Isorhynchophylline Relieves Ferroptosis-Induced Nerve Damage after Intracerebral Hemorrhage Via miR-122-5p/TP53/SLC7A11 Pathway

Neurochemical Research - Isorhynchophylline (IRN), a component of traditional Chinese herb Uncaria rhynchophylla, possesses strong antioxidant activity. Ferroptosis induced by iron overload causes...     

安徽植物增补及地理新分布Ⅱ

本文第二次增补《安徽植物志》未记入的植物２２种５变种。其中２０种３变种为安徽地理新分布,３属（白屈菜属、离子芥属和石莲属）为安徽地理新分布属。本文所引用的植物标本,全部收藏于安微大学资源植物标本室。     

Morphoanatomical studies of Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis bark and leaves.

The genus Uncaria Schreber (Rubiaceae) includes species that are widely distributed in tropical areas. The inner bark of the stems and leaves of two native species of South America, Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Roemer & Schultes) DC., and Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) J. F. Gmelin, "cat's claw" are used in either folk medicine or in procuring phytotherapeutic drugs. These species contain about sixty active substances which are being tested widely for possible medicinal value. The following applications are considered: peptic ulcer, rheumatism, tumours, antiinflammatory effect, inflammation, diabetes and as general tonic. Currently, Uncaria tomentosa is in demand as tea, tablets or capsules in more than 30 countries outside Perú, as well as inside the country. Pharmacognosy studies are required to determine the comparative morphoanatomical and micrographic features for identification and quality control purposes. Several microscopic parameters, including phloem fibers, calcium oxalate crystals, starch granules, trichomes, and foliar architecture should be considered. The aim of our work is to analyse comparative morphoanatomical and micrographic features which might provide assistance in the identification, analysis and standardization of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Roemer & Schultes) DC. and Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) J. F. Gmelin stem bark and leaves in order to obtain phytotherapeutic drugs, and of the crude drug as well.     

广西钩藤属植物中总生物碱含量变化研究

对广西不同品种、不同产地、不同部位、不同采收时间的钩藤进行了总生物碱含量变化研究 ,为充分开发利用广西钩藤资源提供了试验依据。     

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Uncaria (Rubiaceae)

The Uncaria genus is an important source of medicinal natural products, particularly alkaloids and triterpenes. The collected information is an attempt to cover the more recent developments in the ethnobotany, pharmacology and phytochemistry of this genus. During the past 20 years, alkaloids, terpenes, quinovic acid glycosides, flavonoids and coumarins have been isolated from Uncaria. Fifty-three novel structures are reported in this review. The species in which the largest number of compounds has been identified is the Peruvian Uncaria tomentosa or 'cat's claw.' Pharmacological studies are described according to cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunostimulation, antioxidant, CNS-related response, vascular, hypotensive, mutagenicity and antibacterial properties. The potential for development of leads from Uncaria continues to grow, particularly in the area of immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and vascular-related conditions. The information summarized here is intended to serve as a reference tool to practitioners in the fields of ethnopharmacology and natural products chemistry.     

Yokukansan,a Kampo Medicine,Protects PC12 Cells from Glutamate-Induced Death by Augmenting Gene Expression of Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter System Xc?

Effects of the kampo medicine yokukansan on gene expression of the cystine/glutamate antiporter system Xc⁻, which protects against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity, were examined in Pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells). Yokukansan inhibited glutamate-induced PC12 cell death. Similar cytoprotective effects were found in Uncaria hook. Experiments to clarify the active compounds revealed that geissoschizine methyl ether, hirsuteine, hirsutine, and procyanidin B1 in Uncaria hook, had cytoprotective effects. These components enhanced gene expressions of system Xc⁻ subunits xCT and 4F2hc, and also ameliorated the glutamate-induced decrease in glutathione levels. These results suggest that the cytoprotective effect of yokukansan may be attributed to geissoschizine methyl ether, hirsuteine, hirsutine, and procyanidin B1 in Uncaria hook.     

中国钩藤属9种植物的花粉形态

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对中国钩藤属(Uncaria Schreb)9种植物的花粉形态进行了观察.结果表明,钩藤属植物的花粉为单粒,小型,辐射对称,赤道面观圆球形至近长球形,极面观3-裂圆形,具3孔沟,萌发沟裂缝状,长达两极.萌发沟中央有"内壁加厚突出"结构.外壁具条纹至细网纹饰,表面光滑无附属物.钩藤属花粉大小、形状、萌发沟和纹饰类型都较接近,属于单一型花粉.钩藤属植物的花粉形态特征是茜草科(Rubiaceae)中较为原始的类型.     

Phytochemical and biological study of Uncaria tomentosa

The investigation on steroidic fraction of Uncaria tomentosa, commonly called Una de gato, showed the presence of beta-sitosterol (60%), stigmasterol, and campesterol. The percentage of sterols have been carried out by GLC. The spectroscopic data 1H-NMR and MS of the three compounds are also reported, with the beta-sitosterol as the main sterol. Preliminary pharmacological investigations prove a moderate antiinflammatory activity.     

Effect on locomotion of indole alkaloids from the hooks of uncaria plants.

Three predominant Uncariae plants, Uncaria rhynchophylla U. sinensis and U. macrophylla and their indole and oxindole alkaloid constituents were studied for their effect on locomotor response. Water extracts of U. macrophylla and U. sinensis and four indole alkaloids, corynoxine, corynoxine B, isorhynchophylline and geissoschizine methyl ether, significantly decreased locomotor activity after oral administration to mice. The depression of locomotor activity upon administration of these alkaloids appears to be due to mediating of the central dopaminergic system.     

Transcriptome revealing the dual regulatory mechanism of ethylene on the rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in Uncaria rhynchophylla

Journal of Plant Research - Rhynchophylline (RIN) and isorhynchophylline (IRN) are extracted from Uncaria rhynchophylla, which are used to treat Alzheimer's disease. However, the massive...     

Three new ursene carboxylic acids from Uncaria thwaitesii

Three new ursene carboxylic acids, uncaric acid, diketouncaric acid and diacetyluncaric acid were isolated from the woody part of Uncaria thwaitesii, interrelated and their structures established.     

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis) are independent of their alkaloid content.

Cat's claw is an herbal medicine from the Amazon that is used widely to treat inflammatory disorders. The purpose of this study was to characterize the antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties of cat's claw, Uncaria tomentosa (UT) and Uncaria guianensis (UG). Alkaloids and flavanols were determined using reversed-phase HPLC; scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radicals, and lipid peroxidation by spectrophotometry; and TNFalpha production by ELISA. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in vitro by inhibition of TNFalpha and nitrite production from RAW 264.7 cells exposed to LPS (50 ng/ml) and in vivo using the indomethacin-induced gastritis model. Apoptosis was assessed using the TUNEL technique and TNFalpha mRNA by in situ RT-PCR. In each of the antioxidant assays tested, UG was more potent than UT (P < 0.01). The total oxindole and pentacyclic alkaloid content of UT was 35-fold > UG. The IC50 value for inhibition of TNFalpha production was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for UT (14.1 ng/ml) vs UG (9.5 ng/ml), yet at concentrations that were considerable lower than that required for antioxidant activity. Non-alkaloid HPLC fractions from UT decreased LPS-induced TNFalpha and nitrite production in RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.01) at a concentration range comparable to the parent botanical. Oral pretreatment for 3 d with UT protected against indomethacin-induced gastritis, and prevented TNFalpha mRNA expression and apoptosis. These results indicate that while both species of cat's claw provide effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, U. guianensis is more potent. In conclusion, the presence of oxindole or pentacyclic alkaloids did not influence the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cat's claw.     

植物提取物对大豆疫霉菌抗菌活性的初步研究

采用Paper Disk法测定了云南省200种植物的提取物对大豆疫霉(Phytophthora sojae)的抑菌活性。结果表明,光叶合欢(Albizia lucidior)、白钩藤(Uncaria sessilifructus)及黄豆树(Albizia procera)的提取物在浓度为10μg/μL时有较好的抗菌活性,而在2.5μg/μL时只有黄豆树提取物显示出抗菌活性。并从黄豆树中分离出其抗菌的主要活性成分3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-acetamidO-2-deoxy-β-D-glu-copyranosyl]echinocystic acid。     

Edema induced by Bothrops asper (Squamata: Viperidae) snake venom and its inhibition by Costa Rican plant extracts

We tested the capacity of leaf (Urera baccifera, Loasa speciosa, Urtica leptuphylla, Chaptalia nutans, and Satureja viminea) and root (Uncaria tomentosa) extracts to inhibit edema induced by Bothrops asper snake venom. Edema-forming activity was studied plethysmographically in the rat hind paw model. Groups of rats were injected intraperitoneally with various doses of each extract and, one hour later, venom was injected subcutaneously in the right hind paw. Edema was assessed at various time intervals. The edematogenic activity was inhibited in those animals that received an injection U. tomentosa, C. nutans or L. speciosa extract. The extract of U. baccifera showed a slight inhibition of the venom effect. Extract from S. viminea and, to a lesser extent that of U. leptuphylla, induced a pro-inflammatory effect, increasing the edema at doses of 250 mg/kg at one and two hours.     

Effects of hirsutine and dihydrocorynantheine on the action potentials of sino-atrial node, atrium and ventricle

The effects of hirsutine, an indole alkaloid from Uncaria rhynchophylla MIQ. JACKSON with antihypertensive, negative chronotropic and antiarrhythmic activity, and its C3 structural epimer, dihydrocorynantheine, on membrane potentials of rabbit sino-atrial node and guinea-pig right ventricle and left atrium were studied with microelectrode techniques. In sino-atrial node preparations, hirsutine and dihydrocorynantheine (0.1 microM to 10 microM) concentration-dependently increased cycle length, decreased slope of the pacemaker depolarization (phase 4 depolarization), decreased maximum rate of rise and prolonged action potential duration. In atrial and ventricular preparations, both compounds (0.1 microM to 30 microM) concentration-dependently decreased maximum rate of rise and prolonged action potential duration. These results indicate that hirsutine and dihydrocorynantheine have direct effects on the action potential of cardiac muscle through inhibition of multiple ion channels, which may explain their negative chronotropic and antiarrhythmic activity.     

Alkaloids of Uncaria callophylla

A verified sample of Uncaria callophylla was investigated for its alkaloid content. The stems provided mainly pseudoyohimbine and dihydrocorynantheine while the leaves furnished dihydrocorynantheine, gambirine and an unknown dimeric alkaloid probably derived from gambirine and pseudoyohimbine.     

Inhibitory effects of Choto-san (Diao-teng-san), and hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis on free radical-induced lysis of rat red blood cells.

The present study is designed to test our hypothesis that the ingestion of Uncaria sinensis (US), the main medicinal plant of Choto-san (Diao-teng-san, CS), would protect red blood cell (RBC) membrane from free radical-induced oxidation if polyphenolics in US could be absorbed and circulated in blood. When incubated with RBC suspension, Choto-san extract (CSE) and Uncaria sinensis extract (USE) exhibited strong protection for RBC membrane against hemolysis induced by 2,2-azo-bis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), an azo free-radical initiator. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent at concentrations of 50 to 1000 microg/mL. Ingestion of 200 mg of USE was associated with a significant decrease in susceptibility of RBC to hemolysis in rats. Furthermore, caffeic acid, an antioxidative hydroxycinnamic acid, was identified in rat plasma after administration of URE.     

Oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria macrophylla

Four isomeric oxindole alkaloids, isorhynchophylline, rhynchophylline, corynoxine and corynoxine B, have been isolated from the leaves of Uncaria macrophylla Wall. Corynoxine B has not previously been reported as a natural product.     

钩藤属植物中吲哚生物碱的研究进展

本文对钩藤属植物中吲哚生物碱类成分的植物来源、骨架结构、波谱学特征及生物活性研究进展进行了综述,希望为药理学、天然药物化学、中药化学等领域的研究者提供参考。     

The Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability of Geissoschizine Methyl Ether in Uncaria Hook,a Galenical Constituent of the Traditional Japanese Medicine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yokukansan</Emphasis>

Geissoschizine methyl ether (GM) in Uncaria hook, a galenical constituent of yokukansan is thought to be one of active components in the psychotropic effect of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine (kampo medicine). However, there is no data on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability of Uncaria hook-derived alkaloids containing GM. In this study, we investigated the BBB permeability of seven Uncaria hook alkaloids (GM, isocorynoxeine, isorhynchophylline, hirsuteine, hirsutine, rhynchophylline, and corynoxeine) using in vivo and in vitro methods. In the in vivo experiment, seven alkaloids in the plasma and brain of rats orally administered with yokukansan were measured by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy/mass spectrometric multiple reaction monitoring assay. In the in vitro experiment, the BBB permeability of seven alkaloids were examined using the BBB model composed of co-culture of endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes. In the in vivo study, six components containing GM but not isocorynoxeine were detected in the plasma, and three (GM, hirsuteine, and corynoxeine) of components were detected in the brain. The in vitro BBB permeability data indicated that seven alkaloids were able to cross brain endothelial cells in culture conditions and that the BBB permeability of GM was higher than those of the other six alkaloids. These results suggest that target ingredient GM in yokukansan administered orally is absorbed into the blood and then reaches the brain through the BBB. This evidence further supports the possibility that GM is an active component in the psychotropic effect of yokukansan.