Effective substances and mechanism of red ginseng on rats with spleen-deficiency syndrome based on the substance and energy metabolism as well as the "brain-gut" axis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Red ginseng (RG), a processed product of ginseng (GS), is a generally used qi-tonifying medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to the TCM principle, RG is also generally applied to spleen-deficiency syndrome (SDS) clinically for its warmer property. However, the effective substances and mechanism of RG on SDS have not been well investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to explore the effective substances and their mechanism of RG on SDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SDS model was established with a compound factor method involving an irregular diet, excessive fatigue and sennae folium with a bitter-cold property. The medicine of RG was split by multi-mode separation methods and analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS). The appearance indexes such as body weight, body temperature, swimming endurance, urine output, and water content of fecal were determined. The biochemical indexes such as D-xylose, SP, VIP and AChE in the digestive system, CRH, ACTH, CORT, E, T3, T4, T, E2 and 5-HT in the endocrine system, CS, NCR, IDH1, COX and Na+-K+-ATPase in the metabolism of substance and energy, cAMP and cGMP in the cyclic nucleotide system were analyzed by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and biochemical kits. The serum metabolites were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF/MS. Furthermore, the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and headspace gas chromatography-mass method. RESULTS: The pharmacological experiments showed that total saponin fraction (RGTSF), less polar fraction (RGLPF), and polysaccharides faction (RGPSF) significantly modulated the "brain-gut" axis-related indexes (the levels of VIP, AChE, and 5-HT). Besides, RGTSF also significantly modulated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis-related indexes as well as the substance and energy metabolism-related indexes (the levels of ACTH, CORT, A, Na+-K+-ATPase, COX, NCR and CS). RGPSF also significantly modulated the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis-related indexes (the levels of T3 and T4). Secondly, metabolomics indicated that RGTSF could significantly regulate the abnormal metabolic pathways associated with the development of SDS, which involved steroid hormone biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and amino acid metabolism. Subsequently, the study of gut microbiota indicated that RGLPF could increase the diversities of the gut microbiota and the relative abundance of Firmicutes in rats with SDS, while RGWEF significantly increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, RGLPF could increase the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in rats with SDS and decrease that of Akkermansia. Meanwhile, the water-eluted fraction (RGWEF) showed a stronger regulation in SCFAs. CONCLUSION: It is for the first time that the effective substances of red ginseng on spleen-deficiency syndrome were studied systematically, and the different mechanisms of the RG fractions involved in substance and energy metabolism as well as the "brain-gut" axis were revealed. The present study demonstrated that RGTSF, RGPSF, and RGLPF were the effective substances of red ginseng for ameliorating spleen-deficiency syndrome, indicating that ginsenosides composed of primary and secondary saponins as well as polysaccharides were the main effective substances for red ginseng in ameliorating spleen-deficiency syndrome.

The correlations of adverse effect and tonifying effect of ginseng medicines.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ginseng has been used for thousands of years, it is described as both a tonic for restoration of strength and a panacea. However, the adverse effect is also reported clinically. In the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the occurrence of adverse reactions is closely related to warm property of ginseng, which can easily lead to fireness (, in Chinese). Several presumptions indicated that fireness of ginseng may be associated with the pathophysiology of inflammation, imbalance of metabolism, the disorder of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. AIM OF THE STUDY: The tonifying effect of ginseng medicines was always focused on with little attention for their adverse effects. We selected red ginseng (RG), ginseng (GS), American ginseng (AG), and ginseng leaves (GL) as typical ginseng medicines to clarify correlations of adverse effect and tonifying effect of ginseng medicines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The RG, GS, AG, and GL decoctions were orally administered to rats for 30 days consecutively. The appearance indicators such as saliva secretion, urinary output, fecal moisture, heart rate were determined, and hair condition, nose color were also observed. Furthermore, some biochemical indexes such as IL-6, T3, T4, TSH, ACTH, CORT, Ach, DA, EPI, NE, SP, VIP, cAMP, cGMP, AQP-5, AMPK, and the activity of SOD, GSH-PX, Na+-K+-ATPase were measured by biochemical reagent kits or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The metabolites profile was analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS. Finally, the diversity of gut microbiota was also analyzed with the 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: The study revealed the tonifying effects of ginseng medicines mainly on exciting nervous system, promoting immunity and antioxidative ability. While, the adverse effects were mainly associated with the abnormal nervous system, thyroid system, adrenal system, and oxidative stress. The GS group showed fireness symptoms, such as vertical and dirty hair, epistaxis, higher rectal temperature, lower salivary secretion, lower urinary output, lower fecal moisture. While the GL group showed the opposite symptoms. The levels of hormones, activities of the antioxidative enzyme, and Na+-K+-ATP enzyme were changed differently. From the second week to the fourth week, the levels of T3, T4, TSH, ACTH, CORT, and the activity of SOD, GSH-PX, Na+-K+-ATP enzymes were first increased, then decreased, and finally recovered to normal levels. We also found that the ginseng medicines mainly adjust the amino acid and TCA cycle metabolism exhibiting their tonifying and adverse effects. Meanwhile, GS and AG can modulate gut microbiota imbalance by increasing the gut microbial diversity as well as selectively promoting some probiotic populations, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time to report the correlations between tonifying effects and adverse effects of four ginseng medicines. The present study demonstrated that the adverse effects of ginseng medicines mostly depended on their dosages, the higher dosage is, the more serious the adverse effects are. The adverse effects of ginseng and ginseng leaves are much more serious than red ginseng and American ginseng. The tendency of water regulation of ginseng and ginseng leaves was opposite may be related to their nature property.

The Ameliorative Effects of Arctiin and Arctigenin on the Oxidative Injury of Lung Induced by Silica via TLR-4/NLRP3/TGF-ß Signaling Pathway.

Silicosis remains one of the most serious diseases worldwide, with no effective drug for its treatment. Our research results have indicated that arctiin and arctigenin could increase the mitochondrial membrane potential, which in turn reduces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), blocks the polarization of macrophages, and inhibits the differentiation of myofibroblasts to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Further, our study revealed that arctiin and arctigenin suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome through the TLR-4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway and the silica-induced secretion of TNF-α, IL-1ß, TGF-ß, and α-SMA. Besides, the silica-induced increase in the levels of serum ceruloplasmin and HYP was also inhibited. Results of metabolomics indicated that arctiin and arctigenin could regulate the abnormal metabolic pathways associated with the development of silicosis, which involve pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism successively. Furthermore, the analysis of metabolomics, together with network topological analysis in different phases of silicosis, revealed that urine myristic acid, serum 4-hydroxyproline, and L-arginine could be regarded as diagnosis biomarkers in the early phase and formation of pulmonary fibrosis in the latter phases of silicosis. Arctiin and arctigenin could downregulate the increased levels of myristic acid in the early phase and serum 4-hydroxyproline in the latter phase of silicosis. Interestingly, the integration of TLR-4/NLRP3/TGF-ß signaling and metabolomics verified the importance of macrophage polarization in the silicosis fibrosis process. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting that arctiin and arctigenin both can ameliorate silicosis effectively, and the former is a little stronger than its aglycone arctigenin because of its high oral bioavailability, low toxicity, and multimolecular active metabolites as determined by AdmetSAR and molecular docking analysis.

Chemical Constituents of Stems and Leaves of Tagetespatula L. and Its Fingerprint.

Tagetespatula L. is a widely cultivated herbal medicinal plant in China and other countries. In this study, two new 2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran glucosides (1, 2) and fourteen known metabolites (3-16) were isolated from the stems and leaves of T. patula (SLT). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were characterized comprehensively based on one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry. Absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by ECD calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate in vitro inhibitory activities against human gastric cancer cell lines (AGS) with IC50 values of 41.20 µmol/L and 30.43 µmol/L, respectively. The fingerprint profiles of stems and leaves of T. patula with three color types of flowers (Janie Yellow Bright, Jinmen Orange, Shouyao Red and Yellow color) were established by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ten different batches of stems and leaves were examined as follow: Shouyao Red and Yellow color (1, 2, 3), Janie Yellow Bright (4, 5, 6, 7) and Jinmen Orange (8, 9, 10). Twenty-two common peaks were identified with similarity values ranging from 0.910 to 0.977. Meanwhile, the average peak area of SLT in the three types of flowers was different and it was the highest in Janie Yellow Bright.

Mechanism Investigation of Tagetes patula L. against Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis by Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology.

The major objective of this study was to investigate the anti-chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) mechanism of T. patula by metabolomics and network pharmacology. The study demonstrated that the flavonoids and polysaccharides of T. patula could alleviate prostatitis by improving the level of DHT, reducing the secretion of PSA and TNF-α. Besides, both could enhance Na+/K+-ATPase activity, decrease the O2 consumption, CO2 production, heat production, energy expenditure of rats and promote respiratory exchange ratio of rats. Up to 28 potential biomarkers and 8 key metabolic pathways related to the treatment of CNP were elucidated by the metabolomics analysis, including phenylalanine metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism etc. Network pharmacology prediction also reflected the potential mechanism was associated with tryptophan metabolism and energy pathway. Generally, the potential anti-CNP mechanism of flavonoids and polysaccharides of T. patula might be through reducing the expression of inflammation factors, adjusting the level of hormone and regulating the amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism and glucose and lipid metabolism.

Two new sesquiterpene lactones from leaves of yacon, Smallanthus sonchifolius.

The chemical constituents of 95% EtOH extract of yacon leaves were separated to yield two new sesquiterpene lactones, together with three known compounds. The two new compounds were characterized to be 8ß-angeloyloxy-13-methoxyl-11, 13-dihydromelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (1) and 8ß-(3-methylbut-2-enoyl) oxy-13-methoxyl-11, 13-dihydromelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (2) on the basis of NMR spectra, HR-MS and other spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-5 were evaluated on human hepatoma cell Bel-7402 and all the compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity.

Neuroprotective effect of arctigenin against neuroinflammation and oxidative stress induced by rotenone.

Background: the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of arctigenin, the major active component of a traditional Chinese medicine "Arctii Fructus", against PD in a rat model induced by rotenone. Materials and methods: in the present study, rotenone was injected subcutaneously in the backs of rats to mimic the progressive neurodegenerative nature of PD and arctigenin was administered. Behavioral analyses including a grid test, bar test and open-field test were used to evaluate motor activities and behavioral movement abilities. Energy metabolism indexes including oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, heat production and energy expenditure were measured via a TSE phenoMaster/LabMaster animal monitoring system. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the staining of TH and the expression of α-synuclein in substantia nigra (SN). The effect of arctigenin on oxidative stress was evaluated by the levels of GSH and MDA, and activities of SOD and GSH-Px. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, IFN-γ and PGE2, the expression of Iba-1 and GFAP, and the impression of inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and NF-κB in the SN were measured to evaluate the effect on the inflammation of SN area induced by rotenone. Results: compared with the ROT group, the deadlock time of rats treated with arctigenin was significantly shortened and the score of locomotor activity increased in the behavioral test; the number of TH+ positive DA neurons of the arctigenin treated group was increased and α-synuclein immunopositive was decreased; the level of GSH and activities of SOD and GSH-Px in the arctigenin-treated group were significantly increased; arctigenin administration induced a significant decrease in the MDA level; arctigenin also significantly decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, IFN-γ and PGE2 and reduced the impression of COX-2 and NF-κB in SN; treatment with arctigenin decreased microglia and astrocyte activation evidenced by the reduced expression of Iba-1 and GFAP. Conclusion: the findings demonstrated that arctigenin can improve the behavior changes of PD rats and the damage of DA neurons. The oxidative stress and inflammation involved in the pathogenesis of PD and arctigenin may protect DA neurons through its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Metabolomics analysis based on a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomics approach to compare Lin-Xia-Shan-Shen and garden ginseng.

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer which has been cultivated and grown naturally in mountainous forests is formally called "Lin-Xia-Shan-Shen" (LXSS), but when cultivated it is called garden ginseng (GG), according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition). The medicinal value of LXSS is significantly higher than that of GG based on the clinical experience of TCM. This study aimed to evaluate the variety of chemical constituents in LXSS and GG. Methods: 18 LXSS and 6 GG samples were investigated using a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique. Results: the contents of 16 metabolites, mainly involved in the biosynthesis of rare ginsenosides (ginsenosides Rg3, -Rh1, -Rh2), galactose metabolism (myo-inositol), the citric cycle (citric acid and succinic acid), GABA shunt (GABA) and amino metabolism (alanine and aspartic acid), were higher in LXSS than in GG; while 14 metabolites, mainly involved in starch and sucrose metabolism (fructose and sucrose), amino metabolism (tryptophan, proline, dencichine and pyroglutamic acid) and campesterol biosynthesis (campesterol), were lower in LXSS than in GG. For LXSS with different growing years, 5 metabolites showed a tendency to increase dependent on the number of years, and these were related mainly to galactose metabolism (melibiose), the citric cycle (malic acid), fatty acid metabolism (2-hydroxy stearic acid); while 5 metabolites showed a tendency to decrease on ascending the grades, and these were related to sucrose metabolism (fructose and sucrose), fatty acid metabolism (2-hydroxy hexadecanoic acid) and campesterol biosynthesis (campesterol). Conclusion: this proposed analytical method coupled with multivariate analysis is fast, accurate, and reliable for discriminating GG and high cultivation ages of LXSS samples.

Metabolomics analysis of anaphylactoid reaction reveals its mechanism in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylactoid reactions, accounting for more than 77% of all immune-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions, have become a serious threat to public health, but their effect mechanism is not clear and diagnostic tests are limited. Comprehensive metabolite analysis may reveal the anaphylactoid effect mechanism systematically and provide reference for future diagnostic purposes. METHODS: Plasma from Brown Norway rats given intravenous injection of saline, compound 48/80 (2.5 mL/kg) or ovalbumin (20 mL/kg) in 20 s for the first time was used to study the effect mechanism of anaphylactoid reactions through metabolomics (UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS). Metabolomics integrated with proteomics data were used to analyze the anaphylactoid pathways by MetaboAnalyst followed by integrated pathway analysis. RESULTS: Thirty metabolites were identified through the METLIN database by MS/MS and 18 of them were confirmed by authentic standards. The results showed that adenosine, histamine, N-acetylhistamine, N(α)-γ-glutamylhistamine, malate and xanthine are important indices for anaphylactoid reactions. It could be concluded that the effect mechanism is mainly composed of histidine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, energy metabolism, purine metabolism and other small molecules through 30 metabolites. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that not only histamine but also N(α)-γ-glutamylhistamine and arachidonic acid could be used to evaluate anaphylactoid symptoms of animals. Furthermore, the citrate cycle, histidine metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism could be the main pathways of anaphylactoid reactions as determined by MetaboAnalyst. CONCLUSION: The results may provide a reference to improve diagnostic accuracy and predict and monitor treatment efficacy in anaphylactoid reactions in the clinical setting.

Two new compounds from Atractylodes macrocephala with neuroprotective activity.

In the present study, two new compounds, together with six known compounds, were isolated from rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz by a series of silica gel, ODS column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were characterized as atractylenolide II (1), atractylenolide I (2), biepiasterolid (3), isoatractylenolide I (4), atractylenolide III (5), 3ß-acetoxyl atractylenolide I (6), (4E,6E,12E)-tetradeca-4,6,12-triene-8,10-diyne-13,14-triol (7), (3S,4E,6E,12E)-1-acetoxy-tetradeca-4,6,12-triene-8,10-diyne-3,14-diol (8) on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, and circular dichroism analyses. Among them, compounds 6 and 8 were novel compounds. In addition, their neuroprotective activity against MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells was evaluated by MTT colorimetry. The results showed that all these compounds have definite protective effect on MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells.

A new sesquiterpene lactone from yacon leaves.

The chemical constituents of 60% EtOH extract of yacon leaves were separated to yield a new compound, together with four known compounds, which were isolated for the first time from yacon. The new compound was characterised and named as chlorodalin (1) on the basis of NMR (1D and 2D), HR-MS and other spectral methods. The cytotoxic activities of 1-5 were evaluated on two human tumour cell lines and the new compound showed significant cytotoxic activity.

Proteomics Study on Nonallergic Hypersensitivity Induced by Compound 4880 and Ovalbumin.

Nonallergic hypersensitivity reaction (NHR) accounts for more than 77% of all immune-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions and has become a serious threat to public health. Here, proteomics was used to study the NHR mechanism of two typical substances, the compound 4880 and ovalbumin. Twelve different proteins were suggested as potential biomarkers for examining the NHR mechanism, and our results revealed that the mechanism mainly encompassed 2 processes, i.e., generation and effect processes. The generation process could be classified as direct stimulation, complement (classical and alternative), coagulation, kallikrein-kinin, and integrated pathways. Thus glutathione peroxidase 1, terminal complement complex (complement factor 4d and Bb), coagulation 13, kininogen-1, and IgE could be used as candidate biomarkers for the indication of the corresponding pathways respectively, the proteins were further confirmed by ELISA. And the effect process was mainly composed of histamine as well as proteins such as DCD and MYLPF, which could be used as important indices for the symptoms of NHR. Our study differs from previous studies in that C4880 was found to not only be involved in the direct stimulation pathway, but also in the activated complement and kallikrein-kinin pathways through the coagulation pathway. We also report for the first time that ovalbumin-induced NHR could be a combination of the coagulation, classical complement, and integrated pathways.

What caused the changes in the usage of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma from ancient to current times?

Ancient Chinese medicine treatises on Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (AMR), the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, indicated that it possessed an expectorant effect. However, in modern times, it is commonly used as a tocolytic agent. In this study, the components of AMR that are responsible for its expectorant and tocolytic effects were evaluated in order to clarify the differences in its application between ancient and modern times. A decoction of AMR was separated into five fractions, namely, volatile oil (VO), petroleum ether (PE), alcohol eluate from macroporous resin (AE), water eluate from macroporous resin (WE), and polysaccharides (PS), using various separation methods. The expectorant experiment indicated that the VO fraction, which mainly contains atractylone, produced an obvious expectorant effect. The experiment that assessed the irritability of uterine smooth muscle (USM) showed that the PE, which is mainly composed of atractylenolides, and the PS, which is mainly composed of inulin-type polysaccharides, were the active fractions for tocolysis, but the VO fraction had the opposite action. These data suggested that volatile oils are the key components responsible for the usage change of AMR in both ancient and current usage.

Integrative analysis of proteomics and metabolomics of anaphylactoid reaction induced by Xuesaitong injection.

Injection with natural compounds is an important method in the application of natural medicine, but its adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occur frequently, particularly the anaphylactoid reaction, which accounts for more than 77% of all reactions and has become a serious threat to public health. Here, the Xuesaitong injection (XSTI) was employed as an example to elucidate its anaphylactoid mechanism and look for potential biomarkers to assay the anaphylactoid reaction of herbal medicine injection by proteomics and metabolomics. These results disclosed that 13 differential proteins and 28 metabolites, which were further approved using the ELISA method and reference standards, respectively, were suggested as potential biomarkers to examine the anaphylactoid mechanism. The up-regulated expression of Gpx1, Sc5b9, C4d and down-regulated expression of F12, Kng1, C2 and C6 revealed that the XSTI-induced anaphylactoid reaction occurs via direct stimulation, complement and the kallikrein-kinin pathway. In addition, substances that induce an anaphylactoid effect include histamine, LTB4, uric acid and other drugs, which have been confirmed to be involved in arginine and proline metabolism, histidine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism purine metabolism and the TCA cycle. Furthermore, separation experiments have indicated that 10-kDa molecules of XSTI are the main allergenic factor inducing an anaphylactoid reaction.

Cytotoxic constituents from the leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera.

AIM: To investigate the chemical constituents from the leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorptive resin D101, silica gel, and ODS column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. In addition, their cytotoxic activity against human hepatoma carcinoma cells (HepG-2) were evaluated by the MTT method. Furthermore, RP-HPLC and colorimetric methods were used for the analysis of cosmosiin and total flavonoids. RESULTS: A new lignan, together with five known compounds were obtained, and their structures were characterized as (+)-pinoresinol-4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-4″-O-ß-D-apiofuranoside (1), cosmosiin (2), luteolin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), liriodendrin (4), 3, 5, 4'-trihydroxy-bibenzyl-3-O-ß-D-glucoside (5), and apigenin-6-C-ß-D-glucopyranside (6). Furthermore, RP-HPLC and colorimetric methods were established for the analysis of cosmosiin and total flavonoids. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 was a new lignan, and compounds 5 and 6 were isolated for the first time from the title plant. Compounds 1, 4 and 6 showed definite activities against HepG-2, while the other compounds didn't show inhibitory effects. The optimal harvest time of B. papyrifera (L.) Vent. is September.

[Splitted fractions and unoverlapping analysis of chemical constituents of Poria cocos].

With the combined applications of steam distillation, water extraction and alcohol precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction and column chromatography over macroporous resin, a splitted-fractions method of the chemical constituents of Poria cocos was established. The unoverlapping property of the fractions of P. cocos was qualitatively analysed by using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. With angle cosine, squared euclidean distance and the overlapping analysis of peak area of crude herbs, the unoverlapping property of the fractions of P. cocos was half-quantitatively analysed. The chemical components of P. cocos was divided into the fractions of polysaccharide, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, alcohol eluate from macroporous resin and water eluate from macroporous resin. Non similarity degree among each chemical fraction was above 80% and main chemical components were identified. The established method for splitting fractions of P. cocos has good stability and repeatability and all chemical components in P. cocos could be completely divided into six fractions. It is the first time that the author half-quantitatively analyse the unoverlapping property of the chemical fractions of P. cocos.

Two new oleanane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge.

Two new triterpenoid saponins (1, 2) and a known saponin (3) were isolated from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge., and their structures were elucidated as 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)-[angeloyl(1 → 2)]-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-21ß,22α-dihydroxyl-olean-12-ene (1), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-21ß,22α-dihydroxyl-olean-12-ene (2), and 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-21ß,22α-dihydroxyl-olean-12-ene (3), on the basis of the spectral analysis of NMR and chemical methods. Cytotoxic assay indicated that none of them showed obvious inhibitory effect on the proliferation of two human tumor cell lines.