Dynamics of alkaloid accumulation in Narcissus cv. Hawera: a source of Sceletium-type alkaloids

The Sceletium-type alkaloids, known for their anxiolytic and antidepressant activities, have been recently found to be biosynthesized in Narcissus cv. Hawera, which is largely used as an ornamental plant. An alkaloid fraction enriched with Sceletium-type alkaloids from the plant has shown promising antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. In the present study, qualitative and quantitative analyses of the alkaloids in the plant organs were performed during one vegetation season by GC-MS. The alkaloid pattern and total alkaloid content was found to depend strongly on the stage of development and plant organ. The alkaloid content of bulbs was found to be highest during the dormancy period and lowest in sprouting bulbs. The leaves showed the highest alkaloid content during the intensive vegetative growth and lowest during flowering. In total, 13 alkaloids were detected in the methanol extracts of Narcissus cv. Hawera, six Sceletium-type and seven typical Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Major alkaloids in the alkaloid pattern were lycorine, 6-epi-mesembrenol, mesembrenone, sanguinine, and galanthamine. The leaves of flowering plants were found to have the highest amount of 6-epi-mesembrenol. Mesembrenone was found to be dominant alkaloid in the leaves of sprouting bulbs and in the flowers. Considering the biomass of the plant, the dormant bulbs are the best source of alkaloid fractions enriched with 6-epi-mesembrenol. The flowers and the young leaves can be used for preparation of alkaloid fractions enriched with mesembrenone. The results indicates that Narcissus cv. Hawera is an emerging source of valuable bioactive compounds and its utilization can be extended as a medicinal plant.

Biosensor and machine learning-aided engineering of an amaryllidaceae enzyme

A major challenge to achieving industry-scale biomanufacturing of therapeutic alkaloids is the slow process of biocatalyst engineering. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, such as the Alzheimer's medication galantamine, are complex plant secondary metabolites with recognized therapeutic value. Due to their difficult synthesis they are regularly sourced by extraction and purification from the low-yielding daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus. Here, we propose an efficient biosensor-machine learning technology stack for biocatalyst development, which we apply to engineer an Amaryllidaceae enzyme in Escherichia coli. Directed evolution is used to develop a highly sensitive (EC50 = 20 μM) and specific biosensor for the key Amaryllidaceae alkaloid branchpoint 4'-O-methylnorbelladine. A structure-based residual neural network (MutComputeX) is subsequently developed and used to generate activity-enriched variants of a plant methyltransferase, which are rapidly screened with the biosensor. Functional enzyme variants are identified that yield a 60% improvement in product titer, 2-fold higher catalytic activity, and 3-fold lower off-product regioisomer formation. A solved crystal structure elucidates the mechanism behind key beneficial mutations.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Narcissus poeticus L. Flowers for the Isolation of Volatile Fragrance Compounds

The flowers of Narcissus poeticus are used for the isolation of valuable fragrance substances. So far, as the majority of these substances consist of volatile and sensitive to heat compounds, there is a need of developing effective methods for their recovery. In this study, freeze-dried N. poeticus inflorescences were extracted with pure supercritical CO₂ (SFE-CO₂) and its mixture with 5% co-solvent ethanol (EtOH) at 40 °C. Extract yields varied from 1.63% (12 MPa) to 3.12% (48 MPa, 5% EtOH). In total, 116 volatile compounds were identified by GC-TOF/MS in the extracts, which were divided into 20 different groups. Benzyl benzoate (9.44-10.22%), benzyl linoleate (1.72-2.17%) and benzyl alcohol (0.18-1.00%) were the major volatiles among aromatic compounds. The amount of the recovered benzyl benzoate in N. poeticus SFE-CO₂ extracts varied from 58.98 ± 2.61 (24 MPa) to 91.52 ± 1.36 (48 MPa) mg/kg plant dry weight (pdw). α-Terpineol dominated among oxygenated monoterpenes (1.08-3.42%); its yield was from 9.25 ± 0.63 (12 MPa) to 29.88 ± 1.25 (48 MPa/EtOH) mg/kg pdw. Limonene was the major monoterpene hydrocarbon; (3E)-hexenol and heneicosanol dominated among alcohols and phenols; dihydroactinidiolide and 4,8,12,16-tetramethyl heptadecan-4-olide were the most abundant lactones; heptanal, nonanal, (2E,4E)-decadienal and octadecanal were the most abundant aldehydes. The most important prenol lipids were triterpenoid squalene, from 0.86 ± 0.10 (24 MPa) to 7.73 ± 0.18 (48 MPa/EtOH) mg/kg pdw and D-α-tocopherol, from 1.20 ± 0.04 (12 MPa) to 15.39 ± 0.31 (48 MPa/EtOH) mg/kg pdw. Aliphatic hydrocarbons (waxes) constituted the main part (41.47 to 54.93%) in the extracts; while in case of a 5% EtOH the percentage of alkanes was the lowest. The fraction of waxes may be removed for the separation of higher value fragrance materials. In general, the results obtained are promising for a wider application of SFE-CO₂ for the recovery of fragrance substances from N. poeticus flowers.

GC-MS analysis of Amaryllidaceae and Sceletium-type alkaloids in bioactive fractions from Narcissus cv. Hawera

RATIONALE

Narcissus cv. Hawera has been found to biosynthesize some Sceletium-type alkaloids with antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. This ornamental plant has been poorly studied as a source of bioactive alkaloids including some contraversive reports on in vitro and intact plants. In this study, a detailed GC-MS characterization of its alkaloid fractions is presented.

METHODS

GC-MS was used for the identification of compounds in the alkaloid fractions. Both underivatized and silylated samples were analyzed simultaneously. Elevated plus maze and tail suspension tests were used to assay the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities. Ellman's and MTT-dye reduction assays were used to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory and cytotoxicity activities, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 29 alkaloids, 13 of Sceletium-type were detected. Two new alkaloids were identified as 2-oxo-mesembrine and 2-oxo-epi-mesembrenol. Lycorine was found as a major compound (43.5%) in the crude silylated methanol extract. After the elimination of lycorine by pre-crystallization, the major alkaloids were 40.8% 6-epi-mesembranol, 16.2% 6-epi-mesembrenol, and 13.8% sanguinine. This fraction showed anxiolytic and antidepressant-like activities as well as potent AChE inhibitory and antineoplastic activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Silylation of the alkaloid fractions from Narcissus cv. Hawera provides better separation, structural information, and improved sensitivity for compounds with two and more hydroxyl groups. The lycorine-free alkaloid fraction shows a great potential for further pharmacological studies.

Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. cv. Dutch Master as potential drugs in treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Twenty-one known Amaryllidaceae alkaloids of various structural types and one undescribed alkaloid, named narcimatuline, have been isolated from fresh bulbs of Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. cv. Dutch Master. The chemical structures were elucidated by combination of MS, HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, and by comparison with literature data. Narcimatuline amalgamates two basic scaffolds of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in its core, namely galanthamine and galanthindole. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitory activities. The most interesting biological profile was demonstrated by newly isolated alkaloid narcimatuline.

Assessment of Human Skin Gene Expression by Different Blends of Plant Extracts with Implications to Periorbital Skin Aging

Since the skin is the major protective barrier of the body, it is affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Environmental influences such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, pollution or dry/cold air are involved in the generation of radical oxygen species (ROS) and impact skin aging and dermal health. Assessment of human skin gene expression and other biomarkers including epigenetic factors are used to evaluate the biological/molecular activities of key compounds in cosmetic formulas. The objective of this study was to quantify human gene expression when epidermal full-thickness skin equivalents were exposed to: (a) a mixture of betaine, pentylene glycol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodiola rosea root extract (BlendE) for antioxidant, skin barrier function and oxidative stress (with hydrogen peroxide challenge); and (b) a mixture of Narcissus tazetta bulb extract and Schisandra chinensis fruit extract (BlendIP) for various biomarkers and microRNA analysis. For BlendE, several antioxidants, protective oxidative stress biomarkers and many skin barrier function parameters were significantly increased. When BlendE was evaluated, the negative impact of the hydrogen peroxide was significantly reduced for the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP 3 and MMP 12), the skin aging and oxidative stress biomarkers, namely FBN2, ANXA1 and HGF. When BlendIP was tested for cell proliferation and dermal structural components to enhance the integrity of the skin around the eyes: 8 growth factors, 7 signaling, 7 structural/barrier function and 7 oxidative stress biomarkers were significantly increased. Finally, when BlendIP was tested via real-time RT-PCR for microRNA expression: miR-146a, miR-22, miR155, miR16 and miR21 were all significantly increased over control levels. Therefore, human skin gene expression studies are important tools to assess active ingredient compounds such as plant extract blends to advance dermal hypotheses toward validating cosmetic formulations with botanical molecules.

Isolation, Synthesis, and Semisynthesis of Amaryllidaceae Constituents from Narcissus and Galanthus sp.: De Novo Total Synthesis of 2- epi-Narciclasine

An efficient protocol for the isolation of narciclasine from common Amaryllidaceae bulbs, separation from haemanthamine, and the occurrence of a trace alkaloid, 2- epi-narciclasine, are reported. Attempts to convert natural narciclasine to its C-2 epimer by Mitsunobu inversion or oxidation/reduction sequences were compromised by rearrangement and aromatization processes, through which a synthesis of the alkaloid narciprimine was achieved. The methylation of the 7-hydroxy group of natural narciclasine followed by protection of the 3,4-diol function and oxidation/reduction sequence provided the target C-2 epimer. A de novo chemoenzymatic synthesis of 2- epi-narciclasine from m-dibromobenzene is also described. Haemanthamine and narciprimine were readily detected in the crude extracts of Narcissus and Galanthus bulbs containing narciclasine, and the occurrence of 2- epi-narciclasine as a trace natural product in Galanthus sp. is reported for the first time.

Lectin-binding characterizes the healthy human skeletal muscle glycophenotype and identifies disease-specific changes in dystrophic muscle

Our understanding of muscle glycosylation to date has derived from studies in mouse models and a limited number of human lectin histochemistry studies. As various therapeutic approaches aimed at treating patients with muscular dystrophies are being translated from rodent models to human, it is critical to better understand human muscle glycosylation and relevant disease-specific differences between healthy and dystrophic muscle. Here, we report the first quantitative characterization of human muscle glycosylation, and identify differentiation- and disease-specific differences in human muscle glycosylation. Utilizing a panel of 13 lectins with varying glycan specificities, we surveyed lectin binding to primary and immortalized myoblasts and myotubes from healthy and dystrophic sources. Following differentiation of primary and immortalized healthy human muscle cells, we observed increased binding of Narcissus pseudonarcissus agglutinin (NPA), PNA, MAA-II and WFA to myotubes compared to myoblasts. Following differentiation of immortalized healthy and dystrophic human muscle cells, we observed disease-specific differences in binding of NPA, Jac and Tricosanthes japonica agglutinin-I (TJA-I) to differentiated myotubes. We also observed differentiation- and disease-specific differences in binding of NPA, Jac, PNA, TJA-I and WFA to glycoprotein receptors in muscle cells. Additionally, Jac, PNA and WFA precipitated functionally glycosylated α-DG, that bound laminin, while NPA and TJA-I did not. Lectin histochemistry of healthy and dystrophic human muscle sections identified disease-specific differences in binding of O-glycan and sialic acid-specific lectins between healthy and dystrophic muscle. These results indicate that specific and discrete changes in glycosylation occur following differentiation, and identify specific lectins as potential biomarkers sensitive to changes in healthy human muscle glycosylation.

Chemical Characterization of Narcissus poeticus from Sirente -Velino (Apennines - Italy): Galantamine Accumulation and Distribution of Allergenic Compounds in the Flower

Species of Narcissus (family Amaryllidaceae) are a potential source for large-scale extraction of alkaloids and fragrances. The bulbs typically accumulate a large number of alkaloids, including galantamine, a benzazepine alkaloid proven to be a cholinesterase inhibitor and which is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The presence of galantamine in N. poeticus L. collected in Abruzzo (Italy) was assessed and several levels of alkaloid were found in all parts of the plant (flower, stem, bulb and root) and not only in the bulb. The amount of galantamine obtained was tested by using two different extraction solvents. Extraction of N. poeticus absolute from the flowers was also performed, as this product is an important floral note in perfumery, and the distribution of allergenic compounds in the coronas and in the tepals was assessed. Moreover, the in vitro propagation of N.:Poeticus was tested as it may be a valuable resource from which to produce biomolecules, as an alternative to chemical synthetic processes.

Narciclasine - an Amaryllidaceae Alkaloid with Potent Antitumor and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The isocarbostyril alkaloid narciclasine, also known as lycoricidinol, was discovered in Narcissus species (Amaryllidaceae) in 1967. A few years later, the 60S subunit of ribosomes, and thus protein biosynthesis, were shown to be directly targeted by narciclasine. Due to its selective and highly potent cytotoxic action on cancer cells, narciclasine was intensively investigated as an antitumor compound both in vitro and in vivo. However, narciclasine did not show a strong pharmacological activity in animal tumor models. During the last decade, new fascinating actions, mechanisms, and targets of narciclasine have emerged. This review intends to present a brief but comprehensive overview of these novel insights. Beneficial therapeutical actions have been reported particularly in brain tumor models. The translation elongation factor eEF1A, which does not only participate in protein biosynthesis but also in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, was discovered as new direct target. Moreover, narciclasine was found to trigger actin stress fiber formation via the activation of the small GTPase RhoA. Progress has also been made regarding the pharmacokinetic characterization of the alkaloid. The synthesis of a great number of narciclasine derivatives led to a substantial understanding of its pharmacophore and of the structure-activity relationships. However, an optimized compound did not result from these efforts. Most importantly, a new field of indication has emerged: Narciclasine was proven to exert profound anti-inflammatory actions in vivo. Taken together, there has been a strong advance in the preclinical knowledge about the alkaloid. Nevertheless, narciclasine has not been tested in human clinical trials up to now.

Phenylethanoid and phenylpropanoid glycosides with melanogenesis inhibitory activity from the flowers of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis

A methanol extract of the flowers of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis Roem. (Amaryllidaceae) demonstrated inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated murine B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. From the extract, four new phenylethanoid glycosides, tazettosides A–D (1–4), and a new phenylpropanoid glycoside, tazettoside E (5), were isolated along with 23 known compounds (6–28). Of the isolates, 1 (IC50 = 22.0 μM) and 4 (82.5 μM), 3-methoxy-8,9-methylenedioxy-3,4-dihydrophenanthridine (13, IC50 = 28.5 μM), 5,6-dihydrobicolorine (14, 23.7 μM), tazettine (16, 60.8 μM), benzyl β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (18, 27.8 μM), 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (21, 74.6 μM), 3-phenylpropyl β-D-glucopyranoside (22, 59.0 μM), and cinnamyl β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (24, 88.0 μM) showed inhibitory effects without notable cytotoxicity at the effective concentrations.

Jonquailine, a new pretazettine-type alkaloid isolated from Narcissus jonquilla quail, with activity against drug-resistant cancer

A new alkaloid, belonging to the pretazettine group of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, was isolated from dried bulbs of Narcissus jonquilla quail and named jonquailine. Its structure, including the absolute configuration, was elucidated using various NMR, ECD and ESI MS techniques. Initial biological evaluation revealed significant antiproliferative effects against glioblastoma, melanoma, uterine sarcoma and non-small-cell lung cancer cells displaying various forms of drug resistance, including resistance to apoptosis and multi-drug resistance. Jonquailine was also found to synergize with paclitaxel in its antiproliferative action against drug-resistant lung cancer cells. The results obtained compared with literature data also showed that the hydroxylation at C-8 is an important feature for the anticancer activity but this seems unaffected by the stereochemistry or the acetalization of the lactol.

Chemical composition of bioactive alkaloid extracts from some Narcissus species and varieties and their biological activity

Alkaloid extracts of eight Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae) species and varieties were studied with respect to their acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (HuBuChE) inhibitory activity and alkaloid patterns. Thirty alkaloids were determined by GC/MS, and twenty-five of them identified from their mass spectra, retention times and retention indexes. Promising HuAChE inhibition activity was demonstrated by six Narcissus taxa and HuBuChE inhibition by N. jonquila cv. Double Campernelle and N. nanus cv. Elka with IC50 values of 24.1 +/- 1.9 microg/mL and 25.1 +/- 1.8 microg/mL, respectively. Two alkaloids were isolated in pure form using preparative TLC and identified as the galanthamine type alkaloid narwedine and the lycorine type alkaloid incartine. Both compounds were tested for their biological activity. They were considered inactive in HuAChE/HuBuChE assays, but showed promising prolyl oligopeptidase inhibition activities with IC50 values of 0.95 +/- 0.12 mM and 0.91 ğ 0.09 mM, respectively.

Evolution of alkaloid biosynthesis in the genus Narcissus

In an attempt to reveal the relationships between alkaloid biosynthesis and phylogeny, we investigated by GC-MS the alkaloid patterns of 22 species and 3 hybrids (from 45 locations) from seven main sections of the genus Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae). The results indicate that the first alkaloids to evolve in the genus Narcissus were of the lycorine- and homolycorine-type. The alkaloid pattern of the Nevadensis section supports its recent separation from the Pseudonarcissus section. The plants of Narcissus pallidulus (Ganymedes section) show a predominance of Sceletium-type compounds, which are quite rare in the Amaryllidaceae family. Two successful evolutionary strategies involving alkaloid biosynthesis and leading to an expansion in taxa and occupied area were determined. Firstly, a diversification of alkaloid patterns and a high alkaloid concentration in the organs of the large Narcissus species (in the Pseudonarcissus section) resulted in an improved chemical defence in diverse habitats. Secondly, both plant size and alkaloid biosynthesis were reduced (in the Bulbocodium and Apodanthi sections) relegated to dry pastures and rocky places.

Wild daffodils of the section Ganymedes from the Iberian Peninsula as a source of mesembrane alkaloids

The aim of this work was to perform a detailed study of the alkaloid content of Narcissus triandrus, as well as a complete analysis of the alkaloid profile of 18 wild populations, comprising all the taxa of the section Ganymedes. Through the application of a combination of spectroscopic and chromatographic methods, the isolation and structural elucidation of 3 compounds are reported for the first time from a natural source (2-oxomesembrenone, 7,7a-dehydromesembrenone and 2-oxoepimesembranol), together with the identification of 5 major common mesembrane alkaloids. Additionally, the GC-MS analysis of the alkaloid profile demonstrated the regular presence of mesembranes in all the studied plants, showing mesembrenone as the predominant compound without any typical Amaryllidaceae alkaloid being detected.

Seasonal accumulation of major alkaloids in organs of pharmaceutical crop Narcissus Carlton

Narcissus pseudonarcissus (L.) cv. Carlton is being cultivated as a main source of galanthamine from the bulbs. After galanthamine, haemanthamine and narciclasine are the next most abundant alkaloids in this cultivar. Both these compounds are promising chemical scaffolds for potential anticancer drugs. For further research and drug development, a reliable supply of these compounds will be needed. In this study a field experiment was conducted to investigate the levels of galanthamine, haemanthamine and narciclasine in plants of N. pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton. In a field experiment alkaloids in the bulbs, leaves and roots were analyzed by quantitative (1)H NMR to monitor the variations during the growing season. Major primary and secondary metabolites were identified in the various plant parts. Multivariate data analysis was performed on the (1)H NMR spectra to investigate how metabolites changed in the plant organs over time. The results show that the leaves have relatively high concentrations of the alkaloids before flowering. The bulbs had lower concentrations of the compounds of interest but would have a higher total yield of alkaloids due to bigger biomass. Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton represents a good source of galanthamine, and can potentially be a source of the other major alkaloids depending on choice of organ and harvest time.

Alkaloids from Narcissus serotinus

Narcissus serotinus belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, a group well known for an exclusive variety of alkaloids with interesting biological activities. This study was aimed at identifying the alkaloid constituents of N. serotinus collected in the Spanish region of Valencia, using a combination of chromatographic, spectroscopic, and spectrometric methods, including GC-MS and 2D NMR techniques. GC-MS analysis allowed for the direct identification of five known compounds. In addition, the isolation and structure elucidation of six new Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are described.

Antineoplastic agents. 587. Isolation and structure of 3-epipancratistatin from Narcissus cv. Ice Follies

Bioassay-guided (cancer cell line) separation of an extract prepared from Narcissus cv. Ice Follies (from The Netherlands) led to the isolation of a new Amaryllidaceae isocarbostiryl, 3-epipancratistatin (1b), as well as narciclasine (2). This Narcissus cultivar was found to be a good source of narciclasine. The structure of 1b was established by high-resolution mass and high-field 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Against a panel of murine and human cancer cell lines, 3-epipancratistatin (1b) led to cell growth inhibition (GI(50) 2.2-0.69 μg/mL) some 100× less than that found for pancratistatin (1a) and narciclasine (2), thereby revealing an important configurational requirement in 1a for strong cancer cell growth inhibition.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions are early events in narciclasine-induced programmed cell death in tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cells

Narciclasine (NCS) is a plant growth inhibitor isolated from the secreted mucilage of Narcissus tazetta bulbs. It is a commonly used anticancer agent in animal systems. In this study, we provide evidence to show that NCS also acts as an agent in inducing programmed cell death (PCD) in tobacco Bright Yellow-2 (TBY-2) cell cultures. NCS treatment induces typical PCD-associated morphological and biochemical changes, namely cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and nuclear DNA degradation. To investigate possible signaling events, we analyzed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the function of mitochondria during PCD induced by NCS. A biphasic behavior burst of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was detected in TBY-2 cells treated with NCS, and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) loss occurred after a slight increase. Pre-incubation with antioxidant catalase (CAT) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) not only significantly decreased the H(2)O(2) production but also effectively retarded the decrease of MTP and reduced the percentage of cells undergoing PCD after NCS treatment. In conclusion, our results suggest that NCS induces PCD in plant cells; the oxidative stress (accumulation of H(2)O(2)) and the MTP loss play important roles during NCS-induced PCD.

Effect of fertilizers on galanthamine and metabolite profiles in Narcissus bulbs by 1H NMR

Narcissus bulbs contain the biologically active alkaloid galanthamine, and Narcissus is being developed as a natural source of the molecule for the pharmaceutical industry. The effect of fertilizer on galanthamine production was investigated in a field study using a (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolite profiling approach. Galanthamine was quantitated and major metabolites in the bulbs were identified. The application of standard fertilization levels of nitrogen and potassium caused a significant increase in galanthamine as compared to a control. Multivariate data analysis of the (1)H NMR data revealed that applying double the standard level of nitrogen fertilizer resulted in production of more amino acids and citric acid cycle intermediates, but not more galanthamine. The results indicated that standard levels of fertilizer currently applied in The Netherlands are sufficient for optimal galanthamine accumulation in the bulbs. This study shows how (1)H NMR-based metabolic profiling can provide insight into the response of plant metabolism to agricultural practices.

Human cytochrome P450 liability studies of trans-dihydronarciclasine: a readily available, potent, and selective cancer cell growth inhibitor

The cytochrome P45O activities of the naturally occurring Amaryllidaceae alkaloid narciclasine (3), isolated from Narcissus pseudonarcissus, and synthetic derivative trans-dihydronarciclasine (5) are reported. While narciclasine was found to possess potent inhibitory activity to human CYP3A4, its dihydro analogue was inactive. This study revealed that the C1-C10b double bond is required for inhibition of this crucial metabolizing enzyme. Compound 5 also demonstrated no inhibition of the related human cytochromes CYP19 and CYP1A1. This study elevates the status of trans-dihydronarciclasine (5) as a highly privileged, readily available molecule, with potent and selective anticancer activity.

Glycosides of benzodioxole-indole alkaloids from Narcissus having axial chirality

Glycosides of benzodioxole-indole alkaloid 6-hydroxy-galanthindole (7-(6'-(hydroxymethyl)benzo[d][1',3']dioxol-5'-yl)-1-methyl-1H-indol-6-ol) having axial chirality were isolated from Narcissus cultivar 'Dutch Master'. The structure, including absolute configuration, was determined by means of extensive spectroscopic data such as UV, IR, CD, MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and computational chiroptical methods. The aglycone has a structure containing two aromatic moieties with substituents hindering rotation about the biaryl axis and is connected to a saccharide moiety linked at C-6 and made up of one, two, or three sugars (glucose, alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranose, and trisaccharide ([beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)]-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranose).

Antineoplastic agents. 454. Synthesis of the strong cancer cell growth inhibitors trans-dihydronarciclasine and 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine (1a)

To further pursue the antineoplastic leads offered by our isolation of trans-dihydronarciclasine (1a) and 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine (1c) from two medicinal plant species of the Amaryllidaceae family, a practical palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation procedure was developed for the synthesis of these isocarbostyrils from narciclasine (2a) and 7-deoxynarciclasine (2c).

Isolation, characterization, molecular cloning and modeling of a new lipid transfer protein with antiviral and antiproliferative activities from Narcissus tazetta

A fetuin-binding peptide with a molecular mass of about 9kDa (designated NTP) was isolated and purified from the bulbs of Chinese daffodil, Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis L., by gel filtration and high-performance liquid chromatography, after removing the mannose-binding proteins by mannose-agarose column. Molecular cloning revealed that NTP contained an open reading frame of 354bp encoding a polypeptide of 118 amino acids which included a 26-amino-acid signal peptide. An analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of NTP shows considerable sequence homology to the non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) of certain plants. Model of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of NTP exhibits an internal hydrophobic cavity which can bind lipid-like molecules and transfer a wide range of ligands. As a member of the putative non-specific lipid transfer protein of N. tazetta, NTP did not possess hemagglutinating activity toward rabbit erythrocytes. In a cell-free system, it could arrest the protein synthesis of rabbit reticulocytes. Using the in vitro antiviral assays, NTP could significantly inhibit the plaque formation by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the cytopathic effect induced by influenza A (H1N1) virus, as well as the proliferation of human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60).

The Amaryllidaceae isocarbostyril narciclasine induces apoptosis by activation of the death receptor and/or mitochondrial pathways in cancer cells but not in normal fibroblasts

Our study has shown that the Amaryllidaceae isocarbostyril narciclasine induces marked apoptosis-mediated cytotoxic effects in human cancer cells but not in normal fibroblasts by triggering the activation of the initiator caspases of the death receptor pathway (caspase-8 and caspase-10) at least in human MCF-7 breast and PC-3 prostate carcinoma cells. The formation of the Fas and death receptor 4 (DR4) death-inducing signaling complex was clearly evidenced in MCF-7 and PC-3 cancer cells. Caspase-8 was found to interact with Fas and DR4 receptors on narciclasine treatment. However, narciclasine-induced downstream apoptotic pathways in MCF-7 cells diverged from those in PC-3 cells, where caspase-8 directly activated effector caspases such as caspase-3 in the absence of any further release of mitochondrial proapoptotic effectors. In contrast, in MCF-7 cells, the apoptotic process was found to require an amplification step that is mitochondria-dependent, with Bid processing, release of cytochrome c, and caspase-9 activation. It is postulated that the high selectivity of narciclasine to cancer cells might be linked, at least in part, to this activation of the death receptor pathway. Normal human fibroblasts appear approximately 250-fold less sensitive to narciclasine, which does not induce apoptosis in these cells probably due to the absence of death receptor pathway activation.

Antineoplastic agents. 550. Synthesis of 10b(s)-epipancratistatin from (+)-narciclasine

By means of a five-step reaction sequence, narciclasine (2a), isolated from Narcissus sp., was converted to 10b(S)-epipancratistatin (3a) in 5.7% overall yield. The key step entailed a radical-initiated 10b,1 C-O cleavage employing tributyltin hydride to yield a B/C cis ring juncture (3b). Biological evaluation of 10b(S)-epipancratistatin (3a) provided evidence that antineoplastic activity was reduced by a factor of 10 when the B/C trans juncture was replaced with a B/C cis ring juncture.

Analysis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Narcissus by GC–MS and capillary electrophoresis

Amaryllidaceae are known as ornamental plants, furthermore some species of this family contain galanthamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and other alkaloids with interesting pharmacological activity. In the present work, the quali- and quantitative analysis of Amaryllidaceae-type alkaloids in the bulbs of Narcissus species is presented using different analytical approaches. Extracts of Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton and Narcissus jonquilla Quail, were first examined by GC-MS using a Rtx-5 MS (programmed temperature) and the major alkaloids were identified. Together with galanthamine, high contents of haemanthamine, were found. Galanthamine was reliably quantified by GC-MS, whereas haemanthamine partly decomposed under the GC conditions, thus alternative analytical methods were investigated. Firstly, reversed-phase HPLC-ESI-MS was applied to identify and isolate at semipreparative levels haemanthamine. The compound was fully characterized by MS/MS and (1)H NMR and then used as a reference substance. The quantitation of both galanthamine and haemanthamine was then accomplished by capillary electrophoresis with spectrophotometric detection. A non-aqueous (NACE) approach was selected in order to use a running buffer fully compatible with samples in organic solvent. In particular, a mixture methanol-acetonitrile (75:25, v/v) containing ammonium acetate (90 mM) was used as a background electrolyte. The same analytical sample was subjected to GC-MS and NACE analysis; the different selectivity displayed by these techniques allowed different separation profiles that can be useful in phytochemical characterization of the extracts. The GC-MS and NACE methods were validated and applied to the quantitation of galanthamine (GC-MS and NACE) and haemanthamine (NACE) in bulbs of N. jonquilla.

High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based acetylcholinesterase assay for the screening of inhibitors in natural extracts

The present paper describes a High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methodology for the screening of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors in natural extracts. AChE activity of sample components is monitored by a post-column biochemical assay that is based on the separate, sequential mixing of AChE and acetylcholine, respectively, with the HPLC eluate. AChE inhibitors are detected by measuring a decrease of product formation using electrospray MS. Ammonium bicarbonate was used as buffer in order to achieve optimum compatibility between biochemical assay and MS detection conditions. The assay is robust and stable for over 13 h and compares favourably with other AChE assays in terms of stability and sensitivity. IC(50) values of 9-aminoacridine, galanthamine, gallamine, (-)-huperzine A and thioflavin T were determined to be 0.12, 0.38, 6.4, 0.46 and 3.2 microM, respectively. The assay was used to effectively identify an AChE inhibitor present in a crude extract of Narcissus c.v. "Bridal Crown".

Isolation and structural modification of 7-deoxynarciclasine and 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine

As an extension of structure-activity relationship studies of pancratistatin (1), various techniques were first evaluated for separating the mixtures of 7-deoxynarciclasine (2b) and 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine (3a) isolated from Hymenocallis littoralis. An efficient solution for that otherwise difficult separation then allowed the lactam carbonyl group of protected (4c and 5c) alcohols 2b and 3a to be reduced employing lithium aluminum hydride. Cleavage (TBAF followed by H2SO4) of the silyl ester/acetonide protected 6a gave amine 8. X-ray crystal structure determinations were employed to confirm the structures of 3,4-acetonide-5-aza-6-deoxynarciclasine (6b), 5-aza-6-deoxynarciclasine (8a), and 5-aza-6-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine (9a, 9b). Against the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia and a panel of human cancer cell lines, the parent natural products, 7-deoxynarciclasine (2b) and 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine (3a), were found to generally be more cancer cell growth inhibitory (GI50 0.1 to <0.01 microg/mL) than the compounds with structural modifications such as amine 8 by a factor of 10 or more. The trans ring juncture of isocarbostyril 3a proved to be an important modification of narciclasine (2a) for improving cancer cell growth inhibition in this series.

Chemical and biological aspects of Narcissus alkaloids

This chapter discusses the chemical and biological aspects of Narcissus alkaloids. Numerous alkaloids have been isolated from Narcissus speciesasaresult of the continuing search for novel alkaloids with pharmacological activity in the Amaryllidaceae family. The alkaloids isolated from this genus, classified in relation to the different skeleton types. The different Narcissus wild species and intersectional hybrids, grouped into subgenera and sections, with their corresponding alkaloids, arranged according to their ring system are listed. The biosynthetic pathways of Narcissus alkaloids includes: (1) enzymatic preparation of the precursors, (2) primary cyclization mechanisms, (3) enzymatic preparation of intermediates, (4) secondary cyclization, diversification, and restructuring. The chapter discusses proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), and mass spectrometry (MS) for Narcissus alkaloids. A list of the different Narcissus alkaloids, their spectroscopic properties, and literature with the most recent spectroscopic data is given. Several Narcissus extracts shows the following activities: antiviral, prophage induction, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, antitumor, antimitotic, antiplatelet, hypotensive, emetic, acetylcholine esterase inhibitory, antifertility, antinociceptive, chronotropic, pheromone, plant growth inhibitor, and allelopathic.

External amebocytes guard the pharynx entry in a tunicate (Ascidiacea)

In the present report, we describe the identification of unusual free amebocytes, completely exposed to seawater, which inhabit the inner surface of the oral and atrial siphons of the compound ascidian Botryllus schlosseri (Urochordata). The origin and biological role of these cells were studied by cytochemical and ultrastructural analysis. These amebocytes are mononucleate cells, with numerous round granules, varying in content, and long filopodia, which contact the cuticle protrusions of the tunic in the siphon. Histochemical, histoenzymatic and immunohistochemical assays were carried out under light microscopy on sections and on living and fixed cultured hemocytes. Results showed that the phagocytic blood cells and the free amebocytes of the siphons shared: (i) affinity for the alpha-mannose specific agglutinin of Narcissus pseudonarcissus (NPA), (ii) occurrence of hydrolytic activities of acid phosphatase and non-specific esterases inside lysosomal vesicles and large vacuoles, (iii) membrane labeling with the lipophilic dye PKH26 specific for phagocytic cells, (iv) anti-CD39 immunocytochemical labeling specific for lysosomes of mammalian macrophages. All histochemical data support the hypothesis that these cells are 'sentinel cells' belonging to the hyaline amebocyte population of the phagocytic differentiation line of the immunocytes, since they can also recognize and phagocytize carmine experimentally administered as target particles.

A new alkaloid from Narcissus serotinus L

A new alkaloid derivative of [2]benzopyrano-[3,4-c] indole, isomer of 3-epimacronine, 4-methoxy-5-methyl-1,2,3,5,6,6alphaR-hexahydro-[1,3]dioxolo[4',5':6,7]isochromeno [3,4-c]indol-8-one, has been isolated from Narcissus serotinus L. (Amaryllidaceae) and its structure was elucidated by mass and spectral analysis.

Daffodil flowers delay senescence in cut Iris flowers

Visible symptoms of tepal senescence in cut Iris x hollandica (cv. Blue Magic) flowers were delayed by placing one cut daffodil flower (Narcissus pseudonarcissus, cv. Carlton) in the same vase. Addition of mucilage, exuded by daffodil stems, to the vase water had the same effect as the flowering daffodil stem. The active compound in the mucilage was identified as narciclasine (using LC/MS, GC/MS, 1H and 13C-NMR, and comparison with an authentic sample of narciclasine). The delay of senescence, either by mucilage or purified narciclasine, was correlated with a delayed increase in protease activity, and with a considerable reduction of maximum protease activity. Narciclasine did not affect in vitro protease activity, but is known to inhibit protein synthesis at the ribosomal level. Its effects on senescence and protease activity were similar to those of cycloheximide (CHX), another inhibitor of protein synthesis, but the effective narciclasine concentration was about 100 times lower than that of CHX. It is concluded that the delay of Iris tepal senescence by daffodil stems is due to narciclasine in daffodil mucilage, which apparently inhibits the synthesis of proteins involved in senescence.

Early detection of apoptosis by staining of acid-treated apoptotic cells with FITC-labeled lectin from Narcissus pseudonarcissus

BACKGROUND

Exposure of anionic phospholipids and modified carbohydrates are main parts of the apoptotic death program. Cells undergoing apoptosis can be identified by various methods, detecting surface changes or modifications of their organelles, respectively. We describe a method for the detection of early apoptosis by staining of cells with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled lectin from Narcissus pseudonarcissus (NPn).

METHODS

Apoptosis in cells or in cell lines was induced by various stimuli. To detect apoptosis the cells were stained with FITC-labeled lectin of NPn. After a short-term acid treatment they were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The instability of the cytoplasmic membrane against acid and the binding of NPn were very early features of apoptotic cell death. The NPn lectin staining procedure detected apoptosis with high sensitivity. The staining was stable for at least 12 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The method described in this study is suitable for the detection of the very early phases of apoptosis. The NPn lectin staining after short-term acid treatment can, therefore, be added to the list of reliable tools for the research of cell death.

Changes in some enzymes of microbodies and plastid development in excised radish cotyledons: effect of narciclasine

Narciclasine (NCS), isolated from mucilage of Narcissus bulb, showed inhibitory effects on growth and plastid development of excised radish cotyledons. NCS (0.1 mumol/L) started to show inhibitory effects on isocitrate lyase and hydroxypyruvate reductase activities after 24 h incubation in light. When NCS concentration was increased to 10 mumol/L, the activities of both enzymes are completely inhibited. From ultrastructural studies, NCS markedly prevented the degradation of protein bodies and lipid bodies, as well as chloroplast formation of excised radish cotyledons. There was only little degradation of protein and lipid bodies, and almost no chloroplast formation in the excised radish cotyledon treated with 1 mumol/L NCS. Therefore, our results provide clear evidence that NCS inhibited the transition of glyoxysomes and peroxisomes, and chloroplast development.

Antineoplastic agents 500. Narcistatin

An efficient procedure was found for synthetic conversion of the sparingly soluble anticancer isocarbostyril narciclasine (1), a component of various Narcissus species, to a cyclic phosphate designated narcistatin (3b). The reaction between narciclasine, tetrabutylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, and p-toluenesulfonic acid in pyridine afforded pyridinium narcistatin (3a) in reasonable yields. Transformation of narcistatin (3a) to, for example, the water-soluble prodrug sodium narcistatin (3d) was easily achieved by cation exchange chromatography. Narcistatin (3b) and 15 salt derivatives were evaluated against a panel of human cancer cell lines, and the range (0.1-0.01) of GI(50) values in micro g/mL was found to parallel that shown by the parent narciclasine.

Solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of the five major alkaloids in Narcissus confusus

A novel, fast and precise method, combining solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is described for the quantitative determination of five alkaloids (galanthamine, N-formylnorgalanthamine, haemanthamine, homolycorine and tazettine/pretazettine) from bulbs of wild Narcissus confusus, a high galanthamine-containing plant species growing in the Iberian Peninsula.

A short synthesis of (+)-narciclasine via a strategy derived from stereocontrolled epoxide formation and SnCl(4)-catalyzed arene-epoxide coupling

A facile construction of the typical framework of narcissus alkaloids has been realized by virtue of the development of a practical route involving stereocontrolled epoxide formation and SnCl(4)-catalyzed arene-epoxide coupling. To achieve this goal, it proved to be necessary to devise a strategy that would enable chemical transformations to install an epoxy moiety in a congested environment. The successful preparation of a hindered epoxide from O-isopropylidene-protected 4-aminocyclohexenol required three steps consisting principally of controlled bromohydration and base-promoted closure and N-alkylation. It was found that a catalytic amount of SnCl(4) not only maintained the catalytic cycle but also effected clean arylation to form a fused BC ring system. Several tactics that ultimately proved to be unsatisfactory are also discussed in an effort to set important boundary limits on arene-epoxide coupling. The requisite enantiopure 4-aminocyclohexenol was available via an asymmetric cycloaddition of diene to camphor-based chloronitroso. The total synthesis of (+)-narciclasine was realized in nine steps with an overall yield of 19%.

Alkaloids from Narcissus angustifolius subsp. transcarpathicus (Amaryllidaceae)

Seven alkaloids have been isolated from fresh bulbs of Narcissus angustifolius subsp. transcarpathicus (Amaryllidaceae). Nangustine, reported here for the first time, is the first 5,11-methanomorphanthridine alkaloid with a C-3/C-4 substitution. The structure and stereochemistry of this new alkaloid, as well as those previously known, have been determined by physical and spectroscopic methods. Spectroscopic data of pancracine have been completed. The in vitro assay activity against the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium falciparum was carried out with the compounds nangustine and pancracine.