€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****IMMUNOLOGY***** Kroes BH Beukelman CJ van den Berg AJ Wolbink GJ van Dijk H Labadie RP Inhibition of human complement by beta-glycyrrhetinic acid. In: Immunology (1997 Jan) 90(1):115-20 ISSN: 0019-2805 Licorice, the root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra I., is used as a medicine for various diseases. Anti-inflammatory as well as anti- allergic activities have been attributed to one of its main constituents, glycyrrhizin. These activities are mainly ascribed to the action of the aglycone, beta-glycyrrhetinic acid. beta- Glycyrrhetinic acid has a steroid-like structure and is believed to have immunomodulatory properties. To determine whether interference with complement functions may contribute to the immunomodulatory activity of beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, its effects on the classical and alternative activation pathways of human complement were investigated. We found that beta-glycyrrhetinic acid is a potent inhibitor of the classical complement pathway (IC50 = 35 microM), whereas no inhibitory activity was observed towards the alternative pathway (IC50 > 2500 microM). The anticomplementary activity of beta- glycyrrhetinic acid was dependent on its conformation, since the alpha-form was not active. It was also established that naturally occurring steroids, e.g. hydrocortisone and cortisone, did not inhibit human complement activity under similar conditions. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed that beta-glycyrrhetinic acid acts at the level of complement component C2. Registry Numbers: EC 3.4.21.42 (Complement 1s) 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) 80295-33-6 (Complement 1q) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****BASIC LIFE SCIENCES***** Shankel DM Kuo S Haines C Mitscher LA Extracellular interception of mutagens. In: Basic Life Sci (1993) 61:65-74 ISSN: 0090-5542 Extracellular interception of mutagens by excreted enzymes or by chemical agents that react with or bind to formed mutagens provides an important means of defense against chemical mutagens/carcinogens. Kada and Shimoi have classified molecules that function in this manner as "desmutagens," and many of them are natural cellular metabolites. Among the specific mechanisms that such agents may employ are: prevention of the activation of "promutagens" to mutagens; stimulation of enzymes (e.g., glutathione-S-transferase) that catalyze the binding/inactivation of damaging electrophiles; direct binding and concomitant inactivation of promutagens or mutagens; interference with uptake of mutagens into cells; etc. De Flora and Ramel have provided an excellent discussion of the mechanisms of these agents and a proposed classification scheme. Drawing on work from our own laboratories and other recent examples in the literature, several examples of mechanistic approaches to these studies using natural plant-derived materials, e.g., humic acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, glutathione, and bioflavonoids, are also described. Antioxidants and agents that conjugate electrophiles will be among the modes of action described for obtaining the goal of intercepting mutagens/carcinogens. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****BIOLOGICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN***** Yamazaki M Sato A Shimomura K Saito K Murakoshi I Genetic relationships among Glycyrrhiza plants determined by RAPD and RFLP analyses. In: Biol Pharm Bull (1994 Nov) 17(11):1529-31 ISSN: 0918-6158 The genetic similarities of four species of Glycyrrhiza plants were determined by DNA analyses of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The phylogenic trees were constructed from the genetic similarities estimated from RAPD and RFLP profiles. These results indicated that G. glabra and G. uralensis, rich in glycyrrhizin, are more closely related to each other than to G. echinata or to G. pallidiflora. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Wang Z Nishioka M Kurosaki Y Nakayama T Kimura T Gastrointestinal absorption characteristics of glycyrrhizin from glycyrrhiza extract. In: Biol Pharm Bull (1995 Sep) 18(9):1238-41 ISSN: 0918-6158 The differences in gastrointestinal absorption behaviors of glycyrrhizin (GZ) between pure GZ and GZ in glycyrrhiza extract (GE) (equivalent dose as GZ) were examined in rats. Similarly to the case of pure GZ, both GZ and glycyrrhetic acid (GA) were detected in the plasma after oral administration of GE. However, the plasma concentration-time curves of GZ and GA after GE oral administration were much lower than those of pure GZ, indicating the marked reduction in bioavailability of GZ and as GA after this administration. To identify the GE components affecting the absorption of GZ, GZ was removed from GE and the effect of the remaining components on the gastrointestinal absorption process of GZ was examined. The lipophilic components of GE reduced the gastric emptying rate and the absorption of GZ from the small intestine, while these effects were not observed in the hydrophilic components. In contrast, the bioavailability of GZ as GA was increased by the hydrophilic components, but not the lipophilic ones. At least some of the factors in GE altering the bioavailability of GZ were identified. Registry Numbers: 1405-86-3 (glycyrrhizic acid) 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****BOLLETTINO CHIMICO FARMACEUTICO***** Trovato A Monforte MT Rossitto A Forestieri AM In vitro cytotoxic effect of some medicinal plants containing flavonoids. In: Boll Chim Farm (1996 Apr) 135(4):263-6 ISSN: 0006-6648 Aqueous, ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Citrus sinensis L. (Osbeck), Euphrasia officinalis L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Matricaria recutita L., Rosa canina L. and Ruta graveolens L. have been studied. The cytotoxicity of the drugs assayed was evaluated "in vitro" by means of the dye test using cells of the Yoshida ascites sarcoma. The aqueous extract of Citrus sinensis L. (Osbeck); the petroleum ether extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.; the ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Rosa canina L. and the petroleum ether extract of Ruta graveolens L. showed a quite significative cytotoxic effect. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CARBOHYDRATE RESEARCH***** Zhao JF Kiyohara H Yamada H Takemoto N Kawamura H Heterogeneity and characterisation of mitogenic and anti- complementary pectic polysaccharides from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch et D.C. In: Carbohydr Res (1991 Oct 14) 219:149-72 ISSN: 0008-6215 Two anti-complementary polysaccharide fractions (GR-2IIa and GR- 2IIb), isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch et D.C., each gave five anti-complementary polysaccharides (GR-2IIa-1-5 and GR-2IIb-1-5) on h.p.l.c.; likewise, GR-2IIc gave two anti- complementary and mitogenic polysaccharides (GR-2IIc-1-2A and -2IIc- 2) by gel filtration and h.p.l.c. GR-2IIc-1-2A showed the most potent anti-complementary activity. GR-2IIa-1-5 and GR-2IIb-1-5 contained 40- 85% and 50-90% of GalA, respectively, in addition to Rha, Ara, and Gal. GR-2IIc-1-2A and -2IIc-2 mainly comprised Glc, Gal, GalA, and GlcA in addition to Rha, Fuc, Xyl, Ara, and Man. Methylation analysis and digestion with endo-alpha-(1----4)-polygalacturonase indicated that all of the polysaccharides contained polygalacturonan regions which were frequently methyl-esterified. GR-2II-a, -2IIb, and -2IIc gave enzyme-resistant fractions of large and intermediate sizes, in addition to oligogalacturonides. Each large fraction from GR-2IIa and -2IIb consisted mainly of Ara, Gal, and GalA, whereas the intermediate fractions were composed of small proportions of 2-Me- Fuc, 2-Me-Xyl, and apiose (Api), in addition to Rha, Ara, Gal, and GalA. The large fraction from GR-2IIc mainly contained Rha, Man, Gal, and GalA in addition to Fuc, Ara, Xyl, and Glc, whereas the intermediate fraction consisted of 2-Me-Fuc, 2-Me-Xyl, and Api, in addition to Rha, Ara, GalA, Fuc, Xyl, Man, Gal, and Glc. Base- catalysed beta-elimination followed by ethylation indicated that all the polysaccharides except GR-2IIc-2 contained a 4-linked uronic acid attached to position 2 of 2,4-linked Rha. Single radial gel diffusion, using the beta-D-glucosyl-Yariv antigen, indicated that GR- 2IIa-1 and GR-2IIc-2 contained relatively large proportions of (1---- 3,6)-beta-D-galactan moieties. The anti-complementary activities of GR-2IIa-3, GR-2IIa-4, and GR-2IIb-4 decreased after de-esterification followed by digestion with endo-alpha-(1----4)-polygalacturonase. The large fractions from GR-2IIa-2IIc showed more potent anti- complementary activities than the original polysaccharide fractions, whereas the intermediate fractions and oligogalacturonides were inactive. The large fraction from GR-2IIc had more potent mitogenic activity than GR-2IIc, whereas the intermediate fraction and oligogalacturonides from GR-2IIc were inactive. Registry Numbers: EC 3.2.1.15 (Polygalacturonase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN***** Shimizu N Tomoda M Kanari M Gonda R Satoh A Satoh N A novel neutral polysaccharide having activity on the reticuloendothelial system from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1990 Nov) 38(11):3069-71 ISSN: 0009-2363 A neutral polysaccharide, named glycyrrhizan UC, was isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 69,000. Glycyrrhizan UC is composed of L-arabinose:D- galactose:D-glucose:L-rhamnose in the molar ratio of 10:30 27:1. Methylation analysis, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated its structural feature as an arabino-3,6-galacto-glucan type polysaccharide. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Tomoda M Shimizu N Kanari M Gonda R Arai S Okuda Y Characterization of two polysaccharides having activity on the reticuloendothelial system from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1990 Jun) 38(6):1667-71 ISSN: 0009-2363 Two polysaccharides, called glycyrrhizans UA and UB, were isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and showed reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test. Glycyrrhizan UA is composed of L-arabinose: D- galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 20:14:1:3, and glycyrrhizan UB is composed of L-arabinose: D- galactose: D-glucose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 12:10:1:10:20, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups and peptide moiety, respectively. About 10% (glycyrrhizan UA) and 35% (glycyrrhizan UB) of the D-galacturonic acid residues exist as the methyl esters. Methylation analysis, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated their structural features. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kitagawa I Chen WZ Hori K Harada E Yasuda N Yoshikawa M Ren J Chemical studies of Chinese licorice-roots. I. Elucidation of five new flavonoid constituents from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. collected in Xinjiang. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1994 May) 42(5):1056-62 ISSN: 0009-2363 From the air-dried roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Leguminosae) collected in Xinjiang province, China ("Shinkyo-Kanzo" in Japanese), five new flavonoid compounds named glucoliquiritin apioside (1) (a flavonone bisdesmoside), prenyllicoflavone A (5) (a bisprenylflavone), shinflavone (7) (a prenylated pyranoflavanone), shinpterocarpin (9) and 1-methoxyphaseollin (12) (both pyranopterocarpans), were isolated together with eight known saponins, seven known flavonoid glycosides, and eleven flavonoids. The structures of the new compounds have been elucidated on the basis of their chemical and physicochemical properties. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kitagawa I Hori K Uchida E Chen WZ Yoshikawa M Ren J Saponin and sapogenol. L. On the constituents of the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer from Xinjiang, China. Chemical structures of licorice-saponin L3 and isoliquiritin apioside. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1993 Sep) 41(9):1567-72 ISSN: 0009-2363 From the air-dried roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer collected in Xinjiang province, China ("Shinkyo-Kanzo" in Japanese), a new oleanene-type triterpene oligoglycoside named licorice-saponin L3 and a new chalcone oligoglycoside named isoliquiritin apioside were isolated together with glycyrrhizin, 18 alpha-glycyrrhizin, apioglycyrrhizin, araboglycyrrhizin, licorice-saponins A3, E2, G2, and H2, and six known flavonoid glycosides. On the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, the structures of licorice-saponin L3 and isoliquiritin apioside were elucidated as 3 beta-[alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1--> 2)-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyloxy]-22 beta-acetoxy-24-hydroxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid (1) and 4-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl]isoliquiritigenin (6), respectively. Registry Numbers: 94-41-7 (Chalcone) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kitagawa I Hori K Sakagami M Hashiuchi F Yoshikawa M Ren J Saponin and sapogenol. XLIX. On the constituents of the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin from Xinjiang, China. Characterization of two sweet oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, apioglycyrrhizin and araboglycyrrhizin. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1993 Aug) 41(8):1350-7 ISSN: 0009-2363 Two sweet oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides named apioglycyrrhizin and araboglycyrrhizin were isolated from the air- dried roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin, collected in Xinjiang province (Shinkyo-Kanzo in Japanese), together with glycyrrhizin (3), licorice-saponins A3 (8), G2 (10), and H2 (11) and known flavonoid glycosides. On the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, the structures of apioglycyrrhizin and araboglycyrrhizin have been determined to be expressed as 3-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl]glycyrrhetic acid (1) and 3-O-[alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]glycyrrhet ic acid (2), respectively. During the course of these studies, it has been found that the hydroxyl groups in the oligosaccharide moiety of the glucuronide saponins may be partially methylated by prolonged treatment with diazomethane in methanol. The sweetness of the saponins hitherto isolated from various Glycyrrhizae Radix has been examined and a structure-sweetness relationship, as compared with glycyrrhizin, has been found. Registry Numbers: 121687-83-0 (araboglycyrrhizin) 121709-66-8 (apioglycyrrhizin) 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kitagawa I Hori K Sakagami M Zhou JL Yoshikawa M Saponin and sapogenol. XLVIII. On the constituents of the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer from northeastern China. (2). Licorice- saponins D3, E2, F3, G2, H2, J2, and K2. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1993 Aug) 41(8):1337-45 ISSN: 0009-2363 Following the characterization of licorice-saponins A3 (2), B2 (3), and C2 (4), the chemical structures of licorice-saponins D3 (5), E2 (6), F3 (7), G2 (8), H2 (9), J2 (10), and K2 (11), seven of the ten oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides isolated from the air-dried roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer collected in the northeastern part of China, were investigated. On the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, the structures of licorice-saponins D3, E2, F3, G2, H2, J2, and K2 have been determined to be expressed as 3 beta- [alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1-- >2)- beta-D-glucuronopyranosyloxy]-22 beta-acetoxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid (5), 3-O-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl]glabrolide (6), 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-- >2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1--> 2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-11- deoxoglabrolide (7), 24-hydroxyglycyrrhizin (8), 3-O-[beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta- D-glucuronopyranosyl]liquiritic acid (9), 24-hydroxy-11-deoxoglycyrrhizin (10), and 3 beta-[beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyloxy]-24-+ ++hydroxyoleana- 11,13(18)-dien-30-oic acid (11), respectively. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kitagawa I Hori K Taniyama T Zhou JL Yoshikawa M Saponin and sapogenol. XLVII. On the constituents of the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer from northeastern China. (1). Licorice- saponins A3, B2, and C2. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1993 Jan) 41(1):43-9 ISSN: 0009-2363 From the air-dried root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, collected in the northeastern part of China, ten new oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides were isolated together with glycyrrhizin (1) and several known flavonoids. Among the newly isolated triterpene oligoglycosides, the chemical structures of licorice-saponin A3 (2), licorice-saponin B2 (3), and licorice-saponin C2 (4) have been determined, on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, to be expressed as 30-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylglycyrrhizin, 11-deoxo- glycyrrhizin, and 3-O-[beta-D-glucuronpyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucuronpyranosyl++ +]oleana- 11,13(18)-dien-30-oic acid, respectively. During the course of these studies, facile conversions from glycyrrhizin (1) to licorice-saponins A3 (2), B2 (3), and C2 (4) have been accomplished. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Shimizu N Tomoda M Takada K Gonda R The core structure and immunological activities of glycyrrhizan UA, the main polysaccharide from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1992 Aug) 40(8):2125-8 ISSN: 0009-2363 The controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of glycyrrhizan UA, the main phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis FISCHER, was performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating, anti- complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of glycyrrhizan UA and its degradation products were investigated. Methylation analyses of primary, secondary and tertiary Smith degradation products and of the limited hydrolysis product indicated that the core structural features of glycyrrhizan UA include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose. All of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of mainly alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-1,6- or 1,3-linked D-galactose residues at position 6. Removal of the arabinosyl side chains caused a pronounced decrease in immunological activity. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Hatano T Yasuhara T Fukuda T Noro T Okuda T Phenolic constituents of licorice. II. Structures of licopyranocoumarin, licoarylcoumarin and glisoflavone, and inhibitory effects of licorice phenolics on xanthine oxidase. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1989 Nov) 37(11):3005-9 ISSN: 0009-2363 An anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) phenolic constituent, licopyranocoumarin (4), and two other new phenolics named licoarylcoumarin (5) and glisoflavone (6) were isolated from Si-pei licorice (a commercial licorice; root and stolon of Glycyrrhiza sp. from the north-western region of China) using droplet countercurrent chromatography and centrifugal partition chromatography, and their structures were assigned based on chemical and spectroscopic data. Kaempferol 3-O-methyl ether (7) and licocoumarone (8) were also isolated from the licorice. The inhibitory effects of ten licorice phenolics on xanthine oxidase were examined. Licochalcone B (1), glycyrrhisoflavone (2), 8 and licochalcone A (19) showed 50% inhibition at the concentration of 1.3-5.6 x 10(-5) M. Registry Numbers: EC 1.1.3.22 (Xanthine Oxidase) 117038-80-9 (licopyranocoumarin) 125709-32-2 (glisoflavone) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH CHINESE JOURNAL OF MODERN DEVELOPMENTS** Gong QM Wang SL Gan C [A clinical study on the treatment of acute upper digestive tract hemorrhage with wen-she decoction] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1989 May) 9(5):272-3, 260 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) This paper deals with the prospective clinical study on treatment of acute upper digestive tract hemorrhage with Wen-She decoction (WSD). An opened sequential controlled trial method of simple orientation quality reaction was adopted in this study. 7 cases were treated and all of them were cured. It was concluded that WSD was an excellent therapy to treat the middle or small amount hemorrhage of acute upper digestive tract. The effective rate of WSD of the stool OB (+) becoming (-) within 5 days was more than 95%. WSD consists of Codonopsis pilosulae, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Zingiber officinale, Os sepiae Halloysitum rubrum and Astragalus membranaceus. It is effective in stopping bleeding by warming the Spleen and tonifying Qi. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG-KUO CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH***** Shen D Shen L Wang AL [Effect of xiaoyu pian on new platelet aggregation defect] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1994 Oct) 14(10):589-91 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The Xiaoyu pian (XYP, mainly consisted of prunus persica, Carthamus tinctorius, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, etc) was used to treat patients with new platelet aggregation defect. Patients were divided into 2 groups, the TCM group (72 cases) treated with XYP and the control group (65 cases) treated with vitamin C and P and/or adrenosem for at least 3 months. The results showed that marked effective rate was 87.5% in TCM group and 35.4% in control group (chi 2 = 39.7, P < 0.01); the recovery rate of platelet was 91.8% in the former and 10.3% in the latter (chi 2 = 71.4, P < 0.01); the recurrence rate of follow-up (6 months after treatment) was 30.8% in the former and 82.1% in the latter (chi 2 = 19.2, P < 0.01). The difference between two groups was very significant. The results suggested that XYP could regulate the hemostatic action and the platelet aggregation function. It is worthwhile to use XYP as an hemostatic clinically. Registry Numbers: 1340-08-5 (P factor) 50-81-7 (Ascorbic Acid) 54-06-8 (Adrenochrome) 69-81-8 (carbazochrome) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Xu JD Liu ZH Chen SZ [Effects of Paeonia-glycyrrhiza decoction on changes induced by cisplatin in rats] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1994 Nov) 14(11):673-4 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) In order to study the effects of Paeonia-Glycyrrhiza decoction (PGD) on the changes induced by cisplatin in rats, platinum-wire bipolar electrodes were inserted into the serosal membrane of the small intestine and migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) was used as index. After intravenous injection of cisplatin at doses of 4 mg/kg, the duration of the MMC cycles was significantly shorter than that of normal MMC cycles (P < 0.05) while the duration of phase III was remarkably prolonged comparing with that of normal phase III (P < 0.01) with latent period of 53.2 +/- 20.4 minutes. Taking PGD orally, cisplatin no longer induced the changes of MMC. The results suggest that PGD has marked adjusting effects on the changes of MMC induced by cisplatin. This might be one of the causes of PGD in relieving diarrhea induced by cisplatin in rats. Registry Numbers: 15663-27-1 (Cisplatin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Sheng ZL Li NY Ge XP [Clinical study of baoyuan dahuang decoction in the treatment of chronic renal failure] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1994 May) 14(5):268-70, 259 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The quality of life of 56 chronic renal failure (CRF) patients using two kinds of treatment has been observed. 36 of them were taken as Group A with BUN 21.62 +/- 5.96 mmol/L, Cr 528.63 +/- 176.3 mumol/L and Hb 65 +/- 13 g/L were treated with Baoyuan Dahuang Decoction consisted of Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Cassia cinnamomi, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Rheum palmatum. Result: Six symptoms were observed, that were: fatigue, lassitude in loin and legs, aversion of cold, anorexia, sexual dysfunction and mental depression. Five of them improved markedly, from 12.5 +/- 2.91 before treatment to 5.58 +/- 4.68 after treatment in terms of symptom scores, P < 0.001. Furthermore, dihydrothelin (E2), testosterone (T) and pregnendione (P) were regulated significantly, the elevated level of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) before treatment lowered to near normal. The other 20 patients, BUN 20.24 +/- 6.57 mmol/L, Cr 487.08 +/- 238.68 mumol/L and Hb 68 +/- 13g/L formed Group B using comprehensive treatment of Western medicine as control. The main drug was coated aldehyde oxystarch. After treatment, the symptoms didn't show marked improvement, symptom scores being 12.55 +/- 2.0 compared with 10.05 +/- 2.72 before treatment, P > 0.05. E2, T, P and CPK were of insignificant differences (P > 0.05); Hb remained almost unchanged, even though BUN and Cr lowered for 22% and 29% respectively. It is assumed that Baoyuan Dahuang decoction could improve CRF patients' quality of life, and the mechanism of which was not only to reduce the urea nitrogen, but also to adjust the anemia and regulate the membrane function. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liu XR Han WQ Sun DR [Treatment of intestinal metaplasia and atypical hyperplasia of gastric mucosa with xiao wei yan powder] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Oct) 12(10):602-3, 580 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) 138 cases of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and 104 cases of atypical hyperplasia (AH) of the gastric mucosa of chronic gastritis treated with Xiao Wei Yan Powder (XWYP) were reported. The diagnoses were based on the pathological examination of gastric antrum biopsy specimens. The cases were randomly divided into treated group and control group. The XWYP contained Smilax glabrae, Hedyotis diffusae, Taraxacum mongolicum, Caesalpinia sappan, Paeonia alba, Cyperus rotundus, Bletilla striata, Glycyrrhiza uralensis etc., and was prepared in powder form, taken orally 5-7g tid. After 2-4 months of administration, gastroscopic and pathological examinations were repeated. Results: In treated group, the total effective rate of IM was 91.3% and that of the AH was 92.16%, while in control group, they were 21.3% and 14.46% respectively (P < 0.01). It denoated that XWYP had marked therapeutic effects for IM and AH. The animal experiments revealed no toxic effect, so safety guarantee was provided for its clinical application. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ **CHUNG-KUO CHUNG YAO TSA CHIH CHINA JOURNAL OF CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA* Zhao S Wu H Cao Y [Protective effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and its extracts on the chronic desensitization of beta-adrenoceptors in guinea pigs] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1991 Jun) 16(6):370-1, 384 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) Histamine-induced wheezing test is conjunction with radioligand binding assay showed that after long-term administration of isoprenaline the reactivity and R, value (total receptor binding sites) of beta-adrenoceptors in the lung tissue of guinea pigs were reduced. The decoction of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch or its extractive LX56 given intraperitoneally could prevent these changes, but the decoction per os or glycyrrhetinic acid given intraperitoneally could not. Registry Numbers: 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) 7683-59-2 (Isoproterenol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zhang JQ Zhou YP [Inhibition of aldose reductase from rat lens by some Chinese herbs and their components] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1989 Sep) 14(9):557-9, 576 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) Nearly 20 herbs or herbal components were screened for the inhibitory effect of rat lens aldose reductase(AR) with a fluorometric assay of AR activity. Among these Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Radix astragali, Gentiana scabra, silybin, puerarin and baicalin were found to exhibit markedly inhibitory effects on AR comparable to Sorbinil. The authors suggest that some of the Chinese herbs used in the control of diabetic complications may act through the pharmacologic action of inhibiting AR. Registry Numbers: EC 1.1. (Sugar Alcohol Dehydrogenases) EC 1.1.1.21 (Aldehyde Reductase) 22888-70-6 (Silymarin) 3681-99-0 (puerarin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Wang J Chen D Zhao X [Analytical study on drug-processing of the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. by HPLC] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1995 Sep) 20(9):535-6, 575 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) This paper presents a study on the drug-processing of the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. A HPLC method for the determination of glycyrrhizic acid in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and its processed products has been established. The method is simple, specific and accurate. The recovery is 99.97% and the relative standard deviation is 0.9%. Registry Numbers: 1405-86-3 (glycyrrhizic acid) 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liu LM Yu ZF Wu CY [Studies of the spasm-relieving effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.--Aster tataricus L.F. pulvis mixture on the trachea in guinea pigs] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1993 Sep) 18(9):566-7, 575 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) The experiment shows that high concentration of Aster tataricus plus Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. can inhibit the tracheal systoliea caused by histamine, but for tracheal systoliea caused by acetylcholine the inhibition is indistinct. The experiment also shows that Aster tataricus, glycyrrhiza uralensis and Tussilago far fara L. combined have coordinated inhibiting effect on the tracheal systoliea caused by histamine and acetylcholine. Registry Numbers: 51-84-3 (Acetylcholine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zhou Y Xu R [Antioxidative effect of Chinese drugs] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1992 Jun) 17(6):368-9, 373 inside backcover ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) The antioxidative effect of more than 50 ethanol extracts of Chinese drugs were studied on the air oxidation of linoleic acid. Several ethanol extracts such as Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Magnolia officinalis and Zingiber officinale etc., were found having stronger antioxidative effect. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****FARMAKOLOGIIA I TOKSIKOLOGIIA***** Azimov MM Zakirov UB Radzhapova ShD [Pharmacological study of the anti-inflammatory agent glyderinine] Farmakologicheskoe izuchenie protivovospalitel'nogo sredstva gliderinina. In: Farmakol Toksikol (1988 Jul-Aug) 51(4):90-3 ISSN: 0014-8318 (Published in Russian) In experiments on various animals glyderinine, a derivative of glycyrrhizic acid isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra, was found to exert a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect exceeding that of hydrocortisone and amidopyrine. The mechanism of the anti- inflammatory effect was to a certain degree related to the adrenal cortex, suppression of vascular permeability and antagonism to inflammation as well. Similarly to other anti-inflammatory agents, glyderinine possesses analgesic and antipyretic properties, but unlike them it fails to suppress hemopoiesis and to cause ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa. The drug is of low toxicity and exerts the antiallergic effect. Glyderinine was successfully tried and recommended for a wide use as an ointment for treating skin diseases. Registry Numbers: 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) 4773-96-0 (mangiferin) 95507-60-1 (glyderinine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ****HUA-HSI I KO TA HSUEH HSUEH PAO [JOURNAL OF WEST CHINA UNIVERSITY OF*** Liu S Jiang X Zheng Y Xu P [Determination of glycyrrhizin in glycyrrhiza and it's preparations by ion-pair HPLC] In: Hua Hsi I Ko Ta Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1993 Mar) 24(1):111-4 ISSN: 0257-7712 (Published in Chinese) Glycyrrhizin is the main component of glycyrrhiza. In this article an Ion-pair high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is described for the determination of glycyrrhizin in two kinds of glycyrrhiza from different origins and twelve kinds of Chinese traditional patent medicine containing glycyrrhiza. A reversed phase system was used, including an ODS column with water and methanol (36:64) as the mobile phase which contained 5mmol/L tetra-n-butyl ammonium hydroxide and was adjusted to pH 6.0 by phosphoric acid. The column temperature was 35 degrees C; the detection was performed at 254 nm. Under this condition glycyrrhizin could be separated from other components. The limit of detection was 13ng, and the average recovery was 99.85%. During the experiments, we studied the concentration of counter-ion, the mixing ratio of methanol to water, the pH of the mobile phase and column temperature and their effect on the capacity factor of compound and resolution. We also studied the method of pre-treatment for the samples. The determination method is simple and accurate. Registry Numbers: 1405-86-3 (glycyrrhizic acid) 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS***** Kim J Pezzuto JM Soejarto DD Lang FA Kinghorn AD Polypodoside A, an intensely sweet constituent of the rhizomes of Polypodium glycyrrhiza. In: J Nat Prod (1988 Nov-Dec) 51(6):1166-72 ISSN: 0163-3864 Polypodoside A, a novel intensely sweet constituent of the rhizomes of Polypodium glycyrrhiza, was established by spectral and chemical methods as 26-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-polypodogenin-3-O-alpha-L- rhamnopyran osyl- (1----2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside [1]. At the doses tested, this isolate was not acutely toxic for mice and was nonmutagenic with Salmonella typhimurium strain TM677. This compound was rated by a human taste panel as exhibiting 600 times the sweetness intensity of a 6% w/v aqueous sucrose solution. Registry Numbers: 119784-25-7 (polypodoside A) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY***** Homma M Oka K Niitsuma T Itoh H A novel 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor contained in saiboku-to, a herbal remedy for steroid-dependent bronchial asthma. In: J Pharm Pharmacol (1994 Apr) 46(4):305-9 ISSN: 0022-3573 To identify the inhibitor of prednisolone metabolism contained in Saiboku-To, we conducted in-vitro experiments of 11 beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD), using rat liver homogenate and cortisol as a typical substrate. We studied the effects of ten herbal constituents on 11 beta-HSD. Five herbal extracts showed inhibitory activity with Glycyrrhiza glabra > Perillae frutescens > Zizyphus vulgaris > Magnolia officinalis > Scutellaria baicalensis. This suggests that unknown 11 beta-HSD inhibitors are contained in four herbs other than G. glabra which contains a known inhibitor, glycyrrhizin (and glycyrrhetinic acid). Seven chemical constituents which have been identified as the major urinary products of Saiboku-To in healthy and asthmatic subjects were studied; magnolol derived from M. officinalis showed the most potent inhibition of the enzyme (IC50, 1.8 x 10(-4) M). Although this activity was less than that of glycyrrhizin, the inhibition mechanism (non-competitive) was different from a known competitive mechanism. These results suggest that magnolol might contribute to the inhibitory effects of Saiboku-To on prednisolone metabolism through inhibition of 11 beta-HSD. Registry Numbers: EC 1.1.- (Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases) EC 1.1.1.146 (11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) 1405-86-3 (glycyrrhizic acid) 35354-74-6 (honokiol) 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) 50-23-7 (Hydrocortisone) 528-43-8 (magnolol) 53-06-5 (Cortisone) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****METHODS AND FINDINGS IN EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY***** Zee-Cheng RK Shi-quan-da-bu-tang (ten significant tonic decoction), SQT. A potent Chinese biological response modifier in cancer immunotherapy, potentiation and detoxification of anticancer drugs. In: Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol (1992 Nov) 14(9):725-36 ISSN: 0379-0355 Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang (Ten Significant Tonic Decoction), or SQT (Juzentaihoto, TJ-48) was formulated by Taiping Hui-Min Ju (Public Welfare Pharmacy Bureau) in Chinese Song Dynasty in AD 1200. It is prepared by extracting a mixture of ten medical herbs (Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Liqusticum wallichii, Angelica sinesis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, Panax ginseng. Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia) that tone the blood and vital energy, and strengthen health and immunity. This potent and popular prescription has traditionally been used against anemia, anorexia, extreme exhaustion, fatigue, kidney and spleen insufficiency and general weakness, particularly after illness. In order to restore immunity in cancer patients, potentiate the therapeutic effect and ameliorate adverse toxicity of anticancer agents, 116 Chinese herbal formularies (Kampo) have been screened and evaluated. Fifteen compounds were found to have such actions. Among these, SQT was selected as the most effective as a potent biological response modifier. During the last eight years, animal models and clinical studies have revealed that SQT demonstrates extremely low toxicity (LD50 > 15 g/kg op murine), self- regulatory and synergistic actions of its components in immunomodulatory and immunopotentiating effects (by stimulating hemopoietic factors and interleukins production in association with NK cells, etc.), potentiates therapeutic activity in chemotherapy (mitomycin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil) and radiotherapy, inhibits the recurrence of malignancies, prolongs survival, as well as ameliorate and/or prevents adverse toxicities (GI disturbances such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, hematotoxicity, immunosuppression, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and nephropathy, etc.) of many anticancer drugs. The application and mechanistic studies of SQT in future development have potential importance in basic and clinical research of the traditional Chinese therapeutic approach of "toning the blood and strengthening Qi (vital energy)" in cancer immunotherapy. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PHYTOCHEMISTRY***** Liu M Liu Q Liu YL Hou CY Mabry TJ An acylated flavone C-glycoside from Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa. In: Phytochemistry (1994 Jul) 36(4):1089-90 ISSN: 0031-9422 A new acylated flavone C-glycoside, apigenin 6-C-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside-8-C-[6"-(3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaroyl )-beta-D- glucopyranoside], was isolated from rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa and its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic data. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ohtani K Ogawa K Kasai R Yang CR Yamasaki K Zhou J Tanaka O Oleanane glycosides from Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis roots. In: Phytochemistry (1992 May) 31(5):1747-52 ISSN: 0031-9422 From the roots of Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis, collected in Yunnan, China, six new oleanane-type triterpene glycosides named yunganosides A1, B1, C1, D1, E2 and F2 were isolated together with hypaphorine. The structures of these glycosides were established by spectroscopic and chemical means. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANTA MEDICA***** Hirano M Kiyohara H Yamada H Existence of a rhamnogalacturonan II-like region in bioactive pectins from medicinal herbs. In: Planta Med (1994 Oct) 60(5):450-4 ISSN: 0032-0943 Unusual component sugars such as 2-methylfucose (2-Me-Fuc), 2- methylxylose (2-Me-Xyl), apiose (Api), and aceric acid (AceA) are contained in the bioactive pectins from Bupleurum falcatum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Angelica acutiloba, but not in the other bioactive pectic heteroglycans and arabinogalactans from Chinese and Japanese herbs tested. Each pectin was digested with endo-alpha-(1-- >4)-polygalacturonase, and gave two enzyme-resistant fractions, PG-1 (rhamnogalacturonan core with neutral sugar side-chains) and PG-2, and an oligogalacturonide fraction (PG-3) by gel filtration on Bio- gel P-30. The PG-2 fractions commonly consisted of unusual sugars such as 2-Me-Fuc, 2-Me-Xyl, Api, AceA, 3-deoxy-D-lyxo-heptulosaric acid (Dha), and 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (Kdo) in addition to Rha, Fuc, Ara, Xyl, Man, Gal, Glc, GalA, and GlcA. Lithium degradation of each PG-2 gave a pentosyl-->6-deoxyhexosyl-->6- deoxyhexosyl-->pentitol fragment as a major oligosaccharide in addition to some neutral di- to trisaccharide alditols. Methylation analysis of the lithium degradation products from each PG-2 also indicated that these oligosaccharide alditols mainly consisted of terminal Rha, Araf, Fuc, Xyl, and Gal, 4-linked Rha, 3-linked Fuc, and 3'-linked Api. HPLC analysis showed that PG-2 had molecular heterogeneity. These results indicate that the bioactive pectins from medicinal herbs commonly consist of the minor KDO-containing region which resembles the rhamnogalacturonan II in plant cell walls. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Wang NL Kiyohara H Matsumoto T Otsuka H Hirano M Yamada H Polyclonal antibody against a complement-activating pectin from the roots of Angelica acutiloba. In: Planta Med (1994 Oct) 60(5):425-9 ISSN: 0032-0943 Anti-sera against a complement-activating pectin (AR-2IIb), which was purified from the roots of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa, were obtained by immunization of rabbits, and a polyclonal anti-AR-2IIb antibody of the IgG class was purified by affinity chromatography on AR-2IIb- immobilized Sepharose and Protein G-Sepharose. Periodate oxidation of AR-2IIb significantly reduced its inhibitory activity on the reactivity of AR-2IIb to anti-AR-2IIb-IgG, but pronase digestion of AR-2IIb did not affect its inhibitory activity. Other pharmacologically active pectins from A. autiloba, Bupleurum falcatum, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis and the complement-activating pectic arabinogalactan from A. autiloba also showed significant inhibitory activities on the reactivity of AR-2IIb to anti-AR-2IIb- IgG, but these inhibitory activities were lower than that of AR-2IIb. Other pectins, polygalacturonic acid, arabinogalactan, galactan, and araban tested had negligible inhibitory activity. Endo-a-(1-->4)- polygalacturonase digestion of AR-2IIb indicated that its "ramified" region (rhamnogalacturonan core possessing neutral oligosaccharide side-chains) contained epitopes for anti-AR-2IIb-IgG, but that 2-keto- 3-deoxyoctulosonic acid (KDO)-containing regions and oligogalacturonides obtained from AR-2IIb were not recognized by anti- AR-2IIb-IgG. Although carboxyl-reduction of galacturonic acid in the "ramified" region decreased the inhibitory activity of the "ramified" on its reactivity to anti-AR-2IIb, an acidic tetrasaccharide unit in the rhamnogalacturonan core had negligible inhibitory activity. Registry Numbers: 9000-69-5 (pectin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kiyohara H Takemoto N Zhao JF Kawamura H Yamada H Pectic polysaccharides from roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis: possible contribution of neutral oligosaccharides in the galacturonase- resistant region to anti-complementary and mitogenic activities. In: Planta Med (1996 Feb) 62(1):14-9 ISSN: 0032-0943 Digestion with endo-alpha-(1-->4)-polygalacturonase liberated the enzyme-resistant region (PG-1c) as an active site of the anti- complementary and mitogenic pectic polysaccharide (GR-2IIc) from Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Partial acid hydrolysis of PG-1c resulted in acidic oligosaccharides, and methylation analysis and GC-MS analysis of the acidic oligosaccharides suggested that PG-1c comprised a rhamnogalacturonan core such as -->2)-Rha-(1-->4)-GalA-(1-->2)-Rha-(1- ->4)-GalA-(1-->-->4)-GalA-(1-->4) as the acidic moiety. Degradation of uronic acids by lithium decreased the anti-complementary and mitogenic activities of PG-1c. Although the products from PG-1c were still active, the methylglycoside of alpha-L-Rha-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GalA- (1-->2)-alpha-L-Rha-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Gal A did not show both activities. The products obtained by the lithium degradation from PG- 1c gave fractions containing various neutral oligosaccharide- alditols. Among these fractions the longest and the short oligosaccharide-alditol fractions had relatively potent anti- complementary activity, whereas all oligosaccharide-alditol fractions expressed weak but significant mitogenic activity. GC-MS analysis indicated that the short oligosaccharide-alditol fraction contained various kinds of di- to tetrasaccharide-alditols. However, malto- oligosaccharide-alditols, and malto-, isomalto-, and laminari- oligosaccharides did not show anti-complementary and/or mitogenic activities, and these results suggested that certain neutral carbohydrate chains in PG-1c were responsible for the expression of mitogenic activity as well as anti-complementary activity of PG-1c. Registry Numbers: EC 3.2.1.15 (Polygalacturonase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Sakurai MH Matsumoto T Kiyohara H Yamada H Detection and tissue distribution of anti-ulcer pectic polysaccharides from Bupleurum falcatum by polyclonal antibody. In: Planta Med (1996 Aug) 62(4):341-6 ISSN: 0032-0943 Anti-sera against the "ramified" region (PG-1) of an anti-ulcer polysaccharide (bupleuran 2IIc), which was purified from the roots of Bupleurum falcatum L, were obtained by immunization of rabbits, and a polyclonal anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-antibody of the IgG class was purified by Protein G and "ramified" region (PG-1) immobilized affinity chromatographies. The antigenic specificity of anti- bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG was examined by a two-site sandwich ELISA which was developed as an improved method for microanalysis of bupleuran 2IIc using a biotinylated antibody. Another pectin from B. falcatum and anti-complementary pectins from Angelica acutilaba and Glycyrrhiza uralensis also showed significant reactivity to anti- bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG, although these reactivities were lower than that of bupleuran 2IIc. Other polysaccharides tested such as apple pectin, araban, yeast mannan, pullulan, etc., had negligible reactivity. The KDO-containing region and oligogalacturonides, which were obtained by endo-alpha-(1-->4)-polygalacturonase digestion of bupleuran 2IIc, were also not significantly recognized by anti- bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG. When bupleuran 2IIc was administered to the mice i.v., the polysaccharide disappeared from the circulation within 24 h and was mainly detected in the liver by the two-site sandwich ELISA. However the clearance of bupleuran 2IIc from the circulation was delayed by pretreatment with iota-carrageenan. When the crude polysaccharide fraction (BR-2), containing mainly bupleurans 2IIb and 2IIc from B.falcatum, was administrated orally to the mice, the polysaccharides were detected in the liver and Peyer's patch. Registry Numbers: 138726-08-6 (Bupleuran 2IIc) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND THE PEKING*** Yang G Yu Y Immunopotentiating effect of traditional Chinese drugs--ginsenoside and glycyrrhiza polysaccharide. In: Proc Chin Acad Med Sci Peking Union Med Coll (1990) 5(4):188-93 ISSN: 0258-8757 The immunopotentiating effects of the traditional Chinese drugs Ginsenoside (GS) and Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GPS) are reported. It was demonstrated that GS promotes the phagocytic activity of plaque-forming cells (PFC) and enhances the mitogenesis of T and B lymphocytes primed by mitogens. The mechanism of these effects is related to the ratio of cGMP to cAMP. GS also plays a role in the NKC- IFN-IL-2 regulatory system, inhibits the growth of tumor cells, and antagonizes the suppression of ADCC and NK cytotoxicities in mice with surgical stress. GS exhibits bidirectional effects on immunological functions. GPS increases the phagocytosis of macrophages, induces macrophages to secret IL-1, enhances both NK and ADCC activities, behaves as a mitogen of B lymphocytes, inhibits the multiplication of several viruses, and induces the release of IFN from spleen cells. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***SCHWEIZERISCHE MEDIZINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT. JOURNAL SUISSE DE MEDECINE** Jaspersen-Schib R Theus L Guirguis-Oeschger M Gossweiler B Meier-Abt PJ [Serious plant poisonings in Switzerland 1966-1994. Case analysis from the Swiss Toxicology Information Center] Wichtige Pflanzenvergiftungen in der Schweiz 1966-1994. Eine Fallanalyse aus dem Schweizerischen Toxikologischen Informationszentrum (STIZ). In: Schweiz Med Wochenschr (1996 Jun 22) 126(25):1085-98 ISSN: 0036-7672 (Published in German) AIM: To analyze the types, frequency and severity of plant poisonings in Switzerland over 29 years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of severe poisonings with toxic plants reported to the Swiss Toxicological Information Center (STIC). Assessment of the causality, severity of symptoms and the types of plants involved. RESULTS: During the period under review the STIC registered 24 950 cases of contact with or ingestion of toxic plant material. In 99.4% of all cases the clinical course was either unknown, asymptomatic or associated with only minor symptoms (no hospitalization). Severe plant poisonings occurred in 152 cases. Detailed analysis was possible in 135 cases (23 children, 112 adults) including 5 lethal cases (all adults). The 24 plants involved produced the following severe symptoms: Atropa belladonna (42 cases): anticholinergic syndrome (42), acute psychosis (33), convulsions (2), coma (2). Heracleum mantegazzianum (18): severe photodermatitis (18). Datura stramonium (17): anticholinergic syndrome (17), psychosis (12), coma (2). Dieffenbachia (11): severe stomatitis (8), corneal lesions (3). Colchicum autumnala (10): diarrhea (10), liver necrosis (9), fatal multiorgan failure (2). Veratrum album (8): bradycardia ( < or = 40/min) (6), shock (5). Aconitum napellus (4): tachyarrhythmia (2), AV-block II/III (2). Aesculus hippocastanum (3): allergy (3), anaphylactic shock (2). Hyoscyamus niger (3): anticholinergic syndrome (3). Ricinus communis (3): diarrhea (3), toxic megacolon (1). Oenanthe crocata (2): convulsions (1), lethal coma (1). Taxus baccata (2): tachyarrhythmia (1), fatal asystole (1). Further single cases with severe poisonings were observed with Arum maculatum, Asarum europaeum, Chrysanthemum vulgare, Cyclamen persicum, Datura suaveolens, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Laburnum anagyroides, Lycopodium, Narcissus pseudonarcissus (lethal aspiration), Nerium oleander, Senecio vulgaris and Vicia faba. CONCLUSIONS: Potential and real intoxications with plant materials occurred in 7.2% of all cases registered at the STIC. However, among all plant cases only 0.6% were severe intoxications requiring hospitalization. Although severe plant intoxications are rare events, a small number of specific plants appear to be mainly responsible for continued serious plant poisoning in Switzerland. The present study has identified the plants with the highest toxicological risks and provides a data base for more rational prevention, diagnosis and treatment of plant poisoning cases in the future. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****SINGAPORE MEDICAL JOURNAL***** Ho NK Traditional Chinese medicine and treatment of neonatal jaundice. In: Singapore Med J (1996 Dec) 37(6):645-51 ISSN: 0037-5675 OBJECTIVE: Treatment with herbs may increase the risk of neonatal jaundice (NNJ). It is logical to look into the current practice in some hospitals in China where herbs are being used in the treatment of NNJ. It is also the purpose of this study to find out the chemical constituents and actions of the herbs, and the rationale of the treatment. METHODS: Twenty reports, from 1973 to 1989, from different parts of China, come in a published book and the paediatric journals written in the Chinese language. The Zhong Yao Da Zi Dian, an encyclopedia of Chinese materia medica, and other books on the pharmacology and applications of Chinese materia medica were also referred to in the study. FINDINGS: Yin-chen (oriental wormwood or Artemisia) was the most commonly used herbs for NNJ (95%). Others were Da-huang (rhubarb or Rheum officinale), Huang-qin (skullcap root or Scutellaria), Gan-cao (licorice or glycyrrhiza) and Huang-lian (goldthread rhizome or Copts chinesis). Huang-lian, which contains the alkaloid berberine, was used in 4 centers (20%). Berberine can cause severe acute hemolysis in babies with G6PD deficiency. Currently, Yin-chen comes as a decoction Artemisia composita and an intravenous preparation. These preparations have potential central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese herbs have many pharmacological substances and therefore multiple actions. In recent years, Chinese herbs are used in conjunction with "Western" drugs, rendering the study of the effects of herbs on NNJ extremely difficult. The efficacy and safety of phototherapy for NNJ have been firmly established, thus diminishing the need for drug treatment. What is the present day role, therefore, of herbal medicine for NNJ? Is there a place for further research of these herbal medicines? €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****STEROIDS***** Schambelan M Licorice ingestion and blood pressure regulating hormones. In: Steroids (1994 Feb) 59(2):127-30 ISSN: 0039-128X Nearly half a century ago Revers reported that administration of a paste prepared from succus liquiritiae, a dried watery extract of the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, resulted in a reduction in abdominal symptoms as well as radiographic evidence of healing in patients suffering from gastric ulcer. Subsequent studies demonstrated that this preparation could prevent the formation of gastric ulcers in experimental animals and confirmed the salutary effects in patients, but found that approximately 20% of patients so treated developed facial and dependent edema, often accompanied by headache, shortness of breath, stiffness, and pain in the upper abdomen. Although these symptoms suggested an allergic reaction, they were not accompanied by eosinophilia or relieved by antihistamines. These untoward effects usually subsided with a reduction of dose, although in some patients treatment had to be discontinued entirely. Given this profile of side effects, enthusiasm for licorice as a remedy for peptic ulcer disease soon faded. However, the popularity of licorice flavoring in candy and in other products such as chewing tobacco persists to this day, as do the problems in electrolyte and blood pressure homeostasis that can occasionally occur in individuals ingesting large quantities of licorice-containing products. Although the pattern of the renal response suggested that the active ingredients in licorice were acting directly on the mineralocorticoid receptors in the kidney, an even more fascinating explanation for the toxic effects of licorice has emerged in the past decade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Registry Numbers: 50-23-7 (Hydrocortisone) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****YAKUGAKU ZASSHI. JOURNAL OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN***** Hatano T Fukuda T Liu YZ Noro T Okuda T [Phenolic constituents of licorice. IV. Correlation of phenolic constituents and licorice specimens from various sources, and inhibitory effects of licorice extracts on xanthine oxidase and monoamine oxidase] In: Yakugaku Zasshi (1991 Jun) 111(6):311-21 ISSN: 0031-6903 (Published in Japanese) The roots and/or rhizomes of Glychyrrhiza uralensis, G. glabra and G. inflata, and commercial licorice specimens from various regions or countries were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and classified into three types based on their phenolic constituents. i) Type A: The roots and rhizomes of G. uralensis, commercial licorice specimens from northwestern region of China (Seihoku-kanzo) and from northeastern region of China (Tohoku-kanzo) in Japanese markets, and also several licorice specimens from Chinese markets. They contain licopyranocoumarin (6), glycycoumarin (7) and/or licocoumarone (8), which were not found in G. glabra and G. inflata. ii) Type B: The root and rhizome of G. glabra, and the licorice specimens imported from the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. They contain glabridin (9) and glabrene (10), which were not found in the samples of the other two Glycyrrhiza species. A root sample of Glycyrrhiza species from Turkey also contains 9 and 10. iii) Type C: The root sample of G. inflata. They contain licochalcones A (11) and B (12), which were not found in the samples of the other two Glycyrrhiza species. Commercial licorice specimens obtained in Japan, which were imported from Sinkiang of China (Shinkyo-kanzo), and some licorice specimens obtained from Chinese markets, have also been found to contain 11 and 12. The phenolics 6-12, characteristic constituents of types A, B or C, were not found in a specimen of cortex-free licorice from a Japanese market (kawasari-kanzo). Extracts of some licorice specimens of types A and B, and all of the licorice specimens of type C inhibited 40-56% of the xanthine oxidase activity at the concentration of 30 micrograms/ml. Extracts of some licorice specimens of types A and B also showed inhibitory effects on monoamine oxidase (44-64% inhibition, at the concentration of 30 micrograms/ml), which were slightly weaker than that of harmane hydrochloride. Registry Numbers: EC 1.1.3.22 (Xanthine Oxidase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Nakazawa K Fujimori K Inoue K Sekita S Takanaka A [Effects of extract from a herbal drug, cnidium rhizome (senkyu), on contraction, heart rates and membrane potentials of isolated guinea pig atria] In: Yakugaku Zasshi (1989 Sep) 109(9):662-71 ISSN: 0031-6903 (Published in Japanese) Effects of extract from a herb, Cnidium rhizome (Senkyu), on isolated guinea pig atria were investigated pharmacologically and electrophysiologically. The methanol extract from Cnidium rhizome decreased the contraction and slightly increased the heart rates of the isolated atria. Extracts from five other herbs, such as Japanese anglica root (Toki), Peony root (Shakuyaku), Moutan bark (Botanpi), Glycyrrhiza (Kanzo), Bupleurum (Saiko), affected neither the contraction nor the heart rates. The methanol extract from Cnidium rhizome was fractionated with chloroform and water fractions. The chloroform fraction exerted potent negative inotropic and chronotropic effects in isolated atria. The contraction was attenuated by two major components in the chloroform fraction, ligustilide and senkyunolide, but the heart rates were scarcely affected by these components. The chloroform fraction induced changes in resting potentials and configurations of normal action potentials recorded in the isolated left atria: the resting potentials were depolarized, and the upstroke velocity of the action potentials decreased. Neither ligustilide nor senkyunolide exerted such effects. The upstroke velocity of action potentials recorded in partially depolarized atria was reduced by the chloroform fraction as well as ligustilide and senkyunolide. The mechanisms underlying the effects of the extract from Cnidium rhizome were discussed. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****YAO HSUEH HSUEH PAO [ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA]***** Zeng L Lou ZC Zhang RY [Quality evaluation of Chinese licorice] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1991) 26(10):788-93 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) The contents of 12 compounds, viz. glycyrrhizinic acid, uralsaponin A, uralsaponin B, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, glycycoumarin, isoglycycoumarin, licochalcone A, glycyrol and isoglycyrol, present in Chinese licorice, the roots and rhizomes of 8 Glycyrrhiza species collected from 15 districts in China, were determined by high performance liquid chromatographic method. The quality evaluation of Chinese licorice was discussed according to the results of the determinations. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liu BC Fang JN [Isolation, purification and chemical structure of a glucan from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1991) 26(9):672-5 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) A glucan, GBW, was isolated from the alkaline aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Its mean molecular weight was estimated to be 4 x 10(3). TLC, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, partial acid hydrolysis, KI--I2 reaction, IR and 13CNMR showed that GBW is a (1----4) linked alpha-D-glucan (6). €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Wang CL Zhang RY Han YS Dong XG Liu WB [Chemical studies of coumarins from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1991) 26(2):147-51 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) This paper reports the isolation and identification of eight crystalline substances (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Besides the known compounds liquiritin, hexacosance, beta-sitosterol, licoricone liquiritigenin and etc, a new constituent, named neoglycyrol was obtained by sillica gel and polyamide column chromatographic method. Its chemical structure was elucidated by means of chemical and spectrometric analysis (UV, IR, NMR and MS). Neoglycyrol, C21H18O6, yellow needles with mp 263.5-265 degrees C, possesses one methoxyl, one isopentenyl and two hydroxyls. Its diacetate derivative is C25H22O8 with mp 202- 203.5 degrees C. Its dimethyl ether derivative is C23H22O6 with mp 207-208.5 degrees C. Its structure was found to be VII. Registry Numbers: 23013-84-5 (neoglycyrol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zeng L Zhang RY Lou ZC [Separation and quantitative determination of three saponins in licorice root by high performance liquid chromatography] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1991) 26(1):53-8 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) A new analytical method for the separation and simultaneous determination of three saponins in Licorice root by high performance liquid chromatography has been developed. The saponins, glycyrrhizic acid (S-I), uralsaponin B (S-II) and uralsaponin A (S-III) were separated and determined by use of the solvent system CH3CN-3% HOAc (H2O) (47:53) at 248 nm, and with gradient increasing flow rate, the operation can be completed in 20 min. This method is sensitive and acuate with good reproducibility. The contents of three saponins in Chinese Licorice roots derived from four Glycyrrhiza species were determined. Registry Numbers: 103000-77-7 (uralsaponin A) 105038-43-5 (uralsaponin B) 1405-86-3 (glycyrrhizic acid) 471-53-4 (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zeng L Zhang RY Wang D Pang JH Zhang ZL Gao CY Lou ZC [Glyyunnanprosapogenin and glyyunnansapogenin from the roots of Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1990) 25(10):750-7 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) Two new triterpenoidal sapogenins of oleanane type, namely glyyunnanprosapogenin D (V) and glyyunnansapogenin F (IX) were isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis Cheng f. et L. K. Tai, family Leguminosae, collected from Yunnan Province, China. V was obtained as hexaacetate and dimethyl ester form (Vc), mp 168-170 degrees C, C56H78O22, which gave an aglycone macedonic acid (V') and two molecules of glucuronic acid after hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid. The spectral analysis of 13CNMR and 1HNMR showed that Vc had two glycoside residues attached to the aglycone, and therefore the structure of V was established as oleana-11, 13(18)-dien-29-oic acid, 3 beta, 21 alpha-di-(O-beta-D-glucuronic acid) pyranoside. IX was obtained as its diacetate and monomethyl ester form (IXc), mp 188-190 degrees C, C35H50O7. The IR, 1HNMR and UV spectra showed that the IXc had a skeleton of oleanane type triterpenoid with heteroannular diene. IXb, diacetate of IX, unpurified, was converted to IXf with chromium trioxide in glacial acetic acid. IXf, mp 160-164 degrees C, C30H46O8, was proved to be olean-12-en-11-oxo-3 beta,24-diacetoxy-18 beta-hydroxy-30-oic acid, 30 in equilibrium 18 beta lactone with another carbonyl group at C-15,16,21 or 22 by the analysis of 13CNMR, 1HNMR and MS spectra.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Registry Numbers: 139163-13-6 (glyyunnanprosapogenin D) 139163-14-7 (glyyunnansapogenin F) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Yang L Liu YL Lin SQ [HPLC analysis of flavonoids in the root of six Glycyrrhiza species] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1990) 25(11):840-8 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) Ten flavonoids isolated from six species of Glycyrrhiza root were analysed by reversed phase HPLC. A column packed with Partisil 5 ODS- 3 and gradient elution by using different percentage of methanol (B) in water-glacial acetic acid (97:3 V/V) (A) were used to separate licochalcone A, isoschaftoside, schaftoside, liquiritin, isoviolanthin, violanthin, ononin, isoliquiritin, 4', 7- dihydroxyflavone and licoflavone A. Nine Glycyrrhiza samples of six species were analysed to determine their composition and content of the flavonoids. The results showed that the composition and content of the flavonoids of different Glycyrrhiza species were different as well as the same species but collected in different places. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liu JH Yang SS Fu YQ Yuan CL Liu B [Studies on chemical constituents from Glycyrrhiza paliddiflora Maxim] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1990) 25(9):689-93 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) Five compounds were isolated from the rhizome of Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim. Four of them were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods as beta-sitosterol (II), macedonic acid methyl ester (III), 21-dehydro-macedonic acid methyl ester (IV) and 5-hydroxy-4'- methoxy isoflavone (V). VI was isolated for the first time as a natural compound, named pallidifloric acid methyl ester. V is a new compound, named pallidiflorin. Studies of the chemical structure of II are in progress. Registry Numbers: 133086-79-0 (pallidiflorin) 38987-84-7 (macedonic acid methyl ester) 508-02-1 (Oleanolic Acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zeng L Zhang RY Wei P Wang D Gao CY Lou ZC [New triterpenoidal sapogenins from the roots of Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1990) 25(7):515-21 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) Two new pentacyclic triterpenoidal sapogenins of oleanane type, namely glyyunnansapogenin A (I) and glyyunnansapogenin B (II), together with a known compound beta-sitosterol were isolated and characterized from the roots of Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis Cheng f. et L. K. Tai, family Leguminosae, collected in Yunnan Province, China. I was obtained as its methyl ester (Ia), mp 276-277 degrees C, which formed a diacetate (Ic), mp 244-245 degrees C. II, mp 287-289 degrees C, gave a triacetate (IIb), mp 286-287 degrees C and a monomethyl ester (IIa), mp 272-275 degrees C, which further formed a triacetate (IIc), mp 187-189 degrees C and a diacetate (IId), mp 243-245 degrees C after treatment with acetic anhydride and pyridine over night at room temperature. The structures of I and II were established by spectral analyses of IR, 1H NMR, 13CNMR, MS, CD and ORD. Glyyunnansapogenin A (I) was proved to be 3 beta, 24-dihydroxy-16-oxo- olean-12-en-29-oic acid and glyyunnansapogenin B (II) 3 beta, 21 alpha, 24-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-30-oic acid respectively. Registry Numbers: 131137-98-9 (glyyunnansapogenin A) 131177-50-9 (glyyunnansapogenin B) 5779-62-4 (sitosterol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liu Q Liu YL [Studies on chemical constituents of Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P. C. Li] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1989) 24(7):525-31 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) A species of the genus Glycyrrhiza, G. eurycarpa P. C. Li recently reported as a new species growing in Gansu Province and Xinjiang Autonomous Region has not been studied before on its chemical constituents. This paper reports the isolation and chemical elucidation of four flavonoid glycosides from this species collected in Jinta County, Gansu Province. On the basis of physical and chemical constants and spectroscopic data (UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR and 13CNMR), compound I was confirmed as a new isoflavone diglycoside. Its structure was elucidated as formononetin-7-O[-D-apio-beta-D- furanosyl(1----2)]-beta-D-gl ucopyranoside. The new compound was named glycyroside. The other three components (II-IV) were identified as liquiritin, isoliquiritin and schaftoside, respectively. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ju HS Li XJ Zhao BL Han ZW Xin WJ [Effects of glycyrrhiza flavonoid on lipid peroxidation and active oxygen radicals] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1989) 24(11):807-12 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) The antiperoxidant activity of glycyrrhiza flavonoid (FG) was studied by using colorimetric estimation of lipid peroxide (MDA) formation. The scavenging effects of FG on O2-. and OH. was investigated by using chemiluminescence method and spin trapping technique in different systems. The results were as follows: FG 2.8-25 micrograms/ml effectively inhibited MDA formation induced by incubating mice liver homogenate at 37 degrees C for 1 h; FG 0.265- 26.5 micrograms/ml or 2.58-258 micrograms/ml was shown to markedly scavenge O2-. in alkaline/DMSO or xanthine/xanthine oxidase systems, respectively in a concentration-dependent manner. FG 144 micrograms/ml or 258 micrograms/ml also significantly scavenged the active oxygen radicals produced by PMN stimulation with PMA or OH. produced in Fenton's reaction respectively. The results suggest that FG may be used as an antioxidant. Registry Numbers: 7782-44-7 (Oxygen) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Jia Q Wang B Shu YH Zhang RY Gao CY Qiao L Pang JH [The structure of glyuranolide, a new triterpene of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1989) 24(5):348-52 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) Using a medium pressure liquid chromatographic system, a new triterpene lactone named glyuranolide [3 beta, 22 alpha-dihydroxy-11- oxo-delta 12-oleanene-27 alpha-methoxy carbonyl-29-oic acid (29, 22 alpha-) lactone.] was isolated from the crude sapogenins of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Its structure was elucidated by IR, UV, FAB-MS, and various NMR spectra (including NOE, BBD, INEPT, SR, COSY, NOESY etc.). Registry Numbers: 123914-44-3 (glyuranolide) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Jia SS Liu D Wang HQ Suo ZX [Isolation and identification of gancaonin P-3'-methylether from the leaves of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1993) 28(8):623-5 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) Two flavonoids were isolated from the leaves of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (Licorice, Leguminosae). On the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectroscopy (UV, 1HNMR and MS), a new compound was elucidated as 3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-methoxy-6-isoprenyl flavone (gancaonin P-3'-methylether) and another known compound was identified as 8-C-prenyleriodictyol. Registry Numbers: 151776-21-5 (gancaonin P-3'-methyl ether) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Wang GS Han ZW [The protective action of glycyrrhiza flavonoids against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in mice] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1993) 28(8):572-6 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) The protective action of Glycyrrhiza flavonoids (GF), the major components in the radix of Glycyrrhiza, on carbon tetrachloride- induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. The carbon tetrachloride- induced increases of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly inhibited by GF dose-dependently. Carbon tetrachloride-induced necrosis in mice were ameliorated by GF pretreatment. Concomitantly, the carbon tetrachloride-induced elevation of MDA in the liver was lowered by GF. GF neither reduced the activities of the two enzymes in normal mouse sera nor directly inhibited the activities of the two enzymes in the serum. These findings suggest that the anti-lipid peroxidation effect of GF was contributed to its protective action against carbon tetrachloride- induced hepatotoxicity. Registry Numbers: EC 1.1.1.27 (Lactate Dehydrogenase) EC 2.6.1.2 (Alanine Aminotransferase) 542-78-9 (Malondialdehyde) 70-18-8 (Glutathione) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liang H Zhang RY [Studies on the triterpenoids from roots of Glycyrrhiza squamulosa Franch (published erratum appears in Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1993;28(12):917)] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1993) 28(2):116-21 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) A new triterpenoid, squasapogenol (S-11), was isolated from the hydrolytic products of dilute ethanol (10%) extract of the roots of Glycyrrhiza squamulosa Franch, along with four known triterpenoids. The structure of S-11 was elucidated as olean-11,13(18)-diene-3 beta, 22 beta-diol on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data. The four known compounds were identified as betulinic acid(S-8), methyl ester of macedonic acid(S-9), soyasapogenol B (S-10) and olean-13(18)- ene-22 alpha-Cl-3 beta, 24-diol(S-12). Registry Numbers: 149183-66-4 (squasapogenol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Cai LN Zhang RY Wang B Qiao L Huang LR Zhang ZL [Studies on the chemical constituents of Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim] In: Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao (1992) 27(10):748-51 ISSN: 0513-4870 (Published in Chinese) A species of the genus Glycyrrhiza, G. pallidiflora Maxim, growing in Jiangsu and Hebei Provices of China, has been little studied before on its chemical constituents. This paper reports the isolation and chemical elucidation of five compounds from this plant, one of them is a new compound named glypallichalcone (P-2). Their chemical structures were elucidated by means of chemical and spectrometric analysis (UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR and 13CNMR) and were first reported to be present in this plant. Glypallichalcone (P-2), was found to be 4- hydroxy-2,4'-dimethoxy-chalcone. The known compounds were identified to be 4'-O-methylcoumestrol (P-1), N-acetyl-glutamic acid (P-3), formononetin and beta-sitosterol (P-5). Registry Numbers: 146763-58-8 (glypallichalcone) 94-41-7 (Chalcone) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€