Chemical constituents from the whole plants of Pilea cavaleriei Levl subsp. cavaleriei

The potential efficacy of sesquiterpenes and their derivatives in treating rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder primarily targeting peripheral joints. The global prevalence of RA is increasing, posing a significant challenge in patient care management. Despite therapeutic advancements, their inherent limitations highlight the need for further research on safer treatment interventions. Among potential candidates, sesquiterpenes, a subclass of plant secondary metabolites composed of three isoprene units, have exhibited remarkable efficacy in treating various inflammatory disorders, including RA. In this systematic review, we summarized the treatment evidence of sesquiterpenes and their derivatives on RA. Specific major sesquiterpenoids have been discussed in detail, as well as the possible mechanisms by which cells and chemical messengers are involved in treating RA. Our review indicated that sesquiterpenes are potential novel, bioactive compounds for RA prevention and treatment strategies.

Germacrane-type sesquiterpenes from Pilea cavaleriei Levl. subsp. cavaleriei

The first systematic investigation of germacrane-type sesquiterpenes from Pilea cavaleriei Levl. subsp. cavaleriei was conducted. Eleven undescribed germacrane analogues named cavalinols A-K were identified. Their planar structures were determined by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations were further determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, Mosher method, and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) electron circular dichroism (ECD) calculation, with the aid from DFT NMR calculation and NOESY experiment. Except for the common 10-memebered ring, ten new compounds contained a p-coumaroyl sidechain connected to C-8 of the nucleus skeleton. All the isolated compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory activity in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and compounds 5 and 6 showed moderate activity.

Pandatonkinosides A and B: two new phenolic glycosides from the roots of Pandanus tonkinensis and their nitric oxide production inhibitory activities

Two new phenolic glycosides, 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenol β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), trans-cinnamyl alcohol 9-O-(6'-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), together with nine known phenolic glycosides (3-11) were isolated from the roots of Pandanus tonkinensis. Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of HRESIMS and NMR spectral data, as well as by comparison of their spectral data (including CD spectra) with those reported in the literature. Compounds 1-4 and 6-11 inhibited NO production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells with IC50 values in the range from 0.80 ± 0.06 µM to 43.38 ± 3.92 µM, whereas compound 5 was inactive. The NO production inhibitory activities of compounds 1, 4, 8, and 10 with IC50 values of 10.16 ± 1.05, 0.80 ± 0.06, 1.10 ± 0.13, and 2.79 ± 0.21 µM, respectively, are as potent as that of the positive control of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA) with an IC50 value of 9.80 ± 0.78 µM.

Phenolic Constituents of Chinese Quince Twigs (Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne) and Their Anti-Neuroinflammatory, Neurotrophic, and Cytotoxic Activities

Chaenomeles sinensis has been used as a food and traditional medicines. However, most of research on discovering bioactive constituents from this plant have been focused on its yellow fruit, Chinese quince, due to its wide usage. Here, we isolated and characterized three new phenolic compounds (1, 9, and 11) and 21 known compounds (2−8, 10, and 12−24) from the twigs of C. sinensis. Their chemical structures were established by spectroscopic and spectrometric data analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and LC-MS analysis. Some of the isolated compounds (1−24) showed anti-neuroinflammatory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 cells, neurotrophic activity in C6 cells through the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) and/or cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, MKN-1).

Comparative plastid genomics of four Pilea (Urticaceae) species: insight into interspecific plastid genome diversity in Pilea

BACKGROUND

Pilea is a genus of perennial herbs from the family Urticaceae, and some species are used as courtyard ornamentals or for medicinal purposes. At present, there is no information about the plastid genome of Pilea, which limits our understanding of this genus. Here, we report 4 plastid genomes of Pilea taxa (Pilea mollis, Pilea glauca 'Greizy', Pilea peperomioides and Pilea serpyllacea 'Globosa') and performed comprehensive comparative analysis.

RESULTS

The four plastid genomes all have a typical quartile structure. The lengths of the plastid genomes ranged from 150,398 bp to 152,327 bp, and each genome contained 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 4 rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes. Comparative analysis showed a rather high level of sequence divergence in the four genomes. Moreover, eight hypervariable regions were identified (petN-psbM, psbZ-trnG-GCC, trnT-UGU-trnL-UAA, accD-psbI, ndhF-rpl32, rpl32-trnL-UAG, ndhA-intron and ycf1), which are proposed for use as DNA barcode regions. Phylogenetic relationships based on the plastid genomes of 23 species of 14 genera of Urticaceae resulted in the placement of Pilea in the middle and lower part of the phylogenetic tree, with 100% bootstrap support within Urticaceae.

CONCLUSION

Our results enrich the resources concerning plastid genomes. Comparative plastome analysis provides insight into the interspecific diversity of the plastid genome of Pilea. The identified hypervariable regions could be used for developing molecular markers applicable in various research areas.

Sesquiterpenoids with diverse carbon skeletons from the sepals of Solanum melongena L

Eight new sesquiterpenoids named melongenaterpenes M-T (1-8), together with nine known compounds (9-17), were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of the sepals of Solanum melongena L. The structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR spectra and a comprehensive comparison of their spectroscopic and physical data with values from the published literatures. Meanwhile, the cytotoxicity of all the isolated compounds was evaluated on the three human cancer lines of Hela, Ishikawa and MGC-803 by CCK8 assay, respectively.

Sesquiterpenoids from Pilea cavaleriei

One new cis p-coumaroyl copaborneol-type sesquiterpenoid (1), together with its known trans isomer (2) and six other known p-coumaroyl humulane-type sesquiterpenoids (3-8), were isolated from the whole plants of Pilea cavaleriei. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-4 exhibited moderate antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv.