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Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, pose major public health challenges globally, affecting millions of people. The growing resistance of mosquito populations to synthetic insecticides underscores the critical need for effective and environmentally friendly larvicides. Although chemical pesticides can initially be effective, they often lead to negative environmental consequences and health hazards for non-target species, including humans. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and Delphinium speciosum extract on the larvae of three major mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mosquito larvae of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Cx. quinquefasciatus were reared under controlled laboratory conditions. The larvicidal activity of T. ammi essential oil and D. speciosum extract was evaluated through standard bioassays, using various concentrations of essential oils (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) and extracts (160, 320, 640, 1280, and 2560 ppm) to determine the lethal concentration (LC 50 ) values after 24 h of exposure. Fresh plant materials were collected, with the essential oil extracted via hydro-distillation, and the extract prepared using methanol solvent extraction. The chemical composition of T. ammi essential oil was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the preliminary analysis of the chemical compounds in D. speciosum extract was carried out using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) techniques. The results indicated that the essential oil of T. ammi exhibited more effective larvicidal activity compared to the D. speciosum extract. Specifically, the essential oil demonstrated LC 50 values of 18 ppm for Cx. quinquefasciatus and 19 ppm for Ae. aegypti. In contrast, the D. speciosum extract showed the strongest larvicidal effect against An. stephensi, with an LC 50 of 517 ppm. Concentrations of 40 ppm of the essential oil and 1280 ppm of the extract resulted in 100% mortality across all three species. Both the essential oil of T. ammi and the D. speciosum extract exhibited concentration-dependent larvicidal activity, and these results were statistically significant (p < 0.001) compared to the no-treatment group. GC-MS analysis revealed thymol (88.95%), o-cymen-5-ol (4.11%), and γ-terpinene (2.10%) as the major constituents of the T. ammi essential oil. Additionally, TLC verified the presence of alkaloids in both chloroform and methanolic extracts. Proton NMR identified a diterpene structure for these alkaloids. These findings suggest that T. ammi essential oil is a promising candidate for natural mosquito control strategies. Given its efficacy, further research is warranted to explore its potential in integrated vector management programs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The ethanol extract of the whole plant of Delphinium trichophorum Franch was subjected to a phytochemical study, leading to the isolation of ten unprecedented diterpenoid alkaloids, including nine delnudine-type C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloids named trichophodines A-I and one kusnezoline-type C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloid named trichophozine A. Additionally, seven known compounds were also identified. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HSQC, HMBC, 1 H- 1 H COSY, NOESY and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Most isolated compounds were screened for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Guan-fu base V exhibited potent inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase, demonstrating an inhibitory rate of 53.81% at a concentration of 40 μM., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Delphinium belongs to Ranunculaceae, which is widely distributed in Northwest China. In folk, this genus of plants has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal effects. By studying non-alkaloid components in the whole herbs of Delphinium forrestii, we obtained a total of 11 compounds (1-11), including five new (1-5) and six known polyphenols (6-11). On the basis of chemical evidences and spectral data analysis (UV, Optical rotation data, 1D/2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS), the structures of new compounds were elucidated. The inhibitory effect of compounds 1-11 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells was detected. Compounds 4 and 11 showed significant inhibitory effects. This study indicated the presence of compounds with good anti-inflammatory activity among non-alkaloid components in the whole herbs of Delphinium forrestii., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The current standard treatment for ovarian cancer consists of surgery to reduce the size of the tumor, followed by treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs, which have major side effects. Therefore, finding a new natural product drug with fewer side effects is a strategy. Delphinium brunonianum (D. brunonianum) is a traditional Tibetan medicine, mainly from southern Tibet, China, whereas the chemical constituents in this plant remain elusive. The major metabolites in the dichloromethane fraction of D. brunonianum were analyzed and purified by HPLC and various column chromatography techniques. Nine diterpenoid alkaloids (1-9) and one amide alkaloid (10) were isolated from D. brunonianum, including three novel C19-type diterpenoid alkaloids (Brunonianines D-F) (1-3). Their structures were elucidated by 1D/2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. All compounds were evaluated for toxicity in four tumor cell lines. Most of the compounds exhibited potent inhibitory effects on Skov-3 cell lines, with IC 50 values ranging from 2.57 to 8.05 μM. The western blotting experiment was used to further analyze the expression levels of molecules in the Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 signaling pathway for compound 1. Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding modes of Brunonianine D with target proteins. In vivo experiments were also performed and evaluated in real time by monitoring the size of the Skov-3 tumor. Additionally, tumor H&E staining and the TUNEL assay used to evaluate anti-tumor effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: The cholinergic hypothesis posits a robust correlation between the onset of Alzheimer's disease and a pronounced deficit in acetylcholine, a pivotal neurotransmitter crucial for the central cholinergic nervous system's function, pivotal for memory and learning. Diterpene alkaloids exhibit intricate and distinctive chemical structures that facilitate their passage through the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, their potent pharmacological attributes render them promising candidates for addressing central nervous system disorders., Objectives: This investigation aims to scrutinize the alkaloidal composition of Delphinium cyphoplectrum (Ranunculaceae) roots, further exploring their anticholinesterase inhibitory activity and mode of inhibition., Method: Innovative chromatography techniques were repetitively employed to purify the alkaloids. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assays were conducted using Ellman's tests. The mode of inhibition was meticulously characterized through Michaelis-Menten, and Lineweaver-Burk plots. Conducting molecular docking studies, we employed the AUTO DOCK 4.2 software package., Results: Eight alkaloids were identified including five C19-diterpene alkaloids (6,14,16,18-tetramethoxy-1,7,8-trihydroxy-4-methylaconitane (1), 6,16,18-trimethoxy-1,7,8,14-tetrahydroxy-4-methylaconitane (2), 6,8,16,18-tetramethoxy-1,7,14-trihydroxy-4-methylaconitane (3), 6,14,16-trimethoxy-1,7,8,18-tetrahydroxy-4-methylaconitane (4), and 14-O-acetyl-8,16-dimethoxy-1,6,7,18-tetrahydroxy-4-methylaconitane (5)), an epoxy C18-diterpene alkaloid (6,8,16-trimethoxy-1,7,14-trihydroxy-3,4-epoxyaconitane (6)), a known (pyrrolidin-2-one (7) and an undescribed amide alkaloid (1-(2'-hydroxylethylamine)-3,5,5,-trimethyl-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-one (8). All diterpene alkaloids underwent assessment for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assay and displayed noteworthy AChE activity, surpassing that of the reference drug (with IC 50 values of 13.7, 21.8, 23.4, 28.2, 40.4, and 23.9 for compounds 1-6, respectively, in comparison to 98.4 for Rivastigmine). Analysis of Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk plots represents an uncompetitive mode of inhibition for compound 1 on AChE. Notably, computational docking simulations indicated that all diterpene alkaloids were accommodated within the same enzymatic cleft as the reference ligand, and displaying superior free binding energy values (from - 10.32 to -8.59 Kcal.mol -1 ) in contrast to Rivastigmine (-6.31 Kcal.mol -1 )., Conclusion: The phytochemical analysis conducted on the roots of Delphinium cyphoplectrum yielded the identification of eight alkaloidal compounds including one C18-diterpene, five C19-diterpene, one pyrrolidine and one amide alkaloids. AChE inhibition assay and molecular simulations unveiled remarkable significant potency attributed to the C19-diterpene alkaloids by the order of 1 > 2 > 3,6 > 4 > 5. Presence of hydroxyl group on C-1, C-7, C-8, C-14, and C-18 increased the effect. The best in vitro activity was recorded for compound 1 able to bind to Asp 72 in the narrow region of PAS, while interacting by pi-sigma with Phe 330 at the hydrophobic region of the gorge involving the acyl and choline binding site. This observation underscores the substantial promise of this category of natural products in the realm of drug discovery for Alzheimer's Disease, offering a compelling avenue for further research and therapeutic development., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Two new C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids of the lycoctonine-type (liangshanine A and liangshanine B) and nineteen known compounds (3-21) were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium liangshanense W. T. Wang, and all the compounds were identified by different spectroscopic analyses, such as IR, HR-ESI-MS and NMR. All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time and tested for the anti-proliferation effects on MH7 A and SF9 cells to figure their anti-rheumatoid arthritis and anti-insect activity, but none of them showed remarkable activity., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Six diterpenoid alkaloids, namely, pachycentine ( 1 ), deacetylswinanine A ( 2 ), siwanine A ( 3 ), tatsiensine ( 4 ), deacetyltatsiensine ( 5 ), and 6-deoxydeltamine ( 6 ), were isolated from a China-specific Delphinium plant (family Ranunculaceae), Delphinium pachycentrum Hemsl. Their structures were established via detailed spectroscopic analyses, including IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Pachycentine ( 1 ) is a previously undescribed hetisine-type C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloid, and compounds 5 and 6 were synthetic intermediates newly identified as natural products. In addition, compounds 2 - 4 were isolated from this species for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of all the isolates was summarized. Moreover, the new compound was evaluated for its potential anti-inflammatory effect using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Cyano tends to have better biological activity, but it is rarely reported in natural products, especially in the C 20 -diterpene alkaloids. Herein, three unprecedented C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloids, brunonianines A-C (1-3), possessing rare cyano functional group as well as an atisine backbone constructed from a phenethyl substituent and a tetrahydropyran ring, along with four C 19 -alkaloids (4-7) and one amide alkaloids (8), were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium brunonianum Royle. Compounds 1-3 are also the first atisine type diterpenoid alkaloids with cyano group obtained from nature. The structures of the previously undescribed compounds were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism calculations and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reasonable speculations have also been made regarding the biogenic synthetic pathways of compounds 1-3. In addition, the inhibitory activity of all compounds was also tested against four tumor lines: A549, Caco-2, H460 and Skov-3, where compound 2 (IC 50 2.20 ± 0.21 μM) showed better inhibitory activity against Skov-3 cells than the hydroxycamptothecin. Using flow cytometry, cell staining, migration and invasion analysis, and Western blot, compound 2 was found to arrest cells in the G2/M phase and was able to effectively inhibit cell motility to achieve potent anti-tumor effects. In addition, compound 2 can effectively induce apoptosis by activating the Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 signaling pathway., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work. The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Three novel diterpenoid alkaloids, comprising two C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids (1 and 2) and one C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloid (3), were isolated from Delphinium ajacis, alongside the six known compounds (4-9). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR) and chemical properties. Simultaneously, the anti-inflammatory properties of all compounds (1-9) was conducted, focusing on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. The results indicated compounds 1-3, 7, and 8 have potential anti-inflammatory activity., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Three new hetisine type C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloids, named as trichophorines A-C ( 1-3 ), were isolated from Delphinium trichophorum , together with nine known alkaloids ( 4-12 ). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data (1D, 2D NMR, single-crystal X-ray, and HR-ESI-MS). All compounds were evaluated for the inhibitory activities against LPS induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and none of them showed considerable inhibitory activity.

Delphinium kamaonense Huth is a sort of folkloric plant resource which is cultivated and planted with great ornamental and medicinal values. In this work, seven undescribed lycaconitine-type C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids, especially a rare skeleton with -CH=N and N-oxide moieties, along with ten known compounds, were isolated from D. kamaonense, of which the structures were determined by various spectroscopic data, combined with calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In vitro nitric oxide inhibitory activities assay of these compounds indicated that lycaconitine-type C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids had significant anti-inflammatory inhibitory activities, with kamaonensine E being the most potent (0.9 ± 0.2 μM) stronger than positive (9.0 ± 1.3 μM). In the network pharmacology studies, binding three key targets mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), and heat shock protein HSP 90-alpha (HSP90α), the anti-inflammatory mechanism might be related to MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, the molecular docking results revealed that the uncommon amides and methylenedioxy groups might be the most two promising pharmacophores for lycaconitine-type C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Shawurenine C (1a) and D (1b), a new pair of regioisomeric C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids, and five known C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids (2-6) were isolated from the aerial part of Delphinium shawurense W. T. Wang. The chemical structures of new compounds were established based on spectroscopic analyses: HR-ESI-MS, and 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of these diterpenoid alkaloids were also evaluated., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

A new C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloid named gyalanutine A ( 1 ) and fourteen known compounds 2 - 15 were isolated from the plant of Delphinium gyalanum C. Marquand & Airy Shaw. Compound 1 displayed an unusual lycoctonine-type C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloid skeleton with the cleavage of N -C 19 and C 7 -C 17 bonds, and the construction of the N -C 7 bond. Structures were identified by multiple spectroscopic analyses including 1 D, 2 D NMR, IR and HR-ESI-MS. Compounds were tested for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activity.

The main objective of our present research work was to explore molecular insight for potentially active new acetylcholinesterase inhibitor from the aerial parts of Delphinium uncinatum. New norditerpenoid alkaloids, uncinatine-A, was isolated from the basic alkaloidal fraction of D. uncinatum, based on bioactivity guided isolation. The structure of uncinatine-A was determined through latest spectroscopic techniques including single X-Ray diffraction technique. The structural data and electronic properties of uncinatine-A was also calculated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-31þ G (p) basis set. The isolated natural product was evaluated for their acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory potential in dose dependent protocol (62.5-1000 μg/mL), followed by molecular docking studies. Significant competitive type inhibition activity (IC 50 = 207.73 ± 0.3) was shown by isolated natural norditerpenoid against cholinesterase targets in comparison with standard drugs available in the market such as galanthamine. The molecular docking results showed that isolated natural product was well accommodated by AChE in the active site with docking scores -11.0326. This is the first report indicating uncinatine-A as a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and can be used as a target drug in cerebral dementia and Alzheimer diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All the authors have no financial interest regarding publishing scientific data in this article., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study reports the isolation of three new C 20 diterpenoid alkaloids, Chitralinine A-C ( 1 - 3 ) from the aerial parts of Delphinium chitralense . Their structures were established on the basis of latest spectral techniques and single crystal X-rays crystallographic studies of chitralinine A described basic skeleton of these compounds. All the isolated Compounds ( 1 - 3 ) showed strong, competitive type inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in comparison to standard allanzanthane and galanthamine however, chitralinine-C remained the most potent with IC 50 value of 11.64 ± 0.08 μM against AChE, and 24.31 ± 0.33 μM against BChE, respectively. The molecular docking reflected a binding free energy of -16.400 K Cal-mol -1 for chitralinine-C, having strong interactions with active site residues, TYR334, ASP72, SER122, and SER200. The overall findings suggest that these new diterpenoid alkaloids could serve as lead drugs against dementia-related diseases including Alzheimer's disease.

A new amide (1), two new phenylpropanoid derivatives (2, 3), along with three new natural products, including three nitrogen chirality compounds, N-(3-methoxy-1,3-dioxopropyl)-D-phenylalanine methyl ester (4), N-(3-methoxy-1,3-dioxopropyl)-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (5), and N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (6), as well as dimethyl (2R,3R)-2-hydroxy-3-(((E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acryloyl)oxy)succinate (7) and dimethyl (S,E)-2-((3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl)oxy)succinate (8) were isolated from Delphinium kamaonense Hunth. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS experiments, and the absolute configurations were determined by comparative analysis of specific optical rotation. Compound 1 exhibited a moderate cytotoxicity effect against Hep-3B cancer cell lines (IC 50 41.39±0.13 μM) and an excellent antioxidant activity (IC 50 0.527±0.06 μM in ABTS assay, and 1.235±0.09 μM in DPPH assay, respectively), which was superior to vitamin C in ABTS (IC 50 1.670±0.07 μM) and DPPH (IC 50 19.10±0.40 μM) methods., (© 2022 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Thirteen new benzamide alkaloids, delphiniumines A-M ( 1 - 13 ), together with one known analogue ( 14 ), were isolated from Delphinium anthriscifolium Hance. All of the structures were determined by spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. Absolute configuration for 1 was established using experimental and calculated ECD data, as well as by X-ray crystallography analysis. Compound 1 possesses a previously undescribed polysubstituted cyclopentene carbon framework. Compound 2 was isolated as an artifact from 1 during the extraction process. Compound 7 is glycosylated with a β-D-glucose unit. Compound 13 bears a chlorine substituent. At a concentration of 10 μM, compounds 6 , 8 , and 10 - 12 suppressed LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells with inhibition rates ranging from 40.3% to 78.8%.

This research aimed to excavate compounds with activity reducing hepatocytes lipid accumulation from Delphinium brunonianum . Four novel diterpenoid alkaloids, brunodelphinine B-E, were isolated from D. brunonianum together with eleven known diterpenoid alkaloids through a phytochemical investigation. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopy methods including HR-ESI-MS, NMR, IR, UV, CD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The inhibitory effects of a total of 15 diterpenoid alkaloids on hepatocytes lipid accumulation were evaluated using 0.5 mM FFA (oleate/palmitate 2:1 ratio) to induce buffalo rat liver (BRL) cells by measuring the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and the staining of oil red O. The results show that five diterpenoid alkaloids-brunodelphinine E ( 4 ), delbruline ( 5 ), lycoctonine ( 7 ), delbrunine ( 8 ), and sharwuphinine A ( 12 )-exhibited significant inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner and without cytotoxicity. Among them, sharwuphinine A ( 12 ) displayed the strongest inhibition of hepatocytes lipid accumulation in vitro. Our research increased the understanding on the chemical composition of D. brunonianum and provided experimental and theoretical evidence for the active ingredients screened from this herbal medicine in the treatment of the diseases related to lipid accumulation, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hyperlipidemia.

The present study aims at phytochemical profiling and valuating the effect of crude extract of Delphinium brunonianum on fructose mediated rise in blood pressure and metabolic abnormalities in rats. Therefore, rats were fed on fructose (10%w/v) for 6 weeks. Rats in treatment groups received amlodipine 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of DB-Cr separately in concurrent to fructose. Various parameters of metabolic perturbations were assessed at the end of study. Further, DB-Cr was analyzed using LC-MS technique. DB-Cr exerted remarkable antihypertensive effect whereas, sympathetic hyperactivity and hyperinsulinemia in these rats was significantly blunted, further, endothelium functionality was successfully restored. LC-MS analysis of DB-Cr revealed the presence of a variety of chemical constituents (41) including quinic acid, scopolin, gingerol, Robinetin 3-rutinoside, KAPA and maleic acid. In conclusion, D. brunonianum possess the potential to combat the fructose mediated hypertension and metabolic perturbations, which may partially be due to its chemical constituents.

Acanthamoeba spp. are widely distributed in the environment and cause serious infections in humans. Treatment of Acanthamoeba infections is very challenging and not always effective which requires the development of more efficient drugs against Acanthamoeba spp. The purpose of the present study was to test medicinal plants that may be useful in the treatment of Acanthamoeba spp. Here we evaluated the trophozoital and cysticidal activity of 13 flavonoid glycosides isolated from Delphinium gracile, D. staphisagria, Consolida oliveriana and from Aconitum napellus subsp. Lusitanicum against the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. AlamarBlue Assay Reagent® was used to determine the activity against trophozoites of A. castellanii, and cytotoxic using Vero cells. Cysticidal activity was assessed on treated cysts by light microscopy using a Neubauer chamber to quantify cysts and trophozoites. Flavonoids 1, 2, 3 and 4 showed higher trophozoital activity and selectivity indexes than the reference drug chlorhexidine digluconate. In addition, flavonoid 2 showed 100% cysticidal activity at a concentration of 50 μm, lower than those of the reference drug and flavonoid 3 (100 μm). These results suggest that flavonoids 2 and 3 might be used for the development of novel therapeutic approaches against Acanthamoeba infections after satisfactory in vivo evaluations.

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids (1-3), and eight known alkaloids (4-11) were isolated from the aerial parts of Delphinium grandiflorum. Grandifline A (1) represents an unprecedented diterpenoid alkaloid ring system featuring a C-7NC17 hemiaminal moiety and a lactone fragment through the linkage of C-17OC19 unit. And we named this newly-discovered class of rearranged C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloid scaffold as grandiflodines (B-12). Grandifline B (2) is the first naturally-occurring 7,17-secolycoctonine diterpenoid alkaloid with a C-7OC17 unit forming a hemiacetal. Their structures were elucidated via spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The protective effects of compounds 1-11 on H 2 O 2 -induced cardiomyocytes injury were assayed. And compounds 6 and 10 showed significant protective effects, with IC 50 values of 1.881 ± 0.680 μM and 1.904 ± 0.750 μM, respectively. Further, compound 6 could reduce oxidative damage by inhibiting cell death via the AMPK/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in H 2 O 2 -induced H9C2 cells., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper aimed to investigate the potential antifungal influences of new alkaloids from Delphinium peregrinum L. var. eriocarpum Boiss. New Diterpenoid alkaloids Delcarpum ( 1 ), Hydrodavisine ( 4 ) and known alkaloids Peregrine ( 2 ), Delphitisine ( 3 ) were isolated by different chromatographic methods from the aerial parts of D. Peregrinum eriocarpum Boiss, which grows in Syria. The structures of alkaloids were proposed based on 1D NMR spectroscopy 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, DEPT-135, DEPT-90, 2D NMR spectroscopy DQF-COSY, HMQC, EI-Ms mass spectrum, and IR spectroscopic measurements. The antifungal activity of the isolated alkaloids was evaluated against different dermatophyte fungal isolates compared with fluconazole. In the case of Peregrine ( 2 ) the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) recorded 128-256, 32-64, and 32 for Epidermophyton floccosum , Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton rubrum , respectively, compared to 32-64, 16, and 32 μg/mL in the case of fluconazole, respectively. The MICs recorded on application of the four alkaloids mixture were 64, 32, and 16 in the case of E. floccosum , M. canis , and T. rubrum , respectively, which were significantly lower than that measured for each of the individual alkaloid and were compatible for fluconazole. In conclusion, MICs of the tested alkaloids showed a variable potential effect on the investigated fungal isolates. Peregrine ( 2 ) was the most effective alkaloid, however, the application of the mixture of alkaloids induced significant synergistic activity that was more pronounced than the application of individual ones.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of diuretic potential of Delphinium brunonianum. Acute diuretic effect in rats was evaluated 8 h after administration of various doses of crude extract, fractions and hydrochlorthiazide. While, prolonged effect of butanolic fraction was assessed after 7days of oral administration in rats. Thereafter, involvement of different pathways in diuretic activity was also appraised. Furthermore, polyphenolic contents in butanolic fraction were assessed using HPLC/UV-VIS technique. All doses of extract and fractions induced a prominent increase in urine and Na + excretion with no effect on excretion of K + . Prior administration of indomethacin and atropine considerably avoided the diuretic effect of butanolic fraction. Regarding the quantitative chemical analysis the polyphenolic contents were recorded as 28.78 µg/mg. Thus results of present investigation suggested that Delphinium brunonianum possess remarkable diuretic potential.

Chemical investigations of the aerial parts of Tibetan folk medicine Delphinium chrysotrichum resulted in the isolation of two new diterpenoid alkaloids, delphatisine D (1) and chrysotrichumine A (2), together with ten known diterpenoid alkaloids (3-12) and 3β,6α-dihydroxysclareolida (13). Delphatisine D (1) is a rare atisine-type alkaloid from genus Delphinium and is the C-15 epimer of spiramine C which bears an internal carbinolamine ether linkage (N-C-O-C) between C-7 and C-20. Chrysotrichumine A (2) is a rare natural C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloid possessing a nitrone group between C-17 and C-19. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 13 is a sesquiterpene first isolated from this genus. Compounds 1, 3-7 and 13 were investigated for cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell lines of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-23, none of them presented significant activity except compound 7 which exhibited slight activity at 100 μM against MDA-MB-231, but did not reach the EC 50 ., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new lycoctonine diterpenoid alkaloid navicularine, along with eighteen known diterpenoid alkaloids, were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium naviculare var . lasiocarpum . Their structures were elucidated on the base of extensive spectroscopic analysis (HR-ESI-MS and NMR) and comparison with data reported in the literature. Most of alkaloids were tested for their antifeedant activity against larvae of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner). The compound shawurensine showed considerably potent antifeedant activity (EC 50 = 0.42 and 0.81 mg/cm 2 in the choice test and no choice test, respectively).

Objectives: Fatigue is a common problem in modern-day life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Delphinium denudatum (Jadwar) on fatigue., Methods: This study was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial between healthy normal university students. In each group, participants were given one capsule of either WEACURE® (containing 500 mg of Jadwar root powder) or placebo for 15 consecutive days. Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) questionnaire was used before and after the intervention to evaluate different aspects of fatigue., Results: A total number of 64 participants completed the study. Data analysis showed decrease in the scores of all five domains of fatigue in Jadwar group (13.31 ± 3.05-7.75 ± 2.66, 12.31 ± 3.55-7.63 ± 2.62, 12.22 ± 4.26-6.97 ± 2.06, 11.56 ± 4.21 to 7.28 ± 2.37, 12.91 ± 3.09-7.34 ± 2.13 in general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, reduced motivation, and mental fatigue domains, respectively) which was statistically significant (P value<0.0001). This situation was significantly superior to the placebo group. Prescribed dosage of WEACURE® capsule was well tolerated., Conclusion: As a complementary tonic agent, Jadwar have a potential to reduce fatigue in normal population. However, objective evaluation of its anti-fatigue effect should be further evaluated., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Diterpenoid alkaloids with remarkable chemical properties and biological activities are frequently found in plants of the genera Aconitum, Delphinium, and Garrya. However, little information has been reported on the antiproliferative effects of the diterpenoid alkaloid constituents of Aconitum and Delphinium plants. C-1 and 14 esterifications of delcosine (1) were carried out to provide 39 new diterpenoid alkaloid derivatives (3-14, 16-29, 3a-7a, 9a, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 16a, 17a, 24a, 35a). Selected compounds (3-14, 16-29, 3a-7a, 9a, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 16a, 17a, 24a, 35a) were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against three to five human tumor cell lines including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpressing multidrug-resistant (MDR) subline. Several newly synthesized delcosine derivatives (6, 7, 13, 13a, 13b) showed substantial suppressive effects against all human tumor cell lines tested. In contrast, the natural alkaloids (1, 31, 33) showed no effect. Most of the active compounds were delcosine derivatives with two specific substitution patterns-C-1 and C-1,14. In particular, 1-acyldelcosine derivative (5-7) displayed more potency than 1,14-diacyldelcosine derivatives (5a-7a). These acylated alkaloid derivatives caused accumulation of TNBC cells at sub-G1 within 24 h. 1-Acylation of 1 appears to be critical for producing antiproliferative activity in this alkaloid class and a means to provide promising new leads for further development into antitumor agents.

Five new amide alkaloids, named delamide A-E (1-5), along with five known ones, methyl-N-(3-carboxy-2-methylpropanoyl) anthranilate (6), benzoic acid, 2-[(1-oxodecyl) amino]-methylester (7), puberline (8), benzoic acid, 2-[(4-methoxy-2-methyl-1, 4-dioxobutyl) amino]-methylester (9) and benzoic acid, 2-[(4-methoxy-3-methyl-1, 4-dioxobutyl) amino]-methylester (10) were isolated from the extract of Delphinium brunonianum. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses (including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS). 1-10 were also evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibiting activity by the Ellman's method. Delamide A (1) showed highly selective AChE inhibition activity. The kinetic analysis revealed that 1 was a mixed-type reversible inhibitor of AChE., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The use of quality control tool for authentication of Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson), a folk herbal drug used for the treatment of different ailments, was studied. People face problems of adulteration for this drug at global, regional, national and local levels. Two different plant species are commercially marketed in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent under the same trade name of Jadwar. One is D. denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson and the other is Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle. To focus on this problem, a marketable available drug sample of Jadwar was authenticated by using basic microscopy tools (LM) and advanced chemo-taxonomic markers. Authentication, quality and standardization of this drug was achieved using morphology, organoleptography, UV and IR analyses, scanning electron microscopy of pollen and anatomical investigations. The techniques used for authentication marked the clear difference between the studied plants. Microscopic studies, chemotaxonomic investigation and other techniques used in this project provided the basis for the authentication of this species., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Cattle losses from larkspur (Delphinium spp.) toxicity are a long-term challenge on the rangelands of western North America. In addition to animal factors that affect livestock poisonings, plant alkaloid composition (chemotype) affects the intoxication of cattle because some chemotypes are significantly more toxic. Differences in larkspur chemotype toxicity are due to the ratios of N-(methylsuccinimido) anthranoyllycoctonine (MSAL)-type alkaloids to non-MSAL-type alkaloids and the concentrations of those alkaloids in the plant material. The objective of this study was to compare the responses of 6 Angus heifers to 6 chemotypes of larkspur using a Latin square study design. These Angus heifers from the USDA-ARS, Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, NE, were chosen for this research because they are the most larkspur-susceptible cattle observed to date. The 6 heifers were given an oral dose of dried ground larkspur and tested for muscle weakness with an exercise test (i.e., walk time). The 6 chemotypes of larkspur had non-MSAL to MSAL-type alkaloid ratios ranging from 1.4:1 to 6:1 and were administered at an oral dose of 7.5 mg/kg MSAL-type alkaloids BW. There was a treatment effect due to larkspur chemotype (P < 0.0001), and period effects were not significant (P = 0.6). There were also significant correlations between the length of time walking on a dirt track at 5 to 6 km/h, and total alkaloid dose (r = -0.92, P = 0.0045) and alkaloid ratio (r = -0.81, P = 0.0258). Serum alkaloid concentrations at 24 h after dosing were representative of the relative abundance of the alkaloid in the plant material. Results from this work suggest that total alkaloid concentrations in combination with alkaloid ratios can be used together to accurately predict the plant risk component of larkspur poisoning to grazing cattle. Animal factors such as cattle age, breed, and sex must also be considered to comprehensively manage larkspur risk., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science 2018.)

Larkspur (Delphinium spp.) poisoning is a long-term problem for cattle grazing on rangelands of western North America. Results from preliminary experiments have suggested that differences in larkspur toxicity may exist between heifers and bulls. The objective of this study was to compare the physiological responses of yearling Angus heifers, steers, and bulls with a standardized dose of Delphinium barbeyi and to test the hypothesis that the response is sex dependent. Clinical signs of intoxication, including muscle coordination and function, were measured 24 h after oral dosing with larkspur by walking the cattle at a pace of 5 to 6 km h-1 for up to 40 min on an oval dirt track. Due to the experimental methods used, the variation in susceptibility to larkspur was not quantifiable for walking times of 0 or 40 min or more. Larkspur susceptible animals that were not able to walk (0 min; 36% of the animals) or larkspur resistant animals that walked the entire test period of 40 min (9% of the animals) resulted in censored or truncated data. The statistical methods (censReg and lmec) were used to adjust for data truncation or censoring. The heifers were only able to walk -8.9 ± 3.9 min (65.5% censored on the left) compared with 13.2 ± 3.7 min for bulls and 15.9 ± 2.7 min for steers. When heifers were compared with bulls and steers together, heifers walked 23.4 ± 4.5 min less (P < 0.0001). Serum alkaloid concentrations were measured immediately before walking, and deltaline concentrations averaged 266 ± 28, 131 ± 20, and 219 ± 28 ng mL-1 for all heifers, steers, and bulls, respectively, and serum methyllycaconitine concentrations averaged 660 ± 46, 397 ± 32, and 612 ± 34 ng mL-1 for all heifers, steers, and bulls, respectively. The relative risk of a zero walk time for yearling heifers is 330% that of yearling bulls (P = 0.0008). These results suggest that yearling Angus heifers are more susceptible to larkspur intoxication and, when possible, heifers should be kept from grazing larkspur-infested rangelands as a simple management tool to reduce the risk of fatal poisoning., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science 2019.)

Eight previously undescribed norditerpenoid alkaloids, pseudophnines A-D, pseudorenines A-B, and pseudonidines A-B, together with ten known norditerpenoid alkaloids, tianshanisine E, sharwuphinine B, potanisine A, lycoctonine, delbruline, isondelpheline, delavaines A-B, and shawurenines A-B were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium pseudoaemulans C. Y. Yang et B. Wang. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR analysis. Additionally, no cytotoxicity was observed against A549 and HeLa cancer cells of these diterpenoid alkaloids when evaluated in vitro using the MTT method., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Three new norditerpenoids alkaloids, 1β-hydroxy,14β-acetyl condelphine (1), jadwarine-A (2), jadwarine-B (3) along with two known alkaloids isotalatizidine hydrate (4) and dihydropentagynine (5) were isolated from medicinal plant Delphinium denudatum. The structures of natural products 1-5 were established on the basis of HR-EIMS, 1 H and 13 C NMR (1D & 2D) spectroscopic data as well as by comparison from literature data. The structures of compound 1 and 4 were also confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In-vitro AChE and BChE enzyme inhibitory activities of compounds 1-5 and molecular docking studies were performed to investigate the possible molecular inhibitory mechanism of the isolated natural products. Compound 2, 4 and 5 showed competitive inhibitory effects by inhibiting AChE and BChE, respectively, while 1 and 3 showed non-competitive inhibition. This work is the first report that provides a supporting evidence about the use of constituents of Delphinium denudatum in cerebral dementia and Alzheimer diseases., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Five new C 18 -diterpenoid alkaloids, anthriscifoltines C-G (1-5), along with four known diterpenoid alkaloids anthriscifolcines C-F (6-9), were isolated from the extract of Delphinium anthriscifolium var. majus. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses (including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS). Compounds 1-5 were also evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, HepG2, and H460 human cancer cell lines.

By killing cattle and otherwise complicating management, the many species of larkspur (Delphinium spp.) present a serious, intractable, and complex challenge to livestock grazing management in the western United States. Among the many obstacles to improving our understanding of cattle-larkspur dynamics has been the difficulty of testing different grazing management strategies in the field, as the risk of dead animals is too great. Agent-based models (ABMs) provide an effective method of testing alternate management strategies without risk to livestock. ABMs are especially useful for modeling complex systems such as livestock grazing management, and allow for realistic bottom-up encoding of cattle behavior. Here, we introduce a spatially-explicit, behavior-based ABM of cattle grazing in a pasture with a dangerous amount of Geyer's larkspur (D. geyeri). This model tests the role of herd cohesion and stocking density in larkspur intake, finds that both are key drivers of larkspur-induced toxicosis, and indicates that alteration of these factors within realistic bounds can mitigate risk. Crucially, the model points to herd cohesion, which has received little attention in the discipline, as playing an important role in lethal acute toxicosis. As the first ABM to model grazing behavior at realistic scales, this study also demonstrates the tremendous potential of ABMs to illuminate grazing management dynamics, including fundamental aspects of livestock behavior amidst ecological heterogeneity.

Context: Delphinium denudatum Wall (Ranunculaceae) is a rich source of diterpenoid alkaloids and is widely used for the treatment of various neurological disorders such as epilepsy, sciatica and Alzheimer's disease., Objective: The present study describes crystal structure determination and cholinesterase inhibitory potential of isotalatazidine hydrate isolated from the aerial part of Delphinium denudatum., Materials and Methods: Phytochemical investigation of Delphinium denudatum resulted in the isolation of isotalatazidine hydrate in crystalline form. The molecular structure of the isolated compound was established by X-ray diffraction. The structural data (bond length and angles) of the compound were calculated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-31 + G (p) basis set. The cholinesterase inhibitory potential of the isolated natural product was determined at various concentrations (62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 μg/mL) followed by molecular docking to investigate the possible inhibitory mechanism of isotalatazidine hydrate., Results: The compound crystallized in hexagonal unit cell with space group P6 5. Some other electronic properties such as energies associated with HOMO-LUMO, band gaps, global hardness, global electrophilicity, electron affinity and ionization potential were also calculated by means of B3LYP/6-31 + G (p) basis set. The compound showed competitive type inhibition of both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC 50 values of 12.13 μM and 21.41 μM, respectively., Discussion and Conclusion: These results suggest that isotalatazidine hydrate is a potent dual cholinesterase inhibitor and can be used as a target drug in Alzheimer diseases. This is first report indicating isotalatazidine hydrate with anticholinesterase potential.

Extensive phytochemical investigation on the whole herbs of Delphinium anthriscifolium var. majus led to the identification of fourteen diterpenoid alkaloids, including three new C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloids (anthriscifolsines A-C, 1-3), six new C 19 -diterpenoid alkaloids (anthriscifolrines A-F, 4-9), and five know compounds (10-14). Among them, anthriscifolsine A represents a novel C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloid characterized by a seco C-ring. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including HR-ESI-MS, X-ray, and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Bioactivity of compounds 3-6 was evaluated for their cytotoxicity against the MCF-7, HepG2 and H460 cancer cell lines.

Poisoning of cattle by larkspur plants (Delphinium spp.) is a concern for cattle ranchers in western North America. Previous research studies have evaluated the toxicokinetic profile of multiple larkspur toxins in several livestock species. However, those studies were all performed by orally dosing plant material. Consequently some toxicokinetic parameters could not be definitively determined. In this study, we compared the serum toxicokinetic profile of the larkspur alkaloids methyllycaconitine (MLA) and deltaline in goats dosed both IV and via oral gavage. The results from this study indicate that the toxic alkaloids in larkspurs undergo flip-flop kinetics, meaning the rate of absorption of the alkaloids is slower than the rate of elimination. The implications of flip-flop kinetics in treating animals poisoned by larkspur is discussed., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Five new diterpenoid alkaloids, tianshanitines A-E (1 - 5), along with ten known compounds (6 - 15), were isolated from the EtOH extracts of the whole plant of Delphinium tianshanicum W.T.Wang. Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and the structure of tianshanitine C (3) was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Tianshanitine A (1) is the first example of natural diterpenoid alkaloid containing a benzoyl group at C(1) position. Tianshanitine B (2) is a rare natural diterpenoid alkaloid bearing a OH group at C(16) position. Compounds 1 - 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against HCT116, MCF-7 and HepG2 human cancer cell lines., (© 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Five new diterpenoid alkaloids, ajacisines A-E ( 1 - 5 ), were isolated from Delphinium ajacis , along with seven known alkaloids ( 6 - 12 ). On the basis of their spectral data (IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and chemical properties, the structures of compounds 1 - 12 were identified. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiviral activities against respiratory syncytial virus, and compounds 3 - 5 and 8 exhibited moderate to weak effects with IC 50 values of 75.2 ± 1.1, 35.1 ± 0.6, 10.1 ± 0.3, and 50.2 ± 0.5 µM, respectively., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The present study was designed to determine the chemical constituents of Delphinium caeruleum Jacq. ex Camb.. The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography with silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated by IR, MS, and NMR. Ten compounds were obtained and identified as caerudelphinine A (1), lycoctonine (2), talitine B (3), talitine A (4), talitine C (5), tatsienine-V (6), d-magnoflorine (7), 2-trimethyl-ammonio-3-(3-indolyl) propionate (8), vakhmatine (9), and delatisine (10). Compound 1 was a new lycoctonine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloid, and compounds 4-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time., (Copyright © 2017 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Larkspurs (Delphinium spp.) are a major cause of cattle losses in western North America, whereas sheep are thought to be resistant to larkspur toxicosis. Goats are often used as a small ruminant model to study poisonous plants. In this study, we compared the serum toxicokinetic profile of toxic larkspur alkaloids from Delphinium barbeyi in cattle, goats, and sheep. The results from this study indicate that kinetic differences could partially explain species differences in susceptibility to larkspur toxicosis., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In many rangeland settings, there is more than one potential poisonous plant. Two poisonous plants that are often found growing simultaneously in the same location in North American rangelands are death camas (Zigadenus spp.) and low larkspur (Delphinium spp.). The objective of this study was to determine if co-administration of death camas would exacerbate the toxicity of low larkspur in cattle. Cattle dosed with 2.0 g of death camas/kg BW showed slight frothing and lethargy, whereas cattle dosed with both death camas and low larkspur showed increased clinical signs of poisoning. Although qualitative differences in clinical signs of intoxication in cattle co-treated with death camas and low larkspur were observed, there were not any significant quantitative differences in heart rate or exercise-induced muscle fatigue. Co-treatment with death camas and low larkspur did not affect the serum zygacine kinetics, however, there was a difference in the larkspur alkaloid kinetics in the co-exposure group. Overall, the results from this study suggest that co-exposure to death camas and low larkspur is not significantly more toxic to cattle than exposure to the plants individually. The results from this study increase our knowledge and understanding regarding the acute toxicity of death camas and low larkspur in cattle.

Two new norditerpenoid alkaloids with lycoctonine skeleton, anthriscifolcones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium anthriscifolium var. Majus by extensive column chromatography. Their structures were established by IR, MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and 2D NMR methods (including HSQC, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY experiments).

Two new C18-diterpenoid alkaloids, anthriscifoltine A (1) and anthriscifoltine B (2), along with three known diterpenoid alkaloids, deoxydelcorine (3), anthriscifolcine A (4) and anthriscifolcine G (5), were isolated from the whole herbs of Delphinium anthriscifolium var. majus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS.

A new C19-diterpenoid alkaloid, designated as majusine D (1), has been isolated from Delphinium majus W. T. Wang. The structure was elucidated by detailed NMR-spectroscopic studies.

Larkspurs (Delphinium spp.) are poisonous plants on rangelands throughout the Western United States and Canada. Larkspur-induced poisoning in cattle is due to norditerpene alkaloids that are represented by two main structural groups of norditerpene alkaloids, the N-(methylsuccinimido) anthranoyllycoctonine type (MSAL-type) and the non-MSAL type. Information on the alkaloid composition and resulting toxicity in mice and cattle is lacking for a number of Delphinium species, including Delphinium stachydeum. The objective of this study was to determine the alkaloid composition of D. stachydeum and to characterize its relative toxicity in mice and cattle compared to two reference species Delphinium barbeyi and Delphinium occidentale. D. stachydeum contains the non-MSAL-type alkaloids but not the MSAL-type alkaloids. D. stachydeum was less toxic than D. barbeyi and D. occidentale in the mouse model. D. stachydeum was less toxic than the MSAL-containing D. barbeyi but much more toxic than the non-MSAL-containing D. occidentale in cattle as measured by heart rate and time of exercise. These results indicate that predictions of Delphinium toxicity can't be accurately made based solely on results from the mouse model or the absence of the MSAL-type alkaloids in the plant., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Genetic engineering of roses and other plants of floricultural importance to give them a truly blue petal color is arguably one of the holy grails of plant biotechnology. Toward this goal, bluish carnations and roses were previously engineered by establishing an exclusive accumulation of delphinidin (Dp)-type anthocyanins in their petals via the heterologous expression of a flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase gene. Very recently, purple-blue varieties of chrysanthemums were also genetically engineered via a similar biochemical strategy. Although the floral colors of these transgenic plants still lack a true blue color, the basis for the future molecular breeding of truly blue flowers is via the engineering of anthocyanin pathways. Anthocyanins with multiple aromatic acyl groups (often referred to as polyacylated anthocyanins) in the 3'- or 7-position tend to display a more stable blue color than non-acylated anthocyanins. The 7-polyacylation process during the biosynthesis of purple-blue anthocyanins in delphinium (Delphinium grandiflorum) was found to occur in vacuoles using acyl-glucose as both the glucosyl and acyl donor. Glucosyltransferases and acyltransferases involved in anthocyanin 7-polyacylation in delphinium are vacuolar acyl-glucose-dependent enzymes belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 1 and serine carboxypeptidae-like protein family, respectively. The 7-polyacylation proceeds through the alternate glucosylation and p-hydroxybenzoylation catalyzed by these enzymes. p-Hydroxybenzoyl-glucose serves as the p-hydroxybenzoyl and glucosyl donor to produce anthocyanins modified with a p-hydroxybenzoyl-glucose concatemer at the 7-position. This novel finding has provided a potential breakthrough for the genetic engineering of truly blue flowers, where polyacylated Dp-type anthocyanins are accumulated exclusively in the petals., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

A paralytic ileus is a typical complication of ileocystoplasty of the bladder. In patients with a spinal cord injury, this risk is higher due to a preexisting neurogenic bowel dysfunction. We present the case of a paraplegic man who developed a massive paralytic ileus after ileocystoplasty and surgical revision. Conventional stimulation of bowel function was unsuccessful; only by an adjunctive homeopathic treatment was normalization of bowel function achieved. Adjunctive homeopathic therapy is a promising treatment option in patients with complex bowel dysfunction after abdominal surgery who do not adequately respond to conventional treatment.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous root extract of Delphinium denudatum (Dd) by reduction of Ag(+) ions from silver nitrate solution has been investigated. The synthesized DdAgNPs were characterized by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The prepared DdAgNPs showed maximum absorbance at 416nm and particles were polydispersed in nature, spherical in shape and the size of the particle obtained was⩽85nm. The DdAgNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus cereus NCIM 2106, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. The DdAgNPs showed potent larvicidal activity against second instar larvae of dengue vector Aedes aegypti with a LC50 value of 9.6ppm., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)