Stability and consumer acceptance of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5, n-3 and docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6, n-3) in cream-filled sandwich cookies.

We formulated a filling for sandwich cookies containing 400 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5, n-3 (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6, n-3 (DHA) encapsulated in a matrix of starch and gelatin. Cookies were stored at 2 different temperatures (18 degrees C and 35 degrees C) and under 2 different packaging conditions (atmospheric and vacuum packed) for 28 d. At regular intervals, cookies were analyzed for moisture, water activity, and concentrations of EPA, DHA, and dienes. Results showed that there were no significant losses of EPA and DHA during storage under the conditions of study. A maximum loss of 5% was observed after 28 d of storage. The concentration of dienes obtained under different conditions were low (< 25 mmol/kg) as compared to a salmon oil sample with appreciable signs of oxidation (600 mmol/kg). Sensory evaluation of cookies by an untrained panel of healthy consumers and ulcerative colitis patients revealed no aftertaste and high acceptability of the cookies. Our results demonstrated that it is possible to make shelf-stable fortified foods with high levels of long-chain omega3FA.

Inflammatory Process and Molecular Targets for Antiinflammatory Nutraceuticals.

Intense interest in nutraceuticals and their potential benefits has created the need to review the existing scientific information on their effect in preventing and managing inflammation that accompanies most chronic diseases. This article reviews the basic mechanisms of inflammation and the potential of 9 nutraceuticals to be effective as chronic disease preventive agents. Furthermore, the article emphasizes studies in which nutraceuticals are shown to be effective in preventing inflammation and mentions other molecular targets that can be of use in the future. The effects of the following nutraceuticals: α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, curcumin, resveratrol, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, theaflavin, genistein, omega-3 fatty acids, and lycopene on reactive oxygen species scavenging ability, as well as proinflammatory targets, such as tumor necrosis factor α interleukin-1, interleukin-1ß, nuclear factor kappa B, cellular and adhesion molecules, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), phospholipase A2 , reactive oxygen species generating enzymes are discussed.

Flavonol glycosides and novel iridoid glycoside from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia.

One new iridoid glycoside and five known flavonol glycosides have been isolated from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia. The new iridoid exists as an epimeric mixture in solution. Complete assignments of the proton and carbon chemical shifts for the individual epimers were accomplished on the basis of high-resolution 1D and 2D NMR data. Their antioxidative activities were measured. All of these compounds showed DPPH free radical scavenging activity at the concentration of 30 microM.

Iridoid glycosides from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia.

A new iridoid glucoside (1), named citrifolinoside A, was isolated from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia along with the known iridoids asperuloside and asperulosidic acid. The structure of 1 was established by interpretation and full assignments of NMR spectroscopic data.

A new unusual iridoid with inhibition of activator protein-1 (AP-1) from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia L.

[structure in text] From the leaves of Morinda citrifolia, a new unusual iridoid, named citrifolinoside (1), showing significant inhibition of UVB-induced Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) activity in cell cultures, has been isolated. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of detailed high-field 1D and 2D spectral analysis.

Bioactive constituents from gum guggul (Commiphora wightii).

Bioactivity-directed fractionation and purification afforded cytotoxic components of Commiphora wightii. The exudates of C. wightii were extracted with EtOAc and the extract was subjected to repeated column chromatography. A fraction showing cytotoxic activity was characterized as a mixture of two ferulates with an unusual skeleton by spectral and chemical methods, including by NMR, GC-MS and chemical derivatization. This fraction also showed moderate scavenging effect against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals.

Resveratrol analog, 3,4,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene, differentially induces pro-apoptotic p53/Bax gene expression and inhibits the growth of transformed cells but not their normal counterparts.

Resveratrol, a trihydroxystilbene found in grapes and other plants, has been shown to be active in inhibiting multistage carcinogenesis. Using resveratrol as a prototype, we have synthesized a number of polyhydroxy- and polymethoxy-stilbenes and tested their anti-proliferative effect in normal and transformed human cells. Here we show that one of the resveratrol analogs, 3,4,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene (R-4), specifically inhibited the growth of SV40 virally transformed WI38 cells (WI38VA) at 10 microM, but had no effect on normal WI38 cells at even higher concentrations. R-4 also prominently induced apoptosis in WI38VA cells, but not in WI38 cells. RNase protection assay showed that R-4 significantly induced the expression of p53, GADD45 and Bax genes and concomitantly suppressed the expression of bcl-2 gene in WI38VA, but not in WI38 cells. A large increase in p53 DNA binding activity and the presence of p53 in the Bax promoter binding complex suggested that p53 was responsible for the Bax gene expression induced by R-4 in transformed cells. Within 4 h of treatment with R-4, the Bax to bcl-2 protein ratio in WI38 and WI38VA cells was, respectively, 0.1 and 105, a difference of three orders of magnitude. While R-4 prominently induced the p53/Bax pro-apoptotic genes, it also concomitantly suppressed the expression of Cox-2 in WI38VA cells. Taken together, our study suggests that the induction of p53 gene by R-4 in transformed cells may play a key role in the differential growth inhibition and apoptosis of transformed cells.

Differential effects of theaflavin monogallates on cell growth, apoptosis, and Cox-2 gene expression in cancerous versus normal cells.

Theaflavin (TF-1), theaflavin-3-monogallate and theaflavin-3'-monogallate mixture (TF-2), and theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3) are the major black tea polyphenols. Here we compared the effects of these polyphenols on cell growth, apoptosis, and gene expression in normal and cancerous cells. We showed that TF-2 (10-50 microM) inhibited the growth of SV40 transformed WI38 human cells (WI38VA) and Caco-2 colon cancer cells but had little effect on the growth of their normal counterparts. The IC50s of TF-2 for the growth inhibition of WI38 and WI38VA cells were, respectively, 300 and 3 microM. The other two black tea polyphenols, TF-1 and TF-3, did not exhibit such differential growth-inhibitory effect. TF-2, but not TF-1 or TF-3, induced apoptosis in transformed WI38VA cells but not in normal WI38 cells, suggesting that apoptosis was responsible, at least in part, for the differential growth-inhibitory effect of TF-2. Cox-2 has been implicated in intestinal carcinogenesis. Among the tea polyphenols tested, TF-2 and, to a lesser degree, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate inhibited cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2 gene expression. TF-2 at 50 microM completely blocked the serum-induced Cox-2 gene expression at both mRNA and protein level. Other genes, including c-fos, c-myc, thymidine kinase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, BRCA1, BRCA2, and Cox-1, were not significantly affected by TF-2. These findings suggest that TF-2 may be responsible, at least in part, for the chemopreventive activity in black tea extracts.

Novel glycosides from noni (Morinda citrifolia).

Three new glycosides were isolated from the fruits of noni (Morinda citrifolia). Their structures were determined to be 6-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-octanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (1), 6-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-hexanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (2), and 3-methylbut-3-enyl 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) using MS and NMR methods.

Modulation of bcl-2 and cytotoxicity by licochalcone-A, a novel estrogenic flavonoid.

Herbal therapies are commonly used by patients with cancer, despite little understanding about their clinical and biological activity. We recently demonstrated that the herbal combination PC-SPES, which contains licorice root, had potent estrogenic activity in vitro, in animals, and in patients with prostate cancer. Licochalcone-A (LA) is one flavonoid extracted from licorice root with antiparasitic and anti-tumor activity, but the effect on the human estrogen receptor and mechanism of anti-tumor activity is unknown. Recent studies demonstrated that the mechanism of cytotoxic effect by some estrogens may involve modulation of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. In the present study, we determined if LA had estrogenic activity, anti-tumor activity, and modulated the apoptotic protein bcl-2 in human cell lines derived from acute leukemia, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. A yeast growth-based assay under the control of the human estrogen receptor (hER) demonstrated that LA was a phytoestrogen. A cell viability assay demonstrated that LA had anti-tumor activity in all cell lines tested and enhanced the effect of paclitaxel and vinblastine chemotherapy. LA induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and HL-60 cell lines, as demonstrated by cleavage of PARP, the substrate of ICE-like proteases. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that LA decreased the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 and altered the bcl-2/bax ratio in favor of apoptosis. In contrast, the parent compound chalcone or estradiol did not decrease bc1-2 expression. Therefore, these data demonstrate that LA is a phytoestrogen with anti-tumor activity and is capable of modulating bcl-2 protein expression. The modulation of bcl-2 may be dependent on specific structural differences between LA and the parent compound chalcone and independent of LA estrogenicity.

Novel trisaccharide fatty acid ester identified from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (Noni).

Two known glycosides and a novel trisaccharide fatty acid ester were isolated from the n-butanol-soluble fraction of the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (noni). Structure determination was carried out by spectral techniques such as MS, IR, NMR, and 2D-NMR. The novel trisaccharide fatty acid ester was elucidated as 2, 6-di-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-octanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose. The known compounds were identified as rutin and asperulosidic acid.

Highly selective adenosine A2 receptor agonists in a series of N-alkylated 2-aminoadenosines.

A wide variety of 2-substituted aminoadenosines were prepared for comparison with the moderately A2 receptor selective adenosine agonist 2-anilinoadenosine (CV-1808). High selectivity combined with significant affinity at the A2 receptor in rat membranes was observed for those amines bearing a two-carbon chain to which was attached an aryl, heteroaryl, or alicyclic moiety. 2-(2-Phenethylamino)adenosine (3d), a 14-fold A2 selective compound, was modified by introduction of a variety of substituents in the benzene ring and the side chain. Some of these changes led to improved A2 affinity and increased selectivity. Replacement of the phenyl moiety by cyclohexenyl produced a 210-fold selective agonist 3ag (CGS 22989) whereas the cyclohexanyl analogue 3af (CGS 22492) was 530-fold selective at the A2 site. These compounds showed hypotensive activity in rat models over a range of doses without the bradycardia observed with less selective agonists.

The biological activity of atrial natriuretic factor cleaved by endoprotease 3.4.24.11.

Ring cleavage of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANF) between Cys7 and Phe8 by endoprotease 3.4.24.11 yields X-ANF. Since endoprotease 3.4.24.11 may contribute to ANF metabolism in vivo, the present study determined if X-ANF exhibits reduced biological activity in comparison to the parent molecule.

2-(Arylalkylamino)adenosin-5'-uronamides: a new class of highly selective adenosine A2 receptor ligands.

The synthesis and receptor-binding profiles at adenosine receptor subtypes for a series of 2-(arylalkylamino)-adenosin-5'-uronamides is described. Halogenated 2-phenethylamino analogues such as 3e show greater than 200-fold selectivity for the A2 receptor subtype on the basis of rat brain receptor binding. The general structure-activity relationship of this series of compounds is discussed both in terms of potency at A2 receptors as well as receptor subtype selectivity. It is possible to introduce a hydrophilic carboxyalkyl substituent to this series such as in CGS 21680A (3h) and still retain good potency and selectivity for A2 receptors. In addition, functional data in a perfused working rat heart model shows that these compounds possess full agonist properties at A2 receptors with 3h having a greater than 1500-fold separation between A2 (coronary vasodilatory) and A1 (negative chronotropic) receptor mediated events.

CGS 21680C, an A2 selective adenosine receptor agonist with preferential hypotensive activity.

CGS 21680C (2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N-ethyl-carboxamido adenosine) a 2-substituted analog of the riboside uronamide, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine and the related analog CGS 21577 (2-phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine), have high in vitro affinity for brain striatal adenosine A2 receptors (IC50 values = 22 and 13 nM, respectively). Both compounds were considerably less active at A1 receptors with CGS 21577 and CGS 21680C having respective IC50 values of 0.76 and 3.1 microM. The former compound was thus 59-fold selective for A2 receptors whereas CGS 21680C was 140-fold selective. In contrast, the reference A2 selective ligand, CV 1808 (2-phenylaminoadenosine), showed only 8-fold selectivity as an A2 ligand, having an IC50 of 115 nM in the [3H]-5'N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine assay and an IC50 of 910 nM at the N6-[3H] cyclohexyladenosine site. Further examination of CGS 21680C showed that the compound was without effect on binding to 17 other putative neurotransmitter/neuromodulator sites indicating its selectivity as an adenosine receptor ligand. In an isolated perfused working rat heart model, CGS 21680C effectively increased coronary flow with an ED25 value of 1.8 nM. The corresponding value for CGS 21577 was 3 nM whereas that for CV 1808 was 110 nM. The EC25 for eliciting bradycardia for all three compounds was greater than 1000 nM. The effects of all three compounds could be reversed by treatment with the xanthine adenosine antagonist, xanthine amine congener.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of CGS 8515 as a selective 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor.

1. CGS 8515 selectively inhibited 5-LO (IC50 = 0.1 microM) with negligible effect on CO, 12-LO, 15-LO and TxS at concentrations up to 100 microM. 2. CGS 8515 selectively inhibited A23187-induced formation of 5-LO products in rat and human whole blood with a 20-70 fold separation of effects over the formation of CO products. 3. Ex vivo and in vivo studies with rats showed that CGS 8515, at an oral dose of 2-50 mg/kg, significantly inhibited A23187-induced formation of LTs in whole blood and in the lung. The effect persisted for at least 6 h in the ex vivo blood model. 4. CGS 8515, at oral doses as low as 5 mg/kg, significantly suppressed exudate volume and leukocyte migration in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy and sponge models in the rat.

Correlation between binding affinities for brain A1 and A2 receptors of adenosine agonists and antagonists and their effects on heart rate and coronary vascular tone.

The activities of a series of A1 and A2 adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists were determined using radioligand binding techniques in rat brain tissues. The potencies of these agonists on heart rate and coronary vascular tone were also assessed in the perfused working rat heart preparation. The order of potency of these agonists in producing negative chronotropic effects was similar to the rank order for their A1 receptor binding activities [6-N-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) = 6-N-(R-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine greater than 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) = 2-chloroadenosine greater than 2-phenylaminoadenosine] with a correlation coefficient of 0.97. Their order of potency in reducing coronary vascular tone followed the same rank order as their A2 receptor binding activities with a correlation coefficient of 0.97 (NECA greater than 2-chloroadenosine = 6-N-(R-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine = 2-phenylaminoadenosine greater than CHA). In addition, the antagonists 8-[4-[[[[(2-aminoethyl)amino]carbonyl]methyl]ox]phenyl-1,3- dipropylxanthine (XAC), 1,3-dipropyl-8-(2-amino-4-chlorophenyl) xanthine (PACPX) and 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT) blocked the negative chronotropic effect of CHA and the vasodilatory effect of NECA in a concentration-dependent manner. The same order of potency of the antagonists was noted in blocking CHA-induced bradycardia and A1 receptor binding activities (XAC = PACPX greater than 8-PT). A similar correlation was observed for their effects in blocking NECA-induced vasodilation and A2 receptor binding activity (XAC greater than PACPX greater than 8-PT).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of glucose metabolism in human red blood cells.

Glucose metabolism of human red blood cells was investigated using carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy under both oxygenated and nonoxygenated conditions. These results show that under oxygenated conditions reversal of 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde to glucose is in competition with its catabolism to lactate.

Structure-activity profile of a series of novel triazoloquinazoline adenosine antagonists.

During a search for benzodiazepine receptor modulators, a highly potent adenosine antagonist (CGS 15943) was discovered. The compound was defined as a resonance-stabilized hybrid of the canonical structures 9-chloro-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]quinazolin-5-amine (2a) and 9-chloro-2-(2-furyl)-5,6-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]-quinazolin- 5-imine (2b). Spectroscopic evidence and chemical reactivity in polar media favor the amine form 2a as the major contributor of the two canonical structures. The synthesis of 2 and some of its analogues and the structure-activity relationships in four biological test systems are described. Replacement of the 9-chloro group by hydrogen, hydroxyl, or methoxyl gave compounds with comparable binding potency at the A1 and A2 receptors but much less activity as antagonists of 2-chloroadenosine in guinea pig tracheal strips. Alkylation of the 5-amino group caused, in general, a loss of binding activity, particularly at the A2 receptor, as well as complete loss of activity in the tracheal model. Modification of the 2-furyl group caused a pronounced loss of activity in all of the test systems.

Characterization of CGS 8515 as a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor using in vitro and in vivo models.

CGS 8515 inhibited 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and leukotriene B4 synthesis in guinea pig leukocytes (IC50 = 0.1 microM). The compound did not appreciably affect cyclooxygenase (sheep seminal vesicles), 12-lipoxygenase (human platelets), 15-lipoxygenase (human leukocytes) and thromboxane synthetase (human platelets) at concentrations up to 100 microM. CGS 8515 inhibited A23187-induced formation of leukotriene products in whole blood (IC50 values of 0.8 and 4 microM, respectively, for human and rat) and in isolated rat lung (IC50 less than 1 microM) in vitro. The selectivity of the compound as a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor was confirmed in rat whole blood by the 20-70-fold separation of inhibitory effects on the formation of leukotriene from prostaglandin products. Ex vivo and in vivo studies with rats showed that CGS 8515, at an oral dose of 2-50 mg/kg, significantly inhibited A23187-induced production of leukotrienes in whole blood and in the lung. The effect persisted for at least 6 h in the ex vivo whole blood model. CGS 8515, at oral doses as low as 5 mg/kg, significantly suppressed exudate volume and leukocyte migration in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy and sponge models in the rat. Inhibitory effects of the compound on inflammatory responses and leukotriene production in leukocytes and target organs are important parameters suggestive of its therapeutic potential in asthma, psoriasis and inflammatory conditions.