Quantitative analysis of marker compounds in Angelica gigas, Angelica sinensis, and Angelica acutiloba by HPLC/DAD.

Although Danggui is the root of Angelica gigas NAKAI in the Korean Pharmacopoeia, it is determined that Danggui is also the root of Angelica sinensis (OLIV.) DIELS in China and Hong Kong, as well as the root of Angelica acutiloba KITAGAWA in Japan. Accordingly, we tried to develop an identification method using the main compounds in A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba through HPLC/diode-array detector (DAD). This method was fully validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and robustness. Multivariate analysis was also implemented after pattern analysis and monitoring. As a result, each compound pattern of A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba was identified, making it possible to distinguish them from each other.

Terpene and phenolic constituents of Lactuca indica L.

We isolated seven terpenes and five phenolic constituents from the aerial parts of Lactuca indica L. using column chromatographic separation of its MeOH extract. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods to be trans-phytol (1), 3beta-hydroxyglutin-5-ene (2), 5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (3), 11beta-13-dihydrolactucin (4), 2-phenylethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), cichorioside B (6), 1-hydroxylinaloyl-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (6S,9S)-roseoside (8), benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), 2-(3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol (10), 3-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxymethyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-dihydrobenzofuran (11), and (+)-taraxafolin-B (12). Compounds 1-3, 5, and 7-12 were isolated for the first time from this plant source. The isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines in vitro using a Sulforhodamin B bioassay.

A new sesquiterpene glycoside from the aerial parts of Saussurea triangulata.

Column chromatographic separation of a MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Saussurea triangulata led to the isolation of a new sesquiterpene glycoside 6, together with three quinic acid derivatives, two phenolics, two sesquiterpene glycosides and two flavonoids. The new compound 6 was identified as amarantholidol A glycoside by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Protoberberine alkaloids and their reversal activity of P-gp expressed multidrug resistance (MDR) from the rhizome of Coptis japonica Makino.

Six protoberberine alkaloids were isolated from the chloroform layer of the rhizome of Coptis japonica Makino (Ranunculaceae). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined to be 6-([1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline-5-carbonyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (1), oxyberberine (2), 8-oxo-epiberberine (3), 8-oxocoptisine (4), berberine (5) and palmatine (6) by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The compound 3 (8-oxo-epiberberine) was first isolated from natural sources. The compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against five tumor cell lines in vitro by SRB method, and also tested for the MDR reversal activities. Compound 4 was of significant P-gp MDR inhibition activity with ED50 value 0.018 microg/mL in MES-SA/DX5 cell and 0.0005 microg/mL in HCT15 cell, respectively.

Sesquiterpenes from Syneilesis palmata and their cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines in vitro.

The chromatographic separation of the MeOH extract from the aerial parts of Syneilesis palmata led to the isolation of a new sesquiterpene glycoside 4, together with four known compounds. Their structures were characterized to be 4beta,5beta-epoxy-caryophill-8,(15)-ene (1), 3beta-hydroxy-gultin-5-ene (2), 4alpha,5beta-dihydroxy-caryophill-8,(15)-ene (3), (-)-oplopan-4-one-10-alpha-O-beta-D-glucose (4) and 3-hexenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranose (5), based on spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines in vitro with its ED50 values ranging from 5.90 to approximately 10.83 microg/mL.

A new sesquiterpene lactone from Artemisia rubripes nakai.

The chromatographic separation of a methylene chloride extract of Artemisia rubripes led to the isolation of a new sesquiterpene lactone (3), together with four known compounds, a coumarin (2) and three terpenes (1, 4, and 5). Their structures were characterized to be 1beta,6alpha-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene (1), scopoletin (2), 1alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-8alpha-acetoxy-guaia-2,10(14), 11(13)-triene-6,12-olide (3), 1alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-8alpha-acetoxy-guaia-2,9,11(13)-triene-6,12-olide (4), and beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glycoside (5) by spectroscopic means.