New cycloartane triterpenes from the aerial parts of Cimicifuga heracleifolia

Fascinating Furanosteroids and Their Pharmacological Profile

This review article delves into the realm of furanosteroids and related isoprenoid lipids derived from diverse terrestrial and marine sources, exploring their wide array of biological activities and potential pharmacological applications. Fungi, fungal endophytes, plants, and various marine organisms, including sponges, corals, molluscs, and other invertebrates, have proven to be abundant reservoirs of these compounds. The biological activities exhibited by furanosteroids and related lipids encompass anticancer, cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Notably, the discovery of exceptional compounds such as nakiterpiosin, malabaricol, dysideasterols, and cortistatins has revealed their potent anti-tuberculosis, antibacterial, and anti-hepatitis C attributes. These compounds also exhibit activity in inhibiting protein kinase C, phospholipase A2, and eliciting cytotoxicity against cancer cells. This comprehensive study emphasizes the significance of furanosteroids and related lipids as valuable natural products with promising therapeutic potential. The remarkable biodiversity found in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems offers an extensive resource for unearthing novel biologically active compounds, paving the way for future drug development and advancements in biomedical research. This review presents a compilation of data obtained from various studies conducted by different authors who employed the PASS software 9.1 to evaluate the biological activity of natural furanosteroids and compounds closely related to them. The utilization of the PASS software in this context offers valuable advantages, such as screening large chemical libraries, identifying compounds for subsequent experimental investigations, and gaining insights into potential biological activities based on their structural features. Nevertheless, it is crucial to emphasize that experimental validation remains indispensable for confirming the predicted activities.

NMR-tracking for 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenes from Cimicifuga acerina

Twelve undescribed 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenoids, 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C-N, as well as five previously reported analogs were isolated by NMR-tracking methods from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga acerina (Sieb. et Zucc.) Tanaka. Among them, 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C-N were the first 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenoids featuring acetal or hemiacetal structures at C-15. The chemical structures of 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C-N were determined based on comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical method, and comparison with the previous literature data. After that, all these compounds were evaluated for their lipid-lowering effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.15,16-seco-cimiterpene D was found to exhibit a comparable reducing lipid effect at the concentration of 50 μM, with an inhibition rate at 35.96%.

Antitumor Profile of Carbon-Bridged Steroids (CBS) and Triterpenoids

This review focuses on the rare group of carbon-bridged steroids (CBS) and triterpenoids found in various natural sources such as green, yellow-green, and red algae, marine sponges, soft corals, ascidians, starfish, and other marine invertebrates. In addition, this group of rare lipids is found in amoebas, fungi, fungal endophytes, and plants. For convenience, the presented CBS and triterpenoids are divided into four groups, which include: (a) CBS and triterpenoids containing a cyclopropane group; (b) CBS and triterpenoids with cyclopropane ring in the side chain; (c) CBS and triterpenoids containing a cyclobutane group; (d) CBS and triterpenoids containing cyclopentane, cyclohexane or cycloheptane moieties. For the comparative characterization of the antitumor profile, we have added several semi- and synthetic CBS and triterpenoids, with various additional rings, to identify possible promising sources for pharmacologists and the pharmaceutical industry. About 300 CBS and triterpenoids are presented in this review, which demonstrate a wide range of biological activities, but the most pronounced antitumor profile. The review summarizes biological activities both determined experimentally and estimated using the well-known PASS software. According to the data obtained, two-thirds of CBS and triterpenoids show moderate activity levels with a confidence level of 70 to 90%; however, one third of these lipids demonstrate strong antitumor activity with a confidence level exceeding 90%. Several CBS and triterpenoids, from different lipid groups, demonstrate selective action on different types of tumor cells such as renal cancer, sarcoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, lymphocytic leukemia, myeloid leukemia, liver cancer, and genitourinary cancer with varying degrees of confidence. In addition, the review presents graphical images of the antitumor profile of both individual CBS and triterpenoids groups and individual compounds.

Triterpenoids

This review covers newly isolated triterpenoids that have been reported during 2015.

Antiacetylcholinesterase triterpenes from the fruits of Cimicifuga yunnanensis

Two new cycloartane triterpenes, cimyunnin E (1), containing a unique oxaspiro[4.4]nonanedione moiety based on rings D and E, together with cimicifine B (2), a 25,26,27-trinortriterpene featuring a pyridine ring E, were purified from the fruits of Cimicifuga yunnanensis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and ECD (electronic circular dichroism calculations). Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition with IC50 values of 1.58 and 3.87 μM, respectively. In addition, they noticeably enhanced the neurite outgrowth of nerve growth factor (NGF) mediated PC12 cells at a concentration of 10 μM.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the genus Cimicifuga: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants of the genus Cimicifuga have long been used as an ethnomedicine in China, Europe, and North America for its high medicinal value and health benefits. Their dried rhizomes are widely used for treating wind-heat headache, toothache, aphtha, sore throat, measles, spot poison, archoptosis, and uterine prolapse. In addition, it is used as a dietary supplement for preventing women menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper aims to provide up-to-date information on the genus Cimicifuga, including botanical characterization, medicinal resources, traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacological research as well as the toxicology. The possible structural-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of the bioactive constituents are discussed in ways that contribute to the structural optimization and preclinical safety assessment for further drug design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relevant information on Cimicifuga was collected from scientific databases (such as Google Scholar, PubMed, SciFinder Scholar, Science Direct, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Web of Science, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database), Chinese herbal classics, ethnobotanical books, PhD and MSc dissertations, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, published articles in peer-reviewed journals, local magazines, and unpublished materials. In addition, the Plant List (TPL, www.theplantlist.org) was also used to validate the scientific names and synonyms of this plant. The literature cited in this review dated from 1953 to 2017.

RESULTS

The majority of chemical constituents of this plant include triterpenoid glycosides, phenylpropanoids, nitrogenous compounds, chromones, flavonoids and 4α-methyl steroid. Among them, the primary bioactive constituents are believed to be present in the triterpene glycoside fraction. To date, investigation of seven Cimicifuga spp. plants led to the identification of more than 457 compounds. Years of pharmacological research proved that the crude extracts and certain pure compounds obtained from Cimicifuga exhibited menopausal syndrome-treatment, anti-osteoporosis, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant and antiangiogenic activities. On the other hand, Cimicifuga plant-induced toxicities of liver, cardiovascular, central and peripheral nervous systems have also been reported. Therefore, safety consideration should be placed into a high priority for herbal medicine Cimicifuga therapy in the early stages of development and clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

This review presents information on botany, medicinal resources, and traditional medicinal history of some Cimicifuga plants. Modern pharmacology researchers have validated many traditional uses of Cimicifuga species. As the quality control and safety assessment of Cimicifuga plants is still incomplete, only a small part of the plant is permitted to be used as medicines. Expansion of medicinal resources in Cimicifuga is urgently needed to enable its full use. Currently research primarily focuses on the triterpenoid glycosides but there are many other types of compounds which may possess new biological activities however the systematic studies of these compounds are lacking. Extensive study is required on Cimicifuga plant before it can be fully used in clinics as a potent drug candidate.

A new cycloartane triterpenoid glycoside from Souliea vaginata

One new cycloartane triterpenoid glycoside, soulieoside Q (1), together with four known compounds (2-5) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the rhizomes of Souliea vaginata Maxim. The structure of the new compound was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS, as well as chemical methods. Compound 1 was evaluated for its cytotoxic activities against HepG2 and A549 cancer cell lines.

Cimifrigines A–G, cytotoxic triterpenes with an oxime group from the flowers of Cimicifuga frigida

Seven new dahurinol-type triterpene derivatives, including three aglycones, cimifrigines A–C (1–3), and four glycosides, cimifrigines D–G (4–7), were purified from the flowers of Cimicifuga frigida.

A new cycloartane triterpene glycoside from Souliea vaginata

A new cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside, namely soulieoside M (1), and one known compound, beesioside I (2), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the rhizomes of Souliea vaginata. Their structures were determined spectroscopically and compared with previously reported spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines.

Cycloartane Triterpenes from the Aerial Parts of Actaea racemosa

Investigating the phytochemical equivalence of the aerial parts of Actaea racemosa (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) relative to the widely used roots/rhizomes, this study provides a perspective for the potential use of renewable ("green") plant parts as a source of black cohosh botanical preparations. In addition to the characterization of Nω-methylserotonin as one representative marker of the Actaea alkaloids, nine cycloartane triterpenes were isolated and characterized, including the two new triterpene glycosides (1S,15R)-1,15,25-trihydroxy-3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-acta-(16S,23R,24R)-16,23;16,24-binoxoside (1) and 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1S,24R)-1,24,25-trihydroxy-15-oxo-acta-(16R,23R)-16,23-monoxoside (2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. The relative configuration of 1 was deduced by (1)H iterative full-spin analysis (HiFSA), making it the first example of the complete analysis of the complex (1)H NMR spectrum of a triterpene glycoside. In addition to the new compounds 1 and 2, the aerial plant parts were shown to contain the previously known binoxosides 3, 4, 6, and 7, the monoxoside 8, and the binoxols 5 and 9. Overall, the metabolome of the aerial plant parts consists of a variety of Actaea triterpenes, similar to those found in roots/rhizomes, a tendency toward C-1 and C-7 hydroxylation of the cycloartanol skeleton, a greater abundance of aglycones, and the presence of comparable amounts of Nω-methylserotonin.