Cynaropicrin targets the trypanothione redox system in Trypanosoma brucei

In mice cynaropicrin (CYN) potently inhibits the proliferation of Trypanosoma brucei—the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis—by a so far unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that CYNs α,β-unsaturated methylene moieties act as Michael acceptors for glutathione (GSH) and trypanothione (T(SH)₂), the main low molecular mass thiols essential for unique redox metabolism of these parasites. The analysis of this putative mechanism and the effects of CYN on enzymes of the T(SH)₂ redox metabolism including trypanothione reductase, trypanothione synthetase, glutathione-S-transferase, and ornithine decarboxylase are shown. A two step extraction protocol with subsequent UPLC–MS/MS analysis was established to quantify intra-cellular CYN, T(SH)₂, GSH, as well as GS-CYN and T(S-CYN)₂ adducts in intact T. b. rhodesiense cells. Within minutes of exposure to CYN, the cellular GSH and T(SH)₂ pools were entirely depleted, and the parasites entered an apoptotic stage and died. CYN also showed inhibition of the ornithine decarboxylase similar to the positive control eflornithine. Significant interactions with the other enzymes involved in the T(SH)₂ redox metabolism were not observed. Alongside many other biological activities sesquiterpene lactones including CYN have shown antitrypanosomal effects, which have been postulated to be linked to formation of Michael adducts with cellular nucleophiles. Here the interaction of CYN with biological thiols in a cellular system in general, and with trypanosomal T(SH)₂ redox metabolism in particular, thus offering a molecular explanation for the antitrypanosomal activity is demonstrated. At the same time, the study provides a novel extraction and analysis protocol for components of the trypanosomal thiol metabolism.     

New derivatives from the aerial parts of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae)

Boerhaavia diffusa L. is used in the traditional medicine of several Asian countries. The isolation and identification of five new compounds, together with 11 known compounds, from the ethyl acetate extract of the aerial part of B. diffusa grown Vietnam is reported. The structure of the new compounds was established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and high resolution ESI-MS analysis. New compounds are two rotenoids: 9,11-dihydroxy-6,10-dimethoxy[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b][1]benzopyran-12(6H)-one (boeravinone P, 3) and 3-[2-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-hydroxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-6-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (boeravinone Q, 9), an atropisomeric mixture of two rotenoid glycosides (3′,5-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-6-methylisoflavone 2′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, 11), a sesquiterpene lactone (4,10-dihydroxy-8-methoxyguai-7(11)-en-8,12-olide, 5) and a new phenylpropanoid glycoside (boerhaavic acid, 15).     

Three terpenoid glycosides of Centipeda minima

From the n-BuOH-soluble extract of the whole plant of Centipeda minima (Asteraceae), the investigation on chemical constituents led to the isolation of three new compounds including 3′-desulphatedatractyloside (1), 15-O-[α-l-rhamnosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucosyl]grandiflorolic acid (2), and 2α-hydroxylemmonin C (3), along with five known compounds (4–8). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the NMR spectroscopic analysis.     

朝鲜蓟叶中一个新的倍半萜内酯

从朝鲜蓟（Cynarascolyrnus）叶中分离得到2个倍半萜内酯,其中一个是新化合物,通过波谱学方法确定其结构为3β,8α,11α,13-四羟基-10（14）-愈创木烯-1α,4β,5α,6β氢-6α,12-内酯（1）。     

Three new sesquiterpene lactone dimers from Carpesium faberi

Three new 2,4-linked sesquiterpene lactone dimers (SLDs), faberidilactones F-H (1–3), have been isolated from Carpesium faberi. Unlike 1 and 2, 3 was a modified Diels-Alder adduct, characteristic by a 1′-OH and a Δ^5′(6′) double bond. Furthermore, the relative configuration of 1′-OH in 3 was assigned as β-configuration by comparison the experimental NOESY data with those of its two possible epimers. The exo/endo stereochemistry of 1–3 was determined by the spectrographic features of 2,4-linked SLDs that we discovered in our previous works. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent cytotoxicity against human leukemia (CCRF-CEM) cells with IC₅₀ value of 5.62 and 3.74 μM, respectively.     

Natural products from Tolpis barbata (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae,Cichorieae)

One sesquiterpene lactone – 9α-hydroxy-3-deoxyzaluzanin C, three benzopyrans: desmethoxyencecalin (6-acetyl-2,2-dimethylchromene), desacetylripariochromen B and 6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethylchromene, one coumarin – scopoletin and two eugenol derivatives were isolated from the roots of Tolpis barbata (L.) Gaertn, hitherto unexamined species. In the extract from aerial parts of the plant, five known phenolic compounds, namely: esculin, esculetin, chlorogenic acid (5-CQA), luteolin 7-O-glucoside and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA) were identified as major constituents. Except for the two coumarins – scopoletin and esculetin, which were previously obtained from Tolpis webbii Sch.Bip. and T. proustii Pit., the isolated and identified compounds have not been previously reported as constituents of Tolpis spp. Though benzopyrans were found in numerous species of the Asteraceae, their occurrence in the tribe Cichorieae has not been demonstrated before.     

Chemical constituents from Artemisia argyi and their chemotaxonomic significance

Twelve compounds, including one monoterpene (1), two sesquiterpene lactones (2–3), six flavonoids (4–9), one phenolic glycoside (10), one chromone (11) and one phenolic acid (12), were isolated and identified from the leaves of Artemisia argyi. Compounds 1–2, 4 and 6–7 have not been recorded before in this plant. Compounds 3, 9 and 11 were isolated from the genus Artemisia for the first time. This paper is the first report on the presence of compound 10 in species of Asteraceae. In addition, the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized.     

Sesquiterpene lactones induce distinct forms of cell death that modulate human monocyte-derived macrophage responses

Sesquiterpene lactones (SQTLs) are shown to possess anti-inflammatory as well as cytotoxic activity. No study, however, links both activities. We, therefore, hypothesized that SQTL-treated, dying cells might induce an anti-inflammatory response in cocultured THP-1 macrophages. Here we show that SQTLs bearing either an alpha,beta-unsaturated cyclopentenone or an alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone induce different forms of cell death. Whereas the cyclopentenone SQTL induced typical apoptosis, the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone SQTLs-induced cell death lacked partly classical signs of apoptosis, such as DNA fragmentation. All SQTLs, however, activated caspases and the nuclear morphology of cell death was dependent on caspase activation. Most interestingly, alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone SQTLs induced a more pronounced phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure than the cyclopentenone SQTL. Especially, 7-hydroxycostunolide (HC), with an alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone substituted with a hydroxyl group, showed a striking fast and pronounced PS translocation. This result was in agreement with a strong activation of phagocytosis in cocultured THP-1 macrophages. Interestingly, HC-treated Jurkat cells led to an early (3.5 h) but transient increase in TNF-alpha levels in macrophage coculture. Release of TGF-beta remained unaffected after 18 h. We propose that this type of SQTL may influence local inflammation by transiently activating the immune system and help to clear cells by inducing a form of cell death that promotes phagocytosis.     

Preparation and phytotoxicity study of lappalone from dehydrocostuslactone

Lappalone, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the roots of Saussurea lappa, was successfully synthesized for the first time from dehydrocostuslactone following a four-step synthetic route, in which the first step was a photoaddition of acetaldehyde, with a global yield of 14%. The starting material, dehydrocostuslactone, was isolated in gram scale from Saussurea lappa root extracts. The phytotoxicity profiles of the product, the starting material and the intermediates were obtained in two different bioassays: on etiolated wheat coleoptiles and on seeds of Standard Target Species (STS). Low IC₅₀ values were found for lappalone vs. dehydrocostuslactone (161 μM and 839 μM in cress roots, respectively), reaching 60–80% inhibition percentages at the highest concentrations. These bioassays indicated the higher potential allelopathic activity of the sesquiterpene lappalone (C17) when compared with dehydrocostuslactone (C15) and the intermediates in the synthetic route.     

Chemical constituents from Saussurea licentiana Hand.-Mazz

Chemical investigation of Saussurea licentiana led to the isolation of ten compounds, and their structures were identified to be dia-aurantiamide acetate (1), (+)-pinoresinol 4-O-β-D-glucoside (2), encelin (3), apigenin (4), luteolin (5), jaceosidin (6), luteolin -7-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (7), α-amyrin (8), β-amyrin (9), taraxasterol (10) on the basis of mass and NMR spectra. This is the first report on the occurrence of compounds 1, and 2 in the genus Saussurea while 1 is reported for the first time from Asteraceae. This work also represents the first phytochemical work on the whole plants of S. licentiana.     

Studies on the Constituents of Aristolochia versicolar S. M. Hwang

Twenty-four constituents were isolated from the root of Aristolochia versicolar S. M. Hwang (collected from Guangxi province, China). Ten of them (two novel sesquiterpene lacrones and eight known compounds) were reported recently. This paper deals with the other eight compounds. From the petroleum ether extraction a sesquiterpene lactone, C15H20O2, mp. 94–95℃ [α]D36 –49˚ (C=1.8, EtOH), confirmed to be isoaristolactone, was obtained from plants for the first time. On the basis of spectral analysis (UV, IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, MS) and chemical reactions its structure was determined as B2. From the petroleum enter unsoluble sec- tion 6-methoxyaristolic acid methyl ester (D1), aristolic acid (D3), 6-methoxyaristolic acid (ari- stolinic acid) (D4f), 6-methoxyaristolochic acid methyl ester (D4y), aristolochic acid A(D5), β-sitosterol-D-glucoside (D10) and allantoin (C2) were isolated and identified. Dx, Ds, and Ds show ed antifertility activity in mice.     

变色马兜铃化学成分的研究

从变色马兜铃块根乙醇提取物的石油醚溶解部分中分得一个倍半萜内酯(B_2),分子式C_(15)H_(20)O_2,熔点94—95℃,[α]_D~(36)-49°(C=1.8,EtOH)。通过光谱分析和化学反应测定了结构,并证明它与异马兜铃内酯(isoaristolactone)为同一化合物,从而使异马兜铃内酯的结构得以明确。B_2系首次从植物中分到。另从石油醚不溶部分中分得12个成分(D_1—D_3,D_(4f),D_(4y),D,—D_(10)和 C_2)。其中7个分别鉴定为6-甲氧基去硝基马兜铃酸甲酯(D_1)、去硝基马兜铃酸(D_3)、6-甲氧基去硝基马兜铃酸(D_(4f))、6-甲氧基马兜铃酸甲酯(D_(4y))、马兜铃酸A(D_5)、β-谷甾醇-D-葡萄糖甙(D_(10))和尿囊素(C_2)。D_(4f)亦系首次从植物中分到。动物试验表明,D_1、D_3和 D,均有明显的抗生育活性。     

The Structures of Triptotetraolide and Wilforjine

A new diterpenoid lactone named triptotetraolide and a new sesquiterpene alkaloid named wilforjine were isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS and X-ray analysis.     

Facile biomimetic synthesis of costunolide-1,10-epoxide,santamarin and reynosin

Reaction of costunolide with peracids yields costunolide-1,10-epoxide which undergoes ready cyclization to santamarin and reynosin.     

Secondary metabolites from Centaurea grisebachii ssp. grisebachii

The aerial parts of Centaurea grisebachii ssp. grisebachii, a Greek endemic species belonging to section Acrolophus (Cass.) DC., were investigated for the occurrence of sesquiterpene lactones. The eudesmanolide, 4-epi-malacitenolide was the major compound. In addition to the sesquiterpene lactones, five flavonoid aglycons, two lignans, one nor-isoprenoid and one sterol were found.     

Sesquiterpene lactone dehydroleucodine selectively induces transient arrest in G2 in Allium cepa root meristematic cells

Dehydroleucodine is a sesquiterpene lactone recently isolated from aerial parts of a medicinal herb, Artemisia douglasiana Besser. We have previously shown that 25 and 100 microM dehydroleucodine slowed down onion root growth by 30 and 70%, respectively, affecting neither cell viability nor cell elongation. In the present study we analyze the effect of dehydroleucodine on cell cycle phases in onion (Allium cepa L.) root meristematic cells synchronized with caffeine or caffeine and hydroxyurea. Synchronized root cells treated with 100 and 200 microM dehydroleucodine present an interphase lengthening of 5.2 h and 8.2 h, respectively. The S-phase length, estimated by [3H]thymidine incorporation assay, was 6 h for both control roots and roots that had been immersed in dehydroleucodine. The peak of [3H]leucine incorporation was observed 6 h after release from synchronization in controls and in dehydroleucodine-treated roots, indicating that protein synthesis in G2 was not affected. Thus, these results show that dose-dependently dehydroleucodine selectively induces a transient arrest of meristematic cell in G2 and that dehydroleucodine can be used experimentally as a cell cycle suppressor.     

Strigolactones: chemical signals for fungal symbionts and parasitic weeds in plant roots

• Aims Arbuscular mycorrhizae are formed between >80 % of land plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. This Botanical Briefing highlights the chemical identification of strigolactones as a host-recognition signal for AM fungi, and their role in the establishment of arbuscular mycorrhizae as well as in the seed germination of parasitic weeds.• Scope Hyphal branching has long been described as the first morphological event in host recognition by AM fungi during the pre-infection stages. Host roots release signalling molecules called ‘branching factors’ that induce extensive hyphal branching in AM fungi. Strigolactones exuded from host roots have recently been identified as an inducer of hyphal branching in AM fungi. Strigolactones are a group of sesquiterpenes, previously isolated as seed germination stimulants for the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche. Parasitic weeds might find their potential hosts by detecting strigolactones, which are released from plant roots upon phosphate deficiency in communication with AM fungi. In addition to acting as a signalling molecule, strigolactones might stimulate the production of fungal symbiotic signals called ‘Myc factors’ in AM fungi.• Conclusions Isolation and identification of plant symbiotic signals open up new ways for studying the molecular basis of plant–AM-fungus interactions. This discovery provides a clear answer to a long-standing question in parasitic plant biology: what is the natural role for germination stimulants? It could also provide a new strategy for the management and control of beneficial fungal symbionts and of devastating parasitic weeds in agriculture and natural ecosystems.     

Inhibition of elongation growth by two sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Helianthus annuus L.

Two sesquiterpene lactones belonging to the germacranolides were isolated from the leaves and stems of Helianthus annuus L. Their formation in the plant is light-dependent. Both sesquiterpene lactones (SL) strongly inhibit indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-induced elongation growth of Avena sativa L. coleoptile segments and Helianthus annuus L. hypocotyl segments. Both SL do not, however, inhibit acid-induced growth nor growth triggered by fusicoccin at all. In the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT), the inhibitory effect of SL in the Avena-segment-test can be completely neutralized. This can be attributed to the binding of DTT to both SL. Using thin-layer-chromatography it could be shown that the inhibitors build adducts with SH-rich compounds, e.g., cysteine, glutathione, mercapto-ethanol, and DTT, whose R_f-value significantly differs from those of the primary substances. If the coleoptile segments are first treated with an inhibitor and the inhibitor is subsequently washed out, close to normal elongation growth can be induced by adding an IAA-solution. If the segments are simultaneously treated with inhibitor and IAA, no notable growth can be initiated for an extended amount of time, after the removal of both substances and the anewed addition of IAA. Fusicoccin, however, can immediately neutralize the induced growth inhibition. The same irreversible inhibition is observed when 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is used: If coleoptile segments are treated with an inhibitor plus 2,4-D or an inhibitor plus 3,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (3,5-D), respectively, IAA-induced growth after removal of the substances can only be observed by those coleoptiles which had previously been treated with the non-auxin, 3,5-D plus an inhibitor. Based on these results, a possible mechanism describing how the inhibitor functions is discussed. The binding of an auxin to an auxin receptor sets a SH-group free (possibly due to a change in the conformation of the receptor); a site is given to which the inhibitor can bind irreversibly (via a S-bond). The IAA-receptor-inhibitor-complex is then no longer able to initiate elongation growth. If auxin is not present, no lasting bond between the inhibitor and the receptor can occur, since the essential SH-group remains masked. The inhibitor can be washed out again. Consequently, the SL's have to be able to intervene at the beginning of the IAA-induced reaction sequence, while the following steps remain uninfluenced, i.e. namely, the active excretion of protons into the cell wall compartments, which is directly induced by fusicoccin and causes elongation growth.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid - 3,5-D 3,5-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid - DTT dithiothreitol - FC Fusicoccin - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - MES 2-(N-morpholino)-ethane sulfonic acid - SL sesquiterpene lactone(s)     

Selective inactivation of rabbit reticulocyte initiation factor eIF-3 by helenalin

Helenalin, a sesquiterpene lactone which reacts primarily with exposed sulfhydryl groups, was shown to be an effective inhibitor of protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Optimal inhibition required a 30 min preincubation in the absence of any added thiol compound. β-Mercaptoethanol was more effective than reduced glutathione in protecting enzyme sulfhydryl groups from inactivation by helenalin. Using partially fractionated systems, it was possible to show that helenalin had no effect on the elongation reactions or on the formation of the ternary initiation complex. However, the conversion of the ternary complex to the 48 S initiation complex was strongly inhibited. In this assay, only the initiation factor(s) were sensitive to helenalin. Using an assay system which requires all the initiation factors for optimal activity it was possible to show that the 0–40% ammonium sulfate cut of intiation factors (containing eIF-3 and eIF-4B) was sensitive to helenalin, while the 40–50% ammonium sulfate cut (containing eIF-2 and eIF-5) was not. Both ammonium sulfate cuts were equally sensitive to inhibition by the sulfhydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide. Three purified rabbit reticulocyte initiation factors were then tested in the same assay system. Only eIF-3 showed appreciable sensitivity to helenalin, while eIF-2, eIF-3 and eIF-4B were all sensitive to inactivation by N-ethylmaleimide. These data suggest that helenalin may possess a relatively high degree of specificity as a sulfhydryl reagent.     

银杏酮酯注射液HPLC指纹图谱研究

采用HPLC法 (DiamonsilTM C18柱 (2 5 0mm× 4 . 6mm ,5 μm) ,乙腈 1%磷酸为流动相进行梯度洗脱 ,检测波长 36 0nm ,流速 1mL/min ,柱温 30℃ )对银杏酮酯注射液进行了指纹图谱的研究。建立了银杏叶药材、注射液中间体和注射液的指纹图谱及其技术参数 ,得到 2 1个共有峰 ,并进行了相似度比较 ,结果表明三者具有较好的相关性。对不同生产厂家的银杏叶注射液指纹图谱进行了比较 ,其共有峰的峰面积比值存在一定的差异。该方法准确、重复性好 ,为银杏叶药材、中间体及注射液的质量控制提供依据。