Perovskia Atriplicifolia Research Articles

Prolonged Repellent Activity of Plant Essential Oils against Dengue Vector, Aedes aegypti.

Repellents are effective personal protective means against outdoor biting mosquitoes. Repellent formulations composed of EOs are finding increased popularity among consumers. In this study, after an initial screening of 11 essential oils (EOs) at the concentration of 33 μg/cm2, five of the most repellent EOs, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Citrus reticulata (fruit peels), C. reticulata (leaves), Mentha longifolia, and Dysphania ambrosioides were further investigated for repellent activity against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in time span bioassays. When tested at the concentrations of 33 μg/cm2, 165 μg/cm2 and 330 μg/cm2, the EO of P. atriplicifolia showed the longest repellent effect up to 75, 90 and 135 min, respectively, which was followed by C. reticulata (peels) for 60, 90 and 120 min, M. longifolia for 45, 60 and 90 min, and C. reticulata (leaves) for 30, 45 and 75 min. Notably, the EO of P. atriplicifolia tested at the dose of 330 μg/cm2 showed complete protection for 60 min which was similar to the commercial mosquito repellent DEET. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of the EOs revealed camphor (19.7%), limonene (92.7%), sabinene (24.9%), carvone (82.6%), and trans-ascaridole (38.8%) as the major constituents of P. atriplicifolia, C. reticulata (peels), C. reticulata (leaves), M. longifolia, and D. ambrosioides, respectively. The results of the present study could help develop plant-based commercial repellents to protect humans from dengue mosquitoes.

Attractiveness of Drought-tolerant Plants to Insect Pollinators in the Southern High Plains Region

Urban and rural landscapes are important for providing floral resources to pollinating insects, yet determining the attractiveness of specific plants to a variety of pollinators remains a need in many regions. The objective of this study was to determine the attractiveness of 30 different plants to foraging insects. On 14 dates in 2016 and 2017, floral abundances were measured and the number of insect visitors recorded. A total of 57 insect morphospecies were recorded, with bees (Apoidea: Anthophila) the most abundant pollinator and honey bees the most frequently observed forager. Russian sage (Salvia farinacea) and Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’) attracted the greatest number of pollinators. Native plants adapted to the region attracted the highest diversity of pollinators. Thirteen plants, some that are considered good pollinator plants, attracted low numbers of insects. Five pollinator taxa (Anthophora californica/urbana, Apis mellifera, Agapostemon angelicus/texanus, Lasioglossum spp., and Bombyliidae) were attracted to 10 or more different plants, while approximately 65 percent of the taxa were attracted to three or fewer plants. Results support strategies for both grassland restoration and the selection of plants when resources and habitat for pollinators are considered in the management of urban green spaces.

Light Intensity and Temperature Effect on Salvia yangii (B. T. Drew) Metabolic Profile in vitro.

Plant in vitro culture is a feasible system for the testing influence of an environmental factor on the accumulation and chemodiversity of specialized metabolites, especially in medicinal plants. Light and temperature are among the most important factors affecting the physiology of plant organisms but their influence on specific metabolic pathways is not completely understood. Here, we examined the morphogenetic response, photosynthetic pigments content, lipid peroxidation level, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and the production of volatile and non-volatile constituents in Salvia yangii B. T. Drew (syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth.) in vitro cultures kept under different light intensities (70, 130, and 220 μmol m−2 s−1) and at two selected temperatures (25 and 30°C). The experiment was continued for 7 months to monitor the changes in the treatment response in time. Phytochemical analysis was performed using chromatographic (GC-MS and UHLPC) and spectrophotometric techniques. The light intensity significantly influenced metabolic response in a non-linear manner, whereas temperature-induced adaptive modifications varied within the long cultivation. Significant differences were noted in the content of carnosic and rosmarinic acid, as well as in several sesquiterpenes (alloaromadendrene, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene). At elevated (30°C) temperature, a trend of differently modulated content of two major antioxidants—rosmarinic acid (RA, a phenylpropanoid pathway derived phenolic acid) and carnosic acid (CA, an abietane diterpenoid) was observed, where RA, but not CA, was depending on the light intensity. At 25°C, both compounds depended on light but in various ways. Among the volatile terpenoid compounds, the influence of light was pronounced, leading to modulation of proportions between individual mono- and sesquiterpenes as well as between hydrocarbon and oxygenated compounds. The study provided new information on the metabolic profile plasticity in S. yangii and added to the existing knowledge on the chemical adaptations in plant species from severe habitats.

On the Trail of an Ancient Middle Eastern Ethnobotany: Traditional Wild Food Plants Gathered by Ormuri Speakers in Kaniguram, NW Pakistan

Simple SummaryWild food plants (WFPs) have played an important role in the human diet throughout history. The current study reports WFP uses among two linguistic groups, i.e., the Ormur people and Pashtuns, living in the Valley of Kaniguram, South Waziristan, Pakistan. A total of fifty-two plants were reported among the two researched groups and these plants were mostly consumed as raw snacks and vegetables. Remarkable homogeneity was observed for WFP uses among the two groups. Being an ancient diaspora, the Ormur people have retained rich traditional knowledge of WFPs and reported some important plant uses that are believed to have arrived from the near West, most likely the Middle East. The current study is an important effort to preserve the biocultural gastronomic heritage of the Ormur people that speak the moribund language; hence, it is strongly recommended that policy makers pay attention to the cultural and traditional gastronomic heritage of the community.An ethnobotanical field study focusing on traditional wild food botanical taxa was carried out in Kaniguram, South Waziristan, Pakistan, among Ormur (or Burki or Baraki) peoples, which represent a diasporic minority group, as well as among the surrounding Pashtuns. Through sixty semi-structured interviews, fifty-two wild food plants (taxa) were recorded, and they were primarily used raw as snacks and cooked as vegetables. Comparative analysis found a remarkable overlap of the quoted plant uses between the two studied groups, which may reflect complex socio-cultural adaptations Ormur speakers faced. Ormur people retain a rich knowledge of anthropogenic weeds and the phytonyms reveal important commonalities with Persian and Kurdish phytonyms, which may indicate their possible horticultural-driven human ecological origin from the Middle East. Some novel or rare food uses of Cirsium arvense, Nannorrhops ritchiana, Periploca aphylla, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Viscum album, Oxalis corniculata and Withania coagulans were documented. Since the Ormuri language represents a moribund language, still spoken by only a few thousand speakers in NW Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is recommended that the traditional bio-cultural and gastronomical heritage of this minority group be appropriately protected and bolstered in future rural development programs.

Establishment of Leaf Tissue Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges of Two Perovskia Selections by Chronological Age

The objective of this study was to determine optimum fertilizer concentrations, identify leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges by chronological age, and establish leaf tissue nutrient standards of containerized Russian sage (Perovskia sp.). Common Russian sage (P. atriplicifolia Benth.) and ‘Crazy Blue’ Russian sage were greenhouse-grown in a soilless substrate under one of six constant liquid fertilizer concentrations [50, 75, 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg·L−1 nitrogen (N)] with a constant level of a water-soluble micronutrient blend. Fertilizer concentrations sufficient for optimal plant growth and development were determined by analyzing plant height, diameter, growth index, primary shoot caliper, axillary shoot number, and total dry mass; they were found to be 100 to 200 mg·L−1 N after a 6-week crop cycle. Recently, mature leaf tissue samples were collected from plants fertilized with 100 to 200 mg·L−1 N and analyzed for elemental contents of 11 nutrients at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplant (WAT). An overall trend of increasing foliar nutrient concentrations over time was observed for all elemental nutrients. For instance, at 2 WAT, the total N concentrations of common Russian sage and ‘Crazy Blue’ Russian sage ranged between 3.68% and 5.10% and between 3.92% and 5.12%, respectively, and increased to ranges of 5.94% to 5.98% and 5.20% to 5.86% at 6 WAT, respectively. Before this study, no leaf tissue concentration standards have been reported; therefore, this study established leaf tissue concentration sufficiency ranges for the trialed Perovskia selections.

The complete chloroplast genome of Russian sage Salvia yangii B. T. Drew (Lamiaceae)

The complete chloroplast genome of Russian sage Salvia yangii B. T. Drew was assembled in this study. The genome is 151,473 bp in length and contained 129 encoded genes in total, including 84 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 transfer RNA genes. The result of phylogenetic analysis based on 15 chloroplast genomes revealed that S. yangii is closely related to common sage (Salvia officinalis) in Lamiaceae.

Norditerpenoids with Selective Anti-Cholinesterase Activity from the Roots of Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth.

Inhibition of cholinesterases remains one of a few available treatment strategies for neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. The current study was inspired by previous data on anticholinesterase properties of diterpenoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia and other Lamiaceae species. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition by the three new natural compounds—(1R,15R)-1-acetoxycryptotanshinone (1), (1R)-1-acetoxytanshinone IIA (2), and (15R)-1-oxoaegyptinone A (3)—as well as, new for this genus, isograndifoliol (4) were assessed. Three of these compounds exhibited profound inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and much weaker inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). All compounds (1–4) selectively inhibited BChE (IC50 = 2.4, 7.9, 50.8, and 0.9 µM, respectively), whereas only compounds 3 and 4 moderately inhibited AChE (IC50 329.8 µM and 342.9 µM). Molecular docking and in silico toxicology prediction studies were also performed on the active compounds. Natural oxygenated norditerpenoids from the traditional Central Asian medicinal plant P. atriplicifolia are selective BChE inhibitors. Their high potential makes them useful candidate molecules for further investigation as lead compounds in the development of a natural drug against dementia caused by neurodegenerative diseases.

In Silico Analysis of Compounds Derived from Perovskia Atriplicifolia for their Antidiabetic Potential

Background: Diabetes is a chronic endocrine associated metabolic ailment. It is chiefly characterized by hyperglycemia, which results due to deficient insulin levels caused by either obliteration of pancreatic beta cells or the incompetent sensitivity of insulin at the target tissue. Methods: In the present study, selected compounds (Abrotandiol, Abrotanone, Lariciresinol, Pinoresinol, Syringaresinol and Taxiresinol) from Perovskia atriplicifolia were evaluated for antidiabetic potentials using molecular docking simulations and computational tools. Results: All selected compounds possess moderate to strong respective activities against aldose reductase, DPP-IV, PTPB, insulin receptor and PPAR-g. Selected compounds that include Abrotandiol, Lariciresinol, Pinoresinol, Syringaresinol, Abrotanone and Taxiresinol have shown highest binding energies of ΔG = -9.3 kcal/mol, -8.9 kcal/mol, -8.9 kcal/mol, -8.8 kcal/mol, -8.8 kcal/mol and -7.6 kcal/mol respectively against PPAR-g. However, out of six compounds, Abrotanone has shown strong potential binding energy against all selected targets, i.e. ΔG = -7.8 kcal/mol with aldose reductase, ΔG = -10.3 kcal/mol with DPP-IV, ΔG = -9.3 kcal/mol with PTPB and ΔG = -8.3 kcal/mol with insulin receptors. Conclusion: The present study proposed that all selected compounds possess antidiabetic activity. However, Abrotanone has a strong antidiabetic potential. This assumption provides better insight to evaluate further these compounds for in vitro and in vivo testing against diabetes in future.

Elemental Characterization of Medicinal Plants and Soils from Hazarganji Chiltan National Park and Nearby Unprotected Areas of Balochistan, Pakistan.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the variability in elemental composition of seven medicinal plants and their respective soils belonging to protected and nearby unprotected sites of the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park. The medical plants under study were Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch, Peganum harmala Linn, Sophora mollis (Royle) Baker, Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth, Seriphidium quettense (Podlech.) Ling, Hertia intermedia (Bioss) O. Ktze, and Nepeta praetervisa Rech. F. Macro (C, H, N, S, K, Ca), micro (Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn), beneficial (Al, Co, Na), others (As, Br, Cr, Cs, Hf, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, Sn, V and Th) and rare earth elements (Ce, Eu, La, Lu, Nd Sc, Sm, Tb and Yb) were characterized by means of standard organic elemental and instrumental neutron activation methodologies and by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results showed that, among macro nutrients, carbon concentration was the highest element in both plant and soil samples followed by H and K. Elements such as Cl, Na and Fe were detected in considerably good amounts; all the other elements were found in trace quantities. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify spatial variation in elemental composition of medicinal plants, in which 80-90% of the total variance in whole set of data was found. In particular, the findings highlighted the presence of essential and beneficial elements such as C, H, N, K, Ca, Fe, Mn and Na, in samples from protected sites, while potentially dangerous elements such as Al, As, Br and Cr were detected in samples from unprotected sites. These results emphasized on the need for rational exploitation of valuable medicinal plants and supporting protected areas as an excellent source of biodiversity conservation.

Two novel terpenoids from the cultured Perovskia atriplicifolia

Two new terpenoids, named biperovskatone B (1) and 1α- hydroxyl demethylsalvicanol quinine (2), were isolated from the cultured Perovskia atriplicifolia. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of the MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Compound 1 was a novel diterpenoid dimer, containing two different rearranged 9(10 → 20)-abeoabietane type diterpenoid fragments. Compound 2 was a new icetexane diterpenoid with characteristic ortho-quinone carbonyl groups. Both compounds were assayed for their anti-HBV activity in vitro. Results suggested compounds 1 and 2 showed noticeable anti- anti-HBV activity, inhibiting the replication of HBV DNA with IC50 values of 10.78 and 8.61 μM, respectively.

Four New Diterpene Glucosides from Perovskia atriplicifolia.

Four new diterpene glucosides, namely perovskiaditerpenosides A-D (1-4), were isolated from the BuOH extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia. Their structures were well elucidated by chemical methods and comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including MS, IR, and NMR (1D and 2D). The newly isolated compounds were screened for their cytotoxic activity against HepG2, NB4, HeLa, K562, MCF7, PC3, and HL60. The obtained results indicated that the new compounds possessed considerable cytotoxic activity.

Inhibition of Glycation-induced Cytotoxicity, Protein Glycation, and Activity of Proteolytic Enzymes by Extract from Perovskia atriplicifolia Roots.

Background:Protein glycation and glycotoxicity belong to the main oxidative-stress related complications in diabetes. Perovskia species are used in Asian folk medicine as antidiabetic herbs.Objective:The aim of this study was to verify the ability of the methanolic extract from Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth. roots to diminish glycation of albumin and to prevent cell damage in vitro. Furthermore, we tested the extract for in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibition of elastase and collagenase.Material and Methods:The aqueous methanol extract was analyzed by UHPLC-MS for the content of polyphenols and terpenoids. The prevention of glycated albumin-induced cell damage was tested in four mammalian cell lines (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, human embryonic kidney cells – HEK293, normal human fibroblasts, and Chinese hamster ovary cells) with the 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4,5-dimethylthiazoly)-3-(4-sulfophenyl) tetrazolium assay.Results:Glycated albumin is significantly more toxic than native human serum albumin (LC50 from 35.00 to 48.34 μg/mL vs. 5.47–9.10 μg/mL, respectively). The extract, rich in rosmarinic acid (344.27 mg/g dry mass), mitigated the glycated albumin toxicity, and increased glycated albumin-treated cell survival by more than 50%. The inhibition of advanced glycation endproduct formation was confirmed by monitoring conformational changes. The free radical scavenging activity was higher than Trolox and metal reducing power was one-third to half that of ascorbic acid. The activity of elastase and collagenase was inhibited by 54.75% ± 6.87% and 60.03% ± 7.22%, respectively.Conclusions:The results confirm antiglycative and antiglycotoxic potential of Perovskia root and its traditional antidiabetic use. The high activity can be attributed to rosmarinic acid abundance.SUMMARY Perovskia is a small genus of aromatic shrubby plants growing in arid regions of Central and South Asia. Different parts are used in folk medicine as antiparasitic, anti-infectious and antidiabetic remedy. Here, we have studied the extract from roots for inhibition of: glycation-induced cytotoxicity, human serum albumin glycation, inflammation-related enzymes, as well as for antioxidant activity. Result: the extract from P. atriplicifolia roots inhibited protein glycation and AGE-induced toxicity in cell cultures. The mechanism is likely to rely on the antioxidant activity of high content of rosmarinic acid. Abbreviations used: AGE: advanced glycation end-products; DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; HSA: human serum albumin.

Selective in vitro and in silico butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of diterpenes and rosmarinic acid isolated from Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth. and Salvia glutinosa L.

Cholinesterase inhibition is one of the most treatment strategies against Alzheimer's disease (AD) where metal accumulation is also strongly associated with pathology of the disease. In the current study, we assessed inhibitory effect against acetyl- (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and metal-chelating capacity of twelve diterpenes: arucadiol, miltirone, tanshinone IIa, 1-oxomiltirone, cryptotanshinone, 1,2-didehydromiltirone, 1,2-didehydrotanshinone IIa, 1β-hydroxycryptotanshinone, 15,16-dihydrotanshinone, tanshinone I, isotanshinone II, 1(S)-hydroxytanshinone IIa, and rosmarinic acid, isolated from Perovskia atriplicifolia and Salvia glutinosa. The compounds were tested at 10 μg/mL using ELISA microtiter assays against AChE and BChE. QSAR and molecular docking studies have been also performed on the active compounds.All of the compounds showed higher [e.g., IC50 = 1.12 ± 0.07 μg/mL for 1,2-didehydromiltirone, IC50 = 1.15 ± 0.07 μg/mL for cryptotanshinone, IC50 = 1.20 ± 0.03 μg/mL for arucadiol, etc.)] or closer [1,2-didehydrotanshinone IIa (IC50 = 5.98 ± 0.49 μg/mL) and 1(S)-hydroxytanshinone IIa (IC50 = 5.71 ± 0.27 μg/mL)] inhibition against BChE as compared to that of galanthamine (IC50 = 12.56 ± 0.37 μg/mL), whereas only 15,16-dihydrotanshinone moderately inhibited AChE (65.17 ± 1.39%). 1,2-Didehydrotanshinone IIa (48.94 ± 0.26%) and 1(S)-hydroxytanshinone IIa (47.18 ± 5.10%) possessed the highest metal-chelation capacity. The present study affords an evidence for the fact that selective BChE inhibitors should be further investigated as promising candidate molecules for AD therapy.

Responses of Six Lamiaceae Landscape Species to Saline Water Irrigation

Salt tolerance of six Lamiaceae ornamental species was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 3.8 L (1 gal) pots and grown for three weeks in the greenhouse before treatment. Plants were then irrigated six times with a nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m−1 (control) or a saline solution at EC of 5.0 or 10.0 dS·m−1 (EC 5 or EC 10). Stachys coccinea (Texas betony) was the most salt tolerant among the six species tested, with less than 50% foliar damage and 56% reduction of dry weight (DW), and less than 10% reductions in gas exchange in EC 10 compared with nontreated plants. Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage) and Lamium maculatum ‘Pink Pewter’ (spotted dead nettle) were moderately tolerant with slight salt damage and low mortality rates in EC 10. With visual scores of 3.1 and 3.9 (0 = dead; 5 = excellent), and DW reduction of 36 and 43% in EC 5, Russian sage and spotted dead nettle could grow well when irrigated with low quality water with EC less than 5.0 dS·m−1. Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’ (bugleweed), Poliomintha longiflora (Mexican oregano), and Scutellaria suffrutescens ‘Pink Skullcap’ (cherry skullcap) were the most sensitive to salinity stress with a survival rate of 80% and 0 in EC 5 and EC 10, respectively.

AROMATIC PLANT OF LAMIACEAE FAMILY FOR USE IN PHYTOTHERAPY

Introduction. Therapeutic action of terpenoids of essential oil in uncommon plants like Elsholtzia stauntonii, Agastache foenic-ulum, Monarda fistulosa, Perovskia atri-plicifolia, Majorana hortensis, therefore the study for these plants application in phyto-therapy is timely. The study for componen-tial content of essential oil of 18 uncommon species from Lamiaceae family from the collection of Nikitsky Botanical Garden to increase therapeutic possibilities and their practical use in phytotherapy was the purpose of this paper. The plant species under study were introduced to the South Coast of Crimea from different ecological and geographic zones in seeds from botanical gardens of Europe. Methods. Every species was represented by 3-20 samples, which were studied by biomorpholofical and principal economically valuable features. The article presents the generalization and analysis of long-time studies for biologically active substances from 18 species of aromatic plants from Lamiaceae family. The content of essential oil was determined in a phase of mass blossom, from freshly harvested raw materials by means of hydro distillation at Ginsberg apparatuses. Componential content of essential oil was studied by the method of gas liquid chromatography. Results. Identification of the essential oils components allowed isolation of plant chemotypes with high content of valuable substances (methyl chavicol, carvacrol, pinen, thymol, and others). Highproductive samples (forms), prospective for industrial cultivation were isolated by the features complex. Based on the classification of A.D. Turova in phytotherapeutic action of plants and results of our studies, the isolated plant forms were distributed in 10 groups of usage in phytotherapy. On the example of Agastache foeniculum we showed that one and the same plant species may have different chemotypes, which have treatment and toxic action. Conclusion. The data obtained broaden and add the information about a chemical composition of plants and allow broadening the raw material base of medicinal plant by means of introduction of uncommon species from Lamiaceae family into cultivation.

Isolation and Fast Selective Determination of Nor-abietanoid Diterpenoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia Roots Using LC-ESI-MS/MS with Multiple Reaction Monitoring

In the first part of this study we extracted, isolated, and identified the main diterpenoid constituents from the roots of a Central Asian medicinal and ornamental plant--Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth. Eight major nor-abietanoid pigments were obtained using NP silica gel column chromatography and preparative RP-HPLC: cryptotanshinone, 1-hydroxycryptotanhinone, miltirone, 1-oxomiltirone, tanshinone IIa, 1,2 didehydrotanshinone IIa, 1,2 didehydromiltirone, the non-quinone diterpenoid - arucadiol, as well as rosmarinic acid as a main phenolic compound. Secondly, we used the obtained compounds for fast and selective determination of the main diterpenes present in P. atriplicifolia root extract. After extraction with n-hexane, the quantitative analysis was carried out by LC-MS/MS with a triple quadrupole (qQq) mass detector without any prior clean-up step. Identification of the diterpenes was confirmed by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using the most representative transitions from the precursor ions, while the most sensitive transitions were used for quantification in a 19-minute run. Most of the isolated and analyzed compounds had not been previously reported from this species. This easily cultivated plant is a promising source of several pharmacologically valuable abietanoid diterpenoids.

Flavonoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia and Their in Vitro Displacement of the Respective Radioligands for Human Opioid and Cannabinoid Receptors.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the leaves of Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage) resulted in the isolation of four previously known flavonoid derivatives, 5-hydroxy-6,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (1), 5,7-dihydroxy-6,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (2), 5-hydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (3), and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,4'-dimethoxyflavone (4). Compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed displacement of the radioligand for the cloned human δ opioid receptor with Ki values ranging from 3.1 to 26.0 μM. In addition, the binding mode of the compounds in the active site of the δ opioid receptor was investigated through molecular modeling algorithms. This study may have implications in better understanding non-nitrogenous δ opioid receptor ligands.

Anti-inflammatory constituents from Perovskia atriplicifolia

Context: Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth (Labiantae) has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for anti-inflammation in Pakistan; this prompted us to isolate anti-inflammatory compounds from this plant.Objective: The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize the anti-inflammatory principles from Perovskia atriplicifolia.Materials and methods: The CHCl3-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the whole plant on column chromatography yielded compounds 1–6. The anti-inflammatory potential of the compounds 1–6 was evaluated by Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) Release Assay which was performed according to the established protocol. LTC4 in the supernatant of each well was measured using an ELISA kit (Cayman Chemical Co., Ann Arbor, MI).Results: The bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation of the CHCl3 soluble fraction of the methanol extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia furnished six compounds, abrotanone (1), abrotandiol (2), (+)-pinoresinol (3), (+)-syringaresinol (4), (+)-lariciresinol (5), and (+)-taxiresinol (6). The compounds (1–6) were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on LTC4 release. Among the tested compounds, (+)-taxiresinol (6) exhibited the most potent inhibition of LTC4 release with an IC50 value of 3.4 ± 0.09 µM followed by compounds 4, 5, 3, and 2 with an IC50 value ranging from 7.9 ± 0.04 to 17.2 ± 0.07 µM. Abrotanone (1) showed the lowest inhibition of LTC4 release with an IC50 value of 35.1 ± 0.05 µM (the positive control, zileuton, 0.77 ± 0.05 µM).Conclusion: Compounds 1–6 were found to possess inhibitory activity and seem to have potential therapeutic effect on inflammatory diseases.

Two novel antiviral terpenoids from the cultured Perovskia atriplicifolia

Two novel terpenoids, named norperovskatone (1), biperovskatone (2) were isolated from the cultured Perovskia atriplicifolia, together with five known compounds. Compound 1 was a novel C18 nor-diterpenoid featuring a unique seco-ring C. Compound 2 was an unusual dimer including two different diterpenoid units. The structures of the two novel compounds were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, as well as by crystal X-ray diffractions. All of the isolates were evaluated for their anti-HBV activities. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to possess remarkable anti-HBV activity.

Flavones with in vitro radioligand binding affinity for human opioid recepetors isolated from Perovskia atriplicifolia

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) grows over the rocky areas of Central Asia including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Tibet. It is mainly known for its ornamental, flavoring qualities along with its use in chronic dysentery as a decoction and is also smoked as a euphoriant. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract from the leaves of P. atriplicifolia resulted in the isolation of four flavones 1 – 4. Compound 1, 3, 4 showed high displacement of radioligand binding affinity, selective for δ opioid receptor with IC50 values ranging from 6.1 to 49.5 µM. Docking studies might explain the predicted orientation of the ligand in the active site of the receptor. These studies have important implications in our understanding the features of these non-nitrogenous δ opioid receptor ligands.