AChE inhibitory activity of N-substituted natural galanthamine derivatives.

Galanthamine derivatives are known for their AChE inhibitory activity. Among them, galanthamine has been approved for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. N-Acetylnorgalanthamine (narcisine) and N-(2'-methyl)allylnorgalanthamine (the most potent natural AChE inhibitor of galanthamine type) were synthetized using N-norgalanthamine as a precursor. The NMR data described previously for narcisine were revised by two-dimensional 1H-1H and 1H-13C chemical shift correlation experiments. AChE inhibitory assays showed that N-acetylnorgalanthamine and N-formylnorgalanthamine (with previously unknown activity) are 4- and 43-times, respectively, less potent than galanthamine. In vitro (AChE inhibitory) and in silico (docking, ADME) assays and comparison of N-(2'-methyl)allylnorgalanthamine with galanthamine prove that this molecule is a very promising natural AChE inhibitor (33-times more potent than galanthamine) which further in vivo studies would provide better estimation about its applicability as a drug.

Alstomaphylines A-K, monoterpenoid bisindole alkaloids from Alstonia macrophylla with AChE inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity.

Eleven undescribed monoterpenoid bisindole alkaloids, alstomaphyines A-K (1-11), along with three known analogues were isolated from the leaves and stem bark of the Alstonia macrophylla. Compounds 1-3 were unprecedented dimerization alkaloids incorporating a macroline-type motif with an ajmaline-type motif via a C-C linkage. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation, and CD exciton chirality method. Compounds 1-3 displayed potential inhibitory bioactivity against AChE with IC50 values of 4.44 ± 0.35, 3.59 ± 0.18, and 3.71 ± 0.23 µM, respectively. Enzyme kinetic study revealed compounds 1-3 as mixed competitive AChE inhibitors. Besides, compounds 8 and 12-14 exhibited better cytotoxicity against human cancer cell line HT-29 than cisplatin. Flow cytometry data revealed that compounds 8, 13, and 14 significantly induced the HT-29 cells arrest in G0/G1 phase in a concentration-dependent manner.

The Polyketides with Antimicrobial Activities from a Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Trichoderma lentiforme ML-P8-2.

Five new polyketides, including two chromones (1-2), two phenyl derivatives (4-5), and a tandyukusin derivative (6), along with five known polyketides (3 and 7-10) were isolated from mangrove endophytic fungus Trichoderma lentiforme ML-P8-2. The planar structures of compounds were elucidated via detailed 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS analysis. ECD spectra, optical rotation values calculation, and alkali hydrolysis were applied in the determination of the absolute configuration of the new compounds. In bioassays, 6 and 9 exhibited promising antifungal activities against Penicillium italicum, with an MIC value of 6.25 µM for both compounds. Moreover, 3 displayed moderate AChE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 20.6 ± 0.3 µM.

Quinolinones Alkaloids with AChE Inhibitory Activity from Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Penicillium citrinum YX-002.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity-guided studies on the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Penicillium citrinum YX-002 led to the isolation of nine secondary metabolites, including one new quinolinone derivative, quinolactone A (1), a pair of epimers quinolactacin C1 (2) and 3-epi-quinolactacin C1 (3), together with six known analogs (4-9). Their structures were elucidated based on extensive mass spectrometry (MS) and 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyses, and compared with data in the literature. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-3 was determined by combination of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and X-Ray single crystal diffraction technique using CuKα radiation. In bioassays, compounds 1, 4 and 7 showed moderate AChE inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 27.6, 19.4 and 11.2 µmol/L, respectively. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) analysis suggested that the existence of carbonyl group on C-3 and the oxygen atom on the five-membered ring were beneficial to the activity. Molecular docking results showed that compound 7 had a lower affinity interaction energy (-9.3 kcal/mol) with stronger interactions with different sites in AChE activities, which explained its higher activities.

Synthesis and biological activity of (±)-7,3',4'-trihydroxyhomoisoflavan and its analogs.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and neurite outgrowth promoters are thought to alleviate the symptoms of degenerative brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. We designed and synthesized a series of homoisoflavonoids based on the structure of natural homoisoflavan isolated from Dracaena cambodiana dragon's blood. The homoisoflavonoids were then evaluated as AChE inhibitors and neurite outgrowth promoters. The catechol structure of the homoisoflavan B rings was important for AChE inhibition, and some of the homoisoflavonoids significantly promoted neurite outgrowth induced by nerve growth factor (NGF).

Discovery of Three New Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from the Leaves of Gardneria multiflora and Their Vasorelaxant and AChE Inhibitory Activities.

Three novel monoterpenoid indole alkaloids gardflorine A (1), gardflorine B (2), and gardflorine C (3) were isolated from the leaves of Gardneria multiflora. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods (MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR) and circular dichroism experiments. All the compounds were evaluated for their vasorelaxant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. Compound 1 exhibited potent vasorelaxant activity, with an EC50 value of 8.7 µM, and compounds 2 and 3 showed moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 26.8 and 29.2 µM, respectively.

Claulansine F-Donepezil Hybrids as Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Agents with Cholinergic, Free-Radical Scavenging, and Neuroprotective Activities.

The multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) calls for the development of multitarget agents addressing key pathogenic processes. A total of 26 Claulansine F-donepezil hybrids were designed and synthesized as multitarget drugs. Among these compounds, six compounds exhibited excellent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 1.63-4.62 µM). Moreover, (E)-3-(8-(tert-Butyl)-3,3-dimethyl-3,11-dihydropyrano[3,2-a]carbazol-5-yl)-N-((1-(2-chlorobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl)methyl)acrylamide (6bd) exhibited better neuroprotective effects against OGD/R (oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation) than lead compound Claulansine F. Furthermore, 6bd could cross the blood-brain barrier in vitro. More importantly, compared to edaravone, 6bd had stronger free-radical scavenging activity. Molecular docking studies revealed that 6bd could interact with the catalytic active site of AChE. All of these outstanding in vitro results indicate 6bd as a leading structure worthy of further investigation.

Chemical Constituents and their Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activities from Pholidota cantonensis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has the third highest health expenditures after heart disease and cancer. It has emerged as a serious global health issue. The discovery of new drugs to prevent and treat AD is of utmost importance. Pholidota cantonensis is an edible medicinal plant consumed in China. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various diseases. P. cantonensis has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antibacterial activities. Among these properties, its potent antioxidant activity has attracted our attention, since oxidative stress is one of the important pathological mechanisms involved in AD. This study aimed to isolate the compounds from the active extract and evaluate their bioactivities. Fifteen compounds, including one new compound, were obtained. The isolates were tested for 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)/2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activities and inhibitory effects on nitrogen monoxide (NO) release in the BV-2 cells. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 13-15 exhibited two kinds of AD-associated bioactivities. More importantly, compound 13 showed more potent NO inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.72 ± 0.08 µM) than the positive control quercetin (IC50 = 12.94 ± 0.08 µM). Compound 13 also had a higher inhibitory rate (99.59 ± 0.43%) on AChE than that of the positive control galantamine (78.32 ± 1.16%) at the concentrate of 50 µg/mL. Our studies provide new insights into this plant in terms of its potential in the development of new multi-target anti-Alzheimer's disease (anti-AD) drugs.

Monoterpene indole alkaloids with acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity from the leaves of Rauvolfia vomitoria.

Seventeen monoterpene indole alkaloids, including seven new alkaloids (1-7) and ten known analogues (8-17), were isolated and identified from the leaves of R. vomitoria. The structures of new alkaloids were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Rauvomitorine I (1) represents the first example of an unprecedented C22 yohimbine-type monoterpene indole alkaloid featuring a carboxymethyl at C-14. The exceedingly rare vobasenal (2-3) and affinisine oxindole (5-6) framework type alkaloids are first reported from the Rauvolfia genus. Most notably, the structure of vobasenal-type alkaloids (2-3) were first determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Alkaloids 1-17 were tested their cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines, however, none of them showed significant cytotoxicity at a concentration of 40 µM. All the isolated alkaloids were evaluated their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. Alkaloid 3 exhibited significant anti-AChE activity with an IC50 value of 16.39 ± 1.41 µM and alkaloids 8 and 10 showed moderate anti-AChE activities whereas the others (2, 9, 13, and 17) were weak inhibitors. This is the first report of vobasenal-type alkaloids as AChE inhibitors, indicating this type of alkaloids may be important sources for the discovery of new AChE inhibitors. A preliminary structure-activity relationship for AChE inhibitory activities showed the presence of the N-methyl group in vobasenal-type alkaloids may be essential for anti-AChE activity. Further molecular docking studies of vobasenal-type alkaloids revealed that interaction with Trp133 and Trp86 residues at hydrophobic subsite are necessary for the AChE inhibitory activities. This study not only enriches the chemical diversity of alkaloids in Apocynaceae plants but also provides new potential leading compounds and versatile scaffolds for the design and development of new AChE inhibitors to treat AD.

N-methoxy-ß-carboline alkaloids with inhibitory activities against Aß42 aggregation and acetylcholinesterase from the stems of Picrasma quassioides.

Nine new N-methoxy-ß-carboline alkaloids (NMCAs) (1a/1b-3a/3b and 4-6) and two known NMCAs (7 and 8) were isolated from the stems of Picrasma quassioides. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses, quantum chemical calculations, and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic data. An analysis of the 13C NMR chemical shifts of the N-methoxy groups in these NMCAs and 41 gathered known compounds reveals the phenomenon that the chemical shifts of all these N-methoxy groups are greater than δC 62, which can be used to recognize the N-methoxy group rapidly. In addition, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Aß42 aggregation inhibitory activities of 1-8 were evaluated. Compounds 1, 2, 7, and 8 displayed AChE inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 14.9, 13.2, 17.6, and 43.9 µM, respectively. Compound 2 showed inhibition activity against Aß42 aggregation with an IC50 value of 10.1 µM.

Napthrene Compounds from Mycelial Fermentation Products of Marasmius berteroi.

The metabolites of the genus Marasmius are diverse, showing good research prospects for finding new bioactive molecules. In order to explore the active metabolites of the fungi Marasmius berteroi, the deep chemical investigation on the bioactive compounds from its cultures was undertaken, which led to the isolation of three new naphthalene compounds dipolynaphthalenes A-B (1,2) and naphthone C (3), as well as 12 known compounds (4-15). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 are dimeric naphthalene compounds. Their structures were elucidated by MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, as well as ECD calculations. Compounds 2-4 and 7 exhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities at the concentration of 50 µg/mL with inhibition ratios of 42.74%, 44.63%, 39.50% and 51.49%, respectively. Compounds 5 and 7,8 showed weak inhibitory activities towards two tumor cell lines, with IC50 of 0.10, 0.076 and 0.058 mM (K562) and 0.13, 0.18, and 0.15 mM (SGC-7901), respectively.

Chemical study of the strain Cordyceps spp. from cell fusion between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps cicadae.

Chemical investigation on the cultures of the fungus Cordyceps spp., a strain from cell fusion between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps cicadae, resulted in the isolation of 13 compounds including 2 new ones named 2-(5-(3-oxobutyl) furan-2-yl) acetic acid (1) and cordycepone (2). Their structures were elucidated from the analysis of 1D/2D NMR and CD data. Among them, compounds 1, 7-9, at a concentration of 50 µg/ml, showed weak inhibitory activity against AChE. Moreover, compounds 6, 9, and 11 showed moderate inhibitory activity against the nematode Panagrellus redivivus with mortality ratio of 79.0, 71.7, and 72.3% at 2.5 mg/ml, respectively.

Two new compounds from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma philippii.

Two new compounds, philippin (1) and 3ß,9α,14α-trihydroxy-(22E,24R)-ergost-22-en-7-one (2), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma philippii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the spectroscopic technologies, including 1D and 2D NMR as well as MS. The bioassay of inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) showed compound 1 exhibited weak inhibitory activity against AChE.

Two new alkaloids from the twigs of Trigonostemon filipes.

A phytochemical investigation of the alkaloid constituents from Trigonostemon filipes Y. T. Chang et S. L. Mo led to the isolation of two new indole alkaloids, trigonostemine G (1) and trigonostemone J (2), together with two known ones, trigonostemine A (3) and trigonostemine B (4). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-4 exhibited moderate AChE inhibitory activity with inhibition ratio of 31.6, 31.7, 41.7, and 42.4%, respectively. In addition, compounds 1-2 showed weak cytotoxicity against K562 and BEL-7402 human cancer cell lines.

A new cytochalasin derivative from the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. HNWSW-2.

A new cytochalasin derivative xylarisin B (1), together with four known compounds astropyrone (2), guaidiol (3), xylaropyrone B (4), and xylaropyrone C (5), were isolated from the fermentation broth of Xylaria sp. HNWSW-2. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 2 and 3 at a concentration of 50 µg/ml showed weak inhibitory activity against AChE with inhibition rates of 10.4 and 12.9%, respectively. In addition, compound 2 also exhibited inhibitory activity against α-glycosidase with inhibition rate of 77.0% at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml.

The lignicolous fungus Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (1920): a promising natural source of antiradical and AChE inhibitory agents.

This study aimed to determine antiradical (DPPH• and •OH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities along with chemical composition of autochtonous fungal species Trametes versicolor (Serbia). A total of 38 phenolic compounds with notable presence of phenolic acids were identified using HPLC/MS-MS. Its water extract exhibited the highest antiradical activity against •OH (3.21 µg/mL), among the rest due to the presence of gallic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids. At the concentration of 100 µg/mL, the same extract displayed a profound AChE inhibitory activity (60.53%) in liquid, compared to donepezil (89.05%), a drug in clinical practice used as positive control. The flavonoids baicalein and quercetin may be responsible compounds for the AChE inhibitory activity observed. These findings have demonstrated considerable potential of T. versicolor water extract as a natural source of antioxidant(s) and/or AChE inhibitor(s) to be eventually used as drug-like compounds or food supplements in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Phytochemical compositions of extract from peel of hawthorn fruit, and its antioxidant capacity, cell growth inhibition, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

BACKGROUND: Hawthorn fruit (HF) is a well-known traditional medicine in China with the effects of improving digestion and regulating qi-flowing for removing blood stasis. Modern pharmacological experiments showed that HF extract has various pharmaceutical properties and flavonoids are considered as the main bioactive compounds. In this paper, Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography was used to enrich flavonoids in PHF, and the phytochemical composition of EPHF was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In addition, EPHF's antioxidant capacity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and cytotoxic activity were evaluated. METHODS: EPHF was obtained by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. Phytochemical composition of EPHF was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using HPLC and LC-MS. Radical scavenging capacity of EPHF was estimated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The AChE inhibitory activity of EPHF was evaluated by Ellman method. Cytotoxic activity of EPHF was assessed by means of MTT assay. RESULTS: Eight kinds of components were identified, in which ideain with the value of 179.4 mg/g was identified to be present in the highest level in EPHF, followed by (-)-epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, cyanidin 3-arabinoside, hyperoside and isoquercitrin at the concentrations of 40.9, 10.0, 1.4, 0.4 and 0.2 mg/g, respectively. The contents of these compounds in EPHF were much higher than those in PHF and HF. In addition, EPHF exhibited strong antioxidant and AChE inhibitory activity (ORAC value: 11.65 ± 2.37 µM Trolox equivalents (TE)/mg, DPPH IC50 value: 6.72 µg/mL, anti-AChE activity IC50 value: 11.72 µg/mL) compared with PHF and HF. Moreover, EPHF exhibited high levels of cytotoxicity on MCF-7 and SKOV-3 human tumour cell lines in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 of 2.76 and 80.11 µg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Macroporous resin is useful for the extraction and separation of the total flavonoids from PHF. The contents of flavonoids especially anthocyanin in EPHF were increased significantly compared with the PHF, and EPHF exhibited strong antioxidant, AChE inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity on human tumour cells.

Chemical study of the fungus Psilocybe merdaria.

Chemical investigation on the cultures of the fungus Psilocybe merdaria resulted in the first isolation of 10 compounds including two new ones 11,14-dihydroxylneoechinulin E (1) and (S)-4-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)-butyrolactone (2). Their structures were elucidated from the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and MS data. Among them, compound 7 showed inhibitory activity against AChE with 20% percentage at a concentration of 50 µg/ml.

Chemical constituents from the fruiting bodies of Amauroderma subresinosum.

The chemical investigation on the fruiting bodies of Amauroderma subresinosum led to the isolation of 10 compounds including 2 new ones named amaurosubresin (1) and erythro(23,24)-5α,6α-epoxyergosta-8-ene-7-one-3ß,23-diol (2). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as MS. The bioassay of inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of two new isolates exhibited definite inhibitory activity.

Mexicanolide-Type Limonoids from the Roots of Trichilia sinensis.

Four new mexicanolide-type limonoids 1-4, along with two known limonoids 5-6, were isolated from the ethanolic extracts of roots of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Trichilia sinensis. Their structures were unambiguously determined by analysis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR as well as MS, and by comparison with literature data. In addition, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of compounds 1-6 was evaluated by the Ellman method. All these compounds showed weak AChE inhibitory activity, with the inhibition percentages ranging from 18.5% to 27.8%.