A new C-methylated flavonoid glycoside from Pinus densiflora

Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. alleviates lipogenesis and oxidative stress during oleic acid-induced steatosis in HepG2 cells

Excess accumulation of lipids and oxidative stress in the liver contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We hypothesized that Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. (PSZ) can protect against NAFLD by regulating lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in the liver. To investigate the effect of PSZ upon NAFLD, we used an established cellular model: HepG2 cells treated with oleic acid. Then, the extent of hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress was assessed and levels of inflammatory markers measured. Oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells, compared with controls, had greater lipid accumulation. PSZ decreased lipid accumulation by 63% in oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells. Additionally, PSZ decreased the target gene expression of lipogenesis such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase-1, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 by 1.75, 6.0, 2.32, 1.93 and 1.81 fold, respectively. In addition, Oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells elicited extensive accumulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) by 4.53 fold, whereas PSZ-treated cells decreased the expression of TNFα mRNA by 1.76 fold. PSZ significantly inhibited oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that PSZ has effects on steatosis in vitro and further studies are needed in vivo to verify the current observations.

Chemical constituents of Picea neoveitchii

Four flavonoids, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,8,-dimethoxy-6-C-methylflavone (1), 5,8,4'-trihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-6-C-methylflavone (2), 7-methoxy-6-C-methylkaempferol (3) and kaempferol-7-O-(2″-E-p-coumaroyl)-α-l-arabinofuranoside (4), together with 15 known compounds, were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Picea neoveitchii Mast. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of analyses of spectroscopic data. Compound 4 showed strong anti-fungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum whereas compounds 1-4 were all active against Rhizoctonia solani.

Three new flavonoid glycosides from Pinus tabulaeformis Carr

Three new flavonoid glycosides, named 7,8,4'-trihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-6-methylflavonol-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylflavonol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxy-6-methylflavonol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with two known flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the needles of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. Their structures were established on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses.

A new abietic acid-type diterpene glucoside from the needles of Pinus densiflora

From the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract of the needles of Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae), a new diterpenoid glucoside [9alpha,13alpha-epoxy-8beta,14beta-dihydroxy-abietic acid-18-O-beta-D: -glucopyranoside] (1), two flavonoid glucosides [kaempferol 3-O-beta-D: -glucoside (2) and 6-C-methyl kaempferol 3-O-beta-D: -glucoside (3)], and two monoterpenoid glucosides [bornyl 6-O-alpha-Larabinofuranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (4) and bornyl 6-O-beta-D: -apiofuranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (5)] were isolated and characterized on the basis of spectral analysis. Of all the compounds, 2 and 3 showed peroxynitrite scavenging activity.