Isolation and structure elucidation of highly antioxidative 3,8″-linked biflavanones and flavanone-C-glycosides from Garcinia buchananii bark

Developments in the stereoselective synthesis of benzopyran, benzopyrone and flavonoid based natural product analogues using C-glycosides as an intrinsic chiral synthon

Stereoselective synthesis is essential for propelling mainstream academia toward a relentless pursuit of novel and cutting-edge strategies for constructing molecules with unparalleled precision. Naturally derived benzopyrans, benzopyrones, and flavonoids are an essentially prominent group of oxa-heterocycles, highly significant targets in medicinal chemistry owing to their extensive abundance in biologically active natural products and pharmaceuticals. The molecular complexity and stereoselectivity induced by heterocycles embedded with C-glycosides have attracted considerable interest and emerged as a fascinating area of research for synthetic organic chemists. This present article emphasizes the existing growths in the strategies involving the diastereoselective synthesis of C-glycosylated benzopyrans, benzopyrones, and flavonoids using naturally acquired glycones as chiral synthons.

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activity of the Australian Carnivorous Plant, Drosera magna

Phytochemical profiling was undertaken on the crude extracts of Drosera magna to determine the nature of the chemical constituents present. In total, three new flavonol diglycosides (1-3), one new flavan-3-ol glycoside (4), and 12 previously reported compounds of the flavonol (5, 9), flavan-3-ol (15), flavanone (8), 1,4-napthoquinone (6, 7, 13, 14), 2,3-dehydroxynapthalene-1,4-dione (10-12), and phenolic acid (16) structure classes were isolated and identified. Compounds 1-9, 13, 17, and 18 were assessed for antimicrobial activity, with compounds 6, 7, 8, and 9 showing significant activity. Compounds 1, 2, and 6 were also evaluated for anthelmintic activity against larval forms of Hemonchus contortus, with compound 6 being active.

Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Flavonoid Derivatives from the Outer Skins of Allium cepa L

The onion, known as the bulb onion or common onion, is not only a key ingredient in many tasty and healthy vegetarian meals but also many traditional medicines. Nine new flavonoids [cepaflavas A, B (5, 6), cepadials A-D (7-9 and 14), and cepabiflas A-C (10-12)] and six known compounds (1-4, 13, 15) were obtained from the outer skins of Allium cepa L. Among them, compounds 5, 6, and 9 might be artificial products formed during extraction and isolation. New compounds were structurally elucidated using various spectroscopy/spectrometry techniques, including NMR and HRMS, and computational methods. Their absolute configurations were determined using time-dependent density functional theory calculations, combined with ECD spectroscopy, optical rotation calculation, and statistical procedures (CP3 and DP4 analysis). The free radical scavenging assays revealed that the new compounds 10-12 possessed considerable antioxidant activities with IC₅₀ values of 4.25-8.88 and 7.12-8.14 μM against DPPH and ABTS^•+, respectively. Compounds 13-15 showed substantial inhibitory activities against both α-glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), with IC₅₀ values of 0.89-6.80 and 1.13-6.82 μM, respectively. On the basis of molecular docking studies, 13 and 15 were predicted to have high binding capacity and strong affinity toward the active site of PTP1B.

Phenolic C-Glycosides and Aglycones from Marine-Derived Aspergillus sp. and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities

A chemical investigation of the secondary metabolites of a marine-derived Aspergillus sp. led to the isolation and characterization of 13 phenolic compounds, including 10 new compounds (1-10). Seven new compounds (1-7) are unusual phenolic C-glycosides, while the other new compounds (8-10) are structurally related aglycones. The chemical structures of these new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of these new C-glycosides were determined by comparison of experimental electronic circular dichroism spectra with those of calculated ones. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were evaluated, and compound 9 significantly inhibited nitric oxide production with an IC₅₀ value of 6.0 ± 0.5 μM in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, compound 9 also showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the NF-κB-activated pathway.

Construction and Application of a Database for a Five-Dimensional Identification of Natural Compounds in Garcinia Species by Means of UPLC-ESI-TWIMS-TOF-MS: Introducing Gas Phase Polyphenol Conformer Drift Time Distribution Intensity Ratios

Thirty-four reference compounds from G. buchananii were analyzed by means of UPLC-ESI-IMS-TOF-MS to build a database consisting of retention time, accurate m/ z of precursors and fragment ions, and rotationally averaged collision cross-sectional area (CCS). The CCS value of six selected compounds analyzed in bark extract in different concentrations and solvent systems showed excellent intra- and interday precision (RSD ≤ 0.9%). The established database was applied on different organs of G. buchananii as well as G. kola, G. mangostana, and G. cambogia enabling a fast and reliable identification of these natural bioactives. For several compounds, more than one drift time species could be highlighted, which we propose to be hydrogen bond stabilized rotational isomers transferred from solution to gas phase. We used all CCS values of one compound, and we propose to add also the intensity ratio of the conformers as a new and additional characteristic compound parameter in compound identification/screening/database applications to reduce dereplication and false positives and to strengthen the identification.

(2R,3S,2″R,3″R)-Manniflavanone Protects Proliferating Skeletal Muscle Cells against Oxidative Stress and Stimulates Myotube Formation

We investigated the antioxidative properties of (2R,3S,2″R,3″R)-manniflavanone (MF) using in vitro assays and examined its effects on myogenesis and lactate-induced oxidative stress in C2C12 cells. MF was purified from Garcinia buchananii stem bark. H₂O₂ and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays demonstrated that MF is a powerful antioxidant. This finding was supported by diphenylpicrylhydrazine radical scavenging activity of MF. MF was less cytotoxic to C2C12 cells compared to ascorbic acid and myricetin. Moreover, MF accelerated myotube formation in the differentiated C2C12 cells by up-regulating myogenic proteins such as MyoG and myosin heavy chain. Furthermore, MF rescued late differentiation of myoblast suppressed by lactate treatment and up-regulated the expression levels of Nrf2 in lactate-induced oxidative stress, indicating that MF stimulates antioxidative activity inside C2C12 cells. Collectively, MF is a potent antioxidant with a higher safety profile than ascorbic acid and myricetin. It reduces oxidative stress-induced delaying of skeletal muscle differentiation by scavenging reactive oxygen species and regulating myogenic proteins factors.

(2R,3S,2'' R,3''R)-manniflavanone, a new gastrointestinal smooth muscle L-type calcium channel inhibitor, which underlies the spasmolytic properties of Garcinia buchananii stem bark extract

Garcinia buchananii Baker stem bark extract (GBB) is a traditional medication of diarrhea and dysentery in sub-Saharan Africa. It is believed that GBB causes gastrointestinal smooth muscle relaxation. The aim of this study was to determine whether GBB has spasmolytic actions and identify compounds underlying these actions. Calcium (Ca²⁺) imaging was used to analyze the effect of GBB on Ca²⁺ flashes and Ca²⁺ waves in guinea pig gallbladder and distal colon smooth muscle. Intracellular microelectrode recording was used to determine the effect of GBB, six fractions of GBB, M1–5 and M7, and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone, a compound isolated from M3 on action potentials in gallbladder smooth muscle. The technique was also used to analyze the effect of GBB, M3, and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone on action potentials in the circular muscle of mouse and guinea pig distal colons, and the effect of GBB and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone on slow waves in porcine ileum. GBB inhibited Ca²⁺ flashes and Ca²⁺ waves. GBB, M3 and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone inhibited action potentials. L-type Ca²⁺ channel activator Bay K 8644 increased the discharge of action potentials in mouse colon but did not trigger or increase action potentials in the presence of GBB and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone. GBB and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone inhibited action potentials in the presence of Bay K 8644. GBB and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone reduced the amplitude but did not alter the frequency of slow waves in the porcine ileum. In conclusion, GBB and (2R,3S,2”R,3”R)-manniflavanone relax smooth muscle by inhibiting L-type Ca²⁺ channels, thus have potential for use as therapies of gastrointestinal smooth muscle spasms, and arrhythmias.

Antioxidative compounds from Garcinia buchananii stem bark

An aqueous ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Garcinia buchananii showed strong antioxidative activity using H2O2 scavenging, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Activity-guided fractionation afforded three new compounds, isomanniflavanone (1), an ent-eriodictyol-(3α→6)-dihydroquercetin-linked biflavanone, 1,5-dimethoxyajacareubin (2), and the depsidone garcinisidone-G (3), and six known compounds, (2″R,3″R)-preussianon, euxanthone, 2-isoprenyl-1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone, jacareubin, isogarcinol, and garcinol. All compounds were described for the first time in Garcinia buchananii. The absolute configurations were determined by a combination of NMR, ECD spectroscopy, and polarimetry. These natural products showed high in vitro antioxidative power, especially isomanniflavanone, with an EC50 value of 8.5 μM (H2O2 scavenging), 3.50/4.95 mmol TE/mmol (H/L-TEAC), and 7.54/14.56 mmol TE/mmol (H/L-ORAC).

Stereoselective synthesis of 2α-Chloropicropodophyllotoxins and insecticidal activity of their esters against oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata walker

As part of ongoing efforts to discover new natural-product-based insecticidal agents, in the present study, an efficient method for the stereoselective α-chlorination at the C-2 position of 2'(2',6')-(di)halogenopodophyllotoxin derivatives was first developed. Subsequently, a series of novel esters of 2α-chloro-2'(2',6')-(di)halogenopicropodophyllotoxin with modified C, D, and E rings of podophyllotoxin were smoothly obtained. Finally, all of the title compounds were tested against the pre-third-instar larvae of oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata Walker) at 1 mg/mL. It was found that besides their 2'-halogen-substituted E ring, the stereoselective α-chlorination at the C-2 position of 2'(2',6')-(di)halogenopodophyllotoxins was also related to the chlorination reagents. Especially 2α-chloro-4α-(benzoyl)oxy-2'-chloropicropodophyllotoxin (6e) and 2α-chloro-4α-(2-chlorophenylacyl)oxy-2'-bromopicropodophyllotoxin (8f) showed the most potent insecticidal activities, with final mortality rates of >60%. For 4α-(alkylacyl)oxy derivatives of 2α-chloro-2'(2',6')-(di)halogenopicropodophyllotoxin, the effect of the length of their side chain at the C-4 position of podophyllotoxin skeleton on the insecticidal activity was not very obvious. For 4α-(arylacyl)oxy derivatives of 2α-chloro-2'-chloro/bromopicropodophyllotoxin, an electronic effect of the substituents on their phenyl ring at the C-4 position of podophyllotoxin skeleton on the insecticidal activity was observed.

Accurate determination of reference materials and natural isolates by means of quantitative (1)h NMR spectroscopy

A fast and precise proton nuclear magnetic resonance (qHNMR) method for the quantitative determination of low molecular weight target molecules in reference materials and natural isolates has been validated using ERETIC 2 (Electronic REference To access In vivo Concentrations) based on the PULCON (PULse length based CONcentration determination) methodology and compared to the gravimetric results. Using an Avance III NMR spectrometer (400 MHz) equipped with a broad band observe (BBO) probe, the qHNMR method was validated by determining its linearity, range, precision, and accuracy as well as robustness and limit of quantitation. The linearity of the method was assessed by measuring samples of l-tyrosine, caffeine, or benzoic acid in a concentration range between 0.3 and 16.5 mmol/L (r(2) ≥ 0.99), whereas the interday and intraday precisions were found to be ≤2%. The recovery of a range of reference compounds was ≥98.5%, thus demonstrating the qHNMR method as a precise tool for the rapid quantitation (~15 min) of food-related target compounds in reference materials and natural isolates such as nucleotides, polyphenols, or cyclic peptides.

New highly in vitro antioxidative 3,8″-linked Biflav(an)ones and Flavanone-C-glycosides from Garcinia buchananii stem bark

Very recently, we described highly antioxidative polyphenols isolated from the stem bark extract of the Garcinia buchananii tree. In this study, we describe additional antioxidants from Garcinia buchananii bark extract using hydrogen peroxide scavenging, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. UPLC-HR-ESI-TOF-MS(e) analysis, 1- and 2D-NMR, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy led to the unequivocal identification of the antioxidative molecules as a series of five 3,8″-linked biflav(an)ones and two flavanone-C-glycosides. (2S,3R)-Taxifolin-6-C-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), (2R,3S,2″S,3″S)-manniflavanone (3), (2R,3S)-buchananiflavonol (4), and (2S,3R,2″R,3″R)-GB-1 (6) are new compounds, and (2S,3S)-taxifolin-6-C-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) was described so far only in one other plant. The structure of (2R,3S,2″R,3″R)-GB-1 (5) and (2R,3S,2″S)-GB2a (7) were confirmed. The H2O2 scavenging, TEAC, and the ORAC assays demonstrated that these natural products have an extraordinarily high antioxidative power, especially (2R,3S,2″S,3″S)-manniflavanone (3) with an EC50 value of 3.0 μM, 4.00 mmol TE/mmol, and 10.30 μmol TE/ μmol.

In vitro activity-guided identification of antioxidants in aged garlic extract

Activity-guided fractionation was applied on an aged garlic extract (AGE), reported to show strong antioxidant activity, in order to locate the key in vitro antioxidant ingredients by means of the hydrogen peroxide scavenging (HPS) assay as well as the ORAC assay. Besides the previously reported four tetrahydro-β-carbolines, (1R,3S)- and (1S,3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid and (1R,3S)- and (1S,3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, LC-MS/MS, LC-TOF-MS, and 1D/2D-NMR experiments led to the identification of coniferyl alcohol and its dilignols (-)-(2R,3S)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, (+)-(2S,3R)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, erythro-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4'-coniferyl ether, and threo-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4'-coniferyl ether as the major antioxidants in AGE. The purified individual compounds showed high antioxidant activity, with EC50 values of 9.7-11.8 μM (HPS assay) and 2.60-3.65 μmol TE/μmol (ORAC assay), respectively.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used in the Traditional Treatment of Gastrointestinal Pain, Inflammation and Diarrhea in Africa: Future Perspectives for Integration into Modern Medicine

There is a growing need to find the most appropriate and effective treatment options for a variety of painful syndromes, including conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, for treating both veterinary and human patients. The most successful regimen may come through integrated therapies including combining current and novel western drugs with acupuncture and botanical therapies or their derivatives. There is an extensive history and use of plants in African traditional medicine. In this review, we have highlighted botanical remedies used for treatment of pain, diarrheas and inflammation in traditional veterinary and human health care in Africa. These preparations are promising sources of new compounds comprised of flavonoids, bioflavanones, xanthones, terpenoids, sterols and glycosides as well as compound formulas and supplements for future use in multimodal treatment approaches to chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation. The advancement of plant therapies and their derivative compounds will require the identification and validation of compounds having specific anti-nociceptive neuromodulatory and/or anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, there is need for the identification of the presence of compounds that affect purinergic, GABA, glutamate, TRP, opioid and cannabinoid receptors, serotonergic and chloride channel systems through bioactivity-guided, high-throughput screening and biotesting. This will create new frontiers for obtaining novel compounds and herbal supplements to relieve pain and gastrointestinal disorders, and suppress inflammation.

Garcinia buchananii bark extract is an effective anti-diarrheal remedy for lactose-induced diarrhea

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The extract from the stem bark of Garcinia buchananii trees is used as an anti-diarrhea remedy in sub-Saharan Africa. We tested the hypothesis that G. buchananii bark extract and its anti-motility fractions are effective treatments against lactose-induced diarrhea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A high-lactose (35%) diet was used to induce diarrhea in Wistar rats, which were then treated with either G. buchananii bark extract (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 g bark powder), and its anti-motility fractions isolated using preparative thin layer chromatography; termed PTLC1 (15 mg) and PTLC5 (3.8 mg) or loperamide (8.4 mg). Drug preparations were dissolved in 1L except PTCL1 and PTLC5 that were dissolved in 100mL tap water. Numerous parameters were measured in each condition including consistency, fluid and mucus content of feces, body weight, water and food consumption, urine production and bloating.

RESULTS

Diarrheic rats produced watery or loose, mucuoid, sticky, feces. Fluids constituted 86% of stool mass compared with only 42% for control rats fed standard chow. Compared with controls, diarrheic rats produced more urine, lost weight and had bloated ceca and colons. All doses of the extract, its anti-motility fractions and loperamide individually stopped diarrhea within 6-24 h of administration, whilst significantly reducing mucus and fecal fluid content, urine production and intestinal bloating. Rats treated with 0.1g extract, PTLC1 and PTLC5 gained weight, whilst PTLC5 also increased water intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Garcinia buchananii extract and its anti-motility fractions are effective remedies against lactose-induced diarrhea. The extract contains compounds that reverse weight loss, promote food and water intake, supporting the notion that characterization of the compounds could lead to new therapies against diarrheal diseases.