Kingianic acids A-G, Endiandric acid analogues from Endiandra kingiana.

A phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of the bark of Endiandra kingiana led to the isolation of seven new tetracyclic endiandric acid analogues, kingianic acids A-G (1-7), together with endiandric acid M (8), tsangibeilin B (9) and endiandric acid (10). Their structures were determined by 1D- and 2D-NMR analysis in combination with HRMS experiments. The structure of compounds 9 and 10 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds were screened for Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 binding affinities and cytotoxic activity on various cancer cell lines. Compound 5 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human colorectal adeno-carcinoma (HT-29) and lung adenocarcinoma epithelial (A549) cell lines, with IC50 values in the range 15-17 µM, and compounds 3, 6 and 9 exhibited weak binding affinity for the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by tribal and native people of Madhupur forest area, Bangladesh.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Madhupur forest area, Tangail is one of early human settlements in Bangladesh. Having abode in the vicinity of the forest, a strong ethnobotanical practice has prevailed in this area since ancient time. Due to the rapid deforestation during the last few decades, many plants have already disappeared or are facing extinction. Thus we attempted to document the medicinal plant use of Madhupur forest area with a view to preserve the ethnobotanical knowledge and in order to protect the biodiversity of this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fieldwork was conducted during a period of 1 year. Data was collected by interview, questionnaire, and group discussion with randomly selected informants including indigenous, tribal people, and Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) living in the study area. Recorded plants are listed along with their indication, part used, form of preparation and use value (UV). Results were also analysed to determine informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) of the plants on the basis of their use under various ailment categories. RESULTS: The present study has documented 78 medicinal plant species from 45 families used for the treatment of at least 77 different major and minor ailments and conditions. Medicinal plant species were categorised as tree, shrub, tuber, herb, and climber. Leaves were found to be the most frequently used plant part while decoction is the major form of preparation. In most cases preparations are either administered orally or applied topically. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that some of the well-known medicinal plants are used extensively demonstrating an effective ethnobotanical practice in the study area. Plants with high ICF and FL values can be subjected to bioassay guided investigation while plants which scored low UVs require bioactivity screening to justify their use for the reported ailment.

Design, synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of o-carboxamido stilbene analogues.

Resveratrol, a natural stilbene found in grapes and wines exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties. Resveratrol is also known as a good chemopreventive agent for inhibiting carcinogenesis processes that target kinases, cyclooxygenases, ribonucleotide reductase and DNA polymerases. A total of 19 analogues with an amide moiety were synthesized and the cytotoxic effects of the analogues on a series of human cancer cell lines are reported. Three compounds 6d, 6i and 6n showed potent cytotoxicity against prostate cancer DU-145 (IC50=16.68 µM), colon cancer HT-29 (IC50=7.51 µM) and breast cancer MCF-7 (IC50=21.24 µM), respectively, which are comparable with vinblastine. The resveratrol analogues were synthesized using the Heck method.

Induction of apoptosis in melanoma A375 cells by a chloroform fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds involves NF-kappaB, p53 and Bcl-2-controlled mitochondrial signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze (scientific synonyms: Vernonia anthelmintica; black cumin) is one of the ingredients of an Ayurvedic preparation, called "Kayakalp", commonly applied to treat skin disorders in India and Southeast Asia. Despite its well known anti-inflammatory property on skin diseases, the anti-cancer effect of C. anthelminticum seeds on skin cancer is less documented. The present study aims to investigate the anti-cancer effect of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds chloroform fraction (CACF) on human melanoma cells and to elucidate the molecular mechanism involved. METHODS: A chloroform fraction was extracted from C. anthelminticum (CACF). Bioactive compounds of the CACF were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Human melanoma cell line A375 was treated with CACF in vitro. Effects of CACF on growth inhibition, morphology, stress and survival of the cell were examined with MTT, high content screening (HSC) array scan and flow cytometry analyses. Involvement of intrinsic or extrinsic pathways in the CACF-induced A375 cell death mechanism was examined using a caspase luminescence assay. The results were further verified with different caspase inhibitors. In addition, Western blot analysis was performed to elucidate the changes in apoptosis-associated molecules. Finally, the effect of CACF on the NF-κB nuclear translocation ability was assayed. RESULTS: The MTT assay showed that CACF dose-dependently inhibited cell growth of A375, while exerted less cytotoxic effect on normal primary epithelial melanocytes. We demonstrated that CACF induced cell growth inhibition through apoptosis, as evidenced by cell shrinkage, increased annexin V staining and formation of membrane blebs. CACF treatment also resulted in higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lower Bcl-2 expression, leading to decrease mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Disruption of the MMP facilitated the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, which activates caspase-9 and downstream caspase-3/7, resulting in DNA fragmentation and up-regulation of p53 in melanoma cells. Moreover, CACF prevented TNF-α-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation, which further committed A375 cells toward apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our findings suggest CACF as a potential therapeutic agent against human melanoma malignancy.

Induction of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells via caspase pathway by vernodalin isolated from Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds.

BACKGROUND: Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds (CA) is a well known medicinal herb in Indian sub-continent. We recently reported anti-oxidant property of chloroform fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds (CACF) by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced growth of human breast cancer cells. However, the active compounds in CACF have not been investigated previously. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we showed that CACF inhibited growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. CACF induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as marked by cell size shrinkage, deformed cytoskeletal structure and DNA fragmentation. To identify the cytotoxic compound, CACF was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation which yielded 6 fractions. CACF fraction A and B (CACF-A, -B) demonstrated highest activity among all the fractions. Further HPLC isolation, NMR and LC-MS analysis of CACF-A led to identification of vernodalin as the cytotoxic agent in CACF-A, and -B. 12,13-dihydroxyoleic acid, another major compound in CACF-C fraction was isolated for the first time from Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds but showed no cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells. Vernodalin inhibited cell growth of human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 by induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Increased of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, coupled with downregulation of anti-apoptotic molecules (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL) led to reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and release of cytochrome c in both human breast cancer cells treated with vernodalin. Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol triggered activation of caspase cascade, PARP cleavage, DNA damage and eventually cell death. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study on cytotoxic and apoptotic mechanism of vernodalin isolated from the Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds in human breast cancer cells. Overall, our data suggest a potential therapeutic value of vernodalin to be further developed as new anti-cancer drug.

Triterpenes and steroids from the leaves of Aglaia exima (Meliaceae).

A study on the leaves of Aglaia exima led to the isolation of one new and seven known compounds: six triterpenoids and two steroids. Their structures were elucidated and analyzed mainly by using spectroscopic methods; 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, UV spectrometry and X-ray. All the triterpenoids and steroids were measured in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against eight cancer cell lines; lung (A549), prostate (DU-145), skin (SK-MEL-5), pancreatic (BxPC-3), liver (Hep G2), colon (HT-29), breast (MCF-7) and (MDA-MB-231). The new cycloartane triterpenoid, 24(E)-cycloart-24-ene-26-ol-3-one 1, showed potent cytotoxic activity against colon (HT-29) cancer cell line (IC(50) 11.5µM).

7α-Hydroxy-ß-Sitosterol from Chisocheton tomentosus Induces Apoptosis via Dysregulation of Cellular Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio and Cell Cycle Arrest by Downregulating ERK1/2 Activation.

In continuation of our interest towards the elucidation of apoptotic pathways of cytotoxic phytocompounds, we have embarked upon a study on the anticancer effects of 7α-hydroxy-ß-sitosterol (CT1), a rare natural phytosterol oxide isolated from Chisocheton tomentosus. CT1 was found to be cytotoxic on three different human tumor cell lines with minimal effects on normal cell controls, where cell viability levels were maintained ≥80% upon treatment. Our results showed that cell death in MCF-7 breast tumor cells was achieved through the induction of apoptosis via downregulation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. CT1 was also found to increase proapoptotic Bax protein levels, while decreasing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein levels, suggesting the involvement of the intrinsic pathway. Reduced levels of initiator procaspase-9 and executioner procaspase-3 were also observed following CT1 exposure, confirming the involvement of cytochrome c-mediated apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. These results demonstrated the cytotoxic and apoptotic ability of 7α-hydroxy-ß-sitosterol and suggest its potential anti-cancer use particularly on breast adenocarcinoma cells.

Spectaflavoside A, a new potent iron chelating dimeric flavonol glycoside from the rhizomes of Zingiber spectabile Griff.

The rhizomes of Zingiber spectabile yielded a new dimeric flavonol glycoside for which the name kaempferol-3-O-(4″-O-acetyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-(I-6,II-8)-kaempferol-3-O-(4″-O-acetyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside; spectaflavoside A (1) was proposed, along with kaempferol and its four acetylrhamnosides (2-6), demethoxycurcumin (7) and curcumin (8). The structure of spectaflavoside A was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. This is the first report on the occurrence of a dimeric flavonol glycoside in the Zingiberaceae and the second in nature. Spectaflavoside A was found to be a potent iron chelating agent.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibiting constituents from Chisocheton polyandrus Merr.

Lipoxygenase (LOX)-inhibiting compounds from the leaves of Chisocheton polyandrus Merr. were isolated in this study using a bioactivity-guided fractionation technique. Two dammarane triterpenoids, dammara-20,24-dien-3-one (1) (IC(50)=0.69±0.07 µM) and 24-hydroxydammara-20,25-dien-3-one (2) (IC(50)=1.11±0.38 µM), were isolated and identified based on the soybean LOX assay. Dammara-20,24-dien-3-one (1) exhibited dual inhibition of both human 5-LOX (IC(50)=24.27±2.92 µM) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (IC(50)=3.17±0.90 µM), whereas 24-hydroxydammara-20,25-dien-3-one (2) did not exhibit any significant inhibitory effects. This report is the first to detail the inhibition of LOX and COX by both C. polyandrus and its isolated compounds.

Cytotoxic and antioxidant compounds from the stem bark of Goniothalamus tapisoides Mat Salleh.

Eleven compounds:goniomicin A (1), goniomicin B (2), goniomicin C (3), goniomicin D (4), tapisoidin (5), goniothalamin (6), 9-deoxygoniopypyrone (7), pterodondiol (8), liriodenine (9), benzamide (10) and cinnamic acid (11), were isolated from the stem bark of Goniothalamus tapisoides. All compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis and, for known compounds, by comparison with published data. Goniothalamin (6) exhibited mild cytotoxic activity towards a colon cancer cell line (HT-29), with an IC(50)value of 64.17 ± 5.60 µM. Goniomicin B (2) give the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay among all compounds tested, with an IC(50) of 0.207 µM.

Regulation of apoptotic effects by erythrocarpine E, a cytotoxic limonoid from Chisocheton erythrocarpus in HSC-4 human oral cancer cells.

The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of erythrocarpine E (CEB4), a limonoid extracted from Chisocheton erythrocarpus on human oral squamous cell carcinoma. Based on preliminary dimethyl-2-thiazolyl-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, CEB4 treated HSC-4 cells demonstrated a cytotoxic effect and inhibited cell proliferation in a time and dose dependent manner with an IC(50) value of 4.0±1.9 µM within 24 h of treatment. CEB4 was also found to have minimal cytotoxic effects on the normal cell line, NHBE with cell viability levels maintained above 80% upon treatment. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and DNA fragmentation assay results showed that CEB4 induces apoptosis mediated cell death. Western blotting results demonstrated that the induction of apoptosis by CEB4 appeared to be mediated through regulation of the p53 signalling pathway as there was an increase in p53 phosphorylation levels. CEB4 was also found to up-regulate the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, while down-regulating the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, suggesting the involvement of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Reduced levels of initiator procaspase-9 and executioner caspase-3 zymogen were also observed following CEB4 exposure, hence indicating the involvement of cytochrome c mediated apoptosis. These results demonstrate the cytotoxic and apoptotic ability of erythrocarpine E, and suggest its potential development as a cancer chemopreventive agent.

Pseuduvarines A and B, two new cytotoxic dioxoaporphine alkaloids from Pseuduvaria rugosa.

Pseuduvarines A (1) and B (2), two new dioxoaporphine alkaloids with an amino moiety, were isolated from the stem bark of Pseuduvaria rugosa and their structures were elucidated by combination of 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis. Pseuduvarines A (1) and B (2) showed cytotoxicity against MCF7, HepG2, and HL-60 (1: IC50, 0.9, 21.7, and >50.0 µM, respectively, 2: IC50 >50.0, 15.7, and 12.4 µM, respectively).

Ceramicines E-I, new limonoids from Chisocheton ceramicus.

Five new limonoids, ceramicines E-I (1-5), have been isolated from the bark of Chisocheton ceramicus. The structures and relative stereochemistry of them were fully elucidated based on 1D- and 2D-NMR data. Ceramicines E-I (1-5) exhibited moderate cell growth inhibitory activities on a range of cell lines (HL-60, A549, MCF7, and HCT116). The absolute structure of previously isolated ceramicine B (6) was also elucidated by circular dichroism (CD) and X-ray analysis.

Chisomicines A-C, limonoids from Chisocheton ceramicus.

Three new limonoids, chisomicines A-C (1-3), have been isolated from the bark of Chisocheton ceramicus. Their structures were determined by 2D NMR, CD spectroscopic methods, and X-ray analysis. Chisomicine A (1) exhibited NO production inhibitory activity in J774.1 cells stimulated by LPS dose-dependently at high cell viability.

Neolamarckines A and B, new indole alkaloids from Neolamarckia cadamba.

Two new indole alkaloids, neolamarckines A and B (1, 2) were isolated from the leaves of Neolamarckia cadamba (Rubiaceae). Structural elucidation of 1 and 2 was performed by combination of 2D-NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and chemical correlations. Neolamarckine A (1) showed inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) dose dependently.

Oppositinines A and B: new vasorelaxant beta-carboline alkaloids from Neisosperma oppositifolia.

A phytochemical study on the bark of Neisosperma oppositifolia (Apocynaceae) yielded two new beta-carboline indole alkaloids, oppositinines A (1) and B (2), together with five known alkaloids, isoreserpiline, isocarapanaubine, vobasine, 10-methoxydihydrocorynantheol-N-oxide, and ochropposinine oxindole. Structural elucidation of 1 and 2 was performed using 2D NMR methods. Oppositinines A (1) and B (2) showed potent vasorelaxant effects on the rat aorta.

Cabraleahy-droxy-lactone from the leaves of Aglaia exima.

Cabraleahy-droxy-lactone, C(27)H(44)O(3), isolated from the leaves of Aglaia exima, has three six-membered rings fused together that adopt chair conformations. Its two five-membered rings are enveloped shaped. The hy-droxy group is in an axial position. It is a hydrogen-bond donor to the carbonyl O atom of an adjacent mol-ecule; the O-H⋯O inter-actions lead to the formation of a helical chain that runs along the b axis. There are two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit.

5-Hy-droxy-7-meth-oxy-2-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one from Dysoxylum macrocarpum (Meliaceae).

Both independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(11)H(10)O(4), are almost planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.011 and 0.033 Å). In both mol-ecules, the hy-droxy group is intra-molecularly hydrogen bonded to the ketonic O atom. The independent mol-ecules are stacked alternately along the a axis, with the centroids of their chromene ring separated by distances of 4.490 (1) and 3.621 (1) Å.

14-De-oxyxyloccensin K from Chisocheton ceramicus (Meliaceae).

The title limonoid 14-de-oxyxyloccensin K, C(27)H(34)O(7), isolated from Chisocheton ceramicus (Meliaceae), features an oxygen linkage between carbon-3 and carbon-8 along with a tetra-hydro-furyl sub-unit. The six-membered rings adopt chair configurations and the tetra-hydro-furyl sub-unit has an envelope shape.

Cyclo-art-24-ene-3ß,26-diol from the leaves of Aglaia exima.

Cyclo-art-24-ene-3ß,26-diol, C(30)H(50)O(2), isolated from the leaves of Aglaia exima, has three six-membered rings fused together that adopt chair conformations. There are two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. O-H⋯O hydrogen bond inter-actions between the hydroxyl groups in the 3ß and 26 positions lead to the formation of a layer structure parallel to (10).