Concerning the Diastereomerization of Stilbenoid Hypericin Derivatives

Summary.  Experiments on a newly prepared (E)-configured ω-benzal-hypericin derivative using TLC and ¹H NMR together with quantum chemical calculations revealed that in stilbenoid hypericin derivatives photodiastereomerization between the (E)- and (Z)-diastereomers occurs in principle. However, due to its low diastereomerization quantum yield and photo and thermal equilibria, which reside mostly on the side of the (E)-diastereomer, this photoreaction is only of marginal importance to the photochemistry of stilbenoid hypericin derivatives. Thus, photodiastereomerization does not appreciably interfere with the photoreactions important for photodynamic therapy. This was demonstrated by comparing the sensitized bilirubin photodestruction of hypericin and the ω-benzal-hypericin derivative. Received December 6, 2001. Accepted December 21, 2001     

Concerning the Diastereomerization of Stilbenoid Hypericin Derivatives

 Experiments on a newly prepared (E)-configured ω-benzal-hypericin derivative using TLC and ¹H NMR together with quantum chemical calculations revealed that in stilbenoid hypericin derivatives photodiastereomerization between the (E)- and (Z)-diastereomers occurs in principle. However, due to its low diastereomerization quantum yield and photo and thermal equilibria, which reside mostly on the side of the (E)-diastereomer, this photoreaction is only of marginal importance to the photochemistry of stilbenoid hypericin derivatives. Thus, photodiastereomerization does not appreciably interfere with the photoreactions important for photodynamic therapy. This was demonstrated by comparing the sensitized bilirubin photodestruction of hypericin and the ω-benzal-hypericin derivative.     

ω,ω′-Appended nucleo-base derivatives of hypericin

ω,ω′-Disubstituted hypericin derivatives with the nucleo-bases thymine, cytosine, and adenine in these positions were prepared starting from tri-O-methyl-ω-bromoemodin. The most promising derivative proved to be that with a thymine moiety. It displayed the best solubility of the three products together with a potency to produce singlet oxygen and/or reactive oxygen species comparable to the parent compound hypericin. In addition, although no specific interaction with DNA or poly(2′-deoxyadenylic acid) could be detected, it proved to be significantly better accumulating in the nucleus of prostatic cancer LNCaP cells than hypericin making it a promising candidate for a second-generation photodynamic hypericin agent.     

SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF HYPERICIN IN HUMAN CANCER CELLS

Confocal laser microspectrofluorometric measurements on human T47D mammary tumor cells have been performed to assess the intracellular distribution of hypericin within the various cell compartments: cytoplasmic membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Confocal fluorescence measurements obtained from microvolumes (? 1 μm³) located within the three sites of interest show that, while being primarily located in the cell membrane and cytoplasm after a short-term incubation in a 10^?6M hypericin-containing culture medium, hypericin actually reaches the inside of the cell nucleus after a long-term incubation (210 min). Moreover, owing to the relative fluorescence quantum yields of hypericin determined in vitro when the molecule interacts with DNA, membrane and protein model systems, it is assumed that there is a significant accumulation of the drug into the cell nucleus. Consequently, the nucleus has to be considered as a possible target for the toxic action of hypericin.     

Hypericin-Induced Phototoxicity in Cultured Fibroblasts and Swine Erythrocytes

Hypericin is a naturally occurring photosensitizer, whose presence in plants has been responsible for cutaneous phototoxicity in grazing animals. The photosensitizing properties of this agent have recently been exploited in models for anti-tumor and anti-viral activity. The cytotoxicity of hypericin and light was assessed in 3T3 mouse fibroblasts using the MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide)] assay and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay. Membrane damage was assessed in swine erythrocytes using hemolysis, potassium (K⁺) leakage and formation of lipid hydroperoxides. Concentration- and light-dependent decreases in fibroblast viability were seen starting at hypericin concentrations of 1.25 μM and light power flux levels of 24 J/cm² using a visible light source and at 0.417 μM hypericin and a similar light dose using a solar simulator, No LDH leakage was observed at hypericin concentrations up to 30 μM and visible light up to 144 J/cm². Light-and/or concentration-dependent increases in hemolysis, K⁺ leakage and formation of lipid hydroperoxides in red blood cell (RBC) membranes were observed, but at concentrations and light doses much greater than those required to induce cytotoxicity in fibroblasts. Lipid peroxidation and hemolysis occurred at 15 μM hypericin and 24 J/cm² (visible light source). Potassium ion leakage occurred at concentrations and light levels as low as 5 μM and 12 J/cm² or 15 μM and 4.8 J/cm² (visible light source) but was still a less sensitive indicator than fibroblast cytotoxicity. Evidence for both type I and type II reactions was shown in RBC membranes by TLC analysis of cholesterol products. In the absence of light, hypericin appears to be relatively nontoxic in the models tested.     

A new and highly sensitive TLC method to measure hypericin using chemiluminescence

ABSTRACT

Hypericin is a polyphenolic compound belonging to the group of polyphenols and is the active constituents of Hypericum perforatum (Saint John’s wort). We present a new high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method to measure a large number of hypericin extracts using chemiluminescence. On a 10?×?10?cm HPTLC plate (LiChrospher® Merck, 1.05586), more than 40 tracks can be simultaneously quantified using a piezoelectric application system (pipeJet) which can apply 56?nL of a methanolic hypericin extract contactless with high precision. For separation, a solvent mixture of ethyl acetate, water, formic acid, methyl tert-butyl ether, and cyclohexane (180?+?14?+?14?+?80?+?30, v/v) was used. The R_f-value of hypericin is 0.27. The method presented is specific for hypericin and offers a limit of quantification of 690 pg hypericin per band.     

A Remarkable Photoreaction of 3‐O‐Benzylhypericin

Irradiation of 3‐O‐benzylhypericin dissolved together with at least 1 equiv. of `proton sponge' in benzene was shown, by means of UV/VIS, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectrometric measurements, to produce the rearranged blepharismin‐analogous 11‐phenyl‐11H‐benz[4,10]anthra[2,1,9,8‐nopqa]pleiadene system. The latter compound yielded hypericin when treated with light and oxygen in acetone solution, followed by aqueous NH₄Cl. This reaction is considered to proceed via the oxybleopharismin‐analog 3,4‐benzal acetal of hypericin. The implications of the novel phototransformation for synthesis and biosynthesis of the natural products, as well as the structural peculiarities of the photoproducts, are discussed.     

ω,ω′-Appended nucleo-base derivatives of hypericin

ω,ω′-Disubstituted hypericin derivatives with the nucleo-bases thymine, cytosine, and adenine in these positions were prepared starting from tri-O-methyl-ω-bromoemodin. The most promising derivative proved to be that with a thymine moiety. It displayed the best solubility of the three products together with a potency to produce singlet oxygen and/or reactive oxygen species comparable to the parent compound hypericin. In addition, although no specific interaction with DNA or poly(2′-deoxyadenylic acid) could be detected, it proved to be significantly better accumulating in the nucleus of prostatic cancer LNCaP cells than hypericin making it a promising candidate for a second-generation photodynamic hypericin agent.     

Photodynamic Mechanisms induced by a Combination of Hypericin and a Chlorin Based‐Photosensitizer in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

The aim of this study was to elucidate photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects mediated by hypericin and a liposomal meso‐tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin (mTHPC) derivative, with focus on their 1:1 mixture, on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Absorption, excitation and photobleaching were monitored using fluorescence spectrometry, showing the same spectral patterns for the mixture as measured for single photosensitizers. In the mixture mTHPC showed a prolonged photo‐stability. Singlet oxygen yield for light‐activated mTHPC was Φ_Δ = 0.66, for hypericin Φ_Δ = 0.25 and for the mixture Φ_Δ = ~0.4. A linear increase of singlet oxygen yield for mTHPC and the mixture was found, whereas hypericin achieved saturation after 35 min. Reactive oxygen species fluorescence was only visible after hypericin and mixture‐induced PDT. Cell viability was also more affected with these two treatment options under the selected conditions. Examination of death pathways showed that hypericin‐mediated cell death was apoptotic, with mTHPC necrotic and the 1:1 mixture showed features of both. Changes in gene expression after PDT indicated strong up‐regulation of selected heat‐shock proteins. The application of photosensitizer mixtures with the features of reduced dark toxicity and combined apoptotic and necrotic cell death may be beneficial in clinical PDT. This will be the focus of our future investigations.     

Hypericin as a Marker for Determination of Myocardial Viability in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction

The aim of this study was to investigate the necrosis‐avid agent hypericin as a potential indicator for determination of myocardial infarction (MI). Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 30) weighing 350 ± 20 g were subjected to acute reperfused MI. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 6), in which hypericin was intravenously injected at 0, 1, 2 and 5 mg kg^?1 respectively. One day after injection, rats were euthanized with their hearts excised for qualitative and quantitative studies by means of microscopic fluorescence examination to decide the dosage of hypericin. Another group was injected with hypericin at the decided dose and evaluated by fluorescence macroscopy in colocalization with triphenyltetrazoliumchloride (TTC) and histomorphology. Infarct‐to‐normal contrast ratio and relative infarct size were quantified. Hypericin‐induced red fluorescence was significantly brighter in necrotic than in viable myocardium as proven by a six times higher mean fluorescence density. Mean MI area was 35.66 ± 22.88% by hypericin fluorescence and 32.73 ± 21.98% by TTC staining (R² = 0.9803). Global MI‐volume was 34.56 ± 21.07% by hypericin and 35.11 ± 20.47% by TTC staining (R² = 0.9933). The results confirm that hypericin specifically labeled necrosis, and enhanced the imaging contrast between the infarcted and normal myocardium, suggesting its potential applications for the assessment of myocardial viability.     

Concerning the Chiral Discrimination and Helix Inversion Barrier in Hypericinates and Hypericin Derivatives

 It was found that the hypericinate salts of (R)-1-phenylethylamine and (S)-1-(1-naphthyl)-ethylamine display a small chiroptical signal of the same sign only at high concentrations in an apolar solvent. No further indications of a chiral discrimination between the helical conformers of hypericinate could be found in these cases. However, upon esterification of the 3-hydroxyl group of hypericin with (1S)-camphanic chloride, the two diastereomers were found in an 1:1 ratio equilibrating rather fast at temperatures above 30°C with one diastereomer in excess. From the temperature dependence of the equilibrium positions (measured by means of CD and ¹H NMR), a ΔG ⁰ value of 5.8±0.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ was derived. Accordingly, the chiral discrimination of the (M)-configured enantiomer of the helix by the (S)-configured auxiliary occurred at an intermediate level. From the temperature dependence of the equilibration kinetics an activation energy of E _a = 70±0.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ was derived, which thus defines the upper limit of the helix inversion of hypericin and hypericinate. This value is by about 10 kJ·mol⁻¹ lower than the recently estimated limit.     

Determination of hypericin and pseudohypericin in extracts fromHypericum Perforatum L. and pharmaceutical preparations by liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection

Summary An isocratic reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of hypericin and pseudohypericin, two of the main constituents ofHypericum Perforatum L., has been developed. The compounds were eluted from an Inertsil ODS-3, column by triethylammonium acetate-methanol-acetonirile (5:15:80) eluent and detected fluorimetrically, excitation 478, emission 598 nm. Hypericin and pseudohypericin were extracted from flowring tops by Soxhlet and pseudohypericin was isolated from the extract by collecting its chromatographic peak from the eluent flow. Identification of peaks was by HPLC coupled to a diode array detector and electrospray MS. The method was applied to the determination of hypericin and pseudohypericin in plant extract and in pharmaceutical tablets. For the latter a solid-phase extraction procedure was adopted. Riboflavin (0.1 ng.μL⁻¹) was used as internal standard. The linear working range of the method is 0.025–4 ng.μL⁻¹ and limit of detection 0.2 ng injected on-column. A comparative SPE study for hypericin is presented.     

Concerning the Chiral Discrimination and Helix Inversion Barrier in Hypericinates and Hypericin Derivatives

Summary.  It was found that the hypericinate salts of (R)-1-phenylethylamine and (S)-1-(1-naphthyl)-ethylamine display a small chiroptical signal of the same sign only at high concentrations in an apolar solvent. No further indications of a chiral discrimination between the helical conformers of hypericinate could be found in these cases. However, upon esterification of the 3-hydroxyl group of hypericin with (1S)-camphanic chloride, the two diastereomers were found in an 1:1 ratio equilibrating rather fast at temperatures above 30°C with one diastereomer in excess. From the temperature dependence of the equilibrium positions (measured by means of CD and ¹H NMR), a ΔG ⁰ value of 5.8±0.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ was derived. Accordingly, the chiral discrimination of the (M)-configured enantiomer of the helix by the (S)-configured auxiliary occurred at an intermediate level. From the temperature dependence of the equilibration kinetics an activation energy of E _a = 70±0.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ was derived, which thus defines the upper limit of the helix inversion of hypericin and hypericinate. This value is by about 10 kJ·mol⁻¹ lower than the recently estimated limit. Corresponding author. E-mail: heinz.falk@jku.at Received March 22, 2002; accepted April 3, 2002     

Chiroptical properties and absolute configurations of the hypericin chromophore propeller enantiomers

Summary The diastereomericmono- andbis--appended (R)-menthyl hypericin derivatives were studied by means of absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism measurements, application of the C₂ rule, and semiempirical calculations. This allowed us to assign the absolute configuration (P) to the inherently chiral phenanthroperylene quinone chromophore of hypericin, thebay-hypericinate ion, and the 1,6-dioxo-tautomer displaying a negativeCotton effect of their long wavelength absorption band. From these results and according to the positive chiroptical sign of their long wavelength bands, the absolute configuration (M) could be assigned to the stentorin chromophore in the native pigments.

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Chiroptische Eigenschaften und Absolutkonfiguration der Propellerenantiomeren des Hypericinchromophors

Zusammenfassung Die diastereomerenmono- undbis--substituierten (R)-Menthyl-hypericinderivative wurden mit Hilfe der Absorptionsspektroskopie, von Circulardichroismusmessungen, der Anwendung der C₂-Regel und semiempirischer Rechnungen untersucht. Dies erlaubte die Zuordnung der absoluten Konfiguration (P) für den inhärent chiralen Phenanthroperylenchinon-Chromophor von Hypericin, dasbay-Hypericination und das 1,6-Dioxotautomer, die einen negativenCotton-Effekt ihrer langwelligen Absorptionsbande aufweisen. Auf der Basis dieser Ergebnisse und aufgrund des positiven chiroptischen Signals seiner langwelligen Absorptionsbande wurde dem Stentorinchromophor in den nativen Pigmenten die absolute Konfiguration (M) zugeordnet.

     

Polycyclische aromatische Verbindungen in der Atmosph?re von Linz (?sterreich)

Summary In the course of ten measuring events during spring 1985 twenty air samples were collected in Linz, an Austrian city where there is chemical and heavy industry. The collection of the air samples was carried out simultaneously at two measuring sites on both sides of the industrial area. 20 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), 4 heterocyclic aromatic compounds and two aromatic ketones were determined. It was found that the concentrations of PAHs and heterocyclic aromatic compounds measured downwind of the industrial area were higher than the corresponding background values. On an average, the concentration of the tracer substance benzo[a]pyrene was twice as high (7.1 ng/ Nm³) as the urban background value (3.3 ng/Nm³).The data from Linz have been compared with analytical results from Vienna by using chemometric methods. A cluster analysis of the PAH profiles revealed a clear separation of the samples from Linz and Vienna. Substances have been determined which are characteristic of the PAH profiles in Linz.As the results of this study show, the emissions from industry lead to an additional burden of carcinogenic organic pollutants in the atmosphere of Linz.     

NF-κB is Not Directly Responsible for Photoresistance Induced by Fractionated Light Delivery in HT-29 Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells

Our recent study follows up an earlier one which demonstrated hypericin-mediated photocytotoxic effects on HT-29 adenocarcinoma cells by light fractionation with a longer dark pause between two unequal light doses (Sackova, A. [2005] Photochem. Photobiol. 81 , 1411–1416). Here, we present closer study on events invoked by sublethal light dose (1 J cm⁻²) during the period of 6 h that is sufficient to invoke resistance to second lethal dose (11 J cm⁻²). First, we proved that the dark pause of 6 h, but not 1 h, resulted in better cell survival with suppressed phosphatidylserine externalization, decreased reactive oxygen species production and hypericin content as well as altered expression of HSP70, GRP94, clusterin, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, IκB-α or Mcl-1. NF-κB activity assay confirmed activation of this early-response pathway. However, inhibition of IκB (IKK) kinase by parthenolide by stopping NF-κB release from the complex with IκB did not prevent onset of resistance, but it invoked some resistance even in groups with shorter, 1 h dark pause. Therefore, we predict involvement of another signaling pathway, located upstream from NF-κB, responsible for onset of resistance to photodynamic therapy with hypericin in colon adenocarcinoma cells HT-29.     

Syntheses,Photochemical Properties,and Tautomerism of Intramolecularly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Friedel-Crafts</Emphasis> Acylated Hypericin Derivatives

Summary. Intramolecularly Friedel-Crafts acylation carried out on the hypericin moiety provided a new class of 9,12-dicarbonyl substituted hypericin derivatives as potential candidates for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Focusing on cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone condensed derivatives, investigations concerning the chemical and photochemical properties as well as the tautomerism of these compounds were performed.     

Syntheses, Photochemical Properties, and Tautomerism of Intramolecularly Friedel-Crafts Acylated Hypericin Derivatives

Intramolecularly Friedel-Crafts acylation carried out on the hypericin moiety provided a new class of 9,12-dicarbonyl substituted hypericin derivatives as potential candidates for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Focusing on cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone condensed derivatives, investigations concerning the chemical and photochemical properties as well as the tautomerism of these compounds were performed.     

Lens alpha-crystallin and hypericin: a photophysical mechanism explains observed lens

Determining whether alpha-crystallin (the major lens protein) affects the photophysics of hypericin, a photosensitizing agent found in various plants, such as St. John's Wort, is important. Hypericin shows promise in cancer and human immunodeficiency virus therapy but may harm individuals taking St. John's Wort extracts (for mild to moderate depression). Hypericin causes hypericism, which is characterized by cellular damage in light-exposed areas. Ocular tissues are at risk for photosensitized damage; thus, we investigated the effects on hypericin photophysics by alpha-crystallin. We measured the transient absorption spectra and the 1270 nm luminescence of singlet (1Deltag) oxygen produced from hypericin in the presence of alpha-crystallin. alpha-Crystallin complexes hypericin, extending the lifetime of its triplet excited state; the Stern-Volmer slope is negative, but not linear, after a saturation curve. Damage to the lens protein by hypericin is known to occur via singlet oxygen, which oxidizes methionine, tryptophan and histidine residues. Binding to alpha-crystallin does not inhibit singlet oxygen formation by hypericin. alpha-Crystallin reacts with singlet oxygen with a rate constant of 1.3 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). Thus, we anticipate that hypericin will be an effective photosensitizer in the lens.     

Stereoselektive Synthesen vons-Decahydropyrenen

Incomplete catalytic hydrogenation of [2.2]metacyclophane (1) or 5,13-dimethyl[2.2]metacyclophane (2) yields (1,2,3,3arH, 4,5,9,10,10acH, 10btH)-decahydropyrene (9) and the dimethylanalogue10, resp.via atransanular cyclisation between positions 8 and 16. Under the same reaction conditions catalytic deuteration (D₂, acetic acid-d₁) affords a selectively deuterated10 (10-d₅).9 is identical with as-decahydropyrene, obtained by high pressure hydrogenation of pyrene. The configurations of9 and10 were established by means of¹³C and¹H-NMR spectroscopy and by comparison with10-d₅.A compound formerly believed to be as-decahydropyrene isomer is shown to be (±)-(1,2,3,3a,4,5,9,10)-octahydropyrene (4).

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Mit 4 Abbildungen

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Herrn Prof. Dr.F. Hecht zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Auszugsweise vorgetragen bei der Tagung des Vereins Österreichischer Chemiker in Linz am 27. September 1973.