Two new catechins from Zijuan green tea enhance the fitness and lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via insulin-like signaling pathways.

Green tea polyphenols show positive effects on human health and longevity. However, knowledge of the antiaging properties of green tea is limited to the major catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The search for new ingredients in tea with strong antiaging activity deserves further study. Here we isolated and identified two new catechins from Zijuan green tea, named zijuanin E (1) and zijuanin F (2). Their structures were identified by extensive high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-vis (UV), infrared (IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analyses, and their 13C NMR and CD data were calculated. We used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to analyze the health benefits and longevity effects of 1 and 2. Compounds 1 and 2 (100 µM) remarkably prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans by 67.2% and 56.0%, respectively, delaying the age-related decline of phenotypes, enhancing stress resistance, and reducing ROS and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, 1 and 2 did not affect the lifespan of daf-16, daf-2, sir-2.1, and skn-1 mutant worms, suggesting that they might work via the insulin/IGF and SKN-1/Nrf2 signaling pathways. Meanwhile, 1 and 2 also exhibited strong antioxidant activity in vitro. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) evidence suggests that zijuanins E and F have strong human serum albumin (HSA) binding ability. Together, zijuanins E and F represent a new valuable class of tea components that promote healthspan and could be developed as potential dietary therapies against aging.

Microbial and Nonvolatile Chemical Diversities of Chinese Dark Teas Are Differed by Latitude and Pile Fermentation.

Understanding the microbial and chemical diversities, as well as what affects these diversities, is important for modern manufacturing of traditional fermented foods. In this work, Chinese dark teas (CDTs) that are traditional microbial fermented beverages with relatively high sample diversity were collected. Microbial DNA amplicon sequencing and mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics show that the CDT microbial ß diversity, as well as the nonvolatile chemical α and ß diversities, is determined by the primary impact factors of geography and manufacturing procedures, in particular, latitude and pile fermentation after blending. A large number of metabolites sharing between CDTs and fungi were discovered by Feature-based Molecular Networking (FBMN) on the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) web platform. These molecules, such as prenylated cyclic dipeptides and B-vitamins, are functionally important for nutrition, biofunctions, and flavor. Molecular networking has revealed patterns in metabolite profiles on a chemical family level in addition to individual structures.

Two new acetoisovanillone glycosides from the water-soluble fraction of Paeonia ostii.

The cortex root of Paeonia ostii, is used as a traditional Chinese medicine for treating female diseases. Phytochemical investigation of the water-soluble fraction of the plant led to the isolation of two new acetoisovanillone glycosides: acetoisovanillone-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 2-hydroxy-acetoisovanillone-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods.

[Chemical constituents from ethyl acetate extraction of Prunus mume].

Eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extraction of Prunus mume by column chromatography. On the basis of physicochemical properties and spectrum analysis, these compounds were identified as isoquercitrin-6″-O-benzoate(1), pinoresinol(2), naringin(3), ethyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside(4), astragalin(5), quercetin(6), hypericin(7), and rutin(8). Among them, compound 1 was a new natural product, and compounds 2-5 were isolated from this plant for the first time. In vitro study, compounds 1, 3, 5-8 could significantly increase the cell survival ratio.

[A new benzophenone isolated from fibrous roots of Anemarrhena asphodeloides].

Five compounds were isolated from the fibrous roots of Anemarrhena asphodeloides by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-HPLC column chromatography. On the basis of physic-chemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis, these compounds were identified as methyl 2-[2,4-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-6-methoxyphenyl]acetate(1), 4-[formyl-5-(methoxymethyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]butanoate(2), perlolyrine(3),syringaresinol-4'-O-ß-D-glucoside(4) and 4',6-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-2-O-(2″),3-C-(1″)-1″-desoxy-α-L-fructofuranoside(5). Among them, 1 was a new benzophenone. Compounds 2-5 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound 1 was tested for neuroprotective effects against H_2O_2-induced damage in SH-SY5 Y cells.

Aspergilates A to E, second metabolites from Aspergillus sp. isolated from Paeonia ostii.

Five novel globoscinic acid derivatives, aspergilates A-E (1-5) have been isolated from endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. derived from Paeonia ostii. The structures of aspergilates A-E were determined by in-depth analyses of NMR spectra, HRESIMS and CD experiments. The absolute configurations of compounds 2-5 were determined by the ECD calculations based on quantum chemistry. Cytotoxic activities against five selected tested tumor cell lines of 1-5 were evaluated.

Four new glycosides from the stems of Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook.

Four new glucosides, named as gigantol-5-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1), 9,10-dihydro-aphyllone A-5-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (2), ficusal-4-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3), botrydiol-15-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), together with eight known compounds (5-12) were isolated from the n-BuOH extract of the stems of Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook. Their structures were elucidated by the analyses of spectroscopic data.

Protective effects of cycloartane triterpenoides from Passiflora edulis Sims against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cell.

Four new cycloartane triterpenoids, 1α,3ß-dihydroxy-16-keto-24(31)-en-cycloartane (1), 31-methoxyl-passifloic acid (2), cyclopassifloside XIV (3), and cyclopassifloside XV (4), together with six known compounds (5-10) were isolated from Passiflora edulis Sims. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. All the compounds were evaluated for protective effects against damage of PC12 cell induced by glutamate according to traditional usage of the herbal medicine, and the results indicated that cycloartane triterpenoids maybe one of the active compositions of P. edulis Sims for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Five new phenolic compounds from Dendrobium aphyllum.

One new phenanthrene, aphyllone A (1) and four new bibenzyl derivatives, aphyllone B (2) and aphyllals C-D (3-5), together with nine known compounds (6-14), were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C. E. Fischer. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and quantum calculations. Compounds 6, 8 and 14 inhibited NO production at the concentration of 25 µM in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with the inhibition (%) of 32.48, 35.68, and 38.50. Compound 2 possessed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity with scavenging percentage of 87.97% at the concentration of 100 µg/mL.

Terpenoids and their anti-HIV-1 activities from Excoecaria acerifolia.

Five new diterpenoids named excocarinols A-E (1-5) including three pimaranes, one cleistanthane, and one nor-beyerane, together with nine known compounds, were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the Chinese ethnodrug Gua-jing-ban (Excoecaria acerifolia Didr.). Their structures were elucidated by the analysis of spectroscopic data including 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS. The anti-HIV-1 bioassay on the diterpenoids showed that excocarinol A (1) exhibited moderate anti-HIV-1 activity with EC50 5.58 µM and SI (Selection Index) over 112.71.

Three new isopimarane diterpenoids from Excoecaria acerifolia.

Three new isopimarane diterpenoids named excoecarins F-H (1-3) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the Chinese ethnodrug Gua-jing-ban (Excoecaria acerifolia Didr.). Their structures were elucidated by the analysis of spectroscopic data including 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS. The anti-HIV-1 bioactivity test of 1 and 2 showed weak activity.

Cycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Various species of genus Passiflora have been used as traditional folk medicines owing to their sedative and anti-hypertensive properties. Passiflora edulis Sims most widely grown in the warm temperate for their fragrant fruits and their twigs and leaves are used as a folk medicine for treating both anxiety and nervousness in American countries. The present study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect and the active components of this plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The alcohol extracts of the stems (PES, 10 and 2 g/kg of the plant materials) and leaves (PEL, 10 and 2 g/kg of the plant materials) of Passiflora edulis Sims were orally administered to mice for 7 day. The animals were tested in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). After behavioral assay of ethanol extract, phytochemical research of the stems and leaves (5.7 kg) of Passiflora edulis Sims were developed and further bioactive verification of monomeric compounds were conducted. RESULTS: There are mainly cycloartane triterpenoids and their saponins isolated from this plant, including two new cycloartane triterpenoid saponins named cyclopassifloside ХII (1) and ХIII (2), together with six known cycloartane triterpenoids, cyclopassifloic acids B and E, cyclopassiflosides II, VI, IX and XI. The ethanol extract of Passiflora edulis Sims together with isolated compounds cyclopassiflosides IX and XI may possess antidepressant-like effect. CONCLUSIONS: Cycloartane triterpenoid was one of the main compositions of Passiflora edulis Sims and possess antidepressant-like activity.

[Chemical constituents of Carya cathayensis and their antitumor bioactivity].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of Carya cathayensis and their antitumor bioactivity. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel column chromatography. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Then their cytotoxic activity was studied. RESULTS: Five compounds were elucidated as chrysophanol (1), physcion (2), beta-sitosterol (3), pinostrobin(4), 4,8-dihydroxy-1-tetralone (5). CONCLUSION: Compounds 2 and 5 are isolated from Carya cathayensis for the first time. In the MTT antitumor experiments, the compounds 1,4 and 5 have the cytotoxic activity to KB cell.