Triterpenoids and Their Glycosides from Glinus Oppositifolius with Antifungal Activities against Microsporum Gypseum and Trichophyton Rubrum

What Happens Inside the Germinating Grain After Microbial Decontamination by Pulsed Electric Field? Data-Driven Multi-Omics Helps Find the Answer

Pulsed electric field (PEF) has previously been recognized as a method of gentle food processing, and its use has been shown to be helpful in reducing the levels of toxigenic Fusarium micromycetes developed during malting. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of PEF on gene expression and metabolite production at the pre-finishing stage of barley malting by using a novel multi-omics data-driven approach. The study helps to uncover the processes occurring in the germinated grain and discusses the up-/downregulation of genes and metabolites in relation to fungal infection and/or PEF-induced abiotic stress. Among the factors upregulated by PEF and previously described as supportive against Fusarium diseases, we identified the increased expression of genes encoding vegetative gp1-like protein, which positively correlated with flavonoids, (methylsulfanyl)prop-2-enoates, triterpenoid glycosides, and indole alkaloids. On the other hand, some genes associated with barley resistance to fungal infection were also overexpressed in the untreated control (in particular, genes encoding ethylene response factor 3-like, putrescine hydroxycinnamoyltransferase 3-like, and dirigent protein 21-like). This study provides the first 'data-driven' basic research results that contribute to the understanding of the role of PEF as an effective fungal decontamination strategy and allows the formulation of new hypotheses related to Fusarium pathogen crosstalk.

Chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Paris xuefengshanensis

Five new steroidal saponins, xuefengshanosides A-E; one new stilbene trimer, xuefengshansin; and 16 known compounds were isolated from the rhizomes of Paris xuefengshanensis (Melanthiaceae). The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by MS and NMR data analyses, ECD calculations, and acidic hydrolysis experiments. The cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of the selected compounds were evaluated. Ophiopogonin C', paris saponin I, paris saponin H, and paris saponin VII showed the most inhibitory activity against five human cancer cell lines and one normal cell line. Xuefengshansin showed weak cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Paris saponin I was the most active compound against the five tested fungal strains. This species contains structurally diverse compounds that exhibit significant anticancer and antimicrobial activities, suggesting its potential for future development and utilization.

New anti-adipogenic triterpenoid saponins from the aerial parts of Glinus oppositifolius

Glinus oppositifolius L., a member of the Molluginaceae family, has a long-standing history of utilization as both a vegetable and a medicinal agent across numerous countries. This plant possesses a diverse range of pharmacological activities and attracts scientific interest in studying its chemical profile. The present phytochemical investigation of the plant resulted in the isolation of eleven new triterpenoid saponins, accompanied by three known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by intensive spectroscopic analysis, DFT calculations, and comparison with previously reported data. The isolates were evaluated for their anti-adipogenic effect and cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, namely, colorectal carcinoma HCT116, hepatoblastoma cell HepG2, breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231, and human lung adenocarcinoma cell A549. Compounds 5, 7, and 13 exhibited a potent inhibitory effect against the differentiation of preadipocyte 3T3-L1. In addition, compound 13 displayed inhibitory effects against the growth of A549 cancer cells.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Terpenes from the Medicinal Angiosperms of Asia and the Pacific: Haystacks and Gold Needles

This review identifies terpenes isolated from the medicinal Angiosperms of Asia and the Pacific with antibacterial and/or antifungal activities and analyses their distribution, molecular mass, solubility, and modes of action. All data in this review were compiled from Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, ChemSpider, PubChem, and library searches from 1968 to 2022. About 300 antibacterial and/or antifungal terpenes were identified during this period. Terpenes with a MIC ≤ 2 µg/mL are mostly amphiphilic and active against Gram-positive bacteria, with a molecular mass ranging from about 150 to 550 g/mol, and a polar surface area around 20 Ų. Carvacrol, celastrol, cuminol, dysoxyhainic acid I, ent-1β,14β-diacetoxy-7α-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one, ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide, geranylgeraniol, gossypol, 16α-hydroxy-cleroda-3,13 (14)Z-diene-15,16-olide, 7-hydroxycadalene, 17-hydroxyjolkinolide B, (20R)-3β-hydroxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-5α cycloartan-23,21-olide, mansonone F, (+)-6,6'-methoxygossypol, polygodial, pristimerin, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol are chemical frameworks that could be candidates for the further development of lead antibacterial or antifungal drugs.

New Triterpenoids and Anti-Inflammatory Constituents from Glinus oppositifolius

Three new triterpenoids-spergulagenin B (1), spergulagenin C (2), and spergulagenin D (3)-were isolated from the aerial part of Glinus oppositifolius, along with 17 known compounds (4-20). The structures of these new compounds were identified by spectroscopic and MS analyses. Compounds 3, 5, 19, and 20 were evaluated for inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 17.03, 18.21, 16.30, and 12.64 μM, respectively. Compounds 3, 5, and 20 exhibited inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 18.35 ± 1.34, 17.56 ± 1.41, and 14.27 ± 1.29 μM, respectively.

Phytochemical Investigation of Egyptian Riverhemp: A Potential Source of Antileukemic Metabolites

As part of our research group’s continuous efforts to find alternative treatments for cancer, the aqueous ethanol extract of Sesbania sesban L. Merr. (SS, Egyptian riverhemp) demonstrated an antileukemic activity against K562 cell line. Bioguided fractionation of SS leaves hydroethanolic extract resulted in the isolation of one new compound (33) named as hederatriol 3-O-β-D-glucuronic acid methyl ester as well as 34 known compounds. Seven compounds ((34), (22), (20), (24), (21), (19), and (35)) showed high antiproliferative effects (IC50 = 22.3, 30.8, 31.3, 33.7, 36.6, 37.5, and 41.5 μM, respectively), while four compounds ((32), (5), (29), and (1)) showed milder activities (IC50 = 56.4, 67.6, 83.3, and 112.3 μM, respectively). A mechanistic study was further carried out on a molecular genetics level against several transcription factors signaling pathways that are incorporated in the incidence of cancer. The results showed that compounds (22) and (21) demonstrated a specific inhibition of Wnt pathway (IC50 = 3.8 and 4.6 μM, respectively), while compound (22) showed a specific inhibition of Smad pathway (IC50 = 3.8 μM). Compound (34) strongly altered the signaling of Smad and E2F pathways (IC50 = 5 μM). The bioactive metabolites were further investigated in silico by docking against several targets related to K562 cell line. The results showed that compounds (22) and (34) exhibited a strong binding affinity towards topoisomerase (docking score = −7.81 and −9.30 Kcal/Mole, respectively). Compounds (22) and (34) demonstrated a strong binding affinity towards EGFR-tyrosine kinase (docking score = −7.12 and −7.35 Kcal/Mole, respectively). Moreover, compound (34) showed a strong binding affinity towards Abl kinase (docking score = −7.05 Kcal/Mole).

Two new triterpenoid saponins: telephiifoliosides A and B from the roots of Corrigiola litoralis subsp. telephiifolia (Pourr.) Briq

The polar fraction of the MeOH extract of the roots of Corrigiola litoralis subsp. telephiifolia (Pourr.) Briq. (Caryophyllaceae) was investigated for its constituents and two previously unreported monodesmosides triterpene saponins, telephiifoliosides A and B (1 and 2), along with the known bonushenricoside A (3) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by combined spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HSQC, ¹H-¹H COSY, HMBC, TOCSY, NOESY, HRESIMS) and chemical methods. The structures of the new saponins were established as; 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyljaligonic acid (1), and 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosylphytolaccagenin ester (2). Upon evaluation of the antiproliferative activity on human malignant epithelial (HeLa) cells, none of the isolated compounds was efficient at the concentration of 33 µM. HighlightsThis is the first phytochemical study on Corrigiola litoralis subsp. telephiifolia.Two new saponins were isolated from the roots of Corrigiola litoralis subsp. telephiifolia.The isolated compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activity.

A new triterpenoid saponin from Glinus oppositifolius

From the ethanol extract of Glinus oppositifolius, collected at Phu Yen province, Viet Nam, one new triterpenoid saponin (1) and four known compounds (2-5) were isolated. By means of NMR and HR-ESI-MS analyses, their structure was elucidated as 3-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-xylopyranosyl)spergulagenin A or glinusopposide V (1), glinusopposide L (2), spergulin B (3), vitexin (4) and astralagin (5). Two compounds (1-2) showed weak inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase.

Flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyketide antibiotics: Role of glycosylation and biocatalytic tactics in engineering glycosylation

Flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyketides are structurally diverse secondary metabolites used widely as pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Most of these molecules exist in nature as glycosides, in which sugar residues act as a decisive factor in their architectural complexity and bioactivity. Engineering glycosylation through selective trimming or extension of the sugar residues in these molecules is a prerequisite to their commercial production as well to creating novel derivatives with specialized functions. Traditional chemical glycosylation methods are tedious and can offer only limited end-product diversity. New in vitro and in vivo biocatalytic tools have emerged as outstanding platforms for engineering glycosylation in these three classes of secondary metabolites to create a large repertoire of versatile glycoprofiles. As knowledge has increased about secondary metabolite-associated promiscuous glycosyltransferases and sugar biosynthetic machinery, along with phenomenal progress in combinatorial biosynthesis, reliable industrial production of unnatural secondary metabolites has gained momentum in recent years. This review highlights the significant role of sugar residues in naturally occurring flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyketide antibiotics. General biocatalytic tools used to alter the identity and pattern of sugar molecules are described, followed by a detailed illustration of diverse strategies used in the past decade to engineer glycosylation of these valuable metabolites, exemplified with commercialized products and patents. By addressing the challenges involved in current bio catalytic methods and considering the perspectives portrayed in this review, exceptional drugs, flavors, and aromas from these small molecules could come to dominate the natural-product industry.