Assessment of Ferula hermonis Boiss fertility effects in immature female rats supported by quantification of ferutinin via HPLC and molecular docking.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ferula hermonis is a small shrub renowned for its aphrodisiac abilities. Middle East herbalists have utilized Ferula hermonis seed and root as an aphrodisiac folk medicine to treat women's frigidity and male erectile and sexual dysfunction. AIM OF THE STUDY: Assessment of follicle-stimulating hormone-like (FSH), luteinizing hormone-like (LH), and estrogenic activities of the methanolic extract (ME) of the roots of Ferula hermonis on female reproductive function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanolic extract was prepared from the root of F. hermonis and studied at dose level 6 mg/kg in immature female rats for FSH-like, LH-like, and estrogenic activities. These activities were determined by analyzing gross anatomical features, relative organ weight, and serum level of FSH, LH, progesterone and estrogen hormones, and histopathological characteristics. Quantification of the main phytoestrogenic component ferutinin carried out by HPLC. In addition, molecular docking for the binding affinity of ferutinin inside active sites of both estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and FSH receptor (FSHR) was performed to predict the potential role of ferutinin in regulating the female reproductive process. RESULTS: Ferula hermonis (ME) showed potent FSH-like, LH-like activities and moderate estrogenic effect at the dose of 6 mg/kg. The content of ferutinin in F. hermonis was estimated to be 92 ± 1.33 mg/g of the methanolic extract. Molecular docking of ferutinin with ERα and FSHR displayed strong interaction with target proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Based on results, it can be concluded that Ferula hermonis can be considered as a suitable female fertility improving agent.

Alstoscholactine and Alstolaxepine, Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids with γ-Lactone-Bridged Cycloheptane and Oxepane Moieties from Alstonia scholaris.

Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, alstoscholactine (1) and alstolaxepine (2), were isolated from Alstonia scholaris. Compound 1 represents a rearranged stemmadenine alkaloid with an unprecedented C-6-C-19 connectivity, whereas compound 2 represents a 6,7- seco-angustilobine B-type alkaloid incorporating a rare γ-lactone-bridged oxepane ring system. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 was successfully semisynthesized from 19 E-vallesamine. Compound 2 induced marked vasorelaxation in rat isolated aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine.

New compounds, 6-hydroxykarahanaenone and 10-hydroxykarahanaenone, from biotransformation of karahanaenone by CYP2A6.

The in vitro biotransformation of karahanaenone was examined in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6. The biotransformation of karahanaenone by CYP2A6 was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Karahanaenone was found to be oxidized to two metabolites by CYP2A6. In order to produce large quantity of metabolites by CYP2A6, the biotransformation of karahanaenone by Salmonella typhimurium OY1002/2A6 was investigated. Similarly, two metabolites were confirmed by GC and GC-MS. The structure of metabolites was determined by 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and infrared, as a result there were new compounds, (6R)-hydroxykarahanaenone and 10-hydroxykarahanaenone.

Antifungal compounds from the rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis.

The antifungal activity of hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and aqueous extracts from the rhizome and root of Ferula hermonis was assayed in vitro by the agar disk diffusion method against a panel of human opportunistic and pathogenic fungi. Among them, the hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed the highest activity particularly against the dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum and Tricophyton mentagrophytes as well as the yeast Candida lactis-condensi. Activity-guided fractionation of both extracts using an agar overlay bioautographic method led to the isolation of two antifungal compounds which were identified as the daucane aryl esters jaeschkeanadiol p-hydroxybenzoate (ferutinin) and jaeschkeanadiol benzoate (teferidin). Determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of both compounds evidenced a stronger antifungal activity for ferutinin than for teferidin. Particularly, T. mentagrophytes was the most sensitive strain with MIC and MFC values ranging from 8 to 256 µg/mL.

Dibenzocycloheptanoids from the leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium.

Five dibenzocycloheptatrienes (1-3, 5, and 6) and one dibenzocycloheptadiene (8) together with 16 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium. Application of HPLC-SPE-NMR to a selected fraction afforded two additional dibenzocycloheptatrienes (4, 7). The glycosides 2-7 comprise two diastereomers because of the chiral glycosyl moiety and the axial chirality of the biphenyl system. Their structures were elucidated via ECD and 2D NMR analyses and chemical degradation. Subavenosides D (5) and E (6) showed moderate inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase type IV from Bacillus stearothermophilus with IC50 values of 50.7 and 19.0 µM, respectively.

The antidepressant-like effect of Hedyosmum brasiliense and its sesquiterpene lactone, podoandin in mice: evidence for the involvement of adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.

We have recently shown that the ethanol extract of the leaves of Hedyosmum brasiliense exhibits an antidepressant-like effect in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests in mice. The present study investigates the mechanisms involved in the antidepressant-like effect of H. brasiliense extract, together with the antidepressant potential of podoandin, an isolated sesquiterpenoid. H. brasiliense (50mg/kg, i.p.) and podoandin (10mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the immobility time in the forced swimming test, without any accompanying changes in ambulation in the open-field test. The anti-immobility effect of the H. brasiliense extract was prevented by pre-treating the mice with ondansetron, NAN 190, pindolol, prazosin, yohimbine, haloperidol, SCH23390, and sulpiride. On the other hand, pre-treating the mice with: p-chlorophenylalanine (4 consecutive days), ketanserin, naloxone, naltrindole, bicuculline, phaclofen, or l-arginine did not block the antidepressant-like effect of H. brasiliense. In addition, pre-treatment of the animals with methylene blue, NG-nitro-l-arginine or 7-nitroindazole, at subeffective doses, did not cause a synergistic effect with H. brasiliense extract at an effective dose in the forced swimming test. The anti-immobility effect of podoandin was also prevented by pre-treating the mice with NAN-190, ondansetron, prazosin, yohimbine, sulpiride and haloperidol. The results indicate that the antidepressant-like effect of H. brasiliense (and podoandin) is dependent on the serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems, but not on the GABAergic, opioid and oxidonitrergic systems.

Antimicrobial antioxidant daucane sesquiterpenes from Ferula hermonis Boiss.

Seventeen daucane sesquiterpenoid esters, including a new one (4), were isolated from the root of Ferula hermonis Boiss. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and correlated with known compounds. The relative stereochemistry of the new compound was determined using 2D NOESY and the most stable and the lowest energy conformation was determined using molecular modelling. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determination of MIC using the broth microdilution method against six bacterial strains and one fungal strain (Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, Mycobacterium bovis BCG Pasteur, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 and Candida albicans SC5314). There was a significant indication that compounds 15, 16, 17 demonstrated potent activity against Gram +ve (S. aureus, B. subtilis), as well as Mycobacterium strains M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis H37Rv. None of the isolated compounds exhibited a significant antifungal activity. In the antioxidant study using the DPPH assay method, the highest radical scavenging activity was observed for compounds 15, 16, 17.

Structure elucidation of two new unusual monoterpene glycosides from Euphorbia decipiens, by 1D and 2D NMR experiments.

Two new unusual monoterpene glycosides, (Z)-3,6-dimethyl-3-(ß-D-O-glucosylmethylene)cyclohept-4-ene-1-one (1) and 3,6-dimethyl-3-(ß-D-O-glucosylmethylene)cycloheptanone (2) have been isolated along with five known compounds, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid, 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin, luteolin, apigenin 5-O-αl-L-rhamnoside, and pinocembrin-7-O-rutinoside from ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia decipiens. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR, and mass spectroscopic analyses.

Antiinflammatory sesquiterpenes from the root oil of Ferula hermonis.

Ferula hermonis Boiss. (Apiaceae), commonly known as 'Shilsh-el-zallouh', 'Hashishat-al-kattira' or 'The Lebanese viagra', is a small shrub that grows abundantly on the Hermon Mountain between Syria and Lebanon. The seeds and roots of this plant have long been used in the Middle East as an aphrodisiac, and for the treatment of frigidity and impotence for both men and women. The antiinflammatory properties of three major daucane esters, ferutinin (1) teferin (2) and teferidin (3), isolated from the root oil of Ferula hermonis, were assessed by the carrageenan-induced oedema model in rats. The antiinflammatory effect of both 1 and 2 was observed with a dose of 100 mg/kg, while compound 3 did not show any antiinflammatory activity; conversely it produced a significant proinflammatory effect 2 and 3 h after carrageenan injection.

Identification of (S)-11-cycloheptyl-4-methylundecanoic acid in acylphosphatidylglycerol from Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris.

A method is described for the identification of molecular species of acylphosphatidylglycerols containing a branched cyclo fatty acid ((S)-11-cycloheptyl-4-methylundecanoic acid; brc19:0) from Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and its identification as picolinyl ester by means of GC-MS. The combination of TLC, negative RP-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, enzymatic hydrolysis, and GC-MS was used to identify unusual molecular species of acylphosphatidylglycerols with cyclic and branched FA. The acid, brc19:0, was also synthesized to unambiguously confirm its structure. According to feeding experiments with (13)C-labeled propionate, the C(3) internal unit (branched methyl) of brc19:0 is assembled from propionate and not from methionine.

The first guaian-12-oic acid glucopyranosyl ester and other constituents from Picris rhagadioloides (L.) Desf. (Asteraceae).

The first guaian-12-oic acid glucopyranosyl ester was isolated from the roots of Picris rhagadioloides (L.) Desf. (Asteraceae), in addition to five costuslactone-type guaianolides, four germacranolides and three phenolic compounds. This is the first time that the known phenolics syringaldehyde and syringaresinol, as well as the known sesquiterpene lactones glucozaluzanin C, cichorioside C and hypochoeroside A have been described from a Picris species. The compounds were characterized on the basis of physicochemical, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic, and mass spectrometric data.

Isolation, structure elucidation, and antioxidant evaluation of cydonioside A, an unusual terpenoid from the fruits of Cydonia vulgaris.

A novel terpenoid, cydonioside A (1), was isolated from the fruits of Cydonia vulgaris Pers. Its structure and relative configuration were elucidated on the basis of in-depth spectroscopic analyses, including 2D-NMR experiments as well as MM+ calculations. Compound 1 was assayed for its radical-scavenging activity towards the DPPH radical and the superoxide radical anion (O2*-), as well as for its overall antioxidant activity, as assessed by the formation of a phosphomolybdenum complex.

Guaianolides from Salvia nubicola (Lamiaceae).

A new sesquiterpene-lactone (nubenolide) belonging to the guaianolide class along with its acetate (nubenolide acetate) and a dimer (bisnubenolide) have been isolated from Salvia nubicola collected from Quetta, Pakistan. Structures of all three new metabolites were elucidated with the aid of spectroscopic techniques including 2D-NMR. However, the structure of nubenolide was finally confirmed via single-crystal X-ray diffraction method.

Biological activity of beta-dolabrin, gamma-thujaplicin, and 4-acetyltropolone, hinokitiol-related compounds.

Beta-dolabrin, gamma-thujaplicin, and 4-acetyltropolone, the components of Aomori Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata SIEB. et ZUCC. var. hondai MAKINO), showed antifungal activity on seven kinds of plant-pathogenic fungi, antibacterial activity against two kinds of Legionella sp., and in vitro cytotoxic effect on murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line. Firstly, beta-dolabrin, gamma-thujaplicin and 4-acetyltropolone had clear antifungal activity against seven kinds of plant-pathogenic fungi tested. In particular, beta-dolabrin and 4-acetyltropolone showed strong antifungal activity against Pythium aphanidermatum IFO 32440, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 6.0 microg/ml. Secondly, beta-dolabrin, gamma-thujaplicin and 4-acetyltropolone had obvious growth-inhibitory effect on two kinds of Legionella sp. 4-Acetyltropolone especially had strong antibacterial activity toward Legionella pneumophila SG 1, and its MIC value was 3.1 microg/ml. These three compounds showed cytotoxic effects against murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line in vitro. The cytotoxic effect of three compounds in the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line were clear when cell growth was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. At 48 h after treatment, gamma-thujaplicin and 4-acetyltropolone at 0.63 microg/ml inhibited cell growth of murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia by 85% and 65%, respectively. At the same time after treatment, the growth of the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line was completely suppressed by the three compounds at concentrations higher than 5.0 microg/ml. Among these three compounds, gamma-thujaplicin had the strongest cytotoxic activity on the growth of this tumor cell line in vitro.

Guaiane dimers from Xylopia vielana.

From the leaves of Xylopia vielana (Annonaceae) two dimeric guaianes named vielanins D and E were isolated and structurally elucidated by mass and NMR spectroscopy. Vielanin D and E consist of bridged ring systems formally representing the Diels-Alder products from the hypothetical guaiane-type monomers. Due to a hemiketal function at C-8' both compounds occurred as epimeric mixtures.

Guaiane sesquiterpenes from Amoora rohituka.

The petroleum ether extract of the stem bark of Amoora rohituka afforded two novel guaiane-derived sesquiterpenoids, 6beta,7beta-epoxyguai-4-en-3-one (1) and 6beta,7beta-epoxy-4beta,5-dihydroxyguaiane (2). The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by extensive NMR and MS analyses and by comparison of their spectral data with related compounds. The relative stereochemistry of the asymmetric centers in 1 and 2, except at C-5 of 2, were determined by selective 1D-NOESY experiments.

Root constituents of Cichorium pumilum and rearrangements of some lactucin-like guaianolides.

Two eudesmanolides, eight lactucin-like guaianolides and five phenolic compounds were isolated for the first time from roots of Cichorium pumilum, along with two previously reported eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones. Rearrangements of some lactucin-like guaianolides during isolation procedures were also discussed.

Identification and effects of interaction phytotoxic compounds from exudate of Cistus ladanifer leaves.

Eleven allelochemicals (ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, methyl propionate, oxalic acid, methylmalonic acid, p-anisic acid, butyric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, and azulene) were identified in the exudate of Cistus ladanifer L. We studied the effect of each on germination, cotyledon emergence, root length, and cotyledon length of Rumex crispus. Three groups were distinguished with respect to phytotoxic activity: compounds with low activity (ferulic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, oxalic acid, methylmalonic acid, p-anisic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, and azulene), with intermediate activity (cinnamic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid), and with high activity (methyl propionate and butyric acid). The effect of the interaction of the compounds was studied. When acting conjointly, all combinations tested produced a more negative effect on both germination and seedling growth than when acting alone. The interaction affected cotyledon emergence and root length more negatively than germination and cotyledon length. When hydroxycinnamic acid and cinnamic acid were added to these mixtures there was an enhancement in the phytotoxic activity, accentuating the effect of the other allelochemicals.

Guaiane dimers from Xylopia vielana.

From the leaves of Xylopia vielana (Annonaceae) the three dimeric guaianes vielanin A-C were isolated and structurally elucidated by mass and NMR spectroscopy as 1-3. The structure of 1 contains a bridged ring system formed probably via a Diels-Alder reaction of two different guaiane monomers. Compounds 2 and 3 represent symmetric cyclobutanes formally generated from two equal guaiane moieties by [2 + 2] cycloaddition.

A new guaiane type sesquiterpene from Torilis japonica.

A new guaiane type sesquiterpene was isolated from the fruit of Torilis japonica (Umbelliferae). Based on NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy its structure was confirmed as deangeloyloxy torilin, 1beta, 7alpha, 10alphaH-11-acetoxy-guaia-4-en-3-one (1). This is the first report showing that this compound can be isolated from Torilis japonica.