Ellagic acids from Callisthene major

3,3′-Di-O-methyl and 3′-O-methyl-3,4-O,O-methylidene ellagic acids have been isolated from Callisthene major.     

Ellagic acid derivatives from Rhabdodendron macrophyllum

Rhabdodendron macrophyllum contains 24-methylenecycloartenol in the leaves, as well as 3-O-acetylaleuritolic acid and glycosides of oleanolic acid, hederagenin and arjunolic acid in the branches. Accompanied by 5′-methoxy-3,4,3′-tri-O-methylflavellagic acid, 3,4,?'-tri-O-methylflavellagic acid and ellagic acid (possibly in the form of methyl ethers), such saponins also occur in the roots. Chemically the Rhabdodendraceae would fit into the Rosiflorae or even better into the Myrtiflorae.     

C-methyl phenolics from Qualea species

The trunk wood of Qualea labouriauana contains, besides (2R)-5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′-methoxy-6,8-dimethylflavanone, (2R)-5,7,4′-trihydroxy-8-methylflavanone, the biosynthetically interesting 2,2′-dihydroxy-4,6,4′,6′-tetramethoxy-3,3′-dimethylbenzophenone. From the trunk wood extract of Q. paraensis the first named flavanone crystallized out directly.     

Ellagic acid mitigates rotenone-induced damage via modulating mitochondria function in Drosophila melanogaster

Constant, systematic exposure to rotenone has been utilized in animal models to induce Parkinsonism. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties which is found in numerous natural fruits. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of ellagic acid in rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster evaluating their antioxidant and mitoprotective properties. Adult flies were treated with rotenone and ellagic acid through their diet for 7 days, thereafter markers of neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, tyrosine hydroxylase), antioxidant and oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl contents, catalase, total thiol, and nonprotein thiol) was measured. Mitochondrial respiration was also evaluated in the flies. Survival assay was carried out with both genders of the flies, and we observed a significant increase in the survival rate of flies exposed to both rotenone and ellagic acid when compared with the increased mortality rate in the groups exposed to rotenone alone. The impaired locomotion, altered redox status, and enzymes of neurotoxicity induced by rotenone were significantly ameliorated by ellagic acid to levels comparable to the control. In addition, rotenone-induced complex 1 inhibition and altered bioenergetic state were restored upon ellagic acid supplementation. These findings show the beneficial properties of ellagic acid against pesticides induced toxicity.     

Synthesis of Okicamelliaside,a Glucoside of Ellagic Acid with Potent Anti-Degranulation Activity

During our scrutiny of GC-EI-MS date for C₁₅ alcohols as putative intermediates on the ABA biosynthetic pathway in Cercospora cruenta, a trace amount of 5-[2',2'-dimenthyl-6'-methylene-1'-cyclohexyl]-3-methyl-4-penten-1-ol (2,3-dihydro-γ-ionylideneethanol) was identified. Feeding experiments indicated that this compound was not an intermediate to ABA, but a catabolite that originated from γ-ionylideneacetaldehyde. The stereochemistry of 2,3-dihydro-γ-ionylideneethanol was deduced to be (3R,1'S) from a comparison with an authentic specimen prepared via baker’s yeast asymmetric reduction.     

Ellagic acid toxicity and interaction with benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-dihydrodiol in human bronchial epithelial cells

Ellagic acid, a plant phenol present in various foods consumed by humans, has been reported to have both anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic potential. To evaluate the potential anti-carcinogenic property of ellagic acid, we tested its effects on the toxicity of ben-zo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, 7,8-dihydrodiol and binding of benzo[a]yrene to DNA in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells. The toxicity of ellagic acid itself for human bronchial epithelial cells was also determined. Using a colony-forming efficiency assay, it was found that a nontoxic concentration of ellagic acid (5 g/ml) enhanced the toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene.7,8-dihydrodiol in human bronchial epithelial cells. In contrast, ellagic acid at concentrations of l.5 and 3.0 g/ml inhibited binding of benzo[a]pyrenemetabolites to DNA in these cells. An explanation for the potentiating effect of ellagic acid on the toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene, 7,8-dihydrodiol will require further investigation into the possible mechanisms of interaction between these two compounds.Abbreviations B[a]P benzo[a]pyrene - B[a]P 7,8-DHD (±)trans-7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo[a]pyrene - B[a]PDE-1 (±)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene - B[a]PDE-2 (±) 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene - B[a]PDE-1:dG N²-]10{7,8,9-dihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene]yl}:deoxyguanosine - B[a]PDE-2:dG NZ-{10-[7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene]yl}:deoxyguanosine - CFE colony forming efficiency - EA ellagic acid - HBE human bronchial epithelial     

Dihydrocinnamic acids from Hortia badinii

Hortia badinii (Rutaceae) contains rutecarpine and hortiacine in the bark, as well as coumurrayin, methyl 3-[2-methoxy-6′, 6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′:3,4)phenyl]-propionate, 3-[2,6-dimethoxy-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′: 3,4)phenyl]-propionic acid, methyl 3-[2,6-dimethoxy-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano(2′, 3′: 3,4)phenyl]-propionate and methyl 3-[2,4-dimethoxy-3-prenylphenyl]-propionate in the wood.     

Sugar-related hydroxy acids from Phaseolus and trifolium species

-Hydroxy acids isolated from leaves of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and clover (Trifolium incarnatum) were analysed by GLC as trimethylsilyl derivatives and identified by MS. Large amounts of a 2-C-methyltetronic acid and appreciable amounts of gluconic acid and of a 2-C-(hydroxymethyl)pentonic acid were found from French bean. Glyceric acid was the predominant acid from clover but the presence of several other acids, e.g. threonic and malic acids, was also demonstrated.     

Ellagic acid protects dopamine neurons from rotenone‐induced neurotoxicity via activation of Nrf2 signalling

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) degenerative disease. Oxidative stress is one of key contributors to PD. Nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered to be a master regulator of many genes involved in anti‐oxidant stress to attenuate cell death. Therefore, activation of Nrf2 signalling provides an effective avenue to treat PD. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic contained in fruits and nuts, possesses amounts of pharmacological activities, such as anti‐oxidant stress and anti‐inflammation. Recent studies have confirmed EA could be used as a neuroprotective agent in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, mice subcutaneous injection of rotenone (ROT)‐induced DA neuronal damage was performed to investigate EA‐mediated neuroprotection. In addition, adult Nrf2 knockout mice and different cell cultures including MN9D‐enciched, MN9D‐BV‐2 and MN9D‐C6 cell co‐cultures were applied to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results demonstrated EA conferred neuroprotection against ROT‐induced DA neurotoxicity. Activation of Nrf2 signalling was involved in EA‐mediated DA neuroprotection, as evidenced by the following observations. First, EA activated Nrf2 signalling in ROT‐induced DA neuronal damage. Second, EA generated neuroprotection with the presence of astroglia and silence of Nrf2 in astroglia abolished EA‐mediated neuroprotection. Third, EA failed to produce DA neuroprotection in Nrf2 knockout mice. In conclusion, this study identified EA protected against DA neuronal loss via an Nrf2‐dependent manner.     

Ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid attenuate doxorubicin‐induced testicular injury in rats

The anticancer drug doxorubicin causes testicular toxicity as an undesirable effect. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protection of ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid during doxorubicin administration. For this purpose eight groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats were used (n = 10), one group received vehicle served as control, and other groups received 5 mg/kg doxorubicin twice a week for 2 weeks for a cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg, ellagic acid (10 mg/kg/day, 14 consecutive days p.o.), rosmarinic acid (75 mg/kg/day, 14 consecutive days p.o.), ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid. The latter three regimens were given to control and doxorubicin‐received rats. Doxorubicin decreased testicular relative weight, sperm count, motility, serum testosterone, testicular glycogen, and sialic acid with increased incidence of histopathological changes, oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, as well as cholinesterase activity. Conversely, ellagic and rosmarinic acid treatment ameliorated such damage, thus showing the possibility to use as an adjuvant during doxorubicin treatment.     

Inhibitory Effect of an Ellagic Acid-Rich Pomegranate Extract on Tyrosinase Activity and Ultraviolet-Induced Pigmentation

A pomegranate extract (PE) from the rind containing 90% ellagic acid was tested for its skin-whitening effect. PE showed inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase in vitro, and the inhibition by the extract was comparable to that of arbutin, which is a known whitening agent. PE, when administered orally, also inhibited UV-induced skin pigmentation on the back of brownish guinea pigs. The intensity of the skin-whitening effect was similar between guinea pigs fed with PE and those fed with L-ascorbic acid. PE reduced the number of DOPA-positive melanocytes in the epidermis of UV-irradiated guinea pigs, but L-ascorbic acid did not. These results suggest that the skin-whitening effect of PE was probably due to inhibition of the proliferation of melanocytes and melanin synthesis by tyrosinase in melanocytes. PE, when taken orally, may be used as an effective whitening agent for the skin.     

桂林乌桕中的香豆素和鞣花酸类化合物

从桂林乌桕枝条的乙醇提取物中分离鉴定了8个已知化合物,经波谱分析确定其结构分别为：6,7,8-三甲氧基香豆素(1)、5,6,7,8-四甲氧基香豆素(2)、8-羟基-5,6,7-三甲氧基香豆素(3)、东莨菪内酯(4)、3,3’-二甲氧基鞣花酸(5)、4,4’-二甲氧基鞣花酸(6)、3,3’-二甲氧基鞣花酸-4-Oβ-D-木吡喃苷(7)、3,3’-二甲氧基鞣花酸-4-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃苷(8);其中化合物2,3,6,7,8均为首次从该属植物中分离得到。     

Identification of fatty acids from Cladonia lichens

Fatty acids of eight lichen species belonging to the genus Cladonia were examined by GC-MS. Twenty-two saturated, 23 monoene, five diene, nine triene and eight tetra-, penta- and hexaene fatty acids were identified. Unusually for lichens, very long-chain fatty acids, 25:1, 26:0, 26:1, 26:3, 28:0, 28:1, and 30:1 were detected.     

Ellagic acid protects ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption

Osteoporosis is a devastating disease that features reduced bone quantity and microstructure, which causes fragility fracture and increases mortality, especially in the aged population. Due to the long-term side-effects of current drugs for osteoporosis, it is of importance to find other safe and effective medications. Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic compound found in nut galls, plant extracts, and fruits, and exhibits antioxidant and antineoplastic effects. Here, we showed that EA attenuated the formation and function of osteoclast dose-dependently. The underlying mechanism was further discovered by western blot, immunofluorescence assay, and luciferase assay, which elucidated that EA suppressed osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption mainly through attenuating receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand-induced NF-κB activation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways, accompanied by decreased protein expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells calcineurin-dependent 1 and c-Fos. Moreover, EA inhibits osteoclast marker genes expression including Dc-stamp, Ctsk, Atp6v0d2, and Acp5. Intriguingly, we also found that EA treatment could significantly protect ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo. Conclusively, this study suggested that EA might have the therapeutic potentiality for preventing or treating osteoporosis.     

Halogenated acetic and acrylic acids from the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis

Nine halogenated acetic acids and nine halogenated acrylic acids have been identified in the aqueous extract of Hawaiian Asparagopsis taxiformis.     

Alkaloids and olefinic acids from Cryptocarya amygdalina

From the bark of Cryptocarya amygdalina two new olefinic acids with a tetracyclo(4.3.0^2.4.0^3.7) non-8-enemoiety are reported. From the same source the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids orientaline and laudanidine are also reported.