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Shenvi RA. Natural Product Synthesis in the 21st Century: Beyond the Mountain Top. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:519-528. [PMID: 38559299 PMCID: PMC10979479 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Research into natural products emerged from humanity's curiosity about the nature of matter and its role in the materia medica of diverse civilizations. Plants and fungi, in particular, supplied materials that altered behavior, perception, and well-being profoundly. Many active principles remain well-known today: strychnine, morphine, psilocybin, ephedrine. The potential to circumvent the constraints of natural supply and explore the properties of these materials led to the field of natural product synthesis. This research delivered new molecules with new properties, but also led to fundamental insights into the chemistry of the nonmetal elements H, C, N, O, P, S, Se, and their combinations, i.e., organic chemistry. It also led to a potent culture focused on bigger molecules and races to the finish line, perhaps at the expense of actionable next steps. About 20 years ago, the field began to contract in the United States. Research that focused solely on chemical reaction development, especially catalysis, filled the void. After all, new reactions and mechanistic insight could be immediately implemented by the chemistry community, so it became hard to justify the lengthy procurement of a complex molecule that sat in the freezer unused. This shift coincided with a divestment of natural product portfolios by pharmaceutical companies and an emphasis in academic organic chemistry on applications-driven research, perhaps at the expense of more fundamental science. However, as bioassays and the tools of chemical biology become widespread, synthesis finds a new and powerful ally that allows us to better deliver on the premise of the field. And the hard-won insights of complex synthesis can be better encoded digitally, mined by data science, and applied to new challenges, as chemists perturb and even surpass the properties of complex natural products. The 21st century promises powerful developments, both in fundamental organic chemistry and at the interface of synthesis and biology, if the community of scientists fosters its growth. This essay tries to contextualize natural product synthesis for a broad audience, looks ahead to its transformation in the coming years, and expects the future to be bright.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Shenvi
- Department
of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Graduate
School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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Nagini S, Palrasu M, Bishayee A. Limonoids from neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) are potential anticancer drug candidates. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:457-496. [PMID: 37589457 DOI: 10.1002/med.21988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), a versatile evergreen tree recognized for its ethnopharmacological value, is a rich source of limonoids of the triterpenoid class, endowed with potent medicinal properties. Extracts of neem have been documented to display anticancer effects in diverse malignant cell lines as well as in preclinical animal models that has largely been attributed to the constituent limonoids. Of late, neem limonoids have become the cynosure of research attention as potential candidate agents for cancer prevention and therapy. Among the various limonoids found in neem, azadirachtin, epoxyazadiradione, gedunin, and nimbolide, have been extensively investigated for anticancer activity. Azadirachtin, a potent biodegradable pesticide, exhibits profound antiproliferative effects by preventing mitotic spindle formation and cell division. The antiproliferative activity of gedunin has been demonstrated to be mediated primarily via inhibition of heat shock protein90 and its client proteins. Epoxyazadiradione inhibits pro-inflammatory and kinase-driven signaling pathways to block tumorigenesis. Nimbolide, the most potent cytotoxic neem limonoid, inhibits the growth of cancer cells by regulating the phosphorylation of keystone kinases that drive oncogenic signaling besides modulating the epigenome. There is overwhelming evidence to indicate that neem limonoids exert anticancer effects by preventing the acquisition of hallmark traits of cancer, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis evasion, inflammation, invasion, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Neem limonoids are value additions to the armamentarium of natural compounds that target aberrant oncogenic signaling to inhibit cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddavaram Nagini
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manikandan Palrasu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, Florida, USA
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Mohammed S, Russo I, Ramazzina I. Uncovering the Role of Natural and Synthetic Small Molecules in Counteracting the Burden of α-Synuclein Aggregates and Related Toxicity in Different Models of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13370. [PMID: 37686175 PMCID: PMC10488152 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A proteostasis network represents a sophisticated cellular system that controls the whole process which leads to properly folded functional proteins. The imbalance of proteostasis determines a quantitative increase in misfolded proteins prone to aggregation and elicits the onset of different diseases. Among these, Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive brain disorder characterized by motor and non-motor signs. In PD pathogenesis, alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) loses its native structure, triggering a polymerization cascade that leads to the formation of toxic inclusions, the PD hallmark. Because molecular chaperones represent a "cellular arsenal" to counteract protein misfolding and aggregation, the modulation of their expression represents a compelling PD therapeutic strategy. This review will discuss evidence concerning the effects of natural and synthetic small molecules in counteracting α-Syn aggregation process and related toxicity, in different in vitro and in vivo PD models. Firstly, the role of small molecules that modulate the function(s) of chaperones will be highlighted. Then, attention will be paid to small molecules that interfere with different steps of the protein-aggregation process. This overview would stimulate in-depth research on already-known small molecules or the development of new ones, with the aim of developing drugs that are able to modify the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salihu Mohammed
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Isabella Russo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ileana Ramazzina
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy;
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMT), University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/a, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Biostructures and Biosystems National Institute (INBB), Viale Medaglie d’Oro 305, 00136 Rome, Italy
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Schuppe AW, Liu Y, Gonzalez-Hurtado E, Zhao Y, Jiang X, Ibarraran S, Huang D, Wang E, Lee J, Loria JP, Dixit VD, Li X, Newhouse TR. Unified Total Synthesis of the Limonoid Alkaloids: Strategies for the De Novo Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyridine Scaffolds. Chem 2022; 8:2856-2887. [PMID: 37396824 PMCID: PMC10311986 DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Highly substituted pyridine scaffolds are found in many biologically active natural products and therapeutics. Accordingly, numerous complementary de novo approaches to obtain differentially substituted pyridines have been disclosed. This article delineates the evolution of the synthetic strategies designed to assemble the demanding tetrasubstituted pyridine core present in the limonoid alkaloids isolated from Xylocarpus granatum, including xylogranatopyridine B, granatumine A and related congeners. In addition, NMR calculations suggested structural misassignment of several limonoid alkaloids, and predicted their C3-epimers as the correct structures, which was further validated unequivocally through chemical synthesis. The materials produced in this study were evaluated for cytotoxicity, anti-oxidant effects, anti-inflammatory action, PTP1B and Nlrp3 inflammasome inhibition, which led to compelling anti-inflammatory activity and anti-oxidant effects being discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W. Schuppe
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Yannan Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Elsie Gonzalez-Hurtado
- Department of Pathology, Immunobiology, Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Yizhou Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Xuefeng Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310018, P. R. China
| | - Sebastian Ibarraran
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - David Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Emma Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Jaehoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - J. Patrick Loria
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Vishwa Deep Dixit
- Department of Pathology, Immunobiology, Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Xin Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310018, P. R. China
| | - Timothy R. Newhouse
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
- Lead contact
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Luo J, Sun Y, Li Q, Kong L. Research progress of meliaceous limonoids from 2011 to 2021. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1325-1365. [PMID: 35608367 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00015f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Covering: July 2010 to December 2021Limonoids, a kind of natural tetranortriterpenoids with diverse skeletons and valuable insecticidal and medicinal bioactivities, are the characteristic metabolites of most plants of the Meliaceae family. The chemistry and bioactivities of meliaceous limonoids are a continuing hot area of natural products research; to date, about 2700 meliaceous limonoids have been identified. In particular, more than 1600, including thirty kinds of novel rearranged skeletons, have been isolated and identified in the past decade due to their wide distribution and abundant content in Meliaceae plants and active biosynthetic pathways. In addition to the discovery of new structures, many positive medicinal bioactivities of meliaceous limonoids have been investigated, and extensive achievements regarding the chemical and biological synthesis have been made. This review summarizes the recent research progress in the discovery of new structures, medicinal and agricultural bioactivities, and chem/biosynthesis of limonoids from the plants of the Meliaceae family during the past decade, with an emphasis on the discovery of limonoids with novel skeletons, the medicinal bioactivities and mechanisms, and chemical synthesis. The structures, origins, and bioactivities of other new limonoids were provided as ESI. Studies published from July 2010 to December 2021 are reviewed, and 482 references are cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yunpeng Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiurong Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lingyi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
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Zhukovsky D, Dar’in D, Bakulina O, Krasavin M. Preparation and Synthetic Applications of Five-to-Seven-Membered Cyclic α-Diazo Monocarbonyl Compounds. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27062030. [PMID: 35335391 PMCID: PMC8954351 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27062030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The reactivity of cyclic α-diazo monocarbonyl compounds differs from that of their acyclic counterparts. In this review, we summarize the current literature available on the synthesis and synthetic applications of three major classes of cyclic α-diazo monocarbonyl compounds: α-diazo ketones, α-diazo lactones and α-diazo lactams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Zhukovsky
- Research & Development Department, BratskChemSyntez LLC, PharmaSyntez Company, 5A/1 Kommunalnaya St., 665717 Bratsk, Russia;
| | - Dmitry Dar’in
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
- Correspondence: (D.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Olga Bakulina
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Mikhail Krasavin
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041 Kaliningrad, Russia
- Correspondence: (D.D.); (M.K.)
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Liu Y, Schuppe AW, Zhao Y, Lee J, Newhouse TR. Synthesis of (-)-melazolide B, a degraded limonoid, from a natural terpene precursor. TETRAHEDRON CHEM 2022; 1:100011. [PMID: 38606284 PMCID: PMC11008529 DOI: 10.1016/j.tchem.2022.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Degraded limonoids are a subclass of limonoid natural products that derive from ring-intact or ring-rearranged limonoids. Establishment of robust synthetic routes to access them could provide valuable materials to identify the simplest active pharmacophore responsible for the observed biological activities of the parent molecules. This communication delineates the development of a divergent strategy to furnish melazolide B and several other related congeners from a common keto-lactone intermediate, which was rapidly assembled from α-ionone. A chemoselective carbonyl α,β-dehydrogenation and a Wharton reduction were key strategic steps in this synthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yizhou Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8107, United States
| | - Jaehoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8107, United States
| | - Timothy R. Newhouse
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8107, United States
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Serwetnyk MA, Blagg BS. The disruption of protein-protein interactions with co-chaperones and client substrates as a strategy towards Hsp90 inhibition. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:1446-1468. [PMID: 34221862 PMCID: PMC8245820 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The 90-kiloDalton (kD) heat shock protein (Hsp90) is a ubiquitous, ATP-dependent molecular chaperone whose primary function is to ensure the proper folding of several hundred client protein substrates. Because many of these clients are overexpressed or become mutated during cancer progression, Hsp90 inhibition has been pursued as a potential strategy for cancer as one can target multiple oncoproteins and signaling pathways simultaneously. The first discovered Hsp90 inhibitors, geldanamycin and radicicol, function by competitively binding to Hsp90's N-terminal binding site and inhibiting its ATPase activity. However, most of these N-terminal inhibitors exhibited detrimental activities during clinical evaluation due to induction of the pro-survival heat shock response as well as poor selectivity amongst the four isoforms. Consequently, alternative approaches to Hsp90 inhibition have been pursued and include C-terminal inhibition, isoform-selective inhibition, and the disruption of Hsp90 protein-protein interactions. Since the Hsp90 protein folding cycle requires the assembly of Hsp90 into a large heteroprotein complex, along with various co-chaperones and immunophilins, the development of small molecules that prevent assembly of the complex offers an alternative method of Hsp90 inhibition.
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Key Words
- ADP, adenosine diphosphate
- ATP, adenosine triphosphate
- Aha1, activator of Hsp90 ATPase homologue 1
- CTD, C-terminal domain
- Cdc37, cell division cycle 37
- Disruptors
- Grp94, 94-kD glucose-regulated protein
- HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducing factor-1α
- HIP, Hsp70-interaction protein
- HOP, Hsp70‒Hsp90 organizing protein
- HSQC, heteronuclear single quantum coherence
- Her-2, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2
- Hsp90
- Hsp90, 90-kD heat shock protein
- MD, middle domain
- NTD, N-terminal domain
- Natural products
- PPI, protein−protein interaction
- Peptidomimetics
- Protein−protein interactions
- SAHA, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid
- SAR, structure–activity relationship
- SUMO, small ubiquitin-like modifier
- Small molecules
- TPR2A, tetratricopeptide-containing repeat 2A
- TRAP1, Hsp75tumor necrosis factor receptor associated protein 1
- TROSY, transverse relaxation-optimized spectroscopy
- hERG, human ether-à-go-go-related gene
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Wang B, Jiang J, Zhang Y, Shen Y, Wu L, Tang S, Lin S. Combination of HDE and BIIB021 efficiently inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via downregulating hTERT in myelodysplastic syndromes. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:503. [PMID: 33791012 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment for higher-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) should aim to modify the disease course by avoiding progression to acute myeloid leukemia and improving survival. When a patient is not eligible for intensive chemotherapy and lacks a donor hematopoietic cell source, or for a patient in a poor economic situation, consideration can be given to the use of Chinese herbal medicine. Numerous plant extracts, such as camptothecin, vinblastine and paclitaxel, have been reported to display antitumor effects, serving as potential therapeutic strategies for cancer. In the present study, the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system (Waters Corporation) was used to detect the main chemical components of HDE, CCK-8 assay to detect the effects of HDE and BIIB021 on the proliferation of SKM-1 cells; and designed hTERT-small interfering (si)RNAs to detect the effects of HDE and BIIB021 on SKM-1 cell apoptosis after HTERT gene knockdown. The present study investigated a newly extracted coumarin HDE, the active component in Oldenlandia diffusa Willd, which efficiently inhibited SKM-1 (MDS cell line) proliferation and induced apoptosis, as determined by performing Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The effect of HDE was associated with decreased telomerase activity. Moreover, heat shock protein 90 inhibitor BIIB021 significantly enhanced the antitumor effects of HDE on SKM-1 cells. In addition, SKM-1 cell apoptosis was increased in human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-knockdown cells compared with the negative control group. Cell apoptosis in hTERT-knockdown SKM-1 cells was further enhanced following HDE, BIIB021 or combination treatment, as evidenced by increased levels of cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 8 and cleaved poly ADP ribose polymerase. Collectively, the results indicated synergistic antitumor effects of HDE and BIIB021, providing a novel therapeutic combination for higher-risk MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Jianping Jiang
- Preparation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Shen
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Liqiang Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Siqi Tang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P.R. China
| | - Shengyun Lin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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De Vita S, Terracciano S, Bruno I, Chini MG. From Natural Compounds to Bioactive Molecules through NMR and
In Silico
Methodologies. European J Org Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202000469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simona De Vita
- Department of Pharmacy University of Salerno Via Giovanni Paolo II, n°132 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Stefania Terracciano
- Department of Pharmacy University of Salerno Via Giovanni Paolo II, n°132 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Ines Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy University of Salerno Via Giovanni Paolo II, n°132 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Chini
- Department of Biosciences and Territory University of Molise C.da Fonte Lappone‐ 86090 Pesche (IS) Italy
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Bailly C. Anticancer properties and mechanism of action of the quassinoid ailanthone. Phytother Res 2020; 34:2203-2213. [PMID: 32239572 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ailanthone (AIT) is a quassinoid natural product isolated from the worldwide-distributed plant Ailanthus altissima. The drug displays multiple pharmacological properties, in particular significant antitumor effects against a variety of cancer cell lines in vitro. Potent in vivo activities have been evidenced in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma, nonsmall cell lung cancer and castration-resistant prostate cancer. This review focusses on the mechanism of action of AIT, notably to highlight the capacity of the drug to activate DNA damage responses, to inhibit the Hsp90 co-chaperone p23 and to modulate the expression of several microRNA. The interconnexion between these effects is discussed. The unique capacity of AIT to downregulate oncogenic miR-21 and to upregulate the tumor suppressor miRNAs miR-126, miR-148a, miR-195, and miR-449a is presented. AIT exploits several microRNAs to exert its anticancer effects in distinct tumor types. AIT is one of the rare antitumor natural products that binds to and strongly inhibits cochaperone p23, opening interesting perspectives to treat cancers. However, the toxicity profile of the molecule may limit its development as an anticancer drug, unless it can be properly formulated to prevent AIT-induced gastro-intestinal damages in particular. The antitumor properties of AIT and analogs are underlined, with the aim to encourage further pharmacological studies with this underexplored natural product and related quassinoids. HIGHLIGHTS: Ailanthone (AIT) is an anticancer quassinoid isolated from Ailanthus altissima It inhibits proliferation and induces cell death of many cancer cell types The drug activates DNA damage response and targets p23 cochaperone Up or downregulation of several microRNA by AIT contributes to the anticancer activity Analogs or specific formulations must be developed to prevent the toxicity of AIT.
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Braga TM, Rocha L, Chung TY, Oliveira RF, Pinho C, Oliveira AI, Morgado J, Cruz A. Biological Activities of Gedunin-A Limonoid from the Meliaceae Family. Molecules 2020; 25:E493. [PMID: 31979346 PMCID: PMC7037920 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25030493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gedunin is an important limonoid present in several genera of the Meliaceae family, mainly in seeds. Several biological activities have been attributed to gedunin, including antibacterial, insecticidal, antimalarial, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. The discovery of gedunin as a heat shock protein (Hsp) inhibitor represented a very important landmark for its application as a biological therapeutic agent. The current study is a critical literature review based on the several biological activities so far described for gedunin, its therapeutic effect on some human diseases, and future directions of research for this natural compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M. Braga
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.Y.C.); (R.F.O.); (C.P.); (A.I.O.)
| | - Lídia Rocha
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.Y.C.); (R.F.O.); (C.P.); (A.I.O.)
| | - Tsz Yan Chung
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.Y.C.); (R.F.O.); (C.P.); (A.I.O.)
| | - Rita F. Oliveira
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.Y.C.); (R.F.O.); (C.P.); (A.I.O.)
| | - Cláudia Pinho
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.Y.C.); (R.F.O.); (C.P.); (A.I.O.)
| | - Ana I. Oliveira
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.Y.C.); (R.F.O.); (C.P.); (A.I.O.)
| | - Joaquim Morgado
- Bio4Life4You, 4460-170 Porto, Portugal;
- World Neem Organization, Mumbai 400101, India
| | - Agostinho Cruz
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (L.R.); (T.Y.C.); (R.F.O.); (C.P.); (A.I.O.)
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Schuppe AW, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Newhouse TR. Total Synthesis of (+)-Granatumine A and Related Bislactone Limonoid Alkaloids via a Pyran to Pyridine Interconversion. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:9191-9196. [PMID: 31117671 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b04508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We report the first total synthesis of (+)-granatumine A, a limonoid alkaloid with PTP1B inhibitory activity, in ten steps. Over the course of this study, two key methodological advances were made: a cost-effective procedure for ketone α,β-dehydrogenation using allyl-Pd catalysis, and a Pd-catalyzed protocol to convert epoxyketones to 1,3-diketones. The central tetrasubstituted pyridine is formed by a convergent Knoevenagel condensation and carbonyl-selective electrocyclization cascade, which was followed by a direct transformation of a 2 H-pyran to a pyridine. These studies have led to the structural revision of two members of this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Schuppe
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520-8107 , United States
| | - Yizhou Zhao
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520-8107 , United States
| | - Yannan Liu
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520-8107 , United States
| | - Timothy R Newhouse
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520-8107 , United States
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