Isolation of Ellagitannin Monomer and Macrocyclic Dimer from Castanopsis carlesii Leaves

In a phytochemical and chemotaxonomical investigation of Castanopsis species (Fagaceae), new monomeric and dimeric ellagitannins, named carlesiins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from fresh leaves of Castanopsis carlesii along with 55 known compounds. Carlesiin A was identified as 1-O-galloyl-4,6-(S)- tergalloyl-ß-D-glucose. Carlesiin B is a macrocyclic ellagitannin dimer with a symmetrical structure composed of two tergalloyl and two glucopyranose moieties. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic and chemical evidence

Revised Structure of Cercidinin A, a Novel Ellagitannin Having (R)-Hexahydroxydiphenoyl Esters at the 3, 4-Positions of Glucopyranose

The structue of cercidinin A, an ellagitannin isolated from the bark of Cercidiphyllum japonicum, was revised to 1, 2, 6-tri-O-galloyl-3, 4-(R)-hexahydroxydipenoyl-β-D-glucose by two-dimensional NMR spectral analysis. Cercidinin A represents the first ellagitannin possessing a hexahydroxydiphenoyl group at the 3, 4-positions of a modified 4C1-glucopyranose core

Monocyte chemiluminescence and macrophage precursors in the aged.

Age-related alterations in the host defense system have been vigorously investigated because of increased susceptibility to infection and neoplasms in the aged. Although monocyte-macrophages form a major part of the cellular defense against microorganisms, the majority of investigations has been limited to neutrophils and lymphocytes. The present study, designed to determine the influence of age on mononuclear phagocytes, revealed no significant decrease in the absolute number of blood monocytes, but did reveal a tendency for the chemiluminescence of blood monocytes to decrease (p less than 0.10) and a significant decrease in the numbers of macrophage precursors (p less than 0.05) in the aged (over 70 year old), in comparison with controls (under 40 years old). On the basis of these findings, functional alterations of monocyte-macrophages seem to participate in the increased susceptibility to infection in the aged.</p

Two new phenolic glucosides and an ellagitannin from the leaves of Castanopsis sclerophylla

In the course of a chemotaxonomical study of Castanopsis species (Fagaceae), detailed investigation of the leaves of C. sclerophylla led to isolation of three new phenolic compounds together with 62 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 2-O-galloyl-O-4,6-(S)-valoneoyl-d-glucose (1), 6-O-galloyl-1-O-vanilloyl-β-d-glucose (2), and 4″-O-galloylchestanin (3) by means of spectroscopic analyses and enzymatic hydrolysis with tannase. Comparison with other Castanopsis species indicated that C. sclerophylla characteristically accumulates chlorogenic acid and a dimeric ellagitannin, rugosin E. Triterpene hexahydroxydiphenoyl esters, which are major constituents of C. cuspidata var. sieboldii, C. hystrix, and C. fissa were not detected

Right Isomerism of the Brain in Inversus Viscerum Mutant Mice

Left-right (L-R) asymmetry is a fundamental feature of higher-order neural function. However, the molecular basis of brain asymmetry remains unclear. We recently reported L-R asymmetry of hippocampal circuitry caused by differential allocation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunit GluRε2 (NR2B) in hippocampal synapses. Using electrophysiology and immunocytochemistry, here we analyzed the hippocampal circuitry of the inversus viscerum (iv) mouse that has a randomized laterality of internal organs. The iv mouse hippocampus lacks L-R asymmetry, it exhibits right isomerism in the synaptic distribution of the ε2 subunit, irrespective of the laterality of visceral organs. This independent right isomerism of the hippocampus is the first evidence that a distinct mechanism downstream of the iv mutation generates brain asymmetry

Guideline for Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) 2010 by the Japanese Association for Complement Research - Secondary Publication

ABSTRACTThis guideline was provided by the Japanese Association for Complement Research targeting clinicians for making an accurate diagnosis of hereditary angioedema (HAE), and for prompt treatment of the HAE patient in Japan. This is a 2010 year version and will be updated according to any pertinent medical advancements

Triterpene hexahydroxydiphenoyl esters and a quinic acid purpurogallin carbonyl ester from the leaves of Castanopsis fissa.

Triterpene hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP) esters have only been isolated from Castanopsis species, and the distribution of these esters in nature is of chemotaxonomical interest. In this study, the chemical constituents of the leaves of Castanopsis fissa were examined in detail to identify and isolate potential HHDP esters. Together with 53 known compounds, 3,4-di-O-galloyl-1-O-purpurogallin carbonyl quinic acid (1) and 3,24-(S)-HHDP-2α,3β,23,24-tetrahydroxytaraxastan-28,20β-olide (2) were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The polyphenols of the leaves were mainly composed of galloyl quinic acids, triterpenes HHDP esters, ellagitannins and flavonol glycosides. In particular, the isolation yields of 1,3,4-trigalloyl quinic acid and compound 2 were 1.53% and 0.27%, respectively, from the fresh leaves. The presence of lipid soluble HHDP esters of oleanane-type triterpenes as one of the major metabolites is an important chemotaxonomical discovery. Lipase inhibition activities and ORAC values of the major constituents were compared. The triterpene HHDP ester showed moderate lipase inhibition activity and myricitrin gave the largest ORAC value

Left−Right Asymmetry Defect in the Hippocampal Circuitry Impairs Spatial Learning and Working Memory in iv Mice

Although left-right (L−R) asymmetry is a fundamental feature of higher-order brain function, little is known about how asymmetry defects of the brain affect animal behavior. Previously, we identified structural and functional asymmetries in the circuitry of the mouse hippocampus resulting from the asymmetrical distribution of NMDA receptor GluR ε2 (NR2B) subunits. We further examined the ε2 asymmetry in the inversus viscerum (iv) mouse, which has randomized laterality of internal organs, and found that the iv mouse hippocampus exhibits right isomerism (bilateral right-sidedness) in the synaptic distribution of theε2 subunit, irrespective of the laterality of visceral organs. To investigate the effects of hippocampal laterality defects on higher-order brain functions, we examined the capacity of reference and working memories of iv mice using a dry maze and a delayed nonmatching-to-position (DNMTP) task, respectively. The iv mice improved dry maze performance more slowly than control mice during acquisition, whereas the asymptotic level of performance was similar between the two groups. In the DNMTP task, the iv mice showed poorer accuracy than control mice as the retention interval became longer. These results suggest that the L−R asymmetry of hippocampal circuitry is critical for the acquisition of reference memory and the retention of working memory

Chemical constituents of the leaves of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) and characterisation of polymeric proanthocyanidins containing phenylpropanoid units and A-type linkages

Chemical constituents of the leaves of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei READE) were investigated in detail. The major phenolic components were caffeoyl quinic acids, flavonol glycosides, flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins. Catechins and proanthocyanidins having additional phenylpropanoid units, such as cinchonains, kandelins and mururins, characterised the polyphenols of this plant. Among them, vaccinin A, an isomer of mururin A, was found to be a new compound, and the structure was characterised by spectroscopic methods. The most abundant polyphenols (11.3% of freeze-dried leaves) were oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Thiol degradation with mercaptoethanol indicated that the polymer was constituted of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin as the terminal units and (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin A-2, and cinchonains Ia and Ib as the extension units. Mass spectral analysis suggested the presence of at least dodecamers with A-type linkages and phenylpropanoid moieties

Aclarubicin in the treatment of elderly patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Thirteen previously untreated patients aged 70 and above with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia were treated with aclarubicin (ACR) alone. Among 10 cases (3, acute myelocytic leukemia; 4, acute myelomonocytic leukemia; 2, acute monocytic leukemia; and one, acute erythroleukemia) in which an evaluation was possible, 5 cases (3, acute myelomonocytic leukemia; and 2, acute monocytic leukemia) obtained complete remission (CR). The CR rate was 83% in 6 patients with acute myelomonocytic leukemia or acute monocytic leukemia. The median CR duration and survival was 7.5 and 10 + months, respectively. Although side effects of the drug on digestive system such as nausea, vomiting and anorexia were observed in all patients, they were controllable by conventional treatments. The results suggest that ACR is effective for the clinical management of elderly patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, especially those with acute myelomonocytic leukemia or acute monocytic leukemia.</p