Hiroshi Hikino

Structure of kukoamine A, a hypotensive principle of Lycium chinense root barks1☆

From the crude drug “jikoppi”, the root barks of Lycium chinense, a novel spermine alkaloid, kukoamine A, showing hypotensive activity has been isolated and the structure has been determined as that represented by formula I on the basis of chemical and physical evidence.

Antihepatotoxic actions of formosan plant drugs

One hundred twenty-nine samples of Formosan plants were screened for antihepatotoxic activity in primary cultured hepatocytes to reveal that 19 and 26 plants exhibited more than 50% inhibition against cytotoxicity produced by carbon tetrachloride and D-galactosamine, respectively. Plants which disclosed significant antihepatotoxic activity in both assay methods are: Wedelia chinense, Mallotus repandus, Phyllantus urinaria, Loranthus parasiticus, Ludwigia octovalvis, Onychium japonicum, Tamarix chinensis and Ampelopsis brevipedunculata.

Ampelopsins a b and c new oligostilbenes of ampelopsis brevipedunculata var hancei

Abstract Three novel oligostilbenes, ampelopsins A, B and C, have been isolated from Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. hancei , and their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic evidence.

Glycan structures of ganoderans b and c, hypoglycemic glycans of ganoderma lucidum fruit bodies

Abstract Two hypoglycemic principles, ganoderans B and C, isolated from the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum were shown to be peptidoglycans with M ,s of 7400 and 5800, respectively. Physico-chemical and chemical studies demonstrated that the backbone and side chains of ganoderan B contain D -glucopyranosyl β-1 → 3 and β-1 → 6 linkages while those of ganoderan C contain D -glucopyranosyl β-1 → 3 and β-1 → 6 linkages and a D -galactopyranosyl α-1 → 6 linkage.

Isoflavans and a pterocarpan from Astragalus mongholicus

Abstract Three new isoflavans, 7- O -methylisomucronulatol, isomucronulatol 7,2′-di- O -glucoside, 5′-hydroxyisomucronulatol 2′,5′-di- O -glucoside, and one new pterocarpan, 3,9-di- O -methylnissolin were isolated from Astragalus mongholicus roots. Their structures were established by spectral analyses and chemical conversions.

Isolation and Hypoglycemic Activity of Arborans A and B, Glycans of Aloe arborescens var. natalensis Leaves

AbstractPolysaccharide fractions of the leaves of a number of Aloe species significantly reduced blood sugar level in mice. Activity-directed fractionation of the polysaccharide fraction from Aloe arborescens Mill. var. natalensis (Wood, et Ev.) Bgr. leaves yielded two glycans, arborans A and B, which elicited marked hypoglycemic effects in normal and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice.

Alismol and alismoxide, sesquiterpenoids of Alisma Rhizomes

Abstract From the crude drug ‘takusha’, which is the rhizomes of Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale , two new sesquiterpenoids, alismol and alismoxide, have been isolated. Their structures have been established on the basis of chemical and physical evidence to be 1β, 5β-guaia-6,10(15)-dien-4-ol and 4,10-epoxy-1β,5β-guai-6-ene, respectively.

Structure of ephedradine A, a hypotensive principle of Ephedra roots

Abstract A novel flavano-flavonol ephedramin A showing the hypotensive activity has been isolated from the crude drug “ma o -kon”, the roots of Ephedra plants. The stereostructure of ephedrannin A has been elucidated as that represented by formula I on the basis of chemical and physical evidence.

Structure of panaxan B, a hypoglycaemic glycan of Panax ginseng roots☆

Abstract A hypoglycaemic principle, panaxan B, obtained from the roots of Panax ginseng , was shown to be a peptidoglycan with M r of about 1 800 000. Physico-chemical and chemical studies indicated panaxan B to be mainly composed of α-1 → 6 linked D -glycopyranose residues with branching at the C-3 position, the ratio of terminals, branching positions and intermediate units being about 1:1:1.8.

Structure-activity relationship of ericaceous. Toxins on acute toxicity in mice

Abstract The acute toxicity of 36 samples of ericaceous toxins and their congeners has been determined using mice. Those whose LD50 values are low (