[Isolation and receptor binding properties of alkaloids and lignans from Valeriana officialis L]. / Isolierung, Strukturaufklärung und Radiorezeptorassays von Alkaloiden und Lignanen aus Valeriana officinalis L.

In addition to the known Valeriana-Meanalkaloid, four 7,9':7'9-Diepoxylignans were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis L. They were tested in different radioreceptorassays at the 5-HT1A-, GABAA-, benzodiazepin and mu-opiate-receptor.

Functional and antiischaemic effects of Monoacetyl-vitexinrhamnoside in different in vitro models.

1. Functional and antiischaemic effects of monoacetyl-vitexinrhamnoside (AVR), a flavonoid with phosphodiesterase (PDE)-inhibitory properties contained in Crataegus species (Hawthorn, Rosaceae) were studied in several in-vitro models. 2. In rabbit isolated femoral artery rings, AVR concentration-dependently reduced developed tension. Vasodilation by AVR was reduced after inhibiting EDRF formation by L-NG-nitro arginine. 3. In spontaneously-beating Langendorff-guinea pig hearts, AVR concentration-dependently enhanced heart-rate, contractility, lusitropy and coronary flow. 4. In isolated electrically-driven Langendorff-rabbit hearts, acute regional ischemia (MI) was induced by coronary artery occlusion and quantified from epicardial NADH-fluorescence photography. AVR (5 x 10(-5) mol/l) induced a slight numerical increase of left ventricular pressure and coronary flow (p > 0.05). MI was reduced (p < 0.05). 5. Monoacetyl-vitexinrhamnoside is an inodilator whose vasodilatory action may be mediated in part by EDRF in addition to PDE-inhibition. Monoacetyl-vitexinrhamnoside does possess marked antiischemic properties even in isolated hearts, suggesting an improvement of myocardial perfusion.

Myocardial effects of flavonoids from Crataegus species.

The influence of the main flavonoids from Crataegus species (hawthorn, Rosaceae) on coronary flow, heart rate and left ventricular pressure as well as on the velocity of contraction and relaxation was investigated in Langendorff perfused isolated guinea pig hearts at a constant pressure of 70 cmH2O. Drug action was evaluated in a concentration range of 10(-7) to 5 x 10(-4) mol/l. An increase of coronary flow caused by the O-glycosides luteolin-7-glucoside (186%), hyperoside (66%) and rutin (66%) as well as an increase of the relaxation velocity (positive lusitropism) by luteolin-7-glucoside (104%), hyperoside (62%) and rutin (73%) were the major effects observed at a maximum concentration of 0.5 mmol/l. Furthermore, slight positive inotropic effects and a rise in heart rate were seen. Similar but less intensive actions were found with the C-glycosides vitexin, vitexin-rhamnoside and monoacetyl-vitexin-rhamnoside. Possible beta-adrenergic activities of the flavonoids could be excluded by the addition of propranolol in fixed concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-5) mol/l. Moreover, pretreatment of the animals with reserpine (7 mg/kg) did not influence myocardial activity of hyperoside (10(-4) mol/l). As previous experiments showed an inhibition of the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase, the results suggest an inhibition of this enzyme as the possible underlying mechanism of cardiac action of flavonoids from Crataegus species.

Vasoactive properties of procyanidins from Hypericum perforatum L. in isolated porcine coronary arteries.

Procanidin fractions (PC) were isolated from Hypericum perforatum L. (Guttiferae). Characterization of the main components of each fraction was performed by UV- and mass spectroscopy. Their biological activity was tested in porcine isolated coronary arteries. All PC fractions antagonized histamine- or prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced arterial contractions. In contrast, vasorelaxation was insignificant in KCl-precontracted coronary arteries except with the higher oligomeric PC fraction 3. Vasoactive properties of the PC seem to be dependent on their relative molecular mass. An inhibition of cellular phosphodiesterase might be involved in the underlying mechanism of action.

[Further acylated chalcones from Bidens pilosa]. / Weitere acylierte chalkone aus Bidens pilosa.

Three new acylated chalcone glucosides [okanin 4'- O-beta- D-(4''-acetyl-6''- TRANS- P-coumaroyl)-glucoside, okanin 4'- O-beta- D-(2'',4''-diacetyl-6''- TRANS- P-coumaroyl)-glucoside, and okanin 4'- O-beta- D-(3'',4''-diacetyl-6''- TRANS- P-coumaroyl)-glucoside] have been isolated from the leaves of BIDENS PILOSA L. (Asteraceae). Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods ( (1)H-NMR, 2D- (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR spectroscopy).

New Chalcones from Bidens pilosa.

Okanin 4'- O-beta- D-(2'',4'',6''-triacetyl)-glucoside, okanin 4'- O-beta- D-(6''- TRANS-P-coumaroyl)-glucoside, both new natural compounds, and okanin 3'- O-beta- D-glucoside have been isolated from the leaves of BIDENS PILOSA L. Their structures have been elucidated by means of UV, FD-MS, (1)H-NMR, and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectral data for okanin 4'- O-beta- D-glucoside (marein) are given.

Biflavonoids in Hypericum perforatum1; Part 1. Isolation of I3, II8-Biapigenin.

From the Soxhlet extract of HYPERICUM PERFORATUM, biflavonoids have been isolated by column chromatography on Sephadex LH 20 and preparative TLC. The structure of the main compound was elucidated by UV-, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy and MS as I3,II8-Biapigenin.