Cell Growth Inhibition of Saponin XII from Dipsacus japonicus Miq. on Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Dipsacus and Scabiosa Species-The Source of Specialized Metabolites with High Biological Relevance: A Review

The genera Dipsacus L. and Scabiosa L. of the Caprifoliaceae family are widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This work reviews the available literature on the phytochemical profiles, ethnomedicinal uses, and biological activities of the most popular species. These plants are rich sources of many valuable specialized metabolites with beneficial medicinal properties, such as triterpenoid derivatives, iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. They are also sources of essential oils. The genus Dipsacus has been used for centuries in Chinese and Korean folk medicines to treat bone (osteoporosis) and joint problems (rheumatic arthritis). The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Pharmacopoeia include Dipsaci radix, the dried roots of D. asperoides C.Y.Cheng & T.M.Ai. In addition, S. comosa Fisch. ex Roem & Schult. and S. tschiliiensis Grunning are used in traditional Mongolian medicine to treat liver diseases. The current scientific literature data indicate that these plants and their constituents have various biological properties, including inter alia antiarthritic, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities; they have also been found to strengthen tendon and bone tissue and protect the liver, heart, and kidney. The essential oils possess antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. This paper reviews the key biological values of Dipsacus and Scabiosa species, as identified by in vitro and in vivo studies, and presents their potential pharmacological applications.

Sesquiterpenoids from Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray induce apoptosis and inhibit the cell cycle progression of acute myeloid leukemia cells

Three sesquiterpene lactones (1-3) were isolated from the aerial part of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray grown in the Hoa Binh province in Viet Nam. The structures of these three sesquiterpene lactones were identified as tagitinin A (1), 1β-hydroxytirotundin 3-O-methyl ether (2), and tagitinin C (3) by analyzing spectroscopic data. For the first time, compound 2 was isolated from T. diversifolia growing in Viet Nam. Furthermore, contrary to existing literature, we determined that compound 1 was the major isolate. Compounds 1 and 3 significantly decreased numbers of acute myeloid leukemia OCI-AML3 cells by promoting apoptosis and causing cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase at concentrations as low as 2.5 μg/mL (compound 1) and 0.25 μg/mL (compound 3). Additionally, all three compounds showed cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines (A549, T24, Huh-7, 8505, and SNU-1), with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.32 ± 0.14 to 46.34 ± 2.74 μM. Overall, our findings suggest that compounds 1 and 3 may be potential anti-cancer therapeutics and thus warrant further study.

New 1,4-Dihydropyrazolo[4,3-b]indoles Induce Antiproliferation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Inhibition of Selective Inflammatory Cytokines

Research on multitargeting drugs is emerging, focusing on the discovery of agents that simultaneously act on more than one biological target. Here, a novel synthetic route to access the fused-heterocycles 1,4-dihydropyrazolo[4,3- b]indoles (4) from pyrazolo[4,3- c][2,1]benzothiazine 4,4-dioxide (3) via [H2O–SO2] elimination and an intramolecular ring-closing reaction is reported. Two lead compounds 3b and 4b were found to show significant inhibition of cell growth by suppressing cell cycle progression at the G0/G1 phases and inducing apoptosis of the acute myeloid leukemia OCI-AML3 cell line. Both compounds also significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β (at all tested concentrations), whereas no effect was seen on other cytokines (interleukin-4, interferon-γ, interleukin-9, interleukin-12). Thus, these compounds are promising leads in the discovery of novel anticancer agents.