Expression of nuclear receptor mRNA and liver X receptor-mediated regulation of ABC transporter A1 at rat blood-brain barrier

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of nuclear receptor mRNA and regulation of the expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters by nuclear receptor agonists in rat brain capillary endothelial cells, which form the blood-brain barrier, by using rat brain capillary fraction from 8-week-old rats and a conditionally immortalized brain capillary endothelial cell line (TR-BBB13). RT-PCR analysis revealed that liver X receptor alpha and beta, retinoid X receptor alpha and beta and peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor alpha and beta mRNAs were expressed in the rat brain capillary endothelial cells and TR-BBB cells. In contrast, pregnane X receptor, farnesoid X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor were not detected. Furthermore, treatment with a liver X receptor agonist increased the ABCA1 mRNA level in TR-BBB13 cells, while ABCG2 mRNA expression was not affected. Treatment with a rat pregnane X receptor agonist did not affect the ABCB1 mRNA level in TR-BBB13 cells. These results demonstrate that the rat blood-brain barrier has an expressional regulation mechanism via sterol-related nuclear receptor, and indicate that the blood-brain barrier in 8-week-old rats lacks ABCB1 regulation via pregnane X receptor.     

Dual effect of dexamethasone on CYP3A4 gene expression in human hepatocytes. Sequential role of glucocorticoid receptor and pregnane X receptor.

Although CYP3A induction by dexamethasone has been extensively documented, its mechanism is still unclear because both the role of the glucocorticoid receptor and the ability of dexamethasone to activate the human pregnane X receptor have been questioned. In an attempt to resolve this problem, we investigated the response of CYP3A4 to dexamethasone (10 nm-100 microm) in primary human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells, using a variety of methods: kinetic analysis of CYP3A4 and tyrosine aminotransferase expression, effects of RU486 and cycloheximide, ligand binding assay, cotransfection of HepG2 cells with CYP3A4 reporter gene constructs and vectors expressing the glucocorticoid receptor, pregnane X receptor or constitutively activated receptor. In contrast to rifampicin (monophasic induction), dexamethasone produces a biphasic induction of CYP3A4 mRNA consisting of a low-dexamethasone component (nmol concentrations) of low amplitude (factor of 3-4) followed by a high-dexamethasone component (supramicromolar concentrations) of high amplitude (factor of 15-30). We show that the low-dexamethasone component results from the glucocorticoid receptor-mediated expression of pregnane X receptor and/or constitutively activated receptor which, in turn, are able to transactivate CYP3A4 in a xenobiotic-independent manner. At supramicromolar concentrations (>10 microm), dexamethasone binds to and activates pregnane X receptor thus producing the high-dexamethasone component of CYP3A4 induction. We conclude that, in contrast to the other xenobiotic inducers of CYP3A4, glucocorticoids play a dual role in CYP3A4 expression, first by controlling the expression of PXR and CAR under physiological conditions (submicromolar concentrations) through the classical glucocorticoid receptor pathway, and second by activating the pregnane X receptor under bolus or stress conditions (supramicromolar concentrations).     

New pregnane glycosides from Stelmatocrypton khasianum

Four new pregnane glycosides, stelmatocryptonoside A, B, C, and D (1-4), were isolated from the stems of Stelmatocrypton khasianum. On the basis of chemical and spectral data, the structures of 1-4 were established as 3beta, 16alpha-dihydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one-16-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside; 3beta, 20-dihydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-digitalopyranoside; 3beta, 16alpha-dihydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one-16-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside; and 3beta, 16alpha-dihydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one-16-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside. This is the first report of pregnane glycosides with sugar chains linked at C-16 of the aglycone.     

Oxidation of Two Pregnane Steroids Catalyzed by the Fungus Cephalosporium aphidicola

Two pregnane steroids, pregnane (1) and 3β-hydroxypregnane (2), were oxidized by fermentation with the fungus Cephalosporium aphidicola. The fermentation of pregnane (1) yielded 3β-hydroxypregnane (2) and 3β, 6β,11α-trihydroxypregnane (3), while that of 3β-hydroxypregnane (2) afforded 6β,11α-dihydroxypregn-3,20-dione (4), 3β,6β,15α-trihydroxypregn-20-one (5) and 3β,5α,11α-trihydroxypregn-20-one (6). The metabolites are characterized by detailed physical and spectroscopic studies.     

Expeditious and convenient synthesis of pregnanes and its glycosides as potential anti-dyslipidemic and anti-oxidant agents

A series of new pregnane derivatives and its glycosides were synthesized in order to find new 'leads' against some important targets. The 3beta-hydroxy-16alpha-(2-hydroxy ethoxy) pregn-5-en-20-one (5) was synthesized from 3beta-hydroxy-5,16-pregnadiene-20-one (2) by adopting general modified procedure using BF(3):Et(2)O as a catalyst. Reduction of 5, with sodium borohydride yielded 3beta,20beta-dihydroxy-16alpha-(2-hydroxy ethoxy) pregn-5-en (7) as the major isolable product. O-alkylation of the C-20-oxime-pregnadiene (9) with 1,5-dibromopentane yielded 20-(O-5-bromopentyl)-oximino-3beta-hydroxy-pregn-5,16-diene (11). Synthesis of C-16 substituted pregnane glycosides (20) and (21) were accomplished with the imidate method using BF(3):Et(2)O. The synthesis of 4-chlorobenzoate (3) and 2-chlorobenzoate (4), derivatives of 2 were also accomplished. These compounds were evaluated for their anti-dyslipidemic and anti-oxidant activity and amongst them compounds 3 and 7 showed more lipid lowering and anti-oxidant activity.     

Immunosuppressive pregnane glycosides from Periploca sepium and Periploca forrestii

Nine pregnane glycosides containing peroxy functions in their sugar moieties (1-5 and 11-14), five oligosaccharides (6-10), six pregnane glycosides (15-20), and five cardiac glycosides (21-25) were isolated from the root barks of Periploca sepium Bge. (Asclepiadaceae) and the roots of Periploca forrestii Schltr. (Asclepiadaceae), two traditional Chinese medicines used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Among them, 1-8 are hitherto unknown. Their structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. In pharmacological testing, compounds 1-5 and 11-14 were found to exhibit inhibitory activity against the proliferation of T lymphocyte in vitro with IC50 values ranging from 0.29microM to 1.97microM, while the other components showed no significant inhibitory activity.     

Transcriptional regulation of CYP2C9 gene. Role of glucocorticoid receptor and constitutive androstane receptor.

Although cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) is a major CYP expressed in the adult human liver, its mechanism of regulation is poorly known. In previous work, we have shown that CYP2C9 is inducible in primary human hepatocytes by xenobiotics including dexamethasone, rifampicin, and phenobarbital. The aim of this work was to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) controlling the inducible expression of CYP2C9. Deletional analysis of CYP2C9 regulatory region (+21 to -2088) in the presence of various hormone nuclear receptors suggested the presence of two functional response elements, a glucocorticoid receptor-responsive element (-1648/-1684) and a constitutive androstane receptor-responsive element (CAR, -1783/-1856). Each of these were characterized by co-transfection experiments, directed mutagenesis, gel shift assays, and response to specific antagonists RU486 and androstanol. By these experiments we located a glucocorticoid-responsive element imperfect palindrome at -1662/-1676, and a DR4 motif at -1803/-1818 recognized and transactivated by human glucocorticoid receptor and by hCAR and pregnane X receptor, respectively. Identification of these functional elements provides rational mechanistic basis for CYP2C9 induction by dexamethasone (submicromolar concentrations), and by phenobarbital and rifampicin, respectively. CYP2C9 appears therefore to be a primary glucocorticoid-responsive gene, which in addition, may be induced by xenobiotics through CAR/pregnane X receptor activation.     

A pregnane ester glycoside from Periploca calophylla

A new pregnane ester genin, plocigenin, and a new pregnane ester diglycoside, plocin, have been isolated from the dried twigs of Periploca calophylla. The chemical and spectroscopic properties are consistent with the structures 12,20-di-O-benzoyl drevogenin-D and 12,20-di-O-benzoyl drevogenin-D-3-O-β-D-oleandropyranosyl (1 → 4)-O-β-oleandropyranoside, respectively.     

Acylated pregnane glycosides from Caralluma russeliana

The chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Caralluma russeliana yielded four acylated pregnane glycosides, namely russeliosides E-H, three were found now. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, NOESY and HMBC experiments.     

Verticillosides A–M: Polyoxygenated pregnane glycosides from Asclepias verticillata L.

As part of our ongoing effort to explore the chemical diversity of plants of the United States Midwest region, the isolation and identification of 13 pregnane glycosides named verticillosides A–M from Asclepias verticillata L. are reported. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV, and HRMS. The cytotoxicity of the isolates was evaluated against paired breast cell lines Hs578T (cancer) and Hs578Bst (normal), however, no significant growth inhibition was observed.     

Two novel immunosuppressive pregnane glycosides from the roots of Stephanotis mucronata

Two novel pregnane glycosides, together with one new aglycone, were isolated from the roots of Stephanotis mucronata. Their structures were determined by means of chemical evidence and extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. The two pregnane glycosides displayed significant immunosuppressive activities in vitro.     

Digitaloid pregnanes promote potassium-sparing diuresis in the guinea pig.

The synthesis of 17 alpha-acetoxy-3 beta-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]- 6 alpha-methylpregn-4-en-20-one, the glucoside of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA-glu), is described. MPA-glu and 14-amino-20 beta-hydroxy-3 beta-[(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)oxy]-5 beta, 14 beta-pregnane (LND 623), pregnane glycosides that bind to the digitalis receptor, and digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, were infused intravenously into the anesthetized guinea pig. Each of the three steroids significantly enhanced urinary volume and sodium excretion without affecting blood pressure and creatinine clearance. Potassium excretion was markedly enhanced by digoxin but unaffected by MPA-glu or LND 623. These observations conform to previous work that demonstrated, in the rat, potassium-sparing diuresis by the glucoside of 14 beta-hydroxyprogesterone, a cardiotonic pregnane. There is a dissociation between potency to inhibit [3H]ouabain binding and the extra ATPase actions of the digitaloid pregnanes.     

New pregnane glycosides from Caralluma dalzielii

Twenty-seven new pregnane glycosides were isolated from the whole plant of Caralluma dalzielii, and their structures elucidated from extensive 2D NMR analysis as well as ESI-MS experiments. All isolated compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activity on J774.A1, HEK-293, and WEHI-164 cell lines. Moderate to high potency of cytotoxicities were found in almost all tested compounds, confirming the significant cytotoxic activity of pregnane glycosides.     

A New Pregnane from Munronia delavayi Franc （Meliaceae）

To search for pharmacologically active constituents of folk medicine, a new pregnane, 2α,3α,15β-trihydroxy-20（S）-tigloyl-pregnane （compound 1）, and nine known compounds, geranylgeraniol （compound 2）, β-daucosterol （compound 3）, 6-hydroxystigmast-4oen-3-one （compound 4）, sitoindoside Ⅰ （compound 5）, sitoindoside Ⅱ （compound 6）, β-sitosterol （compound 7）, kaempferol （compound 8）, quercetin （compound 9）, and rutin （compound 10）, were isolated from the ethanol extract of whole plants of Munronia delavayi Franch using chromatographic methods. The structures of compounds 1-10 were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

Amurensiosides A-K, 11 new pregnane glycosides from the roots of Adonis amurensis

Five new pregnane tetraglycosides, amurensiosides A-E (1-5), two new pregnane hexaglycosides, amurensiosides F (6) and I (9), two new 18-norpregnane hexaglycosides, amurensiosides G (7) and H (8), and two new pregnane octaglycosides, amurensiosides J (10) and K (11), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the roots of Adonis amurensis. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including two-dimensional (2D) NMR data, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HSC-2 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.     

Sustained Isoprostane E2 Elevation,Inflammation and Fibrosis after Acute Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury Are Reduced by Pregnane X Receptor Activation

Liver grafts donated after cardiac death are increasingly used to expand the donor pool but are prone to ischaemic-type biliary lesions. The anti-inflammatory effects of the activated pregnane X receptor have previously been shown to be beneficial in a number of inflammatory liver conditions. However, its role in reducing peri-portal inflammation and fibrosis following ischaemia-reperfusion injury has not been investigated. Hepatic injury and its response to pregnane X receptor activation was examined after partial hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury induced by surgically clamping the left and middle lobar blood vessels in rats. Molecular and pathological changes in the liver were examined over the following 28 days. Ischaemia-reperfusion injury resulted in transient cholestasis associated with microvillar changes in biliary epithelial cell membranes and hepatocellular injury which resolved within days after reperfusion. However, in contrast to chemically-induced acute liver injuries, this was followed by sustained elevation in isoprostane E2, peri-portal inflammation and fibrosis that remained unresolved in the ischaemic reperfused lobe for at least 28 days after clamping. Administration of pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile—a rodent-specific pregnane X receptor activator—resulted in significant reductions in cholestasis, hepatic injury, ischaemic lobe isoprostane E2 levels, peri-portal inflammation and fibrosis. Hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury therefore results in inflammatory and fibrotic changes that persist well beyond the initial ischaemic insult. Drug-mediated activation of the pregnane X receptor reduced these adverse changes in rats, suggesting that the pregnane X receptor is a viable drug target to reduce ischaemic-type biliary lesions in recipients of liver transplants donated after cardiac death.     

New pregnane glycosides from Brucea javanica and their antifeedant activity

Three new pregnane glycosides, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(20R)-pregn-5-ene-3β,20-diol (1), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(20R)-pregn-5-ene-3β,20-diol-20-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(20R)-pregn-5-ene-3β,20-diol-20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated along with four known compounds, 4-7, from the leaves and stems of Brucea javanica. Their structures were determined by detailed analyses of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. All of the compounds isolated from Brucea javanica were tested for the antifeedant activities against the larva of Pieris rapae. Compounds 1, 3, and 5 showed significant antifeedant activities after 72 h incubation.     

Transactivation of ABCG2 through a novel cis-element in the distal promoter by constitutive androstane receptor but not pregnane X receptor in human hepatocytes

A previous report demonstrated that treatment of human hepatocytes with phenobarbital, an activator of nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), increases mRNA levels of an efflux transporter ABCG2, which is involved in the excretion of xenobiotics in liver and intestine. The results suggest that human CAR (hCAR) transactivates human ABCG2 (hABCG2) expression. In this study, we confirmed increase in ABCG2 mRNA levels in human hepatocytes after adenoviral expression of hCAR and treatment with its activator. Reporter assays suggested the existence of an hCAR-responsive element between -8000 and -7485 of hABCG2 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified a DR5 motif (direct repeat separated by five nucleotides) within the region as a binding motif of hCAR/human retinoid X receptor α heterodimer. The introduction of mutations into the DR5 motif resulted in the complete loss of the hCAR-mediated transactivation. Interestingly, human pregnane X receptor, belonging to the same NR1I subfamily as CAR, did not activate any reporter gene containing the DR5 motif. Taken together, our present findings suggest that hCAR transactivates hABCG2 through the DR5 motif located in its distal promoter in human hepatocytes and that the motif prefers hCAR to pregnane X receptor.     

Acylated pregnane glycosides from Caralluma tuberculata and their antiparasitic activity

Five pregnane glycosides were isolated from Caralluma tuberculata (1-5), in addition to a known one (russelioside E, 6). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by the analysis of NMR data and FAB-MS experiments. All the isolated compounds were tested for their antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities as well as their cytotoxicity against human diploid embryonic cell line (MRC5).     

Structural elucidation of limonoids and steroids from Trichilia connaroides

Six limonoids, trijugins D-H (1-5) and methyl 8alpha-hydroxy-8,30-dihydroangolensate (6), two degraded limonoids, trichiconnarins A and B (7-8), and a pregnane steroid, 3beta,4alpha-dihydroxypregnan-21-one (9), along with the known trijugin C (10) and 3beta,4alpha-dihydroxypregnan-16-one (11) were isolated from twigs and leaves of Trichilia connaroides. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis.