Removal of C9-aldehydes and -alcohols from melon juice via cysteine addition

BACKGROUND

The aroma of a melon fruit is among the most crucial qualities that influence consumer preferences. However, strong grassy and cucumber-like aromas can prevent consumer acceptance. These grassy and cucumber-like aromas are produced by aldehydes containing nine-carbon chains. Several studies have revealed that aldehydes exhibit a high affinity toward cysteine. Thus, the effect of adding cysteine to volatile compounds to melon juice was investigated.

RESULTS

The volatile compounds released from the melon juice were analyzed via solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) after 0.5, 5, and 24 h of adding cysteine. The results indicated that the concentrations of aldehydes, such as (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal and (E)-2-nonenal, in the melon juice decreased after the addition of cysteine at all the analyzed times. Additionally, (E)-2-nonenol and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadien-1-ol, which were formed by the enzymatic reduction of the aldehydes, also decreased by cysteine addition. To confirm the binding of cysteine with the aldehydes, two cysteine adducts were analyzed via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) employing (E)-2-nonenal in the melon juice after the addition of cysteine.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that cysteine addition could be potentially used to reduce the grassy and cucumber-like aromas of melon juice. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

POS0675 IMPACT OF PAST USE OF DISEASE MODIFYING ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUGS ON JAK INHIBITOR TREATMENT FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - DATA FROM THE FUKUI ISHIKAWA TOYAMA DATABASE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

Currently, five types of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) are used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. The number of cases in which multiple JAKis have been prescribed is increasing. However, the real-world efficacy and safety of JAKis and related factors require further evaluation.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of past use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on RA treatment using JAKis. The secondary objective was to investigate the safety profiles of these agents in a real-world setting.

Methods

Of the 303 JAKi-treated patients in the Fukui Ishikawa Toyama Database of RA included in this study, 30 had switched from one JAKi to another (JJ group), 214 switched from a biologic agent to a JAKi (BJ group), and 47 were naïve to either biologics or JAKis (NJ group). We compared baseline factors, treatment response, and JAKi continuation rates among the three groups. Factors related to JAKi discontinuation were assessed using Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, we investigated adverse events and reported them using exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIR; incidence rates per 100 patient-years).

Results

Data from the 303 cases were analyzed (mean age = 63.6 years; female, 82%; mean RA duration, 176 months). Of the 303 patients, 118, 106, 50, and 29 were treated with tofacitinib, baricitinib, peficitinib, and upadacitinib, respectively, on initial observation. Rate of concomitant use with methotrexate and prednisolone was 52% and 49%, respectively.

Regarding efficacy, no significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of treatment response and JAKi continuation rates, except for the 6-month treatment response between the JJ and NJ groups. Cox regression analysis of the 303 cases revealed that only past use of JAKis during the disease history was significantly associated with JAKi discontinuation. The Kaplan–Meier method showed that patients who previously used JAKis had significantly shorter median JAKi treatment duration than those without such a history (20.9 vs. 54.7 months; p = 0.012). Treatment response was significantly poor in patients who had previously used JAKis, especially 6 months after treatment initiation.

In terms of safety, the total exposure period for the 303 cases was 495 person-years, and the total number of adverse events was 161 (EAIR, 32.5). There were 12 cases (EAIR, 2.5) of serious infections, 23 cases (EAIR, 5.1) of herpes zoster, 7 cases (EAIR, 1.4) of malignant tumors, and 4 cases (EAIR, 0.8) of MACE. Adverse events led to JAKi discontinuation in 34 patients (EAIR, 6.9); the main causes of adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were infectious diseases in 10 cases (EAIR, 2) and neoplasms in 4 cases (EAIR, 0.8). Within 1 year of initiating JAKi therapy, 21 patients discontinued treatment owing to adverse events, which accounted for 27% of the reasons for treatment discontinuation.

We also investigated cases of JAKi dose reduction, observed in 42 of the 303 cases. Among them, 10 patients required a re-increase in the JAKi dose, and 13 patients (56.5%) were able to maintain the reduced dose for more than 1 year. The remaining 19 patients were excluded from the analysis because the treatment duration at the lower dose had not exceeded 1 year at the time of data extraction. No difference in disease activity at the time of dose reduction was observed between those who maintained the new dose and those who did not (mean DAS28-CRP: 1.48 ± 0.26 vs. 1.89 ± 0.62).

Conclusion

Past use of JAKis may contribute to decreased response and continuation rates for JAKi treatment. In this study, conducted in Japan, development of herpes zoster was found to the most frequent adverse event among the priority survey items.

Acknowledgements

I have no acknowledgements to declare.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Omphaloprenol A: a new bioactive polyisoprenepolyol isolated from the mycelium of poisonous mushroom Omphalotus japonicus

Mushrooms of the Omphalotus genus are known to be rich in secondary metabolites. In the quest for new bioactive compounds, we analyzed the compounds isolated from the mycelium of the poisonous mushroom Omphalotus japonicus. As a result, a new polyisoprenepolyol, which was named omphaloprenol A, was identified, along with known substances such as hypsiziprenol A10 and A11, illudin S, and ergosterol. The chemical structure of omphaloprenol A was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies and mass spectrometry, and its bioactivity was investigated. Omphaloprenol A showed growth promoting activity against the root of lettuce seeds and cytotoxicity against HL60 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of a polyisoprenepolyol compound from Omphalotaceae mushrooms.

Isopentylamine is a novel defence compound induced by insect feeding in rice

Plants produce a broad variety of defensive metabolites to protect themselves against herbivorous insects. Although polyamines have been implicated in various responses to abiotic and biotic stress, there have been no studies focused on amines in response to insect herbivory. By screening for bioactive amines, we identified isopentylamine as a novel type of herbivory-induced compound in rice leaves, which was derived from the amino acid leucine in stable isotope labelling experiments. Accumulation of isopentylamine increased during herbivory by the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH) and the rice-feeding armyworm (Mythimna loreyi), as well as in response to treatment with the plant hormone, jasmonic acid. Likewise, isopentylamine accumulation was compromised in rice jasmonate biosynthesis mutants, hebiba and Osjar1. In bio-assays, BPH insects feeding on rice seedlings submerged in 50 mg/L isopentylamine solution had a higher mortality compared with BPH feeding on seedlings submerged in water. Notably, the rice leaves submerged in 50 mg/L solution showed the endogenous concentrations of isopentylamine similar to that induced by BPHs. These results suggest that isopentylamine functions as a new type of plant defence metabolite that is rapidly induced by herbivore attack and deters insect herbivores in rice.

Changes of volatile flavor compounds of watermelon juice by heat treatment

Changes of volatile flavor compounds of watermelon juice by heat treatment were investigated by gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry. Although the major volatile compounds in watermelon juice, three aldehydes, three alcohols, and one ketone, did not increase significantly by heat treatment, dimethylsulfide and methional increased in heated juice. These two sulfides were suggested to contribute to the off-flavors in heated watermelon juice.

A herbivore-induced homoterpene volatile is emitted from Basella alba leaves

An irregular C11 homoterpene, (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene (DMNT) was identified as a major component of the volatile compounds emitted from Basella alba leaves induced by herbivore. The terpenes including DMNT were not detected from the leaves infected by Botrytis cinerea. These results suggested that volatile emission from B. alba leaves was induced by herbivory but not by a fungal infection.

Sex-specific relevance of diabetes to occlusive vascular and other mortality: a collaborative meta-analysis of individual data from 980 793 adults from 68 prospective studies

BACKGROUND

Several studies have shown that diabetes confers a higher relative risk of vascular mortality among women than among men, but whether this increased relative risk in women exists across age groups and within defined levels of other risk factors is uncertain. We aimed to determine whether differences in established risk factors, such as blood pressure, BMI, smoking, and cholesterol, explain the higher relative risks of vascular mortality among women than among men.

METHODS

In our meta-analysis, we obtained individual participant-level data from studies included in the Prospective Studies Collaboration and the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration that had obtained baseline information on age, sex, diabetes, total cholesterol, blood pressure, tobacco use, height, and weight. Data on causes of death were obtained from medical death certificates. We used Cox regression models to assess the relevance of diabetes (any type) to occlusive vascular mortality (ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, or other atherosclerotic deaths) by age, sex, and other major vascular risk factors, and to assess whether the associations of blood pressure, total cholesterol, and body-mass index (BMI) to occlusive vascular mortality are modified by diabetes.

RESULTS

Individual participant-level data were analysed from 980 793 adults. During 9·8 million person-years of follow-up, among participants aged between 35 and 89 years, 19 686 (25·6%) of 76 965 deaths were attributed to occlusive vascular disease. After controlling for major vascular risk factors, diabetes roughly doubled occlusive vascular mortality risk among men (death rate ratio [RR] 2·10, 95% CI 1·97-2·24) and tripled risk among women (3·00, 2·71-3·33; χ2 test for heterogeneity p<0·0001). For both sexes combined, the occlusive vascular death RRs were higher in younger individuals (aged 35-59 years: 2·60, 2·30-2·94) than in older individuals (aged 70-89 years: 2·01, 1·85-2·19; p=0·0001 for trend across age groups), and, across age groups, the death RRs were higher among women than among men. Therefore, women aged 35-59 years had the highest death RR across all age and sex groups (5·55, 4·15-7·44). However, since underlying confounder-adjusted occlusive vascular mortality rates at any age were higher in men than in women, the adjusted absolute excess occlusive vascular mortality associated with diabetes was similar for men and women. At ages 35-59 years, the excess absolute risk was 0·05% (95% CI 0·03-0·07) per year in women compared with 0·08% (0·05-0·10) per year in men; the corresponding excess at ages 70-89 years was 1·08% (0·84-1·32) per year in women and 0·91% (0·77-1·05) per year in men. Total cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI each showed continuous log-linear associations with occlusive vascular mortality that were similar among individuals with and without diabetes across both sexes.

INTERPRETATION

Independent of other major vascular risk factors, diabetes substantially increased vascular risk in both men and women. Lifestyle changes to reduce smoking and obesity and use of cost-effective drugs that target major vascular risks (eg, statins and antihypertensive drugs) are important in both men and women with diabetes, but might not reduce the relative excess risk of occlusive vascular disease in women with diabetes, which remains unexplained.

FUNDING

UK Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, European Union BIOMED programme, and National Institute on Aging (US National Institutes of Health).

New isocoumarins, naphthoquinones, and a cleistanthane-type diterpene from Nectria pseudotrichia 120-1NP

Four new compounds, namely, nectriapyrones A (2) and B (3), nectriaquinone B (5), and zythiostromic acid C (8), were isolated from the brown rice culture of Nectria pseudotrichia 120-1NP together with four known compounds (1, 4, 6, and 7). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of 4 from a natural source. Their structures were determined on the basis of 1D/2D-NMR spectroscopy and HRESITOFMS data. In addition, the absolute configuration of secondary alcohols in 8 were determined using modified Mosher's ester method. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobials activity, phytotoxicity, and cytotoxicity.

Flavonoid glycosides in Malabar spinach Basella alba inhibit the growth of Spodoptera litura larvae

Basella alba is a perennial plant of the Basellaceae and is known by various common names including Malabar spinach. There are few insects that cause damage to B. alba. In this study, we examined the effect of B. alba leaves on the growth of Spodoptera litura larvae. B. alba leaves and a methanolic extract of the leaves inhibited the growth of S. litura larvae. Half of the larvae reared on the leaves died within 1 week. We found that two flavonoids, vitexin, and vitexin-2″-O-arabinofuranoside, were abundant in the methanol extract of leaves. When larvae were reared on purified vitexin or vitexin-2″-O-arabinofuranoside, their growth was significantly impaired compared with larvae reared on control spinach leaves. These results suggested that the flavonoid glycosides in B. alba leaves act as deterrents to S. litura larvae.

The vinylogous Catellani reaction: a combined computational and experimental study

In the presence of 5 mol% Pd(OAc)₂, 1 equiv. of norbornene, and K₂CO₃, the reaction of 4-iodo-2-quinolones with tertiary o-bromobenzylic alcohols produced the desired benzopyran-fused 2-quinolones in moderate to high yields.

In the presence of 5 mol% Pd(OAc)₂, 1 equiv. of norbornene, and K₂CO₃, the reaction of 4-iodo-2-quinolones with tertiary o-bromobenzylic alcohols produced the desired benzopyran-fused 2-quinolones in moderate to high yields. A Catellani-type mechanism involving vinylic C–H cleavage is proposed based on the results of control experiments and density functional theory calculations.

New eremophilane and dichlororesorcinol derivatives produced by endophytes isolated from Ficus ampelas

The novel compound, 11-O-methylpetasitol (1), was isolated from Penicillium sp. N-175-1, and two new compounds, cosmochlorins D (5) and E (6), were isolated from Phomopsis sp. N-125. In addition, three known eremophilane sesquiterpenes, sporogen-AO1 (2), petasol (3) and 6-dehydropetasol (4), were isolated from Penicillium sp. N-175-1. The structures of 1, 5 and 6 were elucidated by a combination of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HRESITOFMS) and chemical reactions. Compounds 2, 3, 5 and 6 exhibited cytotoxicity to HL60 and 2 and 3 to HeLa cells. Furthermore, 2 and 3 showed robust growth-restoring activity of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae (cdc2-1 rad9Δ) mutant strain, whereas 5 and 6 exhibited minor growth-restoring activity in this strain. Thus, these compounds may inhibit the growth of HL60 and HeLa cells by blocking the cell cycle, and they may be utilized as new lead compounds that act as inhibitors of survival signal transduction pathways.

A phytotoxic bicyclic lactone and other compounds from endophyte Xylaria curta

A new compound, (3aS,6aR)-4,5-dimethyl-3,3a,6,6a-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopenta [b]furan-2-one (2), along with two known metabolites, myrotheciumone A (1) and 4-oxo-4H-pyron-3-acetic acid (3) was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of fermentation broth of Xylaria curta 92092022. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, HRESITOFMS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR). Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antibacterial and phytotoxic activities.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Ipragliflozin as an Initial Therapy in Drug Naïve Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate ipragliflozin as an initial type 2 diabetes (T2DM) drug.

METHODS

Ipragliflozin 25-50 mg/day monotherapy was performed with drug naïve subjects with T2DM (n=31). As a comparator, 12.5-25 mg/day alogliptin monotherapy was undertaken (n=32). At 3 months, levels of metabolic parameters were compared with those at baseline.

FINDINGS

4 subjects discontinued ipragliflozin due to intolerance or adverse events, while none dropped out with alogliptin. At 3 months, similar decreases of HbA1c levels were observed with these 2 drugs (10.21-8.31%, p<0.00001, with ipragliflozin, and 10.08-8.25%, p<0.00001, with alogliptin), however fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels decreased with significant inter-group differences (- 23.5% with iprgliflozin and - 10.8% with alogliptin). While similar increases of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-B levels were observed with these 2 drugs, HOMA-R levels significantly decreased only with ipragliflozin (-19.4%, p<0.02). Un-correlative link between HOMA-R and HOMA-B levels at baseline became significantly correlative (R=0.6017, p<0.001) only with ipragliflozin. Significant reductions of body mass index (BMI, -2.6%, P<0.05) were observed with ipragliflozin, however, no correlations between the changes of BMI and those of HbA1c or FBG were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ipragliflozin has good glycemic efficacy as an initial therapy in subjects with T2DM, although certain adverse events or tolerability issues are concerned. It improves insulin sensitivity and may restore the impaired beta-cell function. However body weight reduction with ipragliflozin is not associated with its glycemic efficacy.

TRPM8 has a key role in experimental colitis-induced visceral hyperalgesia in mice

BACKGROUND

Transient receptor potential channel melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is activated by cold temperatures and cooling agents (menthol and icilin). Recent studies showed TRPM8 is expressed in visceral organs and peripheral sensory pathways. However, the role of TRPM8 in visceral hyperalgesia is poorly understood in pathological states such as inflammatory bowel disease. Hence, we investigated the distribution of TRPM8 and its involvement in visceral hyperalgesia in experimental colitis mice.

METHODS

TRPM8 immunoreactivity was detected using immunohistochemical staining with fluorescein-conjugated tyramide amplification. Visceral hyperalgesia was measured by the intracolonic administration of TRPM8 agonist, WS-12, in control and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice.

KEY RESULTS

TRPM8 immunoreactivity in the distal colon was much higher than in the transverse and proximal colon under physiological conditions. TRPM8 immunoreactivity markedly increased in the distal colon mucosa of DSS-induced colitis mice compared with control mice. The number of TRPM8 nerve fibers in mucosa of DSS- or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis model mice drastically increased compared with control mice. TRPM8 immunoreactivities colocalized with the calcitonin gene-related peptide- and substance P-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the mucosa. Intracolonic administration of WS-12 induced behavioral visceral pain-like responses. The numbers of these responses in the colitis model mice were 3 times higher than in control mice, and were decreased by pretreatment with the TRPM8 channel blocker AMTB.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Increased expression of TRPM8 may contribute to the visceral hyperalgesia of experimental colitis.

Echinolactones C and D: Two Illudalane Sesquiterpenoids Isolated from the Cultured Mycelia of the Fungus Echinodontium japonicum

Echinolactones C and D, two compounds with an illudalane sesquiterpenoid skeleton, were isolated from the cultured mycelia of the basidiomycetous fungus Echinodontium japonicum (Echinodontiaceae). The structures of echinolactones C and D were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Their biological activities were determined using antimicrobial activity and lettuce seedling assays.

Three Sesquiterpenoids, Fascicularones E, F, and G Produced by the Fungus Hypholoma fasciculare

Three new sesquiterpenoids, fascicularones E, F, and G, were isolated from the liquid culture extract of the fungus Hypholoma fasciculare. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic data.

Antarones A and B, Two Polyketides from an Endophytic Penicillium antarcticum

Two new polyketides, antarones A and B, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium antarcticum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Their general toxicity and cytotoxicity were evaluated, respectively, by brine shrimp lethality and cytotoxicity assay with human cancer cell lines. Neither antarones A nor B exhibited activity at the concentration of 100 μM.

Protoilludane-Type Sesquiterpenes, Echinocidins A and B, from a Mycelial Culture of Echinodontium tsugicola

Two novel protoilludane sesquiterpenoids, echinocidins A (3) and B, (4) have been isolated from an artificial liquid culture of the basidiomycetous fungus Echinodontium tsugicola and their structures clarified spectroscopically. Echinocidin A (3) accelerated primary root growth to 117% and echinocidin B to 180% of controls at a concentration of 100 ppm.

New Eremophilane-Type Sesquiterpenoids, Eremoxylarins A and B from Xylariaceous Endophytic Fungus YUA-026

Two new eremophilane sesquiterpenes, eremoxylarins A and B, were isolated from the xylariaceous endophytic fungus YUA-026. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Eremoxylarins A and B showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Fusapyridons A and B, Novel Pyridone Alkaloids from an Endophytic Fungus, Fusarium sp. YG-45

Through our screening for new natural compounds, two 3,4,5-trisubstituted N-methyl-2-pyridone alkaloids, fusapyridons A (1) and B (2), along with the known compounds sambutoxin (3), Ndemethylsambutoxin (4), (-)-oxysporidinone (5), and the dimethyl ketal of oxysporidinone (6) were isolated from the fermentation extract of Fusarium sp. YG-45. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses including NMR, MS, UV and IR. Compound 1 showed antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

A Polyketide Metabolite from an Endophytic Fusarium equiseti in a Medicinal Plant

A new polyketide, fusaequisin A (1), was isolated from rice cultures of Fusarium equiseti SF-3-17, an endophytic fungus previously discovered during screening of medicinal plants in Cameroon. The structure of 1 was determined using spectroscopic methods. Fusaequisin A (1) exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus NBRC 13276 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 at a concentration of 200 μg per disk.

Two Drimane-type Sesquiterpenes, Strobilactones A and B, from the Liquid Culture of the Edible Mushroom Strobilurus ohshimae

Two novel drimane sesquiterpenoids, strobilactones A (3) and B (4), were isolated fromthe organic extract of a liquid culture of Strobilurus ohshimae. The structures of 3 and 4 were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibit cell growth inhibitory activities against cultured COLO 201 cells. Compound 4 also shows antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A Cleistanthane Diterpene From a Marine-derived Fusarium Species Under Submerged Fermentation

A cleistanthane-type diterpene, compound 1, was isolated from the marine-derived Fusarium sp. FH-146. The structure of 1 was determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Compound 1 showed moderate antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and phytotoxic activities

Stimulatory Effect of Ferulic Acid on the Production of Extracellular Xylanolytic Enzymes byAspergillus kawachii

Production of extracellular beta-1,4-xylanase, alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase, feruloyl esterase, and acetyl xylan esterase from Aspergillus kawachii was higher in a culture supplemented with ferulic acid than in a counterpart. Culture supernatant grown on oat spelt xylan supplemented with ferulic acid exhibited an increase in ferulic acid-releasing activity from insoluble arabinoxylan relative as compared to that from the ferulic acid-free culture.

Molecular cloning and characterisation of the methionine sulphoxide reductase A (msrA) gene locus in Campylobacter lari organisms

The methionine sulphoxide reductase A (msrA) gene and its adjacent genetic loci from urease-negative (UN) Campylobacter lari RM2100 and urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC)CF89-12 strains appear to be composed of a msrA structure gene (507 base pairs [bp]) and another five-gene cluster (approximately 6300 bp) in the same strand and direction. A primer pair (F1/R4-msrA) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was designed to generate a product of approximately 900 bp of the msrA gene, including its adjacent genetic loci for the thermophilic Campylobacter organisms and generate an amplicon with 16 C. lari isolates (n = 4 for UN C. lari; n = 12 for UPTC). Following direct nucleotide sequencing, sequence analysis and nucleotide sequence alignment analysis, the putative full-length msrA gene from the 16 C. lari isolates showed high nucleotide sequence similarities (91.8-100%) to each other and relatively low similarity (69.3-71.8%) to three reference C. jejuni and C. coli strains. In addition, the msrA gene was transcribed in both the UPTC CF89-12 and NCTC12893 cells using reverse transcription PCR. An immunoreactively positive signal was identified in the UPTC CF89-12 and NCTC12893 cells with anti-UPTC MsrA synthetic peptide antibodies.

Ethyl acetate fraction of Garcina epunctata induces apoptosis in human promyelocytic cells (HL-60) through the ROS generation and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest: a bioassay-guided approach

Number of deaths due to cancer diseases is increasing in the world. There is an urgent need to develop alternative therapeutic measures against the disease. Our study reports the cytotoxicity activity of Garcina epunctata (gutifferae) in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) and prostate cancer cells (PC-3) was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and morphological changes associated with apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry and Hoescht staining respectively. The results of in vitro antiproliferative screening of fractions and extract from G. epunctata indicated that three fractions inhibited the viability of PC-3 cells with IC₅₀ varied from 50 to 88 μ/ml while two fractions inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells with IC₅₀ range between 47.5 and 12 μg/ml. Among the entire fraction tested, Hex-EtOAc (75:25) showed cytotoxic effects on the two cell lines and EtOAc fraction was most active only HL-60 cells (12 μg/ml). Treatment of HL-60 cells with G. epunctata (20, 50, 100 μg/ml) for 24 h led to a significant dose-dependent increase in the percentage of cells in sub-G1 phase by analysis of the content of DNA in cells, and a number of apoptotic bodies containing nuclear fragments were observed in cells treated with 100 μg/ml. The EtOAc fraction of G. epunctata treatment significantly arrested HL-60 cells at the G0/G1 phase (p<0.05) and ROS was significantly elevated as well as the loss of membrane mitochondrial potential in a concentration dependant manner. The results demonstrated that the EtOAc fraction of G. epunctata inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death, which was confirmed to occur through the mitochondrial pathway.

Cytotoxicity and modes of action of four naturally occuring benzophenones: 2,2',5,6'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, guttiferone E, isogarcinol and isoxanthochymol

INTRODUCTION

The emergence of drug-resistant cancer cells drastically reduces the efficacy of many antineoplasic agents and, consequently, increases the frequency of therapeutic failure. Benzophenones are known to display many pharmacological properties including cytotoxic activities. The present study was aimed at investigating the cytotoxicity and the modes of action of four naturally occurring benzophenones 2,2',5,6'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (1), isogarcinol (2), isoxanthochymol (3) and guttiferone E (4) on a panel of eleven cancer cell lines including various sensitive and drug-resistant phenotypes.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of the compounds was determined using a resazurin reduction assay, whereas the caspase-Glo assay was used to detect the activation of caspases 3/7, caspase 8 and caspase 9 in cells treated with compounds 2-4. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis and detection of apoptotic cells, analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as well as measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

RESULTS

The four tested benzophenones inhibited the proliferation of all tested cancer cell lines including sensitive and drug-resistant phenotypes. Collateral sensitivity of cancer cells to compounds 1-4 was generally better than to doxorubicin. Compound 2 showed the best activity with IC50 values below or around 1 μM against HCT116 colon carcinoma cells (p53+/+) (0.86 μM) and leukemia CCRF-CEM (1.38 μM) cell lines. Compounds 2-4 strongly induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells via caspases 3/7, caspase 8 and caspase 9 activation and disruption of MMP.

CONCLUSIONS

The studied benzophenones are cytotoxic compounds that deserve more detailed exploration in the future, to develop novel anticancer drugs against sensitive and otherwise drug-resistant phenotypes.

Polyketide Metabolites from the Endophytic Fungus Microdiplodia sp. KS 75-1

Through our screening for new natural compounds, four new polyketide metabolites, 7,8-dihydonivefuranone A (1), 6(7)-dehydro-8-hydroxyterrefuranone (2), 8-hydroxyterrefuranone (3), and 6-hydroxyterrefuranone (4) were isolated from the fermentation extract of Microdiplodia sp. KS 75–1, together with the known compounds nivefuranones A (5) and B (6); their structures were determined by spectroscopic (NMR, UV and IR) and MS analysis.. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 showed antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.