Phenolic compounds from Artemisia iwayomogi and their effects on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Isolation and chemical characterization of secondary metabolites from Gazania rigens and their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities

Phytochemical study of Gazania rigens whole plant led to isolation and structural characterisation of six known compounds including lupeol (1), lupenone (2), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside (3), dunalianoside D (4), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5), and tachioside (6). Compounds (1-4, and 6) were isolated for the first time. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using different spectroscopic analyses such as 1H,13C, and DEPT NMR analyses, besides HR-ESI-MS analysis. The isolated compounds and fractions were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity against various bacterial and fungal strains. Only lupeol (1) exhibited a moderate antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae with IC50 value of 19.05 µg/mL. The cytotoxic potential of the total ethanol extract and its derived fractions of G. rigens was evaluated against the MDA-MB-468 TNBC cell line using MTT assay. The petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions exhibited a moderate inhibitory action with IC50 values of 22.42 ± 0.63, 25.55 ± 1.53, and 28.07 ± 0.63, respectively.

Inhibitory Effect of Chemical Constituents Isolated from Artemisia iwayomogi on Polyol Pathway and Simultaneous Quantification of Major Bioactive Compounds

Blocking the polyol pathway plays an important role preventing diabetic complications. Therefore, aldose reductase (AR) and advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) formation has significant effect on diabetic complications. Artemisia iwayomogi has long been used as treatment of various diseases in Korea. However, no literatures have reported on AR and AGEs formation inhibitory activities of A. iwayomogi. For these reasons, we aimed to assess that A. iwayomogi had potential as anti-diabetic complications agents. We led to isolation of two coumarins (1 and 2), nine flavonoids (3–11), five caffeoylquinic acids (12–16), three diterpene glycosides (17–19), and one phenolic compound (20) from A. iwayomogi. Among them, hispidulin (4), 6-methoxytricin (6), arteanoflavone (7), quercetin-3-gentiobioside (10), 1,3-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (13), and suavioside A (18) were first reported on the isolation from A. iwayomogi. Not only two coumarins (1 and 2), nine flavonoids (3–11), and five caffeoylquinic acids (12–16) but also extracts showed significant inhibitor on AR and AGEs formation activities. We analyzed contents of major bioactive compounds in Korea's various regions of A. iwayomogi. Overall, we selected Yangyang, Gangwon-do, from June, which contained the highest amounts of bioactive compounds, as suitable areas for cultivating A. iwayomogi as preventive or therapeutic agent in the treatment of diabetic complications.

Calophyllolide content in Calophyllum inophyllum at different stages of maturity and its osteogenic activity

Calophyllum inophyllum is a coastal plant rich in natural substances. Its ingredients have been used for the development of an anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug. In this study, we collected C. inophyllum fruit, and the ethanol extract of the fruit was chromatographically separated using silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 columns to obtain the major compound, calophyllolide. The fruits were harvested from September to December in 2011; a quantitative analysis of the calophyllolide content was conducted using HPLC to explore the differences between the different parts of the fruit during the growing season. The results showed that in fruits of C. inophyllum, calophyllolide exists only in the nuts, and dried nuts contain approximately 2 mg·g⁻¹ of calophyllolide. The calophyllolide levels in the nuts decreased during maturity. In addition, calophyllolide dose-dependently enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, without significant cytotoxicity. The expression of osteoblastic genes, ALP and osteocalcin (OCN), were increased by calophyllolide. Calophyllolide induced osteoblasts differentiation also evidenced by increasing mineralization and ALP staining.

Simultaneous quantification and validation of new peroxynitrite scavengers from Artemisia iwayomogi

CONTEXT

Artemisia iwayomogi Kitamura (Compositae) has been very widely used for the treatment of acute or chronic hepatitis, jaundice, and gastritis. In the course of our continuing efforts to identify and quantify peroxynitrite scavengers from Compositae plants, A. iwayomogi was used in this study.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was aimed to identify and quantify the peroxynitrite scavengers of A. iwayomogi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Silica gel and ODS were used for column chromatography. The isolated compounds were quantified using an HPLC equipped with a Capcell Pak C18 column (5 μm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.), and the method was validated for the quality control. Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-))-scavenging activities of the compounds and extracts were evaluated on the measurement of highly fluorescent rhodamine 123 converted from non-fluorescent dihydrorhodamine (DHR)-123 under the presence of peroxynitrite.

RESULTS

Based on the spectroscopic evidences, a new compound, 2"-O-caffeoylrutin (2"-O-trans-caffeic acid ester of quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranoside) was isolated and determined together with patuletin 3-O-glucoside, scopolin, scopoletin, rutin, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic acid. All of them were potent peroxynitrite scavengers (IC50 ≤ 1.88 μg/mL).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The peroxynitrite scavengers were mainly distributed in the EtOAc fraction rather than the ether and BuOH fractions. The 70% MeOH extract exhibited a high peroxynitrite-scavenging activity. Through the validation, the present HPLC method was verified to be sufficiently sensitive, accurate, precise, and stable. Therefore, this method can be used for the quality control of A. iwayomogi.

Phytochemical profile of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb). Steud

Paulownia tomentosa, a member of the plant family Paulowniaceae and a rich source of biologically active secondary metabolites, is traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine. Flavonoids, lignans, phenolic glycosides, quinones, terpenoids, glycerides, phenolic acids, and miscellaneous other compounds have been isolated from different parts of P. tomentosa plant. Recent interest in this species has focused on isolating and identifying of prenylated flavonoids, that exhibit potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiphlogistic activities and inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus papain-like protease. They show cytotoxic activity against various human cancer cell lines and inhibit the effects of human cholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and bacterial neuraminidases. Most of the compounds considered here have never been isolated from any other species of plant. This review summarizes the information about the isolated compounds that are active, their bioactivities, and the structure-activity relationships that have been worked out for them.

Phenolic components from Rhus parviflora fruits and their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages

Nine phenolic compounds, phloracetophenone-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), p-hydroxybenzoic acid-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), leonuriside A (3), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), cis-p-coumaric acid-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), trans-p-coumaric acid-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), trans-p-coumaric acid-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), (-)-shikimic acid (8) and (-)-methyl shikimate (9), were isolated for the first time from the fruits of Rhus parviflora. Compounds 1, 3-6 and 8 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of 9.24 ± 1.20, 21.37 ± 2.02, 23.07 ± 1.58, 9.86 ± 0.98, 19.05 ± 1.66 and 11.3 ± 1.54 μM, respectively. The results indicated possible use of compounds for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Scopoletin and scopolin isolated from Artemisia iwayomogi suppress differentiation of osteoclastic macrophage RAW 264.7 cells by scavenging reactive oxygen species

Artemisia iwayomogi has been used as a folk medicine for treating various diseases including inflammatory and immune-related diseases. Scopoletin (1) and scopolin (2) were isolated from this species. Scopoletin (1) showed more potent peroxyl radical-scavenging capacity, reducing capacity, and cellular antioxidant capacity compared to scopolin (2). The inhibitory effect of 1 on the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand-induced osteoclastic differentiation of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells was also more potent than that of 2. The production of general reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide anions during differentiation of preosteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells into osteoclasts was attenuated by compounds 1 and 2. These findings indicate that the suppressive effects of 1 and 2 on the differentiation of preosteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells is partially due to their intracellular antioxidant capacity, as they can scavenge ROS and play an important signaling role in the differentiation process.

Artemisia iwayomogi Extract Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Decreasing the Expression of Genes Associated with Adipogenesis in Mice

The objective of the present study was to determine whether Artemisia iwayomogi (AI) extract reduces visceral fat accumulation and obesity-related biomarkers in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and if so, whether these effects are exerted by modulation of the expression of genes associated with adipogenesis and inflammation. AI extract supplementation for 11 weeks significantly prevented HFD-induced increments in body weight, visceral adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, and plasma levels of lipids and leptin. Additionally, AI extract supplementation resulted in downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ2 and C/EBPα) and their target genes (CD36, aP2, and FAS) in epididymal adipose tissue compared to the HFD alone. The AI extract effectively reversed the HFD-induced elevations in plasma glucose and insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index. Furthermore, the extract significantly decreased gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, MCP1, IL-6, IFNα, and INFβ) in epididymal adipose tissue and reduced plasma levels of TNFα and MCP1 as compared to HFD alone. In conclusion, these results suggest that AI extract may prevent HFD-induced obesity and metabolic disorders, probably by downregulating the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and inflammation in visceral adipose tissue.

Potential antiosteoporotic agents from plants: a comprehensive review

Osteoporosis is a major health hazard and is a disease of old age; it is a silent epidemic affecting more than 200 million people worldwide in recent years. Based on a large number of chemical and pharmacological research many plants and their compounds have been shown to possess antiosteoporosis activity. This paper reviews the medicinal plants displaying antiosteoporosis properties including their origin, active constituents, and pharmacological data. The plants reported here are the ones which are commonly used in traditional medical systems and have demonstrated clinical effectiveness against osteoporosis. Although many plants have the potential to prevent and treat osteoporosis, so far, only a fraction of these plants have been thoroughly investigated for their physiological and pharmacological properties including their mechanism of action. An attempt should be made to highlight plant species with possible antiosteoporosis properties and they should be investigated further to help with future drug development for treating this disease.

Armenin and isoarmenin--two prenylated coumarins from the aerial parts of Artemisia armeniaca

The reversed-phase (RP) preparative HPLC analyses of the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia armeniaca yielded four prenylated coumarins, 7-hydroxy-8-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)coumarin (named armenin), 8-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)coumarin (named isoarmenin), lacarol, and deoxylacarol, together with five other compounds, including three flavonoid glycosides, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, rutin, and kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and chlorogenic acid, and tryptophan. (10E,12Z)-9-Hydroxyoctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid (β-dimorphecolic acid) was isolated from the CH(2)Cl(2) extract. Armenin and isoarmenin were new coumarins. Structures of all compounds were determined by spectroscopic means, including UV, MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR. The in vitro free-radical-scavenging property of the extracts and isolated compounds was evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.