The Oleaceae family: A source of secoiridoids with multiple biological activities.

In the quest to search and discover bioactive compounds from nature, terpenoids have emerged as one of the most interesting and researched classes of compounds. Secoiridoid, a type of the terpenoid, has also been extensively studied, especially their chemical structures and pharmacological effects. Oleaceae is a family of woody dicotyledonous plants with broad economic and medicinal values. This family contains a large number of flavonoids, monoterpenoids, iridoids, secoiridoids and phenylethyl alcohols, of which the secoiridoids have various biological activities. The purpose of this review is to summarize the phytochemical and pharmacological of the secoiridoids (glycosides, aglycones, derivatives and dimers) in the Oleaceae family from 1987 to 2018. This review will also serve as a reference for further studies.

Comprehensive analysis of Polygoni Multiflori Radix of different geographical origins using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints and multivariate chemometric methods.

Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) is increasingly being used not just as a traditional herbal medicine but also as a popular functional food. In this study, multivariate chemometric methods and mass spectrometry were combined to analyze the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC) fingerprints of PMR from six different geographical origins. A chemometric strategy based on multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) and three classification methods is proposed to analyze the UPLC fingerprints obtained. Common chromatographic problems, including the background contribution, baseline contribution, and peak overlap, were handled by the established MCR-ALS model. A total of 22 components were resolved. Moreover, relative species concentrations were obtained from the MCR-ALS model, which was used for multivariate classification analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Ward's method have been applied to classify 72 PMR samples from six different geographical regions. The PCA score plot showed that the PMR samples fell into four clusters, which related to the geographical location and climate of the source areas. The results were then corroborated by Ward's method. In addition, according to the variance-weighted distance between cluster centers obtained from Ward's method, five components were identified as the most significant variables (chemical markers) for cluster discrimination. A counter-propagation artificial neural network has been applied to confirm and predict the effects of chemical markers on different samples. Finally, the five chemical markers were identified by UPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Components 3, 12, 16, 18, and 19 were identified as 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-ß-d-glucoside, emodin-8-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, emodin-8-O-(6'-O-acetyl)-ß-d-glucopyranoside, emodin, and physcion, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed method can be applied for the comprehensive analysis of natural samples.

Phenolic compounds from Bletilla striata.

Two new malic acid derivatives, namely eucomic acid 1-methyl ester (2) and 6'''-acetylmilitaline (7), together with ten known compounds (1, 3-6, 8-12), were isolated from the dry tubers of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. F., a perennial traditional Chinese medicinal herb, which was used for the treatment of pneumonophthisis, pneumonorrhagia, tuberculosis, and hemorrhage of the stomach or lung. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS.

Sorafenib inhibits macrophage-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tumor-associated macrophages, crucial components of the microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma, hamper anti-cancer immune responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sorafenib on the formation of the tumor microenvironment, especially the relationship between polarized macrophages and hepatocytes. Macrophage infiltration was reduced in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated with sorafenib. In vitro, sorafenib abolished polarized macrophage-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not normal hepatocytes. Moreover, sorafenib attenuated HGF secretion in polarized macrophages, and decreased plasma HGF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, sorafenib abolished the polarized macrophage-induced activation of the HGF receptor Met in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Our findings suggest that sorafenib inhibits polarized macrophage-induced EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via the HGF-Met signaling pathway. These results contribute to our understanding of the immunological mechanisms that underlie the protective effects of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

[Comparison of Six Flavonoid Components of Closely-Related Plants Agrimonia pilosa,Potentilla chinensis and Potentilla discolor].

Objective: To establish an UHPLC method for simultaneous determination of six flavonoid components of three closelyrelated plants Agrimonia pilosa,Potentilla chinensis and Potentilla discolor including rutin,hyperoside,cynaroside,quercetin,apigenin and kaempferol. Meanwhile three fresh and dry plants were evaluated to compare the contents of six flavonoid components. Methods: The samples were pretreated with ultrasonic extraction with 70% ethanol for 0. 5 h. The analysis was performed on an Acquity HSS T3( 100 mm × 3. 0 mm,1. 8 µm) column with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0. 3% glacial acetic acid aqueous at a flow rate of0. 4 m L / min. The detection wavelength was 360 nm,and the column temperature was 35 ℃. Results: The contents of rutin and hyperoside were high generally,but the content of kaempferol was extremely low in three closely-related plants. The content of apigenin was0. 028 mg / g in Potentilla chinensis,but not detected in Agrimonia pilosa and Potentilla discolor. The content of cymaroside in Agrimonia pilosa was significantly higher than that in Potentilla chinensis and Potentilla discolor. The fresh plants of Potentilla chinensis and Potentilla discolor contained more flavonoids than oven drying plants. Conclusion: The similar trend of content change from fresh to dry plant has showed a chemotaxonomic relationship of Potentilla chinensis and Potentilla discolor. The established determination method is simple,rapid and efficient,and is applicable for analysis of the contents of flavonoids in three closely-related plants,which provides the scientific basis for rationalization of using these drugs in clinic.

One-pot ß-cyclodextrin-assisted extraction of active ingredients from Xue-Zhi-Ning basing its encapsulated ability.

Xue-Zhi-Ning (XZN) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, containing active ingredients with poor solubility in water, which has been demonstrated to be helpful for patients with hyperlipidemia. One-pot ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD)-assisted extraction of active ingredients from XZN has been carried out to develop an efficient and eco-friendly extraction process. Five active compounds--rubrofusarin gentiobioside, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside, emodin, nuciferine and quercetin--were identified by UPLC/DAD/MS and used as indexes to evaluate the process optimized by an orthogonal test. The results showed that addition of ß-CD significantly enhanced the extraction ratios of all five components. The enhancement of extraction ratios was positively correlated with the apparent formation constants between ß-CD and the compounds. The study also showed that the stabilities and dissolution rates of the active ingredients were improved in the presence of ß-CD. This one-pot ß-cyclodextrin-assisted extraction has the potential to be applied in pharmaceutical preparations directly.

[Identification of liposoluble constituents in Yushu tablets by UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS].

In order to identify the chemical constituents of Yushu tablets comprehensively, we studied the chemical constituents of CHCl3 extract from Yushu tablets by the ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS). It showed that there were more than 100 compounds separated, and forty-nine peaks among these were identified on the basis of high resolution mass spectrometry data and literature data reported. Determination of twelve peaks was further confirmed by standard substances. These components assigned to the different plant sources mainly included phenylpropanoids, triterpenoids, quinones and m-trihydroxybenzene compounds. By analyzing the chemical components of CHCl3 extract from compound Chinese medicine Yushu tablets comprehensively, this study provided the foundation for studying chemical components, pharmacodynamic substance and quality control of Yushu tablets.

[Simultaneous Determination of Five Astragalosides in Astragali Radix and Jinqi Jiangtang Tablet by HPLC-ELSD].

OBJECTIVE: To develop an HPLC-ELSD method for simultaneous determination of Astragaloside IV Astragaloside I, Astragaloside II, Astragaloside III and Isostragaloside II in Astragali Radix and Jinqi Jiangtang tablet. METHODS: The chromatographic conditions were as follows: Grace Apollo C18 column (250 mm x 4. 6 mm, 5 µm), acetonitrile (A) and water(B) as mobile phases for gradient elution, and the flow rate being 1. 0 mL/min. RESULTS: Five components showed good linearity. The average recoveries were between 95% - 105%. Five Astragalosides were determined in twelve batches of Astragali Radix and ten batches of Jinqi Jiangtang tablet. CONCLUSION: This is a specific, sensitive and simple method for simultaneous determination of Astragaloside IV, Astragaloside I Astragaloside II, Astragaloside III and Isostragaloside II in Astragali Radix and Jinqi Jiangtang tablet.

Simultaneous determination of scopoletin, psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, columbianetin acetate, imperatorin, osthole and isoimperatorin in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS for pharmacokinetic studies following oral administration of Radix Angelicae Pubescentis extract.

A rapid and sensitive bioassay based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of eight coumarins in rat plasma. The liquid-liquid extraction method with ethyl acetate was used to prepare the plasma samples after addition of warfarin as an internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separation was performed on an Eclipse plus C18 column (100mm×4.6mm, 1.8µm) using gradient elution when 1mM ammonium acetate aqueous solution - acetonitrile was used as the mobile phase. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of each coumarin was lower than 2.16ngmL(-1). Intra-day and inter-day precisions were less than 15%. The accuracies were in the range of 88.9-117%. The mean recoveries of coumarins and IS were higher than 84%. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of eight coumarins in rats after oral administration of radix angelicae pubescentis.

Traditional Chinese medicine and immune regulation.

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have a long history in Asian countries and are traditionally used to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. The rising interest in TCMs in recent years is reflected in both the increase in their market demand as well as scientific research. Previous studies show that TCMs perform dual roles on immunological regulation: immunological activation and immunological suppression. This review highlights studies focusing on the immunomodulatory effects of TCMs, describing their stimulatory effect on immune cells, immune organs, cytokine production, tumorigenesis, as well as their inhibitory function on inflammation, allergy, autoimmune disease, and graft rejection. Components of both innate and adaptive immunity may be modulated by specific TCMs. TCMs may also have antitumor effects and may play a role in regulating apoptosis. Immunomodulatory effects of TCMs may lead to new medications to treat allergic and autoimmune diseases. More high quality studies are needed to achieve scientific validity to these potential treatments. Evidence presented in this review reveals the role of TCMs in immune regulation and proposes a promising future for them in immunomodulatory therapies.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Caragana spinifera].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the whole plant Caragana spinifera. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified on silica gel column. The structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physico-chemical properties. RESULT: Six compounds were isolated and identified as (6aR, 11aR) 4,9-dimethoxy-3-hydroxypterocarpan, (6aR,11aR)-4, 9-dihydroxy-3- methoxypterocarpan (melilotocarpane B), 5, 4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyisoflavone, 7-hydroxy4'-methoxyisoflavone, 6, 7-dihydroxy4'-methoxyisoflavone, beta-sitosterol respectively. CONCLUSION: All compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.

[Studies on chemical constituents in herb of Lamium maculatum var. kansuense (II)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Lamium maculatum var. kansuense. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified on silica gel column and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physico-chemical properties. RESULT: Six compounds were obtained and identified as polypodine B (I), 5-OH-8-epiloganin (II), shlanzhiside methyl ester (III), liriodendrin (IV), quercitroside (V), uridine (VI). CONCLUSION: Compound IV was found from genus Lamium for the first time and the rest of the compounds were found from Lamium maculatum var kansuense for the first time.

[Studies on chemical constituents in herb of Lamium maculatum L. var Kansuense].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Lamium maculatum L. var Kansuense. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified by silica gel column chromatography and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physico-chemical properties. RESULT: Ten compounds were obtained and they were identified as D-mannitol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, rutin, 3'-methylquercetin-3-O-rutinoside, n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside, daucosterol, acteoside, 20-hydroxyecdysone, allantoin. CONCLUSION: All the compounds were obtained from L. maculatum L. var Kansuense for the first time.

[Chemical components of essential oils from the herb of Ligularia virgaurea].

OBJECTIVE: To provide the foundation for reasonable utilization by analyzing the essential oils of Ligularia virgaurea. METHOD: The essential oils were extracted by using steam distillation and separated with GC capillary columns. The components were quantitatively determined with normalization method, and were identified with GC-MS. RESULT: 41 components were identified, which took up 72.73% of the essential oils. CONCLUSION: The main components of essential oils were 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-cyclohexen-1-ol(14.369%), crotonic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-butanoic acid, 1-methyl-3-(1-methylethyl)-benzene, (1s-endo)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptan-2-ol, trans-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol, alpha-cadinol and alpha,alpha,4-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-methanol.