Polyoxygenated Cyclohexenes from Uvaria grandiflora with Multi-Enzyme Targeting Properties Relevant in Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

Phytochemical analysis, identification of bioactive compounds using GC-MS, in vitro and in silico hypoglycemic potential, in vitro antioxidant potential, and in silico ADME analysis of Chlorophytum comosum root and leaf

Chlorophytum comosum is a plant with medicinal potential traditionally used to treat different diseases. The present study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds, hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential of C. comosum root and leaf. The ethyl acetate extracts of C. comosum root and leaf were analyzed by GC-MS to determine the bioactive compounds. The hypoglycemic potential of the extracts was evaluated by α-amylase, α-glucosidase, glucose diffusion inhibitory assays, and glucose adsorption assay. The ethyl acetate extract of C. comosum root inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and glucose diffusion in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 205.39 ± 0.15, 179.34 ± 0.3 and 535.248 μg/mL, respectively, and the leaf extract inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes with IC50 values of 547.99 ± 0.09, and 198.18 ± 0.25 μg/mL respectively. C. comosum root and leaf extracts also improved glucose adsorption. Heptadecanoic acid and dodecanoic acid were identified as potential compounds with hypoglycemic properties through molecular docking. The extracts were also assessed for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. C. comosum root and leaf extracts were also able to scavenge DPPH radicals with IC50 values of 108.37 ± 0.06 and 181.79 ± 0.09 µM and ABTS radicals with IC50 values of 126.24 ± 0.13 and 264.409 ± 0.08 µM, respectively. The root and leaf extracts also reduced the ferricyanide complex to ferrocyanide with higher reducing powers of 2.24 ± 0.02 and 1.65 ± 0.03, respectively. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract of C. comosum root has significant antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential compared to the leaf extract. Thus, it can also be studied to isolate the potential compounds with antihyperglycemic activities.

Phytochemical Profiling and Assessment of Antidiabetic Activity of Curcuma Angustifolia Rhizome Methanolic Extract: An In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. is a plant with medicinal potential, traditionally used to treat different diseases. The present study aimed to determine the antidiabetic activity of C. angustifolia rhizome in vitro and in silico. The methanolic extract of C. angustifolia rhizome was analyzed by FTIR and GC-MS to determine the phytochemicals present. The antidiabetic potential of the extract was evaluated by different assays in vitro. The extract inhibited both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes and the glucose diffusion through the dialysis membrane in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 530.39±0.09, 293.75±0.11, and 551.74±0.3 μg/ml respectively. The methanolic extract also improved yeast cell's ability to take up glucose across plasma membranes and the adsorption of glucose. The findings were supported by molecular docking studies. The results showed that the methanol extract of C. angustifolia rhizome has significant antidiabetic activity and thus can be also studied to isolate the potential compound with antidiabetic activities.

Anti-diabetic compounds from Uvaria dulcis Dunal

Medicinal plants have long been a source of lead compounds for drug discovery. Among these, the Annonaceae family has gained recognition for its potential to yield novel compounds, particularly those that can be used in the development of drugs targeting chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus (DM). We employed various chromatographic methods to isolate bioactive compounds from the roots, leaves, and twigs of Uvaria dulcis Dunal. We used spectroscopic methods to determine the chemical structures of these compounds. We successfully identified twelve known compounds from various parts of U. dulcis: patchoulenon, polygochalcone, 2'3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxydihydrochalcone, 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone, chrysin, techochrysin, 8-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavanone, pinocembrin, 3-farnesylindole, onysilin, cinchonain la, and cinchonain lb. Interestingly, cinchonain la and cinchonain lb exhibited more potent anti-α-glucosidase activity than acarbose (standard drug), with IC50 values of 11.88 ± 1.41 μg/mL and 15.18 ± 1.19 μg/mL, respectively. Cinchonain la inhibited the DPP-IV enzyme, with IC50 value lower than the standard compound (diprotin A) at 81.78 ± 1.42 μg/mL. While 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone show more potent inhibitory effect than standard drug with IC50 value of 8.62 ± 1.19 μg/mL. Additionally, at a concentration of 10 μg/mL, cinchonain lb and 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone promoted glucose uptake in L6 myotubes cells to the same extent as 100 nM insulin. These findings suggest that cinchonain la, cinchonain lb, and 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone are the U. dulcis-derived bioactive compounds that hold promise as potential structures to use in the development of anti-diabetic drugs.

Cyclohexene oxide CA, a derivative of zeylenone, exhibits anti-cancer activity in glioblastoma by inducing G0/G1 phase arrest through interference with EZH2

Introduction: Due to its highly aggressiveness and malignancy, glioblastoma (GBM) urgently requires a safe and effective treatment strategy. Zeylenone, a natural polyoxygenated cyclohexenes compound isolated from Uvaria grandiflora, has exhibited potential biological activities in various human diseases, including tumors. Methods: We designed and synthesized a series of (+)-Zeylenone analogues and evaluated their anti-GBM roles through structural-activity analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8, TUNEL, transwell and flow cytometry were employed for investigating the anticancer effects of CA on GBM cells. Western blotting, molecular docking, qRT-PCR and ChIP assays were performed to reveal the underlying mechanisms by which CA regulates the GBM cell cycle. The nude mouse xenograft model, HE staining, immunohistochemistry and was used to evaluate the anticancer effect of CA in vivo. Results: We identified CA ((1R, 2R, 3S)-3-p-fluorobenzoyl-zeylenone) as having the lowest IC50 value in GBM cells. CA treatment significantly inhibited the malignant behaviors of GBM cells and induced G0/G1 phase arrest in vitro. Furthermore, we validated the molecular mechanism by which CA interferes with EZH2, attenuating the down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27 and p16 by the PRC2 complex. By establishing orthotopic nude mice models, we further validated the inhibitory role of CA on tumorigenesis of GBM cells in vivo and its potential values to synergistically potentiate the anti-tumor effects of EZH2 inhibitors. Conclusion: Overall, this paper elucidated the anti-GBM effects and potential mechanisms of CA, and may provide a therapeutic drug candidate for GBM treatment.

Anti-inflammatory polyoxygenated cyclohexene derivatives from Uvaria macclurei

Two undescribed polyoxygenated seco-cyclohexene derivatives named macclureins A and B, and three undescribed polyoxygenated cyclohexene derivatives macclureins C-E, together with 15 known analogues were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Uvaria macclurei. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic and circular dichroism analyses. Macclurein C is a chlorinated polyoxygenated cyclohexene. All isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities on NO generation in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. (-)-Zeylenone showed the most potent effect against NO production with the IC50 value of 20.18 μM. Meanwhile, (-)-zeylenone also decreased the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors IFN-γ, iNOS, IL-6 and TNF-α via downregulating NF-κB signaling pathway. Further in vivo experiments using a mouse model of sepsis showed that (-)-zeylenone significantly alleviated sepsis severity by measuring weight, murine sepsis score, survival rate and the serum levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6.