What is and what should never be: artifacts, improbable phytochemicals, contaminants and natural products

Ternifoliasaponin, a new triterpenoid saponin from the roots of Gardenia ternifolia Schumach & Thonn (Rubiaceae)

A new triterpenoid saponin, Ternifoliasaponin (1), together with four known compounds (2-5) chikusetsusaponin IVa (2), chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester (3), bonushenricoside B (4) and Dianoside C (5) were isolated from roots of Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. & Thonn (Rubiaceae). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. The antibacterial activities of compounds (3), and (4) were performed by the Muller-Hinton agar diffusion method. The antimicrobial activities of the compounds were studied on Salmonella typhi (Enterobacteriaceae), Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa microorganisms. Compound (3) at 25 mg/mL, showed moderately sensitive effect (8.0 ˂ DIZ ˂14.0 mm) on S. typhi, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Compound (4) at 25 mg/mL and compound (3) at 12.5 mg/mL exhibited moderately sensitive effect on S. typhi and S. aureus. Compound (4) inhibited moderately sensitive the S. typhi and P. aeruginosa colonies at 12.5 mg/mL.

Phytochemical screening, elemental analysis and physicochemical properties of the oil from Bauhinia variegata seeds

Plants have served as the foundation of traditional medicine since the earliest civilisations. In light of this, it is crucial to study the phytochemical and physicochemical properties of Bauhinia variegata seed oil to discover novel secondary metabolites. Seed extracts were obtained through successive Soxhlet extraction using methanol and petroleum ether. The particle size of 0.25 mm achieved the highest bio-oil yield at 24.8%. The bio-oil was characterised using various techniques, including FTIR, GC-MS, and 1H & 13C NMR. Elemental analysis revealed the presence of Pd (0.03 ± 0.01 ppm), Cd (0.003 ± 0.007 ppm), Cr (0.02 ± 0.05 ppm), Zn (0.02 ± 0.008 ppm), Mg (0.04 ± 0.01 ppm) and Na (0.45 ± 0.05 ppm). The bio-oil was further analysed for basic properties, and phytochemical compounds, revealing the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, phenolics, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and terpenoids. The study highlights the biomedical, biodiesel and industrial applications of bio-oil.

Enzyme inhibitory potency of nano formulation of some plant oils on the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus olivier

Inhibitory effect of the tested plant oils and their nanoformulation against trypsin and chymotrypsin enzyme extracted from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, was studies in in vivo and in vitro. In vivo inhibition, the reduction in the trypsin specific activity caused by the bulk oils was greater than that of chymotrypsin enzyme. Compared to control nanoformulation caused significant reduction in the specific activity of trypsin enzyme; however, there were no inhibition effect observed on chymotrypsin enzyme. In vitro bulk oils showed very low inhibitory effect against trypsin enzyme, while they showed strong inhibition activity against chymotrypsin with recording for ginger nanoformulation (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) =6.83 μg/ml), purple nutsedge (7.632 μg/ml), garden cress (11.52 μg/ml) and castor (16.82 μg/ml), nanoformulation of these oils showed uncompetitive type of inhibition as the Vmax and Km values changed compared to control. In conclusion, nanoformulation of the tested plant oils could be used in the integrated pest management (IPM) programs of the red palm weevil (RPW).

Antimicrobial constituents from the leaves of Hibiscus tiliaceus L

Repeated column chromatography resulted in the isolation of two new megastigmane derivatives, methyl-tiliaceates A and B (1 and 2), along with four known metabolites (3-6) from the leaves of Hibiscus tiliaceus L. The structures of the purified phytochemicals were elucidated by interpreting their NMR, HRESIMS, and CD spectroscopic data, as well as comparison with the previous literature. The compounds isolated were subjected to in vitro antimicrobial assays against a panel of pathogenic microorganisms (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Candida albicans). Compound 1 showed obvious selective inhibition against the B. cereus strain, whereas 3 - 5 showed weak inhibitory activities against E. faecalis and S. aureus bacterial, and C. albicans fungal strains (with MIC values ranging from 128 to 256 µg/mL).

Investigating bioactive phytochemicals in bulb and shoot of Allium longisepalum Bertol. from Iran

This study investigated a wide range of bioactive compounds in bulb and shoot of Allium longisepalum Bertol. from Iran. The organs were first extracted with methanol, followed by hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol, and phytochemicals in fractions were analysed using GC/MS. Butanol exhibited the highest yield percentages in both organs. Palmitic and oleic acid were found in all fractions, while heptadecene-(8)-carboxylic acid, stearic acid, and myristic acid were detected in at least three fractions. Each fraction contained exclusively unique metabolites found only in itself. Hexane, dichloromethane, and chloroform fractions contained specific metabolites with potential antioxidant, allelopathic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Ethyl acetate and butanol fractions revealed significant compounds that have potential in terms of their anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, hair growth-enhancing, and antimicrobial properties, in addition to containing compounds not previously identified in plants. The study analyzes bioactive compound profiles in A. longisepalum, highlighting its chemical diversity and therapeutic potential.

GC-MS based metabolic profile and toxicological evaluation of three Algerian propolis

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and toxicity of methanolic extracts of three Algerian propolis collected from Oum el Bouaghi (MEPO), El Harrouch (MEPH) and Collo (MEPC) regions. The chemical profile was characterised by GC-MS. The toxicity of the extracts was tested using brine shrimp model. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of ferulic acid (23.8%), pinostrobin chalcone (15.8%) and α-eudesmol (11.3%) as major compounds in MEPO, pinostrobin chalcone (22.2%), 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)- (17.4%), and γ-gurjunenepoxide-(2) (11.7%) were the most abundant components in MEPH, whereas MEPC was dominated by 1-heptatriacotanol (17.8%), pinostrobin chalcone (14.7%), totarol (13.7%) and 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)- (13.0%). The brine shrimp lethality test indicated that the extracts had moderate toxicity in which MEPC exhibited the highest activity with LC50 of 201.61 ± 7.27 µg/mL. All extracts showed no toxicity at 25 µg/mL concentration and below.

Protective effect of Urtica urens L. against nephrotoxicity induced by imidacloprid in rats

Imidacloprid (IMI) has been known to cause nephrotoxicity. Some reports claim that Urtica urens L. (U. urens) can reduce toxicity. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of U. urens against this toxicity. Rats were divided into control group, three groups treated with IMI at 50, 200, or 300 mg/kg/day and three groups injected with IMI (50, 200, or 300 mg/kg/day) + 100 mg/kg/day of U. urens, for 60 days. Urine and blood samples were collected for dosage of biochemical levels. Kidneys were removed for oxidative stress and histological examination. IMI caused acute renal injury and increased the levels of biochemical and tissue MDA. It also decreased the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities. Urtica urens injection improved the histological and all biochemical parameters. IMI induced an acute renal injury accompanied with disturbance of oxidant status U. urens injection provided a significant protection thanks to antioxidant properties.

Comprehensive analysis of Leonotis nepetifolia flower extracts: phytochemical composition and toxicity in zebrafish embryos

Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br., a plant used in traditional medicine, has underexplored phytochemical and toxicological profiles. This study investigates the metabolite profile of L. nepetifolia flowers and assesses their toxicity using zebrafish (ZF) embryos. The main active compounds were characterised using metabolomic approaches. ZF embryos were exposed to methanol extract (CEF), n-hexane (FHF) and ethyl acetate (FAF) fractions at different concentrations for 96 h. Toxicological effects were assessed including acetylcholinesterase activity, lipid peroxidation, cardiotoxicity, as well as hatching delay, developmental defects and morphological malformations. Phytochemical analysis revealed diverse metabolites, including phytosterols, terpenoids, flavonoids and phenylpropanoids. Verbascoside, a major compound, was isolated from the flowers for the first time. Toxicological assessments showed that CEF and FAF caused various toxic effects, with FAF showing pronounced embryotoxic and teratogenic effects. This study highlights the chemical diversity and potential toxicological risks of L. nepetifolia, emphasising the need for thorough evaluations of herbal medicines.

Two new 2-arylbenzo[b]furans from Itea indochinensis and their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma and anti-oxidant effects

Two new 2-arylbenzo[b]furans (1-2) and ten known compounds (3-12) were identified from the 95% EtOH extract of the branches and leaves of Itea indochinensis for the first time. Their structures were determined mainly based on extensive analyses of UV, IR, 1D/2D NMR and HRMS spectra. The results of MTT assays demonstrated the anti-tumor potential of compound 1 with good selectivity, which displayed moderate inhibitory effects on proliferation of SK-hep-1 cells with IC50 value of 22.3 μM, while weak inhibitory effect on proliferation of HepG2 cells with an inhibition rate of 25% at 20 μM, and no obviously inhibitory effect on proliferation of A549 cells at 20 μM. In addition, compound 1 exhibited its significant scavenging capacity on ABTS·+ free radical with an IC50 value of 0.11 mg/mL, while weak scavenging effects on DPPH and O2·- radicals with scavenging ratios of 32.93% and 21.49% at 1 mg/mL, respectively.

Ligulariatinside A, a new sesquiterpene glycoside from roots of Ligularia veitchiana

A new sesquiterpene glycoside, ligulariatinside A (1), along with nine known compounds, dibutyl phthalate (2), 1-O-(9Z,12Z-octadecadienoyl) glycerol (3), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (4), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylpropanol (5), dihydrosyringenin (6), caffeic acid (7), 6β-hydroxy-7(11)-eremophilen-12,8α-olide (8), together with the mixture of 6β,8β-dihydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-12,8α-olide (9) and 6β,8α-dihydroxy-eremophil-7(11)-en-12,8β-olide (10) were isolated from roots of L. veitchiana. Structures of these compounds were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of HRESIMS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Compounds 2 and 4 are not likely natural compounds but contaminants. All isolated compounds were tested for antibacterial activity. Compounds 1, 5, 6, together with the mixture of 9 and 10, showed mild activity against Vibrio anguillarum, with MIC values of 50, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL, while compound 7 showed moderate activity against Vibrio anguillarum, with a MIC value of 25 μg/mL.

Essential oils from Plumbago europaea L. aerial parts (leaves, flowers): GC-MS analyses and literature biological properties

Plumbago europaea L. belongs to the family Plumbaginaceae, which has many medicinal and nutritional applications. It is among the significant medicinal herbs used widely in folk medicine in Syria to treat skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. There are no previous studies of the aerial parts' essential oils of this plant. So, herein we report on determining the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from the aerial parts of P. europaea L., which were collected from a mountainous area in Latakia Province, Syria, by utilising the GC-MS technique. The major compounds identified in the flower's essential oils were: plumbagin (32.4%), hexadecanoic acid (13.79%), heneicosane (9.03%) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol (8.40%). While in the leaves' essential oils were phytol (17.97%), dibutyl phthalate (15.45%), heneicosane (6.91%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (6.72%). In addition, according to the published literature, most of the identified compounds have been reported to exhibit significant biological activities.

Chemical profiling by UHPLC-Q-TOF-HRESI-MS/MS and antibacterial properties of Entada abyssinica (Fabaceae) constituents

A rapid untargeted UHPLC-Q-TOF-ESI-MS/MS-Based metabolomic profiling of the medicinal plant Entada abyssinica was performed. A total of 18 metabolites were detected, of which 10 could not be identified. Based on this result, an extensive chemical investigation of the CH2Cl2-MeOH (1:1) extract of this plant was carried out, leading to the isolation of a new ceramide, named entadamide (1), together with nine known compounds: monomethyl kolavate (2), 24-hydroxytormentic acid (3) chondrillasterol (4), 3-O-β-D glucopyranosylstigmasterol (5), 3-O-β-D glucopyranosylsitosterol (6), quercetin 3'-methylether (7), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl icosanoate (8), 2,3-dihydroxy-propyl 23-hydroxytricosanoate (9) and 2,3-dihydroxy-propyl 24-hydroxytetracosanoate (10). Their structures were elucidated by the analyses of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data (1D and 2D NMR, and HRESI-MS) in comparison with those reported in the literature. Furthermore, the crude extract and some isolated compounds were tested against non-ciprofloxacin resistant strains viz, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Samonella thyphi (ATCC 19430) and Samonella enterica (NR4294). The tested samples demonstrated significant activity against all the tested bacteria (MIC values: 3.12-12.5 μg/mL).

Bis-Iridoids: Occurrence, Chemophenetic Evaluation and Biological Activities-A Review

In this work, the first review paper about bis-iridoids was presented. In particular, their detailed occurrence, chemophenetic evaluation and biological activities were reported. To the best of our knowledge, two hundred and eighty-eight bis-iridoids have been evidenced so far, bearing different structural features, with the link between two seco-iridoids sub-units as the major one. Different types of base structures have been found, with catalpol, loganin, paederosidic acid, olesoide methyl ester, secoxyloganin and loganetin as the major ones. Even bis-irdioids with non-conventional structures like intra-cyclized and non-alkene six rings have been reported. Some of these compounds have been individuated as chemophenetic markers at different levels, such as cantleyoside, laciniatosides, sylvestrosides, GI-3, GI-5, oleonuezhenide, (Z)-aldosecologanin and centauroside. Only one hundred and fifty-nine bis-iridoids have been tested for their biological effects, including enzymatic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumoral and anti-inflammatory. Sylvestroside I was the compound with the highest number of biological tests, whereas cantleyoside was the compound with the highest number of specific biological tests. Bis-iridoids have not always shown activity, and when active, their effectiveness values have been both higher and lower than the positive controls, if present. All these aspects have been deeply discussed in this paper, which also shows some critical issues and even suggests possible arguments for future research, since there is still a lot unknown about bis-iridoids.

Bioactive compound, polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity of Asparagus racemosus Linn. root extract

Asparagus racemosus Linn. is an ethnopharmacologically important plant having extensive uses in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. This study was carried out to evaluate the chemical profile of A. racemosus Linn. using GC-MS and FT-IR analysis, and its polyphenol content and antioxidant effects. Plants were collected from Bhujiyaghat, Nainital (29.3159° N, 79.5245° E) in Kumaun Himalayas. GC-MS with FT-IR analysis identified multiple functional groups, including carboxylic acid derivatives. Methyl 11, 12-octadecadienoate, was screened as the major compounds by GC-MS. A. racemosus contains a high concentration of phenols (80.92 ± 0.57 mg of GAE/g of DW), flavonoids (58.22 ± 1.62 mg of QE/g of DW), and tannins (86.77 ± 0.81 mg of TAE/g of DW). DPPH (24.63 ± 0.21 g/ml) and FRAP (72.49483 ± 0.130549 mg of AAE/g of DW) assays revealed the presence of significant antioxidant activity in A. racemosus.

The in vitro and in silico investigations on the α-amylase inhibitor derived from Leptadenia lanceolata (Poir.) Goyder leaf extract

An attempt has been made to assess the α-amylase inhibitory activity of a phytochemical compound extracted and purified from the leaf extract of Leptadenia lanceolata. The total yield of the crude leaf extract was 11.42% and among the different solvents involved in this study, hexane and ethyl acetate at 7:3 was effective in the separation of phytochemical compounds. Hexane and ethyl acetate at 25:75% ratios (elution S4) were found greater in inhibiting α-amylase enzyme (83%). The most abundant compound found was Phytol (3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol) and its derivatives. It resulted that the binding energy for acarbose and phytol were -8.1 kcal/mol and -5.9 kcal/mol respectively. However, the binding affinity was greater in the case of acarbose than phytol and the binding sites are different for both the ligands. Therefore, this study adds scientific evidence of the α-amylase inhibitory activity of phytol derived from the leaf extract of L. lanceolata.

Salvia dumetorum essential oil: GC-MS analysis, antibacterial activity and effect on the formation of Streptococcus mutans biofilms

Salvia dumetorum essential oil (SDEO) was obtained using a Clevenger apparatus by hydrodistillation approach. The chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by GC-MS analysis. In this study SDEO was screened for its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans and the amount of biofilm formed by Streptococcus mutans bacteria. For the first time the chemical composition of SDEO growing in Central Kazakhstan was established. The results obtained from GC-MS showed the predominance of sesquiterpenoids (54.15%). The antibacterial study results showed that SDEO exhibited strong antibacterial activity against B. subtilis and S. aureus in vitro and also demonstrated an inhibitory effect on S. mutans biofilm formation on 1% sucrose medium. During the study, no antibacterial activity was detected against E. coli and C. albicans. These results demonstrated that SDEO can be used in the development of new antibacterial and anti-caries therapeutic dental products.

Phytochemical constituents from rhizomes of Dryopteris crassirhizoma and their anti-inflammatory activity

The phytochemical investigation on the rhizomes of Dryopteris crassirhizoma (Dryopteridaceae) resulted in the discovery of one novel compound, drycrassirhizomamide A (1), and one new natural product, drycrassirhizomamide B (2), as well as four known isolates, (S)-(-)-N-benzoylphenylalaninol (3), blumenol A (4), 8-C-glucosylnoreugenin (5), and dryopteroside (6). Their chemical structures were identified by NMR and mass spectroscopy. Compounds 1-2 were determined to be 1,19-diethyl 10-oxo-2,9,11,18-tetraazanonadecanedioate and C,C'-diethyl N,N'-1,6-hexanediylbis[carbamate]. The anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were evaluated with LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage and BV2 microglia. The results showed that compounds 1-3 and 6 have inhibitory effects of NO production with IC50 values of 13.41, 30.36, 25.51, and 11.35 μM in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Also, compounds 1 and 4-6 have abilities to inhibit NO production with the IC50 values of 40.11, 30.94, 15.76, and 16.79 μM in BV2 cells, which demonstrated that they may possess the potential anti-inflammatory activity.

Ethanolic extraction and GC-MS analysis of antioxidant and anticancer bioactive compounds from Mentha arvensis and Aegle marmelos

Bioactive components used to treat human ailments are abundant in medicinal plants. Mentha arvensis and Aegle marmelos have therapeutic properties due to the presence of many phytonutrients. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to evaluate the properties of the antioxidant and anticancer bioactive components found in the ethanolic extracts of Mentha arvensis and Aegle marmelos leaves. The major constituents identified in the leaf extracts were octadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid, 15-methyl-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, neophytadiene, pentadecane, hexadecane, and 1-octadecanol. Some of these components have antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Among the identified compounds, octadecanoic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid are pivotal for their anticancer and antioxidant effects. The GC-MS characterisation indicated the existence of abundant bioactive compounds, confirming their potential therapeutic activities. This study showed that the leaves of Mentha arvensis and Aegle marmelos could be used as novel sources of antioxidants and anticancer medicines.

Prioritization before dereplication, an effective strategy to target new metabolites in whole extracts: ghosalin from Murraya paniculata root

Re-discovery of known metabolites is a common challenge in natural product-based drug discovery, and to avoid re-discovery, dereplication has been proposed for identifying known metabolites at the early stage of isolation. A majority of methods use LCMS to profile the extract and ignore the known mass. LC-HRMS profiling may generate a long mass list of metabolites. The identification of a new metabolite is difficult within the mass list. To overcome this, it was hypothesized that identifying a 'new metabolite' in the whole metabolome is more difficult than identifying it within the class of metabolites. A prioritization strategy was proposed to focus on the elimination of unknown and uncommon metabolites first using the designed bias filters and to prioritize the known secondary metabolites. The study employed Murraya paniculata root for the identification of new metabolites. The LC-HRMS-generated mass list of 509 metabolites was subjected to various filters, which resulted in 93 metabolites. Subsequently, it was subjected to regular dereplication, resulting in 10 coumarins, among which 3 were identified as new. Further, chromatographic efforts led to the isolation of a new coumarin, named ghosalin (1). The structure of the new compound was established through 2D NMR and X-ray crystallography. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that ghosalin has significant cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. The proposed prioritization strategy demonstrates an alternative way for the rapid annotation of a particular set of metabolites to isolate a new metabolite from the whole metabolome of a plant extract.

Comprehensive analysis of metabolites in Pleurolobus gangeticus using the two-dimensional gas-chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Pleurolobus gangeticus, also known as 'Salparni', is a valuable herb with significant medicinal properties. Previous studies on the plant have only used conventional GC-MS to analyse its metabolites. In this study, we utilised two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry to precisely characterise the shoot and root volatiles of Pleurolobus gangeticus. The ethyl acetate extract of both tissues revealed 50 prominent volatile phytoconstituents in each, accounting for 99.9% and 100.1% of the total volatiles, respectively. The most abundant chemicals found in the root were alcohols (19%) and fatty acids (17%), while the shoot primarily contained organic compounds (24%) and esters (20%). The major phytoconstituents in the root were hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1ethyl ester (16.1%), octadecanoic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (10.5%). Conversely, the shoot was dominated by n-hexadecanoic acid (9.1%), linoleic acid (7.4%), and neophytadiene (5.6%). These findings highlight the potential of Pleurolobus gangeticus for further research and development in medicinal applications.

Exploring the molecular tapestry of Sarcodon secondary metabolites: chemical structures, activities, and biosynthesis

Sarcodon mushrooms are esteemed as a rare and highly valuable resource for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Ancient medical classics have documented their beneficial effects on conditions such as indigestion, loss of appetite, and neurological disorders. Modern phytochemical research into their secondary metabolites has led to the discovery of numerous bioactive compounds with significant biological activities. Despite notable achievements in the study of the chemical composition and bioactivity of Sarcodon mushrooms, a comprehensive understanding of these findings has been lacking. This review provides an exhaustive summary of the advancements in the phytochemistry of Sarcodon mushrooms, as well as the biological and pharmacological activities of the isolated compounds and crude extracts derived from Sarcodon over the past nine decades. A total of 100 secondary metabolites isolated from these mushrooms have been classified into five major categories based on their chemical structures, which exhibit bioactivities such as anti-tumour, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hypoglycaemic properties. The aim of this study is to establish a scientific foundation for future research in drug discovery, biotechnological development, and the exploration of functional foods involving Sarcodon mushrooms.

New secondary metabolites produced by an engineered strain Streptomyces sp. XZQH13OEΔastC

Two previously undescribed alkaloids (1-2), five known alkaloids (3-7) and five cyclodipeptides (8-12) were obtained from an ansatrienin-producing mutant strain Streptomyces sp. XZQH13OEΔ astC. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of the 1D, 2D NMR and ESI HRMS data and by comparison with the reported data. The antibacterial activities of compounds 1-12 were evaluated.

A new phenolic glycoside from the leaves of Flacourtia flavescens Willd

Chemical study of the methanol extract from the leaves of Flacourtia flavescens led to the isolation of a new phenolic glucoside (1) along with fifteen known secondary metabolites namely shanzhiside methyl ester (2), aurantiamide acetate (3), caffeic acid methyl ester (4), caffeic acid (5), apigenin (6), luteolin (7), kaempferol (8), quercetin (9), gyrophoric acid (10), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), luteolin-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12), kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (13), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→ 6)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (14), kaempferol-3,7-O-α-L-dirhamnopyranoside (15) and (2S,3S,4R,8E)-2-((2'R)-2'-hydroxy-octadecanoylamino)-lignocerane-1,3,4-triol-8-ene (16). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR analysis and mass spectrometry. The extracts and the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities. The EtOAc extract was highly active (MIC = 32 and 64 µg/mL) against E. coli and E. faecalis, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, 2b, 5, 8, 9, and 12 (MIC = 16-32 µg/mL) were moderately active against some tested bacteria.

Artifacts from the methanolic extract of Solanum nigrum Linn

Two new lactones, γ-butyrolactone and δ-valerolactone were isolated from the methanolic extract of Solanum nigrum. Structure elucidation was carried out by exhaustive 2D NMR analysis. The structures of the lactones depict the outcome of their isolation as a situation that involve the formation of artifacts.

New norclerodane diterpenoids from bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L

Investigation of extracts from bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. yielded two new norclerodane diterpenoids, diosbulbin N acetate (1) and epi-diosbulbin B (3), together with eleven known compounds. Their structures were established based on spectroscopy. The absolute configurations of 1 and diosbulbin B (2) were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis using Cu Kα radiation. The absolute configuration of 3 was determined by comparison of its ECD spectrum to that of 2. Isolated phenanthrenes 7, 9 and 10 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against the HelaS3 cell line with IC50 values of 9.03 ± 0.04, 27.13 ± 6.86 and 10.88 ± 2.75 µM, respectively. In addition, 7-9 and 11 showed potent inhibition of NO production by LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Three new compounds from the fruits of Solanum virginianum L. and their anti-inflammatory activities

Three new compounds 1-glyceryl 9(β), 10(α), 11(β)-trihydroxy-12(Z)-octadecenoate, 2'S-20-O-p-hydroxyphenylpropionyloxy-20-hyd-roxyarachidic acid glycerol ester (2), 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside of ethyl (3S)-hydroxybutanoate (3), as well as a new natural product (4) were isolated from the fruits of Solanum virginianum L. The structures of 26 compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, NMR calculation, chemical methods, and comparisons of spectroscopic data. Compounds 2 and 16 exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity in the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 inflammatory model with IC50 values of 16.75 ± 1.54 and 22.43 ± 2.01 μM, respectively.

Evaluation and optimisation of phenolic compounds extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide from the seeds of Plantago ovata and their comparison with conventional extraction

This study's main objectives are to evaluate and confirm the effects of the extraction process, operating conditions, solvent type and solvent polarity on the yield and quality of the extracts. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) and Soxhlet were specially used in this study to extract bioactive chemicals from the seeds of a natural plant known as Plantago ovata. No studies have been published so far regarding the extraction from the seeds of this plant using scCO2.The effects of three operating parameters (pressure, temperature and particle size) on the extraction yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content (TFC), total tannin content (TTC) and antioxidant activity were assessed in this study using the Box-Behnken statistical experimental design (BBD). The chemical components in the extracts were separated and identified using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. According to the antioxidant activity results, scCO2 failed to produce bioactive compounds with interesting properties when operated within operating range conditions.

New polyketides and cytotoxic alkaloids from the mangrove endophytic fungus Talaromyces sp. SAF14

Investigation of secondary metabolites from the mangrove endophytic fungus Talaromyces sp. SAF14 led to the isolation of two new polyketides, methyl (R)-3-(6,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1-oxoisochroman-3-yl)propanoate (1), (R)-3-(5,8- dihydroxy-1-oxoisochroman-3-yl)propanoic acid (2), together with four known alkaloids (3-6). The planar structures of new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of HR-ESI-MS and NMR data. The absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the calculated ECD spectrum with the measured one. All the isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines. The known beauvericin (3) exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against A549, MCF-7, and KB cell lines with IC50 values of 5.36 ± 2.49, 1.96 ± 1.09 and 4.46 ± 0.68 μM, respectively.

GC-MS profiling and biological investigations of Cissampelos pareira L. & Lantana camara L

The objectives of the study were to conduct phytochemical screening of crude extracts of Cissampelos pareira L. and Lantana camara L. and assessing their biological potentials against protein kinase enzymes, followed by the evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities. The n-hexane (A-І, B-І) and ethyl extracts (A-ІІ, B-ІІ) displayed moderate to good antioxidant activity, while the methanol fractions (A-ІІІ, B-ІІІ) showed significant antioxidant activity. Among all the three crude extracts, the ethyl acetate extract (B-II) of L. camara exhibited significant protein kinase inhibitions with remarkable antioxidant potential and was therefore purified through column chromatography. Fraction B-ІІ-2 showed the highest flavonoid contents (735.43), with the most promising protein kinase inhibition exerted by the subtractions B-ІІ-2, B-ІІ-3, B-ІІ-4, and B-ІІ-7. Hence, active fractions were examined through GC-MS for the identification of active constituents, revealing 17 active compounds. In the case of Lantana camara, the ethyl acetate crude extract along with fractions led to the identification of more than thirty compounds, which may be further explored to find a potential lead for drug development.

In vitro anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of defatted Selenicereus monacanthus (Lem.) D.R.Hunt seed extract

Extracts from Selenicereus monacanthus (synonym: Hylocereus polyrhizus) have received attention due to their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. The current study aims to determine the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing potential of defatted S. monacanthus seed extract (DSMSE). Anti-inflammatory properties of DSMSE on LPS-induced inflammation on THP-1 were determined by measuring the levels of interleukins IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Wound healing scratch assay was performed using the human fibroblast (Hs27) cell that assesses the cell migration over 24 h exposure to DSMSE. Administration of DSMSE significantly reduced the LPS-stimulated release levels of IL-6 and IL-8 and significantly increased the levels of IL-10. Treatment with DSMSE showed a significant increase in wound closure with 70% of fibroblast migration. Therefore, the current study showed the anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of DSMSE reducing inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8), increasing IL-10 cytokine, and increasing wound closure at 24 h.

Proximate analysis and GC-MS phytochemical profiling of aqueous extracts of Doryopteris raddiana, a plant used by the Mbya-Guaraní as a contraceptive

Doryopteris raddiana (Presl) Fée, a traditional contraceptive in Mbya culture, lacks scientific scrutiny regarding its chemical composition and contraceptive efficacy. Employing X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis, we explored the plant's organs. Multielemental analysis excluded toxic elements. Key phytoconstituents identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the extracts obtained through infusion were glycerine, 1,3-dimethyl propane, and catechol in leaves; glycerine, cis-13-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, and 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentose in stems and roots. Among these chemicals, glycerine emerged as the sole constituent with contraceptive potential, particularly intravaginally. Extract activity tests conducted on ram spermatozoa exhibited a reduction in the percentage of rapid spermatozoa but no significant impact on total motility, progressive motility, or viability. The reported data would only weakly support the advocated contraceptive action of this fern upon vaginal application, not through the oral administration of its decoction.

Expanding Chemical Frontiers: Approaches for Generating Diverse and Bioactive Natural Product-Like Compounds Libraries from Extracts

The realms of natural products and synthetic compounds exhibit distinct chemical spaces that not only differ but also complement each other. While the convergence of these two domains has been explored through semisynthesis and conventional pharmacomodulation endeavours applied to natural frameworks, a recent and innovative approach has emerged that involves the combinatorial generation of libraries of 'natural product-like compounds' (NPLCs) through the direct synthetic derivatization of natural extracts. This has led to the production of numerous NPLCs that incorporate structural elements from both their natural (multiple saturated rings, oxygen content, chiral centres) and synthetic (aromatic rings, nitrogen and halogen content, drug-like properties) precursors. Through careful selection of extracts and reagents, specific bioactivities have been achieved, and this strategy has been deployed in various ways, showing great promise without reaching its full potential to date. This review seeks to provide an overview of reported examples involving the chemical engineering of extracts, showcasing a spectrum of natural product alterations spanning from simple substitutions to complete scaffold remodelling. It also includes an analysis of the accomplishments, perspectives and technical challenges within this field.

Three new pterosins from Pteris semipinnata

Three new pterosins, named as semipterosin A (1), B (2) and C (3), together with 11 known pterosins (4-14), were isolated from the aerial parts of Pteris semipinnata. Their structures were elucidated by HRESI-MS, NMR spectral data, CD and literature comparisons. Three new pterosins were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 1-3 inhibited the NF-kB induction by 40.7%, 61.9% and 34.0%, respectively. This is the first report of the isolation of compounds 6-14 from this plant.

Identification of volatile compounds and their bioactivities from unpolar fraction of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. and mining key genes of nootkatone biosynthesis

In this study, analysis of the chemical constituents and bioactivities of the unpolar fractions [petroleum ether (PE) and chloroform (C)] of fruits and leaves of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. were carried out, as well as the bioactivities of the main compounds nootkatone and valencene. From PE and C fractions of the fruits, and PE fraction of the leaves, 95.80%, 59.30%, and 82.11% of the chemical constituents respectively were identified by GC-MS. Among these identified compounds, nootkatone was the main compound in all of three fractions, while valencene was the second main compound in the PE fractions of the fruits and leaves. The bioactivities results showed that all of the fractions and the major compound nootkatone showed tyrosinase inhibitory, as well as inhibitory effect on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. While valencene only presented inhibitory activity on NO production in RAW264.7 cells. The critical genes involved in nootkatone biosynthesis in A. oxyphylla were identified from the public transcriptome datasets, and protein sequences were preliminarily analyzed. Our studies develop the usage of the unpolar fractions of A. oxyphylla, especially its leaves as the waste during its production, and meanwhile provide the gene resources for nootkatone biosynthesis.

Phytochemical investigation of Nigella sativa seed extract by HPTLC, HPLC and GC-MS: a comparative geographical study

This study aimed to ensure the quality of the seed as well as determine the phytochemical composition of Nigella sativa seed extract (NSSE) obtained from three different geographical locations. Pharmacognostic evaluation of the seed includes preliminary phytochemical screening, physicochemical evaluation, and study of heavy metal content, in addition to HPTLC, HPLC, and GC-MS studies of the extract obtained from the seed of the Nigella sativa (NS). HPTLC fingerprinting studies revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds. HPLC analysis confirms the quantitative variation of thymoquinone (TQ) in the extracts, i.e. the maximum quantity of TQ was found in Vizag NSSE, followed by Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. GC-MS analysis reveals the presence of 33, 35, and 32 constituents in the extract obtained from Vizag, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab, respectively. This study confirms the variation in the phytochemical composition as well as in the biomarker (Thymoquinone) content present in the collected samples.

GC-MS analysis and anti-oxidant activity of bioactive compounds of Simarouba glauca leaf extracts

The aim of this study is to analyse the phytochemical composition, anti-oxidant activity, FT-IR and GC-MS analysis of Simarouba glauca leaf extracts. The chloroform extract exhibited highest T.P.C. (139.82 ± 0.06 mg/g GAE) and highest T.F.C. (41.95 ± 0.50 mg/g QE). The GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of ten compounds in acetone extract and twenty-two compounds in methanol extract. The GC-MS analysis of acetone fraction showed the major peaks such as Glycerine (13.20%), 1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol (8.92%), Cyclohexanol,2-methyl-5-(1-methylethenyl)- (6.09%), Tetradecane, 2,6,10-trimethyl (7.68%) and Phytol (7.53%). Some of these compounds exhibit anti-oxidant activities. GC-MS analysis of methanol fraction exhibited the presence of following compounds: Undecane (8.52%), 2,3-Trimethylene-4-pyrone (1.79%), cis-Sinapyl alcohol (2.33%) and Umckalin (1.19%). The acetone and methanol fractions exhibited higher percentage of inhibition in DPPH assay. The overall results of this study indicate that the acetone and methanol fractions have been demonstrated to be efficacious against various diseases.

Sucrose esters of aryldihydronaphthalene-type lignans, and antitumor activity of extracts of Moltkiopsis ciliata (Forssk.) aerial parts

One new compound (3f-[(7'R,8'R)-4,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-2,7'-cycloligna-7-en-9-methoxycarbonyl, 9'-carbonyl-O-] -β- D-fructofuranosyl- (2→1)-α- D-glucopyranoside) (Moltkiopsin A) (2) was isolated and identified from the extract of aerial parts of the wild Egyptian plant Moltkiopsis ciliata (Frossk.), family Boraginaceae, for the first time, along with two aryldihydronaphthalene lignans 3f→9':6f→9-[(7'R,8'R)-4,4'- dihydroxy-3,3',5-trimethoxy-2,7'-cycloligna-7-en-9,9'-dicarbonyl]-6g-acetyl-α-D-gluco pyranosyl-(1→2) -β-D-fructofuranoside (Trigonotin A) (1) which was reported for the first time from this plant species and a known compound 3f→9':6f→9-[(7'R,8'R)-4,4'- dihydroxy-3,3',5-trimethoxy-2,7'-cycloligna-7-en-9,9'-dicarbonyl]-α-D-gluco pyranosyl - (1→2)- β-D- fructofuranoside (Trigonotin C) (3). These compounds were separated and purified using different chromatographic techniques and their structures were elucidated by extensive 1D (1H and 13C NMR), and 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), besides ESI-MS spectral methods. Extracts were screened as antioxidant, antitumor and antibacterial. The different extracts showed moderate to strong antioxidant capacities in DPPH assays. Ethyl acetate, methylene chloride and crude methanol extracts exhibited the most significant free radicals scavenging activity when compared to the standard antioxidant vitamin C. Hexane and butanol fractions showed the highest cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines HepG2 and MCF-7.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle: an unexplored medicinal plant of Indian himalayan region

In this study, different parts (leaf, bark, and fruit) of Pittosporum eriocarpum were investigated to explore its chemical composition and biological activities. The GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of fifty-seven, eighty-one, and forty-six compounds in leaf, fruit, and bark extract, respectively. The important identified bioactive compounds include 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (quinic acid), falcarinol, tetradecanoic acid, and isopropyl myristate. Further, four polyphenolic compounds namely p-coumaric, chlorogenic, ferulic acid, and catechin were also identified and quantified in different parts through HPLC-PDA analysis. Of the studied parts of P. eriocapum, leaf extract contains the highest total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content, and exhibited potent antioxidant activity in ABTS assay. P. eriocarpum extracts also exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria and showed considerable high protection against free radical-mediated DNA damage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of the chemical composition and biological activities of P. eriocarpum.

New anti-inflammatory limonoids from the fruits of Melia azedarach

The phytochemical study of the fruits of Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) led to the isolation and characterisation of two novel natural limonoids1-deoxy- 3, 20-dicinnamoyl-11-methoxy-meliacarpinin (1) and 12β- O- methyl nimbolinin A (2), along with twelve known limonoids. Its structure was identified by 1D- and 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS and comparison with published data. The anti-inflammatory effect of the compounds was measured in vitro in RAW 264.7 cells by evaluating the production of NO stimulated by LPS. Compounds 1, 8 and 14 indicated significant anti-inflammatory effect with inhibition rate of 11.76, 8.45 and 6.59 μM, respectively. Limonoid 1 significantly inhibited the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β in RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, limonoid derivative may be a promising source of bioactive metabolite for inflammatory diseases.

Cistus incanus: a natural source of antimicrobial metabolites

The discovery of natural molecules with antimicrobial properties has become an urgent need for the global treatment of bacterium and virus infections. Cistus incanus, a Mediterranean shrub species, represents a valuable source of phytochemicals with an interesting wide-spectrum antimicrobial potential. In this study, we analysed the spectrum of molecules composing a commercial hydroalcoholic extract of C. incanus finding ellagitannins as the most abundant. The effect of the extract and its main constituents (gallic acid, ellagic acid and punicalin) was assessed as co-treatment during viral (HSV-1, HCoV-229E, SARS-CoV-2) and bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) of cells and as pre-treatment before virus infections. The results indicated a remarkable antiviral activity of punicalin against SARS-CoV-2 by pre-treating both the viral and the host cells, and a major sensitivity of S. aureus to the C. incanus extract compared to E. coli. The present study highlights broad antimicrobial potential of C. incanus extract.

Peracetylation transforms natural products beyond mere derivatization

Peracetylation of the methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida led to the isolation of a compound with a peracetylated hex-4-en-3-one backbone. Mechanistic insights revealed that the isolated compound is an outcome of the chemical transformation of a α-dicarbonyl compound.

Separation of crude methanol extract of Plantago major root: identification of phytochemicals and assessment of biological activities

Plantago major root extracts were used for analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The anticancer and antibacterial functions of extracts were also investigated. The dichloromethane extract of P. major had the highest inhibitory effect against Salmonella paratyphi (18.00 ± 1.4 mm) at 100 mg/mL concentration. The lowest MIC was also achieved for S. paratyphi treated with dichloromethane extract of P. major (1.5 mg/mL). The minimum MBC (2 mg/mL) was observed for dichloromethane extract of P. major root against S. paratyphi. IC50 values of dichloromethane extracts of P. major root (184.84 μg/mL) against HCT116 were lower than the ethyl acetate and butanol extracts (212.41 μg/mL and 223.93 μg/mL) at 72h. The butanol extract exhibited the most IC50 value on HEK293 (748.19 μg/mL). The biological properties of P. major extracts may be assigned to the presence of numerous compounds detected in GC/MS analysis including n-Hexadecanoic acid, Linolenic acid, Palmitic acid, methyl ester, Stearic acid.

Molecular modelling approaches can reveal the Molecular interactions established between antimalarial targets of hemozoin pathway and the organic phytochemicals of Artocarpus species

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical system, has potential applications in early malaria treatment. In an in silico docking study, 50 phytochemicals from two plants Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. (AL) And Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (AH), were examined for their interactions with anti-malarial proteins (PDB IDs: 3BWK, 3BPF, 1LF3). The nucleotide analogue Artemisinin, a current malaria treatment, served as a positive control. Result showed that phytochemicals from AL and AH exhibited binding affinities as high as -9.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulation for Artocarpin: 3BPF demonstrated stable complexes over 100 ns. Notably, Artocarpin and Quercetin displayed higher binding affinities (up to -9.6 as well as -9.5 kcal/mol, respectively) compared to Artemisinin (-7.5 up to kcal/mol), have shown. Pharmacokinetic predictions indicated the compounds were likely non-carcinogenic, water-soluble and biologically safe. In-vitro analysis using β-Hematin assay supported these findings, suggesting the phytochemicals as Hemozoin pathway inhibitors.

Phytochemical composition of the diethyl ether extract of Artemisia lactiflora Wall. ex DC and its antimetastatic activity in human lung cancer cells

Artemisia lactiflora Wall. ex DC. is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used in the treatment of menstrual and hepatic disorders due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its anti-metastatic activity, which is the clinical challenge of lung cancer treatment, has not yet been reported. From the diethyl ether extract of Artemisia lactiflora, the four terpenoids, including dihydroactinidiolide, megastigmatrienone, alpha-curcumene, and dehydrovomifoliol, were the most intense peaks observed using LC-MS/MS, whereas bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was a contaminant. In a transwell assay, the A. lactiflora diethyl ether extract (32 μg/ml) and dihydroactinidiolide (250 μg/ml) markedly inhibited the migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, similar to the standard anti-metastatic drug (capmatinib). Western blot analysis revealed that mesenchymal N-cadherin is downregulated in NSCLC cells under the treatment conditions. The potential anti-metastatic property of dihydroactinidiolide is promising as a new candidate anti-metastatic agent for lung cancer treatment.

Plant-based proteins from agro-industrial waste and by-products: Towards a more circular economy

There is a pressing need for affordable, abundant, and sustainable sources of proteins to address the rising nutrient demands of a growing global population. The food and agriculture sectors produce significant quantities of waste and by-products during the growing, harvesting, storing, transporting, and processing of raw materials. These waste and by-products can sometimes be converted into valuable protein-rich ingredients with excellent functional and nutritional attributes, thereby contributing to a more circular economy. This review critically assesses the potential for agro-industrial wastes and by-products to contribute to global protein requirements. Initially, we discuss the origins and molecular characteristics of plant proteins derived from agro-industrial waste and by-products. We then discuss the techno-functional attributes, extraction methods, and modification techniques that are applied to these plant proteins. Finally, challenges linked to the safety, allergenicity, anti-nutritional factors, digestibility, and sensory attributes of plant proteins derived from these sources are highlighted. The utilization of agro-industrial by-products and wastes as an economical, abundant, and sustainable protein source could contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda's 2030 goal of a "zero hunger world", as well as mitigating fluctuations in food availability and prices, which have detrimental impacts on global food security and nutrition.

Phytochemical constituents, in-vitro anticancer activity and computational studies of Cymbopogon schoenanthus

The cytotoxic effects of Cymbopogon schoenanthus L. aerial part ethanol extract were examined against some cancer cell lines, and HUVEC normal cell lines using MTT assay. The ethanolic extract was prepared by ultrasonic-assisted extraction and analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC. The extract was found to be rich in terpene compounds. The extract proved to be highly selective and effective against breast and prostate cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-435, MCF-7, and DU 145) with IC50 as low as 0.7913 ± 0.14, 12.841 ± 0.21, and 30.51 ± 0.18 µg/ml, respectively. In silico modeling was performed to investigate the binding orientation and affinity of the major identified compounds against Polo-like kinase (PLK1 protein) a cancer molecular target using molecular docking and molecular dynamic whereas eudesm-5-en-11-ol, piperitone, and 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran displayed better binding affinity and stability against PLK1 compared to the reference drug. These findings encourage further in vivo studies to assess the anti-cancer effects of C. schoenanthus extract and its components.

Cytotoxic constituents from the fruit of Solanum aculeastrum

A new triterpene, aculeastrumone A (1), a new triterpene saponin aculeastrumoside A (2), and eleven known compounds (3-13) were isolated from MeOH/Water (80/20) extract of the fruits of Solanum aculeastrum (Solanaceae). Their structures were established by detailed 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies and mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were evaluated against three human cancer cells ((MCF-7 (breast cancer), NCI-H460 (lung cancer), and Hela (cervical cancer)) and normal human fibroblast (BJ) cell lines. Among them, saponins 2-5, 7-8, and Carpesterol 10 possess significant cytotoxic activity with IC50 ≤ 10 µM against the three cancer cell lines.

A partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist isolated from the roots of Euphorbia sikkimensis

Chemical constituents of the Euphorbia sikkimensis roots was investigated and twelve known compounds were isolated, including three ent-atisane diterpenes: ent-(13S)-hydroxyatis-16-ene-3,14-dione (1), ent-(5β,8α,9β,10α,11α,12α)-11-hydroxyatis-16-ene-3,14-dione (2), ent-atisane-3-oxo-16α,17-diol (3); two kaurene diterpenes: ent-kaurane-3-oxo-16α,17-diol (4), ent-kaurane-3-oxo-16β,17-diol (5); one lathyane diterpene of latilagascene B (6); two flavonoids: quercetin (7), luteolin (8); one lignin d-pinoresinol (9); one coumarin scopoletin (10); together with ethyl gallate (11), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (12). Their structures were identified based on the extensive spectroscopic analysis in comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9 were isolated from Euphorbia sikkimensis for the first time. The agonistic activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) for compounds 1, 7, 8, 9 and 11 was evaluated. Compound 1 exhibited moderate agonistic activity for PPARγ receptor with relative fluorescence intensity of 10.19 at 30.0 µM, in comparison with that of the positive control of rosiglitazone (28.50 at 2.0 µM).

Brønsted Acid-Mediated Conversion of Naturally Abundant Lathyrane Diterpenes: Are Rare 10,11-seco-Lathyrane Diterpenes Artifacts?

The question of whether rare 10,11-seco-lathyranes are natural products or artifacts is thoughtfully considered after a Brønsted acid-mediated chemical conversion of naturally abundant 5/11/3 lathyrane type diterpenes into 10,11-seco-lathyranes was developed. Benefiting from this concise route, a series of 10,11-seco-lathyrane products (1-14) were smoothly synthesized. The conversion may involve an acid promoted cyclopropane ring opening accompanied by a double bond shift with final trapping of carbocation. The ease of this chemical conversion under mildly acidic conditions may imply that the 10,11-seco-lathyranes isolated to date are artifacts. This work not only develops a new modular synthetic strategy for efficient constructing rare 10,11-seco-lathyranes, but also provides a promising bioactive diterpene with excellent effect against the NO production on LPS-induced BV-2 cells.

New bioactive secondary metabolites from the soil-derived Streptomyces sp. S045 and their anti-bacterial and anti-type III secretion system activities

A total of seven compounds were isolated from the ISP3 agar cultures of a soil-derived Streptomyces sp. S045 strain. Their structures were determined based on 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic data, HR ESI mass spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and comparison with the reported data. The new compounds were identified to be (S)-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)quinoline-2-carboxamide (1) and methyl 4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(4-methylpentyl)-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylate (3), respectively. Their anti-bacterial and anti-type III secretion system (T3SS) activities were evaluated.