Pseudosterins A–C, Three 1-Ethyl-3-formyl-β-carbolines from Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Their Cardioprotective Effects

Abstract

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is used in China not only as a functional food but also as an herb to tonify the spleen, enhance immunity, and treat palpitation. Our previous investigation showed that a fraction enriched in glycosides obtained from the roots of P. heterophylla possessed pronounced protective effects on H9c2 cells against CoCl2-induced hypoxic injury. However, the active compounds responsible for the observed effects were still unknown. In the current investigation, pseudosterins A–C (1–3), three new alkaloids with a 1-ethyl-3-formyl-β-carboline skeleton, together with polydatin, have been isolated from the active fraction. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. The four compounds showed cardioprotective effects against sodium hydrosulfite-induced hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cells, with the three alkaloids being more potent. This is also the first report of alkaloids with a β-carboline skeleton isolated from P. heterophylla as cardioprotective agents.

Extraction of Polysaccharides from Root of Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Miq.) Pax. and the Effects of Ultrasound Treatment on Its Properties and Antioxidant and Immune Activities

“…It reinforces the spleen, replenishes Qi, and moistens the lungs [ 3 , 4 ]. It has been reported that P. radix has a wide range of biological activities and contains various chemical components, including polysaccharides, glycosides, cyclic peptides, sterols, oils, and other volatile oily substances [ 5 ].…”