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Artemisia plants are well-known for their abundant sesquiterpene compounds, which encompass various structural types and exhibit a range of biological activities. In this study, a systematic investigation of Artemisia atrovirens revealed the presence of germacrane-type sesquiterpenes for the first time. This included the discovery of 10 new compounds and three known analogues, among which were two rare dimeric germacrane-type compounds. Their structures were fully characterized through a comprehensive analysis involving MS, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data, single crystal X-ray diffraction, density functional theory (DFT) NMR calculations, and time-dependent DFT electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT ECD) calculations. Furthermore, all isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Compound 10 demonstrated a potent inhibitory effect on NO production, with an IC 50 value of 4.01 ± 0.09 μM. This study highlights the diverse chemical repertoire of Artemisia species and underscores their potential in drug discovery and development. [Display omitted] • Germacrane-type sesquiterpenes were reported from the title plan for the first time. • Ten new germacrane-type sesquiterpenes including two rare dimers were described. • Compound 10 showed a potent anti-inflammatory effect with an IC 50 value around 4 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten undescribed noreudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids, including eight 12,13-dinoreudesmanes and a pair of 11,12,13-trinoreudesmane epimers were isolated from the whole plant of Artemisia hedinii. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and their absolute configurations were confirmed by X-ray diffraction experiments and DFT calculations. Compounds 1 – 5 , 7 – 10 were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages RAW264.7 cells, and all of them could significantly inhibit the LPS induced CCL2 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. [Display omitted] • Eight 12,13-dinoreudesmanes and a pair of 11,12,13-trinoreudesmane epimers were isolated from Artemisia hedinii. • The isolated dinoreudesmanes feature a carboxyl moiety attached to C-7, and an acetoxyl group to C-9. • The absolute configurations of 1 , 4 , 5 , 8 , and 9 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four pairs of undescribed racemic bi(9,10-dihydro) phenanthrene and phenanthrene/bibenzyl atropisomers, bletistriatins A-D (1 – 4), along with 22 known compounds were isolated from the rhizomes of Bletilla striata. These dimeric derivatives were constructed through direct C–C connection or an oxygen bridge. The structures of new compounds were fully established by extensive analysis of MS, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Owing to sterically hindered rotation around the biaryl axis, these dimeric 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives can exist as a pair of enantiomers, but were isolated as racemates. Their racemates were separated to yield enantiomerically pure compounds by HPLC on an optically active stationary phase, and were stereochemically characterized on-line by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy (LC-CD coupling). Some isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines HL-60 and A549. Compounds 13 , 17 , and 20 showed cytotoxicity against HL-60 and A-549 cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 2.56 to 8.67 μM. [Display omitted] • Four pairs of undescribed racemic bi(9,10-dihydro)phenanthrene derivatives were isolated from Bletilla striata. • Their atropisomeric nature was resolved by chiral HPLC in hyphenation with circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. • Compounds 13 , 17 , and 20 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HL-60 and A549 cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical investigation of twigs of Podocarpus nagi resulted in the identification of eight new type B nagilactones ( 1–8 ), all bearing a 7 α ,8 α -epoxy-9(11)-enolide substructure, along with two known analogs ( 9–10 ). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, IR and NMR experiments, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. In vitro cytotoxic assay exhibited that compounds 1 , 2 , 9 and 10 could induce antiproliferation against three different types of human cancer cells while compounds 3 and 5 were inactive. Notably, the IC 50 value of compound 1 is 0.208 μM for A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, reaching the same level as the positive control combretastatin A-4 (0.104 μM). Furthermore, compound 1 performed a strong inhibition of cancer cells by triggering apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle at G 1 phase. These results unfold potential anticancer therapeutic applications of type B nagilactones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segmentation-quantification is the most commonly used method for studying the tissue distribution of bioactive constituents in plant, but this method would bring uncontrollable pollution, compound migration and denaturation. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), as a new method developed in the past 20 years, has high sensitivity, high spatial resolution, high degree of visualization, and low risk of contamination and degeneration when studying tissue distribution of compounds. For the first time we applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to tissue distribution of characteristic constituents of the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza. From the collected data, we found the regional differences in root, stem, and leaf tissues, and the ion information with differential distribution characteristics. We also identified 18 bioactive constituents in S. miltiorrhiza with their spatial distribution information. In addition, the plant was divided into five parts, and the identified compounds were analyzed for differences between tissues using LC-MS, which results verified those found from the MSI. It is figured out that MALDI-MSI can be reliably applied to the differential distribution of salvianolic acids and tanshinones. • MALDI-MSI method was applicated in the study of S. miltiorrhiza for the first time. • Resolution of compound distribution visualization was up to 25μm • The distribution of characteristic constituents (Salvianolic acids and tanshinones) were expounded. • The transported way of phenolic acids in S. miltiorrhiza was speculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Based on a theory of Chinese Medicine, Regulating Gan (liver) to lower lipids that is in brief to regulate the lipid metabolic related factors in the liver will improve serum lipid profile, we have developed Fufang Zhenzhu Tiao Zhi (FTZ) which includes eight herbs that are quality assured. FTZ has been developed with the potential to correct abnormal lipid metabolism. This Chinese herbal medicine has been prescribed for 20years, which has been issued patent and clinically proven for use in the treatment of dyslipidemia. Aim of the study: To investigate the cholesterol-lowering effect and the mode of action of FTZ extract on high lipid diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. Materials and methods: The FTZ was prepared by alcohol and water extraction of eight herbs that have been quality-controlled according to the protocol. The cholesterol-lowering effect of FTZ was evaluated on SD rats fed with high-lipid diet. RT-PCR and western blot were used to analyze the gene expression of cholesterol metabolism-related enzymes including HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in the livers of the rats. The activity of HMG-CoA reductase and CYP7A1 were assessed by colorimetrical method and by quantification of the cholesterol metabolite of CYP7A1 using HPLC analysis respectively. Results and conclusions: FTZ significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), whilst elevated the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and decreased serum atherogenic index (A.I.) values in high lipid diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. Furthermore, FTZ showed significant antihyperlipidemic effect by at least three pathways in the high lipid diet induced hyperlipidemic rats: (1) upregulating the gene expression and activity of CYP7A1 which promotes the conversion of cholesterol into bile acid; (2) downregulating the gene expression and activity of HMG-CoA reductase to reduce de novo synthesis of cholesterol; (3) increasing the cholesterol excretion from feces. In these three pathways, HMG-CoA reductase and CYP7A1 are two pivotal enzymes in lipid cholesterol metabolism and are expressed mainly in hepatic cells, which support our new TCM treatment strategy: Modulating Liver to Treat Hyperlipemia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A phytochemical investigation of a medicinal plant Artemisia atrovirens was carried out, resulting in the characterization of a novel bis-nor seco- guaianolide, seco -atrovirenolide A (1), a new 1,10- seco -guaianolide derivative, seco -atrovirenoic acid A (2), and a new artifact 10-methanoyloxy- seco -atrovirenoic acid A (3), together with eight known guaianolide and seco -guaianolide derivatives (4 – 11). The structures of new compounds were fully established by extensive analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of the isolated compounds were confirmed by TDDFT ECD calculation, Mosher's method, and X-ray crystal diffraction experiment. All the compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity against HL-60 and A549 cell lines. Some of them showed moderate inhibitory activity against HL-60 cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 5.99 to 11.74 μM. [Display omitted] • Three new 1,10- seco -guaianolide derivatives (1 – 3) were isolated from the whole plant of Artemisia atrovirens. • Compound 1 featured a rare bis-nor seco- guaianolide skeleton. • The absolute configurations of 1 – 6 and 9 were determined by TDDFT calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD), Mosher's method, and X-ray diffraction. • Compounds 5 , 6 , 9 , 10 , and 11 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HL-60 and A549 cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anoectochilus roxburghii (A. roxburghii) is a popular folk medicine in many Asian countries, which has been used traditionally for treatment of some diseases such as diabetes, tumors, hyperlipemia, and hepatitis. The ethanol extract from A. roxburghii was recently shown to exert better ability to scavenge free radicals in vitro and possess antioxidant on natural aging mice in vivo. This study is to characterize the chemical composition, and investigate the protective effect of the A. roxburghii flavonoids extract (ARF) against hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2)-induced oxidative stress in LO2 cells in vitro and D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mice model in vivo , and explore the underlying mechanisms. The chemical components of the flavonoids extract fro m A. roxburghii were detected by ultraperformance lipid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). H 2 O 2 was used to establish an oxidative stress model in LO2 cells. Cytotoxic and protective effects of ARF on the LO2 cells were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cell supernatants were measured by commercial reagent kits. Kun-Ming mice were induced to aging with D-gal (400 mg/kg, BW) by subcutaneous injection for 58 days. From the 28th day to the 58th day of D-gal treatment, ARF (122.5, 245 and 490 mg/kg, BW) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg, BW) were orally administrated to aging mice once a day for consecutive 30 days. After 25 days of the treatment with ARF, learning and memory were assessed using Morris Water Maze (MWM). At the end of the test period, the animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and the levels of SOD, GSH-PX, and MDA in serum, liver homogenates and brain homogenates were measured. The levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) were determined in brain homogenates. Skin and liver histopathological morphology were observed by H&E staining. Furthermore, antioxidant-related gene expression levels in the liver were carried out by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Nine flavonoids were identified in the extracts of A. roxburghii. In vitro assay, a high concentration of ARF (>612.5 μg/ml) reduced the survival rate and had toxic effects on LO2 cells. In addition, ARF (245 μg/ml, 490 μg/ml) and Vitamin C (200 μg/ml) markedly inhibited generations of MDA and increased activities of SOD, GSH-PX in H 2 O 2 -induced LO2 cells supernatants. In vivo assay, ARF (122.5 mg/kg, 245 mg/kg and 490 mg/kg) and Vitamin E (100 mg/kg) not only ameliorated learning and memory ability but also improved skin and liver pathological alterations. Strikingly, ARF significantly decreased MDA and MAO levels, markedly enhanced antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX) activities. Further, compared to the D-gal group, ARF could obviously up-regulate glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) and glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPx-4) mRNA levels. These findings suggested that ARF protects LO2 cells against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress and exerts the potent anti-aging effects in D-gal aging mice model, which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress. Flavonoid compounds may contribute to the anti-oxidative capability and modulating aging. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five previously undescribed lycodine-type alkaloids, named huperzine Y (1), 8,15-epoxy- N -demethylhuperzinine (2), 7-hydroxyl-huperzinine (3), huperzine Z (4), and huperzine D N -oxide (5), were isolated from the aerial parts and roots of Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides (Lycopodiaceae), along with ten known analogues. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic technique (IR, UV, MS and NMR). The absolute configurations of the new compounds were established on the basis of comparison of their experimental and TD-DFT (time-dependent density functional theory) calculated ECD spectra. Moreover, all the isolates were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity. Only huperzine C showed moderate activity, with an IC 50 value of 0.525 ± 0.140 μM, which was comparable with the positive control, huperzine A (IC 50 = 0.143 ± 0.029 μM). Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott (D. fragrans), a deciduous perennial herb, has been traditionally used for treatment of various skin diseases in Heilongjiang province of China for many years. Phloroglucinol derivatives extracted from D. fragrans were the most effective fraction against dermatophytes. Isoflavaspidic acid PB is a typically phloroglucinol derivative which extracted from D. fragrans and has been reported to exert anti-fungal activities against several dermatophytes. Aim of the study. This study aimed to evaluate anti-fungal and anti-biofilm activity of isoflavaspidic acid PB on planktonic and biofilm growth of dermatophytes and explore possible mechanisms of anti-biofilm. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of isoflavaspidic acid PB against 25 isolates of dermatophytes were determined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-A2 method. The effects of isoflavaspidic acid PB on dermatophytes biofilm formation and pre-formed biofilm were assessed by 2.3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[carbonyl (phenylamino)]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) assay. Morphology of mature biofilm were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Biomass, exopolysaccharide and ergosterol content of mature biofilm were analyzed by gravimetric analysis, anthranone sulfuric acid method and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) assay respectively. The MIC and MFC ranges of isoflavaspidic acid PB against 25 isolates of dermatophytes were 20–80 μg/mL and 40–80 μg/mL respectively. Isoflavaspidic acid PB (2 MIC) inhibited not only Trichophyton biofilm formation (54.8% ∼ 81.2%) but also the metabolic activity of mature biofilm (20.7% ∼ 44.2%). The result of SEM showed that isoflavaspidic acid PB (8 MIC) could destroy the morphology of hyphae seriously. Comparing with control group, biomass, exopolysaccharide and ergosterol content of the mature biofilm under isoflavaspidic acid PB (8 MIC) were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Isoflavaspidic acid PB had anti-fungal and fungicidal activities against dermatophytes. Isoflavaspidic acid PB could inhibit the biofilm of Trichophyton. The mechanism might be related to the decline of the biofilm biomass, exopolysaccharide and ergosterol content. These results showed that isoflavaspidic acid PB could be explored for promising anti-biofilm drugs. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]