Chiral high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of evodiamine enantiomers and rutaecarpine, isolated from Evodiae fructus

Evodiamine: A Extremely Potential Drug Development Candidate of Alkaloids from Evodia rutaecarpa

Evodiamine (EVO) is a tryptamine indole alkaloid and the main active ingredient in Evodia rutaecarpa. In recent years, the antitumor, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-Alzheimer's disease effects of EVO have been reported. EVO exerts antitumor effects by inhibiting tumor cell activity and proliferation, blocking the cell cycle, promoting apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibiting the formation of the tumor microvasculature. However, EVO has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Several derivatives with high antitumor activity have been discovered through the structural optimization of EVO, and new drug delivery systems have been developed to improve the solubility and bioavailability of EVO. Current research found that EVO could have toxic effects, such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiac toxicity. This article reviews the pharmacological activity, derivatives, drug delivery systems, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of EVO and provides research ideas and references for its further in-depth development and clinical applications.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Complex of PDE5 and Evodiamine

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible neurological disorder for which there are no effective small molecule therapeutics. A phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor is a candidate medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Rutaecarpine, an indole alkaloid found in Euodiae Fructus, has inhibitory activity for PDE5. Euodiae Fructus contains more evodiamine than rutaecarpine. Therefore, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of the complex of PDE5 and evodiamine. The results showed that the PDE5 and (-)-evodiamine complexes were placed inside the reaction center compared to the case of PDE5 and (+)-evodiamine complex. The binding of (-)-evodiamine to PDE5 increased the root-mean-square deviation and radius of gyration of PDE5. In the PDE5 with (-)-evodiamine complex, the value of the root-mean-square fluctuation of the M-loop, which is thought to be important for activity, increased. This result suggests that (-)-evodiamine may have inhibitory activity.

Chromatographic and mass spectrometric technologies for chemical analysis of Euodiae fructus: A review

INTRODUCTION

Euodiae fructus, also known as Evodiae fructus, is a popular Chinese herbal medicine derived from the dried, nearly ripe fruits of Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) T. G. Hartley. The main bioactive constituents of Euodiae fructus are alkaloids, limonoids, flavonoids, and anthraquinones. The contents of these compounds vary greatly between different plant species, geographic locations, and harvest times, which thus affect the therapeutic effects.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to summarize the chromatographic and mass spectrometric technologies applied for chemical analysis and quality evaluation of Euodiae fructus. Moreover, we aimed to emphasize the diverse soft ionization techniques and mass analyzers of LC-MS methods for assessment of Euodiae fructus.

METHODOLOGY

A literature study was carried out by retrieving articles published between January 1988 and December 2021 from well-known databases, including PubMed, ASC, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, J·STAGE, Thieme, Taylor & Francis, Springer Link, Wiley Online Library, and CNKI. The chemical analysis methods were described in several categories in accordance with the used analytical techniques, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and counter-current chromatography (CCC).

RESULTS

This review systematically summarizes the achievements in chemical analysis and quality evaluation of Euodiae fructus published in over three decades, covering the various chromatographic and mass spectrometric technologies applied for identification and quantification of phytochemical constituents.

CONCLUSION

The summary serves as an important basis for future phytochemical research and implementation of quality control methods in order to ensure the efficacy and safety of Euodiae fructus.

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses identify the intersection genes and mechanism of Huang Bai for recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) are complex inflammatory diseases caused by multi-factors, which severely impact patient quality of life. However, there is still no effective treatment method for RAS without side effects. Traditionally, Cortex Phellodendri known as "Huang Bai" was used to treat RAS for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in China. Network pharmacology methods and bioinformatics analysis were utilized to search and fish incorporating target. Network analysis and silico validation were used to discover the pharmacological mechanisms of "Huang Bai" for the treatment of RAS. A total of 25 active ingredients in HB, 200 drug targets, and 578 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and normal samples were obtained. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the immune response was the most significantly enriched term within the DEGs. The KEGG pathway analysis identified 60 significant pathways, most of which involved in the inhibition of inflammation and regulation of immunological response. The functions are dependent on a multi-pathway, particularly the TNF signaling pathway and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. We identified six hub genes in the PPI network, most of which were validated as highly expressed in oral ulcers by DiseaseMeth databases. In addition, molecular docking displayed that the primary molecule combined well with the key targets. "Huang Bai" contains potential anti-RAS active compounds. This study reflects the multi-component multi-target multi-pathway action characteristics of "Huang Bai." Our study provides potential biomarkers or treatment targets for further research.

Rutaecarpine Promotes Adipose Thermogenesis and Protects against HFD-Induced Obesity via AMPK/PGC-1α Pathway

Pharmacological activation of adaptive thermogenesis to increase energy expenditure is considered to be a novel strategy for obesity. Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α (PGC-1α), which serves as an inducible co-activator in energy expenditure, is highly expressed in brown adipose tissues (BAT). In this study, we found a PGC-1α transcriptional activator, natural compound rutaecarpine (Rut), which promoted brown adipocytes mitochondrial biogenesis and thermogenesis in vitro. Chronic Rut treatment reduced the body weight gain and mitigated insulin sensitivity through brown and beige adipocyte thermogenesis. Mechanistic study showed that Rut activated the energy metabolic pathway AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/PGC-1α axis, and deficiency of AMPK abolished the beneficial metabolic phenotype of the Rut treatment in vitro and in vivo. In summary, a PGC-1α transcriptional activator Rut was found to activate brown and beige adipose thermogenesis to resist diet-induced obesity through AMPK pathway. Our findings serve as a further understanding of the natural compound in adipose tissue and provides a possible strategy to combat obesity and related metabolic disorders.

The Synthesis, Structural Modification and Mode of Anticancer Action of Evodiamine: a review

BACKGROUND

Finding novel antitumor reagents from naturally occurring alkaloids is a widely accepted strategy. Evodiamine, a tryptamine indole alkaloid isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa, has a wide range of biological activities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammation, and anti-bacteria. Hence, research works on the structural modification of evodiamine will facilitate the discovery of new antitumor drugs.

OBJECTIVE

The recent advances in the synthesis of evodiamine, and studies on the drug design, biological activities, and structure-activity-relationships of its derivatives, published in patents and primary literatures, are reviewed in this paper.

METHODS

The literatures, including patents and follow-up research papers from 2015 to 2020, related to evodiamine is searched in the Scifinder, PubMed, Espacenet, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases. The key words are evodiamine, synthesis, modification, anticancer, mechanism.

RESULTS

The synthesis of evodiamine are summarized. Then, structural modifications of evodiamine are described, and the possible modes of actions are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Evodiamine has a 6/5/6/6/6 ring system, and the structural modifications are focused on ring A, D, E, C5, N-13, and N-14. Some compounds show promising anticancer potentials and warrant further study.

The impact of chirality on the analysis of alkaloids in plant

Most of the alkaloids are chiral compounds and are clinically administered as the racemic mixture, even though its enantiomers have been known to exert different pharmacological activity. The determination of the enantiomeric composition of alkaloid-containing plants is subject to severe attention from pharmacological and toxicological points of view. This review gives an overview of the chiral analysis of alkaloids that were used in theoretical studies and applications for plants in recent years.

Evodiamine Inhibits Helicobacter pylori Growth and Helicobacter pylori-Induced Inflammation

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) classified as a class I carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) plays an important role in the progression of chronic gastritis and the development of gastric cancer. A major bioactive component of Evodia rutaecarpa, evodiamine, has been known for its anti-bacterial effect and anti-cancer effects. However, the inhibitory effect of evodiamine against H. pylori is not yet known and the inhibitory mechanisms of evodiamine against gastric cancer cells are yet to be elucidated concretely. In this study, therefore, anti-bacterial effect of evodiamine on H. pylori growth and its inhibitory mechanisms as well as anti-inflammatory effects and its mechanisms of evodiamine on H. pylori-induced inflammation were investigated in vitr. Results of this study showed the growth of the H. pylori reference strains and clinical isolates were inhibited by evodiamine. It was considered one of the inhibitory mechanisms that evodiamine downregulated both gene expressions of replication and transcription machineries of H. pylori. Treatment of evodiamine also induced downregulation of urease and diminished translocation of cytotoxin-associated antigen A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) proteins into gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. This may be resulted from the reduction of CagA and VacA expressions as well as the type IV secretion system (T4SS) components and secretion system subunit protein A (SecA) protein which are involved in translocation of CagA and VacA into host cells, respectively. In particular, evodiamine inhibited the activation of signaling proteins such as the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway induced by H. pylori infection. It consequently might contribute to reduction of interleukin (IL)-8 production in AGS cells. Collectively, these results suggest anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of evodiamine against H. pylori.

Facile access to evodiakine enabled by aerobic copper-catalyzed oxidative rearrangement

Oxidation as a fundamentally important method for the synthesis of complex structures is difficult to achieve in a selective manner. Evodiakine, a complex natural product possessing an unprecedented ring system (6/5/5/7/6), has a high oxidation state without a practical solution. Herein, we report the first synthesis of evodiakine via aerobic copper-catalyzed late-stage functionalization of evodiamine.

Natural Alkaloids Intervening the Insulin Pathway: New Hopes for Anti-Diabetic Agents?

BACKGROUND

Accumulating experimental data supports the capacity of natural compounds to intervene in complicated molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of certain human morbidities. Among them, diabetes is now a world's epidemic associated with increased risk of death; thus, the detection of novel anti-diabetic agents and/or adjuvants is of vital importance. Alkaloids represent a diverse group of natural products with a range of therapeutic properties; during the last 20 years, published research on their anti-diabetic capacity has been tremendously increased.

PURPOSE

To discuss current concepts on the anti-diabetic impact of certain alkaloids, with special reference to their molecular targets throughout the insulin-signaling pathway.

METHODOLOGY

Upon in-depth search in the SCOPUS and PUBMED databases, the literature on alkaloids with insulin secretion/sensitization properties was critically reviewed.

RESULTS

In-vitro and in-vivo evidence supports the effect of berberine, trigonelline, piperine, oxymatrine, vindoneline, evodiamine and neferine on insulin-signaling and related cascades in beta-cells, myocytes, adipocytes, hepatocytes and other cells. Associated receptors, kinases, hormones and cytokines, are affected in terms of gene transcription, protein expression, activity and/or phosphorylation. Pathophysiological processes associated with insulin resistance, beta-cell failure, oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as clinical phenotype are also influenced.

DISCUSSION

Growing evidence suggests the ability of specific alkaloids to intervene in the insulin-signal transduction pathway, reverse molecular defects resulting in insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and improve disease complications, in-vitro and in-vivo. Future indepth molecular studies are expected to elucidate their exact mechanism of action, while large clinical trials are urgently needed to assess their potential as anti-diabetic agents.

Analysis of Evodiae Fructus by capillary electrochromatography-mass spectrometry with methyl-vinylimidazole functionalized organic polymer monolilth as stationary phases

Evodiae Fructus is used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of several kinds of diseases with its bioactive constituents. In this study, a capillary electrochromatography-mass spectrometry (CEC-MS) method was developed to determine three bioactive compounds including evodiamine, rutaecarpine and limonin in Evodiae Fructus fruit. Home-developed monolithic columns with methyl-vinylimidazole functionalized organic polymer monolilth as stationary phases were used in CEC-MS with excellent separation selectivity and high efficiency. The CEC-MS methods provided 4-16 folds improvement of LODs when compared with CEC-UV method. The conditions, which could affect separation efficiency and detection sensitivity, were optimized. Under optimum conditions, baseline separation with high detection sensitivity was obtained. The method showed good linearity (R² >0.99) of 0.8-160 μg mL^-1 with low limits of detection of 0.15-0.31 μg mL^-1. Relative standard deviations of migration time and relative peak areas were <13.89%. Recoveries of evodiamine, rutaecarpine and limonin in Evodiae Fructus fruit were tested and calculated, which ranged from 102% to 113%. Finally, the three bioactive compounds in Evodiae Fructus herb samples from different regions were analyzed and studied. It has been demonstrated that the developed method has great potential for quality control of Evodiae Fructus herb.

Antiproliferative Effects of Alkaloid Evodiamine and Its Derivatives

Alkaloids, a category of natural products with ring structures and nitrogen atoms, include most U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved plant derived anti-cancer agents. Evodiamine is an alkaloid with attractive multitargeting antiproliferative activity. Its high content in the natural source ensures its adequate supply on the market and guarantees further medicinal study. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic review about the antiproliferative effects of evodiamine derivatives. Therefore, in this article the review of the antiproliferative activities of evodiamine will be updated. More importantly, the antiproliferative activities of structurally modified new analogues of evodiamine will be summarized for the first time.

Therapeutic and cosmetic applications of Evodiamine and its derivatives--A patent review

Evodiamine, ((+)-(S)-8,13,13b,14-tetrahydro-14-methylindolo[2',3':3,4]pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-5(7H)-one) indoloquinazoline alkaloid, is the major component isolated from the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa, family Rutaceae. Broad spectrum of pharmacological activities of Evodiamine suggests its imperative role in treating a variety of diseases influencing the function of diverse targets. A comprehensive search was carried out to collect patent information regarding Evodiamine and its derivatives using different patent databases covering priority years to till date. The patents claiming therapeutic as well as cosmetic applications of Evodiamine and its derivatives were analyzed in detail and were classified technically based on the its application such as treatment of metabolic disorders, cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disorders, etc. The analysis revealed that the use and the mode of actions of Evodiamine and its derivatives in weight management treatments are currently well established. For example the fat reducing property of this alkaloid is primarily due to its mode of actions such as prevention of muscle protein catabolism, enhancement of thermogenesis and lipid oxidation. Apart from its use for treating obesity, Evodiamine and its derivatives are also experimentally explored for their anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. The possible mechanisms related to its anti-cancer activity as illustrated by different experimental studies include its potential action as modulator of specific receptors such as topoisomerase I, NF-kappa B and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2). The analysis hence highlights that, clinical studies pertaining to the anti-cancer, anti-diabetes as well as anti-inflammatory activities of the Evodiamine and its derivatives would possess important market potential for the development of Evodiamine based therapeutics.

Identification of evodiamine as the bioactive compound in evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa Benth.) fruit extract that activates human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)

The dried unripe fruit from Evodia rutaecarpa Benth., known as Wu zhu yu in China, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this research, we provide evidence that evodia fruit extract activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and, as identified through HPLC fractionation and mass spectroscopy, the activating phytochemical is evodiamine. Evodiamine was shown to bind to and activate PPARγ. It was also shown to activate PPARγ-regulated gene expression in human hepatoma cells similar to known PPARγ ligands and that the expression was blocked by a PPARγ specific antagonist.

Role of the conformational flexibility of evodiamine in its binding to protein hosts: a comparative spectroscopic and molecular modeling evaluation with rutaecarpine

The inherent structural flexibility of evodiamine allows it to adopt different conformations depending on the nature of the environment.