Wu and their anti-inflammatory activity by IKBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway suppression

Phytochemical analysis of Chloranthus henryi var. hupehensis roots led to the identification of a new eudesmane sesquiterpenoid dimer, 18 new sesquiterpenoids, and three known sesquiterpenoids. Among the isolates, 1 was a rare sesquiterpenoid dimer that is assembled by a unique oxygen bridge (C11-O-C8') of two highly rearranged eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes with the undescribed C16 carbon framework. (+)-2 and (-)-2 were a pair of new skeleton dinorsesquiterpenoids with a remarkable 6/6/5 tricyclic ring framework including one γ-lactone ring and the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic data, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and quantum chemical computations. In the LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cell model, 17 suppressed IL-1β and TNF-α expression with EC50 values of 6.81 and 2.76 µM, respectively, indicating its excellent efficacy in inhibiting inflammatory factors production in a dose dependent manner and without cytotoxicity. In subsequent mechanism studies, compounds 3, 16, and 17 could reduce IL-1β and TNF-α production by inhibiting IKBα/p65 pathway activation.

Anti-Inflammatory Peroxidized Chlorahololide-Type Dimers Are Artifacts of Shizukaol-Type Dimers: From Phenomena Discovery and Confirmation to Potential Underlying Mechanism

In our research on naturally occurring sesquiterpenes, eight shizukaol-type dimers, one chlorahololide-type dimer, and one sarcanolide-type dimer were isolated from the roots of Chloranthus fortunei. As the project was implemented, we accidentally discovered that shizukaol-type dimers can be converted into peroxidized chlorahololide-type dimers. This potential change was discovered after simulations of the changes in corresponding shizukaols showed that three peroxide products were generated (1-3), indicating that peroxidation reactions occurred. HPLC-HR-MS analysis results obtained for the shizukaol derivatives further demonstrate that the reaction occurred, and the type of substituent of small organic ester moieties at positions C-15' and C-13' of unit B were not decisively related to the reaction. Quantum chemical calculations of the mode dimer further demonstrated this phenomenon. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy of the precursor and production revealed the advantageous yield of 4β-hydroperoxyl production. Additionally, the potential reaction mechanism was speculated and validated using the free energy in the reaction which successfully explained the feasibility of the reaction. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of the precursors and products was evaluated, and the products of peroxidation showed better anti-inflammatory activity.

hupehensis and their anti-inflammatory activities by blocking Akt phosphorylation

Eleven new amides, four racemic pairs of (±)-chlorahupetamides A, B, D, E (1, 2, 4, 5) and chlorahupetamides C, F, G (3, 6, 7), have been isolated from Chloranthus henryi var. hupehensis. Compounds 1-3 are the first naturally occurring dimers via an unprecedented [2 + 2] cycloaddition derived from two dissimilar cinnamic acid amides, while compounds 4 and 5 represent the first examples of lignanamides in Chloranthus; together with two new hydroxycinnamic acid amide monomers (6-7), these compounds were obtained. Their structures were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and X-ray diffraction analysis. Meanwhile, an LPS-induced BV-2 cell inflammatory model was used to determine the potential anti-inflammatory activity of all the isolated compounds. Intriguingly, compound -1 treatment showed a much greater inhibition of TNF-α expression with an EC50 value of 1.80 µM, while compound + 1 had more advantages in reducing IL-1β expression with an EC50 value of 19.93 µM. Moreover, compounds + 1 and -1 could significantly suppress inflammation and inhibit the Akt signaling pathway by decreasing the phosphorylated protein levels of Akt.

in Chloranthaceae

Chloranthus fortunei (A. Gray) Solms-Laub. is a perennial herb in a basal angiosperm family Chloranthaceae. Here, we reported the complete plastid genome of C. fortunei using Illumina short-read data. The total genome size was 157,063 bp in length, containing 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The gene content and order were consistent with previously reported Chloranthus plastid genomes. The overall GC content of the C. fortunei plastid genome was 39.0%. In the phylogenetic result, genus Chloranthus was monophyletic and divided into two subclades: C. japonicus+C. angustifolius+C. fortunei, and C. henryi+C. spicatus+C. erectus. Our phylogenetic result was consistent with previous phylogenetic studies, and was supported by a previously proposed infrageneric classification of the genus Chloranthus.

[Research progress on chemical constituents from Chloranthus plants and their biological activities]

The genus Chloranthus has 13 species and 5 varieties in China, which can be found in the southwest and northeast regions. Phytochemical studies on Chloranthus plants have reported a large amount of terpenoids, such as diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and sesquiterpenoid dimers. Their anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, antifungal, antivirus, and neuroprotection activities have been confirmed by previous pharmacological research. Herein, research on the chemical constituents from Chloranthus plants and their biological activities over the five years was summarized to provide scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Chloranthus plants.

Reanalysis of Lindenatriene, a Building Block for the Synthesis of Lindenane Oligomers

Lindenane oligomers isolated from Chloranthus pose significant challenges for chemical synthesis. The structure of a proposed biosynthetic monomer, lindenatriene, was recently called into question. Its attempted synthesis produced a compound whose 1H NMR spectrum differed significantly from the spectrum of a monomer produced by oligomer pyrolysis. Here we propose that the original structural assignment after pyrolysis was correct and instead the spectra of synthetic materials were misinterpreted. Reanalysis of 2D NMR data suggest that lindenatriene isomerizes (formal [1,7]-hydrogen shift) upon treatment with base.

Molecular authentication and quantitative analysis of Sarcandra glabra and adulterated chloranthus products using SNP markers

BACKGROUND

Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai is one of the most popular and valuable plant species in the oriental medicinal herb market. Chloranthus (Chloranthaceae) species are the most widely used adulterants, but they are known to have hepatotoxicity effects and different medicinal values.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to develop a robust and accurate DNA marker for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of their products.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites specific to Sarcandra glabra, Chloranthus spicatus, Chloranthus serratus and Chloranthus henryi were exploited from the trnL-F region in chloroplast DNA, which have a higher copy number in the products than the nuclear DNA. Based on the SNP sites, specific primers were designed to identify the products of Sarcandra glabra, Chloranthus spicatus, Chloranthus serratus and Chloranthus henryi in mixed solutions via multiplexed PCR. The primers were also used to quantitatively analyse the ratio of chloroplast DNA in the mixed products using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The established multiplexed-PCR and real-time PCR methods were determined to be effective for the authentication and relative quantitative assessments of the products of Sarcandra glabra, its adulterants, and their mixtures.

CONCLUSION

We therefore present an effective method for monitoring the quality of these products.