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Four new aster saponins (1–4) together with five known analogues (5–9) were isolated from Aster tataricus. The chemical structures of 1–4were elucidated based on spectrometric and spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. The potential anti-inflammatory activities of aster saponins 1–9were evaluated subsequently by measuring lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-enhanced nitric oxide (NO) formation in murine macrophages. Among these, aster saponin B (6) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50: 1.2 μM). Additionally, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein levels were dose-dependently suppressed by 6in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism indicated that 6attenuated the phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), which led to the blocking of NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus.

ABSTRACTIn this study, skin cream containing ziyuglycoside I isolated from Sanguisorba officinaliswas manufactured and examined the protective effects of the skin cream against UVB-induced hairless mice. UVB-induced hairless mice were topically treated with the skin cream once a day for 5 weeks. Application of the skin cream did not exhibit side effect on body growth showing normal body weight and food efficiency in the mice. The skin cream treatment also was inhibited mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and MMP-2 protein expression in the mice. Furthermore, the skin cream treatment inhibits epidermal wrinkle formation, wrinkle depth, wrinkle thickness, and collagen degradation in UVB-induced hairless mice. Therefore, the skin cream was able to play a role in the attenuation of photoaging caused by UVB irradiation via downregulation of mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, MMP-2, MMP-9, and suppression of MMP-2 proteins expression.

Nine new sesquiterpenoid lactones and 11 known analogues were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia plebeiaR.Br. Their structures were elucidated via HRESIMS and NMR data, and their absolute configurations were defined via electronic circular dichroism data, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and the modified Mosher’s ester method. Compounds 1–20were investigated for their ability to inhibit LPS-stimulated nitric oxide production in murine macrophage cells. Of the isolates, epi-eudebeiolide C (20) showed the highest inhibitory effect (IC50of 17.9 μM). mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), but not that of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was dose-dependently decreased by 20in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Based on a mechanistic study involving the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, the anti-inflammatory effect of 20was attributed to NF-κB activation blockade via inhibition of NF-κB (IκB) phosphorylation. Therefore, 20might be a potential candidate for relieving inflammatory diseases.

In this study, we evaluated the anti-reovirus activity of kuraridin isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens. In particular, we focused on whether this property is attributable to direct inhibition of reovirus attachment and/or inhibition of viral replication with the aid of time-of-addition (pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment, and post-treatment) experiments. No significant antiviral activity of kuraridin was detected in the pre-treatment assay. In the simultaneous assay, the 50% effective inhibitory concentrations (EC50) of kuraridin were 15.3–176.9 μM against human type 1–3 reoviruses (HRV1–3) and Korean porcine reovirus (PRV). Kuraridin completely blocked binding of viral sigma 1 protein to sialic acids at concentrations lower than 82.5 μM in the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Moreover, kuraridin inhibited HRV1–3 and PRV viral replication with EC50values of 14.0–62.0 μM. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis disclosed strong suppression of reovirus RNA synthesis at the late stage (18 h) of virus replication by kuraridin. The viral yields of kuraridin-treated cells were significantly reduced at 24 h post-infection, compared with DMSO-treated cells. Our results collectively suggest that kuraridin inhibits virus adsorption and replication by inhibiting hemagglutination, viral RNA and protein synthesis and virus shedding, supporting its utility as a viable candidate antiviral drug against reoviruses.

We have investigated an effective method to control the diameter and the density of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by introducing a catalyst-embedded supporting layer (CSL) prepared by using rf-magnetron sputtering with a mixed target consisting of Fe and Al2O3. The type of CNTs was changed from single-walled CNTs with a diameter of 0.85 ~ 1.55 nm to multi-walled CNTs with increasing rf-magnetron sputtering power. The controllability of the diameter and the density of the CNTs was confirmed to have been improved by using the rf power during the sputtering of the CSL and the concentration of Fe in the mixed target, respectively.

We demonstrate nanoscale local anodic oxidation (LAO) patterning on few-layer graphene by using an atomic force microscope (AFM) at room temperature under a normal atmosphere. We focus on the humidity dependency of nanoscale oxidation of graphene. The relations between the oxidation size and the setting values of the AFM, such as the set point, tip speed, and the humidity, are observed. By changing these values, proper parameters were found to produce features with on-demand size. This technique provides an easy way for graphene oxide lithography without any chemical resists. We obtained oxidation sizes down to 50 nm with a 6-nm-high oxide barrier line by using a 0.1-μm/s tip scanning speed. We also obtained micrometer-sized symbols on a graphene flake. We attribute the bumps of oxidized graphene in the graphene layer to local anodic oxidation on graphenes surface and to an incorporation of oxygen ions into the graphene lattice.

AbstractDuring a search for neuraminidase inhibitors derived from medicinal fungi, we found that the fermentation broth of Phellinus linteusexhibited potent neuraminidase inhibitory activity. Through bioassay-guided fractionation, two active compounds were purified from the ethyl acetate-soluble portion of the fermentation broth of P. linteus. These structures were identified as inotilone (1) and 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (2) by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1and 2inhibited H1N1 neuraminidase activity with IC50values of 29.1 and 125.6 μM, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. They also exhibited an antiviral effect in a viral cytopathic effect reduction assay using MDCK cells. These results suggest that compounds 1and 2from the culture broth of P. linteuswould be good candidates for the prevention and therapeutic strategies towards viral infections.

AbstractWe investigated a total of 335 samples of Korean native mushroom extracts as part of our lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor screening program. Among the mushroom-methanolic extracts we investigated, 35 exhibited an inhibitory activity greater than 30% against LOX at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Especially, Collybia maculata, Tylopilus neofelleus, Strobilomyces confusus, Phellinus gilvus, P. linteus, P. baumii, and Inonotus mikadoiexhibited relatively potent LOX inhibitory activities of 73.3%, 51.6%, 52.4%, 66.7%, 59.5%, 100.0%, and 85.2%, respectively. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of inoscavin A from the methanolic extract of P. baumii, which showed the most potent activity and was identified by spectroscopic methods. Specifically, inoscavin A exhibited potent LOX inhibitory activity with an IC50value of 6.8 μM.

AbstractMushrooms are ubiquitous in nature and have high nutritional attributes. They have demonstrated diverse biological effects and therefore have been used in treatments of various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, bacterial and viral infections, and ulcer. In particular, polysaccharides, including β-glucan, are considered as the major constituents responsible for the biological activity of mushrooms. Although an overwhelming number of reports have been published on the importance of polysaccharides as immunomodulating agents, not all of the healing properties found in these mushrooms could be fully accounted for. Recently, many research groups have begun investigations on biologically active small-molecular weight compounds in wild mushrooms. In this mini-review, both structural diversity and biological activities of novel bioactive substances from Korean native mushrooms are described.

Inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been postulated to be an effective therapy in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases. The current study was performed to examine potential effects of manassantin A and B isolated from Saururus chinensison the IL-6–induced response to human hepatoma cells. We found that manassantin A and B inhibit signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) activity stimulated by IL-6. We also found that both compounds decreased IL-6–induced Stat3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Both compounds blocked suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3)-mRNA expression induced by IL-6. In addition, we found that Stat3 inhibitory effects of these compounds could be related to protein tyrosine phosphatase. These findings suggest that manassantin A and B could be useful remedies for treatment of inflammatory diseases by inhibiting IL-6 action.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

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ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.