, an attractive feature of TFLC lies in its apparent lack of toxicity. These results suggest that TFLC without toxicity has a significant anti-arthritic effect on AA rats which could be associated with its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.