[Study on the chemical constituents of Clerodendron philippinum var. simplex].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Clerodendron philippinum var. simplex. METHODS: The ethanol extract of Clerodendron philippinum var. simplex was isolated and purified by extraction, chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization. The structures of compounds isolated were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULTS: Four compounds were isolated and identified as friedelin (1), 25 (27)-dehydroporiferasterol (2), 22-dehydroclerosteryl acetate (3), uncinatone (4). CONCLUSION: Compound 2, 3 are isolated form this genus for the first time, Compounds 4 is isolated from this plant for the first time.

Nodulisporisteriods A and B, the first 3,4-seco-4-methyl-progesteroids from Nodulisporium sp.

Two new 4-methyl-progesteroids, nodulisporisteriod A (1) and nodulisporisteriod B (2), were isolated from the extract of an endolichenic fungal strain Nodulisporium sp. (No. 65-17-2-1), along with two related metabolites, demethoxyviridin (3) and inoterpene B (4). Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analyses, X-ray crystallographic analysis and comparison of the NMR data with those of the closely related compounds previously reported. Nodulisporisteriod A (1) and nodulisporisteriod B (2) possess new carbon skeletons, which are the first cases of fission at C-3,4 in 4-methyl-progesteroids. A hypothetical biosynthetic pathway for 1 and 2 was proposed. Moreover, the Aß42 aggregation inhibitory activities of 1-4 were evaluated using standard thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as positive control. Demethoxyviridin (3) displayed anti-Aß42 aggregation activity with IC50 value of 13.4µM.

Xanthoquinodins from the endolichenic fungal strain Chaetomium elatum.

Five new xanthoquinodins, A4-A6 (1-3), B4 (4), and B5 (5), were isolated from the crude extract of the endolichenic fungal strain Chaetomium elatum (No. 63-10-3-1), along with three known xanthoquinodins, A1-A3 (6-8). Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison of the NMR data with those of the closely related compounds previously reported. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis and ECD calculation. The cytotoxic activity of all compounds was tested against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 human cancer cell lines.

[The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer and its relationship to HPV].

A lot of miRNAs have participated in the regulation of numerous biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration in cervical cancer, and closely associated with prognosis and susceptibility of cervical cancer. The oncogenic proteins E6, E7 and E5 expressed by HPV directly or indirectly lead to the dysregulation of multiple miRNAs such as miR-34a,miR-218, miR-29a and miR-146a, subsequently contribute to the initiation and progression of cervical cancer. In turn, some miRNAs such as miR-203 and miR-125b also play roles in the regulation of HPV DNA duplication. In addition, the latest advances on miRNA basic research and its potential significance in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors are also reviewed in this paper.

New azaphilones and chlorinated phenolic glycosides from Chaetomium elatum with caspase-3 inhibitory activity.

Three new azaphilones, chaetomugilin S (1), 7,5'-bis-epi-chaetoviridin A (2), and 7-epi-chaetoviridin E (3), and two new chlorinated phenolic glycosides, globosumoside A (4) and globosumoside B (5), were isolated from the crude extract of the fungal strain Chaetomium elatum No. 89-1-3-1. Their structures were determined by detailed NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of C-7 in chaetomugilin S (1), 7,5'-bis-epi-chaetoviridin A (2), and 7-epi-chaetoviridin E (3) were assigned by CD experiments, and the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-3 are the first examples of 7R-configurated azaphilones with a chlorinated isochromen from Chaetomium spp. In addition, compounds 1-3 showed inhibitory activity in the cysteine aspartyl-specific protease-3 (caspase-3) enzymatic assay, with IC50 values of 20.6, 10.9, and 7.9 µM, respectively.

[Chemical constituents of Berchemia lineate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Berchemia lineate as a medicinal plant of Yao nationality in China. METHODS: Compounds were isolated by various column chromatography and elucidated by physicochemical and spectral analysis. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the roots of Berchemia lineate and their structures were identified as palmitic acid (1), octadecanoic acid (2), beta-sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4), fernenol (5), chrysophanol (6), physcion (7), floribundiquinone D (8), 2-acetylphyscion(9) respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-4,7-9 are isolated from this plant for the first time,and compounds land 2 are firstly isolated from this genus.

Two new diterpenoids from Croton crassifolius.

Two new clerodane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Croton crassifolius Geisel. The structures of these compounds were elucidated as 9-[2-(2(5H)-furanone-4-yl)ethyl]-4,8,9-trimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalene-4-carboxylic acid (1) and methyl 9-[2-(2(5H)-furanone-4-yl)ethyl]-4,8,9-trimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalene-4-carboxylic ester (2) by spectroscopic methods.

A new pregnane glycoside and oligosaccharide from Parabarium huaitingii.

Two new compounds, along with two known compounds, were isolated from the barks of Parabarium huaitingii, and their structures were determined as 5α-pregn-6-ene-3ß,17α,20(S)-triol-20-O-ß-d-digitoxopyranoside (1), cymaropyranurolactone 4-O-ß-d-digitalopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-cymaropyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-O-ß-d-cymaropyranoside (2), 3ß,17α,20(S)-trihydroxy-5α-pregn-6-ene (3), and 5α-pregn-6-ene-3ß,17α,20(S)-triol-3-O-ß-d-digitalopyranoside (4) by spectroscopic methods.

[Studies on the triterpenoids constituents from Phyllodium elegans].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Phyllodium elegans. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by extraction, chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectra analysis. RESULTS: Three triterpenoids were isolated and identified as lupenone (1), lupeol (2), betulin (3). CONCLUSION: Compound 2 is obtained from the genus for the first time, Compounds 1-3 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constituents from Cissus pteroclada].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Yao Medicine Cissus pteroclada. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, TLC and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectra analysis. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as beta-sitosterol (I), bergenin (II), 11-O-galloylbergenin (III), 11-O-(4-hydroxy benzoyl) bergenin (IV), gallic acid (V), daucosterol (VI). CONCLUSION: Compounds III and NIV are obtained from the genus for the first time. All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time except the compound II.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Blumea laciniata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Blumea laciniata. METHODS: The chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract from Blumea laciniata were isolated with column chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with their published datas. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as: protocatechuic acid (1), chrysoeriol (2), apigenin (3), 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxbenzoic acid (4), scopolet (5). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 5 are isolated from this plant for the first time, and also obtained from this genus for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical comstituents of Pithecellobium clypearia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Pithecellobium clypearia. METHODS: The compounds were isolated from Pithecellobium clypearia with column chromatography. Their structures were characterized on the basis of their physical and chemical preperties, as well as chromatographic and spectroscopic evidences. RESULTS: A pair of isomeric flavans consisting of 7, 3'-O-di-gallyoltricetiflavan (I) and 7,4'-O-di-gallyoltricetiflavan (II), along with a catechin compound (-)-epigallocatechin-7-O-gallate (III) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Pithecellobium clypearia. CONCLUSION: Compound I is a new flavan. Compound III is isolated from Pithecellobium genus for the first time, and its 13C-NMR data is firstly given in the present study.

Chemical composition and antiproliferative activity of essential oil from the leaves of a medicinal herb, Schefflera heptaphylla.

Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin is a medicinal herb widely used as a main ingredient of the popular health tea formulation against infections in Southern China. Twenty-seven volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis from the essential oil obtained from the leaves of S. heptaphylla, and 17 of them belonged to monoterpenes or sesquiterpenes. The main volatile constituent in S. heptaphylla was found to be a monoterpene, beta-pinene, comprising about 22% of the total volatile components. The essential oil showed significant antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines, MCF-7, A375 and HepG2 cells, with IC50 values of 7.3 microg/mL, 7.5 microg/mL and 6.9 microg/mL, respectively. The result of the cytotoxicity assay indicates that (-)-beta-pinene and (+)-beta-pinene (commercially available from Sigma) also possessed antiproliferative activity against the cancer cells MCF-7, A375 and HepG2 with IC50 values ranging from 147.1 to 264.7 microm.

[Studies on antiproliferative effect of flavones compounds isolated from Yao herb medicines].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the cytotoxicity and in vitro antiproliferative effects of the flavones compounds isolated from some Yao herbal medicines, and analyze the basic structure-activity relationship. METHODS: The cytotoxicity on normal cells and antiproliferative effect on tumor cells were tested by MTT reduction assay respectively. RESULTS: Among the 6 flavones, the Eriodictyol-7-O-a-D-glucoside, Naringenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin and quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside showed very low cytotoxicity to the two normal cells, Vero and MC cells, while the naringenin was high toxic to both of them. The eriodictyol was no toxic to Vero Cell but could affect MC cell at low concentration. The naringenin exhibited a wide-spectrum antiproliferative effect on all of the 7 tested cancer cell lines especially on the MCF-7 with low IC50 about 50 microg/ml. Among these cancer cells, the MCF-7 and HepG2 were more sensitive to the flavones compounds than the others. Both of them were inhibited by eriodictyol, quercetin and naringenin even at low test concentration. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effects of these compounds were concentration-related. CONCLUSION: Some of flavones compounds isolated from some Yao herb medicines showed high antiproliferative effect on cancer cells with low cytotoxicity on normal cells.

[Studies on chemical constituents from Serissa serissoides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Serissa serissoides. METHOD: Chemical constituents were isolated with the column chromatographic methods including silica gel and sephadex LH -20, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectral and chemical evidences. RESULT: Eight compounds were obtained and were identified as: palmitic acid (1), corosolic acid (2), daucosterol (3), urs-12-en-28-ol (4), oleanolic acid (5), uroslic acid (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (7), and 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (8). CONCLUSION: Except compound 5, other seven compounds were found from the genus Serissa for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Adina pilulifera].

The chemical constituents of Adina pilulifera, which were traditionlly used in the area of Yao minority in Southern China, were isolated and characterized. Two compounds were obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Adina pilulifera, and one compound was obtained from the n-butanol fraction of ethanol extract of Adina pilulifera. Their structure were characterized by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data to be sarracenin (1), 2-methyl-5, 7-dihydroxychromone (2) and morroniside (3). Except compound 2, other two compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time, and they were also obtained from the Adina genus for the first time.

[Study on the chemical constituents of Ardisia chinensis].

The chemical constituents of Ardisia chinensis, which traditionally used in the area of Yao minority in Southern China, were analyzed and characterized. Seven compounds were obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Ardisia chinensis. These 7 compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data to be salicylic acid (1), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoic acid (2), gallic acid ethyl ester (3), 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy benzoic acid methyl ester (4), protocatechuic acid (5), gallic acid (6) and catechin (7). All of them were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compound 7 was obtained from this genus for the first time.

Antiviral activity and constituent of Ardisia chinensis benth against coxsackie B3 virus.

Ardisia chinensis Benth is a medicinal plant traditionally used in the area of Yao minority in Southern China. The in vitro antiviral activities of extracts and fractions from Ardisia chinensis were tested by the cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay in the present study. As a result, both the aqueous extract and the 95% ethanol extract of Ardisia chinensis showed in vitro antiviral activity against Coxsackie B3 (Cox B3) virus to different extents, and the aqueous extract possessed more potent activity than the ethanol extract. Bioassay-guided fractionation revealed that the antiviral activity of Ardisia chinensis was attributed mainly to its high polar fractions, and finally identified to be a polysaccharide. The Ardisia chinensis polysaccharide (ACP) fractionated from the aqueous extract exhibited a significant antiviral effect against Cox B3 with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 3.9 microg/mL and a selective index (SI) over 256. Preliminary characterization indicated that ACP is a neutral polysaccharide in which d-glucose is the major component. The average molecular weights of ACP were determined to be 40037 Da (Mw), 28297 Da (Mn) and 33758 Da (Mp) by gel permeation chromatography.

[Study on the inhibitory effect of cepharanthine on herpes simplex type-1 virus (HSV-1) in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To assay the inhibitory effects of cepharanthine on HSV-1 in vitro. METHODS: Vero cells were infected by HSV-1 and cultured with serial dilutions of cepharanthine. The inhibitory effects of cepharanthine were evaluated with cytopathogenic effects (CPE). RESULTS: The CPE of cells infected by HSV-1 were inhibited significantly, resulting in higher cell survival rates. CONCLUSION: The results showed that cepharanthine had obvious HSV-1 inhibitory efficacy. Therefore, it may become a potential candidate in drug development and deserves further research on animal experiment and antiviral mechanisms.