49 research outputs found
Norditerpenoids with selective anti-cholinesterase activity from the roots of Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth
Inhibition of cholinesterases remains one of a few available treatment strategies for neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. The current study was inspired by previous data on anticholinesterase properties of diterpenoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia and other Lamiaceae species. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition by the three new natural compounds-(1R,15R)-1-acetoxycryptotanshinone (1), (1R)-1-acetoxytanshinone IIA (2), and (15R)-1-oxoaegyptinone A (3)-as well as, new for this genus, isograndifoliol (4) were assessed. Three of these compounds exhibited profound inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and much weaker inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). All compounds (1-4) selectively inhibited BChE (IC(50) = 2.4, 7.9, 50.8, and 0.9 ”M, respectively), whereas only compounds 3 and 4 moderately inhibited AChE (IC(50) 329.8 ”M and 342.9 ”M). Molecular docking and in silico toxicology prediction studies were also performed on the active compounds. Natural oxygenated norditerpenoids from the traditional Central Asian medicinal plant P. atriplicifolia are selective BChE inhibitors. Their high potential makes them useful candidate molecules for further investigation as lead compounds in the development of a natural drug against dementia caused by neurodegenerative diseases
Metabolic profiling of Ochradenus baccatus Delile. utilizing UHPLC-HRESIMS in relation to the in vitro biological investigations
Ochradenus baccatus Delile (Resedaceae) is a desert plant with edible fruits native to the Middle East. Few investigators
have reported antibacterial, antiparasitic and anti-cancer activities of the plant. Herein we evaluated
the cytotoxic activity of O. baccatus using four cell lines and a zebrafish embryo model. Additionally, liquid
chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy was performed to characterize the extractâs main constituents.
The highest cytotoxicity was observed against human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), with CC50 of 39.1 ÎŒg/mL
and a selectivity index (SI) of 7.23 (p < 0.01). Metabolic analysis of the extract resulted in the annotation of 57
metabolites, including fatty acids, flavonoids, glucosinolates, nitrile glycosides, in addition to organic acids. The
extract showed an abundance of hydroxylated fatty acids (16 peaks). Further, 3 nitrile glycosides have been
identified for the first time in Ochradenus sp., in addition to 2 glucosinolates. These identified phytochemicals
may partially explain the cytotoxic activity of the extract. We propose O. baccatus as a possible safe food source
for further utilization to partially contribute to the increasing food demand specially in Saharan countries.Medical University of Lublin | Ref. DS28Universidade de Vigo/CISU
Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the evolution of reproductive traits
Abstract
Background
The subfamily Stevardiinae is a diverse and widely distributed clade of freshwater fishes from South and Central America, commonly known as âtetrasâ (Characidae). The group was named âclade Aâ when first proposed as a monophyletic unit of Characidae and later designated as a subfamily. Stevardiinae includes 48 genera and around 310 valid species with many species presenting inseminating reproductive strategy. No global hypothesis of relationships is available for this group and currently many genera are listed as incertae sedis or are suspected to be non-monophyletic.
Results
We present a molecular phylogeny with the largest number of stevardiine species analyzed so far, including 355 samples representing 153 putative species distributed in 32 genera, to test the groupâs monophyly and internal relationships. The phylogeny was inferred using DNA sequence data from seven gene fragments (mtDNA: 12S, 16S and COI; nuclear: RAG1, RAG2, MYH6 and PTR). The results support the Stevardiinae as a monophyletic group and a detailed hypothesis of the internal relationships for this subfamily.
Conclusions
A revised classification based on the molecular phylogeny is proposed that includes seven tribes and also defines monophyletic genera, including a resurrected genus Eretmobrycon, and new definitions for Diapoma, Hemibrycon, Bryconamericus sensu stricto, and Knodus sensu stricto, placing some small genera as junior synonyms. Inseminating species are distributed in several clades suggesting that reproductive strategy is evolutionarily labile in this group of fishes.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134621/1/12862_2015_Article_403.pd
Spermiogenesis and spermatozoa ultrastructure in the Serrasalminae (Ostariophysi: Characiformes) with further evidence on the relationships of the piranhas and pacus
A ultraestrutura dos espermatozoides e espermiogĂȘnese foram estudadas nas espĂ©cies Piaractus mesopotamicus, Mylossoma duriventre, Serrasalmus maculatus e Metynnis mola de Serrasalminae, sendo dois padrĂ”es distintos reconhecidos: um comum a Mylossoma, Serrasalmus e Metynnis, e o segundo caracterĂstico de Piaractus. Este Ășltimo Ă© mais similar ao observado em Salminus e Brycon. Por outro lado, o espermatozoide dos serrasalmĂneos compartilha algumas caracterĂsticas com espĂ©cies da superfamĂlia Anostomoidea. O significado filogenĂ©tico destes caracteres Ă© discutido.Spermatozoa and spermiogenesis ultrastructure were studied in the serrasalmine species Piaractus mesopotamicus, Mylossoma duriventre, Serrasalmus maculatus, and Metynnis mola and two distinct patterns may be recognized: the first common to Mylossoma, Serrasalmus and Metynnis, and the other, characteristic of Piaractus. The latter pattern is more similar to the conditions found in Salminus and Brycon. On the other hand, serrasalmine spermatozoa also share characteristics with the spermatozoa of species of the superfamily Anostomoidea. The phylogenetic significance of these characters is discussed
Triterpene Saponins from the Aerial Parts of Trifolium medium L. var. sarosiense
Seven previously unreported triterpene glycosides (1â7) were isolated from methanol extract of the aerial parts of
Trifolium medium var. sarosiense (zigzag clover). Their structures were established by the extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR experiments along with ESI-MS and HRMS analyses. Compounds 1â7 are oleanane derivatives characterized by the presence of a keto group at C-22 of an aglycone and a primary alcoholic function at C-24 and differing functions at C-30. Among these, compounds 1â3 and 6 showed a secondary alcoholic function at C-11, which is methoxylated in compounds 4 and 7. Compound 5 was shown to possess a known aglycone, wistariasapogenol A; however, it is described here for the first time as a saponin constituent of the Trifolium genus. Some aspects of taxonomic classification of zigzag clover are also discussed