Constituents from the edible Chinese black ants (Polyrhachis dives) showing protective effect on rat mesangial cells and anti-inflammatory activity

•Thirteen nonpeptide nitrogen containing compounds were isolated from an edible insect Polyrhachis dives.•These substances were determined utilizing multiple assays associated with the biological functions of Polyrhachis dives.•Several compounds were found to have immunosuppressive, antiinflammatory and renoprotective effects.

Accumulated data have emphasized the critical role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Chinese black ants (Polyrhachis dives), an edible insect, are well-known for kidney tonifying and anti-inflammatory properties. We have conducted a study that led to isolation of thirteen nonpeptide nitrogen containing compounds from P. dives. Most of these substances possess pyridine moieties and three are alkaloids isolated for the first time from natural sources. Based on ethnopharmacological considerations, the biological potentials of these substances were determined utilizing multiple assays including renal protection, T-, B-lymphocyte proliferation, TNF-α, COX-1, COX-2, and Jak3 kinase inhibition. The finding that several members of this family display activities in one or more of these assays has led to the elucidation of part of the chemical profile of P. dives in terms of non-peptide, small-molecule components.

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