Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from the family Schisandraceae: A review of phytochemistry, structure-activity relationship, and hepatoprotective effects

Minor dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans with antifibrotic potential from the fruits of Schisandra chinensis

An intensive phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis has led to the isolation and identification of ten formerly undescribed minor dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans designated as schisanchignans A-J. Notably, schisanchignan A represents a rare dearomatized lignan featuring a dienone fragment and a novel 6,10-epoxy ring, while schisanchignans G-I are first examples within this class of lignans to incorporate two extra small-molecule substructures. The absolute configurations of the core structures in these compounds were established by analyses of electronic circular dichroism data. In addition, the inhibition of these lignans against nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages and against two fibrotic marker proteins in HK-2 cells was also evaluated, and selective compounds exerted promising antifibrotic potential.

Traditional Chinese medicine and natural products in management of hepatocellular carcinoma: Biological mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), originating from hepatocytes, is the most common type of primary liver cancer. HCC imposes a significant global health burden with high morbidity and mortality, making it a critical public concern. Surgical interventions, including hepatectomy and liver transplantation, are pivotal in achieving long-term survival for patients with HCC. Additionally, ablation therapy, endovascular interventional therapy, radiotherapy, and systemic anti-tumor therapies are commonly employed. However, these treatment modalities are often associated with considerable challenges, including high postoperative recurrence rates and adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and natural products have been utilized for centuries as a complementary approach in managing HCC and its complications, demonstrating favorable clinical outcomes. Various bioactive compounds derived from TCM and natural products have been identified and purified, and their mechanisms of action have been extensively investigated. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date evaluation of the clinical efficacy of TCM, natural products and their active constituents in the treatment and management of HCC. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating the potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of these agents, including their roles in inhibiting HCC cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis and pyroptosis, suppressing tumor invasion and metastasis, and restraining angiogenesis within HCC tissues.

O-methylation modifications in the biosynthetic pathway of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans

Schisandra chinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese herb used for hepatitis treatment, contains dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans as its primary active compounds, which undergo extensive multi-site O-methylation. However, O-methyltransferases (OMT) involved in this process have not been previously reported. This study employed transcriptomic analysis of S. chinensis treated with methyl jasmonate, alongside expression profiling, phylogenetic analysis, and heterologous expression to characterize the functional roles of OMTs. The study identified 4 OMTs: SchiOMT4, SchiOMT12, SchiOMT16, and SchiOMT22, which catalyze C-3 O-methylation of caffeic acid and Caffeyl aldehyde to form ferulic acid and coniferyl aldehyde. Additionally, SchiOMT12 and SchiOMT16 methylated gomisin L2 at C-3, while SchiOMT16 also O-methylation schisanhenol at C-14 and performed sequential O-methylation at C-3 and C-12 of gomisin J. Molecular docking further clarified the regioselectivity of SchiOMT16 and SchiOMT12, elucidating the differences in their catalytic activities. This study is the first to identify methyltransferases involved in the subsequent modifications of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, underscoring the broad substrate range, selective O-methylation, and regulatory importance of OMTs in their biosynthesis.

Schisandraceae family fruits: Exploring chemophenetic significance, UPLC/MSn database, phytochemistry, and pharmacological potential

Fruits from the Schisandraceae family are renowned for their exceptional medicinal and nutritional properties. These fruits exhibit distinctive shapes and are rich in nutrients, offering edible, ornamental, aesthetic, and therapeutic qualities. Traditional uses of Schisandraceae fruits include the treatment of conditions such as rheumatism, chronic diarrhea, chronic cough, and neurological disorders. Emerging scientific and clinical evidence suggests these fruits have significant potential for various applications in the life sciences. This comprehensive review seeks to achieve two main goals: first, to provide a thorough overview of the chemophenetic relationships among the isolated compounds in Schisandraceae fruits and their underlying significance; second, to describe the development of an important database containing the molecular formulas and molecular weights of all the compounds identified within the Schisandraceae family. This database can facilitate targeted and rapid chemical detection studies using UPLC/MSn techniques. The information and findings discussedin this paper were obtained through a thorough search of digital databases, including SciFinder, Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI) databases, covering the period from 1988 to 2024. Approximately 326 phytochemicals were reviewed and identified, with lignans representing the predominant chemotaxonomic markers (∼73 %) in the fruits of Schisandraceae species. Other reported compound classes include terpenoids, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the reviewed literature highlights the main pharmacological properties of these Schisandraceae compounds, which include antiviral, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiproliferative, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant activities. This comprehensive information will inspire phytochemists to explore the rich chemical diversity of Schisandraceae fruits, potentially leading to the discovery of new medicines and advancing human health.

Three bioactive dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from the fruits of Kadsura coccinea

Three new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, namely, kadcolignan H-J (1-3), were isolated from the ethanol extract of Kadsura coccinea fruits. Their molecular structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. The hepatoprotective effects of kadcolignan H-J (1-3) were subsequently evaluated. Both kadcolignan H (1) and kadcolignan J (3) demonstrated inhibitory effects on triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, whereas all isolated compounds effectively reduced the levels of free fatty acids-induced reactive oxygen species in HepG2 cells.

Targeted isolation of lignans and triterpenoids from kadsura coccinea by molecular networking and anti-RA-FLS activity

In this study, six compounds (four triterpenoids named heilaohutriterpenes A-D and two lignans name heilaohusuins F and G) together with 21 known compounds were isolated from roots of Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A. C. Smith guided by molecular networking. Their structures were determined using a combination of HR-ESI-MS, 1D, 2D-NMR anatysis, NMR calculation, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Moreover, the ability of the isolated compounds to inhibit the proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis-fibroblastoid synovial (RA-FLS) cells was evaluated in vitro. Heilaohutriterpene B (2), heilaohutriterpene D (4), coccinone B (7), and kadsuralignan H (24) demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against RA-FLS cells, with IC50 values of 9.57 ± 0.84, 16.22 ± 1.71, 3.08 ± 1.59, and 19.09 ± 2.42 μM, respectively. Meanwhile, western blotting analysis revealed that compound 2 down-regulated the level of P-NF-κB p65 and up-regulated that of Bax and IκBα. These results collectively suggest that compound 2 promoted the apoptosis of RA-FLS cells by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Taken together, this study contributed to the structural diversity of compounds derived from K. coccinea and lays a basis for further anti-RA-related studies.

Integrated UHPLC-Q-exactive orbitrap HRMS and serum pharmacochemistry for the investigation of anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of Baoganning Decoction

BACKGROUND

Early intervention in hepatic fibrosis (HF) is critical to reducing the risk of cirrhosis-related mortality and hepatocellular cancer. However, treating fibrosis has proven to be more challenging, with no approved anti-fibrotic therapies currently available for HF. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) hold significant potential for the management of HF.

PURPOSE

This study aims to propose a systematic approach for investigating the pharmacological basis of Baoganning (BGN) Decoction, providing empirical evidence to support future research on its targets and mechanisms of BGN.

STUDY DESIGN

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high- resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) was employed to analyze the chemical composition of BGN. Key compounds were investigated using disease databases to predict relevant targets, followed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to explore molecular-level interactions. The efficacy and critical targets of BGN were validated through in vivo and in vitro experiments.

METHODS

UPLC-HRMS was used to identify the chemical composition of the BGN, and serum pharmacology determined the active chemical constituents in rat plasma. Zebrafish, HSC-T6 cells, JS-1 cell line and mice served as experimental models to evaluate the antifibrotic effects of BGN.

RESULTS

BGN demonstrated significant antifibrotic effect in vivo and in vitro models. A total of 757 compounds were identified in BGN, with 18 prototypical components and metabolites detected. Three compounds-quillaic acid, methyl cholate, and 3β-hydroxy-5-cholenoic exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory effects on HF. Molecular docking studies revealed stable interactions between these compounds and predicted targets. Additionally, the screened components effectively reduced the expression of ‌α-SMA and COL-I in both a cellular model and a zebrafish fibrosis model in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The comprehensive analysis of BGN's chemical composition and its metabolic processes provides valuable insights into its pharmacological effects. These findings support the potential clinical and international application of BGN in treating hepatic fibrosis and improving patient outcomes.

Identification of Lignans

Lignans have garnered significant interest in various fields of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and pesticides due to their diverse biological activities. This chapter primarily focuses on the extraction and purification methods of lignans from Schisandra, followed by an extensive examination of qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, methods for structural analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are briefly summarized. The chapter also details approaches for determining the relative and absolute composition of lignan compounds, with illustrative examples provided.

Research Progress of Chinese Medicine in Treating Chronic Liver Disease by Regulating Autophagy

In recent years, rising living standards and an accelerated lifestyle have led to an increase in the incidence of chronic liver disease. Modern medicine has yet to fully develop effective methods for preventing and treating these conditions due to their complex pathogenesis. Autophagy, a cellular process that maintains homeostasis by removing abnormal proteins, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for chronic liver diseases. These diseases include liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, chronic hepatitis B, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Chinese medicine, with its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway approach, offers unique advantages in treating these conditions, especially given the unclear etiology of chronic liver diseases. Recent research demonstrates that Chinese medicine - comprising single herbs, herbal combinations, and proprietary formulas - can effectively regulate autophagy, thereby providing therapeutic and preventive benefits for chronic liver diseases. This paper reviews recent studies, categorizes various chronic liver diseases, and examines the impact of active ingredients and compound formulas from Chinese medicine on autophagy. These insights are crucial for slowing the progression of chronic liver diseases and pave the way for the future application of Chinese medicine in preventing and managing these conditions through autophagy modulation.

Hepatoprotective dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from the fruits of Kadsura coccinea

The phytochemical investigations on the fruits of Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of six undescribed dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans named kadcolignans B-G, together with eleven previously described analogues. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods including NMR, HRESIMS, and CD experiments. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity by measuring the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in FFA-induced HepG2 cells. As a result, compounds 4, 5, 9, 13, and 15 showed potent inhibitory effects on hepatocyte lipid accumulation at a concentration of 100 μM. Our research not only broadens the understanding on the chemical composition of K. coccinea but also provides experimental and theoretical evidences supporting the fruit's active ingredients in alleviating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Hepatoprotective Lignan Glycosides from the Leaves and Stems of Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. Moore

This study investigates Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. Moore leaves and stems, commonly known as Symplocos, a plant indigenous to Asia renowned for its traditional use in holistic medicine. A comprehensive phytochemical analysis of S. cochinchinensis led to the isolation of two new lignans, namely symplolignans A and B (1 and 2) along with eleven known lignan glucosides: nortrachelogenin 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), nortracheloside (4), matairesinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), lariciresinol 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), balanophonin 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol γ'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), 3-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxymethyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-(2R,3S)-dihydrobenzofura (10), and pinoresinol 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11). Their chemical structures were elucidated using 1D- and 2D-NMR, mass spectrometry, and their spectroscopic data were compared with those reported in literatures. Furthermore, all compounds were evaluated for their hepatoprotective effects using the Resazurin reduction assay in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Compounds 1, 5, 7, and 8 exhibited notable hepatoprotective efficacy, with cell viability ranging from 105.0±2.6 to 109.2±3.3 at a concentration of 10 μM. This research highlights the therapeutic potential of these compounds and enhanced to the understanding of lignans and neolignans in liver cell proliferation.

Recent advances of NFATc1 in rheumatoid arthritis-related bone destruction: mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the synovial tissue and joint bone destruction, often leading to significant disability. The main pathological manifestation of joint deformity in RA patients is bone destruction, which occurs due to the differentiation and proliferation of osteoclasts. The transcription factor nuclear factor-activated T cell 1 (NFATc1) plays a crucial role in this process. The regulation of NFATc1 in osteoclast differentiation is influenced by three main factors. Firstly, NFATc1 is activated through the upstream nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/RANK signaling pathway. Secondly, the Ca2+-related co-stimulatory signaling pathway amplifies NFATc1 activity. Finally, negative regulation of NFATc1 occurs through the action of cytokines such as B-cell Lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6), interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), MAF basic leucine zipper transcription factor B (MafB), and LIM homeobox 2 (Lhx2). These three phases collectively govern NFATc1 transcription and subsequently affect the expression of downstream target genes including TRAF6 and NF-κB. Ultimately, this intricate regulatory network mediates osteoclast differentiation, fusion, and the degradation of both organic and inorganic components of the bone matrix. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advances in understanding the mechanism of NFATc1 in the context of RA-related bone destruction and discusses potential therapeutic agents that target NFATc1, with the aim of offering valuable insights for future research in the field of RA. To assess their potential as therapeutic agents for RA, we conducted a drug-like analysis of potential drugs with precise structures.