Chalcone glycosides isolated from aerial parts of Brassica rapa L. ‘hidabeni’ suppress antigen-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells

We isolated three chalcone glycosides along with other glycoside constituents from the aerial parts of Brassica rapa L. ‘hidabeni’ and examined the effects of these compounds on the antigen-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. Treatments with both 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-3′-methoxychalcone (C1) and 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3′,4-dimethoxychalcone (C2) markedly inhibited antigen (Ag)-stimulated degranulation. To gain further insight into the inhibitory mechanisms by C1 and C2, we examined early intracellular signaling events, Ca²⁺ mobilization and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Both C1 and C2 did not affect early intracellular signaling events but exhibited the suppression of intracellular ROS production through NADPH oxidase (NOX) inactivation. From these results, we proposed that the inhibitory effects of C1 and C2 on Ag-stimulated degranulation were mainly due to suppression of intracellular Ca²⁺ elevation by suppression of intracellular ROS production through NOX inactivation. Our findings suggest that C1 and C2 would be beneficial to alleviate symptoms of type I allergy.     

In vitro: Régénération de plants de fraisier à partir de fragments de pétioles et de bourgeons floraux

Strawberry plants have been regenerated from petioles and flower buds Petiole segments derived from strawberry plants(Fragaria vesca L. andFragaria xananassa Duch. cvs. Gorella and Redgauntlet) maintainedin vitro have been cultured on the Gambobg’s. agar medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2 mg 1?¹) either alone or with kinetin or BAP (0.1 mg I?¹ or 1 mg I?¹). The calli thus obtained have been transferred to media differing from the first ones only by the nature and the concentration of the growth regulators used. One or two months later, shoots appeared on these calli. The influence of the media hormonal content on plant regeneration has been observed. Moreover, genotypic variations have also been investigated: the wild strawberry exhibited the greatest organogenic capacity. Shoots have also been obtained from flower buds(Fragaria xananassa Duch. cvs. Fern, Hummi Gento, Gorella and Redgauntlet). In this case, shoots appeared directly on small calli derived from the peduncular base of the flower buds. These regenerations have been observed, without changes of media, on the Lee and de Fossabd’s agar medium.     

Inhibitory effects of flavonoids isolated from Fragaria ananassa Duch on IgE-mediated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3

We isolated the 4 kinds of flavonoids from strawberry ‘Nohime’ and examined the effect of these flavonoids on the degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells. The flavonoids were found to suppress the degranulation from Ag-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells to different extents. To disclose the inhibitory mechanism of degranulation by flavonoids, we examined their effects on the intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) and the intracellular signaling pathway such as Lyn, Syk, and PLCγs. The intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) was elevated by FcεRI activation, but these flavonoid treatments reduced the elevation of [Ca²⁺]i by suppressing Ca²⁺ influx. Kaempferol strongly suppressed the activation of Syk and PLCγs. It was thus suggested that suppression of Ag-stimulated degranulation by the flavonoids is mainly due to suppression of [Ca²⁺]i elevation and Syk activation. These results suggested that strawberry would be of some ameliorative benefit for the allergic symptoms.     

Microsatellite markers for Fragaria from ‘Strawberry Festival’ expressed sequence tags

We present 37 microsatellite primer pairs developed from a cDNA library of Fragaria ^xananassa Duch. cv. Strawberry Festival. Polymorphism was high and the number of presumptive alleles of 13 expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeats (EST–SSRs) in 70 strawberry cultivars ranged from five to 32 per primer pairs, averaging 16.1. Cross‐species amplification was also high and ranged from 89% in Fragaria vesca L. to 100% in the progenitor species of octoploid strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duch. and Fragaria virginiana Duch.     

Three new flavonol glycosides from Nervilia fordii

Three new flavonol glycosides, nervilifordizins A–C (1–3), were isolated from the whole plant of Nervilia fordii. Their structures were elucidated as rhamnazin 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), rhamnazin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) and rhamnazin 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HSQC, HMBC, ¹H–¹H COSY, and chemical evidences.     

Anti-inflammatory iridoid glycosides from fruits of Cornus officinalis

Three undescribed iridoid glycosides, cyc(7β-O-6′)-morroniside (1), 6′-methyl succinate-7β-O-methylmorroniside (2), and 7β-O-methyl phenyllactate morroniside (3) were isolated from 50% ethanol extract of Cornus officinalis fruits. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HRESIMS, ¹D NMR, ²D NMR, UV and IR spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activities in vivo in a CuSO₄-induced zebrafish inflammation model (when evaluated at 50 μM).     

Isolation and characterization of the chemical constituents from Plumeria rubra

Rubranonoside (=7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnaringenin; (1), a new flavanone glycoside, rubranin (=(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,16E)-2-hydroxyhexaeico-16-en]amino}octadecane-1,3,4-triol-1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside; (2), a new sphingolipid, rubradoid (plumieridine-1-O-β-d-galactopyranoside; (3), a new iridoid galactoside, rubrajaleelol (4) and rubrajaleelic acid (5), two new nor-terpenoids together with known iridoids: 1-α-plumieride (6), plumieride p-Z-coumarate (7) and plumieride-p-E-coumarate (8) have been isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of Plumeria rubra. Their structures were assigned from ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectra and 2D NMR analyses (COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC experiments) in combination with HRMS experiments and comparison with literature data of related compounds. All the isolates (1–8) were tested for their antioxidant, antiurease, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities and were found almost inactive.     

Canna indica flower: New source of anthocyanins

In this study the red flowers of Canna indica (Cannaceae) were extracted by using sonicator and isolation of anthocyanins have been carried out. Four anthocyanin pigments have been isolated apart from quercetin and lycopene. They are Cyanidin-3-O-(6′′-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside (1), Cyanidin-3-O-(6′′-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside (2), Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (3) and Cyanidin-O-β-galactopyranoside (4). These compounds were isolated by using HPLC and their structures were subsequently determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, i.e., ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, ESI-MS, FTIR, UV–Visible etc. The isolated compounds showed good antioxidant activity thus makes it suitable for use in food coloration and as a nutraceutical. Thus it is a promising pigment source for food applications.     

Chevalierinoside B and C: Two new isoflavonoid glycosides from the stem bark of Antidesma laciniatum Muell. Arg (syn. Antidesma chevalieri Beille)

Chevalierinosides B (1) and C (2), two new isoflavonoid glycosides, characterized as biochanin A 7-O-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside] and genistein 7-O-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside], together with the known isoflavonoids, chevalierinoside A (3) and genistein 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) and triterpenes, friedelin (6), betulinic acid (7), 30-oxobetulinic acid (8), 30-hydroxybetulinic acid (9), were isolated from the stem bark of Antidesma laciniatum Muell. Arg. (syn. Antidesma chevalieri Beille). Their structures were established by direct interpretation of their spectral data, mainly HR-TOFESIMS, 1D-NMR (¹H, ¹³C and DEPT) and 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC), and by comparison with the literature.     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study of Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht. ex J. Presl

Twenty-two compounds were isolated from the 70% EtOH–H₂O extract of Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht. ex J. Presl roots, and their structures were determined based on ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS spectroscopic data, including (+)-pinoresinol (1), matairesinol (2), 4-ethoxycinnamic acid (3), p-hydroxy ethyl cinnamate (4), 3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-2(E)-propenoic acid (5), methyl 4-hydroxycinnamate (6), radicol (7), cryptomeridiol (8), fraxinellone (9), diolmycin B2 (10), hederagonic acid (11), hederagenin (12), oleanolic acid (13), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-oleanolic acid (14), hederagenin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (15), 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (16), hederasaponin B (17), kizutasaponin K₁₂ (18), patrinia saponin H3 (19), hederacholichiside F (20), cernuoside A (21) and cernuoside B (22). Eight compounds (3–10) were isolated and identified from the genus Pulsatilla for the first time.     

Demonstration of auxin binding to strawberry fruit membranes

Presence of specific auxin-binding sites in strawberry fruit (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Ozark Beauty) membranes has been demonstrated. These 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)-binding sites in the 80,000g to 120,000g fraction of the strawberry fruit membrane were pronase sensitive with an estimated equilibrium dissociation constant for NAA of 1.1 × 10⁻⁶ molar. The minimum concentration of NAA required to stimulate strawberry fruit growth was at least one order of magnitude higher than the minimum concentration of NAA required to stimulate corn coleoptile elongation. This was consistent with the higher equilibrium dissociation constant (lower affinity) for auxin binding to strawberry fruit membranes than to corn coleoptiles. Twelve auxin analogs, ranging from very strong to weak auxins, were tested for abilities to stimulate in situ strawberry fruit growth and to bind (displace or compete with NAA) to strawberry fruit membranes. The observed positive correlation (r = 0.74) between the in vitro binding to the 80,000 to 120,000 membrane fraction and the in situ biological activity of these analogs indicated that the NAA-binding sites in strawberry fruit membranes may represent physiologically relevant auxin receptors.     

First example of ruthenium-azoimine-chloranilates: synthesis, structure, spectra and electrochemistry of ruthenium(II) 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole chloranilates, and correlation of electronic properties with ZINDO calculation

Ag⁺-assisted dechlorination of blue cis-trans-cis Ru(R-aai-R^′)₂Cl₂ followed by the reaction with chloranilic acid (H₂CA) in presence of Et₃N gives a neutral mononuclear violet complex [Ru(R-aai-R^′)₂(CA)]. [R-aai-R^′=p-R-C₆H₄-NN-C₃H₂-NN-1-R^′, abbreviated as N,N^′ chelator, where N(imidazole) and N(azo) represent N and N^′, respectively; R=H (a), Me (b), Cl (c) and R^′=Me (4), Et (5), CH₂Ph (6)]. The structure in one case, [Ru(Cl-aai-Et)₂(CA)] has been established by X-ray diffraction study. The π-π stacking and H-bonding network give a supramolecular ladder. All the complexes exhibit strong intense MLCT transition in the visible region and weak broad bands in higher wavelength (>700 nm). Visible transition (580-595 nm) shows negative solvatochromic effect. The cyclic voltammograms show two quasi-reversible to irreversible couples at positive to SCE and are due to CA⁻/CA²⁻ (1.2-1.4 V) and Ru(III)/Ru(II) (1.6-1.8 V) redox processes. Three couples negative to SCE are assigned to CA²⁻/CA³⁻ (−0.2 to −0.3 V) and azo reductions (−0.5 to −0.7, −0.8 to −0.9 V) of the chelated R-aai-R^′. The molecular orbital calculation (ZINDO/1, ZINDO/S) supports the spectral feature and electrochemical properties of the complexes.     

Alkenylresorcinols and cytotoxic activity of the constituents isolated from Labisia pumila

Phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), an important medicinal herb in Malaysia, has led to the isolation of 1-O-methyl-6-acetoxy-5-(pentadec-10Z-enyl)resorcinol (1), labisiaquinone A (2) and labisiaquinone B (3). Along with these, 16 known compounds including 1-O-methyl-6-acetoxy-5-pentadecylresorcinol (4), 5-(pentadec-10Z-enyl)resorcinol (5), 5-(pentadecyl)resorcinol (6), (−)-loliolide (7), stigmasterol (8), 4-hydroxyphenylethylamine (9), 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (10), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (11), (+)-catechin (12), (−)-epicatechin (13), kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-β-glycopyranoside (14), kaempferol-4′-O-β-glycopyranoside (15), quercetin-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (16), kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (17), (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid (18) and stigmasterol-3-O-β-glycopyranoside (19) were also isolated. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy techniques (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HSQC, NOESY and HMBC experiments), mass spectrometry and chemical derivatization. Among the constituents tested 1 and 4 exhibited strongest cytotoxic activity against the PC3, HCT116 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC₅₀ values ⩽10 μM), and they showed selectivity towards the first two-cell lines relative to the last one.     

Synthesis and cytokinin activity of N-acylaminodeazapurines

Three 7-acylaminoimidazo[4,5-b]pyridines, namely 7-pentanoylaminoimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (1), 7-benzoylaminoimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine(2), and 7-(2-furoylamino)imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine(3), six 4-acylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridines, namely 4-propionylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(4), 4-butyryl-aminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(5), 4-pentanoylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(6) 4-hexanoylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(7),4-benzoylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(8), and 4-(2-furoylamino)imidazo[4,5-c]-pyridine(9), and seven 7-acylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridines, namely 7-propionylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]-pyridine(10), 7-butyrylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(11), 7-pentanoylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(12), 7-hexanoylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(13), 7-benzoylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(14), 7-phenylacetylaminoimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(15), and 7-(2-furoylamino)imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine(16) were synthesized and tested for their cytokinin activity with the tobacco callus bioassay. 2 showed a cytokinin activity at 1 × 10⁻⁸ M and gave a callus yield about 72% of that produced by kinetin at 1 × 10⁻⁶ M. 1, 3 and 8 showed the optimum growth responses in the range of 10⁻⁷−10⁻⁶ M. 4, 5, 7, 9–16 were slightly active. These results support previous reports that a nitrogen atom at the 3-position in the purine ring plays an important role in conferring high cytokinin activity.     

Three new monoterpene glucosides and one new sorbitol ester identified from Sibiraea angustata with hypolipidemic activities in HepG2 cells

Three new monoterpene glycosides, sibiraglycoside L (1), M (2), N (3) and one new sorbitol ester, resibirate (4), together with four known compounds including caffeic acid glucitol ester (5), sibiscolacton C (6), geraniol-1-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-1-β-d-glucopyranoside] (7), and sibiraglycoside K (8), respectively, were isolated from an aqueous extract of the aerial portion of Sibiraea angustata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis (including ¹³CNMR,¹HNMR, HSQC, HMBC,¹H-¹H COSY, ROESY, HRESIMS, MS and CD experiments) and comparison to previously reported data. In addition, a preliminary evaluation of the hypolipidemic activities of these compounds is presented, some compounds showed moderate hypolipidemic activities in HepG2 cells.     

Identification of gibberellins in leaf exudates of strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassaDuch.)

Leaf exudates from the short-day (SD) strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Elsanta were analysedfor gibberellin (GA) content using combined gaschromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Comparison of full-scan mass spectra and Kovatsretention indices (KRIs) with those of standardsrevealed the presence of GA₁, GA₃, 3-epiGA₁ and GA₃-isolactone.     

Methylated anthocyanidin glycosides from flowers of Canna indica

Methylated anthocyanin glycosides were isolated from red Canna indica flower and identified as malvidin 3-O-(6-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside)-5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), malvidin 3,5-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (2), cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside (3), cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside (4), cyanidin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (5) and cyanidin-O-β-galactopyranoside (6) by HPLC-PDA. Their structures were subsequently determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, that is, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, ESI-MS, and UV-vis. Compounds (1-4) were found to be in major quantity while compounds (5-6) were in minor quantity.     

Flavonoids and phenolic acids from the aerial parts of Alyssum alyssoides L. (Brassicaceae)

Two phenolic acids (1 and 2) and seven flavonoids (3–9) were isolated from the aerial parts of Alyssum alyssoides (Brassicaceae). All these compounds (1–9) were isolated from this particular species for the first time. Their structures were identified, on the basis of MS and NMR spectra as: p-hydroxy-benzoic acid (1), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (vanillic acid) (2), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (astragalin) (3), kaempferol 3-O-(6″-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (nicotiflorin) (4), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (isoquercetin) (5), quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (hyperoside) (6), isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (8) and isorhamnetin 3-O-(6″-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (narcissin) (9). The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized.     

New spermidine alkaloids from Capparis spinosa roots

Three new spermidine alkaloids capparispine (1), capparispine 26-O-β-d-glucoside (2) and cadabicine 26-O-β-d-glucoside hydrochloride (3) were isolated from the roots of Capparis spinosa. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC).     

Anthocyanins from red flowers of Camellia cultivar 'Dalicha'

Five anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-β-xylopyranosyl-6-O-(Z)-p-coumaroyl)-β-galactopyranoside (2), cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-β-xylopyranosyl-6-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-β-galactopyranoside (3), cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-β-xylopyranosyl-6-O-(E)-caffeoyl)-β-galactopyranoside (4), cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-β-xylopyranosyl-6-O-acetyl)-β-galactopyranoside (5), and cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-β-xylopyranosyl-6-O-acetyl)-β-glucopyranoside (6), together with the known cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-β-xylopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside (1), were isolated from red flowers of Camellia cultivar ‘Dalicha’ (Camellia reticulata) by chromatography using open columns. Their structures were subsequently determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, i.e., ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, HR ESI-MS and UV-vis.