Trihydroxyxanthones from the heartwood of Maclura cochinchinensis modulate M1/M2 macrophage polarisation and enhance surface TLR4.

The anti-inflammatory actions of phytochemicals have attracted much attention due to the current state of numerous inflammatory disorders. Thai traditional medicine uses Maclura cochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner to treat chronic fever and various inflammatory diseases, as well as to maintain normal lymphatic function. Five flavonoids and five xanthones were isolated from the heartwood of M. cochinchinensis and we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds. All isolated compounds possessed an anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophages with varying degrees of potency. The greatest decrease in M1 inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, PGE2, and proinflammatory cytokines was observed with 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone and 1,3,5-trihydroxyxanthone treatment of LPS-activated macrophages. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of the two xanthones is mediated by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B expression and the upregulation of M2 anti-inflammatory signalling proteins phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ. 1,3,7-Trihydroxyxanthone exhibits superior induction of anti-inflammatory M2 mediator of LPS-activated macrophages by upregulating arginase1 expression. Following the resolution of inflammation, the two xanthones enhanced surface TLR4 expression compared to LPS-stimulated cells, possibly preserving macrophage function. Our research highlights the role of the two xanthones in modulating the M1/M2 macrophage polarisation to reduce inflammation and retain surface TLR4 once inflammation has been resolved. These findings support the use of xanthones for their anti-inflammatory effects in treating inflammatory dysregulation.

1,3,7-Trihydroxyxanthone, derived from Polygalae Radix, a herbal medicine, stimulates the expression of neurotrophic factors in rat astrocyte primary cultures via cAMP- and ERK-dependent pathways.

1,3,7-Trihydroxyxanthone is a compound isolated from Polygalae Radix, a medicinal herb frequently applied for treatment of psychiatric disordres with symptoms of forgetfulness and depression in ancient China. In current research, this compound was applied onto rat astrocyte primary cultures in exploring the action mechanisms of 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone on regulating synthesis of neurotrophic factors. It was found that 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone could significantly stimulate the expression of NGF and BDNF in dose-dependent manners: the stimulation was both in mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone might fulfill this effect by regulating critical enzymes, such as plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator, neuroserpin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in metabolic pathway of neurotrophic factors. Besides, inhibitors of cAMP- and ERK-dependent pathways, which implied the possible signaling pathway, could reverse this inducing effect. These results might support the potentiality of 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone in drug development in treating psychiatric disorders.

A new depsidone from stems-leaves of Garcinia multiflora / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in stems-leaves of Garcinia multiflora. Methods: The chemical constituents from stems-leaves of G. multiflora were isolated by silica gel and HPLC methods. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and physicochemical properties. Results: One new depsidone isolated from stems-leaves of G. multiflora was named as multidepsidone A (1), and four xanthones isolated from stems-leaves of G. multiflora were identified as isojacareubin (2), jacareubin (3), isocudraniaxanthone B (4), and 2-dimethylallyl-1,3,5-trihydroxyxanthone (5). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound. compounds 2-4 are known compounds, and compounds 2 and 5 are obtained from this plant for the first time.

Chemical constituents from Swertia mussotii / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Swertia mussotii. Methods: Various chromatographic methods were employed to isolate the compounds and their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis. Results: Nineteen compounds were isolated from 75% ethanol extract of S. mussotii and identified as 1-hydroxyl-3, 4, 7, 8-tetramethoxyxanthone (1), 1, 7- dihydroxyl-3-methoxyxanthone (2), 1, 3, 7-trihydroxyxanthone (3), 1, 3, 7, 8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (4), 1, 3, 8-trihydroxyl-7- methoxyxanthone (5), 1, 3-dihyfroxyl-7, 8-dimethoxyxanthone (6), 1, 5, 8-trihydroxyl-3, 4-dimethoxyxanthone (7), 1-hydroxyl-3, 4, 5, 8-tetramethoxyxanthone (8), 1-hydroxyl-3, 5, 8-trimethoxyxanthone (9), (S)-(+)-gentiolactone (10a), (R)-(-)-gentiolactone (10b), 1, 8-dihydroxyl-3, 7-dimethoxyxanthone (11), 1-hydroxyl-3, 7, 8-trimethoxyxanthone (12), 1, 7-dihydroxyl-3, 8-dimethoxyxanthone (13), 1, 7, 8-trihydroxyl-3-methoxyxanthone (14), 1, 3, 5, 8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (15), 1, 7-dihydroxyl-3, 4, 8-trimethoxyxanthone (16), mangiferin (17), and oleanolic acid (18), respectively. Conclusion: Compounds 1-9 are firstly isolated from S. mussotii. Compounds 10a and 10b are firstly isolated from the plants in Swertia L.

Chemical constituents from roots of Polygala japonica / 中草药

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents from the roots of Polygala japonica. Methods The compounds were isolated by silica gel, ODS, and macroporous resin column chromatography and their structures were determined by means of spectral analysis. Results Eight compounds were isolated and characterized as ?-D-(3-O-sinapoyl)-fructofuranosyl-?-D-(6-O-sinapoyl)-glucopyranoside (Ⅰ), arillatose A (Ⅱ), sibiricose A_5 (Ⅲ), sibiricose A_6 (Ⅳ), neolancerin (Ⅴ), polygalaxanthone Ⅲ (Ⅵ), sibiricaxanthone A (Ⅶ) and polygalatol (Ⅷ). Conclusion These compounds are extracted from this plant for the first time. Compound Ⅴ is obtained from natural products for the first time.