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Objective: To evaluate the effects of Catalpa bignonioides fruit extract on the promotion of muscle growth and muscular capacity in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell proliferation was assessed using a 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay kit. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of related factors. The effects of Catalpa bignonioides extract were investigated in mice using the treadmill exhaustion test and whole-limb grip strength assay. Chemical composition analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Catalpa bignonioides extract increased the proliferation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts by activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. It also induced metabolic changes, increasing the number of mitochondria and glucose metabolism by phosphorylating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. In an in vivo study, the extract-treated mice showed improved motor abilities, such as muscular endurance and grip strength. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed that vanillic acid may be the main component of the Catalpa bignonioides extract that enhanced muscle strength. Conclusions: Catalpa bignonioides improves exercise performance through regulation of growth and metabolism in skeletal muscles, suggesting its potential as an effective natural agent for improving muscular strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new octanediol glycosides, 1,7-octanediol 1 -O - α - L -arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)- β - D -glucopyranoside (1) and 1,6-octanediol 1 -O - α - L -arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)- β - D -glucopyranoside (2), one new polyacetylene glucoside, (2 E)-tetradec-2-en-4,6-diyne-1,8,9,14-tetrol 8- O - β - D -glucopyranoside (3) and eight known compounds, (E)− 2-hexenyl O - α - L -arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)- β - D -glucopyranoside (4), (E)− 2-hexenyl O - β - D -glucopyranoside (5), (Z)− 3-hexenyl O - α - L -arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)- β - D -glucopyranoside (6), (Z)− 3-hexenyl O - β - D -glucopyranoside (7), cordifolioidyne B (8), 1-(1- β - D -glucopyranosyl)− 1 H -indole-3-carbaldehyde (9), tangshenoside II (10), and (6 S ,9 S)-roseoside (11) were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Codonopsis javanica (Blume) Hook.f. & Thomson. Their structures were elucidated by 1D- and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, HR-ESI-MS, and by comparing with the NMR data reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects using an MTT assay against the human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). None of them showed cytotoxic activity (IC 50 >100 μg/mL). [Display omitted] • Two new chalcone glycosides (1 and 2) were isolated from Codonopsis javanica. • One new polyacetylene glucoside (3) was isolated from Codonopsis javanica. • The structures were successfully determined by spectroscopic evidence. • The cytotoxic effect of all compounds was also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two new compounds, schisandrulatas A and B were isolated from Schisandra perulata. • The structures were successfully determined by spectroscopic evidence. • Compounds 1 , 4 , 7 , and 9 showed potent cytotoxic activity against CAL27 cancer cell line. • Compounds 1 , 4 , 7 , and 9 exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB231 cancer cell line. Two new compounds, schisandrulata A (1) and schisandrulata B (5), and nine known compounds, 6- O -benzoylgomisin O (2), kadsutherin (3), γ -schizandrin (4), pinotatol (6), schisphentetralone A (7), (–)-8′-epi-aristotetralone (8), (–)-8,8′-epi-aristotetralone (9), rel-(8 R ,8′ R)-dimethyl-(7 S ,7′ R)-bis(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran (10) and (-)-machilusin (11) were isolated from the leaves of Schisandra perulata Gagnep. Their chemical structures were determined by means of HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD spectra. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the human oral cancer (CAL27) and human breast cancer (MDA-MB231) cell lines. Compounds 1 , 4 , 7 , and 9 showed potent cytotoxic activity against CAL27 cell line with IC 50 values of 1.8 ± 0.2, 1.2 ± 0.1, 1.2 ± 0.2, and 2.0 ± 0.1 μM, respectively, indicating that they have stronger cytotoxic activity than that of the positive control capecitabine (IC 50 value of 8.20 ± 0.75 μM). Similarly, compounds 1 , 4 , 7 , and 9 also exhibited potent activity against the MDA-MB231 cell line with IC 50 values of 3.5 ± 0.1, 1.80 ± 0.2, 0.9 ± 0.2, and 3.4 ± 0.3 μM, respectively. These results indicated that compounds 1 , 4 , 7 , and 9 could be potential anticancer reagents for further drug discovery research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three new pregnane glycosides have been isolated from Gymnema sylvestre. • Gymnepregosides F and R-T showed the inhibitory effect with BSA-MGO. • Gymnepregosides R and S showed potent inhibitory effect with MGO-AGE-protein. Gymnema sylvestre is known for its potent antidiabetic activity. Phytochemical investigations of this plant led to the isolation of three new pregnane glycosides, gymnepregosides R-T (1 - 3) and four known analogues, 12 β -acetyloxy-3 β ,8 β ,14 β ,17 β -tetrahydroxypregn-5-en-20-one 3- O - β - d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-6-deoxy-3- O -methyl- β - d -allopyranosyl-(1→4)- β - d -oleandropyranosyl-(1→4)- β - d -cymaropyranosyl-(1→4)- β - d -cymaropyranoside (4), 12- O -(E)-cinnamoylgymnepregoside F (5), gymnepregoside F (6), and stephanoside I (7). Their structures were identified based on spectroscopic evidence and compared with those reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for antiglycative inhibitory activity. Compounds 1 , 3 , 5 , and 6 showed the inhibitory effect on BSA-MGO formation ranging from 6.0 to 8.8 % at the concentrations of 400 μM. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant breaking properties on MGO-AGE-protein crosslink with percent modification ranging from 54.6 to 58.4 %. Notably, a novel AGEs inhibitor (1) may inhibit the formation and accumulation of MGO-AGEs and protect cells from MGO-AGEs cross-linking damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new flavonol glycosides, fissflavosides A-C (1–3), together with six known flavonol glycosides, kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-galactopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranoside (5), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), rhamnetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), rutin (8), and isorhamnetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-galactopyranoside (9) were isolated from the methanol extract of the Fissistigma pallens leaves. Their chemical structures were determined by 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS data as well as in comparison with reported data in the literature. Compounds 1–9 showed weak cytotoxic activity on three human cancer cell lines, HT-29, A-2058, A-549 with IC50 ranging from 134.6 to 162.6 µM. In addition, the antioxidant capacities of compounds were also tested by ORAC assay. All compounds showed significant antioxidant with trolox equivalents ranging from 4.4 to 8.6 µM at the concentration of 1.0 µM. The results indicated 7 and 8 having meaningful reducing capacity of copper (I) ions of 2.7 to 6.9 µM at the concentrations of 1 and 2 µM. Compounds 1-3 newly isolated from the leaves of Fissistigma pallens and showed significant antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Five new cycloartane saponins, mussaglaosides A–E (1 – 5) were isolated from Mussaenda glabra. • The structures were successfully determined by spectroscopic evidence. • Compound 6 strongly inhibited chloride channel activity (IC 50 value of 22.0 ± 1.7 μM). Five new cycloartane saponins, mussaglaosides A–E (1 – 5) together with five known saponins, mussaendoside O, mussaendoside, G mussaendoside U, mussaendoside P, and mussaendoside Q (6 – 10) were isolated from the leaves of Mussaenda glabra. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS data. All compounds were evaluated for ANO1 inhibitory activity using calcium-activated chloride channel and YFP expressing HT29 cells. Among the tested compounds, compound 6 strongly inhibited chloride channel activity with IC 50 value of 22.0 ± 1.7 μM without any cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four new alkaloid glycosides were isolated from Zanthoxylum nitidum. • The structures were successfully determined by spectroscopic evidence. • Comp. 4 showed significant activity on MKN-45 cancer cells (IC 50 of 7.4 ± 1.0 μM). Four new alkaloid glycosides, zanthonitisides A–D (1 - 4), together with five known compounds (5 – 9) were isolated from the aqueous fraction of stems and twigs of Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, MS, and CD data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, CT-26, MCF-7, and MKN-45. As results, compound 4 showed significant cytotoxic activity on MKN-45 cancer cell line with IC 50 value of 7.4 ± 1.0 μM. Compound 9 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity on all tested cancer cell lines with an IC 50 values ranging from 34.7 to 44.7 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trials for regulation of abnormal hyperpigmentation from the use of natural products have been going on for years. Leaf and root extracts from Juglans mandshurica are reported to function as antioxidants and to suppress allergic dermatitis. However, studies evaluating its fruit extract and the chemical compounds from the fruit extract are lacking in dermatology fields, including melanogenesis.Purpose: The aim of this study is to understand the effect of the fruit extract from J. mandshurica on pigmentation and to search for specific chemical compounds that affect melanogenesis.Methods: After screening out any anti-melanotic effects of the fruit extract from J. mandshurica in B16F10 melanoma cells, three major phenolic compounds isolated from the fruit extract were tested by western blot analysis for expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase. Their effect on B16F10 melanoma cells with regard to melanogenesis was also confirmed in primary human epidermal melanocytes (PHEMs). PD98059 was tested to observe the compounds' signaling role in the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)-pathway.Results: Fruit extract from J. mandshurica showed anti-melanotic effects in B16F10 melanoma cells. After chemical compounds were isolated from the fruit extracts, three phenolic compounds were evaluated for anti-melanotic effects. 2-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol (compound 1) showed the highest suppression effect among the three compounds. In B16F10 melanoma cells and PHEMs, reduced melanin contents were observed after treatment with the compound (1). Experiments using a blocker of ERK showed that the inhibitory effect of the compound (1) on melanogenesis was dependent on ERK-associated MITF degradation.Conclusion: A chemical constituent of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. induces an inhibitory mechanism to melanogenesis. It has the potential to become a whitening agent in the medical field, though this requires further clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new compounds ( 1 – 3 and 5 ), along with 17 known compounds, were isolated from the twigs of Lindera glauca (Siebold & Zucc.) Blume. The absolute configuration of compound 4 was determined for the first time in the present study. The structures of compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and CD spectroscopic data. All isolated compounds were tested for their antiviral activities against HRV1B-, CVB3-, and PR8-infected Vero cells. Among the tested compounds, (+)-9′- O - trans -feruloyl-5,5′-dimethoxylariciresinol exhibited the most consistent and effective antiviral activities on both HRV1B and CVB3 infected cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The hepatoprotective effects of the extract of Pinus thunbergii (PTE) were studied. • PTE reduced the levels of serum hepatic marker enzymes in liver. • PTE restored the levels of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in liver. • Histopathological data showed less lipid droplets and hepatic tissue damage. • 35 compounds were tentatively identified by QTOF-MS/MS from PTE. Pinus thunbergii is a black pine that has been widely used in health-promoting foods. This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the alcohol-aqueous extract of Pinus thunbergii PARL leaves (PTE) in ethanol-induced liver-damaged mice. PTE increased the weight and survival rate of mice while reducing the levels of serum hepatic marker enzymes. PTE also restored the levels of antioxidant enzymes in liver tissues while drastically increasing lipid peroxidation concentrations. Histopathological examination of PTE-treated mice presented relatively less lipid droplets and hepatic tissue damage compared to ethanol-treated mice. Finally, to identify PTE components, Natural Products Application Solution with UNIFI along with an in-house library was processed and results revealed 35 compounds in the extract. These compounds were reported to exhibit significant antioxidant and/or hepatoprotective properties. Our results suggest that PTE improves liver function and can be developed as a food product with hepatoprotective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]