Optimization of the preparation process of ethanol extracts from Centipeda minima and study on its anti-inflammatory activity of different extraction sites / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To optimize the preparation technology of ethanol extracts from Centipeda minima， and investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of different extraction sites. METHODS Single factor test and response surface methodology were adopted to investigate the effects of ethanol volume fraction， extraction time， solid-liquid ratio and extraction times on the heating reflux extraction technology of total triterpenoids ethanol extract using the extraction rate of total triterpenoids of C. minima as indexes， optimize the extraction technology and carry out validation. Using dexamethasone as positive control drug， the effects of different extraction sites of C. minima （petroleum ether part， ethyl acetate part， n-butanol part， water part） on nitric oxide （NO） production in mononuclear macrophage RAW 264.7 cells of mice induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） were compared； the half inhibitory concentration （IC50） was calculated. RESULTS The optimal extraction technology of total triterpenoids ethanol extracts of C. minima was as follows： ethanol volume fraction of 70%， solid-liquid ratio of 1∶40 （g/mL）， extraction time of 2.0 h and extraction times of 3 times. The 3 times of validation tests showed that average extraction rate of total triterpenoids of C. minima was 1.134%， relative error of which with the predicted value was 0.02%. The petroleum ether part and ethyl acetate part of C. minima could inhibit the generation of NO in RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide to different degrees. IC50 values of NO production were 2.44 μg/mL and 2.22 μg/mL， respectively， and both of them were lower than those of positive control drug dexamethasone （7.65 μg/mL）. CONCLUSIONS The optimized preparation process of ethanol extracts from C. minima is stability and feasibility. The petroleum ether part and ethyl acetate part have obvious anti-inflammatory effects.

Research progress on triterpenoids of Betula plants / 药学学报

The secondary metabolites of plants are important sources of natural drugs. Betula plants have abundant pharmacological value, complex mechanism and wide applications, which are closely related to the triterpenoids of theirs. Triterpenoids in Betula species are mainly divided into dammarane-type, ocotillol-type, oleanane-type, lupane-type and cycloaltunane-type. The extracts of Betula species have varieties of activities such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, etc. And the biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoids after 2,3-oxidosqualene are split into four branches of dammarenediol-II, lupeol, cycloartenol and amyrin according to the different oxidosqualene cyclases. This review summarizes the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoids in Betula plants. It provides a reference for the research and development of new drugs and the production of these triterpenoids in microbial cell factories by synthetic biology methods.

Effects of ganoderma triterpenoids combined with exogenous GM1 on cognitive function and hippocampal synaptic structure in rats with epilepsy / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To study the intervention effect of ganoderma triterpenoids combined with exogenous monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside(GM1) on cognitive dysfunction and synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons in rats with epilepsy caused by pentylenetetrazol(PTZ).Methods:A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into blank control group, epileptic model group, ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group according to the random number table method( n=8 in each group). The rats were intraperitoneally injected with PTZ subconvulsant dose (35 mg·kg -1·d -1) once a day for 28 days to replicate the models of chronic epilepsy. And the rats in different medication groups were given corresponding administration based on daily intraperitoneal injection of PTZ(GM1: intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg -1·d -1, ganoderma triterpenoids: gavage 1 000 mg·kg -1·d -1). Morris water maze was used to test the spatial exploration and learning and memory ability of epileptic rats.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons in epileptic rats.Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe expression levels of cofilin and SYN protein in hippocampus CA1 of rats. In addition, Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of cofilin, p-cofilin and synaptophysin(SYN) protein in hippocampus of rats. SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Repeated one-way ANOVA was used for comparing among groups, LSD test was used for pairwise comparisons. Results:Morris water maze results showed that there were statistically significant differences in escape latency, times of crossing the platform and time spent in the target quadrant among the groups( F=5.259, 8.240, 5.961, all P<0.05). Compared with the epilepsy model group, the escape latencies((20.31±7.39) s, (21.81±6.05) s, (17.66±4.76) s) of the ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were shorter (all P<0.05), the numbers of crossing the platform ((4.63±1.41) times, (4.50±1.93) times, (5.50±1.77) times) were more (all P<0.05), the residence time in target quadrant ((31.91±5.00) s, (30.49±5.72) s, (35.70±5.34) s) were longer (all P<0.05). And the most obvious change was found in the GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group ( P<0.01). The results of transmission electron microscope showed that there were significant differences in the numbers of hippocampal neurons synapses, the synaptic gap, the density of postsynaptic membrane and length of active area of postsynaptic membrane among the groups( F=3.693, 7.201, 5.012, 4.033, all P<0.05). Compared with the epilepsy model group, the numbers of synapses ((8.00±1.79), (7.83±1.84), (8.50±1.87)) in the ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were all more (all P<0.05), synaptic gap ((33.83±3.81)nm, (32.43±4.14)nm, (30.23±3.08)nm)were narrower, and the postsynaptic dense substances ((57.50±6.03)nm, (58.10±2.40)nm, (60.73±3.81)nm) were all thicker (all P<0.05). The length of active region of postsynaptic membrane ((271.66±11.80) nm, (279.06±13.58) nm) in ganoderma triterpenoid group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were longer than that in epilepsy model group (both P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that the average fluorescence intensity of cofilin in the epilepsy model group was higher than that in the blank control group, and the average fluorescence intensity of SYN was lower than that in the blank control group (both P<0.05). The average fluorescence intensity of cofilin in GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were lower than that in epilepsy model group (both P<0.05), and the average fluorescence intensity of SYN in ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids combined with GM1 group was higher than that in epilepsy model group ( P<0.05). Western blot showed that the expression levels of cofilin protein in the epilepsy model group was higher than that in the blank control group ((1.454±0.080), (1.092±0.099), P<0.05), and the expression of p-cofilin and SYN were lower than those in the blank control group ((1.103±0.120) vs (1.420±0.934), (1.650±0.062) vs (1.958±0.062), both P<0.05). The expression of cofilin protein ((1.227±0.071), (1.262±0.078), (1.162±0.129), P<0.05) in ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group were lower than that in epilepsy model group, and the expression levels of p-cofilin(1.357±0.199) and SYN protein(1.873±0.010) in ganoderma triterpenoids combined with GM1 group were higher than that in epilepsy model group (both P<0.05). Compared with ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids group and GM1 group, there was no significant difference in each index of GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:GM1 combined with ganoderma triterpenoids may promote the synaptic plasticity of neurons, improve the learning and memory ability of epileptic rats.Combination medication is better than single medication in some observed indicators.

Cathayanalactone G and other constituents from leaves and twigs of Callicarpa cathayana / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the leaves and twigs of Callicarpa cathayana. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel, MCI gel CHP 20P/P120, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. The structures of the compounds were determined by HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. Results: A total of 24 compounds were isolated from the 85% methanol extract of leaves and twigs of C. cathayana. They were identified as cathayanalactone G (1), a new diterpene, and 23 known compounds as patagonic acid (2), (-)-16-hydroxycledroda-3,13-dien-16,15-olide-18-oic acid (3), 15-methoxypatagonic acid (4), oleanolic acid (5), ursolic acid (6), siaresinolic acid (7), pomolic acid (8), α-amyrin (9), tormentic acid (10), lupeol (11), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,4′-dimethoxyflavone (12), 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,7,3′-dimethoxyfla-vone (13), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,4′- tetramethoxyflavone (14), salvigenin (15), kaemferol (16), astragalin (17), pinoresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (18), paulownin (19), β-sitosterol (20), β-sitosterol β-D-glucopyranoside (21), 5-hydroxy-coumarin (22), isocopoletin (23), and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (24). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new labdane diterpene. Compounds 10, 13, 16 and 17 are isolated from the genus Callicarpa for the first time. Compounds 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 23 and 24 are reported from C. cathayana for the first time.

Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Ethanol Extract of Cyclocarya paliurus Dried Leaves by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveChemical components in ethanol extract of Cyclocarya paliurus dried leaves were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS）. MethodAn Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column （3.0 mm×100 mm， 2.7 μm） was used with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution （A）-acetonitrile （B） as the mobile phase for gradient elution （0-26 min，2%-18%B； 26-60 min， 18%-72%B； 60-70 min， 72%-100%B； 70-71 min， 100%-2%B； 71-72 min， 2%B）， and the flow rate of 0.4 mL·min-1 and injection volume of 3 μL. The electrospray ionization （ESI） was used in positive and negative modes， and detection range was m/z 50-1 100. The collected data were processed by Agilent MassHunter workstation. According to the retention time and MS information of each compound， combined with existing literature and MS database information， the compounds were identified and analyzed for the fragmentation rule. ResultA total of 52， 55 components were identified in the positive and negative ion modes， respectively. Among them， 14 flavonoids， 3 triterpenoids， 15 organic acids and 20 other compounds were identified under positive ion mode， while 18 flavonoids， 9 triterpenoids， 18 organic acids and 10 other compounds were identified under the negative ion mode. By summarizing the positive and negative ion modes and removing the common compounds， 87 compounds were identified， including 22 flavonoids， 27 organic acids， 11 triterpenoids and 27 other compounds. ConclusionUHPLC-Q-TOF/MS can be used to quickly analyze the chemical constituents in C. paliurus dried leaves. 1-Kestose and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid and other components related to hypoglycemic activity of this herb are identified for the first time， which can provide reference for clarifying the pharmacodynamic substance basis of C. paliurus dried leaves.

Anti-tumor Effect and Mechanisms of Triterpenoids and Polysaccharides in Ganoderma lucidum： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

With the population aging， the morbidity and mortality of cancer patients continue to rise. At present， the treatment methods for tumors include surgery， chemotherapy， radiotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy. However， most chemotherapeutic drugs can cause severe side effects and drug resistance. Therefore， as an alternative therapy， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of tumor patients， improve the quality of life， inhibit or stabilize the development of tumors， and prolong the survival period of patients. Due to the good safety of Chinese medicine， its potential anti-cancer activity has attracted increasing attention. Ganoderma lucidum， a treasure of Chinese medicinal material， is a medicinal fungus with a history of more than 2 000 years in China. So far， many studies have proposed the anti-cancer properties of G. lucidum. G. lucidum has extensive pharmacological activities， such as anti-tumor， anti-atherosclerosis， and anti-aging. It can also regulate immunity， protect the liver and the heart， and reduce blood glucose and lipid. The chemical composition of G. lucidum is complex. At present， it is proved to contain polysaccharides， triterpenoids， alkaloids， nucleosides， amino acids， and various trace elements. The anti-tumor mechanisms of polysaccharides and triterpenoids in G. lucidum are mainly achieved by apoptosis induction， immune regulation， anti-angiogenesis， and induction of cell cycle arrest. Currently， it has been widely used in the adjuvant treatment of complex tumors such as lung cancer， liver cancer， cervical cancer， prostate cancer， breast cancer， and colon cancer. The present study reviewed the bioactivities and mechanisms of triterpenoids and polysaccharides in G. lucidum in recent years and highlighted the anti-tumor effects and mechanisms to provide references for the further development and utilization of G. lucidum.

Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Different Parts of Gentiana straminea Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS） was used to analyze the chemical constituents in the aerial part and roots of Gentiana straminea from different areas of Qinghai province， and the main chromatographic peaks and differential components of different parts were identified. MethodThe chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column （2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.8 μm） with 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution （A）-acetonitrile （B） as the mobile phase for gradient elution （0-1 min， 1%-13%B； 1-5 min， 13%-18%B； 5-7 min， 18%-50%B； 7-9.5 min， 50%-60%B； 9.5-11 min， 60%-99%B； 11-14 min； 99%B； 14-15 min， 99%-1%B； 15-16 min， 1%B）， the column temperature at 40 ℃， and the flow rate of 0.3 mL·min-1. Electrospray ionization （ESI） and negative ion full scan mode were selected for the mass spectrometric conditions to analyze the samples， and the detection range was m/z 50-1 200. Chemical constituents of the aerial part were qualitatively analyzed with the reference substances， literature information and ChemSpider. Principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were used to analyze the classification trend， correlation and differential chemical components between aerial part and roots of G. straminea. ResultA total of 68 components， including 24 iridoids， 13 flavonoids， 8 triterpenoids， 6 xanthones， 5 fatty acids， 4 saccharides， 3 phenolic glycosides， 2 alkaloids， 2 sterols and 1 lignan， were preliminarily identified from the aerial part of G. straminea. Among them， 42 components were firstly reported in 4 Gentiana species included in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Eight differential components were screened out， namely sucrose， maltotriose， loganic acid， shanzhiside methyl ester， 6′-O-β-D-glucosylgentiopicroside， swertiamarin， gentiopicrin and isovitexin. ConclusionThe aerial part of G. straminea is rich in chemical constituents and has good medicinal potential. There were significant differences in the chemical components between the aerial part and roots of G. straminea， and the main differential components were iridoids， which could provide a basis for exploring efficacy differences in different parts of G. straminea.

Anti-Newcastle Disease Virus activity of 3β and 3α Friedelanol Triterpenoids from the leaves of Synadenium glaucescens Pax

@#Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly pathogenic disease of avian species which is caused by Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). It is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity to poultry industry in the third world countries. Currently, there is no treatment measures against ND; the only existing measure is vaccination, though it is incapable to offer 100% immunity. In Tanzania, the leaves of Synadenium glaucescens Pax. are traditionally used for treatment of various ailments including ND. Previously, its leaves extract has been scientifically confirmed to exhibit anti-NDV activity though bioactive compound(s) responsible for this activity is/are unknown. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate anti-NDV activity of 3β-Friedelanol (1) and 3α-friedelanol (2) isolated from its leaves extract. Isolation of these compounds was achieved by column chromatography method whereas, their chemical structures were determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) data and by comparing with the available literature NMR data. Anti-NDV activity study was done in embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs). Treatment of NDV inoculated ECEs with 3β-Friedelanol (1) reduced the viral load to zero and maintained the survival of embryos, this was revealed by continuous organs formation and increase in embryo weights with no significant different (p > 0.05) from un-inoculated ECE. These effects suggest that, 3β-Friedelanol (1) possesses anti-NDV activity. Therefore, existence of 3β-Friedelanol (1) in the leaves of S. glaucescens may justify its earlier described anti-NDV activity and traditional use in the treatment of ND. Hence, its leaves extract may be considered for development of anti-NDV herbal formulation while 3β-Friedelanol could either serve as a drug or lead compound for synthesis of anti-NDV drugs.

Two new triterpenes from Maytenus guangxiensis with their antiproliferative activity / 药学学报

Four triterpenoids were isolated and purified from the 95% ethanol extract of Maytenus guangxiensis by silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, MCI column chromatography and preparative RP-HPLC. Their structures were determined from their physicochemical properties and spectral data. They were identified as maytguanone A (1), maytguanone B (2), 11α-methoxyurs-12-ene-1β,3β-diol (3), lup-20(29)-ene-3β,11α-diol (4). Compounds 1 and 2 are new triterpenoids, along with compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from M. guangxiensis for the first time. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 3 and 4 was evaluated using the MTT procedure with three cancer cell lines. The results show that compound 3 displayed good inhibitory effects against HeLa, with an IC50 of 10.68 μmol·L-1.

Oxidosqualene cyclases in triterpenoids biosynthesis: a review / 生物工程学报

Triterpenoids are one of the most diverse compounds in plant metabolites, and they have a wide variety of physiological activities and are of important economic value. Oxidosqualene cyclases catalyze the cyclization of 2, 3-oxidosqualene to generate different types of sterols and plant triterpenoids, which is of great significance to the structural diversity of natural products. However, the mechanism of the diversified cyclization of 2, 3-oxidosqualene catalyzed by oxidosqualene cyclases remains unclear. This review summarized the research progress of oxidosqualene cyclases from the aspects of catalytic function, molecular evolutionary relationship between genes and proteins, protein structure, molecular simulation and molecular calculations, which may provide a reference for protein engineering and metabolic engineering of triterpene cyclase.

Extensive expansion of the chemical diversity of fusidane-type antibiotics using a stochastic combinational strategy

Fusidane-type antibiotics, represented by helvolic acid, fusidic acid and cephalosporin P

New tirucallane-type triterpenoids from the resin of Boswellia carteriiand their NO inhibitory activities / 中国天然药物

Six new tirucallane-type triterpenoids (1-6), along with ten known triterpenoids, were isolated from methylene chloride extract of the resin of Boswellia carterii Birdw. By the application of the comprehensive spectroscopic data, the structures of the compounds were clarified. The experimental electronic circular dichroism spectra were compared with those calculated, which allowed to assign the absolute configurations. Compounds 5 and 6 possesed a 2, 3-seco tirucallane-type triterpenoid skeleton, which were first reported. Their inhibitory activity against NO formation in LPS-activated BV-2 cells were evaluated. Compound 9 showed appreciable inhibitory effect, with an IC

Protective effect of total triterpenoids from Chaenomeles speciosa against Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in mice / 中国中药杂志

This study investigated the protective effect of total triterpenoids from Chaenomeles speciosa against Helicobacter pylori(Hp)-induced gastritis in mice and explored its possible mechanism. The chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG) model mice were randomly divided into four groups of model, total triterpenoids from C. speciosa(50 and 100 mg·kg~(-1)) and triple therapy, with C57 BL/6 J mice without Hp infection taken as the normal group. Mice in the treatment groups were given corresponding drugs once a day for 4 weeks. Then the following indexes were detected: the contents of reactive oxygen species(ROS), monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1), keratinocyte chemokines(KC), TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, IL-4 and IL-10 in blood and gastric tissue, the activities and contents of LDH, MPO, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT and MDA in gastric tissue and the activities of β-glucuronidase, β-galactosidase, cathepsins B and D in blood, gastric tissue and lysosome. Besides, the mRNA expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bax and Bad in gastric tissue were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IKKβ, p-IκBα, NOD-like receptor 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), pro-caspase-1, caspase-1, thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP), pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bax, Bad, cytochrome C, apoptotic protease-activating factor-1(Apaf-1), pro-caspase-9, pro-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-3, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1(PARP-1), cleaved-PARP-1 and cytosol and nucleus NF-κB p65 in gastric tissue. The results indicated that the total triterpenoids from C. speciosa significantly suppressed Hp proliferation, alleviated the damage to gastric mucosa and improved lymphocyte infiltration and gland atrophy. They were also effective in reducing the activities of β-glucuronidase, β-galactosidase, cathepsins B and D in blood and gastric tissue, elevating the activities of β-glucuronidase and cathepsin D in lysosomal organelles, decreasing the contents of ROS, MCP-1, KC, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 in blood, MDA content and MPO and LDH activities in gastric tissue and increasing the contents of IL-4 and IL-10 in blood and activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in gastric tissue. Other phenomena were also observed after the treatment with total triterpenoids from C. speciosa, including the down-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, Bax and Bad, the protein expression levels of p-IKKβ, p-IκBα, NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1, TXNIP, pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18, cytochrome C, Apaf-1, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-PARP-1 and nuclear NF-κB p65, reduction of p-IKKβ/IKKβ and p-IκBα/IκBα ratios and up-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, up-regulation of pro-caspase-9, pro-caspace-3, cytosol NF-κB p65 protein expression levels and Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xl/Bad ratios in gastric tissue. These aforementioned results suggest that the total triterpenoids from C. speciosa have significant protective effects against CAG induced by Hp, and its mechanism may be related to enhancing the function of endogenous antioxidant system, suppressing the oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction induced by Hp, correcting lysosomal dysfunction and inflammatory activation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and thus inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

Triterpenoids from leaves of Ilex guayusa / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents from the leaves of Ilex guayusa were investigated. Sixteen triterpenoids were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of dried leaves of I. guayusa by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS column chromatographies and semi-prepa-rative HPLC. Those triterpenoids were identified by NMR, HR-MS, and literature analysis: 3β-hydroxy-11α,12α-epoxy-24-nor-urs-4(23)-ene-28,13β-olide(1), 3β-hydroxy-24-nor-4(23),12-oleanadien-28-methyl ester(2), oleanolic acid(3), 3β,28-dihydroxy-12-oleanene(4), 2α,3β-dihydroxy-11α,12α-epoxy-24-'nor-olean-4(23)-ene-28,13β-olide(5), ursolic acid(6), 3β,23-dihydroxy ursolic acid(7), 3β,28-dihydroxy-12-ursene(8), 3β-28-nor-urs-12-ene-3,17-diol(9), 3β-hydroxyurs-11-ene-28,13β-olide(10), 13β,28-epoxy-3β-hydroxy-11-ursene(11), 3β-hydroxy-28,28-dimethoxy-12-ursene(12), 3β-hydroxy-24-nor-urs-4(23),12-dien-28-oic acid(13), 3β-hydroxy-24-nor-urs-4(23),12-dien-28-methyl ester(14), 2α,3β-dihydroxy-11α,12α-epoxy-24-nor-urs-4(23)-ene-28,13β-olide(15) and 2α,3β-dihydroxy-11α,12α-epoxy-24-nor-urs-4(23),20(30)-dien-28,13β-olide(16). Compounds 1-2 were new compounds, and compounds 4-5, 7 and 9-16 were isolated from I. guayusa for the first time.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis on triterpenoids in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus / 中国中药杂志

Triterpenoids are one of the most active constituents in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, but only oleanolic acid has been mostly studied. In recent years, a growing number of studies have shown that other triterpenes from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus also have various biological activities, so it is necessary to build up a detailed profile of the triterpenoids in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus. The chromatographic separation was performed on a C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) with mobile phase of methanol-acetonitrile-0.2% formic acid for gradient elution. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm, with a flow rate of 0.5 mL·min~(-1), and the column temperature of 25 ℃. The HPLC fingerprint of triterpenoids in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus was built by testing 21 batches of samples from different sources. The structures of the total 15 common chromatographic peaks were elucidated with UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS technique and six of them were identified as tormentic acid, pomolic acid, maslinic acid, botulin, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid by comparison to the reference substances. Under the same chromatographic condition, four main triterpenes(podocarboxylic acid, hawthorn acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid) were quantified and the results of system adaptability and methodology investigation all met the requirements of content determination. Meanwhile, with oleanolic acid(A) as the internal reference substance, quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) method was used to analyze the above four components. The relative correction factor of oleanolic acid(B), hawthorn acid(C) and ursolic acid(D) to oleanolic acid was f_(B/A)=1.12, f_(C/A)=1.02 and f_(D/A)=0.88, respectively, and the relative retention values of these three to oleanolic acid was RRV_(B/A)=0.46, RRV_(C/A)=0.70 and RRV_(D/A)=1.03, respectively. The contents determined by two methods were similar. In conclusion, the method built in this paper is proved to be simple, reliable and specific for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of the triterpenoids in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, which can lay foundation for further assays of the triterpenoids in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and the relative products.

Analysis of Chemical Composition in Sancao Baogan Decoction Based on UPLC-ESI-HRMSn / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To analysis the chemical constituents in Sancao Baogan decoction by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-HRMSn). Method::The separation was performed on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm) by a gradient elution of methanol (A)-0.1% formic acid solution (B) (0-2 min, 5%A; 2-20 min, 5%-12%A; 20-35 min, 12%-40%A; 35-38 min, 40%A; 38-48 min, 40%-80%A; 48-50 min, 80%A). The flow rate was 0.3 mL·min-1 and the column temperature was set at 30 ℃, the injection volume was 10 μL. Electrospray ionization was applied and the data were collected via positive and negative ion modes. By using Xcalibur 3.0 software, the chemical constituents were analyzed based on the relative retention time, excimer ion peak and fragment ion peak of the compounds, as well as comparison with human metabolome database (HMDB), reference substances and literature data. Result::A total of 40 chemical components were identified from Sancao Baogan decoction, including 16 phenolic acids, 19 flavonoids, 2 anthraquinones, 1 triterpenoid, 1 sterol, and 1 monoterpenoid. Six compounds (dansensu, α-pinene, epigallocatechin, 2, 5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, naringenin and emodin) were reported for the first time from Sancao Baogan decoction. Conclusion::The established UPLC-ESI-HRMSn can quickly, accurately and comprehensively analyze the chemical constituents of Sancao Baogan decoction, which lays a foundation for the basic research of pharmacodynamic substances and quality control of this formula.

Effect of Flavonoid and Triterpenoid Compounds on the Function of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B3 / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVEP: To investigate the effect of flavonoids and triterpenoids on the function of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3. METHODS: Natural products such as flavonoids and triterpenoids are widely present in traditional Chinese medicine and daily diets. In the present study, CHO cells stably expressing OATP1B3 and its fluorescent substrate fluorescein methotrexate were employed to investigate the effect of 21 natural products on the function of OATP1B3. RESULTS: Mulberrin, glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhizic acid, quercitrin, quercetin, and chrysanthemum stem-leaf flavonoids showed significant inhibitory effects on OATP1B3-mediated uptake of fluorescein methotrexate, with IC50 values being of 3.6, 3.8, 7.5, 9.0, 10.1 μmol•L-1, and 4.1 μg•mL-1, respectively. The IC50 value of glycyrrhetinic acid on OATP1B3 was comparable to its blood concentration in clinics, indicating an OATP1B3-mediated drug-drug interaction could occur. CONCLUSION: Some flavonoids and triterpenoids are OATP1B3 inhibitors. When patients take medications of OATP1B3 substrates, care should be taken to avoid coadmistration of drugs or food containing these inhibitors to circumvent the occurrence of adverse drug interactions.

Research progress on chemical constituents of Rhododendron molle and its pharmacological activities / 中草药

Rhododendron molle is a plant of the Ericaceae family. It is commonly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that its diterpenoids are main medicinal ingredients with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and other pharmacological effects. Through reviewing domestic and foreign literatures, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of R. molle, and briefly prospects research of the titled plant.

Chemical constituents from Rhynchosia volubilis / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Rhynchosia volubilis. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, Toyopearl HW-40C, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC chromatography. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. Results: Thirteen compounds were isolated from the petroleum ether extracts of R. volubilis and their structures were elucidated as (-)-sigmoidin E (1), lupinifolin (2), precatorin B (3), cajanone (4), sophoraisoflavanone B (5), 5,3’-dihydroxy-4’-methoxy-5’- γ,γ-dimethylallyl-2″,2″-dimethylpyrano [5,6:6,7] isoflavanone (6), genistein (7), licoisoflavone A (8), erylatissin B (9), neo-bavaisoflavone (10), lupeol (11), betulinic aldehyde (12), and clionasterol (13). Compounds 1-10 were all prenylated flavonoids, of which compounds 1-2 were dihydroflavones, compounds 3-6 were dihydroisoflavones, and compounds 7-10 were isoflavones. Compounds 11-12 were lupine triterpenoids, and compounds 13 was a sterol. Conclusion: Compounds 1, 5-6, 8-10, 12 and 13 are isolated from the genus for the first time, while compounds 1-3 and 5-13 are separated from this plant for the first time.

Chemical constituent analysis of Gegen Qinlian Decoction based on UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS / 中草药

Objective: Identification of chemical constituents from Gengen Qinlian Decoction by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. Methods: The analysis was performed on Dikma Endeavorsil C18 (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) with mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid water solution (A)-acetonitrile (B) for gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was equipped with an Electrospray ionization ion probe and MS1 and MS2 data of samples were collected in positive and negative ion mode, respectively. Results: A total of 67 constituents were identified from Gegen Qinlian Decoction by reference substance identification, software prediction analysis and related literature reports, including 36 flavonoids, 12 alkaloids, four triterpenoids and triterpenoid saponins, and 15 other ingredients. Conclusion: In this study, UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used to systematically elucidate the chemical constituents of Gegen Qinlian Decoction, and the fragmentation characteristics of its main chemical constituents were preliminarily explained and summarized, which provided a reference for the quality control and mechanism research of Gegen Qinlian Decoction.