Proliferation Inhibitory Activity of Quinones from Blaps rynchopetera Defense Secretion on Colorectal Tumor Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the proliferation inhibitory effect of quinones from Blaps rynchopetera defense secretion on colorectal tumor cell lines. METHODS: Human colorectal cancer cell HT-29, human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell Caco-2 and normal human colon epithelial cell CCD841 were chosen for the evaluation of inhibitory activity of the main quinones of B. rynchopetera defense secretion, including methyl p-benzoquinone (MBQ), ethyl p-benzoquinone (EBQ), and methyl hydroquinone (MHQ), through methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The tumor-related factors, cell cycles, related gene expressions and protein levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assy, flow cytometry, RT-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: MBQ, EBQ, and MHQ could significantly inhibit the proliferation of Caco-2, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 7.04 ± 0.88, 10.92 ± 0.32, 9.35 ± 0.83, HT-29, with IC50 values of 14.90 ± 2.71, 20.50 ± 6.37, 13.90 ± 1.30, and CCD841, with IC50 values of 11.40 ± 0.68, 7.02 ± 0.44 and 7.83 ± 0.05 µg/mL, respectively. Tested quinones can reduce the expression of tumor-related factors tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6 in HT-29 cells, selectively promote apoptosis, and regulate the cell cycle which can reduce the proportion of cells in the G1 phase and increase the proportion of the S phase. Meanwhile, tested quinones could up-regulate mRNA and protein expression of GSK-3ß and APC, while down-regulate that of ß-catenin, Frizzled1, c-Myc, and CyclinD1 in the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway of HT-29 cells. CONCLUSION: Quinones from B. rynchopetera defense secretion could inhibit the proliferation of colorectal tumor cells and reduce the expression of related factors, which would be functioned by regulating cell cycle, selectively promoting apoptosis, and affecting Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related mRNA and protein expressions.

Macrostines A and B: Tetracyclic fisicoccane from the fungus Periconia macrospinosa WTG-10.

Two previous unreported fusicoccane diterpenoids macrostines A and B, together with seven known compounds were isolated from an extract of the fungus Periconia macrospinosa WTG-10. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data, NMR calculations with DP4+, and their absolute configurations were further determined by quantum chemical calculations of ECD spectra or X-crystallography. Macrostines A and B showed no cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity and inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. Compound 9 showed moderate activity against Bacillus subtilis.

Four new phenanthrene derivatives from Bulbophyllum retusiusculum.

Three new dihydrophenanthrenes, retusiusine D (1), retusiusine E (2), retusiusine F (3), and a new phenanthrene retusiusine G (4), together with two known dihydrophenanthrenes 4,7-dihydroxy-2,3-methylenedioxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (5) and epemeranthol-A (6) were isolated from the tubers of Bulbophyllum retusiusculum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against SMMC-7721 and weak cytotoxic activities against HL-60. Compound 4 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against SMMC-7721 and MCF-7.

Penctrimertone, a bioactive citrinin dimer from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. T2-11.

Penctrimertone (1), a novel citrinin dimer bearing a 6/6/6/6 tetracyclic ring scaffold, along with two known compounds xerucitrinic acid A (2) and citrinin (3) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. T2-11. Their structures were unequivocally established by a comprehensive interpretation of the spectroscopic data, with the stereochemistry for 1 was defined by a combination of TDDFT-ECD calculations and the DP4+ probability analysis based on NMR chemical shift calculations. Bioassays revealed that compound 1 exhibited noticeable antimicrobial activities and moderate cytotoxicity. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.

Three new diterpenoid alkaloids isolated from Aconitum brevicalcaratum.

In the present study, three new aconitine-type diterpenoid alkaloids brochyponines A-C (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brevicalcaratum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR). The NMR data of salt form for compound 1 in CDCl3 were also measured.

New phenylpropanoids from Bulbophyllum retusiusculum.

Two new phenylpropanoids, retusiusines A (1) and B (2), and a pair of new phenylpropyl enantiomers, (±)-retusiusine C (3a and 3b), together with eight known compounds, dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate (4), methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (5), 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanoic acid (6), dihydroferulic acid (7), methyl 3-(4-methoxyphenyl) propionate (8), 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenal (9), trans-p-coumaric acid (10) and dihydroconiferyl alcohol (11), were isolated from the tubers of Bulbophyllum retusiusculum. The absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined by calculating their electronic circular dichroism (ECD), spectra and specific optical rotations and comparing the calculated values with the experimental data. Compound 2 exhibited potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans (16 µg/mL). Compound 3 showed moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (64 µg/mL).

A novel sesquiterpene derivative with a seven-membered B ring from Illigera aromatica.

A novel sesquiterpene derivative with a seven-membered B ring, illigerine (1), along with four known compounds, 1-epi-chiliophyllin (2), 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl alcohol (3), coniferyl alcohol (4) and phenylpropionic acid (5), were isolated from Illigera aromatica S. Z. Huang et S. L. Mo. Their structures were identified by 1D/2D NMR, HRESIMS and electronic circular dichroism spectra and the cytotoxic activity and inhibitory effect of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 were also evaluated. This is the first report of sesquiterpene isolated from the genus Illigera.

Monoterpene esters and aporphine alkaloids from Illigera aromatica with inhibitory effects against cholinesterase and NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.

Three new monoterpene phenylpropionic acid esters, illigerates A-C (1-3), and one new aporphine alkaloid, illigeranine (4), as well as four known ones, actinodaphnine (5), nordicentrine (6), 8-hydroxy carvacrol (7), and 3-hydroxy-α,4-dimethyl styrene (8), were isolated from the tubers of Illigera aromatica. The structures of 1-4 were identified by HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and electronic circular dichroism spectra. Compound 1 potently inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 18.71 ± 0.85 µM; compound 1, 3, and 4 showed moderate butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities with the IC50 values of 46.86 ± 0.65, 53.51 ± 0.71, and 31.62 ± 1.15 µM, respectively. Compound 4 showed weak AChE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 81.69 ± 2.07 µM, and compounds 5 and 6 possessed moderate AChE inhibitory activities with the IC50 values of 47.74 ± 1.66 and 40.28 ± 2.73 µM, respectively. This paper provides a chemical structure and bioactive foundation for using I. aromatica as an herbal medicine.

Production of a new tetracyclic triterpene sulfate metabolite sambacide by solid-state cultivated Fusarium sambucinum B10.2 using potato as substrate.

The aim of this work is to explore integracide analogues from secondary metabolites of microorganisms. A new tetracyclic triterpene sulfate was produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF) with Fusarium sambucinum B10.2. The tetracyclic triterpene sulfate was identified as (3S,5R,10S,11S,12S,13R,17R,20R)-4,4-dimethylergosta-8,14,24-triene-3,11,12-triol-12-acetate, 3-sulfate on the basis of HRESIMS, NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and named sambacide (1). The antibacterial and antifungal assays of sambacide (1) showed significant antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The fermentation conditions including culture media, fermentation temperature and time, were optimized. And potato was selected as the fermentation substrate, 28°C was used as the fermentation temperature, and 20-days fermentation time was determined for F. sambucinum-SSF to produce sambacide (1) with a high yield of 19.04±0.82g/kg. This paper provides an efficient approach to produce the antibacterial and antifungal agent sambacide (1) in a very high yield.

Two new peroxy fatty acids with antibacterial activity from Ophioglossum thermale Kom.

Two new peroxy fatty acids, thermalic acids A (1) and B (2), together with eight known compounds, (3ß)-methyl-3-hydroxy-urs-11-en-28 oate (3), luteolin (4), quercetin (5), 3-methoxyquercetin (6), ophioglonol (7), ophioglonol 4'-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (8), pedunculosumoside B (9), syringol (10), were isolated from the herba of Ophioglossum thermale Kom. The structures of 1 and 2 were identified by HRESIMS, EIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Both two acids exhibited potential antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. This is the first report of peroxy fatty acids isolated from herbaceous plants of Ophioglossaceae.

Spirostanol steroids from the roots of Allium tuberosum.

Three new spirostanol saponins named tuberosines A-C (1-3), together with three known ones tuberoside O (4), 25(S)-Schidigera-saponin D5 (5), and shatavarin IV (6) were isolated from the roots of Allium tuberosum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Whereas compounds 5 and 6 exhibited potent antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis (32 µg/mL) and Escherichia coli (16 µg/mL), the new saponin 2 showed only moderate antibacterial activities against these pathogens. The relationship between the antibacterial activities and the structures of these saponins are described.