Bioactive constituents from Chinese natural medicines. XX. Inhibitors of antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia

Psoralea corylifolia L.: a comprehensive review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, quality control and pharmacokinetics

Psoralea corylifolia L. (PCL), referred to as "Bu-gu-zhi" in Chinese, has great medicinal values since ancient times. PCL is the dried ripe fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L., which has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency, enuresis and urinary frequency, chills and pain of the waist and knees, dawn diarrhea and vitiligo. In this paper, a systematic of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, quality control and pharmacokinetics of PCL was presented, along with future research directions. According to the results, PCL contains approximately 163 chemical components, including coumarins, flavonoids, monoterpene phenols, benzofurans, glycosides, lipids, fatty acids, and volatile oils. PCL and its active ingredients have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor, antiosteoporosis, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory. Further study of quality control standards and potential mechanisms of PCL is also needed. In addition, more toxicological studies will also contribute to the progress of clinical trials.

Antiallergic Properties of Biflavonoids Isolated from the Flowers of Mesua ferrea Linn

The methanolic extract from the flowers of Mesua ferrea Linn. (Calophyllaceae) showed significant hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. Following a bioassay-guided separation of the extract, two biflavonoids, viz., mesuaferrone-A (1) and mesuaferrone-B (2), were isolated, along with ten flavonoids (3–12), two xanthones (13 and 14), three triterpenes (15–17), a phenylpropanoid (18), and five aromatics (19–24). Among the isolates, 1 and 2 (IC50 = 51.1 µM and 54.7 µM, respectively) exhibited hyaluronidase inhibitory activity equivalent to that of the commercially available antiallergic agents disodium cromoglycate (64.8 μM) and ketotifen fumarate (76.5 μM). These biflavonoids (1 and 2) are 8-8″ linked dimers that are composed of naringenin (1a) or apigenin (3), with their corresponding monomers lacking inhibitory activity (IC50 > 300 μM). In addition, 1 and 2 (IC50 = 49.4 µM and 49.2 µM, respectively) inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase, which is a marker of antigen-IgE-mediated degranulation, in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. These inhibitory activities were more potent than those of the antiallergic agents tranilast and ketotifen fumarate (IC50 = 282 μM and 158 μM, respectively), as well as one of the corresponding monomers (1a; IC50 > 100 μM). Nonetheless, these effects were weaker than those of the other monomer (3; IC50 = 6.1 μM).

Improvement of cytotoxicity of mitoxantrone and daunorubicin by candidone, tephrosin, and bavachinin

BACKGROUND

Flavonoids have been demonstrated to have the ability of sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy and inverse multidrug resistance via various mechanisms, such as modulating of pumps. The therapeutic effect of candidone, tephrosin, and bavachinin in treatment of cancer, particularly to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) is largely unknown. The capacity of these agents in sensitization of MDR cells is investigated in the current work.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the impact of candidone, tephrosin, and bavachinin, as chemosensitizer on cell cytotoxicity, P-gp and ABCG2 mRNA expression level on two multidrug resistant cells, ABCG2 overexpressing human epithelial breast cancer cell line (MCF7/MX), and P-gp overexpressing human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (EPG85.257RDB). The inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) of daunorubicin in EPG85.257RDB cells in combination with IC10 of Bavachinin, Tephrosin, and Candidone were 6159 ± 948, 4186 ± 665, 730 ± 258 nM, and this data in MCF7/MX cell were 1773 ± 534, 7160 ± 405 and 3340 ± 622 nM respectively. These three flavonoids dose-dependently decreased the viability of MCF7/MX and EPG85.257RDB and significantly (p < 0.05) decreased IC50 of daunorubicin and mitoxantrone except Tephrosin in MCF7/MX cells. Candidone and Bavachinin were the most potent chemosensitizer in EPG85.257RDB and MCF7/MX cells respectively. Flavonoids did not reduce mRNA expression of P-gp and ABCG2 after 72 h treatment, except Candidone in EPG85.257RDB and Bavachinin in MCF7/MX cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This effect is not time-dependent, and flavonoids have their own patterns that are cell-dependent. In general, tephrosin, candidone, and bavachinin had the potential of sensitizing MDR cells to mitoxantrone and daunorubicin.

Glucose Tolerance-Improving Activity of Helichrysoside in Mice and Its Structural Requirements for Promoting Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

An acylated flavonol glycoside, helichrysoside, at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day per os for 14 days, improved the glucose tolerance in mice without affecting the food intake, visceral fat weight, liver weight, and other plasma parameters. In this study, using hepatoblastoma-derived HepG2 cells, helichrysoside, trans-tiliroside, and kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside enhanced glucose consumption from the medium, but their aglycones and p-coumaric acid did not show this activity. In addition, several acylated flavonol glycosides were synthesized to clarify the structural requirements for lipid metabolism using HepG2 cells. The results showed that helichrysoside and related analogs significantly inhibited triglyceride (TG) accumulation in these cells. The inhibition by helichrysoside was more potent than that by other acylated flavonol glycosides, related flavonol glycosides, and organic acids. As for the TG metabolism-promoting activity in high glucose-pretreated HepG2 cells, helichrysoside, related analogs, and their aglycones were found to significantly reduce the TG contents in HepG2 cells. However, the desacyl flavonol glycosides and organic acids derived from the acyl groups did not exhibit an inhibitory impact on the TG contents in HepG2 cells. These results suggest that the existence of the acyl moiety at the 6′′ position in the D-glucopyranosyl part is essential for glucose and lipid metabolism-promoting activities.

Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Daunorubicin and Mitoxantrone with Bavachinin, Candidone, and Tephrosin

The capability of flavonoids in sensitizing cancer cells was demonstrated in numerous works to chemotherapy and converse multidrug resistance by modulating efflux pumps and apoptosis mechanisms. Three flavonoids, namely, bavachinin, tephrosin, and candidone, have been recently introduced to cancer treatment research presenting various activities, such as antibacterial, immunomodulatory, cell death, and anticancer. Less information exists regarding the therapeutic significance of these flavonoids in cancer treatment, especially in overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR). Here, we tempted to investigate the potency of these agents in reversing MDR by analyzing their effects as chemosensitizers on cell cytotoxicity, P-gp and ABCG2 protein expression levels, and their function on two multidrug-resistant cell lines, P-gp-overexpressing human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (EPG85.257RDB) and ABCG2-overexpressing human epithelial breast cancer cell line (MCF7/MX). The inhibitory concentration of 10% (IC₁₀) of bavachinin, tephrosin, and candidone in EPG85.257RDB cells was 1588.7 ± 202.2, 264.8 ± 86.15, and 1338.6 ± 114.11 nM, respectively. Moreover, these values in MCF7/MX cell were 2406.4 ± 257.63, 38.8 ± 4.28, and 27.9 ± 5.59 nM, respectively. Expression levels of ABCG2 and P-gp were not significantly downregulated by these flavonoids. Maximum levels of daunorubicin and mitoxantrone accumulations and minimum rates of drug efflux in both cell lines were detected 48 hrs posttreatment with tephrosin and bavachinin, respectively. Chemosensitization to mitoxantrone and daunorubicin treatments was, respectively, achieved in MCF7/MX and EPG85.257RDB cells in response to IC₁₀ of bavachinin and tephrosin, independently. These effects did not follow time-dependent manner, and each flavonoid had its cell-dependent patterns. Overall, bavachinin, tephrosin, and candidone showed potency to sensitize MDR cells to daunorubicin and mitoxantrone and could be considered as attractive MDR modulators for cancer treatment. However, their action was time and cell specific.

Genus Psoralea: A review of the traditional and modern uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Psoralea (Fabaceae) harbours 105 accepted species that are extensively used by local peoples and medicinal practitioners of China, India, and other countries for treatment of tooth decay, psoriasis, leucoderma, leprosy, kidney problems, tuberculosis, indigestion, constipation and impotence. Presently, pharmacological research reports are available on only few species namely Bituminaria bituminosa (Syn: P. bituminosa), P. canescens, P. corylifolia, P. esculenta, P. plicata and P. glandulosa which are valued for their chemical constituents and traditional uses.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review article provides explicit information on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of selected Psoralea species. The possible trends and perspectives for future research on these plants are also discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive and systematic review of the extant literature was carried out, and the data under various sections were identified using a computerized bibliographic search via the PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, EMBASE, INMEDPLAN, NATTS as well as several websites.

KEY FINDINGS

A total of 291 bioactive compounds from 06 species of genus Psoralea have been isolated and characterized. However, P. bituminosa alone possess nearly 150 compounds. These bioactive compounds belong to different chemical classes, including flavonoids, coumarins, furanocoumarins, chalcones, quinines, terpenoids and some others due to which these species exhibit significant anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-helmintic, anti-diabetic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer and anti-tumor activities. P. corylifolia L. (Babchi), a Chinese traditional medicinal plant has been used in traditional medicine for many decades for its healing properties against numerous skin diseases such as leprosy, psoriasis and leucoderma.

CONCLUSIONS

The in vitro studies and in vivo models have provided a simple bio-scientific justification for various ethnopharmacological uses of Psoralea species. From the toxicological perspective, the root, leaf, and seed extracts and their preparations have been proven to be safe when consumed in the recommended doses. But, meticulous studies on the pharmaceutical standardization, mode of action of the active constituents, and sustainable conservation of Psoralea species are needed, to meet the growing demands of the pharmaceutical industries, and to fully exploit their preventive and therapeutic potentials.

Improved cell membrane bioaffinity sample pretreatment technique with enhanced stability for screening of potential allergenic components from traditional Chinese medicine injections

Aiming at improving reliability in conventional cell membrane chromatography, an improved bioaffinity sample pretreatment technique with enhanced stability was developed to fast screen and extract potential allergenic components from traditional Chinese medicine injections.

The Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Psoralea corylifolia Linn.: A Review

Psoralea corylifolia Linn. (P. corylifolia) is an important medicinal plant with thousands of years of clinical application. It has been widely used in many traditional Chinese medicine formulas for the treatment of various diseases such as leucoderma and other skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, nephritis, osteoporosis, and cancer. Phytochemical studies indicated that coumarins, flavonoids, and meroterpenes are the main components of P. corylifolia, and most of these components are present in the seeds or fruits. The extracts and active components of P. corylifolia demonstrated multiple biological activities, including estrogenic, antitumor, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, osteoblastic, and hepatoprotective activities. This paper systematically summarized literatures on the chemical constituents and biological activities of P. corylifolia, which provided useful information for the further research and development toward this potent medicinal plant.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies on the Genus Psoralea: A Mini Review

The genus Psoralea, which belongs to the family Fabaceae, comprises ca. 130 species distributed all over the world, and some of the plants are used as folk medicine to treat various diseases. Psoralea corylifolia is a typical example, whose seeds have been widely used in many traditional Chinese medicine formulas for the treatment of various diseases such as leucoderma and other skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, nephritis, osteoporosis, and cancer. So, the chemical and pharmacological studies on this genus were performed in the past decades. Here, we give a mini review on this genus about its phytochemical and pharmacological studies from 1910 to 2015.

Degranulation Inhibitors from Medicinal Plants in Antigen-Stimulated Rat Basophilic Leukemia (RBL-2H3) Cells

Mast cells and basophils play important roles in both immediate- and late-phase reactions of type 1 allergy. Histamine, which is released from mast cells and basophils stimulated by an antigen or degranulation inducers, is usually determined as a degranulation marker in experiments on immediate allergic reactions in vitro. β-Hexosaminidase is also stored in secretory granules of the cells and is released concomitantly with histamine when the cells are immunologically activated, and recently this enzyme activity in the medium has been used as a marker of the degranulation. In this paper, we review our studies on the search for degranulation inhibitors, such as flavonoids, stilbenes, and curcuminoids, from medicinal plants using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells.

Synthesis of ∆3-2-hydroxybakuchiol analogues and their growth inhibitory activity against rat UMR106 cells

A series of ∆³-2-hydroxybakuchiol analogues have been synthesized and tested for their growth inhibitory activity against rat UMR106 cells by using the MTT method. Some of them exhibit enhanced activities compared with the natural product, and the preliminary SAR profile shows that the chain tail on the natural product could be subtly modified to enhance the activity and the aromatic moiety or the terminal olefin on the main chain can also be modified without any evident loss of activity. The stereo-configuration of the quaternary chiral center has an important influence on the activity.

Diverse role of fast growing rhizobia in growth promotion and enhancement of psoralen content in Psoralea corylifolia L

Background:

Psoralea corylifolia (Bakuchi), a weed, which possesses a highly potent and medicinally important compound psoralen. P. corylifolia has been widely exploited since ages for its biological potential.

Materials and Methods:

Fifteen root nodulating bacteria as pure culture collection (PCC) were isolated from P. corylifolia in India. Further, these strains were evaluated for their effect on the psoralen content in P. corylifolia. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used for the estimation of psoralen in P. corylifolia seed extracts. The effectiveness of these rhizobial strains was assessed on the basis of screening of various plant growth promoting attributes.

Results:

The 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing analysis revealed the identity of two most effective rhizobial isolates PCC2 and PCC7 as Rhizobium leguminosarum and Sinorhizobium meliloti, respectively. The R. leguminosarum PCC2 (JN546144) and Ensifer meliloti PCC7 (JN546145) strains showed solubilization of insoluble inorganic phosphate, secreted indole acetic acid (IAA), produced siderophore, showed ACC deaminase activity, and were positive for nodulation and nitrogen fixing genes. Seeds of P. corylifolia were bacterized with combination of R. leguminosarum PCC2 and Ensifer meliloti PCC7 along with their individual application that resulted in enhancement of various early vegetative and late reproduction parameters of plants in two consecutive field trials in the year 2009 and 2010. The psoralen content in the seeds of P. corylifolia was observed to be increased in the field trials where the combination of rhizobial strains PCC2 and PCC7 was used (2.79%) compared to control (1.91%).

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that rhizobial strains PCC2 and PCC7 showing good plant growth promoting attributes can be effective for increasing the psoralen content in the seeds of P. corylifolia to a certain level.

Insecticidal and genotoxic activity of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. (Fabaceae) against Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823

BACKGROUND

Indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides to eradicate mosquitoes has caused physiological resistance. Plants provide a reservoir of biochemical compounds; among these compounds some have inhibitory effect on mosquitoes. In the present study the larvicidal, adulticidal and genotoxic activity of essential oil of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. against Culex quinquefasciatus Say was explored.

METHODS

Essential oil was isolated from the seeds of P. corylifolia Linn. Larvicidal and adulticidal bioassay of Cx. quinquefasciatus was carried out by WHO method. Genotoxic activity of samples was determined by comet assay. Identification of different compounds was carried out by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTS

LC50 and LC90 values of essential oil were 63.38±6.30 and 99.02±16.63 ppm, respectively against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae. The LD50 and LD90 values were 0.057±0.007 and 0.109±0.014 mg/cm2 respectively against adult Cx. quinquefasciatus,. Genotoxicity of adults was determined at 0.034 and 0.069 mg/cm2. The mean comet tail length was 6.2548±0.754 μm and 8.47±0.931 μm and the respective DNA damage was significant i.e. 6.713% and 8.864% in comparison to controls. GCMS analysis of essential oil revealed 20 compounds. The major eight compounds were caryophyllene oxide (40.79%), phenol,4-(3,7-dimethyl-3-ethenylocta-1,6-dienyl) (20.78%), caryophyllene (17.84%), α-humulene (2.15%), (+)- aromadendrene (1.57%), naphthalene, 1,2,3,4-tetra hydro-1,6-dimethyle-4-(1-methyl)-, (1S-cis) (1.53%), trans- caryophyllene (0.75%), and methyl hexadecanoate (0.67%).

CONCLUSION

Essential oil obtained from the seeds of P. corylifolia showed potent toxicity against larvae and adult Cx. quinquefasciatus. The present work revealed that the essential oil of P. corylifolia could be used as environmentally sound larvicidal and adulticidal agent for mosquito control.

Simultaneous characterization of prenylated flavonoids and isoflavonoids in Psoralea corylifolia L. by liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Prenylated flavonoids and isoflavonoids are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom, with many biological effects. Psoralea corylifolia, which contains many kinds of prenylated components, has been widely used as a medicinal plant in Asia and India for thousands of years. The goal of this study was to characterize the components in P. corylifolia using a liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-DAD/Q-TOF-MS) method, and to elucidate the fragmentation behavior of the different prenyl substituent groups and their appropriate characteristic pathways in positive ion mode.

METHODS

The calculated accurate masses of the protonated molecules, the fragment ions, the retention behavior, and the data from UV spectra were used for identification of the components in P. corylifolia.

RESULTS

A total of 45 compounds, including 43 prenylated components, were identified or tentatively identified in P. corylifolia. Different diagnostic fragment ions and neutral losses were observed in different prenyl substructures: neutral loss of 56 Da (C(4)H(8)) and a fragment ion at m/z 69 (C(5)H(9)(+)) were generated by a prenyl chain; neutral losses of 42 Da (C(3)H(6)), 54 Da (C(4)H(6)), 15 Da (CH(3•)) and 16 Da (CH(4)) were observed in a ring-closed prenyl group; neutral losses of 72 Da (C(4)H(8)O), 60 Da (C(2)H(4)O(2)), 58 Da (C(3)H(6)O) and 18 Da (H(2)O) were detected in a 2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroxydihydropyran ring; neutral losses of 72 Da (C(4)H(8)O), 60 Da (C(3)H(8)O) and 18 Da (H(2)O) were yielded from a 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxydihydropyran ring, a 2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)dihydrofuran ring or a 1-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl chain.

CONCLUSIONS

This method can be applied for analysis of prenylated components in P. corylifolia and other herbal medicines.

Psoralea corylifolia Linn.-"Kushtanashini"

Plants have been the basis of many traditional medicines throughout the world for thousands of years and continue to provide new remedies to mankind. Plants have been one of the important sources of medicines since the beginning of human civilization. The recent resurgence of plant remedies resulted from several factors, such as effectiveness of plant medicines and lesser side effects compared with modern medicines. Psoralea corylifolia, commonly known as babchi, is a popular herb, which has since long been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for its magical effects to cure various skin diseases. This plant is also pharmacologically studied for its chemoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory properties. This review attempts to highlight the available literature on P. corylifolia with respect to its ethnobotany, pharmacognostic characteristics, traditional uses, chemical constituents, and summary of its various pharmacologic activities and clinical effects. Other aspects, such as toxicology and precautions are also discussed. This will be helpful to create interest toward babchi and may be useful in developing new formulations with more therapeutic and economical value.

Saikosaponin-d inhibits β-conglycinin induced activation of rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells

β-Conglycinin is one of the major storage proteins in soybean and has been identified as a potential diagnostic marker for severe allergic reactions to soybean. Unfortunately, there is a lack of information on the signal transduction pathways of β-conglycinin induced mast cell activation and how to alleviate these allergic reactions. Bupleurum falcatum, a traditional oriental medicine, has been widely utilized in the treatment of influenza, fever, malaria and menstrual disorders. Furthermore, it has been reported that saikosaponins, the important principle of B. falcatum, possesses anti-allergic activities. Therefore, the present study investigated whether or not saikosaponin-d, an extract of B. falcatum, was effective in the treatment of allergic reactions cased by β-conglycinin, using a rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cell line. There were multiple signaling pathways contributing to the development of β-conglycinin-mediated rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cell activation. The intracellular calcium mobilization and tyrosine phosphorylation were early events, which in turn elicited reactive oxygen species production, gene activation of Cdc42 and c-Fos, and ultimately led to β-hexosaminidase release. Saikosaponin-d inhibited rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cell degranulation by suppressing these critical incidents in the signal transduction pathway. These results suggest that saikosaponin-d exhibited anti-allergic activity and could become an effective herbal therapy for alleviating soybean allergy.

Structures of novel norstilbene dimer, longusone A, and three new stilbene dimers, longusols A, B, and C, with antiallergic and radical scavenging activities from Egyptian natural medicine Cyperus longus

The methanolic extract of the whole plant of Cyperus longus originating in Egypt was found to show antiallergic effect on ear passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions in mice. By bioassay-guided separation, 11 stilbenes and stilbene dimers including a novel norstilbene dimer, longusone A, and three new stilbene dimers, longusols A, B, and C, were isolated. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among the isolates, longusol B (IC(50)=96 µM), luteolin (3.0 µM), resveratrol (17 µM), piceatannol (24 µM), and cassigarols E (84 µM) and G (84 µM) were found to inhibit the release of β-hexosaminidase, as a marker of antigen-induced degranulations, in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. In addition, the methanolic extract and the constituents showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (SC(50)=22 µg/ml and 2.8-29 µM, respectively).

Isolation of antioxidants from Psoralea corylifolia fruits using high-speed counter-current chromatography guided by thin layer chromatography-antioxidant autographic assay

A combinative method using high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) as an antioxidant autographic assay was developed to separate antioxidant components from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia. Under the guidance of TLC bioautography, eight compounds including five flavonoids and three coumarins were successfully separated from the fruits of P. corylifolia by HSCCC with an optimized two-phase solvent system, n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (1:1.1:1.3:1, v/v/v/v). The separation produced 5.91mg psoralen, 6.26mg isopsoralen, 3.19mg psoralidin, 0.92mg corylifol A, and 2.43mg bavachinin with corresponding purities of 99.5, 99.8, 99.4, 96.4, and 99.0%, as well as three sub-fractions, in a single run from 250mg ethyl acetate fraction of P. corylifolia extract. Following an additional clean-up step by preparative TLC, 0.4mg 8-prenyldaidzein (purity 91.7%), 4.18mg neobavaisoflavone (purity 97.4%) and 4.36mg isobavachalcone (purity 96.8%) were separated from the three individual sub-fractions. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. The results of antioxidant activity estimation by electron spin resonance (ESR) method showed that psoralidin was the most active antioxidant with an IC50 value of 44.7microM. This is the first report on simultaneous separation of eight compounds from P. corylifolia by HSCCC.

In vivo pharmacokinetics of bakuchiol after oral administration of bakuchiol extraction in rat plasma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae) was a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo and chronic graft-versus-host, and has been proved to show anticancer, cytotoxic, anti-bacterial, cardiac, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant, aphrodisiac and tonic effects. Bakuchiol was one of the main active ingredients of this traditional Chinese medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this paper, pharmacokinetic study was conducted to obtain pharmacokinetic parameters of bakuchiol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bakuchiol was enriched using resin inform the ethanol extract of Psoralea corylifolia L., HPLC-UV was used to determine the concentration of bakuchiol in rat plasma at different time points after administration. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of bakuchiol in rat were obtained based on the analysis of the plasma sample.

RESULTS

The pharmacokinetics of bakuchiol was fitted with a two-compartment model and it was eliminated relative slowly in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The HPLC-UV method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of bakuchiol in rats.

Structures of new flavonoids and benzofuran-type stilbene and degranulation inhibitors of rat basophilic leukemia cells from the Brazilian herbal medicine Cissus sicyoides

Three new flavonoid glycosides (cissosides I, II, and III) and a new benzofuran-type stilbene (cissusin) were isolated from the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Cissus sicyoides cultivated in Brazil. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. The inhibitory effects of the isolated constituents on the release of beta-hexosaminidase as a marker of degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells were examined. Cissusin, flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin), flavones (7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone, lanceolatin B), pterocarpanes (homopterocarpin), chalcones (isoliquiritigenin, E-7-O-methylpongamol), and tryptanthrin markedly inhibited the release of beta-hexosaminidase.

Total synthesis of psoralidin, an anticancer natural product

A base-catalyzed condensation of phenyl acetate with acid chloride, followed by intramolecular cyclization and microwave-assisted cross-metathesis reaction, leads to the first total synthesis of psoralidin, a natural product with a broad range of biological activities, in a highly convergent and regioselective manner.

Bioactive constituents from Chinese natural medicines. XXXIII. Inhibitors from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia on production of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages

The methanolic extract from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia was found to inhibit production of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Among the isolated compounds, bavachinin (IC(50)=26 microM), isobavachalcone (17 microM), neobavaisoflavone (ca. 29 microM), corylifol A (ca. 21 microM), and psoralidin (ca. 23 microM) significantly inhibited the accumulation of nitrite (NO(2)(-)) as a marker of production of NO. Bakuchiol, which is mainly contained in the extract, also showed weak activity at 10 microM, but cytotoxic effects were observed more than 30 microM.

Bioactive constituents from Chinese natural medicines. XXXII. aminopeptidase N and aldose reductase inhibitors from Sinocrassula indica: structures of sinocrassosides B(4), B(5), C(1), and D(1)-D(3)

From the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Sinocrassula indica (Crassulaceae), six new flavonol glycosides, sinocrassosides B(4) (1), B(5) (2), C(1) (3), D(1) (4), D(2) (5), and D(3) (6), were isolated together with 30 compounds. The structures of 1-6 were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. In addition, several constituents were found to show inhibitory effects on aminopeptidase N and aldose reductase.

Bakuchiol analogs inhibit monoamine transporters and regulate monoaminergic functions

Monoamine transporters play key roles in controlling monoamine levels and modulating monoamine reuptake. The objective of the present study was to identify monoamine transporter inhibitors from herbal sources. We discovered that bakuchiol analogs isolated from Fructus Psoraleae inhibited monoamine transporter uptake to differing degrees. The bakuchiol analog, Delta3,2-hydroxybakuchiol was the most potent and efficacious reuptake blocker and was thus selected as the candidate target. Monoamine transporter inhibition by Delta3,2-hydroxybakuchiol was more selective for the dopamine transporter (DAT) (IC50=0.58+/-0.1 microM) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) (IC50=0.69+/-0.12 microM) than for the serotonin transporter (SERT) (IC50=312.02+/-56.69 microM). Delta3,2-Hydroxybakuchiol exhibited greater potency (pEC50 for DAT and NET) than bupropion and exhibited similar efficacy (E(max) for DAT and/or NET) to bupropion and GBR12,935. Pharmacokinetically, Delta3,2-hydroxybakuchiol competitively inhibited DAT and NET with partial reversibility and occupied cocaine binding sites. Moreover, Delta3,2-hydroxybakuchiol counteracted 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced toxicity in cells expressing DAT with similar efficacy to GBR12,935. In vivo studies showed that Delta3,2-hydroxybakuchiol increased the activity of intact mice and improved the decreased activity of reserpinized mice. In the conditioned place preference test, preference scores in intact mice were unaffected by Delta3,2-hydroxybakuchiol treatment. Bakuchiol analogs, especially Delta3,2-hydroxybakuchiol, are monoamine transporter inhibitors involved in regulating dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission and may have represented potential pharmacotherapies for disorders such as Parkinson's disease, depression, and cocaine addiction.

Bioactive constituents from chinese natural medicines. XXIV. Hypoglycemic effects of Sinocrassula indica in sugar-loaded rats and genetically diabetic KK-A(y) mice and structures of new acylated flavonol glycosides, sinocrassosides A(1), A(2), B(1), and B(2)

The methanolic extract from the whole plant of Sinocrassula indica (Crassulaceae) was found to inhibit the increase in serum glucose levels in oral administration of sucrose and glucose in rats at a dose of 250 mg/kg (p.o.). However, the extract did not inhibit the increase in serum glucose levels after intraperitoneal administration of glucose in these animals but did partly inhibit the gastric emptying. On the other hand, this extract significantly inhibited the increase in serum glucose levels after administration for 2 weeks in KK-A(y) mice, a genetically type II diabetic mice, at a dose of 250 mg/kg/d (p.o.) without significant changes of the weights of body, liver, and visceral fat. From the extract, four new acylated flavonol glycosides, sinocrassosides A(1), A(2), B(1), and B(2), were isolated together with 11 flavonoids and 2 megastigmanes. The absolute stereostructures of the four new compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

Bioactive constituents from Chinese natural medicines. XXIII. Absolute structures of new megastigmane glycosides, sedumosides A(4), A(5), A(6), H, and I, and hepatoprotective megastigmanes from Sedum sarmentosum

The methanol-eluted fraction of the hot water extract from the whole plant of Sedum sarmentosum (Crassulaceae) was found to show hepatoprotective effect on D-galactosamine-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. From the active fraction, five new megastigmane glycosides, sedumosides A(4), A(5), A(6), H, and I, were isolated together with 22 megastigmane constituents. Their absolute stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among them, sedumoside F(1) (IC(50)=47 microM), (3S,5R,6S,9R)-megastigmane-3,9-diol (61 microM), and myrsinionosides A (52 microM) and D (62 microM) were found to show the strong hepatoprotective activity.

Bioactive Constituents from Chinese Natural Medicines. XXII. Absolute Structures of New Megastigmane Glycosides, Sedumosides E1, E2, E3, F1, F2, and G, from Sedum sarmentosum (Crassulaceae)

Six new megastigmane glycosides, sedumosides E1, E2, E3, F1, F2, and G, were isolated from the whole plant of Sedum sarmentosum (Crassulaceae). The structures of new constituents including the absolute configuration were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.