The synthesis of novel lanthanum hydroxyborate at extreme conditions

The novel structure of lanthanum hydroxyborate La2B2O5(OH)2 was synthesized by the reaction of partially hydrolyzed lanthanum and boron oxide in a diamond anvil cell under high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) conditions of 30 GPa and ∼2,400 K. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the lanthanum hydroxyborate revealed: P 3 ¯ c 1 , a = 6.555(2) Å, c = 17.485(8) Å, Z = 6, R1 = 0.056. The three-dimensional structure consists of discrete planar BO3 groups and three crystallographically different La ions: one is surrounded by 9, one by 10, and one by 12 oxygen anions. The band gap was estimated using ab initio calculations to be 4.64 eV at ambient pressure and 5.26 eV at 30 GPa. The current work describes the novel HPHT lanthanum hydroxyborate with potential application as a deep-ultraviolet birefringent material.

Separation of a new triterpenoid saponin together with six known ones from Clematis tangutica (Maxim.) Korsh and evaluation of their cytotoxic activities

A new triterpenoid saponin, 3-O-β-D-allopyranosyl (1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (IV), together with six known ones Hederacholichiside F (I), Tanguticoside B (II), Tauroside St-H₁ (III), Hederoside H₁ (V), Kalopanaxsaponin G (VI), Hederasaponin B (VII) were separated from Clematis tangutica (Maxim.) Korsh. Their cytotoxic activities were evaluated. Saponins IV (new compound) and I showed selective inhibitory activities against HGC-27 with IC₅₀ values of 20.17 and 66.18 μM. Saponin VII exhibited extensive inhibitory action against HGC-27, Hela and SK-OV-3 with IC₅₀ values of 16.47-71.36 μM. Saponin III showed selective inhibitory activity against SK-OV-3 with the IC₅₀ value of 48.70 μM. All isolated saponins were inactive (IC₅₀ >150 μM) to GES-1.

Discovery of the Potential Novel Pharmacodynamic Substances From Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po Decoction Based on the Concept of Co-Decoction Reaction and Analysis Strategy

Background: Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po Decoction (ZZHPD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is clinically used to treat insomnia and depression. The analysis strategy based on the concept of co-decoction of TCM is helpful to analyse the effective substances of TCM formula in depth. Aim of the study: This manuscript intends to take ZZHPD as a model sample to explore the phenomenon of co-decoction of complex formula in the combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology, data analysis, and molecular docking. Materials and methods: In the current research, an innovative LC-MS method has been established to study the active ingredients in ZZHPD, and to identify the ingredients absorbed into the blood and brain tissues of mice. And molecular docking was used to study the binding pattern and affinities of known compounds of the brain tissue toward insomnia related proteins. Results: Based on new processing methods and analysis strategies, 106 chemical components were identified in ZZHPD, including 28 blood components and 18 brain components. Then, by comparing the different compounds in the co-decoction and single decoction, it was surprisingly found that 125 new ingredients were produced during the co-decoction, 2 of which were absorbed into the blood and 1 of which was absorbed into brain tissue. Ultimately, molecular docking studies showed that 18 brain components of ZZHPD had favourable binding conformation and affinity with GABA, serotonin and melatonin receptors. The docking results of GABRA1 with naringenin and hesperidin, HCRTR1 with naringenin-7-O-glucoside, poncirenin and genipin 1-gentiobioside, and luteolin with SLC6A4, GLO1, MAOB and MTNR1A may clarify the mechanism of action of ZZHPD in treating insomnia and depression. Conclusion: Our study may provide new ideas for further exploring the effective substances in ZZHPD.

Two new compounds from the roots of Pueraria peduncularis and their molluscicidal effects on Pomacea canaliculata

Two oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins named pedunsaponin D (1) and pedunsaponin E (2) were isolated from the roots of Pueraria peduncularis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on chemical and physicochemical evidence as follows: pedunsaponin D, 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1-3)-β-glucuronopyranosyl-3β,15α,23α-trihydroxy-11,13(18)-oleanadien-16-one (1); pedunsaponin E, 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-glucopy ranosyl(1-2)[β-glucopyranosyl(1-3)-β-glucuronopyranosyl]-3β-hydroxy-16-oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid (2). The two compounds showed moderate molluscicidal activity.[Formula: see text].

Taxonomic Characterization, and Secondary Metabolite Analysis of Streptomyces triticiradicis sp. nov.: A Novel Actinomycete with Antifungal Activity

The rhizosphere, an important battleground between beneficial microbes and pathogens, is usually considered to be a good source for isolation of antagonistic microorganisms. In this study, a novel actinobacteria with broad-spectrum antifungal activity, designated strain NEAU-H2^T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-H2^T belonged to the genus Streptomyces, with high sequence similarities to Streptomyces rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807^T (98.8%), Streptomyces populi A249^T (98.6%), and Streptomyces siamensis NBRC 108799^T (98.6%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB, and trpB gene sequences showed that the strain formed a stable clade with S. populi A249^T. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain coincided with members of the genus Streptomyces. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and phenotypic properties indicated that the strain could be distinguished from the abovementioned strains. Thus, strain NEAU-H2^T belongs to a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces triticiradicis sp. nov. is proposed. In addition, the metabolites isolated from cultures of strain NEAU-H2^T were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses. One new compound and three known congeners were isolated. Further, genome analysis revealed that the strain harbored diverse biosynthetic potential, and one cluster showing 63% similarity to natamycin biosynthetic gene cluster may contribute to the antifungal activity. The type strain is NEAU-H2^T (= CCTCC AA 2018031^T = DSM 109825^T).

New chemical constituent from the stem of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. and its biological activities

Chemical investigations on the stem of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Convolvulaceae) led to the isolation of one new compound characterised as 3',4'-dimethoxy-1-phenyl-1α, 2-ethanediol (1), along with eight known compounds as tridecanyl palmitate, palmitic acid, n-pentatriacontane, n-triacont-21, 27-dien-1-ol, kaempherol, chlorogenic acid, 5,7-dimethoxyapigenin and quercitin. The chemical structures were established with the help of physical, chemical and spectroscopic methods. The antimicrobial potential of the new compound (1) was evaluated against three bacterial and three fungal pathogenic strain and showed significant activities.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents from Flos populi

Investigation of the n-butanol extract of Flos populi led to the isolation of one new phenolic glycoside, 4'-hydroxybenzyl-2-hydroxybenzoate-1'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), together with twelve known compounds, which have been determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS and 1D/2D NMR. The antioxidant capacity of all compounds were evaluated by ABTS radical-scavenging test and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. And during a screening procedure for the anti-inflammatory activities among most compounds on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, compound 13 exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, suggesting that it might be a promising candidate as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Drybonioside, a new glucoside from the Drynaria bonii H. Christ rhizomes

Drynaria bonii H. Christ, a Vietnam traditional medicinal plant, is used for the treatment of osteoporosis, bone fractures, tinnitus, etc. (Ho PH. 2002. Vietnamese plants. Hanoi: Publisher of Young; Loi DT. 2004. Medicinal plants and remedy of Vietnam. Hanoi: Publisher of Medicine). Based on column chromatography, a new glucoside named drybonioside (5) and four known compounds α-tocopherol (1), 24-methylencycloartan-3β-ol (2), triphyllol (3) and ethyl β-D-fructopyranoside (4) were isolated and identified from hexane and methanol extracts of D. bonii. The structures of new compound were elucidated on the basis of NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis.