Structurally diverse biflavonoids from the fruits of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle and their hypolipidemic and immunosuppressive activities.

The fruit of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle is not only used as a traditional medicinal plant, but also served as a delicious food. Six new (3'→7″)-biflavonoids (1-6), and twelve known biflavonoid derivatives (7-18) were isolated and characterized from the fruits of C. medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle for the first time. Their structures were determined by extensive and comprehensive analyzing NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, and IR spectral data coupled with the data described in the literature. Compounds (1-18) were evaluated for their hypolipidemic activities with Orlistat as the positive control, and assayed for their immunosuppressive activities with Dexamethasone as the positive control, respectively. Among them, compounds (1-3) exhibited moderate inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity by inhibiting 68.56 ± 1.40%, 56.18 ± 1.57%, 53.51 ± 1.59% of pancreatic lipase activities at the concentration of 100 µM, respectively. Compounds (4-6) and 8 showed potent immunosuppressive activities with the IC50 values from 16.83 ± 1.32 to 50.90 ± 1.79 µM. The plausible biogenetic pathway and preliminary structure activity relationship of the selected compounds were scientifically summarized and discussed in this study.

Isolation and characterization of neolignan derivatives with hepatoprotective and neuroprotective activities from the fruits of Citrus medica L. var. Sarcodactylis Swingle.

The fruit of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle is a functional food with rich nutrients and medicinal values because of its content of bioactive compounds. A bioactivity-guided chemical investigation from the fruits of C. medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle afforded three new benzodioxane neolignans (1-3), three new phenanthrofuran neolignan glycosides (4-6), two new biphenyl-ketone neolignans (7-8), two new 1',7'-bilignan neolignans (9-10), as well as fourteen known neolignan derivatives (11-24), which were isolated and characterized from the fruits of C. medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle for the first time. These neolignan derivatives were determined by extensive and comprehensive analyzing NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR spectral data and compared with the data described in the literature. Among them, compounds 1-3 and 12-13 exhibited moderate hepatoprotective activities to improve the survival rates of HepG2 cells from 46.26 ± 1.90% (APAP, 10 mM) to 67.23 ± 4.25%, 62.87 ± 4.43%, 60.06 ± 6.34%, 56.75 ± 2.30%, 58.35 ± 6.14%, respectively. Additionally, compounds 7-8 and 21-22 displayed moderate neuroprotective activities to raise the survival rates of PC12 cells from 55.30 ± 2.25% to 66.94 ± 3.37%, 70.98 ± 5.05%, 64.64 ± 1.93%, and 62.81 ± 4.11% at 10 µM, respectively. The plausible biogenetic pathway and preliminary structure-activity relationship of the selected compounds were scientifically summarized and discussed in this paper.

[Studies on phenylpropanoids from Eleocharis dulcis and their hepatoprotective activities].

To study phenylpropanoids from Eleocharis dulcis and their hepatoprotective activities. The compounds were separated and purified from ethyl acetate part by conventional column chromatography and preparative liquid chromatography, and their structures were identified by various spectral techniques. The HL-7702 cells damage model of hepatocytes induced by APAP was used to screen and evaluate the hepatoprotective activities of these compounds. Sixteen compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate part of E. dulcis, and their structures were identified as 6'-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxy-phenylpropenyl)-1-(10-methoxy-phenylacetone)-1'-O-ß-D-glucopy-ranoside(1), susaroyside A(2), clausenaglycoside B(3), clausenaglycoside C(4), clausenaglycoside D(5), emarginone A(6), emarginone B(7), thoreliin B(8), 4-O-(1',3'-dihydroxypropan-2'-yl)-dihydroconiferyl alcohol 9-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(9), 2-[4-(3-methoxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]-propane-1,3-diol(10), 6'-O-(E-cinnamoyl)-coniferin(11), methyl 3-(2-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-3,4,5,6-tetramethoxyphenyl) propanoate(12), clausenaglycoside A(13), 9-O-(E-cinnamoyl)-coniferin(14), 6'-O-(E-cinnamoyl)-syringin(15), 2'-O-(E-cinnamoyl)-syringin(16). Among them, compound 1 was a new compound. Compounds 2-16 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Among them, compounds 2 and 8 showed certain hepatoprotective activities.

Biphenyl Derivatives from the Aerial Parts of Oenanthe javanica and Their COX-2 Inhibitory Activities.

Four new biphenyl derivatives (1-4), along with six known biphenyl derivatives (5-10) were isolated and elucidated by their detailed analyses of spectroscopic data and references from the aerial parts of Oenanthe javanica for the first time. Compounds (1-10) were assayed for their activities about the inhibition of COX-2 enzyme in vitro for the first time. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 showed inhibitory activities against COX-2 with IC50 values ranging from 22.18±0.29 to 108.54±0.42 µm.

Cp*CoIII-Catalyzed Synthesis of Pyrido[2',1':2,3]pyrimido[1,6-a]indol-5-iums via Tandem C-H Activation and Subsequent Annulation from 1-(Pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indoles and Internal Alkynes.

A Cp*CoIII-catalyzed C2-selective C-H alkenylation/annulation cascade transformation of 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indoles with internal alkynes to afford pyrido[2',1':2,3]pyrimido[1,6-a]indol-5-iums is presented. Moreover, 6,7-dihydro-4H-pyrido[2',1':2,3]pyrimido[1,6-a]indole, a new functionalized N-fused indole core heterocycle, could be constructed effectively via reduction of pyrido[2',1':2,3]pyrimido[1,6-a]indol-5-ium by NaBH4.

Alkenes with antioxidative activities from Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.

Four new alkenes (1-4), and six known alkenes (5-12) were isolated from Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and references. Compounds (1-12) were evaluated for antioxidative activities. Among them, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 7 exhibited significant antioxidative activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay with IC50=21.4-49.5 µM. The known compounds (5-12) were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Cytotoxic phenylpropanoid glycosides from Cirsium japonicum.

Three new phenylpropanoid glycosides 1-3, along with nine known phenylpropanoid glycosides 4-12, were isolated from the aerial parts of Cirsium japonicum. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11 showed moderate cytotoxicities against MCF-7, U87, HCT116, and A549 cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 1.35-11.32 µM. The known compounds 4-12 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on flavonoids from Cirsium setosum].

To investigate the chemical constituents of ethyl acetate from Cirsium setosum, fifteen flavonoids were obtained by column chromatography on silica gel, MCI, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified as 4',5,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone(1), 4',5-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone(2), sorbifolin-6-O-ß-glucopyranoside(3), kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside(4), kaempferol(5), quercetin-3-O-ß-D-glucosyl-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside(6), myricetin(7), myricetin-3-O-ß-D-glucoside(8), 5,7- dihydroxy -3',4'- dimethoxyflavone(9), 3',4',5- trihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone(10), 3',3,4',5-tetrahydroxy-7-methoxyflavone(11), 3'-hydroxy-4',5,7-trimethoxyflavone(12), 7-hydroxy-3',4',5-trimethoxyflavone(13), 4',5-dihydroxy-2',3',7,8-tetramethoxylflavone(14), and 5-hydroxy-2',3',7,8-tetramethoxylflavone(15) by spectroscopic data analysis. All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds(1-15) were evaluated for their hypoglycemic activities by PTP1B enzyme model. Among them, compounds 2, 12, and 14 showed significant PTP1B inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 2.54, 1.85, 2.11 µmol•L⁻¹, respectively.

A Review of Traditional Use, Constituent Analysis, Bioactivity, and Application of Volatile Oils from Elsholtzia.

BACKGROUND: Elsholtzia belongs to the Labiatae family, which consists of herbaceous subshrubs and shrubs. Among them, volatile oils are an important chemical component in Elsholtzia, which have various bioactive medicinal and developmental values. METHODS: The references about volatile oils of Elsholtzia in this review were obtained from Web of Science, SciFinder, PubMed, Willy, Elsevier, SpringLink, ACS publications, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Scopus, and CNKI. The other information about Elsholtzia was obtained from classical works or ancient books. RESULTS: Traditionally, the volatile oils from Elsholtzia were used in Chinese medicine to treat cholera, abdominal pain, vomiting, and scattered edema. Relevant research revealed that Elsholtzia contains many different types of volatile oils, and most of them display bioactivities, including anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, hypolipidemic, insecticidal, and antiinflammatory activities, treating spleen and stomach. Furthermore, the applications of volatile oils were summarized and analyzed in this paper. CONCLUSION: The contents of traditional use, constituent analysis, bioactivity, and application of volatile oils from Elsholtzia were reviewed in this paper. This will provide important research value and a scientific basis for the in-depth study of the plants of Elsholtzia in the future.

Phyllanthus emblica Linn: A comprehensive review of botany, traditional uses, phytonutrients, health benefits, quality markers, and applications.

Phyllanthus emblica Linn is not only an edible fruit with high nutritional value, but also a medicinal plant with multiple bioactivities. It is widely used in clinical practice with functions of clearing heat, cooling blood, digesting food, strengthening stomach, promoting fluid production, and relieving cough. This review summarized a wide variety of phytonutrients, including nutritional components (mineral elements, amino acids, vitamins, polysaccharides, unsaturated free fatty acids) and functional components (phenolic acids (1-34), tannins (35-98), flavonoids (99-141), sterols (142-159), triterpenoids (160-175), lignans (176-183), alkaloids (184-197), alkanes (198-212), aromatic micromolecules (213-222), other compounds (223-239)). The isolated compounds and the various extracts of P. emblica Linn presented a diverse spectrum of biological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, anti-atherosclerosis, neuroprotective, enhancing immunity, anti-fatigue, anti-myocardial fibrosis. The quality markers of P. emblica Linn were predicted and analyzed based on traditional medicinal properties, traditional efficacy, plant genealogy and chemical component characteristics, biogenic pathway of chemical components, measurability of chemical components, transformation characteristics of polyphenolic components, homologous characteristics of medicine and food, compound compatibility environment, and clinical applications. This review also summarized and prospected applications of P. emblica Linn in beverages, preserved fruits, fermented foods, etc. However, the contents of mechanism, structure-activity relationship, quality control, toxicity, extraction, processing of P. emblica Linn are not clear, and are worth further studies in the future.

Hepatoprotective prenylaromadendrane-type diterpenes from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii.

Chemical examination of the exuded gum resin of Boswellia carterii resulted in the isolation of nine new prenylaromadendrane-type diterpenes, boscartols A-I (1-9). The structures of these compounds were established by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, mass spectrometric data, and circular dichroism spectra. Compounds 1-3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 (10 µM) showed moderate hepatoprotective activity against d-galactosamine-induced HL-7702 cell damage.

Hepatoprotective phenolic glycosides from Gymnema tingens.

Six new phenolic diglycosides, named gymnetinosides A-F (1-6), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Gymnema tingens, together with three known diglycosides, sequinoside K (7), khaephuoside B (8), and albibrissinoside A (9). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic techniques including 1D-, 2D NMR, mass spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. Compounds 1, 5, and 6 showed hepatoprotective activities against D-galactosamine-induced HL-7702 cell damage.

Vicatia thibetica de Boiss: Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Quantitative Analysis, and Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Vicatia thibetica de Boiss is a common Tibetan medicine used for both medicine and food, belonging to the family Apiaceae. This plant has the functions of dispelling wind, removing dampness, dispersing cold, and relieving pain. It has great development potential and application prospects in food development and medicinal value. METHODS: The related references on botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, quantitative analysis, and pharmacology of V. thibetica de Boiss had been retrieved from both online and offline databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Elsevier, Willy, SpringLink, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, ACS publications, SciHub, Scopus, and CNKI. RESULTS: V. thibetica de Boiss exerts nourishing, appetizing, and digestive effects according to the theory of Tibetan medicine. Phytochemical reports have revealed that V. thibetica de Boiss contains flavonoids, coumarins, sterols, and organic acids. Meanwhile, the quantitative analysis of the chemical constituents of V. thibetica de Boiss has been done by means of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. It has also been found that V. thibetica de Boiss possesses multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-fatigue, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and non-toxic activities. CONCLUSION: This paper has comprehensively summarized botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, quantitative analysis, and pharmacology of V. thibetica de Boiss. It will not only provide an important clue for further studying V. thibetica de Boiss, but also offer an important theoretical basis and valuable reference for in-depth research and exploitation of this plant in the future.

Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Pyrethrum tatsienense (Bureau & Franch.) Ling ex C. Shih: A Comprehensive Review.

BACKGROUND: Pyrethrum tatsienense (Bureau & Franch.) Ling ex C. Shih (PTLCS) belongs to the family Compositae, which is a perennial medicinal plant mainly distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of PTLCS. This review offers valuable references and guidance for researching PTLCS in depth. METHODS: The related references of PTLCS were retrieved from an online database, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, SciFinder, PubMed, SpringLink, Elsevier, Willy, CNKI, and so on. RESULTS: PTLCS is widely reported for treating headaches, head injuries, traumatic injuries, anabrosis, impetigo, hepatitis, and other diseases in the medical field. Phytochemical research revealed that this plant contained flavonoid aglycones, flavonoid glycosides, xanthones, triterpenoids, coumarins, polyacetylenes, volatile oils, and other compounds. Meanwhile, PTLCS exhibited extensive pharmacological activities including anti-cardiac ischemia, anti-hypoxia, hepatoprotective, anti- inflammatory and analgesic, and antioxidant activities. CONCLUSIONS: PTLCS is widely used as a Tibetan medicine, which has a variety of chemicals with diverse bioactivities. Therefore, further studies are necessary to perform on the PTLCS to assay biological activities, discover their bioactive constituents, and reveal pharmacological mechanisms. This review may supply an important theoretical basis and valuable reference for in-depth research and exploitations of PTLCS.

Hippophae rhamnoides L.: A Comprehensive Review on the Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytonutrients, Health Benefits, Quality Markers, and Applications.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn), consumed as a food and health supplement worldwide, has rich nutritional and medicinal properties. Different parts of H. rhamnoides L. were used in traditional Chinese medicines for relieving cough, aiding digestion, invigorating blood circulation, and alleviating pain since ancient times. Phytochemical studies revealed a wide variety of phytonutrients, including nutritional components (proteins, minerals, vitamins, etc.) and functional components like flavonoids (1-99), lignans (100-143), volatile oils (144-207), tannins (208-230), terpenoids (231-260), steroids (261-270), organic acids (271-297), and alkaloids (298-305). The pharmacological studies revealed that some crude extracts or compounds of H. rhamnoides L. demonstrated various health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticardiovascular disease, anticancer, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, antibacterial activities, and their effective doses and experimental models were summarized and analyzed in this paper. The quality markers (Q-markers) of H. rhamnoides L. were predicted and analyzed based on protobotanical phylogeny, traditional medicinal properties, expanded efficacy, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and component testability. The applications of H. rhamnoides L. in juice, wine, oil, ferment, and yogurt were also summarized and future prospects were examined in this review. However, the mechanism and structure-activity relationship of some active compounds are not clear, and quality control and potential toxicity are worth further study in the future.

Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Highland Barley Monascus purpureus Went: A Comprehensive Review.

BACKGROUND: Highland barley Monascus purpureus Went, a traditional Tibetan medicine with food functions, which is fermented by Monascus purpureus with highland barley as substrate. It possesses various medical functions of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, invigorating spleen and promoting digestion in folk of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of highland barley Monascus purpureus Went. METHODS: The references of highland barley Monascus purpureus Went were retrieved from the online database, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, SciFinder, PubMed, SpringLink, Elsevier, Willy, CNKI, and so on. RESULTS: Phytochemical research revealed that highland barley Monascus purpureus Went contained multiple chemical components, including Monascus pigments, monacolins, lactones, and other compounds. The reported pharmacological activities of highland barley Monascus purpureus Went included hypolipidemic, anti-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatoprotective activities. CONCLUSION: In a word, botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of highland barley Monascus purpureus Went were reviewed comprehensively in this paper. In the future, highland barley Monascus purpureus Went needs further study, such as paying more attention to quality control and utilization of medicine. Therefore, this review may provide a theoretical basis and valuable data for future studies and exploitations on highland barley Monascus purpureus Went.

The sources, properties, extraction, biosynthesis, pharmacology, and application of lycopene.

Lycopene is an important pigment with an alkene skeleton from Lycopersicon esculentum, which is also obtained from some red fruits and vegetables. Lycopene is used in the food field with rich functions and serves in the medical field with multiple clinical values because it has dual functions of both medicine and food. It was found that lycopene was mainly isolated by solvent extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, high-intensity pulsed electric field-assisted extraction, enzymatic-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction. Meanwhile, it was also obtained via 2 synthetic pathways: chemical synthesis and biosynthesis. Pharmacological studies revealed that lycopene has anti-oxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-cancer, immunity-enhancing, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, cardiovascular-protective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and osteoporosis-inhibiting effects. The application of lycopene mainly includes food processing, animal breeding, and medical cosmetology fields. It is hoped that this review will provide some useful information and guidance for future study and exploitation of lycopene.

Antidepressant alkaloids from the rhizomes of Corydalis decumbens.

Two new alkaloids (1 and 2), named 1,7-dimethoxy-2'-prenyl-1',9-dihydropyrrolo-carbazole (1) and 1,7-dimethoxy-4',5'-dimethylcyclopenta-carbazole-1',3'-dione (2), along with thirteen known alkaloids (3-15) were isolated by means of silica gel, sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC from the CHCl3 extraction of Corydalis decumbens for the first time. Their structures were determined by NMR, MS, IR, UV, and related references. Compounds (1-15) were evaluated for their antidepressant activities by measuring inhibition of monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake in vitro. Among them, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 showed certain antidepressant activities.

Structurally diverse Monascus pigments with hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities from highland barley Monascus.

Highland barley Monascus has historically been used in solid state fermentation and traditional fermented foods in Tibet. It is possessed of the characteristics of medicine and food. Three new 8,13-unsaturated benzocyclodiketone-conjugated Monascus pigments (1-3), three new benzofuran Monascus pigments (4-6), three new butylated malonyl Monascus pigments (7-9), and eleven known Monascus pigment derivatives (10-20) were isolated from highland barley Monascus for the first time. Their structures were determined by analyzing NMR, MS, UV, and IR spectral data and compared with relevant references. Among them, compounds 2, 4, 6 showed important inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity, and decreased significantly FFA-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 liver cells. Additionally, compounds 1, 10, 14, 16, 18 exhibited certain hepatoprotective activities against the damage in acetaminophen-induced HepG2 cells. The plausible biogenetic pathway and preliminary structure activity relationship of the selected compounds were scientifically summarized and discussed in this work.

Establishment and metabonomics analysis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model in golden hamster.

The aim is to establish a model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) caused by feeding with high-fat, high-fructose, and high-cholesterol diet (HFFCD) in golden hamsters, and to investigate the characteristics of the NAFLD model and metabolite changes of liver tissue. Golden hamsters were fed HFFCD or control diets for six weeks. Body weight, abdominal fat index, and liver index was assessed, serum parameters, hepatic histology, and liver metabolites were examined. The results showed that body weight, abdominal fat, and liver index of hamsters were significantly increased in the model group, the level of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly increased in model group as well, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased. In addition, lipid deposition in liver tissue formed fat vacuoles of different sizes. Metabonomics analysis of the liver showed that the metabolic pathways of sphingolipid, glycerophospholipids, and arginine biosynthesis were disordered in the NAFLD model. The modeling method is simple, short time, and uniform. It can simulate the early fatty liver caused by common dietary factors, and provides an ideal model for the study of the initial pathogenesis and therapeutic drugs for NAFLD.