Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Croton celtidifolius bark.

Croton celtidifolius Baill commonly known as "sangue-de-adave" is a tree found in the Atlantic Forest of south of Brazil, mainly in Santa Catarina. The bark and leaf infusions of this medicinal plant have been popularly used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this study we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of crude extract (CE), aqueous fraction (AqF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), butanolic fraction (BuF) and catechin, gallocatechin and sub-fractions, 19SF, 35SF and 63SF that contained a mixture of proanthocyanidins and were derived from the EAF fraction. The CE, AqF, EAF, BuF, catechin and sub-fractions 35SF and 63SF reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan. The CE, fractions, sub-fractions and isolated compounds showed antioxidant properties in vitro, all were able to scavenge superoxide anions at a concentration of 100 microg ml(-1). The EAF, catechin and gallocatechin were most effective in the deoxyribose assay, IC50 0.69 (0.44-1.06), 0.20 (0.11-0.39), 0.55 (0.28-1.08) microg x ml(-1) respectively. The CE and other fractions and sub-fractions inhibited deoxyribose degradation up to 1 microg x ml(-1). In the hydrophobic system only AqF did not show lipid peroxidation inhibition. The CE, other fractions, sub-fractions and isolated compounds inhibited lipidid peroxidation only at a concentration of 100 microg x ml(-1). In summary, this study demonstrates that Croton celtidifolius bark has significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.     

Antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activities of the medicinal plant Primula macrophylla

Primula macrophylla (Primulaceae) is reported as to be useful in asthma, restlessness, insomnia and fish poisoning. Antifungal and toxic activities of crude extract, fractions and a pure isolated compound exhibited statistically significant activities. Excellent antifungal activity was found in the crude extract, benzene and ethyl acetate fractions against T. longifusis and against M. canis with different MIC values. Antileishmanial activity (IC(50) = 50ug/mL) was observed as compared to standard drug Amphotericin B, and cytotoxic activity (LD(50) = 47.919microg/mL) was also found in the chloroform fraction. While pure compound 2-phenylchromone (Flavone) isolated from the chloroform fraction showed good activity (IC(50) = 25microg/mL) against Leishmania and cytotoxicity (LD(50) = 2.0116 microg/mL) in Brine Shrimp experiments. From antileishmanial and cytotoxic activity it can be concluded that 2-phenylchromone is the major compound responsible for these activities.     

朱砂根抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶与抗氧化活性研究

对朱砂根抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶与抗氧化活性进行研究.利用96微孔板法筛选α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制活性;采用DPPH、ABTS和FRAP方法分析抗氧化活性.结果表明,乙酸乙酯部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶的活性最高(IC50=39.27 μg/mL),石油醚部位次之(IC50 =56.11 μg/mL),正丁醇部位活性最弱(IC50=62.05μg/mL),但均远大于阳性对照Acarbose(IC50=1081.27 μg/mL);乙酸乙酯部位抗氧化能力最强,正丁醇部位次之.乙酸乙酯部位清除DPPH自由基(IC50=38.55 mg/L)的能力比BHT( IC50=18.71 mg/L)低1/2,清除ABTS自由基的能力(IC50=3.60 mg/L)比BHT(IC50=7.44 mg/L)强,但比BHA(IC50=1.74 mg/L)弱,还原Fe3+的能力(FRAP=512.99 ±6.80 μmoTE/g)为BHT(FRAP=1581.68±97.41μmol TE/g)的1/3.结果显示朱砂根乙酸乙酯部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶和抗氧化活性最好.     

Target-guided isolation and purification of antioxidants from Selaginella sinensis by offline coupling of DPPH-HPLC and HSCCC experiments

Selaginella sinensis (Selaginellaceae) is used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of many kinds of chronic diseases. In this study, fractionation of the methanol extract of S. sinensis by different polarity solvents indicated the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited an potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with the IC(50) value of 44.9 μM. In order to evaluate the scientific basis, antioxidant peaks were firstly screened using DPPH spiking test through high performance liquid chromatography (DPPH-HPLC). Under the target-guidance of DPPH-HPLC experiment, two flavonoids and six biflavonoids, quercetin (1), apigenin (2), amentoflavone (3), robustaflavone (4), 2,3-dihydroamentaflavone (5), hinokiflavone (6), 4'-O-methyl-robustaflavone (7) and ginkgetin (8) were separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) method using n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (8:8:9:7) as the solvent system with purities 98.2%, 97.6%, 99.4%, 92.3%, 98.5%, 98.9% and 99.6%, respectively. The structures were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Antioxidant activity of eight isolated compounds was assessed by the radical scavenging effect on DPPH radical, compound 1 showed strongest antioxidant activities with IC(50) values of 3.2 μM, while compounds 2-8 showed weak antioxidant activities. This is the first report on simultaneous separation of eight antioxidant compounds from S. sinensis by HSCCC, moreover, apigenin and 4'-O-methyl-robustaflavone were first identified from this plant. Results of the present study indicated that the combinative method using DPPH-HPLC and HSCCC could be widely applied for rapid screening and isolating of antioxidants from complex TCM extract.     

Secondary metabolites of ponderosa lemon (Citrus pyriformis) and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities

Column chromatography of the dichloromethane fraction from an aqueous methanolic extract of fruit peel of Citrus pyriformis Hassk. (Rutaceae) resulted in the isolation of seven compounds including one coumarin (citropten), two limonoids (limonin and deacetylnomilin), and four sterols (stigmasterol, ergosterol, sitosteryl-3-beta-D-glucoside, and sitosteryl-6'-O-acyl-3-beta-D-glucoside). From the ethyl acetate fraction naringin, hesperidin, and neohesperidin were isolated. The dichloromethane extract of the defatted seeds contained three additional compounds, nomilin, ichangin, and cholesterol. The isolated compounds were identified by MS (EI, CI, and ESI), 1H, 13C, and 2D-NMR spectral data. The limonoids were determined qualitatively by LC-ESI/MS resulting in the identification of 11 limonoid aglycones. The total methanolic extract of the peel and the petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions were screened for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited a significant scavenging activity for DPPH free radicals (IC50 = 132.3 microg/mL). The petroleum ether fraction inhibited 5-lipoxygenase with IC50 = 30.6 microg/mL indicating potential anti-inflammatory properties. Limonin has a potent cytotoxic effect against COS7 cells [IC50 = (35.0 +/- 6.1) microM] compared with acteoside as a positive control [IC50 = (144.5 +/- 10.96) microM].     

Two New Coumarins from Fraxinus chinensis Rexb.

The ethanol extract of the stem bark of Fraxinus chinensis Roxb. showed good inhibitory bioactivity against VEGF receptor-1 kinase （IC50：13.8 μg/mL）. In order to find new and bioactive compounds, the chemical constituents of the stem bark of F. chinensis were investigated and two new coumarins, namely 6＇-O-sinapinoyl esculin （compound 1） and 6＇-O-vanillyl esculin （compound 2）, together with eleven known compounds （compounds 3-13） were isolated. The structures of the two new compounds were identified by their physicochemical properties and spectral analysis, particularly one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectral methods. The known compound, oleuropein （compound 11）, exhibited moderate activity （IC50：（8.7 ± 1.3） μmol/L） to inhibit VEGF receptor- 1 kinase.     

Antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activities of the medicinal plant Primula macrophylla

Primula macrophylla (Primulaceae) is reported as to be useful in asthma, restlessness, insomnia and fish poisoning. Antifungal and toxic activities of crude extract, fractions and a pure isolated compound exhibited statistically significant activities. Excellent antifungal activity was found in the crude extract, benzene and ethyl acetate fractions against T. longifusis and against M. canis with different MIC values. Antileishmanial activity (IC₅₀ = 50ug/mL) was observed as compared to standard drug Amphotericin B, and cytotoxic activity (LD₅₀ = 47.919μg/mL) was also found in the chloroform fraction. While pure compound 2-phenylchromone (Flavone) isolated from the chloroform fraction showed good activity (IC₅₀ = 25μg/mL) against Leishmania and cytotoxicity (LD₅₀ = 2.0116 μg/mL) in Brine Shrimp experiments. From antileishmanial and cytotoxic activity it can be concluded that 2-phenylchromone is the major compound responsible for these activities.     

Bio-guided isolation of potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agents from the stem bark of Trilepisium madagascariense

Aim

This study describes the activity-guided isolation of antimicrobial and antioxidant agents from Trilepisium madagascariense stem bark.

Methods

The methanol crude extract of T. madagascariense was partitioned sequentially into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and the residual aqueous fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds were elucidated using GC-MS and/or NMR data by comparing with those reported in the literature. Antimicrobial activity was assayed by agar well diffusion and broth microdilution techniques on 8 bacteria and 10 yeasts. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method.

Results

The bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude methanol extract of T. madagascariense afforded two known compounds [vanillic acid () and isoliquiritigenin ()] and two mixtures of fatty acids (n-hexane fraction and first column fraction of ethyl acetate fraction, F1). The fractionation of the crude methanol extract enhanced the antimicrobial activity. Compound 2 was generally more active than compound 1. For all the tested samples, the most sensitive microbes were Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 10541 (MIC range of 60-780 μg/ml) for bacteria and Candida guillermondi (MIC range of 0.01-190 μg/ml) for yeasts. The DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSa) of compound 2 (RSa₅₀ = 28.73 μg/ml) was comparable to that of the crude methanol extract (RSa₅₀ = 29.92 μg/ml).

Conclusion

The antimicrobial activities and the antioxidant properties of the methanol crude extract, fractions and compounds 1 and 2 from the stem bark of T. madagascariense are being reported for the first time. These results may justify the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.     

Bioactivity assay of extracts from Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana bark

Alcoholic extracts from bark of Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana Florin (Cupressaceae) were extracted successively using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, 1-butanol and water, which gave 34.8%, 34.1%, 24.1%, 3.3% and 3.7% soluble fractions, respectively. Antioxidation activity of these fractions by DPPH assay and dissimilar IC50 values of the DPPH showed that ethyl acetate fraction had the best antioxidant activity; its IC50 was 2.6 microg/ml. Analyses of the composition and anti-inflammatory activity of the subfractions from n-C6H14 fraction showed that the T3 and H5ppt had the best anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated murine macrophage J774A. 1 cells, respectively; moreover, their major constituent was sugiol (T3 37.1%, H5ppt 81.1%), which at dosages of 10 microg/ml inhibited proIL-1beta protein production completely. Furthermore, the T1 also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, and its major constituent was ferruginol (above 85.6%).     

凹叶厚朴抑制α-糖苷酶与抗氧化活性研究

首次采用96微孔板法检测贵州和河南产凹叶厚朴抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性;并采用DPPH、ABTS和FRAP三种方法测定其抗氧化活性.贵州产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯(IC50 =7.22 μg,/mL)和正丁醇提取部位(IC50=36.59 μg/mL),河南产凹叶厚朴石油醚(IC50=107.04 μg/mL)和乙酸乙酯提取部位(IC50=17.17μg/mL),它们的活性都远高于于阳性对照Acarhose( IC50=1081.27 μg/mL).贵州产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯提取部位清除ABTS自由基的能力最强(IC50=8.81 μg/mL),强于阳性对照BHT(IC50=11.94 μg/mL);其次为河南产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯提取部位(IC50=12.73 μg/mL).研究结果表明,贵州产凹叶厚朴乙酸乙酯提取部位抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶和抗氧化活性最好.     

Antioxidant activities and phytochemical characteristics of extracts from Acacia confusa bark

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activities of bark extract of Acacia confusa and some of the isolated constituents from its ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction in various in vitro systems to gain mechanistic insights. Results from antioxidant assays together with authentic antioxidant standards revealed that EtOAc fraction showed strong superoxide radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferrous ion-chelating ability. Following an in vitro antioxidant activity-guided fractionation procedure, 16 constituents including 12 benzoic acids, three cinnamic acids and one lignans were isolated and identified from the EtOAc fraction. We also evaluated the structure-activity relationships of benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives. Results obtained indicated that the bark extracts and the derived phytochemicals from A. confusa have a great potential to prevent disease caused by the overproduction of radicals and also it might be used as a potential source of natural antioxidant agent.     

南海柳珊瑚Isis sp.化学成分的研究

从中国南沙采集的柳珊瑚Ｉｓｉｓ ｓｐ。中分离出四个有机化合物,通过ＵＶ,ＩＲ,ＭＳ,＾１Ｈ－ＮＭＲ和＾１３Ｃ－ＮＭＲ分析以及化学转换的方法,确定了它们的结构分别为：Ｈｉｐｐｕｒｉｓｔａｎｏｌ（１）,Δ＾４．５（Ｅ）、Δ＾９．１０（Ｚ）－鞘氨醇－正十五碳酸酰胺（２）,胸腺嘧啶（３）和尿嘧啶（４）。其中化合物（２）为新结构的神经酰胺,被命名为Ｉｓｉｍａｍｉｄｅ,其它为已知化合物。     

Tectoridin from Maackia amurensis modulates both estrogen and thyroid receptors

AimThe stem bark of Maackia amurensis has been used as folk medicine for the treatment of cancer, cholecystitis, arthritis, and hyperthyroidism in females. In this study we examined the effects of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the 70% ethanol extract of M. amurensis and tectoridin, an active constituent isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction on thyroid and estrogen hormone activity.MethodsThe effect of the ethanolic extract of M. amurensis stem bark on thyroid hormone activity was evaluated using thyroid hormone responsive-luciferase assay. We isolated tectoridin from the ethyl acetate fraction using a recrystallization method. T-screen assays were used to confirm thyroid hormone activity. The estrogenic activity of the ethyl acetate fraction of M. amurensis and tectoridin was evaluated by estrogen responsive-luciferase assay and estrogen receptor alpha regulation as compared to 17β-estradiol.ResultsBoth the ethyl acetate fraction and tectoridin activated thyroid-responsive reporters and increased thyroid hormone-dependent proliferation of rat pituitary GH3 cells, indicating modulation of thyroid hormone receptors. In parallel, the estrogenic activity of the fraction and tectoridin were characterized in a transient transfection system using estrogen-responsive luciferase plasmids in MCF-7 cells. The ethyl acetate fraction and tectoridin activated reporter gene expression and decreased the estrogen receptor protein level.ConclusionsThese data indicate that tectoridin acts as a weak phytoestrogen as well as a thyroid hormone-like agent by activating both estrogen and thyroid hormone receptors.     

Antioxidant potential of n-butanol fraction from extract of Jasminum mesnyi Hance leaves

Methanolic extract of Jasminum mesnyi Hance leaves having antidiabetic activity was subjected to fractionation to obtain antioxidant and antihyperglycemic rich fraction. Different concentrations of ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were subjected to antioxidant assay by DPPH method, nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power assay. The fractions showed dose dependent free radical scavenging property in all the models. IC50 values for ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were 153.45 +/- 6.65 and 6.22 +/- 0.25 microg/ml, respectively, as compared to L-ascorbic acid and rutin (as standards; IC50 values 6.54 +/- 0.24 and 5.43 +/- 0.21 microg/ml, respectively) in DPPH model. In nitric oxide scavenging activity, IC50 values were 141.54 +/- 9.95 microg/ml, 35.12 +/- 1.58 microg/ml, 21.06 +/- 0.95 microg/ml and 29.93 +/- 0.32 microg/ml for ethyl acetate, n-butanol fractions, L-ascorbic acid and rutin, respectively. n-Butanol fraction showed a good reducing potential and better free radical scavenging activity as compared to ethyl acetate fraction. Potent antioxidant n-butanol fraction showed better oral glucose tolerance test (antihyperglycemic) at par with metformin (standard drug), n-Butanol fraction contained secoiridoid glycosides which might be responsible for both antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity.     

Caesalpinia palmeri: First Report on the Phenolic Compounds Profile,Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Effect

This study aimed to determine the phenolic compounds profile, antioxidant potential and cytotoxicity of extracts and fractions of Caesalpinia palmeri. Methanolic extracts were generated from C. palmeri berries, stems and flowers. The latter was subjected to liquid-liquid partition, obtaining hexane, ethyl acetate and residues fractions. Results showed that the flower extract and ethyl acetate fraction had a larger concentration of phenolic compounds (148.9 and 307.9 mg GAE/g, respectively), being ellagic acid (6233.57 and 19550.08 μg/g, respectively), quercetin-3-β-glycoside (3023.85 and 8952.55 μg/g, respectively) and gallic acid (2212.98 and 8422.34 μg/g, respectively) the most abundant compounds. Flower extract and ethyl acetate fraction also presented the highest antioxidant capacity on all tested methods (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and FRAP) and low cytotoxicity against ARPE-19 cells (IC₅₀ >170 μg/mL). C. palmeri possessed high antioxidant potential, associated with the presence of phenolic compounds and low cytotoxicity, suggesting that they could represent an option to counter oxidative stress.     

Antioxidant activity of leaf extracts from Bauhinia monandra

Bauhinia monandra Kurz. is used in Brazil for the treatment of diabetes. Since this activity may be correlated with the presence of antioxidant compounds, leaf extracts of B. monandra were evaluated for their radical scavenging capacity (RSC). An ethanolic extract was taken up in aqueous methanol and partitioned with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate to yield three organic extracts together with remaining aqueous extract. The RSC was determined spectrophotometrically using 1,1-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH). The chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts were the most appropriate as sources of antioxidant compounds as shown by their inhibition concentration (IC50) and inhibition percentage (IP) values. The antioxidant activity of such extracts was attributed to the presence of three compounds of different polarities (flavonoids and steroids). The chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited an IC50 of approximately 2 mg/g DPPH and IP values in the range of 60-65%. The results indicate that the extracts of B. monandra have a very potent antioxidant activity, compared with the pure catechins used as positive controls and with other plant extracts.     

Antioxidant activity of Baccharis articulata extracts: isolation of a new compound with antioxidant activity

Baccharis articulata is traditionally used as diuretic and digestive in local folk medicine of south of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The antioxidant activity of crude ethanol and aqueous extracts, together with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n -butanol fractions obtained from aqueous extract of B. articulata was determined using TRAP and TBARS assays. The n -butanol fraction was found to be the most active and its major compound ( BaII ) was isolated, identified and assayed. The structure of the phenolic compound BaII was established by means of spectroscopic and chemical methods as 4'- O - β- d -glucopyranosyl-3',5'-dimethoxybenzyl-caffeate. This previously unreported metabolite presented similar antioxidant capacity when compared to Trolox.     

白花蛇舌草化学成分的研究

从茜草科植物白花蛇舌草(Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd)Roxb.)的水提取物中分离得到三个化合物,1,2,3。经理化常数测定及UV,IR,NMR,MS分析以及衍生物制备等方法,鉴定化合物1为熊果酸,化合物2为齐墩果酸,化合物3为4,4′-二羟基-α-古柯间二酸,其中化合物3为首次从天然界分得。     

Bioguided Fractionation and Isolation of an Antiplasmodial Saponin from the Roots of Nauclea xanthoxylon (A.Chev.) Aubrév. (Rubiaceae)

The root extract of Nauclea xanthoxylon (A.Chev.) Aubrév. displayed significant 50 % inhibition concentration (IC₅₀s) of 0.57 and 1.26 μg/mL against chloroquine resistant and sensitive Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) Dd2 and 3D7 strains, respectively. Bio-guided fractionation led to an ethyl acetate fraction with IC₅₀s of 2.68 and 1.85 μg/mL and subsequently, to the new quinovic acid saponin named xanthoxyloside ( 1 ) with IC₅₀s of 0.33 and 1.30 μM, respectively against the tested strains. Further compounds obtained from ethyl acetate and hexane fractions were the known clethric acid ( 2 ), ursolic acid ( 3 ), quafrinoic acid ( 4 ), quinovic acid ( 5 ), quinovic acid 3-O-β-D-fucopyranoside ( 6 ), oleanolic acid ( 7 ), oleanolic acid 3-acetate ( 8 ), friedelin ( 9 ), β-sitosterol ( 10a ), stigmasterol ( 10b ) and stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 11 ). Their structures were characterised with the aid of comprehensive spectroscopic methods (1 and 2D NMR, Mass). Bio-assays were performed using nucleic acid gel stain (SYBR green I)-based fluorescence assay with chloroquine as reference. Extracts and compounds exhibited good selectivity indices (SIs) of >10. Significant antiplasmodial activities measured for the crude extract, the ethyl acetate fraction and xanthoxyloside ( 1 ) from that fraction can justify the use of the root of N. xanthoxylon in ethnomedicine to treat malaria.