Deguelin Impairs Cell Adhesion, Migration and Invasion of Human Lung Cancer Cells through the NF-[Formula: see text]B Signaling Pathways.

Deguelin, a rotenoid, is isolated from a natural plant species, and has biological activities including antitumor function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of deguelin on the cell adhesion, migration and invasion of NCI-H292 human lung cancer cells in vitro. Cell viability was analyzed by using flow cytometer. Cell adhesion was determined by using the cell-matrix adhesion assay. Wound healing assay was used to examine cell migration. Cell migration and invasion were investigated using a Boyden chamber assay. The protein expression was measured by Western blotting and confocal laser microscopy. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay was used to measure NF-[Formula: see text]B p65 binding to DNA.We selected the concentrations of deguelin at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M and we found that those concentrations of deguelin did not induce significant cytotoxic effects on NCI-H292 cells. Thus, we selected those concentrations of deguelin for metastasis assay. We found that deguelin inhibited cell adhesion, migration and invasion in dose-dependent manners that was assayed by wound healing and transwell methods, respectively. Deguelin decreased the expression of MMP-2/-9, SOS 1, Rho A, p-AKT (Thr308), p-ERK1/2, p-p38, p-JNK, NF-[Formula: see text]B (p65) and uPA in NCI-H292 cells. Deguelin suppressed the expression of PI3K, SOS 1, NF-[Formula: see text]B (p65), but did not significantly affect PKC and Ras in the nuclei of NCI-H292 cells that were confirmed by confocal laser microscopy. We suggest that deguelin may be used as a novel anticancer metastasis of lung cancer in the future.

Anti-Angiogenic Activity of Rotenoids from the Stems of Derris trifoliata.

The plants in the genus Derris have proven to be a rich source of rotenoids, of which cytotoxic effect against cancer cells seem to be pronounced. However, their effect on angiogenesis playing a crucial role in both cancer growth and metastasis has been seldom investigated. This study aimed at investigating the effect of the eight rotenoids (1: -8: ) isolated from Derris trifoliata stems on three cancer cells and angiogenesis. Among them, 12a-hydroxyrotenone (2: ) exhibited potent inhibition on both cell growth and migration of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Further, anti-angiogenic assay in an ex vivo model was carried out to determine the effect of the isolated rotenoids on angiogenesis. Results revealed that 12a-hydroxyrotenone (2: ) displayed the most potent suppression of microvessel sprouting. The in vitro assay on human umbilical vein endothelial cells was performed to determine whether compound 2: elicits anti-angiogenic effect and its effect was found to occur via suppression of endothelial cells proliferation and tube formation, but not endothelial cells migration. This study provides the first evidence that compound 2: could potently inhibit HCT116 cancer migration and anti-angiogenic activity, demonstrating that 2: might be a potential agent or a lead compound for cancer therapy.

Screening of a small, well-curated natural product-based library identifies two rotenoids with potent nematocidal activity against Haemonchus contortus.

The control of parasitic roundworms (nematodes) is heavily reliant on the use of a limited number of anthelmintic drugs. However, drug resistance is now very widespread and no vaccines are available, such that the discovery of new chemical entities is crucial. Within this context, we screened a library of pure natural products (n=400) against exsheathed third-stage (xL3) larvae of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus using a whole-organism screening method. We identified two plant-derived rotenoids, deguelin and rotenone, with inhibitory activity on xL3 motility. Rotenone was not investigated further, because of its toxicity to some vertebrates. The dose response and cytotoxicity studies showed potent and selective inhibitory activity of deguelin on motility of xL3 larvae of H. contortus. Detailed future work needs to be conducted to explore the mode of action of this compound on H. contortus and related nematodes, and to assess its potential as an anthelmintic candidate.

Isoflavones and Rotenoids from the Leaves of Millettia oblata ssp. teitensis.

A new isoflavone, 8-prenylmilldrone (1), and four new rotenoids, oblarotenoids A-D (2-5), along with nine known compounds (6-14), were isolated from the CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1:1) extract of the leaves of Millettia oblata ssp. teitensis by chromatographic separation. The purified compounds were identified by NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses, whereas the absolute configurations of the rotenoids were established on the basis of chiroptical data and in some cases by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Maximaisoflavone J (11) and oblarotenoid C (4) showed weak activity against the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values of 33.3 and 93.8 µM, respectively.

A kaempferol triglycoside from Tephrosia preussii Taub. (Fabaceae).

A phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of twigs and leaves of Tephrosia preussi was carried out to give a new kaempferol triglycoside, named tephrokaempferoside (1), together with five known compounds: tephrosin (2), betulinic acid (3), lupeol (4), ß-sitosterol (5) and 3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside of ß-sitosterol (6). The structure of the new compound was characterised by analyses of NMR (1D and 2D) and MS data, and chemical conversion. Tephrokaempferoside (1) had weak antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae with an MIC value of 150 µg/mL.

Deguelins, Natural Product Modulators of NF1-Defective Astrocytoma Cell Growth Identified by High-Throughput Screening of Partially Purified Natural Product Extracts.

A high-throughput screening assay for modulators of Trp53/NF1 mutant astrocytoma cell growth was adapted for use with natural product extracts and applied to a novel collection of prefractionated/partially purified extracts. Screening 68 427 samples identified active fractions from 95 unique extracts, including the terrestrial plant Millettia ichthyotona. Only three of these extracts showed activity in the crude extract form, thus demonstrating the utility of a partial purification approach for natural product screening. The NF1 screening assay was used to guide purification of active compounds from the M. ichthyotona extract, which yielded the two rotenones deguelin (1) and dehydrodeguelin (2). The deguelins have been reported to affect growth of a number of cancer cell lines. They potently inhibited growth of only one of a panel of NF1/Trp53 mutant murine astrocytoma cell lines, possibly related to epigenetic factors, but had no effect on the growth of normal astrocytes. These results suggest the potential utility of deguelins as tools for further investigating NF1 astrocytoma cell growth. These bioprobes were identified only as a result of screening partially purified natural product extracts.

Rotenone isolated from Pachyrhizus erosus displays cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in K562 cells.

Pachyrhizus erosus (Fabaceae) is a herb commonly known as 'yam bean', which has been cultivated in México since pre-Columbian times for its edible tubers. The seeds are also known for their acaricidal and insecticidal properties due to rotenone and other isoflavonoid contents. Rotenone has exhibited cytotoxic activity against several human tumour cell lines; however, its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. In this study, we determined the cytotoxicity of rotenone isolated from P. erosus seeds on K562 human leukaemia cells. Rotenone exhibited significant cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 13.05 µM), as determined by the MTT assay. Three other isolated isoflavonoids were not cytotoxic. Rotenone genotoxicity was detected using the comet assay. Rotenone induced cell death, and caspase-3 activation as indicated by TUNEL assay, and immunocytofluorescence. Plasmid nicking assay indicated that rotenone does not interact directly with DNA.

Millettia pachycarpa exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of LPS-induced NO/iNOS expression.

The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids isolated from Millettia pachycarpa Benth. The seeds of M. pachycarpa Benth were extracted with ethanol and subjected to chromatographic separation for the isolation of bioactive compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds was investigated by evaluating the inhibition ability of NO production, iNOS activity and iNOS protein expression induced by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro and the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in vivo. Molecular docking simulation was also employed to obtain the binding parameters in the binding pocket of iNOS. Thirteen compounds (1-13) were isolated from Chinese herbal medicine M. pachycarpa Benth. Among them, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) and deguelin (7) exhibited remarkable inhibitory rates of 66.5% and 57.7%, respectively, compared with that of 52.5% of indomethacin in LPS-induced macrophages cells. 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) with low toxicity (IC50 > 100 µm) exhibited better inhibitory effects to positive control of 1400W on iNOS activity at the concentration of 10 µm. Western blot assay revealed that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) inhibited iNOS protein expression in RAW264.7 cells and molecular docking simulation showed that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) fit well into the binding pocket of iNOS. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, our data revealed that the anti-inflammatory potential of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) at 10 mg/kg showed comparable inhibitory ability to indomethacin at 5 h while a higher concentration of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) at 50 mg/kg showed higher inhibitory activity than indomethacin, which was further confirmed by plasma levels of nitrite. The overall results suggest that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) might be used as a potential therapeutic agent for inflammation-associated disorders.

Mirabijalone E: a novel rotenoid from Mirabilis himalaica inhibited A549 cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The roots of Mirabilis himalaica have been used in Tibetan folk medicine for treatment of uterine cancer, nephritis edematous, renal calculus and arthrodynia. In our previous work, the ethanol extract of roots had shown potent cytotoxicity against human cancer cells. However, no information is available on the antitumor effect of Mirabilis himalaica. The aim of the present study was to investigate the active constituents guided by bioassay and evaluate the related antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active subextract (ethyl acetate) was subjected to successive chemical separation using a combination of silica gel, LH-20 chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. Three human cancer cell lines, A549, HepG2 and HeLa were used for in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of all isolated compounds by MTT-assay. Then, the potent and novel compound mirabijalone E was employed to the mechanism study againstA549 cells. BrdU immunofluorescence, soft agar assay and cell cycle analysis were employed to detect the cell proliferation effects. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay was used for examining apoptotic effects. Expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were determined by western blot assay. in vivo tumorigenic assay was used to evaluate the xenograft tumor growth treated with mirabijalone E. RESULTS: One new rotenoid compound, mirabijalone E, together with eight known rotenoids was isolated from Mirabilis himalaica. Mirabijalone E, 9-O-methyl-inone B, boeravinone C and boeravinone H exhibited cytotoxicity against A 549 and HeLa cells. Further study on mirabijalone E was carried out in vitro and in vivo. Mirabijalone E inhibited A549 cells growth in a time and dose-dependent manner, which arrested cell cycle in S phase. Mechanistically, mirabijalone E treatment resulted in the increase of Bax expression level, the decrease of Bcl-2 level and the activation of caspase-3, which suggested the activation of apoptosis cascades. Consequently, the xenograft treated with mirabijalone E showed markedly suppressed tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: The result suggested that mirabijalone E, together with active compounds, 9-O-methyl-4-hydroxyboeravinone B, boeravinone C and boeravinone H could be a promising candidate for cancer therapy.

Caeruleanone A, a rotenoid with a new arrangement of the D-ring from the fruits of Millettia caerulea.

Caeruleanone A (1), a novel rotenoid with an unprecedented arrangement of the D-ring, was isolated with another two new analogues, caeruleanones B (2) and C (3), together with 11 known rotenoids from the fruits of Millettia caerulea. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, with that of 1 being confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 2 and 3 displayed potent mitochondrial transmembrane potential inhibitory and quinone reductase induction activities.

Cytotoxic constituents of Pachyrhizus tuberosus from Peruvian amazon.

Investigations into the chemical constituents of the seeds of the neglected tuber crop Pachyrhizus tuberosus (Leguminosae) resulted in the isolation of seven components: five rotenoids [12a-hydroxyerosone (1), 12a-hydroxydolineone (2), erosone (3), 12a-hydroxyrotenone (4) and rotenone (6)], a phenylfuranocoumarin [pachyrrhizine (5)] and an isoflavanone [neotenone (7)]. The compounds were isolated using several chromatography techniques and characterized and verified by NMR and HPLC/MS. The MTT assay was used to examine the selective cytotoxic effects of the methanolic P. tuberosus extract and isolated compounds in two human cancer cell lines [breast (MCF-7) and colorectal (HCT-116)] and in non-transformed human fibroblasts (MRC-5); IC50 values were calculated. The methanolic P. tuberosus extract displayed respectable cytotoxic effects against HCT-116 and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 7.3 and 6.3 microg/mL, respectively. Of the compounds, 6 exacted greatest cytotoxicity and selectivity towards the cancer cell lines tested, yielding IC50 values of 0.3 microg/mL against both MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells, and a 6-fold reduced activity against MRC-5 fibroblasts. Compound 4 also demonstrated cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HCT-116 (1.1 and 1.8 microg/mL, respectively), and reduced cytotoxicity towards MRC-5 cells (7.5 mirog/mL). The results revealed from the in vitro cytotoxic MTT assay are worthy of further antitumor investigation.

Evaluation of anti-bacterial and wound healing activity of the fruits of Amorpha fruticosa L.

As the traditional Chinese medicine, the fresh fruits of Amorpha fruticosa L. were applied for the treatment of carbuncle, eczema and burn (Das et al., 2007). However, little is known about the functional roles of the fruits of Amorpha fruticosa L. during wound healing progress. In the present study, we evaluated both antimicrobial potential against a wide range of microorganisms and wound healing activity of the seven compounds isolated from the fruits of Amorpha fruticosa L in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that compounds I (6a,12a-dehydroamorphin), V (dehydrosermundone) and VI (tephrosin) isolated from the fruits of Amorpha fruticosa L. performed dominant antimicrobial potential against microorganisms. Moreover, these compounds significantly enhanced fibroblasts proliferation and migration, leading to promotion of wound healing. Thus, it could be possible for the therapeutic utilization of Amorpha fruticosa L. for wound healing in the future.

Rotenoids from Boerhaavia diffusa as potential anti-inflammatory agents.

Five new (2, 3, 5, 7, and 9) and four known rotenoids (1, 4, 6, and 8) were isolated from a methanol extract of Boerhaavia diffusa roots. The structures of the new rotenoids were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. The 70% ethanol extract, a rotenoid-rich fraction, and all isolated rotenoids were evaluated for their COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities. Among the rotenoids tested, compound 7 showed the most potent COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition, with IC50 values of 21.7 ± 0.5 and 25.5 ± 0.6 µM, respectively. Boeravinone B (6) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (56.6% at 50 mg/kg) when evaluated in an in vivo carrageenan-induced rat paw model.

Fast microwave-assisted extraction of rotenone for its quantification in seeds of yam bean (Pachyrhizus sp.).

The aim of this study was to find if fast microwave-assisted extraction could be an alternative to the conventional Soxhlet extraction for the quantification of rotenone in yam bean seeds by SPE and HPLC-UV. For this purpose, an experimental design was used to determine the optimal conditions of the microwave extraction. Then the values of the quantification on three accessions from two different species of yam bean seeds were compared using the two different kinds of extraction. A microwave extraction of 11 min at 55°C using methanol/dichloromethane (50:50) allowed rotenone extraction either equivalently or more efficiently than the 8-h-Soxhlet extraction method and was less sensitive to moisture content. The selectivity, precision, trueness, accuracy, and limit of quantification of the method with microwave extraction were also demonstrated.

[Isolation and identification of brine shrimp lethal activities from Derris trifoliata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the brine shrimp lethal activities of the roots and stems from Derris trifoliata. METHODS: The biological activity of the athyl acetate extract was tested by the 2nd-instar of Artemia franciscana by the method of Silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, Semipreparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Eleven compounds were isolated from the athyl acetate extract, and LD50 s of 12a-hydroxyrotenone, tephrosin, rotenone and deguelin were 0.365, 0.236, 0.060 and 0.734 microg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of bioassay show that 12a-hydroxyrotenone, tephrosin,rotenone and deguelin have strong brine shrimp lethal activity.

Rotenoid content and in vitro acaricidal activity of Tephrosia vogelii leaf extract on the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus.

This study aimed to determine the rotenoid content of leaf extracts of the white (TVW) and purple (TVP) varieties of Tephrosia vogelii, both collected in North-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo and to evaluate their in vitro acaricidal efficacy on the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. The high performance liquid chromatography analysis of rotenoid compounds from those extracts revealed that the contents of rotenone and deguelin were respectively higher in the leaves of TVW (0.044% and 1.13%) than in TVP (0.014% and 0.66%). Batches of 20 live adult ticks were immersed for 15 min in six different doses of each plant extract (0.625; 1.25; 2.5; 5; 10 and 20mg/mL of distilled water) and in the solution of Milbitraz(®) (12.5%m/v emulsifiable concentrate of amitraz) as a positive control. Additionally 9.5% ethanol and distilled water control groups were included. Tick mortalities were recorded every 24h for 5 days. The results indicated that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the acaricidal effect of Milbitraz(®) and the plant material used at a dose of at least 2.5 or 5mg/mL for TVW and TVP respectively. However, the dose response relationship determined at the fifth day after treatment showed a similar acaricidal effect for the two plant varieties with similar lethal dose 50 (LD(50)) of 0.83 and 0.81 mg/mL for TVW and TVP respectively. It is concluded that T. vogelii leaves may be used for the control of R. appendiculatus in areas where synthetic acaricides are either not available or affordable. However, T. vogelii extract should be sprayed in order to limit the potential risks of ecotoxicity linked to rotenoid compounds.

Two new rotenoids from Boerhavia repens.

Two new rotenoids, boerharotenoids A (1) and B (2), and four known compounds, boeravinone (3), 5,7,3'-trihydroxycoumaronochromone (4), boeravinone F (5), and eupalitin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (6), have been isolated from Boerhavia repens and their structures established by spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometric comparison with literature values.

Rotenoids from Lablab purpureus L. and their bioefficacy against human disease vectors.

Various plant parts of Lablab purpureu s L. were collected and analyzed separately for their rotenoid content. Among the plant parts, the maximum content was in the roots and minimum in the seeds. The identity of different rotenoids was confirmed by melting point, mixed melting point, UV, and infrared spectral studies and gas-liquid chromatography. Six rotenoids (deguelin, dehydrodeguelin, rotenol, rotenone, tephrosin, and sumatrol) were isolated, identified, and quantified both in vivo and in vitro. Toxicological studies of extracts showed bioefficacy against causal agents of malaria, dracunculiasis, and amoebiasis.

Removal of rotenone insecticide by adsorption onto chemically modified activated carbons.

The removal of rotenone from synthetic and real wastewaters using modified activated carbons has been investigated. In order to enhance the removal capacity of rotenone, activated carbon was chemically modified through impregnation with NH(3) and (NH(4))(2)S(2)O(8) solutions. The resulting carbons were found to present different surface chemistries, while possessing similar textural properties. The adsorption data obtained at 298 K, on plain and modified carbons were well represented by the Langmuir isotherm model (R(2)>0.997). The highest adsorption capacity (Q(m)=270.3 mg g(-1)) was obtained with the ammonia-treated activated carbon. The relative effect of different surface groups on adsorption capacities were found to be in accordance with the pi-pi dispersive interaction model. The adsorption kinetic models have provided useful insights into rotenone adsorption mechanism. It was concluded that rotenone sorption process followed pseudo-second order model and was controlled by intra-particle diffusion mechanism with a significant contribution of film diffusion. The successful adsorptive removal of rotenone, from real wastewater samples on fixed bed columns, have demonstrated the suitability of this method as an effective alternative solution for the treatment of contaminated wastewaters.

[Separation and preparation of two rotenoids from the roots of Derris by high-speed counter-current chromatography].

Two rotenoids (rotenone and deguelin) were successfully isolated and purified from the roots of Derris by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethylacetate-methanol-water (7: 0. 25:5:3, v/v/v/v) on a preparative scale. The lower phase was used as the mobile phase and the upper phase was used as the stationary phase. The revolution speed was 850 r/min, the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm and the flow rate was 2.0 mL/min. Under the optimized conditions, within 2.5 h, 6.4 mg of rotenone with the purity of 96.60% and 23.4 mg of deguelin with the purity of 97.87% were obtained from 50 mg of the crude extract of the roots of Derris in a one-step elution. The results indicate that the rotenone and deguelin with high purities can be obtained by HSCCC, and the established method can provide the basic experimental material for the intensive study of rotenoids.