Antiproliferative and Enzyme Docking Analysis of Engleromycin from Engleromyces goetzei

Engleromophilane, a new broad spectrum bioactive eremophilane-type sesquiterpene from Engleromyces sinensis fungus

A new eremophilane sesquiterpene, named engleromophilane (1) together with known eremoxylarin E (2) and steroids (3-7) were isolated from the fungus Engleromyces sinensis culture. The structures were deduced by the analysis of spectroscopic and MS data, together with the comparison of calculated 13C NMR chemical shifts and Electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compound 1 showed cytotoxic effects against Hela, PC-3, HT29 and A549 cell lines with IC50 in the ranges of 4.84-9.48 μg/mL. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited substantial antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and B. subtilis. Moreover, compounds 1-3 showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, in which 2 displayed a strong inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 0.13 ± 0.01 µg/mL. This work has given additional value to the E. sinensis fungus as a remarkable bioactive compound producer, together with the possibility of increasing cultivation to industrial scales.

One pot synthesis, in silico study and evaluation of some novel flavonoids as potent topoisomerase II inhibitors

A library of novel flavonoid derivatives with diverse heterocyclic groups was designed and efficiently synthesized. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds 4a-i and 8a-l have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Anticancer activities were evaluated against MCF-7, A549, HepG2 and MCF-10A by MTT based assay. Compared with the positive control Adriamycin, compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 8d, 8e and 8j were found to be most active anti-proliferative compounds against human cancer cell line. We found that compounds 4a and 4c exhibited inhibition of enzyme topoisomerase II with IC₅₀ values 10.28 and 12.38 μM, respectively. In silico docking study of synthesized compounds showed that compounds 4a and 4c have good binding affinity toward topoisomerase IIα enzyme and have placed in between DNA base pair at active site of enzyme. In silico ADME prediction results that flavonoid coumarin analogues 4a-i could be exploited as an oral drug candidate.

Six 19,20-epoxycytochalasans from endophytic Diaporthe sp. RJ-47

Two new cytochalasins, deacetyl-19-epi-cytochalasin P1 (1), deacetyl-19,20-epoxycytochalasin D (2) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. RJ-47, along with four known compounds deacetyl-5,6-dihydro-7-oxo-19,20-epoxycytochalasin C (3), 19,20-epoxycytochalasin Q (4), 19,20-epoxycytochalasin C (5) and deacetyl-19,20-epoxy cytochalasin C (6). Their structures were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of the comprehensive analysis of extensive spectroscopic data. The antimicrobial effects of these compounds were evaluated.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Moringa oleifera leaves and their functional chemical constituents

Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) leaves have long been consumed as both nutritive vegetable and popular folk medicine for hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in Kenya communities. In the current study, in vitro inhibition by M. oleifera leaf extract (MOLE, 90% (v/v) ethanol) of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase was demonstrated, followed by determination of the effects of MOLE on both glucose consumption and lipid levels (TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C) in 3T3-L1 cells. Potential ligands in MOLE were fast screened using affinity ultrafiltration LC-MS, and 14 and 10 components displayed certain binding affinity to α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, respectively. Docking studies revealed the binding energies and hydrogen bonds between potential ligands and enzymes. This study suggests that M. oleifera leaves may be a promising natural source for the prevention and treatment of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia as well as a functional food or other product for health care in the near future.