Oplopanax elatus(Nakai) Nakai: chemistry, traditional use and pharmacology

Oplopanax elatus(Nakai) Nakai, a member of the ancient angiosperm plant family Araliaceae, is used for the treatment of different disorders in the medicine systems of China, Russia, and Korea, and was designated in Russia as a classical adaptogen. Despite extensive studies of classical adaptogens, there are comparatively few reports concerning the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of O. elatus in English. The plant is a potential source of saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenes, and other active compounds. Experimental studies and clinical applications have indicated that O. elatus possesses a number of pharmacological activities, including adaptogenic, anti-convulsant, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, blood pressure modulating, and reproductive function effects. In this review, the chemistry, safety, and therapeutic potential of O. elatus are summarized and highlighted to encourage the further development of this plant.

Chemical Studies on the Glycosides in the Leaves of Oplopanax Elatus Nakai(Ⅳ)

The further investigation of the chemical constituents of the leaves of Oplopanax elatus Nakai led to the isolation of two new triterpenoid saponins, named Cirensenosides M(1) and N(2). The structures of the two saponins were elucidated as 3 α hydroxyolean 9(11), 12 diene 28 oic acid 28 O α L rhamnopyranosyl (1→4) β D glucopyranosyl (1→6) β D glucopyranoside(1) and 3 α hydroxyolean 11,13(18) diene 28 oic acid 28 O α L rhamnopyranosyl (1→4) β D glucopyranosyl(1→6) β D glucopyranoside(2), respectively.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of falcarindiol and oplopandiol in rats after oral administration of polyynes extract of Oplopanax elatus

Polyynes, such as facarindiol(FAD) and oplopandiol(OPD), are responsible for anticancer activities of Oplopanax elatus(O. elatus). A novel approach to pharmacokinetics determination of the two natural polyynes in rats was developed and validated using a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) method. Biosamples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate/n-hexane(V : V = 9 : 1) and the analytes were eluted on an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 threaded column(4.6 mm × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous formic acid at a flow-rate of 0.5 m L·min–1 within a total run time of 11 min. All analytes were simultaneously monitored in a single-quadrupole mass spectrometer in the selected ion monitoring(SIM) mode using electrospray source in positive mode. The method was demonstrated to be rapid, sensitive, and reliable, and it was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of the two polyynes in rat plasma after oral administration of polyynes extract of O. elatus.

Inhibitory Mechanisms of Water Extract of Oplopanax elatus on Lipopolysaccharide-lnduced Inflammatory Responses in RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophage Cells

Objective:To study the anti-inflammatory action and cellular mechanism of Oplopanax elatus.Methods:A hot water extract of OE(WOE)was prepared and a major constituent,syringin,was successfully isolated.Its content in WOE was found to be 214.0 p.g/g dried plant(w/w).Their anti-inflammatory activities were examined using RAW 264.7 macrophages and a mouse model of croton oil-induced ear edema.Results:In lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells,a mouse macrophage cell line,WOE was found to significantly and strongly inhibit cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)-induced prostaglandin E2(PGE2)production[half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)=135.2μg/mL]and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)-induced NO production(IC50=242.9μg/mL).In the same condition,WOE was revealed to inhibit NO production by downregulating iNOS expression,mainly by interrupting mitogen activated protein kinases(MAPKs)/activator protein-1(AP-1)pathway.The activation of all three major MAPKs,p38 MAPK,extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),and c-Jun N-terminal kinase,was inhibited by WOE(50-300μg/mL).On the other hand,WOE reduced PGE2 production by inhibiting COX-2 enzyme activity,but did not affect COX-2 expression levels.In addition,WOE inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α.In croton oil-induced ear edema in mice,oral administration of WOE(50-300 mg/kg)dose-dependently inhibited edematic inflammation.Conclusion:Water extract of OE exhibited multiple anti-inflammatory action mechanisms and may have potential for treating inflammatory disorders.