Alkaloid constituents from flower buds and leaves of sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaeaceae) with melanogenesis inhibitory activity in B16 melanoma cells.

Methanolic extracts from the flower buds and leaves of sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaeaceae) were found to show inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated murine B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. From the methanolic extracts, a new alkaloid, N-methylasimilobine N-oxide, was isolated together with eleven benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. The absolute stereostructure of the new alkaloid was determined from chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among the constituents isolated, nuciferine, N-methylasimilobine, (-)-lirinidine, and 2-hydroxy-1-methoxy-6a,7-dehydroaporphine showed potent inhibition of melanogenesis. Comparison of the inhibitory activities of synthetic related alkaloids facilitated characterization of the structure-activity relationships of aporphine- and benzylisoquinoline-type alkaloids. In addition, 3-30 µM nuciferine and N-methylasimilobine inhibited the expression of tyrosinase mRNA, 3-30 µM N-methylasimilobine inhibited the expression of TRP-1 mRNA, and 10-30 µM nuciferine inhibited the expression of TRP-2 mRNA.

Total synthesis of (+/-)-stemonamide and (+/-)-isostemonamide using a radical cascade.

Total synthesis of stemonamide and isostemonamide is described. The concise construction of the tricyclic core of these alkaloids was achieved by radical cascade involving 7-endo and 5-endo cyclizations.

Mangiferin suppresses CIA by suppressing the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, and RANKL through inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and ERK1/2.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of synovial joints, ultimately leading to a progressive and irreversible joint destruction. Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) promotes production of proinflammatory cytokines in various inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. Mangiferin, 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C2-ß-D-glucoside (C-glucosyl xanthone), is a naturally occurring polyphenol. Our previous results showed that mangiferin suppressed NF-κB activation. However, it is unclear, whether mangiferin can prevent rheumatoid arthritis through suppression of NF-κB activation and expression of various cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which play a critical role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, we found that mangiferin suppressed the progression and incidence of CIA in DBA1/J mice. In CIA mice, mangiferin inhibited the mRNA expression of cytokine genes in thymus and spleen of CIA mie and led to decreased serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and receptor activator NF-κB ligand (RANKL) via inhibition of NF-κB and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). In addition, mangiferin markedly inhibited not only developing but also clinically evident CIA. These findings suggest that mangiferin has potential clinical applications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.