Cytotoxic Evaluation of (2S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-6-prenylflavanone Derivatives Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles against MiaPaCa-2 Cells.

The search for new alternatives for the prevention and treatment of cancer is extremely important to minimize human mortality. Natural products are an alternative to chemical drugs, since they are a source of many potential compounds with anticancer properties. In the present study, the (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-prenylflavanone (semi-systematic name), also called (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-Benzopyran-4-one (CAS Name registered) (1) was isolated from Eysenhardtia platycarpa leaves. This flavanone 1 was considered as the lead compound to generate new cytotoxic derivatives 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d. These compounds 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d were then loaded in nanosized drug delivery systems such as polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). Small homogeneous spherical shaped NPs were obtained. Cytotoxic activity of free compounds 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d and encapsulated in polymeric NPs (NPs1, NPs1a, NPs1b, NPs1c and NPs1d) were evaluated against the pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2. The obtained results demonstrated that NPs1a and NPs1b exhibited optimal cytotoxicity, and an even higher improvement of the cytotoxic efficacy was exhibited with the encapsulation of 1a. Based on these results, NPs1a were proposed as promising anticancer agent candidates.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of six pentacyclic triterpenes isolated from the Mexican copal resin of Bursera copallifera.

BACKGROUND: Bursera copallifera (Burseraceae) releases a resin known as "copal ancho" which has been used, since pre-Colombian times, as ceremonially burned incense and to treat tooth ache, tumors, arthritis, cold, cough, and various inflammatory conditions; however, its anti-inflammatory potential is poorly studied. The aim of the present study was to isolate, quantify, and to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene compounds isolated from the copal resin of B. copallifera. METHODS: The constituents present in the total resin of B. copallifera were obtained by successive chromatographic procedures, and quantitative analysis was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated triterpenes were investigated to determine their inhibitory effects on phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced edema in mice, viability and nitric oxide (NO) production inhibition on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2 and secretory Phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) activities in vitro. RESULTS: Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the copal resin showed the presence of six pentacyclic triterpenes of which, 3-epilupeol (59.75 % yield) and α-amyrin (21.1 % yield) are the most abundant. Among the isolated triterpenes, 3-epilupeol formiate (Inhibitory Concentration 50 % (IC50) = 0.96 µmol), α.amyrin acetate (IC50 = 1.17 µmol), lupenone (IC50 = 1.05 µmol), and 3-epilupeol (IC50 = 0.83 µmol) showed marked inhibition of the edema induced by TPA in mice. α-amyrin acetate and 3-epilupeol acetate, at 70 µM, also inhibited the activity of COX-2 by 62.85 and 73.28 % respectively, while α-amyrin and 3-epilupeol were the best inhibitors of the production of NO in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values of 15.5 and 8.98 µM respectively, and did not affected its viability. All compounds moderately inhibited the activity of PLA2. CONCLUSIONS: This work supports the folk use of B. copallifera and provides the basis for future investigations about the therapeutic use of this resin in treating inflammation.

(1) H and (13) C NMR data on natural and synthetic capsaicinoids.

Capsaicinoids are the compounds responsible for the pungency of chili peppers. These substances have attracted the attention of many research groups in recent decades because of their antinociceptive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties, among others. There are nearly 160 capsaicinoids reported in the literature. Approximately 25 of them are natural products, while the rest are synthetic or semi-synthetic products. A large amount of NMR data for the capsaicinoids is dispersed throughout literature. Therefore, there is a need to organize all this NMR data in a systematic and orderly way. This review summarizes the (1) H and (13) C NMR data on 159 natural and synthetic capsaicinoids, with a brief discussion of some typical and relevant aspects of these NMR data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Production of the anti-inflammatory compound 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosylcampesterol by Callus cultures of Lopezia racemosa Cav. (Onagraceae).

Lopezia racemosa Cav. is a plant used in Mexican traditional medicine to heal inflammatory diseases. From this plant we isolated the novel compound 6-O-palmitoyl- 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosylcampesterol (1) and 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-ß-sitosterol (2), previously reported to have cytotoxic activity on several cancer cell lines. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of 1 in vivo by mouse ear edema induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 57.14% inhibition was observed. The aim of our study was to obtain callus cultures derived from this plant species with the ability to produce the compounds of interest. Callus cultures were initiated on MS basal medium amended with variable amounts of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), combined or not with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Ten treatments with these growth regulators were carried out, using in vitro germinated seedlings as source of three different explants: hypocotyl, stem node, and leaf. Highest yield of 1 was observed on callus derived from leaf explants growing in medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L BAP. Selected callus lines produced less 1 than wild plants but the in vitro cultured seedlings showed higher production. So we conclude that it could be attractive to further investigate their metabolic potential.

Development and characterization of two nano-structured systems for topical application of flavanones isolated from Eysenhardtia platycarpa.

Many of the inflammatory diseases are becoming common in ageing society throughout the world. The clinically used anti-inflammatory drugs suffer from the disadvantage of side effects. Alternative to these drugs are natural products, since ancient times traditional medicines are being used for the treatment of inflammation. In the present study, four flavanones isolated from Eysenhardtia platycarpa leaves with a potent pharmacological activity were formulated in effective drug delivery systems: nanoemulsion and polymeric nanoparticles for topical use as novel anti-inflammatory topical formulations. Nanoemulsion system exhibited droplet sizes less than 70 nm and polymeric nanoparticles with a size of 156-202 nm possessed zeta potential values less than -25 mV that provided good stability and obtained high entrapment efficiency (78-90%). In vitro release and ex vivo permeation studies were performed on Franz-type diffusion cells and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), all formulations showed steady state release profiles over time and steady increase of flavanones in the skin permeation test. The anti-inflammatory activity, tested by TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate), induced oedema in mice ear suggesting that prenylated flavanones improve significantly their anti-inflammatory activity when are vehiculized in nanosized systems. Our results suggested that 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-prenyl flavanone loaded nanoemulsion and polymeric nanoparticle could be proposed as potential topical anti-inflammatory formulations with the best properties for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Honokiol and magnolol production by in vitro micropropagated plants of Magnolia dealbata, an endangered endemic Mexican species.

An efficient protocol for the in vitro propagation of Magnolia dealbata Zucc., an important medicinal plant that is the source of the anxiolytic and anticancer compounds honokiol and magnolol, was established. This plant is wild-crafted, and conservationists have expressed concerns with regard to the sustainability of production. In the present work, two factors were found to be of importance for the regeneration of M. dealbata and the production of honokiol and magnolol. These factors were the type of explants and the combination and concentration of plant-growth regulators. Green, compact, nodular organogenic callus was obtained from leaf explants in a medium fortified with Murashige and Skoog salts and supplemented with 1.5 mg/L 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid and 1.5 mg/L kinetin. Shoots multiplication from callus cultures was achieved in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.5 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ). Phenol secretion was controlled by the addition of 250 mg/L of activated charcoal. For rooting, shoots were transferred to MS medium supplemented with several auxins. After root induction, the plants were hardened in earthen pots containing sand, soil, and vermiculite. The contents of honokiol (HK) and magnolol (MG) were determined in different plant materials by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection techniques. This analysis revealed that the honokiol and magnolol content in aerial and underground parts of micropropagated M. dealbata were higher than that observed in wild plants (both 6 months old). Our results suggest that conservation of M. dealbata is possible by means of in vitro multiplication of leaf-derived callus. The usefulness of M. dealbata regeneration and production of HK and MG may be attributed to the proper selection of explant sourcing and identification of the correct growth medium to support adequate growth. This careful selection of explants and growth medium leads to a very useful source of plant material for pharmacological and phytomedicinal screening applications and, above all, would safeguard this plant species from the threat of extinction.

Antihyperglycemic activity and chemical constituents of Eysenhardtia platycarpa.

The methanolic extracts from branches (BEP) and leaves (LEP) of Eysenhardtia platycarpa significantly decreased the blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. One new flavone, (1"R)-5,4',1"-trihydroxy-6,7-(3",3"-dimethylchroman)flavone (1), together with the known compounds 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-8-prenylflavanone (3), 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-6-prenylflavanone (4), 5,7-dihydroxy-6-prenylflavanone (5), 5,7-dihydroxy-8-prenylflavanone (6), 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid (7), oleanolic acid, 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha,12alpha-epoxy-oleanan-28,13beta-olide, lupeol, betulinic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosteryl beta-D-glucopyranoside, beta-sitosteryl palmitate, and 3-O-methyl-myo-inositol were isolated from BEP. Additionally, one new flavanone, (2S)-4'-O-methyl-6-methyl-8-prenylnaringenin (2), as well as the known compounds 3, 4, 6, 4'-O-methyl-8-prenylnaringenin (8), and 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone (9) were isolated from LEP. 3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid (7), identified as the major constituent of BEP, showed a significant decrease (31 mg/kg of body weight, P < 0.05) in the glucose level of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The obtained results correlate with the traditional use of this species.