In vitro estrogenic activity of Achillea millefolium L.

Isolation and biological characterization of pure compounds was used to identify and characterize estrogenic activity and estrogen receptors (ER) preference in chemical components of Achillea millefolium. This medicinal plant is used in folk medicine as an emmenagogue. In vitro assay, based on recombinant MCF-7 cells, showed estrogenic activity in a crude extract of the aerial parts of A. millefolium. After fractionation of the crude extract with increasing polar solvents, estrogenic activity was found in the methanol/water fraction. Nine compounds were isolated and characterized by HR-MS spectra and 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. In particular, dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside - a glycosyl-neolignan - was isolated for the first time from the genus Achillea in addition to six flavone derivatives, apigenin, apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, luteolin-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, rutin, and two caffeic acid derivatives, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and chlorogenic acid. Apigenin and luteolin, the most important estrogenic compounds among those tested, were studied for their ability to activate alpha or beta estrogen receptors (ERalpha, ERbeta) using transiently transfected cells. Our results suggest that isolation and biological characterization of estrogenic compounds in traditionally used medicinal plants could be a first step in better assessing further (e.g. in vivo) tests of nutraceutical and pharmacological strategies based on phytoestrogens.     

Guaianolides from Centaurea canariensis

The aerial parts of Centaurea canariensis afforded four new guaianolides, all closely related to dehydrocostus lactone, and a derivative of costic acid. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

Terpenoids and a flavan-3-ol from viguiera quinqueradiata

The isolation is reported of the new natural products from Viguiera quinqueradiata, acetylleptocarpin and (2R,3S-4′-hydroxy-3′,5,7-tri-O-methyl-flavan-3-ol. The diterpenes 15α-angeloyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, 15α-tigloyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and the sesquiterpene lactones leptocarpin and budlein A were also found.     

Pseudoguaianolides related to confertin from Stevia isomeca

The aerial parts of Stevia isomeca afforded, in addition to known compounds, four new sesquiterpene lactones, three pseudoguaianolides related to stevin and a xanthanolide. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformations.     

Guaianolides from the leaves of Centaurea incana

Six guaianolides have been isolated from the aerial parts of Centaurea incana from Algeria. They were identified as desoxyrepin, repin or subluteolide, repin monochlorhydrin, acroptilin, janerin and repdiolide triol.     

Further glaucolides from south african Vernonia species

The investigation of three South African Vernonia species afforded minute amounts of five new glaucolides, two monoepoxides and three diepoxides. The structures were elucidated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The roots of Vernonia sutherlandii contain, in addition to vernonataloide, bergamotene and santalene, minute amounts of the corresponding acetoxy derivatives.     

2-Acetoxy-3α,4α-epoxy-3,4-dihydrokauniolide from grosvenoria coelocaulis

The aerial parts of Grosvenoria coelocaulis gave the known guaianolides dehydroleucodin, desacetoxymatricarin, kauniolide and a new one, 2β-acetoxy-3α,4α-epoxy-3,4-dihydrokauniolide.     

Guaianolides and lignans from Centaurea solstitialis subs Schouwii

Aerial parts of Centaurea solstitialis subs schouwii afforded the guaianolides cynaropicrin and aguerin B and the lignans arctigenin and matairesinol. The structure of a third guaianolide previously found also in Centaurea behen was revised.     

Picridin and dihydropicridin: Revised structures

The structures of dihydropicridin and picridin, two sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Picridiumcristallinum Sch. Bip., are revised. Desacetylmatricarin and ψ-taraxasterol were also obtained from the same plant.     

Guaianolides from Saussurea affinis

Cynaropicrin, 11βH-11,13-dihydrodesacylcynaropicrin, aguerins A and B, isoamberboin and the new guaianolides saussureolide and 11βH-11,13-dihydrodesacylcynaropicrin 8-β-d-glucoside were isolated from Saussurea affinis.     

Elemanolides from Zinnia peruviana

Zinnia peruviana from Honduras afforded two new acetal-type elemanolides as well as a mixture consisting primarily of zinaflorin III.     

Sesquiterpene lactones from Sonchus macrocarpus

Eight sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the roots of Sonchus macrocarpus. The eudesmanolides 15-hydroxy-4β, 15-dihydroreynosin and 15-hydroxy-4β, 15, 11β, 13-tetrahydroreynosin were isolated for the first time.     

Germacranolides from Eupatoriastrum nelsonii

The aerial parts of Eupatoriastrum nelsonii afforded, in addition to known sesquiterpene lactones, four new lactones all closely related to the germacranolides isolated previously from other genera of the tribe Eupatorieae. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Chemotaxonomic aspects are discussed briefly.     

Eudesmanolides from Pluchea dioscoridis

Reinvestigation of the aerial parts of Pluchea dioscoridis afforded, in addition to known compounds, five new eudesmanolides and a new thiophene derivative. The stereochemistry of one of the eudesmanolides isolated previously has been corrected. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

Terpenoids from Achillea distans Waldst. & Kit. ex Willed

The flower heads of Achillea distans afforded nine new sesquiterpene lactones (one glaucolide, six guaianolides and two dimeric lactones) in addition to 18 known terpenoids. The structures and stereochemistry of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The stereochemistry of 11,13-dihydroezomontanin was revised.     

Xanthanolides from Xanthium indicum

From the aerial parts of Xanthium indicum, in addition to known compounds, two new xanthanolides were isolated and the stereochemistry of xanthumin     

Xanthanolides from Xanthium spinosum

The aerial parts of Xanthium spinosum afforded in addition to known xanthanolides three new ones. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by partial synthesis. Furthermore one lactone was transformed to a known derivative.     

Guaianolides from Centaurea kotschyi

The aerial parts of Centaurea kotschyi (var. kotschyi) afforded, besides three known sesquiterpene lactones, a new derivative of linichlorin B.