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Six triterpene glycosides including four new ones, chenoalbumosides A–D (1-4), and two known triterpene glycosides, chikusetsusaponin IVa (5) and ginsennoside Ro (6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Chenopodium album Linn (Chenopodiaceae). Their structures were determined by extensive analyses of HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectral data. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-6 were evaluated against HT-29, SW480, AGS, and MKN7 cell lines. Unfortunately, our results indicated that none of these compounds were potential cytotoxic agents, showing IC50 values over 50 μM.

Two new merosesquiterpenes, hippomeroterpenes A and B (1 and 2), and four known compounds langconol B (3), 20-demethoxy-20-methylaminodactyloquinone D (4), smenospongidine (5), and smenospongic acid (6) were isolated from the sponge Hippospongia fistulosa. Their structures were determined by extensive analyses of HR ESI MS and NMR spectral data. At concentration of 100 μM, compounds 1-6 exhibited weak cytotoxic effects on Hep-G2, MCF-7, SK-LU-1, and SK-Mel-2 human cancer cells with percentages of dead cells ranging from 8.3 ± 0.3%–36.3 ± 1.5 %.

Three new p-coumaroyl flavone glycosides, named fissibicosides A–C (1-3), together with four known flavone glycosides kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-α-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-galactopyranoside (5), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), and quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (7) were isolated from the leaves of Fissistigma bicolor. Their structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-7 inhibited the NO productions in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells with IC50 values ranging from 54.5 ± 5.8–78.8 ± 5.9 μM.

Four new dihydrostilbene glycosides, assastilbosides A–D (1-4), along with seven known compounds, 5,4′-dihydroxydihydrostilbene 3-O-β- d -glucopyranoside (5), 3,5-dihydroxydihydrostilbene 4′-O-β- d -glucopyranoside (6), 3,5-dihydroxydihydrostilbene 4′-O-[6′′-O-(4′′′-methoxy)galloyl]-β- d -glucopyranoside (7), 3,5-dimethoxydihydrostilbene 4′-O-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β- d -glucopyranoside (8), (­)-epicatechin (9), (­)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (10), and (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (11) were isolated from methanol extract of the leaves of Camellia sinensis var. assamica (J.W.Mast.) Kitam. Their structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra and compared with NMR data in the literature. In addition, all isolated compounds were screened by α-glucosidase assay. Compounds 10 and 11 showed significant inhibitory α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 18.3 ± 1.1 and 21.9 ± 0.8 μM, respectively.

Three new bis-trinorcadalenes, bistrinorcadintermes A–C (1-3) along with seven known compounds, parvifloral D (4), parvifloral E (5), parvifloral C (6), hymexelsin (7), scopoletin (8), scopolin (9), and hibiscolactone A (10) were isolated from the aerial parts and radix of Decaschistia intermedia Craib. Their chemical structures were determined based on spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR, MS, and experimental CD spectra. All compounds were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Compounds 1, 5, and 8 showed moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 45.6 ± 4.2, 43.7 ± 3.6, and 43.7 ± 3.6 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 2-4 and 10 showed weak α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values ranging from 87.5 ± 6.3 to 219.8 ± 4.9 μg/mL.

Two new compounds, schisandrulata A (1) and schisandrulata B (5), and nine known compounds, 6-O-benzoylgomisin O (2), kadsutherin (3), γ-schizandrin (4), pinotatol (6), schisphentetralone A (7), (–)-8′-epi-aristotetralone (8), (–)-8,8′-epi-aristotetralone (9), rel-(8R,8′R)-dimethyl-(7S,7′R)-bis(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran (10) and (-)-machilusin (11) were isolated from the leaves of Schisandra perulata Gagnep. Their chemical structures were determined by means of HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD spectra. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the human oral cancer (CAL27) and human breast cancer (MDA-MB231) cell lines. Compounds 1, 4, 7, and 9 showed potent cytotoxic activity against CAL27 cell line with IC50 values of 1.8 ± 0.2, 1.2 ± 0.1, 1.2 ± 0.2, and 2.0 ± 0.1 μM, respectively, indicating that they have stronger cytotoxic activity than that of the positive control capecitabine (IC50 value of 8.20 ± 0.75 μM). Similarly, compounds 1, 4, 7, and 9 also exhibited potent activity against the MDA-MB231 cell line with IC50 values of 3.5 ± 0.1, 1.80 ± 0.2, 0.9 ± 0.2, and 3.4 ± 0.3 μM, respectively. These results indicated that compounds 1, 4, 7, and 9 could be potential anticancer reagents for further drug discovery research.

Two new cadinane sesquiterpenes, cadinoschanes A and B (1 and 2), one new norlignan, lignanoschane A (6) along with seven known compounds, hibiscone B (3), 7β-O-β-glucopyranosyl bombaxone (4), 2,7β,8β-trihydroxy trans-calamenene 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), clemastanin A (7), (−)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-9,7′β-epoxylignano-7β,9′-lactone (8), N-trans-feruloyl tyramine (9), and methyl (3R)-3-[(3R)-3-{(3R)-3-hydroxybutanoyloxy} butanoyloxy} butanoate (10) were isolated from Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus (Span.) Borss. Waalk. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR and MS data and comparing experimental CD with theoretical CD calculations. Compounds 3 and 9 showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 121.7 ± 3.9 and 4.3 ± 0.5 μg/mL, respectively, compared to those of a positive control, acarbose with IC50 value of 183.5 ± 12.2 μg/mL.

Three new pregnane glycosides namely volubilosides D-F (1–3) along with three known, dregeoside Da1 (4), volubiloside A (5), and drevoluoside N (6) were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of Dregea volubilis using combined chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS spectra and comparing with those reported in the literature. Compounds 5 and 6 showed the most significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity at the concentration of 40 μM with inhibition of 51.3 ± 3.2% and 50.4 ± 3.1%, respectively, compared to acarbose (59.8 ± 1.6%).

Using various chromatographic methods, two new sucrose esters, karensucrose A (1) and karensucrose B (2), one new xanthone, karenxanthone (7) along with eight known compounds, 3-(E)-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl-6′-benzoylsucrose (3), tricornose B (4), glomeratose C (5), tenuifoliside C (6), 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (8), 1-methoxy-7-hydroxyxanthone (9), 1,7-dimethoxy-6-hydroxyxanthone (10), and wubangziside B (11) were isolated from the roots of Polygala karensium Kurz (Polygalaceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated using spectroscopic and chemical methods and compared with the reported literature. All isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against two human cancer cell lines, human breast cancer (MCF7) and human prostate cancer (PC3) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Mitoxantrone was used as a positive control with IC50 values of 9.7 ± 1.2 μM (MCF7) and 7.4 ± 1.3 μM (PC3). As the results, compound 8 showed cytotoxic activity on MCF7 and PC3 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 26.2 ± 2.1 and 22.1 ± 1.7 μM, respectively.

Polygala aureocauda Dunn. (Polygalaceae) has been widely used in Vietnamese traditional medicine for the treatment of hepatitis, nephritis, sonasthenia, anaemia, back pain, and knee fatigue. Chemical investigation of a methanol extract of P. aureocauda roots resulted in the isolation of four new oleanane triterpenoid saponins (polyaureosides A–D) and two known ones (polygalasaponin XLVIII and arilloside A). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectra. Among the isolates, arilloside A showed a modest anti-inflammatory effect through inhibiting NO overproduction in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, with an IC50 value of 47.4 μM.

Five new cycloartane saponins, mussaglaosides A–E (1–5) together with five known saponins, mussaendoside O, mussaendoside, G mussaendoside U, mussaendoside P, and mussaendoside Q (6–10) were isolated from the leaves of Mussaenda glabra. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS data. All compounds were evaluated for ANO1 inhibitory activity using calcium-activated chloride channel and YFP expressing HT29 cells. Among the tested compounds, compound 6 strongly inhibited chloride channel activity with IC50 value of 22.0 ± 1.7 μM without any cytotoxicity.

Four new alkaloid glycosides, zanthonitisides A–D (1-4), together with five known compounds (5–9) were isolated from the aqueous fraction of stems and twigs of Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, MS, and CD data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, CT-26, MCF-7, and MKN-45. As results, compound 4 showed significant cytotoxic activity on MKN-45 cancer cell line with IC50 value of 7.4 ± 1.0 μM. Compound 9 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity on all tested cancer cell lines with an IC50 values ranging from 34.7 to 44.7 μM.

Five new isomalabaricane analogues, named rhabdastrellins G - K (1–5), and three known compounds including jaspolide C (6), globostelletin C (7), and globostelletin D (8) were isolated from the sponge Rhabdastrella providentiae collected in the Eastern Sea of Vietnam. Their chemical structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, experimental and calculated circular dichroism spectra. The isolated secondary metabolites were evaluated for their cytotoxicity toward HepG2, LU-1, MCF-7, HL-60, and SK-Mel2 human cancer cell lines. New isomalabaricane analogues 1-3 exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 11.2 ± 1.4 to 84.8 ± 6.7 μM. Interestingly, the 20(22)Z stereoisomer (2) exhibited dramatic increase of cytotoxic activity in comparison with 20(22)E isomer (1).

Five undescribed (four guaianolide sesquiterpenes and a benzoate ester derivative) and seven known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of S. orientalis L. Their chemical structures were determined by extensive analysis of HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. Absolute configurations were elucidated by experimental and TD-DFT calculated ECD spectra. Twelve isolated compounds exhibited potential xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.76 ± 0.17 μM to 31.80 ± 0.97 μM. Molecular docking studies predicted that the binding energies of all isolated compounds with xanthine oxidase were lower than that of the positive control allopurinol. Benzyl 2-hydroxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosylbenzoate and benzyl 2-methoxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosylbenzoate displayed not only the best docking score but also the highest in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.76 ± 0.17 μM and 0.98 ± 0.26 μM, respectively.

Chemical investigation of an acidic methanol extract of the whole plants of Datura metel resulted in the isolation of two new guainane sesquiterpenes, 1β,5α,7β-guaiane-4β,10α,11-triol ( 1 ) and 1α,5α,7α-11-guaiene-2α,3β,4α,10α,13-pentaol ( 2 ), along with eight known compounds: pterodontriol B ( 3 ), disciferitriol ( 4 ), scopolamine ( 5 ), kaempferol 3- O -β- d -glucosyl(1 → 2)-β- d -galactoside 7- O -β- d -glucoside ( 6 ), kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside ( 7 ), pinoresinol 4′′- O - β - d -glucopyranoside ( 8 ), (7 R ,8 S ,7′ S ,8′ R )-4,9,4′,7′-tetrahydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-7,9′-epoxy-lignan-4- O -β- d -glucopyranoside ( 9 ), and (7 S ,8 R ,7′ S ,8′ S )-4,9,4′,7′-tetrahydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-7,9′-epoxylignan-4- O -β- d -glucopyranoside ( 10 ). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectra. Compounds 2 - 4 and 6 - 10 were shown to have modest anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated BV cells.

Mallotus apelta (Lour.) Mull.Arg has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis. Six new chromene derivatives, malloapeltas C-H (1–6) and one known compound, malloapelta B (7) were isolated and structured from the leaves of M. apelta. Two pairs of enantiomers (1a/1b and 2a/2b) were successfully separated by chiral high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structures and absolute configurations of compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR, and MS and quantum chemical calculation methods. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay against ovarian cancer cell line (TOV-21G). Compounds 1–5 and 7 exhibited significant growth and viability inhibitory effects with GI50 values ranging from 0.06 to 10.39 μM and IC50 values ranging from 1.62 to 10.42 μM on ovarian cancer cell line, TOV-21G. The most cytotoxic compounds 2, 3, and 7 were chosen for studying in apoptosis mechanism. Compounds 2, 3, and 7-induced apoptosis as evidenced by activated caspase 8, caspase 9, and PARP, increased Bak and Bax, and decreased Bcl-xL and survivin. Moreover, compounds 2, 3, and 7 significantly inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings propose the potential application of compounds 2, 3, and 7 for treating cancer via modulating NF-κB activity.

Truxinic acid sucrose diesters analogs possess interesting chemical structure by the presence of cyclobutane-ring and macrocyclic sucrose diesters moieties which are rarely found from natural sources. This paper describes the isolation and structural elucidation of four new sucrose diesters of substituted truxinic acids, trigohonbanosides A-D (1–4), from the leaves of Trigonostemon honbaensis. Their chemical structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD spectroscopic methods. At a concentration of 30 µM, compounds 1–4 moderately inhibited ANO-1 activity with inhibitory percentages of 27.7 ± 1.10%, 35.6 ± 0.92%, 43.7 ± 1.61%, and 40.8 ± 1.25%, respectively.

Phytochemical analysis of the leaves and stems of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels led to the isolation of two new alkylphloroglucinols, gallomyrtucommulone E and F (1 and 2), along with four other known alkylphloroglucinol derivatives, gallomyrtucommulone A (3), endoperoxide G3 (4), myrtucommulone B (5), callistenone B (6) and five known triterpenoids, including betulinic acid (7), 3β-acetylmorolic acid (8), 3β-hydroxy-urs-11-en-13(28)-olide (9), diospyrolide (10) and ursolic acid (11). The structures of the natural compounds were determined from the spectroscopic evidences including 1D-/2D-NMR and HR-MS spectrometry. All the isolated compounds were assessed for the effects on the sEH inhibitory activity. The acylphloroglucinols myrtucommulone B (5)/callistenone B (6) (in mixture), and two triterpenoids, ursolic acid (11) and 3β-hydroxy-urs-11-en-13(28)-olide (9) displayed strong inhibition of sEH activity, with IC50 values of 0.7, 11.2 and 24.8 μM, respectively.

Chemical investigation of Acanthopanax koreanum leaves resulted in the isolation of 13 compounds (1-13), including six new (20,29)-dehydrolupane-type triterpenoids: 3α,11α,30-trihydroxylup-20(29)-en-23,28-dioic acid (1), 3α,11α,30-trihydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (2), 3α,11α,30-trihydroxylup-23-al-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (3), 3α, 11α-dihydroxy-20-oxo-30-norlupane-23,28-dioic acid (5), (20S)-3α-hydroxy-30 oxolupane-23,28-dioic acid (8), (20S)-3β,7β,29-trihydroxy-lupane-23-al-28-oic acid (10), and one novel compound isolated for the first time, named 3α,20α,29-trihydroxylupane-23,28-dioic acid (9), together with six known compounds (4, 6, 7, and 11-13). Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were evaluated by analyzing and comparing spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. These compounds were also evaluated for their tyrosinase inhibitory effects. Among them, compounds 3, 7, 9, and 12 showed significant inhibitory effects, with inhibitory concentrations of 50% (IC50) values ranging from 8.61 to 63.5 μM.

Methanolic extract of Miliusa balansae Finet et Gagnep exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Three new megastigmane glycosides, milbasides A-C (1-3), together with fifteen known compounds (4-18), were isolated from the active fraction. Their chemical structures were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR ESI MS, and CD analysis, as well as comparison with previously reported data. Compounds 1-3, 11 and 14 (20.0 μM) showed potent inhibitory activities with inhibition values of 98.5 ± 1.6%, 90.9 ± 7.8%, 84.8 ± 3.5%, 91.5 ± 8.7%, and 91.8 ± 2.7%, respectively. Our results suggest that megastigmane glycosides from M. balansae leaves may be used to treat inflammatory diseases.

Three new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, 7β,16α,17-trihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (1), 7β,17-dihydroxy-16α-ent-kauran-19-oic acid 19-O-β-d-glucopyranoside ester (2), 7β,17-dihydroxy-ent-kaur-15-en-19-oic acid 19-O-β-d-glucopyranoside ester (3) along with five known compounds, paniculoside IV (4), 16α,17-dihydroxy-ent-kaurane (5), 16β,17-dihydroxy-ent-kaurane (6), 16β,17-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-al (7), and 16β,17-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (8) were isolated from the fruits of Annona glabra. Their chemical structures were elucidated by physical and chemical methods. All compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. As the results, compound 3 showed potent inhibitory LPS-stimulated NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages with the IC50 value of 0.01±0.01μM; compounds 1 and 7 showed significant inhibitory NO production with the IC50 values of 0.39±0.12μM and 0.32±0.04μM, respectively.

One new octulosonic acid derivative, chrysannol A (1), along with 17 known compounds (2-18), were isolated from Chrysanthemum indicum flowers. Their structures were determined from 1D NMR, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS spectral data, and comparisons with previous reports. The effects of these compounds on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production by RAW 264.7 cells were investigated. Compound 8 showed the highest inhibition of NO production of 46.09% at a concentration of 10.0μM. Compounds 7, 10, 11, and 16 inhibited TNF-α secretion at all concentration tested (0.4, 2.0, and 10.0μM), with inhibition values ranging from 22.27% to 33.13%. In addition, compound 8 and 9 decrease COX-2 and iNOS protein on Western blot analysis in dose dependent manner.

Two new compounds, piperoside (1) and isoheptanol 2(S)-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), along with 10 known compounds 3,4-dihydroxyallylbenzene (2), 1,2-di-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4-allylbenzene (3), tachioside (4), benzyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), icariside F2 (6), dihydrovomifoliol-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), isopropyl O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), isopropyl primeveroside (9), n-butyl O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), isoheptanol 2(S)-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12), were isolated from the leaves of Piper retrofractum. Their structures were determined from 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS spectral, a modified Mosher's method, and comparisons with previous reports. All of the isolated compounds showed modest α-glucosidase inhibitory (4.60±1.74% to 11.97±3.30%) and antioxidant activities under the tested conditions.

A new octanordammarane triterpene, 3β,15α-dihydroxymansumbinol (1) and a novel A-ring contracted oleanane triterpenoid, 2-formyl-(A)1-19α-hydroxy-1-norolean-2,12-dien-28-oic acid (2) were isolated from the roots extract of Rosa rugosa along with fifteen known compounds (3-17). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, and FTICRMS. The MeOH extract, as well as CH2Cl2 and EtOAc fractions at a concentration of 0.5mg/mL showed potent sucrase inhibitory activity, with inhibition percentage values of 84.67±5.37%, 87.50±2.78%, and 81.91±2.90%, respectively. In addition, compounds 7-13 (1.0 mM) showed potent sucrase inhibitory activity (61.88±3.19% to 84.70±3.07% inhibition), which was comparable to that of the positive control, acarbose, with an inhibition percentage value of 50.96±2.97%. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 14-17 showed moderate and/or weak inhibitory activities at the same concentration. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the extracts and purified compounds may provide a novel opportunity to develop a new class of antidiabetic agents.

Phytochemical study on the roots of Asarum sieboldii resulted in the isolation of one new compound, (1R,2S,5R,6R)-5'-O-methylpluviatilol (1) and 12 known compounds (2-13). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, and MS spectra. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was established using CD spectrum. Compounds 4, 5, and 12/13 significantly inhibited TNFα-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with IC(50) values ranging from 6.4 to 9.4 μM. Furthermore, the transcriptional inhibitory function of these compounds was confirmed based on decreases in COX-2 and iNOS gene expression in HepG2 cells. Compounds 1-3, 6,7, 10, and 11 significantly activated the transcriptional activity of PPARs in a dose-dependent manner, with EC(50) values ranging from 1.7 to 20.9 μM. Compounds 7, 10, and 11 exhibited significant dose-dependent PPARα transactivational activity, with EC(50) values of 19.5, 15.7, and 4.0 μM, respectively. Compounds 1, 6, 7, 10, and 11 activated PPARγ transcriptional activity, with EC(50) values ranging from 3.6 to 22.6 μM, whereas compounds 10 and 11 significantly increased PPARβ(δ) transactivational activity, with EC(50) values of 22.6 and 4.9 μM, respectively. These results provide a scientific support for the use of the roots of A. sieboldii and warrant further studies to develop new agents for the prevention and treatment of the inflammatory and metabolic diseases.

The rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium have been used for the treatment of inflammation, skin diseases, headache, and sharp pain due to rheumatism in traditional medicine. From this plant, three new labdane-type diterpenes 1-3, named coronarins G-I as well as seven known 4-10, coronarin D, coronarin D methyl ether, hedyforrestin C, (E)-nerolidol, β-sitosterol, daucosterol, and stigmasterol were isolated. Their chemical structures were elucidated by mass, 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. They were evaluated for inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Among of them, compounds 1, 2, and 6 were significant inhibitors of LPS-stimulated TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 p40 productions with IC(50) ranging from 0.19±0.11 to 10.38±2.34 μM. The remains of compounds showed inactivity or due to cytotoxicity. These results warrant further studies concerning the potential anti-inflammatory benefits of labdane-type diterpenes from H. coronarium.

Kalopanax pictus (Araliaceae) is a deciduous tree that grows in East Asian countries. Its stem bark and leaves have been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatic arthritis, neurotic pain, and diabetes mellitus. A phytochemical study on a methanol extract of the stem bark of K. pictus resulted in the isolation of three new compounds, 6β,16α-dihydroxy-hederagenin 3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (1), 3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6β,16α-dihydroxy-oleanolic acid (2), and 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl(1→3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), along with eight known compounds (4-11). Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods (IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESITOFMS). Compounds 1-6 and 8-10 upregulated PPARs transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells, with EC(50) values in the range 0.20-15.5 μM. Moreover, the specific PPAR transactivational effects of compounds 1-6 and 8-10 on separate PPAR subtypes, PPARα, -γ, and -β(δ) were further investigated. Compounds 4, 5, 8, and 10 showed significant PPARα transactivational activity, with EC(50) values of 7.8, 8.0, 10.3, and 17.3 μM, respectively. Compounds 2, 4, 6, and 8-10 exhibited PPARγ dose-dependent transactivational activity, with EC(50) values of 14.7, 15.5, 14.8, 10.9, 17.1, and 16.3 μM, whereas compounds 8 and 10 significantly upregulated PPARβ(δ) transcriptional activity, with EC(50) values of 15.7 and 17.7 μM, respectively.

A new iridoid, named methylscutelloside (1) together with 19 known compounds belonging to the iridoids (2-4), monoterpenoids (5), flavonoids (6-8), triterpenoids (9-14), and phenylethanoids (15-20) were isolated from the flowers of Buddleja officinalis. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties, and by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR, and MS. All isolated compounds were tested in vitro for their effects on the proliferation of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Among them, iridoids were the main active components and showed significant inhibitory effects on PDGF-BB-induced proliferation in rat aortic VSMCs.

Four new cembranoids, namely laevigatol A-D (1-4), and six known metabolites (5-10), were isolated from the Vietnamese soft coral Lobophytum laevigatum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute stereochemistry of 1 was determined using the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 5, and 7-10 exhibited cytotoxic activity against selected human cancer cell lines. Compounds 1, 2, 8, and 9 showed dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the TNFα-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity in Hep-G2 cells. Moreover, compounds 1, 2, 8, and 9 significantly inhibited the induction of COX-2 and iNOS mRNA dose-dependently, indicating that these compounds attenuated the synthesis of these transcripts at the transcriptional level.

By bioactive-guided fractionation of methanol extract of the Ficus microcarpa leaves, one new C -glucosylflavone, ficuflavoside ( 1 ), one new megastigmane glycoside, ficumegasoside ( 8 ), and twelve known compounds including flavonoids ( 2 – 6 ), phenylpropanoids ( 7 ), megastigmanes ( 9 – 11 ) and sterol derivatives ( 12 – 14 ) were isolated. Their chemical structures were elucidated by mass, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopies. The antioxidant activities of these compounds were measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity methods. Compounds 1 – 6 exhibited potent antioxidant activities of 6.6–9.5 μM Trolox equivalents at the concentration of 2.0 μM. The results indicated 2 , 3 , and 5 having meaningful reducing capacity of copper (I) ions concentration of 6.1–8.4 μM.

Two new C(29) sterols with a cyclopropane ring at C-25 and C-26, petrosterol-3,6-dione (1) and 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-petrosterol (2), along with petrosterol (3), were isolated from the Vietnamese marine sponge Ianthella sp. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1-3 showed cytotoxic activities on A549, HL-60, MCF-7, SK-OV-3, and U937 cancer cell lines with IC(50) in the range of 8.4-22.6 microM, whereas compounds 1-3 exhibited only weak cytotoxic activities on HT-29 cell. After HL-60 cells were treated with the compounds, several apoptosis events like chromatin condensation and the increase of the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed. These data supported that the compounds might have potential for leukemia treatment.

Following a normal delivery, a 22-year-old primigravida experienced fever resistant to antibiotic therapy. On the tenth post partum day, thoracic pain and chest X-ray were in favour of acute pneumonitis of left inferior lobe. Considering the extension to the right lung and a normal bronchic fibrescopy, a computed tomography (CT) was performed which showed a right ovarian vein thrombophlebitis, right minor subpleural opacities and left pneumopathy. The final diagnosis was post partum ovarian vein suppurated thrombophlebitis with pulmonary septic metastases from haematogenic diffusion. Post partum thrombophlebitis is a rare event with an incidence of 1 per 2,000 deliveries. Pulmonary inaugurating symptoms result rather from pulmonary embolism than from septic metastases. Post partum persisting and unexplained fever should be explored with abdominal CT-scan.

Objectifs : Comparer l'efficacite analgesique, les effets secondaires et le retentissement obstetrical de l'analgesie peridurale (P) et de l'analgesie rachidienne et peridurale combinee (RP). Type d'etude : Etude prospective, randomisee, conduite en double ou simple aveugle selon les criteres, apres accord du CCPPRB. Patientes : Quatre-vingts parturientes, exemptes de pathologie materno-fœtale, en debut de travail actif, avec une dilatation cervicale inferieure ou egale a 3 cm, reparties en deux groupes de 40 selon, qu'elles beneficiaient d'une P ou une d'RP. Methodes: Les patientes du groupe P recevaient 6 a 8 mL de bupivacaine a 0,25 % et 20 μg de sufentanil. Celles du groupe RP recevaient 10 μg de sufentanil par voie sous-arachnoidienne et, par voie peridurale, les memes agents aux memes doses que celles du groupe P. Dans les deux groupes, l'entretien s'effectuait a la demande des parturientes par injections peridurales de bupivacaine. Le critere principal de jugement etait l'analgesie obtenue. La douleur a ete evaluee par echelle visuelle analogique (EVA). Ont ete egalement notes: le deroulement du travail (stades 1 et 2, duree des efforts expulsifs, mode d'accouchement), les effets indesirables, les incidents et les scores d'Apgar. L'analyse statistique a ete effectuee par Anova, X 2 , methode de Yates ou test exact de Fisher. Le seuil de signification retenu a ete de 5 % (P< 0,05). Resultats: Dans les deux groupes, les donnees demographiques etaient comparables. Dans le groupe RP, un surcroit d'incidents de realisation a ete constate (30 % vs 7 %, P