Isolation and characterization of stelladerol, a new antioxidant naphthalene glycoside, and other antioxidant glycosides from edible daylily (hemerocallis) flowers

Advances in research on the main nutritional quality of daylily, an important flower vegetable of Liliaceae

Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina) is a perennial herb of the genus Hemerocallis of Liliaceae. It is also an economically important crop and is widely cultivated. Daylily has nutritional, medicinal and ornamental values. The research literature shows that daylily is a high-quality food raw material rich in soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, dietary fiber, carotenoids, mineral elements, polyphenols and other nutrients, which are effective in clearing heat and diuresis, resolving bruises and stopping bleeding, strengthening the stomach and brain, and reducing serum cholesterol levels. This article reviews the main nutrients of daylily and summarizes the drying process of daylily. In addition, due to the existence of active ingredients, daylily also has a variety of biological activities that are beneficial to human health. This article also highlights the nutritional quality of daylily, the research progress of dried vegetable rehydration technology and dried daylily. In the end, the undeveloped molecular mechanism and functional research status of daylily worldwide are introduced in order to provide reference for the nutritional quality research and dried processing industry of daylily.

Flower Species Ingredient Verification Using Orthogonal Molecular Methods

Flowers are gaining considerable interest among consumers as ingredients in food, beverages, cosmetics, and natural health products. The supply chain trades in multiple forms of botanicals, including fresh whole flowers, which are easier to identify than dried flowers or flowers processed as powdered or liquid extracts. There is a gap in the scientific methods available for the verification of flower species ingredients traded in the supply chains of multiple markets. The objective of this paper is to develop methods for flower species ingredient verification using two orthogonal methods. More specifically, the objectives of this study employed both (1) DNA-based molecular diagnostic methods and (2) NMR metabolite fingerprint methods in the identification of 23 common flower species ingredients. NMR data analysis reveals considerable information on the variation in metabolites present in different flower species, including color variants within species. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of two orthogonal methods for verifying flower species ingredient supply chains to ensure the highest quality products. By thoroughly analyzing the benefits and limitations of each approach, this research offers valuable insights to support quality assurance and improve consumer confidence.

Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Properties of Polyphenol-Polysaccharide Complex Extract from Hizikia fusiforme

Hizikia fusiforme has a long history of consumption and medicinal use in China. It has been found that natural plants containing polyphenol-polysaccharide complexes have better activity compared with polyphenols and polysaccharides. Therefore, in this study on enzymatic hydrolysis and fractional alcohol precipitation, two kinds of polyphenol-polysaccharide complexes (PPC), PPC1 and PPC2, were initially obtained from Hizikia fusiforme, while the dephenolization of PPC1 and PPC2 produced PPC3 and PPC4. Through in vitro assays, PPC2 and PPC4 were found to have higher antioxidant activity, and thus were selected for testing the PPCs' anti-aging activity in a subsequent in vivo experiment with D-gal-induced aging in mice. The results indicated that PPCs could regulate the expressions of antioxidant enzymes and products of oxidation, elevate the expressions of genes and proteins related to the Nrf2 pathway in the mouse brain, enrich the gut microbiota species and increase the Bacteroidota-Firmicute (B/F) ratio. Above all, the Hizikia fusiforme polyphenol-polysaccharide complex has potential in the development of natural anti-aging drugs.

Study on Anti-Constipation Effects of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni through a Novel Strategy of Network Pharmacology Screening

Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni) is an edible plant widely distributed worldwide, especially in Asia. It has traditionally been considered a potential anti-constipation vegetable. This study aimed to investigate the anti-constipation effects of daylily from the perspective of gastro-intestinal transit, defecation parameters, short-chain organic acids, gut microbiome, transcriptomes and network pharmacology. The results show that dried daylily (DHC) intake accelerated the defecation frequency of mice, while it did not significantly alter the levels of short-chain organic acids in the cecum. The 16S rRNA sequencing showed that DHC elevated the abundance of Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium and Flavonifractor, while it reduced the level of pathogens (such as Helicobacter and Vibrio). Furthermore, a transcriptomics analysis revealed 736 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after DHC treatment, which are mainly enriched in the olfactory transduction pathway. The integration of transcriptomes and network pharmacology revealed seven overlapping targets (Alb, Drd2, Igf2, Pon1, Tshr, Mc2r and Nalcn). A qPCR analysis further showed that DHC reduced the expression of Alb, Pon1 and Cnr1 in the colon of constipated mice. Our findings provide a novel insight into the anti-constipation effects of DHC.

An Investigation of the Anti-Depressive Properties of Phenylpropanoids and Flavonoids in Hemerocallis citrina Baroni

The World Health Organization predicts that over the next several years, depression will become the most important mental health issue globally. Growing evidence shows that the flower buds of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni (H. citrina) possess antidepressant properties. In the search for new anti-depression drugs, a total of 15 phenylpropanoids and 22 flavonoids were isolated and identified based on spectral data (1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV) from H. citrina. Among them, compound 8 was a novel compound, while compounds 1-4, 6, 9, 10, 15, 17, 24-26, 28, and 37 were isolated for the first time from Hemerocallis genus. To study the antidepressant activity of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids fractions from H. citrina, macroporous resin was used to enrich them under the guidance of UV characteristics. UHPLC-MS/MS was applied to identify the constituents of the enriched fractions. According to behavioral tests and biochemical analyses, it showed that phenylpropanoid and flavonoid fractions from H. citrina can improve the depressive-like mental state of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. This might be accomplished by controlling the amounts of the inflammatory proteins IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the hippocampus as well as corticosterone in the serum. Thus, the monomer compounds were tested for their anti-neuroinflammatory activity and their structure-activity relationship was discussed in further detail.

A Combined Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approach to Investigate Candidate Active Components and Multitarget Mechanisms of Hemerocallis Flowers on Antidepressant Effect

Objective

The purpose of our research is to systematically explore the multiple mechanisms of Hemerocallis fulva Flowers (HF) on depressive disorder (DD).

Methods

The components of HF were searched from the literature. The targets of components were obtained from PharmMapper. After that, Cytoscape software was used to build a component-target network. The targets of DD were collected from DisGeNET, PharmGKB, TTD, and OMIM. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) among the DD targets were executed to screen the key targets. Afterward, the GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed by the KOBAS database. A compound-target-KEGG pathway network was built to analyze the key compounds and targets. Finally, the potential active substances and targets were validated by molecular docking.

Results

A total of 55 active compounds in HF, 646 compound-related targets, and 527 DD-related targets were identified from public databases. After treated with PPI, 219 key targets of DD were acquired. The gene enrichment analysis suggested that HF probably benefits DD patients by modulating pathways related to the nervous system, endocrine system, amino acid metabolism, and signal transduction. The network analysis showed the critical components and targets of HF on DD. Results of molecular docking increased the reliability of this study.

Conclusions

It predicted and verified the pharmacological and molecular mechanism of HF against DD from a holistic perspective, which will also lay a foundation for further experimental research and rational clinical application of DD.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis on Flavonoid Distribution in Different Floral Parts of 42 Hemerocallis Accessions

The Hemerocallis accessions is widely consumed as nutritious vegetable and traditional medicine in eastern Asia and used as an ornamental flower worldwide. Compared with most other horticultural products, its flower is richer in polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. Therefore, the flower has strong antioxidant activity that inhibits cancer cell proliferation, which could used for health and pharmaceutical purposes. The flavonoids composition and distribution in the flowers, and the content varied between different accssions is still unclear. In this context, eight flavonols, two flavones, and two anthocyanins were determined in Hemerocallis flower by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detectors. Rutin was the most abundant flavonols and cyanidin 3,5-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were the major anthocyanins in Hemerocallis tepals, resulting in flower petal coloration, and their content in the petal was higher than that of the sepal. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the 42 accessions into four groups, and they were significantly different (p < 0.05) from each other in the ten significant compounds by One-way ANOVA. Overall, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoid constituents in six floral parts of 42 Hemerocallis accessions were elucidated, which could be helpful for the food and pharmaceutical industries, and lay the foundation for the Hemerocallis flower color research.

The Bioavailability, Extraction, Biosynthesis and Distribution of Natural Dihydrochalcone: Phloridzin

Phloridzin is an important phytochemical which was first isolated from the bark of apple trees. It is a member of the dihydrochalcones and mainly distributed in the plants of the Malus genus, therefore, the extraction method of phloridzin was similar to those of other phenolic substances. High-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC), resin adsorption technology and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to separate and purify phloridzin. Many studies showed that phloridzin had multiple pharmacological effects, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycaemic, anticancer and antibacterial activities. Besides, the physiological activities of phloridzin are cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antiobesity, antioxidant and so on. The present review summarizes the biosynthesis, distribution, extraction and bioavailability of the natural compound phloridzin and discusses its applications in food and medicine.

In vivo anti-malarial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of rhizomes of Kniphofia foliosa and its constituents

BACKGROUND

Kniphofia foliosa is a flamboyant robust perennial herb which has dense clumps and tick upright rhizomes with leaves at the base. In Ethiopia, it has several vernacular names including Abelbila, Ashenda, Amelmela, Yeznjero Ageda, Shemetmetie and Yezinjero Ageda. The plant is endemic to Ethiopian highlands, where its rhizomes are traditionally used for the treatment of malaria, abdominal cramps and wound healing. In the present study, the 80% methanol extract of K. foliosa rhizomes and its constituents are tested against Plasmodium berghei in mice.

METHODS

Isolation was carried out using column and preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC). The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (ESI-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR). Peters' 4-day suppressive test against P. berghei in mice was utilized for in vivo anti-malarial evaluation of the test substances.

RESULTS

Two compounds, namely knipholone and dianellin were isolated from the 80% methanolic extract of K. foliosa rhizomes, and characterized. The hydroalcoholic extract (400 mg/kg) and knipholone (200 mg/kg) showed the highest activity with chemosuppression values of 61.52 and 60.16%, respectively. From the dose-response plot, the median effective (ED₅₀) doses of knipholone and dianellin were determined to be 81.25 and 92.31 mg/kg, respectively. Molecular docking study revealed that knipholone had a strong binding affinity to Plasmodium falciparum l-lactate dehydrogenase (pfLDH) target.

CONCLUSION

Results of the current study support the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of malaria.

Phenolic Composition and Skin-Related Properties of the Aerial Parts Extract of Different Hemerocallis Cultivars

Hemerocallis plants are important vegetables with nutritional and health value, especially in eastern Asia, where they have been used as medicines to cure disease such as depression and inflammation for thousands of years. The present study concerns the determination of flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as antioxidant, anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase and antimicrobial properties of taxa cultivated in Poland. For chemical composition estimation, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis and spectrophotometric assays were performed. The results show the presence of sixteen compounds in all analyzed species. Among the investigated cultivars, it was found that H. “Chicago Apache” and H. fulva var. kwanso have the highest total phenolic acid and flavonoid content. The most abundant compounds in all analyzed extracts were chlorogenic acid (209.8 to 1010.0 µg/g of DE) and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (114.7 to 1049.7 µg/g of DE). The studied extracts exhibited moderate to high skin-related activities. These properties were correlated with a high concentration of polyphenols. The present study demonstrated that Hemerocallis cultivars contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds with good skin-related activities and could be interesting as novel sources of bioactive agents for the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.

Characterization of Hemerocallis citrina Transcriptome and Development of EST-SSR Markers for Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Hemerocallis Collection

Hemerocallis spp. commonly known as daylilies and night lilies, are among the most popular ornamental crops worldwide. In Eastern Asia, H. citrina is also widely cultivated as both a vegetable crop and for medicinal use. However, limited genetic and genomic resources are available in Hemerocallis. Knowledge on the genetic diversity and population structure of this species-rich genus is very limited. In this study, we reported transcriptome sequencing of H. citrina cv. 'Datonghuanghua' which is a popular, high-yielding variety in China. We mined the transcriptome data, identified and characterized the microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) sequences in the expressed genome. From ∼14.15 Gbp clean reads, we assembled 92,107 unigenes, of which 41,796 were annotated for possible functions. From 41,796 unigenes, we identified and characterized 3,430 SSRs with varying motifs. Forty-three SSRs were used to fingerprint 155 Hemerocallis accessions. Clustering and population structure analyses with the genotypic data among the 155 accessions reveal broader genetic variation of daylilies than the night lily accessions which form a subgroup in the phylogenetic tree. The night lily group included accessions from H. citrina, H. lilioasphodelus, and H. minor, the majority of which bloom in the evening/night, whereas the ∼100 daylily accessions bloomed in the early morning suggesting flowering time may be a major force in the selection of night lily. The utility of these SSRs was further exemplified in association analysis of blooming time among these accessions. Twelve SSRs were found to have significant associations with this horticulturally important trait.

The essential oil composition of selected Hemerocallis cultivars and their biological activity

The horticultural cultivars of Hemerocallis (daylily) have been used to treat diseases such as insomnia, inflammation and depression, and also as a vegetable in eastern Asia. Taking into consideration the fact, that the volatile compounds in Hemerocallis cultivars have not been investigated to date, we decided to study the composition of the essential oils (EOs) from the aerial parts of ten varieties collecting in Poland. EOs, obtained by hydrodistillation, were analyzed by GC/MS method that resulted in identification of 23-36 volatile compounds comprising 89.5%–96.3% of the total amount. The essential oils differed in their composition and they can be classified into three groups. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of EOs were also evaluated. Gram-negative strains were most strongly inhibited by all tested oils. Two model systems have been used for the antioxidant efficacy, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•) andβ-carotene bleaching assays. The essential oils with the high presence of oxygenated monoterpenes and monoterpene hydrocarbons showed higher antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of EOs of Hemerocallis cultivars and their biological activity is reported for the first time. Thus, the findings presented here suggest that the aerial parts of Hemerocallis cultivars may be candidates for the development of new phytomedicine.

Recent Studies on Anti-Depressant Bioactive Substances in Selected Species from the Genera Hemerocallis and Gladiolus: A Systematic Review

Herbal therapy is a potential alternative applied to pharmacological alleviation of depression symptoms and treatment of this disorder, which is predicted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be the most serious health problem worldwide over the next several years. It has been well documented that many herbs with psychotropic effects have far fewer side effects than a variety of pharmaceutical agents used by psychiatrists for the treatment of depression. This systematic review presents literature data on the antidepressant activity of representatives of the genera Hemerocallis (H. fulva and H. citrina Baroni, family Xanthorrhoeaceae) and Gladiolus (G. dalenii, family Iridaceae) and on biologically active compounds and their mechanisms of action to consider the application of herbal preparations supporting the treatment of depression.

Orcinol glucoside facilitates the shift of MSC fate to osteoblast and prevents adipogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Background

During osteoporosis, bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) lineage commitment shifts to adipocytes, causing fat accumulation and bone loss in the skeleton. Seeking drugs that could reverse the adipocyte fate determination of BMSCs is critical for osteoporosis therapy. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Rhizoma Curculiginis (Xianmao) has been used to treat bone diseases and promote bone healing, while the effective constituent of it and the underlying mechanisms are unknown.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to unveil the role of orcinol glucoside (OG), one constituent of Rhizoma Curculiginis, in osteoporosis and BMSCs lineage commitment and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Micro-CT and three-point bending test were performed to determine the effect of OG on bone structure and strength. qT-PCR and Western blot were performed to determine the expression of osteogenic or adipogenic differentiation markers in BMSCs. Mineralization in differentiated BMSCs was assessed by Alizarin Red staining, and lipid accumulation in the cells was evaluated by Oil Red O staining. All measurements were performed at least three times.

Results

OG prevented bone loss by stimulating bone formation and attenuating fat formation in bone. In vitro, OG promoted osteoblastic differentiation and inhibited adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin by ICG-001 significantly reversed the effect of OG on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated the role of OG in alleviating bone loss and fat accumulation in osteoporotic bone, therefore bringing a new therapeutic means to the treatment of osteoporosis.

Eight new γ-lactam alkaloids from the roots of the Hemerocallis minor Mill

Eight new γ-lactam alkaloids, hemerominors A-H (1-8), including two pair of epimers (1-4), together with six known compounds (9-14) were isolated from the roots of Hemerocallis minor Mill. The structures of 1-8 were established on the basis of extensive NMR studies and HR-MS measurements as well as comparison with literature data. The absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined by CD spectral analysis and modified Mosher's method. All of compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Among them, compound 13 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against NO production and with IC₅₀ value of 18.0 μM.

Phytochemical Content, Health Benefits, and Toxicology of Common Edible Flowers: A Review (2000-2015)

Edible flowers contain numerous phytochemicals which contribute to their health benefits, and consumption of edible flowers has increased significantly in recent years. While many researchers have been conducted, no literature review of the health benefits of common edible flowers and their phytochemicals has been compiled. This review aimed to present the findings of research conducted from 2000 to 2015 on the species, traditional application, phytochemicals, health benefits, and the toxicology of common edible flowers. It was found in 15 species of common edible flowers that four flavonols, three flavones, four flavanols, three anthocyanins, three phenolic acids and their derivatives were common phytochemicals and they contributed to the health benefits such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective effect. Toxicology studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety of common edible flowers and provide information on their dosages and usages.

Anxiolytic effects of orcinol glucoside and orcinol monohydrate in mice

CONTEXT

Anxiety is a common psychological disorder, often occurring in combination with depression, but therapeutic drugs with high efficacy and safety are lacking. Orcinol glucoside (OG) was recently found to have an antidepressive action.

OBJECTIVE

To study the therapeutic potential of OG and orcinol monohydrate (OM) as anxiolytic agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anxiolytic effects in mice were measured using the elevated plus-maze, hole-board, and open-field tests. Eight groups of mice were included in each test. Thirty minutes before each test, mice in each group received one oral administration of OG (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg), OM (2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg), the positive control diazepam (1 or 5 mg/kg), or control vehicle. Each mouse underwent only one test. Uptake of orcinol (5 mg/kg) in the brain was qualitatively detected using the HPLC-MS method.

RESULTS

OG (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) and OM (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) increased the time spent in open arms and the number of entries into open arms in the elevated plus-maze test. OG (5 and 10 mg/kg) and OM (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) increased the number of head-dips in the hole-board test. At all tested doses, OG and OM did not significantly affect the locomotion of mice in the open-field test. Orcinol could be detected in the mouse brain homogenates 30 min after oral OM administration, having confirmed that OM is centrally active.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that OG and OM are anxiolytic agents without sedative effects, indicating their therapeutic potential for anxiety.

Identification of naphthol derivatives as novel antifeedants and insecticides. 1

A series of β-naphthol-derived 2-aminobenzothiazolomethylnaphthol derivatives (4a-4q) were synthesized and purified in excellent yields (86-94%) using green protocols and screened for their antifeedant and toxic activities against tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) and castor semilooper (Achaea janata) using no-choice leaf disk and topical bioassay methods. Four of them, 4d, 4f, 4i, and 4j, were identified to be potent antifeedants with ED50 values of 16.4, 19.3, 7.0, and 5.2 μg/cm(2) against S. litura and 13.9, 17.2, 10.2, and 7.7 μg/cm(2) against A. janata, respectively, and the mortality rate is >95% for 4i and 4j in the case of S. litura and 4j in case of A. janata at a dosage of 0.2 μg/insect. Compounds 4d, 4i, and 4m are moderately toxic to A. janata only. Overall, this study identified a novel class of synthetic compounds that do not belong to organochlorides, organophosphates, carbamates, or neonicotinoids as strong antifeedants as well as insecticides.

The Antidepressant-like Effect of Ethanol Extract of Daylily Flowers ( Jīn Zhēn Huā) in Rats

According to the prediction of the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) report, depression will be the highest burden disease by the year 2030. Daylily flower ( Jīn Zhēn Huā ; the flower of Hemerocallis fulva) is traditionally used for soothing in Chinese dietary therapy. The major flavonoid of daylily flowers, rutin, is also characterized to be an antidepressant. In this study, we investigated the antidepressant effects of ethanol extract of daylily flowers (DFEtoH) and rutin by forced swimming test (FST) and neurotransmitter metabolism of brain regions (frontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and amygdala). Results show that either short- or long-term tests, the extract and rutin significantly reduce the immobility time and increased swimming time of FST, which are compared with the vehicle (P < 0.05). The extract and rutin also increase the serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine concentration of these brain regions (P < 0.05). In long-term tests, the daylily flowers extract markedly increased serotonin concentration and reduced serotonin turnover rate in these brain regions but not frontal cortex. In conclusion, present data illustrated that DFEtoH does have antidepressant-like effects possibly via the regulation of serotonergic system. Moreover, rutin might be playing a very important role in the antidepressant-like effects of DFEtoH.

Systematic mining of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) flavor chemicals for bioactive compounds

Bioactive food compounds can be both therapeutically and nutritionally relevant. Screening strategies are widely employed to identify bioactive compounds from edible plants. Flavor additives contained in the so-called FEMA GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list of approved flavoring ingredients is an additional source of potentially bioactive compounds. This work used the principles of molecular similarity to identify compounds with potential mood-modulating properties. The ability of certain GRAS molecules to inhibit histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC1), proposed as an important player in mood modulation, was assayed. Two GRAS chemicals were identified as HDAC1 inhibitors in the micromolar range, results similar to what was observed for the structurally related mood prescription drug valproic acid. Additional studies on bioavailability, toxicity at higher concentrations, and off-target effects are warranted. The methodology described in this work could be employed to identify potentially bioactive flavor chemicals present in the FEMA GRAS list.

A new day dawning: Hemerocallis (daylily) as a future model organism

Genetic model organisms have revolutionized science, and today, with the rapid advances in technology, there is significant potential to launch many more plant species towards model status. However, these new model organisms will have to be carefully selected. Here, we argue that Hemerocallis (daylily) satisfies multiple criteria for selection and deserves serious consideration as a subject of intensive biological investigation. Several attributes of the genus are of great biological interest. These include the strict control of flower opening and, within a short period, the precisely regulated floral death by a programmed cell death system. The self-incompatibility system in Hemerocallis is also noteworthy and deserves more attention. Importantly, the genus is widely cultivated for food, medicinal value and ornamental interest. Hemerocallis has considerable potential as a 'nutraceutical' food plant and the source of new compounds with biomedical activity. The genus has also been embraced by ornamental plant breeders and the extraordinary morphological diversity of hybrid cultivars, produced within a relatively short time by amateur enthusiasts, is an exceptional resource for botanical and genetic studies. We explore these points in detail, explaining the reasons why this genus has considerable value-both academic and socio-economic-and deserves new resources devoted to its exploration as a model. Its impact as a future model will be enhanced by its amenability to cultivation in laboratory and field conditions. In addition, established methods for various tissue and cell culture systems as well as transformation will permit maximum exploitation of this genus by science.

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of whole plant extracts Torilis leptophylla L

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to screen various solvent extracts of whole plant of Torilis leptophylla to display potent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in order to find possible sources for future novel antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical formulations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A detailed study was performed on the antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of whole plant of Torilis leptophylla (TLM) and its derived fractions {n-hexane (TLH), chloroform (TLC) ethyl acetate (TLE) n-butanol (TLB) and residual aqueous fraction (TLA)} by in vitro chemical analyses and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic injuries (lipid peroxidation and glutathione contents) in male Sprague-Dawley rat. The total yield, total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of all the fractions were also determined. TLM was also subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening test for various constituents.

RESULTS

The total phenolic contents (TPC) (121.9±3.1 mg GAE/g extract) of TLM while total flavonoid contents (TFC) of TLE (60.9 ±2.2 mg RTE/g extract) were found significantly higher as compared to other solvent fractions. Phytochemical screening of TLM revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, phlobatannins, tannins and terpenoids. The EC50 values based on the DPPH (41.0±1 μg/ml), ABTS (10.0±0.9 μg/ml) and phosphomolybdate (10.7±2 μg/ml) for TLB, hydroxyl radicals (8.0±1 μg/ml) for TLC, superoxide radicals (57.0±0.3 μg/ml) for TLM and hydrogen peroxide radicals (68.0±2 μg/ml) for TLE were generally lower showing potential antioxidant properties. A significant but marginal positive correlation was found between TPC and EC50 values for DPPH, hydroxyl, phosphomolybdate and ABTS, whereas another weak and positive correlation was determined between TFC and EC50 values for superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals. Results of in vivo experiment revealed that administration of CCl4 caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) while decrease in GSH contents of liver. In contrast, TLM (200 mg/kg bw) and silymarin (50 mg/kg bw) co-treatment effectively prevented these alterations and maintained the antioxidant status.

CONCLUSION

Data from present results revealed that Torilis leptophylla act as an antioxidant agent due to its free radical scavenging and cytoprotective activity.

Simultaneous quantification of major flavonoids in "Bawanghua", the edible flower of Hylocereus undatus using pressurised liquid extraction and high performance liquid chromatography

A pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for simultaneous quantification of six major flavonoids in edible flower of Hylocereus undatus. In order to achieve the baseline separation of two pairs of isomers, the HPLC conditions were optimised with different kind of reversed phase columns and mobile phase gradient programs. In addition, the solvent concentration, extraction temperature, extraction time and flush cycle for PLE were also optimised. Zorbax SB-C8 (100×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) column was chosen with acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as mobile phase, the six analytes were eluted with baseline separation. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r(2)>0.9994) with LODs and LOQs less than 0.90 and 3.60 ng respectively. The RSDs for intra- and inter-day repeatability was not more than 1.09% and 1.79% respectively. The overall recovery of the assay was 96.9-105.2%. The sample was stable for at least 12 h. The newly established method was successfully applied to quantify six flavonoids in different parts of "Bawanghua", and the commercial samples from different locations.

Grasshopper ketone 3-O-primveroside from Sinocrassula indica

A new megastigmane glycoside, grasshopper ketone 3-O-primveroside (1), was isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole herbs of Sinocrassula indica (Crassulaceae). Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.

Antioxidative caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids from Hemerocallis fulva flowers

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HepG2 was used to screen hepatocyte protective compounds from the flowers of Hemerocallis fulva. Three new polyphenols, n-butyl 4-trans-O-caffeoylquinate (1), kaempferol 3-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)]}-β-D-galactopyranoside (2), and chrysoeriol 7-O-[β-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1→2)(2-O-trans-feruloyl)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (3), together with four caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (4-7), eight known flavones (8-15), one naphthalene glycoside, stelladerol (16), one tryptophan derivative (17), adenosine (18), and guanosine (19) were isolated from the bioactive fractions of the aqueous ethanol extract of H. fulva flowers. The structures of isolated compounds were characterized by means of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-3 were described as first isolated natural products. Among the above-mentioned compounds, the caffeoylquinic acid derivatives are the major components with potent free radical scavenging activity in HepG2 cells and are for the first time isolated from H. fulva flowers. A convenient ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was also developed to simultaneously separate and identify caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids promptly.

Phloridzin: biosynthesis, distribution and physiological relevance in plants

The phenolic compound phloridzin (phloretin 2'-O-glucoside, phlorizin, phlorrhizin, phlorhizin or phlorizoside) is a prominent member of the chemical class of dihydrochalcones, which are phenylpropanoids. The apple tree (Malus sp.) accumulates high amounts of phloridzin, whereas few other species contain this compound only in low amounts. Additionally, Malus sp. show a species- and tissue-specific distribution of phloridzin and its derivatives. Whereas the physiological role of phloridzin in planta is not fully understood, the effect on human health - especially diabetes - and membrane permeability is well documented. The biosynthesis of phloridzin was investigated only recently with recombinant enzymes and plant protein extracts and involved a NADPH-dependent dehydrogenase, chalcone synthase and UDP-glucose:phloretin 2'-O-glycosyltransferase.

Astonishing diversity of natural surfactants: 5. Biologically active glycosides of aromatic metabolites

This review article presents 342 aromatic glycosides, isolated from and identified in plants and microorganisms, that demonstrate different biological activities. They are of great interest, especially for the medicinal and/or pharmaceutical industries. These biologically active natural surfactants are good prospects for the future chemical preparation of compounds useful as antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antibacterial agents. These glycosidic compounds have been classified into several groups, including simple aromatic compounds, stilbenes, phenylethanoids, phenylpropanoids, naphthalene derivatives, and anthracene derivatives.

Constituents in Easter lily flowers with medicinal activity

Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) flowers have been used in traditional medicine for alleviating many ailments. However, the chemical basis of its bioactivity has not been investigated. We have determined bioactive components in Easter lily flowers using lipid peroxidation and cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibitory assays and found to be kaempferol (1), kaempferol glycosides (2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10), quercetin glycosides (5, 6 and 7), a regaloside (11), a chalcone (12) and a fatty acid fraction (13). The structures of compounds were determined by NMR, IR, UV/VIS and mass spectroscopic studies. Compound 1 showed the highest COX-1 inhibition (94.1%) followed by 3, 8 and 12 with 38.7, 30.8 and 32.4%, respectively. Only compound 1 inhibited COX-2 enzyme by 36.9% at 80 ppm. In lipid peroxidation inhibitory assay, kaempferol showed 37 and 100 % inhibitions at 1 and 10 ppm, respectively. At 10 ppm, more than 20% inhibition was observed for compounds 4, 7, 10, 11 and 12 and 53% for compound 3. The compounds reported in here are isolated for the first time from Easter lily flowers including novel compounds 10, 11 and 12. Our results suggest that kaempferol and quercetin flavonoids contributed to the anecdotal medicinal properties of Easter lily flowers.

Lipid peroxidation inhibitory compounds from daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) leaves

Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) have been used as food and in traditional medicine for thousands of years in eastern Asia. The leaves of the plant are used in the treatment of inflammation and jaundice. In studies of the aqueous methanol extracts of fresh Hemerocallis fulva leaves, 1',2',3',4'-tetrahydro-5'-deoxy-pinnatanine (1), pinnatanine (2), roseoside (3), phlomuroside (4), lariciresinol (5), adenosine (6), quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (7), quercetin 3,7-O-beta-D-diglucopyranoside (8), quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyransol-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosol-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-6'-acetylglucopyranoside (10) and isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-6'-acetylgalactopyranoside (11) were isolated. All of these compounds were tested for their in vitro lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities. Compounds 3-5 and 7-11 were found to possess strong antioxidant properties, inhibiting lipid oxidation by 86.4, 72.7, 90.1, 79.7, 82.4, 89.3, 82.2, and 93.2%, respectively at 50 microg/mL. Compound 1 is novel and compounds 3-6 and 8-11 described here in are isolated for the first time from daylily leaves.

Inhibition of human tumor cell proliferation by novel anthraquinones from daylilies

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are used medicinally in eastern Asia and extracts of the plant had been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce cancer cells to undergo differentiation. In our studies of the constituents of Hemerocallis fulva var. 'Kwanzo' roots, we isolated a series of new [kwanzoquinones A (1), B (2), C (4), D (5), E (6), F (7), G (9)] and known [2-hydroxychrysophanol (3) and rhein (8)] anthraquinones. These compounds were tested in order to determine their potential roles as cancer cell growth inhibitors. Kwanzoquinones A-C and E, kwanzoquinone A and B monoacetates (1a and 2a), 2-hydroxychrysophanol, and rhein inhibited the proliferation of human breast, CNS, colon, and lung cancer cells with GI50 values between 1.8 to 21.1 microg/mL. However, upon exposure of the cancer cells to the GI50 concentrations of the bioactive anthraquinones, most of the cancer cell lines exhibited higher than anticipated levels of cell viability. Co-incubation of the anthraquinones with vitamins C and E increased the viability of breast cancer cells. In contrast, vitamins C and E potentiated the cytotoxic effects of the anthraquinones against the colon cancer cells. None of the anthraquinones inhibited the activity of topoisomerase.