Potent anti-platelet constituents from Centaurea iberica

Molecular modeling and DFT studies on the antioxidant activity of Centaurea scoparia flavonoids and molecular dynamics simulation of their interaction with β-lactoglobulin

Plants of the genus Centaurea have been widely used as natural therapeutics in different countries. This study investigated the antioxidant-structure activity relationship of eight flavonoids isolated from Centaurea scoparia using DFT studies and in vitro radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition assays, and to correlate the theoretical values with the experimental findings. Docking analysis was carried out to explore the binding modes of the isolated phytochemicals with XO and bovine β-lactoglobulin (BLG). Interactions of the isolated compounds with BLG were studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations which revealed the involvement of hydrogen bonding. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of BLG and BLG-flavonoid complexes reached equilibrium and fluctuated during the 10 ns MD simulations. The radius of gyration (Rg) and solvent accessible surface area (SASA) revealed that various systems were stabilized at approximately 2500 ps. In addition, the RMS fluctuations profile indicated that the ligand's active site exerted rigidity behavior during the simulation. The hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and the energies of hydrogen abstractions were estimated by calculating the bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of O-H in gas phase and water. The isolated compounds showed radical scavenging and XO inhibitory activities along with binding affinity with XO as revealed in silico. The BDE was linked to the radical scavenging processes occurring in polar solvents. These processes are single electron transfer followed by proton transfer (SET-PT) and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET). Our calculations indicated the agreement between the calculated results and the experimentally measured antioxidant activity of the flavonoids isolated from C. scoparia.

Evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect of seven wild folkloric edible plants from Palestine

Alfa-amylase inhibitors are used to reduce glucose absorption by suppressing carbohydrate digestion. The current study aimed to evaluate seven wild edible Palestinian plants' hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions against porcine pancreatic α-amylase enzyme. The lipophilic fractions of Arum palaestinum, Malva sylvestris, Plantago major, Centaurea iberica, Cichorium endivia, Bituminaria bituminosa, Sisymbrium irio leaves were sequentially separated with a nonpolar solvent hexane, while the hydrophilic fractions of the studied plants were separated with polar solvents ethanol and water. The activity of α-amylase inhibition was carried out by using α-amylase porcine pancreatic enzyme and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) method as well as by using Acarbose as a positive control. Among the studied plant's hydrophilic fractions, C. iberica and C. endivia have the highest porcine pancreatic α-amylase inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 12.33 µg/mL and 9.96 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, among the studied plant's lipophilic fractions, S. irio and A. palaestinum have the highest porcine pancreatic α-amylase inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 7.72 µg/mL and 25.3 µg/mL, respectively. In fact, these revealed results were near the values of Acarbose. The hydrophilic fractions of M. sylvestris and the lipophilic fractions of P. major plants exhibit remarkable α-amylase inhibitory activity. Hence, these leaves have a potential for use as regular supplements also; further investigations are required to isolate pure pharmacological molecules and to design suitable pharmaceutical dosage forms with anti-diabetic activity.

Screening of several biological activities induced by different sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Centaurea behen L. and Rhaponticum repens (L.) Hidalgo

This study aims to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic, in vitro and in ovo anti-angiogenic effects and antimicrobial activity of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) from two plants Centaurea behen and Rhaponticum repens (L.). Five SLs, including cynaropicrin (1), 4β,15-dehydro-3-dehydrosolstitialin A (2), aguerin B (3), janerin (4), cebellin E (5), and a flavone hispidulin (6) were isolated from C. behen (compounds 1-3) and R. repens (compounds 4-6). Cynaropicrin (1) and aguerin B (3) were characterised by strong cytotoxic activities against A2780 cells with IC₅₀ values of 1.15 and 1.62 μg mL^-1, respectively, comparable to that of doxorubicin (IC₅₀ = 1.17 μg mL^-1). The anti-angiogenic study showed the remarkable inhibitory effect of cynaropicrin (1) and aguerin B (3) on the proliferation and migration of HUVECs. In addition, cynaropycrin and aguerin B exhibited significant angio-inhibitory effects in CAM assay. These findings may be useful for the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer.

Cytotoxic activities of flavonoids from Centaurea scoparia

Phytochemical studies on the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Centaurea scoparia led to the isolation of two new flavonoids, 3′,4′-dihydroxy-(3′′,4′′-dihydro-3′′-hydroxy-4′′-acetoxy)-2′′,2′′-dimethylpyrano-(5′′,6′′:7,8)-flavone-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 3,3′,4′-trihydroxy-(3′′,4′′-dihydro-3′′,4′′-dihydroxy)-2′′,2′′-dimethylpyrano-(5′′,6′′:7,8)-flavone (2), along with eight known flavonoids isolated for the first time from this plant, cynaroside (3), Apigetrin (4), centaureidin (5), oroxylin A (6), 5,7-dihydroxy-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavone (7), atalantoflavone (8), 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,8-trimethoxy-2′′,2′′-dimethylpyrano (5′′,6′′:6,7)-flavone (9), and 3′,4′,5,8-tetramethoxy-2′′,2′′-dimethylpyrano (5′′,6′′:6,7)-flavone (10). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic tools including 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and mass spectroscopy. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated against human cervical carcinoma HeLa, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, and human breast carcinoma MCF-7. Compound 2 was the most potent cytotoxic agent against HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ 0.079 μM.

Dihydroquinazolinone inhibitors of proliferation of blood and liver stage malaria parasites

Drugs that target both the liver and blood stages of malaria will be needed to reduce the disease's substantial worldwide morbidity and mortality. Evaluation of a 259-member library of compounds that block proliferation of the blood stage of malaria revealed several scaffolds--dihydroquinazolinones, phenyldiazenylpyridines, piperazinyl methyl quinolones, and bis-benzimidazoles--with promising activity against the liver stage. Focused structure-activity studies on the dihydroquinazolinone scaffold revealed several molecules with excellent potency against both blood and liver stages. One promising early lead with dual activity is 2-(p-bromophenyl)-3-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one with 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) of 0.46 μM and 0.34 μM against liver stage Plasmodium berghei ANKA and blood stage Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 parasites, respectively. Structure-activity relationships revealed that liver stage activity for this compound class requires a 3-dialkyl amino ethyl group and is abolished by substitution at the ortho-position of the phenyl moiety. These compounds have minimal toxicity to mammalian cells and are thus attractive compounds for further development.

Secondary metabolites from the aerial parts of Centaurea pannonica (Heuff.) Simonk. from Serbia and their chemotaxonomic importance

The non polar extract of Centaurea pannonica (Heuff.) Simonk., growing wild in Serbia, was studied and twenty-five compounds including 14 sesquiterpene lactones, 7 flavonoids, 3 lignans and 1 phenylpropanoid glycoside were isolated. All compounds were isolated for the first time from this species. Among them, one germacranolide 2α-hydroxy, 8-dehydroxy 15-O-methacrylate salonitenolide (1) and two guaianolides 2α,8α-dihydroxy-dehydrocostus lactone (2) and pannonin (3) are new natural compounds. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, HREIMS and 1D & 2D NMR). The chemical profile of C. pannonica, which belongs to the "Centaurea jacea" group, was compared to previously studied taxa of the same group and used to assess the phylogenetic relationships in the group.

Protective mechanisms of guanosine from Solanum lycopersicum on agonist-induced platelet activation: role of sCD40L

In the past 30 years, only three natural products have been sources of new drugs with antiplatelet activity. In this study, we have demonstrated for the first time that guanosine from Solanum lycopersicum possesses antiplatelet (secretion, spreading, adhesion and aggregation) activity in vitro and inhibition of platelet inflammatory mediator of atherosclerosis (sCD40L). According to ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibiting, the total extract residue was fractionated by liquid chromatography/phase separation, affording an aqueous fraction. This fraction was subjected to repeated permeation over Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative TLC. The isolated compound finally obtained was identified as guanosine on the basis of its UV-spectra, HPLC and 1H-NMR data. Guanosine concentration dose-dependently (1 to 4 mmol/L) inhibited platelet secretion and aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. Spread of human platelets on collagen in the presence of guanosine was fully inhibited. After incubation of whole blood with guanosine, the platelet adhesion and aggregation under flow conditions was inhibited concentration dependently (0.2 to 2 mmol/L). At the same concentrations that guanosine inhibits platelet aggregation, levels of sCD40L were significantly decreased. Guanosine is thus likely to exert significant protective effects in thromboembolic-related disorders by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Bioassay-Guided Isolation and HPLC Determination of Bioactive Compound That Relate to the Antiplatelet Activity (Adhesion, Secretion, and Aggregation) from Solanum lycopersicum

In seeking the functionality of foodstuff applicable to medicine, ripe tomato fruits were found to show an antiplatelet activity. Therefore, the bioactive compound was isolated, structurally identified, and studied for an inhibitory effects on platelet adhesion, secretion, and aggregation. The concentration of adenosine in ripe tomato fruits (pulp and skin extracts) and its processing by-products (paste and pomace) was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). According to platelet aggregation inhibition induced by ADP, the total extract residual was fractionated by liquid-liquid separation, obtaining aqueous, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts. The aqueous extract was subjected to repeated permeation over sephadex LH-20 and semipreparative TLC. The isolate finally obtained was identified as adenosine on the basis of ESI-MS, ¹H NMR, HPLC, and UV spectra. Adenosine concentration dependently (2.3–457 μM) platelet aggregation inhibited induced by ADP. Also, adenosine present inhibition of platelet secretion and thrombus formation under flow conditions. The quantitative HPLC analysis revealed significant amounts of adenosine in ripe tomato fruits and its processing by-products. From these results, extracts/fractions of ripe tomato fruits and their processing by-products may be referred to as functional food and functional ingredients containing a compound that inhibits platelet function with a potent preventive effect on thrombus formation, as those that occur in stroke.

Platelets and atherogenesis: Platelet anti-aggregation activity and endothelial protection from tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

In recent years, it has been shown that platelets are not only involved in the arterial thrombotic process, but also that they play an active role in the inflammatory process of atherogenesis from the beginning. The interaction between platelets and endothelial cells occurs in two manners: activated platelets unite with intact endothelial cells, or platelets in resting adhere to activated endothelium. In this context, inhibition of the platelet function (adhesion/aggregation) could contribute to the prevention of atherothrombosis, the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity. This can be achieved with antiplatelet agents. However, at the public health level, the level of primary prevention, a healthy diet has also been shown to exert beneficial effects. Among those elements of a healthy diet, the consumption of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) stands out for its effect on platelet anti-aggregation activity and endothelial protection, which may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. This article briefly discusses the involvement of platelets in atherogenesis and the possible mechanisms of action provided by tomatoes for platelet anti-aggregation activity and endothelial protection.