Homonojirimycin analogues and their glucosides from Lobelia sessilifolia and Adenophora spp. (Campanulaceae)

Synthesis of the Purported Structure of Glyphaeaside C and Proposed Revisions to the Structures of the Glyphaeaside Alkaloids

The 10 glyphaeaside alkaloids isolated from the roots of Glyphaea brevis were originally purported as piperidine-based 1-C-alkylated iminosugars, with the A-, B-, and C-type glyphaeasides bearing l-DFJ, DGJ, and DNJ ring configurations, respectively. Subsequent investigations have revealed glyphaeaside C as being a pyrrolidine-based iminosugar with a DMDP ring configuration via total synthesis of the revised structure. In this work, side chain diastereomers of the originally purported structure of glyphaeaside C (10) and two related α-1-C-alkylated DNJ derivatives were synthesized from a common precursor, which was prepared in turn via stereoselective Grignard addition to a protected d-glycosylamine, followed by a reductive amination-cyclization sequence. Glycosidase inhibitory activity studies revealed general structure 10 as having potent inhibition against various α-glucosidases and weak inhibition against almond β-glucosidase in agreement with similar DNJ-based iminosugars and in contrast to natural glyphaeaside C, suggesting that the (1,2-dihydroxy-3-phenyl)propyl moiety does not play a particularly vital role in the inhibitory modes of action of either compound. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of natural glyphaeaside C was proposed as that of d-DMDP, and the structures of the A- and B-type glyphaeasides were revised as 1-deoxy-DALDP and DALDP derivatives, respectively, based on interpretation of their reported NMR spectroscopic data.

In Silico Approaches to Identify Polyphenol Compounds as α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitors against Type-II Diabetes

Type-II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) results from a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors, and the prevalence of T2DM is increasing worldwide. Clinically, both α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes inhibitors can suppress peaks of postprandial glucose with surplus adverse effects, leading to efforts devoted to urgently seeking new anti-diabetes drugs from natural sources for delayed starch digestion. This review attempts to explore 10 families e.g., Bignoniaceae, Ericaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Campanulaceae, Geraniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Acanthaceae, Rutaceae, and Moraceae as medicinal plants, and folk and herb medicines for lowering blood glucose level, or alternative anti-diabetic natural products. Many natural products have been studied in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays to restrain hyperglycemia. In addition, natural products, and particularly polyphenols, possess diverse structures for exploring them as inhibitors of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Interestingly, an in silico discovery approach using natural compounds via virtual screening could directly target α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes through Monte Carto molecular modeling. Autodock, MOE-Dock, Biovia Discovery Studio, PyMOL, and Accelrys have been used to discover new candidates as inhibitors or activators. While docking score, binding energy (Kcal/mol), the number of hydrogen bonds, or interactions with critical amino acid residues have been taken into concerning the reliability of software for validation of enzymatic analysis, in vitro cell assay and in vivo animal tests are required to obtain leads, hits, and candidates in drug discovery and development.

Beyond Alkaloids: Novel Bioactive Natural Products From Lobelia Species

In this work, we reviewed the progress in the phytochemical and biological investigations of bioactive components derived from medicinally valuable Lobelia species. In the last 60 years, Lobelia has garnered significant attention from the phytochemist from around the world, majorly due to the discovery of bioactive piperidine alkaloids (e.g., lobinaline and lobeline) in the early 1950s. Later, lobeline underwent clinical trials for several indications including the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a multicenter phase three trial for smoking cessation. Subsequently, several other alkaloids derived from different species of Lobelia were also investigated for their pharmacological characteristics. However, in the last few years, the research focus has started shifting to the characterization of the other novel chemical classes. The major shift has been noticed due to the structurally similar alkaloid components, which essentially share similar pharmacological, physicochemical, and toxicological profiles. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview of their progress with special attention to understanding the molecular mechanisms of the novel bioactive components.

Anti-diabetic potential of plant alkaloids: Revisiting current findings and future perspectives

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease which causes millions of death all over the world each year, and its incidence is on increase. The most prevalent form, type 2 DM, is characterized by insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, whereas type 1 DM is due to insulin deficiency as a result of β-cell destruction. Various classes of synthetic drugs have been developed to regulate glucose homeostasis and combat the development of late-diabetic complications. However, several of these chemical agents are either sub-optimal in their effect and/or may have side effects. Biologically, alkaloids unveiled a wide range of therapeutic effects including anti-diabetic properties. The chemical backbones of these compounds have the potential to interact with a wide range of proteins involved in glucose homeostasis, and thus they have received increasing attention as reliable candidates for drug development. This review sets out to investigate the anti-diabetic potential of plant alkaloids (PAs), and therefore, scientific databases were comprehensively screened to highlight the biological activity of 78 PAs with a considerable anti-diabetic profile. There are not enough clinical data available for these phytochemicals to follow their fingerprint in human, but current studies generally recommending PAs as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors. Except for some classes of monoterpene alkaloids, other compounds showed similar features as well as the presently available anti-diabetic drugs such as amino sugars and other relevant drugs. Moreover, the evidence suggests that PAs have the potential to be used as alternative additives for the treatment of DM, however, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate these findings.

In Vitro α-glucosidase Inhibition and Computational Studies of Kaempferol Derivatives from Dryopteris cycanida

BACKGROUND

Dryopteris cycadina has diverse traditional uses in the treatment of various human disorders which are supported by pharmacological studies. Similarly, the phytochemical studies of this plant led to the isolation of numerous compounds.

METHODOLOGY

The present study deals with α-glucosidase inhibition of various kaempferol derivates including kaempferol-3, 4/-di-O-α- L-rhamnopyranoside 1, kaempferol-3, 5-di-O-α-L-rhamnoside 2 and kaempferol-3,7-di-O-α- L-rhamnopyranoside 3.

RESULTS

The results showed marked concentration-dependent inhibition of the enzyme when assayed at different concentrations and the IC50 values of compounds 1-3 were 137±9.01, 110±7.33, and 136±1.10 mM, respectively far better than standard compound, acarbose 290±0.54 mM. The computational studies revealed strong docking scores of these compounds and augmented the in vitro assay.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the isolated kaempferol derivatives 1-3 from D. cycadina exhibited potent α- glucosidase inhibition.

Potent in Vitro α-Glucosidase Inhibition of Secondary Metabolites Derived from Dryopteris cycadina

α-glucosidase is responsible for the hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates into simple absorbable glucose and causes postprandial hyperglycemia. α-glucosidase inhibition is thus the ideal target to prevent postprandial hyperglycemia. The present study was therefore designed to analyze the effects of various compounds isolated from Dryopteris cycadina against α-glucosidase including β-Sitosterol 1, β-Sitosterol3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 2, 3, 5, 7-trihydroxy-2-(p-tolyl) chorman-4-one 3, Quercetin-3-0-β-d-glucopyranoside (3^/→0-3^///)- β-d- Quercetin -3-0- β –d-galactopyranoside 4 and 5, 7, 4^/-Trihydroxyflavon-3-glucopyranoid 5. The in vitro spectrophotometric method was used for the analysis of test compounds against possible inhibition. Similarly, molecular docking studies were performed using the MOE software. These compounds showed concentration-dependent inhibition on α-glucosidase, and compounds 1 (IC₅₀: 143 ± 0.47 µM), 3 (IC₅₀:133 ± 6.90 µM) and 5 (IC₅₀: 146 ± 1.93 µM) were more potent than the standard drug, acarbose (IC₅₀: 290 ± 0.54 µM). Computational studies of these compounds strongly supported the in vitro studies and showed strong binding receptor sensitivity. In short, the secondary metabolites isolated from D. cycadina demonstrated potent α-glucosidase inhibition that were supported by molecular docking with a high docking score.

Efficient Synthesis of Dimeric Oxazoles, Piperidines and Tetrahydroisoquinolines from N-Substituted 2-Oxazolones

A mild and practical method for the construction of heterocycles from N-substituted 2-oxazolones through cascade, BF3 ⋅Et2 O/H2 O-catalyzed reactions involving iminium ion generation and trapping by external or internal olefinic and aryl moieties is described. Mechanistic and computational studies revealed the strong protic acid HBF4 as the initiating catalyst for these cascade reactions. Providing access to novel molecular diversity, these processes may facilitate chemical biology studies, drug discovery efforts and natural products synthesis.

Amino-functionalized iminocyclitols: synthetic glycomimetics of medicinal interest

A review on the syntheses and biological activities of unnatural glycomimetics highlighting the effect of replacement of hydroxyl groups of natural iminosugars by amino functionalities is presented.

In Silico Study of Alkaloids as α-Glucosidase Inhibitors: Hope for the Discovery of Effective Lead Compounds

α-Glucosidase (extinction coefficient 3.2.1.20) is a primary carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme that acts on the 1-4 associated α-glucose residues. The inhibition of α-glucosidase slows down the process of carbohydrate digestion and avoids postprandial hyperglycemia, which is a major cause of chronic diabetes-associated complication. This study was designed to evaluate the binding capacity of isolated alkaloids with targeted receptor. For this purpose, the three-dimensional tertiary structure of the α-glucosidase was generated by using the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE). The generated model was then validated by using the RAMPAGE and ERRAT server. The molecular docking of 37 alkaloids along with standard acarbose and miglitol reported as a α-glucosidase inhibitor was performed via MOE-Dock implemented in MOE software to find the binding modes of these inhibitors. The results showed that compound 17 (oriciacridone F) and 24 (O-methylmahanine) demonstrated marked interaction with active residues and were comparable to standard inhibitors. In short, this study provided computational background to the reported α-glucosidase inhibitors and thus further detail studies could lead to novel effective compounds.

Stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-dihydroxymethyl pyrrolidine from L-sorbose

One of the most frequently synthesized iminosugar derivatives is DMDP. Starting from L-sorbose, a practical method for the synthesis of derivatives of this five-membered iminocyclitol has been developed, involving straightforward steps and a convenient selective reduction of a ketoxime intermediate.

Skeletal rearrangement of seven-membered iminosugars: synthesis of (-)-adenophorine, (-)-1-epi-adenophorine and derivatives and evaluation as glycosidase inhibitors

The mirror image of natural product (+)-adenophorine along with its 1-epi-, 1-homo-analogs and other derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated as glycosidase inhibitors. The synthetic strategy is based on the skeletal rearrangement of tetrahydroxylated C-alkyl azepanes obtained via a Staudinger/azaWittig/alkylation sequence starting from a sugar-derived azidolactol. Several organometallic species have been investigated for the alkylation step including organomagnesium, organolithium, organozinc, organoaluminum and organocerium reagents. While diallylzinc proved to be the most efficient to introduce an allyl substituent, disappointing results were obtained with the other organometallic species leading either to lower yields or no reaction. Enzymatic assays indicate that (-)-adenophorine is a moderate α-l-fucosidase inhibitor.

Eight stereoisomers of homonojirimycin from D-mannose

Although there are 32 6-azidoheptitols, there are only 16 homonojirimycin (HNJ) stereoisomers. Two epimeric azidoalditols derived from d-mannose allow the synthesis in water of eight stereoisomers of HNJ.

Metathesis access to monocyclic iminocyclitol-based therapeutic agents

By focusing on recent developments on natural and non-natural azasugars (iminocyclitols), this review bolsters the case for the role of olefin metathesis reactions (RCM, CM) as key transformations in the multistep syntheses of pyrrolidine-, piperidine- and azepane-based iminocyclitols, as important therapeutic agents against a range of common diseases and as tools for studying metabolic disorders. Considerable improvements brought about by introduction of one or more metathesis steps are outlined, with emphasis on the exquisite steric control and atom-economical outcome of the overall process. The comparative performance of several established metathesis catalysts is also highlighted.

2-Azido-3,4;6,7-di-O-isopropyl-idene-α-d-glycero-d-talo-heptopyran-ose

In the title compound, C(13)H(21)N(3)O(6), the six-membered ring adopts a twist-boat conformation with the azide group in the bowsprit position. The azide group is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.642 (10):0.358 (10) ratio. The crystal structure consists of O-H⋯O hydrogen-bonded trimer units. The absolute configuration was determined from the use of d-mannose as the starting material.

2,6-Dide-oxy-2,6-imino-l-glycero-d-ido-heptitol

The title mol­ecule, C₇H₁₅NO₅, the major product from selective enzymatic oxidation followed by hydrogeno­lysis of the corresponding azido­heptitol, was found by X-ray crystallography to exisit in a chair conformation with three axial hydroxyl groups. One of the hydroxymethyl groups is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.590 (3):0.410 (3) ratio. In the crystal, O—H⋯O, O—H⋯(O,O), O—H⋯N and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding occurs.

Piperidine and tetrahydropyridine alkaloids from Lobelia siphilitica and Hippobroma longiflora

The hyphenated technique HPLC-PDA-MS-SPE-NMR was used to assist targeted preparative-scale isolation of constituents of Lobelia siphilitica and Hippobroma longiflora (both Campanulaceae). This resulted in the isolation of two new alkaloids, (S)-2-[(2S,6R)-1-methyl-6-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)piperidin-2-yl]-1-phenylethyl acetate (3) and 6-[(E)-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridine (4), the latter possessing a skeleton hitherto unseen among alkaloids of Lobelia and related genera. Lobeline (1), (1S,1'S)-2,2'-[(2R,6S)-1-methylpiperidine-2,6-diyl]bis(1-phenylethanol) (2), and lobetyolin (5) were also isolated. The structures of 1-5 were established using spectroscopic methods including homo- and heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR experiments and optical rotation data.

Flexible synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 5-deoxyadenophorine analogues

Adenophorine and its 5-deoxy analogue have been identified as natural iminosugars with efficient glycosidase inhibitory effects. The syntheses and biological evaluation of two new series of 5-deoxyadenophorine analogues in their racemic form are reported. The compounds 12e and 13d bearing a C11 and C7 alkyl chain, respectively, were found to be potent inhibitors of the beta-glucosidase from almond with Ki near to 60 microM. The compounds 13a,d which possess a 3,4-cis stereochemistry were efficient on glucosidases but also on the beta-galactosidase, what was not observed with the 3,4-trans series 12.

Synthesis of 1-deoxy-L-gulonojirimycin (L-guloDNJ) and 1-deoxy-D-talonojirimycin (D-taloDNJ)

Carbohydrate based syntheses of azasugars with unusual configurations viz. 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-L-gulitol (L-guloDNJ) and 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-L-talitol (L-taloDNJ) are reported, from D-mannose and D-fructose, respectively. The key steps in both syntheses involved reductive aminative cyclizations. Thus, L-guloDNJ was obtained by reduction of 2,3;4,6-di-O-isopropylidene-5-O-p-toluenesulfonyl-D-mannononitrile with LiAlH(4) in DME to give the protected azasugar which upon hydrolysis with HCl afforded crystalline L-guloDNJ as the HCl salt in 29% overall yield. Reduction of 6-azido-1-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-ribohexulofuranose obtained from D-fructose in six steps, followed by treatment with HCl, afforded L-taloDNJ as an HCl salt in approximately 10% overall yield.

Polyhydroxylated alkaloids -- natural occurrence and therapeutic applications

Over one hundred polyhydroxylated alkaloids have been isolated from plants and micro-organisms. These alkaloids can be potent and highly selective glycosidase inhibitors and are arousing great interest as tools to study cellular recognition and as potential therapeutic agents. However, only three of the natural products so far have been widely studied for therapeutic potential due largely to the limited commercial availability of the other compounds.

In vitro inhibition and intracellular enhancement of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A activity in Fabry lymphoblasts by 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin and its derivatives

Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficient lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A) activity. Deficiency of the enzyme activity results in progressive deposition of neutral glycosphingolipids with terminal alpha-galactosyl residue in vascular endothelial cells. We recently proposed a chemical chaperone therapy for this disease by administration of 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin, a potent inhibitor of the enzyme, at subinhibitory intracellular concentrations [Fan, J.-Q., Ishii, S., Asano, N. and Suzuki, Y. (1999) Nat. Med. 5, 112-115]. 1-Deoxygalactonojirimycin served as a specific chaperone for those mutant enzymes that failed to maintain their proper conformation to avoid excessive degradation. In order to establish a correlation between in vitro inhibitory activity and intracellular enhancement activity of the specific chemical chaperone, a series of 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin derivatives were tested for activity with both alpha-Gal A and Fabry lymphoblasts. 1-Deoxygalactonojirimycin was the most potent inhibitor of alpha-Gal A with an IC50 value of 0.04 microM. alpha-Galacto-homonojirimycin, alpha-allo-homonojirimycin and beta-1-C-butyl-deoxygalactonojirimycin were effective inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.21, 4.3 and 16 microM, respectively. N-Alkylation, deoxygenation at C-2 and epimerization at C-3 of 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin markedly lowered or abolished its inhibition toward alpha-Gal A. Inclusion of 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin, alpha-galacto-homonojirimycin, alpha-allo-homonojirimycin and beta-1-C-butyl-deoxygalactonojirimycin at 100 microM in culture medium of Fabry lymphoblasts increased the intracellular alpha-Gal A activity by 14-fold, 5.2-fold, 2.4-fold and 2.3-fold, respectively. Weaker inhibitors showed only a minimum enhancement effect. These results suggest that more potent inhibitors act as more effective specific chemical chaperones for the mutant enzyme, and the potent competitive inhibitors of alpha-Gal A are effective specific chemical chaperones for Fabry disease.