Cytotoxicity of constituents from Mexican propolis against a panel of six different cancer cell lines

The cytotoxicity of 39 compounds, including eighteen flavonoids (flavanones, 1-10; flavones, 11-17; flavanol, 18), sixteen phenolic acid derivatives (aromatic acids, 19-24; aldehyde, 25; esters, 26-34) and five glycerides (35-39), isolated from Mexican propolis, were evaluated against a panel of six different cancer cell lines; murine colon 26-L5 carcinoma, murine B16-BL6 melanoma, murine Lewis lung carcinoma, human lung A549 adenocarcinoma, human cervix HeLa adenocarcinoma and human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma. A phenylpropanoid-substituted flavanol, (2R,3S)-8-[4-phenylprop-2-en-1-one]-4',7-dihydroxy-3',5-dimethoxyflavan-3-ol (18), showed the most potent cytotoxicity against A549 cells (IC50, 6.2 microM) and HT-1080 cells (IC50, 3.9 microM), stronger than those of the clinically used anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (IC50, 7.5 microM and 5.4 microM, respectively). Based on the observed results, the structure-activity relationships are discussed.     

Minor methylated pyranoamentoflavones from Calophyllum venulosum

Two new biflavonoids, pyranoamentoflavone 7-methyl ether (1) and pyranoamentoflavone 4'-methyl ether (2), have been isolated from the leaves of Calophyllum venulosum. The structures of these two new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data.     

Cytotoxic compounds from the leaves of Gaillardia aristata Pursh. growing in Egypt

Ten compounds, neopulchellin (1), 6α- hydroxyneopulchellin (2), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (3), apigenin (4), quercitin (5), eupafolin (6), kaempferol-3-methoxy-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside (7), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), α-amyrin (9) and β-sitosterol (10), were isolated from the leaves of Gaillardia aristata by applying bioassay guided fractionation. The cytotoxicity was traced against two human cancer cell lines (breast (MCF7) and colon (HCT116)). The highest cytotoxicity was revealed by compounds 1 and 2 (isolated from chloroform extract); with IC(50) values of 0.43, 0.32?μg?mL(-1) against MCF7 and 0.46, 0.34?μg?mL(-1) against HCT116, respectively. Compounds 9 and 10 (isolated from the n-hexane extract) exhibited lower IC(50) values of 3.05, 2.35?μg?mL(-1) against MCF7 and 3.05, 2.35?μg?mL(-1) against HCT116, respectively, while compounds 4-7 obtained from the ethyl acetate extract revealed the lowest cytotoxicity. Identification of the aforementioned compounds was carried out on the basis of their physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis (UV, EI/MS, 1D and 2D).     

In vitro cytotoxicity activity on several cancer cell lines of acridone alkaloids and N-phenylethyl-benzamide derivatives from Swinglea glutinosa (Bl.) Merr

The methanol extract from the stems and fruits of Swinglea glutinosa (Rutaceae) afforded 11 known acridone alkaloids and three N-phenylethyl-benzamide derivatives, glycocitrine-IV, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-10-methyl-2,8-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)acridin-9(10H)-one, 1,3,5- trihydroxy-2,8-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-10-methyl-9-acridone, citbrasine, citrusinine-II, citrusinine-I, 5-dihydroxyacronycine, pyranofoline, 3,4-dihydro-3,5,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-2,2,7-trimethyl-2H-pyrano[2,3-a]acridin-12(7H)-one, 2,3-dihydro-4,9-dihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-propan-2-yl)-11-methoxy-10-methylfuro[3,2-b]acridin-5(10H)-one, bis-5-hydroxyacronycine, N-(2-{4-[(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl)oxy]phenyl}ethyl)benzamide, N-(2-{4-[(3,7-dimethyl-4-acethyl-octa-2,6-dien-1-yl)oxy]phenyl}ethyl)benzamide, and severine acetate. All compounds isolated were examined for their activity against three cancer cell lines: human lung carcinoma (COR-L23), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), human melanoma (C32), and normal human fetal lung cell line, MRC-5. The acridones tested exhibited weak cytotoxicity but the amides showed moderate nonselective cytotoxic activity.     

New cytotoxic isoflavone from the root bark of Brosimum utile

A new isoflavone 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)isoflavone (isowigtheone hydrate) (1), together with six known isoflavones 2-7 and (-)epicatechin, were isolated from the root barks of Brosimum utile. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the new compound 1 was evaluated against cell lines MCF7 (human breast carcinoma), PC3 (human prostate carcinoma), HT29 (human colon cancer) and human dermis fibroblasts.     

Three new biflavonoids from Chinese dragon's blood, Dracaena cochinchinensis

Three new biflavonoids, named (2RyS)-3'-methoxy-8-methylsocotrin-4'-ol (1), (2SyR)-3'-methoxy-8-methylsocotrin-4'-ol (2), and (2RyR)-8-methylsocotrin-4'-ol (3), were isolated from Chinese Dragon's blood [Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. C. Chen], together with two known ones. The structures of these new biflavonoids were elucidated by a combination of HR-ESI-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HMQC, and HMBC spectra. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-4 were determined by quantum chemical calculation of the circular dichroism spectrum and comparison with the experimental CD spectrum.     

New galloyl derivative from winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) fruit

Twelve compounds were isolated from Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) fruit and their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and mass spectral data. The isolates included a new galloyl derivative, (R)-galloyl malic acid dimethyl ester (1), and eleven known compounds, gallic acid (2), methyl gallate (3), glucogallin (4), methyl m-digallate (5), methyl p-digallate (6), quercetin (7), myricetin (8), rhamnazin (9), kaempferol (10), betulinic acid (11), and oleanolic acid (12). All of the compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative effects against human colon tumorigenic (HCT-116, Caco-2) and nontumorigenic (CCD18-Co) cell lines.     

Structural Optimization and Improving Antitumor Potential of Moreollic Acid from Gamboge

Moreollic acid, a caged-tetraprenylated xanthone from Gamboge, has been indicated as a potent antitumor molecule. In the present study, a series of moreollic acid derivatives with novel structures were designed and synthesized, and their antitumor activities were determined in multifarious cell lines. The preliminary screening results showed that all synthesized compounds selectively inhibited human colon cancer cell proliferation. TH12-10, with an IC₅₀ of 0.83, 1.10, and 0.79 μM against HCT116, DLD1, and SW620, respectively, was selected for further antitumor mechanism studies. Results revealed that TH12-10 effectively inhibited cell proliferation by blocking cell-cycle progression from G1 to S. Besides, the apparent structure–activity relationships of target compounds were discussed. To summarize, a series of moreollic acid derivatives were discovered to possess satisfactory antitumor potentials. Among them, TH12-10 displays the highest antitumor activities against human colon cancer cells, in which the IC₅₀ values in DLD1 and SW620 are lower than that of 5-fluorouracil.     

Diterpenoids from the Hainan Soft Coral Sinularia parva

Two new cembrane diterpenes, sinulaparvalides A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), which contain an intriguing seven‐membered lactone moiety, along with the four known related cembranoids 3 – 6 , were isolated from the Hainan soft coral Sinularia parva. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods, mainly on the basis of 2D‐NMR techniques, and were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of these compounds were tested on human colon carcinoma (HCT‐116), human promyelocytic leukemia (HL‐60), and human lung carcinoma (A‐549) tumor cell lines.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Curcuma wenyujin dreg and their biological activities

Four new sesquiterpenoids,4,8-dioxo-6β-hydroxyl-7β,1 1-epoxycarabrane(1),4,8-dioxo-6β-hydroxyl-7,1 1-epoxycarabrane(2),wenyujinins Q and R(3-4),and nine known sesquiterpenoids(5-13) were isolated from the Curcuma wenyujin(C wenyujin) dreg.Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated using 1D,2D NMR,and HR-ESI-MS data.All the compounds were isolated for the first time from the C.wenyujin dreg and evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities.Compounds 3,5-8 exhibited strong broad-spectrum antifungal activities against tested nine pathogenic fungi.     

New benzoyl glucosides and cytotoxic pterosin sesquiterpenes from Pteris ensiformis Burm

Three new compounds: 2R,3R-pterosin L 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-7-O-benzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 4-O-benzoyl-beta-D-xylo-pyranosyl(1-->2)-7-O-benzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with nine known compounds, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Pteris ensiformis. 5-[2-Hydroxyethylidene]-2(5H)-furanone (4), which had been synthesized, was isolated from natural sources for the first time. The structures of all isolated compounds were determined on the basis of mass and spectroscopic evidence. Compound 1 and pterosin B (5) show cytotoxicity against HL 60 cells (human leukemia) with the IC(50) values of 3.7 and 8.7 microg/mL, respectively.     

Phenylpropanoid glycosides from Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea L. (Golden Root) has been used for a long time as an adaptogen in Chinese traditional medicine and is reported to have many pharmacological properties. Along its known secondary metabolites tyrosol (1), salidroside (rhodioloside) (2), rosin (3), rosarin (4), rosavin (5), sachaliside 1 (6) and 4-methoxy-cinnamyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), four compounds were isolated from aqueous methanol extract of the plant and identified as cinnamyl-(6'-O-beta-xylopyranosyl)-O-beta-glucopyranoside (8), 4-methoxy-cinnamyl-(6'-O-alpha-arabinopyranosyl)-O-beta-glucopyranoside (9), picein (10) and benzyl-O-beta-glucopyranoside (11) by UV, MS and NMR methods. Compounds 8 and 9 are new natural compounds whereas compounds 10 and 11 were isolated first time from R. rosea. Also the compounds 6 and 7 are isolated earlier only from the callus cultures of the plant but not from the differentiated plant.     

Cytotoxic and anti-HIV principles from the rhizomes of Begonia nantoensis

Three new compounds: begonanline (1). nantoamide (2). and methyl (S)-glycerate (3). as well as forty-four known compounds have been isolated and characterized from the rhizomes of Begonia nantoensis. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectral analyses and/or X-ray crystallography. Among them, cucurbitacin B (4). dihydrocucurbitacin B (5). cucurbitacin E (6). dihydrocucurbitacin E (7). cucurbitacin I (8). and (-)-auranamide (9). showed cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines. 3beta,22alpha-Dihydroxyolean-12-en-29-oic acid (10), indole-3-carboxylic acid (11), 5,7-dihydroxychromone (12), and (-)-catechin (13) demonstrated significant activity against HIV replication in H9 lymphocyte cells.     

Novel abietane diterpenoids and aromatic compounds from Cladonia rangiferina and their antimicrobial activity against antibiotics resistant bacteria

From Cladonia rangiferina were isolated two novel abietane diterpenoids, hanagokenols A (1) and B (2). Also in this investigation, four known abitetane diterpenoids (3-6), four known labdane diterpenoids (7-10), one known isopimarane diterpenoid (11), and six known aromatic compounds were isolated. These structures were elucidated primarily through extensive NMR experiments. Hanagokenol A (1) was a unique abietane diterpene having an ether linkage between C-6 and C-18 of sugiol. Hanagokenol B (2) is also a unique secoabietane diterpene, having gamma-lactone which occurred by cleavage and subsequently oxidation between C-6/C-7 of 12-hydroxydehydroabietinol. Furthermore, all the isolated compounds (1-17) were tested for the antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).     

Studies on the constituents of Mikania hirsutissima (Compositae).

Two novel norhumulene-type sesquiterpenes, named mikaniahumulene I (1) and II (2) were isolated along with nine known compounds, seven kaurenic acid-type diterpenes (3-9), a coumarin (10) and a flavone (11), from the aerial parts of Mikania hirsutissima DC (Compositae). The structures of new norhumulenes were determined by spectroscopic means. The cytotoxic activities of isolated compounds against leukemia cells (L 1210) were investigated; among the isolated compounds, 1, 5, 8, and 11 showed relatively strong cytotoxicity.     

Cytotoxic and chemotaxonomic study of isolated metabolites from Centaurea aegyptiaca

The aerial parts of Centaureaa egyptiaca afforded 10 secondary metabolites including four sesquiterpene lactones; chlorohyssopifolin A (centaurepensin) ( 1 ), rediolpidetriol ( 2 ), linichlorinA ( 3 ), and sinaicin ( 4 ), one monoterpene; loliolid ( 5 ), one phenolic: tyrosol ( 6 ), three lignans; arctigenin ( 7 ), matairesinol ( 8 ), and pinoresinol ( 9 ), and one steroid; ergosta‐5,22‐dien‐3‐ol ( 10 ). The cluster analysis of 32 Centaurea species revealed that C. aegyptiaca is closely related to C. repens and C. solstitialise. The isolated compounds ( 1 – 10 ) were screened against CCRF‐CEM‐leukemia, MDA‐MB‐231‐pcDNA3 breast cancer, and HCT116 (p53⁺/⁺) colon carcinoma cell lines. Compounds 1 and 2 were the most potent compounds against both leukemia and breast carcinoma cell lines.     

Patavine, a new arylnaphthalene lignan glycoside from shoot cultures of Haplophyllum patavinum

A new arylnaphthalene lignan glycoside, patavine (1), together with five known lignans, justicidin B (2), diphyllin (3), tuberculatin (4), majidine (5), and arabelline (6) were isolated from shoot cultures of Haplophyllum patavinum. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by extensive one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1, and 3-6 against LoVo human colon carcinoma cells was investigated.     

A new phenolic amide from the roots of Paris verticillata

A new phenolic amide 8, together with the nine known phenolic compounds 1-7, 9 and 10 were isolated from the MeOH extract of the roots of Paris verticillata. The structure of the new compound 8 was determined to be 1-N-feruloylaminobutyl-4-rho-hydroxybenzamide by spectroscopic methods. The isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines using the SRB assay.     

Inhibition of human lipoprotein oxidation by morelloflavone and camboginol from Garcinia dulcis

A biflavonoids, morelloflavone (1) and a prenyltated xanthone, camboginol (2), isolated from the fruits of Garcinia dulcis (Roxb.) Kurz., exhibited strong antioxidation effects in both Fe2+ -mediated and non-metal induced human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidations. However, a well-known antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), was found less potent than both compounds based on the same test systems.     

A new triterpene from Scorzonera latifolia (Fisch. and Mey.) DC

A novel triterpene 1 (3-β-hydroxy-fern-7-en-6-one-acetate) together with four known compounds, urs-12-en-11-one-3-acetyl (2), 3-β-hydroxy-fern-8-en-7-one-acetate (3), olean-12-en-11-one-3-acetyl (4) and leucodin (5) were obtained from the S. latifolia roots. All compounds were isolated from the n-hexane extract of S. latifolia roots using several chromatographic techniques. The structure of the isolated compounds was elucidated on the basis of (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and 2D NMR data (HMBC, HMQC, COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, DEPT) as well as GC EITOF-HRMS.