Erythrosaponins A-J, triterpene saponins from the roots and stem bark of Gardenia erythroclada

Two new rotenoid glycosides from the rhizomes of Stemona curtisii Hook. f

Two new rotenoid glycosides named stemonal 11-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and 6-O-methylstemonal 11-O-β-D-glucopyranoside together with ten known metabolites were isolated from the rhizomes of Stemona curtisii. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on the analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS, while the sugar unit and absolute configuration were determined by chemical hydrolysis and ECD analysis. Among the tested compounds for anti-α-glucosidase assay, stemonal showed an inhibitory effect (IC50 = 38.67 µM), which is 2.4-fold more potent than acarbose. Cytotoxic evaluation against the lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line indicated that none of the compounds were strongly active to suppress the cancer cell growth at 100 µM. This work describes the occurrence of rotenoids bearing a sugar moiety, which are reported for the first time in the genus Stemona. The isolated compound's α-glucosidase inhibitory potential provides insight for further investigation of natural rotenoids as anti-diabetic agents.

Garcowacinols A-J, cytotoxic polyprenylated benzoylphloroglucinol derivatives from the twigs of Garcinia cowa

Ten undescribed polyprenylated benzoylphloroglucinol derivatives named garcowacinols A‒J (1-10) and four known analogues (11-14) were isolated from the twigs of Garcinia cowa. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis (1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS), and their absolute configurations were established based on NOESY and ECD data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five types of human cancer cells (KB, HeLa S3, MCF-7, Hep G2, and HT-29) as well as Vero cells by MTT colorimetric assay. Garcowacinol C was significantly active against all the five cancer cells with IC50 values in the range of 0.61-9.50 μM. Selective proliferative inhibitions were observed on garcowacinol F and 7-epiclusianone against KB cells, and guttiferone Q toward MCF-7 cells with IC50 values less than 10 μM.

Discrepancy Study of the Chemical Constituents of Panax Ginseng from Different Growth Environments with UPLC-MS-Based Metabolomics Strategy

Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), the dried root and rhizome of P. ginseng C. A. Meyer, is widely used in many fields as dietary supplements and medicine. To characterize the chemical constituents in P. ginseng cultivated in different growth environments, a UPLC-TOF-MS method was established for qualitative analysis. Four hundred and eight ginsenosides, including 81 new compounds, were characterized in P. ginseng from different regions. Among the detected compounds, 361 ginsenosides were recognized in P. ginseng cultivated in the region of Monsoon Climate of Medium Latitudes, possessing the largest amount of ginsenosides in all samples. Furthermore, 41 ginsenosides in 12 batches of P. ginsengs were quantified with a UPLC-MRM-MS method, and P. ginsengs from different regions were distinguished via chemometric analysis. This study showed that the different environments have a greater influence on P. ginseng, which laid a foundation for further quality control of the herb.

Iridoid glycosides and lignans from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Eills

Four previously undescribed iridoid glycosides, including two bis-iridoid glycosides, and three undescribed lignans, together with 16 known analogues, were isolated from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Eills. Their structures were elucidated on basis of spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations of three of the unknown compounds were determined by interpretation of their electronic circular dichroic (ECD) and [α] [Formula: see text] data. The α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated and all the compounds exhibited slightly inhibitory activity with the values of IC₅₀ greater than 50 μM.

Four New Triterpenoid Saponins from the Root of Ilex centrochinensis

One new siaresinolic acid saponin (1) and three new rotundic acid saponins (2-4) were isolated from the roots of Ilex centrochinensis. Their structures were confirmed by detailed analysis of standard spectroscopic data (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). Compounds 1-4 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide production in a lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammatory model. However, they showed no significant lipid-lowering activity against the production of triglycerides in the lipid-accumulation model of HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid.

β-Selective Glycosylation Using Axial-Rich and 2-O-Rhamnosylated Glucosyl Donors Controlled by the Protecting Pattern of the Second Sugar

Herein, we describe two counterexamples of the previously reported β/α-selectivity of 96/4 for glycosylation using ethyl 2-O-[2,3,4-tris-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl]-3,4,6-tris-O-TBS-thio-β-D-glucopyranoside as the glycosyl donor. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of protecting group on the rhamnose moieties in the glycosylation with cholestanol and revealed that β-selectivity originated from the two TBS groups at the 3-O and 4-O positions of rhamnose. In contrast, the TBS group at the 2-O position of rhamnose hampered the β-selectivity. Finally, the β/α-selectivity during the glycosylation was enhanced to ≥99/1. The results obtained herein suggest that the protecting groups on the sugar connected to the 2-O of a glycosyl donor with axial-rich conformation can control the stereoselectivity of glycosylation.

Renoprotective Mono- and Triterpenoids from the Fruit of Gardenia jasminoides

This paper describes the isolation and characterization of 17 new and 12 known terpenoids from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides. The structures of eight new triterpenoids and nine new monoterpenoids, including their absolute configurations, were defined by spectroscopic analysis in combination of quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) NMR calculations. The cytoprotective effects of the isolated compounds against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in normal rat kidney tubule epithelioid (NRK 52e) cells were investigated in vitro. Compounds 10, 18, 20, 21, 24, and 26 exhibited significant protective effects with EC₅₀ values from 14.2 nM to 1.6 μM.

Velucarpin D, a new pterocarpan from the stems of Dalbergia velutina and its cytotoxicity

A new pterocarpan, named velucarpin D (1), along with nine known pterocarpans (2-10) were isolated from the stems of Dalbergia velutina. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines (KB, HeLa S-3, MCF-7, Hep G2, and HT-29). Compound 2 showed potent cytotoxicity against all the five human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 4.74-8.46 µM. In addition, compounds 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9 showed moderate cytotoxicity against both KB and HeLa S-3 cells with IC₅₀ values in the range of 14.23-29.35 µM.