Sauropus androgynus L. Merr.-A phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sauropus androgynus L. Merr is an underexploited perennial shrub traditionally used as a medicinal plant in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The plant is regarded as not just a green vegetable for diet, but as a traditional herb for certain aliments. For instance, it has traditionally been used to relieve fever, to treat ulcers and diabetes, to promote lactation and eyesight, and to reduce obesity. AIM OF THE STUDY: This paper aims to review the botany, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and pharmacological activities of S. androgynus, and discuss the known chemical constituents at work in S. androgynus-induced bronchiolitis obliterans for providing new ideas to the mechanism of the disease and pharmacology research of the plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data presented in this review were collected from published literatures as well as the electronic databases of PubMed, CNKI, Web of Science, SCI finder, ACS, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, Taylor, Google Scholar, and a number of unpublished resources, (e.g. books, and Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations). RESULTS: The scientific literature indicates that S. androgynus is a valuable and popular herbal medicine whose nutritional value is also higher than that of other commonly used vegetables. Phytochemical analyses identified high content of fatty acids, flavonoids, and polyphenols as the major bioactive components in S. androgynus. Crude extracts and phytochemical compounds isolated from S. androgynus show a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, skin whitening, anti-diabetic, and immunoregulatory activities. The traditional use, such as increasing lactation, treating ulcers and diabetes, and reducing obesity, have been evaluated and studied with various methods. Numerous reports have revealed the unusual link between the consumption of S. androgynus and the induction of a chronic and irreversible obstructive disease (namely, bronchiolitis obliterans), indicating that the toxicity and side effects of this plant that is presently used in health care and medicine are a major area of concern. CONCLUSION: Though little importance was attached to this green plant, S. androgynus has notable phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities. Studies have firmly established the association between excessive consumption of the uncooked S. androgynus juice over a period of time and the occurrence of bronchiolitis obliterans. It is inadvisable to ingest excessive amounts of S. androgynus before fully understanding the pathogenesis and induction mechanism of this fatal disease. The phytochemistry of S. androgynus, its pharmacology for traditional use, S. androgynus-induced bronchiolitis obliterans still need further investigation.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Ficus hispida L.f.: A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ficus hispida L.f. (Moraceae) has long been used as a traditional medicine in India, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Myanmar in the treatment of diarrhea, ulcer, anemia, diabetes, inflammation, and cancer. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review provides a systematic comment on the botany, traditional uses, and phytochemical and pharmacological studies of F. hispida, with an aim to make critical update of the current knowledge and obtain opportunities for further therapeutic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information was derived from scientific literature databases including PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Additional information was gathered from books, Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations, and unpublished materials. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: F. hispida is used especially in Chinese and Indian traditional medical systems as a remedy for skin disorders, respiratory diseases, and urinary diseases. Wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, sedative, antidiarrheal, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antineoplastic, and antidiabetic activities have been reported for crude extracts and isolated metabolites, but the methodologies in these studies often have inadequate design and low technical quality. More than 76 compounds have been isolated from F.hispida, including sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, phenylpropionic acids, benzoic acid derivatives, alkaloids, steroids, other glycosides, and alkanes, but the method of bioassay-guided fractionation is seldom applied in the isolation from F. hispida. CONCLUSION: F. hispida is used widely in traditional medicines and has multiple pharmacological effects that could support traditional uses. However, pharmacological studies should be viewed with caution because of the inappropriate experimental design. More in vitro and in vivo research is urgently needed to study the molecular mechanisms and assess the effective and safe dose of F. hispida.

Vitellaria paradoxa nutshells from seven sub-Saharan countries as potential herbal medicines for treating diabetes based on chemical compositions, HPLC fingerprints and bioactivity evaluation.

The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of the Vitellaria paradoxa nutshell as a new medicinal resource for treating diabetes. A total of forty-one compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD-Q-TOF-MS and phytochemical methods in V. paradoxa nutshell methanol extract. Based on HPLC fingerprints, four characteristic constituents were quantified and the origin of twenty-eight V. paradoxa nutshells from seven sub-Saharan countries was compared, which were classified into three groups with chemometric method. Twenty-eight samples contained high total phenolic content, and exhibited moderate-higher antioxidant activity and strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, all fractions and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, and α-glucosidase inhibitory action mechanism of four characteristic constituents including protocatechuic acid, 3, 5, 7-trihydroxycoumarin, (2R, 3R)-(+)-taxifolin and quercetin was investigated via molecular docking method, which were all stabilized by hydrogen bonds with α-glucosidase. The study provided an effective approach to waste utilization of V. paradoxa nutshell, which would help to resolve waste environmental pollution and provide a basis for developing potential herbal resource for treating diabetes.

Wedelolactone metabolism in rats through regioselective glucuronidation catalyzed by uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases 1As (UGT1As).

BACKGROUND: Wedelolactone (WEL), a medicinal plant-derived coumestan, has been reported to exhibit a diverse range of pharmacological activities. However, the metabolism and disposition of WEL remain unexplored. PURPOSE: The present study aims to investigate the metabolism of WEL in rats and identify the enzymes responsible for forming major WEL metabolites. METHODS: Plasma, urine, feces, and bile samples were collected before and after 50 mg/kg WEL was orally administered to rats. Metabolites were profiled by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-solid-phase extraction-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The in vitro WEL glucuronidation activities of human liver microsomes, human kidney microsomes, human intestine microsomes, and 12 recombinant human uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms were screened. Molecular docking simulation of the interaction between WEL and UGT1A9 was conducted. RESULTS: WEL underwent extensive metabolism, and 17 metabolites were identified. The major metabolic pathways observed were glucuronidation and methylation. Glucuronic acid was preferentially introduced into 5-OH, whereas no obvious regioselectivity was observed in the methylation of 11-OH and 12-OH. Multiple UGTs, including UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10, were involved in forming WEL glucuronides and O-methylated WEL glucuronides. CONCLUSION: The extensive glucuronidation and methylation is responsible for the low oral bioavailability of WEL in rats. UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 were the major enzymes involved in the glucuronidation of WEL and O-methylated WEL. Molecular docking studies revealed that 5-OH was accessible to the catalytic domain of UGT1As; therefore, 5-OH exhibited a high probability of glucuronidation.

Antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory activities of four caffeoylquinic acids isolated from Tussilago farfara.

CONTEXT: The flower bud of Tussilago farfara L. (Compositae) (FTF) is one of the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs used to treat cough, phlegm, bronchitic, and asthmatic conditions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to isolate four caffeoylquinic acids from the ethyl acetate extract (EtE) of FTF and to evaluate their antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The structures of compounds 1-4 isolated from EtE were determined by spectral analysis. Mice were orally treated with these compounds and their mixture (in a ratio of 5:28:41:26 as in EtE) at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg once daily for 3 d. The antitussive and expectorant activities were evaluated separately with the ammonia liquor-induced model and the phenol red secretion model. The anti-inflammation activity was evaluated using leukocyte count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after ammonia liquor-induced acute airway inflammation. RESULTS: The four compounds were identified as chlorogenic acid (1), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3), and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4). All compounds, especially compound 4 (58.0% inhibition in cough frequency), showed a significant antitussive effect. However, the mixture was the most effective to inhibit the cough frequency by 61.7%. All compounds also showed a significant expectorant effect, while compound 2 was the most potent to enhance the phenol red secretion by 35.7%. All compounds significantly alleviated inflammation, but compound 4 showed the strongest effect to inhibit the leukocytosis by 49.7%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The caffeoylquinic acids and their mixture, exhibiting significant antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects, could be considered as the main effective ingredients of FTF, and they may act in a collective and synergistic way.

[Morphological and TLC identification on Tibetan medicine Asteris Flos].

Tibetan medicine Asteris Flos is the flowers of Aster souliei, A. flaccidus, and A. asteroides, with the function of clearing away heat and toxic matter, relieving cough, and removing phlegm. In order to control the quality of Asteris Flos, the morphological and chemical methods were established for identification of three origins. The morphological features of three species were described and photographed, and the microscopic characteristics of three drug powders were also described in detail and pictured. The results showed that three origins of Asteris Flos could be easily distinguished by their macro- and micro-morphologic features, and a key for distinguishing the three origins was given. Moreover, a TLC method, with apigenin-7-O-ß-D-glucurono pyranoside and chlorogenic acid as chemical references, was also established for the identification of three origins. The results showed that the TLC chromatograms of the flowers of A. souliei and A. flaccidus were very similar, but different from that of A. asteroides. The established macroscopic, powder microscopic and TLC methods for identification of three origins of AF were simple, accurate, and reproducible, and also effective and easy to operate.

Preventive effects of Ecliptae Herba extract and its component, ecliptasaponin A, on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ecliptae Herba, a nourishing traditional Chinese medicine, is also a folk medicine for the treatment of lung diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the anti-fibrosis effects and the underlying mechanism of the extract of Ecliptae Herba and its potential active components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The resulting extract (EXT) was prepared from the 80% ethanol extract of Ecliptae Herba. After intratracheally administrated with bleomycin (BLM, 5mg/kg), mice were orally treated with EXT at 2.5, 1.25, 0.625 g/kg and eclipta saponin A (ESA) at 80 mg/kg once daily for 28 day. The bodyweight, survival rate, pathological changes of lung and levels of hydroxyproline (HYP) were used to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects. The malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxidae dismutase (SOD) activity, and the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, 9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in lung tissue were analyzed by kits or western blot. RESULTS: Compared with BLM group, EXT administration could significantly ameliorated the pathological changes of lung, decreased the HYP content, enhanced the SOD activity, and reduced the MDA content of lung tissues. In mechanism, EXT significantly alleviated the levels of COX-2, TGF-ß1, MMP-2 and α-SMA, as well as elevated the ratio value of MMP-9/TIMP-1. Additionally, the anti-fibrosis effects of ESA, a large amount of saponins isolated from Eclipta prostrata , was also evaluated by the BLM-induced model. The results showed that ESA could block BLM-induced histological changes of lung tissue and decrease the high levels of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA. CONCLUSIONS: Ecliptae Herba has protective effects against the pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM via reducing the oxidative stress, lung tissue inflammation, and the subsequent epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The active chemical constituents may be involved with triterpenoid saponins, such as ESA.

Acute, but not chronic, stress increased the plasma concentration and hypothalamic mRNA expression of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in rats.

Nesfatin-1, a newly discovered satiety peptide, has recently been reported to be involved in the stress response. Stress-induced expression of nesfatin-1 has been reported and few studies focus on its expression in the hypothalamus, which is the center of the stress response. To test our hypothesis that peripheral and hypothalamic nesfatin-1 overexpression should play an important role in the stress response and the associated hyperactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, acute stress (AS) was induced using water avoidance stress (WAS), and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was also induced using 3 consecutive weeks of 7 different stressors. The behavior of CUMS rats was evaluated by an open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), and forced swimming test (FST). The activity of the HPA axis was detected by measurement of the plasma corticosterone concentration and hypothalamic mRNA expression of corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH). The plasma concentration and hypothalamic mRNA expression of nesfatin-1 were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, respectively. The results showed that both AS and CUMS increased the plasma corticosterone concentration and hypothalamic CRH mRNA expression. Depression-like behavior was induced in CUMS rats, as indicated by a decreased movement distance, frequency of rearing and grooming in the OFT, and sucrose preference index and increased immobility in the FST. Moreover, the AS rats showed increased plasma concentration and hypothalamic mRNA expression of nesfatin-1, which were positively correlated with the plasma corticosterone concentration and hypothalamic CRH expression, respectively. These results indicated that acute stress, but not chronic stress, increased the plasma concentration and hypothalamic mRNA expression of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in rats.

Immunosuppressive C21 steroidal glycosides from the root of Cynanchum atratum.

Six new C21 steroidal glycosides (1-6) and one dideoxysaccharide (7), named atratcynosides A-F and atratcynose A, were isolated from the 80% ethanol extract of the root of Cynanchum atratum, together with three known compounds (8-10). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectral analyses and qualitative chemical methods. All compounds were subjected to detect the immunosuppressive activities by an in vitro model of concanavalin A-induced proliferation of T-lymphocytes from mice. Compounds 1-3 showed significant immunosuppressive activities in dose-dependent manners with the IC50 values from 3.3 to 7.0 µM. Moreover, the structure-activity relationship of the steroidal glycosides on the immunosuppression was analyzed.

Simultaneous separation and determination of phenolic acids, pentapeptides, and triterpenoid saponins in the root of Aster tataricus by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

We established a qualitative method to analyze the main chemical compositions of the root of Aster tataricus. Most of the peaks were separated on a C(18) column packed with 5.0 µm particles, and 28 compounds were identified, including 11 chlorogenic acids, ten astins/asterinins, and seven astersaponins, four of which were reported for the first time from A. tataricus. Furthermore, we developed a reliable method for the simultaneous quantification of 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, astin A, astin B, astin C, astersaponin A, and astersaponin C, and the qualified separations were achieved only on a C18 column packed with 2.7 µm particles. The method was used to measure the concentrations of eight components in samples from two major producing areas in China, and the average contents in samples from Bozhou (Anhui) were higher than those in samples from Anguo (Hebei).

Astin B, a cyclic pentapeptide from Aster tataricus, induces apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatic L-02 cells.

Astins (including astin B) are a class of halogenated cyclic pentapeptides isolated from the medicinal herb of Aster tataricus. However, our previous works showed that the herbal medicine was hepatotoxic in vivo, and a toxicity-guided isolation method led to the identification of a cyclopeptide astin B. Astin B is structurally similar to cyclochlorotine, a well-known hepatotoxic mycotoxin. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the potential cytotoxic effects and the underlying mechanism of astin B on human normal liver L-02 cells. We found that astin B has hepatotoxic effects in vitro and in vivo and that hepatic injury was primarily mediated by apoptosis in a mitochondria/caspase-dependent manner. Astin B provoked oxidative stress-associated inflammation in hepatocytes as evidenced by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced contents of intracellular glutathione (GSH), and enhanced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Furthermore, the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis was evidenced by the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, the increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and the increased activities of caspases-9 and -3. Interestingly, astin B treatment also induces autophagy in L-02 cells, characterized by acidic-vesicle fluorescence, increased LC3-II and decreased p62 expression. Autophagy is a protective mechanism that is used to protect cells from apoptosis. The presence of autophagy is further supported by the increased cytotoxicity and the enhanced cleaved caspase-3 after co-treatment of cells with an autophagy inhibitor, also by increased LC3-II and decreased p62 after co-treatment with a caspase inhibitor. Taken together, astin B, most likely together with other members of astins, is the substance that is primarily responsible for the hepatotoxicity of A.tataricus.

[Microscopic and polariscopic characteristics of 30 medicinal plants of Polygonum].

Polygonum L. s. str., belonging to Polygonaceae family, is a big genus with abundant medicinal plants. More than 10 plants are specified in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and many local medicinal standards and over 50 species are used as folk medicines. Owing to the similar morphologies and very small flowers and fruits, they are uneasily identified and often confused with each other and misused clinically. In order to provide a basis for identification of Polygonum s. str. plants, a histological study on stems and leaves of 30 species from Polygonum was undertaken by a routine/polarized light microscopy for the first time. The results showed that: (1) the transverse sections of stems of Polygonum are relatively similar, sclerenchyma such as xylem and fibres with strong polarization effects; (2) the surface views of leaves of Polygonum are distinguishable on distributions and types of stomata, with or without attachments (such as glandular hairs/scales or non-glandular hairs) and the polariscopic features of epidermal cell walls, stomata and cell contents. Observed under polarized light, it was found for the first time that stomata on leaf surface of some plants have a Maltese-cross effect with the arms of the cross intersecting at the stomatal opening. As a result, a key combining the microscopic and polariscopic characteristics of the stems as well as leaves was provided for identifying the 30 medicinal plants of Polygonum. The polarized light microscopic method was proven to be one of the quick, simple and effective techniques for the identification of medicinal plants and botanic crude materials.

Three new flavonoids from the active extract of Fallopia convolvulus.

Five solvent extracts (ethanol, petroleum ether, EtOAC, n-butanol, and water) from Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Love were separated and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages were evaluated. Three new flavonoids, falloconvolin A (1), falloconvolin B (2), and quercetin-3-O-(2-E-sinapoxyl)-glucopyranoside (3), together with 17 known phenolic compounds, were isolated from the active EtOAC extract, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and literature data.

Separation and identification of three epimeric pairs of new C-glucosyl anthrones from Rumex dentatus by on-line high performance liquid chromatography-circular dichroism analysis.

Six C-glucosyl anthrones were characterized as three pairs of epimers by on-line high performance liquid chromatography-circular dichroism (HPLC-CD) analysis and isolated from the roots of Rumex dentatus by column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic spectroscopy and HPLC-CD analysis. They are 10R-C-beta-D-glucosyl-10-hydroxyemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide E, 1) and 10S-C-beta-D-glucosyl-10-hydroxyemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide F, 2), 10R-C-beta-D-glucosylemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide G, 3) and 10S-C-beta-D-glucosylemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide H, 4), 10S-C-beta-D-glucosyl-10-hydroxychrysophanol-9-anthrone (cassialoin, 5) and 10R-C-beta-D-glucosyl-10-hydroxychrysophanol-9-anthrone (rumejaposide I, 6). Rumejaposides F-I (2-4 and 6) were new C-glucosyl anthrones. Rumejaposide E (1) and cassialoin (5) were isolated for the first time in Rumex plants. On-line HPLC-UV-CD analysis was a useful tool for structure elucidating epimeric C-glycosides anthrones 3-6 because of the poor stability of the pure isomers (3 and 4) and the minute quantity of 5 and 6 in the mixture.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Ligularia altaica].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Lighularia altaica. METHODS: Various chromatographic techniques were used to isolate and purify the chemical compounds, their structure were elucidated by means of mass, physico-chemical properties and NMR spectral data. RESULTS: Nine compounds were obtained as: lupeol (1), oleanolic acid (2), 3beta, 16beta-dihydroxy-12-oleanen-28-al (3), ergosterol peroxide (4), stigmasta-7-en-ol (5), 11-hydroxy-10,11-dihydro-euparin (6), 5-hydroxybenzofuran-2(3H) -one- (7), except for beta-sitosterol (8) and daucostrol (9). CONCLUSION: Compounds 3 - 7 are isolated for the first time from this genus, the other compounds are obtained from this plant for the first time.

Four new alkaloid derivatives from Ligularia duciformis.

Four new alkaloids, named 1-(4'-methylpyridazin-5'-yl)butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol (1), 3,9-dimethyl-5-nitropyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinazoline-1,7-dione (2), N,N-di(1-imine-propanyl)propionamidine (3), and 2,7-bis(isopropylimino)-2H,7H-dicyclopentacyclooctene-4,9-diol (4), were isolated from the rhizomes of Ligularia duciformis. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis.

Five new compounds from Dendrobium crystallinum.

Five new compounds, dencryol A (1), dencryol B (2), crystalltone (3), crystallinin (4), and 3-hydroxy-2-methoxy-5,6-dimethylbenzoic acid (5), together with six known compounds, dendronobilin B (6), syringic acid (7), apigenin (8), isoviolanthin (9), 6'''-glucosyl-vitexin (10), and palmarumycin JC2 (11), have been isolated from the stems of Dendrobium crystallinum, of which compounds 9-11 were isolated from the genus Dendrobium for the first time, and all the other compounds were first obtained from this plant. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and literature data.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Dendrobium crystallinum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Dendobium crystallinum. METHOD: Compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. RESULT: Nine compounds were obtained and identified as: 4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybi-benzyl (1), gigantol (2), naringenin (3) , p-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), n-tetracosyl trans-p-cou-marate (5), n-octacosy trans-p-coumarate (6), n-hexacosyl trans-ferulate (7), stigmasterol (8), daucosterol (9). CONCLUSION: All these compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time, compounds 1 and 4 were isolated firstly from the genus.

[Study on chemical constituents from stem of Dendrobium aphyllum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the active constituents of Dendrobium aphyllum. METHOD: Various chromatographic techniques were used to isolate and purify the constituents, their physico-chemical properties and spectral data are determinated to elucidate the structure. RESULT: Eight compounds were isolated and identified as: 4'-methoxyl-tricin (1), tricin (2), 7, 3', 5'-tri-O-methyl-tricetin (3), syringic acid (4), ( + )-syring-aresinol (5), D-allitol (6), sucrose (7), icariside D2 (8). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-3, 6-8 were isolated from genus Dendrobium for the first time, additionally, the others were obtained firstly from the plant.

Alkaloid and sesquiterpenes from the root tuber of Curcuma longa.

One new quinoline alkaloid and seven known bisabolane sesquiterpenes: 2-(2'-methyl-1'-propenyl)-4, 6-dimethyl-7-hydroxyquinoline (1), 2, 5-dihydroxybisabola-3, 10-diene (2), 4, 5-dihydroxybisabola-2,10-diene (3), turmeronol A (4), bisacurone (5), bisacurone A (6), bisacurone B (7) , bisacurone C (8), as well as dehydrozingerone (9) and zingerone (10) were isolated from the root tuber of Curcuma longa. Their structures were identified by spectral evidence. Compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 6 -8 were isolated from this plant for the first time and compounds 9 - 10 from Curcuma for the first time.