ABSTRACT
Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids distributed widely in the nature and some have a broad application in clinic. More attention has been paid in recent years on this type of alkaloid, owing to the diverse range of biological activities exhibited by these alkaloids and the discovery of new functional mechanisms and molecular targets underlying these activities. This article summarized the recent advances in the biological activities and functional mechanism of tetrahydroisoquinoline, which included the activities such as antitumor, antibiotic, antivirus, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulation, bronchodilation, and the action on central nervous system, with the purpose of providing some ideas in the study of biological activity of this type of alkaloid and in the search for lead-compound and rational drug design.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Central Nervous System Agents/pharmacology , Tetrahydroisoquinolines/pharmacology , Animals , Anticonvulsants/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Bronchodilator Agents/pharmacology , Fibrinolytic Agents/pharmacology , Humans , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Tetrahydroisoquinolines/chemical synthesis , Tetrahydroisoquinolines/chemistryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Portulaca oleracea. METHODS: The constituents were isolated by column chromatography and identified on the basis of physicochemical and spectral data. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of this plant and their structures were elucidated as cyclo (Phe-Ile) (1), cycle (Tyr-Ala) (2), adenine (3), friedelin (4) and isoselachoceric acid (5). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-5 are isolated from Portulaca oleracea for the first time.
