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Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The root bark of Lycium chinense Miller, Lycii Radicis Cortex, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat different inflammation-related symptoms, such as diabetes mellitus. The pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-?B) is a key regulator of inflammation, while the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR?) is a key modulator of genes involved in diabetes development. To identify putative active compound(s) from Lycii Radicis Cortex inhibiting NF-?B or activating PPAR?. Material and methods: Using activity-guided fractionation, six extracts with different polarity, isolated fractions, and purified compounds from Lycii Radicis Cortex were tested for NF-?B inhibition and PPAR? activation in vitro. The structure of the purified compounds was elucidated by NMR and MS techniques. Results: The ethyl acetate extract and the methanol extract of Lycii Radicis Cortex suppressed tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?)-induced activation of NF-?B, while the dichloromethane extract activated PPAR?. Nine phenolic amide analogues, including trans-N-(p-coumaroyl)tyramine (1), trans-N-feruloyltyramine (2), trans-N-caffeoyltyramine (3), dihydro-N-caffeoyltyramine (4), three neolignanamides (5–7), and two lignanamide (8, 9), were isolated and their inhibitory potential on NF-?B was determined (1–4 were also contained in water decoction). Two of the nine isolated phenolic amides inhibited TNF-?-induced NF-?B activation. Trans-N-caffeoyltyramine was verified as the key component responsible for the NF-?B inhibition with an IC50 of 18.4?M in our cell-based test system. Activation of PPAR? was attributed to a palmitic-acid enriched fraction which displayed concentration-dependent effect ablated upon co-treatment with the PPAR? antagonist T0070907. Conclusions: Phenolic amides were confirmed as main components from Lycii Radicis Cortex responsible for NF-?B inhibition. Fatty acids were identified as the major plant constituent responsible for the PPAR? activation. Structure-activity relationship analysis suggests that the NF-?B inhibitory activity of trans-N-caffeoyltyramine may be attributed to its Michael acceptor-type structure (?,?-unsaturated carbonyl group). The data of this study contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of Lycii Radicis Cortex extracts in the context of inflammation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance The genus Vanda (Family: Orchidaceae) comprises about 73 species mainly distributed in Southeast Asia. Plants belonging to this genus are being used in the traditional medicine systems in Asian countries specially in India, Nepal, China and Bangladesh. Aim of the review The aim of this work was to review the scientific work about medicinal orchids of the genus Vanda regarding their traditional uses, reported bioactive components, and pharmacological activities. Materials and methods The information related to traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and bioactive compounds was systematically collected from the scientific literature databases including SciFinder, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar, published books and conference proceedings. Results The literature survey revealed diverse traditional uses of different species of Vanda , mainly against indigestion, wounds, hepatitis, dyspepsia, bronchitis, piles, rheumatism, and bone fracture. However, only few of them are investigated scientifically for their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Bioactive compounds including eucomic acid derivatives, phenanthrene derivatives and other phenolic compounds are reported from Vanda species. Different extracts were so far evaluated for number of pharmacological activities including neuroprotective, anti-aging, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, membrane stabilizing, wound healing and hepato-protective activities. Conclusion Vanda spp. are of much significance as ornamental flowers, but also used widely in traditional medicines and have potential for their diverse pharmacological activities. However, many members of the genus Vanda need further detailed studies regarding chemical constituents and mechanism-based pharmacological activities. Similarly, further studies should also focus on the conservation, cultivation and sustainable utilization of these species. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]