OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the roots of Capparis tenera.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified by kinds of column chromatography and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physicochemical properties.

RESULTEight compounds were isolated and identified as erigeside C (1), glucosuringic acid (2), vanillic acid 4-O-beta-D-glucoside (3-methoxy 4-glucosyl-benzoic acid) (3), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylbenzoate (4), 3', 5'-dimethoxy- 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-cinnamic acid (5), tachioside (6), 2, 3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxyl-3, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (7) and acacetin 7-rutinoside (8).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-8 were all isolated from this plant for the first time and the compound 8 was isolated from this gene for the first time.

Capparis ; chemistry ; Chromatography ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethanolic extract from Capparis spinosa (ECS) on the fibroblast proliferation and type I collagen production in normal and progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS).

METHODCellular activity was determined by the MTT method. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V-stained cells. The expression levels of type I collagen messenger RNA and protein were analyzed by RT-PCR and western blot analysis.

RESULTECS could significantly inhibit the proliferation of fibroblast and reduced the expression of alpha2 (I) collagen mRNA and type I collagen protein in PSS in a dose-and time-dependent manner. ECS did not affect the proliferation of fibroblast and expression of type I collagen mRNA and protein in normal human. ECS could counteract the harmful effects on fibroblast by H2O2.

CONCLUSIONECS can effectively inhibit the fibroblast proliferation and type I collagen production in PSS.

Capparis ; chemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Scleroderma, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology

In this paper, the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and clinical applications of Capparis spinosa had been reviewed. The constituents of C. spinosa include the saccharides and glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and volatile oils, fatty acids and steroides and so on. C. spinosa had many extensive pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, odynolysis, antifungus, hepatoprotective effect, hypoglycemic activity, antioxidation, anti-hyperlipemia, anticoagulated blood, smooth muscle stimulation, anti-stress reaction, improve memory. It was used to treat arthrolithiasis, rheumarthritis and dermatosis in clinic in domestic, and it would have a broad application prospects.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Capparis ; chemistry ; Carbohydrates ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology