Cimicifuga species identification by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array/mass spectrometric/evaporative light scattering detection for quality control of black cohosh products.
(57/289)
Black cohosh has become one of the most important herbal products in the US dietary supplements market. It is manufactured from roots and rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa (Ranunculaceae). Botanical identification of the raw starting material is a key step in the quality control of black cohosh preparations. The present report summarizes a fingerprinting approach based on high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array/mass spectrometric/evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-PDA/MS/ELSD) that has been developed and validated using a total of 10 Cimicifuga species. These include three North American species, Cimicifuga racemosa, Cimicifuga americana, Cimicifuga rubifolia, and seven Asian species, Cimicifuga acerina, Cimicifuga biternat, Cimicifuga dahurica, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Cimicifuga japonica, Cimicifuga foetida, and Cimicifuga simplex. The chemotaxonomic distinctiveness of the HPLC fingerprints allows identification of all 10 Cimicifuga species. The triterpene glycoside cimigenol-3-O-arabinoside (3), cimifugin (12), and cimifugin-3-O-glucoside (18) were determined to be suitable species-specific markers for the distinction of C. racemosa from the other Cimicifuga species. In addition to identification, the fingerprint method provided insight into chemical interconversion processes occurring between the diverse triterpene glycosides contained in black cohosh. The reported method has proven its usefulness in the botanical standardization and quality control of black cohosh products. (+info)
Analysis of volatile oil in Rhizoma ligustici chuanxiong-Radix paeoniae rubra by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemometric resolution.
(58/289)
AIM: To analyze the volatile chemical components of the herbal pair Rhizoma Ligustici chuanxiong-Radix paeoniae rubra (RLC-RPR) and compare them with those of each of the herbs alone. METHODS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), a chemometric resolution technique using the heuristic evolving latent projections (HELP) method, and the overall volume integration method were used. RESULTS: In total, 52, 38, and 61 volatile chemical components in RLC, RPR, and RLC-RPR essential oils were determined, respectively, accounting for 95.14%, 95.19%, and 89.68% of the total contents of essential oil of RLC, RPR, and RLC-RPR, respectively. The main volatile chemical components were butyldienephthalide (20.65%) and ligustilide (50.15%) for RLC; and n-hexadecanoic acid (20.18%), [Z,Z]9,12-octadecadienoic acid (30.11%), 2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (17.08%) for RPR, and butyldienephthalide (14.80%), and ligustilide (38.91%) for RLC-RPR. The main volatile chemical components of RLC-RPR were almost the same as those of RLC, but the relative amounts were altered. CONCLUSION: The number of volatile chemical components in RLC-RPR was almost equal to the sum of the number in the 2 constituent herbs, but the relative amounts were altered. Furthermore, an acid-base reaction takes place during the process of decocting the herbs. The data gathered in this study may be helpful for understanding the synergistic nature of this herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine. (+info)
Protective effect of steroidal saponins from rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.
(59/289)
AIM: To investigate the protective effect of steroidal saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides (ATS) on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham and OVX groups. The OVX rats were treated with vehicle, nylestriol or steroidal saponins extract for 12 weeks. Serum calcium, phosphorus, estradiol (E(2)), osteocalcin concentration and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were measured. Bone density was assayed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The undecalcified longitudinal proximal tibial metaphysical (PTM) sections were cut and stained for histomorphometric analysis of the bone. RESULTS: In OVX rats, alkaline phosphatase activities in serum were markedly increased and concentrations of osteocalcin were decreased by ATS treatment, which had no influence on the body weight. Meanwhile, atrophy of the uterus and descent of bone mineral density (BMD) was suppressed by treatment with ATS. In addition, ATS completely corrected the decreased the concentration of calcium and E(2) in serum observed in OVX rats. Histological results showed ATS prevented decreases in trabecular thickness and increases in trabecular separation of proximal tibia metaphysis (PTM) in OVX rats. However, it did not alter osteoclast number in OVX rats. Moreover, ATS (300 mg/kg) had a remarkable effect on promoting bone formation action in OVX rats. Nylestriol treatment decreased the bone formation rate and mineral apposition rate. CONCLUSION: An adequate supply of steroidal saponins of Anemarrhena asphodeloides prevented OVX-induced bone loss in rats through the promotion of bone formation but not the inhibition of bone resorption. (+info)
LysM domains of Medicago truncatula NFP protein involved in Nod factor perception. Glycosylation state, molecular modeling and docking of chitooligosaccharides and Nod factors.
(60/289)
The establishment of the symbiosis between legume plants and rhizobial bacteria depends on the production of rhizobial lipo-chitooligosaccharidic signals (the Nod factors) that are specifically recognized by roots of the host plant. In Medicago truncatula, specific recognition of Sinorhizobium meliloti and its Nod factors requires the NFP (Nod factor perception) gene, which encodes a putative serine/threonine receptor-like kinase (RLK). The extracellular region of this protein contains three tandem lysin motifs (LysMs), a short peptide domain that is implicated in peptidoglycan or chitin binding in various bacterial or eukaryotic proteins, respectively. We report here the homology modeling of the three LysM domains of M. truncatula NFP based on the structure of a LysM domain of the Escherichia coli membrane-bound lytic murein transglycosidase D (MltD). Expression of NFP in a homologous system (M. truncatula roots) revealed that the protein is highly N-glycosylated, probably with both high-mannose and complex glycans. Surface analysis and docking calculations performed on the models of the three domains were used to predict the most favored binding modes for chitooligosaccharides and Nod factors. A convergent model can be proposed where the sulfated, O-acetylated lipo-chitooligosaccharidic Nod factor of S. meliloti binds in similar orientation to the three LysM domains of M. truncatula NFP. N-glycosylation is not expected to interfere with Nod factor binding in this orientation. (+info)
Cyclolanostane triterpene glycosides from Souliea vaginata.
(61/289)
Five new cyclolanostane triterpene glycosides, 12-deacetyloxy-15alpha-hydroxy-23-epi-26-deoxyactein, 12-deacetyloxy-23-epi-26-deoxyactein, 24-O-acetyldahurinol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 12beta-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 25-anhydrocimicigenol-3-O-beta-D-(2'-O-acetyl)xylopyranoside, were isolated from the rhizome of Souliea vaginata collected in China. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques, including 2D NMR spectra, and in the case of 5, by chemical correlation. (+info)
Furostanol saponins from the fresh rhizomes of Polygonatum kingianum.
(62/289)
Ten furostanol saponins were isolated as five pairs of 25R and 25S epimers from the fresh rhizomes of Polygonatum kingianum. Seven of them were identified as new compounds, (25S)-kingianoside D (2), (25S)-kingiano-side C (4), (25R,22)-hydroxylwattinoside C (5), kingianoside E (7), (25S)-kingianoside E (8), kingianoside F (9) and (25S)-kingianoside F (10), together with three known saponins, kingianoside C (1), kingianoside D (3), and 22-hydroxylwattinoside C (6). The structures of the new saponins were determinded by detailed analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and by comparison of the spectral data with those reported. (+info)
Chemical constituents of Tupistra chinensis rhizomes.
(63/289)
A new pregnane glycoside, a dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan, 5-hydroxymatairesinol dimethyl ether, and three new flavonoids, including one 8-methylflavan-3-ol, and two 8-methylflavones, together with five known flavonoids and two known alkaloids were isolated from the rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by spectral studies. (+info)
New lignans from Kadsura coccinea and their nitric oxide inhibitory activities.
(64/289)
In vitro anti-allergic screening of medicinal herbal extracts revealed that the chloroform extract of the rhizoma of Kadsura coccinea inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and recombinant mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) activated murine macrophage like cell line RAW 264.7. Further fractionation of the chloroform extract led to the isolation of three new lignans, including two dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans and one arylnaphthalene lignan, together with other three known dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans. This is the first report of NO production inhibitory activity of Kadsura coccinea and first report about the isolation of arylnaphthalene lignan from K. coccinea. (+info)