Phytochemical pattern of Gentiana species of Appennino in Central Italy

Gentianopsis metabolites and bioactivity: HPLC-PDA-ESI-tQ-MS/MS profiles, HPLC-UV quantification of Gentianopsis komarovii and Gentianopsis stricta, and choleretic potential

Gentianopsis is a small gentianaceous genus with a known ethnopharmacological focus as hepatoprotectors containing two underestimated species that are scientifically unexplored: Gentianopsis komarovii (Grossh.) Toyok., which is typical of the Far East, and Gentianopsis stricta (Klotzsch) Ikonn., which is grown in Central Asia. Application of the HPLC-PDA-ESI-tQ-MS/MS technique led to the identification of 28 compounds, such as iridoid glycosides, flavones and xanthones, with loganic acid, sweroside, loganin, secologanin, isoorientin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-gentiobioside, chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside and acacetin-7-O-glucoside being found in the genus for the first time. The extracts of G. komarovii and G. stricta demonstrated choleretic potential, strengthening the bile flow and the total content of bile acids, bilirubin and cholesterol in the bile. The most pronounced effects were observed for luteolin-7-O-glucoside and gentiabavaroside (gentiacaulein-1-O-primveroside), establishing them as the principle choleretics of both herbs. Based on the results, G. komarovii, G. stricta and some phenolic metabolites are prospective new choleretic drugs.

Secondary metabolites from Gentiana cruciata L. and their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

A previously unreported secoiridoid glycoside, cruciatoside (1) was isolated from the aerial parts of Gentiana cruciata L. along with ten known compounds eustomoside (2), eustomorusside (3), gentiopicroside (4), 6'-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl gentiopicroside (5), loganic acid (6), isoorientin (7), isovitexin (8), isovitexin 2''-(E)-ferulate (9), mangiferin (10), and 2-methyl-inositol (11). The chemical structures of the isolates were elucidated based on extensive 1 D and 2 D NMR experiments as well as HRMS analysis. All isolates were evaluated for their in vitro anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Compounds 9, 4, and 7 (200 µM) showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitrite production from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, with the inhibition rates of 39.5%, 25.8% and 22.9% respectively without exhibiting substantial cytotoxicity. Besides, 1, 2, 4, and 7 exerted the highest decrease in IL-6 levels. Moreover, compound 4 showed in vitro analgesic activity by decreasing the PGE2 level comparable to the reference drugs.

Xanthones Production in Gentiana dinarica Beck Hairy Root Cultures Grown in Simple Bioreactors

The hairy root clones of Gentiana dinarica cl-B, cl-D, cl-3, and cl-14 were cultivated in parallel in diverse simple bioreactors, including temporary immersion systems RITA^® (TIS RITA^®), bubble column bioreactors (BCB), and Erlenmeyer flasks (EF), and evaluated for biomass production and xanthone content. The obtained results showed that TIS RITA^® and BCB containing ½ MS medium with 4% sucrose provided equally good growth conditions in which the majority of the clones displayed the higher percentage of dry matter (DM%), and xanthones norswertianin-1-O-primeveroside (nor-1-O-prim) and norswertianin production than those cultivated in EF. Thin and well branched hairy root clone cl-B grown in BCB for 7 weeks was superior regarding all growth parameters tested, including growth index (19.97), dry weight (2.88 g), and DM% (25.70%) compared to all other clones. Cl-B cultured in TIS RITA^® contained the highest amount of nor-1-O-prim (56.82 mg per vessel). In BCB with constant aeration, cl-B accumulated the highest norswertianin content reaching 18.08 mg/vessel. The optimized conditions for cultivation of selected G. dinarica hairy root clones in highly aerated TIS RITA^® and BCB systems contribute to the development of bioreactor technology designed for the large scale commercial production of xanthones nor-1-O-prim and norswertianin.

Hepatoprotective activity of iridoids, seco-iridoids and analog glycosides from Gentianaceae on HepG2 cells via CYP3A4 induction and mitochondrial pathway

Gentianaceae herb extracts have been widely used as food additives, teas or medicinal remedies for various diseases and disorders of the human body.