Diterpenes and phenolic compounds from Sideritis pullulans

Phytochemical investigation of Sideritis pullulans aerial part and root extracts allowed to isolate six ent-kaurane diterpenes, two phenylpropanoids, and one coumarin, identified as 1α,3α,7β,18-tetrahydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene (sideripullol A) (1), 3α,11α,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene (sideripullol B) (2), 3α,7β,18-trihydroxy-17-nor-ent-kauran-16-one (sideritone A) (3), 3α,7β-dihydroxy-18-acetyloxy-17-nor-ent-kauran-16-one (sideritone B) (4), 3α,7β,16α,17-tetrahydroxy-18-acetyloxy-ent-kaurane (sideripullol C) (5), 7β,16α,17,18-tetrahydroxy-ent-kaurane (sideripullol D) (6), β-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-α-l-arabinopiranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-6-O-t-feruloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (sideritiside A) (7), β-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-α-l-arabinopiranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-6-O-t-feruloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (sideritiside B) (8), and 7-demethyl-8-methoxycoumarsabin (9), respectively. Twenty known compounds, including phenolics, flavonol glycosides, iridoids, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, lignans, coumarins, and phenylpropanoids were also isolated and characterized. All diterpenes were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity.

Diterpenes and phenylpropanoids from Clerodendrum splendens

Four new clerodane diterpenes (1-4) and one new phenylpropanoid (5) have been isolated from Clerodendrum splendens aerial parts, together with nine known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis and chemical methods. The absolute configuration of the 15,16-diol moiety in 4 was determined by Snatzke's method. Antiproliferative activity of diterpenes in HeLa cells was also evaluated. The IC50 values were 98 ± 11 µM for 3 and 101 ± 8 µM for 1, respectively.

Benzophenone glycosides from Hypericum humifusum ssp. austral

Six new benzophenone glycosides, 2,3',4,5',6-pentahydroxybenzophenone 4-O-(6″-benzoyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 2,3',4,5',6-pentahydroxybenzophenone 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), 2,3',4,5',6-pentahydroxybenzophenone 2-O-(2″-benzoyl)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (3), 2,3',4,5',6-pentahydroxybenzophenone 2-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (4), 2,3',4,5',6-pentahydroxybenzophenone 2-O-(4″-acetyl)-β-d-xylopyranoside (5), and 2,3',4,5',6-pentahydroxybenzophenone 3-C-(4″-benzoyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), and five known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum humifusum ssp. austral. The structures of 1-6 were elucidated by mass spectrometry and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.

A chemical proteomics approach reveals Hsp27 as a target for proapoptotic clerodane diterpenes

Clerodane diterpenoids are a class of naturally occurring molecules widely distributed in the Lamiaceae family. Neo-clerodane diterpenoids from Salvia ssp were recently described as compounds inhibiting the proliferation of human cancer cell lines. To gain new insights into molecular mechanism(s) underlying the antitumor potential of this class of compounds, we used a chemical proteomics approach to analyse the cellular interactome of hardwickiic acid (HAA) selected as a representative molecule. HAA was linked to an opportune 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole modified by 1,12-dodecanediamine and then immobilized on a matrix support. The modified beads were then used as bait for fishing the potential partners of HAA in a U937 cell lysate. We identified heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), an ATP-independent antiapoptotic chaperone characterized for its tumorigenic and metastatic properties and now referenced as a major therapeutic target in many types of cancer, as a major HAA partner. Here, we also report the study of HAA-Hsp27 interaction by means of a panel of chemical and biological approaches, including surface plasmon resonance measurements limited proteolysis, and biochemical assays. Our data suggest that HAA could provide a potential tool to develop strategies for the discovery of Hsp27 chemical inhibitors.

Diterpenes, ionol-derived, and flavone glycosides from Podocarpus elongatus

Eight compounds, nagilactone C 7-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-xylopyranoside, nagilactone C 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-xylopyranoside, nagilactone C 7-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, nagilactone A 7-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-xylopyranoside, 2β,15S,16,17,19-pentahydroxy-isopimar-8(14)-ene 17-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 2β,15R,16,17,19-pentahydroxy-isopimar-8(14)-ene 17-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-4-hydroxycyclohexenyl)-1-hydroxy-buta-1-en-3-one 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and vitexin 2″-O-β-D-(6'''-acetyl)-glucopyranoside together with 13 known compounds, were isolated from the leaves of Podocarpus elongatus. Structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as by ESI mass spectrometry and chemical methods. The absolute configurations of the 15,16-diol moieties in two compounds were determined using Snatzke's method.

Laparoscopic orchiopexy: procedure of choice for the nonpalpable testis?

PURPOSE

Multiple approaches exist for the management of the nonpalpable testis. With the use of diagnostic laparoscopy widely accepted in the setting of the nonpalpable testis we have found laparoscopic orchiopexy to be an efficient and logical extension. To evaluate its use we report our experience with laparoscopic orchiopexy to treat 44 nonpalpable testes in 36 patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic orchiopexy for a 2 1/2-year period. Modifications of the surgical technique are described.

RESULTS

The left testis was affected in 18 boys, the right in 9 and both in 9. At laparoscopy 8 testes were at the internal ring or were peeping and the remainder were intra-abdominal. One patient underwent a unilateral 1-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy, and 3 unilateral and 1 bilateral 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. Two patients underwent laparoscopically assisted orchiectomy. The remaining 31 patients underwent laparoscopic orchiopexy without division of the spermatic vessels. At followup (mean 6 months) all testes are without atrophy, and 39 of 42 (93%) are in an acceptable scrotal position. There are 3 testes (7%) high in the scrotum.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic orchiopexy is a logical extension of diagnostic laparoscopy for the evaluation and treatment of the nonpalpable testis. The low incidence of complications and 93% success rate underscore the feasibility of this procedure. It is our procedure of choice for the treatment of nonpalpable testis.

Effects of IFN-beta and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on cellular proliferation, induction of 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase and changes in immunoreactive pRB/p53 in human prostatic JCA-1 cells

The combined antimitogenic effects of IFN-beta and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (vit. D3) were investigated by treating the androgen-independent JCA-1 cells, established from the primary prostatic tumor site prior to anti-hormonal therapy, with IFN-beta (1000 IU/ml), vit. D3 (100 nM), and both agents. Cell growth, changes in overall RNA and protein contents, and cell cycle regulatory proteins pRB/p53 were determined. After a 24 h exposure, a significant reduction in cell proliferation was observed in all three conditions. IFN-beta, vit D3, and their combination elicited, respectively, a 1.7-, 1.6- and 2.5-fold increase in total RNA and a corresponding 1.4-, 1.2- and 1.7-fold increase in soluble proteins. The IFN-inducible 2-5A synthetase activity was elevated by 15-, 1.4- and 21-fold, respectively. No differences in cell cycle phase distribution were found between control and treated samples. However, a significant change in pRB and p53 expression was observed upon exposure to these agents. A progressive increase in total pRB was observed in untreated JCA-1 cells, with the 48 h culture showing a 1.9-fold increase over the 6 h culture. The ratio of phosphorylated to the nonphosphorylated forms of pRB, however, decreased from 3.00 at 6 h to 1.2 at 48 h. The overall pRB increase as well as the modified:unmodified protein ratio change were both markedly decreased when the cells were treated with IFN-beta, vit. D3, or their combination. With p53, a similar progressive increase was also observed in control cells, which was largely abolished by IFN-beta but only partially blocked by vit. D3. The combination of IFN-beta and vit. D3 gave results similar to samples receiving vit. D3 alone suggesting that the effects of IFN-beta, insofar as p53 modulation is concerned, is distal to the effects of vit. D3.