Flavonoids and Acid-Hydrolysis derivatives of Neo-Clerodane diterpenes from Teucrium flavum subsp. glaucum as inhibitors of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H function.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract from Teucrium flavum subsp. glaucum, endowed with inhibitory activity towards the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H function, led to the isolation of salvigenin (1), cirsimaritin (2) and cirsiliol (3) along with the neo-clerodanes teuflavin (4) and teuflavoside (5). Acid hydrolysis of the inactive teuflavoside provided three undescribed neo-clerodanes, flavuglaucins A-C (7-9) and one known neo-clerodane (10). Among all neo-clerodanes, flavuglaucin B showed the highest inhibitory activity towards RNase H function with a IC50 value of 9.1 µM. Molecular modelling and site-directed mutagenesis analysis suggested that flavuglaucin B binds into an allosteric pocket close to RNase H catalytic site. This is the first report of clerodane diterpenoids endowed with anti-reverse transcriptase activity. Neo-clerodanes represent a valid scaffold for the development of a new class of HIV-1 RNase H inhibitors.

Coumarins from Magydaris pastinacea as inhibitors of the tumour-associated carbonic anhydrases IX and XII: isolation, biological studies and in silico evaluation.

In an in vitro screening for human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibiting agents from higher plants, the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of Magydaris pastinacea seeds selectively inhibited hCA IX and hCA XII isoforms. The phytochemical investigation of the extracts led to the isolation of ten linear furocoumarins (1-10), four simple coumarins (12-15) and a new angular dihydrofurocoumarin (11). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on 1 D and 2 D NMR, MS, and ECD data analysis. All isolated compounds were inactive towards the ubiquitous cytosolic isoform hCA I and II (Ki > 10,000 nM) while they were significantly active against the tumour-associated isoforms hCA IX and XII. Umbelliprenin was the most potent coumarin inhibiting hCA XII isoform with a Ki of 5.7 nM. The cytotoxicity of the most interesting compounds on HeLa cancer cells was also investigated.

Ferulic Acid Esters and Withanolides: In Search of Withania somnifera GABAA Receptor Modulators.

Nine compounds, including two undescribed withanolides, withasomniferolides A and B (1 and 2), three known withanolides (3-5), a ferulic acid dimeric ester (6), and an inseparable mixture of three long alkyl chain ferulic acid esters (7-9), were isolated from a GABAA receptor positive activator methanol extract of the roots of Withania somnifera. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on NMR, MS, and ECD data analysis. In order to bioassay the single ferulic acid derivatives, compounds 6-9 were also synthesized. The most active compound, docosanyl ferulate (9), was able to enhance the GABAA receptor inhibitory postsynaptic currents with an IC50 value of 7.9 µM. These results, by showing an ability to modulate the GABAA receptor function, cast fresh light on the biological activities of the secondary metabolites of W. somnifera roots.

Phenylpropenoids from Bupleurum fruticosum as Anti-Human Rhinovirus Species A Selective Capsid Binders.

The dichloromethane extract of the leaves of Bupleurum fruticosum was found to inhibit the replication of human rhinovirus (HRV) serotypes 14 and 39. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of seven phenylpropenol derivatives (3-9), two polyacetylenes (1 and 2), and one monoterpene (10). Compounds 1 and 10 were identified as previously undescribed secondary metabolites after extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry. Compounds 2, 4, and 5 showed a selective inhibition of viral replication against HRV39 serotype, with 2 and 4 being the most active, with EC50 values of 1.8 ± 0.02 and 2.4 ± 0.04 µM. Mechanism of action studies indicated that 4 behaves not only as a capsid binder, interfering with the early phases of virus replication, but also as a late-phase replication inhibitor. Docking experiments were performed to confirm the ability of the antiviral phenylpropenoids to selectively fit into the hydrophobic pocket of VP1-HRV39.

Methoxyflavones from Stachys glutinosa with binding affinity to opioid receptors: in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies.

Fractionation of the bioactive dichloromethane extract from the aerial parts of Stachys glutinosa led to the isolation of four flavones, xanthomicrol (1), sideritoflavone (2), 8-methoxycirsilineol (3), and eupatilin (4), along with two neo-clerodane diterpenes, roseostachenone (8) and a new compound, 3α,4α-epoxyroseostachenol (7). In order to study structure-activity relationships, two methoxyflavones [5-demethyltangeretin (5) and tangeretin (6)] were synthesized by the methoxylation of xanthomicrol. The isolated compounds (1-4, 7, and 8) as well as the xanthomicrol semisynthetic derivatives (5 and 6) were evaluated for their binding affinity to the µ and δ opioid receptors. Xanthomicrol was the most potent binder to both µ and δ receptors, with a Ki value of 0.83 and 3.6 µM, respectively. Xanthomicrol administered intraperitoneally in mice at a dose of 80 mg/kg significantly reduced morphine-induced antinociception in the tail flick test. Our results suggested that xanthomicrol is a µ opioid receptor antagonist. Docking experiments were carried out to acquire a deeper understanding about important structural aspects of binding of xanthomicrol. In summary, these data suggest that xanthomicrol is a valuable structure for further development into a potential µ opioid receptor antagonist.

N-Alkyl dien- and trienamides from the roots of Otanthus maritimus with binding affinity for opioid and cannabinoid receptors.

Two new thienylheptatrienamides (1, 5) and one new neo-lignan (12), together with thirteen known compounds (2, 3, 4, 6-11, 13-16) were isolated from the roots of Otanthus maritimus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. All the isolated amides (1-10), the known pontica epoxide (11) and the new neo-lignan (12) were evaluated for their binding affinity to the CB1 and CB2 as well as to the µ and δ opioid receptors. Some alkylamides showed moderately high binding affinity for CB2 receptors and 1-[(2E,4E,8Z)-tetradecatrienoyl]piperidine (10) resulted the most active one with a Ki value of 160 nM. As far as we know, this is the first example of a tertiary alkylamide that binds CB2 receptors with significant potency. Compounds that showed the highest affinity for cannabinoid receptors (6-8, 10) were much less potent against opioid receptors. Primary structure-activity relationship is discussed. Docking experiments were carried out with the aim to understand the key interactions of the most active compounds with CB2 receptor.

Cytotoxic phloroglucinols from the leaves of Myrtus communis.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of a dichloromethane extract of the leaves of Myrtus communis led to the isolation of phloroglucinol derivatives. The structures of the new myrtucommulones J, K, and L (1-3) and the previously known myrtucommulone A (4) were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as high-resolutionmass spectrometry. Myrtucommulone J was obtained as a tautomeric pair (1/1a). The compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic and antibacterial activities.

Mild synthetic approach to novel indole-1-carbinols and preliminary evaluation of their cytotoxicity in hepatocarcinoma cells.

A mild and versatile method for the synthesis of some novel indole-1-carbinols has been developed via one-pot reaction of indoles and paraformaldehyde in the presence of an excess of CaO, MgO, ZnO or TiO(2). The solvent-free reaction provided all the indole derivatives in moderate to good yields and short reaction times. Moreover, the effect of some selected indole-1-carbinols on cell proliferation of the hepatoma cell line FaO was evaluated.

Easy access to trans-2,3-disubstituted cyclobutanones, 2,4,5-trisubstituted 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans and cis-substituted phenylcyclopropylsulfones by using the highly versatile 1-phenylsulfenyl- or 1-phenylsulfonyl-cyclopropylketones.

The high versatility of 1-phenylsulfenyl- or 1-phenylsulfonyl-cyclopropylketones has been exploited for the regioselective synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted cyclobutanones, 2,4,5-trisubstituted 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans and cis-2-alkyl- or cis-2-aryl-cyclopropylphenylsulfones.

New cytotoxic saturated and unsaturated cyclohexanones from Anthemis maritima.

Two new cyclohexenones (antheminones A and B) and a new cyclohexanone, (antheminone C) along with five known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Anthemis maritima L. The structures were mainly deduced from extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The new compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against adherent and non-adherent cancer cell lines. Antheminones A and C exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against leukemia cells with IC(50) values ranging from 3.2 to 14 microM.

Metal ion uptake from aqueous solution by olive stones: a carbon-13 solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and potentiometric study.

The use of biomasses that result from the agriculture and food industries in removing heavy metals from wastewaters is attracting increasing interest. We present a joined potentiometric and cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) carbon-13 (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study on the interaction of olive stones with copper(II), nickel(II), and cadmium(II). The potentiometric measurements allow both to distinguish two kind of basic sites in the olive stones and to postulate the coordination models for the three studied metals. The NMR spectral analysis allows the attribution of the different signals to the components of the olive stone matrix. A comparison of CP-MAS 13C NMR spectra of the samples after metal treatment suggests a specific complexation between metal ions and hydroxyl groups on guaiacyl and syringyl moieties.

Natural product-inspired esters and amides of ferulic and caffeic acid as dual inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Using an HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-associated RNase H inhibition assay as lead, bioguided fractionation of the dichloromethane extract of the Ocimum sanctum leaves led to the isolation of five triterpenes (1-5) along with three 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy phenyl derivatives (6-8). The structure of this isolates were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as ESI-MS. Tetradecyl ferulate (8) showed an interesting RNase H IC50 value of 12.4 µM and due to the synthetic accessibility of this secondary metabolite, a structure-activity relationship study was carried out. A series of esters and amides of ferulic and caffeic acids were synthesized and, among all, the most active was N-oleylcaffeamide displaying a strong inhibitory activity towards both RT-associated functions, ribonuclease H and DNA polymerase. Molecular modeling studies together with Yonetani-Theorell analysis, demonstrated that N-oleylcaffeamide is able to bind both two allosteric site located one close to the NNRTI binding pocket and the other close to RNase H catalytic site.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids and a new xanthone from Santolina insularis.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the methanol extract from the leaves of Santolina insularis led to the isolation of one new xanthone, (E)-3-(6-[(E)-3-hydroxy-3-oxo-1-propenyl]-9-oxo-9H-xanthen-2-yl)-2-propenoic acid, together with six known flavonoids: hispidulin, nepetin, cirsimaritin, rhamnocitrin, luteolin and luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The structures were elucidated by means of 1D-, 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The topical anti-inflammatory activity of all isolated compounds and extracts was investigated employing the croton oil-induced dermatitis in mouse ear. The most active compound, luteolin, showed an ID50 of 0.3 micromol/cm(2) and prevented ear oedema more effectively than an equimolar dose of indomethacin within 24 h.

Phenolic constituents from Ephedra nebrodensis.

Two new phenolic glycosides, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (nebrodenside A) and O-coumaric acid beta-D-allopyranoside (nebrodenside B), were isolated from the aerial parts of Ephedra nebrodensis. In addition, O-coumaric acid glucoside, (-)-epicatechin, and (-)-ephedrine were also isolated. The structures were deduced from extensive 1D and 2DNMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, GHSQC, GHMQC, ROESY) as well as mass spectrometry (EI and HR-MALDI). (-)-Epicatechin showed weak antiviral activity against Influenza A virus and very weak cytotoxicity against MDCK cells.

Binding of bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate at the surface of hydrozincite nanocrystals: An example of organic molecules absorption onto nanocrystalline minerals.

As a contribution to understand the interactions between mineral surfaces and organic molecules, this study reports an accurate characterization of the bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-Hydrozincite (DEHP-HY), that has been conduced combining the following techniques: FTIR, NMR, XAS spectroscopies and XRD. XRD patterns indicate that the HY is made of nanocrystals whose size is not influenced by the presence of DEHP. The (1)H NMR analysis of DEHP-HY samples points out the presence of interactions of DEHP with HY. CPMAS NMR analysis suggests that the interaction is operated by ester carbonyl groups while the aliphatic chain, as expected, is not involved. MAS and CPMAS NMR measurements, performed on (13)C ester carbonyl enriched DEHP, allow to demonstrate that there are two ester carbonyl linkage sites interacting at the HY surface: an acid site with a strong link and a second one with weak chemical interactions. Zn K-edge XAS spectroscopy demonstrates that the local atomic structure around Zn in DEHP-HY sample remains essentially unchanged with respect to that of HY. Such a weak structural effect suggests that HY interaction with DEHP is limited to the nanoparticle surface.

15N and 13C NMR study of protonated monoaminopyridines in CDCl3-DMSO.

The 2-, 3- and 4-amino-pyridine and their protonated forms, obtained by reaction with pyridinium chloride, were investigated by 15N NMR spectroscopy. Exhaustive evidence has been found that the protonation occurs mainly on the annular nitrogen. Protonation of 4-aminopyridine by dehydrohalogenation of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCE) was also studied by 13C NMR spectroscopy, which indicated that the protonation occurs via the formation of adducts.

Metronidazole prodrugs: synthesis, physicochemical properties, stability, and ex vivo release studies.

The aim of the present study was to develop a colon targeted delivery system for metronidazole using polymeric prodrug formulation. Two chitosan amide conjugates of metronidazole were prepared by using two different spacers to covalently link the drug to the amino group of the chitosan glucosamine units. Glutaric and succinic hemiesters of metronidazole were thus prepared and then coupled to chitosan to obtain metronidazole-glutaryl- and metronidazole-succinyl-chitosan conjugates. Polymeric prodrugs were characterized by solid state NMR method, namely carbon 13 cross polarization magic angle spinning ((13)C NMR CPMAS). Prodrug stability study was carried out in acid (pH = 1.2) and in alkaline (pH = 7.4) buffers in a thermostatic bath at 37 °C. Drug release from the two prodrugs was studied by incubating each of them with 10% w/v cecal and colonic content of rats. Obtained results showed that both prodrugs were adequately stable in acid environment, while the succinyl conjugate was more stable than the glutaryl one in alkaline buffer. Both the prodrugs released the drug in cecal and colonic content, showing that the two systems could serve as colon specific delivery systems of metronidazole.

A chromone from Seseli praecox (Apiaceae).

Chemical investigation of the stems of Seseli praecox (Gamisans) Gamisans, an endemic Apiaceae from Sardinia, afforded an isopropenylated chromone (5-hydroxy-6-(2-Z-butenyl-3-hydroxymethyl)-7-methoxy-2-methylchromone), along with four known linear furocoumarins and their natural precursor. For biological characterization the new compound was screened against four cancer cell lines in vitro and showed differential microM antiproliferative effects between suspension and adherent cells.

A pterocarpan from the seeds of Bituminaria morisiana.

A new prenylated pterocarpan, named morisianine, was isolated together with the known secondary metabolites erybraedin C, psoralen and angelicin from the seeds of Bituminaria morisiana. The structures of the compounds were elucidated mainly by 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as mass spectrometry. The new compound was subjected to cytotoxicity screening against a panel of human cancer cells.

Falcarinol is a covalent cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist and induces pro-allergic effects in skin.

The skin irritant polyyne falcarinol (panaxynol, carotatoxin) is found in carrots, parsley, celery, and in the medicinal plant Panax ginseng. In our ongoing search for new cannabinoid (CB) receptor ligands we have isolated falcarinol from the endemic Sardinian plant Seseli praecox. We show that falcarinol exhibits binding affinity to both human CB receptors but selectively alkylates the anandamide binding site in the CB(1) receptor (K(i)=594nM), acting as covalent inverse agonist in CB(1) receptor-transfected CHO cells. Given the inherent instability of purified falcarinol we repeatedly isolated this compound for biological characterization and one new polyyne was characterized. In human HaCaT keratinocytes falcarinol increased the expression of the pro-allergic chemokines IL-8 and CCL2/MCP-1 in a CB(1) receptor-dependent manner. Moreover, falcarinol inhibited the effects of anandamide on TNF-alpha stimulated keratinocytes. In vivo, falcarinol strongly aggravated histamine-induced oedema reactions in skin prick tests. Both effects were also obtained with the CB(1) receptor inverse agonist rimonabant, thus indicating the potential role of the CB(1) receptor in skin immunopharmacology. Our data suggest anti-allergic effects of anandamide and that falcarinol-associated dermatitis is due to antagonism of the CB(1) receptor in keratinocytes, leading to increased chemokine expression and aggravation of histamine action.