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A new acetylene, (8S)-deca-4,6-diyne-1,8-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), and four known polyacetylenes (1–3 and 5), together with nine known flavonoids (6–14), were isolated from the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by using spectroscopic analysis, mainly 1D and 2D NMR, HR-MS, and comparison with literature data, as well as enzymatic hydrolysis and Mosher′s esterification methods. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-allergic effects by analyzing the inhibition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression in Jurkat T cells. Among them, 6-hydroxykaempferol 3,6-diglucoside (7) inhibited IL-2 production in activated T cells.

Chemical investigation of the Antarctic fungi Pleosporales sp. SF-7343 revealed four known secondary fungal metabolites: alternate C (1), altenusin (2), alternariol (3), and altenuene (4). The compound structures were identified primarily by NMR and MS analyses. Atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory disease, is driven by the abnormal activation of T helper (Th) 2 cells and barrier dysfunction. We attempted to identify the anti-inflammatory components of SF-7343. Initial screening showed that compounds 1 and 3 inhibited the secretion of interleukin-8 and -6 in tumor necrosis factor-α/interferon-γ-treated HaCaT cells, and these compounds also showed inhibitory effects on CCL5 and CCL22. Compounds 1 and 3 also downregulated the protein expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and upregulated the expression of filaggrin and involcurin. The mechanism study results showed that compounds 1 and 3 inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 and the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3. Compound 1, but not compound 3, significantly promoted the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The effects of compound 1 were partly reversed by co-treatment with a HO-1 inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin IX. Taken together, this study demonstrates the potential value of Antarctic fungal strain SF-7343 isolates as a bioresource for bioactive compounds to prevent skin inflammation.

Here, we report the isolation of five new diterpenoids including four lactone-type diterpenes (3, 5-7) and a hemiketal-type diterpene (12) in addition to 10 known compounds from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl. Molecular structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic methods including 1- and 2-dimensional NMR, high-resolution MS, and circular dichroism. No cytotoxic activity was observed for any of the isolated compounds (1-15) as examined in vitro in three cancer cell lines (HeLa, HL-60, and MCF-7) using the MTT assay.

Five new compounds, 9,3′-dimethoxyhierochin A (1), 6-oxo-trans-neocnidilide (2), (±)-(3E)-trans-6-hydroxy-7-methoxydihydroligustilide (3), (±)-cnidiumin (4), and 6-(1-oxopentyl)-salicylic acid methyl ester (5), together with twenty known compounds (6–25), were isolated from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale. The chemical structures of new compounds were established by NMR spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry, Mosher’s method, and CD spectrum. Their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 7, 13, and 14 showed inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 5.1, 24.5, and 27.8 μM, respectively. In addition, compounds 7, 13, and 14 reduced LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in a concentration-dependent manner.

Five new lactones, litsenolide F1 (1), lisealactone H1 (10), lisealactone H2 (11), akolactone D (13), and akolactone E (14), along with thirteen known compounds were isolated from the pericarps of Litsea japonica (Thunb.) Jussieu. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, and chemical methods. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among them, 2-alkylidene-3-hydroxy-4-methylbutanolide derivatives (compounds 1–9) exhibited the most potent activity, with IC50 values in the range of 2.9–12.8 μM. In additon, compounds 1, 3, 4, and 6 showed inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression in concentration-dependent manner. Compound 3 suppresses mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Based on these evidence, the isolated lactones from L. japonica could be promissing candidates for the development of new anti-inflammatory agents.

Coptis chinensis has been used as a medicinal herb in traditional oriental medicine. In this study, chemical investigation of a water extract of C. chinensis identified two new quaternary protoberberines ( 1 , 2 ), a new tricyclic amide ( 3 ), together with five known compounds. Their chemical structures were elucidated by analysis with 1D and 2D NMR and high-resolution mass spectroscopy, as well as by comparison with those reported in the literature. Compounds 4 , 5 , and 7 showed potent inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with IC 50 values of 1.1, 5.6, and 12.9 μM, respectively. Compounds 2 and 4 showed inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC 50 values of 11.5 and 27.8 μM, respectively. The kinetic activities were investigated to find out the type of enzyme inhibition involved. The types of AChE inhibition shown by compounds 5 and 7 were noncompetitive; BChE inhibition by compound 2 was also noncompetitive.

The bitter melon, Momordica charantia L., was once an important food and medicinal herb. Various studies have focused on the potential treatment of stomach disease with M. charantia and on its anti-diabetic properties. However, very little is known about the specific compounds responsible for its anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, the in vitro inhibitory effect of M. charantia on pro-inflammatory cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) has not been reported. Phytochemical investigation of M. charantia fruit led to the isolation of 15 compounds (1−15). Their chemical structures were elucidated spectroscopically (one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance) and with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated by measuring the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin IL-6, IL-12 p40, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated BMDCs. The cucurbitanes were potent inhibitors of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 p40, indicating promising anti-inflammatory effects. Based on these studies and in silico simulations, we determined that the ligand likely docked in the receptors. These results suggest that cucurbitanes from M. charantia are potential candidates for treating inflammatory diseases.

Graphical abstract, In this study, chemical investigation of methanol extract of the air-dried fruits of Luffa cylindrica led to the identification of a new δ‐valerolactone (1), along with sixteen known compounds (2–17). Their chemical structures including the absolute configuration were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism analysis, as well as by comparison with those reported in the literature. For the first time in literature, we have examined the binding potential of the isolated compounds to highly conserved protein, Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 using the molecular docking technique. We found that the isolated saponins (14–17) bind to the substrate‐binding pocket of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with docking energy scores of –7.13, –7.29, –7.47, and –7.54 kcal.mol–1, respectively, along with binding abilities equivalent to an already claimed N3 protease inhibitor (–7.51 kcal.mol–1).

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Two new benzofurans, 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(1,3-dihydroxypropyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran (1) and 2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxymethyletoxy-1-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran (2), a new triterpene, 3β, 6β, 21β-trihydroxyolean-12-ene (3), and eleven known compounds were isolated from the stem bark of Styrax obassia. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS. Their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Compound 1 was shown to reduce LPS-induced iNOS expression in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreating cells with 1 significantly suppressed their LPS-induced expression of COX-2 protein.

Here, we isolated a new polyacetylene, (2Z,8E)-heptadecadiene-10-oxo-4,6-diyn-1-ol (1), an oxylipin (2), eight phenolic compounds (3–10), and 15 saponins (11–25) from the roots of Bupleurum chinense. We elucidated their structures by analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data and mass spectrometry, and by comparison with those of related metabolites. This is the first report of the presence of compounds 2 and 6 in the Bupleurum spp.. Chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds is described herein.

Three new sesquilignans, zijusesquilignans A-C ( 1 – 3 ), together with fifteen known compounds ( 4 – 18 ), were isolated from fruits of Ziziphus jujuba var. inermis Rehder (Rhamnaceae) . Their chemical structures were established using spectroscopic analyses including 1D- and 2D-NMR, HR-EIMS, and ECD spectra. These compounds were assessed for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production. Of these compounds, 1 – 3 and 17 displayed inhibitory effects on NO production, with IC 50 values ranging from 18.1 to 66.4 μM. Pretreatment with 1 and 17 significantly suppressed LPS-induced expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in cells. Moreover, compounds 1 – 3 , 7 , 9 , and 17 exhibited cytotoxic activities against three human tumor cell lines, with IC 50 values ranging from 8.4 to 44.9 μM.

Here, we designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects on RAW264.7 cells and the immunosuppressive effects by evaluating interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in Jurkat T cells using a MeOH extract of Panax notoginseng roots. The results showed that the MeOH extract inhibited the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value of 7.08 μg/mL) and displayed effects on T cell activation at a concentration of 400 μg/mL. In efforts to identify the potent compounds, bioactivity-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract and chemical investigation of its active CH2Cl2-, EtOAc-, and butanol- soluble fractions led to the successful isolation and identification of eleven compounds, including two polyacetylenes (1, 2), a steroid saponin (3), seven dammarane-type ginsenosides (4 - 10), and an oleanane-type ginsenoside (11). Among them, compound 11 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Compound 2 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO synthesis and an immunosuppressive effect with IC50 values of 2.28 and 65.57 μM, respectively.

From the pericarps of Litsea japonica (Thunb.) Jussieu, eighteen butanolide derivatives (1 - 18) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HeLa, HL-60, and MCF-7 cells. Compounds 1 - 9 with 2-alkylidene- 3-hydroxy-4-methylbutanolides structure exhibited cytotoxic activities against cancer-cell lines. Among them, compound 8 (litsenolide D2) exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines, including HeLa, HL-60, and MCF-7, with IC50 values of 17.6 ± 1.3, 4.2 ± 0.2, and 12.8 ± 0.0 μM, respectively. Compound 8 induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Annexin V/Propidium Iodide (PI) double staining confirmed that 8 effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. To the best of our knowledge, we have reported cytotoxic activity of butanolides from L. japonica against these cancer-cell lines for the first time.

Medicinal plants have been shown to have tremendous potential for the development of new drug molecules for various serious diseases. Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) is a well-known spice considered to be the “The King of Spices” among various spices. The phytochemicals isolated from P. nigrum L. are potent biological agents with anticancer properties. Our study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic activities of chemical compounds from the dried fruits of P. nigrum L. Sixteen known compounds (1–16), including fifteen alkaloids, were isolated and identified. Compounds 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 exhibited cytotoxic activities against a human cervical cancer cell line, Hela, with IC50 values of 49.8, 40.4, 23.1, 22.1, 41.0, and 26.9 μM, respectively. Compounds 10, 12, and 15 exhibited cytotoxicities against a breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, with IC50 values of 36.9, 55.7, and 36.0 μM, respectively. Compounds 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 exhibited cytotoxic activities against the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, with IC50 values of 26.9, 51.4, 51.6, 54.4, 16.0, and 21.1 μM, respectively.

Medicinal plants are potential sources of anticancer agents screening. A large number of phytochemicals, including triterpenoids, have been reported to have significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. From the fruits of Ligustrum japonicum Thunb., thirteen triterpenoids (1 - 13) were isolated and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against Hela and HL-60 cells. As results, 8 (oleanolic acid) showed significant effects on Hela with IC50 values of 5.5 μM, and moderate effects on HL-60 cells with IC50 values of 55.9 μM. Meanwhile, 10 (oleanderic acid) and 11 (3β-acetoxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid) exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on Hela with IC50 value of 55.0 and 68.8 μM, respectively. Moreover, 10 showed cytotoxic effect on HL-60 cell line with IC50 value of 63.9 μM. To our knowledge, this is the first report that oleanderic acid was isolated from L. japonicum and investigated in cytotoxic effects on Hela and HL-60 cells.