Study on Antidepressant Activity of Pseudo-Ginsenoside HQ on Depression-Like Behavior in Mice.

Suppressive effects of ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2), (24R)-pseudo-ginsenoside HQ (R-PHQ), and (24S)-pseudo-ginsenoside HQ (S-PHQ) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like behavior were evaluated using the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Pretreatment with Rh2, R-PHQ, and S-PHQ significantly decreased immobility time in FST and TST with clear dose-dependence, and significantly downregulated levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, and upregulated superoxide dismutase activity in the hippocampus of LPS-challenged mice. Furthermore, R-PHQ and S-PHQ significantly increased the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), sirtuin type 1 (Sirt1), and nuclear-related factor 2, and inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB-α and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus of LPS-challenged mice. Additionally, the antidepressant-like effect of R-PHQ was found related to the dopaminergic (DA), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic, and noradrenaline systems, while the antidepressive effect of S-PHQ was involved in the DA and GABAergic systems. Taken together, these results suggested that Rh2, R-PHQ, and S-PHQ produced significant antidepressant-like effects, which may be related to the BDNF/TrkB and Sirt1/NF-κB signaling pathways.

[Absorbed components analysis of Zhitong Huazheng Capsules in rat serum by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS].

To identify and analyze the constituents in rat serum after oral administration of Zhitong Huazheng capsule (ZTHZC), and provide a reference for its further research on pharmacodynamics material basis. Female Wistar rats were selected as experimental animals, and received intragastric administration of ZTHZC at a dose of 1.5 g·kg⁻¹. After the serum samples were collected, the absorbed prototype components in rat serum were identified and analyzed by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis．The results showed, a total of fifteen absorbed constituents were identified, all of which were prototype components, including Danshensu, salvianolic acid A, B, C, D, 9,12-dihydroxy-15-nonadecanoicacid, linoleic acid, ethyl palmitoleate, tetrahydropalmatine, fumarate A, astragaloside A, astragaloside II, saponin, locustin and luteolin. This experiment showed that these fifteen components absorbed into blood may be the potential bioactive components in ZTHZC, providing a scientific basis for clarifying its material basis in pharmacodynamics.

Two novel dammarane-type compounds from the leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L.

Two new dammarane-type compounds were isolated from the leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L. The new compounds were named as pseudo-ginsenoside RT6 (1) and pseudoginsengenin R1 (2). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by the combined analysis of NMR and HR-ESI-MS as (20S,24R)-6-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-dammar-3-one-20,24-epoxy-6α,12ß,25-triol (1) and (20S,24R)-dammar-3-one-20,24-epoxy-6α,12ß,25-triol (2).

Two new terpenoid benzoates with antitumor activity from the roots of Ferula dissecta.

Two new sesquiterpene benzoates, syreiteate A (1) and syreiteate B (2), were isolated from the roots of Ferula dissecta (Ledeb.) Ledeb. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D ((1)H and (13)C) NMR, 2D (HSQC, HMBC, DQF-COSY, and NOESY) NMR, and ESI-TOF-MS. Their configurations were determined on the basis of the analysis of the coupling constants, NOESY correlations, and circular dichroism spectrum. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent growth inhibitory activity against cervical cancer HeLa cell line with the IC50 values of 13.2 and 19.3 µM, respectively.

A new flavanol from Cynomorium songaricum.

A new flavanol, named songarin A (1), was isolated from Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. The structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR techniques. Compound 1 displayed the protective effect against d-galactosamine-induced HepG2 damage and reduced the damage from 58.64% to 22.26%.

Two new dammarane-type triterpene saponins from red American ginseng.

Two new dammarane-type triterpene saponins were isolated from the red American ginseng. The new saponins were named as pseudoginsenoside G(1) and pseudoginsenoside G(2). Their structures were elucidated by the combined analysis of NMR and mass spectrometry as 3-O-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-12-one-20S,24R-epoxy-3ß,25-diol (pseudoginsenoside G(1)) (1) and 3-O-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-12-one-20S,24S-epoxy-3ß,25-diol (pseudoginsenoside G(2)).

Phenanthrene derivatives from the stems and leaves of Dioscorea nipponica Makino.

From the CHCl(3)-soluble portion of the 70% EtOH extract of the stems and leaves of Dioscorea nipponica Makino, two new phenanthrenes, 7-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1) and 2,2',7,7'-tetrahydroxy-4,4',6,6'-tetramethoxy-1,1'-biphenanthrenes (2), as well as three known phenanthrenes, 6-methoxycoelonin (3), 4,7-dihydroxy-2,3,6-trimethoxyphenanthrene (4), and 3,7-dihydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxyphenanthrene (5), were isolated. The structures were determined by means of HR-MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and HMBC experiments.

Determination of the chemical components and phospholipids of velvet antler using UPLC/QTOF-MS coupled with UNIFI software.

Velvet antler, which exhibits immune and growth enhancing effects, is commonly used in a variety of Asian health care products, but its complex components remain unknown. The current study analyzed extracts using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry in the MSE mode. Automated detection and data filtering were performed using UNIFI software and peaks were compared with a proprietary scientific library (Traditional Medicine Library; TML). The results obtained using different data processing parameters (including 3D peak detection, target by mass and fragment identification) were evaluated against 87 compounds comprising 1 lignan, 30 terpenoids (including 20 triterpenes), 39 steroids, 8 alkaloids, 4 organic acids and 5 esters in the TML. Using a screening method with a mass accuracy cutoff of ±2 mDa, a retention time cutoff of ±0.2 min, a minimum response threshold of 1,000 counts and an average of 10 false detects per sample analysis, 16 phospholipids were identified in the extracts of velvet antler, three of which were quantified. The results demonstrated that there was 1.07±0.02 µg/g of 1-myristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 7.05±0.52 ng/g of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 18.81±0.55 ng/g of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in velvet antler. The current study successfully identified certain components of velvet antler. Furthermore, the results may provide an experimental basis for further pharmacological and clinical study.

[Study on excretion of pseudo-ginsenoside GQ].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pseudo-ginsenoside GQ (PGQ) in rat bile, feces and urine, and to study on the excretion of pseudo-ginsenoside GQ. METHOD: Reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with an evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) was performed on Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), and the mobile phase was consisted of methanol-water (24: 7) with flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). ELSD parameters were set as follows: nitrogen gas pressure 3.0 bar, drift tube temperature 50 degrees C. RESULT: The method fulfilled all the standard requirements of precision, accuracy and linearity. The main way of excretion of PGQ in rat administrated through sublingual vein was at the bile. The bile excretion ratio of PGQ was 41.60%, and feces excretion ratio was 9.97%. Only trace amount of PGQ was excreted in urine. CONCLUSION: Almost all unchanged PGQ was excreted in bile, feces and urine.

Determination of Sophorabioside in Rat Plasma by UPLC-MS/MS and its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study.

A ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was initially developed and validated for quantification of sophorabioside in rat plasma using kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-rutinoside as the internal standard (IS). Analyte and IS were preparation through a protein precipitation procedure with 1.0 mL of methanol to a 0.1 mL plasma sample. The processed samples were separated by C18 analytical column using methanol/water containing 0.1% formic acid with gradient elution as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Sophorabioside (m/z 577.15 → 269.45) and kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-rutinoside (m/z 593.15 → 285.84) were detected by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in negative electrospray ionization mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The calibration curve for sophorabioside was linear in the range of 6-1,200 ng/mL (r2 > 0.995) with a lower limit of quantification of 6 ng/mL. The inter- and intra-day precision and accuracy were well within the acceptable limits. The matrix effects were satisfactory in all of the biological matrices examined. The mean recovery of sophorabioside was always >90%. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of sophorabioside in rats after an oral administration of 90 mg/kg sophorabioside. The main pharmacokinetic parameters: Tmax, Cmax and t1/2 were 6.2 ± 0.8 h, 1430.83 ± 183.25 ng/mL, 7.2 ± 0.5 h, respectively.

A novel cycloartane triterpene glycoside from the seeds of Cassia sophera L.

A new cycloartane triterpene glycoside (1), named Cyclosophoside A, was isolated from the seeds of Cassia sophera L. The structure of 1 has been determined as 29-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside of 1alpha, 3beta, 24xi, 25-tetrahydroxy-9, 19-cycloartan-29-oic acid by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, MS).

A new triterpenoid compound from stems and leaves of American ginseng.

A new dammarane-type triterpenoid compound was isolated from stems and leaves of American ginseng. The structure of the new sapogenin was elucidated by the combined analysis of NMR and HR-ESI-MS as dammar-20S, 25S-epoxy-3ß, 12ß, 26-triol (1). Compound 1 showed cytotoxic effect on human SM7721 and human Hela cells in vitro.

[Distribution and pharmacokinetics of 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 eyeointment in rabbit eye].

AIM: To determine 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 in various tissues of rabbit eye and evaluate pharmacokinetics following its topical application. METHODS: 45 rabbits were divided into 9 groups. Aqueous humor, cornea and iris-ciliary body were collected at 0.017, 0.033, 0.083, 0.167, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 h following topically applying 1% 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 eyeointment and the concentrations in eye tissues were measured by HPLC. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics of 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 in rabbit eye were described by one-compartment model. The peak times in aqueous humor, cornea and iris-ciliary body were 0.42, 0.16 and 0.19 h, and T(1/2) were 0.1, 0.9 and 0.8 h respectively. CONCLUSION: The method of determining 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 in rabbit eyes was established. The pharmacokinetics parameters were determined.

A new epimer of ocotillol from stems and leaves of American ginseng.

A new minor C-3 epimer of ocotillol, named 3α-ocotillol (1), was isolated along with ocotillol (2) from the stems and leaves of American ginseng for the first time. The structure of the new sapogenin was elucidated as (20S, 24R)-dammar-20,24-epoxy-3α,6α,12ß,25-tetraol by the combination analysis of NMR and mass spectrometry. The complete signal assignments of the two compounds were carried out by means of 2D NMR spectral analysis.

A new ocotillol-type triterpenoid saponin from red American ginseng.

A new ocotillol-type triterpenoid saponin, named 20(R)-pseudoginsenoside F(11) (1), was isolated along with pseudoginsenoside F(11) (2) from red American ginseng. The structure of the new saponin was elucidated as 6-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar-20R, 24R-epoxy-3ß, 6α, 12ß, 25-tetraol by a combination analysis of NMR and mass spectrometry. The complete signal assignments of the two compounds were carried out by means of 2-D NMR spectral analysis.

A novel hexanordammarane glycoside from the leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L.

One novel hexanordammarane glycoside, ginsenoside R(10), was isolated from the leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L. as a minor constituent. It is the first time that a hexanordammarane glycoside isolated from the plant of Panax quinquefolium L. Its structure was elucidated as 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-3ß, 12ß-dihydroxy-22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27-hexanordammarane-20-one (1), by the combination analysis of one-dimensional NMR, two-dimensional NMR and mass spectrometry.

Two new xanthones from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana.

Two new xanthones, 3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-5'-isopropyl-4',5'-dihydrofuro[2',3' : 7, 8]-6″,6″-dimethyl-4″,5″-dihydropyrano[2″,3″ : 1,2]xanthone (1) and 1,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-8-(3-methylbut-3-enyl)-6',6'-dimethyl-4',5'-dihydropyrano[2'3' : 3,2]xanthone (2), were isolated from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana. Their structures were elucidated by spectral means (1-D and 2-D NMR, MS).

A new antioxidant xanthone from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana Linn.

The air-dried fruit hulls of Garcinia mangostana Linn. were extracted with 85% ethanol. Furthermore, a new xanthone, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6',6'-dimethyl-4',5'-dihydropyrano[2',3':7,8]xanthone, along with five known xanthones related to their antioxidant activity was purified by silica gel column chromatography and then identified using spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, MS). The antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capability. An activity-guided isolation and purification process were used to identify the components, showing the strong DPPH radical-scavenging activity of G. mangostana.

A new 3,4-seco-lupane-type triterpenoid from the pulp of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms.

A new triterpenoid, 3,4-seco-lupane-20(29)-ene-3,28-dioic acid, together with three known lignans, (-)-schisandrin B, (-)-sesamin and (-)-syringaresinol, was isolated from the pulp of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms. Their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D-NMR and MS).

A new bile acid from the bile of Anser anser.

A new compound, named 3alpha-acetoxy-7alpha-hydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (2), along with chenodeoxycholic acid (1), was isolated from the bile of Anser anser. Their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D NMR and MS).