Immunosuppressive activity of two plant steroidal lactones withaferin A and withanolide E

Withaferin A and withanolide E, two steroidal lactones of plant origin were demonstrated to have specific immunosuppressive effects on human B and T lymphocytes as well as on mice thymocytes. E rosettes and EAC rosette formation by normal human T and B lymphocytes were inhibited by the two compounds at very low concentrations. The formation of mouse red blood rosettes by chronic lymphatic leukemic cells were only inhibited by withaferin A. The functional activity of normal human T lymphocytes as assessed by a local xenogeneic graft versus host reaction was also affected by these two plant steroidal lactones. These experiments demonstrate a specific action of the compound on antigen recognition as well as proliferative capacity of T lymphocytes as well as B lymphocytes.

Quaternary pilocarpine derivatives as potential acetylcholine antagonists. 2. Alterations in the lactone and imidazole moieties

In order to investigate the chemical behavior of pilocarpine, as well as the factors which determine its pharmacological activity, systematic and specific structural changes involving the lactone and imidazole moieties have been performed. Series of model compounds with cyclic or open-chain structures and a variety of N-3 bonded chains obtained from previously prepared anticholinergic derivatives of pilocarpine have been synthesized. The changes included N-3 chains of different lengths with an acetylcholine-like structure, the introduction of nucleophilic groups such as ketoxime, hydroxamic, or both at the side chain, or following hydroxylaminolysis of the lactone, respectively. Specific structural alterations could be obtained by reacting with free hydroxylamine under carefully controlled conditions, and the existence of syn and anti isomers was disclosed in certain cases. The new groups in the pilocarpine derivatives influenced their degree of antagonism to acetylcholine. Several compounds displayed some antidotal activity.