Strigolactones(SLs) are a class of sesquiterpenoids derived from the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway with the core carbon skeleton consisting of tricyclic lactone(ABC tricyclic ring) and α,β-unsaturated furan ring(D ring). SLs are widely distributed in higher plants and are symbiotic signals between plants and Arbuscular mycorrhiza(AM), which play key roles in the evolution of plant colonizing terrestrial habitats. As a new type of plant hormone, SLs possess such important biological functions as inhibiting shoot branching(tillers), regulating root architecture, promoting secondary growth, and improving plant stress resistance. Therefore, SLs have attracted wide attention. The biological functions of SLs are not only closely related to the formation of "excellent shape and quality" of Chinese medicinal materials but also have important practical significance for the production of high-quality medicinal materials. However, SLs have been currently widely studied in model plants and crops such as Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana, and few related studies have been reported on SLs in medicinal plants, which need to be strengthened. This review focused on the latest research progress in the isolation and identification, biological and artificial synthesis pathways, biosynthesis sites and transport modes, signal transduction pathways and mechanisms, and biological functions of SLs, and prospected the research on the regulation mechanism of SLs in the growth and development of medicinal plants and their related application on targeted regulation of Chinese herbal medicine production, which is expected to provide some references for the in-depth research on SLs in the field of Chinese medicinal resources.
Arabidopsis ; Lactones ; Plants, Medicinal

Network Meta-analysis was employed to compare the efficacy of Chinese medicine injections for activating blood and resolving stasis combined with conventional western medicine in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and the effects on platelet aggregation rate, fibrinogen(FIB), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), with a view to providing evidence-based medicine reference for clinical medication. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMbase were searched for randomized controlled trial(RCT) on the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection, Danhong Injection, Shuxuetong Injection, Xueshuantong Injection, Shuxuening Injection, Safflower Yellow Pigment Injection, and Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine Injection combined with conventional western medicine. The retrieval time was from database inception to March 18, 2023. The articles were extracted by two researchers and their quality was evaluated. R 4.2.2 was used for network Meta-analysis. A total of 87 RCTs involving 8 580 patients were included. Network Meta-analysis showed that, in terms of reducing National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS) scores, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA) showed the order of Xueshuantong Injection + conventional western medicine(88.7%) > Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine(73.7%) > Shuxuetong Injection + conventional western medicine(69.7%) > Shuxuening Injection + conventional western medicine(51.8%) > Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine(43.7%) > Safflower Yellow Pigment Injection + conventional western medicine(36.8%) > Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine Injection + conventional western medicine(35.3%) > conventional western medicine(1.7%). In terms of improving clinical total effective rate, SUCRA showed the order of Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine(63.0%) > Shuxuening Injection + conventional western medicine(59.0%) > Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine(58.9%) > Safflower Yellow Pigment Injection + conventional western medicine(57.1%) > Xueshuantong Injection + conventional western medicine(56.8%) > Shuxuetong Injection + conventional western medicine(54.6%) > Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine Injection + conventional western medicine(50.5%) > conventional western medicine(0.03%). In terms of improving Barthel index, SUCRA showed the order of Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine(84.7%) > Shuxuetong Injection + conventional western medicine(72.4%) > Safflower Yellow Pigment Injection + conventional western medicine(61.6%) > Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine(44.6%) > Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine Injection + conventional western medicine(43.2%) > Shuxuening Injection + conventional western medicine(42.2%) > conventional western medicine(1.4%). In terms of reducing platelet aggregation rate, SUCRA showed the order of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine(82.4%) > Shuxuetong Injection + conventional western medicine(81.6%) > Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine Injection + conventional western medicine(40.7%) > Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine(37.3%) > conventional western medicine(8.0%). In terms of reducing FIB, SUCRA showed the order of Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine(81.0%) > Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine(71.9%) > Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine Injection + conventional western medicine(70.0%) > Shuxuetong Injection + conventional western medicine(46.7%) > Xueshuantong Injection + conventional western medicine(22.6%) > conventional western medicine(8.7%). In terms of reducing hs-CRP, SUCRA showed the order of Shuxuening Injection + conventional western medicine(89.9%) > Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine(78.8%) > Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine Injection + conventional western medicine(52.4%) > Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine(47.6%) > Xueshuantong Injection + conventional western medicine(43.5%) > Shuxuetong Injection + conventional Western medicine(35.6%) > conventional western medicine(2.3%). The results indicated that Xueshuantong Injection + conventional western medicine, Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine, and Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine ranked the top three. Xueshuantong Injection + conventional western medicine had the best effect on reducing NIHSS scores. Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine showed the best performance of improving clinical total effective rate, improving Barthel index, and reducing FIB in the blood. Salvia Miltiorrhiza Ligustrazine Injection + conventional western medicine had the best effect on reducing platelet aggregation rate in the blood. Shuxuening Injection + conventional western medicine had the best effect on reducing hs-CRP. However, more high-quality RCTs are needed for verification in the future to provide more reliable evidence-based medical reference.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Network Meta-Analysis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; Diterpenes ; Lactones ; Meglumine

The fungus Xylaria sp. KYJ-15 was isolated from Illigera celebica. Based on the one strain many compounds (OSMAC) strategy, the strain was fermented on potato and rice solid media, respectively. As a result, two novel steroids, xylarsteroids A (1) and B (2), which are the first examples of C₂₈-steroid with an unusual β- and γ-lactone ring, respectively, along with two new dihydroisocoumarin glycosides, xylarglycosides A (3) and B (4), were identified. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments. All isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antimicrobial effect. Compound 1 exhibited potent AChE inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 2.61 ± 0.05 μmol·L^-1. The β-lactone ring unit of 1 is critical for its AChE inhibitory activity. The finding was further confirmed through exploring the interaction of 1 with AChE by molecular docking. In addition, both compounds 1 and 2 exhibited obvious antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 μg·mL^-1. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus with MICs of 4 and 2 μg·mL^-1, respectively, which also exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity comparable to the positive control with IC₅₀ values of 9.2 ± 0.03 and 13.3 ± 0.01 μmol·L^-1, respectively.
Humans ; Acetylcholinesterase ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Glycosides ; Lactones ; Pain

Six new (1-6) and seven known depsidones (7-13) were isolated from the culture of an ant (Monomorium chinensis)-derived fungus Spiromastix sp. MY-1. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including high resolution MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The new bromide depsidones were obtained through supplementing potassium bromide in the fermentation medium of Spiromastix sp. MY-1. All isolated compounds showed various bioactivities against the tested phytopathogenic bacteria. Particularly, new bromide compound 4, named spiromastixone S, exhibited the strongest activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae with a MIC value of 5.2 μmol·^-1.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ants ; Bromides ; Depsides ; Fungi ; Lactones ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Structure

This study aims to investigate the effect of atractylenolide Ⅲ(ATL-Ⅲ) on hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2)-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis of H9 c2 cells via the ROS/GRP78/caspase-12 signaling pathway.The binding activity of ATL-Ⅲ to GRP78 was determined by molecular docking.The result showed that ATL-Ⅲ had a good binding activity to GRP78, and the binding activity of ATL-Ⅲ was stronger than that of its specific inhibitor.The endoplasmic reticulum stress model of H9 c2 was established by H_2O_2(100 μmol·L~(-1)) treatment.Five groups were designed: blank control group, model group, and ATL-Ⅲ(15, 30, and 60 μmol·L~(-1)) groups.Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst/PI double staining and flow cytometry.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were measured by colorimetry.The levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and calcium(Ca~(2+)) in cytoplasm were determined by the fluorescence probe DCFH-DA and the calcium fluorescence probe Flou-4, respectively.The protein levels of GRP78, caspase-12, and caspase-3 were determined by Western blot, and the mRNA levels of GRP78 and caspase-12 by RT-qPCR.N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) and 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA) were respectively used to inhibit ROS and GRP78, and then the mechanism of ATL-Ⅲ in protecting the cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by H_2O_2 were deduced.ATL-Ⅲ(15, 30, and 60 μmol·L~(-1)) decreased the apoptosis rate and ROS, MDA, and LDH levels(P<0.01), increased the SOD activity(P<0.01), and down-regulated the protein levels of GRP78, caspase-12, and caspase-3 and the mRNA levels of GRP78 and caspase-12(P<0.05).The addition of NAC decreased the apoptosis rate and ROS, MDA, GRP78, caspase-12, and caspase-3 levels(P<0.01), while it elevated the SOD level(P<0.01).The addition of 4-PBA also decreased the apoptosis rate and the levels of GRP78, caspase-12, caspase-3, and Ca~(2+)(P<0.01).The effect of inhibitors were consistent with that of ATL-Ⅲ.In conclusion, ATL-Ⅲ can protect H9 c2 cardiomyocytes by regulating ROS/GRP78/caspase-12 signaling pathway to inhibit H_2O_2-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Calcium/pharmacology* ; Caspase 12/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Lactones ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; RNA, Messenger ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Sesquiterpenes ; Signal Transduction ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

The content of total flavonol glycosides in Ginkgo Folium in the planting bases was determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The samples were extracted by reflux with methanol-25% hydrochloric acid.The HPLC conditions were as follows: Agilent ZORBAX SB-C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm), isocratic elution with mobile phase of 0.4% phosphoric acid solution-methanol(45∶55), flow rate of 1 mL·min~(-1), column temperature of 30 ℃, detection wavelength of 360 nm, and injection vo-lume of 10 μL.A method for the determination of terpene lactones in Ginkgo Folium was established based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph-triple-quadrupole/linear ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS).The UPLC conditions were as below: gradient elution with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid, flow rate of 0.2 mL·min~(-1), column temperature of 30 ℃, sample chamber temperature of 10 ℃, and injection volume of 10 μL.The ESI~+and multiple reaction monitoring(MRM) were adopted for the MS.The above methods were used to determine the content of total flavonol glycosides and terpene lactones in 99 batches of Ginkgo Folium from 6 planting bases, and the results were statistically analyzed.The content of flavonoids and terpene lactones in Ginkgo Folium from different origins, from trees of different ages, harvested at different time, from trees of different genders, and processed with different methods was compared.The results showed that the content of total flavonol glucosides in 99 Ginkgo Folium samples ranged from 0.38% to 2.08%, and the total content of the four terpene lactones was in the range of 0.03%-0.87%.The method established in this study is simple and reliable, which can be used for the quantitative analysis of Ginkgo Folium.The research results lay a basis for the quality control of Ginkgo Folium.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Flavonoids/analysis* ; Flavonols ; Ginkgo biloba ; Glycosides/analysis* ; Lactones/analysis* ; Methanol ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Terpenes/analysis* ; Trees

The endophytic fungus Nigrospora sphaerica S5 derived from the semi-mangrove plant Myoporum bontioides was fermented. Its metabolites were purified by column chromatography. Nine compounds were obtained and identified as terezine P(1), 3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one(2), methylhydroheptelidate(3), hydroheptelidic acid(4), 5, 7-dimethoxy-4, 6-dimethylphthalide(5),(3R,4S)-(-)-4-hydroxymellein(6), pestalopyrone(7), indole-3-formaldehyde(8) and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(9) by spectroscopic techniques. Terezine P(1) was a new alkaloid belonging to the terezine class with a pyrazine ring. Compounds 2-7 were lactones, of which 3 and 4 belonged to sesquiterpenes. Compounds 8 and 9 were indole alkaloids and phenols, respectively. Compounds 3-6 were purified from Nigrospora sp. for the first time. These compounds showed different degrees of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli of O6 serotype and E. coli of O78 serotype.
Alkaloids ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Ascomycota/chemistry* ; Escherichia coli ; Formaldehyde ; Indoles/pharmacology* ; Lactones ; Molecular Structure ; Myoporum/microbiology* ; Phenols ; Pyrazines ; Sesquiterpenes

This study explored the protective effect of atractylenolide Ⅰ(AO-Ⅰ) against acetaminophen(APAP)-induced acute liver injury(ALI) in mice and its underlying mechanism. C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into a control group, an APAP group(500 mg·kg~(-1)), a low-dose combination group(500 mg·kg~(-1) APAP + 60 mg·kg~(-1) AO-Ⅰ), and a high-dose combination group(500 mg·kg~(-1) APAP + 120 mg·kg~(-1) AO-Ⅰ). ALI was induced by intraperitoneal injection of APAP(500 mg·kg~(-1)). AO-Ⅰ by intragastric administration was performed 2 hours before APAP treatment, and the control group received the same dose of solvent by intragastric administration or intraperitoneal injection. The protective effect of AO-Ⅰ against APAP-induced ALI was evaluated by detecting alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels in the plasma and H&E staining in liver tissues of mice. The malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione(GSH) content and catalase(CAT) activity in mouse liver tissues were detected to evaluate the effect of AO-Ⅰ on APAP-induced oxidative stress in the liver. The proteins in the liver p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), c-jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), and nuclear factor kappa-B p65(NF-κB p65) signaling pathways were measured by Western blot, and the liver inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) were detected by real-time PCR. Compared with the APAP group, the combination groups showed reduced APAP-induced ALT level and liver MDA content, potentiated liver CAT activity, and elevated GSH content. Mechanistically, AO-Ⅰ treatment significantly inhibited APAP-up-regulated MAPK phosphorylation and NF-κB p65, and significantly reduced the transcriptional activities of IL-1β and IL-6, downstream targets of NF-κB p65. AO-Ⅰ can improve APAP-induced ALI and the underlying mechanism is related to the inhibition of the MAPK/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway in APAP-challenged mice.
Acetaminophen/adverse effects* ; Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy* ; Lactones ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Sesquiterpenes ; Signal Transduction

This study established a method for rapid quantification of terpene lactone, bilobalide, ginkgolide C, ginkgolide A and ginkgolide B in the chromatographic process of Ginkgo Folium based on near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS). The effects of competitive adaptive reweighting sampling(CARS), random frog(RF), and synergy interval partial least squares(siPLS) on the performance of partial least squares regression(PLSR) model were compared to the reference values measured by HPLC. Among them, the correlation coefficients of prediction(Rp) of validation sets of terpene lactone, bilobalide, and ginkgolide C were all higher than 0.98, and the relative standard errors of prediction(RSEPs) were 5.87%, 6.90% and 6.63%, respectively. Aiming at ginkgolide A and ginkgolide B with relatively low content, the genetic algorithm joint extreme learning machine(GA-ELM) was used to establish the optimized quantitative analysis model. Compared with CARS-PLSR model, the CARS-GA-ELM models of ginkgolide A and ginkgolide B exhibited a reduction in RSEP from 15.65% to 8.52% and from 21.28% to 10.84%, respectively, which met the needs of quantitative ana-lysis. It has been proved that NIRS can be used for the rapid detection of various lactone components in the chromatographic process of Ginkgo Folium.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ginkgo biloba ; Lactones/analysis* ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods*

Three seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpene lactones, one phenylpropanoid, and two lignans were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of stems and branches of Illicium ternstroemioides with silica gel column chromatography, ODS column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Based on the spectral data, they were identified as burmanicumolide D(1), veranisatin A(2), veranisatin B(3), dihydroconiferylalcohol(4), pinoresinol(5),(-)-matairesinol(6), respectively. Among them, compound 1 was a new seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpene lactone, and 2-6 were obtained from this plant for the first time. None of these compounds display antiviral or cytotoxic activities.
Antiviral Agents ; Illicium ; Lactones ; Molecular Structure ; Phytochemicals ; Sesquiterpenes