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In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Aesculus chinensis Bunge var. wilsonii (Rehder) Turland & N. H. Xia and compared it with cp genomes of congeneric species. The cp genome of A. chinensis var. wilsonii is a circular molecule, 156,211 bp in length, with typical quadripartite structure. It has one large single copy (LSC) region of 85,211 bp and one small single copy (SSC) region of 18,124 bp that are separated by two inverted repeat regions (IR) of 26,438 bp. The cp genome encodes 133 genes comprising 85 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA ribosomal genes. The overall GC content of the cp genome of A. chinensis var. wilsonii is 37.93%. We conducted amaximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis, which revealed that A. chinensis var. wilsonii is sister to A. wangii and has a close relationship with Acer L. (maples). We expect that the cp genome of A. chinensis var. wilsonii will be useful for DNA barcoding and species delimitation for this species as well as future studies on the conservation, taxonomy, and evolutionary relationships of Aesculus L.

Three new phenylethanol glycosides (1-3) and one known analogue (4) were isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis Bge. var. chekiangensis. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first isolation of phenylethanol glycosides from the genus of Aesculus, which enriched its chemical composition. Structure elucidations were performed via extensive NMR and HRESIMS data together with comparison with literature data. Thereafter, the isolated compounds were assayed for their neuroprotective activities against CoCl2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells and compound 3 exhibited moderate activity. "Image missing"

The rapid thermal cracking technology of biomass can convert biomass into bio-oil and is beneficial for industrial applications. Agricultural and forestry wastes are important parts of China's energy, and their high-grade utilization is useful to solve the problem of energy shortages and environmental pollution. To the best of our knowledge, the impact of nanocatalysts on converting biowastes for bio-oil has not been studied. Consequently, we examined the production of bio-oil by pyrolysis of Aesculus chinensis Bunge Seed (ACBS) using nanocatalysts (Fe2O3 and NiO catalysts) for the first time. The pyrolysis products of ACBS include 1-hydroxy-2-propanone (3.97%), acetic acid (5.42%), and furfural (0.66%). These chemical components can be recovered for use as chemical feedstock in the form of bio-oil, thus indicating the potential of ACBS as a feedstock to be converted by pyrolysis to produce value-added bio-oil. The Fe2O3 and NiO catalysts enhanced the pyrolysis process, which accelerated the precipitation of gaseous products. The pyrolysis rates of the samples gradually increased at DTGmax, effectively promoting the catalytic cracking of ACBS, which is beneficial to the development and utilization of ACBS to produce high valorization products. Combining ACBS and nanocatalysts can change the development direction of high valorization agricultural and forestry wastes in the future.

Six new triterpenoid saponins, aesculusosides A–F (1–6), together with 19 known ones, were isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis. The new structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with previously reported data. Some of the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 cell line by an MTT assay, and compounds 15, 16, 19, and 23–25 exhibited inhibitory activities against MCF-7 with IC50 values ranging from 7.1 to 31.3 μM. Graphical Abstract Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13659-017-0148-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Phytochemical investigation of Aesculus chinensis Bge. var. chekiangensis (Hu et Fang) Fang obtained 33 triterpenoid saponins, including 14 new ones, aesculiside C–P (1–14). The structure elucidations were performed through comprehensive MS, 1D and 2D-NMR analysis, and their absolute configuration was unambiguously determined by X-ray diffraction analysis as well as Mo2(OAc)4-induced ECD method for the first time. All the substances were examined for their cytotoxic activities against three tumor cell lines, Hep G2, HCT-116, and MGC-803. Of these, compounds 8, 9, 14–16, 18, and 22 exhibited potent cytotoxicities against all cell lines with IC50 of 2–21 μM, while compounds 3, 6, 7, 17–19, 20, 24, and 28 depicted moderate activity (IC50 13 to >40 μM). On these bases, the preliminary structure-activity correlations were also discussed. Meanwhile the neuroprotective properties of triterpenoid saponins from Aesculus genus were evaluated for the first time. Among them, compounds 1, 4, 12, 20, 22, 25, 29, and 31 exhibited moderate activities against COCl2-induced PC12 cell injury.

The dried seeds of Aesculus chinensis Bge. var. chekiangensis (Hu et Fang) Fang, called &ldquo, Suo Luo Zi&rdquo, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Nevertheless, most studies have been focused on components of less polarity fractions. In this research, twelve indoles, including six new indole glycosides (1&ndash, 6) as well as six known analogs were isolated from the polar portion which has been seldom studied. This is the first description of N-glucosylated indoles obtained from the genus of Aesculus. Structures of the new compounds (1&ndash, 6) were elucidated based on comprehensive interpretation of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR. Additionally, the neuroprotective activities of the N-glucosylated indoles were evaluated for the first time indicating that compounds 1&ndash, 5 and 9&ndash, 10 exhibited moderate neuroprotective activities. Further cytotoxicity tests of isolates 1&ndash, 10 on three human tumor cell lines suggested that none of these compounds were cytotoxic (IC50 &gt, 50 &mu, M).

A new species of the genus Caloptilia associating with the Chinese horse chestnut, Aesculus chinensis Bunge (Hippocastanaceae) from China is described. The photographs of the adults, male and female genitalia, larva and pupa, the leaf mines and leaf shelters (rolls and stacks) are given. This is the first report of host association with Hippocastanaceae in the subfamily Gracillariinae. The sequence of mitochondrial COI barcoding region of this species is provided and its phylogenetic position is analyzed with other Caloptilia species.

This study combined parameterized tree growth model, Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes model and revised generalized drift flux model to investigate the effect of dynamic growth of avenue trees on atmospheric particulate pollution dispersion in street canyons. We tested conditions with three street canyon aspect ratios (H/W = 0.45, 0.9 and 1.8) and five common avenue tree species (Gingko biloba, Aesculus chinensis, Acer buergerianum, Liriodendron chinense and Cedrus deodar). Results demonstrated that: 1) Avenue tree age was strongly correlated with their height and crown diameter (R2 ≥ 0.71). 2) PM reduction ratio increased significantly as tree age increased. G. biloba was the most effective at removing the pedestrian-level PM10, while L. chinenses has the greatest capacity to reduce pedestrian-level PM2.5. 3) Pedestrian-level PM on the windward street-side was positively related to H/W ratios. Maximum PM was measured on the leeward street-side at H/W = 0.9. 4) Tree height, crown diameter and crown volume in the street canyons were the primary factors affecting the pedestrian-level PM reduction ratio, while leaf area index and crown base height had less influence. Our results could provide guidelines for selecting avenue trees within street canyons and appropriate biometric characteristics during different plant stages to enhance urban sustainability.

Aesculus chinensis Bunge was widely cultivated as a street tree. The complete chloroplast genome of A. chinensis, a plant species with edible seeds in family Sapindaceae, was generated in this stud...

International audience; Leaf traits are known to influence the preference and performance of phytophagous insects. Traits that influence oviposition can differ from traits that favour larval development, but in native hosts the association between traits usually leads to positive preference-performance relationships. However, when herbivores interact with novel hosts, traits that influence oviposition and successful larval development can become decoupled, leading to poor preference-performance relationships. We investigated traits associated with preference and performance of the horse-chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), on its native host, Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Sapindaceae), and on other species of Aesculus that are novel hosts for the leaf miner. Cameraria ohridella laid eggs on all species of Aesculus, but showed preferences for A. hippocastanum and the phylogenetically closely related Japanese horse-chestnut, Aesculus turbinata Blume. Successful mine development, however, was observed only on A. hippocastanum and A. turbinata, which indicates a partial mismatch between female oviposition and larval performance. The two susceptible Aesculus species were very similar in their leaf traits, which might explain why larvae performed equally well on these species. In contrast, species resistant to C. ohridella [Aesculus chinensis Bunge, Aesculus indica (Camb) Hook, and Aesculus flava Aiton] showed considerable variation in leaf traits, which suggests that different species of Aesculus might have different mechanisms of resistance to C. ohridella, supporting the idea of different defensive syndromes in different species of plants.

Analysis of gas exchange and determination of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in leaves of three tree species including Aesculus chinensis, A. octandra and A. hybrida were conducted under field conditions and then comparison was carried out. The results showed that the light compensation point (LCP) was significantly different among the three tree species, of which the LCP of A. chinensis with 12.53 μmol·m-2·s-1 that of the lowest was notable lower than that of the other two species (36.11 and 46.41 μmol·m-2·s-1respectively). On the other hand, the light saturation point (LSP) of the three tree species also showed remarked different and the LSP of A. chinensis was 1475 μmol·m-2·s-1 which was dramatic higher than that of the other two species respective to 1366.67 and 1025 μmol·m-2·s-1. Beside, the maximum net photosynthetic rate (MNPR) was different too, MNPR of A. chinensis was 9.47μmol CO 2·m-2·s-1which was higher than the other two species (5.91 and 2.30 μmol CO 2·m-2·s-1 respectively), indicating A. chinensis had a higher photosynthetic capacity and stronger utilization ability for light energy. Moreover, the electron transport rate (ETR) of A. chinensis was higher than A. octandra and A. hybrida, the ETR of the former was 55.800 that were 1.33 and 1.44 times of the later two respectively. Quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ФPSII) in A. chinensis was higher than A. octandra and A. hybrida, the ФPSII of the former was 0.470 that were 1.21 and 1.15 times of the later two respectively. Furthermore, the photochemical quenching (qP) of A. chinensis was 0.975 much higher than A. octandra and A. hybrida respective to 1.10 and 1.10 times of the later two respectively. These three photochemical parameters with dramatic different among the three different tree species suggested A. chinensis had a high activity of electron transport and conversion efficiency for light energy.

Morphological and biochemical changes of Chinese horse chestnut (Aesculus chinensis Bge.) seeds were studied during the process of maturation. Fruit and seed diameter increased linearly from DPA (Days Post Anthesis) 60 to DPA 150 and were stable thereafter. The weight of fruit and seed increased sigmoidally between DPA 100 and DPA 160. The water contents of whole seeds, axes and cotyledons had a sharp reduction from DPA 110 to DPA 130 but changed little after DPA 130. The water contents of whole seeds, axes and cotyledons were 1.42, 1.93 and 1.30 g g−1DW, respectively at the end of maturation. The starch content of cotyledons from mature seeds was high on a dry weight basis (31.4%) while the total soluble sugar content varied between 12 and 20%. In both axes and cotyledons, the total soluble sugar content decreased during the process of maturation, as did all five soluble sugar components measured (glucose, sucrose, trehalose, raffinose and stachyose). Sucrose and stachyose contents remained relatively high at the time of seed maturation, followed by glucose and a trace level of trehalose. The oligosaccharide/disaccharide (O/D) ratio in the axes was 3.1 at DPA 140. The high level of sucrose and stachyose might contribute to the greater desiccation tolerance of Aesculus chinensis seeds relative to typical recalcitrant tropical seeds. High levels of ABA content in seed coats and a low GA3/ABA ratio in both seed coats and axes might also influence the desiccation tolerance and shallow dormancy of mature Aesculus chinensis seeds.

This paper analyzes the organic solvent extracts of Aesculus chinensis Bunge Bark using TG and Py-GC-MS. The pyrolysis products were analyzed by GC-MS. The results showed that the extracts of Aesculus chinensis Bunge Bark contain a large number of biologically active components, including hydrocarbons, acids, ethers, alcohols, and phenols. The main components in the extract of Aesculus chinensis Bunge Bark are healthy and abundant; the main representatives of the active ingredients are Scopoletin Vanillin, Eugeno, Pyridine, p-Cresol, Indoles, Maltol and Furfural. There are potential applications in bioenergy, biopharmaceuticals, cosmetics, skin care products, and spices.

Charred residues adhering to sherds of ceramic cooking vessels, pots (Fu), excavated from the Kuahuqiao site (8000–7000 cal a BP) in Zhejiang Province were examined using the method of starch grain analysis. Ancient starch grains were recovered from charred residues and were classified into 8 genera. Remains from rice (Oryza spp.), job’s-tears (Coix chinesis T.), bean (Vigna spp.), acorn (Quercus spp.) as well as possibly buckeye tree (Aesculus chinensis B.) were identified. Other starch grains from unidentified plants were also recovered. Tracheids with bordered pits from softwood fibers were also found, indicating that some food might have been processed with wooden tools. The range of starch grains in the charred residues adhering to the ceramic pots reveals the diversity of ancient plant foods at the Kuahuqiao site, Zhejiang Province.

A new method based on accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) followed by a reliable high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and positive ion electrospray-time of flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF/MS) analysis has been developed for the characterization and quantification of four major saponins in extracts of the seeds of Aesculus chinensis Bunge (semen aesculi). The saponins escin Ia, escin Ib, isoescin Ia and isoescin Ib were extracted from seeds of A. chinesis Bunge via ASE, and the operational parameters of ASE were optimized, such as extraction solvent, extraction temperature, static extraction time and extraction cycles. The optimized procedure employed 70% MeOH as extraction solvent, 120 degrees C of extraction temperature, 7 min of static extraction time, 60% flush volume and the extraction recoveries of the four compounds were nearly to 100% for two cycles. The HPLC conditions are as follows: SinoChrom ODS BP C18 (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm) column, acetonitrile and 0.10% phosphoric acid solution as mobile phase, flow rate is 1.0 mL min(-1), detection length of UV is 203 nm, injection volume is 10 microL. The results indicated that the developed HPLC method is simple, sensitive and reliable for the determination of four major saponins in seeds of A. chinesis Bunge with a good linearity (r2 > 0.9994), precision (relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) < 1.5%) and the recovery ranges of 95.2-97.3%. The limits of detection (LOD) of the four compounds were in the range of 0.40-0.75 microg mL(-1). This assay can be readily utilized as a quality control method for semen aesculi and other related medicinal plants.

Four isomeric bioactive saponin compounds named escin Ia, isoescin Ia, escin Ib, and isoescin Ib were successfully isolated and purified from the crude extract of the seeds of a traditional chinese medicinal plant Aesculus chinensis Bge (Hippocastanaceae) by preparatory high performance liquid chromatography (Pre‐HPLC). The gradient mobile phase solvent system composed of methanol–water–acetic acid was employed. An efficient large scale preparatory method was developed based on the stability investigation of escin Ia for the first time. A total amount of 5.2 g escin Ia, 2.8 g isoescin Ia, 3.8 g escin Ib, and 1.6 g isoescin Ib, separately, over 99% purity was obtained from 50 g of total saponins. The preparatory purification of four isomeric saponins by Pre‐HPLC was completed in 120 min in a one step separation.

Two pairs of new geometrically isomeric triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis and characterized as 28-acetyl-21-tigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1 --2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --4)] [beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (isoescin IIa, 1) and 28-acetyl-21-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1 --2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --4)] beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (isoescin IIb, 2); 28-acetyl-21-tigloylbarringtogenol C 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1 --2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --4)] beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (isoescin IIIa, 3) and 28-acetyl-21-angeloylbarringtogenol C 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1 --2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --4)] beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (isoescin IIIb, 4). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence.

Eight new acylated polyhydroxyoleanene triterpenoidal saponins, aesculiosides A-H (1-8), along with four known ones, have been isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis. On the basis of extensive NMR studies, the structures of the new compounds were determined to be 21-O-tigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]- beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (1), 21-O-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (2), 21,22-O-ditigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-d-glucopyranosyl- (1-->4)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (3), 21-O-tigloyl-22-O-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (4), 21,22-O-ditigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methyl beta-d-glucuronopyranosate (5), 21-O-tigloyl-22-O-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methy l beta-D-glucuronopyranosate (6), 21-O-tigloyl-28-O-acetylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methy l beta-D-glucuronopyranosate (7) and 21-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methy l beta-D-glucuronopyranosate (8).

Transpiration patterns of Aesculus chinensis in relation to explanatory variables in the microclimatic, air quality, and biological phenomena categories were measured in Beijing, China using the thermal dissipation method. The highest transpiration rate measured as the sap flux density of the trees took place from 10:00 am to 13:00 pm in the summer and the lowest was found during nighttime in the winter. To sort out co-linearity, principal component analysis and variation and hierarchical partitioning methods were employed in data analyses. The evaporative demand index (EDI) consisting of air temperature, soil temperature, total radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and atmospheric ozone (O3), explained 68% and 80% of the hourly and daily variations of the tree transpiration, respectively. The independent and joint effects of EDI variables together with a three-variable joint effect exerted the greatest influences on the variance of transpiration rates. The independent effects of leaf area index and atmospheric O3 and their combined effect exhibited minor yet significant influences on tree transpiration rates.

Phytochemical study of the ethanol extract of the seeds of Aesculus chinensis led to the isolation of a new triterpenoid saponin (6), together with five known triterpenoid saponins (1-5). The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data to be 21,28-di-O-acetylprotoaescigenin-3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (aesculiside A, 6). The antiinflammatory activities of the four main saponins (1-4) were compared with those of total saponin extracts, and single saponins showed more potent activity than total saponin extracts in mice.

Three new triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis, and characterized as 22-tigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1--2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1--4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (escin IVg, 1), 22-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1--2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1--4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (escin IVh, 2) and 16-angeloyl-21-acetylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1--2)] [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1--4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (escin VIb, 3), together with two known compounds, escin IIIa (4) and desacylescin 1 (5). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence.

Eight new acylated polyhydroxyoleanene triterpenoidal saponins, aesculiosides A-H (1-8), along with four known ones, have been isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis. On the basis of extensive NMR studies, the structures of the new compounds were determined to be 21-O-tigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]- beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (1), 21-O-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (2), 21,22-O-ditigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-d-glucopyranosyl- (1-->4)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (3), 21-O-tigloyl-22-O-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl acid (4), 21,22-O-ditigloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methyl beta-d-glucuronopyranosate (5), 21-O-tigloyl-22-O-angeloylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methy l beta-D-glucuronopyranosate (6), 21-O-tigloyl-28-O-acetylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methy l beta-D-glucuronopyranosate (7) and 21-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetylprotoaescigenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-methy l beta-D-glucuronopyranosate (8).

In search of a natural antiparasitic, in vivo anthelmintic activity of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts of Angelica pubescens roots (Radix angelicae pubescentis), Brucea javanica fruits (Fructus bruceae), Spatholobus suberectus stems (Caulis spatholobi), Aesculus chinensis Bge. seeds (Semen aesculi), and Pharbitis purpurea (L.) Voigt seeds (Semen pharbitidis) were tested against Dactylogyrus intermedius (Monogenea) in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Among the extracts tested, the methanolic and aqueous extracts of S. aesculi were observed to be more efficient than the other plant extracts with EC(50) and EC(90) values of 5.23 and 7.33 mg/L and 6.48 and 12.29 mg/L after 48 h, respectively, followed by methanolic extracts of Fructus bruceae, Radix angelicae pubescentis, Caulis spatholobi, and Semen pharbitidis with EC(50) 49.96, 57.45, 64.92, and 309.47 mg/L. The methanolic and aqueous extracts of S. aesculi exhibited potential results and can be exploited as a preferred natural antiparasitic for the control of D. intermedius.

Beta-aescin, a natural triterpenoid saponin isolated from the seed of Chinese horse chestnut (Aesculus chinensis), is known to generate a wide variety of biochemical and pharmacological effects. In the present study, the authors investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of beta-aescin in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cell line in vitro. The anti-proliferative effects were detected by CFU-K562 colony formation and cell viability assay. The apoptotic effects were analysed by morphological analysis, annexin V assay, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry DNA content analysis. The results showed that beta-aescin exhibited potent dose- and time-dependent anti-proliferative effects in K562 cells. Morphological evidence of apoptosis, a significant increase of annexin V+ and PI- cells (early apoptotic) and apoptotic DNA fragmentation, were observed in cells treated with beta-aescin. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that beta-aescin could lead to an accumulation of sub G1 population in K562 cells, and suggesting a potential G1 phase accumulation in cell cycle profile of K562 cells. Our findings revealed that beta-aescin is a potent natural inhibitor of proliferation and inducer of apoptosis in K562 cells, and beta-aescin may be a candidate lead compound to explore potential antileukemia drugs.

3-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3'-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)tamarixetin, the putative flavonal glycoside named aescuflavoside A, isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis, is synthesized via regioselective glycosylation of 7-O-benzyltamarixetin with glycosyl bromides under phase-transfer-catalyzed conditions.

The compounds, named aesculiosides Ia-Ie, IIa-IId, and IVa-IVc, were isolated from an ethanol extract of the fruits of North American Aesculus pavia, along with two known compounds. Their structures were characterized as polyhydroxyoleanene pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins by spectroscopic and chemical analyses. These saponins were divided into three elution zones by chromatography according to the polarity because of the acyl substitution at C-21 and C-22 of the aglycone saponins moiety. These are structurally different from those isolated from Eurasian Aesculus hippocastanum and Aesculus chinensis in their oligosaccharide moieties.

A bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of the seeds of Aesculus chinensis led to the isolation of two new flavanoids (1 and 2), along with eight known ones (3-10). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR. All compounds were tested for antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV 3), and influenza virus type A (Flu A). Compounds 1, 2, and 6 showed significant antiviral activities against RSV with IC(50) values of 4.5, 6.7, and 4.1 microg/mL and selective index (SI) values of 15.8, 32, and 63.8, respectively. Compound 8 demonstrated significant antiviral activity against Flu A with an IC(50) of 24.5 microg/mL and a SI of 16.0, respectively.

Eight bioactive triterpenoid saponins (1-8) were isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis, four of which are novel compounds. The major saponins were identified as escin Ia (1), Ib (2), isoescin Ia (3) and Ib (4), while the new compounds were identified as 22alpha-tigloyl-28-acetylprotoaescigenin-3beta-O-?beta -D-glucopyranos yl (1-2) ?beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-4)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (escin IVc, 5), 22alpha-angeloyl-28-acetylprotoaescigenin-3beta-O-?bet a-D-glucopyrano syl (1-2) ?beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-4)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (escin IVd, 6), 28-tigloylprotoaescigenin-3beta-O-?beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-2) ?beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-4)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (escin IVe, 7), and 28-angeloylprotoaescigenin-3beta-O-?beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-2) ?beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-4)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (escin IVf, 8). The structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. All the above compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease.