Anti-inflammatory effects of volatile oils of Desmodium styracifolium via regulation of TRP channels / 中草药

Objective To screen out the key chemical constituents and target protein of essential oil of Desmodium styracifolium for its anti-inflammatory effect. Methods Steam distillation method was used to extract the volatile oils from D. styraci folium, and its chemical constituents were identified by GC-MS, and the relative content of chemical constituents was determined by peak area normalization. The small molecule ligand library was established based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP). Reverse target prediction was conducted online using Swiss Target Prediction, the anti-inflammatory pathways were screened by KOBAX 3.0, conducting energy match between the key small molecular and the target protein in the TRP channels by molecular docking (SYBYL2.1). Construction of chemical constituents-targets network model was based on Cytoscape 3.5.1. Results A total of 48 chromatographic peaks were detected from D. styracifolium volatile oils, and 33 kinds of compound structure were determined by searching in mass spectral database and document retrieval, which account for 90.1% of total volatile oils. There were 17 key chemical constituents, and 88 target proteins were selected. TRP channels included 11 potential targets. Through molecular docking, we found that the phytol, hentriacontane, farnesyl acetone, and squalene were the key anti-inflammatory chemical constituents of D. styraci folium volatile oils. TPRV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1), PRKCB (protein kinase C, beta), and PRKCD (protein kinase C, delta) (degree > 10) are the key anti-inflammatory target protein. Conclusion We preliminarily select the key anti-inflammatory target and active constituents of D. styraci folium volatile oils from this study, and this research provides the theoretical basis for the development and application of its products.

Factors influencing induction and in vitro culture of hairy roots in Phytolacca americana L / 生物工程学报

To use hairy roots for producing medicinal ingredients of Phytolacca americana L. we studied the factors influencing the induction and in vitro culture. Hairy roots could be incited from the veins of cut surface (morphological lower) of P. americana L. leaf explants around 18 days after infection with the strain of Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC15834. The highest rooting rate, 70%, was obtained when leaf explants were pre-cultured for 1 day, infected for 20 min, and co-cultured for 4 days. The transformation was confirmed by PCR amplification of rolC of Ri plasmid and silica gel thin-layer chromatography of opines from P. americana L. hairy roots. All the hairy root lines could grow rapidly on solid exogenous phytohormone-free MS medium. Among the 9 hairy root lines, the hairy root line 2 had most rapid growth, most branched lateral roots and most intensive root hair; the root surface of some hairy root lines seemed purple or red, while that of the other hairy root line appeared white. Among liquid media MS, 1/2MS, B5 and 6,7-V tested, the best growth for hairy root lines was attained in liquid exogenous phytohormone-free MS medium. Compared with exogenous phytohormone-free MS medium, 6,7-V medium was better for synthesis and accumulation of esculento side A in hairy roots. The established optimal conditions for induction and in vitro culture of P. americana hairy roots had laid an experimental and technological foundation for production of medicinal constituents esculento side A from large scale culture of hairy roots.

Chemical constituents from Fokienia hodginsii / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Fokienia hodginsii. Methods: The compounds were separated and purified by chromatography and their structures were determined by spectroscopic data. Results: Fourteen compounds were isolated from 95% ethanol extract of F. hodginsii and identified as savinin (1), gadain (2), dihydrosesamin (3), hinokinin (4), 7-oxohinokinin (5), puviatilol (6), umbelliferone (7), phytol (8), catechin (9), amentoflavone (10), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (11), salicyl alcohol (12), vanillin (13), and coniferaldehyde (14). Conclusion: Compounds 1-14 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Bioassay guided purification of cytotoxic natural products from a red alga Dichotomaria obtusata

ABSTRACT Different solvent extracts of Dichotomaria obtusata (J. Ellis & Solander) Lamark, Galaxauraceae, a red algae collected from the coast of Bushehr in the Persain Gulf, was investigated for its cytotoxic properties and chemical constituents. The fresh alga, after extraction with methanol and dichloromethane were combined and partitioned between water, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The above fractions were then tested against MOLT-4 (human lymphoblastic leukemia) cancer cell line. The IC50 values of the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate layers of the crude extract were 29.8 ± 3.1 and 30.6 ± 7.9 µg/ml against MOLT-4 cells, respectively, while the water layer showed a week activity with IC50 > 50 µg/ml. After fractionation of the active extracts using open column chromatography over silica gel and preparative thin layer chromatography purification, two terpenoid derived compounds, trans-phytol palmitate and γ-tocopherol were isolated from the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using different spectral data including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and EI-MS. The IC50 values of compounds trans-phytol palmitate, γ-tocopherol and an undetermined mixture of compounds (F-13-14) were determined as 43.4 ± 1.6, – and 20.3 ± 6.2 µg/ml against LS180 (human colon adenocarcinoma); 53.2 ± 9.3, >100 and 27.6 ± 6.9 µg/ml against MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) and 40.0 ± 4.1, 48.8 ± 1.8 and 15.9 ± 0.3 µg/ml against MOLT-4 cell lines, respectively, which were comparable to the IC50 values of standard anticancer agent, cisplatin against the same cell lines. The red algae collected from the Persian Gulf contained substances that could inhibit the growth of human cancer cell lines and may represent a natural source for the discovery of novel anticancer agents.

In Vitro Schistosomicidal Activity of Phytol and Tegumental Alterations Induced in Juvenile and Adult Stages of Schistosoma haematobium

There is renewed interest in natural products as a starting point for discovery of drugs for schistosomiasis. Recent studies have shown that phytol reveals interesting in vivo and in vitro antischistosomal properties against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. Here, we report the in vitro antischistosomal activity of phytol against Schistosoma haematobium juvenile and adult worms and alterations on the tegumental surface of the worms by means of scanning electron microscopy. The assay, which was carried out with 6 concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 μg/ml) of phytol, has shown a promising activity in a dose and time-dependent manner. There was a significant decline in the motility of the worms and a mortality rate of 100% was found at 48 hr after they had been exposed to phytol in the concentration of 150 μg/ml. Male worms were more susceptible. On the ultrastructural level, phytol also induced tegumental peeling, disintegration of tubercles and spines in addition to morphological disfiguring of the oral and ventral suckers. This report provides the first evidence that phytol is able to kill S. haematobium of different ages, and emphasizes that it is a promising natural product that could be used for development of a new schistosomicidal agent.

Bioactive Constituents from the Leaves of Zanthoxylum schinifolium

Activity-guided separation of the methylene chloride-soluble fraction of the leaves of Zanthoxylum schinifolium, resulted in the isolation of four coumarinoids (1 - 4), two triterpenoids (5, 6) and three fatty acid derivatives (7 - 9) as active principles. Their chemical structures were identified as collinin (1), 8-methoxyanisocoumarin (2), 7-(6'R-hydroxy-3',7'-dimethylocta-2',7'-dienyloxy)-coumarin (3), (E)-4-methly-6-(coumarin-7'-yloxy) hex-4-enal (4), lupeol (5), epi-lupeol (6), phytol (7), hexadec-3-enoic acid (8) and palmitic acid (9), on the basis of spectroscopic (1D, 2D and MS) data analyses and comparing with the data published in the literatures. Compounds 1 and 7 showed potent cytotoxicity against Jurkat T cells with IC50 values of 45.58 and 47.51 microM, respectively. The others showed moderate activity with IC50 values ranging around 80.58 to 85.83 microM, while the positive control, auraptene, possessed an IC50 value of 55.36 microM.

Antibacterial activity of the chemical compositions from Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To extract and analyze the chemical constituents from Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch investigate the antibacterial activities and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the chemical constituents. METHODS: The chemical constituents from Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch were extracted by SFE-CO2 and analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activities of the chemical constituents were tested by the agar plate diffusion method. The MIC was obtained by microplate method. RESULTS: A total of twenty-four constituents representing 95.407% of the total constituents were identified. The chemical components showed promising antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri and Salmonella spp. The MIC for Staphyloccocus aureus, Shigella flexneri is 4 mg·L-1, and for Salmonella spp, the MIC is 5 mg·L-1. CONCLUSION: The experiment provides a scientific basis for further development and utilization of Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch.

Chemical constituents from aerial part of fresh Euphorbia fischeriana / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the aerial part of fresh Euphorbia fischeriana. Methods: Fourteen compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, HPLC and recrystallization methods, and their structures were identified by spectral analysis. Results: Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as 23 (E)-25-methoxycycloart-23-en-3β-ol (1), 24-hydroperoxycycloart-25-en-3β-ol (2), 25-hydro-peroxycycloart-23-en-3β-ol (3), lupeol (4), 24-methylenecycoartanol (5), euphol (6), 24-methylenecycloartane-3, 28-diol (7), obtusifoliol (8), phytol (9), jolkinolide A (10), 2, 4-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-1-acetophenone (11), 3-oxo-24-methylenecycloarane (12), 12-deoxyphorbol-13-hexadecanoate (13), and butyrospermol (14). Conclusion: Compound 9 is obtained from the plants in Euphorbia L. for the first time, and compounds 1-3 and 7-8 are isolated from E. fischeriana for the first time.

Avaliação da toxicidade aguda e das alterações histopatológicas em camundongos tratados com fitol / Assessment of acute toxicity and histopathological changes in mice treated with phytol

O fitol, (3,7,11,15-tetrametilhexadec-2-en-1-ol), é um diterpeno pertencente ao grupo dos álcoois acíclicos insaturados de cadeia longa e ramificada. É um componente da molécula da clorofila, presente em folhas verdes de várias plantas medicinais. Entretanto, pouco é descrito na literatura sobre os possíveis efeitos toxicológicos produzidos pelo fitol. O objetivo do nosso estudo foi avaliar a toxicidade aguda do fitol, após administração intraperitoneal para determinação da dose letal 50% (DL50) e os efeitos sobre os parâmetros bioquímicos, hematológicos e histopatológicos no hipocampo e corpo estriado de camundongos adultos tratados com fitol nas doses de 25, 50 e 75 mg/kg. Os testes para determinação do grau de toxicidade aguda, bem como a investigação da DL50, revelou que o valor é aproximadamente 1153.39 mg/kg. Os camundongos tratados com as doses selecionadas do fitol a partir da DL50 apresentaram todos os parâmetros hematológicos dentro da faixa de referência, observando-se alterações nos valores dos linfócitos. Por sua vez, a maioria dos valores dos parâmetros bioquímicos diminuiu em todas as doses testadas (p<0,05). Em nosso estudo, apenas os animais tratados com fitol na dose de 75 mg/kg demonstraram uma discreta vacuolização no corpo estriado e um discreto comprometimento caracterizado por vacuolização no hipocampo em apenas um dos animais. Nossos resultados indicam que o tratamento com fitol não produz alterações hematológicas, bioquímicas e histopatológicas cerebrais em camundongos. O estudo toxicológico pré-clínico com fitol demonstrou que o produto avaliado possui discreta toxicidade aguda por via intraperitoneal, sendo estes dados uma contribuição para pesquisas com compostos obtidos de plantas medicinais com potencial farmacológico. Porém, ressalta-se a necessidade de futuras pesquisas que possibilitem comparar os resultados em outras vias, bem como para realizar análises anatomopatológicas dos animais tratados com fitol, para assegurar o uso seguro deste diterpeno.

Phytol (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol) is a diterpene belonging to the group of acyclic unsaturated long-chain branched alcohols. It is a component of the chlorophyll molecule, present in green leaves of various medicinal plants. However, there is little in the literature about the possible toxic effects produced by phytol. The aim of our study was to assess the acute toxicity of phytol after intraperitoneal (ip) administration, by determining its 50% lethal dose (LD50) and effects on biochemical parameters, hematology and the histopathology of the hippocampus and corpus striatum of adult mice treated with doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg phytol. The acute toxicity tests and investigation of the LD50 revealed its value to be approximately 1153.39 mg/kg. Mice treated with sublethal doses of phytol based on the LD50 showed all hematological parameters within their reference ranges, with small changes in the lymphocyte count. In turn, most of the biochemical parameters decreased at all doses tested (p<0.05). In our study, only those animals treated with phytol at a dose of 75 mg/kg showed slight vacuolation in the corpus striatum and a slight impairment characterized by vacuolation in the hippocampus in one animal. Our results indicate that treatment with phytol produces no hematological, biochemical or brain histopathological changes in the mice. The preclinical toxicological study with phytol showed that it has slight acute toxicity when injected ip. These data contribute to research on natural compounds obtained from medicinal plants with pharmacological potential. However, we emphasize the need for future research to enable results obtained by other routes to be compared, as well as to conduct pathological analysis in animals treated with phytol, to ensure the safe use of this diterpene.

GC-MS analysis of bioactive constituents of rauwolfia densiflora (Wall) benth. ex HK.f.

Rauwolfia densiflora (Wall) Benth. ex HK.f known to the Kanikkars as “Paarisirunila” is one of the medicinally important plants belonging to the family Apocynaceae. Kanikkar tribes, inhabitants of Agasthiarmalai Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India use the paste prepared from the fresh leaves and flowers to treat rheumatic complaints. This study was carried out to analyse the active constituents present in the whole plant of said plant. Seven compounds were identified in the ethanol extract of Rauwolfia densiflora by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.

GC-MS determination of bioactive components of Erythropalum scandens Bl., Bijdr.

Erythropalum scandens Bl., Bijdr (Erythropalaceae) known to the Kanikkar as “Vaathavallikodi” is an important medicinal plant. The Kanikkar tribe, inhabitants of KMTR, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu use this plant to relief from rheumatic pain. The present investigation deals with GC-MS analysis of ethanol extract of the above said plant. Forty one compounds were identified.