[A novel phenylisoquinoline alkaloid with cardioprotective effect from Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata].

Macroporous resin chromatography, silica gel column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography, and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography were performed to isolate two compounds from the acid extract of the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii: a new 9-phenylisoquinoline alkaloid(1) and a known pavine alkaloid(2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopy. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was identified by electronic circular dichroism(ECD) and it was determined to be(aS)-7,8-dimethoxy-9-(2-carboxy-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-1(2H)-one(1). The cardioprotective effects of 1 and 2 against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in H9 c2 cells were evaluated. Both of the isoquinoline alkaloids showed cardioprotective activity.

Discrimination of the Geographical Origin of the Lateral Roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Using the Fingerprint, Multicomponent Quantification, and Chemometric Methods.

Fuzi is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine developed from the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. It is rich in alkaloids that display a wide variety of bioactivities, and it has a strong cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity. In order to discriminate the geographical origin and evaluate the quality of this medicine, a method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for multicomponent quantification and chemical fingerprint analysis. The measured results of 32 batches of Fuzi from three different regions were evaluated by chemometric analysis, including similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The content of six representative alkaloids of Fuzi (benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine, benzoylaconine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, and aconitine) were varied by geographical origin, and the content ratios of the benzoylmesaconine/mesaconitine and diester-type/monoester-type diterpenoid alkaloids may be potential traits for classifying the geographical origin of the medicine. In the HPLC fingerprint similarity analysis, the Fuzi from Jiangyou, Sichuan, was distinguished from the Fuzi from Butuo, Sichuan, and the Fuzi from Yunnan. Based on the HCA and PCA analyses of the content of the six representative alkaloids, all of the batches were classified into two categories, which were closely related to the plants' geographical origins. The Fuzi samples from Jiangyou were placed into one category, while the Fuzi samples from Butuo and Yunnan were put into another category. The LDA analysis provided an efficient and satisfactory prediction model for differentiating the Fuzi samples from the above-mentioned three geographical origins. Thus, the content of the six representative alkaloids and the fingerprint similarity values were useful markers for differentiating the geographical origin of the Fuzi samples.

Cardioprotective effects and concentration-response relationship of aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum carmichaelii.

Fuzi, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine developed from the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., has been widely used for the treatment of heart failure. In order to search for active compounds from Fuzi, a phytochemical study was performed, which resulted in the isolation of 14 aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids, including one new compound (1). Their cardioprotective effects against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in H9c2 cells were evaluated. All of the alkaloids showed cardioprotective effects in a nonmonotonic concentration-response manner, with the maximum protection rates ranging from 17.96 ± 2.93% to 98.31 ± 0.35%. Compound 5 exhibited the most potent cardioprotective activity. Taking the maximum protection rate as an indicator, the preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that the substitutions of C-1, C-13, C-15, C-16, and N and the configurations of OMe-6 and OH-15 are important structural features for the cardioprotective activities of the aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids.

Leonurus japonicus (Chinese motherwort), an excellent traditional medicine for obstetrical and gynecological diseases: A comprehensive overview.

Leonurus japonicus Houtt. is a traditional medicinal herb with significant effects; dating back more than 1800 years, it is widely used in Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is essential in the treatment of menstrual and delivery disorders caused by blood stasis, such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and postpartum hemorrhage. In the last three decades, many phytochemists, pharmacologists, and doctors have focused on the chemical components, pharmacological activities, and clinical applications of L. japonicus. More than 280 chemical compounds have been isolated from this plant. The effects of most of the terpenoids and alkaloids isolated from the plant have been found to be closely related to the traditional functions of L. japonicus. Owing to its excellent therapeutic effects for obstetrical and gynecological diseases, L. japonicus has been widely used in both ancient and modern times. Nowadays, it has also been developed into a series of Chinese patent medicines in clinics in China. This review summarizes the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications of L. japonicus.