Betanin-Mediated Antiherbivore Defense: Functional Significance of Red Pigmentation in Epidermal Salt Bladders of Chenopodium album Leaves.

Plant coloration, predominantly regulated by various natural plant pigments, has been hypothesized to serve crucial ecological functions in plant-animal interactions. Betalains are a rare class of plant pigments synthesized exclusively in specific families within the Caryophyllales order. Their biosynthesis is restricted by the availability of nitrogen.

Structural characterization of six new Lepidium meyenii polysaccharides and their effects on gut microbiota in vitro.

Lepidium meyenii Walp. (maca) is known for its bioactive polysaccharides but has limited research. In this study, six new polysaccharides including one α-glucan (MCP-3) and five (un)saturated homogalacturonan (MCP-4a, MCP-4b, MCP-4c, MCP-5a, and MCP-5b) were isolated from maca.

Novel galactose-rich polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum: structural characterization and immunomodulatory activities.

Galactose-rich polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum have emerged as promising immunomodulatory agents, yet their structural characteristics and mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Here, we isolated and characterized a novel galactose-rich polysaccharide (GLP-1b, 16.79 kDa) from Ganoderma lucidum.

Triterpenoids with inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation from Ganoderma lucidum.

Eight undescribed lanostane-type triterpenes (1-8) and twenty-seven known analogues (9-35) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of cultivated Ganoderma lucidum. The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated using a combination of spectroscopic techniques. Ganosinenic acid D (1) and ganosinenic acid E (2) were identified as rare pentacyclic triterpenoids with an unusual four-membered carbon ring motif.

2,5-Dihydroxyphenylethanone: an anti-melanogenic bioactive compound isolated from .

2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone, a natural product from the fruiting bodies of , can effectively and safely inhibit the production of melanin in zebrafish model. To achieve analogues with more significant inhibition, 9 analogs were synthesised and 13 analogues were purchased commercially. Among them, 14 compounds can inhibit melanin production, of which 5 compounds displayed the most significant inhibitory effects, with inhibitory rates of more than 80%, compared to positive control SymWhite377 (phenylethyl resorcinol).

Highly oxygenated lanostane triterpenoids from Ganoderma applanatum and their anti-liver fibrosis effects.

Inspired by the intriguing structures and significant activities of Ganoderma triterpenoids (GTs), the EtOAc extract of Ganoderma applanatum was phytochemically investigated, leading to the isolation of 11 GTs, including 10 new one (1-10). Their structures including absolute configurations, were elucidated through IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR data analyses. Notably, applanoids J (1) and K (2) represent the first example of GTs with an unprecedented B-seco-lanostane architecture featuring 1,4-cyclohexanedione motif.

Ganomycin C, a Ganoderma Meroterpenoid, Alleviates Pain and Absence Seizures in Mice by Targeting Ca3.1 and Ca3.2 Low-Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels.

Low-voltage-gated calcium channels (LVGCCs; Ca3.1-3.3) are promising targets for treating pain and absence seizures (ASs).

Structure-function insights of natural Ganoderma polysaccharides: advances in biosynthesis and functional food applications.

Ganoderma polysaccharides (GPs), derived from various species of the Ganoderma genus, exhibit diverse bioactivities, including immune modulation, anti-tumor effects, and gut microbiota regulation. These properties position GPs as dual-purpose agents for medicinal and functional food development. This review comprehensively explores the structural complexity of six key GPs and their specific mechanisms of action, such as TLR signaling in immune modulation, apoptosis pathways in anti-tumor activity, and their prebiotic effects on gut microbiota.

Optimizing commercial Arabica coffee quality by integrating flavor precursors with anaerobic germination strategy.

This study attempted to improve commercial Arabica coffee quality by integrating flavor precursors with anaerobic germination. Using raw coffee beans as materials, anaerobic germination was conducted with 5 g/100 g of flavor precursors (sucrose, glucose, fructose). The chemical composition and sensory quality of roasted coffee beans were analyzed.

Four new phenolic constituents from root barks of .

The , also known as "Feng Dan" have a crucial role in folk medicine to treat lumbar muscles strain, knee osteoarthritis and cervical spondylosis. In this study, four new phenolic compounds, specifically Paeoniaostiph A-E (-) phenolic compounds were characterised through spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, UV, IR, and electronic circular dichroism computations to explore their structures. Cytotoxicity and NO production inhibition of the new phenolic compounds were also studied.

Structurally diverse alkaloids from the Buxus sinica and their cytotoxicity.

Extensive phytochemical study of the methanol extract of twigs and leaves of Buxus sinica resulted in the identification of forty-one Buxus alkaloids, including twenty undescribed ones, namely cyclobuxusinines A-I (1-7, 16 and 20), as well as secobuxusinines A-K (8-15 and 17-19). Their structures were delineated by detailed analysis using various spectroscopic techniques. cyclobuxusinines B (2) was the first Buxus alkaloid, whose CH-18 was oxidized, implying the presence of special oxidative enzymes in this plant.

A new pregnane glycoside from and its cytotoxic and NO inhibitory activities.

The , has been used as traditional Chinese medicine for six hundred years. Our chemical investigation on the stem of led to the isolation of one new pregnane glycoside, namely, marsdeoside J (compound ) and twelve known compounds. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, IR, and UV.

The structures of two polysaccharides from Lepidium meyenii and their immunomodulatory effects via activating NF-κB signaling pathway.

Lepidium meyenii Walp., also known as the "Peruvian national treasure", is a popular functional food in the daily lives of Peruvian people due to its bioactive with main polysaccharides. However, studies on polysaccharides isolated from Lepidium meyenii were few.

Generation, degradation mechanism, and toxicity evaluation of pigmented compounds in Leucosceptrum canum nectar.

Leucosceptrum canum nectar (LCN) emerges as a novel food resource, distinguished by its unique dark brown hue. This study delves into the composition and toxicity assessment of novel pigments within LCN. Through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and chemical synthesis, seventeen 2,5-di-(N-(-)-prolyl)-para-benzoquinone (DPBQ) analogs in LCN were identified.

An updated review of the genus Rhododendron since 2010: Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology.

Rhododendron, the largest genus of Ericaceae, consists of approximately 1000 species that are widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and North America but mainly exist in Asia. Rhododendron plants have not only good ornamental and economic value but also significant medicinal potential. In China, many Rhododendron plants are used as traditional Chinese medicine or ethnic medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases, pain, bleeding and inflammation.

Four undescribed pyrethrins from seeds of Pyrethrum cinerariifolium and their aphidicidal activity.

Four undescribed pyrethrins C-F (1-4) as well as four known pyrethrins (5-8) were isolated from seeds of Pyrethrum cinerariifolium Trev. The structures of compounds 1-4 were elucidated by UV, HRESIMS, and NMR (H and C NMR, H-H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY), among which the stereostructure of compound 4 was determined by calculated ECD. Furthermore, compounds 1-4 were evaluated for their aphidicidal activities.

New Phenolic Dimers from Plant and Their Cytotoxicity and NO Production Inhibition.

The , known as 'Feng Dan', has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. In our chemical investigation on the root bark of the plant, five new phenolic dimers, namely, paeobenzofuranones A-E (-), were characterized. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, UV, and IR, as well as ECD calculations.

Structural characterizations and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of four Lepidium meyenii polysaccharides with different molecular weights.

Four polysaccharides (MCPa, MCPb, MCPc, MCPd) were obtained from Lepidium meyenii Walp. Their structures were characterized by chemical and instrumental methods including total sugar, uronic acid and protein content determination, UV, IR and NMR spectroscopy, as well as monosaccharide composition determination and methylation analyses. Four polysaccharides were a group of glucans with different molecular weights ranging from 3.

NMR-tracking for 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenes from Cimicifuga acerina.

Twelve undescribed 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenoids, 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C-N, as well as five previously reported analogs were isolated by NMR-tracking methods from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga acerina (Sieb. et Zucc.) Tanaka.

Nine New Pregnane Glycosides from the Cultivated Medicinal Plant .

The ethnobotanical plant has been used for hundreds of years for Dai people in Yunnan Province, China. Previously, chemical investigations on this plant have revealed that pregnane glycosides were the main biological constituents. Nine new pregnane glycosides, marsdeosides A-I (-), were isolated from cultivated dried stems of the medicinal plant in this study.

Anaerobic germination of green coffee beans: A novel strategy to improve the quality of commercial Arabica coffee.

This study aimed to improve the brewing quality of commercial Arabica coffee through anaerobic germination. Changes in important compounds and cupping scores of germination roasting coffee with different germination degrees were investigated by H NMR, HS-SPME-GC-MS and sensory analysis. Statistical analysis of multivariate analysis results indicated that 6 water-soluble chemical components and 8 volatile chemical components have the potential to be markers of germinated roasting coffee.

Ganoapplins A and B with an unprecedented 6/6/6/5/6-fused pentacyclic skeleton from Ganoderma inhibit Tau pathology through activating autophagy.

Ganoapplins A and B (1 and 2) with a 6/6/6/5/6-fused pentacyclic skeleton containing an aromatic E ring, were obtained from Ganoderma applanatum. Their structures were established through extensive spectroscopic analyses, quantum chemical calculations, including calculated chemical shifts with DP4 + analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 and 2 was proposed.