Marsdenia tenacissima injection induces the apoptosis of prostate cancer by regulating the AKT/GSK3β/STAT3 signaling axis / 中国天然药物

Marsdenia tenacissima injection, a standard Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE), has been approved as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for various cancers. Our previous study showed that MTE inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa) cells. However, the underlying mechanisms and active ingredients of MTE against PCa were not completely understood. This study revealed that MTE induced significant decreases in cell viability and clonal growth in PCa cells. In addition, MTE induced the apoptosis of DU145 cells by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing the expression of Cleaved Caspase 3/7, Cyt c, and Bax. In vivo, DU145 xenografted NOD-SCID mice treated with MTE showed significantly decreased tumor size. TUNEL staining and Western blot confirmed the pro-apoptotic effects of MTE. Network pharmacology analysis collected 196 ingredients of MTE linked to 655 potential targets, and 709 PCa-associated targets were retrieved, from which 149 overlapped targets were screened out. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the HIF-1, PI3K-AKT, and ErbB signaling pathways were closely related to tumor apoptosis. Western blot results confirmed that MTE increased the expression of p-AKTSer473 and p-GSK3βSer9, and decreased the expression of p-STAT3Tyr705in vitro and in vivo. A total of 13 compounds in MTE were identified by HPLC-CAD-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Molecular docking analysis indicated that six compounds may interact with AKT, GSK3β, and STAT3. In conclusion, MTE induces the endogenous mitochondrial apoptosis of PCa by regulating the AKT/GSK3β/STAT3 signaling axis, resulting in inhibition of PCa growth in vitro and in vivo.

Mechanism of Marsdenia tenacissima against ovarian cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental verification / 中国中药杂志

The present study aimed to explore the main active components and underlying mechanisms of Marsdenia tenacissima in the treatment of ovarian cancer(OC) through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro cell experiments. The active components of M. tenacissima were obtained from the literature search, and their potential targets were obtained from SwissTargetPrediction. The OC-related targets were retrieved from Therapeutic Target Database(TTD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), GeneCards, and PharmGKB. The common targets of the drug and the disease were screened out by Venn diagram. Cytoscape was used to construct an "active component-target-disease" network, and the core components were screened out according to the node degree. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the common targets was constructed by STRING and Cytoscape, and the core targets were screened out according to the node degree. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of potential therapeutic targets were carried out with DAVID database. Molecular docking was used to determine the binding activity of some active components to key targets by AutoDock. Finally, the anti-OC activity of M. tenacissima extract was verified based on SKOV3 cells in vitro. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was selected for in vitro experimental verification according to the results of GO function and KEGG pathway analyses. Network pharmacology results showed that 39 active components, such as kaempferol, 11α-O-benzoyl-12β-O-acetyltenacigenin B, and drevogenin Q, were screened out, involving 25 core targets such as AKT1, VEGFA, and EGFR, and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was the main pathway of target protein enrichment. The results of molecular docking also showed that the top ten core components showed good binding affinity to the top ten core targets. The results of in vitro experiments showed that M. tenacissima extract could significantly inhibit the proliferation of OC cells, induce apoptosis of OC cells through the mitochondrial pathway, and down-regulate the expression of proteins related to the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study shows that M. tenacissima has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergistic effect in the treatment of OC, which provides a theoretical basis for in-depth research on the material basis, mechanism, and clinical application.

Marsdenia tenacissima extract alters crucial metabolites in cancer, determined by 1 H NMR based metabolomics approach

ABSTRACT Altered metabolites level in the biosystems, is the potential cause of cancer, the primary reason of alteration of metabolism is change in nutrient consumption and waste excretion, as a result genetic mutation leads to cancer initiation and progression. Aberration of specific metabolites such as fumarate, succinate, 2-hydroxyglutarate may alter cell signaling. We collected liver and kidney samples and prepared for 1H NMR analysis, then executed NMR spectroscopy. We used a set of domestic R scripts to perform an unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) and a supervised orthogonal signal correction partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OSC-PLS-DA). It signifies class discrimination for getting a clear separation, whereas PCA scores plot signifies the model group kept further away from the control group than drug group on the horizontal axis. In another PCA scores plots, most parts of the control group was overlapping with the drug group but was distant from the model group. Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) (Chines name: Xiao-Ai-Ping, XAP) modulates level of crucial metabolites such as fumarate, lactate, succinate, determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and their altered level contributes major role in cancer

Marsdenia tenacissima extract suppresses A549 cell migration through regulation of CCR5-CCL5 axis, Rho C, and phosphorylated FAK / 中国天然药物

Marsdenia tenacissima, a traditional Chinese medicine, is long been used to treat various diseases including asthma, cancer, trachitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, cystitis, and pneumonia. Although Marsdenia tenacissima has been demonstrated to have strong anti-tumor effects against primary tumors, its effect on cancer metastasis remains to be defined, and the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-metastatic effect is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of XAP (an extract of Marsdenia tenacissima) on A549 lung cancer cell migration and explored the role of CCR5-CCL5 axis in the anti-metastatic effects of XAP. Our resutls showed that XAP inhibited A549 lung cancer cell migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner. The protein levels of CCR5, but not CCR9 and CXCR4, were decreased by XAP. The secretion of CCL5, the ligand of CCR5, was reduced by XAP. XAP down-regulated Rho C expression and FAK phosphorylation. In conclusion, XAP inhibited A549 cell migration and invasion through down-regulation of CCR5-CCL5 axis, Rho C, and FAK.

Efeitos farmacológicos e toxicidade das plantas do gênero Marsdenia. Uma Revisão / Pharmacological effects and toxicity of Marsdenia plants. A review

As plantas do gênero Marsdenia, família Apocynaceae (Asclepiadoideae), apresentam distribuição mundial, embora se encontre predominantemente nas regiões tropicais. Diversas espécies de Marsdenia são usadas na medicina tradicional asiática para o tratamento de dores reumáticas, inflamação, asma, sífilis e câncer. Vários estudos fitoquímicos mostraram que elas contêm glicosídeos esteroides, principalmente derivados de pregnano, mas também alcaloides esteroides, triterpenos e conduritoles. No entanto, casos espontâneos de intoxicação ocorreram em diversas espécies animais, e podem ocorrer em humanos. Assim, as plantas do gênero Marsdenia apresentam enorme potencial para descoberta de novos compostos para uso como medicamentos.

Marsdeniae tenacissimae extract (MTE) suppresses cell proliferation by attenuating VEGF/VEGFR2 interactions and promotes apoptosis through regulating PKC pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国天然药物

Marsdeniae tenacissimae extract (MTE), commonly known as Xiao-Ai-Ping in China, is a traditional Chinese herb medicine capable of inhibiting proliferation and metastasis and boosting apoptosis in various cancer cells. However, little is known about the contribution of MTE towards tumor angiogenesis and the underlying mechanism. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of MTE on the proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the molecular mechanism. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfopheny)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) and PI-stained flow cytometry assays revealed that MTE dose-dependently reduced the proliferation of HUVECs by arresting cell cycle at S phase (P < 0.05). Annexin V-FITC/PI-stained flow cytometry confirmed that MTE (160 μL·L) enhanced the apoptosis of HUVECs significantly (P < 0.001). Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed an increase in Bax expression and a sharply decline in Bcl-2 expression; caspase-3 was activated simultaneously in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Further study observed the dose-dependent down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), P2Y6 receptor (P2Y6R), and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL-2), along with the activation of PKC Δ and up-regulation of p53 in a dose-dependent manner in MTE-treated selected cells (P < 0.05). Collectively, the results from the present study suggested that MTE suppressed the proliferation by attenuating CCL-2-mediated VEGF/VEGFR2 interactions and promoted the apoptosis through PKCΔ-induced p53-dependent mitochondrial pathway in HUVECs, supporting that MTE may be developed as a potent anti-cancer medicine.

Effects of seed priming on physiology of seed germination and seeding growth of Marsdenia tenacissima under NaCl stress / 中国中药杂志

To offer the reference and method for salt damage in the cultivation of Marsdenia tenacissima, the seeds of M. tenacissima collected from Maguan city ( Yunnan province) were taken as the test materials to study the effects of different priming materials on improving germination and growth under high-level salt stress condition. Four different treatments, which were GA3, KNO3-KH2PO4, PEG-6000, NaCl, combined with ANOVA were applied to test the performance of germination energy, germination percentage, germination index, MDA, SOD, and CAT. The results showed that the seed germination was obviously inhibited under salt stress and the soaked seeds with different priming materials could alleviate the damage of salt stress. Under these treatments, the activities of SOD, CAT the content of soluble protein significantly increased. While the content of MDA significantly decreased. The maximum index was obtained when treated with 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage increased from 52.67% to 87.33% and the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 219.44 respectively. Comparing with the treatment of 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage of treating with 300 mg x L(-1) GA3 increased from 52.67% to 80.67%, while the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 444.61.

Ultra-highly diluted plant extracts of Hydrastis canadensis and Marsdenia condurango induce epigenetic modifications and alter gene expression profiles in HeLa cells in vitro / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Methylation-specific epigenetic process and gene expression profiles of HeLa cells treated with ultra-high dilutions (HDs) of two plant extracts, Hydrastis canadensis (HC-30) and Marsdenia condurango (Condu-30), diluted 1060 times, were analyzed against placebo 30C (Pl-30) for alterations in gene profiles linked to epigenetic modifications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Separate groups of cells were subjected to treatment of Condu-30, HC-30, and Pl-30 prepared by serial dilutions and succussions. Global microarray data recorded on Affymetrix platform, using 25-mer probes were provided by iLifeDiscoveries, India. Slides were scanned with 3000 7G microarray scanner and raw data sets were extracted from Cel (raw intensity) files. Analyses of global microarray data profile, differential gene expression, fold change and clusters were made using GeneSpring GX12.5 software and standard normalization procedure. Before microarray study, concentration of RNA (ng/μL), RIN value and rRNA ratio for all the samples were analysed by Agilant Bioanalyzer 2100. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative RT-PCR were done for analyzing SMAD-4 expression. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting study was further made to elucidate fate of cells at divisional stages. Methylation-specific restriction enzyme assay was conducted for ascertaining methylation status of DNA at specific sites.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HDs of HC-30 and Condu-30 differentially altered methylation in specific regions of DNA and expression profiles of certain genes linked to carcinogenesis, as compared to Pl-30. Two separate cut sites were found in genomic DNA of untreated and placebo-treated HeLa cells when digested with McrBC, compared to a single cut observed in Condu-30-treated genomic DNA. SMAD-4 gene expression validated the expression pattern observed in microarray profile. Methylation-specific restriction enzyme assay elucidated differential epigenetic modifications in drug-treated and control cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HDs triggered epigenetic modifications and alterations in microarray gene expression profiles of many genes associated with carcinogenesis in HeLa cells in vitro.</p>

Marsdenia tenacissima extract induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in human esophageal carcinoma cells by inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway / 中国天然药物

Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE, trade name: Xiao-Ai-Ping injection) is an extract of a single Chinese plant medicine. It has been used for the treatment of cancer in China for decades, especially for esophageal cancer and other cancers in the digestive tract. In the present study, the potential mechanism for MTE's activity in esophageal cancer was explored. The effects of MTE on the proliferation of human esophageal cancer cells (KYSE150 and Eca-109) were investigated by the MTT assay, the BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) incorporation immunofluorescence assay, and flow cytometric analysis. MTE inhibited cell proliferation through inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in KYSE150 and Eca-109. Western blot analysis was employed to determine protein levels in the MTE treated cells. Compared with the control cells, the expression levels of the cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1/D2/D3, cyclin E1, CDK2/4/6 (CDK: cyclin dependent kinase), and p-Rb were decreased significantly in the cells treated with MTE at 40 mg·mL(-1). In addition, MTE had an inhibitory effect on the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signal transduction pathway, including ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), and p38MAPK. Moreover, MTE showed little additional effects on the regulation of cyclin D1/D3, CDK4/6, and p-Rb when the ERK pathway was already inhibited by the specific ERK inhibitor U0126. In conclusion, these data suggest that MTE inhibits human esophageal cancer cell proliferation through regulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins and the MAPK signaling pathways, which is probably mediated by the inhibition of ERK activation.

Wild resources survey of Marsdenia tenacissima in Honghe, Yunnan / 中国中药杂志

To ascertain current situation of wild Marsdenia tenacissima resources in Honghe, Yunnan province, the distribution, habitat characteristic and resources reserves of M. tenacissima were surveyed based on interviews and investigation. The results showed that M. tenacissima was found in 7 counties such as Jinping, Mengzi etc, and distributed mainly on the mountainsides from 800 m to 1 200 m. And distribution was affected by many factors, such as light, heat, topography, soil, and vegetation. M. tenacissima grew well in distribution areas. M. tenacissima had averagely a weight of 2.8 kg per plant. Resources reserve of M. tenacissima in Honghe was estimated to 1 300 tons by now but it reduced rapidly in resent years, the wild resources reserve may not meet demand of market. Resources protection and wildlife tending would be conducted to deal with increasing medication requirements.

FTIR fingerprint spectrograms of traditional Chinese medicine Marsdenia tenacissima / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy fingerprint analysis of Marsdenia tenacissima samples was used to develop a reliable method of tracing the geographical origins. Forty-eight samples from four provinces of China were analyzed by FTIR. We analyzed and characterized the fingerprints in both the full spectrum peaks and characteristic peaks, then the principal component analysis and the cluster analysis were carried out. The results of fingerprint analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis can identify the geographic origins correctly, which verified and supplemented each other; the identification results and the actual location showed a high degree of consistency, namely the lower the space distance, the greater the similarity of different samples. These results revealed the obvious superiority and practical value in comparison to the more tedious and time-consuming wet chemistry method normally used. Using appropriate metrology methods can trace the geographical source correctly. The M. tenacissima materials from the region of Maguan should be considered as genuine medicinal materials taking into account the good quality.

Original plant identification of Dai nationality herb "Daibaijie" / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the original plant of "Daibaijie", commonly used Dai herb.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The literature review, morphology and anatomy, pharmacognosy, molecular biology, chemistry were used to analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Daibaijie's historical scientific name, Dregea sinensis Hemsl., was mistakenly given "Daibaijie" and D. sinensis have significant differences from the distribution, morphology and anatomy, pharmacognosy, molecular biology and chemical composition. "Daibaijie" matches with the characteristics of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon in Flora of China in English.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Daibaijie's original plant is M. tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon. The description and illustration of M. tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon in Flora of China in China are wrong. The illustration of M. tenacissima in Flora of China in English is wrong too.</p>

Evidence in support of gene regulatory hypothesis: Gene expression profiling manifests homeopathy effect as more than placebo

Background: Use of ultra-high diluted remedies in homeopathy and their claimed efficacy in curing diseases has been challenged time and again by non-believers despite many evidence-based positive results published in favor of their efficacy in curing/ameliorating disease symptoms. Aims: To test the ability of ultra-high diluted homeopathic remedies beyond Avogadro’s limit, if any, in manifesting gene modulating effects in controlled in vitro experimental model. Methods: Since cancer cells manifest aberrant epigenetic gene expressions, we conducted global microarray gene expression profiling of HeLa cells (an established epigenetic model of HPV18 positive cell line) treated with two different potentized homeopathic remedies, namely, Condurango 30c and Hydrastis canadensis 30C (used in the treatment of cancer), as compared to that of placebo (succussed alcohol 30c). Results: Data revealed distinctly different expression patterns of over 100 genes as a consequence of treatment with both homeopathc remedies compared to placebo. Conclusion: Results indicate that action of the potentized drugs was “more than placebo” and these ultra-highly diluted drugs acted primarily through modulation of gene expression.

Introdução: O uso de medicamentos homeopáticos ultra-diluídos e a sua presumível eficácia na cura de doenças têm sido reiteradamente contestados por céticos, apesar dos muitos resultados positivos, baseados em evidências, demonstrando a sua eficácia na cura/melhora de sintomas patológicos. Objetivos: Testar a possível capacidade de medicamentos homeopáticos diluídos além do limite de Avogadro para apresentar efeitos de modulação genética em modelo experimental in vitro. Métodos: Sendo que as células neoplásicas manifestam expressões epigenéticas aberrantes, investigamos através de micro-arranjo o perfil global de expressão genética de células HeLa (modelo epigenético já estabelecido de linhas celulares HPV18 positivas) tratadas com 2 medicamentos homeopáticos dinamizados, a saber, Condurango 30c e Hydrastis canadensis 30c (utilizados no tratamento de neoplasias) comparados com um placebo (álcool sucussionado 30c). Resultados: Os dados indicaram diferentes perfis de expressão em mais de 100 genes nas células tratadas com os medicamentos homeopáticos por comparação ao placebo. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam que o efeito dos medicamentos dinamizados foi “mais do que placebo” e que essa ação foi principalmente mediada por modulação da expressão genética.

Study on extraction and immune regulation of polysaccharides from Marsdenia tenacissima / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To optimize the extraction technology and determine the immune activity of polysaccharides from Marsdenia tenacissima.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The optimum extraction technology of polysaccharide from M. tenacissima was detected by orthogonal experiments with the extraction rate of polysacchride and the total sugar content as indicators. The immunocompromised mice model was established by intraperitoneal injection cyclophosphamide to detected the content of IL-2, IL-6 in serum, CD4+, CD8+ in the peripheral blood by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>By the extraction rate of polysaccharide, the sequence of seriousness of all affecting factors from high to low was extracting times, temperature, heating time and water ratio. By the total sugar content, the sequence was temperature, extracting times, water ratio and heating time. Compared with the model group, the pleen index, IL-2, IL-6, CD4/CD8+ were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the 0.14 g x kg(-1) group and 0. 28 g x kg(-1) group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>T he optimum extraction condition was as follows: extraction three times/1.5 hours at 100 degrees C with 1:8 ratio of M. tenacissima to water. The polysaccharide of M. tenacissima can enhance the cellular immune and humoral immune.</p>

Genetic relationship on several medicinal plants in Marsdenia from Yunnan in ISSR marker / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the genetic relationship of 9 Marsdenia species from Yunnan, especially the traditional Dai medicine "Dai Bai Jie" (M. auricularis).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Applying the inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers technology.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twenty-five primers were screened out of 60 ISSR random primers and produced 391 bands totally, every primer produce 8-21 bands and the mean number was 15.6. The range of the GS (genetic similarity) value was 0.6675-0.8210. In 9 Marsdenia species, M. auricularis is a relative of M. tenacissima. M. balansae and M. officinalis have the closest genetic relationship.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is supported by ISSR that the M. auricularis which is sib species of M. tenacissima, and the folk medicine of Marsdenia are worthy deep investigation and study.</p>

HPLC-ELSD fingerprint of Marsdenia tenacissima from different habitats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a HPLC-ELSD fingerprint of Marsdenia tenacissima from different habitats, in order to provide a reliable method for scientific assessment and effective quality control.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HPLC-ELSD was adopted to determine 25 baches of M. tenacissima herbs from different habitats. Traditional Chinese medicine chromatographic fingerprint similarity software assessment system 2004 developed by China Pharmacopoeia Committee was adopted to establish a common mode chart and assess chromatographic similarity based on the degree of correlation.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The common mode for M. tenacissima herb C21 steroidal fingerprint was established, including 11 common characteristic peaks. Among them, 10 were identified. According to the assessment on the similarity of 25 batches of samples, 80% of them showed a similarity of over 0.80 in steroidal HPLC-ELSD fingerprint.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method can be used to assess the quality of M. tenacissima.</p>

Antitumor activities of liposoluble components of caulis Marsdeniae tenocissimae and analysis on its chemical constituents / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the antitumor activities of the liposoluble components from caulis Marsdenia tenocissimae and analyze its chemical constituents.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The supercritical fluid extraction was used to extract the liposoluble components from caulis M. tenocissimae. MIT test was applied to study the anticancer effects of liposoluble components on growth inhibition in human liver cancer line HepG-2 cells, and the chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The liposoluble components of caulis M. tenocissimae have obvious growth inhibitory action to HepG-2 cells. Twenty-four compounds were identified and their relative contents were determined.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The liposoluble components from caulis M. tenocissimae have antitumor activities, and its pharmacological activity is related to its chemical constituents.</p>

Determination of tenacissoside H in Marsdeniae tenacissimae by HPLC-ELSD / 中国中药杂志

In order to improve the quality standard of Marsdenia tenacissima, a quantitative determination method of tenacissoside H was developed using high performance liquid chromatography. The method was carried out on a YMC ODS-H80 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 4 microm) column eluted with a mixture of acetonitrile and water (50:50) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 35 degrees C. An evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) was used with the temperature of drift tube set at 60 degrees C and the gas flow rate of nitrogen set at 1.5 mL x min(-1). The calibration curve was linear in the range from 0.5625 to 36.00 microg (r = 0.9998). The average recovery and RSD were 99.41% and 1.8%, respectively. The contents of tenacissoside H in the 11 samples from different habitats varied from 0.201% to 0.862%. The method established in this paper is specific and reliable to control and evaluate the quality of M. tenacissima.

Progress on antitumor effects of Marsdenia tenacissima / 中国中药杂志

The article reviewed the progress in the research of antitumor activities and mechanisms of Marsdenia tenacissima. Its origin producing area and antitumor constituents were analyzed. The herb possessed extensive antitumor effects in experimental and clinical applications. It provides theoretical evidences for study on constituents in this traditional Chinese medicine. Futher studies on the species in M. tenacissima are needed for better medicinal utilization.

C21 steroids from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima / 药学学报

To study the C21 steroids of the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn, various chromatography methods were used for the isolation of the constituents and their structures were identified by spectral analysis. Eight C21 steroids were isolated from the CHCl3 extract, which were identified as 11alpha-O-tigloyl-17beta-tenacigenin B (1), 17beta-tenacigenin B (2), tenacigenoside A (3), 11alpha-O-2-methylbutyryl-12beta-O-acetyl tenacigenin B (4), tenacissoside H (5), marsdenoside A (6), tenacissoside G (7), and tenacissoside I (8). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound.