Synthesis of neolignans as microtubule stabilisers

Biological Potential and Therapeutic Effectiveness of Phytoproduct 'Fargesin' in Medicine: Focus on the Potential of an Active Phytochemical of Magnolia fargesii

Flos Magnoliae is one of the important medicinal plants in different traditional medicine, including Chinese herbal medicine. Lignans and neolignans, including tetrahydrofurofuran, tetrahydrofuran, and aryltetralin, are present in the Flos Magnoliae species. A wide range of pharmacological activity of Flos Magnoliae has been reported in medicine. Fargesin has been isolated from Magnolia fargesii and it is a lignan-class phytochemical. Fargesin has numerous pharmacological activities in medicine, including its effectiveness on lipid and glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, myocardial apoptosis, etc. In the present work, we have summarized the detailed scientific information of fargesin concerning its medicinal properties and pharmacological activities. Numerous biological and chemical aspects of fargesin are discussed here, including the detailed pharmacological activities and analytical aspects of fargesin. In this review, we have also compiled analytical data on fargesin based on available scientific literature. Ethnopharmacological information on fargesin was gathered by a literature survey on PubMed, Science Direct, Google, and Scopus using the terms fargesin, Flos Magnoliae, phytochemical, and herbal medicine. The present review paper compiled the scientific data on fargesin in medicine for its pharmacological activities and analytical aspects in a very concise manner with proper citations. The present work signified the biological importance of fargesin in medicine due to its significant impact on bone disorders, lung injury, colon cancer, atherosclerosis, neurological disorders, ischemia, sars-cov-2, allergy, lipid and glucose metabolism, melanin synthesis, and different classes of enzymes. Furthermore, fargesin also has anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiprotozoal, antimycobacterial, and antifeedant activity. However, analytical methods used for the separation, identification and isolation of fargesin in different biological and non-biological samples were also covered in the present review. The present work revealed the pharmacological activities and analytical aspects of fargesin in medicine and other allied health sectors.

In silico, in vitro screening of antioxidant and anticancer potentials of bioactive secondary metabolites from an endophytic fungus (Curvularia sp.) from Phyllanthus niruri L

The main objective of this research work is to discover novel and efficient phytochemical substances from endophytic fungus found in medicinal plants. Curvularia geniculata L. (C. geniculata L.), an endophytic fungus isolated from Phyllanthus niruri L. (P. niruri L.), was tested against hepatoma cell lines (HepG2) in order to screen their antioxidant and anticancer potentials. The profiling of phytochemicals from the fungal extract was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and molecular docking was done for the identified compounds against one of the potential receptors predominantly present in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Among the phytochemicals found, 2-methyl-7-phenylindole had the highest binding affinity (- 8.8 kcal mol^-1) for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The stability of 2-methyl-7-phenylindole in the EGFR-binding pockets was tested using in silico molecular dynamics simulation. The fungal extract showed the highest antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, and FRAP assays. In vitro cytotoxicity assay of fungal extract demonstrated the concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells after 24 h, and the IC₅₀ (50% cell death) value was estimated to be 62.23 μg mL^-1. Typical morphological changes such as condensation of nuclei and deformed membrane structures are indicative of ongoing apoptosis. The mitochondria of HepG2 cells were also targeted by the endophytic fungal extract, which resulted in substantial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to the destruction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential integrity. These outcomes suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of C. geniculata L. has the potential to be an antioxidant agent and further to be exploited in developing potential anticancer agents.

A systematic review of the therapeutic effects of resveratrol in combination with 5-fluorouracil during colorectal cancer treatment: with a special focus on the oxidant, apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities

PURPOSE

5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an effective chemotherapy drug, is commonly applied for colorectal cancer treatment. Nevertheless, its toxicity to normal tissues and the development of tumor resistance are the main obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy and hence, its clinical application is limited. The use of resveratrol can increase 5-FU-induced cytotoxicity and mitigate the unwanted adverse effects. This study aimed to review the potential therapeutic effects of resveratrol in combination with 5-FU against colorectal cancer.

METHODS

According to the PRISMA guideline, a comprehensive systematic search was carried out for the identification of relevant literature in four electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus up to May 2021 using a pre-defined set of keywords in their titles and abstracts. We screened 282 studies in accordance with our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirteen articles were finally included in this systematic review.

RESULTS

The in vitro findings showed that proliferation inhibition of colorectal cancer cells in the groups treated by 5-FU was remarkably higher than the untreated groups and the co-administration of resveratrol remarkably increased cytotoxicity induced by 5-FU. The in vivo results demonstrated a decrease in tumor growth of mice treated by 5-FU than the untreated group and a dramatic decrease was observed following combined treatment of resveratrol and 5-FU. It was also found that 5-FU alone and combined with resveratrol could regulate the cell cycle profile of colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, this chemotherapeutic agent induced the biochemical and histopathological changes in the cancerous cells/tissues and these alterations were synergized by resveratrol co-administration (for most of the cases), except for the inflammatory mediators.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained from this systematic review demonstrated that co-administration of resveratrol could sensitize the colorectal cancer cells to 5-FU treatment via various mechanisms, including regulation of cell cycle distribution, oxidant, apoptosis, anti-inflammatory effects.

LRP11-AS1 promotes the proliferation and migration of triple negative breast cancer cells via the miR-149-3p/NRP2 axis

Background

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most difficult subtype of breast cancer to treat due to the deficiency in drug-targetable receptors. LRP11-AS1, a newly identified oncogenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) was found to be significantly overexpressed in TNBC cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the malignant roles and the oncogenic mechanisms of LRP11-AS1 in TNBC.

Methods

CCK-8, colony formation, transwell migration and transwell invasion assays were performed to study the functions of LRP11-AS1. Quantitative PCR and western blot were used to determine the gene expression. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were conducted to study lncRNA and miRNA interactions.

Results

LRP11-AS1 was found to be significantly overexpressed in TNBC cells compared to the non-TNBC cells and normal mammary epithelial cells. Knockdown of LRP11-AS1 could inhibit the growth and metastasis of TNBC cells and regulate cell cycle. Mechanistically, LRP11-AS1 was found to act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sponge miR-149-3p. Silencing of LRP11-AS1 increased the expression of miR-149-3p and overexpression of miR-149-3p suppressed the expression of LRP11-AS1. Inhibition of miR-149-3p could reverse the anticancer effect of LRP11-AS1 deficiency in TNBC cells. Moreover, Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) was found to be the target of miR-149-3p. Rescue experiments revealed that NRP2 overexpression could rescue the anticancer effect of LRP11-AS1 deficiency in TNBC cells.

Conclusion

LRP11-AS1 overexpressed in TNBC showed the oncogenic effects possibly by sponging miR-149-3p and regulating the miR-149-3p/NRP2 axis, which indicated LRP11-AS1 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in TNBC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-022-02536-8.

Circ-ZEB1 promotes PIK3CA expression by silencing miR-199a-3p and affects the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although the prognostic outcomes of liver cancer (LC) cases have improved with the advancement in diagnostic technology and treatment methods, the transferability and recurrence of HCC and the 5-year and 10-year survival rates of patients have remained unsatisfactory. As a result, there is a need for more accurate diagnostic indicators that can detect liver cancer early, effectively improving the prognosis of patients. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that circ-ZEB1 and PIK3CA are highly expressed in HCC tissues, whereas miR-199a-3p is significantly downregulated in HCC. Multiple databases search and biological analysis revealed that elevated expression of circ-ZEB1 and PIK3CA was related to poor prognosis of HCC. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that upregulated levels of PIK3CA and circ-ZEB1 were closely associated with HCC proliferation and apoptosis. Based on these results, we believe that circ-ZEB1 and PIK3CA could be used as biomarkers to diagnose and treat patients with HCC. More importantly, circ-ZEB1 can promotes the expression of PIK3CA by silencing miR-199a-3p and affecting the progression of HCC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Postoperative specimens from 56 patients with HCC who had not undergone chemotherapy from 2015 to 2018 were collected from the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. WGS revealed differential expression of genes in HCC. Furthermore, RT-qPCR detected the expression of circ-ZEB1, miR-199a-3p, and PIK3CA in HCC tissues. MTT, EdU, and plate cloning experiments were conducted to detect cell proliferation, whereas flow cytometry analysis was used to detect apoptosis. FISH was used to co-localize circ-ZEB1 and miR-199a-3p, and biotin-coupled probe pull-down assay was used to detect the specific binding of circ-ZEB1 and miR-199a-3p. The dual-luciferase report assay detected the association of miR-199a-3p with PIK3CA. Western blotting was used to study the expression of PIK3CA protein. Circ-ZEB1 and PIK3CA were upregulated in HCC and predicted a poor prognosis. MiR-199a-3p showed low expression in HCC, whereas downregulation of circ-ZEB1 reduced HCC cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. MiR-199a-3p blocked the effect of circ-ZEB1 on HCC. Circ-ZEB1 served as a biomarker of HCC. Circ-ZEB1 promoted the expression of PIK3CA by silencing miR-199a-3p to affect the progress of HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ-ZEB1 promoted the expression of PIK3CA by depleting miR-199a-3p, thereby affecting HCC proliferation and apoptosis.

Prognostic value of maximum standard uptake value, metabolic tumour volume, and total lesion glycolysis of 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Present work systematically reviewed relevant literature based on 18F-FDG PET parameters and conducted a meta-analysis to examine the prognostic value of maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax), total lesional glycolysis (TLG), and metabolic tumour volume (MTV) in the prognosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

METHODS

The relevant literature published in English were searched on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. We also evaluated the significance of SUVmax, TLG, and MTV in prognosis prediction using pooled hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

The current study comprised 12 primary studies with a total of 1307 MPM cases. According to our results, the pooled HR (95% confidence interval [CI]) of increased SUVmax for overall survival (OS) was 1.30 (95% CI 1.13-1.49, P = 0.000), whereas the increased TLG was 1.81(95% CI 1.25-2.61, P = 0.089). The increased MTV was not significantly related to OS (1.14 [95% CI 0.87-1.50, P = 0.18]).However, study design-stratified subgroup analysis suggested that differences in OS of retrospective and prospective subgroups were statistically significant, and no significant heterogeneity among different studies was observed.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings from the present work, PET/CT can significantly affect the prognosis prediction in MPM cases. Also, the increased SUVmax and TLG values predict an increased risk of mortality.

Patient-derived xenograft models in hepatopancreatobiliary cancer

Animal models are crucial tools for evaluating the biological progress of human cancers and for the preclinical investigation of anticancer drugs and cancer prevention. Various animals are widely used in hepatopancreatobiliary cancer research, and mouse models are the most popular. Generally, genetic tools, graft transplantation, and chemical and physical measures are adopted to generate sundry mouse models of hepatopancreatobiliary cancer. Graft transplantation is commonly used to study tumour progression. Over the past few decades, subcutaneous or orthotopic cell-derived tumour xenograft models (CDX models) have been developed to simulate distinct tumours in patients. However, two major limitations exist in CDX models. One model poorly simulates the microenvironment of tumours in humans, such as the vascular, lymphatic and immune environments. The other model loses genetic heterogeneity compared with the corresponding primary tumour. Increased efforts have focused on developing better models for hepatopancreatobiliary cancer research. Hepatopancreatobiliary cancer is considered a tumour with high molecular heterogeneity, making precision medicine challenging in cancer treatment. Developing a new animal model that can better mimic tumour tissue and more accurately predict the efficacy of anticancer treatments is urgent. For the past several years, the patient-derived xenograft model (PDX model) has emerged as a promising tool for translational research. It can retain the genetic and histological stability of their originating tumour at limited passages and shed light on precision cancer medicine. In this review, we summarize the methodology, advantages/disadvantages and applications of PDX models in hepatopancreatobiliary cancer research.

MST1/2 inhibitor XMU-MP-1 alleviates the injury induced by ionizing radiation in haematopoietic and intestinal system

The Hippo signalling pathway has been considered as potential therapeutic target in self‐renewal and differentiation of stem and progenitor cells. Thus, mammalian Ste20‐like kinase 1/2 (MST1/2) as the core serine‐threonine kinases in the Hippo signalling pathway has been investigated for its role in immunological disease. However, little information of MST1/2 function in bone marrow suppression induced by ionizing radiation was fully investigated. Here, we reported that MST1/2 inhibitor XMU‐MP‐1 could rescue the impaired haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells (HPCs) function under oxidative stress condition. Also, XMU‐MP‐1 pretreatment markedly alleviated the small intestinal system injury caused by the total body irradiation 9 Gy and extended the average survival days of the mice exposed to the lethal dose radiation. Therefore, irradiation exposure causes the serious pathological changes of haematopoietic and intestinal system, and XMU‐MP‐1 could prevent the ROS production, the haematopoietic cells impairment and the intestinal injury. These detrimental effects may be associated with regulating NOX/ROS/P38MARK pathway by MST1/2.

New Insights Into Cancer Chronotherapies

Circadian clocks participate in the coordination of various metabolic and biological activities to maintain homeostasis. Disturbances in the circadian rhythm and cancers are closely related. Circadian clock genes are differentially expressed in many tumors, and accelerate the development and progression of tumors. In addition, tumor tissues exert varying biological activities compared to normal tissues due to resetting of altered rhythms. Thus, chronotherapeutics used for cancer treatment should exploit the timing of circadian rhythms to achieve higher efficacy and mild toxicity. Due to interpatient differences in circadian functions, our findings advocate an individualized precision approach to chronotherapy. Herein, we review the specific association between circadian clocks and cancers. In addition, we focus on chronotherapies in cancers and personalized biomarkers for the development of precision chronotherapy. The understanding of circadian clocks in cancer will provide a rationale for more effective clinical treatment of tumors.

Correlation of CCL8 expression with immune cell infiltration of skin cutaneous melanoma: potential as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic pathway

BACKGROUND

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical in the progression and metastasis of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). Differences in tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) and their gene expression have been linked to cancer prognosis. Given that immunotherapy can be effective against SKCM, we aimed to identify key genes that regulate the immunological state of the TME in SKCM.

METHODS

Data from 471 SKCM patients in the The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed using ESTIMATE algorithms to generate an ImmuneScore, StromalScore, and EstimateScore for each patient. Patients were classified into low- or high-score groups based on median values, then compared in order to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed, and a prognostic model was created using uni- and multivariate Cox regression as well as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). Key DEGs were identified using the web-based tool GEPIA. Profiles of TIC subpopulations in each patient were analyzed using CIBORSORT, and possible correlations between key DEG expression and TICs were explored. Levels of CCL8 were determined in SKCM and normal skin tissue using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Two scores correlated positively with the prognosis of SKCM patients. Comparison of the low- and high-score groups revealed 1684 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated DEGs, all of which were enriched in immune-related functions. The prognostic model identified CCL8 as a key gene, which CIBERSORT found to correlate with M1 macrophages. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong expression in SKCM tissue, but failed to detect the protein in normal skin tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

CCL8 is a potential prognostic marker for SKCM, and it may become an effective target for melanoma in which M1 macrophages play an important role.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of speckle-type POZ protein in cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Controversial findings have been reported in the impact of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) on clinicopathological features and prognosis in diverse cancers. We conducted this meta-analysis to confirm whether SPOP was an effective biomarker to predict clinical stage, cancer differentiation and survival.

METHODS

We searched studies published before June 2021 through Medline, Embase, the Cochrane library register of controlled trials and Wanfang databases. The corrections of SPOP expression with expression disparity, tumor differentiation, clinical stage and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis found that higher expression of SPOP was significantly associated with earlier clinical stage, well differentiation and better overall survival. Subgroup analysis showed that the SPOP expression of adjacent tissue was significantly higher than that in cancer tissues of prostate and liver. However, renal cancer presented improved expression of SPOP in cancer tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

SPOP has the potential function to act as a novel and effective biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognostic stratification.

Risk of non-melanoma skin cancer with biological therapy in common inflammatory diseases: a systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Most previous studies compared the risk for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in biologic-treated common inflammatory diseases with the general population. Whether the increased NMSC risk is caused by the disease itself, the biologics, or both remains unknown.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to May 2021. Studies were included if they assessed the risk of NMSC for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or psoriasis patients treated with biologics compared with patients not receiving biologics. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the fixed- or random-effects model.

RESULTS

The current meta-analysis included 12 studies. Compared with patients with the inflammatory disease without biologics, patients receiving biological therapy were associated with an increased risk for NMSC (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.37), especially in patients with RA (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.36) and psoriasis (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.52), but not in patients with IBD (RR 1.49, 95% CI 0.46 to 4.91). The risks for squamous cell skin cancer and basal cell skin cancer were both increased for patients receiving biologics. However, the risk of NMSC did not increase in patients treated with biologics less than 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that increased risk of NMSC was identified in RA and psoriasis treated with biologics compared with patients not receiving biologics, but not in patients with IBD. The inner cause for the increased risk of NMSC in IBD patients should be further discussed.

RNA m6A methylation regulators in ovarian cancer

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification of mammalian mRNAs and plays a vital role in many diseases, especially tumours. In recent years, m6A has become the topic of intense discussion in epigenetics. M6A modification is dynamically regulated by methyltransferases, demethylases and RNA-binding proteins. Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common but highly fatal malignancy in female. Increasing evidence shows that changes in m6A levels and the dysregulation of m6A regulators are associated with the occurrence, development or prognosis of OC. In this review, the latest studies on m6A and its regulators in OC have been summarized, and we focus on the key role of m6A modification in the development and progression of OC. Additionally, we also discuss the potential use of m6A modification and its regulators in the diagnosis and treatment of OC.

Virtual screening based on molecular docking of possible inhibitors of Covid-19 main protease

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an enveloped RNA virus that is diversely found in humans and that has now been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapies and vaccines against this disease. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate in silico the molecular interactions of drugs with therapeutic indications for treatment of COVID-19 (Azithromycin, Baricitinib and Hydroxychloroquine) and drugs with similar structures (Chloroquine, Quinacrine and Ruxolitinib) in docking models from the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M-pro) protein. The results showed that all inhibitors bound to the same enzyme site, more specifically in domain III of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Therefore, this study allows proposing the use of baricitinib and quinacrine, in combination with azithromycin; however, these computer simulations are just an initial step for conceiving new projects for the development of antiviral molecules.

Anti-tyrosinase, anti-cholinesterase and cytotoxic activities of extracts and phytochemicals from the Tunisian Citharexylum spinosum L.: Molecular docking and SAR analysis

Previously phytochemical investigations carried out on the flowers and trunk bark extracts of Citharexylum spinosum L. tree, allowed the isolation of twenty molecules belonging to several families of natural substances [triterpene acids, iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, 8,3'-neolignan glycosides, together with other phenolic compounds]. In the present work, a biological evaluation (anti-tyrosinase, anticholinesterase and cytotoxic activities) was performed on the prepared extracts and the isolated secondary metabolites. The results showed that the EtOAc extract of the trunk bark displayed the highest anti-tyrosinase effect with a percent inhibition of 55.0 ± 1.8% at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The highest anticholinesterase activity was presented by the same extract with an IC₅₀ value of 99.97 ± 3.01 µg/mL. The EtOAc extract of flowers and that of the trunk bark displayed the best cytotoxic property with IC₅₀ values of 96.00 ± 2.85 and 88.75 ± 2.00 µg/mL, respectively, against the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), and IC₅₀ values of 188.23 ± 3.88 and 197.00 ± 4.25 µg/mL, respectively, against the human lung cancer (A549) cell lines. Biological investigation of the pure compounds showed that the two 8,3'-neolignan glycosides, plucheosides D₁-D₂, generate the highest anti-tyrosinase potency with a percent inhibition of 61.4 ± 2.0 and 79.5 ± 2.3%, respectively, at a concentration of 100 µM. The iridoid glycosides exhibited a significant anticholinesterase activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 17.19 ± 1.02 to 52.24 ± 2.50 µM. Triterpene pentacyclic acids and iridoid glycosides exerted encouraging cytotoxic effects against HeLa with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.00 ± 1.10 to 25.00 ± 1.00 µM. The study of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) has been sufficiently and widely discussed. The natural compounds that exhibited the significant bioactivities were docked.

Bioactive constituents of Lindernia crustacea and its anti-EBV effect via Rta expression inhibition in the viral lytic cycle

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.Muell. (Scrophulariaceae) was selected for phytochemical investigation owing to its traditional use against human herpes virus infection and its anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) effect.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The present study focused on the phytochemical investigation of L. crustacea including the isolation and structure determination of its biologically active compounds. Compounds with anti-EBV effects were also investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The EtOH extract of L. crustacea was subsequently partitioned using different solvents. The EtOAc fraction was subjected to several chromatographic methods to obtain pure compounds. The structures of all isolates were established by spectroscopic analysis and compared with previously reported physical data. The anti-EBV effect was evaluated in an EBV-containing Burkitt's lymphoma cell line (P3HR1) to study the expression of EBV lytic proteins.

RESULTS

Thirty-three compounds, including one diterpene (1), four anthraquinones (2-5), two ionones (6 and 7), fourteen phenylpropanoid glycosides (8-21), five flavonoids (22-26), one lignan glycoside (27), one phenethyl alcohol glycoside (28), one phenylpropene glycoside (29), one glucosyl glycerol derivative (30), one furanone (31), and two cinnamic acid derivatives (32 and 33), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the plant. All isolated compounds were obtained for the first time from Lindernia sp. The evaluation of the anti-EBV activity of L. crustacea crude extract, partitioned fractions, and constituents was performed for the first time. Phytol (1), aloe-emodin (2), byzantionoside B (7), a mixture of trans-martynoside (8) and cis-martynoside (9), a mixture of trans-isomartynoside (10) and cis-isomartynoside (11), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (24), and apigenin-7-O-[β-D-apiofuranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (25) exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the EBV lytic cycle at 20 μg/mL in the immunoblot analysis. On the other hand, (6R,7E,9R)-3-oxo-α-ionol-β-D-glucopyranoside (6) and a mixture of trans-dolichandroside A (12) and cis-dolichandroside A (13) showed moderate anti-EBV activity at 20 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

L. crustacea and its active isolates could be developed as potential candidates against EBV. Our findings provide scientific evidence for the traditional use of L. crustacea for its antiviral effects.

Antihypertensive activity of diethyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-neolign-7,7'-dien-9,9'-dionate: A continuation study in L-NAME treated wistar rats

In the present study, we report that neolignan1 (Diethyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-neolign-7,7'-dien-9,9'-dionate) relaxes the superior mesenteric artery in a concentration dependent manner (pD2 value 5.392 ± 0.04; n = 8 for endothelium intact and 5.204 ± 0.03; n = 8 for endothelium denuded mesenteric rings, respectively). The relaxation response of neolignan1 was found to be endothelium independent and sensitive to 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-on (ODQ; 1 μM) and tetraethyl ammonium (TEA; 1 mM). In-silico studies showed good LibDock score (92.66) of neolignan1 with BK_Ca channel and are in well corroboration with ex-vivo study. Further, neolignan1 significantly decreased the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in the Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME; 50 mg/kg) treated Wistar rats at the dose of 30 and 100 mg/kg given once orally for 15 days. In addition, neolignan1 is well tolerated up to 100 mg/kg when given as a repeated dose, once orally for 28 days in Swiss albino mice. Neolignan1 was well absorbed from oral route, reached peak at 4 h and eliminated below detection level by 12 h after administration. Our present study concludes that neolignan1 produced relaxation in superior mesenteric artery by opening of BK_Ca channel and produced significant antihypertensive activity in L-NAME treated Wistar rats and was well tolerated by the experimental animal.

Phytochemical study of the trunk bark of Citharexylum spinosum L. growing in Tunisia: Isolation and structure elucidation of iridoid glycosides

A phytochemical investigation of the trunk bark ethyl acetate extract of Citharexylum spinosum L. has led to the isolation of four previously undescribed iridoid glycosides, tunispinosides A-D, and five known phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside, leucosceptoside A, martynoside, isoverbascoside and plantainoside C, together with 4-hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyphenyl 6'-O-vanilloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, two 8,3'-neolignan glycosides, plucheosides D₁-D₂, coniferyl aldehyde, vanillic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid and tyrosol. All compounds were isolated for the first time from C. spinosum. Their isolation was carried out using silica gel column and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Structures were established by spectroscopic means including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and spectrometric ESI-HRMS analysis.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel androst-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid derivatives as inhibitors of 5α-reductase type 1 and 2

5α-Reductase is a key enzyme responsible for dihydrotestosterone biosynthesis and has been recognized as an important target for discovering new drugs against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this study, a series of novel steroidal androst-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acids have been designed and synthesized. Biological evaluations were performed on their 5α-reductase inhibitory activities by both in vitro enzyme inhibition assay and in vivo by prostate weighing method. Results showed that most of them displayed excellent 5α-reductase inhibitory potency. Detailed evaluation indicated that most of the compounds displayed slightly higher inhibition potency towards type 2 isozyme. Among all the compounds, 16a was found to be the most potential inhibitor with the IC₅₀ of 0.25μM and 0.13μM against type 1 and 2 isozymes respectively. In vivo 5a-reductase inhibitory evaluation of 16a also showed a more significant reduction effect (p<0.001) in rat prostate weight than epristeride. Furthermore, the results of in silico ADME study indicated that compound 16a exhibited good pharmacokinetic properties. Thus, 16a could serve as promising lead candidates for further study.

Targeting progesterone metabolism in breast cancer with l-proline derived new 14-azasteroids

Breast cancer cell proliferation is promoted by a variety of mitogenic signals. Classically estrogen is considered as most predominant mitogenic signal in hormone-dependent breast cancer and progesterone is primarily considered to have protective effect. However, it is suggested that some progesterone metabolite may promote breast cancer and progesterone metabolites like 5α-pregnane and 4-pregnene could serve as regulators of estrogen-responsiveness of breast cancer cells. Here, we estimated the potential of alternate targeting of breast cancer via progesterone signalling. l-Proline derived novel 14-azasteroid compounds were screened against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines using MTT assay. In silico studies, cell cycle, Annexin-V-FITC/PI, JC-1 mitochondrial assay, ROS analysis were performed to analyse the impact of hit compound 3b on breast cancer cells. Further, we analysed the impact of hit 3b on the progesterone, its metabolites and enzymes responsible for the conversion of progesterone and its metabolites using ELISA. Data suggests that compound 3b binds and down regulates of 5α-reductase by specifically inhibiting production of progesterone metabolites that are capable of promoting breast cancer proliferation, epithelial mesenchymal transition and migration. This study establishes the proof of concept and generation of new leads for additional targeting of breast cancer.

Diethyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-neolign-7,7'-dien-9,9'-dionate exhibits antihypertensive activity in rats through increase in intracellular cGMP level and blockade of calcium channels

We report here the antihypertensive and vasorelaxant potential of some steroidal and non-steroidal compounds identified through a library of compounds. All the novel analogues showed vasorelaxant potential in isolated rat aorta. The most potent lead neolignan1 (Diethyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-neolign-7,7'-dien-9,9'-dionate) produced concentration dependent relaxation with [pD₂ 5.16±0.05; n=16 and E_max 96.97%±1.12%; n=16]. The neolignan1 relaxation is independent of endothelium and is sensitive to ODQ (1H-[1, 2, 4] oxadiazolo [4, 3-a] quinoxalin-1-one; a blocker of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) which synthesizes cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate)). ELISA analysis of treated arterial tissues showed concentration-dependent increase in cGMP level in treated tissues compared to control (2.03 and 7.16 fold of control at 10 and 30µM of neolignan1, respectively) and a synergistic increase in cGMP level by 26.66 fold compared to control when used in combination with sildenafil (10µM; a known inducer of cGMP level by selectively blocking cGMP specific phosphodiesterase 5). Our present study reports for the first time that neolignans produce relaxation in isolated rat aorta through increase in intracellular cGMP level. The ODQ resistant relaxation of neolignan1 is mediated by blockade of voltage dependent L-type calcium channel (VDCC) as observed in the experiment with CaCl₂. Neolignan1 upon intravenous administration via tail vein in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) produced significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). The present study concludes that neolignan1 exhibited antihypertensive potential in rats through rise in intracellular cGMP and blockade of VDCC.

Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of the Neolignan Analogue 2-(4-Nitrophenoxy)-1Phenylethanone and its Protective Effect Against DNA Damage

Neolignans are secondary metabolites found in various groups of Angiosperms. They belong to a class of natural compounds with great diversity of chemical structures and pharmacological activities. These compounds are formed by linking two phenylpropanoid units. Several compounds that have ability to prevent genetic damage have been isolated from plants, and can be used to prevent or delay the development of tumor cells. Genetic toxicology evaluation is widely used in risk assessment of new drugs in preclinical screening tests. In this study, we evaluated the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the neolignan analogue 2-(4-nitrophenoxy)-1-phenylethanone (4NF) and its protective effect against DNA damage using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test and the comet assay in mouse peripheral blood. Our results showed that this neolignan analogue had no genotoxic activity and was able to reduce induced damage both in mouse bone marrow and peripheral blood. Although the neolignan analogue 4NF was cytotoxic, it reduced cyclophosphamide-induced cytotoxicity. In conclusion, it showed no genotoxic action, but exhibited cytotoxic, antigenotoxic, and anticytotoxic activities.