Evaluation of Lignans from Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra for Their Potential Antimetastatic Effects in the Brain

Total synthesis of justicidin B, justicidin E, and taiwanin C: A general and flexible approach toward the synthesis of natural arylnaphthalene lactone lignans

Lignans are widely present in traditional medicinal plants. Many natural arylnaphthalene lactone lignans (NALLs) isolated from the genera Justicia, Haplophyllum, and Phyllanthus possess interesting biological activities. Herein, we report a general strategy for the total synthesis of this kind of lignans. Features of this new approach are an aryl-alkyl Suzuki cross-coupling to introduce the dioxinone unit, a cation-induced cyclization to construct the aryl dihydronaphthalene, and base-mediated oxidative aromatization to furnish the arylnaphthalene core. By incorporating these key transformations, the total syntheses of justicidins B and E and taiwanin C covered type I and type II NALLs were accomplished.

The Volatile Phytochemistry of Seven Native American Aromatic Medicinal Plants

As part of our evaluation of essential oils derived from Native American medicinal plants, we have obtained the essential oils of Agastache foeniculum (Pursch) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), Gaultheria procumbens L. (Ericaceae), Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet (Asteraceae), Liatris spicata (L.) Willd. (Asteraceae), Pycnanthemum incanum (L.) Michx. (Lamiaceae), Smallanthus uvedalia (L.) Mack. ex Mack. (Asteraceae), and Verbena hastata L. (Verbenaceae) by hydrodistillation. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques. The essential oil of A. foeniculum was dominated by estragole (88–93%), while methyl salicylate (91%) dominated the G. procumbens essential oil. Germacrene D was the major component in H. helianthoides (42%) and L. spicata (24%). 1,8-Cineole (31%) and α-terpineol (17%) were the main compounds in P. incanum essential oil. The essential oil of S. uvedalia showed α-pinene (24%), perillene (15%), and β-caryophyllene (17%) as major components. Verbena hastata essential oil was rich in 1-octen-3-ol (up to 29%) and palmitic acid (up to 22%). Four of these essential oils, H. helianthoides, L. spicata, P. incanum, and V. hastata, are reported for the first time. Additionally, the enantiomeric distributions of several terpenoid components have been determined.

The study of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of raw materials of Heliopsis helianthoides (l.) sweet

Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we studied the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of bioactive substances in the roots, leaves, flowers and seeds of Heliopsis helianthoides. The results of our study showed the presence of 5 phenolic compounds in its roots, 4 phenolic compounds in its leaves, 10 phenolic compounds in its flowers and 8 phenolic compounds in its seeds. The highest content of identified compounds was found in the leaves of this plant – 3192.20±79.78 mg/kg. The dominating hydroxycinnamic acid was chlorogenic acid. This had its highest concentration (1537.21±38.43 mg/kg) in the Heliopsis helianthoides leaves. Among flavonoids, luteolin prevailed in the roots, apigenin-7-glucoside prevailed in the seeds and rutin prevailed in the leaves and flowers. Maximum rutin content (1426.64±35.67 mg/kg) was found in the Heliopsis helianthoides leaves.

Antioxidant activity study in vitro uncovered the substantial antioxidant potential of bioactive substances (BASs) in all tested samples of the raw materials, being within the limits of 2.81-8.13 mg/g. Most active in this respect were Heliopsis helianthoides leaves. The obtained data indicate the feasibility of the development of new antioxidant active drugs on the basis of raw materials of Heliopsis helianthoides.

Arylnaphthalene lactone analogues: synthesis and development as excellent biological candidates for future drug discovery

Arylnaphthalene lactones are natural products extracted from a wide range of different parts of plants. The progressing interest in the synthesis of these compounds is due to their significant biological activities, which have made them potential candidates in drug discovery and development. This review mainly covers recent developments in the synthesis and biological applications of arylnaphthalene lactone analogs.

A review of recent developments in the synthesis and biological applications of arylnaphthalene lactones analogs.