Growth inhibition of human tumor cell lines by withanolides from Withania somnifera leaves

Ayurvedic medicines prepared in India consist of Withania somnifera roots as one of the main ingredients. It is consumed as a dietary supplement around the world. The leaves of W. somnifera were used in the treatment of tumors and inflammation in several Asian countries. We have isolated twelve withanolides such as withaferin A (1), sitoindoside IX (2), 4-(1-hydroxy-2, 2-dimethylcyclpropanone)-2, 3-dihydrowithaferin A (3), 2, 3-dihydrowithaferin A (4), 24, 25-dihydro-27-desoxywithaferin A (5), physagulin D (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), 27-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylphysagulin D (7), physagulin D (8), withanoside IV (9), and 27-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylviscosalactone B (10), 4, 16-dihydroxy-5beta, 6beta-epoxyphysagulin D (11), viscosalactone B (12) from the leaves of this species. Compounds 1-12 and diacetylwithaferin A (13) were tested for their antiproliferative activity on NCI-H460 (Lung), HCT-116 (Colon), SF-268 (Central Nervous System; CNS and MCF-7 (Breast) human tumor cell lines. The inhibitory concentration to afford 50% cell viability (IC50) for these compounds was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Withaferin A and its derivatives exhibited inhibitory concentrations (50%) ranging from 0.24 +/- 0.01 to 11.6 +/- 1.9 microg/mL. Viscosalactone B (12) showed the 50% inhibition at concentrations ranging from 0.32 +/- 0.05 to 0.47 +/- 0.15 microg/mL whereas its 27-O-glucoside derivative (10) exhibited IC50 between 7.9 +/- 2.9 and 17.3 +/- 3.9 microg/ml. However, Physagulin D type withanolides showed either weak or no activity at 30 microg/mL. Therefore, incorporation of withanolides in the diet may prevent or decrease the growth of tumors in human.     

Antiproliferative activity of withanolide derivatives from Jaborosa cabrerae and Jaborosa reflexa. Chemotaxonomic considerations

Three withanolides were isolated from the aerial parts of Jaborosa reflexa Phil. Jaborosa cabrerae Barboza yielded five sativolide withanolides (including jaborosalactones R, S, 38, and 39) and two trechonolide withanolides epimeric at C-23 (trechonolide A and jaborosalactone 32). In addition, five derivatives were obtained by chemical derivatization of jaborosalactone 38, and all compounds were fully characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. The in vitro antiproliferative activities of the major natural withanolides and the semisynthetic derivatives were examined against HBL-100, HeLa, SW1573, T-47D, and WiDr human solid tumor cancer cell lines. Some chemotaxonomic considerations are discussed.     

Cytotoxic withanolides from Physalis angulata L

Four new withanolides, physagulins L-O (1-4), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae), together with seven known withanolides, compounds 5-11. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques, including 1H-, 13C-NMR (DEPT), and 2D-NMR (HMBC, HMQC, 1H,1H-COSY, NOESY) experiments, as well as by HR-MS. All eleven compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activities towards human colorectal-carcinoma (HCT-116) and human non-small-cell lung-cancer (NCI-H460) cells. Compound 5 exhibited the highest anticancer activity against the HCT-116 cell line, with an IC50 value of 1.64+/-0.06 microM. Compound 9 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity towards the NCI-H460 cell line, with an IC50 value of 0.43+/-0.02 microM.     

Immunosuppressive Withanolides from Withania coagulans

Six new withanolides, withacoagulins A–F ( 1 – 6 , resp.), together with ten known withanolides, 7 – 16 , were isolated from the aerial parts of Withania coagulans. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (¹H, ¹³C, HMQC, and HMBC) and MS experiments. These compounds, including the crude extracts of this herb, exhibited strong inhibitory activities on the T‐ and B‐cell proliferation.     

Withanolides from Physalin angulata and Their Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide Production

Six new withanolides, angulasteroidins A−F ( 1 – 6 ), along with twelve known analogs ( 7-18 ) were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis angulata. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, ECD and IR spectra, HR-ESI-MS data, and ECD calculation. Compounds 1 and 6 were rare 1–10 seco withanolides. Compounds 2 – 4 , 7 – 9 , and 15 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on the production of nitric oxide in the LPS-activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.23 to 9.06 μM.     

New Withanolides from Nicandra physaloides (Solanaceae)

Two new withanolides, named nicandrenone methyl ether (1), 26S nicandrenone methyl ether (2), together with ten known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Nicandra physaloides (Solanaceae). Their chemical structures were deduced on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Ten known compounds were identified as nicandrenone (3), Nic-7 (4), nicaphysalin E (5), pinosylvin monomethyl ether (6), 2S-pinocembrin (7), (1S, 2R)-1, 2-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1, 3-propanediol (8), vanillin (9), indole-3-carboxylic acid (10), vanillic acid (11) and drummondol (12).     

New antiproliferative and immunosuppressive withanolides from the seeds of Datura metel

Two new withanolides baimantuoluoside H (1) and baimantuoluoline K (2), and one known withanolide glycoside (3) were isolated and identified from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of ethanol extract of Datura metel seeds. The structures of the new compounds were determined using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against human gastric adenocarcinoma (SGC-7901), human hepatoma (Hepg2), and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, as well as their immunosuppressive properties. It was determined that compounds 1–3 exhibited medium antiproliferative and potential immunosuppressive effects.     

Virginols A–C,three new withanolides from Physalis virginiana

Virginols A–C are three new withanolides containing an epoxylactol at the side chain. They were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis virginiana Miller. Structures of these compounds were determined by analyses of their spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR. The structure of virginol A was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The anti-inflammatory activity of virginols was evaluated in the TPA-induced ear mouse edema model.     

Chlorinated Withanolides from Withania somnifera

A chlorinated withanolide, 6α-chloro-5β,17α-dihydroxywithaferin A (1), and nine known withanolides, 6α-chloro-5β-hydroxywithaferin A (2), (22R)-5β-formyl-6β,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-4-norwith-24-enolide, withaferin A, 2,3-dihydrowithaferin A, 3-methoxy-2,3-dihydrowithaferin A, 2,3-didehydrosomnifericin, withanone, withanoside IV and withanoside X, were isolated from Withania somnifera (Solanaceae). All structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (IR, HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR). X-ray crystallography confirmed the absolute configuration of 1.     

Biosynthesis of steroidal withanolides in Withania somnifera

Administration of 24-methylene-cholesterol-[28-³H] to Withania somnifera, yielded [³H] radioactivity in the isolated withaferin A and withanolide D, whereas administered 24-(R,S)-methyl-cholesterol-[28-³H] was not incorporated into these compounds. 24-Methylene-cholesterol is, therefore, proposed as a sterol precursor of the withanolides. A novel procedure is described for the isolation of withanolides from W. somnifera. This method in conjunction with an improved procedure for administration of labelled sterols and mevalonolactone produces a greatly increased yield of labelled withanolides.     

Unusually sulfated and oxygenated steroids from Withania somnifera

Four (1, 8-10) and six known (2-7) withanolides were isolated from the leaves of Withania somnifera. Among the new compounds, 10 possessed the rare 3-O-sulfate group with the saturation in A ring and 9 contained unusual 1,4-dien-3-one group. Compound 8 did not have usual 2,3 unsaturation in A ring while 1 had the rare C-16 double bond. The structures of all the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformation.     

Induction of quinone reductase (QR) by withanolides isolated from Physalis angulata L. var. villosa Bonati (Solanaceae)

In the present study, the EtOAc extract of the persistent calyx of Physalis angulata L. var. villosa Bonati (PA) was tested for its potential quinone reductase (QR) inducing activity with glutathione (GSH) as the substrate using an UPLC–ESI-MS method. The result revealed that the PA had electrophiles that could induce quinone reductase (QR) activity, which might be attributed to the modification of the highly reactive cysteine residues in Keap1. Herein, three new withanolides, compounds 3, 6 and 7, together with four known withanolides, compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 were isolated from PA extract. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques, including ¹H-, ¹³C NMR (DEPT), and 2D-NMR (HMBC, HMQC, ¹H, ¹H-COSY, NOESY) experiments, as well as by HR-MS. All the seven compounds were tested for their QR induction activities towards mouse hepa 1c1c7 cells.     

13,14‐seco‐Withanolides from Physalis minima with Potential Anti‐inflammatory Activity

Four new 13,14‐seco‐withanolides, minisecolides A – D ( 1  –  4 ), together with three known analogues 5  –  7 , were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis minima. The structures of new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including ¹H‐, ¹³C‐NMR, 2D‐NMR (HMBC, HSQC, ROESY), and HR‐ESI‐MS. Evaluation of all isolates for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production was conducted on lipopolysaccaride‐activated RAW264.7 macrophages. Compounds 2 , 3 , 5 , and 6 showed inhibitory activities, especially for compound 5 with IC₅₀ value of 3.87 μm .     

The withanolides of Withania somnifera chemotypes I and II

Seven steroidal lactones of the withanolide series have been isolated as minor constituents of the leaves of Withania somnifera Dun. (Solanaceae) chemotype I, along with the major component withaferin A. Structures have been assigned to the new compounds: withanolide N (17α,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-20R,22R-witha-2,5,14,24-tetraenolide) (6a) and withanolide O (4β,17α-dihydroxy-1-oxo-20R,22R-witha-2,5,8(14),24-tetraenolide) (7a). Similarly the leaves of W. somnifera chemotype II afforded three new withanolides along with the major component withanolide D (9a) and trace amounts of withanolide G (10). The new compounds are: 27-hydroxywithanolide D(4β,20α,27-trihydroxy-1-oxo-5β,6β-epoxy-20R,22R-witha-2,24-dienolide) (11a), 14α-hydroxywithanolide D (4β,14α,20α-trihydroxy-1-oxo-5β,6β-epoxy-20R,22R-witha-2,24-dienolide) (12a) and 17α-hydroxywithanolide D (4β,17β,20α-trihydroxy-1-oxo-5β,6β-epoxy-20S,22R-witha-2,24-dienolide) (13a). Whereas all the withanolides of chemotype I are unsubstituted at C-20 (20α-H), those of chemotype II possess an OH at this position (20α-OH).     

Unusual withanolides from aeroponically grown Withania somnifera

In an attempt to maximize production and the structural diversity of plant metabolites, the effect of growing the medicinal plant Withania somnifera under soil-less aeroponic conditions on its ability to produce withaferin A and withanolides was investigated. It resulted in the isolation and characterization of two compounds, 3α-(uracil-1-yl)-2,3-dihydrowithaferin A (1) and 3β-(adenin-9-yl)-2,3-dihydrowithaferin A (2), in addition to 10 known withanolides including 2,3-dihydrowithaferin A-3β-O-sulfate. 3β-O-Butyl-2,3-dihydrowithaferin A (3), presumably an artifact formed from withaferin A during the isolation process was also encountered. Reaction of withaferin A with uracil afforded 1 and its epimer, 3β-(uracil-1-yl)-2,3-dihydrowithaferin A (4). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their high resolution mass and NMR spectroscopic data.     

Chlorinated withanolides from Withania somnifera and Acnistus breviflorus

The structure of a new chlorinated withanolide isolated from the hybrid plants of Withania somnifera, chemotypes III (Israel) by Indian I, is established as the chlorohydrin of withanolide D (6α-chloro-4β,5β,20α_F-trihydroxy-l-oxo-22R-witha-2,24-dienolide). Two other known chlorinated withanolides had been isolated from different sources and additional data are provided, including the X-ray diffraction study of 4-deoxyphysalolactone (chlorohydrin of withanolide E). All available data are used for comparative analysis of the six known chlorinated withanolides. The origin of the chlorine atom in these compounds in the plants has been determined by carrying out a simple reaction of withanolide D with NaCl on silica gel.     

D-葡萄糖苷酶抑制剂的研究

用高灵敏度的荧光法研究了13种糖类化合物对α或β-D-葡萄糖苷酶的抑制作用．实验结果表明：5-氨基-5-脱氧-D-吡喃葡萄糖-1-磺酸铵盐（1）、5-氨基-5-脱氧-D-吡喃葡萄糖-1-磺酸（2）、5-氨基-5-脱氧-D-葡萄糖-1．亚硫酸加成物（3）等三种氮杂糖对α或β-D-葡萄糖苷酶均呈现竞争性抑制作用．化合物（1）的Kiα＝372μmol／L;Kiβ＝6．38μmol/L．化合物（2）的Kiα＝34．4μmol／L;Kiβ＝6．84μmol／L．化合物（3）的Kiα＝47．2μmol/L;Kiβ＝11．9μmol/L．上述三个化合物对β-D-葡萄糖苷酶的抑制作用都强子α-D-葡萄糖苷酶．尤其对化合物（1）,其Kiα／Kiβ＝58．3,表明其抑制糖苷酶活性有较好的选择性．     

Metabolite Profiling in Withania somnifera Roots Hydroalcoholic Extract Using LC/MS,GC/MS and NMR Spectroscopy

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a very well‐known herbal medicine and it was well studied for its active metabolites throughout the World. Although, nearly 40 withanolides were isolated from W. somnifera root extract, still there is remaining unidentified metabolites due to very low abundance and geographical variation. Advanced separation technology with online identification by mass and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are nowadays used to find out the new compounds in the crude herbal extract. This article described the metabolite profiling of ashwagandha root hydroalcoholic extract using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a positive ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry through gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and NMR spectroscopy. A total of 43 possible withanolides was identified and proposed their structures based on the mass of molecular and fragment ions. GC/MS and NMR analysis indicated the presence of several known withanolides including withaferin A, withanolide D, withanoside IV or VI, withanolide sulfoxide, etc. To the best of our knowledge, dihydrowithanolide D at m/z 473 (t_R 7.86 min) and ixocarpalactone A at m/z 505 (t_R 8.43 min) were first time identified in the ashwagandha root hydroalcoholic extract. The current study that described the identification of withanolides with summarized literature review might be helpful for designing the experiment to identify of the new chemical constituents in Withania species.     

Three New Flavone Glycosides from Drymaria diandra B1.

In order to find new structural and biologically active compounds, the constituents from the whole plant of Drymaria diandra B1. （Caryophyllaceae） were investigated and three new flavone glycosides, named drymariatins B （1）, C （2）, and D （3）, were isolated by solvent partition, Si gel, sephadex LH-20, and Rp- 18 column chromatography. Using spectroscopic methods, including two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, the structures of these compounds were elucidated as 6-C-（2-deoxy-β-D-fucopyranosyl）- 5,7,4＇-trihydroxyl-flavone, 6-C-（2-deoxy-β-D-fucopyranosyl）-7-O-（β-D-glucopyranosyl）-5,4＇-dibydroxyl- flavone, and 6-C-（3-keto-β-digitoxopyranosyl）-7-O-（β-D-glucopyranosyl）-5,4＇-dihydroxyl-flavone.     

Insights from the molecular docking of withanolide derivatives to the target protein PknG from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A crucial virulence factor for intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival is Protein kinase G (PknG), a eukaryotic-like serinethreonine protein kinase expressed by pathogenic mycobacteria that blocks the intracellular degradation of mycobacteria in lysosomes. Inhibition of PknG results in mycobacterial transfer to lysosomes. Withania somnifera, a reputed herb in ayurvedic medicine, comprises a large number of steroidal lactones known as withanolides which show various pharmacological activities. We describe the docking of 26 withanferin and 14 withanolides from Withania somnifera into the three dimensional structure of PknG of M. tuberculosis using GLIDE. The inhibitor binding positions and affinity were evaluated using scoring functions- Glidescore. The withanolide E, F and D and Withaferin - diacetate 2 phenoxy ethyl carbonate were identified as potential inhibitors of PknG. The available drug molecules and the ligand AX20017 showed hydrogen bond interaction with the aminoacid residues Glu233 and Val235. In addition to Val235 the other amino acids, Gly237, Gln238 and Ser239 are important for withanolide inhibitor recognition via hydrogen bonding mechanisms.