The preparation of three selenium-containing Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides: Characterization and anti-tumor activities.

In the present work, three fractions of selenized Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides (SeCPS) named SeCPS- I, SeCPS- II and SeCPS- III were isolated and purified by ultra-filtration. Their selenium content were measured as 541.3, 863.7 and 623.3µg/g respectively by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. The monosaccharide comformation analysis showed that they were mainly consisted of D-Mannose, D-Glucose, and D-Galactose in mole ratios of 1:7.63:0.83, 1:1.34:0.31 and 1:3.77:0.41 respectively. Their structure characteristics were compared by IFR and NMR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Congo red (CR) spectrophotometric method were used to investigate their morphological characteristics and conformational transition. SeCPS-II showed the strongest anti-tumor effects judging from the result of in vitro anti-tumor assays against two tumor cell lines (hepatocellular carcinoma HepG-2 cells and lung adenocarcinom A549 cells).

Naphthoquinones from Onosma paniculatum with Potential Anti-inflammatory Activity.

Four new naphthoquinones (1-4), including a dimeric one, shikometabolin G (1), together with six known ones (6-10), were isolated from the methanol extract of Onosma paniculatum. Their structures were established based on the analysis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. All of the compounds were evaluated for inhibitory effects on NO production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 displayed good activity on the inhibition of NO production (IC50 = 0.4-16.5 µM), suggesting the potential property of anti-inflammation.

Synthesis, characterization and antioxidant activity of selenium polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris.

A purified selenium-containing derivatives of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide synthesized using H2SeO3/HNO3 and BaCl2 as a catalyst was investigated in this paper. The reaction condition was optimized by selecting different reaction temperature and period. Afterward, the one with the highest Se content was purified by ultra-filtration device with a molecular cut off size of 10KDa. Followed by its structural characterizations. Results of IFR and 13C NMR spectroscopy indicated that C-6 substitution was predominant in selenized polysaccharide. The modified polysaccharide with molecular weight of 1998 KDa was mainly consisted of mannose, glucose and galactose in the mole ratios of with the mole ratios of 1:28.63:1.41. Thermogravimetric and morphological analyses of the samples were carried out by AFS, SEM and AFM. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant results suggested that selenium-containing polysaccharide should be applied as a novel selenium source in dietary supplements, with potent antioxidant properties.

Structural characterization and inhibition on α-d-glucosidase activity of non-starch polysaccharides from Fagopyrum tartaricum.

In the present study, the crude polysaccharide was extracted from Fagopyrum tartaricum and purified by Sephadex G-25 and G-75 column to produce a polysaccharide fraction termed TBP-II. Its average molecular weight was 26kDa. The structural characterization of TBP-II was investigated by gas chromatography, periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, Methylation and NMR. Congo red was applied to explore its advanced structures. The results revealed that chemical composition and structural characteristic of TBP-II was mainly consisted of galactose, arabinose, xylose and glucose with a molar ratio of 0.7:1:6.3:74.2. The backbone of TBP-II was composed of (1→4)-linked α-d-glucopyranosyl (Glcp), while the branches comprised of (1→3)-linked α-d-glucopyranosyl (Glcp), (1→6)-linked α-d-galactopyranosyl (Galp) and (1→2,4)-linked α-d-rhamnopyranosyl (Rhap). The structure of TBP-II was 1,3 and 1,6-branched-galactorhamnoglucan that had a linear backbone of (1→4)-linked α-d-glucopyranose (Glcp). Using Congo red assay showed that it was absent of triple helix structure. The α-d-glucosidase inhibitory activity of TBP-II was determined using acarbose as positive control. The result showed that the inhibition rate depended on the concentration of polysaccharides.

Preparation and activity evaluation of chrysin-ß-D-galactopyranoside.

Chrysin-ß-D-galactopyranoside was efficiently synthesized, evaluated for its inhibitory activities against H22 cell lines compared with chrysin, the scavenging of hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical and superoxide anion, inhibitory effect against bacteria and fungi. The structures of all compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic data (NMR, MS). The anti-tumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of chrysin-ß-D-galactopyranoside were proved to be enhanced significantly compared with chrysin.

Comparative evaluation of polysaccharides isolated from Astragalus, oyster mushroom, and yacon as inhibitors of α-glucosidase.

The incidence of diabetes has increased considerably, and become the third serious chronic disease following cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Though acarbose, metformin, and 1-deoxynojirimycin have good efficacy for clinical application as hypoglycemic drugs, their expensive costs and some degree of side effects have limited their clinical application. Recently, increasing attention has concentrated on the polysaccharides from natural plant and animal sources for diabetes. In order to illustrate the pharmaceutical activity of polysaccharides as natural hypoglycemic agents, polysaccharides isolated from Astragalus, oyster mushroom, and Yacon were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase. Polysaccharides were extracted and purified from Astragalus, Oyster mushroom, and Yacon with hot water at 90 °C for 3 h, respectively. The total sugar content of the polysaccharide was determined by the phenol-sulfuric acid method. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was measured by the glucose oxidase method. The results exhibited that the inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase were in decreasing order, Astragalus > oyster mushroom > Yacon. The α-glucosidase inhibition percentage of Astragalus polysaccharide and oyster mushroom polysaccharide were over 40% at the polysaccharide concentration of 0.4 mg·mL(-1). The IC50 of Astragalus polysaccharide and oyster mushroom polysaccharide were 0.28 and 0.424 mg·mL(-1), respectively. The information obtained from this work is beneficial for the use polysaccharides as a dietary supplement for health foods and therapeutics for diabetes.

Immunomodulatory effect of polysaccharides from submerged cultured Cordyceps gunnii.

CONTEXT: The genus Cordyceps (Clavicipitaceae) is a group of entomopathogenic fungi that is widely used as tonic food or invigorant with broad-spectrum medicinal properties in China. Cordyceps gunnii (Berk.)Berk (C. gunnii), is also well known as the Chinese rare caterpillar fungus and has similar pharmacological activities with Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis). Polysaccharides (PS) from various Cordyceps species have demonstrated many interesting biological activities, including antitumor, immunopotentiation, hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic activities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of C. gunnii PS on the immunostimulatory antitumor function and expression of immune related cytokines in normal, immuno-suppressive, and H22-bearing mice, respectively. METHODS: C. gunnii PS were extracted with hot water at 80°C for 2 h. Normal, immuno-suppressive, and H22-bearing mice were treated with PS respectively. By detecting the value of macrophage phagocytic index, proliferation of lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cell activity and expression of related cytokines, interleukin (IL-4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor inhibition index in H22-bearing mice additionally, the effect of PS on immunostimulatory antitumor function and its mechanism were studied. RESULTS: The total sugar content of the PS was determined to be 95% after purification. PS markedly increased the thymus and spleen indexes, the macrophage phagocytosis, the proliferation of splenic cells, and the level of IFN-γ and TNF-α. In tumor growth inhibition test, PS showed remarkable inhibition effects. CONCLUSION: PS from the C. gunnii could enhance nonspecific immunological function, humoral immunity, cellular immunity in mice, and inhibit tumor growth.

Highly efficient synthesis and antitumor activity of monosaccharide saponins mimicking components of Chinese folk medicine Cordyceps sinensis.

Ergosterol 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1a) and ergosterol 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside (1b) were highly efficiently synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activities against two tumor cell lines. The structures of these compounds were extensively confirmed by (1)H, (13)C NMR, IR, and HRMS. Compounds 1a and 1b exhibited interesting cytotoxic profiles. The antitumor activity of compound 1a was higher than that of 1b.

Chemical analysis of a polysaccharide from Cristaria plicata (Leach).

A polysaccharide (MPS) isolated from Cristaria plicata (Leach) consisted of d-glucose. Its structural characteristics were investigated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), infrared analysis, gas chromatography-MS, total acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation and Smith degradation. The results indicated that the polysaccharide of C. plicata (Leach) has the weight-average molecular weight of about 2.97 × 106 Da. The structure of the polysaccharide was composed of glucose with α-(1 → 4)-linkages with short exterior chains. The fundamental information obtained from this work is beneficial to the interpretation in the relationship of the polysaccharide structure and its biological functions, and suggests that the polysaccharide from mussel may contribute to be used as a dietary supplement for health foods and therapeutics.

A new triterpenoid saponin from the roots of Phytolacca acinosa.

A new triterpenoid saponin, named esculentoside T (1), together with five known compounds (2-5), was isolated from the roots of Phytolacca acinosa. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.

Effect of total glycosides from Eucommia ulmoides seed on bone microarchitecture in rats.

Du-Zhong is one of the most important tonic herbs in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of bone fractures and other bone diseases. The present study examined whether Du-Zhong seed extract named total glycosides from Eucommia ulmoides seed (TGEUS) could display an increased effect on bone density and bone strength of the femur in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly assigned to the normal group and the TGEUS group (400 mg/kg body weight/day). Daily oral administration of TGEUS was found to increase significantly the biomechanical quality of the femur. The mechanical changes were associated with a bone mineral density (BMD) increase or even with some improvements in microarchitecture. Micro-CT analysis of the distal femur showed that TGEUS significantly increased the bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), connectivity density (Conn.D), trabecular number (Tb.N) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and decreased trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and the structure model index (SMI) in normal rats. To conclude, TGEUS taken orally increased bone density and altered bone histomorphology, suggesting that TGEUS might be a potential alternative medicine for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the diuretic component ergone in Polyporus umbellatus by HPLC with fluorescence detection and HPLC-APCI-MS/MS.

Polyporus umbellatus is a widely used anti-aldosteronic diuretic in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). A new, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) and high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS/MS) method for quantitative and qualitative determination of ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one(ergone), which is the main diuretic component, was provided for quality control of P. umbellatus crude drug. The ergone in the ethanolic extract of P. umbellatus was unambiguously characterized by HPLC-APCI, and further confirmed by comparing with a standard compound. The trace ergone was detected by the sensitive and selective HPLC-FLD. Linearity (r2 > 0.9998) and recoveries of low, medium and high concentration (100.5%, 100.2% and 100.4%) were consistent with the experimental criteria. The limit of detection (LOD) of ergone was around 0.2 microg/mL. Our results indicated that the content of ergone in P. umbellatus varied significantly from habitat to habitat with contents ranging from 2.13 +/- 0.02 to 59.17 +/- 0.05 microg/g. Comparison among HPLC-FLD and HPLC-UV or HPLC-APCI-MS/MS demonstrated that the HPLC-FLD and HPLC-APCI-MS/MS methods gave similar quantitative results for the selected herb samples, the HPLC-UV methods gave lower quantitative results than HPLC-FLD and HPLC-APCI-MS/MS methods. The established new HPLC-FLD method has the advantages of being rapid, simple, selective and sensitive, and could be used for the routine analysis of P. umbellatus crude drug.