Search

Introduction: Harvest time plays an important role on the quality of medicinal plants. The leaves of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var major N.E.Br (hawthorn leaves) could be harvested in summer and autumn according to the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (Pharmacopoeia). However, little is known about the difference of the chemical constituents in hawthorn leaves with the harvest seasonal variations. Objective: The chemical constituents of hawthorn leaves in different months were comprehensively analysed to determine the best harvest time. Methods: Initially, the chemical information of the hawthorn leaves were obtained by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS). Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to compare the chemical compositions of hawthorn leaves harvested in different months. Then, an absolute quantitation method was established using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐charged aerosol detector (HPLC‐CAD) to determine the contents of five compounds and clarify the changes of these components with the harvest seasonal variations. Meanwhile, a semi‐quantitative method by integrating HPLC‐CAD with inverse gradient compensation was also established and verified. Results: Fifty‐eight compounds were identified through UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS. PCA revealed that the harvest season of hawthorn leaves had a significant effect on the chemical compositions. The contents of five components were relatively high in autumn. Other four main components without reference standards were further analysed through the semi‐quantitative method, which also showed a high content in autumn. Conclusions: This work emphasised the effect of harvest time on the chemical constituents of hawthorn leaves and autumn is recommended to ensure the quality. In order to evaluate the effect of harvest time on the quality of hawthorn leaves, a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative method was established and analyzed the chemical compositions and their contents of hawthorn leaves with harvest seasonal variations. As a result, the contents of most components were high in autumn, hence it is recommended to harvest in autumn to ensure the quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety evaluation of timosaponin BII (TBII) in beagle dogs with toxicokinetic study was performed. For the acute oral toxicity study, the minimum lethal dose (MLD) of TBII was more than 2000 mg/kg and suggested the characteristics of absorption saturation. For the 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity and toxicokinetic studies, there was no significant effect on all test parameters except for prolonged APTT in the 60 and 180 mg/kg groups, which recovered after withdrawal. The increase of drug exposure of 180 mg/kg group was not proportional to the increase of administration dose, showing the characteristics of absorption saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three anthraquinone analogues (1–3) were isolated by phytochemical work on EtOAc-soluble ingredients extracted from the roots of Polygonatum odoratum. The structures of all isolates were elucidated by NMR, MS and CD experiments, of which 1 (polygodoquinone A) was identified as a new anthraquinone derivative. Specifically, 1 represents an unusual structure composed of a naphthoquinone derivative linked to an anthraquinone via a C-C bond. 1–3 exhibited remarkable influenza A virus inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 11.4, 11.0, and 2.3 μM, respectively, which were better than ribavirin as the positive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steroidal saponins were the main active constituents of the traditional medicinal herb Asparagus cochinchinensis. A phytochemical investigation of A. cochinchinensis roots led to the isolation of nine new steroidal glycosides (1–9) and seven known analogues (10–16). Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses as well as necessary chemical evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new minor oleanane triterpenoid saponins, cylindrosides B (1), C (2), and D (3), were isolated from the seed of Cylindrokelupha dalatensis using chromatographic method. Their structures were established on the basis of the chemical and spectroscopic evidences. They displayed significant antitumor activity in vitro against HL60 cancer cell lines and IC50 values were 7.15 ± 0.63, 10.07 ± 0.97, and 4.74 ± 0.57 μM, respectively, by MTT method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three new C steroidal glycosides, marstenacissides C1-C10 ( 1- 10), D1-D7 ( 11- 17) and E1-E6 ( 18- 23), and four new C steroids, 11α,12β- O-ditigloyl-tenacigenin C ( 24), 11α- O-benzoyl-12β- O-tigloyl-tenacigenin C ( 25), 11α- O-tigloyl-12β- O-benzoyl-tenacigenin C ( 26) and 11α- O-tigloyl-12β- O-benzoyl-marsdenin ( 27), were isolated from the Dai herbal medicine Dai-Bai-Jie, derived from the roots of Marsdenia tenacissima. The chemical structures of all compounds were established by spectroscopic techniques, including high-resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy, as well as by comparison with reported spectral data. The anti-HIV activities of these compounds were screened, and the compounds obtained displayed inhibitory effects against HIV-1 with inhibition rates of 36.4-81.3% at 30 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new sesquiterpenoid glycoside, cryptomeridiol 11-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d- glucopyranoside (1), two new phenylpropanoid glycosides, 3,4-dihydroxy-allylbenzene 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-4-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), and 3,4,5-trihydroxy-allylbenzene 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), along with four known phenylpropanoid glycosides (4–7), were isolated from the tuber ofOphiopogon japonicus. Compounds4–7were obtained from the genusOphiopogonfor the first time. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Eleven new furostanol saponins, typaspidosides B-L (1–11), one new spirostanol saponin, typaspidoside M (12), and five known spirostanol saponins, 25S-atropuroside (13), neoaspidistrin (14), (25S)-pratioside D1 (15), 25S-aspidistrin (16) and 25S-neosibiricoside (17) were isolated from the rhizomes of Aspidistra typica Baill. The structures of the new compounds were established using 1D and 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and ROESY) spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. The aglycones of 1–3 (unusual furostanol saponins with opened E ring type), 9 and 10 (the methoxyl substituent at C-23 position) were found, identified from natural products for the first time. Moreover, the anti-HIV activities of the isolated steroidal glycosides were assessed, and compounds 13, 14, 16 and 17 exhibited high active against HIV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compound 1, a triterpenoid saponin from Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf showing potential anti-tumour activity, was hydrolysed into two deglycosyl derivatives (2 and 3) by Alternaria alternata AS 3.6872. Both these derivatives are new compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS and optical rotation spectral data. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma and normal liver cells by Cell Counting Kit 8 colorimetric assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compound 1, a triterpenoid saponin from Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf. showing potential anti-tumor activity, was transformed into three derivatives (2–4) by Aspergillus avenaceus 3.4454. Among them, compounds 2 and 3 are new compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D NMR, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and optical rotation data. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma and normal liver cells by cell counting kit 8 colorimetric assay. Compound 3 displayed better cytotoxicity against Bel-7402 and HepG2 cell lines and much weaker cytotoxicity against normal liver L02 cell than that of positive control (epirubicin hydrochloride). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new steroidal saponins, timosaponin X (1) and timosaponin Y (2), and one new pregnane glycoside, timopregnane B (3), were isolated from the rhizomes ofAnemarrhena asphodeloides, as well as three known compounds 25S-timosaponin BII (4), protodesgalactotigonin (5), and timosaponin BII-a (6) isolated from this plant for the first time. By the detailed analysis of 1D, 2D NMR, MS spectra, and chemical evidences, the structures of new compounds were elucidated as 26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5β-22-methoxy-furost-3β,26-diol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (1), 5β-pseudo-spirost-3β,15α,23α-triol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-galactopyranoside (2), (5β,17α)-Δ16(17)-20-one-pregn-2β,3β-diol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-galactopyranoside (3). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins named celosins H (1), I (2), and J (3) were isolated from the seeds of Celosia argentea L. Their structures were characterized as 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-polygalagenin 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-medicagenic acid 28-O-β-d-xylcopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester, and 3-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-medicagenic acid 28-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[β-d-xylcopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester by NMR, MS, and chemical evidences, respectively. In our opinion, celosins H–J could be used as chemical markers for the quality control of C. argentea seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new triterpenoid saponin, named cylindroside A (1), was isolated from the seeds ofCylindrokelupha dalatensis(Kosterm.) T.L. Wu by using chromatographic method. The structure of1was established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation. Compound1displayed significant antitumor activityin vitroagainst BCG and MCF-7 cancer cell lines and IC50values were 4.17 ± 0.23 and 3.07 ± 0.66 μM by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new kaurene diterpenoid glycosides, named Graecumoside A (1) and B (2), were isolated from fenugreek seeds, along with three known flavonoid-C-glycosides, isoorientin (3), isovitexin (4) and vitexin (5). By combined analyses of 1D- and 2D-NMR, and MS spectroscopy, the structures of two new compounds were elucidated as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl kaur-5, 16-dien-3β, 6, 13β-trihydroxy-7-oxo-18-oic acid methyl ester and 3-O-β-neohesperidosyl kaur-5, 16-dien-3β, 6, 13β-trihydroxy-7-oxo-18-oic acid methyl ester, respectively. The kaurene diterpenoid glycosides were first isolated and identified from fenugreek seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new furostanol saponins (1 and 2), along with one known saponin (3), were obtained from the rhizomes of Aspidistra typica Baill. Their structures were elucidated as (25R)-26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-furost-5-ene-12-one-3β,22α,26-triol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (1, typaspidoside A), (25S)-26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-furost-5-ene-12-one-3β,22α,26-triol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (2, 25S-typaspidoside A), and timosaponin H1 (3), based on the integrative spectroscopic analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments, ESI-MS data and chemical evidence. The investigation on the chemical components of this plant is reported for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation of the fresh tubers of Ophiopogon japonicus led to the isolation of two new furostanol saponins (1 and 2) together with two known steroidal saponins (3 and 4). Comprehensive spectroscopic analysis allowed the chemical structures of two new compounds to be elucidated as (25R)-26-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-5-ene-furost-1β,3β,22α,26-tetraol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (1, ophiopogonin P) and (25R)-26-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-5-ene-furost-1β,3β,22α,26-tetraol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (2, ophiopogonin Q). Furostanol saponins with the disaccharide chain linked at C-26 hydroxy group of the aglycone have been rarely reported from natural sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new steroidal saponins, dioscins E (1) and F (2), along with nine known steroidal saponins, were isolated from the biotransformation product of the rhizomes of Dioscorea nipponica using Aspergillus oryzae. The structures of new compounds were established as 25(R)-spirost-5-en-21β-methyl-3β-ol-3-O-α- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and (25R)-spirost-5-en-3β-ol-7-one 3-O-α- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) by detailed spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR spectral data (1H–1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and MS spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Five commercial enzyme preparations were screened for hydrolysis of the glucuronic acid units of glycyrrhizin (GL) and baicalin. Two preparations hydrolyzing GL to glycyrrhetic acid (GA) and four enzyme preparations hydrolyzing baicalin to baicalein were obtained. One enzyme preparation with the ability to hydrolyze both GL and baicalin, namely Rapidase Pineapple, was purified by anion exchange, cation exchange and molecular sieve chromatography. The results of purification indicated that the enzymes containing the glycyrrhizin-β- d-glucuronidase (GBDG) and baicalin-β- d-glucuronidase (BBDG) activities were distinct, with different substrate specificities, molecular weights and enzymatic characteristics. GBDB hydrolyzed GL to GA, but had no detectable activity on baicalin, and BBDG hydrolyzed baicalin to baicalein, but could not hydrolyze GL. However, both GBDG and BBDG could hydrolyze the artificial substrate p-nitrophenyl- β- d-glucuronide (pNPGA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the isolation and structure elucidation of two steroidal saponins from the fresh leaves of Agave sisalana. A new furostanol saponin, sisalasaponin C, and a new spirostanol saponin, sisalasaponin D, together with three other known steroidal saponins and two stilbenes, were obtained. The three known compounds were isolated from the fresh leaves of Agavacea for the first time. The compounds' structures were obtained by detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical approaches.

Two new furostanol saponins, together with two known steroidal saponins, were isolated from the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. The structures of the new compounds were determined by detailed analysis of 1D NMR, 2D NMR, MS spectra and chemical evidences as 26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5-en-furost-3β,22α,26-triol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and 26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5-en-furost-3β,22α,26-triol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the pharmacokinetics of albiflorin (ALB) and paeoniflorin (PAE), respectively, after oral administration of ALB, PAE, Radix Paeoniae alba (RPA) extract, and Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) extract to rats on separate occasions. Analytes were detected simultaneously with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. After oral administration of RPA and DSS extract to rats, ALB reached maximum concentrations of 4637 ± 2774 ng/ml (0.40 ± 0.14 h) and 226 ± 122 ng/ml (0.35 ± 0.14 h) and PAE reached maximum concentrations of 2132 ± 560 ng/ml (0.40 ± 0.14 h) and 143 ± 65 ng/ml (0.45 ± 0.11 h), respectively. Compared to the AUC0 - t value (1122 ± 351 and 722 ± 158 ng h/ml for ALB and PAE, respectively) after administration of monomers, larger AUC0 - t value of ALB (4755 ± 2560 ng h/ml) and PAE (2259 ± 910 ng h/ml) after administration of RPA extract and smaller AUC0 - t value of ALB (411 ± 118 ng h/ml) and PAE (242 ± 126 ng h/ml) after administration of DSS extract were obtained. The Cmax, AUC, and Kel of ALB and PAE were remarkably increased (P < 0.05, 0.01 or 0.005) during oral administration of RPA extract in comparison to that of DSS extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timosaponin BII (1), a steroidal saponin showing potential anti-dementia activity, was regioselectively hydrolyzed into its deglycosyl derivatives by the crude enzyme from Aspergillus niger AS 3.0739. Three biotransformation products, timosaponin BII-a (2), timosaponin BII-b (3), and timosaponin BII-c (4), were purified and their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D NMR, 2D NMR, FAB-MS, and HR-ESI-MS spectral data. Compounds 2 and 3 are new compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Total steroidal saponins extracted from the rhizome of Paris polyphylla (TSSP) have been used in China for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding. The aim of this study was to analyse the structure-activity relationship of steroidal saponins purified from P. polyphylla Sm. var. yunnanensis on rat myometrial contractions, and investigate the synergism among themselves as well as with known inherent agonists, such as Prostaglandin F2α (PGF-2α). Methods In this study, 22 steroidal saponins purified from TSSP were screened for their contractile activity in isolated uterine strips from estrogen-primed rats. Key findings It was shown that spirostanol glycosides exhibited inducible or inhibitory activity in rat uterine contraction based on the difference of their structures, which was not only attributed in part to the number, the length and the position of sugar side chains attached by a glycoside, but also related to the structure of the aglycone. Furthermore, synergistic actions were observed among pennogenin or diosgenin glycosides as well as with the known inherent agonist PGF-2α, indicating they may share, at least in part, similar pathways with PGF-2α in stimulating myometrial contractions. Finally, the contractile response of rat myometrium to spirostanol glycosides was significantly enhanced with advancing pregnancy. Conclusions Together, these data support the possibility that some spirostanol glycosides may represent a new type of contractile agonist for the uterus and their synergism may be responsible for the therapeutic effect of TSSP on abnormal uterine bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel furostanol saponins were isolated from the fresh tubers of Ophiopogon japonicus. Comprehensive spectroscopic analysis allowed the chemical structures of the compounds to be assigned as (25R)-26-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)]-22α-hydroxyfurost-5-ene-3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (1, ophiopogonin F) and (25R)-26-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)]-22α-hydroxyfurost-5-ene-3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (2, ophiopogonin G). The rare furostanol saponins with two glucosyl residues at C-26 position were isolated from the natural source for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new triterpenoid compound (1) and a known compound (2) were isolated from the product of biotransformation of glycyrrhizic acid by Aspergillus niger. On the basis of the 1D and 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and MS spectrometry, their structures were established as 7β, 15α-dihydroxy-3,11-dioxo-oleana-12-en-30-oic acid (1) and 15α-hydroxy-3,11-dione-oleana-12-en-30-oic acid (2), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Two New Steroidal Saponins From the Processed Polygonatum kingianum" that was published in a 2010 issue is presented.