Sexangularetin 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside from gossypium hirsutum

A new diglycosylated flavonol was isolated from immature flower buds of the cotton plant Gossypium hirsutum. The structure was determined to be the 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside of 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-8-methoxyflavone.     

Pinocembrin 7-neohesperidoside from Nierembergia hippomanica

A flavanone glycoside isolated from Nicrembergia hippomania was characterized by spectroscopic methods as pinocembrin 7-neohesperidoside. The structure was confirmed by total synthesis of the glycoside.     

The flavonoids of Cassia renigera stem bark

A new flavanone glycoside 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavanone 5-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside along with quercetagetin 3,6-dimethyl ether and an anthraquinone glycoside have been isolated from the stem bark of Cassia renigera. The two flavonoids were characterized by spectral and chemical studies.     

Development of microsatellite markers in Cordia bifurcata (Boraginaceae) and cross-species amplification in Cordia inermis and Cordia pringlei

We developed 16 microsatellite markers in Cordia bifurcata, a Central and South American shrub. The markers show low polymorphism in C. bifurcata, a species suspected of self-fertilization or apomixis. Of four polymorphic loci, three had only two alleles. However, current research indicates that these markers hold value for interpopulational comparisons of C. bifurcata and for analyses of congeners. In Cordia inermis, a dioecious or subdioecious shrub, seven of the markers produced interpretable amplification products of which five showed polymorphism. In Cordia pringlei, a distylous shrub, nine of the markers produced interpretable amplification products of which six showed polymorphism.     

Hesperetin suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced bone loss

Destructive bone diseases caused by osteolysis are increasing in incidence. They are characterized by an excessive imbalance of osteoclast formation and activation. During osteolysis, the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are triggered by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress. Previous studies have indicated that the common flavanone glycoside compound hesperetin exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity by inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. However, the direct relationship between hesperetin and osteolysis remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of hesperetin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoporosis and elucidated the related mechanisms. Hesperetin effectively suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, osteoclastic bone resorption, and F-actin ring formation in a dose-dependent manner. It also significantly suppressed the expression of osteoclast-specific markers including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, matrix metalloproteinase-9, cathepsin K, c-Fos, and nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1. Furthermore, it inhibited osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling, scavenging reactive oxygen species, and activating the nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway. Consistent with in vitro results, hesperetin effectively ameliorated LPS-induced bone loss, reduced osteoclast numbers, and decreased the RANKL/OPG ratio in vivo. As such, our results suggest that hesperetin may be a great candidate for developing a novel drug for destructive bone diseases such as periodontal disease, tumor bone metastasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis.     

Tissue Distribution of Hesperetin in Rats after a Dietary Intake

Hesperetin, the aglycone of hesperidin present in citrus fruits, possesses various biological activities. We assessed the tissue distribution of hesperetin in rats fed with a 0.2% hesperetin diet for 4 weeks. Its highest concentration was found in the liver, and the second highest was in the aorta. The aorta is assumed to be one of the main target tissues of hesperetin for exerting its functions.     

Hesperetin mitigates acrolein-induced apoptosis in lung cells in vitro and in vivo

Objectives: A number of studies have suggested that acrolein-induced lung injury and pulmonary diseases are associated with the depletion of antioxidants and the production of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, compounds that scavenge reactive oxygen species may exert protective effects against acrolein-induced apoptosis. Because hesperetin, a natural flavonoid, has been reported to have an antioxidant activity, we investigated the effect of hesperitin against acrolein-induced apoptosis of lung cells.

Methods: We evaluated the protective role of hesperetin in acrolein-induced lung injury using Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells and mice.

Results: Upon exposure of LLC cells and mice to acrolein, hesperetin ameliorated the lung inbjury through attenuation of oxidative stress.

Conclusion: In the present report, we demonstrate that hesperetin exhibits a protective effect against acrolein-induced apoptosis of lung cells in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our study provides a useful model to investigate the potential application of hesperetin for the prevention of lung diseases associated with acrolein toxicity.     

中国紫草科破布木属花粉形态和外壁超微结构

为了深入探讨紫草科（Boraginaceae）的分类问题,用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜观察了该科破布木属（CordiaL.) 10种植物的花粉形态和外壁超微结构。发现该属花粉具三孔、三孔沟、三拟孔沟和三合沟4种萌发孔类型。外壁表面具微刺状纹饰、刺状纹饰、网状纹饰和不规则的条纹网状纹状。破布木属的花粉特征表明,该属花粉在紫草科中既是独特的分类群,又是比较原始的属种。     

Mass spectrometric identification of a kaempferol tetraglycoside from Solanum seed

The trisaccharide present in the kaempferol 3-triglucoside-7-rhamnoside of potato seed has been identified by hydrolytic experiments and by MS measurements on the perdeuteriomethylated glycoside as sophorotriose (glucosyl-β1 → 2-glucosyl-β1 → 2-glucose).     

Hesperetin impairs glucose uptake and inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cells

The flavanone hesperetin is known to decrease basal glucose uptake, although the inhibitory mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we used MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells to investigate the molecular pathways affected by hesperetin. The results indicate that the suppression of glucose uptake is caused by the down‐regulation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Hesperetin was also found to inhibit insulin‐induced glucose uptake through impaired cell membrane translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). In addition, the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor‐beta subunit (IR‐beta) and Akt was suppressed. Hesperetin also decreased cellular proliferation, which is likely due to the inhibition of glucose uptake. Cancer cells are highly dependent on glucose and hesperetin may, therefore, have potential application as an anticancer agent. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cordiosides A and B,two new 19-hydroxy-29-norlanostane glycosides isolated from the flowers of Cordia lutea

We present here the isolation and structural characterization of two undescribed mono-glycosylated triterpenes with a 19-hydroxy-29-norlanostane core. These compounds (1-2) were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the dried flowers of Cordia lutea, a widely used Peruvian traditional medicine. Their structures were determined by examination of their NMR and MS data. For compound 1, its structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray structural analyses. 1 showed moderate activity against Helicobacter pylori (MIC = 15.6 µg/mL), and was not active against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus (MIC > 125 µg/mL).     

Occurrence of Amblycerus species in Cordia trichotoma seeds and their influence on germination

Forest species can have their seeds damaged by granivorous insects, especially by those in their larval stage. In this context, this study aims to report the occurrence of Amblycerus species in Cordia trichotoma seeds, to describe their main damage to seeds and effects on germination, as well as their associated hymenopteran parasitoids. Therefore, seven trees were selected in the municipality of Taquaruçu do Sul, RS, Brazil. Fruits were collected weekly from the medium third of the tree crown, from the beginning of their formation until total dehiscence. To examine the damage caused by granivorous insects within the fruits, 15 fruits from each tree were sectioned with a scalpel. Furthermore, 10 fruits from each tree were stored individually in clear plates to verify the occurrence and identification of granivorous insect species. Evidence of the damage caused to seeds was verified through the germination test by comparing preserved and damaged seeds, with four repetitions of 25 seeds each. The species Amblycerus longesuturalis and Amblycerus profaupar (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) were found associated with fruits of C. trichotoma. Female insects predominantly laid eggs on the superior part between the marcescent calyx and the fruit, and larvae perforated the fruit tegument to start consuming seed embryos and reserves. Bruquine larvae are parasitized by Hymenoptera of Bracon, Mirax, Omeganastatus and Triapsis genera. In conclusion, the germination of C. trichotoma seeds is significantly affected by emergence orifices caused by granivorous species.     

Isorhamnetin3-(2,6-dirhamnosylgalactoside)-7-rhamnoside and 3-(6-rhamnosylgalactoside)-7-rhamnoside from Rhazya stricta

Robinin and two novel glycosides: isorhamnetin 3-(6-rhamnosylgalactoside)-7-rhamnoside and 3-(2,6-dirhamnosylgalactoside)-7-rhamnoside were isolated from a leaf extract of Rhazya stricta. Naringinase catalysed hydrolysis of both glycosides removed the rhamnose from the 7-hydroxyl. The product isorhamnetin 3-(2,6-dirhamnosylgalactoside) was shown by ¹H NMR to be identical with a glycoside previously isolated from Primula veris.     

New C-glycosylflavones from Mollugo distica

Four C-glycosylflavones isolated from Mollugo distica were identified as 8-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl-genkwanin, 8-C-α-l-arabinopyranosylgenkwanin and their 2″-rhamnosides.     

Flavonol 3-glycosides from the leaves of Flemingia stricta

A new glycoside, tamarixetin 3-rhamnoside together with kaempferol 3-rhamnoside, mearnsetin 3-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-rhamnoside, myricetin 3-rhamnoside and sitosterol glucoside, was identified from the leaves of Flemingia stricta