Flavonoids and phenolic acids of Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora (Becker) Balb. (Lamiaceae)

Luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, luteolin 7-O-glucurono-(1-->6)-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-glucuronide as well as free aglycones luteolin and apigenin have been isolated from lemon catnip herb (Nepeta cataria L. var citriodora). Luteolin 7-O-glucurono-(1-->6)-glucoside is probably a new compound, for the first time described. Two minor constituents of flavonoid fraction have been identified as apigenin 7-O-glucoside and luteolin 7-O-glucoside by means of HPLC method. The percentage of total flavonoids determined by use of spectrophotometric method was in the range from 0.30 to 0.46% of dry mass. In phenolic acid fraction, caffeic, rosmarinic and p-coumaric acids have been identified. Total amount of phenolic acids determined by spectrophotometric method was in the range of 0.75% to 1.4 % and the content of rosmarinic acid quantified by HPLC method fluctuated in the wide range from 0.06% to 0.15% depending on the sample. The results of the investigations showed that the composition of flavonoid compounds and phenolic acids in lemon catnip are similar to those in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). The amount of flavonoids are similar in both plants, and the percentage of rosmarinic acid is about ten times lower in lemon catnip than in lemon balm. The presence of luteolin, apigenin and their glycosides, caffeic acid as well as the previously described terpenoids (ursolic acid, citral, nerol. geraniol) suggests the possibility of the use of lemon catnip herb as a constituent of phytopharmaceutical preparations with mild sedative, antispasmodic, antioxidative and antiinflammatory action.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil from melissa

Different oil-samples of Melissa officinalis L. were analysed by capillary GC/MS, using fused silica columns and E.I.-Mass-spectrometry. Comparing the observed mass-spectra with those of a spectral collection, 70 compounds of the oil were identified. Geranial, neral, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, citronellal, geranyl-acetate, beta-caryophyllene, and beta-caryophyllene-oxide comprise about 96%. The fingerprint of the capillary gas-chromatogramm permitted differentiation of the essential oil of Melissa officinalis, Cymbopogon winterianus and Nepeta cataria var. citriodora., as well as a standardisation of pharmaceutical preparations containing Melissa oil.     

5-epideoxyloganic acid from Nepeta cataria

On the basis of exhaustive (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectral studies and chemical transformations, the structure of nepetolglucosylester isolated from Nepeta cataria L. was revised as (5R, 8S, 9R)-7-deoxyloganic acid, which was renamed 5-epideoxyloganic acid.     

Bioactivity-guided isolation of beta-sitosterol and some fatty acids as active compounds in the anxiolytic and sedative effects of Tilia americana var. mexicana

Tilia species have been used as anxiolytics for many years. In a previous study anxiolytic-like effects of a hexane extract of Tilia americana var. mexicana inflorescences were observed in experimental models in mice. To get additional insights into the neuroactive actions of this particular Tilia species, in this study we report a bioactivity guided-fractionation of the extract and separation by column chromatographic methods to isolate three fatty acids and a triterpene identified as beta-sitosterol as major constituents. Our results revealed that the crude extract at 10 and 30 mg/kg I. P. and some pooled fractions at the same dosages potentiated sodium pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and caused a significant increase in the time spent at the open-arm sides in the plus-maze test. A reduction in the exploratory behavioral pattern manifested as ambulatory activity, as well as head dipping and rearing tests was also observed. Further fractionation and purification yielded four major fractions containing fatty acids and beta-sitosterol as the active compounds. A dose-response curve of beta-sitosterol in the range 1 to 30 mg/kg doses indicated that this compound produced an anxiolytic-like action from 1 to 10 mg/kg and a sedative response when the dose was increased to 30 mg/kg, these effects resemble those produced by diazepam (0.1 mg/kg). Our results suggest that hexane extract of Tilia americana var. mexicana produces depressant actions on the central nervous system, at least in part, because of the presence of beta-sitosterol and some fatty acids that remain to be identified.     

Quantification of sinomenine in caulis sinomenii collected from different growing regions and wholesale herbal markets by a modified HPLC method

Caulis Sinomenii is the dried plant stems of Sinomenium acutum and Sinomenium acutum var. cinereum and has been used in Chinese medicine for treating rheumatic diseases for over a thousand years. Previous studies have demonstrated that sinomenine is a major active constituent in both plants and can be utilized as an indicator of quality of the medicinal herb Caulis Sinomenii. Currently, S. acutum and S. acutum var. cinereum are growing over a wide geographical range in China, with equally wide variations in growing conditions. The objectives of this research were to determine whether there were difference between the species and varieties, and whether the different growing conditions could result in different quality by determining the content of sinomenine in different samples. A modified HPLC method using a diode array detector (DAD) has been developed for efficiently quantifying sinomenine in the plants. Using this method, fourteen samples of S. acutum var. cinereum and eleven samples of S. acutum from growing regions as well as eighteen herbal samples of Caulis Sinomenii from wholesale herbal markets were evaluated. The results showed that there was no marked difference in the content of sinomenine between the species and varieties collected from growing regions; however, a very large variation was found among the samples collected from different regions. Moreover, the content of sinomenine in the plants of large size (stem diameter>3 cm) was much higher than those of small size (stem diameter<1 cm). This implies that the growing region has greater impact on the quality of Caulis Sinomenii in terms of the content of sinomenine than the species and varieties. The results also showed that the content of sinomenine in commercial Caulis Sinomenii was markedly lower than that in the plants collected directly from growing regions. This suggests that to obtain the herb with higher content of sinomenine and thus ensure greater efficacy, both in clinical applications and in pharmacological investigations, the plant of Caulis Sinomenii with controlled stem size collected directly from growing regions is preferable.     

Structure of Dianosides C, D, E and F, Triterpenoid Saponins of Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus Herb1

On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, the structures of four triterpenoid saponins, dianosides C, D, E and F, from DIANTHUS SUPERBUS var. LONGICALYCINUS herb, have been elucidated as shown in formulas 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.     

Triterpene Quinone-Methides from Gymnosporia montana.

Iguesterin, pristimerin, tingenone, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol and maytenonic acid have been isolated from the light petroleum extract of the stem bark and iguesterin, pristimerin, tingenone, beta-amyrin and beta-sitosterol from the root bark of GYMNOSPORIA MONTANA.     

The effect of Nepeta cataria extract on adherence and enzyme production of Staphylococcus aureus

Nepeta cataria L., commonly known as catnip, is a perennial herb with a considerable folkloric reputation. A diethyl ether extract of this plant has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this work was to study the activity of N. cataria extract on 44 Staphylococcus aureus strains, some resistant to methicillin, and S. aureus 6538P (American Type Culture Collection) by evaluating the effect of subminimum inhibitory concentrations on coagulase, DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase production, and on in-vitro adherence. DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase were inhibited by concentrations equal to 1/2 and 1/4 MIC. A reduction of adherence was also observed.     

The pimarane-type diterpenoids of Salvia microphylla var. neurepia

From the aerial parts of SALVIA MICROPHYLLA var. NEUREPIA, in addition to beta-sitosterol and ursolic acid, four pimarane-type diterpenoids were isolated. Their structures, 7alpha-hydroxysandaracopimaric acid ( 3), 7alpha-acetoxysandaracopimaric acid ( 1), 14alpha-hydroxyisopimaric acid, and 8(14),15-sandaracopimaradien-7alpha,18-diol were established by chemical and spectroscopic means.     

兴化莳萝的化学研究

目的利用色谱和光谱方法研究兴化莳萝地上部分的化学成分。方法通过乙醇-水梯度提取,石油醚、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇萃取,硅胶、凝胶、反相柱层析和薄层色谱等技术分离出纯化合物,通过核磁共振氢谱、核磁共振碳谱、质谱等光谱技术分析化合物结构。结果从石油醚及乙酸乙酯部位分离鉴定出四个化合物,分别为3-羟基-9（11）,12-齐墩果烯（I）、邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯（II）、β-谷甾醇（III）及其苷β-胡萝卜苷（IV）。结论明确了兴化莳萝地上部分的化学成分,为其进一步研究开发利用提供实验依据。     

不同产地细辛中有效成分与马兜铃酸Ⅰ含量差异比较

目的：测定不同产地细辛及其不同入药部位中的肾毒性成分和有效成分的含量,优选出肾毒性成分含量低、有效成分含量高的细辛药材品种及产地。方法：HPLC法测定马兜铃酸Ⅰ及细辛脂素的含量;GC法测定甲基丁香酚含量。结果：不同产地细辛中,马兜铃酸Ⅰ含量以陕西宁强（华细辛）地下部分最高,为0.4528mg/g,以吉林通化（北细辛）地上部分最低,为0.0083mg/g;甲基丁香酚含量以吉林合龙（汉城细辛）地下部分含量最高,为1.35%,细辛脂素含量以吉林合龙（汉城细辛）地下部分含量最高,为3.92mg/g。结论：不同产地细辛马兜铃酸Ⅰ、细辛脂素、甲基丁香酚含量差异较大。     

柠檬桉叶挥发油化学成分气相色谱-质谱分析研究

目的 研究广东产柠檬桉叶挥发油的化学成分.方法 采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取广东产柠檬桉叶挥发油,用气相色谱-质谱联用技术进行分离测定,结合计算机检索技术对分离的化合物进行结构鉴定,应用气相色谱峰面积归一化法确定各组成分的相对含量.结果 首次确定了广东产柠檬桉叶挥发油中33个化合物,其主要成分是薄荷醇(34.33％)、新薄荷醇(16.11％)、右旋香茅醇(13.93％)、香茅醛(12.42％)、孟二醇(5.16％)等.采用峰面积归一法计算各组分的相对含量,所鉴定成分占总馏出峰面积的96.07％.结论 确定了广东产柠檬桉叶挥发油的化学成分,与文献报道具有相似性,但仍存在差别,结果提示下一步有必要对柠檬桉叶挥发油成分新的药理作用进行深入研究,为综合利用柠檬桉叶挥发油奠定基础.     

Triterpenes and sterols in the flowers and leaves of Prunus spinosa L. (Rosaceae)

From the flowers of Prunus spinosa L. a mixture of alpha- and beta-amyrine, a mixture of ursolic and oleanolic acids, ursolic acid, a mixture of beta-sitosterol, gamma-sitosterol and stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were isolated. Their structure was determined by spectroscopic methods (GC/MS, IR, 1H and 13C NMR). Chromatographic methods (GC, HPLC, TLC) were employed to determine the presence of the listed compounds in the leaves. Also, the content of beta-sitosterol, ursolic and oleanolic acids in the leaves and flowers of blackthorn was determined by GC/MSD method.     

Triterpene quinone-methides from Gymnosporia montana

Iguesterin, pristimerin, tingenone, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol and maytenonic acid have been isolated from the light petroleum extract of the stem bark and iguesterin, pristimerin, tingenone, beta-amyrin and beta-sitosterol from the root bark of Gymnosporia montana.     

蓝萼香茶菜化学成分和生物活性研究近况

蓝萼香茶菜作为1种民间抗炎草药,已被广泛应用于多种炎症和肿瘤疾病的治疗。从蓝萼香茶菜中提取的萜类、黄酮、甾体等化合物具有多种生物活性,包括抗炎、抗肿瘤、保护心血管等。综述了国内外对蓝萼香茶菜化学成分和生物活性研究近况。     

湖北山麦冬化学成分的研究

从湖北山麦冬(Liriope spicata Lout(Thunb).var.prolifera Y.T.Ma)块根的醇提物中分得四种甾体甙类化合物,根据化学性质和波谱(IR,¹HNMR,¹³CNMR,EI-MS,FAB-MR)分析,确定甙Ⅰ为以β-谷甾醇为主、豆甾醇为次的混合甾醇的β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙;甙Ⅱ为25(S)-鲁斯可皂甙元1-O-β-D-吡喃夫糖3-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖甙;甙Ⅲ为25(S)-鲁斯可皂甙元1-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖基(1→2)-β-D-吡喃木糖甙;甙Ⅳ为25(S)-鲁斯可皂甙元1-O-[α-L-吡喃鼠李糖基(1→2)](β-D-吡喃木糖基(1→3)]-β-D-吡喃夫糖甙,其中甙Ⅲ和甙Ⅳ为新的甾体皂甙。     

Composition of the essential oil of two Nepeta species and in vitro evaluation of their activity against Helicobacter pylori.

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Nepeta camphorata and Nepeta argolica ssp. dirphya were analysed by GC-MS. A total of 52 components were identified and significant differences (qualitative and quantitative) were observed between the two samples. 1,8-Cineol and two nepetalactones were found to be the major components of the oil of N. camphorata and N. argolica ssp. dirphya respectively. The in vitro activity, of the two oils and the three above mentioned isolated compounds, against 25 clinically isolated and commercial strains of Helicobacter pylori was investigated and some activity was found.     

Physical stability of a microcrystalline beta-sitosterol suspension in oil.

Sterols have been shown to reduce plasma cholesterol by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the gut. The physical properties of crystalline plant sterols limit their use in foods. A coarse-grained structure can be avoided by recrystallisation, a method that affords a reduction in the particle size. A previous work described how to produce a microcrystalline beta-sitosterol suspension. The present study deals with the stability of that suspension. Recrystallisation was carried out by two different methods; one based on rapid the other based on slow cooling, whereby six different compositions were made containing 5-30% of beta-sitosterol and secondly either 5 or 20% water was added. The particle size and habit were evaluated during a 16 weeks storage period (+4 or -19 degrees C) by way of optical microscopy. The crystal structure and degree of crystallinity was analysed by X-ray diffraction. Suspensions can, in most cases, be stored for 16 weeks without any changes to the size and habit. The only evidence of crystal growth came from a suspension with a low sterol concentration at a temperature of +4 degrees C. This is due to the dissolution-diffusion process which is affected by temperature and viscosity. Suspensions containing higher amounts of sterol remained stable, if stored at +4 or -19 degrees C, for 16 weeks. The suspensions included both hemihydrous and monohydrous beta-sitosterol crystals. Suspensions containing less sterol showed greater amounts of monohydrated crystals. This illustrates more water penetration into the crystals. A higher sterol concentration led to a larger number of smaller crystals creating reflections similar to hemihydrated crystals.     

翁布总黄酮对佐剂性关节炎大鼠的免疫调节机制

目的研究翁布总黄酮对佐剂性关节炎(AA)大鼠的免疫调节机制。方法用弗氏完全佐剂(FCA)诱导大鼠AA模型。足容积法测量继发侧足肿胀度,观察该药对AA大鼠免疫器官的影响,MTT法检测ConA诱导的小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖转化,中性红实验测定小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能,酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定腹腔巨噬细胞产生IL-2和TNF-α的水平。结果致炎后d 12,大鼠继发性关节炎出现,同时灌胃给予不同剂量的翁布总黄酮及吲哚美辛,连续两周。从d 24起,翁布总黄酮(1.0、1.5 g.kg-1)对AA大鼠继发性炎症反应有明显的治疗作用。翁布总黄酮各剂量组可不同程度降低AA大鼠胸腺指数和TNF-α含量,提高淋巴细胞增殖反应、腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能和IL-2的含量。结论翁布总黄酮对AA大鼠继发性炎症有治疗作用,其作用机制可能与其改善AA大鼠异常的细胞免疫功能有关。