Five new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives from agarwood

Six unprecedented 2-(2-phenethyl)chromone dimers from agarwood of Aquilaria filaria

Six new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (1-6) were successfully isolated from the ethanol extract of agarwood of Aquilaria filaria from Philippines under HPLC-MS guidance. Compounds 1-6 are all dimers formed by linking 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone and flindersia 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone via a single ether bond, and the linkage site (C5-O-C8'') of compound 2 is extremely rare. A variety of spectroscopic methods were used to ascertain their structures, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, HRESIMS, and comparison with literature. The in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities of each isolate were assessed. Among these compounds, compound 2 had a tyrosinase inhibition effect with an IC50 value of 27.71 ± 2.60 μM, and compound 4 exhibited moderate inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 35.40 ± 1.04 μM.

Bi-2-(2-phenethyl)chromone derivatives from agarwood of Aquilaria filaria in the Philippines

Twelve undescribed 2-(2-phenethyl)chromone dimers (1-12) were isolated from EtOAc extract of agarwood originating from Aquilaria filaria in the Philippines, guided by a UHPLC-MS analysis. Their structures were elucidated by 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS spectra. The absolute configuration of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone dimers was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 9-12 exhibited potent to moderate anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values in the range of 22.43 ± 0.86 to 53.88 ± 4.06 μM.

Seven new 2-(2-phenethyl)chromone derivatives from agarwood of Aquilaria walla

Two rare flavonoid-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones and five new dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones were isolated from ethanol extract of agarwood of Aquilaria walla by LC-MS-guided fractionation procedure. Their structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic methods including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, as well as by comparison with the literature. Compound 1 showed cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 13.40 to 28.96 μM with cisplatin as the positive control.

A label-free LC/MS-based enzymatic activity assay for the detection of PDE5A inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, controls the duration of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signal by hydrolyzing cGMP to GMP. Inhibiting the activity of PDE5A has proven to be an effective strategy for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension and erectile dysfunction. Current enzymatic activity assay methods for PDE5A mainly use fluorescent or isotope-labeled substrates, which are expensive and inconvenient. Here, we developed an LC/MS-based enzymatic activity assay for PDE5A without labeling, which detects the enzymatic activity of PDE5A by quantifying the substrate cGMP and product GMP at a concentration of 100 nM. The accuracy of this method was verified by a fluorescently labeled substrate. Moreover, a new inhibitor of PDE5A was identified by this method and virtual screening. It inhibited PDE5A with an IC₅₀ value of 870 nM. Overall, the proposed strategy provides a new method for screening PDE5A inhibitors.

Comprehensive Comparisons between Grafted Kynam Agarwood and Normal Agarwood on Traits, Composition, and In Vitro Activation of AMPK

Agarwood, a highly valuable resin/wood combination with diverse pharmacological activities but scarce supply, has a long history of being used as a medicine in several medical systems. Grafted Kynam agarwood (GKA) has been cultivated successfully recently and has the qualities meeting the definition of premium Kynam agarwood. However, there are few comprehensive comparisons between GKA and normal agarwood in terms of traits, global composition, and activity, and some key issues for GKA to be adopted into the traditional Chinese medical (TCM) system have not been elaborated. The two types of agarwood samples were evaluated in terms of trait characteristics, physicochemical indicators, key component groups, and global compositional profile. Furthermore, a molecular docking was performed to investigate the active ingredients. In vitro activity assays were performed to evaluate the activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by GKA and normal agarwood. The results revealed that, overall, the traits, microscopic characteristics, chemical composition types, and bioactivity between GKA and normal agarwood were similar. The main differences were the content of resin (ethanolic extract content), the content of key component groups, and the composition of the different parent structural groups of 2-(2-phenethyl) chromones (PECs). The contents of total PEC and ethanol extract content of GKA were significantly higher than those of normal agarwood. The MS-based high-throughput analysis revealed that GKA has higher concentrations of sesquiterpenes and flindersia-type 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromones (FTPECs) (m/z 250-312) than normal agarwood. Molecular docking revealed that parent structural groups of FTPECs activated multiple signaling pathways, including the AMPK pathway, suggesting that FTPECs are major active components in GKA. The aim of this paper is to describe the intrinsic reasons for GKA as a high-quality agarwood and a potential source for novel drug development. We combined high-throughput mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis to infer the different components of the two types of agarwood. Then we combined virtual screening and in vitro activity to construct a component/pharmacodynamic relationship to explore the causes of the activity differences between agarwood with different levels of quality and to identify potentially valuable lead compounds. This strategy can also be used for the comprehensive study of other TCMs with different qualities.

Chemical and Bioactivity Diversity of 2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones in Agarwood: A Review

2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromone derivatives are regarded as key components in agarwood. An oxygen-containing heterocycle with a benzoannelated γ-pyrone moiety form the bioactive core of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones. With different substituents and positions, 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives exhibit diverse biological properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. In this review, we summarized the studies (from January 1976 to September 2021) on phytochemistry, bioactivity and quality control of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones. These studies aimed to clarify the chemical specificity, diversity and structure-activity relationship of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones. In addition, we assumed that diverse factors such as tree species, induction methods and formation time contribute to the chemical diversity of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones. Furthermore, this review contends that different types of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones should be utilized in the quality control methods of agarwood.

The structure characteristics, biosynthesis and health benefits of naturally occurring rare flavonoids

Rare flavonoids, a special subclass of naturally occurring flavonoids with diverse structures including pterocarpans, aurones, neoflavonoids, homoisoflavones, diphenylpropanes, rotenoids and 2-phenylethyl-chromones. They are mainly found in legumes with numerous health benefits. Rare flavonoids are regarded as minor flavonoids due to their very limited abundance in nature. This review gives an overview of the natural occurrences of rare flavonoids from previous literatures. Recent findings on the biosynthesis of rare flavonoids have been updated by describing their structural characteristics and classifications. Recent findings on the health benefits of rare flavonoids have also been compiled and discussed. Natural rare flavonoids with various characteristics from different subclasses from plant-based food sources are stated. They show a wide range of health benefits, including antibacterial, anticancer, anti-osteoporosis and antiviral activities. Studies reviewed suggest that rare flavonoids possessing different skeletons demonstrate different characteristic bioactivities by discussing their mechanism of actions and structure-activity relationships. Besides, recent advances on the biosynthesis of rare flavonoids, such as pterocarpans, rotenoids and aurones are well-known, while the biosynthesis of other subclasses remain unknown. The perspectives and further applications of rare flavonoids using metabolic engineering strategies also be expected.

Agarwood-The Fragrant Molecules of a Wounded Tree

Agarwood, popularly known as oudh or gaharu, is a fragrant resinous wood of high commercial value, traded worldwide and primarily used for its distinctive fragrance in incense, perfumes, and medicine. This fragrant wood is created when Aquilaria trees are wounded and infected by fungi, producing resin as a defense mechanism. The depletion of natural agarwood caused by overharvesting amidst increasing demand has caused this fragrant defensive resin of endangered Aquilaria to become a rare and valuable commodity. Given that instances of natural infection are quite low, artificial induction, including biological inoculation, is being conducted to induce agarwood formation. A long-term investigation could unravel insights contributing toward Aquilaria being sustainably cultivated. This review will look at the different methods of induction, including physical, chemical, and biological, and compare the production, yield, and quality of such treatments with naturally formed agarwood. Pharmaceutical properties and medicinal benefits of fragrance-associated compounds such as chromones and terpenoids are also discussed.

The Chemistry of Agarwood Odorants

The phytochemistry of the fragrant infected heartwood of Aquilaria and Gyrinops species, agarwood (oud), is critically reviewed, highlighting the use of this remarkable natural raw material in perfumery. The chemistry of the two main groups of constituents of agarwood (sesquiterpenoids and chromones) is discussed, focusing particularly on the former structural type. The identities of the main key odorants of agarwood essential oil and of the smoke produced by heating the wood of agarwood are also discussed.