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Karimi MR, Jariani P, Yang JL, Naghavi MR. A comprehensive review of the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying gum and resin synthesis in Ferula species. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:132168. [PMID: 38729496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Ferula spp. are plants that produce oleo-gum-resins (OGRs), which are plant exudates with various colors. These OGRs have various industrial applications in pharmacology, perfumery, and food. The main constituents of these OGRs are terpenoids, a diverse group of organic compounds with different structures and functions. The biosynthesis of OGRs in Ferula spp., particularly galbanum, holds considerable economic and ecological importance. However, the molecular and genetic underpinnings of this biosynthetic pathway remain largely enigmatic. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on the biosynthesis of OGRs in Ferula spp., highlighting the major enzymes, genes, and pathways involved in the synthesis of different terpenoid classes, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and triterpenes. It also examines the potential of using omics techniques, such as transcriptomics and metabolomics, and genome editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas, to increase the yield and quality of Ferula OGRs, as well as to create novel bioactive compounds with enhanced properties. Moreover, this review addresses the current challenges and opportunities of applying gene editing in Ferula spp., and suggests some directions for future research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Karimi
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Parisa Jariani
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Jun-Li Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mohammad Reza Naghavi
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
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Chen JK, Ge ZY, Liao XW, Xue J, Wu L, Liang LF. α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Phytochemical Components of Chinese Endemic Plant Whitfordiodendron filipes var. tomentosum. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:692. [PMID: 38475538 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Whitfordiodendron filipes var. tomentosum is an endemic plant in China. There have been no chemical or pharmacological studies of this plant reported before. In the current research, eight triterpenes and two steroids were obtained. Their structures were established by the analysis of NMR data and comparison with those reported in the literature. These ten structurally diverse compounds comprised five distinct carbon frameworks with different functionalities. The chemotaxonomic significance of these secondary metabolites was discussed, disclosing the common components between the variant W. filipes var. tomentosum and the species W. filipe. Evaluation of α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of these isolates disclosed that compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (IC50 = 16.6-19.2 μM), which were close in value to the positive control acarbose (IC50 = 11.5 μM). Moreover, the binding modes between the biologically active compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 and the α-glucosidase protein were preliminarily studied using molecular docking. This study not only showed the chemical and biological profile of the plant W. filipes var. tomentosum but also revealed that these components could be developed as hypoglycemic lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Kun Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Zeng-Yue Ge
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Liao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Jun Xue
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Lei Wu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Lin-Fu Liang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
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Jiang M, Peng M, Li Y, Li G, Li X, Zhuang L. Quality evaluation of four Ferula plants and identification of their key volatiles based on non-targeted metabolomics. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 14:1297449. [PMID: 38239214 PMCID: PMC10794503 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1297449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Ferula is a traditional, edible, and important medicinal plant with high economic value. The distinction between edible and non-edible Ferula remains unclear. Methods In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) non-targeted metabolomics techniques were used to systematically and comprehensively analyse secondary metabolites in the leaves and roots of four species of Ferula, considering their edibility. Results A total of 166 leaf volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 1,079 root metabolites were identified. Additionally, 42 potential VOCs and 62 differential root metabolites were screened to distinguish between edible and non-edible Ferula. Twelve volatile metabolites were specific to F. feurlaeoides, and eight compounds were specific to the three edible Ferula species. The results showed that compounds containing sulphur, aldehydes, and ketones, which produce pungent odours, were the primary sources of the strong odour of Ferula. The root differential metabolites include 13 categories, among which the high concentration group is organic acids, amino acids, terpenoids and fatty acids. The bioactive metabolites and VOCs in the roots exhibited species-specific characteristics. VOCs with various odors were linked to the distribution of root metabolites in both edible and non-edible Ferula plants. The screened root markers may contribute to the formation of characteristic VOCs. Discussion This study identified the difference in flavour between edible and non-edible Ferula plants and, for the first time, demonstrated the contribution of the efficacy of Ferula root to the unique flavour of the above-ground parts of Ferula. These results provide a theoretical basis for selecting Ferula for consumption and help evaluate the quality of different species of Ferula. Our findings may facilitate food processing and the further development of Ferula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Key Laboratory of Oasis Town and Mountain-basin System Ecology, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Mengwen Peng
- College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Key Laboratory of Oasis Town and Mountain-basin System Ecology, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yuxia Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Key Laboratory of Oasis Town and Mountain-basin System Ecology, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guifang Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Key Laboratory of Oasis Town and Mountain-basin System Ecology, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Xinjiang Compass Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Changji, Xinjiang, China
| | - Li Zhuang
- College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Key Laboratory of Oasis Town and Mountain-basin System Ecology, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
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Wang J, Zheng Q, Shi M, Wang H, Fan C, Wang G, Zhao Y, Si J. Isolation, Identification, Anti-Inflammatory, and In Silico Analysis of New Lignans from the Resin of Ferula sinkiangensis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1351. [PMID: 37895822 PMCID: PMC10610263 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen (Apiaceae) is distributed in arid desert areas of Xinjiang, and its resin is a traditional Chinese medicine to treat gastrointestinal digestive diseases. To explore bioactive components from F. sinkiangensis, three new lignans and thirteen known components were isolated. The structural elucidation of the components was established utilizing spectroscopic analyses together with ECD calculations. Griess reaction results indicated new compounds 1 and 2 significantly decreased NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and ELISA results indicated that they effectively attenuated LPS-induced inflammation by inhibiting TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expressions. The in silico approach confirmed that compound 1 docked into the receptors with strong binding energies of -5.84~-10.79 kcal/mol. In addition, compound 6 inhibited the proliferation of AGS gastric cancer cells with IC50 values of 15.2 μM by suppressing the cell migration and invasion. This study disclosed that F. sinkiangensis might be a promising potential resource for bioactive components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchi Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Qi Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Minghui Shi
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (M.S.); (C.F.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Huaxiang Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Congzhao Fan
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (M.S.); (C.F.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Guoping Wang
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (M.S.); (C.F.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yaqin Zhao
- Xinjiang Institute of Chinese Materia Medica and Ethnodrug, Urumqi 830002, China; (M.S.); (C.F.); (G.W.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jianyong Si
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.)
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Shoaib TH, Abdelmoniem N, Mukhtar RM, Alqhtani AT, Alalawi AL, Alawaji R, Althubyani MS, Mohamed SGA, Mohamed GA, Ibrahim SRM, Hussein HGA, Alzain AA. Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Studies Reveal the Anticancer Potential of Medicinal-Plant-Derived Lignans as MDM2-P53 Interaction Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:6665. [PMID: 37764441 PMCID: PMC10536213 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the tumor suppressor protein p53 and its negative regulator, the MDM2 oncogenic protein, has gained significant attention in cancer drug discovery. In this study, 120 lignans reported from Ferula sinkiangensis and Justicia procumbens were assessed for docking simulations on the active pocket of the MDM2 crystal structure bound to Nutlin-3a. The docking analysis identified nine compounds with higher docking scores than the co-crystallized reference. Subsequent AMDET profiling revealed satisfactory pharmacokinetic and safety parameters for these natural products. Three compounds, namely, justin A, 6-hydroxy justicidin A, and 6'-hydroxy justicidin B, were selected for further investigation due to their strong binding affinities of -7.526 kcal/mol, -7.438 kcal/mol, and -7.240 kcal/mol, respectively, which surpassed the binding affinity of the reference inhibitor Nutlin-3a (-6.830 kcal/mol). To assess the stability and reliability of the binding of the candidate hits, a molecular dynamics simulation was performed over a duration of 100 ns. Remarkably, the thorough analysis demonstrated that all the hits exhibited stable molecular dynamics profiles. Based on their effective binding to MDM2, favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and molecular dynamics behavior, these compounds represent a promising starting point for further refinement. Nevertheless, it is essential to synthesize the suggested compounds and evaluate their activity through in vitro and in vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tagyedeen H. Shoaib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan; (T.H.S.); (N.A.); (R.M.M.)
| | - Nihal Abdelmoniem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan; (T.H.S.); (N.A.); (R.M.M.)
| | - Rua M. Mukhtar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan; (T.H.S.); (N.A.); (R.M.M.)
| | - Amal Th. Alqhtani
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, Madinah Cardiac Center, MOH, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah 11176, Saudi Arabia; (A.T.A.); (M.S.A.)
| | - Abdullah L. Alalawi
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Salman Medical City, MOH, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah 11176, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Razan Alawaji
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mashael S. Althubyani
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, Madinah Cardiac Center, MOH, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah 11176, Saudi Arabia; (A.T.A.); (M.S.A.)
| | - Shaimaa G. A. Mohamed
- Faculty of Dentistry, British University, El Sherouk City, Suez Desert Road, Cairo 11837, Egypt;
| | - Gamal A. Mohamed
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim
- Preparatory Year Program, Department of Chemistry, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Hazem G. A. Hussein
- Preparatory Year Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdulrahim A. Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan; (T.H.S.); (N.A.); (R.M.M.)
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