Review on“Long-Dan”,one of the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia

“Long-Dan”is an important traditional Chinese medicinal(TCM)herb used widely for the treatment of inflammation,hepatitis,rheumatism,cholecystitis,and tuberculosis.In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,the roots and rhizomes of four species from the genus Gentiana(Gentianaceae)are recorded as the original materials of“Long-Dan”,called Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma.The species included G.manshurica,G.scabra,G.triflora and G.rigescens,which are distributed in different areas of China.Though iridoid and secoiridoid glucosides were reported as the main constituents in“Long-Dan”,these four different species also resulted in different minor components,which may related to their pharmacological activities.Herein,we summarized the herbal textual study,distribution,chemical constituents,biological investigation and quality control of the recorded“Long-Dan”origins in Chinese Pharmacopoeia during the period 1960 to 2011.

In vitro Anti-viral Activity of the Total Alkaloids from Tripterygium hypoglaucum against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a commonly occurring human pathogen worldwide. There is an urgent need to discover and develop new alternative agents for the management of HSV-1 infection. Tripterygium hypoglaucum (level) Hutch (Celastraceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine plant with many pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and antifertility. The usual medicinal part is the roots which contain about a 1% yield of alkaloids. A crude total alkaloids extract was prepared from the roots of T. hypoglaucum amd its antiviral activity against HSV-1 in Vero cells was evaluated by cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, plaque reduction assay and by RT-PCR analysis. The alkaloids extract presented low cytotoxicity (CC50 = 46.6 μg/mL) and potent CPE inhibition activity, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 6.5 μg/mL, noticeably lower than that of Acyclovir (15.4 μg /mL). Plaque formation was significantly reduced by the alkaloids extract at concentrations of 6.25 μg/mL to 12.5 μg/mL, the plaque reduction ratio reached 55% to 75% which was 35% higher than that of Acyclovir at the same concentration. RT-PCR analysis showed that, the transcription of two important delayed early genes UL30 and UL39, and a late gene US6 of HSV-1 genome all were suppressed by the alkaloids extract, the expression inhibiting efficacy compared to the control was 74.6% (UL30), 70.9% (UL39) and 62.6% (US6) respectively at the working concentration of 12.5μg/mL. The above results suggest a potent anti-HSV-1 activity of the alkaloids extract in vitro.

Allelochemicals of Panax notoginseng and their effects on various plants and rhizosphere microorganisms

Panax notoginseng(Araliaceae)is an important ginseng herb with various health benefits and a history of cultivation in southwestern China over 400 years.In recent years?.notoginseng has faced serious continuous-cropping obstacles due to its large-scale cultivation.In this study,we aim to explore the allelochemicals of P.notoginseng and their interactions with various plants and rhizosphere microor-ganisms.The chemical constituents of the soil cultivated with 3-year-old P.notoginseng were studied by column chromatography,spectroscopic and GC-MS analyses.We identified 13 volatile components and isolated six triterpenes(1-4,6-7)and one anthraquinone(5).Compounds 1-7 were tested for their effects on seed germination and root elongation in P.notoginseng,corn,wheat,turnip,water spinach and Arabidopsis thaliana.We also examined the effect of compounds 1-7on the growth of ten rhizosphere microorganisms of P.notoginseng.At a concentration of 1.0 ug mL',compounds 3 and 5-7 caused the death of P.notoginseng root cells and compounds 2,6 and 7 induced the death of root cells of A.thaliana.Compounds 1-5and 7 inhibited elongation of A.thaliana root tip cells at a concentration of 10.0μg mL^-1.Moreover,at a concentration of 0.1 mg mL^-1,compounds 3,4,6 and 7 inhibited the growth of probiotics and promoted the growth of pathogens of P.notoginseng.These results suggest that these isolated ursane-type triterpenoid acids and anthraquinone are potential allelochemicals that contribute to continuous-cropping obstacles of P.notoginseng.

The chemical constituents from the roots of Gentiana crassicaulis and their inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediators NO and TNF-α

Chemical study on the roots of Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk(Gentianaceae)afforded 15 compounds,including two new iridoid glycosides,qinjiaosides B(1)and C(2).Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical evidence.The isolated iridoid glycosides 1,4-6 and 8-11 were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO and TNF-αproduction in macrophage RAW264.7 cells.All of them showed inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediators NO at a concentration of 15μM,while 5 and 9 displayed the most potential inhibitory effects on TNF-awith IC50 of 0.06 and 0.05μM,respectively.The structure-activity relationships(SARs)of these iridoid derivatives were discussed.

Effects of 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose from P. emblica on HBsAg and HBeAg Secretion in HepG2.2.15 Cell Culture

A polyphenolic compound, 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (1246TGG), was isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae) and assayed for its potential as an anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) agent. The cytotoxicity of 1246TGG on HepG2.2.15 as well as HepG2 cells was determined by observing cytopathic effects, and the effects of 1246TGG on secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg in HepG2.2.15 cells were assayed by enzyme immunoassay. Results indicates that treatment with 1246TGG (6.25 μg/mL, 3.13 μg/mL), reduced both HBsAg and HBeAg levels in culture supernatant, yet the inhibitory effects tend to decline with the assay time. This study provides a basis for further investigation of the anti-HBV activity and possible mechanism of action of 1246TGG.

Two New Alkaloids from Fusarium tricinctum SYPF 7082,an Endophyte from the Root of Panax notoginseng

Panax notoginseng(Araliaceae)is a famous traditional Chinese medicine mainly cultivated in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces of China.Two new alkaloids,rigidiusculamide E(1)and[-(a-oxyisohexanoyl-N-methyl-leucyl)2-](2),together with two known ones,(-)-oxysporidinone(3)and(-)-4,60-anhydrooxysporidinone(4)were isolated from the mycelia culture of Fusarium tricinctum SYPF 7082,an endophytic fungus obtained from the healthy root of P.notoginseng.Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses.Compounds 1-4 were tested for their inhibitory effects against NO production on Murine macrophage cell line,and the new compound 2 showed significant inhibitory activity on NO production with the IC_(50)value of 18.10±0.16μM.

Research of Panax spp.in Kunming Institute of Botany,CAS

Panax,a genus of the Araliaceae family,is an important herbal group in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Nine species and three varieties are included in the genus of Panax,in which nearly all species have been used for medicinal purposes.Among them,Panax notoginseng(Burk)F.H.Chen,Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer and Panax quinquefolius L.are the most representative and valuable herbs world-wide,with a long history of cultivation.As the main bioactive chemical constituents,saponins with different aglycones are the major components in various Panax spp.,and their pharmacological activities are mainly reflected in the effects on blood system,cardio-and cerebro-vascular systems,nervous system,metabolism,and immune regulation.Researchers of Kunming Institute of Botany(KIB),Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS),have put many efforts into conducting the investigations on Panax species.Herein,we reviewed the research progress on Panax spp.in KIB,CAS,over the past few decades,from the aspects of history and origin,phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.

New spinosin derivatives from the seeds of Ziziphus mauritiana

Three new acylated flavonoid C-glycosides,6'''-(-)-phaseoylspinosin(1),6'''-(3'''',4'''',5''''-trimethoxyl)-(E)-cinnamoylspinosin(2),and 6'''-(4''''-O-β-D-gluco-pyranosyl)-benzoylspinosin(3),were isolated from the seeds of Ziziphus mauritiana(Rhamnaceae).A further 19 known compounds including eight spinosin analogues(4-11)were also isolated.Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis and chemical method.Among spinosin derivatives 1,2,4,7,8,and triterpenoid saponin 14,jujuboside A(14)displayed moderate acetylcholinesterase(AchE)inhibitory activity with an inhibition value of 46.2%at a concentration of 1μM.

Dammarane-type saponins from steamed leaves of Panax notoginseng

Four new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins,namely notoginsenosides SFt1-SFt4(1-4)were isolated from the steamed leaves of Panax notoginseng(Burk.)F.H.Chen(Araliaceae),together with 17 known saponins.Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and acidic hydrolysis.The known ginsenosides Rk2 and Rh3 were obtained from P.notoginseng for the first time.All of these new saponins showed no in vitro cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines(HL-60,SMMC-7712,A-549,MCF-7,and SW480).

Two New Indolyl Diketopiperazines,Trypostatins C and D from Aspergillus penicilliodes Speg.

Twelve indolyl diketopiperazines 1-12 were isolated from the mycelia culture of Aspergillus penicilliodes Speg.,a dominant microorganism from the post fermentation process of ripe Pu-er tea.Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods.Among them,trypostatins C(1)and D(2)featuring with a rare methyl vinyl ketone side chain at C-2 are new compounds,while 3 and 4 were obtained for the first time from nature source.The isolates 3-12 did not show obvious cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines at a concentration of 40μM.

Flavonoid oligomers from Chinese dragon’s blood,the red resins of Dracaena cochinchinensis

A detailed chemical investigation of the red resins from Dracaena cochinchinensis(Chinese dragon’s blood)yielded five new flavonoid oligomers,named cochinchinenins D-H(1-5),together with a known biflavonoid,cinnabarone(6),and a mixture of two known biflavonoids,socotrin-4'-ol(7)and homoisosocotrin-4'-ol(8).Of these new compounds,1-3 were biflavonoids and 4 and 5 were triflavonoids.Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.The isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity(Cdc25),antibacterial(PEPT)and antifungal(YNG)activities.

The Genus Terminalia(Combretaceae):An Ethnopharmacological,Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review

Terminalia Linn,a genus of mostly medium or large trees in the family Combretaceae with about 250 species in the world,is distributed mainly in southern Asia,Himalayas,Madagascar,Australia,and the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa.Many species are used widely in many traditional medicinal systems,e.g.,traditional Chinese medicine,Tibetan medicine,and Indian Ayurvedic medicine practices.So far,about 39 species have been phytochemically studied,which led to the identification of 368 compounds,including terpenoids,tannins,flavonoids,phenylpropanoids,simple phenolics and so on.Some of the isolates showed various bioactivities,in vitro or in vivo,such as antitumor,anti HIV-1,antifungal,antimicrobial,antimalarial,antioxidant,diarrhea and analgesic.This review covers research articles from 1934 to 2018,retrieved from SciFinder,Wikipedia,Google Scholar,Chinese Knowledge Network and Baidu Scholar by using“Terminalia”as the search term(“all fields”)with no specific time frame setting for the search.Thirty-nine important medicinal and edible Terminalia species were selected and summarized on their geographical distribution,traditional uses,phytochemistry and related pharmacological activities.

Highly Oxygenated Limonoids and Lignans from Phyllanthus flexuosus

Two new highly oxygenated limonoids,flexuosoids A(1)and B(2),and three new arylnaphthalene lignan glycosides,phyllanthusmins D–F(3–5),were isolated from the roots of Phyllanthus flexuosus,in addition to three known lignans,phyllanthusmin C,arabelline,and(?)-diasyringaresinol.Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods.Compounds 1 and 2,two new decaoxygenated limonoids with a C-19/29 lactol bridge and heptaoxygenated substituents at C-1,C-2,C-3,C-7,C-11,C-17,and C-30,represent the second example of limonoids in the Euphorbiaceae family.Most of the isolates were tested for their antifeedant,anti-herpes simplex virus 1,and cytotoxic activities.The new limonoids 1 and 2 showed promising antifeedant activity against the beet army worm(Spodoptera exigua)with EC50 values of 25.1 and 17.3 lg/cm2,respectively.In addition,both of them displayed moderate cytotoxicity against the ECA109 human esophagus cancer cell line,along with the known lignan glycoside,phyllanthusmin C,with the IC50 values of 11.5(1),8.5(2),and 7.8(phyllanthusmin C)lM,respectively.

Comparative Study on“Long-Dan”,“Qin-Jiao”and Their Adulterants by HPLC Analysis

“Long-Dan”and“Qin-Jiao”are two important TCM herbs since ancient times in China.In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,the dried roots and rhizomes of four species from the genus Gentiana,e.g.Gentiana manshurica,G.scabra,G.triflora and G.rigescens,are recorded under the name of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma(“Long-Dan”in Chinese),while the other four species from the same genus including G.macrophylla,G.crassicaulis,G.straminea and G.duhurica are recorded and used as the raw materials of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix(“Qin-Jiao”in Chinese).On the basis of the establishment of a validated HPLC–UV method for quantifying simultaneously,five iridoid glycosides,e.g.loganic acid(1),swertiamarinin(2),gentiopicroside(3),sweroside(4)and 20-(o,m-dihydroxybenzyl)sweroside(5)have been used successfully as chemical markers for the comparison of the species used as“Long-Dan”,“Qin-Jiao”and their adulterants in the present study.The results suggested that four iridoid glycosides 1–4 commonly existed in both“Long-Dan”and“Qin-Jiao”,while 20-(o,m-dihydroxybenzyl)sweroside(5)also existed as one of the major components in“Dian-Long-Dan”species.Moreover,the contents of compounds 1–5 were various in different“LongDan”and“Qin-Jiao”species.Herein,we profiled and compared three“Long-Dan”species,four“Qin-Jiao”species and five adulterants by applying multivariate statistical techniques to their HPLC data sets to establish the differences and/or similarities.