Stachybotrys chartarum-A Hidden Treasure: Secondary Metabolites, Bioactivities, and Biotechnological Relevance

Fungi are renowned as a fountainhead of bio-metabolites that could be employed for producing novel therapeutic agents, as well as enzymes with wide biotechnological and industrial applications. Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) (Stachybotriaceae) is a toxigenic fungus that is commonly found in damp environments. This fungus has the capacity to produce various classes of bio-metabolites with unrivaled structural features, including cyclosporins, cochlioquinones, atranones, trichothecenes, dolabellanes, phenylspirodrimanes, xanthones, and isoindoline and chromene derivatives. Moreover, it is a source of various enzymes that could have variable biotechnological and industrial relevance. The current review highlights the formerly published data on S. chartarum, including its metabolites and their bioactivities, as well as industrial and biotechnological relevance dated from 1973 to the beginning of 2022. In this work, 215 metabolites have been listed and 138 references have been cited.

Exploring the Activity of Fungal Phenalenone Derivatives as Potential CK2 Inhibitors Using Computational Methods

Cancer represents one of the most prevalent causes of global death. CK2 (casein kinase 2) activation boosted cancer proliferation and progression. Therefore, CK2 inhibition can have a crucial role in prohibiting cancer progression and enhancing apoptosis. Fungi have gained vast interest as a wealthy pool of anticancer metabolites that could particularly target various cancer progression-linked signaling pathways. Phenalenones are a unique class of secondary metabolites that possess diverse bioactivities. In the current work, the CK2 inhibitory capacity of 33 fungal phenalenones was explored using computational studies. After evaluating the usefulness of the compounds as enzyme inhibitors by ADMET prediction, the compounds were prepared for molecular docking in the CK2-α1 crystal structure (PDB: 7BU4). Molecular dynamic simulation was performed on the top two scoring compounds to evaluate their binding affinity and protein stability through a simulated physiological environment. Compound 19 had a superior binding affinity to the co-crystallized ligand (Y49). The improved affinity can be attributed to the fact that the aliphatic chain makes additional contact with Asp120 in a pocket distant from the active site.

Phytoconstituents and Pharmacological Activities of Indian Camphorweed (Pluchea indica): A Multi-Potential Medicinal Plant of Nutritional and Ethnomedicinal Importance

Pluchea indica (L.) Less. (Asteraceae) commonly known as Indian camphorweed, pluchea, or marsh fleabane has gained great importance in various traditional medicines for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. It is utilized to cure several illnesses such as lumbago, kidney stones, leucorrhea, inflammation, gangrenous and atonic ulcer, hemorrhoids, dysentery, eye diseases, itchy skin, acid stomach, dysuria, abdominal pain, scabies, fever, sore muscles, dysentery, diabetes, rheumatism, etc. The plant or its leaves in the form of tea are commonly used for treating diabetes and rheumatism. The plant is a rich source of calcium, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and β-carotene. Various biomolecules have been isolated from P. indica, including thiophenes, terpenes, quinic acids, sterols, lignans, phenolics, and flavonoids. The current review reports detailed information about the phytoconstituents and pharmacological relevance of P. indica and the link to its traditional uses. The reported studies validated the efficacy and safety of P. indica, as well as supported its traditional uses for treating various ailments and promoting health and well-being. Thus, this could encourage the development of this plant into a healthy food supplement or medicine for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. However, further studies on the drug interactions, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and metabolism, as well as clinical trials, should be carried out.

Lansium domesticum-A Fruit with Multi-Benefits: Traditional Uses, Phytochemicals, Nutritional Value, and Bioactivities

Lansium domesticum (Langsat, Meliaceae) is a tropical fruit mainly found in Southeast Asian countries, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Traditionally, it is utilized as a folk treatment for eye inflammation, ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, spasms, flatulence, worms, insect bites, scorpion stings, and malaria. Additionally, it is utilized as a mosquito repellent, skin moisturizer and whitening agent. Pharmacological research showed that the plant has a wide array of bioactivities, including antimalarial, antifeedant, anti-aging, wound healing, antioxidant, cytotoxic, analgesic, antibacterial, antimutagenic, insecticidal, and larvicidal. The most commonly described activities were attributed to the presence of terpenoids and phenolics. Further, some studies reported the preparation of nanoparticles and pharmaceutical formulations from the plant. This review highlights the potential of L. domesticum as herbal medicine. It provides an overview about the reported data on L. domesticum from 1931 to November 2021, including nutritional value, traditional uses, phytoconstituents, and bioactivities, as well as nanoparticles and pharmaceutical formulations.

Thiophenes-Naturally Occurring Plant Metabolites: Biological Activities and In Silico Evaluation of Their Potential as Cathepsin D Inhibitors

Naturally, thiophenes represent a small family of natural metabolites featured by one to five thiophene rings. Numerous plant species belonging to the family Asteraceae commonly produce thiophenes. These metabolites possessed remarkable bioactivities, including antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, larvicidal, antioxidant, insecticidal, cytotoxic, and nematicidal properties. The current review provides an update over the past seven years for the reported natural thiophene derivatives, including their sources, biosynthesis, spectral data, and bioactivities since the last review published in 2015. Additionally, with the help of the SuperPred webserver, an AI (artificial intelligence) tool, the potential drug target for the compounds was predicted. In silico studies were conducted for Cathepsin D with thiophene derivatives, including ADMET (drug absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion/and toxicity) properties prediction, molecular docking for the binding interaction, and molecular dynamics to evaluate the ligand-target interaction stability under simulated physiological conditions.

Mokko Lactone Alleviates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiapoptotic Activities

Doxorubicin (DOX), a commonly utilized anthracycline antibiotic, suffers deleterious side effects such as cardiotoxicity. Mokko lactone (ML) is a naturally occurring guainolide sesquiterpene with established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This study aimed at investigating the protective effects of ML in a DOX-induced cardiotoxicity model in rats. Our results indicated that ML exerted protection against cardiotoxicity induced by DOX as indicated by ameliorating the rise in serum troponin and creatine kinase-MB levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Histological assessment showed that ML provided protection against pathological alterations in heart architecture. Furthermore, treatment with ML significantly ameliorated DOX-induced accumulation of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl, depletion of glutathione, and exhaustion of superoxide dismutase and catalase. ML's antioxidant effects were accompanied by increased nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Moreover, ML exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities as evidenced by lowered nuclear factor κB, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression. ML also caused significant antiapoptotic actions manifested by modulation in mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3. This suggests that ML prevents heart injury induced by DOX via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities.

Chaetomugilins and Chaetoviridins—Promising Natural Metabolites: Structures, Separation, Characterization, Biosynthesis, Bioactivities, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics

Fungi are recognized as luxuriant metabolic artists that generate propitious biometabolites. Historically, fungal metabolites have largely been investigated as leads for various therapeutic agents. Chaetomugilins and the closely related chaetoviridins are fungal metabolites, and each has an oxygenated bicyclic pyranoquinone core. They are mainly produced by various Chaetomaceae species. These metabolites display unique chemical features and diversified bioactivities. The current review gives an overview of research about fungal chaetomugilins and chaetoviridins regarding their structures, separation, characterization, biosynthesis, and bioactivities. Additionally, their antiviral potential towards the SARS-CoV-2 protease was evaluated using docking studies and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We report on the docking and predictive binding energy estimations using reported crystal structures of the main protease (PDB ID: 6M2N, 6W81, and 7K0f) at variable resolutions—i.e., 2.20, 1.55, and 1.65 Å, respectively. Chaetovirdin D (43) exhibited highly negative docking scores of −7.944, −8.141, and −6.615 kcal/mol, when complexed with 6M2N, 6W81, and 7K0f, respectively. The reference inhibitors exhibited the following scores: −5.377, −6.995, and −8.159 kcal/mol, when complexed with 6M2N, 6W81, and 7K0f, respectively. By using molecular dynamics simulations, chaetovirdin D’s stability in complexes with the viral protease was analyzed, and it was found to be stable over the course of 100 ns.

Mangostanaxanthone IV Ameliorates Streptozotocin-Induced Neuro-Inflammation, Amyloid Deposition, and Tau Hyperphosphorylation via Modulating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary tangles formation owing to tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Intra-cerebroventricular (ICV) administration of streptozotocin (STZ) has been widely used as a model of sporadic AD as it mimics many neuro-pathological changes witnessed in this form of AD. In the present study, mangostanaxanthone IV (MX-IV)-induced neuro-protective effects in the ICV-STZ mouse model were investigated. STZ (3 mg/kg, ICV) was injected once, followed by either MX-IV (30 mg/kg/day, oral) or donepezil (2.5 mg/kg/day, oral) for 21 days. Treatment with MX-IV diminished ICV-STZ-induced oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, and apoptosis which was reflected by a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) brain contents contrary to increased glutathione (GSH) content. Moreover, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase content and cleaved caspase-3 activity were reduced together with a marked decrement in amyloid plaques number and phosphorylated tau expression via PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway modulation, leading to obvious enhancement in neuronal survival and cognition. Therefore, MX-IV is deemed as a prosperous nominee for AD management with obvious neuro-protective effects that were comparable to the standard drug donepezil.

Kirenol: A promising bioactive metabolite from siegesbeckia species: A detailed review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kirenol (Kr) is an ent-pimarane type diterpenoid that has been reported from Siegesbeckiaorientalis, S. pubescens, and S. glabrescens (family Asteraceae). These plants have been used traditionally for treating various ailments such as hypertension, neurasthenia, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, snakebites, allergic disorders, paralysis, soreness, cutaneous disorders, rubella, menstrual disorders, numbness of limbs, dizziness, headache, and malaria. Importantly, in recent years, Kr has received great attention due to its diversified pharmacological activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current work aims to give an overview on the reported pharmacological activities of Kr. Furthermore, the findings regarding its methods for extraction, quantitative analysis, purification, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical and food preparations, biosynthesis, identification, semisynthetic analogues, and toxicity are highlighted to provide a reference and perspective for its further investigation.

METHODS

Electronic databases including ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, Wiley Online Library, Taylor & Francis, PubMed, Springer, JACS, and Google Scholar were searched up to the beginning of 2021 to identify the reported studies.

RESULTS

A total of 93 articles have been reviewed. The reported data suggested that Kr possessed various bioactivities including cytotoxic, apoptotic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, anti-photo-aging, anti-adipogenic, antimicrobial, muscle function improvement, fracture and wound healing, and anti-arthritic. In addition, studies revealed that the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Kr may mediate many of its therapeutic potentials as confirmed by several in-vitro and in-vivo studies.

CONCLUSION

This review provides an updated summary of the recent studies on Kr, including methods for extraction, quantitative analysis, purification, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical and food preparations, biosynthesis, and identification, as well as semisynthetic analogues, pharmacological activities, and toxicity. Thus, this work can provide useful considerations for planning and design future research on Kr.

Mokko Lactone Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats: Emphasis on Sirt-1/FOXO1/NF-κB Axis

Doxorubicin (DOX), a common chemotherapeutic agent, suffers serious adverse effects including hepatotoxicity. Mokko lactone (ML) is a guainolide sesquiterpene with promising biological activities. The study aimed to evaluate the protection offered by ML against hepatotoxicity induced by DOX in rats. Our data indicated ML exhibited protective effects as evidenced by ameliorating the rise in serum activities of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. This was confirmed histologically as ML prevented DOX-induced pathological alteration in liver architecture. Further, ML administration significantly prevented malondialdehyde accumulation, glutathione depletion and superoxide dismutase and catalase exhaustion. Antioxidant action of ML was associated with enhanced expression of the nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and a lower expression of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1). Also, ML showed potent anti-inflammatory activities highlighted by decreased expression of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). The anti-apoptotic effects of ML were associated with decreased Bax and enhanced Bcl-2 mRNA expression in liver tissues. ML caused a significant up-regulation in the expression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt-1). Therefore, it can be concluded that ML prevents liver injury caused by DOX. This could partially be due to the ML regulatory activities on Sirt-1/FOXO1/NF-κB axis.

Untapped Potential of Marine-Associated Cladosporium Species: An Overview on Secondary Metabolites, Biotechnological Relevance, and Biological Activities

The marine environment is an underexplored treasure that hosts huge biodiversity of microorganisms. Marine-derived fungi are a rich source of novel metabolites with unique structural features, bioactivities, and biotechnological applications. Marine-associated Cladosporium species have attracted considerable interest because of their ability to produce a wide array of metabolites, including alkaloids, macrolides, diketopiperazines, pyrones, tetralones, sterols, phenolics, terpenes, lactones, and tetramic acid derivatives that possess versatile bioactivities. Moreover, they produce diverse enzymes with biotechnological and industrial relevance. This review gives an overview on the Cladosporium species derived from marine habitats, including their metabolites and bioactivities, as well as the industrial and biotechnological potential of these species. In the current review, 286 compounds have been listed based on the reported data from 1998 until July 2021. Moreover, more than 175 references have been cited.

Nitric-Oxide-Mediated Vasodilation of Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Hypericum revolutum in Rat Aorta

Simple Summary

Hypericum revolutum (HR) is reported to produce vasodilating activity in phenylephrine-precontracted aortae, where the chloroform fraction is the most potent. Chemical investigation of this fraction yielded two new compounds, revolutin (1) and hyperevolutin C (2), along with three known metabolites, β-sitosterol (3), euxanthone (4), and 2,3,4-tirmethoxy xanthone (5). Isolated compounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 produce vasodilation activities that are dependent on endothelial nitric oxide release.

Abstract

Vasodilators are an important class in the management of hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders. In this regard, the chloroform fraction of Hypericum revolutum (HR) has been reported to produce vasodilating activity in phenylephrine-precontracted aortae. The current work aims to identify the active metabolites in the chloroform fraction of HR and illustrate the possible mechanism of action. The vasodilation activities were investigated using the isolated artery technique. NO vascular release was assessed by utilizing the NO-sensitive fluorescent probe DAF-FM. Free radical scavenging capacity was assessed utilizing DPPH. Chemical investigation of this fraction yielded two new compounds, revolutin (1) and hyperevolutin C (2), along with three known metabolites, β-sitosterol (3), euxanthone (4), and 2,3,4-tirmethoxy xanthone (5). Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 showed significant vasodilation activities that were blocked by either endothelial denudation or L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), pointing towards a role of endothelial nitric oxide in their activities. In confirmation of this role, compounds 1–3 showed a significant release of NO from isolated vessels, as indicated by DAF-FM. On the other hand, only compound 5 showed free radical scavenging activities, as indicated by DPPH. In conclusion, isolated compounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 produce vasodilation activities that are dependent on endothelial nitric oxide release.

Genus Thielavia: phytochemicals, industrial importance and biological relevance

Thielavia species (Chaetomiaceae) are a wealthy source of enzymes such as laccases, cutinases, glucuronoyl esterases, feruloyl esterases, 1,4-β-endoglucanase and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases that reported to have various biotechnological and industrial applications in dye decolorization, bio-refinery, biomass utilization, ester biosynthesis and biodegradation. Different metabolites have been reported from this genus as depsides, azaphilones, pyrazines, naphthodianthrones and anthraquinones derivatives. These metabolites have attracted research interest due to their fascinating structures and diverse bioactivities, including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and superoxide anion generation, phospholipase, prostaglandins synthesis and proteasome inhibitory activities. Therefore, these compounds can be taken into account as candidates for the development of effective and novel pharmaceutical leads. The current review represents the relevant information for the Thielavia genus, in particular, its phytoconstituents and their pharmacological activities, as well as the biotechnological applications of Thielavia species published from 1981 till now. More than 40 metabolites are described and - 71 references are cited.

Elfaky M. Repurposing of Some Natural Product Isolates as SARS-COV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors via In Vitro Cell Free and Cell-Based Antiviral Assessments and Molecular Modeling Approaches

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted scientists to search for an efficient antiviral medicine to overcome the rapid spread and the marked increase in the number of patients worldwide. In this regard natural products could be a potential source of substances active against coronavirus infections. A systematic computer-aided virtual screening approach was carried out using commercially available natural products found on the Zinc Database in addition to an in-house compound library to identify potential natural product inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPRO). The top eighteen hits from the screening were selected for in vitro evaluation on the viral protease (SARS-CoV-2 MPRO). Five compounds (naringenin, 2,3',4,5',6-pentahydroxybenzophenone, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, sennoside B, and acetoside) displayed high activity against the viral protein. Acteoside showed similar activity to the positive control GC376. The most potent compounds were tested in vitro on SARS-CoV-2 Egyptian strain where only naringenin showed moderate anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity at non-cytotoxic micromolar concentrations in vitro with a significant selectivity index (CC50/IC50 = 178.748/28.347 = 6.3). Moreover; a common feature pharmacophore model was generated to explain the requirements for enzyme inhibition by this diverse group of active ligands. These results pave a path for future repurposing and development of natural products to aid in the battle against COVID-19.

Natural Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) Activators for Diabetes

CONTEXT

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a worldwide problem. Drugs used in MetS target different symptoms, like excessive body weight, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, or hypertension. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) regulate the gene expression involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and adipogenesis. Activation of PPARγ has become a target of interest to counter hyperglycemia linked with MetS and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

OBJECTIVE

The current review intended to summarize reported research on medicinal plants, or their bioactive constituents, with PPARγ-activating potential.

DESIGN

The research team searched the literature up to 2016 using electronic databases- ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google-Scholar, SpringerLink, Scopus, and Wiley-for publications on medicinal plants with promising PPARγ modulators using keywords diabetes mellitus, natural products, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, metabolic syndrome, adipogenesis.

SETTING

This study was conducted in the Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, and Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah, Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS

Several natural products were considered to be good ligands for PPARγ. The PPARγ agonistic activity of over 100 plants covered in this review was supported by experimental evidence. Some of the plants and their constituents had been studied for their possible mechanisms of action.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings discussed in this review highlighted PPARγ's role as an organizer of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis, thus supporting its function as a target for antidiabetic agents. The discovery that some natural compounds and plants could activate PPARγ opens up the prospect for future development of strategies to take advantage of its therapeutic potential in diabetes. Therefore, the current review could provide significant information for biotechnological or pharmaceutical applications in targeted drug delivery and design.

Aspernolide F, as a new cardioprotective butyrolactone against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Endophytic fungi have known as a promising source of secondary metabolites. γ-Butyrolactones are a class of metabolites reported from Aspergillus genus, which attracted much attention for their bioactivities. This study aimed to assess the potential cardioprotective effects of aspernolide F (AF) separated from the endophytic fungus A. terreus against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxic effects in rats. Animals were treated with two different doses of AF for 10 days prior to DOX injection. Electrocardiographic (ECG), biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Results have shown that AF effectively protected against DOX-induced cardiac damage as AF counteracted DOX-induced ECG abnormalities and attenuated serum markers of cardiotoxicity (creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, troponin I, and troponin T). Histopathological examination of cardiac tissue revealed a remarkable improvement in DOX-induced lesions. In addition, AF ameliorated DOX-induced oxidative damage and increased the levels of antioxidants in cardiac tissues. AF treatment inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and decreased the immuno-expression of NF-κB in cardiac tissue. Furthermore, AF caused a marked lowering in the level of inflammatory cytokines (nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6) in the cardiac tissue. Collectively, this study demonstrates the cardioprotective activity of AF against DOX-induced cardiac damage which may be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Design, Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Anti-biofilm Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of Newly Substituted Fluoroquinazolinones

BACKGROUND

Quinazolines and quinazolinones derivatives are well known for their important range of therapeutic activities.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to carry out the synthesis of some derivatives of substituted fluoroquinazolinones based on structure-based design and evaluation of their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-biofilm activities.

METHODS

Compounds were chemically synthesized by conventional methods. Structures were established on the basis of spectral and elemental analyses. The antimicrobial potential was tested against various microorganisms using the agar disc-diffusion method. MIC and MBC as well as anti-biofilm activity for the highly active compounds were assessed. Moreover, the computational studies were performed using Auto dock free software package (version 4.0) to explain the predicted mode of binding.

RESULTS

All derivatives (5-8), (10a-g), and (A-H) were biologically tested and showed significant antimicrobial activity comparable to the reference compounds. Compounds 10b, 10c, and 10d had a good MIC and MBC against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas 10b and 10d showed significant MIC and MBC against Gram-negative bacteria. However, compounds E and F exhibited good MIC and MBC against fungi. Compound 10c and 8 exhibited significant anti-biofilm activity towards S. aureus and M. luteus. Molecular docking study revealed a strong binding of these derivatives with their receptor-site and detected their predicted mode of binding.

CONCLUSION

The synthesized derivatives showed promising antibacterial, antifungal, and antibiofilm activities. Modeling study explained their binding mode and showed strong binding affinity with their receptor-site. The highly active compounds 5 and 10c could be subjected to future optimization and investigation to be effective antimicrobial agents.

Mangostanaxanthone VII, a new cytotoxic xanthone from Garcinia mangostana

Garcinia mangostana L. (the queen of fruits, mangosteen, family Guttiferae) is a wealthy source of xanthones. The CHCl3 soluble fraction of the air-dried pericarps of G. mangostana provided a new xanthone: mangostanaxanthone VII (5), along with four known xanthones: mangostanaxanthones I (1) and II (2), gartanin (3) and γ-mangostin (4). The structural verification of these metabolites was achieved by different spectral techniques, including UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The new metabolite was assessed for cytotoxic potential, using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay towards the A549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Moreover, its antimicrobial effects were evaluated against various bacterial and fungal strains, using agar disc diffusion assay. Mangostanaxanthone VII showed moderate cytotoxic activity against the A549 and MCF7 cell lines with IC50s 26.1 and 34.8 μM, respectively, compared with doxorubicin (0.74 and 0.41 μM, respectively).

A New Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene and Three Anti-inflammatory Flavonoids from Egyptian Tanacetum Santolinoides

A re-investigation of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Tanacetum santolinoides has resulted in the isolation of a new sesquiterpene, tanacetonic acid (1), along with three known methoxylated flavonoids. The structure of the isolated compounds was secured based on their IR, UV, 1D and 2D (1H-1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC) NMR spectroscopic and FAB mass spectral characteristics. The new sesquiterpene showed a significant cytotoxic activity when tested using the brine shrimp bioassay, while the three flavonoids demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in the rat paw oedema test.

Potential Anti-Malarial Agents from Endophytic Fungi: A Review

Malaria is one of the major infectious diseases and foremost cause of mortality and morbidity in many subtropical and tropical regions. In the last years, the situation has become worst in many ways, due to increase in the parasites resistance to various available antimalarial agents. Furthermore, malaria`s control is beginning to be more sophisticated by the parallel spread of mosquito vector`s resistance to the available insecticides. Recently, there is a wide consensus to seek for target specific, safe, affordable, and effective new antimalarial agents, which can compete with synthetic ones. Endophytic fungi are of a growing interest as prominent sources of structurally unique bioactive natural products. The bio-metabolites isolated from endophytic fungi, possessing antimalarial potential may compose the base for the synthesis of novel drugs that might be utilized to withstand malaria and its resistance. For getting information on the various studies, PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Scopus, and Wiley search was done using keywords (malaria, endophytic fungi, and antimalarial activity). The present review covers the literature published from 1996 to 2017 and highlights the metabolites for which antimalarial activities have been reported. Overall, 135 fungal metabolites and 72 references are cited. In addition, their structure, chemical class, fungal source, host, and activity have been presented. This review shows the significance of endophytic fungi as a wealthy pool of antimalarial agents.

Protective activity of tovophyllin A, a xanthone isolated from Garcinia mangostana pericarps, against acetaminophen-induced liver damage: role of Nrf2 activation

Tovophyllin A (TA) ameliorates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by activating Nrf2 and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.