Phytochemistry and Cytotoxic Activity of Aquilaria crassna Pericarp on MDA-MB-468 Cell Lines

The extracts of Aquilaria crassna pericarp were investigated on the MDA-MB-468, a breast cancer cell line, at desired concentration (1-50 μg/mL). The results showed that the dichloromethane (DCM) extract exhibited the strongest toxicity and was carried out subsequently. A total of nine compounds were isolated from the DCM extract using column chromatography and recrystallization, of which their structures were determined. Intriguingly, in addition to the previously reported compounds, neocucurbitacin A, a cucurbitacin triterpenoid aglycone with a lactone in ring A, was reported for the first time in the Aquilaria genus. Among the isolated compounds, cucurbitacin E highly inhibited MDA-MB-468 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Owing to binding abilities with the SH2 domain in the molecular docking study, cucurbitacin E, neocucurbitan A, neocucurbitan B, and cucurbitacin E 2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside act as STAT3 inhibitors and are suitable for further research. This study suggests thatAquilaria crassnafruits could serve as a promising source of natural compounds with potential anticancer effects, particularly against breast cancer.

α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and Quantitative Contribution of Phenolic Compounds From Vietnamese Aquilaria crassna Leaves

Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lecomte, Thymelaeaceae, is cultivated for producing resinous heartwood, also called agarwood. Its leaves are a source of herbal tea in Vietnam due to its rich content of polyphenols. However, the α-glucosidase inhibition activity and the contents of phenolic compounds in leaves of different ages have not yet been determined. In the current study, 7 polyphenols [iriflophenone 3,5-C- β-D-diglucoside (1), iriflophenone 3-C- β-D-glucoside (2), mangiferin (3), iriflophenone 2- O- α-rhamnoside (4), genkwanin 5- O- β-primeveroside (5), genkwanin 4′-methyl ether 5- O- β-primeveroside (6), and genkwanin (7)] were isolated from the leaves of A crassna. Among them, genkwanin (7), an O-methylated flavone, was the most active compound that inhibited α-glucosidase activity, with an IC50 value of 24.0 μM. Molecular docking studies were performed to understand the binding interactions of the active compounds. In addition, a reliable and straightforward reversed-phase HPLC method was developed to determine the content of compounds in different leaves of A crassna. Mangiferin (3) showed the highest content. The contents of 1-4 contributed to the total polyphenolic contents and significantly decreased from the youngest to the oldest leaf. The contents of 5-7 fluctuated through various ages of leaves. Compounds 5 and 6 showed a low accumulation in the first and second leaves, then obtained high contents among middle leaves and declined in the oldest. These results suggested that A crassna and its polyphenols may prevent the development and progression of diabetes through α-glucosidase inhibition. Also, the analysis of the polyphenol content in A crassna may be helpful for tea product manufacture.

Inhibitory Effect of Etravirine, a Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, via Anterior Gradient Protein 2 Homolog Degradation against Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Anterior gradient protein 2 homolog (AGR2), an endoplasmic reticulum protein, is secreted in the tumor microenvironment. AGR2 is a member of the disulfide isomerase family, is highly expressed in multiple cancers, and promotes cancer metastasis. In this study, we found that etravirine, which is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, could induce AGR2 degradation via autophagy. Moreover, etravirine diminished proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Moreover, in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, the combination of etravirine and paclitaxel significantly suppressed cancer progression and metastasis. This drug may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Evaluation of the Saponin Content in Panax vietnamensis Acclimatized to Lam Dong Province by HPLC-UV/CAD

Panax vietnamensis, or Vietnamese ginseng (VG), an endemic Panax species in Vietnam, possesses a unique saponin profile and interesting biological activities. This plant is presently in danger of extinction due to over-exploitation, resulting in many preservation efforts towards the geographical acclimatization of VG. Yet, no information on the saponin content of the acclimatized VG, an important quality indicator, is available. Here, we analyzed the saponin content in the underground parts of two- to five-year-old VG plants acclimatized to Lam Dong province. Nine characteristic saponins, including notoginsenoside-R1, ginsenoside-Rg1, -Rb1, -Rd, majonoside-R1, -R2 vina-ginsenoside-R2, -R11, and pseudoginsenoside-RT4, were simultaneously determined by HPLC coupled with UV and with a charged aerosol detector (CAD). Analyzing the results illustrated that the detection of characteristic ocotillol-type saponins in VG by CAD presented a superior capacity compared with that of UV, thus implying a preferential choice of CAD for the analysis of VG. The quantitative results indicating the saponin content in the underground parts of VG showed an increasing tendency from two to five years old, with the root and the rhizome exhibiting different saponin accumulation patterns. This is the first study that reveals the preliminary success of VG acclimatization and thereby encourages the continuing efforts to develop this valuable saponin-rich plant.

Dronedarone hydrochloride enhances the bioactivity of endothelial progenitor cells via regulation of the AKT signaling pathway

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Because of the side effects and incomplete recovery from current therapy, stem cell therapy emerges as a potential therapy for CVD treatment, and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) is one of the key stem cells used for therapeutic applications. The effect of this therapy required the expansion of EPC function. To enhance the EPC activation, proliferation, and angiogenesis using dronedarone hydrochloride (DH) is the purpose of this study. DH received approval for atrial fibrillation treatment and its cardiovascular protective effects were already reported. In this study, DH significantly increased EPC proliferation, tube formation, migration, and maintained EPCs surface marker expression. In addition, DH treatment up-regulated the phosphorylation of AKT and reduced the reactive oxygen species production. In summary, the cell priming by DH considerably improved the functional activity of EPCs, and the use of which might be a novel strategy for CVD treatment.

Sesquiterpene derivatives from the agarwood of Aquilaria malaccensis and their anti-inflammatory effects on NO production of macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Nine undescribed sesquiterpenes, which include five guaiane and four humulene-type, were isolated from the agarwood of Aquilaria malaccensis. The structures of these undescribed sesquiterpenes were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including UV, HRESI-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR, ECD, and X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα). The isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory effect against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. In particular, one sesquiterpene (1α,7α-dihydroxy-8oxo-4αH,5αH-guaia-9(10),11(13)-dien-12-oate) showed significant inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 18.8 μM.

Accumulation of Saponins in Underground Parts of Panax vietnamensis at Different Ages Analyzed by HPLC-UV/ELSD

Panax vietnamensis (PV), a wild Panax species discovered in Vietnam in 1973, has been increasingly overexploited due to its economic value and therapeutic uses. This resulted in the development of PV cultivation to meet the market demand. There is little information on the accumulation of saponins in PV during cultivation, but this information could serve as an indication of the appropriate harvest time. In this study we developed an HPLC-UV/ELSD method to simultaneously determine the content of 10 characteristic saponins in PV from 2–7 years old, including G-Rb1, G-Rd, G-Rg1, G-Re, N-R1, M-R1, M-R2, V-R2, V-R11, and p-RT4. The result indicated that from 2 to 5 years, the content of saponins in PV rhizome and radix increase 3.02 and 4.2 times, respectively, whereas from 5 to 7 years, no significant changes were observed. Hence, our study suggests that after 5 years of growth could be considered as an appropriate time for PV to be harvested. Among the analyzed saponins, G-Rg1, G-Rb1, G-Rd, and especially M-R2 were the major saponins that contributed to the change of PV’s saponin content through the years. In addition, the developed and validated HPLC method was proven to be reliable and effective for quality control of PV.

Engineered M13 Peptide Carrier Promotes Angiogenic Potential of Patient-Derived Human Cardiac Progenitor Cells and In Vivo Engraftment

BACKGROUND

Despite promising advances in stem cell-based therapy, the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases remains a big challenge due to both the insufficient in vivo viability of transplanted cells and poor angiogenic potential of stem cells. The goal of this study was to develop therapeutic human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) for ischemic cardiovascular diseases with a novel M13 peptide carrier.

METHOD

In this study, an engineered M13 peptide carrier was successfully generated using a QuikChange Kit. The cellular function of M13 peptide carrier-treated hCPCs was assessed using a tube formation assay and scratch wound healing assay. The in vivo engraftment and cell survival bioactivities of transplanted cells were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry after hCPC transplantation into a myocardial infarction animal model.

RESULTS

The engineered M13^RGD+SDKP peptide carrier, which expressed RGD peptide on PIII site and SDKP peptide on PVIII site, did not affect morphologic change and proliferation ability in hCPCs. In contrast, hCPCs treated with M13^RGD+SDKP showed enhanced angiogenic capacity, including tube formation and migration capacity. Moreover, transplanted hCPCs with M13^RGD+SDKP were engrafted into the ischemic region and promoted in vivo cell survival.

CONCLUSION

Our present data provides a promising protocol for CPC-based cell therapy via short-term cell priming of hCPCs with engineered M13^RGD+SDKP before cell transplantation for treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Protective Effect of Panaxynol Isolated from Panax vietnamensis against Cisplatin-Induced Renal Damage: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Polyacetylenic compounds isolated from Panax species are comprised of non-polar C17 compounds, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antifungal activities. Panaxynol represents the major component of the essential oils of ginseng. We investigated whether panaxynol isolated from Panax vietnamensis (Vietnamese ginseng, VG) could prevent cisplatin-induced renal damage induced in vitro and in vivo. Cisplatin-induced apoptotic cell death was observed by staining with annexin V conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488, and western blotting evaluated the molecular mechanism. Panaxynol at concentrations above 0.25 μM prevented cisplatin-induced LLC-PK1 porcine renal proximal tubular cell death. LLC-PK1 cells treated with cisplatin demonstrated an increase in apoptotic cell death, whereas pretreatment with 2 and 4 μM panaxynol decreased this effect. Cisplatin demonstrated a marked increase in the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P38, and cleaved caspase-3. However, pretreatment with 2 and 4 μM panaxynol reversed the upregulated phosphorylation of JNK, P38, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3. We confirmed that the protective effect of panaxynol isolated from P. vietnamensis in LLC-PK1 cells was at least partially mediated by reducing the cisplatin-induced apoptotic damage. In the animal study, panaxynol treatment ameliorated body weight loss and blood renal function markers and downregulated the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators.

Adiponectin-Secretion-Promoting Phenylethylchromones from the Agarwood of Aquilaria malaccensis

The therapeutic potential of adiponectin regulation has received interest because of its association with diverse human disease conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Phenylethylchromone derivatives from Aquilaria malaccensis-derived agarwood promoted adiponectin secretion during adipogenesis in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and 5,6-dihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (1) was identified as a new chromone derivative. A target identification study with the most potent adiponectin-secretion-promoting phenylethylchromones, 6-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (3) and 7-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (4), showed that they are PPARγ partial agonists. Therefore, the diverse therapeutic effects of agarwood are associated with a PPARγ-mediated adiponectin-secretion-promoting mechanism.

The psychopharmacological activities of Vietnamese ginseng in mice: characterization of its psychomotor, sedative-hypnotic, antistress, anxiolytic, and cognitive effects

Background

Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. or Vietnamese ginseng (VG) is a recently discovered ginseng species. Studies on its chemical constituents have shown that VG is remarkably rich in ginseng saponins, particularly ocotillol saponins. However, the psychopharmacological effects of VG have not been characterized. Thus, in the present study we screened the psychopharmacological activities of VG in mice.

Methods

VG extract (VGE) was orally administered to mice at various dosages to evaluate its psychomotor (open-field and rota-rod tests), sedative–hypnotic (pentobarbital-induced sleeping test), antistress (cold swimming test), anxiolytic (elevated plus-maze test), and cognitive (Y-maze and passive-avoidance tests) effects.

Results

VGE treatment increased the spontaneous locomotor activity, enhanced the endurance to stress, reduced the anxiety-like behavior, and ameliorated the scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. In addition, VGE treatment did not alter the motor balance and coordination of mice and did not potentiate pentobarbital-induced sleep, indicating that VGE has no sedative-hypnotic effects. The effects of VGE were comparable to those of the Korean Red Ginseng extract.

Conclusion

VG, like other ginseng products, has significant and potentially useful psychopharmacological effects. This includes, but is not limited to, psychomotor stimulation, anxiolytic, antistress, and memory enhancing effects.

Ocotillol, a Majonoside R2 Metabolite, Ameliorates 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis in Mice by Restoring the Balance of Th17/Treg Cells

In a preliminary experiment, majonoside R2 (MR2), isolated from Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.), inhibited differentiation to Th17 cells and was metabolized to ocotillol via pseudoginsenoside RT4 (PRT4) by gut microbiota. Therefore, we examined the inhibitory effects of MR2 and its metabolites PRT4 and ocotillol against Th17 cell differentiation. These ginsenosides significantly suppressed interleukin (IL)-6/tumor growth factor beta-induced differentiation of splenic CD4(+) T cells into Th17 cells and expression of IL-17 in vitro. Among these ginsenosides, ocotillol showed the highest inhibitory effect. We also examined the anti-inflammatory effect of ocotillol in mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Oral administration of ocotillol significantly suppressed TNBS-induced colon shortening, macroscopic score, myeloperoxidase activity, and production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2. Ocotillol treatment increased TNBS-suppressed expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 in the colon. Treatment with ocotillol inhibited TNBS-induced expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β, as well as activation of NF-κB and MAPKs. Moreover, treatment with ocotillol inhibited TNBS- induced differentiation to Th17 cells in the lamina propria of colon, as well as expression of T-bet, RORγt, IL-17, and IL-23. Ocotillol treatment also increased Treg cell differentiation and Foxp3 and IL-10 expression. These findings suggest that orally administered MR2 may be metabolized to ocotillol in the intestine by gut microbiota and the transformed ocotillol may ameliorate inflammatory diseases such as colitis by restoring the balance of Th17/Treg cells.

Anti-inflammatory effects of vina-ginsenoside R2 and majonoside R2 isolated from Panax vietnamensis and their metabolites in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages

Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., with its main constituents vina-ginsenoside R2 (VR2) and majonoside R2 (MR2), is used in traditional folk medicine in the hill tribes of Vietnam for anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, and life-saving purposes. In a preliminary study, VR2 and MR2 were shown to be metabolized to pseudoginsenoside RT4 (PRT4) and ocotillol by human gut microbiota. Therefore, we measured the anti-inflammatory effects of VR2, MR2, and their metabolites in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Among these ginsenosides, only VR2 exhibited cytotoxicity against peritoneal macrophages. MR2, PRT4, and ocotillol inhibited LPS-stimulated transcription factor (NF)-κB activation, and expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1. However, these ginsenosides did not inhibit peptidoglycan-induced NF-κB activation in the macrophages. These three ginsenosides also inhibited LPS-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase expression, and phosphorylation of NF-κB signal molecules IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 and tumor growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 in peritoneal macrophages. Treatment with either PRT4 or ocotillol inhibited the Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated LPS-mediated shift of macrophages, as observed by flow cytometry. They also potently inhibited the binding of LPS to TLR4 on peritoneal macrophages, both with and without transfected MyD88 siRNA. Among the tested ginsenosides, ocotillol exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on inflammation in LPS-stimulated macrophages via the NF-κB signaling pathway. Based on these findings, orally administered VR2 and MR2 of P. vietnamensis may be metabolized to ocotillol via PRT4, and the metabolites, particularly ocotillol, may inhibit inflammation by inhibiting the binding of LPS to TLR4 on macrophages.

Effects of steaming on saponin compositions and antiproliferative activity of Vietnamese ginseng

Background

Steaming of ginseng is known to change its chemical composition and biological activity. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different steaming time-scales on chemical constituents and antiproliferative activity of Vietnamese ginseng (VG).

Methods

VG was steamed at 105°C for 2–20 h. Its saponin constituents and antiproliferative activity were studied. The similarity of chemical compositions between steamed samples at 105°C and 120°C were compared.

Results

Most protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol ginsenosides lost the sugar moiety at the C-20 position with 10–14 h steaming at 105°C and changed to their less polar analogues. However, ocotillol (OCT) ginsenosides were reasonably stable to steaming process. Antiproliferative activity against A549 lung cancer cells was increased on steaming and reached its plateau after 12 h steaming.

Conclusion

Steaming VG at 105°C showed a similar tendency of chemical degradation to the steaming VG at 120°C except the slower rate of reaction. Its rate was about one-third of the steaming at 120°C.

Processed Vietnamese ginseng: Preliminary results in chemistry and biological activity

Background

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the steaming process on chemical constituents, free radical scavenging activity, and antiproliferative effect of Vietnamese ginseng.

Methods

Samples of powdered Vietnamese ginseng were steamed at 120°C for various times and their extracts were subjected to chemical and biological studies.

Results

Upon steaming, contents of polar ginsenosides, such as Rb1, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1, were rapidly decreased, whereas less polar ginsenosides such as Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rk3, and Rh4 were increased as reported previously. However, ocotillol type saponins, which have no glycosyl moiety at the C-20 position, were relatively stable on steaming. The radical scavenging activity was increased continuously up to 20 h of steaming. Similarly, the antiproliferative activity against A549 lung cancer cells was also increased.

Conclusion

It seems that the antiproliferative activity is closely related to the contents of ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1.