Effects of Sophora flavescens aiton and the absorbed bioactive metabolite matrine individually and in combination with 5-fluorouracil on proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells in nude mice.

Background: Sophora flavescens aiton (SFA) and its main bioactive metabolite matrine are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations and have achieved good curative effects for the treatment of various tumors. However, the mechanisms underlying SFA and matrine individually and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs for treatment of gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. Aim of the study: To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the ability of SFA and matrine individually and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs to inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of human GC cells. Materials and methods: Forty-eight nude mice were randomly divided into six groups that were treated with normal saline (model group), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), SFA decoction (SFAD), matrine, SFAD+5-FU, or matrine+5-FU. A subcutaneous heterotopic tumor model was established in nude mice by implantation of human GC BGC-823 cells. All mice were treated for 28 days. Bioactive metabolites in SFA were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The tumor volume, tumor weight, and tumor inhibition rate of mice were documented. Histopathology and ultramicroscopic pathology of tumor tissues were observed. The tumor cell cycle and apoptosis in vivo were detected. Serum levels of PCNA, BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-3 were measured. Protein levels of MS4A10, MS4A8, MS4A7, PCNA, BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-3 were measured in tumor tissues. Results: Both SFAD and matrine inhibited the growth of transplanted GC cells, which was more effective when combined with 5-FU. The tumor inhibition rates of the 5-FU, SFAD, matrine, SFAD+5-FU, and matrine+5-FU groups were 53.85%, 33.96%, 30.44%, 59.74%, and 56.55%, respectively. The body weight of tumor-bearing nude mice was greater in the SFAD group than the normal saline and matrine groups. SFAD+5-FU and matrine+5-FU blocked BGC-823 cells in the G0-G1/S transition, promoted apoptosis, and significantly decreased the content of serum apoptosis-inhibitory proteins (PCNA and Bcl-2) as well as protein expression of MS4A8, MS4A10, Bcl-2, and PCNA in tumor tissues, while increasing serum levels of pro-apoptotic proteins (Caspase-9, Caspase-3 and cleaved-Caspase-3) and protein expression of BAX and cleaved-Caspase-3 in tumor tissues. Conclusion: SFAD and matrine both individually and in combination with 5-FU ameliorated malignancy of transplanted tumors by reducing proliferation and promoting apoptosis of BGC-823 cells. These findings confirm the anti-tumor synergistic effect of TCM and chemotherapeutic drugs.

New Sorbicillinoids with Tea Pathogenic Fungus Inhibitory Effect from Marine-Derived Fungus Hypocrea jecorina H8.

Four new dimeric sorbicillinoids (1-3 and 5) and a new monomeric sorbicillinoid (4) as well as six known analogs (6-11) were purified from the fungal strain Hypocrea jecorina H8, which was obtained from mangrove sediment, and showed potent inhibitory activity against the tea pathogenic fungus Pestalotiopsis theae (P. theae). The planar structures of 1-5 were assigned by analyses of their UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR spectroscopic data. All the compounds were evaluated for growth inhibition of tea pathogenic fungus P. theae. Compounds 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 exhibited more potent inhibitory activities compared with the positive control hexaconazole with an ED50 of 24.25 ± 1.57 µg/mL. The ED50 values of compounds 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 were 9.13 ± 1.25, 2.04 ± 1.24, 18.22 ± 1.29, 1.83 ± 1.37, and 4.68 ± 1.44 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the effects of these compounds on zebrafish embryo development were also evaluated. Except for compounds 5 and 8, which imparted toxic effects on zebrafish even at 0.625 µM, the other isolated compounds did not exhibit significant toxicity to zebrafish eggs, embryos, or larvae. Taken together, sorbicillinoid derivatives (6, 9, and 10) from H. jecorina H8 displayed low toxicity and high anti-tea pathogenic fungus potential.

The Protective Effects of Zornia diphylla (L.) Pers. Against Acute Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Mice.

Background: Zornia diphylla (L.) Pers. (ZDP) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used for several decades to treat patients with liver diseases. Whether ZDP is best administered as a single agent or adjunctive therapy has yet to be determined as does the mechanism whereby it exerts its effects on antagonizing acute liver injury (ALI). Aim of the study: To investigate the protective effects of ZDP on ALI induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and the potential underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Sixty adult mice were randomized into six study groups (n = 10/group). Three groups were treated with different concentrations of ZDP (2.5, 1.25, 0.625 g/kg), one with bifendate (0.0075 g/kg) alone (positive control) and one with physiologic saline (normal, negative control). All groups were treated for 14 days. Two hours after the last administration, the normal group received an intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil, and the other five groups received an intraperitoneal injection of an equal dose of CCl4 peanut oil solution. At 24 h, the liver index, histology and serum or tissue levels and/or protein expression of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), inhibitor of NF-κB α (IκB-α), interleukin-1 ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), E-cadherin and vimentin were determined. Results: Compared to the model controls, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatocyte injury of liver tissue was relieved in the bifendate and three ZDP groups; liver index in the ZDP (2.5, 1.25 g/kg) groups and serum liver function indices in the ZDP (2.5, 1.25 and 0.625 g/kg) groups were decreased; antioxidants SOD, CAT and GSH in liver tissue were increased but the lipid peroxidation index MDA was decreased; protein expression of inflammatory cytokines Akt, p-Akt, NF-κB p65, IκB-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the liver was ameliorated, and E-cadherin expression was increased. The results of liver histopathology also showed that ZDP had a significant effect on ALI. Conclusion: ZDP has obvious protective effects on CCl4-induced ALI as a single therapy and appears to act by inhibiting oxidation, reducing the release of inflammatory factors and promoting hepatocyte repair.

Two new troponoides with anti-inflammatory activity from the stems of Juniperus formosana Hayata.

Two new troponoides (1-2) were isolated from a 95% ethanol extract of the stems of Juniperus formosana (Cupressaceae), together with six known compounds (3-8). The structures of the new compounds were comprehensively characterized by high resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Compounds 1-7 were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory against the expression of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. The new compounds showed moderate anti-inflammatory effect, while other compounds did show no activity.

New ß-Lactone with Tea Pathogenic Fungus Inhibitory Effect from Marine-Derived Fungus MCCC3A00957.

Fusarium solani H915 (MCCC3A00957), a fungus originating from mangrove sediment, showed potent inhibitory activity against tea pathogenic fungus Pestalotiopsis theae. Successive chromatographic separation on an ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of F. solani H915 resulted in the isolation of five new alkenoic diacid derivatives: fusarilactones A-C (1-3), and fusaridioic acids B (4) and C (5), in addition to seven known compounds (6-12). The chemical structures of these metabolites were elucidated on the basis of UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR spectroscopic data. The antifungal activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated. Compounds with a ß-lactone ring (1, 2, and 7) exhibited potent inhibitory activities, while none of the other compounds show activity. The ED50 values of the compounds 1, 2, and 7 were 38.14 ± 1.67, 42.26 ± 1.96, and 18.35 ± 1.27 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, inhibitory activity of these compounds against 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase gene expression was also detected using real-time RT-PCR. Results indicated that compounds 1, 2, and 7 may inhibit the growth of P. theae by interfering with the biosynthesis of ergosterol by down-regulating the expression of HMG-CoA synthase.

New Bis-Alkenoic Acid Derivatives from a Marine-Derived Fungus Fusarium solani H915.

Fusarium solani H915 is a fungus derived from mangrove sediments. From its ethyl acetate extract, a new alkenoic acid, fusaridioic acid A (1), three new bis-alkenoic acid esters, namely, fusariumester A1 (2), A2 (3) and B (4), together with three known compounds (5⁻7), were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were comprehensively characterized by high resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Additionally, the antifungal activities against tea pathogenic fungi Pestalotiopsis theae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were studied. The new compound, 4, containing a ß-lactone ring, exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against P. theae, with an MIC of 50 µg/disc. Hymeglusin (6), a typical ß-lactone antibiotic and a terpenoid alkaloid, equisetin (7), exhibited potent inhibitory activities against both fungal species. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their effects on zebrafish embryo development. Equisetin clearly imparted toxic effect on zebrafish even at low concentrations. However, none of the alkenoic acid derivatives exhibited significant toxicity to zebrafish eggs, embryos, or larvae. Thus, the ß-lactone containing alkenoic acid derivatives from F. solani H915 are low in toxicity and are potent antifungal agents against tea pathogenic fungi.

Development of an on-line mixed-mode gel liquid chromatography×reversed phase liquid chromatography method for separation of water extract from Flos Carthami.

A novel on-line comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) method by coupling mixed-mode gel liquid chromatography (MMG-LC) with reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) was developed. A mixture of 17 reference compounds was used to study the separation mechanism. A crude water extract of Flos Carthami was applied to evaluate the performance of the novel 2D-LC system. In the first dimension, the extract was eluted with a gradient of water/methanol over a cross-linked dextran gel Sephadex LH-20 column. Meanwhile, the advantages of size exclusion, reversed phase partition and adsorption separation mechanism were exploited before further on-line reversed phase purification on the second dimension. This novel on-line mixed-mode Sephadex LH-20×RPLC method provided higher peak resolution, sample processing ability (2.5mg) and better orthogonality (72.9%) versus RPLC×RPLC and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)×RPLC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a mixed-mode Sephadex LH-20×RPLC separation method with successful applications in on-line mode, which might be beneficial for harvesting targets from complicated medicinal plants.

On-line two-dimensional countercurrent chromatography×high performance liquid chromatography system with a novel fragmentary dilution and turbulent mixing interface for preparation of coumarins from Cnidium monnieri.

This study describes a novel on-line two-dimensional countercurrent chromatography×high performance liquid chromatography (2D CCC×HPLC) system for one-step preparative isolation of coumarins from the fruits of Cnidium monnieri. An optimal biphasic solvent system composed of n-heptane/acetone/water (31:50:19, v/v) with suitable Kd values and a higher retention of the stationary phase was chosen to separate target compounds. In order to address the solvent incompatibility problem between CCC and RP-HPLC, a novel fragmentary dilution and turbulent mixing (FD-TM) interface was successfully developed. In detail, the eluent from the first dimensional CCC column was divided into fractions to form 'sample-dilution' stripes in the two switching sample loops, by the dilution water from the makeup pump. Following this, a long, thin tube was applied to mix the CCC eluent with water by in-tube turbulence, to reduce the solvent effect. Each CCC fraction was alternately trapped on the two holding columns for further preparative HPLC separation. This nationally designed FD-TM strategy effectively reduced post-column pressure and allowed a higher water dilution ratio at the post end of CCC, leading to improved sample recovery and a robust 2D CCC×HPLC isolation system. As a result, in a single 2D separation run (6.5h), eight target compounds (1-8) were isolated from 0.5g crude extract of C. monnieri, in overall yields of 1.3, 2.0, 0.5, 0.5, 0.8, 1.5, 8.2, and 15.0%, with HPLC purity of 90.1, 91.1, 94.7, 99.1, 99.2, 98.2, 97.9, and 91.9%, respectively. We anticipate that this improved 2D CCC×HPLC system, based on the novel FD-TM interface, has broad application for simultaneous isolation and purification of multiple components from other complex plant-derived natural products.

Online polar two phase countercurrent chromatography×high performance liquid chromatography for preparative isolation of polar polyphenols from tea extract in a single step.

Herein, we report an on-line two-dimensional system constructed by counter-current chromatography (CCC) coupling with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) for the separation and purification of polar natural products. The CCC was used as the first dimensional isolation column, where an environmental friendly polar two-phase solvent system of isopropanol and 16% sodium chloride aqueous solution (1:1.2, v/v) was introduced for low toxicity and favorable resolution. In addition, by applying the stop-and-go flow technique, effluents pre-fractionated by CCC was further purified by a preparative column packed with octadecyl silane (ODS) as the second dimension. The interface between the two dimensions was comprised of a 6-port switching valve and an electronically controlled 2-position 10-port switching valve connected with two equivalent holding columns. To be highlighted here, this rationally designed interface for the purpose of smooth desalination, absorption and desorption, successfully solved the solvent compatibility problem between the two dimensional separation systems. The present integrated system was successfully applied in a one-step preparative separation and identification of 10 pure compounds from the water extracts of Tieguanyin tea (Chinese oolong tea). In short, all the results demonstrated that the on-line 2D CCC×LC method is an efficient and green approach for harvesting polar targets in a single step, which showed great promise in drug discovery.

Two-dimensional countercurrent chromatography×high performance liquid chromatography with heart-cutting and stop-and-go techniques for preparative isolation of coumarin derivatives from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn.

Pure compounds isolated from complex natural plants are important for drug discovery. This study describes a novel two-dimensional hyphenation of counter-current chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (2D CCC×HPLC) with heart-cutting and stop-and-go techniques for preparative isolation of multiple targets components from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (Umbelliferae) crude extracts in a single step. The CCC and HPLC were hyphenated via a 4-port valve equipped at the post-end of the CCC column, to heart cut the impure fractions to the 2nd dimensional HPLC for further separation. Furthermore, the stop-and-go flow scheme was applied in the 1st dimensional CCC to fit with the time constraints of the 2nd dimensional preparative HPLC. Last but not least, an optimal biphasic solvent system composed of n-heptane/acetone/water (31:50:19, v/v/v) with suitable Kd values and a higher retention of the stationary phase was chosen to separate target compounds, resulting in the improvement of the CCC column efficiency. By taking the advantages of this rationally designed system, sixteen coumarins were isolated from 1.0g of P. praeruptorum crude extract, with HPLC purity from 90.1% to 99.5%, in a single 2D separation run. More interestingly, two minor linear coumarins and one angular coumarin were isolated from P. praeruptorum Dunn for the first time. As far as we known, this is the first report on the combination of heart-cutting technique and stop-and-go protocol in 2D CCC×HPLC system, by which good separations on comprehensive matrix were achieved. We expect that this approach may have broad applications for simultaneous isolation and purification of multiple components from other complex plant-derived natural products.

DNA damage induced by shikonin in the presence of Cu(II) ions: potential mechanism of its activity to apoptotic cell death.

Shikonin (ß-alkannin), a naphthazarin derivative, has shown a variety of abilities such as anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities. In the presence of Cu(II), shikonin caused breakage of supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA. Other metal ions tested [Mg(II), Ca(II), and Ni(II)] were ineffective and only Fe(II) has the same ability in the DNA breakage reaction. The involvement of active oxygen in the reaction was established by the inhibition of DNA breakage by superoxide dismutase, catalase, thiourea, sodium azide, potassium iodide, and sodium benzoate. Cu(I) was shown to be an essential intermediate using the Cu(I)-specific sequestering reagent neocuproine. Shikonin induced HeLa cell apoptosis involved in the mechanism of increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). It was suggested that shikonin generated ROS as a pro-oxidant in the presence of Cu(II), and ROS resulted in DNA damage and apoptotic cell death in cells.

Dammarane-type saponins from Panax quinquefolium and their inhibition activity on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

A new compound, named quinquefoloside-L(c) (1), together with nine known compounds, was isolated from leaves of Panax quinquefolium, and its structure was elucidated as 3beta,12beta, 20S-trihydroxy-25-methoxydammar-23-ene 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20-O-beta-D-xylopyanosyl (1-->6) beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), on the basis of MS, 1D-and 2D-NMR experiments as well as by chemical degradation. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line was also tested by MTT method.

Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignments of two new dammarane-type tetraglycosides from Panax quinquefolium.

Two new saponins were isolated from leaves of Panax quinquefolium and their structures were elucidated as 3beta, 12beta, 20S-trihydroxy-25-methoxydammar-23-ene 3-O-{[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 3beta, 20S-dihydroxy-12beta, 23R-epoxydammar-24-ene 3-O-{[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-[beta-D-xylopyanosyl(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) on the basis of (1)D and (2)D NMR (including (1)H, (13)C-NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, TOCSY, HMBC, and NOESY), ESI-MS spectrometry and chemical methods.

Two new alpha-pyrones and other components from the cladodes of Opuntia dillenii.

The aqueous ethanolic extract from the fresh cladodes of Opuntia dillenii HAW. was found to show anti-inflammatory activity. Two new alpha-pyrones, named opuntioside II (1) and opuntioside III (2), were isolated from the extract together with six known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

[Study on chemical constituents from Opuntia dillenii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical composition of Opuntia dillenii. METHOD: Many kinds of chromatography methods were used in the isolation procedure, while the structures of isolated compounds were determined on the aids of NMR and MS spectral analysis. RESULT: A new compound, together with five known compounds, was isolated form the 80% ethanolic extract of its stems. CONCLUSION: The new compound was characterized as opuntioside. Four compounds were obtained for the first from the genus Opuntia, and they were daucosterol, p-hydroxybenzoicacid, L-(-)-malic acid, (E)-ferulic acid. Opuntiol was also separated for the first from the plant.

[The isolation and identification of a new alpha-pyrone from Opuntia dillenii].

AIM: To study the chemical composition of Opuntia dillenii Haw. METHODS: Many kinds of chromatography methods were used to separate the chemical constituents. Their structures were determined by NMR and MS spectral analysis. RESULTS: A new compound, together with five known compounds, were isolated from the 80% ethanolic extract of the stems. CONCLUSION: The new compound was identified as 4-ethoxyl-6-hydroxymethyl-alpha-pyrone. Compounds 1, 3, 4 and 5 were obtained for the first time from the genus of Opuntia, and they were: 3-O-methyl isorhamnein, 1-heptanecanol, vanillic acid, isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside. Ruin was isolated from this plant for the first time.