Centranthus ruber (L.) DC. and Tropaeolum majus L.: Phytochemical Profile, In Vitro Anti-Denaturation Effects and Lipase Inhibitory Activity of Two Ornamental Plants Traditionally Used as Herbal Remedies

Ornamental plants often gain relevance not only for their decorative use, but also as a source of phytochemicals with interesting healing properties. Herein, spontaneous Centranthus ruber (L.) DC. and Tropaeolum majus L., mainly used as ornamental species but also traditionally consumed and used in popular medicine, were investigated. The aerial parts were extracted with methanol trough maceration, and resultant crude extracts were partitioned using solvents with increasing polarity. As previous studies mostly dealt with the phenolic content of these species, the phytochemical investigation mainly focused on nonpolar constituents, detected with GC-MS. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was also verified, and HPTLC analyses were performed. In order to explore the potential antiarthritic and anti-obesity properties, extracts and their fractions were evaluated for their anti-denaturation effects, with the use of the BSA assay, and for their ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase. The antioxidant properties and the inhibitory activity on the NO production were verified, as well. Almost all the extracts and fractions demonstrated good inhibitory effects on NO production. The n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions from T. majus, as well as the n-hexane fraction from C. ruber, were effective in protecting the protein from heat-induced denaturation (IC₅₀ = 154.0 ± 1.9, 270.8 ± 2.3 and 450.1 ± 15.5 μg/mL, respectively). The dichloromethane fractions from both raw extracts were also effective in inhibiting pancreatic lipase, with IC₅₀ values equal to 2.23 ± 0.02 mg/mL (for C. ruber sample), and 2.05 ± 0.02 mg/mL (T. majus). Obtained results support the traditional use of these species for their beneficial health properties and suggest that investigated plant species could be potential sources of novel antiarthritic and anti-obesity agents.

[A novel screening system for Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing inhibitors]

Quorum sensing is an important gene regulatory mechanism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and controls the expression of numerous virulence factors. We designed and constructed a screening system for quorum-sensing inhibitors. We developed the system by using the lasI and rhlA promoters fused with promoterless sacB as reporters. Using this system we screened a number of Chinese herb extracts, and identified three herb extracts containing inhibitors to the quorum-sensing system and to its regulated genes. The screening system developed was highly efficient and sensitive. It could serve as a useful tool to identify herb compounds that block infections but unlikely render antibiotic resistance in pathogens.

11-Methoxyviburtinal, a new iridoid fromValeriana jatamansi

Five compounds of iridoids, lignan and phenylpropanoid glycosides were isolated from the roots of Valeriana jatamansi by column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated as 11-methoxyviburtinal (1), baldrinal (2), prinsepiol-4-omicron-beta-D-glucoside (3), coniferin (4), and hexacosanic acid (5) by spectroscopic analysis. 11-Methoxyviburtinal was a new compound, and others were isolated from the plant for the first time.

4'-deoxy iridoid glycosides from Centranthus longiflorus

The new iridoid glycosides, 4'-deoxykanokoside A and 4'-deoxykanokoside C, were isolated from the methanolic root extract of Centranthus longiflorus ssp. longiflorus. They were accompanied by the three known iridoid glycosides, kanokoside A, kanokoside C and valerosidatum, and two known phenylpropanoid glycosides, coniferin and isoconiferinoside. The structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods. The presence of 4-deoxy glucose as a part of plant glycosides is rather unusual. Cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds were also investigated.

Essential oil constituents of Valeriana italica and Valeriana tuberosa. Stereochemical and conformational study of 15-acetoxyvaleranone

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of roots, stems with leaves and inflorescences of Valeriana italica Lam. and Valeriana tuberosa L. were studied by GC/MS. Seventy-three and forty-one constituents were identified from each plant, respectively. The major constituent of the oil obtained from the roots of V. italica was isolated and identified as 15-acetoxyvaleranone. Its stereochemistry and conformation has been studied using NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The oils obtained from V. tuberosa completely lacked the characteristic valerane or kessane sesquiterpenes.

Sedative, anticonvulsant and behaviour modifying effects of Centranthus longiflorus ssp. longiflorus: a study of comparison to diazepam

The aqueous extract of Centranthus longiflorus ssp. longiflorus (CLE) was investigated for sedative, anticonvulsant and behaviour modifying activity using thiopental sleeping, caffeine induced convulsion and forced swimming depression tests. When the effects of the aqueous extract of CLE (100 mg/kg) was compared to diazepam, it showed similar sedative and anticonvulsant effects to those produced by diazepam (5 mg/kg).

Guaiane- and aristolane-type sesquiterpenoids of Nardostachys chinensis roots

Two guaiane-type compounds, nardoguaianone J and K (1 and 2) and two aristolane-type compounds, kanshone F and G (3 and 4), were isolated from Nardostachys chinensis roots. The structures including the absolute configurations were elucidated by spectral means and by comparison of their CD spectra.

A new triterpene lactone from the roots of Patrinia scabiosaefolia

A new triterpene lactone named patrinolide A (1) has been isolated from the roots of Patrinia scabiosaefolia (Valerianaceae). Its structure was determined to be 11beta,21beta-dihydroxy-3-oxooleanan-28,13beta-olide on the basis of spectral analysis, including 2D-NMR techniques. Key words: Patrinia scabiosaefolia, Valerianaceae, Lactone, Patrinolide, 11beta,21beta-dihydroxy-3-oxooleanan-28,13beta-olide.

Determination of iridoid glycosides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography-mass spectrometry with use of the partial filling technique

A fast and easy method was sought for determination of the iridoid glycosides catalpol, ketologanin, verbenalin, loganin, 8-epi-loganic acid, geniposidic acid and 10-cinnamoyl catalpol in plant samples. The method involved micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) coupled on-line to mass spectrometry. The partial filling technique and electrospray ionization were used. Seven iridoid glycosides could be separated with use of MEKC under basic conditions. However, 8-epi-loganic acid and geniposidic acid could not be detected simultaneously with the five neutral iridoid glycosides by mass spectrometry. Therefore, only the neutral iridoid glycosides were screened from plant samples. Catalpol, verbenalin, loganin and possibly 10-cinnamoyl catalpol were found in an examination of seven plant species in the genera Plantago, Veronica, Melampyrum, Succisa, and Valeriana. Aucubin, which was not included in the sample mixture used in method development because of overlapping with catalpol in MEKC, was also detected. The limits of detection for the iridoid glycosides, both at the UV and at the mass spectrometer, are given.