Induction of apoptosis in murine leukemia by diarylheptanoids from Curcuma comosa Roxb

Biological activities of extracts and compounds from Thai Kae-Lae (Maclura cochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological properties of Kae-Lae (Maclura cochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner), a traditional medicinal plant used in Ayurvedic recipes in Thailand. To achieve this objective, heartwood samples were collected from 12 sources across Thailand. Fractional extracts (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol) and the dominant compounds (morin, resveratrol, and quercetin) were examined for their abilities on cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antileukaemic activity (Wilms' tumour 1 protein was used as a well-known biomarker for leukaemic cell proliferation).

METHODS

The study used MTT to assess cytotoxicity in leukaemic cells (K562, EoL-1, and KG-1a). Antioxidant activities were evaluated using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by detecting IL-2, TNF-α, and NO using appropriate detection kits. Wilms' tumour 1 protein expression was measured by Western blotting to determine the anti-leukaemic activity. The inhibition of cell migration was also analyzed to confirm anticancer progression.

RESULTS

Among the tested extract fraction, ethyl acetate No. 001 displayed strong cytotoxicity specifically in EoL-1 cells, while n-hexane No. 008 demonstrated this effect in three cell lines. Resveratrol, on the other hand, displayed cytotoxicity in all the tested cells. Additionally, the three major compounds, morin, resveratrol, and quercetin, exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, resveratrol demonstrated a noteworthy decreased Wilms' tumour 1 protein expression and a reduction in cell proliferation across all cells. Moreover, ethyl acetate No. 001, morin, and resveratrol effectively inhibited MCF-7 cell migration. None of these compounds showed any impact on red blood cell haemolysis.

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Kae-Lae has promising chemotherapeutic potential against leukaemic cells, with fractional extracts (ethyl acetate and n-hexane) and resveratrol exhibiting the most potent cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cell migration activities.

Neuroprotective and Anti-inflammatory Ditetrahydrofuran-Containing Diarylheptanoids from Tacca chantrieri

Three new dimeric diarylheptanoids, taccachanfurans A-C (1-3), a new monomeric diarylheptanoid, taccachannoid A (4), and four known diarylheptanoids (5-8) were isolated from the EtOH extract of the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri. Their structures were established on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configuration of taccachanfuran A (1) was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All the diarylheptanoid dimers contain a ditetrahydrofuran moiety, which has not been described previously for diarylheptanoid compounds. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for the diarylheptanoid dimers is proposed. Compounds 2-4 showed significant neuroprotective activity against Aβ_25-35-induced damage in SH-SY5Y cells at the concentrations of 10 and 1 μM. Compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 showed anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated murine microglial BV-2 cells at the concentrations of 10 and 1 μM.

Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Effects of Diarylheptanoids Isolated from Curcuma comosa Rhizomes on Leukaemic Cells

Curcuma comosa belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. In this study, two natural compounds were isolated from C. comosa, and their structures were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance. The isolated compounds were identified as 7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-1-phenyl-(1E)-1-heptene (1) and trans-1,7-diphenyl-5-hydroxy-1-heptene (2). Compound 1 showed the strongest cytotoxicity effect against HL-60 cells, while its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were stronger than those of compound 2. Compound 1 proved to be a potent antioxidant, compared to ascorbic acid. Neither compounds had any effect on red blood cell haemolysis. Furthermore, compound 1 significantly decreased Wilms' tumour 1 protein expression and cell proliferation in KG-1a cells. Compound 1 decreased the WT1 protein levels in a time- and dose- dependent manner. Compound 1 suppressed cell cycle at the S phase. In conclusion, compound 1 has a promising chemotherapeutic potential against leukaemia.

In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of Four Curcuma Species and the Isolation of Compounds from Curcuma aromatica Rhizome

The genus Curcuma is part of the Zingiberaceae family, and many Curcuma species have been used as traditional medicine and cosmetics in Thailand. To find new cosmeceutical ingredients, the in vitro anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and cytotoxic activities of four Curcuma species as well as the isolation of compounds from the most active crude extract (C. aromatica) were investigated. The crude extract of C. aromatica showed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 102.3 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity effect of C. aeruginosa, C. comosa, C. aromatica, and C. longa extracts assessed with the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 200 μg/mL were 12.1 ± 2.9, 14.4 ± 4.1, 28.6 ± 4.1, and 46.9 ± 8.6, respectively. C. aeruginosa and C. comosa presented apoptosis cells (57.7 ± 3.1% and 32.6 ± 2.2%, respectively) using the CytoTox-ONE™ assay. Different crude extracts or phytochemicals purified from C. aromatica were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory properties. The crude extract of C. aromatica showed the highest potential to inhibit NF-κB activity, followed by C. aeruginosa, C. comosa, and C. longa, respectively. Among the various purified phytochemicals curcumin, germacrone, curdione, zederone, and curcumenol significantly inhibited NF-κB activation in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. Of all compounds, curcumin was the most potent anti-inflammatory.

Caffeates and Caffeamides: Synthetic Methodologies and Their Antioxidant Properties

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants and include a variety of chemical structures, from simple molecules such as phenolic acids to condensed tannins and highly polymerized compounds. Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is one of the hydroxycinnamate metabolites more widely distributed in plant tissues. It is present in many food sources, including coffee drinks, blueberries, apples, and cider, and also in several medications of popular use, mainly those based on propolis. Its derivatives are also known to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and antibacterial activities, and can contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. This review is an overview of the available information about the chemical synthesis and antioxidant activity of caffeic acid derivatives. Considering the relevance of these compounds in human health, many of them have been the focus of reviews, taking as a center their obtaining from the plants. There are few revisions that compile the chemical synthesis methods, in this way, we consider that this review does an important contribution.

Chemical constituents and biological research on plants in the genus Curcuma

Curcuma, a valuable genus in the family Zingiberaceae, includes approximately 110 species. These plants are native to Southeast Asia and are extensively cultivated in India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Peru, Australia, and the West Indies. The plants have long been used in folk medicine to treat stomach ailments, stimulate digestion, and protect the digestive organs, including the intestines, stomach, and liver. In recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in investigations regarding the chemical and pharmacological properties, as well as in clinical trials of certain Curcuma species. This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge on the chemistry and briefly discusses the biological activities of Curcuma species. A total of 720 compounds, including 102 diphenylalkanoids, 19 phenylpropene derivatives, 529 terpenoids, 15 flavonoids, 7 steroids, 3 alkaloids, and 44 compounds of other types isolated or identified from 32 species, have been phytochemically investigated. The biological activities of plant extracts and pure compounds are classified into 15 groups in detail, with emphasis on anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities.