[Syntheses and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Antitumor Bicyclic Hexapeptide RA-VII Analogues].

A series of antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide RA-VII analogues modified at residue 2, 3, or 6 were prepared by the chemical transformation of the hydroxy, methoxy, or carboxy groups or the aromatic rings of natural peptides RA-II, III, V, VII, and X. Analogues with modified side chains or peptide backbones, which cannot be prepared by the chemical transformation of their natural peptides, and newly isolated peptides from Rubia cordifolia roots were synthesized by using protected cycloisodityrosines prepared by the degradation of bis(thioamide) obtained from RA-VII or the diphenyl ether formation of boronodipeptide under the modified Chan-Lam coupling reaction conditions. Studies of the conformational features of the analogues and the newly isolated peptides and their relationships with cytotoxic activities against the HCT-116, HL-60, KATO-III, KB, L1210, MCF-7, and P-388 cell lines revealed the following: the methoxy group at residue 3 is essential for the potent cytotoxic activity; the methyl group at Ala-2 and Ala-4 but not at D-Ala-1 is required to establish the bioactive conformation; the N-methyl group at Tyr-5 is necessary for the peptides to adopt the active conformation preferentially; and the orientation of Tyr-5 and/or Tyr-6 phenyl rings has a significant effect on the cytotoxic activity.

Kamebakaurin Suppresses Antigen-Induced Mast Cell Activation by Inhibition of FcεRI Signaling Pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Kamebakaurin is an active constituent of both Rabdosia japonica and Rabdosia excisa, which are utilized in Chinese traditional medicine for improving symptoms in patients with allergies. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of the anti-allergic effects of kamebakaurin using BMMCs. METHODS: The degranulation ratio, histamine release, and the interleukin (IL)-4, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and cysteinyl leukotriene productions on antigen-triggered BMMC were investigated. Additionally, the effects of kamebakaurin on signal transduction proteins were examined by Western blot and binding to the Syk and Lyn kinase domain was calculated. The effects of kamebakaurin on antigen-induced hyperpermeability were investigated using mouse model. RESULTS: At 10 µm, kamebakaurin partially inhibited degranulation, histamine release, and IL-4 production. At 30 µm, kamebakaurin partially reduced LTB4 and cysteinyl leukotriene productions and suppressed degranulation, histamine release, and IL-4 production. Phosphorylation of both Syk Y519/520 and its downstream protein, Gab2, was reduced by kamebakaurin, and complete inhibition was observed with 30 µm kamebakaurin. In contrast, phosphorylation of Erk was only partially inhibited, even in the presence of 30 µm kamebakaurin. Syk Y519/520 is known to be auto-phosphorylated via intramolecular ATP present in its own ATP-binding site, and this auto-phosphorylation triggers degranulation, histamine release, and IL-4 production. Docking simulation study indicated kamebakaurin blocked ATP binding to the ATP-binding site in Syk. Therefore, inhibition of Syk auto-phosphorylation by kamebakaurin binding to the Syk ATP-binding site appeared to cause a reduction of histamine release and IL-4 production. Kamebakaurin inhibited antigen-induced vascular hyperpermeability in a dose-dependent fashion but did not reduce histamine-induced vascular hyperpermeability. CONCLUSION: Kamebakaurin ameliorates allergic symptoms via inhibition of Syk phosphorylation; thus, kamebakaurin could be a lead compound for the new anti-allergic drug.

Synthesis of 1-O-acyl- and 1-oxo-kamebanin analogues and their cytotoxic activity.

A series of 1-O-acyl- and 1-oxo-kamebanin analogues were prepared from kamebanin, isolated from Rabdosia excisa and their cytotoxicity was assayed on HL60 promyelocytic leukemia cells and HCT116 human colon cancer cells. The structure-activity relationship study showed that the presence of 1-O-acyl groups of a C3-C5 carbon chain increased the cytotoxic activity.

Retusone A, a Guaiane-Type Sesquiterpene Dimer from Wikstroemia retusa and Its Inhibitory Effects on Histone Acetyltransferase HBO1 Expression.

Retusone A (1), a new sesquiterpene dimer consisting of two guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids, and oleodaphnal (2) were isolated from heartwood of Wikstroemia retusa (Thymelaeaceae). The planar structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic data, and the relative stereochemistry was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by electronic circular dichroism. Compound 1 suppressed luciferase reporter gene expression driven by the HBO1 (histone acetyltransferase binding to ORC1) gene promoter in human breast cancer MCF7 cells. Compound 1 also decreased the expression of endogenous HBO1 mRNA and protein, and inhibited proliferation of the cells. These results suggest that retusone A (1), which has a unique dimeric sesquiterpenoid structure with inhibitory activity against HBO1 expression, may contribute to the development of a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of breast cancer.

Design and synthesis of analogues of RA-VII-an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide from Rubiae radix.

The 14-membered cycloisodityrosine is the core structure of RA-series antitumor bicyclic peptides obtained from Rubia plants (Rubiaceae). In this study, an efficient method for the synthesis of cycloisodityrosines from commercially available L-tyrosine derivatives was developed. Using synthetic cycloisodityrosines and cycloisodityrosines with modified structures, several RA-VII analogues were designed and synthesized to explore structure-activity relationships of the cycloisodityrosine moiety of the RA-series peptides, and newly isolated natural peptides were synthesized to establish their structures.

Garcinielliptone G from Garcinia subelliptica Induces Apoptosis in Acute Leukemia Cells.

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing properties of compounds isolated from Garcinia subelliptica leaves were investigated. The hexane-soluble portion of MeOH extracts of G. subelliptica leaves that showed cytotoxic activity was separated to yield seven compounds 1-7. Chemical structure analysis using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry confirmed that compound 1 was canophyllol, and compounds 2-7 were garcinielliptones N, O, J, G, F, and garcinielliptin oxide, respectively. Among them, garcinielliptone G (5) showed growth inhibition by causing apoptosis in THP-1 and Jurkat cells derived from human acute monocytic leukemia and T lymphocyte cells, respectively. Apoptosis induced by garcinielliptone G (5) was demonstrated by the detection of early apoptotic cells with fluorescein-labeled Annexin V and increases in cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP protein levels. However, the addition of caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK did not affect growth arrest or apoptosis induction. These results suggest that garcinielliptone G (5) can induce both caspase-3 activation and caspase-independent apoptosis. Therefore, garcinielliptone G (5) may be a potential candidate for acute leukemia treatment.

Estrogenic phytochemical from Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae) with selectivity towards estrogen receptor alpha and beta subtypes.

Labisia pumila var. alata (Myrsinaceae) or "Kacip fatimah" is a famous Malay traditional herb used for the maintenance of women's health. The extracts of L.pumila displayed estrogenic activity in rats. Nonetheless, the estrogenic bioactives were not identified. The aim of the study is to identify estrogenic compounds contributing to the established estrogenic activity. Bioactivity-guided-isolation method guided the isolation of pure bioactives. The hexane extract was subjected to a series of silica gel flash and open column chromatography with increasing amount of ethyl acetate in hexane or methanol in chloroform. Each fraction or pure compounds were evaluated on it's estrogen receptor (ER) binding activity with the fluorescence polarization competitive ERα and ERß binding assay kit. Cytotoxic assay using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method was used to establish the cytotoxic activity of the compounds. Four alkyl resorcinols and a dimeric 1,4-benzoquinone, namely belamcandol B (1), 5-pentadec-10'-(Z)-enyl resorcinol (2), 1,3-dihydroxy-5-pentadecylbenzene (3), 5-(heptadec-12'-(Z)-enyl) resorcinol (4) and demethylbelamcandaquinone B (5) were identified with selective binding affinities towards either ERα or ERß exhibiting selectivity ratio from 0.15-11.9. Alkyl resorcinols (2)-(4) exhibited cytotoxic activity towards HL60 cells with IC50 values from 19.5-22.0 µM. Structural differences between compounds influence the binding affinities to ER subtypes. Further study is needed to establish the agonist or antagonist effect of these compounds on various tissues and to identify if these compounds exert cytotoxic activity through the ERs. When consuming L.pumila as a complementary medicine, careful consideration regarding it's estrogenic compound content should be given due consideration.

RA-XXV and RA-XXVI, Bicyclic Hexapeptides from Rubia cordifolia L.: Structure, Synthesis, and Conformation.

Two RA-series bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XXV (4) and RA-XXVI (5), which have no N-methyl group at Tyr-5, were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. Their amino acid compositions and sequences were determined by interpretation of MS, and 1D and 2D NMR data and their relative structures were elucidated by XRD analysis of 4 and RA-XXVI acetate (6). The absolute stereochemistry of 4 was established by the total synthesis of 4, and that of 5, by the chemical correlation with 4. Peptides 4 and 5 exhibited cytotoxicity toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 (IC50 =0.062 and 0.066 µm, respectively) and human colonic carcinoma HCT-116 (IC50 =0.028 and 0.051 µm, respectively) cell lines. Analysis of the conformational structures of 4 and 6 in the crystalline state and those of 4 and 5 in solution revealed that the N-methyl group at Tyr-5 functions to make this series of peptides preferentially adopt the active conformation.

1O, 20O-diacetyl kamebakaurin protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of kamebakaurin (KA) and 1O, 20O-diacetyl kamebakaurin (Ac2KA) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity and compare the hepatoprotective mechanisms of the two chemicals. Seven-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were orally administered KA, Ac2KA, or an ethanol/olive oil emulsion once per day for 7-days. Twenty-four hours after the final administration, the mice were fasted and then intraperitoneally injected with 450 mg/kg APAP or saline. At 16 h after injection, the mice were euthanized and blood samples were collected for plasma analysis. Pretreatment with KA and Ac2KA significantly attenuated APAP-induced hepatic injury. The protective effect of Ac2KA was stronger than that of KA. These two chemicals attenuated oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine production, c-jun N-terminal kinase activation, and receptor-interacting protein (RIP)-3 activation. Ac2KA also decreased APAP-induced RIP-1 activation and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 translocation. Moreover, Ac2KA repressed mRNA expression of Cyp1a2/2e1 in the liver. Our results showed that KA and Ac2KA exerted protective effects against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The responsible mechanisms may be related to the chemicals' antioxidant activity and the inhibition of c-jun N-terminal kinase activation and RIP-3 activation. The effects of Ac2KA included those of KA, as well as RIP-1 inactivation, NF-κB inhibition, and Cyp inhibition.

RA-dimer†B, a New Dimeric RA-series Cyclopeptide Incorporating Two Different Types of Cycloisodityrosine Units, from Rubia cordifolia†L.

RA-dimer B, a new cytotoxic RA-series peptide, was isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis to be a dimeric cyclopeptide composed of deoxybouvardin and allo-RA-V. Those two cyclopeptide units are connected by an ether linkage between the phenolic oxygen atom of deoxybouvardin and the ϵa carbon atom of Tyr-6 of allo-RA-V. RA-dimer B was synthesized by the coupling reaction of deoxybouvardin with the boronic acid derivative of allo-RA-V, and subsequent deprotection, confirming the relative stereochemistry and establishing the absolute configuration of this peptide. RA-dimer B showed cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60, human colonic carcinoma HCT-116, and human renal cell carcinoma ACHN cells with IC50 values of 0.59, 0.54, and 0.74 µm, respectively.

Aza-cycloisodityrosine analogue of RA-VII, an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide.

An aza-cycloisodityrosine analogue of RA-VII, 3, was designed and synthesized. The key aza-cycloisodityrosine unit was prepared by copper(II)-acetate-mediated intramolecular phenylamine/arylboronic acid coupling of dipeptide followed by connection with the tetrapeptide segment to afford a hexapeptide. Subsequent macrocyclization of the hexapeptide with EDC · HCl and HOOBt under dilute conditions gave 3. Analogue 3 showed significant cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells and human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells, but its activity was weaker than that of parent peptide RA-VII (1).

Goniolandrene A and B from Goniothalamus macrophyllus.

Goniothalamus macrophyllus (Blume) Hook. f. & Thoms. is a plant widely distributed in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to identify compounds from the roots of G. macrophyllus. The ground roots were extracted with aqueous methanol and partitioned sequentially with n-hexane, chloroform and butanol. Purification from this extracts afforded six compounds with two new compounds, namely goniolandrene-A (1), -B (2). The absolute configuration of goniolandrene B (2) was established by circular dichrosim. The compounds were cytotoxic against the P388 cells with IC50 values ranging from 0.42 to 160 µM. Goniothalamin (3) exhibited the highest inhibition of 0.42 µM.

Synthesis of [Tyr-5-Ψ(CH2NMe)-Tyr-6]RA-VII, a reduced peptide bond analogue of RA-VII, an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide.

A reduced peptide bond analogue of RA-VII, [Tyr-5-Ψ(CH(2)NMe)-Tyr-6]RA-VII (3), was designed and synthesized. The key reduced cycloisodityrosine unit was prepared by reduction of the cycloisodityrosine derived from natural RA-VII, followed by connection with the tetrapeptide segment to afford a hexapeptide. Subsequent macrocyclization of the hexapeptide with FDPP under dilute conditions gave 3. Analogue 3 showed cytotoxic activity against P-388 cells, but its activity was much weaker than that of parent peptide RA-VII.

Isolation, structure determination, and synthesis of allo-RA-V and neo-RA-V, RA-series bicyclic peptides from Rubia cordifolia L.

Two bicyclic hexapeptides, allo-RA-V (4) and neo-RA-V (5), and one cyclic hexapeptide, O-seco-RA-V (6), were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. Their gross structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallography of compound 5. The absolute stereochemistry of compounds 4 and 5 were established by their total syntheses, and the absolute stereochemistry of compound 6 by chemical correlation with deoxybouvardin (3). Comparison of the 3D structures of highly active RA-VII (1) with less-active compounds 4 and 5 suggests that the orientation of the Tyr-5 and/or Tyr-6 phenyl rings plays a significant role in their biological activity. The isolation of peptides 4-6, along with compound 3, and the comparison of their structures seem to indicate that peptide 6 may be the common precursor to bicyclic peptides 3-5 in the plant.

Monoclonal antibodies from Rubia cordifolia against antitumor cyclohexapeptide deoxybouvardin and their use in immunoassay.

An immunoassay system was established for the estimation of the quantity of an antitumor cyclohexapeptide, deoxybouvardin (RA-V) from Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schlecht, Rubia cordifolia L., and R. akane Nakai (Rubiaceae). First, RA-V was converted into a protein conjugate to make it an effective antigen. In the conjugate the molecular ratio between RA-V and the carrier protein was 5.9:1. The splenocytes from the mouse immunized with the conjugate were then fused with mouse myeloma cells to produce hybridoma, secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against RA-V. Two clones were isolated, one producing MAb IgG(1) and the other MAb IgG(2b), both having a κ light chain. The resultant MAbs were evaluated for their sensitivity and cross-reactivity.

Semisynthesis of triptolide analogues: effect of γ-lactone and C-14 substituents on cytotoxic activities.

Triptolide γ-lactone and C-14 analogues were prepared and evaluated cytotoxity against human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial A549 cells and human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells. γ-Lactone substructure and C-14 substituents affected the biological activities significantly.

Per-N-methylated analogues of an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide RA-VII.

Penta-N-methyl and hexa-N-methyl analogues of RA-VII, an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide of plant origin, were prepared. In the former, the nitrogens of d-Ala-1 and Ala-4 and in the latter, those of d-Ala-1, Ala-2, and Ala-4 were methylated under the phase-transfer catalysis conditions. Their solution structures were established by NOESY experiments and the crystal structures by X-ray crystallography. Those two methylated analogues showed much weaker cytotoxicity against P-388 leukemia cells than the parent RA-VII.

Production of monoclonal antibodies against antitumor cyclohexapeptide RA-VII from Rubia cordifolia and their characterization.

An immunoassay system was established for the estimation of the quantity of an antitumor cyclic hexapeptide RA-VII (1) from Rubia cordifolia L. and R. akane Nakai (Rubiaceae). First, 1 was converted into its hapten, which was then conjugated with a carrier protein to be used as an effective antigen to obtain its monoclonal antibody (MAb). In the resulting conjugate, the molecular ratio between 1 and the carrier protein as assayed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was about 5:1. Then, the splenocytes from the mouse immunized with the conjugate were fused with mouse myeloma cells to produce hybridoma, secreting MAb against 1. Two clones were isolated, one producing MAb IgG(1) and the other IgM, both having a κ light chain. The sensitivity and cross-reactivity of the thus obtained MAb were also assayed.

Design and synthesis of a bis(cycloisodityrosine) analogue of RA-VII, an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide.

An analogue of an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide RA-VII was prepared, in which the Ala-2 and Tyr-3 residues of RA-VII were replaced by a cycloisodityrosine unit. In the crystalline state, the peptide backbone structures and the side-chain conformations at Tyr-3, Tyr-5, and Tyr-6 of this analogue and of RA-II were very similar. This analogue, however, showed much weaker cytotoxicity against P-388 leukemia cells than parent RA-VII.

New cytotoxic bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XXIII and RA-XXIV, from Rubia cordifolia L.

Two new bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XXIII and RA-XXIV, were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae). Their structures were determined by the analysis of their 2D NMR spectra, chemical methods, and X-ray crystallography. The IC50 values of RA-XXIII and RA-XXIV against P-388 leukemia cells were 0.16 and 0.48 microg/ml, respectively.