Two new glycosides from Leonurus japonicus.

Two new glycosides, 1,6-di-O-syringoyl-ß-D-glucopyranose (1) and quercetin 3-O-[(3-O-syringoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside] (2), along with seven known compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of Leonurus japonicus. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectral analysis.

Synthesis, antiplatelet and vasorelaxing activities of xanthone derivatives.

A series of omega-aminoalkoxylxanthones was synthesized and tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and cause vasorelaxing action. Compounds 4, 5, 12, 17, and 18 showed significant antiplatelet effects on thrombin-, arachidonic acid (AA)-, collagen-, and platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced washed rabbit platelet aggregation and exhibited inhibition of primary and secondary aggregation induced by adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) in human platelet-rich-plasma (PRP). Compounds 4, 17, and 18 revealed vasorelaxing activities in rat thoracic aorta. We concluded that these compounds may be developed as new antithrombotic agents.

Flavonoids isolated from Draconis Resina.

One new chalcone, 4,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-3-methyldihydrochalcone (4), together with four known compounds, dammaradienol (1), (-)-5-methoxyflavan-7-ol (2), 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-phenyl-7H-chromen-7-one (3), and dracorhodin (5), were isolated from Draconis Resina. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectral methods. Among these five compounds, compounds 1, 2, and 3 exhibited cytotoxicity against KB and HepG2 cells.

Anti-fungal activity of crude extracts and essential oil of Moringa oleifera Lam.

Investigations were carried out to evaluate the therapeutic properties of the seeds and leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam as herbal medicines. Ethanol extracts showed anti-fungal activities in vitro against dermatophytes such as Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Microsporum canis. GC-MS analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil from leaves showed a total of 44 compounds. Isolated extracts could be of use for the future development of anti-skin disease agents.

Cinnamylphenols from Phyllodium pulchellum.

Four new cinnamylphenols, pulchelstyrenes A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4), together with citrusinol, yukovanol, methyl piperitol, and 4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethoxybenzaldehyde were isolated from the aerial part of Phyllodium pulchellum. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2, 3, and citrusinol exhibited marginal cytotoxicity against KB cells, and citrusinol also showed mild cytotoxicity against the HepG2 cell line.

Five new homoisoflavonoids from the tuber of Ophiopogon japonicus.

Five new homoisoflavonoids, ophiopogonanone C (1), ophiopogonanone D (2), ophiopogonone C (3), ophiopogonanone E (4) and ophiopogonanone F (5), and six known compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of the tubers of Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb) Ker-Gawl. Spectroscopic analyses were used to elucidate the structures of these compounds.