Chemical Constituents of Coreopsis lanceolata Stems and Their Antitermitic Activity Against the Subterranean Termite Coptotermes curvignathus.

Coreopsis lanceolata is an Asteraceous plant known to contain semiochemicals active against nematodes and leukemic agents. The objective of the study was to discover termite resistant constituents from C. lanceolata stems. Five compounds were isolated from C. lanceolata stems. These compounds were identified as 5-phenyl-2-(1-propynyl)-thiophene (1), 1-phenylhepta-1,3,5-tryne (2), ß-sitosterol (3), succinic acid (4), and protocatechuic acid (5), respectively; they were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. Their antitermitic effects were evaluated with the no-choice feeding test against Coptotermes curvignathus. Of the isolates, 5-phenyl-2-(1-propynyl)-thiophene (1) and 1-phenylhepta-1,3,5-tryne (2) showed strong potent antitermitic activity. Our findings suggested that compounds 1 and 2 isolated from C. lanceolata stems appears to be the active ingredients.

Iloneoside: a cytotoxic ditigloylated pregnane glycoside from the leaves of Gongronema latifolium Benth.

Gongronema latifolium Benth (Asclepiadaceae) is an edible-green-leafy vegetable with known medicinal value. A chemical investigation of the 80% methanolic extract of the leaves led to the isolation of a new pregnane glycoside: iloneoside (3-O-[6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-ß-D-allopyranosyl-(1→14)-ß-D-oleandropyranosyl]-11,12-di-O-tigloyl-17ß-marsdenin), together with four known constituents. Their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. The isolates were tested for their in vitro growth inhibitory activity against human leukemia HL-60 cells. Iloneoside was the most active and gave apoptotic response. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that iloneoside could be accommodated within hot spots of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. These results suggest G. latifolium as a reliable source of potent anticancer compounds.

Flavonoid profile and antileukemic activity of Coreopsis lanceolata flowers.

Coreopsis lanceolata is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. In this study, flavonoid profile and antileukemic potential of yellow flowers of the plant were investigated. The total flavonoid content in EtOAc fraction of the flower methanol extract was found to be 420mg/g and showed the inhibition of cell proliferation and possible induction of apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Our phytochemical research led to the isolation of rare flavonoids including a flavanone, chalcones, and aurones; in particular, 4-methoxylanceoletin demonstrated the potent antiproliferative activity. Comparison with other Asteraceaeous flowers by UPLC-MS analysis indicated that the isolates are characteristic constituents of C. lanceolata.