Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activity Research Articles

A New 19(10→9)Abeo-Euphane Triterpenoid with other Terpenoid Components from Trichilia dregeana Leaves and their NO Production Inhibitory Activities in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages.

Trichilia dregeana Sond. (Meliaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine to treat wounds. The anti-inflammatory potential of the ethyl acetate leaf extract and the presence of euphane-type triterpenes in this extract have recently been reported by our group. Further investigation of the remaining subfractions of the ethyl acetate fraction afforded a new 19(10→9)abeo-euphane-type triterpenoid (1), along with six known terpenoids (2-7). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by analyses of the HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data and by comparison with previously reported data. We investigated the ability of the compounds to modulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The known compounds 3 and 6 exhibited moderate (IC50 72.06 μM) and mild (IC50 98.84 μM) inhibitory activities, respectively, without cytotoxic effects on the cells. These results, in conjunction with our previous findings, emphasize the significant role of terpenoid components in the anti-inflammatory efficacy of T. dregeana leaves and indicate that the rare 3,10-epoxy-19(10→9)abeo-euphane triterpenoids could serve as a chemotaxonomic marker for T. dregeana.

Precursor-Directed Biosynthesis of Panepoxydone Derivatives with Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activity.

Panepoxydone is a natural NF-кB inhibitor isolated from basidiomycetes belonging to the genus Panus and Lentinus. It is biosynthesized from prenylhydroquinone through successive hydroxylation, epoxidation, and reduction reactions. In this study, we establish an efficient precursor-directed biosynthesis strategy for the structural expansion of panepoxydone based on its biosynthetic pathway. Supplementation of the panepoxydone-producing strain, Panus rudis, with various prenylhydroquinone analogues enabled the production of fourteen previously undescribed panepoxydone derivatives, panepoxyquinoid A-N (2-14). The obtained panepoxydone derivatives together with their parental molecules were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1, 5-6, 10-11, and 14-15 displayed significant suppressive effects on LPS-induced NO production with IC50 values ranging from 4.3 to 30.1 μM.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Pleurotus nebrodensis extract : application in a functional tea

This study was designed to examine the nitric oxide production, hyaluronidase, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibitory activities for the anti-inflammatory effect and DPPH and ABS radical scavenging activities for antioxidant effect using Pleurotus nebrodensis mycelium extract for a functional tea development. The cell viability was confirmed that all extracts were not cytotoxic to RAW264.7 cell within a concentration of 90 μg/mL irrespective of solvent extracts. The nitric oxide inhibitory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was the highest at 43.6% using 90 μg/mL of hot water extract. The PGE2 inhibitory level was the highest 32.9% of 90 μg/mL of hot water extract. The hyaluronidase inhibitory activity as the highest 53.5% using 90 μg/mL of hot water extract. On the other hand, in the case of antioxidant activity, the maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity using 90μg/mL of ethanol extract obtained 69.6%. The maximum ABS radical scavenging activity using 90μg/mL of ethanol extract obtained 71.3%. When hot water extract was mixed in green tea, they was considered an excellent extract because the sensory evaluation showed a relatively high value. Based on the results of these experiments, it was possible to confirm the possibility of the functional material development of the tea beverage for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents using the hot water and ethanol extract of P. nebrodensis mycelium.

Chemical constituents from marine medicinal brown alga-derived Scytalidium lignicola SC228

In this study, a marine medicinal brown alga Sargassum cristaefolium-derived fungal strain Scytalidium lignicola SC228 has been isolated and identified. Column chromatography of the extracts from liquid-fermented products of the fungal strain was carried out, and led to the purification of eight compounds. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations were further established by single X-ray diffraction analysis and modified Mosher's method as four previously undescribed compounds, namely scytabenzofurans A–C (1–3), and (3S,4S)-5-chloro-3,4-dihydro-4,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one (4), along with four known compounds 5–8. All the isolates were subjected to anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic assays. Compounds 1–4, 7, and 8 showed moderate nitric oxide production inhibitory activities in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 microglial cells with IC50 in the range of 19.6 ± 0.1 to 49.0 ± 1.2 μM in comparison with that of curcumin (IC50 = 2.7 ± 0.3 μM). Compounds 5–7 exhibited moderate to potent inhibitory effects on EPCs growth with IC50 in the range of 0.5 ± 0.1 to 42.7 ± 0.9 μM as compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 5.50 ± 1.50 μM).

A new canthinone glycoside isolated from the root barks of Ailanthus altissima with NO inhibitory activity

One new canthinone glycoside (1), together with six known compounds (2–7) including three lignans (2–4), two coumarins (5–6) and one phenol (7) was isolated from the root barks of Ailanthus altissima. The structure of new compound 1 was established by the interpretation of UV, IR, MS and NMR data, while its absolute configuration was determined by acid hydrolysis and GIAO NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analysis. The inhibitory effects of all compounds on Nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Results showed that compounds 2 and 5 displayed NO production inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 30.1 and 15.3 μM, respectively.

Chemical constituents from a marine medicinal brown alga-derived Xylaria acuta SC1019.

In this study, a marine medicinal brown alga Sargassum cristaefolium-derived fungal strain Xylaria acuta SC1019 was isolated and identified. Column chromatography of the extracts from liquid- and solid-fermented products of the fungal strain was carried out, and led to the isolation of twenty-one compounds. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations were further established by single X-ray diffraction analysis or modified Mosher's method as nine previously undescribed compounds, namely xylarilactones A-C (1-3), ent-gedebic acid 8-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (4), 5R-hydroxylmethylmellein 11-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (5), ent-hymatoxin E 16-O-α-D-mannopyranoside (6), 19,20-epoxycytochalasin S (7), 19,20-epoxycytochalasin T (8), and (2R)-butylitaconic acid (9), along with twelve known compounds 10-21. All the isolates were subjected to anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic assays. Compounds 1, 5, 7, 10, and 17 showed moderate nitric oxide production inhibitory activities in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 microglial cells with IC50 values of 19.55 ± 0.35, 16.10 ± 0.57, 15.20 ± 0.87, 11.76 ± 0.49, and 11.30 ± 0.32 μM, respectively, as compared to curcumin (IC50 = 2.69 ± 0.34 μM) without any significant cytotoxicity. Compounds 7, 8, and 21 displayed potent anti-angiogenic activities by suppressing the growth of human endothelial progenitor cells with IC50 values of 0.44 ± 0.01, 0.47 ± 0.03, and 0.53 ± 0.01 μM, respectively, as compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 5.50 ± 1.50 μM).

New 19(10 → 9)abeo-euphane-type triterpenoids from Trichilia dregeana leaves and NO production inhibitory activities

Phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc soluble fraction from leaves of Trichilia dregeana Sond. (Meliaceae) afforded naturally rare four new pentacyclic triterpenoids (1–4), together with five known pentacyclic analogs (5–8, and 11) and two steroids (9 and 10). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques such as 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS data analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory assay indicated that the EtOAc fraction as well as 4 and 7 inhibited the NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells with the IC50 values of 83.53 μg/mL and 81.31 and 85.71 μM, respectively. Compounds 1–4 are rare 19(10 → 9)abeo-euphane-type triterpenoids bearing a 3,10-ether bridge. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first isolation of triterpenoids with the 3,10-ether bridge in their skeleton from the genus Trichilia, providing new insights into the chemodiversity of the terpenoids in T. dregeana.

Chemical Constituents, Antimicrobial Activity and Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oil from the Leaves of Croton kongensis Gagnep. Collected from Two Different Locations in Vietnam

Abstract. In this study, essential oil from the leaves of Croton kongensis Gagnep. from two different locations in Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam, were obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and characterized by GC/MS analyses. The Nhu Xuan essential oil sample contained sabinene (52.17 %), (E)-caryophyllene (7.23 %), and linalool (6.33 %) as major components, while the Thuong Xuan essential oil sample contained sabinene (12.96 %), camphene (9.45 %), linalool (8.43 %), bornyl acetate (7.99 %), (E)-nerolidol (7.07 %), and (E)-caryophyllene (6.53 %). Both essential oil samples showed promising antimicrobial activity against four bacterial and four fungal strains using the broth microdilution method, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ≤ 200 μg/mL. However, the Thuong Xuan essential oil sample exhibited a broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity than the Nhu Xuan essential oil sample. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory potential study showed that the Thuong Xuan essential oil sample exhibited better inhibition of nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW 264.7 cells than the Nhu Xuan essential oil sample, which has IC50 values of 97.32 and 172.67 µg/mL, respectively. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further investigation and use of the essential oil from C. kongensis leaves in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Resumen. En este estudio, el aceite esencial de las hojas de dos poblaciones de Croton kongensis Gagnep. colectadas en la provincia Thanh Hoa en Vietnam, fue obtenido por hidrodestilación mediante un aparato Clevenger, y las muestras fueron caracterizadas mediante el análisis de CG/EM. La muestra del aceite esencial proveniente de Nhu Xuan contenía sabineno (52.17%), (E)-cariofileno (7.23%), y linalool (6.33%) como constituyentes mayoritarios, mientras que la muestra proveniente de Thuong Xuan contenía sabineno (12.96%), canfeno (9.45%), linalool (8.43%), acetato de bornilo (7.99%), (E)-nerolidol (7.07%), y (E)-cariofileno (6.53%). Ambas muestras mostraron actividad antimicrobiana promisoria contra cuatro cepas bacterianas y cuatro cepas fúngicas, usando el método de microdilución del caldo, obteniendo concentraciones mínimas inhibitorias (MICs) ≤ 200 μg/mL, respectivamente. No obstante, el aceite esencial proveniente de Thuong Xuan mostró un espectro más amplio de actividad antimicrobiana con respecto a la muestra de Nhu Xuan. Además, el estudio del potencial anti-inflamatorio de los aceites esenciales indicó que la muestra de Thuong Xuan exhibió mejor inhibición de la producción de óxido nítrico inducida por lipopolisacáridos en células RAW264.7, con respecto a la muestra de Nhu Xuan, con valores de CI50 de 97.32 y 172.67, respectivamente. Estos hallazgos proporcionan un argumento teórico para investigaciones adicionales y para el uso del aceite esencial de las hojas de C. kongensis en las industrias farmacéutica y de alimentos.

Structure-activity relationship of anti-inflammatory meroterpenoids isolated from Dictyopteris polypodioides in RAW264 cells.

In this study, we explored anti-inflammatory compounds from the brown alga Dictyopteris polypodioides and isolated 7 meroterpenoids. Their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line, RAW264. Yahazunol (1) exhibited similar nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activity as zonarol (2), which has previously been shown to be an anti-inflammatory compound. Yahazunol (1), zonarol (2), and isozonarol (3) inhibited not only NO production but also inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 mRNA expression in RAW264 cells. The structure-activity relationships of the 11 compounds, including their synthetic analogs, revealed the significance of the hydroquinone moiety in the anti-inflammatory activity of these sesquiterpenoids in RAW264 cells. Diacetylated zonarol (9) exhibited an activity comparable to that of zonarol as a result of intracellular deacetylation. These results provide new insights into the anti-inflammatory activity of hydroquinone-containing natural products.

Identification and nitric oxide production inhibitory activity of phenolic derivatives from the trunks of Gnetum latifolium

Phytochemical investigation of the trunks from Gnetum latifolium led to the isolation of a novel phenolic glucoside, 2E-2,4-di-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)but-2-en-1-yl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with five known stilbene derivatives (2–6). Their structures were determined mainly using high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses, followed by comparisons of observed spectral data with reported values. The novel compound 1 in G. latifolium was found to be useful as a chemotaxonomic marker. Biological evaluation revealed that compound 6 had remarkable inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 4.85 ± 0.20 µM, which was much higher than that of the positive control dexamethasone (IC50 = 14.20 ± 0.54 µM).

The most commonly used spices in Thai traditional medicine: in vitro evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, polyphenol content, and nitric oxide production inhibitory activities.

Diabetes mellitus is a persistent hyperglycemic condition. Thai cuisine and medicine incorporate spices: nutmeg, mace, clove buds, cardamom, cinnamon, and coriander. The in vitro impacts of these spices on anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and total phenolic and flavonoid content were assessed. Alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition assays were conducted. Antioxidant potential was measured through DPPH and ABTS assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by inhibiting nitric oxide generation in RAW 264.7 cells. Total phenolic content was quantified using the Folin Ciocalteu method, while total flavonoid content was estimated via the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of a blend of spices (Siam cardamom, nutmeg, mace, and clove buds), denoted as 4-GlurE and 4-GlurA, displayed concentration-dependent inhibition of alpha-glucosidase, with IC50 values of 0.373 and 0.435 mg/mL, respectively. 4-GlurE and 4-GlurA exhibited antioxidant activity, by ABTS·+ radical and DPPH scavenging capabilities. 4-GlurE demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential by reducing nitric oxide generation (IC50: 43.95 ± 2.47 μg/mL). 4-GlurE and 4-GlurA possessed total phenolic content (TPC) of 122.47 ± 1.12 and 148.72 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g, respectively. 4-GlurE exhibited a higher total flavonoid content (TFC) compared to the aqueous extract (340.33 ± 4.77 and 94.17 ± 3.36 mg QE/g). Cinnamon and clove aqueous extracts were more potent than acarbose in alpha-glucosidase inhibition with the highest antioxidant activity. Polyphenol levels (TPC and TFC) exhibited strong correlations with antioxidant capacity. Findings are consistent with the traditional use of 4-Glur, with cinnamon, for diabetes prevention and treatment.

A review of botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the forest Natal mahogany (Trichilia dregeana Sond.)

Trichilia dregeana is an underutilized plant species native to tropical Africa and known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The present review compiles existing information on botany, traditional uses, and chemical and pharmacological properties of T. dregeana. Multiple searches on existing literature on the traditional, medicinal, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of T. dregeana were conducted in online databases such as Scopus®, Google Scholar, SpringerLink®, SciELO, ScienceDirect®, PubMed® and Web of Science, as well as using pre-electronic literature sources obtained from the university library. Trichilia dregeana is used as a medicinal plant against human and animal diseases in seven countries, that is, 33.3% of the countries where the species is indigenous. The phytochemical evaluation of the plant revealed that it contains alcohols, alkanes, amides, esters, lignan, limonoids, sesquiterpenes, steroids, and triterpenoids. The pharmacological assessments showed that the crude extracts and phytochemical compounds isolated from the species demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, antimycobacterial, antiviral, acetylcholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, insecticidal, prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitory, nitric oxide production inhibitory, wound healing, mutagenicity, and toxicity activities. Detailed studies focusing on toxicity and safety, mechanisms of action in vivo, and clinical research aimed at corroborating the traditional medical applications of T. dregeana are recommended.

Chemical constituents from the medicinal herb-derived fungus Chaetomium globosum Km1226

BackgroundEndophytic fungi have proven to be a rich source of novel natural products with a wide-array of biological activities and higher levels of structural diversity.ResultsChemical investigation on the liquid- and solid-state fermented products of Chaetomium globosum Km1226 isolated from the littoral medicinal herb Atriplex maximowicziana Makino resulted in the isolation of compounds 1–14. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis as three previously undescribed C13-polyketides, namely aureonitol C (1), mollipilins G (2), and H (3), along with eleven known compounds 4–14. Among these, mollipilin A (5) exhibited significant nitric oxide production inhibitory activity in LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells with an IC50 value of 0.7 ± 0.1 µM, and chaetoglobosin D (10) displayed potent anti-angiogenesis property in human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) with an IC50 value of 0.8 ± 0.3 µM.ConclusionsThree previously unreported compounds 1–3 were isolated and identified. Mollipilin A (5) and chaetoglobosin D (10) could possibly be developed as anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic lead drugs, respectively.

Antimycobacterial and nitric oxide production inhibitory activities of limonoids isolated from Trichilia lepidota subsp. schumanniana (Harms) T.D.Penn

Six previously undescribed intact limonoids together with four known compounds were isolated from the seeds of Trichilia lepidota subsp. schumanniana (Harms) T.D.Penn. Their structures were characterized based on one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, infrared, ultraviolet, mass spectroscopy results, and optical rotation. All compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit nitric oxide production in cultures of RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide, cytotoxicity and growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains H37Rv and M299. The compounds 7-deacetyl-11β,12α-diacetoxy-14,15-epoxyazadirone (5) and walsurin E (9) were the most potent in inhibiting nitric oxide production, although the compounds 1-deshydroxy-12α-acetoxymunronin N (1) and 6α,12α-dihydroxyazadirone (6) also showed controlled potential of this mediator, in addition to being potent growth inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV and M299, without cytotoxicity interference. Ring intact limonoids isolated from Trichilia lepidota subsp. schumanniana seeds are a new source of bioactive substances that may be used in the future against diseases such as tuberculosis and other processes related to inflammation.

Four New Flavonoid C-Glycosides Isolated from Achyranthes aspera and Their Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activities.

A chemical study of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Achyranthes aspera led to the isolation of four new flavonoid C-glycosides (1-4) along with eight known analogs (5-12). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic data analysis, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. All the isolates were evaluated their NO production inhibitory activity in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Compounds 2, 4, and 8-11 showed significant inhibition with IC50 values ranging from 25.06 to 45.25 μM, compared to that of the positive control compound, L-NMMA, IC50 value of 32.24 μM, whereas the remaining compounds were weak inhibitory activity with IC50 values over 100 μM. This is the first report of 7 from Amaranthaceae family, and 11 from the genus Achyranthes.

A new iridoid glucoside from the roots of Morinda officinalis

A new iridoid glucoside, moridoside (1), and nine known compounds, asperulosidic acid (2), 6-O-epi-acetylscandoside (3), geniposidic acid (4), 2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone (5), 2-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxyanthraquinone (6), damnacanthol (7), lucidine-ω-methyl ether (8), 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyanthraquinone (9), and 3,8-dihydroxy-1,2-dimethoxyanthraquinone (10) were isolated from the methanol extract of Morinda officinalis How. roots. Their structural identification was carried out based on the spectroscopic evidence. All compounds were evaluated for their nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Compounds 5-7 significantly inhibited the production of NO with IC50 values of 28.4, 33.6, and 30.5 μM, respectively.

Flavonoids from the Roots of Sophora flavescens and Their Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Activities

The phytochemical investigation of the roots of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Sophora flavescens led to the isolation of two novel prenylflavonoids with an unusual cyclohexyl substituent instead of the common aromatic ring B, named 4',4'-dimethoxy-sophvein (17) and sophvein-4'-one (18), and 34 known compounds (1-16, 19-36). The structures of these chemical compounds were determined by spectroscopic techniques, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HRESIMS data. Furthermore, evaluations of nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells indicated that some compounds exhibited obvious inhibition effects, with IC50 ranged from 4.6 ± 1.1 to 14.4 ± 0.4 μM. Moreover, additional research demonstrated that some compounds inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells, with an IC50 ranging from 0.46 ± 0.1 to 48.6 ± 0.8 μM. These results suggest that flavonoid derivatives from the roots of S. flavescens can be used as a latent source of antiproliferative or anti-inflammatory agents.

Natural Compounds Isolated from African Mistletoes (Loranthaceae) Exert Anti-Inflammatory and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Potentials: In Vitro and In Silico Studies

Despite the medicinal uses of Phragmanthera capitata, Globimetula dinklagei and Tapinanthus bangwensis against memory loss, convulsions and pain, their efficacy against brain-dysfunction diseases and inflammation models has not yet been studied. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potentials of their crude extracts and isolated natural compounds by combining in vitro and in silico experiments. Crude extracts and isolated compounds were tested in vitro for their AChE inhibitory activity by using Ellman’s method. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory activity was determined by evaluating the nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and the 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibitory activity by using the ferrous oxidation xylenol orange assay. Furthermore, the in silico efficacy of natural compounds was investigated against ten putative target enzymes relevant in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis and inflammation. It was found that the crude extracts had weak to moderate inhibitory potential against AChE, with the extract of T. bangwensis being the most active (50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 48.97 µg/mL). Six natural compounds, namely, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-28-hydroxy-α-amyrin (2), apigenin- 8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), globimetulin B (5), globimetulin C (6), bangwaursene B (8) and 3β-acetoxy-11,12-epoxytaraxerol (9), were identified for the first time as having anti-AChE potential, among which (9) had the highest efficacy with an IC50 of 13.89 µM. Among the anti-AChE compounds, (5) was also efficient against NO production and 15-LOX, and the data are in agreement with the docking score. In summary, compounds (5) and (9) are the most prominent lead compounds that should be further tested experimentally against molecular targets of AD and inflammation.

Chemical Constituents and Bioactive Principles from the Mexican Truffle and Fermented Products of the Derived Fungus Ustilago maydis MZ496986.

To look in-depth into the traditional Mexican truffle, this study investigated the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of field-collected corn galls and the fermentate of its pathogen Ustilago maydis MZ496986. Here, we established the chemical profiles of both materials via the gradient HPLC-UV method and successfully identified six previously unreported chemical entities, ustilagols A-F (1-6), and 17 known components. Compounds 3, 5, and 9 exhibited potent nitric oxide production inhibitory activities in murine brain microglial BV-2 cells (IC50 = 6.7 ± 0.5, 5.8 ± 0.9, and 3.9 ± 0.1 μM) without cytotoxic effects. DIMBOA (9) also attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC50 = 58.1 ± 7.2 μM). Ustilagol G (7) showed potent antiplatelet aggregation in U46619-stimulated human platelets (IC50 = 16.5 ± 5.3 μM). These findings highlighted the potential of corn galls and U. maydis MZ496986 fermentate as functional foods for improving inflammation-related discomforts and vascular obstruction.

Polypunctosides E-K: seven new steroidal saponins from Polygonatum punctatum Royle ex Kunth and their nitric oxide production inhibitory activities.

Polygonatum punctatum Royle ex Kunth is a high-value medicinal plant found in old natural forests. A phytochemical study on the roots of this plant led to the isolation of seven new steroidal saponins including four furostans (1-4) and three furospirostans (5-7). Their structures were elucidated as (25R)-26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-furost-5-ene-3β,17α,22α,26-tetraol 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (1), (25R)-26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-furost-5-ene-3β,14α,17α,22α,26-pentaol 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (2), (25R)-26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-furost-5-ene-22α-methoxy-3β,17α,26-triol 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (3), (25R)-26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-furost-5-ene-22α-methoxy-3β,17α,26-triol 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-[acetoxy-(→ 6)]-β-D-galactopyranoside (4), 26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-14α,17α-dihydroxynuatigenin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (5), 26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-17α-hydroxynuatigenin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (6), and 26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-14α-hydroxynuatigenin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (7) by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including infrared, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Compounds 1-7 inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide activated RAW264.7 cells with IC50 values ranging from 41.5 ± 3.2 to 62.2 ± 3.7µM, compared to 33.8 ± 2.6µM for the positive control compound L-NMMA.