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Aim of the study-Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder mostly effecting the elder population of the world. Currently there is no definitive treatment or cure for this disease. Therefore, in this study the composition and constituents of the aqueous extract of B. caapi for monoamine oxidases (MAO) inhibitory and antioxidant activities were assessed, which are relevant to the prevention of neurological disorders, including Parkinsonism.Materials and methods-The aqueous extract of B. caapi stems was standardized and then fractionated using reversed-phase (RP) chromatography. Pure compounds were isolated either by reversed-phase (RP) chromatography or centrifugal preparative TLC, using a Chromatotron ® . Structure elucidation was carried out by 1D and 2D NMR, Mass, IR and Circular Dichroism spectroscopy and chemical derivatization. Chemical profiling of the extract was carried out with RP-HPLC. The inhibitory activity of MAO-A, MAO-B, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and catechol-O-methyl transferase enzymes, as well as antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of both B. caapi extract and isolated compounds were evaluated.Results-An examination of the aqueous extracts of B. caapi cultivar Da Vine yielded two new alkaloidal glycosides, named banistenoside A (1) and banistenoside B (2), containing "azepino[1,2-a]tetrahydro-β-carboline" unique carbon framework. One additional new natural tetrahydronorharmine (4), four known β-carbolines harmol (3), tetrahydroharmine (5), harmaline (6) and harmine (7), two known proanthocyanidines (−)-epicatechin (8) This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. 10-13, 17, 18) were also prepared. Harmaline (6) and harmine (7) showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity against recombinant human brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) -A and -B enzymes (IC 50 2.5 and 2.0 nM, and 25 and 20 µM, respectively), and (−)-epicatechin (8) and (−)-procyanidin B2 (9) showed potent antioxidant and moderate MAO-B inhibitory activities (IC 50 <0.13 and 0.57 µg/mL, and 65 and 35 µM). HPLC analysis revealed that most of the dominant chemical and bioactive markers (1, 2, 5, 7-9) were present in high concentrations in dried bark of large branch. Analysis of regular/commercial B. caapi dried stems showed a similar qualitative HPLC pattern, but relatively low content of dominant markers 1, 2, 7, and 9, which led to decreased MAO inhibitory and antioxidant potency. NIH Public AccessAuthor Manuscript J Ethnopharmacol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 February 3.Conclusion-Collectively, these results give additional basis to the existing claim of B. caapi stem extract...

Maca, Lepidium meyenii WALP. (Cruciferae), a plant only found on the high plateaus (3800-4800 m) of the Puna region in Peru is one of the oldest crops of the Andeans. 2) Evidences of an early cultivation of this plant have been found dating back as far as 1600 B.C., and today the pear-shaped tuberous hypocotyl of the plant ("root") is still cultivated because of its high nutritional value. Maca is the only known cruciferous crop of the Americas; it is rich in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and used in a similar fashion as potatoes. 3,4) Comparative botanical studies suggest that today's cultivars may actually be a distinct species (L. peruvianum), but L. meyenii is still the commonly used name for Maca. 5,6) The native Indians used Maca to treat a number of conditions such as anemia, tuberculosis, sterility and fatigue. 7) Currently, dietary supplements containing L. meyenii (often referred as "Ginseng of the Andes") are available throughout the United States and South America, with claims of anabolic effects as well as increased stamina and fertility; data from several pharmacological studies confirmed the latter indication. 7-9) Earlier chemical investigations of Maca led to the isolation of characteristic macaenes and macamides (polyunsaturated fatty acids and their amides), along with other fatty acids (such as linolenic acid (3) and linoleic acid (4)), sterols and benzyl isothiocyanate. 9,10) We recently reported the isolation of two new macamides (2, 5) and a novel macaene (1), together with the N-hydroxypyridine derivative macaridine. 11) Even though the biologically active principles of Maca are not fully known, extracts rich in macamides and macaenes showed promising pharmacological activity. 9) These compounds are therefore used as quality markers (some products are standardized for their content), but surprisingly no analytical method for their determination in Maca (plant material or extract) has been reported. This paper thus describes the first HPLC method suitable for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the main macamides and macaenes in L. meyenii, and combined with results of a market study, the status of Maca preparations in the U.S.A. is discussed. ResultsIn the nonpolar region of L. meyenii methanolic extracts 5 dominating signals were observed (Fig. 2). Compounds 3-5 are detectable at 210 nm, whereas a wavelength of 280 nm is more suitable for a sensitive monitoring of 1 and 2. Peaks 1, 2 and 5 were isolated and identified as macamides and macaenes, compounds recently reported by our group. 11) Peaks 3 and 4 were identified as linolenic acid and linoleic acid, respectively (for structures see Fig. 1).The compounds of interest show a wide polarity range, an unspecific UV spectrum (3-5) and usually tend to co-elute with compounds of similar polarity (especially 1, 2). Initial screening experiments showed that an acidic mobile phase enhances peak shape and separation, whereas raised tempera- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is one of the f...

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Maca (Lepidium meyenii) has been used as a food in Peru for thousands of years. More recently a wide array of commercial maca products have gained popularity as dietary supplements, with claims of anabolic and aphrodisiac effects, although the biologically active principles are not fully known. In an earlier chemical investigation, two new alkamides and a novel fatty acid, as well as the N-hydroxypyridine derivative, macaridine, were isolated from L. meyenii. Further examination has led to the isolation of five additional new alkamides, namely, N-benzyl-9-oxo-12Z-octadecenamide (1), N-benzyl-9-oxo-12Z,15Z-octadecadienamide (2), N-benzyl-13-oxo-9E,11E-octadecadienamide (3), N-benzyl-15Z-tetracosenamide (4), and N-(m-methoxybenzyl)hexadecanamide (5). Their structures were established by spectrometric and spectroscopic methods including ESI-HRMS, EI-MS, (1)H, (13)C, and 2D NMR, as well as (1)H-(15)N 2D HMBC experiments. In addition, the identity of N-benzyl-15Z-tetracosenamide (4) was confirmed by synthesis. These compounds have been found from only L. meyenii and could be used as markers for authentication and standardization.