Pseudosterins A–C, Three 1-Ethyl-3-formyl-β-carbolines from Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Their Cardioprotective Effects.

Xu, Guo-Bo; Zhu, Qin-Feng; Wang, Zhen; Zhang, Chun-Li; Yang, Xin; Zhang, Jin-Juan; Wang, Fu-Rui; Liu, Jun; Zhou, Meng; Wang, Yong-Lin; He, Xun; Gan, Li-She; Liao, Shang-Gao

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is used in China not only as a functional food but also as an herb to tonify the spleen, enhance immunity, and treat palpitation. Our previous investigation showed that a fraction enriched in glycosides obtained from the roots of P. heterophylla possessed pronounced protective effects on H9c2 cells against CoCl2-induced hypoxic injury. However, the active compounds responsible for the observed effects were still unknown. In the current investigation, pseudosterins A–C (1–3), three new alkaloids with a 1-ethyl-3-formyl-β-carboline skeleton, together with polydatin, have been isolated from the active fraction. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. The four compounds showed cardioprotective effects against sodium hydrosulfite-induced hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cells, with the three alkaloids being more potent. This is also the first report of alkaloids with a β-carboline skeleton isolated from P. heterophylla as cardioprotective agents.

CHINA; CARDIOTONIC agents; COBALT chloride; SPLEEN; ANALYTICAL chemistry; FUNCTIONAL foods; PALPITATION

Molecules, 2021, Vol 26, Issue 16, p5045

1420-3049

Academic Journal

10.3390/molecules26165045