Phytochemistry Studies

Neuroprotective effects of phytosterols and flavonoids from Cirsium setidens and Aster scaber in human brain neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells.

In this study, researchers looked at three compounds found in edible plants and whether they can protect against cell death in human brain cells. The compounds tested (daucosterol, pectolinarin, and astragalin) were found to have neuroprotective effects and may have potential as treatments for brain-related conditions. The study focused on the action mechanism of the compounds, which means how they work to protect cells. The research was done using H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) to induce cell death in the SK-N-SH cells, which are a type of human brain cell.

Chung MJ et al (2016).
Life Sci.
PubMed:
26874034

Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Fumaria officinalis L. and Their Biological Activities Related to Alzheimer's Disease.

Researchers isolated two new alkaloids, fumaranine and fumarostrejdine, and 18 known alkaloids from Fumaria officinalis. They determined the structure of the compounds through spectroscopic analysis and compared them with literature data. The absolute configuration of fumaranine was determined by comparing its circular dichroism spectra with known analogs. Some of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β activities. Parfumidine and sinactine were found to have potent POP inhibition activities.

Chlebek J et al (2016).
Chem Biodivers.
PubMed:
26765356