Natural anti-HIV agents-part I: (+)-demethoxyepiexcelsin and verticillatol from Litsea verticillata

The eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, verticillatol (1), as well as the lignan, (+)-5'-demethoxyepiexcelsin (2), and a known lignan, (+)-epiexcelsin (3), were isolated from Litsea verticillata Hance. Lignan 2 showed moderate anti-HIV activity with an IC(50) value of 16.4 microg/ml (42.7 microM), while the known lignan 3 was inactive up to a concentration of 20 microg/ml (48.3 microM). Compound 1 demonstrated weak activity with an IC(50) value of 34.5 microg/ml (144.7 microM) while being devoid of cytotoxicity at 20 microg/ml. The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration of the new sesquiterpenoid was determined by the generation of Mosher esters.     

Syntheses of C(18) dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan derivatives as anti-HBsAg and anti-HBeAg agents

(+)-Gomisin K(3) (1) and kadsurarin (2) were isolated from Schizandra arisanensis and Kadsura matsudai, respectively, and a series of C(18) dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan analogues (5-20) derived from 1 and 2 were synthesized. Esterified derivatives of 1 and 2 were evaluated for inhibitory activity against human type B hepatitis with surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg). Most of the analogues (5-8, 10, 12-13) derived from 1 exhibited higher anti-HBsAg effects and lower toxicity, and 6, 7, 8 and 12 also showed higher anti-HBeAg activity. Among these active C(18) dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan analogues, the lignan with a but-3-enoyl group (6) exhibited the most active inhibition.     

Iridoids,monoterpenoid glucoindole alkaloids and flavonoids from Vinca major

A new secoiridoid glucoside, vinmajoroside (1), was isolated from the leaves of Vinca major L. along with 11 known compounds belonging to the secoiridoid ((7α)-7-O-methylmorroniside, 2), iridoid (loganin, loganic acid and 7-O-p-coumaroylloganin), monoterpenoid glucoindole alkaloid (5 (S)-5-carboxyvincoside and strictosamide), flavonoid (rutin, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and robinin), lignan (syringaresinol 4-O-β-glucopyranoside) and phenolic acid (chlorogenic acid) groups. The structure elucidation of the isolates was accomplished by extensive 1D and 2D-NMR experiments as well as ESI-MS. Secoiridoids and lignan were encountered for the first time in the genus Vinca.     

Lignans and secoiridoids from the root bark of Chionanthus virginicus L.: isolation, identification and HPLC analysis

Five lignans, phillyrin (1), pinoresinol-beta-D-glucoside (2), pinoresinol di-beta-D-glucoside (3), phillyrin-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (6), phillyrin-6-O-beta-D-glucoside (7), and three secoiridoids, oleuropein (4), ligustroside (5) and angustifolioside B (8), have been isolated from the root bark of Chionanthus virginicus L. (Oleaceae), a raw material used in the commercial preparation of homeopathy tinctures. Compound 6 is a new lignan, and compounds 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are described for the first time in the title plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (NMR and HPLC-MS). An isocratic HPLC method for the rapid characterisation and quantification of the major constituents, 1 and 4, of the root bark is described and validated.     

Effects of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial

Background

Flaxseed consumption has been shown to improve blood lipids in humans and flaxseed-derived lignan has been shown to enhance glycemic control in animals. The study aimed to investigate the effect of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement on glycemic control, lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methodology/Principal Findings

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial and it was conducted between April and December 2006 in Shanghai, China. Seventy-three type 2 diabetic patients with mild hypercholesterolemia were enrolled into the study. Patients were randomized to supplementation with flaxseed-derived lignan capsules (360 mg lignan per day) or placebo for 12 weeks, separated by an 8-week wash-out period. HbA1c, lipid profiles, insulin resistance index and inflammatory factors were measured. Sixty-eight completed the study and were included in the analyses. The lignan supplement significantly improved glycemic control as measured by HbA_1c (-0.10±0.65 % vs. 0.09±0.52 %, P = 0.001) compared to placebo; however, no significant changes were observed in fasting glucose and insulin concentrations, insulin resistance and blood lipid profiles. Urinary excretion of lignan metabolites (enterodiol and enterolactone) was significantly higher after the lignan supplement intervention compared to baseline (14.2±18.1 vs. 1.2±2.4 µg/mL, P<0.001). Data also suggested minimal competition between lignan and isoflavones for bioavailability when measured by the excretion concentrations.

Conclusions/Significance

Daily lignan supplementation resulted in modest, yet statistically significant improvements in glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients without apparently affecting fasting glucose, lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the efficacy of lignans on type 2 diabetes.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00363233","term_id":"NCT00363233"}}NCT00363233     

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-antioxidant lignans from Myristica fragrans seeds

Six diarylbutane lignans 1-5 and one aryltetralin lignan 6 were isolated from the methanol (95%) extracts of Myristica fragrans seeds and then 7-methyl ether diarylbutane lignan 4 has proven to be new a compound. Their compounds 1-7 were evaluated for LDL-antioxidant activity to identify the most potent LDL-antioxidant 3 with an IC50 value of 2.6 microM in TBARS assay. Due to its potency, compound 3 was tested for complementary in vitro investigations, such as lag time (140 min at 1.0 microM), relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) of ox-LDL (inhibition of 80% at 20 microM and 72% at 10 microM), and fragmentation of apoB-100 (inhibition of 93% at 20 microM) on copper-mediated LDL oxidation. In macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation, the TBARS formation was also inhibited by compound 3.     

白粉藤的木脂素和三萜成分

从白粉藤（Cissus repens Lank）地上部分分离得到5个木脂素和8个三萜,其中一个木脂素是新化合物,它的结构通过波谱分析和碱水解的方法鉴定为：（＋）-异落叶松树脂醇-9′-（2-对-香豆酰）-O-β-D-吡喃木糖苷（1）。其余化合物分别是：（＋）-异落叶松树脂醇-9′-O-β-D-吡喃木糖苷（2）,（＋）-Lyoniside（3）,（—）-开环异落叶松树脂醇-9-O-β-D-吡喃木糖苷（4）,（7′R,8′S）-4′-hydroxy-3′,5-dimethoxy-7,8′-dihydrobenzofuran-1-propanolneolignan-9′-O-β-D-xylopyranoside（5）,木栓酮（6）,表木栓醇（7）,蒲公英赛醇乙酸酯（8）,熊果酸（9）,2α-羟基乌索酸（10）,积雪草酸（11）,Niga-ichigoside F1（12）,羽扇豆醇（13）。这些化合物都是首次从该植物中分离得到。     

A New Lariciresinol-Type Butyrolactone Lignan Derived from Hydroxymatairesinol and Its Identification in Spruce Wood

When the natural lignan hydroxymatairesinol ( 1 ) was treated with an alkaline aqueous solution, it partially rearranged to isomeric forms of a lariciresinol-type butyrolactone lignan. The two major diastereomers formed (2 and 3) were isolated by column and medium-pressure chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR techniques. These previously unknown butyrolactone lignans were identified as naturally occurring in spruce knotwood by GC, GC-MS, and HPLC-ESI MS/MS analyses. The formation of isohydroxymatairesinol (2) and epi-isohydroxymatairesinol (3) from hydroxymatalresinol ( 1 ), and their detection in rat urine after administration of 1, is discussed.     

In silico Analysis and Experimental Validation of Lignan Extracts from Kadsura longipedunculata for Potential 5-HT1AR Agonists

Objectives

Kadsura longipedunculata (KL) has been widely used for the treatment of insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism of the sedative and hypnotic effects of KL.

Materials and Methods

The content of KL was evaluated by HPLC-TOF-MS, and a potential target was found and used to construct its 3D structure to screen for potential ligands among the compounds in KL by using bioinformatics analysis, including similarity ensemble approach (SEA) docking, homology modeling, molecular docking and ligand-based pharmacophore. The PCPA-induced insomnia rat model was then applied to confirm the potential targets related to the sedative effects of KL by performing the forced swimming test (FST), the tail suspension test (TST) and the measurement of target-related proteins using western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results

Bioinformatics analysis showed that most of lignan compounds in KL were optimal ligands for the 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR), and they were found to be potential targets related to sedative effects; the main lignan content of KL extracts was characterized by HPLC-TOF-MS, with 7 proposed lignans detected. Administration of KL could significantly reduce FST and TST immobility time in the PCPA-induced 5HT-depleted insomnia rat model. The expressions of proteins related to the 5-HT1AR pathway were regulated by extracts of KL in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that extracts of KL had 5-HT1AR agonist-like effects.

Conclusion

In silico analysis and experimental validation together demonstrated that lignan extracts from KL can target 5-HT1AR in insomniac rats, which could shed light on its use as a potential 5-HT1AR agonist drug.     

无量山种子植物区系的特有现象

地处滇中南的无量山地区迄今计有种子植物207科,1026属,2540种。其中有东亚特有科10个,中国特有属27个,无量山特有种67个。这一地区不仅植物种类丰富,而且特有现象较为显著。在对科级特有现象进行较细致的研究后,本文认为无量山具有的较多的分类系统上隔离的东亚特有科反映了该地作为东亚古老植物区系的一部分,其地质历史与整个东亚是一致的,且与东亚植物区系的发端密切相关。属的特有现象表明,地处中国特有属高频率中心区云南腹地的无量山,却没有相应的高比例中国特有,说明我国高频率区的特有程度质和量上不是均一的,在此之外存在一些次级中心区;无量山明显处于滇西北、滇东南两大中国特有属多样性中心之间。种的特有现象中,中国特有种的各亚型显示了这里区系的亚热带性质;67个特有种所隶属的属的分布区类型的分析表明了由热带性质向温带性质的过渡,而较低的特有种比例,说明无量山的地理隔离程度并不高,时间也不长。     

Acylated flavonoids and phenol glycosides from Veronica thymoides subsp. pseudocinerea

A new acylated flavone glucoside, 3'-hydroxyscutellarein 7-O-(6'-O-protocatechuoyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (1), and a new phenol glucoside, 3,5-dihydroxyphenethyl alcohol 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated from Veronica thymoides subsp. pseudocinerea together with seven known flavone, phenol and lignan glycosides; 3'-hydroxyscutellarein 7-O-(6'-O-trans-feruloyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (2), 3'-hydroxy, 6-O-methylscutellarein 7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (3), luteolin 7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (4), isoscutellarein 7-O-(6'-O-acetyl)-beta-allopyranosyl (1' --> 2')-beta-glucopyranoside (5), 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl alcohol 8-O-beta-glucopyranoside (7), benzyl alcohol 7-O-beta-xylopyranosyl (1" --> 2')-beta-glucopyranoside (8), and (+)-syringaresinol 4'-O-beta-glucopyranoside (9). Compounds 2, 3 and 7-9 were reported for the first time in the genus Veronica. The structures of the isolates were determined by means of spectroscopic (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, HR ESI-MS) methods. Isolated compounds (1-7) exhibited potent radical scavenging activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.     

STUDY ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF SAUSSUREA LAPPA II

Seven compounds were isolated from the underground parts of Saussurea lappe in-cluding three steroids, pregnenolone (1), β-sitosterol (2), daucosterol (3); a phenylpropanoid glycoside, syringin (4); a lignan glycoside, l- hydroxypinoresinol-l-β- D- glucopyrano side (5); a straight chain fatty acid and an its propanedinyl ester, (z, z) -9, 12 -octadecadienoic acid (6), (z,z)- 9, 12 -octadecadienoic acid -2- hydroxy -1, 3 -propanedinyl ester (7). The structures of these compounds were determined by means of spectral and some chemical evidence. Moreover, among the seven compounds, compound 1 as a natural product has been isolated from plantS for the first time, compounds 3,4,5 and 7 have been obtained from this plant source for the first time.     

Lignans from Lepidium meyenii and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Meyeniines A–C ( 1 – 3 ), three new lignans, two known neolignans ( 4 – 5 ), and three known lignans ( 6 – 8 ) were isolated from the rhizomes of Lepidium meyenii. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and computational methods. Compound 1 represents a unique lignan featuring an aromatic ring migration. Compounds 2 and 4 – 6 were analyzed by chiral HPLC column as enantiomers. Biological evaluation revealed that compound 8 could inhibit IL-6 production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner.     

Effects of forsythia fruit extracts and lignan on lipid metabolism

A primary methanol extract (F-ME), secondary butanol-soluble fraction (F-BU), and lignans were prepared from forsythia fruit (Forsythia viridissima L.) and added to 0.5% (w/w) cholesterol diets for male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 121 +/- 12 g. There were six experimental groups: a control group, 0.2%, 0.4% F-ME supplemented groups, 0.1%, 0.02% F-BU groups and 0.02% lignan group. After 3 weeks of feeding, body weight gains, serum GOT and GPT levels were not different among the groups. HDL-/total cholesterol ratios increased in the 0.2% F-BU and lignan groups compared with the control groups. Liver triglyceride level lowered in most of forsythia groups. Fecal cholesterol excretions increased in the lignan group. Arctiin isolated from the forsythia fruit reduced cholesterol and triglyceride contents in cultured HepG2 cells at 0.01-0.1 microM. These results indicated that the forsythia lignan, arctiin is effective on improving blood lipid status without a significant hepatotoxicity and is to be utilized for the functional foods for lipid-lowering action.     

Chemical and anti-platelet constituents from Formosan Zanthoxylum simulans

A pyrrole alkaloid, pyrrolezanthine [5-hydroxymethyl-1-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde]; a lignan, (-)-simulanol [4- [3-hydroxymethyl-5-((E)-3-hydroxypropenyl)-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2-yl]-2,6-dimethoxy-phenol] and a monocyclic gamma-pyrone, zanthopyranone [3,5-dimethoxy-2-methyl-pyran-4-one], together with 28 known compounds were isolated from the stem wood of Formosan Zanthoxylum simulans. Their structures were determined through spectral analyses. Among the isolates, 11 compounds showed anti-platelet aggregation activity in vitro.     

中药大蓟化学成分的研究

从大蓟的50％乙醇提取物中分离得到2个木脂素：（-）2-（3’-甲氧基4’-羟基-苯基）-3,4-二羟基4-（3＂-4＂-羟基-苄基）-3-四氢呋哺甲醇（1）和络石苷（2）,以及另外6个化合物：蒙花苷（3）、柳穿鱼叶苷（4）、粗毛豚草素（5）、芹菜素（6）、咖啡酸（7）和对-香豆酸（8）。本文首次在蓟属植物中发现木脂素类成分,化合物7也为首次从本植物中分离得到,通过体外玻片法对化合物1—8进行凝血活性测定,发现化合物3、4具有一定的促凝血作用。     

Neolignan glycosides from Symplocos caudata

A phytochemical investigation of the roots of Symplocos caudata Wall (Symplocaceae) resulted in isolation and characterization of four optical isomers of a neolignan glycoside (1-4), a lignan lactone glycoside (5), a phenylpropanoid glycoside (6), as well as two known compounds (7, 8). Their structures were elucidated as (7S,8S)-threo-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (1), (7R,8R)-threo-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (2), (7R,8S)-erythro-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (3), (7S,8R)-erythro-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (4), 8R,8'R-matairesinol-4-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (5), 1-O-[beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl]-2,6-dimethoxy-4-propenyl-phenol (6), matairesinoside (7), and (R)-1-O-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-2-[2-methoxy-4-(omega-hydroxypropyl)-phenoxyl]-propan-3-ol (8) on the basis of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, MS and CD) and chemical evidence.     

浆果楝中的新木脂素

从浆果楝（Cipadessa baccifera）中分离得到两个木脂素,其化学结构通过波谱方法鉴定为：（-）-9′-O-（E）-coumarate-5,5′-dimethoxylariciresinol（1）和（＋）-9′-O-（E）-feruloyl-5,5′-dimethoxylariciresinol（2）。其中化合物1为新化合物。     

Furanofuran lignans from Vitex negundo seeds

A new furanofuran lignan, vitelignin A (1), together with eight known lignan derivatives, were isolated from the seeds of Vitex negundo. Their structures were identified as (+)-4-oxo-8-hydroxy-2,6-di(3,4-methylenedioxy)phenyl-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (1), 4-oxosesamin (2), (+)-sesamin (3), (+)-paulownin (4), 4-hydroxysesamin (5), 4,8-dihydroxysesamin (6), 4-oxopaulownin (7), (+)-2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-(3,4-methylenedioxy)phenyl-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (8), and (+)-pinoresinol (9), respectively, based on extensive NMR and MS spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1, 2, and 7 showed moderate antifungal activity in vitro.     

New Labdane Diterpenes and Their Glycoside Derivatives from the Roots of Isodon adenantha

Two new labdane‐type diterpenes (adenanthic acids A and B; 1 and 2 , resp.) and three new labdane diterpene glycosides (adenanthosides A–C; 3 – 5 , resp.) were isolated from the roots of Isodon adenantha, together with 23 known constituents including seven diterpenoids ( 6 – 12 ), eight triterpenoids ( 13 – 20 ), one lignan glycoside ( 21 ), six steroids ( 22 – 27 ), and one ceramide ( 28 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 2D‐NMR techniques. Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities of the samples were measured by the MTT method and the filter paper disc agar diffusion method. But none of them showed significant activities.