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Alisma L. is a medicinally important genus of aquatic and wetland plants consisting of c. 10 recognized species. However, largely due to polyploidy and limited taxon and gene sampling, the phylogenomic relationships of Alisma remain challenging. In this study, we sequenced 34 accessions of Alismataceae, including eight of the ten species of Alisma, one species of Echinodorus and one species of Luronium, to perform comparative analyses of plastid genomes and phylogenetic analyses. Comparative analysis of plastid genomes revealed high sequence similarity among species within the genus. Our study analyzed structural changes and variations in the plastomes of Alisma, including IR expansion or contraction, and gene duplication or loss. Phylogenetic results suggest that Alisma is monophyletic, and constitutes four groups: (1) A. lanceolatum and A. canaliculatum; (2) the North American clade of A. subcordatum and A. triviale; (3) A. wahlenbergii and A. gramineum; and (4) A. plantago-aquatica from Eurasia and northern Africa with the eastern Asian A. orientale nested within it. Hence the results challenge the recognition of A. orientale as a distinct species and raise the possibility of treating it as a synonym of the widespread A. plantago-aquatica. The well-known Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie) in Chinese medicine was likely derived from the morphologically variable Alisma plantago-aquatica throughout its long history of cultivation in Asia. The plastome phylogenetic results also support the tetraploid A. lanceolatum as the likely maternal parent of the hexaploid eastern Asian A. canaliculatum [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovule morphology, megasporogenesis, and megagametogenesis processes were examined in Hydrocleys nymphoides, Alisma plantago-aquatica, and Sagittaria montevidensis. Each of these species belongs to a different clade within the Alismataceae family. It is worth mentioning that the genus Hydrocleys previously belonged to the Limnocharitaceae family but is now classified within the Alismataceae. Flowers in different developmental stages were processed following classical histological methods for their observation with bright-field microscope. The three species present an anatropous and bitegmic mature ovule. This is tenuinucellate in A. plantago-aquatica and S. montevidensis and pseudo-crassinucellate in H. nymphoides. Although all three species have the same type of megasporogenesis, they differ in the megagametogenesis and in the total number of nuclei and cells that form the mature gametophyte. H. nymphoides has a female gametophyte composed of four cells and four nuclei, while A. plantago-aquatica and S. montevidensis have a female gametophyte of five cells and six nuclei. The results are discussed according to the phylogenetic position of each of the species. Moreover, new types of megagametophyte development are described: Hydrocleys and Sagittaria types. The reduction of the female gametophyte with respect to the Polygonum type is found in families belonging to the ANA grade and in other aquatic families within the order Alismatales. We infer that the reduction in the number of cells and nuclei in the female gametophyte is characteristic of species that inhabit aquatic environments. Future studies in aquatic species belonging to other families would be necessary to confirm this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAlismataceae is one of the early diverged families of monocotyledonous plants. We report the complete chloroplast genomes of three Alisma species, including Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep. 1934, A. subcordatum Raf. 1908, and A. triviale Pursh 1813, of which A. orientale is a traditional Chinese medical plant used widely to treat diuretics, diabetes, hepatitis, and inflammation. We sequenced the complete chloroplast genomes with the Illumina Nova-Seq 6000 platform using herbarium collections. The chloroplast genomes of A. orientale, A. subcordatum and A. triviale are 159,861 bp, 160,180 bp, and 159,727 bp in length, respectively. The three chloroplast genomes each contain 113 genes, including four rRNAs, 30 tRNAs genes, and 79 protein-coding genes, and the average GC content is 36.0%. Based on the whole chloroplast genomes of 19 species of Alismataceae and the close allies, the medicinally important A. orientale was found to be closely related to another medicinal plant Alisma plantago-aquatica L. 1753 in the phylogenetic analysis. The genus Alisma was supported to be monophyletic.

Alismataceae is one of the early diverged families of monocotyledonous plants. We report the complete chloroplast genomes of three Alisma species, including Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep. 1934, A. subcordatum Raf. 1908, and A. triviale Pursh 1813, of which A. orientale is a traditional Chinese medical plant used widely to treat diuretics, diabetes, hepatitis, and inflammation. We sequenced the complete chloroplast genomes with the Illumina Nova-Seq 6000 platform using herbarium collections. The chloroplast genomes of A. orientale, A. subcordatum and A. triviale are 159,861 bp, 160,180 bp, and 159,727 bp in length, respectively. The three chloroplast genomes each contain 113 genes, including four rRNAs, 30 tRNAs genes, and 79 protein-coding genes, and the average GC content is 36.0%. Based on the whole chloroplast genomes of 19 species of Alismataceae and the close allies, the medicinally important A. orientale was found to be closely related to another medicinal plant Alisma plantago-aquatica L. 1753 in the phylogenetic analysis. The genus Alisma was supported to be monophyletic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a promising therapeutic approach to treat inflammation and other disorders. In our present investigation on searching for sEH inhibitors from traditional Chinese medicines, we found that Alisma orientale displayed inhibition of sEH. We constructed a small library of protostane-type triterpenoids (1-25) isolated from A. orientale, and screened their inhibitory activities. Alismanin B (1), 11-deoxy-25-anhydro alisol E (4), 11-deoxy alisol B (5), and 25-O-ethyl alisol A (15) displayed concentration-dependently inhibitory activities against sEH with IC50 values from 3.40 ± 0.57 μM to 9.57 ± 0.88 μM. 11-Deoxy-25-anhydro alisol E (4) and 11-deoxy alisol B (5) were defined as mixed-type competitive inhibitors with Ki values of 12.6 and 3.48 μM, respectively, based on the result of inhibition kinetics. The potential interaction mechanism of 11-deoxy alisol B (5) with sEH was analyzed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics, revealing that amino acid residues Trp336 and Tyr466 were vital for its inhibitory activity.

Rhizoma Alismatis, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, is the dried tuber of Alisma orientale and Alisma A. plantago-aquatica, mainly cultivated in Fujian and Sichuan provinces (China), respectively. Studies have shown that the rhizosphere microbiome is a key factor determining quality of Chinese medicinal plants. Here we applied metagenomics to investigate the rhizosphere microbiome of Alisma in Fujian and Sichuan, focusing on its structure and function and those genes involved in protostane triterpenes biosynthesis. The dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes. Compared with Fujian, the rhizosphere of Sichuan has a greater α diversity and stronger microbial interactions but significantly lower relative abundance of archaea. Microbes with disease-suppressing functions were more abundant in Sichuan than Fujian, but vice versa for those with IAA-producing functions. Gemmatimonas, Anaeromyxobacter, and Pseudolabrys were the main contributors to the potential functional difference in two regions. Genes related to protostane triterpenes biosynthesis were enriched in Fujian. Steroidobacter, Pseudolabrys, Nevskia, and Nitrospira may contribute to the accumulation of protostane triterpenes in Alisma. This work fills a knowledge gap of Alisma’s rhizosphere microbiome, providing a valuable reference for studying its beneficial microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alisma L. is a medicinally important genus of aquatic and wetland plants consisting of c. 10 recognized species. However, largely due to polyploidy and limited taxon and gene sampling, the phylogenomic relationships of Alisma remain challenging. In this study, we sequenced 34 accessions of Alismataceae, including eight of the ten species of Alisma , one species of Echinodorus and one species of Luronium , to perform comparative analyses of plastid genomes and phylogenetic analyses. Comparative analysis of plastid genomes revealed high sequence similarity among species within the genus. Our study analyzed structural changes and variations in the plastomes of Alisma , including IR expansion or contraction, and gene duplication or loss. Phylogenetic results suggest that Alisma is monophyletic, and constitutes four groups: (1) A. lanceolatum and A. canaliculatum ; (2) the North American clade of A. subcordatum and A. triviale ; (3) A. wahlenbergii and A. gramineum ; and (4) A. plantago-aquatica from Eurasia and northern Africa with the eastern Asian A. orientale nested within it. Hence the results challenge the recognition of A. orientale as a distinct species and raise the possibility of treating it as a synonym of the widespread A. plantago-aquatica . The well-known Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie) in Chinese medicine was likely derived from the morphologically variable Alisma plantago-aquatica throughout its long history of cultivation in Asia. The plastome phylogenetic results also support the tetraploid A. lanceolatum as the likely maternal parent of the hexaploid eastern Asian A. canaliculatum ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Lan, Zheng, Talavera, Nie, Liu, Johnson, Yin, Zhao, Zhao, Handy and Wen.)

The genus Alisma contains 11 species distributed worldwide, of which at least two species (A. orientale [Sam.] Juzep. and A. plantago-aquatica Linn.) have been used as common herbal medicines. Secondary metabolites obtained from the genus Alisma are considered to be the material basis for the various biological functions and medicinal applications. In this review, we mainly focused on the recent investigations of secondary metabolites from plants of the genus Alisma and their biological activities, with the highlighting on the diversity of the chemical structures, the biosynthesis of interesting secondary metabolites, the biological activities, and the relationships between structures and bioactivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants from Alisma species belong to the genus of Alisma Linn. in Alismataceae family. The tubers of A. orientale (Sam.) Juzep, also known as Ze Xie in Chinese and Takusha in Japanese, have been used in traditional medicine for a long history. Triterpenoids are the main secondary metabolites isolated from Alisma species, and reported with various bioactive properties, including anticancer, lipid-regulating, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and diuretic activities. In this brief review, we aimed to summarize the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of triterpenoids found in Alisma, and discuss their structure modification to enhance cytotoxicity as well.

Alisma plantago-aquatica is an important medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine. In this paper, we have reported and characterized the complete chloroplast genome of A. plantago-aquatica. Its sequence was 167,642 bp in length, which contained a large single-copy region (LSC) of 90,005 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 12,209 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 32,714 bp. The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome sequence is: A (53,496 bp, 31.9%), T (54,364 bp, 32.4%), C (30,346 bp, 18.1%), G (29,436 bp, 17.6%) and the total G + C content of 35.7%. The complete chloroplast genome sequence contains 136 genes, including 91 encoding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. For the phylogenetic analysis result, A. plantago-aquatica is closely related to A. gramineum of the family Alismataceae in the phylogenetic relationship in this study.

Alismataceae is one of the early diverged families of monocotyledonous plants. We report the complete chloroplast genomes of three Alisma species, including Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep. 1934, A. subcordatum Raf. 1908, and A. triviale Pursh 1813, of which A. orientale is a traditional Chinese medical plant used widely to treat diuretics, diabetes, hepatitis, and inflammation. We sequenced the complete chloroplast genomes with the Illumina Nova-Seq 6000 platform using herbarium collections. The chloroplast genomes of A. orientale , A. subcordatum and A. triviale are 159,861 bp, 160,180 bp, and 159,727 bp in length, respectively. The three chloroplast genomes each contain 113 genes, including four rRNAs, 30 tRNAs genes, and 79 protein-coding genes, and the average GC content is 36.0%. Based on the whole chloroplast genomes of 19 species of Alismataceae and the close allies, the medicinally important A. orientale was found to be closely related to another medicinal plant Alisma plantago-aquatica L. 1753 in the phylogenetic analysis. The genus Alisma was supported to be monophyletic., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Since the ethanol extract of Alisma orientale Juzepzuk (EEAO) suppresses lung inflammation by suppressing Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activating Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2), we set out to identify chemicals constituting EEAO that suppress lung inflammation. Here, we provide evidence that among the five most abundant chemical constituents identified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), alismol is one of the candidate constituents that suppresses lung inflammation in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model and protects mice from ALI-like symptoms. Alismol did not induce cytotoxicity or reactive oxygen species (ROS). When administered to the lung of LPS-induced ALI mice (n = 5/group), alismol decreased the level of neutrophils and of the pro-inflammatory molecules, including Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity of alismol. Consistent with these findings, alismol ameliorated the key features of the inflamed lung of ALI, such as high cellularity due to infiltrated inflammatory cells, the development of hyaline membrane structure, and capillary destruction. Unlike EEAO, alismol did not suppress NF-κB activity but rather activated Nrf2. Consequently, alismol induced the expression of prototypic genes regulated by Nrf2, including Heme Oxygenase-1 ( HO-1 ), NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase-1 ( NQO-1 ), and glutamyl cysteine ligase catalytic units (GCLC). Alismol activating Nrf2 appears to be associated with a decrease in the ubiquitination of Nrf2, a key suppressive mechanism for Nrf2 activity. Together, our results suggest that alismol is a chemical constituent of EEAO that contributes at least in part to suppressing some of the key features of ALI by activating Nrf2.

Two new sesquiterpenes (1–2) and three new nor-sesquiterpenes (3–5) were obtained from the rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, one of which (2) possessed an unprecedented cyclopentene and furanone containing natural skeleton. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and HR-ESI-MS data analyses. Two plausible biosynthetic pathways for compound 1 and 2 were discussed. The nephrotoxicities of these compounds were evaluated on normal human HK2 cells by high content screening, and neither the MeOH extract nor the compounds possessed potential nephrotoxicity in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alisma orientale Juzepzuk (AO) is widely used for various diuretic and nephropathic treatments in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). In a clinical setting, AO is used as both a lipid-lowering and tubular interstitial fibrosis agent. However, the mechanisms of AO for the treatment of renal interstitial fibrosis and abnormal lipid metabolism are not well-understood. In this study, pharmacological and UPLC-HDMS-based lipidomic approaches were employed to investigate the lipid-lowering and tubular interstitial fibrosis effect of AO on rats with adenine-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Rats with CKD showed increased serum levels of creatinine and urea, tubular damage, and tubular interstitial fibrosis. Moreover, multiple lipid species were identified in CKD rats. Among these lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, 8,9-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid levels were significantly decreased in CKD rats compared to control rats. In CKD rats, up-regulation of the NF-kB pathwaymay impair polyunsaturated fatty acidmetabolism, causing renal fibrosis. In addition, CKD rats showed significantly decreased diglyceride levels and increased triglyceride levels compared to the control group. Pathway over-representation analysis demonstrated that 30 metabolic pathways were associated with lipid species. AO treatment suppressed up-regulation of inflammation, and partly restored the deregulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and glycerolipids metabolism. Our results indicated that AO treatment attenuated renal fibrosis by down-regulating inflammation, and mitigating lipid metabolism in CKD rats. In conclusion, this study has identified the therapeutic lipid-lowering and anti-fibrosis effects of AO on CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents anatomical aspects of some vegetative organs (adventitious root, stem and leaf) of a perennial aquatic plant Alisma plantago-aquatica L. belonging to Alismataceae family. In our country the plant can be found in banks of rue, lakes, ponds, ditches and marshesand in Danube delta as well. The material fixation and processing was done according to the usual protocol of the vegetal morphology and anatomy Laboratory belonging to the Natural Sciences Department of the our faculty. The adventitious root has a primary monocot structure with a developed aerenchyma. The stem cortex is well-developed with epidermis, hypodermis and an aerenchyma tissue with a number of air chambers. The endodermis is one-layered. The vascular system is poor developed. The leaf mesophyll is almost heterogonous, represented by an assimilation and a spongy tissue. In the mesophyll are embedded few poor developed vascular bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the effect of Alisma plantago-aquatica Linn. extract (APLE) on chronic prostatitis in rats. Methods: Experimental chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) was induced in rats by injecting carrageenan into prostate. Rats in drug-treated groups were administered APLE or cernilton (positive control, i.e., reference standard) for 3 weeks while rats in normal and negative control groups were treated with saline at the same time. After treatment, prostate index (PI) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of all the rats were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the relative inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PEG2), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) of the prostate tissues were measured by ELISA. Results: A high dose of APLE (480 mg/kg) significantly decreased PI (0.7 ± 0.2 mg/g) relative to reference group (2.8 ± 0.3 mg/g, p < 0.01), and significantly decreased PSA level (128.6 ± 12.3 pg/mL) relative to reference group (321.3 ± 16.4 pg/mL, p < 0.01). Compared with reference group, TNF-α level (109.7 ± 9.3 pg/mL, p < 0.01), IL-1β level (98.3 ± 12.5 pg/mL, p < 0.01), PEG2 level (81.5 ± 4.2 pg/mL, p < 0.01), COX-2 level (10.5 ± 2.6 pg/mL, p < 0.01), TGF-β1 level (86.8 ± 7.3 pg/mL, p < 0.01) and CTGF level (70.3 ± 4.3 pg/mL, p < 0.01) of prostate tissues of high-dose APLE group rats decreased significantly. Conclusion: APLE shows significant anti-chronic prostatitis activity in rats. Further studies are, however, required to ascertain its therapeutic potentials in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liquid chromatography hybrid ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF) combined with a global identification strategy was applied to studying the protostane triterpenoids (PTs) in the rhizomes of Alisma orientalis in this paper. Initially, the MS n analyses of four reference compounds were performed to summarize the fragmentation rules of PTs. Subsequently, a series of ions of PTs were presented by LC–MS n analyses of the crude extract of alismatis rhizome, from which six ions at m / z 339, 353, 365, 381, 383 and 397 with high frequency of occurrence were selected as diagnostic ions to classify the peaks. Twenty peaks were classified into six families based on common ions. A network was established for the six families via diagnostic ions. 20 PTs including 1 new compound and 19 known ones were characterized through such strategy, fragmentation rules and references. Ultimately, the detected new compound and two known compounds were isolated from the total extract of A. orientalis under the guide of above method, of which the new compound was identified as 11-deoxylalisol F by MS and NMR spectrum. This systematical investigation on the PTs demonstrated that such a strategy could be widely used in the analysis and separation of natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alisol A 24-acetate, a triterpenoid extracted from Alisma orientale, has shown antiatherosclerotic actions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibition of alisol A 24-acetate on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-induced phenotypic transformation and migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and to explore the underlying mechanisms. VSMCs were pretreated with alisol A 24-acetate and a specific extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, U0126, and then stimulated with 50 mg/l Ox-LDL in vitro. The expression of VSMC phenotypic marker SM22α was determined using immunocytochemistry, and the migration of VSMCs was detected using a scratch-wound healing assay. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MMP-2, phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and total ERK was deter-mined. Ox-LDL treatment caused a reduction in SM22α expression, VSMC transformation to the synthetic phenotype, increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 synthesis, the extension of VSMC migration distance and the upregulation of pERK1/2 expression, while the addition of alisol A 24-acetate or U0126 resulted in the elevation of SM22a expression, VSMC transformation to the contractile phenotype, a reduction in MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, the shortening of cell migration distance and decreased pERK1/2 expression. The results of this study demonstrate that alisol A 24-acetate effectively reverses the phenotypic transformation and inhibits the migration of VSMCs, which may be associated with the suppression of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protostane triterpenes belong to a group of tetracyclic triterpene that exhibit unique structural characteristics. Their natural distribution is primarily limited to the genus Alisma of the Alismataceae family, but they have also been occasionally found in other plant genera such as Lobelia, Garcinia, and Leucas. To date, there are 59 known protostane structures. Many of them have been reported to possess biological properties such as improving lipotropism, hepatoprotection, anti-viral activity against hepatitis B and HIV-I virus, anti-cancer activity, as well as reversal of multidrug resistance in cancer cells. On the other hand, fusidanes are fungal products characterized by 29-nor protostane structures. They possess antibiotic properties against staphylococci, including the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Fusidic acid is a representative member which has found clinical applications. This review covers plant sources of the protostanes, their structure elucidation, characteristic structural and spectral properties, as well as biological activities. The fungal sources, structural features, biological activities of fusidanes are also covered in this review. Additionally, the biogenesis of these two types of triterpenes is discussed and a refined pathway is proposed.

Background: Over the years, Alisma Shugan Decoction (ASD), because of its potent anti-inflammation activity, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treatment of many inflammation-associated disorders including those of the heart, blood vessel and brain., Methods: Herein, we examined the probable therapeutic effect of ASD in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury and fibrosis mice models., Results: Our results demonstrate that ASD dose-dependently reduced the fibrosis-related increased collagen deposition secondary to liver tissue exposure to CCl4. Data from our biochemical analyses showed significantly less liver damage biomarkers including ALT, AST and hydroxyproline in the ASD-treated samples, suggesting hepato-protective effect of ASD. Furthermore, we demonstrated that treatment with ASD significantly reversed CCl4-induced elevation of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and MP-1. Interestingly, NF-κB signalling, a principal regulator of inflammation was markedly suppressed by ASD treatment. In addition, treatment with ASD deregulated stress signalling pathways by suppressing the expression of markers of unfolded protein response, such as ATF6, IRE and GRP78., Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study provides preclinical evidence for the use of ASD as an efficacious therapeutic option in cases of chemical-induced liver damage and/or fibrosis. Further large-cohort validation of these findings is warranted., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests regarding this study., (© 2023 Sun Y-F et al.)

A simple, sensible, and reliable HPLC–DAD method was first developed for fingerprint analysis of Alismatis Rhizoma, and then applied to analyze 85 samples from three main cultivated areas. In all, 40 common fingerprint peaks were designated, and six of which were definitely identified. Then, the combinatory analysis using similarity evaluation, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis revealed clear chemical consistency between samples from Fujian and Jiangxi provinces and substantial differences between those from Fujian/Jiangxi and Sichuan provinces. Furthermore, six components were dug out as potential chemical markers for distinguishing Alismatis Rhizoma from different areas, among which five were qualified for quantitative analysis. In conclusion, the combination of chemical fingerprint, multiple components quantification, and pattern recognition analysis was rather powerful and useful in discriminating Alismatis Rhizoma from different regions, which was a benefit for quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The synthesis of (+)-orientalol F ( 1) started with aldehyde 6, which is available from ( R)-limonene in two steps. Wittig reaction of 6 with unsaturated ylide 7 to give a tetraene, and subsequent ring-closing metathesis yielded hydroazulene 4, selective epoxidation of which gave epoxy ester 3. After generation of the requisite isopropyl unit and regioselective reductive epoxide opening, the derived dienol 2 was used for the installation of the oxygen bridge through intramolecular oxymercuration followed by oxidative demercuration. The resulting allylic alcohol epimers 15 and 16 were readily converted into the target natural product 1 by oxidation/reduction sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen triterpenoids and nine sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the rhizome of Alisma orientale . Structures of 16-oxo-11-anhydroalisol A 24-acetate, 13 β ,17 β -epoxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-alisol A 23-oic acid, 1 α H,5 α H-guaia-6-ene-4 β ,10 β -diol, and alisguaiaone were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis. The cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of isolated terpenoids were evaluated. Triterpenoids alisol A, alisol A 24-acetate, 25- O -ethylalisol A, 11-deoxyalisol A, alisol E 24-acetate, alisol G, alisol B 23-acetate and sesquiterpenoids 1 α H,5 α H-guaia-6-ene-4 β ,10 β -diol, 10-hydroxy-7,10-epoxysalvialane exhibited cytotoxicities against the three tested human cancer cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 11.5 ± 1.7 μM to 76.7 ± 1.4 μM. Triterpenoids alisol A, 25- O -ethylalisol A, 11-deoxyalisol A, alisol E 24-acetate, alisol G, and 25-anhydroalisol F showed antibacterial activities against the Gram-positive strains Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 12.5–100 μg/mL. Sesquiterpenoid 4 β ,10 β -dihydroxy-1 α H,5 β H-guaia-6-ene exhibited antibacterial activity against B. subtilis with an MIC value of 50 μg/mL, and 10-hydroxy-7,10-epoxysalvialane exhibited activity against S. aureus with an MIC value of 100 μg/mL. Compounds 16-oxo-11-anhydroalisol A 24-acetate, alisol F, 25-anhydroalisol F, and alisguaiaone exhibited inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. None of the compounds showed obvious inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytostatic drugs are among the most toxic chemicals which are produced. Many of them cause damage of the genetic material which may affect the fertility of higher organisms. To study the impact of the widely used anticancer drugs [cisplatin (CisPt), etoposide (Et), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)] on the reproduction of higher plants, pollen abortion experiments were conducted with species which belong to major plant families, namely with Tradescantia paludosa (Commelinaceae), Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae), Chelidonium majus (Papaveraceae), and Alisma plantago-aquatica (Alismataceae). All compounds increased the frequencies of abortive grains. The lowest effective doses were in general in a narrow range (i.e., 1 and 10 mg/kg of dry soil). The effects of the individual drugs were similar in T. paludosa, A. plantago-aquatica, and Ch. majus, while A. thaliana was consistently less sensitive. The highest abortion rate was obtained in most experiments with CisPt, followed by 5-FU and Et. Comparisons of the doses which caused effects in the present experiments in the different species with the predicted environment concentrations and with the levels of the cytostatics which were detected in hospital wastewaters show that the realistic environmental concentrations of the drugs are 4-6 orders of magnitude lower. Therefore, it is unlikely that these drugs affect the fertility of higher plants in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation data (70 relevés) of ephemeral wetlands collected in both permanent and temporal water basins were analyzed. Numerical classification of the data revealed two distinct subsets, the first comprised communities of Eleocharition ovatae Philippi 1968 alliance, the second combined communities dominated by Alisma lanceolatum, Isolepis supina or Elatine alsinastrum (Alisma lanceolatum group). Phytocoenoses of Eleocharition ovatae were widely distributed in the study area and developed, most frequently, on exposed bottoms of fishponds. This group could be divided into four types of communities. Patches representing Alisma lanceolatum group were found only in mid-field depressions periodically filled with water and concentrated in Volhynian Upland. In this group, two lower vegetation units were distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alisma canaliculatum is a herb commonly used in traditional Korean medicine, and has been shown in scientific studies to have antitumor, diuretic hepatoprotective, and antibacterial effects. Recently, the anti-osteoclastogenesis of alisol A 24-acetate from Alisma canaliculatum was investigated in vitro. However, the influence of alisol A 24-acetate on osteoporosis in animals has not been investigated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-osteoporotic effect of alisol A 24-acetate on bone mass in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and to identify the mechanism responsible for its effects. OVX mice were treated daily with 0.5 or 2 M-g/g of alisol A 24-acetate for a period of six weeks. It was found that these administrations significantly suppressed osteoporosis in OVX mice and improved bone morphometric parameters. The serum estradiol, bone alkaline phosphatase levels, regulatory T/Th17 cell numbers were significantly increased by alisol A 24-acetate as compared with untreated OVX mice. In addition, TRAP activity was inhibited by alisol A 24-acetate in OVX mice. These results suggest alisol A 24-acetate effectively prevents bone loss in OVX mice, and that it can be considered a potential therapeutic for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]