A new triterpenoid and other constituents from the stem bark of Juglans mandshurica

Triterpenoids from Juglans mandshurica with anti-hyaluronidase activities

Phytochemical study on 90% ethanol extract from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. resulted into the isolation of three undescribed triterpenoids, juglansmanoids A-C (1-3). Structural elucidation of all the compounds were performed by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D (1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. The isolated components were evaluated in vitro for anti-hyaluronidase activities. As a result, triterpenoid 1 exhibited potent anti-hyaluronidase activity (IC50 = 9.78 μg/ml) three times more than the positive control drug oleanolic acid (IC50 = 40.12 μg/ml).

Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from Sabia discolor Dunn and Their α-Glycosidase Inhibitory Activities

Four new pentacyclic triterpenoids named Sabiadiscolor A–D (1 and 7–9) together with eleven known ones were isolated by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were identified and characterized by NMR and MS spectral data as 6 oleanane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids (1–6), 7 ursane-type ones (7–13), and 2 lupanane-type ones (14–15). Except for compound 15, all other compounds were isolated from Sabia discolor Dunn for the first time. Their α-glycosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated, which showed that compounds 1, 3, 8, 9, 13, and 15 implied remarkable activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.09 to 0.27 μM, and the preliminary structure–activity relationship was discussed.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae: A comprehensive review

ETHNOPHARMALOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae (CJM) is the dry branch or stem bark of the Juglans mandshurica Maxim. and is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine in Asia and Africa. Its use was first recorded in Kaibao Bencao.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present review provides a deeper insight, better awareness and detailed knowledge of phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control, along with clinical applications of Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae.

METHODS

The relevant information of Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae was obtained from several databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI. The medical books, PhD and MSc dissertations in Chinese were also used to perform this work.

RESULTS

CJM has been traditionally used against a wide range of diseases, including dysentery, acute conjunctivitis, bacterial infections, and cancer. A total of 249 compounds have been isolated from CJM; they mainly include quinones and their derivatives, flavonoids, tannins, diarylheptanoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, and volatile oils. These compounds exert anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic, anti-complement, immunomodulatory, anti-parasitic activities. Specifically, the effects of juglone, alkaloids and unsaturated fatty acid CJM components against hepatic cancer occur through exertion of apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent pathway. In addition, taxifolin and several tannins have been found to have anti-HIV activity, and (±)-juglanaloid A and (±)-juglanaloid B target Alzheimer disease. Quality control is monitored through identification of juglone, quercetin, and volatile oils. A clinical preparation of CJM, Compound Muji Granules, is used in the treatment of various liver diseases with good therapeutic effect.

CONCLUSION

While CJM has been used extensively as a folk medicine, the relationships between structure and activity remain unclear. More in vivo models are needed to study the pharmacological mechanisms of action and to assess potential toxic components, in addition to which the evidence used to demonstrate the quality standards of medicinal materials is clearly inadequate. Therefore, more in-depth research is needed to provide a reasonable scientific basis improve its clinical utilization.

Structurally diverse triterpenoids with cytotoxicity from Euphorbia hypericifolia

Extensive phytochemical investigation on the whole herbs of Euphorbia hypericifolia led to the isolation of 18 structurally diverse tetracyclic and pentacyclic triterpenoids, including four 4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-ergostanes (1-4), two seco-adiananes (5 and 6), three dammaranes (7-9), four cycloartanes (10-13), one tirucallane (14), two fernanes (15 and 16), one ursane (17), and one oleanane (18). Among them, euphypenoids A (1) and B (5) were new triterpenoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and chemical transformation. All isolates were screened for their cytotoxic activities against the colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116, and compounds 1, 12, and 15 showed remarkable activities with IC50 values of 12.8 ± 1.6, 7.4 ± 0.2, and 10.6 ± 1.2 μM, respectively.

Flower Development of Heterodichogamous Juglans mandshurica (Juglandaceae)

Juglans mandshurica is a monoecious heterodichogamous species with protogynous and protandrous mating strategies that occur at a 1:1 ratio and are randomly distributed in the population. The inconsistent male and female flowering periods of the same mating type result in an imbalance of the ratio of male and female flowers, contributing to the low yield of this species. However, little more is known about its floral development. Following three consecutive years of observations, histological analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, we found that the morphological and anatomical development of the male and female flowers were synchronous. The male floral morphological development of J. mandshurica was divided into seven phases, while that of the female flower was nine. Four stages were shared between the male and female flower's anatomical development. Our findings indicate that there was minimal overlap between sexual functions within the same mating type, guaranteeing synchronization, mutual non-interference, outcrossing, and avoidance of self-fertilization. These results provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of fruit yield and quality through the reasonable allocation of protogynous and protandrous individuals in a population, and for artificial pollination control. Further, these findings lay a foundation for further research on the genetic mechanisms and environmental effects on flower development of heterodichogamous J. mandshurica.

Juglans mandshurica Maxim.: A Review of Its Traditional Usages, Phytochemical Constituents, and Pharmacological Properties

Juglans mandshurica Maxim., also known as “Manchurian walnut” (Chinese) and “Onigurumi” (Japanese), is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Western and Central Asia, especially in China. It has been traditionally used to treat cancer, gastric ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, dermatosis, uterine prolapse, and leukopenia. To date, more than 400 constituents including quinones (e.g. naphthoquinones, anthraquinones, naphthalenones, tetralones), phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, lignans, phenylpropanoids, diarylheptanoids, and steroids, were isolated and structurally identified from different plant parts of J. mandshurica. Among them, quinones, phenolics, triterpenoids, and diarylheptanoids, as the major bioactive substances, have been extensively studied and displayed significant bioactivity. Previous studies have demonstrated that J. mandshurica and a few of its active components exhibit a wide range of pharmacologically important properties, such as antitumor, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-melanogenesis activities. However, many investigations on biological activities were mainly based on crude extracts of this plant, and the major bioactive ingredients responsible for these bioactivities have not been well identified. Further in vitro and in vivo studies on the mechanisms of action of the pure bioactive compounds, and more elaborate toxicity studies as well as clinical studies are needed to ensure safety and effectiveness of the plant for human use. Taken together, the present review will provide some specific useful suggestions guide to further investigations and applications of this plant in the preparation of medicines and functional foods.

Triterpenoids from the barks of Juglans hopeiensis

Nine undescribed triterpenoids (jughopenoids A-I), including seven nortriterpenoids and two normal triterpenoids, together with fourteen known analogues, were isolated from the barks of Juglans hopeiensis Hu. The structures of the undescribed triterpenoids were established by integrated spectroscopic analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Jughopenoid A represented an unprecedented lupane-type nortriterpenoid with a five-membered lactone ring A. Selected isolates were tested for their cytotoxic effects against human HT-29 colon carcinoma, human HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma, and human PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. Their immunosuppressive activities against ConA-induced T cell proliferation and LPS-induced B cell proliferation were also evaluated.

Triterpenoids from the fresh pericarps of Juglans hopeiensis

Two new triterpenoids (1-2), jughopanes A (1) and jughopanes B (2), along with seventeen known ones (3-19), were isolated from the fresh pericarps of Juglans hopeiensis Hu. Their structures were settled by integrated spectroscopic techniques. All isolates were tested for their cytotoxic activities and the results showed that 7 exhibited moderate cytotoxicities against MCF7 and HT29 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 5.24 and 6.01 μM, respectively.

Phytochemistry, Bioactivity and Potential Impact on Health of Juglans: the Original Plant of Walnut

Walnuts are seeds with a hard shell from the genus Juglans (J. mandshurica, J. regia, J. sinensis, J. cathayensis, J. nigra and J. sigillata). Walnuts can nourish brain cells to improve human memory. Other parts of the plant are also employed as traditional Chinese medicines. Modern research on Juglans species has been mostly focused on the above-mentioned species, the seeds of which are all called walnuts. Juglans species have diverse chemical constituents, including diarylheptanoids, quinones, polyphenols, flavones and terpenes. The diarylheptanoids and quinones have notable antitumor activity, supplying new lead compounds for preparing antitumor drugs. The potent pain-relieving, antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor activities of these plants are significant. In the review, comprehensive information on the nutritional characteristics, traditional functions, chemical constituents, and biological activities of the Juglans species, together with the seeds used as walnuts is provided to explore their potential and to advance research.