Facile synthesis of acacetin and its derivatives

Chrysin: A polyedric flavone as a tool to explore new phytotherapeutic applications and drug design

In the field of pharmaceutical research, a branch that has become more and more interesting is phytochemistry. Among phytochemicals, flavonoids have been studied a lot over the past 30 years. This review summarizes the chemical characteristics, metabolism, applications, and toxicity of a particular flavonoid, chrysin, recorded in the last 10 years and supported by solid biological assays. Furthermore, this review highlights some derivatives of chrysin investigated to obtain more bioavailable molecules that maintain or improve chrysin's bioactivities, enclosing a chrysin patent section, as well.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Sunbanghwalmyung-Eum in High-Fat- and High-Cholesterol-Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6J Mice

Sunbanghwalmyung-eum (SBH) is a traditional herbal medicine that exhibits various pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated the systemic anti-obesity effects of an aqueous extract of SBH in the liver, adipose, and muscle tissue from high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD)-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. After 6 weeks of an HFHCD, the mice were continuously fed HFHC with oral administration of SBH (100 mg/kg/day), Sim (simvastatin, 5 mg/kg/day, positive control), or water (HFHC only) for another 6 weeks. Our results showed that SBH attenuated the HFHCD-induced body weight gain and fat accumulation in the liver, and improved plasma lipid levels, such as those of triglycerides (TGs), blood total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c). SBH and Sim inhibited the inflammation accompanied by obesity via decreasing inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1). Moreover, SBH downregulated the expression of protein levels of adipogenic-related factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), in the liver, adipose, and muscle tissue. The SBH and Sim treatment also significantly upregulated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) in the liver and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the adipose tissue. Overall, the effects of SBH on HFHCD-induced obesity were similar to or more potent than those of simvastatin. These results indicated that SBH has great potential as a therapeutic herbal medicine for obesity.

Biological Investigation of a Water-Soluble Isoginkgetin-Phosphate Analogue, Targeting the Spliceosome with In Vivo Antitumor Activity

The first total synthesis of the natural product Isoginkgetin as well as four water-soluble Isoginkgetin-phosphate analogues is reported herein. Moreover, the full study of the IP2 phosphate analogue with respect to pharmacological properties (metabolic and plasmatic stabilities, pharmacokinetic, off-target, etc.) as well as in vitro and in vivo biological activities are disclosed herein.

Exploring and applying the substrate promiscuity of a C-glycosyltransferase in the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of bioactive C-glycosides

Bioactive natural C-glycosides are rare and chemical C-glycosylation faces challenges while enzymatic C-glycosylation catalyzed by C-glycosyltransferases provides an alternative way. However, only a small number of C-glycosyltransferases have been found, and most of the discovered C-glycosyltransferases prefer to glycosylate phenols with an acyl side chain. Here, a promiscuous C-glycosyltransferase, AbCGT, which is capable of C-glycosylating scaffolds lacking acyl groups, is identified from Aloe barbadensis. Based on the substrate promiscuity of AbCGT, 16 C-glycosides with inhibitory activity against sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 are chemo-enzymatically synthesized. The C-glycoside 46a shows hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mice and is biosynthesized with a cumulative yield on the 3.95 g L^‒1 scale. In addition, the key residues involved in the catalytic selectivity of AbCGT are explored. These findings suggest that AbCGT is a powerful tool in the synthesis of lead compounds for drug discovery and an example for engineering the catalytic selectivity of C-glycosyltransferases.

C-glycosides are of pharmaceutical interest due to their stability against in vivo hydrolysis, however their enzymatic synthesis faces challenges. Here, the authors report a C-glycosyltransferase from Aloe barbadensis catalysing the C-glycosylation of drug-like acceptors to generate bioactive C-glycosides.

Acacetin, a flavone with diverse therapeutic potential in cancer, inflammation, infections and other metabolic disorders

BACKGROUND

Acacetin is a di-hydroxy and mono-methoxy flavone present in various plants, including black locust, Damiana, Silver birch. Literature information revealed that acacetin exhibits an array of pharmacological potential including chemopreventive and cytotoxic properties in cancer cell lines, prevents ischemia/reperfusion/myocardial infarction-induced cardiac injury, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ion (MPP+) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced neuroinflammation, LPS and sepsis-induced lung injury, rheumatoid and collagen-induced arthritis, inhibit the microbial growth, obesity, viral-mediated infections as well as hepatic protection.

PURPOSE

This review highlights the therapeutic potential of acacetin, with updated and comprehensive information on the biological sources, chemistry, and pharmacological properties along with the possible mechanism of action, safety aspects, and future research opportunities.

STUDY DESIGN

The information was retrieved from various search engines, including Pubmed, SciFinder, Science direct, Inxight:drugs, Google scholar, and Meta cyc.

RESULT

The first section of this review focuses on the detailed biological source of acacetin, chromatographic techniques used for isolation, chemical characteristics, the method for the synthesis of acacetin, and the available natural and synthetic derivatives. Subsequently, the pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, have been discussed. The pharmacokinetics data and toxicity profile of acacetin are also discussed.

CONCLUSION

Acacetin is a potent molecule reported for its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity, however further scientific evidence is essential to validate its potency in disease models associated with inflammation and cancer. There is limited information available for toxicity profiling of acacetin; therefore, further studies would aid in establishing this natural flavone as a potent candidate for research studies at clinical setup.

Saussureae Involucratae Herba (Snow Lotus): Review of Chemical Compositions and Pharmacological Properties

Saussureae Involucratae Herba is the dried ground part of Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip, which is also named as “Snow lotus” and being used in traditional Uyghur and/or Chinese medicine. This rare herb can be found at 4,000 m elevation in western part of Tianshan Mountain, Xinjiang China. According to China Pharmacopoeia (2015), the major pharmaceutical values of “Snow lotus” (Xuě liánhuā in Chinese) are alleviating rheumatoid arthritis, accelerating blood circulation and mitigating other “cold” syndromes. Traditionally, the clinical application of “Snow lotus” includes the treatments in inflammation-associated disorder, blood circulation acceleration and heat and dampness elimination. Recent studies suggested that “Snow lotus” possessed therapeutic effects associating with anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, adipogenesis suppression and neuroprotection activities, which were proposed to be related with its bioactive constitutes, i.e. acacetin, hispidulin, and rutin. In the present review, we aim to summarize pharmacological effects and underlying cell signaling pathways of “Snow lotus” in treating various medical problems.

Acacetin from Traditionally Used Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir. Suppressed Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Attenuated Lipid Accumulation in Obese Mice

Acacetin, a flavone that can be isolated from the Saussurea involucrata plant, has anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties that ameliorate airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice. This study investigated whether acacetin has anti-adipogenic effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and whether it regulates the inflammatory response in adipocytes and macrophages. It also investigated whether acacetin ameliorates lipid accumulation in high-fat diet- (HFD) induced obese mice. Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with acacetin. The glycerol levels in the culture medium were measured, and the expression of proteins and genes involved in adipogenesis and lipolysis were assayed by Western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. Inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway activity was assessed in macrophages that were treated with acacetin and cultured with differentiated medium from 3T3-L1 cells. Intraperitoneal injections of acacetin were administered to HFD-induced obese mice twice a week for 10 weeks. Acacetin significantly increased the levels of glycerol in the culture medium and significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Acacetin reduced the expression of adipogenesis-related transcription factors, including the expression of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein; it also increased sirtuin 1 expression and AMPK phosphorylation in adipocytes. In macrophages cultured with differentiated media from 3T3-L1 adipocytes, acacetin reduced the levels of inflammatory mediators and the activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB pathways. In obese mice, acacetin reduced both body weight and visceral adipose tissue weight. These results demonstrate that acacetin inhibited adipogenesis in adipocytes and in obese mice. Acacetin also reduced the inflammatory response of macrophages that were stimulated with differentiated media from 3T3-L1 cells.