Antiproliferative piperidine alkaloids from giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) / 中国天然药物

The rhizome of giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott), which is a highly adaptable wild plant, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In the current study, the antiproliferative constituents of giant taro were investigated and six new (1-6) and four known piperidine alkaloids (7-10) were isolated from its rhizomes. Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were elucidated using various spectroscopic methods and the Mosher ester method. The isolated alkaloids were screened for the antiproliferative activity through MTT assay. The results indicated that piperidine alkaloids exerted potential antiproliferative activity against HepG2, AGS and MCF-7 tumor cells. Further researches showed that compounds 3-5 dose-dependently decreased the colony formation rate and induced the apoptosis of AGS cells, while compound 4 induced AGS cell death via the proapoptotic pathway. This study demonstrates that the piperidine alkaloids isolated from giant taro exhibit significant antitumor activity, which provides phytochemical evidence for further development and utilization.

Study on the active spirostanol saponins of Gualou xiebai baijiutang / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the basis of actions of Gualou xiebai baijiutang.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Guided by bioactivities, chemical and chromatographic ways were applied to isolate and purify the prescription. The chemical structures were identified by chemical and spectral ways. The activities on cardiovascular system of the pure compounds were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seven steroidal compounds were isolated and identified from the active parts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 5 and 6 showed good anti-platelet aggregation activities induced by ADP and PAF. The IC50 of compound 5 and 6 induced by 2 mumol.L-1 ADP were 0.082 and 0.078 mmol.L-1, and the IC50 induced by 0.5 mumol.L-1 PAF were 0.182 and 0.151 mmol.L-1, respectively.</p>

Research on active constituents research of gualou xiebai baijiutang (III). The active flavanoids / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the substance basis of actions of Gualou xiebai baijiutang.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Guided by bioactivities, the prescription was isolated and purified by chemical and chromatographic methods, and the structures were identified by chemical and spectral methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>4 compounds were isolated from active parts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>3 compounds were isolated for the first time from Trichosanthes kirilowii and Allium macrostemon. Compound 1 had a good activity against platelet aggregation.</p>