New chemical constituents from the Piper betle Linn. (Piperaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of chloroform extract from Piper betle var. haldia, Piperaceae, leaves has resulted in the isolation of two new chemical constituents which were identified as 1-n-dodecanyloxy resorcinol (H1) and desmethylenesqualenyl deoxy-cepharadione-A (H4), on the basis of spectroscopic data 1D NMR (¹H and ¹³C) and 2D NMR (¹H-¹H COSY and HMBC) as well as ESI-MS, FT-IR and HR-ESI-MS analyses. Compounds H1 and H4 showed excellent antioxidant DPPH free radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values of 7.14 μg/mL and 8.08 μg/mL compared to ascorbic acid as a standard antioxidant drug with IC₅₀ value of 2.52 μg/mL, respectively. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity against human hepatoma cell line (PLC-PRF-5) showed moderate effect with the GI₅₀ values of 35.12 μg/mL for H1, 31.01 μg/mL for H4, compared to Doxorubicin^® as a standard cytotoxic drug with GI₅₀ value of 18.80 μg/mL.     

Synthesis and antiviral bioactivity of novel chalcone derivatives containing purine moiety

A series of novel chalcone derivatives containing purine group was synthesized and evaluated for their antiviral activities against cucumber mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus. Compound 3o exhibited remarkable antiviral activities and strong combining capacity to tobacco mosaic virus coat protein.     

Structure activity relationship of bergenin,p-hydroxybenzoyl bergenin, 11-O-galloylbergenin as potent antioxidant and urease inhibitor isolated from Bergenia ligulata

Ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Bergenia ligulata was subjected to solvent–solvent separation followed by various chromatographic techniques that lead to isolation of bergenine (1), p-hydroxybenzoyl bergenin (2), 11-O-galloylbergenin (3) and methyl gallate (4) as major constituents. Ethyl acetate fraction showed a dose-dependent urease inhibitory pattern with IC₅₀ value of 54μg/mL. Structures of compounds 1 and 3 were established by XRD and 2, 4 by NMR. All these compounds were subjected to DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power assay and urease inhibitory activity. The EC₅₀ 7.45 ± 0.2 μg/mL and 5.39 ± 0.28 μg/mL values in terms of antioxidant and reducing power, respectively, were less for 3. Compounds 1–3 showed moderate to significant urease inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ 57.1 ± 0.7, IC₅₀ 48.4 ± 0.3 and 38.6 ± 1.5. Antioxidant activities and urease inhibitory potential were investigated and compound 3 was found to be the most active.     

Antiviral properties from plants of the Mediterranean flora

Natural products are a successful source in drug discovery, playing a significant role in maintaining human health. We investigated the in vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of extracts from 18 traditionally used Mediterranean plants. Noteworthy antiviral activity was found in the extract obtained from the branches of Daphne gnidium L. against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (EC₅₀ = 0.08 μg/mL) and coxsackievirus B5 (EC₅₀ = 0.10 μg/mL). Other relevant activities were found against BVDV, YFV, Sb-1, RSV and HSV-1. Interestingly, extracts from Artemisia arborescens L. and Rubus ulmifolius Schott, as well as those from D. gnidium L., showed activities against two different viruses. This extensive antiviral screening allowed us to identify attractive activities, offering opportunities to develop lead compounds with a great pharmaceutical potential.     

Westerdijkin A,a new hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivative from deep sea fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae SCSIO 05233

A new methyl 2-(4-((2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl)oxy)phenyl) acetate 1, together with five known compounds 2–6, was isolated from the culture of the deep sea-derived fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae SCSIO 05233. The new structure was determined by NMR (¹H and ¹³C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and MS) and optical rotation analysis. Compound 5 displayed weak inhibitory activities towards K562 and promyelocytic HL-60 with IC₅₀ values of 25.8 and 44.9 μM, and compound 6 showed strong antifouling activity with EC₅₀ value 8.81 μg/mL.     

Antioxidant activity and kinetics studies of eugenol and 6-bromoeugenol

In this work, we report the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of 6-bromoeugenol and eugenol. EC₅₀, the concentration providing 50% inhibition, is calculated and the antioxidant activity index (AAI) is evaluated. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging method. EC₅₀ values of 6-bromoeugenol, ascorbic acid and eugenol were 34.270 μg/mL, 54.888 μg/mL and 130.485 μg/mL, respectively. 6-Bromoeugenol showed higher AAI value (1.122) followed by ascorbic acid (0.700), then by eugenol (0.295). We also investigate the kinetics of DPPH radical scavenging activity of our products to determine the useful parameter TEC₅₀ to evaluate their antiradical efficiency (ARE). Our results have shown high ARE. This study has provided the following ARE ( × 10^? 3) order for the tested antioxidants: ascorbic acid (70.119)>6-bromoeugenol (34.842) > eugenol (21.313). Finally, we classify ascorbic acid and eugenol as fast kinetics reaction (TEC₅₀ 8.82 and 11.38 min, respectively) and 6-bromoeugenol as medium kinetics reaction (TEC₅₀ 39.24 min).     

β-secretase 1 inhibitory activity and AMP-activated protein kinase activation of Callyspongia samarensis extracts

Abstract

The methanolic extract of Callyspongia samarensis (MCS) significantly inhibited β-secretase 1 (IC₅₀ 99.82?µg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner and demonstrated a noncompetitive type of inhibition. Furthermore, it exhibited the highest AMPK activation (EC₅₀ 14.47?μg/mL) as compared with the standard, Aspirin (EC₅₀ >100?μg/mL). HPLC/ESI-MS analysis of MCS extract revealed 15 peaks, in which nine peaks demonstrated similar fragmentation pattern with the known compounds in literature and in database library: 5-aminopentanoic acid (1), 4-aminobutanoic acid (3), Luotonin A (4), (E)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl) prop-2-enoic acid (8), Galactosphingosine (10), D-sphingosine (11), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone (12), hydroxydihydrovolide (13), and 3,5-dibromo-4-methoxyphenylpyruvic acid (14); and 6 peaks are not identified (2, 5–7, 9, and 15). Acute oral toxicity test of MCS extract revealed that it is nontoxic, with an LD₅₀ of >2000?mg/kg. Assessment of BBB permeability of MCS extract showed that compound 15 was able to cross the BBB making it a suitable candidate for developing CNS drugs.     

Design,Synthesis and Antifungal Evaluation of N‐Substituted‐1‐(3‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)‐N‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐5‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide Derivatives

A series of 1‐(3‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide derivatives which have di‐substituents on nitrogen were designed and synthesized. Bioassay results showed that all the synthetic compounds exhibited lower antifungal activities against Gibberella zeae, Cytospora mandshurica, and Fusarium oxysporum than T ₃ (14.7, 21.1, and 32.7 μg/mL), but some of them exhibited better activities against Botrytis cinerea, Phytophthora infestans, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum than T ₃ (>200, >200, and >200 μg/mL); the EC₅₀ values of 7d and 7c against B. cinerea were 94.9 and 56.2 μg/mL, respectively. The EC₅₀ values of 7a , 7d , and 7c against S. sclerotiorum were 73.5, 78.7, and 68.5 μg/mL, respectively.     

Structures and antipathogenic fungi activities of flavonoids from pathogen-infected Astragalus adsurgens

Healthy Astragalus adsurgens is a highly palatable forage widely cultivated in arid areas of north China, while pathogen- (Embellisia asttrgali ) infected A. adsurgens is poisonous forage and often causes disastrous livestock losses. A phytochemical investigation was carried out on the E. asttrgali-infected A. adsurgens; as a result, a new compound, (2R, 3S)-7,4′-dimethoxy-2′-hydroxyflavanol (1), together with nine known flavonoids was obtained. It was found that the content of most of these compounds in E. asttrgali-infected A. adsurgens was higher than that in healthy A. adsurgens. Moreover, compounds 2 and 3 exhibited weak inhibitory activity against Fusarium graminearum and E. asttrgali with EC₅₀ over 100 μg/mL, and showed moderate inhibitory activity against Bipolaris sorokinianum with EC₅₀ of 39.1 and 95.0 μg/mL. Compounds 1–4 exhibited a high degree of inhibitory activity against Curvularia lunata, with 21.73, 43.93, 45.02 and 44.51% inhibition ratio at concentration of 50 μg/mL.     

Synthesis and antiviral activities of novel penta-1,4-diene-3-one oxime derivatives bearing a pyridine moiety

A series of novel penta-1,4-diene-3-one oxime ether derivatives bearing a pyridine moiety were designed and synthesized, and their antiviral activities against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were evaluated. The results of the biological assay indicated that most of the title compounds exhibit good antiviral activities against TMV at 500 μg/mL. In particular, the title compounds 5c, 5j, 5o and 5p showed remarkable curative activities against TMV, with EC₅₀ values of 274.8, 299.2, 251.8 and 287.7 μg/mL, respectively, which were superior to that of ribavirin (379.8 μg/mL). This study indicates that penta-1,4-diene-3-one oxime ether derivatives bearing a pyridine moiety can serve as potential alternative templates in the search for novel, highly efficient, anti-plant viral agents.     

Synthesis and antifungal activity of chalcone derivatives

In the present study, using chalcone as a lead compound, a series of its derivatives (compounds 1–30) were designed and synthesised. Their activity of anti-pathogenic fungi of plants has been evaluated. It is found that these compounds have good antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Helminthosprium maydis, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani and Gibberella zeae. Among them, the inhibition of growth for compound 30 against S. sclerotiorum showed 89.9%, with the median effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of 15.4 μg mL^? 1. The inhibition of growth for compounds 28, 29 and 30 at a concentration of 100 μg mL^? 1 against H. maydis is 90.3%, 90.7% and 91.1%, with EC₅₀ of 15.1, 18.3 and 18.1μg mL^? 1, respectively.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activities of Novel Quinazolinone Acylhydrazone Derivatives Containing the Indole Moiety

A series of novel quinazolinone acylhydrazone derivatives containing the indole moiety were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their inhibition activities against some important phytopathogens in vitro. Antibacterial experiments indicated that some compounds exhibited remarkable inhibition activities against tested bacteria. Especially, the EC₅₀ values of 7a (EC₅₀ = 55.13 μg/mL against Xoo, EC₅₀ = 56.92 μg/mL against Rs) demonstrated the best antibacterial activities against Xoo and Rs than the other compounds, and the control agents Bismerthiazol (EC₅₀ = 89.80 μg/mL against Xoo) and Thiodiazole copper (EC₅₀ = 189.52 μg/mL against Rs), moreover, compound 7o (EC₅₀ = 50.80 μg/mL) displayed the excellent activity against Xac than the control Bismerthiazol (EC₅₀ = 56.92 μg/mL).     

Gold nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes/ionic liquid microsized paste electrode for the determination of cortisol and androsterone hormones

A novel nanocomposite electrode material constituted of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and n-octylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate (OPPF₆) ionic liquid was prepared and checked for the development of electrochemical (bio)sensing devices. AuNPs/MWCNTs/OPPF₆ paste electrodes with micrometer dimensions (500 μm, i.d.) were constructed and applied to the determination of cortisol and androsterone hormones. Regarding cortisol determination, the microsized paste electrode was used to detect 1-naphtol generated upon addition of 1-naphthyl phosphate as enzyme substrate in the competitive immunoassay between alkaline phosphatase-labelled cortisol and cortisol. Squarewave voltammetry allowed determining the hormone within the 0.1- to 10-ng/mL linear range (r?=?0.990) with a detection limit of 15 pg/mL and a EC₅₀ value of 0.46?±?0.06 ng/mL cortisol. The method was applied to the determination of cortisol in urine and serum samples containing a certified cortisol content. Moreover, a microsized enzyme biosensor prepared by bulk modification of the AuNPs/MWCNTs/OPPF₆ electrode with the enzyme 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was used for the determination of androsterone through the amperometric detection of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. A calibration plot with a linear range between 0.1 and 120 μg/mL (r?=?0.993) and a limit of detection of 89 ng/mL were obtained. The biosensor was applied to the analysis of human serum spiked with androsterone at the 250 ng/mL concentration level.     

Chemical composition,in vitro antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the essential oil and methanolic extract of Elsholtzia densa Benth.

Elsholtzia densa Benth. is a traditional aromatic herb used in the pharmaceutical and flavouring industries. To analyse and compare the chemical composition, the oils and nonvolatile compounds in E. densa and Mosla chinensis Maxim. were extracted via hydrodistillation, solvent extraction or ultrasound-assisted extraction. Seventy-three volatile compounds in the volatile oil (0.35 ± 0.06%) obtained by E. densa via hydrodistillation were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometer and compared based on different parameters. Also, the antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the five sub-fractions of the methanolic extract were studied and the ethyl acetate sub-fraction (EC₅₀ = 7.9 μg/mL) and petroleum ether sub-fraction (EC₅₀ = 0.0955 mg/mL) showed the strongest activity, respectively. This study has provided a scientific basis for scientific collection, effective development, use of E. densa Benth., and suggested that it can be used as a potential source of antioxidants in food and a potential candidate for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of novel quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives containing a 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole moiety

A series of novel quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives (6a–6y) containing a 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole moiety were designed and synthesized, and their structures were fully characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HRMS and IR spectra. Among them, the structure of compound 6u was unambiguously confirmed via single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The obtained bioassay results showed that compounds 6h, 6k, 6l and 6y had the EC₅₀ (half-maximal effective concentration) values of 34.8, 28.2, 41.5 and 42.5 μg/mL against the phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), respectively, which were significantly better than commercial bactericide Bismerthiazol (EC₅₀ = 95.8 μg/mL). Additionally, compounds 6a and 6b exhibited the strong inhibition activity against the pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac).     

Chemical composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the edible medicinal Ononis natrix growing wild in Tunisia

Results showed that leaf methanolic extract of Ononis natrix has important total phenol (51 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (14.76 CE/g DW) contents. The chemical composition of O. natrix leaf revealed the presence of quercitine (24.5%), amentoflavone (14.1%), flavones (11.3%) and kaempferol (10.5%). The leaf extract showed a high total antioxidant activity with 60.94 mg of GAE/g DW, displayed a high 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging ability with low IC₅₀ value (29 μg/mL) and a great reducing power (EC₅₀ = 100 μg/mL). O. natrix leaf extract exhibited a significant broad spectrum activity against all tested microorganisms with bacterial inhibition zone sizes ranging from 8.5 to 17 mm in diameter.     

Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant potential of the leaves of Garcinia travancorica Bedd.

Phytochemical analysis of the leaves of Garcinia travancorica, a hitherto uninvestigated endemic species to the Western Ghats of south India, resulted in isolation and characterisation of the polyisoprenylated benzophenones 7-epi-nemorosone (1) and garcinol (2) along with biflavonoids GB-1a (3), GB-1 (4), GB-2 (5), morelloflavone (6) and morelloflavone-7″-O-β-d-glycoside or fukugiside (7). The compounds were identified using various spectroscopic techniques, mainly through NMR and MS. The methanol extract and the biflavonoids 3, 4, 5 and 7 showed potential in vitro antioxidant activities. The IC₅₀ value of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of compound 7 was 8.34 ± 2.12 μg/mL, comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid (3.2 ± 0.50 μg/mL). In the superoxide radical scavenging assay, compound 7 gave IC₅₀ value of 6.95 ± 1.33 μg/mL close to standard ascorbic acid with IC₅₀ value of 5.8 ± 0.25 μg/mL. Validated HPTLC estimation revealed G. travancorica as a rich source of morelloflavone-7″-O-β-d-glycoside (7.12% dry wt. leaves).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,4-pentadien-3-one derivatives containing 1,2,4-triazole

A series of new 1,4-pentadien-3-one derivatives containing 1,2,4-triazole moiety were synthesized. The structures of the synthesized compounds were charactered via ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS. Antibacterial bioassays indicated that some of compounds showed potential antibacterial activities against Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs), Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Citri (Xac). Compounds F₈ and F₁₇ showed good in vitro antibacterial activities against Rs, with the EC₅₀ values of 18.6 and 18.6 μg/mL, respectively, which were better than commercial agent bismerthiazol (55.2 μg/mL). Furthermore, compounds F₁₂ and F₁₅ showed good in vitro antibacterial activities against Xoo, with the EC₅₀ values of 10.9 and 17.5 μg/mL, which were better than commercial agent bismerthiazol (69.3 μg/mL). Moreover, compounds F₂, F₉, F₁₆ and F₁₇ showed good in vitro antibacterial activities against Xac, with the EC₅₀ values of 6.6, 5.4, 7.5 and 7.8 μg/mL, respectively, which were better than commercial agent bismerthiazol (54.9 μg/mL). The effect of compound F₉ on Xac bacterial cell membrane rupture was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, antiviral bioassays indicated that some of compounds showed excellent protection activities against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Compounds F₅ and F₁₅ showed good protecting activity against TMV, with the EC₅₀ values of 108.3 and 105.4 μg/mL, respectively, which were better than commercial agent ningnanmycin (214.7 μg/mL). Microscale thermophoresis (MST) also showed that the binding of compound F₂ to TMV coat protein (TMV-CP) yielded a Kd value of 1.260 ± 0.654 μmol/L, which was very close to ningnanmycin (1.058 ± 0.286 μmol/L). Similarly, the molecular docking studies for F₂ and F₅ with TMV-CP (PDB code: 1EI7, ID: 4QGH) indicated that compounds F₂ and F₅ had partially interacted with TMV-CP.     

Abeliaside,a new phenolic glucoside from Abelia triflora

A new phenolic glucoside, abeliaside, along with four known compounds, 5,6,7,4′-tetrahydroxy flavones, caffeic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid glucoside, was isolated from the leaves of Abelia triflora R. Br. (Caprifoliaceae). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by different spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1–5 were assayed for their anticancer activities against two cancerous human cell lines, MCF-7 and PC-3 cells, and normal Vero cell line using the crystal violet staining method. From the results it could be seen that caffeic acid possessed the highest anticancer effect against MCF-7 (IC₅₀: 17 μg/mL) and PC-3 (IC₅₀: 20.1 μg/mL) compared to vinblastine sulphate as reference drug (IC₅₀: 4.6, 2.8 μg/mL). The other compounds showed weak anticancer activity on both cell lines.     

Design,synthesis and antiviral activities of chalcone derivatives containing pyrimidine

A series of chalcone derivatives (T1-T23) containing pyrimidine were synthesized, characterized, and assessed for their antiviral activity against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities. Most target compounds displayed better antiviral activities against TMV than commercial ningnanmycin. Among them, the EC₅₀ value of curative activities of compounds T1, T7, T9 and T19 (219.2, 228.2, 279.9 and 234.9 μg/mL, respectively) were superior to that of ningnanmycin (320.1 μg/mL). In addtion, the EC₅₀ value of protective activities of compounds T5, T9, T19 and T23 (235.0, 220.0, 199.5 and 187.2 μg/mL, respectively) were superior to that of ningnanmycin (307.4 μg/mL). Then, the antiviral mechanism of T19 and TMV coat protein (TMV-CP) was preliminarily investigated by microscale thermophoresis (MST) and molecular docking technology. The results showed that T19 had a strong binding affinity for TMV coat protein, and its dissociation constant (K_d) was 0.00310 ± 0.000916 μM, which was superior to ningnanmycin(0.165 ± 0.0799 μM). This study suggests that chalcone derivatives containing pyrimidine could be used as novel antiviral agents for controlling the plant viruses.