Inhibition of [3H]-LSD binding to 5-HT7 receptors by flavonoids from Scutellaria lateriflora

The hot water and 70% ethanol extracts of dried mad-dog skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) both bound to the 5-HT(7) receptor, with 87.2 +/- 6.2% and 56.7 +/- 1.3% inhibition of [(3)H]-LSD binding to the receptor at 100 microg/mL, respectively. The on-line analysis of a 70% ethanol extract by HPLC-UV/MS resulted in the identification of five flavones (1-5). Fractionation of the ethanol extract resulted in the isolation of three flavone-glucuronides (6-8) and a flavanone-glucuronide (9), including one new compound, lateriflorin (5,6,-dihydroxy-7-glucuronyloxy-2'-methoxyflavone) (8). The structure of 8 was determined by NMR ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and NOESY experiments) and MS analysis. From the results obtained in the testing of the pure compounds, it is evident that the activity on the 5-HT(7) receptor is at least partly due to the presence of flavonoids. Scutellarin and ikonnikoside I showed the highest inhibition of [(3)H]-LSD binding with IC(50) values of 63.4 and 135.1 microM, respectively.     

小黄皮茎的化学成分及生物活性研究

目的研究小黄皮Clausenaemarginata茎的化学成分及其保肝活性。方法采用硅藻土、硅胶等多种柱色谱、中压制备液相色谱(MPLC)及制备型HPLC等方法对小黄皮茎的化学成分进行分离纯化,根据化合物理化性质结合现代波谱学方法鉴定化合物结构;并测试其对DL-半乳糖胺诱导肝细胞损伤的保护活性及其对脂多糖(LPS)诱导小鼠小胶质BV2细胞产生一氧化氮(NO)的抑制活性。结果从小黄皮茎的95%乙醇提取物的氯仿部位分离得到11个化合物,分别鉴定为nordentatin(1)、oxanordentatin(2)、5′-羟基葡萄内酯(3)、7-[(E)-7′-羟基-3′,7′-二甲基-2′,5′-二烯]-香豆素(4)、7-羟基香豆素(5)、claulamine A(6)、γ-崖椒碱(7)、开环异落叶松脂素(8)、2-{4-[(1E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-yl]-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy}propane-1,3-diol(9)、2-[4-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol(10)、甲基-2-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基苯甲酸(11)。其中,化合物1~5为香豆素类化合物,6为咔唑生物碱,7为呋喃喹啉类生物碱,8为木脂素类化合物,9、10为苯丙素类化合物,11为酚酸类化合物。结论化合物2~4、7~11为首次从该植物中分离得到,化合物5和7对DL-半乳糖胺诱导的肝细胞损伤具有一定的保护活性,化合物11对LPS诱导BV2细胞产生NO具有一定的抑制作用。     

New antiinfective and human 5-HT2 receptor binding natural and semisynthetic compounds from the Jamaican sponge Smenospongia aurea

In addition to the sesquiterpene-phenol aureols (1), 6'-chloroaureol (2), and aureol acetate (3), eight indole alkaloids including the new N-3'-ethylaplysinopsin (9) have been isolated from the Jamaican sponge Smenospongia aurea. Makaluvamine O (10), a new member of the pyrroloiminoquinone class, was also isolated. The structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods, and two new derivatives of aureol were prepared to optimize the biological activity. Aureol N,N-dimethyl thiocarbamate (1a) and 6-bromoaplysinopsin (7) exhibit significant antimalarial and antimycobacterial activity in vitro. Compound 6 showed activity against the Plasmodium enzyme plasmepsin II. The 6-bromo-2'-de-N-methylaplysinopsin (6), 6-bromoaplysinopsin (7), and N-3'-ethylaplysinopsin (9) displaced high-affinity [(3)H]antagonist ligands from cloned human serotonin 5-HT(2) receptor subtypes, whereas the other compounds tested did not. Remarkably, the 6-bromo-2'-de-N-methylaplysinopsin (6) showed a > 40-fold selectivity for the 5-HT(2C) subtype over the 5-HT(2A) subtype.     

Jusbetonin, the first indolo[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid glycoside, from Justicia betonica

A new indolo[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid glycoside, jusbetonin (1), and three known alkaloids, namely, 10H-quindoline (2), 6H-quinindoline (3), and 5H,6H-quinindolin-11-one (4), have been isolated from the leaves of Justicia betonica. The structure of 1 was established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) and HRFABMS data. Compound 1 is the first example of a glycosylated indolo[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid, while compound 4 was isolated for the first time from a natural source.     

Macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Senecio anonymus. Separation of a complex alkaloid extract using droplet counter-current chromatography

Ten 12-membered macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, all of them esters of the necines, retronecine or otonecine, have been isolated from Senecio anonymus. The separation, carried out by droplet counter-current chromatography, afforded senecionine [1], integerrimine [2], retrorsine [3], senkirkine [5], neosenkirkine [6], otosenine [10], hydroxysenkirkine [7], and a new alkaloid given the trivial name anonamine [9]. Traces of usaramine [4] and another new alkaloid, hydroxyneosenkirkine [8], were detected by 1H nmr. In addition, the previously unreported 3a beta-hydroxy-4-ethoxy-2,6-perhydroindoledione [11] was isolated. X-ray structures were obtained for neosenkirkine [6], hydroxysenkirkine [7], anonamine [9], and [11]. 1H-13C heteronuclear shift correlated nmr (HETCOR) provided unambiguous chemical shift assignments for 13C-nmr data. Antitumor activity was assayed using the A204-rhabdomyosarcoma cell line in soft agarose.     

Glycosidase-inhibiting pyrrolidines and pyrrolizidines with a long side chain in Scilla peruviana

2,5-Dideoxy-2,5-imino-d-glycero-d-manno-heptitol (homoDMDP) is widely distributed in Hyacinthaceae plants and can also be regarded as the alpha-1-C-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl) derivative of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-arabinitol (d-AB1). In a search for glycosidase inhibitors in this family of plants, we isolated three new d-AB1 derivatives bearing the 2-hydroxypropyl (1), 1,2-dihydroxypropyl (2), and 1,5,7,12,13-pentahydroxytridecyl (3) side chains at the C-1alpha position, respectively, from the bulbs of Scilla peruviana. Alkaloid 3 was a powerful inhibitor of bacterial beta-glucosidase (IC(50) = 80 nM) and bovine liver beta-galactosidase (IC(50) = 90 nM). This plant coproduced four new pyrrolizidine alkaloids, alpha-5-C-(3-hydroxybutyl)-7-epi-australine (4), alpha-5-C-(3-hydroxybutyl)hyacinthacine A(1) (5), alpha-5-C-(1,3-dihydroxybutyl)hyacinthacine A(1) (6), and alpha-5-C-(1,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)hyacinthacine A(1) (7). Alkaloids 4 and 6 were potent inhibitors of yeast alpha-glucosidase, with IC(50) values of 6.6 and 6.3 microM, respectively, and alkaloid 6 was also a potent inhibitor of bacterial beta-glucosidase with an IC(50) value of 5.1 microM.     

Cimipronidine, a cyclic guanidine alkaloid from Cimicifuga racemosa

A new cyclic guanidine alkaloid, cimipronidine (1), together with the known compound fukinolic acid (2), was isolated from the n-BuOH-soluble fraction of Cimicifuga racemosa roots that showed 5-HT7 receptor binding activity. Structure elucidation of 1, a minor constituent, presented unique challenges based on its polarity, but was accomplished with the use of a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR as well as MS analyses. The relative configuration was established by analyzing the H,H-coupling constants and the results of the 2-D gradient NOESY spectrum. The previously reported serotonergic (5-HT7), highly polar, n-BuOH-soluble fraction was characterized by HPLC-ELSD and was shown to be a mixture containing the following compounds: cimicifugic acids A, B, and F, fukinolic acid, ferulic acid, isoferulic acid, and compound 1, potentially significant as a marker compound of C. racemosa.     

Partial agonistic effect of yokukansan on human recombinant serotonin 1A receptors expressed in the membranes of Chinese hamster ovary cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Yokukansan (YKS) is a traditional Japanese medicine consisted of seven medicinal herbs and has been used for treatment of neurosis, insomnia, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Japan.

Aim of the study

The aim of the present study is to clarify the intrinsic activity of YKS on serotonin (5-HT)1A and 5-HT2A receptors and also to determine the constituent herbs which are responsible for the effect of YKS.

Materials and methods

The dry powdered extracts of YKS, seven constituent herbs, and YKS-analogues which were produced by eliminating one of the constituent herbs from YKS in the manufacturing process, were used for the evaluation. Competitive binding assays for 5-HT receptors and [³⁵S]GTPγS binding assays for the evaluation of agonistic/antagonistic activity were performed using Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes stably expressing human recombinant 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A receptors.

Results

YKS (6.25–400 μg/ml) concentration-dependently inhibited the binding of [³H]8-OH-DPAT to 5-HT1A receptors. The IC₅₀ value was estimated to be 61.2 μg/ml. In contrast, YKS failed to inhibit the binding of [³H]ketanserin to 5-HT2A receptors. Only Uncaria hook (3.13–50 μg/ml), of the seven constituent herbal extracts, inhibited the [³H]8-OH-DPAT binding to 5-HT1A receptors in a concentration-dependent manner, and the IC₅₀ value was estimated to be 7.42 μg/ml. The extracts of YKS or Uncaria hook increased [³⁵S]GTPγS binding to 5-HT1A receptors to approximately 50% of that of a full agonist, 5-HT. Both the competitive binding and [³⁵S]GTPγS binding of YKS to 5-HT1A receptors were remarkably attenuated by eliminating Uncaria hook from YKS, but it was almost unchanged when one of the other constituent herbs was eliminated from YKS.

Conclusion

These results suggest that YKS has a partial agonistic effect on 5-HT1A receptors, which is mainly attributed to Uncaria hook.     

Mixed lignan-neolignans from Tarenna attenuata

Six new mixed lignan-neolignans and 20 known compounds were isolated from the whole plant of Tarenna attenuata. By analysis of physical and spectroscopic data, the structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (1R,5R,6R)-6-{4-O-[2-(1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl))glycerol]-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl}-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2-one (1), 5' '-methoxyhedyotisol A (2), 4' '-O-(8-guaiacylglycerol)buddlenol A (3), 5' '-methoxy-4' '-O-(8-guaiacylglycerol)buddlenol A (4), 4,6-dimethoxy-5-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (5), and 7-O-ethylguaiacylglycerol (6). Compounds 1, 5, 6, and 8 showed potent antioxidant activities against H2O2-induced impairment in PC12 cells, and compounds 1, 2, 5, and 7 scavenged DPPH radical strongly with IC50 values of 72, 87, 45, and 55 microM, respectively.     

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Cynoglossum creticum. Synthesis of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids echinatine, rinderine, and analogues

Reinvestigation of Cynoglossum creticum led to the isolation of the previously reported echinatine [1] and heliosupine [2] as well as rinderine [3], 7-angelylheliotridine [4] and a new alkaloid, cynoglossamine [5]. The structures have been determined by spectral means (ir, ms, 1H-13C HETCOR nmr), comparison with literature data and authentic samples, and/or syntheses. In addition, 1 and all three of its isomers 3, 6, and 7 and other semisynthetic analogues (8-13) were prepared and characterized.     

Dimeric aporphine alkaloids of Phoenicanthus obliqua from Sri Lanka.

A new dimeric aporphine alkaloid, phoenicanthusine (1), and six known alkaloids were isolated from the stem bark of Phoenicanthus obliqua. The structure of 1 was elucidated by 1D ((1)H, (13)C) and 2D ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) NMR and HRMS studies. Phoenicanthusine represents the first example of a N-6--C-4' and C-7--C-5' linked dimeric aporphine alkaloid.     

Lignans isolated from valerian: identification and characterization of a new olivil derivative with partial agonistic activity at A(1) adenosine receptors

A methanolic extract of the roots of Valeriana officinalis (valerian) was investigated for its lignan content. In addition to the lignans 8'-hydroxypinoresinol (1) and pinoresinol-4-O-beta-D-glucoside (2), which had already been isolated from valerian in an earlier study, the 7,9'-monoepoxylignans massoniresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), 4'-O-beta-D-glucosyl-9-O-(6' '-deoxysaccharosyl)olivil (4), and berchemol-4'-O-beta-D-glucoside (5) and the 7,9':7',9-diepoxylignans pinoresinol-4,4'-di-beta-O-D-glucoside (6), 8-hydroxypinoresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucoside (7), and 8'-hydroxypinoresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucoside (8) were identified. While lignans 3, 6, 7, and 8 had already been isolated from other plants, lignans 4 and 5 are new natural products. The lignans were investigated in radioligand binding assays at various receptors of the central nervous system, including GABA(A), benzodiazepine, 5-HT(1A), and adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors, to investigate their potential contribution to the pharmacological activity of valerian. The novel olivil derivative 4 proved to be a partial agonist at rat and human A(1) adenosine receptors exhibiting A(1) affinity and activity in low micromolar to submicromolar concentrations. Lignan 4 is the first nonnucleoside adenosine receptor agonist not structurally related to adenosine.     

5-hydroxytryptamine-derived alkaloids from two marine sponges of the genus Hyrtios

Indonesian specimens of the marine sponges Hyrtios erectus and H. reticulatus were found to contain 5-hydroxytryptamine-derived alkaloids. Their structures were determined on the basis of their spectral properties. H. erectus contained hyrtiosulawesine (4), a new beta-carboline alkaloid, together with the already known alkaloids 5-hydroxyindole-3-carbaldehyde (1), hyrtiosin B (2), and 5-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)indole (3). H. reticulatus contained the novel derivative 1,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (11) together with serotonin (5), 6-hydroxy-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (7), and 6-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1-oxo-beta-carboline (9).     

Two auronols from Pseudolarix amabilis.

Two new auronols, amaronols A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the bark of Pseudolarix amabilis, along with pseudolaric acid B (3), pseudolaric acid C (4), demethoxydeacetoxy-pseudolaric acid B (5), pseudolaric acid B-beta-D-glucoside (6), pseudolaric acid A-beta-D-glucoside (7), and myricetin (8). The structures of amaronols A and B were established by spectral data interpretation as 2,4,6-trihydroxy-2-[(3',4',5'-trihydroxyphenyl) methyl]-3(2H)-benzofuranone and 2,4,6-trihydroxy-2-[(3', 5'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyphenyl) methyl]-3(2H)-benzofuranone, respectively. Antimicrobial testing results of the eight compounds indicated that only pseudolaric acid B was active against Candida albicans (MIC, 3.125 microg/mL; MFC, 6.25 microg/mL), while myricetin was marginally active against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (MIC, 50 microg/mL).     

Mode of action of peppermint oil and (-)-menthol with respect to 5-HT3 receptor subtypes: binding studies, cation uptake by receptor channels and contraction of isolated rat ileum

Peppermint oil (Mentha × piperita L. (Lamiaceae) has been shown to exert potent antiemetic properties, but its mode of action has not yet been elucidated. Among its active constituents (-)-menthol is the most important. Three different in vitro models were used to investigate the effects on 5-HT(3) receptors (serotonin receptor subtype): [(14)C]guanidinium influx into N1E-115 cells which express 5-HT(3) receptors, isotonic contractions of the isolated rat ileum and equilibrium competition binding studies using a radioactively labelled 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist ([(3)H]GR65630) (3-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-propanone). Both peppermint oil and (-)-menthol inhibited [(14)C]guanidinium influx through 5-HT(3) receptor channels as well as contractions of the ileum induced by serotonin. Neither the peppermint oil nor (-)-menthol, however, was able to displace [(3)H]GR65630 from 5-HT(3) binding sites. It may be concluded that peppermint oil and (-)-menthol exert their antiemetic effect at least partly by acting on the 5-HT(3) receptor ion-channel complex, probably by binding to a modulatory site distinct from the serotonin binding site.     

A new naphthopyrone derivative from Cassia quinquangulata and structural revision of quinquangulin and its glycosides

A novel naphthopyrone derivative, named quinquangulone (1), has been isolated from Cassia quinquangulata, along with the known compounds quinquangulin (2) and its two glycosides (3 and 4), rubrofusarin (5) and its two glycosides (6 and 7), nor-rubrofusarin (8) and its 6-O-glucoside (9), and three stilbenes (10-12). The structure of quinquangulone was established by spectral interpretation as 5,9-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-6-oxo-4H,6H,9H-naphtho-[2,3-b]pyran-4-one. Reinvestigation of the NMR spectra of quinquangulin led to revision of its structure as 5,6-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-4H-naphtho[2,3-b]pyran-4-one (2a). The structures of two quinguangulin glycosides, 3 and 4, were also revised accordingly. Compound 2a exhibited activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MIC, 3.125 and 6.25 microg/mL, respectively).     

Two new pyridine monoterpene alkaloids by chemical conversion of a commercial extract of harpagophytum procumbens

The treatment of harpagide (1), harpagoside (2), or 8-O-p-coumaroylharpagide (3), the main iridoids of Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri, with NH3 and HCl led to aucubinine B(4), a pyridine monoterpene alkaloid (PMTA). A similar procedure applied to a commercial extract of H. procumbens yielded 4 and two new PMTAs named beatrine A (5) and beatrine B (6). The structures of these new PMTAs were established using ESIMS and 2D NMR. Their semisynthesis was analyzed in terms of reaction mechanisms.     

大青叶的化学成分研究

目的：对十字花科植物菘蓝Isatis indigotica Fort.叶的化学成分进行研究。方法：大青叶的干燥叶用80%乙醇提取,依次用石油醚,醋酸乙酯,正丁醇萃取,对醋酸乙酯部分采用硅胶、Sephadex LH-20, Rp-8, Rp-18柱色谱进行分离纯化,通过波谱数据分析(MS,¹H-NMR,¹³C-NMR)进行结构鉴定。结论：从醋酸乙酯部分分离鉴定了11个化合物,其中5个生物碱,2个芳香酸,2个木脂素,2个黄酮。分别鉴定为：10H-indolo［3,2-b］quinoline(1),靛玉红(2),4(3H)-喹唑酮(3),(E)-3-(3′,5′-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-indolinone(4),deoxyvascinone(5),苯甲酸(6),邻羟基苯甲酸(7),(-)-落叶松脂素(8),(+)-异落叶松树脂醇(9),异牡荆素(10),6-β-D-glucopyranosyldiosmetin(11)。其中化合物1,4,5,8,9,11为首次从大青叶中分离得到。     

Neo-clerodane diterpenes from the hallucinogenic sage Salvia divinorum

Seven new neo-clerodane diterpenes, salvidivins A (2), B, (3), C (4), and D (5), salvinorins H (6) and I (7), and divinatorin [corrected] F (8), along with eight known neo-clerodane diterpenes, salvinorins A (1)-F, divinatorins A and B, and seven other constituents, were isolated from the hallucinogenic sage Salvia divinorum. The structures of 1-7 were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR spectroscopic studies.     

Phenolic compounds from the roots of Jordanian viper's grass, Scorzonera judaica

Nine new phenolic compounds, 3S-hydrangenol 40-O-R-L-rhamnopyranoysl-(1-->3)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), thunberginol F 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 2-hydroxy-6-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]benzoic acid (3), 2-hydroxy-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]benzoic acid (4), 2-hydroxy-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-5-methoxy)-2-oxoethyl]benzoic acid (5), hydrangeic acid 40-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), E-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-5-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)dihydrofuran-2-one (7), Z-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-5-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2(3H)-furanone (8), and 4-[β-D-glucopyranosyl)hydroxy]-pinoresinol (9), and nine known compounds were isolated from the roots of Scorzonera judaica. Structures of 1-9 were elucidated by mass spectrometry, extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and CD spectroscopy.All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity.