Alkaloids from the Tribe Bocconieae (Papaveraceae): A Chemical and Biological Review

The Bocconieae tribe, consisting of only the genera Macleaya and Bocconia, possesses significant economic and medicinal value and plays an important role in health management for people in developing countries. During the past decades, research on metabolites and relative pharmacology, including the isolation and identification of a variety of molecules, has shed light on the tribe. Among those molecules, isoquinoline alkaloids, and their antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities are especially noteworthy. This paper presents a comprehensive compilation of current research progress, with emphasis on the alkaloids and their distribution, phytochemical and pharmacological investigation, toxicity and side effects, related chemotaxonomy and future use prospects, and hopefully provides a valuable reference as an effort to promote further exploration and application of this tribe

Qishenyiqi protects ligation-induced left ventricular remodeling by attenuating inflammation and fibrosis via STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathway.

AIM: Qi-shen-yi-qi (QSYQ), a formula used for the routine treatment of heart failure (HF) in China, has been demonstrated to improve cardiac function through down-regulating the activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS). However, the mechanisms governing its therapeutic effects are largely unknown. The present study aims to demonstrate that QSYQ treatment can prevent left ventricular remodeling in heart failure by attenuating oxidative stress and inhabiting inflammation. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham group, model group (LAD coronary artery ligation), QSYQ group with high dosage, middle dosage and low dosage (LAD ligation and treated with QSYQ), and captopril group (LAD ligation and treated with captopril as the positive drug). Indicators of fibrosis (Masson, MMPs, and collagens) and inflammation factors were detected 28 days after surgery. RESULTS: Results of hemodynamic alterations (dp/dt value) in the model group as well as other ventricular remodeling (VR) markers, such as MMP-2, MMP-9, collagen I and III elevated compared with sham group. VR was accompanied by activation of RAAS (angiotensin II and NADPHoxidase). Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in myocardial tissue were also up-regulated. Treatment of QSYQ improved cardiac remodeling through counter-acting the aforementioned events. The improvement of QSYQ was accompanied with a restoration of angiotensin II-NADPHoxidase-ROS-MMPs pathways. In addition, "therapeutic" QSYQ administration can reduce both TNF-α-NF-B and IL-6-STAT3 pathways, respectively, which further proves the beneficial effects of QSYQ. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that QSYQ protected LAD ligation-induced left VR via attenuating AngII -NADPH oxidase pathway and inhabiting inflammation. These findings provide evidence as to the cardiac protective efficacy of QSYQ to HF and explain the beneficial effects of QSYQ in the clinical application for HF

Noralashinol A, a new norlignan from stem barks of <i>Syringa pinnatifolia</i>

<p>One new norlignan, namely noralashinol A (<b>1</b>), one known analogue (<b>2</b>), together with seven known lignans (<b>3</b>–<b>9</b>) were isolated from the stem barks of <i>Syringa pinnatifolia</i>. Their structures were elucidated extensively by spectroscopic methods, including mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies. Compound <b>8</b> significantly inhibited NO production in LPS-induced BV-2 murine microglia cells with its IC₅₀ value of 20.7 μM, compared to a positive control quercetin with its IC₅₀ value of 15.3 μM.</p

QSYQ significantly decreased cell signal transduction pathway factors of pNFKB1 in rats with HF.

<p>pNFKB1 in model group increased compared with sham, while treated by QSYQ (H), (M) and (L) doses, the pNFKB1 level was significantly decreased. In captopril group, the level of pNFKB1 had no statistical significance compared to model group. n = 10∼14 for each group. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, with p<0.05 indicating statistical significance. *Differed significantly from the model group (p<0.05), **Differed significantly from the model group (p<0.01).</p

Levels of inflammation indicators in different groups (± s).

<p>Levels of inflammation indicators in different groups (± s).</p

Effects of QSYQ on MASSON results after occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery in rats.

<p>Representative results of Masson trichrome staining of the left ventrentricle in sham group (a).; model group (b).; QSYQ (H) (c).; QSYQ (M) (d).; QSYQ (L) (e).; Captopril group (f). Blue staining indicates myocardial fibrosis. Masson trichrome staining revealed different degree fibrosis in different groups. In sham group, there were almost no fibrosis region. While in model group, there were significant fibrosis region. the increase was significantly attenuated in different dosage of QSYQ groups and Captopril group by contrast with those in the model group. n = 10∼14 for each group.</p