A new monoterpene glycoside compound from roots of Paeonia lactiflora / 中草药

Objective: To study the constituents from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated by various chromatographic techniques and their structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and NMR data. Results: Eleven compounds were obtained and characterized as (4S)-perillic acid 6-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1'→6'')- β-D-glucopyranosyl (1), 4,9-dihydroxy-8,10-dehydrothymol-1-O-β-D-glucoside (2), emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (3), resveratrol (4), β-D-glucopyranosyl benzoate (5), ilexperphenoside A (6), catechol (7), methyl gallate (8), ethyl gallate (9), 3-methoxygallic acid (10), 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (11). Conclusion: Compound 1 is identified as a new compound, named perillic acid glycoside, compounds 2 and 5 are identified from the genus Paeonia for the first time.

C_(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum austroyunnanense / 中国中药杂志

Eight C_(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids( 1-8) were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of 95% ethanol extract of the ground roots of Aconitum austroyunnanense through various column chromatographies on silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and MCI gel.Their structures were elucidated as 14α-benzoyloxy-13β,15α-dihydroxy-1α,6α,8β,16β,18-pentamethoxy-19-oxoaconitan( 1),N-deethylaconitine( 2),spicatine B( 3),leucanthumsine A( 4),acofamine B( 5),macrorhynine B( 6),aconitilearine( 7),and ambiguine( 8) based on their chemical and physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was a new compound and alkaloids 2-8 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Some isolated alkaloids were tested in vitro for cytotoxic potential by employing the MTT method. As a result,alkaloid 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against three tested tumor cell lines( A-549,He La,and Hep G2) with IC_(50) values less than 20 μmol·L~(-1).

Study on Ranunculaceae herbal decoction pieces using X-ray diffraction / 中国中药杂志

The powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD) technique was used to investigate fourteen kinds of Ranunculaceae herbal decoction pieces(RHDP) recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and to explore a novel PXRD quality control method for RHDP. The results indicated that only three RHDP-Paeoniae Radix Alba, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, and Moutan Cortex, contained calcium oxalate monodydrate(COM), whereas no COM existed in other eleven kinds of RHDP. The difference in PXRD for Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra from different growing areas were investigated. The quantitative analysis method for COM was discussed by considering the water-boiling manufacturing process of herbal decoction pieces. The water-boiling experiments revealed that the PXRD peaks from COM crystals in RHDP were enhanced significantly after boiling. Paeoniae Radix Alba, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Moutan Cortex, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Aconiti Radix, Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, and Anemone Raddeanae Rhizoma exhibited a similar series of broader peaks in the 2θ region of 15° to 35°, whose origins were discussed on the basis of chemical constituents RHDP reported by other researchers. These diffraction broader peaks most likely originated from periodic orientation of benzene ring in organic molecular crystals of aconitine-and paeonolum-based alkaloids and glycosides chemical constituents, subsequently, possibly from some other organic constituents. The PXRD technique can be used to rapidly identify Cimicifuga heracleifolia with an amorphous dispersion peak and C. dahurica with a sharp-peak feature. Climatidis Radix et Rhizoma exhibited a series of sharp PXRD peaks. The PXRD method can provide a valuable quality control method for RHDP.

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids isolated from Aconitum brevicalcaratum / 中国天然药物

In the present study, three new aconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloids brochyponines A-C (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brevicalcaratum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR). The NMR data of salt form for compound 1 in CDCl were also measured.

Chemicals from Cimicifuga dahurica and Their Inhibitory Effects on Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Production by LPS-stimulated Bone Marrow-derived Dendritic Cells

Inflammation is a biological response caused by overactivation of the immune system and is controlled by immune cells via a variety of cytokines. The overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines enhances abnormal host immunity, resulting in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α might be one way to treat these conditions. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., which is traditionally used as an antipyretic and analgesic in Korea. In primary cell culture assays, 12 compounds were found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-6, and TNF-α) in vitro in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells stimulated with LPS.

Flavor and meridian tropism classification analysis of Callianthemum taipaicum / 中国中药杂志

To explore the flavor and meridian tropism classification of Callianthemum taipaicum by principal components analysis(PCA) and partial least square analysis(PLS). Meanwhile,to establish a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-ESI-MS) method for the simultaneous determination of 55 active components from 13 kinds of Ranunculaceae of Chinese traditional herbs. Samples were separated on HPLC system by Agilent 5 TC-C₁₈（2）（4.6 mm×250 mm，5 μm）column and eluted with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid at the flow rate of 0.6 mL·min⁻¹. The data were performed by HPLC-ESI-MS with multiple reaction monitoring（MRM）scanning mode under positive and negative ion modes and quantified by external standards. The data from 13 Ranunculaceae herbs were analyzed by the PLS-tree and cooman's prediction of PCA and PLS to evaluate the similarities and differences of C. taipaicum in flavor and meridian tropism. The results showed that calibration curves of 55 components all showed good linearity, >0.99,with good precision, repeatability and stability. After compared to other 12 herbs,PCA and PLS results revealed that the C. taipaicum belonged to lung and bladder meridians while its flavor attributive to pungent,warm in nature. In conclusion,the analysis approach of chemometric calculation combined with multi-components quantification is suitable for the classification of meridian tropism and flavor of Chinese traditional medicine,which can be used for alternative research of rare herbs.

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids isolated from Aconitum brevicalcaratum / 中国天然药物

In the present study, three new aconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloids brochyponines A-C (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brevicalcaratum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR). The NMR data of salt form for compound 1 in CDCl were also measured.

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.

Neuropharmacological investigations on Actaea acuminata Wall. ex Royle roots.

Actaea acuminata Wall. ex Royle, synonym of Actaea spicata var. acuminata (Wall. ex Royle) H.Hara, commonly called the Himalayan Baneberry ( Ranunculaceae) has been investigated for various pharmacological activities, based on its traditional claims. Properly identified A. acuminata roots were defatted by extracting with petroleum ether. The marc was then extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol. Various pharmacological activities such as antianxiety (Elevated plus maze, Hole board and Light/Dark tests), anticonvulsant (Maximum electroshock test), antidepressant (Despair swim test), sedative (Actophotometer), antistress (Cold swim test), analgesic (Tail immersion test) and anti-inflammatory (Carrageenin-induced paw edema model) were evaluated after administration of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, p.o., doses of methanol extract. The methanol extract exhibited significant antianxiety, anticonvulsant, antidepressant and antistress activities, and mild sedative activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg. It was found to be devoid of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Preliminary phytochemical screening of methanol extract showed the presence of alkaloids and polyphenols. Thus, CNS activities of the plant may be attributed to these groups of phytoconstituents.

Diterpenoid Alkaloids in the Roots of Aconitum Iochanicum / 中国药师

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Aconitum iochanicum Ulbr.Methods: The air-dried roots of A.iochanicum were powdered and extracted by methanol with a percolation method.After removing the solvent under reduced pressure, the crude extract was dissolved in1.5% HCl solution, and then extracted by ecetic ether.The acidic solution was basified to pH 9.0 by NaOH (5%) and extracted with ethyl acetate to obtain crude alkaloidal extract after the removal of ethyl acetate.The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography and identified based on spectral analysis (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS).Results: Totally 18 compounds were isolated from A.iochanicum and characterized as 14-O-acetylsachaconitine (1), franchetine (2), crassicaudine (3), indaconoitine (4), 14-benzoyl chasmanine (5), 14-O-acetyltalatisamine (6), talatisamine (7), chasmannine (8), crassicauline A (9), bikhaconine (10), 13,15-dideoxyaconitine (11), crassicautine (12), kongboensine (13), liljestrandisine (14), ludaconitine (15), 8-deacetyl-yunaconitine (16), yunaconitine (17) and ouvrardiantine (18).Conclusion: It''s the first time to study the chemical constituents of A.iochanicum, and 18 diterpenoid alkaloids are isolated.

Diterpenoid alkaloids in roots of Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum. Methods The constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel chromatography from the roots of Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum, and the structures were identified by spectral analysis (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and MS). Results Seventeen compounds were isolated from Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum and characterized as sachaconitine (1), 8-O-methylsachaconitine (2), liljestrandisine (3), talatisamine (4), chasmannine (5), 8-O-methyltalatisamine (6), 14-O-acetyltalatisamine (7), 8-deacetyl-yunaconitine (8), crassicautine (9), crassicaudine (10), crassicauline A (11), vilmorianine C (12), vilmorianine A (13), yunaconitine (14), transconitine B (15), kongboendine (16), and franchetine (17). Conclusion Seventeen compounds are isolated from Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatu. Compounds 2-3, 6-7, 9, and 12-16 are isolated from Aconitum hemsleyanum var. circinatum for the first time.

Diterpenoid Alkaloids in the Roots of Aconitum Bulleyanum Diels / 中国药师

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Aconitum bulleyanum Diels. Methods: The air-dried roots of A. bulleyanum were powdered and extracted by methanol with percolation. After removing the solvent under reduced pressure, the crude extract was dissolved in 1. 5％ HCl solution, and then basified to pH 9 by NaOH (5％) and extracted by ethyl acetate to ob-tain crude alkaloidal extract after ethyl acetate removal. The alkaloidal extract was isolated and purified by column chromatography, and their structures were identified based on spectral analysis ( 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, MS) . Results:Totally 12 diterpenoid alkaloids were isolated from A. bulleyanum and characterized as foresaconitine (1), crassicauline A (2), chasmanine (3), talatisamine (4), 14-debenzoyl-franchetine (5), pengshenine A (6), crassicautine (7), yunaconitine (8), franchetine (9), liljestrandisine (10), transconitine B (11) and pseudoaconine (12). Conclusion:Compounds 3-7, 10-12 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Studies on Diterpenoid Alkaloids in Aconitum Transsectum / 中国药师

Objective:To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Aconitum transsectum. Methods:The compounds were i-solated and purified by column chromatography on the columns of silica gel, Al2 O3 and Sephadex LH-20, and their structures were elu-cidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence ( MS and NMR) . Results:Totally 12 compounds were isolated from A. transsectum, and characterized as yunaconitine (1), indaconitine (2), crassialine A (3), 8-deacetylyunaconitine (4), talatisamine (5), chasma-conitine (6), 14-acetyltalatisamine (7), vilmoraconitine (8), sachaconitine (9), 14-acetylsachaconitine (10), acoforestinine (11) and vilmorrianine C (12). Conclusion:Compounds 8-11 are obtained from A. transsectum for the first time.

Advance on chemical compounds of Tibetan medicinal plants of Aconitum genus / 中国中药杂志

It was estimated that about 60 species and 15 varieties of genus Aconitum are distributed in China.These plants contain various kinds of chemical compounds, and the main compounds are diterpenoid alkaloids. In addition, there are flavonoids, phenolic acid and others.So far, phytochemical studies showed 339 compounds.This paper summarized the chemical compounds to provide the theoretical basis for the use of Tibetan medicinal plants of Aconitum genus.

Phenolic acid compounds from anemone altaicae rhizoma / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Anemone altaica. METHODS: The isolation and purification of the compounds were performed by chromatography on Diaion HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, and silica gel, combined with preparation liquid chromatography. Their structures were determined by comparison of their physicochemical characteristics and spectral data with literatures. RESULTS: Eleven compounds were obtained, and their structures were identified as methyl feruloyl-tartarate A (I), methyl feruloyl-tartarate B (II), ethyl feruloyl-tartarate B (III), mono-methyl feruloyl-lactate (IV), dimethyl feruloyl-lactate (V), vanillic acid-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (VI), p-hydroxybenzoic acid glucoside (VII), methyl chlorogenate (VIII), 3-O-fernloylquini acid (IX), 5-O-feruloyl-3-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-D-ribono-γ-lactone (X), and carboxymethyl isoferulate (XI). CONCLUSION: Compounds I-V are new compounds, and are speculated to be a man-made products. Compounds VI-XI are isolated from the plants of anemone genus for the first time.

Mining chemodiversity from biodiversity: pharmacophylogeny of medicinal plants of Ranunculaceae / 中国天然药物

This paper reports a pharmacophylogenetic study of a medicinal plant family, Ranunculaceae, investigating the correlations between their phylogeny, chemical constituents, and pharmaceutical properties. Phytochemical, ethnopharmacological, and pharmacological data were integrated in the context of the systematics and molecular phylogeny of the Ranunculaceae. The chemical components of this family included several representative metabolic groups: benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, ranunculin, triterpenoid saponin, and diterpene alkaloids, among others. Ranunculin and magnoflorine were found to coexist in some genera. The pharmacophylogenetic analysis, integrated with therapeutic information, agreed with the taxonomy proposed previously, in which the family Ranunculaceae was divided into five sub-families: Ranunculoideae, Thalictroideae, Coptidoideae, Hydrastidoideae, and Glaucidioideae. It was plausible to organize the sub-family Ranunculoideae into ten tribes. The chemical constituents and therapeutic efficacy of each taxonomic group were reviewed, revealing the underlying connections between phylogeny, chemical diversity, and clinical use, which should facilitate the conservation and sustainable utilization of the pharmaceutical resources derived from the Ranunculaceae.

Cycloartenol triterpenoid saponins from Cimicifuga simplex (Ranunculaceae) and their biological effects / 中国天然药物

The constituents of Cimicifuga plants have been extensively investigated, and the principal metabolites are 9,19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides, which are distributed widely in Cimicifuga plants, but not in other members of the Ranunculaceae family, and are considered to be characteristics of the Cimicifuga genus. This type of triterpenoid glycoside possesses several important biological activities. More than 120 cycloartane triterpene glycosides have been isolated from Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk. The aim of this review article is to summarize all the major findings based on the available scientific literatures on C. simplex, with a focus on the identified 9,19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides. Biological studies of cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Cimicifuga spp. are also discussed.

Study on Diterpenoid Alkaloids from the Roots of Aconitum Straminiflorum / 中国药师

Objective:To study the chemical constituents of Aconitum straminiflorum. Methods:The air-dried roots of A. stra-miniflorum were powdered and extracted three times with 90% ethonal under reflux. After the removal of the solvent under reduced pressure,the crude extract was dissolved in 1. 5% HCl solution(7 L). The acidic solution was basified to pH 9. 0 with ammonia (25%)and extracted with CHCl3 to obtain crude extract of total alkaloids after the removal of CHCl3 . The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography and identified based on spectral analysis( MS,1 H-üMR and 13 C-üMR). Results:Totally 7 compounds were isolated from A. straminiflorum,and characterized as aconosine(1),13-deoxyludaconitine(2),dolaconine(3), ezochasmanine(4),talatisamine(5),scopaline(6)and cammaconine(7),respectively. Conclusion:Seven diterpenoid alkaloids are isolated from A. Straminiflorum for the first time.

Chemical constituents from aerial parts of Clematis manshurica / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents from the ethanol extract of aerial parts of Clematis manshurica. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, ODS, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods, including MS, 1D, and 2D NMR spectral techniques. Results: Seventeen compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of C. manshurica, and were identified as (+)-epipinoresinol (1), (+)-pinoresinol (2), (-)-episyringaresinol (3), (+)-medioresinol (4), (+)-pinoresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), (+)-syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), (+)-episyringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), matairesinol (8), (+)-lyoniresinol (9), (+)-isolariciresinol (10), (7R, 8R)-4, 7, 9, 9'-tetrahydroxy-3, 3'-diethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan (11), (7R, 8S)-4, 7, 9, 9'-tetrahydroxy-3, 3'-diethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan (12), (7S, 8R)-dihydrodehydroconiferyl alcohol (13), luteolin (14), 3″-O-(2‴- methylbutyryl) isoswertisin (15), 2″-O-(2‴-methylbutyryl) isoswertisin (16), and 6″-O-(2‴-methylbutyryl) isoswertisin (17). Conclusion: All compounds are obtained from the aerial parts of this plant for the first time, and compounds 1, 3, 4, 7-9, 11, 12, and 15-17 are firstly isolated from the plants of Clematis L.

Scolicidal Effects of Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) Essential Oil on Hydatid Cysts

Surgery remains the preferred treatment for hydatid cyst (cystic echinococcosis, CE). Various scolicidal agents have been used for inactivation of protoscolices during surgery, but most of them are associated with adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effect of Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae) essential oil and also its active principle, thymoquinone, against protoscolices of hydatid cysts. Protoscolices were aseptically aspirated from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of the essential oil (0.01-10 mg/ml) and thymoquinone (0.125-1.0 mg/ml) were used for 5 to 60 min. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Furthermore, the components of the N. sativa essential oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Our study revealed that the essential oil of N. sativa at the concentration of 10 mg/ml and its main component, thymoquinone, at the concentration of 1 mg/ml had potent scolicidal activities against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus after 10 min exposure. Moreover, thymoquinone (42.4%), p-cymene (14.1%), carvacrol (10.3%), and longifolene (6.1%) were found to be the major components of N. sativa essential oil by GC/MS analysis. The results of this study indicated the potential of N. sativa as a natural source for production of a new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be needed to confirm these results by checking the essential oil and its active component in in vivo models.