Antimycobacterial activity of azepanobetulin and its derivative: In vitro, in vivo, ADMET and docking studies

The antimycobacterial investigation of azepanobetulin and its amide derivative was performed. Both compounds showed increased in vitro antibacterial activity on the H37Rv MTB strain in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Basing on differences between MIC and IC₅₀ values a predominant bactericidal effect for amide in contrast to azepanobetulin with a bacteriostatic antibacterial mechanism is defined. Both compounds showed a strong antibacterial effect against resistant MTB strains with amide derivative being slightly more active. Amide derivative also showed a higher antibacterial potency against non-tuberculous mycobacterial strains (M. avium, M. abscessus). Molecular docking studies showed that the inhibition of tuberculosinyl adenosine transferase (Rv3378c) could constitute an antimycobacterial mechanism of action for these triterpenic azepane derivatives. The pharmacokinetic profile was evaluated by ADMET studies and azepanobetulin showing the better results was evaluated by in vivo experiments. This compound has demonstrated a statistically significant antimycobacterial activity compared to control, but inferior to isoniazid. Our findings show that pentacyclic triterpene derivatives holding a seven-membered azepane A-ring are the promising template for the development of new agents with high antibacterial potential against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, non-tuberculous mycobacterial and drug- resistant strains.

Ailanthusins A-G and nor-lupane triterpenoids from Ailanthus triphysa

Bioactivity-guided chemical investigation of the CH₂Cl₂ and CH₂Cl₂MeOH extracts of the stem and stem bark material of Ailanthus tryphysa (Simaroubaceae) led to the isolation of five cycloapotirucallanes, ailanthusins A-E, two malabaricanes, ailanthusins F-G, and one nor-lupane triterpenoid, 29-nor-lup-1-ene-3,20-dione along with twenty known compounds. Their structures were elucidated through the application of extensive spectroscopic methods, and the structure of ailanthusin A was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Several malabaricane derivatives were prepared from malabaricol and, together with some of the isolates, were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human cancer and normal cell lines.

Terpenoids, flavonoids and caffeic acid derivatives from Salvia viridis L. cvar. Blue Jeans

Three diterpenoids, 1-oxomicrostegiol (1), viroxocin (2), viridoquinone (3), were isolated from the roots of Salvia viridis L. cvar. Blue Jeans. Five known diterpenoids, microstegiol (4), 7α-acetoxy-14-hydroxy-8,13-abietadiene-11,12-dione (5; 7-O-acetylhorminone tautomer), 7α,14-dihydroxy-8,13-abietadiene-11,12-dione (6; horminone tautomer), ferruginol and salvinolonyl 12-methyl ether (7) were also found in the roots together with 1-docosyl ferulate (8), and a mixture of 2-(4'-alkoxyphenyl) ethyl alkanoates (9). Two lupane triterpenoids, 2α-acetoxy-lup-20(29)-en-3β-ol (10), and 3β-acetoxy-lup-20(29)-en-2α-ol (11) were found in the aerial parts together with known compounds, lup-20(29)-ene-2α,3β-diol (12), ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol glucoside. A known phenylpropanoid, trans-verbascoside (or acteoside; 13), was the main constituent in the polar fraction of the aerial part, and it is now reported in the genus Salvia for the first time. Other polyphenolic compounds were cis-verbascoside (14), leucosceptoside A (15), martynoside (16), caffeic acid, 6-O-caffeoyl-glucose (18), rosmarinic acid, salidroside, luteolin-7-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-galactopyranoside, luteolin-7-O-β-galactopyranoside, luteolin-7-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside, luteolin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside, and apigenin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside. The structures were determined by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS techniques. Compounds 6, 10, ferruginol, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid exhibited antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 775) with MIC 50 μM, 25 μM, 50 μM, 12.5 μM, 12.5 μM respectively. Ferruginol, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid were also active against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6571), and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 2599) with MIC 12.5-50 μM. 4 was also active against S.aureus (ATCC 6571) with MIC 50 μM. These values are consistent with previous studies on the antimicrobial activity of Salvia diterpenoids.

Liposomal-lupane system as alternative chemotherapy against cutaneous leishmaniasis: macrophage as target cell

Leishmania amazonensis causes human diseases that range from self-healing to diffusion cutaneous lesions. The chemotherapy of leishmaniasis requires long-term treatment and has been based on the use of pentavalent antimonials. Liposomes have been used as antileishmanial drug carries and have adjuvant activity in vaccines against several microorganisms, representing an important option to the development of new therapeutics for the disease. In this study, we developed a liposomal formulation containing lupane [3β,6β,16β-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene], isolated from fruits of Combretum leprosum with pharmacological properties as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic and antileishmanial activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of liposomal-lupane in L. amazonensis-infection model. Liposomes were prepared by the extrusion method with DPPC, DPPS and cholesterol at 5:1:4 weight ratio. The lupane (2 mg/mL) was added to the lipid mixture, solubilized in chloroform and dried under nitrogen flow. The activity of liposomal-lupane was conducted in vitro with mouse peritoneal infected macrophages. Furthermore, mice were infected in the right hind footpad with 10(5) stationary growth phase of L. amazonensis promastigotes. After 6 weeks, animals were treated with liposomal-lupane for 15 days by intraperitoneal injection. The evolution of disease was monitored weekly by measuring footpad thickness with a caliper. Three days after the treatment, peritoneal macrophages were collected, plated and production of the cytokines IL-10 and IL-12 was evaluated in supernatants of the cultures after 24 h. The results indicate that the liposomal system containing lupane achieved here is a promising tool to confer antileishmanial activity to infected macrophages.