Motonori Fukumura

The chemical constituents of fresh Gentian Root

We isolated and characterized 23 compounds, including a new iridoid named gentiolutelin and its dimethyl acetal, and a new lignan named gentioluteol from fresh roots (including small amounts of rhizome) of Gentiana lutea cultivated in Japan (Hokkaido). The structures of gentiolutelin and gentioluteol were determined as (1S,2R,3S,5R)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-(2-oxoethyl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid methyl ester and (7R,8S,8′S)-4,4′,8,9-tetrahydroxy-3,3′,5-trimethoxy-7,9′-epoxylignan, respectively, on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. It was noteworthy that gentiopicroside, known to be a major secoiridoid glycoside in Gentian root, was not detected from the fresh roots of 3-year-old G. lutea.

Pharmacognostic studies on ginger and related drugs—part 1: five sulfonated compounds from Zingiberis rhizome (Shokyo)

Five sulfonated compounds, namely 4-gingesulfonic acid and shogasulfonic acids A, B, C and D, were isolated together with seven known compounds including 6-gingesulfonic acid from Zingiberis rhizome (Japanese name: Shokyo) made out of ginger. Their structures were characterized by means of spectroscopic analysis.

Novel phenolic glycosides, adenophorasides A–E, from Adenophora roots

Five novel phenolic glycosides, adenophorasides A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), were isolated from commercial Adenophora roots, together with vanilloloside (6), 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), and lobetyolin (8). The structures of the new compounds (1–5) were characterized as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), 4-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), respectively, by means of spectroscopic and chemical analyses.

Linkage of E2F1 transcriptional network and cell proliferation with respiratory chain activity in breast cancer cells

Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles; they have been implicated in various aspects of tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated a novel role of the basal electron transport chain (ETC) activity in cell proliferation by inhibiting mitochondrial replication and transcription (mtR/T) using pharmacological and genetic interventions, which depleted mitochondrial DNA/RNA, thereby inducing ETC deficiency. Interestingly, mtR/T inhibition did not decrease ATP levels despite deficiency in ETC activity in different cell types, including MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells, but it severely impeded cell cycle progression, specifically progression during G2 and/or M phases in the cancer cells. Under these conditions, the expression of a group of cell cycle regulators was downregulated without affecting the growth signaling pathway. Further analysis suggested that the transcriptional network organized by E2F1 was significantly affected because of the downregulation of E2F1 in response to ETC deficiency, which eventually resulted in the suppression of cell proliferation. Thus, in this study, the E2F1‐mediated ETC‐dependent mechanism has emerged as the regulatory mechanism of cell cycle progression. In addition to E2F1, FOXM1 and BMYB were also downregulated, which contributed specifically to the defects in G2 and/or M phase progression. Thus, ETC‐deficient cancer cells lost their growing ability, including their tumorigenic potential in vivo. ETC deficiency abolished the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the mitochondria and a mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant mimicked the deficiency, thereby suggesting that ETC activity signaled through ROS production. In conclusion, this novel coupling between ETC activity and cell cycle progression may be an important mechanism for coordinating cell proliferation and metabolism.

Eight new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins from platycodon root

Eight new triterpenoid saponins, platyconic acids B (1), C (2), D (3), E (4), platycodins J (5), K (6), L (7) and platycosaponin A (8), were isolated from Platycodon Root, together with twelve known compounds, and they were characterized on the basis of their spectroscopic and chemical data.

Investigation of the anxiolytic effects of Kampo formulation, Kamishoyosan, used for treating menopausal psychotic syndromes in women

The anxiolytic effects of four Kampo formulations (Japanese traditional herbal medicines): Tokishakuyakusan, Kamishoyosan, Keishi-bukuryogan, and Unkeito, were investigated. These Kampo formulations ware used to treat menopausal syndromes in women. Although the herbal ingredients of each Kampo formula are similar, clinical uses of these Kampo formulations are different. Therefore we investigate the differences of them from the basic pharmacological and chemical studies.