Preparative isolation and purification of hydroxyanthraquinones from Rheum tanguticum Maxim. on normal phase silica gel: using a Flash Master Personal system

A flash chromatography method for preparative separation and purification of five hydroxyanthraquinones from the Chinese medicinal herb Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. was developed by using Flash Master Personal(+) systems. The purities of the products, chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, aloe-emodin, and rhein were all over 90%, determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were ascertained by EI-MS, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR data, and by co-TLC and HPLC with the authentic samples available in our laboratory.     

HPLC-DAD和LC-MS/MS法对各种芦荟样品中蒽醌类成分的分析研究

采用HPLC-DAD和LC-MS／MS对各种芦荟样品中蒽醌类成分进行鉴定,在此基础上建立了同时测定各种芦荟样品中芦荟苷与芦荟大黄素含量的方法。采用Nucleodur-silica色谱柱（250mm＊4．6mm,5μm）,流动相A为甲醇-醋酸（500：1．70）,B为水．醋酸（500：1．70）,梯度洗脱,流速1．0mL／min,DAD扫描波长范围为190～370nm,紫外检测波长为254和356nm。质谱离子源为ESI,采用全扫描一级质谱和选择离子全扫描二级质谱两种方式同时测定。结果表明：各种芦荟样品中主要的蒽醌类成分为芦荟苷A、B与芦荟大黄素,未检测到大黄素、大黄酸、大黄素甲醚、大黄酚;芦荟干粉中所含的芦荟苷含量最高。该法准确、可靠、重现性好,可行性高。     

Characterization of emodin metabolites in Raji cells by LC–APCI-MS/MS

A rapid, simple, and sensitive liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–APCI-MS/MS) method was developed for the identification and quantification of emodin metabolites in Raji cells, using aloe-emodin as an internal standard. Analyses were performed on an LC system employing a Cosmosil 5C₁₈ AR-II column and a stepwise gradient elution with methanol–20 mM ammonium formate at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min operating in the negative ion mode. As a result, the starting material emodin and its five metabolites were detected by analyzing extracts of Raji cells that had been cultivated in the presence of emodin. The identification of the metabolites and elucidation of their structures were performed by comparing their retention times and spectral patterns with those of synthetic samples. In addition to the major metabolite 8-O-methylemodin, four other metabolites were assigned as ω-hydroxyemodin, 3-O-methyl-ω-hydroxyemodin, 3-O-methylemodin (physcion), and chrysophanol.     

粗柄独尾草不同器官蒽醌类成分的消长规律

采用高效液相色谱法对沙生类短命植物粗柄独尾草苗期、营养生长期、初花期、盛花期、果期各器官中大黄素、大黄酚、大黄酸、芦荟大黄素含量的消长规律进行了研究。结果表明:叶中,芦荟大黄素的含量在苗期和初花期都较高,在盛花期时最低;大黄酸的含量在苗期最高,盛花期时最低;大黄素的含量在苗期达到最高,初花期和盛花期最低;大黄酚的含量也以苗期最高,盛花期和果期最低。且在初花期时,4种蒽醌类物质含量均呈现明显的叶先端>叶中部>叶基部的空间差异性。根中,芦荟大黄素的含量在苗期和营养生长期较高,而以盛花期和果期较低;大黄酸的含量在果期最高,其余时期差异不显著;大黄素的含量以苗期和初花期较高;大黄酚的含量在果期达最高,而盛花期时最低。同时期的根叶蒽醌含量相比,叶中的芦荟大黄素要高于根,而根中大黄酚含量要高于叶。同时期各器官蒽醌总量相比:叶>根>花>花葶。故若选取粗柄独尾草作为蒽醌类药材利用,建议最佳采集方式为采集初花期的叶先端部分。     

Anthracen-derivate in kalluskulturen aus Cassia angustifolia

Callus cultures from cotyledons of Cassia angustifolia were shown to contain dianthrones. Proof of their structures was obtained by co-chromatography (TLC), oxidative cleavage and UV analysis. The basic components chrysophanol, physcion, rheum emodin, aloe emodin and rhein have been isolated and identified by UV and IR analysis.     

Phytoestrogens from the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum (Polygonaceae): structure-requirement of hydroxyanthraquinones for estrogenic activity.

The methanolic extract from the roots of Polygonum (P.) cuspidatum was found to enhance cell proliferation at 30 or 100 microg/mL in MCF-7, an estrogen-sensitive cell line. By bioassay-guided separation from P. cuspidatum with the most potent activity, emodin and emodin 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were isolated as active principles. The methanolic extracts from Polygonum, Cassia, Aloe, and Rheum species, which were known to contain anthraquinones, also showed the MCF-7 proliferation. As a result of the evaluation of various anthraquinones from plant sources and synthetic anthraquinones, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, chrysophanol 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone showed weak activity. On the other hand, alizalin and 2,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone as well as emodin having the 2- and/or 6-hydroxyl groups showed potent activity. These results show that the unchelated hydroxyl group is essential for strong activity. Emodin and 2,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone also inhibited 17beta-estradiol binding to human estrogen receptors (ERs) with K(i) values of 0.77 and 0.31microM for ERalpha and 1.5 and 0.69 microM for ERbeta. These findings indicate that hydroxyanthraquinones such as emodin are phytoestrogens with an affinity to human estrogen receptors.     

Chemical constituents isolated from Polygala japonica leaves and their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in vitro

A methanolic extract of dried leaves of Polygala japonica Houtt (Polygalaceae) significantly attenuated nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-simulated BV2 microglia. Five anthraquinones chrysophanol (1), emodin (2), aloe-emodin (3), emodin 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) and trihydroxy anthraquinone (5), and four flavonoids kaempferol (6), chrysoeriol (7), kaempferol 3-gentiobioside (8) and isorhamnetin (9) were isolated from the methanolic extract using bioactivity-guided fractionation. Among them, compounds 1-4, 6 and 7 showed significant inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in BV2 microglia at the concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 100.0 microM.     

Immune reponses in human mesangial cells regulated by emodin from Polygonum hypoleucum Ohwi

In the hope of identifying agents of therapeutic value in glomerulonephritis from Chinese herbs, we found that methanolic extracts of Polygonum hypoleucum Ohwi (P. hypoleucum Ohwi) inhibit human mesangial cells proliferation activated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) previously. This study was designed to identify bioactive components from P. hypoleucum Ohwi and elucidate their action mechanisms. We tested four anthraquinones emodin, emodin 1-O-beta-D-glucoside (49A), physcion (62A), and physcion 1-O-beta-D-glucoside (50A) purified from P. hypoleucum Ohwi for their effects on human mesangial cell proliferation and cytokines production in vitro. On a percentage basis, emodin had the highest suppressing activity on the human mesangial cells proliferation activated by IL-1beta and IL-6. The IC50 of emodin on human mesangial cells proliferation were 17.9+/-1.2 microM. In contrast to 49A, 50A, and 62A, emodin also decreased IL-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in human mesangial cells activated with IL-1beta and IL-6. The IC50 of emodin on IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production in activated human mesangial cells were 16.6+/-1.8 microM, 8.2+/-1.3 microM, and 9.5+/-1.6 microM, respectively. Moreover, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in activated human mesangial cells was impaired by emodin. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in IL-1beta and IL-6 activated human mesangial cells was decreased by emodin. It is unlikely that cytotoxicity was involved because no cell deaths were observable. We hypothesize that the inhibitory mechanisms of emodin on activated human mesangial cells proliferation may be related to the impairments of gene expression and production of cytokines and [Ca2+]i in the cells.     

Soluble Protein Content,Bioactive Compounds and the Antioxidant Activity in Seeds of Ten Rheum tanguticum Lines from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Rheum tanguticum (Rh. tanguticum) is a Chinese medicinal plant traditionally used in the treatment of constipation. As a byproduct, the seeds of this plant are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals. This study aimed to determine and assess seed germination ability, seed physical characteristics, soluble protein content, chemical constituents and antioxidant capacity from different breeding lines, to promote the development and utilization of seed resources. Significant differences were observed for the soluble protein content and antioxidant assays among the ten lines. The contents of aloe-emodin, rhein and catechins accumulated in seeds were extremely low and significantly different from those in roots. In contrast, emodin and chrysophanol were abundant in seeds, and significant differences were observed between seeds and roots. It was found that associations between gallic acid and catechins were not significant for either soluble protein or antioxidant capacity. There was a significantly positive correlation between the contents of four anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin and chrysophanol) and soluble protein. Seeds have potent antioxidative capacity and relatively high levels of soluble protein content. The rich chemical composition of seeds can be widely used in the medical industry for further development.     

Induction of defence mechanisms in grapevine leaves by emodin- and anthraquinone-rich plant extracts and their conferred resistance to downy mildew

The ability of two plant extracts, Rheum palmatum root extract (RPRE) and Frangula alnus bark extract (FABE), to protect Vitis vinifera leaves from Plasmopara viticola infection was evaluated. These natural products are toxic to the pathogen and induce defence reactions in a susceptible cultivar of V. vinifera (V. vinifera cv. Chasselas), including stilbenic phytoalexin accumulation, enhanced peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) activity, and a hypersensitive reaction. Inhibition of the first stage of biotrophic hyphal development of P. Viticola by the two plant extracts was observed. HPLC–DAD–MS analysis showed that these two natural extracts contain many phenolic compounds belonging to the anthraquinone family, such as rhein, frangulin A, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion. Emodin alone is able to impair P. viticola development and to stimulate viniferins and the accumulation of pterostilbene.     

HPLC法分析不同年限及不同部位掌叶大黄9种成分的积累特征

为研究不同年限及部位掌叶大黄9种成分含量及其变化特征。利用HPLC法进行分析,色谱柱为武本C18 (5μm,4.6 mm×250 mm),流动相为甲醇-磷酸水(0.2%),检测波长260 nm,柱温30℃,体积流量1.0 mL/min,进样量10μL。线性范围良好(R^2>0.995),精密度、稳定性、重复性RSD均小于2%,加样回收率97.30%~108.20%。含量分析表明:同一部位,随着年限增加,除根中没食子酸、根茎中大黄素、叶片中大黄酚的含量无变化外,其他8成分的含量均随年限增加而增加或者第4年增加、第5年无显著变化。同一年限,大黄酚-8-O-葡萄糖苷、大黄素、大黄酚、大黄素甲醚的含量次序为根>根茎>叶片;3年生芦荟大黄素,4年生没食子酸、番泻苷B叶片中含量与根中大致相等且高于根茎;5年生大黄素-8-O-葡萄糖苷的含量次序为叶片>根茎>根,根与根茎中没食子酸、大黄酚的含量相当且高于叶片。本实验成功建立简便快捷、重现性好的HPLC分析方法,明确了不同年限及部位掌叶大黄9种成分积累特征,为大黄质量评价和药材高效生产提供理论依据。     

栽培唐古特大黄蒽醌含量的季节动态变化

采用高效液相色谱法,测定3、4年生生长季节内不同月份的青海栽培唐古特大黄中芦荟大黄素、大黄酸、大黄素、大黄酚、大黄素甲醚等5种蒽醌类化合物的含量。结果表明,3年、4年生大黄总蒽醌含量在5~6月份生长初期增加,并于6月初达到最大值,6~9月份生长旺盛期间明显降低,10月份又略有回升;3年和4年生大黄总蒽醌含量分别在0.8%~2.5%和1.3%~2.1%范围内波动。     

A naphthalene glucoside lactone from Rhamnus wightii

A new naphthalene glucoside lactone was isolated from the acetone extract of the stem bark of Rhamnus wightii. Cynodontin, chrysophanol, physcion, musizin, lupeol, sitosterol, 7-hydroxy-5-methoxyphthalide, emodin, sitosterol glycoside, β-sorigenin are the known compounds; β-sorigenin may be an artifact of its glucoside. The co-occurrence of two lactone ring compounds, 7-hydroxy-5-methoxyphthalide and the naphthalide glucoside is the significant feature of this plant.     

大黄蒽醌衍生物与环核苷酸磷酸二酯酶、钙调素相互作用的研究

大黄蒽醌衍生物是中药大黄的主要成份。该类衍生物与钙调素(calmo-dulin,CaM)依赖的磷酸二酯酶(PDE)的相互作用表明:它们可作用子钙调素。其中,大黄酸结合CaM并抑制CaM依赖的磷酸二酯酶(CaM-PDE);而大黄素、大黄酚和芦荟大黄素既刺激CaM-PDE的活力,又刺激PDE的基础活力,其作用机制尚待阐明;当有Ca~(2+)或无Ca~(2+)条件下测定时,大黄酸对PDE基础活力均无影响。表明:象其它的CaM拮抗剂一样,大黄酸能抑制钙调素依赖的PDE的活力。     

Preparative Isolation and Purification of Hydroxyanthraquinones from Rheum tanguticum Maxim. on Normal Phase Silica Gel: Using a Flash Master Personal System

Abstract

A flash chromatography method for preparative separation and purification of five hydroxyanthraquinones from the Chinese medicinal herb Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. was developed by using Flash Master Personal⁺ systems. The purities of the products, chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, aloe‐emodin, and rhein were all over 90%, determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were ascertained by EI‐MS, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR data, and by co‐TLC and HPLC with the authentic samples available in our laboratory.     

Metabolic products of microorganisms. 192. The anthraquinones of the Aspergillus glaucus group. II. Biological activity

From the mycelia of Aspergillus cristatus the following anthraquionic pigments were isolated: catenarin, emodin, erythroglaucin, rubrocristin, physcion, physcion-9-anthrone, questin, viocristin, and isoviocristin. The latter two do not belong to the 9, 10-anthraquinone series but to the 1,4-anthraquinones, and so far they have not been reported among naturally occurring quinones.Emodin, catenarin, viocristin, and isoviocristin snowed antibacterial activity with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 1–10 g/ml. In Bacillus brevis catenarin and emodin inhibited the incorporation of uracil and leucine preferentially. At higher concentrations the incorporation of thymidine into the trichloroacetic acid-precipitable fraction of cells was also affected. In the presence of viocristin or isoviocristin all three macromolecular syntheses came to a halt. Rubrocristin, erythroglaucin, and physcion showed no significant inhibitory effects.In Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells catenarin, emodin, and viocristin inhibited the incorporation of uridine and thymidine. The incorporation of leucine was hardly affected.In vitro, inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli by catenarin and to a lesser extent by emodin was observed, whereas rubrocristin (catenarin-8-methyl ether), physcion, and erythroglaucin were not active.Abbreviations MIC minimal inhibitory concentration - TCA trichloroacetic acid - ECA Ehrlich ascites carcinoma Metabolic Products of Microorganisms. 191. W. Keller-Schierlein und B. Joos; Über das 4-Oxohomotyrosin, ein Abbauprodukt des Echinocandins. Helv. Chim. Acta (in press)     

高速逆流色谱对大黄蒽醌类成分的分离研究

利用高速逆流色谱对大黄中的5个蒽醌活性成分进行了分离,当两相溶剂系统的组成是石油醚∶乙酸乙酯∶甲醇∶水=8∶2∶8∶1时,分离出大黄素;当两相溶剂比为3∶4∶3∶2时,分离出大黄酸和芦荟大黄素;当溶剂比为12∶2∶12∶1时,分离出大黄酚和大黄素甲醚;经高压液相色谱检测大黄素、大黄酸和芦荟大黄素、大黄酚和大黄素甲醚的含量分别为98.81%9、9.15%、98.51%9、8.89%和98.16%。     

Chemical constituents isolated from Polygala japonica leaves and their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in vitro

A methanolic extract of dried leaves of Polygala japonica Houtt (Polygalaceae) significantly attenuated nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-simulated BV2 microglia. Five anthraquinones chrysophanol (1), emodin (2), aloe-emodin (3), emodin 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and trihydroxy anthraquinone (5), and four flavonoids kaempferol (6), chrysoeriol (7), kaempferol 3-gentiobioside (8) and isorhamnetin (9) were isolated from the methanolic extract using bioactivity-guided fractionation. Among them, compounds 1–4, 6 and 7 showed significant inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in BV2 microglia at the concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 100.0 μM.     

中药大黄的生物化学研究——蒽醌衍生物对线粒体NADH氧化酶和琥珀酸氧化酶的抑制作用

 实验结果表明:(1)大黄素对线粒体NADH氧化酶和琥珀酸氧化酶有很强的抑制作用,其作用随药物浓度的增大而增强,并呈双曲线型,50％抑制浓度分别为2.5μg/ml和11.5μg/ml。而其它四种蒽醌衍生物如大黄酸、芦荟大黄素、大黄素甲醚和大黄酚对这两种氧化酶的抑制作用不明显,药物浓度为60μg/ml,抑制率均低于20％。(2)拮抗实验表明:核黄素、牛血清蛋白(BSA)能拮抗大黄素对线粒体NADH氧化酶的抑制作用。核黄素(3.3×10~(-4)mol/L)和BSA(1.6mg/ml)对大黄素抑制NADH氧化酶的恢复率分别为50.3％和44.6％,且恢复率随拮抗剂浓度的增加而增加。     

Cellular absorption of anthraquinones emodin and chrysophanol in human intestinal Caco-2 cells

The intestinal absorption characteristics of anthraquinones emodin and chrysophanol were observed by measuring the intracellular accumulation across Caco-2 cells by the reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The intracellular accumulation of chrysophanol was much greater than that of emodin, the maximum absorption of emodin and chrysophanol being 414.02+/-15.28 and 105.56+/-11.57 nmol/l x mg x protein, respectively. The absorption of each anthraquinone was significantly lower at 4 degrees C than that of 37 degrees C. The effects of the transport inhibitors, verapamil, cyclosporine and phloridzin, on the intracellular accumulation were also examined. Verapamil and cyclosporine increased the absorption of emodin and chrysophanol, while phloridzin inhibited their absorption, all in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the absorption characteristics of emodin and chrysophanol were closely related to their special structure with the hydroxy groups. It is also likely that a specific transport system mediated the intracellular accumulation of emodin and chrysophanol across the Caco-2 cells.