https://bioone.org/journals/harvard-papers-in-botany/volume-13/issue-2/1043-4534-13.2.299/Flora-of-China/10.3100/1043-4534-13.2.299.pdf

Flora of China

This Review describes singlet oxygen (1O2) in the organic synthesis of targets on possible 1O2 biosynthetic routes. The visible-light sensitized production of 1O2 is not only useful for synthesis; it is extremely common in nature. This Review is intended to draw a logical link between flow and batch reactions—a combination that leads to the current state of 1O2 in synthesis.

Using Singlet Oxygen to Synthesize Natural Products and Drugs

We confirmed the ability of the triterpenoid betulin to protect against neurotoxicity caused by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom in vitro in mouse isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations and examined its capability of in vivo protection using the rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior (EPSTA) preparation. Venom caused complete, irreversible blockade in PND (40 μg/mL), but only partial blockade (~30%) in EPSTA (3.6 mg/kg, i.m.) after 120 min. In PND, preincubation of venom with commercial bothropic antivenom (CBA) attenuated the venom-induced blockade, and, in EPSTA, CBA given i.v. 15 min after venom also attenuated the blockade (by ~70% in both preparations). Preincubation of venom with betulin (200 μg/mL) markedly attenuated the venom-induced blockade in PND; similarly, a single dose of betulin (20 mg, i.p., 15 min after venom) virtually abolished the venom-induced decrease in contractility. Plasma creatine kinase activity was significantly elevated 120 min after venom injection in the EPSTA but was attenuated by CBA and betulin. These results indicate that betulin given i.p. has a similar efficacy as CBA given i.v. in attenuating the neuromuscular effects of B. jararacussu venom in vivo and could be a useful complementary measure to antivenom therapy for treating snakebite.

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The Triterpenoid Betulin Protects against the Neuromuscular Effects of Bothrops jararacussu Snake Venom In Vivo.

Natural Science Foundation of China[30000213, 30370160, 30670214]; National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program)[2009CB522300]; Chinese Academy of Sciences

Meliaceous limonoids: chemistry and biological activities.

Color as a Science

Pharmacological evaluation of Alstonia scholaris: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects

A cage-monoterpene indole alkaloid from Alstonia scholaris.

Unique Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris

Pharmacological evaluation of Alstonia scholaris: Anti-tussive, anti-asthmatic and expectorant activities

Nineteen monoterpenoid indole alkaloids including seven new ones, melodinines A−G (1−7), were isolated from Melodinus henryi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods, and the structure of compound 4 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The known compounds were identified by comparing their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. All of the compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines, and compound 11 exhibited cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, and SK-BR-3 cells with IC50 values of 2.0, 16.8, 25.9, and 24.7 μM, respectively.

Xiang-Hai Cai

Papers

Pharmacological evaluation of Alstonia scholaris: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects

A cage-monoterpene indole alkaloid from Alstonia scholaris.

Unique Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris

Pharmacological evaluation of Alstonia scholaris: Anti-tussive, anti-asthmatic and expectorant activities

Melodinines A-G, Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Melodinus henryi