Acylated phenylethanoid oligoglycosides with hepatoprotective activity from the desert plant Cistanche tubulosa

The methanolic extract from fresh stems of Cistanche tubulosa (Orobanchaceae) was found to show hepatoprotective effects against d-galactosamine (d-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice. From the extract, three new phenylethanoid oligoglycosides, kankanosides H₁ (1), H₂ (2), and I (3), were isolated together with 16 phenylethanoid glycosides (4–19) and two acylated oligosugars (20, 21). The structures of 1–3 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic properties as well as of chemical evidence. Among the isolates, echinacoside (4, IC₅₀ = 10.2 μM), acteoside (5, 4.6 μM), isoacteoside (6, 5.3 μM), 2′-acetylacteoside (8, 4.8 μM), and tubuloside A (10, 8.6 μM) inhibited d-GalN-induced death of hepatocytes. These five isolates, 4 (31.1 μM), 5 (17.8 μM), 6 (22.7 μM), 8 (25.7 μM), and 10 (23.2 μM), and cistantubuloside B₁ (11, 21.4 μM) also reduced TNF-α-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells. Moreover, principal constituents (4–6) exhibited in vivo hepatoprotective effects at doses of 25–100 mg/kg, po.     

管花肉苁蓉资源、贸易与人工培植的调查与分析

管花肉苁蓉(Cistanche tubulosa)属列当科肉苁蓉属多年生寄生草本植物,别名红柳大芸,为名贵中草药,享有“沙漠人参”的美誉.由于野生肉苁蓉的数量迅速减少,2000年,经我国提议并在第十一届缔约国大会通过,肉苁蓉被列为《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约(CITES)》附录Ⅱ物种.新疆为管花肉苁蓉与寄主柽柳的主要天然分布区域,而和田地区是开展人工培植管花肉苁蓉成效卓然的区域,因此做好管花肉苁蓉与寄主柽柳资源现状的调查和贸易评估工作显得尤为重要.通过野外调查和资料收集,获得了柽柳、管花肉苁蓉的天然分布幅度、人工培植推广管花肉苁蓉区域以及企业生产、加工、贸易现状.调查结果显示:柽柳在新疆天然分布面积达4 312 022hm2,管花肉苁蓉80 457.735 hm2;人工种植柽柳面积达16 586.5 hm2,人工培植管花肉苁蓉12 840.533 hm2,产量6 028.38 t,以及调查了企业在人工培植管花肉苁蓉生产、加工、销售、产值等贸易状况.调查分析了管花肉苁蓉人工培植和资源开发的过程中存在的问题,提出了建立规范化、规模化、集约化的人工培育管花肉苁蓉药材基地的同时要建立完善管花肉苁蓉种子园;掌握我区管花肉苁蓉的野外资源贮量、人工培植资源面积、产量、资源利用等状况,也是对防止国际贸易遭禁,切实维护国家利益,对保护生态环境、地区性经济具有深远影响和非常重要的意义.     

Synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of Laminaria japonica fucoidan and Cistanche tubulosa extract

The anti-inflammatory effects of fuciodan and Cistanche tubulosa (CT) extract were investigated in vitro macrophage culture system and in vivo carrageenan-induced air pouch inflammation model. CT extract inhibited nitric oxide production from activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, while fucoidan was inactive. In vivo air pouch inflammation model, carrageenan-induced vascular exudation and increased nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2) concentrations in the exudates were synergistically suppressed by co-administration of fucoidan or CT extract. Moreover, tissue inflammation was substantially attenuated by the combinational therapy. However, there was no synergistic effect against the inflammatory cell infiltration, although fucoidan and CT extract each markedly reduced the cell numbers. Therefore, it is suggested that fucoidan blocks infiltration of inflammatory cells, while CT extract inhibits activation of the cells, and that their combinational treatment could be a promising candidate for the relief of various types of inflammation.     

Total glycosides from stems of Cistanche tubulosa alleviate depression-like behaviors: bidirectional interaction of the phytochemicals and gut microbiota

BackgroundAs the most frequently used kidney-yang tonifying herb in traditional Chinese medicine, dried succulent stems of Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wight (CT) have been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression. However, the antidepressant components and their underlying mechanism remain unclear.PurposeTo explore the active components of CT against depression, as well as the potential mechanisms.Study design and methodsBehavioral despair tests were used to assess the antidepressant activities of polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and different glycoside-enriched fractions separated from CT, as well as the typical gut microbiota metabolites including 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (3-HPP) and hydroxytyrosol (HT). Furthermore, the effects of bioactive fractions and metabolites on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model were explored with multiple pharmacodynamics and biochemical analyses. Changes in colonic histology and the intestinal barrier were observed by staining and immunohistochemical analysis. Gut microbial features and tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism were explored using 16S rRNA sequencing and western-blotting, respectively.ResultsTotal glycosides (TG) dramatically alleviated depression-like behaviors compared to different separated fractions, reflecting in the synergistic effects of phenylethanoid and iridoid glycosides on the hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, severe neuro- and peripheral inflammation, and deficiencies in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus. Moreover, TG mitigated low-grade inflammation in the colon and intestinal barrier disruption, and the abundances of several bacterial genera highly correlated with the HPA axis and inflammation in CUMS rats. Consistently, the expression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in the colon was significantly reduced after TG administration, accompanied by the suppression of tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism. On the other hand, HT also exerted a marked antidepressant effect by ameliorating HPA axis function, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism, while it was unable to largely adjust the disordered gut microbiota in the same manner as TG. Surprisingly, superior to fluoxetine, TG and HT could further improve dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and abnormal cyclic nucleotide metabolism.ConclusionTG are primarily responsible for the antidepressant activity of CT; its effect might be achieved through the bidirectional interaction of the phytochemicals and gut microbiota, and reflect the advantage of CT in the treatment of depression.     

Evaluation of the Intestinal Transport of a Phenylethanoid Glycoside-Rich Extract from Cistanche deserticola across the Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Model

Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), a class of polyphenolic compounds, are considered one of major bioactive constituents of Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma (CD), whose extract is orally used in traditional Chinese medicine. Although previous pharmacological studies have reported that PhGs exert many activities, their intestinal transport profiles have not been clarified. In this study, we investigated the intestinal permeability of a PhG-rich extract (PRE) from CD as an integrated system in the Caco-2 cell monolayer model using a bioassay system. The results showed that PRE is primarily transported via poorly absorbed passive diffusion down a concentration gradient without efflux, which provides the pharmacokinetic basis for the clinical application of PhGs in CD. We also determined the intestinal permeability of three major PhGs [acteoside (AC), isoacteoside (IS) and echinacoside (EC)] by HLPC. Furthermore, we developed a novel HPLC-fluorescence detection method to accurately determine the flux amount of AC and IS. As expected, the transport characteristics of the three PhGs are consistent with those of PRE, indicating that the present bioassay system is appropriate and reliable for the evaluation of the transport characteristics of active ingredient groups (AIG) in PRE. Moreover, this system may also be suitable for other plant extracts given appropriate bioactivity.     

New acylated anthocyanins from purple yam and their antioxidant activity

Purple yam (Dioscorea alata L.), which is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, is characterized by its color and viscosity. Previous studies have shown that purple yams contain a variety of acylated anthocyanins that exhibit higher levels of antioxidant activity than the corresponding nonacylated compounds. In this study, the pigments found in purple yams from the Philippines (D. alata) were isolated and evaluated in terms of antioxidant activity. Four new acylated anthocyanins, alanins (1–4) were isolated from the MeOH extracts of purple yam, which were subsequently determined to be cyanidin (1, 2, and 4) and peonidin (3) type compounds, along with four known anthocyanins (5–8). The structures of 1–4 were determined by spectroscopic methods, including NMR and MS analyses. The antioxidant activities of anthocyanins 1–8 were investigated using oxygen radical absorbing capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays.     

茉莉酸甲酯与水杨酸对肉苁蓉悬浮细胞中苯乙醇甙合成的影响

向肉苁蓉悬浮细胞培养系中添加茉莉酸甲酯(MJ)和水杨酸(SA) ,分别考察了这两种诱导子的添加浓度及添加时间对肉苁蓉悬浮细胞系中苯乙醇甙含量的影响。研究结果表明:MJ和SA能够促进肉苁蓉悬浮细胞系中苯乙醇甙(PeG)和松果菊甙(Echinacoside)的合成,但两者的适用的浓度范围和最佳添加时间存在差异。与未经诱导子处理的细胞培养结果相比,MJ在对数生长初期(培养14d) ,添加浓度为5 μmol L条件下,可使肉苁蓉悬浮细胞系中PeG含量提高2 5 9倍,Echin含量提高3 82倍;而SA在对数生长后期(培养2 8d) ,添加浓度为5 0 μmol L条件下,可使PeG含量提高2 71倍,Echin含量提高3 16倍。     

Oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides with pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity from the pericarps of Sapindus rarak

The methanolic extract from the pericarps of Sapindus rarak DC. was found to show pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = ca. 614 μg/mL). From the extract, oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, rarasaponins I–III (1–3), and raraoside A (4), were isolated together with 13 known saponins and four known sesquiterpene glycosides. Among them, several saponin constituents including rarasaponins I (1, IC₅₀ = 131 μM) and II (2, 172 μM), and raraoside A (4, 151 μM) inhibited pancreatic lipase activity, which were stronger than that of theasaponin E₁ (270 μM).     

水杨酸酰化对胭脂萝卜天竺葵素稳定性和抗氧化活性的影响

为探究水杨酸作为酰化剂对胭脂萝卜天竺葵素的稳定性和抗氧化活性的影响,以保留率为指标,分析光、温度、金属离子、pH及氧化剂对酰化天竺葵素稳定性的影响,探究酰化天竺葵素对羟自由基、DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基的清除能力。结果表明:酰化天竺葵素对光、温度、Al3+、pH的稳定性显著提高,对Fe2+、Mg2+和Zn2+以及氧化剂H2O2的稳定性无显著差影响。酰化天竺葵素对羟自由基、DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基的清除能力与未酰化天竺葵素无显著差异。以上结果表明采用水杨酸酰化胭脂萝卜天竺葵素不影响其抗氧化活性,还能提高其对光照、温度、pH及铝离子的稳定性。     

Tetra-acetylajugasterone a new constituent of Vitex cienkowskii with vasorelaxant activity

Tetra-acetylajugasterone C (TAAC) was found to be one of the naturally occurring compounds of the Cameroonian medicinal plant Vitex cienkowskii which is responsible for a vasorelaxant activity of an extract of this plant. The evaluation of the underlying mechanisms for the relaxing effect of TAAC was determined using aortic rings of rats and mice. TAAC produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in rat artery rings pre-contracted with 1 μM noradrenaline (IC₅₀: 8.40 μM) or 60 mM KCl (IC₅₀: 36.30 μM). The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME (100 μM) and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ (10 μM) significantly attenuated the vasodilatory effect of TAAC. TAAC also exerted a relaxing effect in aorta of wild-type mice (cGKI^+/+; IC₅₀ = 13.04 μM) but a weaker effect in aorta of mice lacking cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI^−/−; IC₅₀ = 36.12 μM). The involvement of calcium channels was studied in rings pre-incubated in calcium-free buffer and primed with 1 μM noradrenaline prior to addition of calcium to elicit contraction. TAAC (100 μM) completely inhibited the resulting calcium-induced vasoconstriction. The same concentration of TAAC showed a stronger effect on the tonic than on the phasic component of noradrenaline-induced contraction. This study shows that TAAC, a newly detected constituent of Vitex cienkowskii contributes to the relaxing effect of an extract of the plant. The effect is partially mediated by the involvement of the NO/cGMP pathway of the smooth muscle but additionally inhibition of calcium influx into the cell may play a role.     

乙酰胆碱对管花肉苁蓉种子萌发及其内源IAA和ABA含量的影响

检测不同浓度乙酰胆碱对管花肉苁蓉种子发芽率和内源吲哚乙酸(IAA)和脱落酸(ABA)含量影响的结果表明:适宜浓度(1.0~3.0mmol·L~(-1))的乙酰胆碱可促进肉苁蓉种子萌发,并改变内源IAA和ABA含量。1.0mmol·L~(-1)乙酰胆碱是促进肉苁蓉种子萌发的临界点。     

Alstiphyllanines I-O, ajmaline type alkaloids from Alstonia macrophylla showing vasorelaxant activity

Seven new ajmaline type alkaloids, alstiphyllanines I-O (1-7) were isolated from the leaves of Alstonia macrophylla together with six related alkaloids (8-13). Structures and stereochemistry of 1-7 were fully elucidated and characterized by 2D NMR analysis. A series of alstiphyllanines I-O (1-7) as well as the known ajmaline type alkaloids (8-13) showed that they relaxed phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions against rat aortic ring. Among them, vincamedine (10) showed potent vasorelaxant activity, which may be mediated through inhibition of Ca(2+) influx through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCs) and/or receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels (ROCs) as well as partially mediated the NO release from endothelial cells. The presence of substituents at both N-1 and C-17 may be important to show vasorelaxation activity.     

Rat atrial natriuretic factor. Purification and vasorelaxant activity

The atrial natriuretic activity of rat heart has been found to exist in multiple forms. One of these factors has been purified to apparent homogeneity by a combination of gel filtration and high pressure liquid chromatography in two different systems and its amino acid composition determined. The purified active peptide is shown to have a molecular weight of approximately 3800. In addition, the vasorelaxant activity of rat atrium has been purified and found to cochromatograph with the natriuretic activity in all chromatographic systems employed. Thus, the vasorelaxant activity resides in the natriuretic factor. The existence of this new multifunctional peptide implies a higher level of complexity for cardiovascular control of blood volume and pressure.     

Phenylethanoid and lignan glycosides from Verbascum thapsus.

Verbascum thapsus afforded, in addition to three known phenylethanoid glycosides and four lignan ones, five new phenylethanoid glycosides and one new lignan glycoside. Structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical evidence.     

Synthesis and vasorelaxant activity of new coumarin and furocoumarin derivatives

We have synthesized a new series of coumarins and furocoumarins and evaluated their vasorelaxant activity in rat aorta rings pre-contracted with noradrenaline or by depolarisation with high KCl. The new furocoumarins relax smooth vascular muscle with a profile similar to that of khellin (a furochromone that directly relaxes smooth muscle) and at a greater potency, suggesting that these compounds have a potential interest for the development of new and more efficient vasodilator drugs.     

Phenylethanoid and aliphatic alcohol glycosides from Acanthus ilicifolius

A phenylethanoid glycoside (ilicifolioside A) and an aliphatic alcohol glycoside (ilicifolioside B), have been isolated from the aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius, together with eight known compounds. Their structures were determined from spectroscopic analyses.     

寄生药用植物管花肉苁蓉种子的离体萌发与吸器形成的形态学研究

研究了管花肉苁蓉(Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight)种子脱离寄主条件下的离体萌发和吸器形成的形态学,为其高产栽培提供参考。将经过层积处理的种子浸泡于赤霉素(1 000 mg.L-1)36小时,然后培养于1/2 MS(加500 mg.L-1酵母提取物、250 mg.L-1氯化钠和100 mg.L-1甘露醇,pH5.83)培养基上。培养两周后种子开始萌动,首先胚根从软化的内种皮的种孔端伸出,接着形成芽管状物,之后芽管状物逐渐伸长;17天后初生吸器开始发育,厚的带状表皮分化出若干吸根毛;在初生吸器顶端带状表皮围成窝状,表皮上的褶皱和窝内分布有乳头状突起。芽管状物延伸至4 mm就停止发育。吸根毛和乳突是黏着寄主根、刺穿寄主皮层发育为内生吸器最终建立寄生关系的基础。     

Phenylethanoid Glycosides from Caryopteris aureoglandulosa and Their Biological Activities

This study describes the isolation and identification of two novel phenylethanoid glycosides, aureoglanduloside A ( 1 ) and aureoglanduloside B ( 2 ), as well as a newly discovered diterpene glycoside, aureoglanduloside C ( 29 ). Additionally, 31 known compounds were isolated from the n-butyl alcohol (BuOH) soluble fraction of Caryopteris aureoglandulosa whole dried plants. Their structures were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS). Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of all phenylethanoid glycosides were evaluated. Specifically, compounds 2 and 10 – 12 exhibited the ability to promote the phagocytosis of myelin by microglia, and compounds 2 , 10 – 11 , and 24 showed the ability to promote the phagocytosis of myelin by astrocytes.     

寄生药用植物管花肉苁蓉种子的离体萌发与吸器形成的形态学研究

研究了管花肉苁蓉(Cistanche tubulosa(Schenk)R.Wight)种子脱离寄主条件下的离体萌发和吸器形成的形态学,为其高产栽培提供参考.将经过层积处理的种子浸泡于赤霉素(1000 mg·L-1)36小时,然后培养于1/2 MS(加500mg·L-1酵母提取物、250 mg·L-1氯化钠和100mg·L-1甘露醇,pH5.83)培养基上.培养两周后种子开始萌动,首先胚根从软化的内种皮的种孔端伸出,接着形成芽管状物,之后芽管状物逐渐伸长;17天后初生吸器开始发育,厚的带状表皮分化出若干吸根毛;在初生吸器顶端带状表皮围成窝状,表皮上的褶皱和窝内分布有乳头状突起.芽管状物延伸至4mm就停止发育.吸根毛和乳突是黏着寄主根、刺穿寄主皮层发育为内生吸器最终建立寄生关系的基础.