New phenols and one aminobenzoic acid derivative isolated from the roots of Rhus chinensis Mill.

Four new phenols and one new aminobenzoic acid derivative, with five known phenols were isolated from the roots of Rhus chinensis Mill. Their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, as well as optical rotations. Compound 4 significantly inhibited mouse ear inflammation (inhibitory rate of 44.03%), and significantly extended the time of pain response (extension rate of 48.55%), showing significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in vivo.

In vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of a hydroalcoholic extract and its fractions from Cyrtocarpa procera fruits on Haemonchus contortus.

This study describes the in vitro anthelmintic effect of a hydroalcoholic extract (HA-E) and its fractions from Cyrtocarpa procera fruits against Haemonchus contortus eggs and infective larvae. The HA-E was subjected to bipartition using ethyl acetate, which resulted in an aqueous fraction (Aq-F) and an organic fraction (EtOAc-F). The HA-E and both fractions were tested using the egg hatching inhibition assay (EHIA) and the larval mortality test (LMT). Fractionation of the EtOAc-F was achieved using different chromatographic processes, i.e., open glass column and HPLC analysis. Fractionation of the EtOAc-F gave 18 subfractions (C1R1-C1R18), and those that showed the highest yields (C1R15, C1R16, C1R17 and C1R18) were subjected to anthelmintic assays. The HA-E and the EtOAc-F displayed 100% egg hatching inhibition at 3 and 1 mg/mL, respectively, whereas Aq-F exhibited 92.57% EHI at 3 mg/mL. All subfractions tested showed ovicidal effect. Regarding the larval mortality test, HA-E and EtOAc-F exhibited a larvicidal effect higher than 50% at 50 and 30 mg/mL, respectively. The subfractions that showed the highest larval mortality against H. contortus were C1R15 and C1R17, with larval mortalities of 53.57% and 60.23% at 10 mg/mL, respectively. Chemical analysis of these bioactive subfractions (C1R15 and C1R17) revealed the presence of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, and ellagic acid. This study shows evidence about the ovicidal and larvicidal properties of C. procera fruits that could make these plant products to be considered as a natural potential anthelmintic agents for controlling haemonchosis in goats and sheep.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic activities of the essential oil from Pistacia atlantica Desf. oleoresin on human gastric cancer cell lines.

Numerous herbal products have been the subject of research regarding their potential role in cancer prevention or adjuvant therapy. Pistacia atlantica and its main phytochemicals have garnered significant attention for their potential anti-cancer effects. The study aimed to assess the growth inhibitory effects of P. atlantica essential oil (PAEO) on MKN-45 and AGS cells. This study quantified the volatile compounds in PAEO using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Subsequently, MKN-45 and AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of PAEO (5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, 0.625%, 0.3125%, 0.156%, 0.0781%, 0.0391%, 0.0195%) for 24 h. Cell viability was evaluated through the MTT assay. The impact of PAEO on gene expression was investigated by quantifying the mRNA levels of Bax and Bcl2 in the various experimental groups using quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Additionally, flow cytometry was utilized to evaluate apoptosis in the treated cells. The analysis of PAEO revealed that α-pinene was the predominant monoterpene, constituting 87.9% of the oil composition. The cytotoxic effects of PAEO were evaluated, and it was found that the oil significantly reduced the viability of MKN-45 and AGS cells. The IC50 for MKN-45 cells was determined to be 1.94 × 10-3% after 24 h of treatment, while for AGS cells the IC50 was 2.8 × 10-3% after 24 h. Additionally, the research revealed that PAEO triggered a notable rise in apoptotic cells in both AGS and MKN-45 cell lines. Moreover, at the molecular level, the findings indicated an increase in Bax expression and a decrease in Bcl2 mRNA expression, providing further evidence of the induction of apoptosis in both MKN-45 and AGS cell lines following PAEO treatment. The findings of this study offer evidence supporting the cytotoxic effects of PAEO on gastric cancer cell lines by promoting apoptosis. The findings suggest that PAEO may offer potential as a therapeutic candidate in managing and treating gastric cancer.

Ethnomedicinal, Chemical, and Biological Aspects of Lannea Species-A Review.

Lannea L. genus belongs to the Anacardiaceae botanical family and has long been used in traditional medicinal systems of many countries to manage several health conditions, but no studies have been conducted regarding its usefulness as a source of herbal medicine for human use. A literature review was conducted on scientific papers indexed on B-On, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases. Our results showed that medicinal plants from this botanical genus, mostly constituted by bark and leaf, are often used to approach a wide variety of disease symptoms, like fever, inflammatory states, pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. Phytochemical profiles of Lannea species revealed that phenolic acid derivatives including hydroquinones, phenolic acids, flavonoids, condensed tannins, and triterpenoids are the main classes of secondary metabolites present. Among the total of 165 identified compounds, 57 (34.5%) are flavonoids, mostly quercetin- and myricetin-derived flavonols and catechin and epicatechin flavan-3-ol derivatives also containing a galloyl group. In vitro and in vivo studies allowed the identification of 12 different biological activities, amongst which antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities were the most frequently cited and observed in in vitro essays. Our review contributes useful information for the scientifical validation of the use of Lannea species in traditional medicinal systems and shows that more research needs to be conducted to better understand the concrete utility of these as herbal medicines.

Essential Oil from the Leaves, Fruits and Twigs of Schinus terebinthifolius: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential.

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, popularly known as "Pink pepper", is a plant native to Brazil. The objective of this work was to analyze the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of essential oils (EOs) from the leaves, fruits and twigs of S. terebinthifolius, aiming for their application in food safety. EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Phenolic compounds were quantified and antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods. The antibacterial activity was determined by the broth microdilution method against foodborne bacteria. In the chemical analysis, 22 compounds were identified in the leaves, 13 compounds in the fruits and 37 compounds in the twigs, revealing the presence of the main compounds germacrene D (12.04%, 15.78%, 20,41%), caryophyllene (15.97%, 3.12%, 11.73%), α-pinene (11.6%, 17.16%, 2.99%), ß-pinene (5.68%, 43.34%, 5.60%) and γ-gurjunene (16,85%, 3,15%) respectively. EOs showed better antioxidant potential using the ß-carotene/linoleic acid method with 40.74, 61.52 and 63.65% oxidation inhibition for leaves, fruits and twigs, respectively. The EO from the leaves showed greater antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.62 mg mL-1, a value lower than the MIC of sodium nitrite (5.00 mg mL-1), the antimicrobial standard synthetic. The activities of pink pepper EOs suggest their potential as a biopreservative in foods.

Two new baccharane triterpenes isolated from Rhus chinensis.

Two new baccharane triterpenes, 17,24-epoxy-23-en-baccharan-3-one (1) and 17,24(S)-epoxy-25-en-21-hydroxy-baccharan-3-one (2) were isolated from Rhus chinensis Mill. The structures were established on the basis of UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.

Fire seasonality plays a limited role in the reproduction of Anacardium humile A. St.-Hil. in a tropical savanna.

Anthropogenic fires are an increasing threat to tropical savannas and their plant populations. In the Brazilian Cerrado, human-made fires at the end of the dry season are replacing natural fires at the beginning of the dry season. Critically, these late burns occur under more intense climate variables. Here, we aimed to understand the potential role of fire seasonality on individuals of Anacardium humile, a widespread Cerrado species of cultural and economic importance. We conducted two prescribed burnings, one at the beginning of the dry season (early burning) and one at the end of the dry season (late burning) when climate variables were remarkably different. We assessed the reproductive responses of A. humile individuals over 4 years and compared individuals from the fire treatments with those from an unburned area (control). The reproductive phenology of A. humile varied over time and was influenced by climate variables. The seasons of different burning had similar impacts on the reproductive phenology of A. humile, and this impact lasted for at least 4 years. While A. humile populations do not depend on fire for reproduction, they produced more flowers and fruits for up to 2 years with the fire treatments. We provide empirical evidence of the role of climate variables on the phenology of A. humile and demonstrate the importance of considering the role of time after fire events. The similar responses of A. humile to fire seasonality show that Cerrado fire management can be more complex than previously thought.

Herbarium specimens reveal century-long trait shifts in poison ivy due to anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

PREMISE: Previous experimental studies have shown that poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans; Anacardicaceae) responds to elevated CO2 with increased leaf production, water-use efficiency, and toxicity (allergenic urushiol). However, long-term field data suggest no increase in poison ivy abundance over time. Using herbarium specimens, we examined whether poison ivy and other species shifted leaf traits under natural conditions with increasing atmospheric CO2 (pCO2 ) over the past century. METHODS: We measured stomatal density, leaf area, leaf N, leaf C:N, leaf carbon isotope discrimination (Δleaf ), and intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) from 327 specimens collected from 1838 to 2020 across Pennsylvania. We compared poison ivy's responses to two evolutionarily related tree species, Toxicodendron vernix and Rhus typhina (Anacardiacae) and one ecological analog, Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Vitaceae), a common co-occurring liana. RESULTS: Stomatal density significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in poison ivy and the ecologically similar liana P. quinquefolia over the past century, but did not change in the related trees T. vernix and R. typhina. None of these species showed significant trends in changes in leaf N or C:N. Surprisingly, in poison ivy, but not the other species, Δleaf increased with increased pCO2 , corresponding to significant declines in iWUE over time. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the results of short-term experimental studies, iWUE decreased in poison ivy over the last century. Trait responses to pCO2 varied by species. Herbarium specimens suggest that realized long-term plant physiological responses to increased CO2 may not be reflected in short-term experimental growth studies, highlighting the value of collections.

Seasonality, Composition, and Antioxidant Capacity of Limonene/δ-3-Carene/(E)-Caryophyllene Schinus terebinthifolia Essential Oil Chemotype from the Brazilian Amazon: A Chemometric Approach.

Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi is widely used in traditional Brazilian medicine to treat respiratory diseases, as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic agent. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of climatic parameters on the yield, antioxidative capacity, and chemical composition of the S. terebinthifolia leaf essential oil. The specimen was collected monthly from October 2021 to September 2022. Leaf essential oils (EOs) were obtained by hydrodistillation, and their chemical compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Statistical analyses were performed to verify the climatic influences on the yields, chemical composition, and antioxidative capacity. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging and inhibition of ß-carotene/linoleic acid oxidation assays were performed to assess the antioxidant activity. The leaf essential oil yields ranged from 0.1% (July) to 0.7% (May and September), averaging 0.5 ± 0.2%. There was no significant difference in essential oil production during the dry (0.4 ± 0.2%) and rainy (0.6 ± 0.1%) seasons. The main chemical constituents identified in essential oils were limonene (11.42-56.24%), δ-3-carene (8.70-33.16%) and (E)-caryophyllene (4.10-24.98%). The limonene annual average was 43.57 ± 12.74% and showed no statistical difference during the dry (40.53 ± 13.38%) and rainy (52.68 ± 3.27%) seasons. Likewise, the annual average of δ-3-carene was 22.55 ± 7.11%, displaying no statistical difference between dry (26.35 ± 7.90%) and rainy (31.14 ± 1.63%) seasons. The annual average of (E)-caryophyllene was 11.07 ± 7.15% and this constituent did not show a statistical difference in Tukey's test (p > 0.05) during the dry (12.72 ± 7.56%) and rainy (6.10 ± 1.78%) season. Limonene showed a moderate positive and significant correlation (p < 0.05) with precipitation (r = 0.56) and a weak correlation with temperature (r = -0.40), humidity (r = 0.40), and insolation (r = -0.44). All samples inhibited the oxidation in the ß-carotene/linoleic acid system (22.78-44.15%) but displayed no activity in the DPPH method.

Metabolic response induced by abiotic elicitors in Anacardium othonianum seedlings.

Applying elicitors in plants growing under natural conditions change the metabolic content of volatile compounds extracted from their tissues. Here, we have investigated how abiotic elicitors influence the volatile composition of the ethyl acetate extract of Anacardium othonianum seedlings propagated in vitro and ex-vitro cultures. Abiotic factors such as salicylic acid, silver nitrate, light quality, and cultivation mode affected the composition of volatile compounds in ethyl acetate extract of A. othonianum leaves seedlings. GC/MS analysis demonstrated that α-tocopherol was the main metabolite in cultures added with chemical elicitors, reaching 22.48 ± 4.06% in the case of 30 µM salicylic acid. Higher concentrations of salicylic acid decreased the amount of α-tocopherol. The addition of AgNO3 had a linear effect on α-tocopherol. Thus, the production of this metabolite indicates that salicylic acid and AgNO3 elicitors positively affect α-tocopherol production at specific concentrations helping to understand how plant culture can be better manipulated.

Isolation and characterization of natural inhibitors of post-proline specific peptidases from the leaves of Cotinus coggygria Scop.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cotinus coggygria has a number of applications in traditional medicine most of which are connected with its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Since inflammation and oxidative stress are recognized as triggering factors for cancer, anti-cancer activity has also been documented and the possible mechanisms of this activity are under investigation. Important components of C. coggygria extracts are shown to be hydrolysable gallotannins of which pentagalloyl-O-glucose has been studied in details. This compound inhibits various enzymes including prolyl oligopeptidase which is involved in tumorigenesis and tumour growth. According to our pilot studies, oligo-O-galloylglucoses with more than five galloyl residues are also presented in the herb of Bulgarian origin, but their activities have not been examined. AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish an extraction method by which it is possible to concentrate high molecular hydrolysable gallotannins from dried leaves of Cotinus coggygria and to determine their inhibitory properties towards prolyl oligopeptidase and fibroblast activation protein α. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried leaves of C. coggygria were extracted using different solvents in single-phase or biphasic systems under various extraction conditions. Main compounds of the extracts were identified by using high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry. The extracts' inhibitory properties towards prolyl oligopeptidase and fibroblast activation protein α were studied on recombinant human enzymes by enzyme kinetic analyses using a fluorogenic substrate. RESULTS: Ethyl acetate/water (pH 3.0) extraction of dried plant leaves proved to be the most efficient method for isolation of high molecular hydrolysable gallotannins which can be further concentrated by precipitation of dicyclohexylammonium salts in ethyl acetate. The main components of those extracts were oligo-O-galloyl glucoses with more than five gallic acid residues. They were shown to inhibit both enzymes studied but were about 30 times more effective inhibitors of prolyl oligopeptidase. CONCLUSIONS: C. coggygria from Bulgarian origin is shown to possess a substantial quantity of oligo-O-galloyl glucoses with more than five gallic acid residues which has not been described thus far in the same herb from other sources. An extraction method useable for concentrating those compounds is established. They are found to inhibit prolyl oligopeptidase with a very good selectivity to fibroblast activation protein α. The previously described antitumor activity of this plant may be at least in part due to the inhibition of the above enzymes which has been shown to participate in the genesis and development of various types of tumors.

Variation in Seed Dormancy of Chaco Seasonally Dry Forest Species: Effects of Seed Traits and Population Environmental Conditions.

The persistence of subtropical seasonally dry forests urgently requires the implementation of ex situ conservation and restoration programs. We studied variation in seed traits and dormancy of six native species growing in seasonally dry Chaco forests of Argentina. We documented high intra- and interspecific variability in seed traits and dormancy. Fresh seeds of Geoffroea decorticans and Parasenegalia visco (Fabaceae) were water-permeable and nondormant (ND), while those of Parkinsonia praecox and Vachellia aroma (Fabaceae) were water-impermeable and had physical dormancy (PY). Seeds of Schnopsis lorentzii (Anacardiaceae) and Sarcomphalus mistol (Rhamnaceae) were water-permeable and had physiological dormancy (PD). Mechanical and chemical scarification were the most effective methods to break PY, and dry storage for 3 months was effective in breaking PD. Seeds of large-seeded species were ND or had PD, and those of small-seeded species had PY. Species inhabiting moist habitats had ND seeds, whereas those from seasonally dry habitats had seeds with PY or PD. These results suggest that seed traits and dormancy are species-specific and that intraspecific variation in seed traits is likely associated with high phenotypic plasticity of species in response to local environmental heterogeneity. These findings should be considered at the time of implementation of conservation techniques and for seed sourcing decisions for restoration.

Antiproliferative activity of compounds isolated from the root bark of Lannea acida in multiple myeloma cell lines.

Lannea acida A. Rich. is a native plant of West Africa used in traditional medicine against diarrhea, dysentery, rheumatism, and women infertility. Eleven compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane root bark extract using various chromatographic techniques. Among those, nine compounds have not been previously reported, i.e. one cardanol derivative, two alkenyl 5-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-ones, three alkenyl cyclohex-4-ene-1,3-diols, two alkenyl 7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-3-ols, and one alkenyl 4,5-dihydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one, together with two known cardanols. The structure of the compounds was elucidated using NMR, HRESIMS, ECD, IR, and UV. Their antiproliferative activity was evaluated in three multiple myeloma cell lines: RPMI 8226, MM.1S, and MM.1R. Two compounds showed activity in all cell lines with IC50 values < 5 µM. Further investigations are needed to understand the mechanism of action.

Antileishmanial and Antiplasmodial Activities of Secondary Metabolites from the Root of Antrocaryon klaineanum Pierre (Anacardiaceae).

Antrocaryon klaineanum is traditionally used for the treatment of back pain, malaria, female sterility, chlamydiae infections, liver diseases, wounds, and hemorrhoid. This work aimed at investigating the bioactive compounds with antileishmanial and antiplasmodial activities from A. klaineanum. An unreported glucocerebroside antroklaicerebroside (1) together with five known compounds (2-6) were isolated from the root barks of Antrocaryon klaineanum using chromatographic techniques. The NMR, MS, and IR spectroscopic data in association with previous literature were used for the characterization of all the isolated compounds. Compounds 1-4 are reported for the first time from A. klaineanum. The methanol crude extract (AK-MeOH), the n-hexane fraction (AK-Hex), the dichloromethane fraction (AK-DCM), the ethyl acetate fraction (AK-EtOAc), and compounds 1-6 were all evaluated for their antiparasitic effects against Plasmodium falciparum strains susceptible to chloroquine (3D7), resistant to chloroquine (Dd2), and promastigotes of Leishmania donovani (MHOM/SD/62/1S). The AK-Hex, AK-EtOAc, AK-MeOH, and compound 2 were strongly active against Dd2 strain with IC50 ranging from 2.78 ± 0.06 to 9.30 ± 0.29 µg/mL. Particularly, AK-MeOH was the most active-more than the reference drugs used-with an IC50 of 2.78 ± 0.06 µg/mL. The AK-EtOAc as well as all the tested compounds showed strong antileishmanial activities with IC50 ranging from 4.80 ± 0.13 to 9.14 ± 0.96 µg/mL.

Four new phenolic glycosides from Dobinea delavayi.

Three new benzophenone glycosides, 2-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-6,3',4'-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (1), 4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-2,4,6,3'-tetramethoxybenzophenone (2) and 2-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-hydroxy-6-methylbenzophenone (3), and a new flavonoid glycoside 5'-hydroxyombuoside (6), along with three known phenolic glycosides 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-2,6,4'-trihydroxybenzophenone (4), mangiferin (5), and ombuoside (7), were isolated from the 80% ethanol extract of roots of Dobinea delavayi. Their structures were determined by the comprehensive analyses of the physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data (1D NMR, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS). Cytotoxicity and in vitro antimalarial activity of compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 were evaluated by MTT colorimetric assay and ß-hematin formation inhibition assay, respectively.

Intraspecific variation in ultrastructure and secretion of the resin canals in Anacardium humile (Anacardiaceae).

The study combines a range of light and electron microscopy methods to access variation in secretion and ultrastructure in the secretory canals in the above- and belowground stems of Anacardium humile, which here serves as a model system. The aboveground stem canals show epithelial cells with ultrastructural characteristics typical of cells active in secretion, while in the belowground stems, the subcellular characteristics are typical of cells with low rates of metabolism. The secretory canals of the belowground stems show uniformity in size and shape, a large central vacuole, a cytoplasm reduced to a thin layer at the cell periphery, and a reduced population of organelles. The aboveground stem canals had voluminous nuclei with evident nucleoli, a very dense cytoplasm with free ribosomes, polyribosomes, mitochondria with developed cristae, and ellipsoid plastids with electron-opaque droplets surrounded by a periplastid reticulum. The vacuoles were of different sizes and often had membranous contents and the dictyosomes were very developed with dilated ends to the cisternae, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and numerous vesicles. The results show that particularities in above- and belowground environment have significant implications for ultrastructural morphology and functioning of secretory canals in the stems of A. humile.

Early infestation volatile biomarkers of fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) ovipositional activity in mango (Mangifera indica L.).

Infestation of agricultural commodities by insect pests results in significant economic, import and export, food safety, and invasive insect introduction issues for growers, consumers, and inspectors. The Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) is considered a highly invasive insect pest with populations reported in more than 60 countries, with prevalent distributions in Asia and Africa. B. dorsalis is phytophagous with a host range encompassing hundreds of fruits and vegetables. Damage to the fruit or vegetable is inflicted through oviposition and subsequent larval feeding resulting in spoilage. Early detection of insect pest infestations is a critical component for ensuring food safety as well as controlling introduction and spread of invasive insects. However, detection of ovipositional activity and early larval development is visually difficult, thus rapid and non-destructive detection often relies on odors associated with infestation. We investigated the odors of mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) infested with B. dorsalis and compared the volatile profiles of infested mangoes to non-infested and mechanically damaged mangoes 24 h post-infestation. GC-MS and multivariate analyses provided the identification of eleven compounds unique to infested mangoes compared to mechanically damaged or non-infested fruit. Results indicated compositional and quantitative differentiation of volatile profiles among treatments for detection of infested fruit at quality checks or points of commerce.

Nine geranylgeranylated derivatives isolated from the roots of Rhus chinensis Mill.

Nine undescribed geranylgeranylated derivatives (chinensens A-G), including malic acid derivative (A) and phenolic derivatives (B-E), as well as two pairs of enantiomers, [(R), (S)]-chinensens F and [(R), (S)]-chinensens G, were isolated from the roots of Rhus chinensis Mill. Their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, as well as optical rotations. The 95% EtOH extract (95% EXT, 500 mg/kg, p. o.) of the roots of Rhus chinensis and the 95% EtOH fraction (95% FRA, 500 mg/kg, p. o.) from the microporous resin column significantly alleviated indomethacin-induced or water immersion-restraint stress-induced damage in rat gastric mucosa with inhibitory rates from 53% to 89%. The racemic mixture (chinensen G) and its enantiomers [(R), (S)]-chinensens G showed weak activities against H+,K+-ATPase (20%-24%) at a concentration of 0.1 mM, respectively.

Verniciflavanol A, a profisetinidin-type-4-arylflavan-3-ol from toxicodendron vernicifluum protects SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-Induced oxidative stress.

Eleven undescribed derivatives of flavan, including flavan-3,4-diols vernicinosides A-H and profisetinidin-type-4-arylflavan-3-ols verniciflavanols A-C, together with eight known compounds were purified from the heartwood of Toxicodendron vernicifluum. The chemical structures of the undescribed compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data interpretation, including NMR (1H and 13C NMR HSQC and HMBC) and HRESIMS analysis. CD data analysis was conducted to assign the absolute configurations of the undescribed compounds and the active compound verniciflavanol A was also confirmed by ECD experiment. The absolute configuration of the sugar moiety was identified by GC analysis of chiral derivatives in the hydrolysate. MTT assay was applied to test these compounds against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Results found that verniciflavanol A demonstrated the best potential in protecting SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting cell apoptosis and attenuate reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and mitochondrial dysfunction. And the underlying mechanism was confirmed to be associated with Nrf2-antioxidant response element signaling and IL-6 cell survival pathways.

Assessment of Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant Potential, Antimicrobial Properties, and Antidiabetic Activity in Extracts Obtained from Schinus molle L. Leaves and Fruits.

BACKGROUND: The current research centers on exploring the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic features of Schinus molle L. grown in Turkey. METHODS: Quantitative analysis of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and hyperoside levels in leaf, ripe fruit, and raw fruit extracts was conducted using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in a 70% methanol-water mixture. Among the extracts, the methanol extract from ripe fruits displayed the highest chlorogenic acid concentration, measuring at 2.040% ± 0.172% standard deviation (SD). Moreover, analysis of their total phenolic and flavonoid contents was carried out. Antioxidant power was assessed through different chemical assays, together with their antimicrobial and anti-diabetic properties. RESULTS: The results of DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and reducing power assays showed that leaf and ripe fruit alcoholic extract exhibited peak performance. While the MIC ( minimum inhibitory concentration) values of the extracts were determined to have moderate bactericidal effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans it was observed that none of the extracts displayed biofilm inhibition. The inhibition percentage of α-glucosidase enzyme activity for the methanol extract of raw fruits was determined to be 99.11 ± 1.61. In diabetic ß-TC cells, glucose level was measured as 129 ± 2.03 mg/dL, and insulin amount was measured as 37.2 ± 0.02 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study seem to have important implications for future research, as Schinus molle L. may be a potential pharmaceutical candidate with important pharmacological activities.