HPLC analysis of supercritical carbon dioxide and compressed propane extracts from Piper amalago L. with antileishmanial activity

Piper amalago L. leaves were extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide and compressed propane under different conditions, and with chloroform by the conventional maceration method. These methods were compared for the pyrrolidine alkaloid content. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SFE-CO?) at 313 K and 12.55 MPa showed the highest selectivity for the main compound (600.53 mg/g of extract). A gradient high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated to quantify the alkaloid N-[7-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2(Z),4(Z)-heptadienoyl]pyrrolidine in the extracts. The HPLC method showed linearity, precision and accuracy, allowing the quantitative analysis of the alkaloid in all the samples. All the extracts were tested against the promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. The antileishmanial activity was evaluated in terms of inhibitory concentration for 50% of protozoa (IC??). The cytotoxicity was also evaluated against J774A1 macrophages, and the cytotoxic concentrations for 50% of macrophages were obtained (CC??). The SFE-CO? (313 K; 12.55 MPa) extract showed the highest antileishmanial activity with the following IC?? values of 16 and 7 μg/mL against the promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes forms, respectively. The extract showed low cytotoxicity with a CC?? value of 93 μg/mL.     

Antileishmanial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Miconia langsdorffii, isolated compounds, and semi-synthetic derivatives

The in vitro activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Miconia langsdorffii Cogn. was evaluated against the promastigote forms of L. amazonensis, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. The bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to identification of the triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid as the major compounds in the fraction that displayed the highest activity. Several ursolic acid semi-synthetic derivatives were prepared, to find out whether more active compounds could be obtained. Among these ursolic acid-derived substances, the C-28 methyl ester derivative exhibited the best antileishmanial activity.     

Nematocidal flavone-C-glycosides against the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) from Arisaema erubescens tubers

A screening of several Chinese medicinal herbs for nematicidal properties showed that Arisaema erubescens (Wall.) Schott tubers possessed significant nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). From the ethanol extract, two nematicidal flavone-C-glycosides were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The compounds were identified as schaftoside and isoschaftoside on the basis of their phytochemical and spectral data. Schaftoside and isoschaftoside possessed strong nematicidal activity against M. incognita (LC(50) = 114.66 μg/mL and 323.09 μg/mL, respectively) while the crude extract of A. erubescens exhibited nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode with a LC(50) value of 258.11 μg/mL.     

Antiparasitic and antimicrobial isoflavanquinones from Abrus schimperi

The EtOH extract of Abrus schimperi (Fabaceae), collected in Kenya, demonstrated significant activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes with IC50 value of 3.6 microg/mL. Bioassay-guided fractionation of CHCl3 fraction using Centrifugal Preparative TLC afforded two antiparasitic isoflavanquinones, namely amorphaquinone (1) and pendulone (2). They displayed IC50 values of 0.63 microg/mL and 0.43 microg/mL, respectively, against L. donovani promastigotes. Both the compounds were also evaluated against L. donovani axenic amastigotes and amastigotes in THPI macrophage cultures. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 showed antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum D6 and W2 strains, while 2 displayed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (each IC50 1.44 microg/mL). The 1H and 13C data of 1, not fully assigned previously, were unambiguously assigned using 1D and 2D NMR HMBC and HMQC experiments. In addition, the absolute stereochemistry of the isolated compounds 1 and 2 was revised as C-(3S) based on Circular Dichroism experiments. This appears to be the first report of amorphaquinone (1) and pendulone (2) from the genus Abrus.     

Synthesis of diverse (E)-2-((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-2-((benzyloxy)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one O-benzyl oxime derivatives as potent antileishmanial agents

A series of (E)-2-((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-2-((benzyloxy)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one O-benzyl oximes ( 6a-j ) were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro antileishmanial potency against Leishmania donovani (in promastigote and amastigote models). At a concentration of 05-μg/mL, compounds 3a-d , 4a-d , 5a , 5b , 6a-d, and 7a-d exhibited 97% to 100% and 87% to 100% inhibition against promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively. Compounds 6a , 6d-6j and 6a , 6i , 6j exhibited equal antileishmanial potency to that of SSG and Pentamidin at lower values of IC₅₀.     

Chemical and biological analyses of the essential oils and main constituents of Piper species

The essential oils obtained from leaves of Piper duckei and Piper demeraranum by hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main constituents found in P. demeraranum oil were limonene (19.3%) and β-elemene (33.1%) and in P. duckei oil the major components found were germacrene D (14.7%) and trans-caryophyllene (27.1%). P. demeraranum and P. duckei oils exhibited biological activity, with IC(50) values between 15 to 76 μg mL(-1) against two Leishmania species, P. duckei oil being the most active. The cytotoxicity of the essential oils on mice peritoneal macrophage cells was insignificant, compared with the toxicity of pentamidine. The main mono- and sesquiterpene, limonene (IC(50) = 278 μM) and caryophyllene (IC(50) = 96 μM), were tested against the strains of Leishmania amazonensis, and the IC(50) values of these compounds were lower than those found for the essential oils of the Piper species. The HET-CAM test was used to evaluate the irritation potential of these oils as topical products, showing that these oils can be used as auxiliary medication in cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, with less side effects and lower costs.     

Antibacterial activity of Aristolochia brevipes against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The increased incidence of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-MT) requires the search for alternative antimycobacterial drugs. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the dichloromethane extract from Aristolochia brevipes (Rhizoma) and the compounds isolated from this extract against several mycobacterial strains, sensitive, resistant (monoresistant), and clinical isolates (multidrug-resistant), using the alamarBlue? microassay. The extract was fractionated by column chromatography, yielding the following eight major compounds: (1) 6α-7-dehydro-N-formylnornantenine; (2) E/Z-N-formylnornantenine; (3) 7,9-dimethoxytariacuripyrone; (4) 9-methoxy-tariacuripyrone; (5) aristololactam I; (6) β-sitosterol; (7) stigmasterol; and (8) 3-hydroxy-α-terpineol. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1H- and 13C- (1D and 2D) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This study demonstrates that the dichloromethane extract (rhizome) of A. brevipes possesses strong in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration value [MIC], 12.5 μg/mL). The most active compound against all mycobacterial strains tested was the compound aristolactam I (5), with MIC values ranging between 12.5 and 25 μg/mL. To our knowledge, this the first report of antimycobacterial activity in this plant.     

Antifungal Depsidone Metabolites from Cordyceps dipterigena, an Endophytic Fungus Antagonistic to the Phytopathogen Gibberella fujikuroi

Among thirty four endophytic fungal strains screened for in vitro antagonism, the endophytic fungus Cordyceps dipterigena was found to strongly inhibit mycelial growth of the plant pathogenic fungus Gibberella fujikuroi. Two new depsidone metabolites, cordycepsidone A (1) and cordycepsidone B (2), were isolated from the PDA culture extract of C. dipterigena and identified as being responsible for the antifungal activity. Elucidation of their chemical structures was carried out using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy in combination with IR and MS spectroscopic data. Cordycepsidone A displayed strong and dose-dependent antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungus Gibberella fujikuroi. The isolates were inactive in bioassays for malaria (Plasmodium falciparum), leishmaniasis (Leishmania donovani), Chagas's disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), and cytotoxicity at 10 μg/mL. The compounds were also found to be inactive against several bacterial strains at 50 μg/mL.     

Antimycobacterial activity of constituents from Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce grown in Mexico

Bioassay guided fractionation of an antimycobacterial extract of Foeniculum vulgare var dulce (Apiaceae) led to the isolation and characterization of 5-hydroxyfurano-coumarin. The chemical structure of this compound was elucidated by 1H and 13C (1D and 2D) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In addition, the active fractions were analyzed by GC-MS and seventy eight compounds were identified; the major compounds were 1,3-benzenediol, 1-methoxycyclohexene, o-cymene, sorbic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, estragole, limonene-10-ol and 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one. Twenty compounds identified in the active fractions were tested against one sensitive and three MDR strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the Alamar Blue microassay. Compounds that showed some degree of antimycobacterial activity against all strains tested were the following: linoleic acid (MIC 100 μg/mL), oleic acid (MIC 100 μg/mL), 1,3-benzenediol (MIC 100-200 μg/mL), undecanal (MIC 50-200 μg/mL), and 2,4-undecadienal (MIC 25-50 μg/mL), the last being the most active compound. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of 5-hydroxy-furanocoumarin in F. vulgare.     

<em>An ent</em>-Kaurane-Type Diterpene in <em>Croton antisyphiliticus</em> Mart

Croton antisyphiliticus is a medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of microbial infections, especially those affecting the genital tract. Crude extract, fractions and pure compound isolated from roots of this species were investigated to validate their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The compound ent-kaur-16-en-18-oic acid was isolated as a major component (0.7% of crude extract), and its MIC value determined against S. aureus (ATCC 6538) was 250 μg/mL. This is the first phytochemical work on the species monitored with antimicrobial assay.     

Prenylated Flavonoids and C-15 Isoprenoid Analogues with Antibacterial Properties from the Whole Plant of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch (Gramineae)

The local botanical Imperata cylindrica in Cameroon was investigated for its antibacterial potency. The methanol extract afforded a total of seven compounds, including five hitherto unreported compounds comprising three flavonoids (1–3) and two C-15 isoprenoid analogues (4 and 5) together with known derivatives (6 and 7). The novelty of the flavonoids was related to the presence of both methyl and prenyl groups. The potential origin of the methyl in the flavonoids is discussed, as well as the chemophenetic significance of our findings. Isolation was performed over repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and the structures were elucidated by (NMR and MS). The crude methanol extract and isolated compounds showed considerable antibacterial potency against a panel of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. The best MIC values were obtained with compound (2) against S. aureus ATCC 25923 (32 µg/mL) and MRSA1 (16 µg/mL).     

Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of phenolic constituents from the stem extracts of Spatholobus parviflorus

Abstract

A new 2-arylbenzofuran, spathobenzofuran (1), together with ten known compounds including a 2-arylbenzofuran, three pterocarpans and six isoflavones were isolated from the acetone crude extract of the stems of Spatholobus parviflorus. All compounds were characterised by spectroscopic methods. Compound 4 was active (MIC 8?µg/mL) against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa TISTR 781 while compound 2 had modest activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 1466 with a MIC value of 16?µg/mL. All isolated compounds showed no cytotoxicity against Vero and KB cells.     

牛心朴子草植物农药的化学成分与生物活性研究

在分离鉴定化学组分基础上结合普筛农药活性,发现牛心朴子草提取物中生物碱部位显示抗植物病毒极高活性。通过生物活性跟踪与色谱分离、结构鉴定,确定它是菲并吲哚里西啶生物碱,包括7-脱甲氧基娃儿藤碱(Antofine)(1)和N-氧代-7-脱甲氧基娃儿藤碱(N-Oxideantofine)(2)。其中2是首次从该草分离得到。Antofine(1)是该草抑制植物病毒主要成份;半中枯斑法测定它在10^-^6g/mL浓度的枯斑抑制率达60%,比对照的常用植物病毒抑制剂活性高1～2个数量级。用多种生测方法验证该草生物碱试样抗植物病毒如烟草花叶病毒(TMV)、马铃薯Y病毒(PVY)、芜菁花叶病毒(TuMV)等的生物活性。     

An antimicrobial compound isolated from Cinnamomum iners leaves with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Cinnamomum iners standardized leave methanolic extract (CSLE), its fractions and isolated compounds. CSLE and fractions were subjected to disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests using different Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and yeast. Within the series of fractions tested, the ethyl acetate fraction was the most active, particularly against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli, with MIC values of 100 and 200 μg/mL, respectively. The active compound in this fraction was isolated and identified as xanthorrhizol [5-(1, 5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-2-methylphenol] by various spectroscopic techniques. The overall results of this study provide evidence that Cinnamomum iners leaves extract as well as the isolated compound xanthorrhizol exhibit antimicrobial activity for both Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens, especially against MRSA strains.     

Antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase and cytotoxic activity of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) decne polyphenolic constituents

Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk is a traditional medicinal herb used for treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this research, the aqueous ethanolic crude extract of Leptadenia pyrotechnica aerial parts, along with its ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water partitioning fractions were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity, polyphenolic content, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated by the FRAP, DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene bleaching assays.The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest polyphenolic content (252.27 mg gallic acid/g) and the best antioxidant activity (1.2, 0.57, 0.45 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent/g in the FRAP, ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively). Furthermore, the same extract showed appreciable anti-inflammatory via lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity (IC?? = 1.41 μg/mL). Moreover, the ethyl acetate fraction also showed the strongest cytotoxic effect (IC?? = 43.16 μg/mL) against MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. These results suggest that this plant may be considered an interesting source of compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties for therapeutic, nutraceutical and functional food applications.     

A new antifungal and antiprotozoal bibenzyl derivative from Gavilea lutea

A new bibenzyl derivative (4), together with two glycosylated flavonoids (1 and 2), batatasin III (3) and the phenanthrene isohircinol (5) were isolated from the aerial parts of Gavilea lutea. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies including 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR and HRESIMS. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activity towards Candida albicans. The new compound 4 showed inhibitory activity with a MIQ of 50 μg. In addition, compound 4 exhibited a selective activity (IC₅₀ = 2.3 μg/mL) against Leishmania donovani.     

Bio-Potency and Molecular Docking Studies of Isolated Compounds from Grewia optiva J.R. Drumm. ex Burret

In the study, two novel compounds along with two new compounds were isolated from Grewia optiva. The novel compounds have never been reported in any plant source, whereas the new compounds are reported for the first time from the studied plant. The four compounds were characterized as: 5,5,7,7,11,13-hexamethyl-2-(5-methylhexyl)icosahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-ol (IX), docosanoic acid (X), methanetriol mano formate (XI) and 2,2’-(1,4-phenylene)bis(3-methylbutanoic acid (XII). The anticholinesterase, antidiabetic, and antioxidant potentials of these compounds were determined using standard protocols. All the isolated compounds exhibited a moderate-to-good degree of activity against acetylcholinesterases (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). However, compound XII was particularly effective with IC₅₀ of 55 μg/mL (against AChE) and 60 μg/mL (against BChE), and this inhibitory activity is supported by in silico docking studies. The same compound was also effective against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals with IC₅₀ values of 60 and 62 μg/mL, respectively. The compound also significantly inhibited the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro. The IC₅₀ values for inhibition of the two enzymes were recorded as 90 and 92 μg/mL, respectively. The in vitro potentials of compound XII to treat Alzheimer’s disease (in terms of AchE and BChE inhibition), diabetes (in terms of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition), and oxidative stress (in terms of free radical scavenging) suggest further in vivo investigations of the compound for assessing its efficacy, safety profile, and other parameters to proclaim the compound as a potential drug candidate.     

Six New Phenylpropanoid Derivatives from Chemically Converted Extract of Alpinia galanga (L.) and Their Antiparasitic Activities

Chemical conversion of the extract of natural resources is a very attractive way to expand the chemical space to discover bioactive compounds. In order to search for new medicines to treat parasitic diseases that cause high morbidity and mortality in affected countries in the world, the ethyl acetate extract from the rhizome of Alpinia galanga (L.) has been chemically converted by epoxidation using dioxirane generated in situ. The biological activity of chemically converted extract (CCE) of A. galanga (L.) significantly increased the activity against Leishmania major up to 82.6 ± 6.2 % at 25 μg/mL (whereas 2.7 ± 0.8% for the original extract). By bioassay-guided fractionation, new phenylpropanoids (1–6) and four known compounds, hydroquinone (7), 4-hydroxy(4-hydroxyphenyl)methoxy)benzaldehyde (8), isocoumarin cis 4-hydroxymelein (9), and (2S,3S,6R,7R,9S,10S)-humulene triepoxide (10) were isolated from CCE. The structures of isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses of 1D and 2D NMR, IR, and MS spectra. The most active compound was hydroquinone (7) with IC₅₀ = 0.37 ± 1.37 μg/mL as a substantial active principle of CCE. In addition, the new phenylpropanoid 2 (IC₅₀ = 27.8 ± 0.34 μg/mL) also showed significant activity against L. major compared to the positive control miltefosine (IC₅₀ = 7.47 ± 0.3 μg/mL). The activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated against Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei gambisense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodeisense. Interestingly, compound 2 was selectively active against trypanosomes with potent activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the bioactive “unnatural” natural products from the crude extract of A. galanga (L.) by chemical conversion and on its activities against causal pathogens of leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and malaria.     

A new prenylated flavanone from Derris trifoliata Lour

A new flavanone, 4',5,7-trihydroxy-6,8-di-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)- flavanone, was isolated from the aerial parts of Derris trifoliate, together with eleven known compounds: rotenone, tephrosin, 12a-hydroxyrotenone, deguelin, 6a,12a-dehydro-rotenone, dehydrodeguelin, 7a-O-methyldeguelol, 7a-O-methylelliptonol, 5,7,3',4'-tetra-hydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone, daidzein and 4'-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone. 7a-O-Methylelliptonol was isolated for the first time from the genus Derris. Their structures were characterized on the basis of spectral data. Eight of the isolated compounds were found to be significantly toxic to brine shrimp (LC(50) range 0.06-9.95 μg/mL). The new compound showed weak toxicity (LC(50) = 211.31 μg/mL).     

Phenolic glucosides and chromane analogs from the insect fungus Conoideocrella krungchingensis BCC53666

Six new compounds, named conoideoglucosides A − C and conoideochromanes A − C, together with eight known compounds, including eutypinic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid, (−)-luteoskyrin, (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin, chrysophanol, islandicin, catenarin, and (22E)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol were isolated from the insect fungus Conoideocrella krungchingensis BCC53666. (−)-Luteoskyrin exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial activity such as antimalarial (IC₅₀ 0.51 μg/mL), antitubercular (MIC 6.25 μg/mL), antibacterial (both Gram positive; MIC 0.39–1.56 μg/mL and Gram negative; MIC 3.13–12.50 μg/mL), and antifungal (against various plant pathogens; MIC 3.13–50.00 μg/mL) activities, while (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin and catenarin showed weaker antibacterial activity. Moreover, eutypinic acid, (−)-luteoskyrin, (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin, and catenarin showed cytotoxicity against NCI-H187 cells with IC₅₀ in a range of 0.16–17.99 μg/mL, while eutypinic acid and catenarin had no cytotoxicity against non-cancerous (Vero) cells at maximum tested concentration (50 μg/mL). The complete NMR spectral data and biological activity of the known (−)-4a-oxyluteoskyrin was also reported for the first time.