Two New Megastigmane Sulphonoglucosides from Mallotus anisopodus

Phytochemical study of the methanol extract of Mallotus anisopodus led to the isolation of two new megastigmane sulphonoglucosides, namely anisoposides A (1) and B (2), along with junipetrioloside A (3), bergenin (4), α-tocopherol, and N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide. Their structures were deduced by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods including 1D-, 2D-NMR, ESIMS, and HRESIMS.

Two new megastigmane sulphonoglucosides from Mallotus anisopodus

Phytochemical study of the methanol extract of Mallotus anisopodus led to the isolation of two new megastigmane sulphonoglucosides, namely anisoposides A (1) and B (2), along with junipetrioloside A (3), bergenin (4), os-tocopherol, and N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide. Their structures were deduced by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods including 1D-, 2D-NMR, ESI-MS, and HRESI-MS.

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of plants used in Benin in traditional medicine to treat malaria

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of crude extracts of 12 plant species traditionally used in Benin for the treatment of malaria in order to validate their use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For each species, dichloromethane, methanol and total aqueous extracts were tested. The antiplasmodial activity of extracts was evaluated using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity on chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The selectivity of the different extracts was evaluated using the MTT test on J774 macrophage-like murine cells and WI38 human normal fibroblasts.

RESULTS

The best growth inhibition of both strains of Plasmodium falciparum was observed with the dichloromethane extracts of Acanthospermum hispidum DC. (Asteraceae) (IC(50)=7.5 microg/ml on 3D7 and 4.8 microg/ml on W2), Keetia leucantha (K. Krause) Bridson (syn. Plectronia leucantha Krause) (Rubiaceae) leaves and twigs (IC(50)=13.8 and 11.3 microg/ml on 3D7 and IC(50)=26.5 and 15.8 microg/ml on W2, respectively), Carpolobia lutea G.Don. (Polygalaceae) (IC(50)=19.4 microg/ml on 3D7 and 8.1 microg/ml on W2) and Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae) leaves (IC(50)=15.6 microg/ml on 3D7 and 8.9 microg/ml on W2). All these extracts had a low cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Our study gives some justifications for the traditional uses of some investigated plants.

Polyphenols isolated from antiradical extracts of Mallotus metcalfianus

Six flavonoids including two new flavones, luteolin 7-O-(4''-O-(E)-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside), chrysoeriol-7-O-(4''-O-(E)-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside) and a mixture of two pairs of diastereoisomeric flavonolignans, (+/-)-hydnocarpin 7-O-(4''-O-(E)-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside)/(+/-)-hydnocarpin-D 7-O-(4''-O-(E)-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside) with a 2:1 ratio were isolated from the whole plant of Mallotus metcalfianus Croizat, in addition to 10 known compounds. Their structures were evaluated on the basis of different spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Some extracts have moderate antimicrobial properties and interesting antiradical (DPPH) activity, as well as some compounds isolated from this species. Tannins were also identified in some active extracts.

Analysis of minor flavonoids in Piper hostmannianum var. berbicense using liquid chromatography coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The fragmentations of hydroxylated flavanones, chalcones and dihydrochalcones were investigated by direct loop injection using an ion trap mass spectrometry equipped with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) probe. Some of them have been isolated from the leaves of Piper hostmannianum var. berbicense and standards were used to confirm their fragmentation behaviour. In negative ion mode, fragmentations of these three types of flavonoids revealed specific diagnostic ions which allowed us to identify aglycones in a crude plant extract. The major fragment ion obtained in MS/MS experiment for methoxylated chalcones is the neutral loss of a methyl radical whereas a H(2)O molecule is lost in the case of methoxylated dihydrochalcones. Methoxylated chalcones and flavanones isomers could be differentiated by the relative intensity ratio of [M-H-CH(3)]*(-) and [M-H-C(2)H(2)O](-) ions. Based on UV and MS data, a decision tree that includes UV lambda(max) absorptions and MS/MS diagnostic ions was built in order to obtain structural information of unknown compounds present in the extract. This tree was used to identify flavonoids in the ethyl acetate extract of P. hostmannianum var. berbicense leaves after analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap multistage mass spectrometry. A total of 11 flavonoids were tentatively characterized based on the MS fragmentations pattern observed in MS(n) experiments.

Validation of a method for the determination of sterols and triterpenes in the aerial part of Justicia anselliana (Nees) T. Anders by capillary gas chromatography

An accurate and sensitive method, combining soxhlet extraction, solid phase-extraction and capillary gas chromatography is described for the quantitative determination of one triterpene (lupeol) and three sterols (stigmasterol, campesterol and beta-sitosterol) and the detection of another triterpene (alpha-amyrin) from the aerial part of Justicia anselliana. This is the first method allowing the quantification of sterols and triterpenes in this plant. It has been fully validated in order to be able to compare the sterol and triterpene composition of different samples of J. anselliana and therefore help to explain the allelopathic activity due to these compounds. This method showed that the aerial part of J. anselliana contained (292+/-2)mg/kg of lupeol, (206+/-1)mg/kg of stigmasterol, (266+/-2)mg/kg of campesterol and (184+/-9)mg/kg of beta-sitosterol.

Anti-inflammatory compounds from leaves and root bark of Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg

Alchornea cordifolia is one of the most widely-used plants in traditional medicine throughout Africa, principally for inflammatory, antimicrobial and parasitic diseases. In continuation of our investigations on its anti-inflammatory activity, we fractionated the leaf and root bark extracts and isolated six compounds which exhibited significant topical anti-inflammatory activity in the mouse ear oedema model using croton oil at a dose of 90 microg/cm2. Daucosterol (2), acetyl aleuritolic acid (4), N1,N2-diisopentenyl guanidine (5) and N1,N2,N3-triisopentenyl guanidine (6) were shown to be more active than indomethacin, while beta-sitosterol (1) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (3) were less effective. This is the first report on the presence of compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 in this plant and of the anti-inflammatory activity of 3, 5 and 6. These compounds may account, at least in part, for the use of A. cordifolia in folk medicine to treat inflammation.

Antitrypanosomal activity of triterpenoids and sterols from the leaves of Strychnos spinosa and related compounds

Fractionation of an antitrypanosomal lipophilic leaf extract from Strychnos spinosa led to the isolation of eight triterpenoids and sterols in this plant part for the first time. Two of these were found to possess in vitro antitrypanosomal activity, namely, saringosterol (14) and 24-hydroperoxy-24-vinylcholesterol (15), with IC(50) values of 7.8 +/- 1.2 and 3.2 +/- 1.2 microM, respectively. The latter compound was isolated from a plant source for the first time. A comparative study on the antitrypanosomal activity of the isolated triterpenoids and sterols and some related compounds has indicated that the presence of an oxygenated function at C-28 or an oxygenated side chain at C-17 seems to be important for the antitrypanosomal activity of triterpenoids and sterols, respectively.

Effect of gamma and e-beam radiation on the essential oils of Thymus vulgaris thymoliferum, Eucalyptus radiata, and Lavandula angustifolia

The microbiological contamination of raw plant materials is common and may be adequately reduced by radiation processing. This study evaluated the effects of gamma- and e-beam ionizing radiations (25 kGy) on three plants used as food or as medicinal products (Thymus vulgaris L., Eucalyptus radiata D.C., and Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) as well as their effects on extracted or commercial essential oils and pure standard samples. Comparison between irradiated and nonirradiated samples was performed by GC/FID and GC/MS. At the studied doses, gamma and e-beam ionizing radiation did not induce any detectable qualitative or quantitative significant changes in the contents and yields of essential oils immediately after ionizing radiation of plants or commercial essential oils and standards. As the maximum dose tested (25 kGy) is a sterilizing dose (much higher than doses used for decontamination of vegetable drugs), it is likely that even decontamination with lower doses will not modify yields or composition of essential oils of these three plants.

Endophytic fungi from leaves of Centella asiatica: occurrence and potential interactions within leaves

Fungal endophytes were isolated from leaves of Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) collected at Mangoro (middle eastern region of Madagascar, 200 km from Antananarivo). Forty- five different taxa were recovered. The overall foliar colonization rate was 78%. The most common endophytes were the non-sporulating species 1 (isolation frequency IF 19.2%) followed by Colletotrichum sp.1 (IF 13.2%), Guignardia sp. (IF 8.5%), Glomerella sp. (IF 7.7%), an unidentified ascomycete (IF 7.2%), the non-sporulating species 2 (IF 3.7%) and Phialophora sp. (IF 3.5%). Using sequences of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, major endophytes (IF > 7%) were identified as xylariaceous taxa or as Colletotrichum higginsianum, Guignardia mangiferae and Glomerella cingulata. Results from in vitro fungal disk experiments showed a strong inhibitory activity of the xylariaceous non-sporulating species 1 against G. mangiferae and C. higginsianum and of C. higginsianum against G. mangiferae. This can be explained by antagonism between dominant taxa.

Vasorelaxant activity of diterpenes from Croton zambesicus and synthetic trachylobanes and their structure-activity relationships

The diterpenes previously isolated from the leaves of Croton zambesicus were tested to evaluate their vasorelaxant activity on the Wistar rat aorta. Their vasorelaxant effect was compared to a series of synthetic trachylobanes and related polycyclic compounds on KCl- or noradrenaline-induced contractions in order to evaluate structure-activity relationships. We demonstrate the vasorelaxant properties of some pure trachylobane diterpenes at low concentration (IC50 < 10 microM) on KCl-induced contractions, but none have a significant effect in noradrenaline-induced contractions. Comparing structures and activity we observed that a C-14 carbonyl group associated with a C-15 hydroxy or ketone function or a C-3 carbonyl associated with a hydroxymethyl group plays an important role in the vasorelaxant activity of trachylobane diterpenes. We also observed that the absolute configuration or the cleavage of the C13-C16 cyclopropane bond does not have a marked effect on the activity. The cytotoxicity of all of these compounds has also been evaluated on HeLa cells in order to verify that the vasorelaxant activity was not correlated with general cytotoxicity.

Antitrypanosomal compounds from the leaf essential oil of Strychnos spinosa

The composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the leaves of Strychnos spinosa (Loganiaceae) was analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Out of twenty-two compounds identified in the oil, the main constituents were palmitic acid (34.3%), linalool (16.0%), and (E)-phytol (6.7%). Since the leaves of this plant are used in African traditional medicine to treat African trypanosomiasis, we evaluated the in vitro activity of the essential oil as well as of 15 of its components on Trypanosoma brucei brucei bloodstream forms and on mammalian cells (J774 murine macrophages) to evaluate the selectivity of the antitrypanosomal effect. The essential oil was active on the parasites without a great selectivity [IC50 on T. b. brucei = 13.5 microg/mL with a selectivity index (SI) of 4.4]. (E)-Nerolidol, a minor component of the hydrodistillate, as well as linalool, were shown to have a more potent and selective effect on the trypanosomes [IC50 = 1.7 and 2.5 microg/mL (7.6 and 16.3 microM) with SI = 35.7 and > 40, respectively]. These two oxygenated terpenes have promising activity and it would be of interest to study their mechanism of action as well as their in vivo activity.

HPLC quantification of two isomeric triterpenic acids isolated from Mitracarpus scaber and antimicrobial activity on Dermatophilus congolensis

Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic acids (UA) were isolated for the first time from the alcoholic extract of Mitracarpus scaber possessing antimicrobial effects on Dermatophilus congolensis. These two triterpenic acids were also active (MIC 15 microg/ml) on this causative agent of dermatophilosis in African animals. To quantify OA and UA in M. scaber, a new, simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method compatible with MS detection was developed and validated. The mobile phase acetonitrile:H2O (85:15, v/v) was pumped through a C18 octadecylsilyl silica column at a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min and the eluate was monitored at 215 nm. The calibration curves constructed between 0.5 and 10 microg/ml showed linear relationships with good R2 values. The developed method was precise and reproducible with relative standard deviations (RSD) for these two active constituents between 0.22-2.06% (intraday) and 1.61-3.72% (interday) for concentrations from 0.5 to 6 microg/ml. Limits of detection and quantification were, respectively, 0.2 and 0.5 microg/ml.

A validated method for the quantification of pimarane and trachylobane diterpenes in the leaves of Croton zambesicus by capillary gas chromatography

A sensitive and accurate method, combining Soxhlet extraction, solid-phase extraction and capillary gas chromatography, is described for the quantitative determination of four new diterpenes (ent-trachyloban-3beta-ol, ent-18-hydroxy-trachyloban-3-one, ent-trachyloban-3-one and isopimara-7,15-dien-3beta-ol) from the leaves of Croton zambesicus. This is the first method describing the quantification of trachylobane diterpenes in a crude extract. It has been fully validated in order to be able to compare the diterpene composition in other samples of C. zambesicus, which is an important source of trachylobanes.

Cytotoxic and antitumor potentialities of aporphinoid alkaloids

Aporphinoids form an important group of plant secondary metabolites. Some of these compounds are used for a long time in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, from benign syndromes to more severe illnesses. More than 500 aporphine alkaloids have been isolated from various plant families and many of these compounds display potent cytotoxic activities which may be exploited for the design of anticancer agents. Here we review the origin, biosynthesis, structure and cytotoxic properties of the prominent members of this class of compounds. Simple aporphinoids (boldine, dicentrine) as well as oxo-, pro- and dehydro-aporphines, and dimeric forms such as thalicarpine, are discussed here. Their mechanisms of action are not well known but DNA-manipulating enzymes such as polymerases and topoisomerases are among the most frequently cited targets for these benzylisoquinoline compounds. This review presents an updated view of the cytotoxic properties of the aporphinoids and their potential contribution to the development of anticancer agents.

Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) as a source of breadmaking flours and bran naturally enriched in oleic acid and minerals but not phytic acid

The nutritional value of breadmaking cereal spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) is said to be higher than that of common wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare), but this traditional view is not substantiated by scientific evidence. In an attempt to clarify this issue, wholemeal and milling fractions (sieved flour, fine bran, and coarse bran) from nine dehulled spelt and five soft winter wheat samples were compared with regard to their lipid, fatty acid, and mineral contents. In addition, tocopherol (a biochemical marker of germ) was measured in all wholemeals, whereas phytic acid and phosphorus levels were determined in fine bran and coarse bran samples after 1 month of storage. Results showed that, on average, spelt wholemeals and milling fractions were higher in lipids and unsaturated fatty acids as compared to wheat, whereas tocopherol content was lower in spelt, suggesting that the higher lipid content of spelt may not be related to a higher germ proportion. Although milling fractionation produced similar proportions of flour and brans in spelt and wheat, it was found that ash, copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus contents were higher in spelt samples, especially in aleurone-rich fine bran and in coarse bran. Even though phosphorus content was higher in spelt than in wheat brans, phytic acid content showed the opposite trend and was 40% lower in spelt versus wheat fine bran, which may suggest that spelt has either a higher endogenous phytase activity or a lower phytic acid content than wheat. The results of this study give important indications on the real nutritional value of spelt compared to wheat. Moreover, they show that the Ca/Fe ratio, combined with that of oleate/palmitate, provides a highly discriminating tool to authenticate spelt from wheat flours and to face the growing issue of spelt flour adulteration. Finally, they suggest that aleurone differences, the nature of which still needs to be investigated, may account for the differential nutrient composition of spelt and wheat.

Induction of apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia cells by a natural trachylobane diterpene

BACKGROUND

Trachylobane diterpenes are secondary metabolites, quite rare in nature, and their bioactivities are poorly understood. Recently, we have described the cytotoxic activity of ent-trachyloban-3beta-ol isolated from the leaves of Croton zambesicus, a plant used in African folk medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell viability on several cell lines, cell morphology, DNA laddering, annexin Vand caspase-3 activation experiments were undertaken in order to analyse the cytotoxicty of trachylobane diterpene and to determine if this compound is able to induce apoptosis.

RESULTS

ent-Trachyloban-3beta-ol exerts a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, which varies between cell lines. Induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells could be detected at a concentration of 50 microM after 24-h treatment.

CONCLUSION

We show here, for the first time, that a trachylobane diterpene is able to induce apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia cells via caspase-3 activation in a concentration-dependent manner.

Development and validation of a high performance liquid chromatographic method for quantitative determination of aporphine alkaloids from different samples of Cassytha filiformis

A sensitive and accurate procedure based on an alkaloid extraction coupled to an HPLC-UV-MS determination has been developed for the separation and quantification of the major aporphines in Cassytha filiformis. The extraction step and the liquid chromatography conditions were optimized in order to improve the selectivity of the method. The HPLC mobile phase consisted of a mixture of water containing 10 mM ammonium acetate adjusted to pH 3 with acetic acid-acetonitrile (90: 10, v/v) (A) and acetonitrile (B) used in a gradient mode (0 to 40%). The stationary phase was an RP-select B (5 micro m) column. The method was completely validated using cassythine, one of the major aporphines in our samples, as reference standard and successfully applied to the determination of these pharmacologically interesting aporphines in seven different batches of C. filiformis. The detection and quantitation limits of cassythine were found to be 13 and 20 micrograms/mL, respectively. The results showed variations in the total alkaloid content in samples from 0.11 to 0.43%.

Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) wholemeals have similar sterol profiles, as determined by quantitative liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis

From a nutritional point of view, cereal lipids include valuable molecules, such as essential fatty acids, phytosterols, and fat-soluble vitamins. Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) is an alternative hulled bread cereal mostly grown in Belgium, where it is mainly intended for animal feed but should increasingly be used for human consumption. The present research focused on phytosterol quantification by LC/APCI-MS2 in saponified wholemeal extracts of 16 dehulled spelt and 5 winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties grown in Belgium during 2001-2002 at the same location. Glycosylated sterols and free and formerly esterified sterols could be determined in saponified extracts. Results show that the mean phytosterol content is comparable in both cereals (whereas other lipids, such as oleic and linoleic acids, are increased in spelt wholemeal): spelt extract has, on average, 527.7 microg of free and esterified sterols g(-1) of wholemeal and 123.8 microg of glycosylated sterols g(-1) of wholemeal versus 528.5 and 112.6 microg x g(-1) in winter wheat (values not corrected for recoveries). This is the first report on the application and validation of an LC/MS2 method for the quantification of phytosterols in spelt and winter wheat.

In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a widely distributed plant in Africa. It is used in the traditional medicine of many African countries for the treatment of bacterial, fungal, parasitic and inflammatory disorders. Aqueous decoction and methanol leaf extracts were tested for their ability to reduce Croton oil-induced oedema in the mouse ear, after topical application. The methanol leaf extract dose-dependently inhibited the Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice (ID(50)<500 microg/cm(2)). A bio-assay guided liquid-liquid fractionation of this methanol extract gave four active fractions: water insoluble (F1), hexane (F2), ethyl acetate (F3) and water (F4). The hexane fraction showed a very high activity (42% inhibition at 0.7 microg/cm(2)) as compared to the control. The other fractions were less active (F1: 56% at 506.2 microg/cm(2); F3: 57% at 289.3 microg/cm(2); F4: 32% for 203.8 microg/cm(2)) while indomethacin gave 49% of inhibition at 90 microg/cm(2). The activity of F1 and F3 may be at least in part explained by the presence of anti-inflammatory flavonoids (hyperoside and quercitrin, quercitrin being identified in the plant for the first time) while the activity was not correlated to the tannin contents. None of these compounds were detected in the most active F2 fraction. These results support the reported traditional use of this plant against topical inflammatory disorders.