Protection against neurodegenerative diseases of Iris pseudopumila extracts and their constituents

The present study describes for the first time the in vitro properties of Iris pseudopumila flowers and rhizomes extracts and their constituents. The methanolic extract of rhizomes showed significant anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NO production in the murine monocytic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Among the isolated compounds, those which most effectively inhibited LPS-induced NO production were irisolidone and 7-methyl-tectorigenin-4′-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside], with IC₅₀ values of 23.6 μM and 29.4 μM respectively. Isoorientin and isovitexin exhibited the most promising activity against AChE with IC₅₀ of 26.8 μM and 36.4 μM, respectively. The same compounds exhibited also the higher activity against BChE.     

Anticholinesterase activity of standardized extract of Illicium verum Hook. f. fruits

Illicium verum is a well known spice in traditional Indian system for its therapeutic potential. The present study was aimed to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory (BChE) activity of standardized extracts of I. verum and its oil. Present study confirmed that anethole contributed to the anticholinesterase activity of I. verum, with more specificity towards AChE. IC₅₀ for AChE and BChE inhibitory activity of anethole was 39.89 ± 0.32 μg/mL and 75.35 ± 1.47 μg/mL, whereas for the oil, 36.00 ± 0.44 μg/mL and 70.65 ± 0.96 μg/mL respectively. Therefore I. verum can be a good lead as anti-cholinesterase agent from natural resources.     

Anti-acne activity of tannin-related compounds isolated from Terminalia laxiflora

In our investigation to find out new anti-acne agent, we focused on Terminalia laxiflora Engl & Diels (Combretaceae) methanolic wood extract, which has been selected during previous screening experiments for anti-acne agents, which included 29 species of Sudanese medicinal plants. Based on the biologically guided fractionation using an antibacterial assay against Propionibacterium acnes, a lipase inhibitory assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay; five tannin-related compounds were isolated, such as ellagic acid, flavogallonic acid dilactone, terchebulin and gallic acid. Terchebulin showed good antibacterial activity; minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 125 μg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) = 250 μg/ml. Gallic acid exhibited lipase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 149.3 μM, which showed strong inhibition compared with terchebulin, IC₅₀ 260.7 μM. However, all compounds exhibited better or equal DPPH radical scavenging activity to (+)-catechin as positive control. Ellagic acid and terchebulin showed the best DPPH radical scavenging activities, IC₅₀ 4.86 and 4.90 μM, respectively. This study demonstrated that terchebulin has potentiality as an anti-acne agent.     

Regeneration, in vitro glycoalkaloids production and evaluation of bioactivity of callus methanolic extract of Solanum tuberosum L.

Callus and differentiated shoots initiated from Solanum tuberosum L. on MS media containing BA, IAA, and Kin. Glycoalkaloids are produced in callus and shoots in concentrations higher than original tubers using HPLC. Callus methanolic extract had promising anticancer activity with low IC₅₀ values against human carcinoma cell lines of breast, lymphoplastic leukemia, larynx, liver, cervix, colon, and brain, IC₅₀ (µg/mL) were 2.7, 3.7, 6, 6.7, 10, 13.6, and 22.3 respectively. Antioxidant capacity of the extract (76.4%) performed using ESR. Preliminary screening showed that the extract exhibited in vitro virucidal activity against Herpes simplex. The extract possessed in vitro schistomicidal and fasciolicidal activity.     

Isolation of a novel catechin from Bergenia rhizomes that has pronounced lipase-inhibiting and antioxidative properties

An aqueous ethanol extract of Bergenia crassifolia rhizomes strongly inhibited human pancreatic lipase activity and increased scavenging of DPPH free radicals in vitro. Chromatographic separation of this extract led to isolation of the hydrolysable tannins (+)-catechin 3,5-di-O-gallate () and (+)-catechin 3-O-gallate (). This is the first report of the isolation of compound 1 from plant material. This compound strongly inhibited human pancreatic lipase (with an IC₅₀ value of 0.42 μg/ml) and exhibited a remarkable free radical-scavenging ability (with an SC₅₀ value of 1.04 μg/ml). The chemical structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using MS, NMR and chemical approaches.     

Bioactive constituents from the stems of Dalbergia parviflora

From the stems of Dalbergia parviflora, three known flavonoids, six known isoflavonoids, a new isoflavone, dalparvone (2) and a new cinnamyl derivative, dalparvinene (6) were isolated and characterized. Isoflavan 3 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against KB and NCI-H187 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 0.53 and 2.04 μg/ml, respectively. Compound 6 demonstrated strong cytotoxicity against NCI-H187 with an IC₅₀ value of 1.46 μg/ml. Compounds 4 and 6 possessed moderate cytotoxicity against KB cells with IC₅₀ values of 6.78 and 9.89 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, 2 exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity with an IC₅₀ value of 8.19 μg/ml.     

Inhibition of viral adsorption and penetration by an aqueous extract from Rhododendron ferrugineum L. as antiviral principle against herpes simplex virus type-1

The polyphenol-enriched aqueous extract RF from the aerial parts of Rhododendron ferrugineum exhibited strong antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type-1 while adenovirus 3 was not affected. RF exhibited an IC₅₀ of 7.4 μg/mL and a selectivity index of 64 when added to the virus inoculum prior to infection. RF abolished virus entry into the host cell by blocking attachment to the cell surface. When added after attachment at a concentration of > 25 μg/mL, RF inhibited also penetration of HSV-1 into the host cell. RF directly interacts with viral envelope proteins as demonstrated for the viral glycoprotein gD.     

Metabolism mediated interaction of α-asarone and Acorus calamus with CYP3A4 and CYP2D6

The present study was aimed to investigate the possible interaction of the standardized extract of Acorus calamus (AC) with Cytochrome P450 enzyme, quantitative determination of the α-asarone in the AC rhizome was performed by RP-HPLC method. In vitro interaction of the plant extract was evaluated by CYP450-carbon monoxide complex (CYP450-CO) assay. Effect on individual isoforms such as CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 isozymes were analyzed through fluorescence product formation and respective IC₅₀ values were determined. CYP450-CO assay showed moderate interaction potential. Extract showed higher IC₅₀ values (46.84 ± 1.83-32.99 ± 2.21 μg/ml) comparing to the standard inhibitors and lower IC₅₀ value than α-asarone (65.16 ± 2.37-42.15 ± 2.45 μg/ml).     

Bioactive cis-stilbenoids from the tubers of Scirpus yagara

Two new cis-stilbenoids, sciryagarol I (1) and II (2) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the tubers of Scirpus yagara, together with four known compounds. The structures of all compounds were determined by comprehensive analyses of their spectroscopic data and comparison with literature information. The compounds 3, 4 and 6 were isolated for the first time from this genus. Some compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines and antimicrobial activity. Compounds 1–4 showed significant cytotoxicity against the Hela cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.21 to 61.21 μM. 1 and 2 exhibited some antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans with uniform MICs of 79.3 μl/ml for 2, and 152 μl/ml for 1, respectively.     

Modulation of COX,LOX and NFκB activities by Xanthium spinosum L. root extract and ziniolide

Xanthium spinosum L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal weed distributed worldwide. Many of its diverse ethnopharmacological uses – namely diarrhoea, inflammation, liver disorders, snake bite and fever – are linked – at least in part – to an uncontrolled release of arachidonic acid metabolites. The crude extract of X. spinosum roots from Jordanian origin dose-dependently inhibited the 5-LOX (IC₅₀ ≅ 10 μg/mL), COX-1(IC₅₀ ≅ 50 μg/mL), and 12-LOX (IC₅₀ ≅ 170 μg/mL) enzymatic pathways in intact pro-inflammatory cells. A direct activity at the level of PLA₂ is not probable, but the extract induced the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory eicosanoid 15(S)-HETE, which may in turn inhibit this enzyme. 5-LOX bioguided fractionation of the crude extract led to the isolation of ziniolide, a known 12,8-guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone, from the hydro-alcoholic fraction of the n-hexane extract (IC₅₀ = 69 μM). Both the plant extract and ziniolide are in vitro inhibitors of the phorbol-induced NFκB activation, a key regulator of the arachidonic pathway.     

Bioactive flavones and biflavones from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron

Three new flavones named 5-carboxymethyl-4′,7-dihydroxyflavone (1), its ethyl ester (2) and butyl ester (3) were isolated from the herb Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron., together with ten known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analysis. Selected compounds were evaluated for their anti-HBV and cytotoxic activity. Among them, compounds 2 and 3 displayed inhibitory activity in vitro on hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion of the Hep G2.2.15 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 0.17 mg/ml and 0.46 mg/ml, and on HBV e antigen (HBeAg) secretion with IC₅₀ values of 0.42 mg/ml and 0.42 mg/ml, respectively. Compounds 7, 8, 10 and 12 exhibited selective cytotoxicity against the three human cancer cell lines tested.     

8-9′ linked neolignans with cytotoxicity from Alpinia conchigera

Five new 8-9′ linked neolignans conchigeranals A–E (1–5), together with three known compounds galanganal (6), galanganols A (7) and B (8), were isolated from the whole plant of Alpinia conchigera. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1–8 were tested against two cancer cell lines A549 and Hela. Results showed that 4, 5, 7 and 8 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 with the IC₅₀ values of 12.36, 9.72, 10.26, 13.05 μg/ml, respectively, and 1–8 against Hela with the IC₅₀ values from 1.53 to 5.29 μg/ml.     

Anti-tumor promoters phenolics and triterpenoid from Hippophae rhamnoides

A 70% ethanol extract of the branches of Hippophae rhamnoides exhibited remarkable antitumor activity in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test in mice using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene as an initiator and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a promoter. From the active fraction of the 70% ethanol extract, three phenolic compounds, (+)-catechin (1), (+)-gallocatechin (2), and (−)-epigallocatechin (3) and a tritepenoid, ursolic acid (4) were isolated and identified. These compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on TPA-induced inflammation (1 µg/ear) in mice. Within the tested compounds, 3 and 4 showed marked anti-inflammatory effects, with a 50% inhibitory dose of 1.7 and 0.2 μmol/ear.     

Screening antiacne potency of Indonesian medicinal plants: antibacterial,lipase inhibition,and antioxidant activities

Indonesian medicinal plants were screened as potential sources of antiacne agents. The screening methods were performed using antibacterial assay against Propionibacterium acnes, lipase inhibitor assay, and antioxidant assay. The results showed that from 40 plant materials extracted with methanol and 50% ethanol in water, Caesalpinia sappan was the best extract based on the combined activities: antibacterial (minimum inhibitory concentration 0.13 mg/ml; minimum bactericidal concentration 0.25 mg/ml), lipase inhibitory [50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) 120.0 μg/ml], and antioxidative (IC₅₀ 6.47 μg/ml). Another prospective extract is Intsia palembanica based on its lipase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 4.1 μg/ml) and antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 3.87 μg/ml). Part of this report was presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tsukuba, March 2008     

Antifungal activity of Liriodenine from Michelia formosana heartwood against wood-rotting fungi

Wood-rotting fungi lead to great economic losses of lignocellulosic materials. The influence of extractives on the decay resistance of Michelia formosana wood and the antifungal activities of heartwood extract and its constituent against wood-rotting fungi were evaluated. Results revealed that extractives had a strong influence on the decay resistance of M. formosana heartwood. The unextracted heartwood block was resistant to fungi, while the extracted heartwood block was not. Antifungal activities of ethanolic extract from heartwood were assessed; results revealed that the ethanolic extract possessed good antifungal activity against wood-rotting fungi. The ethanolic extract was further separated into four fractions including n-hexane-soluble fraction, ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, n-butanol-soluble fraction, and water-soluble fraction. Among these fractions, the n-hexane-soluble fraction exhibited the best antifungal ability. An alkaloid, liriodenine, was isolated from the active n-hexane-soluble fraction. IC₅₀ values of liriodenine against the white-rot fungi Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor were 0.76 and 3.50?μg/mL, respectively. IC₅₀ values of liriodenine against the brown-rot fungi Laetiporus sulphureus, Gloeophyllum trabeum, and Fomitopsis pinicola were all lower than 2.0?μg/mL. Results indicated that liriodenine exhibited a broad spectrum of antifungal activity and great potential to develop as an environmentally benign fungicide for the preservation of lignocellulosic materials.     

Pistagremic acid,a glucosidase inhibitor from Pistacia integerrima

Pistacia integerrima Stewart in traditionally used as folk remedy for various pathological conditions including diabetes. In order to identify the bioactive compound responsible for its folk use in diabetes, a phytochemical and biological study was conducted. Pistagremic acid (PA) was isolated from the dried galls extract of P. integerrima. Strong α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of PA was predicted using its molecular docking simulations against yeast α-glucosidase as a therapeutic target. Significant experimental α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of PA confirmed the computational predictions. PA showed potent enzyme inhibitory activity both against yeast (IC₅₀: 89.12 ± 0.12 μM) and rat intestinal (IC₅₀: 62.47 ± 0.09 μM) α-glucosidases. Interestingly, acarbose was found to be more than 12 times more potent an inhibitor against mammalian (rat intestinal) enzyme (having IC₅₀ value 62.47 ± 0.09 μM), as compared to the microbial (yeast) enzyme (with IC₅₀ value 780.21 μM). Molecular binding mode was explored via molecular docking simulations, which revealed hydrogen bonding interactions between PA and important amino acid residues (Asp60, Arg69 and Asp 70 (3.11 Å)), surrounding the catalytic site of the α-glucosidase. These interactions could be mainly responsible for their role in potent inhibitory activity of PA. PA has a strong potential to be further investigated as a new lead compound for better management of diabetes.     

Chemical constituents from endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum

A new oxysporidinone analogue (1) and a new 3-hydroxyl-2-piperidinone derivative (2), along with the known compounds (−)-4,6′-anhydrooxysporidinone (3), (+)-fusarinolic acid (4), gibepyrone D (5), beauvercin (6),cerevisterol (7), fusaruside (8), and (2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)-1-O-D-glucopyranosyl-2-N-(2′-hydroxy-3′-octadecenoyl)-3-hydroxy-9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine (9) were isolated from Fusarium oxysporum. Compounds 1-9 were evaluated for cytotoxicity using the MTT method against cancer cell lines, PC-3, PANC-1, and A549. Beauvericin showed cytotoxicity against PC-3, PANC-1, and A549 with IC₅₀ value of 49.5 ± 3.8, 47.2 ± 2.9, and 10.4 ± 1.6 μM, respectively. Beauvericin also exhibited anti-bacterial activity towards methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 3.125 μg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 3.125 μg/mL).     

Antioxidant properties and structural analysis of phenolic glucosides from bark of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus ussuriensis</Emphasis> Kom.

The methanol (MeOH) extract of Populus ussuriensis Kom. bark was analyzed for antioxidant assessing by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential. Among fractions using several solvents, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) soluble fraction, which showed strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 2.02 ± 0.01 μg/ml), was further purified by Thin layer chromatography (TLC) guided Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Three known phenolic glucosides, picein (I), salicortin (II), grandidentatin (III), and that of a new, 2-hydroxycyclohexyl-4′-O-p-coumaroyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (isograndidentatin A), were isolated and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physiochemical and spectroscopic methods. This was the first report of the chemical composition of P. ussuriensis bark. Phenolic glucosides III and IV exhibited strong antioxidant activities, with IC₅₀ values 6.73 ± 0.01 and 6.69 ± 0.01 μM, respectively, comparable to the control (α-tocopherol, IC₅₀ 6.80 ± 0.01 μM). P. ussuriensis bark EtOAc-soluble fraction and compounds III and IV could be used as biopreservatives in food applications as well as for cosmetic and medicinal preparations, to alleviate oxidative stress.     

Prenylated phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum sampsonii

Six new acylphloroglucinol derivatives, sampsonols A-F (1–6), were isolated from the petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum sampsonii. The structures and relative configurations of sampsonols A-F were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. All these compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. Sampsonols A and B (1 and 2) showed significant cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 13–28 μM, whereas sampsonols C and F (3 and 6) showed potent inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC₅₀ values of 27.3 and 29.3 μM, respectively.     

A new cytotoxic 1-azaanthraquinone from the stems of Goniothalamus laoticus

A new 1-azaanthraquinone, named laoticuzanone A (1), and a synthetically known 3-methyl-1H-1-azaanthracene-2,9,10-trione (2), together with four known compounds, Griffithazanone A (3), methyl sinapate (4), methyl p-coumarate (5), and p-hydroxyphenylethyl p-coumarate (6) were isolated from the stems of Goniothalamus laoticus. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data as well as comparisons with the previous literature data. Compound 1 showed the highest cytotoxicity against KB and HeLa cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.68 and 0.50 μg/ml, respectively.