Anti-Inflammatory Benzofuran Neolignans from the Fruits of Canarium album (Chinese Olive)

Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory polyacetylenes from Tridax procumbens L

Herein, 17 previously undescribed polyacetylenes and 9 known ones were isolated from Tridax procumbens L. Their structures were identified using spectroscopic techniques (NMR, UV, IR, MS and optical rotation), the modified Mosher method, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data and ECD calculation. The cytotoxicity of polyacetylenes on six human tumour cell lines (K562, K562/ADR, AGS, MGC-803, SPC-A-1 and MDA-MB-231) was evaluated. (3S,10R)-tridaxin B (2a), (3S,10S)-tridaxin B (2b) and tridaxin F (8) demonstrated substantial cytotoxic effects against the K562 cell line, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.62, 14.43 and 17.91 μM, respectively. Cell and nucleus morphology assessments and Western blot analysis confirmed that the cytotoxicity of the three polyacetylenes on K562 cells was mediated through a dose-dependent apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, (3S,10R)-tridaxin A (1a) and tridaxin G (9) exhibited considerable inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC50 values of 15.92 and 20.35 μM, respectively. Further investigations revealed that 9 exerted anti-inflammatory activities by impeding the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, including those of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β and IL-6, in a concentration-dependent manner. The study provides evidence that polyacetylenes from T. procumbens may serve as a potential source of anti-tumour or anti-inflammatory agents for treating related diseases.

Anti-inflammatory monoterpenes from morinda (Morinda officinalis How.)

Morinda (Morinda officinalis How.) is widely consumed as a functional food owing to its potential to promote health. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory phytochemicals of morinda and isolated 30 monoterpenes, including 6 undescribed iridoids (1, 6, 9-11 and 25), 2 undescribed acyclic monoterpenoids (28, 29), a known acyclic monoterpenoid and 21 known iridoids. Their chemical and stereo-structures were elucidated based on HR-ESI-MS, NMR, 13C-NMR calculations, ECD data and ECD calculations. Notably, compounds 11, 12 and 20 exerted pronounced inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC50 values of 28.51 ± 1.70, 25.45 ± 4.17 and 29.17 ± 3.71 μM respectively (indomethacin, IC50 of 33.68 ± 2.19 μM). The same compounds exert anti-inflammatory effects by blocking nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κ-B, and down-regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 at mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that moderate consumption of morinda helps prevent and reduce the occurrence of inflammatory-related diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory Terpenoids from the Rhizomes of Shell Ginger

Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is a perennial ornamental plant of ginger native to East Asia, which can be used as a flavoring agent in food or beverage, as well as a traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, a total of 37 terpenoids, including 7 new compounds, zerumin D1 to zerumin D7 (2, 3, 28-30, 36, and 37), and 5 new naturally occurring compounds, zerumin D10 to zerumin D14 (9, 12, 15, 20, and 24), were isolated and identified from the rhizomes of shell ginger. Compound 3 was an unprecedented variant labdane diterpenoid featuring a unique 6/7/6/3 tetracyclic cyclic ether system in its side chain. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated terpenoids were assessed in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Compound 4 significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide with an IC50 value of 5.4 μM. Further investigation revealed that compounds 2 and 3 may inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, thus suppressing the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS, and COX-2 to exert the anti-inflammatory effects.

Stereochemical insights into structurally diverse lignanamides from the herbs of Solanum lyratum Thunb

A chemical investigation of Solanum lyratum Thunb. (Solanaceae) afforded six pairs of enantiomeric lignanamides consisting of twelve undescribed compounds, along with two undescribed racemic mixtures, and the separations of the enantiomers were accomplished by chiral-phase HPLC. The structures of these undescribed compounds were elucidated by the analysis of spectroscopic data, NMR and electronic circular dichroism calculations. All isolated compounds were assessed for neuroprotective activities in H2O2-induced human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. Among tested isolates, some enantiomeric lignanamides exhibited conspicuous neuroprotective effects and AChE inhibitory effect.

Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative 1,4-addition reactions of benzofuran-based azadienes with allyl phenyl carbonates

Under the catalysis of Pd(OAc)2/dppf/Na2CO3, the decarboxylative 1,4-addition reaction of benzofuran-based azadienes with allyl phenyl carbonates took place easily and delivered the desired products in reasonable chemical yields. The chemical structure of the target compounds was clearly identified by single crystal X-ray structural analysis.

Anti-inflammatory steroids from the stems of Solanum nigrum L

Sixteen previously undescribed steroidal sapogenins along with two known ones were isolated from the stems of Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae). Their structures were identified using a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS spectroscopy, the Mosher method, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1-8 have an unusual F ring and 9-12 have a derived A ring, both of which are rare skeletons found in natural products. The biological evaluation showed that the isolated steroids exhibited inhibition of nitric oxide in the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC₅₀ values from 7.4 to 41.3 μM. Further studies revealed that compounds 6 and 10 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by blocking the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and down-regulating the expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that the stems of S. nigrum may serve as a source of anti-inflammatory agents for use in healthy or medicinal products.

Identification of Scoparone from Chinese Olive Fruit as a Modulator of Macrophage Polarization

Chinese olive (Canarium album L.) has been highlighted for its remarkable health benefits. We previously showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of Chinese olive (COE) is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we used a luciferase-based RAW 264.7 cell platform to detect the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, a key mediator of inflammation, and the promoter activity of its downstream target, COX-2. Through functional-oriented screening using these platforms, we further divided COE into several subfractions. Subsequently, we used silica gel column chromatography for purification, and the active compounds were separated and isolated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structure of the resulting compound with high anti-inflammatory activity was then identified as scoparone. Our results showed that scoparone not only inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of nitric oxide and suppressed M1 macrophage markers (iNOS, Il-6, Ccl2, and Tnf-α) but also markedly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, CCL2, and TNF-α). Treatment with scoparone significantly reduced the protein level of TNF-α in LPS-treated bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). In addition, scoparone promoted macrophages toward an M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype, as determined by the significantly increased gene expression of M2 macrophage markers (Arg1, Ym1, Mrc1, Il-10, and Cd206) and the protein level of Arg1. This study indicates that COE fruit has high therapeutic potential for various inflammatory diseases as a result of switching the macrophage phenotype from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2.

The current status of old traditional medicine introduced from Persia to China

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes over ten thousand herbal medicines, some of which were introduced from outside countries and territories. The Silk Road enabled the exchange of merchandise such as teas, silks, carpets, and medicines between the East and West of the Eurasia continent. During this time, the ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’ (CMM) was composed by a traditional medicine practitioner, Shizhen Li (1,518–1,593) of the Ming Dynasty. This epoch-making masterpiece collected knowledge of traditional medical materials and treatments in China from the 16th century and before in utmost detail, including the origin where a material was obtained. Of 1892 medical materials from the CMM, 46 came from Persia (now Iran). In this study, the basic information of these 46 materials, including the time of introduction, the medicinal value in TCM theory, together with the current status of these medicines in China and Iran, are summarized. It is found that 20 herbs and four stones out of the 46 materials are registered as medicinal materials in the latest China Pharmacopoeia. Now most of these herbs and stones are distributed in China or replacements are available but saffron, ferula, myrrh, and olibanum are still highly dependent on imports. This study may contribute to the further development, exchange, and internationalization of traditional medicine of various backgrounds in the world, given the barriers of transportation and language are largely eased in nowadays.

Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Differential Flavonoid Accumulation and Its Underlying Mechanism in Fruits of Distinct Canarium album Cultivars

Canarium album fruit has great potential to be consumed as a raw material not only for food but also medicine. The diverse active metabolites composition and content of C. album fruits greatly affect their pharmacological effects. However, up to now, there has been no report on the global metabolome differences among fruits from distinct C. album cultivars. In our present study, by using non-targeted metabolomics techniques, we identified 87 DAMs (differentially accumulated metabolites) including 17 types of flavonoids from fruits of four different C. album cultivars. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the flavone and flavonol biosynthesis- and flavonoid biosynthesis-related DAMs were major factors determining their metabolome differences. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that 15 KEGG pathways were significantly enriched by genes of the identified 3655 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) among different C. album cultivars. Consistent with the metabolome data, flavonoid biosynthesis-related DEGs, including eight key structural genes (such as FLS, CCoAOMT, CHI, C4H, DFR, LAR, and C3′H, etc.) and several regulatory transcription factor (TF) genes (including 32 MYBs and 34 bHLHs, etc.), were found to be significantly enriched (p < 0.01). Our study indicated that the differential expression of flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes and accumulation of flavonoids played dominant roles in the various metabolome compositions of fruits from different C. album cultivars.