Journal of Ethnopharmacology ( IF 4.8 ) Pub Date : 2019-08-02 , DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112137 Qiong Li , Yun-Li Zhao , Cheng-Bo Long , Pei-Feng Zhu , Ya-Ping Liu , Xiao-Dong Luo
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Veratrum taliense is traditionally used TCMs in Yunnan province of China for pain and inflammation. Previous research and clinical applications have shown that V. taliense had significant analgesic activity. Jevine-type alkaloids were shown to be one of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents from V. taliense. However, other types of compounds from V. taliense related to its traditional use remains unknown.
Aim of the study
To identify veratramine-type steroidal alkaloids with analgesic effects from the roots and rhizomes of V. taliense.
Materials and methods
Compounds were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of V. taliense by chromatographic separation. Their structures were elucidated based on UV, IR, NMR and MS spectra data. Analgesic activity was assessed with acetic acid-induced writhing in mice model.
Results
Seven new veratramine-type alkaloids were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of V. taliense. They all exhibited significant analgesic activity, of which alkaloids 1 and 4 were more potent antalgic than the well-known analgesic drug, pethidine.
Conclusions
The veratramine-type alkaloids from V. taliense may serve as new leads for the discovery of analgesic drugs.