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Diosgenin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranoside obtained as a new anticancer agent from Dioscorea futschauensis induces apoptosis on human colon carcinoma HCT-15 cells via mitochondria-controlled apoptotic pathway.

Diosgenin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (DRG) is a well-known pentacyclic triterpene glycoside newly isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea futschauensis R. Kunth (Dioscoreaceae) by our group. In the present work, the inhibitory effect of DRG on the cell proliferation of human cancer cell lines was examined to reveal for the first time that DRG shows stronger anticancer activity than that of the positive control cisplatin. DRG inhibited the proliferation of human cancer cells, A431, A2780, A549, K562, and HCT-15, with IC50 (micromol L(-1)) values of 9.33 +/- 0.22, 18.7 +/- 0.16, 9.98 +/- 0.38, 6.44 +/- 0.10, and 5.86 +/- 0.14 respectively. It was then found, by morphological observation, "DNA ladder" detection and flow cytometric analysis, that DRG exerts its anticancer effect through inducing apoptosis on HCT-15 cells. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that DRG triggers a mitochondria-controlled apoptotic pathway to induce apoptosis on HCT-15 cells, which involves the reduction of the mitochondrial potential (deltapsim), the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, and the down-regulation of the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax expression level. The present results reasonably suggest that regulating the balance of Bcl-2/Bax expression level plays a key role in the DRG-induced apoptosis. Such findings provide novel knowledge to elucidate the biological properties of DRG, even though DRG was discovered early in the late 1960s. These results suggest that DRG may be a good candidate as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat human colon carcinoma.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

A new steroidal saponin from Dioscorea zingiberensis Wright.

Two compounds were obtained from the rhizome of Dioscorea zingiberensis Wright. One of them was elucidated as dioscin, the other one was a new compound and characterized as Spirost-5-en-3-yl beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, structure was determined on the basis 2D NMR spectroscopic technique and the result of acid hydrolysis.

Dioscorea↗

Phases of dormancy in Yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The control of dormancy in yam (Disocorea spp.) tubers is poorly understood and attempts to shorten the long dormant period (i.e. cause tubers to sprout or germinate much earlier) have been unsuccessful. The aim of this study was to identify and define the phases of dormancy in Dioscorea rotundata tubers, and to produce a framework within which dormancy can be more effectively studied. METHODS: Plants of 'TDr 131' derived from tissue culture were grown in a glasshouse simulating temperature and photoperiod at Ibadan (7 degrees N), Nigeria to produce tubers. Tubers were sampled on four occasions: 30 d before shoot senescence (149 days after planting, DAP), at shoot senescence (179 DAP), and twice during storage at a constant 25 degrees C (269 and 326 DAP). The development of the apical shoot bud was described from tissue sections. In addition, the responsiveness of shoot apical bud development to plant growth regulators (gibberellic acid, 2-chloroethanol and thiourea) applied to excised tuber sections was also examined 6 and 12 d after treatment. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Three phases of tuber dormancy are proposed: Phase I, from tuber initiation to the appearance of the tuber germinating meristem; Phase II, from the tuber germinating meristem to initiation of foliar primordium; and Phase III, from foliar primordium to appearance of the shoot bud on the surface of the tuber. Phase I is the longest phase (approx. 220 d in 'TDr 131'), is not affected by PGRs and is proposed to be an endo-dormant phase. Phases II and III are shorter (<70 d in total), are influenced by PGRs and environmental conditions, and are therefore endo-/eco-dormant phases. To manipulate dormancy to allow off-season planting and more than one generation per year requires that the duration of Phase I is shortened.

Dioscorea↗

Reduction of oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits by Dioscorea rhizome.

Hyperlipidemia may induce oxidative stress, which is important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Dioscorea rhizome (DR) is the powdered form of yams, and possesses antioxidant and hypolipidemic function. We therefore investigated the antioxidative and antiatherogenic effects of DR on hyperlipidemic rabbits. The control group was fed chow containing 0.5% cholesterol and 10% corn oil. The probucol and DR groups were fed the same diet as the control group but with the addition of 100 mg probucol/kg chow and 200 mg DR/kg chow, respectively. Total cholesterol and triacylglycerol plasma levels, RBC hemolysis T50, lucigenin chemiluminescence, and luminol chemiluminescence increased in the control group compared with the normal group, and decreased in the probucol and DR groups compared with the control group. The activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase was significantly higher in the probucol and DR group than in the control group. The level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in liver DNA was lower in the probucol and DR group than in the control group. Eighty percent of the intimal surface of the thoracic aorta was covered with atherosclerotic lesions in the control group but only 40% of the surface was covered in the DR group. These results suggest that supplementation with DR reduces oxidative stress and attenuates atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits.

Animals↗

The evaluation of reno- and hepatoprotective effects of huai-shan-yao (Rhizome Dioscoreae).

Huai-shan-yao (Chinese yam; Rhizome Dioscoreae) is a common food in China. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of the crude extract of huai-shan-yao on acute kidney and liver injuries in rats induced by ethanol. Results of pharmacological, biochemical and pathologic observations all showed that rats treated with the extract of huai-shan-yao had decreased damage in renal tubules as well as decreased inflammation in the central vein and necrosis in the liver tissue.

Animals↗

Effect and mechanism of total saponin of Dioscorea on animal experimental hyperuricemia.

In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of Total Saponin of Dioscorea (TSD) on animal experimental hyperuricemia. Mouse and rat hyperuricemic models were made by orally administering yeast extract paste once a day (30 and 20 g/kg, respectively), for 7 days. Yeast would disturb normal purine metabolism by increasing xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity and generating large quantities of uric acid. This model is similar to human hyperuricemia, which is induced by high-protein diets, due to a purine and nucleic acid metabolic disturbance. Another mouse hyperuricemia model was generated by intraperitoneal injection once with uric acid 250 mg/kg or potassium oxonate 300 mg/kg. Potassium oxonate, a urate oxidase inhibitor, can raise the serum uric acid level by inhibiting the decomposition of uric acid. Likewise, injecting uric acid can also increase serum uric acid concentration. The concentration of uric acid in serum or urine was detected by the phosphotungstic acid method, and the activity of XOD was assayed by a test kit. The results showed that TSD (240, 120 and 60 mg/kg, ig) could significantly lower the level of serum uric acid in hyperuricemic mice. TSD (120 and 60 mg/kg, ig) could also lower the level of serum uric acid in hyperuricemic rats, reduce the activity of XOD in the serum and liver of hyperuricemic rats, and increase the level of urine uric acid concentration as well as 24-hour total uric acid excretion. In conclusion, TSD possesses a potent anti-hyperuricemic effect on hyperuricemic animals, and the mechanism may be relevant in accelerating the excretion and decreasing the production of uric acid.

Animals↗

Characterization of yam virus X isolates from Dioscorea trifida in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Yam virus X (YVX; Potexvirus ecsdioscoreae) is a positive-sense, flexuous RNA virus belonging to the family Alphaflexiviridae. It has been first reported from Guadeloupe, a French archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea. In this study, we investigated the virome in yam (Dioscorea spp.) plant material collected in the state of Bahia (Brazil) by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) on Illumina platform. The objective of the investigation was to explore the occurrence of YVX in yam from South America, and to study its genetic diversity compared to the only one YVX genome sequence available in the GenBank public database. RESULTS: An initial investigation by HTS of bulked RNA extracts (n=23, combined into 4 pools) revealed occurrence of YVX only in samples collected in the region of Valen&#xe7;a. Subsequent screening by RT-PCR of the individual samples composing the pool uncovered infection with YVX only in Discorea trifida. Total RNA extracts from three infected plants were individually sequenced, resulting in the assembly of three complete genome sequences of YVX, showing ~84% nucleotide identity to the reference sequence from Guadeloupe. Our results contribute to expanding the pool of sequences available for YVX, supporting detection purposes and stimulating additional investigations for future studies on YVX diversity and evolution.

Brazil↗

Antitumor-promoting constituents from Dioscorea bulbifera L. in JB6 mouse epidermal cells.

An antitumor-promoting effect was found in the extracts/ingredients of a plant used as a traditional medicine in mainland China, using the neoplastic transformation assay of mouse epidermal JB6 cell lines. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction of 75% ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea bulbifera L. showed an inhibitory effect against the tumor promotion of JB6 (Cl 22 and Cl 41) cells induced by a promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Further investigation on the constituents of the EtOAc fraction from the rhizomes revealed the chemical structure to be kaempferol-3,5-dimethyl ether (1), caryatin (2), (+)-catechin (3), myricetin (4), quercetin-3-O-galactopyranoside (5), myricetin-3-O-galactopyranoside (6), myricetin-3-O-glucopyranoside (7) and diosbulbin B (8). Constituent antitumor-promoting activities were also examined in the same way. Compounds 1-7, characterized as flavonoids with the two hydroxyl groups at C-7 and C-4', showed the most potent inhibitory effect, but there seemed to be differences in the inhibitory effect between flavonol aglycones and flavonol glycosides. Compared with (-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin exhibited much stronger inhibitory activity which suggested that chemical stereo structures of compounds affect the efficiency of inhibition. Compound 8 showed moderate activity. The constituents with antitumor-promoting activity from this plant are reported for the first time.

Animals↗

Antiosteoporotic activity of the water extract of Dioscorea spongiosa.

After 60 MeOH and water extracts of natural crude drugs were screened for their ability to stimulate osteoblast proliferation, four MeOH extracts (Cynomorium songaricum, Drynaria fortunei, Lycium chinense, Rehmannia glutinosa) and seven water extracts (Cornus officinalis, Dendrobium nobile, Dioscorea spongiosa, Drynaria fortunei, Eucommia ulmoides, Lycium chinensis, Viscum coloratum) showed that potent activities were evaluated for inhibition of osteoclast formation. The results indicated that the water extract of D. spongiosa not only showed the strongest stimulation of osteoblast proliferation but also possessed potent inhibitory activity aganist osteoclast formation, whereas it showed lower cytotoxicity in osteoblast and bone marrow cells. A further in vivo experiment determined the antiosteoporotic activity of this extract, in which it inhibited the decrease in cancellous bone mineral content, cancellous bone mineral density, and cortical bone mineral content of the proximal tibia in ovariectomized rats.

Animals↗

Two new pregnane glycosides from Dioscorea futschauensis R. KUNTH.

Two new pregnane glycosides (1, 2) together with two known saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea futschauensis R. KUNTH. The structures of 1 and 2 were established as 16alpha-methoxyl-3beta-[(O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]pregn-5-en-20-one and 21-methoxyl-3beta-[(O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]pregn-5,16-en-20-one, respectively, on the basis of two-dimension NMR (2D NMR) and other spectral analysis. Their in vitro bioactivity against plant pathogenic fungus Pyricularia oryzae and osteoblastic proliferation stimulatory activity in the UMR106 cell line were evaluated.

Ascomycota↗

A new phenanthrene glycoside and other constituents from Dioscorea opposita.

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizome of Dioscorea opposita has led to the isolation of a new phenanthrene glycoside, 3,4,6-trihydroxyphenanthrene-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), and five known compounds, soyacerebroside I (2), adenosine (3), beta-sitosterol (4), palmitic acid (5) and palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (6). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR. Compounds 1-6 exhibited no antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis.

Antifungal Agents↗

A new steroidal saponin from Dioscorea cayenensis.

The new 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,26-dihydroxy-20,22-seco-25(R)-furost-5-en-20,22-dione-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with the known methyl protodioscin (2), asperoside (3) and prosapogenin A of dioscin (4) were isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea cayenensis LAM.-HOLL (Dioscoreaceae). Their structures were established mainly on the basis of 600 MHz 2D-NMR spectral data. 4 exhibited antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis (MICs of 20.8, 6.25, 25 microg/ml, respectively), whereas saponins 1-3 were inactive.

Candida albicans↗

Biotransformation of n-hexadecane by cell suspension cultures of Cinchona robusta and Dioscorea composita.

This manuscript evaluates the phytotoxicity and biotransformation of n-hexadecane as well as peroxidase activity and cytochrome P450 concentration in microsomes for cell suspension cultures of Cinchona robusta and Dioscorea composita. Phytotoxicity was evaluated based on viability and growth. Cell cultures were exposed to a 2 and 4% (v/v) dose of n-hexadecane. The biotransformation of n-hexadecane was determined based on labeled recovery in polar, nonpolar, and cell residue fractions after cell culture extraction during exponential cell growth phase and stationary phase. Differences were observed in accumulation of label during cell growth phase and stationary phase for the cells of the two plants. Differences also were observed between phases for label in polar and nonpolar fractions. Thin-layer chromatography determined labeled intermediates and some were identified. The activity of peroxidase and concentration of cytochrome P450 was lower in C. robusta than in controls and greater in D. composita than in controls. In vitro biotransformation was not successful.

Alkanes↗

[Flavonoids and anthraquinone from Dioscorea bulbifera L].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Dioscorea bulbifera. METHOD: Column chromatography with silica gel was employed for the isolation and purification of constituents. The structures were elucidated by UV, IR, MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analyses. RESULT: Three compounds were obtained and elucidated as 3,7-dimethoxy-5,4'-dihydroxyflavone; 3,7-dimethoxy-5,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone and emodin. CONCLUSION: These compounds were separated from D. bulbifera for the first time.

Anthraquinones↗

Bioactive saponins from Dioscorea futschauensis.

A new anti-neoplastic spirostanol saponin, (25S)-spirost-5-en-3 beta, 27-diol-3O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside and three known compounds viz. prosapogenin A of dioscin, dioscin and gracilin were isolated from Dioscorea futschauensis by bioactivity-guided fractionation. Their structures were elucidated mainly by means of spectroscopic analysis. Their bioactivity against Pyricularia oryzae and cytotoxic activity on ts-FT210 cell line was evaluated.

Animals↗

[Study on hydrolysis conditions of Dioscorea nipponica with uniform design method].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize hydrolysis conditions of Dioscorea nipponica so as to provide parameters for extracting diosgenin in industry. METHODS: The optimum hydrolysis conditions were investigated using diosgenin as an index with uniform design and high performance liquid chromatography method. RESULTS: The optimum conditions were as follows: the hydrochloric acid concentration was 2.5 mol/L, solid-liquid rate was 1:5, the reaction temperature was 140 degrees C, the reaction time was 4.0 h, the mix round speed was 120 r/min. CONCLUSION: The content of diosgenin under the optimum hydrolysis conditions is raised, and the hydrochloric acid concentration should be strictly controlled because of its large influences on the results.

Dioscorea↗

[Effect of gradient magnetic field on growth of stem pearls of Dioscorea opposita during seedling stage].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the bioeffect of gradient magnetic field on the growth and development of medicinal plants. METHODS: Gradient magnetic field with transmission belt was applied to treat the stem pearis of Dioscorea opposita before sowing and an evaluation of the pearl growth during the seedling stage was made. RESULT: Treated with twice gradient magnetic field, the stem pearls grew the best in the seedling stage. Compared with the control, the rate of emergence increased by 38.60%, root number increased by 8%, and the average root length increased by 2.62 cm. By F Test, the average root length was F = 19.98, F0.05 = 6.94 and F0.01 = 18.00. CONCLUSION: Proper magnetic field intensities can promote the growth of medicinal plants.

Dioscorea↗