Search

Morchella fluvialis, a morel mushroom, is one of the most famous edible mushrooms all over the world. Interest in this mushroom is steadily increasing due to its organoleptic properties and nutritional value. The methanolic extract of M. fluvialis showed α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities in an assay system. Therefore, the purification and characterisation of bioactive metabolites and evaluation of biological activity were conducted. Fractionation of the M. fluvialis extract resulted in the isolation of nine compounds, namely, three fatty acids, (9Z,12Z)-octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid, 1), (9Z,12Z)-3-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (2) and (6Z,9Z)-13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (3); four sterols, stellasterol (4), ergosterol peroxide (5), ergosterol (6) and brassicasterol (7); one sugar alcohol, arabitol (8); and nicotinamide (9). Among them, compounds 2–3 and 7 were first reported from Morchella. In addition, compound 1 exhibited potent α-glucosidase inhibition, with an IC50 value of 14.8 μM. The content of compound 1, the major compound, was 1.2 mg · g–1 extract, as quantitated by HPLC analysis, which was lower than the IC50 value of compound 1. Therefore, M. fluvialis can benefit from diabetes and related diseases through the synergistic effect of linoleic acid (1) and other ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zaluzanin C (ZC), a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Laurus nobilis L., has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the mechanistic role of ZC in its protective effects in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of action of ZC in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. ZC inhibited LPS-induced mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production and subsequent mtROS-mediated NF-κB activity in Kupffer cells (KCs). ZC reduced mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il1b and Tnfa) and chemokines (Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl4, Cxcl2 and Cxcl9). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced hepatocyte mtROS production was inhibited by ZC. ZC was effective in alleviating mtROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. ZC enhanced mitophagy and increased mRNA levels of fatty acid oxidation genes (Pparα, Cpt1, Acadm and Hadha) and mitochondrial biosynthetic factors (Pgc1α, Tfam, Nrf1 and Nrf2) in hepatocytes. ZC has proven its anti-lipid effect by improving lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by enhancing mitochondrial function to facilitate lipid metabolism. Therefore, our study suggests that ZC may be an effective compound for hepatoprotection by suppressing inflammation and lipid accumulation through regulating mtROS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hericene A (HA) is an anti-diabetic constituent of Hericeum erinaceus. • The amounts of HA in different H. erinaceus were quantitated. • The ratio of agricultural by-products affected the HA production in H. erinaceus. • Dark condition is better for producing HA than light condition. • Incubation days for fruiting body exerted effects on HA production. Hericium erinaceus is an edible and medicinal mushroom, which has been traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes and memory disorders. Hericene A (HA) is known as one of the active constituents of H. erinaceus including α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Therefore, research for the development of H. erinaceus with high content of HA was carried out in this study. The effects of culture conditions including agricultural by-products, incubation days and light conditions were investigated. The highest HA production was achieved by agricultural by-products combination of sawdust 42% + cottonseed meal 12% + rice bran 7% + cottonseed hulls 19% + beet 13% with the value of 3.46 mg HA/g dry mushroom. The incubation days for fruiting bodies affected the HA content whereas little effect of mycelia growth periods. In addition, H. erinaceus grown in darkness contained a high amount of HA than those under light conditions. Taken together, the development of H. erinaceus with increased HA content can be achieved by optimization of cultivation conditions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is an herbaceous perennial plant of the Apiaceae family that has diverse medicinal uses. Its active components are saponin, phenolics, and polyacetylenes. Plant cell cultures have been exploited for the efficient production of metabolites with pharmacological activity. In this work, we prepared adventitious root cultures of C. asiatica and analyzed their content and biological activity. Adventitious root extracts were found to increase glucose uptake by differentiated L6 skeletal muscle cells and to be more efficient than the extract of whole plants. Chromatographic fractionation of the extracts from adventitious roots of C. asiatica led to the isolation of two known polyacetylenes, araliadiol (1) and 8-acetoxy-1,9-pentadecadiene-4,6-diyn-3-ol (2), in addition to a new polyacetylene, which we have named centellidiol (3). All the three polyacetylenes stimulated glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. The methanol extract of adventitious roots contained 0.53% and 0.82% of compounds 1 and 2 , respectively, which are values that were 15 and 21 times higher that are found in mother plants. We therefore suggest that the high content of these polyacetylenes contributes to the high efficacy of C. asiatica adventitious root cultures. Overall, adventitious root cultures of C. asiatica can be part of a secure supply of effective ingredients including polyacetylenes. • Adventitious roots of C. asiatica increased glucose uptake more efficiently than original plants. • One new polyacetylene, named centellidiol (3), and two known ones (1 - 3) were isolated. • Three polyacetylenes stimulated glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. • Extract of adventitious roots contained 0.53% and 0.82% of polyacetylenes 1 and 2. • High content of polyacetylenes contributed to the efficacy of C. asiatica adventitious roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four main lignans of Schizandra chinensis, such as schizandrin (S1), schizandrin A (S2), gomisin N (S3) and wuweizisu C (S4), were quantitated. • According to maturity of fruit, the content of S1, s2 increased while S3 and S4 decreased. • These lignans are present in fruit, stem, leaf and seed with different amounts and ratio of each lignan. • The stem of S. chinensis showed α-glucosiase inhibitory activity, followed by fruit and seed. • The inhibitory activity showed correlation with the amount of S4 in samples. The fruit of Schisandra chinensis has been used for the treatment of various metabolic diseases for a long time. The bioactive constituents of the fruit are known as lignans with dibenzocyclooctadienes skeletons. In this study, changes in the content of four main lignans of S. chinensis, schizandrin (S1), schizandrin A (S2), gomisin N (S3) and wuweizisu C (S4), and anti-diabetic activities at the different maturation stages of fruits were investigated. In addition, comparison of stem, leaf and seed with fruit was conducted in order to determine the optimum harvest time of fruit with high functionality and seek an alternative to use the other parts of plant except the fruit. In the results, the total content of four lignans were kept relatively constant and the amount of S1 and S3 were more than that of S2 and S4. According to fruit maturity, the content of S1 and S2 increased, on the contrary, S3 and S4 decreased. α-Glucosidase inhibitory effect was higher in early matured fruits and decreased in medium and late matured fruits. Considering the correlation between lignan content and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect, the content of S4 appeared to be highly related to the inhibitory effect. All of examined lignans were also detected in other parts of the plant, especially showed higher level in stem and seed than in leaf. However, the content of each lignan was different in each part, that is, high content of S4 was detected in stem whereas the content of S3 was higher in seed. For the breeding of new cultivars of S. chinensis, it is necessary to cultivate early-maturing varieties with a high content of active ingredients as well as to find an alternative approach to use the various plant parts including stem, leaf and seed. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild ginseng (Panax ginseng) adventitious root cultures were prepared by elicitation using methyl jasmonate and investigated further to find new secondary metabolites. Chromatographic fractionation of wild ginseng adventitious root cultures led to the isolation of eleven compounds. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were identified as four known flavanone derivatives (1–4), one new curcubinoyl derivative, jasmogin A (5) and six new curcubinoyl-flavanone conjugates, jasmoflagins A-F (6–11) by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Newly isolated curcubinoyl derivatives showed inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Therefore, our present study suggested that elicitor stimulated plant cell cultures might contribute to the production of new metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hericium erinaceus, commonly called lion's mane mushroom , is an edible and medicinal mushroom that has been traditionally used for the treatment of metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases and memory impairment. In this study, potential anti-hyperglycemic constituents were identified to support the traditional usage of H. erinaceus. The components of H. erinaceus were purified using various column chromatography techniques. The structure of the separated compounds was determined based on spectroscopic data analysis, i.e., 1D and 2D NMR analysis. The anti-hyperglycemic activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated by measuring the inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase activity. Molecular docking analysis was also conducted for elucidation of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of isolated compounds. Ten compounds including four new compounds, erinacenols A-D (1 – 4), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus. Investigation of the anti-hyperglycemic effect of isolated compounds demonstrated that erinacenol D (4), 4-[3′,7′–dimethyl-2′,6′-octadienyl]-2-formyl-3-hydroxy-5-methyoxybenzylalcohol (6), hericene A (7), hericene D (8) and hericenone D (9) strongly inhibited α-glucosidase activity with IC 50 values of <20 μM. The structure activity relationship suggested the importance of long side chain for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Further analysis by molecular docking demonstrated the interaction of α-glucosidase and isolated compounds, which supported the inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase. Our present study demonstrated the beneficial effect of H. erinaceus by characterization of α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds, including four new compounds. This approach can be valuable support for the traditional use of H. erinaceus for the treatment of diabetes and metabolic diseases, which needs to be clarified by further in-vivo study. Image 1 • Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) inhibited α-glucosidase activity. • Ten compounds were isolated from the fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus. • Four compounds, erinacenols A-D, were newly reported. • Long side chain was suggested to be important for the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. • Interaction of α-glucosidase and compounds by molecular docking analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Eighteen polyamines with phenolic moieties were isolated from the bee pollen of Quercus mongolica. • One putrescine, seven spermidine and one spermine derivative were previously undescribed. • Polyamine derivatives with coumaroyl and caffeoyl moieties showed tyrosinase inhibition. Abstract Eighteen constituents, including nine new compounds, were isolated from the bee pollen of Quercus mongolica. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of combined spectroscopic analysis. Structurally, the nine new compounds are polyamine derivatives with phenolic moieties which were assigned as one putrescine derivative, mogolicine A (2), seven spermidine derivatives, mongolidines A-G (3 – 5 , 8 , 12 , 14 , 17) and one spermine derivative, mogoline A (18). Evaluation of the biological activity of isolated compounds revealed that the polyamine derivatives with coumaroyl and caffeoyl moieties showed tyrosinase inhibition with IC 50 values of 19.5–85.8 μM; however, the addition of a methoxy group to phenolic derivatives reduced the inhibitory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the screening of natural products for the development as cosmetic ingredients, the EtOAc-soluble fraction of Humulus japonicus showed tyrosinase inhibitory activity. HPLC-MS/MS coupled online tyrosinase assay of EtOAc-soluble fraction of H. japonicus characterized the twenty-eight constituents including two unknown ones and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Fractionation of H. japonicus using various chromatographic techniques yielded thirty-eight compounds. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis. As characterized by HPLC-MS/MS analysis, we isolated twenty-four predicted compounds and further identified two unknown ones, named humulusides A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ). Additional ten compounds were also identified by purification. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of isolated compounds were evaluated, which was closely correlated with the results from HPLC-MS/MS coupled online tyrosinase assay. Consistent with predicted data, two major compounds, trans - N -coumaroyltyramine ( 14 ) and cis - N -coumaroyltyramine ( 15 ) showed tyrosinase inhibition with IC 50 values of 40.6 and 36.4 μM. Taken together, H. japonicus is suggested as whitening ingredient in cosmetic products. In addition, HPLC-MS/MS coupled tyrosinase assay is powerful tool for predicting active compounds with short time and limited amounts, although identification of new compounds and verification of predicted data are also needs to be demonstrated by further experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of a plant, together with its efficacy, vary depending on its maturity and plant parts. In this study, the chemical constituents of immature fruits of Maclura tricuspidata (Moraceae) were investigated together with their anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects. A total of 34 compounds were isolated from the immature fruits of M. tricuspidata using various chromatographic methods. Structure elucidation using extensive spectroscopic analysis led to the characterization of isolated compounds as isoflavonoids with prenyl substituents. Among them, macluraisoflavones A-O were first isolated from nature. The anti-diabetic and antioxidant activity of the isolated compounds were also suggested by α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and DPPH radical scavenging activity, respectively. In particular, macluraisoflavone I, an isoflavonoid with 2,2-dimethylpyran and 2-hydroperoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl moieties, showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Further molecular docking analysis suggested hydrogen bond and alkyl interactions between α-glucosidase and macluraisoflavone I. Therefore, the immature fruits of M. tricuspidata can be used as an important natural product with antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Fifteen undescribed isoflavonoids, macluraisoflavones A-O, and 19 known compounds were isolated from the immature fruits of Maclura tricuspidata, which showed anti-α-glucosidase and anti-oxidative activity. [Display omitted] • Thirty-four compounds were isolated from the immature fruits of Maclura tricuspidata. • They were isoflavonoid with different numbers and types of prenyl moieties. • Fifteen compounds, macluraisoflavones A-O, were undescribed. • Macluraisoflavone I showed α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activity. • The interaction with α-glucosidase was analyzed by molecular docking analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Forty-seven prenylated isoflavonoids were isolated from Masclura tricuspidata leaves. • Sixteen compounds, cudracusisoflavones A-P, were newly reported. • Prenylated isoflavonoids inhibited α-glucosidase activity and AGE formations. • Structure activity relationship was suggested using molecular docking analysis. Investigation of chemical constituents of Masclura tricuspidata leaves resulted in the isolation of 47 isoflavonoids possessing prenyl groups with different numbers and structures. Among them, sixteen compounds named cudracusisoflavones A-P (1 – 16) were first isolated from nature. The isoflavonoids isolated from M. tricuspidata leaves showed anti-diabetic effects as measured by inhibition on α-glucosidase activity and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formations. Especially, cudracusisoflavone L (12), a new compound, together with gancaonin M (27), erysenegalensein E (41) and millewanin G (44) showed strong α-glucosidase inhibition with IC 50 values <10.0 μM. In addition, cudracusisoflavones A (1), D (4), M (13) and N (14), together with known prenylated isoflavonoids efficiently inhibited methylglyoxal (MGO)- or glyoxal (GO)-induced AGE formations. Structure activity relationship together with molecular docking analysis suggested the importance of hydroxy group and linear type of prenyl moiety for α-glucosidase inhibition. Conclusively, diverse prenylated isoflavonoids in M. tricuspidata leaves might ameliorate glycotoxicity-induced metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four compounds, hericerin (1), isohericerinol A (2), N -de-phenylethyl isohericerin (3) and corallocin A (4) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus, a lion's mane mushroom (Hericiaceae). Among them, isohericerinol A (2) was newly reported in nature. Further investigation of the neurotrophic effect of isolated compounds demonstrated that isohericerinol A (2) strongly increased the nerve growth factor (NGF) production in C6 glioma cells followed by corallocin A (4) and hericerin (1). Increased NGF production by these compounds promoted the neurite outgrowth in N2a neuronal cells. Western blot analysis also showed the increased protein expression of NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptophysin (SYP) in C6-N2a cells. Taken together, our present study characterized the neurotrophic constituents of H. erinaceus , which may support the potential use of memory improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Twenty nine compounds were isolated from the fruits of Actinidia arguta. • They were derivatives of succinic acid, quinic acid, shikimic acid and citric acid. • Nine compounds, artuginosides A-I, were newly reported. • Quinic acid derivatives showed potent inhibition on the NF-κB transcriptional activity. Nine new compounds, argutinosides A-I (1 – 9) together with 20 known compounds (10 – 29), were isolated from the fruits of Actinidia arguta. Using spectral analysis, the structures of the isolated compounds were identified as 10 succinic acid derivatives, 11 quinic acid derivatives, two shikimic acid derivatives and six citric acid derivatives. The NF-κB transcriptional inhibitory activity of the compounds was evaluated using RAW 264.7 macrophages cells induced by lipopolysaccharide. Among four groups of different organic acid derivatives, the quinic acid derivatives inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activity with an IC 50 value of 4.0 μM. Fruit is rich in organic acid and secondary metabolites, which differ depending on the type of fruit. Our present study showed the presence of various organic acids conjugates including nine new 2-methylsuccinic acid phenolic conjugates in kiwiberry and compared their biological activities. This will contribute to application of kiwiberry and also the diversity of different fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thirty nine xanthones were isolated from the stem of Cudrania tricuspidata. • Nine xanthones, cudracuspixanthones I – Q, were previously undescribed. • These xanthones showed inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase and fat accumulation. Nine new xanthones, cudracuspixanthones I - Q (12 – 14 , 25 , 32 – 36), and 30 known xanthones (1 – 11 , 15 – 24 , 26 – 31 , 37 – 39) were isolated from the stems of Cudrania tricuspidata (Moraceae). The structures of isolated compounds were established by using 1D and 2D NMR in combination with HR-TOF-MS. Xanthones from the stems of C. tricuspidata exerted pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. In addition, cudracuspixanthone P (35), a new xanthone, reduced the fat accumulation in liver cells stimulated with fatty acids. Therefore, these compounds might be beneficial in the treatment of metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]