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Age is the major risk factor for most of the deadliest diseases. Developing small molecule drugs with antiaging effects could improve the health of aged people and retard the onset and progress of aging-associated disorders. Bioactive secondary metabolites from medicinal plants are the main source for development of medication. Orientin is a water-soluble flavonoid monomer compound widely found in many medicinal plants. Orientin inhibits fat production, antioxidation, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we explored whether orientin could affect the aging of C. elegans . We found that orientin improved heat, oxidative, and pathogenic stress resistances through activating stress responses, including HSF-1-mediated heat shock response, SKN-1-mediated xenobiotic and oxidation response, mitochondria unfolded responses, endoplasmic unfolded protein response, and increased autophagy activity. Orientin also could activate key regulators of the nutrient sensing pathway, including AMPK and insulin downstream transcription factor FOXO/DAF-16 to further improve the cellular health status. The above effects of orientin reduced the accumulation of toxic proteins ( α -synuclein, β -amyloid, and poly-Q) and delayed the onset of neurodegenerative disorders in AD, PD, and HD models of C. elegans and finally increased the longevity and health span of C. elegans . Our results suggest that orientin has promising antiaging effects and could be a potential natural source for developing novel therapeutic drugs for aging and its related diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Yuan Qu et al.)

Trigonelline is the main alkaloid with bioactivity presented in fenugreek, which was used in traditional medicine in Asian countries for centuries. It is reported that trigonelline has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-pathogenic effects. We are wondering whether trigonelline have anti-aging effect. We found that 50  μ M of trigonelline had the best anti-aging activity and could prolong the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ) by about 17.9%. Trigonelline can enhance the oxidative, heat, and pathogenic stress resistance of C. elegans . Trigonelline could also delay the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD, PD, and HD, in models of C. elegans . Trigonelline could not prolong the lifespan of long-lived worms with loss-of-function mutations in genes regulating energy and nutrition, such as clk-1 , isp-1 , eat-2 , and rsks-1 . Trigonelline requires daf-16 , hsf-1 , and aak-2 to extend the lifespan of C. elegans . Trigonelline can also up-regulate the expression of daf-16 and hsf-1 targeted downstream genes, such as sod-3 , gst-4 , hsp-16.1 , and hsp-12.6 . Our results can be the basis for developing trigonelline-rich products with health benefits, as well as for further research on the pharmacological usage of trigonelline., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wen-Yu Zeng et al.)

Six new compounds, including two diterpenoids excocarinols F and G (1 and 2, resp.), two carotane (daucane) sesquiterpenoids excoecafolinols A and B (3 and 4, resp.), one lignanoid compound, excoecanol A (5), and one simple phenol, excoecanol B (6), together with 17 known compounds, were isolated from the BuOH extract of Excoecaria acerifolia Didr. stems. Their structures were elucidated through the analysis of the spectroscopic data. The AChE-inhibitory activities of 17 compounds were evaluated and revealed that four of them possessed moderate inhibitory activities against AChE., (Copyright © 2014 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

One new compound named amauroamoienin (1), together with thirteen known compounds (2-14), was isolated from the EtOAc extract of Amauroderma amoiensis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by the analysis of 1D and 2D spectroscopic data and the MS technique. The bioassays of inhibitory activities of these isolates against acetylcholinesterase were evaluated, and compounds 1, 3, and 5 exhibited acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Bioassay-guided isolation of the stems of Gelsemium elegans has led to the isolation of two new Gelsemium alkaloids, 21-(2-oxopropyl)-koumine (1) and 11-methoxygelselegine (2), and two known alkaloids, koumine (3) and gelselegine (4). The structures of 1-2 were determined by spectroscopic (for both) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (for 1) analysis. All compounds isolated were evaluated for their potential as immunosuppressive agents and the data suggested that Gelsemium alkaloids of different structural types possibly have potential as immunosuppressive agents., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Two new bibenzyl derivatives, dendrocandin T (1) and dendrocandin U (2), together with eight known bibenzyls, were isolated from the stems ofDendrobium officinale. Those compounds were sent for the first time for central nervous system-related bioassay and the results indicated that compounds3,4, and5have a certain degree of neurite outgrowth-promoting activity, and compounds1,2,6, and7also have weak activity. The results indicated thatD. officinaleused as health food and traditional Chinese medicine “Tiepi Shihu” has a health function of neurotrophic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nine new minor dehydrogenated and cleavaged dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins, namely notoginsenosides ST6-ST14 ( 1 – 9 ) were isolated from the steamed roots of Panax notoginseng , together with 14 known ones. Among them, 5–7 and 21–22 were protopanaxadiol type and the left 18 compounds, including 1–4 , 8–20 , and 23 were protopanaxatriol type saponins. Their structures were identified by extensive analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and acidic hydrolysis. Resulted from the side chain cleavage, the new saponins 1 and 2 featured in a ketone group at C-25, and 3–5 had an aldehyde unit at C-23. The known saponins 12 , 16 and 18 displayed the enhancing potential of neurite outgrowth of NGF-mediated PC12 cells at a concentration of 10 μM, while 20 exhibited acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory activity, with IC 50 value of 13.97 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new iridoids, jatamanvaltrates R–S ( 1 – 2 ) and jatamanin Q ( 3 ), as well as three new sesquiterpenoids, valeriananoids D–E ( 4 , 5 ) and clovane-2 β -isovaleroxy-9 α -ol ( 6 ), together with nine known compounds were isolated from the roots of Valeriana jatamansi Jones. Compound 2 was the first reported iridoid with fatty acid esters in the Valerianaceae family. The structures of new compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, all the isolates were evaluated for inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Schisandra chinensis has a long history of use as a famous traditional Chinese medicine. The plants of genus Schisandra, especially Schisandra neglecta, Schisandra rubriflora, and Schisandra sphaerandra are used in the same way as Schisandra chinensis in the folk medicine to treat insomnia, fatigue, increasing intelligence, and tranquilizing. Many studies showed that lignans were the major active components of Schisandra genus, whereas the bioactivity of abundant triterpenoids in Schisandra genus, such as nigranoic acid (SBB1, 3,4-secocycloartene triterpenoid), has not been examined yet in neuropathology. Materials and methods: After treating with SBB1, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was analyzed by Ca2+ fluorescent indicator (Fluo-4 AM) in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. Intracellular nitric oxide (NO) level was analyzed using NO fluorescent indicator (DAF-FM). The expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) was analyzed by western blotting, and the temporal mRNA for BDNF and c-fos was analyzed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Result: We found that SBB1 induced Ca2+ influx in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, which was significantly attenuated in Ca2+ free media. SBB1 promoted the intracellular NO production which depended on increasing cytoplasmic Ca2+ level. Moreover, SBB1 stimulated activation of ERK1/2 through Ca2+-CaMKII pathway. In addition, we found that SBB1 increased the expression of BDNF and c-fos mRNA. Conclusion: These results suggest that SBB1 is able to promote NO production and stimulate phosphorylation of ERK1/2 through Ca2+ influx, further impact expression of BDNF and c-fos, which provides evidence for the effects of SBB1 that may be benefit to enhance mental and intellectual functions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four new compounds, maninsigins A–D (1–4), including two new neolignans (1–2) and two new sesquiterpenes (3–4), as well as ten known compounds (5–14), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Manglietia insignis. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. In addition, some compounds were tested for their cytotoxic and neurite outgrowth-promoting activities, as well as their antagonistic activity toward FXR ligand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]