Plant isoquinoline alkaloids: Advances in the chemistry and biology of berberine

Hypolipidemic activity of phytochemical combinations: A mechanistic review of preclinical and clinical studies

Hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, poses a significant risk factor for various health disorders, notably cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemical compounds are promising alternatives to the current lipid-lowering drugs, which cause many undesirable effects. Based on in vivo and clinical studies, combining phytochemicals with other phytochemicals, prebiotics, and probiotics and their encapsulation in nanoparticles is more safe and effective for managing hyperlipidemia than monotherapy. To this end, the results obtained and the mechanisms of action of these combinations were examined in detail in this review.

Silver(I)-Promoted [3 + 3]-Cycloaddition of 2-(2-Enynyl)quinolines with N'-(2-Alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides

An effective and straightforward Ag(I)-mediated annulation of 2-(2-enynyl)quinolines and N'-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides was developed, forging various synthetically challenging 17bH-isoquinolino[2'',1'':1',6']pyridazino[4',5':3,4]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines, including different nitrogen-containing fused rings, in moderate to excellent yields. This one-pot cycloaddition strategy features exclusive regioselectivity, high atom economy, and broad substrate scope under mild conditions. The practicality and reliability of this cycloaddition reaction was demonstrated by a successful scale-up synthesis.

Berberine Attenuates Acetamiprid Exposure-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis in Rats via Regulating the Antioxidant Defense System

Acetamiprid (ACMP) is a neonicotinoid insecticide that poses a significant threat to the environment and mankind. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are considered prime contributors to ACMP-induced toxic effects. Meanwhile, berberine (BBR) a natural plant alkaloid, is a topic of interest because of its therapeutic and prophylactic actions. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of BBR on ACMP-mediated alterations in mitochondrial functions and apoptosis in rat liver tissue. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (I) control, (II) BBR-treated, (III) ACMP-exposed, and (IV) BBR+ACMP co-treated groups. The doses of BBR (150 mg/kg b.wt) and ACMP (1/10 of LD50, i.e., 21.7 mg/kg b.wt) were given intragastrically for 21 consecutive days. The results showed that the administration of ACMP diminished mitochondrial complex activity, downregulated complex I (ND1 and ND2) and complex IV (COX1 and COX4) subunit mRNA expression, depleted the antioxidant defense system, and induced apoptosis in rat liver. BBR pre-treatment significantly attenuated ACMP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by maintaining mitochondrial complex activity and upregulating ND1, ND2, COX1, and COX4 mRNA expression. BBR reversed ACMP-mediated apoptosis by diminishing Bax and caspase-3 and increasing the Bcl-2 protein level. BBR also improved the mitochondrial antioxidant defense system by upregulating mRNA expression of PGC-1α, MnSOD, and UCP-2 in rat liver tissue. This study is the first to evaluate the protective potential of BBR against pesticide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in liver tissue. In conclusion, BBR offers protection against ACMP-induced impairment in mitochondrial functions by maintaining the antioxidant level and modulating the apoptotic cascade.

CAPE derivatives: Multifaceted agents for chronic wound healing

Chronic wounds significantly impact the patients' quality of life, creating an urgent interdisciplinary clinical challenge. The development of novel agents capable of accelerating the healing process is essential. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has demonstrated positive effects on skin regeneration. However, its susceptibility to degradation limits its pharmaceutical application. Chemical modification of the structure improves the pharmacokinetics of this bioactive phenol. Hence, two novel series of CAPE hybrids were designed, synthesized, and investigated as potential skin regenerative agents. To enhance the stability and therapeutic efficacy, a caffeic acid frame was combined with quinolines or isoquinolines by an ester (1a-f) or an amide linkage (2a-f). The effects on cell viability of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and HaCaT cells were evaluated at different concentrations; they are not cytotoxic, and some proved to stimulate cell proliferation. The most promising compounds underwent a wound-healing assay in HGFs and HaCaT at the lowest concentrations. Antimicrobial antioxidant properties were also explored. The chemical and thermal stabilities of the best compounds were assessed. In silico predictions were employed to anticipate skin penetration capabilities. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) derivatives 1a and 1d as skin regenerative agents, being able to stimulate cell proliferation, control bacterial growth, regulate ROS levels, and being thermally and chemically stable. An interesting structure-activity relationship was discussed to suggest a promising multitargeted approach for enhanced wound healing.

Multifaceted role of phytoconstituents based nano drug delivery systems in combating TNBC: A paradigm shift from chemical to natural

Triple negative breast cancer is considered to be a malignancy of grave concern with limited routes of treatment due to the absence of specific breast cancer markers and ambiguity of other potential drug targets. Poor prognosis and inadequate survival rates have prompted further research into the understanding of the molecular pathophysiology and targeting of the disease. To overcome the recurrence and resistance mechanisms of the TNBC cells, various approaches have been devised, and are being continuously evaluated to enhance their efficacy and safety. Chemo-Adjuvant therapy is one such treatment modality being employed to improve the efficiency of standard chemotherapy. Combining chemo-adjuvant therapy with other upcoming approaches of cancer therapeutics such as phytoconstituents and nanotechnology has yielded promising results in the direction of improving the prognosis of TNBC. Numerous nanoformulations have been proven to substantially enhance the specificity and cellular uptake of drugs by cancer cells, thus reducing the possibility of unintended systemic side effects within cancer patients. While phytoconstituents offer a wide variety of beneficial active constituents useful in cancer therapeutics, most favorable outcomes have been observed within the scope of polyphenols, isoquinoline alkaloids and isothiocyanates. With an enhanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms of TNBC and the advent of newer targeting technologies and novel phytochemicals of medicinal importance, a new era of cancer theranostic treatments can be explored. This review hopes to instantiate the current body of research regarding the role of certain phytoconstituents and their potential nanoformulations in targeting specific TNBC pathways for treatment and diagnostic purposes.

Modular Assembly of Pyrrolo[3,4-c]isoquinolines through Rh-Catalyzed Cascade C-H Activation/Annulation of O-Methyl Aryloximes with Maleimides

An efficient and practical strategy for the construction of pyrrolo[3,4-c]isoquinolines via Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade C-H activation and subsequential annulation process from easily available O-methyl aryloximes and maleimides has been disclosed. This facile protocol does not require any inert atmosphere protection with good efficiency in a low loading of catalyst and exhibits good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope. Notably, the as-prepared products show potential photophysical properties.

Berberine Degradation Characteristics and its Degradation Pathway by a Newly Isolated Berberine-Utilizing Agrobacterium

Berberine (BBR) is widely used as a botanical pesticide due to its broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities. However, BBR degradation pathway in soil microorganisms, which determines its impact on soil environment, remains poorly understood. Herein, a novel BBR-degrading bacterium Agrobacterium sp. V1 was isolated and characterized. Agrobacterium sp. V1 was able to utilize BBR as the sole carbon source for cell growth, and 50 μg/mL of BBR was completely degraded within 48 h. To reveal the possible BBR degradation pathway, whole genome sequencing of Agrobacterium sp. V1 was conducted, and proteins in Agrobacterium sp. V1 were aligned with enzymes involved in BBR biosynthesis in Rhizoma Coptidis. The results indicated that more than 60% of enzymes in BBR biosynthesis pathway had orthologs in Agrobacterium sp. V1. Combined with the primary mass spectra of BBR metabolites, a novel BBR degradation pathway in this bacterium was proposed. In summary, the proposed BBR degradation pathway offered new insights into the impact of BBR to the environment and also provided a reference for studying BBR metabolism in microorganisms.

Dietary supplements: clinical cholesterol-lowering efficacy and potential mechanisms of action

This review aims to analyse the efficacy of dietary supplements in reducing plasma cholesterol levels. Focusing on evidence from meta-analyses of randomised controlled clinical trials, with an emphasis on potential mechanisms of action as supported by human, animal, and cell studies. Certain dietary supplements including phytosterols, berberine, viscous soluble dietary fibres, garlic supplements, soy protein, specific probiotic strains, and certain polyphenol extracts could significantly reduce plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 3-25% in hypercholesterolemic patients depending on the type of supplement. They tended to be more effective in reducing plasma LDL cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemic individuals than in normocholesterolemic individuals. These supplements worked by various mechanisms, such as enhancing the excretion of bile acids, inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines, increasing the expression of hepatic LDL receptors, suppressing the activity of enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis, and activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signalling pathway.

Revealing the potential bioactive components and mechanism of Qianhua Gout Capsules in the treatment of gouty arthritis through network pharmacology, molecular docking and pharmacodynamic study strategies

Recent clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Qianhua Gout Capsules (QGC) in the treatment of gouty arthritis (GA). However, the specific regulatory targets and mechanisms of action of QGC are still unclear. To address this gap, we utilized network pharmacology, molecular docking, and pharmacodynamic approaches to investigate the bioactive components and associated mechanisms of QGC in the treatment of GA. By employing UPLC-Q Exactive-MS, we identified the compounds present in QGC, with active ingredients defined as those with oral bioavailability ≥30 % and drug similarity ≥0.18. Subsequently, the targets of these active compounds were determined using the TCMSP database, while GA-related targets were identified from DisGeNET, GeneCards, TTD, OMIM, and DrugBank databases. Further analysis including PPI analysis, GO analysis, and KEGG pathway enrichment was conducted on the targets. Validation of the predicted results was performed using a GA rat model, evaluating pathological changes, inflammatory markers, and pathway protein expression. Our results revealed a total of 130 components, 44 active components, 16 potential shared targets, GO-enriched terms, and 47 signaling pathways related to disease targets. Key active ingredients included quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, luteolin, and wogonin. The PPI analysis highlighted five targets (PPARG, IL-6, MMP-9, IL-1β, CXCL-8) with the highest connectivity, predominantly enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway. Molecular docking experiments demonstrated strong binding of CXCL8, IL-1β, IL-6, MMP9, and PPARG targets with the top five active compounds. Furthermore, animal experiments confirmed the efficacy of QGC in treating GA in rats, showing reductions in TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA levels, and increases in SOD levels in serum. In synovial tissues, QGC treatment upregulated CXCL8 and PPARG expression, while downregulating IL-1β, MMP9, and IL-6 expression. In conclusion, this study applied a network pharmacology approach to uncover the composition of QGC, predict its pharmacological interactions, and demonstrate its in vivo efficacy, providing insights into the anti-GA mechanisms of QGC. These findings pave the way for future investigations into the therapeutic mechanisms underlying QGC's effectiveness in the treatment of GA.

Comparative metabolite analysis of Piper sarmentosum organs approached by LC-MS-based metabolic profiling

Piper sarmentosum Roxb. (Piperaceae) is a traditional medicinal and food plant widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, offering both health and culinary benefits. In this study the secondary metabolites in different organs of P. sarmentosum were identified and their relative abundances were characterized. The metabolic profiles of leaves, roots, stems and fruits were comprehensively investigated by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS) and the data subsequently analyzed using multivariate statistical methods. Manual interpretation of the tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) fragmentation patterns revealed the presence of 154 tentatively identified metabolites, mostly represented by alkaloids and flavonoids. Principle component analysis and hierarchical clustering indicated the predominant occurrence of flavonoids, lignans and phenyl propanoids in leaves, aporphines in stems, piperamides in fruits and lignan-amides in roots. Overall, this study provides extensive data on the metabolite composition of P. sarmentosum, supplying useful information for bioactive compounds discovery and patterns of their preferential biosynthesis or storage in specific organs. This can be used to optimize production and harvesting as well as to maximize the plant's economic value as herbal medicine or in food applications.

Recent advances in total synthesis of protoberberine and chiral tetrahydroberberine alkaloids

Covering: Up to 2024Due to the widespread distribution of protoberberine alkaloids (PBs) and tetrahydroberberine alkaloids (THPBs) in nature, coupled with their myriad unique physiological activities, they have garnered considerable attention from medical practitioners. Over the past few decades, synthetic chemists have devised various total synthesis methods to attain these structures, continually expanding reaction pathways to achieve more efficient synthetic strategies. Simultaneously, the chiral construction of THPBs has become a focal point. In this comprehensive review, we categorically summarized the developmental trajectory of the total synthesis of these alkaloids based on the core closure strategies of protoberberine and tetrahydroberberine.

Discovery of novel diaryl substituted isoquinolin-1(2H)-one derivatives as hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling inhibitors for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Since synovial hypoxic microenvironment significantly promotes the pathological progress of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has been emerged as a promising target for the development of novel therapeutic agents for RA treatment. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of diaryl substituted isoquinolin-1(2H)-one derivatives as HIF-1 signaling inhibitors using scaffold-hopping strategy. By modifying the substituents on N-atom and 6-position of isoquinolin-1-one, we discovered compound 17q with the most potent activities against HIF-1 (IC50 = 0.55 μM) in a hypoxia-reactive element (HRE) luciferase reporter assay. Further pharmacological studies revealed that 17q concentration-dependently blocked hypoxia-induced HIF-1α protein accumulation, reduced inflammation response, inhibited cellular invasiveness and promoted VHL-dependent HIF-1α degradation in human RA synovial cell line. Moreover, 17q improved the pathological injury of ankle joints, decreased angiogenesis and attenuated inflammation response in the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat model, indicating the promising therapeutic potential of compound 17q as an effective HIF-1 inhibitor for RA therapy.

Strategies, Achievements, and Potential Challenges of Plant and Microbial Chassis in the Biosynthesis of Plant Secondary Metabolites

Diverse secondary metabolites in plants, with their rich biological activities, have long been important sources for human medicine, food additives, pesticides, etc. However, the large-scale cultivation of host plants consumes land resources and is susceptible to pest and disease problems. Additionally, the multi-step and demanding nature of chemical synthesis adds to production costs, limiting their widespread application. In vitro cultivation and the metabolic engineering of plants have significantly enhanced the synthesis of secondary metabolites with successful industrial production cases. As synthetic biology advances, more research is focusing on heterologous synthesis using microorganisms. This review provides a comprehensive comparison between these two chassis, evaluating their performance in the synthesis of various types of secondary metabolites from the perspectives of yield and strategies. It also discusses the challenges they face and offers insights into future efforts and directions.

Antifungal Activity and Putative Mechanism of HWY-289, a Semisynthetic Protoberberine Derivative, against Botrytis cinerea

The emergence of resistant pathogens has increased the demand for alternative fungicides. The use of natural products as chemical scaffolds is a potential method for developing fungicides. HWY-289, a semisynthetic protoberberine derivative, demonstrated broad-spectrum and potent activities against phytopathogenic fungi, particularly Botrytis cinerea (with EC50 values of 1.34 μg/mL). SEM and TEM imaging indicated that HWY-289 altered the morphology of the mycelium and the internal structure of cells. Transcriptomics revealed that it could break down cellular walls through amino acid sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. In addition, it substantially decreased chitinase activity and chitin synthase gene (BcCHSV) expression by 53.03 and 82.18% at 1.5 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, this impacted the permeability and integrity of cell membranes. Finally, HWY-289 also hindered energy metabolism, resulting in a significant reduction of ATP content, ATPase activities, and key enzyme activities in the TCA cycle. Therefore, HWY-289 may be a potential candidate for the development of plant fungicides.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, SW China

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Yi people in the Xiaoliangshan region in southwest China have a unique practice of combining ritual treatment and traditional medicine to care for patients. Despite increasing urbanization in the area, they have managed to preserve their distinctive lifestyle and extensive knowledge of traditional medicinal plants, setting them apart from other regions. However, there is a lack of systematic documentation on the knowledge of traditional medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This research aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Document the diversity of medicinal plants used by the Yi people and explore their therapeutic usages. 2. Evaluate and analyze the main types of diseases with a high incidence in the local area and identify the types of medicinal plants used to treat these diseases. 3. Explore the underlying geographical and human factors influencing both disease prevalence and medicinal plant usage.

METHODS

Ethnobotanical research methods were used to record and analyze the medicinal plants used by the Yi in Xiaoliangshan. Experts identified all plant specimens collected during ethnobotanical field surveys. The types of diseases treated by medicinal plants were classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care -2nd.

RESULTS

A total of 125 medicinal plants were recorded after interviewing 193 participants. Of the medicinal plants identified, those with over 100 use reports were Paris polyphylla (202 use reports), Taxillus sutchuenensis (183), Artemisia indica (149), and Papaver somniferum (113). A total of 14 disease categories were recorded, with those related to the following categories having higher Informant Consensus factor values (ICF ≥0.85): Pregnancy, Childbearing, Family Planning, General and Unspecified, Urological, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Skin. The highest quantity of medicinal plants is utilized to improve specific diseases and health problems, namely those related to Digestion, Skin, and Musculoskeletal. Fewer plant species were utilized for diseases or health issues associated with Eyes, Psychological, or Pregnancy, Childbearing, and Family Planning. The use reports from the informants also revealed how some medicinal plants are used to treat a variety of diseases or health issues. For instance, Malva pusilla is used for inducing abortion, treating postpartum hemorrhage, and joint sprains; Artemisia indica is used for treating malaria; Argentina lineata is used to remedy tuberculosis and malaria. Taxillus sutchuenensis is used for dealing with cold, pneumonia, and other ailments.

CONCLUSIONS

The Yi people in Xiaoliangshan have a rich knowledge of traditional medicinal plants. Decoction and wine brewing are the most common processing methods used for these plants, which are utilized to treat a wide range of diseases. The characteristics of the medicinal use of the Yi people reflects the alpine mountainous environment in which they live, and their medical practices are closely related to traditional healing culture. This study enhances our understanding of the Yi traditional medicine via documentation and offers a valuable reference for future research and the development of new drugs.

Biologically active isoquinoline alkaloids covering 2019-2022

Isoquinoline alkaloids are an important class of natural products that are abundant in the plant kingdom and exhibit a wide range of structural diversity and biological activities. With the deepening of research in recent years, more and more isoquinoline alkaloids have been isolated and identified and proved to contain a variety of biological activities and pharmacological effects. In this review, we introduce the research progress of isoquinoline alkaloids from 2019 to 2022, mainly in the part of biological activities, including antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, analgesic, and other activities. This study provides a clear direction for the rational development and utilization of isoquinoline alkaloids, suggesting that these alkaloids have great potential in the field of drug research.

Visible-Light-Promoted Selenylation/Cyclization of o-Alkynyl Benzylazides/o-Propargyl Arylazides: Synthesis of Seleno-Substituted Isoquinolines and Quinolines

A simple and efficient visible-light-promoted selenylation/cyclization of o-alkynyl benzylazides/o-propargyl arylazides have been realized for the practical synthesis of seleno-substituted isoquinolines and quinolines. This strategy provides the synthesis of valuable seleno-substituted isoquinoline and quinoline derivatives via the construction of one C(sp2)-Se bond and one C-N bond within one process.

In Vitro and In Silico of Cholinesterases Inhibition and In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Melanoma Activity Investigations of Extracts Obtained from Selected Berberis Species

Berberis species have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and Western herbal medicine. The aim of this study was the quantification of the main isoquinoline alkaloids in extracts obtained from various Berberis species by HPLC, in vitro and in silico determination of anti-cholinesterase activity, and in vitro and in vivo investigations of the cytotoxic activity of the investigated plant extracts and alkaloid standards. In particular, Berberis species whose activity had not been previously investigated were selected for the study. In the most investigated Berberis extracts, a high content of berberine and palmatine was determined. Alkaloid standards and most of the investigated plant extracts exhibit significant anti-cholinesterase activity. Molecular docking results confirmed that both alkaloids are more favourable for forming complexes with acetylcholinesterase compared to butyrylcholinesterase. The kinetic results obtained by HPLC-DAD indicated that berberine noncompetitively inhibited acetylcholinesterase, while butyrylcholinesterase was inhibited in a mixed mode. In turn, palmatine exhibited a mixed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. The cytotoxic activity of berberine and palmatine standards and plant extracts were investigated against the human melanoma cell line (A375). The highest cytotoxicity was determined for extract obtained from Berberis pruinosa cortex. The cytotoxic properties of the extract were also determined in the in vivo investigations using the Danio rerio larvae xenograft model. The obtained results confirmed a significant effect of the Berberis pruinosa cortex extract on the number of cancer cells in a living organism. Our results showed that extracts obtained from Berberis species, especially the Berberis pruinosa cortex extract, can be recommended for further in vivo experiments in order to confirm the possibility of their application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and human melanoma.

Exploring effect of herbal monomers in treating gouty arthritis based on nuclear factor-kappa B signaling: A review

Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory disease caused by disorders of the purine metabolism. Although increasing number of drugs have been used to treat GA with the deepening of relevant research, GA still cannot be cured by simple drug therapy. The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays a key role in the pathogenesis of GA. A considerable number of Chinese herbal medicines have emerged as new drugs for the treatment of GA. This article collected relevant research on traditional Chinese medicine monomers in the treatment of GA using NF-κB, GA, etc. as keywords; and conducted a systematic search of relevant published articles using the PubMed database. In this study, we analyzed the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine monomers on GA in the existing literature through in vivo and in vitro experiments using animal and cell models. Based on this review, we believe that traditional Chinese medicine monomers that can treat GA through the NF-κB signaling pathway are potential new drug development targets. This study provides research ideas for the development and application of new drugs for GA.

Recent Applications of Protoberberines as Privileged Starting Materials for the Development of Novel Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents: A Concise Review (2017-2023)

Berberine is a well-known phytochemical with significant antiviral activity against a wide range of viruses. Due to having a unique backbone consisting of four interconnected rings, it can be used as a platform for the design and development of novel semisynthetic antiviral agents. The question here is whether novel broad-spectrum antiviral drugs with enhanced activity and toxicity potential can be obtained by attempting to modify the structure of this privileged lead compound. The present study aims to review the results of recent studies in which berberine and its close analogues (protoberberine alkaloids) have been used as starting materials for the production of new semisynthetic antiviral structures. For this purpose, relevant studies published in high-quality journals indexed in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, etc. in the time frame of 2017 to 2023 were collected. Our selection criterion in the current review focuses on the studies in which protoberberines were used as starting materials for the production of semisynthetic agents with antiviral activity during the indicated time period. Correspondingly, studies were identified in which semisynthetic derivatives with significant inhibitory activity against a wide range of viruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), zika virus (ZIKV), influenza A/B, cytomegalovirus (CMV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coxsackieviruses were designed and synthesized. Our conclusion is that, despite the introduction of diverse semisynthetic derivatives of berberine with improved activity profiles compared to the parent natural leads, sufficient derivatization has not been done yet and more studies are needed.

Computational investigation of four isoquinoline alkaloids against polycystic ovarian syndrome

Hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and estrogen dominance are the prime defining traits of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome which disrupts hormonal, adrenal, or ovarian functions resulting in impaired folliculogenesis and excess androgen production. The purpose of this study is to identify an appropriate bioactive antagonistic ligand from isoquinoline alkaloids [palmatine (PAL), jatrorrhizine (JAT), magnoflorine (MAG) and berberine (BBR)] from stems of Tinospora cordifolia. Phytocomponents inhibit/prevent androgenic, estrogenic, and steroidogenic receptors, insulin binding, and resultant hyperandrogenism. Intending to develop new inhibitors for human androgen receptor (1E3G), insulin receptor (3EKK), estrogen receptor beta (1U3S), and human steroidogenic cytochromeP450 17A1 (6WR0), here we report the docking studies by employing a flexible ligand docking approach using AutodockVina 4.2.6. ADMET screened swissADME and toxicological predictions to identify novel and potent inhibitors against PCOS. Binding affinity was obtained using Schrodinger. Two ligands, mainly BER (-8.23) and PAL (-6.71) showed the best docking score against androgen receptors. A molecular docking study reveals that compounds BBR and PAL were found to be tight binder at the active site of IE3G. Molecular dynamics results suggest that BBR and PAL showed good binding stability of active site residues. The present study corroborates the molecular dynamics of the compound BBR and PAL, potent Inhibitors of IE3G, having therapeutic potential for PCOS. We project that this study's findings will be helpful in drug development efforts targeting PCOS. Hence isoquinoline alkaloids (BER& PAL) have potential roles against androgen receptors, and in specific PCOS, scientific evaluation has been put forth based on virtual screening.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Discovery of plant-derived anti-tumor natural products: Potential leads for anti-tumor drug discovery

Natural products represent a paramount source of novel drugs. Numerous plant-derived natural products have demonstrated potent anti-tumor properties, thereby garnering considerable interest in their potential as anti-tumor drugs. This review compiles an overview of 242 recently discovered natural products, spanning the period from 2018 to the present. These natural products, which include 69 terpenoids, 42 alkaloids, 39 flavonoids, 21 steroids, 14 phenylpropanoids, 5 quinolines and 52 other compounds, are characterized by their respective chemical structures, anti-tumor activities, and mechanisms of action. By providing an essential reference and fresh insights, this review aims to support and inspire researchers engaged in the fields of natural products and anti-tumor drug discovery.

Anti-obesity Properties of Phytochemicals: Highlighting their Molecular Mechanisms against Obesity

Obesity is a complex, chronic and inflammatory disease that affects more than one-third of the world's population, leading to a higher incidence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and some types of cancer. Several phytochemicals are used as flavoring and aromatic compounds, also exerting many benefits for public health. This study aims to summarize and scrutinize the beneficial effects of the most important phytochemicals against obesity. Systematic research of the current international literature was carried out in the most accurate scientific databases, e.g., Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, using a set of critical and representative keywords, such as phytochemicals, obesity, metabolism, metabolic syndrome, etc. Several studies unraveled the potential positive effects of phytochemicals such as berberine, carvacrol, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, thymol, etc., against obesity and metabolic disorders. Mechanisms of action include inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, browning of the white adipose tissue, inhibition of enzymes such as lipase and amylase, suppression of inflammation, improvement of the gut microbiota, and downregulation of obesity-inducing genes. In conclusion, multiple bioactive compounds-phytochemicals exert many beneficial effects against obesity. Future molecular and clinical studies must be performed to unravel the multiple molecular mechanisms and anti-obesity activities of these naturally occurring bioactive compounds.

Diversely functionalized isoquinolines and their core-embedded heterocyclic frameworks: a privileged scaffold for medicinal chemistry

Isoquinoline-enrooted organic small-molecules represent a challenging molecular target in the organic synthesis arsenal attributed to their structural diversity and therapeutic importance. Into the bargain, isoquinolines are significant structural frameworks in modern medicinal chemistry and drug development. Consequently, synthetic organic and medicinal chemists have been intensely interested in efficient synthetic tactics for the sustainable construction of isoquinoline frameworks and their derivatives in enantiopure or racemic forms. This review accentuates an overview of the literature on the modern synthetic approaches exploited in synthesising isoquinolines and their core embedded heterocyclic skeletons from 2021 to 2022. In detail, the methodologies and inspected pharmacological studies for the array of diversely functionalized isoquinolines or their core-embedded heterocyclic/carbocyclic structures involving the introduction of substituents at C-1, C-3, and C-4 carbon and N-2 atom, bond constructions at the C1-N2 atom and C3-N2 atom, and structural scaffolding within isoquinoline compounds have been reviewed. This intensive study highlights the need for and relevance of relatively unexplored bioisosterism employing isoquinoline-based small-molecules in drug design.

Berberine-microbiota interplay: orchestrating gut health through modulation of the gut microbiota and metabolic transformation into bioactive metabolites

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in plants. It presents a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, despite a low oral bioavailability. Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is the target of berberine, and that the microbiota metabolizes berberine to active metabolites, although little evidence exists in the specific species involved in its therapeutic effects. This study was performed to detail the bidirectional interactions of berberine with the broiler chicken gut microbiota, including the regulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolism by berberine and metabolization of berberine by the gut microbiota, and how they contribute to berberine-mediated effects on gut health. As previous evidence showed that high concentrations of berberine may induce dysbiosis, low (0.1 g/kg feed), middle (0.5 g/kg feed) and high (1 g/kg feed) doses were here investigated. Low and middle doses of in-feed berberine stimulated potent beneficial bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family in the large intestine of chickens, while middle and high doses tended to increase villus length in the small intestine. Plasma levels of the berberine-derived metabolites berberrubine, thalifendine and demethyleneberberine were positively correlated with the villus length of chickens. Berberrubine and thalifendine were the main metabolites of berberine in the caecum, and they were produced in vitro by the caecal microbiota, confirming their microbial origin. We show that members of the genus Blautia could demethylate berberine into mainly thalifendine, and that this reaction may stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate and butyrate, via acetogenesis and cross-feeding respectively. We hypothesize that acetogens such as Blautia spp. are key bacteria in the metabolization of berberine, and that berberrubine, thalifendine and SCFAs play a significant role in the biological effect of berberine.

New trends in the practical use of isoquinoline alkaloids as potential drugs applicated in infectious and non-infectious diseases

In the last years, traditional natural products have been the center of attention for the scientific community and exploration of their therapeutic abilities is proceeding permanently. Isoquinoline alkaloids have always attracted scientific interest due to either their positive or negative effects on human organism. The present review describes research on isoquinoline alkaloids isolated from different plant species. Alkaloids are one of the most important classes of plant derived compounds among these isoquinoline alkaloids possess varied biological activities such as anticancer, antineurodegenerative diseases, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and many others. The use of plants against different disorders is entrenched in traditional medicine around the globe. Recent progress in modern therapeutics has stimulated the use of natural products worldwide for various ailments and diseases. The review provides a collection of information on the capabilities of some isoquinoline alkaloids, its potential for the treatment of various diseases and is designed to be a guide for future research on different biologically active isoquinoline alkaloids and plant species containing them. The authors are aware that they were not able to cover the whole area of the topic related to biological activity of isoquinoline alkaloids. This review is intended to suggest directions for further research and can also help other researchers in future studies.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Radical Carbamylation/Cyclization of 2-Aryl-N-methacryloylindoles with Substituted Formamides to Assemble Amidated Indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones

An efficient synthesis of amidated indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones has been achieved via copper(I)-catalyzed radical carbamylation/cyclization of 2-aryl-N-methacryloylindoles with substituted formamides. In this reaction, an isoquinoline ring was constructed by carbamylation of a carbon-carbon double bond in 2-arylindoles. This strategy successfully introduces the substituted amide group into the indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline skeleton and has advantages such as wide substituent scope, mild reaction conditions, high regioselectivity, and good to excellent yields.

Advanced application of nanotechnology in active constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have been used for centuries for the treatment and management of various diseases. However, their effective delivery to targeted sites may be a major challenge due to their poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and potential toxicity. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles and organic/inorganic nanohybrids based on active constituents from TCMs have been extensively studied as a promising strategy to improve the delivery of active constituents from TCMs to achieve a higher therapeutic effect with fewer side effects compared to conventional formulations. This review summarizes the recent advances in nanocarrier-based delivery systems for various types of active constituents of TCMs, including terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinones, from different natural sources. This review covers the design and preparation of nanocarriers, their characterization, and in vitro/vivo evaluations. Additionally, this review highlights the challenges and opportunities in the field and suggests future directions for research. Nanocarrier-based delivery systems have shown great potential in improving the therapeutic efficacy of TCMs, and this review may serve as a comprehensive resource to researchers in this field.

Developing magnetic functionalized dendritic fibrous mesoporous silica as advanced adsorbent for quaternary ammonium alkaloids

A novel π-conjugated polymer-modified magnetic dendritic fibrous mesoporous silica adsorbent (MB@KCC-1@π-CP) is reported for the accurate determination of quaternary ammonium alkaloids (QAAs) in complex body fluid matrices. It is demonstrated that the magnetic dendritic fibrous mesoporous silica (MB@KCC-1) is an excellent carrier combining magnetism, high specific surface area, unique hierarchical pore structure, and fast mass transfer rate. The π-conjugated polymer (π-CP) can efficiently retain QAAs (berberine, coptisine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine) by multiple interactions. In addition, the adsorption kinetics and adsorption mechanism were also studied and discussed. Under optimized extraction conditions, MB@KCC-1@π-CP-based magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method affords a wide linear range (0.5-20000 ng mL-1), low limits of detection (0.2-2 ng mL-1), and satisfactory relative standard deviations (RSD) of inter-day (< 2.4%) and intra-day (< 3.1%) for QAAs. Trace QAAs in complex human blood plasma samples were successfully detected by the established method.

Potentiation and Mechanism of Berberine as an Antibiotic Adjuvant Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

The growing global apprehension towards multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria necessitates the development of innovative strategies to combat these infections. Berberine (BER), an isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid derived from various medicinal plants, has surfaced as a promising antibiotic adjuvant due to its ability to enhance the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics against drug-resistant bacterial strains. Here, we overview the augmenting properties and mechanisms of BER as an adjunctive antibiotic against MDR bacteria. BER has been observed to exhibit synergistic effects when co-administered with a range of antibiotics, including β-lactams, quinolones, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides and fusidic acid. The adjunctive properties of BER led to an increase in antimicrobial effectiveness for these antibiotics against the corresponding bacteria, a decrease in minimal inhibitory concentrations, and even the reversal from resistance to susceptibility sometimes. The potential mechanisms responsible for these effects included the inhibition of antibiotic efflux, the disruption of biofilm formation, the modulation of host immune responses, and the restoration of gut microbiota homeostasis. In brief, BER demonstrated significant potential as an antibiotic adjuvant against MDR bacteria and is a promising candidate for combination therapy. Further research is necessary to fully elucidate its mechanism of action and address the challenges associated with its clinical application.

Genome Assembly of Cordia subcordata, a Coastal Protection Species in Tropical Coral Islands

Cordia subcordata trees or shrubs, belonging to the Boraginaceae family, have strong resistance and have adapted to their habitat on a tropical coral island in China, but the lack of genome information regarding its genetic background is unclear. In this study, the genome was assembled using both short/long whole genome sequencing reads and Hi-C reads. The assembled genome was 475.3 Mb, with 468.7 Mb (99.22%) of the sequences assembled into 16 chromosomes. Repeat sequences accounted for 54.41% of the assembled genome. A total of 26,615 genes were predicted, and 25,730 genes were functionally annotated using different annotation databases. Based on its genome and the other 17 species, phylogenetic analysis using 336 single-copy genes obtained from ortholog analysis showed that C. subcordata was a sister to Coffea eugenioides, and the divergence time was estimated to be 77 MYA between the two species. Gene family evolution analysis indicated that the significantly expanded gene families were functionally related to chemical defenses against diseases. These results can provide a reference to a deeper understanding of the genetic background of C. subcordata and can be helpful in exploring its adaptation mechanism on tropical coral islands in the future.

Characterization and Pharmacokinetic Assessment of a New Berberine Formulation with Enhanced Absorption In Vitro and in Human Volunteers

Berberine is a plant-origin quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid with a vast array of biological activities, including antioxidant and blood-glucose- and blood-lipid-lowering effects. However, its therapeutic potential is largely limited by its poor oral bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro solubility and Caco-2 cell permeability followed by pharmacokinetic profiling in healthy volunteers of a new food-grade berberine delivery system (i.e., Berberine LipoMicel®). X-ray diffractometry (XRD), in vitro solubility, and Caco-2 cell permeability indicated higher bioavailability of LipoMicel Berberine (LMB) compared to the standard formulation. Increased aqueous solubility (up to 1.4-fold), as well as improved Caco-2 cell permeability of LMB (7.18 × 10-5 ± 7.89 × 10-6 cm/s), were observed when compared to standard/unformulated berberine (4.93 × 10-6 ± 4.28 × 10-7 cm/s). Demonstrating better uptake, LMB achieved significant increases in AUC0-24 and Cmax compared to the standard formulation (AUC: 78.2 ± 14.4 ng h/mL vs. 13.4 ± 1.97 ng h/mL, respectively; p < 0.05; Cmax: 15.8 ± 2.6 ng/mL vs. 1.67 ± 0.41 ng/mL) in a pilot study of healthy volunteers (n = 10). No adverse reactions were reported during the study period. In conclusion, LMB presents a highly bioavailable formula with superior absorption (up to six-fold) compared to standard berberine formulation and may, therefore, have the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of berberine. The study has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with Identifier NCT05370261.

Berberine inhibits Candida albicans growth by disrupting mitochondrial function through the reduction of iron absorption

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate whether berberine (BBR) can inhibit the iron reduction mechanism of Candida albicans, lowering the iron uptake of the yeast and perhaps having antimicrobial effects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We determined that BBR may cause extensive transcriptional remodeling in C. albicans and that iron permease Ftr1 played a crucial role in this process through eukaryotic transcriptome sequencing. Mechanistic research showed that BBR might selectively inhibit the iron reduction pathway to lower the uptake of exogenous iron ions, inhibiting C. albicans from growing and metabolizing. Subsequent research revealed that BBR caused significant mitochondrial dysfunction, which triggered the process of mitochondrial autophagy. Moreover, we discovered that C. albicans redox homeostasis, susceptibility to antifungal drugs, and hyphal growth are all impacted by the suppression of this mechanism by BBR.

CONCLUSIONS

The iron reduction mechanism in C. albicans is disrupted by BBR, which disrupts mitochondrial function and inhibits fungal growth. These findings highlight the potential promise of BBR in antifungal applications.

Emerging pharmaceutical therapies of Ascidian-derived natural products and derivatives

In a growing multidrug-resistant environment, the identification of potential new drug candidates with an acceptable safety profile is a substantial crux in pharmaceutical discovery. This review discusses several aspects and properties of approved marine natural products derived from ascidian sources (phylum Chordata, subphylum Tunicata) and/or their deduced analogues including their biosynthetic origin, (bio)chemical preclinical assessments and known efficacy-safety profiles, clinical status in trials, but also translational developments, opportunities and final conclusions. The review also describes the preclinical assessments of a large number of other ascidian compounds that have not been involved in clinical trials yet. Finally, the emerging research on the connectivity of the ascidian hosts and their independent or obligate symbiotic guests is discussed. The review covers the latest information on the topic of ascidian-derived marine natural products over the last two decades including 2022, with the majority of publications published in the last decade.

The association between circulatory, local pancreatic PCSK9 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: The effects of antidiabetic drugs on PCSK9

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a potent modulator of cholesterol metabolism and plays a crucial role in the normal functioning of pancreatic islets and the progression of diabetes. Islet autocrine PCSK9 deficiency can lead to the enrichment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) and excessive LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) uptake, subsequently impairing the insulin secretion in β-cells. Circulatory PCSK9 levels are primarily attributed to hepatocyte secretion. Notably, anti-PCSK9 strategies proposed for individuals with hypercholesterolemia chiefly target liver-derived PCSK9; however, these anti-PCSK9 strategies have been associated with the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM). In the current review, we highlight a new direction in PCSK9 inhibition therapy strategies: screening candidates for anti-PCSK9 from the drugs used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment. We explored the association between circulating, local pancreatic PCSK9 and T2DM, as well as the relationship between PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies and NODM. We discussed the emergence of artificial and natural drugs in recent years, exhibiting dual benefits of antidiabetic activity and PCSK9 reduction, confirming that the diverse effects of these drugs may potentially impact the progression of diabetes and associated disorders, thereby introducing novel avenues and methodologies to enhance disease prognosis.

Anti-α-Glucosidase, SAR Analysis, and Mechanism Investigation of Indolo[1,2-b]isoquinoline Derivatives

To find potential α-glucosidase inhibitors, indolo[1,2-b]isoquinoline derivatives (1-20) were screened for their α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. All derivatives presented potential α-glucosidase inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values of 3.44 ± 0.36~41.24 ± 0.26 μM compared to the positive control acarbose (IC₅₀ value: 640.57 ± 5.13 μM). In particular, compound 11 displayed the strongest anti-α-glucosidase activity, being ~186 times stronger than acarbose. Kinetic studies found that compounds 9, 11, 13, 18, and 19 were all reversible mix-type inhibitors. The 3D fluorescence spectra and CD spectra results revealed that the interaction between compounds 9, 11, 13, 18, and 19 and α-glucosidase changed the conformational changes of α-glucosidase. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation results indicated the interaction between compounds and α-glucosidase. In addition, cell cytotoxicity and drug-like properties of compound 11 were also investigated.

Inhibitory mechanisms of promising antimicrobials from plant byproducts: A review

Plant byproducts and waste present enormous environmental challenges and an opportunity for valorization and industrial application. Due to consumer demands for natural compounds, the evident paucity of novel antimicrobial agents against foodborne pathogens, and the urgent need to improve the arsenal against infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), plant byproduct compounds have attracted significant research interest. Emerging research highlighted their promising antimicrobial activity, yet the inhibitory mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this review summarizes the overall research on the antimicrobial activity and inhibitory mechanisms of plant byproduct compounds. A total of 315 natural antimicrobials from plant byproducts, totaling 1338 minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) (in μg/mL) against a broad spectrum of bacteria, were identified, and a particular emphasis was given to compounds with high or good antimicrobial activity (typically <100 μg/mL MIC). Moreover, the antimicrobial mechanisms, particularly against bacterial pathogens, were discussed in-depth, summarizing the latest research on using natural compounds to combat pathogenic microorganisms and AMR. Furthermore, safety concerns, relevant legislation, consumer perspective, and current gaps in the valorization of plant byproducts-derived compounds were comprehensively discussed. This comprehensive review covering up-to-date information on antimicrobial activity and mechanisms represents a powerful tool for screening and selecting the most promising plant byproduct compounds and sources for developing novel antimicrobial agents.

Deciphering chemical and metabolite profiling of Chang-Kang-Fang by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and its potential active components identification

Chang-Kang-Fang (CKF) formula, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription, has been widely used for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, its potential material basis and underlying mechanism remain elusive. Therefore, this study employed an integrated approach that combined ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) with network pharmacology to systematically characterize the phytochemical components and metabolites of CKF, as well as elucidating its underlying mechanism. Through this comprehensive analysis, a total of 150 components were identified or tentatively characterized within the CKF formula. Notably, six N-acetyldopamine oligomers from CicadaePeriostracum and eight resin glycosides from Cuscutae Semen were characterized in this formula for the first time. Meanwhile, 149 xenobiotics (58 prototypes and 91 metabolites) were detected in plasma, urine, feces, brain, and intestinal contents, and the in vivo metabolic pathways of resin glycosides were elaborated for the first time. Furthermore, network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed that alkaloids, flavonoids, chromones, monoterpenes, N-acetyldopamine dimers, p-hydroxycinnamic acid, and Cus-3/isomer might be responsible for the beneficial effects of CKF in treating IBS, and CASP8, MARK14, PIK3C, PIK3R1, TLR4, and TNF may be its potential targets. These discoveries offer a comprehensive understanding of the potential material basis and clarify the underlying mechanism of the CKF formula in treating IBS, facilitating the broader application of CKF in the field of medicine.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 1-styrenyl isoquinoline derivatives for anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and effect on mitochondria

In this study, 18 derivatives of 1-styrene-isoquinoline were designed and synthesized from resveratrol and isoquinoline. The IC₅₀ of compound 1c against Huh7 and SK-Hep-1 cells were 2.52 μM and 4.20 μM, respectively. Mice were treated with 650 mg/kg compound 1c, and the survival status of mice was good. Further studies showed that compound 1c could inhibit cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, induce cell apoptosis, and inhibit cell migration and invasion by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It is worth noting that numbers of studies have pointed that resveratrol can trigger mitochondrial apoptosis to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated the mechanism of compound 1c induced apoptosis of Huh7 and SK-Hep-1 cells. The results indicated that compound 1c could regulate the expression of proteins which are related to mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and inhibit the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, compound 1c could inhibit the growth of Huh7-xenografts, and perform a tumor inhibitory rate of 41.44% when administered 30 mg/kg once a day. This work provides a potential anti-hepatocellular carcinoma compound that warrants further investigation.

Anti-inflammatory efficacy and relevant SAR investigations of novel chiral pyrazolo isoquinoline derivatives: Design, synthesis, in-vitro, in-vivo, and computational studies targeting iNOS

Isoquinoline alkaloids are a rich source of multimodal agents with distinctive structural specificity and various pharmacological activities. In the present report, we propose a combination of design, synthesis, computational study, primary in-vitro screening using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cell line, and in-vivo evaluation in mice models as a novel approach to speed up anti-inflammatory drugs discovery. The nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory effect of new compounds revealed that all of them displayed the potent NO inhibitory ability in a dose-dependent manner with no obvious cytotoxicity. A series of the model compounds 7a, 7b, 7d, 7f, and 7g have been identified as the most promising, with IC₅₀ values of 47.76 μM, 33.8 μM, 20.76 μM, 26.74 μM, and 47.8 μM respectively in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell line. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on a range of derivatives aided in identifying key pharmacophores in the lead compound. Western blotting data of 7d identified that our synthesized compounds can down-regulate and suppress the expression of the key inflammatory enzyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). These results suggested that synthesized compounds may be potent anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting the NO-release, in turn, iNOS inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, in-vivo anti-inflammatory detection via xylene-induced ear edema in mice revealed that these compounds could also inhibit swelling in mice, with model compound 7h showing an inhibition activity (64.4%) at a concentration of 10 mg/kg comparable to the reference drug celecoxib. Molecular docking results showed that shortlisted compounds (7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7h) had a potential binding affinity for iNOS with low energies, with S-Score to be -7.57, -8.22, -7.35, -8.95, -9.94 kcal/mol, respectively. All results demonstrated that the newly synthesized chiral pyrazolo isoquinoline derivatives are highly potential anti-inflammatory agents.

(±)-Yanhusuomide A, a pair of ornithine-fused benzylisoquinoline enantiomers from Corydalis yanhusuo

(±)-Yanhusuomide A (1), a novel enantiomeric pair of ornithine-fused benzylisoquinoline, were characterized from the dried tubers of Corydalis yanhusuo, along with a biogenetically related intermediate oblongine (2). Yanhusuomide A features an unprecedented skeleton based on a benzylisoquinoline coupled with an ornithine derivative to form a rare 5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrido[3,4,5-de]quinazoline motif. Plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was proposed, and (±)-yanhusuomide A (1) presented potential inhibitory bioactivity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with IC₅₀ = 14.07 ± 2.38 μM. The simulation of molecular docking displayed that 1 generated strong interaction with Asp-74 and Trp-86 residues of AChE through attractive charge of the quaternary nitrogen.

The Potential of Flavonoids and Flavonoid Metabolites in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Pathology in Disorders of Cognitive Decline

Flavonoids are a biodiverse family of dietary compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial cell protective profiles. They have received considerable attention as potential therapeutic agents in biomedicine and have been widely used in traditional complimentary medicine for generations. Such complimentary medical herbal formulations are extremely complex mixtures of many pharmacologically active compounds that provide a therapeutic outcome through a network pharmacological effects of considerable complexity. Methods are emerging to determine the active components used in complimentary medicine and their therapeutic targets and to decipher the complexities of how network pharmacology provides such therapeutic effects. The gut microbiome has important roles to play in the generation of bioactive flavonoid metabolites retaining or exceeding the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of the intact flavonoid and, in some cases, new antitumor and antineurodegenerative bioactivities. Certain food items have been identified with high prebiotic profiles suggesting that neutraceutical supplementation may be beneficially employed to preserve a healthy population of bacterial symbiont species and minimize the establishment of harmful pathogenic organisms. Gut health is an important consideration effecting the overall health and wellbeing of linked organ systems. Bioconversion of dietary flavonoid components in the gut generates therapeutic metabolites that can also be transported by the vagus nerve and systemic circulation to brain cell populations to exert a beneficial effect. This is particularly important in a number of neurological disorders (autism, bipolar disorder, AD, PD) characterized by effects on moods, resulting in depression and anxiety, impaired motor function, and long-term cognitive decline. Native flavonoids have many beneficial properties in the alleviation of inflammation in tissues, however, concerns have been raised that therapeutic levels of flavonoids may not be achieved, thus allowing them to display optimal therapeutic effects. Dietary manipulation and vagal stimulation have both yielded beneficial responses in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, depression, and anxiety, establishing the vagal nerve as a route of communication in the gut-brain axis with established roles in disease intervention. While a number of native flavonoids are beneficial in the treatment of neurological disorders and are known to penetrate the blood–brain barrier, microbiome-generated flavonoid metabolites (e.g., protocatechuic acid, urolithins, γ-valerolactones), which retain the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potency of the native flavonoid in addition to bioactive properties that promote mitochondrial health and cerebrovascular microcapillary function, should also be considered as potential biotherapeutic agents. Studies are warranted to experimentally examine the efficacy of flavonoid metabolites directly, as they emerge as novel therapeutic options.

13-Butoxyberberine Bromide Inhibits Migration and Invasion in Skin Cancer A431 Cells

Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. Anti-metastasis mechanism of skin cancer by 13-butoxyberberine bromide, a novel berberine derivative, has not yet been reported. This study investigated the effects of 13-butoxyberberine bromide on migration and invasion of skin cancer A431 cells. The cytotoxicity of 13-butoxyberberine bromide was determined by MTT assay. The effect of 13-butoxyberberine bromide on cell migration and invasion were examined using a wound-healing assay, transwell migration assay, and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The cell adhesion ability was determined by an adhesion assay. Protein expressions that play important roles in cancer migration and invasion were evaluated by Western blot analysis. The results showed that 13-butoxyberberine bromide effectively inhibited cell migration, invasion, and adhesion in A431 cells. Interestingly, 13-butoxyberberine bromide was more effective for cell migration inhibition than berberine. In addition, 13-butoxyberberine bromide showed anti-migration and anti-invasion effects by down-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and up-regulated TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression in A431 cells. Moreover, pretreatment with 13-butoxyberberine bromide significantly inhibited EGF-induced cell migration and p-EGFR, ERK, p-ERK, STAT3, and p-STAT3 expressions in A431 cells at lower concentrations when compared with the berberine. These findings indicated that 13-butoxyberberine bromide could be further developed as an anticancer agent.

Evaluation of the Local Anesthetic Activity, Acute Toxicity, and Structure-Toxicity Relationship in Series of Synthesized 1-Aryltetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloid Derivatives In Vivo and In Silico

Isoquinoline alkaloids constitute one of the most common classes of alkaloids that have shown a pronounced role in curing various diseases. Finding ways to reduce the toxicity of these molecules and to increase their therapeutic margin is an urgent matter. Here, a one-step method for the synthesis of a series of 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines was performed in 85-98% yield by the Pictet-Spengler reaction. This was accomplished using the reaction between 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine and substituted benzaldehydes boiling in trifluoroacetic acid. Furthermore, 1-(3'-amino-, 4'-aminophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were obtained in 94% and 97% yield by reduction in 1-(3'-nitro-, 4'-nitrophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines with SnCl₂ × 2H₂O. The structures of the substances obtained were confirmed by infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C NMR) spectra. ADMET/TOPKAT in silico study concluded that the synthesized compounds exhibited acceptable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties without carcinogenic or mutagenic potential but with variable hepatotoxicity. The acute toxicity and structure-toxicity relationship (STR) in the series of 20 derivatives of 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (3a-r, 4a, b) was studied via determination of acute toxicity and resorptive action in white mice employing intragastric step-by-step administration. The first compound, 1-phenyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline hydrochloride (3a), showed the highest toxicity with LD₅₀ of 280 mg/kg in contrast to 1-(3'-bromo -4'-hydroxyphenyl)-6,7-methylenedioxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline hydrochloride (3e) which proved to be the safest of the compounds studied. Its toxicity was 13.75 times lower than that of the parent compound 3a. All compounds investigated showed high local anesthetic activity on rabbit eyes in the concentrations studied. Only 3r, 3n, and 4a caused eye irritation and redness. All investigated derivatives (except 4b) in 1% concentration were more active than lidocaine, providing longer duration of complete anesthesia. Therefore, based on the obtained results of in silico tests, local anesthesia, and acute toxicity, a conclusion can be drawn that the experimental compounds need further extensive future investigations and possible modifications so that they can act as promising drug candidates.

Plant-derived natural products for drug discovery: current approaches and prospects

Nature has abundant source of drugs that need to be identified/purified for use as essential biologics, either individually or in combination in the modern medical field. These drugs are divided into small bio-molecules, plant-made biologics, and a recently introduced third category known as phytopharmaceutical drugs. The development of phytopharmaceutical medicines is based on the ethnopharmacological approach, which relies on the traditional medicine system. The concept of ‘one-disease one-target drug’ is becoming less popular, and the use of plant extracts, fractions, and molecules is the new paradigm that holds promising scope to formulate appropriate drugs. This led to discovering a new concept known as polypharmacology, where natural products from varying sources can engage with multiple human physiology targets. This article summarizes different approaches for phytopharmaceutical drug development and discusses the progress in systems biology and computational tools for identifying drug targets. We review the existing drug delivery methods to facilitate the efficient delivery of drugs to the targets. In addition, we describe different analytical techniques for the authentication and fingerprinting of plant materials. Finally, we highlight the role of biopharming in developing plant-based biologics.

Insights into growth-promoting effect of nanomaterials: Using transcriptomics and metabolomics to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MWCNTs in enhancing hyperaccumulator under heavy metal(loid)s stress

Carbon nanotubes present potential applications in soil remediation, particularly in phytoremediation. Yet, how multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) induced hyperaccumulator growth at molecular level remains unclear. Here, physio-biochemical, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses were performed to determine the effect of MWCNTs on Solanum nigrum L. (S. nigrum) growth under cadmium and arsenic stresses. 500 mg/kg MWCNTs application significantly promoted S. nigrum growth, especially for root tissues. Specially, MWCNTs application yields 1.38-fold, 1.56-fold, and 1.37-fold enhancement in the shoot length, root length, and fresh biomass, respectively. Furthermore, MWCNTs significantly strengthened P and Fe absorption in roots, as well as the activities of antioxidative enzymes. Importantly, the transcriptomic analysis indicated that S. nigrum gene expression was sensitive to MWCNTs, and MWCNTs upregulated advantageous biological processes under heavy metal(loid)s stress. Besides, MWCNTs reprogramed metabolism that related to defense system, leading to accumulation of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (amino acid), 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (xenobiotic), and (S)-abscisic acid (lipid). In addition, key common pathways of differentially expressed metabolites and genes, including "tyrosine metabolism" and "isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis" were selected via integrating transcriptome and metabolome analyses. Combined omics technologies, our findings provide molecular mechanisms of MWCNTs in promoting S. nigrum growth, and highlight potential application of MWCNTs in soil remediation.

A New Discovery of Unique 13-(Benzimidazolylmethyl)berberines as Promising Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Agents

A new hybridization of berberine and benzimidazoles was performed to produce 13-(benzimidazolylmethyl)berberines (BMB) as potentially broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with the hope of confronting multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in the livestock industry. Some of the newly prepared hybrids showed obvious antibacterial effects against tested strains. Particularly, 13-((1-octyl-benzimidazolyl)methyl)berberine 6f (OBMB-6f) was found to be the most promising compound that not only exerted a strong activity (MIC = 0.25-2 μg/mL) and low cytotoxicity but also possessed a fast bactericidal capacity and low propensity to develop resistance toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli even after 26 serial passages. Moreover, OBMB-6f displayed the ability to prevent bacterial biofilm formation at low and high temperatures. The mechanistic exploration revealed that OBMB-6f could significantly disintegrate bacterial membranes, markedly facilitate intracellular ROS generation, and efficiently intercalate into DNA. These results provided a profound insight into BMB against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in the livestock industry.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel berberine derivatives against phytopathogenic fungi

BACKGROUND

The abuse of chemical fungicides not only leads to toxic residues and resistance in plant pathogenic fungi, but also causes environmental pollution and side effects on in humans and animals. Based on the antifungal activities of berberine, seven different types of berberine derivatives (A1-G1) were synthesized, and their antifungal activities against six plant pathogenic fungi were evaluated (Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium graminearum, Phytophthora capsici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Magnaporthe oryzae).

RESULTS

The results for antifungal activities in vitro showed that berberine derivative E1 displayed good antifungal activity against R. solani with a median effective concentration (EC₅₀ ) of 1.77 μg ml^-1 , and berberine derivatives F1 and G1 demonstrated broad-spectrum antifungal activities with EC₅₀ values ranging from 4.43 to 42.23 μg ml^-1 against six plant pathogenic fungi. Berberine derivatives (E2-E29, F2-F18, and G2-G9) were further synthesized to investigate the structure-activity relationship (SAR), and compound E20 displayed significant antifungal activity against R. solani with an EC₅₀ value of 0.065 μg ml^-1 . Preliminary mechanism studies showed that E20 could cause mycelial shrinkage, cell membrane damage, mitochondrial abnormalities and the accumulation of harmful reactive oxygen species, resulting in cell death in R. solani. Moreover, in vivo experimental results showed that the protective effect of E20 was 97.31% at 5 μg ml^-1 , which was better than that of the positive control thifluzamide (50.13% at 5 μg ml^-1 ).

CONCLUSION

Berberine derivative E20 merits further development as a new drug candidate with selective and excellent antifungal activity against R. solani. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Berberine supplementation modulates the somatotropic axis and ameliorates glucose tolerance in dairy goats during late gestation and early lactation

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy, parturition, and the onset of lactation represent an enormous physiological and hormonal challenge to the homeostasis of dairy animals, being a risk for their health and reproduction. Thus, as a part of the homothetic changes in preparturition period, goats undergo a period of IR as well as uncoupled GH/IGF-1 axis. The objective for this study was to determine the effect of berberine (BBR) during the peripartal period on hormonal alteration and somatotropic axis in dairy goats as well as glucose and insulin kinetics during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). At 21 days before the expected kidding date, 24 primiparous Saanen goats were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments. Goats were fed a basal diet from wk. 3 antepartum (AP) until wk. 3 postpartum (PP) supplemented with 0 (CTRL), 1 (BBR1), 2 (BBR2), and 4 (BBR4) g/d BBR. Blood samples were collected on days - 21, - 14, - 7, 0, 7, 14, and 21 relative to the expected kidding date. An IVGTT was also performed on day 22 PP.

RESULTS

Compared with CTRL, supplementation with either BBR2 or BBR4 increased DMI at kidding day and PP, as well as body conditional score (BCS) and milk production (p ≤ 0.05). On d 7 and 14 PP plasma glucose was higher in BBR2- and BBR4-treated than in CTRL. The glucagon concentration was not affected by BBR during the experimental period. However, supplemental BBR indicated a tendency to decrease in cortisol concentration on days 7 (p = 0.093) and 14 (p = 0.100) PP. Lower plasma GH was observed in BBR than in non-BBR goats (p ≤ 0.05). Plasma IGF-1 concentration was enhanced in both BBR2 and BBR4 at kidding and day 7 PP (p ≤ 0.05). During the IVGTT, glucose area under the curve (AUC), clearance rate (CR), T1/2, and Tbasal was lower (p ≤ 0.05) in both BBR2 and BBR4 goats as compared with CTRL. Likewise, the insulin CR was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in goats receiving either BBR2 or BBR4 which was accompanied by a lower insulin T1/2 and AUC.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, our results indicated an improved glucose and insulin status along with the modulation of the somatotropic axis and glucose and insulin response to IVGTT in dairy goats supplemented with 2 and 4 g/d BBR.

Antifungal Peptide P852 Controls Fusarium Wilt in Faba Bean (Viciafaba L.) by Promoting Antioxidant Defense and Isoquinoline Alkaloid, Betaine, and Arginine Biosyntheses

Green pesticides are highly desirable, as they are environmentally friendly and efficient. In this study, the antifungal peptide P852 was employed to suppress Fusarium wilt in the Faba bean. The disease index and a range of physiological and metabolomic analyses were performed to explore the interactions between P852 and the fungal disease. The incidence and disease index of Fusarium wilt were substantially decreased in diseased Faba beans that were treated with two different concentrations of P852 in both the climate chamber and field trial. For the first time, P852 exhibited potent antifungal effects on Fusarium in an open field condition. To explore the mechanisms that underlie P852′s antifungal effects, P852 treatment was found to significantly enhance antioxidant enzyme capacities including guaiacol peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the activities of antifungal enzymes including chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase, as well as plant dry and fresh weights, and chlorophyll content compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Metabolomics analysis of the diseased Faba bean treated with P852 showed changes in the TCA cycle, biological pathways, and many primary and secondary metabolites. The Faba bean treated with a low concentration of P852 (1 μg/mL, IC₅₀) led to upregulated arginine and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, whereas those treated with a high concentration of P852 (10 μg/mL, MFC) exhibited enhanced betaine and arginine accumulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that P852 induces plant tolerance under Fusarium attack by enhancing the activities of antioxidant and antifungal enzymes, and restoring plant growth and development.