Rapid Characterization and Identification of Flavonoids in Radix Astragali by Ultra-High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Linear Ion Trap-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.

A simple and effective method was established for separation and characterization of flavonoid constituents in Radix Astragali (RA) by combination of ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography with LTQ-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (u-HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS(n)). For three major structural types of flavonoids, the proposed fragmentation pathways and major diagnostic fragment ions of isoflavones, pterocarpans and isoflavans were investigated to trace isoflavonoid derivatives in crude plant extracts. Based on the systematic identification strategy, 48 constituents were rapidly detected and characterized or tentatively identified, many of which were first reported in RA. The u-PHLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS(n) platform was proved as an effective tool for rapid qualitative analysis of secondary metabolite productions from natural resources.

Phase I study on the pharmacokinetics and tolerance of ZT-1, a prodrug of huperzine A, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

AIM: Huperzine A isolated from the Chinese herb Huperzia serrata (Thunb) Trev is a novel reversible and selective AChE inhibitor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tolerance of single and multiple doses of ZT-1, a novel analogue of huperzine A, in healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS: This was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, single- and multiple-dose study. For the single-dose study, 9 subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving ZT-1 (0.5, 0.75 or 1 mg, po) according to a Three-way Latin Square Design. For the multiple-dose study, 9 subjects receiving ZT-1 (0.75 mg/d, po) for 8 consecutive days. In the tolerance study, 40 subjects were randomly divided into 5 groups receiving a single dose of ZT-1 (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 or 1.5 mg, po). Plasma and urine concentrations of ZT-1 and Hup A were determined using LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters, including Cmax, AUC0-72 h and AUC0-∞ were calculated. Tolerance assessments were conducted throughout the study. RESULTS: ZT-1 was rapidly absorbed and converted into huperzine A, thus the plasma and urine concentrations of ZT-1 were below the limit of quantification (<0.05 ng/mL). After single-dose administration of ZT-1, the mean tmax of huperzine A was 0.76-0.82 h; the AUC0-72 h and Cmax of huperzine A showed approximately dose-proportional increase over the dose range of 0.5-1 mg. After the multiple-dose administration of ZT-1, a steady-state level of huperzine A was achieved within 2 d. No serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: ZT-1 is a pro-drug that is rapidly absorbed and converted into huperzine A, and ZT-1 is well tolerated in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Arylnaphthalene lignan glycosides and other constituents from Phyllanthus reticulatus.

Two new arylnaphthalene lignan glycosides, named reticulatusides A (1) and B (2), together with eight known compounds were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the whole plant of Phyllanthus reticulatus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

[Analysis of saponins in Panax notoginseng by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS/MS].

A method for qualitative analysis of constituents in Panax notoginseng by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry was established. Based on the high-resolution mass information, MS/MS fragmentation behaviors and chemical components from literatures, 43 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized. New type saponin aglycone, combined with malonyl-substituted and acetyl-substituted saponins were discovered and plausibly identified in this study. This work could be helpful for the quality control and further phytochemical studies of Panax notoginseng, and provided a good example for the analysis of chemical constituents in traditional Chinese medicine.

[Study on chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate extract from Blumea aromatica].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate extract from Blumea aromatica. METHODS: Column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and purification. Spectroscopic techniques were used for the identification of structures. RESULTS: Seven compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of 80% alcohol extract of the whole plant, and their structures were identified as xanthoxylin(1), dibutyl phthalate(2), luteolin-3',4',7-trimethyl ether(3), rubiadin(4), eriodictyol(5), kaempherol(6), luteolin 7,3'-dimethyl ether(7). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time. Among them, compounds 2,4 and 7 are isolated from this genus for the first time.

Two new lignans from Celastrus flagellaris Rupr.

Two new lignans (R-biar)-12-angeloyloxy-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-1,2,3,13,14-pentamethoxy-7,8-dimethyl-7-dibenzo[a,c]cyclooctenol (1) and (R-biar)-12-benzoyloxy-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-1,2,3,13,14-pentamethoxy-7,8-dimethyl-7-dibenzo[a,c]cyclooctenol (2) were isolated from the stems of Celastrus flagellaris Rupr. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods including HR-EI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, HMQC, NOESY, and CD.

Neutral fragment filtering for rapid identification of new diester-diterpenoid alkaloids in roots of Aconitum carmichaeli by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry.

A rapid and effective method was developed for separation and identification of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids (DDA) in the roots of Aconitum carmichaeli by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution LTQ-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS(n)). According to accurate mass measurement and the characteristic neutral loss filtering strategy, a total of 42 diester-diterpenoid alkaloids (DDA) were rapidly detected and characterized or tentatively identified. Meanwhile, the proposed fragmentation pathways and the major diagnostic fragment ions of aconitine, mesaconitine and hypaconitine were investigated to trace DDA derivatives in crude plant extracts. 23 potential new compounds were successfully screened and characterized in Aconitum carmichaeli, including 16 short chain fatty acyls DDA, 4 N-dealkyl DDA and several isomers of aconitine, mesaconitine and hypaconitine.

Iridoid glycosides and glycosidic constituents from Eriophyton wallichii Benth.

C9-iridoid glycosides, wallichiisides A-C, and four dimers, wallichiisides D-G, together with 13 known glycosidic compounds, were isolated from whole plants of Eriophyton wallichii Benth. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature values. Four of these compounds showed moderate DPPH free radical scavenging activity.

Minor dammarane saponins from the hongshen extract of Shenmai injection.

A new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin, (20R)-ginsenoside ST(2) (1), along with five known saponins was isolated from the hongshen extract of Shenmai injection. The structure of 1 was elucidated to be (20R)-dammar-23(E)-ene-3ß,6α,12ß,20,25-pentol 6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside by means of spectroscopic methods.

Lycopodium alkaloids from Huperzia serrata.

A new lycopodane-type Lycopodium alkaloid, 6α-hydroxy-5,15-oxide-lycopodane (1), and seven known alkaloids were isolated from the whole plants of Huperzia serrata. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods. 12-Deoxyhuperzine O (2) was reported as a naturally occurring alkaloid for the first time, and showed an antagonist effect on the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor with an IC(50) value of 0.92 µM.

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Aglaia perviridis.

A new cinnamic acid-derived bisamide 1 and a new oplopanone-type sesquiterpenoid diglycoside 2, together with 11 known compounds, were isolated from the 95% ethanolic extract of the leaves of Aglaia perviridis. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods.

Two new N-oxide Lycopodium alkaloids from Huperzia serrata.

Two new Lycopodium alkaloids, N-oxidehuperzine E (1) and N-oxidehuperzine F (2), along with two known alkaloids, huperzines E (3) and F (4), were isolated from Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical transformations.

Two new isomeric alpha-tetralones from Pyrola calliantha.

Callianthones A ( 1) and B ( 2), a pair of new isomeric alpha-tetralones, together with a known alpha-tetralone ( 3) and four known flavonoids ( 4 - 7) were isolated from the 50 % EtOH extract of Pyrola calliantha. The structures and absolute configurations of the two new isomers were established to be (2 S,4 R) - and (2 S,4 S)-2,4-dihydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2 H)-one ( 1 and 2, respectively) on the basis of spectral analysis, including 2 D NMR, model studies, and CD spectra.

Vascular effects of different lipophilic components of "Danshen", a traditional Chinese medicine, in the isolated porcine coronary artery.

"Danshen" has been used for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases in the People's Republic of China for many years. Two different forms of "Danshen" exist, with the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza being the traditional form and the roots of Salvia przewalskii being a surrogate used in the western areas of mainland China. The most abundant lipophilic diterpene quinones present in S. miltiorrhiza and S. przewalskii roots, tanshinone IIA (1) and cryptotanshinone (2), inhibited contraction of the isolated porcine coronary artery to the thromboxane A(2) analogue, U46619. Przewaquinone A (3), a lipophilic diterpene quinone present only in S. przewalskii, induced a similar but greater inhibitory action on vascular contraction than 1 and 2. This effect of 3 was endothelium-independent and reversible. The present results suggest that 3 is more potent than 1 and 2 and may contribute to a great extent to the ability of S. przewalskii roots to inhibit vascular contractions.

[Effects of microbes on rooting and on several physiological and biochemical indexes of cuttings of Huperzia serrata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of soil microbes of habitats, endophytic fungi and root surface fungi of Huperzia serrata on rooting rate of the cuttings and on several physiological and biochemical indexes. METHOD: The cuttings of H. serrata were planted on soil I of primary habitat, the soil II had been inoculated endophytic fungi and root surface fungi, the soil III had been auto-claved, rooting rate was examined, and soluble protein and soluble sugar contents, activities of PPO and POD, flavonoids and huperzine A contents were determined. RESULT: Compared with the H. serrata that were planted on soil III, soil I and soil II were found to increase the rooting rate by 10% and 16%, soil II increased the soluble protein contents of stem of H. serrata (P < 0.05), Soil I increased the soluble sugar contents of leaves and stem of H. serrata (P < 0.05), soil I and Soil II increased the flavonoids contents of H. serrata (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Soil microbes from primary habitat, endophytic fungi and root surface fungi promote rooting, they also increase plant metabolism level of H. serrata.

Glycosidic constituents from Carpesium cernuum L.

Carpesides A (1) and B (2), two new 8-O-4'-neolignan glucosides, and eupatriol 9-O-beta-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (3), one new monoterpenoid diglycoside, together with 10 known glycosidic compounds, were isolated from the aerial part of Carpesium cernuum L. The structures of the new glycosides are elucidated by means of chemical methods and spectroscopic studies.

A novel compound isolated from the peels of Citrus changshan-huyou.

Five compounds, huyouyisu (1), vomifoliol (2), isoferulic acid (3), 1,2,3-trihydroxyphenol (4) and p-hydroxy-phenol (5), were isolated from the peels of Citrus changshan-huyou Y. B. Chang for the first time by utilizing repeated column chromatography on silica gel. Among them, huyouyisu (1) is a new compound. The structure was elucidated by using 1D and 2D spectra.

[Studies on phenylpropanoids from herbs of Eriophyton wallichii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Eriophyton wallichii. METHOD: Compounds were separated and purified by column chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. RESULT: Eight phenylpropanoids were isolated and identified as martynoside (1), leucosceptoside A (2), citrusin B (3), (+)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-4, 9-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), liriodendrin (5), velutinoside 11[ (6), jionoside B, (7), stachysoside D (8), respectively. CONCLUSION: The eight compounds were firstly isolated from E. wallichii.

Fibrarecisin, a novel triterpenoid from Fibraurea recisa with antitumor activity.

Fibrarecisin (1), a novel triterpenoid, was isolated from chloroform extract of the stem bark of Fibraurea recisa Pierre. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 exhibited significant antitumor activity in vitro against A-549 cancer cell at 10 microM by SRB and MTT methods.

Chemical constituents from the roots of Homonoia riparia.

A new compound and twelve known compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Homonoia riparia Lour, which are used in folk medicine for treatment of hepatitis, bellyache and scald, by the method of silica gel column chromatography repeatedly with a gradient of PE-EtOAc, PE-Me2CO, CHCl3-Me2CO, CHCl3-MeOH. Their structures were identified as a new compound 1-oxo-aleuritolic acid (1), and twelve known compounds aleuritolic acid (2), 3-acetoxy-aleuritolic acid (3), taraxerone (4), taraxerol (5), methyl 3-acetoxy-12-oleanen-28-oate (6), 3-acetoxy-12-oleanen-28-ol (7), ursolic acid (8), lupenol (9), 3beta-acetoxy-lupenol (10), cleomiscosin A (11), chrysophanol (12), and gallic acid (13), which were obtained from this plant for the first time, by the spectroscopic techniques of NMR, HMBC, IR and MS, separately. Among the cytotoxicities evaluation of compounds 1 -3 towards AGZY 83-a (human lung cancer cells) and SMMC-7721 (human liver cancer cells) tumor cells was assayed by MTT methods with cis-dichlorodiamminoplatinum (DDP) used as positive control. Compound 2 exerted weak activity against AGZY 83-a with the IC50 value of 33.055 microg x mL(-1), while 1 and 3 showed no activity to these two cell lines.