Cytotoxic potential of dihydrochalcones from Eriosema glomeratum and their semi-synthetic derivatives

In the search of cytotoxic dihydrochalcones, this investigation led to the isolation of seven compounds (1-7) from Eriosema glomeratum and the preparation of eight derivatives (8-15). The cytotoxicity of samples was evaluated against lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), and cervical (HeLa) human cancer cells. The CH2Cl2/MeOH extract of the aerial part had strong cytotoxicity against all cells [IC50 11.2 (MCF-7), 8.4 (HeLa) and 13.1 (A549) μg/mL]. A strong activity was also displayed by the n-hexane fraction on MCF-7 (IC50 11.2 μg/mL). The precursor 3 and the derivative 8 were specifically found as strong cytotoxic agents toward MCF-7 (7.6 μM) and HeLa (3.1 μM), respectively and were more effective than the positive control. Derivatives 8 (3.1 μM) and 9 (21.3 μM) against HeLa were most potent than their precursor 3 (23.7 μM). This is the first preparation of 8-14 as well as the cytotoxicity of 3, 4, 8-15, fractions, and extract.

Specific sub fractions from Terminalia mantaly (H. Perrier) extracts potently inhibit Plasmodium falciparum rings, merozoite egress and invasion

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Terminalia mantaly (H. Perrier) and Terminalia superba (Engl. & Diels) are sources of treatment for various diseases, including malaria and/or related symptoms in parts of Southwestern Cameroon. However, there is limited information on the extent of the antiplasmodial potential of their extracts.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to investigate the antiplasmodial potential of chromatographic sub fractions (SFs) from promising fractions of Terminalia mantaly (Tm) [Tmsb^wChl, the chloroform fraction from water extract of Tm, IC₅₀ (μg/mL) PfINDO: 0.56, Pf3D7: 1.12; SI > 357 (HEK/PfINDO) & 178 (HEK/Pf3D7)] and Terminalia superba (Ts) [Tsr^mEA, the ethyl acetate fraction from methanolic extract of Ts, IC₅₀ (μg/mL) PfINDO: 1.82, Pf3D7: 1.65; SI > 109 (HEK/PfINDO) & 121 (HEK/Pf3D7)] obtained from previous studies. The SFs were tested against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (Pf3D7-chloroquine sensitive) and INDO (PfINDO-chloroquine resistant) strains in culture. Also, the phytochemical profile of potent SFs was determined and finally, the inhibition of the asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum by the SFs with the highest promise was assessed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Selected SFs were submitted to a second bio-guided fractionation using silica gel column chromatography. The partial phytochemical composition of potent antiplasmodial SFs was determined using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The SYBR Green I-based fluorescence microtiter plate assay was used to monitor the growth of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in culture in the presence or absence of extracts. Microscopy and flow cytometry counting was used to assess the Plasmodium falciparum stage-specific inhibition and post-drug exposure growth suppression by highly potent extracts.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of the 39 SFs afforded from Tmsb^wChl showed activity (IC₅₀: 0.29-4.74 μg/mL) against both Pf3D7 and PfINDO strains. Of note, eight SFs namely, Tm25, Tm28-30, Tm34-36 and Tm38, exerted highly potent antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ < 1 μg/mL) with IC₅₀PfINDO: 0.41-0.84 μg/mL and IC₅₀Pf3D7: 0.29-0.68 μg/mL. They also displayed very high selectivity (50 < SI_PfINDO, SI_Pf3D7 > 344) on the two Plasmodial strains. On the other hand, 7 SFs (SFs Ts03, Ts04, Ts06, Ts09, Ts10, Ts12 and Ts13) from Tsr^mEA showed promising inhibitory potential against both parasite strains (IC₅₀: 2.01-5.14 μg/mL). Sub fraction Tm36 (IC₅₀PfINDO: 0.41 μg/mL, SI_PfINDO > 243; IC₅₀Pf3D7: 0.29 μg/mL, SI_Pf3D7 > 344) showed the highest promise. The GC-MS analysis of the 8 selected SFs led to the identification of 99 phytometabolites, with D-limonene (2), benzaldehyde (12), carvone (13), caryophyllene (35), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (74) and 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (82) being the main constituents. Sub fractions Tm28, Tm29, Tm30, Tm36 and Tm38 inhibited all the three intraerythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, with strong potency against ring stage development, merozoite egress and invasion processes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has identified highly potent antiplasmodial SFs from Terminalia mantaly with significant activity on the intraerythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum. These SFs qualify as promising sources of novel antiplasmodial lead compounds. Further purification and characterization studies are expected to unravel molecular targets in rings and merozoites.

Bioguided isolation of antiplasmodial secondary metabolites from Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)

The antiplasmodium assay-guided investigation of the roots, stem bark, and leaves of Persea americana Mill. led to the isolation of a new fatty alcohol, perseatriol (1), along with six known compounds (2-7). Their structures were elucidated based on the analysis of their NMR and MS data. All crude extracts and fractions exhibited good antiplasmodial activity on Plasmoduim falciparum 3D7 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.76 to 10.5 μg/mL; they also displayed cytotoxicity against HeLa cells with low selectivity indexes (SIs). A preliminary Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay was also performed on the isolated compounds. 9,9'-Di-O-feruloyl-5,5'-dimethoxysecoisolariciresinol (4) turned out to be non-toxic and displayed the best activities on P. falciparum with an IC₅₀ value of 0.05 μM, comparable to the reference drug chloroquine with an IC₅₀ value of 0.03 μM. Furthermore, besides compound 4, this work reports the first isolation of lutein (2) and scopoletin (3) from P. americana. The crude extracts of roots, stem bark, and leaves of P. americana, their fractions and compounds completely suppressed the growth of P. falciparum. The observed activity supports the use of P. americana in folk medicine for the treatment of malaria.

Compounds from Terminalia mantaly L. (Combretaceae) Stem Bark Exhibit Potent Inhibition against Some Pathogenic Yeasts and Enzymes of Metabolic Significance

Background: Pathogenic yeasts resistance to current drugs emphasizes the need for new, safe, and cost-effective drugs. Also, new inhibitors are needed to control the effects of enzymes that are implicated in metabolic dysfunctions such as cancer, obesity, and epilepsy. Methods: The anti-yeast extract from Terminalia mantaly (Combretaceae) was fractionated and the structures of the isolated compounds established by means of spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Activity was assessed against Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei using the microdilution method, and against four enzymes of metabolic significance: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I and II, and glutathione S-transferase. Results: Seven compounds, 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-α-rhamnopyranoside; 3-O-methylellagic acid; arjungenin or 2,3,19,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oïc acid; arjunglucoside or 2,3,19,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oïc acid glucopyranoside; 2α,3α,24-trihydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-28-oïc acid; stigmasterol; and stigmasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside were isolated from the extract. Among those, 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, 3-O-methylellagic acid, and arjunglucoside showed anti-yeast activity comparable to that of reference fluconazole with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) below 32 µg/mL. Besides, Arjunglucoside potently inhibited the tested enzymes with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) below 4 µM and inhibitory constant (Ki) <3 µM. Conclusions: The results achieved indicate that further SAR studies will likely identify potent hit derivatives that should subsequently enter the drug development pipeline.