Simultaneous extraction of bioactive limonoid aglycones and glucoside from Citrus aurantium L. using hydrotropy

Citrus limonoids were demonstrated to possess potential biological activities in reducing the risk of certain diseases. Limonoids are present in citrus fruits in the form of aglycones and glucosides. At present, limonoid aglycones and limonoid glucosides are extracted in multiple steps using different solvents. In order to understand their potential bioactivity, it may be beneficial to isolate and purify these compounds using environment friendly methods. A new method of extraction and purification of limonoids was established using a hydrotrope polystyrene adsorbent resin. Extraction of aglycones and glucosides was achieved in a single step, using an aqueous solution of sodium cumene sulphonate (Na-CuS). Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seed powder was extracted with 2 M Na-CuS solution at 45 degrees C for 6 h. The filtered extract was diluted with water and loaded on an SP 700 adsorbent column. The column was washed with distilled water to remove the hydrotrope and then eluted using water and methanol in different compositions to obtain three compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy as deacetyl nomilinic acid glucoside (DNAG), deacetyl nomilin (DAN) and limonin (LIM).     

Transglucosidation of methyl and ethyl D-glucopyranosides by alcoholysis

The transglucosidations of methyl 4-O-methyl-alpha- and -beta-D-glucopyranoside in ethanolic camphor-10-sulfonic acid, and of ethyl 4-O-methyl-alpha- and -beta-D-glucopyranoside in methanolic camphor-10-sulfonic acid, have been studied. Samples were removed at intervals and the proportions of the glucosides determined by GC of their acetates. The results show that the anomer with the inverted configuration predominates in the initially formed product (approximately 59-70%). This indicates that all the studied reactions proceed via the same mechanism, involving exocyclic C-O cleavage and formation of a glucopyranosylium ion, but that the eliminated alcohol exerts some steric hindrance, which favors the approach of the other alcohol from the opposite side.     

Sesquiterpene lactone glucosides and alkyl glycosides from the fruit of cumin

From the polar portion of the methanolic extract of cumin (fruit of Cuminum cyminum L.), two sesquiterpenoid glucosides, cuminoside A and B, and two alkyl glycosides were isolated together with five known compounds. Their structures were established as (1S,5S,6S,10S)-10-hydroxyguaia-3,7(11)-dien-12,6-olide beta-D-glucopyranoside, (1R,5R,6S,7S,9S,10R,11R)-1,9-dihydroxyeudesm-3-en-12,6-olide 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, methyl beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and ethane-1,2-diol 1-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively.     

Triterpene saponins and iridoid glucosides from galium rivale

Three new glycosides of the oleanene-type triterpenes, rivalosides C-E (1-3), along with three known triterpene saponins, momordin IIb (4) and rivalosides A-B (5-6), and five known iridoid glucosides: monotropein, scandoside, deacetylasperulosidic acid, geniposidic acid and asperulosidic acid, were isolated from aerial parts of Galium rivale. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectral methods and chemical means as 2alpha-acetoxy-3alpha, 19alpha-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1--> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 2alpha,3alpha, 19alpha-trihydroxy-olean- 12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-24-hydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, for rivalosides C-E, respectively. The taxonomic significance of the rivalosides in G. rivale was discussed.     

Red Mexican grapefruit: a novel source for bioactive limonoids and their antioxidant activity

Citrus limonoids have shown to inhibit the growth of cancer in colon, lung, mouth, stomach and breast in animal and cell culture studies. For the first time in the present study, an attempt has been made to isolate antioxidant fractions and five limonoids from red Mexican grapefruit seeds. Defatted seed powder was successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), acetone, methanol (MeOH) and MeOH/water and the extracts were concentrated under vacuum. Radical scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total phenolic content were also measured for comparison with the antioxidant capacity in the phosphomolybdenum method for the above extracts. Acetone and MeOH extracts, respectively, showed the highest (85.7%) and lowest (53.3%) radical scavenging activity, at 500 ppm. The total phenolic contents were found to be highest in the acetone extract (15.94%) followed by the MeOH extract (5.92%), ethyl acetate extract (5.54%) and water extract (5.26%). Antioxidant capacity of the extracts as equivalents to ascorbic acid (micromol/g of the extract) was in the order, EtOAc extract > acetone extract > water extract > methanol extract. Furthermore, the EtOAC and acetone extracts were loaded onto silica gel columns to obtain four limonoid aglycons. MeOH fraction was loaded onto a dowex-50 and sepabeads resin column to obtain a limonoid glucoside. The purity of the isolated five compounds was analyzed by HPLC using a C18 column and UV detection at 210 nm. Finally, the structures of the compounds were identified as obacunone, nomilin, limonin, deacetylnomilin (DAN) and limonin-17-beta-D-glucopyranoside (LG) using 1H and 13C NMR studies.     

Isolation and characterization of new limonoid glycosides from Citrus unshiu peels.

Three limonoid glycosides were isolated from Citrus unshiu peels, and their structures were determined based on MS and NMR spectroscopic data as nomilinic acid 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), methyl nomilinate 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), and obacunone 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3). In particular, the location of the sugar moiety was clearly determined by the B/E constant linked scan FABMS method. No limonoid glycosides obtained here were found to have antitumor activity in NCI-H292 and EL-4 cell lines.     

Identifying citrus limonoid aglycones by HPLC-EI/MS and HPLC-APCI/MS techniques

HPLC coupled with normal phase electron ionisation (EI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI)/ mass spectrometry methods has been applied to identify 17 known neutral limonoid aglycones from Citrus sources. The HPLC-MS data from the known limonoids provided chromatographic characteristics, APCI-derived molecular weight data and EI fragmentation data for each limonoid. EI fragmentation patterns for the limonoids were correlated with structural characteristics. The EI fragmentation patterns coupled with APCI-derived molecular weights were utilised as a potential method by which to discern the structural character of unknown citrus limonoids.     

Biologically active phenols from Saussurea medusa

Sixteen phenolic compounds were isolated from the polar fraction of Saussurea medusa and were structurally elucidated by chemical evidences and spectral methods. These compounds include two new lignan glucosides, namely medusasides A (1) and B (2), and fourteen known phenolic compounds (3-16). One major compound, apigenin 7-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (6) showed remarkable activity to attenuate the scopolamine induced memory deficit of mice. Compound 6 and another major one, quercetin (8) also exhibited moderate cell protecting activities against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) induced PC12 cell damage.     

Steroidal glycosides from the bulbs of Lilium dauricum.

The bulbs of Lilium dauricum yielded 11 compounds, including six new steroidal glycosides. The structures have been determined by spectral analysis and hydrolysis to be (25R,26R)-26-methoxyspirost-5-en-3 beta-ol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-( 1----3)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside, (25R,26R)-26-methoxyspirost-5-en-3 beta-ol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside, (25R)-spirost-5-en-3 beta-ol (diosgenin) 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl- (1----3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (25R)-3 beta,17 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha-spirostan-6-one 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (25R)-3 beta, 17 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha-spirostan-6-one 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl-(1----3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (20R,22R)-3 beta,20,22-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-6-one (tenuifoliol) 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The absolute configurations of C-20 and C-22 of tenuifoliol were further confirmed by detailed analysis of the NOE difference spectrum of the corresponding isopropylidene derivative. Several known compounds were also isolated and identified.     

Two labdane diterpenoids and a seco-tetranortriterpenoid from Turreanthus africanus

Examination of the methylene chloride soluble portion of the acetone extract of the seeds of Turreanthus africanus yielded two labdane diterpenoids 12,15-epoxylabda-8(17),12,14-trien-16-al (1) and 16-acetoxy-12(R),15-epoxy-15beta-hydroxylabda-8(17),13(16)-diene (2) and a limonoid, 17-epi 12-dehydroxyheudebolin (3). Structures elucidation was based on the analysis of spectroscopic data.     

17-dehydrolimonoate A-ring lactone: A possible metabolite of limonoate A-ring lactone in Citrus fruits

A new limonoid, 17-dehydrolimonoate A-ring lactone (III), was isolated from orange peel, juice and lemon seeds and seedlings. This compound which is non-bitter appears to be an initial product of limonoate A-ring lactone (II) metabolism. As such it may be the initial intermediate in at least one debittering pathway in citrus fruits.     

Protective effects of steroid saponins from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis on ethanol- or indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats: structural requirement for activity and mode of action

The methanolic extract from the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla SM. var. yunnanensis (FR.) H-M. was found to potently inhibit ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats. Through bioassay-guided separation, four known spirostanol-type steroid saponins, pennogenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), pennogenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), diosgenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and diosgenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), and a new furostanol-type steroid saponin, parisaponin I (5), together with two known furostanol-type steroid saponins, trigofoenoside A (6) and protogracillin (7), were isolated from the active fraction. Compounds 1-4 (1.25-10 mg/kg, po) strongly inhibited gastric lesions induced by ethanol and indomethacin. With regard to structural requirement of steroid saponins, the 3-O-glycoside moiety and spirostanol structure were found to be essential for the activity and the 17-hydroxyl group in the aglycon part enhanced the protective effects against ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The protective effects of 1 and 3 against ethanol-induced gastric lesions were attenuated by pretreatment with indomethacin and N-ethylmaleimide. Compounds 1 and 3 weakly inhibited acid secretions in pylorus-ligated rats. These findings suggested that endogenous prostaglandins and sulfhydryl compounds were involved in the protective activity.     

Delay expression of limonoid UDP-glucosyltransferase makes delayed bitterness in citrus

Genes encoding limonoid UDP-glucosyltransferase from albedo of six Citrus species with different levels of delayed bitterness are isolated and cloned in vector pTZ57R/T. Our results indicate that gene sequence of sweet lime (with intense juice delayed bitterness) have complete identity with Satsuma mandarin (without distinctive juice delayed bitterness). Also gene sequence of Marsh seedless grapefruit, local orange and Thompson navel orange (with mild juice delayed bitterness) have very similarity with Satsuma mandarin. On the other hand, this gene started to express 60, 120, and 210 days after full blooming in albedo of Satsuma mandarin, sweet oranges and sour orange, and both grapefruit and sweet lime, respectively. Expression pattern of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in leaves was quite different with albedo. Thus, we supposed the delayed bitterness in this species was related to delay in expression of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in albedo and lower limonoid glucoside accumulation in fruits.     

Cyanogenic glucosides in the biological warfare between plants and insects: the Burnet moth-Birdsfoot trefoil model system

Cyanogenic glucosides are important components of plant defense against generalist herbivores due to their bitter taste and the release of toxic hydrogen cyanide upon tissue disruption. Some specialized herbivores, especially insects, preferentially feed on cyanogenic plants. Such herbivores have acquired the ability to metabolize cyanogenic glucosides or to sequester them for use in their own predator defense. Burnet moths (Zygaena) sequester the cyanogenic glucosides linamarin and lotaustralin from their food plants (Fabaceae) and, in parallel, are able to carry out de novo synthesis of the very same compounds. The ratio and content of cyanogenic glucosides is tightly regulated in the different stages of the Zygaena filipendulae lifecycle and the compounds play several important roles in addition to defense. The transfer of a nuptial gift of cyanogenic glucosides during mating of Zygaena has been demonstrated as well as the possible involvement of hydrogen cyanide in male assessment and nitrogen metabolism. As the capacity to de novo synthesize cyanogenic glucosides was developed independently in plants and insects, the great similarities of the pathways between the two kingdoms indicate that cyanogenic glucosides are produced according to a universal route providing recruitment of the enzymes required. Pyrosequencing of Z. filipendulae larvae de novo synthesizing cyanogenic glucosides served to provide a set of good candidate genes, and demonstrated that the genes encoding the pathway in plants and Z. filipendulae are not closely related phylogenetically. Identification of insect genes involved in the biosynthesis and turn-over of cyanogenic glucosides will provide new insights into biological warfare as a determinant of co-evolution between plants and insects.     

Quivisianthone, an evodulone limonoid from the Madagascan Meliaceae Quivisia papinae

An investigation of the seeds of the Madagascan Meliaceae Quivisia papinae has yielded quivisianthone, a novel evodulone group limonoid, together with the known azadiradione and two novel derivatives: 6 alpha-hydroxyazadiradione and 7-deacetyl-7-angeloyl-6 alpha-hydroxyazadiradione. Quivisianthone is the first reported evodulone group limonoid possessing both a ring A lactone and an azadiradione-type ring D.     

Flavonoid and phenolic glycosides from Salvia officinalis

Two novel phenolic glycosides cis-p-coumaric acid 4-O-(2'-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and trans-p-coumaric acid 4-O-(2'-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside were isolated and identified from Salvia officinalis together with 4-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-(6'-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside, 7- and 3'-O-beta-D-glucuronide, 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside and 7-O-glucuronide, and 6,8-di-C-beta-D-glucosylapigenin (vicenin-2). The luteolin glucuronides and vicenin-2 were identified as new sage constituents.     

Two diacylated malvidin glycosides from Petunia hybrida flowers.

Two novel diacylated and two known anthocyanins were isolated from violet flowers of Petunia hybrida cv Festival. The new anthocyanins are malvidin 3-O-(6-O-(4-O-(4-O-(6-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-E-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside)-5-beta-D-glucopyranoside and malvidin 3-O-(6-O-(4-O-(4-O-(6-O-E-p-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-E-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside)-5-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The two known pigments are the 3-caffeoylglucosyl-p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucosides of malvidin and petunidin.     

Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax menispermoidea.

Four steroidal saponins were isolated from the dried rhizomes of Smilax menispermoidea. One of them is new and its structure was established as (25S)spirost-5-en-3 beta,17 alpha-triol-3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1----2)] [alhpa-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1----4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside using spectrometry and chemical methods, as well as comparison with three known steroidal saponins, dioscin, methyl protodioscin and pseudoprotodioscin.     

Steroidal saponins from the bulbs of Camassia cusickii.

Six new steroidal saponins have been isolated from the fresh bulbs of Camassia cusickii. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and some chemical transformations to be (25R)-5 alpha-spirostan-3 beta,6 alpha-diol (chlorogenin) 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, chlorogenin 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, chlorogenin 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, chlorogenin 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----3)]-beta- D-glucopyranoside, (25R)-6 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-spirostan-3-one 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1----3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (25R)-3,3-dimethoxy-5 alpha-spirostan-6 alpha-ol 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The saponins isolated were shown to contribute to the bitter taste of the bulbs.