Javaberine A, new TNF-alpha and nitric oxide production inhibitor, from the roots of Talinum paniculatum

The methanolic (MeOH) extract from the roots of Talinum paniculatum was fou nd to exhibit inhibitory activities on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) production from mo use peritoneal macrophages, and on the TNF-a production from rat epididymal adipose tissue. From the MeOH extract, two new 8-benzyltetrahydro-protober berine-type alkaloids, named javaberines A and B, were isolated and their s tructures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evid ence. The principal alkaloid, javaberine A, inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha and NO production from mouse peritoneal macrophages and TNF-alpha producti on from rat epididymal adipose tissue.