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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.

Hibiscus species are flowering plants of the Malvaceae family. Hibiscus are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and play an important role not only in ornamental aspects but also traditional medicine. In this study, seven compounds, mukungarrole (1), a new compound and six known flavonoid derivatives (2–7) were isolated from Hibiscus syriacus pollen. Among the isolated compounds, kaempferol (2) and vincetoxicoside B (3) showed antioxidant activity. Additonally, the new compound, mukungarrole (1), along with kaempferol (2) and isorhamnetin-7-O-rhamnoside (5), showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and its interaction with α-glucosidase was confirmed using molecular docking analysis. Further comparison of five varieties of Hibiscus spp. showed that all five species contained vincetoxicoside B (3) and kaempferol-7-O-rhamnoside (4) as major components and exhibited antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. However, there was differences in the content of vincetoxicoside B (3) and kaempferol-7-O-rhamnoside (4) and minor components depending on of Hibiscus variety, which contributed to differences in efficacy. This study proves that H. syriacus pollen and its constituents have antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials and the content and efficacy vary depending on Hibiscus species. [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]

Cordycepin, also known as 3′-deoxyadenosine, is a major active ingredient of Cordyceps militaris with diverse pharmacological effects. Due to its limited supply, many attempts have been conducted to enhance the cordycepin content. As part of this study, eight medicinal plants were supplemented with cultivation substrates of Cordyceps to increase the cordycepin content. Cordyceps cultivated on brown rice supplemented with Mori Folium, Curcumae Rhizoma, Saururi Herba, and Angelicae Gigantis Radix exhibited increased cordycepin content compared to a brown rice control. Among them, the addition of 25% Mori Folium increased the cordycepin content up to 4 times. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) modulates the deamination of adenosine and deoxyadenosine, and the inhibitors have therapeutic potential with anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. As ADA is also known to be involved in converting cordycepin to 3′-deoxyinosine, the inhibitory activity of medicinal plants on ADA was measured by spectrophotometric analysis using cordycepin as a substrate. As expected, Mori Folium, Curcumae Rhizoma, Saururi Herba, and Angelicae Gigas Radix strongly inhibited ADA activity. Molecular docking analysis also showed the correlation between ADA and the major components of these medicinal plants. Conclusively, our research suggests a new strategy of using medicinal plants to enhance cordycepin production in C. militaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum (Kurz.) Gogel (Guttiferae), called kuding tea, is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In this study, the constituents and biological activity of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum were investigated. Extract of its leaves, roots and stems showed antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Interestingly, comparison of the metabolite profiles of leaves, roots and stems of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum by LC-MS analysis showed a great difference between the roots and leaves, whereas the roots and stems were quite similar. Purification of the roots and leaves of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum through various chromatographic techniques resulted in the isolation of 25 compounds. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis as 18 xanthones, 5 flavonoids, a benzophenone and a phenolic compound. Among them, a xanthone (16) and a benzophenone (19) were first reported from nature. Evaluation of biological activity revealed that xanthones had a potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, while flavonoids were responsible for the antioxidant activity. To maximize the biological activity, yield and total phenolic content of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum, extraction conditions such as extraction solvent, time and temperature were optimized using response surface methodology with Box–Behnken Design (BBD). Regression analysis showed a good fit of the experimental data, and the optimal condition was obtained as MeOH concentration in EtOAc, 88.1%; extraction time, 6.02 h; and extraction temperature 60.0 °C. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity, yield and total phenolic content under the optimal condition were found to be 72.2% inhibition, 10.3% and 163.9 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. These results provide useful information about C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum as functional foods for oxidative stress–related metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cordycepin is the major constituent of Cordyceps mushroom (or Cordyceps militaris) with therapeutic potential. Insects are the direct sources of nutrients for Cordyceps in nature. Therefore, optimized condition of Cordyceps cultivation for efficient cordycepin production was explored using six edible insects as substrates. The highest yield of cordycepin was produced by the cultivation on Allomyrina dichotoma and was 34 times that on Bombyx mori pupae. Among insect components, fat content was found to be important for cordycepin production. Especially, a positive correlation was deduced between oleic acid content and cordycepin production. The transcriptional levels of cns1 and cns2, genes involved in cordycepin biosynthesis, were higher in Cordyceps grown on A. dichotoma than on other insects tested. The addition of oleic acid to the substrates increased cordycepin production together with the transcriptional levels of cns1 and cns2. Therefore, Cordyceps with high content of cordycepin can be secured by the cultivation on insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three undescribed compounds, argutinoosides J–L, were isolated from Actinidia arguta. • The structures were elucidated as succinate conjugated phenolic glycosides. • Compounds 1 and 2 showed antioxidant activity. The fruit of Actinidia arguta, also called kiwiberry or hardy kiwifruit has cold-resistant characteristics with diverse biological activities. In this study, investigations was carried out to characterize the bioactive constituents of A. arguta for the elucidation of its health beneficial properties. Three new succinate conjugated phenolic glycosides, namely argutinosides J–L (1 - 3) were isolated from the fruits of A. arguta. The structures were determined on the basis of combined spectroscopic analysis by IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed mild DPPH radical scavenging activity by 52.1 % and 68.2 %, respectively, at the concentration of 500 μM whereas compound 3 showed weak activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Six naphthalenes were isolated from the roots of Hibiscus syriacus. • Three naphthalenes, mukungalenes A (1), B (2) and C (3) were first reported in nature. • Naphthalenes from H. syriacus showed anti-proliferative activity on A549 cells. • Mukungalene B (2) strongly inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells with an IC 50 value of 0.26 μM. Three new naphthalene derivatives, namely mukungalenes A – C (1 - 3), together with three known ones, syriacusin B (4), syriacusin A (5) and parvifloral (6), were isolated from the roots of Hibiscus syriacus. The structures were determined on the basis of combined spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. The isolated compounds dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells. Among the isolated compounds (1 ∼ 6) , compound 2 showed the most potent anti-proliferative activity on A549 cells with an IC 50 value of 0.26 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Twenty one sesquiterpenes were isolated from the leaves of Laurus nobilis. • Two sesquiterpene lactones, laurenoperoxylides A (1) and B (2) were first reported in nature. • Sesquiterpene lactones from L. nobilis inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity in RAW 264.7 cells. • Potent inhibition on NF-κB transcriptional activity was exerted by 11- exo -methylensantonin (9) (IC 50 value of 4.0 μM). Abstract The leaves of Laurus nobilis , commonly called as bay leaves, have been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory symptoms. As a part of the research on the characterization of bioactive constituents from natural products, twenty one sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the leaves of L. nobilis. Among them, laurenoperoxylides A (1) and B (2) were first reported in nature and sivosinolide (11), altissin (12), maroniolid (13) and 4 α -hydroxy-guaia-10(14), 11(13)-diene-12,6 α -olide (20) were first isolated from this plant. The anti-inflammatory activity of isolated compounds was evaluated by measuring their effects on the NF-κB transcriptional activity induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages cells. Among twenty one sesquiterpenes, 11- exo -methylenesantonin (9) exerted the most potent inhibition with an IC 50 value of 4.0 μM. Santamarine (4), magnolialide (5) and zaluzanin D (18) also significantly inhibited NF-κB activity with IC 50 values of <10 μM. Conclusively, sesquiterpene lactones from L. nobilis inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity in RAW 264.7 cells, which support the use of L. nobilis against inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening of EtOAc soluble fraction of Plantago asiatica (Plantaginaceae) using HPLC–MS/MS coupled DPPH online assay suggested the presence of antioxidant compounds, which characterized as phenylethanoid glycosides. Twenty-nine compounds including three new compounds, plantalides A–C, a phenylethanoid ( 1 ), a phenolic compound ( 9 ) and an iridoid ( 10 ), were isolated from P. asiatica. Consistent with HPLC–MS/MS analysis, seven phenylethanoid glycosides ( 1–7 ) including a new phenylethanoid glycoside ( 1 ) showed antioxidant with ranging IC 50 values of 22.9–88.5 μM. These results suggested that phenylethanoid glycosides were contributed to the antioxidant activity of P. asiatica and HPLC–MS/MS coupled online assay is powerful tool for predicting active compounds with short time and limited amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the leaf of Actinidia arguta has shown antioxidant activity, a study was conducted to identify the active ingredients. Forty-eight compounds were isolated from the leaves of A. arguta through various chromatographic techniques. Further characterization of the structures on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and MS data identified several aromatic compounds, including phenylpropanoid derivatives, phenolics, coumarins, flavonoids and lignans. Among them, five compounds were newly reported, naturally occurring, and named argutosides A–D (1–4), which consist of phenylpropanoid glycosides that are conjugated with a phenolic moiety, and argutoside E (5), which is a coumarin glycoside that is conjugated with a phenylpropanoid unit. The isolated compounds showed good antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with differences in activity depending on the structures. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated the interaction between the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups of compounds 1 and 5 with α-glucosidase. Taken together, the leaves of A. arguta are rich in aromatic compounds with diverse structures. Therefore, the leaves of A. arguta and their aromatic components might be beneficial for oxidative stress and glucose-related diseases. [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]

• 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]

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]

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]