Bungsteroid A: One Unusual C34 Pentacyclic Steroid Analogue from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim

Antitumor components and mechanisms of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim with medicine and food homology

Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (Z. bungeanum) is a medicinal and edible plant commonly used to improve the flavor of Chinese cuisine due to its unique numbing taste. It is recognized for its medicinal properties, including bodywarming, relieving cold, promoting blood circulation, and alleviating pain. Additionally, Z. bungeanum has been extensively studied for its antitumor properties. In this study, various scientific databases and network pharmacology were used to search for information about Z. bungeanum and its components for the treatment of tumors. Numerous active components of Z. bungeanum have been identified, demonstrating antitumor properties. We discovered that Z. bungeanum can modulate multiple signaling pathways across various targets using network pharmacological predictions, highlighting its strong antitumor potential. The components of Z. bungeanum and the traditional Chinese medicine compound containing Z. bungeanum can promote apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle, inhibit cell invasion and metastasis, promote autophagy, and increase the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs through P53, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin and other signaling pathways, which are effective against various cancers, including hepatocellular cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer. Z. bungeanum and its extracts have demonstrated promising effects against various tumors, indicating their potential use in future cancer therapies and offering new strategies for tumor treatment. However, clinical studies evaluating the antitumor efficacy and toxicity of Z. bungeanum in humans are scarce. Therefore, well-designed clinical trials should be prioritized in the future to establish a solid foundation for its use in cancer treatment.

Talarergosteroids A-C: Three Unusual Steroid-Polyketone Conjugates with Antifungal Activity from a Kandelia Obovata Derived Fungus Talaromyces sp

Three previously undescribed steroid-polyketone conjugates, talarergosteroids A-C (1-3), together with talarergosteroid D (4), which was first identified from a natural source, were isolated from a Kandelia Obovata derived fungus Talaromyces sp. SCNU-F0041. Compounds 1 and 2 bear a complicated 6/6/6/5/6/6 hexacyclic ring system characterized by an oxaspiro[5.5]undecane architecture. Compound 3 possesses a benzofuran moiety substituted at C-3 in ergosterol. The structures of the new compounds were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Talarergosteroid B (2) showed significant inhibitory activity against the agricultural plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (MIC = 0.78 μg/mL), outperforming the positive control carbendazim (MIC = 1.56 μg/mL). Preliminary research disclosed that compound 2 may inhibit the spore germination progress, malform the fungal mycelium, and damage the organelle. These results indicate that compound 2 could be a potential fungicidal lead compound against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

Pharmacological activities of Zanthoxylum L. plants and its exploitation and utilization

The study aims to provide an up-to-date review at the advancements of the investigations on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological effect and exploitation and utilizations of Zanthoxylum L. Besides, the possible tendency and perspective for future research of this plant are discussed, as well. This article uses "Zanthoxylum L." "Zanthorylum bungeanum" as the keywords and collects relevant information on Zanthoxylum L. plants through electronic searches (Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, Web of Science, Science Direct, CNKI, Google Scholar), relevant books, and classic literature about Chinese herb. The plants of this genus are rich in volatile oils, alkaloids, amides, lignans, coumarins and organic acids, and has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including but not limited to anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and anti-infectious. This article reviewed both Chinese and international research progress on the active ingredients and pharmacological activities of Zanthoxylum L. as well as the applications of this genus in the fields of food, medicinal and daily chemicals, and clarified the material basis of its pharmacological activities. Based on traditional usage, phytochemicals, and pharmacological properties, of Zanthoxylum L. species, which indicate that they possess diverse bioactive metabolites with interesting bioactivities. Zanthoxylum L. is a potential medicinal and edible plant with diverse pharmacological effects. Due to its various advantages, it may have vast application potential in the food and medicinal industries and daily chemicals. Nonetheless, the currently available data has several gaps in understanding the herbal utilization of Zanthoxylum L. Thus, further research into their toxicity, mechanisms of actions of the isolated bioactive metabolites, as well as scientific connotations between the traditional medicinal uses and pharmacological properties is required to unravel their efficacy in therapeutic potential for safe clinical application.

Sesquiterpene coumarins from Ferula sinkiangensis and their anti-pancreatic cancer effects

Eight previously unreported sesquiterpene coumarins, namely (+)- and (-)-ferulasinkian A (1), (-)-fukanefuromarin M (2), (±)-ferulasinkian C (3), (±)-ferulasinkian D (4), ferulasinkian E (5), ferulasinkian F (7), and ferulasinkian G (8), together with two known compounds, (+)-fukanefuromarin M (2) and 7-hydroxyferprenin (6), have been isolated from the roots of Ferula sinkiangensis (Umbelliferae). The structures of all compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, along with ECD calculations and optical rotation calculations. Compounds 1-6 are dimers consisting of a chain sesquiterpene and a coumarin with an oxygen-containing six-membered ring connected from coumarin C-3 and C-4. Currently, there are only seven such structures reported in the genus Ferula, and their absolute configurations have not yet been determined. Compounds 7-8 are sesquiterpene coumarin derivatives with a chain sesquiterpene connected with coumarin C-4. In the present study, the chiral separation of compounds (±)-1 and (±)-2 was successfully carried out, and the absolute configurations of compounds (±)-1, (±)-2, 5, 7 and 8 were determined. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against human pancreatic cancer cell lines including CFPAC-1, PANC-1, CAPAN-2 and SW 1990. Compounds (+)-1, (-)-1 and 7 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells with IC50 values ranging from 4.57 ± 0.94 to 14.01 ± 1.03 μM. Furthermore, the primary mechanistic study of (-)-1 demonstrated that it could induce apoptosis in CFPAC-1 cells.

Fascinating Furanosteroids and Their Pharmacological Profile

This review article delves into the realm of furanosteroids and related isoprenoid lipids derived from diverse terrestrial and marine sources, exploring their wide array of biological activities and potential pharmacological applications. Fungi, fungal endophytes, plants, and various marine organisms, including sponges, corals, molluscs, and other invertebrates, have proven to be abundant reservoirs of these compounds. The biological activities exhibited by furanosteroids and related lipids encompass anticancer, cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Notably, the discovery of exceptional compounds such as nakiterpiosin, malabaricol, dysideasterols, and cortistatins has revealed their potent anti-tuberculosis, antibacterial, and anti-hepatitis C attributes. These compounds also exhibit activity in inhibiting protein kinase C, phospholipase A2, and eliciting cytotoxicity against cancer cells. This comprehensive study emphasizes the significance of furanosteroids and related lipids as valuable natural products with promising therapeutic potential. The remarkable biodiversity found in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems offers an extensive resource for unearthing novel biologically active compounds, paving the way for future drug development and advancements in biomedical research. This review presents a compilation of data obtained from various studies conducted by different authors who employed the PASS software 9.1 to evaluate the biological activity of natural furanosteroids and compounds closely related to them. The utilization of the PASS software in this context offers valuable advantages, such as screening large chemical libraries, identifying compounds for subsequent experimental investigations, and gaining insights into potential biological activities based on their structural features. Nevertheless, it is crucial to emphasize that experimental validation remains indispensable for confirming the predicted activities.

Nine undescribed oxidized ergosterols from the endophytic fungus Penicillium herquei and their cytotoxic activity

A chemical investigation of the EtOAc extract of the endophytic fungus Penicillium herquei led to the isolation of nine undescribed oxidized ergosterols, penicisterols A-I (1-9), along with ten known analogs (10-19). Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic data analysis, quantum-chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and comparisons, [Rh₂(OCOCF₃)₄]-induced ECD experiments, DFT-calculated ¹³C chemical shifts and DP4+ probability analysis. Compound 1 was a rare example of ergosterol in which the bond between C-8 and C-9 is cleaved to form an enol ether. Moreover, compound 2 possessed a rare (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-carbamic acid ester group substituted at C-3. All undescribed oxidized ergosterols (1-9) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against five cancer cell lines including 4T1 (mouse breast carcinoma), A549 (human pulmonary carcinoma), HCT-116 (human colorectal carcinoma), HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) and Hepg2 (human hepatoma carcinoma) cells. Compounds 2 and 3 displayed moderate cytotoxic activity against 4T1, A549 and HeLa cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 17.22 to 31.35 μM.

Synthesis and crystal structures of D-annulated pentacyclic steroids: looking within and beyond AR signalling in prostate cancer

Carbocyclic steroids D-annulated at 16α and 17α positions with a 5-membered ring E are easily accessible via the interrupted Nazarov cyclization. Three steroid series have been structurally studied: chlorine-containing D-annulated...

Survey of natural products reported by Asian research groups in 2020

The new natural products reported in 2020 in peer-reviewed articles in journals with good reputations were reviewed and analyzed. The advances made by Asian research groups in the field of natural products chemistry in 2020 were summarized. Compounds with unique structural features and/or promising bioactivities originating from Asian natural sources were discussed based on their structural classification.

Solitumergosterol A, a unique 6/6/6/6/5 steroid from the deep-sea-derived Penicillium solitum MCCC 3A00215

A unique C30 steroid, solitumergosterol A (1), was isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium solitum MCCC 3A00215. The planar structure and relative configuration of 1 were established mainly on the basis of extensive analysis of its 1D and 2D NMR as well as HRESIMS data, while its absolute configuration was clarified by comparison of the experimental and theoretical ECD spectra. Noteworthily, 1 is a Diels-Alder adduct of a heterogeneous steroid bearing a 6/6/6/6/5 pentacyclic carbon skeleton. Solitumergosterol A (1) exhibited weak in vitro anti-tumor activity against MB231 cells by a RXRα-dependent mechanism.

Narjatamolide, an Unusual Homoguaiane Sesquiterpene Lactone from Nardostachys jatamansi

Narjatamolide (1), an unusual homoguaiane sesquiterpene lactone, was isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. It represents the new carbon skeleton of a homoguaiane sesquiterpenoid possessing an additional acetate unit spiro-fused with C-4 and C-15 to form a cyclopropane ring. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration was confirmed by the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Compound 1 showed antiproliferative effects against BEL-7402 cell lines with an IC₅₀ value of 5.67 ± 1.43 μM, and the mechanism study showed that 1 induces cell cycle of BEL-7402 cell lines arrest at G2/M phase.

Two new lignans from Zanthoxylum armatum

Zanthoxylum armatum, its peels possessed better special flavour, as well as various bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-tumour. In our chemical investigation on the peels of Z. armatum, two new lignans (1 and 2) and three known lignans (3-5) were isolated by silica gel column chromatography, ODS column and preparative HPLC and their structures were established as zanthlignans A and B (1-2), (-)-asarinin (3), phylligenin (4) and planispine A (5) through various spectroscopic techniques including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, NMR and CD methods.

Hot off the Press

A personal selection of 32 recent papers is presented covering various aspects of current developments in bioorganic chemistry and novel natural products such as patulignan A from Melicope patulinervia.