Inhibitors of nitric oxide production from the flowers of Angelica furcijuga: structures of hyuganosides IV and V

The methanolic extract from the flowers of Angelica furcijuga KITAGAWA was found to inhibit nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. From the methanolic extract, two new glycosides, hyuganosides IV and V, were isolated together with 28 known constituents. The structures of the new constituents were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of 11 coumarin constituents on nitric oxide production were examined. Among them, 3'-angeloyl-cis-khellactone (IC(50)=82 microM), (S)-(-)-oxypeucedanin (57 microM), imperatorin (60 microM), isoepoxypteryxin (53 microM), and isopteryxin (8.8 microM) showed inhibitory activity.     

A new labdane diterpene from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum

A new labdane diterpene, (Z)-12,14-labdadien-15(16)-olide-17-oic acid (1), and a new natural cadinane sesquiterpene, 4-isopropyl-6-methyl-1-naphthalenemethanol (2), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum, together with three other products, galangin (3), kaempferol (4) and quercetin (5). Their structures were elucidated by using extensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 showed no remarkable cytotoxic activity against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀>50 μg mL^? 1.     

Development of a novel fluorescent probe for nitric oxide detection: 8-(3',4'-diaminophenyl)-difluoroboradiaza-S-indacence

A novel fluorescent probe, 8-(3',4'-diaminophenyl)-difluoroboradiaza-S-indacence (DABODIPY), was designed and synthesized for monitoring nitric oxide production, which features high photostability and no pH dependency over a wide pH range. The fluorescence of 8-(3',4'-diaminophenyl)-difluoroboradiaza-S-indacence is very low, however, when the probe traps nitric oxide (NO) in the presence of dioxygen, the strong fluorescent triazole form is obtained, which offers the advantages of specificity, and sensitivity for direct detection of NO. Calibration using various concentrations of NO showed the method has good linearity (0.08-4.00 micromol l(-1)) and its detection limit is 10 nmol l(-1) (s/n = 3). The proposed method has been used to monitor the release of NO from S-nitrosocysteine, a NO-releasing agent.     

In vitro and ex vivo antitubercular activity of diarylheptanoids from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance

Phytochemical investigation of methanol extract of the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance afforded four known diarylheptanoids 1,7-diphenylhept-4-en-3-one (1), 5-hydroxy-1,7-diphenyl-3-heptanone (2), 5-hydroxy-7-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone (3), and 7-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl heptan-3-one (4).The acetate derivative of (4), 7-(4″-actetate-3″-methoxy phenyl)-1-phenyl heptan-3-one (5), was prepared. These diarylheptanoids exhibited promising in vitro and ex vivo antitubercular activity for the first time against dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra with the IC₅₀ values between 0.34–47.69 and 0.13–22.91 μM, respectively. All compounds showed comparable activity against Mycobacterium bovis BCG (dormant phage) and did not show any activity against two gram + ve and two gram –ve bacterial strains. These compounds were also weakly cytotoxic up to 300 μM against three human cancer cell lines THP-1, Panc-1 and A549.     

Neolignans from Piper futokadsura and their inhibition of nitric oxide production

From a MeOH extract of the aerial part of Piper futokadsura, the tetrahydrofuran lignans, futokadsurin A [(7S,8S,7'S,8'R)-3,4,3'-trimethoxy-4'-hydroxy-7,7'-epoxylignan], futokadsurin B [(7R,8R,7'R,8'S)-3,4-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-7,7'-epoxylignan], and futokadsurin C [(7R,8R,7'S,8'S)-3,4-methylenedioxy-3',4'-dimethoxy-7,7'-epoxylignan] were isolated, together with nine known neolignans. In addition, L-tryptophan, pellitorine, phytol, elemicin, and 1,2,4-trimethoxyphenyl-5-aldehyde were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods. These lignans inhibited nitric oxide production by a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7), which was activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma.     

A new triterpenoid saponin from Gleditisia sinensis and structure-activity relationships of inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production

A phytochemical investigation of the anomalous fruits of Gleditisia sinensis led to one new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin acylated with one monoterpenic acid, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-[(6S,2E)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-2,7-octadienoyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, named gleditsioside Z (1), together with nine known ones (2-10). Their structural details were mainly established on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS analysis as well as some chemical methods. Structure-activity relationships of the isolated saponins that affected nitric oxide production from cultured mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7 cell lines) induced by lipopolysaccharide were discussed.     

Lignans from Arctium lappa and their inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production

A new butyrolactone sesquilignan, isolappaol C (1), together with four known lignans, lappaol C (2), lappaol D (3), lappaol F (4), and diarctigenin (5), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the seeds from the Arctium lappa plant. The structure of isolappaol C (1) was determined by spectral analysis including 1D- and 2D-NMR. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the LPS-induced nitric oxide production using murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Lappaol F (4) and diarctigenin (5) strongly inhibited NO production in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with IC(50) values of 9.5 and 9.6 microM, respectively.     

Syringaresinol causes vasorelaxation by elevating nitric oxide production through the phosphorylation and dimerization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in vascular functions, including vasorelaxation. We here investigated the pharmacological effect of the natural product syringaresinol on vascular relaxation and eNOS-mediated NO production as well as its underlying biochemical mechanism in endothelial cells. Treatment of aortic rings from wild type, but not eNOS(-/-) mice, with syringaresinol induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, which was abolished by addition of the NOS inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine. Treatment of human endothelial cells and mouse aortic rings with syringaresinol increased NO production, which was correlated with eNOS phosphorylation via the activation of Akt and AMP kinase (AMPK) as well as elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) levels. A phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor blocked the increases in intracellular Ca(2+) levels, AMPK-dependent eNOS phosphorylation, and NO production, but not Akt activation, in syringaresinol- treated endothelial cells. Syringaresinol-induced AMPK activation was inhibited by co-treatment with PLC inhibitor, Ca(2+) chelator, calmodulin antagonist, and CaMKKβ siRNA. This compound also increased eNOS dimerization, which was inhibited by a PLC inhibitor and a Ca(2+)-chelator. The chemicals that inhibit eNOS phosphorylation and dimerization attenuated vasorelaxation and cGMP production. These results suggest that syringaresinol induces vasorelaxation by enhancing NO production in endothelial cells via two distinct mechanisms, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt- and PLC/Ca(2+)/CaMKKβ-dependent eNOS phosphorylation and Ca(2+)-dependent eNOS dimerization.     

Regio- and stereospecific syntheses and nitric oxide donor properties of (E)-9- and (E)-10-nitrooctadec-9-enoic acids

[reaction: see text] Nitrated fatty acids act as endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands and nitric oxide (NO) donors. We describe the first specific preparation of the two regioisomers of nitrooleic acid, (E)-9-nitrooctadec-9-enoic acid (1) and (E)-10-nitrooctadec-9-enoic acid (2), from cis-cyclooctene and monomethyl azelate, respectively. These syntheses rely upon a Henry condensation between a nine-carbon nitro component and a nine-carbon aldehyde. Preliminary chemiluminescence NO detection studies reveal the ability of these nitrated fatty acids to release NO.     

Antiallergic agents from natural sources 9. Inhibition of nitric oxide production by novel chalcone derivatives from Mallotus philippinensis (Euphorbiaceae)

Three novel chalcone derivatives, mallotophilippens C (1), D (2) and E (3) were isolated from the fruits of Mallotus philippinensis MUELL. ARG. These compounds were identified, using chemical and spectral data, as 1-[6-(3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,6-dienyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-8-yl]-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone, 3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-1-[6-(3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,6-dienyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-8-yl]-propenone and 1-[5,7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-6-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-2-(4-methyl-pent-3-enyl)-2H-chromen-8-yl]-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propenone, respectively. They inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene expression by a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7), which was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and recombinant mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Furthermore, they downregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene, interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) gene expression. These results suggest that they have anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects.     

Identification of a new naphthalene and its derivatives from the bulb of eleutherine americana with inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production

A new naphthoquinone, (-)-3-[2-(acetyloxy)propyl]-2-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1) was isolated from the bulb of Eleutherine americana MERR. et HEYNE (Iridaceae) together with two known compounds, eleutherinol (6) and 1,5-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (7) which were found in this species for the first time. The other known compounds, (-)-isoeleutherin (2), (+)-eleutherin (3), (-)-hongconin (4), and (+)-dihydroeleutherinol (5) which were reported previously from this species, were also isolated in the present study. Compounds 2-6 exhibited potent inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse macrophage cells with IC(50) values of 7.7, 11.4, 19.8, 21.7, and 34.4 microM, respectively, whereas the other two compounds, 1 and 7, were inactive. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis including 1D and 2D NMR experiments.     

Melampolides from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius and their inhibitory activity of lps-induced nitric oxide production

Two new melampolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, 8beta-epoxyangeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (1) and 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (2), were isolated from the leaves of yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolia (POEPP. et ENDL.) H. Robinson] along with eleven known melampolides, allo-schkuhriolide (3), enhydrin (4), polymatin A (5), fluctuanin (6), 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-acetoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (7), 8beta-angeloyloxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (8), 8beta-methacryloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (9), uvedalin (10), polymatin B (11), 8beta-tigloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (12), and sonchifolin (13). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. All isolates were evaluated for inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.     

New seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans with nitric oxide production inhibitory activity from the roots of Kadsura longipedunculata

Four new seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans,kadlongilignans A-D(1-4),consisting of a rare 6,7-seco-(1),two 15,16-seco-(2 and 3) and a 9,10-seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene(4) lignans,were isolated from the roots of Kadsura longipedunculata.Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis,including extensive NM R,MS and ECD(electronic circular dichroism) spectra.Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against NO(nitric oxide) production of LPS(lipopolysaccharide)-induced murine macrophages with the inhibition rates of 36.3% and 26.9%,respectively.     

Chemical constituents from Curcuma longa L. and their inhibitory effects of nitric oxide production

A new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoid, turmerone Q (1), along with six known compounds (2–7), were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. The structural elucidation of the new compound was conducted using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was elucidated by comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. The anti-inflammatory effects of 1–7 were evaluated through lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages assays, and compounds 6 and 7 showed potent inhibitory activity against NO production.     

Inhibition on HIV-1 integrase activity and nitric oxide production of compounds from Ficus glomerata

An ethanol Ficus glomerata wood extract and its purified components were investigated for their HIV-1 integrase (IN) and nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities. From bioassay-guided isolation, five compounds: beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside (1), aloe-emodin (2), genistein (3), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-8-methyl-anthraquinone (4) and 3-(1-C-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (5) were isolated. Among the tested samples, at concentrations of 100 microM; compound 2 showed 31.9% inhibition of HIV-1 IN, followed by 4 (19.5%), whereas other compounds were inactive. With regard to the inhibitory effect on NO production, 3 possessed the highest activity with an IC50 value of 27.5 microM, followed by 4 (IC50 = 34.7 microM) and 2 (IC50 = 41.8 microM), respectively. This is the first time that compounds 2-5 have been isolated from Ficus glomerata.     

Synthesis of Drim-9(11)-en-8α- and -8β-ols from Drimenol

Drim-9(11)-en-8α-ol and drim-9(11)-en-8β-ol were synthesized in six steps from drimenol. Drimenol was oxidized by P₂O₅ and DMSO to drimenal, which isomerized with p-TsOH into isodrimenal. Isodrimenal was reduced by NaBH₄ into isodrimenol, epoxidation of which by m-CPBA gave a mixture (3.4:1) of α- and β-epoxyisodrimenols. These reacted with tosyl chloride in Py to give a mixture of α- and β-epoxyisodrimenol tosylates. Treatment of the tosylate mixture with KI and then Ph₃P produced a mixture of drim-9(11)-en-8α- and -8β-ols that was separated chromatographically. The overall yield was ∼26%.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 152–155, March–April, 2005.     

Medicinal foodstuffs. XXVIII. Inhibitors of nitric oxide production and new sesquiterpenes, zedoarofuran, 4-epicurcumenol, neocurcumenol, gajutsulactones A and B, and zedoarolides A and B, from Zedoariae Rhizoma.

A new eudesmane-type sesquiterpene, zedoarofuran, and six new guaiane- or seco-guaiane-type sesquiterpenes, 4-epicurcumenol, neocurcumenol, gajutsulactones A and B, and zedoarolides A and B, were isolated from aqueous acetone extract of Zedoariae Rhizoma together with 36 known sesquiterpenes and two diarylheptanoids. Their stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. The effects of isolated components on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages were examined and 16 sesquiterpenes including gajutsulactones A and B, and bis(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)methane were found to show inhibitory activity.     

The high-potential flavin and heme of nitric oxide synthase are not magnetically linked: implications for electron transfer

Background: The homodimeric nitric oxide synthase (NOS) catalyzes conversion of l-arginine to l-citrulline and nitric oxide. Each subunit contains two flavins and one protoporphyrin IX heme. A key component of the reaction is the transfer of electrons from the flavins to the heme. The NOS gene encodes two domains linked by a short helix containing a calmodulin-recognition sequence. The reductase domain binds the flavin cofactors, while the oxygenase domain binds heme and l-arginine and additionally mediates the dimerization of the NOS subunits. We investigated the origin of the unusual magnetic properties (rapid-spin relaxation) of an air-stable free radical localized to a reductase domain flavin cofactor.Results: We characterized the air-stable flavin in wild-type NOS, both in the presence and absence of calcium and calmodulin, the imidazole-bound heme complex of wild-type NOS, the NOS Cys415→Ala mutant, and the isolated reductase domain. All preparations of NOS had the same flavin electron-spin relaxation behavior. No half-field transitions or temperature-dependent changes in the linewidth of the radical spin signal were detected.Conclusions: These data suggest that the observed relaxation enhancement of the NOS flavin radical is caused by the environment provided by the reductase domain. No magnetic interaction between the heme and flavin cofactors was detected, suggesting that the flavin and heme centers are probably separated by more than 15 A.