Two new triterpenes from <i>Commicarpus grandiflorus</i> (A. Rich.) Standl. aerial parts exudate

The exudate of Commicarpus grandiflorus (A. Rich.) Standl. flowering aerial parts was investigated for its chemical composition. Nine compounds were isolated, five triterpenes and four methylated flavones, of which two were new natural triterpenes, 2α,3β,11α-olean-18-en-2,3,11-triol (1) and 2α,3β-olean-12-en-2,3-diol-11-one (2) that were named commicarpotriol and commicarpodiol, respectively. Structural characterization was carried out using 1D, 2D NMR, and MS techniques and the antimicrobial activity of all isolates was evaluated.</p

DataSheet_1_Characterization of the endophytic bacterial community of Bituminaria bituminosa plant grown in vitro and its interaction with the plant extract.pdf

IntroductionBituminaria bituminosa is a medicinal plant recognized for its phytochemicals, such as furanocoumarins, pterocarpans, and flavonoids. Since the secondary metabolism is influenced by the plant-endophyte interactions, the endophytic bacterial community of B. bituminosa was explored and the possible interactions with the plant were described.Materials and methodsDifferent bacterial strains were isolated from different organs of in vitro plants as shoots, roots, and seeds. The bacterial strains were identified and phenotypically characterized for different traits; strains were also exposed to different concentrations of B. bituminosa plant extract showing different susceptibility, probably determined by different secondary metabolites produced by the plant in the different organs (i.e. aerial parts and roots).Results and discussionBacterial strains showed different phenotypic characteristics; the 6 detected haplotypes were dominated by a single species related to Stenotrophomonas rhizophila. Endophytes isolated from the aerial parts produced a higher indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) amount than those of the roots, while all strains were unable to produce biosurfactants and antagonistic activity toward the other strains. The research opens new perspectives for future analysis addressed to test the susceptibility of the endophytic bacterial community of B. bituminosa toward the pure compounds extracted from the plants, and to investigate the role of these compounds on the distribution of endophytes within the different plant tissues.</p

Phytochemical data parallel morpho-colorimetric variation in <i>Polygala flavescens</i> DC.

Phytochemical data, integrated with other sources of information, represent a valuable tool helping to solve different kinds of taxonomic problems in plant systematics. In the present study, a comparative investigation, in order to clarify the systematic relationships of the three subspecies currently recognized within the Italian endemic Polygala flavescens, was carried out. Preliminarily, a morphometric and colorimetric analysis, in order to test the degree of morphological distinctiveness among the taxa, was performed. Then, a phytochemical analysis based both on volatile and non-volatile compounds was obtained. Concerning the morpho-colorimetric analysis, our results confirm most of the characters as useful to discriminate the three subspecies. In addition, some volatile and non-volatile compounds are good taxonomic markers. Morpho-colorimetric variation is clearly paralleled by phytochemical results, confirming the value of this kind of data to infer relationships in plant systematics. Based on these results, we support a taxonomic treatment at subspecific level for the involved taxa. Finally, based on the most significant morphological characters, a revision of herbarium specimens allowed to redefine the distribution pattern of the three subspecies. Accordingly, the range of P. flavescens subsp. maremmana is limited to Mt. Argentario (southern Tuscany) only. A key is also reported for the identification of the three subspecies.</p

Antiangiogenic Activity of Compounds Isolated from <i>Anarrhinum pedatum</i>

Ten new iridoid glycosides (1–10) and two new monoterpenoids (11 and 12), together with nine known compounds (13–21), were isolated from the n-butanol extract of the aerial parts of Anarrhinum pedatum. The structural characterization of all compounds was performed by spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS experiments. The isolates were assayed for their antiangiogenic activity by two in vivo models, using zebrafish embryos and chicken chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs). The results showed that among the new compounds 6′-O-menthiafoloylmussaenosidic acid-11-(5-O-β-d-fructopyranosyl) ester (9) exhibited the most potent antiangiogenic activity in both the zebrafish embryos and CAM assays, reducing the growth of blood vessels. Antiangiogenic effects were also observed for the known compounds 6-O-nerol-8-oyl-antirrinoside (13), antirrinoside (14), 6-O-trans- and cis-p-coumaroyl antirrinoside (15), and (6S)-2E-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienoic acid β-glucopyranosyl ester (18)

Antioxidant Activity of Compounds Isolated from <i>Elaeagnus umbellata</i> Promotes Human Gingival Fibroblast Well-Being

Four new triterpenoid bidesmosidic saponins (1–4) and a sesquiterpenoid glucoside (5), together with nine known phenolic compounds (6–14), were isolated from the fruits of Elaeagnus umbellata. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry data. The antioxidant capability of the isolated compounds was evaluated in human gingival fibroblasts. Compound 6 decreased ROS production and promoted cell proliferation. It also counteracted the cell cycle blockade induced by a low concentration of H2O2 decreasing the expression of p21 and CDKN2A (p16INK4A). Compound 6 decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in response to inflammatory stimuli, supporting its possible use in periodontitis lesions

α‑Glucosidase and α‑Amylase Inhibitors from <i>Arcytophyllum thymifolium</i>

Three new coumarins (1–3), a prenylated flavanone (4), and two iridoids (5 and 6), together with 17 known secondary metabolites, were isolated from the aerial parts of Arcytophyllum thymifolium. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The potential hypoglycemic properties of the new and known compounds were evaluated by measuring their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. The iridoid asperulosidic acid (15) and the flavonoid rhamnetin (13) showed the highest activities versus α-amylase (IC50 = 69.4 ± 3.1 and 73.9 ± 5.9 μM, respectively). In turn, the new eriodictyol derivative 4 exhibited the most potent effect as an α-glucosidase inhibitor, with an IC50 value of 28.1 ± 2.6 μM, and was more active than acarbose, used as a positive control. Modeling studies were also performed to suggest the interaction mode of compound 4 in the α-glucosidase enzyme active site

Cytotoxic Sesquiterpenoids from <i>Ammoides atlantica</i> Aerial Parts

Seven new terpenoids, namely, guaiane (1–4), eudesmane (5), and bisabolane (6) sesquiterpenoids and a furanone (7), were isolated from the aerial parts of Ammoides atlantica, a herbaceous plant growing in Algeria, together with eight known compounds. All metabolites were characterized by their 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. A combined DFT/NMR method was applied to study the relative configurations of 1–4, 6, and 7. All compounds, except 2, were assayed against MCF-7, A375, A549, HaCaT, and Jurkat cell lines. Compounds 8, 10, and 11 induced a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability with different potency on almost all cell lines used. The most active compounds, 8 and 10, were studied to assess their potential apoptotic effects and cell cycle inhibition

Volatile profile of <i>Echinacea purpurea</i> plants after <i>in vitro</i> endophyte infection

The differences in volatile profile of Echinacea purpurea plants not-inoculated (EpC) and inoculated with their endophytes from roots (EpR) and stem/leaves (EpS/L) were analysed and compared by GC-FID/GC–MS in an in vitro model. Non-terpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most abundant classes with an opposite behaviour of EpS/L showing a decreased emission of sesquiterpenes and an increase of non-terpene derivatives. The main compounds obtained from EpS/L were (Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol and 1-pentadecene, while germacrene D and β-caryophyllene were the key compounds in EpC and EpR. For the first time, this work indicates that bacterial endophytes modify the aroma profiles of infected and non-infected in vitro plants of the important medicinal plant E. purpurea. Therefore, our model of infection could permit to select endophytic strains to use as biotechnological tool in the production of medicinal plants enriched in volatile bioactive compounds.</p

Additional file 1: of Negative effects of a high tumour necrosis factor-α concentration on human gingival mesenchymal stem cell trophism: the use of natural compounds as modulatory agents

Figure S1. The effects of TNF-α on GMSCs and Ribes nigrum modulation of the inflammatory cytokine activity. A–D) GMSCs were treated in growth medium with different concentrations of TNF-α (1 ng/mL to 100 ng/mL) in the absence or presence of Ribes nigrum bud extract (RBE; 50 μg/mL) for 48 h (A, C) or 72 h (B, D). At the end of the treatments, the live cells were quantified using the neutral red assay, as described in the Methods. The data are expressed as a percentage with respect to the untreated cells (CTRL), which was set to 100%, and are presented as the mean values ± SEM of three independent experiments, each performed in duplicate. The significance of the differences was determined by one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni’s post-hoc test or student t test: *P ≤ 0.05, **P ≤ 0.01 vs. the control; #P ≤ 0.05, ##P ≤ 0.01 vs. the respective TNF-α. Figure S2. Apoptotic effects of TNF-α. GMSCs (A, B) and HMEC cells (C, D) were treated for 72 h; at the end, cells were collected, and the amount of phosphatidylserine externalization was evaluated using the Annexin V staining protocol. Representative plots of control (CTRL; A, C) and TNF-α 100 ng/mL (B, D) are presented. (DOCX 206 kb

Shoot aqueous extract of <i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz (cassava) acts as a protective agent against paracetamol-induced liver injury

Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae), known as cassava, is a widely cultivated plant, considered one of the main sources of food in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of cassava shoot aqueous extract (CSAE) on liver injury induced by paracetamol and investigation of its effect on hyperhomocysteinemia. CSAE was administered to male albino rats classified into seven groups: control, treated, and prophylactic groups. A significant reduction in liver enzymes, malondialdehyde, and homocysteine were observed when compared to the paracetamol group, together with an increase in paraoxonase-1. Histopathological and histochemical results indicated that CSAE effectively ameliorate these parameters. Two main flavonol glycosides, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, in addition to a minor myricetin 3-O-rutinoside, were identified in CSAE. CSAE showed a therapeutic potential against paracetamol-induced liver injury probably through antioxidant activity of its flavonol glycosides. </p