Guozhu Su

Phytochemical and pharmacological progress on the genus Syringa

AbstractGenus Syringa, belonging to the Oleaceae family, consists of more than 40 plant species worldwide, of which 22 species, including 18 endemic species, are found in China. Most Syringa plants are used in making ornaments and traditional medicines, whereas some are employed for construction or economic use. Previous studies have shown that extracts of Syringa plants mainly contain iridoids, lignans, and phenylethanoids that have antitumor, antihypertensive, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study reviews phytochemical and pharmacological progress on Syringa in the recent 20 years and discusses the future research prospects to provide a reference in further promotion and application of the genus. Graphical AbstractPhytochemical and pharmacological progress on the genus Syringa

Usnic Acid Derivatives with Cytotoxic and Antifungal Activities from the Lichen Usnea longissima

Eight usnic acid derivatives, that is, usenamines A-F (1-6), usone (7), and isousone (8), together with the known (+)-usnic acid (9), were isolated from the lichen Usnea longissima. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, and the absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were defined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1, 2, and 8 showed inhibitory effects on the growth of human hepatoma HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 6.0-53.3 μM compared with methotrexate as the positive control, which had an IC50 value of 15.8 μM. Furthermore, 1 induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0-15.0 μM. The isolated compounds were also evaluated for their antifungal and antibacterial activities, with 7 and 8 exhibiting weak inhibitory effects on fungal Trichophyton rubrum spp. with an MIC value of 41.0 μM.

Lignans from the stem bark of Syringa pinnatifolia.

Four new lignans, alashinols A-D (1-4), a new hydrolysis product, alashinols E (5), and seven known analogues were isolated from the stem bark of Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl. These new lignans were characterized using 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, and their absolute configurations were determined by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism and X-ray diffraction analyses. Alashinol B (2) exhibited two conformers that adopted an unusual unit cell packing. Anti-inflammatory evaluation revealed that compounds 1, 4, 6, and 8 showed moderate inhibition against NO production in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values range from 43.3-60.9μM, and 1 decreased the TNF-α and IL-6 level in a concentration-dependent manner at 40-160μM and exhibited considerable neuroprotective effect against the glutamate-induced injury in PC12 cell line. Analogues 3 and 9 showed protective effects against oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in H9c2 cells.

Noralashinol A, a new norlignan from stem barks of Syringa pinnatifolia

Abstract One new norlignan, namely noralashinol A (1), one known analogue (2), together with seven known lignans (3–9) were isolated from the stem barks of Syringa pinnatifolia. Their structures were elucidated extensively by spectroscopic methods, including mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies. Compound 8 significantly inhibited NO production in LPS-induced BV-2 murine microglia cells with its IC50 value of 20.7 μM, compared to a positive control quercetin with its IC50 value of 15.3 μM.

The Genus Neolitsea of Lauraceae: A Phytochemical and Biological Progress†

As one of the biggest genera in Lauraceae, Neolitsea owns a great application potential in industrial and traditional medical fields. Modern phytochemical and biological investigations revealed its structural diversity and diverse activities. This review summarizes the most recent progress on this regards, hopefully to provide a reference for full use and development of the Neolitsea resource.

Noralashinol B, a norlignan with cytotoxicity from stem barks of Syringa pinnatifolia

Abstract One new norlignan, noralashinol B (1), and one new natural product, proposed noralashinol C (2), were isolated in a continuous phytochemical investigation on the stem barks of Syringa pinnatifolia. Their structures were elucidated based on the analysis of spectroscopic data, including mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies, and the absolute configuration was determined by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism. Compound 1 showed a weak cytotoxicity against HepG2 hepatic cancer cells with its IC50 value of 31.7 μM. Furthermore, 1 induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0–80.0 μM.

Huaier restrains proliferative and invasive potential of human hepatoma SKHEP-1 cells partially through decreased Lamin B1 and elevated NOV

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cause of malignancy-related mortality worldwide. It is urgently needed to develop potential drugs with good efficacy and low toxicity for HCC treatment. The anti-tumor effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has received increasing attention worldwide. Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) has been used in TCM for approximately 1,600 years. Clinically, Huaier has satisfactory therapeutic effects in cancer treatment, especially in HCC. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of Huaier remain ill defined. Herein we have demonstrated that Huaier dramatically inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line SKHEP-1. Importantly, Huaier restrained the metastatic capability of SKHEP-1 cells. Mechanistically, down-regulation of Lamin B1 and up-regulation of Nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) were at least partially responsible for the inhibitory effect of Huaier on the proliferative and invasive capacity of SKHEP-1 cells. Our finding provided new insights into mechanisms of anti-HCC effect of Huaier and suggested a new scientific basis for clinical medication.

Chemical constituents from the roots and stems of Litsea cubeba

Abstract A new monoterpene and a new lignan, named litsecols A and B (1 and 2), respectively, together with nine known compounds (3–11), were isolated in a continuous investigation on the roots and stems of Litsea cubeba. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configuration of 1 was resolved by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 2–5 and 7–9 showed significant inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine microglial (Bv-2) cell line. Compounds 10 and 11 exhibited significant neuroprotective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line.

Bioactive Sesquiterpenoids from the Peeled Stems of Syringa pinnatifolia

Fourteen new sesquiterpenoids, alashanoids A-H (1, 2, and 4-9), (+)-2,9-humuladien-6-ol-8-one (3b), and five pairs of enantiomers (1 and 4-7), along with eight known analogues (3a and 10-16) were isolated from the stems of Syringa pinnatifolia. The structures were established using IR, UV, MS, and NMR data. The absolute configurations of the new compounds were resolved by X-ray diffraction, a modification of Moshers method, and experimental and calculated ECD data analysis. The new sesquiterpenoids represent three skeletons: a rare 2,2,5,9-tetramethylbicyclo[6.3.0]-undecane (1), a humulane-type (2-8), and a caryophyllene-type (9) skeleton. Compounds 6a, 7, and 11 showed protective effects against hypoxia-induced injury to H9c2 cells at a concentration of 40 μM, and 5-7, 11, and 13 inhibited NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells with IC50 values ranging from 13.6 to 70.6 μM. These compounds decreased the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in RAW264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner at 20-80 μM.

Alashinols F and G, two lignans from stem bark of Syringa pinnatifolia

Abstract Two new lignans, alashinols F and G (1 and 2), together with two known analogues (−)-secoisolariciresinol (3) and meso-secoisolariciresinol (4) were isolated from the stem bark of Syringa pinnatifolia, a Mongolian folk medicine with anti-myocardial ischaemic effects. Their structures were elucidated on basis of spectroscopic data analyses, including MS and 1D and 2D NMR, and their absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroisms. The in vitro anti-inflammation and anti-hypoxia evaluations were also discussed.