Polyhydroxylated Spirostanol Saponins from the Rhizomes of Paris dulongensis.

Three new polyhydroxylated spirostanol steroidal saponins, dulongenosides B-D (2-4), along with 14 known compounds, dulongenoside A (1), padelaoside B (5), parisyunnanoside G (6), polyphyllin D (7), ophiopogonin C' (8), formosanin C (9), dioscin (10), paris saponin VII (11), paris H (12), parisyunnanoside I (13), protodioscin (14), proprotogracillin (15), crustecdysone (16), and stigmasterol-3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (17), were isolated from the rhizomes of Paris dulongensis (Melanthiaceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated based on extensive analyses of NMR and MS data and acidic hydrolyses. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity to five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, SW480, MDA-MB-231, A549, and A549/Taxol) and the normal human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B by the MTS test. Compounds 7-12 and 14 showed cytotoxic activity, with IC50 values ranging from 0.20 to 4.35 µM. Proprotogracillin selectively inhibited A549 (IC50=0.58 µM) and A549/Taxol (IC50=0.74 µM) cells, with no significant cytotoxic activity against HL-60, SW480, MDA-MB-231, or BEAS-2B cells, with IC50 values greater than 40 µM.

New steroidal saponins from the aerial parts of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and their effects on blood coagulation.

Five new steroidal saponins, paripolins D-H (1-5), and 6 known compounds (6-11) were isolated from the aerial parts of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. The structures of 1-5 were determined using spectroscopic analyses in conjunction with acid hydrolysis. It is for the first time to report the 12-hydroxysteroidal saponins from the genus Paris. The effect of all isolated compounds on blood coagulation was determined in vitro using the plasma recalcification time method. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent procoagulant activity, and 5-11 exhibited significant anticoagulant activity.

Steroidal sapogenins from the aerial parts of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and activity evaluation.

Phytochemical investigation of an extract of the aerial parts of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis resulted in the identification of three new steroidal sapogenins, namely as paripolins A-C (1-3). With the aid of comprehensive spectroscopic techniques (NMR, IR, UV, MS), the structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated and subsequently screened for anti-inflammatory activity.

New dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from Panax notoginseng saponins.

BACKGROUND: Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) is the extraction from the roots and rhizomes of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen. PNS is the main bioactive component of Xuesaitong, Xueshuantong, and other Chinese patent medicines, which are all bestselling prescriptions in China to treat cardiocerebrovascular diseases. Notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1, Rd, Re, and Rb1 are the principal effective constituents of PNS, but a systematic research on the rare saponin compositions has not been conducted. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic chemical study on PNS and establish the HPLC fingerprint of PNS to provide scientific evidence in quality control. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the new compounds was tested. METHODS: Pure saponins from PNS were isolated by means of many chromatographic methods, and their structures were determined by extensive analyses of NMR and HR-ESI-MS studies. The fingerprint was established by HPLC-UV method. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 -diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Three new triterpenoid saponins (1-3) together with 25 known rare saponins (4-28) were isolated from PNS, except for the five main compounds (notoginsenoside R1 and ginsenoside Rg1, Rd, Re, and Rb1). In addition, the HPLC fingerprint of PNS was established, and the peaks of the isolated compounds were marked. The study of chemical constituents and fingerprint was useful for the quality control of PNS. The study on antitumor activities showed that new Compound 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the tested cell lines.

Structure elucidation and NMR assignment of two new eudesmane derivatives from Merremia yunnanensis.

Two new eudesmane derivatives, 1α,6ß,9ß-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1) and 1α,6ß,9ß-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1-(6-cinnamoyl)-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (2) were discovered from Merremia yunnanensis. The structures were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data including HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR. It should be noted that this is the first report about structure elucidation and NMR assignment of compounds from M. yunnanensis.

Acridone alkaloids with cytotoxic and antimalarial activities from Zanthoxylum simullans Hance.

BACKGROUND: Zanthoxylum simullans Hance is a popular natural spice belonging to the Rutaceae family and it is one of the common prescribed herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical constituents were mainly isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and semi-preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Their structures were identified by comparing the spectral data with those reported in the literature. Cytotoxic activities for the isolated acridone alkaloids were evaluated against two prostate cancer cell lines PC-3M and Lymph Node Carcinoma of Prostate (LNCaP), and their antimalarial activities were tested against two different strains of the parasite Plasmodium falciparum 3D7, and Dd2. RESULTS: The root bark MeOH extract of Z. simullans Hance afforded ß-sitosterol, 4-methoxy benzoic acid, daucosterol, and five acridone alkaloids, normelicopidine, normelicopine, melicopine, melicopidine, and melicopicine. All five acridone alkaloids were isolated from this plant for the first time and exhibited certain cytotoxic and antimalarial activities in vitro. CONCLUSION: Normelicopidine was the most active against PC-3M, LNCaP and Dd2 with IC50 values of 12.5, 21.1, and 18.9 ug/mL respectively.

[Pharmacognostical studies on root of Geranium strictipes].

OBJECTIVE: To establish pharmacognostical methods on Root of Geranium strictipes. METHODS: To study by the original plant identification, character identification. The organizational structure of root and powder features of this drug were observed and compared. TLC of the drug was also undertaken. RESULTS: It showed that Geranium strictipes powder microstructure contained many calcium oxalate cluster crystals and starch grains. TLC had good reappearance. CONCLUSION: This study provides reference information for further development and identification of this crude drug.