Biotransformation using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucor rouxii</Emphasis> for the production of oleanolic acid derivatives and their antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens

The goal of this study is to produce oleanolic acid derivatives by biotransformation process using Mucor rouxii and evaluate their antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens. The microbial transformation was carried out in shake flasks at 30°C for 216 h with shaking at 120 rpm. Three new derivatives, 7β-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, 7β,21β-dihydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, and 3β,7β,21β-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, and one know compound, 21β-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, were isolated, and the structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The antimicrobial activity of the substrate and its transformed products was evaluated against five oral pathogens. Among these compounds, the derivative 21β-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid displayed the strongest activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is a primary etiological agent of periodontal disease. In an attempt to improve the antimicrobial activity of the derivative 21β-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, its sodium salt was prepared, and the minimum inhibitory concentration against P. gingivalis was reduced by one-half. The biotransformation process using M. rouxii has potential to be applied to the production of oleanolic acid derivatives. Research and antimicrobial activity evaluation of new oleanolic acid derivatives may provide an important contribution to the discovery of new adjunct agents for treatment of dental diseases such as dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis.     

Biological activities and chemistry of saponins from Chenopodium quinoa Willd.

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is a valuable food source which has gained importance in many countries of the world. The plant contains various bitter-tasting saponins which present an important antinutritional factor. Various triterpene saponins have been reported in C. quinoa including both monodesmosidic and bidesmosidic triterpene saponins of oleanolic acid, hederagenin, phytolaccagenic acid, and serjanic acid as the major aglycones and other aglycones as 3β-hydroxy-23-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, 3β-hydroxy-27-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, and 3β, 23α, 30β-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid. A tridesmosidic saponin of hederagenin has also been reported. Here we review the occurrence, analysis, chemical structures, and biological activity of triterpene saponins of C. quinoa. In particular, the mode of action of the mono- and bidesmosidic triterpene saponins and aglycones are discussed.     

Regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism in Hep G2 cells by Δ8(14)-15-ketoergostane derivatives

The comparative study of effects of 5α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-on-3β-ol (I), (22E)-5α-ergosta-8(14),22-dien-15-on-3β-ol (II), (22S,23S)-22,23-oxido-5α-ergost-8(14)-en-15-on-3β-ol (III), and (22R,23R)-22,23-oxido-5α-ergost-8(14)-en-15-on-3β-ol (IV) on HMG-CoA reductase, CYP27A1 and CYP3A4 genes expression in Hep G2 cells was performed. In the contrast to the 15-ketocholestane derivative (I), 15-ketoergostane derivatives (II–IV) decreased the HMG-CoA reductase mRNA level; (22R, 23R)-22,23-oxido-5α-ergost-8(14)-en-15-on-3β-ol (IV) significantly increased CYP3A4 mRNA level (320% from control). Ketosterol (II) was found to be a more potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis in Hep G2 cells during prolonged incubation, compared with ketosterol (I). The side chain conformation of compounds (I)–(IV) was evaluated by computational modeling; the correlation between biological activity of these compounds and conformational flexibility of their side chains was found. The results obtained indicate that Δ8(14)-15-ketoergostane derivatives may be used as a sterol biosynthesis and metabolism regulators in liver cells.     

Synthesis of bis-amino acid derivatives by Suzuki cross-coupling,Michael addition and substitution reactions

Several bis-amino acids were prepared using a bis-Suzuki coupling (compounds 4–8, 10), a sequential Michael addition and bis-Suzuki coupling (compounds 12, 13) and a Michael addition followed by a substitution reaction (compounds 18, 19). Thus, the pure stereoisomer of the methyl esters of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-β-bromodehydroaminobutyric acid and dehydrophenylalanine and of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-β-bromodehydroaminobutyric acid were reacted with 1,4-phenylene-bis-boronic acid or 9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-bis-boronic acid using modified Suzuki coupling conditions. The corresponding bis-dehydroamino acid derivatives were obtained in good to high yields maintaining the stereochemistry of the starting materials. This reaction was also applied successfully to a brominated dehydrodipeptide and 1,4-phenylene-bis-boronic acid showing that it could be used to create cross-links in peptide chains. An N,N-diacyldehydroalanine derivative was used in a sequential Michael addition and bis-Suzuki coupling giving a p-terphenyl bis-amino acid and a fluorenyl bis-amino acid in good yields. Two bis-α,β-diamino acids were obtained by a Michael addition of 1,2,4-triazole to the methyl esters of N-(4-toluenesulfonyl), N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl) dehydroamino acids followed by treatment with ethylenediamine.     

Terpenoids of Canarium zeylanicum

The following terpenoids were identified in the oleoresin, bark and timber of Canarium zeylanicum: 3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-11-one, 3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-11-one, olean-12-en-3,11-dione, urs-12-en-3,11-dione, α- and β-amyrin, α- and β-amyrenone, taraxerol, sitosterol, canaric acid, elemene, elemol, α-pinene, α- and β-phellandrene, limonene, terpineol and carvone.     

Diterpenoids and triterpenoids in hairy roots of Salvia sclarea

Hairy root culture of Salvia sclarea L. was established following infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA 9402. The culture was grown in growth regulator-free half-strength B5 Gamborg medium with 30 g l⁻¹ sucrose and was investigated with respect to its capability of producing diterpenoids and triterpenoids. Four diterpenoids (ferruginol, salvipisone, aethiopinone and 1-oxoaethiopinone) and two ursene-type triterpenoids (2α,3α-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid and 2α,3α,24-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid) were isolated from the hairy roots. The presence of three sterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol), as well as oleanolic and ursolic acids was also shown by GC–MS analysis. The quantitative and qualitative differences in diterpenoid and triterpenoid production patterns between hairy roots grown in the light and in the dark were described.     

Urease inhibitory activity of ursane type sulfated saponins from the aerial parts of Zygophyllum fabago Linn

Five ursane type sulfated saponins have been isolated from the aerial parts of Zygophyllum fabago Linn. (locally called Chashum). The urease inhibitory effects of these compounds have been investigated for the first time as well as their molecular docking studies have also been carried out to check the structure–activity relationship. The IC₅₀ values of these compounds could not be found due to paucity of the samples. The molecular docking studies were performed only for the most active compound mono sodium salt of 3β,23-di-O-sulfonyl-23-hydroxyurs-20(21)-en-28-oic acid 28-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (Zygofaboside A; 1).     

A review of acacic acid-type saponins from Leguminosae-Mimosoideae as potent cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing agents

The aim of this review is to highlight updated results on the biologically active saponins from Leguminosae-Mimosoideae. Acacic acid-type saponins (AATS), is a class of very complex glycosides possessing a common aglycon unit of the oleanane-type (acacic acid = 3β, 16α, 21β trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28 oic acid), having various oligosaccharide moieties at C-3 and C-28 and an acyl group at C-21. About sixty molecules of this type have been actively explored in recent years from Leguminosae family, from a chemical point of view and some fifty were reported to possess cancer related activities. These include cytotoxic/antitumor, immunomodulatory, antimutagenic, and apoptosis inducing properties and appear to depend on the acylation and esterification by different moieties at C-21 and C-28 of the acacic acid-type aglycone. One can observe that the (6S) configuration of the outer monoterpenyl moiety (MT) seems more potent in mediating high cytotoxicity than its (6R) isomer. Furthermore, the trisaccharide moiety {β-d-Xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-Fucopyranosyl-(1→6)- N-Acetamido 2-β-d-Glucopyranosyl-} at C-3, the tetrasaccharide moiety {β-d-Glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-[α-L-Arabinofuranosyl-(1→4)]-α-l-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-Glucopyranosyl} at C-28 of the aglycone, and the inner MT hydroxylated at its C-9, having a (6S) configuration can be important substituent patterns for the induction of apoptosis of AATS. Because of their interesting cytotoxic/apoptosis inducing activity, some AATS can be useful in the search for new potential antitumor agents from Fabaceae. Furthermore, the sequence 28-O-{Glc-(1→3)-[Ara_f-(1→4)]-Rha-(1→2)-Glc-Acacic acid}, often encountered in the genera Acacia, Albizia, Archidendron, and Pithecellobium may represent a chemotaxonomic marker of the Mimosoideae subfamily.     

Alterations of β3-adrenoceptors expression and their myocardial functional effects in physiological model of chronic exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Physical training induces cardiovascular autonomic nervous system regulation adaptations, which could result from β adrenergic receptor (AR) modifications. Among them, β₃ AR alterations have been recently reported but their functional effect remained to discuss. To explain the β₃ AR gene expression in relation to function, we simultaneously studied the left ventricle (LV) β₃ AR mRNA and protein levels and the myocardial functional effects of a β₃ AR agonist following physical training. Forty rats were assigned to either a control (C; N = 20) or a trained (T; N = 20) group. The treadmill running protocol was performed for 8 weeks. Histological measurements on LV slices were quantified. The β₃ AR mRNA abundance was studied with RT-PCR and β₃ AR protein density with Western-Blot analysis. Myocardial functional effects of a β₃ AR agonist, BRL37344 (10⁻⁸ M), were studied in Langendorff-perfused hearts. Histological data confirmed the adapted patterns of the physiological cardiac hypertrophy observed in T (P < 0.01), with a significant increase in arteries density (P < 0.01) and an unchanged collagen concentration. The β₃ AR protein density was increased in T (154 ± 38% in T vs. 100 ± 24% in C; P < 0.05), but no change was noted concerning the β₃ AR mRNA level. After BRL37344 perfusion LVDP, +dP/dT and −dP/dT, in C (P < 0.01), and only +dP/dT in T (P < 0.05) were decreased. Moreover, all LV hemodynamic parameters were more altered after BRL37344 in C than in T (P < 0.01). Thus, in this physiological model of cardiac hypertrophy, an increase of β₃ AR density without β₃ AR mRNA alteration was observed. Classical negative myocardial lusitropic and inotropic effects induced by a specific agonist of β₃ AR were diminished in trained rats.     

肋果茶中的萜类化学成分研究

从肋果茶(Sladenia celastrifolia)95％乙醇提取物的乙酸乙酯部位中分离得到15个萜类化合物,经波谱学方法分别鉴定为sladeniafolin A(1),grasshopper ketone (2),(3S,5R,6S,7E,9R) -7-megastigmene-3,6,9-triol (3),hedytriol (4),(3S,5R,6R,7E,9R) -3,5,6,9-tetrahydroxy-7-megastigmene(5),1′S*,4′R*-8-(4′-hydroxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)-6-methyloct-3E,5E,7E-trien -2-one (6),2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (7),2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid(8),pomolic acid(9),3-O-acetyl pomolic acid(10),ursaldehyde (11),camarolide (12),3β-hydroxyurs-11-en-13β(28) -olide (13),3β-hydroxy -11α,12α-epoxy-urs-13β,28-olide (14)和28-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl euscaphic acid (15).以上化合物均首次从该植物中分离得到,其中1为新的C9裂环烯醚萜.     

α,β-unsaturated 4-oxo acids in heterocyclic synthesis

3-(1,1-Dioxadibenzothien-4-oyl)acrylic acid (1) was condensed with compounds containing active methylene groups under Michael reaction conditions to furnish the Michael adducts (lactones,2a–c, lactams,3a–c, ketones4a, b). The behavior of these adducts toward the action of hydrazine hydrate were investigated. The compounds were tested for their biological properties. 1st part of this series:Egypt. J. Chem. 42, 309 (1999).     

Triterpenoids from <i>Uncaria rhynchophylla</i> and Their PTP1B Inhibitory Activity

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine used for psychiatric and hypotensive purposes in China. In this study, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) part of U. rhynchophylla was revealed with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity. Subsequent investigation on the EtOAc part yielded one new triterpenoid, 3β-formyloxy-6β,19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (1) and four known ones, 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 2-oxopomolic acid (3), 3β,19α-dihydroxy-6-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (4) and sumaresinolic acid (5). The structure of compound 1 was determined by extensive HRESIMS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Two ursane-type triterpenoids (2 and 3) showed selective inhibition on PTP1B with IC₅₀ values of 48.2 and 178.7 μM. The enzyme kinetic study suggested that compounds 2 and 3 were mix-type inhibitors on PTP1B with K_i values of 15.6 and 132.5 μM. This investigation manifests the antidiabetic potency of U. rhynchophylla with triterpenoids as the active constituents.     

Hybrid α/β-peptides: For-Met-Leu-Phe-OMe analogues containing geminally disubstituted β2,2- and β3,3-amino acids at the central position

Summary. The two fMLF-OMe analogues For-Met-β³hAc₆c-Phe-OMe (6) and For-Met-β²hAc₆c-Phe-OMe (12) and their corresponding N-Boc derivatives 5 and 11 have been synthesized and their biological activity towards human neutrophils evaluated. The N-formyl peptides 6 and 12 exhibit good activity as chemoattractans and 12 is highly active in superoxide anion production. The preferred solution conformation of the two N-formyl derivatives has been discussed.     

Isolation of anti-Candida albicans compounds from Markhamia obtusifolia (Baker) Sprague (Bignoniaceae)

An increase in clinical cases of Candidiosis globally as well as fungal resistance to drugs prompted the search for novel anti-Candida albicans agents from plant sources. Leaf extracts of Markhamia obtusifolia were screened for activity against C. albicans in vitro. An acetone extract obtained following serial exhaustive extraction contained mainly the active components with at least four active zones on the bioautogram. Bioassay guided fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of three compounds which inhibited the growth of three C. albicans strains. Based on spectroscopy studies (NMR and MS), the compounds were identified as 3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, ursolic acid (1) 3β, 19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, pomolic acid (2) and 2β, 3β, 19α -trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 2-epi-tormentic acid (3). The most active compound was 3β, 19α-dihydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid (2) with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 12.5 µg/mL for C. albicans isolated from dog and 25.0 µg/mL for C. albicans from cat and ATCC 90028 at 24 h following incubation. However, at 48 h of incubation MICs were > 400 µg/mL for all the three compounds isolated. This study indicated that M. obtusifolia could be a potential source of active principles against C. albicans.     

Side reactions in the preparation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid

Summary During a study on the preparation of the conformationally restricted analogue of tryptophan into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid1 by a Pictet-Spengler condensation with formaldehyde, two site products were detected:N-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid2 and a dimer3 of two 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid units linked by a methylene group. Their structures were determined by HPLC-MS and 2D NMR spectroscopy. By changing the isolation procedure, theN-hydroxymethyl compound was removed. Treatment of the mixture with TFA in water converted the dimer into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid1.     

The attachment of poly(ribitol phosphate) to lipoteichoic acid carrier

2-Acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-aspart-1-oyl-(L-leucyl-L-threonyl-N²-tosyl-L-lysine p-nitrobenzyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine (21) and 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-aspart-1-oyl-(L-leucyl-L-threonyl-N²-tosyl-L-lysine p-nitrobenzyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine (22), 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-aspart-1-oyl-(glycine ethyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine, and 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-aspart-1-oyl-(phenylalanine methyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine were synthesized by condensation of 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-aspart-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine with the appropriate protected amino acids and tri- and tetra-peptides. The amino acid sequences of 21 and 22 correspond to the protected amino acid sequences 34–37 and 34–38 of ribonuclease B that are adjacent to the carbohydrate-protein linkage.     

Biotransformation of lantadene A (22β-angeloyloxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid), the pentacyclic triterpenoid, by Alcaligenes faecalis

A bacterial strain capable of biotransformation oflantadene A(22-angeloyloxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid),the pentacyclic hepatotoxin of lantana (Lantanacamara var. aculeata) has been isolated fromsoil using lantadene A as the sole carbon source. Theorganism is Gram negative, rod shaped, motile,catalase positive and has been identified as Alcaligenes faecalis. The isolate has been found tobe specific for lantadene A and did not utilizelantadene B. In studies using sucrose as an additionalcarbon source, A. faecalis elicitedbiotransformation of lantadene A to its trans isomer22-tigloyloxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid,designated as lantadene X and two other minormetabolites which could not be isolated in pure state.     

Synthesis of glycopeptides containing the amino acid sequence 17-23 of bovine pancreatic deoyxribonuclease

2-Acetamino-3,4,6-tri-O-acetly-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonly-l-seryl)-l-aspart-1-oyl-(p-nitrobenzyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosylamine,2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri,O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl-l-seryl)-l-aspart-1-oyl-(l-alanine methyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosylamine, and 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-benzyloxycarbonyl)-l-aspart-1-oyl-(l-alanyl-l-threonyl-l-leucyl-l-alanyl-l-serine p-nitrobenzyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosylamine (7), which span the amino acid sequence 17-23 of bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease A and contain a 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose residue, were synthesized. On treatment with lithium hydroxide, the blocked glycohexapeptide 7 gave 2-acetamido-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-l-aspart-1-oyl-(l-alanyl-l-threonyl-l-leucyl-l-alanyl-l-serine)-4-oyl]-2 deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosylamine.     

Homology model and docking studies on porcine β<Subscript>2</Subscript> adrenoceptor: description of two binding sites

The affinity of the classical β₂ adrenoceptor-selective inverse agonist ICI118,551 is notoriously lower for porcine β₂ adrenoceptors (p₂βAR) than for human β₂ adrenoceptors (hβ₂AR) but molecular mechanisms for this difference are still unclear. Homology 3-D models of pβ₂AR can be useful in predicting similarities and differences, which might in turn increase the comparative understanding of ligand interactions with the hβ₂AR. In this work, the pβ₂AR amino acid sequence was used to carry out homology modeling. The selected pβ₂AR 3-D structure was structurally and energetically optimized and used as a model for further theoretical study. The homology model of pβ₂AR has a 3-D structure very similar to the crystal structures of recently studied hβ₂AR. This was also corroborated by sequence identity, RMSD, Ramachandran map, TM-score and docking results. Upon performing molecular docking simulations with the AutoDock4.0.1 program on pβ₂AR, it was found that a set of well-known β₂AR ligands reach two distinct binding sites on pβ₂AR. Whereas one of these sites is similar to that reported on the hβ₂AR crystal structure, the other can explain some important experimental observations. Additionally, the theoretical affinity estimated for ICI118,551 closely agrees with affinities estimated from experimental in vitro data. The experimental differences between the human/porcine β₂ARs in relation to ligand affinity can in part be elucidated by observations in this molecular modeling study.     

Isolation and potential cancer chemopreventive activities of phenolic compounds of beer

Beer contains a variety of phenolic compounds. During the brewing process, some of these compounds are removed by polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to prevent haze formation. We have analyzed the phytochemical composition of a PVPP residue as well as of unstabilized beer and isolated a total of 51 compounds. Eight structures were identified as novel, i.e., 2-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (6), 2′-(4″-hydroxyphenyl)isoferulic acid ester (12), 1,2,5,7-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone (23) and 4,7-dihydroxy-5-(2′,4′,6′-trihydroxyphenyl)-indan-1,2-dione (24) from the PVPP residue, and catechin-7-O-β-(6″-O-nicotinoyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (41), ent-epigallo-catechin-(4αto8, 2αtoOto7)catechin (44), ent-epigallocatechin (4αto6, 2αtoOto7)catechin (45) and 2,3-cis-3,4-trans-2-[2,3-trans-3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavan-8-yl]-4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)3,5,7-trihydroxybenzopyran (46) from the unstabilized beer. Most of the compounds were tested for potential cancer chemopreventive activities in in vitro test systems detecting a modulation of carcinogen metabolism (inhibition of phase 1 cytochrome P450 1A (Cyp1A) activity, induction of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (QR) activity) and anti-inflammatory mechanisms (inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 (Cox-1) activity). 1,2,5,7-Tetrahydroxyanthraquinone (23) and xanthohumol (25), a prenylated chalcone derived from hop, were identified as the most potent compounds and were additionally tested for inhibition of chemically-induced preneoplastic lesions in an ex vivo mouse mammary gland organ culture model (MMOC). Importantly, both agents inhibited lesion formation with halfmaximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 0.1 and 0.02 μM, respectively. Our results demonstrate that beer is an interesting source of potential cancer chemopreventive agents and should be further investigated with this respect. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.