Lepidiline A Improves the Balance of Endogenous Sex Hormones and Increases Fecundity by Targeting HSD17B1

Synthesis and Systematic Investigation of Lepidiline A and Its Gold(I), Silver(I), and Copper(I) Complexes Using In Vitro Cancer Models and Multipotent Stem Cells

The imidazole alkaloid lepidiline A from the root of Lepidium meyenii has a moderate to low in vitro anticancer effect. Our aim was to extend cytotoxicity investigations against a panel of cancer cells, including multidrug-resistant cancer cells, and multipotent stem cells. Lepidiline A is a N-heterocyclic carbene precursor, therefore a suitable ligand source for metal complexes. Thus, we synthesized lepidiline A and its copper(I), gold(I), and silver(I) complexes and tested them against ovarian, gastrointestinal, breast, and uterine cancer cells and bone marrow-derived and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Lepidiline A and its copper complex demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity, while silver and gold complexes exhibited significantly enhanced and consistent cytotoxicity against both cancer and stem cell lines. ABCB1 in the multidrug-resistant uterine sarcoma line conferred significant resistance against lepidiline A and the copper-lepidiline A complex, but not against the silver and gold complexes. Our results indicate that only the copper complex induced a significant and universal increase in the production of reactive oxygen species within cells. In summary, binding of metal ions to lepidiline A results in enhanced cytotoxicity with the nature of the metal ion playing a critical role in determining its properties.

Use of Maca Powder (Lepidium meyenii) as Feed Additive in Diets of Laying Quails at Different Ages: Its Effect on Performance, Eggshell Quality, Serum, Ileum, and Bone Properties

Using additives can reduce the negative effects of aging on factors affecting profitability, such as the availability of nutrients, production, and egg quality. Maca is an herbaceous plant rich in protein, crude oil, essential acids, and pharmacological compounds. Maca has positive effects on different health parameters. In this study, the effect of adding Maca powder to the diets of young and old laying quails at the end of the 10-week trial was investigated. In total, 150 laying Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) (209.1 ± 10.0 g) were randomly distributed to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two ages (10 weeks and 30 weeks) and three Maca powder levels (0, 1, or 2 g/kg), with five subgroups per treatment. According to the study, eggshell quality, total cholesterol, triglyceride, progesterone, and testosterone concentrations of serum were lower in old quail than in young quail, while egg weight, feed intake, and follicle-stimulating hormone increased significantly as quail aged. (p < 0.05). Furthermore, aging negatively affected the histomorphology of the ileum and cortical bone thickness (p < 0.05). Additional findings show that adding 1 g/kg Maca powder to the diet of quail significantly improved eggshell, ileum, and bone traits that deteriorate with age, without affecting performance, and adding 2 g/kg Maca powder to the diet significantly reduced serum total cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). Incorporating Maca powder into the diet of aged birds could reduce the negative effects of aging.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Lepidium meyenii Walp. Polysaccharides on an Immunosuppression Model Induced by Cyclophosphamide

Background

Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca) has emerged as a functional plant food and traditional herb owing to its biological activities; Maca polysaccharides as an important active component of Maca have good immunomodulatory effect; however, studies on the immunomodulatory effect of Maca polysaccharides are mainly focused on macrophages; little attention has been devoted to the mechanisms and other immune cells. This study is aimed at investigating the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of Maca polysaccharides.

Methods

Sixty mice were divided into five groups, and the mice were injected with cyclophosphamide to establish an immunosuppression model except for those in the common group. The body weights were measured, as well as immune-related indices, such as organ indices, haematological parameters, lymphocyte cycle, and proliferation, cytokine, and protein expression levels.

Results

The weight loss and immune organ index decline caused by cyclophosphamide could be reversed by MP. Furthermore, MP increased WBC and HGB counts and reduced the ratio of G0/G1 phase obviously, increased the proportion of S phase and G2/M phase in peripheral blood lymphocytes, increased the counts of CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and reduced the inhibition rate of splenic lymphocytes. MP affected the production of cytokines by increasing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 levels and by decreasing IL-4 levels. MP increased the mRNA expression of T-bet and the protein expression of Bcl-2 in the spleen and decreased the protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax.

Conclusions

Maca polysaccharides might be the basic material for Maca's immunomodulatory effect. The mechanism was perhaps related to inhibiting lymphocyte apoptosis and promoting the balance of Th1/Th2 cell subsets.

Fluorinated Analogues of Lepidilines A and C: Synthesis and Screening of Their Anticancer and Antiviral Activity

Starting with fluorinated benzylamines, a series of 2-unsubstituted imidazole N-oxides was prepared and subsequently deoxygenated in order to prepare the corresponding imidazoles. The latter were treated with benzyl halides yielding imidazolium salts, which are considered fluorinated analogues of naturally occurring imidazolium alkaloids known as lepidilines A and C. A second series of oxa-lepidiline analogues was obtained by O-benzylation of the initially synthetized imidazole N-oxides. Both series of imidazolium salts were tested as anticancer and antiviral agents. The obtained results demonstrated that the introduction of a fluorine atom, fluoroalkyl or fluoroalkoxy substituents (F, CF₃ or OCF₃) amplifies cytotoxic properties, whereas the cytotoxicity of some fluorinated lepidilines is promising in the context of drug discovery. All studied compounds revealed a lack of antiviral activity against the investigated viruses in the nontoxic concentrations.

A Docosahexaenoic Acid Derivative (N-Benzyl Docosahexaenamide) as a Potential Therapeutic Candidate for Treatment of Ovarian Injury in the Mouse Model

Commonly used clinical chemotherapy drugs, such as cyclophosphamide (CTX), may cause injury to the ovaries. Hormone therapies can reduce the ovarian injury risk; however, they do not achieve the desired effect and have obvious side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to find a potential therapeutic candidate for ovarian injury after chemotherapy. N-Benzyl docosahexaenamide (NB-DHA) is a docosahexaenoic acid derivative. It was recently identified as the specific macamide with a high degree of unsaturation in maca (Lepidium meyenii). In this study, the purified NB-DHA was administered intragastrically to the mice with CTX-induced ovarian injury at three dose levels. Blood and tissue samples were collected to assess the regulation of NB-DHA on ovarian function. The results indicated that NB-DHA was effective in improving the disorder of estrous cycle, and the CTX+NB-H group can be recovered to normal levels. NB-DHA also significantly increased the number of primordial follicles, especially in the CTX+NB-M and CTX+NB-H groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in all treatment groups and estradiol levels in the CTX+NB-H group returned to normal. mRNA expression of ovarian development-related genes was positive regulated. The proportion of granulosa cell apoptosis decreased significantly, especially in the CTX+NB-H group. The expression of anti-Müllerian hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor significantly increased in ovarian tissues after NB-DHA treatment. NB-DHA may be a promising agent for treating ovarian injury.

Okicamelliaside targets the N-terminal chaperone pocket of HSP90 disrupts the chaperone protein interaction of HSP90-CDC37 and exerts antitumor activity

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has been recognized as a crucial target in cancer cells. However, various toxic reactions targeting the ATP binding site of HSP90 may not be the best choice for HSP90 inhibitors. In this paper, an ellagic acid derivative, namely, okicamelliaside (OCS), with antitumor effects was found. To identify potential anti-cancer mechanisms, an OCS photosensitive probe was applied to target fishing and tracing. Chemical proteomics and protein-drug interaction experiments have shown that HSP90 is a key target for OCS, with a strong binding affinity (K_D = 6.45 μM). Mutation analysis of the target protein and molecular dynamics simulation revealed that OCS could competitively act on the key Glu-47 site at the N-terminal chaperone pocket of HSP90, where the co-chaperone CDC37 binds to HSP90, affect its stability and reduce the ∆G_bind of HSP90-CDC37. It was demonstrated that OCS destroys the protein-protein interactions of HSP90-CDC37; selectively affects downstream kinase client proteins of HSP90, including CDK4, P-AKT⁴⁷³, and P-ERK1/2; and exerts antitumor effects on A549 cells. Furthermore, tumor xenograft experiments demonstrated high antitumor activity and low toxicity of OCS in the same way. Our findings identified a novel N-terminal chaperone pocket natural inhibitor of HSP90, that is, OCS, which selectively inhibits the formation of the HSP90-CDC37 protein complex, and provided further insight into HSP90 inhibitors for anti-cancer candidate drugs.

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Lepidilines A-D: Comparison with Some 4,5-Diphenyl Analogues and Related Imidazole-2-thiones

A straightforward access to 2-unsubstituted imidazole N-oxides with subsequent deoxygenation by treatment with Raney-nickel followed by N-benzylation opens up a convenient route to lepidilines A and C. Both imidazolium salts were used to generate in situ the corresponding imidazol-2-ylidenes, which smoothly reacted with elemental sulfur, yielding imidazole-2-thiones. These reactions were performed either under classical conditions in pyridine solutions or mechanochemically using solid Cs2CO3 as a base. The structure of lepidiline C was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray analysis of its hexafluorophosphate. An analogous protocol toward lepidilines B and D and their 4,5-diphenyl analogues is less efficient due to observed instability of the key precursors, i.e., the respective 2-methylimidazole N-oxides. Comparison of cytotoxic activity against HL-60 and MCF-7 cell lines of all lepidilines, as well as their selected structural analogues (e.g., 4,5-diphenyl derivatives and PF6 salts), revealed slightly more potent activity of the 2-methylated series, irrespectively of the type of counterion present in the imidazolium salt. Remarkably, the well-known 1,3-diadamantylimidazolium bromide (the "Arduengo salt"), known as the precursor of the first, shelf-stable NHC representative, and its adamantyloxy analogue displayed the most significant cytotoxic activity in the studied series.

Alkaloids from Lepidium meyenii (Maca), structural revision of macaridine and UPLC-MS/MS feature-based molecular networking

Lepidium meyenii Walp., known as Peruvian ginseng, is widely used in ethnomedicine. To date, L. meyenii is cultivated worldwide at high-altitude and is commonly used as a food supplement. However, its medicinal value is still controversial and its mechanism of action remains unknown, due to limited knowledge about the phytochemical constituents of this plant species. In this study, a multidisciplinary approach comprising conventional NMR- and HRMS-based structure elucidation, quantum mechanical calculation of NMR chemical shifts and UPLC-MS/MS feature-based molecular networking was applied to analyse the phytochemical profile of L. meyenii. In the current work, three previously undescribed imidazole alkaloids were identified using extensive spectroscopic techniques (HRMS, NMR), for which the names lepidiline E, F and G were adopted. In addition, two amidine alkaloids were reported, representing an undescribed class of alkaloids in L. meyenii, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, a well-known β-carboline alkaloid, was also isolated from L. meyenii for the first time. Molecular networks of imidazole, amidine and β-carboline alkaloids in L. meyenii were constructed by the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) web platform, resulting in the tentative identification of three undescribed analogues. In addition, the structure of a previously reported compound named 'macaridine' was revised as macapyrrolin C based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and comprehensive comparison of NMR data.

Macathiohydantoin L, a Novel Thiohydantoin Bearing a Thioxohexahydroimidazo [1,5-a] Pyridine Moiety from Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.)

Five new thiohydantoin derivatives (1–5) were isolated from the rhizomes of Lepidium meyenii Walp. NMR (¹H and ¹³C NMR, ¹H−¹H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), HRESIMS, and ECD were employed for the structure elucidation of new compounds. Significantly, the structure of compound 1 was the first example of thiohydantoins with thioxohexahydroimidazo [1,5-a] pyridine moiety. Additionally, compounds 2 and 3 possess rare disulfide bonds. Except for compound 4, all isolates were assessed for neuroprotective activities in corticosterone (CORT)-stimulated PC12 cell damage. Among them, compound (−)-3 exhibited moderate neuroprotective activity (cell viability: 68.63%, 20 μM) compared to the positive control desipramine (DIM) (cell viability: 88.49%, 10 μM).

Nutraceuticals

Hair loss has a multifactorial etiology that includes internal and external triggers. These include poor diet and nutrition (extrinsic), as well as the natural aging process (intrinsic). Other external factors include pollution, hair products, hair styling, and ultraviolet exposure, which can cause free radical formation, oxidative stress, and microinflammation at the site of the hair follicles. Botanic substances have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing properties. Vitamins and minerals are needed when deficiencies are apparent or demonstrate efficacy at higher doses than normally found in one's diet. The safety and efficacy of oral nutraceuticals have been demonstrated in clinical trials.

A newly identified polyunsaturated macamide alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Macamides are a class of bioactive amide alkaloids found only in maca (Lepidium meyenii). Recent studies have shown that macamide-rich extracts possess various biological activities, such as antioxidative, immune-enhancing, and reproductive health-improving activities. In the present study, N-benzyl docosahexaenamide (NB-DHA), a newly identified macamide with the highest degree of unsaturation among all identified macamides, was identified from the maca extract. Microalgae oil, a docosahexaenoic acid-rich substance, was used as the starting material for the synthesis of NB-DHA. The effects of NB-DHA in colitis-induced mice were evaluated. NB-DHA significantly alleviated weight loss, shortening of colon length, and occult blood occurrence in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Histological analysis revealed that following the administration of NB-DHA in mice with colitis, the infiltration of inflammatory cells and levels of proinflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and myeloperoxidase, decreased, whereas the level of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 increased. Furthermore, the decreased expression of intestinal tight junction proteins caused by colitis was upregulated by the administration of NB-DHA. These results indicate that NB-DHA could be developed as a therapeutic agent for ulcerative colitis.

Integrated molecular network and HPLC-UV-FLD analysis to explore antioxidant ingredients in camellia nitidissima Chi

At present, screening of active ingredients from natural products for pharmacological and clinical research is mostly time-consuming and costly. In this study, a molecular network (MN) guided high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet-fluorescence detector (HPLC-UV-FLD) method was carried out to profile the global antioxidant activity compounds, including the trace amount ingredients in Camellia nitidissima Chi (CNC). Firstly, HPLC-UV-FLD postcolumn derivatization system was utilized to screen the antioxidants. Then the MN of CNC was established via mass spectrometry (MS) data for getting the connection between ingredient structures. As a result, HPLC-UV-FLD indicated three antioxidant ingredients: gallic acid (126.3 mg/g), catechin (564.8 mg/g), and salicylic acid (24.3 mg/g). Combined with the MN, the actives' precise location and connection relationship were clarified based on the structural similarities. A new antioxidant ingredient, okicamelliaside, was suggested and evaluated at free radical scavenging and enzymatic protection. The novel method of activity and structural correlation analysis based on MN could provide a useful guide for screening trace active ingredients in natural products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Three main ingredients were screened out from Camellia nitidissima Chi by HPLC-UV-FLD postcolumn derivatization system. Integrated molecular network and HPLC-UV-FLD analysis, a new type of antioxidant okicamelliaside was selected. The novel method of activity and structural correlation analysis based on molecular network could provide a useful guide for screening trace active ingredients in natural products.

Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii) Extract Increases the Expression of MMP-1 and Stimulates Migration of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Maca root (Lepidium meyenii) extract is a worldwide consumed food supplement for sexual dysfunctions, increasing sperm production and its motility, and alleviating menopausal symptoms. Once maca root has a role in cell proliferation and motility, and its consumption may increase along with age, mainly in menopausal women, we aimed to investigate the plant effects on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. Standardized maca root powdered extract showed significant cytotoxic activity in both MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells, and the IC₅₀s were 2000 μg/ml and 3000 μg/ml, respectively. Both cell lines showed an increase in migratory capacity. Using bioinformatics tools, we established genes involved in the metastatic process, CAV1, LAMA4, and MMP-1, and the mRNAs expression was assessed by qPCR. Comparing the treated cells to the negative control, CAV1 presented a decreased expression by 2-fold in MDA-MB-231. LAMA4 presented a decrease by 4-fold in Hs578T cells. MMP-1 showed substantially increase mRNA expression in MDA-MB-231 by 86-fold and in Hs578T by 5-fold. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study indicating that the human consumption of maca may be dangerous due to the upregulation in MMP-1 expression and the increase in TNBC migrated cells.

Synthesis, Selected Transformations, and Biological Activity of Alkoxy Analogues of Lepidilines A and C

Condensation of diacetyl monooxime with formaldimines derived from alkoxyamines in glacial acetic acid at room temperature leads to corresponding 2-unsubstituted imidazole N-oxides bearing an alkoxy substituent at the N(1) atom of the imidazole ring. Subsequent O-benzylation afforded, depending on the type of alkylating agent, either symmetric or nonsymmetric alkoxyimidazolium salts considered as structural analogues of naturally occurring imidazole alkaloids, lepidilines A and C. Some of the obtained salts were tested as precursors of nucleophilic heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), which in situ reacted with elemental sulfur to give the corresponding N-alkoxyimidazole-2-thiones. The cytotoxic activity of selected 4,5-dimethylimidazolium salts bearing either two benzyloxy or benzyloxy and 1-adamantyloxy groups at N(1) and N(3) atoms was evaluated against HL-60 and MCF-7 cell lines using the MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Notably, in two cases of alkoxyimidazolium salts, no effect of the counterion exchange (Br^- → PF₆^-) on the biological activity was observed.