New neolignans from Selaginella picta and their protective effect on HT-22 cells

Brasesquilignan A–E, Five New Furofurans Lignans from Selaginella braunii Baker

Five new furofurans lignans, Brasesquilignan A–E (1–5), were isolated from the aqueous ethanol extract of Selaginella braunii Baker. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of NMR and HRESIMS data. Their absolute configurations were determined by CD spectra, enzymatic hydrolysis, and GCMS analysis. Furthermore, all compounds were evaluated for anti-proliferative activities against various human cancer cellsin vitro. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited weak inhibitorypotency against five human cancer cells.

Comparison of Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Eight Selaginella Species

Selaginella P. Beauv. is a group of vascular plants in the family Selaginellaceae Willk., found worldwide and numbering more than 700 species, with some used as foods and medicines. The aim of this paper was to compare methanolic (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of eight Selaginella species on the basis of their composition and biological activities. Six of these Selaginella species are underinvestigated. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) analysis, we identified a total of 193 compounds among the tested Selaginella species, with flavonoids predominating. MeOH extracts recovered more constituents that were detected, including selaginellins, the occurrence of which is only typical for this plant genus. Of all the tested species, Selaginella apoda contained the highest number of identified selaginellins. The majority of the compounds were identified in S. apoda, the fewest compounds in Selaginella cupressina. All the tested species demonstrated antioxidant activity using oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assay, which showed that MeOH extracts had higher antioxidant capacity, with the half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) ranging from 12 ± 1 (Selaginella myosuroides) to 124 ± 2 (Selaginella cupressina) mg/L. The antioxidant capacity was presumed to be correlated with the content of flavonoids, (neo)lignans, and selaginellins. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was mostly discerned in DCM extracts and was only exhibited in S. myosuroides, S. cupressina, Selaginella biformis, and S. apoda extracts with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) in the range of 19 ± 3 to 62 ± 1 mg/L. Substantial cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines was demonstrated by the MeOH extract of S. apoda, where the ratio of the IC₅₀ HEK (human embryonic kidney) to IC₅₀ HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) was 7.9 ± 0.2. MeOH extracts inhibited the production of nitrate oxide and cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, S. biformis halved the production of NO, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 at the following concentrations: 105 ± 9, 11 ± 1, and 10 ± 1 mg/L, respectively. Our data confirmed that extracts from Selaginella species exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and AChE inhibition. The activity observed in S. apoda was the most promising and is worth further exploration.

Seladelicatulasine A-G, C27 steroidal glycosides with cholinesterase inhibitory activities from Selaginella delicatula

Seven undescribed C₂₇ steroidal glycosides, Seladelicatulasine A-G, including six cholestanol glycosides and one spirostanol glycoside, were isolated from Selaginella delicatula. Their structures were elucidated by 1D/2D NMR spectra and HRESIMS analyses. The absolute configurations of the sugars were determined by enzymatic hydrolysis and GC/MS analyses. These cholestanol glycosides were isolated from the family Selaginellaceae for the first time. Seladelicatulasine F is characterized as a rare B-5,6-secosteroid. In addition, all the compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against cholinesterase (AChE/BChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO-A/MAO-B). These steroidal glycosides displayed selective inhibition activities on cholinesterase. Seladelicatulasine A, B and E inhibited the AChE activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.31, 0.09, and 0.04 μM, respectively. Seladelicatulasine A and F showed the strongest inhibition activity on BChE with IC₅₀ values of 0.37 and 0.65 μM, respectively.

Two new nor-lignans from Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. & Grev.) Maxim and their antihyperglycemic activities

Two new nor-lignans, pulvin A (1) and moellenoside C (2), along with two known compounds (3-4) were isolated from the whole plant of Selaginella pulvinate (Hook. & Grev.) Maxim. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data and acid hydrolysis. All the isolates were investigated for their antihyperglycemic activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 promoted the glucose consumption prominently in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-response manner. Compound 1 and 2 induced 1.14-1.73 folds and 1.03-1.55 folds changes relative to the basal level, respectively, in the concentration range of 12.5 μM to 50 μM.

Lignans and Neolignans: Plant secondary metabolites as a reservoir of biologically active substances

Lignans and neolignans are plant secondary metabolites derived from the oxidative coupling of phenylpropanoids. Biological activity of these phenolic compounds ranges from antioxidant, antitumor (terminaloside P, IC₅₀ = 10 nM), anti-inflammatory, anti-neurodegenerative (schibitubin B, IC₅₀ = 3.2 nM) and antiviral (patentiflorin A, IC₅₀ = 14-23 nM) to antimicrobial. In addition, it was observed that several members of this group, namely enterolactone and its biochemical precursors also known as phytoestrogens, possess important protective properties. Most of these lignans and neolignans are presented in reasonable amounts in one's diet and thus the protection they provide against the colon and breast cancer, to name a few, is even more important to note. Similarly, neuroprotective properties were observed (schisanwilsonin G, IC₅₀ = 3.2 nM) These structural motives also serve as an important starting point in the development of anticancer drugs. Presumably the most famous members of this family, etoposide and teniposide, synthetic derivatives of podophyllotoxin, are used in the clinical treatment of lymphocytic leukemia, certain brain tumors, and lung tumors already for nearly 20 years. This review describes 413 lignans and neolignans which have been isolated between 2016 and mid-2018 being reported in more than 300 peer-reviewed articles. It covers their source, structure elucidation, and bioactivity. Within the review, the structure-based overview of compounds as well as the bioactivity-based overview of compounds are described.

Pictalignans D-F, three new neolignan derivatives from Selaginella picta

Three new neolignan derivatives (1-3), together with three known isolariciresinol derivatives (4-6) were isolated from Selaginella picta. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (1D/2D NMR, HRESIMS and CD). All isolated compounds were assayed on the neuroprotective activity against the injury of HT-22 cells induced by L-Glutamate in vitro. All compounds displayed potent protective effect on HT-22 cells.