Labdanes, Withanolides, and Other Constituents from Physalis nicandroides.

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts (except fruits and calixes) of Physalis nicandroides var. attenuata led to the isolation of a series of new labdane-type diterpenoids, including the closely related compounds 1-3, the labdane glucosides 4 and 5, a mixture of the epimeric alcohols 6 and 7, and one labdanetriol, isolated as its tri-O-acetyl derivative 9. In addition, three new withanolides (14-16) and six known compounds were isolated. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data and chemical transformations, and those of compounds 1, 4, and 16 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis of the natural product (1) and of the corresponding acetyl derivatives 4a and 16a. Fourteen of these compounds were assayed for their in vitro inhibitory activity against yeast α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes. The results were negative in both cases, except for compound 3a that marginally inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 value of 64.4 µM.

neo-Clerodane Diterpenoids and Other Constituents of Salvia filipes.

A series of neo-clerodane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia filipes, including the new compounds 4-epi-polystachyne A (1), salvifilines A (3), C (7), and D (8), and salvifiline B, which was isolated as the 15-O-methyl derivatives 4/5. In addition, the five known diterpenoids (2, 9-12), together with ursolic, oleanolic, and betulinic acids, and the flavone eupatorin were also isolated. The structures were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data, mainly 1D and 2D NMR. The structure of salvifiline D was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The cytotoxic activities of the diterpenoids were evaluated, but all were inactive against a panel of six human cancer cell lines.

Absolute configuration of labdane diterpenoids from Physalis nicandroides.

A mixture of the new epimeric labdenetriols 1 and 2 was isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis nicandroides. The structures of 1 and 2, including their absolute configurations, were established by analyses of their spectroscopic data, together with the X-ray diffraction analysis of acetonide 3 and chemical correlation with (-)-(13E)-labd-13-ene-8α,15-diol (6), whose absolute configuration was also confirmed by X-ray analysis of its dibromo derivative 7. The epimeric labdenediols 8 and 9, the known labdanes 6 and 11, and the acylsucroses 12 and 13 were also isolated. Labdanes 6 and 11 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activities in the induced ear edema model.

Chemical analysis of freeze-dried seeds of Stenocereus stellatus (white tunillo) components and evaluation of their effect on prediabetes reversion in an experimental model in female Wistar rats.

Prediabetes is defined as a state of moderate hyperglycemia. Here, we used freeze-dried seeds of Stenocereus stellatus (white tunillo) as a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of prediabetes. In the aqueous extract of freeze-dried seeds of white tunillo, polyphenols were identified using the Folin-Ciocalteu technique, separated by UPLC and analyzed by infrared spectrophotometry. Five well-defined peaks with good resolution were observed in the chromatogram of the aqueous extract obtained by UPLC. Two of these peaks corresponded to polyphenols with similarity to quercetin and rutin. The subchronic oral administration of freeze-dried seeds of white tunillo for 14 days in a prediabetes model in female Wistar rats reversed hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. Treatment with the freeze-dried seeds reversed the decrease in the hepatic expression of Akt, eNOS, and p-eNOSSer1177 but did not reverse the decrease in MnSOD, catalase, and GPx1. No changes in the expression of GPx4 and p-AktSer473 were observed in the pathological state or with the treatment but there was an increase in the expression and activity of eNOS. The bioactive compounds present in the freeze-dried seeds of Stenocereus stellatus could provide guidelines for studying the mechanisms of action through which they reverse signs of prediabetes.

Withanolides from Datura ceratocaula and Datura discolor and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

The investigation of the chemical constituents of Datura ceratocaula and D. discolor allowed to isolate three new withanolides, datucerolide A (1) from the first species, and datudiscolides A (8) and B (9) from the second. In addition, seven known withanolides and five ubiquitous compounds were isolated from these plants, along with 27-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl dinnoxolide A (5), which was obtained as the tetraacetyl derivative 4. All the structures were elucidated by analyses of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data and that of dinnoxolide A (6) was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure 4 was assigned earlier to daturametelin G-Ac and that of 5 to datinolide B, therefore, it will be discussed whether these assignments are correct. On the other hand, the structure of datudiscolide A (8) was previously assigned to the aglycone of dinoxin B (14), however, a revision of its reported NMR data showed inconsistencies with the proposed structure. The inhibitory activity of withanolides 2, 3, 6-8, 12, and 13 against acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) was evaluated. Compounds 6, 7, 12, and 13 exhibited the best activity with IC50 values ranging from 2.8 to 21.5 µM.

Role of sex and sex hormones in PD-L1 expression in NSCLC: clinical and therapeutic implications.

Currently, immunotherapy based on PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade has improved survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, differential responses have been observed by sex, where men appear to respond better than women. Additionally, adverse effects of immunotherapy are mainly observed in women. Studies in some types of hormone-dependent cancer have revealed a role of sex hormones in anti-tumor response, tumor microenvironment and immune evasion. Estrogens mainly promote immune tolerance regulating T-cell function and modifying tumor microenvironment, while androgens attenuate anti-tumor immune responses. The precise mechanism by which sex and sex hormones may modulate immune response to tumor, modify PD-L1 expression in cancer cells and promote immune escape in NSCLC is still unclear, but current data show how sexual differences affect immune therapy response and prognosis. This review provides update information regarding anti-PD-1/PD-L immunotherapeutic efficacy in NSCLC by sex, analyzing potential roles for sex hormones on PD-L1 expression, and discussing a plausible of sex and sex hormones as predictive response factors to immunotherapy.

Neo-clerodane diterpenes from Salvia herbacea.

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Salvia herbacea led to the isolation of eight new neo-clerodane diterpenes (1-8), named tehuanins A-H, and three known compounds. The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Three of the new diterpenes possess a 1,8-epoxy group (1-3). This unusual structural feature was confirmed by X-ray diffraction of 1. The structure of the previously isolated 1α,10α-epoxysalviarin was revised. The absolute configuration of 6 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis of its bromo derivative 6a. Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of these diterpenes were examined. None of the compounds were considered to be cytotoxic; however, compound 7 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of indomethacin.

Lactols from Physalis grisea.

From the extracts of stems and leaves as well as of calyxes of Physalis grisea were isolated four withalactols, the new griselactols A (3) and B (6) and the known physapubescin (1) and peruvianolide E (2). Other four known compounds were also isolated, kaempferol 3-O-ß-sophoroside (5) and three sterols. The structures of compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analyses, chemical and physical-chemical methods, including electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and by comparison with data described in the literature. The antihyperglycemic activity of the extracts and of the three more abundant metabolites (1, 3, and 5) was evaluated in the α-glucosidase inhibition assay.

Sucrose esters from the calyxes of Physalis chenopodifolia.

Three new sucrose esters, physachenoses A-C (1-3) and the known withanolide, physachenolide D (4), were isolated from the calyxes of Physalis chenopodifolia Lam. Analysis of the MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra of the new compounds allowed to determine their structures as 3'-O-dodecanoyl-2,3,4-tri-O-isobutyrylsucrose (1), 3'-O-dodecanoyl-2,4-di-O-isobutyryl-3-O-2-methylbutanoylsucrose (2), and 3'-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-isobutyryl-3-O-2-methylbutanoylsucrose (3).

Cytotoxic withanolides from Datura innoxia.

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts (except fruits) of the medicinal, hallucinogen and toxic plant Datura innoxia Mill. [Solanaceae] led to the isolation of the new withanolide, dinnoxolide A (1), along with the known compounds 21,27-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,24-trienolide (2), daturamalakin B (3) and withametelin (4). Their structures were established by analysis of their spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and MS. Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated as natural products for the first time and the name dinnoxolide B was given to compound 2. The four withanolides showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against U251 (glioblastoma) and SK-LU-1 (lung adenocarcinoma) human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 1.2 to 19.6 µM, and also against the noncancerous monkey kidney cell line (COS-7), with IC50 values ranging from 5.0 to 19.7 µM. Compound 4 was two times more active than the reference compound, etoposide, against lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Elemenolides from Zinnia peruviana and evaluation of their antibacterial and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

A phytochemical study from Zinnia peruviana L. resulted in the isolation of a new elemene-type sesquiterpene lactone, zinaflorin VI (1), along with the known elemenolides 2-5 and the flavone onopordin (6). The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. The antibacterial activity of the γ-elemenolides 1, 4, and 5 was evaluated. The δ-elemenolide juniperin (7), previously isolated from Zinnia juniperifolia, was included in this assay. Compounds 1 and 7 were active against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with MICs = 32 and 64 µg/mL for compound 1 and MICs = 4 and 8 µg/mL for compound 7. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of compounds 1, and 4-7 was evaluated, but none of these compounds was found to be active.

Labdanes and sucrose esters from Physalis sordida.

Eight new compounds, labdanes 2-4, homoergostane 10, and sucrose esters 12-15, were isolated from aerial parts of Physalis sordida together with several known compounds. Structures of the new compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic evidence and chemical transformations. The structure of 10 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis of its methyl ester. Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, and 12-15 was evaluated using the TPA-induced mouse ear edema test. Compounds 12 (IC(50) 0.26 mumol/ear) and 15 (IC(50) 0.24 mumol/ear) showed anti-inflammatory activity similar to that of indomethacin (IC(50) 0.24 mumol/ear).

Lupane triterpenes with a δ-lactone at ring E, from Lippia mexicana.

Three new lupane-type triterpenes, lippiolide (1), lippiolidolic acid (2), and lippiolic acid (3), were isolated from aerial parts of Lippia mexicana. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited a δ-lactone at ring E. The known cycloartane triterpene 5 was also isolated. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical reactions, and the structure of compound 1 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1, 3, and 5 was evaluated in the TPA-induced ear mouse edema model. Lupanes 1 and 3 were more active than cycloartane 5.

Evaluation of the antiprotozoal activity of neo-clerodane type diterpenes from Salvia polystachya against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia.

Chia (Salvia polystachya Ort., Lamiaceae) is frequently used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat dysentery. In this study the main neo-clerodane diterpenes (polystachynes A, B and D, as well as linearolactone) were isolated from the aerial parts of chia, and their antiprotozoal activities toward Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia trophozoites were evaluated in vitro. Linearolactone was the most potent antiamoebic and antigiardial compound with IC(50) values of 22.9 microM for E. histolytica and 28.2 microM for G. lamblia. Polystachynes A, B and D, showed moderate antiprotozoal activity against both protozoans with IC(50) values ranging from 117.0 to 160.6 microM for E. histolytica and from 107.5 to 134.7 microM for G. lamblia. These data suggest that linearolactone may play an important role in the antidiarrhoeal activity of S. polystachya.

Pharmacogenetics of oral anticoagulants.

The use of oral anticoagulants (OA) is problematic due to its association with hemorrhagic complications. OA metabolism relies on the CYP2C9 complex. Genetic variations compromising metabolic competence of this complex may explain the risk of excessive and hazardous anticoagulation. A pharmacogenetics-based approach to this issue could be beneficial for choosing adequate dose and duration of treatment, in addition to having a better understanding of pharmacological interactions to which OA are susceptible. However, evidence from several basic and clinical studies indicates that both a complicated system of regulation of expression of multiple genes and the influence of a wide variety of epigenetic factors could be responsible for adverse drug reactions associated with the use of OA. Emphasis on understanding the gene-environment interactions could attain new paths to facilitate the use of these important drugs in the quotidian clinical practice.

Cytotoxic 20,24-epoxywithanolides from Physalis angulata.

A new withanolide, physangulide B (1), was isolated from calyxes of Physalis angulata. This compound was also present in the aerial parts along with the known physangulide (4), which was isolated as the acetonide 3, and 24,25-epoxywithanolide D (6). Structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data, which indicated the presence of a 20,24-epoxy group in both physangulides. The structures of compounds 1 and 6 were confirmed by X-ray analysis of their corresponding acetyl derivatives 2 and 7. The structure of physangulide was originally described as the 22S withanolide 5, now its structure and configuration are revised to 4. Evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-3 against two human cancer cell lines indicated a potent activity of compound 1 and its derivative 2.

New sucrose esters from the fruits of Physalis solanaceus.

Three new sucrose esters (1-3) along with several known compounds were isolated from the fruits of Physalis solanaceus. The structural elucidation of the isolates was based on their spectroscopic characteristics mainly those of MS and NMR.

Philadelphicalactones C and D and other cytotoxic compounds from Physalis philadelphica.

Two new withanolides, philadelphicalactone C (1) and philadelphicalactone D (4), along with the known withaphysacarpin (3), ixocarpanolide (5), philadelphicalactone A (6), and ixocarpalactone A (7) were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis philadelphica Lam. Structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses and that of philadelphicalactone C (1) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of all isolates and the derivative 2 against a panel of human cancer cell lines indicated a potent activity of compounds 2, 3, 6, and 7.

Virginols A-C, three new withanolides from Physalis virginiana.

Virginols A-C are three new withanolides containing an epoxylactol at the side chain. They were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis virginiana Miller. Structures of these compounds were determined by analyses of their spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR. The structure of virginol A was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The anti-inflammatory activity of virginols was evaluated in the TPA-induced ear mouse edema model.

Polystachyne F, a 5,10-seco-neoclerodane from Salvia polystachya.

A new 5,10-seco-neoclerodane diterpene, polystachyne F (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia polystachya. Its structure was established on the basis of its spectroscopic properties and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Some correlations in the NOESY spectrum of 1 suggested the existence of a conformational equilibrium.