Phytofabricated ZnO-NPs mediated by Hibiscus tiliaceus leaf extract and its potential as a diosgenin delivery vehicle.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have provided promising potential in the biomedical field, including the ability to overcome various health problems. Diosgenin is used to treat multiple health disorders but has very low solubility in water. Using ZnO-NPs as a diosgenin delivery vehicle was expected to increase the solubility of diosgenin, which would affect its bioavailability. This study demonstrates phytofabrication and characterization of ZnO-NPs, loading of diosgenin onto the ZnO-NPs, characterization of the product (ZnO-NPs/diosgenin), and evaluations of diosgenin release. Phytofabrication of the ZnO-NPs was carried out with zinc precursors and Hibiscus tiliaceus leaf extract (HLE) obtained with various extraction solvents. To explore the potential of using the ZnO-NPs as a diosgenin delivery vehicle, diosgenin release from the ZnO-NPs/diosgenin was studied. Based on the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, ZnO-NPs with high purity have been successfully fabricated. Nano-sized particles were detected using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), revealing the smallest particle size of 45.924 ± 27.910 nm obtained from the methanol extract with the zinc acetate precursor. The ZnO-NPs had hexagonal wurtzite and rod-like structures. Diosgenin was successfully added to the ZnO-NPs with loadings of 79.972% for ZnO-HLMEA-D500 (ZnO-NPs/diosgenin produced by doping with a 500 µg mL-1 of diosgenin solution) and 39.775% for ZnO-HLMEA-D1000 (ZnO-NPs/diosgenin produced by doping with a 1000 µg mL-1 of diosgenin solution). The solubilities of diosgenin from ZnO-HLMEA-D500 and ZnO-HLMEA-D1000 were higher than that of free diosgenin, confirming that ZnO-NPs have potential as delivery vehicles for diosgenin and conceivably other water-insoluble drugs.

Antiplasmodial and anticancer activities of xanthones isolated from Garcinia bancana Miq.

This report describes the isolation and characterization of xanthones from Garcinia bancana Miq. and evaluates their antiplasmodial and anticancer activities. Macluraxanthone (1), isojacareubin (2), and gerontoxanthone C (3) were isolated from the stem bark of G. bancana Miq. for the first time. In silico molecular docking studies revealed the hydrogen bonding and steric interactions between xanthones (1-3) and PfLDH/VEGFR2. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was assayed against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) method. The anticancer evaluation was evaluated against the A549, MCF-7, HeLa, and B-16 cancer cell lines. Compounds (1) (IC50 8.45-16.71 µM) and (3) (IC50 9.69-14.86 µM) showed more potent anticancer activity than compound (2) (IC50 25.46-31.31 µM), as well for their antiplasmodial activity (4.28 µM, 5.52 µM, 11.45 µM). Our findings indicated the potential of G. bancana Miq. as a natural resource of antiplasmodial and anticancer compounds.

Synthesis, α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and Molecular Docking Study of Chalcone Derivatives Bearing a 1H-1,2,3-Triazole Unit.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic condition that is a major health concern around the world. The current study investigates the synthesis of a series of chalcone and 1H-1,2,3-triazole hybrid compounds and their in vitro inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase. The antidiabetic analysis revealed that compounds 4a and 4b are highly active agents with IC50 of 3.90 and 4.77 µM, respectively. These results are close to quercetin (IC50 = 4.24 µM) as the reference standard. Molecular docking study strongly supports the active interaction of the 4a and 4b to the enzyme through cation-π interaction and hydrogen bonding between the ligands and the active site of Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-glucosidase enzyme. This study broadened the potential of designing chalcone-triazole hybrid compounds as antidiabetic drug candidates in the pharmaceutical sector.

A new biphenyl from the stem bark of Garcinia macrantha A.C.Sm.

In our continuation of exploring antidiabetic agents from Garcinia species, we found that the methanolic extract of G. macrantha A.C.Sm. exhibited considerable α-glucosidase inhibition of 58.20 ± 0.37% in sucrose substrate and 39.86 ± 2.07% in maltose substrate at 100 µg/mL. Phytochemical investigation on the extract revealed the presence of a new biphenyl, macrabiphenyl A, which was successfully elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods (HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR). The α-glucosidase inhibitory evaluation indicated that the new compound was weakly active against the enzyme.

Anti-cancer potency by induced apoptosis by molecular docking P53, caspase, cyclin D1, cytotoxicity analysis and phagocytosis activity of trisindoline 1,3 and 4.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Efforts to find and develop cancer drugs from natural products continue with the exploration of trisindoline, a substance that is isolated from marine sponges Hyrtios altum. Trisindoline is an indole trimer alkaloid compound that has been successfully synthesized into trisindoline 1, 3 and 4. Trisindoline is cytotoxic in cell lines and in this study, trisindoline was able to induce apoptosis in the in silico and in vitro tests that were carried out. The in silico test was carried out through molecular docking using the Autodock Vina method and the Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation QM / MM AMBER. The target proteins used were protein p53 and caspase -9 which played a role in the apoptotic pathway and cyclin D1 which played a role in cell proliferation. Meanwhile, cytotoxicity analysis was carried out using the MTT method (3- (4,5-dimethyltiazol -2-yl) -2,5 -dipenyl tetrazolium bromide). Nevertheless, the ability of trisindoline to induce phagocytosis is still unrevealed. The phagocytosis assay was carried out by assessing the macrophage capacity and phagocytic index using the latex-beads model. The in silico results showed that the binding affinity values between the target protein Cdk-2 and the trisindoline 1, trisindoline 3 and trisindoline 4 ligands were -7.3 kcal / mol, -7.7 kcal / mol and -6.6 kcal / mol respectively. The binding affinity values between the target protein p53 and the trisindoline 1, trisindoline 3 and trisindoline 4 ligands were -7.5 kcal / mol, -7.4 kcal / mol and -7.5 kcal / mol respectively. The binding affinity values between the target protein caspase-9 and the trisindoline 1, trisindoline 3 and trisindoline 4 ligands were -7.5 kcal / mol, -7.1 kcal / mol and -7.2 kcal / mol respectively. The results of RMSD (Root Mean Square Deviation), RMSF (Root Mean Square Fluctuation), and hydrogen bonds in the MD (Molecular Dynamics) Simulation showed that Cdk-2 formed a protein complex with trisindoline 3, protein p53 with trisindoline 1 and caspase-9 with trisindoline 1. The cytotoxicity assay was carried out in the MCF-7 cell line and the IC50 value obtained for trisindoline 1 was 2.059 µM, for trisindoline 3 was 3.9759 ​​µM, for trisindoline 4 was 15.46 µM and for doxorubicin was 9.88 µM. Furthermore, the phagocytosis test was carried out using trisindoline 1, 3 and 4. Our results showed that 6.25 µg mL-1 of trisindoline 1 and trisindoline 3 were able to induce the phagocytosis capacity of macrophage cells of 38.34; whereas trisindoline 4 at a concentration of 50 µg mL-1 induces a phagocytosis capacity of 32.89. Trisindoline 1, 3 and 4 showed potentials of immunostimulants at low concentrations but showed potentials of immunosuppressants at high concentrations. The overall results demonstrated that trisindoline 1 and 3 are potential anti-cancer candidates capable of activating the apoptotic pathway.

Synthesis, α-glucosidase inhibition, α-amylase inhibition, and molecular docking studies of 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones.

The synthesized 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones 1a-p showed desired higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and lower α-amylase inhibitory activities than standard drug acarbose. Particularly, compound 1i showed favorable higher α-glucosidase % inhibition of 67 ± 13 and lower α-amylase % inhibition of 51 ± 4 in comparison to acarbose with % inhibition activities of 19 ± 5 and 90 ± 2, respectively. Docking studies of selected 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones revealed key interactions with the active sites of both α-glucosidase and α-amylase, further supporting the observed % inhibitory activities. Furthermore, the binding energies are consistent with the % inhibition values. The results suggest that 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones may be developed as suitable Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors (AGIs) and the lower α-amylase activities should be advantageous to reduce the side effects exhibited by commercial AGIs.

Biological Activity Evaluation and In Silico Studies of Polyprenylated Benzophenones from Garcinia celebica.

This study aimed to isolate polyprenylated benzophenones from the rootbark of Garcinia celebica and assess their activities in vitro and in silico. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The cytotoxicity was evaluated against HeLa, MCF-7, A549, and B16 cancer cell lines. The antiplasmodial activity was performed against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7. Molecular docking was analyzed on alpha-estrogen receptor (3ERT) and P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (1CET). The prediction of ADMET for the compounds was also studied. For the first time, (-)-cycloxanthochymol, isoxanthochymol, and xanthochymol were isolated from the root bark of Garcinia celebica. The antioxidant and cytotoxicity evaluation showed that all benzophenones exhibited antioxidant activity compared to gallic acid and quercetin as positive controls and also exhibited strong activity against HeLa, MCF-7, A549, and B16 cell lines compared to cisplatin as the positive control. The antiplasmodial evaluation showed that isoxanthochymol exhibited activity against the chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum strain 3D7. In addition, the in silico molecular docking study supported in vitro activities. The ADMET analysis also indicated the isolated benzophenones are potential oral drug candidates.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antiplasmodial Activities of Xanthones Isolated from Garcinia forbesii and Their In Silico Studies.

This study aimed to isolate xanthones from Garcinia forbesii and evaluated their activity in vitro and in silico. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. The antidiabetic activity was performed against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. The antiplasmodial activity was evaluated using Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 sensitive to chloroquine. Molecular docking analysis on the human lysosomal acid-alpha-glucosidase enzyme (5NN8) and P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (1CET) and prediction of ADMET for the active compound, were also studied. For the first time, lichexanthone (1), subelliptenone H (2), 12b-hydroxy-des-D-garcigerrin A (3), garciniaxanthone B (4) and garcigerin A (5) were isolated from the CH2Cl2 extract of the stem bark of G. forbesii. Four xanthones (Compounds 2-5) showed strong antioxidant activity. In vitro α-glucosidase test showed that Compounds 2 and 5 were more active than the others, while Compound 4 was the strongest against α-amylase enzymes. In vitro antiplasmodial evaluation revealed that Compounds 2 and 3 showed inhibitory activity on P. falciparum. Molecular docking studies confirmed in vitro activity. ADMET predictions suggested that Compounds 1-5 were potential candidates for oral drugs. The isolated 2-5 can be used as promising phytotherapy in antidiabetic and antiplasmodial treatment.

Chemistry of trisindolines: natural occurrence, synthesis and bioactivity.

Heterocyclic nitrogen compounds are privileged structures with many applications in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries since they possess wide bioactivities. Trisindolines are heterocyclic nitrogen compounds consisting of an isatin core bearing two indole moieties. Trisindolines have been synthesized by reacting isatins with indoles using various routes and the yield greatly depends on the catalyst used, reaction conditions, and the substituents on both the isatin and indole moieties. Amongst the synthetic routes, acid-catalyzed condensation reaction between isatins and indoles are the most useful due to high yield, wide scope and short reaction times. Trisindolines are biologically active compounds and show anticancer, antimicrobial, antitubercular, antifungal, anticonvulsant, spermicidal, and antioxidant activities, among others. Trisindolines have not previously been reviewed. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive account of trisindolines including their natural occurrence, routes of synthesis, and biological activities. It aims to inspire the discovery of lead trisindoline drug candidates for further development.

Synthesis, photophysical properties, and photodynamic activity of positional isomers of TFPP-glucose conjugates.

The synthesis and characterization of a 'complete set' of positional isomers of tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)porphyrins (TFPP)-glucose conjugates (1OH, 2OH, 3OH, 4OH, and 6OH) are reported herein. The cellular uptake and photocytotoxicity of these conjugates were examined in order to investigate the influence of location of the TFPP moiety on the d-glucose molecule on the biological activity of the conjugates. An In vitro biological evaluation revealed that the certain of these isomers have a greater effect on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity than others. The TFPP-glucose conjugates 1OH, 3OH, and 4OH were found to exert exceptional photocytotoxicity in several types of cancer cells compared to 2OH and 6OH substituted isomers.