Peng-Fei Tu

Anti-inflammatory iridoids from the stems of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim Desert

In order to determine the chemical constituents of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert, a systematically phytochemical investigation was carried out. The constituents were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, MCI gel, ODS column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined on the basis of MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses, by chemical methods, and/or comparison with literature data. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in BV-2 mouse microglial cells. Nine iridoids were isolated and identified as cistadesertoside A (1), cistanin (2), cistachlorin (3), 6-deoxycatalpol (4), gluroside (5), kankanoside A (6), ajugol (7), bartsioside (8), and 8-epi-loganic acid (9). Compound 9 exhibited potent inhibition on the NO production with an IC50 value being 5.2 μmol·L(-1), comparable to the positive control quercetin (4.3 μmol·L(-1)). Compound 1 was a new iridoid, and compounds 5, 6, and 8 were isolated from this species for the first time.

Triterpenoid Saponins from the Leaves of Ilex kudingcha

Abstract Aim To study the chemical constituents of the leaves of Ilex kudingcha C. J. Tseng. Methods Compounds were isolated by column chromatography with silica gel and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Results Three triterpenoid saponins were isolated and identified as 3- O -α-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl pomolic acid 28- O -α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester ( 1 ), 3- O -α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-α-kudinlactone ( 2 ) and 3- O -β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-kudinlactone ( 3 ). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new triterpenoid saponin.

Characterization of thirty-nine polymethoxylated flavonoids (PMFs) in the branches of Murraya paniculata by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS

Abstract Aim To investigate the polymethoxylated flavonoids (PMFs) in the branches of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack. Methods A sensitive HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method was established to screen PMFs in the branches of M. paniculata based on the analysis of six PMF standards in the positive mode by CID-MS/MS. Results The diagnostic fragmentation pathways for polymethoxylated flavones, polymethoxylated flavanones, polymethoxylated chalcones and PMF glycosides were summarized, respectively. According to the MS fragmentation pathways, 39 PMFs, including 24 flavones, 10 flavanones or chalcones and 5 PMFs glycosides were screened. Conclusion The results indicated that the developed analytical method could be employed as a rapid, effective technique for the chemical screening of PMFs in TCMs extracts.

Flavonoids from the leaves of Ilex cornuta

Abstract Aim To study the chemical constituents of the leaves of Ilex cornuta Lindl. ex Paxt. Methods The compounds were isolated by column chromatography with silica gel and preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Results Nine flavonoids were obtained and identified as kaempferol −3- O -β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)- a -L-arabinopyranoside ( 1 ), quercetin-3- O -β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)- a -L-arabinopyranoside ( 2 ), isorharmetin-3- O -β-D-glucopyranoside ( 3 ), hyperin ( 4 ), 3′-methoxydaidzin ( 5 ) isorhamnetin( 6 ), formononetin ( 7 ), kaempferol ( 8 ), quercetin ( 9 ). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new flavonoid.

A new 1, 10-secoguaianolide from the aerial parts of Artemisia anomala

Abstract Aim To study chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Artemisia anomala (Asteraceae). Methods The constituents were isolated with silica gel, ODS column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical characteristics and spectral data. Results Eight compounds were obtained, and their structures were identified as 3 β -ethoxytanapartholide ( 1 ), (4 S *, 5 S *)-dihydro-5-[(1 R *, 2 S *)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-oxo-3-cyclopenten-1-yl]-3-methylene-4-(3-oxobutyl)- 2(3 H )-furanone ( 2 ), ligucyperonol ( 3 ), cyperusol C ( 4 ), santamarin ( 5 ), 1 a , 2 a , 3 a , 4 a , 10 a -pentahydroxyguaia-11(13)-ene-12, 6 a -olide ( 6 ), balanophonin ( 7 ), methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) propanoate ( 8 ). Conclusion Compound 1 was a new artifact, 4 and 8 were isolated from the genus Artemisia for the first time, and compounds 2 – 3, 5 – 7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Ginsenoside Rk1 suppresses pro-inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting the Jak2/Stat3 pathway

The saponin ginsenoside Rk1 is a major compound isolated from ginseng. Ginsenoside Rk1 has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties and to be involved in the regulation of metabolism. However, the effect and mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of ginsenoside Rk1 has not been fully clarified. We investigated whether ginsenoside Rk1 could suppress the inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and to explore its mechanism of the action. RAW264.7 cells were treated with LPS (1 μg·mL-1) in the absence or the presence of Ginsenoside Rk1 (10, 20, and 40 μmol·L-1). Then the inflammatory factors were tested with Griess reagents, ELISA, and RT-PCR. The proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1. Ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated phosphorylation of NF-κB and janus kinase (Jak)2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 at Ser727 and Tyr705. These data suggested that ginsenoside Rk1 could inhibit expression of inflammatory mediators and suppress inflammation further by blocking activation of NF-κB and the Jak2/Stat3 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Structural elucidation of two new megastigmane glycosides from the leaves of AquiAquilaria sinensi

The present study was designed to determine the chemical constituents and identify new components of the leaves of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg. The compounds were isolated and purified by repeated silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectrometry. Eight megastigmane glycosides and two cucurbitacins were isolated and identified as (9S) megastigma-4,7-diene-2,3,9-triol 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (9S) megastigma-4(13),7-diene-3,6,9-triol 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), macarangloside D (3), corchoionoside C (4), staphylionoside H (5), (+) 3-oxo-α-ionol-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), (-) 3-oxo-α-ionol-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), citroside B (8), 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl cucurbitacin I (9), bryoamaride (10). Compounds 1 and 2 were newly identified megstigmane glucosides and reported from this genus for the first time.

Flavanoids from the stems of Aquilaria sinensis

Aim To study the chemical constituents from the stems of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg. Methods Chromatographic separations of silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and prep-HPLC were used. All the structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic analysis. Results Twelve flavonoids were isolated and their structures were identified as aquilarinoside A1 (1), lethedioside A (2), 7, 4′-dimethylapigenin-5-O-xylosylglucoside (3), lethedoside A (4), 7-hydroxyl-4′-methyl-5-O- glucosideflavonoid (5), 7, 3′-dimethyl-4′-hydroxyl-5-O-glucosideflavonoide (6), 7, 4′-dimethyl-5-O-glucosideflavonoide (7), 5-hydroxyl-7, 4′-dimethoxyflavone (8), luteolin-7, 3′, 4′-trimethyl (9), hydroxylgenkwanin (10), 5, 7-dihydroxyl-4′-methoxyflavone (11), and formononetin (12). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new flavone glycoside, and compounds 2, 4-7 were isolated from genus Aquilaria sinensis for the first time. 5-O-glycosylflavones 1-7 showed inhibitory activity for nitric oxide (NO) production by activated RAW 264.7 cells.

A New Glucopyranosyl Naphthalene from Clematis hexapetala Pall.

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of the roots and rhizomes of Clematis hexapetala Pall.. METHODS: The solvent extraction, silica gel column chromatography and pre-HPLC were used to isolate and purify the constituent, and various spectroscopic analyses were used to elucidate the structure. RESULTS: A glucopyranosyl naphthalene (1) derivative, 5,8-dihydro-6-methyl-1,4-β-D-diglucopyranosyl naphthalene has (1) been isolated from this plant. CONCLUSION: This compound is a new one, and this study enriched the chemical constituents of Clematis hexapetala.

Protosappanin A exerts anti-neuroinflammatory effect by inhibiting JAK2-STAT3 pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV2 microglia

Microglial activation and resultant neuroinflammatory response are implicated in various brain diseases including Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease. Treatment with anti-neuroinflammatory agents could provide therapeutic benefits for such disorders. Protosappanin A (PTA) is a major bioactive ingredient isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L.. In this work, the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of PTA on LPS-stimulated BV2 cells were investigated and the underlying mechanisms were explored. Results showed that PTA significantly inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-1β in LPS-activated BV2 microglia. Moreover, the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1 were reduced by PTA in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, PTA suppressed JAK2/STAT3-dependent inflammation pathway through down-regulating the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3, as well as STAT3 nuclear translocation against LPS treatment. These observations suggested a novel role for PTA in regulating LPS-induced neuroinflammatory injuries.