Inhibition of antennal esterases of the egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis by trifluoromethyl ketones

A series of aliphatic and aromatic trifluoromethyl ketones has been tested as inhibitors of the antennal esterases of the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis, by evaluation of the extent of hydrolysis of [1-³H]-(Z,E)-9, 11-tetradecadienyl acetate (1), a tritiated analog of the major component of the sex pheromone. The most active compounds with a long chain aliphatic structure were 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (2) (IC₅₀ 0.55 μM) and 1,1,1-trifluorotetradecan-2-one (4) (IC₅₀ 1.16 μM). The aromatic compounds were generally less potent inhbitors than the coressponding aromatic ones, although β-naphthyltrifuloromethyl ketone (10) exhibited a remarkable inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 7.9 μM). Compounds 2, 4 and 10 exhibit a competitive inhibition with K_i values of 2.51×10⁻⁵ M, 2.98×10⁻⁵ M and 2.49×10⁻⁴ M, respectively. Some of the trifluoromethyl ketones tested were slow-binding inhibitors and compounds 2 and 10 are described as inhibitors of the antennal esterases of a moth for the first time.     

Natural products isolated from Mexican medicinal plants: Novel inhibitors of sulfotransferases, SULT1A1 and SULT2A1

Calophyllum brasiliense, Lonchocarpus oaxacensis, and Lonchocarpus guatemalensis are used in Latin American folk medicine. Four natural xanthones, an acetylated derivative, and two coumarins were obtained from C. brasiliense. Two flavanones were extracted from L. oaxacensis and one chalcone from L. guatemalensis. These compounds were tested as substrates and inhibitors for two recombinant sulfotransferases (SULTs) involved in the metabolism of many endogenous compounds and foreign chemicals. Assays were performed using recombinant phenol-sulfotransferase (SULT1A1) and hydroxysteroidsulfotransferase (SULT2A1). Three of the five xanthones, one of the flavonoids and the coumarins tested were substrates for SULT1A1. None of the xanthones or the flavonoids were sulfonated by SULT2A1, whereas the coumarin mammea A/BA was a substrate for this enzyme. The natural xanthones reversibly inhibited SULT1A1 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.6 to 7 μM whereas much higher amounts of these compounds were required to inhibit SULT2A1 (IC₅₀ values of 26-204 μM). The flavonoids inhibited SULT1A1 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.5 to 101 μM, which compared with amounts needed to inhibit SULT2A1 (IC₅₀ values of 11 to 101 μM). Both coumarins inhibited SULT1A1 with IC₅₀ values of 47 and 185 μM, and SULT2A1 with IC₅₀ values of 16 and 31 μM. The acetylated xanthone did not inhibit either SULT1A1 or SULT2A1 activity. Rotenone from a commercial source had potency comparable to that of the flavonoids isolated from Lonchocarpus for inhibiting both SULTs. The potency of this inhibition depends on the position and number of hydroxyls. The results indicate that SULT1A1, but not SULT2A1, is highly sensitive to inhibition by xanthones. Conversely, SULT2A1 is 3-6 times more sensitive to coumarins than SULT1A1. The flavonoids are non-specific inhibitors of the two SULTs.

Collectively, the results suggest that these types of natural products have the potential for important pharmacological and toxicological interactions at the level of phase-II metabolism via sulfotransferases.     

Modification at the C9 position of the marine natural product isoaaptamine and the impact on HIV-1, mycobacterial, and tumor cell activity

As part of an investigation to generate optimized drug leads from marine natural pharmacophores for the treatment of neoplastic and infectious diseases, a series of novel isoaaptamine analogs were prepared by coupling acyl halides to the C9 position of isoaaptamine (2) isolated from the Aaptos sponge. This library of new semisynthetic products was evaluated for biological activity against HIV-1, Mtb, AIDS-OI, tropical parasitic diseases, and cancer. Compound 4 showed potent activity against HIV-1 (EC₅₀ 0.47 μg/mL), compound 19 proved to possess remarkable activity against Mycobacterium intracellulare with an IC₅₀ and MIC value of 0.15 and 0.31 μg/mL, while compounds 4 and 17 possessed anti-leishmanial activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.1 and 0.4 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 16 and 17 showed antimalarial activity with EC₅₀ values of 230 and 240 ng/mL, respectively, and compound 14 exhibited an EC₅₀ of 0.05 μM against the Leukemia cell line K-562.     

Synthesis, spectral studies and in vitro assessment for antiamoebic activity of new cyclooctadiene ruthenium(II) complexes with 5-nitrothiophene-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones

We report here the synthesis, characterization and in vitro antiamoebic activity of 5-nitrothiophene-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones (TSC), 1–5, and their bidentate complexes [Ru(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)(TSC)Cl₂] 1a–5a. The biological studies of these compounds were investigated against HK-9 strain of Entamoeba histolytica and the concentration causing 50% cell growth inhibition (IC₅₀) was calculated in the micromolar range. The ligands exhibited antiamoebic activity in the range (2.05–5.29 μM). Screening results indicated that the potencies of the compounds increased by the incorporation of ruthenium(II) in the thiosemicarbazones. The complexes 1a–5a showed antiamoebic activity with an IC₅₀ of 0.61–1.43 μM and were better inhibitors of growth of E. histolytica, based on IC₅₀ values. The most promising among them is Ru(II) complex 2a having 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline as N⁴ substitution.     

Highly selective inhibition of estrogen biosynthesis by CGS 20267, a new non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor

CGS 20267 is a new non-steroidal compound which potently inhibits aromatase in vitro (IC₅₀ of 11.5 nM) and in vivo (ED₅₀ of 1–3 μg/kg p.o.). CGS 20267 maximally inhibits estradiol production in vitro in LH-stimulated hamster ovarian tissue at 0.1 μM with an IC₅₀ of 0.02 μM and does not significantly affect progesterone production up to 350 μM. In ACTH-stimulated rat adrenal tissue in vitro, aldosterone production was inhibited with an IC₅₀ of 210 μM (10,000 times higher than the IC₅₀ for estradiol production); no significant effect on corticosterone production was seen at 350 μM. In vivo, in ACTH-treated rats, CGS 20267 does not affect plasma levels of corticosterone or aldosterone at a dose of 4 mg/kg p.o. (1000 times higher than the ED₅₀ for aromatase inhibition in vivo). In adult female rats, a 14-day treatment with 1 mg/kg p.o. daily, completely interrupts ovarian cyclicity and suppresses uterine weight to that seen 14 days after ovariectomy. In adult female rats bearing estrogen-dependent DMBA-induced mammary tumors, 0.1 mg/kg p.o. given daily for 42 days caused almost complete regression of tumors present at the start of treatment. Thus compared to each other, CGS 16949A and CGS 20267 are both highly potent in inhibiting estrogen biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo. The striking difference between them is that unlike CGS 16949A, CGS 20267 does not affect adrenal steroidogenesis in vitro or in vivo, at concentrations and doses several orders of magnitude higher than those required to inhibit estrogen biosynthesis.     

Hemoglobin and iron-evoked oxidative stress in the brain: protection by bile pigments, manganese and S-nitrosoglutathione

In the present in vitro and in vivo study we investigated the pro-oxidant effects of hemoglobin, as well as the antioxidant effects of its metabolites, in the brain. Incubation of rat brain homogenates with hemoglobin (0-10 μM) but not hemin induced lipid peroxidation up to 24 h (EC₅₀ = 1.2 μM). Hemoglobin's effects were similar to ferrous ion (EC₅₀ = 1.7 μM) and were blocked by the chelating agent deferoxamine (IC₅₀ = 0.5 μM) and a nitric oxide-releasing compound S-nitrosoglutathione (IC₅₀ = 40 μM). However, metabolites of hemoglobin — biliverdin and bilirubin — inhibited brain lipid peroxidation induced by cell disruption and hemoglobin (biliverdin IC₅₀ = 12-30 and bilirubin IC₅₀ = 75-170 μM). Biliverdin's antioxidative effects in spontaneous and iron-evoked lipid peroxidation were further augmented by maganese (2 μM) since manganese is an antioxidative transition metal and conjugates with bile pigments. Intrastriatal infusion of hemoglobin (0-24 nmol) produced slight, but significant 20-22% decreases in striatal dopamine levels. Whereas, intrastriatal infusion of ferrous citrate (0-24 nmol) dose-dependently induced a greater 66% depletion of striatal dopamine which was preceded by an acute increase of lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, contrary to the in vitro results hemoglobin is far less neurotoxic than ferrous ions in the brain. It is speculated that hemoglobin may be partially detoxified by heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase to its antioxidative metabolites in the brain. However, in head trauma and stroke, massive bleeding could significantly produce iron-mediated oxidative stress and neurodegeneration which could be minimized by endogenous antioxidants such as biliverdin, bilirubin, manganese and S-nitrosoglutathione.     

Inhibition of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases by curcumin and curcumin boron complexes

Curcumin, a relatively non-toxic natural product isolated from Curcuma longa, is a modest inhibitor of the HIV-1 (1050 = 100 μM) and HIV-2 (IC₅₀ = 250 μM) proteases. Simple modifications of the curcumin structure raise the IC₅₀ value but complexes of the central dihydroxy groups of curcumin with boron lower the IC₅₀ to a value as low as 6 μM. The boron complexes are also time-dependent inactivators of the HIV proteases. The increased affinity of the boron complexes may reflect binding of the orthogonal domains of the inhibitor in intersecting sites within the substrate-binding cavity of the enzyme, while activation of the ,β-unsaturated carbonyl group of curcumin by chelation to boron probably accounts for time-dependent inhibition of the enzyme.     

4-alkylidene-azetidin-2-ones: novel inhibitors of leukocyte elastase and gelatinase

In addition to their antibiotic potency, β-lactams have recently been investigated as inhibitors of serine proteinase such as leukocyte elastase (LE), released by inflammatory cells. We describe the synthesis of a series of 4-alkylidene-β-lactams, and investigate how substitutions on C-3, C-4, and N-1 of the β-lactam ring affect the activity of human LE and gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. LE activity was measured using a chromogenic substrate, while gelatin-zymography assay was used to evaluate gelatinase activity. We demonstrate that C-4 unsaturation on the β-lactam ring determines the degree of biological activity, with a selectivity over LE by 3-[1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-ethyl] derivatives (lowest IC₅₀ was 4 μM), and over gelatinase MMP-2 by C-3-unsubstituted 4-[1-ethoxycarbonyl]-ethylidene-β-lactams (lowest IC₅₀ was 60 μM). (3S)-3-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-(1-ethoxycarbonyl)-ethylidene-azetidin-2-one inhibits gelatinase MMP-9. The compounds tested showed no cytotoxicity against NIH-3T3 murine fibroblasts. This is the first example of beta-lactams inhibiting metallo-proteinases instrumental in cancer invasion and angiogenesis. These molecules are good candidates for prototype drugs showing selective antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-invasion properties.     

Synthesis of derivatives of (1S,2R)-1-phenyl-2-[(S)-1-aminopropyl]-N,N-diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (PPDC) modified at the 1-aromatic moiety as novel NMDA receptor antagonists: the aromatic group is essential for the activity

(1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[(S)-1-aminopropyl]-N,N-diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (PPDC, 4a), which is a conformationally restricted analogue of antidepressant milnacipran [(±)-1], is a new class of potent noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists. A series of PPDC analogues modified at the 1-phenyl moiety, that is, the analogue 6 lacking 1-phenyl group, the 1-(fluorophenyl) analogues 4b,c,d, the 1-(methylphenyl) analogues 4e–g and the 1-(naphthyl) analogues 4h,i were synthesized. Analogue 6, lacking the 1-phenyl group, was completely inactive showing that the aromatic moiety is essential for the NMDA receptor binding. Among the analogues synthesized, the 1-o-fluorophenyl and 1-m-fluorophenyl analogues 4b and 4c showed potent affinities for the NMDA receptor [IC₅₀=0.16±0.001 μM (4b), 0.15±0.02 μM (4c)], which were improved to some extent compared to those of the parent compound PPDC (IC₅₀=0.20±0.02 μM). On the other hand, compounds 4b and 4c showed none of the 5-HT-uptake inhibitory effect, while PPDC turned out to be a weak 5-HT-uptake inhibitor.     

Anti-proliferative lichen compounds with inhibitory activity on 12(S)-HETE production in human platelets

Several lichen compounds, i.e. lobaric acid (1), a β-orcinol depsidone from Stereocaulon alpinum L., (+)-protolichesterinic acid (2), an aliphatic -methylene-γ-lactone from Cetraria islandica Laur. (Parmeliaceae), (+)-usnic acid (3), a dibenzofuran from Cladonia arbuscula (Wallr.) Rabenh. (Cladoniaceae), parietin (4), an anthraquinone from Xanthoria elegans (Link) Th. Fr. (Calaplacaceae) and baeomycesic acid (5), a β-orcinol depside isolated from Thamnolia vermicularis (Sw.) Schaer. var. subuliformis (Ehrh.) Schaer. were tested for inhibitory activity on platelet-type 12(S)-lipoxygenase using a cell-based in vitro system in human platelets. Lobaric acid (1) and (+)-protolichesterinic acid (2) proved to be pronounced inhibitors of platelet-type 12(S)-lipoxygenase, whereas baeomycesic acid (5) showed only weak activity (inhibitory activity at a concentration of 100 μg/ml: 1 93.4±6.62%, 2 98,5±1.19%, 5 14.7±2.76%). Usnic acid (3) and parietin (4) were not active at this concentration. 1 and 2 showed a clear dose–response relationship in the range of 3.33–100 μg/ml. According to the calculated IC₅₀ values the highest inhibitory activity was observed for the depsidone 1 (IC₅₀=28.5 μM) followed by 2 (IC₅₀=77.0 μM). The activity of 1 was comparable to that of the flavone baicalein, which is known as a selective 12(S)-lipoxygenase inhibitor (IC₅₀=24.6 μM).     

Inhibition of protein phosphatases-1 and -2A with acanthifolicin: Comparison with diarrhetic shellfish toxins and identification of a region on okadaic acid important for phosphatase inhibition

Acanthifolicin (9,10-epithio-okadaic acid from Pandoras acanthifolium) inhibited protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) similarly to okadaic acid (IC₅₀ = 20 nM and 19 nM, respectively) but was slightly less active against protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) (IC₅₀ 1 nM and 0.2 nM, respectively). Methyl esterification of acanthifolicin sharply reduced its activity. PP2A was inhibited with an IC₅₀ = 5.0 μM, whilst PP1 was inhibited < 10% at 250 μM toxin. Okadaic acid methyl ester was similarly inactive whereas dinophysistoxin-1 (35-methyl okadaic acid) inhibited PP1/2A almost as potently as okadaic acid. Pure acanthifolicin/okadaic acid methyl ester may be useful as specific inhibitors of PP2A at 1–10 μM concentrations in vitro and perhaps in vivo. The data also indicate that a region on these toxins important for PP1/2A inhibition comprises the single carboxyl group.     

Anti-proliferative properties of prenylated flavonoids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) in human prostate cancer cell lines

Chalcones xanthohumol (X) and desmethylxanthohumol (DMX), present in hops (Humulus lupulus L.), and the corresponding flavanones isoxanthohumol (IX, from X), 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN, from DMX), and 6-prenylnaringenin (6-PN, from DMX), have been examined in vitro for their anti-proliferative activity on human prostate cancer cells PC-3 and DU145. X proved to be the most active compound in inhibiting the growth of the cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 12.3±1.1 μM for DU145 and 13.2±1.1 μM for PC-3. 6-PN was the second most active growth inhibitor, particularly in PC-3 cells (IC₅₀ of 18.4±1.2 μM). 8-PN, a highly potent phytoestrogen, exhibited pronounced anti-proliferative effects on PC-3 and DU145 (IC₅₀ of 33.5±1.0 and 43.1±1.2 μM, respectively), and IX gave comparable activities (IC₅₀ of 45.2±1.1 μM for PC-3 and 47.4±1.1 μM for DU145). DMX was the least active compound. It was evidenced for the first time that this family of prenylated flavonoids from hops effectively inhibits proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro.     

7株野生虫草菌的鉴定及其菌丝体醇提取物对HepG2细胞的抑制活性

结合形态学与ITS序列分析对7株野生虫草真菌进行分类鉴定。MTT法分析它们的菌丝体醇提取物对肝癌HepG2细胞增殖的抑制活性。鉴定结果表明菌株MF7、MF9、MF14为细脚棒束孢Isaria tenuipes,菌株MF11、MF12、MF13为蝉棒束孢Isaria cicadae,菌株MF10为球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana;MTT结果显示分离到的3株细脚棒束孢和3株蝉棒束孢的菌丝体醇提取物对HepG2的抑制活性较差,IC₅₀均大于500μg/mL;球孢白僵菌MF10对HepG2细胞有一定抑制作用,IC₅₀值为221.6μg/mL,略强于蝙蝠蛾拟青霉发酵菌丝粉产品金水宝胶囊（IC₅₀=364μg/mL）和中华被毛孢发酵菌丝粉产品百令胶囊（IC₅₀=268.7μg/mL）。另外,发现供对比试验的3株蛹虫草菌株（MF1、MF5、MF15）对HepG2细胞均有较好的抑制作用,其中MF15的发酵菌丝体醇提取物活性最强,IC₅₀为55.56μg/mL,暗示蛹虫草发酵菌丝体具有重要的研究价值。     

Aromatic analogs of arcaine inhibit MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor

Aromatic analogs of arcaine were shown to have inhibitory effects on the binding of the channel blocking drug [³H]MK-801 to the NMDA receptor complex. The most potent compound of the series was an N,N′-bis(propyl)guanidinium which inhibited [³H]MK-801 binding with an IC₅₀ of 0.58 μM and an IC₅₀ of 12.17 μM upon addition of 100 μM spermidine. The increase in IC₅₀ upon addition of spermidine suggests competitive antagonism between the inhibitor and spermidine at the arcaine-sensitive polyamine site of the NMDA receptor complex.     

Biological activities of synthetic analogues of Alternaria alternata toxin (AAL-toxin) and fumonisin in plant and mammalian cell cultures

In a search for an analogue of AAL-toxin with high phytotoxicity and low mammalian toxicity, aminopentols [(AP₁), hexacetyl AP₁ and N-acetyl AP₁], and nine analogues (1–9), were tested for toxicity to duckweed (Lemna pausicostata), susceptible tomato (asc/asc) leaf discs, black nightshade leaf discs and mammalian cell lines, including dog kidney (MDCK), rat liver hepatoma (H4TG) and mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3). These were compared with AAL-toxin and fumonisin B₁ (FB₁). Analogue 9 at 10 μM increased cellular leakage and chlorophyll loss from both tomato and black nightshade leaf discs. The diester 9 was the most active in the duckweed bioassay, but it was much less toxic to MDCK and H4TG cells with an IC₅₀ of 200 μM compared to 10 μM for FB₁. Analogue 9 and FB₁ showed similar low toxicities (IC₅₀ = 150 μM) to NIH3T3 cells. Among the substances tested, only analogue 9 had significant phytotoxicity and low mammalian toxicity, indicating some potential for development of safe and effective natural herbicides.     

Inhibition of acetyl-coenzyme A dependent activation of N-hydroxyarylamines by phenolic compounds, pentachlorophenol and 1-nitro-2-naphthol

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 1-nitro-2-naphthol were found to be potent inhibitors of enzymatic acetyl-CoA dependent activation, which is suggested as proceeding through direct O-acetylation, of N-hydroxyarylamines to tRNA binding by liver cytosolic enzymes from hamsters and rats. IC₅₀ values of PCP for the activation of 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3′,2′-d]imidazole (N-OH-Glu-P-1), 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (N-OH-Trp-P-2) and N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene (N-OH-AF) were 20, 25 and 17 μM, respectively, in hamster cytosol system. Similar inhibition was observed with rat liver cytosol (IC₅₀ values of PCP and 1-nitro-2-naphthol were 13 and 12 μM, respectively, for the binding of N-OH-Glu-P-1). PCP is known as an inhibitor of sulfotransferase; however, another potent inhibitor of sulfotransferase, 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol, did not inhibit the acetyl-CoA dependent binding. Antibiotic thiolactomycin, which inhibits bacterial O-acetyltransferase, did not affect the activation by hamster and rat cytosol, indicating the difference in property between bacterial and mammalian enzymes. The kinetic data obtained with hamster cytosol suggested the competitive inhibition of PCP with substrate, N-OH-Glu-P-1, and non-competitive inhibition with acetyl-CoA. In addition to the O-acetylation, PCP and 1-nitro-2-naphthol also inhibited N-acetylation of arylamines and N, O-acetyltransfer reaction of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF) by hamster cytosol. IC₅₀ values for these two types of acetyltransfer reactions, however, were slightly higher than those observed for acetyl-CoA dependent activations of N-hydroxyarylamines.     

-cyano-substituted analogoues of decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine as enzyme activated, irreversible inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase

A pair of -cyano analogues of decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (2a and 2b) were synthesized as potential enzyme activated, irreversible inhibitors of the[pyruvoyl enzyme S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMet-DC). Each of these analogues acts as an irreversible inactivator for ADoMet-DC from Escherichia coli (IC₅₀ values of 9 and 50 μM, respectively). These analogues also inactivate human AdoMet-DC, with K_I values of 246.6 and 7.2 μM, and k_inact values of 0.29 and 0.03 min⁻¹, respectively.     

Structure—activity studies leading to potent chloride channel blockers: 5e-tert-butyl-2-[4-(substituted-ethynyl)phenyl]-1,3-dithianes

5e-tert-Butyl-2e-[4-(substituted-ethynyl)phenyl]-1,3-dithianes with selected functional groups (R) on the ethynyl moiety are potent blockers of the GABA-gated chloride channel measured as inhibitor concentration (IC₅₀) for 4-n-[³H]propyl-1-(4-ethynylphenyl)-2, 6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanebinding to bovine brain membranes. The terminal R substituents were introduced by coupling 5e-tert-butyl-2e-(4-iodophenyl)-1,3-dithiane with HC ≡ CR or 5e-tert-butyl-2e-(4-ethynylphenyl)-1,3-dithiane with XR. The potency of the parent compound (R=H) with an IC₅₀ of 21 μM is equaled or exceeded by up to 7-fold (i.e. IC₅₀ = 3–21 μM) by several carboxylic acids [R = (CH₂)_nCO₂H (n = 0–3), (CH_2nOCH₂CO₂H (n = 1–3) and CH₂SCH₂ CO₂H] and their esters and two phosphonic acids (CH₂CH₂PO₃H₂ and CH₂OCH₂PO₃H₂) but not their esters. These carboxyl and phosphonic acids (and their salts) include the most potent water-soluble chloride channel blockers known. Conversion to the monosulfones increases activity of the R = H and CH₂OH analogs by 1.2- to 3-fold but decreases that of the R = CH₂CH₂CO₂R′ (R′ = H or CH₃) derivatives by 3- to 13-fold. Quantitative structure-activity analyses for 44 2-[4-(substituted-ethynyl)phenyl]-dithianes suggests that the principal feature of the R substituent for high activity is its polarizable volume modeled as molecular refractivity, i.e. this substituent is not a well-defined pharmacophore and undergoes a structurally non-specific interaction with the receptor. These observations lay the background for preparing candidate affinity probes.     

Anti-allergic substances from the rhizomes of Dioscorea membranacea

Extracts of five species of Thai medicinal plants, locally known as Hua-Khao-Yen, were screened for anti-allergic activities using RBL-2H3 cells. Of the five species studied, the ethanolic extract of Dioscorea membranacea exhibited potent inhibitory activity against β-hexosaminidase release as a marker of degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 37.5 μg/mL. Eight compounds were isolated from this crude ethanolic extract, [two naphthofuranoxepins (1, 2), one phenanthraquinone (3), three steroids (4–6), and two steroidal saponins (7, 8)], and tested for their anti-allergic activities. The results showed that dioscorealide B (2) possessed the highest activity with an IC₅₀ value of 5.7 μM, followed by dioscoreanone (3, IC₅₀ = 7.7 μM), dioscorealide A (1, IC₅₀ = 27.9 μM), and diosgenin (9, IC₅₀ = 29.9 μM). Structure–activity relationship studies of naphthofuranoxepins on anti-allergic activity revealed that the hydroxylation at position 8 conferred higher activity than methoxylation. For diosgenin derivatives, the aglycone was found to possess higher activity than the diglucosylated molecule; whereas substitution with rhamnoglucosides apparently results in loss of activity. Furthermore, effects of dioscorealide A, dioscorealide B, and dioscoreanone on antigen-induced release of TNF- and IL-4 in the late phase reaction were also examined.     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of extract and constituents from Esenbeckia febrifuga, a plant traditionally used to treat malaria in the Brazilian Amazon

Esenbeckia febrifuga (Rutaceae) is a plant traditionally used to treat malaria in the Brazilian Amazon region. Ethanol extract of stems displayed a good antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strains W-2 (IC₅₀ 15.5±0.71 μg/ml) and 3 D7 (IC₅₀ 21.0±1.4 μg/ml). Two coumarins (bergaptene 1 and isopimpinellin 2), five alkaloids (flindersiamine 3, kokusaginine 4, skimmiamine 5, γ-fagarine 6 and 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-N-methylacridone, 7), besides a limonoid (rutaevine 8), have been isolated for the first time from this species. Antiplasmodial activity of compounds 3, 5–8 has been evaluated in vitro against P. falciparum strains (W-2 and 3D7) and the furoquinolines 5 and 6 were the most potent displaying IC₅₀ values <50 μg/ml; flindersiamine (3) showed a weak activity while alkaloid 7 and rutaevine (8) were inactive (IC₅₀>100 μg/ml).