A flavonol tetraglycoside from Sophora japonica seeds

Synergistic Effect of Sophora japonica and Glycyrrhiza glabra Flavonoid-Rich Fractions on Wound Healing: In Vivo and Molecular Docking Studies

Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica (Fabaceae) are well-known medicinal plants with valuable secondary metabolites and pharmacological properties. The flavonoid-rich fractions of G. glabra roots and S. japonica leaves were prepared using Diaion column chromatography, and the confirmation of flavonoid richness was confirmed using UPLC-ESI-MS profiling and total phenolics and flavonoids assays. UPLC-ESI-MS profiling of the flavonoid-rich fraction of G. glabra roots and S. japonica leaves resulted in the tentative identification of 32 and 23 compounds, respectively. Additionally, the wound healing potential of topical preparations of each fraction, individually and in combination (1:1) ointment and gel preparations, were investigated in vivo, supported by histopathological examinations and biomarker evaluations, as well as molecular docking studies for the major constituents. The topical application of G. glabra ointment and gel, S. japonica ointment and gel and combination preparations significantly increase the wound healing rate and the reduction of oxidative stress in the wound area via MDA reduction and the elevation of reduced GSH and SOD levels as compared to the wound and Nolaver®-treated groups. The molecular docking study revealed that that major compounds in G. glabra and S. japonica can efficiently bind to the active sites of three proteins related to wound healing: glycogen synthase kinase 3-β (GSK3-β), matrix metalloproteinases-8 (MMP-8) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Consequently, G. glabra roots and S. japonica leaves may be a rich source of bioactive metabolites with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.

The application of deep eutectic solvent on the extraction and in vitro antioxidant activity of rutin from Sophora japonica bud

The extraction conditions and antioxidant activities of rutin from Sophora japonica bud by deep eutectic solvents were investigated. Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the extraction conditions and the scavenging activities of DPPH, O^2- and ·OH of purified rutin were evaluated. The highest yield of 279.8 mg/g was achieved in the extraction medium of choline chloride/triethlene glycol (1/4) under the optimum conditions: water content of the DES 18.1%, extraction time 28.3 min, extraction temperature 70 °C and liquid-solid ratio 10 mg/1 g. The highest extraction amount was slightly different from the predicted value of the established second-order polynomial equation. In addition, The EC₅₀ of DPPH scavenging, O^2- scavenging and ·OH scavenging of rutin were 5.68 µg/mL, 0.19 and 0.28 mg/mL, respectively. The above results indicate rutin extracted by the choline chloride/triethylene glycol has excellent antioxidant activity and was an admirable free radical scavenger.

Local and traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Sophora japonica L.: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sophora japonica (Fabaceae), also known as Huai (Chinese: ), is a medium-sized deciduous tree commonly found in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other countries. The use of this plant has been recorded in classical medicinal treatises of ancient China, and it is currently recorded in both the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia. The flower buds and fruits of S. japonica, also known as Flos Sophorae Immaturus and Fructus Sophorae in China, are most commonly used in Asia (especially in China) to treat hemorrhoids, hematochezia, hematuria, hematemesis, hemorrhinia, uterine or intestinal hemorrhage, arteriosclerosis, headache, hypertension, dysentery, dizziness, and pyoderma. To discuss feasible trends for further research on S. japonica, this review highlights the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, and toxicology of S. japonica based on studies published in the last six decades.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information on the S. japonica was collected from major scientific databases (SciFinder, PubMed, Elsevier, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Medline Plus, China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI), and "Da Yi Yi Xue Sou Suo (http://www.dayi100.com/login.jsp)" for publications between 1957 and 2015 on S. japonica. Information was also obtained from local classic herbal literature, government reports, conference papers, as well as PhD and MSc dissertations.

RESULTS

Approximately 153 chemical compounds, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, polysaccharides, amino acids, and other compounds, have been isolated from the leaves, branches, flowers, buds, pericarps, and/or fruits of S. japonica. Among these compounds, several flavonoids and isoflavonoids comprise the active constituents of S. japonica, which exhibit a wide range of biological activities in vitro and in vivo such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-osteoporotic, antioxidant, radical scavenging, antihyperglycemic, antiobesity, antitumor, and hemostatic effects. Furthermore, flavonoids and isoflavonoids can be used as quality control markers for quality identification and evaluation of medicinal materials and their preparations. Information on evaluating the safety of S. japonica is very limited, so further study is required. To enable safer, more effective, and controllable therapeutic preparations, more in-depth information is urgently needed on the quality control, toxicology data, and clinical value of crude extract and active compounds of S. japonica.

CONCLUSIONS

S. japonica has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to its wide range of biological activities, and is administered orally. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of S. japonica have increased in the past few years, and the extract and active components of this plant can be used to develop new drugs based on their traditional application as well as their biological activities. Therefore, this review on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, and toxicity of S. japonica offers promising data for further studies as well as the commercial exploitation of this traditional medicine.

Application of response surface methodology to optimise extraction of flavonoids from fructus sophorae

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design (CCD) was applied to optimise the extraction conditions for flavonoids from fructus sophorae with advantages in terms of resisting flavonoids during the whole process and maximising of extraction yield. Three aglycon forms of the flavonoids, namely, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) to estimate extraction yield. The combined effects of independent variables were studied and the optimal extraction conditions were obtained as ethanol concentration, 74.47%; solid-liquid ratio, 17.99 ml/g; temperature, 89.13°C; and extraction time, 2.10h. The reliability of the method was confirmed by recovery experiments, performed under optimal conditions. Recoveries indicated that flavonoids resisted the extraction conditions. The experimental extraction yield under optimal conditions was found to be 10.459%, which was well matched with the predicted values of 10.461%.

Active constituents from Sophora japonica exhibiting cellular tyrosinase inhibition in human epidermal melanocytes

AIM OF THE STUDY

There is greater consumer awareness of plant-based skin-care products. Sophora japonica L. (Fabaceae) has been used traditionally as a hemostatic agent and also has skin-care and whitening benefits. The effect of the isolated active compounds of Sophora japonica L. (Fabaceae) that inhibits tyrosinase activity in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMn) was examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory assay to isolate active constituents from the extracts. The structures of these constituents were characterized by physical and spectroscopic analyses. Cellular tyrosinase kinetics were analyzed and showed by Lineweaver-Burk plot.

RESULTS

A new compound, N-feruloyl-N'-cis-feruloyl-putrescine (8), together with four flavonoids and three putrescine derivatives were obtained after assay-guided isolation of S. japonica. In HEMn, compound 8 was minimally cytotoxic (cell viability >90% at 100 microM) and the IC(50) value for suppression of cellular tyrosinase activity was estimated as 85.0 microM. Zymography analysis demonstrated the compound's concentration-dependent effects and the kinetic analysis indicated the compound's mixed-inhibitory action.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that the new compound 8 is the most potent component of S. japonica yet discovered. Its pigment inhibition activity may be exploitable cosmetically.

Flavonol tetraglycosides from fruits of Styphnolobium japonicum (Leguminosae) and the authentication of Fructus Sophorae and Flos Sophorae

The dried fruits and seeds of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott (syn. Sophora japonica L.) are used in traditional Chinese medicine and known as Fructus Sophorae or Huai Jiao. The major flavonoids in these fruits and seeds were studied by LC-MS and other spectroscopic techniques to aid the chemical authentication of Fructus Sophorae. Among the flavonoids were two previously unreported kaempferol glycosides: kaempferol 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol 3-O-beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)[beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-glucopyranoside, the structures of which were determined by NMR. Two further tetraglycosides were identified for the first time in S. japonicum as kaempferol 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnopyranoside; the latter was the main flavonoid in mature seeds. The chromatographic profiles of 27 recorded flavonoids were relatively consistent among fruits of similar ages collected from five trees of S. japonicum, and those of maturing unripe and ripe fruits were similar to a market sample of Fructus Sophorae, and thus provide useful markers for authentication of this herbal ingredient. The flower buds (Huai Mi) and flowers (Huai Hua) of S. japonicum (collectively Flos Sophorae) contained rutin as the main flavonoid and lacked the flavone glycosides that were present in flower buds and flowers of Sophora flavescens Ait., reported to be occasional substitutes for Flos Sophorae. The single major flavonoid in fruits of S. flavescens was determined as 3'-hydroxydaidzein.

Three new flavonol triglycosides from Derris trifoliata

Three new flavonol triglycosides, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with the two known flavonol glycosides, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, were isolated from the aerial parts of Derris trifoliata. Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic analyses.

Anti-platelet effects of flavonoids and flavonoid-glycosides from Sophora japonica

A methanol extract of Sophora japonica was subjected to anti-platelet activity guided fractionation affording the isolation of four flavonoids and six flavonoid-glycosides: biochanin A (1), irisolidone (2), genistein (3), sissotrin (4), sophorabioside (5), genistin (6), tectoridin (7), apigenin (8), quercitrin (9), and rutin (10). The structure of each compound was determined by a variety of spectroscopic methods. Among the compounds, 1, 3, and 7 showed approximately 2.5-6.5 fold greater inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid (AA) and U46619 induced platelet aggregation (IC50: 19.9 and 99.8 microM; 20.3 and 53.8 microM; 25.9 and 123.4 microM, respectively) than acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, IC50: 63.0 and 350.0 microM). Compound 2 was an approximately 22-40 fold stronger inhibitor than ASA on AA and U46619 induced aggregation (IC50: 1.6 and 15.6 microM, respectively).

Isoflavone tetraglycosides from Sophora japonica Leaves

Two new isoflavone tetraglycosides ( 1 and 2) and six known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Sophora japonica. The new glycosides are genistein 7- O-beta- d-glucopyranoside-4'- O-(6'''- O-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-sophoroside ( 1) and genistein 7- O-alpha- l-rhamnopyranoside-4'- O-(6'''- O-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-sophoroside ( 2). The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established primarily by NMR experiments and chemical methods, and they are the first reported naturally occurring isoflavone glycosides with four attached sugar residues.

Flavonol tetraglycosides and other constituents from leaves of Styphnolobium japonicum (Leguminosae) and related taxa

Two flavonol tetraglycosides comprising a trisaccharide at C-3 and a monosaccharide at C-7 were isolated from the leaves of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott and characterised as the 3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosides of quercetin and kaempferol. The 3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnopyranoside of kaempferol, the 3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranosides of kaempferol and quercetin and the 3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-galactopyranoside of kaempferol were also obtained from this species for the first time. Some or all of these flavonol tetra- and triglycosides were detected in 17 of 18 specimens of S. japonicum examined from living and herbarium material, although the most abundant flavonoid in the leaves was generally quercetin 3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranoside (rutin). The triglycosides, but not the tetraglycosides, were detected in herbarium specimens of Styphnolobium burseroides M. Sousa, Rudd & Medrano and Styphnolobium monteviridis M. Sousa & Rudd, but specimens of Styphnolobium affine (Torrey & A. Gray) Walp. contained a different profile of flavonol glycosides. The flavonol tetra- and triglycosides of S. japonicum were also present in leaves of Cladrastis kentukea (Dum. Cours.) Rudd, a representative of a genus placed close to Styphnolobium in current molecular phylogenies. An additional constituent obtained from leaves of Styphnolobium japonicum was identified as the maltol derivative, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one 3-O-(4'-O-p-coumaroyl-6'-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaroyl))-beta-glucopyranoside.

Phenolics ofMoringa oleiferaleaves

Five flavonol glycosides characterised as kaempferide 3-O-(2'',3''-diacetylglucoside), kaempferide 3-O-(2''-O-galloylrhamnoside), kaempferide 3-O-(2''-O-galloylrutinoside)-7-O-alpha-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-[beta-glucosyl-(1 --> 2)]-[alpha-rhamnosyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-glucoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnoside and kaempferol 3-O-[alpha-rhamnosyl-(1 --> 2)]-[alpha-rhamnosyl-(1 --> 4)]-beta-glucoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnoside together with benzoic acid 4-O-beta-glucoside, benzoic acid 4-O-alpha-rhamnosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-glucoside and benzaldehyde 4-O-beta-glucoside have been isolated from methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves. Also obtained from the same extract were known compounds, kaempferol 3-O-alpha-rhamnoside, kaempferol, syringic acid, gallic acid, rutin and quercetin 3-O-beta-glucoside. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic methods as well as comparison with data from known compounds.

Simultaneous determination of phytoestrogens in different medicinal parts of Sophora japonica L. by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

A high-performance capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE-ED) method has been developed for the determination of phytoestrogens from the pericarps and seeds of Sophora japonica L. in this work. Genistin, genistein, rutin, kaempferol and quercetin are important bioactive constituents in these plants. The effects of several factors such as the acidity and concentration of running buffer, the separation voltage, the applied potential and the injection time on the CE-ED procedure were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the five analytes could be well separated within 18 min in a 75 cm length capillary (i.d. 25 microm) at the separation voltage of 16 kV in a 50 mmol L(-1) borax running buffer (pH 9.0). A 300 microm diameter carbon disk electrode was used as the working electrode positioned carefully opposite the outlet of the capillary in a wall-jet configuration at the potential of +950 mV (vs SCE). Detection limits (S/N = 3) ranged from 1.1 x 10(-7) to 2.8 x 10(-7) g mL(-1) for all fi ve analytes. This method was successfully used to analyse dried Flos sophorae immaturus, pericarps and seeds of dried Fructus sophorae after a relatively simple extraction procedure, and the assay results were satisfactory.