Jolkinolide B sensitizes bladder cancer to mTOR inhibitors via dual inhibition of Akt signaling and autophagy.

The monotherapy of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) in cancer clinical practice has achieved limited success due to the concomitant activation of compensatory pathways, such as Akt signaling and cytoprotective autophagy. Thus, the combination of mTORi and the inhibitors of these pro-survival pathways has been considered a promising therapeutic strategy. Herein, we report the synergistic effects of a natural anti-cancer agent Jolkinolide B (JB) and mTORi (temsirolimus, rapamycin, and everolimus) for the effective treatment of bladder cancer. A mechanistic study revealed that JB induced a dual inhibition of Akt feedback activation and cytoprotective autophagy, potentiating the anti-proliferative efficacy of mTORi in both PTEN-deficient and cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells. Meanwhile, mTORi augmented the pro-apoptotic and pro-paraptotic effects of JB by reinforcing JB-activated endoplasmic reticulum stress and MAPK pathways. These synergistic mechanisms were related to cellular reactive oxygen species accumulation. Our study suggests that dual inhibition of Akt feedback activation and cytoprotective autophagy is an effective strategy in mTORi-based therapy, and JB + mTORi combination associated with multiple anti-cancer mechanisms and good tolerance in mouse models may serve as a promising treatment for bladder cancer.

A new tigliane-type diterpenoid from Euphorbia tirucalli.

Five tigliane (1-5) and one ingenane (6) diterpenoids were isolated from the ethanol extract of Euphorbia tirucalli. The structures of these compounds were identified based on analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 12-O-(2E,4E,6E,8E-tetradecatetraenoyl)-13-O-isobutyroyl-4ß-deoxyphorbol (1) was a new tigliane. The Rho123 effluxion assay showed that tiglianes with a trans-fused 5/7 ring system such as compounds 1, 2, and 4 had potent inhibitory activity against P-glycoprotein in HepG2/ADR cells.

Presegetane diterpenoids from Euphorbia sieboldiana as a new type of anti-liver fibrosis agents that inhibit TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway.

Seven new diterpenoids, eupholenes A-G (1-7), including two presegetanes (1 and 2), four jatrophanes (3-6), and one paraliane (7), along with 19 known analogues (8-26) were obtained by anti-liver fibrosis bioassay-guided isolation of Euphorbia sieboldiana. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analyses, chemical methods, ECD calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. Euphorbesulin A (10), a presegetane diterpenoid (5/9/5 ring system), was identified as a promising anti-liver fibrosis agent that could inhibit the expressions of fibronectin (FN), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I in TGF-ß1-stimulated LX-2 cells at a micromolar level. Mechanistic study revealed that 10 suppressed liver fibrosis via inhibition of TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway, and its potential target was TGF-ß type I receptor. These findings suggested that presegetane diterpenoid could serve as a new type of structural motif in future anti-liver fibrosis drug development.

Discovery of 8,9-seco-ent-Kaurane Diterpenoids as Potential Leads for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a lethal malignancy without safe and effective therapeutic drugs. In this study, the anti-TNBC bioassay-guided isolation of the medicinal plant Croton kongensis followed by the structural modification led to the construction of a small ent-kaurane diterpenoid library (1-25). With subsequent biological screening, 20 highly potent compounds (IC50s < 3 µM) were identified. Among them, 8,9-seco-ent-kaurane 6 displayed comparable activity (IC50s ∼ 80 nM) to doxorubicin but with better selectivity. The analysis of structure-activity relationships suggested that the cleavage of the C8-C9 bond and the presence of α,ß-unsaturated ketone moiety were essential for the activity. The mechanistic study revealed that 6 induced apoptosis, autophagy, and metastasis suppression in TNBC cells via inhibition of Akt. In vivo, 6 significantly suppressed the TNBC tumor growth without causing side effects. All these results suggested that 6 may serve as a promising lead for the development of novel anti-TNBC agents in the future.

Highly modified nor-clerodane diterpenoids from Croton yanhuii.

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves and twigs of Croton yanhuii led to the isolation of seven highly modified nor-clerodane diterpenoids (1-7), including three new ones, croyanoids A-C (1-3), along with four known analogues (4-7). Compound 1 incorporates a 5,12-epoxy ring, forming a unique cage-like, 6/6/6/5-fused tetracyclic ring system. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of 1-4 were determined by a combination of circular dichroism (CD) analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds were tested in an array of bioassays, but were inactive. Crotoeurin A (7), a nor-clerodane dimer with a high yield of 0.2‰ isolated in current study, was considered as a chemotaxonomic marker for this species.

Structurally diverse triterpenoids with cytotoxicity from Euphorbia hypericifolia.

Extensive phytochemical investigation on the whole herbs of Euphorbia hypericifolia led to the isolation of 18 structurally diverse tetracyclic and pentacyclic triterpenoids, including four 4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-ergostanes (1-4), two seco-adiananes (5 and 6), three dammaranes (7-9), four cycloartanes (10-13), one tirucallane (14), two fernanes (15 and 16), one ursane (17), and one oleanane (18). Among them, euphypenoids A (1) and B (5) were new triterpenoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and chemical transformation. All isolates were screened for their cytotoxic activities against the colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116, and compounds 1, 12, and 15 showed remarkable activities with IC50 values of 12.8 ± 1.6, 7.4 ± 0.2, and 10.6 ± 1.2 µM, respectively.

Salviplenoid A from Salvia plebeia attenuates acute lung inflammation via modulating NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Acute lung injury (ALI) involves series of inflammatory pathologies and cause high morbidity. Salviplenoid A (SA) was a new sesquiterpenoid from the traditional inflammatory herb Salvia plebeia. In our previous study, SA exhibited antiinflammatory activity in RAW264.7 cells. However, the extensive effects of SA in human cells and in vivo and the active mechanisms are unclear. Thus, in this study, we sought to access its effects in vitro and in vivo and to investigate its mechanisms. SA was proved to inhibit the induction of proinflammatory cytokines in human cell types, including pulmonary epithelial cells and endothetial cells. It also depressed monocyte adhesion. Moreover, SA potently attenuated the acute lung inflammation in the LPS-induced mouse model shown by down-regulation of proinflammatory mediators, inhibition of polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration, and alleviation of related symptoms like alveolar congestion and mucus secretion. Further evaluation confirmed that SA regulated NF-κB pathway by inhibiting the IκB-α phosphorylation. And it markedly mediated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 expression and promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Therefore, SA could attenuate acute lung inflammation via suppressing NF-κB and activating Nrf2, which provide a theoretical basis for the potential application of SA in clinic.

Euphane- and 19(10 → 9)abeo-euphane-type triterpenoids from Jatropha gossypiifolia.

Four new tetracyclic triterpenoids (1-4) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Jatropha gossypiifolia. Their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR data analysis, together with the Mo2(OAc)4-induced CD data. Jagabeoeuphols A-C (1-3) are rare 19(10 â†’ 9)abeo-euphane-type triterpenoids possessing a Δ5(10) group and a 7,8-epoxide moiety, and jagoseuphone A (4) is a typical euphane-type triterpenoid. The inhibitory effects of 1-4 on nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 cells were evaluated, and 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 20.1 µM.

Germacrane Sesquiterpenoids as a New Type of Anticardiac Fibrosis Agent Targeting Transforming Growth Factor ß Type I Receptor.

A germacrane sesquiterpenoid library containing 30 compounds (2-31) was constructed by structural modification of a major component aristolactone (1) from the traditional Chinese medicine Aristolochia yunnanensis. Compound 11 was identified as a promising anticardiac fibrosis agent by systematic screening of this library. 11 could inhibit the expression of fibronectin (FN), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagens in transforming growth factor ß 1 (TGFß1)-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts at a micromolar level and ameliorate myocardial fibrosis and heart function in abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) rats at 5 mg/kg dose. Mechanistic study revealed that 11 inhibited the TGFß/small mother against decapentaplegic (Smad) signaling pathway by targeting TGFß type I receptor (IC50 = 14.9 ± 1.6 nM). The structure-activity relationships (SARs) study indicated that the unsaturated γ-lactone ring and oxidation of C-1 were important to the activity. These findings may provide a new type of structural motif for future anticardiac fibrosis drug development.

(+)-Isobicyclogermacrenal and spathulenol from Aristolochia yunnanensis alleviate cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting transforming growth factor ß/small mother against decapentaplegic signaling pathway.

Cardiac fibrosis contributes to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction in many cardiac pathophysiologic conditions. Antifibrotic therapies are likely to be a crucial strategy in curbing many fibrosis-related cardiac diseases. In our previous study, an ethyl acetate extract of a traditional Chinese medicine Aristolochia yunnanensis Franch. was found to have a therapeutic effect on myocardial fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. However, the exact chemicals and their mechanisms responsible for the activity of the crude extract have not been illustrated yet. In the current study, 10 sesquiterpenoids (1-10) were isolated from the active extract, and their antifibrotic effects were systematically evaluated in transforming growth factor ß 1 (TGFß1)-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts and NIH3T3 fibrosis models. (+)-Isobicyclogermacrenal (1) and spathulenol (2) were identified as the main active components, being more potent than the well-known natural antifibrotic agent oxymatrine. Compounds 1 and 2 could inhibit the TGFß1-induced cardiac fibroblasts proliferation and suppress the expression of the fibrosis biomarkers fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin via down-regulation of their mRNA levels. The mechanism study revealed that 1 and 2 could inhibit the phosphorylation of TGFß type I receptor, leading to the decrease of the phosphorylation levels of downstream Smad2/3, then consequently blocking the nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 in the TGFß/Smad signaling pathway. These findings suggest that 1 and 2 may serve as promising natural leads for the development of anticardiac fibrosis drugs.

A new lindenane-type sesquiterpenoid lactone from Chloranthus japonicus.

Chromatographic fractionation of the EtOH extracts of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Chloranthus japonicus, has led to the isolation of a new lindenane-type sesquiterpenoid lactone derivative (1). Rosmarylchloranthalactone E (1), which consists of lindenane sesquiterpenoid lactone and rosmarinic acid moieties linked via an ester bridge, was structurally elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS data. Compound 1 was a potent phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.96 ± 0.04 µM.

Anti-inflammatory Ingenane Diterpenoids from the Roots of Euphorbia kansui.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the roots of Euphorbia kansui led to the isolation of two new ingenane diterpenoids, euphorkans A (1: ) and B (2: ), together with 16 known analogues (3:  - 18: ). Their structures were determined by combined spectral and chemical methods. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Compounds 1:  - 6: and 10:  - 13: exhibited pronounced inhibitory activity with IC50 values in the range of 2.78 - 10.6 µM, and were more potent than the positive control, quercetin (IC50 = 15.8 µM). Compounds 1: and 5: were selected for further assays toward the key inflammation mediators TNF-α and IL-6, and showed a significant inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. The preliminary mechanistic study revealed that 1: and 5: inhibited NF-κB activity, which may exert a role in their anti-inflammatory activity.

Monoterpene indole alkaloids from Rhazya stricta.

Twenty-seven monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) including three new ones were isolated from the plant of Rhazya stricta. Their structures were elucidated by analyses of HRMS and NMR data. Secopleiocarpamine A (1) represents a novel 2,3-seco pleiocarpamine type MIA possessing a cyano group. A possible biosynthetic pathway for 1 was postulated. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against six Candida strains, and the results showed that 2, 5, 12, 21, 23, and 27 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities with MIC values ranging from 3.125 to 50 µg/mL.

Prenylated flavonoids as potent phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors from Morus alba: Isolation, modification, and structure-activity relationship study.

The bioassay-guided phytochemical study of a traditional Chinese medicine Morus alba led to the isolation of 18 prenylated flavonoids (1-18), of which (±)-cyclomorusin (1/2), a pair of enantiomers, and 14-methoxy-dihydromorusin (3) are the new ones. Subsequent structural modification of the selected components by methylation, esterification, hydrogenation, and oxidative cyclization led to 14 more derivatives (19-32). The small library was screened for its inhibition against phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), which is a drug target for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Among them, nine compounds (1-5, 8, 10, 16, and 17) exhibited remarkable activities with IC50 values ranging from 0.0054 to 0.40 µM, being more active than the positive control rolipram (IC50 = 0.62 µM). (+)-Cyclomorusin (1), the most active natural PDE4 inhibitor reported so far, also showed a high selectivity across other PDE members with the selective fold greater than 55. The SAR study revealed that the presence of prenyls at C-3 and/or C-8, 2H-pyran ring D, and the phenolic hydroxyl groups were important to the activity, which was further supported by the recognition mechanism study of the inhibitors with PDE4 by using molecular modeling.

Anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenoids from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Salvia plebeia: Regulates pro-inflammatory mediators through inhibition of NF-κB and Erk1/2 signaling pathways in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salvia plebeia R. Brown, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been used to treat inflammatory diseases such as cough, hepatitis, and diarrhea for a long history. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify potential anti-inflammatory agents from the herb of S. plebeia, which may have contributed to its folk pharmacological use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aerial parts of S. plebeia were extracted with 95% ethanol and separated by silica gel, RP-C18, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (MS, NMR, and X-ray). Anti-inflammatory activities of all compounds were evaluated by the model of LPS-induced up-regulated of NO in Raw264.7 macrophages. The expression levels of cytokine (TNF-α) and proteins (iNOS and COX-2) were assessed by ELISA kit and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Furthermore, the influences of salviplenoid A (1) on NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways were determined by Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Six new (1-6, salviplenoids A-F) and ten known (7-16) sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the herb of S. plebeia. The absolute configurations of compounds 1, 2, and 7 were determined by X-ray diffraction. The new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, salviplenoid A (1), significantly decreased the release of NO and TNF-α and the expression of proteins iNOS and COX-2. In addition, the biochemical mechanistic study indicated that 1 regulated the NF-κB dependent transcriptional activity through inhibiting the nuclear translocation of p50/p65 dimer and decreasing the phosphorylation of IκB and Erk1/2. CONCLUSIONS: Among all sesquiterpenoids isolated from S. plebeian, the new salviplenoid A (1) exhibited the most potent anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells via inhibition of NF-κB and Erk1/2 signaling pathways.

A new serratene triterpenoid from Lycopodium japonicum.

Phytochemical investigation on the herbs of Lycopodium japonicum led to the isolation of a new serratene triterpenoid, 3α,21α-dihydroxy-16-oxoserrat-14-en-24-yl p-coumarate (1), together with two known ones, lycernuic ketone C (2) and tohogenol (3). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The 13C NMR data of tohogenol was first reported.

New lanostane-type triterpenoids from the fruiting body of Ganoderma hainanense.

Five new lanostane-type triterpenoids, ganoderenses A-E (1-5), two new lanostane nor-triterpenoids, ganoderenses F and G (6 and 7), along with 13 known analogues (8-20) were isolated from the fruiting body of Ganoderma hainanense. Their structures were determined by combined chemical and spectral methods, and the absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 13 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), a potential target for cancer chemotherapy with redox balance and antioxidant functions, but were inactive.

A Novel Heterodimer from Crotalaria ferruginea.

A new compound was isolated from the traditional Chinese folk herb Crotalaria ferruginea. The structure of the new compound was identified as (±)-crotaferruphenol (1) based on analyses of its spectroscopic data including NMR, MS, and specific rotation values. (±)-Crotaferruphenol was a novel heterodimer characteristic of a unique spiroketal moiety, which was produced by the condensation reaction of a chromanone and a 2-isopropenybenzofuran. (±)-Crotaferruphenol exhibited inhibitory activity (IC50 = 6.57 µM.) against phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), a drug target for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Natural nitric oxide (NO) inhibitors from Chloranthus japonicus.

Eight new lindenane sesquiterpenoid dimers, chlojapolides A-H (1-8), along with 11 known analogues were isolated from the whole plant of Chloranthus japonicus. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by spectral and chemical methods. All the compounds were examined for their inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and compounds 1, 11, 13, and 17 exhibited pronounced inhibition with IC50 values in the range of 6.91-15.75µM, being more active than the positive control, quercetin (IC50=15.90µM).

Neolignans from Aristolochia fordiana Prevent Oxidative Stress-Induced Neuronal Death through Maintaining the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in HT22 Cells.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the stems of Aristolochia fordiana led to the isolation of six new dihydrobenzofuran neolignans (1-3 and 7-9), three new 2-aryldihydrobenzofurans (4-6), a new 8-O-4' neolignan (10), and 14 known analogues (11-24). The structures of compounds 1-10 were established by spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by analyses of the specific rotation and electronic circular dichroism data. The neuroprotective effects of compounds 1-24 against glutamate-induced cell death were tested in hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22. Compounds 17 and 20-24 exhibited moderate neuroprotective activity by increasing the endogenous antioxidant defense system. In addition, the neolignans activated the Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) pathway, resulting in the increase of the expression of endogenous antioxidant protein HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1). The active compounds also preserved the levels of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2), which was decreased by glutamate. Collectively, these results suggested that the active neolignans protect neurons against glutamate-induced cell death through maintaining the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway as well as preserving the Bcl-2 protein and might be promising novel beneficial agents for oxidative stress-associated diseases.