Amaryllidaceae Research Articles

Design of semisynthetic derivatives of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid ambelline and exploration of their in vitro cytotoxic activities

Ambelline, an alkaloid from the Amaryllidaceae family with a crinane-type skeleton, has not yet demonstrated any outstanding biological activity. However, its analogues prepared by derivatization of the C-11 hydroxyl group show different interesting effects. Continuing our earlier work, twelve novel aromatic esters were developed (10, 14, 16, 17, 22–25, 30–33) and studied, together with previously synthesized derivatives (2–9, 11–13, 15, 18–21, 26–29) in terms of their cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxic potential was determined on a panel of nine human cancer cell lines and one noncancerous cell line to characterize their biological activity spectrum. To describe and foresee the structure–activity relationship for further research, substances synthesized and described in our previous work were also included in this cytotoxicity study. The most significant activity was associated with analogues havingmethyl (10), methoxy (14–17), or ethoxy (18) substitution on the phenyl condensed to ambelline. However, the 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoyl derivative (32) showed the most promising IC50 values, ranging from 0.6 ± 0.1 µM to 9.9 ± 0.2 µM. In vitro cytotoxicity studies indicated the most potent antiproliferative activity of 32 in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Besides, 32 was found to be effective in decreasing viability and triggering apoptosis of MOLT-4 T-lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

Antibacterial nanocomposite of chitosan/silver nanocrystals/graphene oxide (ChAgG) development for its potential use in bioactive wound dressings

An adequate wound dressing reduces time of healing, provides cost-effective care, thereby improving patients’ quality life. An antimicrobial bioactivity is always desired, for that reason, the objective of this work is to design an antimicrobial nanocomposite of chitosan/silver nanocrystals/graphene oxide (ChAgG). ChAgG nanostructured composite material is composed of chitosan from corn (Ch), and silver nanocrystals from garlic (Allium sativum). The nanocomposite obtained is the result of a series of experiments combining the graphene oxide (GrOx) with two members of the Amaryllidaceae family; garlic and onion (Allium cebae), which contain different sulfur materials. The characterization arrays confirmed the successful production of silver crystal, graphene oxidation and the blending of both components. The role of the chitosan as a binder between graphene and silver nanocrystals is proved. Moreover, the study discusses garlic as an optimal source that permits the synthesis of silver nanocrystals (AgNCs) (⁓ 2 to 10 nm) with better thermal and crystallinity properties. It was also confirmed the successful production of the ChAgG nanocomposite. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used to demonstrate the antibacterial bioactivity and L-929 fibroblast cells were utilized to visualize their biocompatibility. The proposed ChAgG nanomaterial will be useful for functionalizing specific fiber network that represents current challenging research in the fabrication of bioactive wound dressings.

Field Screening of Garlic Genotypes for Identification of Resistant Sources against Purple Blotch Disease

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. Purple blotch caused by Alternaria porri (Ellis) Ciferri is one such disease which causes a great deal of loss for farmers. The best method to manage purple blotch is to adopt resistant genotypes for cultivation, which is highly necessary in areas with a high incidence. In order to identify resistant sources, 37 genotypes were field screened under artificial epiphytotic conditions at AINRPOG (All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic), MARS (Main Agricultural Research Station), Dharwad during Rabi, 2019 and 2020. Results from two years showed that no genotype was immune to purple blotch. Among the genotypes tested, five genotypes viz., G50, Bhima Purple, DOGR426, DOGR543 and DOGR569 were resistant to infection (1-10%), 17 genotypes moderately resistant to infection (11-20%), while 4 genotypes were moderately susceptible to infection (21-40%). On a scale of 0 to 5, only one genotype (HRG Local) showed susceptible (41-75%) in reaction. Among the remaining genotypes, disease reactions differed between years. The genotypes that are resistant can be utilized by breeders to produce high yielding purple blotch resistant varieties.

Chemical Characterization and Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of the Ethanol Extract from the Bulbs of Pancratium maritimun Collected in Sicily.

P. maritimum L., belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, is a species that grows on beaches and coastal sand dunes mainly on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, the Middle East, and up to the Caucasus region. It has been largely investigated due to its several interesting biological properties. With the aim of providing new insights into the phytochemistry and pharmacology of this species, the ethanolic extract of the bulbs from a local accession, not previously studied, growing in Sicily (Italy), was investigated. This chemical analysis, performed by mono- and bi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, as well as LC-DAD-MSn, allowed to identify several alkaloids, three of which were never detected in the genus Pancratium. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the preparation was assessed in differentiated human Caco-2 intestinal cells by trypan blue exclusion assay, and its antioxidant potential was evaluated using the DCFH-DA radical scavenging method. The results obtained demonstrate that P. maritimum bulbs' extract exerts no cytotoxic effect and is able to remove free radicals at all the concentrations tested.

Zinc and phosphorus fertilization in Galanthus elwesii Hook: Changes in the total alkaloid, flavonoid, and phenolic content, and evaluation of anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and antioxidant activities

Galanthus elwesii Hook belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is an ornamental plant that naturally spreads in the region between Turkey and Europe. It also contains bioactive compounds in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical field. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) in the synthesis of alkaloid compounds and bioactive properties in G. elwesii. The plants were subjected to three different concentrations of zinc (2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg−1), and phosphorus (3, 6, and 12 mg kg−1), and compared with the control. Two harvests were evaluated, between 2020 and 2021. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total alkaloid content (TAC) were identified by Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride, and bromocresol green-complex assays, respectively. TPC (85.09 ± 0.4 mg QE/g), TFC (267.7 ± 1.6 mg GAE/g), and TAC (320.58 ± 2.4 mg CoE/g) were the highest in the treatments of Zn 10, Zn 10 and Zn 2.5 + P 3 mg kg−1, respectively. RP-HPLC analysis revealed that, compared with the control group, galanthamine, and lycorine synthesis were increased by 755% (Zn 5 + P 3 mg kg−1) and 815% (Zn 2.5 mg kg−1) respectively. The highest antioxidant activities of were found to be 80.21% (10 mg kg−1 Zn) and 78.05% (2.5 mg kg−1Zn + 3mg kg−1 P), respectively. The extracts exhibit strong anti-microbial activity, particularly against Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The MCF-7 cell line was used to investigate its anti-cancer activity properties. The MTT assay result was obtained from extracts treated with Zn 10 mg kg−1 for the best cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 cell line (IC50 value: 31.57 ± 0.70 μg/mL).

Taxonomic relationships of some taxa of the family Amaryllidaceae (s.l.) as reflected by macro- and micromorphological characters.

Taxonomic relationships of some taxa of the family Amaryllidaceae (s.l.) as reflected by macro- and micromorphological characters.

Biotechnological interventions and production of galanthamine in Crinum spp.

Genus Crinum L. is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family having beautiful, huge, ornamental plants with umbels of lily-like blooms that are found in tropical and subtropical climates all over the world. For thousands of years, Crinum has been used as a traditional medicine to treat illnesses and disorders. Numerous distinct alkaloids of the Amaryllidaceae group, whose most well-known properties include analgesic, anticholinergic, antitumor, and antiviral, have recently been discovered by phytochemical analyses. However, because of decades of overexploitation for their economically significant bioactive ingredients and poor seed viability and germination rates, these plants are now threatened in their native environments. Because of these factors, researchers are investigating micropropagation techniques to optimize phytochemicals in vitro. This review's objective is to offer details on the distribution, phytochemistry, micropropagation, in vitro galanthamine synthesis, and pharmacology which will help to design biotechnological techniques for the preservation, widespread multiplication, and required secondary metabolite production from Crinum spp. KEY POINTS: • Botanical description and phytochemical profile of Crinum spp. • In vitro micropropagation method of Crinum sp. • Bioactive compound galanthamine isolation techniques and its pharmacological properties.

A Visible-Light-Induced α-Aminoalkyl-Radical-Mediated Halogen-Atom Transfer Process: Modular Synthesis of Phenanthridinone Alkaloids.

A halogen-atom transfer (XAT) strategy utilizing α-aminoalkyl radicals allows the generation of aryl radicals at room temperature, which is applied for intramolecular cyclization reactions en route to biologically relevant alkaloids. Starting from simple halogen-substituted benzamides under visible light irradiation in the presence of an organophotocatalyst (4CzIPN) and nBu3N allows the modular construction of the phenanthridinone core, which gives facile access to drug analogs and alkaloids, e.g., from the Amaryllidaceae family. The reaction pathway most likely involves a quantum mechanical tunneling enabled transfer event to achieve aromatization-halogen-atom transfer.

A Study of Ungernia trisphaera Bunge and Thymus transcaspicus Cytotoxicity in Cancer Cell Lines

Objective: Thymus transcaspicus (Lamiaceae) is an Iranian species of Thymus, and Ungernia trisphaera Bunge belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. Cytotoxic properties of total ethanolic extract of T. transcaspicus and U. trisphaera were investigated against different cell lines including B16F10, PC3, U87, and MCF-7. Methods: The proliferation, cell cycle, and migration of the cells were determined by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, propidium iodide (PI) staining, and scratch assay respectively. The effects of U. trisphaera extract (UTE) on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and angiogenesis were evaluated by the gelatin zymography method and chicken chorioallantoic membrane model, respectively. The GSH, SOD, and MDA were evaluated by colorimetric method. Results: The results showed that UTE could inhibit the development of malignant cells in a concentration- dependent manner, while the inhibitory effect of T. transcaspicus extract (TTE) was not significant compared to the control group. The UTE-induced sub-G1 peak apoptosis compared to the control group indicated that apoptotic cell death is involved in UTE-induced cytotoxicity. MMPs activity was significantly decreased 48 hours after treatment. Moreover, GSH level and SOD activity were significantly decreased while MDA and ROS levels were significantly increased after 24 hours treatment. In addition, combination of UTE (1.5-25 μg/mL) with doxorubicin (6 μg/mL) showed an additive cell growth inhibitory effect. Conclusion: UTE demonstrated cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects in different cancer cell lines, and it was found that apoptosis plays a crucial role in the cytotoxicity of UTE. Thus, U. trisphaera can be considered a potential medicinal herb in cancer treatment after comprehensive pharmacological and toxicological studies.

Nolinoideae (Asparagaceae) in APG III needs replacing with Convallarioideae

Chase et al. (2009) attempted a subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae sensu APG III (2009). In Asparagaceae they recognized seven subfamilies including Nolinoideae Burnett (1835: 985, 1095, 1106). The Nolinoideae circumscribed by them consisted of 16 genera including Nolina Michaux (1803: 207). Since the publication of their paper, the subfamily name has been adopted in many taxonomic papers (e.g. Reveal 2012, Vislobokov et al. 2018, Tanaka 2019, Averyanov et al. 2020, Nguyen et al. 2020, 2021, Meng et al. 2021).

Characterization of the WRKY Gene Family Related to Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and the Regulation Mechanism under Drought Stress and Methyl Jasmonate Treatment in Lycoris radiata.

Lycoris radiata, belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, is a well-known Chinese traditional medicinal plant and susceptible to many stresses. WRKY proteins are one of the largest families of transcription factors (TFs) in plants and play significant functions in regulating physiological metabolisms and abiotic stress responses. The WRKY TF family has been identified and investigated in many medicinal plants, but its members and functions are not identified in L. radiata. In this study, a total of 31 L. radiata WRKY (LrWRKY) genes were identified based on the transcriptome-sequencing data. Next, the LrWRKYs were divided into three major clades (Group I-III) based on the WRKY domains. A motif analysis showed the members within same group shared a similar motif component, indicating a conservational function. Furthermore, subcellular localization analysis exhibited that most LrWRKYs were localized in the nucleus. The expression pattern of the LrWRKY genes differed across tissues and might be important for Lycoris growth and flower development. There were large differences among the LrWRKYs based on the transcriptional levels under drought stress and MeJA treatments. Moreover, a total of 18 anthocyanin components were characterized using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside-5-O-arabinoside as well as cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside were identified as the major anthocyanin aglycones responsible for the coloration of the red petals in L. radiata. We further established a gene-to-metabolite correlation network and identified LrWRKY3 and LrWRKY27 significant association with the accumulation of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside-5-O-arabinoside in the Lycoris red petals. These results provide an important theoretical basis for further exploring the molecular basis and regulatory mechanism of WRKY TFs in anthocyanin biosynthesis and in response to drought stress and MeJA treatment.

The Antioxidant and Proapoptotic Effects of Sternbergia clusiana Bulb Ethanolic Extract on Triple-Negative and Estrogen-Dependent Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro.

Sternbergia clusiana belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is recognized for the valuable biological activity of its major bioactive compounds. The aim of the current is to evaluate the anticancer effects of the ethanolic bulb extract of Sternbergia clusiana (ScBEE) on breast cancer cells in vitro and to further reveal the underlying cellular mechanism. An MTS cell viability assay was performed on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, along with cell cycle analysis, cell death ELISA, Western blot analysis and an ROS production assay to decipher the mechanism of death. LC-MS/MS was also performed to identify the chemical composition of this ethanolic extract. The results show a selective antiproliferative effect on both cell lines with no effect on normal mesenchymal stem cells. Further analysis suggested the activation of the apoptotic pathway as reflected by the increase in cellular and DNA fragmentation and alterations in apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2 and c-PARP. ScBEE was also found to exhibit antioxidant effect, as shown by a decrease in ROS production. The underlying mechanism of action was explained by the presence of several bioactive compounds identified by LC-MS/MS, including alkaloids, terpenoids and phenols, which are elaborated in the manuscript. This study highlights the antioxidant and anticancerous properties of S.clusiana for breast cancer treatment.

Phytonutritional and aromatic profiles of Tulbaghia simmleri Beauv. edible flowers during cold storage

Edible flowers are appreciated due to their aesthetic features, nutritional value and antioxidant properties. Tulbaghia simmleri Beauv. (Amaryllidaceae family) flowers are characterized by a pleasant garlic taste and are consumed both as fresh and dried products. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of chilling temperature (+4°C) on the visual quality, nutritional content, and aroma profile of T. simmleri flowers after two (T2) and six (T6) days of storage. Colorimetric analysis highlighted a reduction in petal brightness at T6 and hence their darkening, due to a significant increase in a* coordinate and decrease in the b* one. Total polyphenols and flavonoids content remained unchanged until the end of the experiment, while total anthocyanins increased at T2. Flowers antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) decreased progressively during cold storage, while catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities increased. The aroma profile was analyzed by HS-SPME associated with GC-MS, underlining that fresh flowers were dominated by high content in monoterpenes (around 80%), with 1,8-cineol as main compound (53.1%). Cold storage reduced this class of volatiles while sesquiterpenes and non-terpenes increased; between them, benzyl benzoate reached 12%.

Antioxidant potential and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of onion (Allium cepa L.) peel and bulb extracts.

Allium cepa L. is a commonly consumed vegetable that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and contains nutrients and antioxidants in ample amounts. In spite of the valuable food applications of onion bulb, its peel and outer fleshy layers are generally regarded as waste and exploration of their nutritional and therapeutic potential is still in progress with a very slow progression rate. The present study was designed with the purpose of doing a comparative analysis of the antioxidant potential of two parts of Allium cepa, i.g., bulb (edible part) and outer fleshy layers and dry peels (inedible part). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of the onion bulb and peel extracts on rat intestinal α-glucosidase and pancreatic α-amylase of porcine was also evaluated. The antioxidant potential of onion peel and bulb extracts were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), 2,2'-azino-bis- 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, H2O2 radical scavenging activity and Fe2+ chelating activity. Total flavonoids and phenolic content of ethanolic extract of onion peel were significantly greater as compared to that of onion bulb. Ethanolic extract of onion peel also presented better antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity as compared to the ethanolic extract of bulb, while the aqueous extract of bulb presented weakest antioxidative potential. Onion peel extract's α-glucosidase inhibition potential was also correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. The current findings presented onion peel as a possible source of antioxidative agents and phenolic compounds that might be beneficial against development of various common chronic diseases that might have an association with oxidative stress. Besides, outer dry layers and fleshy peels of onion exhibited higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities, compared to the inner bulb. The information obtained by the present study can be useful in promoting the use of vegetable parts other than the edible mesocarp for several future food applications, rather than these being wasted.

Floristic Composition and Ecological Characteristics of Tehsil Samar Bagh District Lower Dir

Usually identification of the flora all over the world is considered to be important and necessary because it plays a vital role to reserve National flora. The current study was conducted to explore and asses the floristic composition and ecological characteristics of Samar bagh District Dir lower along with their family, botanical name, habit, life form and leaf size classes. The flora of Tehsil Samar bagh comprises up of 120 species belonging 49 families. These 49 families consist of 6 gymnosperm species of family Pinaceae and Cuperassesceae, 8 monocot species of family Amaryllidaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae and 104 dicot species of 44 different families. As per the plant habit, there are 75 species of herb, 13 species of shrub and 32 species of tree. The leading and well-expressed family was Asteraceae attending 12 taxa, followed by Rosaceae with 10, Solanaceae with 9, papilionaceae with 7, Moraceae and Poaceae with 5, Fagaceae, Brassicaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae and Amaranthaceae contributing 4 plant species. The Life form and leaf size classes were managed by Raunkiaers system which displays that the headmost life form class was therophytes with 47 species, followed by nanophanerophytes with 21 species, chamaephytes with 13, and then by megaphanerophytes, hemicryptophytes, Geophyte and microphanerophytes. In leaf size classes leading class was microphyll representing 38 species followed by mesophyll with 37, nanophyll 24, macrophyll 9, leptophyll 7 and megaphyll with 5 species. Therophytes were observed dominant with high percentage, demonstrating that this area is a part of semi-arid zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwah, Pakistan and indigenous people of this area thoroughly and extensively demolish and uproot the plants for burning purposes.

Identification of secondary metabolites and fatty acids in Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., an important ethnomedicinal plant

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn, is a herb belonging to family Amaryllidaceae. The plant possesses aromatic smell and used by ethnic community (Majhi, Munda, Santal, Birhor, Ho and Rajwar) from Purulia district, West Bengal, India as a whole either topically or orally in various monoherbal and polyherbal formulations for the treatment of various skin diseases such as carbuncle, acne, pimple and ulcer. However, there is no scientific database on secondary metabolites and fatty acids of the plant yet. So, main emphasis of the present study is given on secondary metabolites and fatty acids of the plant. Secondary metabolites and fatty acids were analyses by HPLC (High-performance Liquid Chromatography) and GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry). HPLC study revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. GCMS analyses identified the presence of saturated fatty acids in the range of C14 to C26 and C18 and C20 as unsaturated fatty acids. Assured levels of secondary metabolites along with fatty acids in the studied plant part support the ethnobotanical claim done by traditional healers.

Fotoperyot, Bitki büyüme Düzenleyicileri ve Eksplant Büyüklüğünün Kardelende İn Vitro Soğancık Oluşumuna Etkisi

Plant tissue culture techniques have a widespread usage in rapid, easy and continuous propagation of bulbous and tuberous plants, called geophytes. The genus Galanthus (commonly called snowdrops), perennial bulbiferous geophytes belonging the Amaryllidaceae family, contain several high-value alkaloids with pharmaceutical use to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of photoperiod, plant growth regulators and explant size on in vitro bulblet formation in snowdrop (Galanthus woronowii). Bulb twin-scale explants were cultured on MS medium containing different combinations of BAP with various concentrations of NAA, IAA and IBA under 16/8 h light/dark and 24 h dark conditions. Effect of plant growth regulators was significant on the number of bulblet, bulblet diameter, bulblet weight, and the number of bulblet bigger than 5 mm in diameter. Continuous dark application resulted in highly significant increases in bulblet formation, as compared to light treatment. The maximum number of bulblet (4.83) was recorded from 4-piece explants treated with 2 mg l-1 BAP+0.1 mg l-1 NAA hormone combination kept in 24 h dark condition. Dark treatment resulted in an increase of 57.33% in the number of bulblet bigger than 5 mm in diameter. Explant size showed no effect on any of the attributes studied. In conclusion, this study revealed that 24 h dark treatment has a very important positive effect on in vitro bulblet formation in snowdrop.

Interspecific Genome Size Variation of Iranian Endemic <i>Allium</i> Species (Amaryllidaceae)

The genus Allium L. is in Amaryllidaceae family with approximately 900 species distributed worldwide. The key aim of this study was to examine variations among eight Iranian endemic Allium species based on genome size. The results showed that among eight Allium species examined, seven were diploid (A. sativum, A. stipitatum, A. fistolosum, A. umbellicatum, A. lenkoranicum, A. stamineum, and A. rubellum; 2n=2x=16). Interestingly, the chromosome number 2n=3x=24 was evidenced in A. atroviolaceum. Strong interspecific diversity was identified in the studied Allium genome size. The overall average genome sizes of examined species were 34.17 pg, varying from 22.24 pg in A. fistolosum to 43.80 pg in A. stipitatum. The positive and significant correlations between genome size and total chromosome volume (TCV), altitude, and latitudes indicate that the species with larger genome sizes were situated in higher sea levels and low latitudes areas. These results may provide suitable information for Allium evolutionary, genetics, and breeding studies.

An overview of Potyviruses infecting daffodil and their disease management

AbstractDaffodil (Narcissus tazetta L.) is a bulbous ornamental plant which belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. It is popular for sweet-smelling beautiful flowers and is used for the fragrant oil and perfumes. It is also a source of alkaloids used in traditional medicines. Daffodil is commercially important ornamental plant, therefore, it is important to maintain its quality and production. Various type of viruses affect daffodil cultivation and among them, potyviruses are of great concern as they cause more economic losses to its commercial cultivation in term of reduction in bulb size, number of bulbs and the quality of daffodil flowers. In this review, a general overview of daffodils, genus Potyvirus, disease symptoms in daffodils linked to potyvirus infection, potyviruses described in daffodils, Potyvirus identification methods and possible management strategies of potyviruses in daffodil cultivation are described in detail. The study will be helpful to daffodil growers for improvement of the production/yield and quality of daffodil crop.

Chemical constituents from the arial of Crinum asiaticum L

Crinum asiaticum L. (locally known Nang hoa trang), belonging to the Crinum genus of the Amaryllidaceae family, has been widely used in oriental and traditional medicine around the world for the treatment of various diseases and exerts diverse promising pharmacological effects. To find out new inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory and Alzheimer’s diseases, a methanol extract of the aerial part of C. asiaticum was investigated to afford six compounds, chrysophanol (1), emodin (2), physcion (3), thymine (4), thymidine (5), and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (6) by using various chromatographic separations. Their structures were identified by the extensive analysis of 1H- and 13C-NMR data as well as a comparison with those of previously reported data. This is the first report of these compounds (1-6) from C. asiaticum. In addition, all compounds evaluated the inhibitory activities of NO production and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Among them, emodin (2) significantly inhibited NO production with an IC50 of 5.13±0.42 μM. This result indicated that emodin (2) may be beneficial in the treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases. Besides, all compounds (1-6) also showed weak inhibitory effects on the AChE enzyme with a range of IC50 values from 82.98±9.19 to 237.63±13.8 µM.