Guangzhi Li

Sesquiterpene coumarins from seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis

A new sesquiterpene coumarin with a novel sesquiterpene carbon framework, Sinkiangenorin D, and ten known sesquiterpene coumarins were isolated from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis. The structures of these compounds, including the relative stereochemistry, were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. All of the isolated compounds were tested against the AGS, HeLa, and K562 human cancer cell lines and showed cytotoxic activities with 50% inhibitory concentration values between 12.7 and 226.6 μM.

Steroidal esters from Ferula sinkiangensis

Two new steroidal esters with an unusual framework, Sinkiangenorin A and B, a new organic acid glycoside, Sinkiangenorin C, and four known lignin compounds were isolated from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All of the isolated compounds were tested against Hela, K562 and AGS human cancer cell lines. Sinkiangenorin C showed cytotoxic activity against AGS cells with an IC50 of 36.9 μM.

Umbelliprenin and lariciresinol isolated from a long-term-used herb medicine Ferula sinkiangensis induce apoptosis and G0/G1 arresting in gastric cancer cells

Effective chemicals isolated from folk medicine are commonly used in the treatment of cancer in Asian countries like China and India. Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen is a traditional herb medicine used for treating stomach disorders in Xinjiang District of China for thousands of years. Here, we showed that the growth inhibition effects of seven compounds first isolated from the seeds of this herb in human gastric cancer cells and human normal gastric epithelium cells. Furthermore, we characterized the mechanism of the antiproliferation effects on gastric cancer cells of the two most specific and effective compounds: umbelliprenin (UM) and lariciresinol (LA). Annexin V/PI staining demonstrated that UM and LA induce apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulation of proapoptotic protein BAX, and activation of caspase 3 and PARP suggested that UM and LA caused the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Cell cycle analysis showed that UM and LA arrest cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. Western blot results showed that the expression of P53, P27, P16 and Rb proteins increased, while the expression of cyclin D, cyclin E, Cdk4 and Cdk2 decreased in cancer cells. Overall, these data provided evidence that UM and LA have the potential to be used in cancer therapy.

An unusual sesquiterpene coumarin from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis

Abstract A sesquiterpene coumarin, sinkiangenorin E, consisting of a novel bicyclo[4.3.1]decane-type sesquiterpene system, was isolated from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis. The structure of sinkiangenorin E including the relative stereochemistry and the absolute configuration was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The new compound showed cytotoxic activity against AGS cells (IC50, 12.7 μM) and inhibiting effect against influenza A H1N1 (IC50, 4.0 μM), which provided important clues for the study on the bioactivities of this type of sesquiterpene coumarins.

Cryptoporic acid S, a new drimane-type sesquiterpene ether of isocitric acid from the fruiting bodies of Cryptoporus volvatus

Abstract A new drimane-type sesquiterpene with an isocitric acid moiety, cryptoporic acid S (1), together with six known compounds, cryptoporic acid D (2), β-sitosterol (3), β-daucosterol (4), stigmast-4-en-3-one (5), ergosterol (6), and (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol (7), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Cryptoporus volvatus. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR analysis. In the meanwhile, compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for antioxidant activity using the methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (DPPH-RSA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and they exhibited moderate antioxidant activities.

A new cyclohexylacetic acid derivative from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia.

A new cyclohexylacetic acid derivative, named 2-{4-hydroxy-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] heptanyl}-acetic acid (1), was isolated from Emilia sonchifolia, together with a known analogue, 2-(1,4-dihydroxy cyclohexanyl)-acetic acid (2). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic techniques including IR, NMR, HR-ESI-MS and X-ray diffraction.