Bioactivity-Guided High Performance Counter-Current Chromatography and Following Semi-Preparative Liquid Chromatography Method for Rapid Isolation of Anti-Inflammatory Lignins from Dai Medicinal Plant, Zanthoxylum acanthopodium var. timbor.

The development of Dai medicine is relatively slow, and Zanthoxylum has great economic and medicinal value. It is still difficult to obtain medicinal components from the low-polarity parts of Zanthoxylum belonging to Dai medicine. In this study, we introduced one simple and quick strategy of separating target compounds from the barks of Z. acanthopodium var. timbor by high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC) with an off-line anti-inflammatory activity screening mode. The development of this strategy was based on the TLC-based generally useful estimation of solvent systems (GUESS) method and HPCCC in combination. This paper presented a rapid method for obtaining target anti-inflammatory compounds. Three lignins were enriched by HPCCC with an off-line inhibition mode of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells, using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (3:2:3:2) as the solvent system. The results showed that this method was simple and practical and could be applied to trace the anti-inflammatory components of the low-polarity part in Dai medicine.

A review for natural polysaccharides with anti-pulmonary fibrosis properties, which may benefit to patients infected by 2019-nCoV.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a lung disease with highly heterogeneous and mortality rate, but its therapeutic options are now still limited. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been characterized by WHO as a pandemic, and the global number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has been more than 8.0 million. It is strongly supported for that PF should be one of the major complications in COVID-19 patients by the evidences of epidemiology, viral immunology and current clinical researches. The anti-PF properties of naturally occurring polysaccharides have attracted increasing attention in last two decades, but is still lack of a comprehensively understanding. In present review, the resources, structural features, anti-PF activities, and underlying mechanisms of these polysaccharides are summarized and analyzed, which was expected to provide a scientific evidence supporting the application of polysaccharides for preventing or treating PF in COVID-19 patients.

Anthraquinones Extract from Morinda angustifolia Roxb. Root Alleviates Hepatic Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride through Inhibition of Hepatic Oxidative Stress.

In Southwestern China, the root of Morinda angustifolia Roxb. has been employed as a folk medicine for treating various types of hepatitis and jaundice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of anthraquinones extract from M. angustifolia root (AEMA) in carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced liver injury in mice and identify the main bioactive components. Results indicated that AEMA pretreatment could significantly, in a dose-dependent manner, attenuate the increased levels of ALT and AST in mice serum induced by CCl4. At doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, AEMA exhibited significant suppression of the elevated hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as marked upregulatory effects on the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mice exposed to CCl4. However, AEMA treatment had no effect on the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) or the nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, two anthraquinone constituents were isolated from AEMA and identified as soranjidiol and rubiadin-3-methyl ether. Soranjidiol exhibited similar protective effects to those of AEMA on liver damage induced by CCl4. Overall, our research clearly demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of the AEMA, and anthraquinones, particularly soranjidiol, should be considered as the main hepatoprotective principles of M. angustifolia. In addition, the underlying mechanism may be, at least in part, related to its antioxidant properties.

A Review of Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. as Traditional Medicinal Plant and Its Therapeutic Potential.

Oenanthe javanica, popularly known as water dropwort, has long been used in various ethnomedical systems in Asia, especially in China, Korean, and Japan, for treating various chronic and acute hepatitis, jaundice, alcohol hangovers, abdominal pain, and inflammatory conditions. The present review aims to provide a general report of the available literature on traditional uses, phytochemical, pharmacological, nutritional, and toxicological data related to the O. javanica as a potential source of new compounds with biological activities. Considering phytochemical studies, coumarins, flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, organic acids, and polyphenols were the main classes of compounds identified in the whole plant which were correlated with their biological activities such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, immune enhancement, ethanol elimination, antioxidant, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anticoagulant, anti-fatigue, hypoglycemic, cardiovascular protection, analgesic, and insecticidal activities.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor activities of ingredients of Curcuma phaeocaulis Val.

Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. is used in Chinese Pharmacopoeia as health food and folk medicine for removing blood stasis, alleviating pain and tumor therapy. This research was aimed to explore and compare three main bioactivities including anti-oxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities between the ethanol extract of C. Phaeocaulis and its fractions using different in vitro models. Firstly, 70 % ethanol was used to extract C. Phaeocaulis, and then the crude extract was re-extracted, resulting in petroleum ether (EZ-PE), ethyl acetate (EZ-EA), and water fractions (EZ-W), respectively, and then a series of index was detected. Results showed that all the extracts had medium DPPH radical scavenging activity when the concentration was 200 µg/ml and their DPPH radical scavenging activity was in a concentration-dependent manner. The extracts except ethanol extract of C. Phaeocaulis had almost no cytotoxicity to the survival of RAW264.7 cell when the concentration reached 80 µg/ml, and all of them had medium inhibitory effect on nitrite release. Extracts of C. Phaeocaulis had medium intensity antitumor activity, EZ-PE and EZ-EA fractions significantly inhibited the proliferation of four tumor cells (SMMC-7721 cell lines, HepG-2 cell lines, A549 cell lines and Hela cell lines). C. Phaeocaulis had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which did not carry out centralized phenomenon when re-extracted. EZ-PE and EZ-EA were active antitumor sites of C. Phaeocaulis.

Inhibitory Effects of Chemical Compounds Isolated from the Rhizome of Smilax glabra on Nitric Oxide and Tumor Necrosis Factor- α Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced RAW264.7 Cell.

The rhizome of Smilax glabra has been used for a long time as both food and folk medicine in many countries. The present study focused on the active constituents from the rhizome of S. glabra, which possess potential anti-inflammatory activities. As a result, nine known compounds were isolated from the rhizome of S. glabra with the bioassay-guiding, and were identified as syringaresinol (1), lasiodiplodin (2), de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (3), syringic acid (4), 1,4-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,4-butanediol (5), lyoniresinol (6), trans-resveratrol (7), trans-caffeic acid methyl ester (8), and dihydrokaempferol (9). Among these compounds, 2 and 3 were isolated for the first time from S. glabra. In addition, the potential anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced RAW264.7 cells. Results indicated that 4 and 7 showed significant inhibitory effects on NO production of RAW264.7 cells, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 showed moderate suppression effects on induced NO production. 1, 7, and 5 exhibited high inhibitory effects on TNF-α production, with the IC50 values less than 2.3, 4.4, and 16.6 µM, respectively. These findings strongly suggest that compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 were the potential anti-inflammatory active compositions of S. glabra.

Polysaccharides from Smilax glabra inhibit the pro-inflammatory mediators via ERK1/2 and JNK pathways in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

The rhizomes of Smilax glabra have been used as both food and folk medicine in many countries for a long time. However, little research has been reported on polysaccharides of S. glabra. In the present study, two polysaccharide fractions, SGP-1 and SGP-2, were isolated from the rhizomes of S. glabra with the number average molecular weights of 1.72 × 10(2)kDa and 1.31 × 10(2)kDa, and the weight average molecular weights of 1.31 × 10(5)kDa and 1.18 × 10(5)kDa, respectively, and their mainly monosaccharide compositions were both galactose and rhamnose (2.5:1). Both SGP-1 and SGP-2 significantly suppressed the release of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, as well as the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α and IL-6. Additionally, SGP-1 and SGP-2 repressed the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). These findings strongly suggested polysaccharides were also the anti-inflammatory active ingredient for S. glabra, and the potential of SGP-1 and SGP-2 as the anti-inflammatory agents.

Isolation and identification of ingredients inducing cancer cell death from the seeds of Alpinia galanga, a Chinese spice.

This study was carried out to isolate ingredients from the seeds of a Chinese spice (Alpinia galangal) and to evaluate their cytotoxic activity on cancer cell lines. Isolation and purification of the phytochemical constituents were conducted using silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and ODS columns. After extraction using 95% ethanol, the total extracts were re-extracted, resulting in petroleum ether (PE), ethyl acetate (EA) and water fractions, respectively. Activity tests showed that the EA fraction exhibited obvious (p < 0.05) protective effects on H2O2 damaged PC-12 cells at 20 µg mL(-1), and showed much higher (p < 0.05) cytotoxic activity on cancer cell lines than other fractions. Five compounds, 1'-S-1'-acetoxyeugenol acetate (I), 1'-S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (II), 2-propenal, 3-[4-(acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl] (III), isocoronarin D (IV) and caryolane-1, 9ß-diol (V), were obtained from the EA fraction and identified by HPLC, UV, MS, and NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compounds III and V were isolated from A. galangal for the first time. Moreover, compounds I, II, IV and V were the main active ingredients for inducing death of the tested cancer cells, and their IC50 values ranged from 60 to 90 µg mL(-1), indicating that these compounds possessed a wide anti-cancer capability. Therefore, A. galangal seeds could be a potential source of healthy food for tumor prevention.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Phenolic-Enriched Extracts of Smilax glabra.

Smilax glabra Roxb. has been used for a long time as both food and folk medicine. In the present study, phenolic-enriched extract of S. glabra (PEESG) was extracted with 70% ethanol and purified by HP-20 column chromatography. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by radical scavenging assay, reducing power determination, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells assays, respectively. PEESG exhibited obviously scavenging capacity for DPPH and ABTS radicals, as well as significant reducing power for ferric ion. Particularly, PEESG (12.5-50 µg/mL) showed a significantly higher efficiency for scavenging ABTS than that of ascorbic acid and no significant difference with ascorbic acid for DPPH scavenging. PEESG also possessed a significant suppression effect on proinflammatory mediators production, such as nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In addition, the main ingredients of PEESG were identified using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray mass spectrometry (U-HPLC-ESI-MS). Seventeen components, including 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, neoastilbin, astilbin, neoisoastilbin, isoastilbin, engetin and isoengeletin were identified. These findings strongly suggest the potential of PEESG as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Anti-inflammatory activity of extracts of Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv decoction, a Chinese medicinal formula, in M1-polarized RAW264.7.

BACKGROUND: Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv Decoction (BQZ) is one of famous traditional Chinese medical formula for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the mechanisms underlying effects of BQZ remains unknown. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1, play an important role in AS. We therefore evaluated if BQZ could affect the expression of these cytokines. METHODS: Crude extracts were prepared and fractioned with petroleum ether (PE), ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BU) and finally water (ACE). The stability of the extracts was confirmed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. M1-polarized RAW264.7 was induced and subsequently treated with BQZ extracts. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments were performed to measure mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1. RESULTS: It was found that TNF-α could be significantly suppressed by ACE extracts, whereas IL-1 was dramatically inhibited by BU extracts, which was further confirmed by dose-dependent experiments. Importantly, MTS assays showed that both ACE and BU extracts had a low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Altogether, our study indicates that BQZ decoction exerts anti-AS effects via its anti-inflammatory activity and may have a low side-effect. Further analysis of the extracts of BQZ decoction could lead to a discovery of some novel drugs adding to therapeutic strategy for AS patients.

Bioactivity evaluation of ingredients identified from the fruits of Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemaire, a Chinese spice.

In this work, a phytochemical investigation was conducted on Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemaire, a traditional Chinese spice. Based on spectroscopic methods including MS, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, DEPT135 and HMQC spectroscopy, eight main chemical compositions, sitosterol, daucosterol, meso-hannokinol, quercetin, epicatechin, quercetin-7-O-ß-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-ß-glucoside, and catechol, were isolated and identified from A. tsaoko, among which quercetin, quercetin-7-O-ß-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-ß-glucoside were first found in A. tsaoko. Their bioactivities were evaluated by the inhibitory effect on NO production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, the protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis of PC-12 cells and the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Epicatechin exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory properties; its inhibition rate was up to 63.65% at a concentration of 100 µg mL(-1). In addition, quercetin showed the strongest neuroprotective effect of PC-12 cells induced by H2O2, and the cell viability was up to 78.9% at a concentration of 50 µg mL(-1). Quercetin also exhibited excellent DPPH radical-scavenging activity at a concentration of 100 µg mL(-1) (DPPH radical inhibition rate > 80%), which was very close to Vc at the same concentration. It is concluded that, in A. tsaoko, different ingredients have their own health functions.

Protective effects of diphenylheptanes from Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. on H2O2 induced cell injury.

Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. has been used as a health food in China for a long time. This research aimed to isolate and identify its active compounds with protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced PC12 cell death. 70% ethanol extracts of C. phaeocaulis were re-extracted and three fractions of water, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate were obtained. Three diphenylheptane compounds from the ethyl acetate fraction were identified for the first time from C. phaeocaulis, and compound III was considered to be a new structure. All of the three compounds displayed certain protective effects against toxicity in PC12 cells. For all concentrations, compound III displayed a more significant protective effect than ethanol extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction, and the other two compounds. At a concentration of 50 µg mL(-1), the survival rate of damaged PC-12 cells treated with compound III reached 84.7%. Diphenylheptanes were concluded to be the main compounds responsible for the health effects of C. phaeocaulis.

Regulation effect of polysaccharides from Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) on the immune activity of mice macrophages.

Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) is widely consumed as a nutritious food due to its multiple health effects, especially immune function. This study was aimed at investigating its immune activity using the mice peritoneal macrophage model. Two polysaccharides, water and alkaline extraction of polysaccharides (W-PTR and A-PTR), from P. tuber-regium were used to test their immune functions and compare their possible activity differences. Results showed that both W-PTR and A-PTR showed a significant enhancement effect on the macrophage phagocytosis, and could activate the related enzymes, such as ATPases, lysozyme, and LDH, which are responsible for providing the maturation and proliferation process of macrophages with sufficient energy. In addition, levels of intracellular cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α, NO) were significantly increased after being treated with polysaccharides. A-PTR displayed a better performance than W-PTR in almost all tests. It is concluded that both polysaccharides could enhance the immune system by activating the macrophages and related enzymes, and induce the release of cytokines, indicating that polysaccharides are responsible for the immune function of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.).

A flavonoid 8-C-glycoside and a triterpenoid cinnamate from Nervilia fordii.

One new flavonoid glycoside (1) and one new triterpenoid cinnamate (2) were isolated from Nervilia fordii. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by extensive NMR and HRESIMS to be 7-O-ß-d-glucopyranosylapigenin-8-C-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucopyranoside and 24(S/ß)-dihydrocycloeucalenol-3-(Z)-p-hydroxycinnamate, respectively.

Evaluation of multi-activities of 14 edible species from Zingiberaceae.

Fourteen Zingiberaceae species, widely used in China for both food and medicine, were selected to evaluate and compare their antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Results indicated that seven species displayed high antioxidant activity, while eight species exhibited different degrees of antimicrobial activities (minimum inhibitory concentrations were 2.00-40.00 µg/ml), and six species exhibited cytotoxicity on the SMMC-7721 cells. Alpinia officinarum and Alpinia oxyphylla showed a broader antimicrobial spectrum, while Curcuma phaeocaulis and Zingiber officinale displayed specific inhibition on Escherichia coli. Amomum villosum showed strong radical scavenging capacity. Amomum kravanh and Curcuma longa exhibited significant cytotoxicity. Overall, the antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the 14 species showed obvious diversities. It is hoped that, from the results, the biological activity of ginger plants can be used more rationally and effectively in future.

Chemical compositions extracted from Wikstroemia indica and their multiple activities.

CONTEXT: The rhizome of Wikstroemia indica (L.) C. A. Mey (Thymelaeaceae) is widespread in China which has been widely used in China as folk medicine for the treatment of syphilis, arthritis, whooping cough, and cancer. Due to its multiactivities, its extract has an attractive potential as a promising natural agent in the pharmaceutical industries. OBJECTIVE: Aims of this study were to optimize the extraction process of the flavonoids from W. indica, and evaluate its multiple activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An orthogonal test design was employed to optimize the extraction procedure of flavonoids from W. indica. And multichromatography and spectroscopy were used to study the chemical compounds of W. indica, while several bioactivity assays were used to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities of W. indica. RESULTS: Optimal extraction conditions were determined: ethanol concentration was 60%; extraction time was 60 min; liquid-solid ratio was 16:1 and the power of ultrasonic instrument was 160 W. Four compounds: daphnoretin, chrysophanol, myricitrime and rutin were purified from W. indica, and chrysophanol was identified from this plant for the first time. The extract of W. indica displayed significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Daphnoretin showed a significant inhibition effect on CNE cells and HeLa cells lines at the concentrations ranging from 15.6 to 125 µg/mL, the tendency of antitumor effect was displayed in a concentration-dependent manner. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Extracts of W. indica could potentially be used as a promising natural agent in the pharmaceutical industries.

Proteomics and syndrome of Chinese medicine.

Syndrome of Chinese medicine is an understanding of the regularity of disease occurrence and development and its performance of symptoms. Syndrome is the key to recognize diseases and the foundation to treat them. However, because of the complexity of the concept and the limitation of present investigations, the research of syndrome is hard to go further. Proteomics has been received extensive attention in the area of medical diagnosis and drug development. In the holistic and systemic context, proteomics have a convergence with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome, which could overcome the one-sidedness and singleness of TCM and avoid the complication and tedious processes. Chinese medicine has a wealth of experience and proteomics has a substantial research potential, the integration of the two aspects will bring a great enhancement of our knowledge of disease.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Nerviliae fordii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Nerviliae fordii. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral datas. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as rhamnocitrin (1), rhamnazin (2), rhamnocitrin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), rhamnocitrin 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) and 4-hydroxybenzonic acid (5). CONCLUSION: Compound 3, 4, and 5 are isolated from this plant for the first time.