Possible therapeutics for Pseudomyxoma peritonei: a rare, lethal, and the least investigated disease

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) refers to a growth disorder characterized by glycoprotein neoplasm in the peritoneum, where mucin oversecretion occurs. The tumors of the appendix region are well associated with PMP; however, ovarian, colon, stomach, pancreas, and urachus tumors have also been linked to PMP. Other mucinous tumors in the pelvis, paracolic gutters, greater omentum, retrohepatic space, and Treitz ligament can be the reason for PMP. Despite being rare and having a slow growth rate, PMP can be lethal without treatment. It is treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the option of cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. In the current study, we hypothesize that there may be novel gentle ways to inhibit or eliminate the mucin. Dr. David Morris has used mucolytics - such as bromelain and N-acetyl cysteine to solubilize mucin. In the present review, we aimed to study the regulation of mucin expression by promoter methylation, and drugs that can inhibit mucin, such as boldine, amiloride, naltrexone, dexamethasone, and retinoid acid receptors antagonist. This review also explored some possible pathways, such as inhibition of Na + , Ca2+ channels and induction of DNA methyltransferase along with inhibition of ten-eleven translocation enzymes, which can be good targets to control mucin. Mucins are strong adhesive molecules that play great roles in clinging to cells or cell to cell. Besides, they have been greatly involved in metastasis and also act as disease markers for cancers. Diagnostic markers may have exclusive roles in disease initiation and progression. Therefore, the present review explores various drugs to control and target mucin in various diseases, specifically cancers. (AU)

Effect of nuciferine on gut microbiota and inflammatory response in obese model mice / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of nuciferine on alleviating obesity based on modulating gut microbiota, ameliorating chronic inflammation, and improving gut permeability. In this study, the obese model mice were induced by high-fat diet and then randomly divided into model group, and nuciferine group; some other mice of the same week age were fed with normal diet as normal group. In the modeling process, the mice were administered intragastrically(ig) for 12 weeks. In the course of both modeling and treatment, the body weight and food intake of mice in each group were measured weekly. After modeling and treatment, the Lee's index, weight percentage of inguinal subcutaneous fat, and the level of blood lipid in each group were measured. The pathological changes of adipocytes were observed by HE staining to evaluate the efficacy of nuciferine treatment in obese model mice. 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis was conducted to study the changes in diversity and abundance of gut microbiota after nuciferine treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) were used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and the expression of related genes in adipose tissue of mice in each group, so as to evaluate the effect of nuciferine on chronic inflammation of mice in obese model group. qPCR was used to detect the expression of occludin and tight junction protein 1(ZO-1)gene in colon tissure, so as to evaluate the effect of nuciferine on intestinal permeability of mice in obese group. Nuciferine decreased the body weight of obese mice, Lee's index, weight percentage of inguinal subcutaneous fat(P<0.05), and reduced the volume of adipocytes, decreased the level of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)(P<0.05) in serum, improved dysbacteriosis, increased the relative abundance of Alloprevotella, Turicibacter, and Lactobacillus, lowered the relative abundance of Helicobac-ter, decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α genes in adipose tissue(P<0.01), decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in serum(P<0.05), and increased the expression of occludin and ZO-1 genes related to tight junction in colon tissue(P<0.01). Nuciferine could treat obesity through modulating gut microbiota, decreasing gut permeability and ameliorating inflammation.

Aporphine alkaloids from Piper erecticaule and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity / Alcaloides de aporfina obtenida de Piper erecticaule y actividad inhibitoria de la acetilcolinesterasa

Chemical constituents and biological activities of the aerial parts of Piper erecticaule C.DC. have been studied for the first time. Fractionation and purification of the extracts afforded aristolactam AII (1), aristolactam BII (2), piperolactam A (3), piperolactam C (4), piperolactam D (5), together with terpenoids of ß-sitosterol, ß-sitostenone, taraxerol, and lupeol. The structures of these compounds were obtained by analysis of their spectroscopic data, as well as the comparison with that of reported data. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity revealed that compounds 1 and 3 showed strong AChE inhibitory effects with the percentage inhibition of 75.8% and 74.8%, respectively.

Se estudiaron por primera vez los constituyentes químicos y actividad biológica de las partes aéreas de Piper erecticaule C.DC. El fraccionamiento y la purificación de los extractos proporcionaron aristolactama AII (1), aristolactama BII (2), piperolactama A (3), piperolactama C (4), piperolactama D (5), junto con terpenoides de ß-sitosterol, ß-sitostenona, taraxerol, y el lupeol. Las estructuras de estos compuestos se obtuvieron mediante el análisis de sus datos espectroscópicos, así como mediante la comparación con datos ya informados. La actividad inhibidora de la acetilcolinesterasa reveló que los compuestos 1 y 3 mostraron un potente efecto inhibidor de la AChE con un porcentaje de inhibición del 75.8% y 74.8%, respectivamente.

Biopharmaceuticals classification system(BCS) of nuciferin in Nelumbinis Folium / 中国中药杂志

Nuciferin is the main active ingredients in Nelumbinis Folium， which was proved to have good hypolipidemic， antioxidative and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. Currently， pharmacokinetic studies of nuciferin showed different results based on different animal models. evaluation experiments were low-cost， stable and controllable. Biopharmaceutical classification system(BCS) was an effective and reliable simulation method to evaluate the bioavailability of oral drugs. It was a scientific framework for classifying drugs or active pharmaceutical ingredients(API) according to their solubility and impermeability . In the study， BCS was applied in an active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)， which was consisted of numerous chemical components. To study the equilibrium solubility of nuciferine， ideal solution model， Ape blat model and polynomial model were adopted. The permeability was measured based on partition coefficient(logP) and distribution coefficient(logD). Besides， apparent permeabilities of Caco-2 cells and murine intestine tissues were evaluated. Nuciferine was classified as BCSⅠ， since it had a good solubility and permeability in all methods under acidic conditions. However， in neutral and alkaline environments， nuciferine was classified as BCSⅣ by using everted intestinal sac. It indicated that the species of experimental animals has a significant influence on the absorption of nuciferine. This experiment can provide data support to the prediction in a complex environment(medicinal materials and absorbed parts). The application of BCS on TCM ingredients provided a new method to evaluate and screen out the druggability of TCM ingredients.

A new diterpenoid alkaloid isolated from Delphinium caeruleum / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to determine the chemical constituents of Delphinium caeruleum Jacq. ex Camb.. The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated by IR, MS, and NMR. Ten compounds were obtained and identified as caerudelphinine A (1), lycoctonine (2), talitine B (3), talitine A (4), talitine C (5), tatsienine-V (6), d-magnoflorine (7), 2-trimethyl-ammonio-3-(3-indolyl) propionate (8), vakhmatine (9), and delatisine (10). Compound 1 was a new lycoctonine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloid, and compounds 4-10 were isolated from this plant 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.

Aporphine alkaloids from Litsea greenmaniana / 中国中药杂志

A new aporphine alkaloid (1), together with five known analogues (2-6), has been isolated from the branch of Litsea greenmaniana by using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis ( MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR) as 2,9-dihydroxy-1,10-dimethoxy-4,5-dihydro-7-oxoaporphine (1), laurotetanine (2), N-methyllaurotetanine (3), isodomesticine (4), isocorydine (5), and norisocorydine (6). Compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2-6 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Crebanine inhibits voltage-dependent Na+ current in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the effects of crebanine on voltage-gated Na(+) channels in cardiac tissues.@*METHODS@#Single ventricular myocytes were enzymatically dissociated from adult guinea-pig heart. Voltage-dependent Na(+) current was recorded using the whole cell voltage-clamp technique.@*RESULTS@#Crebanine reversibly inhibited Na(+) current with an IC50 value of 0.283 mmol·L(-1) (95% confidence range: 0.248-0.318 mmol·L(-1)). Crebanine at 0.262 mmol·L(-1) caused a negative shift (about 12 mV) in the voltage-dependence of steady-state inactivation of Na(+) current, and retarded its recovery from inactivation, but did not affect its activation curve.@*CONCLUSION@#In addition to blocking other voltage-gated ion channels, crebanine blocked Na(+) channels in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. Crebanine acted as an inactivation stabilizer of Na(+) channels in cardiac tissues.

Research on bitter components from Coptis chinensis based on electronic tongue / 中国中药杂志

Isolated alkaloids from Coptis chinensis Franch. The compounds were identified as berberine, columbamine, groenlandicine, jatrorrhizine, magnoflorine, corydaldine and ferulic acid methylester. Then measured their bitter degree based on the electronic tongue and evaluated the antibacterial. The results based on the Electronic Tongue showed that berberine, columbamine, groenlandicine and jatrorrhizine have higher bitter degree than magnoflorine and corydaldine. And they also appeared better antibacterial activity on E. coli and S. aureus. The correlation coefficients between bitter degree and the two bacteria antibacterial activity were 0.983 and 0.911. So there was close relationship between the bitter degree and antibacterial activity of bitter components. Thus, it is confirmed further that bitter components are the material foundation of medicinal effectiveness of bitter herbs.

Chemical constituents from Corydalis yanhusuo / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of Corydalis yanhusuo.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography over macroporous absorption resin, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>22 compounds were isolated and identified as corydaline (1), tetrahydropalmatine (2), protopine (3), tetrahydrocorysamine (4), tetrahydrocoptisine (5) , tetrahydroberberine (6), tetrahydrocolumbamine (7), noroxyhydrastine (8), dehydrocorydaline (9), glaucine (10), columbamine (11), 8-oxocoptisine (12), 13-methyl-columbamine (13), coptisine (14), palmatine (15), herberine (16), oxoglaucine (17), 13-methyl-palmatrubine (18), dehydrocorybulbine (19), stepharanine (20), adenosine (21), and N5 -acetylornithine (22).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 13, 20, 21, and 22 were isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>

Study on semi-synthetic transforming technology for the natural product of isocorydione / 药学学报

Transforming technology for semi-synthesized isocorydione from the natural product ofisocorydine was studied. The factors affecting on the reaction yield were investigated. UV spectrophotometry was used to indicate the semi-synthesized yield of isocorydione. The optimum reaction conditions were determined as following: reacting for 12 h in the solution of sodium dihydrogen phosphate at pH 10, the temperature was 25 degrees C and the ratio of isocorydine to Fremy's radical was 1 : 2. Under the optimum conditions, the yield could reach up to 50.0%. The molecular structure of isocorydione was elucidated by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis for the first time.

The HPLC determination of the content of magnoflorine in main species of Epimedii Herba / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the content of magnoflorine in main species of Epimedii Herba.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Ultrasonic extraction, HPLC analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The content of magnoflorine of Epimedium leaves range between 0.0029% and 1.688%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The content of magnoflorine of Epimedium show large differences between species but relatively stable within the species, E. koreanum Nakai is the highest one and E. brevicornu is the lowest.</p>

Distribution and influencing factors of magnoflorine in Epimedium / 中国中药杂志

Eighty samples of Epimedium from 29 species and were determined in this study. The content of magnoflorine in leaves range between 0. 003% and 2. 603%. The results showed that the content of magnoflorine was quite stable within species except E. wushanense, E. acuminatum, E. hunanense. Genetic factors might be the main influencing ones. The contents of different parts and different collecting time of the medicinal materials were variable.

Boldina disminuye la apoptosis miocárdica post isquemia reperfusión en la rata / Boldine decrease myocardial apoptosis post ischemic reperfusion in rats

Antecedentes: En la isquemia/reperfusión (IR) miocárdica es relevante la pérdida de cardiomiocitos por apoptosis. En estos, los hemicanales (HC) permiten el ingreso de sustancias proapoptóticas durante la IR. Boldina (B), compuesto extraído del Peumus boldus, ha demostrado ser antioxidante y bloquear los HC. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de boldina sobre la apoptosis de cardiomiocitos de ratas sometidas a IR. Métodos: Ratas macho de 200 g de peso se sometieron a ligadura reversible de la arteria coronaria izquierda por 30 minutos (I) y posterior reperfusión (R) por 24 horas post I. Un subgrupo de estos animales recibió una dosis de boldina intraventricular (IR+B, 40 mg/Kg) y luego dos dosis vía gavage (75 mg/Kg) a los 30 y 60 minutos post-R. Como controles se usaron ratas sham con operación ficticia, que recibieron igual tratamiento. Se determinaron las masas corporal (MC) y cardiaca relativa (MCR) y presión arterial sistólica (PAS). Porcentaje de cardiomiocitos apoptóticos (CMAP), otras células apoptóticas (OCAP) y total de células apoptóticas (TCAP) se determinó por TUNEL. La activación de metaloproteinasas (MMPs) 2 y 9 se determinó por zimografía y el mRNA de MCP-1 por RT-PCR. Resultados: La boldina no modificó la MC y la MCR. Sin embargo, disminuyó significativamente la PAS así como el por cientoCMAP y el por cientoTCAP en el grupo IR+B versus IR (CMAP 69 +/- 1,5 vs 44 ± 0,4, p=0,016, TCAP 71 +/- 2,4 vs 57 +/- 1,5, p=0,016). No se encontraron diferencias en el OCAP, actividad de MMPs y en los niveles de mRNA de MCP-1. Conclusiones: Boldina disminuyó la PAS y la apoptosis de cardiomiocitos post IR. Su efecto no es mediado por modificaciones en la actividad de MMPs y expresión génica de MCP-1.

Background: Ischemia / reperfusion (IR) is relevant in the myocardial loss of cardiomyocytes through apoptosis. During IR, hemi channels (HC) allow the entry of proapoptotic substances to the cell. Boldine, a compound extracted from Peumus boldus, has proven to be antioxidant and to block HC. Objective: To determine the effect of boldine on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats subjected to IR. Methods: Male rats, body weight (BW) 200 g, were subjected to reversible ligation of the left coronary artery for 30 minutes (I) and subsequent reperfusion (R) for 24 hours. A subset of these animals (IR+B) received an intraventricular dose of boldine (40mg/kg) and then two doses via gavage (75 mg/kg) at 30 and 60 minutes post-R. Sham operated rats (S) receiving the same treatment were used as controls. We determined body weight (BW), relative heart mass (RHM) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Percentage of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (CMAP), other apoptotic cells (OCAP) and total apoptotic cells (TCAP) were determined by TUNEL. Activation of metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 was determined by zymography and MCP-1 mRNA levels by RT-PCR. Results: Compared to IR alone, IR+Boldine did not change BW or RCM, but significantly decreased PAS, TCAP (71 +/- 2.4 vs 57 +/- 1.5, p=0.016) and CMAP (69 +/- 1.5 vs 44 +/- 0.4, p=0.016). No difference was observed in the OCAP, MMPs activity and MCP-1 mRNA levels. Conclusions: Boldine decreased SBP and post-IR cardiomyocyte apoptosis without effect on other cells. This effect was not mediated by MMPs activity or MCP-1 gene expression.

Study on chemical constituents from branches and leaves of Polyalthia nemoralis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of the branches and leaves of Polyalthia nemoralis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel, macroporous adsorption resin and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographic methods. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as syringic acid (1), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (2), vanillic acid (3), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), mauritianin (5), (+)-xylopinidine (6), (+)-oblongine(7), (+)-tembetarine (8), eythritol (9), D-mannitol (10), ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), (+)-magnoflorine (12), stepharanine (13), (2S, 4R)-4-hydroxy-2-piperidine-carboxylic acid (14), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All the compounds were isolated from the genus Polyalthia for the first time; compounds 6 and 13 showed inhibitation activities against multi tumor cell lines.</p>

Studies on anti-tumor metastatic constituents from Lindera glauca / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anti-tumor metastatic constituents from Lindera glauca.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Constituent isolation and purification was carried by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40 and preparative HPLC). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. The anti-tumor metastasis assay was applied to evaluate the isolated compounds of their activities.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ten compounds (1 - 10) were isolated and their structures were identified by comparison of their spectral data with literature values as follows: Laurotetanine (1), N-methyllaurotetanine (2), reticuline (3), pallidine (4), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (5), N-cis-feruloyltyramine (6), atheroline (7), norisosocorydine (8), [9,9,9-(2) H3]-(1S*, 3S*, 4S*, 8S*)-p-menthane-3,8-diol (9), [9,9,9-(2) H3 ]-(1S*, 3R*, 4S*, 8S*)-p-Menthane-3,8-diol (10). Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 showed positive anti-tumor metastatic activities,and compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 3 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 9 and 10 were isolated from Lindera genus for the first time. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities.</p>

Alkaloids and anthraquinones from branches and leaves of uvaria kurzii / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chemical constituents of the branches and leaves of Uvaria kurzii.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographic methods. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Nine compounds were isolated and identified as: bidebiline A(1), annobraine (2), oxoputerine (3), atherospermidine (4), liriodenine (5), physcion (6), questin (7), rubiadin 3-methyl ether (8), emodin (9).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1-4, 6-9 were isolated from the genus Uvaria for the first time. Compound 3-5 showed inhabitation activities against tumor cell lines A549, Bel7402, BGC823, HCT-8, A2780, respectively.</p>

Determination of magnoflorine in Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by LC-MS / 中国中药杂志

A rapid and specific high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric method was developed for determination of magnoflorine in Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis. Samples were extracted by methanol. Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 ODS column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) was used, and mobile phase was methanol-water (60:40) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1). Electrospray ionization model (ESI), and MRM model were used for quantification. The linear range of magnoflorine was 4.352-2720 microg x L(-1). The average recovery was above 98%. The method is simple, sensitive and accurate, it can be used for determination of magnoflorine in Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis.

Aporphine alkaloids from branches and leaves of Polyalthia nemoralis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the aporphine alkaloids in the branches and leaves of Polyalthia nemoralis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Five aporphine alkaloids were isolated and identified as: bidebiline A (1), annobraine (2), lanuginosine (3), liriodenine (4), oxostephanosine (5), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For the first time, Compounds 2 and 5 were obtained from Polyalthia while 1, 3 and 4 isolated from this plant. The bioassays in vitro against five human tumor cell lines with MTT method showed moderate cytotoxic activities (IC50 1 mg x L(-1)) of compounds 3-5.</p>

HPLC determination of 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, pronuciferine, nuciferine and roemerine in Nelumbo nucifera and its alkaloid fraction / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an HPLC method for the determination of four alkaloids, i.e., 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, pronuciferine, nuciferine and roemerine, in Nelumbo nucifera and its alkaloid fraction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The determination was carried out at 35 degrees C on a Hypersil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), eluting with acetonitrile-water containing 0.1% triethylamine as mobile phases in gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and detection at the wavelength was set at 270 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The linear ranges of 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, pronuciferine, nuciferine and roemerine were 0.110-0.658 microg (r = 0.9995), 0.0210-0.126 microg (r = 0.9995), 0.103-0.618 microg (r = 0.9998), 0.085 6-0.514 microg (r = 0.9995), with the average recoveries (n=6) were 101.5%, 99.14%, 99.21% and 98.41% for the alkaloid fraction of N. nucifera and 99.53%, 100.5%, 97.51% and 100.1% for N. nucifera respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The determination results of the three batches of samples showed that the method was easy and accurate which could be used to determine the contents of four components in N. nucifera and its alkaloid fraction.</p>