New onoceranoid xyloside from Lansium parasiticum

Insecticidal Triterpenes in Meliaceae III: Plant Species, Molecules, and Activities in Munronia-Xylocarpus

Plants of the Meliaceae family have long attracted researchers' interest due to their various insecticidal activities, with triterpenes being the main active ingredients. In this paper, we discuss 93 triterpenoids with insecticidal activity from 37 insecticidal plant species of 15 genera (Munronia, Neobeguea, Pseudocedrela, Nymania, Quivisia, Ruagea, Dysoxylum, Soymida, Lansium, Sandoricum, Walsura, Trichilia, Swietenia, Turraea, and Xylocarpus) in the family Meliaceae. Among these genera, Trichilia deserves further research, with twelve species possessing insecticidal activity. The 93 insecticidal molecules included 27 ring-seco limonoids (comprising 1 ring A-seco group chemical, 1 ring B-seco group chemical, 5 ring D-seco group chemicals, 14 rings A,B-seco group chemicals, 5 rings B,D-seco group chemicals, and 1 rings A,B,D-seco group chemical), 22 ring-intact limonoids (comprising 5 cedrelone-class chemicals, 6 trichilin-class chemicals, 7 havanensin-class chemicals, 2 azadirone-class chemicals, 1 vilasinin-class chemical, and 1 other chemical), 33 2,30-linkage chemicals (comprising 25 mexicanolide-class chemicals and 8 phragmalin-class chemicals), 3 1,n-linkage-group chemicals, 3 onoceranoid-type triterpenoids, 2 apotirucallane-type terpenoids, 2 kokosanolide-type tetranortriterpenoids, and 1 cycloartane triterpene. In particular, 59 molecules showed antifeedant activity, 30 molecules exhibited poisonous effects, and 9 molecules possessed growth regulatory activity. Particularly, khayasin, beddomei lactone, 3β,24,25-trihydroxycycloartane, humilinolides A-E and methyl-2-hydroxy-3β-isobutyroxy-1-oxomeliac-8(30)-enate showed excellent insecticidal activities, which were comparable to that of azadirachtin and thus deserved more attention. Moreover, it was noteworthy that various chemicals (such as 12α-diacetoxywalsuranolide, 11β,12α-diacetoxycedrelone, 1α,7α,12α-triacetoxy-4α-carbomethoxy-11β-hydroxy-14β,15β-epoxyhavanensin, and 11-epi-21-hydroxytoonacilide, etc.) from Turraea showed excellent insecticidal activity. Specially, the insecticidal activity of khayasin from Neobeguea against the coconut leaf beetle were similar to that of rotenone. Therefore, it was a promising candidate insecticide for the control of the coconut leaf beetle.

Anti-tyrosinase and anti-melanogenic effects of piperine isolated from Piper nigrum on B16F10 mouse melanoma cells

The essential function of melanin is to protect our skin against harmful environmental factors. However, excessive melanin production can cause undesirable hyperpigmentation issues, such as freckles and melasma. Although several compounds are used to control melanin production by inhibiting tyrosinase (TYR), their efficacy is limited by skin-related adverse effects and cytotoxicity concerns. Consequently, searching for new natural compounds with an effective TYR inhibitor (TYR-I) activity but less harmful effects continues. Plant-based natural extracts are an alternative that are in great demand due to their safety and diverse biological properties. This study assessed ten isolated plant compounds for their TYR-I activities using an in vitro mushroom TYR inhibition assay. Among these compounds, piperine (400 μM) demonstrated the highest TYR-I activity, with a potency of 36.27 ± 1.96 %. Hence, this study examined the effect of piperine on melanogenesis in melanocyte stimulating hormone-treated B16F10 melanoma cells and using kojic acid as a positive reference. Cell viability was evaluated through the standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Measurements of cellular TYR activity and melanin content were performed and related to changes in the transcriptional expression levels of melanogenesis-related genes, assessed via quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase (RT-q)PCR analysis. The results revealed that piperine at a concentration of 44 μM significantly reduced cellular TYR activity by 21.51 ± 2.00 % without causing cytotoxicity. Additionally, at the same concentration, piperine significantly decreased the intracellular melanin content by 37.52 ± 2.53 % through downregulating transcription levels of TYR and TYR-related protein 1 (TRP-1) but not TRP-2. Kojic acid, at a concentration of 1407 μM, induced a significant decrease in the melanin content and cellular TYR activity by suppressing all three melanogenesis-related genes. These findings suggest that piperine has potential as a potent depigmenting agent.

Natural and engineered xylosyl products from microbial source

Glycosylation is a prevalent post-modification found in natural products and has a significant impact on the structural diversity and activity variation of natural products. Glucosylation is the most common type of glycosylation, whereas xylosylation is relatively rare. Despite their unique chemical structures and beneficial activities, xylosylated natural products from microorganisms have received little attention. This review provides, for the first time, a comprehensive summary of 126 microbial-derived xylosylated natural products, including xylosyl-cyathane diterpenes, xylosylated triterpenes, xylosyl aromatic compounds, and others. Among these compounds, xylosyl-cyathane diterpenes represent the highest number of derivatives, followed by xylosylated triterpenes. Xylosyl compounds from bacterial sources have less defined structural profiles compared to those from fungi. The characterization of xylosyltransferase EriJ from Basidiomycota extended the structural diversity of xylosyl cyathane diterpenes. This work provides a valuable reference for the research and use of xylosyltransferase for drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. Further work is needed to explore the potential applications of microbial derived xylosyl compounds and to develop novel xylosyl transferases. With the deepening of genomic sequencing of medicinal fungi, more biosynthesis of bioactive xylosyl compounds is expected to be elucidated in the future.

Phytochemistry and biological activity of Lansium domesticum Corr. species: a review

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to review and describe the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and biological activity of various extracts and compounds isolated from Lansium domesticum Corr. from 1967 to 2022 and to study the opportunities that can be developed in the future in the pharmaceutical and pharmacology fields. The related articles, followed by the classification of L. domesticum Corr. according to ethnobotanical, biological and phytochemical properties, were collected from SciFinder, Google Scholar and PubMed.

KEY FINDINGS

More than 80 compounds have been isolated and identified from L. domesticum Corr., including terpenoids and their glycosides. Furthermore, the pharmacological activity of the extracts and pure compounds of L. domesticum Corr. tested in vitro and in vivo were mainly confirmed to include antifeedant, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and radical scavenging activity, antimutagenic, and anticancer.

SUMMARY

In conclusion, based on this review, all data on the phytochemical and biological activity of L. domesticum Corr. can be used to support scientists in further research aim to determine the reaction mechanism of the extracts or compounds and need to be further validated using in vivo models together with toxicological analysis to establish their maximum tolerated dose.

Fruit Peels: Food Waste as a Valuable Source of Bioactive Natural Products for Drug Discovery

Fruits along with vegetables are crucial for a balanced diet. These not only have delicious flavors but are also reported to decrease the risk of contracting various chronic diseases. Fruit by-products are produced in huge quantity during industrial processing and constitute a serious issue because they may pose a harmful risk to the environment. The proposal of employing fruit by-products, particularly fruit peels, has gradually attained popularity because scientists found that in many instances peels displayed better biological and pharmacological applications than other sections of the fruit. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of fruit peel extracts and natural products obtained in food industries along with their other potential biological applications.

A Review on Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Activities as Ethnomedicinal Uses of Duku (Lansium domesticum Corr.)

BACKGROUND: Lansium domesticum Corr. is a plant that is easily found in Indonesia. People use the fruit to be sold because it has a good taste. Some people use other parts of the plant as medicine. This plant has great potential to be developed as a standardized traditional medicine. AIM: This article review aims to collect information on secondary metabolite compounds from L. domesticum Corr. and its pharmacological activities as antioxidants, antibacterials, and cytotoxics. METHODS: Data on L. domesticum Corr. or duku were sought and collected for this miniature estimate and perspective. We use the major search engines with specific keywords such as L. domesticum Corr.; duku; morphology; pharmacological effects; secondary metabolites; in vitro; and in vivo. RESULTS: This review shows that L. domesticum Corr. have antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activity of various compounds based on the test method used. CONCLUSIONS: Some parts of L. domesticum Corr. such as leaves, fruit, fruit skins, and seeds contain secondary metabolite compounds. The most common type of active compound is the steroid/terpenoid group. These compounds are responsible for their pharmacological activities such as antioxidants, antibacterials, and cytotoxics.

Biomedical Evaluation of Lansium parasiticum Extract-Protected Silver Nanoparticles Against Haemonchus contortus, a Parasitic Worm

Here we show the novel anti-helminthic potential of Lansium parasiticum aqueous extract-protected silver nanoparticles (LAgNPs) against albendazole-resistant gastrointestinal parasite Haemonchus contortus. LAgNPs showed LD₅₀ values of 65.6 ± 32.8 nM (12 h), 139.6 ± 39.9 nM (12 h), and 64.3 ± 8.5 nM (24 h) against adult male, female, and L3 larvae, respectively. LAgNPs was also quite effective in inhibiting egg hatching, with an IC₅₀ value of 144.4 ± 3.1 nM at 48 h of exposure. Exposure to LAgNPs generated oxidative stress and mediated physical damage in the worms' tissue. A sharp increase in reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide synthase levels was prominent due to LAgNPs' exposure. In response to oxidative stress, a sharp increase of stress-responsive enzymes' activity, like catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, along with the concentration of glutathione, was observed in worm tissue, which indicated a LAgNP-responsive alteration of metabolism. The results give rise to the opportunity for the development of alternative treatment for drug-resistant parasitic worms.

New derivatives of a natural nordentatin

New derivatives were obtained from natural nordentatin (1) previously isolated from the methanol fraction of Clausena excavata by an acylation method. Herein, we report ten new pyranocoumarin derivatives 1a–1j. Their structures were elucidated based on UV-vis, FT-IR, NMR, and DART-MS data. The α-glucosidase inhibition and anticancer activities of nordentatin (1) and its derivatives were also evaluated. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay exhibited that the derivatives 1b, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1h, 1i, and 1j possess higher inhibitory activity for α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 1.54, 9.05, 4.87, 20.25, 12.34, 5.67, and 2.43 mM, whereas acarbose was used as the positive control, IC50 = 7.57 mM. All derivatives exhibited a weak cytotoxicity against a cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line with the IC50 between 0.25 and 1.25 mM. They also showed moderate to low growth inhibition of a breast cancer (T47D) cell line with IC50 values between 0.043 and 1.5 mM, but their activity was lower than that of the parent compound, nordentatin (1) (IC50 = 0.041 mM).

Two new steroids with NO inhibitory effects from lansium domesticum

Chemical investigation of Lansium domesticum has led to the isolation of two undescribed compounds, namely 17(20)E-dyscusin B (1) and 17(20)Z-dyscusin B (2), as well as three known ones (3 - 5). Structural elucidation was accomplished by the analysis of NMR, MS and IR data. Compounds 1 and 2 were a pair of Δ¹⁷⁽²⁰⁾ geometric isomers of pregnane steroids and showed the significant nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities.