Two new norneolignans from Callicarpa kwangtungensis

Anti-inflammatory properties and characterization of water extracts obtained from Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun using in vitro and in vivo rat models

Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun (CK) is a common remedy exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in Chinese herbal formulations, such as KangGongYan tablets. It is the main component of KangGongYan tablets, which has been used to treat chronic cervicitis caused by damp heat, red and white bands, cervical erosion, and bleeding. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of CK water extract remains unknown. This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of CK in vivo and in vitro, characterized its main components in the serum of rats and verified the anti-inflammatory effects of serum containing CK. Nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release by RAW264.7 cells was examined by ELISA and Griess reagents. Inflammation-related protein expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was measured by western blotting. Furthermore, rat model of foot swelling induced by λ-carrageenan and a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model were used to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of CK. The components of CK were characterized by LC-MS, and the effects of CK-containing serum on proinflammatory factors levels and the expression of inflammation-related proteins were examined by ELISA, Griess reagents and Western blotting. CK suppressed IL-6, TNF-α, and NO production, and iNOS protein expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that CK inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK, P38 and JNK in the MAPK signaling pathway, promoted the expression of IκBα in the NF-κB signaling pathway, and subsequently inhibited the expression of iNOS, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, CK reduced the swelling rates with λ-carrageenan induced foot swelling, and reduced the arthritis score and incidence in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. A total of 68 compounds in CK water extract and 31 components in rat serum after intragastric administration of CK were characterized. Serum pharmacological analysis showed that CK-containing serum suppressed iNOS protein expression and NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 release. CK may be an anti-inflammatory agent with therapeutic potential for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, especially inflammatory diseases associated with MAPK activation.

Review of lignans from 2019 to 2021: Newly reported compounds, diverse activities, structure-activity relationships and clinical applications

Lignans, with various biological activities, such as antitumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, are widely distributed in nature and mainly exist in the xylem of plants. In this paper, we summarized the structures and bioactivities of lignans reported in recent years (2019-2021) from five parts, including (1) a summary and classification of newly reported compounds; (2) the pharmacological activities of lignans; (3) molecular resources and activity distribution; (4) the structure-activity relationships; and (5) the clinical application of lignans. This review covers all undescribed compounds that were reported within the covered period of time and all bioactivity data about previously isolated lignans. The distribution of lignans in different plants and families is visualized, which improves the efficiency of searching for specific molecules. The diverse activities of different types of lignans provide an important reference for the rapid screening of these compounds. Discussion about the structure-activity relationships of lignans provides a direction for the structural modification of skeleton molecules. Combined with the clinical application of such molecules, this work will provide a valuable reference for pharmaceutical chemists.

Callnudoids A-H: Highly modified labdane diterpenoids with anti-inflammation from the leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora

Eight undescribed 3,4-seco-norlabdane diterpenoids, callnudoids A-H, as well as two known analogues were isolated from the leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora. The structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods and were compared with published NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of callnudoids D and E were defined based on ECD data or single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Callnudoids A-C are the highly modified labdane diterpenoids featuring rearranged 3,4-seco-ring and the formation of an undescribed cyclohexene moiety via C2-C18 cyclization. They only contain 15 carbon atoms on the carbon skeleton. Callnudoid D represents the unusual 3,4-seco-15,16-norlabdane diterpenoid with C13-C17 cyclization, and a putative biosynthesis pathway for callnudoids A, B, D, and E was proposed. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) released in RAW264.7 cells; callnudoids A-E and H, and methylcallicarpate obviously inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner.

Systematic characterisation of the effective components of five Callicarpa species with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and evaluation of their anti-hyperuricaemic activity

Callicarpa kwangtungensis (C. Kw), C. macrophylla (C. Ma), C. nudiflora (C. Nu), C. formosana (C. Fo), and C. kochiana (C. Ko) were medicinal plant resource in China. In this study, the UPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis was performed and 151 compounds were identified. PCA analysis metabolic profiles of C. Nu, C. Ko and C. Kw leaves differ significantly from the other two Callicarpa species, while C. Fo and C. Ma share similar chemical constituents. OPLS-DA highlight with an S-plot indicated that there are 14 robust known chemical markers enabling the differentiation between these five Callicarpa plants. C. Ma, C. Nu, and C. Fo leaves extracts treatment effectively reversed the body weight loss, uric acid and creatinine content, hepatic XOD activity, kidney, liver, and ankle tissues injury and inflammation induced by potassium oxonate in hyperuricemia mice. While Ko and C. Kw leaves extracts treatment showed less improvement in hyperuricemia mice.

Rapid identification of chemical compositions in callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry

Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun is a traditional Chinese medicine that has various therapeutic effects. Despite its wide use in Chinese medicine, the study is still quite limited, especially its chemical compositions. In this research, an ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry method was utilized to analyze its chemical compositions for the first time. As a result, a total of 124 compounds, including 20 phenylethanoid glycosides, 31 flavonoids, 36 organic acids, 26 terpenoids and 11 phenols, were identified or tentatively characterized in 30 min. Among them, 49 compounds, including 5 phenylethanoid glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 16 organic acids, 12 terpenoids, and 4 phenols, were identified in Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun for the first time. Besides, the fragmentation pathways were also discussed. This research established a rapid and reliable method to analyze the chemical compositions of complicated herb without the process of isolation, and provide abundant information on the chemical material basis for further bioactivity and quality control studies.