[Syntheses and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Antitumor Bicyclic Hexapeptide RA-VII Analogues]

A series of antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide RA-VII analogues modified at residue 2, 3, or 6 were prepared by the chemical transformation of the hydroxy, methoxy, or carboxy groups or the aromatic rings of natural peptides RA-II, III, V, VII, and X. Analogues with modified side chains or peptide backbones, which cannot be prepared by the chemical transformation of their natural peptides, and newly isolated peptides from Rubia cordifolia roots were synthesized by using protected cycloisodityrosines prepared by the degradation of bis(thioamide) obtained from RA-VII or the diphenyl ether formation of boronodipeptide under the modified Chan-Lam coupling reaction conditions. Studies of the conformational features of the analogues and the newly isolated peptides and their relationships with cytotoxic activities against the HCT-116, HL-60, KATO-III, KB, L1210, MCF-7, and P-388 cell lines revealed the following: the methoxy group at residue 3 is essential for the potent cytotoxic activity; the methyl group at Ala-2 and Ala-4 but not at D-Ala-1 is required to establish the bioactive conformation; the N-methyl group at Tyr-5 is necessary for the peptides to adopt the active conformation preferentially; and the orientation of Tyr-5 and/or Tyr-6 phenyl rings has a significant effect on the cytotoxic activity.

Synthesis of 1-O-acyl- and 1-oxo-kamebanin analogues and their cytotoxic activity

A series of 1-O-acyl- and 1-oxo-kamebanin analogues were prepared from kamebanin, isolated from Rabdosia excisa and their cytotoxicity was assayed on HL60 promyelocytic leukemia cells and HCT116 human colon cancer cells. The structure-activity relationship study showed that the presence of 1-O-acyl groups of a C₃-C₅ carbon chain increased the cytotoxic activity.

RA-XXV and RA-XXVI, Bicyclic Hexapeptides from Rubia cordifolia L.: Structure, Synthesis, and Conformation

Two RA-series bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XXV (4) and RA-XXVI (5), which have no N-methyl group at Tyr-5, were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. Their amino acid compositions and sequences were determined by interpretation of MS, and 1D and 2D NMR data and their relative structures were elucidated by XRD analysis of 4 and RA-XXVI acetate (6). The absolute stereochemistry of 4 was established by the total synthesis of 4, and that of 5, by the chemical correlation with 4. Peptides 4 and 5 exhibited cytotoxicity toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 (IC₅₀ =0.062 and 0.066 μm, respectively) and human colonic carcinoma HCT-116 (IC₅₀ =0.028 and 0.051 μm, respectively) cell lines. Analysis of the conformational structures of 4 and 6 in the crystalline state and those of 4 and 5 in solution revealed that the N-methyl group at Tyr-5 functions to make this series of peptides preferentially adopt the active conformation.

Methyl dehydroabietate counters high fat diet-induced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of methyl dehydroabietate (mDA) on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and obesity characteristics induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. Adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells was evaluated after 14 days of incubation with mDA. mDA enhanced adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. For the in vivo evaluation, five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed HFD or normal CE-2 diet (control) for eight weeks. During the experimental period, mice were administered mDA (50 mg/kg, p.o.) as an olive oil emulsion (containing 10% ethanol), and body weights were measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, the mice were euthanized after 16 h fasting period, and plasma samples were collected. The liver, kidney, and epididymal adipose tissues were collected and weighed. It significantly decreased body weight, adipose tissue weight, and plasma levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with that in the HFD group, and markedly reduced the impairment in glucose tolerance in obese mice. Furthermore, mDA reduced HFD-induced adipocyte hypertrophy and the formation of hepatic lipid droplets. Moreover, it induced the expression of proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in the liver and PPARγ in the adipose tissues. Our findings demonstrate that mDA reduces obesity-induced glucose and insulin tolerance by inducing PPAR expression.

Suppressive effect of kamebakaurin on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response in mice

BACKGROUND

Kamebakaurin (KA) is an ent-kaurane diterpenoid known to have anti-inflammatory potential. In the current study, we investigated whether pretreatment with KA could ameliorate acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting the anti-inflammatory response in mice.

METHODS

Seven-week-old C57BL/6J mice were orally administered KA or olive oil emulsion for seven days. Twenty-four hours after the last KA or olive oil administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 400mg/kg APAP or saline under feed deprived condition. The mice from each group were euthanized and bled for plasma analysis 24h after the injection.

RESULT

APAP increased plasma levels of hepatic injury markers (i.e., alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), lipid peroxidation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pretreatment with KA reduced the magnitude of APAP-induced increases in plasma levels of hepatic injury markers, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory response. In addition, KA exhibited antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner, with slight reactive oxygen species scavenging activity.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that KA has the ability to protect the liver from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, presumably by both inhibiting the inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

Abietane diterpenoids and a sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloid from Euonymus lutchuensis

Four new abietane diterpenoids (1-4), a new 9(10→20)-abeo-abietane diterpenoid (5), and a new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloid (6) were isolated from the roots of Euonymus lutchuensis along with 19 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by interpretation of the spectroscopic data.

Monoclonal antibodies from Rubia cordifolia against antitumor cyclohexapeptide deoxybouvardin and their use in immunoassay

An immunoassay system was established for the estimation of the quantity of an antitumor cyclohexapeptide, deoxybouvardin (RA-V) from Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schlecht, Rubia cordifolia L., and R. akane Nakai (Rubiaceae). First, RA-V was converted into a protein conjugate to make it an effective antigen. In the conjugate the molecular ratio between RA-V and the carrier protein was 5.9:1. The splenocytes from the mouse immunized with the conjugate were then fused with mouse myeloma cells to produce hybridoma, secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against RA-V. Two clones were isolated, one producing MAb IgG(1) and the other MAb IgG(2b), both having a κ light chain. The resultant MAbs were evaluated for their sensitivity and cross-reactivity.

Differential conformational behaviors of alpha-mycolic acids in Langmuir monolayers and computer simulations

Phase diagrams of Langmuir monolayers of alpha-mycolic acids (alpha-MAs) from representative slow growing mycobacteria were intensively analyzed over a range of temperatures, by using so-called type-1 alpha-MAs having two cis-cyclopropyl groups from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) and type-3 alpha-MA, having one cis-cyclopropyl and one cis-double bond from Mycobacterium bovis BCG and MAC. Their intrachain groups are either cis-cyclopropyl or cis-double bond but the methylene chain segment lengths vary greatly. However, their monolayer features were alike: at lower temperatures and surface pressures, the molecules seemed to be in folded conformations, requiring larger mean molecular areas, whereas at higher temperatures and surface pressures, to be in extended conformations, requiring smaller average molecular areas approximately equivalent to cross sectional area of two hydrocarbon chains in a condensed film. In phase diagrams, the region for the folded forms of alpha-MAs was very limited, in contrast to the previously established behavior of ketomycolates, where complete folding predominated. Easy conversion of folded to extended conformations was indicated by thermodynamic studies of the Langmuir monolayer results and computer simulations.

Phytochemical constituents from Cassia alata with inhibition against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

The methanolic extract of the leaves of CASSIA ALATA was sequentially partitioned in increasing polarity to afford the hexane, chloroform, butanol and residual extract. Crude extracts were evaluated against MRSA using the agar well diffusion assay. The butanol and chloroform extracts both exhibited inhibition against MRSA with inhibition indexes of 1.03 +/- 0.16 and 0.78 +/- 0.07 at the concentration of 50 mg/mL. The butanol extracts were further purified using silica gel and reverse phase chromatography to afford kaempferol ( 1), kaempferol 3- O-beta-glucopyranoside ( 2), kaempferol 3- O-gentiobioside ( 3) and aloe emodin ( 4). The four constituents showed varying degrees of inhibition against MRSA. Both 1 and 4 exhibited MIC (50) values of 13.0 +/- 1.5 microg/mL and 12.0 +/- 1.5 microg/mL, respectively. The kaempferol glycosides 2 and 3 were less active with MIC (50) values of 83.0 +/- 0.9 microg/mL and 560.0 +/- 1.2 microg/mL, respectively. A free hydroxyl group at C-3 of the flavonol structure is a structural requirement for the inhibition of MRSA.

Tricalysiamides A-D, diterpenoid alkaloids from Tricalysia dubia

Four rearranged ent-kaurane diterpenoid alkaloids, tricalysiamides A-D (1-4), having a cafestol-type carbon framework were isolated from the wood of Tricalysia dubia. Their absolute structures were determined on the basis of 2D NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical methods.

Conformational behavior of oxygenated mycobacterial mycolic acids from Mycobacterium bovis BCG

Phase diagrams of Langmuir monolayers of oxygenated mycolic acids, i.e. methoxy mycolic acid (MeO-MA), ketomycolic acid (Keto-MA), and artificially obtained deoxo-mycolic acid (deoxo-MA) from Mycobacterium bovis BCG were obtained by thermodynamic analysis of the surface pressure (pi) vs. average molecular area (A) isotherms. At lower temperatures and lower surface pressures, both Keto- and MeO-MAs formed rigid condensed monolayers where each MA molecule was considered to be in a 4-chain form, in which the three carbon chain segments due to bending of the 3-hydroxy aliphatic carboxylate chain and the 2-side chain were in compact parallel arrangement. At higher temperatures and surface pressures, MeO-MA and deoxo-MA tended to take stretched-out conformations in which the 3-hydroxy aliphatic carboxylate chain was more or less in an extended form, but Keto-MA retained the original 4-chain structure. The thickness measurement of the monolayers in situ by ellipsometry at different pi values and temperatures supported the above conclusions derived from the phase diagrams. The enthalpy changes associated with the phase transitions of MeO-MA and deoxo-MA implied that the MeO-MA needed larger energy to change from a compact conformation to an extended one, possibly and partly due to the dehydration of the methoxy group from water surface involved. Molecular dynamics studies of MA models derived from Monte Carlo calculations were also performed, which confirmed the conformational behavior of MAs suggested by the thermodynamic studies on the Langmuir monolayers.

Hydroxylated gedunin derivatives from Cedrela sinensis

Four new limonoids, 11alpha-hydroxygedunin (1), 11beta-hydroxygedunin (2), 7-deacetoxy-7alpha,11alpha-dihydroxygedunin (3), and 7-deacetoxy-7alpha,11beta-dihydroxygedunin (4), were isolated from the cortex of Cedrela sinensis, together with three known compounds, gedunin (5), 7-deacetoxy-7alpha-hydroxygedunin (6), and 11-oxogedunin (7). The structures of 1-4 were determined by a combination of 2D NMR experiments and chemical methods and by X-ray crystallography of 1 and 2.

Metronomic scheduling of a cyclic hexapeptide Ra-VII for anti-angiogenesis, tumor vessel maturation and anti-tumor activity

RA-VII, a cyclic hexapeptide isolated from Rubiae radix, binds to actin, causing a conformational change in the actin molecule and inducing G2 arrest by inhibiting cytokinesis. Here we examined the effect of RA-VII, its water-soluble derivative, and related RA-III and RA-V on endothelial cells. Among the four compounds tested, RA-VII most potently inhibited angiogenesis-related properties of endothelial cells (i.e. migration and proliferation) in vitro. We confirmed the anti-angiogenic activity of RA-VII in vivo by using a mouse corneal model. We then applied RA-VII for the treatment of tumors in mice. Daily intraperitoneal injection of RA-VII (1.5 or 3 mg/kg/day) exhibited no toxic effect on the animals, but significantly and dose dependently inhibited the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma cells previously inoculated into the mice. Interestingly, although two doses of RA-VII decreased the tumor vascular area to a similar extent, a higher dose of RA-VII led to tumor vessel maturation together with a significant increase in tumor cell apoptosis. Also, RA-VII showed a cytotoxic effect on Lewis lung carcinoma cells. These results indicate that metronomic scheduling of RA-VII is efficient for cancer treatment. A careful dose setting of RA-VII is crucial to obtain therapeutic superiority, possibly through tumor vessel maturation and a better distribution of the compound in the tumor tissue.

Semisynthesis of C-ring modified triptolide analogues and their cytotoxic activities

Several C-ring modified analogues of a potent antileukemic diterpene, triptolide (1), were synthesized and their structure-activity relationships were studied.

The isolation and structure elucidation of a new sesquiterpene lactone from the poisonous plant Coriaria japonica (Coriariaceae)

A new sesquiterpene lactone named coriarin was isolated from achenes (seeds) of Coriaria japonica (Coriariaceae) along with known constituents tutin, dihydrotutin and corianin, and its structure was deduced on a spectroscopic basis. The structure of coriarin was finally confirmed by the base-catalized chemical conversion of tutin into coriarin, in which the lactone ring linkage was transposed from C-3 to C-2. Chemical investigation of sarcocarps was also undertaken in parallel, but neither sesquiterpene lactones nor related constituents were obtained. The results indicate that sesquiterpene lactones occur only in achenes of C. japonica berry, as is the case in other Coriaria species.

Limonoids from Cedrela sinensis

Five limonoids were isolated from the leaves of Cedrela sinensis (Meliaceae) and their structures were determined to be 11beta-hydroxy-7alpha-obacunyl acetate, 11-oxo-7alpha-obacunyl acetate, 11-oxo-7alpha-obacunol, 11beta-hydroxycneorin G, and 11-oxocneorin G, by 2D NMR spectroscopic experiments, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical methods.

Quassinoid glucosides from seeds of Brucea amarissima

Quassinoid glucosides, javanicosides I, J, K and L, were isolated from the seeds of Brucea amarissima (Lour.) Desv. ex B. A. Gomes (Simaroubaceae), along with two known quassinoids, i.e. bruceins D and E, and seven known quassinoid glucosides, yadanziosides B, C, E, I and K, bruceoside B and yadanzigan. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of the spectral data and chemical evidence.