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Wu YN, Su D, Yang J, Yi Y, Wang AD, Yang M, Li JL, Fan BY, Chen GT, Wang WL, Ling B. Biotransformation of Ursonic Acid by Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus oryzae to Discover Anti-Neuroinflammatory Derivatives. Molecules 2023; 28:7943. [PMID: 38138433 PMCID: PMC10745867 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Biotransformation of ursonic acid (1) by two fungal strains Aspergillus ochraceus CGMCC 3.5324 and Aspergillus oryzae CGMCC 3.407 yielded thirteen new compounds (4, 5, 7-10, and 13-19), along with five recognized ones. The structural details of new compounds were determined through spectroscopic examination (NMR, IR, and HR-MS) and X-ray crystallography. Various modifications, including hydroxylation, epoxidation, lactonization, oxygen introduction, and transmethylation, were identified on the ursane core. Additionally, the anti-neuroinflammatory efficacy of these derivatives was assessed on BV-2 cells affected by lipopolysaccharides. It was observed that certain methoxylated and epoxylated derivatives (10, 16, and 19) showcased enhanced suppressive capabilities, boasting IC50 values of 8.2, 6.9, and 5.3 μM. Such ursonic acid derivatives might emerge as potential primary molecules in addressing neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ni Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Dan Su
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Jia Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Ying Yi
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - An-Dong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Min Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Jian-Lin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Bo-Yi Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Guang-Tong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Wen-Li Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China (W.-L.W.)
| | - Bai Ling
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Yancheng, 166 Yulongxi Road, Yancheng 224005, China
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Kazakova O, Mioc A, Smirnova I, Baikova I, Voicu A, Vlaia L, Macașoi I, Mioc M, Drăghici G, Avram Ş, Dehelean C, Şoica C. Novel Synthesized N-Ethyl-Piperazinyl-Amides of C2-Substituted Oleanonic and Ursonic Acids Exhibit Cytotoxic Effects through Apoptotic Cell Death Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10967. [PMID: 34681629 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of novel hybrid chalcone N-ethyl-piperazinyl amide derivatives of oleanonic and ursonic acids were synthesized, and their cytotoxic potential was evaluated in vitro against the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. Compounds 4 and 6 exhibited the highest overall anticancer activity, with GI50 values in some cases reaching nanomolar values. Thus, the two compounds were further assessed in detail in order to identify a possible apoptosis- and antiangiogenic-based mechanism of action induced by the assessed compounds. DAPI staining revealed that both compounds induced nuclei condensation and overall cell morphological changes consistent with apoptotic cell death. rtPCR analysis showed that up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bak gene combined with the down-regulation of the pro-survival Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 genes caused altered ratios between the pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins’ levels, leading to overall induced apoptosis. Molecular docking analysis revealed that both compounds exhibited high scores for Bcl-XL inhibition, suggesting that compounds may induce apoptotic cell death through targeted anti-apoptotic protein inhibition, as well. Ex vivo determinations showed that both compounds did not significantly alter the angiogenesis process on the tested cell lines.
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Abstract
Plants have been used as drugs to treat human disease for centuries. Ursonic acid (UNA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid extracted from certain medicinal herbs such as Ziziphus jujuba. Since the pharmacological effects and associated mechanisms of UNA are not well-known, in this work, we attempt to introduce the therapeutic potential of UNA with a comparison to ursolic acid (ULA), a well-known secondary metabolite, for beneficial effects. UNA has a keto group at the C-3 position, which may provide a critical difference for the varied biological activities between UNA and ULA. Several studies previously showed that UNA exerts pharmaceutical effects similar to, or stronger than, ULA, with UNA significantly decreasing the survival and proliferation of various types of cancer cells. UNA has potential to exert inhibitory effects in parasitic protozoa that cause several tropical diseases. UNA also exerts other potential effects, including antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant activities. Of note, a recent study highlighted the suppressive potential of UNA against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Molecular modifications of UNA may enhance bioavailability, which is crucial for in vivo and clinical studies. In conclusion, UNA has promising potential to be developed in anticancer and antiprotozoan pharmaceuticals. In-depth investigations may increase the possibility of UNA being developed as a novel reagent for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sang Yeol Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13120, Korea;
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