Anti-inflammatory lignans from the fruits of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus.

A new lignan, named acanthosessilin A (1), as well as eight known lignan and lignan glycosides 2-9 were isolated from an ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits. The chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including HR-EIMS, 1D NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT), 2D NMR (gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC, NOESY), and IR spectroscopy. All isolated compounds were tested for the ability to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages.

1. Introduction

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (Rupr. et Maxim) Seem, belonging to the Araliaceae family, is widely distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. The bark and twigs of Acanthopanax species are traditionally used in Korea as anti-rheumatoid arthritis, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic drugs and are recognized to have ginseng-like activities [1,2]. Previous studies on its phytochemicals resulted in the isolation of lignans from the leaves and roots of Acanthopanax species [3,4,5], and eleutheroside E has been identified as a major compound in the fruits of Acanthopanax species [6]. Lignans are thought to be the major active constituents of these plants and are believed to play essential roles in the treatment of diseases [7,8]. However, most phytochemical and pharmacological studies have mainly focused on the leaves, bark, and roots of Acanthopanax species, and only a few reports have investigated the fruits. Acanthopanax species are native medicinal plants and the fruits of Acanthopanax species have been used as a remedy to “wipe out evil wind” in traditional medicine [9]. To further investigate the bioactive constituents derived in the fruits of these species, the present phytochemical study was initiated.

We report herein on the isolation of a new 3,4-dibenzylfuran lignan (1) from the fruits of A. sessiliflorus, together with eight known compounds 2−9, and the structural determination of these substances using extensive spectroscopic methods. Several previous studies have provided evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of extracts and components from Acanthopanax species [10,11,12]. Therefore, isolated compounds 1−9 were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activities through the measurement of nitrite, a soluble oxidation product of nitric oxide (NO), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 254.7 macrophage cells.

2. Results and Discussion

A 70% ethanolic extract of dried A. sessiliflorus fruits was suspended in H2O and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc soluble fraction was concentrated under reduced pressure to produce a residue that was subjected to multiple chromatographic steps using Sephadex LH-20, silica gel, and reversed-phase C18, yielding compounds 1−9 (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Chemical structures of isolated compounds 1−9.

Compound 1, obtained as colorless crystals from methanol, exhibited a UV absorption maximum at 282 nm. The molecular formula was determined to be C20H24O6 from the molecular ion peak [M]+ at m/z 360.1552 (calcd for C20H24O6, 360.1572) in the HR-EIMS. IR absorption bands at 3,430, 1,648, and 1512 cm−1 were characteristic of hydroxyl and aromatic groups. The 1H-NMR spectrum showed three aromatic proton signals with J4 coupling at δH 6.90 (1H, d, J = 3.2 Hz, H-4), 6.76 (1H, overlapped, H-2), and 6.75 (1H, overlapped, H-6), which were assigned to a 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene moiety. Three other aromatic proton signals at δH 6.78 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, H-2'), 6.70 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-6'), and 6.63 (1H, dd, J = 8.0, 2.0 Hz, H-5') corresponded to another 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzene moiety. A doublet oxygenated methine proton signal at δH 4.74 (1H, J = 6.8 Hz), assigned to H-7, and two oxygenated methyl proton signals at δH 3.82 (3H) and 3.83 (3H) for two methoxy groups were observed. Two oxygenated methylene proton signals were observed at δH 3.97 (1H, dd, J = 8.4, 6.8 Hz), 3.71 (1H, dd, J = 8.4, 6.8 Hz), 3.82 (1H, overlapped), and 3.62 (1H, dd, J = 10.8, 6.4 Hz), which were assigned to H-9a, H-9b, H-9'a, and H-9'b, respectively. In the high magnetic field, two methine proton signals at δH 2.34 (1H, m, H-8) and 2.72 (1H, m, H-8'), and two methylene proton signals at δH 2.92 (1H, dd, J = 13.2, 4.8 Hz, H-7'a) and 2.48 (1H, dd, J = 13.2, 11.6 Hz, H-7'b) were observed, suggesting the presence of a furan moiety. The 13C-NMR spectrum showed twenty carbon signals, including two methoxy carbon signals [δC 56.3 (OMe-3,5)], confirming 1 to be a lignan. The multiplicity of each carbon was determined using a DEPT experiment. In the aromatic region, six olefin methine carbon signals [δC 122.1 (C-6'), 119.8 (C-5'), 116.1 (C-2), 115.9 (C-6), 113.3 (C-2'), and 110.6 (C-4)], two carbonated quaternary carbon signals [δC 135.7 (C-1) and 133.5 (C-1')] and four oxygenated quaternary carbon signals [δC 149.0 (C-3, 5), 147.0 (C-4'), and 145.7 (C-3')] due to the 1,3,5-tri- and 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzene moieties were observed. The oxygenated methine carbon signal at δC 84.0 (C-7) shifted downfield due to attached to heteroatom (–OH). Also, two oxygenated methylene carbon signals [δC 73.4 (C-9') and 60.4 (C-9)] and two methoxy carbon signals [δC 56.3 (3, 5-OMe)] were observed. In the high magnetic field, two methine carbon signals [δC 54.0 (C-8) and 43.8 (C-8')] and a methylene carbon signal [δC 33.6 (C-7')] were observed. With further analysis of the HSQC and DEPT 135 spectra of 1, the proton and carbon NMR signals could be assigned (Table 1). The correlations in the 1H−1H COSY spectrum indicated key connectives of H-8 (δH 2.34) with H-7 (δH 4.74), H-8' (δH 2.72), H-9a (δH 3.97), and H-9b (δH 3.71) and H-8' (δH 2.72) with H-7'b (δH 2.48), H-9'a (δH 3.82), and H-9'b (δH 3.62) (Figure 2). In the HMBC spectrum, the long-range correlations of the two aromatic rings with the tetrahydrofuran ring were indicated by cross peaks between H-7 (δH 4.74) and C-2 (δC 116.1), C-6 (δC 115.9), and C-9 (δC 60.4) and between H-7' (δH 2.92, 2.48) and C-1' (δC 133.5), C-2' (δC 113.3), and C-6' (δC 122.1) (Figure 2). In addition, the long-range correlations between the proton signals of methoxy (δH 3.82, 3.83) and the oxygenated quaternary carbon signals of C-3, 5 (δc 149.0) were also identified. The relative stereochemistry of H-8 and H-8' 1 was identified as trans from the lack of NOE effect between H-8 and H-8'. The coupling constant of 6.8 Hz between H-7 and H-8, as well as the optical rotation of 1 ([α]25D = −43.5°) suggested an S configuration at C-7 [13]. A lignan with 7S and 8R configuration of similar structure, (R,4R)-4-[(S)-(hydroxy)(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-(4-hydoxy-3-methoxybenzyl)tetrahydrofuran ([α]20D = −49°), supported the above, as reported in the literature [14]. The 13C-NMR spectra (C-7, C-8, C-7', C-8') and NOESY experiment of 1 was very similar to (+) tripterygiol except for the optical rotation ([α]25D = +48.3°) and were comparable to the epi-THF lignan [15]. This indicates that the H-8 and H-8' are present in (7S,8R)-configuration.

Table 1

1H- (400 MHz) and 13C-NMR (100 MHz) data of compound 1 (in CD3OD, δ in ppm, J in Hz) a.

No.	δH	δC		No.	δH	δC
1		135.7		1'		133.5
2	6.76 (1H, overlapped)	116.1		2'	6.78 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz)	113.3
3		149.0		3'		145.7
4	6.90 (1H, d, J = 3.2 Hz)	110.6		4'		147.0
5		149.0		5'	6.70 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz)	119.8
6	6.75 (1H, overlapped)	115.9		6'	6.63 (1H, dd, J = 8.0, 2.0 Hz)	122.1
7	4.74 (1H, d, J = 6.8)	84.0		7'	2.92 (1H, dd, J = 13.2, 4.8 Hz, H-7'a)2.48 (1H, dd, J = 13.2, 11.6 Hz, H-7'b)	33.6
8	2.34 (1H, m)	54.0		8'	2.72 (1H, m)	43.8
9	3.97 (1H, dd, J = 8.4, 6.8, H-9a)3.71 (1H, dd, J = 8.4, 6.8, H-9b)	60.4		9'	3.82 (1H, overlapped, H-9'a)3.62 (1H, dd, 10.8, 6.4 Hz, H-9'b)	73.4
3-OCH3	3.83 (3H, s)	56.3
5-OCH3	3.82 (3H, s)	56.3

a Assignments were confirmed by DEPT, 1H−1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC.

Figure 2

Key 1H−1H COSY (bold dash) and HMBC (arrow) correlations of compound 1.

Finally, the structure of 1 was determined to be 3-(3',4'-dihydroxybenzyl)-4-[(7S),7-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzyl]tetrahydrofuran, and named acanthosessilin A. Comparisons of NMR and MS data for the known compounds 2–9 with reported values led to their identification as (−)-sesamin (2) [16], (−)-hinokinin (3) [3], (+)-syringaresinol (4) [16], (+)-pinoresinol (5) [17], (+)-piperitol (6) [18], (+)-xanthoxylol (7) [19], acanthoside B (8) [20], and simlexoside (9) [21], respectively (Figure 1). Compounds 1, 6, 7, and 9 were isolated from the genus Acanthopanax for the first time. In addition, compounds 3 and 5 were also isolated from this plant for the first time.

Previous studies have already reported on the anti-inflammatory effects of components from A. sessiliflorus [11,12]. Since NO is known to play an important role in the inflammatory process, inhibitors of NO production are considered as potential anti-inflammatory agents [22]. Thus, we also investigated the inhibitory effects of compounds (1−9) on NO production by using the Griess reaction to measure nitrite, a soluble oxidation product of NO, in the culture medium of LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. As shown in Table 2, compounds 3−7 moderately inhibited NO production with IC50 values of 21.56, 17.75, 10.34, 22.30, and 27.57 μM, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, 8, and 9 also decreased NO production with IC50 values in the range of 49.94 to 65.07 μM. Some cell toxicity was observed in cells treated with compounds 3 and 9, whereas other compounds had no influence on cell viability.

Table 2

Inhibitory effects of compounds 1−9 against LPS-Induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Compound	IC50 (μM) a	Cell viability (%) b
1	49.94 ± 6.56	84.81 ± 2.71
2	38.92 ± 2.86	95.52 ± 2.01
3	21.56 ± 1.19	50.21 ± 1.55
4	17.75 ± 1.15	80.21 ± 1.11
5	10.34 ± 2.37	81.50 ± 3.32
6	22.30 ± 1.10	84.11 ± 2.46
7	21.57 ± 1.28	88.43 ± 3.71
8	65.07 ± 8.02	82.42 ± 1.27
9	53.00 ± 2.75	54.52 ± 2.21
Aminoguanidine c	6.51 ± 1.15	84.61 ± 2.50

a IC50 value of each compound was defined as the concentration (μM) that caused 50% inhibition of NO production in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Cells were pretreated for 1 h with compounds before stimulation with LPS (1 μg/mL) for 24 h; b Cell viability indicates mean maximum inhibitory effect, at a concentration of 100 μM, expressed as a percentage inhibition of nitrite production induced by LPS (1 μg/mL) in the presence of vehicle; c Positive control. The results are averages of three independent experiments, and the data are expressed as mean ± SD.

3. Experimental

3.1. General

Melting points were obtained using a Fisher-Johns Melting Point Apparatus with a microscope. Ultraviolet spectra were measured on a Shimadzu model UV-1601 spectrophotometer. CD spectra were obtained with a JASCO 715 spectropolarimeter. Optical rotations were measured on a JASCO P-1010 digital polarimeter. 1H-, 13C-, and 2D-NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Unity Inova AS 400 FT-NMR instrument, and chemical shifts were given in δ (ppm) based on tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard. IR spectra were run on a Perkin Elmer Spectrum One FT-IR spectrometer. EIMS and HR-EIMS spectra were obtained using a JEOL JMS-700 mass spectrometer (Tokyo, Japan). Silica gel 60 (Merck, 230−400 mesh), LiChroprep RP-18 (Merck, 40−63 μm), and Sephadex LH-20 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech., Uppsala, Sweden) were used for column chromatography (CC). Pre-coated silica gel plates (Merck, Kieselgel 60 F254, 0.25 mm) and pre-coated RP-18 F254s plates (Merck) were used for analytical thin-layer chromatography analyses. Spots were visualized by spraying with 10% aqueous H2SO4 solution followed by heating.

3.2. Plant Material

The fruits of A. sessiliflorus were provided by the Jeongseon Agricultural Extension Center, Jeongseon, Korea in August 2009 and were identified by Prof. Dae-Keun Kim, College of Pharmacy, Woo Suk University, Jeonju, Korea. A voucher specimen (KHU090809) was reserved at the Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea.

3.3. Extraction and Isolation

The air-dried fruits of A. sessiliflorus (10 kg) were powdered and extracted three times with 36 L of aqueous 70% EtOH at room temperature for 24 h. After concentration in vacuo, the EtOH extract (2,012 g) was suspended in H2O (3 L) and then partitioned with EtOAc (3 L × 3) followed by concentration to give the EtOAc fraction (E, 118 g). Fraction E (100 g) was subjected to a silica gel CC (15 × 21 cm) using a gradient of CH3Cl3−MeOH (15:1 → 10:1 → 5:1 → 3:1 → 1:1, 2.8 L each) to yield 14 fractions (E1 to Ε14). Fraction E1 [4.3 g, elution volume/total volume (Ve/Vt) 0.01–0.07] was subjected to the silica gel CC [5 × 10 cm, n-hexane−EtOAc (6:1, 4.5 L)] to give compound 2 [486 mg, Ve/Vt 0.43–0.60, (silica F254) Rf 0.55, n-hexane−EtOAc (2:1)]. Subfraction E1-17 (500 mg, Ve/Vt 0.48–0.77) was separated by CC [RP-18 (3.5 × 4 cm), acetone−H2O (2:1, 1.5 L)] to give compound 3 [22.7 mg, Ve/Vt 0.40–0.45, TLC (RP-18 F254s) Rf 0.55, acetone−H2O (1:1)]. Fraction E3 [36.3 g, Ve/Vt 0.15–0.33] was subjected to the silica gel CC [6 × 16 cm, CHCl3−EtOAc (7:1, 5.5 L)] to give five subfractions (E3-1 to E3-5). CC [silica gel (3.5 × 16 cm), n-hexane−EtOAc (1:1, 3 L)] of subfraction E3-3 (1.80 g, Ve/Vt 0.34–0.53) gave 19 subfractions (E3-3-1 to E3-3-19). Subfraction E3-3-13 (80 mg, Ve/Vt 0.36–0.51) was separated by CC [RP-18 (3.5 × 5.5 cm), acetone−MeOH−H2O (1:1:3, 1.5 L)] to give compound 1 [11 mg, Ve/Vt 0.22–0.33, TLC (RP-18 F254s) Rf 0.55, acetone−MeOH−H2O (1:2:1)]. Fraction E8 (8.98 g, Ve/Vt 0.59–0.67) was fractionated using silica gel CC [4 × 12 cm, CHCl3−MeOH−H2O (16:3:1 → 13:3:1, each 3.7 L)] and yielded nine subfractions (E8-1 to E8-9). Subfraction E8-4 (1.85 g, Ve/Vt 0.45–0.58) was purified using CC [RP-18 (3.5 × 6.5 cm), MeOH−H2O (3:1, 1.2 L)] to give compound 4 [55 mg, Ve/Vt 0.56–0.70, TLC (RP-18 F254s) Rf 0.40, MeOH−H2O (5:1)]. Subfraction E8-5 (1.22 g, Ve/Vt 0.59–0.68) was fractionated using a Sephadex LH 20 CC [3 × 50 cm, MeOH−H2O (4:1, 1.8 L)] and yielded five subfractions (E8-5-1 to E8-5-5). Purification of subfraction E8-5-4 (222 mg, Ve/Vt 0.75–0.88) using CC [RP-18 (3 × 10 cm), EtOH−H2O (1:3, 0.5 L)] yielded compound 8 [44 mg, Ve/Vt 0.33–0.50, TLC (RP-18 F254s) Rf 0.70, EtOH−H2O (1:1)]. Subfraction E8-5-5 (146 mg, Ve/Vt 0.89–1.00) was separated by CC [RP-18 (30 × 10 cm), MeOH−H2O (3:1, 1 L)] to give compound 9 [20 mg, Ve/Vt 0.49–0.60, TLC (RP-18 F254s) Rf 0.50, MeOH−H2O (5:1)]. Fraction E9 (5.80 g, Ve/Vt 0.68–0.72) was fractionated using silica gel CC [5 × 18 cm, CH3Cl3−EtOH−H2O (16:3:1 → 13:3:1 → 10:3:1, each 3.2 L)] and yielded four subfractions (E9-1 to E9-4). Subfraction E9-4 (2.45 g, Ve/Vt 0.75–1.00) was chromatographed over RP-18 (5 × 5.5 cm) and eluted with MeOH−H2O (1:1 → 3:1, each 1.8 L) to give twenty subfractions (E9-4-1 to E-9-4-20). Subfraction E9-4-1 (282 mg, Ve/Vt 0.01–0.12) was purified over silica gel CC (4 × 12 cm) and eluted with CHCl3−MeOH−H2O (14:3:1, 2 L) to give compound 10 [40 mg, Ve/Vt 0.22–0.32, TLC (silica F254) Rf 0.65, CHCl3−MeOH−H2O (14:3:1)]. Subfraction E9-4-6 (190 mg, Ve/Vt 0.55–0.64) was separated by CC [RP-18 (30 × 10 cm), acetone−H2O (1:1, 1.5 L)] to give compound 6 [20 mg, Ve/Vt 0.49–0.60, TLC (RP-18 F254s) Rf 0.55, acetone−H2O (2:1)] and compound 7 [11 mg, Ve/Vt 0.66–0.71, TLC (RP-18 F254s) Rf 0.50, acetone−H2O (2:1)].

3.4. Spectroscopic Data

Acanthosessilin A (1). Colorless crystals, m.p.: 123−125 °C; [α]25D −43.5° (c = 0.5, MeOH); CD (c = 2.50 × 10−3 M, MeOH) λmax nm (∆ε): −0.42 (217), −0.49 (236); UV λmax (MeOH) nm: 280; IR (CaF2 window) cm−1: 3430, 1648, 1512, 1245; EIMS m/z: 360 [M]+; HR-EIMS m/z: 360.1552 [M]+ (calcd for C20H24O6, 360.1572); 1H- and 13C-NMR data, see Table 1.

3.5. Measurement of NO Production and Cell Viability

Assays for NO production and cell viability were carried out as previously described [23]. Briefly, RAW 264.7 macrophages were harvested and seeded in 96-well plates (1 × 104 cells/well) for measurement of NO production. The plates were pretreated with various concentrations of samples for 30 min and incubated with LPS (1 μg/mL) for 24 h. The amount of NO was determined by the nitrite concentration in cultured RAW264.7 macrophage supernatants using the Griess reagent. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT reduction.

4. Conclusions

The new compound 3-(3',4'-dihydroxybenzyl)-4-[(7S),7-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzyl]tetrahydrofuran, named acanthosessilin A (1), was isolated from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, together with eight known lignans. According to previous investigations on Acanthopanax species, we have evaluated the inhibitory activities of all compounds against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages. All compounds moderately inhibited NO production with IC50 values in the range of 10.34 to 65.07 μM. The results provide a potential explanation for the use of this plant as a herbal medicine in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and they may be potentially useful in developing new anti-inflammatory agents.