Mingyu Gui

Three new dammarane-type triterpene saponins from the leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer.

Three new dammarane-type triterpene ginsenosides, together with six known ginsenosides, were isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. The new saponins were named as ginsenoside Rh11, ginsenoside Rh12, and ginsenoside Rh13. Their structures were elucidated as (20S)-3β,6α,12β,20-tetrahydroxydammara-25-ene-24-one 20-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), (20S)-3β,12β,20,24,25-pentahydroxydammarane 20-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), and (20S,23E)-3β,12β,20,25-tetrahydroxydammara-23-ene 20-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments and mass spectra. The known ginsenosides were identified as ginsenoside M7cd, ginsenoside Rg6, ginsenoside Rb3, gypenoside XVII, gypenoside IX, and 20-(E)-ginsenoside F4.

Flavonoids from the leaves of Actinidia kolomikta

One new acetylated flavonoid, kaempferide-7-O-(4″-O-acetyl)-α-L-rhamnoside, and six known flavonoids were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of the leaves of Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. et Maxim.) Planch. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established by application of chemical and spectroscopic analysis. The new acetylated flavonoid was screened for its protective effect on human erythrocytes against AAPH-induced hemolysis, and it can slow the hemolysis induced by AAPH.

Synthesis of rabdokunmin C analogues and their inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation.

A series of rabdokunmin C analogues were prepared and their inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation was assayed. One of them, 18-acetyl-12-deoxy-11,12-dehydrorabdokunmin C (16) was found to be a promising candidate for an anti-inflammatory agent.

Suppressive effect of kamebakaurin on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response in mice

BACKGROUND Kamebakaurin (KA) is an ent-kaurane diterpenoid known to have anti-inflammatory potential. In the current study, we investigated whether pretreatment with KA could ameliorate acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting the anti-inflammatory response in mice. METHODS Seven-week-old C57BL/6J mice were orally administered KA or olive oil emulsion for seven days. Twenty-four hours after the last KA or olive oil administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 400mg/kg APAP or saline under feed deprived condition. The mice from each group were euthanized and bled for plasma analysis 24h after the injection. RESULT APAP increased plasma levels of hepatic injury markers (i.e., alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), lipid peroxidation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pretreatment with KA reduced the magnitude of APAP-induced increases in plasma levels of hepatic injury markers, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory response. In addition, KA exhibited antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner, with slight reactive oxygen species scavenging activity. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that KA has the ability to protect the liver from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, presumably by both inhibiting the inflammatory response and oxidative stress.