Studies on the constituents of Cimicifuga species. XXVIII. Cycloart-7-enol glycosides from the underground parts of Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk

The cycloartane triterpenoid ADCX impairs autophagic degradation through Akt overactivation and promotes apoptotic cell death in multidrug-resistant HepG2/ADM cells

Multidrug resistance is the main obstacle in cancer chemotherapy. Emerging evidence demonstrates the important role of autophagy in cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, autophagy inhibition by natural compounds may be a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance in liver cancer cells. Here, we found that ADCX, a natural cycloartane triterpenoid extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) source Cimicifugae rhizoma (Shengma), impaired autophagic degradation by suppressing lysosomal cathepsin B (CTSB) expression in multidrug-resistant liver cancer HepG2/ADM cells, thereby leading to autophagic flux inhibition. Moreover, impairing autophagic flux promoted ADCX-induced apoptotic cell death in HepG2/ADM cells. Interestingly, Akt was overactivated by ADCX treatment, which downregulated CTSB and inhibited autophagic flux. Together, our results provide the first demonstration that an active TCM constituent can overcome multidrug resistance in liver cancer cells via Akt-mediated inhibition of autophagic degradation.

Photochemistry and pharmacology of 9, 19-cyclolanostane glycosides isolated from genus Cimicifuga

The constituents of Cimicifuga plants have been extensively investigated, and the principal metabolites are 9, 19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides, which often exhibit extensive pharmacological activities. 9, 19-Cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides are distributed widely in genus Cimicifuga rather than in other members of the Ranunculaceae family. So far, more than 140 cycloartane triterpene glycosides have been isolated from Cimicifuga spp.. The aim of this review was to summarize all 9, 19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides based on the available relevant scientific literatures from 2000 to 2014. Biological studies of cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Cimicifuga spp. are also discussed.

Cycloartenol triterpenoid saponins from Cimicifuga simplex (Ranunculaceae) and their biological effects

The constituents of Cimicifuga plants have been extensively investigated, and the principal metabolites are 9,19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides, which are distributed widely in Cimicifuga plants, but not in other members of the Ranunculaceae family, and are considered to be characteristics of the Cimicifuga genus. This type of triterpenoid glycoside possesses several important biological activities. More than 120 cycloartane triterpene glycosides have been isolated from Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk. The aim of this review article is to summarize all the major findings based on the available scientific literatures on C. simplex, with a focus on the identified 9,19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides. Biological studies of cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Cimicifuga spp. are also discussed.

New 9, 19-cycloartane triterpenoid from the root of Cimicifuga foetida

AIM

To study the 9, 19-cycloartane triterpenes from the roots of Cimicifuga foetida.

METHOD

Chromatographic separations by silica gel, C18 reversed phase silica gel, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used. All of the structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods.

RESULTS

Five 9, 19-cycloartane triterpenes, (3β, 12β, 15α, 24R)-12, 2'-diacetoxy-24, 25-epoxy-15-hydroxy-16, 23-dione-3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1), actein (2), 23-epi-26-deoxyactein (3), asiaticoside B (4), and 12β-hydroxycimigenol (5) were isolated from the roots of Cimicifuga foetida.

CONCLUSION

Compound 1 is a new triterpene with two acetoxy groups at C-2' and C-12.

Three New Cycloartenol Triterpenoid Saponins from the Roots of Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk

Three new cycloartenol triterpene saponins, named shengmaxinsides A-C, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of an ethanol extract of Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk roots. Their structures were established by chemical tests and detailed spectroscopic analysis as 25-O-acetyl-7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (1), 7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (2) and 7,8-didehydro-24S-O-acetylhydroshengmanol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (3), respectively.

Phytochemistry of cimicifugic acids and associated bases in Cimicifuga racemosa root extracts

INTRODUCTION

Earlier studies reported serotonergic activity for cimicifugic acids (CA) isolated from Cimicifuga racemosa. The discovery of strongly basic alkaloids, cimipronidines, from the active extract partition and evaluation of previously employed work-up procedures has led to the hypothesis of strong acid/base association in the extract.

OBJECTIVE

Re-isolation of the CAs was desired to permit further detailed studies. Based on the acid/base association hypothesis, a new separation scheme of the active partition was required, which separates acids from associated bases.

METHODOLOGY

A new 5-HT(7) bioassay guided work-up procedure was developed that concentrates activity into one partition. The latter was subjected to a new two-step centrifugal partitioning chromatography (CPC) method, which applies pH zone refinement gradient (pHZR CPC) to dissociate the acid/base complexes. The resulting CA fraction was subjected to a second CPC step. Fractions and compounds were monitored by (1)H NMR using a structure-based spin-pattern analysis facilitating dereplication of the known acids. Bioassay results were obtained for the pHZR CPC fractions and for purified CAs.

RESULTS

A new CA was characterised. While none of the pure CAs was active, the serotonergic activity was concentrated in a single pHZR CPC fraction, which was subsequently shown to contain low levels of the potent 5-HT(7) ligand, N(omega)-methylserotonin.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that CAs are not responsible for serotonergic activity in black cohosh. New phytochemical methodology (pHZR CPC) and a sensitive dereplication method (LC-MS) led to the identification of N(omega)-methylserotonin as serotonergic active principle.

9,10-seco-9,19-Cyclolanostane arabinosides from the roots of Actaea podocarpa

Seven 9,10-seco-9,19-cyclolanostane arabinosides, named podocarpasides A-G (1-7), were isolated from the roots of Actaea podocarpa DC., a species closely related to black cohosh (a well known dietary supplement). Their structures were determined with the help of spectroscopic data including extensive 2D NMR spectroscopy. The isolates were found inactive, when tested for cytotoxic, estrogenic, and antioxidant activities in cell based assays. They were also tested for anticomplement activity against the classical pathway of complement system and only podocarpaside C (3) inhibited modest complement activity with an IC50 value of 200 microM.

Three New 15,16-Seco-cycloartane Glycosides from Cimicifuga Rhizome

Three new 15,16-seco-cycloartane glycosides, which were constructed by a C-C bond cleavage in the D ring, have been isolated from Cimicifuga Rhizome for the first time. Their structures were determined by the use of 2D NMR techniques and chemical evidence.

9,19-cyclolanostane derivatives from the roots of Actaea pachypoda

Phytochemical investigation of the chemical constituents of the roots of Actaea pachypoda afforded 12 9,19-cyclolanostane type triterpenoids, including the new 7,8-dihydroactaeaepoxide 3-O-beta-d-xylopyranoside (1), 12-deacetoxyactaeaepoxide 3-O-beta-d-xylopyranoside (2), and 12beta-acetoxycimigenol (3). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Podocarpaside, a Triterpenoid Possessing a New Backbone from Actaea podocarpa

Podocarpaside (1), a novel arabinoside possessing a unique triterpene skeleton was isolated from Actaea podocarpa, a closely related species to black cohosh (dietary supplement used for menopausal disorders). Podocarpaside belongs to a new class of triterpenoids, for which the name "ranunculane" is proposed. Compound 1 possesses anticomplement activity. [structure: see text].

Anticomplement activity of cycloartane glycosides from the rhizome ofCimicifuga foetida

A tetranor-cycloartane glycoside and two 9,19-cycloartane glycosides were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida. The structures of the compounds were determined to be cimilactone A (1), 25-O-acetylcimigenol 3-O-beta-d-xylopyranoside (2) and cimigenol 3-O-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (3), respectively, using spectroscopic analysis. The three compounds were examined for their anticomplement activity against the classical pathway of the complement system. Compound 1 showed significant anticomplement activity with an IC(50) value of 28.6 microm, whereas compounds 2 and 3 were inactive.