Anti-inflammatory activity, cytotoxicity and active compounds of Tinospora smilacina Benth

Tinospora smilacina Benth. has been used in Australian indigenous medicine for the treatment of headache, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. As part of an investigation into the anti-inflammatory potential of plants using an ethnopharmacological approach, the present study sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tinospora smilacina. An ethanol extract of this plant was evaluated in vitro for anti-inflammatory activities on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and phospholipase A(2) (PA(2)). The ethanol extract of Tinospora smilacina showed inhibitory activities on COX-1, COX-2, 5-LO and PA(2) with the IC(50) values of 63.5, 81.2, 92.1 and 30.5 micro g/mL respectively. Cytotoxic effect of the extracts of Tinospora smilacina was investigated in vitro using ATP-based luminescence assay and the results showed no cytotoxic effect on cell lines of skin fibroblasts (1BR3), human Caucasian hepatocyte carcinoma (Hep G2) and human Caucasian promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60). This paper also describes the results of fractionations and bioassay guided chemical studies, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory activity is due to triterpene-fatty acid esters and free fatty acids.

[Chemical constituents from Typhonium flagelliforme]

OBJECTIVE

To study the major chemical constituents from the root tuber of Typhyonium flagelliforme.

METHOD

Compounds were separated and purified with silica gel column and preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence (UV, IR, MS, NMR and 2D NMR).

RESULT

Four compounds were identified as 1-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-2-[(2-hydroxyloctadecanoyl) amido]-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (1), coniferin (2), beta-sitosterol (3) and beta-daucosterol (4).

CONCLUSION

A cerebroside with significant antihepatotoxic activity and a phenylpropanoid glycoside were isolated from Typhyonium flagelliforme for the first time.

Coumarins from Malaysian Micromelum minutum

In a continuation of our study of the Rutaceae, detailed chemical investigation on Micromelum minutum (Rutaceae) collected from Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia gave four new coumarins. The structures of the coumarins have been fully characterised by spectroscopic methods as 3",4"-dihydrocapnolactone 1, 2',3'-epoxyisocapnolactone 2, 8-hydroxyisocapnolactone-2',3'-diol 3 and 8-hydroxy-3",4"-dihydrocapnolactone-2',3'-diol 4.

Identification of major metabolites in Aloe littoralis by high-performance liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Examination of the leaf exudate of the South African species Aloe littoralis by reversed-phase HPLC revealed the presence of two major metabolites. The identification of the two compounds without isolation was attempted by HPLC-NMR based on separation using a C18 column eluting with a deuterium oxide:acetonitrile solvent gradient and an inverse HPLC-NMR probe. For each compound, one-dimensional proton spectra, and two-dimensional homonuclear COSY and TOCSY, and heteronuclear HSQC and HMBC, spectra were collected. On the basis of the data obtained, the metabolites were characterised as 10-hydroxyaloin B and deacetyllittoraloin.

Alkaloids and limonoids from Bouchardatia neurococca: systematic significance

Five alkaloids, four beta-indoloquinazoline and one furoquinoline, and four terpenoids, three limonoids and one modified sesquiterpene, have been obtained from the aerial parts of Bouchardatia neurococca (Rutaceae). Two of the alkaloids, 1,2-dihydroxyrutaecarpine and 2-(2-[3-formylindolyl])-(3H)-quinazolin-4-one (bouchardatine), and two of the limonoids, 23-oxo-21xi-hydroxy-21,23-dihydroveprisone (veprisonic acid) and 21-oxo-23xi-hydroxy-21,23-dihydroveprisone (isoveprisonic acid) are new. The pattern of secondary metabolites isolated is rather unusual in the Rutaceae and is reminiscent of Tetradium, a genus with which Bouchardatia has not previously been associated.

Screening of eight alkaloids and ten flavonoids isolated from four species of the genus Boronia (Rutaceae) for antimicrobial activities against seventeen clinical microbial strains

Eight alkaloids and ten flavonoids isolated from four species of Boronia of the Rutaceae were screened against 17 clinical microbial strains. Of the test compounds, three acridone and one quinolone alkaloids and eight flavonoids were reported as novel natural products. Screening was carried out by the standard disc diffusion method. Of the tested compounds, six alkaloids and seven flavonoids including the novel products were active against six clinical strains. The active compounds showed mild to moderate activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina lutea, exterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella sp. Of the active flavonoids, some exhibited fairly significant activity towards Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina lutea, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella sp. The flavonoids were observed to have higher spectrum and magnitude of activity than those of the alkaloids. A standard ampicillin disc was used to compare the results.

Flavonoids from two Lonchocarpus species of the Yucatan Peninsula

Leaves, stem bark and root of Lonchocarpus xuul and Lonchocarpus yucatanensis were studied separately. A chalcone, 2',4-dimethoxy-6'-hydroxylonchocarpin (), and the flavones 5,4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavone (2) and 5,4'-dimethoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyrano-flavone (3), together with the known carpachromene (4), were isolated from the leaves of both species. Similarly, the previously reported flavans xuulanin (5) and 3beta-methoxyxuulanin (6), together with the novel 3beta,4beta,5-trimethoxy-4'-hydroxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavan (7), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethyl-pyranoflavan (8), and 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-(6:7)-2,2-dimethylpyranoflavan (10), were isolated from the stem bark and root of both species. Finally, the known 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) chalcone (13) was obtained from the root of L. xuul only. The structures of the various metabolites were established by interpretation of their spectroscopic data.

Eight new prenylcoumarins from Phebalium clavatum

The aerial parts of Phebalium clavatum yielded eight new 3-prenylated coumarins, phebaclavin A-H (1-8). Their structures were established on the basis of their NMR and mass spectral data. In addition, seven known compounds were also isolated, including two 8-geranyloxy linear furocoumarins previously obtained from Phebalium tuberculosum ssp. megaphyllum, included in the same section of the genus.

Prenylated p-coumarates from the twigs of Phebalium rude subsp. amblycarpum (Rutaceae)

Phebarudol, a novel prenylated p-coumarate, was isolated from the twigs of Phebalium rude Bartl. subsp. amblycarpum (F. Muell.) P. G. Wilson (Rutaceae) together with the two already known related compounds, werneria chromene and methyl demethoxywutaiensate. The structure of phebarudol was established by spectroscopic methods.

3-Monoterpenyl-2,4-dioxygenated quinoline alkaloids from the aerial parts of Halfordia kendack

The aerial parts of Halfordia kendack (Rutaceae) have yielded the known alkaloid trans-erioaustralasine ([rel]-1-acetoxymethyl-4.8'-epoxy-3-(1'beta,2'beta-epoxy-3'beta,4'alpha-para-menthyl-3'-yl)quinolin-2-one) together with four new alkaloids. The latter were characterised by spectroscopic methods as trans-deacetoxyerioaustralasine ([rel]-1-methyl-4.8'-epoxy-3-(1'beta,2'beta-epoxy-3'beta,4'alpha-para-menthyl-3'-yl)quinolin-2-one), trans-deacetoxyerioaustralasine hydrate ([rel]-1-methyl-4.8'-epoxy-3-(1'alpha,2'alpha-dihydroxy-3'beta,4'alpha-para-;menthyl-3'-yl)quinolin-2-one), trans-erioaustralasine hydrate ([rel]-1-acetoxymethyl-4.8'-epoxy-3-(1'alpha,2'alpha-dihydroxy-3'beta,4'alpha-para-menthyl-3'-yl)quinolin-2-one) and trans-1-epi-deacetoxyerioaustralasine hydrate ([rel]-1-acetoxymethyl-4.8'-epoxy-3-(1'beta,2'alpha-dihydroxy-3'beta,4'alpha-para-menthyl-3'-yl)quinolin-2-one).

Flavones and phenylpropenoids in the surface exudate of Psiadia punctulata

Three flavones, 5,7-dihydroxy-2',3',4',5'-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,2',3',5'-tetramethoxyflavone, and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-2',3',5'-trimethoxyflavone were isolated from the leaf exudate of Psiadia punctulata, together with the previously reported 5-hydroxy-7,2',3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone and 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-2',4',5'-trimethoxyflavone. The two phenylpropenoids, Z-docosyl-p-coumarate and E-docosyl-p-coumarate were also isolated. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Polyphenols from Eucalyptus ovata

From the leaves of Eucalyptus ovata 13 known compounds, four flavonol glycosides and nine tannins, including the trimer gallocatechin-(4alpha-8)-gallocatechin-(4alpha-8)-catechin (1), were isolated. The spectral data of the peracetate derivative of the trimer are reported.

A new oleanane glycoside from the stem bark of Albizia gummifera

The stem bark of Albizia gummifera has yielded four triterpenes, lupeol, lupenone, vitalboside-A (1) and vitalboside-A 2'-methylglucuronate (2), the last of which appears to be novel.

Merilactone, an unusual C19 metabolite from the root extract of Chiococca alba

A C19 metabolite has been isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Chiococca alba and characterized as a new nor-seco-pimarane, to which we have given the trivial name merilactone (1). The structure and relative stereochemistry of 1 was established by spectral data interpretation.

Triterpenes of Albizia versicolor and Albizia schimperana stem barks

Several triterpenes were isolated from stem barks of Albizia versicolor and A. schimperana. Spectral data of acacic acid lactone (1) are presented.

Polyphenols from Eucalyptus consideniana and Eucalyptus viminalis

From the leaves of Eucalyptus consideniana and E. viminalis, known hydrolysable tannins, galloyl esters and ellagitannins, were isolated. Flavonol glycosides were also isolated from the leaves of E. consideniana. The spectral data of the dimeric ellagitannin, oenothein B (1), are reported.

(Rel)-1beta,2alpha-di-(2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxybenzoyl)-3beta, 4alpha-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)-cyclobutane and other flavonoids from the aerial parts of Goniothalamus gardneri and Goniothalamus thwaitesii

The aerial parts of Goniothalamus gardneri (Annonaceae) has yielded the known flavonoids 2'-hydroxy-4,4',6'-trimethoxychalcone (flavokawain A), 2',4'-dihydroxy-4,6'-dimethoxydihydrochalcone, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxydihydrochalcone, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavanone (naringenin trimethyl ether) and 7-hydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxyflavanone (tsugafolin) together with three novel compounds, the dimer characterised as (rel)-1beta,2alpha-di-(2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxybenzoyl)-3beta,4alpha-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)-cyclobutane, 2',4'-dihydroxy-4,6'-dimethoxychalcone and 2'-hydroxy-4,4',6'-trimethoxydihydrochalcone. The last two have previously been synthesised but appear to be new natural products. A similar study of the aerial parts of G. thwaitesii led only to the isolation of the known flavonoids myricetin 4'-O-methyl ether-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (mearnsitrin) and myricetin-3-O-methyl ether (annulatin), together with the triterpenes friedelinol, friedelin and betulinic acid. All compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis and, for known compounds, by comparison with published data.

3,5-Dimethoxy-3-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-enyl)-3,4-dihydropsoralen-4-one: an unusual furanocoumarin derivative from Halfordia kendack

The aerial parts of Halfordia kendack (Rutaceae) have yielded a new furanocoumarin derivative which has been identified as 3,5-dimethoxy-3-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-enyl)-3,4-dihydropsoralen-4-one on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray examination. This new compound, present in high concentration, is probably formed from a 4-O-prenylated precursor furanocoumarin via a Claisen rearrangement. No trace of the putative precursor was found in this sample.

Flavanone, triterpene and chromene derivatives from the stems of Paramignya griffithii

Five compounds, including three that are novel, were isolated from the stems of Paramignya grifithii (Rutaceae). Two new and one known prenylated flavanones were characterized as 3',4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-furano(4",5":6,5)-flava-adicin. In addition, a triterpene, 3-oxo-tirucalla-7,24-diene-21-al, and a novel chromene, 6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran, were identified.

Condensed tannins from Myrica gale

From the aerial parts of the Myrica gale catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, gallocatechin-(4 alpha-8)-epicatechin, gallocatechin-(4 alpha-8)-epigallocatechin, and gallocatechin-(4 alpha-8)-gallocatechin-(4 alpha-8)-gallocatechin (1), were isolated. The 1H- and 13C-NMR data of the peracetate derivative of the trimer are reported.

Flavonoids from the stem bark of Lonchocarpus xuul

The stem bark of Lonchocarpus xuul (Leguminosae) has yielded four flavonoids which have been identified by spectroscopic methods as the novel 4beta,5-dimethoxy-6",6"-dimethyl-2H-pyrano-(2",3":7,6)-fl avan (xuulanin), 3beta,4beta,5-trimethoxy-6",6"-dimethyl-2H-pyrano-(2",3":7,6 )-flavan (3beta-methoxyxuulanin). 4beta-ethoxy-5-methoxy-6",6"-dimethyl-2H-pyrano-(2",3":7,6)- flavan (4beta-demethylxuulanin-4beta-ethyl ether), and the known 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8-di(3-methylbut-2-enyl)flavanone (spiniflavanone-B). The ethyl derivative is considered likely to be an artefact.

17-Epiacnistin-A, a further withanolide from the leaves of Discopodium penninervium

A novel withanolide (1) has been isolated from the leaves of Discopodium penninervium and identified as 17-epiacnistin-A on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction data.

Isolation of 10-hydroxycoronaridine from Tabernaemontana penduliflora and its estrogen-like activity

The methanol extract of Tabernaemontana penduliflora was found to appreciably inhibit [3H]-estradiol binding to estrogen receptors. Activity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two known alkaloids, 10-hydroxycoronaridine (1) and its 10-O-methyl ether, voacangine (2). These alkaloids together with other related alkaloids were tested for their estrogenic activities. Among these molecules, 1 was found to be the most potent estrogen agonist and is distinctly more active than genistein.