The sesquiterpene constituents of Mortonia hidalgensis

The structure of mortonol B, a sesquiterpene constituent of Mortonia hidalgensis, was established as 2β-acetoxy-mortonol A. Mortonol B is propose     

Diterpenoid from Salvia greggii

The structure of a diterpenoid, designated salvigresin, that was isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia greggii, has been confirmed by spectroscopic investigation and X-ray analysis.     

猫须草抗炎活性成分研究

为了研究猫须草(Clerodendranthus spicatus)抗炎活性成分,该研究采用活性追踪的方法,利用硅胶、MCI柱色谱以及HPLC等分离技术,对猫须草抗炎活性部位进行分离纯化,通过波谱数据分析和文献比对鉴定化合物结构,并利用LPS诱导的RAW 264.7巨噬细胞炎症模型进行抗炎活性评价。结果表明:(1)从猫须草抗炎活性部位分离得到10个化合物,分别鉴定为泡桐素(1)、鼠尾草素(2)、对苯二甲酸二辛酯(3)、N-(N-苯甲酰基-L-苯丙酰基)-L-苯基丙醇(4)、fragransin B₁(5)、6,7,8,4''-四甲氧基黄酮(6)、N-反式-阿魏酰酪胺(7)、N-顺式-阿魏酰酪胺(8)、trans-N-cinnamoyltyramine(9)、新海胆灵 A(10),其中化合物1、4、8-10为首次从该植物中分离得到。(2)抗炎结果显示,猫须草抗炎活性成分主要存在于中低极性部位,从中分离得到的大部分化合物显示出一定的NO生成抑制活性,其中酰胺类成分(7-9)均具有较好的抗炎活性,表明该类成分是猫须草抗炎作用的主要成分之一。该研究丰富了猫须草抗炎物质基础,为其开发利用提供科学依据。     

Diterpenoids from Salvia greggii

From the aerial part of Salvia greggii a previously known diterpenoid, isopimaric acid, and four new natural substances, 3β- and 14α-hydroxy-isopimaric acids, 14α,18-dihydroxy-7,15-isopimaradiene and 7,8β-dihydro-salviacoccin, have been isolated. The structures of these diterpenoids have been established by chemical and spectroscopic means and, in some cases, by comparison with previously known synthetic compounds.     

Anti-inflammatory constituents from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia

Three new diterpenes (7, 15 and 17) and two new neolignans (19 and 20) along with nineteen known compounds have been isolated from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, HRESI-MS, and CD data. All isolates were tested for their inhibitory activities on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells. Of these, compounds 3, 4, 7, 13, 15, 19, and 24 found to inhibit nitric oxide production with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 11.3 to 24.5 μM.     

Minor polyhydroxyagarofuran derivatives from Mortonia hidalgensis

Two new β-dihydroagarofuran derivatives were isolated from Mortonia hidalgensis. One of them was shown to be the 6-dihydromortonol B. The structure of the second product was established as 1α,15-diacetoxy-9β-benzoyloxy-β-dihydroagarofuran, by X-ray crystallography.     

Diterpenoid glucosides from Salvia greggii

The structure of four diterpenoid glucosides, designated as salvigresides A-D (1-4), isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia greggii, have been confirmed by spectroscopic and chemical investigation.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of constituents from Glechoma hederacea var. longituba

Rosmarinic acid, its analogues, and a phenolic compound were obtained from G. hederacea var. longituba. There were two new compounds, methyl isoferuloyl-7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) lactate (1) and benzyl-4′-hydroxy-benzoyl-3′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), and four known compounds (2, 3, 5 and 6). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Each compound was tested by NF-κB luciferase assay and three rosmarinic acid analogues inhibited NF-κB production and the induction of COX-2 and iNOS mRNA in HepG2 cells.     

Anti-inflammatory activities of furanoditerpenoids and other constituents from Fibraurea tinctoria

Five new furanoditerpenoids, epi-8-hydroxycolumbin (1), fibaruretin B (2), C (3), E (5), and F (6), were isolated from the stems of Fibraurea tinctoria, as well as fibaruretin D (4) from the natural source for the first time, and 39 known compounds. The structures (1-6) were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. All the isolated furanoditerpenoids (1-16) were examined for their in vitro activity and some were in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 8 and 9 showed significant anti-inflammatory action administered at a dose of 100mg/kg of reducing carrageenan mice paw edema, whereas compound 7, 9, 10, 14, and 16 were more potent to inhibit NO production. The inhibitory effects of these compounds are dose-dependent (1-4 microg/ml).     

Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils

Linalool and linalyl acetate are the principal components of many essential oils known to possess several biological activities, attributable to these monoterpene compounds. In this work, we evaluated individually the anti-inflammatory properties of (-) linalool, that is, the natural occurring enantiomer, and its racemate form, present in various amounts in distilled or extracted essential oils. Because in the linalool-containing essential oils, linalyl acetate, is frequently present, we also examined the anti-inflammatory action of this monoterpene ester. Carrageenin-induced edema in rats was used as a model of inflammation. The experimental data indicate that both the pure enantiomer and its racemate induced, after systemic administration, a reduction of edema. Moreover, the pure enantiomer, at a dose of 25 mg/kg, elicited a delayed and more prolonged effect, while the racemate form induced a significant reduction of the edema only one hour after carrageenin administration. At higher doses, no differences were observed between the (-) enantiomer and the racemate; a further increase in the dose of both forms did not result in an increased effect at any time of observation. The effects of equi-molar doses of linalyl acetate on local edema were less relevant and more delayed than that of the corresponding alcohol. These finding suggest a typical pro-drug behavior of linalyl acetate. The results obtained indicate that linalool and the corresponding acetate play a major role in the anti-inflammatory activity displayed by the essential oils containing them, and provide further evidence suggesting that linalool and linalyl acetate-producing species are potentially anti-inflammatory agents.     

Chemical constituents from Ibervillea lindheimeri (A. Gray) Greene

A chemical analysis of Ibervillea lindheimeri (A. Gray) Greene led to the isolation of 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F (1), 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D (2) and 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D (3). Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analyses and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. In addition, 10 compounds were detected by GC–MS analyses from the hexane extract. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report examining the chemical composition of I. lindheimeri.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of Leucosidea sericea (Rosaceae) and identification of the active constituents

The ‘Oldwood’ tree Leucosidea sericea is the sole representative of the genus Leucosidea and as such occupies a botanically-privileged status within the Rosaceae of southern Africa. The use of the plant in the traditional medicinal practices of some of the indigenous people of the region has been known for over a hundred years. Amongst these, its use as a vermifuge and astringent medicine, as well as anti-inflammatory agent, amongst the Basuto and Zulu tribes has been recorded. Based on these observations, the plant was here examined for the underlying phytochemical principles which might corroborate these interesting traditional uses. In the process, the known cholestane triterpenoids β-sitosterol and β-sitostenone were isolated for the first time from stems of L. sericea and identified by physical and spectroscopic techniques. These findings provide insights to the traditional usage of the plant for inflammation related ailments.     

The Effect of Root and Shoot Temperatures on Growth of Ceanothus greggii Seedlings

The effect of varying independently nutrient solution temperature(5, 15, 25 C) and air temperature (10, 20, 30 C) on hydroponicallygrown Ceanothus greggii (Rhamnaceae) seedlings was studied.Increasing both air and solution temperatures caused higherroot and shoot biomass and larger root and leaf areas. Root/shootbiomass ratio increased with increasing solution temperatureand decreased with increasing air temperature. The surface areaof individual leaves decreased with higher air temperaturesbut did not change with solution temperatures. These resultsare opposite to what is predicted from Davidson's balanced rootand shoot activity model. We suggest that nutrient solutiontemperature directly affected root growth and that air temperaturedirectly affected shoot growth. Ceanothus greggii (Trel.) Jeps., root temperatures, soot temperature, plant growth, biomass allocation     

Influence of nutrient salts,auxins and cytokinins on the in vitro growth of Salvia greggii

Experiments were designed to determine the optimal MS salt concentration and the best auxin and cytokinin to use for shoot growth of Salvia greggii A. Gray. Full or 1/2 MS salts were superior to 1/4 MS salts based on number of shoots produced. There were no differences in the various auxins tested (IAA, NAA or IBA) as to their abilities to stimulate shoot production or increased fresh weight. BA, and BA + Kin stimulated the greatest shoot number among the cytokinins tested. A final experiment was designed to determine optimal BA and NAA concentrations for shoot growth. A medium containing 11.1M BA and no NAA produced the best growth of Salvia greggii in vitro. Shoots produced in vitro rooted and acclimatized readily in the green-house.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog salts - IAA indoleacetic acid - IBA indolebutyric acid - NAA napthaleneacetic acid - BA benzyladenine - Kin kinetin - 2iP isopentenyl adenine     

Anti-inflammatory properties of cannabichromene

It was not known if Cannabichromene (CBC), which is a major constituent of drug types of $\text{Cannabis}$, has anti-inflammatory properties as do other cannabinoids. CBC was tested $\text{in vivo}$ using the rat paw edema test and $\text{in vitro}$ using the erythrocyte membrane stabilization assay. CBC was as effective as phenylbutazone (PBZ) at equivalent doses. Since CBC is less toxic than PBZ, larger doses may be given to produce a greater therapeutic effect.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of hydroxydihydrocarvone

Hydroxydihydrocarvone (HC) is a synthetic intermediate obtained by hydration of the natural compound (R)-(-)-carvone. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory activity of orally administered HC. Toxicity, motor coordination, tail immersion test, as well as carrageenan-induced paw edema and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity or peritonitis were all evaluated in rodents. HC was force-fed to the animals 1 h before the stimulus. The lethal dose 50% (LD50) of orally administered HC was 1259 mg/kg. No changes in motor coordination were recorded in HC-treated mice in the rotarod test. The time of response to the thermoceptive stimulus in the tail immersion test was longer in HC-treated animals (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) than in the vehicle-treated group. HC also significantly decreased the area under curve of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema at 100 and 200 mg/kg and MPO activity at 200 mg/kg. Carrageenan-induced neutrophil recruitment to the peritoneal cavity was significantly reduced by HC at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg, but not 50 mg/kg. These findings demonstrate that orally administered HC exerts antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in rats and mice.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of piperine

Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine) was isolated from Piper nigrum Linn for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity in rats. Different acute and chronic experimental models like carrageenin-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma, and croton oil-induced granuloma pouch, were employed. Simultaneously, biochemical estimations were made to elucidate the underlying mechanism of the action. Piperine acted significantly on early acute changes in inflammatory processes and chronic granulative changes. It also acted partially through stimulation of pituitary adrenal axis. Exudative changes in both acute and chronic models, however, were insignificant.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of phosphatidylcholine

We recently showed that mucus from patients with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon, is characterized by a low level of phosphatidylcholine (PC) while clinical studies reveal that therapeutic addition of PC using slow release preparations is beneficial. The positive role of PC in this disease is still elusive. Here we tested the hypothesis that exogenous application of PC has anti-inflammatory properties using three model systems. First, human Caco-2 cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to induce a pro-inflammatory response via activation of NF-kappaB. Second, latex bead phagosomes were analyzed for their ability to assemble actin in vitro, a process linked to pro-inflammatory signaling and correlating with the growth versus killing of mycobacteria in macrophages. The third system used was the rapid assembly of plasma membrane actin in macrophages in response to sphingosine 1-phosphate. TNF-alpha induced a pro-inflammatory response in Caco-2 cells, including 1) assembly of plasma membrane actin; 2) activation of both MAPKs ERK and p38; 3) transport of NF-kappaB subunits to the nucleus; and 4) subsequent up-regulation of the synthesis of pro-inflammatory gene products. Exogenous addition of most PCs tested significantly inhibited these processes. Other phospholipids like sphingomyelin or phosphatidylethanolamine showed no effects in these assays. PC also inhibited latex bead phagosome actin assembly, the killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in macrophages, and the sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced actin assembly in macrophages. TNF-alpha induces the activation of signaling molecules and the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in human intestinal cells. Exogenous application of PC blocks pro-inflammatory signaling in Caco-2 cells, in phagosomes in vitro and facilitates intracellular survival of mycobacteria. We provide further evidence that actin assembly by membranes is part of the pro-inflammatory response. Collectively, these results provide a molecular foundation for the clinical studies showing a beneficial effect of PC therapy in ulcerative colitis.