Withanolides from Physalin angulata and Their Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide Production

Six new withanolides, angulasteroidins A−F ( 1 – 6 ), along with twelve known analogs ( 7-18 ) were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis angulata. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, ECD and IR spectra, HR-ESI-MS data, and ECD calculation. Compounds 1 and 6 were rare 1–10 seco withanolides. Compounds 2 – 4 , 7 – 9 , and 15 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on the production of nitric oxide in the LPS-activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.23 to 9.06 μM.     

Host plant direct defence against eggs of its specialist herbivore,Heliothis subflexa

1. The insect Heliothis subflexa Guenée is a specialist on plants in the genus Physalis. In the present study, the physical response of Physalis leaves to egg deposition by H. subflexa is described. 2. It was observed that the leaves of Physalis plants respond to the eggs of H. subflexa, while co‐occurring non‐host plants do not. Leaves of Physalis angulata L. and Physalis pubescens L. respond to H. subflexa eggs by the formation of (i) necrotic tissue, (ii) undifferentiated cells that form a bump (neoplasm) under the eggs of this herbivore, or (iii) both types of responses. 3. Greenhouse experiments showed that 64% of eggs laid on P. angulata elicited a response, and that a response to an egg decreased the probability of hatching. Further experiments in the field with P. angulata showed that the mean response to eggs by leaves was 31%, and that this response increased as temperature increased. Field experiments also confirmed that a plant response to an egg decreased the probability of hatching and increased the probability of removal from the plant by physical dislodgement or predation. 4. Eggs that elicited a response had a 25% lower probability of hatching and a 28% lower probability of remaining on the plant, resulting in an average fitness cost of 19.3% for H. subflexa. This is the first study to show an induced direct physical defence of a plant against eggs of a noctuid moth.     

Research on the Chemical Constituents against Alzheimer's Disease of the Fruits of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino

Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (PA) is a natural plant which is utilised as a traditional herbal medicine. It has properties that make it effective against inflammation and free radical damage. In the present study, the major constituents of four extraction parts of the fruits of PA (PAF) were investigated by combining ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The mice model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) combined with D-galactose (D-gal) was established to comprehend the mechanism behind PAF's anti-AD activity from both behavioural and pathological perspectives. The results showed that four extraction parts of PAF (PAFE) had favorable anti-AD effects and the ethyl acetate (EA) group showed the best activity. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis identified Physalin B, Nobiletin and Caffeic acid as the main anti-AD active constituents in EA extract. This study reveals that PAF can reduce neuroinflammatory damage by inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway, which is the theoretical basis for clinical development and utilization of PAF in AD therapy.