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Aim: To isolate triterpene saponins of polygalacic acid type from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC and to identify their structures., Methods: The compounds were separated by means of extraction, chromatography on silica gel, MPLC and HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses (FAB-MS, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR etc.)., Results: Three triterpene saponins were isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum. They were identified as 3-O-beta-D-laminaribiosyl polygalacic acid (I), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl polygalacic acid (II), polygalacin D (III), separately., Conclusion: Compound I is a new compound, compounds II, III are known triterpene saponins. The compound I and II were isolated from the plant for the first time, which is also the monodesmoside from the plant for the first time.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the cytotoxicity active fraction of the whole plant from Solanum lyratum led to the isolation of a new steroidal saponin, diosgenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid methyl ester (2), as well as four known compounds, diosgenin (1), diosgenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (3), diosgenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (4), diosgenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuroniduronic acid methyl ester (5). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data and chemical evidences. Compound 1 was isolated for the first time from this plant, and compound 3 was isolated as a new natural product. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated and the cytotoxicities of compounds 2-5 reported for the first time.

Activity-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of the whole plant from Solanum lyratum resulted in the isolation of a new pregnane derivative glycoside, 16-dehydropregnenolone 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosid uronic acid (2), as well as other six known compounds: 16-dehydropregnenolone (1), allopregenolone (3), protocatechuic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), and scopoletin (7). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data and chemical evidences. Compounds 1, 3, 4 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against A375-S2, HeLa, SGC-7901, and Bel-7402 with IC50 values of 13.1 +/- 0.9, 21.5 +/- 1.0, 40.2 +/- 0.7, and 49.8 +/- 1.2 microg/mL, respectively.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acupuncture on cognitive deficits and oxidative stress in cerebral multi-infarction rats. The results showed that acupunctural treatment attenuated memory impairment induced by cerebral multi-infarction, as evaluated by shortened escape latency and increased swimming time of rats with memory impairment in the target quadrant. The data additionally suggested that acupunctural treatment ameliorated oxidative injuries induced by cerebral multi-infarction by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hippocampus. Further investigation by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that acupunctural treatment significantly increased the expression of CuZnSOD mRNA and protein in the hippocampus of the impaired rats. The findings demonstrate that acupuncture can exert beneficial effects on spatial memory and antioxidant status of cerebral multi-infarction rats.

A HPLC method is described in order to separate and identify 4 phenolic compounds including lithospermic acid B, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid (danshensu), rosmarinic acid, and protocatechuic aldehyde as well as 3 lipophilic ones (tanshinone I, tanshinone II(A) and cryptotanshinone) from the roots of Salvia miltiorrihiza or the herbal product containing S. miltiorrihiza available in Chinese or Japanese market. The influence of extractive conditions, such as method, solvents and time, on the 4 phenolic marker components in S. miltiorrihiza is well discussed. In order to investigate the stability of lithospermic acid B, the preparation samples of an injection and a granule were analyzed after being stored at 4 degrees C, 20 degrees C and 40 degrees C for up to six months.