Bioactive constituents from gum guggul (Commiphora wightii)

Bioactivity-directed fractionation and purification afforded cytotoxic components of Commiphora wightii. The exudates of C. wightii were extracted with EtOAc and the extract was subjected to repeated column chromatography. A fraction showing cytotoxic activity was characterized as a mixture of two ferulates with an unusual skeleton by spectral and chemical methods, including by NMR, GC-MS and chemical derivatization. This fraction also showed moderate scavenging effect against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals.

Flavor generation during extrusion cooking

Extrusion cooking is a high temperature-short time process which is ideal for the production of flavor volatiles. However, due to the nature of this process there are many opportunities for these volatiles to be lost. This has led many researchers to study the formation and retention of volatiles during extrusion. This review will focus on-the flavor related reactions which may occur during extrusion and their occurrence in various flours and due to the addition of reactive precursors.

Effect of phosphate on stability of pyridoxal in the presence of lysine

The stability of the biologically active compound vitamin B(6) in aqueous solution was investigated. Schiff base formation is the major reaction between the epsilon-amino group of lysine and the aldehyde group of both pyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate. Model systems composed of equal molar concentrations of lysine with either pyridoxal or pyridoxal phosphate were used to study the effect of proton transfer on Schiff base formation. Pyridoxylidenelysine was found to be the major product in both lysine/pyridoxal and lysine/pyridoxal phosphate systems. Quantitation of residual pyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate was conducted using an HPLC to evaluate the degradation of pyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate. The results indicate both the free phosphate ion in the buffer system and the bound phosphate on pyridoxal phosphate can enhance the formation of the Schiff base. The phosphate group serves as both proton donor and acceptor, which catalyzes the Schiff base formation. The aldehyde group on pyridoxal phosphate was found to be much more reactive than that on pyridoxal. The bound phosphate group on pyridoxal phosphate, with proton donating and accepting groups in close proximity, can simultaneously donate and accept protons, thus enhancing Schiff base formation between the aldehyde group and the epsilon-amino group. The deterioration rate of pyridoxal phosphate was faster than that of pyridoxal in an aqueous system.

Four new steroidal saponins from the seeds of Allium tuberosum

Four new steroidal saponins, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S,20R)-20-O-methyl-5alpha-furost-22(23)-en-2alpha,3beta,20,26-tetraol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1); 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S,20R)-5alpha-furost-22(23)-en-2alpha,3beta,20,26-tetraol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2); 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S,20S)-5alpha-furost-22(23)-en-2alpha,3beta,20,26-tetraol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3); and 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S,20S)-5alpha-furost-22(23)-en-3beta,20,26-triol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), have been isolated from the seeds of Allium tuberosum. Their structures were established by spectroscopic studies such as MS, IR, NMR, and 2D-NMR and the results of acid hydrolysis and named tuberosides F, G, H, and I, respectively.

Induction of apoptosis by garcinol and curcumin through cytochrome c release and activation of caspases in human leukemia HL-60 cells

Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, was purified from Garcinia indica fruit rind. The effects of garcinol and curcumin on cell viability in human leukemia HL-60 cells were investigated. Garcinol and curcumin displayed strong growth inhibitory effects against human leukemia HL-60 cells, with estimated IC(50) values of 9.42 and 19.5 microM, respectively. Garcinol was able to induce apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; however, curcumin was less effective. Treatment with garcinol caused induction of caspase-3/CPP32 activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but not caspase-1 activity, and induced the degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Pretreatment with caspase-3 inhibitor inhibited garcinol-induced DNA fragmentation. Treatment with garcinol (20 microM) caused a rapid loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into cytosol, and subsequent induction of procaspase-9 processing. The cleavage of D4-GDI, an abundant hematopoietic cell GDP dissociation inhibitor for the Ras-related Rho family GTPases, occurred simultaneously with the activation of caspase-3 but preceded DNA fragmentation and the morphological changes associated with apoptotic cell death. Of these, Bcl-2, Bad, and Bax were studied. The level of expression of Bcl-2 slightly decreased, while the levels of Bad and Bax were dramatically increased in cells treated with garcinol. These results indicate that garcinol allows caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease to enter the nucleus and degrade chromosomal DNA and induces DFF-45 (DNA fragmentation factor) degradation. It is suggested that garcinol-induced apoptosis is triggered by the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, procaspase-9 processing, activation of caspase-3 and caspase-2, degradation of PARP, and DNA fragmentation caused by the caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease through the digestion of DFF-45. The induction of apoptosis by garcinol may provide a pivotal mechanism for its cancer chemopreventive action.

The effects of low level laser irradiation on osteoblastic cells

Low level laser therapy has been used in treating many conditions with reports of multiple clinical effects including promotion of healing of both hard and soft tissue lesions. Low level laser therapy as a treatment modality remains controversial, however. The effects of wavelength, beam type, energy output, energy level, energy intensity, and exposure regime of low level laser therapy remain unexplained. Moreover, no specific therapeutic window for dosimetry and mechanism of action has been determined at the level of individual cell types. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low level laser irradiation on the human osteosarcoma cell line, SAOS-2. The cells were irradiated as a single or daily dose for up to 10 days with a GaAlAs continuous wave diode laser (830 nm, net output of 90 mW, energy levels of 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 Joules). Cell viability was not affected by laser irradiation, with the viability being greater than 90% for all experimental groups. Cellular proliferation or activation was not found to be significantly affected by any of the energy levels and varying exposure regimes investigated. Low level laser irradiation did result in a heat shock response at an energy level of 2 J. No significant early or late effects of laser irradiation on protein expression and alkaline phosphatase activity were found. Investigation of intracellular calcium concentration revealed a tendency of a transient positive change after irradiation. Low level laser irradiation was unable to stimulate the osteosarcoma cells utilised for this research at a gross cell population level. The heat shock response and increased intracellular calcium indicate that the cells do respond to low level laser irradiation. Further research is required, utilising different cell and animal models, to more specifically determine the effects of low level laser irradiation at a cellular level. These effects should be more thoroughly investigated before low level laser therapy can be considered as a potential accelerator stimulus for orthodontic tooth movement.

Induction of apoptosis by the oolong tea polyphenol theasinensin A through cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in human U937 cells

This study examined the growth inhibitory effects of theasinensin A (from oolong tea) and black tea polyphenols, including theaflavin (TF-1), a mixture (TF-2) of theaflavin-3-gallate (TF-2a) and theaflavin-3'-gallate (TF-2b), and theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3) in human cancer cells. Theasinensin A, TF-1, and TF-2 displayed strong growth inhibitory effects against human histolytic lymphoma U937, with estimated IC50 values of 12 microM, but were less effective against human acute T cell leukemia Jurkat, whereas TF-3 and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) had lower activities. The molecular mechanisms of tea polyphenol-induced apoptosis as determined by annexin V apoptosis assay, DNA fragmentation, and caspase activation were further investigated. Loss of membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were also detected by flow cytometry. Treatment with tea polyphenols caused rapid induction of caspase-3, but not caspase-1, activity and stimulated proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Pretreatment with a potent caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone, inhibited theasinensin A induced DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, it was found that theasinensin A induced loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, elevation of ROS production, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol, and subsequent induction of caspase-9 activity. These results indicate that theasinensin A allows caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease to enter the nucleus and degrade chromosomal DNA and induces DFF-45 (DNA fragmentation factor) degradation. The results suggest that induction of apoptosis by theasinensin A may provide a pivotal mechanism for their cancer chemopreventive function.

Differential effects of theaflavin monogallates on cell growth, apoptosis, and Cox-2 gene expression in cancerous versus normal cells

Theaflavin (TF-1), theaflavin-3-monogallate and theaflavin-3'-monogallate mixture (TF-2), and theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3) are the major black tea polyphenols. Here we compared the effects of these polyphenols on cell growth, apoptosis, and gene expression in normal and cancerous cells. We showed that TF-2 (10-50 microM) inhibited the growth of SV40 transformed WI38 human cells (WI38VA) and Caco-2 colon cancer cells but had little effect on the growth of their normal counterparts. The IC50s of TF-2 for the growth inhibition of WI38 and WI38VA cells were, respectively, 300 and 3 microM. The other two black tea polyphenols, TF-1 and TF-3, did not exhibit such differential growth-inhibitory effect. TF-2, but not TF-1 or TF-3, induced apoptosis in transformed WI38VA cells but not in normal WI38 cells, suggesting that apoptosis was responsible, at least in part, for the differential growth-inhibitory effect of TF-2. Cox-2 has been implicated in intestinal carcinogenesis. Among the tea polyphenols tested, TF-2 and, to a lesser degree, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate inhibited cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2 gene expression. TF-2 at 50 microM completely blocked the serum-induced Cox-2 gene expression at both mRNA and protein level. Other genes, including c-fos, c-myc, thymidine kinase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, BRCA1, BRCA2, and Cox-1, were not significantly affected by TF-2. These findings suggest that TF-2 may be responsible, at least in part, for the chemopreventive activity in black tea extracts.

Effect of black and green tea polyphenols on c-jun phosphorylation and H(2)O(2) production in transformed and non-transformed human bronchial cell lines: possible mechanisms of cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction

The biological activities of theaflavin (TF), theaflavin gallate (TFG) and theaflavin digallate (TFdiG) from black tea and (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) from green tea were investigated using SV40-immortalized (33BES) and Ha-ras gene transformed (21BES) human bronchial epithelial cell lines. Growth inhibition and cell viability were measured by trypan blue dye exclusion assay following 24 h treatment with the tea polyphenols. TFdiG, EGC and EGCG displayed comparable inhibitory effects on the growth of 21BES cells, with estimated IC(50) values of 22-24 microM. TFG exhibited a lower inhibitory activity (IC(50) 37 microM) and TF was even less effective (IC(50) 47 microM) in this cell line. A similar effect was also observed in 33BES cells. These results suggest that the gallate structure of theaflavins is important for growth inhibition. Exposure of 21BES cells to 25 microM TFdiG, EGC and EGCG for 24 h led to induction of cell apoptosis/death as determined by the Annexin V apoptosis assay. With TFdiG treatment cell death occurred early, and quickly peaked at 8-12 h. Morphological observations showed that TFdiG-treated cells appeared irregular in shape, with cytoplasmic granules, suggesting a cytotoxic effect. On the other hand, EGC and EGCG showed a lag phase before a rapid increase in apoptosis between 16 and 24 h, without any marked morphological changes, which was similar to that induced by H(2)O(2). TFdiG, EGC and EGCG induced similar amounts of H(2)O(2) formation in 21BES cells. Exogenously added catalase significantly prevented EGC- and EGCG-induced cell apoptosis, but did not prevent TFdiG-induced cell death, suggesting that H(2)O(2) is involved in the apoptosis induced by EGCG and EGC, but not in TFdiG-induced cell death. EGCG and TFdiG were shown to decrease c-jun protein phosphorylation in 21BES cells. Such inhibition is expected to result in lowered AP-1 activity, which may contribute to the growth inhibitory activity of tea polyphenols.

Pressure-induced retention of the lysozyme on reversed-phase liquid chromatography

This study investigated the effect of pressure on the retention behavior of a model protein, lysozyme, on octadecylsilica (C18) stationary phase under various equilibrium conditions. It is demonstrated that the retention time of the lysozyme was increased by as much as two to three times as the absolute pressure on the viewing window was increased from 23 to 318 bar. This pressure-induced retention was likely to be reversible and the corresponding volume change (deltaV = Vsta - Vmob) was found to be on the order of minus tens to hundreds of mL/mol. Moreover, the pressure-induced retention was also observed for a homologous series of hydrophobic poly-L-phenylalanine, which do not have the secondary structure, and the volume change was determined to be around minus 10 mL/mol per phenylalanine. Perturbations in solute ionization and conformational change are predicted to have a minor impact under the investigated conditions. It is believed that the pressure-induced shift of the equilibria regarding hydrophobic ad-desorption is the major cause of the observed increase of protein retention. About ten phenylalanine-equivalent residues on the lysozyme surface were involved in the hydrophobic association with the chromatographic ligands.

Effect of urea on volatile generation from Maillard reaction of cysteine and ribose

Urea occurs naturally in many food products, and its presence affects food quality. However, little is known about its impact on flavor generation in food production. In this study, the urea contents in beef, pork, and chicken were determined. The effects of urea and pH on thermal flavor generation were investigated using the model system of cysteine with ribose, which was heated to the roasting temperature of 180 degrees C for 2 h at pH 5 and pH 8.5. The results revealed relatively large amounts of urea in these meats and demonstrated that pH affects aroma generation. Volatiles identified from the reaction system of ribose and cysteine showed that sulfur-containing compounds such as thiophenes, thiazoles, and thiophenethiols were the most abundant compounds. The addition of urea into the reaction mixture caused the disappearance or reduction in content of some sulfur-containing compounds but resulted in the generation of several important nitrogen-containing volatiles, like pyrazine, methylpyrazine, 2,5- (and 2,6-)dimethylpyrazine and other alkylpyrazines, which are known to elicit roasty, nutty flavor notes. A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that ammonia can be released from urea upon heating and the formed ammonia competes with hydrogen sulfide to react with Maillard reaction precursors to produce nitrogen-containing compounds such as alkylpyrazines.

Novel glycosides from noni (Morinda citrifolia)

Three new glycosides were isolated from the fruits of noni (Morinda citrifolia). Their structures were determined to be 6-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-octanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (1), 6-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-hexanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (2), and 3-methylbut-3-enyl 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) using MS and NMR methods.

Modulation of bcl-2 and cytotoxicity by licochalcone-A, a novel estrogenic flavonoid

Herbal therapies are commonly used by patients with cancer, despite little understanding about their clinical and biological activity. We recently demonstrated that the herbal combination PC-SPES, which contains licorice root, had potent estrogenic activity in vitro, in animals, and in patients with prostate cancer. Licochalcone-A (LA) is one flavonoid extracted from licorice root with antiparasitic and anti-tumor activity, but the effect on the human estrogen receptor and mechanism of anti-tumor activity is unknown. Recent studies demonstrated that the mechanism of cytotoxic effect by some estrogens may involve modulation of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. In the present study, we determined if LA had estrogenic activity, anti-tumor activity, and modulated the apoptotic protein bcl-2 in human cell lines derived from acute leukemia, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. A yeast growth-based assay under the control of the human estrogen receptor (hER) demonstrated that LA was a phytoestrogen. A cell viability assay demonstrated that LA had anti-tumor activity in all cell lines tested and enhanced the effect of paclitaxel and vinblastine chemotherapy. LA induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and HL-60 cell lines, as demonstrated by cleavage of PARP, the substrate of ICE-like proteases. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that LA decreased the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 and altered the bcl-2/bax ratio in favor of apoptosis. In contrast, the parent compound chalcone or estradiol did not decrease bc1-2 expression. Therefore, these data demonstrate that LA is a phytoestrogen with anti-tumor activity and is capable of modulating bcl-2 protein expression. The modulation of bcl-2 may be dependent on specific structural differences between LA and the parent compound chalcone and independent of LA estrogenicity.

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase and suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species in HL-60 cells by theaflavin-3,3'-digallate, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and propyl gallate

The inhibitory effects of five tea polyphenols, namely theaflavin (TF1), theaflavin-3-gallate (TF2), theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF3), (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and gallic acid, and propyl gallate (PG) on xanthine oxidase (XO) were investigated. These six antioxidant compounds reduce oxidative stress. Theaflavins and EGCG inhibit XO to produce uric acid and also act as scanvengers of superoxide. TF3 acts as a competitive inhibitor and is the most potent inhibitor of XO among these compounds. Tea polyphenols and PG all have potent inhibitory effects (>50%) on PMA-stimulated superoxide production at 20 approximately 50 microM in HL-60 cells. Gallic acid (GA) showed no inhibition under the same conditions. At 10 microM, only EGCG, TF3, and PG showed significant inhibition with potency of PG > EGCG > TF3. The superoxide scavenging abilities of these six compunds are as follows: EGCG > TF2 > TF1 > GA > TF3 > PG. PG was the most potent inhibitor of PMA-stimulated H(2)O(2) production in HL-60 cells. The order of H(2)O(2) scavenging ability was TF2 > TF3 > TF1 > EGCG > PG > GA. Therefore, the antioxidative activity of tea polyphenols and PG is due not only to their ability to scavenge superoxides but also to their ability to block XO and related oxidative signal transducers.

A prospective study of survival and prognostic indicators of systemic lupus erythematosus in a southern Chinese population

OBJECTIVES

To study the survival rate and prognostic indicators of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a southern Chinese population.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-six patients with SLE diagnosed between 1992 and 1999 were prospectively followed. Clinical features at presentation, subsequent evolving features, autoantibody profile, damage scores and mortality data were obtained. Prognostic factors for survival were studied by statistical analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-three female and 23 male SLE patients were studied. The female to male ratio was 7.1 to 1 and the mean age at presentation was 33.6 yr (range 12-75). The mean disease duration was 45.2 months. At diagnosis, arthritis, malar rash and alopecia were the commonest features. During follow-up, the prevalence of nephritis, arthritis, photosensitivity and haematological disease increased significantly. Thirty-one per cent of the patients had organ damage at the time of data analysis and renal disease was the commonest cause. Logistic regression revealed that central nervous system disease, discoid lesions and treatment with high-dose steroid were independent predictors for damage. Nine patients died during the study period (three of disease-related complications and six of infections). The 3-, 5-, and 7-yr survival rates of our cohort were 97, 93 and 93%, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that thrombocytopenia and high-dose steroid treatment were independent risk factors for mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The survival of SLE in our southern Chinese patients is similar to that of the Caucasian series reported in the 1990s. Although nephritis contributes to organ damage, it is not a major determinant for survival. Infection remains the commonest cause of death. High-dose steroid treatment and thrombocytopenia are independent risk factors for mortality. Judicious use of immunosuppressive agents is necessary to improve the short-term survival of SLE.

Identification of oxidation products of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin with H(2)O(2)

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) are two important antioxidants in tea. They also display some antitumor activities, and these activities are believed to be mainly due to their antioxidative effects. However, the specific mechanisms of antioxidant action of tea catechins remain unclear. In this study are isolated and identified two novel reaction products of EGCG and one product of EGC when they were reacted separately with H(2)O(2). These products are formed by the oxidation and decarboxylation of the A ring in the catechin molecule. This study provides unequivocal proof that the A ring of EGCG and EGC may also be an antioxidant site. This study also indicates an additional reaction pathway for the oxidation chemistry of tea catechins.

Structural identification of two metabolites of catechins and their kinetics in human urine and blood after tea ingestion

Tea is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. The metabolic fate of its major constituents, catechins, however, is not well-known. In this study, two catechin metabolites were detected in the urine and plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of green tea. These metabolites were identified by LC/ESI-MS and NMR as (-)-5-(3',4', 5'-trihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M4) and (-)-5-(3', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M6). The renal excretion of M4 and M6 had a 3 h lag time and peaked 7.5-13.5 h after ingestion of a single dose of green tea, while (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin peaked at 2 h. M4 and M6 were two major tea metabolites with urinary cumulative excretions as high as 8-25 times the levels of EGC and (-)-epicatechin in some of our subjects, and accounted for 6-39% of the amounts of ingested EGC and (-)-epicatechin. Both the metabolites appeared to be produced by intestinal microorganisms, with EGC and (-)-epicatechin as the precursors of M4 and M6, respectively. Repeated ingestion of green tea produced a slight accumulative effect of the metabolites. They were also detected in the plasma, exhibiting kinetics similar to those of the urinary metabolites, and in the feces. Study on these metabolites may help us further understand the cancer chemopreventive actions and other beneficial effects of tea.

Do flares of systemic lupus erythematosus decline after menopause?

OBJECTIVE

To study whether flares of SLE decline after menopause.

METHOD

34 postmenopausal SLE patients with premenopausal disease onset were studied. The frequency and severity of flares before and after menopause was compared. 17 postmenopausal onset SLE patients were also included for comparison.

RESULT

Flares in postmenopausal SLE patients decreased significantly after menopause (total No. of flares/patient-year before and after menopause were 0.50+/-0.10 and 0.14+/-0.05, respectively, p = 0.002). The frequency and proportion of severe flares also dropped significantly. The rate and magnitude of postmenopausal flares in these patients were similar to those of the postmenopausal onset SLE patients, a subset known to run a more benign course.

CONCLUSIONS

SLE flares less frequently and seriously after menopause. While this may suggest a protective role of hypoestrogenemia against lupus flares, the contribution of other factors like disease duration and effective treatment to this postmenopausal decline of flares cannot be separated from menopause per se. Further studies are needed.

Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activity by theaflavin-3,3'-digallate from black tea and other polyphenols through down-regulation of IkappaB kinase activity in macrophages

We investigated the inhibition of IkappaB kinase (IKK) activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cell line) by various polyphenols including (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, theaflavin, a mixture of theaflavin-3 gallate and theaflavin-3'-gallate, theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3), pyrocyanidin B-3, casuarinin, geraniin, and penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (5GG). TF-3 inhibited IKK activity in activated macrophages more strongly than did the other polyphenols. TF-3 strongly inhibited both IKK1 and IKK2 activity and prevented the degradation of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta in activated macrophage cells. The results suggested that the inhibition of IKK activity by TF-3 could occur by a direct effect on IKKs or on upstream events in the signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, geraniin, 5GG, and TF-3 all blocked phosphorylation of IKB from the cytosolic fraction, inhibited nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) activity, and inhibited increases in inducible nitric oxide synthase levels in activated macrophages. These results suggest that TF-3 may exert its anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive actions by suppressing the activation of NFkappaB through inhibition of IKK activity.

Isolation and structural elucidation of two new glycosides from sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Six compounds, 1-O-(2,3, 4-trihydroxy-3-methyl)butyl-6-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, ethyl beta-D-glucopyranosyl tuberonate, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, (-)-hydroxyjasmonic acid, caffeic acid, and 4-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-[5-O-(3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoyl)-beta-D-apiofrunosyl]-(1-->2)-beta-D- glu copyranoside, were isolated from the n-butanol-soluble fraction of sage leaf extracts. Their structures were determined by spectral methods (MS, NMR, and 2D-NMR), and their antioxidant activities were measured. Among them, two new glycosides were elucidated. All of these compounds showed DPPH free radical scavenging activity at the concentration of 30 mM, and caffeic acid was the most active compound.

Isolation and identification of stilbenes in two varieties of Polygonum cuspidatum

The roots of two varieties of Polygonum cuspidatum (Hu Zhang and Mexican Bamboo) were analyzed for resveratrol and analogues. The roots of each variety were dried and ground into a powder. The powdered roots were then extracted with methanol and ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction of the Mexican Bamboo was then subjected to fractionation and purification using silica gel column chromatography and semipreparative HPLC. In addition to resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), three stilbene glucosides were identified by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and MS. The stilbene glucosides were shown to be a piceatannol glucoside (3,5,3', 4'-tetrahydroxystilbene 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside), resveratroloside (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside), and piceid (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside). The levels of the piceatannol glucoside and piceid were twice as high in the Mexican Bamboo as compared to the Hu Zhang.

Anti-tumor and anti-carcinogenic activities of triterpenoid, beta-boswellic acid

Boswellin (BE), a methanol extract of the gum resin exudate of Boswellia serrata, contains naturally occurring triterpenoids, beta-boswellic acid and its structural related derivatives, has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and arthritic diseases. Topical application of BE to the backs of mice markedly inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced increases in skin inflammation, epidermal proliferation, the number of epidermal cell layers, and tumor promotion in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mice. Feeding 0.2% of BE in the diet to CF-1 mice for 10-24 weeks reduced the accumulation of parametrial fat pad weight under the abdomen, and inhibited azoxymethane (AOM)-induced formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by 46%. Addition of pure beta-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid or 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid to human leukemia HL-60 cell culture inhibited DNA synthesis in HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values ranging from 0.6 to 7.1 microM. These results indicate that beta-boswellic acid and its derivatives (the major constituents of Boswellin) have anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumor, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities.

Chemistry and antioxidative factors in rosemary and sage

Rosemary and sage are common spices used in food. In our recent search of cancer chemopreventive agents from spices, the alcohol extracts of rosemary and sage showed strong antumorigenic activities. Rosemary and sage extracts contain active antioxidative factors such as phenolic diterpenes, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Here we discuss chromatographic methods used to separate and purify compounds from these spices and MS and NMR spectrometry to identify the isolated compounds. Several new compounds isolated from sage were determined to be 6-O-caffeoyl-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2-->1)-beta-glucopyranoside, 1-O-caffeoyl-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 1-O-p-hydroxybenzoyl-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 1-O-(3-methyl-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)-6-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 4-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-[5-O-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoyl)-beta-D-apiofrunosyl]-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 1-O-[2-hydroxy-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl]-6-O-trans-caffeoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Two C21-steroidal glycosides isolated from Cynanchum stauntoi

Studies on the roots of Cynanchum stauntoi led to the isolation of two C21-steroidal glycosides, formally named stauntosides A and B. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, especially that from analysis of 2D-NMR spectra. They were found to possess an unusual skeleton and were identified as stauntogenin 3-O-alpha-L-diginopyranosyl-(1-4)-beta-L-cymaropyranosyl-(1- 4)-beta-D- digitoxopyranosyl-(1-4)-beta-D-thevetopyranoside and stauntogenin 3-O-alpha-L-cymaropyranosyl-(1-4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-( 1-4)-beta-D-3- demethyl-2-deoxy-thevetopyranoside.