1,1-Dimethylallylcoumarins potently suppress both lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-gamma-induced nitric oxide generation in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Oxyimperatorin attenuates LPS-induced microglial activation in vitro and in vivo via suppressing NF-κB p65 signaling

BACKGROUND

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is an important pathological feature in many neurological diseases; thus, suppressing microglial activation is considered a possible therapeutic strategy for reducing neuronal damage. Oxyimperatorin (OIMP) is a member of furanocoumarin, isolated from the medicinal herb Glehnia littoralis. However, it is unknown whether OIMP can suppress the neuroinflammation.

PURPOSE

To investigate the neuroprotective activity of oxyimperatorin (OIMP) in LPS-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo models.

METHODS

In vitro inflammation-related assays were performed with OIMP in LPS-induced BV-2 microglia. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of LPS-induced microglial activation in the mouse brain was used to validate the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of OIMP.

RESULTS

OIMP was found to suppress LPS-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo. OIMP significantly attenuated LPS-induced the production of free radicals, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in BV-2 microglia without causing cytotoxicity. In addition, OIMP could reduce the M1 pro-inflammatory transition in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia. The mechanistic study revealed that OIMP inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. However, OIMP did not affect LPS-induced IκB phosphorylation and degradation. In addition, OIMP also was able to reduce LPS-induced microglial activation in mice brain.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that OIMP suppresses microglia activation and attenuates the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines via inhibition of NF-κB p65 signaling.

The visible-light-induced acylation/cyclization of alkynoates with acyl oximes for the construction of 3-acylcoumarins

A nitrogen-centered radical-mediated carbon-carbon bond cleavage strategy is described to synthesize functionalized 3-acylcoumarins. The strategy is enabled by the visible-light-induced acylation/cyclization of alkynoates with various acyl oxime compounds in acetonitrile. The difunctionalization of carbon-carbon triple bonds precedes the generation of iminyl radicals, which is followed by the formation of acyl radicals. The acyl radicals then attack the carbon-carbon triple bonds, followed by 5-exo-trig cyclization and 1,2-ester migration. This strategy has wide substrate adaptability and good substituent tolerance.

An efficient light on–off one-pot method for the synthesis of 3-styryl coumarins from aryl alkynoates

An efficient one-pot stepwise method to synthesize 3-styryl-4-arylcoumarins from simple alkynoates is demonstrated.

Recent advances in photocatalytic C–S/P–S bond formation via the generation of sulfur centered radicals and functionalization

In this review, we have focused on the recent advances in photocatalytic C–S/P–S bond formation via the generation of thioyl/sulfonyl radicals and further functionalization.

Visible-light-driven copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cascade cyclization of N-tosylhydrazones and terminal alkynes: regioselective synthesis of 3-arylcoumarins

An intuitive visible-light-driven copper-catalyzed process can accomplish regioselective functionalized 3-arylcoumarins via oxidative annulation of simple N-tosylhydrazones with terminal alkynes under O₂ (1 atm.) at room temperature.

Genistein-Specific G6DT Gene for the Inducible Production of Wighteone in Lotus japonicus

Prenylated isoflavonoids have been found in several legume plants, and they possess various biological activities that play important roles in both plant defense and human health. However, it is still unknown whether prenylated isoflavonoids are present in the model legume plant Lotus japonicus. In the present study, we found that the prenylated isoflavonoid wighteone was produced in L. japonicus when leaf was supplemented with genistein. Furthermore, a novel prenyltransferase gene, LjG6DT, was identified, which shared high similarity with and was closely related to several known prenyltransferase genes involved in isoflavonoid biosynthesis. The recombinant LjG6DT protein expressed in yeast exhibited prenylation activity toward genistein as an exclusive substrate, which produced wighteone, a prenylated genistein at the C-6 position that occurs normally in legume plants. The LjG6DT-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein is targeted to plastids. The transcript level of LjG6DT is induced by glutathione, methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid, implying that LjG6DT is involved in stress response. Overexpression of LjG6DT in L. japonicus hairy roots led to increased accumulation of wighteone when genistein was supplied, indicating that LjG6DT is functional in vivo. Feeding assays with the upstream intermediate naringenin revealed that accumulation of wighteone in L. japonicus was dependent on genistein supplementation, and accumulation of wighteone is competed by genistein methylation. This study demonstrated that phytoalexin wighteone is inducibly produced in L. japonicus, and it provides new insight into the biosynthesis and accumulation of prenylated isoflavonoids in legume plants.

Visible-light-promoted radical acylation/cyclization of alkynoates with aldehydes for the synthesis of 3-acylcoumarins

A new, efficient, and atom-economic visible-light-promoted radical acylation/cyclization of alkynoates with aldehydes was developed for the synthesis of 3-acylcoumarins.

Synthesis of Novel Fatty Substituted 4-methyl-2HChromen-2-one via Cross Metathesis: Potential Antioxidants and Chemotherapeutic Agents

A series of novel fatty substituted 4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one (coumarins) were synthesized by employing cross metathesis, a key step in the synthesis. The antioxidant activities of the title compounds were compared with the commercial antioxidants, namely butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol, glycosidic and other substituted 4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones. Among the different 4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones, the glycosidic substituted 4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones was excellent, while those with aliphatic fatty acid chain and hydroxyl substitutents were good. Among the substituted 4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones, glycosidic, hydroxyl and cyano containing 4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones exhibited good, while fatty substituted exhibited moderate anticancer activities against the four different cancer cell lines tested, namely DU145 (Prostate carcinoma cancer cell), HepG2 (Hepato cellular carcinoma cancer cell), SKOV3 (Ovarian cancer cell) and MDA-MB 231 (Human breast cancer cell). The study reveals that these substituted coumarins can be potential candidates in a number of food and pharmaceutical formulations.

The detection for hypochlorite by UV-Vis and fluorescent spectra based on oxidized ring opening and successive hydrolysis reaction

In this work, two high selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for ClO(-), 7-Hydroxycoumarin and 4-Hydroxycoumarin were designed. The reaction mechanism that we speculated was the oxidized ring opening reaction and hydrolysis. The detection could be realized in quasi-aqueous phase and the detection limits of probe [7] and probe [4] for ClO(-) were found to be 56.8nM and 70.5nM. Furthermore, the probes can be used to cell imagings.

Rhodium-catalysed direct C–H allylation of N-sulfonyl ketimines with allyl carbonates

Synthetically useful N-sulfonyl ketimines were efficiently allylated with various allyl carbonates through rhodium catalysis.

Visible-light initiated oxidative cyclization of phenyl propiolates with sulfinic acids to coumarin derivatives under metal-free conditions

A visible-light initiated oxidative cyclization of phenyl propiolates with sulfinic acids has been developed at room temperature under metal-free conditions.

Rapid identification of coumarins from Micromelum falcatum by UPLC-HRMS/MS and targeted isolation of three new derivatives

Micromelum falcatum, a medicinal plant of the Rutaceae family, has been used in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) mainly against colds and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite its traditional use the association of its constituents with possible anti-inflammatory activity has not been explored. During this study, a rapid UPLC-ESI(+)-HRMS method was developed for the profiling of M. falcatum leave extracts and the targeted isolation of coumarin constituents. Based on chromatographic, spectroscopic and spectrometric features several 7-oxygenated coumarin derivatives were detected. After targeted isolation, eight coumarins, among them three new natural products, namely microfalcrin, microcoumaririn and micromelosidester, were purified using semi-preparative HPLC and unambiguously identified by 1 and 2D NMR. Furthermore, important spectrometric characteristics were revealed based on the HRMS and HRMS/MS spectra of the isolated 7-oxygenated coumarins facilitating their identification in complex mixtures. Finally, the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts and representative compounds were evaluated by measuring the inhibition of the pro-inflammatory mediator NF-κB induction and nitric oxide (NO) production.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel formyl-pyrazoles bearing coumarin moiety as potent antimicrobial and antioxidant agents

A series of coumarin appended formyl-pyrazoles 14-18 were synthesized by a simple and accessible approach. The reaction of 8-acetyl-4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin 3 and phenyl hydrazine hydrochlorides 4-8 produces the intermediate compounds 8-acetyl-4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin hydrazones 9-13. The reaction of compounds 9-13 and DMF in the presence of POCl3 yielded formyl-pyrazoles bearing coumarin moiety 14-18 in good yield. The synthesized new compounds 14-18 and the intermediates 8-acetyl-4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin hydrazones 9-13 prepared were screened in vitro for their antibacterial, antifungal antioxidant activities. The compounds 12 and 17 having chloro substitution exhibited promising antifungal and antibacterial activity against the different organisms tested. The compound 17 showed remarkable DPPH radical scavenging ability.

Regiospecificities and prenylation mode specificities of the fungal indole diterpene prenyltransferases AtmD and PaxD

We recently reported the function of paxD, which is involved in the paxilline (compound 1) biosynthetic gene cluster in Penicillium paxilli. Recombinant PaxD catalyzed a stepwise regular-type diprenylation at the 21 and 22 positions of compound 1 with dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) as the prenyl donor. In this study, atmD, which is located in the aflatrem (compound 2) biosynthetic gene cluster in Aspergillus flavus and encodes an enzyme with 32% amino acid identity to PaxD, was characterized using recombinant enzyme. When compound 1 and DMAPP were used as substrates, two major products and a trace of minor product were formed. The structures of the two major products were determined to be reversely monoprenylated compound 1 at either the 20 or 21 position. Because compound 2 and β-aflatrem (compound 3), both of which are compound 1-related compounds produced by A. flavus, have the same prenyl moiety at the 20 and 21 position, respectively, AtmD should catalyze the prenylation in compound 2 and 3 biosynthesis. More importantly and surprisingly, AtmD accepted paspaline (compound 4), which is an intermediate of compound 1 biosynthesis that has a structure similar to that of compound 1, and catalyzed a regular monoprenylation of compound 4 at either the 21 or 22 position, though the reverse prenylation was observed with compound 1. This suggests that fungal indole diterpene prenyltransferases have the potential to alter their position and regular/reverse specificities for prenylation and could be applicable for the synthesis of industrially useful compounds.

TRAF6 is functional in inhibition of TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation by resveratrol

Resveratrol was suggested to inhibit Toll-like receptor (TLR)4-mediated activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF)-(TANK)-binding kinase 1, but the myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88-tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) pathway is not involved in this effect. However, involvement of TRAF6 in this process is still elusive since cross talk between TRIF and TRAF6 has been reported in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced signaling. Using RAW 264.7 macrophages, we determined the effect of resveratrol on LPS-induced TRAF6 expression, ubiquitination as well as activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and Akt in order to elucidate its involvement in TLR4 signaling. LPS-induced transient elevation in TRAF6 mRNA and protein expressions is suppressed by resveratrol. LPS induces the ubiquitination of TRAF6, which has been reported to be essential for Akt activation and for transforming growth factor-β activated kinase-1-NAP kinase kinase 6 (MKK6)-mediated p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. We found that resveratrol diminishes the effect of LPS on TRAF6 ubiquitination and activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinases, while it has no effect on the activation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. The effect of resveratrol on MAP kinase inhibition is significant since TRAF6 activation was reported to induce activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinase while not affecting ERK1/2. Moreover, Akt was identified previously as a direct target of TRAF6, and we found that, similarly to MAPKs, phosphorylation pattern of Akt followed the activation of TRAF6, and it was inhibited by resveratrol at all time points. Here, we provide the first evidence that resveratrol, by suppressing LPS-induced TRAF6 expression and ubiquitination, attenuates the LPS-induced TLR4-TRAF6, MAP kinase and Akt pathways that can be significant in its anti-inflammatory effects.

Molecular characterization of a membrane-bound prenyltransferase specific for isoflavone from Sophora flavescens

Prenylated isoflavones are secondary metabolites that are mainly distributed in legume plants. They often possess divergent biological activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-oxidant activities and thus attract much attention in food, medicinal, and agricultural research fields. Prenyltransferase is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prenylated flavonoids by catalyzing a rate-limiting step, i.e. the coupling process of two major metabolic pathways, the isoprenoid pathway and shikimate/polyketide pathway. However, so far only two genes have been isolated as prenyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of prenylated flavonoids, namely naringenin 8-dimethylallyltransferase from Sophora flavescens (SfN8DT-1) specific for some limited flavanones and glycinol 4-dimethylallyltransferase from Glycine max (G4DT), specific for pterocarpan substrate. We have in this study isolated two novel genes coding for membrane-bound flavonoid prenyltransferases from S. flavescens, an isoflavone-specific prenyltransferase (SfG6DT) responsible for the prenylation of the genistein at the 6-position and a chalcone-specific prenyltransferase designated as isoliquiritigenin dimethylallyltransferase (SfiLDT). These prenyltransferases were enzymatically characterized using a yeast expression system. Analysis on the substrate specificity of chimeric enzymes between SfN8DT-1 and SfG6DT suggested that the determinant region for the specificity of the flavonoids was the domain neighboring the fifth transmembrane α-helix of the prenyltransferases.

Production of prenylated flavonoids in tomato fruits expressing a prenyltransferase gene from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

Flavonoids are natural compounds found in many plants, including the important fruit crop, tomato. Prenylated flavonoids consist of a large group of compounds, which often exhibit antitumour, antibacterial and/or anti-androgen activities. In this study, we engineered the biosynthesis of prenylated flavonoids using a Streptomyces prenyltransferase HypSc (SCO7190) possessing broad-range substrate specificity, in tomato as a host plant. LC/MS/MS analysis demonstrated the generation of 3'-dimethylallyl naringenin in tomato fruits when recombinant HypSc protein was targeted to the plastids, whereas the recombinant protein hardly produced this compound in vitro. This is the first report confirming the accumulation of a prenylated flavonoid using a bacterial prenyltransferase in transgenic plants, and our results suggest that the product specificities of prenyltransferases can be significantly influenced by the host plant.