Lucidumol D, a new lanostane-type triterpene from fruiting bodies of Reishi (<i>Ganoderma lingzhi</i>)

<p>A new lanostane-type triterpenoid, lucidumol D (<b>1</b>) was isolated from the fruiting bodies of <i>Ganoderma lingzhi</i>. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR studies as well as mass spectrometry. The cytotoxicity of lucidumol D against proliferation of several cancer cells were assayed by using MTT method and the obtained result suggested selective anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects against MCF-7, HepG2, HeLa, Caco-2, and HCT-116. In comparison to lucidumol C (<b>2</b>) isolated previously by our group, the structure-activity relationship indicated that carbonyl function at C-11 is necessary to enhance the cytotoxicity.</p

Melanogenesis inhibitors from <i>Coix lacryma</i>-<i>jobi</i> seeds in B16-F10 melanoma cells

<p>An adenine derivative, 9-β-D-glucopyranosyl adenine, reported for the first time from a natural source, in addition to nine known compounds were isolated from the seeds of <i>Coix lacryma</i>-<i>jobi</i>. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic and chemical studies. The isolated compounds and the ethanol extract have been assayed for melanin inhibition using B16-F10 melanoma cell line. The results of our study suggested the potential use of <i>Coix lacryma</i>-<i>jobi</i> seeds as a skin whitening agent and reveal the seeds to be a rich source of important phytochemicals with melanogenesis inhibitory activity. Among the isolated compounds, coixol (<b>2</b>) and 2-<i>O</i>-β-glucopyranosyl-7-methoxy-2<i>H</i>-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4<i>H</i>)-one (<b>8</b>) exhibited potent melanogenesis inhibitory activity with no obvious melanocytotoxicity. The rest of the compounds showed weak to moderate activity.</p

Rho-kinase inhibitors from adlay seeds

<p>Rho-kinase enzymes are one of the most important targets recently identified in our bodies. Several lines of evidence indicate that these enzymes are involved in many diseases and cellular disorders. ROCK inhibitors may have clinical applications for cancer, hypertension, glaucoma, etc. Our study aims to identify the possible involvement of Rho-kinase inhibition to the multiple biological activities of adlay seeds and provide a rationale for their folkloric medicines. Hence, we evaluated Rho-kinase I and II inhibitory activity of the ethanol extract and 28 compounds derived from the seeds. A molecular docking assay was designed to estimate the binding affinity of the tested compounds with the target enzymes. The results of our study suggest a possible involvement of Rho-kinase inhibition to the multiple biological activities of the seeds. Furthermore, the results obtained with the tested compounds revealed some interesting skeletons as a scaffold for design and development of natural Rho-kinase inhibitors.</p