Prenylated xanthones with NGF-potentiating activity from Garcinia xanthochymus

Neurotrophic Natural Products

Neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT3, NT4) can decrease cell death, induce differentiation, as well as sustain the structure and function of neurons, which make them promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, neurotrophins have not been very effective in clinical trials mostly because they cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier owing to being high-molecular-weight proteins. Thus, neurotrophin-mimic small molecules, which stimulate the synthesis of endogenous neurotrophins or enhance neurotrophic actions, may serve as promising alternatives to neurotrophins. Small-molecular-weight natural products, which have been used in dietary functional foods or in traditional medicines over the course of human history, have a great potential for the development of new therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this contribution, a variety of natural products possessing neurotrophic properties such as neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth promotion (neuritogenesis), and neuroprotection are described, and a focus is made on the chemistry and biology of several neurotrophic natural products.

Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Xanthones from Calophyllum elatum

In our continuing search for compounds with antitumor-promoting activity, we screened eight xanthones isolated from Calophyllum elatum Bedd. (Guttiferae) by examining their possible inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells. Several compounds tested in this study showed inhibitory activity against EBV, without showing any cytotoxicity. Isogarciniaxanthone E (2) showed more potent activity than any of the other compounds tested. Furthermore, isogarciniaxanthone E (2) exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on mouse skin tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test.

Semisynthesis and biological evaluation of prenylated resveratrol derivatives as multi-targeted agents for Alzheimer's disease

A series of prenylated resveratrol derivatives were designed, semisynthesized and biologically evaluated for inhibition of β-secretase (BACE1) and amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation as well as free radical scavenging and neuroprotective and neuritogenic activities, as potential novel multifunctional agents against Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results showed that compound 4b exhibited good anti-Aβ aggregation (IC₅₀ = 4.78 µM) and antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 41.22 µM) and moderate anti-BACE1 inhibitory activity (23.70% at 50 µM), and could be a lead compound. Moreover, this compound showed no neurotoxicity along with a greater ability to inhibit oxidative stress on P19-derived neuronal cells (50.59% cell viability at 1 nM). The neuritogenic activity presented more branching numbers (9.33) and longer neurites (109.74 µm) than the control, and was comparable to the quercetin positive control. Taken together, these results suggest compound 4b had the greatest multifunctional activities and might be a very promising lead compound for the further development of drugs for AD.

[A new strategy for preventive and functional therapeutic methods for dementia--approach using natural products]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a serious social problem in Japan. However, effective preventive and fundamental therapeutic methods for AD have not yet been developed. Using a new strategy in the course of our survey of numerous natural resouces having neurotrophic activity, we isolated a variety of active constituents and proved their pharmacological properties. As a result, we successfully found nobiletin, a compound with anti-dementia activity that comes from citrus peels. Also, we have demonstrated that nobiletin ameliorates cognitive impairment in several dementia model animals such as chronically amyloid β(Aβ) infused rats, amyloid precursor protein transgenic (APPTg) mice, olfactory-bulbectomized (OBX) mice, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (MK-801)-treated mice, senescence-accelated mice and bilaterial common carotid arteries occlusion mice. In a APPTg mouse of AD, nobiletin greatly improved memory impairment, and this was accompanied by a marked decrease in Aβ deposition. Also, in OBX mice memory impairment was markedly recoverd by nobiletin, accompanied by improvement of a decrease indensity of cholinergic neurons. Interestingly, nobiletin improves age-related congnitive impairment and decreased hyperphosphorylation of tau as well as oxidative stress in senescence-accelerated mice. In cultured cells, nobiletin reversed the Aβ-induced inhibition of glutamate-induced increases in cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and modulated gen expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein and NMDA resceptor subunits. These results suggest that nobiletin prevents memory impairment and exhibits a protecting action against neurodgeneration in AD model animals. Nobiletin and citrus peels thus have potential as functional foods for prevention of dementia.

Xanthones from the stem bark of Garcinia bracteata with growth inhibitory effects against HL-60 cells

Five xanthones, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone (1) and bracteaxanthones III-VI (2-5) together with twenty-six known compounds (6-31), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stem bark of Garcinia bracteata. Their structures were elucidated via spectroscopic analyses. Growth inhibitory activities of these compounds against the human leukaemic HL-60 cell line were measured in vitro. Compounds 7, 11, and 29 exhibited moderate activities with GI(50) values of 2.8, 3.4, and 3.1 μM, respectively, and a preliminary structure-activity relationship is discussed.

Xanthones with Antiproliferative Effects on Prostate Cancer Cells from the Stem Bark of Garcinia xanthochymus

Investigations of the constituents of the stem barks of Garcinia xanthochymus have yielded two new compounds, garcinenones X (1) and Y (2), along with five known xanthones, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (3), 1,4,6-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (4), 1,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-7,8-di(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (5), 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-4,7,8-tri(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (6), and 1,5,6-trihydroxy-7,8-di(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6′,6'dimethylpyrano(2′,3′:3,4)xanthone (7). The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. The cell growth inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds against the PC-3 cell line was measured. Among them, compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited significant inhibitory effects with IG50 values of 14.3, 15.5, 11.1, and 6.8 μM, respectively.

A new biphenyl and antimicrobial activity of extracts and compounds from Clusia burlemarxii

Phytochemical investigation on Clusia burlemarxii (Clusiaceae) led to isolation and identification of nine compounds. Were isolated from leaves 3-O-α-L- rhamnopyranosylquercetin, 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylkaempferol, 4-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyldihydrofuran-2-one, 2Z-δ-tocotrienoloic acid and friedelin and were isolated from trunk betulinic acid, protocatechuic acid, lyoniresinol, and a new biphenyl 2,2-dimethyl-3,5-dihydroxy-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromane. The structures were determined by ¹H, ¹³C-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, HMQC, HRESIMS. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium cladosporioides was also determined. Extracts and compounds showed significant activity against tested Gram-positive bacteria, none activity against tested Gram-negative bacteria and fungi.

Prenylated xanthones from the bark of Garcinia xanthochymus and their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities

Garcinia xanthochymus has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for expelling worms and removing food toxins. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOAc-soluble extract of G. xanthochymus stem bark led to the isolation of six new xanthones. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D-NMR techniques. Free-radical-scavenging activities of the isolated compounds were elucidated through DPPH method. Most of the isolated compounds showed considerable free radical scavenging activity on DPPH assay. Compound 1 exhibited effective antioxidant scavenging activity against DPPH radical with an IC₅₀ value of 19.64 μM, and compound 6 showed the lowest activity among all the tested molecules, with an IC₅₀ value of 66.88 μM. These findings support the notion that the plant genus Garcinia is a good source of bioactive compounds.

Mangiferin, a naturally occurring glucoxilxanthone improves long-term object recognition memory in rats

Mangiferin (2-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone) is a xanthone widely distributed in higher plants showing antioxidative, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and analgesic effects. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of systemic administration of mangiferin on behavioral outcomes of neurological function in normal rats. A single intraperitoneal injection of mangiferin (10, 50, or 100mg/kg body weight) enhanced novel object recognition (NOR) memory when given immediately post-training. The administration of mangiferin 6h post-training did not affect NOR memory. There were no significant differences between groups in the total time exploring both objects, indicating that mangiferin did not affect locomotion or motivation. Mangiferin stimulated cell proliferation and induced a significant increase in the supernatant levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in vitro in human U138-MG glioblastoma cells. The results indicate that mangiferin enhances recognition memory through a mechanism that might involve an increase in neurotrophin and cytokine levels.

Structure elucidation and NMR spectral assignment of five new xanthones from the bark of Garcinia xanthochymus

Five new xanthones, namely Garcinexanthones A-E (1-5), were isolated from the barks of Garcinia xanthochymus. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis, primarily NMR, MS, and UV. The complete assignments of the (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR chemical shifts for the compounds were achieved by using 1D and 2D NMR techniques, including DEPT, HSQC, and HMBC NMR experiments.

Cytotoxic Prenylated Phenolic Compounds from the Twig Bark ofGarcinia xanthochymus

Three new hydroxylated xanthones with prenyl or geranyl substituents, compounds 1-3, were isolated from the twig bark of Garcinia xanthochymus, along with the four known compounds 1,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-7,8-diprenylxanthone (4), 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-4,7,8-triprenylxanthone (5), garciniaxanthone E (6), and 6-prenylapigenin (7). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR as well as HR-MS experiments. All compounds showed moderate cytotoxicities against breast cancer (MDA-MB-435S) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cell lines, but lacked antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Afzeliixanthones A and B, two new prenylated xanthones from Garcinia afzelii ENGL. (Guttiferae)

Two new prenylated xanthones, afzeliixanthones A (1) and B (2), together with three known xanthones (3-5) and two phytosterols, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, were isolated from the CH2Cl2/MeOH (1:1) extract of the stem bark of Garcinia afzelii ENGL. collected in the South West Province of Cameroon. Structures were mainly established using one and two-dimensional NMR and mass spectroscopies. The antioxidant activities of the crude extracts as well as the new compounds (1) and (2) were evaluated.

Bioactive benzophenones from Garcinia xanthochymus fruits

A MeOH extract of Garcinia xanthochymus fruits was subjected to activity-guided fractionation, yielding two new benzophenones, guttiferone H (1) and gambogenone (2). Compound 1 contains a seven-membered ring attached to the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane system at positions 7 and 8 and displayed cytotoxicity in the SW-480 colon cancer cell line (IC(50) = 12 microM). Compound 2 has a novel benzophenone bicyclo[3.3.2]decane system and displayed cytotoxicity in the SW-480 colon cancer cell line (IC(50) = 188 microM). Both 1 and 2 induced apoptosis in SW-480 colon cancer cells and displayed antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (IC(50) = 64 and 38.7 microM, respectively). The structures of 1 and 2 were established by 1D and 2D NMR data analysis. Eleven known compounds, aristophenone A, alloathyriol, amentoflavone, 3,8' '-biapigenin, cycloxanthochymol, (+/-)-fukugetin, (+/-)-fukugiside, guttiferone E, isoxanthochymol, (+/-)-volkensiflavone, and xanthochymol, were also obtained. The 11 known compounds were also tested against SW-480 colon cancer cells and in the DPPH assay.

Search for constituents with neurotrophic factor-potentiating activity from the medicinal plants of paraguay and Thailand

20 medicinal plants of Paraguay and 3 medicinal plants of Thailand were examined on nerve growth factor (NGF)-potentiating activities in PC12D cells. The trail results demonstrated that the methanol extracts of four plants, Verbena littoralis, Scoparia dulcis, Artemisia absinthium and Garcinia xanthochymus, markedly enhanced the neurite outgrowth induced by NGF from PC12D cells. Furthermore, utilizing the bioactivity-guided separation we successfully isolated 32, 4 and 5 constituents from V. littoralis, S. dulcis and G. xanthochymus, respectively, including nine iridoid and iridoid glucosides (1-9), two dihydrochalcone dimers (10 and 11), two flavonoids and three flavonoid glycosides (12-16), two sterols (17 and 18), ten triterpenoids (19-28), five xanthones (29-33), one naphthoquinone (34), one benzenepropanamide (35), four phenylethanoid glycosides (36-39) and two other compounds (40 and 41). Among which, 15 compounds (1-4, 10-11, 14-18, 29-31 and 34) were new natural products. The results of pharmacological trails verified that littoralisone (1), gelsemiol (5), 7a-hydroxysemperoside aglucone (6), verbenachalcone (10), littorachalcone (11), stigmast-5-ene 3beta,7alpha,22alpha-triol (18), ursolic acid (19), 3beta-hydroxyurs-11-en-28,13beta-olide (24), oleanolic acid (25), 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (26), 1,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy-7,8-di(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (29), 1,2,6-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthone (30), 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-4,7,8-tri(3-methyl-2-butenyl)xanthone (31), 12b-hydroxy-des-D-garcigerrin A (32), garciniaxanthone E (33) and (4R)-4,9-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-alpha-lapachone (34) elicited marked enhancement of NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12D cells. These substances may contribute to the basic study and the medicinal development for the neurodegenerative disorder.