Antimalarial activity of Gomphostemma crinitum leaf extracts

Abstract  Antimalarial efficacy of Gomphostemma crinitum leaf extracts were studied in vitro against the chloroquine-sensitive MRC-02 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The CHCl₃ extract (IC₅₀ 37.28 μg/mL) was found to be better than the aqueous extract (IC₅₀ 111.4 μg/mL). The major compound present in CHCl₃ extract was coded as GC-7 (12,17-diacetoxy, 15-hydroxy, 2-oxo, 3, 13 E (14)-diene clerodane). Seasonal variation of GC-7 was studied and correlated to the antimalarial efficacy of the crude extracts of leaves collected in different months. GC-7 was found to be the only regular compound present in G. crinitum leaves throughout the year. A good correlation between antimalarial efficacy (IC₅₀ 9.3 μg/mL) and concentration of GC-7 in crude extracts was observed. The mode of action of GC-7 was found to be different from that of chloroquine. Graphical Abstract  Antimalarial activity of Gomphostemma crinitum leaf extracts B.N Acharya, Deepika Saraswat and M.P Kaushik^* Discovery Centre, Process Technology Development Division Defence R & D Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior-474002 (MP) INDIA ^#Entomology division, Defence Research and Development Establishment,Gwalior-474002, India Antimalarial activity of chloroform extract of G. crinitum leaves and an isolated compound GC-7 (12,17-diacetoxy,15-hydroxy,2-oxo,3,13 E (14)-diene clerodane) against a chloroquine susceptible strain of Plasmodium falciparum is described.     

Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of novel pyridine quinoline hybrids

Abstract  Synthesis and evaluation of the antimalarial activity of new pyridine quinoline hybrid molecules against a chloroquine-susceptible strain of Plasmodium falciparum and as inhibitors of β-hematin formation are described. Two novel pyridine quinoline hybrid molecules and one bisquinoline molecule were synthesized and purified by column chromatography and evaluated for antimalarial and haem polymerization inhibition (HPIA) activities. The molecules were found to be very good haem polymerization inhibitors but showed poor antimalarial activity. This was attributed to their low vacuole accumulation ratio (VAR) in comparison to chloroquine. These molecules can be used as templates for designing new antimalarials targeting haem detoxification pathway of malaria parasite. Graphical Abstract   Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of novel pyridine quinoline hybrids B.N Acharya, D. Thavaselvam^# and M.P Kaushik^* Discovery Centre, Process Technology Development Division Defence R & D Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior-474002 (MP) INDIA ^#Division of Microbiology, Defence Research and Development Establishment,Gwalior-474002, India Synthesis and evaluation of antimalarial activity of new pyridine–quinoline hybrid molecules against a chloroquine-susceptible strain of Plasmodium falciparum and as inhibitors of β-hematin formation are described.     

Antimalarial activity of newly synthesized chalcone derivatives in vitro

Twenty‐seven novel chalcone derivatives were synthesized using Claisen‐Schmidt condensation and their antimalarial activity against asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum was determined. Antiplasmodial IC₅₀ (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration) activity of a compound against malaria parasites in vitro provides a good first screen for identifying the antimalarial potential of the compound. The most active compound was 1‐(4‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl‐phenyl)‐3‐(2, 4‐dimethoxy‐phenyl)‐propen‐1‐one with IC₅₀ of 1.1 μg/mL, while that of the natural phytochemical, licochalcone A is 1.43 μg/mL. The presence of methoxy groups at position 2 and 4 in chalcone derivatives appeared to be favorable for antimalarial activity as compared to other methoxy‐substituted chalcones. Furthermore, 3, 4, 5‐trimethoxy groups on chalcone derivative probably cause steric hindrance in binding to the active site of cysteine protease enzyme, explaining the relative lower inhibitory activity.     

Two new bisindole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana macrocarpa Jack

Two new bisindole alkaloids, bisnaecarpamines A (1) and B (2), possessing a vobasine-sarpagine type skeleton were isolated from the bark of Tabernaemontana macrocarpa Jack. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and chemical correlation. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were established using TDDFT-ECD calculation of the selected isomers. Bisnaecarpamine A exhibited potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain with IC₅₀ value of 28.8 µM.

Graphic abstract

     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of α, β-unsaturated ketone as potential antifungal agents

Abstract  With the aim of developing potential antifungals, a series of chalcones incorporating sulfur either as part of a heteroaromatic ring (thiophene) or as a side chain (thiomethyl group) were synthesized and tested for their in vitro activity. Some of the compounds showed appreciable activity against a fluconazole-resistant strain, and could act as new hits for the design of better analogs. Graphical Abstract  Synthesis and biological evaluation of α,β-unsaturated ketone as potential antifungal agentsSeema Bag, S.Ramar, Mariam S. Degani*With an aim to develop new chemical entities with potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans strains, a series of chalcones incorporating sulfur either as part of a heteroaromatic ring (thiophene) or as a side chain (thiomethyl group) were synthesized. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Lipophilic 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-thiazolyl-1,4-dihydropyridines: synthesis, calcium channel antagonist activity, and protection against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure

Abstract  A series of alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl esters of nifedipine in which the o-nitrophenyl group at position 4 is replaced by 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-thiazolyl substituent were synthesized and evaluated for their calcium channel antagonist activities using isolated ileum of guinea pig. The anticonvulsant activity of test drugs was also assessed in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure in male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice model. The results showed that although all compounds were at least 100 times less active than the reference drug nifedipine in terms of calcium channel antagonist activity, nevertheless all compounds showed considerable anticonvulsant activity. Graphical Abstract  A new series of alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl substituted 4-chlorophenylthiazolyl–1,4-dihydropyridines were synthesized and tested for calcium channel inhibitory and anticonvulsant activities.      

Synthesis, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of biolabile (E)-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-3-aryl-prop-2-en-1-ones

Abstract  A collection of biolabile (E)-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-3-aryl-prop-2-en-1-ones 8–13 are synthesized, characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy (MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), and ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Compounds 8–13 exerted a wide range of antibacterial activities against all tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. All the compounds 8–13 were more active against Pseudomonas. Of the synthesized compounds, compounds 9 and 11 exhibited a wide range of antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, β-Heamolytic streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas. Compounds 10, 12, and 13 exerted strong antifungal activities against all tested fungal strains, namely Aspergillus flavus, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Microsporum gypsuem. Graphical Abstract        

In vitro anti-plasmodial and in vivo anti-malarial activity of some plants traditionally used for the treatment of malaria by the Meru community in Kenya

Extracts of seven medicinal plant species used for treatment of malaria in traditional/cultural health systems of the Ameru people in Kenya were tested in vitro and in vivo against Plasmodium falciparum (D6 and W2 strains) and P. berghei, respectively. Of the plants tested, 28.57% were highly active (IC₅₀ <10 μg/ml) and 42.86% moderately active (IC₅₀ 10–50 μg/ml), while 28.57% had weak activity of 50–125 μg/ml in vitro. The water and methanol extracts of Boscia salicifolia Oliv. and Artemisia afra Jacq. (ex-Willd.) were the most active against both the chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive (D6) and the CQ-resistant (W2) P. falciparum strains. Artemisia afra and Rhus natalensis Bernh. (ex-Krauss) exhibited the highest parasite clearance and chemo-suppression (>70%) in vivo (in mice). The plants with high in vitro anti-plasmodial (low IC₅₀ values) and high anti-malarial activity (high chemo-suppression) in vivo are potential sources of novel anti-malarial drugs.     

In vitro antimalarial activity of prenylated flavonoids from Erythrina fusca

Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from the stem bark of Erythrina fusca showed a antimalarial activity against the multi-drug-resistant strain (K1) of Plasmodium falciparum, and six flavonoids, lupinifolin (1), citflavanone (2), erythrisenegalone (3), lonchocarpol A (4), liquiritigenin (5), and 8-prenyldaidzein (6), were isolated from the extract. Diprenylated flavanone 4 showed a notable antimalarial activity (IC₅₀; 1.6 μg/mL); however 1 and 3 did not show the activity, even though these compounds possessed prenylated substitution.     

Piperazine‐linked 4‐aminoquinoline‐chalcone/ferrocenyl‐chalcone conjugates: Synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation

A series of piperazine‐linked 4‐aminoquinoline‐chalcone/ferrocenyl‐chalcone conjugates were prepared with a view to evaluate their activities against Plasmodium falciparum. The synthesized conjugates had in vitro IC₅₀ values from 0.41 to 2.38 μm against chloroquine‐resistant and mefloquine‐sensitive W2 strain of P. falciparum. The submicromolar activities of most of the synthesized conjugates suggest that such molecular frameworks can act as therapeutic templates for the design and synthesis of new antimalarials.     

Antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activity of plants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activity of the methanol extracts of 42 plants collected from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and some fractions obtained thereof were evaluated. The antiplasmodial activity was tested in vitro against chloroquine-resistant strain (K1) and sensitive strain (FCR3), and the antitrypanosomal activity was tested in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei brucei GUTat 3.1 strain. For host cells, the cytotoxicity of the active extracts was also evaluated against the MRC5 human cell line. Only extracts of three samples demonstrated good antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ < 12.5 and > 1.56 μg/ml, score 2), the methanol extracts of Lycium shawii, Heliotropium zeylanicum and the petroleum ether-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of Caralluma tuberculata, while extracts of the remaining 42 plants were inactive (IC₅₀ > 12.5 μg/ml, score 1). As for the antitrypanosomal activity, the methanol extract of Solanum schimperianum demonstrated the highest activity (IC₅₀ 0.061 μg/ml), followed by the petroleum ether-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of C. tuberculata (IC₅₀ 0.5 μg/ml). The chloroform-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of C. tuberculata was moderately active (IC₅₀ 3.5 μg/ml), with low cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ 62.6 μg/ml) and moderate selectivity index (SI 17.9). The methanolic extracts of 34 plants showed good activity with score 2 (IC₅₀ < 12.5 and > 1.56 μg/ml), while the extracts of seven plants were inactive (IC₅₀ > 12.5 μg/ml, score 1).     

Cytotoxic constituents of<Emphasis Type="Italic">diadema setosum</Emphasis>

5,8-Epidioxycholest-6-en-3-ol (1), cholesterol (2), glycerol 1-palmitate (3) and glycerol 1,3-dioleate-2-stearate (4) were isolated from the methanol extract of the sea urchinDiadema setosum, which was collected from the Halong sea, Vietnam. Chemical structures were established based on extensive 1D, 2D-NMR, FAB-MS, EI-MS spectroscopic data and GC-MS analysis. The NMR spectral data of compound 1 were reassigned by using HMQC and HMBC. Compound1 was found to have strong cytotoxic effect against various cancer cell lines, such as KB (IC₅₀, 2.0 μg/mL), FL (IC₅₀, 3.93 μg/mL), and Hep-2 (IC₅₀, 2.4 μg/mL) byin vitro assay.     

Synthesis and evaluation of antiinflammatory activity of substituted chalcone derivatives

In an effort to develop potent antiinflammatory agents, a series of substituted chalcone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for antiinflammatory activity through monitoring of their ability to inhibit xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Some of the tested compounds exhibited significant activity, and compounds 3f [(E)-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-dimethylamino)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one] and 3h [(E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one] showed the highest antiinflammatory activity (62 and 68% inhibition, respectively, 2 h before administration), comparable with or even slightly more potent than the reference drug ibuprofen (53%). Furthermore, the structure–activity relationship of these substituted chalcone derivatives was demonstrated.     

Design,synthesis and in vitro antiplasmodial activity of some bisquinolines against chloroquine‐resistant strain

A series of novel bisquinoline compounds comprising N¹‐(7‐chloroquinolin‐4‐yl) ethane‐1,2‐diamine and 7‐chloro‐N‐(2‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)ethyl)quinolin‐4‐amine connected with 7‐chloro‐4‐aminoquinoline containing various amino acids is described. We have bio‐evaluated the compounds against both chloroquine‐sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine‐resistant (K1) strains of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Among the series, compounds 4 and 7 exhibited 1.8‐ and 10.6‐fold superior activity as compared to chloroquine (CQ; IC₅₀ = 0.255 ± 0.049 μm ) against the K1 strain with IC₅₀ values 0.137 ± 0.014 and 0.026 ± 0.007 μm , respectively. Furthermore, compound 7 also displayed promising activity against the 3D7 strain (IC₅₀ = 0.024 ± 0.003 μm ) of P. falciparum when compared to CQ. All the compounds in the series displayed resistance factor between 0.57 and 4.71 as against 51 for CQ. These results suggest that bisquinolines can be explored for further development as new antimalarial agents active against chloroquine‐resistant P. falciparum.     

In vitro antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects of synthetic chalcone analogues

As flavonoids, chalcones possess a wide variety of biological activities including anticancer properties. In the present study we have investigated the in vitro antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects of four synthetic chalcones.E-2-(4′-methoxybenzylidene)-1-benzosuberone (3) was the most active compound with IC₅₀ = 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ in Jurkat cells. In both Jurkat and HeLa chalcone 3-treated cells we found a significant increase in the proportion of cancer cells in the G₂/M phase of the cell cycle as well as an increase in cells having sub-G₀/G₁ DNA content which is considered to be a marker of apoptotic cell death. Apoptosis was also confirmed by annexin V staining and DNA fragmentation. These effects were associated with reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl-2, and increased expression of the pro-apoptotic gene, Bax.Furthermore, chalcone 3 was selected to evaluate its effect on some angiogenic events. In non-toxic concentrations, chalcone 3 inhibited VEGF-induced migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Moreover, it also decreased secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (mainly MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).In conclusion, the present study has assessed the in vitro antiproliferative/antiangiogenic potential of chalcone 3. This results generate a rationale for in vivo efficacy studies with this compound in preclinical cancer models.     

A new acyclic diterpene acid and bioactive compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Knema glauca</Emphasis>

Investigation of the chemical constituents of the fruits of Knema glauca (Myristicaceae) yielded a new acyclic diterpene acid, named glaucaic acid 4, together with four acylphenols, including 1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl) tetradecan-1-one 1, malabaricone A 6, dodecanoylphloroglucinol 7 and 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-9-phenylnonan-1-one 8, two lignans sesamin 2 and asarinin 3, and a flavan, myristinin D 5. In addition, myristinin A 9 and (±)-7,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavan 10 were isolated from its leaves and stems, respectively. When tested against small-cell lung cancer (NCI-H187), epidermoid carcinoma (KB) and breast cancer (BC) cell lines, compounds 1, 6–8 and 10 displayed weak to moderate cytotoxicity. The acylphenols 6–8 displayed antituberculosis activity against the microbe Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC values of 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL, respectively, and antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1, with 7 as the most active compound (IC₅₀ = 3.05 μg/mL). Malabaricone A 6 was also active against the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum with an IC₅₀ value of 2.78 μg/mL.     

Chemical reactivity and biological activity of chalcones and other α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Abstract

1. Chalcones are structural analogues of benzalacetophenone (BAP). Several derivatives have been identified in plants and anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties were attributed to the compounds, probably related to their direct antioxidant activity or stimulatory effects on the expression of endogenous defence enzymes like hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1). HO-1 expression is triggered by the Nrf2-Keap1 signalling pathway, initiated by the addition of chalcones to thiol groups of Keap1 via Michael-type reaction.

2. The present study used a model system estimating the reactivity of different synthetic chalcones and other α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with thiols and compared the chemical reactivity with the biological activity, measured by HO-1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts.

3. Chemical reactivity with the thiol group of N-acetylcysteine was determined with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and followed chemical principles of structure–reactivity relationship. Most reactive were sulforaphane, dimethylfumarate, chalcone 3 ((2E)-1-phenyl-3-pyrimidin-2-ylprop-2-en-1-one) and chalcone 7 (1,3-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-one). This result demonstrates that α,β-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives react with thiols differently. All compounds were also biologically active; however, expression of HO-1 was not only related to the chemical reactivity but also to the lipophilicity of the molecules which likely affected transmembrane uptake. Most efficient inducers of HO-1 expression were BAP, 4-hydroxynonenal and chalcone 1 (4-[(1E)-3-oxo-3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl]benzonitrile), chalcone 5 ((2E)-1-phenyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one) and chalcone 7.     

Cyclophosphamide analogues: synthesis, spectroscopic study, and antitumor activity of diazaphosphorinanes

Some diazaphosphorinanes were synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The antitumor activity of cyclophosphamide (CP) and its nine analogoues with formula , R = OC₆H₅CH₃-4 (1), NHC₆H₄S(O)₂NH₂-4 (2), NHC(O)NHC₆H₄-CH₃-2 (3), NHC(O)NHC₆H₄-NO₂-2 (4), NHC(O)NHC₆H₄-NO₂-3 (5), NHC(O)NHC₆H₄-NO₂-4 (6), NHC(O)C₆H₄-NO₂-2 (7), NHC(O)C₆H₄-NO₂-3 (8), and NHC(O)C₆H₄-NO₂-4 (9) were evaluated by cell culture on K562 cell line using MTT cell proliferation assay. The IC₅₀ values for CP and the compounds 1–9 were in the range of 0.140 (for 3) to 58.250 μM (for 2). It was found that compounds 3–6 are the best candidates for antitumor activity close to CP. Compound 2 containing aminosulfonamide substituent is very much less toxic among these compounds.     

Anti-oxidative and inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E<Subscript>2</Subscript> (COX-2) production of flavonoids from seeds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus tomentosa</Emphasis> Thunberg

Chemical investigation of the 80% Me₂CO extract from the seeds of Prunus tomentosa led to the isolation and identification of six flavonoids: kaempferol (1), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2; afzelin), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-(6-acetyl)-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3; multiflorin A), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (4; multiflorin B), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (5; quercitrin), and quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6; multinoside A). Anti-oxidative and inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ production in interferon-γ (INF-γ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells in vitro (COX-2) of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Compounds 1, 5, and 6 exhibited potent anti-oxidative activity in the DPPH radical scavenging assay with IC₅₀ values of 57.2, 59.4, and 54.3 μg/mL respectively. The positive control, ascorbic acid, had an IC₅₀ of 55.5 μg/mL. Compounds 1, 5, and 6 also reduced COX-2 levels in a dose dependent manner with IC₅₀ values of 10.2, 8.7, and 9.6 μg/mL respectively, with the positive control, indomethacin, having an IC₅₀ of 5.1 μg/mL. All six compounds inhibited NO production in a dose dependent manner with IC₅₀ values of 35.1, 42.8, 40.0, 44.8, 43.7, and 43.9 μg/mL respectively, while the positive control, L-NMMA, had an IC₅₀ of 42.1 μg/mL.     

Antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts of Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist growing in Tunisia

Antibacterial antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Conyza Canadensis (L.) Cronquist were investigated. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar diffusion and microwell dilution assays against four strains of bacteria. Antioxidant activity was measured by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and the cytotoxic activity was tested against Hep-2 cells (laryngeal carcinoma cell line) using methylene blue assays. Among tested extracts, the methanolic extract exhibited important antibacterial activity. It also showed good antioxidant activity with 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of 120 μg/ml. Cytotoxicity of extracts was time depend, increasing with exposure time and concentration. At 72 h of incubation, the ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts demonstrated effective cytotoxic activity against Hep-2 cells with IC₅₀ values of 45 and 50 μg/ml, respectively.