Host cell cAMP-Epac-Rap1b pathway inhibition by hawthorn extract as a potential target against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Although the two drugs currently available for the treatment of Chagas disease, Benznidazole and Nifurtimox, have proven to be effective in the acute phase of the disease, the 60-90-day treatment leads to high toxicity and unwanted side effects, presenting, in addition, a low efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease. For this reason, new therapies that are more effective are needed. In this regard, we have recently shown that the inhibition of the Epac-Rap1b pathway suppressed the cAMP-mediated host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi. Interestingly, it has been described that vitexin, a natural flavone that protects against ischemia-reperfusion damage, acts by inhibiting the expression of Epac and Rap1 proteins. Vitexin can be found in plants of the genus Crataegus spp., traditionally known as hawthorn, which are of great interest considering their highly documented use as cardio-protectors. Pre-treating cells with an extract of Crataegus oxyacantha produced levels of T. cruzi invasion comparable to the ones observed for the commercially available Epac1-specific inhibitor, ESI-09. In addition, extract-treated cells exhibited a decrease in the activation of Rap1b, suggesting that the effects of the extract would be mediated by the inhibition of the cAMP-Epac-Rap1 signaling pathway. Using HPLC-HRMS2, we could confirm the presence of vitexin, and other flavones that could act as inhibitors of Epac/Rap1b, in the extracts of C. oxyacantha. Most significantly, when cells were treated with the extract of C. oxyacantha in conjunction with Nifurtimox, an increased modulation of invasion was observed.

Antifouling Diterpenoids from the Sponge Dendrilla antarctica.

Two nor-diterpenes, 9,11-dihydrogracilin A (1) and the previously unreported 9,11-dihydrogracillinone A (2), were isolated from the sponge Dendrilla antarctica. The sponge was collected by trawling at a depth of 49 m, from the research vessel Puerto Deseado, near the coast of Tierra del Fuego, farther north than the reported habitat for this species. Since these compounds were particularly abundant and the sponge was free from epibionts, both 1 and 2 were included in soluble-matrix paints and tested for antifouling activity in the ocean. The results obtained from these experiments clearly indicated a potent antifouling activity for both compounds against a variety of colonizing organisms, and established a probable role as natural antifoulants for these abundant secondary metabolites and other structurally related compounds previously isolated from Dendrilla spp.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of olivacine-indole hybrids tethered by alkyl linkers.

In this work, eleven new derivatives were prepared of the alkaloid olivacine (1), which was isolated from the bark of Aspidosperma australe. These compounds (7a-k) are hybrids of olivacine and indoles or carbazole, tethered by alkyl chains of variable lengths (C-4, C-5 or C-6). Compounds 7a-k showed increased cytotoxicity towards a panel of four cell lines. The subcellular localization of olivacine and of the synthetic derivatives was studied by fluorescence microscopy. The cycles of K562 cells exposed to olivacine or compounds 7a-k were analysed by flow cytometry, and showed, for some of the new derivatives, a different profile of cell distribution among the phases of the cycle when compared to olivacine, which is indicative of lysosomal apoptosis.

Caracterización química y actividad biológica de las hojas y semillas de Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Icaco) / Chemical characterization and biological activity of leaves and seeds of Chrysobalanus icaco L. (icaco)

Introducción: Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) es un arbusto utilizado en la fitoterapia tradicional latinoamericana, pero en la provincia de Chiriquí se ha registrado el uso de su fruto para hacer conservas, no de forma medicinal. Objetivo: Caracterizar los metabolitos secundarios presentes en las hojas y semillas de Chrysobalanus icaco y evaluar su actividad biológica in vitro. Métodos: Los metabolitos secundarios presentes en los extractos de las hojas, semilla inmadura y madura de Chrysobalanus icaco, se detectaron a través de tamizaje fitoquímico y purificación por técnicas cromatográficas. Posteriormente se evaluó el contenido de polifenoles totales y la actividad antioxidante total de la infusión de las hojas, semillas y pulpa de esta especie, así como la actividad antibacteriana in vitro. Resultados: En las hojas se identificaron por tamizaje fitoquímico, flavonoides, glucósidos cardiotónicos, triterpenos y esteroides. Para la semilla inmadura se encontró presencia mayoritaria de mezclas de azucares, mientras que para la semilla madura se detectaron ácidos grasos en el endocarpio (almendra). Los datos de polifenoles totales en extractos de Icaco mostraron alto contenido de estos metabolitos en la infusión de hojas secas, y la inhibición del radical DPPH fue mayor también para las hojas secas de icaco, seguido de la infusión de semilla inmadura. Por otro lado, la infusión de hojas secas y el licuado de la pulpa fueron los que mostraron una mayor inhibición contra la cepa de Staphylococcus spp. en el ensayo de actividad antibacteriana. Conclusión: Las hojas secas de Chrysobalanus icaco mostraron alto contenido de polifenoles, asociado a su potencial actividad antioxidante y antibacteriana. Además, se aportaron nuevos datos de composición química de la semilla, se observó que los azúcares detectados inicialmente en la semilla inmadura se pierden considerablemente con la maduración del fruto.

Introduction: Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) is a shrub used in Latin American traditional phytotherapy, but in the province of Chiriquí its fruit has been reported to be used in food preserves, not for medicinal purposes. Objective: Characterize the secondary metabolites present in Chrysobalanus icaco leaves and seeds and evaluate their in vitro biological activity. Methods: The secondary metabolites present in extracts from leaves and immature and mature seeds of icaco were detected by phytochemical screening and purification with chromatographic techniques. Evaluation was then conducted of total polyphenolic content and total antioxidant activity of the leaf, seed and pulp infusion as well as its antibacterial activity in vitro. Results: Phytochemical screening of the leaves found flavonoids, cardiotonic glycosides, triterpenes and steroids. Sugar mixtures were the most abundant components in immature seeds, whereas fatty acids were found in the endocarp (almond) of mature seeds. Total polyphenolic data about icaco extracts showed high contents of these metabolites in the dry leaf infusion. DPPH radical inhibition was also greater for icaco dry leaves, followed by immature leaf infusion. The dry leaf infusion and the pulp shake displayed the greatest inhibition against the Staphylococcus spp. strain in the antibacterial activity test. Conclusion: Icaco dry leaves exhibited a high polyphenolic content, associated to their antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Fresh data were also contributed about the chemical composition of the seed. It was observed that the sugars initially detected in immature seeds are considerably lost as the fruit ripens.

Hybrids of Cinchona Alkaloids and Bile Acids as Antiparasitic Agents Against Trypanosoma cruzi.

The current chemotherapy of Chagas disease needs to be urgently improved. With this aim, a series of 16 hybrids of Cinchona alkaloids and bile acids were prepared by functionalization at position C-2 of the quinoline nucleus by a radical attack of a norcholane substituent via a Barton-Zard decarboxylation reaction. The antitrypanosomal activity of the hybrids was tested on different stages and strains of T. cruzi. In particular, eight out of 16 hybrids presented an IC50 ≤1 µg/mL against trypomastigotes of the CL Brener strain and/or a selectivity index higher than 10. These promising hybrids yielded similar results when tested on trypomastigotes from the RA strain of T. cruzi (discrete typing unit-DTU-VI). Surprisingly, trypomastigotes of the Y strain (DTU II) were more resistant to benznidazole and to most of the hybrids than those of the CL Brener and RA strains. However, the peracetylated and non-acetylated forms of the cinchonine/chenodeoxycholic bile acid conjugate 4f and 5f were the most trypanocidal hybrids against Y strain trypomastigotes, with IC50 values of 0.5 and 0.65 µg/mL, respectively. More importantly, promising results were observed in invasion assays using the Y strain, where hybrids 5f and 4f induced a significant reduction in intracellular amastigotes and on the release of trypomastigotes from infected cells.

Isolation and Antimacrofouling Activity of Indole and Furoquinoline Alkaloids from 'Guatambú' Trees (Aspidosperma australe and Balfourodendron riedelianum).

In this work, the antifouling activity of five alkaloids, isolated from trees of the Atlantic rainforest, was studied. The tested alkaloids were olivacine (1), uleine (2) and N-methyltetrahydroellipticine (3) from Aspidosperma australe ('yellow guatambú') and the furoquinoline alkaloids kokusaginine (4) and flindersiamine (5) from Balfourodendron riedelianum ('white guatambú'). All these compounds can be isolated from their natural sources in high yields in a sustainable way. The five compounds were subjected to laboratory tests (attachment test of the mussel Mytilus edulis platensis) and field trials, by incorporation into soluble matrix paints, and 45 days of exposure of the painted panels in the sea. The results show that compound 3 is a very potent antifoulant, and that compounds 4 and 5 are also very active, while compounds 1 and 2 did not show any significant antifouling activity. These results open the way for the development of environmentally friendly antifouling agents, based on abundant and easy-to-purify compounds that can be obtained in a sustainable way.

Antifouling activity of peracetylated cholic acid, a natural bile acid derivative.

The antifouling activity of peracetylated cholic acid (1), a bile acid derivative which was isolated in a previous work as a natural product from the Patagonian sponge Siphonochalina fortis, was evaluated in laboratory and field trials. Toxicity and settlement assays were performed with the mussel Mytilus edulis platensis, while the field trials were carried out by addition of the compound to experimental soluble-matrix paints, which were then tested in the sea. The results obtained in this work show that 1 has a good antifouling activity and low toxicity, and the paints aditivated with 0,6% Wt showed promissory performances in the field trials at the sea. These results confirm the previous hypothesis that the few acetylated and lipophilic bile acid derivatives isolated from marine invertebrates may act as natural antifoulants. Compound 1 is a natural, biodegradable product that can be easily prepared from cholic acid, which in turn can be isolated in industrial scale from cattle bile. All these facts make cholic acid a good scaffold for the preparation of derivatives, which can be natural product-like, effective and sustainable antifouling additives for marine paints and other applications.

Secochiliolide ester derivatives: Preparation and evaluation of their antitrypanosomal and antimalarial efficacy.

In the present study, a series of new esters of secochiliolide acid (SA), a diterpene isolated from Nardophyllum bryoides, were synthesized in good yield. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiparasitic properties (on Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei brucei) and cytotoxicity (on WI38, normal mammalian cells). They displayed moderate antitrypanosomal activity with IC50 values between 2.55 and 18.14 µm, with selectivity indices >10, and low antiplasmodial effects with IC50  > 29 µm. The only exception was the n-hexyl ester of SA, which showed a strong and selective antiplasmodial activity (IC50  = 1.99 µm and selectivity index = 117.0). The in vivo antimalarial efficacy of this compound was then assessed according to the 4-day suppressive test of Peters in mice. An intraperitoneal treatment at 50 mg kg-1  day-1 induced a slight parasitaemia reduction by 56% which was statistically significant on day 4 post-infection and an increase in the survival time.

Isolation and Antifouling Activity of Azulene Derivatives from the Antarctic Gorgonian Acanthogorgia laxa.

Three azulenoid sesquiterpenes (1 - 3) were isolated from the Antarctic gorgonian Acanthogorgia laxa collected by bottom trawls at -343 m. Besides linderazulene (1), and the known ketolactone 2, a new brominated C16 linderazulene derivative (3) was also identified. This compound has an extra carbon atom at C(7) of the linderazulene framework. The antifouling activity of compounds 1 and 2 was assayed in the laboratory with Artemia salina larvae, and also in field tests, by incorporation in soluble-matrix experimental antifouling paints. The results obtained after a 45 days field trial of the paints, showed that compounds 1 and 2 displayed good antifouling potencies against a wide array of organisms. Compound 3, a benzylic bromide, was unstable and for this reason was not submitted to bioassays. Two known cembranolides: pukalide and epoxypukalide, were also identified as minor components of the extract.

Synthesis and antifungal activity of bile acid-derived oxazoles.

Peracetylated bile acids (1a-g) were used as starting materials for the preparation of fourteen new derivatives bearing an oxazole moiety in their side chain (6a-g, 8a-g). The key step for the synthetic path was a Dakin-West reaction followed by a Robinson-Gabriel cyclodehydration. A simpler model oxazole (12) was also synthesized. The antifungal activity of the new compounds (6a-g) as well as their starting bile acids (1a-g) was tested against Candida albicans. Compounds 6e and 6g showed the highest percentages of inhibition (63.84% and 61.40% at 250 µg/mL respectively). Deacetylation of compounds 6a-g, led to compounds 8a-g which showed lower activities than the acetylated derivatives.

Structure-activity relationship of hybrids of Cinchona alkaloids and bile acids with in vitro antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activities.

In this work, a series of hybrid compounds were tested as antiparasitic substances. These hybrids were prepared from bile acids and a series of antiparasitic Cinchona alkaloids by the formation of a covalent C-C bond via a decarboxylative Barton-Zard reaction between the two entities. The bile acids showed only weak antiparasitic properties, but all the hybrids exhibited high in vitro activities (IC50: 0.48-5.39 µM) against Trypanosoma brucei. These hybrids were more active than their respective parent alkaloids (up to a 135 fold increase in activity), and displayed good selectivity indices. Aditionally, all these compounds inhibited the in vitro growth of a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7: IC50: 36.1 nM to 8.72 µM), and the most active hybrids had IC50s comparable to that of artemisinin (IC50: 36 nM). Some structure-activity relationships among the group of 48 hybrids are discussed. The increase in antiparasitic activity may be explained by an improvement in bioavailability, since the more lipophilic derivatives showed the lowest IC50s.

Polyoxygenated steroids from the octocoral Leptogorgia punicea and in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxic activity.

Five new polyoxygenated marine steroids-punicinols A-E (1-5)-were isolated from the gorgonian Leptogorgia punicea and characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, 1H, 13C and 2-D NMR). The five compounds induced in vitro cytotoxic effects against lung cancer A549 cells, while punicinols A and B were the most active, with IC50 values of 9.7 µM and 9.6 µM, respectively. The synergistic effects of these compounds with paclitaxel, as well as their effects on cell cycle distribution and their performance in the clonogenic assay, were also evaluated. Both compounds demonstrated significant synergistic effects with paclitaxel.

Antifungal terpenoids from Hyalis argentea var. latisquama.

A detailed chemical study of the aerial parts and rhizomes of Hyalis argentea var. latisquama yielded a variety of sesqui- and diterpenes. In total, 26 compounds were isolated and identified, of which four are new, namely, two ent-kaurenes (1 and 2), a diterpene lactone (3), and a lindenanolide (4). The previously reported compounds included a series of lindenanolides, guaianolides, elemanolides, and additional diterpenes. The antifungal activity of the isolated compounds was tested against Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. Among the isolated compounds, the lindenanolides were the only structural class that showed strong antifungal activity, and onoseriolide acetate (5) was the most active. On the other hand, the isolated guaianolides were only moderately active, while the diterpenes did not show significant antifungal activity.

Bromopyrrole alkaloids isolated from the Patagonian bryozoan Aspidostoma giganteum.

Nine new bromopyrrole alkaloids, aspidostomides A-H and aspidazide A (1-9), were isolated from the Patagonian bryozoan Aspidostoma giganteum. Aspidostomides A-H have dibromotyrosine- or bromotryptophan-derived moieties forming either linear amides or pyrroloketopiperazine-type lactams with a bromopyrrole carboxylic acid as a common structural motif. On the other hand, aspidazide A is a rare asymmetric acyl azide formed by an N-N link of two different pyrroloketopiperazine lactams and is the first isolated compound of this class from marine invertebrates. This work is the first report of secondary metabolites isolated from a bryozoan from the Patagonian region. The structures of compounds 1-9 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations. One of these compounds, aspidostomide E (5), was moderately active against the 786-O renal carcinoma cell line.

Antioxidant neolignans from Cordia americana.

Five new neolignans with a bicyclo[2.2.2]octene framework were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the bark of Cordia americana. The structures and relative configurations of the compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods. All the isolated compounds showed good antioxidant activities in the DPPH radical scavenging (0.5-100 µg/mL) and Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP, 1-100 µg/mL) assays. One of the compounds displayed mild fungistatic activity at 0.1 µmol/spot against Fusarium virguliforme while, at the same time, all compounds were inactive against several strains of Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria at all assayed concentrations (10-1,000 µg/mL).

Preparation and antitrypanosomal activity of secochiliolide acid derivatives.

Secochiliolide acid (1) isolated from the Patagonian shrub Nardophyllum bryoides, was used as a scaffold for the preparation of a series of nine derivatives. Compound 1 and its derivatives were tested against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes grown in liquid media. It was first observed that secochiliolide acid (1) inhibited the proliferation of the parasites, with an IC50 of 2 µg/mL. Six of the synthesized derivatives were also active with IC50's between 2 and 7 µg/mL which are comparable to that of the commercial drug benznidazole (2.5 µg/mL). These results indicate that the carboxyl group is not essential for the bioactivity of 1, while the presence of the tetrasubstituted exocyclic double bond seems to be important. Moreover, the presence of the furan and spirolactone rings is not essential for the bioactivity per se, but is important in combination with other structural fragments present in the molecule.

Agarofuran sesquiterpenes from Schaefferia argentinensis.

Sixteen dihydro-ß-agarofuran sesquiterpenes were isolated from the aerial parts of Schaefferia argentinensis Speg. Their structures were determined by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR and MS techniques. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of the major sesquiterpenes was examined in T47D, MCF7, and MDA-MB231 human cancer cell lines, but was found to be marginal.

Isolation of acetylated bile acids from the sponge Siphonochalina fortis and DNA damage evaluation by the comet assay.

From the organic extracts of the sponge Siphonochalina fortis, collected at Bahía Bustamante, Chubut, Argentina, three major compounds were isolated and identified as deoxycholic acid 3, 12-diacetate (1), cholic acid 3, 7, 12-triacetate (2) and cholic acid, 3, 7, 12-triacetate. (3). This is the first report of acetylated bile acids in sponges and the first isolation of compound 3 as a natural product. The potential induction of DNA lesions by the isolated compounds was investigated using the comet assay in lymphocytes of human peripheral blood as in vitro model. The results showed that the administration of the bile acid derivatives would not induce DNA damages, indicating that acetylated bile acids are nontoxic metabolites at the tested concentrations. Since the free bile acids were not detected, it is unlikely that the acetylated compounds may be part of the sponge cells detoxification mechanisms. These results may suggest a possible role of acetylated bile acids as a chemical defense mechanism, product of a symbiotic relationship with microorganisms, which would explain their seasonal and geographical variation, and their influence on the previously observed genotoxicity of the organic extract of S. fortis.

Cytotoxic activity of semi-synthetic derivatives of elatol and isoobtusol.

In the present study, the in vitro cytotoxic effects of six semi-synthetic derivatives of elatol (1) and isoobtusol (2) were investigated. Chemical modifications were performed on the hydroxyl groups aiming to get derivatives of different polarity, namely the hemisuccinate, carbamate and sulfamate. The structural elucidation of the new derivatives was based on detailed NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. The in vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 1 to 8 was evaluated against A459 and RD tumor cell lines with CC50 values ranging from 4.93 to 41.53 µM. These results suggest that the structural modifications performed on both compounds could be considered a good strategy to obtain more active derivatives.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Gentianella multicaulis collected on the Andean Slopes of San Juan Province, Argentina.

The infusion of the aerial parts of Gentianella multicaulis (Gillies ex Griseb.) Fabris (Gentianaceae), locally known as 'nencia', is used in San Juan Province, Argentina, as stomachic and as a bitter tonic against digestive and liver problems. The bioassay-guided isolation of G. multicaulis extracts and structural elucidation of the main compounds responsible for the antifungal and free radical scavenging activities were performed. The extracts had strong free radical scavenging effects in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (45-93% at 10 microg/mL) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay at 200 microg/mL. Demethylbellidifolin (4) had high antioxidant activity in the DPPH and FRAP assay. The dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and T. rubrum were moderately inhibited by the different extracts (MIC values of 125-250 microg/mL). Demethylbellidifolin (4), bellidifolin (5), and isobellidifolin (6) showed an antifungal effect (MIC values of 50 microg/mL), while swerchirin (3) was less active with a MIC value of 100 microg/mL. In addition, oleanolic acid (1) and ursolic acid (2) were also isolated. These findings demonstrate that Gentianella multicaulis collected in the mountains of the Province of San Juan, Argentina, is an important source of compounds with antifungal and antioxidant activities.