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Catharanthus roseus is a well-known traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer, hypertension, scald, and sore in China. Phytochemical investigation on the twigs and leaves of this species led to the isolation of two new monoterpene indole alkaloids, catharanosines A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), and six known analogues ( 3 - 8 ). Structures of 1 and 2 were established by 1 H-, 13 C- and 2D-NMR, and HREIMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 2 represented an unprecedented aspidosperma-type alkaloid with a 2-piperidinyl moiety at C-10. Compounds 6 - 8 exhibited remarkable Ca v 3.1 low voltage-gated calcium channel (LVGCC) inhibitory activity with IC 50 values of 11.83 ± 1.02, 14.3 ± 1.20, and 14.54 ± 0.99 μM, respectively.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Erigerontis Herba is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and is commonly used for neuroprotection and vascular protection., Aim of Study: In this study, the vasodilator effects of Erigerontis Herba (DZXX) were investigated using rat isolated aorta rings., Material and Method: The involvement of endothelium in the vasorelaxation was studied by comparing response of endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aorta rings which precontracted with U46619. The involvement of K(+) channels was studied by pretreatment of the aorta rings with various K(+) channel inhibitors. The involvement of Ca(2+) channel was studied by incubating aorta rings with Ca(2+)-free solution, primed with U46619 prior to elicit contraction by addition of Ca(2+) solution., Results: DZXX (0.2-2mg/ml) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation on U44619-precontracted aorta rings with EC50 of 0.354±0.036mg/ml. Removal of endothelium or pretreatment with a BKCa inhibitor iberiotoxin, KIR inhibitor barium chloride or Kv inhibitor 4-aminopyridine produced no effect on the DZXX-induced vasorelaxation. However, pretreatment with a KATP inhibitor glibenclamide or a non-selective K(+) channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium produced significant inhibition on the DZXX-induced vasorelaxation by 29.9% and 21.3%, respectively. Pretreatment with DZXX (0.4, 1.2 and 2mg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition on Ca(2+)-induced vasoconstriction., Conclusions: These results suggest that the vasodilator effect of DZXX was endothelium-independent, mediated by decreasing the influx of Ca(2+) by calcium channel inhibition and increasing the influx of K(+) by opening of a KATP channel., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

One new coumarin, dryofracoumarin A (1), and eight known compounds 2-9 were isolated from Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analyses and comparison with reported spectroscopic data. The new compound 1 was determined to be 8-hydroxyl-4-isopropyl-7-methyl-6-methyl-2H-benzopyran-2-one. Two dimers, trans- and cis-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphen-yl)-4-[(E)-3,4-dimethoxystyryl]cyclohex-1-ene (compounds 8 and 9), were isolated from the Dryopteris genus for the first time. The other six were esculetin (2), isoscopoletin (3), methylphlorbutyrophenone (4), aspidinol (5), albicanol (6) and (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphen-yl)but-3-en-1-ol (7). All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects by the MTT assay. Compounds 2, 3, 8 and 9 showed significantly cytotoxic effects against three cell lines (A549, MCF7 and HepG2), 1 and 5 against two cell lines (A549 and MCF7), and 6 against one cell line (MCF7). Their IC₅₀ values ranged between 2.73 ± 0.86 μM and 24.14 ± 3.12 μM. These active compounds might be promising lead compounds for the treatment of cancer.

Three new sauchinone analogues, sauchinones B-D (1-3), together with sauchinone (4), were isolated from the aerial part of Saururus chinensis. Structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic data as well as X-ray analysis. Compounds 3 and 4 inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values of 13.0 and 14.2 µM, respectively., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Two new ursane-type triterpenoids, 3β,19α,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-24-al-28-oic acid (1) and 3β,19α,24-trihydroxy-23-norurs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), two new pregnane derivatives, 3β,12β-dihydroxy-5α-pregnane-14,16-dien-20-one (9) and 12β-hydroxy-5α-pregnane-14,16-dien-3,20-dione (10), and eight known compounds were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Emmenopterys henryi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 4, 11, and 12 showed cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480 cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 3.11-20.12 µM., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

A new benzophenone C-glycoside, malaferin A (1), and two new epicatechin derivatives, malaferin B (2) and malaferin C (3), together with five known compounds were isolated from Malania oleifera. In addition, (-)-epicatechin-3-O-benzoate (6) was isolated for the first time from a natural resource. Structures of 1-3 were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. All of the compounds were evaluated for anti-HIV activities., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Four new acylphloroglucinols with an unusual 6/6/5 spirocyclic skeleton, hyperbeanols A-D (1-4), were isolated from the methanol extract of Hypericum beanii along with 16 known compounds. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis. Hyperbeanols A-C were three stereoisomers different only at the relative configuration of C-4 and C-13, which were distinguished by the nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) spectroscopic data in combination with the single X-ray analysis of hyperbeanol A (1). The cytotoxic activity of hyperbeanols A-D against the cancer cell lines SK-BR-3, HL-60, SMMC-7721, PANC-1, MCF-7, and K562 was also evaluated.

A new ent-kaurane diterpenoid, lophanthodin G (1) and one known abietanoid, 6alpha-hydroxyferruginol (2), were isolated from the leaves of Isodon lophanthoides var. geradianus. The structure of the new compound 1 was established using spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis.

Five new oleanane-type triterpene saponins, named foenumosides A ( 1), B ( 2), C ( 3), D ( 4) and E ( 5), were isolated from the aerial parts of Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance. Their structures were identified on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques, including H-H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, HMQC-TOCSY, ROESY experiments as well as chemical methods. We have evaluated the cytotoxity of 1 - 5 against rat and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the effect of 5 on the arachidonic acid metabolizing enzyme. All compounds showed a high degree of toxicity except for compound 5, while 5 notably reduced the production of leukotriene B (4) (LTB (4)) from rat peritoneal leukocytes with an IC (50) value of 74 microM without inhibiting human elastase. Compound 5 also reduced the production of 12-HHTrE and 12-HETE by 14 % and 50 % as a measurement for cyclooxygenase-1 and 12-lipoxygenase inhibition at 100 microM.

A new stilbene, gnetifolin M (1), was isolated from the lianas of Gnetum montanum, together with seven known compounds, resveratrol (2), gnetol (3), 4', 5,7-trihydroxy-3'-methoxyflavone, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, ursolic acid, and tetracosanoic acid. The structure of 1 was determined to be 2-(5'-methoxy-3'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hydroxybenzofuran on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Four new Lycopodium alkaloids (1–4), together with 15 known ones, were isolated from club moss Phlegmariurus squarrosus. Notably, 8α-hydroxylycojapodine A (1) was the first derivative of lycojapodine A (5) which was a novel C16N-type Lycopodium alkaloid with an unprecedented 6/6/6/7 tetracyclic ring system. Their structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new neoclerodane diterpenoids, leucansalvialins F I ( 1–4 ), and one rare 18(4 → 3)- abeo -abietane diterpenoid, leucansalvialin J ( 5 ), were isolated from the aerial part of Salvia leucantha Cav., along with 14 known analogues. Leucansalvialin F ( 1 ) represents the first rearranged salvigenane type clerodane-17,12:18,6-diolide. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configurations of 1 , 2 , 3 , and 5 were determinded by X-ray diffraction crystal analysis and the ECD technique. All of the isolated components were evaluated for their neurotrophic activities on PC12 cells and all new compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and SW480). Compounds 2 and 5 showed moderate neuroprotective effects in an in vitro assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel nor-lupane triterpenoid, 3-oxo-29 α -hydroxy-17 β ,20-epoxy-28-norlupane ( 1 ), and two new guaiane sesquiterpenoids, schvenols A–B ( 2 – 3 ), has been isolated from leaves of Schefflera venulosa . Structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. And the structure of 1 was further confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis. None of the compounds showed inhibitory effects on NO release in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical study on Huperzia serrata led to the isolation of four new 5-deoxyfawcettimine-related Lycopodium alkaloids, huperserines A–D ( 1 – 4 ), and one new lycodine-type alkaloid, huperserine E ( 5 ). Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. 5-Carbonyl or 5-hydroxyl group is a typical characteristic of lycopodine- and fawcettimine-type alkaloids. This is the first report of the 5-deoxyfawcettimine type Lycopodium alkaloids. In vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity assay showed that huperserine E exhibited moderate anti-AChE activity with an IC 50 value of 6.71 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation on the rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum led to the isolation of new alkaloids sinomacutines A–E ( 1 – 5 ), and cephalonine-2- O -β- d -glucopyranoside ( 6 ), along with known tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids ( 7 – 9 ). Among them, sinomacutines A–C were new bistetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids with morphinane–proaporphine and morphinane–benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline types, and coupled with unique C–CH 2 –N unit. Their structures with absolute configuration were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD spectra analysis. The new compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities, and sallisonine B ( 2 ) showed moderate ability to inhibit NO production of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, as well as sallisonine A ( 1 ) showed weak inhibitory effects against five cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical study of the CHCl3 extract of the dried unripe fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa ( Juss.) Benth. (Rutaceae) resulted in the isolation of three new alkaloids, evollionines A-C ( 1- 3, resp.), together with two known compounds, evodianinine and wuzhuyumide I. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic evidence and confirmed in the case of compound 1 by single-crystal X-ray analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three new labdane diterpenoids, calomacrins A–C (1–3), and a new diaryl butyrolactone-type lignan, calomacrol A (8), as well as four known labdane diterpenoids and six known lignans, were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Calocedrus macrolepis. Structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 3–14 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three new norditerpenoids, castanol A–C (1–3), along with eighteen known diterpenoids, were isolated from Salvia castanea Diels f. pubescens. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines. The known compounds neo-tanshinlactone (12) and methyltanshinoate (17) exhibited significant cytotoxic activities against some cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]