Enriched Terpenes Fractions of the Latex of Euphorbia umbellata Promote Apoptosis in Leukemic Cells.

The current study was carried out by a bioguided fractionation of a hexane extract of the latex of Euphorbia umbellata against leukemic cells. Samples were analyzed by NMR, GC/MS, triterpenes quantification, and MTT reduction assay. Morphological, cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential and caspases 3/7 analyses were performed for the dichloromethane and ethanol fractions, and selectivity index for the dichloromethane fraction. NMR analysis presented characteristic signals of terpenes and steroids, data were confirmed by the quantification of triterpenes and GC/MS analysis. MTT reduction assay demonstrated that HL-60 was the most sensitive cell lineage against dichloromethane and ethanol fractions. Compounds of these matrices caused morphological changes compatible with apoptosis induction, altered cell cycle, increment of depolarized population cells and activation of caspases 3/7. Selectivity indices were higher than 22.44. Bioguided-fractionation study showed that samples of the latex of E. umbellata raised the activity of the phytocomplex against leukemic cells, and the cytotoxicity can be associated with an apoptosis pathway.

Eleven Microbial Metabolites of 6-Hydroxyflavanone.

6-Hydroxyflavanone (1) when fermented with fungal culture Cunninghamella blakesleeana (ATCC 8688a) yielded flavanone 6-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), flavanone 6-sulfate (3), and 6-hydroxyflavanone 7-sulfate (4). Aspergillus alliaceus (ATCC 10060) also transformed 1 to metabolite 3 as well as 4'-hydroxyflavanone 6-sulfate (5) and 6,4'-dihydroxyflavanone (6). Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 7159) metabolized 1 to 6 and flavanone 6-O-ß-D-4-O-methyglucopyranoside (7). Mucor ramannianus (ATCC 9628) transformed 1 to 2,4-cis-6-hydroxyflavan-4-ol (8), 2,4-trans-6-hydroxyflavan-4-ol (9), 2,4-trans-6,4'-dihydroxyflavan-4-ol 5-sulfate (10), 1,3-cis-1-methoxy-1-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-phenylpropane (11) and 2,4-trans-flavan-4-ol 6-sulfate (12). Structures of the metabolic products were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data. None of the metabolites tested showed antibacterial, antifungal and antimalarial activities against selected organisms. However, weak antileishmanial activity was observed for metabolite 11 when tested against Leishmania donovani.

Bioconversion of 7-hydroxyflavanone: isolation, characterization and bioactivity evaluation of twenty-one phase I and phase II microbial metabolites.

Microbial metabolism of 7-hydroxyflavanone (1) with fungal culture Cunninghamella blakesleeana (ATCC 8688a), yielded flavanone 7-sulfate (2), 7,4'-dihydroxyflavanone (3), 6,7-dihydroxyflavanone (4), 6-hydroxyflavanone 7-sulfate (5), and 7-hydroxyflavanone 6-sulfate (6). Mortierella zonata (ATCC 13309) also transformed 1 to metabolites 2 and 3 as well as 4'-hydroxyflavanone 7-sulfate (7), flavan-4-cis-ol 7-sulfate (8), 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone (9), 7,8-dihydroxyflavanone (10), 8-hydroxyflavanone 7-sulfate (11), and 8-methoxy-7-hydroxyflavanone (12). Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 7159) metabolized 1 to 2, 3, and 8, flavanone 7-O-ß-D-O-4-methoxyglucopyranoside (13), and 8-hydroxyflavanone 7-O-ß-D-O-4-methoxyglucopyranoside (14). Chaetomium cochlioides (ATCC 10195) also transformed 1 to 2, 3, 9, together with 7-hydroxy-4-cis-ol (15). Mucor ramannianus (ATCC 9628) metabolized 1 in addition to 7, to also 4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone (16), 7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavanone (17), 4'-hydroxyflavanone 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (18), and 7,3',4'-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavanone (19). The organism Aspergillus alliaceus (ATCC 10060) transformed 1 to metabolites 3, 16, 7,8,4'-trihydroxyflavanone (20), and 7-hydroxyflavanone 4'-sulfate (21). A metabolite of 1, flavanone 7-O-ß-D-O-glucopyranoside (22) was produced by Rhizopus oryzae (ATCC 11145). Structures of the metabolic products were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data. None of the metabolites tested showed antibacterial, antifungal and antimalarial activities against selected organisms. Metabolites 4 and 16 showed weak antileishmanial activity.

Microbial metabolism. Part 13. Metabolites of hesperetin.

The fungal culture, Mucor ramannianus (ATCC 2628) transformed hesperitin (1) to four metabolites: 4'-methoxy-5,7,8,3'-tetrahydroxyflavanone (8-hydroxyhesperetin) (2), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavanone (eriodictyol) (3), 4'-methoxy-5,3'-dihydroxyflavanone 7-sulfate (hesperetin 7-sulfate) (4) and 5,7,3'-trihydroxyflavanone 4'-O-α-quinovopyranoside (eriodictyol 4'-O-α-quinovopyranoside) (5). The structures were established by spectroscopic methods.

Microbial metabolism. Part 12. Isolation, characterization and bioactivity evaluation of eighteen microbial metabolites of 4'-hydroxyflavanone.

Fermentation of 4'-hydroxyflavanone (1) with fungal cultures, Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144 and ATCC 7159) yielded 6,3',4'-trihydroxyflavanone (2), 3',4'-dihydroxyflavanone 6-O-ß-D-4-methoxyglucopyranoside (3), 4'-hydroxyflavanone 3'-sulfate (4), 6,4'-dihydroxyflavanone 3'-sulfate (5) and 4'-hydroxyflavanone 6-O-ß-D-4-methoxyglucopyranoside (7). B. bassiana (ATCC 13144) and B. bassiana (ATCC 7159) in addition, gave one more metabolite each, namely, flavanone 4'-O-ß-D-4-methoxyglucopyranoside (6) and 6,4'-dihydroxyflavanone (8) respectively. Cunninghamella echinulata (ATCC 9244) transformed 1 to 6,4'-dihydroxyflavanone (8), flavanone-4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (9), 3'-hydroxyflavanone 4'-sulfate (10), 3',4'-dihydroxyflavanone (11) and 4'-hydroxyflavanone-3'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (12). Mucor ramannianus (ATCC 9628) metabolized 1 to 2,4-trans-4'-hydroxyflavan-4-ol (13), 2,4-cis-4'-hydroxyflavan-4-ol (14), 2,4-trans-3',4'-dihydroxyflavan-4-ol (15), 2,4-cis-3',4'-dihydroxyflavan-4-ol (16), 2,4-trans-3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavan-4-ol (17), flavanone 4'-O-α-D-6-deoxyallopyranoside (18) and 2,4-cis-4-hydroxyflavanone 4'-O-α-D-6-deoxyallopyranoside (19). Metabolites 13 and 14 were also produced by Ramichloridium anceps (ATCC 15672). The former was also produced by C. echinulata. Structures of the metabolic products were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data. None of the metabolites tested showed antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal activities against selected organisms.

Microbial metabolism. Part 11. Metabolites of flutamide.

The yeast culture, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (ATCC 20129) transformed flutamide (1) to three metabolites: 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline (2), 2-methyl-N-[4-amino-3-(trifloromethyl)phenyl]propanamide (3) and N-[4-amino-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]acetamide (4). The structures were established by spectroscopic methods.

Cytotoxic biomonitored study of Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Euphorbia umbellata latex (sap) has normally been used in folk medicine in southern Brazil to treat different types of cancers. AIM OF STUDY: To carry out a biomonitored investigation of partitioned latex using in vitro assay, to identify the main mechanisms related with the action of the most active fraction as well as to develop a phytochemical study with this material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biological screening was performed with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions from the latex of E. umbellata using MTT, trypan blue, and neutral red assays to determine the cytotoxicity against HRT-18, HeLa and Jurkat cells and flow cytometry, DNA quantification, acridine orange and Hoechst 33342 staining to investigate mechanisms of action for the hexane extract. The phytochemical study of the hexane fraction was performed by chromatographic procedures and the substances were identified by NMR analysis. The isolated terpenes were evaluated using MTT to determine the cytotoxicity against Jurkat cells. RESULTS: All the fractions presented concentration and time dependent cytotoxicity. The hexane fraction showed the highest cytotoxicity; whereas the Jurkat cell was the lineage with the highest sensitivity (IC50 1.87µg/mL). Fragmentation of DNA and apoptosis are two mechanisms related with the toxicity of hexane fraction. The hexane fraction arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and the selectivity index was 4.30. Phytochemical study of the hexane fraction led to isolation of euphol (main compound) and germanicol acetate. Both substances demonstrated some slight cytotoxic activity against Jurkat cells after 72h; however the activity was minimal compared to vincristine (anticancer standard drug). CONCLUSION: The current research proves that the fractions of the latex from E. umbellata have a cytotoxic effect against three different cancer cells lines. The hexane fraction showed high in vitro cytotoxic effects against Jurkat cells demonstrating that the effect may be due to non-polar constituents. The two isolated terpenes (euphol and germanicol acetate) showed poor cytotoxic activity indicating that the anticancer properties of the extract may be caused by other substances present in the hexane fraction.

Anti-ulcer mechanisms of polyphenols extract of Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns (Euphorbiaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Euphorbia umbellata (leitosinha) is used in southern Brazilian folk medicine to treat gastric problems, as well as for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the anti-ulcer effects of methanolic bark fraction (MF) against in vivo and in vitro assays, as well as an antioxidant, antibacterial and chromatographic study of this fraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo anti-ulcer activity was performed using ethanol and indomethacin models with different MF concentrations (50, 100 or 200mg/Kg). The stomachs of the animals were applied to histological evaluation, and the serum to evaluate the ABTS(•+) radical capture. The 200mg/Kg dose was used to analyze the mechanisms involved in antiulcerogenic properties of methanolic fraction. The in vitro activity was performed using several different antioxidant assays, in addition to anti-Helicobacter pylori and anti-urease experiments. The chromatographic study was carried out by LC-MS analysis. RESULTS: Pharmacological investigation of the MF showed an anti-ulcer potential in ethanol and indomethacin in vivo assays. The material presented a high antioxidant activity for several oxidant in vitro systems (DPPH(•), ABTS(•+), O2(•-), HOCl, TauCl and HRP), as well as an ABTS(•+) capture increasing (7.5%) by the treated animals serum (when compared to the negative control). Prostaglandins, nitric oxide/ cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway and involvement of the protein components of the glutathione complex are some of the mechanisms related with this potential anti-ulcer action. The histological examination of the stomachs of the animals showed that the MF also prevents local action of offensive agents. Chemical analysis using LC-QTOF-MS revealed the presence of ellagic and gallic acid derivatives and flavonols. CONCLUSION: The findings provide scientific basis to the ethnopharmacological purpose of the studied plant and the biological activities of MF of E. umbellata stem bark may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Microbial metabolism. Part 14. Isolation and bioactivity evaluation of microbial metabolites of resveratrol.

The fungi, Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144) and Penicillium chrysogenium (ATCC 9480) transformed resveratrol to resveratrol-3-O-sulphate. The former, in addition, gave 5-methoxyresveratrol-3-O-ß-glucoside with the latter yielding 5-methoxyresveratrol-3-O-sulphate. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods. Evaluation of biological activity of metabolites through a series of mammalian cell based assays indicated that resveratrol tends to lose its anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and anti-oxidant activities with the substitution of its hydroxyl groups.

Microbial metabolism part 9. Structure and antioxidant significance of the metabolites of 5,7-dihydroxyflavone (chrysin), and 5- and 6-hydroxyflavones.

5,7-Dihydroxyflavone (chrysin) (1) when fermented with fungal cultures, Aspergillus alliaceous (ATCC 10060), Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144) and Absidia glauco (ATCC 22752) gave mainly 4'-hydroxychrysin (4), chrysin 7-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (5) and chrysin 7-sulfate (6), respectively. Mucore ramannianus (ATCC 9628), however, transformed chrysin into six metabolites: 4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxychrysin (chrysoeriol) (7), 4'-hydroxychrysin (apigenin) (4) 3',4'-dihydroxychrysin (luteolin) (8), 3'-methoxychrysin 4'-O-alpha-D-6-deoxyallopyranoside (9), chrysin 4'-O-alpha-D-6-deoxyallopyranoside (10), and luteolin 3'-sulfate (11). Cultures of A. alliaceous (ATCC 10060) and B. bassiana (ATCC 13144) metabolized 5-hydroxyflavone (2) into 5,4'-dihydroxyflavone (12) and 4'-hydroxyflavone 5-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (13), respectively. 6-Hydroxyflavone (3) was transformed into 6-hydroxyflavanone (14), flavone 3-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (15) and (+/-)-flavanone 6-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (16) by cultures of Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144). The structures of the metabolic products were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data. The significance of the metabolites as antioxidants in relation to their structure is briefly discussed.

Microbial metabolism. Part 8. The pyranocoumarin, decursin.

Microbial transformation of the cancer chemopreventive agent, decursin (1) with Sepedonium chrysospermem (ATCC 13378) yielded two metabolites, (+)-decursinol (2) and (-)-cis-decursidinol (3). The structures were established by spectroscopic data.

Microbial metabolism. Part 6. Metabolites of 3- and 7-hydroxyflavones.

Fermentation of 3-hydroxyflavone (1) with Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 13144) yielded 3,4'-dihdroxyflavone (3), flavone 3-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (4) and two minor metabolites. 7-Hydroxyflavone (2) was transformed by Nocardia species (NRRL 5646) to 7-methoxyflavone (5) whilst Aspergillus alliaceus (ATCC 10060) converted it to 4',7-dihydroxyflavone (6). Flavone 7-O-beta-D-4-O-metylglucopyranoside (7) and 4'-hydroxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-4-O-methylglucopyranoside (8) were the metabolic products of 7-hydroxyflavone (2) when fermented with Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 7159). One of the minor metabolites of 3-hydroxyflavone (1) was tentatively assigned a beta'-chalcanol structure (9). Compounds 4, 7 and 8 are reported as new compounds. Structure elucidation of the metabolites was based on spectroscopic data.

Chemical profiling and standardization of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography.

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is one of the few plants that can be cultivated in the harsh climate of the Andes. Its nutritious hypocotyl is traditionally used as food and medicine, and Maca products are increasingly becoming popular in the western world as tonics. This paper describes the first analytical method allowing the determination of the main macamides and macaenes, the marker compounds of L. meyenii. A separation within 35 min was possible by using a C-12 stationary phase, an acidic mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile and water, and raising the column temperature to 40 degrees C. By monitoring the separation at 210 and 280 nm, the markers were detectable as low as 0.40 microg/ml. In order to validate the method, accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection and intra/inter day repeatability were determined. The analysis of several commercially available Maca products showed a similar qualitative pattern but significant differences in the quantitative composition. The percentage of total markers in the preparations varied from 0.15 to 0.84%, resulting in daily intakes for the consumer from 1.52 to 14.88 mg, respectively.

Microbial metabolism. Part 5. Dihydrokawain.

Preparative scale fermentation of (6S)-dihydrokawain (1) with Rhizopus arrhizus (ATCC 11145) gave 3'-hydroxydihydrokawain (2) and (8S)-hydroxydihydrokawain (3). Structure elucidation of the metabolites was based on spectroscopic data. The C-8 absolute configuration of (3) was assessed via its Mosher's esters.

Transport of harman alkaloids across Caco-2 cell monolayers.

This study examined the intestinal transport of five harman alkaloids using the Caco-2 cell monolayer as a model of the human intestinal mucosa. Transport parameters, permeability coefficients and percent transports, were calculated and compared under identical conditions with atenolol. Permeability coefficients were also compared with the reported values for model compounds like mannitol, propranolol and glucose. Sodium fluorescein was used as the marker for paracellular leakage. These alkaloids, in the concentration range of 250-500 microM, demonstrated substantial transport across the monolayer with moderate to high efflux rates and permeability coefficients. The transport was linear with time and was concentration dependent.

Microbial metabolites of harman alkaloids.

Several microorganisms showed the ability to transform the harman alkaloids, harmaline (1), harmalol (2) and harman (5). Harmaline (1) and harmalol (2) were converted by Rhodotorula rubra ATCC 20129 into the tryptamines, 2-acetyl-3-(2-acetamidoethyl)-7-methoxyindole (3) and 2-acetyl-3-(2-acetamidoethyl)-7-hydroxyindole (4), respectively. Harman (5) was biotransformed by Cunninghamella echinulata NRRL 3655 into 6-hydroxyharman (6) and harman-2-oxide (7).

Identification and biological activity of microbial metabolites of xanthohumol.

Microbial transformation of xanthohumol using the culture broth of Cunninghamella echinulata NRRL 3655 afforded (2S)-8-[4"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-Z)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (5) and (2S)-8-[5"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-E)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (6). Xanthohumol (1) and flavanone 6 as well as (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":4',3']-2',4-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (2), (2S)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":7,8]-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (3) obtained with Pichia membranifaciens showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.

Eurycomaoside: a new quassinoid-type glycoside from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia.

A new C(19)-quassinoid-type glycoside has been isolated from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia. The structure elucidation of the compound was achieved by a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, including (1)H-(1)H-correlation spectroscopy (COSY), (1)H-(13)C-heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy (HMQC), and (1)H-(13)C-heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation spectroscopy (HMBC), as well as high resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transformation mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-FT-MS) data. The C(1)-glycosidation site in the quassinoid framework is encountered for the first time.

Antiinflammatory triterpenoid saponins from the seeds of Aesculus chinensis.

Phytochemical study of the ethanol extract of the seeds of Aesculus chinensis led to the isolation of a new triterpenoid saponin (6), together with five known triterpenoid saponins (1-5). The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data to be 21,28-di-O-acetylprotoaescigenin-3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (aesculiside A, 6). The antiinflammatory activities of the four main saponins (1-4) were compared with those of total saponin extracts, and single saponins showed more potent activity than total saponin extracts in mice.