Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activities of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloid Norbelladine Derivatives and Precursors

Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AAs) are a structurally diverse family of alkaloids recognized for their many therapeutic properties, such as antiviral, anti-cholinesterase, and anticancer properties. Norbelladine and its derivatives, whose biological properties are poorly studied, are key intermediates required for the biosynthesis of all ~650 reported AAs. To gain insight into their therapeutic potential, we synthesized a series of O-methylated norbelladine-type alkaloids and evaluated their cytotoxic effects on two types of cancer cell lines, their antiviral effects against the dengue virus (DENV) and the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), and their anti-Alzheimer’s disease (anti-cholinesterase and -prolyl oligopeptidase) properties. In monocytic leukemia cells, norcraugsodine was highly cytotoxic (CC₅₀ = 27.0 μM), while norbelladine was the most cytotoxic to hepatocarcinoma cells (CC₅₀ = 72.6 μM). HIV-1 infection was impaired only at cytotoxic concentrations of the compounds. The 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (selectivity index (SI) = 7.2), 3′,4′-O-dimethylnorbelladine (SI = 4.8), 4′-O-methylnorbelladine (SI > 4.9), 3′-O-methylnorbelladine (SI > 4.5), and norcraugsodine (SI = 3.2) reduced the number of DENV-infected cells with EC₅₀ values ranging from 24.1 to 44.9 μM. The O-methylation of norcraugsodine abolished its anti-DENV potential. Norbelladine and its O-methylated forms also displayed butyrylcholinesterase-inhibition properties (IC₅₀ values ranging from 26.1 to 91.6 μM). Altogether, the results provided hints of the structure–activity relationship of norbelladine-type alkaloids, which is important knowledge for the development of new inhibitors of DENV and butyrylcholinesterase.     

Lycorine Alkaloid and Crinum americanum L. (Amaryllidaceae) Extracts Display Antifungal Activity on Clinically Relevant Candida Species

Candida species are the main fungal agents causing infectious conditions in hospital patients. The development of new drugs with antifungal potential, increased efficacy, and reduced toxicity is essential to face the challenge of fungal resistance to standard treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro antifungal effects of two crude extracts of Crinum americanum L., a rich alkaloid fraction and lycorine alkaloid, on the Candida species. As such, we used a disk diffusion susceptibility test, determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and characterized the components of the extracts using Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). The extracts were found to have antifungal activity against various Candida species. The chemical characterization of the extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids such as lycorine and crinine. The Amaryllidaceae family has a promising antifungal potential. Furthermore, it was found that the alkaloid lycorine directly contributes to the effects that were observed for the extracts and fraction of C. americanum.     

Advances in the Chemical and Biological Characterization of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids and Natural Analogues Isolated in the Last Decade

Amaryllidaceae are bulbous wild and cultivated plants well known for their beautiful flowers and pharmaceutical applications, essentially due to the alkaloids and flavonoids content. Hundreds of alkaloids have been isolated until now and several scientific publications reported their sources, chemical structures, and biological activities. During the last decade, some unstudied Amaryllidaceae plants were the object of in-depth investigations to isolate and chemically and biologically characterize new and already known alkaloids as well as some analogues. This review describes the isolation and chemical and biological characterization of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, and their analogues obtained in the last decade, focusing the discussion on the new ones.     

New Rapid Validated HPTLC Method for the Determination of Lycorine in Amaryllidaceae Plants Extracts

A rapid, accurate, specific, repeatable and robust HPTLC method for the determination of lycorine in different Amaryllidaceae plant extracts is presented in this work. No article related to the HPTLC determination of lycorine in plant extracts has been reported in literature. Lycorine, a common alkaloid of family Amaryllidaceae, moreover, there have been some recent reports which reveal the interaction of lycorine with DNA and tRNA. It has, therefore, been to the interest of phytochemists to determine the content of this alkaloid in Amaryllidaceaous plants.     

Preparation of the N,19-seco Norditerpenoid Alkaloids from Norditerpenoid Alkaloid Yunaconitine

The synthesis of a new N,19-Seco norditerpenoid alkaloid 7 bearing nitro group from yunaconitine 1 as the starting material through a series of steps was described.     

A New Alkaloid from the Roots of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.

A new diterpene alkaloid, 12‐epi‐15‐O‐acetyl‐17‐benzoyl‐16‐hydroxy‐16,17‐dihydronapelline ( 1 ), along with nine known diterpene alkaloids including yunaconitine ( 2 ), neoline ( 3 ), mesaconitine ( 4 ), beiwutine ( 5 ), chasmanine ( 6 ), songorine ( 7 ), 12‐epi‐napelline ( 8 ), foresticine ( 9 ), and 15α‐hydroxyneoline ( 10 ) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis.     

南海红树林内生真菌ZSU-H26生物碱类代谢产物的研究

海洋微生物资源由于具有可持续开发性,而且其活性物质不像来源于其它海洋生物(如海绵、海藻、海兔、珊瑚等)产生的生物活性物质,其生产不受天然资源难再生的限制,能通过发酵进行胞外生产,与现代微生物技术相结合,较容易实现工业化生产,特别是其生产不对环境造成危害,符合当今绿色化学发展的方向.     

Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of Propolis from Various Regions of Poland

Propolis is one of the bee products, with multiple biological properties used in numerous applications. The research objective was to determine the chemical composition and biological properties (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activity) of propolis extracts collected from various regions of Poland. The results indicated that the total content of phenols (116.16–219.41 mg GAE/g EEP) and flavonoids (29.63–106.07 mg QE/g EEP) in propolis extracts depended on their geographic origin. The high content of epicatechin, catechin, pinobanksin, myricetin, and acids: vanillic and syringic in propolis samples was confirmed by chromatographic analysis. Moreover, the presence of caffeic acid phenethyl ester was confirmed in all samples. The origin of propolis also influenced the biological properties of its extracts. The propolis extracts were characterized by moderate DPPH free radical scavenging activity (29.22–35.14%), and relatively low ferrous iron chelating activity (9.33–32.32%). The results indicated also that the propolis extracts showed high activity in the protection of human red blood cells against free radicals generated from 2,2’-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH). The extracts exhibited diversified activity against the tested pathogenic bacteria and limited activity against fungal strains. The research of selected propolis extracts showed that only 2 of 5 examined samples showed moderate activity against HPV (human papillomaviruses) and the activity depended on its geographical distribution.     

微量热法研究鹿茸4个活性部位对肠道特征菌群生长代谢的影响

建立灵敏表征鹿茸中具有补益活性的4个部位对两种肠道特征菌群生长代谢影响的评价方法.采用微量热法,在不同给药条件作用下,以产热功率-时间曲线(热谱曲线)的特征参数(生长速率常数(k)、最大产热功率(Pmax)、达峰时间(tp)及有效率(E)等)为指标,对肠道主要有益菌(青春双歧杆菌)生长代谢程度进行客观地量化评价.挑选鹿茸促菌最强的活性部位,进一步考察该部位对病原微生物(金黄色葡萄球菌)生长抑制的作用规律.结果表明,鹿茸不同活性部位促进青春双歧杆菌生长代谢强弱顺序为:正丁醇乙醚氯仿乙酸乙酯.活性最强的正丁醇萃取液对病原微生物(金黄色葡萄球菌)抑制影响的研究表明,正丁醇萃取液在浓度大于200μg·mL-1时,对金葡菌生长具有抑制作用.且tp随药液浓度的增加而相应地延长;k,Pmax均随浓度的增加而相应地减小.微量热法具有灵敏准确、实时在线、重现性好等特点,可用于名贵药材——鹿茸的活性部位的筛选,也为药效物质的研究提供了一个新的研究思路和方法.     

The Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Tulbaghia,Allium, Crinum and Cyrtanthus: ‘Talented’ Taxa from the Amaryllidaceae

Amaryllidaceae is a significant source of bioactive phytochemicals with a strong propensity to develop new drugs. The genera Allium, Tulbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum biosynthesize novel alkaloids and other phytochemicals with traditional and pharmacological uses. Amaryllidaceae biomolecules exhibit multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. Traditionally, natural products from Amaryllidaceae are utilized to treat non-communicable and infectious human diseases. Galanthamine, a drug from this family, is clinically relevant in treating the neurocognitive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, which underscores the importance of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Although Amaryllidaceae provide a plethora of biologically active compounds, there is tardiness in their development into clinically pliable medicines. Other genera, including Cyrtanthus and Tulbaghia, have received little attention as potential sources of promising drug candidates. Given the reciprocal relationship of the increasing burden of human diseases and limited availability of medicinal therapies, more rapid drug discovery and development are desirable. To expedite clinically relevant drug development, we present here evidence on bioactive compounds from the genera Allium, Tulgbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum and describe their traditional and pharmacological applications.     

Alkaloids from Arundo donax. XVII. Structure of the Dimeric Indole Alkaloid Arundaphine

The newdimeric alkaloid arundaphine, a tryptamine-tryptamine base, was isolated from roots and rhizomes of Arundo donax (Poaceae). Spectral data and an x-ray structure analysis established its structure as 1-[3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-5-hydroxy-1H-4-indolyl]-3-hydroxy-3-(2-methylaminoethyl)-2-indolinone.     

Chemical Characterization and Biological Activity of the Essential Oil from Araucaria brasiliensis Collected in Ecuador

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition, physical properties, enantiomeric composition and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of the essential oil (EO) steam-distilled from the leaves of the plant Araucaria brasiliensis Loud. collected in Ecuador. The chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis on two capillary GC columns (DB5-ms and HP-INNOWax). Thirty-three compounds were identified in the EO; the main compounds were beyerene (26.08%), kaurene (24.86%), myrcene (11.02%), α-pinene (9.99%) and 5,15-rosadiene (5.87%). Diterpene hydrocarbons (65.41%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (21.11%), were the most representative components of the EO. Enantioselective analysis of the EO showed four pairs of enantiomeric compounds, α-pinene, camphene, γ-muurolene and δ-cadinene. In an in vitro assay, the EO showed moderate inhibitory activity towards the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) (95.7 µg/mL), while it was inactive towards acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (225.3 µg/mL). Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the anticholinesterase potential of the EO.     

Assessment of Antimicrobial Properties of Phenolic Acid Extracts from Grain Infected with Fungi from the Genus Fusarium

Problems related with biological contamination of plant origin raw materials have a considerable effect on prevention systems at each stage of food production. Concerning the antimicrobial action of phenolic acids, studies were undertaken to investigate antibacterial properties against bacterial strains of Escherichia coli (EC), Pseudomonas fluorescence (PF), Micrococcus luteus (ML) and Proteus mirabilis (PM), as well as antifungal properties targeting microscopic fungi Fusarium spp., extracts of phenolic compounds coming from inoculated grain from various genotypes of cereals. This study evaluated the antimicrobial action of phenolic acids extracts obtained from both naturally infested and inoculated with microorganisms. For this purpose a total of 24 cereal cultivars were selected, including 9 winter and 15 spring cultivars. The analyses showed a bactericidal effect in the case of 4 extracts against Micrococcus luteus (ML), 14 extracts against Pseudomonas fluorescence (PF), 17 extracts against Escherichia coli (EC) as well as 16 extracts against Proteus mirabilis (PM). It was found that 3 out of the 24 extracts showed no antibacterial activity. In turn, fungicidal action was observed in the case of 17 extracts against Fusarium culmorum (FC) (NIV), 16 extracts against FC (3AcDON), 12 extracts against Fusarium graminearum (FG) (3AcDON), while 12 other extracts showed antifungal action against FG (NIV) and 19 extracts against Fusarium langsethiae (FL). Based on the conducted analyses it was found that grain of small-grained cereals exposed to fungal infection is a source of bioactive compounds exhibiting antimicrobial properties. It was observed that the qualitative and quantitative profiles of polyphenols vary depending on the cereal cultivar. This extracts may be used to develop an antimicrobial preparation applicable in organic farming.     

Biotransformation of Protoberberine Alkaloids by the Endophytic Fungus Coelomycetes AFKR-3 Isolated from Yellow Moonsheed Plant (Archangelisia Flava (L.) Merr.)

The endophytic fungus Coelomycetes AFKR-3 isolated from young stems of yellow moonshed plant (Archangelisia flava (L.) Merr.) has shown the capability to biotransform berberine into its 7-N-oxide derivative. Further investigations showed that the fungus can also biotransform the protoberberine alkaloid, palmatine into a new derivative palmatine 7-N-oxide in liquid medium of glucose-yeast extract-peptone. Berberine 7-N-oxide displayed the same antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi as berberine     

珠三角地区人群血浆中邻苯二甲酸酯的暴露水平研究

采用高效液相色谱-串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)法对珠三角地区人群血浆中16种邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)的暴露情况进行分析。样品预处理采用乙腈沉淀蛋白,正己烷液液萃取。结果表明,血浆中检出邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)、邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(DiBP)、邻苯二甲酸二正丁酯(DnBP)、邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)、邻苯二甲酸二环己基酯(DCHP)与邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)。其中DEHP的检出率为100%;其次为DiBP、DnBP与DMP,检出率分别为98.0%、62.0%和49.0%;DCHP与BBP的检出率最低,均为5.00%。∑PAEs的含量为12.4～1 399 ng/g,中值与平均值分别为39.8、57.7 ng/g。6种PAEs中DEHP占比最高,为90.01%～99.96%。对不同性别与年龄人群的PAEs暴露水平进行研究,发现女性与低年龄组(≤40岁)人群血浆中的PAEs浓度较高,但仅DMP存在显著性差异。     

Comparison of the Phytochemical Composition and Antibacterial Activities of the Various Extracts from Leaves and Twigs of Illicium verum

Previous studies have revealed the numerous biological activities of the fruits of Illicium verum; however, the activities of its leaves and twigs have remained undiscovered. The study aimed to investigate the phytochemical components and antibacterial activity of the various extracts from the leaves and twigs of Illicium verum. The herbal extracts were prepared by supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE) and 95% ethanol extraction, followed by partition extraction based on solvent polarity. Analysis of antimicrobial activity was conducted through the usage of nine clinical antibiotic- resistant isolates, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Among the tested samples, the SFE extracts exhibited broader and stronger antibacterial activities against the test strains, with a range of MIC between 0.1–4.0 mg/mL and MBC between 0.2–4.5 mg/mL. Observations made through scanning electron microscopy revealed potential mechanism of the antimicrobial activities involved disruption of membrane integrity of the test pathogens. Evaluation of the chemical composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated the presence of anethole, anisyl aldehyde, anisyl acetone and anisyl alcohol within the SFE extracts, demonstrating significant correlations with the antibacterial activities observed. Therefore, the leaves and twigs of Illicium verum hold great potential in being developed as new natural antibacterial agents.     

In Silico and Experimental Investigation of the Biological Potential of Some Recently Developed Carprofen Derivatives

The efficient regioselective bromination and iodination of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) carprofen were achieved by using bromine and iodine monochloride in glacial acetic acid. The novel halogenated carprofen derivatives were functionalized at the carboxylic group by esterification. The regioselectivity of the halogenation reaction was evidenced by NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by X-ray analysis. The compounds were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against planktonic cells and also for their anti-biofilm effect, using Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). The cytotoxic activity of the novel compounds was tested against HeLa cells. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of carprofen derivatives, as well as their toxicity, were established by in silico analyses.     

Investigation of Different Extraction Methods on the Content and Biological Activity of the Main Components in Coffea arabica L. Extracts

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Coffee, due to its common consumption, is one of the main sources of polyphenols in human diet. Coffee species and coffee-related...