Lectins from seeds of Crotalaria pallida (smooth rattlebox)

A lectin from the seeds of Crotalaria pallida (CPL), with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa, determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, showed human type A and B erythrocytes agglutination activity, which is inhibited by raffinose and galactose. The lectin requirement for divalent cation was demonstrated with EDTA/EGTA blocking hemagglutination activity. Although the N-terminal amino acid sequence of CPL is identical to another lectin from Crotalaria striata, which is taxonomically synonymous to Crotalaria pallida, these lectins differ in amino acid composition and hemagglutination properties.     

Anti-inflammatory flavonoids from Cryptocarya chingii

Six flavonoids named cryptogiones A–F, and nine known compounds were isolated from an ethanol extract of stems of Cryptocarya chingii. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by interpretation of comprehensive spectroscopic data and X-ray analysis. A majority of these flavonoids contained an acetic acid/lactone moiety, a possible taxonomic marker. Anti-inflammatory effects of the compounds were evaluated using in vitro assays. At 20 μM concentration, three compounds significantly inhibited TNFα-induced NF-кB activation and LPS-induced IL-1β expression.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids from Chrozophora tinctoria

Chemical investigation of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) A. Juss. growing in Saudi Arabia revealed the isolation of two new acylated flavonoids identified as acacetin-7-O-β-d-[α-l-rhamnosyl(1 → 6)]3″-E-p-coumaroyl glucopyranoside (4) and apigenin-7-O-(6″-Z-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), in addition to amentoflavone (1), apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), apigenin-7-O-6″-E-p-coumaroyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and rutin (6). The structures of isolated compounds were established by 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectral data, in addition to comparison with literature data. The anti-inflammatory activities of isolated compounds were assessed by measuring the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and PGE₂ in the supernatant media of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). At a concentration of 100 μM, compounds 1, 2, 4 and 6 significantly decreased Il-1β, Il-6 and PGE₂ to nearly normal values. All tested compounds caused a dose-dependent decrease in TNF-α level but failed to reach that of the control values.     

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of flavonoids isolated from Viscum album ssp. album

Viscum album L. has been used in the indigenous systems of medicine for treatment of headache and some inflammatory diseases. In order to evaluate this information, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the five flavonoids (5,7-dimethoxy naringenin or 4',6'-dimethoxy chalcononaringenin) derivatives, isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the extract from V. album ssp. album, were investigated, namely 5,7-dimethoxy-flavanone-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxy-chalcone-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 5,7-dimethoxy-flavanone-4'-O-[2"-O-(5"'-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-beta-D-apiofuranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxy-chalcone-4-O-[2"-O-(5"'-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-beta-Dapiofuranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), 5,7-dimethoxy-flavanone-4'-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5). For the antinociceptive activity assessment the p-benzoquinone-induced writhing test and for the anti-inflammatory activity the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in mice were used. The ethyl acetate fraction in a dose of 250 mg/kg as well as compounds 2 and 5 in a 30 mg/kg dose were shown to possess remarkable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities per os without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage.     

A galactomannan from Crotalaria medicaginea seeds.

A polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Crotalaria medicaginea is composed of D-galactose and D-mannose in the molar ratio of 10:31. Structural studies were performed by methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, chromic oxide oxidation, mild hydrolysis with dilute oxalic acid and 13CNMR analysis of the polymer.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of total flavonoids from seeds of Camellia oleifera Abel

Inflammation is the primary response to infection or injury that functions to clear the injurious material or agent and promote tissue repair. However, when inflammation persists, such as chronic inflammation, it can cause tissue damage and loss of function. Persistent inflammation is closely asso- ciated with many chronic diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, Alzheimer＇s disease, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease [1]. Numerous molecules such as cytokines, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide （NO） are involved in the induction and maintenance of the inflamma- tory response. Inhibition and/or down-regulation of these pro-inflammatory molecules may exert anti-inflammatory effects.     

Leaf flavonoids from Croton urucurana and C. floribundus (Euphorbiaceae)

Flavonoids were isolated by PVPP column chromatography of leaf extracts of Croton floribundus Spreng and C. urucurana Baill. and identified by NMR and co-chromatography with standards. The two species revealed highly distinct flavonoid profiles. C. urucurana, belonging to the phylogenetically basal section Cyclostigma, yielded the flavone C-glycosides vitexin and orientin, quercetin and the O-glycosides quercetin 7-O-rhamnoside, rhamnitrin and rutin, in addition to tiliroside. Instead, C. floribundus, from the more derived section Lasiogyne, yielded no C-glycosides, but a high diversity of classes of flavonols, including kaempferol, three flavonol O-methyl ethers, isoquercitrin, three tri-O-galactosides, in addition to tiliroside and an isorhamnetin-coumaroyl-O-glycoside. The present work is the first report for Croton of two rhamnosides (isolated from C. urucurana). It is also the first report for Euphorbiaceae of two tri-O-glycosides obtained from C. floribundus. The distribution of flavonoids in the two species as determined by HPLC-DAD of extracts of small leaf samples of herbarium specimens is highly similar with the profiles resulting from isolation of compounds from bulky leaf samples. Differences among specimens of the same species were restricted to relative proportions of individual constituents. The results indicate that flavonoid profiles are effective to characterize and distinguish the two species. The present results, combined with literature data, supports the condition of tiliroside as a marker of Croton and the hypothesis of an evolutionary trend in the genus toward the loss of C-glycosides and a progressive complexity of flavonoid profiles.     

Pyrogallol derivatives from Leucanthemopsis pallida subsp.flaveola

from Leucanthemopsis pallida subsp.flaveo three new pyrogallol derivatives were isolated: 4-hydroxy-5-propionyl-1,3-di-O-methylpyrogallol, 4-hydroxy-5-propionyl-1,3-di-O-methyl-2-O-isopentenylpyrogallol and 5-(1′-isovalerianoyloxy)-ethyl-1,3-di-O-methyl-2-O-isopentenylpyrogallol.     

Anti-inflammatory flavonoids from root bark of Broussonetia papyrifera in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

Broussonetia papyrifera has been used as a diuretic, tonic and suppressor of edema. Bioactivity-guided fractionation and metabolite investigation of root bark extracts of this plant resulted in the isolation and identification of six 1,3-diphenylpropanes (1, 2, 8, 10, 17, 20), flavanone (3), two chalcones (4, 5), five flavans (6, 11, 14–16), dihydroflavonol (7) and five flavonols (9, 12, 13, 18, 19), including five new compounds (5, 7, 8, 19, 20) that inhibit NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The structures of compounds 1–20 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, MS, MS/MS, and HRMS). In particular, compounds 3, 5, 7, 12, and 20 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the NO, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) production. Therefore, this study suggests that the flavonoid-rich products of B. papyrifera, including the new compounds, could be valuable candidates for the development of pharmaceuticals or functional foods in the prevention and treatment of anti-inflammatory disease.     

Antioxidative compounds from Crotalaria sessiliflora

Seven antioxidative compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the aerial part of C. sessiliflora (Japanese name, tanukimame) by activity-guided fractionation with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Among the isolated compounds, hydroxyeucomic acid showed the strongest free radical-scavenging activity, which was almost identical to that of epigallocatechin gallate, against DPPH. Orientin and isoorientin showed strong anti-peroxidative activities toward linoleic acid and protective effects against the bactericidal action of the tert-butyl peroxyl radical. Their activities were nearly equal to that of epigallocatechin gallate.     

Effect of Temperature on Growth of Crotalaria juncea L. and Crotalaria sericea Retz.

Growth performances of Crotalaria juncea L. and C. sericea Retz.have been compared at two controlled temperatures, 16–20°C, and 28–32 °C, with respect to increase ind. wt and leaf area, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio,specific leaf area, leaf weight ratio, net assimilation rate,the ratio of mean relative growth rate to mean relative rateof leaf area increase () and shoot/root ratios. Both the speciesgrew better at the higher temperature; however the relativegrowth rate was more affected by temperature in C. sericea thanin C. juncea. Further, it was observed to be more dependenton net assimilation rate than on the leaf area ratio. Crotalaria juncea L., Crotalaria sericea Retz., relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, leaf weight ratio, leaf area increase, net assimilation rate, shoot/root ratio     

New natural rotenoid and pterocarpanoid analogues from Neorautanenia Amboensis

Four new natural rotenoid and pterocarpanoid analogues, neobanone, rotenonone, 12a-hydroxyisomillettone and neobanol were isolated from the benzene extract of the root of Neorautanenia amboensis. The structures were determined by investigation of IR, UV, MS, ¹H-NMR, CD and oxidative conversions.     

Cytogenetics of Crotalaria V. Supernumerary nucleoli in C. agatiflora (Leguminosae)

Of 35 species of Crotalaria (Leguminosae) studied, all but one had usually one nucleolus in the premetaphase I cells. In C. agatiflora 300 PMCs from four out of five plants were investigated and the percentage cells with more than one nucleolus was determined as well as the nature of nucleolar attachment to bivalents and the range and the sizes of various nucleoli present in the cell. The aberrant cells ranged from 42 to 50%. The nucleoli (1–6) were usually attached to different bivalents. Where one nucleolus was present in the cell, it was always attached to an X-shaped bivalent, formed of a pair of nucleolar chromosomes. In the aberrant cells one nucleolus usually was attached to such a bivalent. The presence of accessory nucleoli has been attributed to hybridity as a result of large-scale intercrossing among five subspecies and consequent dispersal of intermediates in the adjoining areas where C. agatiflora grows wild (East Africa and Ethiopia). The change in the regulatory system of the cell caused by hybridity results in activation of latent nucleolar organizers, although their overall presence in the genome is not due to hybridity.     

A prenylated chalcone from Crotalaria medicaginea

A new prenylated chalcone has been characterized from the root of Crotalaria medicaginea.     

New pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Crotalaria candicans

Crocandine and isocrocandine, isolated from the seeds of C. candicans, have been shown by spectroscopy and chemical evidence to be macrocyclic diesters of turneforcidine and 3-hydroxy-2,3,4-trimethylglutaric acids.     

Biologically active alkylated coumarins from Kayea assamica

Four coumarin derivatives, theraphins A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4), along with three known xanthones, 2-hydroxyxanthone, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, and 5-hydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone, were isolated from the bark of Kayea assamica (Clusiaceae) native to Myanmar. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic and chemical techniques. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by the modified Mosher ester method. Theraphins A (1), B (2), and C (3) exhibited good cytotoxicity against Col2, KB, and LNCaP human cancer cell lines. Theraphin D (4) showed mild activity only against the KB cell line. The coumarins also exhibited mild antimalarial activities.     

Novel pyrrolizidine alkaloid from Crotalaria nana

Crotananine, isolated from the seeds of Crotalaria nana has been shown by spectroscopy and chemical evidence to be the macrocyclic diester of retronecine and a new C₉ necic acid, crotananic acid.