Su-Mei Li

Isolation, structure, and bioactivities of abiesadines A–Y, 25 new diterpenes from Abies georgei Orr

Twenty-five new (abiesadines A-Y, 1-25) and 29 known (26-54) diterpenes were isolated from the aerial parts of Abies georgei. Abiesadine A (1) is a novel 8,14-seco-abietane, while abiesadine B (2) is a novel 9,10-seco-abietane. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. Manool (52) showed the strongest effect against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages with the IC(50) value of 11.0microg/mL. In another anti-inflammatory assay against TNFalpha-triggered NF-kappaB activity, (12R,13R)-8,12-epoxy-14-labden-13-ol (54) exhibited the strongest effect (IC(50)=8.7microg/mL). For antitumor assays, pomiferin A (26) and 8,11,13-abietatriene-7alpha,18-diol (29) both showed the most significant activity against LOVO cells (IC(50)=9.2microg/mL). While 7-oxocallitrisic acid (46) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against QGY-7703 tumor cells (IC(50)=10.2microg/mL).

Phytochemical and Biological Studies of Abies Species

In the present review, the literature data on the phytochemical and biological investigations on the genus of Abies are summarized with 110 references. Up to now, 277 compounds were isolated from 19 plants of Abies species. The chemical constituents are mostly terpenoids, flavonoids, and lignans, together with minor constituents of phenols, steroids, and others. The crude extracts and metabolites have been found to possess various bioactivities including insect juvenile hormone, antitumor, antimicrobial, anti‐ulcerogenic, anti‐inflammatory, antihypertensive, antitussive, and CNS (central nervous system) activities.

Anti‐inflammatory and anti‐tumour effects of Abies georgei extracts

Chloroform (AGC), ethyl acetate (AGE) and n‐butanol (AGB) extracts of Abies georgei were investigated for anti‐tumour and anti‐inflammatory activities in‐vitro and in‐vivo. AGC exhibited potent antiproliferative effects against A549, LOVO, QGY‐7703 and 6T‐CEM tumour cells, with EC50 values of 77.5, 7.8, 11.1 and 32.8 μgmL−1, respectively. It also inhibited the growth of S180 sarcoma implanted into mice; tumour growth inhibition ratios were 46.7, 53.1 and 31.0% of controls at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mgkg−1, respectively. AGE showed significant anti‐inflammatory activities in the carrageenin‐induced acute pedal oedema model in rats and dimethylbenzene‐induced ear oedema in mice at doses of 140 mgkg−1 and 200 mgkg−1 p.o., respectively. Primary mechanism studies in‐vitro showed that AGE inhibited platelet aggregation induced in rabbits by arachidonic acid (AA), with an IC50 of 14.4 μgmL−1. Its effect on AA metabolism was also studied in mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by A23187. Formation of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4 and 5S‐hydroxy‐6E,8Z,11Z,14Z‐eicosatetraenoic acid (5‐HETE) was significantly inhibited in a concentration‐dependent manner. In addition, AGE inhibited lipopolysaccharide‐induced nitric oxide production in RAW246.7 macrophages and nuclear factor κB activation induced in 293 cells by tumour necrosis factor α.

Terpenoid Constituents of Abies chensiensis with Potential Anti-inflammatory Activity

Six new triterpenes (neoabieslactones A-F, 1-6) and 17 known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Abies chensiensis. The structures of the new triterpenes were proposed by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Compound 1 was confirmed structurally by X-ray crystallography. In a bioassay against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages, three compounds, neoabieslactone E (5), (12R,13R)-8,12-epoxy-14-labden-13-ol (7), and manool (8), exhibited IC(50) values of 9.1, 1.9, and 9.6 microg/mL, respectively.

Two New Spirobiflavonoids from Abies chensiensis with Moderate NO Production Inhibitory Activity

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Abies chensiensis afforded two new (compounds 2 and 3) and 27 known compounds, including the related compound larixinol ( 1). The structures of spirobiflavonoids 1- 3 were established using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the structure of larixinol ( 1) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1- 3 were evaluated for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in macrophages. Larixinol ( 1) showed moderate effects, with an IC(50) value of 60.0 microg/mL. In addition, it did not show any cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 macrophages at 100 microg/mL.

Chemical constituents of Aeschynanthus bracteatus and their weak anti-inflammatory activities

Chemical examination of the EtOAc extract from the aerial parts of Aeschynanthus bracteatus led to isolation of four phenylethanol glycosides, aeschynanthosides A-D (1-4), and 55 known constituents, including 8 phenylethanoids, 23 phenols, 5 lignans, 7 flavonoids, 9 terpenoids, and 4 others. Their structures were elucidated mainly by detailed spectroscopic studies and comparison with published data. All 59 compounds were isolated for the first time from an Aeschynanthus species. The isolates were also tested for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Aeschynanthoside D (4) and naringenin (41), within the concentration arrange tested (50-100 microg/mL), showed very weak dose-dependent effects with the inhibition rate of 24.2%, 35.4%, 66.0%, and 9.5%, 40.1%, 65.0%, respectively, relative to positive controls.

Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan

BackgroundThis paper is based on ethnomedicinal investigation conducted from 1999–2002 in Chuxiong, central Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Yi medicine has made a great contribution to the ethnomedicinal field in China. Neither case studies nor integrated inventories have previously been conducted to investigate the traditional Yi plants. This paper aims to argue the status and features of medicinal plants used in traditional Yi societies through a case study.MethodsThe approaches of ethnobotany, anthropology, and participatory rural appraisal were used in the field surveys. Twenty-two informants in four counties were interviewed during eight field trips. Medicinal plant specimens were identified according to taxonomic methods.ResultsOne hundred sixteen medicinal plant species were found to be useful by the local people in the treatment of various diseases or disorders, especially those relating to trauma, gastrointestinal disorders and the common cold. Among these 116 species, 25 species (21.55%) were found to have new curative effects and 40 species (34.48%) were recorded for their new preparation methods; 55 different species were used in treating wounds and fractures, and 47 were used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Traditional Yi herbal medicines are characterized by their numerous quantities of herbaceous plants and their common preparation with alcohol.ConclusionTotally 116 species in 58 families of medicinal plants traditionally used by the Yi people were inventoried and documented. The characteristics of medicinal plants were analyzed. Some new findings (such as new curative effects and new preparation methods) were recorded These newly gathered ethnobotanical and medicinal data are precious sources for the future development of new drugs, and for further phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies.

Mono- and Sesquiterpenoids, Flavonoids, Lignans, and Other Miscellaneous Compounds of Abies georgei

A systematic phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Abies georgei yielded nine new and 72 known compounds, including four monoterpenes, four sesquiterpenes, 25 flavonones, 14 lignans, and 34 other chemical constituents. The new compounds included two monoterpenes (1 and 2), two sesquiterpenes (3 and 4), three flavonones (5, 6, and 7), and two other components (8 and 9). Their chemical structures were established on the basis of various spectroscopic data. All the isolates were tested for antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. The new compound 9,4-dihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-8-methylchalcone (7) demonstrated a moderate antiproliferative effect on QGY-7703 tumor cells (IC (50)u200a = 17.6 µg/mL). The known compound isoferulaldehyde (67) exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC (50)u2009= 19.0 µg/mL). Abies georgei may be a significant source of beneficial pharmaceutical compounds.

Chemical constituents of Abies delavayi

Systematic phytochemical investigations on Abies delavayi afforded 110 compounds, including 49 terpenoids, 13 lignans, 20 flavonoids, three coumarins, and 25 other chemical constituents. By detailed analysis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic and high-resolution mass spectrometric data, 10 previously unreported compounds were identified: they comprised three sesquiterpenoids, two diterpenoids, one triterpenoid, one monoterpenoid, one flavonoid, and two phenols. These 10 compounds and some previously known ones were subjected to two cytotoxic bioassays against three human tumor cell lines and NO production inhibition on RAW264.7 macrophages, respectively. (25R)-24,25-Dihydroabieslactone had the strongest cytotoxic activity against Colo-205 cells with an IC50 value of 19.0±3.7μg/mL. (+)-T-cadinol, 8,11,13-abietatrien-15-ol-18-yl acetate, 18-acetoxy-13-epi-manool, imperatorin, bergapten, and 5,7-O-dimethyl poriol exhibited weak inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of approximately 50μg/mL.

Chemical Constituents of Dracocephalum forrestii

A systematic phytochemical examination of the whole plant Dracocephalum forrestii led to the isolation of 4 new and 65 known chemical constituents. By detailed 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, the new compounds were identified as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanol 8- O-[(6- O-syringoyl)- beta- D-glucopyranoside] (1), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylethanol beta- D-glucopyranoside ( 2), 4- O-[ beta- D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)- alpha- L-rhamnopyranosyl]phenylethylcinnamamide (3), and 9- O- N-butyl lithospermate (4). The new isolates were evaluated for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compound 2 revealed a moderate effect without any cytotoxicity under the assayed concentrations.