Phytochemical investigation of aerial parts of Woodsia ilvensis and its plasmin-inhibitory activity in vitro

The fern plant Woodsia ilvensis (L.) R. Br. belongs to the Woodsiaceae family and its leaves are used to treat diarrhea, soft-tissue injuries, and external injuries. Investigations of the compounds obtained from the plasmin-inhibitory-active extracts of W. ilvensis led to the isolation of two undescribed maleimide N-glycosides, an undescribed stilbenoid glycoside, and five undescribed acetylated flavonol bisdesmosides, together with 19 known compounds. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined using spectroscopy. The absolute configurations of the sugar moieties were determined via HPLC after acid hydrolysis. Among the isolated compounds, some flavonoids and stilbenoid glycosides exhibited plasmin-inhibitory activity.

Phytochemical investigation of Scutellaria scordiifolia and its trypanocidal activity

Scutellaria scordiifolia Fisch. ex Schrank is used to treat various inflammatory diseases and other ailments in traditional and contemporary medicine. In this study, 10 undescribed compounds, including a flavanone (1), four chrysin C-glycosides (2-5), a phenanthrene glucoside (6), four iridoid glucosides (7-10) and 31 known compounds were identified from an extract of the aerial parts of S. scordiifolia. The absolute configurations of sugars in C-glycosides were determined by comparing electric circular dichroism spectra with calculated data. The flavanones (1 and 17), flavonols (11-13), flavone (14), and some of the flavone glucuronides (15, 16) exhibited trypanocidal activities against Trypanosoma congolense. The activity data and quantitative HPLC analysis of flavonoids from the aerial parts of S. scordiifolia suggest that they may effectively treat diseases caused by the aforementioned trypanosomes. Other compounds such as novel iridoids and phenanthrene glycosides, which may be useful for chemophenetic and chemoecological discussions, were also identified.

Methyl-β-D-glucopyranoside From Scabiosa comosa as a Quorum-Sensing Inhibitor

Quorum sensing (QS) is an important microbial signaling system that controls the expression of many virulence genes. Combination treatment with QS inhibitors and antibiotics may be the new treatment option for infectious diseases in the future. Therefore, there is an increasing need to discover anti-QS compounds to prevent antimicrobial resistance. We isolated methyl-β-D-glucopyranoside from Scabiosa comosa and found that it exerts an anti-QS activity against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 without exhibiting any antimicrobial activity.

In Vitro Potently Active Anti-Plasmodium and Anti-Toxoplasma Mongolian Plant Extracts

PURPOSE

Malaria and toxoplasmosis are important public health diseases affecting millions of people and animals each year, and there is a continuing need for new and improved treatments for them. Plants have provided many opportunities for new drug leads in pharmacology.

METHODS

We examined 43 crude extracts from Mongolian plants for their activities against the Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain and the Toxoplasma gondii RH strain using a SYBR Green-based fluorescence assay and a fluorescence-based assay, respectively. The potential toxicity of these extracts was also assessed on human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFF) using a cell viability assay.

RESULTS

From the initial screenings, 11 and 7 crude extracts were effective against T. gondii and P. falciparum, respectively, at 100 µg/ml concentration (≥ 80% inhibition activity). The 50% cytotoxic concentrations of the extracts were estimated on HFF cells, and their 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀s) were calculated. According to our lead criteria (selective index, SI; value ≥ 10), six plants (Galatella dahurica leaf + flower, Leonurus deminutus leaf + flower, Oxytropis trichophysa aerial part, Schultzia crinita whole plant, Leontopodium campestre root, Spirea salicifolia aerial part) inhibited P. falciparum growth at IC₅₀ values of 5.99-64.15 µg/ml (SI values: 10.11-17.02). Amaranthus retroflexus root was highly active against T. gondii (IC₅₀, 19.89 µg/ml; SI value, 38).

CONCLUSION

This first observation of the anti-Plasmodium and anti-Toxoplasma activities of Mongolian plant extracts shows them to be interesting potential candidates for drug discovery.

Isolation and evaluation of virucidal activities of flavanone glycosides and rosmarinic acid derivatives from Dracocephalum spp. against feline calicivirus

Feline calicivirus is one of the surrogate viruses of human norovirus. This study aimed to identify virucidal compounds, chemical constituents of plants from the genus Dracocephalum, which are rich in flavonoids and phenylpropanoid oligomers. Four undescribed compounds, including a flavanone glucoside, two stilbenoid glycosides, and a phenylpropanoid amide glycoside, as well as 17 known compounds, were isolated from the Mongolian plants Dracocephalum fruticulosum Stephan ex Willd., and D. nutans L. belonging to the family Lamiaceae. The structures of the compounds were determined based on NMR, MS, and electronic CD spectroscopic data. In addition to these 21 compounds, 15 previously reported compounds from D. foetidum Bunge in C.F. von Ledebour were included, and a total of 36 compounds were evaluated for their virucidal activities against feline calicivirus. Some of the flavanone glycosides and phenylpropanoid oligomers showed virucidal activities, and their structural features are discussed. The findings suggest that isosakuranetin glycosides and phenylpropanoid oligomers may have the potential for norovirus inactivation.

Evaluation of Mongolian compound library for potential antimalarial and anti-Toxoplasma agents

179 compounds in a Mongolian compound library were investigated for their inhibitory effect on the in vitro growth of Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. Among these compounds, brachangobinan A at a half-maximal inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of 2.62 μM and a selectivity index (SI) of 27.91; 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-O-methylphenyl)-5-(2″,5″-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazole (IC₅₀ 3.58 μM and SI 24.66); chrysosplenetin (IC₅₀ 3.78 μM and SI 15.26); 4,11-di-O-galloylbergenin (IC₅₀ 3.87 μM and SI 13.38); and 2-(2',5'-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-(2″-hydroxyphenyl)oxazole (IC₅₀ 6.94 μM and SI 11.48) were identified as potential inhibitors of P. falciparum multiplication. Additionally, tricin (IC₅₀ 12.94 μM and SI > 23.40) was identified as a potential inhibitor of T. gondii multiplication. Our findings represent a good starting point for developing novel antimalarial and anti-Toxoplasma therapeutics from Mongolian compounds.

Actinocatenispora comari sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from aerial parts of Comarum salesowianum

A novel actinomycete, designated NUM-2625^T, was isolated as an endophytic bacterium in aerial parts of Comarum salesowianum, an endemic species in the Altai, Himalaya mountain chain area, collected from Khasagt Khairkhan Mountain in Mongolia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NUM-2625^T showed the highest similarity to Actinocatenispora thailandica TT2-10^T (99.4 %), Actinocatenispora sera KV-744^T (99.3 %), and Actinocatenispora rupis CS5-AC17^T (97.7 %). Chemotaxonomic properties of strain NUM-2625^T were essentially consistent with those of the genus Actinocatenispora, such as the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan, MK-9(H₄) and MK-9(H₆) as the major menaquinones, and iso-C_16 : 0, iso-C_15 : 0, iso-C_14 : 0 3-OH, and anteiso-C_17 : 0 as the major fatty acids. Meanwhile, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values revealed a low relatedness between strain NUM-2625^T and the other type strains of the genus Actinocatenispora. In addition, strain NUM-2625^T exhibited several phenotypic properties that could be used to distinguish it from its closest relatives. Based on the results of polyphasic analyses, strain NUM-2625^T represents a novel species in the genus Actinocatenispora, for which the name Actinocatenispora comari sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NUM-2625^T (=NBRC 114660^T=TBRC 13496^T).

Transcriptome Analysis of Chloris virgata, Which Shows the Fastest Germination and Growth in the Major Mongolian Grassland Plant

Plants in Mongolian grasslands are exposed to short, dry summers and long, cold winters. These plants should be prepared for fast germination and growth activity in response to the limited summer rainfall. The wild plant species adapted to the Mongolian grassland environment may allow us to explore useful genes, as a source of unique genetic codes for crop improvement. Here, we identified the Chloris virgata Dornogovi accession as the fastest germinating plant in major Mongolian grassland plants. It germinated just 5 h after treatment for germination initiation and showed rapid growth, especially in its early and young development stages. This indicates its high growth potential compared to grass crops such as rice and wheat. By assessing growth recovery after animal bite treatment (mimicked by cutting the leaves with scissors), we found that C. virgata could rapidly regenerate leaves after being damaged, suggesting high regeneration potential against grazing. To analyze the regulatory mechanism involved in the high growth potential of C. virgata, we performed RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis and illustrated a comprehensive gene expression map of the species. Through de novo transcriptome assembly with the RNA-seq reads from whole organ samples of C. virgata at the germination stage (2 days after germination, DAG), early young development stage (8 DAG), young development stage (17 DAG), and adult development stage (28 DAG), we identified 21,589 unified transcripts (contigs) and found that 19,346 and 18,156 protein-coding transcripts were homologous to those in rice and Arabidopsis, respectively. The best-aligned sequences were annotated with gene ontology groups. When comparing the transcriptomes across developmental stages, we found an over-representation of genes involved in growth regulation in the early development stage in C. virgata. Plant development is tightly regulated by phytohormones such as brassinosteroids, gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, and strigolactones. Moreover, our transcriptome map demonstrated the expression profiles of orthologs involved in the biosynthesis of these phytohormones and their signaling networks. We discuss the possibility that C. virgata phytohormone signaling and biosynthesis genes regulate early germination and growth advantages. Comprehensive transcriptome information will provide a useful resource for gene discovery and facilitate a deeper understanding of the diversity of the regulatory systems that have evolved in C. virgata while adapting to severe environmental conditions.

Biological activity evaluations of chemical constituents derived from Mongolian medicinal forage plants and their applications in combating infectious diseases and addressing health problems in humans and livestock

Mongolian nomadic people possess traditional knowledge of wild plants that grow in their areas of habitation. Many of these are forage plants in nature and are consumed by livestock. However, these plants are known to have medicinal and/or toxic properties. To establish a scientific understanding of the plants, and in turn, offer sound knowledge on their applications and effective use, it is essential to collect data pertaining to the chemical constituents of each plant. Therefore, the first objective of this study was to identify and determine the structural constituents of the forage plants that were available to our research group. Furthermore, in an attempt to demonstrate the biological activities of the isolated chemical compounds, we focused on solving some of the social issues affecting Mongolian communities, including protozoan diseases affecting livestock, vectors of infectious diseases, and the general health of humans and their livestock. The results of the chemical constituents derived from Mongolian medicinal plants and their biological activities that were studied in the recent decade are also described herein.

Isolation and evaluation of trypanocidal activity of sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, and lignans in Artemisia sieversiana collected in Mongolia

Artemisia sieversiana is an annual herbaceous plant distributed throughout Central and East Eurasia and is regarded as an undesirable forage plant in Mongolia. It affects livestock, so information about its chemical composition is needed. We isolated three new sesquiterpenoids (1-3) and known compounds from A. sieversiana and investigated their activities. The absolute configuration of 1 was established using single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography, and its configuration differed from those of reported compounds with similar structures. Two additional new sesquiterpenoids (2 and 3) with similar structures were identified, and their configurations were determined. The trypanocidal activities of the isolated compounds (1-18) against Trypanosoma congolense and the pathogen responsible for fatal trypanosomosis in animals were estimated. Flavonoids and lignans were identified as active compounds with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.9 to 90.2 µM.

Saxifraga spinulosa-Derived Components Rapidly Inactivate Multiple Viruses Including SARS-CoV-2

Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A virus (IAV), and norovirus (NV) are highly contagious pathogens that threaten human health. Here we focused on the antiviral potential of the medicinal herb, Saxifragaspinulosa (SS). Water-soluble extracts of SS were prepared, and their virus-inactivating activity was evaluated against the human virus pathogens SARS-CoV-2 and IAV; we also examined virucidal activity against feline calicivirus and murine norovirus, which are surrogates for human NV. Among our findings, we found that SS-derived gallocatechin gallate compounds were capable of inactivating all viruses tested. Interestingly, a pyrogallol-enriched fraction (Fr 1C) inactivated all viruses more rapidly and effectively than did any of the component compounds used alone. We found that 25 µg/mL of Fr 1C inactivated >99.6% of SARS-CoV-2 within 10 s (reduction of ≥2.33 log₁₀ TCID₅₀/mL). Fr 1C resulted in the disruption of viral genomes and proteins as determined by gel electrophoresis, electron microscopy, and reverse transcription–PCR. Taken together, our results reveal the potential of Fr 1C for development as a novel antiviral disinfectant.

Hyaluronidase inhibitory saponins and a trypanocidal isoflavonoid from the aerial parts of Oxytropis lanata

A chemical examination of an extract from the aerial part of Oxytropis lanata led to the isolation and identification of 36 compounds, including saponins, isoflavonoids, oxazoles, and glycosides. The three among them were previously unreported oleanane-type saponins. In trypanocidal screening, 5,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone showed inhibitory activity against Trypanosoma congolense (IC₅₀ = 10.5 μM), the causative agent of African trypanosomosis in animals; this activity was similar to that of active compounds from the roots of this plant. O. lanata is known to be a traditional medicinal plant in Mongolia for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The anti-hyaluronidase effect of saponins 3, 5, 8, and 9, (IC₅₀ = 0.15-0.22 mM) was stronger than that of sodium cromoglicate, which was used as a reference drug (IC₅₀ = 0.37 mM). The chemical structures of the new saponins were determined based on HRFABMS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY spectroscopic data along with chemical procedures.

Acylated Lignans Isolated from Brachanthemum gobicum and Their Trypanocidal Activity

Eight isovaleryllignans (1-4 and 8-11), three isovalerylphenylpropanoids (5-7), three known lignans (12-14), and four known compounds were isolated from an extract of the aerial part of Brachanthemum gobicum. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on NMR and MS data analyses. The enantiomers of compounds 1-3, 5, 8, and 9 were isolated using chiral-phase HPLC, and the absolute configurations of 1a/1b-3a/3b, 5a/5b, 8a/8b, and 9a/9b were elucidated from their optical rotations and ECD spectra; the other lignans were assumed to be racemic or scalemic by chiral-phase HPLC analyses and optical rotation data. Some of the acylated lignans (racemic mixtures) (1-4, 8, 9, and 12-14) exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against Trypanosoma congolense, the causative agent of nagana disease in animals.

Flavonoids isolated from the flowers of Pulsatilla flavescens and their anti-piroplasm activity

Pulsatilla species are known as "Yargui", and their flowers are traditionally used in Mongolia as a tonic and for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. By chemical investigation of P. flavescens flowers, 21 flavonoids, including a new chalcone C-glucoside, chalconaringenin 2'-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-5'-β-D-glucopyranoside, and two new flavanone C-glucosides, (2R)- and (2S)-naringenin 8-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, were isolated. The absolute configurations of the seven flavanone glucosides were elucidated by ECD spectra. For the isolated compounds, inhibitory activity against Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, which cause fatal diseases in horses, was estimated. Although most of the isolated chalcone and flavanone derivatives did not show any anti-piroplasm activity, all the isolated flavone and flavonol derivatives showed moderate effects against B. caballi and/or T. equi.

Flavonoid and Galloyl Glycosides Isolated from Saxifraga spinulosa and Their Antioxidative and Inhibitory Activities against Species That Cause Piroplasmosis

Eight new flavonoid-based 3'-O-β-d-glucopyranosides (1-8) and three new galloyl glucosides (9, 11, 12), were isolated from the aerial parts of Saxifraga spinulosa, along with 25 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Most of the isolated compounds exhibited potent DPPH radical-scavenging activities. Further, their inhibitory activities were evaluated against Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi, protozoan parasites that cause piroplasmosis in livestock. The results indicated that several of these compounds showed growth-inhibitory effects on such organisms that cause piroplasmosis.

Antioxidant Flavonols and Phenolic Compounds from Atraphaxis frutescens and Their Inhibitory Activities against Insect Phenoloxidase and Mushroom Tyrosinase

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Atraphaxis frutescens resulted in the isolation of five 7-methoxyflavonols with pyrogallol B-ring moieties (1-5), a fisetinidol glucoside (13), and a benzyl glycoside (18), together with 26 known compounds including flavonoids, phenylpropanoid amides, anthraquinone glycosides, lignans, and a benzyl derivative. The principal chemical structural feature of the isolated compounds was either a pyrogallol or catechol B-ring moiety, and they showed potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities. To assess the effects of these antioxidants on biological enzymes, their inhibitory effects against an insect phenoloxidase and a mushroom tyrosinase were evaluated. This study indicated that insect phenoloxidase was inhibited by phenylpropanoid amides and that mushroom tyrosinase was inhibited by the characteristic 7-methoxyflavonol 3-O-rhamnopyranosides.

Trypanocidal Activity of 2,5-Diphenyloxazoles Isolated from the Roots of Oxytropis lanata

Eleven 2,5-diphenyloxazole derivatives (1-11), together with six known isoflavonoid derivatives, were isolated from the roots of Oxytropis lanata. The 2,5-diphenyloxazole (1) obtained proved to be identical to a standard sample used as a scintillator and liquid laser dye. The other oxazole derivatives isolated were found to have one to four hydroxy and/or O-methyl groups in their phenyl rings. Seven of the oxazole derivatives obtained are new (3-9). The inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against Trypanosoma congolense, the causative agent of African trypanosomosis in animals. Oxazoles with di- and trihydroxy groups showed trypanocidal activity, and 2-(2',3'-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-(2″-hydroxyphenyl)oxazole (4) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 1.0 μM).

Abietane-type diterpenoids from the roots of Caryopteris mongolica and their cholinesterase inhibitory activities

Eleven abietane-type diterpenoids and two known abietanes were isolated from the roots of Caryopteris mongolica, and their structures were characterized. The absolute configurations at C-5 and C-10 were determined from the NMR data, including from the nuclear Overhauser effect and CD spectra, and the absolute configuration of C-16 in the hydroxypropyl group was determined via a modified Mosher's method. Furthermore, the previously unknown absolute configuration of the C-15 of cyrtophyllone B was determined to be in an R-configuration using X-ray crystallography. To estimate the preventive effects of the isolates for neurodegenerative disease development, their inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from human erythrocytes and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) from horse serum were evaluated.

An antibacterial ortho-quinone diterpenoid and its derivatives from Caryopteris mongolica

To identify antibacterial components in traditional Mongolian medicinal plant Caryopteris mongolica, an ortho-quinone abietane caryopteron A (1) and three its derivatives caryopteron B-D (2-4) were isolated from the roots of the plant together with three known abietanes demethylcryptojaponol (5), 6α-hydroxydemethyl cryptojaponol (6), and 14-deoxycoleon U (7). The chemical structures of these abietane derivatives were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-4 had C-13 methylcyclopropane substructures, and 2-4 had a hexanedioic anhydride ring C instead of ortho-quinone in 1. The stereochemistry of these compound was assumed from NOE spectra and ECD Cotton effects. Compounds 1 and 5-7 showed antibacterial activities against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Micrococcus luteus, being 1 the more potent.

Cholinesterase-inhibitory diterpenoids and chemical constituents from aerial parts of Caryopteris mongolica

A diterpenoid diglucoside (12,19-di-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-11-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-19-one), isoscutellarein 7-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, isoscutellarein 7-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, hypolaetin 7-O-[6″-O-(p-E-coumaroyl)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, hypolaetin 7-O-[6″-O-(E-caffeoyl)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 15 known compounds were isolated from aerial parts of the Mongolian medicinal plant Caryopteris mongolica. The cholinesterase-inhibitory activities of the constituents were estimated. The abietane diterpenoids (12-O-demethylcryptojaponol and 6α-hydroxydemethylcryptojaponol) showed potent inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase from human erythrocytes and electric eel, and against butyrylcholinesterase from horse serum.

Monoterpene glycosides, phenylpropanoids, and acacetin glycosides from Dracocephalum foetidum

Chemical investigation of the acetone extract from the aerial parts of the Mongolian medicinal plant Dracocephalum foetidum resulted in the isolation of three limonene glycosides, a caffeic acid trimer, four rosmarinic acid glucosides, and five acacetin acyl glycosides, together with 13 known natural products. The chemical structures of all of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses. Among these compounds three showed hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. In addition, one other compound showed stronger 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity than the positive control Trolox, whereas three other compounds demonstrated a similar activity to that of Trolox.

Antioxidant Constituents of Cotoneaster melanocarpus Lodd

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of Cotoneaster melanocarpus Lodd. and the identification of antioxidant active constituents of this plant. C. melanocarpus Lodd. is a shrub indigenous to Mongolia and used in Traditional Mongolian Medicine as a styptic. Before extraction, the plant material was separated into three parts: young sterile shoots, older stems and leaves. All these parts were extracted with water, methanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and hexane, successively. The methanolic extract of the sterile shoots showed the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay (IC₅₀ 30.91 ± 2.97 µg/mL). This active extract was further analyzed with chromatographic methods. TLC fingerprinting and HPLC indicated the presence of the flavonol glycosides quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin), quercetin-3-O-galactoside (hyperoside) and quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercetin), ursolic acid as well as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid. The findings were substantiated with LC-MS. All identified compounds have antioxidant properties and therefore contribute to the radical scavenging activity of the whole plant.

Flavone tetraglycosides and benzyl alcohol glycosides from the Mongolian medicinal plant Dracocephalum ruyschiana

From an extract of the aerial parts of Dracocephalum ruyschiana, five new flavone tetraglycosides, five new benzyl alcohol glycosides, and 19 known compounds were isolated. The tetraglycosides contain a 7-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl moiety. The benzyl alcohol glycosides had acyl groups on their glycosyl or aglycone moieties. The compounds were tested for antioxidant activity using DPPH. Although the new compounds were not active, phenylpropanoylquinic acid derivatives were revealed as radical scavengers in D. ruyschiana.

Lipase inhibitory and LDL anti-oxidative triterpenes from Abies sibirica

A methanol extract of Abies sibirica Ladeb, a Mongolian medicinal plant, had an inhibitory effect on both lipase activity in mouse plasma and LDL anti-oxidative activity, which are preventative factors for arteriosclerosis. The extract was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography and its active constituents were sought. From lipid soluble fractions, 20 terpenoids including seven hitherto unknown triterpenes were isolated. The latter triterpenes had either a γ-lactone ring with a lactol or a derivative thereof. Their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. The lipase inhibitory activity and LDL anti-oxidative activity of these compounds were evaluated. Some constituents (either lipase inhibitory or LDL anti-oxidative activities) had moderate inhibitory activities.

Genetic diversity of Ephedra plants in mongolia inferred from internal transcribed spacer sequence of nuclear ribosomal DNA

Ephedrae herba has been used for treating colds, relieving coughs and asthma from ancient times. We previously reported the distribution of Ephedra sinica, E. equisetina, E. przewalskii, E. regeliana, E. monosperma and Ephedra sp. in Mongolia, and among them E. sinica and E. equisetina were potential new resources of Ephedrae herba of Japanese pharmacopoeia grade, based on our field survey and subsequent molecular and chemical assessments. However, the Ephedra population in southwestern areas showed a high possibility of having hybrid origins. Further field surveys in southwestern areas, and sequence analysis of the partial nuclear internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, besides trnK and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene regions, were conducted in order to obtain detailed evidence of hybridization status. As a result, the distribution of E. glauca in western area and E. lomatolepis in western-most area was confirmed. The ITS sequences from all 8 Ephedra species collected in Mongolia were roughly divided into 5 types (types I-V). Type II sequence, having several additive nucleotides, was found in Ephedra sp., E. glauca, E. regeliana and E. sinica, which provided useful information for tracing hybrid origins. Morphological, genetic and distribution evidence suggested that the hybridization of Ephedra species occurred widely in southwestern Mongolia, and several Ephedra species including E. przewalkskii and E. intermedia were involved in these events. Integrated with our previous report, trnK-, 18S- and ITS-types from pure lines of each species are proposed. In addition, we propose a practicable method for detecting additive peaks on a direct sequencing electropherogram.

Molecular analysis and chemical evaluation of ephedra plants in Mongolia

Ephedrae herba has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese (Kampo) medicine from ancient times, with the primary resource being in China. In the present study, a field survey as well as molecular and chemical assessments were conducted on Ephedra plants in Mongolia to clarify whether they could be an alternative resource of the Ephedrae herba used in Japanese Kampo medicine. Ephedra sinica, E. equisetina, E. przewalskii, E. regeliana, E. monosperma and an unknown taxon (ESP) collected in Mongolia were divided into 9 genotypes on the basis of nucleotide sequences of 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and trnK gene. E. sinica, E. equisetina, and E. monosperma presented completely identical sequences to the corresponding species from China. The sequences of trnK gene and 18S rRNA gene provide a useful index for identification and taxonomic classification of Mongolian Ephedra plants. Quantitative analysis of 5 ephedrine alkaloids revealed that almost all Mongolian Ephedra plants contained high amounts of total ephedrine alkaloids (TAs, 1.86-4.90%) and a high percentage of pseudoephedrine in TAs differed obviously from the Chinese. E. sinica and E. equisetina found in eastern and central Mongolia, showing total contents of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine higher than 1.43%, were potential new resources of Japanese Pharmacopoeia grade Ephedrae herba.

Constituents of Rhodiola rosea showing inhibitory effect on lipase activity in mouse plasma and alimentary canal

As a methanol extract of the rhizome of Rhodiola rosea inhibits the activity of lipase in isolated mouse plasma in vitro and in the mouse gastrointestinal tube in vivo, the active components in this plant were investigated. After fractionation and separation processes, rhodionin and rhodiosin were isolated as active ingredients. Their IC50 values were 0.093 mM and 0.133 mM in vitro, respectively. Both compounds significantly suppressed the elevation of the postprandial blood triglyceride level, e.g., by 45.6 % (150 mg/kg, 60 min after oral administration) and 57.6 % (200 mg/kg, 180 min after oral administration), respectively. Consequently, we anticipate the application of this plant and its constituents to the treatment of lifestyle-related diseases such as hyperlipidemia and exogeneous obesity and to health foods.

Quality evaluation of Astragali Radix using a multivariate statistical approach

The quality of 43 Astragali Radix samples collected in China and Mongolia was evaluated using multivariate statistical analysis of data obtained from liquid chromatography-ion trap-time of flight (LC-IT-TOF) mass spectrometry. The samples were classified into four characteristic groups and most of the marker compounds were identified by elemental composition data and the results of MS/MS analysis. The approach provides useful information and gives an overview of the difference between crude drugs originating from different production environments and the genetic nature of the medicinal plants. In addition, the ease with which particular marker compounds could be identified and the effectiveness of the comparison by means of multivariate statistics, such as principal component analysis (PCA), indicates that this method could be utilized for the establishment of standardization and quality control procedures for crude drugs.

Screening of Mongolian plants for influence on amylase activity in mouse plasma and gastrointestinal tube

Mongolian plants were screened for their influence on alpha-amylase activity in mouse plasma. Methanolic extracts of Geranium pratense, Rhodiola rosea, Ribes pullchelum and Vaccinium uliginosum inhibited the enzyme activity in isolated mouse plasma by greater than 40% and the effect was concentration dependent. Vaccinium uliginosum also showed a depressive effect on elevation of postprandial blood glucose to some extent.

Suppression of NO production in activated macrophages in vitro and ex vivo by neoandrographolide isolated from Andrographis paniculata

In this study, we investigated the in vitro and ex vivo suppressive effects of Andrographis paniculata on nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages elicited by bacillus Calmette-Guéin (BCG) and stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Incubation of BCG-induced macrophages with the methanol extract of A. paniculata reduced LPS stimulated NO production. The diterpene lactones andrographolide and neoandrographolide were isolated as active components from the extract. These compounds suppressed NO production in a concentration-dependent manner in the concentration range from 0.1 to 100 microM and their IC50 values were 7.9 and 35.5 microM. Neoandrographolide also suppressed NO production by 35 and 40% when the macrophages were collected after oral administration of neoandrographolide at doses of 5 and 25 mg/kg/d and LPS stimulated NO production was examined. However, andrographolide did not reduce NO production on oral administration at the same doses. These results indicate that neoandrographolide, which inhibited NO production both in vitro and ex vivo may play an important role in the use of A. paniculata as an anti-inflammatory crude drug.

Flavonoids from Cleome droserifolia suppress NO production in activated macrophages in vitro

The effect of an Egyptian medicinal plant, Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Del. on nitric oxide (NO) production in bacillus Calmette-Guérin-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide was investigated in vitro. The methanol extract of C. droserifolia reduced the NO production, and two flavonoids were isolated as the active components. The new one was determined to be 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (1) and the other was identified as 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone (8-methoxycirsilineol; 2). Compound 1 concentration-dependently suppressed the NO production and was effective at a non-toxic concentration (12.5 micrograms/ml). The suppressive activity of 2 was weaker than that of 1.