Two new monogalactosylacylglycerols from Hydrocotyle ramiflora

Inhibitory effect of ginsenglactone A from Panax ginseng on the tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and migration of human ovarian cancer cells

Background

Here, we aimed to assess the inhibitory effect of a new compound from Panax ginseng on the migration of human ovarian cancer cells and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods

A new compound, ginsenglactone A (1), was isolated from ginseng roots, together with seven known compounds (2-8). Spectroscopic data were used to elucidate the chemical structure of 1. The tubular structure formation in HUVECs was assessed by Mayer's hematoxylin staining. The migration of A2780 cells was evaluated using the scratch wound healing assay.

Results

HUVECs treated with 1 had the statistically significant decrease in tubular structure formation compared to the HUVECs treated with compounds 2-8. This effect was enhanced by co-treatment with inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) (LY294002) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) (U0126). Treatment with 1 decreased the expression of phosphorylation of ERK, PI3K, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2 (VEGFR2), Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In addition, the ability of A2780 cells to cover the scratched area were also decreased. This effect was enhanced by co-treatment with U0126. Lastly, treatment with 1 decreased the phosphorylation of ERK, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and MMP-2.

Conclusion

These results suggest that ginsenglactone A is a potential inhibitor of HUVEC tubular structure formation and A2780 cellular migration, which may be helpful for understanding its anticancer mechanism.

A Saprophytic Fungus Tubeufia rubra Produces Novel Rubracin D and E Reversing Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Cells

Two new (1, 2 viz Rubracin D and E) and sixteen known Glyceroglycolipids (3–18) in the saprophytic fungus Tubeufia rubra (PF02-2) from decaying wood in freshwater habitat were isolated and identified. Their chemical structures were elucidated via means of the extensive spectroscopic analyses of NMR, HR-ESI-MS and UV spectra, as well as comparison with literature data. The new compounds were assayed for the reversal activity of multidrug resistance (MDR) on MCF-7/ADM, K562/ADM and A549/ADM cell lines, and both compounds 1 and 2 reversed MDR in the three resistant cancer cell lines with concentration dependence. In the assay on K562/ADM, both new compounds had been proved to have remarkable MDR reversal effects, which were higher than those of the positive control viz Verapamil (Vrp). Meanwhile, in the assay on A549/ADM, compound 1 displayed significant MDR reversal effects, which were also higher than those of Vrp at certain concentrations. Furthermore, the Western blot assay proved that both new compounds reversed the MDR in the resistant cancer cell line viz MCF-7/ADM by inhibiting the overexpression of P-glycoprotein. This is the first report that the Glyceroglycolipids isolated firstly from the fungal genus Tubeufia reversed MDR in resistant cancer cells.

Inhibitory effects of Hydrocotyle ramiflora on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

PURPOSE

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a urogenital disorder that affects approximately 85% of males who are over 50 years of age. Hydrocotyle ramiflora (HR), belonging to Apiaceae family, is used to treat urinary system diseases such as urine retention in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, we evaluated the effects of HR in the BPH animal model.

METHODS

We induced BPH in rats via subcutaneous (sc) injections of testosterone propionate (TP, 3 mg/kg). Rats were also administered HR (150 mg/kg), finasteride (10 mg/kg), or vehicle via oral gavage. After induction, prostate glands were collected, weighed, and processed for further analysis, including histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in prostatic tissues was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of pro-apoptotic markers was examined using western blotting.

RESULTS

HR treatment significantly reduced the prostate weight, epithelial thickness, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, with the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) protein considerably increased compared to BPH group. HR also decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels compared with BPH group. Furthermore, the expression of phosphor-nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were reduced by HR treatment.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that HR suppresses the development of BPH associated with anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting it is a potential alternative therapeutic agent for BPH.

Nitric oxide inhibitory activity of monogalactosylmonoacylglycerols from a freshwater microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana

Chemical investigation of the freshwater microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana led to the isolation of a new monogalactosylmonoacylglycerol, namely, (2S)-1-O-(7Z,10Z-hexadecadienoyl)-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosylglycerol (1) together with a known glycolipid (2S)-1-O-(7Z,10Z,13Z-hexadecatrienoyl)-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosylglycerol (2). Both monogalactosylmonoacylglycerols showed dose-dependent nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells suggesting their possible use as anti-inflammatory agents.

A novel cyclopropyl-containing fatty acid glucoside from the seeds of Litchi chinensis

3,12-Dihydroxy-cis-3,4-methylenedodecanoic acid 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, trivially named litchioside C (1), the first cyclopropyl-containing fatty acid glycoside, was isolated along with three previously uncharacterized galactosylacylglycerols from the seeds of Litchi chinensis. Its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including HRESIMS and 2D NMR spectra. Its antioxidant and antibacterial activities were evaluated and its biogenetic pathway was discussed.

Inhibitors of osteoclast formation from rhizomes of Cibotium barometz

Eight compounds (1-8) were isolated from a methanol extract of Cibotium barometz rhizomes including two new furan derivatives, cibotiumbarosides A (1) and B (2), and a new glycoglycerolipid, cibotiglycerol (4). Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2-5 each showed inhibition of osteoclast formation with no affect on BMM cell viability.

Immunosuppressive diacetylenes, ceramides and cerebrosides from Hydrocotyle leucocephala

Three C-17 diacetylenic compounds (1-3), one monoterpenoid (4), seven ceramides (leucoceramides A-G, 5a-g), six cerebrosides (leucocerebrosides A-F, 6a-f) and nine known compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract of Hydrocotyle leucocephala. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. The isolated compounds 1-3, 5a-g, 6a-f and 7 were shown to be active in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cytokine production assay for IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-alpha.

Phospholipids from Bombycis corpus and their neurotrophic effects

Three phospholipids (4-6) and three aromatic amines (1-3) were obtained from the methanol extract of Bombycis corpus. Based on spectral data, their structures have been elucidated as nicotiamide (1), cytidine (2), adenine (3), 1-O-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-2-O-(8Z,11Z-octadecadienoyl) sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (4), 1,2-di-O-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (5) and 1,2-di-O-9Z-octadecenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (6). We examined the effects of compounds on synthesis of NGF in cultured astrocytes. By RT-PCR analysis, expresison of NGF mRNA in astrocytes cultured in serum-starvation increased after the addition of phospholipid (10 microM). The NGF content in the culture medium was significantly increased by compound 5, compared with the control value. These results suggest that three phospholipid compounds isolated from the methanol extract of Bombycis corpus may exert neurotrophic effects by stimulation of NGF synthesis in astrocytes.