A new diarylheptanoid from the rhizomes of Zingiber mekongense

Research Progress on Sesquiterpene Compounds from Artabotrys Plants of Annonaceae

Artabotrys, a pivotal genus within the Annonaceae family, is renowned for its extensive biological significance and medicinal potential. The genus's sesquiterpene compounds have attracted considerable interest from the scientific community due to their structural complexity and diverse biological activities. These compounds exhibit a range of biological activities, including antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory analgesic, and anti-tumor properties, positioning them as promising candidates for medical applications. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the variety, species, and structural characteristics of sesquiterpene compounds isolated from Artabotrys plants. Furthermore, it delves into their pharmacological activities and underlying mechanisms, offering a comprehensive foundation for future research.

C, Sri BS, H.N. AR. Phytopharmacological Review of a Food Supplement Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)

Abstract:

Zingiber officinale, a medicinal herb commonly used in Ayurveda, which belongs to family Zingiberaceae and is reported to have various therapeutic properties. Roots as well as rhizomes of this plant are commonly used in the treatment of Digestive disorder. It has also been used as expectorant, spasmolytic, anti-tussive, anti-allergic, antihistaminic activity and inhibits coughing. The roots and rhizomes are rich sources of essential oil, which may be one of the reasons for the medicinal properties. Required data on this plant were obtained from electronic sources (google scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), several classical textbooks on Ayurveda, and ethnopharmacology. This review article covers all the relevant information on its pharmacological and phytochemical aspects. In this study, we have critically reviewed recent advancements of Zingiber officinale in an attempt to authenticate its use as a multipurpose therapeutic ingredient.

Antiviral screening on Alpinia eremochlamys, Etlingera flexuosa, and Etlingera acanthoides extracts against HIV-infected MT-4 cells

Alpinia eremochlamys K. Schum, Etlingera flexuosa A.D. Poulsen, and Etlingera acanthoides A.D. Poulsen are endemic Zingiberaceae plants from Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. This study is the first report on screening the potential antiviral activity of ethanol extracts of the leaves, pseudostems, and rhizomes parts on HIV-infected MT-4 cells and identifying chemical constituents by GC-MS. The plants were extracted by the maceration method using 96% ethanol as a solvent. The antiviral activity was measured using Viral-ToxGlo colorimetric method and using the extracts at concentrations ranging from 7.8 to 1000 μg/mL. GC-MS was used to identify the secondary metabolites of potential extracts. The results showed that ethanol extract of E. acanthoides rhizome was the most potent antiviral activity (IC₅₀ of 1.74 ± 2.46 μg/mL) and less toxic on lymphocyte (MT-4) cells (CC₅₀ of 204.90 ± 106.35 μg/mL), affording the highest value of selectivity index (SI) of 117.76. A. eremochlamys rhizomes also showed promising antiviral activity with IC₅₀ of 64.18 ± 2.58 μg/mL and no toxicity on MT-4 cells affording a high SI value 19.05. Preliminary GC-MS identification showed the presence of terpenoids and fatty acids as major compounds. Zerumbone, ar-turmerone, caryophyllene, and caryophyllene oxide were also detected. Chemical constituents identified by GC-MS might be responsible for the antiviral activity of extracts, suggesting further isolation and antiviral testing of the purified compounds.

Docking Study on Anti-HIV-1 Activity of Secondary Metabolites from Zingiberaceae Plants

Introduction:

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has become a worldwide health problem today. There are approximately 30 anti-HIV-1 drugs that have been used in the treatment of AIDS. However, effective anti HIV-1 agents with less side affect and high inhibition potency are still in demand.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to identify the potential compounds from Zingiberaceae plants that might be active as anti-HIV-1 by molecular docking.

Materials and Methods:

Molecular docking simulation was performed by using AutoDock 4.2 on Linux operation system. Docking protocol was validated by using root mean square deviation (RMSD) value using redocking and cross-docking methods. The reported metabolites from Zingiberaceae plants were docked on HIV-1 protease, integrase, and reverse transcriptase protein enzymes.

Results:

The docking result showed that the genera of Zingiber, Etlingera, Alpinia, Hedychium, and Boesenbergia have potential metabolites that inhibit HIV protease, integrase, and reverse transcriptase enzymes by possessing lower docking energy than native ligand of amprenavir, raltegravir, and nevirapine. Among the metabolites, noralpindenoside B and alpindenoside A from Alpinia densespicata inhibited protease enzymes with the lowest docking energy of -18.02 and -17.90 kcal/mol, respectively. Meanwhile, panduratin E from Boesenbergia pandurata Roxb. and 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol from Etlingera elatior showed the lowest docking energy on integrase protein with docking energy of -11.97 and -11.41 kcal/mol, respectively. Pahangensin A from Alpinia pahangensis Ridley showed the lowest docking energy on reverse transcriptase enzyme with docking energy of -13.76 kcal/mol.

Conclusion:

The docking molecular study has identified the possible potential compounds from Zingiberaceae plants that might be used for anti-HIV-1 treatment. So, this study suggested further isolation and purification of the predicted compounds.

Natural-product-library-based screening for discovery of capsid C-terminal domain targeted HIV-1 inhibitors

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively suppress replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and limit disease progression. However, ART is unable to eradicate the virus, and the requirement for lifelong treatment may have side effects and may lead to the development of resistance. New approaches to prevent and treat HIV-1 infection should therefore be developed. HIV-1 capsid (CA) protein is an unexploited but attractive target for antiviral drug development. The hydrophobic cavity of the C-terminal domain of CA (CA CTD) has been validated as a potential target for antiviral drugs. Binding of compounds to this conserved non-polar groove in CA CTD allosterically disrupts the CA assembly. This study screened 2080 natural products to identify potential antiviral agents for further development to combat HIV-1 infection. From the primary screen at a fixed concentration of 50 µM, 16 compounds were found to be effective against this target. Six compounds observed in the primary screen were confirmed in dose-response experiments, and were tested against HIV-1-induced cytopathic effects. Two compounds were found to inhibit HIV-1 replication, and the most active compound - rubranol - inhibited viral replication at a moderate micromolar concentration (EC₅₀ = 15.85 μM). The binding modes of rubranol and hirsutanonol to CA CTD were analysed by molecular docking, providing insight for the design of drugs targeting HIV-1 CA. This study reports, for the first time, identification of natural products that showed potential as anti-HIV-1 agents by targeting the conserved hydrophobic cavity of HIV-1 CA CTD.

Sesqui- and Diterpenoids from the Radix of Curcuma aromatica

Eight new sesquiterpenoids (1-8), two new diterpenoids (9 and 10), and 17 known sesqui- and diterpenoids (11-27) were isolated from the radix of Curcuma aromatica. Among these compounds, 1 is an unprecedented guaiane with unique cyclopropane and furan functionalities, and 9 is the first atisane diterpenoid isolated from a Curcuma species. Their 2D and 3D structures were established using HRESIMS and spectroscopic methods, including ECD and IECD data. The antioxidant activities of compounds 1-27 were evaluated based on their ability to protect PC12 cells against H₂O₂-induced damage, with 1, 2, 5-8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19 exhibiting notable antioxidant effects on oxidative injury induced by H₂O₂.