Potential anti-tumor-promoting activity of 3alpha-hydroxy-D:A-friedooleanan-2-one from the stem bark of Mallotus philippensis

Phytochemicals from Pterocarpus angolensis DC and Their Cytotoxic Activities against Breast Cancer Cells

Pterocarpus anglonesis DC is an indigenous medicinal plant belonging to the Pterocarpus genus of the Fabaceae family. It is used to treat stomach problems, headaches, mouth ulcers, malaria, blackwater fever, gonorrhea, ringworm, diarrhea, heavy menstruation, and breast milk stimulation. Column chromatography of the stem bark extracts resulted in the isolation of eight compounds, which included friedelan-3-one (1), 3α-hydroxyfriedel-2-one (2), 3-hydroxyfriedel-3-en-2-one (3), lup-20(29)-en-3-ol (4), Stigmasta-5-22-dien-3-ol (5), 4-O-methylangolensis (6), (3β)-3-acetoxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (7), and tetradecyl (E)-ferulate (8). The structures were established based on NMR, IR, and MS spectroscopic analyses. Triple-negative breast cancer (HCC70), hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (MCF-7), and non-cancerous mammary epithelial cell lines (MCF-12A) were used to test the compounds' cytotoxicity. Overall, the compounds showed either no toxicity or very low toxicity to all three cell lines tested, except for the moderate toxicity displayed by lupeol (4) towards the non-cancerous MCF-12A cells, with an IC50 value of 36.60 μM. Compound (3β)-3-acetoxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (7) was more toxic towards hormone-responsive (MCF-7) breast cancer cells than either triple-negative breast cancer (HCC70) or non-cancerous breast epithelial (MCF-12A) cells (IC50 values of 83.06 vs. 146.80 and 143.00 μM, respectively).

Selective transformations of friedelanes isolated from cork smoker wash solids

Friedelin (1) and 3-acetoxyfriedel-3-en-2-one (4), commonly known as friedelane triterpenoids, have been isolated from cork smoker wash solids (also known as black wax) on a multi-gram scale. These compounds are valuable starting materials for the synthesis of new friedelane derivatives. Stereoselective reduction of friedelin by treatment with LiAlH4, sodium, or catalytic hydrogenation results in the formation of both isomers of friedelinol (5 and 7) in excellent yields. Similarly, the reduction of 3-acetoxyfriedel-3-en-2-one gave epi-cerin (14) and a series of isomeric 2,3-diols or α-hydroxyketones. These transformations provide the most straightforward and convenient methods for the synthesis of A-ring functionalised friedelane derivatives using easily accessible starting materials.

A reduction in temperature induces bioactive red pigment production in a psychrotolerant Penicillium sp. GEU_37 isolated from Himalayan soil

Filamentous fungi are being globally explored for the production of industrially important bioactive compounds including pigments. In the present study, a cold and pH tolerant fungus strain Penicillium sp (GEU_37), isolated from the soil of Indian Himalaya, is characterized for the production of natural pigments as influenced by varying temperature conditions. The fungal strain produces a higher sporulation, exudation, and red diffusible pigment in Potato Dextrose (PD) at 15 °C as compared to 25 °C. In PD broth, a yellow pigment was observed at 25 °C. While measuring the effect of temperature and pH on red pigment production by GEU_37, 15 °C and pH 5, respectively, were observed to be the optimum conditions. Similarly, the effect of exogenous carbon and nitrogen sources and mineral salts on pigment production by GEU_37 was assessed in PD broth. However, no significant enhancement in pigmentation was observed. Chloroform extracted pigment was separated using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography. The two separated fractions i.e., fractions I and II with Rf values 0.82 and 0.73, exhibited maximum light absorption, λ_max, at 360 nm and 510 nm, respectively. Characterization of pigments using GC-MS showed the presence of the compounds such as phenol, 2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) and eicosene from fraction I and derivatives of coumarine, friedooleanan, and stigmasterole in fraction II. However, LC-MS analysis detected the presence of derivatives of compound carotenoids from fraction II as well as derivative of chromenone and hydroxyquinoline as major compounds from both the fractions along with other numerous important bioactive compounds. The production of such bioactive pigments under low temperature conditions suggest their strategic role in ecological resilience by the fungal strain and may have biotechnological applications.

Rottlerin: Structure Modifications and KCNQ1/KCNE1 Ion Channel Activity

The slow delayed rectifier potassium current (I_Ks ) is formed by the KCNQ1 (K_v 7.1) channel, an ion channel of four α-subunits that modulates KCNE1 β-subunits. I_Ks is central to the repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Loss of function mutation reducing ventricular cardiac I_Ks cause the long-QT syndrome (LQTS), a disorder that predisposes patients to arrhythmia and sudden death. Current therapy for LQTS is inadequate. Rottlerin, a natural product of the kamala tree, activates I_Ks and has the potential to provide a new strategy for rational drug therapy. In this study, we show that simple modifications such as penta-acetylation or penta-methylation of rottlerin blunts activation activity. Total synthesis was used to prepare side-chain-modified derivatives that slowed down KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel deactivation to different degrees. A binding hypothesis of rottlerin is provided that opens the way to improved I_Ks activators as novel therapeutics for the treatment of LQTS.

In vitro anti-HIV activity of some Indian medicinal plant extracts

BACKGROUND

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) persists to be a significant public health issue worldwide. The current strategy for the treatment of HIV infection, Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), has reduced deaths from AIDS related disease, but it can be an expensive regime for the underdeveloped and developing countries where the supply of drugs is scarce and often not well tolerated, especially in persons undergoing long term treatment. The present therapy also has limitations of development of multidrug resistance, thus there is a need for the discovery of novel anti-HIV compounds from plants as a potential alternative in combating HIV disease.

METHODS

Ten Indian medicinal plants were tested for entry and replication inhibition against laboratory adapted strains HIV-1IIIB, HIV-1Ada5 and primary isolates HIV-1UG070, HIV-1VB59 in TZM-bl cell lines and primary isolates HIV-1UG070, HIV-1VB59 in PM1 cell lines. The plant extracts were further evaluated for toxicity in HEC-1A epithelial cell lines by transwell epithelial model.

RESULTS

The methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera, Rosa centifolia and aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis inhibited laboratory adapted HIV-1 strains (IC80 3.6-118 μg/ml) and primary isolates (IC80 4.8-156 μg/ml) in TZM-bl cells. Methanolic extract of Strychnos potatorum, aqueous extract of Ficus infectoria and hydroalcoholic extract of Annona squamosa inhibited laboratory adapted HIV-1 strains (IC80 4.24-125 μg/ml) and primary isolates (IC80 18-156 μg/ml) in TZM-bl cells. Methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Rosa centifolia, (IC801-9 μg/ml) further significantly inhibited HIV-1 primary isolates in PM1cells. Methanolic extracts of Tridax procumbens, Mallotus philippinensis, Annona reticulate, aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis and hydroalcoholic extract of Albizzia lebbeck did not exhibit anti-HIV activity in all the tested strains. Methanolic extract of Rosa centifolia also demonstrated to be non-toxic to HEC-1A epithelial cells and maintained epithelial integrity (at 500 μg/ml) when tested in transwell dual-chamber.

CONCLUSION

These active methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Rosa centifolia, could be further subjected to chemical analysis to investigate the active moiety responsible for the anti-HIV activity. Methanolic extract of Rosa centifolia was found to be well tolerated maintaining the epithelial integrity of HEC-1A cells in vitro and thus has potential for investigating it further as candidate microbicide.

Maytenus macrocarpa (Ruiz & Pav.) Briq.: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity

Maytenus macrocarpa (Celastraceae) is a tree native to Amazonia. Its roots, leaves, bark, and combinations of these are used in traditional medicine mainly to treat rheumatism and, to a lesser extent, to heal wounds and to combat bronchitis and diarrhea. To date, mainly triterpenes and dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenes were isolated from M. macrocarpa. Extracts and selected pure compounds isolated from the leaves, roots, and stem bark showed antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities in vitro. The aim of this review is to summarize the available ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological information about this traditional Amazonian medicinal tree, as well as to attract the attention of phytochemists and pharmacognosists to this potentially interesting source of ethnopharmaceuticals.

Friedelane triterpenoids: transformations toward A-ring modifications including 2-homoderivatives

Common reaction strategies were employed on suitable substrates to achieve a series of C2,C3-; C3,C4- and C2,C3,C4-functionalized (including 2-homo-) friedelane triterpenoids with just one to four efficient steps.

The Mosaic of Rottlerin

The first total synthesis of rottlerin is described. The methodology allows the development of potential novel protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) analogues for better treatment of various diseases. Kamalachalcone A and dimeric rottlerin were synthesized in a very practical and economical way using FeCl3 as a catalyst.

Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg (Euphorbiaceae): ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry review

Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg (Euphorbiaceae) are widely distributed perennial shrub or small tree in tropical and subtropical region in outer Himalayas regions with an altitude below 1,000 m and are reported to have wide range of pharmacological activities. Mallotus philippinensis species are known to contain different natural compounds, mainly phenols, diterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, cardenolides, triterpenoids, coumarins, isocoumarins, and many more especially phenols; that is, bergenin, mallotophilippinens, rottlerin, and isorottlerin have been isolated, identified, and reported interesting biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory activity protein inhibition against cancer cell. We have selected all the pharmacological aspects and toxicological and all its biological related studies. The present review reveals that Mallotus philippinensis is a valuable source of medicinally important natural molecules and provides convincing support for its future use in modern medicine. However, the existing knowledge is very limited about Mallotus philippinensis and its different parts like steam, leaf, and fruit. Further, more detailed safety data pertaining to the acute and subacute toxicity and cardio- and immunotoxicity also needs to be generated for crude extracts or its pure isolated compounds. This review underlines the interest to continue the study of this genus of the Euphorbiaceae.

Hexane soluble extract of Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg. root possesses anti-leukaemic activity

Background

Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg. is a well known medicinal plant of Asia and Australia. Various compounds from different aerial parts of the plant have been reported possessing potent pharmacological, antiviral, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. We were interested to determine the effects of some root extracts from M. philippensis on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell proliferation, cell cycle regulators and apoptosis in order to investigate its anti-leukemic potential.

Results

Root extract of M. philippensis was initially extracted in organic solvents, hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The hexane extract showed highest toxicity against p53-deficient HL-60 cells (IC₅₀ 1.5 mg dry roots equivalent/ml medium) after 72 h and interestingly, inhibition of cell proliferation was preceded by the upregulation of the proto-oncogenes Cdc25A and cyclin D1 within 24 h. The hexane extract induced 18% apoptosis after 48 h of treatment. Chemical composition of the hexane extract was analyzed by GC-MS and the 90% fragments were matched with polyphenolic compounds.

Conclusions

The present study confirms that the hexane fraction of M. philippensis root extract possesses anti-leukemic activity in HL-60 cells. The polyphenols were the main compounds of the hexane extract that inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis.

Anti-Viral Activity of Indian Plants

Plants continue to be a major source for new chemical entities to develop novel therapeutic agents. Large number of plants has been shown to be active in vitro against a variety of human pathogenic viruses or their near congeners. In several cases the active compounds have been isolated and characterized. Very few of them, however, have been investigated in detail in vivo or taken to the clinic. Pure compounds like andrographolide, curcumin and glycyrrhizic acid as well as extracts of Azadirachta indica have shown activity against several viruses and should be investigated further for their therapeutic potential. An analysis of available data from several hundred species indicates that antiviral activity is more likely to be found in plants belonging to certain families. It is necessary to screen more plants of these families which are available in India to obtain further leads.

A New Lignan Dimer from Mallotus philippensis

A new lignan dimer, bilariciresinol (1), was isolated from the leaves of Mallotus philippensis, along with platanoside (2), isovitexin (3), dihydromyricetin (4), bergenin (5), 4 -O-galloylbergenin (6), and pachysandiol A (7). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic experiments including 1D and 2D NMR and FTICR-MS.

Anti-tuberculosis Compounds from Mallotus philippinensis

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the organic extract of Mallotus philippinensis gave five compounds (1-5), the most active of which against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was a new compound, 8-cinnamoyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-6-geranylchromene (1) for which the name mallotophilippen F is suggested. Compound (2), 8-cinnamoyl-2,2-dimethyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxychromene, was isolated from a natural source for the first time, while the remaining three compounds, rottlerin (3), isoallorottlerin=isorottlerin (4) and the so-called “red compound,” 8-cinnamoyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2,2,6-trimethylchromene (5), had been isolated previously from this plant. All compounds were identified by analysis of their spectra including 2D-NMR, which was used to correct the literature NMR spectral assignments of compounds 2-4. The C-13 NMR of 5 is reported for the first time.