Hippophae rhamnoides L.: A Comprehensive Review on the Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytonutrients, Health Benefits, Quality Markers, and Applications.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn), consumed as a food and health supplement worldwide, has rich nutritional and medicinal properties. Different parts of H. rhamnoides L. were used in traditional Chinese medicines for relieving cough, aiding digestion, invigorating blood circulation, and alleviating pain since ancient times. Phytochemical studies revealed a wide variety of phytonutrients, including nutritional components (proteins, minerals, vitamins, etc.) and functional components like flavonoids (1-99), lignans (100-143), volatile oils (144-207), tannins (208-230), terpenoids (231-260), steroids (261-270), organic acids (271-297), and alkaloids (298-305). The pharmacological studies revealed that some crude extracts or compounds of H. rhamnoides L. demonstrated various health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticardiovascular disease, anticancer, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, antibacterial activities, and their effective doses and experimental models were summarized and analyzed in this paper. The quality markers (Q-markers) of H. rhamnoides L. were predicted and analyzed based on protobotanical phylogeny, traditional medicinal properties, expanded efficacy, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and component testability. The applications of H. rhamnoides L. in juice, wine, oil, ferment, and yogurt were also summarized and future prospects were examined in this review. However, the mechanism and structure-activity relationship of some active compounds are not clear, and quality control and potential toxicity are worth further study in the future.

New compounds from the stems of Fissistigma acuminatissimum Merr. and their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.

Three new compounds, 4,5,6,7-tetramethoxy-3-benzoylbenzofuran (1), 4-hydroxy-3,5,6-trimethoxydihydrochalcone-2-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 2-hydroxy-3,4,5,6-tetramethoxyphenylethyl benzoate (3) along with five known flavonoids were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction of the stems of Fissistigma acuminatissimum Merr.'s ethanol extracts. The compounds were obtained by chromatographic methods and the structure elucidation was completed primarily on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, all of these compounds were isolated from F. acuminatissimum for the first time. All the fractions and compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. The dichloromethane fraction showed the most potent inhibition(38.2%) at 60 µg/mL, compound 1 (70.2%) and 3 (65.2%) showed significant inhibition at 10 µM.

Effect of folic acid supplementation on the change of plasma S-adenosylhomocysteine level in Chinese hypertensive patients: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

The relationship between folic acid and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is controversial. This study aims to explore the effect of different doses of folic acid supplementation on SAH levels in hypertensive patients and the modification of methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted. Hypertensive patients aged 45-75 years without a history of stroke and cardiovascular disease were selected, who were randomly assigned to one of 8 dose groups. This trial has been registered with Trial Number: ChiCTR1800016135. In the total population, folic acid supplementation of 0.4-2.0 mg/day had no effect on SAH level (ß = 0.47, 95% CI: -0.86-1.79, p = 0.491), while folic acid supplementation of 2.4 mg/day significantly increased SAH level (ß = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.22-3.64, p = 0.027). Stratified analysis found that MTHFR C677T genotype CC supplemented with 2.4 mg/day folic acid had no effect on SAH level (ß = 0.30, 95% CI: -2.74-3.34, p = 0.847), while CT and TT genotype supplemented with 2.4 mg/day folic acid showed a significant increase in SAH level (CT: ß = 2.98, 95% CI: 0.34-5.62, p = 0.027; TT: ß = 3.00, 95% CI: -0.51-6.51, p = 0.095; CT combined with TT: ß = 2.99, 95% CI: 0.90-5.09, p = 0.005). In conclusion, supplementation of 2.4 mg/day folic acid can lead to increased SAH levels, especially in MTHFR C677T genotype CT and TT.

α-Pyrones with glucose uptake-stimulatory activity from the twigs of Cryptocarya wrayi.

Five new α-pyrones, cryptowratones A-E (1-5), and five known congeners (6-10), together with four other known compounds 11-14 were isolated from the twigs of Cryptocarya wrayi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis and ECD calculations. All α-pyrones except 6 were evaluated for their stimulatory effects on glucose uptake in vitro with CHO-K1/GLUT4 cells. The positive control insulin displayed an approximate 42 ± 0.14% promotion on glucose uptake at 25 µM, compared with the CHO-K1/GLUT4 group. Compounds 1a/2a, 2, 3, and 10 showed a more significant stimulation of glucose uptake than insulin (25 µM) by 36 ± 0.08%, 27 ± 0.12%, 28 ± 0.12%, and 25 ± 0.12% at 1.5 µM, respectively. Immunofluorescence assays indicated the glucose uptake-stimulatory activity of α-pyrones might be correlated with increased GLUT4 translocation.

Acute EPA-induced learning and memory impairment in mice is prevented by DHA.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, has been widely used to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and treat brain diseases alone or in combination with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, the impact of EPA and DHA supplementation on normal cognitive function and the molecular targets of EPA and DHA are still unknown. We show that acute administration of EPA impairs learning and memory and hippocampal LTP in adult and prepubescent mice. Similar deficits are duplicated by endogenously elevating EPA in the hippocampus in the transgenic fat-1 mouse. Furthermore, the damaging effects of EPA are mediated through enhancing GABAergic transmission via the 5-HT6R. Interestingly, DHA can prevent EPA-induced impairments at a ratio of EPA to DHA similar to that in marine fish oil via the 5-HT2CR. We conclude that EPA exhibits an unexpected detrimental impact on cognitive functions, suggesting that caution must be exercised in omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and the combination of EPA and DHA at a natural ratio is critical for learning and memory and synaptic plasticity.

Regulatory Effect of Modified Erchentang on Levels of Lymphokines Relating to Th1,Th2 and Th9 Cells and Expressions of IL-4R1/IL-13RA1 in Bronchioles of Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effect of modified Erchentang on levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-9 (IL-9), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of all rats, as well as expressions of interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor (IL-4R1) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) receptor (IL-13RA1) in bronchioles tissue of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method:Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely normal group, model group, and low, middle and high-dose modified Erchentang groups (5, 10, 20 g·kg-1), with 10 rats in each group. COPD in rat was prepared by using cigarette smoke combined with dripping lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in trachea. After the modeling, normal and model groups were given normal saline solution through intragastric (ig) administration, while other groups were given corresponding herbal drugs (5, 10, 20 g·kg-1) intragastrically (ig) for 14 days. The levels of IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-9, IL-4 and IL-13 in plasma and BALF were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method， and immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was used to detect the expressions of IL-4R1 and IL-13RA1 in bronchioles tissue of all of the groups. Result:Compared with the normal group, the levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ were decreased significantly (P<0.01), but the levels of IL-9, IL-4 and IL-13 in plasma and BALF were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expressions of IL-4R1 and IL-13RA1 in bronchioles tissue were increased significantly (P<0.01) in model group. Compared with the model group, the levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ were increased significantly, while the levels of IL-9, IL-4 and IL-13 in plasma and BALF were decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the expressions of IL-4R1 and IL-13RA1 in bronchioles tissue were decreased significantly (P<0.01) in modified Erchentang groups (10, 20 g·kg-1). Conclusion:Modified Erchentang has effects in resisting inflammatory and protecting tissue structure of bronchioles. Its mechanism may be correlated with increasing the levels of IL-12, IFN-γ and reducing the levels of IL-9, IL-4 and IL-13 in plasma and BALF, and inhibiting the expressions of IL-4R1 and IL-13RA1 in bronchioles tissue.

Mechanism of Modified Erchentang on Expression of CXCL8-CXCR1/2 Axle Genes in Lung Tissue of Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of modified Erchentang on the expression of CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL) 8-CXC chemotaxis factor receptor (CXCR) 1/2 genes in the lung tissue of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in order to explore the anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of Erchentang on COPD. Method:Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, Jizhi syrup group and modified Erchentang group. COPD models in rats were prepared by cigarette smoke and dripping lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the trachea. After modeling, normal and model groups were intragastrically given normal saline solution, Jizhi syrup group was given Jizhi syrup（10 g·kg-1），and modified Erchentang group was given intragastrically corresponding herbal drugs (10 g·kg-1) for 14 days. The levels of chemokines CXCL1, CXCL8 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The mRNA expressions of CXCL8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 were detected by quantitative real time PCR (Real-time PCR). Western blot was used to detect the levels of CXCL8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 protein, the pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining,and immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was used to detect the expressions of CXCL8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 protein in the lung tissue of all the groups. Result:The levels of chemokines CXCL1, CXCL8 in rats BALF were increased significantly (P<0.01), the expressions of CXCL8，CXCR1 and CXCR2 mRNA and protein were increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) in model group compared with normal group. Compared with model group, the expressions of CXCL8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 mRNA and protein were decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the levels of chemokines CXCL1, CXCL8 in rats BALF were decreased significantly (P<0.01) in modified Erchentang. Conclusion:Modified Erchentang has an anti-inflammatory effect on COPD. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expressions of CXCL8, CXCR1, CXCR2 mRNA and protein, and reducing the release of chemokines CXCL1, CXCL8.

Mechanism of Modified Erchentang on Signaling Pathway of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB in Lung Tissue of Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the effect of modified Erchentang on expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) genes in the lung tissue homogenate of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, modified Erchentang group and EVP4593 (NF-κB inhibitor) group. Rat COPD models were prepared through cigarette smoke and tracheal dripping with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After the modeling, normal and model groups were intragastrically given normal saline solution, EVP4593 group was given EVP4593(1 mg · kg-1) through subcutaneous injection, and modified Erchentang group was given corresponding herbal drugs intragastrically (10 g · kg-1) for 14 days. The levels of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1), chemokines CXCL-2, CXCL-3 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in rats serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in rats serum. The expressions of Toll-like receptors 4(TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) mRNA were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR) method. Western blot were used to detect the levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 protein. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was used to detect the localization and expressions of TLR4, MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65 protein in the lung tissue. Result: The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB p65 were increased significantly (PPκB p65 mRNA and protein were decreased significantly (PConclusion: Modified Erchentang may inhibit the inflammatory response of COPD effectively. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the expressions of the signal molecule genes involved in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and the reduction of the release of HMGB1, CXCL-2, CXCL-3 and MCP-1.

[Two new compounds from Smilax glaucochina].

A new sesquiterpenes named glaucochinarol A (1) and a new phenylpropane glycoside named glcacochinaside A (2), together with six known ones, including trichothecolone (3), ß-D-(6-O-trans-feruloyl)fructofuranosyl-α-D-O-glucopyranoisde (4), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5), (4R)-p-menth-1-ene-7,8-diol-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6), naringenin (7), and emodin-8-O-ß-glucoside (8) were isolated from smilax glaucochina warb. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR, MS and published data. Compounds 3-8 were isolated from the species for this first time.

Six new furostanol glycosides from Smilax glauco-china and their cytotoxic activity.

Six new steroidal saponins, namely glauco-chinaosides A-F, and one known compound were isolated from the tubers of Smilax glauco-china. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and hydrolysis followed by spectral and chromatographic analysis. Compounds 1-7 were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against four human tumor cell lines (SH-SY5Y, SGC-7901, HCT-116, and Lovo). Compounds 1, 2, and 5 exhibited cytotoxic activity against SGC-7901, with IC50 values of 2.7, 11.5, and 6.8 µM, respectively.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of essential oils from different parts of the oregano.

This research was undertaken in order to characterize the chemical compositions and evaluate the antioxidant activities of essential oils obtained from different parts of the Origanum vulgare L. It is a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of heat stroke, fever, vomiting, acute gastroenteritis, and respiratory disorders. The chemical compositions of the three essential oils from different parts of the oregano (leaves-flowers, stems, and roots) were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of each essential oil was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and reducing the power test. Among the essential oils from different parts of the oregano, the leaf-flower oils have the best antioxidant activities, whereas the stem oils are the worst. The results of the DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of the essential oils were (0.332±0.040) mg/ml (leaves-flowers), (0.357±0.031) mg/ml (roots), and (0.501±0.029) mg/ml (stems), respectively. Interestingly, the results of reducing the power test also revealed that when the concentration exceeded 1.25 mg/ml, the leaf-flower oils had the highest reducing power; however, the stem oils were the lowest.

A novel phloroglucinol and two new phenolic glycosides from Psidium littorale.

One novel phloroglucinol, psidosone A (1), and two new phenolic glycosides, psidoside A (2), and psidoside B (3), together with nine known phenol compounds (4-12), were isolated from the fruits of Psidium littorale Raddi. Their structures were elucidated using data obtained from MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectra, and correlation experiments (HMQC and HMBC), as well as by comparison with published data.

[Studies on chemical constituents of rhizomes of Smilax trinervula].

The chemical constituents were separated and purified from the 70% ethanol extract of Smilax trinervulaby various chromatographic methods including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, MCI and preparative HPLC. Their structures were obtained and identified by analysis of the spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-11 were separated from this genus for the first time. Compound 12 was obtained from S. trinervula for the first time.

Research progress of bioactivity of steroidal saponins in recent ten years.

Steroidal saponins have a wide range of pharmacological effects and biological activities, such as anti-tumor, antifungal, hypoglycemic, immune regulation, insecticides, etc. In the last ten years, some new structures of steroidal saponins compounds were found from natural plants, they have some new and different activities. In order to accelerate the research on the drug innovation of steroidal saponins, we summarized the new progress of the research on such compounds.

The efficacy of traditional Chinese Medical Exercise for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several studies assessed the efficacy of traditional Chinese medical exercise in the management of Parkinson's disease (PD), but its role remained controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence on the effect of traditional Chinese medical exercise for PD. METHODS: Seven English and Chinese electronic databases, up to October 2014, were searched to identify relevant studies. The PEDro scale was employed to assess the methodological quality of eligible studies. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.1 software. RESULTS: Fifteen trials were included in the review. Tai Chi and Qigong were used as assisting pharmacological treatments of PD in the previous studies. Tai Chi plus medication showed greater improvements in motor function (standardized mean difference, SMD, -0.57; 95% confidence intervals, CI, -1.11 to -0.04), Berg balance scale (BBS, SMD, -1.22; 95% CI -1.65 to -0.80), and time up and go test (SMD, -1.06; 95% CI -1.44 to -0.68). Compared with other therapy plus medication, Tai Chi plus medication also showed greater gains in motor function (SMD, -0.78; 95% CI -1.46 to -0.10), BBS (SMD, -0.99; 95% CI -1.44 to -0.54), and functional reach test (SMD, -0.77; 95% CI -1.51 to -0.03). However, Tai Chi plus medication did not showed better improvements in gait or quality of life. There was not sufficient evidence to support or refute the effect of Qigong plus medication for PD. CONCLUSIONS: In the previous studies, Tai Chi and Qigong were used as assisting pharmacological treatments of PD. The current systematic review showed positive evidence of Tai Chi plus medication for PD of mild-to-moderate severity. So Tai Chi plus medication should be recommended for PD management, especially in improving motor function and balance. Qigong plus medication also showed potential gains in the management of PD. However, more high quality studies with long follow-up are warrant to confirm the current findings.

[Quality control of Maca (Lepidium meyenii)].

To control the quality of Maca, the quality standard was established in this study. According to the methods recorded in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 Edition), the water, extract, total ash, acid insoluble substance, and heavy metals inspections in Lepidium meyenii were carried out. N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide in L. meyenii was identified by TLC, and it was determined by HPLC. The results showed that the N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide identification of TLC was a strong mark and specificity. In content determination experiment, the linearity of N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide was in the range of 0.01-2 microg (r = 0.9998), and the average recovery (n=9) was 99.27% (RSD 2.0%). The methods were simple, accurate, with good reproducibility. It is suitable for quality control L. meyenii.

A new alkaloid from the fruit of Nandina domestica Thunb.

A new steroidal alkaloid, (20S,22R,24R)-24-ethyl-3-oxocholest-4-en-22-amino, named as nandsterine (1), together with 10 known alkaloids, palmatine (2), O-methylbulbocapnine (3), nantenine (4), dehydronantenine (5), glaucine (6), didehydroglaucine (7), dehydrocorydaline (8), jatrorrhizine (9), magnoflorine (10) and berberine (11), was isolated from the fruit of Nandina domestica Thunb. Their structures were elucidated by using spectroscopic methods as well as by comparing with the published data. Compound 1 was a new class of steroidal alkaloid isolated from the family Berberidaceae, meanwhile compounds 2, 3, 6-8 and 10 were obtained from N. domestica for the first time. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells (human leukaemia) with IC50 values of 52.1 µM.

[Study on the diterpenoids of Tripterygium wilfordii by electrospray ionization tandem and electron impact mass spectrometry].

OBJECTIVE: To study the diterpenoids of Tripterygium wilfordii by electrospray ionization tandem (ESI) and electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry and establish the methods for quickly and on line identification of these diterpenoids. METHODS: The diterpenoids were analyzed by ESI-MS and EI-MS under positive ion model. RESULTS: In ESI-Trap-MS (+) model, the quasi-molecular ions [M + H] + of the diterpenoids took place bond cleavage and generally lost neutral molecules such as H2O, CH2CHCH3, CO and CH2CO, then generated characteristic fragment ion series (m/z 197, 183, 169). In ESI-TOF-MS (+) model, the quasi-molecular ions [M + H] + of the diterpenoids took place bond cleavage and generally lost neutral molecules such as H2O, CO, then generated characteristic fragment ion series (m/z 277, 185, 93). In EI-MS model, the molecular ions of the diterpenoids took place bond cleavage and generally lost neutral molecules such as H2O, CO, CH4, and isopropyl radical, then generated characteristic fragment ion series (m/z 149, 105, 91, 71, 55, 43). CONCLUSION: The ESI-MS and EI-MS characteristics of diterpenoids of Tripterygium wilfordii are reported for the first time. Based on these characteristics, the methods for quickly and on line identification of diterpenoids are established.

An L-type calcium channel agonist, bay K8644, extends the window of intervention against ischemic neuronal injury.

Our previous data indicate that the inhibition of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) might be the cause of post-ischemic neuronal injury and that the activation of LTCCs can give rise to neuroprotection. In the present study, we aimed to profile the intervention window of Bay K8644, an LTCC agonist, and determine the involved mechanisms. The four vessel occlusion and oxygen-glucose deprivation models were employed to mimic ischemia/reperfusion damage in vivo and in vitro. Neuronal injury was analyzed using Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B staining in vivo and Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide staining in vitro. The behavioral effects were tested using the Morris water maze. The phosphorylation of P38, Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) was detected by Western blotting. Our results show that Bay K8644 administered as late as 24 h after reperfusion prevented CA1 neuronal death and ameliorated the deficiencies in spatial learning performance induced by global ischemia. In oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), Bay K8644 delivered from 1 to 12 h after re-oxygenation reduced neuronal death. The decrease in p-ERK1/2 that was observed at 1 h after OGD was reversed by Bay K8644, and the effect of Bay K8644 was blocked by treatment with U0126 and MEK kinase dead transfection. Moreover, similar to Bay K8644, FPL 64176, another potent LTCC agonist, extends the window of intervention against neuronal injury in an in vitro model of ischemia. In conclusion, our data suggest that opening LTCCs may be a practicable approach for stroke therapy.

A new triterpenoid from Verbena officinalis L.

To investigate the chemical constituents of Verbena officinalis L., five triterpenoid constituents were isolated and elucidated as 3α,19,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, namely, 4-epi-barbinervic acid (1), 2α,3ß-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 3α,24-dihydroxyurs-12-en- 28-oic acid (3), 3α,24-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), using spectroscopic methods and comparing with published data. Compounds 2 and 4 were obtained from V. officinalis for the first time, and compound 1 is a new triterpenoid compound, which exhibits significantly higher antitumor activity against human hepatoma cell line Bel 7402 in vitro than the blank control.