THE PHOTOACTIVE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF EUDISTOMINS FROM THE CARIBBEAN TUNICATE Eudistoma olivaceum

Abstract— Five eudistomins, β-carboline derivatives isolated from a Caribbean tunicate, were tested for phototoxicity against several viruses, bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells. The five compounds showed varying degrees of UVA dependant phototoxicity (i.e. long wavelength UV dependant) against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), Sindbis virus (SV) and mouse 3T3 cells, although the relative order of potency was the same for these three organisms. Eudistomin N was the most active (approximately the same as the β-carboline, harmine), while eudistomins M and O were moderately phototoxic, and H and I had little activity. To some degree the relative phototoxicity was correlated with fewer side chain substituents. A similar relative order of phototoxic potency was seen against phage T4, but in this case the magnitude of the effect was considerably reduced, in contrast to harmine. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were not correlated with antiviral effects, and some UVA-independent activities were seen. Thus the eudistomins may possess different mechanisms of action against different organisms, depending upon the presence or absence of UVA.     

DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF PHOTOACTIVE FURANYL COMPOUNDS ON VIRUS FUNCTIONS

Abstract— Five photoactive furanyl compounds were investigated for their activities against viruses. The two furanocoumarins used were 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and angelicin; two furanochromones, visnagin and khellin, and the furanoquinoline, dictamnine, were also used. The DNA-containing herpes virus murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and the RNA-containing togavirus, Sindbis virus, were the target viruses. All five compounds inactivated both viruses in the presence of UVA, although Sindbis virus was much less sensitive. The relative order of antiviral potency was 8-MOP > dictamnine > visnagin > angelicin > khellin. Dictamnine however was slightly more effective than 8-MOP against Sindbis virus. None of the treatments affected the structural integrity of MCMV, nor did they interfere with the normal transit of the virus into host cells or the localisation of the viral genome in the cell nucleus. Some early viral gene functions were expressed but the viruses did not replicate.     

PHOTOACTIVE TERTHIOPHENES: THE INFLUENCE OF SERUM ON ANTI-HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS) ACTIVITIES

Abstract-A number of carboxylic acid derivatives of the photoactive terthiophene, α-terthienyl, were found to possess impressive UVA-dependent activity against the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV-1; but only when assayed in the absence of serum, indicating that the latter contained interfering components. Good antiviral activity required a high rate of singlet oxygen production, in accordance with previous observations on thiophenes.     

ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF THE PHOTOACTIVE THIOPHENE α-TERTHIENYL

The naturally occurring thiophene, α-terthienyl, was investigated for phototoxicity against several viruses and a line of mouse cells. The compound was extremely phototoxic to the two-membrane-containing animal viruses, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and Sindbis virus (SV). Antiviral activity was detected at 10⁵μg/m in the presence of UVA. However, no effect was seen in the absence of UV-A, even at 0.1 μg/m of αT. Mouse cells were much more resistant to αT, as was the bacterial virus T4, which does not contain a membrane. Murine CMV, which had been inactivated by αT and UVA, penetrated mouse cells efficiently; but the viral DNA could not replicate, and late viral proteins were not made. Thus viral gene expression was inhibited in the photoinactivated virus. In order to account for all these data we suggest that αT may interact with viral proteins in addition to membrane lipids.     

Effects of indole and imidazole derivatives on the radiation- and peroxide-induced transformations of ethanol

The interaction of indole, imidazole, and their derivatives with α-hydroxyethyl radicals has been studied by the radiation and peroxide initiation of free-radical processes. The enthalpies of H-atom addition to the multiple bonds of the test compounds, which characterize their oxidation properties, have been calculated within the framework of the density functional theory. The set of experimental and theoretically calculated data indicate that serotonin or β-carboline alkaloids (harmine, harman, and harmaline) inhibit the formation of 2,3-butanediol—the main radiolysis product of deaerated ethanol—mainly due to reduction and addition or the oxidation of α-hydroxyethyl radicals, respectively. Enhancement of oxidation properties in the above order of β-carboline alkaloids has been observed. Pyrrole, indole, melatonin, imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, and 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole exhibit low reactivity toward α-hydroxyethyl radicals.     

Anti-inflammatory alkaloids from the stems of Picrasma quassioides BENNET

During further chemical and biological investigations of Picrasma quassioides BENNET, four new bis-β-carboline alkaloids, quassidines E-H (1-4), and three new β-carboline alkaloids, canthin-16-one-14-butyric acid (5), 3-(1,1-dimethoxylmethyl)-β-carboline (6), and 6,12-dimethoxy-3-formyl-β-carboline (7), were isolated from its anti-inflammatory CHCl(3)-soluble fraction. Structures of new compounds were elucidated and characterized by MS and NMR analysis. A plausible biogenetic pathway for quassidine E (1), the first bis-β-carboline alkaloid in which a canthin-6-one moiety and a β-carboline moiety were connected together by a single carbon-carbon bond from the nature, was proposed. Quassidines E-G (1-3) showed potent inhibitory activity on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), or interleukin 6 (IL-6) in mouse monocyte-macrophage RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Analysis of anti-inflammatory activity of all β-carboline and bis-β-carboline alkaloids from P. quassioides showed that the carbonyl groups or double carbon-carbon bonds at C-14 for β-carbolines and C-14' for bis-β-carbolines were bioactive groups for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Structure-activity relationship of these compounds on inhibitory activity of the three inflammatory cytokines was discussed.     

Reissert compound studies. XLII. Synthesis and reactions of the 3,4-dihydro-β-carboline reissert compound and observations on α, β, and γ-carbolines

3,4-Dihydro-β-carboline and benzo[α]-γ-carboline yielded Reissert compounds. The 3,4-dihydro-β-carboline Reissert compound, through its acid- and base-promoted reactions, was found to be a very useful intermediate in the synthesis of several β-carboline derivatives including tetracyclic compounds. Reaction of the 3,4-dihydro-β-carboline Reissert compound with dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) resulted in the formation of l-cyano-β-carboline thereby providing the first example of an oxidation of a Reissert compound with DDQ. α-, β- and γ-Carbolines failed to form Reissert compounds under a wide variety of conditions. 7-Azaindole also failed to yield a Reissert compound.     

Potential Antiviral Action of Alkaloids

Viral infections and outbreaks have become a major concern and are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The development of successful antiviral therapeutics and vaccines remains a daunting challenge. The discovery of novel antiviral agents is a public health emergency, and extraordinary efforts are underway globally to identify safe and effective treatments for different viral diseases. Alkaloids are natural phytochemicals known for their biological activities, many of which have been intensively studied for their broad-spectrum of antiviral activities against different DNA and RNA viruses. The purpose of this review was to summarize the evidence supporting the efficacy of the antiviral activity of plant alkaloids at half-maximum effective concentration (EC₅₀) or half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) below 10 μM and describe the molecular sites most often targeted by natural alkaloids acting against different virus families. This review highlights that considering the devastating effects of virus pandemics on humans, plants, and animals, the development of high efficiency and low-toxicity antiviral drugs targeting these viruses need to be developed. Furthermore, it summarizes the current research status of alkaloids as the source of antiviral drug development, their structural characteristics, and antiviral targets. Overall, the influence of alkaloids at the molecular level suggests a high degree of specificity which means they could serve as potent and safe antiviral agents waiting for evaluation and exploitation.     

ANTIVIRAL EFFECT OF HARMINE, A PHOTOACTIVE β-CARBOLINE ALKALOID

Abstract— Harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, was found to be an efficient photoactive agent against the DNA-containing murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and the RNA containing Sindbis virus, a togavirus, both of which contain membranes. In contrast the host cells themselves were relatively resistant. The MCMV was investigated in more detail. Virus which had been inactivated by harmine plus UVA retained its structural integrity and was fully capable of penetrating host cells, following which the viral genome entered the cell nucleus. The viral genes which normally code for the switch-off in thymidine kinase activity arid for the normal cytopathic effects were not expressed; however the viral geneis responsible for the cytotoxic effect due to high multiplicities of infection was still expressed, indicating that there may be a differential block of some viral genes     

LIGHT-MEDIATED ACTIVITIES OF THIARUBRINES AGAINST HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Abstract— Two thiarubrines (dithiacylohexadienes), which werw isolated recently species of Astreraceae, were investigated for light-mediated antiviral activity aginst human immunodeficiency virus(HIV–1). Both compounds (thiarubrines A and D) showed good anti-HIV activity, in micromolar concentrations, which was dependent upon UVA radiation, They showed no anti-viral activity in the darjm ad only weak visiblke light-mediated activity, despite the significant absorbance of these compounds in th e480 nm region. the resulting inactivated virus was unable to replicate in cell cultures, as indicated by loss of cytopathogenicity, the absence of cells expressingHIV–1 antigens and lack of production ofHIV–1 p24 protein. although this antiviral was not as efficient as that shown by the photoactive plant thiopene, α-terthienyl, both thiarubrines demonstrated increased activity when the serum component of the virus stock was reduced. This suggested that a component of bovine serum unterfered to some extent with the anti-HIV ativity.     

THE ANTI-HIV ACTIVITIES OF PHOTOACTIVE TERTHIOPHENES

Abstract— Various synthetic analogues of the naturally occurring terthiophene, α-terthienyl (αT), were evaluated for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity. The compounds were incubated individually with a known amount of the virus, with or without UVA radiation (long-wavelength ultraviolet) and residual virus was monitored for its ability to produce cytopathic effects in cell culture and the production of virus-specific protein (p24). The basic terthiophene structure was essential for good anti-HIV activity, although various side chains, such as alcohols, bromo, methyl, thiomethyl and trimethylsilyl groups, permitted retention of maximum activity. Under optimum conditions, as little as 12 ng/mL of these compounds ( i.e approximately 3 × 10⁻⁸ M ) could inactivate 10³ infectious virions. None of the compounds however were more active than αT itself. In all cases, UVA radiation was essential. Several side chains decreased the antiviral efficacy, and some side chains abrogated the activity.     

Bromohypericins are potent photoactive antiviral agents

Several hypericin derivatives, previously shown to have interesting light-mediated biological activities, were evaluated for antiviral activities against herpes simplex virus and influenza virus. Three brominated hypericins, the dibromo- and tetrabromo-derivatives and the natural compound gymnochrome B were all very active against both viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus, although light was required in all cases for maximum activity. The dibromohypericin was the most potent, under standard assay conditions, gymnochrome B was approximately as active as hypericin itself and tetrabromohypericin significantly less so. Surprisingly, hexamethylhypericin, which is known to have potent anti-protein kinase (PK) C activity, as well as anticell proliferation properties, showed no antiviral activity at all. The compounds were also evaluated in different serum concentrations. All the active compounds were inhibited by increasing concentrations of serum, but to different degrees, such that their relative antiviral potencies changed to some extent. Thus, in summary, there was no correlation between antiviral and anti-PK or anticellular activities, and consequently it is not possible at present to define those structural features of hypericin-type molecules that are required for their various biological activities.     

Pseudosterins A–C,Three 1-Ethyl-3-formyl-β-carbolines from Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Their Cardioprotective Effects

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is used in China not only as a functional food but also as an herb to tonify the spleen, enhance immunity, and treat palpitation. Our previous investigation showed that a fraction enriched in glycosides obtained from the roots of P. heterophylla possessed pronounced protective effects on H9c2 cells against CoCl₂-induced hypoxic injury. However, the active compounds responsible for the observed effects were still unknown. In the current investigation, pseudosterins A–C (1–3), three new alkaloids with a 1-ethyl-3-formyl-β-carboline skeleton, together with polydatin, have been isolated from the active fraction. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. The four compounds showed cardioprotective effects against sodium hydrosulfite-induced hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cells, with the three alkaloids being more potent. This is also the first report of alkaloids with a β-carboline skeleton isolated from P. heterophylla as cardioprotective agents.     

Antiviral activity of aconite alkaloids from Aconitum carmichaelii Debx

Four diterpenoid alkaloids, namely, (a) hypaconitine, (b) songorine, (c) mesaconitine and (d) aconitine, were isolated from the ethanol root extract of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. The antiviral activities of these alkaloids against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were evaluated. Antiviral activity test in vivo showed that compounds a and c, which were C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, showed inactivation efficacy values of 82.4 and 85.6% against TMV at 500 μg/mL, respectively. By contrast, compound c presented inactivation activity of 52.1% against CMV at 500 μg/mL, which was almost equal to that of the commercial Ningnanmycin (87.1% inactivation activity against TMV and 53.8% inactivation activity against CMV). C19-Diterpenoid alkaloids displayed moderate to high antiviral activity against TMV and CMV at 500 μg/mL, dosage plays an important role in antiviral activities. This paper is the first report on the evolution of aconite diterpenoid alkaloids for antiviral activity against CMV.     

Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of novel N-6 substituted adenosine analogues

A series of adenosine analogues were synthesized and their biological evaluation was tested against Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) and Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) in HEp-2 cells. The hydrophobic constant, acute toxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity were calculated. Analogues with piperazine derivatives 8b showed promising activities against CVB3 with a lower IC₅₀value and higher selectivity index, their efficacy was better than that of the commercialized medicine, Ribavirin. These described adenosine analogues exhibit potent antiviral activities against several viruses, and offer new leads for further development.     

Antiviral properties of cage compounds. New prospects

The published data of the last 15 years on the antiviral activity and the mechanism of action of cage compounds are integrated and described systematically. The considerable interest in the cage compounds as antiviral agents is related to the specific features of the spatial structure of this class of derivatives and high lipophilicity and rigidity of the carbon cage, which allows these molecules to easily penetrate through the lipid layer of biological membranes. Data on the ion channel structure of influenza A and hepatitis C viruses and docking data for some cage structures to these channels are presented. Data on the antiviral properties of cage compounds against RNA genome viruses, the influenza A virus and its mutant strains, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency viruses, and other RNA-containing viruses, are presented. The efficiency of cage compounds against the DNA-genome viruses, herpes virus, cytomegalovirus and orthopoxviruses, is demonstrated. The proven participation of aminoadamantanes in the suppression of early stages of the influenza virus life cycle suggests that efficient inhibitors of not only the influenza virus but also other RNA- and DNA-containing viruses could be found among the cage molecules.     

Identification and determination of metabolites in plant cell biotechnology by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry : Application to Nonpolar Products of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and Tagetes Species

Gas-liquid chromatography (g.l.c.) and gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (g.c./m.s.) were used for profile analysis and for identification, confirmation and determination of traces of nonpolar metabolites synthesized in plant tissue, calli and in suspension-cultured cells of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (pyrethrum) or Tagetes species (marigold). When dried leaf samples (1–20 mg) were tested, six pyrethrins were detected simultaneously at the picogram level with an electron capture detector. This method permits the early selection of high yielding tissues and calli for the development of plant cell cultures. α-Terthienyl was quantified at the nanogram level with the electron capture detector; calibration graphs were linear between 0.2 and 20 ng and the minimum detectable quantity was about 0.1 ng. The concentration of α-terthienyl in air-dried roots of T. erecta was 140 μg g^?1. However, this procedure used alone is not reliable, because α-terthienyl and the pyrethrin Cinerin I have the same retention time. Mass spectrometry is needed for identification and confirmation. Profile analysis of a leaf extract of T. minuta by high-resolution g.c./m.s, and accurate mass measurements showed 13 nonpolar compounds, of which 9 were tentatively identified; they include 2 sesquiterpenoids, 3 thiophenes, 2 sterols with a precursor and ethyl linolenate. Analyses of T. minuta indicated that in calli and cell suspensions, plant sterols are synthesized but sesquiterpenoids or thiophenes are not produced.     

Two new β-carboline alkaloids from the roots of Gypsophila oldhamiana

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Gypsophila oldhamiana afforded two new β-carboline alkaloids, oldhamiaines A and B (1 and 2), along with a known analogue (3). Their structures were elucidated by using spectroscopic and chemical methods. This is the first report of β-carboline alkaloids in the genus Gypsophila.     

Design and Synthesis of Novel β-Carboline Linked Amide Derivatives as Anticancer Agents

Russian Journal of General Chemistry - A novel series of β-carboline linked amide derivatives is synthesized. The compounds are screened for their anticancer activity against MCF-7 (breast),...