No abstract

Three phenylpropanoid glycosides (salidroside, syringin and coniferin) and one lignan (phillyrin) isolated from the leaves of Phillyrea latifolia L. (Oleaceae) were tested for interactions with the cyclo-oxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonate metabolism in calcium-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages and human platelets, and for their effects on cell viability. These compounds are capable of exerting inhibitory actions on enzymes of the arachidonate cascade. Phillyrin, salidroside and syringin exert a preferential effect on the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, inhibiting release of the cyclo-oxygenase metabolites prostaglandin E2 (IC50 values 45.6 microM, 72.1 microM and 35.5 microM, respectively) and to a lesser extent reducing thromboxane B2 levels (IC50 values 168 microM, 154 microM and 29.3 microM, respectively). In contrast, coniferin can be classified as a "dual inhibitor", since it produces reduction in generation of both cyclo-oxygenase (IC50 values 75.2 microM for prostaglandin E2 and 619 microM for thromboxane B2) and 5-lipoxygenase metabolites, but the effects are greater against leukotriene C4 (IC50 value 63.6 microM). Structure-activity relationships of the three phenylpropanoid glycosides are discussed. Thus, like some other compounds found in medicinal herbs, our molecules possess an array of potentially beneficial anti-eicosanoid properties which may, alongside other constituents, contribute to the claimed therapeutic properties of the plant from which they are derived.

Seven iridoid glycosides isolated from different extracts of Scrophularia scorodonia L., namely bartsioside, aucubin, harpagide, harpagoside, 8-acetylharpagide, scorodioside and scropolioside B, had been evaluated for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in cellular systems generating COX and LOX metabolites. Structure-activity relationships obtained from in vitro screening results were discussed. Most compounds assayed did not exhibit any significant effect on PGE2- and LTC4-release from calcium ionophore-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. In the LTC4-assay, only aucubin showed a significant effect, with an IC50 value of 72 microM. Harpagoside and harpagide also inhibited release of LTC4, but neither effect reached statistical significance. The release of PGE2 by mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with calcium ionophore was inhibited by harpagoside and 8-acetylharpagide, but this effect is not statistically significant. However, most iridoids assayed showed a significant effect on TXB2-release from calcium ionophorestimulated human platelets, with inhibition percentages slightly lower than the reference drug ibuprofen. Only harpagide, scorodioside and scropolioside B had no significant effect on TXB2-release. Our results indicate that selective inhibition of the TX-synthase enzyme may be the primary target of action of most of these iridoids, and one of the mechanisms through which they exert their anti-inflammatory effects.

From the leaves of Hederá helix four new triterpenoid saponins, hederasaponins E [11, F [2], H [7], and I [81, and one known saponin (cauloside F) were isolated and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods.Saponins from the leaves of Hederá helix L. (Araliaceae) have antifungal, anthelmintic, molluscicidal, antileishmanial, and antimutagenic activities (1-5). Major saponins related to hederagenin and oleanolic acid have been found (6)(7)(8).As a part of our investigations of H. helix, we have previously reported the isolation and identification of hederasaponins B [6], C [4], and D (saponin K 10) [5] (9).

Using GC-MS the volatile composition of Jasonia glutinosa D. C., was studied by comparing two different methods for the isolation of a volatile fraction: distillation from the fresh plant in order to obtain the essential oil, and direct thermal desorption (DTD). Compared with essential oil extraction the main advantages of the DTD technique are the smaller sample amount required, and the increased range of volatile compounds which can be subsequently analysed by GC-MS.