Antinociceptive properties of physalins from Physalis angulata

Withaperuvin O, a new withanolide from Physalis peruviana L

Physalis peruviana L. (Solanaceae) has been used in tropical and subtropical countries of the world as medicinal and fruit trees. In this study, a new withanolide named withaperuvin O (1) and seven known ones, including physalolactone B-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), withanolide J (3), physapruin A (4), physaperuvin G (5), withaperuvin (6), withaperuvin C (7) and 28-hydroxywithaperuvin C (8), were isolated from the whole plants of P. peruviana. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses including NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The bioactivities of these compounds against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells and cytotoxicity against HepG2 were tested. Compound 3 showed strong anti-inflammatory activities with IC50 3.55 ± 0.12 µM (compared to positive control L-NMMA 7.72 ± 0.46 µM). Compounds 3 and 4 inhibited HepG2 cell line with the IC50 values of 2.01 ± 0.12 µM, 0.96 ± 0.05 µM, respectively (Ellipticine, 0.32 ± 0.02 µM). Our study indicated that compounds 3 and 4 could be new potential natural products for the development of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents.

Identification of P450 Candidates Associated with the Biosynthesis of Physalin-Class Compounds in Physalis angulata

The Physalis genus has long been used as traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases. Physalins, the characteristic class of compounds in this genus, are major bioactive constituents. To date, the biogenesis of physalins remains largely unknown, except for the recently established knowledge that 24-methyldesmosterol is a precursor of physalin. To identify the genes encoding P450s that are putatively involved in converting 24-methyldesmosterol to physalins, a total of 306 P450-encoding unigenes were retrieved from our recently constructed P. angulata transcriptome. Extensive phylogenetic analysis proposed 21 P450s that might participate in physalin biosynthesis. To validate the candidates, we developed a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system for P. angulata, and four P450 candidates were selected for the VIGS experiments. The reduction in the transcripts of the four P450 candidates by VIGS all led to decreased levels of physalin-class compounds in the P. angulata leaves. Thus, this study provides a number of P450 candidates that are likely associated with the biosynthesis of physalin-class compounds, forming a strong basis to reveal the unknown physalin biosynthetic pathway in the future.

Plant and fungi derived analgesic natural products targeting voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels

Voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels (VGSCs and VGCCs) play an important role in the modulation of physiologically relevant processes in excitable cells that range from action potential generation to neurotransmission. Once their expression and/or function is altered in disease, specific pharmacological approaches become necessary to mitigate the negative consequences of such dysregulation. Several classes of small molecules have been developed with demonstrated effectiveness on VGSCs and VGCCs; however, off-target effects have also been described, limiting their use and spurring efforts to find more specific and safer molecules to target these channels. There are a great number of plants and herbal preparations that have been empirically used for the treatment of diseases in which VGSCs and VGCCs are involved. Some of these natural products have progressed to clinical trials, while others are under investigation for their action mechanisms on signaling pathways, including channels. In this review, we synthesize information from ~30 compounds derived from natural sources like plants and fungi and delineate their effects on VGSCs and VGCCs in human disease, particularly pain. [Figure: see text].

4,7-Didehydro-neophysalin B Protects Rat Lung Epithelial Cells against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage through Nrf2-Mediated Signaling Pathway

The administration of 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B is expected to be a promising strategy for mitigating oxidative stress in respiratory diseases. This study was aimed at investigating the efficacy of 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B for apoptosis resistance of rat lung epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) to oxidative stress and evaluating its underlying mechanism of action. The RLE-6TN cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were divided into five groups, and 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B was administered into it. To evaluate its mechanism of action, the expression of oxidative stress and apoptotic proteins was investigated. 4,7-Didehydro-neophysalin B significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced RLE-6TN cell damage. It also activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway which was evident from the increased transcription of antioxidant responsive of KLF9, NQO1, Keap-1, and HO-1. Nrf2 was found to be a potential target of 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B. The protein levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were increased while Bax and p53 were decreased significantly. Flow cytometry showed that 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B protected RLE-6TN cells from apoptosis and has improved the oxidative damage. This study provided a promising evidence that 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B can be a therapeutic option for oxidative stress in respiratory diseases.

Therapeutic Applications of Physalins: Powerful Natural Weapons

Physalins, or 16,24-cyclo-13,14-seco steroids, are compounds belonging to the class of withanolides that can be found in plants of Solanaceae family, mainly in species belonging to the genus Physalis spp., which are annual herbaceous plants widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Physalins are versatile molecules that act in several cell signaling pathways and activate different mechanisms of cell death or immunomodulation. A number of studies have shown a variety of actions of these compounds, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, and antiviral activities. Here we reviewed the main findings related to the anticancer, immunomodulatory, and antiparasitic activities of physalins and its mechanisms of action, highlighting the \challenges and future directions in the pharmacological application of physalins.

Naturally occurring physalins from the genus Physalis: A review

Physalins, including physalins and neophysalins, are a class of highly oxygenated ergostane-type steroids. They are commonly known by the name of 16,24-cyclo-13,14-seco steroids, in which the disconnection of C-13 and C-14 produces an eight or nine-membered ring and the carbocyclization of C-16 and C-24 generates a new six-membered ring. Meanwhile, the oxidation of C-18 methyl to carboxyl group forms a 18,20-lactone, and the oxidation of C-14 and C-17 gets a heterocyclic oxygen acrossing rings C and D. Additionly, physalins frequently form an oxygen bridge to connect C-14 to C-27. Physalins are a kind of characteristic constituents from the species of the genus Physalis (Solanaceae), which are reported with a wide array of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, antimicrobial, trypanocidal and leishmanicidal, antinociceptive, antidiabetic and some other activities. Herein,the research progress of physalins from the genus Physalis during the decade from 1970 to 2021 on phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and application in China are systematically presented and discussed for the first time.

Physalin pool from Physalis angulata L. leaves and physalin D inhibit P2X7 receptor function in vitro and acute lung injury in vivo

P2X7 receptor promotes inflammatory response and neuropathic pain. New drugs capable of impairing inflammation and pain-reducing adverse effects extracted from plant extracts have been studied. Physalis angulate L. possesses traditional uses and exhibits antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, antimalarial, antileishmanial, immunosuppressive, antiasthmatic. diuretic, and antitumor activities. The most representative phytochemical constituents identified with medicinal importance are the physalins and withanolides. However, the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action is scarce. Although some physalins and withanolides subtypes have anti-inflammatory activity, only four physalins subtypes (B, D, F, and G) have further studies. Therefore, we evaluated the crude ethanolic extract enriched with physalins B, D, F, and G from P. angulata leaves, a pool containing the physalins B, D, F, G, and the physalins individually, as P2X7 receptor antagonists. For this purpose, we evaluated ATP-induced dye uptake, macroscopic currents, and interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) in vitro. The crude extract and pool dose-dependently inhibited P2X7 receptor function. Thus, physalin B, D, F, and G individually evaluated for 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced dye uptake assay, whole-cell patch-clamp, and cytokine release showed distinct antagonist levels. Physalin D displayed higher potency and efficacy than physalin B, F, and G for all these parameters. In vivo mice model as ATP-induced paw edema was potently inhibited for physalin D, in contrast to physalin B, F, and G. ATP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pleurisy in mice were reversed for physalin D treatment. Molecular modeling and computational simulation predicted the intermolecular interactions between the P2X7 receptor and physalin derivatives. In silico results indicated physalin D and F as a potent allosteric P2X7 receptor antagonist. These data confirm physalin D as a promisor source for developing a new P2X7 receptor antagonist with anti-inflammatory action.

Anti-inflammatory effects of three withanolides isolated from Physalis angulata L. in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells through blocking NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Physalis angulata L. is commonly used in many countries as popular medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases such as malaria, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism. But the anti-inflammatory active constituents of this medicinal plant and their molecular mechanism are still not elucidated clearly.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to isolate and identify a series of compounds from the ethanolic extract of Physalis angulata L., and to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and the molecular mechanism of physagulin A, physagulin C, and physagulin H.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to further understand the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the three compounds, their potential anti-inflammatory activities were investigated in vitro in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by Griess assay, ELISA, Western blot and immunofluorescence methods in the present study.

RESULTS

Physagulin A, physagulin C, and physagulin H could not only inhibit the release of NO, PGE₂, IL-6 and TNF-α, but also could down-regulate the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. Furthermore, physagulin A, physagulin C, and physagulin H could remarkably block the degradation of IκB-α and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. However, none of them could inhibit the phosphorylation of MAPKs family proteins ERK, JNK and p38. Thus, the anti-inflammatory actions of physagulin A, physagulin C, and physagulin H were mainly due to the significant inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway rather than MAPKs signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

All the results clearly showed that physagulin A, physagulin C, and physagulin H demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity and can be used as novel NF-κB inhibitors. They are potential to be developed as an alternative or complementary agents for inflammatory diseases.

Bioactive compounds from Physalis angulata and their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities

A new compound, physalucoside A (1), together with seven withanolides (2-8) and three flavonoids (9-11), were isolated from Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae), a medicinal plant native to Vietnam. The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectra, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analyses, and chemical reactivity. The anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of isolated compounds were also evaluated. These data suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of P. angulata is due primarily to its withanolide content. This study demonstrates the potential of withanolides as promising candidates for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.

Physalis angulata reduces the progression of chronic experimental periodontitis by immunomodulatory mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Physalis angulata is an herb found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world; it is widely applied in popular medicine due to the therapeutic properties of the whole plant and its parts. Extracts and infusions of this plant have been extensively applied in folk medicine worldwide to treat inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including oral inflammatory conditions such as sore throat and gingivitis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of the ethanolic extract of P. angulata (EEPA) in a murine model of chronic periodontitis, aiming to corroborate its traditional use as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent, and to point out possible mechanisms involved in these effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

EEPA was obtained from the stems of P. angulata collected in Belém (PA, Brazil). Chronic periodontitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by 12 administrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 20 μg/1μL) into the gingival papilla in the course of 28 days. Starting from the 15^th day after the first LPS injection, mice were daily treated with EEPA (50 or 100 mg/kg), nimesulide (25 mg/kg, reference drug), or vehicle by oral route for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, alveolar bone loss was evaluated along with the gingival expression of biomarkers of periodontitis and cytokines by RT-q-PCR and ELISA. Hematological and biochemical parameters suggestive of systemic toxicity were also evaluated. The transcriptional activity of NF-κB was investigated using the luciferase assay in macrophages.

RESULTS

Mice with chronic experimental periodontitis suffered alveolar bone loss that was prevented by the treatment with EEPA (50 or 100 mg/kg) or nimesulide (25 mg/kg). EEPA (50 and 100 mg/kg) and nimesulide (25 mg/kg) reduced mRNA levels of MMP-9 mRNA, but not of TIMP-1 in gingival tissue of periodontitis-induced mice. Both treatments also reduced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6. The treatment with EEPA (100 mg/kg) increased the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β. No hematological or biochemical alterations were caused by the daily treatment with EEPA. In vitro luciferase assay suggested that a putative mechanism of EEPA is reducing the transcriptional activity of NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

EEPA exhibited a disease-modifying effect in the chronic experimental periodontitis, along with unidentifiable systemic toxicity. This work corroborates the traditional use of P. angulata in oral inflammatory conditions and provides mechanistic hypotheses to explain its therapeutic effects.

Cytotoxic Physalins from Aeroponically Grown Physalis acutifolia

Aeroponically grown Physalis acutifolia afforded five new and six known withanolides including 10 physalins. The structures of the new withanolides, acutifolactone (1), 5β,6β-epoxyphysalin C (2), 5α-chloro-6β-hydroxyphysalin C (3), and an inseparable mixture of 5β,6β-epoxy-2,3-dihydrophysalin F-3β-O-sulfate (4) and 5β,6β-epoxy-2,3-dihydrophysalin C-3β-O-sulfate (5), were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data and chemical interconversions. The known withanolides were identified as physalins B (6), D (7), F (8), H (9), I (10), and U (11) by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported. Evaluation of 1-11 and the derivatives, 13 and 13a, obtained from 4 and 5 against a panel of four human cancer cell lines [NCI-H460 (non-small-cell lung), SF-268 (CNS glioma), PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma), and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma)] and normal human lung fibroblast (WI-38) cells revealed that physalins 2, 3, 8, and 9 exhibited selective cytotoxic activity to at least one of the cancer cell lines tested compared to the normal cells and that 7, 10, and 11 were inactive up to a concentration of 10.0 μM. These data provided some preliminary structure-activity relationships and suggested that the mechanism of cytotoxic activity of physalins may differ from other classes of withanolides.

Physalin D attenuates hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by blocking TGF-β/Smad and YAP signaling

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis is considered integral to the progression of chronic liver diseases, as it leads to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the dominant event in hepatic fibrogenesis. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathways play a pivotal role in HSC activation, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis progression. Therefore, targeting the TGF-β/Smad and YAP signaling pathways is a promising strategy for antifibrotic therapy.

PURPOSE

The present study investigated the protective effects of Physalin D (PD), a withanolide isolated from Physalis species (Solanaceae), against liver fibrosis and further elucidated the mechanisms involved in vitro and in vivo.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS

We conducted a series of experiments using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)- and bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced fibrotic mice and cultured LX-2 cells. Serum markers of liver injury, and the morphology, histology and fibrosis of liver tissue were investigated. Western blot assays and quantitative real-time PCR were used to investigate the mechanisms underlying the antifibrotic effects of PD.

RESULT

PD decreased TGF-β1-induced COL1A1 promoter activity. PD inhibited TGF-β1-induced expression of Collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells. PD significantly ameliorated hepatic injury, including transaminase activities, histology, collagen deposition and α-SMA, in CCl₄- or BDL-induced mice. Moreover, PD markedly decreased the expression of phosphorylated Smad2/3 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PD significantly decreased YAP protein levels, and YAP knockdown did not further enhance the effects of PD, namely α-SMA inhibition, Collagen I expression and YAP target gene expression in LX-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results clearly show that PD ameliorated experimental liver fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad and YAP signaling pathways, indicating that PD has the potential to effectively treat liver fibrosis.

Bioactive Compounds from the Aerial Parts of Evolvulus linarioides

Three new caryophyllane-type sesquiterpenoids, linariophyllenes A-C (1-3), two new hamamelitol derivatives, linaritols A (4) and B (5), two new chromones, linariosides A (6) and B (7), and three known chromones, cnidimol C (8), monnieriside A (9), and undulatoside A (10), were identified from the aerial parts of Evolvulus linarioides. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by NMR, MS, and IR data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-5 and 7 were established via electronic circular dichroism data. The anti-inflammatory potential of compounds 1-5 and 7-10 was evaluated by determining their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β by stimulated J774 macrophages. Compounds tested at noncytotoxic concentrations inhibited NO production by macrophages, exhibiting IC₅₀ values between 17.8 and 66.2 μM, and inhibited IL-1β production by stimulated macrophages by 72.7-96.2%.

Reversal of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain by the Small-Molecule Natural Product Physalin F via Block of CaV2.3 (R-Type) and CaV2.2 (N-Type) Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

No universally efficacious therapy exists for chronic pain, a disease affecting one-fifth of the global population. An overreliance on the prescription of opioids for chronic pain despite their poor ability to improve function has led to a national opioid crisis. In 2018, the NIH launched a Helping to End Addiction Long-term plan to spur discovery and validation of novel targets and mechanisms to develop alternative nonaddictive treatment options. Phytochemicals with medicinal properties have long been used for various treatments worldwide. The natural product physalin F, isolated from the Physalis acutifolia (family: Solanaceae) herb, demonstrated antinociceptive effects in models of inflammatory pain, consistent with earlier reports of its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. However, the target of action of physalin F remained unknown. Here, using whole-cell and slice electrophysiology, competition binding assays, and experimental models of neuropathic pain, we uncovered a molecular target for physalin F's antinociceptive actions. We found that physalin F (i) blocks CaV2.3 (R-type) and CaV2.2 (N-type) voltage-gated calcium channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, (ii) does not affect CaV3 (T-type) voltage-gated calcium channels or voltage-gated sodium or potassium channels, (iii) does not bind G-protein coupled opioid receptors, (iv) inhibits the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in spinal cord slices, and (v) reverses tactile hypersensitivity in models of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and spinal nerve ligation. Identifying CaV2.2 as a molecular target of physalin F may spur its use as a tool for mechanistic studies and position it as a structural template for future synthetic compounds.

Transcriptome-wide identification of microRNAs and functional insights inferred from microRNA-target pairs in Physalis angulata L

Physalis angulata L., a member of the family Solanaceae, is widely used as the folk medicine in various countries. Continuous research efforts are devoted to the discovery of the effective medicinal ingredients from Physalis angulata. However, due to the limited resources of genome and transcriptome sequencing data, only a few studies have been performed at the gene regulatory level. In this study, the transcriptomes of five organs (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits) of Physalis angulata were reported. Based on the transcriptome assembly containing 196,117 unique transcripts, a total of 17,556 SSRs (simple sequence repeats) were identified, which could be useful RNA-based barcoding for discrimination of the plants closely relative to Physalis angulata. Additionally, 24 transcripts were discovered to be the potential microRNA (miRNA) precursors which encode a total of 31 distinct mature miRNAs. Some of these precursors showed organ-specific expression patterns. Target prediction revealed 116 miRNA-target pairs, involving 31 miRNAs and 83 target transcripts in Physalis angulata. Taken together, our results could serve as the data resource for in-depth studies on the molecular regulatory mechanisms related to the production of medicinal ingredients in Physalis angulata.

Physalin D regulates macrophage M1/M2 polarization via the STAT1/6 pathway

The in vitro and in vivo effects of physalin D on macrophage M1/M2 polarization were investigated. In silico analysis was first performed for biological function prediction of different physalins. The results suggest physalins have similar predicted biological functions due to their similarities in chemical structures. The cytotoxicity of physalins was then analyzed based on cell apoptosis rate and cell viability evaluation. Physalin D was chosen for further study due to its minimal cytotoxicity. Bone marrow macrophages were isolated and induced with lipopolysaccharide/interferon (IFN)-γ for M1 polarization and interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 for M2 polarization. The results showed that physalin D can repolarize M1 phenotype cells toward M2 phenotype. In addition, physalin D is protective in M2 macrophages to maintain the M2 phenotype in the presence of IFN-γ. On the molecular level, we found that physalin D suppressed the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)1 activation and blocked STAT1 nuclear translocation. Conversely, physalin D can also activate STAT6 and enhance STAT6 nuclear translocation for M2 polarization. Taken together, these results suggested that physalin D regulates macrophage M1/M2 polarization via the STAT1/6 pathway.

Withapubesides A-D: natural inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitors from Physalis pubescens

Four new steroid glycosides, withapubesides A-D (1-4), were isolated from the stems of Physalis pubescens L. Their structures were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were deduced by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD data analysis, respectively. Compound 3 has shown significant inhibitory activity against LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages with an IC₅₀ value of 12.8 μM and moderate cytostatic activity against human carcinoma cells (786-O, C4-2B, 22Rvl, A375 and A375S2) with IC₅₀ values in the range of 3.05-9.47 μM. Molecular docking simulation demonstrated that 3 is bound in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) active site heme pocket very well, which suggests that 3 might be a candidate for the development of iNOS inhibitors.

Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of Ground Cherry (Physalis angulata L.) standardized CO2 phytopharmaceutical preparation

AIM

To investigate the effects of Ground Cherry (Physalis angulata L.) standardized supercritical CO₂ extract in trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) model of rat intestinal inflammation.

METHODS

The animals were divided into groups that received vehicle or P. angulata extract (PACO₂) orally at the doses 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg daily by 5 d before TNBS damage. Protective effects of PACO₂ were assessed by macroscopic analysis, biochemical determinations of the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutathione and cytokines (such as INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α), gene expression evaluation (including Hsp70, heparanase, NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinases (Mapk) 1, 3, 6 and 9, and the mucins genes Muc 1, 2, 3 and 4) and histopathological studies using optical, and electronic (transmission and scanning) microscopy.

RESULTS

PACO₂ extract promoted a significant reduction in MPO and ALP activities, reducing oxidative stress and neutrophil infiltration. These effects were accompanied by significant reduction of colonic levels of IFN-γ and IL-6 and down-regulation of heparanase, Hsp70, Mapk3, Mapk9, Muc1 and Muc2 genes expression when compared with TNBS-control animals. In addition, protective effects were also evidenced by reduced neutrophil infiltration, recovery of cell architecture and replacement of mucin by histopathological and ultrastructural analysis.

CONCLUSION

Physalis angulata supercritical CO₂ extract is an intestinal anti-inflammatory product that modulates oxidative stress, immune response and expression of inflammatory mediators, with potentially utility for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Physalins V-IX, 16,24-cyclo-13,14-seco withanolides from Physalis angulata and their antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities

Five new physalins, including a novel 1,10-seco one, physalin V (1), a tricarboxylic acid cycle one, physalin VIII (5), a rare 11,15-cyclo one, physalin IX (6), and two new ones, physalins VI (2) and VII (4) were isolated from stems and leaves of Physalis angulata together with eleven known analogues (3 and 7–16). Their structures were established by MS, IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopic analysis, together with the X-ray diffraction analysis of neophysalin, physalin P (12), and the structure of physalin D₁ (3) has been revised here. These isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against human cancer cells (C4-2B, 22Rv1, 786-O, A-498, ACHN, and A375-S2) and inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production. Compounds 9 and 10 showed antiproliferative activities against all tested human cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.24–3.17 μM. Compounds 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 16 exhibited inhibitory activities against NO production. The IC₅₀ values of compounds 9, 10, 13, and 16 were between 0.32 and 4.03 μM, while compounds 1, 3, 4, and 14 had IC₅₀ values of 12.83–34.19 μM. Herein, plausible biosynthetic pathways for rare structures 1 and 6 and structure−activity relationships on the inhibition of NO production for all isolated compounds are discussed.

New Phenolic Glycosides from Physalis angulata

Two new phenolic glycosides, physangulosides A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from the whole plant of Physalis angulata. Their chemical structures were determined by mean of HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D-NMR spectra. Both of the compounds showed weak protection against hydrogen peroxide induced hepatocytes damage.