The structure of physalin T from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetti

Research progress on the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino

Physalis Calyx seu Fructus is the dry calyx or the calyx with fruit of the Solanaceae plant Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino, with a long history of use in medicine and food. However, despite its many potential therapeutic and culinary applications, P. alkekengi is not being exploited for these applications on a large scale. This study analysed various research related to the different chemical components of P. alkekengi, including steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, sucrose esters, piperazines, volatile oils, polysaccharides, amino acids, and trace elements. In addition, research related to the pharmacological activities of P. alkekengi, including its anti-inflammatory, anti microbial, antioxidative, hypoglycaemic, analgesic, anti-tumour, and immunomodulatory effects were investigated. Research articles from 1974 to 2023 were obtained from websites such as Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and journal databases such as Scopus and PubMed, with the keywords such as Physalis alkekengi, components, effects, and activities. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the progress of phytochemical and pharmacological research on the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of P. alkekengi and a reference for the better exploitation of P. alkekengi in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Nephroprotective effect of Physalis peruviana L. calyx extract and its butanolic fraction against cadmium chloride toxicity in rats and molecular docking of isolated compounds

BACKGROUND

Cadmium is an environmentally toxic metal that has deleterious effects on both animals and humans due to its accumulation in different body tissues. Physalis peruviana L. fruit and calyx contain many active constituents which are used traditionally for their different biological activities. Based on the traditional uses of P. peruviana L. calyx, we aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of their 80% aqueous methanol extract (AME) and n-butanol fraction (Bu.F.) against cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and to correlate this activity with phytoconstituents isolated using molecular docking studies.

METHODS

The n-butanol fraction of P. peruviana L. calyx was fractionated using various chromatographic techniques and the isolated compounds were identified based on their chemical and spectroscopic data. The nephroprotective activity was assessed using cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in the rat model, by measuring some important parameters such as body weight, kidney weight, serum urea, and creatinine levels, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers, and histopathological examinations of kidney tissue. Molecular docking studies of the isolated compounds were performed.

RESULTS

Three withanolides named 4 β-hydroxywithanolide E (1), Physalin B (2) and 3α, 14β-dihydroxywithaphysalin N (3) were isolated and identified from the n-butanol fraction of P. peruviana L calyx extract. The extract and its butanol fraction significantly improved the serum kidney function markers and tissue oxidative status including malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT). Additionally, the extracts significantly decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κβ). Moreover, the histological changes were ameliorated by the extracts. The molecular docking study showed that the isolated compounds displayed a remarkable inhibitory activity against IκB kinase.

CONCLUSION

The AME and its butanol fraction of P. peruviana L calyx showed potential nephroprotective activity against cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity which is correlated at least in part to its considerable withanolides content.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Physalis alkekengi L. Extracts In Vitro and In Vivo: Potential Application for Skin Care

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory skin disorders are becoming major issues threatening public health with increasing prevalence. This study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antisenescent activities of traditional folk medicinal plant, Physalis alkekengi L. extracts to alleviate skin inflammation and its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-treated murine macrophages RAW264.7 and human skin keratinocytes HaCaT were incubated with the plant extracts, respectively. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was tested by using Griess reagents. The activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was detected through a fluorescence microplate reader. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis were quantified by flow cytometry. The proinflammatory cytokines were measured using ELISA and qRT-PCR. Human skin fibroblasts (HFF-1) were coincubated with D-galactose (D-gal) and the plant extracts. The senescence associated-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) was stained to evaluate cellular senescence. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), IL-1β, was measured through ELISA. The mRNA of IL-1α in SLS-stimulated and PGE2 in UV-radiated 3D skin models were detected by qRT-PCR. In vivo ROS production and neutrophil recruitment in CuSO₄-treated zebrafish models were observed by fluorescence microscopy. Inflammation-related factors were measured by qRT-PCR. Results. In vitro, Physalis alkekengi L. significantly reduced NO production, NOS activity, cell apoptosis, transcription of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and ROS production. These plant extracts markedly attenuated SA-β-gal and IL-1β and downregulated the production of IL-1α and PGE2. In vivo, the plant extracts dramatically dampened ROS production, the number of neutrophils, and proinflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulatively, this work systematically demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antisenescent properties of Physalis alkekengi L. and proposed the possible roles of Physalis alkekengi L. in inflammatory signaling pathways, providing an effective natural product for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.

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.

Two new physalins from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino

Two new physalins, 7α-hydroxy-5-deoxy-4-dehydrophysalin IX (1) and 5-deoxy-4-dehydrophysalin IX (2), together with six known compounds, luteolin (3), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (4), neoechinulin A (5), 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-N-(4-methylphenyl)-2-propenamide (6), physalin D (7) and blumenol A (8) were isolated from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino. Their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic analysis, HR-ESI-MS, X-ray crystallographic data analysis and comparison with the known compounds. Among them, compounds 5 and 6 were isolated from the genus Physalis for the first time. Compound 1 exhibited weak NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (QR) inducing activity.

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.

Synthesis of DFGH-Ring Derivatives of Physalins via One-Pot Construction of GH-Ring and Evaluation of Their NF-κB-Inhibitory Activity

We designed and synthesized a series of derivatives containing the right-side DFGH-ring structure of physalin-type natural products, decorated with a hydrophobic substituent. The synthetic scheme utilizes a highly efficient, one-pot protocol for simultaneous construction of the GH-ring system, promoted by HF/pyridine. Among the compounds synthesized, 5d inhibited TNF-α-stimulated NF-κB activation with similar potency to physalin B.

Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino: An ethnomedical, phytochemical and pharmacological review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The calyxes and fruits of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (Physalis Calyx seu Fructus), have been widely used in traditional and indigenous Chinese medicines for the therapy of cough, excessive phlegm, pharyngitis, sore throat, dysuria, pemphigus, eczema, and jaundice with a long history.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present review aims to achieve a comprehensive and up-to-date investigation in ethnomedical uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of P. alkekengi var. franchetii, particularly its calyxes and fruits. Through analysis of these findings, evidences supporting their applications in ethnomedicines are illustrated. Possible perspectives and opportunities for the future research are analyzed to highlight the gaps in our knowledge that deserves further investigation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Information on P. alkekengi var. franchetii was collected via electronic search of major scientific databases (e.g. Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Elsevier, SpringerLink, Wiley online and China Knowledge Resource Integrated) for publications on this medicinal plant. Information was also obtained from local classic herbal literature on ethnopharmacology.

RESULTS

About 124 chemical ingredients have been characterized from different parts of this plant. Steroids (particularly physalins) and flavonoids are the major characteristic and bioactive constituents. The crude extracts and the isolated compounds have demonstrated various in vitro and in vivo pharmacological functions, such as anti-inflammation, inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, antimicrobial activity, diuretic effect, anti-diabetes, anti-asthma, immunomodulation, and anti-oxidation.

CONCLUSIONS

P. alkekengi var. franchetii is an important medicinal plant for the ethnomedical therapy of microbial infection, inflammation, and respiratory diseases (e.g. cough, excessive phlegm, pharyngitis). Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of this plant definitely increased in the past half century. The chemical profiles, including ingredients and structures, have been adequately verified. Modern pharmacological studies supported its uses in the traditional and folk medicines, however, the molecular mechanisms of purified compounds remained unclear and were worth of further exploration. Therefore, the researchers should be paid more attention to a better utilization of this plant.

Synthesis of the Right-Side Structure of Type B Physalins

We present a full account of our synthetic studies on the racemic DEFGH-ring moiety of physalins, featuring domino ring transformation of a tricyclic key intermediate. We also report the results of a detailed mechanistic examination of the domino ring transformation, as well as a reoptimization of the 2,3-Wittig rearrangement and methylation steps. Furthermore, we have newly established a method for the preparation of an optically active synthetic intermediate by enzymatic kinetic resolution. Our work provides access to both natural and nonnatural right-side physalin structures.

Characterization of physalins and fingerprint analysis for the quality evaluation of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii by ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Physalins are important bioactive compounds from genus Physalis. They often occur as isomers, which makes the structural elucidation difficult. In the present study, the fragmentation behavior and UV characteristics of seven physalins from genus Physalis were firstly investigated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) and diode array detection (DAD). Combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and DAD, the established approach to the structural identification of physalins by ESI-MS/MS was then applied to the analysis of Physalis alkekengi L. According to the UPLC retention behavior, the diagnostic UV spectra and the molecular structural information provided by MS/MS spectra, about 19 fingerprint peaks were identified, including 14 physalins and 5 other compounds. Finally, the established fingerprint method was applied to the analysis of 31 P. alkekengi L. samples collected from different locations, which reflected their similar chemical constituent properties. The proposed method provides a scientific and technical platform to the herbal industry for quality control and safety assurance of herbal preparations that contain this class of physalins.

Antimicrobial activity of the extracts and physalin D from Physalis alkekengi and evaluation of antioxidant potential of physalin D

Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae) is a popular plant in traditional European and Chinese folk medicine, and it has been reported to have many ethnopharmacological properties including antifungal, anti-cough, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and febricide activities. Some active components from Physalis species have been investigated. However, no antimicrobial activity studies on extracts and physalins of P. alkekengi have been carried out. In this study, we attempted to identify the possible antimicrobial activities of the methanol extract from aerial parts of P. alkekengi and the dichloromethane extract from calyces of the plant. The extracts were tested against five Gram-positive and five Gram-negative bacteria and five Candida species by using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The extracts were fractionated to isolate physalins using chromatographic techniques, and physalin D was isolated from the extracts. The structure of the compound was elucidated on the basis of (1)H-NMR spectroscopic study, and confirmed by comparison with a reference sample and literature data. Results indicated that all the extracts and physalin D were characterized by antibacterial action, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, with MIC values between 32 and 128 microg/mL. The methanol extract had moderate activity against fungi at MICs ranging from 128 to 512 microg/mL, but the dichloromethane extract and physalin D had low activity against fungi at MICs ranging from 256 to 512 microg/mL. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of physalin D was evaluated by qualitative DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical and TBA (thiobarbituric acid) assays. Physalin D showed low antioxidant activity with an IC(50) value of >or= 10 +/- 2.1.

Isolation, structures, and structure - cytotoxic activity relationships of withanolides and physalins from Physalis angulata

Phytochemical investigation of Physalis angulata was initiated following primary biological screening. Fractionation of CHCl3 and n-BuOH solubles of the MeOH extract from the whole plant was guided by in vitro cytotoxic activity assay using cultured HONE-1 and NUGC cells and led to the isolation of seven new withanolides, withangulatins B-H (1-7), and a new minor physalin, physalin W (8), along with 14 known compounds, including physaprun A, withaphysanolide, dihydrowithanolide E, physanolide A, withaphysalin A, and physalins B, D, F, G, I, J, T, U, and V. New compounds (1-8) were fully characterized by a combination of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR and MS) and the relative stereochemical assignments based on NOESY correlations and analysis of coupling constants. Biological evaluation of these compounds against a panel of human cancer cell lines showed broad cytotoxic activity. Withangulatin B (1) and physalins D (10) and F (11) displayed potent cytotoxic activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines with EC50 values ranging from 0.2 to 1.6 microg/mL. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that withanolides and physalins with 4beta-hydroxy-2-en-1-one and 5beta,6beta-epoxy moieties are potential cytotoxic agents.

Physanolide A, a Novel Skeleton Steroid, and Other Cytotoxic Principles from Physalis angulata

[reaction: see text] A novel withasteroid, physanolide A (1), with an unprecedented skeleton containing a seven-membered ring, and two new physalins, physalins U (2) and V (3), were isolated from Physalis angulata. The structures were elucidated from spectroscopic analysis, and plausible biosynthetic pathways were postulated. Physalins B (4), D (5), and F (6) showed strong cytotoxicity against multiple tumor cell lines, including KB, A431, HCT-8, PC-3, and ZR751, with EC(50) values less than 4 microg/mL.