Several new records, synonyms, and hybrid-origin of Chinese begonias.

Begonia is a mega-genus with about 2500 species by most estimates, with China having over 210 accepted species. After field surveys, literature review and examination of herbarium specimens, some new taxa, new records, synonyms and the hybrid-origin of some taxa have been confirmed. Here, we report that Begonia dioica Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don and B. flagellaris Hara, both from Xizang (Tibet) are new to China; Begonia lipingensis Hance, B. muliensis T.T.Yu and B. sizemoreae Kiew are synonyms of B. circumlobata Hance, B. taliensis Gagnepain and B. longiciliata C.Y.Wu, respectively; and Begonia × lancangensis S.H.Huang and B. × malipoensis S.H.Huang & Y.M.Shui are natural hybrids.

A new hexacyclic triterpene acid from the roots of Euscaphis japonica and its inhibitory activity on triglyceride accumulation.

A new taraxerene-type hexacyclic triterpene acid named (12R,13S)-3-methoxy-12,13-cyclo-taraxerene-2,14-diene-1-one-28-oic acid (1), together with a known compound 3,7-dihydroxy-5-octanolide (2), was isolated from the roots of Euscaphis japonica. The structure of new compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of NMR, HR-ESIMS and X-ray diffraction analysis. It showed promising inhibitory activity on oleic acid induced triglyceride accumulation on HepG2 cells.

[In vitro anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities of flavans from Ilex centrochinensis].

This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities of flavans from flex centrochinensis S. Y. Hu in vitro and their structure-activity relationship. LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage was used as inflammatory model. MTT assay for cell availability, Griess reaction for nitric oxide (NO) production, the content of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and PGE, were detected with ELISA kits; DPPH, superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radicals scavenging activities were also investigated. According to the result, all flavans tested exhibited anti-inflammatory effect in different levels. Among them, compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 showed potent anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-lp and IL-6, of which 1 was the most effective inhibitor, however, 2 and 5 were relatively weak or inactive. The order of free radical scavenging activities was similar to that of anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, these results suggest that 3, 4 and 6, especially of 1, were,in part responsible for the anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activity of Ilex centrochinensis. Hydroxyl group at 4'-position of B-ring plays an important role in the anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging capacities.