Phytochemical investigation of the underground parts of Arundina graminifolia D.Don Hochr was conducted leading to the isolation of nine new glucosyloxybenzyl 2R-benzylmalate and two new glucosyloxybenzyl 2R-isobutylmalate derivatives. The compounds were purified using chromatographic techniques and their structures were deduced based on spectroscopic techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry as well as comparing with previous literature. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated. The compounds showed potent antioxidant activities in the ABTS radical scavenging, DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP activities. Furthermore, the isolated compounds were observed to exert minimal cytotoxic effects against RAW 264.7 cell, suggesting biocompatibility as well as cytoprotective effects against hydrogen peroxide induced cell toxicity.

As a continuation of our interest in the study of triterpenoid saponins from Albizia zygia, phytochemical investigation of its stem barks led to the isolation of two new oleanane-type saponins, named zygiaosides C-D (1-2). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR (1H-, 13C NMR, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HSQC and HMBC) experiments, HRESIMS studies, and by chemical evidence as, 3-O-[ β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(β-d-quinovopyranosyl) octa-2,7-dienoyl]acacic acid 28-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl-(1→4)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 3- O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2) -[ β-d-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(β-D-quinovopyranosyl) octa-2,7-dienoyl]acacic acid 28-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl-(1→4)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2).

Seven new glucosyloxybenzyl 2R-benzylmalate derivatives, arundinosides A-G (1-7) were isolated from the aerial parts of the bamboo orchid Arundina graminifolia. This is the first occurrence of this class of compounds in the genus Arundina. Their planar structures and absolute configuration were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic data as well as chemical conversion. Their neuroprotective properties were also evaluated on their potential ability to reduce the beta amyloid damage on PC12 cell model.

One new acacic acid-type saponin, named lebbeckoside C (1), was isolated from the stem barks of Albizia lebbeck. Its structure was established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR (1H, 13C NMR, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HSQC and HMBC) experiments, HRESIMS studies, and by chemical evidence as 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(l→2)-β-d-fucopyranosyl-(1→6)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(β-d-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(β-d-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-β-d-quinovopyranosyl}-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl}acacic acid 28 O-[β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(l→3)-[α-l-arabinofuranosyl-(l→4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(l→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester. The isolated saponin (1) displayed significant cytotoxic activity against the human glioblastoma cell line U-87 MG and TG1 stem-like glioma cells isolated from a patient tumor with IC50 values of 1.69 and 1.44 μM, respectively.

Nine new glucosyloxybenzyl 2R-benzylmalate derivatives, named arundinosides R–Z (1-9) were isolated from the underground parts of Arundina graminifolia. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by in-depth spectroscopic data analysis including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, in combination with mass spectrometry data.

The objective of this work was to establish a cell suspension culture from Armeria maritima (Mill.) WilId., an halophyte so far only valuable for horticultural purposes, as a pre-requisite step towards the production of bioactives secondary metabolites in vitro. For the initiation of callogenesis, five types of explants were tested: leaves from mature plants; leaves, cotyledons and roots from axenic seedlings; seeds. Three criteria either from a quantitative (percentage of callus induction) or a qualitative basis (aspect and friability) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of callus formation. Seeds-derived calli grown in the dark on MS medium supplemented with 4.5 mu M 2.4D and 0.93 mu M KIN were successfully selected for the establishment of cell suspension cultures, characterized by a growth index of 3.4 after 14 days of culture.

L’huile essentielle (HE) d’Eucalyptus radiata fait partie des HE les plus utilisées. Ses propriétés expectorantes et mucolytiques en font une alliée de choix pour toutes les pathologies de la sphère ORL. Elle agit contre les infections, stimule l’immunité et peut être conseillée aussi bien chez l’adulte que chez l’enfant.

L’huile essentielle (HE) d’Eucalyptus globulus est surtout connue pour ses vertus expectorantes et mucolytiques, liées à sa forte teneur en 1,8-cinéole. Mais elle a également des propriétés antivirales, antifongiques, insecticides et antidouleur.

The number of publications containing chemical and pharmacotoxicological data is constantly on the increase and the research emphasis in Pharmacognosy is increasingly directed towards pharmacochemistry of natural substances. Among the natural compounds, saponins seem to play a more and more important role because these biologically active compounds benefit from new structural elucidation techniques. The treatment of tropical diseases continues to overwhelm the health care services of developing countries. Although diseases such as malaria affect millions of people of these countries, they are considered as non-profitable by the pharmaceutical industries. A survey of ethnobotanical knowledge in traditional pharmacopoeia was carried out in the areas where malaria is endemic. Volumes of increasing doses of compounds were randomly administered by subcutaneous injections to groups of ten Swiss mice. Analogous biological considerations can be observed with the roots of another Caribbean plant, Sideroxylon cubense, used externally for the treatment of fractures.

Simple and soft means are needed to manage horse stress. For instance, essential oils such as lavender oil contain active principles that may mitigate stress responses in humans and animals. Here we developed a protocol to test the effects of essential oil on equine stress response. We tested the effect of lavender oil on horse stress. Twenty-eight Welsh horse fillies were divided into two groups: horses treated with a roll-on with 2 mL of vegetable oil (control) and horses treated with 2 mL of 10% lavender essential oil in vegetable oil. Horses were then subjected to a series of stress tests. Heart rates and stress behavioral indicators were monitored during the 30 min of the stress tests. Saliva was collected. Blood from six horses was sampled after lavender essential oil application to follow plasma linalool content and antioxidant efficiency. Results show that stress indicators such as heart rate, alert postures and defecations are lower in lavender oil-treated horses. Lavender essential oil also modified salivary cortisol. Pharmacokinetics of linalool in plasma displayed a peak 20 min after lavender essential oil application, thus confirming the effect of lavender oil. Overall, our findings demonstrate that lavender essential oil reduces the response to stress of horses placed in stressful situations.

Le clou de girofle est une épice très appréciée pour ses qualités alimentaires. Il en est extrait une huile essentielle (HE) connue surtout en médecine dentaire. Il s’agit d’une HE renfermant en grande majorité de l’eugénol, un phénol considéré comme doux mais anti-infectieux puissant et à large spectre.

Horses are gregarious and fearful animals that undergo many stressful situations by humans. Simple and soft means are needed to manage their stress. This study was set up to investigate the relaxing effects of some EO on horses. The calming and soothing effects of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) essential oil (LaEO) have been widely demonstrated. The LaEO mode of action is essentially due to two major active molecules: linalool and linalyl acetate. The objective of this study was to develop an experimental protocol to highlight the effects of EO on equine stress response and to validate the effects of LaEO applied ante stress. Twenty-eight Welsh fillies were divided into two groups: one treated with 2 ml of vegetable oil (control), the other treated with 10% LaEO applied with a roll-on around the nostrils. The fillies were subjected to a series of tests of 30 min during which the heart rate (HR) and different behavioral indicators of stress were noted. Salivary cortisol was also measured. Indicators of stress such as HR, alert postures and defecations measured during some tests are significantly lower in the LaEO group than in the control group. These results and salivary cortisol content show that the application of LaEO reduced the level of stress of animals placed in stressful situations. Furthermore, blood samples taken from 6 horses show that the pharmacokinetics of linalool in plasma presented a peak 20 min after LaEO application, agreeing with the effect of LaEO during the tests. In addition, a peak of antioxidant effectiveness appeared in the plasma 50 min after LaEO application. These data should encourage the use of this protocol with LaEO in further studies to optimize the effective dose, and possibly to assess other EO which could help horses to manage stressful situations.

Five new pregnane-type steroidal glycosides, named menarandrosides A-E (1-2, 5-7) were isolated from the aerial parts of Cynanchum menarandrense, together with three known compounds, carumbelloside I (3), carumbelloside II (4), and pregnenolone-3-O-gentiobioside (8). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including NMR and mass spectrometry, reporting C-21 steroids glycosylated only by one or two glucose moieties. Compounds were then investigated for their potential to stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in intestinal cells; although none of the pure compounds had any influence, the fraction enriched in pregnanes exhibited a significant activity, suggesting a possible synergistic effect. Furthermore, none of the purified compounds affected cell viability.

As a continuation of our interest in apoptosis-inducing triterpenoid saponins from Albizia genus, phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Albizia chevalieri led to the isolation of three new oleanane-type saponins, named chevalierosides A–C (1–3). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR (1H-, 13C NMR, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HSQC and HMBC) experiments, HRESIMS studies, and by chemical evidence. The pro-apoptotic effect of the three saponins was evaluated on two human cell lines (pancreatic carcinoma AsPC-1 and hematopoietic monocytic THP-1). Cytometric analyses showed that saponins 1–3 induced apoptosis of both human cell lines (AsPC-1 and THP-1) in a dose-dependent manner.

Dihydrophenanthrene derivatives (imbricatin and methoxycoelonin), bibenzyls (gigantol and batatasin III), and dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate (DDPC) were isolated for the first time from the stems of a tropical orchid Aerides rosea (Figure 1). Imbricatin, methoxycoelonin and gigantol have been shown to display in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities [1]. However, up to now, their redox reactivity was insufficiently characterized.

De nombreuses études montrent l’intérêt de l’huile essentielle (HE) de Gaulthérie dans les domaines de l’antalgie et de l’inflammation. Couramment utilisée, cette HE nécessite pourtant un conseil pharmaceutique en raison de contre-indications importantes.

L’huile essentielle (HE) de Laurier noble est sans doute moins célèbre que d’autres. Toutefois, tout le monde connaît cet arbre méditerranéen dont les feuilles, aujourd’hui utilisées dans la cuisine, étaient tressées sous forme de couronne scindant la tête des vainqueurs et des empereurs dans l’Antiquité. Cette HE est d’une grande utilité en infectiologie mais aussi d’un point de vue psychologique. Elle a aussi un effet anesthésiant très apprécié lors des soins, notamment en milieu hospitalier.

Parmi toutes les huiles essentielles (HE), celle de Lavande officinale est certainement la plus universellement connue. Elle a fait l’objet d’une centaine d’études scientifiques validant ses nombreuses propriétés liées à sa richesse en linalol et en acétate de linalyle. Contenant très peu de camphre, sa toxicité est quasiment nulle, d’où l’usage sécuritaire de cette HE, devenue incontournable dans le conseil pharmaceutique.