Stimulation and inhibition of biosynthesis of prostaglandins in human skin by some hydroxyethylated rutosides

The effect of some hydroxyethylated rutosides on the biosynthesis of prostaglandins was studied in the microsomal fraction of human skin homogenates. Microsomes were incubated with mono-0-hydroxyethyl-7-rutoside (mono-7-HR), di-0-hydroxyethyl-7′,4′-rutoside (di-HR), tri-0-hydroxyethyl-7,3′,4′-rutoside (tri-7,3′,4′-HR), tetra-0-hydroxyethyl-5,7,3′,4′-rutoside (tetra-HR) and a mixture of hydroxyethylated compounds (HR). Prostaglandins were determined by bioassay after organic solvent extraction and silicic acid chromatography of the incubates. Mono-7-HR, di-HR and HR stimulated the biosynthesis. In contrast, tri-7,3′,4′-HR and tetra-HR inhibited the formation of prostaglandins. Previously effects have been reported on inflammatory reactions and aggregation of thrombocytes by these compounds. Some of these effects may be explained by changes in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins.     

Antimicrobial and radical scavenging flavonoids from the stem wood of Erythrina latissima

From the stem wood of Erythrina latissima, two isoflavones and a flavanone were isolated and characterized as 7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-5'-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)isoflavone (erylatissin A), 7,3'-dihydroxy-6',6'-dimethyl-4',5'-dehydropyrano [2',3': 4',5']isoflavone (erylatissin B), (-)-7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-5'-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)flavanone (erylatissin C), respectively, in addition to 10 known flavonoids. Structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data. These compounds showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Candida mycoderma. The isolated compounds also exhibited weak radical scavenging properties towards DPPH radical.     

白木香树干中的黄酮类成分

从白木香[Aquilaria smensis(Lour.)Gilg]树干的乙醇提取物中分离得到5个黄酮类化合物,经波谱分析,分别鉴定为:洋芹素-7,4'-二甲醚(1)、5-羟基-7,3',4'-三甲氧基黄酮(2)、木犀草素-7,4'-二甲醚p)、芫花素(4)和4',5-二羟基-3',7-二甲氧基黄酮(5).以上化合物均为首次从该种植物树干中分离得到.     

Prenylflavonoids from Flourensia fiebrigii

Three compounds: (2S)-8-(3'-methylbut-2'-enyl)-7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavanone, (2S)-8-(3'-methyl-4'-hydroxy-but-2'-enyl)-7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavanone and (2S)-8-(3'-methyl-4'-hydroxy-but-2'-enyl)-5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone, along with five previously known compounds, were isolated from the aerial parts of Flourensia fiebrigii. Their structures were elucidated by application of various spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques.     

New synthetic flavonoids as potent protectors against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

A series of 3,7-disubstituted-2(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl) flavones has been studied as potential cardioprotective agents in doxorubicin antitumor therapy. The influence of substituents on the 3 and 7 position of the flavone nucleus on antioxidant activity cytotoxicity and cardioprotective properties was explored to improve the activity of our lead compound 7-monohydroxyethylrutoside. In the protection against Fe(2+)/vitamin C-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation (LPO assay), IC(50) values ranged from 0.2 to 37 microM. In general, the 3-substituted flavones were the most potent compounds in this assay. The cytotoxicity of the new compounds was tested (up to 250 microM) in hepatocytes. LDH leakage ranged from 2.6-29.2%, whereas the GSH concentrations decreased to 87.3-41.3%. Only four compounds out of this series protected the isolated mouse left atrium against doxorubicin-induced toxicity. Because of the positive inotropic effect of 8d (N-(3-(3',4'-dihydroxyflavon-7-yl)oxypropyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride) and 10c (3-hydroxyethoxy-7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone) on the atrium, compounds 9i (3',4'-dihydroxy-3-glucosylflavone) and 10d (N-(3-(7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavon-3-yl)oxypropyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride) were selected to be evaluated as cardioprotective agents in vivo.     

Constituents of Pterocarpus marsupium: an ayurvedic crude drug

Five new flavonoid C-glucosides, 6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-benzofuran-7-C-beta-d-glucopyranoside (1), 3-(alpha-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-6-hydroxybenzo-2(3H)-furanone-7-C-beta-d-glucopyranoside (2), 2-hydroxy-2-p-hydroxybenzyl-3(2H)-6-hydroxybenzofuranone-7-C-beta-d-glucopyranoside (4), 8-(C-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone (5) and 1,2-bis(2,4-dihydroxy,3-C-glucopyranosyl)-ethanedione (6) and two known compounds C-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-2,6-dihydroxyl benzene (7) and sesquiterpene (8), were isolated from an aqueous extract of the heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium. The structure has been established using spectroscopic data.     

Relationship between mutagenic potency in Salmonella typhimurium strains and the chemical structure of nitro biphenyls

Most of the positional isomers of mono-, di-, tri- and tetranitrobiphenyls were synthesized and assayed for their mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA98NR and TA98/1,8DNP6 in the absence of S9 mix. In mono- and dinitrobiphenyls, the structure requirements favoring mutagenic activity are the presence of a nitro group at the 4-position and its absence at the 2-position. TA98 and TA98/1,8DNP6 were reverted by 2-position-free 4-nitro analogues, but TA98NR was not reverted. The results suggest that direct-acting mutagenicity involves the reduction of the nitro group by bacterial nitroreductase but does not involve specific esterification enzymes. Some of the tri- and tetranitrobiphenyls e.g. 3,4,3'-, 3,4,4'-, 3,4,3',4'- and 3,4,2',4'-derivatives reverted not only TA98 and TA98/1,8DNP6 but also TA98NR. Those derivatives commonly have 2 nitro groups at an adjoining position (3,4-dinitro group), whereas 2,4,2',4'-tetranitrobiphenyl, which has strong potency not only in TA98 and TA98/1,8DNP6 but also in TA98NR, possesses 2 nitro groups at the 2-position of each benzene ring.     

Activity-guided isolation of the chemical constituents of Muntingia calabura using a quinone reductase induction assay

Activity-guided fractionation of an EtOAc-soluble extract of the leaves of Muntingia calabura collected in Peru, using an in vitro quinone reductase induction assay with cultured Hepa 1c1c7 (mouse hepatoma) cells, resulted in the isolation of a flavanone with an unsubstituted B-ring, (2R,3R)-7-methoxy-3,5,8-trihydroxyflavanone (5), as well as 24 known compounds, which were mainly flavanones and flavones. The structure including absolute stereochemistry of compound 5 was determined by spectroscopic (HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and CD spectra) methods. Of the isolates obtained, in addition to 5, (2S)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone, 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone, 4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone, 7-hydroxyisoflavone and 7,3',4'-trimethoxyisoflavone were found to induce quinone reductase activity.     

Genistein and daidzein induce cell proliferation and their metabolites cause oxidative DNA damage in relation to isoflavone-induced cancer of estrogen-sensitive organs

The soy isoflavones, genistein (5,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone) and daidzein (7,4'-dihydroxyisoflavone), are representative phytoestrogens that function as chemopreventive agents against cancers, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. However, recent studies indicated that genistein and/or daidzein induced cancers of reproductive organs in rodents, such as the uterus and vulva. To clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of carcinogenesis by soy isoflavones, we examined the ability of genistein, daidzein, and their metabolites, 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyisoflavone (orobol), 7,3',4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (7,3',4'-OH-IF), and 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (6,7,4'-OH-IF), to cause DNA damage and cell proliferation. An E-screen assay revealed that genistein and daidzein enhanced proliferation of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer MCF-7 cells, while their metabolites had little or no effect. A surface plasmon resonance sensor showed that binding of isoflavone-liganded estrogen receptors (ER) to estrogen response elements (ERE) was largely consistent with cell proliferative activity of isoflavones. Orobol and 7,3',4'-OH-IF significantly increased 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) formation in human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells, while genistein, daidzein, and 6,7,4'-OH-IF did not. Experiments using isolated DNA revealed a metal-dependent mechanism of oxidative DNA damage induced by orobol and 7,3',4'-OH-IF. DNA damage was enhanced by the addition of endogenous reductant NADH, formed via the redox cycle. These findings suggest that oxidative DNA damage by isoflavone metabolites plays a role in tumor initiation and that cell proliferation by isoflavones via ER-ERE binding induces tumor promotion and/or progression, resulting in cancer of estrogen-sensitive organs.     

Discontinuous DNA replication of Drosophila melanogaster is primed by octaribonucleotide primer.

To investigate the precise structure of eucaryotic primer RNA made in vivo, short DNA chains isolated from nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster embryos were analyzed. Post-labeling of 5' ends of short DNA chains with polynucleotide kinase and [gamma-32P]ATP revealed that 7% of the DNA fragments were covalently linked with mono- to octaribonucleotide primers at their 5' ends. Octaribonucleotides, the major component (ca. 30%), formed the cap structure in the reaction with vaccinia guanylyltransferase and [alpha-32P]GTP, indicating that they were the intact primer RNA with tri- (or di-) phosphate termini, and the shorter ribooligomers were degradation intermediates. The intact primers started with purine (A/G ratio, 4:1), and the starting few ribonucleotide residues were rich in A.     

Xanthones from Polygala alpestris (Rchb.)

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Polygala alpestris L. (Rchb.) extracts led to the identification of two new xanthones, 1,3,7-trihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone (1) and 2,3-methylenedioxy-4,7-dihydroxyxanthone (2). In addition five known compounds 3,4-dimethoxy-1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (3), 1,3-dihydroxy-7-methoxyxanthone (4), 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (5), 3',6-O-disinapoyl sucrose (6) and 3',5'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4-olo (7) were isolated. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by means of high resolution mass spectrometry, mono- and bi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. All isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxic activity against three tumor cell lines (LoVo, HL-60, K 562).     

6-Methylcryptoacetalide, 6-methyl-epicryptoacetalide and 6-methylcryptotanshinone from Salvia aegyptiaca

From the whole plant of Salvia aegyptiaca, 6-methylcryptoacetalide, 6-methyl-epicryptoacetalide and 6-methylcryptotanshinone have been isolated and characterized, mainly by spectroscopic means. In addition to these novel diterpenoids, the known compounds 3beta-hydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, 3beta-hydroxy-oleana-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid, sitosterol-3beta-glucoside, sitosterol, stigmasterol, 5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone and 5, 6-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone were isolated.     

Chemical Constituents of Phacellaria compressa Benth.

Two new compounds, 1-（3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl）-3-（3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl）-propane （1） and 5, 7, 3＇-trlmethyoxyflavan-4＇-O-β-D-glucopyranoslde （2） were Isolated from the ethanol extract of the dried aerial parts of Phacellarla compressa Benth., together with 2,3-bis[（4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl）-methyl]-1,4- butanedlol （3）, ethyl 3,4,5-trlhydroxybenzoate （4）, methyl 3, 4, 5-trlhydroxybenzoete （5）, β-sltoeterol （6）, 5, 7, 3＇, 4＇- tetrahydroxyfiavan （7）, lupeol （8）, zhebelreslnol （9）, quercetln-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoslde （10）, （＋）-cetechin （11）, betulln （12）, β-daucosterol （13）, （＋）-sydngareslnol （14）, scopoletln （15）, and proxlmadlol （16）. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectral evidence or by comparing them with authentic samples. Compound 9 showed α-amylase Inhibitory activity of 57.55% at a concentration of 50 μg/mL.     

Differential inhibition of mRNA degradation pathways by novel cap analogs

mRNA degradation predominantly proceeds through two alternative routes: the 5'-->3' pathway, which requires deadenylation followed by decapping and 5'-->3' hydrolysis; and the 3'-->5' pathway, which involves deadenylation followed by 3'-->5' hydrolysis and finally decapping. The mechanisms and relative contributions of each pathway are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of different cap structure (Gp(3)G, m(7)Gp(3)G, or m(2)(7,3'-O) Gp(3)G) and 3' termini (A(31),A(60), or G(16)) on both translation and mRNA degradation in mammalian cells. The results indicated that cap structures that bind eIF4E with higher affinity stabilize mRNA to degradation in vivo. mRNA stability depends on the ability of the 5' terminus to bind eIF4E, not merely the presence of a blocking group at the 5'-end. Introducing a stem-loop in the 5'-UTR that dramatically reduces translation, but keeping the cap structure the same, does not alter the rate of mRNA degradation. To test the relative contributions of the 5'-->3' versus 3'-->5' pathways, we designed and synthesized two new cap analogs, in which a methylene group was substituted between the alpha- and beta-phosphate moieties, m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG and m(2)(7,3'-O)Gp(CH2)ppG, that are predicted to be resistant to cleavage by Dcp1/Dcp2 and DcpS, respectively. These cap analogs were recognized by eIF4E and conferred cap-dependent translation to mRNA both in vitro and in vivo. Oligonucleotides capped with m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG were resistant to hydrolysis by recombinant human Dcp2 in vitro. mRNAs capped with m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG, but not m(2)(7,3'-O)Gp(CH2)ppG, were more stable in vivo, indicating that the 5'-->3' pathway makes a major contribution to overall degradation. Luciferase mRNA containing a 5'-terminal m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG and 3'-terminal poly(G) had the greatest stability of all mRNAs tested.     

Antimicrobial and antioxidant flavonoids from the root wood of Bolusanthus speciosus

Three new flavonoids-5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-[1-hydroxy-2-methylbuten-2-yl]isoflavone (isogancaonin C), 7,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflav-3-ene (bolusanthin III), 6,6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-2-arylbenzofuran (bolusanthin IV), in addition to eight known flavonoids; derrone, medicarpan, genistein, wighteone, lupiwighteone, gancaonin C, 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone and 7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone were isolated from the root wood of Bolusanthus speciosus. The compounds showed strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida mycoderma. The isolated compounds also showed moderate to strong radical scavenging properties against DPPH radical with the highest activities shown by the 2-arylbenzofuran, the isoflav-3-ene and 7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone in decreasing order.     

Rational design of highly potent HIV-1 fusion inhibitory proteins: implication for developing antiviral therapeutics

Recombinant protein containing one heptad-repeat 1 (HR1) segment and one HR2 segment of the HIV-1 gp41 (HR1-HR2) has been shown to fold into thermally stable six-helix bundle, representing the fusogenic core of gp41. In this study, we have used the fusogenic core as a scaffold to design HIV-1 fusion inhibitory proteins by linking another HR1 to the C terminus of HR1-HR2 (HR121) or additional HR2 to the N terminus of HR1-HR2 (HR212). Both recombinant proteins could be abundantly and solubly expressed and easily purified, exhibiting high stability and potent inhibitory activity on HIV-1 fusion with IC50 values of 16.2+/-2.8 and 2.8+/-0.63 nM, respectively. These suggest that these rationally designed proteins can be further developed as novel anti-HIV-1 therapeutics.     

Metal ion complexes of macrocyclic polyamines enhance both the phosphate hydrolysis and imidazole ring opening of RNA 5'-cap structure

The cleavage of P1-(7-methylguanosyl-5') P3-(guanosyl-5') triphosphate, a RNA 5'-cap model, by 2-hydroxyethyl- (6a-6c) and 2-aminoethyl- (7a-7c) substituted macrocycles in the presence and absence of Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions has been studied at pH 7.2 and 60 degrees. In the presence of the metal ions, hydrolysis of the phosphate group is enhanced. The mono- and dinuclear Zn2+ complexes promote solely the phosphate hydrolysis, whereas the corresponding Cu2+ complexes accelerate both the phosphate hydrolysis and the imidazole ring opening of the 7-methylguanine base. In the absence of the metal ions, the macrocycles mainly promote breakdown of the 7-methylguanine base, most probably by enhancing the nucleophilic attack of hydroxide ion on the C(8)-atom by shielding the repulsive negative charge on the phosphate moiety. The 2-hydroxyethyl and 2-aminoethyl side arms exhibit a two- to three-fold rate acceleration. Opening of the imidazole ring eventually results in cleavage of the triphosphate bridge.     

SYNTHESIS AND ENZYMATIC CHARACTERIZATION OF METHYLENE ANALOGS OF ADENOSINE 5′-TETRAPHOSPHATE (P4A)

A new methodology for synthesis of biologically important nucleoside tri- and tetraphosphates containing a bisphosphonate moiety instead of the terminal pyrophosphate bond is described. The series consists of tri- and tetraphosphate analogs of adenosine, guanosine and 7-methylguanosine (characteristic for mRNA cap). We have adopted a two-step procedure that allowed us to insert a methylene bridge into the phosphate chain. Nucleoside mono- or diphosphates were first activated (as imidazole derivatives) and then used in coupling reactions with organic salts of bisphosphonate. The resulting synthetic method enabled us to obtain the desired compounds with high yields and does not require any protective groups. This makes it very useful for the synthesis of labile compounds such as those containing the 7-methylguanosine ring. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. They were tested as potential substrates and inhibitors of several hydrolases.