Triterpenoid Saponins from the Seeds of Aesculus chinensis and Their Cytotoxicities

Six new triterpenoid saponins,aesculusosides A-F(1-6),together with 19 known ones,were isolated from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis.The new structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with previously reported data.Some of the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 cell line by an MTT assay,and compounds 15,16,19,and 23-25 exhibited inhibitory activities against MCF-7 with IC50 values ranging from 7.1 to 31.3μM.

Lyconadins G and H,Two Rare Lyconadin-Type Lycopodium Alkaloids from Lycopodium complanatum

Two rare lyconadin-type Lycopodium alkaloids,lyconadins G(1)and H(2),together with four known ones(3–6),were isolated from Lycopodium complanatum.The structures were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic analyses,and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by an X-ray crystallographic analysis.It is the first time to establish the absolute configuration of lyconadin-type Lycopodium alkaloid by an X-ray diffraction experiment.In addition,these findings may provide more information for the biosynthesis of lyconadins.

Two pyrrole acids isolated from Phyllanthus emblica L.and their bioactivities

An undescribed pyrrole acid,1-(4′-methoxy-4′-oxobutyl)-1 H-pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylic acid(1)and one known pyr-role acid(2)were isolated from the fruits of Phyllanthus emblica.The structures of these compounds were elucidated via the comprehensive analyses of IR,HRESIMS,1D and 2D spectroscopic data.A series of biological assays revealed that compounds 1 and 2 could inhibit LPS-induced over-production of nitric oxide(NO),interleukin-6(IL-6),monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)by reducing the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)and c-Jun N-terminal kinases(JNK)in RAW 264.7 cells.Additionally,compounds 1 and 2 were found to reduce lipid deposition and increase the mRNA expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 in oxidized low-density lipoprotein-treated RAW264.7 macrophages.

An Integrated Study for the Utilization of Anthraquinone Compounds Extract“Heshouwu”In vivo and their Comparative Metabolism in Liver Microsomes Using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS^(n)

Objective: Anthraquinone(AQ), a major bioactive component of the traditional Chinese medicine He ShouW u, has widespread applications in industry and medicine. The objective of the current study is to explore the differences in the bioavailability of anthraquinones in vivo and the metabolism in liver microsomes. Materials and Methods: In vivo, we used a reliable UPLC?ESI?Qq Q?MS/MS method to measure seven AQ compounds in the jugular vein plasma of rats following oral administration of He Shou Wu. Furthermore, in order to quantify the bioavailability of AQs in vivo and to further understand the metabolism of these compounds, we compared the in vitro metabolism of AQ in different species with respect to metabolic profiles, the enzymes involved, and catalytic efficiency using liver microsomes from human(HLM), mouse(MLM), rat(RLM), and beagle dog(DLM). Results: We identified two metabolic pathways, including the hydroxylation and glucuronidation of AQ, in the liver microsomes of humans and other species using UPLC?ESI?Q?TOF. We found that substitutions on the AQ ring were crucial to the activity and regioselectivity of its hydroxylation. In general, hydroxylation activity decreased greatly with β?COOH(rhein) and enhanced dramatically with β?OH(emodin). We also found that glucuronidation of the compound emodin?8?O?β?D?glucoside acts as the main isoform in AQ hydroxylation in HLM and DLM. Total microsomal intrinsic clearance values for AQ were greatest in mouse microsomes, followed by those in dog, human, and rat microsomes. Conclusion: The absorption of different anthrquinone compounds varied based on the compound structure, the metabolism types and products of anthraquinones in liver microsomes were different in different species. These findings provide vital information for a deeper unuunderstanding of the metabolism of AQs.

Pyrylium salts acting as both energy transfer and electron transfer photocatalysts for E → Z isomerization of activated alkenes and cyclization of cinnamic or biaryl carboxylic acids

2,4,6-Triarylpyrylium salts are stable,readily available and cheap.However,only their electron transfer oxi-dation ability has been explored.We herein report that they could perform both energy transfer and elec-tron transfer activation modes for the photocascade E→Z isomerization/cyclizations,E→Z isomerization of activated alkenes and oxidative cyclizations.