Antiinflammatory effect of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb, and its active principles

The rhizomes of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb, are used in Indonesian folk medicine as cholagogues, aromatic stomachics, analgesics, a rheumatic remedy, etc. The present study was carried out to elucidate the antiinflammatory effect of the methanol extract obtained from these rhizomes and its active principles. The methanol extract was partitioned between ether and water, and then the ether-soluble fraction was extracted with n-hexane. The n-hexane-soluble fraction was chromatographed (fr. I-IV), fr. II was rechromatographed (fr. V-VII), and then fr. V was rechromatographed (fr. VIII-X) by silica gel column chromatography. The antiinflammatory activity of these fractions was investigated on carrageenin-induced edema in rats and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability as well as the writhing symptom in mice. The methanol extract (p.o.) showed both an antiinflammatory activity and an analgesic activity and these activities shifted successively to the ether-soluble fraction, the n-hexane-soluble fraction, fr. II, V and IX. The chemical structure of fr. IX was identified as germacrone. These results suggest that the antiinflammatory action of Curcuma xanthorrhiza is the result of the germacrone that it contains.     

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory phenylbutenoids from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar

Phenylbutenoids isolated previously from the CHCl3 extracts of the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar, were evaluated for their cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory activity along with a new isolate, from the n-BuOH extracts of this plant. The COX-2 inhibitory assay was performed by measuring prostaglandin E2 production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Two phenylbutenoid dimers, and, exhibited considerable activity with IC50 values of 2.71 and 3.64 microM. Two phenylbutenoid monomers, and, showed moderate activity (IC50 14.97, 20.68 microM, respectively). The other three phenylbutenoids, were found to be inactive. Compound was elucidated as a new phenylbutenoid glycoside, namely, (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside by spectral analysis including various 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments.     

Invasion inhibitors of human fibrosarcoma HT 1080 cells from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar: structures of phenylbutanoids, cassumunols

The methanolic extract and its EtOAc-soluble fraction from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar inhibited invasion of human fibrosarcoma HT 1080 cells. From the EtOAc-soluble fraction, eight new phenylbutanoids, cassumunols A-H, were isolated together with 30 known constituents. The structures of new phenylbutanoids were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Principal constituents were examined the inhibitory effects on the invasion of HT 1080 cells. Among them, phlain I and III, (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene, (E)-1-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene, and (-)-β-sesquiphellandrene showed anti-invasion effects. Interestingly, (E)-1-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene [inhibition (%) 46.8 ± 7.2 (p<0.05) at 30 μM] significantly inhibited the invasion, and only a weak cytotoxic effect was observed.     

A mild conversion of phenylpropropnoid into rare phenylbutanoids: (E)-4-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)but-1,3-diene and (E)-4-(2,4,5-trimethozypheny)but-1-ene occuring in Zingiber cassumunar

(E)-4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)but-1,3-diene (4) and (E)-4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)but-1-ene (6), bioactive phenylbutanoids of Zingiber cassumunar, were synthesized exclusively with trans geometry. Treatment of methylmagnesium iodide with (E)-2',4',5'-trimethoxycinnamaldehyde (2), an oxidized product of abundantly available toxic (Z)-phenylpropanoid (1) of Acorus calamus, gave (E)-4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-ol (3) which upon dehydration with copper sulphate/silica gel under microwave irradiation for 3 min afforded 4 in 58% yield. Further, catalytic hydrogenation of 4 with 10% Pd/C afforded 4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)butane (5) which upon dehydrogenation with DDQ/SiO2 afforded hypolipidemic 6 in 54% yield.     

Biological evaluations of fatty acid esters originated during storage of Prasaplai, a Thai traditional medicine

Three fatty acid esters, (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl linoleate (1), (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl oleate (2), and (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl palmitate (3), originated during storage by the interaction of components in Prasaplai, were synthesized. These three artificial esters were subjected to four biological evaluations. All three compounds were active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Ra for which compounds 1 and 3 had inhibitory concentration at 200 microg mL(-1) while compound 2 inhibited at 100 microg mL(-1). When all these compounds were subjected to anti-HSV-1 test, compound 2 showed positive activity at 42.6 microg mL(-1) without any cytotoxic activity against human vero cell line while compound 3 had the cytotoxicity to vero cell at IC(50) 38 microg mL(-1). Compound 1 was inactive for this test.     

Antimicrobial activity of sphingolipids isolated from the stems of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Three antimicrobial sphingolipids were separated by bioassay-guided isolation from the chloroform fraction of the crude methanol extract of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) stems and identified as (2S,3S,4R,10E)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxytetra-cosanoylamino]-1,3,4-octadecanetriol-10-ene (1), 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(2S,3S,4R,10E)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxy-tetracosanoylamino]-1,3,4-octadecanetriol-10-ene (2) and soya-cerebroside I (3) by their physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. They were evaluated to show antifungal and antibacterial activity on test microorganisms including four fungal and three bacterial species. Among them, compound 1, a relatively low polarity aglycone, exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than its corresponding glycoside 2. The results indicated that sphingolipids could be the main antimicrobial compounds in the crude methanol extract of cucumber stems.     

Chemical composition, anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal and free-radical scavenging activities of the leaves of Ficus radicans 'Variegata' (Moraceae)

The methanol crude extract of the leaves of Ficus radicans Roxb. 'Variegata' (Moraceae) and the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol fractions resulting from its fractionation were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal and free-radical scavenging activities. The crude extract and fractions exhibited significant inhibition of inflammation in both croton oil (CO)-induced ear oedema in mice (p<0.001) and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema models (p<0.01). The molluscicidal assay against Biomphalaria glabrata showed a weak activity for the n-hexane fraction (DL(50)=?400 μg mL(-1)). A moderated 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity was observed for the ethyl acetate fraction (IC(50)=?66.2 μg mL(-1)). Fractionation of the extracts through chromatographic methods afforded the coumarins 7-methoxycoumarin, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin and methoxy-3,4-dihydrocoumarin, the steroids β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside, as well as a cinnamic acid derivative and a flavonoid identified as trans-4-methoxy-2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy cinnamic acid and quercetin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1?→?2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, respectively. The compounds were identified on the basis of their NMR spectral data and comparison with those previously reported in the literature.     

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Mitrephora sirikitiae Leaf Extract and Isolated Lignans in RAW 264.7 Cells

Mitrephora sirikitiae Weeras., Chalermglin & R.M.K. Saunders has been reported as a rich source of lignans that contribute to biological activities and health benefits. However, cellular anti-inflammatory effects of M. sirikitiae leaves and their lignan compounds have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extract of M. sirikitiae leaves and their lignan constituents on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with the methanol extract of M. sirikitiae leaves and its isolated lignans, including (−)-phylligenin (2) and 3′,4-O-dimethylcedrusin (6) significantly decreased LPS-induced prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and nitric oxide (NO) productions. These inhibitory effects of the extract and isolated lignans on LPS-induced upregulation of PGE₂ and NO productions were derived from the suppression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production, respectively. In addition, treatment with 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (3) and mitrephoran (5) was able to suppress LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion and synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells. These results demonstrated that M. sirikitiae leaves and some isolated lignans exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of secretion and synthesis of PGE₂, NO, and TNF-α.     

Preparative isolation and purification of two phenylbutenoids from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar by upright counter-current chromatography

Two phenylbutenoids, (E)-4-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-enyl acetate and (E)-4-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)but-1,3-diene, were separated from the rhizomes of Zingiber Cassumunar using a preparative upright counter-current chromatography (CCC). With a two-phase solvent system composed of light petroleum (b.p. 60-90 degrees C)-ethanol-diethyl ether-water (5:4:2:1, v/v), 150 mg of (E)-4-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-enyl acetate and 175 mg of (E)-4-(3','-dimethoxyphenyl)but- 1,3-diene with the purity of 98.7 and 95.1%, respectively, were obtained from 600 mg of the crude sample of Z. Cassumunar in a single-step separation. Structures of these two compounds were identified by ESI-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR.     

Antioxidant hispidin derivatives from medicinal mushroom Inonotus hispidus

Two natural antioxidants, named inonotusin A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the fruit bodies of Inonotus hispidus, together with (E)-4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one (3), hispidin (4) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (5). Their structures were identified by means of extensive NMR and MS data analysis. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 exhibited significant scavenging activity against the 2,20-azinobis(3-ethylbenzhiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical cation. Compound 1 also showed moderate cytotoxicity against a human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) with IC(50) values of 19.6 μM.     

New diarylheptanoids from Alnus japonica and their antioxidative activity

In the course of research on the bioactive constituents of woody plants in the Cyugoku area of Japan, a methanol extract of the leaves of Alnus japonica were found to have strong antioxidative activity. Ethyl acetate soluble and n-buthanol soluble fractions of the methanol extract had a potent antioxidative effect. Both fractions were purified by silica gel column chromatography and HPLC using an ODS column to give four new diarylheptanoids along with known diarylheptanoids and flavonoids. These new compounds were elucidated to be 7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-heptanone-5-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (1), 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-heptanone-5-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2), 1,7-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-3-heptanone-5-O-[2-(2-methylbutenoyl)]-beta-D-xylopyranoside (3) and 1,7-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-methoxy-3-heptanone (4) using spectral methods and especially 1H-, 13C-NMR and 2D-NMR measurements. The isolated compounds including their main constituent, oregonin (5), were tested for antioxidative activity. Some of these compounds having two catechol structures showed potent antioxidative activity. Compounds having one catechol structure showed moderate antioxidative activity, but a peracetate of 5 having no catechol structure exhibited no antioxidative activity. Thus the catechol structure of the diarylheptanoids is indispensable for antioxidative activity.     

Antiinflammatory effect of Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff

The red leaves of Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. (G. pictum) are used in Indonesian folk medicine. The present study was carried out to elucidate the antiinflammatory effect of the ethanol extract obtained from this crude drug. The extract was partitioned between ether and water, and then the water-soluble fraction was extracted with 1-butanol. The 1-butanol-soluble fraction was extracted with chloroform-acetone, hot methanol and water, successively, and the hot methanol-soluble fraction (fr.) was chromatographed (frs. I-III). The antiinflammatory activity of these fractions was investigated on carrageenin-induced edema in rats and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability as well as the writhing symptom in mice. The ethanol extract (p.o.) showed an antiinflammatory activity as well as an analgesic activity and these activities shifted to the water-soluble fraction, 1-butanol-soluble fraction, methanol-soluble fraction and fr. II, successively. It was found that fr. II contained flavonoids. These results suggest that these flavonoids are at least partly responsible for the antiinflammatory effect of the ethanol extract of G. pictum.     

Selective dimerization of ethylene to but-1-ene under the conditions of industrial process. II. Selection of a solvent for the process of ethylene to but-1-ene dimerization

A comparative economical analysis of reasons for application the solvents of various type in the process of ethylene to but-1-ene dimerization and of technological schemes of rectification of the products of ethylene dimerization with use of different solvents. The optimal solvent for the currently working industrial process of ethylene to but-1-ene dimerization is hexane fraction forming in the process of ethylene dimerization.     

Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Studies of Antidiabetic Phenolic Compound Isolated from Leaf Extract of Englerophytum magalismontanum (Sond.) T.D.Penn.

Englerophytum magalismontanum, a medicinal plant with ethnopharmacology use, has a dearth of information regarding its antidiabetic properties. This study evaluated the crude methanol leaf extract of E. magalismontanum and its fractions for total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibitory activity using standard methods. The total phenolic content (56.53 ± 1.94 mg GAE/g dry extract) and DPPH Trolox antioxidant equivalent (TAE) (1.51 ± 0.66 µg/mL) of the methanol fraction were the highest among the fractions. The IC₅₀ values of the methanol fraction against α-amylase (10.76 ± 1.33 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (12.25 ± 1.05 µg/mL) activities were also high. Being the most active, the methanol fraction was subjected to bio-assay guided column chromatography-based enzyme inhibition to obtain a pure compound. The phenolic compound isolated and identified as naringenin inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ of 5.81 ± 2.14 µg/mL and 4.77 ± 2.99 µg/mL, respectively. This is the first study to isolate naringenin from E. magalismontanum extract. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies demonstrated naringenin as a promising lead compound in comparison to acarbose for the treatment of diabetes through the inhibition of α-glucosidase activity.     

Crystal and molecular structures of 1-[3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]pyrrolidine.

The crystal structure of 1-[3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]pyrrolidine (C15H19NO3) (I) has been determined by X-ray analysis. It crystallizes orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 24.295(3), b = 15.086(3), c = 7.552(3)A, V = 2768(1)A3, Z = 8, Dcalc = 1.254 g/cm3, mu = (Mo K(alpha)) = 0.87 cm(-1). The title compound has analgesic activity of cycloaliphatic amine part. The molecule is deviated from planar configuration.     

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the sesquiterpene fraction from Annona reticulata L. bark

The sesquiterpene fraction of Annona reticulata bark was studied by GC/MS. Three major components were identified: copaene (35.40%), patchoulane (13.49%) and 1H-cycloprop(e)azulene (22.77%). The fraction was also screened for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The sesquiterpene fraction at doses 12.5 and 25?mg?kg?1 and the unsaponified petroleum ether extract at a dose of 50?mg?kg?1 exhibited significant central as well as peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities were comparable with the standard drugs used in the respective experiments.     

Rapid screening of bioactive components from Zingiber cassumunar using elution-extrusion counter-current chromatography

Elution-extrusion counter-current chromatography (EECCC) takes full advantages of the liquid nature of the stationary phase. It effectively extends the solute hydrophobicity window that can be studied and renders the CCC technique particularly suitable for rapid analysis of complex samples. In this paper, EECCC was used to screen the crude ethanol extract of Zingiber cassumunar and to isolate milligram-amounts of bioactive components. The two column volume (2V(C)) EECCC method was applied to rapidly optimize the composition of the biphasic liquid system in both reversed- and normal-phase separation mode. With the n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water 1/1/1/1 (v/v) system, 100mg of crude Z. cassumunar extract were fractionated on a 140 mL-capacity semi-preparative hydrodynamic CCC column and 0.5 g on a 1600 mL column for large-scale preparation. Satisfactory separation efficiency was achieved in both cases, producing milligram-amounts of four phenylbutenoids over 90% pure and of a mixture of diastereoisomers (phenylbutenoid dimers). However, the global throughputs of the two columns were 8 and 11 mg/h, not very different. This is due to the fact that the 1600 mL column could not retain the liquid stationary phase as well as the smaller 140 mL column. It was necessary to work at much lower flow rate than calculated. Methanol was added as a post-column clarifying reagent for stable continuous UV detection. A lipophilic biphasic liquid system composed of n-hexane/acetonitrile/water (5/3/2, v/v) allowed to resolve the pair of diastereoisomers with the larger preparative instrument producing 35 mg of the (+/-)-trans form 99.1% pure and 28 mg of the (+/-)-cis isomer 98.1% pure. Compared with classical elution, the EECCC approach exhibits strong separation efficiency and great potential to be a high-throughput separation technique in the case of complex samples.     

Studies on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. IV. Synthesis of novel thieno[2,3-b:5,4-c']dipyridine derivatives and their anti-inflammatory effect.

The syntheses and anti-inflammatory activities of novel thieno[2,3-b]pyridine and thieno[2,3-b:5,4-c']-dipyridine derivatives are described. These compounds were designed by modification of the quinoline template of a new type of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), TAK-603, and prepared by the Friedl?nder reaction as a key reaction. Their anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using an adjuvant arthritis rat model. Most of the compounds which included a diethylamino moiety in the side chain had potent anti-inflammatory effect. In particular, ethyl 2-(diethylaminomethyl)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)thieno[2,3-b:5,4-c'] dipyridine-3-carboxylate (21) exhibited more potent activity than TAK-603.     

Antiproliferative activity of Luehea candicans Mart. et Zucc. (Tiliaceae)

Luehea candicans Mart. et Zucc. (Tiliaceae) is known as 'a?oita-cavalo' and is one of the most important medicinal plants found in the Brazilian cerrado. The crude methanolic extracts of the branches and leaves and their fractions were evaluated using the following cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (breast), NCI-ADR (breast expressing the multidrug resistance phenotype), NCI-460 (lung), UACC-62 (melanoma), 786-0 (kidney), OVCAR (ovarian), PCO-3 (prostate), HT-29 (colon) and K-562 (leukaemia). The crude methanolic extracts from the branches (B) and leaves (L) were able to inhibit the growth of the K-562 and 786-0 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with GI(50) values of 8.1 and 5.4 μg mL(-1), respectively. The hexane (L1), chloroform (L2) and methanol (L4) fractions derived from extract L showed a high selectivity and pronounced cytostatic activity against 786-0 (GI(50) ~ 40 μg mL(-1)). A significant amount of lupeol was isolated from fraction L2. The chloroform (B2) and methanol (B3) fractions derived from extract (B) exhibited less selectivity, showing the highest cytostatic activity against K-562, NCI-ADR, OVCAR, MCF-7 and NCI-460 cells, with GI(50) values between 27 and 40 μg mL(-1). Lupeol, betulin, a mixture of steroids, (-)-epicatechin, vitexin and liriodendrin were isolated from these active fractions.     

Analgesic properties of extracts and fractions from Erythrina crista-galli (Fabaceae) leaves

The present study describes the analgesic activity of extracts and some fractions obtained from Erythrina crista-galli leaves in different in vivo analgesic models, using mice as experimental animals. The results showed that extract E(2) was the most active, inhibiting 48% of the abdominal constrictions when evaluated against the writhing test at 10 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneal. It also caused dose-dependent inhibition in the same model, with a calculated ID(50) value and respective confidence interval of 10 (9-14) mg kg(-1), and was more potent than reference drugs. Administered orally, E(2) caused potent antinociceptive action, with a calculated ID(50) value of 35 (26-47) mg kg(-1). The fractions F(1) and F(2) obtained from E(2) were evaluated against the writhing test at 10 mg kg(-1), causing inhibitions of 41 and 88%, respectively. The most active fraction, F(2), presented ID(50) calculated value of 3 (2-4) mg kg(-1), being about 7-fold more active than the reference drugs (acetyl salicylic acid and acetaminophen). In the formalin test, F(2) inhibited both phases of pain (44%, first phase; 58%, second phase). However, in contrast to the results observed for E(2), it was not active against the hot-plate test. The phytochemical results showed that at least four main components are present in F(2), which show a positive reaction of terpenes with TLC spray reagents.