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Dalbergia cochinchinensis has been widely used in traditional medicine because of its flavonoids; however, the impact of the flavonoids to modulate the inflammatory response to oral cells remains to be described. For this aim, we isolated 4,7,2'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavanol (472T4MIF) and 6,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavane (64D7MF) from the heartwood of D. cochinchinensis and confirmed the chemical structure by nuclear magnetic resonance. We show here that both flavonoids are inhibitors of an inflammatory response of murine RAW 264.7 inflammatory macrophages stimulated by LPS. This is indicated by interleukin (IL)1, IL6, and chemokine CCL2 production besides the phosphorylation of p65. Consistently, in primary murine macrophages, both flavonoids decreased the inflammatory response by lowering LPS-induced IL1 and IL6 expression. To introduce oral cells, we have used human gingival fibroblasts and provoked the inflammatory response by exposing them to IL1β and TNFα. Under these conditions, 472T4MIF, but not 64D7MF, reduced the expression of chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2. Taken together, we identified two flavonoids that can reduce the expression of cytokines and chemokines in macrophages and fibroblastic cells.

Three new flavonoid glycosides, 2(S)-5-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxyflavonone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 5-hydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 3,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with five known flavonoids (4-8) were isolated from the roots of Smilax glabra Roxb. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence, as well as by comparison with literature data. Three new flavonoids were subjected to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1-3 inhibited the NF κB induction by 32.2, 55.8 and 61.7%, respectively.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is known for its exceptional nutritional value and potential health benefits. The present study identified the composition of different forms of extractable phenolics and betacyanins of quinoa cultivars in white, red and black, and how they contribute to antioxidant activities. Results showed that at least 23 phenolic compounds were found in either free or conjugated forms (liberated by alkaline and/or acid hydrolysis); the majority of which were phenolic acids, mainly vanillic acid, ferulic acid and their derivatives as well as main flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosides. Betacyanins, mainly betanin and isobetanin, were confirmed for the first time to be the pigments of the red and black quinoa seeds, instead of anthocyanins. Darker quinoa seeds had higher phenolic concentration and antioxidant activity. Findings of these phenolics, along with betacyanins in this study add new knowledge to the functional components of quinoa seeds of different cultivar background., (Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dendropanax dentiger root is a traditional medicinal plant in China and used to treat inflammatory diseases for centuries, but its phytochemical profiling and biological functions are still unknown. Thus, a rapid, efficient, and precise method based on ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was applied to rapidly analyse the phytochemical profiling of D. dentiger with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro. As a result, a total of 78 chemical compositions, including 15 phenylpropanoids, 15 alkaloids, 14 flavonoids, 14 fatty acids, 7 phenols, 4 steroids, 4 cyclic peptides, 3 terpenoids, and 2 others, were identified or tentatively characterized in the roots of D. dentiger. Moreover, alkaloid and cyclic peptide were reported from D. dentiger for the first time. In addition, the ethanol crude extract of D. dentiger roots exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity against cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 inhibitory and antioxidant activities in vitro. This study is the first to explore the phytochemical analysis and COX-2 inhibitory activity of D. dentiger. This study can provide important phytochemical profiles and biological functions for the application of D. dentiger roots as a new source of natural COX-2 inhibitors and antioxidants in pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three new flavonoids were isolated from Pueraria thomsonii Benth. • The structures for three new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. • Three new flavonoids exhibited protective effects on H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Three new flavonoids (1 - 3) were isolated from the ethanol extract of dried Pueraria thomsonii Benth root by various chromatography methods. Their structures were determined by NMR, MS, IR and UV. Daidzein 4'- O- glucoside-6"- O -butylmalonyl (1), 6"- O -butylmalonyldaidzin (2), and 6"- O -ethylmalonyldaidzin (3) exhibited protective effects against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage in H9c2 cardiomyocytes with EC 50 values of 0.16, 0.04, and 0.07 nM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purified phenolic extracts of cooked regular-darkening (RR) and non-darkening (CND) cranberry beans were evaluated for their phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and bioavailability using a human colonic carcinoma (Caco-2) cell model. Major compounds included flavanols such as catechin, epicatechin and proanthocyanidins which were predominant to RR extract. RR and CND both contained p -coumaric acid, ferulic acid and tryptophan. Our results showed strong cellular antioxidant activity in RR and dose-dependent attenuation of TNF-α-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion. In addition, the extracts displayed protective benefit to endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPx and GR as well as GSH. Flavanols displayed poor bioavailability suggesting the beneficial effects occur via adsorption on the cell surface leading to cell signalling and localized radical scavenging activity. Our results support the beneficial effects of cranberry bean phenolics in their ability to ameliorate oxidative stress conditions notably in intestinal inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postharvest darkening in dry bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) negatively impacts consumer preference. Regular-darkening (RD) and non-darkening (ND) cranberry beans were profiled for seed coat phenolics using HPLC–DAD/LC–ESI–MS n and assessed for antioxidant activity using oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Flavonoids were exclusive to free phenolic extracts of RD beans. Total phenolic content (TPC) was significantly higher ( p  <   0.05) in RD seed coats (52.41–56.43 mg GAE/g) compared to ND seed coats (2.00–2.06 mg GAE/g). Alkaline hydrolysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoid conjugates in RD beans. Only p -coumaric and ferulic acids were found in ND beans. Overall antioxidant activity was stronger in RD seed coats (125.28–287.87 µmole TE/g and 20.71–54.01 µmole AAE/g) compared to ND seed coats (2.11–10.09 µmole TE/g and 0.73–1.88 µmole AAE/g). This is the first report of specific flavonoids in cranberry beans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The interaction between dihydromyricetin (DMY) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy at different temperatures under imitated physiological conditions. The experimental results revealed that dynamic quenching, static quenching and non-radiation energy transfer led to the fluorescence quenching. The obtained binding constants, binding sites and corresponding thermodynamic parameters at different temperatures indicate that hydrophobic forces play a major role in the interaction of DMY with BSA. According to Förster non-radiation energy transfer theory, the binding distance between BSA and DMY was found to be 3.26nm. Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and FT-IR spectra showed the conformation of BSA changed in the presence of DMY. In addition, the effect of some common metal ions Cu2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+ on the binding constant between DMY and BSA was examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi and Pueraria lobata var. thomsonii (Benth.) Maesen are nutritious medicine food homology plants that are widely used in the food and health products industry and are excellent natural materials for the development of new health foods, with great potential for domestic and foreign markets. Clinically, P. lobata and P. thomsonii are used to treat coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, cerebral infarction and other cardiovascular diseases, and antithrombotic actions may be their core effect in the treatment of thrombotic diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of the antithrombotic properties of P. lobata and P. thomsonii have not been clarified. First, P. lobata and P. thomsonii were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An arteriovenous bypass thrombosis rat model was established. Thrombus dry‒wet weight, platelet accumulation rate and the four coagulation indices, including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB), were detected in plasma to manifest the P. lobata and P. thomsonii antithrombotic function. Network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were used to obtain key targets and verify reliability. David 6.8 was used for GO and KEGG analyses to explore pathways and potential targets for P. lobata and P. thomsonii antithrombotic functions. Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), thromboxane A2 (TXA2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated that P. lobata and P. thomsonii can reduce thrombus dry‒wet weight and platelet accumulation in rats and inhibit TT, APTT, FIB, and PT. A comprehensive network pharmacology approach successfully identified 9 active ingredients in P. lobata and P. thomsonii. The main active ingredients include polyphenols, amino acids and flavonoids. A total of 15 antithrombotic function targets were obtained, including 3 key targets (PTGS2, NOS3, MPO). Pathway analysis showed 10 significant related pathways and 29 biological processes. P. lobata and P. thomsonii inhibited platelet aggregation by upregulating PGI2 and downregulating TXA2, inhibited PTGS2 to reduce inflammation, and increased the level of eNOS to promote vasodilation. In addition, P. lobata and P. thomsonii alleviated oxidative stress by increasing SOD levels and significantly decreasing MDA contents. The results of the study further clarify the antithrombotic mechanism of action of P. lobata and P. thomsonii, which provides a scientific basis for the development of new drugs for thrombogenic diseases and lays the foundation for the development of P. lobata and P. thomsonii herbal resources and P. lobata and P. thomsonii health products. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]