Inhibition of cholesteryl ester synthesis by polyacetylenes from Atractylodes rhizome

Using activity guided purification, four known compounds, sesquiterpene atractylenolide III (1), and the polyacetylenes 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol (2), 14-acetoxy-12-α-methylbutyl-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol (3), and 14-acetoxy-12-β -methylbutyl-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol (4), were isolated from a traditional herbal medicine, Atractylodes rhizome. Structurally similar 3 and 4 (3/4 mixture) were obtained as a mixture. In intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K1 cell assays, 1, 2, and a 3/4 mixture selectively inhibited cholesterol [¹⁴C]oleate synthesis from [¹⁴C]oleate with IC₅₀ values of 73.5 µM, 35.4 µM, and 10.2 µM, respectively, without any effects on cytotoxicity. As a potential target of these inhibitors involved in cholesteryl ester (CE) synthesis, effects on sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT) activity were investigated using microsomes prepared from CHO-K1 cells as an enzyme source. Hence, these compounds inhibit SOAT activity with IC₅₀ values (211 µM for 1, 29.0 µM for 2, and 11.8 µM for 3/4 mixture) that correlate well with those measured from intact cell assays. Our results strongly suggest that these compounds inhibit CE synthesis by blocking SOAT activity in CHO-K1 cells.     

Design,synthesis and pharmacology of aortic-selective acyl-CoA: Cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT/SOAT) inhibitors

We describe our molecular design of aortic-selective acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT, also abbreviated as SOAT) inhibitors, their structure–activity relationships (SARs) and their pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacological profiles. The connection of two weak ligands—N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)acetamide (50% inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀]?=?8.6?μM) and 2-(methylthio)benzo[d]oxazole (IC₅₀?=?31?μM)—via a linker comprising a 6 methylene group chains yielded a highly potent molecule, 9-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-ylthio)-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)nonanamide (3h) that exhibited high potency (IC₅₀?=?0.004?μM) toward aortic ACAT. This head-to-tail design made it possible to markedly enhance the activity to 2150- to 7750-fold and to discriminate the isoform-selectivity based on the double-induced fit mechanism. At doses of 1 and 3?mg/kg, 3h significantly decreased the lipid-accumulation areas in the aortic arch to 74 and 69%, respectively without reducing the plasma total cholesterol level in high fat- and cholesterol-fed F₁B hamsters. Here, we demonstrate the antiatherosclerotic effect of 3hin vivo via its direct action on aortic ACAT and its powerful modulator of cholesterol level. This molecule is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of diseases involving ACAT-1 overexpression.     

Generation of new hepatocyte-like in vitro models better resembling human lipid metabolism

In contrast to human hepatocytes in vivo, which solely express acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) 2, both ACAT1 and ACAT2 (encoded by SOAT1 and SOAT2) are expressed in primary human hepatocytes and in human hepatoma cell lines. Here, we aimed to create hepatocyte-like cells expressing the ACAT2, but not the ACAT1, protein to generate a model that – at least in this regard – resembles the human condition in vivo and to assess the effects on lipid metabolism. Using the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats technology, we knocked out SOAT1 in HepG2 and Huh7.5 cells. The wild type and SOAT2-only-cells were cultured with fetal bovine or human serum and the effects on lipoprotein and lipid metabolism were studied. In SOAT2-only-HepG2 cells, increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) in the cell media were detected; this was likely dependent of the increased expression of key genes involved in lipid metabolism (e.g. MTP, APOB, HMGCR, LDLR, ACACA, and DGAT2). Opposite effects were observed in SOAT2-only-Huh7.5 cells. Our study shows that the expression of SOAT1 in hepatocyte-like cells contributes to the distorted phenotype observed in HepG2 and Huh7.5 cells. As not only parameters of lipoprotein and lipid metabolism but also some markers of differentiation/maturation increase in the SOAT2-only-HepG2 cells cultured with HS, this cellular model represent an improved model for studies of lipid metabolism.     

Inhibition of neutral lipid synthesis by avarols from a marine sponge

The effects of 14 sesquiterpene hydroquinones, including 8 marine sponge-derived avarols (1–8) and 6 semisynthetic derivatives (9–14), on lipid droplet accumulation and neutral lipid synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K1 cells were investigated. In intact CHO-K1 cell assays, avarol (1) markedly decreased the number and size of lipid droplets in CHO-K1 cells and exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity on the synthesis of cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride (TG) with IC₅₀ values of 5.74 and 6.80 µM, respectively. In enzyme assays, sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT), the final enzyme involved in CE biosynthesis, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), the final enzyme involved in TG biosynthesis, were inhibited by 1 with IC₅₀ values of 7.31 and 20.0 µM, respectively, which correlated well with those obtained in the intact cell assay. These results strongly suggest that 1 inhibited SOAT and DGAT activities in CHO-K1 cells, leading to a reduction in the accumulation of CE and TG in lipid droplets.     

TG-interacting factor 1 acts as a transcriptional repressor of sterol O-acyltransferase 2

Acat2 [gene name: sterol O-acyltransferase 2 (SOAT2)] esterifies cholesterol in enterocytes and hepatocytes. This study aims to identify repressor elements in the human SOAT2 promoter and evaluate their in vivo relevance. We identified TG-interacting factor 1 (Tgif1) to function as an important repressor of SOAT2. Tgif1 could also block the induction of the SOAT2 promoter activity by hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α and 4α. Women have ∼30% higher hepatic TGIF1 mRNA compared with men. Depletion of Tgif1 in mice increased the hepatic Soat2 expression and resulted in higher hepatic lipid accumulation and plasma cholesterol levels. Tgif1 is a new player in human cholesterol metabolism.     

Triterpenoid saponins from Fatsia japonica

Five triterpenoid saponins isolated from the flowers, the mature fruits and the leaves of Fatsia japonica were identified as 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin (1), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-oleanolic acid (2), 3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (3), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin (4) and 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (5). The saponins 1 and 2 are new, naturally occurring, triterpenoid saponins. The distribution of the five saponins in three parts of the plant was investigated. Saponins 2, 3 and 5 were present in the flowers, saponins 1, 3, 4 and 5 were in the mature fruits and saponins 2, 3, 4 and 5 were in the leaves.     

Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation,COX-1/2 inhibition and molecular docking study of indole-N-acylhydrazone derivatives

The objective of this work was to obtain and evaluate anti-inflammatory in vitro, in vivo and in silico potential of novel indole-N-acylhydrazone derivatives. In total, 10 new compounds (3a–j) were synthesized in satisfactory yields, through a condensation reaction in a single synthesis step. In the lymphoproliferation assay, using mice splenocytes, 3a and 3b showed inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation of 62.7% (±3.5) and 50.7% (±2), respectively, while dexamethasone presented an inhibition of 74.6% (±2.4). Moreover, compound 3b induced higher Th2 cytokines production in mice splenocytes cultures. The results for COX inhibition assays showed that compound 3b is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, but with less potency when compared to celecoxib, and compound 3a not presented selectivity towards COX-2. The molecular docking results suggest compounds 3a and 3b interact with the active site of COX-2 in similar conformations, but not with the active site of COX-1, and this may be the main reason to the COX-2 selectivity of compound 3b. In vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema assays were adopted for the confirmation of the anti-inflammatory activity. Compound 3b showed better results in suppressing edema at all tested concentrations and was able to induce an edema inhibition of 100% after 5?h of carrageenan injection at the 30?mg?kg^?1 dosage, corroborating with the COX inhibition and lymphoproliferation results. I addition to our experimental results, in silico analysis suggest that compounds 3a and 3b present a well-balanced profile between pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Thus, our preliminary results revealed the potentiality of a new COX-2 selective derivative in the modulation of the inflammatory process.     

An unusual lanostane-type triterpenoid,spiroinonotsuoxodiol, and other triterpenoids from Inonotus obliquus

An unusual lanostane-type triterpenoid, spiroinonotsuoxodiol (1), and two lanostane-type triterpenoids, inonotsudiol A (2) and inonotsuoxodiol A (3), were isolated from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus. Their structures were determined to be (3S,7S,9R)-3,7-dihydroxy-7(8 → 9)abeo-lanost-24-en-8-one (1), lanosta-8,24-dien-3β,11β-diol (2), and (22R)-3β,22-dihydroxylanosta-8,24-dien-11-one (3) on the basis of NMR spectroscopy, including 1D and 2D (¹H–¹H COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC) NMR, and FABMS. Compounds 1–3 showed moderate activity against cultured P388, L1210, HL-60 and KB cells.     

Valproic acid induces three novel cytotoxic secondary metabolites in Diaporthe sp., an endophytic fungus from Datura inoxia Mill.

Addition of the valproic acid (histone deacetylases inhibitor) to a culture of an endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. harbored from Datura inoxia significantly altered its secondary metabolic profile and resulted in the isolation of three novel compounds, identified as xylarolide A (1), diportharine A (2) and xylarolide B (3) along with one known compound xylarolide (4). The structures of all the compounds (1–4) were determined by detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The relative configurations of compounds 1–3 were determined with the help of NOESY data and comparison of optical rotations with similar compounds with established stereochemistry. All the isolated compounds were screened for antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Xylarolide A (1) and xylarolide (4) displayed significant growth inhibition of MIAPaCa-2 with an IC₅₀ of 20 and 32?µM respectively and against PC-3 with an IC₅₀ of 14 and 18?µM respectively. Moreover, compound 1 displayed significant DPPH scavenging activity with EC₅₀ of 10.3?µM using ascorbic acid as a positive control.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a potent,well-balanced EP2/EP3 dual agonist

A highly potent and well-balanced dual agonist for the EP₂ and EP₃ receptors is described. Optimization of the lead compound was accomplished in consideration of the relative agonist activity against each EP subtype receptor and the pharmacokinetic profile. As the result, 2-[(2-{(1R,2R)-2-[(1E,4S)-5-cyclopentyl-4-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-penten-1-yl]-5-oxocyclopentyl}eth-yl)thio]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid (10) showed excellent potency (human EC₅₀ EP₂?=?1.1?nM, EP₃?=?1.0?nM) with acceptable selectivity over the EP₁ and EP₄ subtypes (>2000-fold). Further fine-tuning of compound 10 led to identification of ONO-8055 as a clinical candidate. ONO-8055 was effective at an extremely low dose (0.01?mg/kg, po, bid) in rats, and dose-dependently improved voiding dysfunction in a monkey model of underactive bladder (UAB). ONO-8055 is expected to be a novel and highly promising drug for UAB.     

Isolation,leishmanicidal evaluation and molecular docking simulations of piperidine alkaloids from Senna spectabilis

Leishmaniasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that are especially common among low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Many natural products, particularly alkaloids, have been reported to have inhibitory activity against arginase, the key enzyme in the pathology caused by Leishmania sp. In this way, piperidine alkaloids (–)-cassine (1), (–)-spectaline (2), (–)-3-O-acetylcassine (3), and (–)-3-O-acetylspectaline (4) were isolated from Senna spectabilis flowers. These compounds (1/2 and 3/4) initially present as homologous mixtures were separated by high performance liquid chromatography and evaluated against the promastigote phase of Leishmania amazonensis. In addition, molecular docking simulations were implemented in order to probe the binding modes of the ligands 1–4 to the amino acids in the active site of L. amazonensis arginase. Alkaloid 2 (IC₅₀ 15.81?μg?mL^?1) was the most effective against L. amazonensis. Compounds 2 and 4, with larger side chain, were more effective against the parasite than compounds 1 and 3. The cell viability test on Vero cells revealed that compound 2 (CC₅₀ 66.67?μg?mL^?1) was the most toxic. The acetyl group in the 3-O position of the parent structures reduced the leishmanicidal activity and the toxicity of the alkaloids. Further, molecular docking suggested that Asn143 is essential for arginase to interact with (–)-spectaline-derived compounds, which agreed with the IC₅₀ measurements. Our findings revealed that S. spectabilis is an important source of piperidine alkaloids with leishmanicidal activity. Moreover, the natural compound 3 has been isolated for the first time. Experimental investigation combined with theoretical study advances knowledge about the enzyme binding site mode of interaction and contributes to the design of new bioactive drugs against Leishmania infection.     

Synthesis of C-substituted triazoles,isoxazoles, and pyrazoles by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to acetylenic sugars

Addition of phenyl azide to 3,5-di-O-acetyl-6,7-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-idio-hept-6-ynofuranose (1) and subsequent saponification gave a 4-substituted 1-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole derivative (3) whose optical rotatory dispersion (o.r.d.) curve was positive. The α-d-gluco analog (5) of 1 similarly gave the 5-epimer (7) of 3; its o.r.d. curve was negative. Both 3 and 7 were degraded to the known 1-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxaldehyde. Similarly, addition of 2,4,6-trimethylbenzonitrile N-oxide to 1 or 5 gave the corresponding, crystalline 3-mesitylisoxazoles as single products; ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy was used to establish the orientation of addition. Related 3-mesitylisoxazoles (11 and 13) were obtained from 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-oct-7-ynopyranose (10) and its l-glycero 6-epimer (12), respectively; 11 showed the expected, large levorotation, and the 6-epimer 13 was also levorotatory. Benzonitrile (N-phenyl)imine, prepared in situ from 1-(α-chlorobenzylidene)-2-phenylhydrazine and base, did not react with 10 (or its 6-epimer 12), but did react with the 6-keto analog to give a 5-substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,2-diazole.     

Synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties of new homotrinuclear bis(oxamato) copper(II) complexes with an asymmetric central N,N′-bridge

The new mononuclear bis(oxamato) complex [n-Bu₄N]₂[Cu(obbo)] (1) (obbo=o-benzyl-bis(oxamato)) has been synthesized as a precursor for trinuclear oxamato-bridged transition metal complexes. Starting from 1 the homotrinuclear complexes [Cu₃(obbo)(pmdta)₂(NO₃)](NO₃)·CH₂Cl₂·H₂O (2) and [Cu₃(obbo)(tmeda)₂(NO₃)₂(dmf)] (3) have been prepared, where pmdta = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, tmeda = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine and dmf = dimethylformamide. The crystal structures of 1-3 were solved. The magnetic properties of 2 and 3 were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature. For the intramolecular J parameter values of −111 cm⁻¹ (2) and −363 cm⁻¹ (3) were obtained.     

Synthesis, structures, luminescence/magnetic properties of complexes of the M/1-hydroxybenzotriazole, M = cobalt, nickel, silver, zinc and copper

Five novel complexes, Co(OBt)₂ · 7H₂O (1) (OBt = 1-hydroxybenzotriazole ion), Ni₃(OBt)₆ · 6H₂O (2), [Ag(OBt)(HOBt)]_n (3), [Zn(OBt)₂]_n (4) and [Cu₂(OBt)₄ · 3H₂O]_n (5) were synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRPD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results from single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicate that 1-5 are zero-dimensional (0D), zero-dimensional, one-dimensional (1D), and three-dimensional (3D) frameworks, respectively. In particular, 3 is twin crystal; 4 possesses of double-stranded chains; 5 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a helical chain in its structure. The luminescence properties and the magnetic properties of the five complexes were investigated.     

Two new flavonols,including one flavan dimer,from the roots of Indigofera stachyodes

A new flavan dimer, 2α,3α-epoxyflavan-5,7,3′,4′-tetraol-(4β→8)-flavan-5′′,7′′,4′′′-triol (1), and a new flavonol, 3-O-(3-nitropropanoyl)-2,3-cis-5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan (2), together with a known compound, 2α,3α-epoxy-5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan-(4β→8)-epicatechin (3), were isolated from the roots of Indigofera stachyodes. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR. Compounds 2 and 3 were evaluated to determine their protective effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in the human liver cell line HL-7702. The results showed that 2 and 3 could protect HL-7702 cells from injury induced by CCl₄, with cell survival rates of 122.0% and 72.5%, respectively.     

Glycosides for testing glycosidases: Vinyl,l-ethoxyethyl,and l-ethoxybut-3-enyl d-glucopyranosides

The reaction of ethyl vinyl ether and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranose (1) in the presence of Hg-(OAc)₂ and toluene-p-sulphonic acid as catalysts yielded the acetylated vinyl, l-ethoxyethyl, and l-ethoxybut-3-enyl glycosides in varying proportions. Crystalline l-ethoxybut-3-enyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), vinyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (3), and l-ethoxyethyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated by chromatography. Compound 4 was also prepared by the reaction of 1 with cold acetaldehyde diethyl acetal containing a trace of acetic acid, and its α anomer (5) by the reaction of 1 with boiling acetaldehyde diethyl acetal containing a trace of acetic acid. Each deacetylated d-glucoside was cleaved by the corresponding d-glucosidase, to yield d-glucose and either acetaldehyde (from deacetylated 3-5) or but-3-enal (from deacetylated 2).     

New dinuclear arene ruthenium complexes with P,S- or P,O-chelating ligands

Two equivalents of 2-diphenylphosphinobenzoic acid react with 1,2-ethanedithiol and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene under peptidic coupling conditions to give the new ligands 1,2-bis-S-[2^′-(diphenylphosphino)benzoyl]dithioethane (dppte) (1) and 1,2-bis-N-[2^′-(diphenylphosphino)benzoyl]diaminonaphthalene (dppan) (2), respectively. 1 and 2 have been characterised by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, NMR, IR spectroscopy, and by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. 2 is easily oxidised by air to give the monophosphine oxide derivatives (3). Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of 3 shows an intramolecular hydrogen bond between an amido and the phosphoryl oxygen atom. Compounds 1 and 2 react with [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ to give the dinuclear complexes [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(dppte)RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)]²⁺ (4) and [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(dppan)RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)]²⁺ (5). As determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, 4 and 5 adopt different coordination modes to the ruthenium atoms. In 4 the symmetric dppte ligand is P,S coordinated to the ruthenium atom, whereas in 5 the dppan ligand prefers a P,O coordination mode.     

Synthesis of L-fucose 2-, 3-, and 4-Sulphates

Treatment of L-fucose with an excess of pyridine-sulphur trioxide gave an equilibrium mixture of mono-, di-,and tri-sulphates. L-Fucose was sulphated under optimal conditions for monosulphate formation, and the monoester fraction was isolated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The isomeric L-fucose 2-, 3-, and 4-sulphates (1-3) were separated on a DEAE-cellulose column by elution with borate buffer. The structures of 1-3 were established by electrophoresis, colour tests, periodate oxidation, and, for the 2-isomer, by comparison with a specimen of 1 that had been definitively synthesised via methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-α-L-fucopyranoside (6) and methyl α-L-fucopyranoside 2-(barium sulphate) (5). The latter was rapidly hydrolysed in hot, dilute acetic acid to 1 and methyl α-L-fucopyranoside (4).     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal and X-ray structure characterization of 1,3-propanediammonium tetrathiomolybdate and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediammonium tetrathiomolybdate

The title compounds 1,3-propanediammonium tetrathiomolybdate, (1,3-pnH₂)[MoS₄], 1 and, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediammonium tetrathiomolybdate, (tmenH₂)[MoS₄], 2, were prepared by reacting the ammonium salt of [MoS₄]²⁻ with the corresponding organic diamine. In 1 and 2 the organic diamines 1,3-propanediamine (1,3-pn) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) are present in their diprotonated form. The reaction of 1 or 2 with [Ni(en)₃]Cl₂ · 2H₂O (en is ethylenediamine) results in the formation of the highly insoluble complex tris(ethylenediamine)Ni(II) tetrathiomolybdate, [Ni(en)₃][MoS₄], in quantitative yields. 1 and 2 have been characterized by chemical analysis, vibrational, UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy, TG-DTA-MS and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 is thermally more stable compared to 2. Both complexes decompose in a single step forming amorphous molybdenum sulfide. The structure of the title complexes can be described as consisting of tetrahedral [MoS₄]²⁻ dianions which accept a complex series of H-bonds from the organic dications. The strength and number of these hydrogen bonds affect the Mo-S bond lengths.     

Studies on isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase with artificial substrates: Z-E isomerization of Z-3-methyl-3-pentenyl pyrophosphate

The reaction of isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase of pig liver in deuterated water was examined with five artificial substrate homologs, 3-ethyl-3-butenyl- (1), E-3-methyl-3-pentenyl- (2), Z-3-methyl-2-pentenyl- (3), E-3-methyl-2-pentenyl- (4), and Z-3-methyl-3-pentenyl pyrophosphate (5). The course of deuterium incorporation into the products was monitored by coupled gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis using selected ion monitoring. Two new isomerization reactions for the artificial homologs were discovered in addition to those reported previously by us [J. Biol. Chem.248, 8043 (1973)]: The artificial homolog 5 is apparently isomerized irreversibly to the E-isomer 2 via 4 as an intermediate. The conversion of 2 to 1 was confirmed showing that the isomerization between 1 and 2 is reversible even though the equilibrium is heavily in favor of 2.