Immunosuppressive constituents from Saussurea medusa

• Published in: Phytochemistry (Oxford) 2002-01, Vol.59 (1), p.85-90
• Main Authors: Duan, Hongquan, Takaishi, Yoshihisa, Momota, Hiroshi, Ohmoto, Yasukazu, Taki, Takao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic - isolation & purification; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic - pharmacology; Catechols - isolation & purification; Catechols - pharmacology; Chemical constitution; Compositae; Cytokines - antagonists & inhibitors; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General pharmacology; Guaiacol - analogs & derivatives; Guaiacol - isolation & purification; Guaiacol - pharmacology; Immunosuppressive activity; Immunosuppressive Agents - isolation & purification; Immunosuppressive Agents - pharmacology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Lignan; Lignans - isolation & purification; Lignans - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Phaeophorbide; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Plant physiology and development; Saussurea - chemistry; Saussurea medusa
• ISSN: 0031-9422; 1873-3700
• DOI: 10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00429-0

The methanol extract of Saussurea medusa Maxim afforded two lignans: 2α-guaicyl-4-oxo-6α-catechyl-3,7-dioxabicyclo [3.3.0]octane and 1α-hydroxy-2α,4α-guaicyl-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane; two chlorophyll derivatives: 13- epi-phaeophorbide-a and 13- epi-phaeophorbide-a methyl ester; one megastigmane derivative: 3β-hydroxy-5α,6α-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one, along with 19 known compounds. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies. Five new and 19 known compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of Saussurea medusa Maxim. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic means. Two lignans showed a significant inhibitory effect on cytokine production.