Berberis vulgaris L. Root Extract as a Multi-Target Chemopreventive Agent against Colon Cancer Causing Apoptosis in Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines.

Berberis vulgaris L. (Berberidaceae) is a shrub that has been widely used in European folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the mechanisms of the chemopreventive action of the plant's methanolic root extract (BVR) against colon cancer cells. Studies were conducted in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (LS180 and HT-29) and control colon epithelial CCD841 CoN cells. According to the MTT assay, after 48 h of cell exposure, the IC50 values were as follows: 4.3, 46.1, and 50.2 µg/mL for the LS180, HT-29, and CCD841 CoN cells, respectively, showing the greater sensitivity of the cancer cells to BVR. The Cell Death Detection ELISAPLUS kit demonstrated that BVR induced programmed cell death only against HT-29 cells. Nuclear double staining revealed the great proapoptotic BVR properties in HT-29 cells and subtle effect in LS180 cells. RT-qPCR with the relative quantification method showed significant changes in the expression of genes related to apoptosis in both the LS180 and HT-29 cells. The genes BCL2L1 (126.86-421.43%), BCL2L2 (240-286.02%), CASP3 (177.19-247.83%), and CASP9 (157.99-243.75%) had a significantly elevated expression, while BCL2 (25-52.03%) had a reduced expression compared to the untreated control. Furthermore, in a panel of antioxidant tests, BVR showed positive effects (63.93 ± 0.01, 122.92 ± 0.01, and 220.29 ± 0.02 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/g in the DPPH•, ABTS•+, and ORAC assays, respectively). In the lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition test, BVR revealed 62.60 ± 0.87% of enzyme inhibition. The chemical composition of BVR was determined using a UHPLC-UV-CAD-MS/MS analysis and confirmed the presence of several known alkaloids, including berberine, as well as other alkaloids and two derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acid (ferulic and sinapic acid hexosides). The results are very promising and encourage the use of BVR as a comprehensive chemopreventive agent (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-apoptotic) in colorectal cancer, and were widely discussed alongside data from the literature.

Characteristic of the gene candidate SecARS encoding alkylresorcinol synthase in Secale.

BACKGROUND: Alkylresorcinols (ARs) are compounds belonging to the class of phenolic lipids. A rich source of ARs are cereal grains such as rye, wheat, triticale or barley. ARs found in plants are characterized by a variety of biological properties such as antimicrobial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity. Moreover, they are proven to have a positive influence on human health. Here, we aimed to find and characterize the gene with ARs synthase activity in the species Secale cereale. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using BAC library screening, two BAC clones containing the gene candidate were isolated and sequenced. Bioinformatic analyses of the resulting contigs were used to examine the structure and other features of the gene, including promoter, intron, 3'UTR and 5'UTR. Mapping using the FISH procedure located the gene on the 4R chromosome. Comparative analysis showed that the gene is highly similar to sequences coding for type III polyketide synthase. The level of gene expression in various parts of the plant was investigated, and the biochemical function of the gene was confirmed by heterologous expression in yeast. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted analyses contributed to a better understanding of the processes related to ARs synthesis. Although the research concerned the rye model, the knowledge gained may help in understanding the genetic basis of ARs biosynthesis in other species of the Poaceae family as well.

Antioxidant and anticoagulant effects of phenylpropanoid glycosides isolated from broomrapes (Orobanche caryophyllacea, Phelipanche arenaria, and P. ramosa).

Holoparasitic plants of the Orobanchaceae, including Cistanche, Orobanche, and Phelipanche spp, are known for their richness of phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPGs). Many PPG compounds have been found to possess a wide spectrum of activities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and memory-enhancing. To better explore the bioactivity potential of European broomrapes (O. caryophyllacea - OC, P. arenaria - PA, P. ramosa - PR) and ten single isolated phenylpropanoid constituents, we investigated their antiradical action, protective effect against oxidation in plasma in vitro system, and influence on coagulation parameters. The tested extracts showed a scavenging activity of 50-70% of Trolox's power. The OC extract, rich in acteoside, had over 20% better antiradical potential than PR extract which was the only one containing PPGs lacking a B-ring catechol moiety in the acyl unit. Moreover, it was found that only eight tested PPGs demonstrated antioxidant potential in human plasma treated with H2O2/Fe; however, the three tested PPGs possessed anticoagulant potential in addition to antioxidant properties. It appears that the structure of PPGs, especially the presence of acyl and catechol moieties, is mainly related to their antioxidant properties. The anticoagulant potential of these compounds is also related to their chemical structure. Selected PPGs exhibit the potential for treating cardiovascular diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Identification and occurrence of phenylethanoid and iridoid glycosides in six Polish broomrapes (Orobanche spp. and Phelipanche spp., Orobanchaceae).

There are about 200 holoparasitic broomrapes (Orobanchaceae) known worldwide, however, only several species have been so far investigated phytochemically. Among Orobanche s.l. are both rare and endangered species, as well as onerous crop pests. This study aims to give a phytochemical description, both qualitative and quantitative, of six broomrape species (Orobanche and Phelipanche taxa) growing in Poland, including species that have not been tested in detail (O. caryophyllacea, O. lutea, O. picridis, and P. arenaria). Sixteen metabolites, including 14 phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) and 2 iridoid glycosides (IrGs), were isolated and identified using NMR spectroscopy and hydrolysis, revealing the presence of two previously undescribed PhGs in P. ramosa, named ramoside A and 2'-acetylramoside A. In addition, in the example of O. caryophyllacea, we have reported as the first occurrence of IrGs in broomrapes. Concentrations of phenylethanoids, the main constituents of broomrapes, in the studied plant material (flowering shoots with haustoria) were determined using the UHPLC-PDA method. It was found that P. ramosa has been the richest source of PhGs. In addition, the differences between broomrapes have been visualized using principal component and cluster analysis. The results of the antiradical DPPH test of 13 PhGs confirmed previous findings on the relation of the antioxidant potential with the structure of phenolic moieties - phenolic acid and phenylethanoid unit.

Unusual fernane and gammacerane glycosides from the aerial parts of Spergula fallax.

The aerial parts of Spergula fallax afforded four glycosides (1-4) based on two new triterpene aglycones (1a and 2a), along with the known hopane glycoside succulentoside A. Compound 1 was identified as belonging to the fernane class, unusual migrated hopane triterpenoids, mainly isolated from ferns and only rarely from higher plants. Compounds 2-4 were assigned as gammacerane glycosides, having as aglycone a hydroxylated derivative of tetrahymanol. The structures of the isolated compounds 1-4 and their aglycones 1a and 2a obtained by acid hydrolysis were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. The growth inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds and their aglycones was evaluated against the HeLa and DLD-1 cancer cell lines.

Triterpene saponins from the aerial parts of Trifolium medium L. var. sarosiense.

Seven previously unreported triterpene glycosides (1-7) were isolated from methanol extract of the aerial parts of Trifolium medium var. sarosiense (zigzag clover). Their structures were established by the extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR experiments along with ESI-MS and HRMS analyses. Compounds 1-7 are oleanane derivatives characterized by the presence of a keto group at C-22 of an aglycone and a primary alcoholic function at C-24 and differing functions at C-30. Among these, compounds 1-3 and 6 showed a secondary alcoholic function at C-11, which is methoxylated in compounds 4 and 7. Compound 5 was shown to possess a known aglycone, wistariasapogenol A; however, it is described here for the first time as a saponin constituent of the Trifolium genus. Some aspects of taxonomic classification of zigzag clover are also discussed.