Chemical composition and anti-MRSA activity of the essential oil from Chinese eaglewood

To analyze the constituents of essential oil from Chinese eaglewood [resinous wood of Aquilaria sinensis （Lour.） Gilg] and its anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus （MRSA） activity. The essential oil was extracted by water-steam distillation and analyzed by GC/MS method. The relative contents of the compounds were determined by normalization. The compounds were characterized by NIST05 and WILEY275L database matching and comparison of their MS spectra with those of literature data. Antibacterial activity of the oil was assayed by the filter paper disc agar diffusion method. The oil showed significant antibacterial activity against MRSA. Sixty-six chromatographic peaks were detected, among them thirty compounds comprising 59.80% of the total essential oil were characterized. Twenty-six compounds comprising 54.26% of the oil were identified as sesquiterpenes. β-Agarofuran （8.96%）, kusunol （7.82%）, （-）-jinkoh-eremol （5.04%）, agarospirol （4.53%）, baimuxifuranic acid （4.09%） were the major sesquiterpenes. Four nor-sesquiterpenes and some other sesquiterpenes, such as 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, α-agarofuran, epi-ligulyl oxide, etc. were detected in Chinese eaglewood oil for the first time. This is the first report about anti-MRSA activity of Chinese eaglewood oil from A. sinensis.

Synergistic effect of pinellia total alkaloids and uncaria total alkaloids on anticonvulsant action in mice and rats

Aim To investigate the synergistic effect of the combination of pinellia total alkaloid （PTA） and uncaria total alkaloid （UTA）, and explore the mechanism of anticonvulsant action. Methods Anticonvulsant and toxic effect profiles of combinations of PTA with UTA, alone and at three fixed ratios of 1：4, 1 ：1, 4：1, were evaluated in maximal electroshock （MES）-induced seizures and acute toxicity test in mice. Respective ED50 and LD50 were calculated with Bliss＇s method. Their synergistic effect were evaluated by isobolographic analysis and allowed the determination of benefit indices （BI） for respective combinations. The model of convulsive rats kindled by penicillin topically injected into cortex was used to investigated the content of Glu, Asp, Gly and GABA in hippocampus using high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. Results Combinations of PTA and UTA at the ratio of 4：1 were synergistic in MES test and antagonistic in acute toxicity test, showing the best profile for combinations of PTA with UTA. In contrast, the ratios of 1 ：4 and 1 ： 1, despite synergistic in MES test, were additive in acute toxicity test. The 4：1 combination and two drugs alone significantly decreased Glu level and increased GABA level in the hippocampus, but the GABA level in the 4：1 combination group was higher than that in the two drugs alone groups. They did not have significant influence on the levels of ASp and Gly. Conclusion Combinations of PTA and UTA at 4：1 ratio demonstrated synergistic effect in anticonvulsant action and antagonistic effect in toxicity. The anticonvulsant mechanism might be related to decreasing the excitability of Glutamatergic neurons and increasing the inhibition of GABAergic neurons.

Chemical Constituents from Ampelopsis grossedentata

Aim To study chemical constituents from Ampelopsis grossedentata. Methods Separation and purification were performed by using silica gel, polyamide, reverse-phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographic techniques and silica gel PTLC. Structures were determined by means of physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. Results Four flavonoids were separated and identified from Ampelopsis grossedentata including dihydromyricetin (1), myricetin (2), myricitrin (3), and myricetin-3-O-β-D-galactopy...

The Nucleosides Contents and Their Variation in Natural Cordyceps sinensis and Cultured Cordyceps Mycelia

Aim: To compare the contents of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia, and to study the effect of humidity and heat on the content of nucleosides. Methods: The contents of nucleosides were determined by using high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). Beckman P/ACE System 5010 apparatus equipped with a UV detector and a Beckman untreated fused-silica capillary (57 cm 75 mm, 50 cm effective length) was used. Before sample injection, the capillary was rinsed with 1 molL-1 sodium hydroxide solution and running buffer for 5 min, respectively. A voltage of 20 kV was applied for the separation. Pressure injection was 586 kPa for 6 seconds, and the wavelength of detector was 254 nm. The running time was 20 min at 20 oC. The effect of humidity and heat on the contents of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia was observed for 1, 3, 5 and 10 days at temperature 40 oC, and relative humidity 75%. Results: The content of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis was higher than that from cultured Cordyceps mycelia. But the contents of nucleosides from freshly collected natural Cordyceps sinensis were very low, even below the limit of quantitation. The contents of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis were significantly increased by humidity and heat, but this phenomenon was not observed in cultured Cordyceps mycelia. Conclusion: There are differences between the nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia. The nucleosides in natural Cordyceps sinensis may be derived from the degradation of nucleic acids. This implies that adenosine being used for the quality control of natural Cordyceps sinensis may have to be reconsidered.

Microbiological Transformation of Ginsenoside Rg_1

Forty-nine microbial strains were used to screen their ability for the microbiological transforma-tion of ginsenoside Rg1. Aspergillus niger (3.1858) and Absidia coerulea (3.3538) were found to convert ginsenoside Rg1 efficiently to less polar metabolites. Preparative scale transformation with both fungi Absidia coerulea (3.3538) and Aspergillus niger (3.1858) have resulted in the production of one same metabolite (MT1). Its structure was char-acterized as 6-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxatriol (Ginsenoside Rh1) on the basis of its TOF-MS and 1H, 13C NMR spectral data. The biotransformation kinetic curves for Ginsenoside Rg1 and MT1 were reported for the first time, and the biotransformation pathway was proposed.

Analysis of the Constituents in the Chinese Drug Notoginseng by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

To develop a HPIX-UV-MS method for identifying the constituents in theChinese drug Notoginseng (the root of Panax notoginseng). Methods A Phenomenex Luna C_(18) column(250 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm) was utilized. Water containing 0.005% formic acid (A) and acetonitrilecontaining 0.005% formic acid (B) were used as gradient eluents. UV spectra were recorded in range195 - 400 nm. Both positive and negative ion ESI modes were used. Results The constituents inNotoginseng were well separated and detected. Fourteen compounds were identified by comparing theirretention time and ESI-MS data with those obtained from the reference compounds. Forty-one compoundswere deduced by data analysis of MS and literature; among them, yesanchinosides-H and -E,chikusetsusaponin-L_5, malonyl-ginsenoside-R_(g_1), the isomers of notoginsenosides-J, -A, -R_1, -G,-R_2, and ginsenoside-Rh_3 were discovered in Notoginseng for the first time. Conclusion Thismethod gives high sensitivity and good separation, and is suitable for identifying the constituentsin Notoginseng. This result is helpful for further phytochemical research on Notoginseng. Based onthis result, further quality control can be studied.

Purification and Characterization of Flammulin,a Basic Protein with Anti-tumor Activities from Flammulina velutipes

Aim To purify and characterize flammulin, a basic protein with anti-tumoractivities. Methods Ammonium sulfate, ethanol fractionation and column chromatography were used forseparation and purification. Electrophoretic analysis, amino acid analysis, and MS of flammulin werecarried out. Results Flammulin was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and crystallized. With amolecular mass of 19891.13 Da, pI 8.9, λ_(max) = 276 - 278 nm, λ_(min) = 250 nm, flammulin wascharacterized by its lack of methionine. Fingerprint mapping of flammulin was determined by MALDI-MSfollowing in-gel protease digestion; no close matches were identified. Conclusion Flammulin waspurified to electrophoretic homogeneity, and its characteristics are discussed for the first time.

Optimization of Preparative Separation and Purification of Total Flavonoids from Radix Puerariae by Macroporous Resin Method

Aim To screen the optimum macroporous resin and conditions for the isolation and purification of flavonoids from Radix Puerariae. Methods The static and dynamic adsorption/desorption methods were used, and the separation and purification process was evaluated by measuring the concentration of total flavonoid in the fractions with UV spectrophotometer. Results The SP70 macroporous resin was the most effective compared with other macroporous resins. The optimum conditions were screened, which were 0.5 g· mL^- 1 corresponding to crude drug for concentration of extract, pH 5 - 6, and appended 60 times the volume of the resin bed （BV） with the adsorption speed 2 BV·h^-1, and the volume of aq. 70% （V/V） ethanol as eluant was 5 BV with desorption speed 2 BV·h^-1. By this method, the final contents of total flavonoids exceeded 80%. Conclusion The SP70 macroporous resin is the most effective one for large-scale isolation and purification of flavonoids from Radix Pueraria, which meets industrial needs.

Chemical constituents from Pithecellobium clypearia and their effects on T lymphocytes proliferation

Aim To investigate the chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Pithecellobium clypearia Benth and their immunomodulatory effects. Methods The constituents were separated and purified by various chromatographic methods and their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis. The immufiomodulatory effects of all the compounds were examined by a Con A-induced T lymphocytes proliferation assay. Results Eight compounds were isolated and identified as （-）- epigallocatechin （1）, （-）-5, 7, 3′, 4′, 5′-pentahydroxyflavan （2）, （-）-epigallocatechin-7-gallate （3）, （-）-5, 3′, 4′, 5′-tetrahydroxyfiavan- 7-gallate （4）, quercitin-3-O-α-L-rhamnpyranoside （5）, myricitin-3-O-α-L-rhamnpyranoside （6）, gallic acid （7）, and ethyl gallate （8）, respectively. Conclusion Compounds 3 and 8 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compound 1 was isolated from this species for the first time. Compound 3 exhibited a strong inhibition on the T lymphocytes proliferation induced by Con A with an IC50 of 4.4 μmol·L^-1.

Chemical Constituents from Starfish Asterias rollestoni

Aim To investigate novel bioactive and structural metabolites from marineorganisms. Methods Column chromatography in association with semi-preparative HPLC were used for theisolation of compounds. 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV, and MS were employed for structure elucidation.Results From the butanol fraction of the 95% EtOH extract of the starfish Asterias rollestoni, a newcompound N^7 -2'-deoxypseudoxanthosine (1), along with sixteen known compounds, 2'-0-methyl-inosine(2), 2'-deoxyinosine (3), 2'-0-methylguanosine (4), inosine (5); thymine (6), uracil (7), thymidine(8), deoxyuridine (9), 2'-0-methyluridine (10), ( ― )-(1S, 3S)-1-methyl-1, 2, 3,4-terrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxyl-ic acid (11), ( ― )-(1R, 3S)-1-methyl-1, 2, 3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (12) , ( ― )-(3S)- 1, 2, 3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (13), L-tryptophan (14), L-phenylalanine (15), 3-carboxyindole (16), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (17) , have been isolated. Conclusion Compound 1 is a newnatural product, and compounds 8, 9 and 10 are isolated from natural sources for the first time, andthe known compounds except 14 and 15 are first reported from starfish Asterias rollestoni.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Essential Oil from Dry Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort and Their Characterization by GC/MS

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of essential oil from dry rhizome ofLigusticum chuanxiong Hort was developed. GC/MS was used for the determination of the composition ofessential oil. Forty-four compounds were identified. The conventional extraction method wasconducted in parallel for comparison. The extracts were qualitatively compared by GC/MS. The yieldsof SFE and steam distillation-extraction were 4.16 % ( v/w) and 0.8 % ( v/w), respectively.Application of SFE of zessential oil from dry rhizome of Ligustiaan chuanxiong Hort was preferable.

Exploration for a Natural Selenium Supplement——Characterization and Bioactivities of Se-containing Polysaccharide from Garlic

A Se—containing polysaccharide(Se-GPS),with average molecular weight of 1.5×10~4 was isolated from Hubei Enshi garlic(Allium sativum L.)and purified by means of Sephadex G25 to G200 chromatographies.Its chemical homogeneity and composition were studied by optical rotation,HPLC and paper chromatographical methods.The abilities of scavenging active oxygen free radicals and inhibiting the damage of erythrocyte membrane by SiO_2 were established by spin trapping ESR studies.Se-GPS was shown to inhibit human cytomegalovirus by plague reduction assays and cytopathogenic effect tests.

Induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest by oridonin in human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells

Aim To investigate in vitro apoptosis-induction effects of oridonin on gastric tumor cells BGC-823 and its effects on cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular Ca^2＋ to shed light on the mode of its anticancer action. Methods The MTT method was used to investigate the inhibitory effect of oridonin on BGC-823 cells. The apoptosis-induction effect was evaluated by confocal laser microscopy and flow cytometry. The change of mitochondrial membrane potential and the increase of intracellular Ca^2＋ were assessed by fluorescence probe rhodamine123 and Fluo 3-AM, respectively, with flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis and cell cycle related proteins was studied using western blotting. Results Oridonin inhibited BGC-823 cells growth with IC50 of 22.21 p, mol.L^-1. It induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, it decreased mitochondria membrane potential, increased intracellular Ca^2＋, and activated pro-caspase 3. BGC-823 cells were arrested in G2/M cell cycle phase with lower expression of cyclin A protein. The up-regulation of p53 was observed before apoptosis and cell cycle arrest occurred. Conclusion Oridonin inhibits the proliferation of BGC-823 cells through G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, which is mediated by influx of Ca^2＋, up-regulation of p53, activation of caspase-3, and down-regulation of cyclin A.

Constituents from Ranunculus sieboldii Miq.

Aim To investigate the chemical composition of Ranunculus sieboldii Miq..Methods Repeated column chromatography over silica gel, polyamide and RP-18 followed by gelfiltration on sephadex LH-20 were used to isolate chemical constituents, and their structures wereelucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, MS, ~1H NMR, ^(13)C NMR) including 2D NMR(COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY) techniques and by direct comparing spectral data with those reported inliterature. Results Five flavonoid glycosides named apigenin-4'-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1),apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), apigenin-8-C-α-L-arabinopyranoside(3), apigenin-8-C-β-D-ga-lactopyranoside (4) , tricin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), together withtricin (6), luteolin (7), scopoletin (8), esculetin (9), scoparone (10), ferulic acid (11),protocatechuic acid (12) , and tematolide (13) were isolated from the 95% etha-nolic extract of itswhole plant, and their cytotoxic activities were preliminarily tested. Conclusion Compounds 1-12were obtained from this genus and compound 13 from this species for the first time. Furthermore,compound 1 was for the first time isolated from nature while the ^(13)C NMR data of compounds 2 and3 are reported for the first time. The bioassay revealed that compound 1 was active against BEL-7407and A549 cell lines (IC_(45) 43, 77 μg·mL^(-1)), 8 and 10 showed inhibitory activities on KB celllines (IC_(50) 78, 44 μg·mL^(-1)) and HL-60 cell lines (Ic_(50) 85, 85 μg·mL^(-1)), while 7exerted moderate cytotoxic activities on KB, BFL-7407, A549 and HL-60 cell lines with their IC_(50)being 51, 55, 44 and 10 μg·mL^(-1) , respectively.

Preparation of High-Purity Linolenic Acid from Oil of Lithospermum Erythrorhizon by Urea Inclusion and Column Chromatography

Aim To separate high purity linolenic acid from the oil of Lithospermumerythrorhizon growing in the Northeast of China. Methods Urea inclusion and column chromatographywere used. Results Unsaturated fatty acid was separated, with a purity of 99.30 wt% of linolenicacid. Conclusion The experiment shows excellent reproducibility and high feasibility for industrialproduction.

The Chemical Constituents from the Bulbs of Ornithogalum caudatum

A new natural product (1) together with 26 know compounds were isolated from the Bulbs of Ornithogalum caudatum. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analyses as n-butyl pyroglutamate (1), nonadecyl alcohol(2), eicosanol(3), behenic acid(4), b-sitosterol(5), stigmasterol(6), glycerol 1-monocerotate(7), pyrocatechol(8), p-ethoxybenzoic acid(9), p-coumarinic acid(10), protocatechuric acid(11), ursolic acid(12), betulinic acid(13), fumaric acid(14), succinic acid(15), uracil(16), xanthine(17), quercetin(18), kaempferol (19), isorham-netin(20), adenosine(21), daucosterol(22), stigmasterol 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside(23), quercetin 3-O-b-D-glucopyra-noside(24), kaempferol 3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside(25), rutin(26), and kaempferol 3-O-b-rutinoside(27). All of them, except compound 5, were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Anti-tumor Effect and Protective Effect on Chemotherapeutic Damage of Water Soluble Extracts from Hedyotis diffusa

Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (Ru-biaceae) is a medicinal herbwidely distributed in northeast Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has the effectof 'clearing away heat and toxic material, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis'.It is a well known Chinese folk-medicine used for the treatment of appendicitis, sore throat, mumps,acne, sebo-rheic dermatitis and various kinds of tumors, such as tumors of digestive tract,carcinoma of liver. It was reported that the MeOH extract of H. diffusa demonstrated a significantantitumor activity and ursolic acid succeeded in being isolated from the MeOH extract as an activecomponent . Shan BN, et al suggested that the direct aqueous extract of H. diffusa hadimmuno-modulating activity and antitumor activity in vitro through stimulating the immune system tokill or engulf tumor cells. But regarding anti-tumor activity in vivo of water soluble extracts fromH. diffusa, no detail was reported. Therefore, we prepared water soluble extracts (H_1 and H_2)from H. diffusa and evaluated their anti-tumor property in vivo experiments as well as protectiveeffect on chemo-therapeutic damage.

Chemical Constituents from Roots of Semiaquilegia adoxoides

Semiaquilegia adoxoides ( DC. ) Makino ( Chinese name ''Tian-Kui-Zi'' ) , theonly species of genus Semiaquilegia, belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. As a perennial herbaceousplant, both the aerial parts and the roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine for differentmedications. The roots are often used to treat inflammation, snake bite, bruises and injuries,tonsillitis, mastitis, scrofula, and cancer for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, andantineoplastic activities. The aerial parts are used for the treatment of mastitis, bruises, andheart diseases, such as endomyocarditis. The medicinal usage of this plant prompted us toinvestigate its chemical constituents. As a result, nine compounds 1-9 ( see Figure 1) were isolatedfrom the roots of S. adoxoides. Among them, compounds 1-7 and 9 were isolated from the genusSemiaquilegia for the first time.

Chemical Constituents from Portulaca oleracea L.

Portulaca oleracea L. is distributed widely in China and some othercountries, which is included in the pharmacopoeias of China. In tradition, it is used in thetreatment of atheroma, and also used as antifungal and antiviral agents now. It also decreases bloodsugar, enhances immunity and adjusts blood lipids. The anticancer and antifungal effects ofPortulaca oleracea L. were reported in several patents. But no active component has been found. Inthis study, the chemical compositions from Portulaca oleracea L. were investigated to provideevidence for the activity of Portulaca oleracea L. .

Enzymatic Transformation of Notoginsenoside Fe by β-Glucanase

Aim An industrial enzyme β-glucanase was used to transfortn notoginsenoside Fe for the first time. Methods Notoginsenoside Fe was isolated from the leave saponin of Panax notoginseng （Burk.） Chen FH. The enzymatically transformed compounds were detected by HPLC and two transformed compounds were identified as 20 （S） -protopanaxadiol-20- O- α-L-arabinofuranosyl （ 1→6 ） - β-gluco- pyranoside, ginsenoside-Mc） and 20（S）-protopanaxadiol-20-O-β-D-glucopyranoside compound-K （C-K） respectively on the basis of their ^1H NMR and ^13 C NMR spectral data. Results Based on the enzymolytic kinetic curve, the transformation rate of notoginsenoside Fe reached 95% after 24 h. Conclusion The enzymatic transformation pathway of notoginsenoside Fe by β-glucanase has been proposed as notoginsenoside Fe→ginsenoside Mc→C-K.