Two new compounds from the dried tender stems of Cinnamomum cassia

Two new compounds, cinnamic aldehyde cyclic d-galactitol 3'R,4'S-acetal (1) and cinnamomumolide (2), along with six known compounds, syringaresinol (3), lyoniresinol (4), 5,7,3'-trimethoxyl-( - )-epicatechin (5), 5,7-dimethoxyl-3',4'-di-O-methylene-( +/- )-epicatechin (6), 2-methoxyl-4-hydroxy cinnamyl aldehyde (7), and glucosyringic acid (8), have been isolated from the dried tender stems of Cinnamomum cassia. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data. Compound 2 was elucidated as 8-methoxyl-9-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-3S,4R-diphenyl butyrolactone, named cinnamomumolide, which exhibited activity in protecting against the injury caused by hydrogen peroxide oxidation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, with an EC(50) value of 10.7 microM. Compounds 3-8 were isolated from the title plant for the first time.

[Optimal extraction of melampyrit from Euonymus fortunei by central composite design-response surface methodology]

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the process of extracting melampyrit from Euonymus fortunei by central composite design-response surface methodology.

METHODS

The independent variables were the solvent fold and extractive time, and the dependent variable was the extraction rate of melampyrit from Euonymus fortunei. Then different mathematic models were used to estimate the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The response surface methodology was used to optimize the process of extraction and the prediction was carried out through comparing the observed and predicted values.

RESULTS

The regression coefficient of binomial fitting complex model was 0.9515, and the optimum conditions of extraction process were 12-fold volume of solvent, 1.5 hours for decoction and 2 times for extraction. The bias between the observed and predicted values was -5.37%.

CONCLUSION

It shows that this method is convenient and the optimum model is highly predictive.

[Study on the chemical constituents of Buddleja purdomii]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Buddleja purdomii W. W Smith.

METHODS

The constituents were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods and structurally identified by spectral analysis.

RESULTS

4 compounds were obtained as cryptomeridiol (I), aucubin (II), galactilol (III), daucosterol (IV).

CONCLUSION

All these compounds are obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Suppressive effects of a plant-origin polyol, dulcitol on collagen-induced arthritis in mice]

Dulcitol was isolated chemically from Celastrus obiculatus Thumb and determined by HPLC. Effects of dulcitol were examined on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. From 6 weeks after the first immunization with bovine type II collagen, dulcitol (100 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to immunized mice for 9 weeks. Clinical score of CIA was improved significantly by dulcitol intervention compared with the non-treated CIA mice. Radiographic score of phalangeal destruction was also improved by dulcitol treatment. These findings suggest that dulcitol may play a role in regulation of some inflammatory responses in the present arthritis model. Significant reduction of percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in the spleen leucocytes of CIA mice was observed by flow cytometry. Almost normal level of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was observed in dulcitol-treated groups, suggesting T cell-modifying effect of dulcitol in CIA. Weight of spleen was larger in CIA mice and it was not affected by dulcitol. Anti-collagen antibody titer was increased in CIA mice, and it was not affected by dulcitol, either. Improvement of the changes of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen by dulcitol may suggest its modulatory effect on cellular immunity.

[Chemical constituents of stems and leaves of Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim]

Three compounds were isolated from stems and leaves of Fritillaria ussuriensis. They were identified as adenosine, galacitiol and succinic acid.