Noralashinols D-F, New Norlignans from Syringa pinnatifolia and its Anti-inflammation in BV2 Cells.

Four new norlignans, noralashinols D-F (1a/b-3), and two known analogues (4 and 5) were isolated from the peeled stems of Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl. The structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, such as IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD. All compounds were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activities against NO production induced by LPS in BV2 microglia cells. Compounds 1b and 2 exhibited moderate activities with IC50 values of 32.39 ± 9.1 and 47.83 ± 10.44 µM, respectively, compared with positive control indomethacin (IC50 = 21.62 µM). It is worth to note that 1, 3, and 4 have a distinctive woody fragrance.

Alashanines A-C, Three Quinone-Terpenoid Alkaloids from Syringa pinnatifolia with Cytotoxic Potential by Activation of ERK.

Three quinone-terpenoid alkaloids, alashanines A-C (1-3), possessing an unprecedented 6/6/6 tricyclic conjugated backbone and quinone-quinoline-fused characteristic, were isolated from the peeled stems of Syringa pinnatifolia. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of extensive spectroscopic data and quantum chemical calculations. A hypothesis of biosynthesis pathways for 1-3 was proposed on the basis of the potential precursor iridoid and benzoquinone. Compound 1 exhibited antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis and cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines. The results of the cytotoxic mechanism revealed that compound 1 induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells through activation of ERK.

The Ethanol Extract of Syringa oblata Heartwood, a Mongolian Folk Medicine Containing Major Lignans, Exerts Analgesic and Sedative Effects on Mice.

The heartwood of Syringa oblata Lindl. (SO) is one of Mongolian folk medicines to treat insomnia and pain, while its pharmacological evaluation and underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, the sedative effect of ethanol extract of SO (ESO) was evaluated with the locomotor activity test and the threshold dose of pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep test in mice, and the hot plate test, acetic acid-induced writhing test, and formalin test in mice were used to evaluate its analgesic effect. The underlying mechanism of ESO analgesia was explored by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, which is associated with the regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Besides, the main constituents of ESO were characterized by LC/MS data analysis and comparison with isolated pure compounds. The current findings brought evidence for clinical application and further pharmacological and phytochemical studies on SO.

Zerumbone, a major sesquiterpene from Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl., exerts the sedative effect by regulating GABAergic nervous system.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Zerumbone (ZER) is a humulane sesquiterpenoid isolated from Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl. (SP), its content accounts for 64.7% of volatile oil and 0.86% of total ethanol extract (TEE), representing one of characteristic ingredient of SP. As a representative Mongolian medicine with anti-"Khii", anti-asthma, and clearing-heat effects, SP has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, upset, insomnia, and other symptoms. AIM OF STUDY: Previous results showed that TEE has sedative effect, but the pharmacological substances and its sedative mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether ZER, as one of major and characteristic sesquiterpenoids of SP, contributes to the sedative effect of SP and its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Locomotor activity and threshold dose of pentobarbital sodium sleep experiments were used to evaluate the sedative effects in mice. ELISA assay was used to examine the level of GABA/Glu ratio in rats hippocampus, cortex and hypothalamus tissue. The binding ability of ZER with glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) and Gephyrin protein were predicted by molecular docking. Western blot and Immunohistochemistry assay were used to determine the expression of GABAergic nerve system related proteins (GAD67, Gephyrin) in rat's hypothalamus. ZER was co-administrated with flumazenil and bicuculline (GABAA antagonist) to determine whether it acts on GABAA receptor. Furthermore, MQAE assay was used to test the effect of ZER on the chloride ion concentration in cerebellar granule cells. RESULTS: Current data demonstrated that ZER dose-dependently (5-20 mg/kg) reduces the locomotor activity and sleep latency of mice, and extend sleeping time of mice. The results of ELISA showed that ZER increases the level of GABA/Glu in rats brain tissue, in particular in hypothalamus. Molecular docking results revealed that ZER has a strong affinity to GAD67 and Gephyrin protein. The Western blot and Immunohistochemistry data indicated that ZER up-regulates the expression of GAD67 and Gephyrin protein in rat's hypothalamus. Antagonism test results demonstrated that flumazenil and bicuculline reverse the effect of ZER on threshold dose of pentobarbital sodium sleep experiments. In addition, ZER also could dose-dependently (5-20 µM) increase the chloride ion concentration in cerebellar granule cell, suggesting that ZER induces the opening of chloride channel, exerts central inhibitory effect. CONCLUSION: ZER has a significant sedative effect in mice and rat, and the effect is associated with GABAergic nervous system. The present results suggest that ZER, as one of the major bioactive ingredients of SP, contributes to the sedative effect and provide substantial evidence for its traditional use of anti-"Khii" in clinic of Syringa pinnatifolia.

Diverse lignans with protective effect against hypoxia/oxidative injuries to H9c2 cells from Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl.

A bioactivity-guided fractionation on the phenolic fractions from the peeled stems of Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl., one of representative Mongolian folk medicine in China, led to the isolation and structural determination of 11 undescribed lignans and 12 known ones. These lignans cover diverse types, among them syringanones A and B represent an unprecedented carbon skeleton (proposed syringanane) and alashanenol A possesses a rare bicyclo [3.3.1]nonadienemethanol core. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic data analysis, X-ray diffraction, and quantum chemical calculations. All isolates were evaluated for their cardioprotective activities on H9c2 cardiomyocytes in vitro. The results showed that five lignans exhibited the protective effects against hypoxia-induced injury at the concentrations of 1.2-40 µM and six lignans exhibited anti-oxidative stress injury at 10-40 µM. These findings account to some extend for the traditional therapeutic effects of S. pinnatifolia for the treatment of ischemic heart diseases in clinic.

Zerumbone, a humulane sesquiterpene from Syringa pinnatifolia, attenuates cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway after myocardial infarction in mice.

BACKGROUND: Zerumbone (ZER) is a humulane sesquiterpene isolated from Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl., a representative Mongolian herbal medicine that is used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathological process in cardiovascular disease that results from the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß/Smad pathway is a canonical signaling pathway that directly induces expressions of ECM-related genes. Currently, the cardioprotective effect and underlying mechanisms of ZER on the inhibition of cardiac fibrosis are not well known. PURPOSE: To explore the cardioprotective properties and pharmacological mechanism of ZER against cardiac fibrosis via the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway. METHODS: Myocardial infarction (MI) model was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in ICR mice. The mice were randomly divided into six groups: sham, model, low-dose ZER (ZER-L), medium-dose ZER (ZER-M), high-dose ZER (ZER-H) and fosinopril. Mice in each group were intragastrically administered treatments for 21 days, and cardiac function was evaluated by 2D echocardiography. The pathological structure of the heart was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Content of collagen I and collagen III were assessed by immunofluorescence methods. The inhibitory effect of ZER on TGF-ß1 protein expression was predicted by molecular docking technology. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to measure the levels of genes and proteins expressed in the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway and MMPs. TGF-ß1-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) of neonatal SD rats were adopted for in vitro studies. RESULTS: Cardiac ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) in the model group were markedly decreased compared with those in the sham group, indicating that the MI model was successfully established. ZER and fosinopril elevated EF and FS values, suggesting cardioprotective effects. Pathological staining and immunofluorescence analysis showed that the content of collagen I and collagen III increased in the cardiac tissue of mice in model group, while ZER treatment obviously reduced collagen levels. The molecular docking simulations predicted the hydrophobic interactions between ZER and TGF-ß1. In addition, the expression of TGF-ß1, p-Smad2/3 and MMPs in the ZER treatment group was significantly decreased compared with the model group. In vitro studies further confirmed that α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and p-Smad2/3 increased markedly in cardiac fibroblasts after incubation with TGF-ß1, and treatment with ZER suppressed the expression of α-SMA and TGF-ß1 downstream proteins in cardiac fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: ZER rescues cardiac function by attenuating cardiac fibrosis, and the antifibrotic effect may be mediated by blocking the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway.

Meconopsis horridula Hook. f. & Thomson extract and its alkaloid oleracein E exert cardioprotective effects against acute myocardial ischaemic injury in mice.

Meconopsis horridula Hook. f. & Thomson (MH) is a traditional Tibetan medicine used to promote blood circulation, remove bruises, remove stasis and relieve chest pain which benefit to cardiovascular diseases. Oleracein E (OE), a major tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, can be isolated from MH ethanol extract. The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of OE have been reported by previous pharmacological research. The objective of this article was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of MH extract and OE in an ICR mouse of acute myocardial ischaemic injury. A left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation mouse model of AMI was established. In vivo, cardiac function after MH and OE treatment was determined through measurement of EF, FS, LVEDd, and LVEDs by echocardiography. The levels of SOD, MDA, CK-MB and LDH in serum were also detected. A TUNEL assay was used to verify apoptosis. Changes in collagen deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration in ischemic myocardial tissue were observed by histopathological examination. In vitro, H9c2 cells were pre-treated with OE for 6 h, and then cultured in serum-free medium with H2O2 for 2 h. CCK8 assay measured cell viability, and flow cytometry determined apoptosis levels and ROS content. The mechanism was explored by western blotting. These results showed that MH and OE significantly affected acute myocardial ischaemia by improving cardiac function and that OE downregulated the expression of related proteins in the MAPK signalling pathway. These findings provide substantial evidence of MH may applicate in clinic, and indicate that such medicines have potential value for the treatment of ischaemia-induced heart disease.

Chemical and pharmacological progress on a Tibetan folk medicine formula Bawei Chenxiang Powder / 中国中药杂志

Bawei Chenxiang Powder is a traditional Tibetan folk medicine formula, consisting of resinous wood of Aquilaria sinensis, kernel of Myristica fragrans, fruit of Choerospondias axillaris, travertine, resin of Boswellia carterii or B. bhaw-dajiana, stem of Aucklandia lappa, fruit of Terminalia chebula(roasted), and flower of Gossampinus malabarica. It has the function of clearing heart heat, nourishing heart, tranquilizing mind, and inducing resuscitation, which has been used for the treatment of coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Modern research shows that the medicine materials of this formula mainly contain terpenoids like sesquiterpenes and triterpenes and polyphenols like flavonoids, lignans, and tannins, displaying some pharmacological activities such as anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia, and spatial learning and memory promotion. This review summaries the traditional uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities research progress, hopefully to provide a reference for clarification of its pharmacological active ingredients.

[Analgesic and sedative effects of Mongolian medicine Syringa pinnatifolia].

The peeled root,stem or twig of Syringa pinnatifolia is a representative Mongolian folk medicine with the effects of antidepression and pain relief. It has been used for the treatments of heart tingling,heart palpitations,upset,insomnia and other symptoms. Inspired by Mongolian medical theory and clinical practices,this study evaluated the analgesic effect of S. pinnatifolia ethanol extract( T) through three analgesic models including acetic acid writhing test,formalin test,and hot plate test,and the sedative effect of T was evaluated by locomotor activity and synergistic sleeping experiments,and furthermore the effects of T on the GABAergic nervous system were investigated by ELISA,immunohistochemistry,Western blot,and PCR methods. The results showed that T can significantly reduce the number of writhing,the time of paw licking and extend the thermal threshold of mice,suggesting the analgesic effect of T.T also can indicate its sedative effect by reducing the number of activities,decreasing latency of sleeping and extending sleeping time of mice. ELISA results showed that T can increase the content of GABA/Glu in rat cortex,hippocampus,and hypothalamus,and the most significant increase in hypothalamus. The immunohistochemistry and Western blot results showed that T can up-regulate the expression of GAD67 protein in hypothalamus,and the PCR results showed that T can up-regulate the expression of GABAA Rα1,α2,α3,α5,ß1-3,γ1-3 genes,suggesting a sedative effect through the GABAergic nervous system. In conclusion,this study shed insight into the theoretical basis and clinical application of S. pinnatifolia,and also provides inspiration for subsequent development and application.

[Pharmacological evaluation of Mongolian medicine Syringa pinnatifolia fraction I against acute myocardial ischemia in mice].

Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl.( SP) is a representative Mongolian folk medicine with the effects of inhibiting Heyi related diseases,clearing heat and relieving pain. It has been used for the treatment of Heyi-induced heart tingling,heart palpitations,upset,insomnia and other symptoms. Total ethanol extract( T) and major fraction( M) of SP have been evaluated its anti-ischemic effects,and the mechanism was related to the regulation of cyclooxygenase( COX)-mediated inflammatory pathway and p53-mediated apoptosis pathway in our previous studies. This study reports the chemical fractionation on M by which to obtain subfractions( I and M_3),and the pharmacological evaluation of M,I,and M_3 against myocardial ischemia in mice. The result showed that I and M reduced the values of LVEDd and LVEDs,significantly increased EF and FS values,increased serum CK-MB and LDH levels in mice,and reduced in inflammatory cells infiltration and collagen deposition in the infarcted myocardial tissue,suggesting that M and I possess the same degree anti-myocardial is chemia equally whereas M_3 has no this effect. Related mechanism studies suggested that I can reduce the expression of COX-1,COX-2 and p53 protein in myocardial tissue in a dose-dependent manner. This study lays the foundation for further chemical segmentation and clarification of pharmacological substance groups,paving the way for the full use and benefits to be use of systematic biological methods to analyze the pharmacological basis of SP against myocardial ischemia.

[Phytochemical and pharmacological progress on humulane-type sesquiterpenoids].

Humulane-type sesquiterpenoids, widely distributed in plants and microbes, include three types: α-humulene, ß-humulene, and γ-humulene. Up to now, 98 humulane-type sesquiterpenoids have been reported, which possessed anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Herein, this paper describes their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities, hoping to bring benefits for further research and lay a foundation for investigating the structure-activity relationships.

[Chemical and pharmacological progress on usnic acid and its derivatives].

Usnic acid and its derivatives, a group of organic molecules with great importance, are characteristic to lichens, possessing pharmacological activities such as anti-virus, anti-bacteria, anti-humor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anaesthetic effects. Many of them have been widely used as medicine, but also bring side effects such as dermatitis and liver damages. In the past decades, great efforts by isolation, organic synthesis, and structure modification methods were put on discovery of UA derivatives with higher biological activities or less side effects. This paper describes herein the most progress on natural sources, isolation and structure elucidation, structural characteristics, synthesis and modification results, pharmacological activities and toxicities of UA and its derivatives, hopefully to provide valuable reference for further research.

[Chemical constituents from a Tibetan herbal medicine Corydalis hendersonii].

Nine alkaloids and two phenolic glycosides were isolated from EtOH extract of the whole plants of Corydalis hendersonii by various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified as groenlandicine (1), berberine (2), protopine (3), cryptopine (4), N-trans-feruloyloctopamine(5), 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methoxyethyl] acrylamide (6), N-cis-p-coumaroyloctopamine (7), N-trans-p-coumaroylnoradrenline (8),N-cis-feruloyloctopamine (9), apocynin (10), and glucoacetosyringone (11) by the spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with those in the literature. Among them, compounds 10 and 11 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and 1, 2, and 5-9 were isolated from the species for the first time. All isolates were tested for their protection for in vitro PC12 cell line and antiplatelet aggregation activity. The results showed that compounds 5 and 7 displayed protective effects at a concentration of 10 µmol·L⁻¹, and compound 2 showed antiplatelet aggregation activity induced by THR, ADP, and AA, and compound 3 exhibted inhibitory effect induced by THR.