Essential oil from herb and rhizome of Peucedanum ostruthium (L. Koch.) ex DC

Essential oil from herb and rhizome of Peucedanum ostruthium (L.Koch.) ex DC underwent qualitative and quantitative analyses. The content of the oil obtained by hydrodistillation was 0.95% in the herb and 1.25% in the rhizome (per dry weight basis). Gas chromatography (GC) with MS detection and flame ionisation detection showed that the oil from the rhizome contains 39 compounds, of which 29 were identified. Gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection in chiral columns against standard compounds showed the presence of enantiomers of some of the components of the oil. Compounds present in largest quantities are: sabinene (35.2%) of which (+) sabinene accounts for (96.54%) and 4-terpineol (26.6%) of which (+) 4-terpineol accounts for (65.8%). 44 components were found in the herb essential oil, of which 39 compounds were identified. Compounds present in largest quantities were beta-caryophyllene (16.1%) and alpha-humulene (15.8%). The content of sabinene in the herb oil was 4.7%. The following compounds were present in the herb oil only as enantiomers: (+) sabinene (4.7%), (-) limonene (4.4%), (-) beta-pinene (0.4%). A coumarin (osthole) was detected in both essential oils (5.5% in herb oil and 5.1% in rhizome oil).     

A comparison of HIV-1 integrase inhibition by aqueous and methanol extracts of Chinese medicinal herbs

The aqueous and methanol extracts of twenty herbs traditionally used in Chinese medicine were screened for anti-HIV-1 integrase activity in a non-radioactive ELISA-based HIV-1 integrase assay. The screening was performed at an herb extract concentration of 50 microg/ml. It was found that most of the aqueous and methanol herb extracts could elicit strong inhibition of HIV-I integrase activity. The inhibition was most likely due to tannins or polyphenolics in the herb extracts. In most of the herb extracts, 40-80% of the anti-HIV-1 integrase activity could be removed after passing through a minicolumn of polyamide resin. After removal of polyphenolic compounds, the methanol extract of Paeonia suffruticosa still exerted potent inhibition of HIV-1 integrase (EC50 = 15 microg/ml) and the aqueous extract of Prunella vulgaris caused moderate inhibition (EC50 = 45 microg/ml). The results support the view that herbs represent a rich source of anti-HIV compounds.     

偏翅唐松草化学成分的研究

从偏翅唐松草（Thalictrum delavayi Franch.)的乙醇提取物的氯仿部分分离到9个化合物（1-9）。其中化合物1和2为新化合物,分别为5-hydro-N-methylcorydalidine(1)和1-（4-methoxybenzyl)-2-N-methyl-6-hydroxyl-5,7-dimethoxy-isoquinoline(2)。化合物7为首次从唐松草属中分离到,它们的结构经波谱方法（包括HMQC和HMBC）得到鉴定。     

Structure Elucidation of Two New Norlignans from Anemone vitifolia and Their Anti‐Inflammatory Activities

Two new norlignans together with two known phenylpropanoids were isolated from the whole herb of Anemone vitifolia. All compounds were reported from this plant for the first time. The structures of these compounds were identified by comprehensive HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with literature data. Additionally, bioactivity study results showed that two new compounds have potential anti‐inflammatory activity. The plausible biosynthetic pathway for these compounds were also speculated in this article.     

偏翅唐松草化学成分的研究

从偏翅唐松草(Thalictrum delavayi Franch.)的乙醇提取物的氯仿部分分离到9个化合物(1-9).其中化合物1和2为新化合物,分别为5-hydro-N-methylcorydalidine (1)和1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-N-methyl-6-hydroxyl-5,7-dimethoxy-isoquinoline (2).化合物7为首次从唐松草属中分离到.它们的结构经波谱方法(包括HMQC和HMBC)得到鉴定.     

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Monoterpene and Sesquiterpene Glycosides from the Aqueous Extract of Artemisia annua L.

Artemisia annua L. is a Chinese medicinal herb, but the origin of its pharmacological properties, including its anti-inflammatory activity, remain unknown. In this study, five new monoterpene glycosides ( 1 – 5 ) and two new sesquiterpene glycosides ( 6 and 7 ) were isolated from the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of A. annua. The structures of these glycosides were determined using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and chemical hydrolysis methods. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated by down-regulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Notably, all the new compounds significantly inhibited the expression of IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner.     

Green plants in starling nests: effects on nestlings

European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, intermingle fresh herbs, especially species rich in volatile compounds, with their otherwise dry nest material. In this field study we investigated whether these herbs reduce ectoparasites and thereby protect nestlings (the nest protection hypothesis). We also considered whether volatile compounds in herbs improve the condition of nestlings (the drug hypothesis). As measures of condition we used body mass, haematocrit levels and immunological parameters. We replaced 148 natural starling nests with artificial ones: half contained herbs and half (controls) contained grass. The ectoparasite loads (mites, lice, fleas) in herb and control nests were indistinguishable. However, nestlings in herb nests weighed more and had higher haematocrit levels at fledging than nestlings in control nests. Fledging success was similar in herb and control nests, but more yearlings from herb nests were identified in the colony the year after hatching. The response of the immune system when challenged with phytohaemagglutinin did not differ in nestlings from herb and control nests. Nestlings from herb nests had more basophils and fewer lymphocytes in their blood than those from control nests, while the eosinophil and heterophil counts did not differ. We conclude that herbs do not reduce the number of ectoparasites, but they improve the condition of nestlings, perhaps by stimulating elements of the immune system that help them to cope better with the harmful activities of ectoparasites. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.     

石豆兰属植物化学成分及药理活性研究进展

石豆兰属植物由于近年来同科石斛属植物的过度采挖,而作为名贵中药石斛类药材使用。为了解其化学成分及能否替代石斛,对石豆兰属植物的化学成分及药理活性研究进展进行了综述。研究表明,从石豆兰属植物一共分得化合物60多个,包括菲类、联苄、苯丙素、黄酮、甾体和挥发性成分等结构类型。药理实验表明．广东石豆兰具有抗肿瘤作用。开展国产石豆兰属植物的研究,对发现新的药用活性成分及资源保护有重要意义。     

A new ecdysteroid with unique 9beta-OH and four other ecdysteroids from Silene italica ssp. nemoralis

A new natural ecdysteroid, 9beta,20-dihydroxyecdysone (1) and four related compounds 5alpha-20-hydroxyecdysone (2), 5alpha-2-deoxy-integristerone A (3), integristerone A (4) and 22-deoxy-integristerone A (5) were isolated from the herb of Silene italica ssp. nemoralis. Compound 1 is the C-9 epimer of the known 9alpha,20-dihydroxyecdysone (6) and represents a peculiar steroid skeleton. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, IR and MS spectroscopy.     

Polyphenols from Cornulaca monacantha

The aerial parts of the Egyptian herb Cornulaca monacantha have yielded two new galloyltannin analogs (named monacanthin A and monacanthin B) characterized by protoctechuoyl moiety at C-6, and also a new flavonol glycoside, quercetin-4'-O-beta-D-galactoside. The structures of the new compounds were established by conventional analytical methods and confirmed by spectral analyses. Two known flavonoids, luteolin-7-O-rhamnoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, and two known gallotannins, penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose and 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose were also isolated.     

Studies on the Chemical Constituents of Erycibe hainanesis

Five compounds have been isolated from the stem of Erycibe hainanesis Merr. They were identified as scopoletin (1), scopolin (2), baogongteng A (3), baogongteng C (4) and erycibelline (5) by spectral analyses as well as chemical methods. The derivatives, 4m, 5m and 5ma, are new tropane compounds', their spectral data and physical constants are reported in this paper. Erycibe hainanesis Merr. may replace Erycibe obtusifolia Benth. as a medicinal herb, and it is yet one of the plant resources of new myotic baogongteng A.     

Aza‐Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Saruma henryi

A new azafluoranthene alkaloid, named sarumine ( 1 ), along with six known N‐containing derivatives of phenanthrenes, 2 – 7 , were isolated from the whole herb of Saruma henryi. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, antimicrobial activities of all compounds were evaluated.     

Discovery, total synthesis, HRV 3C-protease inhibitory activity, and structure–activity relationships of 2-methoxystypandrone and its analogues

2-Methoxystypandrone, a naphthoquinone, was isolated from a Chinese herb Polygonum cuspidatum by bioassay guided fractionation using HRV 3C-protease assay. It showed an IC₅₀ value of 4.6 μM and is moderately selective. A new 10-step, total synthesis of 2-methoxystypandrone was accomplished in 45% overall yield using a Diels–Alder approach. Several analogues of this compound were prepared. Isolation, synthesis and HRV 3C-protease structure–activity relationships of these compounds have been described.     

Effect of water and temperature stress on the content of active constituents of Hypericum brasiliense Choisy.

Hypericum brasiliense is a medicinal herb containing several compounds with important pharmacological activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of water stress (waterlogging and drought) and temperature (low and high, constant and alternate) on the content of betulinic acid and phenolic compounds (quercetin, rutin, 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone, isouliginosin B) in this species. In general, the water stress increased the levels of all of the compounds analyzed, particularly some of the phenolic compounds. On the other hand, the responses to alternating temperatures varied according to the compound. The results for plants kept in growth chambers indicated that low light intensity might have influenced the levels of the compounds. There was also a reallocation of carbon, with water-stressed plants showing a reduction in growth while the levels of the compounds increased. In the temperature treatments, such an increase was evident only for the phenolic compounds.     

Fernane and multiflorane triterpene ketols from Euphorbia supina

Two new triterpene ketols were isolated from the whole herb of Euphorbia supina; one of these compounds, named supinenolone E, was confirmed to be 3β-hydroxy-D:C-friedo-B′: A′-neogammacer-8-en-7-one(3β-hydroxyfern-8-en-7-one) and the another to be 3β-hydroxy-D:C-friedo-olean-8-en-7-one (3β-hydroxymultuiflor-8-en-7-one) on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.     

Chemical constituents from Eucalyptus citriodora Hook leaves and their glucose transporter 4 translocation activities

Bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc fraction from the leaves of a Chinese medicinal herb, Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, resulted in the isolation of a new compound rhodomyrtosone E (1), along with 12 known compounds (2–13). The structure of the new compound was established by 1D and 2D NMR, MS data and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Betulinic acid (2) and corosolic acid (5) increased glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) translocation by 2.38 and 1.78-fold, respectively.     

Biotransformation of ginsenoside Rb1, crocin, amygdalin, geniposide, puerarin, ginsenoside Re, hesperidin, poncirin, glycyrrhizin, and baicalin by human fecal microflora and its relation to cytotoxicity against tumor cells

To understand the role of intestinal microflora in the biological effect of functional herbs, which have been used in Korea, Japan, and China as traditional medicines, and suggest new bioactive compounds transformed from herbal constituents, the metabolic activities of the functional herb components (ginsenoside Rb1, crocin, amygdalin, geniposide, puerarin, ginsenoside Re, poncirin, hesperidin, glycyrrhizin, and baicalin) toward their bioactive compounds (compound K, crocetin, benzaldehyde, genipin, daidzein, ginsenoside Rh1, ponciretin, hesperetin, 18b-glycyrrhetic acid, and baicalein) were measured in fecal specimens. The metabolic activities of these components were 882.7 +/- 814.5, 3,938.1+/- 2,700.8, 2,375.5 +/- 913.7, 1,179.4 +/- 795.7, 24.6 +/- 10.5, 11.4 +/- 10.8, 578.8+/- 206.1, 1,150.0+/- 266.1, 47.3 +/- 58.6, and 12,253.0 +/- 6,527.6 mmol/h/g, respectively. No differences were found in the metabolic activities of the tested components between males and females, although these metabolic activities between individuals are extensively different. The metabolites of functional herb components showed more potent cytotoxicity against tumor cells than nonmetabolites. These findings suggest that intestinal microflora may activate the pharmacological effect of herbal food and medicines and must be the biocatalytic converter for the transformation of herbal components to bioactive compounds.     

Isolation and chemical modification of clerodane diterpenoids from Salvia species as potential agonists at the kappa-opioid receptor

The clerodane diterpenoid salvinorin A (1), the main active component of the psychotropic herb Salvia divinorum, has been reported to be a potent agonist at the kappa-opioid receptor. Computer modeling suggested that splendidin (2) from S. splendens, as well as related compounds, might possess similar activities. In the present study, this hypothesis was tested by determination of the binding properties of a series of structural congeners, compounds 2-8, at the mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors. However, none of these compounds showed significant binding to any of the opioid-receptor subtypes, thus disproving the above hypothesis. The novel compounds 7 and 8 were obtained semi-synthetically by selective modification of salvifarin (5), isolated from Salvia farinacea, upon epoxide-ring opening with AcOH in the presence of indium(III) triflate. Also, the X-ray crystal structure of salvifaricin (6; Fig.), obtained from S. farinacea, was determined for the first time and used, in combination with in-depth NMR experiments, to elucidate the absolute configurations of the new products. Our experiments demonstrate that the relatively well-accessible diterpenoid 6 could be used as starting material for future studies into the structure-activity relationship at the kappa-opioid receptor.     

Two New Oleanane-Triterpenoid Saponins from Clinopodium gracile

Two new oleanane-triterpenoid saponins, clinograsaponins A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), together with twelve known ones ( 3 – 14 ), were isolated from the whole herb of Clinopodium gracile (Bentham) Matsumura. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical method. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their activities against ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).     

日光紫外线B辐射对甜荞苯丙烷代谢的影响

对甜荞(Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)苯丙烷次生代谢受紫外线B辐射的响应进行了研究.结果表明:不仅卢丁、槲皮素等黄酮类化合物含量在紫外线B辐射下显著升高,而且叶片苯丙烷单环酚类化合物,如阿魏酸含量等也大幅度升高,两类化合物的应激提高对甜荞的UV-B胁迫提供了重要的保护作用.