Anti-inflammatory activity of cacalol and cacalone sesquiterpenes isolated from Psacalium decompositum

Modulatory Effect of Medicinal Plants and Their Active Constituents on ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels (KATP) in Diabetes

Hyperglycemia, which is a chronic metabolic condition caused by either a defect in insulin secretion or insulin resistance, is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM). Sustained hyperglycemia leads to the onset and development of many health complications. Despite the number of available antidiabetic medications on the market, there is still a need for novel treatment agents with increased efficacy and fewer adverse effects. Many medicinal plants offer a rich supply of bioactive compounds that have remarkable pharmacological effects with less toxicity and side effects. According to published evidence, natural antidiabetic substances influence pancreatic β-cell development and proliferation, inhibit pancreatic β-cell death, and directly increase insulin output. Pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium channels play an essential role in coupling glucose metabolism to the secretion of insulin. Although much of the literature is available on the antidiabetic effects of medicinal plants, very limited studies discuss their direct action on pancreatic KATP. The aim of this review is to focus on the modulatory effects of antidiabetic medicinal plants and their active constituents on pancreatic KATP. The KATP channel should be regarded as a key therapeutic milestone in the treatment of diabetes. Therefore, continuous research into the interaction of medicinal plants with the KATP channel is crucial.

Anti-melanogenic effect of furanoeremophilanes identified from edible wild plants belonging to the genus Cacalia

Cacalia delphiniifolia and C. hastata are edible wild plants in Japan. We found that these plants have anti-melanogenic activity in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Three furanoeremophilanes, cacalol (from C. delphiniifolia), dehydrocacalohastin, and cacalohastin (from C. hastata), were identified as the main active components. The genus Cacalia may be a good source of beneficial materials with anti-melanogenic effects.

Contributions from Mexican Flora for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: Molecules of Psacalium decompositum (A. Gray) H. Rob & Brettell

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is cited as a serious worldwide health problem that occupies second place in causes of annual mortality in Mexico. Among Mexican flora, nearly 300 plant species have been employed as hypoglycemic in popular use. Thus, their study entertains great relevance In this context, this work contributes a clear and timely review of the plant species utilized in Traditional Mexican Medicine and experimental biological models in which not only have the hypoglycemic properties of the extracts and the isolated compounds been considered, but also the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, taking into account an integral focus based on the complex mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and physiopathology of DM. Among the species reviewed, we highlight Psacalium decompositum (Asteraceae), due to the potent hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of the sesquiterpenes identified as majority compounds isolated from the root, such as cacalol and cacalone that also possess the capacity of increasing insulin levels. In this manner, the present manuscript attempts to contribute necessary information for the future study of bioactive molecules that are useful in the treatment of DM, as well as also being a contribution to the knowledge and diffusion of Mexican Traditional Medicine.

Allelopathy: The Chemical Language of Plants

In Nature, the oldest method of communication between living systems is the chemical language. Plants, due to their lack of mobility, have developed the most sophisticated way of chemical communication. Despite that many examples involve this chemical communication process-allelopathy, there is still a lack of information about specific allelochemicals released into the environment, their purpose, as well as in-depth studies on the chemistry underground. These findings are critical to gain a better understanding of the role of these compounds and open up a wide range of possibilities and applications, especially in agriculture and phytomedicine. The most relevant aspects regarding the chemical language of plants, namely kind of allelochemicals, have been investigated, as well as their releasing mechanisms and their purpose will be described in this chapter.

Cacalol Acetate, a Sesquiterpene from Psacalium decompositum, Exerts an Anti-inflammatory Effect through LPS/NF-KB Signaling in Raw 264.7 Macrophages

Inflammatory diseases remain critical health problems worldwide. The search for anti-inflammatory drugs is a primary activity in the pharmaceutical industry. Cacalol is a sesquiterpene with anti-inflammatory potential that is isolated from Psacalium decompositum, a medicinal plant with several scientific reports supporting its anti-inflammatory activity. Cacalol acetate (CA) is the most stable form. Nevertheless, the participation of CA in the main signaling pathway associated with inflammation is unknown. Our aim was to study the anti-inflammatory effect of CA and to determine its participation in NF-κB signaling. In TPA-induced edema in mice, CA produced 70.3% inhibition. To elucidate the influence of CA on the NF-κB pathway, RAW 264.7 macrophages were pretreated with CA and then stimulated with LPS, evaluating NF-ΚB activation, IKK phosphorylation, IΚB-α, p65, cytokine expression, and COX-2 release and activity. CA inhibited NF-κB activation and its upstream signaling, decreasing phosphorylation IKB-α and p65 levels. CA also reduced expression and secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Additionally, it decreased the activity and expression of COX-2 mRNA. These data support that CA regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway, which might explain, at least in part, its anti-inflammatory effect. CA is a bioactive molecule useful for the development of anti-inflammatory agents with innovative mechanisms of action.

In vivo Anti-inflammatory Activity of Lipidated Peptidomimetics Pam-(Lys-βNspe)6-NH2 and Lau-(Lys-βNspe)6-NH2 Against PMA-Induced Acute Inflammation

Host Defense Peptides (HDPs) are key components of innate immunity that exert antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and immunomodulatory activities in all higher organisms. Synthetic peptidomimetic analogs were designed to retain the desirable pharmacological properties of HDPs while having improved stability toward enzymatic degradation, providing enhanced potential for therapeutic applications. Lipidated peptide/β-peptoid hybrids [e.g., Pam-(Lys-βNspe)₆-NH₂ (PM1) and Lau-(Lys-βNspe)₆-NH₂ (PM2)] are proteolytically stable HDP mimetics displaying anti-inflammatory activity and formyl peptide receptor 2 antagonism in human and mouse immune cells in vitro. Here PM1 and PM2 were investigated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in a phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced acute mouse ear inflammation model. Topical administration of PM1 or PM2 led to attenuated PMA-induced ear edema, reduced local production of the pro-inflammatory chemokines MCP-1 and CXCL-1 as well as the cytokine IL-6. In addition, diminished neutrophil infiltration into PMA-inflamed ear tissue and suppressed local release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species were observed upon treatment. The obtained results show that these two peptidomimetics exhibit anti-inflammatory effects comparable to that of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin, and hence possess a potential for treatment of inflammatory skin conditions.

Chemoinformatic Analysis of Selected Cacalolides from Psacalium decompositum (A. Gray) H. Rob. & Brettell and Psacalium peltatum (Kunth) Cass. and Their Effects on FcεRI-Dependent Degranulation in Mast Cells

Cacalolides are a kind of sesquiterpenoids natural compounds synthesized by Psacalium decompositum (A. Gray) H. Rob. & Brettell or Psacalium peltatum (Kunth) Cass. Antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects have been found for cacalolides such as cacalol, cacalone or maturine, however, their effects on inflammatory processes are still largely unclear. The main aim of this study was to investigate the biological activities of secondary metabolites from P. decompositum and P. peltatum through two approaches: (1) chemoinformatic and toxicoinformatic analysis based on ethnopharmacologic background; and (2) the evaluation of their potential anti-inflammatory/anti-allergic effects in bone marrow-derived mast cells by IgE/antigen complexes. The bioinformatics properties of the compounds: cacalol; cacalone; cacalol acetate and maturin acetate were evaluated through Osiris DataWarrior software and Molinspiration and PROTOX server. In vitro studies were performed to test the ability of these four compounds to inhibit antigen-dependent degranulation and intracellular calcium mobilization, as well as the production of reactive oxygen species in bone marrow-derived mast cells. Our findings showed that cacalol displayed better bioinformatics properties, also exhibited a potent inhibitory activity on IgE/antigen-dependent degranulation and significantly reduced the intracellular calcium mobilization on mast cells. These data suggested that cacalol could reduce the negative effects of the mast cell-dependent inflammatory process.

Applications of Friedel-Crafts reactions in total synthesis of natural products

Over the years, Friedel-Crafts (FC) reactions have been acknowledged as the most useful and powerful synthetic tools for the construction of a special kind of carbon-carbon bond involving an aromatic moiety. Its stoichiometric and, more recently, its catalytic procedures have extensively been studied. This reaction in recent years has frequently been used as a key step (steps) in the total synthesis of natural products and targeted complex bioactive molecules. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of intermolecular and intramolecular FC reactions in the total syntheses of natural products and complex molecules, exhibiting diverse biological properties.

Natural fatty acid synthase inhibitors as potent therapeutic agents for cancers: A review

Context Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is the only mammalian enzyme to catalyse the synthesis of fatty acid. The expression level of FAS is related to cancer progression, aggressiveness and metastasis. In recent years, research on natural FAS inhibitors with significant bioactivities and low side effects has increasingly become a new trend. Herein, we present recent research progress on natural fatty acid synthase inhibitors as potent therapeutic agents. Objective This paper is a mini overview of the typical natural FAS inhibitors and their possible mechanism of action in the past 10 years (2004-2014). Method The information was collected and compiled through major databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI. Results Many natural products induce cancer cells apoptosis by inhibiting FAS expression, with fewer side effects than synthetic inhibitors. Conclusion Natural FAS inhibitors are widely distributed in plants (especially in herbs and foods). Some natural products (mainly phenolics) possessing potent biological activities and stable structures are available as lead compounds to synthesise promising FAS inhibitors.

Anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antioxidant effects of methanolic extracts of Drypetes sepiaria (Euphorbiaceae)

The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts obtained from leaves of Drypetes sepiaria (Euphorbiaceae). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of these crude extracts were determined as gallic acid and quercetin equivalents, respectively. In in vitro antioxidant method, methanol extract exhibited higher free radical scavenging activity compared to standard compound, ascorbic acid with IC₅₀ of 95.43 µg/ml (DPPH) and 67.05 µg/ml (ABTS). Methanol extract was able to inhibit inflammation by in vitro about 85-90% (HRBC stabilization method) and in vivo about 40-45% (Paw oedema method) anti-inflammatory assays compared to standard produced 50.04% at 6 h period. In cytotoxicity assay (MTT assay) methanolic extract exhibited IC₅₀ of 10 µg/ml. In apoptosis (flow cytometric assay), the control group showed normal caspase 3 activity in the SiHa cells which was 0.24%, and increased up to 40% after treatment.

An Alternative Procedure for the Synthesis of 1,8-dimethyl-5-methoxytetralin-6-ol

The commercially available 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzaldehyde 3 was subjected to hydrogenation and protection to give the methoxy methyl ether of 2-methoxy-5-methylphenol. This was converted to 1,8-dimethyl-5-methoxytetralin-6-ol by alkylation with 5-bromopent-1-ene, cyclisation and deprotection.

Systematic review of herbals as potential anti-inflammatory agents: Recent advances, current clinical status and future perspectives

Many synthetic drugs reported to be used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders are of least interest now a days due to their potential side effects and serious adverse effects and as they are found to be highly unsafe for human assistance. Since the last few decades, herbal drugs have regained their popularity in treatment against several human ailments. Herbals containing anti-inflammatory activity (AIA) are topics of immense interest due to the absence of several problems in them, which are associated with synthetic preparations. The primary objective of this review is to provide a deep overview of the recently explored anti-inflammatory agents belonging to various classes of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, polyphenolic compounds, and also the compounds isolated from plants of marine origin, algae and fungi. Also, it enlists a distended view on potential interactions between herbals and synthetic preparations, related adverse effects and clinical trials done on herbals for exploring their AIA. The basic aim of this review is to give updated knowledge regarding plants which will be valuable for the scientists working in the field of anti-inflammatory natural chemistry.

Cacalol, a natural sesquiterpene, induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells by modulating Akt-SREBP-FAS signaling pathway

We previously isolated cacalol as a free radical-scavenging compound from Cacalia delphiniifolia which is a traditional Asian herbal plant and is believed to have medicinal effects on cancer. In this report, we demonstrated that cacalol has strong anti-proliferation effect on breast cancer cells and induces apoptosis by activating a pro-apoptotic pathway. We also found that a combination of cacalol and other chemotherapeutic drugs (Taxol and cyclophosphamide) synergistically induced apoptosis and partially overcame chemo-resistance. To further gain a mechanistic insight, we tested a potential inhibitory effect of cacalol on fatty acid synthase gene (FAS) in breast cancer cells, and found that cacalol significantly modulated the expression of the FAS gene, which resulted in apoptosis through activation of DAPK2 and caspase 3. We have also shown that cacalol significantly suppressed the Akt-sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) signaling pathway and concomitant transcriptional activation of FAS. In a xenograft model of nude mouse, when cacalol was administered intraperitoneally, tumor growth was significantly suppressed. Importantly, oral administration of cacalol before implanting tumors showed significant preventive effect on tumor growth in the same animal model. Furthermore, the treatment of mice with a combination of low dose of Taxol and cacalol significantly suppressed the tumor growth. Taken together, our results indicate that cacalol induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells and impairs mammary tumor growth in vivo by blocking the expression of the FAS gene through modulation of Akt-SREBP pathway, suggesting that cacalol has potential utility as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Sesquiterpenoids from antidiabetic Psacalium decompositum block ATP sensitive potassium channels

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The hypoglycemic effect of root and rhizome aqueous decoction of Psacalium decompositum (Asteraceae), a medicinal herb from Mexico, has been experimentally demonstrated, leading to the identification of several hypoglycemic sesquiterpenoids, such as cacalol, and the mixture of 3-hydroxycacalolide, and epi-3-hydroxycacalolide; however, the mechanism of action of these compounds is unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish whether cacalol, cacalone epimer mixture and cacalol acetate may block adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP) channels) in a similar way to the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cacalol, cacalone epimer mixture, and cacalol acetate were tested on the diazoxide-induced relaxation of male rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (3.2x10(-6)M).

RESULTS

Cacalol (10(-5)M), cacalol acetate and the cacalone epimer mixture (10(-4)M) inhibited the diazoxide effect, in a similar manner and concentration as glibenclamide (10(-5)M). Cacalone epimer mixture exerted this effect in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01). Cacalol (10(-4)M), irreversibly inhibited the diazoxide-induced relaxation, and displayed activity at a lower concentration (10(-5)M) than cacalone epimer mixture and cacalol acetate.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the studied compounds block K(ATP) channels in a similar way to glibenclamide in rat aorta. However, controversial data indicate that Psacalium decompositum sesquiterpenoids are less effective than glibenclamide in lowering plasma glucose levels, suggesting that cacalol and cacalone epimer mixture, as well as cacalol acetate, may display a higher affinity to SUR2 subunit of K(ATP) channels in aortic smooth muscle than to SUR1 subunit in pancreatic beta-cells.

Structure – Activity Relationships of Modified Eremophilanes and Anti-inflammatory Activity Using the TPA Mouse Edema Ear Test

Structure – activity relationships (SAR) between modified eremophilanes and anti-inflammatory activity are reported. The compounds have shown antioxidant (DPPH model), hypoglycaemic, antihyperglucemic and antidiabetic effects in rats.