Phytochemical Investigation and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Leaves of Machilus japonica var. kusanoi.

In a series of anti-inflammatory screenings of lauraceous plants, the methanolic extract of the leaves of Machilus japonica var. kusanoi (Hayata) J.C. Liao showed potent inhibition on both superoxide anion generation and elastase release in human neutrophils. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the leaves of M. japonica var. kusanoi led to the isolation of twenty compounds, including six new butanolides, machinolides A-F (1-6), and fourteen known compounds (7-20). Their structures were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, CD, and MS data. The absolute configuration of the new compounds were unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses (1, 2, and 3) and Mosher's method (4, 5, and 6). In addition, lignans, (+)-eudesmin (11), (+)-methylpiperitol (12), (+)-pinoresinol (13), and (+)-galbelgin (16) exhibited inhibitory effects on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB)-induced superoxide anion generation in human neutrophils with IC50 values of 8.71 ± 0.74 µM, 2.23 ± 0.92 µM, 6.81 ± 1.07 µM, and 7.15 ± 2.26 µM, respectively. The results revealed the anti-inflammatory potentials of Formosan Machilus japonica var. kusanoi.

Chemical Constituent of ß-Glucuronidase Inhibitors from the Root of Neolitsea acuminatissima.

Neolitsea acuminatissima (Lauraceae) is an endemic plant in Taiwan. One new carboline alkaloid, demethoxydaibucarboline A (1), two new eudesmanolide-type sesquiterpenes, methyl-neolitacumone A (2), neolitacumone E (3), and twelve known compounds (4-15) were isolated from the root of Neolitsea acuminatissima. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Glucuronidation represents a major metabolism process of detoxification for carcinogens in the liver. However, intestinal bacterial ß-Glucuronidase (ßG) has been considered pivotal to colorectal carcinogenesis. To develop specific bacterial-ßG inhibitors with no effect on human ßG, methanolic extract of roots of N. acuminatissima was selected to evaluate their anti-ßG activity. Among the isolates, demethoxydaibucarboline A (1) and quercetin (8) showed a strong bacterial ßG inhibitory effect with an inhibition ratio of about 80%. Methylneolitacumone A (2) and epicatechin (10) exhibited a moderate or weak inhibitory effect and the enzyme activity was less than 45% and 74%, respectively. These four compounds specifically inhibit bacterial ßG but not human ßG. Thus, they are expected to be used for the purpose of reducing chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID). The results suggest that the constituents of N. acuminatissima have the potential to be used as CID relief candidates. However, further investigation is required to determine their mechanisms of action.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Activity Constituents from the Stem of Cinnamomum validinerve.

One new dibenzocycloheptene, validinol (1), and one butanolide firstly isolated from the natural source, validinolide (2), together with 17 known compounds were isolated from the stem of Cinnamomum validinerve. Among the isolates, lincomolide A (3), secosubamolide (7), and cinnamtannin B1 (19) exhibited potent inhibition on both superoxide anion generation (IC50 values of 2.98 ± 0.3 µM, 4.37 ± 0.38 µM, and 2.20 ± 0.3 µM, respectively) and elastase release (IC50 values of 3.96 ± 0.31 µM, 3.04 ± 0.23 µM, and 4.64 ± 0.71 µM, respectively) by human neutrophils. In addition, isophilippinolide A (6), secosubamolide (7), and cinnamtannin B1 (19) showed bacteriostatic effects against Propionibacterium acnes in in vitro study, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values at 16 µg/mL, 16 µg/mL, and 500 µg/mL, respectively. Further investigations using the in vivo ear P. acnes infection model showed that the intraperitoneal administration of the major component cinnamtannin B1 (19) reduced immune cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 at the infection sites. The results demonstrated the potential of cinnamtannin B1 (19) for acne therapy. In summary, these results demonstrated the anti-inflammatory potentials of Formosan C. validinerve during bacterial infections.

Secondary Metabolites of the Endophytic Fungus Lachnum abnorme from Ardisia cornudentata.

Fractionation of an EtOAc-soluble fraction of the solid fermentate of an endophytic fungus, Lachnum abnorme Mont. BCRC 09F0006, derived from the endemic plant, Ardisia cornudentata Mez. (Myrsinaceae), resulted in the isolation of three new chromones, lachnochromonins D-F (1-3), one novel compound, lachabnormic acid (4), along with nine known compounds (5-13). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Alternariol-3,9-dimethyl ether (6) was given the correct data as well as 2D spectral analyses for the first time. This is the first report of the isolation of one unprecedented compound 4 from Lachnum genus, while all known compounds were also found for the first time from Lachnum. The effects of some isolates (3, 4, 7-9, 10, and 13) on the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were also evaluated. Several compounds exhibited weak inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Biological evaluation of secondary metabolites from the root of Machilus obovatifolia.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the root of Machilus obovatifolia led to the isolation of four new lignans, epihenricine B (1), threo-(7'R,8'R) and threo-(7'S,8'S)-methylmachilusol D (2 and 3), and isofragransol A (4), along with 23 known compounds. The compounds were obtained as isomeric mixtures (i.e., 2/3 and 4/20, resp.). The structures were elucidated by spectral analyses. Among the isolates, 1, licarin A (12), guaiacin (14), (±)-syringaresinol (21), and (-)-epicatechin (23) showed ABTS (=2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cation radical-scavenging activity, with SC50 values of 11.7±0.5, 12.3±1.1, 11.0±0.1, 10.6±0.3, and 9.5±0.2 µM in 20 min, respectively. In addition, kachirachirol B (17) showed cytotoxicity against the NCI-H460 cell line with an IC50 value of 3.1 µg/ml.

Triterpenoids from the roots of Rhaphiolepis indica var. tashiroi and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Two new triterpenoids, 2α,3ß-dihydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-19ß,28-olide (1) and 3ß,5ß-dihydroxyglutinol (2), together with eight known compounds (3-10) were isolated from the roots of Rhaphiolepis indica var. tashiroi (Rosaceae). The structures of 1-10 were determined by spectroscopic techniques. Among these isolates, 2α,3ß-dihydroxyolean-13(18)-en-28-oic acid (9) exhibited inhibitory effect on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide production, with an IC50 value of 16.50 µM.

Chemical investigations and cytotoxic effects of metabolites from Antrodia camphorata against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Antrodia camphorata is used as a medicinal fungus in Taiwan to treat fatigue, food intoxication, and enhance liver function. Here we identified fermented metabolic components from the mycelium of A. camphorata KH37 and explored their anti-hepatoma potentials with study models of human hepatoblastoma cell lines. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the solid fermentation powder of A. camphorata KH37 led to the isolation of one new quinonol, antroquinonol Z (1), and nine known compounds (2-10). Treatment with 10 µM antrocamols LT1 (2) or LT3 (3) reduced cell viability of HepG2 and Huh-7 cells to about 60% in 48 hours. Antroquinonol Z (1) exhibited mild cytotoxicity against Huh-7 cells in 48 and 72 hours. Interestingly, two fractions showed cytotoxicity in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells, even better than compounds isolated from these fractions. The significant cytotoxicity of partially purified samples from A. camphorata KH37 exhibited a potential for developing alternative or complementary therapeutics against hepatoma.

Secondary metabolites from the roots of Beilschmiedia tsangii and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Four new endiandric acid analogues, tsangibeilin C (1), tsangibeilin D (2), tricyclotsangibeilin (3) and endiandric acid M (4), one new lignan, beilschminol B (5) and two new sesquiterpenes, (+)-5-hydroxybarbatenal (6) and (4R,5R)-4,5-dihydroxycaryophyll-8(13)-ene (7), together with four known compounds (8-11), were isolated from the roots of Beilschmiedia tsangii (Lauraceae). The structures of 1-7 were determined by spectroscopic techniques. Among the isolates, endiandric acid M (4) exhibited moderate iNOS inhibitory activity, with an IC(50) value of 31.70 µM.

Secondary metabolites from the roots of Neolitsea daibuensis and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the roots of Neolitsea daibuensis afforded three new ß-carboline alkaloids, daibucarbolines A-C (1-3), three new sesquiterpenoids, daibulactones A and B (4 and 5) and daibuoxide (6), and 20 known compounds. The structures of 1-6 were determined by spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Daibucarboline A (1), isolinderalactone (7), 7-O-methylnaringenin (8), and prunetin (9) exhibited moderate iNOS inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 18.41, 0.30, 19.55, and 10.50 µM, respectively.

Chemical constituents and antitubercular activity of Formosan Pisonia umbellifera.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of the stem of Pisonia umbellifera (Nyctaginaceae) afforded the three new compounds, secopisonic acid (1), 6,8-dimethylisogenistein (2), and (+)- ENT-ficusol (3), and four first isolates from nature, pisoninol I (4), pisoninol II (5), pisoquinoline (6), and pisodienone (7), together with fifteen known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data. Seven of these isolates, 3, 7, 12, 16, 18, 20, and 21 showed antitubercular activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37R (V) in vitro, with MIC values ≤ 50 µg/mL.

Anti-inflammatory Biphenyls and Dibenzofurans from Rhaphiolepis indica.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of the roots of Rhaphiolepis indica var. tashiroi afforded four new dibenzofurans, 2-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxydibenzofuran (1), 2-hydroxy-3,4,9-trimethoxydibenzofuran (2), 2-hydroxy-3,4,6,9-tetramethoxydibenzofuran (3), and 1,2-methylenedioxy-3,4,6-trimethoxydibenzofuran (4), two new biphenyls, 3-hydroxy-2',5-dimethoxybiphenyl (5) and 2',3-dihydroxy-5-methoxybiphenyl (6), and 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybiphenyl (7). Among the isolates, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited inhibitory effects on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide production, with in vitro IC50 values < 8.36 µM.

Efficient reductive elimination of bromate in water using zero-valent zinc prepared by acid-washing treatments.

Although zero valent zinc (ZVZ) is a strong reductant, studies using ZVZ for bromate reduction are rare. In this study, ZVZ is prepared by acid-washing zinc powder with HCl and used to reduce bromate. The effect of acid-washing on the morphology of zinc powder is also examined. Zinc powder inefficiently reduces bromate, but ZVZ obtained by acid-washing zinc powder eliminates bromate and converts it to bromide. A higher dose of ZVZ enhances elimination efficiency perhaps because the formation of a passivation layer of zinc oxide could be scattered on the large surface of ZVZ. Elevated temperature also substantially improves both elimination efficiency and kinetics. The effect of pH is shown to have the most significant impact on the bromate elimination; elimination efficiency and kinetics are tremendously bolstered at pH = 3, whereas the elimination of bromate is completely suppressed under alkaline conditions. ZVZ can reduce bromate to bromide even in the presence of other anions and also be reused multiple times. Thus, ZVZ can be easily prepared and used to efficiently reduce bromate to bromide. The findings presented here are essential to the design and implementation of bromate elimination in water using zero-valent metals.

Six new metabolites produced by Colletotrichum aotearoa 09F0161, an endophytic fungus isolated from Bredia oldhamii.

Six new compounds, colletobredins A-D (1-4) and colletomelleins A and B (5 and 6), along with 12 previously identified compounds, were isolated from the culture broth of Colletotrichum aotearoa BCRC 09F0161, a fungal endophyte residing in the leaves of an endemic Formosan plant Bredia oldhamii Hook. f. (Melastomataceae). The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR, HR-ESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The effects of some isolates on the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were evaluated. All these compounds inhibited NO production in activated macrophages without any cytotoxicity at a concentration of 100 µM. Of these isolates, 1 showed weak NO inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 182.2 µM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on isochroman glycoside metabolites (1-4) from the genus Colletotrichum.

Sassarandainol: a new neolignan and anti-inflammatory constituents from the stem of Sassafras randaiense.

A new neolignan, (R)-( - )-sassarandainol (1), together with 10 known compounds (2-11), was isolated from the stem of Sassafras randaiense. The structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques. Among these isolates, γ-tocopherol (5), subamolide B (7) and ß-sitosterone (9) exhibited moderate iNOS inhibitory activity on nitrite production induced (%) value of 30.51, 28.68 and 16.96, respectively.

Cytotoxic cardenolide glycosides from the root of Reevesia formosana.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the root tissue of Reevesia formosana led to isolation of 13 cardenolide glycosides, reevesiosides A-I and epi-reevesiosides F-I. Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction was performed using reevesioside A. Reevesioside A, reevesioside F, and epi-reevesioside F displayed especially potent cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 and NCI-H460 cancer cell lines, with IC(50) values of 63±2 and 19±1, 72±8 and 20±0, and 34±6 and 10±1 nM, respectively. Identification of the sugar constituents and unusual 18,20-epoxide cardenolide glycosides are described herein. Cardiac glycosides were previously unknown in the Sterculiaceae family.

Secondary metabolites from the unripe pulp of Persea americana and their antimycobacterial activities.

The fruits of Persea americana (Avocado) are nowadays used as healthy fruits in the world. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the active ethyl acetate soluble fraction has led to the isolation of five new fatty alcohol derivatives, avocadenols A-D (1-4) and avocadoin (5) from the unripe pulp of P. americana, along with 12 known compounds (6-17). These structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Among the isolates, avocadenol A (1), avocadenol B (2), (2R,4R)-1,2,4-trihydroxynonadecane (6), and (2R,4R)-1,2,4-trihydroxyheptadec-16-ene (7) showed antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)R(V)in vitro, with MIC values of 24.0, 33.8, 24.9, and 35.7 µg/ml, respectively.

Secondary metabolites from the root of Ehretia longiflora and their biological activities.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of the root of Ehretia longiflora (Boraginaceae) afforded eight compounds, ehretiquinone (1), ehretiolide (2), ehreticoumarin (3), ehretilactone A (4), ehretilactone B (5), ehretiamide (6), ehretine (7), and ehretiate (8), together with 12 known compounds (9-20). The relative configuration of 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Among the isolates, 1 and prenylhydroquinone (14) showed antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv with MIC values of 25.0 and 26.2 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, 1 exhibited inhibitory effects on N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide production, with IC50 value of 0.36±0.03µM.

Secondary metabolites from the stems of Engelhardia roxburghiana and their antitubercular activities.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of stems of Engelhardia roxburghiana led to isolation of: four diarylheptanoids, engelheptanoxides A-D (1-4); two cyclic diarylheptanoids, engelhardiols A (5) and B (6); one naphthoquinone dimer, engelharquinonol (7); and one 1-tetralone, (4S)-4,6-dihydroxy-1-tetralone (8), along with 24 known compounds (9-32). The structures of 1-8 were by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 5, 6, 13, 22, and 23 showed antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv with MIC values of 72.7, 62.1, 9.1, 15.3, and 70.1µM, respectively.

Secondary metabolites from the leaves of Neolitsea hiiranensis and the anti-inflammatory activity of some of them.

Seven sesquiterpenoids, hiiranlactones A-D (1-4), (-)-ent-6α-methoxyeudesm-4(15)-en-1ß-ol (5), (+)-villosine (6), hiiranepoxide (7), and one triterpenoid, hiiranterpenone (8), together with 22 known compounds, were isolated from the leaves of Neolitsea hiiranensis (Lauraceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Among the isolates, hiiranlactone B (2) and hiiranlactone D (4) exhibited inhibitory activity against fMLP-induced superoxide production by human neutrophils with IC(50) values of 21.86±3.97 and 25.78±4.77µM, respectively.