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The latex of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) is a source of a special kind of acylsugars called resin glycosides, which are highly appreciated because of their biological activities (i.e. laxative, antimicrobial, cytotoxic etc.). Most research has been conducted in perennials with tuberous roots, where resin glycosides are stored. However, their content and variation are unknown in annual vines that lack this type of root, such as in the case of Ipomoea parasitica. This species contains research/biological and human value through its fast growth, survival in harsh environments, and employment in humans for mental/cognitive improvements. These qualities make I. parasitica an ideal system to profile resin glycosides and their variations in response to edaphoclimate. Topsoil samples (0–30 cm depth) and latex from petioles of I. parasitica were collected in two localities of central Mexico. The latex was analyzed through UHPLC-ESI-QTOF, and soil physico-chemical characteristics, the rainfall, minimum, average, and maximum temperatures were recorded. We also measured canopy (%), rockiness (%), and plant cover (%). A Principal Component Analysis was conducted to find associations between edaphoclimate and the resin glycosides. Forty-four resin glycosides were found in the latex of I. parasitica. Ten correlated significantly with three components (47.07%) and contained tetrasaccharide, pentasaccharide, and dimers of tetrasaccharide units. Five resin glycosides were considered constitutive because they were in all the plants. However, exclusive molecules to each locality were also present, which we hypothesize is in response to significant microhabitat conditions found in this study (temperature, clay content, pH, and potassium). Our results showed the presence of resin glycosides in I. parasitica latex and are the basis for experimentally testing the effect of the conditions above on these molecules. However, ecological, molecular, and biochemical factors should be considered in experiments designed to produce these complex molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Bursera (Burseraceae) is considered an interesting source of antitumour compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the dichloromethane-soluble extracts from the bark of nine Mexican Bursera species. The chemical components of the extracts were determined by NMR and mass spectroscopy, whereas its cytotoxicity was tested using the sulphorhodamine (SRB) method on seven cell lines. Triterpenes and fatty acids were the most abundant components found in the extracts. A quantification by HPTLC – densitometry, showed that the species B. copallifera had the highest content of amyrins (287 µg/mg extract) followed by B. submoniliformis (159.5 µg/mg) and B. bicolor (156.5 µg/mg). Regarding cytotoxicicity, the species B. bicolor caused the highest growth inhibition (>90%) in colon (HCT-15) and lung (SK-LU1) lines; while B. fagaroides, B. grandifolia, B. morelensis, B. bicolor and B. linanoe were active in the SK-LU1cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Ganoderma lucidum has been used as a medicinal mushroom since centuries in East Asia. Recent reports have shown that metabolites isolated from Ganoderma species have shown effects on central nervous system. Objective. To determine the neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative effects of Ganoderma sp. and Ganoderma curtisii polysaccharides. Methods. Polysaccharides (Gsp-PS2 or Gc-PS2) were isolated from two Ganoderma mycelia submerged cultures. Acute toxicity effects of Gc-PS2 or Gsp-PS2 on mice were treated orally with doses of 50 - 2000 mg/kg. Anticonvulsant activity was determined using three chemoconvulsants: kainic acid (KA), strychnine, or pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Anxiolytic-like effects were determined using the elevated plus maze test on mice. GABA release evoked by GC-PS2 or Gsp-PS2 content was determined by HPLC. Neuroprotective effects of Gsp-PS2 or Gc-PS2 were determined by glial activation, histopathological changes, and immunohistochemistry. Results. Gc-PS2 or Gsp-PS2 showed neuroprotective activity by diminishing neuronal death, reducing glial activation and Neu-N expression levels. Gsp-PS2 or Gc-PS2 inhibited convulsions in the KA model. An anxiolytic-like, but not a sedative effect was reported in mice treated with Gc-PS2 or Gsp-PS2. Polysaccharides Gc-PS2 or Gsp-PS2 evoked endogenous GABA release and increased its concentration within the incubation medium. Pretreatment with Gsp-PS2 or Gc-PS2 showed a reduction of the LPSinduced NO production. Gc-PS2 or Gsp-PS2 did not produce toxic effects. Conclusion. Ganoderma sp. or Ganoderma curtisii polysaccharides showed neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activities in animal models. The anticonvulsant activity may involve the GABAergic neurotransmision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epilepsy is one of the major neurological disorders affecting world population. Although, some Ganoderma species have shown neuroprotective activities, the effects of polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma curtisii on epileptic seizures have not been reported. Objective: The aims of the present study were to determine whether treatment with a polysaccharide fraction (GCPS-2) from a Mexican Ganoderma curtisii strain can reduce seizures, and the increases in the levels of apoptotic molecules and inflammatory cytokines in kainic acid-induced seizure mouse model. Materials and Methods: Rats were separated in groups: Control group received 2.5% Tween 20 solution; GCPS-2 groups were administered GCPS-2 (10, 40, or 80 mg/kg); KA group received KA 10 mg/kg; GCPS-2+KA received GCPS-2 and 30 min later KA. Pathological changes in neuronal morphology, expression of B-cell lymphoma-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin1-ß and tumor necrosis factor-a) in the rat hippocampus and cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Ganoderma curtisii soluble polysaccharides (GCPS-2) inhibited convulsions in rats. Moreover, treatment with GCPS-2 reduced the increased levels of apoptotic signaling molecules (Bcl-2) and proinflammatory mediators (in the kainic acid-treated hippocampus and cortex). Conclusion: Ganoderma curtisii soluble polysaccharides have a neuroprotective potential against epilepsy, partially through its ability to inhibit neurotoxic events in the in vivo hippocampus and cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new partially acylated resin glycosides were isolated from convolvulin of Ipomoea purga, Ipomoea stans, and Ipomoea murucoides (Convolvulaceae). The structures of compounds 1-6 were elucidated by a combination of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The structure of jalapinoside B ( 1) consists of a hexasaccharide core bonded to an 11-hydroxytetradecanoic (convolvulinic) acid forming a macrolactone acylated by a 2-methylbutanoyl, a 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoyl, and a quamoclinic acid B units. Purginoic acid A ( 2) contains a hexasaccharide core bonded to a convolvulinic acid acylated by a 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoyl unit. Stansin A ( 4) is an ester-type heterodimer, and consists of two stansoic acid A ( 3) units, acylated by 2-methylbutanoic and 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoic acids. The site of lactonization was located at C-3 of Rhamnose, and the position for the ester linkage of the monomeric unit B on the macrolactone unit A was established as C-4 of the terminal rhamnose. Compounds 5 and 6 are glycosidic acids. Murucinic acid II ( 5) is composed of a pentasaccharide core bonded to an 11-hydroxyhexadecanoic (jalapinolic) acid, acylated by an acetyl unit. Stansinic acid I ( 6) is a tetrasaccharide core bonded to a jalapinolic acid, acylated by 2-methylbutanoyl and 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoyl units. Preliminary testing showed the cytotoxicity of compounds 1-6 toward OVCAR and UISO-SQC-1 cancer cell lines. In addition, compound 1 showed an antiproliferative activity on glioma C6 and RG2 tumor cell lines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsaicinoids are the compounds responsible for the pungency of chili peppers. These substances have attracted the attention of many research groups in recent decades because of their antinociceptive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties, among others. There are nearly 160 capsaicinoids reported in the literature. Approximately 25 of them are natural products, while the rest are synthetic or semi-synthetic products. A large amount of NMR data for the capsaicinoids is dispersed throughout literature. Therefore, there is a need to organize all this NMR data in a systematic and orderly way. This review summarizes the 1H and 13C NMR data on 159 natural and synthetic capsaicinoids, with a brief discussion of some typical and relevant aspects of these NMR data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]