Actaeaepoxide 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, a new cycloartane glycoside from the rhizomes of Actaea racemosa (Cimicifuga racemosa)

A new cycloartane glycoside (1) was obtained from a minor triterpene fraction of the rhizome extract of Actaea racemosa (synonym: Cimicifuga racemosa) along with a known compound, cimigenol 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside. The structure of 1 was elucidated as 20(S),22(R),23(R),24(S)-12beta-acetoxy-16beta:23,23alpha:24-diepoxy-3beta,22beta,25-trihydroxy-9,19-cyclolanost-7-ene 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (actaeaepoxide 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside) on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.     

Anticomplement activity of cycloartane glycosides from the rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida

A tetranor-cycloartane glycoside and two 9,19-cycloartane glycosides were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida. The structures of the compounds were determined to be cimilactone A (1), 25-O-acetylcimigenol 3-O-beta-d-xylopyranoside (2) and cimigenol 3-O-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (3), respectively, using spectroscopic analysis. The three compounds were examined for their anticomplement activity against the classical pathway of the complement system. Compound 1 showed significant anticomplement activity with an IC(50) value of 28.6 microm, whereas compounds 2 and 3 were inactive.     

Flavonoid glycosides from Adina racemosa and their inhibitory activities on eukaryotic protein synthesis

From the dried leaves, flowers, and twigs of Adina racemosa, five new flavonoid glycosides, quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1--> 2)]-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (4), and quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[(4-O-trans-caffeoyl)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (5), and eight known compounds were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical means. Their inhibitory activities on protein synthesis were assessed. The new glycosides were found to be inhibitors of eukayrotic, but not prokaryotic, protein synthesis.     

Bufadienolide and spirostanol glycosides from the rhizomes of helleborusorientalis

The rhizomes of Helleborus orientalis have been analyzed for the bufadienolide glycoside and spirostanol saponin constituents, resulting in the isolation of a new bufadienolide rhamnoside (1), along with two known bufadienolide glycosides (2 and 3) and five new spirostanol saponins (4-8). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against cultured tumor and normal cells.     

Steroidal and pregnane glycosides from the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri

The rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri have been analyzed as part of a systematic study on saponin constituents of medicinal plants. This has resulted in the isolation of three new bisdesmosidic furostanol saponins (1-3), two new bisdesmosidic pseudofurostanol saponins (4, 5), and two new pregnane glycosides (6, 7). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic studies and a few chemical transformations.     

Bioactivity-guided isolation of GABA(A) receptor modulating constituents from the rhizomes of Actaea racemosa

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is a frequently used herbal remedy for the treatment of mild climacteric symptoms. In the present study, the modulation of γ-aminobutryic acid (GABA)-induced chloride currents (I(GABA)) through GABA type A (GABA(A)) receptors by black cohosh extracts and isolated compounds was investigated. GABA(A) receptors, consisting of α(1), β(2), and γ(2S) subunits, were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and potentiation of I(GABA) was measured using the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. In a bioactivity-guided isolation procedure the positive modulation of I(GABA) could be restricted to the plant terpenoid fractions, resulting in the isolation of 11 cycloartane glycosides, of which four significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced I(GABA). The most efficient effect was observed for 23-O-acetylshengmanol 3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (4, 100 μM), enhancing I(GABA) by 1692 ± 201%, while actein (1), cimigenol 3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (6), and 25-O-acetylcimigenol 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (8) were significantly less active. In the absence of GABA, only 4 induced small (not exceeding 1% of I(GABA-max)) chloride inward currents through GABA(A) receptors. It is hypothesized that the established positive allosteric modulation of GABA(A) receptors may contribute to beneficial effects of black cohosh extracts in the treatment of climacteric symptoms.     

Chantriolides A and B,two new withanolide glucosides from the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri

Two new withanolide glucosides, chantriolides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic studies and by acid hydrolysis as (22R)-1alpha,12alpha-diacetoxy-2alpha,3alpha;6alpha,7alpha-diepoxy-27-[(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-5alpha-hydroxy-16-oxowith-24-enolide (1) and (22R)-1alpha,12alpha-diacetoxy-2alpha,3alpha;6alpha,7alpha-diepoxy-27-[(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-5alpha,16beta-dihydroxywith-24-enolide (2), respectively. It is notable that withanolides, which have been almost exclusively isolated from plants of the family Solanaceae to date, have been found in a species in the family Taccaceae in the present study.     

Isolation, structure elucidation, and absolute configuration of 26-deoxyactein from Cimicifuga racemosa and clarification of nomenclature associated with 27-deoxyactein

A new triterpene glycoside, 26-deoxyactein (1), along with two known compounds, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein (2), previously designated as "27-deoxyactein", and actein (3), were isolated from the roots/rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa. The structures and absolute stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods (FABMS, (1)H and (13)C NMR) and single-crystal X-ray data analysis.     

Euphoportlandols A and B, tetracylic diterpene polyesters from Euphorbia portlandica and their anti-MDR effects in cancer cells

Two new tetracyclic diterpene polyesters, euphoportlandols A (1) and B (2), have been isolated along with 12 known tetracyclic triterpenes from an acetone extract of Euphorbia portlandica. Their structures were established as 5alpha,11alpha,14alpha,17-tetraacetoxy-3beta-benzoyloxy-6beta,15beta-dihydroxy-9-oxoseget-8(12)-ene (1) and 5alpha,11alpha,14alpha,17-tetraacetoxy-3beta-benzoyloxy-6beta,15beta-dihydroxy-9-oxosegetane (2), respectively, by spectroscopic data interpretation. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their ability to inhibit multidrug resistance in cancer cells. Both compounds were found to be inhibitors of P-glycoprotein activity.     

Cucurbitane glycosides from the fruits of Siraitia gros venorii and their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus activation

Six new cucurbitane glycosides, mogroside II B (2), 11-deoxymogroside III (4), 7-oxomogroside II E (5), 7-oxomogroside V (6), 11-oxomogroside II A1 (7), and 11-oxomogroside IV A (8), and two known but new naturally occurring cucurbitane glycosides, mogroside II A1 (1) and mogroside III A2 (3), were isolated from an ethanol extract of the fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii. Upon evaluation of compounds 1-8 for inhibitory effects against the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), all compounds exhibited inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 346-400 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA. In addition, compounds 1-8 showed weak inhibitory effects on activation of (+/-)-(E)-methyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexemide (NOR 1), a nitric oxide (NO) donor.     

Hyalodendrosides A and B, antifungal triterpenoid glycosides from a lignicolous hyphomycete, Hyalodendron species

Two antifungal triterpenoid glycosides, hyalodendrosides A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from a solid matrix fermentation of a lignicolous hyphomycete, Hyalodendron sp. Their structures were determined based upon extensive examination of spectral parameters, particularly NMR and MS data. Both compounds have beta-linked glucose moieties. Compounds 1 and 2 show weak to moderate antifungal activity against some clinically relevant fungi.     

Synaptosides A and A1, triterpene glycosides from the sea cucumber Synapta maculata containing 3-O-methylglucuronic acid and their cytotoxic activity against tumor cells

Two novel triterpene holostane glycosides, synaptosides A ( 1) and A 1 ( 2), have been isolated from the Vietnamese sea cucumber Synapta maculata (Synaptida, Apodida). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS) and chemical transformations. Glycosides 1 and 2 have rare branched pentasaccharide carbohydrate chains featuring a 3- O-methylglucuronic acid residue not previously reported in glycosides from sea cucumbers and a 6- O-sulfated glucose. Glycoside 2 has an oxo group at C-7 and a 8(9)-double bond. All these structural features are unknown in glycosides from sea cucumbers. Glycoside 1 has moderate cytotoxic activity (IC 50 8.6 microg/mL) and glycoside 2 is inactive against HeLa tumor cells.     

Crypthophilic acids A, B, and C: resin glycosides from aerial parts of Scrophularia crypthophila

The water-soluble part of the methanolic extract from the aerial parts of Scrophularia crypthophila, through chromatographic methods, yielded three new resin glycosides, crypthophilic acids A - C (1-3). Compounds 1-3 are tetraglycosides of (+)-3S,12S-dihydroxypalmitic acid. The structures of these and 10 known compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical means. All natural resin glycosides known so far have been obtained from Convolvulaceae plants; this is the first report of such glycosides from another, taxonomically unrelated family (Scrophulariaceae).     

大株红景天化学成分及其心肌细胞保护活性研究

目的对大株红景天Rhodiola wallichiana var.cholaensis根茎的化学成分进行研究,并探讨其对心肌细胞H9c2损伤的保护作用。方法采用动态轴向压缩柱色谱、硅胶柱色谱以及HPLC等方法进行分离纯化,利用现代波谱学技术鉴定化合物结构。对分离得到的化合物进行细胞损伤保护活性实验。结果从大株红景天根茎中共分离并鉴定了16个单体化合物,分别为红景天苷(1)、没食子酸(2)、没食子酸甲酯(3)、槲皮素(4)、邻苯三酚(5)、6″-O-galloylsalidroside(6)、没食子酸乙酯(7)、山柰酚-7-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷(8)、草质素-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(9)、草质素-7-O-(3″-O-β-D-葡萄糖基)-α-L-鼠李糖苷(10)、山柰酚-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(11)、草质素(12)、草质素-7-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷(13)、小麦黄素(14)、芦丁(15)、山柰酚-3-O-(2″-O-β-D-木糖基)-β-D-葡萄糖苷(16)。样品质量浓度为25μg/m L时,化合物2、6、8、12和15对心肌细胞H9c2的保护率分别为20.40%、31.54%、67.61%、44.27%和47.84%。结论化合物5为首次从红景天属植物中分离得到,化合物7~16为首次从该植物中分离得到。化合物2、6、8、12和15在一定程度上对心肌细胞H9c2损伤具有保护作用。     

Patulosides A and B, novel xanthone glycosides from cell suspension cultures of Hypericum patulum.

Two new xanthone glycosides, patuloside A (3-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1,5,6-trihydroxy-9H-xanthene-9-one, 1) and patuloside B [3-(2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy-1,5, 6-trihydroxy-9H-xanthene-9-one, 2], have been isolated from cell suspension cultures of Hypericum patulum. Their structures were elucidated by spectral techniques.     

Madhucosides A and B, protobassic acid glycosides from Madhuca indica with inhibitory activity on free radical release from phagocytes

The structures of madhucosides A (1) and B (2), isolated from the bark of Madhuca indica, were established as 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1--> 3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]protobassic acid and 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]protobassic acid, respectively. These two compounds showed significant inhibitory effects on both superoxide release from polymorphonuclear cells in a NBT reduction assay and hypochlorous acid generation from neutrophils assessed in a luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay.     

Cholestane glycosides from the bulbs of Ornithogalum thyrsoides and their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 leukemia cells

Twelve bisdesmosidic cholestane glycosides (1-12), including nine new ones (1-9), were isolated from the bulbs of Ornithogalum thyrsoides by monitoring the cytotoxic activity on HL-60 leukemia cells. The structural assignment of the new compounds was carried out by spectroscopic analysis and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The 3-O-monoglucosides with an aromatic acyl group at the C-16 diglycoside moiety (1, 12) were extremely cytotoxic, with respective IC(50) values of 0.00016 and 0.00013 microg/mL, and the other compounds, except for 2, 5, and 8, also showed cytotoxic activity as potent as etoposide (IC(50) 0.30 microg/mL), used as a positive control. These cholestanes were concluded to contribute to the potent cytotoxicity of the crude O. thyrsoides bulb extract.     

Mollisosides A, B1, and B2: minor triterpene glycosides from the New Zealand and South Australian sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis

Three new monosulfated triterpene glycosides, mollisosides A (2), B(1) (3), and B(2) (4), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis. Their structures were determined by NMR and mass spectra. The presence of sulfated glycosides in sea cucumbers belonging to the family Stichopodidae is uncommon.     

New diarylheptanoids and diarylheptanoid glucosides from the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri and their cytotoxic activity

Two new diarylheptanoids (1, 2) and seven new diarylheptanoid glucosides (3-9) were isolated from the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR data, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The absolute configurations of the 3,5-dihydroxyheptane moieties of the new diarylheptanoids were determined to be 3R and 5R by the application of the CD exciton chirality method to the corresponding 3,5-bis-p-bromobenzoyl derivatives. The cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds and some derivatives against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells, HSC-2 human oral squamous carcinoma cells, and normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) are reported.     

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of defence secretion of Ulomoides dermestoides on A549 cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ulomoides dermestoides (Fairmaire, 1893) is a cosmopolitan tenebrionid beetle reared by Argentine people who consume them alive as an alternative medicine in the treatment of different illnesses such as asthma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, HIV and specially cancer.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the cytotoxicity and DNA damage of the major volatile components released by Ulomoides dermestoides on human lung carcinoma epithelial cell line A549.

Materials and methods

The defence compounds of Ulomoides dermestoides were extracted with dichloromethane and analyzed and quantified by capillary gas chromatography. The toxicity effects of the beetle's extract against A549 cell line were evaluated. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT test and Trypan blue assay and genotoxicity was evaluated by the comet assay. The synthetic compounds, individually or combined, were also tested in A549 cells and normal mononuclear human cells.

Results

The defence compounds of Ulomoides dermestoides extracted with dichloromethane (methyl-1,4-benzoquinones, ethyl-1,4-benzoquinones and 1-pentadecene as major components) showed cytotoxic activity on A549 cells demonstrated by MTT test and Trypan blue assay, with IC₅₀ values of 0.26 equivalent/ml and 0.34 equivalent/ml, respectively (1 equivalent = amount of components extracted per beetle). The inhibition of A549 cell proliferation with the synthetic blend (1,4-benzoquinone and 1-pentadecene) or 1,4-benzoquinone alone was similar to that obtained with the insect extract. 1-Pentadecene showed no inhibitory effect. Low doses of insect extract or synthetic blend (0.15 equivalent/ml) inhibited mononuclear cell proliferation by 72.2 ± 2.7% and induced significant DNA damage both in tumor and mononuclear cells.

Conclusion

Results of this study demonstrated that defence compounds of Ulomoides dermestoides reduced cell viability and induced DNA damage. We also concluded that the insect benzoquinones are primarily responsible for inducing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in culture cells.