Phenolics, acyl galactopyranosyl glycerol, and lignan amides from Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pall.) Kuntze

Structurally Diverse Phenylpropanamides from Cannabis Fructus and Their Potential Neuroprotective Effects

This study aimed to investigate the chemical components and potential health benefits of the fruits of Cannabis sativa L. Fourteen new phenylpropanamides designated as cannabisin I-XIV (1-14) and 40 known analogs were isolated and characterized via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and electronic circular dichroism. In vitro bioassay using H2O2-induced PC12 cell damage models demonstrated that hempseeds extract and compounds 1, 3, 15, 26, 30, 36, 41, and 48 exhibited neuroprotective properties. 3,3'-Demethylgrossamide (30) displayed encouraging protection activity, which was further investigated to relieve the oxidative stress and apoptosis of PC12 cells treated with H2O2. The isolation and characterization of these neuroprotective phenylpropanamides from the fruits of C. sativa provide insights into its health-promoting properties as a healthy food and herbal medicine for preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease.

Decoding the role of gut microbiota in Alzheimer's pathogenesis and envisioning future therapeutic avenues

Alzheimer's disease (AD) emerges as a perturbing neurodegenerative malady, with a profound comprehension of its underlying pathogenic mechanisms continuing to evade our intellectual grasp. Within the intricate tapestry of human health and affliction, the enteric microbial consortium, ensconced within the milieu of the human gastrointestinal tract, assumes a role of cardinal significance. Recent epochs have borne witness to investigations that posit marked divergences in the composition of the gut microbiota between individuals grappling with AD and those favored by robust health. The composite vicissitudes in the configuration of the enteric microbial assembly are posited to choreograph a participatory role in the inception and progression of AD, facilitated by the intricate conduit acknowledged as the gut-brain axis. Notwithstanding, the precise nature of this interlaced relationship remains enshrouded within the recesses of obscurity, poised for an exhaustive revelation. This review embarks upon the endeavor to focalize meticulously upon the mechanistic sway exerted by the enteric microbiota upon AD, plunging profoundly into the execution of interventions that govern the milieu of enteric microorganisms. In doing so, it bestows relevance upon the therapeutic stratagems that form the bedrock of AD's management, all whilst casting a prospective gaze into the horizon of medical advancements.

Liquid Oil Trapped inside PVA Electrospun Microcapsules

Electrospinning makes it possible to obtain solid fibers, in addition to core-shell fibers, using coextrusion. However, an exhaustive control of parameters allows the core-shell fibers from emulsion electrospinning to be obtained. The solvent in the outer surface tends to evaporate and the polymer density increases, moving the emulsion drops towards the center, which in turn promotes coalescence, thus creating the core. The aim of this work was to avoid coalescence and obtain a net of nanofibers entrapping oil microcapsules. We obtained an emulsion oil in water (O/W), with polyvinyl alcohol (W) and two essential oils (O), sage and thyme. An electrospinning process was used to place the microcapsules of oil inside a net of nanofibers. The electrospun veil was characterized by organoleptic testing, SEM microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, DSC thermal analysis, and pressure tests. Organoleptic testing, FTIR spectroscopy, and DSC thermal analysis demonstrated the presence of the oil, which was retained in the spheres observed by SEM microscopy, while pressure tests revealed that the oil remained in a liquid state. Furthermore, we demonstrated a strong relationship between the emulsion size and the final microcapsules created, which are slightly larger due to the shell formation. The size of the emulsion determines whether the spheres will be independent or embedded in the nanofibers. Furthermore, the nanofiber diameter was considerably reduced compared to the nanofibers without the oil.

N-([1,1'-biaryl]-4-yl)-1-naphthamide-based scaffolds synthesis, their cheminformatics analyses, and screening as bacterial biofilm inhibitor

Naphthamides have pharmacological potential as they express strong activities against microorganisms. The commercially available naphthoyl chloride and 4-bromoaniline were condensed in dry dichloromethane (DCM) in the presence of Et₃ N to form N-(4-bromophenyl)-1-naphthamide (86%) (3). Using a Pd(0) catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling reaction of (3) and various boronic acids, a series of N-([1,1'-biaryl]-4-yl)-1-naphthamide derivatives (4a-h) were synthesized in moderate to good yields. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated for cytotoxicity haemolytic assay and biofilm inhibition activity through in silico and in vitro studies. Molecular docking, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), toxicity risk, and other cheminformatics predict synthesized molecules as biologically active moieties, further validated through in vitro studies in which compounds (4c) and (4f) showed significant haemolytic activity whereas (4e) exhibited an efficient biofilm inhibition activity against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis. When forming biofilms, bacteria become resistant to various antimicrobial treatments. Currently, research is focused on the development of agents that inhibit biofilm formation, thus the present work is valuable for preventing future drug resistance.

Discovery of Active Ingredients Targeted TREM2 by SPR Biosensor-UPLC/MS Recognition System, and Investigating the Mechanism of Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activity on the Lignin-Amides from Datura metel Seeds

As a new target protein for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) was expressed on the surface of microglia, which was shown to regulate neuroinflammation, be associated with a variety of neuropathologic, and regarded as a potential indicator for monitoring AD. In this study, a novel recognition system based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for the TREM2 target spot was established coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), in order to screen the active ingredients targeting TREM2 from Datura metel seeds. The results showed that four lignan-amides were discovered as candidate compounds by SPR biosensor-UPLC/MS recognition analysis. According to the guidance of the active ingredients discovered by the system, the lignin-amides from Datura metel seeds (LDS) were preliminarily identified as containing 27 lignan-amides, which were enriched compositions by the HP-20 of Datura metel seeds. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory activity of LDS was evaluated in BV2 microglia induced by LPS. Our experimental results demonstrated that LDS could reduce NO release in LPS-treated BV2 microglia cells and significantly reduce the expression of the proteins of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), microtubule-associated protein tau (Tau), and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1). Accordingly, LDS might increase the expression of TREM2/DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12) and suppress the Toll-like receptor SX4 (TLR4) pathway and Recombinant NLR Family, Pyrin Domain Containing Protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) inflammasome expression by LDS in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells. Then, the inhibitory release of inflammatory factors Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inflammatory cytokines were detected to inhibit neuroinflammatory responses. The present results propose that LDS has potential as an anti-neuroinflammatory agent against microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory disorders.

Cytotoxic constituents from Isotrema tadungense

In our search for cytotoxic constituents from Vietnamese plants, the methanolic extract of Isotrema tadungense was found to exhibit significant cytotoxic effect. Subsequent phytochemical investigation of ethyl acetate fractions of this plant led to isolation of 11 compounds including one new arylbenzofuran rhamnoside namely aristolochiaside (1), two aristololactams (2 and 3), three lignanamides (4-6) and five phenolic amides (7-11). Their structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR and HR-QTOF-MS experiments. Among the isolated compounds, aristolochiaside (1), aristolactam AIIIa (2) and N-trans-sinapoyltyramine (10) exhibited strong and selective cytotoxicity on the HeLa human cancer cell line with IC₅₀ values of 7.59 ± 1.03, 8.51 ± 1.73 and 9.77 ± 1.25 μM, respectively.[Formula: see text].

Lignanamides from the roots of Limonium gmelinii (Willd.) Kuntze and their anti-diabetic, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities

Nine undescribed lignanamides, limoniumins A-I, together with ten known lignanamides and two known phenolics were isolated from ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Limonium gmelinii (Plumbaginaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS experiments. Limoniumin A is the first hybrid lignanamide of phenylpropanoid and coumarin. All tested lignanamides showed significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase stronger than positive control and remarkable inhibitory effect to PTP1B with IC₅₀ values less than 10 μM. In addition, some lignanamides exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against HeLa and MCF-7 cells and anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 in a dose-dependent way.

PTP1B Inhibitory and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Constituents from Eclipta prostrata L

The white-flowered leaves of Eclipta prostrata L. together with leaves of Scoparia dulcis and Cynodon dactylon are mixedly boiled in water and given to diabetic patients resulting in the significant improvement in the management of diabetes. However, the active constituents from this plant for antidiabetic and anti-obesity properties are remaining unclear. Thus, this study was to discover anti-diabetes and anti-obesity activities through protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP)1B inhibitory effects. We found that the fatty acids (23, 24) showed potent PTP1B inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 2.14 and 3.21 µM, respectively. Triterpenoid-glycosides (12-15) also exhibited strong to moderate PTP1B inhibitory effects, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 10.88 to 53.35 µM. Additionally, active compounds were investigated for their PTP1B inhibitory mechanism and docking analysis. On the other hand, the anti-inflammatory activity from our study revealed that compounds (1-4, 7, 8, 10) displayed the significant inhibition nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Especially, compound 9 showed the potent inhibitory effects in LPS-induced NO production on RAW264.7 cell. Therefore, further Western blot analysis was performed to identify the inhibitory expression including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and inhibitor of kappaB (IκB) phosphorylation.

Tetragonia tetragonioides Relieves Depressive-Like Behavior through the Restoration of Glial Loss in the Prefrontal Cortex

Tetragonia tetragonioides, which is a halophyte and grows widely in Asian-Pacific regions, has been used for the treatment of digestive disorders in traditional oriental medicine. This study examined the potential antidepressant effect of Tetragonia tetragonioides in an astroglial degeneration model of depression, which was established based on the postmortem study of depressive patients' brain presenting diminished astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex. C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to glial ablation in the prefrontal cortex by the administration of the gliotoxin, L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (L-AAA) to induce depression. Tetragonia tetragonioides at doses of 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, imipramine at a dose of 15 mg/kg, and distilled water were orally administrated to mice for 18 days. Behavioral tests including the open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) were carried out after 2 days of L-AAA injection. The expression levels of GFAP and NeuN in the prefrontal cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry. Mice subjected to glial ablation in the prefrontal cortex displayed decreased sucrose consumption in SPT and increased immobility time in FST and TST. Treatment with imipramine and Tetragonia tetragonioides remarkably ameliorated the behavioral despair induced by L-AAA. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis showed that treatment with Tetragonia tetragonioides significantly restored the glial loss as indicated by the elevated GFAP expression level. These findings suggest that Tetragonia tetragonioides exerts an antidepressant effect through the restoration of glial loss under conditions of depression and can be a candidate for an antidepressant agent.

Chemical constituents and gastro-protective potential of Pachira glabra leaves against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in experimental rat model

Gastric ulcer is a very common illness that adversely affects a significant number of people all over the globe. Phytochemical investigation of P. glabra leaf alcohol extract (PGLE) resulted in the isolation and Characterization of a new nature compound, quercetin-3- O-α -L-rhamnosyl-(1'''-6'')-(4''- O -acetyl)-β -D-galactoside (4), in addition to seven known compounds. They are ferulic acid (1), p- coumaric acid (2), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside-3'-O-β-D-glucoside (3), quercetin-3- O-α -L-rhamnosyl-(1'''-6'')-(4''- O -acetyl)- β -Dgalactoside (4), quercetin-3- O-β -D-galactoside (5), 7-hydroxy maltol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (6), maltol-3- O-β -D-glucoside (7), and methyl coumarate (8) that were first to be isolated from the genus Pachira. PGLE demonstrated in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. Moreover, the in vivo gastroprotective assessment of PGLE at different dosses, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg against ethanol induced ulceration revealed a dose-dependent gastroprotection comparable to omeprazole. PGLE attenuated gastric lesions and histopathological changes triggered by ethanol. Interestingly, PGLE exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect through down-regulating the expression of nuclear factor-ĸB and pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in the ulcer group. It also hindered apoptosis through decreasing Bax and increasing Bcl-2 expression hence decreasing Bax/Bcl2 ratio with a subsequent reduction in caspase 3 expression. Collectively, P. glabra is a rich reservoir of various phytochemicals reflecting a promising potential for alleviation of gastric ulcer through the mediation of inflammatory and apoptotic cascades.

New lignan tyramide, phenolics, megastigmanes, and their glucosides from aerial parts of New Zealand spinach, Tetragonia tetragonoides

Twenty compounds, including a new lignan amide, were isolated from the aerial parts of New Zealand spinach, Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) Kuntze, which is an edible halophyte. These compounds were identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to be N-2,3-dihydroxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenol)tyramine (new compound), methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, syringaldehyde, ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, coniferyl alcohol, methyl caffeoate, trans- and cis-coumaroyl-β-d-glucopyranosides, trans- and cis-feruloyl-β-d-glucopyranosides, caffeic acid, staphylionoside E, canabiside D, apocyanol A, megastima-5,7-diene-3,4,9-triol, 1-O-oleoyl-3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol, 5,5'-dimethyl-lariciresinol, and kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside. These compounds were identified in New Zealand spinach for the first time.

Tetragonia tetragonioides Protected against Memory Dysfunction by Elevating Hippocampal Amyloid-β Deposition through Potentiating Insulin Signaling and Altering Gut Microbiome Composition

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Herbal medicine may provide efficacious treatments for its prevention and/or cure. This study investigated whether a 70% ethanol extract of Tetragonia tetragonioides Kuntze (TTK; New Zealand spinach) improved the memory deficit by reducing hippocampal amyloid-β deposition and modulating the gut microbiota in rats with amyloid-β(25-35) infused into the hippocampus (AD rats) in an AD animal model. The AD rats had cellulose (AD-CON) or TTK (300 mg/kg bw; AD-TTK) in their high-fat diets for seven weeks. Rats with amyloid-β(35-25) infused into the hippocampus fed an AD-Con diet did not have memory loss (Normal-Con). AD-TTK protected against amyloid-β deposition compared to AD-Con, but it was higher than Normal-Con. AD-TTK protected against short-term and special memory loss measured by passive avoidance, Y maze, and water maze, compared to AD-Con. Compared to the Normal-Con, AD-Con attenuated hippocampal pCREB → pAkt → pGSK-3β, which was prevented in the AD-TTK group. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) mRNA expression decreased in the AD-CON group, and their expression was prevented in the AD-TTK group. Hippocampal TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expressions were higher in the AD-Con group than in the Normal-Con, and AD-TTK groups protected against the increase in their expression. The AD-CON group showed an increase in insulin resistance compared to the Normal-Con group and the AD-TTK group showed improvement. AD-Con separated the gut microbiome community compared to the Normal-Con group and AD-TTK overlapped with the normal-Con. The AD-Con group had more Clostridiales, Erysipelotrichales, and Desulfovibrionales than the AD-TKK and Normal-Con group but fewer Lactobacilales and Bacteroidales. In conclusion, the 70% ethanol extract of TTK enhanced the memory function and potentiated hippocampal insulin signaling, reduced insulin resistance, and improved gut microbiota in amyloid-β-infused rats.