Medicinal foodstuffs. XXXIV. Structures of new prenylchalcones and prenylflavanones with TNF-alpha and aminopeptidase N inhibitory activities from Boesenbergia rotunda

The methanolic extract from the rhizomes of Boesenbergia rotunda (Zingiberaceae) was found to show inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells (IC(50)=6.1 microg/ml). By bioassay-guided separation, four new prenylcalcones, (+)-krachaizin A (1a), (-)-krachaizin A (1b), (+)-krachaizin B (2a), and (-)-krachaizin B (2b), and four new prenylflavanones, rotundaflavones Ia (3a), Ib (3b), IIa (4a), and IIb (4b), were isolated together with 18 known constituents (5a-7b and 8-19). The structures of eight new compounds were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical evidence. Among them, (+)-krachaizin B (2a), (-)-krachaizin B (2b), (+)-4-hydroxypanduratin A (6a), (-)-4-hydroxypanduratin A (6b), (+)-isopanduratin A (7a), (-)-isopanduratin A (7b), alpinetin (10), cardamonin (14), and 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone (15) significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells at 10 microM. In addition, 2a, 2b, (+)-panduratins A (5a), (-)-panduratin A (5b), 6a, 7b, and geranyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-phenylbenzoate (17) were found to show strong inhibitory effects on aminopeptidase N activity.     

Phenolic glycosides from Pyrola japonica

Five new phenolic glycosides, 2-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-5-hydroxyphenylacetic acid methyl ester (4), 4-hydroxy-2-[3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl]-5-methylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 4-hydroxy-2-[(E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl]-5-methylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), 4-hydroxy-2-[(2E,6Z)-8-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl]-5-methylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), and 2,7-dimethyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene-5,8-diol 5-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10), were isolated from the whole plants of Pyrola japonica (Pyrolaceae), together with androsin, (-)-syringaresinol glucoside, homoarbutin, pirolatin, hyperin, monotropein and chimaphilin.     

GPR183 Regulates 7α,25-Dihydroxycholesterol-Induced Oxiapoptophagy in L929 Mouse Fibroblast Cell

7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol (7α,25-DHC) is an oxysterol synthesized from 25-hydroxycholesterol by cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B member 1 (CYP7B1) and is a monooxygenase (oxysterol-7α-hydroxylase) expressed under inflammatory conditions in various cell types. In this study, we verified that 7α,25-DHC-induced oxiapoptophagy is mediated by apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy in L929 mouse fibroblasts. MTT assays and live/dead cell staining revealed that cytotoxicity was increased by 7α,25-DHC in L929 cells. Consequentially, cells with condensed chromatin and altered morphology were enhanced in L929 cells incubated with 7α,25-DHC for 48 h. Furthermore, apoptotic population was increased by 7α,25-DHC exposure through the cascade activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in these cells. 7α,25-DHC upregulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in L929 cells. Expression of autophagy biomarkers, including beclin-1 and LC3, was significantly increased by 7α,25-DHC treatment in L929 cells. 7α,25-DHC inhibits the phosphorylation of Akt associated with autophagy and increases p53 expression in L929 cells. In addition, inhibition of G-protein-coupled receptor 183 (GPR183), a receptor of 7α,25-DHC, using GPR183 specific antagonist NIBR189 suppressed 7α,25-DHC-induced apoptosis, ROS production, and autophagy in L929 cells. Collectively, GPR183 regulates 7α,25-DHC-induced oxiapoptophagy in L929 cells.     

Prolyl endopeptidase inhibitors from the underground part of Rhodiola sachalinensis

The methanolic extract of the underground part of Rhodiola sachalinensis was found to show inhibitory activity on prolyl endopeptidase (PEP, EC. 3.4.21.26), an enzyme that plays a role in the metabolism of proline-containing neuropeptidase which is recognized to be involved in learning and memory. From the MeOH extract, five new monoterpenoids named sachalinols A (24), B (25) and C (26) and sachalinosides A (23) and B (27) were isolated, together with twenty-two known compounds, gallic acid (1), trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (2), p-tyrosol (3), salidroside (4), 6n-O-galloylsalidroside (5), benzyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), 2-phenylethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), trans-cinnamyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), rosarin (9), rhodiocyanoside A (10), lotaustralin (11), octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (12), 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (13), 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (14), kaempferol (15), kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-xylofuranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (16), kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (17), rhodionin (18), rhodiosin (19), (-)-epigallocatechin (20), 3-O-galloylepigallocatechin-(4-->8)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (21) and rosiridin (22). Among these, nineteen compounds other than 3, 4 and 9 have been isolated for the first time from R. sachalinensis, and six (6, 8, 13, 16, 17, 20) are isolated from Rhodiola plants for the first time. Among them, six compounds (13, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22) showed noncompetitive inhibition against Flavobacterium PEP, with an IC50 of 0.025, 0.17, 22, 41, 0.44 and 84 microM, respectively.     

Steroidal saponins and alkaloids from the bulbs of Lilium brownii var. colchesteri

The fresh bulbs of Lilium brownii var. colchesteri were found to contain five steroidal saponins: 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylnuatigenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylnuatigenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), brownioside (8), deacylbrownioside (9) and 27-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaroyl)isonarthogenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)- beta-D-glucopyranoside (10); and two steroidal alkaloids: beta 1-solamargine (11) and solasodine 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)- beta-D-glucopyranoside (12); along with several phenolic constituents. Compounds 7, 10 and 12 are new naturally-occurring compounds.     

New triterpene aldehydes,lucialdehydes A-C,from Ganoderma lucidum and their cytotoxicity against murine and human tumor cells

Three new lanostante-type triterpene aldehydes, named lucialdehydes A-C (1-3), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, together with ganodermanonol (4), ganodermadiol (5), ganodermanondiol (6), ganodermanontriol (7), ganoderic acid A (8), ganoderic acid B8 (9), and ganoderic acid C1 (10). The structures of the new triterpenes were determined as (24E)-3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-26-al (1), (24E)-3,7-dioxo-5 alpha-lanosta-8,24-dien-26-al (2), and (24E)-3 beta-hydroxy-7-oxo-5 alpha-lanosta-8,24-dien-26-al (3), respectively, by spectroscopic means. The cytotoxicity of the compounds isolated from the ganoderma mushroom was tested in vitro against Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), T-47D, Sarcoma 180, and Meth-A tumor cell lines. Lucialdehydes B, C (2, 3), ganodermanonol (4) and ganodermanondiol (6) showed cytotoxic effects on tested tumor cells. Of the compounds, lucialdehyde C (3) exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against LLC, T-47D, Sarcoma 180, and Meth-A tumor cells with ED(50) values of 10.7, 4.7, 7.1, and 3.8 microg/ml, respectively.     

Secondary Metabolites with Cytotoxic Activities from Streptomyces sp. BM-8 Isolated from the Feces of Equus quagga

A new aliphatic acid, compound 1, together with six known metabolites, including nonactic acid (2), homononactic acid (3), ethyl homononactate (4), homononactylhomononactate (5), valinomycin (6), and cyclo-(Pro-Leu) (7), was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. BM-8, an actinobacterial strain isolated from the feces of Equus quagga. The structures of these compounds were established by analyses of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (NMR), as well as by HR-ESI-MS spectrometry and chemical derivative analyses. Additionally, a serial analogue of nonactic acid and homononacticacid (8–21) was synthesized. The cytotoxicity of 1–21 wastested against a panel of cancer cell lines, such as HT-29, MCF-7, A375 and K562, with MTT assay. In addition, the cytotoxicity tests revealed that 1 was less cytotoxic toward a panel of cancerous cells, as compared with valinomycin (6).     

Triterpenoids from Hippophae rhamnoides L. and their nitric oxide production-inhibitory and DPPH radical-scavenging activities

In our investigation on the chemical constituents of Hippophae rhamnoides L., the chloroform-soluble fraction of the 80% acetone extract of branch bark was observed to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in a lipopolysaccharide and recombinant mouse interferon-gamma-activated murine macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. Two new triterpenoids, 2-O-trans-p-coumaroyl maslinic acid (1) and 2-O-caffeoyl maslinic acid (2), and three known triterpenoids, oleanolic acid (3), 3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl oleanolic acid (4), and 3-O-caffeoyl oleanolic acid (5), and 6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran (6) and beta-sitosterol (7) were isolated from the branch bark extract. Their inhibitory activities on the production of NO in RAW 264.7 cells and radical-scavenging activities were examined.     

Cytotoxic and anti-oxidant activities of lanostane-type triterpenes isolated from Poria cocos

A new lanostane-type triterpene, 29-hydroxypolyporenic acid C (8), was isolated from the dried sclerotia of Poria cocos together with eight other known compounds pachymic acid (1), dehydropachymic acid (2), 3-acetyloxy-16alpha-hydroxytrametenolic acid (3), polyporenic acid C (4), 3-epi-dehydropachymic acid (5), 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid (6), tumulosic acid (7), and dehydrotumulosic acid (9). The compounds were identified by spectral analysis and comparison with spectroscopic data reported in the literatures. Although none of the nine (1 to 9) compounds showed promising antioxidant activity, 1 through 6 and 8 showed good cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cell line A549 and human prostate cancer cell line DU145. Interestingly, all these compounds exhibited better cytotoxicity towards A549 than DU145 cells.     

Three new sesquiterpenoid glucosides of Ficus pumila fruit

As the glycosyl constituents of Ficus pumila L. fruits (Moraceae), three new sesquiterpenoid glucosides, pumilasides A, B and C were isolated together with benzyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, (E)-2-methyl-2-butenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside and rutin. Their structures were characterized as (1S,4S,5R,6R,7S,10S)-1,4,6-trihydroxyeudesmane 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,10S)-1,4-dihydroxymaaliane 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 10 alpha, 11-dihydroxycadin-4-ene 11-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside by spectral and chemical methods.     

Panduratins D-I, novel secondary metabolites from rhizomes of Boesenbergia pandurata

Investigation of the non-polar fraction of Boesenbergia pandurata of Myanmar led to the identification of six novel secondary metabolites, panduratins D-I (1-6), together with known diastereomers, panduratins B1 (7) and B2 (8). Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic analysis. The in vitro preferential cytotoxicity of all isolates was examined against human pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells under nutrient-deprived conditions. All exhibited a mild activity.     

Rhodiolosides A-E, monoterpene glycosides from Rhodiola rosea

Five new monoterpene glycosides, rhodiolosides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the roots of Rhodiola rosea (Crassulaceae). Their structures were elucidated as (2E,6E,4R)-4,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl alpha-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), (2E,4R)-4,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), and (2E)-7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradation.     

Two New Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from Centella asiatica

Two new pentacyclic triterpenoids, named centelloside D ( 1 ) and centelloside E ( 9 ), together with the seven known compounds 2 – 8 , were isolated from the whole plants of Centella asiatica. Compound 5 was reported for the first time from this genus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis, including 1D ‐ and 2D ‐NMR, and HR‐MS experiments, and by comparison with literature data. Compounds 1 – 4, 6 , and 8 did not show any cytotoxicity against L929 (mouse embryonic fibroblast).     

Cytotoxic activity of Ipomoea cairica

(+)-(8R,8'S)-thujaplicatin methyl ether (1), arctigenin (2), matairesinol (3), trans-2,3-dibenzylbutyrolactone (4), vanillic acid (5), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (6), methoxybenzoic acid (7), methylparaben (8), stearic acid (9), palmitic acid (10), olenic acid (11), friedelinol (12), and a mixture of beta-sitosterol (13) and stigmasterol (14) were obtained from the methanolic extract of the Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet (Convolvulaceae). The structure of compound 1 was established by spectroscopic analyses. Among them, 2 and 4 were demonstrated to have significant cytotoxicity against LNCaP cell line. Compound 4 was also found to be significantly active against A549 cell line.     

Phenolic constituents from Ephedra nebrodensis

Two new phenolic glycosides, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (nebrodenside A) and O-coumaric acid beta-D-allopyranoside (nebrodenside B), were isolated from the aerial parts of Ephedra nebrodensis. In addition, O-coumaric acid glucoside, (-)-epicatechin, and (-)-ephedrine were also isolated. The structures were deduced from extensive 1D and 2DNMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, GHSQC, GHMQC, ROESY) as well as mass spectrometry (EI and HR-MALDI). (-)-Epicatechin showed weak antiviral activity against Influenza A virus and very weak cytotoxicity against MDCK cells.     

(1)H and (13)C NMR signal assignments of paecilin A and B, two new chromone derivatives from mangrove endophytic fungus Paecilomyces sp. (tree 1-7)

Two new natural products, named paecilin A (1) and B (2), together with two known compounds secalonic acid D (3) and (11)-cytochalasa-6(12),13-diene-1,21-dione-16,18-dimethyl-7-hydroxy-10-phenyl-(7S*,13E,16S*,18S*) (4), were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus, Paecilomyces sp. (tree 1-7) from the South China Sea. 1D and 2D NMR experiments including COSY, HMQC, and HMBC were used for the determination of their structures. In our cytotoxicity assays, secalonic D (3) showed cytotoxicity toward KB cells with IC(50) < 1 microg ml(-1) and inhibiting human topoisomerase I with IC(50) at 0.16 micromol ml(-1). 1, 2, and 4 showed no activity to KB cells.     

Four new 3,5-cyclosteroidal saponins from Dracaena surculosa

Further search for steroidal compounds contained in Dracaena surculosa (Agavaceae) led to the isolation of two new 3,5-cyclospirostanol saponins (1, 2) and two new 3,5-cyclofurostanol saponins (3, 4). Their structural assignment was established by spectroscopic analysis and a few chemical transformations as (24S,25R)-1beta-[(beta-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclospirostan-24-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (24S,25R)-1beta-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclospirostan-24-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (25S)-1beta-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-22alpha-methoxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclofurostan-26-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and (25S)-1beta-[(beta-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-22alpha-methoxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclofurostan-26-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), respectively.     

Cytotoxic phenylpropanoids and a new triterpene, turformosinic acid, from Turpinia formosana Nakai

One new phenylpropanoid, turformosin A (1), and one new triterpene, turformosinic acid (2), together with 16 known compounds, were isolated from the stems of Turpinia formosana Nakai. All structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques and MS analysis. Selected isolated compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines and antioxidant scavenging effects on DPPH. (-)-(7'S,8'S)-threo-carolignan X (3) exhibited cytotoxicity against Hep2, WiDr, Daoy, and MCF-7 cell lines with ED(50) values of 3.60, 4.45, 6.07, and 13.7 μg/mL, respectively. Turformosin A (1), (-)-(7'S,8'S)- threo-carolignan X (3), methoxyhydroquinone-4-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), and methoxy-hydroquinone-1-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), exhibited similar anti-oxidative activity. Hep2 cells treated with 10 μg/mL of 3 showed elevation of sub-G1 population (from 20% at 8 h to 60% at 48 h), and activation of caspase-9/caspase-3/PARP cascade. Compound 3 induced intrinsic apoptotic pathway in Hep2 cells with dose and time dependence (10 μg/mL for 8 h).     

Chemical constituents from Farfugium japonicum var. formosanum

Two new eremophilenolides, 6beta,8beta,10beta-trihydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (1) and 3beta-acetoxy-8alpha-hydroxy-6beta-methoxyeremophila-7(11),9-dien-12,8-olide (2) along with twenty-nine other compounds were obtained from the methanolic extracts of the aerial parts and rhizomes of Farfugium japonicum (L.) Kitam. var. formosanum (Hayata) Kitam. (Compositae = Asteraceae). The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized and identified by spectral techniques. Compounds 5, 6, 10, 12-24, 29, and 30, were reported for the first time from this genus. Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Compounds 3 and 16 possessed moderate cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell line (MCF 7). Compounds 3, 16, 25 and 26 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against hepatoma cells (Hep G2 and Hep 3B). With respect to the anti-inflammatory activity, compounds 15 and 16 (each 10 microg/mL) inhibited superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils in response to fMLP/CB by 92.0% and 87.3%, respectively.     

Phytochemical investigation and biological studies of Bombax malabaricum flowers

In this study, extracts of the flowers of the folk medicinal plant Bombax malabaricum DC were biologically and chemically screened. Chemical constituents in the n-hexane fraction from the flowers of B. malabaricum DC were investigated using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis, affording 14 compounds, including cholesterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and α-amyrin, while the residual 10 compounds are hydrocarbons. GLC analysis of the fatty acid (FA) esters established the majority abundance of the saturated FA over their unsaturated analogues. The polar methanol fraction afforded seven flavones: vicenin 2 (1), linarin (2), saponarin (3), cosmetin (4), isovitexin (5), xanthomicrol (6) and apigenin (7). Structures 1-7 were established by intensive studies of various spectral data (H-NMR, mass spectroscopy and UV) and comparison with authentic samples. Compounds 1-7 are described here for the first time from this plant. Extracts of n-hexane and methanol exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.