Pharmacological Activity of Cepharanthine.

Cepharanthine, a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloid isolated from the plant Stephania Cephalantha Hayata, is the only bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid approved for human use and has been used in the clinic for more than 70 years. Cepharanthine has a variety of medicinal properties, including signaling pathway inhibitory activities, immunomodulatory activities, and antiviral activities. Recently, cepharanthine has been confirmed to greatly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, we aimed to describe the pharmacological properties and mechanisms of cepharanthine, mainly including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-pathogen activities, inhibition of bone resorption, treatment of alopecia, treatment of snake bite, and other activities. At the same time, we analyzed and summarized the potential antiviral mechanism of cepharanthine and concluded that one of the most important anti-viral mechanisms of cepharanthine may be the stability of plasma membrane fluidity. Additionally, we explained its safety and bioavailability, which provides evidence for cepharanthine as a potential drug for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Finally, we further discuss the potential new clinical applications of cepharanthine and provide direction for its future development.

Antiviral Drugs Screening for Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus.

Coronaviruses as possible cross-species viruses have caused several epidemics. The ongoing emergency of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed severe threats to the global economy and public health, which has generated great concerns about zoonotic viruses. Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), an alpha-coronavirus, was responsible for mass piglet deaths, resulting in unprecedented economic losses, and no approved drugs or vaccines are currently available for SADS-CoV infection. Given its potential ability to cause cross-species infection, it is essential to develop specific antiviral drugs and vaccines against SADS-CoV. Drug screening was performed on a total of 3523 compound-containing drug libraries as a strategy of existing medications repurposing. We identified five compounds (gemcitabine, mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid, methylene blue and cepharanthine) exhibiting inhibitory effects against SADS-CoV in a dose-dependent manner. Cepharanthine and methylene blue were confirmed to block viral entry, and gemcitabine, mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid and methylene blue could inhibit viral replication after SADS-CoV entry. This is the first report on SADS-CoV drug screening, and we found five compounds from drug libraries to be potential anti-SADS-CoV drugs, supporting the development of antiviral drugs for a possible outbreak of SADS-CoV in the future.

Synthesis of a new intermediate for bioactive Lamellarins.

This paper reports two methods of synthesis for 1,2,4-trimethoxy-5-(1-methyl-2-phenyl-vinyl)-benzene, which was a key intermediate to synthesize the various Lamellarins. One method is by using the Wittig-Horner reaction and another is by the Grignard reaction. By conducting contrast experiments, we got the optimal reaction parameters for high yields. The newly formed intermediate was identified by means of IR spectrum, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and melting point measurements.

Pyrrolo[2,1-alpha]isoquinoline as a skeleton for the synthesis of bioactive lamellarin H.

Lamellarin H has been shown to be active against the topoisomerase of the Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) and to have anti-HIV properties. 1-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-8,9-dimethoxy-2-(2,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)-pyrrolo[2,1-alpha] isoquinoline (intermediate 2) is the skeleton for the synthesis of lamellarin H and its derivatives. The synthesis of intermediate 2 is reported here in detail. The intermediate formed is identified by means of IR spectrum, UV spectrum, MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and melting point measurements.