Diarylpropanes from Horsfieldia kingii

Horsfielenigans A and B, Two Rearranged Lignans with Anti-Inflammatory Effects from Horsfieldia kingii

Seven lignans were isolated from 70 % aqueous acetone extracts of the twigs and leaves of Horsfieldia kingii. Among these, new compounds 1-3 were identified by spectroscopic techniques, with horsfielenigans A and B (1 and 2) being particularly noteworthy for their rare β-benzylnaphthalene skeleton, where compound 1 contains an oxabicyclo[3,2,1]octane moiety. In vitro evaluation of bioactivity against nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages revealed inhibitory effects by 1 (IC50 =7.3 μM) and 2 (IC50 =9.7 μM).

Immunosuppressive diarylpropane dimer and spirocyclic-monomers from Horsfieldia kingii

Horsfiequinone G (1), a dimeric diarylpropane featuring an unprecedentedly oxo-6/7/6 fused ring system, a new flavane, horsfielenide F (2), three naturally occurring spirocyclic monomers containing all-carbon quaternary centers, horspirotone A (3), horspirotone B (4), and methyl spirobroussonin B (5), along with horsfiequinone A (6) were isolated from Horsfieldia kingii. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by the inspection of extensive spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Biological evaluations of these isolates revealed that compounds 1 - 3 and 5 - 6 exhibited specifically immunosuppressive activities against Con A-induced T lymphocytes with IC50 values ranging from 2.07 to 12.34 μM (selectivity indices = 2.3-25.2). Compound 1 also suppressed the secretion of inflammatory factors like IL-1β and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells which could present a new class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Finally, the primary structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also discussed.

Nutmegs and wild nutmegs: An update on ethnomedicines, phytochemicals, pharmacology, and toxicity of the Myristicaceae species

Prized medicinal spice true nutmeg is obtained from Myristica fragrans Houtt. Rest species of the family Myristicaceae are known as wild nutmegs. Nutmegs and wild nutmegs are a rich reservoir of bioactive molecules and used in traditional medicines of Europe, Asia, Africa, America against madness, convulsion, cancer, skin infection, malaria, diarrhea, rheumatism, asthma, cough, cold, as stimulant, tonics, and psychotomimetic agents. Nutmegs are cultivated around the tropics for high-value commercial spice, used in global cuisine. A thorough literature survey of peer-reviewed publications, scientific online databases, authentic webpages, and regulatory guidelines found major phytochemicals namely, terpenes, fatty acids, phenylpropanoids, alkanes, lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, and indole alkaloids. Scientific names, synonyms were verified with www.theplantlist.org. Pharmacological evaluation of extracts and isolated biomarkers showed cholinesterase inhibitory, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal activities, and toxicity through in-vitro, in-vivo studies. Human clinical trials were very few. Most of the pharmacological studies were not conducted as per current guidelines of natural products to ensure repeatability, safety, and translational use in human therapeutics. Rigorous pharmacological evaluation and randomized double-blind clinical trials are recommended to analyze the efficacy and therapeutic potential of nutmeg and wild nutmegs in anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, autism, schizophrenia, stroke, cancer, and others.

Cytotoxicity of acylphloroglucinol derivatives from the fruits of Horsfieldia irya

Four new acylphloroglucinol derivatives 1, 3, 5 and 13 were isolated from the fruits of Horsfieldia irya, and in addition, thirteen known compounds were also discovered. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against HeLa and HCT116 cell lines, as well as normal cells (Vero cells). Compound 13 showed cytotoxicity against HeLa and HCT116 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 4.53 ± 0.05 and 4.53 ± 0.16 μg/mL, respectively, and showed less activity against normal cells (IC₅₀ = 13.38 ± 0.75 μg/mL). Compound 13 may be useful for the development of anticancer agents. It was found that decanoyl side chain may be necessary for the cytotoxicity. The chemical structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods including 1 D-NMR, 2 D-NMR, MS and IR data.