Eight usnic acid derivatives, that is, usenamines A-F (1-6), usone (7), and isousone (8), together with the known (+)-usnic acid (9), were isolated from the lichen Usnea longissima. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, and the absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were defined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1, 2, and 8 showed inhibitory effects on the growth of human hepatoma HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 6.0-53.3 μM compared with methotrexate as the positive control, which had an IC50 value of 15.8 μM. Furthermore, 1 induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0-15.0 μM. The isolated compounds were also evaluated for their antifungal and antibacterial activities, with 7 and 8 exhibiting weak inhibitory effects on fungal Trichophyton rubrum spp. with an MIC value of 41.0 μM.

Fourteen new sesquiterpenoids, alashanoids A-H (1, 2, and 4-9), (+)-2,9-humuladien-6-ol-8-one (3b), and five pairs of enantiomers (1 and 4-7), along with eight known analogues (3a and 10-16) were isolated from the stems of Syringa pinnatifolia. The structures were established using IR, UV, MS, and NMR data. The absolute configurations of the new compounds were resolved by X-ray diffraction, a modification of Mosher's method, and experimental and calculated ECD data analysis. The new sesquiterpenoids represent three skeletons: a rare 2,2,5,9-tetramethylbicyclo[6.3.0]-undecane (1), a humulane-type (2-8), and a caryophyllene-type (9) skeleton. Compounds 6a, 7, and 11 showed protective effects against hypoxia-induced injury to H9c2 cells at a concentration of 40 μM, and 5-7, 11, and 13 inhibited NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells with IC values ranging from 13.6 to 70.6 μM. These compounds decreased the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in RAW264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner at 20-80 μM.

Genus Syringa, belonging to the Oleaceae family, consists of more than 40 plant species worldwide, of which 22 species, including 18 endemic species, are found in China. Most Syringa plants are used in making ornaments and traditional medicines, whereas some are employed for construction or economic use. Previous studies have shown that extracts of Syringa plants mainly contain iridoids, lignans, and phenylethanoids that have antitumor, antihypertensive, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study reviews phytochemical and pharmacological progress on Syringa in the recent 20 years and discusses the future research prospects to provide a reference in further promotion and application of the genus.Graphical AbstractPhytochemical and pharmacological progress on the genus Syringa

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cause of malignancy-related mortality worldwide. It is urgently needed to develop potential drugs with good efficacy and low toxicity for HCC treatment. The anti-tumor effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has received increasing attention worldwide. Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) has been used in TCM for approximately 1,600 years. Clinically, Huaier has satisfactory therapeutic effects in cancer treatment, especially in HCC. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of Huaier remain ill defined. Herein we have demonstrated that Huaier dramatically inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line SKHEP-1. Importantly, Huaier restrained the metastatic capability of SKHEP-1 cells. Mechanistically, down-regulation of Lamin B1 and up-regulation of Nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) were at least partially responsible for the inhibitory effect of Huaier on the proliferative and invasive capacity of SKHEP-1 cells. Our finding provided new insights into mechanisms of anti-HCC effect of Huaier and suggested a new scientific basis for clinical medication.

Illihenin A (1), a novel sesquiterpenoid, was isolated from the roots of Illicium henryi. The structure was determined by spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculation, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 represents a class of novel 5/7/6 tricyclic sesquiterpenoids featuring a rare cage-like tricyclo[6.2.2.0 1,5 ]dodecane core. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 by rearrangement of allocedrane is proposed. Additionally, 1 showed potent antiviral activity against coxsackievirus B3 with an IC 50 value of 2.87 μM.