A new prenylated flavonoid glycoside from Sinopodophyllum hexandrum / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and their antitumor activities. Methods: The constituents were separated by chromatography of silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH20 and pre-TLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were studied by MTT method. Results: Nine compounds were isolated and identified as 8,2'-diprenylquercetin 3-methyl ether-4'-O-β-D-glucoside (1), 8,2'-diprenyl quercetin-3- methylether (2), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-3-methoxy flavone (3), 8-prenylkaempferol (4), sophoflavescenol (5), podoverine A (6), sinoflavonoid K (7), diosmetin (8) and acacetin (9). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound named sinoflavonoid glycosides A, and compounds 5-9 are isolated from S. hexandrum for the first time. Compounds 1-5 show cytotoxicities against HeLa cells with IC50 of 42.6, 46.9, 26.9, 16.1 and 31.2 μmol/L, respectively.

Distribution and diversity of endophytic fungi in Gentiana rigescens and cytotoxic activities / 中草药·英文版

Objective: In the present study, Gentiana rigescens was screened for fungi communities to clarify their diversity and community assemblage in hosts. Meanwhile, the identification and activity assays of the strains were also conducted. Methods: By culture-dependent (endophytic fungi isolations from plant sections) and culture-independent (metagenomic library and cloning from plant sections) techniques, fungi communities were studied. The metagenomic library was generated using direct DNA isolation of whole plants, plant radixes, plant stems, plant leaves, plant flowers and soils around the plant. Meanwhile, endophytes were isolated from all parts of G. rigescens plants. After fermentation of the fungi isolations, all the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against four kinds of human cancer cell lines (HCT116, BEL7404, A549, MDA-MB-231). Results: Eventually, 200 strains were isolated and 103 strains were further identified through the internal transcribed spacer (ITS, ITS1 and ITS2 regions) sequence by using the universal primers ITS5 and ITS4. A total of 59,106 fungal sequences corresponding to 374 putative operational taxonomic units (OTU) were identified by 454 pyrosequencing. Through 454 pyrosequencing, the main fungal genera were Sebacina, Botrytis, Mycosphaerella, Boletus and Gibberella, and the major fungal genera which were directly isolated were Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Alternaria. Activity assays showed strains 5–26 (Aspergillus sp.) and 6–2 (Fusarium avenaceum) had the outstanding cytotoxicity to all the tested cell lines with IC50 values <5 μg/mL. Conclusion: This study revealed the abundance of endogenetic fungal resources and a variety of genetic information in G. rigescens by high-throughput 454 sequencing technology and fungi isolation methods. Activity assays indicated that endophytes were a promising natural source of potential anticancer agents.

Comparative chemical and biological investigations of three Saudi Astragalus species

Aim: The chemical profile and biological activities of alcoholic extracts of the aerial parts of three SaudiAstragalus species have been comparatively investigated in this research.Materials and Methods: Three Saudi Astragalus species (A. spinosus Vahl, A. armatus Willd, and A. sieberiDC.) were collected from the wild area of Rafhaa city, Northern border region in Saudi Arabia. Phytochemicalscreening was carried out using the general standard procedure, total flavonoid content (TFC) and totalpolyphenolic content (TPC) were determined by AlCl3 colorimetric method and Folin–Ciocalteu reagentmethod, respectively. Flavonoid markers (kaempferol, apigenin, rutin, luteolin, and quercetin) and phenoliccompounds (gallic, caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, cinnamic, syringic, and chlorogenic acids) were quantitativelytraced for the first time in these Saudi Astragalus species using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)method. The antibacterial and antifungal studies were carried out by well diffusion method. Cytotoxic activitiesstudies were carried out against Hep G-2, HCT-116, and A-549 cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay procedure. Antioxidant activities were measured using2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Immunostimulant activity was examined using lymphocyteproliferation method.Results: The chemical screening confirmed the presence of triterpenes, flavonoids, sterols, glycosides, saponins,and polyphenolic compounds and absence of anthraquinones in all species, while A. spinosus shows the highestpercentages of TFC and TPC. Ethyl acetate fractions of A. spinosus and A. sieberi showed potent cytotoxicactivities, expressed as 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 50.2, 22.6, and 29.1 µg/ml for A. spinosus and39.8, 28.8, and 47.2 µg/ml for A. sieberi against tumor cell lines, HepG-2, HCT-116, and A-549, respectively.Astragalus spinosus showed a DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50) = 69 μg/ml, compared with other twospecies (IC50) = 161 and 313 μg/ml for A. armatus and A. sieberi, respectively. The Astragalus samples showedmild antimicrobial activities and immunomodulating activities.Conclusion: The present research shows the quality control testing, for the first time, of three Saudi Astragalusspecies and Astragalus-containing recipes. The present work provides valuable information for new drug orfood supplement research and development.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of podophyllotoxin derivatives / 中草药

Objective: To modify the structure of podophyllotoxin derivatives and evaluate the antitumor activities of the derivatives. Methods: The target compounds were synthesized by multi-step reaction with podophyllotoxin and aldehyde compound as starting material.. MTT assay was used to test antitumor activity of all the target compounds on Hela cells, K562 cells, and K562/A02 cell. Results: Eleven novel derivatives were synthesized which had not been reported in any literature and the structures were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HR-ESI-MS and melting point determination analysis. The antitumor activity screening results showed that all the target compounds had different degrees of cytotoxic activity in vitro. Most of the compounds had significant anti-MDR activity in vitro. Conclusion: Through structural modification of podophyllotoxin derivatives, the antineoplastic activities are enhanced.

Chemical constituents from stems and leaves of Clausena emarginata / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents from the stems and leaves of Clausena emarginata were separated and purified by column chromatographies on silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20,and PR-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis,as well as comparisons with the data reported in the literature. Sixteen compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of C. emarginata,which were identified as siamenol( 1),murrastanine A( 2),3-formyl-1,6-dimethoxycarbazole( 3),3-methoxymethylcarbazole( 4),3-methylcarbazole( 5),murrayafoline A( 6),3-formylcarbazole( 7),3-formyl-1-hydroxycarbazole( 8),3-formyl-6-methoxycarbazole( 9),murrayanine( 10),murrayacine( 11),girinimbine( 12),nordentatin( 13),chalepin( 14),8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-pentylisocoumarin( 15) and ethyl orsellinate( 16). Compounds 1-4,14-16 were isolated from C. emarginata for the first time. Among them,compounds 1,2,15 and 16 were isolated from the genus Clausena for the first time. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60,SMMC-7721,A-549,MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro. Compounds 12 and 14 showed significant inhibitory effects against various human cancer cell lines with IC_(50) values comparable to those of doxorubicin.

Three new bioactive flavonoid glycosides from Viscum album / 中国天然药物

Two new flavonoid glycosides, named viscumneoside XII (1), and viscumneoside XIII (2); a new dihydrogen flavonoid glycoside product named viscumneoside XIV (3), were isolated from the aerial part of Viscum album, along with seven known compounds (4-10). Their structures were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. In addition, cytotoxicity assay showed that 1, 2 and 3 possessed significant inhibitory activities against C6, A549 and MDA-MB-231 (the inhibition rate arrived about 50%, 70% and 74% respectively with IC ≤ 60.00 μmol·L), while the inhibition of TF-1 and Hela was not significant.

Salvastearolide, a new acyl-glyceride, and other constituents from the seeds of Salvadora persica

Abstract The chemical investigation of the n-hexane fraction of Salvadora persica L., Salvadoraceae, seeds afforded a new stearic acid ester, salvastearolide, together with five other phytosteroids identified as stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, Δ7-campesterol, Δ7-avenasterol and campesterol. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and HRESI mass spectrometry. In addition, salvastearolide and the isolated fractions were tested for their cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and HT-29. The n-hexane fraction exhibited significant anti-proliferative effect against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (IC50 50 µg/ml), while salvastearolide possessed a weak cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells with IC50 103.98 µg/ml.

Studies on chemical constituents from twigs and leaves of Illicium majus / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Illicius majus. Methods: The compounds were isolated by column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and flash chromatography coupled with preparative HPLC. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including ESI-MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR. The cytotoxic activities were assessed by MTT assay. Results: Compounds 1—14 were isolated from the twigs and leaves of I. majus, and identified as 3′-methoxy-kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), quercetin-3-O-arabinoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-arabinoside (3), 8′-oxo-6-hydroxy-dihydrophaseic acid (4), 4-O-methylcedrusin (5), (−)-massoniresinol (6), (7S,8R)-3,3′,5-trimethoxy-4′,7-epoxy- 8,5′-neolignan-4,9,9′-triol (7), vladinol F (8), 2,3-dihydro-2-(4′-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-3′-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7- methoxy-5-benzofuranpropanol (9), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (10), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (11), vitexin (12), 3,5,7-trihydroxychromone-3-O-glucopyranoside (13), and benzyl alcohol O-β-D-glucopyranoside (14). Compounds 1—14 exhibited the cytotoxic activity against HCT-8, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and A549 with IC50 values of over 10 μmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Compounds 1—14 are all obtained from I. majus for the first time, and compounds 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 14 are obtained from the genus of Illicium for the first time. All compounds show no significant cytotoxic activities against HCT-8, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and A549 cancer cell.

Triterpenoids isolated from flower buds of Lonicera macranthoides / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the flower buds of Lonicera macranthoides and their antitumor activities. Methods The constituents were separated by chromatography of silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH20, and semi-pre HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectral means. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were studied by MTT method. Results Seven compounds were isolated and identified as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl- hederagenin 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-oleanolic acid 28-O-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L- arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), 3-O-α-L-rhamnnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl- hederagenin 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyransyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl- hederagenin 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5), 3-O-β-D-glucopyra- nosyl-(1→4)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside ester (6), and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin 28-O-α-L-rhamno- pyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (7). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound named macranthoidin C, and compounds 2-7 are isolated from L. macranthoides for the first time. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 show cytotoxicities against HeLa cells with IC50 of 54.3, 43.9 and 61.2 μmol/L, respectively.

A new isocoumarin isolated from endophytic fungus Arthrinium sp. A092 derived from medicinal plant Uvaria microcarpa / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in fermented mycelium of endophytic fungus Arthrinium sp. A092 from Uvaria microcarpa. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex-LH20 columns, HPLC, and so on. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against four tumor cell lines HepG-2, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF-268. Results: Ten compounds were isolated from the mycelial extract and identified as 3,4,5-trimethyl-6-methoxy-8-hydroxyisocoumarin (1), decarboxycitrinone (2), 4-hydroxy-17R-methylincisterol (3), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (4), dibutyl phthalate (5), flemingipanic acid (6), indole- 3-carboxy acid (7), ergosterol peroxide (8), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (9), and 4-hydroxybenzal-dehyde (10). Compounds 3 exhibited the inhibitory activity against SF-268 and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 63.8 and 57.2 μmol/L, respectively. Compounds 8 exhibited the inhibitory activity against SF-268, MCF-7, and NCI-H460 with IC50 values of 50.6, 32.3, and 39.0 μmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound named arthrinisocoumarin A. Compounds 3-5 and 7-10 are isolated from the fungus of Arthrinium sp. for the first time. Compounds 3 and 8 show the moderated cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, and NCI-H460.

Monosaccharide compositions of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides and their correlation analysis on cytotoxic activities against HepG2 cells / 中草药

Objective: To study the correlation between monosaccharide compositions and their in vitro cytotoxic activities. Methods: Twenty-six Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPPs) were extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation method from C. pilosula collected from 26 different habitats. Total carbohydrate contents of the polysaccharides were determined by the phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetric method. The methods of m-hydroxydiphenyl and GC were all applied to the determination of the galacturonic acid contents in polysaccharides, and the compositional analysis was performed using the aldononitrile acetate method while the fructose contents was analyzed by the trimethylsilyl ether method. In vitro cytotoxic activities against human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells of the 26 batches of CPPs were evaluated by MTT. Then, hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) was used to study the classification of 26 batches of C. pilosula and partial least squares (PLS) was used to investigate the correlation between the monosaccharide compositions and in vitro cytotoxic activities of the polysaccharides. Results: The results showed that all the 26 batches of CPPs possessed the cytotoxic activities against HepG2 cells. The 8th CPPs sample, which was extracted from the C. pilosula collected in Wen county (Gansu province, China), had the highest growth inhibitory rate on HepG2 cells and the inhibitory rate was 36.36%. In addition, the monosaccharide contents of the 26 batches of CPPs were different from each other. The results of HCA showed that the C. pilosula could not be classified according to the monosaccharide compositions. The PLS results indicated that galacturonic acid, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, and fructose were correlated positively with the cytotoxic activities, while mannose, xylose, and glucose were correlated negatively with the cytotoxic activities. Conclusion: The in vitro cytotoxic activities of CPPs are highly correlative to their monosaccharide compositions, and the CPPs containing much galacturonic acid have the obviously cytotoxic activities.

A new seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenoid from twigs and leaves of Illicium majus / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Illicius majus. Methods: The compound was isolated by column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex HL-20, and flash chromatography coupled with preparative HPLC. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including HR-ESI-MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR. The cytotoxic activities were assessed by MTT. Results: A new seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenoid named majusatone (1) was isolated from the twigs and leaves of I. majus. Compound 1 exhibited the cytotoxic activity against HCT-8, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and A549 with IC50 values of 42.3, 48.5, 51.1, and 39.9 μmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new special seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenoid, and shows no significant cytotoxic activities against HCT-8, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and A549.

Two new lactone derivatives from an endophyte Diaporthe sp. XZ-07 cultivated on Camptotheca acuminata / 中国中药杂志

To study the secondary metabolites and their cytotoxic activities of an endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. XZ-07cultivated on Camptotheca acuminata. Colum chromatography by RP-18, Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel was used to isolate and purify the chemical constituent. Two new compounds were isolatedand identified as 5-((E)-1,4,5-trihydroxyhex-2-enyl)furan-2(5H)-one(1)and(5Z)-5-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxyhexylidene)furan-2(5H)-one(2)by spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxic activities were evaluated by MTT method. Compound 1 showed strong inhibitory activity against Human cervical carcinoma cell line Hela, and compound 2 showed strong inhibitory activity against breast cancer cell line MCF-7, Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and Lewis lung carcinoma cells 3LL.

Metabolites of endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. with biological activities / 中国药学杂志

OB JECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents from the fermented rice substrate of endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. HCCB03890. METHODS: The compounds were isolated with silica gel column chromatography and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The structures of these compounds were elucidated through MS and NMR spectroscopic analysis. The anti-microbes activities were evaluated by disk diffusion method, cytotoxic activities were determined by MTT method, and anti-HIV activities were measured by using a firefly luciferase assay system. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as TV-acetyltyra-mine(1), schizostatin(2), piliformic acid(3), stigmast-5,22-dien-3-ol(4), dankasterone(5) and demethylincisterol(6) on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses. Compound 3 showed moderate anti-microbial activity. Compounds 4-6 exhibited cytotoxic and anti-HIV activities, especially, and compund 5 and 6 showed significant anti-HIV activities with IC50 values of 0.4 and 0.9 μg · mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 2, 5 and 6 were for the first time isolated from Xylaria sp., moreover, 5 and 6 are for the first time found in terrestrial microbes.

Isolation and structural elucidation of cytotoxic compounds from the root bark of Diospyros quercina (Baill.) endemic to Madagascar

Objective:To isolate and characterize the cytotoxic compounds from Diospyros quercina (Baill.) G.E. Schatz&Lowry (Ebenaceae). Methods: An ethno-botanical survey was conducted in the south of Madagascar from July to August 2010. Bio-guided fractionation assay was carried out on the root bark of Diospyros quercina, using cytotoxicity bioassay on murine P388 leukemia cell lines as model. The structures of the cytotoxic compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Results: Biological experiments resulted in the isolation of three bioactive pure compounds (named TR-21, TR-22, and TR-23) which exhibited very good in vitro cytotoxic activities with the IC50 values of (0.017 5±0.0060) μg/mL, (0.089±0.005) μg/mL and (1.027±0.070) μg/mL respectively. Thus, they support the claims of traditional healers and suggest the possible correlation between the chemical composition of this plant and its wide use in Malagasy folk medicine to treat cancer. Conclusions:The ability of isolated compounds in this study to inhibit cell growth may represent a rational explanation for the use of Diospyros quercina root bark in treating cancer by Malagasy traditional healers. Further studies are, therefore, necessary to evaluate the in vivo anti-neoplastic activity of these cytotoxic compounds as effective anticancer drugs.

Mixed terpenoids from an endophyte Alternaria sp. Ly81 cultivated on Maytenus hookeri / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the secondary metabolites and their cytotoxic activities of an endophytic fungus Alternaria sp. Ly81 cultivated on Maytenus hookeri. METHODS: Column chromatography by RP-18, Sephadex LH - 20 and silica gel was used to isolate and purify the chemical constituents, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxic activities were evaluated by MTT method. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated and identified as tricycloalternarene 2a(1), tricycloalternarene 1a(2), tricycloalternarene 1b(3), tricycloalternarene 2b(4), tricycloalternarene 3b(5), tricycloalternarene 4b(6), tricycloalternarene 5b(7), tricycloalternarene-H(8) and tricycloalternarene F(9). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 9 were isolated from the Alternaria sp. Ly81 for the first time. The absolute configuration of compound 1 is elucidated by Mosher's method. Compound 3 shows strong inhibitory activity against Lewis lung carcinoma cells 3LL.

Isolation and structural elucidation of cytotoxic compounds from the root bark of Diospyros quercina (Baill.) endemic to Madagascar

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and characterize the cytotoxic compounds from Diospyros quercina (Baill.) G.E. Schatz & Lowry (Ebenaceae).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An ethno-botanical survey was conducted in the south of Madagascar from July to August 2010. Bio-guided fractionation assay was carried out on the root bark of Diospyros quercina, using cytotoxicity bioassay on murine P388 leukemia cell lines as model. The structures of the cytotoxic compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Biological experiments resulted in the isolation of three bioactive pure compounds (named TR-21, TR-22, and TR-23) which exhibited very good in vitro cytotoxic activities with the IC50 values of (0.017 5±0.0060) µg/mL, (0.089±0.005) µg/mL and (1.027±0.070) µg/mL respectively. Thus, they support the claims of traditional healers and suggest the possible correlation between the chemical composition of this plant and its wide use in Malagasy folk medicine to treat cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ability of isolated compounds in this study to inhibit cell growth may represent a rational explanation for the use of Diospyros quercina root bark in treating cancer by Malagasy traditional healers. Further studies are, therefore, necessary to evaluate the in vivo anti-neoplastic activity of these cytotoxic compounds as effective anticancer drugs.</p>

Chemical constituents from underground parts of Isodon sculponeatus and their bioactivities / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the underground parts from Isodon sculponeatus and their bioactivities. Methods: The compounds were isolated with 70% acetone by chromatography with silica gel, RP-18, and Sephadex LH-20 columns. The obtained parts were identified by means of spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxic activities of the samples including 70% acetone extract, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction, and butanol fraction were evaluated by MTT method. Results: From the EtOAc fraction in the underground parts of I. sculponeata, fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as macrophynin E (1), 19-hydroxyferruginol (2), 2α, 3α, 24-trihydroxyursa-12, 20(30)-dien-28-oic acid (3), hyptadienic acid (4), stigmast-4-en-6β-ol-3-one (5), stigmastane-3β, 6α-diol (6), coniferyl aldehyde (7), 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis (2-methylpropyl) ester (8), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (9), n-hexadecanioc acid (10), 5α, 8α-ergosta-6, 22E-dien-3β-ol (11), daucosterol (12), β-sitosterol (13), and ursolic acid (14). Results The bioassays indicated that both the 70% acetone extract and EtOAc fraction displayed the moderate cytotoxicities against the liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721. Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from the underground parts of I. sculponeata for the first time while compounds 1-10 are firstly isolated from this plant, and compounds 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 are isolated from the plants of Isodon (Hara.) for the first time.

In vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil Cultivated from South-West Tunisia.

Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae), commonly known as rosemary and iklil, is often used by North African populations for the treatment of several inflammatory and infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of essential oil extracted from the seeds and leaves of R. officinalis. Antimicrobial activity assays involved the determination of inhibition zones and the minimum inhibitory concentration with regards to sixteen pathogenic microbial strains, using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The oil showed excellent activity against Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus 25923, with strong inhibition zones of 38.00, 29.40 and 26.00 mm, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays involved the application of an MTT testing method against HeLa cell lines. The results yielded high IC50 value values of up to 26,77 μg/ml. overall, the findings provided strong support for the strong candidacy of this plant for potential future application, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as a safe and costeffective natural additive to substitute toxic synthetic food additives.