bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ascidian Tunicate Extracts Attenuate Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Collagen-induced Murine Model
Authors: Hong Seong-Ho , Kwon Jung-Taek , Lee Jae-Ho , Lee Somin , Lee Ah Young , Cho Won-Young , Bat-Erdene Munkhjargal , Choi Byeong-Dae , Cho Myung-Haing
Published: March 2019

Murine rheumatoid arthritis models are often used to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of candidate drugs. The present study has been conducted in order to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of ascidian tunicate extracts in a collagen-induced arthritis DBA1/J mice model. Four types of formulas, ascidian tunicate extracts (ATE), crude ascidian tunicate glycans (ATEC), ascidian tunicate extracts with licorice extracts (ATEL), and crude ascidian tunicate glycans with licorice extracts (ATECL) were orally administered into DBA/1J mice for 3 weeks and paw edema and thickness were evaluated. Changes in inflammatory proteins and cytokines levels were monitored in hind leg tissues by Western blot and quantitative PCR analysis. The oral administration of ascidian tunicate extracts alleviated paw edema and improved the histological hind leg cartilage status. The extracts also reduced the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein and prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) levels. In addition, the extracts-treated groups showed increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels compared with the non-treated group. These findings suggest that orally administered ascidian tunicate extracts might have potential therapeutic effects for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The Volatile Constituents of Parquetina nigrescens from Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Owolabi Moses S. , Lawal Oladipupo A. , Hauser Rebecca M. , Setzer William N.
Published: March 2019

The leaf essential oil of Parquetina nigrescens collected from Badary, Nigeria, was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The essential oil had a simple composition with only five identified components. The oil was dominated by citral (35.0% neral and 53.7% geranial). The high concentration of citral in the essential oil likely contributes to the ethnomedicinal utility and bioactivities associated with this medicinal plant.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Allium hookeri Consumed in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China
Authors: Li Ren , Wang Yuan-Fei , Sun Qian , Hu Hua-Bin
Published: March 2019

The essential oil from the rhizomes of Allium hookeri Thwaites, obtained by simultaneous distillation extraction, was analyzed by GC-MS. Di-2-propenyl trisulfide (31.8%), diallyl disulfide (28.4%), and dipropyl trisulfide (8.4%) were the main constituents among the thirteen identified components. The essential oil showed strong activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans with MIC (the minimal inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration) values ranging from 32–64 μg/mL. These results suggest that the essential oil from the rhizomes of A. hookeri could be used as a potential antimicrobial ingredient in the food industry.
A Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Profile of Paederia foetida and P. scandens
Authors: Wang Liang , Jiang Yiping , Han Ting , Zheng Chengjian , Qin Luping
Published: March 2019

Paederia foetida and P. scandens are two important and well explored Paederia species (Rubiaceae). P. foetida, which grows mainly in China, Bangladesh, India and Mauritius, has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, piles, and diarrhea, while P. scandens is used to treat aches, jaundice, dysentery and dyspepsia as a folk medicine in the southern region of China, Vietnam, India and Japan. This review covers the comprehensive knowledge of the traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical studies of P. foetida and P. scandens. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of iridoids, flavonoids, volatile oil, and other metabolites in these two species, which possess versatile bioactivities like antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antitussive and antitumor activities. An injection developed from P. scandens has been clinically used as an analgesic drug. P. foetida and P. scandens have emerged as a good source of traditional medicines. Available scientific references reveal that the biological properties of these two Paederia species have been evaluated by modern pharmacological studies. However, bioguided isolation of active constituent responsible for the medical uses, as well as study of their structure–activity relationship and mode of actions, is urgently needed.
Three New Monoterpene Glucosides from Senecio solidagineus
Authors: Li Dingxiang , Chou Guixin , Wang Zhengtao
Published: March 2019

Three new monoterpene glucosides, solidagin A, B, and C (1–3), together with two known alkaloids, senecionine (4) and senkirkine (5), were isolated from Senecio solidagineus, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis.
Chemical Evidence for the Liverwort Complex, Chiloscyphus concavus and C. horizontalis
Authors: Cuvertino-Santoni Jorge , Asakawa Yoshinori , Peralta Denilson F. , Montenegro Gloria
Published: March 2019

During the phytochemical study of Chilean liverworts from Tierra del Fuego, two species were collected, Chiloscyphus concavus (Steph.) Hässel and C. horizontalis (Hook.) Nees. Their crude extracts, when analyzed by TLC and GC-MS, showed identical phytochemical profiles. In view of the macro- and micro-morphological differences used for the separation of both species, and the chemical evidence here presented, we conclude that variety is the more appropriate status for C. concavus.
Chemical Constituents of Marrubium vulgare as Potential Inhibitors of Nitric Oxide and Respiratory Burst
Authors: Shaheen Farzana , Rasool Shagufta , Shah Zafar Ali , Soomro Samreen , Jabeen Almas , Mesaik M. Ahmed , Choudhary M. Iqbal
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Marrubium vulgare L., led to the isolation of three new secondary metabolites, 11-oxomarrubiin (1), vulgarcoside A (2) and 3-hydroxyapigenin-4′- O-(6″- O- p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), along with four known constituents 4–7 from the polar fractions of the methanolic extract. The structures of all compounds were deduced on the basis of NMR data and HRESI-MS measurements. The new constituents 1–3 exhibited moderate to low level of inhibition on nitric oxide (NO) production. The compound 2 also showed a moderate inhibition on pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. The new constituents 1–3 showed no inhibitory effect on Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production.
Abietane Diterpenoids from Clerodendrum trichotomum and Correction of NMR Data of Villosin C and B
Authors: Li Linzhen , Wu Long , Wang Menghua , Sun Jianbo , Liang Jingyu
Published: March 2019

Nine abietane diterpenoids (1–9) were isolated from the stems of Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb. and identified by spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, corrected NMR data is provided for Villosin C (1) and B (2) whose absolute configurations were elucidated from circular dichroism (CD) data. All isolates were tested for cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines (A549, HepG-2, MCF-7 and 4T1). Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 were found to have remarkable cytotoxic effects with IC50 values ranging from 8.79 to 35.46 μM.
The Effect of Zuccagnia punctata, an Argentine Medicinal Plant, on Virulence Factors from Candida Species
Authors: Gabriela Nuño , Rosa Alberto María , Catiana Zampini Iris , Soledad Cuello , Mabel Ordoñez Roxana , Esteban Sayago Jorge , Veronica Baroni , Daniel Wunderlin , Ines Isla María
Published: March 2019

Zuccagnia punctata Cav. has been used as a traditional medicine in Argentina for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. In this study, we evaluated the ability of Z. punctata extract (ZpE) and compounds isolated from it to inhibit the growth and virulence factors of Candida species. ZpE showed inhibitory activity against planktonic cells of all assayed Candida species with MIC values of 400 μg/mL and with MFC values between 400 and 1,200 μg/mL. The principal identified compounds by HPLC-MS/MS and UV-VIS were chalcones (2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxychalcone, 2′,4′- dihydroxychalcone), flavones (galangin, 3,7-dihydroxyflavone and chrysin) and flavanones (naringenin, 7-hydroxyflavanone and pinocembrine). These compounds were more effective as inhibitors than the extracts upon biofilm formation as well as on preformed Candida biofilm and yeast germ tube formation. Furthermore, ZpE and chalcones are able to inhibit exoenzymes, which are responsible for the invasion mechanisms of the pathogens. All these effects could moderate colonization, thereby suppressing the pathogen invasive potential. Our results indicate that ZpE and chalcones could be used in antifungal therapy.
Antioxidant Properties of Phenolic Compounds from Baccharis articulata and B. usterii
Authors: de Oliveira Simone Quintana , Kappel Virgínia Demarchi , Pires Viviane Silva , Lencina Claiton Leoneti , Sonnet Pascal , Moreira José Cláudio F. , Gosmann Grace
Published: March 2019

As a continuation of our research on the Baccharis genus, the evaluation of the antioxidant effect by TRAP and TBARS assays of three isolated compounds from n-butanol fractions of B. articulata and B. usterii is reported. The structures of these compounds were established as 4- O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3,5-dimethoxybenzyl-methanol (1), 5- O-[ E]-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2), and 7-hydroxy-5,4′-dimethoxyflavone (3). In the TRAP assay it was possible to observe an antioxidant effect of both n-butanol fractions at 1.25 μg/mL. Among the isolated compounds, compound 2 displayed a remarkable contribution to the total antioxidant capacity of the n-butanol fraction of B. usterii. Moreover, the n-butanol fractions of both species, compounds 1 and 2 at 40.0 μg/mL were efficient in protection of lipid peroxidation in the TBARS experiment. They are promising lead compounds for use in medicinal chemistry studies.
Standardization of Solvent Extracts from Onopordum acanthium Fruits by GC-MS, HPLC-UV/DAD, HPLC-TQMS and 1H-NMR and Evaluation of their Inhibitory Effects on the Expression of IL-8 and E-selectin in Immortalized Endothelial Cells (HUVECtert)
Authors: Daci Armond , Gold-Binder Markus , Garzon Davide , Patea Alessio , Beretta Giangiacomo
Published: March 2019

In this work we have characterized and standardized the solvent extracts of the fruits of Onopordum acanthium, a plant widely distributed from Europe to Asia and used in different traditional medicines. Fruits were extracted with methanol (ME) and n-hexane (HE) and the extract compositions determined by GC-MS, HPLC-UV/DAD, HPLC-TQMS and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Anti-inflammatory activity (IL-8 and E-selectin, qPCR and ELISA) was investigated in HUVECtert cells stimulated with TNF-α and LPS. Arctiin and isochlorogenic acid were found in ME (87±2%, w/w, and 10.2±0.2%, w/w; 38.0±3.2 mg/gFRUITS and 3.5 ± 0.4 mg/gFRUITS) and (ii) paraffins in the HE (195.6 ± 5.6 mg/g). A dose dependent (from 15 to 40 μgME/mL corresponding to 20–75 μM arctiin) inhibition of E-selectin and of the induction of IL-8 was induced by LPS. The results of this study support the use of O. acanthium fruits in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent and for cancer prevention and treatment.
A New Antimicrobial Anthrone from the Leaf Latex of Aloe trichosantha
Authors: Oumer Anwar , Bisrat Daniel , Mazumder Avijit , Asres Kaleab
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigation of the leaf latex of Aloe trichosantha by preparative TLC gave two closely related anthrones, aloin A/B (1) and aloin-6'-O-acetate A/B (2). The identity of the compounds was established from HRESI-MS, 1H, 13C, DEPT, HMQC and HMBC spectral and chemical data. Whilst aloin A/B occurs in several Aloe species, aloin-6'-O-acetate A/B was isolated for the first time. The isolated compounds inhibited growth of several bacterial and fungal pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) from 10 to 400 μg/mL and 800 to 1000 μg/mL, respectively.
Anti-inflammatory Activity of Constituents Isolated from Terminalia chebula
Authors: Yang Min Hye , Ali Zulfiqar , Khan Ikhlas A. , Khan Shabana I.
Published: March 2019

This study was aimed at the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of twelve compounds isolated from the methanolic extract of fruits of Terminalia chebula. The activity was determined in terms of their ability to inhibit inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Two gallotannins [chebulinic acid (1) and 2,3,6-tri- O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (2)] and two triterpenoids [arjunic acid (3) and arjunolic acid (4)] efficiently reduced nitric oxide (NO) production with IC50 values of 53.4, 55.2, 48.8, and 38.0 μM, respectively. The protein expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were decreased in macrophages by treatment with compounds 1–4 (54–69% and 33–37%, respectively) at 50 μM. This is the first report of anti-inflammatory property of 1–4 mediated by inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 activities at the cellular level.
Highly Potent Oligostilbene sbLOX-1 Inhibitor from Gnetum macrostachyum
Authors: Surapinit Serm , Sri-in Piyawit , Tip-pyang Santi
Published: March 2019

Isolated oligostilbenes from G. macrostachyum exhibited sbLOX-1 inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.14–11.91 μM. Of these oligostilbenoids, 12 (IC0 0.14±0.01 μM), 10 (IC0 0.33±0.11 μM), 11 (IC50 0.49±0.05 μM) and 7 (IC50 1.03 ± 0.43 μM) were more active than nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) ( P < 0.05) which was the positive control. The enzyme kinetic analysis revealed that 7 and 11 inhibited sbLOX-1 noncompetitively with K i values of 11.2 and 71.4 nM. Compound 10 inhibited sbLOX-1 through mixed-competitive mechanisms ( K i = 13.8 nM and K' i 56.7 nM). Moreover, 12 was an uncompetitive inhibitor with a K i value of 0.8 nM. The inhibitory activity of oligostilbenes did not result from the antioxidant property, as demonstrated by DPPH and 13-HPOD scavenging assays. These compounds also showed ferric reducing capabilities, but had no effect in a Fe3+-bound sbLOX-1 model, as indicated by UV spectrophotometric and CD spectroscopic studies.
Stability of Capsaicinoid Content at Raised Temperatures
Authors: Si Wenhui , Man Sun Wa , Chen Zhen-Yu , Chung Hau Yin
Published: March 2019

Capsaicinoids, found in the fruits of Capsicum species, contribute to the spiciness of foods. However, the fruits are often subjected to heat, particularly during food preparation and in other high temperature operations, and possible changes in the capsaicinoid content have not been systematically reported. Therefore, this investigation focused on the effects of initial concentration, temperature, time and pH on the final capsaicinoid content in a model system. With higher initial concentrations (200–1000 ppm) of capsaicinoids to start with, the reduction rates were slower as the heating time increased. Under a constant initial capsaicinoid concentration (200 ppm), neutral pH had a lower rate of change in capsaicinoid content than that of both alkaline and acidic conditions. Also, alkaline conditions were more stable than acidic. The rate of reduction was generally much faster at higher temperatures, no matter what the initial concentration. Apparently, to retain a high content of capsaicinoids at the end of heating at high temperature, a high initial concentration is necessary, as well as maintaining at neutral pH and having a short heating time.
Identification of Volatiles in Leaves of Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’ Using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Chen Jian Yan , Ye Zheng Mei , Huang Tian Yi , Chen Xiao Dan , Li Yong Yu , Wu Shao Hua
Published: March 2019

Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’ is an aromatic medicinal plant, its foliage producing an intense, unique fragrant odor. This study identified 46 volatile compounds in the leaf tissue of this plant using headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The major compounds included 1, 8-cineole (43.5%), p-cymene (14.7%), humulene (5.5%), camphor (5.3%), linalool (4.7%), ( E)-methyl cinnamate (3.8%), γ-cadinene (3.3%), humulene oxide II (2.1%) and α-terpineol (1.5%). The majority of the volatiles were terpenoids of which oxygenated monoterpenes were the most abundant, accounting for 57.2% of the total volatiles. Alcohols made up the largest (52.8%) and aldehydes the smallest (0.2%) portions of the volatiles. Many bioactive compounds were present in the volatiles.
Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Stem and Leaf Essential Oils from Piper flaviflorum from Xishuangbanna, SW China
Authors: Li Ren , Yang Jing-jing , Wang Yuan-fei , Sun Qian , Hu Hua-bin
Published: March 2019

The present study is the first investigation of the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the stem and leaf essential oils from Piper flaviflorum C.DC (SEOP and LEOP), a plant that has been consumed as a wild vegetable, and used as medicine, and spice by the ethnic groups in Xishuangbanna, SW China. Analyzed by GC-MS, 42 and 30 components were identified representing 90.1% and 95.3% of the SEOP and LEOP, with (E)-nerolidol (16.7% and 40.5%), β-caryophyllene (26.6% and 14.6%) and elixene (5.3% and 12.3%) as their main constituents, respectively. Our results indicate that SEOP and LEOP have good anti-inflammatory activity by significantly inhibiting NO production induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells at 0.04± without effect on cell viability, and negligible antioxidant activity in both ABTS and FRAP assays. Moreover, the LEOP showed comparable activity with the positive control (tigecycline) against Aspergillus fumigatus, with MIC and MBC values ranging from 256 to 1024 μg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells is worthy of further investigation to discover the possible mechanisms of the NO production inhibition effect of these essential oils.
Essential Oil Composition and Antifungal Activity of Aerial Parts of Ballota nigra ssp foetida Collected at Flowering and Fruiting Times
Authors: Fraternale Daniele , Ricci Donata
Published: March 2019

The present study reports the results of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses of the essential oils from the aerial parts of Ballota nigra L. ssp foetida (Lamiaceae) collected at flowering and fruiting times, as well as their in vitro antifungal activity against nine plant pathogenic fungi. Moreover, the essential oils were evaluated for their antifungal activity using the agar dilution method, and also MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations) and MFCs (minimum fungicidal concentrations) were determined. The major compounds identified in the flowering and fruiting aerial parts oils respectively were β-caryophyllene (22.6% and 21.8%), caryophyllene oxide (18.0% and 20.5%) and germacrene-D (16.5 and 13.1%). The oils showed in vitro antifungal activity against some species of Fusarium, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria solani. Our study indicates that the oil of B. nigra ssp foetida could be used as a control agent for plant pathogenic fungi in natural formulations.
Essential Oils from Schinus Species of Northwest Argentina: Composition and Antifungal Activity
Authors: Sampietro Diego A. , Belizan María Melina E. , Baptista Zareath P. Terán , Vattuone Marta A. , Catalán Cesar A. N.
Published: March 2019

The composition of the essential oils from leaves (Sal) and fruits of S areira (Saf), and fruits of S. fasciculatus (Sff) and S. gracilipes (Sgf) were analyzed by GC/MS. The major compounds identified were sabinene (26.0±0.5%), bicyclogermacrene (14.5±0.4%), and E-citral (6.7±0.2%) in Sal oil, limonene (27.7±0.7%), sabinene (16.0±0.5%), β-phellandrene (14.6±0.8%) and bicyclogermacrene (8.1±0.2%) in Saf oil, sabinene (22.7±0.6%), α-phellandrene (18.7±0.3%), β-phellandrene (15.7±0.4%), and bicyclogermacrene (8.1±0.2%) in Sff oil and β-pinene (25.4±0.8%), α-pinene (24.7±0.7%), and sabinene (13.6±0.4%) in Sgf oil. The antifungal activity of the four oils was evaluated on strains of Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum, and the results compared with the effect of epoxyconazole, pyraclostrobin and thyme oil. The Sff oil had the highest antifungal activity among the Schinus oils tested, with MIC100 (F. graminearum) = 6 ± and MIC100 (F. verticillioides) = 12 ±. A principal component analysis suggests that 9 constituents (α-thujene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, 1-terpineol, α-calacorene, α-phellandrene, and terpinen-4-ol) explain the higher antifungal effect of Sff. The MIC100s of Schinus oils were on average 30–60 and 8.5–17 fold lower than those obtained for thyme oil on F. verticillioides and F. graminearum, respectively. In the case of commercial fungicides, their MIC100s were three orders of magnitude lower than those of Schinus oils. The last ones showed an additive interaction when assayed in mixtures with the commecial fungicides and thyme oil. The results suggest that the doses of fungicides required for control of the Fusarium species can be reduced when they are assayed in mixtures with the Schinus oils.
Anxiolytic-like Effect of Inhalation of Essential Oil from Lavandula officinalis: Investigation of Changes in 5-HT Turnover and Involvement of Olfactory Stimulation
Authors: Takahashi Mizuho , Yamanaka Ayako , Asanuma Chihiro , Asano Hiroko , Satou Tadaaki , Koike Kazuo
Published: March 2019

Essential oil extracted from Lavandula officinalis (LvEO) has a long history of usage in anxiety alleviation with good evidence to support its use. However, findings and information regarding the exact pathway involved and mechanism of action remain inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to (1) reveal the influence of olfactory stimulation, and (2) determine whether the serotonergic system is involved in the anxiolytic effect of LvEO when it is inhaled. To this end, we first compared the anxiety-related behaviors of normosmic and anosmic mice. LvEO inhalation caused notable elevation in anxiety-related parameters with or without olfactory perception, indicating that olfactory stimulation is not necessarily required for LvEO to be effective. Neurochemical analysis of the serotonin (5-HT) turnover rate, accompanied by EPM testing, was then performed. LvEO significantly increased the striatal and hippocampal levels of 5-HT and decreased turnover rates in accordance with the anxiolytic behavioral changes. These results, together with previous findings, support the hypothesis that serotonergic neurotransmission plays a certain role in the anxiolytic properties of LvEO.
Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products Isolated from Red Seaweeds
Authors: Nogueira Caio Cesar Richter , de Palmer Paixão Izabel Christina Nunes , Teixeira Valéria Laneuville
Published: March 2019

The present work describes more than 60 natural products from marine red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) and their antioxidant activities. The results indicate that algae belonging to the order Ceramiales, family Rhodomelaceae are the most promising as potential producers of antioxidants. This activity seems to be related to the ability to synthesize polyphenols and their derivatives, as bromophenols.
Advances in Herbal Medicine for Treatment of Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Ghosh Nilanjan , Ghosh Rituparna , Bhat Zulfiqar A , Mandal Vivekananda , Bachar Sitesh C. , Nima Namsa D. , Sunday Otimenyin O. , Mandal Subhash C.
Published: March 2019

Ischemic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and has attracted a lot of attention in the field of drug discovery. Cerebral ischemia is a complex pathological process involving a series of mechanisms, including generation of free radicals, oxidative stress, disruption of the membrane function, release of neurotransmitters and apoptosis. Thrombolytic therapy is the most effective therapeutic strategy, but the benefits are far from being absolute. Increased attention in the field of drug discovery has been focused on using natural compounds from traditional medicinal herbs for neuroprotection, which appears to be a promising therapeutic option for cerebral ischemia with minimal systemic adverse effects that could limit their long term use. The scenario calls for extensive investigations which can result in the development of lead molecules for neuroprotection in the future. In this context, the present review focuses on possible mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of herbal drugs in patients with cerebral ischemic injury. Natural compounds have been demonstrated to have neurofunctional regulatory actions with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, calcium antagonizing and anti-apoptotic activities. Among the several leads obtained from plant sources as potential neuroprotective agents, resveratrol, EGb761, curcumin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate have shown significant therapeutic benefits in cerebral ischemic conditions. However, ligustilide, tanshinone, scutellarin and shikonin are the few lead molecules which are under investigation for treatment of cerebral ischemia.
Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons from the Liverwort Treubia isignensis var. isignensis with Chemotaxonomic Significance
Authors: Coulerie Paul , Nour Mohammed , Thouvenot Louis , Asakawa Yoshinori
Published: March 2019

The New Caledonian endemic Treubia isignensis var. isignensis, which is known as a morphologically primitive liverwort, was extracted with diethyl ether and the crude extract analyzed by TLC and GC/MS. The species is chemically very primitive because it produces only maaliane-, eudesmane-, aristolane and gorgonane sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which are significant chemical marker of the species; neither oxygenated terpenoids nor aromatic compounds were detected.
Ecdysteroid Profiles of Two Ajuga species, A. iva and A. remota
Authors: Bakrim Ahmed , Ngunjiri Johnpeter , Crouzet Sophie , Guibout Louis , Balducci Christine , Girault Jean-Pierre , Lafont René
Published: March 2019

Phytoecdysteroids are plant analogues of insect moulting hormones and are used by plants to repel or disturb phytophagous insects. They are also active on mammals and present in many plants used in traditional medicine. The Ajuga genus contains several such species, which occur in various pharmacopoeias. We report the isolation and identification of major and minor ecdysteroids present in two Ajuga species, A. iva and A. remota, both of which are used as medicinal plants in Africa. Three minor ecdysteroids (abutasterone, ponasterone A and sidisterone) have been found for the first time in the Ajuga genus.
Antiparasitic Indole Alkaloids from Aspidosperma desmanthum and A. spruceanum from the Peruvian Amazonia
Authors: Reina Matías , Ruiz-Mesia Lastenia , Ruiz-Mesia Wilfredo , Sosa-Amay Frida Enriqueta , Arevalo-Encinas Leonor , González-Coloma Azucena , Martínez-Díaz Rafael
Published: March 2019

Twenty-three indole alkaloids were isolated from Aspidosperma desmanthum and A. spruceanum. Alkaloids 1-4 were isolated from the leaves, 5-8 from the stem bark and 9-15 from the root bark of A. desmanthum. Alkaloids 5, 11, 16, 17 and 19 were isolated from the stem bark, 18 and 20-22 from the root bark and 23 from the flowers of A. spruceanum. Compounds 4, 14, and 15 have not been previously reported as natural products while 16 and 20 have been isolated for the first time from the genus Aspidosperma. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC). The antiparasitic activity of these compounds was tested against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum and their non-specific cytotoxicity on mammalian cells. The most active compounds were 10, 12, 13, and 14 from A. desmanthum, and 19, 21 and 22 from A. spruceanum. Aspidolimine (10) aspidocarpine (12) and tubotaiwine (21) showed selective activity against L. infantum.
Chemistry and Biological Activity of Coumarins at Molecular Level
Authors: Garro Hugo A. , García Celina , Martín Víctor S. , Tonn Carlos E. , Pungitore Carlos R.
Published: March 2019

Synthetic coumarins were prepared in high yields using ionic liquids as an environmental friendly alternative. 3,4-Dimethyl-7-hydroxycoumarin (3ab) and 3-isopropyl-4-methyl-5,7-dihydroxycoumarin (3bc) showed interesting activity against Taq DNA polymerase with IC50 values of 115.7 μM and 82.2 μM, respectively. Also, 4-methyl-7-hydroxycoumarin (3aa) and 4-methyl-5,7-dihydroxycoumarin (3ba) exhibited inhibitory activity against MMLV-RT with IC50 values of 23.5 μM and 18.3 μM, respectively. These inhibitors could have importance as antiretroviral chemotherapeutic agents and also for the development of antitumor drugs.
Chemoenzymatic Solvent-free Synthesis of 1-Monopalmitin Using a Microwave Reactor
Authors: Torregrosa Rubén , Balcells Mercé , Torres Mercé , Canela-Garayoa Ramon
Published: March 2019

An environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of 1-monopalmitin has been developed. The procedure consists of a two-step, solvent-free chemoenzymatic reaction. In the first step, palmitic acid is esterified with solketal (4-hydroxymethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane) using Novozym 435 by both conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The use of a microwave reactor allows the enzymatic synthesis of the intermediate compound with a similar yield as that achieved using conventional heating. In the second step, 1,2-acetonide-3-palmitoyl glycerol is cleaved to yield 1-monopalmitin by means of a cation-exchange resin and water or aliphatic alcohols as hydrolytic reagent in solvent-free conditions. The hydrolysis was accomplished in 15 min at 85°C. The best yield was obtained using 1-pentanol. We conclude that the yield achieved depends on the batch and nature of the cation-exchange resin used as catalyst.
Cuticular and Internal Chemical Composition of Biting Midges Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Potential Vectors of Viral Diseases
Authors: González Mikel , López Sergio , Rosell Gloria , Goldarazena Arturo , Guerrero Angel
Published: March 2019

The chemical profile of the cuticle and internal tissues of four species of Culicoides have been studied for the first time by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chemical composition of females of C. obsoletus s.l. and C. lupicaris, vectors of diverse viral diseases, have been compared with that of other biting midges, such as C. kibunensis and C. fascipennis, and the non-biting midge Forcipomyia bipunctata. A total of 61 compounds belonging to 8 major chemical classes were identified in cuticular and internal tissues in n-hexane extracts. The compounds include carboxylic acids (CAs) (C6-C20), with C16:0, C16:1 and C18:1 being dominant, branched hydrocarbons (C29 to C38 mono/di/trimethylalkanes), linear hydrocarbons (C15 to C33, mainly odd chain carbons), terpenes (geranylacetone, geranylgeraniol acetate, squalene, terpenic alcohol), steroids (cholesterol), aldehydes (C9-C10 and even chain C20 to C30), and esters. The chemical profile depends on the species and whether the extracts are external (cuticle) or internal. The contents of linear and branched hydrocarbons and aldehydes was high in cuticular extracts but practically absent in internal tissues, which were, in contrast, rich in CAs, terpenes and steroids. The results are discussed and compared with other Culicoides midges and mosquito-related species.
A List of and Some Comments about the Trail Pheromones of Ants
Authors: Cerdá Xim , van Oudenhove Louise , Bernstein Carlos , Boulay Raphaël R.
Published: March 2019

Ants use many different chemical compounds to communicate with their nestmates. Foraging success depends on how efficiently ants communicate the presence of food and thus recruit workers to exploit the food resource. Trail pheromones, produced by different exocrine glands, are a key part of ant foraging strategies. By combing through the literature, we compiled a list of the identity and glandular origin of the chemical compounds found in the trail pheromones of 75 different ant species. Of the 168 compounds identified, more than 40% are amines. In the subfamily Myrmicinae, trail pheromones are mostly produced in the venom gland, while in the subfamily Formicinae, they come from the rectal gland.
A New Sesquiterpene Glucoside from Lysionotus pauciflorus
Authors: Wen Yaya , Du Hongjian , Tu Yanbei , Luo Wei , Li Qin , Li Yanfang , Liang Bing
Published: March 2019

A new acorane sesquiterpene glucoside, 1 R,3 S,4 R,5 R,10 R-3,10-dihydroxyacoronene-3- O-β-D-glucoside (1), was isolated from the EtOAc-soluble partition of the ethanol extract of Lysionotus paucflorus, together with six known compounds, namely p-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), vanillic acid (3), caffeic acid (4), β-ydroxypropiosyringone (5), α,β-dihydroxypropiosyringone (6), and lyoniresinol (7). The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including D and 2D NMR, and high-resolution MS analysis. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined from CD spectra. When evaluated against several bacterial and fungal strains, and human cancer cell lines, compound 1 and its aglycone were inactive.
Two New Labdane-type Diterpenes from the Wood of Cunninghamia konishii
Authors: Chang Chi-I , Li Yen-Cheng , Chao Che-Yi , Wang Sheng-Yang , Chang Hsun-Shuo , Chao Louis Kuoping , Yang Chang Syun , Kuo Yueh-Hsiung
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the wood of Cunninghamia konishii resulted in the isolation of two new acidic labdane-type diterpenoids, 12( S)-hydroxy-15,16-epoxylabda-8(17),13-dien-19-oic acid (1) and 12( S)-hydroxy-15,16-epoxylabda-8(17),13-dien-18-oic acid (2), along with one known labdane-type diterpene, 7,13 E-labdadien-15-ol (3). Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with the data of known analogues.
Antibacterial activity of Taxodium ascendens Diterpenes against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Starks Courtney M. , Norman Vanessa L. , Williams Russell B. , Goering Matt G. , Rice Stephanie M. , O'Neil-Johnson Mark , Eldridge Gary R.
Published: March 2019

One new and seven known diterpenes were identified from an antibacterial chromatographic fraction of Taxodium ascendens. Of these, demethylcryptojaponol (2), 6-hydroxysalvinolone (3), hydroxyferruginol (4), and hinokiol (5) demonstrated potent activity against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These compounds represent a class of synthetically accessible compounds that could be further developed for treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Use of Circular Dichroism to Determine the Absolute Configuration of a Pimarane Diterpenoid from the Southern African Sclerocroton integerrimus (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Tembu Vuyelwa J. , Langat Moses K. , Crouch Neil R. , Mulholland Dulcie A.
Published: March 2019

From the stem bark and leaves of Sclerocroton integerrimus, eight compounds, including 17-hydroxy- ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-3-one (1), were isolated. The structures of the compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of 17-hydroxy- ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-3-one was confirmed from electronic circular dichroism studies.
Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Rebaudioside D2 from Bioconversion Reaction of Rebaudioside A to Rebaudioside D
Authors: Prakash Indra , Bunders Cynthia , Devkota Krishna P. , Charan Romila D. , Ramirez Catherine , Parikh Maunik , Markosyan Avetik
Published: March 2019

We report the isolation and complete structure of an isomer of rebaudioside D, known as rebaudioside D2. This novel steviol glycoside was isolated from a bioconversion reaction of rebaudioside A to rebaudioside D. Rebaudioside D2 possesses a relatively rare 1→6 sugar linkage, which was discovered by extensive analysis of NMR (1H, 13C, COSY, HSQC-DEPT, HMBC, 1D TOCSY and NOESY) and mass spectral data.
Evaluation of Anti-melanoma Activities of (1S,2E,4R,6E,8R,11S,12R)-8,12-epoxy-2,6-cembradiene-4,11-diol, (1S,2E,4R,6E,8S,11R,12S)-8,11-epoxy-4,12-epoxy-2,6-cembradiene and (1S,4R,13S)-cembra-2E,7E,11E-trien-4,13-diol from the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum
Authors: Szymanski Pawel T. , Ahmed Safwat A. , Radwan Mohamed M. , Khalifa Sherief I. , Fahmy Hesham
Published: March 2019

Three natural cembranoids from the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum namely (1 S,2 E,4 R,6 E,8 R,11 S,12 R)-8,12-epoxy-2,6-cembradiene-4,11-diol, (1 S,2 E,4 R,6 E,8 S,11 R,12 S)-8,11-epoxy-4,12-epoxy-2,6-cembradiene and (1 S,4 R,13 S)-cembra-2 E,7 E,11 E-trien-4,13-diol were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on mouse melanoma B16F10 cell growth. Results show that all the cembranoids strongly inhibit viability of melanoma cells particularly during 48–72 hrs treatment and also inhibit de novo DNA synthesis and PARP activity and stimulate fragmentation of DNA. (1 S,2 E,4 R,6 E,8 R,11 S,12 R)-8,12-epoxy-2,6-cembradiene-4,11-diol was not cytotoxic to monkey kidney CV-1 cells at the concentration that produces the anti-melanoma effects which indicates that this compound may be a good candidate for further development. (1 S,2 E,4 R,6 E,8 S,11 R,12 S)-8,11-epoxy-4,12-epoxy-2,6-cembradiene and (1 S,4 R,13 S)-cembra-2 E,7 E,11 E-trien-4,13-diol were found to be cytotoxic to healthy cells.
Quantititative Determination of Lycorine and Galanthamine in Galanthus trojanus and G. cilicicus by HPLC-DAD
Authors: Kaya Gulen Irem , Polat Derya Cicek , Sarikaya Buket , Onur Mustafa Ali , Somer Nehir Unver
Published: March 2019

Lycorine and galanthamine have various biological activities. A reliable HPLC method coupled with DAD detection was developed and validated for the determination of galanthamine and lycorine in Galanthus trojanus and G. cilicicus. A simple method for the extraction of the alkaloids in low-mass plant samples was employed utilizing columns pre-packed with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut®). This method was applied to the aerial parts and bulbs of G. trojanus and G. cilicicus (Amaryllidaceae) collected during the flowering season. The chromatographic separation was performed using an isocratic system with a mobile phase of trifluoroacetic acid-water-acetonitrile (0.01:92.5:7.5) applied at a flow rate of 1 mL min−1 and using a diode array detector. Validation procedures showed that the method was specific, accurate and precise. The highest amount of lycorine (0.012%) was detected in the bulbs of G. trojanus collected from Çan (Çanakkale), whereas the aerial parts of this species collected from Bayramiç (Çanakkale) was not found to contain this alkaloid. In G. cilicicus samples, lycorine was only determined in the bulbs, giving yields of 0.004%; galanthamine yields were between 0.015-0.016%, but none of the G. trojanus samples contained this latter alkaloid.
Trigonelline Accumulation in Leaves of Panicum virgatum Seedlings
Authors: Schwartz Lauren M. , Wood Andrew J. , Gibson David J.
Published: March 2019

Panicum virgatum is a dominant, native, perennial species found in the tallgrass prairie. In this study, we report the biosynthesis and accumulation of trigonelline (TRG) in leaves of P. virgatum in response to water-deficit stress. Once established, half of the seedlings underwent a drought stress treatment while the other half were watered daily (control). Relative water content (RWC) and trigonelline (TRG) concentrations were determined. RWC showed an interaction between moisture treatment and time, in which upland cultivars had the highest mean RWC compared with the lowland cultivars. The moisture treatments showed a significant difference in TRG concentration across all P. virgatum cultivars, which ranged from 0.5–31.8 μg/gFW−1. There was a divergence in TRG accumulation between upland and lowland cultivars in relation to RWC. This study is the first to report TRG accumulation in the grass P. virgatum, and to test for differences in TRG with respect to water-deficit stress among cultivars. The effect of soil moisture levels on cultivars may be important in making an informed selection and the response of P. virgatum and other dominant grasses should be considered as a potential filter in tallgrass prairies for restoration. Physiological markers such as TRG and RWC can aid in this decision making process.
Parvisides A and B, New Glucosides from Galinsoga parviflora
Authors: Afza Nighat , Malik Abdul , Yasmeen Shazia , Ali Muhammad Irfan , Ferheen Sadia , Tareen Rasool Bakhsh
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigations of the n-butanol soluble sub-fraction of the methanolic extract of Galinsoga parviflora Cav. has led to the isolation of two new glucosides named as parvisides A (1) and B (2). Their structures have been assigned on the basis of their spectral analysis including 1D and 2D NMR techniques.
Structure Activity Relationships of Flavonoids as Potent α-Amylase Inhibitors
Authors: Yuan Erdong , Liu Benguo , Wei Qingyi , Yang Jiguo , Chen Lei , Li Qiong
Published: March 2019

The effects of three flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, diosmetin) on α-amylase were examined by enzymatic kinetics and fluorescence spectroscopy. The three test flavonoids were non-competitive inhibitors of the enzyme. Addition of flavonoids led to fluorescence quenching of α-amylase. The quenching was initiated from the formation of a complex between the flavonoids and the enzyme, corresponding to a static quenching process. An α-amylase molecule provides a binding site for the test flavonoid. The main binding force was hydrophobic. The decreasing order of inhibition of α-amylase by flavonoids and the binding force was luteolin, diosmetin, and quercetin. It is demonstrated that hydroxylation in ring C and methylation of the hydroxyl group in ring B of flavonoids may weaken the binding affinities to α-amylase.
Two New Anxiolytic Phenanthrenes Found in the Medullae of Juncus effusus
Authors: Wang Yang , Li Gui-Yun , Fu Qian , Hao Tai-Sen , Huang Jian-Mei , Zhai Hai-Feng
Published: March 2019

Six phenanthrenes, 2-methoxy-7-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-vinyl phenanthrene (1), juncusin (2), dehydroeffusol (3), juncusol (4), effusol (5), and dehydroeffusal (6), were isolated from the medullae of Juncus effusus L. Compounds 1 and 2 were identified as being new structures, and both of them showed anxiolytic activity at dosages of 10 and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively.
A New Depside from Usnea aciculifera Growing in Vietnam
Authors: Truong Tuong L. , Nga Vo T. , Huy Duong T. , Chi Huynh B. L. , Phung Nguyen K. P.
Published: March 2019

From Usnea aciculifera, a new depside aciculiferin A (1) was isolated, together with eleven known compounds, (+)-(12 R)-usnic acid (2), methyl haematommate (3), methyl β-orsellinate (4), methyl orsellinate (5), atranol (6), 7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6-methylphthalide (7), norstictic acid (8), stictic acid (9), atranorin (10), barbatinic acid (11) and diffractaic acid (12). Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic as well as HR-ESI-MS analysis. Usnic acid (2) and depside diffractaic acid (12) presented in high yield of around 1.5% of the dried material. Some lichen substances inhibited the growth of some cancer cell lines. Three depsides, 1, 11 and 12, were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HeLa (human epithelial carcinoma), NCI-H460 (human lung cancer) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer) cell lines at the concentration of 100 μg/mL. Depside 1 showed good and depside 12 strong cytotoxic activity against three surveyed cancer cell lines.
Characterization of Volatiles of Necrotic Stenocereus thurberi and Opuntia littoralis and Toxicity and Olfactory Preference of Drosophila melanogster, D. mojavensis wrigleyi, and D. mojavensis sonorensis to Necrotic Cactus Volatiles
Authors: Wright Cynthia R. , Setzer William N.
Published: March 2019

Drosophila mojavensis wrigleyi and D. mojavensis sonorensis are geographically separated races of cactophilic fruit flies. D. mojavensis sonorensis inhabits the Sonoran Desert and utilizes necrotic rots of Stenocereus thurberi Engelm. as a food source and to oviposit while D. mojavensis wrigleyi inhabits Santa Catalina Island, California and utilizes the necrotic rots of Opuntia littoralis (Engelm.) Cockerell. The objectives of this study were to determine the volatile compositions of the necrotic cacti and to determine if the volatile components show either selective toxicity or attraction toward the fruit flies. The volatile chemical compositions of field-rot specimens of both necrotic cacti were obtained by dynamic headspace (purge-and-trap) and hydrodistillation techniques and analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The volatile fraction of necrotic S. thurberi early rot was dominated by carboxylic acids (84.8%) and the late rot by p-cresol (32.6% in the dynamic headspace sample and 55.9% in the hydrodistilled sample). O. littoralis volatiles were dominated by carboxylic acids (86% in the dynamic headspace sample and 89.1% in the hydrodistilled sample). Fifteen compounds that were identified in the necrotic rot volatiles were used to test insecticidal activity and olfactory preference on the cactophilic Drosophila species, as well as D. melanogaster. Differences in toxicity and olfactory preference were observed between the different taxa. Both races of D. mojavensis exhibited toxicity to benzaldehyde and 2-nonanone, while butanoic acid and palmitic acid were tolerated at high concentrations. D. m. wrigleyi demonstrated a greater olfactory preference for anisole, butanoic acid, 2-heptanone, and palmitic acid than did D. m. sonorensis, while D. m. sonorensis demonstrated a greater preference for hexadecane, octanoic acid, and oleic acid than did D. m. wrigleyi.
Warfarin Interactions with Medicinal Herbs
Authors: Milić Nataša , Milošević Nataša , Kon Svetlana Goločorbin , Božić Teodora , Abenavoli Ludovico , Borrelli Frances
Published: March 2019

Recognition of the adverse effects of medicinal herbs is not routine and the reports on such effects are even less frequent in clinical practice. Potential herb-drug interactions are of a major safety concern, especially for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices like warfarin, which can lead to severe adverse reactions that are sometimes life-threatening. The interactions between warfarin and medicinal herbs described in the literature have been summarized in this paper relying on Medline database (via PubMed) using the key words: warfarin, herbal supplements and interactions. The references on the analyzed literature have been investigated in order to collect the existing data. The case reports with severe adverse effects such as spontaneous postoperative bleeding, formation of hematomas, hematemesis, melena, thrombosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage and/or subdural hematomas after concomitant use of warfarin and the medicinal herbs: Panax ginseng, Hypericum perforatum, Salvia milthiorizza, Gingko biloba, Serenoa repens, Angelica sinensis, Vaccinium species, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Tanacetum parthenium, Lucium barbarum, Matricaria chamomilla, Boswellia serrata and Camellia sinensis have been estimated. Some of the interactions between warfarin and medicinal herbs have been well assessed proving that they are closely-dependent.

The interactions between warfarin and medicinal herbs, not generally reported in previous reviews, are presented in our review. The health professionals who are involved in treating the patients are expected to be fully informed about the interactions between warfarin and medicinal herbs in order to minimize the health risks of the patients.