New antihepatotoxic cerebroside from Lycium chinense fruits

Contribution of phenolamides to the quality evaluation in Lycium spp

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Goji berry is a general term for various plant species in the genus Lycium. Goji has long been historically used in traditional Chinese medicines. Goji is a representative tonic medicine that has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidney and benefiting the essence and eyesight. It has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases, including tinnitus, impotence, spermatorrhea and blood deficiency, since ancient times.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This study aims to comprehensively summarize the quality evaluation methods of the main compounds in goji, as well as the current research status of the phenolamides in goji and their pharmacological effects, to explore the feasibility of using phenolamides as quality control markers and thus improve the quality and efficacy in goji.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant literature from PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, CNKI and other databases was comprehensively collected, screened and summarized.

RESULTS

According to the collected literature, the quality evaluation markers of goji in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China are Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) and betaine. As a result of its structure complexity, only the total level of LBP can be determined, while betaine is not prominent in the pharmacological action of goji and lacks species distinctiveness. Neither of them can well explain the quality of goji. KuA and KuB are commonly used as quality evaluation markers of the Lycii cortex because of their high levels and suitable pharmacological activity. Goji is rich in polyphenols, carotenoids and alkaloids. Many studies have used the above compounds to establish quality evaluation methods but the results have not been satisfactory. Phenolamides have often been neglected in previous studies because of their low single compound levels and high separation difficulty. However, in recent years, the favorable pharmacological activities of phenolamides have been gradually recognized, and studies on goji phenolamides are greatly increasing. In addition, phenolamides have higher species distinctiveness than other compounds and can be combined with other compounds to better evaluate the quality of goji to improve its average quality.

CONCLUSIONS

The phenolamides in the goji are rich and play a key role in antioxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection and immunomodulation. As a result of their characteristics, it is suitable to evaluate the quality by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker and fingerprint. This method can be combined with other techniques to improve the quality evaluation system of goji, which lays a foundation for their effectiveness and provides a reference for new quality evaluation methods of similar herbal medicines.

Serratiomycins D1-D3, Antibacterial Cyclic Peptides from a Serratia sp. and Structure Revision of Serratiomycin

Serratiomycin (1) is an antibacterial cyclic depsipeptide, first discovered from a Eubacterium culture in 1998. This compound was initially reported to contain l-Leu, l-Ser, l-allo-Thr, d-Phe, d-Ile, and hydroxydecanoic acid. In the present study, 1 and three new derivatives, serratiomycin D1-D3 (2-4), were isolated from a Serratia sp. strain isolated from the exoskeleton of a long-horned beetle. The planar structures of 1-4 were elucidated by using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Comparison of the NMR chemical shifts and the physicochemical data of 1 to those of previously reported serratiomycin indeed identified 1 as serratiomycin. The absolute configurations of the amino units in compounds 1-4 were determined by the advanced Marfey's method, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate derivatization, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) analysis. Additionally, methanolysis and the modified Mosher's method were used to determine the absolute configuration of (3R)-hydroxydecanoic acid in 1. Consequently, the revised structure of 1 was found to possess d-Leu, l-Ser, l-Thr, d-Phe, l-allo-Ile, and d-hydroxydecanoic acid. In comparison with the previously published structure of serratiomycin, l-Leu, l-allo-Thr, and d-Ile in serratiomycin were revised to d-Leu, l-Thr, and l-allo-Ile. The new members of the serratiomycin family, compounds 2 and 3, showed considerably higher antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica than compound 1.

Assessment of Mineral and Phenolic Profiles and Their Association with the Antioxidant, Cytotoxic Effect, and Antimicrobial Potential of Lycium chinense Miller

This study aimed at investigating the Lycium chinense Miller leaf extract mineral and phenolic compound profiles as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. We determined the leaf extract mineral composition, identified its major mineral components, and quantified secondary metabolites. We also measured the leaf extract antioxidant potential and found that it varies in a concentration-dependent manner. We observed a significant and higher positive correlation between DPPH and ABTS assays compared with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Furthermore, our assay results positively correlated with several observed acids, indicating their strong association with the L. chinense antioxidant potential. Our cytotoxic assay revealed weak toxicity at higher tested concentrations. Our MIC assay showed that the 80% methanol extract effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC35150). The 625-ppm leaf extract completely suppressed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach (ATCC13150), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579), and Helicobacter pylori (ATCC43504). These results allow us to understand the indigenous medicinal value of L. chinense. Our study suggests that the L. chinense leaf extract phenolic compounds possess a good antioxidant activity against free radicals and are effective antimicrobial agents. Finally, the presence and high level of diverse minerals suggest the potential of L. chinense for nutraceutical and functional food applications.

Lyciiterpenoids A-D, four new rearranged eudesmane sesquiterpenoids from Lycii Cortex

Four new rearranged eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, Lyciiterpenoids A-D (1-4), together with four known compounds (5-8) were isolated from the aqueous extract of Lycii Cortex. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of compounds 1-4 were determined by the quantum chemical ECD calculations. The absolute configuration of 1 was further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic data analysis. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2, and A549). However, no significant activities were detected even with a concentration up to 100 μM.

A Novel Ceramide from the Indian Marine Sponge Fasciospongia Cavernosa

A new ceramide 1, has been isolated along with a known compound 3,6-diacetoxy-cholest-7-en-3β,5α,6β-triol (2) from a marine sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa collected off the Mandapam coast in the Gulf of Manner, India. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by spectroscopic analysis.

New glycosylsphingolipids from Psychotria serpens L

In clinical, Psychotria serpens L. was often substitute for Caulis trachelospermi to treat cancer in China. Meanwhile, EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions of MeOH extract of P. serpens L. show power activity against H460, HepG2, Hela, and PC9/GR cell lines, and no toxic effects against normal 16HBE cell lines. In our ongoing search for bioactive novel compounds from Chinese material medica, one new type of glycosylsphingolipids Psychotramide (1a-1c) were isolated from P. serpens L., and their structures were identified through spectroscopic techniques including NMR (1D and 2D) and MS (LC-MS, and GC-MS).

Lycium Barbarum: A Traditional Chinese Herb and A Promising Anti-Aging Agent

Lycium barbarum has been used in China for more than 2,000 years as a traditional medicinal herb and food supplement. Lycium barbarum contains abundant Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), betaine, phenolics, carotenoids (zeaxanthin and β-carotene), cerebroside, 2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG), β-sitosterol, flavonoids and vitamins (in particular, riboflavin, thiamine, and ascorbic acid). LBPs are the primary active components of Lycium barbarum. In this review, we discuss the pharmacological activities of LBPs and other major components. They have been reported to mediate significant anti-aging effects, through antioxidant, immunoregulative, anti-apoptotic activities and reducing DNA damage. Thus, the basic scientific evidence for anti-aging effects of LBPs is already available. However, additional studies are needed to understand mechanisms by which LBPs mediate anti-aging properties. Novel findings from such studies would likely pave the way for the clinical application of traditional chinese medicine Lycium barbarum in modern evidence-based medicine.

Deinococcucins A-D, Aminoglycolipids from Deinococcus sp., a Gut Bacterium of the Carpenter Ant Camponotus japonicus

Four new aminoglycolipids, deinococcucins A-D (1-4), were discovered from a Deinococcus sp. strain isolated from the gut of queen carpenter ants, Camponotus japonicus. The structures of deinococcucins A-D were elucidated as a combination of N-acetyl glucosamine, 2,3-dihydroxypropanoic acid, and an alkyl amine with a C₁₆ or C₁₇ hydrocarbon chain primarily based on 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The exact location of the olefinic double bond in deinococcucins C and D (3 and 4) was assigned based on the liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy data obtained after olefin metathesis. The absolute configurations of the N-acetyl glucosamine and 2,3-dihydroxy moieties were determined through gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of authentic samples and phenylglycine methyl ester-derivatized products, respectively. Deinococcucins A and C displayed significant induction of quinone reductase in murine Hepa-1c1c7 cells.

Neuroprotective Activity of Cerebrosides from Typhonium giganteum by Regulating Caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 Signaling Pathways in PC12 Cells

An investigation of the potential neuroprotective natural product constituents of the rhizomes of Typhonium giganteum led to the isolation of two new cerebrosides, typhonosides E (1) and F (2), along with 11 known analogues (3-13). The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. The activity of these compounds against glutamate-induced cell apoptosis was investigated in PC12 cells. All compounds exhibited such activity, which was related to the length of the fatty acyl chain. Among them, longan cerebroside II (11), with the longest fatty acyl chain, showed the most potent protective effect in PC12 cells from glutamate injury, with an EC₅₀ value of 2.5 μM. Moreover, at the molecular level, longan cerebroside II (11) downregulated the expression of caspase-9, caspase-3, and Bax, upregulated the expression of Bcl-2, and decreased the level of cytosolic cytochrome c in a concentration-dependent manner.

Systematic Review of Chemical Constituents in the Genus Lycium (Solanaceae)

The Lycium genus is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and functional food. Many of the chemical constituents of the genus Lycium were reported previously. In this review, in addition to the polysaccharides, we have enumerated 355 chemical constituents and nutrients, including 22 glycerogalactolipids, 29 phenylpropanoids, 10 coumarins, 13 lignans, 32 flavonoids, 37 amides, 72 alkaloids, four anthraquinones, 32 organic acids, 39 terpenoids, 57 sterols, steroids, and their derivatives, five peptides and three other constituents. This comprehensive study could lay the foundation for further research on the Lycium genus.

α-Glucosidase Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Taxane Diterpenoids from the Stem Bark of Taxus wallichiana

From a CH₂Cl₂ extract of the bark of Taxus wallichiana, six new taxoids, wallitaxanes A-F (1-6), were isolated, together with 29 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. Wallitaxane D (4) was identified as an opened oxetane-type taxoid having the first naturally occurring C(H)-20 acetal group, while wallitaxanes E (5) and F (6) are representative of the rare abeo-taxoid class. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and for cytotoxicity against the HeLa human cervical cancer cell line. In the present work, taxanes were found to exhibit α-glucosidase inhibitory activity for the first time, and wallitaxane A (1) showed the most potent effect, with an IC₅₀ value of 3.6 μM. In turn, 7-epi-taxol (16) and 7-epi-10-deacetyltaxol (17) showed IC₅₀ values of 0.05 and 0.085 nM, respectively, against HeLa cells.

Reverse-phase HPLC method for the quantification of two antihyperglycemic glycolipids in Oplismenus burmannii

Glycolipids and sphingolipids are well known for their diverse biological activities like anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antistress, anti-HIV, hepatoprotective and antimicrobial. The present study deals with the activity-guided isolation and characterization of two antihyperglycemic glycolipids, (2S)-1,2-di-O-octadecanoyl-3-O-[α-d-galctopyranosyl-(1'' → 6')-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl] glycerol (1) and 1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,8E)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-tetracosanoylamino]-2,3,4-octadecanetriol-8-ene (2) from Oplismenus burmannii and the development of a simple and validated reverse-phase HPLC analytical method for their quantification in the methanolic extracts of O. burmannii. The marker compounds 1 and 2 were isolated from the methanolic extract of O. burmannii and characterized on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Their antihyperglycemic potential was evaluated by determining their glucose uptake-stimulating potential in L6-GLUT4myc myotube cells. Finally, these analytes were separated on a Waters Spherisorb ODS 2 column with a binary gradient of methanol and water at a constant flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and detected using a photodiode array detector at 230 nm. The calibration curve was linear (r(2)  > 0.999) over 1.2 orders of magnitude with acceptable accuracy, reproducibility and recovery (98.16-100.50%). The limits of detection and quantification for 1 and 2 were 1.36, 4.11 and 1.11, 3.35 µg/mL respectively. The method is simple, accurate, precise and selective and may be routinely used for the quality control analysis of whole plant extract of O. burmannii for these two glycolipids.

Sea cucumber cerebrosides and long-chain bases from Acaudina molpadioides protect against high fat diet-induced metabolic disorders in mice

Sea cucumber cerebrosides and long-chain bases fromAcaudina molpadioidesefficiently protected against high fat diet-induced metabolic disorders in mice.

An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Goji (Lycium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration

An evidence-based systematic review of goji (Lycium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.

New polyglucopyranosyl and polyarabinopyranosyl of fatty acid derivatives from the fruits of Lycium chinense and its antioxidant activity

Four new compounds 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid 3-octadecanoyl-4-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl (2a→1b)-2a-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-2b-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1), 2,6,10-trimethyl-n-dodec-2-en-1-oyl-1-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-2a-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-2b-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2c→1d)-2c-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2d→1e)-2d-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2e→1f)-2e-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2f→1g)-2f-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (2), n-docos-9,12-dienoyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-2a-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-2b-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(2c→1d)-2c-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(2d→1e)-2d-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(2e→1f)-2e-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (3), β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-2a-O-β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-2b-O-β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2c→1d)-2c-O-β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2d→1e)-2d-O-β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2e→1f)-2e-O-β-L-arabinopyranoside (4) along with some know compounds, were isolated and identified from a methanol extract Lycium chinense fruits. Their structures were determined of the new compounds using one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopies in combination by IR, FAB/MS and HR-FAB/MS. The compounds 1-4 were investigated for the antioxidant potential using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and the phosphomolybdenum activity and the results demonstrate that the compounds (2 and 3) has potential as a natural antioxidant whereas the compound (4) exhibited moderate activity and the compound (1) exhibited weak antioxidant activity.

Antidepressant-like effects of lycii radicis cortex and betaine in the forced swimming test in rats

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Lycii Radicis Cortex (LRC) and betaine (BT) on immobility and neurochemical change in the forced swimming test (FST) in the rat. LRC, BT or fluoxentine was administered intraperitoneally to Sprague-Dawley rats three times (1, 5 and 23.5 h) before the FST. To investigate antidepressant-like effect, serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) were examined in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats. LRC (100 mg/kg) and BT (30, 100 mg/kg) significantly decreased the immobility time in the FST. LRC (100 mg/kg) significantly increased both 5-HT and NE levels in the hypothalamus of rats exposed to FST. BT (100 mg/kg) significantly increased 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats. Taken together, these results demonstrated that improvement in the behavioral changes after LRC and BT administration may be mediated by elevation of 5-HT level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, indicating a possible antidepressant-like activity. The present results suggest that the efficacy of LRC and BT in an animal model of depression may provide anti-depressant effects in human, which remains to be determined.

Treatment of d-galactose induced mouse aging with Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and its mechanism study

We evaluated the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides LBP) on D-galactose aging model mouse, and explored its possible mechanism. Kunming mice were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the high-dose LBP group, and the low-dose LBP group. Except the control group, D-galactose was used for modelling. The drug was administrated when modelling. Mouse behavioural, learning and memory changes were observed, and the contents of lipid peroxidation (LPO), lipofuscin (LF) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) in mouse brain tissue and the weight of immune organs were measured after 6 weeks. Compared with the control group, mouse weight gain in the model group reduced significantly. Compared with model group, after mice drank LBP, the times of electric shock was less than aging mice (in which, the high-dose LBP group, P<0.05), and electric shock incubation period was longer (P<0.01). On Day 45 after modelling and drug administration, the contents of LPO, LF and MAO-B in mouse brain tissue in the model group increased significantly, while those in the drug administration groups decreased significantly. The thymus index in the aging model group decreased significantly; the thymus index and the spleen index in the high-dose LBP group and the low-dose LBP group rebounded significantly (P<0.01). We concluded that LBP has an anti-aging effect on D-galactose induced aging model mouse, and its mechanism may be related with the alleviation of glucose metabolism disorder and the resistance of the generation of lipid peroxide and other substances, which damage cell membrane lipid.

Study on antibacterial effect of medlar and hawthorn compound extract in vitro

This paper evaluated the antibacterial effect of medlar and hawthorn compound extract in vitro. Water extract method and ethanol extraction method was adopted to prepare the compound extracts, and disc diffusion method and improved test tube doubling dilution method were used to conduct the antibacterial test on the two common pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia, in vitro. The results showed that medlar and hawthorn compound extract was moderately sensitive to Staphylococcus aureus, while its inhibiting effect on Klebsiella pneumoniae was particularly significant, moreover, the antibacterial effect of ethanol extract was better than water extract. Medlar and hawthorn compounds had good antibacterial effect on the two pathogenic bacteria.

New tetraterpene glycosides from the fruits of Lycium chinense

Two new compounds lyciumtetraterpenic hexaarabinoside (1) and tetraterpenyl hexaarabinoside (2), along with two known compounds, were isolated from the methanol extract of the fruits of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae), and their structures have been elucidated as 6-(1,1,5-trimethyl-5α-hydroxycyclohexanyl)-6'-(1',1',5'-trimethyl-2'β-hydroxycyclohexanyl)-9,13,9',13'-tetramethyloctadec-7,9,11,13,15,7',9',11',13'-nonene-5α-D-arabinopyranosyl(2a → 1b)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2b → 1c)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-2'-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2d → 1e)-α-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2e → 1f)-α-D-arabinopyranoside (1) and 1(6),11(12),13(14),1'(6'),11'(12'),13'(14')-dodecahydro-β-caroten-4β,4'β-diol-4β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2a → 1b)-β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2b → 1c)-β-D-arabinopyranosido-4'β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2d → 1e)-β-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2e → 1f)-β-D-arabinopyranoside (2) on the basis of spectral data analysis and chemical reactions.

Antihepatotoxic zeaxanthins from the fruits ofLycium chinense

A CHCl(3): MeOH extract of the fruit ofLycium chinense Mill. (Solanaceae) was found to afford significant protection against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Subsequent activity-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin dipalmitate as antihepatotoxic components. Incubation of injured hepatocytes with zeaxanthin dipalmitate reduced the levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) released from damaged cells to 60.5% and 76.3% of those released from untreated controls, respectively. Zeaxanthin also reduced the levels of GPT and SDH to 68.5% and 61.3% of the levels of those released from the untreated control. The results confirm the hepatoprotective activities of zeaxanthins. Antihepatotoxic activities of zeaxanthins are comparable to that of silybin.

Dietary sea cucumber cerebroside alleviates orotic acid-induced excess hepatic adipopexis in rats

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disease in industrialized countries. The present study was undertaken to explore the preventive effect of dietary sea cucumber cerebroside (SCC) extracted from Acaudina molpadioides in fatty liver rats.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups including normal control group, NAFLD model group, and two SCC-treated groups with SCC at 0.006% and 0.03% respectively. The fatty liver model was established by administration of 1% orotic acid (OA) to the rats. After 10d, serum and hepatic lipid levels were detected. And the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were also determined. Besides, to gain the potential mechanism, the changes of key enzymes and gene expressions related to the hepatic lipid metabolism were measured.

RESULTS

Dietary SCC at the level of 0.006% and 0.03% ameliorated the hepatic lipid accumulation in fatty liver rats. SCC administration elevated the serum triglyceride (TG) level and the ALT, AST activities in OA-fed rats. The activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes including fatty acid synthase (FAS), malic enzyme (ME) and glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase (G6PDH) were inhibited by SCC treatment. And the gene expressions of FAS, ME, G6PDH and sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP-1c) were also reduced in rats fed SCC. However, dietary SCC didn't affect the activity and mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) in liver. Besides, suppression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) activity was observed in SCC-feeding rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that dietary SCC could attenuate hepatic steatosis due to its inhibition of hepatic lipogenic gene expression and enzyme activity and the enhancement of TG secretion from liver.

New steroidal glycoside ester and aliphatic acid from the fruits of Lycium chinense

Two new compounds stigmast-5-en-3β-ol-3-O-β-D-(2'-n-triacontanoyl) glucopyranoside (1) and 19,21-dimethyl triacont-17,22,24,26,28-pentaene-1-oic acid (2), along with the three known compounds n-tetracosanyl octadec-9-enoate (3), β-sitosterol, and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, have been isolated from the methanol extract of Lycium chinense fruits. The structures of these phytoconstituents have been established on the basis of spectral data analysis and chemical reactions.

Effects of Lycium barbarum aqueous and ethanol extracts on high-fat-diet induced oxidative stress in rat liver tissue

This study evaluated the protective effects of aqueous extract of Lycium barbarum (LBAE) and ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum (LBEE) on blood lipid levels, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and liver tissue antioxidant enzyme activities in rats fed a high fat diet (HF). The rats were randomly divided into seven groups of ten rats each and fed a different diet for eight weeks as follows: One group (NC group) was fed a standard diet, one group was fed a high-fat diet (HF group), one group was fed a high-fat diet and orally fed with 20 mg/kg b.w. simvastatin (HF + simvastatin group), and the other group was fed the high fat diet and orally fed with 50 mg/kg b.w. or 100 mg/kg b.w. LBAE (HF + LBAE), or 50 mg/kg b.w. or 100 mg/kg b.w. LBEE (HF + LBEE), respectively. After eight weeks, the HF diet caused deleterious metabolic effects. Rats fed the HF diet alone showed increased hepatocellular enzyme activities in plasma, a significant decline in antioxidant enzyme activities, and elevated liver lipid peroxidation indices. LBAE and LBEE administration significantly reduced liver damage and oxidative changes, and brought back the antioxidants and lipids towards normal levels. These data suggest that these antioxidants protect against toxicity parameters in HF rats.

Antioxidant activities of Korean rice wine concentrates

The antioxidant activities of six Korean rice wine (KRW) concentrates were measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and lipid/malonaldehyde (MA) assays. In the DPPH assay, the antioxidant activities of the KRW concentrates, including Maesilju (MSJ), Kookhwaju-1 (KHJ-1), Kookhwaju-2 (KHJ-2), Gugijaju (GGJ), Sasamju (SSJ), and Sogokju (SGJ), were 40%, 66%, 64%, 35%, 35%, and 63%, respectively. Furthermore, the concentrates inhibited the formation of MA from cod liver oil by 49%, 83%, 75%, 82%, 89%, and 90%, respectively, according to the lipid/MA assay. The sample wines were also analyzed for pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids (°Bx), and reducing sugars. The antioxidant activities of volatile extracts of the KRWs extracted by a solvent assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) apparatus were evaluated by aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay. The volatile extracts of MSJ, KHJ-1, KHJ-2, GGJ, SSJ, and SGJ inhibited the oxidation of hexanal by 97%, 99%, 90%, 90%, 50%, and 51%, respectively. Among the nonvolatile extracts of KRWs, KHJ-2 showed the highest inhibitory effect on MA formation.

Cerebrosides of the halotolerant fungus Alternaria raphani isolated from a sea salt field

In order to search for structurally novel and bioactive natural compounds from marine-derived fungi, a halotolerant fungal strain (THW-18) identified as Alternaria raphani was isolated from sediment collected in the Hongdao sea salt field. From the ethyl acetate extract of Alternaria raphani, three new cerebrosides, alternarosides A-C (1-3), and a new diketopiperazine alkaloid, alternarosin A (4), together with 15 known compounds were isolated and identified by spectroscopic and chemical methods, as well as X-ray crystal diffraction analysis. Compounds 1-4 showed weak antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Candida albicans with MIC values ranging from 70 to 400 muM.

An isomeric mixture of novel cerebrosides isolated from Impatiens pritzellii reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced release of IL-18 from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

An isomeric mixture of two cerebrosides, soya-cerebrosides I and II, was isolated from an ethno drug, the rhizomes of Impatiens pritzellii Hook. f. var. hupehensis Hook. f., and their structures were identified by spectroscopic (NMR, MS) analysis. In order to determine the immunomodulatory activities of soya-cerebrosides I and II, the effects of the mixture of cerebrosides (MC) on cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the inhibitory activities to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin (IL)-18 in PBMC were studied. The MC at concentrations of 10 and 1 microM, without toxicity to PBMC in 24 h, showed obvious inhibitory activity on IL-18 secretion. Because of this effect of modulating the cellular immune response, soya-cerebrosides I and II were considered to be the active substances of this ethno drug.

New long-chain hydroxyalkyl ferulates from the root bark of Lycium chinense Mill

Two new long-chain hydroxyalkyl ferulates, (E)-22-hydroxydocosyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acrylate (lyciumol A, 1) and (E)-20-hydroxyeicosyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acrylate (lyciumol B, 2), together with eight known compounds, were isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense Mill. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS analysis.

A triterpenoidal saponin and sphingolipids from Pteleopsis hylodendron

From the stem bark of Pteleopsis hylodendron, a triterpenoidal saponin bellericagenin [B 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside] (1) (Pteleopsoside)] and two sphingolipids, hylodendroside-I (2), and hylodendroside-II (3) were isolated, along with a synthetically known compound, [2alpha, 3beta, 23-triacetoxy-19alpha-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (4)]. Other known compounds, friedelin (5), beta-carotene (6), lupeol (7), sitosterol (8), and stigmasterol (9), were also obtained. Their structures were deduced with the help of detailed spectroscopic studies.

Strepsiamide A-C, New Ceramides from the Marine Sponge Strepsichordaia Lendenfeldi

Investigation of the lipophilic extract of the Indonesian sponge Strepsichordaia lendenfeldi afforded three new ceramides, given the names strepsiamides A–C (1–3). The compounds showed cytotoxic activities against L5187Y and Hela cell lines. All structures were unambiguously established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and mass (EI-, APCI- and GC-MS) spectrometric data.

New sphingolipids from the root of Isatis indigotica and their cytotoxic activity

Two new sphingolipids were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of traditional Chinese medicinal plant Isatis indigotica. Their structures were elucidated as (2S,3R)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-(2'-hydroxynonacosanoyl)-trideca-9E-sphingenine(1) and 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-(2'-hydroxynonacosanoyl)-trideca-9E-sphingenine(2) on the basis of spectroscopic data. Their cytotoxic effects were evaluated by using MTT method.