Isolation, structural elucidation and in vitro antioxidant activity of compounds from chloroform extract of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud

Research Progress on Sesquiterpene Compounds from Artabotrys Plants of Annonaceae

Artabotrys, a pivotal genus within the Annonaceae family, is renowned for its extensive biological significance and medicinal potential. The genus's sesquiterpene compounds have attracted considerable interest from the scientific community due to their structural complexity and diverse biological activities. These compounds exhibit a range of biological activities, including antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory analgesic, and anti-tumor properties, positioning them as promising candidates for medical applications. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the variety, species, and structural characteristics of sesquiterpene compounds isolated from Artabotrys plants. Furthermore, it delves into their pharmacological activities and underlying mechanisms, offering a comprehensive foundation for future research.

Cedrus libani tar prompts reactive oxygen species toxicity and DNA damage in colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Many chemotherapeutic drugs used in cancer treatment have anticancer properties by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the same effect occurs in normal cells, limiting the availability of these drugs. Therefore, studies on the detection of new herbal anticancer agents that have selective effects on cancer cells are of great importance. The aim of this study is to investigate the metabolite profile of Cedrus libani tar and its mechanism of anticancer effect on colon cancer cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Effect of cedar tar on cells (12 cancers and 5 normal cell lines) viability was determined by MTT, apoptosis induction was determined by Annexin-V, ROS and MMP determined by flow cytometry assay. Cleaved caspase-8, 9 and Ɣ-H2AX expression determined by western blot. Apoptotic and antioxidant genes expression level determined by qPCR. Metabolite profiling was performed with LC-MS/MS and GC-MS. Cedar tar showed the highest cytotoxic effect among cancer cells in colon cancer (HCT-116, IC₅₀: 30.4 μg/mL) and its toxic effect on normal cells (HUVEC, IC₅₀: 74.07 μg/mL) was less than cancer cell. Cedar tar increases ROS production in colon cancer cells. The metabolite profile of the cedar tar contains high amounts of metabolites such as fatty acids mainly (Duprezianene, Himachalene and Chamigrene), phenolic compounds (mostly Coumarin, p-coumaric acid, Vanillic acid and tr-Ferulic acid etc.) and organic acids (mainly 3-oh propanoic acid, 2-oh butyric acid and 3-oh isovaleric acid etc.).

CONCLUSION

As a result, it has been found that cedar tar has the potential to be used in the treatment of colon cancer.

A world tour in the name of natural products

BACKGROUND

Names of natural products (NP) are usually given depending on the species of origin, be it a plant, a marine organism or a microbial species. In some cases, names have been given with reference to people, animals, music, foods or places. Many NP refer to countries, cities or specific places such as mountains, deserts, seas and oceans.

PURPOSE

On the basis of NP names, a world tour has been imagined referring to more than one hundred NP with names evocative of over 50 countries and regions.

RESULTS

The world tour goes from UK (britannin) to Italy (vaticanol) in Europe, from Uganda (ugandoside) to Senegal (senegalene, senegalenines) in Africa, from Brazil (brasilin) to Chile (santiaguine) in South America, from Utah (utahin) to Florida (floridanolide) in the US. It includes Central America (mexicanin, panamine) and the Caribbean islands (jamaicin, bahamaolides). It also crosses Alaska (alaskene) and Canada (quebecol, canadaline). The tour continues throughout Asia, from Thailand (thailandine) to China (Chinaldine) and Pakistan (pakistanamine), to finally reaches Oceania with Australia (australigenin) and Vanuatu (vanuatine), among other countries. This virtual journey, without bordure or wall, brings us to the highest mountains (himalayamine), the deepest oceans (pacificins) and the largest deserts (desertomycin).

CONCLUSION

In the current period of COVID-19 pandemia, with restricted opportunities for international travels, this NP name-based virtual journey offers a world tour to learn more from nature and to inspire scientists to contribute to the field of NP discovery and drug design. There are also limitations associated with the use of trivial names for NP. NP names can be further exploited for teaching and learning.

Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don: A review of traditional use, phytochemical composition and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don (Family: Pinaceae) is a medicinal tree traditionally important and well mentioned in traditional system of medicine of India, Pakistan, China, Korea etc. for its use in the management of skin diseases, microbial infections, joint disorders, asthma, kidney stones, ulcer, brain disorders and immunological disorders.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This review provides an insight into the information available regarding traditional uses, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and, pharmacological profiling of C. deodara crude extract, its isolated compounds and, fractions, to explore its potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Various databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ACS, Wiley, Web of Science, Springer Link and, PubMed were used to collect all the appropriate information available in previously published literature related to this plant. Besides, other official electronic sources viz. Encyclopedia Britannica and Northern Regional Center, Botanical Survey of India, theplantlist.org. and relevant book chapters and books were also explored.

RESULTS

C. deodara is a popular medicinally active tree, traditionally used in the form of decoction, syrup, oil, powder, and extract alone or in combination with other herbs for the management of different ailments viz. asthma, ulcers, bone fractures, sprains rheumatism, boils, leprosy, etc. Phytochemical studies reported 105 chemical constituents from different parts of the plant, most of them belong to a class of terpenoids and flavonoids. Crude extracts, essential oils, fractions, and isolated compounds of C. deodara exhibited some important pharmacological activities including anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiurolithiatic, antiarthritic and, antiasthmatic.

CONCLUSION

Present article delivers in-depth information on botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. C. deodara has been in practice among indigenous people of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Korea, China, Nigeria and Russia and 28 different ethnicities for the management of approximately 40 diseases. Bioactive compounds particularly cedrin, himachalol, himachalene and atlantone are recognized as key constituents for observed pharmacological activities of C. deodara. However, further in-depth studies involving bio-guided fractionation, isolation, identification using advanced techniques to afford some new therapeutically active phytoconstituents in the management of different diseases. Preliminary pharmacological investigations on different extracts and fractions of C. deodara partially validated its traditional claims in different ailments such as skin diseases, asthma, neurological disorders, arthritis, microbial infections, gastric disturbances, and inflammation. However, immediate attempts are required to establish its mechanism of action, efficacy, dosage range, and safety in combating different pathological states.

Effect of geographical origin on yield and composition of cone essential oils of Cedrus libani A. Rich. growing in Lebanese protected areas and variability assessment in comparison with literature survey

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis together with principal component analysis revealed that geographical origin influenced the yield and composition of the essential oils (EOs) extracted by hydrodistillation performed for 3 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus, from the cones of Cedrus libani A. Rich., growing wild at four Lebanese natural reserves and protected areas: Bsharri, Chouf, Ehden, and Tannourine, and from a cultivated cedar growing in Qartaba. Essential oil chemical variability established between the different studied provenances suggested the involvement of abiotic factors such as geographical conditions, cultivation conditions, soil composition, and environmental factors in the chemical polymorphism of C. libani cones EOs. α-Pinene/β-pinene characterized Ehden (β-pinene 35.6%/α-pinene 27.7%), Chouf (α-pinene 37.3%/β-pinene 26.1%), Bsharri (α-pinene 27.7%/β-pinene 21.4%), and Tannourine (α-pinene 25.1%/β-pinene 16.0%) samples, whereas Qartaba EO was distinguished by the dominance of myrcene (30.6%), α-pinene(26%), and limonene (14.1%). Comparison with the existing literature reinforced the chemical variability of C. libani EOs. This current study helped the estimation of a best harvest location for a good EO quality production, resource optimization, and pharmacological properties evaluation, according to the market demand.

Evaluation of the anti-cancer potential of Cedrus deodara total lignans by inducing apoptosis of A549 cells

BACKGROUND

Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud (normally called as deodar), one out of four species in the genus Cedrus, exhibits widely biological activities. The Cedrus deodara total lignans from the pine needles (CTL) were extracted. The aim of the study was to investigate the anticancer potential of the CTL on A549 cell line.

METHODS

We extracted the CTL by ethanol and assessed the cytotoxicity by CCK-8 method. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by a FACS Verse Calibur flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The CTL were extracted by means of ethanol hot refluxing and the content of total lignans in CTL was about 55.77%. By the CCK-8 assays, CTL inhibited the growth of A549 cells in a dose-dependent fashion, with the IC50 values of 39.82 ± 1.74 μg/mL. CTL also inhibited the growth to a less extent in HeLa, HepG2, MKN28 and HT-29 cells.

CONCLUSION

At low doses, the CTL effectively inhibited the growth of A549 cells. By comparison of IC50 values, we found that A549 cells might be more sensitive to the treatment with CTL. In addition, CTL were also able to increase the population of A549 cells in G2/M phase and the percentage of apoptotic A549 cells. CTL may have therapeutic potential in lung adenocarcinoma cancer by regulating cell cycle and apoptosis.

Volatile Components of Heartwood, Sapwood, and Resin From a Dated Cedrus brevifolia

In the present study, the heartwood and the sapwood of a thick wood disc from a dated Cedrus brevifolia trunk, and the resin were analyzed for their volatile components. All samples were subjected to headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. The main constituents were β-himachalene (22.2 %) in heartwood and (25.0 %) in sapwood, and α-pinene (37.8 %) in resin.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Artocarpus heterophyllus L. J33 variety fruit waste extract and identification of its antioxidant constituents by TOF-LCMS

We have previously reported on the antioxidant potential of Artocarpus heterophyllus J33 (AhJ33) variety fruit waste from different extraction methods. In the study, the rind maceration extract (RDM) exhibited the highest phenolic and polyphenolic contents and strongest antioxidant potential measured by the DPPH assay (R² = 0.99). In this paper, we now report on the bioassay-guided fractionation of the active ethyl acetate (EtOAC) fraction of RDM and its TOF-LCMS analysis. Seven sub-fractions resulting from the chromatographic separation of the EtOAC fraction showed radical scavenging activities between 80 and 94% inhibition. Subsequent LCMS analysis led to the identification of fifteen compounds comprising 5 phenolics and 10 non-phenolic compounds, 11 of which are reported for the first time from AhJ33 variety. Most of the identified compounds have been reported to possess antioxidant activity in many previous studies. This indicates that AhJ33 is a promising source of antioxidants for the development of food and nutraceutical products.

Previously undisclosed bioactive sterols from corbiculid bivalve clam Villorita cyprinoides with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials

The estuarine Corbiculid bivalve black clam, Villorita cyprinoides collected from the Southwestern coastline regions of Arabian Sea are significant resources of nutritional and bioactive pluralities. The purification of ethyl acetate:methanol (EtOAc:MeOH) extract of V. cyprinoides characterized a previously undisclosed specialized abeo-pregnane-type sterol derivative 19 (10 → 5) abeo-20-methyl-pregn-10-en-3β-yl-hex-(3'E)-enoate (1) along with two cholestenols (22E),(24¹E)-24¹,24²-dihomocholesta-5,22,24¹-trien-3β-ol (2) and (22E)-24¹-homocholesta-5,22-dien-(3β,24¹β)-diol (3). These compounds were characterized by comprehensive spectroscopic investigations. The anti-inflammatory (anti-cyclooxygenase-1, 2/5-lipoxidase) activities of 1 were considerably higher (IC₅₀ < 1.10 mg/mL) than 2-3 (IC₅₀ > 1.10 mg/mL). These studied compounds registered greater selectivity indices (∼1.03) against cyclooxygenase-2 than cyclooxygenase-1. The antioxidant property of abeo-pregnane-type sterol as determined by in vitro 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) quenching potential was significantly greater (IC₅₀ 0.94 mg/mL) than those of substituted dihomocholesta-trien-ol (2) and homocholesta-dien-diol (3) (IC₅₀ > 1.00 mg/mL). Structure-activity relationship studies demonstrated that bioactive potentials of the titled compounds were linearly related to their electronic factors along with optimum hydrophobic factors. In addition, molecular docking studies were performed in the active sites of COX-2 and their binding energies and docking scores were well correlated with in vitro anti-COX-2 potentials.

New sterols with anti-inflammatory potentials against cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase from Paphia malabarica

Marine bivalves occupy a leading share in the total edible molluscs at the coastline regions of south-eastern Asia, and are found to possess significant nutritional and biological potential. Various in vitro evaluation (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) guided purification of ethyl acetate-methanol (EtOAc-MeOH) extract of bivalve clam, Paphia malabarica characterised two new sterol derivatives as 23-gem-dimethylcholesta-5-en-3β-ol (1) and (22E)-24¹,24²-methyldihomocholest-5,22-dien-3β-ol (2) collected from the south-west coast of Arabian Sea. Their structures were unambiguously assigned on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of 2 as determined by DPPH/ABTS⁺ radical scavenging and anti-cyclooxygenase-2/5-lipoxygenase assays were significantly greater (IC₅₀ < 1 mg/mL) than 1 (IC₅₀ > 1 mg/mL). Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that the bioactivities of these compounds were directly proportional to the electronic and lipophilic parameters. This is the first report of the occurrence and characterisation of 23-gem-dimethyl-3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-cholestane nucleus and C-30 dihomosterol from marine organisms.