Dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids possess chemical diversity and biodiversity. A dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoid with only hydroxyl groups has been prepared by basic hydrolysis of crude extract of Euonymus bungeanus with 0.4% yield. Twelve derivatives were available in esterification, oxidation, decarboxylation, etc. Extensive ~1H-NMR,~(13)C-NMR, MS spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis with Cu Kα radiation indicated that eleven derivatives were new compounds. The results will provide reference for chemistry study on natural product derivatives of dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids.
Biological Products ; Euonymus ; Molecular Structure ; Sesquiterpenes

Anti-inflammatory effects of dihydrobenzofuran neolignans isolated from Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Six neolignans, (+)- simulanol (1), (+)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (2), (-)-simulanol (3), (-)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (4), (+)-dihydrodehyrodiconiferyl alcohol (5), threo-buddlenol B (6) effectively inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) induced by LPS, and the activity of iNOS. (-)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (4), which showed the most potent inhibitory activity, attenuated the activity of iNOS enzyme and also the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. The subsequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and prostaglandin E2 were also inhibited by the pretreatment of RAW264.7 cells with (-)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (4). These neolignans are thought to contribute to anti-inflammatory effects of E. alatus, and expected to be potential candidates to prevent/treat inflammation-related diseases.
Cytokines ; Dinoprostone ; Euonymus* ; Interleukin-6 ; Lignans* ; Macrophages* ; Necrosis ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II

To establish quality standards of Euonymus fortunei, and supply scientific evidence for the quality control of Euonymus fortunei. Empirical and microscopic identification methods were adopted to observe morphological and histological characters. The contents of water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and alcohol-soluble extractive were analysed according to the methods of Chinese Pharmaco- poeia (2010). Dulcitol and reference herbs were used to identify materia medica of Euonymus fortunei by TLC method. The total flavonol glycosides contents were analysed by HPLC method, using quercetin and kaempferol as reference substances. Quercetin and kaempferol were separated on a C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) with methanol-0.1% formic acid(51:49) as the mobile phase and detected at 366 nm. The flavonoid aglycones content was then multiplied by a conversion coefficient, and the result was the total flavonol glycosides content. The macroscopical identification, microscopic features and TLC methods were proper. The average contents of water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, alcohol-soluble extractive and total flavonol glycosides were 8.76%, 6.48%, 0.31%, 17.48% and 0.211% , respectively. The quality standards established on the basis of the research results were suitable for the quality evaluation of Euonymus fortunei.
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Euonymus ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Quality Control

To investigate the chemical compounds from the twigs of Euonymus alatus, nine compounds were isolated and identified as(+)-delta(2,11)-enaminousnic acid(1), 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid(2), acetyl 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid(3), camaldulenic acid(4), betulinic acid(5), 6beta-hydroxy-stigmast-4-en-3-one(6), 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone(7), ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate(8), 4,4'-dimethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl(9). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Among them, compound 1 was a new natural product. Compounds 2-4 and 7-9 were obtained from the Euonymus genus for the first time. In vitro study showed that compounds 2 and 3 showed significant anti-tumor activities to BEL-7402 and HCT-8 at the concentration of 10 mg x L(-1). The inhibition rate of compound 2 was 61.78% and 68.29%, whereas the inhibition rate of compound 3 had reached to 70.91% and 84.07%.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Euonymus alatus on the blood glucose and hemorheology in rat model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus with blood stagnation (DMBS). METHODS: High fat diet with streptozocin was used to establish the rat model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, followed by the prednisolone and adrenaline muscle injection to obtain DMBS. DMBS rats were divided into a DMBS group (treated with saline gavage), an Euonymus alatus group (treated with Euonymus alatus gavage), and a glybenzoylamide group (treated with glybenzoylamide gavage).A blank group was treated with saline gavage. The experiment lasted 4 weeks, followed by the evaluation of rats' behavior, and detection of fasting blood glucose and hemorheology. RESULTS: Compared with DMBS rats, the symptoms of polydipsia and diuresis in Euonymus alatus rats were improved, with increased body weight (P<0.05), better fur and mental state, increased resistance for being caught, and reduced tongue stagnation. Compared with DMBS group, though body weight increased, resistance for being caught decreased in the glybenzoylamide group with bad fur and mental state,and tongue stagnation. As to the fasting blood glucose, there was significant difference between the Euonymus alatus group and the DMBS group (P<0.05). As to the hemorheology, including whole blood viscosity (shear rates 1,5,50, and 100 s(-1)), plasma viscosity, and hematocrit, the Euonymus alatus rats had a better efficacy than DMBS rats and glybenzoylamide rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Euonymus alatus can reduce the fasting blood glucose of DMBS and improve blood stagnation.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; Hemorheology ; drug effects ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo establish a HPLC method to determine the content of aromadendrin in Euonymus alatus.

METHODKromasil 100-5C18 column was used with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-0.3% glacial acetic acid (24:76) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 292 nm and the temperature of column was 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.051-2.04 microg for aromadendrin. The correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.999 9. Twenty batches of the crude E. alatus purchased from different areas were determined and the contents of aromadendrin in the twigs of E. alatus were fluctuated from 0.001 57% to 0.041 6%.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, repeatable and can be used for determination of aromadendrin.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo accumulate taxonomic data of the leaf epidermal features of the medicinal species of Euonymus.

METHODTwenty-nine materials of 21 taxa (including 16 species, 4 varieties and 1 form) representing 5 sections of Euonymus are examined by using both of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTThe form of epidermal cells in Euonymus is usually polygonal or irregular. The stomata were anomocytic in all the species examined except E. maackii and E. bungeanus var. semipersistens. Stomatal types of all species studied may be anomocytic, anisocytic, cycolocytic or the transitional types among them.

CONCLUSIONThe results show that some characteristics (including cuticular membrane, shape of guard cells, inner margin of outer stomatal rim, outer stomatal rim and stomata type) of the leaf epidermis can provide some anatomical evidence for the classification. The characteristics of leaf epidermis support following treatments: E. acanthocarpus var. longipes, E. acanthocarpus var. scandens and E. acanthocarpus var. sutchuanensis should be merged into E. acanthocarpus; E. bungeanus var. semipersistens should be merged into E. maackii; E. hamiltonianus f. lanceifolius should be merged into E. hamiltonianus.

China ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; classification ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Plant Epidermis ; chemistry ; classification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; classification ; Plant Stomata ; chemistry ; classification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents and antitumor activities of Euonymus alatus.

METHODCompounds were isolated and purified repeatedly by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and their chemical structures were elucidated by their physicochemical properties and spectral data, such as 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and EI-MS. The trypan blue experiments in vitro were used to observe the antitumor activity of several compounds.

RESULTTen compounds were obtained and identified as (+)-usnic acid (1), benzoic acid (2), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3, 6-dimethyl benzoic acid (3), lupeol (4), 3 beta-hydroxy-30-norlupan-20-one (5), (2R, 3R)-3, 5, 7, 4'-tetrahydroxy flavanone (6), kaempferol (7), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy flavanone (8), quercetin (9) and daucosterol (10).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1, 2, 5 and 8 were isolated from this genus for the first time. The trypan blue experiments in vitro showed that compounds 1, 4 and 5 had growth inhibitory effects on HL-60 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans

The major goal in the treatment of diabetes mellitus is to achieve near-normal glycemic control. To optimize both fasting blood glucose and postprandial glucose levels is important in keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. alpha-Glucosidase is the enzyme that digests dietary carbohydrate, and inhibition of this enzyme could suppress postprandial hyperglycemia. The purpose of this study was to test the inhibitory activity of methanol extract of Euonymus alatus on alpha-glucosidase in vitro and in vivo to evaluate its possible use as an anti-diabetic agent. Yeast alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of methanol extract of E. alatus were measured at concentrations of 0.50, 0.25, 0.10, and 0.05 mg/ml. The ability of E. alatus to lower postprandial glucose was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without E. alatus extract (500 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats by gastric intubation after an overnight fast. Plasma glucose levels were measured at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min. Plasma glucose levels were expressed in increments from baseline, and incremental areas under the response curve were calculated. Extract of E. alatus,which had an IC50 value of 0.272 mg/ml, inhibited yeast alpha-glucosidase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. A single oral dose of E. alatus extract significantly inhibited increases in blood glucose levels at 60 and 90 min (p<0.05) and significantly decreased incremental response areas under the glycemic response curve (p<0.05). These results suggest that E. alatus has an antihyperglycemic effect by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase activity in this animal model of diabetes mellitus.
alpha-Glucosidases* ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dietary Carbohydrates ; Euonymus* ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Hyperglycemia ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Intubation ; Methanol ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Starch ; Yeasts

OBJECTIVETo establish the characteristic mode of HPLC fingerprint of Fufangteng combination formula for the quality control of this medicine.

METHOD10 batch certified products were selected to establish the characteristic mode of HPLC fingerprint of Fufangteng combination formula by chromatographic pattern matching and retention time correction.

RESULTThis characteristic mode of HPLC fingerprint can clearly differentiate the eligible Fufangteng products from the unqualified products.

CONCLUSIONThis method can provide thorough information for the quality control of Fufangteng combination formula.

Administration, Oral ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control