Preparative isolation of cyclolanostane-type saponins from Astragalus membranaceus bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao by TLC-MS/MS guided high-speed counter-current chromatography

Two cyclolanostane-type saponins, astragalosides I and II, were first identified by TLC-MS/MS in the ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Astragalus membranaceus Bge var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao without chemical reference substances. They were then isolated by high-speed counter-current chromatography with a two-step two-phase solvent system of ethyl acetate-2-propanol-water (5:1:5, 50:1:50, v/v/v). The quantities of astragalosides I and II isolated from 1 g of the crude extract were 30.2 mg and 16.5 mg, respectively. Their purities were found to be over 95% by HPLC-ELSD analysis. Their chemical structures were confirmed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.

Cholesterol Starvation Induces Differentiation of Human Leukemia HL-60 Cells

Cholesterol metabolism is particularly active in malignant, proliferative cells, whereas cholesterol starvation has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation. Inhibition of enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis at steps before the formation of 7-dehydrocholesterol has been shown to selectively affect cell cycle progression from G(2) phase in human promyelocytic HL-60 cells. In the present work, we explored whether cholesterol starvation by culture in cholesterol-free medium and treatment with different distal cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors induces differentiation of HL-60 cells. Treatment with SKF 104976, an inhibitor of lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase, or with zaragozic acid, which inhibits squalene synthase, caused morphologic changes alongside respiratory burst activity and expression of cluster of differentiation antigen 11c (CD11c) but not cluster of differentiation antigen 14. These effects were comparable to those produced by all-trans retinoic acid, which induces HL-60 cells to differentiate following a granulocyte lineage. In contrast, they differed from those produced by vitamin D(3), which promotes monocyte differentiation. The specificity of the response was confirmed by addition of cholesterol to the culture medium. Treatment with PD 98059, an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, abolished both the activation of NADPH oxidase and the expression of the CD11c marker. In sharp contrast, BM 15766, which inhibits sterol Delta(7)-reductase, failed to induce differentiation or arrest cell proliferation. These results show that changes in the sterol composition may trigger a differentiation response and highlight the potential of cholesterol pathway inhibition as a possible tool for use in cancer therapy.

[Study on chemical constituents of Euphorbia hylonoma hand. -Mazz]

OBJECTIVE

To study the constituents of the roots of Euphorbia hylonoma Hand. -Mazz.

METHODS

The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by solvent extraction together with various chromatographic techniques, the structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical properties and spectral data.

RESULTS

Eight compounds were isolated from the acetone extracts of the roots of Euphorbia hylonoma Hand-Mazz., which were euphol(I), 5-hydroxymethylfuraldehyde(II), beta-sitosterol(III), beta-sitosterol glucoside (IV),3,3',4-tri-o-methylellagic acid(V), 3, 3' tdi-o-methylellagic acid (VI),3,3'-di-o-methylellagic acid-4'-o-beta-dxylopyranosid (VII), gallic acid(VIII).

CONCLUSION

The compounds II, VI, VII, VIII were isolated from Euphorbia hylonoma Hand-Mazz. for the first time.

Ganoderic acid T from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia induces mitochondria mediated apoptosis in lung cancer cells

Ganoderma lucidum is a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb containing many bioactive compounds. Ganoderic acid T (GA-T), which is a lanostane triterpenoid purified from methanol extract of G. lucidum mycelia, was found to exert cytotoxicity on various human carcinoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, while it was less toxic to normal human cell lines. Animal experiments in vivo also showed that GA-T suppressed the growth of human solid tumor in athymic mice. It markedly inhibited the proliferation of a highly metastatic lung cancer cell line (95-D) by apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest at G(1) phase. Moreover, reduction of mitochondria membrane potential (Delta psi(m)) and release of cytochrome c were observed during the induced apoptosis. Our data further indicate that the expression of proteins p53 and Bax in 95-D cells was increased in a time-dependent manner, whereas the expression of Bcl-2 was not significantly changed; thus the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased. The results show that the apoptosis induction of GA-T was mediated by mitochondrial dysfunctions. Furthermore, stimulation of the activity of caspase-3 but not caspase-8 was observed during apoptosis. The experiments using inhibitors of caspases (Z-VAD-FMK, Z-DEVD-FMK and Z-IETD-FMK) confirmed that caspase-3 was involved in the apoptosis. All our findings demonstrate that GA-T induced apoptosis of metastatic lung tumor cells through intrinsic pathway related to mitochondrial dysfunction and p53 expression, and it may be a potentially useful chemotherapeutic agent.

Inhibition of oxidative stress-induced invasiveness of cancer cells by Ganoderma lucidum is mediated through the suppression of interleukin-8 secretion

Epidemiological studies suggest that the intake of natural/nutrient products is inversely related to cancer risk. While oxidative stress, generating reactive oxygen species, has been linked to cancer initiation and progression, dietary antioxidants have reduced the risk of certain cancers. Experimental studies have demonstrated that antioxidants and phytochemicals could prevent cancer metastasis, and antioxidants were suggested as adjuvants in cancer therapy. Ganoderma lucidum is an Asian medicinal mushroom that has been used for the past two thousand years for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. G. lucidum is currently popular as a dietary supplement in the form of tea, powder or extract. We have previously demonstrated that G. lucidum suppresses growth, angiogenesis and invasiveness of highly invasive and metastatic breast cancer cells. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of G. lucidum on oxidative stress-induced metastatic behavior of poorly-invasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We show that G. lucidum inhibits oxidative stress-induced migration of MCF-7 cells by the down-regulation of MAPK signaling. G. lucidum suppressed oxidative stress stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (Erk1/2), which resulted in the down-regulation of expression of c-fos, and in the inhibition of transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB. The biological effect of G. lucidum on cell migration was mediated by the suppression of secretion of interleukin-8 from MCF-7 cells exposed to oxidative stress. In summary, our results suggest that G. lucidum inhibits the oxidative stress-induced invasive behavior of breast cancer cells by modulating Erk1/2 signaling and can be potentially considered as an antioxidant in adjuvant cancer therapy.

Structure determination of inonotsuoxides A and B and in vivo anti-tumor promoting activity of inotodiol from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus

Two new lanostane-type triterpenoids, inonotsuoxides A (1) and B (2) along with three known lanostane-type triterpenoids, inotodiol (3), trametenolic acid (4), and lanosterol (5), were isolated from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus (Pers.: Fr.) (Japanese name: Kabanoanakake) (Russian name: Chaga). Their structures were determined to be 22R,25-epoxylanost-8-ene-3beta,24S-diol (1) and 22S,25-epoxylanost-8-ene-3beta,24S-diol (2) on the basis of spectral data including single crystal X-ray analysis. These compounds except for 2 were tested for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), as a test for potential cancer chemopreventive agents. The most abundant triterpene, inotodiol (3), was investigated for the inhibitory effect in a two-stage carcinogenesis test on mouse skin using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA as a promoter. Compound 3 was found to exhibit the potent anti-tumor promoting activity in the in vivo carcinogenesis test.

New ganoderic acids, bioactive triterpenoid metabolites from the mushroomGanoderma lucidum

Two new lanostanoids, 7-oxo-ganoderic acid Z (1) and 15-hydroxy-ganoderic acid S (2), were isolated from a lipophilic extract of the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum. The structures of both compounds were established by interpretation of their spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 both exhibited inhibitory activities against the HMG-CoA reductase and acyl CoA acyltransferase.

Ganoderic acid Sz, a new lanostanoid from the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

A new lanostanoid, ganoderic acid SZ (1), isolated from a lipophilic extract of the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum, is a geometric Z-isomer of the known ganoderic acid S (2). The structure of ganoderic SZ (1) was deduced mainly by 1D and 2D NMR studies. During the course of this study, 12 known lanostanoids have also been isolated and characterized.

Lanostane triterpenoids from the Sri Lankan basidiomycete Ganoderma applanatum

Two new lanostane-type triterpenoids, 3alpha,16alpha-dihydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-21-oic acid (1) and 3alpha,16alpha,26-trihydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-21-oic acid (2), along with three known lanostanoids, 16alpha-hydroxy-3-oxolanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-21-oic acid (3), 3alpha-carboxyacetoxy-24-methylen-23-oxolanost-8-en-26-oic acid (4), and 3alpha-carboxyacetoxy-24-methyl-23-oxolanost-8-en-26-oic acid (5), have been isolated from the EtOAc extract of the fruiting body of Ganoderma applanatum. The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were determined directly by the interpretation of spectroscopic data, while the structures of 4 and 5 were assigned by comparison of spectroscopic data against literature values.

Synthetic Studies toward Highly Functionalized 5β-Lanosterol Derivatives: A Versatile Approach Utilizing Anionic Cycloaddition

Stereoselective synthesis of the potentially biologically valuable 5beta-lanosteroidal-type backbone was achieved via anionic cycloaddition. Synthesis of the two new bicyclic Nazarov intermediates 14 and 40 and their cycloaddition with chiral cyclohexenone 25 and further functional group manipulations resulted in highly functionalized tetracyclic intermediates 28 and 44. These synthetic intermediates could lead to the total synthesis of new lanosterol-based inhibitors.

Plant lanosterol synthase: divergence of the sterol and triterpene biosynthetic pathways in eukaryotes

Sterols, essential eukaryotic constituents, are biosynthesized through either cyclic triterpenes, lanosterol (fungi and animals) or cycloartenol (plants). The cDNA for OSC7 of Lotus japonicus was shown to encode lanosterol synthase (LAS) by the complementation of a LAS-deficient mutant yeast and structural identification of the accumulated lanosterol. A double site-directed mutant of OSC7, in which amino acid residues crucial for the reaction specificity were changed to the cycloartenol synthase (CAS) type, produced parkeol and cycloartenol. The multiple amino acid sequence alignment of a conserved region suggests that the LAS of different eukaryotic lineages emerged from the ancestral CAS by convergent evolution.

[Studies on constituents from roots of Euphorbia hylonoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the constituents from roots of Euphorbia hylonoma.

METHOD

Column chromatographic techniques were used for isolation and purification of the chemical constituents and their structures were identified by spectral analysis (IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 2D-NMR and MS).

RESULT

Six compounds were isolated and elucidated as nonane (1), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (2), euphol (3), beta-sitosterol (4), acalyphol (5) and daucosterol (6) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Cimicifuga species identification by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array/mass spectrometric/evaporative light scattering detection for quality control of black cohosh products

Black cohosh has become one of the most important herbal products in the US dietary supplements market. It is manufactured from roots and rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa (Ranunculaceae). Botanical identification of the raw starting material is a key step in the quality control of black cohosh preparations. The present report summarizes a fingerprinting approach based on high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array/mass spectrometric/evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-PDA/MS/ELSD) that has been developed and validated using a total of 10 Cimicifuga species. These include three North American species, Cimicifuga racemosa, Cimicifuga americana, Cimicifuga rubifolia, and seven Asian species, Cimicifuga acerina, Cimicifuga biternat, Cimicifuga dahurica, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Cimicifuga japonica, Cimicifuga foetida, and Cimicifuga simplex. The chemotaxonomic distinctiveness of the HPLC fingerprints allows identification of all 10 Cimicifuga species. The triterpene glycoside cimigenol-3-O-arabinoside (3), cimifugin (12), and cimifugin-3-O-glucoside (18) were determined to be suitable species-specific markers for the distinction of C. racemosa from the other Cimicifuga species. In addition to identification, the fingerprint method provided insight into chemical interconversion processes occurring between the diverse triterpene glycosides contained in black cohosh. The reported method has proven its usefulness in the botanical standardization and quality control of black cohosh products.

Cytotoxicity of cycloartane triterpenoids from aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida

Our previous study had demonstrated cytotoxicity of EtOAc fraction from aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida on various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of five cycloartane triterpenoids isolated from the EtOAc fraction. Compounds (1,2,3) showed moderate cytotoxic activity on R-HepG2 cells and drug resistant sub line R-HepG2 but exhibited less toxicity against primary cultured normal mouse hepatocytes. Compounds (4) and (5) were inactive on all tested cell lines.

A New Cytotoxic Lanostane Triterpenoid from the Basidiomycete Hebeloma versipelle

A new cytotoxic lanostane triterpenoid, 24(E)-3beta-hydroxylanosta-8,24-dien-26-al-21-oic acid (1), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Hebeloma versipelle. The structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies including 2D NMR experiments. Compound 1 moderately inhibited the growth of several tumor cell lines (IC50 10-25.0 microg/ml).

Effect of 26-oxygenosterols from Ganoderma lucidum and their activity as cholesterol synthesis inhibitors

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal fungus belonging to the Polyporaceae family which has long been known in Japan as Reishi and has been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. We report the isolation and identification of the 26-oxygenosterols ganoderol A, ganoderol B, ganoderal A, and ganoderic acid Y and their biological effects on cholesterol synthesis in a human hepatic cell line in vitro. We also investigated the site of inhibition in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. We found that these oxygenated sterols from G. lucidum inhibited cholesterol biosynthesis via conversion of acetate or mevalonate as a precursor of cholesterol. By incorporation of 24,25-dihydro-[24,25-3H2]lanosterol and [3-3H]lathosterol in the presence of ganoderol A, we determined that the point of inhibition of cholesterol synthesis is between lanosterol and lathosterol. These results demonstrate that the lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase, which converts 24,25-dihydrolanosterol to cholesterol, can be inhibited by the 26-oxygenosterols from G. lucidum. These 26-oxygenosterols could lead to novel therapeutic agents that lower blood cholesterol.

N-Phenethylhexadecanamide from the edible mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus

N-Phenethylhexadecanamide was isolated from the MeOH extract of the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus together with eburicoic acid. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Platelet and Global Hemostatic Effects of Ganoderma Lucidum (Ling-Zhi) in Healthy Volunteers

Ganoderma lucidum is a Chinese herbal medicine popular with cancer patients. Previous in vitro studies suggested that Ganoderma lucidum might impair hemostasis. In this prospective, randomized double-blind study, healthy volunteers received orally Ganoderma lucidum capsules 1.5 g (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) daily for 4 wk. We monitored subjects before drug administration and at 4 and 8 wk thereafter by routine coagulation screen, fibrinogen concentration, von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor activity, platelet function analyzer PFA-100, and thrombelastography. There were no significant between-group differences and all measurements remained within the normal range. Ganoderma lucidum ingestion over 4 wk was not associated with impairment of hemostasis.

IMPLICATIONS

Ingestion of Ganoderma lucidum does not cause impairment of hemostatic function in healthy volunteers, despite earlier in vitro reports that it may cause platelet inhibition and may have other antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activity. The use of Ganoderma lucidum preoperatively is unlikely to increase the risk of surgical bleeding in otherwise healthy patients.

Friedolanostanes and lanostanes from the leaves of Garcinia hombroniana

Five new triterpenes, one 17,14-friedolanostane (garcihombronane F, 1), three 17,13-friedolanostanes (garcihombronanes G-I, 2-4), and one lanostane (garcihombronane J, 5), were isolated from the leaves of Garcinia hombroniana together with nine known compounds including five triterpenes, two ionone-derived glycosides, and two flavonoid glucosides. Their structures were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those previously reported.

[Studies on chemical constitutes of green alga Chaetomorpha basiretorsa and their bioactivity]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Chaetomorpha basiretorsa and screen for bioactive leading compounds.

METHOD

Compounds were isolated by normal phase silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, reverse phase MPLC and reverse phase HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including MS, IR and 1D, 2D NMR. Cytotoxicity of the compounds was screened by using standard MTT method. The purified compounds' inhibition against proliferation of dog vascular smooth muscle cells was also screened by MTT assay.

RESULT

Five compounds were isolated from C. basiretorsa and their structures were identified as euphol (I), loloilide (II), 4-cumylphenol (III), zeaxanthin (IV) and lactucaxanthin (V).

CONCLUSION

All these compounds were obtained from this genus for the first time. Compound (III), 4-cumylphenol, was a new nature product. All compounds were inactive (IC50 > 10 microg x mL(-1)) in cytotoxicity screening. In inhibition against proliferation of dog vascular smooth muscle cells test, the cell survival ratio to compound I was (0.32 +/- 0.056)% which indicate its potential anti-atherosclerotic bioactivity.

Norlanostane triterpenoidal saponins from the marine sponge melophlussarassinorum

Along with five known 30-norlanostane-type saponins, sarasinosides A(1) (5A), A3 (6A), I1 (7), I2 (8), and H2 (9), four new triterpenoidal saponin congeners, sarasinosides J (1), K (2), L (3), and M (4), were isolated from the Indonesian sponge Melophlus sarassinorum. Sarasinosides J (1) and K (2) are the 24,25-hydrogenated congeners of the previously described sarasinosides A1 and H2, respectively. The carbon skeleton of sarasinoside M (4) possesses a rearranged 8alpha,9alpha-epoxy-8,9-seconorlanosta-8(14),9(11),24-triene system, which is novel and unprecedented in nature. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed by spectral analyses, chemical derivatization, and GC analyses. Compounds 1 and 5A exhibited antimicrobial activity toward Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Utilization of target-specific, hypersensitive strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to determine the mode of action of antifungal compounds

Target-specific hypersusceptible strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used to screen antifungal compounds. Two novel Erg7p inhibitors were identified, providing proof of principle of the approach taken. However, observed hypersensitivities to antifungals acting via other targets imply that use of this tool to identify the mode of action requires significant deconvolution.

Aspergillus oryzae produces compounds inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis downstream of dihydrolanosterol

The formation of cholesterol synthesis inhibiting molecules by five different strains of the koji mold Aspergillus oryzae was studied. After growing these strains on a complex liquid medium we found in crude organic phase extracts and specific fractions there from compounds inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in human hepatic T9A4 cells in vitro at enzyme sites downstream of dihydrolanosterol. This was evidenced by using different radioactively labeled precursors, namely acetate, mevalonate, 24,25-dihydro-[24,25-(3)H2]-lanosterol or [3-(3)H]-lathosterol.

Cytotoxic constituents of the fruit body of Daedalea dickisii

Three new lanostane triterpenoids (1, 7, 8) and five new lanostane triterpene glucosides (2-6) have been isolated from the fruit bodies of Daedalea dickinsii. Their structures were established primarily by NMR experiments, and their biological activity against HL-60 and HCT-15 cell lines was investigated. Compounds 3-6 induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptotic cell death in the HL-60 cell line.

Ganoderic acid X, a lanostanoid triterpene, inhibits topoisomerases and induces apoptosis of cancer cells

Lanostanoid triterpenes isolated from Ganoderma amboinense were found to inhibit the growth of numerous cancer cell lines, and some of them inhibited the activities of topoisomerases I and IIalpha in vitro. Among the bioactive isolates, one of the most potent triterpene was identified to be 3 alpha-hydroxy-15 alpha-acetoxy-lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-26-oic acid, ganoderic acid X (GAX). Treatment of human hepatoma HuH-7 cells with GAX caused immediate inhibition of DNA synthesis as well as activation of ERK and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases, and cell apoptosis. Molecular events of apoptosis including degradation of chromosomal DNA, decrease in the level of Bcl-xL, the disruption of mitochondrial membrane, cytosolic release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 were elucidated. The ability of GAX to inhibit topoisomerases and to sensitize the cancer cells toward apoptosis fulfills the feature of a potential anticancer drug.