Comparative metabolome profiling of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis cultivars and Paris luquanensis and their biological activity in zebrafish model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Paris polyphylla var. Yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand.-Mazz., a perennial medicinal herb commonly known as "Chonglou" in Chinese, is mainly effective against innominate toxin swelling, insect sting, snake bite, traumatic injuries and various inflammatory. It is also recorded with mild toxicity. The rare species Paris luquanensis H. Li has been also used as folk medicine in Yunnan province for the same effects. Compared with P. polyphylla var. Yunnanensis (35-100 cm in height), this species has variegated leaves, and grows slower and is therefore shorter (6-23 cm in height). There are a number of different cultivars based on the shape of the petal and the height of Paris plant. However, currently, investigations into the differences of the chemical profiling of these cultivars are lacking. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to: (1) examine metabolites variations in Paris polyphylla var. Yunnanensis cultivars and Paris luquanensis; (2) investigate the different metabolite accumulation patterns between rhizomes and leaves and provide more useful information for the application of P. polyphylla var. Yunnanensis leaves; (3) compare in vivo effects on the recruitment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Neutrophils and toxic effects in zebrafish model between leaves and rhizomes of P. polyphylla var. Yunnanensis and P. luquanensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The change patterns of metabolites in the leaves and rhizomes of four P. polyphylla var. Yunnanensis cultivars and one P. luquanensis cultivar were analyzed using an UPLC-ESI-MS/MS system. The total phenolic acid, total flavonoid, total saponin components and in vitro antioxidant activities were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The in vivo toxicity and their effects on the recruitment of ROS and neutrophils in zebrafish model were performed. RESULTS: The widely targeted metabolomics method detected 695 metabolites in tested samples and classified as 15 known classes according to structures of the metabolites. By overall-comparing the SDMs discerned between leaves and rhizomes of each samples, 161 metabolites were substantially altered in all the cultivars. There are 62 and 64 SDMs showing constitutive differential accumulation between leaves and rhizomes of P. polyphylla var. Yunnanensis (samples A-D) and P. luquanensis (sample E), respectively. The levels of TSC, TPC and TFC decreased significantly in leaves as compared to rhizomes for all cultivars, with the exception of TPC in cultivar A, which is almost the same in leave and rhizome. The DPPH scavenging property and FRAP values of rhizomes are higher than those of leaves for all cultivars. However, there is no distinct different between leaves and rhizomes of different sample extracts for in vivo effects on the recruitment of ROS and neutrophils in zebrafish model. BL extracts showed high toxicity to the developing embryos. CONCLUSION: As far as we are concerned, this study analyzes the P. polyphylla var. Yunnanensis and P. luquanensis variegation from the perspective of the metabolites pattern for the first time. The results give a valuable insight into the specie metabolic profiling and in vivo anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and toxic effects of these Paris plants.

Porphyrin-anthracene covalent organic frameworks for sustainable photosterilization.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have promising applications in enhanced phototherapy. However, COFs that can sustainably play a role in phototherapy without continuous irradiation are extremely scarce. Herein, we report the fabrication of porphyrin-anthracene multifunctional COFs (Por-DPA) for sustainable photosterilization and bacterial-infected wound healing. A porphyrin photosensitizer, as one of the monomers, was used to provide photothermal and photodynamic activities under irradiation. An anthracene derivative, a good chemical source of singlet oxygen (1O2), was selected as another monomer to capture 1O2 and release it continuously via cycloreversion in the dark. The prepared Por-DPA COF prevents the self-aggregation quenching of the photosensitizer and thermal damage caused by continuous exposure to external light sources. Besides, Por-DPA exhibits good photothermal conversion performance and efficient 1O2 production capacity through dual pathways of photosensitization and cycloreversion. The developed sustainable photosterilization platform not only has good bactericidal effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but also promotes wound healing without obvious side effects, and is expected to be a novel efficient bactericide.

[Chemical constituents of Cassia occidentalis].

Compounds(1-6) were isolated and identified from 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of Cassia occidentalis through column chromatography with silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. These compounds were identified as 7-hydroxy-5-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopropyl)-2-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one(1), saccharonol A(2), S-6-hydroxymullein(3), 2-methyl-5-acetonyl-7-hydroxy-chromone(4), 2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxychromone(5) and 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone(6) based on their physicochemical and spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 1 was a new compound, and all the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. DPPH method was employed to determine the antioxidant activities of these compounds in vitro. Six compounds exhibited weak antioxidant activities.

[Chemical constituents of Cassia siamea].

A total of ten compounds were isolated from the 90% Et OH extract of Cassia siamea by using various chormatographic techniques,and their structures were established as( 2' S)-2-( propan-2'-ol)-5,7-dihydroxy-benzopyran-4-one( 1),chrobisiamone( 2), 2-( 2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxychromone( 3), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone( 4), 2-methyl-5-acetonyl-7-hydroxychromone( 5),3-O-methylquercetin( 6),3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavonone( 7),luteolin-5,3'-dimethylether( 8),4-( trans)-acetul-3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-dihydronapht halenone( 9) and 6-hydroxymellein( 10) based on the spectroscopic data.Compound 1 was a new compound,and 3,4,6,8 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Two new biphenyls from the stems of Garcinia tetralata.

Two new biphenyls (1 and 2) and three known xanthones (3-5) were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stems of Garcinia tetralata. Structural elucidations of 1-2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques. Compounds 1-2 showed anti-rotavirus activities with SI above 10.

[A new cytotoxic isocoumarin from endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor].

A new isocoumarin, along with five known ones,were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolorby using various chromatographic techniques.Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensivespectroscopic analysis, including 1D-and 2D-NMR techniques. Compound 1 was evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. The results showed that 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicityagainst NB4, SHSY5Y and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 6.8, 4.3,8.8 µmol•L⁻¹, respectively.

Antiviral butyrolactones from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor.

Versicolactones A-D (1-4), four new butyrolactones, along with four known butyrolactones (5-8) were isolated from the fermentation products of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. The structures of compounds 1-4, including absolute configuration, were elucidated by interpretation of the NMR and CD data. Compound 2 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In particular, compound 1 is the first naturally occurring butyrolactone possessing an unusual 2-oxopropyl group. More importantly, compounds 1 and 8 displayed significant antitobacco mosaic virus activities with inhibition rates of 46.4 % and 35.4 %, even more potent than the positive control ningnanmycin (30.8 %). Compound 1 also showed moderate cytotoxicity against A549 and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 3.2 and 2.5 µM, respectively.

7,8-Secolignans from the fruits of Schisandra neglecta.

Two new 7,8-secolignans, neglectahenols E and F (1 and 2), together with four known 7,8-secolignans (3-6), were isolated from the fruits of Schisandra neglecta. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1-6 were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities at the concentration of 20 µM. Compounds 1 and 6 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 38.2% and 32.7%, respectively. These rates are higher than that of a positive control. Compounds 2-5 also showed modest anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 22.8-28.7%. These rates are close to that of a positive control.

[A new flavone from stems of Garcinia bracteata and its anti-TMV activity].

A phytochemical investigation on the stems of Garcinia bracteata collected from Xishuangbanna resulted in the isolation of a new flavone. By analysis of the HRESIMS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, the structure of the new compound was determined as 7-methoxy-4',6-dihydroxy-8-isobutyryl-flavone(1). Compound 1 was also tested for its anti-tobacco mosaic virus(TMV) activity. Results suggested the 1 possessed remarkable anti-TMV activity, with an inhibition rate of 28.2%.

Isoflavanones from Desmodium oxyphyllum and their cytotoxicity.

Two new isoflavanones, (3R)-7-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-5-methoxycarbonyl-isoflavanone (1) and (3R)-8-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-7-methoxycarbonyl-isoflavanone (2), together with seven known isoflavanones (3-9) were isolated from Desmodium oxyphyllum of the Leguminosae family. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compound 1 showed good cytotoxicity against NB4 and SHSY5Y cell lines with IC50 values of 3.1 and 2.5 µM; compound 2 exhibited cytotoxicity against PC3 cell lines with a IC50 value of 3.6 µM; compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against A549 and SHSY5Y cell lines with IC50 values of 3.6 and 2.8 µM; and compound 5 displayed cytotoxicity against NB4, SHSY5Y, and MCF7 cell lines with IC50 values of 2.6, 3.8, and 2.8 µM, respectively. Other compounds also showed moderate cytotoxicity for some tested cell lines with IC50 values between 5.4 and 8.8 µM.

Five new prenylated chalcones from Desmodium renifolium.

Five unusual new prenylated chalcones, renifolins D-H (1-5), were isolated from whole Desmodium renifolium plants. All of their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. All of the isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity using five tumor cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with IC50 values of 2.8 and 2.2 µM, respectively.

Xanthone derivatives from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp.

Three new xanthones, 1,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxyethyl-6-methoxycarbonylxanthone (1), 1-hydroxy-5- methoxy-3-hydroxyethyl-6-methoxycarbonylxanthone (2), and 1-hydroxy-3-hydroxyethyl- 8-ethoxycarbonylxanthone (3), along with seven known xanthones (4-10) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp.. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1-10 were also tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7) by MTT method using paclitaxel as positive control. Compounds 1 and 3 showed cytotoxicity against A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.6 and 2.5 µM, respectively. In addition, 1 was cytotoxic to MCF7 cells with IC50 value of 2.7 µM.

Cytotoxic oxepinochromenone and flavonoids from the flower buds of Rosa rugosa.

A new oxepinochromenone, rugosachromenone A (1), seven new flavonoids, rugosaflavonoids A-G (2-8), and 11 known compounds (9-19) were isolated from the flower buds of Rosa rugosa. Compound 1 is found from Nature for the first time. Compound 2 displayed cytotoxicity against NB4, SHSY5Y, and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 2.2, 2.5, and 2.3 µM, respectively, and 3 was toxic to A549 and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 1.2 and 2.8 µM, respectively.

Cytotoxic deoxybenzoins and diphenylethylenes from Arundina graminifolia.

Eight new C-4-alkylated deoxybenzoins (1-8), three new diphenylethylenes (9-11), and five known diphenylethylenes were isolated from Arundina graminifolia. The structures of 1-11 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 9-11 are the first naturally occurring diphenylethylenes possessing a hydroxyethyl unit. Compounds 1-11 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. Compounds 4, 5, and 9-11 showed significant cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 1.8 to 8.7 µM.

Bioactive dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from the stems of Schisandra neglecta.

Seven new unusual dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, neglignans A-G (1-7), together with 16 known dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, were isolated from the stems of Schisandra neglecta. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans bearing a carboxyl group at C-4, and compounds 3 and 4 are the first 7,8-seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans found from Nature. The new compounds (1-7) and several of the known compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity and cytotoxicity. Compounds 2 and 6 showed anti-HIV-1 activities with therapeutic index values greater than 50, and compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against the NB4 and SHSY5Y cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 2.9 and 3.3 µM, respectively.

Antiviral phenolic compounds from Arundina gramnifolia.

Five new phenolic compounds, gramniphenols C-G (1-5), and eight known compounds (6-13) were isolated from the whole plant of Arundina gramnifolia. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity, with IC(50) values of 20.8, 40.8, and 57.7 µM, respectively. Compounds 1-10 were also tested for their anti-HIV-1 activity; compounds 2, 3, and 6 displayed anti-HIV-1 activity with therapeutic index values above 100:1.

Antiviral chromones from the stem of Cassia siamea.

Seven new chromones, siamchromones A-G (1-7), and 12 known chromones (8-19) were isolated from the stems of Cassia siamea. Compounds 1-19 were evaluated for their antitobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) and anti-HIV-1 activities. Compound 6 showed antitobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity with an inhibition rate of 35.3% and IC50 value of 31.2 µM, which is higher than that of the positive control, ningnamycin. Compounds 1, 10, 13, and 16 showed anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates above 10%. Compounds 4, 6, 13, and 19 showed anti-HIV-1 activities with therapeutic index values above 50.

Lignans from Kadsura angustifolia and Kadsura coccinea.

Further phytochemical investigation of Kadsura angustifolia and Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of six lignans and one flavonoid, including two new lignans named kadangustin L(1) and kadcoccilignan (2). The structures and stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data.

Identification and evaluation of apoptotic compounds from Garcinia oligantha.

Four new compounds, oliganthins A-D (1-4), and one known caged xanthone gaudichaudione H (5) were isolated from the stems of Garcinia oligantha. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidences. All of the five compounds were evaluated for their apoptosis-inducing effects using HeLa-C3 cells which have been genetically engineered to produce a fluorescent biosensor capable of detecting caspase-3 activation. All of them induced cell apoptosis at 10 µM or lower concentrations. The apoptotic activity of oliganthins A, B and gaudichaudione H were further confirmed by detecting the cleavage of PARP, which is the substrate of activated caspase-3, in these compounds-treated cells using the method of Western blot. Moreover, the values of IC(50) were measured for all five compounds on HeLa cells using the MTT assay. Among them, gaudichaudione H had the lowest IC(50) value of 0.90 µM, while the other four new compounds had IC(50) values of 1.58, 1.52, 4.15, and 7.82 µM, respectively. These results show that gaudichaudione H has the strongest apoptosis-inducing effect and cell growth inhibition effect among these xanthones and it may have the potential to be developed into a new anticancer agent.

Antiproliferative diterpenoids from the leaves of Isodon rubescens.

A phytochemical study of Isodon rubescens leaves led to the isolation of five new diterpenoids, isorubesins A-E ( 1- 5), and fifteen known diterpenoids. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Most of the diterpenoids were tested for cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7 human tumor cells. Some of them showed potent inhibitory activity. Compound 5 is the first reported atisane-type diterpenoid from this plant.