Eight new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives from agarwood of Aquilaria sinensis with anti-inflammatory activity.

Eight previously unknown 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives, called aquichromones A - E (1-3, 5 and 6) and 8-epi-aquichromone C (4), including two pairs of enantiomers [(±)-1 and (±)-2] were isolated from the agarwood of Aquilaria sinensis. The structures and absolute stereochemistry of these natural products were elucidated by using spectroscopic and computational methods. The result of biological assay showed that two members of this group, 4 and 5, have significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity.

Six new diterpenoids from the resins of Populus euphratica and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Six new diterpenoids, identified as two abietane derivatives, euphraticanoids J and K (1 and 2), two pimarane derivatives, euphraticanoids L and M (3 and 4), and two 9,10-seco-abietane derivatives, euphraticanoids N and O (5 and 6) were isolated from Populus euphratica resins. Their structures including absolute configurations were characterized using spectroscopic, quantum chemical NMR, and ECD calculation methods. The anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds was tested and the results revealed that compounds 4 and 6 inhibited the production of iNOS and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells.

Antifungal and wound healing promotive compounds from the resins of Dracaena cochinchinensis.

Five new compounds (xuejieins A-E), including three new phenolic glycosides (1, 2, and 5) and two new flavonoids (10 and 11), together with six known compounds were isolated from the resins of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Chinese dragon's blood). The structures of the new compounds were confirmed by extensive spectroscopic methods and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis. Especially, the absolute configurations of the sugar moieties in compounds 1, 2, and 5 were clarified by GC analysis after acid hydrolysis. All isolated compounds have been tested for antifungal and wound healing promoting activities, The results showed that compound 9 shows significant antifungal activities against Botrytis cinerea, Magnaporthe grisea, Penicillium digitatum, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In addition, compound 4 could significantly stimulate human keratinocytes (HaCAT) proliferation, mobility, and human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) tube formation at 40 µM.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on expressions of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 in U937 foam cells.

This study is to investigate the protein and mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in U937 foam cells and effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the cytokines. U937 cells were cultured with different concentrations of GbE (0.1, 1, and 10 microg x L(-1)), and stimulated by 100 mg x L(-1) oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 24 h. The expressions of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in culture solution were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that incubated with 100 mg x L(-1) ox-LDL for 24 h, the U937 cells became foam cells, the protein or mRNA expressions of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and its receptor IL-10R in U937 foam cells were higher markedly than those in normal U937 cells. When the cells were pretreated with GbE (0.1, 1, and 10 microg x L(-1)), the increases of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in U937 foam cells were remarkably inhibited, but IL-10 expression increased greatly. Especially when cells were pretreated with 10 microg x L(-1) GbE, the protein and mRNA expressions of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were markedly lower than those in U937 foam cells. The protein expression of IL-10 and mRNA expressions of IL-10 and its receptor IL-10R were markedly higher than those in U937 foam cells. GbE inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, but up-regulated the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and its receptor IL-10R in U937 foam cells, which might be related with its anti-atherosclerotic actions.

Expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in brain of atherosclerotic rats and effects of Ginkgo biloba extract.

AIM: To study the protein and mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the brain of rats with atherosclerosis (AS) and the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on expressions of cytokines. METHODS: The experimental model of AS in rats were established by intraperitioneal injection of vitamin D3 with high fat/cholesterol diet. GbE 100 mg/kg was administered to rats by ig. After 8 weeks, the expressions of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-10R in the brain tissues of AS rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expressions of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 in the brains were markedly higher in AS groups than that in control groups (6.11+/-0.15, 1.55+/-0.14, 0.54+/-0.04 ng/g wet weight vs 0.80+/-0.14, 0.33+/-0.09, and 0.33+/-0.02 ng/g wet weight, respectively). The protein and mRNA expressions of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the brains were markedly lower in GbE groups (3.82+/-0.54, 0.95+/-0.08 ng/g wet weight) than that in AS groups, the protein and mRNA expressions of IL-10 and IL-10R in the brains were markedly higher in GbE groups (0.85+/-0.06 ng/g wet weight) than that in AS groups. CONCLUSION: GbE inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, but up-regulated the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and IL-10R in brain, which might be related with its anti-AS actions.