Insecticidal and Attractant Activities of Magnolia citrata Leaf Essential Oil against Two Major Pests from Diptera: Aedes aegypti (Culicidae) and Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae)

In this study, Magnolia citrata Noot and Chalermglin (Magnoliaceae) essential oil (MCEO) was evaluated for insecticidal activity against the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti and attractant activity for the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata. The leaves of Magnolia citrata (Giổi chanh) were collected from northwestern Vietnam, and the water-distilled MCEO was analyzed by gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major constituents of MCEO were identified as linalool 19%, geranial 16%, citronellal 14%, neral 14%, and sabinene 12%. MCEO showed 100% mortality at 1 μg/μL against 1st instar larvae of Ae. aegypti (Orlando strain, ORL), and the oil exhibited 54% (ORL) and 68% (Puerto Rico strain) mortality at 5 μg/mosquito against Ae. aegypti adult females. Initial screens showed that MCEO had weak insecticidal activity compared to the positive control permethrin. In bioassays with sterile male C. capitata, MCEO exhibited moderately strong attraction, comparable to that observed with a positive control, Tetradenia riparia essential oil (TREO). Herein, the insecticidal and attractant activities of MCEO are reported for the first time.

Dilignans with a Chromanol Motif Discovered by Molecular Networking from the Stem Barks of Magnolia obovata and Their Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Expression Inhibitory Activity

Natural products have been fundamental materials in drug discovery. Traditional strategies for observing natural products with novel structure and/or biological activity are challenging due to large cost and time consumption. Implementation of the MS/MS-based molecular networking strategy with the in silico annotation tool is expected to expedite the dereplication of secondary metabolites. In this study, using this tool, two new dilignans with a 2-phenyl-3-chromanol motif, obovatolins A (1) and B (2), were discovered from the stem barks of Magnolia obovata Thunb. along with six known compounds (3–8), expanding chemical diversity of lignan skeletons in this natural source. Their structures and configurations were elucidated using spectroscopic data. All isolates were evaluated for their PCSK9 mRNA expression inhibitory activity. Obovatolins A (1) and B (2), and magnolol (3) showed potent lipid controlling activities. To identify transcriptionally controlled genes by 1 along with downregulation of PCSK9, using small set of genes (42 genes) related to lipid metabolism selected from the database, focused bioinformatic analysis was carried out. As a result, it showed the correlations between gene expression under presence of 1, which led to detailed insight of the lipid metabolism caused by 1.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of volatile oils from fresh leaves of Michelia martini Levl

.This study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of volatile oils from Michelia martini Levl. The antioxidant property of volatile oils from Michelia martini in vitro was investigated by establishment of various systems. High fat diet induced rats were used to assess the hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of Michelia martini volatile oils in vivo. The level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in serum, and the activities of catalase, malondialdehyde, super oxide dismutase and glutathione in liver of rats were assayed by standard procedures. Our results showed that Michelia martini exhibits strong hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities both in vitro and vivo. Our data were also supplemented with histopathological studies on liver tissues and aorta sections of rats.

Structurally Diverse Sesquiterpenoids from the Endangered Ornamental Plant Michelia shiluensis

A preliminary phytochemical investigation on the MeOH extract of the leaves and twigs of the endangered ornamental plant Michelia shiluensis led to the isolation of 16 sesquiterpenoids. The isolated compounds comprised germacrane- (1-4, 13, 14), guaiane- (5-9, 15), amorphane- (10), and eudesmane-type (11, 12, 16) sesquiterpenoids. The new structures (1-12) were elucidated by spectroscopic and computational methods, and their absolute configurations (except for 9) were assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallographic data and/or electronic circular dichroism spectra. Shiluolides (A-D, 1-4) are unprecedented C₁₆ or C₁₇ homogermacranolides, and their putative biosynthetic pathways are briefly discussed. Shiluone D (8) is a rare 1,10- seco-guaiane sesquiterpenoid featuring a new ether-containing spirocyclic ring, whereas shiluone E (9) represents the first example of a 1,5-4,5-di- seco-guaiane with a rare 5,11 -lactone moiety. Shiluone F (10) is the first amorphane-type sesquiterpenoid possessing an oxetane ring bridging C-1 and C-7. Bioassay evaluations indicated that lipiferolide (13) showed noteworthy cytotoxicities toward human cancer cell lines MCF-7 and A-549, with IC₅₀ values of 1.5 and 7.3 μM, respectively. Shiluone D (8) exerted inhibition against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (IC₅₀: 46.3 μM).

Resin from Virola oleifera Protects Against Radiocontrast-Induced Nephropathy in Mice

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an iatrogenic medical event for which there is not yet a successful therapy. Increasing evidence in rodents has suggested that this disease is associated with renal tubular and vascular injury that is triggered directly by oxidative stress. In the present study, we evaluated whether the antioxidant resin from Virola oleifera (RV) could attenuate renal damage in an experimental mouse model of CIN. Adult male Swiss mice were divided into six groups and pre-treated orally with RV (10, 100 and 300 mg/kg), N-acetylcysteine (200 mg/kg) or vehicle for 5 days before the induction of CIN and Control group. Renal function was assessed by measuring plasma creatinine and urea levels. Additionally, renal oxidative stress and apoptosis/cell viability were determined with flow cytometry. Finally, kidney tissues were sectioned for histopathological examination. In this CIN model, pre-treatment with RV improved renal function, lowered the mortality rate, and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in both the medulla and cortex renal cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the RV treatment had beneficial effects on kidney histopathology that were superior to the standard treatment with N-acetylcysteine. These data suggest that because of its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects and its ability to preserve renal function, resin from Virola oleifera may have potential as a new therapeutic approach for preventing CIN.

Phenylethanoid glycosides in tepals of Magnolia salicifolia and their occurrence in flowers of Magnoliaceae

Phenylethanoid glycosides were among the major UV-absorbing components in 80% aq. CH3OH extracts of the tepals of Magnolia salicifolia (Siebold & Zucc.) Maxim. (Magnoliaceae; Magnolia subgenus Yulania). Structural characterisation of isolated compounds by spectroscopic and chemical methods revealed three previously unrecorded examples, yulanoside A, yulanoside B and 2'-rhamnoechinacoside, and the known compounds echinacoside and crassifolioside; chromatographic methods also identified verbascoside in the tepal extract. Yulanoside A is the first reported example of a phenylethanoid pentaglycoside, namely hydroxytyrosol 1-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-[3,4-dihydroxycinnamoyl-(→4)][α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)][α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside}. A survey of Magnolia sensu lato and Liriodendron (the two genera of Magnoliaceae) suggested that yulanoside A and its deglucosyl derivative (yulanoside B) were a feature of the tepal chemistry of Magnolia subgenus Yulania (except Magnolia acuminata, the sole member of section Tulipastrum, which did not accumulate phenylethanoid glycosides). The two species of Liriodendron and examined examples of Magnolia subgenus Magnolia sections Magnolia and Rytidospermum (subsection Oyama) also accumulated phenylethanoid glycosides in their tepals and in these species, and in subgenus Yulania, the major compounds were one or more of echinacoside, 2'-rhamnoechinacoside, crassifolioside and verbascoside. Levels of phenylethanoid glycosides were found to be much lower in species studied from Magnolia sections Gwillimia, Macrophylla and Rytidospermum (subsection Rytidospermum), although yulanoside A was detectable in M. macrophylla and this may have some bearing on the placement of section Macrophylla, which is currently uncertain. In the isolates of yulanoside B and echinacoside, minor phenylethanoid glycosides were determined to be analogues of these compounds with β-D-xylose at C-3' of the primary glucose rather than α-L-rhamnose.

Biofunctional Constituents from Michelia compressa var. lanyuensis with Anti-Melanogenic Properties

Seven compounds were extracted and purified from the roots of Michelia compressavar. lanyuensis. These compounds are liriodenine, (−)-N-acetylanonaine, pressalanine A, p-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, (−)-bornesitol and β-sitostenone. These compounds were screened for anti-proliferation and anti-tyrosinase activities in B16F10 cells. Liriodenine, pressalanine A, (−)-bornesitol and β-sitostenone displayed cytotoxicity at high concentration (100 μM), but liriodenine (5 μM), (−)-N-acetylanonaine (10 μM), and β-sitostenone (5 μM) inhibit tyrosinase activity and reduce the melanin content in B16F10 cells without cytotoxicity, suggesting that liriodenine and β-sitostenone could be safe and potentially used in cosmetic skin whitening.

Warburgia: a comprehensive review of the botany, traditional uses and phytochemistry

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Warburgia (Canellaceae) is represented by several medicinal trees found exclusively on the African continent. Traditionally, extracts and products produced from Warburgia species are regarded as important natural African antibiotics and have been used extensively as part of traditional healing practices for the treatment of fungal, bacterial and protozoal infections in both humans and animals. We here aim to collate and review the fragmented information on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activities of ethnomedicinally important Warburgia species and present recommendations for future research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peer-reviewed articles using "Warburgia" as search term ("all fields") were retrieved from Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciFinder and Google Scholar with no specific time frame set for the search. In addition, various books were consulted that contained botanical and ethnopharmacological information.

RESULTS

The ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and biological activity of Warburgia are reviewed. Most of the biological activities are attributed to the drimane sesquiterpenoids, including polygodial, warburganal, muzigadial, mukaadial and ugandensial, flavonoids and miscellaneous compounds present in the various species. In addition to anti-infective properties, Warburgia extracts are also used to treat a wide range of ailments, including stomach aches, fever and headaches, which may also be a manifestation of infections. The need to record anecdotal evidence is emphasised and conservation efforts are highlighted to contribute to the protection and preservation of one of Africa's most coveted botanical resources.

Chemical composition and anti-mildew activities of essential oils from different parts of Michelia compressa var.formosana

In this study, anti-mildew activities of the essential oils of the leaves, wood, twigs, flowers, and their constituents from Michelia comnpressa var. formosana were evaluated in vitro against 7 mildew fungi. The main compounds responsible for the anti-mildew activities were isolated and identified. The essential oils from the fresh leaves, wood, twigs, and flowers of M. compressa var. formosana were isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. The essential oil yield from the flowers was the highest, and the oils obtained from the 4 parts of the tree were composed mainly of sesquiterpenoids. The leaf oil consisted primarily of α-cadinol (18.9%) and germacrene D (18.5%); the twig oil's main constituent was α-cadinol (19.1%); the wood oil's major components were α-cadinol (25.7%) and β-eudesmol (20.2%); and the flower oil contained α-cadinol (11.4%). Comparing the anti-mildew activities of the oils suggested that wood oil was the most effective. Further fractionation of the wood oil produced α-cadinol, β-eudesmol, τ-cadinol, and elemol. The 4 compounds exhibit very strong anti-mildew activities, and these in descending order are α-cadinol, elemol, β-eudesmol, and τ-cadinol. For the anti-mildew activities of the wood oil, the active source compounds were determined to be α-cadinol, elemol, β-eudesmol, and τ-cadinol.

Antifungal compounds produced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, an endophytic fungus from Michelia champaca

In this study, eight endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves, stems and roots of Michelia champaca. The isolates were screened and evaluated for their antifungal, anticancer and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. All of the extracts exhibited potent activity against two evaluated phytopathogenic fungi. Chemical investigation of EtOAc extracts of the endophytic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides resulted in the isolation of one new compound, 2-phenylethyl 1H-indol-3-yl-acetate (1), and seven known compounds: uracil (2), cyclo-(S*-Pro-S*-Tyr) (3), cyclo-(S*-Pro-S*-Val) (4), 2(2-aminophenyl)acetic acid (5), 2(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (6), 4-hydroxy- benzamide (7) and 2(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (8). All of the compound structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and MS analyses. The antifungal and AChE inhibitory activities of compounds 1–8 were evaluated in vitro. Compound 1 exhibited promising activity against Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum that was comparable to that of the positive control nystatin.

Antimicrobial Constituents of the Mature Carpels of Manglietiastrum sinicum

Seven new compounds, including a eupodienone-type lignan (1), a dibenzocyclooctadiene-type lignan (2), three tetrahydrofuran-type lignans (3-5), and two 1-phenylbutyl benzoates (6, 7), together with six known compounds, were isolated from the mature carpels of Manglietiastrum sinicum. The structures of new compounds 1-7 were defined by spectroscopic techniques, and the absolute configuration of manglisin A (1) was determined by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-4 exhibited moderate antimicrobial activities (MIC values: 0.016-0.14 μM) against Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA 82(#), MRSA 92(#), MRSA 98(#), and MRSA 331(#). Compounds 2 and 3 showed weak cytotoxic activity against five human tumor cell lines.

Identification of absorbed constituents in the rabbit plasma and cerebrospinal fluid after intranasal administration of Asari Radix et Rhizoma by HS-SPME-GC-MS and HPLC-APCI-IT-TOF-MSn

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) nasal therapy has been utilized to treat numerous diseases for over two millennia. It has many advantages compared with other routes. In this article, headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-ion trap-time of flight-multistage mass spectrometry were applied for the first time to analyze the absorbed constituents in rabbit plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after intranasal administration of Asari Radix et Rhizoma (AR). In total, 47 absorbed AR constituents including 14 monoterpenes, 10 phenylpropanoids, four benzene derivatives, two alkanes, nine N-alkylamides and eight lignans were tentatively identified in the rabbit plasma and CSF. Thirty-three absorbed constituents are found to have different bioactivities related to the pharmacological actions of AR through bibliography data retrieval. These indicated that many types of constituents of TCM can be absorbed at the nasal cavity into both rabbit blood and CSF. This is the first study to explore the absorption of AR, and comprehensively analyze the absorbed constituents after intranasal administration of TCM. These findings extend our understanding of the effective substances of AR, and inspire us to make a hypothesis on the mechanism of additive effect of multiple constituents of TCMs, which is very worthy of further investigation.

Mechanism of biological liquid superlubricity of Brasenia schreberi mucilage

In the present work, an excellent biological lubricant extracted from an aquatic plant called Brasenia schreberi (B.s) is reported. With a rotary cylinder-on-ring tribometer, the lubrication properties of the B.s mucilage between quartz glass surfaces have been investigated under different rotation velocity, and an ultralow friction coefficient between 0.004 and 0.006 is obtained. It is observed that the ultralow friction coefficient is independent of the rotation speed, when it is less than 0.1 m/s. SEM images indicate that the mucilage surrounding B.s is composed of polysaccharide gels with a layered structure, which are called nanosheets in the following work. Moreover, it can be deduced that the liquid superlubricity is closely related to the B.s mucilage layer absorbed on the quartz glass surface by hydrogen bonds and the superlubricity behavior only occurs when the adsorption layer stably forms between the quartz glass surface and the B.s mucilage. It is also found that superlubricity is closely dependent upon the sheet structure of the B.s mucilage and water molecules in the mucilage. According to these results, a layered nanosheets lubrication mechanism has been revealed, i.e., the ultralow friction coefficient is due to the adsorption layer of polysaccharide on the quartz glass surface and the hydration layers of water molecules bonded on the polysaccharide nanosheets between the sliding surfaces.

Volatiles from Michelia champaca flower: comparative analysis by simultaneous distillation-extraction and solid phase microextraction

The chemical composition of the volatile compounds isolated by simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) and headspace-solid phase microextraction (SPME) from flowers of Michelia champaca growing in Cuba was investigated by GC/FID and GC/MS. Sixty-seven and thirty-four components were identified by SDE and SPME, respectively, with 1,8-cineole (22.8%) as the main constituent in the volatile oil isolated by SDE, and methyl benzoate (30.3%), indole (16.6%) and beta-elemene (10.4%) the major components detected by SPME.

Bioactive constituents from Michelia champaca

(-)-Anonaine (1), (-)-asimilobine (2), (-)-nuciferine (3), (-)-anolobine (4), (-)-romerine (5), (-)-N-acetylanonaine (6), liriodenine (7), (+)-syringaresinol (8), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (9), N-cis-feruloyltyramine (10), scopoletin (11), 4-acetonyl-3,5-dimethoxy-p-quinol (12), vanillin (13), vanillic acid (14), syringic acid (15), beta-sitosterol (16) and stigmasterol (17) were isolated from branches of Michelia champaca L. In addition, a cell proliferation assay of five of the isolated compounds on human breast and lung cancer cells showed that liriodenine (7) was the strongest inhibitor.

Analgesic effects of the ethanolic extract from Magnolia ovata (Magnoliaceae) trunk bark and of N-acetylxylopine, a semi-synthetic analogue of xylopine

This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of the ethanolic extract (EEMO) obtained from Magnolia ovata (A.St.-Hil.) Spreng and N-acetylxylopine (AXyl), a stable derivative of xylopine in different models of nociception. The EEMO and AXyl inhibited the nociception induced by acetic acid in mice, in a dose-dependent manner with a maximal inhibition of 91 ± 9% and 50 ± 11%, respectively. Oral administration of EEMO or AXyl also significantly inhibited the inflammatory phase of formalin-induced nociception with maximal reduction of 87 ± 3.9% and 71 ± 10%, respectively. Confirming the effectiveness of the extract and the isolated compound in inflammatory responses, EEMO or AXyl inhibited carrageenan-induced mechanical allodynia with percentage of inhibition of 40 ± 6% for EEMO and 82 ± 8% for AXyl. Intraplantar injection of AXyl in the ipsilateral paw, but not in the contralateral paw, also reduced carrageenan-induced mechanical allodynia in mice. The response of the animals for maximal doses tested of EEMO and AXyl in the hot-plate or rota-rod models were not altered. These results show that the extract from M. ovata and the stable derivative AXyl possess analgesic properties towards inflammatory pain acting on peripheral sites.

Selective activity of extracts of Margaritaria discoidea and Homalium africanum on Onchocerca ochengi

BACKGROUND

The current treatment of onchocerciasis relies on the use of ivermectin which is only microfilaricidal and for which resistant parasite strains of veterinary importance are increasingly being detected. In the search for novel filaricides and alternative medicines, we investigated the selective activity of crude extracts of Margaritaria discoidea and Homalium africanum on Onchocerca ochengi, a model parasite for O. volvulus. These plants are used to treat the disease in North West Cameroon.

METHODS

Sixteen crude extracts were prepared from various parts of M. discoidea and H. africanum using different organic solvents. The filaricidal activities were determined in vitro. Cytotoxicity of the active extracts was assessed on monkey kidney epithelial cells in vitro and the selectivity indices (SI) of the extracts determined. Acute toxicity of the promising extracts was investigated in mice.

RESULTS

Four out of the 16 extracts showed microfilaricidal activity based on motility reduction, whereas, none showed macrofilaricidal activity based on the MTT/formazan assay. The methylene chloride extract of H. africanum leaves (HLC) recorded the lowest IC50 of 31.25 μg/mL and an IC100 of 62.5 μg/mL. The SI for the active extracts ranged from 0.5 - 2.63. No form of acute toxicity was observed in mice. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of anthraquinones, sterols and terpenoids in the promising extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

The non-polar extracts of M. discoidea and H. africanum are potential sources of new microfilaricidal lead compounds, and the results support their use in traditional medicine.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Magnolia and Talauma (Magnoliaceae): their absolute configuration ascertained by circular dichroism and X-ray crystallography and re-evaluation of previously published pyramidatin structures

Twelve pyramidatins, i.e., dibenzocyclooctadiene-type lignans, together with Machilin G, were isolated from the dichloromethane extracts of aerial material of Talauma gloriensis, Magnolia fraseri, and Magnolia pyramidata (Magnoliaceae). These lignans contain a highly oxidized 7,9'-epoxy-2,2'-cyclolignane skeleton. Their structures were established using NMR spectroscopy (1D and 2D experiments) and mass spectrometry. The absolute configurations of five pairs of atropisomers (S(a)/R(a)-pyramidatins) and two single atropisomers (S(a)-pyramidatins) were determined by experimental and calculated circular dichroism (CD). In addition, the absolute configuration of (S(a))-3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexamethoxypyramidatin was confirmed using X-ray crystallography. Five pyramidatins, (R(a))-3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexamethoxypyramidatin, (R(a))-3,3'-dimethoxy-4,5:4',5'-bis(methylenedioxy)pyramidatin, (S(a))-3,3',4,5'-tetramethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxypyramidatin, (R(a))-3,3',4,5'-tetramethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxypyramidatin, and (R(a))-3,3',4,5-tetramethoxy-4',5'-methylenedioxypyramidatin are reported herein for the first time. In the current dataset, NMR values are in accordance with the observed and calculated CD values. These values are herein reported with particular reference to previously described data of pyramidatins, which have to be revised.

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination and distribution of linalool in Michelia alba

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array detection was established for the determination of linalool in the plant Michelia alba. Linalool was extracted from the plant sample with the aid of ultrasound, and was analyzed on a Waters RP C(18) column (4.6 x 150 mm, 5 microm) using an acetonitrile and water (55:45, v/v) mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 25 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was 210 nm. The linear range of the method was 5-200 microg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9975. The recovery was 92-112%, and the relative standard deviation was 1.85% (n = 9). The present method has been used to study the distribution of linalool in the plant Michelia alba. The plant samples include flowers, leaves and tender twigs. Furthermore, leaves included samples in their tender, grown-up and fallen phases, and flowers included samples in their juvenile, middle and whitening phases. The concentrations of linalool in different parts of the plant were 0.21-0.65%, 1.63-4.89% and 0.43% for leaves, flowers and tender twigs, respectively. The results showed that all the plant materials contained relative high concentration of linalool, and juvenile phase flowers contained the highest concentration of linalool. Notably, the fallen leaves also contained high concentrations of linalool, which could be a potential resource of this compound. The results obtained are very helpful for the potential full utilization of this plant.

Sesquiterpenes and dimeric sesquiterpenoids from Sarcandra glabra

Two new sesquiterpenes, sarcandralactones A (1) and B (2), and five new dimeric sesquiterpenoids, sarcandrolides A-E (3-7), along with 10 known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Sarcandra glabra. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Some of the new isolates exhibit significant cytotoxicities when tested against a small panel of tumor cell lines.

Kinetics studies on the lignan class of natural compounds that inhibits alpha-chymotrypsin

The mechanism of inhibition of the alpha-chymotrypsin enzyme by two lignans of the fused bistetrahydrofuran series, epiexcelsin (1) and 5'-demethoxyepiexcelsin (2), which were isolated from the Commiphora mukul Engl., was investigated. Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots and their secondary replots showed that these compounds were noncompetitive inhibitors of the enzyme. K(i) values for 1 and 2 were found to be 22.29 +/- 0.015 and 336.30 +/- 0.053 microM, respectively.

Comparisons of carbon storages in Cunninghamia lanceolata and Michelia macclurei plantations during a 22-year period in southern China

Tree species composition was important for carbon storage within the same climate range. To quantify the dynamics of ecosystem carbon allocation as affected by different tree species, we measured the above- and below-ground biomass accumulation in 22 years, as well as the tissue carbon concentrations of trees in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation and Michelia macclurei plantation. Results indicated that M. macclurei plantation significantly stored more carbon (174.8 tons/hm2) than C. lanceolata plantation (154.3 tons/hm2). Most of the carbon was found in the soil pool (57.1% in M. macclurei plantation, 55.2% in C. lanceolata plantation). Tree and soil component of M. macclurei plantation possessed significantly higher carbon storage than that of C. lanceolata plantation (p <0.05). No significant difference was found in the carbon storage of understory and forest floor. These results suggest that the broadleaved species (M. macclurei) possesses greater carbon sequestration potential than the coniferous species (C. lanceolata) in southern China.

Paratunamides A-D, oxindole alkaloids from Cinnamodendron axillare

Four new oxindole alkaloids, paratunamides A-D (1-4), containing a secologanin unit, were isolated from the bark of Cinnamodendron axillare, and their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration at C-7 in 1-4 was assigned as S, S, R, and S, respectively, on the basis of the CD spectra.

Antiplatelet activity of aporphine and phenanthrenoid alkaloids from Aromadendron elegans Blume

Six aporphine and one phenanthrenoid alkaloids isolated from Aromadendron elegans Blume were investigated for their ability to inhibit arachidonic acid (AA), collagen and ADP induced platelet aggregation in human whole blood. The antiplatelet activity of the compounds was measured in vitro by the Chrono Log whole blood aggregometer using an electrical impedance method. Of the compounds tested, (-)-N-acetylnornuciferine, (-)-N-acetylanonaine and 1-(N-acetyl-N-methylamino)ethyl-3,4,6-trimethoxy-7-hydroxyphenanthrene showed strong inhibition on platelet aggregation caused by all three inducers. (-)-N-acetylanonaine was the most effective antiplatelet compound as it inhibited both arachidonic acid, collagen and ADP-induced platelet aggregation with IC(50) values of 66.1, 95.1 and 80.6 microm, respectively.

Liriodenine inhibits the proliferation of human hepatoma cell lines by blocking cell cycle progression and nitric oxide-mediated activation of p53 expression

Liriodenine was isolated from the leaves of Michelia compressa. This study was designed to assess cell cycle arrest, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and p53 expression in liriodenine-treated human hepatoma cell lines, including wild-type p53 (Hep G2 and SK-Hep-1). As evidenced by flowcytometric studies, liriodenine induced cell cycle G(1) arrest and inhibited DNA synthesis in Hep G2 and SK-Hep-1 cell lines. The p53, iNOS expression and intracellular NO level were markedly increased in Hep G2 cells after liriodenine treatment. A NO inhibitor, carboxy-PTIO inhibited the p53 expression induced by liriodenine. In addition, liriodenine could not induce obvious cytotoxicity in normal human IMR-90 cell line. These results demonstrate that NO production and p53 expression are critical factors in liriodenine-induced growth inhibition in human wild-type p53 hepatoma cells.

A Photochemical Entry to Depsides: Synthesis of Gustastatin

Herein, we propose a modular and general strategy to construct orcinol-type depsides based on the photolysis of functionalized benzodioxinones (I). Notably, resorcinylic esters are obtained without competing isocoumarin (II) formation, exemplified by the first total synthesis of gustastatin in 10 steps from commercially available trihydroxybenzoic acid. [Structure: see text]

[Study on extraction process of the volatile oil for biyuan dropping pills]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal extracting process of the volatile oil for Biyuan Dropping Pills.

METHODS

Conditions for the extraction were studied by orthogonal design guided by the increasement of the volatile oil.

RESULTS

The distilling time is the main factor,and the fineness of the herbal material is the second. The optimal process is as follows: crush the herbal material into coarse powder, macerate 1 hour with 9 times water and distill 4 hours.

CONCLUSION

The optimized process is feasible and stable.

Antimicrobial activity of Michelia champaca

The methanol extracts of leaves, seeds, stem and root barks, stem and root heart-woods of Michelia champaca and the obtained fractions (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Fractionation drastically enhanced the level of activity particularly in all fractions of the stem bark and dichloromethane fraction of the root bark. Some fractions of the leaves, stem and root barks demonstrated antifungal activity against some of the tested moulds. Liriodenine was the active constituent of the root bark, with a broader and, in some cases, better level of activity as compared to the standard.

[Study on HPLC-FPS of cortex magnoliae officinalis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the HPLC-FPS of Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, the substitute species and counterfeits from different habitats, and to obtain the sameness and differences.

METHOD

HPLC-FPS was used.

RESULTS

There were sameness and differences between two certified Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, which were easily distinguished from their substitute species and counterfeits.

CONCLUSION

The HPLC-FPS can provide the useful information for the quality estimation and plant source of Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis.

[Determination of eliminating ratio of Chinese traditional medicine for hydroxyl radical by fluorescent spectrophotometry]

Benzoic acid with weak fluorescence may react on .OH, and products with intense fluorescence are made. Extractives of Chinese traditional medicine may eliminate .OH in solution, and make amounts of the products to reduce. Then, increase level of fluorescence of products in solution will be lowered. Based on this principle, a new method is developed to determine eliminating ratio of Chinese traditional medicine for .OH. It is shown that productivity of .OH tends to saturation when H2O2 is shown more than 20 min by 280 nm UV light; .OH may react on benzoic acid completely when molar ratio of H2O2 and benzoic acid is 30:1; linear response range of products fluorescence is 2.2-80 mmol.L-1 with concentration of H2O2. IC50 of elimination .OH with magnoliae and eucommia are 1.025 and 515.3 mg.L-1 respectively. There are no remarkable difference between these results and that of spectrophotometry.

Lignans and sesquiterpenes from Magnolia praecocissima

A new lignan 1 was isolated together with the five known lignans 2-6 and four sesquiterpenes 7-10 from the seeds of Magnolia praecocissima. The structure of 1 was elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical reaction. Furthermore, the absolute configurations of 1, 2, and 3 were determined by the modified Mosher's method.

Obovatols, new chitin synthase 2 inhibitors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Magnolia obovata

In the course of the search for inhibitors of ScCHS2 from natural sources, we have isolated a new type of chitin synthase 2 inhibitor, obovatol, which has a biphenol skeleton, from Magnolia obovata. Obovatol inhibited chitin synthase 2 activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with an IC(50) of 38 microM. Its derivative, tetrahydroobovatol, inhibited chitin synthase 2 activity under the same conditions with an IC(50) of 59 microM. These compounds exhibited no inhibitory activity for ScCHS3, and showed less inhibitory activity for chitin synthase 1 than for chitin synthase 2 (IC(50) > 1 mM). These results indicated that obovatol and tetrahydroobovatol are specific inhibitors of ScCHS2. They also inhibited CaCHS1, which is structurally and functionally analogous to ScCHS2, with similar IC(50)s to ScCHS2 (IC(50) 28 and 51 microM, respectively). The compounds exhibited mixed competitive inhibition with respect to UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine as substrate [inhibition constant (K(i)) 21.8 microM for obovatol and 23.1 microM for tetrahydroobovatol]. Furthermore, they showed antifungal activities against various pathogenic fungi, with a particularly strong inhibitory activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC 7.8 mg/L). The results indicate that obovatol and tetrahydroobovatol can potentially serve as antifungal agents.

[The identification of flos magnoliae by TLC]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a TLC identification method for Flos Magnoliae.

METHOD

Selecting optimum TLC conditions.

RESULTS

A TLC identification method of Flos Magnoliae has been established.

CONCLUSION

The method is simple, accurate and reliable.

Inhibitory effect of magnolol and honokiol from Magnolia obovata on human fibrosarcoma HT-1080. Invasiveness in vitro

We investigated the inhibitory effect of Magnolia obovata Thunb. bark ethanol extracts on human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells invasion in a reconstituted basement membrane [Matrigel (MG)]. We found that the effective components of the bark ethanol extracts were magnolol and honokiol, two biphenyl compounds. The extracts, magnolol and honokiol, did not affect HT-1080 cells adhesion to MG, but did inhibit HT-1080 cells migration at a high concentration (100 microM). HT-1080 cells secrete matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, which degrades the extracellular matrix as a part of the invasive process. Magnolol and honokiol inhibited the activity of MMP-9, which may have been responsible, in part, for the inhibition of tumor cell invasiveness.

Inhibitory activity of lignan components from the flower buds of Magnoliae fargesii on the expression of cell adhesion molecules

Inhibitory activity of lignans isolated from Magnoliae fargesii Cheng on cell adhesion molecules on the surface of THP-1 human monocytic cell lines were investigated. Among 16 lignan components tested, six displayed relatively potent inhibitory activity on the expression of both intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).

Apoptosis-Inducing costunolide and a novel acyclic monoterpene from the stem bark of Magnolia sieboldii

In a course of obtaining more amount of bioactive costunolide and successive phytochemical isolation from Magnolia sieboldii (Magnoliaceae), a novel acyclic monoterpene 1 named deoxygeraniol [2,6(E)-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene] was isolated along with beta-sitosterol 3-O-linoleate (2), trilinolein (3) and high amount of costunolide (4) in the pure state. The structure of compound 1 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. Costunolide was found to induce apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner by nucleosomal DNA ladder and flow cytometric analysis. Immunoblot analysis showed that the level of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, was decreased, whereas the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase was activated. Furthermore, the N-acetyl-L-cysteine antioxidant effectively prevented costunolide-induced cytotoxicity. These results suggest that costunolide-induced cell death is mediated by reactive oxygen species

Two new germacranolides from Magnolia grandiflora

Two new sesquiterpenoids, 4,5-epoxy-13-methoxy-1(10)-germacren-12,6-olide and 4,5-epoxy-13-acetoxy-1(10)-germacren-12,6-olide, were isolated from the leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, together with six known compounds, 2alpha-hydroxy-dihydroparthenolide, parthenolide, costunolide, syringaresinol, (+) medioresinol and 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction.

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Magnolia denudata

20 compounds were isolated from the leaves of Magnolia denudata including 16 lignans, which belong to 6 structural types. Except for (7R, 8S, 1'S)-delta8' -1', 4'- dihydro-5'-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-4'-oxo-7.0.2', 8.1'-neolignan (6), magliflonenone (9), 2, 5'-diene-2', 8'-epoxy-5'-methoxy-8-methyl-4'-oxo-3,4- methylenedioxy-spiro (5, 5)-undecane (10), veraguensin (16) and beta-sitosterol (20), the other 15 compounds were obtained from this species for the first time. The absolute configurations of 3 compounds (1, 4, 10) were determined by CD spectroscopy for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 1, 2 and 16 were assessed and 2 was shown to have significant inhibition effect on mice hind-paw edema induced by carrageenan.

In vivo 19F NMR chemical-shift imaging of Ancistrocladus species

19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and 19F NMR chemical-shift imaging (19F CSI) have been used to localize fluorinated compounds administered to stems of Ancistrocladus heyneanus and A. abbreviatus for the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways in living plants. This first application of 19F CSI on plants proved CSI to be a valuable technique for mapping fluorinated molecules in plants. Exemplarily using trifluoroacetate as a model compound allowed to select appropriate feeding methods and to optimize both concentration and duration of the application to the plant. The time course of the uptake and distribution of trifluoroacetate was monitored by both 19F imaging and 19F CSI. Fluorinated metabolites formed by uptake of 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-glucose were detected with 19F CSI.

A new sesquiterpene lactone from Tsoongiodendron odorum Chun

A new sesquiterpene lactone (1) was obtained from the cytotoxic fraction of 95% ethanol extract of root barks of Tsoongiodendron odorum Chun together with two known sesquiterpene lactones, costunolide (2) and parthenolide (3). The structure of 1 was elucidated as 5alpha, 6alpha, 7beta, 10beta- 11alpha, 13-dihydro-4(15)-eudesmene-12, 6-olide on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence including X-ray diffraction analysis. Costunolide showed cytotoxic activity against human leukemia (HL-60) cell line. Parthenolide showed promising cytotoxic activities in vitro against HCT-8, Bel-7402, SKOV3, KB, HELA and EJ cell lines. Also, the cytotoxic ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of the root barks from which three chemical components were isolated showed promising cytotoxic activities in vitro against KB, BGC-823, Bel-7402, HCT-8, HL-60 cell lines.

[Study of chemical constituents of essential oil from Michelia yunnanensis Franch]

The essential oil from Michelia yunnanensis Franch were extracted and chemical constituents of it were analyzed by GC/MS. Forty-five compounds were identified. The main compounds with high contents were Bornyl acetate (12.44%), Camphor (8.775), Caryophylle oxide (6.93%), Bornyl (5.97%), Cineole (4.57%) and Linalool(1.89%).

[A study on the quality criteria for wushicha capsules]

OBJECTIVE

To build up the quality criteria for Wushicha capsules.

METHOD

Rhizoma Atractylodis, Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Herba Pogostemonis in Wushicha capsules were identified by TLC. The contents of magnolol in the preparation were determined by GC.

RESULT

These methods are simple and accurate.

CONCLUSION

These methods can be used for the quantitative analysis of Wushicha capsules.

[Study on chemical constituents of essential oil of Michelia leaves by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry]

The essential oil in Michelia leaves was extracted by steam distillation. The oil obtained was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The chemical constituents were analyzed by GC-MS. Thirty three peaks were separated by GC, and 27 of them were identified by MS with NBS mass spectral data and Wiley/NBS registry of mass spectral data. The structure of linalool was further verified by GC/FTIR. The identified constituents represent 97% of the peak area of the essential oil on FID. The major chemical constituent of them are linalool, trans-caryophyllene and diethyl-o-phthalate.