Stereochemical insights into neuroprotective alkaloids from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia.

A new alkaloid featured with a dibenz[c,e]azepin-5-one scaffold, namely emililactam A (3), together with a known pyrrolidine alkaloid (emilisonchine, 1) and a known flavonoid alkaloid [8-(2″-pyrrolidinone-5″-yl)-quercetin, 2] were isolated from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated as racemic forms which were further separated, for the first time, to their corresponding enantiomers [(+)-1/(-)-1 and (+)-2/(-)-2], respectively, by using chiral-phase HPLC. The structure of new compound 3 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. In addition, the absolute configurations of optically pure (+)-1/(-)-1 and (+)-2/(-)-2 were determined by the time-dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations. In an in vitro bioassay, compounds (+)-1, (-)-1, (±)-1, and 3 exhibited moderate neuroprotective effects against corticosterone-induced injuries of PC12 cells.

Sesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Sarcandra glabra / 中国天然药物

Sarglanoids A-F, six new sesquiterpenoids belonging to eudesmane (1-5) and eremophilane (6) types, were isolated from the leaves of Sarcandra glabra, a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1-2 were rare N-containing eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids. Compound 3 exhibited inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values at 20.00 ± 1.30 μmol·L-1. These findings provide scientific evidence for sesquiterpenoids as the material foundation of S. glabra.

Iridoids of wine-processed Corni Fructus / 中国中药杂志

A new iridoid glycoside, cornushmf A(1) and nine known iridoids(2-10) were isolated from the water extract of the wine-processed Corni Fructus by various column chromatographies. Their chemical structures were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic methods as 7β-O-(2″-formylfuran-5″-methylene)-morroniside(1), 7-dehydrologanin(2), sweroside(3), 7β-O-methylmorroniside(4), 7α-O-methylmorroniside(5), 7β-O-ethylmorroniside(6), 7α-O-ethylmorroniside(7), cornuside(8), sarracenin(9), and loganin(10).

Quality standards of Gleditsiae Spina and its decoction pieces / 中国中药杂志

In view of the current inadequate standards for Gleditsiae Spina in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, this study put forward some new items of the quality standards of Gleditsiae Spina. Thin-layer chromatography(TLC) was performed for identification with the reference substance of taxifolin and the reference material of Gleditsiae Spina as the control. According to the general principles of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition, Vol. 4), the moisture, total ash content, and alcohol-soluble extract of medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Gleditsiae Spina were determined. The content determination method for medicinal materials and decoction pieces of Gleditsiae Spina was established using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), with taxifolin as the quality control index. Based on the determination results of 30 batches of samples of Gleditsiae Spina from different habitats, the draft quality standards of Gleditsiae Spina were developed, which provided suggestions for the revision of the quality standards of Gleditsiae Spina in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Simultaneous Determination and Risk Assessment of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Artemisia capillaris Thunb. by UPLC-MS/MS Together with Chemometrics.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural toxins found in some genera of the family Asteraceae. However, it has not been reported whether PAs are present in the widely used Asteraceae plant Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (A. capillaris). The purpose of this study was to establish a sensitive and rapid UPLC-MS/MS method together with chemometrics analysis for simultaneous determination and risk assessment of PAs in A. capillaris. The developed UPLC-MS/MS method was validated and was confirmed to display desirable high selectivity, precision and accuracy. Risk assessment was conducted according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guideline. Chemometrics analysis was performed with hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis to characterize the differences between PAs of A. capillaris. Finally, PAs were found in 29 out of 30 samples and at least two were detected in each sample, besides, more than half of the samples exceeded the EMA baseline. Nevertheless, the chemometrics results suggested that the PAs contents of A. capillaris from different sources varied significantly. The method was successfully applied to the detection and risk evaluation of PAs-containing A. capillaris for the first time. This study should provide a meaningful reference for the rational and safe use of A. capillaris.

Structural and Stereochemical Studies of Laurokamurols A-C, Uncommon Bis-sesquiterpenoids from the Chinese Red Alga Laurencia okamurai Yamada.

Three novel heterodimeric laurane-type sesquiterpenoids, laurokamurols A-C (1-3), along with eight known related monomeric ones (4-11) were isolated from the East China Sea red alga Laurencia okamurai Yamada. The absolute configurations of the new bis-sesquitepenoids, especially their axial chirality, were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses and TDDFT-ECD method. All of the new compounds showed promising PTP1B inhibitory activities with IC50 values comparable to the positive control, indicating them as potential food additives or pharmaceutical drug leads toward obesity or diabetes.

An unusual sesquiterpene coumarin from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis.

A sesquiterpene coumarin, sinkiangenorin E, consisting of a novel bicyclo[4.3.1]decane-type sesquiterpene system, was isolated from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis. The structure of sinkiangenorin E including the relative stereochemistry and the absolute configuration was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The new compound showed cytotoxic activity against AGS cells (IC50, 12.7 µM) and inhibiting effect against influenza A H1N1 (IC50, 4.0 µM), which provided important clues for the study on the bioactivities of this type of sesquiterpene coumarins.

[Zheng Yu-lin, a founder of the acupuncture and moxibustion cause of new China].

Mr. ZHENG Yu-lin is one of the most outstanding acupuncture scientists in the modern times in our country. He inherits the learning handed down in a family and is bold in making innovations, successfully combines the exercises to benefit the internal organs with Chinese traditional acupuncture needling methods, forming a set of unique Zheng's needling methods, which is used for treatment of severe ophthalmopathy with excellent therapeutic effects, and is famed the world over. Main achievements: took on scientific researches of acupuncture and moxibustion, teaching and clinical works in the first stage of establishment of China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicinel trains a large number of famous specificities of acupuncture and moxibustion for new China; advocates study on channel essence; cures stubborn diseases for leaders of friend countries undertaking the great trust of the central leaders for many times, becoming an important ties of Chinese political foreign affairs.

Zheng Yu-lin, a founder of the acupuncture and moxibustion cause of new China / 中国针灸

Mr. ZHENG Yu-lin is one of the most outstanding acupuncture scientists in the modern times in our country. He inherits the learning handed down in a family and is bold in making innovations, successfully combines the exercises to benefit the internal organs with Chinese traditional acupuncture needling methods, forming a set of unique Zheng's needling methods, which is used for treatment of severe ophthalmopathy with excellent therapeutic effects, and is famed the world over. Main achievements: took on scientific researches of acupuncture and moxibustion, teaching and clinical works in the first stage of establishment of China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicinel trains a large number of famous specificities of acupuncture and moxibustion for new China; advocates study on channel essence; cures stubborn diseases for leaders of friend countries undertaking the great trust of the central leaders for many times, becoming an important ties of Chinese political foreign affairs.

Folic acid supplements during early pregnancy and likelihood of multiple births: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Folic acid supplements are recommended for women of childbearing age to prevent neural tube defects in their offspring. Results of some studies, however, suggest an increase in multiple births associated with use of vitamin supplements that contain folic acid during pregnancy. Our aim was to assess this association. METHODS: We used data from a population-based cohort study from which we assessed the occurrence of multiple births in women (n=242015) who had participated in a campaign to prevent neural tube defects with folic acid supplements (400 microg per day) in China. Folic acid use was ascertained before pregnancy outcome was known. We studied the relation between multiple births and any use of folic acid pills before or during early pregnancy; additionally, we investigated mechanisms by which folic acid could potentially affect the occurrence of multiple births by examining pill-taking at three time periods: before ovulation, around the time of fertilisation, and after conception. FINDINGS: 1496 (0.62%) multiple births occurred in a cohort of 242015 women who had registered with the study between October, 1993, and September, 1995, and who had a pregnancy not affected by a birth defect; the rate of multiple births in women who did and did not take folic acid before or during early pregnancy was 0.59% and 0.65%, respectively (rate ratio 0.91; 95% CI 0.82-1.00). INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that consumption of folic acid supplements during pregnancy is not associated with an increased occurrence of multiple births.