Pancreatic lipase-inhibiting triterpenoid saponins from Gypsophila oldhamiana

New triterpenoid saponin from the aerial part of Abrus canescens Welw ex. Bak. (Fabaceae) and their antibacterial activities

The chemical investigation of the aerial part of Abrus canescens led to isolation of a new triterpenoid glycoside named Canescensoside (1) and four known compounds including longispinogenin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (2), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (3), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and apigenin-7-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (5). Structures of compounds were assigned by interpretation of their spectral data, mainly 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and by comparison with the reported data. The MeOH extract, EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions as well as isolated compounds were tested for their antibacterial activities against four bacteria strains among which, two Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 76110 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739) and two Gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) bacteria using the broth microdilution method. The MeOH extract and EtOAc fraction exhibited significant activities (MIC values ranging from 128 to 512 μg/mL) against all the tested bacteria. Compounds 2 and 3 showed the lowest MIC values of 55.47 and 50.40 µM, respectively.

The colloid and interface strategies to inhibit lipid digestion for designing low-calorie food

Although fat is one of the indispensable components of food flavor, excessive fat consumption could cause obesity, metabolism syndromes and an imbalance in the intestinal flora. In the pursuit of a healthy diet, designing fat reducing foods by inhibiting lipid digestion and calorie intake is a promising strategy. Altering the gastric emptying rates of lipids as well as acting on the lipase by suppressing the enzymatic activity or limiting lipase diffusion via interfacial modulation can effectively decrease lipolysis rates. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of colloid-based strategies that can be employed to retard lipid hydrolysis, including pancreatic lipase inhibitors, emulsion-based interfacial modulation and fat substitutes. Plants-/microorganisms-derived lipase inhibitors bind to catalytic active sites and change the enzymatic conformation to inhibit lipase activity. Introducing oil-in-water Pickering emulsions into the food can effectively delay lipolysis via steric hindrance of interfacial particulates. Regulating stability and physical states of emulsions can also affect the rate of hydrolysis by altering the active hydrolysis surface. 3D network structure assembled by fat substitutes with high viscosity can not only slow down the peristole and obstruct the diffusion of lipase to the oil droplets but also impede the transportation of lipolysis products to epithelial cells for adsorption. Their applications in low-calorie bakery, dairy and meat products were also discussed, emphasizing fat intake reduction, structure and flavor retention and potential health benefits. However, further application of these strategies in large-scale food production still requires more optimization on cost and lipid reducing effects. This review provides a comprehensive review on colloidal approaches, design, principles and applications of fat reducing strategies to meet the growing demand for healthier diet and offer practical insights for the low-calorie food industry.

Methodologies for Assessing Pancreatic Lipase Catalytic Activity: A Review

Obesity is a disease of epidemic proportions with a concerning increasing trend. Regarded as one of the main sources of energy, lipids can also represent a big part of an unnecessary intake of calories and be, therefore, directly related to the problem of obesity. Pancreatic lipase is an enzyme that is essential in the absorption and digestion of dietary fats and has been explored as an alternative for the reduction of fat absorption and consequent weigh loss.Literature describes a great variability of methodologies and experimental conditions used in research to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of compounds against pancreatic lipase. However, in an attempt to choose the best approach, it is necessary to know all the reaction conditions and understand how these can affect the enzymatic assay.The objective of this review is to understand and summarize the methodologies and respective experimental conditions that are mainly used to evaluate pancreatic lipase catalytic activity.156 studies were included in this work and a detailed description of the most commonly used UV/Vis spectrophotometric and fluorimetric instrumental techniques are presented, including a discussion regarding the differences found in the parameters used in both techniques, namely enzyme, substrate, buffer solutions, kinetics conditions, temperature and pH.This works shows that both UV/Vis spectrophotometry and fluorimetry are useful instrumental techniques for the evaluation of pancreatic lipase catalytic activity, presenting several advantages and limitations, which make the choice of parameters and experimental conditions a crucial decision to obtain the most reliable results.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and current uses of underutilized Xanthoceras sorbifolium bunge: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Plant Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge (X. sorbifolia) has a long history of medicinal use as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine to deal with sterilizing, killing sperm, stabilizing capillary, hemostasis, lowering cholesterol, rheumatism, and pediatric enuresis. Additionally, X. sorbifolia is an oil crop for the production of edible oil due to the health-promotion effect. In recent years, X. sorbifolia has attracted worldwide attention as an important economic crop with low investment and high-income potential.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to provide a comprehensive appraisal of X. sorbifolia, including the traditional uses, nutrients, phytochemical data, biological activities, and current applications. The natural compounds of X. sorbifolia and potential utilization in pharmacology are highlighted. The aim of this review is to inspire the research enthusiasm to X. sorbifolia and promote the comprehensive utilization of X. sorbifolia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research information of X. sorbifolia was collected via Elsevier, American Chemical Society (ACS), PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Baidu scholar, and Google scholar. Additionally, some information was collected from Ph.D. and Master's dissertations, as well as local books.

RESULTS

The identification of approximately 195 major phytochemical compounds from different parts of X. sorbifolia is presented in this review, including triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, lignans, meroterpenoids, monoterpene, alkaloids, and sterol. Among them, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids are the major compounds. Extracts from X. sorbifolia exhibited a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-tumor, anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-adipogenesis, anti-obesity, anti-HIV, gastroprotective, immunoregulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern pharmacological studies have been well supported and clarified the traditional medicinal uses of X. sorbifolia, which brought a promising prospect for the pharmaceutical value of this plant. However, the related mechanisms between the structure and pharmacological effects were seldom reported. Also, at present, effective and in-depth research on X. sorbifolia is still relatively lacking. Moreover, there is little research on toxicological experiments. Further clinical trials should also be performed to accelerate the drug research and development.

Pancreatic lipase inhibitors: The road voyaged and successes

Human pancreatic lipase (triacylglycerol acyl hydrolase EC3.1.1.3) is the most widely studied member of the human lipase superfamily related to carboxyl esterase. It is secreted from the acinar cell of pancreas and has strong preference for triacylglycerides over cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and galactolipids. Apart from the hydrolysis of triacylglycerides, pancreatic lipase may cause the hydrolysis of retinyl esters in vivo. So, it is very much evidenced that pancreatic lipase with its cofactor colipase has prominent role in efficient digestion of dietary fat. Hence, the modulation of human pancreatic lipase may represent a new insight in the discovery of a number of therapeutics that can inhibit the absorption of fat in body and can be used in obesity and other related metabolic disorders. Even, the only Food and drug administration (FDA) approved antiobesity drug, orlistat, is also an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase. This review summarizes studies about structure, mechanistic approach of pancreatic lipase enzyme while emphasizing on the various synthetic pancreatic lipase inhibitors with their structure activity relationship (SAR).

Chemical Constituents of the Bulbs of Scilla peruviana and Their Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity

Scilla species are used as medicinal plants and contain lanosterol-type triterpene glycosides. The phytochemical investigation of the bulbs of Scilla peruviana led to the isolation of 17 compounds, including three new rearranged pentacyclic-lanosterol glycosides (1–3) and two new homoisoflavanone glycosides (12 and 13). The structures of the undescribed compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional (2D) NMR. Among the triterpene glycosides, 2, 3, and 6 showed significant pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. The oral administration of scillascilloside D-2 (6) reduced serum triglyceride levels in a dose-dependent manner in soybean oil-loaded mice.

A review of saponin intervention in metabolic syndrome suggests further study on intestinal microbiota

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a series of symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated fasting blood glucose levels, and hepatic steatosis. As a key criterion in MetS, the onset of insulin resistance is related to abnormal levels of circulating free fatty acids and adipokines. It has been discovered in recent years that metabolites and pathogen-associated molecular patterns of intestinal/gut microbiota are also important factors that cause insulin resistance and MetS. Saponins are the main components of many botanicals and traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), such as ginseng, platycodon, licorice, and alfalfa. They have poor bioavailability, but can be transformed into secondary glycosides and aglycones by intestinal microbiota, further being absorbed. Based on in vivo and in vitro data, we found that saponins and their secondary metabolites have a preventive effect on MetS, and the effective targets are distributed in the intestine and other organs in human body. Intestinal targets involve pancreatic lipase, dietary cholesterol, and intestinal microbiota. Other targets include central appetite, nuclear receptors such as PPAR and LXR, AMPK signaling pathway and adipokines levels, etc. In view of the poor bioavailability of saponins, it is inferred that targets for prototype-saponins to interfere with MetS is mainly located in the intestine, and the activation of other targets may be related to secondary glycosides and aglycones transformed from saponins by intestinal flora. We suggest that the role of intestinal microbiota in saponin intervention in MetS should be further investigated.

New insights into potential nutritional effects of dietary saponins in protecting against the development of obesity

Excessive energy intake, poor physical exercise and genetics/epigenetics are instrumental for the development of obesity. Because of rapidly emerging evidences related to off-target effects and toxicity of anti-obesity drugs, there is a need to search for more effective and targeted drugs for treatment of obesity. Substantial studies have found the nutritional effects of dietary saponins (bio-detergents) in terms of decreasing the synthesis of lipids, suppressing adipogenesis, inhibiting intestinal absorption of lipids, and promoting fecal excretion of bile acids and triglycerides. Dietary saponin have been approved as potent pancreatic lipase inhibitors, disaccharidase enzyme inhibitors, antagonistic to in vitro lipogenesis and in vivo appetite suppressants, antioxidants, immune-regulators, prevent fatty liver formation, protects epithelial vasculature and regulate body weight. Many dietary saponins, such as sibutramine, morgoside, sessiloside, soysaponin B, and diosgenin, have treatment potential against the development of obesity. Excellent scientific achievements have been developed for a better understanding the mechanism of saponins in preventing obesity.

Targeting obesity with plant-derived pancreatic lipase inhibitors: A comprehensive review

The prevalence of obesity is alarmingly increasing in the last few decades and leading to many serious public health concerns worldwide. The dysregulated lipid homeostasis due to various genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors is considered one of the critical putative pathways mediating obesity. Nonetheless, the scientific advancements unleashing the molecular dynamics of lipid metabolism have provided deeper insights on the emerging roles of lipid hydrolysing enzymes, including pancreatic lipase. It is hypothesized that inhibiting pancreatic lipase would prevent the breakdown of triglyceride and delays the absorption of fatty acids into the systemic circulation and adipocytes. Whilst, orlistat is the only conventional pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibitor available in clinics, identifying the safe clinical alternatives from plants to inhibit pancreatic lipase has been considered a significant advancement. Consequently, plants which have shown significant potential to combat obesity are now revisited for its abilities to inhibit pancreatic lipase. In this regard, our review surveyed the potential of medicinal plants and its phytoconstituents to inhibit pancreatic lipase and to elicit anti-obesity effects. Thus, the review collate and critically appraise the potential of medicinal plants and phyto-molecules inhibiting pancreatic lipase enzyme and consequently modulating triglyceride absorption in gut, and discuss its implications in the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat obesity.

Protective effect of triterpenes against diabetes-induced β-cell damage: An overview of in vitro and in vivo studies

Accumulative evidence shows that chronic hyperglycaemia is a major factor implicated in the development of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in diabetic patients. Furthermore, most of these patients display impaired insulin signalling that is responsible for accelerated pancreatic β-cell damage. Indeed, prominent pathways involved in glucose metabolism such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3-K/AKT) and 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are impaired in an insulin resistant state. The impairment of this pathway is associated with over production of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory factors that supersede pancreatic β-cell damage. Although several antidiabetic drugs can improve β-cell function by modulating key regulators such as PI3-K/AKT and AMPK, evidence of their β-cell regenerative and protective effect is scanty. As a result, there has been continued exploration of novel antidiabetic therapeutics with abundant antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties that are essential in protecting against β-cell damage. Such therapies include triterpenes, which have displayed robust effects to improve glycaemic tolerance, insulin secretion, and pancreatic β-cell function. This review summarises most relevant effects of various triterpenes on improving pancreatic β-cell function in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. A special focus falls on studies reporting on the ameliorative properties of these compounds against insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation, the well-known factors involved in hyperglycaemia associated tissue damage.

Effects of Saponins on Lipid Metabolism: A Review of Potential Health Benefits in the Treatment of Obesity

Obesity is one of the greatest public health problems. This complex condition has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the world, and it constitutes a risk factor for several chronic disorders, such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. In the last few decades, several studies dealt with the potential effects of natural products as new safe and effective tools for body weight control. Saponins are naturally-occurring surface-active glycosides, mainly produced by plants, whose structure consists of a sugar moiety linked to a hydrophobic aglycone (a steroid or a triterpene). Many pharmacological properties have been reported for these compounds, such as anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antifungal and cytotoxic activities. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent studies about the anti-obesity therapeutic potential of saponins isolated from medicinal plants. Results on the in vitro and in vivo activity of this class of phytochemicals are here presented and discussed. The most interesting findings about their possible mechanism of action and their potential health benefits in the treatment of obesity are reported, as well.

Current trends and future prospects of lipstatin: a lipase inhibitor and pro-drug for obesity

A review of the implications and causes of obesity, the status of antiobesity drugs, the mechanism of inhibition of pancreatic lipases, the biosynthesis of lipstatin and the present status of lipstatin production.

Leptocarposide: a new triterpenoid glycoside from Ludwigia leptocarpa (Onagraceae)

A new triterpenoid bidesmoside (leptocarposide) possessing an acyl group in their glycosidic moiety (1), together with the known luteolin-8-C-glucoside (2) and 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R,8E)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxypalmitoylamino]-8-octadecen-1,3-diol (3) was isolated from the n-butanol-soluble fraction of whole plant of Ludwigia leptocarpa (Nutt) Hara (Onagraceae). Structure of compound 1 has been assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data ((1)H and (13)C NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY), mass spectrometry, and by comparison with the literature. This compound was further screened for its potential antioxidant properties by using the radical scavenging assay model 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and reveals non-potent antioxidant activities, while compound 2 shows SC50 of 0,038 mM.

Oldhamianoside II, a new triterpenoid saponin, prevents tumor growth via inducing cell apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis

Oldhamianoside II is a new triterpenoid saponin that was isolated from the roots of Gypsophila oldhamiana. The present study aims to investigate the potential inhibitory activity of oldhamianoside II on tumor growth using an S180 tumor implantation mouse model. Oldhamianoside II at doses of 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg was given with intraperitoneal injection for 10 days following subcutaneous inoculation of S180 tumor cells in anterior flank of mice. The tumor growth, the cell apoptosis, the microvessel density (MVD) in S180 tumors, the tumor cell viability, the tubular formation in vitro, and migration of tumor cells were examined. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was determined to analyze the associated mechanisms. The results showed that oldhamianoside II potently inhibited tumor cell viability in vitro. In addition, oldhamianoside II delayed tumor growth in anterior flank, induced S180 cell apoptosis, and reduced the MVD. Oldhamianoside II was also demonstrated to decrease the number of tubular structure and vessel formation in HUVEC cultures and chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, respectively. Further study indicated that oldhamianoside II reduced the expression of VEGF, bFGF, and COX-2 in tumor sections. Moreover, oldhamianoside II inhibited the activity of migration and penetration to Matrigel of SGC7901 tumor cells in scratch wound and transwell chamber. In conclusion, our work defines oldhamianoside II, a new triterpenoid saponin, as a novel compound that can effectively inhibit S180 tumor growth, induce tumor cell apoptosis, prevent tumor angiogenesis, and inhibit cancer cell migration, suggesting that oldhamianoside II is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of cancer and for the prevention of metastasis.

Triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Gypsophila trichotoma Wender

Eleven triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the roots of Gypsophila trichotoma Wender. (G. trichotoma Wender. var. trichotoma) (Caryophyllaceae), together with one known compound. The structures were established on the basis of extensive NMR analysis ((1)H, (13)C NMR, COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC), completed by analysis of HR-ESI-MS and ESI-MS(n). The saponins have the commonly found gypsogenin as the aglycone substituted at C-3 with trisaccharide and at C-28 with oligosaccharide through a fucose residue, as saponins isolated from Gypsophila perfoliata L. originated from China. The oligosaccharide attached to C-28 is substituted with acetyl and (or) sulfate groups. Тhe cytotoxicity of the saponin extract from G. trichotoma was evaluated against a rat alveolar macrophage-like cell line NR8383 and human leukemia cell lines U937 and BV-173. The synergistic effect of the aminoacyl saponins, previously isolated from G. trichotoma, was tested for its ability to enhance the cytotoxicity of the targeted toxin in HER14 cells.

Anti-inflammatory properties of a triterpenoidal glycoside from Momordica cochinchinensis in LPS-stimulated macrophages

Two triterpenoidal saponins were isolated from the seeds of Momordica cochinchinensis Sprenger (Cucurbitaceae). Identification of chemical structures has been performed by (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GC). One of the saponins is a new gypsogenin glycoside, named as gypsogenin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl(1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)]-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (compound 1), which is reported for the first time from natural resources. The other saponin is a quillaic acid glycoside (compound 2), which showed anti-inflammatory activities in RAW 264.7 cells. The mechanistic understanding of anti-inflammatory activities demonstrates that compound 2 inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of nitric oxide and IL-6 via NF-κB pathway.

Lapacho tea (Tabebuia impetiginosa) extract inhibits pancreatic lipase and delays postprandial triglyceride increase in rats

Earlier work in our laboratory indicated that ethanolic extracts of Tabebuia impetiginosa, Arctium lappa L., Calendula officinalis, Helianthus annuus, Linum usitatissimum and L. propolis, inhibit pancreatic lipase in vitro. In a follow-up study we assessed their effects on plasma triglycerides in rats fed on a fatty meal. Extracts, orlistat or only ethanol were given orally to the rats together with the test meal and the rate of increase of postprandial triglycerides was assessed over 4 h. Clearing of the triglycerides from the blood compartment was abolished by inhibiting lipoprotein lipase with Triton WR-1339. Our results showed that out of all the extracts, the bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa led to a significant delay in the postprandial increase of plasma triglycerides. However, lapachol, which is contained in the bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa and soluble in ethanol, had no lipase inhibitory effect in vitro and hence this substance did not seem to mediate the pertinent effect.

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: an update for 2007-2008

This review is the fifth update of the original review, published in 1999, on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2008. The first section of the review covers fundamental studies, fragmentation of carbohydrate ions, use of derivatives and new software developments for analysis of carbohydrate spectra. Among newer areas of method development are glycan arrays, MALDI imaging and the use of ion mobility spectrometry. The second section of the review discusses applications of MALDI MS to the analysis of different types of carbohydrate. Specific compound classes that are covered include carbohydrate polymers from plants, N- and O-linked glycans from glycoproteins, biopharmaceuticals, glycated proteins, glycolipids, glycosides and various other natural products. There is a short section on the use of MALDI mass spectrometry for the study of enzymes involved in glycan processing and a section on the use of MALDI MS to monitor products of the chemical synthesis of carbohydrates with emphasis on carbohydrate-protein complexes and glycodendrimers. Corresponding analyses by electrospray ionization now appear to outnumber those performed by MALDI and the amount of literature makes a comprehensive review on this technique impractical. However, most of the work relating to sample preparation and glycan synthesis is equally relevant to electrospray and, consequently, those proposing analyses by electrospray should also find material in this review of interest.

Triterpenoids

This review covers the isolation and structure determination of triterpenoids including squalene derivatives, protostanes, lanostanes, holostanes, cycloartanes, dammaranes, euphanes, tirucallanes, tetranortriterpenoids, lupanes, oleananes, friedelanes, ursanes, hopanes, isomalabaricanes and saponins; 574 references are cited.

Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Paris delavayi

Two new steroidal saponins, padelaosides A (1) and B (2), along with two other known steroidal saponins (3 and 4) were isolated from the rhizomes of Paris delavayi. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR techniques, HRFTMS, physical data and chemical methods. The two different absolute configurations of fucose, assigned as l and d that were found on compounds 1 and 2, respectively, were simultaneously reported in a natural medicine for the first time.

New pentacyclic triterpenes from Gypsophila oldhamiana and their biological evaluation as glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors

The three new pentacyclic triterpenes 1-3 were isolated and elucidated from the roots of Gypsophila oldhamiana, together with seven known triterpenes (4-10). These triterpenes were evaluated for their glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity and preliminary structure-activity trends are suggested.

Pancreatic Lipase-Inhibiting Triterpenoid Saponins from Fruits of Acanthopanax senticosus

Sixteen triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the fruits of Acanthopanax senticosus, including a new compound, acanthopanaxoside E (1), which was established as 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl echinocystic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradation. By using a pancreatic lipase-inhibiting assay system, the crude saponin fraction showed inhibitory activity on pancreatic lipase, which is a key enzyme in lipid digestion. Among the isolated compounds, silphioside F (2), copteroside B (3), hederagenin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside 6'-O-methyl ester (4) and gypsogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (5) showed inhibitory activity toward pancreatic lipase with IC(50) values of 0.22, 0.25, 0.26 and 0.29 mM, respectively, and the free carboxylic acid groups in position 28 within their chemical structures were required for enhancement of pancreatic lipase inhibition.