[Bibenzyls from Dendrobium officinale].

Fifteen bibenzyls were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate extract of the stems of Dendrobium officinale by macroporous resin, MCI, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS column chromatographies, as well as preparative thin-layer chromatography and preparative HPLC. The structures of compounds were identified according to the spectra data of ~1H-NMR, ~(13)C-NMR, and MS, and the physical and physiochemical properties: dendrocandin X(1), 3,4'-dihydroxy-4,5-dimethoxybibenzyl(2), 6″-de-O-methyldendrofindlaphenol A(3), 3,4-dihydroxy-4',5-dimethoxybibenzyl(4), dendrosinen B(5), 3,4,4'-trihydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl(6), 3,3'-dihydroxy-4,5-dimethoxybibenzyl(7), 3,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl(8), moscatilin(9), gigantol(10), 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybibenzyl(11), 3,4',5-trihydroxy-3'-methoxybibenzyl(12), 3-O-methylgigantol(13), dendrocandin U(14), and dendrocandin N(15). Compound 1 was a novel compound. Compound 2 was isolated from Dendrobium species for the first time. Compounds 3-7 were isolated from D. officinale for the first time.

Contrasting results of tests of peripheral vestibular function in patients with bilateral large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and summarize the effect of bilateral large vestibular aqueducts in peripheral vestibular organ function. METHODS: Eighteen patients with bilateral large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS; Study Group) and 18 healthy volunteers (Control Group) were investigated using audiometry, caloric test, sensory organization test (SOT), and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) tests. RESULTS: All 18 patients (36 ears) exhibited sensorineural hearing loss. For cervical VEMP (cVEMP), the Study Group showed lower thresholds (Study Group vs. CONTROL GROUP: 71.4vs. 75.3dBnHL; p=0.006), N1 latencies (24.1vs. 25.2ms; p=0.026) and shorter P1 (15.3vs. 16.6ms; p=0.003), and higher amplitudes (400.7vs. 247.2µV; p<0.001) than the Control Group. For ocular VEMP (oVEMP), the Study Group had lower thresholds (79.3vs. 81.8dBnHL; p=0.046) and higher amplitudes (40.6vs. 14.4µV; p<0.001) than the Control Group. Fourteen of 16 patients (87.5%) who completed caloric tests had abnormal results, and 10 of 18 patients (55.6%) exhibited abnormal results in SOTs. CONCLUSIONS: The hyperfunction of vestibular test in otolithic organs and the hypofunction of vestibular test in semicircular canals, as well as the dysfunction in the balance test were demonstrated in patients with LVAS. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings can help clinicians gain a better understanding of the characteristics of vestibular organ function in patients with LVAS, which can facilitate optimal targeted treatment.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa].

OBJECTIVE: To study the main chemical constituents of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener. METHODS: Six compounds were separated from the stem of the title plant and their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis and chemical evidence. RESULTS: These compounds were identified as luteolin 6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), luteolin 6-C-beta-D-chinovoside (2), luteolin 6-C-beta-L-fucoside (3), apigenin 8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), apigenin-6-C-beta-D-glucopyrano-4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), 5,8-epidioxyergosta-6, 22-dien-3ol (6). CONCLUSION: Compound 5 is obtained from the genus of Passiflora for the first time, Compounds 1, 5, 6 are isolated from the plant for the first time.

[Update review of Passiflora].

Passiflora was a nourishing and healthy fruit grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Passiflora has been widely used to alleviate various diseases in the folk in tropical nations, especially as a treatment for insomnia and anxiety in Europe. The title plant had been used as antalgesic and downer from the beginning of the 20th century up to now. The demands of Passiflora and its extract have been increasing. Therefore, comprehensive utilization of this plant is necessary. This paper reviewed the progress in the study on the chemical composition, nutrient value, and pharmacological effect of the genus of Passiflora.