Profiling withanolide A for therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases.

To identify new potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, we initiated activity-based protein profiling studies with withanolide A (WitA), a known neuritogenic constituent of Withania somnifera root with unknown mechanism of action. Molecular probes were designed and synthesized, and led to the discovery of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as potential target. Molecular modeling calculations using the VirtualToxLab predicted a weak binding affinity of WitA for GR. Neurite outgrowth experiments in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells further supported a glucocorticoid-dependent mechanism, finding that WitA was able to reverse the outgrowth inhibition mediated by dexamethasone (Dex). However, further GR binding and transactivation assays found no direct interference of WitA. Further molecular modeling analysis suggested that WitA, although forming several contacts with residues in the GR binding pocket, is lacking key stabilizing interactions as observed for Dex. Taken together, the data suggest that WitA-dependent induction of neurite outgrowth is not through a direct effect on GR, but might be mediated through a closely related pathway. Further experiments should evaluate a possible role of GR modulators and/or related signaling pathways such as ERK, Akt, NF-κB, TRα, or Hsp90 as potential targets in the WitA-mediated neuromodulatory effects.

Biosynthesis of fragin is controlled by a novel quorum sensing signal.

Members of the diazeniumdiolate class of natural compounds show potential for drug development because of their antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor activities. Yet, their biosynthesis has remained elusive to date. Here, we identify a gene cluster directing the biosynthesis of the diazeniumdiolate compound fragin in Burkholderia cenocepacia H111. We provide evidence that fragin is a metallophore and that metal chelation is the molecular basis of its antifungal activity. A subset of the fragin biosynthetic genes is involved in the synthesis of a previously undescribed cell-to-cell signal molecule, valdiazen. RNA-Seq analyses reveal that valdiazen controls fragin biosynthesis and affects the expression of more than 100 genes. Homologs of the valdiazen biosynthesis genes are found in various bacteria, suggesting that valdiazen-like compounds may constitute a new class of signal molecules. We use structural information, in silico prediction of enzymatic functions and biochemical data to propose a biosynthesis route for fragin and valdiazen.

A nor-diterpene from Salvia sahendica leaves.

Phytochemical investigation of n-hexane extract of Salvia sahendica by normal phase column chromatography resulted in the isolation of six compounds. Structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and HRMS, as a new norditerpene 1, and known terpenoids, sclareol (2), oleanolic acid (3), ß-sitosterol (4), salvigenin (5) and 3α-hydroxy-11α,12α-epoxyoleanan-28,13ß-olide (6). The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by a combination of X-ray single crystal analysis and electronic circular dichroism spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxic activity on breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and also the antimicrobial activity of the pure compounds were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacilus cereus and Escherichia coli.

hERG Channel Inhibitory Daphnane Diterpenoid Orthoesters and Polycephalones A and B with Unprecedented Skeletons from Gnidia polycephala.

The hERG channel is an important antitarget in safety pharmacology. Several drugs have been withdrawn from the market or received severe usage restrictions because of hERG-related cardiotoxicity. In a screening of medicinal plants for hERG channel inhibition using a two-microelectrode voltage clamp assay with Xenopus laevis oocytes, a dichloromethane extract of the roots of Gnidia polycephala reduced the peak tail hERG current by 58.8 ± 13.4% (n = 3) at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. By means of HPLC-based activity profiling daphnane-type diterpenoid orthoesters (DDOs) 1, 4, and 5 were identified as the active compounds [55.4 ± 7.0% (n = 4), 42.5 ± 16.0% (n = 3), and 51.3 ± 9.4% (n = 4), respectively, at 100 µM]. In a detailed phytochemical profiling of the active extract, 16 compounds were isolated and characterized, including two 2-phenylpyranones (15 and 16) with an unprecedented tetrahydro-4H-5,8-epoxypyrano[2,3-d]oxepin-4-one skeleton, two new DDOs (3 and 4), two new guaiane sesquiterpenoids (11 and 12), and 10 known compounds (1, 2, 5-10, 13, and 14). Structure elucidation was achieved by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, and electronic circular dichroism), computational methods, and X-ray crystallography.

Water-soluble Co(III) complexes of substituted phenanthrolines with cell selective anticancer activity.

Transition metal complexes with substituted phenanthrolines as ligands represent potential anticancer products without the drawbacks of platinum complexes that are currently marketed. Here, we report the synthesis and cell selective anticancer activity of five new water-soluble Co(III) complexes with methyl substituted phenanthroline ligands. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, FAB-mass spectrometry, FTIR, electronic spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Possible interaction of these complexes with DNA was assessed by a combination of circular dichroism, UV-vis spectroscopy titration, and ethidium bromide displacement assay, and the results indicated that DNA interaction is weak for these complexes. Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of complexes at low concentrations were assessed by flow cytometry on PC-3 cells, while their effect on intracellular mitochondrial function was measured by MTS assay on HeLa and PC-3 cell lines. These complexes showed selective cytotoxicity with a significantly higher effect on intracellular mitochondrial function in PC-3 cells than in HeLa cells. At low concentrations, complex 2 had the highest cytotoxic effect on PC-3 cells, inducing around 38% cell death, and the correlation of cytotoxicity of these complexes to their hydrophobicity indicates that an appropriate value of the hydrophobicity is essential for high antitumor activity.

Phyteumosides A and B: new saponins with unique triterpenoid aglycons from Phyteuma orbiculare L.

Phyteumosides A (1) and B (2), two saponins with unprecedented triterpenoid aglycons, were isolated from the aerial parts of Phyteuma orbiculare (Campanulaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods and corroborated by X-ray diffraction analyses of the aglycons obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis. The aglycon of 1 can be considered as an incompletely cyclized onoceroid or gammaceroid triterpene with two additional tetrahydropyran rings arising from oxygen bridges. Compound 2 possesses a new 17-polypodene aglycon.

pi-Stacking and hydrogen bonding direct diastereoselectivity in one-pot syntheses of octahedral iron(II) complexes.

One-pot reactions of FeCl(2).4H(2)O and 2,2'-bipyridine-6-carbaldehyde with enantiopure chiral amines lead to octahedral [FeL(2)](2+) complexes, the diastereoselectivity of which depends on the nature of the amine; an interplay of intra-cation pi-stacking and hydrogen bonding directs the diastereoselectivity.

Vectorial property dependence in bis {4'-(n-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine}iron(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes with n = 2, 3 and 4.

A comparative structural and spectroscopic investigation of the complexes [M(1)2]2+, [M(2)2]2+ and [M(3)2]2+ in which M = Fe or Ru, and ligands 1, 2 and 3 are 4'-(2-pyridyl)-, 4'-(3-pyridyl)- and 4'-(4-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, respectively, is reported. The complexes [Ru(1)2]2+, [Ru(2)2]2+ and [Ru(3)2]2+ undergo mono- and bis-N-methylation. The consequences of methylation on the absorption spectra and electrochemical properties are discussed; the solid-state structure of the bis(N-methylated) derivative of [Ru(2)2][PF6]2 is presented.

Catalytic applications of keto-stabilised phosphorus ylides based on a macrocyclic scaffold: calixarenes with one or two pendant Ni(P,O)-subunits as ethylene oligomerisation and polymerisation catalysts.

Four calix[4]arenes containing either one or two ylidic -C(O)CH=PPh3 moieties anchored at p-phenolic carbon atoms were prepared starting from cone-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene (1): 1,3-alternate-5,17-bis(2-triphenylphosphoranylideneacetyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene (12), 1,3-alternate-5-(2-triphenylphosphoranylideneacetyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene (13), cone-5-(2-triphenylphosphoranylideneacetyl)-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-dipropoxycalix[4]arene (14), cone-5,17-bis(2-triphenylphosphoranylideneacetyl)-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-dipropoxycalix[4]arene (15). All the ylides were shown to be suitable for the preparation of SHOP-type complexes, i.e. of molecules containing [NiPh{Ph2PCH=C(O)R}(PPh3)] subunits (R = calixarene fragment). The monometallic complexes, namely those obtained from the monophosphorus ylides 13 and 14, proved to be efficient ethylene oligomerisation or polymerisation catalysts. At 80 degrees C, they displayed significantly better activities than the prototype [NiPh{Ph(2)PCH=C(O)Ph}(PPh3)], hence reflecting the beneficial role of the bulky calixarene substituent. The systems derived from the two ylides 12 and 15, both containing two convergent ylidic moieties, resulted in lower activities, the proximity of the two catalytic centres facilitating an intramolecular deactivation pathway during the period of catalyst activation. For the first time, the solid-state structure of a complex containing two "NiPh(P,O)(PPh3)" units as well as that of a SHOP-type complex having two linked phosphorus units were determined.

Ligands and complexes with supramolecular aromatic-aromatic interactions: iron(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes of 2,2':6',2''-terpyridines with pendant naphthalene groups.

The synthesis and characterisation of five new ligands (L), each containing a terpy binding domain and bearing a pendant naphthalene group in the 4'-position are described; homoleptic complexes, [ML2][PF6]4 (M = Fe, Ru) have been studied and structural data for four complexes are reported.

Ethylene oligomerisation and polymerisation with nickel phosphanylenolates bearing electron-withdrawing substituents: Structure-reactivity relationships.

Three SHOP-type catalysts, in which the C=C(O) double bond was substituted by electron-withdrawing substituents, [Ni{Ph2PC(R1)=C(R2)O}Ph(PPh3)] (2: R1,R2 = -C(Me)=NN(Ph)-; 3: R1 = CO2Et, R2 = Ph; 4: R1 = CO2Et, R2 = CF3), were assessed as ethylene-oligomerisation and -polymerisation catalysts and compared to Keim's complex, [Ni{Ph2PCH=C(Ph)O}Ph(PPh3)] (1). A rationale for the influence of the double-bond substituents of the P,O-chelate unit on the catalytic properties is proposed, on the basis of X-ray diffraction studies, spectroscopic data and DFT-B3 LYP calculations. Whatever their relative electron-withdrawing strength, the R1 and R2 substituents induce an increase in activity with respect to catalyst 1. For those systems in which the basicity of the oxygen atom is decreased relative to that of the phosphorus atom, the chain-propagation rate increases with respect to that for catalyst 1. Reduction of the basicity of the P relative to that of the O, however, induces higher chain-termination rates.

Formation of a [2 + 2]-heterotetranuclear macrocycle from reaction of a platina-homoditopic ligand with iron(II).

Reaction of 4'-(2-propyn-1-oxy)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (HC triple bond CCH2Oterpy) with trans-[PtI2(PEt3)2] regioselectively metallates the alkyne to give trans-[Pt(C triple bond CCH2Oterpy)2(PEt3)2] which, when treated with Fe(II), gives a [2 + 2]-metallocycle.

Synthesis and stereochemical properties of chiral square complexes of iron(II).

The hexadentate, and ditopic ligand 2,5-bis([2,2']bipyridin-6-yl)pyrazine yields a chiral, tetrameric, square-shaped, self-assembled species upon complexation with Fe2+ ions. The racemate of this complex was resolved with antimonyl tatrate as the chiral auxiliary. The purity of the enantiomer was determined by NMR spectroscopy, by using a chiral, diamagnetic shift reagent, and by circular dichroism (CD). The CD spectrum was also calculated by time-dependent density functional theory, and the correlation that was found between CD spectrum and configuration was confirmed by X-ray cristallography. When a "chiralised" version of the ligand was used instead, the corresponding iron complex was obtained in diastereomerically pure form.

Flexible but with a defined turn-influence of the template on the binding properties of two-armed receptors.

Combinatorial binding studies revealed that the di(trans-4-aminoproline)diketopiperazine is an ideal template for two-armed receptors with highly selective binding properties towards peptides. It is not only superior to structurally very different diamines but also to the diastereomeric di(cis-4-aminoproline)diketopiperazine. These empiric results are rationalized by the analysis of the conformation of the diastereomeric diketopiperazines in the solid state, by X-ray crystal structure analysis, as well as by NMR studies in solution: to observe highly selective binding, the template needs to be not only conformationally rigid but it must have a specific turn geometry. The combination of combinatorial binding studies, X-ray crystal structure analysis, and NMR spectroscopy gave insight into why the trans,trans-diketopiperazine is a superior template compared to other diamines. Additionally, the results provide a guide for the rational design of two-armed receptors with good binding properties towards peptidic guests.