Podocarpusflavone alleviated renal fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy by inhibiting Fyn/Stat3 signaling pathway
AbstractTubulointerstitial fibrosis is a common pathological change in end-stage renal disease. However, limited treatment methods are developed, and unexplained potential mechanisms of renal diseases are urgent problems to be solved. In the present research, we first elucidated the role of podocarpusflavone (POD), a biflavone compound, in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rodent model which is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. The changes in histology and immunohistochemistry were observed that POD exerted renoprotective effects by retarding the infiltration of macrophage and aberrant deposition of ɑ-SMA...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - March 8, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Enniatins from a marine-derived fungus Fusarium sp. inhibit biofilm formation by the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans
In this study, we explored marine-derived fungus metabolites that can inhibit morphological change and biofilm formation byC. albicans. Enniatin B (1), B1 (2), A1 (3), D (4), and E (5), visoltricin (6), ergosterol peroxide (7), 9,11-dehydroergosterol peroxide (8), and 3 β,5α,9α-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (9) were isolated from the marine-derived fungusFusarium sp. Compounds1–5 and8 exhibited inhibitory activity against hyphal formation byC. albicans, and compounds1–3 and8 inhibited biofilm formation byC. albicans. Furthermore, compounds1–3 decreased cell surface hydrophobicity and expression of the hypha-sp...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - March 1, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Suppressive effect of black tea polyphenol theaflavins in a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced food allergy
In this study, we designed a mouse model of food allergy and examined the effect of theaflavins using the severity of diarrhea, a symptom of food allergy, as an indicator. The administration of a black tea extract rich in theaflavins or theaflavin 1 (subgroup of theaflavins) to mice reduced the severity of diarrhea when compared with a normal diet. A reduction in malondialdehyde levels, a key marker of lipid peroxidation, was also observed. Overall, these data suggest that theaflavins may potentially inhibit food allergy by alleviating oxidative stress in the colon and can be a potential food material for prevention of foo...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - March 1, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Comparison of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine contents in 34 Kampo extracts containing Ephedrae Herba used clinically in Japan
In conclusion, these results show that the E and PE content of each Kampo formulation can be estimated from the compounding amount of Ephedrae Herba. Therefore , the amount of Ephedrae Herba should be carefully considered to ensure the safe use of Kampo formulations containing Ephedrae Herba. (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - March 1, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Eumitrins I –K: three new xanthone dimers from the lichen Usnea baileyi
AbstractIn the continuing discovery and structure elucidation of natural xanthone dimers, which are still rarely reported in absolute configuration, three new xanthone dimers, eumitrins I –K (1–3) were isolated from the lichenUsnea baileyi, a rich source of natural xanthone dimers. Their structures were elucidated unambiguously by spectroscopic analyses, including high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1D and 2D NMR). The absolute configuration of all three compounds was established through DP4 probability and ECD calculation. All compound...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - February 7, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Hochuekkito exerts the anti-allergic effects via activating regulatory T cells in a murine model of contact hypersensitivity
In conclusion, our findings suggest that HET exerts the anti-allergic effects through the induction and/or activation of Tregs. These findings elucidate the usefulness of HET as an immunomodulator.Graphical abstract (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - February 3, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Ingenol mebutate inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro via STING with an efficacy comparable to that of clinically used anticancer agents
In conclusion, IM may have an efficacy comparable to that of existing pancreatic cancer therapeutic agents on the less drug-sensitive Panc-1 cell line and the immune-related molecule STING plays a role in the mechanism of action of IM. (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 24, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Two new β-carboline alkaloids from the roots of Anemone altaica
AbstractTwo newβ-carboline alkaloids, anemonilins A and B (1–2), and two knownβ-carboline alkaloids, flazine (3) and 4-(9H-β-carbolin-l-yl)-4-oxo-butyric acid (4), were isolated from the roots ofAnemone altaica. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated with spectroscopic and spectrometric methods (1D and 2DNMR, HRESIMS). Compounds2 and4 significantly attenuated the growth inhibition induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in normal rat kidney tubule epithelioid (NRK52e) cells (p< 0.05 orp< 0.01). Furthermore, compound2 significantly reduced the apoptosis (p< 0.05) and the caspase-3/9 expression of...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 23, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Evaluation of rooting characteristics of Ephedra cuttings by anatomy and promising strain selection based on rooting characteristics and alkaloid content
AbstractThe differences in rooting characteristics of cuttings prepared fromE. sinica strains were investigated and found that cuttings prepared from strains with high rooting characteristics showed approximately 90% of the cuttings were rooted, whereas cuttings prepared from low rooting characteristics did not root. To understand the reason for this substantial difference, the anatomy of nodes was examined and found that adventitious roots were generated from the cortex and parenchyma in pith. Calculations of the correlation coefficients between the rooting rate and the value of anatomy indicated that the rooting rate was...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 21, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Investigation of microsatellite loci for the identification of registered varieties of Perilla frutescens and a discussion on the ancestor species of P. frutescens
In this study, we investigated microsa tellite loci for the accurate identification of registered varieties of red perilla. These loci provide a basis for breeding superior varieties of medicinal plants. (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 14, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Impallidane skeleton as a novel triterpenoid methyl ether from rhizomes of Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii f. pallida
Abstructn-Hexane extract of rhizomes ofImperata cylindrica var.koenigii f.pallida yielded five novel skeletal triterpenoids, designed as impallidin (1), impallidol (2), impallidin ozonide (3a,3b), trisnorimpallidin aldehyde (4), tetranorimpallidin aldehyde (5). Structures of novel compounds were elucidated by mainly 2D NMR and other spectroscopic analysis and chemical correlations. Alternatively, compound3a,3b was derivatized from1 under ozone oxidation condition.Graphical abstract (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 13, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Ergot alkaloids in sclerotia collected in Japan: synthetic profiles and induction of apoptosis by Clavine-type compounds
AbstractThe genusClaviceps (Clavicipitaceae) is famous for producing ergot alkaloids (EAs) in sclerotia. EAs can cause ergotism, resulting in convulsions and necrosis when ingested, making these compounds a serious concern for food safety. Agroclavine (2), a typical Clavine-type EA, is a causative agent of ergotism and is listed as a compound to be monitored by the European Food Safety Authority. Clavine-type EAs are known to cause cytotoxicity, but the mechanism has not been elucidated. We performed annexin V and PI double-staining followed by flow cytometric analysis to detect apoptosis in HepG2 and PANC-1 cells after ex...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 12, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Aromatase inhibitors isolated from a flowering tea, snow Chrysanthemum (the capitula of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.)
AbstractMethanol extract from the capitula ofCoreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (Asteraceae), which is also known as a flowering tea or blooming tea “SnowChrysanthemum, ” was found to inhibit the enzymatic activity of aromatase. A total of 24 known isolates (1–24) were identified from the extract, including three chalcones (1–3), an aurone (4), five flavanones (5–9), four flavanols (10–13), a flavonol (14), and two biflavanones (15,16). Among them, okanin (1,Ki = 1.6 μM), (2S)-naringenin (5, 0.90 μM), isookanin (6, 0.81 μM), (2S)-7,3',5'-trihydroxyflavaone (7, 0.13 μM), and (2S)-5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyfla...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 11, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Regulation of adipogenesis through retinoid X receptor and/or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor by designed lignans based on natural products in 3T3 –L1 cells
AbstractWe previously synthesized two retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists, 4 ′-hydroxy-3′-propyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-propanoic acid ethyl ester (4′OHE) and 6-hydroxy-3′-propyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-propanoic acid ethyl ester (6OHE), based on the structure of magnaldehyde B, a natural product obtained fromMagnolia obovata. 4 ′OHE and 6OHE exhibited different selectivities for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)/RXR heterodimers. To examine the regulatory effects of these compounds in adipogenesis, 3T3–L1 mouse preadipocytes were treated with a differentiation cocktail with or without test compounds to...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - January 6, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Novel insights into the antibacterial activities of cannabinoid biosynthetic intermediate, olivetolic acid, and its alkyl-chain derivatives
AbstractInvestigations of antibacterial activities revealed that the incorporation of longer alkyl chains to the C-6 position in resorcylic acid conferred antibacterial properties againstStaphylococcus aureus andBacillus subtilis. The resultant olivetolic acid (OA) derivatives withn-undecyl andn-tridecyl side-chains, even those lacking the hydrophobic geranyl moiety from their C-3 positions, exhibited strong antibacterial activities againstB. subtilis at a MIC value of 2.5 μM. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that then-heptyl alkyl-chain modification at C-6 of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) effectively enhanced the activ...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - December 26, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
