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Phytochemical investigation of the 95% ethanol extract from Pinus yunnanensis Franch resin induced the isolation of six previously unreported diterpenoids pinuyunnanacids K - N, P - Q, a nor-diterpenoid with a novel skeleton pinuyunnanacid O and six known analogues. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and computational methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, calculated NMR chemical shifts method and electronic circular dichroic (ECD) spectra. All the compounds were analyzed for anti-inflammatory activity through western blotting and cell viability, compounds 2, 10 and 12 significantly downregulated the protein expression of iNOS at the concentration of 40 μM. At the same time, compounds 10 and 12 decreased the expression of COX-2 in LPS-treated RAW264.7 (leukemia cells in mouse macrophage) cells at the concentration of 40 μM.

Five new compounds, named gingerol A (

Two new cyclotrypyamine alkaloids equisetinines A and B, as well as three known alkaloids (3–5) were isolated from the stems of Ephedra equisetina Bunge. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined by interpretation of their electronic circular dichroism. Anti-asthmatic activities of compounds were evaluated by releasing β-Hex in C48/80-induced RBL-2H3 cells, and compound 5 exhibited significant anti-asthmatic activities.

Four new diarylheptanoid glycosides (1-4), (1S,3R,5S)-2-(4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)-6-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (1S,3R,5S)-2-(4,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (1S,3R,5S)-2-(4-hydroxy- 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), and (1R,3R,5R)-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)- 6-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated from the 50% ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale peel. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HR-ESI-MS and extensive spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR). Compounds 1-4 significantly increased the survival rate of human normal lung bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the concentration of 10 μM.

Matsudipeptides A (1) and B (2), two previously undescribed diketopiperazines with peroxy groups, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Tricholoma matsutake. These two compounds were featured by unusual scaffolds biogenetically related with cyclic dipeptide. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and calculated methods. Both the two compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7, and SW-480), and their inhibition on acetylcholinesterase.

A new ionone glycoside, frehmaglutoside I (1), and three new rhemaneolignans A–C (2–4) were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR) analyses. In addition, these compounds were evaluated for their protective effects on cardiocytes impaired by doxorubicin in H9c2 cells. Among them, compounds 1–3 exhibited protective effects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Three new ursane-type triterpenes, glutinosalactone A – C ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the 50% aqueous acetone extract of the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa . Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis (IR, NMR and MS spectroscopy). The cytotoxic effects of compounds 1 – 3 against three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MG63 and HepG2) were also evaluated. Compound 3 showed cytotoxic activities with IC 50 values of 8.35–39.25 μM.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism by which amentoflavone (AME) improves insulin resistance in a human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2). Methods: A model of insulin resistant cells was established in HepG2 by treatment with high glucose and insulin. The glucose oxidase method was used to detect the glucose consumption in each group. To determine the mechanism by which AME improves insulin resistance in HepG2 cells, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and pAkt; the activity of the enzymes involved in glucose metabolism; and the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Results: Insulin resistance was successfully induced in HepG2 cells. After treatment with AME, the glucose consumption increased significantly in HepG2 cells compared with the model group (MG). The expression of PI3K, Akt, and pAkt and the activity of 6-phosphofructokinas (PFK-1), glucokinase (GCK), and pyruvate kinase (PK) increased, while the activity of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase (PEPCK), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) as well as the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C reactive protein (CRP) decreased. Conclusions: The mechanism by which treatment with AME improves insulin resistance in HepG2 cells may involve the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the processes of glucose oxygenolysis, glycogen synthesis, gluconeogenesis and inflammatory cytokine expression.

Aim of the study To evaluate the anti-diabetic effects of the total flavonoids of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring (TFST), and to explore the pertinent mechanism. Materials and methods High fat diet and STZ (35 mg/kg) induced diabetic rats were administered with TFST at graded oral doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day, ig.) for 8 weeks. A range of parameters, including blood glucose and lipid, serum insulin and glucagon, glucose tolerance, were tested to evaluate its anti-diabetic effects. The determination of protein expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) in adipose tissue and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in hepatic and skeletal muscle tissues was used to study the mechanism of TFST. Moreover, the preliminary study of TFST on the antioxidant activity was performed. Results The TFST possessed anti-diabetic activities as shown by the decreased serum levels of fast blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobulin A1C (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acid (FFA), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucagon, as well as increased serum levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), insulin and C-peptide. TFST also improved the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to a certain degree. Furthermore, TFST increased the protein expression of PPAR-γ in adipose tissue, and increased the protein expressions of IRS-1 in hepatic and skeletal muscle tissues. These benefits were associated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum. Conclusions TFST exert beneficial effects on hyperglycosemia and hyperlipoidemia in diabetic rats possibly through regulating the levers of PPAR-γ in adipose tissue and IRS-1 in hepatic and skeletal muscle tissues.

Two new C-glycosylflavones, named 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxy-8-C-β-D-gluco-pyranosyl flavonoside (1), 5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-8-C-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 2)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (2), together with nine known compounds (3–11), were isolated from 50% acetone extract of Boea hygrometrica (Bunge.) R.Br. Their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques including MS, IR, UV, and 2D NMR.

Aim To investigate the chemical constituents of Selaginella sinensis (Desv.) Spring. Methods Chromatographic separations on Diaion HP-20, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 were used. The structures of the isolates were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, as well as chemical methods. Results Eight compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as sinensioside A ( 1 ), syringaresinol-4- O-β -D-glucopyranoside ( 2 ), (+)-medioresinol-4- O-β -D-glucopyranoside ( 3 ), pinoresinol-4, 4′-di- O-β -D-glucopyranoside ( 4 ), quercetin ( 5 ), eucomic acid ( 6 ), shikimic acid ( 7 ), and 2, 3-dihydroamentoflavone ( 8 ). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new dihydrobenzofuran sesquilignan glycoside from Selaginella sinensis .

Phytochemical investigation of the 50% ethanol eluate fraction of macroporous resin for the flower of Datura metel L. led to the isolation of a new compound named yangjinhualine A (1) and five known megastigmane sesquiterpenes through repeated silica gel and ODS column chromatography and semipreparative HPLC. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR, ESI-MS, and HR-ESI-MS spectrometry as well as by comparison with published data. Five known megastigmane sesquiterpenes were also isolated from D. metel L. for the first time.

A new apiose-containing kaempferol trioside, kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-(1‴ → 6″)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside, along with 16 known compounds, were isolated from 50% acetone extract of Silphium perfoliatum L. Their structures were elucidated by acid hydrolysis and spectroscopic techniques including UV, IR, MS, ¹H, ¹³C, and 2D-NMR. In addition, the pharmacological activity of compound 1 was tested with HepG2 and Balb/c mice (splenic lymphocytes and thymic lymphocytes) in vitro, and it exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells and showed the immunosuppressive activity.

A new acylated flavonol glycoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-d-(2-feruloylglucopyranosyl) (1 → 6)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-β-d-glucopyranoside, named tangutorumoside A (1), together with 12 known compounds, was isolated from 50% acetone extract of Cardamine tangutorum. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS experiments. In addition, compound 1 could promote the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and thymic lymphocytes with ConA in vitro.

Three new flavonoid glycosides, named 7,8,4′-trihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-6-methylflavonol-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylflavonol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-6-methylflavonol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with two known flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the needles of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. Their structures were established on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses.

Two new dihydrobenzofuran lignanosides, (7R,8S)-4,3',9'-trihydroxyl-3-methoxyl-7,8-dihydrobenzofuran-1'-propylneolignan-9-O-(6-O-syringoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, named lophanthoside B (1) and (7R,8S)-4,9,9'-trihydroxyl-3-methoxyl-7,8-dihydrobenzofuran-1'-propylneolignan-3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), an enantiomer of umbroside, along with four known dihydrobenzofuran lignans (3-6), were isolated from 50% acetone extract of Rabdosia lophanthoides (Buch.-Ham.ex D.Don) Hara. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS experiments.

Aim of the study The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the EtOH and H 2 O extracts of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring on hyperglycemia in diabetic rats and HepG2 cells, and to confirm the active fractions of EtOH extract in HepG2 cells. Materials and methods HepG2 cells and type II diabetic rats induced by low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) and high-fat diet (HFD) were used to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of EtOH and H 2 O extracts of Selaginella tamariscina . HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the promotive effect of different fractions of EtOH extract obtained from a polyamide column on glucose utilization. Results The results in HepG2 cells indicated that the EtOH extract had a better hypoglycemic effect than the H 2 O extract. The results in diabetic rats indicated that both EtOH extract and H 2 O extract were able to ameliorate the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and improve oral glucose tolerance (OGTT). Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), free fatty acids (FFA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum were lowered. High density lipoprotein (HDL-c), insulin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in serum were elevated as well as the hepatic glycogen content in diabetic rats. Compared with H 2 O extract, the effects of EtOH extract were more marked. The 80% ethanol fraction exhibited a stronger hypoglycemic effect than the aqueous and 50% ethanol fractions, but the 95% ethanol fraction did not show any appreciable effects in HepG2 cells. Conclusions The results suggested that the EtOH extract had a better hypoglycemic effect than the H 2 O extract; the 80% ethanol fraction from polyamide column had a strong hypoglycemic activity in HepG2 cells.

Two new secolignans, 3,4-trans-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]butyrolactone (1) and 2,3-trans-3,4-trans-2-methoxy-3-hydroxymethyl-4-[bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]tetrahydrofuran (2), together with six known compounds, were isolated from the whole grass of Selaginella sinensis (Desv.) Spring. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS experiments.

Five new hydrolyzable tannin dimers, roshenins A-E, and eight known tannins and related polyphenols [(+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidins B-3 and B-4, sanguisorbic acid dilactone, sanguiins H-2, H-6 and lambertianin A], have been isolated from the root of Rosa henryi BOUL. The structures of roshenins A-E (9-12, 19), which have a sanguisorboyl group as a linking unit between monomeric components, were established on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.

Three new C-glycosylflavones, named 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-8-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl- (1 --2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (1), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxy-6-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (2), and 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-6-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (3), along with two known compounds 5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-6-C-glucopyranosyl-flavonoside (4), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymethyl benzoate (5) were isolated from 70% acetone extract of Corallodiscus flabellata. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical methods.