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Çiçek SS, Mangoni A, Hanschen FS, Agerbirk N, Zidorn C. Essentials in the acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of plant metabolite profiles. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2024; 220:114004. [PMID: 38331135 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Plant metabolite profiling reveals the diversity of secondary or specialized metabolites in the plant kingdom with its hundreds of thousands of species. Specialized plant metabolites constitute a vast class of chemicals posing significant challenges in analytical chemistry. In order to be of maximum scientific relevance, reports dealing with these compounds and their source species must be transparent, make use of standards and reference materials, and be based on correctly and traceably identified plant material. Essential aspects in qualitative plant metabolite profiling include: (i) critical review of previous literature and a reasoned sampling strategy; (ii) transparent plant sampling with wild material documented by vouchers in public herbaria and, optimally, seed banks; (iii) if possible, inclusion of generally available reference plant material; (iv) transparent, documented state-of-the art chemical analysis, ideally including chemical reference standards; (v) testing for artefacts during preparative extraction and isolation, using gentle analytical methods; (vi) careful chemical data interpretation, avoiding over- and misinterpretation and taking into account phytochemical complexity when assigning identification confidence levels, and (vii) taking all previous scientific knowledge into account in reporting the scientific data. From the current stage of the phytochemical literature, selected comments and suggestions are given. In the past, proposed revisions of botanical taxonomy were sometimes based on metabolite profiles, but this approach ("chemosystematics" or "chemotaxonomy") is outdated due to the advent of DNA sequence-based phylogenies. In contrast, systematic comparisons of plant metabolite profiles in a known phylogenetic framework remain relevant. This approach, known as chemophenetics, allows characterizing species and clades based on their array of specialized metabolites, aids in deducing the evolution of biosynthetic pathways and coevolution, and can serve in identifying new sources of rare and economically interesting natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serhat S Çiçek
- Department of Biotechnology, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alfonso Mangoni
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Franziska S Hanschen
- Plant Quality and Food Security, Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) e. V., Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, 14979, Grossbeeren, Germany
| | - Niels Agerbirk
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Christian Zidorn
- Pharmazeutisches Institut, Abteilung Pharmazeutische Biologie, Christian-Albrechts- Universität zu Kiel, Gutenbergstraße 76, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
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Strzemski M, Dresler S, Podkościelna B, Skic K, Sowa I, Załuski D, Verpoorte R, Zielińska S, Krawczyk P, Wójciak M. Effectiveness of Volatile Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (VNADESs) for the Green Extraction of Chelidonium majus Isoquinoline Alkaloids. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27092815. [PMID: 35566166 PMCID: PMC9101032 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Chelidonium majus plant is rich in biologically active isoquinoline alkaloids. These alkaline polar compounds are isolated from raw materials with the use of acidified water or methanol; next, after alkalisation of the extract, they are extracted using chloroform or dichloromethane. This procedure requires the use of toxic solvents. The present study assessed the possibility of using volatile natural deep eutectic solvents (VNADESs) for the efficient and environmentally friendly extraction of Chelidonium alkaloids. The roots and herb of the plant were subjected three times to extraction with various menthol, thymol, and camphor mixtures and with water and methanol (acidified and nonacidified). It has been shown that alkaloids can be efficiently isolated using menthol–camphor and menthol–thymol mixtures. In comparison with the extraction with acidified methanol, the use of appropriate VNADESs formulations yielded higher amounts of protopine (by 16%), chelidonine (35%), berberine (76%), chelerythrine (12%), and coptisine (180%). Sanguinarine extraction efficiency was at the same level. Additionally, the values of the contact angles of the raw materials treated with the tested solvents were assessed, and higher wetting dynamics were observed in the case of VNADESs when compared with water. These results suggest that VNADESs can be used for the efficient and environmentally friendly extraction of Chelidonium alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Strzemski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.D.); (I.S.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (M.W.)
| | - Sławomir Dresler
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.D.); (I.S.)
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Beata Podkościelna
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Kamil Skic
- Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 20-290 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Ireneusz Sowa
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.D.); (I.S.)
| | - Daniel Załuski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Pharmacognosy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Rob Verpoorte
- Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Sylwia Zielińska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Division of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Paweł Krawczyk
- Immunology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Wójciak
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.D.); (I.S.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (M.W.)
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3
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Safa N, Trobec T, Holland DC, Slazak B, Jacobsson E, Hawkes JA, Frangež R, Sepčić K, Göransson U, Moodie LWK, Robertson LP. Spatial Distribution and Stability of Cholinesterase Inhibitory Protoberberine Alkaloids from Papaver setiferum. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:215-224. [PMID: 34910498 PMCID: PMC8805119 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
During a research program to identify new cholinesterase inhibitors of natural origin, two new 7,8-didehydroprotoberberine alkaloids (1 and 2) and nine known compounds (3-11) were isolated from the capsules of the common ornamental poppy, Papaver setiferum (previously P. pseudo-orientale). Despite their reported instability, the 7,8-didehydroprotoberberines isolated herein appeared relatively stable, particularly as their trifluoroacetic acid salts. The spatial distributions of the isolated alkaloids were also analyzed using desorption electrospray ionization imaging mass spectrometry. The alkaloids were localized predominantly within the walls and vascular bundles of the capsules, with the highest relative abundances occurring in the lower half of the capsules toward the peduncle. The relative abundances of the alkaloids were also compared across plant development stages. Although most alkaloids did not show clear patterns in their concentration across development stages, the concentration of suspected oxidation products clearly spiked upon plant death. Finally, all isolated natural products were screened for inhibitory activities against a panel of cholinesterases, from both human and animal sources. These studies identified several competitive inhibitors of cholinesterases with potency in the low micromolar range (1-4, 6, 7), offering new lead compounds for the development of cholinesterase inhibitory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Safa
- Pharmacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
- Drug
Design and Discovery, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical
Centre, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tomaž Trobec
- Institute
of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darren C. Holland
- School
of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport 4222, Gold Coast, Australia
- Griffith
Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 4111 Nathan, Australia
| | - Blazej Slazak
- Pharmacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
- W.
Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy
of Science, 46 Lubicz
Street, 31-512, Kraków, Poland
| | - Erik Jacobsson
- Pharmacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jeffrey A. Hawkes
- Analytical
Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Robert Frangež
- Institute
of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department
of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University
of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Pharmacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lindon W. K. Moodie
- Drug
Design and Discovery, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical
Centre, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
- Uppsala
Antibiotic Centre, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala
University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Luke P. Robertson
- Pharmacognosy,
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
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Zielińska S, Jezierska-Domaradzka A, Wójciak-Kosior M, Sowa I, Junka A, Matkowski AM. Greater Celandine's Ups and Downs-21 Centuries of Medicinal Uses of Chelidonium majus From the Viewpoint of Today's Pharmacology. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:299. [PMID: 29713277 PMCID: PMC5912214 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As antique as Dioscorides era are the first records on using Chelidonium as a remedy to several sicknesses. Inspired by the "signatura rerum" principle and an apparent ancient folk tradition, various indications were given, such as anti-jaundice and cholagogue, pain-relieving, and quite often mentioned-ophthalmological problems. Central and Eastern European folk medicine has always been using this herb extensively. In this region, the plant is known under many unique vernacular names, especially in Slavonic languages, associated or not with old Greek relation to "chelidon"-the swallow. Typically for Papaveroidae subfamily, yellow-colored latex is produced in abundance and leaks intensely upon injury. Major pharmacologically relevant components, most of which were first isolated over a century ago, are isoquinoline alkaloids-berberine, chelerythrine, chelidonine, coptisine, sanguinarine. Modern pharmacology took interest in this herb but it has not ended up in gaining an officially approved and evidence-based herbal medicine status. On the contrary, the number of relevant studies and publications tended to drop. Recently, some controversial reports and sometimes insufficiently proven studies appeared, suggesting anticancer properties. Anticancer potential was in line with anecdotical knowledge spread in East European countries, however, in the absence of directly-acting cytostatic compounds, some other mechanisms might be involved. Other properties that could boost the interest in this herb are antimicrobial and antiviral activities. Being a common synanthropic weed or ruderal plant, C. majus spreads in all temperate Eurasia and acclimates well to North America. Little is known about the natural variation of bioactive metabolites, including several aforementioned isoquinoline alkaloids. In this review, we put together older and recent literature data on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical studies on C. majus aiming at a critical evaluation of state-of-the-art from the viewpoint of historical and folk indications. The controversies around this herb, the safety and drug quality issues and a prospective role in phytotherapy are discussed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Zielińska
- Pharmaceutical Biology and Botany, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Jezierska-Domaradzka
- Pharmaceutical Biology and Botany, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
- Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Ireneusz Sowa
- Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Adam Junka
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Adam M. Matkowski
- Pharmaceutical Biology and Botany, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
- Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
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Lans C, Taylor-Swanson L, Westfall R. Herbal fertility treatments used in North America from colonial times to 1900, and their potential for improving the success rate of assisted reproductive technology. REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE & SOCIETY ONLINE 2018; 5:60-81. [PMID: 30023440 PMCID: PMC6047296 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbms.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper serves to fill a gap in the literature regarding evidence for the use of botanical remedies in the promotion of fertility. It examines the botanical remedies that were used in North America (1492-1900) for all stages of reproduction from preconception to birth, and discusses their potential for future use with present-day infertility treatments. Each medicinal plant discussed in this paper is assessed using an ethnomedicinal methodology that entails examining the published ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological data. A few clinical trials have shown that there is potential for medicinal plants to improve the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment if used in an integrated manner, similar to the integrated use of traditional Chinese medicine with ART treatment. For example, research has shown that older women who become pregnant have a high miscarriage rate, and this is one area that complementary and alternative medicines can address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Lans
- Institute for Ethnobotany and Zoopharmacognosy, Beek, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Taylor-Swanson
- College of Nursing University of Utah, Annette Cummings Building, 10 South 2000 East Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rachel Westfall
- Yukon Bureau of Statistics, Government of Yukon, Yukon, Canada
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Sowa I, Zielińska S, Sawicki J, Bogucka-Kocka A, Staniak M, Bartusiak-Szcześniak E, Podolska-Fajks M, Kocjan R, Wójciak-Kosior M. Systematic Evaluation of Chromatographic Parameters for Isoquinoline Alkaloids on XB-C18 Core-Shell Column Using Different Mobile Phase Compositions. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL METHODS IN CHEMISTRY 2018; 2018:9624327. [PMID: 29675288 PMCID: PMC5838492 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9624327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Chelidonium majus L. is a rich source of isoquinoline alkaloids with confirmed anti-inflammatory, choleretic, spasmolytic, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities. However, their chromatographic analysis is difficult because they may exist both in charged and uncharged forms and may result in the irregular peak shape and the decrease in chromatographic system efficacy. In the present work, the separation of main C. majus alkaloids was optimized using a new-generation XB-C18 endcapped core-shell column dedicated for analysis of alkaline compounds. The influence of organic modifier concentration, addition of salts, and pH of eluents on chromatographic parameters such as retention, resolution, chromatographic plate numbers, and peak asymmetry was investigated. The results were applied to elaborate the optimal chromatographic system for simultaneous quantification of seven alkaloids from the root, herb, and fruit of C. majus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ireneusz Sowa
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sylwia Zielińska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jan Sawicki
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Bogucka-Kocka
- Department of Biology with Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Staniak
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Bartusiak-Szcześniak
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Maja Podolska-Fajks
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ryszard Kocjan
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Magdalena Wójciak-Kosior
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Deng AJ, Zhang HJ, Li Q, Li ZH, Zhang ZH, Wu LQ, Li L, Qin HL. Six scalemic mixtures of 6-monosubstituted dihydrobenzophenanthridine alkaloids from Chelidonium majus and optically active structures of enantiomers. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2017; 144:159-170. [PMID: 28938145 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Six pairs of previously undescribed 6-monosubstituted dihydrobenzophenanthridine alkaloids were separated as corresponding six scalemic mixtures from the aerial part of Chelidonium majus. The elucidation for the 2D structures of these alkaloids was achieved using regular spectroscopic and chemical methods. The assignment of scalemic-mixture nature was achieved using combined examinations of their NMR data, CD spectra, calculation of specific rotations, and chiral HPLC profiles. The identification for the relative configurations of alkaloids possessing two asymmetric carbons directly connected up by a rotatable sp3-sp3 carbon-carbon single bond was significantly facilitated by discussing the erythro and threo relative configurations defined by the mutuality of the orders of decreasing steric hindrances between the two sets of ligands linked to the two chiral centers. Two scalemic mixtures were assigned as (1'R,6R/1'S,6S)- and (1'S,6R/1'R,6S)-1-(dihydrochelerythrine-6-yl)ethanols, two as (1'R,6R)/(1'S,6S)- and (1'S,6R)/(1'R,6S)-1-(dihydrosanguinarine-6-yl)ethanols, one as (±)-ethyl 2-(dihydrosanguinarine-6-yl)acetate, and one as (±)-ethyl dihydrosanguinarine-6-carboxylate, respectively. The resolution of three scalemic mixtures was achieved and the absolute configurations of the three pairs of enantiomers were assigned via time-dependent Density Functional Theory calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. The assignment for the absolute configurations of the other three scalemic mixtures was achieved via a chiral HPLC-UV/CD method plus analyzing their ECD data. The findings of this paper demonstrated that the relevant biochemical reactions concerning the construction of these 6-monosubstituted dihydrobenzophenanthridine alkaloids in the test plant are very nonselective. Scalemic mixture of (1'R,6R)/(1'S,6S)-1-(dihydrosanguinarine-6-yl)ethanol exhibited biological activity. It inhibited the growth of human MDA-MB-231 cell line at a moderate level with IC50 value of 5.12 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Jun Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Hai-Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Zhi-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Zhi-Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Lian-Qiu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China.
| | - Hai-Lin Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China.
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Anti-inflammatory activity of coptisine free base in mice through inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Eur J Pharmacol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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9
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Galanie S, Smolke CD. Optimization of yeast-based production of medicinal protoberberine alkaloids. Microb Cell Fact 2015; 14:144. [PMID: 26376732 PMCID: PMC4574094 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0332-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Protoberberine alkaloids are bioactive molecules abundant in plant preparations for traditional medicines. Yeast engineered to express biosynthetic pathways for fermentative production of these compounds will further enable investigation of the medicinal properties of these molecules and development of alkaloid-based drugs with improved efficacy and safety. Here, we describe the optimization of a biosynthetic pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for conversion of rac-norlaudanosoline to the protoberberine alkaloid (S)-canadine. Results This yeast strain is engineered to express seven heterologous enzymes, resulting in protoberberine alkaloid production from a simple benzylisoquinoline alkaloid precursor. The seven enzymes include three membrane-bound enzymes: the flavin-dependent oxidase berberine bridge enzyme, the cytochrome P450 canadine synthase, and a cytochrome P450 reductase. A number of strategies were implemented to improve flux through the pathway, including enzyme variant screening, genetic copy number variation, and culture optimization, that led to an over 70-fold increase in canadine titer up to 1.8 mg/L. Increased canadine titers enable extension of the pathway to produce berberine, a major constituent of several traditional medicines, for the first time in a microbial host. We also demonstrate that this strain is viable at pilot scale. Conclusions By applying metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies for increased conversion of simple benzylisoquinoline alkaloids to complex protoberberine alkaloids, this work will facilitate chemoenzymatic synthesis or de novo biosynthesis of these and other high-value compounds using a microbial cell factory. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-015-0332-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Galanie
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, MC 4245, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Christina D Smolke
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, MC 4245, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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