Cytotoxic diterpenes from roots of Crossopetalum gaumeri,a Celastraceae species from Yucatan Peninsula

Four new diterpenes, crossogumerins A–D (1–4) along with six known ones (5–10) were isolated from the root bark of Crossopetalum gaumeri, an endemic medicinal plant from the Yucatan Peninsula. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques, including HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY experiments. Compounds 1–5, 8–10 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against HeLa (carcinoma of the cervix) and Hep-2 (lung carcinoma) human tumor cells lines and against normal Vero cells (African green monkey kidney) in lag and log phase of growth. Podocarpane diterpenes, crossogumerin B (2) and nimbiol (10), exhibited the highest activity against HeLa cells (IC₅₀ values of 3.1 and 8.1 μM, respectively), but also selectivity on Vero cells (SI 22.6 and 7.5, respectively). The preliminary SAR studies suggest that an epoxy moiety in ring B and a hydrogen bond-donor group strategically positioned in the diterpene core are important requirements for cytotoxicity and selectivity.     

Three triterpenes and other terpenoids from Catha cassinoides

The investigation of stems and leaves of Catha cassinoides afforded, in addition to sitosterol, β-amyrin, ursolic acid, lup-20(29)-en-3β,30-diol and friedelin, three new pentacyclic triterpenes: 30-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one, 29-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one and 3-oxo-friedelan-29-oic acid. The structures ofthese were determined by spectral studies and correlations, and were confirmed by X-ray analysis of 29-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one acetate.     

Bioactive terpenoids from Euonymus verrucosus var. pauciflorus showing NO inhibitory activities

In our continuous search for new nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory compounds as potential anti-inflammatory agents or lead compounds for inflammatory diseases, the chemical constituents of Euonymus verrucosus var. pauciflorus were investigated, leading to the isolation of eleven terpenoids including six new diterpenoids, designated as euonymupenes A–F. The structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and ECD data analysis. Euonymupenes A, C, and F feature rare labdane-type norditerpenoid skeletons. The NO inhibitory effects were evaluated and all of the isolates were found to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in murine microglial BV-2 cells. Western blotting analysis indicated that the most active compound (5) can regulate iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression. The further molecular docking studies exhibited the affinities of bioactive compounds with iNOS.     

Monoglycerol ester,galloylglucoside and phenolic derivatives from Gymnosporia senegalensis leaves

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes. led to the isolation and characterization of eighteen compounds: one new polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived monoglyceride, (2S)-1-O-(4′Z,7′Z,10′Z-octadecatrienoyl) glycerol (1); four galloylglucoside derivatives (2–5), including one new named (2R)-methyl [(6′-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy]phenylacetate (2), eleven phenolics (6–16), and two sterols (17–18). The structures of the isolates were determined by means of spectroscopic and spectrometric data, as well as by comparison with literature data. Galloylglucosides, especially cyanogenic constituents (3, 4) are described here for the first time in the genus. Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of isolated compounds were investigated. None of the tested compounds showed growth inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus NBRC 13276, Bacillus subtilis NBRC 3134 and Escherichia coli NBRC 3972 at 50 μM, while 1, 7, 9, 17, and 18 at 50 μM showed relatively weak to moderate decrease of viability against colon (DLD1), breast (MCF7) and gastric (MKN45) cancer cells. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds was discussed.     

Terpenoids from Tripterygium doianum (Celastraceae)

The extract of Tripterygium doianum (Celastraceae) afforded three triterpenoids [3beta-acetoxy-11-ursen-13alpha,30-olide, 25-chloro-24-hydroxytirucall-7-en-3-one and tirucall-7-en-3,24-dione], two sesquiterpenoids [5alpha-acetoxy-1beta,8alpha-bis-cinnamoyl-4alpha-hydroxydihydroagarofuran and 5alpha-acetoxy-1beta-benzoyl-8alpha-cinnamoyl-4alpha-hydroxydihydroagarofuran] and nine known triterpenoids. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic studies.     

Root pressure and specific conductivity in temperate lianas: exotic Celastrus orbiculatus (Celastraceae) vs. native Vitis riparia (Vitaceae)

The exotic temperate liana (woody vine) Celastrus orbiculatus has become a weed in Michigan, occurring in many of the same habitats as the native liana Vitis riparia. However, C. orbiculatus frequently develops into extensive monospecific infestations, while V. riparia does not. Freezing-induced embolism may be responsible for limiting liana distribution. Root pressure has been observed in numerous tropical lianas and temperate species of Vitis and has been implicated as vital to the recovery of xylem function in wide vessels following winter freezes. For both of these co-occurring lianas we investigated root pressure and water conductance as possible explanatory factors for their differential spread. According to our hypothesis, C. orbiculatus should have produced greater or more frequent root pressures than V. riparia. However, the reverse proved true, indicating that root pressure is not a prerequisite for weedy proliferation of C. orbiculatus. Additionally, the seasonal patterns of specific conductivity of stem xylem indicate that each species responds differently to environmental constraints. Vitis riparia establishes conductivity early in the growing season, before the leaves emerge, using root pressure to reverse embolism, but loses conductivity with the first freeze in early autumn. Celastrus orbiculatus is slow to establish conductivity, depending on new wood production, but leafs out sooner than V. riparia and maintains green leaves after the first freeze. Vulnerability curves of xylem to cavitation caused by water stress for the two species indicate that they respond similarly to dehydration. These results indicate that root pressures are not responsible for the invasive success of C. orbiculatus and suggest that other factors must be key to its prolific invasion.     

Celastrus paniculatus seed oil and organic extracts attenuate hydrogen peroxide- and glutamate-induced injury in embryonic rat forebrain neuronal cells

Seed oil of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (CP) has been reported to improve memory and the methanolic extract (ME) of CP was shown to exhibit free-radical-scavenging properties and anti-oxidant effects in human non-immortalized fibroblasts. In the present study, we have investigated the free-radical-scavenging capacity of CP seed oil (CPO) and two extracts, an ethanolic extract (EE) and a ME. CPO and EE showed dose-dependent, free-radical-scavenging capacity, but to a lesser degree than observed for ME. Oxidative stress involves the generation of free radicals and free radical scavenging is one of the mechanisms of neuroprotection. We therefore investigated the effects of CPO, ME, and EE for protection against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))- and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in embryonic rat forebrain neuronal cells (FBNC). Pre-treatment of neuronal cells with CPO dose-dependently attenuated H(2)O(2)-induced neuronal death. Pre-treatment with ME and EE partially attenuated H(2)O(2)-induced toxicity, but these extracts were less effective than CPO for neuronal survival. In H(2)O(2)-treated cells, cellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was unaffected, but catalase activity was decreased and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased. Pre-treatment with CPO, ME, or EE increased catalase activity and decreased MDA levels significantly. Also, CPO pre-treatment attenuated glutamate-induced neuronal death dose-dependently. The activity of cellular acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was not affected by CPO, ME, or EE, suggesting that the neuroprotection offered by CPO was independent of changes in AChE activity. Taken together, the data suggest that CPO, ME, and EE protected neuronal cells against H(2)O(2)-induced toxicity in part by virtue of their antioxidant properties, and their ability to induce antioxidant enzymes. However, CPO, which exhibited the least antioxidant properties, was the most effective in preventing neuronal cells against H(2)O(2)- and glutamate-induced toxicities. Thus, in addition to free-radical scavenging attributes, the mechanism of CP seed component (CP-C) neuroprotection must be elucidated.     

阳西静容卫矛(卫矛科)——华南一新变种

报道了中国广东省阳西县沟谷雨林内1新变种——阳西静容卫矛(Euonymus chengii var.yangxiensis Y.S.Ye&L.F.Wu),并提供简要描述和照片。阳西静容卫矛隶属于卫矛科(Celastraceae)浅裂卫矛组(Euonymus),蒴果顶端浅裂,与原变种静容卫矛(E.chengii J.S.Ma)和中华卫矛(E.nitidus Benth.)相似,主要区别是该变种叶缘顶部2/3以上具锯齿,侧脉明显,花少且大,蒴果大,萼片伸展。     

甘肃3种卫矛科植物种子蛋白质的氨基酸含量研究

对甘肃生长的栓翅卫矛（Euonymus phellomanus Loes.),小卫矛（Euonymus nanoides Loes.et Rehd.)和粉背南蛇藤（Celastrus hypoleucus Warb.)等3种卫矛科植物种子提油后的粕粉进行了氨基酸测定,结果表明这3种植物种子中氨基酸种类齐全,尤其对人体新陈代谢有重要作用的精氨酸含量较高,说明该类植物种子不但营养丰富,而且有一定的药用价值。