Xinxuekang Regulates Reverse Cholesterol Transport by Improving High-density Lipoprotein Synthesis, Maturation, and Catabolism.

Di'ao Xinxuekang (XXK) is an herbal product in China and the Netherlands that has been clinically shown to attenuate atherosclerosis; however, the underlying antiatherosclerotic mechanism remains unclear. Because of its role in cholesterol homeostasis, reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is a potential target for these beneficial effects. This study investigated the effects of XXK on RCT and related proteins. After treating ApoE-deficient mice with XXK for 8 weeks, we observed an increase in the expression level of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and ATP-binding cassette transporter G1, which in turn stimulated cholesterol efflux and reduced aortic atherosclerotic lesion area. XXK also increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) synthesis by modulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ/liver X receptor α/ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 pathway and promoted HDL maturity by increasing serum lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. In addition, XXK improved the selective uptake of HDL-cholesteryl ester by increasing the expression of scavenger receptor class B type I. This is the first study to show that XXK confers a regulation of RCT, at least in part, by improving HDL synthesis, maturation, and catabolism.

Ligand fishing with functionalized magnetic nanoparticles coupled with mass spectrometry for herbal medicine analysis: ligand fishing for herbal medicine analysis.

The chemical composition of herbal medicines is very complex, and their therapeutic effects are determined by multi-components with sophisticated synergistic and/or suppressive actions. Therefore, quality control of herbal medicines has been a formidable challenge. In this work, we describe a fast analytical method that can be used for quality assessment of herbal medicines. The method is based on ligand fishing using human-serum-albumin-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (HSA-MNPs) and mass spectrometry. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, eight samples of Dioscorea panthaica were analyzed. The sampled plants were of both wild and cultivated origins. They grew at different geographical locations and were harvested at different times. The ligands bound to HSA-MNPs were isolated from the plant extracts and detected by using direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DI-ESI-MS). Chemical identity has been confirmed for five of the ligands isolated. From more than 15 peaks in the ESI-MS spectrum, 11 common peaks were selected for calculating the correlation coefficient and cosine ratio. The values of correlation coefficient and cosine ratio were >0.9824 and >0.9988, respectively, for all the samples tested. The results indicated a high level of similarity among the eight D. panthaica samples. Compared with chromatographic fingerprint analysis, the proposed HSA-MNP-based DI-ESI-MS/MS approach was not only fast and easy to carry out but also biological-activity-oriented, promising a more effective data interpretation and thus reliable assessment conclusions.

Gold-catalyzed three-component tandem process: an efficient and facile assembly of complex butenolides from alkynes, amines, and glyoxylic acid.

An efficient and facile gold-catalyzed three-component tandem process for the assembly of two types of highly functionalized butenolides has been developed. In this reaction system, more than four chemical bonds are formed by a single gold catalyst. The present tandem protocol includes a direct coupling of alkynes, amines, and glyoxylic acid and subsequent exclusively endo-selective cycloisomerization of alkynoic acids along with intermolecular electrophilic trapping; it utilizes three simple and commercially available starting materials to assemble architecturally complex and appealing butenolide scaffolds bearing other reactive sites for further manipulation.

Rapid probe and isolation of bioactive compounds from Dioscorea panthaica using human serum albumin functionalized magnetic nano-particles (HSA-MNPs)-based ligand fishing coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The chemical diversity of secondary metabolites in medicinal plant makes it a huge challenge to isolate the bioactive compounds from herbal extracts, so quick recognition of the bioactive ones is of vital importance for improving the efficiency of isolation. In this study, a ligand fishing experiment based on human serum albumin functionalized magnetic nano-particles (HSA-MNPs) was performed to probe the bioactive components in a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Dioscorea panthaica. The minor compounds fished out by HSA-MNPs were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and then separated from the extract of the whole plant by one or two steps of column chromatography under the guidance of ESI-MS. Four biologically active compounds, progenin II, progenin III, dioscin and gracillin, were isolated much faster than in the normal lengthy phytochemical procedure. The present study demonstrates that biological macromolecule (protein, enzyme, receptor, et al.) functionalized MNPs may serve as baits to recognize bioactive small molecules in complex herbal extracts. It is expected that a macromolecule functionalized MNPs-based ligand fishing experiment coupled with ESI-MS may accelerate the process of identification and isolation of bioactive components from medicinal plants, and thus benefit the speed of drug discovery.

Synthesis and biological activities of novel nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists based on benzimidazole derivatives bearing a heterocyclic ring.

A series of benzimidazole derivatives bearing a heterocyclic ring imidazole (1), 5-chloroimidazole (2), 1,2,4-triazol (3), and imidazoline (4) were synthesized and evaluated for angiotensin II antagonistic activities. The synthetic compounds 1-4 were biologically evaluated in vitro using an AT(1) receptor binding assay, where compounds 1 and 3 provided weak binding affinity, compound 2 showed moderate binding affinity, and compound 4 showed good binding affinity. Moreover, compound 4 was found to be almost equipotent with telmisartan in vivo biological evaluation study.

(3aS,7S,9aS,9bR)-3a,6,6,9a-Tetra-methyl-2-oxoperhydro-naphtho[2,1-b]furan-7-yl acetate.

THE TITLE COMPOUND (COMMON NAME: 3ß-acet-oxy-8-epi-sclareolide), C(18)H(28)O(4), is a sclareolide derivative, which was synthesized from 9(11)-en-3ß-acet-oxy-8-epi-sclareolide. In the mol-ecular structure, the two six-membered rings display chair conformations and the five-membered ring displays an envelope conformation. Weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure.

[Determination of citrinin in red kojic by HPCE].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an instant determination method of citrinin in red kojic by high performance capillary electrophorphores for the first time. METHOD: Red kojic was extracted with the mixtrue of Toluene and ethyl acetate (70:30). Separation was carried out in an uncoated fused silica capillary (50 microm x 45.0 cm). Meanwhile, a running voltage 15 kV, 20 mmol L(-1) borax buffer with 10.0 mmol L(-1) sodium deoxycholate (pH 9.3) and a UV detector at 212 nm were adopted. RESULT: Regression equation of citrinin was Y=9434 + 16781X (r =0.990), The lower limit of quantification (S/N > or =3) was 0.5 mg mL(-1). The assay coefficients of variation ranged from 98.8% to 101.1%. The intra and inter recovery ranged from 0.83 to 1.54% and from 1.86 to 5.09%. Twenty samples were determined with the method. CONCLUSION: The method is proved to be simple, rapid and accurate, and it can be used to determine citrinin in red kojic.

Chaetoindicins A-C, three isoquinoline alkaloids from the fungus Chaetomium indicum.

[structure: see text] Chaetoindicins A-C (1-3), three isoquinolines with novel skeletons, were isolated from the solid-state fermented culture of Chaetomiumindicum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed the structure of 2.

[Synthesis of phenyloxyisobutyric acid derivatives and their antidiabetic activity in vitro].

AIM: To design and synthesize new phenyloxyisobutyric acid analogues as antidiabetic compounds. METHODS: Eight new target compounds were synthesized by combination of lipophilic moieties and acidic moiety with nucleophilic replacement or Mitsunobu condensation. The eight compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and MS. RESULTS: In vitro insulin-sensitizing activity (3T3-L1 adipocyte) demonstrated, that the cultured glucose concentration of up-clear solution detected with GOD-POD assay were 5.942, 6.339, 6.226 and 6.512 mmol x L(-1), respectively, when rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, compounds A and B were added to the insulin-resistant system. CONCLUSION: In vitro insulin-sensitizing activity of target compound A is in between that of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, and activity of target compound B is slightly less than that of pioglitazone.

Cipadesins A-C: novel tetranortriterpenoids from Cipadessa cinerascens.

[structure: see text] Three novel tetranortriterpenoids, cipadesins A-C (1-3), were isolated from the aerial parts of Cipadessa cinerascens. They possess a novel carbon skeleton, in which rings A and C were joined via C-10 and C-11. Their structures were elucidated by spectral evidence. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed the structure of 1.

A novel alkaloid from Mitrephora maingayi.

A novel alkaloid, maingayinine, together with dicentrinone, dicentrinene, L-2-O-methyl-chiro-inositol, allantoin, glaucine, N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, terephthalic acid and ayanin, was isolated from the twigs of Mitrephora maingayi Hook (Annonaceae). Their structures were established predominantly by IR, MS and NMR spectral data.

A new sesquiterpene glucoside from Erigeron breviscapus.

A new sesquiterpene glucoside, engeside E, was isolated from the ethanol extracts of the whole plants of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis.

Two new alkaloids from Miliusa cuneata.

Two new isoquinoline alkaloids, 2,10-dimethoxy-3,11-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydroprotoberberine (1) and 1,9-dihydroxy-2,11 -dimethoxy-4,5-dihydro-7-oxoaporphine (2), together with thirteen known alkaloids, were isolated from the ethanolic extracts of the stem and leaves of Miliusa cuneata (Graib). Their structures were elucidated predominantly by spectral evidence.

A new anthraquinone from Gladiolus gandavensis.

A new anthraquinone, 1,6,7-trihydroxy-3-methoxyanthraquinone, along with three known compounds methyl trans-p-hydroxycinnamate, eugenin and 1,3,6-trihydroxy-8-methylanthraquinone, were isolated from the subterranean rhizomes of Gladiolus gandavensis Van Houtt. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data including 2D NMR techniques and chemical methods.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Pseudotsuga sinensis].

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of Pseudotsuga sinensis Dode (Pinaceae). METHODS: To separate the constituents of P. sinensis by using various kinds of chromatography and identify their structures on the basis of spectral analysis. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated from P. sinensis. Their structures were established as 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-methylflavanone (poriol, I), 3,5,7,3',4'- pentahydroxyflavonone (quercetin, II), 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxy-6- methylflavanone (III), 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone (IV), 3,5,7,3',5'-pentahydroxyflavanone (V) and 5-hydroxy-6-methylchromone-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (VI) based on the analysis of spectral data of IR, UV, MS, 1D and 2D-NMR. CONCLUSION: Compounds III and VI are new compounds. All of six compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[A zanhic acid based bisglycoside from Aster poliothamnus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the whole plant of Aster poliothamnus. METHOD: Separating the chemical constituents by means of chromatography and identifying ther structures on basis of chemical and spectral tecnology. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: A new triterpene saponin was isolated and identified.

Ligand fishing from Dioscorea nipponica extract using human serum albumin functionalized magnetic nanoparticles.

Dioscorea nipponica and the preparations made from it have been used for long to prevent and treat coronary heart disease in traditional Chinese medicine. A group of steroidal saponins present in the plant are believed to be the active ingredients. It has been a challenge to study the individual saponins separately due to the similarities in their chemical and physical properties. In this work, human serum albumin (HSA) functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used to isolate and identify saponin ligands that bind to HSA from D. nipponica extract. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used for compound identification and semi-quantification. Three saponins, i.e. dioscin, gracillin, and pseudo-protodioscin showed affinity to HSA-MNPs and thus isolated effectively from the extract. The other two saponins detected in the extract (i.e. protodioscin and 26-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-3ß,20α,26-triol-25(R)-Δ(5,22)-dienofurostan-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)]-ß-D-glucopyranoside) exhibited no affinity at all. Among the three saponins fished out, dioscin bound to HSA much stronger than gracillin and pseudo-protodioscin did. The results indicated that affinity interaction between HSA immobilized on MNPs and small molecule compounds were highly dependent on chemical structures and, potentially, medicinal usefulness. The present work demonstrates a facile and effective way to isolate and identify ligands of receptors from medicinal plants.

A new triterpene and an antiarrhythmic liriodendrin from Pittosporum brevicalyx.

A new triterpene, 21-O-senecioyl-R(1)-barrigenol (1) and 13 known compounds were isolated from the ethanol extracts of the leaves and bark of Pittosporum brevicalyx (Oliv.) Gagnep. Their structures were elucidated based on spectral data. The antiarrhythmic action of one furofuran lignan, liriodendrin (2), was tested on a model of CaCl(2)-induced arrhythmia and compared with the effect of verapamil. The prophylactic administration of liriodendrin (2) was effective in prolonging latency of arrhythmia and reducing the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation from 75% to 25%. The overall mortality rate was significantly reduced by the prophylactic administration of liriodendrin from 87.5% to 25%. The antiarrhythmic effect of liriodendrin (5.0 mg/kg) was similar to that of verapamil (1.05 mg/kg). Thus, liriodendrin may be a potent suppressor of CaCl(2)-induced arrhythmias.

Three new limonoids from Cipadessa cinerascens.

Three new limonoids, cipadesins D--F (1--3), together with 8,15-dihydroxy-13E-labdane, beta-sitosterol and beta-daucosterol, were isolated from the leaves and bark of Cipadessa cinerascens. Their structures were elucidated by spectral evidence. X-Ray crystallographic analysis confirmed the structure of 1.

Abietane lactones and iridoids from Goldfussia yunnanensis.

Two new abietane diterpene lactones (1--2), three new abietane diterpene lactone glycosides (3--5) and a new iridoid glycoside (6), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Goldfussia yunnanensis. The new compounds were determined to be 18-hydroxyhelioscopinolide A (1), 18-oxohelioscopinolide A (2), 18-hydroxy-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylhelioscopinolide A (3), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylhelioscopinolide A (4), 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosylhelioscopinolide A (5), and 6-O-trans-cinnamoyl E-harpagoside (6) on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidence.