[Effect of TCM treatment according to syndrome differentiation in enhancing curative effect and reducing side-effect of madopa]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of TCM treatment according to syndrome differentiation in en-hancing curative effect and reducing side-effect of madopa in patients with Parkinson' s disease (PD).

METHODS

The trial was conducted in 101 PD patients with a prospective stratified randomized and controlled method. They were assigned to group 1 in which the patients of rigidity were treated with Pabing Recipe 1 (PR1) plus Madopa tablets, group 2 with those of tremor given Pabing Recipe 3 (PR3) plus Madopa tablets, and group 3 given a fixed Chinese recipe plus Madopa tablets as the control. The treatment course for all the groups was 3 months. Clinical efficacy was evaluated with unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) and the adverse reactions observed before and after treatment.

RESULTS

After treatment, the 4 partial scores and the total score of UPDRS decreased significantly in group 2 (P<0.01), and the former of them and the total score declined in group 1 and 3 (P<0.01), the improvement was better in group 1 and 2 than that in group 3 (P<0.01); the improvement rate in group 1 to 3 was 95.5%, 100.0% and 83.7%, respectively, which was significantly higher in group 1 and 2 than that in group 3 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

TCM treatment according to syndrome differentiation could improve the clinical symptoms and reduce complications in PD patients, which could enhance curative effect and reduce side-effect of madopa.

Unique monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris

[structure: see text] A pair of geometrically isomeric monoterpenoid indole alkaloids with a skeleton rearrangement and two additional carbons, named (19,20) E-alstoscholarine (1) and (19,20) Z-alstoscholarine (2), were obtained from the leaf extract of Alstonia scholaris. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and then confirmed by X-ray crystal diffraction. The biogenesis of these compounds was also proposed.

New Antioxidant Phenolic Glycosides fromWalsura yunnanensis

Four new polyphenolic glycosides (1-4) were isolated from the BuOH extract of the bark of Walsura yunnanenis C. Y. Wu. These compounds comprise two lignans, i.e., the 9-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosides 1 and 2 of (-)-isolariciresinol and of (+)-5-methoxyisolariciresinol, respectively, and the two phenolic glycosides 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl 2-O-(alpha-L-fucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and 3,5-dihydroxyphenyl 6-O-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (walsuraside; 4). In addition, three known compounds, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, asperglaucide, and butyl alpha-D-fructofuranoside were identified. Their structures were elucidated spectroscopically and by chemical transformation (hydrolysis). The new compounds 1, 2, and 4 displayed significant antioxidant activities, with IC(50) values in the range of ca. 42 to 49 microg/ml.

Compound Representatives of a New Type of Triterpenoid from Aglaia odorata

[structure: see text] A novel triterpenoid, 21,25-cyclodammar-20(22)-ene-3beta,24alpha-diol, has been isolated from Aglaia odorata. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS spectra and then confirmed by X-ray diffraction. It represents a new type of natural five-membered-ring triterpenoid, named cyclodammarane. Its possible biopathway was that squalene-2,3;22,23-diepioxide was directly cyclized to form 24,25-epoxydammar-20(21)-en-3-ol, followed by protonation of the remaining 24,25-epoxide and the cation attacking 21(20) methylene to generate the E ring.

A new diterpenoid and active stilbenes from Pinus armandii heartwood

8(17),13-Labdadien-16,14-olid-18-oic acid (1), a new diterpenoid, has been isolated from the heartwood of Pinus armandii Francher, along with seven known diterpenoids (2-8) and four known stilbenes (9-12). Their structures have been elucidated by spectral evidence. (E)-3-Hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene (9) showed significant inhibition against white-rot fungi.

Quinones from Chirita eburnea

Five new quinone derivatives, (R)-7-hydroxy-alpha-dunnione (1), (R)-8-hydroxy-alpha-dunnione (2), (R)-7,8-dihydroxy-alpha-dunnione (3), (R)-7-methoxy-6,8-dihydroxy-alpha-dunnione (4), and 1,7-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone (5), along with seven known compounds, were isolated from Chirita eburnea. All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, UV, and IR). The EtOAc fraction of the EtOH extract and compounds 3 and 4 showed free radical (DPPH) scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 101.7 +/- 5.2 microg/mL, 124.82 +/- 8.4 microM, and 45.72 +/- 3.6 microM, respectively, compared with 86.91 +/-6.8 microM for ascorbate.

Constituents of Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae)

Nine compounds were isolated from the EtOH extraction of the twig of Carapa guianensis Aubl. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, their structures were elucidated as 1,3-di-benzene carbon amine-2-octadecylic acid-glyceride (1), hexacosanoic acid-2,3-dihydroxy-glyceride (2), ursolic acid (3), naringenin (4), scopoletin (5), 3,4-dihydroxymethylbenzoate (6), 2,6-dihydroxymethylbenzoate (7), tetratriacontanoic acid (8), triacontanoic acid (9) respectively. Among them 1 was new, 2 was firstly isolated from nature, and 3-9 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Insect antifeedants from Munronia henryi: structure of munroniamide

A novel A,B-seco-tetranortriterpenoid lactam, named munroniamide (1), along with three known ceramides (2-4), was isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole bodies of Munronia henryi. The structure of 1 was established using spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 exhibited significant antifeeding activity, and 1 exhibited moderate activity, whereas 3 and 4 showed negative activity against Pieris brassicae L.

A New Tetranortriterpenoid from Dysoxylum lenticellatum

A new tetranortriterpenoid, named lenticellatumin (1), three known terpenoids, dysoxylumin C (2), eichlerianic acid (3) and dysoxylumin F (4), together with three ceramides, 1-O-β -D-glucopyranosyl-( 2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2-N-(2’-hydroxytetracosanoyl) octadecasphinga-8-ene (5), (2S,3S,4R,8E)-2- N-(2’-hydroxytetracosanoyl) octadecasphinga-8-ene (6), (2S,3R,4E)-2-N-(2’-hydroxytetracosanoyl) octadecasphinga-4-ene (7), were isolated from the twig of Dysoxylum lenticellatum. Their structures were determined from spectroscopic analysis. Activity screening showed that compound 5 exhibited strong antifeedant activity against pieris brassicae L., while 6, 7 displayed weak activities.

The chemical constituents of Munronia henryi

Six compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of the whole bodies of Munronia henryi. Their structures were elucidated as sitosterol-3-O-12',13'-epoxy-9'-oxo-(10'E)-octadecenoate (1), alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-6'-O-hexadecanoate (2), 4alpha,7alpha-aromodendranediol (3), 2beta,3beta,4beta-trihydroxypregnan-16-one (4), 4-O-alpha-D-psicofuranos-alpha-D-glucopyranose (5), and glyceryl-1-tetracosanoicate (6) on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Among them 1 was a new sterol carrying an octadecenoyl; 2 and 6 were isolated for the first time from a natural source.

Bioactive novel polyphenols from the fruit of Manilkara zapota (Sapodilla)

Activity-guided fractionation of a methanol extract from the fruit of Manilkara zapota cv. Tikal resulted in the isolation of two new antioxidants, methyl 4-O-galloylchlorogenate (1) and 4-O-galloylchlorogenic acid (2), along with eight known polyphenolic antioxidants, namely, methyl chlorogenate (3), dihydromyricetin (4), quercitrin (5), myricitrin (6), (+)-catechin (7), (-)-epicatechin (8), (+)-gallocatechin (9), and gallic acid (10). Of the 10 polyphenols, 1 showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC(50) = 12.9 microM) in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical assay and displayed cytotoxicity in the HCT-116 and SW-480 human colon cancer cell lines with IC(50) values of 190 and 160 microM, respectively. Compound 2 showed high antioxidant activity (IC(50) = 23.5 microM) in the DPPH free-radical assay and displayed cytotoxicity in the HCT-116 and SW-480 human colon cancer cell lines with IC(50) values of 154 and 134 microM, respectively.

A pentanortriterpenoid with a novel carbon skeleton and a new pregnane from Trichilia connaroides

A new rearranged pentanortriterpenoid (trijugin C) and a new pregnane (3β,4α-dihydroxypregnan-16-one) were isolated from the EtOH extract of Trichilia connaroides (Meliaceae). Trijugin C has been shown to be a derivative of methyl angolensate with a novel carbon skeleton. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis including 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments. The possible biogenetic pathway of trijugin C is discussed.Key words: Trichilia connaroides, Meliaceae, pentanortriterpenoid, trijugin C, pregnane.

Monoterpenoid derivatives from Paeonia delavayi

Three new monoterpene glycosides, 4-O-ethylpaeoniflorin (1), 6'-O-benzoyl-4''-hydroxy-3"-methoxy-paeoniflorin (2), 6'-O-benzoylalbiflorin (3), and a new monoterpenoid, 9-hydroxy-paeonilactone-A (4) were isolated from the root cortex of Paeonia delavayi. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods.

Polyphenolic antioxidants from the fruits of Chrysophyllum cainito L. (Star Apple)

Chrysophyllum cainito L. (Sapotaceae), known commonly as star apple or caimito, is a tropical tree that bears edible fruits. The fruits are grown commercially in certain tropical and subtropical areas, such as southern Florida. In this study, the fresh fruits were extracted with methanol and partitioned with hexane and ethyl acetate sequentially. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction displayed high antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (IC50 = 22 microg/mL). Activity-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction was performed to identify the antioxidant constituents. Nine known polyphenolic antioxidants, (+)-catechin (1), (-)-epicatechin (2), (+)-gallocatechin (3), (-)-epigallocatechin (4), quercetin (5), quercitrin (6), isoquercitrin (7), myricitrin (8), and gallic acid, have been identified from the fruits. Of these nine antioxidants, 2 is present in the highest concentration in star apple fruits (7.3 mg/kg fresh weight), and 5 showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 40 microM) in the DPPH assay.

[Modification of membrane lipid of human umbilical vein endothelia cells after direct lipopolysaccharide injury]

Our previous study showed that the membrane viscosity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) increased with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration after direct LPS damaging, implying that LPS could change the membrane structure and composition of HUVECs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the modification of HUVECs membrane lipid by LPS under direct LPS injury to HUVECs. Phospholipid components of HUVEC membrane were determined with high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE), and HUVECs were directly damaged by LPS of different concentrations: 0, 0.313, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 microgram/ml for 3 h, and by 0.625 microgram/ml for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. The results show that total phospholipid content of HUVECs increased with the increase of LPS concentration at 3 h, and decreased with the duration of LPS effect at 0.625 microgram/ml. Phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) contents increased with the increase of LPS concentration and decreased with the duration of LPS effect; LPS contents and its effect duration had slight effect on sphingomyelin (SM), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) or phosphatidylserine (PS) contents. The LPS activating effect of HUVEC membrane lipid showed a typical property of enzymatic dynamics. These experimental results indicate that LPS directly activates the metabolism of HUVEC membrane lipid and induces the modification of HUVEC membrane phospholipid, which implies that the mechanism of the impairment of HUVECs by LPS may be related to the membrane structure of HUVECs and the metabolism of HUVEC membrane lipid.

Sesquiterpenoids from Magnolia grandiflora

Three new sesquiterpenoids were obtained from the leaves of Magnolia grandiflora L. Their structures were determined as 6 alpha,11-dihydroxy-12,13-diacetoxyelem-1,3-diene, 4 alpha,6 alpha,10 alpha-trihydroxy-13-acetoxyguaia-11-ene, and 12,13-diacetoxyguaia-4 alpha,6 alpha,10 alpha,11-tetraol on the basis of spectral evidence. In addition, the known sesquiterpenoid magnograndiolide was also obtained.

ent-Pimarane derivatives from Dysoxylum hainanense

Four ent-pimarene diterpenoids. ent-18-acetoxy-8(14)-pimarene-15S, 16-diol, ent-18-acetoxy-16-hydroxy-8(14)-pimaren-15-one, ent-16,18-dihydroxy-8(14)-pimaren-15-one and ent-19-nor-4,16,18-trihydroxy-8(14)-pimaren-15-one, together with three known damarane triterpenoids, richenoic acid, eichleriainic acid and shoreic acid were isolated from the bark of Dysoxyhum hainanense Merr. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configurations of four diterpenoids were assigned as ent-pimarene type by chemical transformation and by co-occurrence in the plant as well as by negative optical rotations for four compounds.

Two new germacranolides from Magnolia grandiflora

Two new sesquiterpenoids, 4,5-epoxy-13-methoxy-1(10)-germacren-12,6-olide and 4,5-epoxy-13-acetoxy-1(10)-germacren-12,6-olide, were isolated from the leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, together with six known compounds, 2alpha-hydroxy-dihydroparthenolide, parthenolide, costunolide, syringaresinol, (+) medioresinol and 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction.

A new triterpenoid from Azadirachta indica

A new triterpenoid, 1 alpha,7 alpha-diacetoxyapotirucall-14-en e-3 alpha, 21,22,24,25-pentaol (1), and the two known compounds odoratone (2) and 2 beta,3 beta,4 beta-trihydroxypregnan-16-o ne (3) were isolated from a methanolic extract of the seed kernels of Azadirachta indica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods.

Components of Cipadessa baccifera

Four compounds were isolated from dry seeds of Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Miq. along with the known 2beta,3beta,4beta-trihydroxypregnan-16-one, febrifugin, and khaysin T. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis to be cipadesin, 17alpha,20R-dihydroxypregnan-3,16-dione, 1,4-epoxy-16-hydroxyheneicos-1,3,12,14,18-pentaene and 1,4-epoxy-16-hydroxyheneicos-1,3,12,14-tetraene.

[A new signal receptor family--a review of the current progress of Toll/IL-1R family]

Toll receptor was first identified in studies of dorsalventral polarity formation of drosophila embryo. As its similarity in structure, function and signal transduction pathway to the IL-1 receptor, Toll becomes a member of a new signal receptor family--the Toll/IL-1R family. Besides participating in embryonic development, this signal receptor family also plays a key role in triggering innate defenses against pathogens, in which the function of human Toll protein in the pathogenesis of LPS is especially interested.

Limonoids and phytol derivatives from Cedrela sinensis

Two new compounds, cedrellin (1) and 2,6,10,15-phytatetraene-14-ol (2), together with five known compounds, 7 alpha-obacunyl acetate, 6-acetoxyobacunol acetate, 7 alpha-acetoxydihydronomilin, 2,6,10-phytatriene-1,14,15-triol and phytol were isolated from leaves of Cedrela sinensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of combined one- and two-dimensional spectral techniques.

Tirucallane triterpenoids from Dysoxylum hainanense

Four tirucallane derivatives, 3beta,22S-dihydroxy-tirucalla-7,24-dien-23-one, 22,23-epoxy-tirucalla-7-ene-3beta,24,25-triol, 3beta,25-dihydroxy-tirucalla-7,23-diene, 23,26-dihydroxy-tirucalla-7,24-dien-3-one, together with two known triterpenoids, 24,25-epoxy-3beta,23-dihydroxy-7-tirucallene, tirucalla-7,24-diene-3beta,23-diol, were isolated from Dysoxylum hainanense. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Tetranortriterpenoids from Walsura yunnanensis

Five new tetranortriterpenoids-walsurin (1), isowalsuranolide (2), walsuranolide (3), 11beta-acetoxywalsuranolide (4), and 20, 22-dihydro-22,23-epoxywalsuranolide (5)-and three new natural tetranortriterpenoids-11beta-hydroxydihydrocedrelone (6), 11beta-acetoxydihydrocedrelone (7), and 11beta-hydroxycedrelone (8)-together with a known tetranortriterpenoid, cedrelone (9), were isolated from the bark of Walsura yunnanensis. The structures of 1-8 were determined on the basis of spectral evidence.

Two novel secoergosterols from the fungus Tylopilus plumbeoviolaceus

Two novel secoergosterols, 3beta-hydroxy-8alpha,9alpha-oxido-8, 9-secoergosta-7,9(11),22-triene (tylopiol A) (1) and 3beta-hydroxy-8alpha,9alpha-oxido-8,9-secoergosta-7,22 -dien-12-one (tylopiol B) (2), were isolated from the fresh fruit bodies of Tylopilus plumbeoviolaceus, along with three known compounds, ergosta-7,22-dien-3beta-ol, uridine, and allitol. Their structures were elucidated by NMR techniques, including (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and MS. The structure and stereochemistry of compound 1 were demonstrated by X-ray crystallography.

Effects of aluminum potassium sulfate on learning, memory, and cholinergic system in mice

AIM

To study the relationship between aluminum potassium sulfate (APS) and memory deficits of mice.

METHODS

30, 60, or 90 d after the mice were given daily APS i.g., the step-through latency (STL) was determined with a passive avoidance task. Aluminum (Al) contents in brain and blood were assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Acetylcholine (ACh) content in brain was determined with chemiluminescent method and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was measured radiochemically.

RESULTS

APS 1 g.kg-1 increased blood-Al only after 30 d. After 60 d, STL, ACh content and ChAT activity decreased by 46.4%, 8.5%, and 22.6%, respectively. These parameters decreased by 50%, 11.1%, and 27.8%, respectively, with increased Al in blood and brain, after 90 d. APS 0.25 g.kg-1 had no effects on mice except blood-Al. In ethylcholine mustard aziridium chloride (AF64A) treated mice, APS 1 g.kg-1 only increased blood and brain-Al.

CONCLUSION

The intake of APS 1 g.kg-1.d-1 for 60 d induced learning and memory deficits in mice.

Arteether, a new antimalarial drug: synthesis and antimalarial properties

Arteether (6) has been prepared from dihydroquinghaosu (3) by etherification with ethanol in the presence of Lewis acid and separated from its chromatographically slower moving alpha-dihydroqinghaosu ethyl ether (7). The absolute stereochemistry at C-12 has been determined by 1H NMR data (J11,12, NOESY). Ethyl ethers 6 and 7 showed potent in vitro inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum, and both compounds were highly potent antimalarials in mice infected with a drug-sensitive strain of Plasmodium berghei. Crystalline arteether (6) and its oily epimer 7 were 2-3 times more potent schizontocides than quinghaosu (1), but deoxy compounds 8, 9, and 11 were 100-300 times less potent in vitro than their corresponding peroxy precursors. Pharmacological studies have shown arteether(6) to have antimalarial activity in animals comparable to artesunate (2) and artemether (4), both of which are fast-acting blood schizontocides in humans. Arteether (6) has now been chosen for a clinical evaluation in high-risk malaria patients.