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Aim To study the chemical constituents of Menispermum dauricum DC. Methods Compounds were isolated by repeated chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. The structures were identified by spectral analysis and comparison with literature data. Results Eleven compounds were obtained and identified as dauricumine (1), dauricumidine (2), acutuminine (3), physcion (4), blumenol C (5), blumenolA (6), N-trans feruloyltyramine (7), vanillin (8), β-sitostenone (9), β-sitosterol (10), and daucosterol (11). Conclusion All compounds were known, but isolated from the plant for first time. Compounds 1 and 2 were chlorine-containing alkaloids obtained from natural source for the first time. The stereochemistry of 3 was determined for first time.

The dimeric monoterpenoid glycoside, dicliripariside A, and two flavonoid glycosides, dicliriparisides B and C, together with six known compounds, beta-sitosterol, 2,5-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone, vanillic acid, daucosterol, lugrandoside and poliumonside, were isolated from the aqueous ethanol extract of the whole plants of Dicliptera riparia Nees. Their structures were determined based on analyses of spectroscopic data.

Four new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, sculponeatins F-I (1-4), together with six known compounds, sculponeatin E (5), epi-nodosin (6), epi-nodosinol (7), enmein (8), and macrocalyxoformins A and B (9 and 10), were isolated from the leaves of Isodon sculponeata. Also obtained were ursolic acid, 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 2alpha,3beta,19alpha-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, quercetin, pedalitin, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and ethyl caffeic acid. Their structures were determined by spectral methods (1D-, 2D-NMR and MS). Some diterpenoids were tested for their cytotoxicity to inhibit three kinds of human tumor cells K562, A549 and T24. Compounds 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 showed significant inhibitory effect toward K562 with IC(50) values ranging from 3.2 microg/ml to 8.2 microg/ml, while 3 and 6 exhibited potent antitumor activity against T24, but none exhibited cytotoxicity toward the cells of A549.

A new unsaturated fatty acid monoglyceride (1), glycerol mono-(E)-8,11,12-trihydroxy-9-octadecenoate, was isolated from the seeds of Allium fistulosum L. along with five known compounds: tianshic acid (2), 4-(2-formyl-5-hydroxymethylpyrrol-1-yl) butyric acid (3), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), and daucosterol (6). The structures of 1-3 were established by interpretation and full assignments of NMR spectroscopic data. Both 1 and 2 were found to inhibit the growth of Phytophtohora capsici on V8 media.

Four compounds of a coumarin, a steroid and two flavonoids were isolated from the herba of Artemisia apiacea by open column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated as artemicapin C, apigenin, daucosterol and cacticin by chemical and spectroscopic analysis. This is the first report of the isolation of these compounds from this plant.

Four new glycosides, pleurofranosides I-IV, together with eight known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Pleurospermum franchetianum Hemsl. Based on the spectral data and chemical evidence, the structures of pleurofranosides 1, II, III and IV were elucidated to be 16beta, 21beta, 23, 28-tetrahydroxyolean-12-ene-3beta-yl-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 13beta, 28-epoxy-16beta, 23-dihydroxyolean-11-ene-3beta-yl-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --2)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside, 13beta, 28-epoxy-16beta, 23-dihydroxyolean-11-ene-3beta-yl-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --4)-[beta-D-fucopyranosyl-(1 --2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 12beta, 28-epoxy-16beta, 23-dihydroxyolean-11-ene-3beta-yl-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --3)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The known compounds identified were octadecyl caprate, beta-sitosterol, (22E, 20S, 24R)-5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3-beta-ol, daucosterol, alpha-spinasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3, 7-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3, 7-di-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, respectively.

To investigate the chemical constituents from the Plumbago zeylanica L. the chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated as plumbazeylanone(1),plumbagic acid(2),β-sitosterol(3),lupeol(4),lup-20(29)-en-3,21-dione(5),norcanelilline(6),3-O-glucopyranosyl plumbagicacid methylester(7),uridine(8),daucosterol(9).Compound 4-6 and 8 were first time were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Nine compounds were isolated from the spikes of Prunella vulgaris by various kinds of chromatography. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis as polygalacerebroside (1), ursolic acid (2), β-amyrin (3), quercetin (4), quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactoside (5), α-spinasterol (6), stigmasterol (7), β-sitosterol (8), daucosterol (9). Compound 1 was isolated from this genus for the first time. Phytochemical investigation on the spikes of P. vulgaris provided chemical constituents diversity, which were performed to facilitate further development and utilization of P. vulgaris pharmaceutical resource.

In this work, a phytochemical investigation was conducted on Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemaire, a traditional Chinese spice. Based on spectroscopic methods including MS, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, DEPT135 and HMQC spectroscopy, eight main chemical compositions, sitosterol, daucosterol, meso-hannokinol, quercetin, epicatechin, quercetin-7-O-β-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside, and catechol, were isolated and identified from A. tsaoko, among which quercetin, quercetin-7-O-β-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside were first found in A. tsaoko. Their bioactivities were evaluated by the inhibitory effect on NO production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, the protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis of PC-12 cells and the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Epicatechin exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory properties; its inhibition rate was up to 63.65% at a concentration of 100 μg mL(-1). In addition, quercetin showed the strongest neuroprotective effect of PC-12 cells induced by H2O2, and the cell viability was up to 78.9% at a concentration of 50 μg mL(-1). Quercetin also exhibited excellent DPPH radical-scavenging activity at a concentration of 100 μg mL(-1) (DPPH radical inhibition rate80%), which was very close to Vc at the same concentration. It is concluded that, in A. tsaoko, different ingredients have their own health functions.

Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae), a herbaceous plant growing widely in Iran, has been well known for many centuries for its astringent and styptic properties. A phytochemical investigation of this plant, based on spectroscopic analysis, identifi ed fourteen compounds: 5-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one (1), umbelliferone-6-carboxylic acid (2), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-β-D-(2"-acetyl)-glucopyranoside (3), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-β- D-glucopyranoside (4), daucosterol (5), phytol (6), dodecanoic acid (7), oleanolic acid (8), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid (9), corosolic acid (10), β-sitosterol (11), peucedanin (12), buntansin (13), and erythrodiol (14). All compounds, except for 8 and 11, have been isolated from L. salicaria for the fi rst time. Cytotoxic activities of the compounds were examined against three cancerous cell lines, colon carcinoma (HT-29), leukemia (K-562), and breast ductal carcinoma (T47D), and Swiss mouse embryo fi broblast (NIH-3T3) cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and methotrexate as positive control. Compounds 5, 10, 11, and 14 were the most active against the HT-29 cell line with IC50 values of 192.7, 36.8, 38.2, and 12.8 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 14, 11, 5, and 10 were 6.4, 2.8, 2.6, and 1.4 times, respectively, more selective than methotrexate. Compound 5 was the most active against the K-562 cell line (IC50 = 50.2 μg/mL), with a selectivity exceeding that of methotrexate 13.3 times. The results of the cytotoxic assay confi rmed that growth and proliferation of the cancer cell lines are predominantly infl uenced by triterpene derivatives and sterols of this plant

Phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Cassiaitalica Mill. (family: Fabaceae) growing in Saudi Arabia afforded one new cycloartane triterpene, named (22E)-3-β-hydroxycycloart-22-en-24-one (2), together with eight known compounds: β-sitosterol (1), uvaol (3), daucosterol (4), methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (5), emodin (6), 4-hydroxypheny-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), aloin (8) and rutin (9). The structure of the isolated compounds was determined by physical, chemical and spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1D (1H, 13C and DEPT) and 2D (1H–1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC) NMR), as well as by comparing with authentic samples. Compounds 3–5 and 7–9 were isolated for the first time from the plant. Compound 2 was evaluated for its cytotoxic activity against the L5178Y and PC12 cell lines. The total methanolic extract and compounds 5–9 exhibited free radical-scavenging activity using DPPH assay.

The bioassay-guided purification of ethanolic extracts from inflorescences of Piper subtomentosum Trel. & Yunck and aerial part of Piper septuplinervium (Miq. ) C. DC. led to isolation of five flavonoids, uvangoletin (1), galangin (2), chrysin (5), 5-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxy-flavone (6), pinostrobin (7); one amide, N-p-coumaroil-tyramine (4); one acylglycerol, monopalmitin (3); one derivative of acid, protocatechuic acid (8); and glycosydated sterol, daucosterol (9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopy and spectrometry data and by comparison with data reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were tested against Spodoptera frugiperda. The results showed galangin and protocatechuic acid to be the most active (LC 50 13.63 and 17.16 ppm, respectively).

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Uvaria rufa (Dunal) Blume collected from Vietnam yielded one new lignan glycoside, ufaside (1), along with six known compounds, oxoanolobine (2), ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (3), catechin (4), epicatechin (5), daucosterol (6) and glutin-5-en-3-one (7). Their chemical structures were determined by using NMR, HR-MS spectroscopic analyses and in comparison with the reported data. A cytotoxic analysis of U. rufa herb extracts was performed for the first time using nine human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, LNCaP, MKN7, SW480, KB, LU-1, HepG2 and HL-60) derived from different tumour types. Of these seven constituents, compounds 2 and 3 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (LU-1) with IC50 values of 9.22 ± 1.02 μg/mL and 10.21 ± 1.16 μg/mL, respectively.

From the extracts of Dimocarpus longan Lour leaves, 2 unusual flavonol glycosides, quercetin 3-O-(3″-O-2‴-methyl-2‴-hydroxylethyl)-β-d-xyloside (1) and quercetin 3-O-(3″-O-2‴-methyl-2‴-hydroxylethyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), as well as 10 known compounds including 2 flavonol glycosides, afzelin (3) and kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (4), 2 flavans, ( − )-epicatechin (5) and proanthocyanidin A-2 (6), 3 triterpenoids, friedelin (7), epifriedelanol (8) and β-amyrin (9), a peptide, N-benzoylphenylalanyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (10), and 2 sterols, β-sitosterol (11) and daucosterol (12) were isolated and identified by using combination of mass spectrometry and various 1D and 2D NMR techniques. This is the first report of flavonoid glycosides possessing a 2-methyl-2-hydroxylethoxyl group in sugar moiety from D. longan.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF ROOTS OF Sabicea brasiliensis Wernh (Rubiaceae). The phytochemical investigation of Sabicea brasiliensis roots led to the isolation of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5- and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinics acids, scopoletin, ursolic acid, a mixture of β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, daucosterol and saccharose. The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned on the basis of one- and two- dimensional NMR spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature data. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the crude methanolic extract and its fractions were analyzed.

Extensive chromatographic investigation of the ethanolic extract of Alnus japonica Steud stem bark led to the isolation of a new diarylheptanoid named alnuheptanoid A [(5S)-7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-methoxyheptan-3-one] (8), together with seven known diarylheptanoid derivatives: platyphyllenone (5), (5S)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-methoxyheptan-3-one (6), 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one (7), hirsutenone (9), (5R)-O-methylhirsutanonol (10), hirsutanonol (11) and oregonin (13), three triterpenes: α-amyrin (1), betulinaldehyde (3) and betulinic acid (4), and two sterols: β-sitosterol (2) and daucosterol (12). Compound 6 was isolated for the first time from natural source. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic measurements (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR).

Three new chemical constituents have been isolated from the stem bark of Alangium kurzii Craib. The structures were respectively determined to be 4-cyclohexene-1,2,3-triol 1, 3-β-stigmast-5-en-3-ol (β-sitosterol 2), and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-stigmast-5-ene (daucosterol 3). These compounds are preliminary isolated from this plant. Keyword: Alangium kurzii, Alangiaceae, 4-cyclohexene-1,2,3-triol, β-sitosterol, daucosterol.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in leaves of Cebera manghas. Methods: Chemical constituents were isolated by using various column chromatography and the structures were elucidated on basis Of physicochemical constants and spectral data analysis. Results: Nine compounds were obtained including p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1), benzamide (2), n-hexadecane acid monoglyceride (3), loliolide (4). B-sitosterol (5). Cerberin (6), neriifolin (7). cerleaside A (8). daucosterol (9). Conclusions: Compounds 1-4 are obtained from this genus for the first time.

A new monoterpene and a new guaianolide were isolated from the aerial parts of the Tibetan medicinal plant Soroseris hookeriana subsp. erysimoides (Asteraceae), in addition to (1R,4R,5R)-5-hydroxybornan-2-one 5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, diosmetin, isoluteolin, p-methoxybenzoic acid, isovanillic acid, two phenylmethanol derivatives (vanilioloside and phenylmethanol glucopyranoside), and five guaianolides [3 beta,8 beta-dihyroxyguaia-4(15),10(14),11(13)-triene-12,6 alpha-olide, dentalactone, 10 alpha-hydroxy-8-deoxy-10,14-dihydrodeacylcinaropicrin, glucozaluzanin C and 8-epideacylcinaropicrin glucoside]. By a combination of spectroscopic methods (IR, EI-MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR, and DEPT), the structure of the new guaianolide was established as 3 beta,8 beta-dihydroxy-11 alpha H-guaia-4(15),10(14)-diene-12,6 alpha-olide, and that of the new monoterpene as (1R,4R,5R)-5-benzoyloxybornan-2-one. The antimicrobial activity of all isolates except the two sterols were measured using Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Trichophyton rubrum as test microorganisms. The new guaianolide was shown to be equally active (MIC: 50 micrograms/ml) against E. coli, B. subtilis and A. niger. The new monoterpene inhibited exclusively the growth of B. subtilis with MIC at 25 micrograms/ml. p-Methoxybenzoic acid and isovanillic acid were inhibitory against A. niger (MIC: 25 micrograms/ml), the latter being also active against B. subtilis with MIC at 25 micrograms/ml. The flavonoids diosmetin and isoluteolin almost equally inhibited the growth of B. subtilis (MIC: 25 micrograms/ml) and the human pathgenic fungus T. rubrum (MIC: 50 micrograms/ml).

A paraben derivative, methyl 3-acetyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (1), was isolated from the seeds of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, together with β-sitosterol and daucosterol, through open column chromatography and prep-HPLC. Methyl 3-acetyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (1) was isolated for the first time from nature, and elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis.

A new tetrahydroanthracene, 3,6,9-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydroanthracen-1(2H)-one (1), six phenolics, moscatilin (2), gigantol (3), batatasin (4), moscatin (5), 9,10-dihydromoscatin (6), 10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,4,7-triol (7), and a sesquiterpenoid, corchoionoside C (8), together with two sterols beta-sitosterol (9) and daucosterol (10), were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium polyanthum. Compounds 1 and 2 were assessed for cytotoxic activity against two human tumor cell lines (A549 and HL-60).

AIM: To study the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Daphne pedunculata. METHODS: Column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 were used for the isolation and purification of compounds, and physical properties and spectroscopic techniques were used for structural identification. RESULTS: Eight compounds were isolated from the titled plant, and elucidated as daphnetin (1), daphnoretin (2), daphneticin (3) isodaphneticin (4), (-)-pinoresinol (5), daphneolone (6), β-sitosterol (7), and daucosterol (8). CONCLUSION: All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

In addition to the plant sterols β-sitosterol and daucosterol, a new bisabolane-typed sesquiterpene glycoside and three bioactive compounds (artemetin, geniposide and 6β-hydroxygeniposide) were characterized from the whole plant of Biebersteinia heterostemon endemic to the Tibetan area. The structure determination of the novel glycoside and identification of the known phytochemicals were accomplished by a combination of modern spectroscopic methods. Tests of all isolates for the antimicrobial activity indicated that the new sesquiterpene glycoside exhibited pronounced antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas sp. with MICs at 50, 50 and 70 μg/ml, respectively.

Two novel prenylated flavones, 3,5,4′-trihydroxy-8,3′-dimethoxy-7- (3-methylbut-2-enoxy)flavone and 3,5,8,4′-tetrahydroxy-7,3′-dimethoxy-6- (3-methylbut-2-enyl)flavone have been isolated from the aerial parts of Melicope micrococca (Rutaceae) together with the known compounds, quercetin 3- O - β - d -glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin 3- O -rutinoside, the acridone alkaloid arborinine, sitosterol 3 β - O -glucopyranoside (daucosterol) and 5- O -methyl- myo -inositol (sequoyitol). The structures of all compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

AIM To study the chemical constituents of the twigs and leaves of Flueggea virosa. METHODS The constituents were isolated and purified by several column chromatographic methods. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral data. RESULTS Nine compounds were isolated and elucidated as 11-O-acetyl bergenin (1), bergenin (2), virosecurinine (3), ent-phyllanthidine (4), kaempferol (5), quercetin (6), gallic acid (7), daucosterol (8) and β-sitosterol (9), respectively. CONCLUSION Compound 1 was a new one. Compounds 4-9 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

To study the chemical constituents in Bletilla ochracea Schltr., repeated column chromatographies and preparative TLC were used for the isolation of compounds, and spectroscopic techniques (NMR, IR, UV and MS) were used for their structural identification. Seven compounds, 2,7-bis (allyloxy)-5-methoxy-3-methyl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene ( 1 ), gastrodin ( 2 ), gastrodigenin ( 3 ), β-sitosterol ( 4 ), stigmasterol ( 5 ), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde ( 6 ), and daucosterol ( 7 ) were obtained from the roots of B. ochracea Schltr. Compound 1 is structurally illustrated as a novel compound, and the others are isolated from the title plant for the first time.

The aerial parts of Artemisia sieversiana afforded, in addition to beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and daucosterol, two novel lignans as well as one known and three new guaianolides. The roots of Inula racemosa gave beta-sitosterol, daucosterol and isoalantolactone. The structures were determined by a combination of spectral methods (IR, EIMS, 1H and 13C NMR, DEPT, COSY, NOESY and HETCOR). All isolates were subjected to antifungal tests. Isoalantolactone, a major sesquiterpene lactone of I. racemosa, was found to be active against the human pathogenic fungi. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Geotrichum candidum, Candida tropicalis and C. albicans at concentrations of 50, 50, 25, 25 and 25 micrograms/ml, respectively. The taxonomic significance of the characterized constituents is discussed briefly.

Repetitive chromatography of the methanol extract of the roots of Gentiana tibetica afforded two new secoiridoid glycosides and a novel antifungal anthranilic acid derivative, together with beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, oleanolic acid, loganic acid, gentiopicroside, sweroside, 2'-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)sweroside, trifloroside, rindoside and macrophylloside A. The structures of the new products were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods as 8-hydroxy-10-hydrosweroside, isomacrophylloside and ethyl N-docosanoylanthranilate. Ethyl N-docosanoylanthranilate inhibited the growth of the human pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. The taxonomic significance of the constituent is discussed briefly.

Salvia deserta SCHANG. (Lamiaceae) is a plant grown in Xinjiang province in China, and its dried roots are called Xinjiang-Danshen. This plant has not been used as a medicine or a food, but recently it was reported that Xinjiang-Danshen is mixed in Dashen (roots of S. miltiorhiza BUNGE), a well-known Chinese crude drug, at Xinjiang province when latter was in short supply. We examined the constitutents of the roots of S. deserta (Xinjiang-Danshen) and identified a new caffeic acid trimer [salvianolic acid K (1)], along with two known caffeic acid dimers [salviaflaside (2), rosmarinic acid (3)], a known caffeic acid tetramer [lithospermic acid B (4)], seven known abietane-type diterpenes [6, 7-dehydroroyleanone (5), royleanone (6), taxodione (7), ferruginol (8), 7-O-methylhorminone (9), 7-O-acetylhorminone (10), horminone (11)], and a known steroid [daucosterol (12)].Five of the diterpenes (5, 6, 9-11) were "royleanones" and the main caffeic acid derivative was the trimer 1. These differed from the constituents of roots of S. miltiorhiza, which contains "tanshinones" as diterpenes and magnesium lithospermate B as the main caffeic acid derivative. Thus, the mixing of Xinjiang-Danshen with Danshen is not appropriate and two should be considered different drugs.

The wood of Eucalyptus globulus contains several pentacyclic diterpenes with oleane, ursane and lupane skeleta. In addition to the well known compounds β-amyrin, erythrodiol, uvaol, acetyloleanolic, acetylbetulinic, acetylursolic, betulinic, ursolic, 23-hydroxyursolic and trans-p-methoxycinnamoyloxy-ursolic acids, three new triterpenoids have been isolated: methyl cis-p-methoxycinnamoyloxyoleanolate, methyl cis-p-methoxycinnamoyloxyursolate and methyl 11α-methoxy-3-acetoxyursolate.

The roots of Anemone altaica Fisch. ex C. A. Mey. have been used in the treatment of epilepsia, neurasthenia, and arthritis in Chinese folk medicine for a long time. In order to find new and bioactive compounds, the chemical constituents of the roots of A. altaica were investigated and nine compounds were isolated from the EtOH extract of this plant. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, the structures of these compounds were elucidated as 4-(9H-β-carbolin-1-yl)-4-oxo-butyric acid (1), carboxymethyl isoferulate (2), β isoferulic acid (3), cirsiumaldehyde (4), 5-hydroxy-4-oxo-pentanoic acid (5), triacontane (6), palmic acid (7), β-sitosterol (8), and daucosterol (9). Among them, 1 and 2 were new compounds, and 3 and 4 were obtained from this genus for the first time. (Managing editor: Wei WANG)

Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. fruits are widely consumed in China and tropical countries. This study identifies three new triterpenoids, 3α,29-O-di-trans-cinnamoyl-D:C-friedooleana-7,9(11)-diene (1), oleanolic acid 28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)]-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (2), and oleanolic acid 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)]-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (3), together with 12 known compounds, multiflorenol (4), isomultiflorenyl acetate (5), stigmasterol (6), stigmasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), α-spinasterol (8), α-spinasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (9), β-sitosterol (10), daucosterol (11), arbutin (12), nicotinic acid (13), (+)-pinonesinol (14), and ethyl β-d-glucopyranoside (15). The structures of compounds 1-15 were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. All the compounds with the exception of 4, 5, and 9-11 were isolated from B. hispida for the first time. The anticomplement activities of compounds 1-15 were assessed by Mayer's modified method. Compounds 1-15 showed no significant cytotoxic activity against HeLa human cervical, HL-60 human hepatoma, and SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cell lines.

Among the natural compounds, terpenoids play an important role in the drug discovery process for tropical diseases. The aim of the present work was to isolate antiprotozoal compounds from Ambrosia elatior and A. scabra. The sesquiterpene lactone (STL) cumanin was isolated from A. elatior whereas two other STLs, psilostachyin and cordilin, and one sterol glycoside, daucosterol, were isolated from A. scabra. Cumanin and cordilin were active against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes showing 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50) values of 12 µM and 26 µM, respectively. Moreover, these compounds are active against bloodstrean trypomastigotes, regardless of the T. cruzi strain tested. Psilostachyin and cumanin were also active against amastigote forms with IC50 values of 21 µM and 8 µM, respectively. By contrast, daucosterol showed moderate activity on epimastigotes and trypomastigotes and was inactive against amastigote forms. We also found that cumanin and psilostachyin exhibited an additive effect in their trypanocidal activity when these two drugs were tested together. Cumanin has leishmanicidal activity with growth inhibition values greater than 80% at a concentration of 5 µg/ml (19 µM), against both L. braziliensis and L. amazonensis promastigotes. In an in vivo model of T. cruzi infection, cumanin was more active than benznidazole, producing an 8-fold reduction in parasitemia levels during the acute phase of the infection compared with the control group, and more importantly, a reduction in mortality with 66% of the animals surviving, in comparison with 100% mortality in the control group. Cumanin also showed nontoxic effects at the doses assayed in vivo, as determined using markers of hepatic damage., Author Summary In addition to the primary metabolism necessary for life, plants have a secondary metabolism that generates compounds, which aid in their growth and development. A common role of secondary metabolites is defense mechanisms to fight off animals, pest and pathogens. Pharmacognosy takes advantage of the rich source of compounds produced by plants, selecting and processing natural products for medicinal use, resulting in a wide range of anticancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs currently in use. Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are parasitic diseases caused by protozoa transmitted by sucking insects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) they are considered as Neglected Tropical Diseases that are especially endemic in low-income populations in developing countries. The drugs currently in use were developed more than 50 years ago and have severe drawbacks. The authors found that chemical compounds called sesquiterpene lactones, obtained from plants of the Asteraceae family, have anti-protozoan activity against different parasite stages. The identified compounds were also able to control parasitic infection in mice without any toxic effects. Thus, these sesquiterpenes lactones could be interesting chemical compounds having pharmacological properties, whose chemical structure could be modified leading to potent and safer drugs to treat these parasitoses.

Paris polyphylla J.E. Smith is extensively used in traditional systems of Indian and Chinese medicines mainly for its anticancerous property. The national and international demand for P. polyphylla is constantly increasing and most of the supplies come from wild. Illegal and unscientific exploitation coupled with habitat destruction decreases the natural population of the herb, as a consequence this species comes under vulnerable category. Restoration and conservation of the natural population of this potential herb is prerequisites. This article aims to provide an overview on chemical and biological prospective of P. polyphylla. Secondary metabolites such as daucosterol, polyphyllin D, β -ecdysterone, Paris saponins I, II, V, VI, VII, H, dioscin, oligosaccharides, heptasaccharide, octasaccharide, trigofoenoside A, protogracillin, Paris yunnanosides G-J, padelaoside B, pinnatasterone, formosanin C and 20-hydroxyecdyson saponins have been isolated from P. polyphylla. Several biological activities such as anticancerous, antitumor, cytotoxic, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antiangiogenic, immunostimulating, contractile and hemostatic have also been reported. Consequently, this review will be helpful to the researcher and scientist for further research.

Objective To study the antioxidant constituents from the root of Rubus crataegifolius. Method The constituents isolation and purification from the root of R. crataegifolius was carried by reported column chromatography including silica gel, toyopearl, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral compounds. DPPH method was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of the isolated compounds. Result Nine compounds were isolated from the root of R. crataegifolius, and their structures were identified as follow: euscaphic acid (1), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2), tormentic acid (3), 2alpha, 19alpha, 24-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-3-oxo-28-acid (4) , 2alpha-hydroxy-oleanolic acid (5), ursolic acid (6), daucosterol (7), beta-sitosterol (8) and polydatin (9). By experiment of antioxidant activity, the result showed compounds 2 and 9 revealed DPPH free radical scavenging rates were 95.60% and 75.23% at the concentration of 50 mg x L(-1). Conclusion Compounds 1-8 were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 2 and 9 showed the significant antioxidant activity.

LC-UV-mass spectrometry and bioassay co-directed fractionation of an aqueous acetone extract of the roots of Gentiana macrophylla gave three new chromene derivatives and two novel and six known secoiridoids, along with kurarinone, kushenol I, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, daucosterol, beta-sitosterol-3-O-gentiobioside, alpha-amyrin, oleanolic acid, isovitexin, gentiobiose and methyl 2-hydroxy-3-(1-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxybenzoate. The structures of the new products were established from spectral and chemical evidence as 2-methoxyanofinic acid and macrophyllosides A-D. The six known secoiridoids were gentiopicroside, sweroside, 6'-O-beta-D-glucosylgentiopicroside, 6'-O-beta-D-glucosylsweroside, trifloroside and rindoside. The new acid (2-methoxyanofinic acid), its methyl ester, kurarinone and kushenol I were shown to be active against the plant pathogenic fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum. The methyl ester and kurarinone inhibited also the growth of the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Structure-activity relationships were studied. Thus, addition of a methoxyl group to the benzene nucleus of anofinic acid (2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carboxylic acid) increased the antifungal activity remarkably whereas glycosylation at the carboxylic moiety was found to remove the activity. Esterification of the new acid induced its activity against C. albicans, but decreased its growth inhibition properties against C. cucumerinum. Hydroxylation of kurarinone at the 3 beta-position removed its activity against C. albicans and decreased the inhibition of C. cucumerinum. In addition, the chemotaxonomic significance of the identified constituents is discussed.

Fractionation of an aqueous acetone extract of the whole herb of Gentiana algida gave one new [2'-(o,m-dihydroxybenzyl)sweroside] and five known secoiridoids, together with anofinic acid, fomannoxin acid, sitosterol, daucosterol, stigmasterol, oleanolic acid, orientin and gentianose. The structures were determined by spectral methods and a few chemical transformations. Anofinic acid and fomannoxin acid were found to be active against Cladosporium cucumerinum, a plant pathogenic fungus. Preliminary structure-activity studies indicated that the presence of carboxylic moieties in these acids was presumably a precondition for activity, whereas their methyl esters, inactive to the fungus, were active against the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolates is discussed briefly.

Two hepatoprotective phenolic compounds, kaempferol (2) and salidroside (4), were isolated from the roots of Rhodiola sachalinensis together with two inactive compounds cinnamyl alcohol (1) and daucosterol (3) based on the hepatoprotective activity against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in human liver-derived Hep G2 cells. The EC50 values of compounds 2 and 4 were 33.5 and 51.3 µm, respectively. Silybin as a positive control showed an EC50 value of 68.4 µm. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

OBJECTIVE To study the chemical constituents of Periploca forrestii. METHOD The constituents were separate using such various column chromatographic techniques as silica gel, RP-18 silica gel, MCI and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified by such methods as spectral analysis. RESULT Ten compounds were isolated and identified as periforgenin A-3-O-beta-digitoxopyranoside (1), beta-sitosterol (2), periforoside I (3), ursolic acid (4), periplogenin (5), periplocin (6), glycoside E (7), periplocoside M (8) , daucosterol (9), 2alpha, 3alpha, 23-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (10). CONCLUSION Compound 1 was a new cardiac glycoside and compound 8 was reported for the first time from this plant.

OBJECTIVE To study chemical constituents contained in Aeschynanthus moningeriae. METHOD The chemical constituents were separated and purified by column chromatographic methods such as Diaion HP-20, Toyopearl HW-40, Sephadex LH-20, MCI-Gel CHP-20, RP18 and normal phase silica gel. Their structures were identified on the basis of physiochemical property and spectral techniques (1H, 13C-NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, HR-MS). RESULT Twelve compounds were separated and identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-8-C-beta-D-glucosyl-chromone (1), 5-hydroxyl-7,4'-dimethoxyl-flavone (2), 2,3,19, 24-tetrahydroxy-urs12-en-28-oic acid (3), 2,3,19, 24-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid ester-28-O-beta-D-gucoside (4), 5-hydroxyl-6,4'-dimethoxyl-7-O-[alpha-L-rhamnosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-flavone (5), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-C-beta-D-glucosyl-flavonol (6), 5,7-dihydroxy-6-C-beta-D-glucosyl-flavonones (7), 5,7, 3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-C-beta-D-glucosyl-dihydroflavonol (8), daucosterol (9), stigmasterol (10), beta-sitosterol (11), and 3-O-beta-D-glucosyl-stigmasterol (12). CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new compound, while other compounds were separated from this plant for the first time.

Objective To study effective active constituents of Cayratia japonica,a genuine herbal medicine from Fujian. Method Such chromatographic methods as Macroporous, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and normal phase silica gel column chromatography were adopted to separate the chemical components of C. japonica. Result Thirteen compounds were obtained, and their structures were identified by analyzing multiple spectral data as luteolin(1), apigenin(2), triethyl citrate-(3), 3-formylindole(4), esculetin(5), bis(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate(6), calendin(7), ethyl-trans-3,4-dihydr-oxycinnamate(8), luteolin7-O-D-glucoside(9),5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentyl-2(5H-furanone(10),ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(11), eriodictyol(12) and daucosterol(13). Conclusion Among them, compounds 3-8 and 10-12 were separated from the plant for the first time.

The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the hexane (HE), chloroform (CE) and methanol (ME) extracts obtained from the bark of Prunus tucumanensis Lillo were investigated. Both ME and CE extracts displayed a significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity similar to dexamethasone and to a commercial formulation (Pygeum) used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). ME exhibited powerful antioxidant (67.6% relative to BHT) and free radical scavenging (RC50 = 5 ppm) activities, antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium smegmatis and did not show any cytotoxic effect on human-derived macrophage cells. Chemical analyses showed that (2 R,3 R)-3,5,7,3′,5′-pentahydroxyflavan, β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (daucosterol) are relevant components of ME.

OBJECTIVE To study active constituents of Macropanax rosthornii in treating rheumatoid arthritis. METHOD Silica gel column chromatography, preparative HPLC and modern spectrum techniques were applied for a systematic study on chemical constituents contained in M. rosthornii. RESULT Twelve compounds were separated from M. rosthornii and identified as serratagenic acid (1), serjanic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), 6beta-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (4), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl serratagenic acid (5), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl serratagenic acid-29-methyl ester (6) , 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl serratagenic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (7), scopoletin (8), beta-sitosterol (9), daucosterol (10), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (11), and stearic acid (12). CONCLUSION Above compounds are separated from M. rosthornii for the first time.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the sesquiterpene lactones of the aerial parts of Inula helianthus-aquatica. METHOD Compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. On the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data, their structures were identified. RESULT Seven sesquiterpene lactones and four other compounds were obtained and identified as 2-desoxy-4-epi-pulchellin (1), 6-acetoxy-4-hydroxy-1, 10H-pseudoguaia-11 (13)-en-12,8-olide (2), 4-acetoxy-6-hydroxy-1, 10H-pseudoguaia-11(13)-en-12,8-olide (3), 8-epi-inuviscolide (4), 2,3,11,13-tetrahydroaromaticin (5), 11,13-dihydro-ergolide (6), 4-epipulchellin-2-O-acetate (7), 7-epiloliolide (8), loliolide (9), beta-sitosterol (10) and daucosterol (11). CONCLUSION All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

OBJECTIVE To separate and identify chemical constituents from stem barks of male plants of Populus tomentosa. METHOD Fresh stem barks of P. tomentosa were extracted with methanol to obtain extracts which were suspended in water and blended successively with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the constituents extracted with ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions. Their structures were identified on the basis of their physicochemical properties and spectral data. RESULT Twelve compounds were separated with ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions and identified as benzoic acid (1), daucosterol (2), tremuloidin (3), rhamnocitrin (4), sakuranetin (5), 7-O-methylaromadendrin (6), isograndidentatin A (7), siebolside B (8), sakuranin (9), micranthoside (10), alpha-D-glucopyranose (11), and sucrose (12). CONCLUSION Compounds 4-12 were separated from this plant for the first time. Of them, compound 10 was separated from this plant genus for the first time.

We conducted taste profile analysis of white ginseng (Panax ginseng) using a taste-sensing system. Taste such as sourness, bitterness, astringent, aftertaste, umami, richness, and saltiness of the four subfractions (n-hexane fr. = Pg1; EtOAc fr. = Pg2; CHCl 3 fr. = Pg3; n-BuOH fr. = Pg4) from white ginseng was checked using an electronic tongue. The bitterness and aftertaste-B of Pg3 were perceived as significantly higher than those of the other subfractions. The sourness of Pg2 had the highest rating compared to that of the other subfractions. The umami of Pg4 was higher than that of the other subfractions, but bitterness was lowest. As a result, the Pg3 subfraction of the white ginseng ch oroform fraction showed the largest variation in taste. Medium pressure liquid chromatography of the white ginseng chloroform fraction led to the isolation of two phytosterols, which were identified as β-sitosterol and daucosterol by spectral analysis. Additional study of these compounds on taste should be conducted. Key words : Electronic tongue, Panax ginseng, phytosterol, taste, white ginseng.

Chemical investigation of the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla led to an isolation of the two new natural products, 9-hydroxy epinootkatol (1) and (S)-2-pentanol-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), in addition to the nine known compounds, pinocembrin (3), tectochrysin (4), izalpinin (5), nookatone (6), yakuchinone A (7), protocatechuic acid (8), β-sitosterol (9), daucosterol (10) and β-sitosterol palmitate (11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical constants and NMR spectral data analysis. The effects of the isolated components on nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were examined. The two new natural compounds showed inhibitory activities with IC(50) values of 21.8 and 32.8 μg/mL, respectively.

Twelve compounds were separated from stems of Dysoxylum laxiracemosum and their structures were identified by spectrum analysis as shoreic acid (1), cabraleahydroxylactone (2), cabralealactone (3), cinchonain (5), catechin (6), scopoletin (7), vanillic acid (8), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (9), docosanol (10), beta-sitosterol (11), daucosterol (12). Of them, compounds 1-6,8-12 were separated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 4-6 were reported from this plant genus for the first time.

“Cha de Bugre” is an appetite suppressant, weight loss product. Twenty three new compounds were obtained from the dried powder of “Cha de Bugre”, including fifteen new diterpenoids, namely, caseatrins A-C, casearins U and V, caseariasides A-E and sylvestrisides A-E, and two C13 nor-isoprenoids, namely, (6S,9S)-6,9-dihydroxy megastiman-4-en-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and (6S,9S)-6,9-dihydroxymegastiman- 4-en- 9-O-β-D- apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside and six new neolignans casearialignands A-F, together with 28 known compounds, namely, echinophyllin A, (-)-patagonic acid, (-)-hardwickic acid, ent-3β, 18-dihydroxykaur-16-ene, spathulenol, N-methyl-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline, cinnamic acid, soyacerebroside I, methypheophorbide a, pheophorbide a, chlorophyll a, β-sitosterol, stigmastane-3, 6-diol, daucosterol, β -D-glucopyranoside, (3 β)-stigmast-5-en-3-yl,6-nonadecanoate, oplopanone, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenol (tyrosol), syringaresinol-β-D-glucoside, isoquercitrin, lβ,6α-dihydroxy-4(14)-eudesmene, 1,10-seco-4ξ-hydroxy-muurol- 5-ene-1,10-diketone, icariside B5, byzantionoside B, blumenol B, blumenol C and loliolide. The botanical origin of “Cha de Bugre” was identified as the leaves of Casearia sylvestris, not of Cordial salicifolia. [1–6] “Arjuna”, the bark of Terminalia arjuna, is a cardio-tonic for heart failure, ischemic cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis and myocardium necrosis. In our continuing search for therapeutic bio-markers, eight new compounds including five novel 18,19-secooleanane type triterpenoids, namely, arjunasides A-E, two new oleanane type triterpenoids arjunglucosides IV and V, and one new ursane type triterpenoids 2α,3β-dihydroxyurs-12,18-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, together with one known lupane type triterpenoid quadranoside I and nine known oleanane type triterpenoids, namely, arjunglucosides I-III, arjunetin, sericoside, bellericoside, arjunic acid, arjungenin, arjunolic acid, and crataegioside, four known ursane triterpene glycosyl esters, namely, 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12,18-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, quadranoside VIII, kajiichigoside F1 and 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12,19-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, as well as four other known compounds, namely, 3-O-methylellagic, 4'-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, catechinacid, β-sitosterol and daucosterol were isolated from “Arjuna”. [7–9] “Acai”, which is the fruit of E. oleracea (Acai), is used to make various beverages and food preparations such as juices and desserts in Brazil, and are used medicinally for the treatment of diarrhea. In the present report, 3 new compounds were obtained from “Acai”, namely, (-)-7R8S-7',8'-dihydroxy-dihydrodehydroconiferyl alcohol-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, (+)-7S8R-7',8'- dihydroxy-dihydrodehydroconiferyl alcohol-9-O-β-D- glucopyranoside and 4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl 1-O-[6-(hydrogen 3-hydroxy-3-methylpentanedioate)] - β -D-glucopyranoside together with 6 known compounds, namely, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, (Z)-4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid glucoside and uridine. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature data [10]. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the United States Department of Agriculture Specific Cooperative Research Agreement Number 58–6408–6-067 and the FDA/CFSAN grant entitled “Science Based Authentication of Dietary Supplements” Number 2 U01 FD 002071–07. We thank Dr. Bharathi Avula for recording the HRESIMS spectra and Dr. Shabana Khan for the bioassay. References: [1] Wang W, et al. (2009) Planta Medica 75: 1436–1441. [2] Wang W, et al. (2009) Fitoteropia 80(7) 404–407. [3] Wang W, et al. (2010) Planta Medica 76: 903–908. [4] Wang W, et al. (2010) Fitoterapia 81: 480–484. [5] Wang W, et al. (2010) Helvetica Chimica Acta 93(1): 139–146. [6] Wang W, et al. (2010) Nat Prod Comm 5(5): 771–774. [7] Wang W, et al. (2010) Planta Medica 76: 1751–1754. [8] Wang W, et al. (2010) Planta Medica 76: 1751–1754. [9] Wang W, et al. (2010) Fitoterapia 81: 480–484. [10] Wang W, et al. (2010) Planta Medica 77(3) DOI: 10.1055/s-0031–1273559.