Steroidal saponins from the aerial parts of Cordyline fruticosa L. var. strawberries

Pyrroloquinolones B-F: Five unusual alkaloids from Vernonia glabra (Steetz) Vatke (Asteraceae)

Five unusual alkaloids featuring a pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolone skeleton (pyrroloquinolones B-F, 1-5) were isolated from the ethanol extract of the whole plant of Vernonia glabra (Steetz) Vatke, along with sixteen known compounds. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and ECD) and high resolution mass spectrometric techniques as well as by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The ethanol extract and some isolated compounds were assessed for their antibacterial activity against four bacterial strains. The extract was significantly active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC1026 and S. epidermidis ATCC35984 (MIC = 64 μg/mL). All the tested compounds showed moderate activity against S. epidermidis (16 ≤ MIC ≤ 64 μg/mL). Furthermore, this is the first report on tricyclic pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolone alkaloids from a plant source. A biosynthetic pathway for the formation of these compounds is also proposed.

Two new steroidal saponins from the roots of Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev

Two new steroidal saponins, 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-5α-furost-25(27)-ene-1β,3β,26-triol 1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), and 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-furosta-5,25(27)-diene-1β,3β,26-triol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-fucopyranoside (2) were isolated and elucidated from the roots of Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev. Their structures were established by interpretation of spectroscopic data (1 D and 2 D NMR) and mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS).

Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities of the Genus Cordyline

Cordyline species have a long history in traditional medicine as a basis of treatment for various ailments such as a bloody cough, dysentery, and a high fever. There are about 26 accepted species names in this genus distributed worldwide, including C. fruticosa, C. autralis, C. stricta, C. cannifolia, and C. dracaenosides. This work presents a comprehensive review of the traditional uses of plants of the genus Cordylie and their chemical constituents and biological activities. A bibliographic search was conducted to identify available information on ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, chemical composition, and biological activities. A total of 98 isolated compounds potentially responsible for most of the traditional medicinal applications have been reported from eight species of Cordyline and are characterised as flavonoid, spirostane, furostane, and cholestane glycosides. Some of these pure compounds, as well as extracts from some species of Cordyline, have exhibited noteworthy anti-oxidant, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, and hypolipidemic activities. Although many of these species have not yet been investigated phytochemically or pharmacologically, they remain a potential source of new bioactive compounds.

Polynesian medicine used to treat diarrhea and ciguatera: An ethnobotanical survey in six islands from French Polynesia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In French Polynesia, many pathologies common or endemic to the territory cause diarrhea. This is the case for rotavirus gastroenteritis, salmonella food poisoning, ingestion of water contaminated by bacteria, and ciguatera. To treat these ailments, the population may employ traditional medicine for cultural reasons, geographical isolation, and poor health coverage. Polynesian remedies are often used without medical consultation and there is no data on their benefit-risk balance. A few ethnobotanical studies have been carried out in order to identify the traditional remedies used for various ailments, but few studies have focused on gastrointestinal pathologies. In this context, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out to identify treatments used for diarrhea and ciguatera, inventory the plants used, better understand the local representation of these remedies, and provide efficacy and safety data on these uses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From February to April 2021, a semi-structured survey was conducted on six islands in French Polynesia, including one island in the Windward Islands archipelago (Tahiti), three islands in the Marquesas archipelago (Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Tahuata), and two islands in the Leeward Islands archipelago (Raiatea, Tahaa). A total of 133 people was interviewed including 34 specialists (of which 29 experts in herbalism).

RESULTS

These people mentioned the use of 27 plants for the treatment of diarrhea, and 24 for the treatment of ciguatera. Citrus aurantiifolia, Psidium guajava and Cordyline fruticosa were the three most cited plant species used for treating diarrhea, while Cocos nucifera, Punica granatum and Barringtonia asiatica were the most cited for ciguatera. A large majority of plants are widespread and introduced plants, which is congruent with the history of Polynesian people. While some plants are well known for similar uses (e.g. Psidium guajava for diarrhea, Heliotropium arboreum for ciguatera), others are less well known and may present toxicity risks (e.g. Barringtonia asiatica for ciguatera).

CONCLUSION

Traditional Polynesian medicine is an integral part of the local culture so important to be preserved and valued. However, more pharmacological and toxicological studies are still needed to determine the benefit-risk balance of some of these remedies and to allow their official integration into the Polynesian health system.

Steroidal glycosides from the Vietnamese cultivar Cordyline fruticosa "Fairchild red"

A phytochemical study of Cordyline fruticosa "Fairchild red" (Asparagaceae) from Vietnam, led to the isolation of fourteen steroidal glycosides, including twelve previously undescribed along with two known ones. Ten compounds were obtained by successive solid/liquid chromatographic methods from an aqueous-ethanolic extract of the roots, and four from the aerial parts. Their structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic analysis 2D NMR and mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS), as spirostanol glycosides, 5α-spirost-25(27)-ene-1β,3β,4α-triol 1-O-β-D-fucopyranoside, 5α-spirost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,4α-triol 1-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, 5α-spirost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,4α-triol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-fucopyranoside, 5α-spirost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,4α-triol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-(4-O-sulfo)-β-D-fucopyranoside, 5α-spirost-25(27)-ene-1β,3β-diol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-fucopyranoside, and 5α-spirost-25(27)-ene-1β,3β-diol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside. Furostanol glycosides were also isolated as 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,4α,22α,26-pentol 1-O-β-D-fucopyranoside, 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,4α,26-tetrol 1-O-β-D-fucopyranoside, 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,22α,26-tetrol 1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,22α,26-tetrol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside, 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,22α,26-tetrol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-fucopyranoside, and 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-5α-furost-(25)27-ene-1β,3β,26-triol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-fucopyranoside. All the isolated compounds were further evaluated for their cytotoxicity against 4T1 cell line, from a mouse mammary gland tissue, using MTS method.

Manniosides B-F, five new triterpenoid saponins from the leaves of Schefflera mannii (Hook.f.) Harms

Fifteen triterpenoid saponins including five new compounds (Mannioside B: 3β-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]urs-12-en-28-oic acid α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1), mannioside C: 3β-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)23-dioxy]urs-12-en-28-oic acid α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2), mannioside D: 3β,23-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)- β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (3), mannioside E: 3β-hydroxy-23-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (4) and mannioside F: (22S)-27β-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-22-hydroxyprotosta-12,24-dien-3β-yl β-d-glucopyranoside (5)) were isolated from the leaves of Schefflera mannii (Hook.f.) Harms. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data, mass spectrometry and chemical methods. The major isolated compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activity on human malignant epithelial (HeLa) cells but were not efficient at the concentration of 33 mM.

Taher R, Al-Karmalawy AA, El-Ebeedy D, Metwaly AG, Elkateeb NM, Ghanem A, Elghaish RA, Abd El Maksoud AI. Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev. leaves: isolation, HPLC/MS profiling and evaluation of nephroprotective and hepatoprotective activities supported by molecular docking

The metabolites profile of C. fruticosa (L.) A. Chev. leaves, 12 isolates, and its nephroprotective and hepatoprotective activities are described.