Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Saponins Isolated from Vernonia gratiosa Hance.

Species belonging to the Vernonia (Asteraceae), the largest genus in the tribe Vernonieae (consisting of about 1,000 species), are widely used in food and medicine. These plants are rich sources of bioactive sesquiterpene lactones and steroid saponins, likely including many as yet undiscovered chemical components. A phytochemical investigation resulted in the separation of three new stigmastane-type steroidal saponins (1 - 3), designated as vernogratiosides A-C, from whole plants of V. gratiosa. Their structures were elucidated based on infrared spectroscopy (IR), one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), and electronic circular dichroism analyses (ECD), as well as chemical reactivity. Molecular docking analysis of representative saponins with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was performed. Additionally, the intended substances were tested for their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase activity in a laboratory setting. The results suggested that stigmastane-type steroidal saponins from V. gratiosa are promising candidate antidiabetic agents.

Dihydrostilbene glycosides from Camellia sinensis var. assamica and their cytotoxic activity.

Three undescribed dihydrostilbene glycosides, 3,5-dihydroxyldihydrostilbene 4'-O-[6''-O-(4'''-hydroxylbenzoyl)]-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3,5-dihydroxyldihydrostilbene 4'-O-(6''-O-galloyl)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), and 3,5-dihydroxyldihydrostilbene 4'-O-[6''-O-(3''',4'''-dimethoxyl)galloyl]-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), and seven known compounds, kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (4), isoquercitrin (5), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (6), quercitrin (7), (6S,9R)-roseoside (8), (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (9), and (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (10) have been isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of Camellia sinensis var. assamica (J.W.Mast.) Kitam. (synnonym of Camellia assamica (Mast.) H.T.Chang) (Theaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (1 D-, 2 D-NMR) and mass spectra. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human oral cancer (CAL27) and human breast cancer (MDAMB231) cell lines. Compound 10 showed significant cytotoxic activity against CAL27 and MDAMB231 cell lines with IC50 values of 9.78 ± 0.25 and 3.27 ± 0.18 µM, respectively, compared to those of positive control, capecitabine (IC50 values of 8.20 ± 0.75 and 5.20 ± 0.89 µM).

Five New Pregnane Glycosides from Gymnema sylvestre and Their α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitory Activities.

Gymnema sylvestre, a medicinal plant, has been used in Indian ayurvedic traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Phytochemical investigation of Gymnema sylvestre led to the isolation of five new pregnane glycosides, gymsylosides A-E (1-5) and four known oleanane saponins, 3ß-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl (1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl ester (6), gymnemoside-W1 (7), 3ß-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-D- glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl ester (8), and alternoside XIX (9). Their structures were identified based on spectroscopic evidence and comparison with those reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. Compounds 2-4 showed significant α-amylase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values ranging from 113.0 to 176.2 µM.

Cytotoxic sesquiterpene glucosides from Fissistigma pallens.

Six undescribed sesquiterpene glucosides, fissispallins A-F, and one known sesquiterpene glucoside, fissispallin, were discovered in the leaves of Fissistigma pallens (Finet & Gagnep.) Merr. The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR, and MS. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, HT-29, A-2058, and A-549. Fissispallin A showed potent activity with the IC50 values less than 1.5 µM against all tested human cancer cell lines. Fissispallin also showed potent activity with IC50 value of 0.4 ± 0.3 on the A-2058 cancer cell lines. Fissispallins B-D showed significant cytotoxic activity against all the tested cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 3.8 to 7.2 µM.

A new naphthoquinone analogue and antiviral constituents from the root of Rhinacanthus nasutus.

Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz (Acanthaceae) is known as traditional medicine for the treatment of fungal and herpes virus infections. A new naphthoquinone racemate, rhinacasutone (1) together with seven known compounds, rhinacanthone (2), rhinacanthins C, D, N, Q, and E (3-7), and heliobuphthalmin (8) were isolated from root of R. nasutus. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D-, 2D-NMR and MS data. All the isolated compounds were tested for their antiviral activities against PR8, HRV1B, and CVB3-infected vero cells. Compounds 3-6 exhibited significant antiviral activities with the IC50 value ranging from 0.03 to 23.7 µM in all three infections.

Chemical Components from Phaeanthus vietnamensis and Their Inhibitory NO Production in BV2 Cells.

Phaeanthus vietnamensis Bân is a well-known medicinal plant which has been used for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases in traditional medicine. Using various chromatographic methods, three new compounds, (7S,8R,8'R)-9,9'-epoxy-3,5,3',5'-tetramethoxylignan-4,4',7-triol (1), 8α-hydroxyoplop-11(12)-en-14-one (5), and (1R,2S,4S)-4-acetyl-2-[(E)-(cinnamoyloxy)]-1-methylcyclohexan-1-ol (12) along with twelve known compounds were isolated from the leaves of P. vietnamensis. Their chemical structures were elucidated by physical and chemical methods. All compounds were evaluated for the inhibitory activities of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. As the results, compound 6 showed the most potent inhibitory activity on LPS-stimulated NO production in BV2 cells with the IC50 values of 15.7 ± 1.2 µm. Compounds 2, 7, and 8 significantly inhibited inflammatory NO production with IC50 values ranging from 22.6 to 25.3 µm.

Damarane-type Saponins from Gynostemma longipes and their Cytotoxic Activity.

Two new damarane-type saponins, named gylongiposides II-III (1 and 2), along with one known compound, (23S)-3ß,20ξ,21ξ-trihydroxy-19-oxo-21,23-epoxydammar-24-ene 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside, were isolated from the leaves of Gynostemma longipes C.Y.Wu. Their structures were determined by 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectra. Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate activity against four human cancer cell lines, A-549, HT-29, OVCAR, and MCF-7, with IC50 values ranging from 9.8 +/- 2.1 to 49.6 +/- 2.6 µM.

A new coumarin and cytotoxic activities of constituents from Cinnamomum cassia.

A new coumarin derivative, coumacasia (1) and eight known compounds, coumarin (2), cinnamaldehyde (3), 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (4), 2-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (5), coniferaldehyde (6), cinnamic acid (7), 2-hydroxycinnamic acid (8), and cinnamic alcohol (9), were isolated from the methanol extract of Cinnamomum cassia. Their structures were elucidated by spectral data and by comparison with the reported literature. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-9 were evaluated with two human cancer cell lines, HL-60 and A-549. Compound 1 showed growth inhibitory effects in the HL-60 and A-549 cell lines with IC50 values of 8.2 +/- 0.5 and 11.3 +/- 1.1 microM, respectively. Compounds 3-6, and 8 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 20.5 to 65.6 microM.

Anti-inflammatory properties of anthraquinones and their relationship with the regulation of P-glycoprotein function and expression.

There is a growing interest in natural products that potentially have anti-inflammatory properties and inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function. In this report, we assessed the effects of anthraquinone derivatives from rhubarb on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages to determine their anti-inflammatory potential. The derivatives were also tested in Caco-2 cell lines to evaluate the inhibition of the drug efflux function of P-gp. The transport abilities were examined and the cellular accumulation of rhodamine-123 (R-123) was also measured. Electorphoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed to check the activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA binding affinity. Five anthraquinones were tested to determine their inhibitory activities on NO production and the protein and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, the level of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) was determined in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Emodin was found to be the most potent inhibitor, and it also reduced paw swelling in the mouse model of carrageenan-induced paw edema. In Caco-2 cells, emodin elevated the accumulation of R-123 and decreased the efflux ratio of R-123, which indicates the inhibition of P-gp function. The inhibition of COX-2 protein by emodin paralleled the decrease in P-gp expression. In addition, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression was decreased through the prevention of AP-1 DNA binding, which leads to downregulation in the expression of P-gp. Our data indicate that the decrease of P-gp expression is caused by the decreased expression of COX-2 through the MAPK/AP-1 pathway. Based on our results, we suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs with COX-2 inhibitory activity might be used to modulate P-gp function and expression.

Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of constituents of Cinnamomum cassia twigs.

A methanol extract of the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia was found to inhibit xanthine oxidase. Purification of the methanol extract afforded three new phenolic glycosides, cinnacasolide A-C (11-13), together with 10 known compounds (1-10). The structures of the three new compounds were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data. Cinnamaldehyde derivatives 1-5 and 7 were significant inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, with IC(50) values ranging from 7.8 to 36.3 µg/mL. The results indicate that the acyl group of these cinnamaldehyde derivatives plays an important role in the inhibition of xanthine oxidase.

Chrysophanol-8-O-glucoside, an anthraquinone derivative in rhubarb, has antiplatelet and anticoagulant activities.

Rhubarb is a widely used traditional medicine and has been reported to elicit a number of biological effects including anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of anthraquinone derivatives isolated from rhubarb on platelet activity. Of four anthraquinone derivatives isolated from rhubarb examined, chrysophanol-8-O-glucoside (CP-8-O-glc) was found to have the most potent inhibitory effect on collagen- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. CP-8-O-glc-treated mice showed significantly prolonged bleeding times. Furthermore, CP-8-O-glc was found to have a significant inhibitory effect on rat platelet aggregation ex vivo and on thromboxane A(2) formation in vitro. In coagulation tests, CP-8-O-glc did not alter prothrombin time, and it prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time. However, CP-8-O-glc only inhibited platelet phosphatidylserine exposure, but not exert direct inhibition on intrinsic factors. This study demonstrates the antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects of CP-8-O-glc and suggests that this compound might be of therapeutic benefit for the prevention of platelet-related cardiovascular diseases.

Chemical-based species classification of rhubarb using simultaneous determination of five bioactive substances by HPLC and LDA analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the rhizome of three species: Rheum tanguticum, Rheum palmatum and Rheum officinale. There are several species that are often misidentified as rhubarb. Taxonomical identification of these various species can be challenging. We have developed an HPLC-based species classification to identify rhubarb. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a simple HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of bioactive compounds and identification of medicinal rhubarb rhizome and non-medicinal species. METHODOLOGY: Quantitative analysis was performed on a C18-column using 0.05 M aqueous phosphoric acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase under gradient conditions with ultraviolet detection at 280 nm. The method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, and recovery. Statistical analysis was used to classify different groups of species. RESULTS: All calibration curves showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9995). The method showed good repeatability with intra- and inter-day standard deviations of less than 1.13% and 1.32%, respectively. The accuracy and recovery of all marker compounds were in the ranges of 98.0 to 102.6% and 99.21 to 102.04%, respectively. Seventeen peaks were selected, and 39 known and 57 unknown samples were classified into five species based on linear discriminant analysis with an accuracy of 100%. CONCLUSION: A chemical-based species classification method of rhubarb using simultaneous determination of bioactive compounds by HPLC was developed with 39 known samples of five different species and successfully applied to identify 57 unknown samples collected from Korea and China.

2-methoxycinnamaldehyde from Cinnamomum cassia reduces rat myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in vivo due to HO-1 induction.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cinnamomum cassia Blume has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for alleviation of fever, inflammation, chronic bronchitis, and to improve blood circulation. AIM OF THE STUDY: We addressed whether 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (2-MCA), one of active ingredients of Cinnamomum cassia, reduces vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-activated endothelial cells and protects ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-injury due to heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 24h of reperfusion. Rats were randomized to receive vehicle or 2-MCA (i.v.) 10 min before reperfusion. RESULTS: Administration of 2-MCA significantly improved I/R-induced myocardial dysfunction by increasing the values of the first derivative (±dp/dt) of left ventricular pressure and decreased infarct size. In addition, 2-MCA reduced the expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), an activator of the inflammatory cascade when released into the extracellular space, and VCAM-1 in I/R myocardium along with increase of HO-1 induction. The reduced injury was accompanied by significantly reduction of neutrophils infiltration and increased SOD activity in ischemic tissues and reduced serum level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Furthermore, 2-MCA significantly increased HO-1 induction by translocation of Nrf-2 from cytosol to nucleus in endothelial cells. Inhibition of VCAM-1 expression by 2-MCA was reversed both by SnPPIX, a HO-1 inhibitor and siHO-1 RNA trasfection in TNF-α-activated cells. In addition, 2-MCA significantly inhibited NF-κB luciferase activity in TNF-α-activated endothelial cells. As expected, 2-MCA significantly inhibited monocyte (U937) adhesion to endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: We concluded that 2-MCA protects of myocardial I/R-injury due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action possibly by HO-1 induction which can be explained why Cinnamomum cassia has been used in inflammatory disorders.

Inhibition of experimental atopic dermatitis by rhubarb (rhizomes of Rheum tanguticum) and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition of its major constituent, emodin.

The antiallergic activity of rhubarb and its constituents, anthraquinones, has been reported previously. For further evaluation of the antiallergic activity, a 70% ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Rheum tanguticum (RTE) was prepared and its inhibitory activity on an animal model of atopic dermatitis (AD) was examined for the first time. Oral administration of RTE (30-300 mg/kg/day) for 5 weeks significantly inhibited hapten-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice based on the skin severity score. In addition, treatment with RTE at 100 mg/kg/day also reduced the numbers of white blood cells, neutrophils and eosinophils in the blood, and led to a significant reduction in the IgE concentration in the serum. In rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-1 cells, RTE inhibited 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX)-catalysed leukotriene production (IC(50) = 43.6 µg/mL). Among the anthraquinone derivatives isolated, emodin strongly inhibited this parameter (IC(50) = 4.3 µM). Taken together, these findings suggest that rhubarb exerts inhibitory activity against AD, and that the 5-LOX inhibitory activity of its major constituent, emodin, may contribute to this inhibitory action.

WITHDRAWN: Anti-proliferative effects of compounds from the fruit peel of Wisteria floribunda on vascular smooth muscle cells.

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Platelet anti-aggregation activities of compounds from Cinnamomum cassia.

Cinnamomum cassia is a well-known traditional medicine for improvement of blood circulation. An extract of this plant showed both platelet anti-aggregation and blood anti-coagulation effects in preliminary testing. Among the 13 compounds obtained from this plant, eugenol (2), amygdalactone (4), cinnamic alcohol (5), 2-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (7), 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (8), and coniferaldehyde (9) showed 1.5-73-fold greater inhibitory effects than acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on arachidonic acid (AA)-induced aggregation (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 3.8, 5.16, 31.2, 40.0, 16.9, and 0.82 µM, respectively, vs. 60.3 µM) and 6.3-730-fold stronger effect than ASA on U46619 (a thromboxane A2 mimic)-induced aggregation (IC50 = 3.51, 33.9, 31.0, 51.3, 14.6, and 0.44 µM, respectively, vs. 321 µM). The other compounds, coumarin (3), cinnamaldehyde (6), cinnamic acid (10), icariside DC (11), and dihydrocinnacasside (12), also inhibited (2.5 to four times greater than ASA) U46619-induced aggregation. In addition, compounds 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were 1.3-87 times more effective than ASA against epinephrine-induced aggregation (IC50 = 1.86, 1.10, 37.7, 25.0, 16.8, 15.3, and 0.57 µM, respectively, vs. 50.0 µM). However, the 13 compounds were only very mildly effective against blood coagulation, if at all. In conclusion, compounds 2, 4, 8, and 9 showed stronger inhibitory potencies than others on AA-, U46619-, and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Eugenol (2) and coniferaldehyde (9) were the two of the most active anti-platelet constituents of C. cassia.

Selected compounds derived from Moutan Cortex stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis via AMPK activation in human HepG2 cells.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effect of selected compounds derived from Moutan Cortex on glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis associated with AMPK activation in insulin-resistant human HepG2 cell. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of isolated compounds (1-16) on glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis was performed using HepG2 cells. The western blot was used to determine the expression of AMPK and its downstream substrates, ACC, p-ACC, and p-GSK-3beta. RESULTS: The effects of the 16 compounds from Moutan Cortex on glucose metabolism in HepG2 cells under high glucose conditions were evaluated. Compounds 2, 3, and 6 displayed highly potent effects on the stimulation of glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in human HepG2 cells under high glucose conditions. Compounds 2, 3, and 6 phosphorylate AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), and resulted in increased phosphorylation of GSK-3beta and suppression of lipogenic expression (ACC and FAS) in a dose-dependent manner. Compounds 2, 3, and 6 also demonstrated interesting, strong eNOS phosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Compounds 1, 4, 5-12, and 14 displayed considerable effects on hepatic glucose production, AMPK activation, and phosphorylation of GSK-3beta in HepG2 cells under high glucose conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These effects may indicate that the activation of AMPK by the active compounds from Moutan Cortex has considerable potential for reversing the metabolic abnormalities associated with type-2 diabetes.

alpha-Glucosidase inhibition properties of cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides from the fruits of Momordica charantia.

Fourteen cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides (1-14) were isolated from a methanol extract of Momordica charantia fruits, including three new compounds, charantosides A-C (1, 5, 6). Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods. All isolated compounds were evaluated for alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect. Of which, 12 and 13 showed moderate inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase. Whereas, 2, 3, 6-11, and 14 showed weak inhibitory activity, and 1, 4, and 5 were inactive.

Antioxidant activities of coumarins from Korean medicinal plants and their structure-activity relationships.

The aim of this work was to study the structure-activity relationships of the antioxidant activity of natural coumarins isolated from four Korean medicinal plants (1-17) and four purchased coumarins (18-21). The free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays revealed that five phenolic coumarins, scopoletin (1), aesculetin (2), fraxetin (3), umbelliferone (18) and daphnetin (19), possessed considerable antioxidant activities. The coumarins having a catechol group, 2, 3 and 19, showed significant free radical scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation, indicating that the catechol group significantly contributed to the antioxidant activities of coumarins. In contrast, the sugar moiety markedly reduced the activities of coumarin glycosides. The results also demonstrate that the alpha-pyrone ring of coumarins significantly enhanced the capacity of inhibiting oxidative reactions of coumarins.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors isolated from Morus bombycis.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the chloroform-soluble fraction of Morus bombycis, using an in vitro PTP1B inhibitory assay led to the identification of three 2-arylbenzofurans, albafuran A (1), mulberrofuran W (2) and mulberrofuran D (6), along with three chalcone-derived Diels-Alder products, kuwanon J (3), kuwanon R (4), and kuwanon V (5). Compounds 1-6 showed remarkable inhibitory activity against PTP1B with IC(50) values ranging from 2.7 to 13.8 microM. Inhibition kinetics were analyzed by Lineweaver-Burk plots, which suggested that compounds 1-6 inhibited PTP1B in a mixed-type manner. The present results indicate that the respective lipophilic and hydroxyl groups of 2-arylbenzofurans and chalcone-derived Diels-Alder products play an important role in inhibition of PTP1B.