Spatiotemporally resolved metabolomics and isotope tracing reveal CNS drug targets

Deconvolution of potential drug targets of the central nervous system (CNS) is particularly challenging because of the complicated structure and function of the brain. Here, a spatiotemporally resolved metabolomics and isotope tracing strategy was proposed and demonstrated to be powerful for deconvoluting and localizing potential targets of CNS drugs by using ambient mass spectrometry imaging. This strategy can map various substances including exogenous drugs, isotopically labeled metabolites, and various types of endogenous metabolites in the brain tissue sections to illustrate their microregional distribution pattern in the brain and locate drug action-related metabolic nodes and pathways. The strategy revealed that the sedative-hypnotic drug candidate YZG-331 was prominently distributed in the pineal gland and entered the thalamus and hypothalamus in relatively small amounts, and can increase glutamate decarboxylase activity to elevate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the hypothalamus, agonize organic cation transporter 3 to release extracellular histamine into peripheral circulation. These findings emphasize the promising capability of spatiotemporally resolved metabolomics and isotope tracing to help elucidate the multiple targets and the mechanisms of action of CNS drugs.

Indole alkaloid glycosides with a 1'-(phenyl)ethyl unit from leaves

Seven indole alkaloid glycosides containing a 1'-(4″-hydroxy-3″,5″-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl unit (-) were isolated from an aqueous extract of leaves (da qing ye). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis combined with enzymatic hydrolysis as well as comparison of their experimental CD (circular dichroism) and calculated ECD (electrostatic circular dichroism) spectra. Based on analysis of and/or Cotton effect (CE) data of -, two simple roles to assign location and/or configuration of -glycopyranosyloxy and 1'-(phenyl)ethyl units in the indole alkaloid glycosides are proposed. Stereoselectivity in plausible biosynthetic pathways of - is discussed. Compounds and and their mixture in a 3:2 ratio showed activity against KCNQ2 in CHO cells. The mixture of and (3:2) exhibited antiviral activity against influenza virus H1N1 PR8 with IC 64.7 μmol/L (ribavirin, IC 54.3 μmol/L), however, the individual or was inactive. Preliminary structure-activity relationships were observed.

Sulfur-enriched alkaloids from the root of

Five new sulfur-enriched alkaloids isatithioetherins A-E (-), and two pairs of scalemic enantiomers (+)- and (-)-isatithiopyrin B ( and ) and isoepigoitrin and isogoitrin and ), along with the known scalemic enantiomers epigoitrin and goitrin ( and ), were isolated and characterized from an aqueous extract of the roots. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic data analysis, including 2D NMR and theoretical calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra based on the quantum-mechanical time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Compounds - represent a novel group of sulfur-enriched alkaloids, biogenetically originating from stereoselective assemblies of epigoitrin-derived units. Isolation and structure characterization of and support the postulated biosynthetic pathways for the diastereomers and a rare thio-Diels-Alder reaction. Compounds and showed antiviral activity against the influenza virus A/Hanfang/359/95 (H3N2, IC 0.60 and 1.92 μmol/L) and the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1, IC 3.70 and 2.87 μmol/L), and also inhibited Coxsackie virus B3 (IC 0.71 μmol/L).

C-Diterpenoid alkaloid arabinosides from an aqueous extract of the lateral root of and their analgesic activities

Eight new C-diterpenoid alkaloid arabinosides, named aconicarmichosides E-L (-), were isolated from an aqueous extract of the lateral roots of (Fu Zi). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods including 2D NMR experiments and acid hydrolysis. Compounds -, together with the previously reported four neoline 14--arabinosides from the same plant, represent the only examples of glycosidic diterpenoid alkaloids so far. At a dose of 1.0 mg/kg (i.p.), as compared with the black control, compounds , , and - exhibited analgesic effects with >65.6% inhibitions against acetic acid-induced writhing of mice. Structure-activity relationship was also discussed.

Aromatic compounds from an aqueous extract of "ban lan gen" and their antiviral activities

A pair of new diphenyl glycerol ether enantiomers (-)-and (+)-and two new methyl benzamidobenzoatesand, named (-)-()- and (+)-()-isatindigotrioic acid [(-)-and (+)-] and isatindigoticamides A () and B (), respectively, were isolated from an aqueous decoction of the roots of(ban lan gen). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis including 2D NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of (-)-and (+)-were assigned based on the CD exciton chirality method. Compoundsandexhibited antiviral activities against HSV-1 with ICvalues of 4.87 and 25.87 μmol/L, respectively. Compoundwas also found active against Coxsackie virus B3 and LPS-induced NO production.

Indole alkaloid sulfonic acids from an aqueous extract ofroots and their antiviral activity

Six new indole alkaloid sulfonic acids (-), together with two analogues (and) that were previously reported as synthetic products, were isolated from an aqueous extract of theroot. Their structures including the absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, combined with enzyme hydrolysis and comparison of experimental circular dichroism and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. In the preliminary assay, compoundsandshowed antiviral activity against Coxsackie virus B3 and influenza virus A/Hanfang/359/95 (H3N2), respectively.

8,4'-Oxyneolignane glucosides from an aqueous extract of "ban lan gen" (root) and their absolute configurations

Three pairs of glycosidic 8,4'-oxyneolignane diastereoisomers, named isatioxyneolignosides A-F (-), were isolated from an aqueous extract ofroots. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and enzyme hydrolysis. The validity of Δvalues to distinguishandaryl glycerol units and Cotton effects at 235±5 nm to determine absolute configurations at C-8 in-and their aglycones (-) are discussed.

Sesquiterpene glycosides from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula

Three new sesquiterpene glycosides, named codonopsesquilosides A-C (1-3), were isolated from an aqueous extract of the dried roots of Codonopsis pilosula. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. These glycosides are categorized as C15 carotenoid (1), gymnomitrane (2), and eudesmane (3) types of sesquiterpenoids, respectively. Compound 1 is the first diglycoside of C15 carotenoids to be reported. Compound 2 represents the second reported example of gymnomitrane-type sesquiterpenoids from higher plants. The absolute configurations were supported by comparison of the experimental circular dichroism (CD) spectra with the calculated electronic CD (ECD) spectra of 1-3, their aglycones, and model compounds based on quantum-mechanical time-dependent density functional theory. The influences of the glycosyls on the calculated ECD spectra of the glycosidic sesquiterpenoids, as well as some nomenclature and descriptive problems with gymnomitrane-type sesquiterpenoids are discussed.

Three pairs of alkaloid enantiomers from the root of Isatis indigotica

Three pairs of enantiomerically pure alkaloids with diverse structure features, named isatindigoticoic acid A and epiisatindigoticoic acid A [(-)-1 and (+)-1], phaitanthrin A and epiphaitanthrin A [(-)-2 and (+)-2], and isatindopyrromizol A and epiisatindopyrromizol A [(-)-3 and (+)-3], respectively, were isolated from an aqueous extract of the roots of Isatis indigotica. Racemic and scalemic mixtures of these enantiomers were separated by HPLC on a chiral semi-preparative column. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis in conjunction with the calculation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The enantiomer pairs possess parent structures of 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acid, indolo[2,1-b]quinazolinone, and 3-thioxohexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazol-1-one, respectively. Except for phaitanthrin A [(-)-2] which the configuration was previously undetermined, these compounds are new enantiomeric natural products.

Parishin C's prevention of Aβ 1-42-induced inhibition of long-term potentiation is related to NMDA receptors

The rhizome of Gastrodia elata (GE), a herb medicine, has been used for treatment of neuronal disorders in Eastern Asia for hundreds of years. Parishin C is a major ingredient of GE. In this study, the i.c.v. injection of soluble Aβ 1-42 oligomers model of LTP injury was used. We investigated the effects of parishin C on the improvement of LTP in soluble Aβ 1-42 oligomer-injected rats and the underlying electrophysiological mechanisms. Parishin C (i.p. or i.c.v.) significantly ameliorated LTP impairment induced by i.c.v. injection of soluble Aβ 1-42 oligomers. In cultured hippocampal neurons, soluble Aβ 1-42 oligomers significantly inhibited NMDAR currents while not affecting AMPAR currents and voltage-dependent currents. Pretreatment with parishin C protected NMDA receptor currents from the damage induced by Aβ. In summary, parishin C improved LTP deficits induced by soluble Aβ 1-42 oligomers. The protection by parishin C against Aβ-induced LTP damage might be related to NMDA receptors.

Glucosylated caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica

Three new glucosylated caffeoylquinic acid isomers (1-3), along with six known compounds, have been isolated from an aqueous extract of the flower buds of Lonicera japonica. Structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (-)-4-O-(4-O-β-d-glucopyranosylcaffeoyl)quinic acid (1), (-)-3-O-(4-O-β-d-glucopyranosylcaffeoyl)quinic acid (2), and (-)-5-O-(4-O-β-d-glucopyranosylcaffeoyl)quinic acid (3), respectively. In the preliminary in vitro assays, two known compounds methyl caffeate and 2'-O-methyladenosine showed inhibitory activity against Coxsackie virus B3 with IC50 values of 3.70 μmol/L and 6.41 μmol/L and SI values of 7.8 and 12.1, respectively.

Acetylenes and fatty acids from Codonopsis pilosula

Four new acetylenes (1-4) and one new unsaturated ω-hydroxy fatty acid (5), together with 5 known analogues, were isolated from an aqueous extract of Codonopsis pilosula roots. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The new acetylenes are categorized as an unusual cyclotetradecatrienynone (1), tetradecenynetriol (2), and rare octenynoic acids (3 and 4), respectively, and 3 and 4 are possibly derived from oxidative metabolic degradation of 1 and/or 2. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by comparison of the experimental circular dichroism (CD) spectrum with the calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of stereoisomers based on the quantum-mechanical time-dependent density functional theory, while the configuration of 2 was assigned by using modified Mosher׳s method based on the MPA determination rule of Δδ RS values for diols.

4-Hydroxybenzyl-substituted amino acid derivatives from Gastrodia elata

Seven new 4-hydroxybenzyl-substituted amino acid derivatives (1-7), together with 11 known compounds, were isolated from an aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Gastrodia elata Blume. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 1-3 are pyroglutamate derivatives containing 4-hydroxybenzyl units at the N atom and 4-7 are the first examples of natural products with the 4-hydroxybenzyl unit linked via a thioether bond to 2-hydroxy-3-mercaptopropanoic acid (4-6) and 2-hydroxy-4-mercaptobutanoic acid (7), which would be biogenetically derived from cysteine and homocysteine, respectively. The structures of 1 and 2 were verified by synthesis, while the absolute configurations of 4, 5 and 7 were assigned using Mosher's method based on the MPA determination rule of Δδ RS values. The known compound 4-(hydroxymethyl)-5-nitrobenzene-1,2-diol (8) exhibited activity against Fe(2+)-cysteine induced rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 9.99×10(-6) mol/L.

Central-adenosine A1 receptor involved in the thermal regulation effect of YZG-330, a N6-substituted adenosine derivative, in mice / 药学学报

Adenosine receptors (AR) play an important role in the regulation processes for body temperature and vigilance states. During our previous studies, we noticed that aminophylline (a non-selective, blood-brain-barrier penetrably AR antagonist) could attenuate the effects of YZG-330 [(2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl-5-(6-(((R)-1-phenylpropyl)amino)-9H-purin-9-yl)tetrahydrofuran-3, 4-diol] on lowering the body temperature. Hereby, we focused ourselves on the character of thermal regulation effect of YZG-330 in mice and tried to specify the receptor subtype via giving typical adenosine receptor antagonists. The results showed that both of the magnitude and lasting time of the effect that YZG-330 played on decreasing body temperature are in a dose-dependent manner: within the next 3 hour after intragastric administration (ig) of 0.25, 1 or 4 mg . kg-1 YZG-330, the extreme values on body temperature decreasing were (1.2 ± 0.3) °C, (3.6 ± 0.4) °C (P<0.001) and (7.4±0.5) °C (P<0.001), separately; whereas the duration that body temperature below 34 °C were 0, (10±5) and (153±4) min, separately. Adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) antagonist (DPCPX) could effectively reverse YZG-330's effect on decreasing body temperature, with intraperitoneal administration of DPCPX (5 mg . kg-1) 20 min prior than YZG-330 (4 mg.kg-1, ig), the extreme value on body temperature decreasing was (3.5 ± 0.7) °C (P<0.001), the duration that body temperature below 34 °C was (8±6) min (P<0.001). However, adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, SCH-58261, did not show any influence on the effects of YZG-330 at all. Combined with the fact that 8-SPT (a non-selective, blood-brain-barrier impenetrably AR antagonist) did not reverse the effect of YZG-330, we come to the conclusion that central-adenosine A, receptor plays a significant role on the thermal regulation effect of YZG-330.

Chemical constituents from the linseed meal / 药学学报

Ten compounds were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of linseed meal (Linum usitatissimum L) through a combination of various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, macroporous adsorbent resin, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, they were elucidated as 1-methylethyl-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1" --> 6')-beta-D-glucopyanoside (1), linustatin (2), neolinustatin (3), lotaustralin (4), linamarin (5), deoxyguanosine (6), deoxyadenosine (7), (+)-pinoresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylvanillyl alcohol (9) and tachioside (10), separately. Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 6, 8 and 10 were isolated from the linseed meal for the first time.

Chemical constituents from roots of Machilus yaoshansis / 中国中药杂志

To study chemical constituents contained in ethanol extracts from roots of Machilus yaoshansis. Fifteen compounds were separated from the roots of M. yaoshansis by using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were identified on the basis of their physicochemical properties and spectral data as twelve lignans(+)-guaiacin (1), kadsuralignan C (2), (+)-isolariciresinol (3), 5'-methoxy-(+)-isolariciresinol (4), (7'S, 8R, 8'R)-lyoniresinol (5), meso-secoisolariciresinol (6), isolariciresinol-9'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (7), 5'-methoxy-isolariciresinol-9'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (8), lyoniresinol-9'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (9), (2R, 3R) -2, 3-dihydro-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-3-methyl-5-(E)-propenylbenzofuran (10), 3, 5'-dimethoxy-4', 7-epoxy-8, 3'-neolignan-4, 9, 9'-triol (11), nectandrin B (12), and three flavanes(+)-catechin (13), (-)-epicatechin (14), and bis-8, 8'-catechinylmethane (15). All of the compounds 1-15 were separated from M. yaoshansis for the first time.

Chemical constituents from Machilus wangchiana / 中国中药杂志

Twenty-one compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of Machilus wangchiana by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis including optical rotation, UV, IR, MS, and NMR data. The compounds are categorized as eight butanolides (1-8), eight lignans (9-16), and five terpenoids (17-21). Compound 16 is a new natural product with an uncommon heptanorlignan skeleton. Meanwhile, the unique Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair) metabolites ginkgolides A (19) and ginkgolides B (20) were obtained from this material. In the preliminary assays, compound 5 showed selective inhibitory activities against human stomach cancer cells (BGC-823) and ovary cancer cells (A2780) with IC50 values of 0.13 x 10(-6) and 2.66 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1), respectively. Compounds 8 and 9, at 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), showed inhibitory activities against the release of beta-glucuronidase of the polymorphous nuclear leukocytes induced by platelet activating factor (PAF), with inhibition rates of 60.0% and 54.2%.

Chemical constituents from aqueous extract of Gastrodia elata / 中国中药杂志

Two new compounds (1 and 2), together with twenty-one known compounds (3-23), were isolated by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over macroporous resin, MCI gel, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis as 4-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl) benzyl methyl ether (1), 4-( methoxymethyl) phenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), hibicutaiwanin (3), 4-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-methoxyphenol (4), 4,4'-methylenebis(2-methoxyphenol) (5), L-phenyllactic acid (6) ,4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl ethol ether (7), p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol (8), p-hydroxylbenzyl methyl ether (9), p-hydroxylbenzyl ethyl ether (10), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (11), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (12), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (13), gastrodin (14), 4-(ethoxymethyl) phenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (15), 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy) benzaldehyde (16), p-methylphenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (17 ), methyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (18), 5-hydroxymethl-furan aldehyde (19), parishin (20), parishin B (21), parishin C (22), and diosgenin (23). The 13C-NMR data of compound 4 was first reported.

Lignans from Sinocalamus affinis / 中国中药杂志

Fifteen compounds were isolated from the stem (with skin removed) of Sinocalamus affinis by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, macroporous adsorbent resin, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data as ( + )-(1S, 2R)-1, 2-bis (4-hydroxy- 3-methoxyphenyl)-1, 3-propanediol (1), threo-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-coniferyl ether(2), erythro-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-coniferyl ether(3), ( + )-(7S, 8R, 8'R)-5'-methoxylariciresinol(4), ( + )-(7S, 8R, 8'R)-5, 5'-dimethoxylariciresinol (5), ( +/- )-glaberide I (6), ( - )-syringaresinol (7), ( - )-medioresinol(8), ( - )-(8R, 8R')-4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethoxyligna-9, 9'-diol(9), ( - )-secoisolariciresinol-9, 9'-acetonide (10), and ( + )-lyoniresinol (11); a new natural product 2, 6-dimethoxypyran4-one (12), and beta-sitosterol, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, and 2, 6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone. These compounds were isolated from the genus Sinocalamus for the first time, compound 10 should be an artifact.

Non-anthraquinones constituents from the roots of Knoxia valerianoides / 中国中药杂志

Twenty-one non-anthraquinones constituents were isolated for the first time from an ethanol extract of the roots of Knoxia valerianoides by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were identified by their physical-chemical properties and spectroscopic analysis including NMR and MS. The compounds include ten triterpenoids: ursolic acid (1), oleanolic acid (2), 2-oxo pomolic acid (3), pomolic acid (4), maslinic acid (5), rotungenic acid (6), tormentic accid (7), rotundic acid 3,23-acetonide (8), arjungenin (9), and 2alpha, 3beta, 19alpha, 23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (10), four sitosterones: (24R)-24-ethylcholesta-4,22-dien-3-one (11), 3-oxo-4-en-sitosterone (12), 7-oxostigmasterol (13), and 7-oxo-beta-sitosterol (14), two lignans: eudesmin (15) and ciwujiatone (16), one coumarin: cnidilin (17), and four simple aromatic analogues: 5-hydroxymethylenefural (18), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (19), benzoic acid (20), and 2-hydroxy-5-methxoycinnamaldehydes (21). In the in vitro assays against human cancer cell lines (HCT-8, Bel7402, BGC-823, A549, and A2780), against deserum and glutamate induced PC12-syn cell damage, and against HIV-1 replication, and inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1 B), LPS induced NO production in macrophage, and Fe(2+)-cystine induced rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation, at a concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), no compound showed activity.