Triterpenoid saponins from Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze and their biological activity

Undescribed compounds from Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze and their coagulation activity studies

Four rare compounds (1-4), including one 1,4-epoxy-benzoxepane derivative and one ringed prenylated naphthoquinoid skeleton, as well as one isopimarane-type diterpenoid and one megastigmane-type glycoside, along with three known megastigmane-type glycosides (5-7) were isolated from the ethanol extracts of C. chinense. Their structures were determined on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS and DP4+ analysis. Meanwhile, the in vitro evaluation indicated that compound 2 and 6 exhibited excellent procoagulant activities, which can significantly shorten prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), respectively.

The novel antitumor compound clinopodiside A induces cytotoxicity via autophagy mediated by the signaling of BLK and RasGRP2 in T24 bladder cancer cells

In the study, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of clinopodiside A and the underlying mechanisms using T24 bladder cancer cells as an experimental model. We found that the compound inhibited the growth of the bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in a in a concentration- and dose-dependent manner, respectively, which showed a combinational effect when used together with cisplatin. In the bladder cancer cells, clinopodiside A caused autophagy, which was mediated by the signaling of BLK and RasGRP2, independently. Inhibition of the autophagy by chemical inhibitor 3-methyladenine or by the inhibition of the signaling molecules attenuated the cytotoxicity of clinopodiside A. Further analyses showed that clinopodiside A acted in synergism with cisplatin which itself could trigger both autophagy and apoptosis, which occurred with concomitant enhancements in autophagy and the cisplatin-evoked apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that clinopodiside A inhibits the growth of the bladder cancer cells via BLK- and RasGRP2-mediated autophagy. The synergistic effect between clinopodiside A and cisplatin is attributed to the increases in autophagy and autophagy-promoted apoptosis. Clinopodiside A is a promising investigational drug for the treatment of cancer, at least blabber, which can be used alone or in combination with clinical drug(s).

A Rapid and Efficient Strategy for Quality Control of Clinopodii herba Encompassing Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Coupled with Sensitive Variable Wavelength Detection

Clinopodii herba is a folk herbal medicine for treatments of hemorrhagic disorders. However, there is not even a quantitative standard for clinopodii herba deposited in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The development of a strategy for rapid and efficient extraction and simultaneous detection of multiple components in clinopodii herba is therefore of great value for its quality evaluation. Here, a variable wavelength strategy was firstly applied to quantity multiple components by segmental monitoring by UHPLC with diode array detector following ultrasound-assisted extraction. The parameters of ultrasound-assisted extraction were optimized using single factor optimization experiments and response surface methodology by a Box-Behnken design combined with overall desirability. Subsequently, a rapid, efficient, and sensitive method was applied for simultaneous determination of eleven compounds, which represented the major and main types of components in clinopodii herba. Moreover, the performance of the validated method was successfully applied for the quality control of various batches of clinopodii herba and provided sufficient supporting data for the optimum harvest time. The Box-Behnken-optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction coupled with variable wavelength detection strategy established in this work not only improves the quality control of clinopodii herba, but also serves as a powerful approach that can be extended to quality evaluation of other traditional Chinese medicines.

Systematic Characterization and Identification of Saikosaponins in Extracts From Bupleurum marginatum var. stenophyllum Using UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS

Saikosaponins comprise a large group of chemical components present in the Bupleurum species that have attracted attention in the field of medicine because of their significant biological activities. Due to the high polarity, structural similarity, and the presence of several isomers of this class of components, their structural identification is extremely challenging. In this study, the mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways, UV spectral features, and chromatographic behavior of different types of saikosaponins were investigated using 24 standard substances. Saikosaponins containing carbonyl groups (C=O) in the aglycone produced fragment ions by loss of 30 Da, and in addition, type IV saikosaponins could produce [aglycone−CH₂OH−OH−H]⁻ and [aglycone−H₂O−H]⁻ fragment ions through neutral losses at positions C₁₆ and C₁₇. The above characteristic ions can be used to identify saikosaponins. More notably, the identification process of saikosaponins was systematically summarized, and using this method, 109 saikosaponins were identified or tentatively characterized from the saikosaponins extract of Bupleurum marginatum var. stenophyllum (BMS) using UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS with both data-dependent acquisition (DDA) and data-independent acquisition (DIA) modes, of which 25 were new compounds and 60 were first discovered from BMS. Further studies revealed that the saikosaponins profiles of BMS, Bupleurum chinense DC (BC), and Bupleurum marginatum Wall. ex DC (BMW) were very similar. This work is of great significance for the basic research of the Bupleurum species and provides strong technical support to solve the resource problems associated with Radix Bupleuri.

Melanoxylonin A-G, neoflavonoids from the heartwood of Dalbergia melanoxylon and their cardioprotective effects

Seven undescribed neoflavonoids, named melanoxylonins A-G, were isolated from the heartwood of Dalbergia melanoxylon, and all the non-toxic isolates were evaluated for their cardioprotective effect against ischemia/reoxygenation (I/R) injury in H9c2 cells. Of these, melanoxylonin A-D containing the 8-OH group showed better potent cardioprotective effects than the other four congeners. Molecular docking studies confirmed the capacity of melanoxylonin D to interact with the myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein. These results indicated that the potential cardioprotective effects of melanoxylonin D in H9c2 cells with I/R injury may be imparted through suppression of MPO. These results may provide a new medicinal usage of D. melanoxylon.

Two New Compounds From the Heartwood of Dalbergia melanoxylon and Their Protective Effect on Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in H9c2

A new neoflavonoid, named as (7 R)-(-)-3′,5-dihydroxy-4′,2,4-trimethoxy-dalbergiquinol (1) and a new phenanthrenedione, named as 3′,7-dihydroxy-3,6- dimethoxy-9-phenyl-1,4-phenanthrenedione (2), together with 4 known compounds, 5- O-methyldalbergiphenol (3), 3′,7-dihydroxy-4′,3,6-trimethoxy-9-phenyl-1,4-phenanthrenedione (4), (+)-obtusafuran (5), and melanoxin (6) were isolated from the heartwood of Dalbergia melanoxylon. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence, as well as by comparison with literature data. Moreover, compound 1 showed a protective effect on hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in H9c2 at 10.0 μM by decreasing lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde activity and enhancing superoxide dismutase activity.

Natural compounds against cytotoxic drug-induced cardiotoxicity: A review on the involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Cardiotoxicity is a critical concern in the use of several cytotoxic drugs. Induction of apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy following dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway contributes to the cardiac damage induced by these drugs. Several natural compounds (NCs), including ferulic acid, gingerol, salvianolic acid B, paeonol, apigenin, calycosin, rutin, neferine, higenamine, vincristine, micheliolide, astragaloside IV, and astragalus polysaccharide, have been reported to suppress cytotoxic drug-induced cardiac injury. This article reviews these NCs that have been reported to have a protective effect against cytotoxic drug-induced cardiotoxicity through regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Clinopodium tomentosum (Kunth) Govaerts Leaf Extract Influences in vitro Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis on Primary Cultures of Porcine Aortic Endothelial Cells

Clinopodium tomentosum (Kunth) Govaerts is an endemic species in Ecuador, where it is used as an anti-inflammatory plant to treat respiratory and digestive affections. In this work, effects of a Clinopodium tomentosum ethanolic extract (CTEE), prepared from aerial parts of the plant, were investigated on vascular endothelium functions. In particularly, angiogenesis activity was evaluated, using primary cultures of porcine aortic endothelial cells (pAECs). Cells were cultured for 24 h in the presence of CTEE different concentrations (10, 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml); no viability alterations were found in the 10-50 μg/ml range, while a slight, but significant, proliferative effect was observed at the highest dose. In addition, treatment with CTEE was able to rescue LPS-induced injury in terms of cell viability. The CTEE ability to affect angiogenesis was evaluated by scratch test analysis and by an in vitro capillary-like network assay. Treatment with 25-50 μg/ml of extract caused a significant increase in pAEC's migration and tube formation capabilities compared to untreated cells, as results from the increased master junctions' number. On the other hand, CTEE at 100 μg/ml did not induce the same effects. Quantitative PCR data demonstrated that FLK-1 mRNA expression significantly increased at a CTEE dose of 25 μg/ml. The CTEE phytochemical composition was assessed through HPLC-DAD; rosmarinic acid among phenolic acids and hesperidin among flavonoids were found as major phenolic components. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content assays showed that flavonoids are the most abundant class of polyphenols. The CTEE antioxidant activity was also showed by means of the DPPH and ORAC assays. Results indicate that CTEE possesses an angiogenic capacity in a dose-dependent manner; this represents an initial step in elucidating the mechanism of the therapeutic use of the plant.

Protective effect of Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze against abnormal uterine bleeding in female rats

OBJECTIVES

To investigated the metrorrhagia volume-reduction activity, anti-inflammatory activity and repair-promoting activity of Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze.

METHODS

An abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) model was induced via oral administration of mifepristone and misoprostol to pregnant rats, which were treated with the total extract of C. chinense (TEC). After 7 days, the metrorrhagia volume was measured, the levels of TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1α, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA, the pathological changes and micro vessel density (MVD) of the endometrium were evaluated using HE and immunofluorescence staining, and the expression of VEGF, MMP-2/9 and TGF-β were assessed by Western blotting. Preliminary phytochemicals were screened and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

RESULTS

Eleven compounds in C. chinense were identified via comparison to standard substances. The results of animal experiment showed TEC could reduce metrorrhagia volume, alleviate pathological injury and increase MVD to promote recovery of the endometrium; TEC could also increase the levels of TXB2 and the expression of VEGF, TGF-β, decrease the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and the expression of MMP-2/9.

CONCLUSIONS

TEC showed beneficial effects on treating AUB by reducing metrorrhagia volume, inhibiting the inflammatory response and promoting the repair of the endometrium. Additionally, TEC also showed great haemostatic potential in AUB.