Antioxidant activity of α and β-amyrin isolated from Myrcianthes pungens leaves

Abstract

Brazil has a great variety of native plants which could be explored and among them guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens) stands out. Thus, this study consisted of isolating pentacyclic triterpenes, α and β-amyrin from guajibu leaves, and determine the antioxidant activity.The leaves were dried, pulverized and submitted to a dynamic maceration process with ethanol 96° GL, concentrated to obtain crude leaf extract (CLE). CLE was eluted with dichloromethane until total depletion, resulting in a dichloromethane fraction (FRDicl) which was concentrated and analyzed by GC/MS and NMR. The result of the chemical analysis revealed the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes of oleanane (β-amyrin), and ursane (α-amyrin) groups. The β-carotene bleaching method revealed a high antioxidant activity for the CLE as well as for FRDicl. The antioxidant protection equivalent to the trolox was of 137 and 129%, respectively at 500 µg/mL. The antioxidant potential of FRDicl can be explained by the presence of α and β-amyrins.     

Novel synthesis of steryl esteryl esters from β-sitosterol and N-phosphoryl amino acid under microwave irradiation

Ten novel N-phosphoryl amino acids β-sitosterol esters were synthesized by coupling the N-phosphoryl amino acids with β-sitosterol under microwave irradiation, and their structures were elucidated by IR, NMR, and HR MS. Various reaction conditions including the catalyst, solvent, temperature and time were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the reaction was finished in 20 min with 60–87% yields by employing DCC/DMAP as a catalyst system at room temperature.     

Concurrent quantification of oleanolic acid, β-sitosterol and lupeol by a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography method in Urginea indica Kunth bulb

A validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of oleanolic acid, β-sitosterol and lupeol in the bulb of Urginea indica Kunth. Separation of metabolites was done in mobile phase using toluene‒ethyl acetate‒methanol‒acetone (7:2:0.2:0.2, V/V) and quantification was done after derivatization by dipping in aninsaldehyde‒sulphuric acid; densitometric scan was performed at 530 nm. The proposed method for quantification was linearly calibrated in the range of 200‒1000 ng/spot for oleanolic acid and β-sitosterol; 100‒500 ng/spot for lupeol, and it was found specific and repeatable. The R_F values were found at 0.44 ± 0.03, 0.55 ± 0.05 and 0.68 ± 0.08, limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1.045, 0.524, 0.525 µg/spot and 3.167, 1.588, 1.592 µg/spot for oleanolic acid, β-sitosterol and lupeol, respectively. Precision and recovery study for sample and standards were within the limit of the International Council for Harmonization guidelines. Oleanolic acid, β-sitosterol and lupeol were found to be 0.113%, 0.105% and 0.036%, respectively, in methanolic extract of plant on dry weight basis. This study will help in checking routine quality control of herbal drugs as well as herbal formulations containing U. indica.

     

Anti-tumour-promoting and thermal-induced protein denaturation inhibitory activities of β-sitosterol and lupeol isolated from Diospyros lotus L.

In this study, the anti-tumour-promoting and thermal-induced protein denaturation inhibitory activities of β-sitosterol (1) and lupeol (2), isolated from Diospyros lotus L., were explored. Compound 1 showed a marked concentration-dependent inhibition against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (20 ng/32 pmol)-induced Epstein–Barr virus early antigen activation in Raji cells with IC₅₀ of 270 μg/ml, without significant toxicity (70% viability). Compound 2 showed significant anti-tumour-promoting effect with IC₅₀ of 412 μg/ml, without significant toxicity (60% viability). In heat-induced protein denaturation assay, compound 1 exhibited a concentration-dependent attenuation with a maximum effect of 73.5% at 500 μg/ml with EC₅₀ of 117 μg/ml, while compound 2 exhibited a maximum effect of 59.2% at 500 μg/ml with EC₅₀ of 355 μg/ml. Moreover, in silico docking studies against the phosphoinositide 3-kinase enzyme also show the inhibitory potency of these compounds. In short, both the compounds exhibited a marked anti-tumour-promoting and potent inhibitory effect on thermal-induced protein denaturation.     

A cytotoxic compound from the leaves of Juglans mandshurica

From Juglans mandshurica leaves, a new quinone compound was isolated through bioassay-guided fractionation. The structure elucidation of the compound was established based on spectroscopic studies, notably of the 2D NMR spectra. The compound exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against Hela, MCF-7, BGC823 and 3T3-Llcell lines with IC50 ranges from 7.5 to 26.8 μmol/L.     

Purification of phloridzin from Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd leaves using polymeric adsorbents functionalized with glucosamine and β-cyclodextrin

A high-efficient purification method of flavonoids from Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd leaves is reported. Two adsorbents functionalized with glucosamine (GA) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were synthesized and characterized by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Also, adsorption properties and purification effect of flavonoids on different adsorbents were investigated. Two typical commercial adsorbents, AB-8 and D101, were employed as the reference materials. The adsorption capacity was enhanced remarkably by the introduction of GA and β-CD groups to the adsorbents. Moreover, the isotherms were well fitted by the Freundlich model. After a one-step column chromatographic separation, the purity of phloridzin increased significantly from 14.65 % to 79.48 % for PS-CD, to 66.56 % for PS-GA, 44.68 % for D101, and to 52.84 % for AB-8. This study provides a novel alternative matrix for the purification of phloridzin from Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd leaves extracts.     

Two new alkaloids from the leaves of Uncaria hirsuta Haviland

Two new alkaloids, uncaric acid A and hirsutaside A, were isolated from Uncaria hirsuta. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic evidences and chemical means.     

Two new megastigmane O-glucopyranosides from the leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera

Two new megastigmane O-glucopyranosides,named (2R,3R,5R,6S,9R)-3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionol-2-O-β-D-glucopyrano- side(1) and (2R,3R,5R,6S,9R)-3-hydroxyl-5,6-epoxy-acety-β-ionol-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(2) together with six known mega- stigmanes,were isolated from the leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera (Linn.) Vent.Their structures were established by chemical methods and spectroscopic techniques including 2D NMR.     

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Pinus dalatensis Ferré

A phytochemical study of n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Pinus dalatensis Ferré leaves led to the isolation of 11 compounds, including one caryolane sesquiterpenoid (1), five labdane diterpenoids (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), one serratane triterpenoid (7), one diacylated flavonoid glucoside (8), one stilbenoid (9) and two sterols (10, 11). The structural characterisation of the isolated compounds was elucidated by spectroscopic data and comparison with the literature report on the chemical constituents from Pinus dalatensis Ferré. Futhermore, three compounds 1, 4 and 6 were obtained for the first time from the genus Pinus. Besides, compounds (2, 3, 5, 8, 9) were also subjected to cytotoxicity effect on SK-LU-1, MCF-7 and Hep-G2 cell lines, but only compound 9 expressed activities with IC₅₀ values of 141.22, 127.81 and 166.84 μM, respectively.     

A new β-tetralonyl glucoside from the Santalum album derived endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. GDMU-1

A new β-tetralonyl glucoside, methylberchemiaside (1), along with five known compounds (2–6) were isolated from a fungus Colletotrichum sp. GDMU-1 derived from the leaves of Santalum album. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data. All compounds were tested for the inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells. Among them, compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with IC₅₀ value of 30.4 and 8.9 μM, respectively.     

Synthesis of Isoquinoline Derivatives from β-Hydroxyarylethanamides

A simple and efficient protocol for the construction of medicinally important substituted isoquinolines through intramolecular cyclization of β-hydroxyarylethanamides using acetic anhydride and phosphorous pentoxide in dioxane has been described. The chemo- and regioselectivities due to the influence of different catalysts were investigated and optimized for good to excellent yields. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized by NMR and mass spectral analyses.     

Simultaneous determination of betulinic acid, β-sitosterol and lupeol in fruits,leaves, root and stem bark of Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. by a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography method

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - In the present investigation, a simple and effective high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed and...     

Simultaneous ultrasound-assisted water extraction and β-cyclodextrin encapsulation of polyphenols from Mangifera indica stem bark in counteracting TNFα-induced endothelial dysfunction

This study proposes an alternative technique to prevent heat degradation induced by classic procedures of bioactive compound extraction, comparing classical maceration/decoction in hot water of polyphenols from Mango (Mangifera indica L.) (MI) with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in a water solution of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) at room temperature and testing their biological activity on TNFα-induced endothelial dysfunction. Both extracts counteracted TNFα effects on EAhy926 cells, down-modulating interleukin-6, interleukin-8, cyclooxygenase-2 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1, while increasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels. β-CD extract showed higher efficacy in improving endothelial function. These effects were abolished after pre-treatment with the oestrogen receptor inhibitor ICI1182,780. Moreover, the β-CD extract induced Akt activation and completely abolished the TNFα-induced p38MAPK phosphorylation. UAE and β-CD encapsulation provide an efficient extraction protocol that increases polyphenol bioavailability. Polyphenols from MI play a protective role on endothelial cells and may be further considered as oestrogen-like molecules with vascular protective properties.     

Preparation of dehydromorpholines from β-cyanoethyl ethers of acetylenic alcohols

Summary A method has been developed for the synthesis of dehydromorpholines from-cyanoethyl ethers of acetylenic alcohols.     

Simulations of nanocylinders self-assembled from cyclic β-tripeptides

This paper examines the self-assembly of cyclic β-tripeptides using density functional theory. On the basis of literature precedents, these cyclic peptides were expected to self-assemble into cylindrical structures by stacking through backbone-backbone hydrogen bonding. Our calculations show that such stacking is energetically favorable, that the association energy per cyclic peptide decreases (becomes more favorable), and that the overall macrodipole moment of the cylindrical assembly increases with the number of stacked rings, for up to eight rings. For a structure in which two peptide ring units are joined through a single side chain-side chain covalent linker, the association energy between the two rings is favorable, albeit less so than for the unlinked rings. Significantly, the association energy in the dimers is only weakly dependent on the length (above a certain minimum) and conformation of the covalent linkers. Finally, as a plausible route for controlling assembly/disassembly of nanocylinders, we show that, for a pair of rings, each bearing a single amino-functionalized side chain, protonation of the amino group results in a strongly positive (unfavorable) association energy between the two rings.     

Practical synthesis of β-isothiocyanato ketones from chalcones

Practical synthesis of 1,3-diaryl-substituted 3-isothiocyanatopropan-1-ones based on the reaction of chalcones with thiocyanic acid generated in situ by treatment of thiocyanate ammonium with dilute sulfuric acid has been developed.