Study on the enantiomeric ratio of the pharmaceutical substances alkannin and shikonin

The chiral pair alkannin and shikonin (A/S) are potent pharmaceutical substances with a wide spectrum of biological activity; their enantiomeric ratio does not influence the major biological activity studied hitherto. Nevertheless, in pharmaceutical development and approval of chiral drugs from the Health and Regulatory Authorities, full documentation of methods of analysis of enantiomeric drugs, is required in order to evaluate the enantiomeric purity of starting materials and final products and to control the stability of enantiomers in pharmaceutical formulations under several experimental conditions. In the present study, the enantiomeric ratio of A/S was determined in several commercial samples of alkannin and shikonin and also the proportion of A/S derivatives in several Alkanna root samples, which are all used as active ingredients in pharmaceuticals. Light and air proved not to influence the enantiomeric ratio of A/S on a shikonin commercial sample, and temperature also did not alter the A/S ratio on shikonin and alkannin commercial samples. Microencapsulation of alkannin and shikonin commercial samples in ethylcellulose microspheres and also molecular inclusion of a shikonin commercial sample in beta-hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin, which are used as drug delivery systems, did not alter the A/S enantiomeric ratio.     

Determination of naturally occurring hydroxynaphthoquinone polymers by size-exclusion chromatography

Summary Polymerization of alkannin, shikonin, and their derivatives, potent pharmaceutical substances, crucially affects their use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and as food colorants, because it leads to loss of their antimicrobial activity, reduction of the lustre of their red coloration, and a decrease in their solubility. In this study size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) has been used for the first time for qualitative and quantitative analysis of monomeric and polymeric hydroxynaphthoquinone alkannin and shikonin derivatives. The purity and degree of polymerization has been determined to evaluate severalAlkanna tinctoria root samples from different geographical sources, and commercial samples of alkannin and shikonin, as pharmaceutical raw materials. Conditions for extraction of hydroxynaphthoquinones fromAlkanna tinctoria roots with olive oil were optimized in terms of polimerization, aiming to improve the biological activity of the final pharmaceutical product, Helixderm.     

Liquid Perfluorodecalin Application for In Situ Extraction and Enhanced Naphthoquinones Production in Arnebia euchroma Cell Suspension Cultures

Suspension cultures of Arnebia euchroma supported with liquid perfluorodecalin (PFD) degassed, aerated, or ethylene-saturated were investigated as a novel in situ extraction system for enhanced alkannin/shikonin production. Simultaneously, the effect of PFD applied as the liquid gas carrier on the growth of A. euchroma biomass was studied. The similar dry (4-fold) and fresh (7-fold) biomass increase was observed in the control (without PFD addition) and supplemented with PFD-degassed or PFD-aerated cultures while PFD-ethylene application impeded cell growth. The highest total of alkannin/shikonin production (23.23 mg flask^?1) was observed when PFD-aerated has been used and it resulted in about 50 % higher yield of alkannin/shikonin compared with the control culture. Chiral HPLC analysis revealed that in cultures supported with PFD, both alkannin and shikonin were produced. Their mutual ratio varied depending on culture conditions, and the accumulation of alkannin prevailed under almost all culture conditions. PFD has proved to be exceptionally efficient and cell-safe solvent for the in situ extraction of naphthoquinone red pigments without exerting any detrimental effects on cell growth. Extracellularly secreted red naphthoquinones were easily dissolved and extracted from the PFD phase, which can be regenerated and reused (e.g., in continuous culture system).     

The Chemistry and Biology of Alkannin,Shikonin, and Related Naphthazarin Natural Products

Wound healing properties of plant extracts that contain the naphthoquinone natural products alkannin ( 1 ) and shikonin ( 2 ) have been known for many centuries. More recently, the biological properties of 1 , 2 , and related derivatives have been demonstrated experimentally, and their production both by cell cultures and chemical synthesis has been studied extensively.     

Simultaneous determination of monomeric and oligomeric alkannins and shikonins by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry

Alkannin and shikonin (A/S) derivatives have been found in the roots of several Boraginaceous species and are produced through plant tissue cultures. The chiral compounds alkannins and shikonins are potent pharmaceutical substances with a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities such as wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant. Although oligomeric A/S derivatives have been detected in root extracts and commercial samples their detection and determination through high-performance liquid chromatography has not been reported. Therefore, in the present study a rapid, simple high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) method was developed to detect, separate and determine monomeric and oligomeric/polymeric derivatives of alkannin/shikonin simultaneously for the first time. An optimization of HPLC-DAD parameters was performed. Both atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) modes were applied, in order to compare detection of monomeric and oligomeric A/S. Additionally, oligomeric A/S constituents in several samples were identified and the mode of A/S polymerization was proposed.     

Structure determination of oligomeric alkannin and shikonin derivatives

Monomeric alkannin and shikonin (A/S) are potent pharmaceutical substances with a wide spectrum of biological activity and comprise the active ingredients for several pharmaceutical preparations. Therefore, the determination of the impurities, degradation products or byproducts in alkannin and shikonin samples is of great importance. Oligomeric alkannin and shikonin are formed during biosynthesis of these bioactive secondary metabolites in Boraginaceaous root plants, during tissue culture production of A/S, during alkaline hydrolysis of A/S esters and also thermal treatment of A/S. In the present study, a dimeric alkannin/shikonin compound was isolated by size exclusion chromatography from alkannin and shikonin commercial samples and its structure was determined by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the most abundant oligomeric species in these samples, a dimeric naphthoquinone, was established for the fi rst time, indicating that coupling of the side chain of one naphthoquinone unit with the aromatic ring of a second naphthoquinone leads to dimer formation. This type of coupling allows further oligomerization by leaving one isohexenyl side chain available at the second monomer unit.     

Preparative isolation and purification of alkannin/shikonin derivatives from natural products by high-speed counter-current chromatography

Alkannin and shikonin (A/S) and their derivatives have been found in the roots of several Boraginaceous species and are also produced through plant tissue cultures. The chiral compounds A/S are potent pharmaceutical substances with a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities like wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant activity. High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was applied for the first time to the separation, preparative isolation and purification of A/S and their esters from extracts of Alkanna tinctoria roots, as well as commercial samples. The constituents of HSCCC fractions and their purity were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS), since DAD cannot detect oligomeric A/S derivatives that are present in most of the samples containing the respective monomeric derivatives. The purity of HSCCC fractions was compared with the one of fractions isolated by column chromatography (CC) using as stationary phases silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. As shown, the purity of monomeric alkannin/shikonin was greater by HSCCC than CC separation of commercial A/S samples.     

Design and synthesis of biotinylated dimethylation of alkannin oxime derivatives

DMAKO-05, a novel dimethylation of alkannin oxime derivative, exhibits remarkable anticancer activity as well as excellent cellular selectivity and thus has been considered as a promising antineoplastic agent for colorectal carcinoma and melanoma. However, its potent cytotoxicity is not closely associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bioreductive alkylation. Its specific antitumor target(s) has still remained elusive. To recognize the molecular target(s) of DMAKO-05 and its analogs, four biotinylated DMAKO derivatives were designed and prepared. The biotin moiety was successfully introduced in the molecule through a modified Mitsunobu reaction, which kept its anticancer activity. Moreover, the cellbased investigation demonstrated that replacement of the linker C₄ chain with another alkyl chain (C₆ or C₈) gave rise to the enhancement of cytotoxicity. Among these biotinyl derivatives, both compound 16 and 8c exhibited more potent anticancer activity than DMAKO-05 against MCF-7 cells and were comparatively effective to alkannin toward HCT-15 cells. As expected, they might be thought as ideal chemical probes. Collectively, our present work could provide an available approach for the identification of the potential antineoplastic target(s) of DMAKO derivatives.     

Comparative study on enantiomeric excess of main akannin/shikonin derivatives isolated from the roots of three endemic Boraginaceae plants in China

This work systematically investigated the enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of main components isolated from the roots of three endemic Boraginaceae plants distributed extensively in China, named Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst (A.e.), Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (L.e.) and Onosma confertum W. W. Smith (O.c.), and the optical purity of their hydrolysis products separately, by means of three different approaches. The influence of HCl on the e.e. values of the major constituents was also studied. Analysis of the absolute configurations and e.e. values of all the derivatives acquired was performed by CD and chiral-HPLC respectively. The results of the main constituents demonstrated that A.e. mainly yields S-form naphthoquinone derivatives, while the R-form is predominant in the derivatives of L.e. and O.c. The optical purity of alkannin and shikonin and their derivatives was not influenced by acid treatment in the course of separation and hydrolysis. Additionally, it was found that 100% e.e. of shikinon could be acquired from a specific shikinon ester derivative, β,β-dimethylacrylshikonin occurring in the roots of O.c., as did 100% e.e. of alkannin from β,β-dimethylacrylalkannin contained in the roots of A.e.     

Alkannin/shikonin mixture from roots of Onosma echioides (L.) L.: extraction method study and quantification

This work reports the extraction procedures of alkannin/shikonin mixture from roots of six populations of Onosma echioides, by means of three extraction techniques: Soxhlet extraction, maceration and rapid solid-liquid dynamic extraction (RSLDE). Five solvents with different polarity (hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol) were also studied. Analysis of the extracts was performed by an HPLC-DAD (diode array detector) system. The most efficient extraction technique was Soxhlet procedure using ethyl acetate for 6 h. Studied samples of O. echioides showed an alkannin/shikonin content in the range of 0.02-0.24 mg/kg. Other naphthoquinone derivatives (deoxyalkannin/deoxyshikonin and 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-[1,4]naphthoquinone and arnebin-6) were found for the first time in O. echioides and characterized in the extracts using HPLC-MS apparatus equipped with an ESI ionization source.     

A new efficient route for multigram asymmetric synthesis of alkannin and shikonin

A short and convergent approach for the synthesis of alkannin, shikonin and shikalkin is presented. A Hauser-type annulation of cyanophthalide 26 with enone 7 affords the complete aromatic system in just one step with concomitant attachment of the entire side chain. Subsequent Corey's oxazaborolidine mediated asymmetric reduction of the above advanced intermediate, leads to the required isomer in high enantiomeric excess. Finally, a selective and high yielding deprotection protocol furnishes the title compounds as pure crystalline precipitates. Thus, a multigram synthesis of shikonin, alkannin and shikalkin is achieved in high yield and enantioselectivity.     

Formal Total Syntheses of Alkannin and Shikonin

A short synthesis of a key intermediate in Nicolaou's syntheses of alkannin and shikonin is described.     

Wound-healing activity of an oligomer of alkannin/shikonin,isolated from root bark of Onosma echioides

Root bark of Onosma echioides belonging to the family Boraginaceae is reported to be rich in naphthaquinones such as alkannins and shikonins. In this study, a dimer of alkannin/shikonin was isolated from the petroleum ether (60–80 C) extract of the bark, and the structure of the same was elucidated through spectral studies (UV, IR, NMR, MS and DEPT). The petroleum ether extract was found to contain 62.4% (w/w) of the dimer of alkannin/shikonin, and the compound is found to promote wound-healing process, when studied in the excision and incision wound models in albino rats.     

Concise and Efficient Total Syntheses of Alkannin and Shikonin

Two enantiomic natural products with wound-healing properties , alkannin ( 1 ) and shikonin ( 2 ), are accessible by a short and efficient total synthesis. The success was achieved by a novel protecting system for masking of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones (naphthazarins) and a highly stereoselective ketone reduction.     

New Asymmetric Synthesis of Alkannin and Shikonin

A new approach for asymmetric synthesis of alkannin and shikonin is presented. The chiral centers of the targets were introduced via an asymmetric C-arylation of-protected chiral glyceraldehyde in high de. The two enantiomers were prepared with the D-isopropylidenegly-ceraldehyde as the starting material.     

Synthesis,anticancer activity and docking studies of pyrazoline and pyrimidine derivatives as potential epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors

A search for anticancer agents has prompted the design and synthesis of new chalcone, pyrazoline and pyrimidine derivatives as potential epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors. These derivatives’ binding affinities were predicted by AutoDock, which showed that chalcone, pyrazoline and pyrimidine derivatives as EGFR-kinase inhibitors have good binding energies, ranging from ?10.91 to ?7.32 kcal/mol. These compounds were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis (CHN analysis) and spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and NMR). Among the pyrazoline derivatives, 4Aiii has revealed a superior in vitro activity, inhibiting the EGFR kinase even at a low concentration of 0.19 μM compared to the pyrimidine derivative, 5Bii. In contrast, the cytotoxic effect of these derivatives was studied against hormonal and non-hormonal breast cancer cell lines. Most of the pyrazoline derivatives were able to express their cytotoxic effect efficiently against hormonal breast cancer but only one pyrimidine derivative managed to express its activity against hormonal breast cancer.     

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity Study of Some Novel Substituted and Fused Pyridotriazepine Derivatives

Various new substituted and fused pyridotriazepine analogues have been synthesized via different synthetic pathways. Among which are different heterocyclic compounds consisting of the pyridotriazepine backbone fused to different heterocyclic systems comprising either substituted pyrimidine nucleus such as compounds 3 – 9 or substituted 4‐aminopyridine nucleus such as compounds 10 – 16 . Besides, the tetrahydroquinoline derivative 17 , [1,2,4]triazolopyrimidine derivative 18 , thienodiazocine derivative 19 , dihydrobenzofuropyridine derivative 20 , and the substituted pyrrole derivative 21 were synthesized. In addition, different substituted pyridotriazepine derivatives as indicated in compounds 22 – 25 were designed and synthesized. Twenty‐five of the newly synthesized compounds were subjected to in vitro anticancer screening against mammalian colon carcinoma HCT‐116 cell line using Cisplatin as a reference drug. The anticancer activity screening results revealed that among the tested compounds, the tetrahydropyrido[1,2‐b]pyrimido[4,5‐e][1,2,4]triazepine derivative 4 substituted at C₂ and C₄ positions with S‐methyl and amino moieties, respectively, and the 2,4‐dithioxo analogue 9 and the 2‐thioxodipyrido[1,2‐b:2′,3′‐e][1,2,4]triazepine derivative 11 substituted at C₃ and C₄ with a cyano and amino moieties, respectively, exhibited moderate to strong anticancer activity against mammalian colon carcinoma HCT‐116 cell line.     

Facile Synthesis and Anticancer Activity Study of Novel Series of Substituted and Fused Coumarin Derivatives

Various new substituted and fused coumarin analogues have been synthesized via different synthetic pathways. Among which are variable substituted coumarin derivatives bearing either biologically active side chains or rings at 5, 6, and 3 positions of the coumarin nucleus as indicated in compounds 10 , 12 , 13 , 16–19 , 21 , 23–32 , 38 , and 42–45 . In addition, different pyranocoumarin derivatives either substituted as in compounds 2 , 3 , and 6 or fused as compounds 33–36 , pyranoxanthene analogues such as compounds 4 and 46 , coumarinotriazolothiadiazine derivative 8 , coumarinonaphthodiazocin analogue 39 and coumarinopyrazolone derivative 40 were synthesized. Thirty‐eight of the synthesized compounds were subjected to in vitro anticancer screening against mammalian liver carcinoma HepG2 and breast carcinoma MCF7 cell lines using Cisplatin as a standard reference. The anticancer activity screening results revealed that, among the tested compounds, compounds 16 , 40 , and 43 bearing 4‐chlorophenyl‐2‐aminopyridine‐3‐carbonitrile attached to C₆ position, fused pyrazolone ring or attached to 4‐chlorophenyl‐2‐oxo‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carbonitrile at C₃ position of the coumarin nucleus, respectively, exhibited moderate to strong activity against both cell lines.     

紫草萘醌类化合物对乳酸脱氢酶和乙醇脱氢酶的共价修 饰作用

为研究紫草萘醌类化合物的细胞毒性作用机制,从新疆软紫草根中分离出四种紫草萘醌类化合物β,β-二甲基丙烯酰阿卡宁(1),乙酰阿卡宁(2),β-乙酰氧基异戊酰阿卡宁(3)和阿卡宁(4)。研究了四种天然紫草萘醌类化合物对乳酸脱氢酶和乙醇脱氢酶的共价修饰作用。酶活力测定结果表明,这四种紫草萘醌类化合物对两种脱氢酶都具有不同程度的抑制作用;酶分子中游离氨基和巯基修饰率的测定结果表明,紫草萘醌类化合物对两种酶的抑制作用主要是通过与酶分子中的巯基共价结合产生的。     

Asymmetric aza-Mannich addition: synthesis of modified chiral 2-(ethylthio)-thiazolone derivatives with anticancer potency

An easily prepared cinchona alkaloid derivative was found to be an effective organocatalyst in a direct, enantioselective aza-Mannich addition. By establishing a quaternary carbon stereocenter, a series of modified chiral 2-(ethylthio)-thiazolone derivatives have been obtained with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. And these derivatives have been found to show anticancer activities against five different cancer cell lines using the MTT assay.