Four new triterpenes from the endemic relict shrub Tetraena mongolica.

A chemical investigation of the endemic relict shrub Tetraena mongolica led to the isolation of four new triterpenes: 11α,12α:13ß,28-diepoxyoleanane-3ß-yl trans-caffeate (1), 3ß-hydroxy-11α,12α-epoxyoleanane-28-al (2), olean-11-en-28-al-3ß-yl trans-caffeate (3), and 28-acetoxy-olean-12-en-3ß-yl trans-caffeate (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods.

Alkaloids from Pachysandra terminalis inhibit breast cancer invasion and have potential for development as antimetastasis therapeutic agents.

The aim of the present study was to identify potentially useful natural compounds for the development of novel therapeutic agents to inhibit metastasis. A phytochemical investigation of Pachysandra terminalis resulted in the isolation of seven new pregnane alkaloids, terminamines A-G (1-7), and seven known alkaloids (8-14). The structures of 1-7 were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods. Compounds 1-5 and 8-14 inhibited the migration of MB-MDA-231 breast cancer cells induced by the chemokine epithelial growth factor. In addition, compound 1 inhibited phosphorylation of integrin ß(1), which plays an important role in MB-MDA-231 cell adhesion and metastasis.

Identification of trans-tiliroside as active principle with anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects from Potentilla chinesis.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was carried out to isolate and identify trans-tiliroside as principal compound with anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects from Potentilla chinesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bioactive compound, trans-tiliroside was isolated from the ethanol extract of Potentilla chinesis and its administration dose was optimized and patented. The normal, alloxan-induced diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of trans-tiliroside from Potentilla chinesis. Biochemical parameters were assayed in blood samples of different groups of alloxan-induced diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. RESULTS: The level of fasting serum glucose levels, triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice were significantly decrease after daily oral administration of trans-tiliroside in normal and diabetic mice at doses of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/kg/day, for 15 days. Blood glucose level was significant decrease in STZ induced diabetic rats by trans-tiliroside (1.2 and 0.3mg/kg body weight for 10 weeks). The content of TC, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and TG levels were decreased and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) content was increased, so lipid metabolism was improved. Moreover, trans-tiliroside revealed antioxidant activity as shown by increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), decreased level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in diabetic rats. Histological morphology examination showed that the trans-tiliroside restored the damage of pancreas tissues in rats with diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Trans-tiliroside, a constituent from Potentilla chinesis, revealed significant anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity. METHODS: Chemical constituents were isolated by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40C and preparative HPLC). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. DPPH method was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of the isolated compounds. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as follow: 2-Phenylethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (+)Pinoresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), Pinoresinol (3), cis-Syringin (4), 4-hydroxy-4-(3-oxo-l-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-l-one (5), 3alpha-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (6). Compounds 2, 4, 5 showed obviously antioxidant activity, their DPPH free radical scavenging rates were 82.50%, 87.36%, and 84.56% on the concentration of 50 micromol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-6 are isolated from this genus for the first time. Compounds 2, 4, and 5 showed significant antioxidant activities.