New abietane and tigliane diterpenoids from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana and their cytotoxic activities.

Three new abietane and two new tigliane diterpenoids were isolated from the roots Euphorbia fischeriana. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and quantum chemical calculation. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited the inhibitory activities against human cancer cells HeLa and HepG2, with IC50 ranging from 3.54 to 11.45 µM.

Fischdiabietane A, an Antitumoral Diterpenoid Dimer Featuring an Unprecedented Carbon Skeleton from Euphorbia fischeriana.

Fischdiabietane A (1), a novel asymmetric diterpenoid dimer with a unique nonacyclic 6/6/6/5/7/6/6/6/6 ring system possessing unprecedented 2-oxaspiro[4.5]decane-1-one and 2-oxabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane frameworks in D/E/F rings, was isolated from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic techniques, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and X-ray diffraction experiments. Notably, 1 is the first abietane-type [4 + 2] Diels-Alder dimer identified from nature. The IC50 of 1 against T47D cells was about sixfold higher than that of cisplatin (the positive control). Furthermore, 1 induced apoptosis in T47D cells through the activation of caspase-3 and the degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

Bufadienolides from the Eggs of the Toad Bufo bufo gargarizans and Their Antimelanoma Activities.

Toads produce potent toxins, named bufadienolides, to defend against their predators. Pharmacological research has revealed that bufadienolides are potential anticancer drugs. In this research, we reported nine bufadienolides from the eggs of the toad Bufo bufo gargarizans, including two new compounds (1 and 3). The chemical structures of 1 and 3, as well as of one previously reported semisynthesized compound (2), were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data interpretation, chemical methods, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 is an unusual 19-norbufadienolide with rearranged A/B rings. A biological test revealed that compounds 2 and 4-8 showed potent cytotoxic activities toward human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-1 with IC50 values less than 1.0 µM. A preliminary mechanism investigation revealed that the most potent compound, 8, could induce apoptosis via PARP cleavage, while 5 and 6 significantly suppressed angiogenesis in zebrafish. Furthermore, an in vivo biological study showed that 5, 6, and 8 inhibit SK-MEL-1 cell growth significantly.

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from the fruits of Gelsemium elegans and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Two novel monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs), gelsechizines A-B (1-2), along with four known ones (3-6) were isolated from the fruits of Gelsemium elegans. Compound 1 features a new carbon skeleton with two additional carbon atoms forming a 4-methylpyridine unit. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by NMR, MS, X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1-3 showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro, which may be related to the inhibition of the trecruitment of neutrophils and macrophages as well as the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that the ß-N-acrylate moiety plays an important role in the anti-inflammatory effect.

[A new alkaloid from Ervatamia hainanensis].

In order to study the alkaloids from branches and leaves of Ervatamia hainanensis, silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC chromatography were used to obtain six alkaloids from the branches and leaves of E. hainanensis with use of. Based on the physicochemical properties and spectral data, their structures were identified as 10-hydroxydemethylhirsuteine(1), 3R-hydroxycoronaridine(2), 3-(2-oxopropyl)coronaridine(3), pandine(4), 16-epi-vobasine(5), and 16-epi-vobasinic acid(6). Among them, compound 1 was a new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, and compounds 5 and 6 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Xanthchrysones A-C: Rearranged Phenylpropanoyl-Phloroglucinol Dimers with Unusual Skeletons from Xanthostemon chrysanthus.

Three pairs of dimeric phenylpropanoyl-phloroglucinol enantiomers, (+)- and (-)-xanthchrysones A-C [(+)- and (-)-1-3], as well as their postulated biosynthetic precursors, were isolated and identified from the leaves of Xanthostemon chrysanthus. Compound 1 featured an unprecedented bis-phenylpropanoyl-benzo[b]cyclopent[e] oxepine tricyclic backbone. Compounds 2 and 3 represent the first examples of 1-(cyclopentylmethyl)-3-(3-phenylpropanoyl)benzene scaffold. The structures and absolute configurations of 1-3 were determined by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Both (+)-2 and (-)-2 showed moderate antibacterial activities including several multidrug-resistant strains.

Alopecuroides A-E, Matrine-Type Alkaloid Dimers from the Aerial Parts of Sophora alopecuroides.

Five new matrine-type alkaloid dimers, alopecuroides A-E, were isolated from the aerial parts of Sophora alopecuroides. Alopecuroides A and B represent the first dimeric matrine-type alkaloids possessing a cyano group and an epoxy moiety. Alopecuroides C and D are dimeric matrine-type alkaloids connected via C-2-C-9' and C-10-C-3' bonds, respectively. The chemical structures of alopecuroides A-E were elucidated by spectroscopic methods combined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The anti-inflammatory effects of alopecuroides A-E were evaluated, and alopecuroide B exhibited the most significant activity, better than that of matrine, the representative compound from S. alopecuroides.

Rearranged Phloroglucinol-Monoterpenoid Adducts from Callistemon rigidus.

Callisretones A (1) and B (2), two rearranged phloroglucinol-monoterpenoid adducts featuring an unprecedented isopropylcyclopenta[b]benzofuran backbone, together with their postulated biosynthetic precursors (3-9), were isolated from Callistemon rigidus. The previously assigned absolute configurations of viminalins H (7), L (8), and N (9) were revised and unequivocally established by X-ray diffraction data. A putative biosynthetic pathway toward callisretones A and B involving the rearrangement of the terpenoid motif is proposed. In addition, 1 and 2 showed inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production with IC50 values of 15.3 ± 1.0 and 17.7 ± 1.1 µM, respectively.

Bufospirostenin A and Bufogargarizin C, Steroids with Rearranged Skeletons from the Toad Bufo bufo gargarizans.

Bufospirostenin A (1) and bufogargarizin C (2), two novel steroids with rearranged A/B rings, were isolated from the toad Bufo bufo gargarizans. Compound 1 represents the first spirostanol found in animals. Compound 2 is an unusual bufadienolide with a cycloheptatriene B ring. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and computational calculations.

[Screening and follow-up treatment of 160 046 neonates with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Ningxia, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and treatment outcomes in neonates in Ningxia, China. METHODS: The clinical data of CAH screening for 160 046 neonates who were born in midwifery institutions in Ningxia from July 2014 to March 2016 were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 160 046 neonates who underwent CAH screening, 70 (0.044%) obtained a positive result and 11 were diagnosed with CAH; the incidence rate of CAH was 1/14 550 (0.069‰). Among the 11 neonates diagnosed with CAH, 9 had the salt wasting type (2 died) and 2 had simple virilization. The 9 neonates were given glucocorticoids immediately once diagnosed and all of them achieved good growth and development. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of neonatal CAH in Ningxia is 1/14 550. It is very necessary to carry out CAH screening in Ningxia, and active treatment can improve the prognosis of neonates with CAH.

Structures, chemotaxonomic significance, cytotoxic and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activities of new cardenolides from Asclepias curassavica.

Five new cardenolide lactates (1­5) and one new dioxane double linked cardenolide glycoside (17) along with 15 known compounds (6­16 and 18­21) were isolated from the ornamental milkweed Asclepias curassavica. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods (IR, UV, MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR). The molecular structures and absolute configurations of 1­3 and 17 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Simultaneous isolation of dioxane double linked cardenolide glycosides (17­21) and cardenolide lactates (1­5) provided unique chemotaxonomic markers for this genus. Compounds 1­21 were evaluated for the inhibitory activities against DU145 prostate cancer cells. The dioxane double linked cardenolide glycosides showed the most potent cytotoxic effect followed by normal cardenolides and cardenolide lactates, while the C21 steroids were non-cytotoxic. Enzymatic assay established a correlation between the cytotoxic effects in DU145 cancer cells and the Ki for the inhibition of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. Molecular docking analysis revealed relatively strong H-bond interactions between the bottom of the binding cavity and compounds 18 or 20, and explained why the dioxane double linked cardenolide glycosides possessed higher inhibitory potency on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase than the cardenolide lactate.

De-acetyl-cinobufalactam monohydrate.

The title compound, C24H33NO4·H2O, the reaction product of de-acetyl-cinobufagin with ammonium acetate, consists of three cyclo-hexane rings (A, B and C), one five-membered ring (D), one six-membered lactone ring (E) and an epoxide ring (F). The stereochemistry of the ring junctures are A/B cis, B/C trans, C/D cis and D/F cis. Cyclo-hexane rings A, B and C have normal chair conformations. The five-membered ring D adopts an envelope conformation (with the C atom bearing the lactone ring as the flap) and the lactone ring E is planar. In the crystal, hy-droxy and water O-H⋯O and amine N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving carbonyl, hy-droxy and water O-atom acceptors link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network.

[Bufadienolides from venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans].

Twelve compounds were isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans. On the basis of their physical and chemical properties and spectral data, their structures were identified as resibufagenin (1), bufotalin (2), desacetylcinobufagin (3), 19-oxodesacetylcinobufotalin (4), cinobufotalin (5), 1beta-hydroxylbufalin (6), 12alpha-hydroxybufalin (7), bufotalinin (8), Hellebrigenin (9), telocinobufagin (10), hellebrigenol (11) and cinobufagin-3-hemisuberate methyl ester (12), respectively. Compounds 7 and 12 are new natural products.

Arenobufagin, a natural bufadienolide from toad venom, induces apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly form of cancer without effective chemotherapy so far. Currently, only sorafenib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, slightly improves survival in HCC patients. In searching for natural anti-HCC components from toad venom, which is frequently used in the treatment of liver cancer in traditional Chinese medicine, we discovered that arenobufagin, a bufadienolide from toad venom, had potent antineoplastic activity against HCC HepG2 cells as well as corresponding multidrug-resistant HepG2/ADM cells. We found that arenobufagin induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in HCC cells, with decreasing mitochondrial potential, as well as increasing Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio, Bax translocation from cytosol to mitochondria. Arenobufagin also induced autophagy in HepG2/ADM cells. Autophagy-specific inhibitors (3-methyladenine, chloroquine and bafilomycin A1) or Beclin1 and Atg 5 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) enhanced arenobufagin-induced apoptosis, indicating that arenobufagin-mediated autophagy may protect HepG2/ADM cells from undergoing apoptotic cell death. In addition, we observed the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway by arenobufagin. Interestingly, inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin or siRNA duplexes augmented arenobufagin-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Finally, arenobufagin inhibited the growth of HepG2/ADM xenograft tumors, which were associated with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, light chain 3-II activation and mTOR inhibition. In summary, we first demonstrated the antineoplastic effect of arenobufagin on HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. We elucidated the underlying antineoplastic mechanisms of arenobufagin that involve cross talk between apoptosis and autophagy via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. This study may provide a rationale for future clinical application using arenobufagin as a chemotherapeutic agent for HCC.

C23 steroids from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans.

Five new C23 steroids (1-5) together with five known bufadienolides (6-10) were isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans (ChanSu in Chinese). The structures of the new steroids were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods in combination with X-ray diffraction analysis. Among these C23 steroids, only compound 3 showed cytotoxicities against HepG2 and A549 cancer cells, with respective IC50 values of 26.8 ± 8.3 and 45.6 ± 2.5 µM. In contrast, the bufadienolides (7-10) displayed potent inhibitory activities against these cancer cells, with respective IC50 values in the ranges 0.5-5.5 and 0.6-6.5 µM, but relatively less cytotoxicity on normal mouse spleen cells. In addition, the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activities of 2, 5, and 7 revealed that the lactone moiety of a bufadienolide was important for the inhibitory activity.

Epibisde-hydro-neotuberostemonine J.

The title compound, C22H29NO4, a stemona alkaloid, is composed of two lactone rings (A and E), a six-membered ring (B), a pyrrole ring (C) and a seven-membered ring (D). The five-membered rings A and E exhibit envelope conformations (C atoms as flaps) while ring C is planar. Ring B exhibits a twist-chair conformation due to fusion with pyrrole ring C while ring D adopts a chair conformation. The junction between rings A and B is cis. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O inter-actions involving the two carbonyl groups, a methyl-ene and a methyl group give rise to a three-dimensional network.

Protective effects and mechanisms of curcumin on podophyllotoxin toxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Podophyllotoxin (POD) is a naturally occurring lignan with pronounced antineoplastic and antiviral properties. POD binds to tubulin and prevents the formation of mitotic spindle. Although cases of overdose or accidental ingestion are quite often, no specific therapy is currently available to treat the POD intoxication. In the current investigation, the protective effects and mechanisms of curcumin (CUR) on podophyllotoxin toxicity were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that CUR could protect POD-induced cytotoxicity by recovering the G2/M arrest and decrease the changes of membrane potential and microtubule structure in Vero cells. A significant decrease of mortality rates was observed in Swiss mice treated by intragastrical administration of POD+CUR as compared with POD alone. The POD+CUR group also exhibited decreases in plasma transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, plasma urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde level but elevated superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels as compared to the POD group. Histological examination of the liver and kidney demonstrated less morphological changes in the treatment of POD+CUR as compared with POD alone. The mechanism of the protective effects might be due to the competitive binding of CUR with POD in the same colchicines binding site as revealed by the tubulin polymerization assay and the molecular docking analysis, and the antioxidant activity against the oxidative stress induced by POD. In summary, both in vitro and in vivo data indicated the promising role of CUR as a protective agent against the POD poisoning.

3,8-Dimethyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-quinazoline-6-carbonitrile.

In the title compound, C(11)H(9)N(3)O, the quinazoline unit is almost planar, with a mean deviation of 0.006 (1) Šfrom the least-squares plane defined by the ten constituent atoms. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds.

Secohellebrigeninamide.

The title compound, C(26)H(37)NO(5), was the reaction product of hellebrigenin with N,N-dimethyl-formamide. It consists of three cyclo-hexane rings (A, B and C), one five-membered ring (D) and one dihydro-pyran ring (E). The stereochemistry of the ring junctions is is A/B cis, B/C trans, C/D cis and C/E trans. The cyclo-hexane rings A, B and C have chair conformations. Both the five-membered ring D and the dihydro-pyran ring adopt an envelope conformation. Two orientations are found for the aldehyde group with occupancies of 0.608 (10) and 0.392 (10). In the crystal, short O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and short C-H⋯O contacts involving the hy-droxy group, terminal methyl group and carbonyl group link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network.

(Nitrato-κO,O')bis-(tryptanthrin-κN)silver(I).

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Ag(NO(3))(C(15)H(8)N(2)O(2))(2)], tryptanthrin (indolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-6,12-dione) and silver nitrate form a 2:1 complex. The silver ion is surrounded by two tryptanthrin ligands, each coordinating through the N atoms, with Ag-N bond lengths of 2.247 (3) and 2.264 (3) Å, and an anionic nitrate ligand coordinating through two O atoms, with Ag-O bond lengths of 2.499 (3) and 2.591 (3) Å. The N-Ag-N plane and the O-Ag-O plane are roughly perpendicular, making a dihedral angle of 81.6 (2)°. In the crystal, C-H⋯O inter-actions between aromatic H atoms and keto and nitrate O atoms as well as π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.706 (4) Å] give rise to a three-dimensional network.