Gomisin A, a lignan component of Schizandora fruits, inhibits development of preneoplastic lesions in rat liver by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylamino-azobenzene

Network Pharmacology Analysis of Bioactive Components and Mechanisms of Action of Qi Wei Wan Formula for Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Astragali Radix (AR) and Schisandrae chinensis Fructus (SCF) have been used individually and in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas for treating non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Qi Wei Wan (QWW), a 2-herb TCM formula composed of AR and SCF, is used to treat blood deficiency, fatigue, and metabolic abnormalities. We speculate that QWW may be more effective in treating NSCLC than AR or SCF alone. We identified 28 bioactive compounds in QWW and 322 targets of these compounds from databases. Network pharmacology analysis was used to identify 248 putative NSCLC-related gene targets of the bioactive compounds in QWW. Common target genes were analyzed to build protein–protein interaction networks. Implicated biological functions and pathways (p53, PI3K-Akt, etc) were identified by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analyses. Molecular docking of core target proteins with the key active compounds was also performed. This study identified the potential gene targets and mechanisms involved in the anti-NSCLC effects of QWW.

Identification of a Novel TAR RNA-Binding Protein 2 Modulator with Potential Therapeutic Activity against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Imbalance miRNAs contribute to tumor formation; therefore, the development of small-molecule compounds that regulate miRNA biogenesis is an important strategy in oncotherapy. Here, (-)-Gomisin M1 (GM) was found to modulate miRNA biogenesis to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. GM modulated expression profiles of miRNA and protein in HCC cells and suppressed tumor growth in a mouse model. Mechanistically, GM affected miRNA maturation by targeting TAR RNA-binding protein 2 (TRBP), with an efficacy higher than that of enoxacin, and promoted the binding of TRBP with Dicer. Structural simplification and a preliminary structure-activity relationship study via the synthesis of 20 GM derivatives showed that compound 9 exhibited more potent inhibitory activity in HCC cell proliferation and affinity for TRBP than did GM. These results suggest that TRBP may be a novel potential therapeutic target in HCC and compound 9 may be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of HCC.

Quality Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Yogurt Containing Raw Omija and Sugared Omija during Storage

This study was conducted to determine the quality characteristics and antioxidant properties of yogurt containing omija extract (control, raw omija, and sugared omija) stored at 4°C for 14 days. The pH of all groups decreased, while the titratable acidity increased as the storage period increased. The viscosity of the sugared omija sample was high, while in the syneresis test, the sugared omija sample showed a low value. The total polyphenol content was the highest in the raw omija sample on day 0. DPPH activity was the highest in the raw omija sample for all storage periods; this sample also showed high Fe2+ chelating activity, which did not significantly differ from the sugared omija sample. In sensory evaluation, the sugared omija sample showed the highest overall score. Based on these results, it can be concluded that yogurt containing sugared omija shows improved quality and antioxidant activity.

Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Chinese Herbal Compounds against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Traditional Chinese Medicines, unique biomedical and pharmaceutical resources, have been widely used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prevention and treatment. Accumulated Chinese herb-derived compounds with significant anti-cancer effects against HCC have been identified. Chinese herbal compounds are effective in preventing carcinogenesis, inhibiting cell proliferation, arresting cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, autophagy, cell senescence and anoikis, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis and angiogenesis, regulating immune function, reversing drug resistance and enhancing the effects of chemotherapy in HCC. This paper comprehensively reviews these compounds and their effects on HCC. Finally, the perspectives and rational application of herbal compounds for HCC management are discussed.

The immuno-regulatory effects of Schisandra chinensis and its constituents on human monocytic leukemia cells

Many diseases occur when the immune system is weakened. Intracellular signals activate immuno-responsive cells to produce cytokines that modulate the immune response. Schisandra chinensis has been used traditionally to treat general fatigue, neurasthenia, and spontaneous sweating. In the present study, the effect of constituents of S. chinensis on cytokine release by human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) was tested using microparticle-based flow cytometric analysis. Two major lignans, schizandrin (Sch) and gomisin A (Gom A), were identified and shown to induce interleukin (IL)-8, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), and granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) release by THP-1 cells. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or quantitative real-time PCR, there was a dose-dependent increase of IL-8, MIP-1β and GM-CSF mRNA levels. Thus, Sch and Gom A from S. chinensis enhance cytokine release by THP-1 cells and this effect occurs through mRNA upregulation. Upregulation of MIP-1β and GM-CSF in particular may have clinical applications. Therefore, S. chinensis may be therapeutically beneficial by promoting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.

Wuweizisu C from Schisandra chinensis decreases membrane potential in C6 glioma cells

AIM

To study the effects of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis, such as wuweizisu C, gomisin N, gomisin A, and schisandrin, on the membrane potential in C6 glioma cells.

METHODS

The membrane potential was estimated by measuring the fluorescence change in DiBAC-loaded glioma cells.

RESULTS

Wuweizisu C decreased the membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. Gomisin N and gomisin A, however, showed differential modulation and no change was induced by schisandrin or dimethyl- 4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate, a synthetic drug derived from dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans. We found no involvement of G(i/o ) proteins, phospholipase C, and extracellular Na(+) on the wuweizisu C-induced decrease of the membrane potential. Wuweizisu C by itself did not change the intracellular Ca(2+)[Ca(2+)](i) concentration, but decreased the ATP-induced Ca(2+) increase in C6 glioma cells. The 4 lignans at all concentrations used in this study did not induce any effect on cell viability. Furthermore, we found a similar decrease of the membrane potential by wuweizisu C in PC12 neuronal cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the decrease in the membrane potential and the modulation of [Ca(2+)](i) concentration by wuweizisu C could be important action mechanisms of wuweizisu C.

A pinoresinol–lariciresinol reductase homologue from the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) catalyzes the efficient in vitro conversion of p-coumaryl/coniferyl alcohol esters into the allylphenols chavicol/eugenol, but not the propenylphenols p-anol/isoeugenol

The creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) accumulates a complex mixture of 8-8' regiospecifically linked lignans, of which the potent antioxidant nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is the most abundant. Its tetra-O-methyl derivative (M4N) is showing considerable promise in the treatment of refractory (hard-to-treat) brain and central nervous system tumors. NDGA and related 9,9'-deoxygenated lignans are thought to be formed by dimerization of allyl/propenyl phenols, phenylpropanoid compounds that lack C-9 oxygenation, thus differentiating them from the more common monolignol-derived lignans. In our ongoing studies dedicated towards elucidating the biochemical pathway to NDGA and its congeners, a pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase homologue was isolated from L. tridentata, with the protein obtained in functional recombinant form. This protein efficiently catalyzes the conversion of p-coumaryl and coniferyl alcohol esters into the corresponding allylphenols, chavicol and eugenol; neither of their propenylphenol regioisomers, p-anol and isoeugenol, are formed during this enzyme reaction.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect of lignans isolated fromSchizandra chinensis

The hexane extract of the fruit of Schizandra chinensis (Schisandraceae) was found to show significant inhibition of the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE). In further studies, fourteen lignans were isolated, and evaluated for their inhibitory effect on AChE. The compounds having both aromatic methylenedioxy and hydroxyl groups on their cyclooctadiene ring, such as gomisin C (6), gomisin G (7), gomisin D (8), schisandrol B (11) and gomisin A (13), entirely inhibited AChE in dose dependent manners, with IC50 values of 6.71 +/- 0.53, 6.55 +/- 0.31, 7.84 +/- 0.62, 12.57 +/- 1.07 and 13.28 +/- 1.68 microM, respectively. These results indicate that the lignans could potentially be a potent class of AChE inhibitors.

Protective effect of a phenolic-rich fraction from Schisandra chinensis against H2O2-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells

We have investigated the neuroprotective effects of a phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) on the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced apoptosis of cultured SH-SY5Y cells. The PRF was obtained from the 80% ethanol extract of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis by Sepabeads SP-850 column chromatography. Cell viability assays revealed that pretreating SH-SY5Y cells with PRF (10-200 mugmL(-1)) resulted in significant dose-dependent protection against H(2)O(2)-induced cell death. The protective effect of PRF against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of DNA contents using propidium iodide (PI) staining. Pre-incubation of cells with PRF at different concentrations for 24 h partially protected apoptosis by H(2)O(2) (150 muM). Moreover, cells treated with PRF reduced H(2)O(2)-induced caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and exerted an apparent suppressive effect on oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We concluded that PRF may be useful in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases associated with elevated ROS levels.

Natural products and chronic hepatitis C virus

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant public health problem, with a worldwide prevalence of approximately 170 million. The standard of care for chronic HCV, a combination of alpha-interferon (IFN) and ribavirin, is only 50% effective, has serious side effects, and can be prohibitively expensive for low-income countries with a high prevalence of HCV. Many patients use natural products, including those who are not eligible for IFN/ribavirin, cannot afford treatment, or fail to respond to IFN.

METHODS

Extensive literature searches were conducted in order to identify clinical trials and reviews of natural products used for treatment of chronic HCV. This review focuses on the composition, pharmacology and results of clinical trials of three natural products: Oxymatrine, TJ-108/schisandra/Gomisin A and lactoferrin.

RESULTS

Several laboratory and human studies have been performed to evalaute these alternative treatments, but many of these studies are small, uncontrolled and have other important design flaws. While they do offer some safety and efficacy data, none of these studies is conclusive.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed on the effectiveness of these natural products for treatment of chronic HCV, including their preparation and standardization.

Chavicol formation in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum): cleavage of an esterified C9 hydroxyl group with NAD(P)H-dependent reduction

Propenyl- and allyl-phenols, such as methylchavicol, p-anol and eugenol, have gained importance as flavoring agents and also as putative precursors in the biosynthesis of 9,9'-deoxygenated lignans, many of which have potential medicinal applications. In spite of several decades of investigation, however, the complete biosynthetic pathway to a propenyl/allylphenol had not yet been reported. We have subjected a Thai basil variety accumulating relatively large amounts of the simplest volatile allylphenol, methylchavicol, to in vivo administration of radiolabeled precursors and assays of protein preparations in vitro. Through these experiments, the biosynthesis of chavicol was shown to occur via the phenylpropanoid pathway to p-coumaryl alcohol. Various possibilities leading to deoxygenation of the latter were examined, including reduction of the side-chain double bond to form p-dihydrocoumaryl alcohol, followed by dehydration to afford chavicol, as well as formation of p-methoxycinnamyl alcohol, with further side-chain modification to afford methylchavicol. A third possibility studied was activation of the side-chain alcohol of p-coumaryl alcohol, e.g.via esterification, to form a more facile leaving group via reductive elimination. The latter was shown to be the case using p-coumaryl esters as potential substrates for a NAD(P)H-dependent reductase to afford chavicol, which is then O-methylated to afford methylchavicol.

Schisandrene, a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan from Schisandra chinensis: structure-antioxidant activity relationships of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans

Phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis led to the isolation of 13 lignans including schisandrene (13), a new lignan based on a dibenzocyclooctadiene backbone with an exocyclic double bond. Its structure and absolute configuration were established using NMR, MS, and CD data. Antioxidant activity of the lignans was evaluated using a DCFH-DA cellular-based assay. The structure-activity relationships of the dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans showed that the exocyclic methylene functionality was essential for antioxidant activity, with the benzoyloxy group probably enhancing such effects.