Exploration of limonoids for their broad spectrum antiviral potential via DFT, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approach.

Limonoids serve as vital secondary metabolites. Citrus limonoids show a wide range of pharmacological potential. As a result of which limonoids from citrus are of considerable research interest. Identification of new therapeutic molecules from natural origins has been widely adopted as a successful strategy in drug discovery. This work mainly focused on the high-throughput computational exploration of the antiviral potential of three vital limonoids, i.e. Obacunone, Limonin and Nomilin against spike proteins of SARS CoV-2 (PDB:6LZG), Zika virus NS3 helicase (PDB:5JMT), Serotype 2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase of dengue virus (PDB:5K5M). Herein we report the molecular docking, MD simulation studies of nine docked complexes, and density functional theory (DFT) of selected limonoids. The results of this study indicated that all three limonoids have good molecular features but out of these three obacunone exerted satisfactory results for DFT, docking and MD simulation study.

Naphthoquinones and triterpenoids from Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst and their hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects.

A new pentacyclic triterpenoid, 2-hydroxy-1-ene-hydroxyhopanone (19), and a new benzoxepin-5-one, 3-(4-methyl-3-penten-1-yl)-6-hydroxy-9-methoxy-2H-1-benzoxepin-5-one (25), along with 26 known compounds (1-18, 20-24, 26-28), were isolated from the roots of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of shikonofurans 9-13 were determined by quantum chemical ECD calculations and CD spectra comparison for the first time. Pharmacological study revealed that naphthoquinones 1-5, 7, and 8 had obvious cytotoxicity toward human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line. Meanwhile, the hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects of isolated compounds were assessed by checking their inhibitory effects on key enzymes regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. Results showed that compounds 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 18, and 19 could inhibit the activity of ATP-citrate lyase (ACL); compound 7 could inhibit the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1); while compounds 8 and 19 showed inhibitory effects on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Among them, the naphthoquinone 6, steroid 18, and triterpenoid 19 showed moderate inhibitory effects on ACL and PTP1B, but didn't exhibit obvious cytotoxicity. This study demonstrated that compounds 6, 18, and 19 show great promising for the development of new agents for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Repeated dose toxicity study to assess the safety and reproductive/developmental safety of 7-methyl-2H-1,5-Benzodioxepin-3(4H)-One (Calone®) and the read across approach to its biodegradation metabolite 7-methyl-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3-ol (Calol).

7-Methyl-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3(4H)-one (Calone®) is used in fragrances to impart a marine note. It is produced industrially at volumes requiring repeated dose and developmental/reproductive toxicology data (OECD TG 422) under European chemicals legislation (i.e., REACH). Additionally, Japanese chemicals legislation requires evaluation of Calone® biodegradability and identification of metabolites in an environmental biodegradation test. 7-Methyl-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3-ol (Calol) was the sole metabolite identified following biodegradation and a 28-day repeated dose toxicity study (OECD TG 407) would normally be required to support registration in Japan. The current paper presents results showing no adverse effects in the parental, reproductive, or developmental phases of an OECD TG 422 study following dietary administration of Calone® to rats at targeted doses of up to 1000 mg/kg/day. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) was the highest administered dose of 791 and 922 mg/kg/day for males and females, respectively. An in vitro metabolism study conducted with rat and human liver microsomes demonstrated that greater than 90% of Calone® was metabolically reduced into Calol, the same metabolite observed in the environmental biodegradation test. Accordingly, the results from the OECD TG 422 study with Calone® are directly applicable to Calol and it would be expected to have the same NOAEL.

Molecular docking study of GSK-3ß interaction with nomilin, kihadanin B, and related limonoids and triterpenes with a furyl-δ-lactone core.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) is a target enzyme considered for the treatment of multiple human diseases, from neurodegenerative pathologies to viral infections and cancers. Numerous inhibitors of GSK-3ß have been discovered but thus far only a few have reached clinical trials and only one drug, tideglusib (1), has been registered. Natural products targeting GSK-3ß have been identified, including the two anticancer limonoids obacunone (5) and gedunin (4), both presenting a furyl-δ-lactone core. To help identifying novel GSK-3ß ligands, we have performed a molecular docking study with 15 complementary natural products bearing a furyl-δ-lactone unit (such as limonin (6) and kihadanins A (8) and B (9)) or a closely related structure (such as cedrelone (10) and nimbolide (11)). The formation of GSK-3ß-binding complexes for those natural products was compared to reference GSK-3ß ATP-competitive inhibitors LY2090314 (3) and AR-A014418 (2). Our in silico analysis led to the identification of two new GSK-3ß-binding natural products: kihadanin B (9) and nomilin (7). The latter surpassed the reference compounds in terms of calculated empirical energy of interaction (ΔE). Nomilin (7) can possibly bind to the active site of GSK-3ß, notably via the furyl-δ-lactone core and its 1-acetyl group, implicated in the protein interaction. Compound structure-binding relationships are discussed. The study should help the discovery of novel natural products targeting GSK-3ß.

Obacunone alleviates ferroptosis during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by upregulating Nrf2-dependent antioxidant responses.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) has received considerable attention in the field of intensive care as it is associated with a high mortality rate. Obacunone (OB), widely found in citrus fruits, is a natural bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, it is not clear whether OB protects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of OB and the potential mechanisms against LPS-induced ALI and BEAS-2B cell injury. METHODS: We established a model of BEAS-2B cell injury and a mouse model of ALI by treating with LPS. Samples of in vitro model were subjected to cell death, Cell Counting Kit-8, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. The total number of cells and neutrophils, protein content, and levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Glutathione, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde levels were determined in lung tissue. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis, immunofluorescence, western blot, quantitative real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted to examine the effects of OB. Furthermore, mice were treated with an Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) to verify its role in ferroptosis. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance or paired t-tests. RESULTS: Compared with the LPS group, OB effectively alleviated LPS-induced ALI by decreasing lung wet/dry weight ratio, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde production, and superoxide dismutase and glutathione consumption in vivo. In addition, OB significantly alleviated lung histopathological injury, reduced inflammatory cytokine secretion and Fe2+ and 4-HNE levels, and upregulated GPX4, SLC7A11, and Nrf2 expression. Mechanistically, OB activated Nrf2 by inhibiting Nrf2 ubiquitinated proteasome degradation. ML385 reversed the protective effects of OB against LPS-induced ALI. CONCLUSION: Overall, OB alleviates LPS-induced ALI, making it a potential novel protective agent against LPS-induced ALI.

Challenges in the structure determination of a dimeric impurity found during development of GDC-0326.

While developing a synthetic route for GDC-0326, a PI3Kα selective inhibitor, a side product was identified which was adversely impacting process chemistry development. To aid in optimization of a viable synthetic pathway for the drug, it was decided to characterize this impurity. Initial efforts using typical high-resolution mass spectrometry data coupled with NMR analysis were unable to unambiguously identify the structure. The NMR analysis was hampered by a severe lack of protons in the core of the structure. While efforts were being made to produce suitable crystals for definitive x-ray analysis, Raman analysis was undertaken. The vibrational data were compared to DFT calculations for the two most likely structures. This data, along with chemical reasoning, eventually led to successful prediction of structure 2, which was ultimately confirmed by single crystal x-ray diffractometry data.

Nomilin and Its Analogues in Citrus Fruits: A Review of Its Health Promotion Effects and Potential Application in Medicine.

Nomilin is one of the major limonoids, which are plant secondary metabolites also known as tetranortriterpenoids. Nomilin is found mostly in common edible citrus fruits including lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, mandarins, along with traditional Chinese medicines derived from citrus fruits, such as tangerine seed, tangerine peel, fructus aurantii immaturus, etc. A number of studies have demonstrated that nomilin and its analogues exhibit a variety of biological and pharmacological activities. These include anti-cancer, immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-viral, anti-osteoclastogenic, anti-oxidant, and neuro-protective effects. Thus, nomilin and its analogues have emerged as a potential therapy for human diseases. The purpose of this review is to chronicle the evolution of nomilin research from examining its history, structure, occurrence, to its pharmacological and disease-preventing properties as well as its potential utilization in medicine and food science.

A new prenylated 3-benzoxepin derivative with anti-influenza A virus activity from Elsholtzia penduliflora.

A new prenylated 3-benzoxepin derivative, elsholtzioxin (1), together with fifteen known compounds (2-16) were isolated from the whole parts of Elsholtzia penduliflora. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of various spectroscopic techniques and chemical evidences. The antiviral activities of these compounds were evaluated in vitro. The new compound (1) exhibited potential anti-influenza virus activity against strain A/WSN/33/2009 (H1N1) with inhibition rate of 47.19%. Compounds 2, 9 and 12 exhibited significant inhibitory activities with IC50 value of 26.16, 34.66 and 20.81 µM, respectively.

New cytotoxic obacunone-type limonoid and others constituents from the stem bark of Carapa procera DC (Meliaceae).

The phytochemical study of the CH2Cl2- MeOH (1:1, v/v) extract of the stem bark of Carapa procera DC (Meliaceae) led to the isolation and characterisation of a new natural limonoid 7ß-obacunol (6), along with seven known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means, including 1 D and 2 D NMR, HRESI-MS and by comparison with published data. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-6 was assessed in vitro by the WST-1 assay on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and Raw 264.7 mouse macrophage cell lines. Results suggested that obacunone (3) exhibited the most potent cytotoxic effect against A549 and Raw 264.7 cells with respective IC50 values of 25.24 µM and 29.14 µM, while the new natural limonoid 7ß-obacunol (6) exhibited 32.75 µM and 39.19 µM, respectively on both cell lines. Therefore, limonoid derivatives might be promising sources of natural bioactive metabolites against cancer.

Limonoid Triterpene, Obacunone Increases Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 to Promote Osteoblast Differentiation and Function.

Root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz. has been widely used as a traditional medicine and is a well-known anti-inflammatory agent. We isolated limonoid triterpene, obacunone (Obac) from the dried root bark of D. dasycarpus. Obac has been reported to exhibit varieties of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects and biological mechanisms of Obac in osteoblast differentiation and bone matrix mineralization. In the present study, Obac at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 µM showed no proliferation effects in MC3T3-E1. The treatment of Obac (1 and 10 µM) increased wound healing and migration rates in a dose-dependent manner. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity showed that Obac (1 and 10 µM) enhanced early osteoblast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. Obac also increased late osteoblast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by the mineralized nodule formation of ARS staining. The effects of Obac on osteoblast differentiation was validated by the levels of mRNAs encoding the bone differentiation markers, including Alp, bone sialoprotein (Bsp), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn). Obac increased the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), and the phosphorylation of smad1/5/8, and the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2); Obac also inhibited GSK3ß and upregulated the protein level of ß-catenin in a dose-dependent manner during osteoblast differentiation. Obac-mediated osteoblast differentiation was attenuated by a BMP2 inhibitor, Noggin and a Wnt/ß-catenin inhibitor, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) with the abolishment of RUNX2 expression and nuclear accumulation by Obac. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that Obac has pharmacological and biological activates to promote osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization through BMP2, ß-catenin, and RUNX2 pathways, and suggest that Obac might be a therapeutic effect for the treatment and prevention of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and periodontitis.

Limonoids from Guarea guidonia and Cedrela odorata: Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) Modulator Properties of Chisomicine D.

Nine new limonoids (1-9) were isolated from the stem bark of Guarea guidonia (1-4) and Cedrela odorata (5-9). Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and MS data and chemical methods as three A2,B,D-seco-type limonoids (1-3), a mexicanolide (4), three nomilin-type (5-7) limonoids, and two limonol derivatives (8 and 9). A DFT/NMR procedure was used to define the relative configurations of 1 and 3. A surface plasmon resonance approach was used to screen the Hsp90 binding capability of the limonoids, and the A2,B,D-seco-type limonoid 8-hydro-(8S*,9S*)-dihydroxy-14,15-en-chisomicine A, named chisomicine D (1), demonstrated the highest affinity. By means of mass spectrometry data, biochemical and cellular assays, and molecular docking, 1 was found as a type of client-selective Hsp90 inhibitor binding to the C-terminus domain of the chaperone.

Obacunone protects retinal pigment epithelium cells from ultra-violet radiation-induced oxidative injury.

Ultra-violet (UV) radiation (UVR) causes significant oxidative injury to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Obacunone is a highly oxygenated triterpenoid limonoid compound with various pharmacological properties. Its potential effect in RPE cells has not been studied thus far. Here in ARPE-19 cells and primary murine RPE cells, obacunone potently inhibited UVR-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial depolarization, lipid peroxidation and single strand DNA accumulation. UVR-induced RPE cell death and apoptosis were largely alleviated by obacunone. Obacunone activated Nrf2 signaling cascade in RPE cells, causing Keap1-Nrf2 disassociation, Nrf2 protein stabilization and nuclear translocation. It promoted transcription and expression of antioxidant responsive element-dependent genes. Nrf2 silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-induced Nrf2 knockout almost reversed obacunone-induced RPE cytoprotection against UVR. Forced activation of Nrf2 cascade, by Keap1 knockout, similarly protected RPE cells from UVR. Importantly, obacunone failed to offer further RPE cytoprotection against UVR in Keap1-knockout cells. In vivo, intravitreal injection of obacunone largely inhibited light-induced retinal damage. Collectively, obacunone protects RPE cells from UVR-induced oxidative injury through activation of Nrf2 signaling cascade.

Obacunone Attenuates Liver Fibrosis with Enhancing Anti-Oxidant Effects of GPx-4 and Inhibition of EMT.

Obacunone, a limonin triterpenoid extracted from Phellodendronchinense Schneid or Dictamnus dasycarpusb Turcz plant, elicits a variety of pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, anti-oxidation, and anti-lung-fibrosis ones. However, the anti-fibrotic effect of obacunone and the detailed underlying mechanism in liver fibrosis remain unclear. Liver fibrosis is a debilitating disease threatening human health. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß/P-Smad is a major pathway of fibrosis featured with epithelia mesenchymal transformations (EMT) and collagen depositions, accompanying with excessive oxygen-free radicals. Nrf-2 acts as a key anti-oxidative regulator driving the expressions of various antioxidant-related genes. Glutathionperoxidase-4 (GPx-4) is a member of the glutathione peroxidase family that directly inhibits phospholipid oxidation to alleviate oxidative stress. In the present study, we aimed to explore the role of obacunone in mouse liver fibrosis model induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and in hepatic stellate cells (LX2 cell line) challenging with TGF-ß. Obacunone demonstrated potent ameliorative effects on liver fibrosis both in activated LX2 and in mice liver tissues with reduced levels of α-SMA, collagen1, and vimentin. Obacunone also remarkably suppressed the TGF-ß/P-Smad signals and EMT process. Meanwhile, obacunone exerted a potent anti-oxidation effect by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both models. The antioxidant effect of obacunone was attributed to the activation of GPx-4 and Nrf-2. In addition, the therapeutic effect of obacunone on LX2 cells was significantly removed in vitro plus with GPx-4 antagonist RSL3, in parallel with the re-elevated levels of ROS. Thus, we demonstrate that obacunone is able to attenuate liver fibrosis via enhancing GPx-4 signal and inhibition of the TGF-ß/P-Smad pathway and EMT process.

Selective and reliable determination of obacunone in rat plasma using solid-phase extraction by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry: Application to a pharmacokinetic study.

This study aimed to develop a highly selective, sensitive and fast liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of obacunone in rat plasma. Sample preparation was accomplished by a simple solid-phase extraction procedure. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an ACQUITY BEH C18 column using acetonitrile/methanol (1:1, v/v) and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Quantification was performed with multiple reactions monitoring in positive ion mode with the precursor-to-product ion transitions at m/z 455.2 > 161.1 for obacunone and m/z 515.2 > 161.1 for nomilin (internal standard). The assay was demonstrated to be linear over the concentration range of 0.1-1,000 ng/mL with correlation coefficient >0.999 (r > 0.999). The intra- and inter-day accuracy ranged from -8.33 to 10.40%, while the precision was <10.41%. The mean extraction recovery was >75.32%, and the assay was free of matrix effect. The validated LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of obacunone in rats after oral and intravenous administrations. The oral bioavailability of obacunone was 13.59%.

Cytotoxicity of botanicals and isolated phytochemicals from Araliopsis soyauxii Engl. (Rutaceae) towards a panel of human cancer cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Araliopsis soyauxii Engl. (Rutaceae) is a Cameroonian medicinal plant traditionally used to treat lung diseases, malaria, and gonorrhea. It has been demonstrated that infectious disease contribute to about 20% of all human tumours. AIMS OF THE STUDY: (1) To perform a phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane-methanol 1:1 extracts of the bark (ASB), roots (ASR), and leaves (ASL) from Araliopsis soyauxii; (2) to evaluate the cytotoxicity of extracts and isolated compounds; (3) to determine the mode of induction of apoptosis of ASB and kihadanin B (12). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen constituents of the crude extracts were isolated by column chromatography, while spectroscopic techniques were used for structural elucidation. The resazurin reduction assay (RRA) was applied to determine the cytotoxicity of samples towards a panel of 9 cancer cell lines. For caspases activity, the Caspase-Glo assay was used; flow cytometry was applied to investigate the cell cycle distribution (PI staining), apoptosis (annexin V/PI staining), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; JC-1 staining), and the reactive oxygen species (ROS; H2DCFH-DA staining). RESULTS: Phytochemical investigations of botanicals (ASB, ASR, and ASL) led to the isolation of 14 compounds. Extract ASB, obacunone (11), kihadanin B (12) as well as doxorubicin (control drug) revealed cytotoxicity towards the 9 cancer cell lines tested. The IC50 values ranged from 11.11 µg/mL (against CCRF-CEM leukemia cells) to 28.18 µg/mL (against HCT116 p53+/+ colon adenocarcinoma cells) for ASB; from 28.25 µM (against MDA-MB-231-pcDNA breast adenocarcinoma cells) to 65.13 µM (against HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells) for compound 11, and from 5.77 µM (against CCRF-CEM cells) to 43.56 µM (against U87.MGΔEGFR glioblastoma cells) for compound 12. ASB and compound 12 induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells. ASB induced the apoptotic process mediated by MMP alteration and enhanced ROS production, while compound 12 induced apoptosis by caspases activation, MMP alteration, and enhanced ROS production. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that Araliopsis soyauxii is a potential source of cytotoxic phytochemicals such as kihadanin B and that ASB and compound 12. Extract and compounds will be explored further to develop anticancer drugs.

Cytochrome P450 Can Epoxidize an Oxepin to a Reactive 2,3-Epoxyoxepin Intermediate: Potential Insights into Metabolic Ring-Opening of Benzene.

Dimethyldioxirane epoxidizes 4,5-benzoxepin to form the reactive 2,3-epoxyoxepin intermediate followed by very rapid ring-opening to an o-xylylene that immediately isomerizes to the stable product 1H-2-benzopyran-1-carboxaldehyde. The present study demonstrates that separate incubations of 4,5-benzoxepin with three cytochrome P450 isoforms (2E1, 1A2, and 3A4) as well as pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) also produce 1H-2-benzopyran-1-carboxaldehyde as the major product, likely via the 2,3-epoxyoxepin. The reaction of 4,5-benzoxepin with cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) yields a dimeric oxidized molecule that is also a lesser product of the P450 oxidation of 4,5-benzoxepin. The observation that P450 enzymes epoxidize 4,5-benzoxepin suggests that the 2,3-epoxidation of oxepin is a major pathway for the ring-opening metabolism of benzene to muconaldehyde.

Sudachinoid- and Ichangensin-Type Limonoids from Citrus junos Downregulate Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines.

Limonoids, a dominant group of phytochemicals in the Rutaceae family, are known to exhibit several pharmacological activities. To identify natural products having efficacy against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we isolated 13 limonoids including a new compound, methyl sudachinoid A, from the seeds of Citrus junos and investigated their anti-inflammatory effects by assessing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages and HT-29 human colon epithelial cells. Our findings revealed that limonoids significantly downregulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear transcription factor κB. In particular, sudachinoid-type compounds, methyl sudachinoid A and sudachinoid B, and ichangensin-type compound, 1-O-methyichangensin downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines more potently than other limonoids, nomilin and limonin, which have been previously reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities in other cells; nomilin and limonin were therefore employed as positive controls in this study. Herein, we reveal that the anti-inflammatory activities of limonoids including a new compound methyl sudachinoid A from C. junos were mediated via the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and these limonoids can be employed as potential therapeutic phytochemicals for IBD.

Obacunone reduces inflammatory signalling and tumour occurrence in mice with chronic inflammation-induced colorectal cancer.

CONTEXT: Obacunone, a limonoid abundantly found in Citrus fruits, exhibits a variety of bioactivities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of obacunone on a colorectal cancer (CRC) mouse model, and clarify its potential molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The male Balb/c mice were induced with azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium for 12 weeks. Obacunone (50 mg/kg) was administered via oral gavage three times every week until the end of the experiment. Disease indexes including body weight, spleen weight, bloody diarrhea, colon length, histopathological score, and tumor size were measured. The anti-proliferation activities of obacunone were analyzed by MTT or flow cytometry. The expression of protein and mRNA related to cell proliferation or inflammatory cytokines was determined by Western blot, q-PCR and IHC. RESULTS: Obacunone significantly alleviated bloody diarrhea, colon shortening (7.35 ± 0.2128 vs. 8.275 ± 0.2169 cm), splenomegaly, histological score (9 ± 0.5774 vs. 6 ± 0.5774) and reduced tumor size (4.25 ± 0.6196 vs. 2 ± 0.5669). Meanwhile, the expression of protein and mRNA related to cell proliferation or inflammatory cytokines was remarkably decreased in tumor tissue. Obacunone inhibited the proliferation activities of colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, obacunone induced colorectal cancer cells G1 and G2 phases arrest, and suppressed the expression of cell cycle genes. CONCLUSIONS: Obacunone could alleviate CRC via inhibiting inflammatory response and tumor cells proliferation. The results may contribute to the effective utilization of obacunone or its derivatives in the treatment of human CRC.

Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Chromones and Benzoxepines from the Leaves of Ptaeroxylon obliquum.

This study reports the first total synthesis of the bioactive oxepinochromones 12-O-acetyleranthin (8) (angular isomer) and 12-O-acetylptaeroxylinol (9) (linear isomer). The antifungal activity of these compounds and their derivatives was determined against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Most compounds had good selectivity between the two fungi and showed moderate to good activity. 12-O-Acetyleranthin (8) had the highest activity against C. albicans, with an MIC value of 9.9 µM, while 12-O-acetylptaeroxylinol (9), the compound present in Ptaeroxylon obliquum, had the highest activity against C. neoformans, with an MIC value of 4.9 µM.

Cytochrome P450 3A4-Mediated Bioactivation and Its Role in Nomilin-Induced Hepatotoxicity.

Nomilin is a furan-containing triterpenoid isolated from the medicinal plants of citrus. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo bioactivation of nomilin and the role in nomilin-induced hepatotoxicity. Microsomal incubations of nomilin supplemented with NADPH and GSH or NAL resulted in the detection of six conjugates (M1-M6). The structures of the metabolites were characterized based on LC-HRMS and NMR. Nomilin was bioactivated to a reactive cis-butene-dial (BDA) intermediate dependent on NADPH, and this intermediate suffered from the reaction with the nucleophiles (GSH and NAL) to form stable adducts. M1-M4 were identified as pyrrole derivatives, and M5 and M6 were pyrrolinone derivatives. M1 was further chemically synthesized and characterized by 13C NMR spectroscopy. M1 was the major metabolite detected in mice bile. Pretreatment with ketoconazole significantly reduced the formation of M1 in mice bile, while pretreatment with rifampicin significantly increased the formation of M1. Chemical inhibition together with recombinant human CYP450 phenotyping demonstrated that CYP3A4 was the major enzyme contributing to the bioactivation of nomilin. Toxicity study suggested that nomilin displayed dose-dependent liver injury in mice, while tetrahydro-nomilin was found to be nonhepatotoxic. Pretreatment with ketoconazole prevented mice from nomilin-induced liver injury. The liver injury induced by nomilin was deteriorated when the mice were pretreated with rifampicin. These findings provide evidence that CYP3A4-mediated bioactivation was indispensable in nomilin-induced hepatotoxicity.