The antioxidant methyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate

Chemical profiling, bio-guided purification, and cytotoxic effect of two African spices: Hypodaphnis zenkeri Engl. Stapf (Lauraceae) and Staudtia kamerunensis warb (Myristicaceae) on human prostate cancer cell lines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Prostate cancer remains a significant burden in low- and middle-income countries and the second leading cause of death around the world. Spices used in daily cuisine contain interesting phytochemical components capable of helping prevent and cure cancer.

AIM

This study aims to give sufficient phytochemical information on two understudied species, Staudtia kamerunensis Warb. (Myristicaceae) and Hypodaphnis zenkeri Engl. Stapf. (Lauraceae), and to study their cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells in its early form and when they have developed metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To reach this goal, normal procedures for phytochemical analysis were followed; these include collection, drying, crushing and extraction of plant materials using organic solvents. GC-MS (Gas chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) was used to evaluate the volatile phytochemicals contained in the extracts, and open-column chromatography was used to isolate the pure compounds used in this study. A bio-guided exploration of Hypodaphnis zenkeri (Lauraceae) (leaves, seeds, stems) guided us in selecting the extract for further analysis. An established MTT assay was used to measure cell proliferation. Three prostate cancer cell lines were considered in this study, DU145 and PC3, human androgens-independent prostate carcinoma cells and LNCaP, which are cells derived from metastasis of a human prostate and respond to androgens, oestrogens and progestins. The eight compounds isolated were characterized using HREIMS, 1D and 2D NMR.

RESULTS

Among the three extracts from Hypodaphnis zenkeri, considered for biological testing, the leaf extract displayed better activities with a CC50 of 180 μg/mL against DU 145 cells, 184 μg/mL against PC3 cells and 194 μg/mL against LNCaP cells. These results were justified when GC-MS analysis of the different extracts was performed. Fifty compounds were identified from the leaves, representing 96.06% of the volatile components, with most displaying anticancer activities or activities against vectors favorizing cancer growth (inflammation, etc.). An attempt to isolate the active principle responsible for the cancer activity led to the isolation of five pure compounds, namely Eicosane [1], Nonacos-1-ene [2], Palmitic acid [3], Glucoside Stigmasterol [4] and Butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol [5]. Eicosane was identified as being responsible in part for the observed activity, even though it exhibited weak cytotoxicity with the lowest CC50 equal to 30 μg/mL against DU 145 cells. Staudtia kamerunensis sap was investigated in our previous studies with the isolation of Oleanan-12-ene-2α,3β -diol [6] and 2α, 3β -dihydroxylup-20-ene [7] among the major components, with significant antibacterial properties. Oleanan-12-ene-2α,3β -diol [7] in this study displayed a CC50 of 20 μg/mL against DU145 cells, 22 μg/mL against PC3 cells, 18 μg/mL against LNCaP cells, and 32 μg/mL in HMEC affording a selectivity index >2. Contrary to what was observed in our previous study, the activity of Oleanan-12-ene-2α,3β -diol was lost in the presence of 2α, 3β -dihydroxylup-20-ene.

CONCLUSION

the cytotoxic effect of extract from Staudtia and Hypodaphnis genera and pure isolates are here reported for the first time, as well as the pure isolates. These studies exhibit the cytotoxic potential of two traditional African spices and, more specifically, Oleanan-12-ene-2α,3β -diol and eicosane, isolated from these plant species.

Establishment of compound database of emerging antioxidants and high-resolution mass spectrometry screening in lake sediment from Taihu Lake Basin, China

Antioxidants are ubiquitous in various environmental samples, leading to increasing concern regarding their potential risk to environments or humans. However, there is dearth of information regarding the environmental fate of antioxidants and unknown/unexpected antioxidants in the environment. Here, we established a compound database (CDB) containing 320 current-used antioxidants by collecting the chemicals from EPA's functional use database and published documents. Physical-chemical characteristics of these antioxidants were estimated, and 19 ones were considered as persistent and bioaccumulative (P&B) substances. This CDB was further coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) technique, which was employed for suspect screening of antioxidants in extracts of sediments (n = 88) collected from Taihu Lake basin. We screened 119 HRMS features that can match 135 chemical formulas in the CDB, and 20 out of them exhibited the detection frequencies ≥ 90%. The total concentrations of suspect antioxidants in sediments ranged from 6.41 to 830 ng/g dw. Statistical analysis demonstrated that concentrations of suspect antioxidants in Taihu Lake were statistically significantly lower than those in Shihu and Jiulihu Lake, but greater than those from other small lakes. Collectively, this study provided a CDB that could be helpful for further monitoring studies of antioxidant in the environments, and also provided the first evidence regarding the ubiquity of antioxidants in aquatic environment of Taihu Lake basin.

The methanol extract of red algae, Dichotomaria obtusata, from Persian Gulf promotes in vitro osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; a biological and phytochemical study

OBJECTIVES

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem that is appeared with increasing age. This study evaluated the effect of the algae Dichotomaria obtusata methanol extract on osteogenic differentiation of the cultured bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in vitro and analyzed the algae methanol extract to find out the potent beneficial components.

METHODS

Dichotomaria obtusata were collected from the coastal area of Bushehr City in the Persian Gulf, Iran. The expression of osteogenesis-related genes was examined using real-time PCR. The formation of calcium deposits in differentiated MSCs was examined by Alizarin R staining. Analyses of algae extract ingredients were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

KEY FINDINGS

Methanol extract of the algae caused the up-regulation of osteogenic genes that were significant for Osteopontin and Osteocalcin (P < 0.05) and also led to an increase in calcium deposits and matrix mineralization in BMMSCs. The GC-MS analyses of the algae extracts resulted in the identification of steroids and essential fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study indicated that the methanol extract of D. obtusata may possess significant potentials for the prevention of osteoporosis in vitro.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy-droxy-phen-yl)-3-phenyl-4,5-di-hydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide

In the title compound, C24H31N3O2, the mean plane of the central pyrazole ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.095 Å] makes dihedral angles of 11.93 (9) and 84.53 (8)°, respectively, with the phenyl and benzene rings. There is a short intra-molecular N-H⋯N contact, which generates an S(5) ring motif. In the crystal, pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link inversion-related mol-ecules into dimers, generating an R 2 2(8) ring motif. The Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most significant contribution involves H⋯H contacts of 68.6.

A highly efficient antioxidant based on boron and a Schiff base bridged phenolic diphenylamine: synthesis, crystal structure and thermal and antioxidant properties

Antioxidants can effectively protect vegetable-oil-based lubricants against oxidative degradation and prolong their service life. A novel compound, (E)-4-({3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-[(diphenylboranyl)oxy]benzylidene}amino)-N-phenylaniline (BSPD) or {2-[(4-anilinophenyl)iminomethyl-κN]-4,6-di-tert-butylphenolato-κO}diphenylboron, C₃₉H₄₁BN₂O, was synthesized by a one-pot reaction of the Schiff base bridged phenolic diphenylamine 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-{N-[4-(phenylamino)phenyl]carboximidoyl}phenol (SPD) with phenylboronic acid. The corresponding single-crystal X-ray study revealed that the B atom in BSPD has a typical tetrahedral geometry, and the N,O-chelated six-membered ring adopts a chair conformation. According to thermogravimetric analysis, the 5% weight-loss temperature of BSPD increases to 328 °C and the 95% weight-loss temperature is up to 414 °C. More importantly, the antioxidant capability of BSPD in vegetable oil is much better than that of commercial antioxidants [diphenylamine (DPA) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT)] and unmodified SPD.

Butyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate

Millimeter-sized crystalline particles of butyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate, C21H34O3, magnitudes larger than adherent particulate matter commonly observed during routine filter service inspections, were found in a commercial bus engine running on compressed methane biofuels and subjected to single-crystal XRD investigation. The structure is fully ordered and shows molecules in rather extended conformations being linked into chains by O—H...O hydrogen bonds.

Methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate

The title compound, C10H12O3, crystallizes in the orthorhombicP212121space group. The structure contains a phenolic group with the OH being coplanar with the phenyl ring. The structure exhibits significant hydrogen bonding between the O—H group of one molecule and the CO group of an adjacent one. These O—H...O=C interactions form chains of molecules parallel to thebaxis. No π–π or C—H...π intermolecular interactions are observed.

Simultaneous anti-diabetic and anti-vascular calcification activity of Nocardia sp. UTMC 751

Alpha-amylase can act as a significant player in causing hyperglycaemia, leading to protein glycation, which is the main complication in this condition, besides causing vascular calcification (VC), an important vascular failure caused due to this. In order to find a natural source of the biocompounds with inhibitory effects on α-amylase, 15 fermentation broth extracts of actinobacteria (FBEA) (200 μg ml^-1 ) have been screened. Finally, the effects of the most efficient FBE have been investigated on osteopontin (OPN, a VC marker) mRNA level in the vascular smooth muscle cells under the calcification conditions, and the chemical constituents of the most efficient FBE were analysed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The tested FBEA showed anti-amylase (7·2-21%) and anti-denaturation (7·5-37%) activities. Among the tested FBEA, Nocardia sp. UTMC 751 FBE showed the highest anti-amylase activity (21%). This treatment group also displayed the minimum fructosamine and the maximum thiol groups content. In addition, this FBE reduced the mRNA level of the OPN (fourfold). The GC-MS analysis demonstrated the existence of three volatile and known antioxidants including pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl)-, pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(phenylmethyl)- and methyl ester of 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid in the FBE of Nocardia sp. UTMC 751. The results indicated that Nocardia sp. UTMC 751 is a considerable source of bioactive compounds that are effective against the direct and indirect pathological targets involved in diabetes. This study highlights the significant potential of rare Actinomycetes in producing pharmaceutically important biocompounds.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Actinobacteria are one of the best natural libraries for discovering drugs. Various commercial drugs have been developed against infectious and metabolic disorders from actinobacteria; however, there is no report on their simultaneous inhibitory effect against diabetes, a life-threatening disease, and its related pathological processes, like inflammation and vascular calcification (VC). In this research, after several screening, Nocardia sp. UTMC 751 was introduced as the first microbial source exhibiting a simultaneous inhibitory activity on the targets, including hyperglycaemia and protein glycation, and other involved pathological processes like inflammation and VC.

Isolation and screening of rare Actinobacteria, a new insight for finding natural products with antivascular calcification activity

AIM

Vascular calcification (VC) is a significant pathological process in some life-threatening diseases. Several pathological mechanisms, including transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells to osteoblast-like cells and apoptosis are involved in VC. Compounds with an inhibitory effect on these processes are potentially efficient medications. In consideration of the multiple biological activities of Actinobacteria, this research was aimed at finding anti-VC metabolite-producing Actinobacteria.

METHODS AND RESULTS

After the isolation and identification of Actinobacteria, the effect of their fermentation broth extracts on the apoptosis rate was measured using various methods, for example, ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining, DNA laddering and diphenylamine assays. The effect of the most effective fermentation broth extract of Actinobacteria (FBEA) on the mRNA expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteopontin (OPN) was examined. Finally, the most effective FBEA was fractionated and the chemical composition of anti-VC fractions was analysed using GC-MS. Various VC inhibition rates were observed in the tested FBEA (20 μg ml^-1 ; 17·9-60·15%). The inhibition of DNA fragmentation was 7-48%. The FBE with the greatest anticalcification activity belonged to Kribbella sp. UTMC 267 and, according to 16S rRNA analysis, Kribbella sancticallisti with a similarity of 98·53% is its nearest neighbour. The FBE of Kribbella sp. UTMC 267 reduced Runx2 mRNA expression by 2·95-fold and OPN mRNA expression by 28·57-fold, both of which are considered significant (P < 0·05). Finally, GC-MS analysis showed the existence of potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammation agents in FBE of Kribbella sp. UTMC 267.

CONCLUSIONS

Actinobacterial metabolites can provide a new strategy for treating VC diseases by reducing the expression of osteogenic genes, the apoptosis rate and oxidative stress.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study highlights the therapeutic potential of Kribbella sp. metabolites and Actinobacteria as a new natural source for drug discovery programs in the nonantibiotic bioactivity field.

Methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis L. leaves impedes acetaminophen-induced liver intoxication partly by enhancing the endogenous antioxidant system

Background

The present study investigated the potential of methanolic extract of Dicranopteris linearis (MEDL) leaves to attenuate liver intoxication induced by acetaminophen (APAP) in rats.

Methods

A group of mice (n = 5) treated orally with a single dose (5000 mg/kg) of MEDL was first subjected to the acute toxicity study using the OECD 420 model. In the hepatoprotective study, six groups of rats (n = 6) were used and each received as follows: Group 1 (normal control; pretreated with 10% DMSO (extract’s vehicle) followed by treatment with 10% DMSO (hepatotoxin’s vehicle) (10% DMSO +10% DMSO)), Group 2 (hepatotoxic control; 10% DMSO +3 g/kg APAP (hepatotoxin)), Group 3 (positive control; 200 mg/kg silymarin +3 g/kg APAP), Group 4 (50 mg/kg MEDL +3 g/kg APAP), Group 5 (250 mg/kg MEDL +3 g/kg APAP) or Group 6 (500 mg/kg MEDL +3 g/kg APAP). The test solutions pre-treatment were made orally once daily for 7 consecutive days, and 1 h after the last test solutions administration (on Day 7th), the rats were treated with vehicle or APAP. Blood were collected from those treated rats for biochemical analyses, which were then euthanized to collect their liver for endogenous antioxidant enzymes determination and histopathological examination. The extract was also subjected to in vitro anti-inflammatory investigation and, HPLC and GCMS analyses.

Results

Pre-treatment of rats (Group 2) with 10% DMSO failed to attenuate the toxic effect of APAP on the liver as seen under the microscopic examination. This observation was supported by the significant (p < 0.05) increased in the level of serum liver enzymes of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and significant (p < 0.05) decreased in the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in comparison to Group 1. Pre-treatment with MEDL, at all doses, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the level of ALT and AST while the levels of CAT and SOD was significantly (p < 0.05) restored to their normal value. Histopathological studies showed remarkable improvement in the liver cells architecture with increase in dose of the extract. MEDL also demonstrated a low to none inhibitory activity against the respective LOX- and NO-mediated inflammatory activity. The HPLC and GCMS analyses of MEDL demonstrated the presence of several non-volatile (such as rutin, gallic acid etc.) and volatile (such as methyl palmitate, shikimic acid etc.) bioactive compounds.

Conclusion

MEDL exerts hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced intoxication possibly via its ability to partly activate the endogenous antioxidant system and presence of various volatile and non-volatile bioactive compounds that might act synergistically to enhance the hepatoprotective effect.