Steroidal saponins and homoisoflavonoids from the fibrous roots of ophiopogon japonicus and their anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities

The chemical investigation of the fibrous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus afforded two new steroidal saponins, named ophiojaponin F (1) and ophiojaponin G (2), together with twelve known steroidal saponins (3-14) and ten known homoisoflavonoids (15-24). The structures of the isolated compounds were established unambiguously via spectroscopic analyses (NMR and HR-ESI-MS). Ophiojaponin F (1) is a 23-hydroxylated spirostanol saponin, and this type of steroidal saponin rarely been reported in liriopogons. All isolates were evaluated for their anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities on TGF-β1-actived NIH3T3 cells for the first time. Among them, compounds 3, 4, 11-13, 15-19, 21 and 24 showed potential anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects with IC50 values ranging from 3.61 ± 0.86 μM to 21.33 ± 1.82 μM, and the main component ophiopogonin D (4) displayed the best activity with an IC50 value of 3.61 ± 0.86 μM. Thus, ophiopogonin D may be a potent candidate for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Cremastranone-Derived Homoisoflavanes Suppress the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells via Cell Cycle Arrest and Caspase-Independent Cell Death

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and a frequent cause of cancer-related deaths among women wordlwide. As therapeutic strategies for breast cancer have limitations, novel chemotherapeutic reagents and treatment strategies are needed. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of synthetic homoisoflavane derivatives of cremastranone on breast cancer cells. Homoisoflavane derivatives, SH-17059 and SH-19021, reduced cell proliferation through G2/M cell cycle arrest and induced caspase-independent cell death. These compounds increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1), suggesting downregulation of heme. They also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, they reduced expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Therefore, we suggest that the SH-17059 and SH-19021 induced the caspase-independent cell death through the accumulation of iron from heme degradation, and the ferroptosis might be one of the potential candidates for caspase-independent cell death.

Shengmai san-derived compound prescriptions: A review on chemical constituents, pharmacokinetic studies, quality control, and pharmacological properties

BACKGROUND

Shengmai San Formula (SMS), composed of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Ophiopogon Radix and Schisandra chinensis Fructus, was a famous formula in Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM). With the expansion of clinical applications, SMS was developed to different dosage forms, including Shengmai Yin Oral liquid (SMY), Shengmai Capsule (SMC), Shengmai Granule (SMG), Shengmai Injection (SMI) and Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule (DZSMC). These above SMS-derived compound prescriptions (SSCPs) play an important role in the clinical treatment. This review is aimed to providing a comprehensive perspective of SSCP.

METHODS

The relevant literatures were collected from classical TCM books and a variety of databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Springer Link, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data.

RESULTS

The chemical constituents of SSCPs, arrived from the individual medicinal materials including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Ophiopogon Radix, Schisandra chinensis Fructus, Erigerontis Herba, were firstly summarized respectively. Then the pharmacokinetics studies, quality control, and pharmacological properties of SSCPs were all reviewed. The active compounds, pharmacokinetics characterizes, quality control markers, the effects and mechanisms of pharmacology of the different dosage forms of SSCPs were summarized. Furthermore, the research deficiencies of SSCPs and an innovative research paradigm for Chinese materia medica (CMM) formula were proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

SMS, as a famous CMM formula, has great values in drug research and in clinical treatment especially for cardiocerebrovascular diseases. This article firstly make a comprehensive and systematic review on SMS.

Synthetic Homoisoflavane Derivatives of Cremastranone Suppress Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells through Cell Cycle Arrest and Induction of Apoptosis

Colorectal cancer is diagnosed as the third most prevalent cancer; thus, effective therapeutic agents are urgently required. In this study, we synthesized six homoisoflavane derivatives of cremastranone and investigated their cytotoxic effects on the human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and LoVo. We further examined the related mechanisms of action using two of the potent compounds, SH-19027 and SHA-035. They substantially reduced the cell viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with SH-19027 and SHA-035 induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and increased expression of p21 both of which are implicated in cell cycle control. In addition, the apoptotic cell population and apoptosis-associated marker expression were accordingly increased. These results suggest that the synthesized cremastranone derivatives have anticancer effects through the suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Therefore, the synthesized cremastranone derivatives could be applied as novel therapeutic agents against colorectal cancer.

The structure characteristics, biosynthesis and health benefits of naturally occurring rare flavonoids

Rare flavonoids, a special subclass of naturally occurring flavonoids with diverse structures including pterocarpans, aurones, neoflavonoids, homoisoflavones, diphenylpropanes, rotenoids and 2-phenylethyl-chromones. They are mainly found in legumes with numerous health benefits. Rare flavonoids are regarded as minor flavonoids due to their very limited abundance in nature. This review gives an overview of the natural occurrences of rare flavonoids from previous literatures. Recent findings on the biosynthesis of rare flavonoids have been updated by describing their structural characteristics and classifications. Recent findings on the health benefits of rare flavonoids have also been compiled and discussed. Natural rare flavonoids with various characteristics from different subclasses from plant-based food sources are stated. They show a wide range of health benefits, including antibacterial, anticancer, anti-osteoporosis and antiviral activities. Studies reviewed suggest that rare flavonoids possessing different skeletons demonstrate different characteristic bioactivities by discussing their mechanism of actions and structure-activity relationships. Besides, recent advances on the biosynthesis of rare flavonoids, such as pterocarpans, rotenoids and aurones are well-known, while the biosynthesis of other subclasses remain unknown. The perspectives and further applications of rare flavonoids using metabolic engineering strategies also be expected.

8-Formylophiopogonanone B induces ROS-mediated apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-1 cells

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. It is very important to find drugs with high efficiency, low toxicity, and low side effects for the treatment of cancer. Flavonoids and their derivatives with broad biological functions have been recognized as anti-tumor chemicals. 8-Formylophiopogonanone B (8-FOB), a naturally existed homoisoflavonoids with rarely known biological functions, needs pharmacological evaluation. In order to explore the possible anti-tumor action of 8-FOB, we used six types of tumor cells to evaluate in vitro effects of this agent on cell viability and tested the effects on clone formation ability, scratching wound-healing, and apoptosis. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of pharmacological action, we examined 8-FOB-induced intracellular oxidative stress and -disrupted mitochondrial function. Results suggested that 8-FOB could suppress tumor cell viability, inhibit cell migration and invasion, induce apoptosis, and elicit intracellular ROS production. Among these six types of tumor cells, the nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-1 cells were the most sensitive cancer cells to 8-FOB treatment. Intracellular ROS production played a pivotal role in the anti-tumor action of 8-FOB. Our present study is the first to document that 8-FOB has anti-tumor activity in vitro and increases intracellular ROS production, which might be responsible for its anti-tumor action. The anti-tumor pharmacological effect of 8-FOB is worthy of further investigation.

Janohigenins: Long-chain anacardic acid derivatives with neuroprotective activity from Ophiopogon japonicus seeds

Eight hitherto undescribed long-chain anacardic acid derivatives, janohigenins, were isolated from the endosperm of Ophiopogon japonicus seed, and their structures were elucidated employing spectroscopic and chemical methods. The neuroprotective activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against rotenone-induced cellular damage in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Janohigenins exhibited noticeable neuroprotection at 1 μM.

An Efficient Regioselective Synthesis of 8-Formylhomoisoflavonoids with Neuroprotective Activity by Enhancing Autophagy

6-Formylisoophiopogonone B (7a) and 8-formylophiopogonone B (7b), two natural products isolated from Ophiopogon japonicus, represent a subgroup of rare 6/8-formyl/methyl-homoisoflavonoid skeletons. Herein we report an efficient method for the synthesis of these formyl/methyl-homoisoflavonoids. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects on the MPP⁺-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury model and showed marked activity. Exploration of the neuroprotective mechanisms of compound 7b led to an increased expression of autophagy marker LC3-II and down-regulation of autophagy substrate p62/SQSTM1. Molecular docking studies showed that 7b may prevent the inhibition of the classic PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway by interfering with the human HSP90AA1.

Synthesis of linear hetarenochromones based on 7-hydroxy-6-formyl(acetyl)chromones

Fused chromones are attracting increasing attention as novel therapeutic agents due to their wide distribution in nature, effective bioactivities and low toxicity. 6-Carbonyl-7-hydroxychromones proved to be versatile synthons for the synthesis of linear hetarenochromones by annulation of heterocycle to the chromone core. The present review is focused on the syntheses of furo[3,2-g]chromones, pyrano[3,2-g]chromones and some of their N-containing analogues, namely chromeno[6,7-d]isoxazoles, pyrano[3’,2’:6,7]chromeno[4,3-b]pyridine-5,11-diones and pyrano[3’,2’:6,7]chromeno[4,3-c]pyridine-5,11-diones based on the 7-hydroxy-6-formylchromones or 7-hydroxy-6-acetylchromones and shows the current state of research to date. The methods for the synthesis of the starting 7-hydroxy-6-formylchromones and 7-hydroxy-6-acetylchromones have been also mentioned. The biological activity of naturally occurring and modified synthetic linear hetarenochromones has been also represented.

Rapid Screening and Identification of Chemical Constituents From Ophiopogon japonicus by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Electrospray Ionization and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl (Liliaceae), which is named as "Maidong" in China, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating fever, cough, inflammation, epistaxis, constipation, respiratory disease and gastrointestinal disorders. However, the systematic analysis of chemical constituents of O. japonicus has not been well established because of the complexity and trace. In this paper, an effective and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was successfully developed to separate and identify the chemical constituents from O. japonicus. As a result, a total of 30 compounds including steroidal saponins, homoisoflavonoids, allylbenzene, cholest and cryptomeridiol were screened or tentatively identified. Of them, three new steroidal saponins were found and tentatively characterized in O. japonicus. This study provides a meaningful material basis for further quality control and pharmacological research.

8-Formylophiopogonanone B Antagonizes Paraquat-Induced Hepatotoxicity by Suppressing Oxidative Stress

Flavonoids are some of the most important natural products with a variety of physiological activities. 8-Formylophiopogonanone B (8-FOB) is a naturally existing homoisoflavonoid in Ophiopogon japonicus. Paraquat (PQ) has been widely used as a potent herbicide and has high toxicity in humans. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether 8-FOB could protect against PQ-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. We first tested the protective effects of 8-FOB on PQ-induced cytotoxicity in L02 cells by determining cell viability, intracellular oxidative stress levels, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis in vitro. To verify the protective effects of 8-FOB, we pretreated mice with 8-FOB and assessed liver function, hepatic oxidative stress, and histopathological changes after PQ administration. Our results revealed that 8-FOB could antagonize PQ-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. The antagonistic effects could be attributed to suppressing oxidative stress, preserving mitochondrial function, and inhibiting apoptosis. The present study is the first to document that 8-FOB, a homoisoflavonoid compound, is an effective antioxidant for antagonizing PQ-induced hepatotoxicity.

Systematic Review of Herbal Tea (a Traditional Chinese Treatment Method) in the Therapy of Chronic Simple Pharyngitis and Preliminary Exploration about Its Medication Rules

Background

Chronic simple pharyngitis (CSP) is a common clinical chronic respiratory inflammation with persistent and intransigent symptoms. We analyzed the clinical data to find the evidence that herbal tea, a traditional Chinese medicine treatment in China, could improve the symptoms of CSP patients in a simple way.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the clinical data of randomized controlled treatments from April 2019 and evaluated the results using the improved Jadad scale and the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. RevMan 5.3 software was used for chart analysis. In addition, we used Excel to conduct frequency statistics on Chinese herbs from included articles and analyze its medication rules.

Results

Among the collection of 161 articles, 6 RCTs published in Chinese journals were included in this review. The methodological quality of the treatments was low, and most of them only provide diagnostic criteria. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were not specified, and none of the 6 RCTs used the blind method on the result evaluator. Furthermore, only one RCT evaluated the baseline level variance. For these reasons, we did not make a network meta-analysis.

Conclusions

The traditional Chinese herbs involved in herbal tea did have ingredients to alleviate CSP symptoms. However, our research showed that the current research could not draw any credible conclusions on the curative effect of herbal tea, which indicated that the overall level of TCM clinical research needs to be improved to evaluate the efficacy of herbal tea.

Naturally Occurring Homoisoflavonoids: Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Synthesis (Part II)

This review documents all the new homoisoflavonoids (HIFs) that have been reported since 2007, whose total number has grown from 159 in 2007 to 295 at the present time. This review contains their structures, biological sources, plant parts they are obtained from, and, if reported, their optical rotations and melting points. The same classification is followed as an earlier review to ease reference to both reviews. This review takes note of the recent revision of plant families that were known to contain HIFs that have now been merged into one big family, Asparagaceae. Homoisoflavonoids also occur in Fabaceae and others. Two taxa, Ophiopogoan japonicus (Asparagaceae) and Caesalpinia sappan (Fabaceae), have been the source of many HIFs. These are briefly summarized. The biological properties of HIFs are also reviewed under the topics such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic. The review also surveys the total synthesis of natural HIFs. All new compounds are classified and tabulated following the same style as the previous review.

Dedicated to Professor Andrew Paul Krapcho on the occasion of his 87th Birthday.

Novel steroidal saponins with cytotoxic activities from the roots of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl

Novel cytotoxic steroidal saponins from the roots of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl.

Homo-aro-cholestane, furostane and spirostane saponins from the tubers of Ophiopogon japonicus

Phytochemical investigation of the tubers of Ophiopogon japonicus led to the isolation of five previously undescribed steroidal saponins, ophiojaponins A-E, together with twelve known ones. The structures of these isolated compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Ophiojaponins A-C are rare naturally occurring C₂₉ steroidal glycosides possessing a homo-cholestane skeleton with an aromatized ring E. Ruscogenin 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-4-O-sulfo-β-D-fucopyranosido-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside was isolated as single component and its full spectroscopic data was reported for the first time. The isolated steroidal saponins were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against two human tumor cell lines MG-63 and SNU387. Among them, five known spirostane-type glycosides showed cytotoxic activity against both MG-63 and SNU387 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.76 to 27.0 μM.

New homoisoflavonoid analogues protect cells by regulating autophagy

As a special group of naturally occurring flavonoids, homoisoflavonoids have been discovered as active components of several traditional Chinese medicines for nourishing heart and mind. In this study, twenty homoisoflavonoid analogues, including different substitution groups on rings A and B, as well as heteroaromatic B ring, were synthesized and evaluated for their cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities. In a H₂O₂-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes injury assay, nine homoisoflavonoid analogues showed promising activities in the same level as the positive control, diazoxide. Six cardioprotective compounds with representative structure diversities were then evaluated for their neuroprotective effects on MPP+ induced SH-SY5Y cell injury model. Furthermore, autophagy inducing monodansylcadaverine (MDC) fluorescence staining methods and molecular docking studies indicated the action mechanism of these compounds may involve autophagy regulating via class I PI3K signaling pathway.

Cytotoxic Homoisoflavonoids from Ophiopogon japonicus Tubers

A phytochemical fractionation of a methanol extract of Ophiopogon japonicus tubers led to the isolation of a new homoisoflavanone, homoisopogon A (1), and three new homoisoflavanes, homoisopogon B-D (2-4). Their chemical structures were elucidated by mass, NMR, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic methods. Homoisopogon A (1) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human lung adenocarcinoma LU-1, human epidermoid carcinoma KB, and human melanoma SK-Mel-2 cancer cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.51 to 0.66 µM.

Ophiopogon japonicus--A phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong in Chinese), the root of Ophiopogon japonicus, is widely used in local medicines of China, Japan and some south-eastern Asian countries. According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle, Ophiopogonis Radix nourishes the yin, promotes body fluid production, moistens the lung, eases the mind and clears away heart fire. This review summarizes the achievements of the investigations in botany, phytochemistry, quality control, traditional uses, pharmacological activities and clinical studies on O. japonicus; this review also describes the shortcomings of studies on this herbal drug and thus serves as the basis of further scientific research and development of this traditional herbal drug.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

O. japonicus-related information was collected from various resources, including books on Chinese herbs and the Internet databases, such as Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, Elsevier, ACS, PubMed and China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI).

RESULTS

O. japonicus is widely distributed in East Asia, especially in China. Numerous compounds were identified from this plant. The main components of O. japonicus include steroidal saponins, homoisoflavonoids and polysaccharides, which exhibited various pharmacological activities, such as cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammation, anticancer, anti-oxidation, immunomodulation, cough relief, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

O. japonicus is a common traditional Chinese herbal drug used as the main ingredient in many prescriptions. Modern researches verified that O. japonicus can be used either as a healthy food or a therapeutic agent for disease prevention and treatment. The molecular mechanisms and chemical principles of this herbal medicine should be further explored.

A New Homoisoflavanone from the Rhizomes of Polygonatum cyrtonema

A new homoisoflavanone, (3 R)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-3-(2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one (1), was isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Polygonatum cyrtonema. The structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR techniques. Quantum chemical TD DFT calculations of the theoretical ECD spectrum of 1 allowed assignment of the absolute configuration as 3R.