Correction: Pentacyclic spermidine alkaloids with radioprotective and anti-inflammatory activities from Orychophragmus violaceus.

Correction for 'Pentacyclic spermidine alkaloids with radioprotective and anti-inflammatory activities from Orychophragmus violaceus' by Zan-Xin Xu et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2021, 19, 9844-9848, DOI: 10.1039/D1OB01973B.

Pentacyclic spermidine alkaloids with radioprotective and anti-inflammatory activities from Orychophragmus violaceus.

Two pairs of novel pentacyclic spermidine alkaloid enantiomers, (±)-orychoviolines A and B ((±)-1 and (±)-2), were isolated from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus and represented the first example of a 2-piperidinone-fused hydrodibenzofuran skeleton, constructed from a 6/5/6/6 tetracyclic system and an 18 atomic ring. The most unexpected novelty was the formation of one more piperidinone ring by a connection between C-6 and N-7. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analyses, X-ray crystallography, and ECD analysis. Compared to Ex-RAD (sodium salt of 4-carboxystyryl-4-chlorobenzylsulfone), (-)-1 exhibited a significant radioprotective effect on cell survival and DNA damage. (-)-1 also exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of NO in RAW 264.7 cells activated by lipopolysaccharide with an IC50 value of 20.3 ± 1.58 µM, which was equivalent to that of dexamethasone.

New cyclopeptide alkaloids from the whole plant of Justicia procumbens L.

Three novel 14-membered cyclopeptide alkaloids, justicianenes B-D (1-3), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Justicia procumbens L., and their structures were determined on the basis of detailed NMR spectroscopic data and the absolute stereochemistry of the ring-bonded α-amino acids in the cyclopeptide alkaloids were determined by ECD spectra. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, including brest cancer MCF-7, cervix carcinoma HeLa, lung cancer A549 and H460, and diphyllin (14) showed moderate cytotoxicity against the HeLa, A549 and H460 cells with IC50 of 9.13, 23.12, 42.34 µM, respectively, justicianene D showed weak cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell with inhibition rate of 50% at the concentration of 90 µM.

Anticancer Effects of Five Biflavonoids from Ginkgo Biloba L. Male Flowers In Vitro.

Ginkgo biloba L., an ancient dioecious gymnosperm, is now cultivated worldwide for landscaping and medical purposes. A novel biflavonoid-amentoflavone 7''-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1)-and four known biflavonoids were isolated and identified from the male flowers of Ginkgo. The anti-proliferative activities of five biflavonoids were evaluated on different cancer lines. Bilobetin (3) and isoginkgetin (4) exhibited better anti-proliferative activities on different cancer lines. Their effects were found to be cell-specific and in a dose and time dependent manner for the most sensitive HeLa cells. The significant morphological changes validated their anticancer effects in a dose-dependent manner. They were capable of arresting the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, inducing the apoptosis of HeLa cells dose-dependently and activating the proapoptotic protein Bax and the executor caspase-3. Bilobetin (3) could also inhibit the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. These might be the mechanism underlying their anti-proliferation. In short, bilobetin (3) and isoginkgetin (4) might be the early lead compounds for new anticancer agents.

Isocoumarin derivatives and monoterpene glycoside from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus.

Five new compounds, including four new isocoumarin derivatives [orychophramarin A-D (1-4)] and a new monoterpene glycoside [orychovioside A (5)], together with fourteen known compounds were isolated from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical evidence and spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and Hela cell lines compared with the positive control group (Cisplatin) with IC50 values of 5.10 and 8.91µM, respectively. Compound 1 exhibited evident cell cycle retardation that arrested HCT-116 cells at G2 phase and induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells in the further mechanism study.

Orychophragines A-C, Three Biologically Active Alkaloids from Orychophragmus violaceus.

Orychophragines A-C (1-3), three new alkaloids with an novel 2-piperazinone-fused 2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine skeleton, were isolated from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Orychophragines A (1) exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity against HepG2, A549, Hela, and HCT-116 cells with IC50 values of 7.73, 10.79, 11.91, and 9.93 µM, respectively. Orychophragines C (3) showed moderate 60Co γ radiation protection activity in HUVEC cells. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1-3 was proposed.

Succinate ester derivative of δ-tocopherol enhances the protective effects against 60Co γ-ray-induced hematopoietic injury through granulocyte colony-stimulating factor induction in mice.

α-tocopherol succinate (α-TOS), γ-tocotrienol (GT3) and δ-tocotrienol (DT3) have drawn large attention due to their efficacy as radioprotective agents. α-TOS has been shown to act superior to α-tocopherol (α-TOH) in mice by reducing lethality following total body irradiation (TBI). Because α-TOS has been shown to act superior to α-tocopherol (α-TOH) in mice by reducing lethality following total body irradiation (TBI), we hypothesized succinate may be contribute to the radioprotection of α-TOS. To study the contributions of succinate and to identify stronger radioprotective agents, we synthesized α-, γ- and δ-TOS. Then, we evaluated their radioprotective effects and researched further mechanism of δ-TOS on hematological recovery post-irradiation. Our results demonstrated that the chemical group of succinate enhanced the effects of α-, γ- and δ-TOS upon radioprotection and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) induction, and found δ-TOS a higher radioprotective efficacy at a lower dosage. We further found that treatment with δ-TOS ameliorated radiation-induced pancytopenia, augmenting cellular recovery in bone marrow and the colony forming ability of bone marrow cells in sublethal irradiated mice, thus promoting hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell recovery following irradiation exposure. δ-TOS appears to be an attractive radiation countermeasure without known toxicity, but further exploratory efficacy studies are still required.

New lignan glycosides from Justicia procumbens.

Four new lignan glycosides (1-4), named procumbenosides I, K, L, and M, together with cleistanthin B (5) reported for the first time in the genus Justicia, and 5 other known arylnaphthalene lignan glycosides (6-10) were isolated from the whole plant of Justicia procumbens. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. Procumbenoside M (4) was a rare sesquilignan glycoside never previously reported in the species of Justicia. The paper also provided insight into the conformational equilibria existing in the lignan glycosides of the plant.

New Anti-HBV C-Boivinopyranosyl Flavones from Alternanthera philoxeroides.

C-boivinopyranosyl flavones have rarely been isolated from nature. In the search for anti-HBV (hepatitis b virus) constituents of Alternanthera philoxeroides, two new compounds, luteolin-6-C-ß-D-boivinopyranosyl-3'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1) and chrysoeriol-6-C-ß-D-boivinopyranosyl-4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), along with three known C-boivinopyranosyl flavones (compounds 3-5) were isolated. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, IR spectra. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed significant anti-HBV activities through specifically inhibiting the secretion of HBsAg in HepG2.2.15.

Sesquiterpenes and a monoterpenoid with acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory activity from Valeriana officinalis var. latiofolia in vitro and in vivo.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (AchEI) is the most extensive in all anti-dementia drugs. The extracts and isolated compounds from the Valeriana genus have shown anti-dementia bioactivity. Four new sesquiterpenoids (1-4) and a new monoterpenoid (5) were isolated from the root of Valeriana officinalis var. latiofolia. The acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory activity of isolates was evaluated by modified Ellman method in vitro. Learning and memory ability of compound 4 on mice was evaluated by the Morris water maze. The contents of acetylcholine (Ach), acetylcholine transferase (ChAT) and AchE in mice brains were determined by colorimetry. The results showed IC50 of compound 4 was 0.161 µM in vitro. Compared with the normal group, the learning and memory ability of mice and the contents of Ach and ChAT decreased in model group mice (P<0.01), while the AchE increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Ach and ChAT in the positive control group, the high-dose group and the medium-dose group increased (P<0.01), while the AchE decreased (P<0.01). Compound 4 can improve the learning and memory abilities of APPswe/PSΔE9 double-transgenic mice, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the relative enzyme in the cholinergic system.

Meta-analysis of seven randomized control trials to assess the efficacy and toxicity of combining EGFR-TKI with chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC who failed first-line treatment.

BACKGROUND: Some recent clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate a combination of EGFR- TKI with chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC patients as second-line therapy, but the results on the efficacy of such trials are inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination of EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC who failed first-line treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched relative trials from PubMed, EMBASE, ASCO Abstracts, ESMO Abstracts, Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials.gov. Outcomes analyzed were overall response rate (ORR), progression- free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and major toxicity. RESULTS: Seven trails eventually were included in this meta-analysis, covering 1,168 patients. The results showed that the combined regimen arm had a significant higher ORR (RR 1.76 [1.16, 2.66], p=0.007) and longer PFS (HR 0.75 [0.66-0.85], p<0.00001), but failed to show effects on OS (HR 0.88 [0.68- 1.15], p=0.36). In terms of subgroup results, continuation of EGFR-TKI in addition to chemotherapy after first-line EGFR-TKI resistance confered no improvement in ORR (RR 0.95 [0.68, 1.33], p=0.75) and PFS (HR 0.89[0.69, 1.15], p=0.38), and OS was even shorter (HR1.52 [1.05- 2.21], p=0.03). However, combination therapy with EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy after failure of first-line chemotherapy significantly improved the ORR (RR 2.06 [1.42, 2.99], p=0.0002), PFS (HR 0.71 [0.61, 0.82], p<0.00001) and OS (HR 0.74 [0.62- 0.88], p=0.0008), clinical benefit being restricted to combining EGFR-TKI with pemetrexed, but not docetaxel. Grade 3-4 toxicity was found at significantly higher incidence in the combined regimen arm. CONCLUSIONS: Continuation of EGFR-TKI in addition to chemotherapy after first-line EGFR-TKI resistance should be avoided. Combination therapy of EGFR-TKI and pemetrexed for advanced NSCLC should be further investigated for prognostic and predictive factors to find the group with the highest benefit of the combination strategy.

Three spirostanol saponins and a flavane-O-glucoside from the fresh rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis.

Four new compounds, including three new spirostanol saponins [tupistroside G-I (1-3)] and a new flavane-O-glucoside [tupichiside A (4)], together with ten known compounds, were isolated from the fresh rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. All compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against the Human LoVo and BGC-823 cell lines, and six of them were found to possess potent cytotoxicity. Compounds 2, 8 and 9 showed significant cytotoxicity against the tested tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.2 to 0.9µM.

A new flavonoid from Cudrania cochinchinensis.

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the roots of Cudrania cochinchinensis led to the isolation of a new flavonoid, (6S,12S,13R)-1-methoxy cyanomaclurin (1), together with seven known compounds, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4-(3'-hydroxy-3'-methylbutyl)xanthone (2), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-4-prenylxanthone (3), 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone (4), 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone (5), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone (6), resveratrol (7) and oxyresveratrol (8). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and the HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute stereochemistry was deduced via Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced CD and NOESY spectra.

New cyclopeptide alkaloid and lignan glycoside from Justicia procumbens.

This study reported a new cyclopeptide alkaloid, justicianene A (1), and a new lignan glycoside, procumbenoside H (2), isolated from Justicia procumbens. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 2D NMR studies and mass spectrometry. Cyclopeptide alkaloids were first observed from the genus Justicia. Compound 2 was cytotoxic against human LoVo colon carcinoma cells with an IC50 value of 17.908 ± 1.949 µM.

Drug-Loaded Star-Shaped pH-Responsive Monomolecular Copolymer Nanocarriers for Tumor Targeting and Cancer Therapy.

Tumor targeting and controlled drug release at the target are the key problems for cancer pharmacotherapy. A simply structured pH-responsive nanocarrier was prepared to achieve the above aims in this study. A four-armed star copolymer, tetra-(methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-poly(ε-caprolactone) pentaerythritol ((mPEG-pDEA-PCL)4-PET, PDCP), was synthesized via the ring-opening polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization and click chemistry, which formed a monomolecular nanocarrier in water. Its size and zeta potential were strongly pH-dependent from 71 nm and 2.1 mV at pH 8 to 127.5 nm and 25.4 mV at pH 5. The morphological change of pDEA chains was the basic reason. The chains were protonated at lower pH so as to freely extend to the aqueous media, though they were hydrophobic at higher pH to coat on the surface of hydrophobic cores. The star-shaped PDCP had a large hydrophobic core to load hydrophobic drugs (e.g., paclitaxel). High effective drug entrapment in the blood circulation and rapid drug release at the tumor tissues was achieved in PDCP due to its pH-responsive function. The MCF-7 cytotoxicity of the paclitaxel-loaded PDCP nanocarriers at pH 6.5 was similar to free paclitaxel. And the PDCP nanocarriers were well internalized by the MCF-7 cells according to the flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy. The paclitaxel-loaded PDCP nanocarriers showed the comparable in vivo anticancer effect to the paclitaxel solution (Taxol) although the former's toxicity was much lower than the latter. The star-shaped pH-responsive monomolecular PDCP nanocarriers are suitable to deliver hydrophobic anticancer drugs for cancer therapy with tumor targeting and controlled drug release.

Two new flavonols from Cudrania cochinchinensis.

Two new flavonols, 6-p-hydroxybenzyl kaempferol (1) and 6-p-hydroxybenzyl quercetin (2), together with six known compounds were isolated from the roots of Cudrania cochinchinensis and their structures elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Their antioxidant capacities were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical-scavenging assays. The results suggested that compounds 2, 4, and 7 showed significant radical-scavenging activities.

(1)H NMR metabolic profiling analysis offers evaluation of Nilestriol treatment in ovariectomised rats.

Nilestriol (NIL) has been applied to treat menopausal dysfunctions, yet its mechanism has remained unknown. To understand the relationship between the changes in homeostatic metabolites and ovarian oestrogen deficiency syndromes after NIL treatment, proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((1)H NMR)-based metabonomic technologies were used to analyse a rat model of oestrogen deficiency. An orthogonal partial least-squares regression (OPLS) differentiation model was used on 12-week metabolic analyses of ovariectomised (OVX) rats treated or mock treated with NIL. Furthermore, data analysis using Chenomx software quantified results to identify the most significantly altered metabolite concentrations, allowing for metabolic explanations of the effects of NIL therapies. In this study, PLS results revealed that there are considerably distinct differences between treatment groups. Additionally, a total of 45 metabolites shown to have a high variation between groups were selected for target quantification. Using a one-way LSD ANOVA analysis, 32 metabolite concentrations were significantly altered in the OVX group. A total of 21 metabolites were altered significantly in the NIL-treatment group but later returned to normal. According to the OPLS VIP calculation, the metabolites most affected by NIL treatment were mostly involved in insulin resistance. In addition, abnormal concentration changes in lactate in the NIL-treatment group and 3-indoxylsulfate in the OVX group were observed. To our knowledge, this study is the first to address the molecular mechanism of NIL from a metabonomic perspective, and, more specifically, to establish a catalogue of endo-molecular changes effected by NIL in the regulation of oestrogen deficiency disorder.

Cytotoxic activity of lignans from Justicia procumbens.

Three new lignans, Pronaphthalide A (1), Procumbiene (2), and Procumbenoside J (3), along with a novel natural product Juspurpudin (4), and twelve other known lignans were isolated from Justicia procumbens. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and the data of 3 provided insight into the conformational equilibria existing in it. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against Human LoVo and BGC-823 cell lines except for compound 2, and eight of them were found to possess potent cytotoxicity. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that (i) the parent structure of 2-carbonyl arylnaphthalide lactone attached with 6 and 7-OMe was the essential element; (ii) the polarity of substituents on C-4 might significantly affect the activity; (iii) a proper cyclic lipophilic group at the C-3″ and C-5″ of apiofuranose on C-4 might enhance the activity, which could optimize the application of 3 similar to VP-16.

Two new coumarins from the seeds of Solanum indicum.

Two new coumarins, (E)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-5-methoxy-2H-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-h]chromene-3,9-dione (indicumin E, 1) and 7-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-coumarin (2), together with two known coumarins isofraxidin (3) and fraxetin (4), were isolated from the Solanum indicum seeds. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was the rarest coumarinolignoid known to date.

[Effect of the chelator Zn-DTPA on the excretion of lead in lead intoxication mice detected with ICP-MS].

To study the lead excretion effect of the chelator Zn-DTPA on the lead intoxication mice, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to detect the lead content of biological samples. The acute lead intoxication mice model was established by injecting lead acetate intraperitoneally with the dose of 1 mg. Zn-DTPA was administered intraperitoneally to mice once daily for five consecutive days 4 h after intoxication. Control group, model group, combination of Zn-DTPA and Ca-DTPA group were evaluated at the same time. The urine was collected every day. The mice were sacrificed in batches in the 2rd, 4th, 6th day. Biological samples including urine, whole blood, femur and brain were prepared and nitrated. Lead concentration was detected by ICP-MS. The result showed that Zn-DTPA could increase lead content in urine markedly and reduce lead content in blood, femur and brain.