Xuetonglactones A–F: Highly Oxidized Lanostane and Cycloartane Triterpenoids From Kadsura heteroclita Roxb. Craib

© Copyright © 2020 Shehla, Li, Cao, Zhao, Jian, Daniyal, Wahab, Khan, Liao, Rahman, Choudhary and Wang. Xuetonglactones A–F (1–6), six unreported highly oxidized lanostane- and cycloartane-type triterpenoids along with 22 known scaffolds (7–28) were isolated from the stems of Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib. Compared with previous congeners, xuetonglactone A (1), possesses an unprecedented 20,21-α-epoxide, and xuetonglactone D (4) features an unusual 19-α-hydroperoxyl moiety. The structures and the absolute configurations of the compounds were established by extensive one- and two-dimensional NMR, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic analysis, with those of 1 and 5 confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited inhibition of iNOS activity in LPS-induced macrophages with IC50 values of 22.0, and 17.0 μg/mL, respectively. While compounds 6, 7, 8, and 24 showed potent cytotoxic activities against human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa) with the IC50 values of 4.0, 5.8, 5.0, and 6.4 μM, and against human gastric cancer cells (BGC 823) with the IC50 values of 2.0, 5.0, 2.5, and 2.0 μM, respectively. Moreover, plausible biogenetic pathways of (1–6) were also proposed

Parmotrema cooperi中的新型抗醣化物质和酶抑制剂(英文)

通讯作者, E-mail: [email protected]地衣是被广泛用于传统药物中的独特个体.本文对一类地衣,Parmotrema cooperi,进行了生物测定引导的植物化学研究和生物活性评价.对该类地衣的首次生物测定引导的化学研究分离出了化合物ethyl heamatomate(1),atraric acid(2),ethyl orsellinate(3),orsellinic acid(4),lecanoric acid(5),gyrophoric acid(6)以及licanorin(7).化合物1～7的结构主要通过一维、二维核磁共振谱和质谱等谱学方法判定.对这些化合物还进行了抗醣化活性以及尿素酶、α-胰凝乳蛋白酶、β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶抑制活性的评价.这些苯酚化合物没有显示特别好的活性,但其中大部分对蛋白质醣化和尿素酶活性具有较好的抑制作用

In silico identification of potential inhibitors of key SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro) via molecular docking, MMGBSA predictive binding energy calculations, and molecular dynamics simulation

The incidence of 2019 novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) has created a medical emergency throughout the world. Various efforts have been made to develop the vaccine or effective treatments against the disease. The discovery of crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease has made the in silico identification of its inhibitors possible. Based on its critical role in viral replication, the viral protease can prove to be a promising “target” for antiviral drug therapy. We have systematically screened an in-house library of 15,754 natural and synthetic compounds, established at International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi. The in silico search for potential viral protease inhibitors resulted in nine top ranked ligands (compounds 1–9) against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (PDB ID: 6LU7) based on docking scores, and predictive binding energies. The in silico studies were updated via carrying out the docking, and predictive binding energy estimation, with a recently reported crystal structure of main protease (PDB ID: 6Y2F) at a better resolution i.e., 1.95 Å. Compound 2 (molecular bank code AAA396) was found to have highest negative binding energy of −71.63 kcal/mol for 6LU7. While compound 3 (molecular bank code AAD146) exhibited highest negative binding energy of -81.92 kcal/mol for 6Y2F. The stability of the compounds- in complex with viral protease was analyzed by Molecular Dynamics simulation studies, and was found to be stable over the course of 20 ns simulation time. Compound 2, and 3 were predicted to be the significant inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro) among the nine short listed compounds

Lamotrigine derivatives-synthesis, anti-cancer, and anti-MDR-bacterial activities

A new series of quaternary ammonium salts 3–21 of lamotrigine (6-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-1, 2, 4-triazine-3, 5-diamine) was synthesized via N-alkylation of lamotrigine using different benzyl bromides. The new analogues were characterized by using FT-IR, NMR, and mass spectrometric techniques. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of compound 10 was also carried out to confirm the position of substitution and salt formation. All the compounds 3-21 were tested for various biological activities, including anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer properties. All compounds, except 20, exhibited a potent growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus strains as compared to the ofloxacin, the standard drug. Compounds 4, 7, 10, and 13 showed a significant toxicity towards HeLa cell line (derived from cervical carcinoma), whereas compounds 3, and 5 showed a significant activity towards HeLa, MCF-7 (estrogen and progesterone positive breast cancer cell line), and MDA-MB cell lines (epithelial, human breast cancer cell line), as compared to the standard drug doxorubicin. To the best of our knowledge all analogues of 6-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-1, 2, 4-triazine-3, 5-diamine, and their activity against MDR, and anti-cancer is reported here for the first time.Searle Pharmaceuticals Pakistan Lt

Solvent-Dependent Structures of Natural Products Based on the Combined Use of DFT Calculations and 1H-NMR Chemical Shifts

Detailed solvent and temperature effects on the experimental 1H-NMR chemical shifts of the natural products chrysophanol (1), emodin (2), and physcion (3) are reported for the investigation of hydrogen bonding, solvation and conformation effects in solution. Very small chemical shift of │Δδ│ < 0.3 ppm and temperature coefficients │Δδ/ΔΤ│ ≤ 2.1 ppb/K were observed in DMSO-d6, acetone-d6 and CDCl3 for the C(1)–OH and C(8)–OH groups which demonstrate that they are involved in a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond. On the contrary, large chemical shift differences of 5.23 ppm at 298 K and Δδ/ΔΤ values in the range of −5.3 to −19.1 ppb/K between DMSO-d6 and CDCl3 were observed for the C(3)–OH group which demonstrate that the solvation state of the hydroxyl proton is a key factor in determining the value of the chemical shift. DFT calculated 1H-NMR chemical shifts, using various functionals and basis sets, the conductor-like polarizable continuum model, and discrete solute-solvent hydrogen bond interactions, were found to be in very good agreement with the experimental 1H-NMR chemical shifts even with computationally less demanding level of theory. The 1H-NMR chemical shifts of the OH groups which participate in intramolecular hydrogen bond are dependent on the conformational state of substituents and, thus, can be used as molecular sensors in conformational analysis. When the X-ray structures of chrysophanol (1), emodin (2), and physcion (3) were used as input geometries, the DFT-calculated 1H-NMR chemical shifts were shown to strongly deviate from the experimental chemical shifts and no functional dependence could be obtained. Comparison of the most important intramolecular data of the DFT calculated and the X-ray structures demonstrate significant differences for distances involving hydrogen atoms, most notably the intramolecular hydrogen bond O–H and C–H bond lengths which deviate by 0.152 tο 0.132 Å and 0.133 to 0.100 Å, respectively, in the two structural methods. Further differences were observed in the conformation of –OH, –CH3, and –OCH3 substituents

Antipsychotics drug aripiprazole as a lead against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) in vitro.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women globally. The existing treatment options for breast cancer are largely associated with severe toxicities, and lower efficacies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of non-toxic effective drugs against breast cancer. For this purpose, drug repositioning strategy was used to evaluate the anti-cancer potential of a library of heterocyclic drugs. The major advantage of drug repurposing is that the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicity profiles of drugs are well documented. In the current study, we screened 97 drugs of different chemical classes, and among them aripiprazole, an antipsychotic drug, was found to be sufficiently active against breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Aripiprazole showed a cytotoxicity (IC50 = 12.1 ± 0.40 μM) to MCF-7 cells, comparable to the standard anticancer drug doxorubicin (IC50 = 1.25 ± 0.34 μM). Aripiprazole was also found to be active against other cancer cell lines, including MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 19.83 ± 0.27 μM), AU565 (IC50 = 18.02 ± 0.44 μM), and BT-474 (IC50 = 36.42 ± 0.12 μM). Aripiprazole significantly inhibited the cell cycle progression at subG0G1 phase, and enhanced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The drug was also able to significantly increase the nuclear condensation, and modulated the expression of certain genes involved in breast cancer, such as caspases 3, and 9, BAK-1, C-MYC, BCL2L1, BCL-10, and BCL-2. Further studies are needed to explore the effect of aripiprazole on intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis in cancer cells

Cunninghamella blakesleeana -mediated biotransformation of a contraceptive drug, desogestrel, and anti-MDR- Staphylococcus aureus activity of its metabolites

International audienceStaphylococcus aureus is one of the most infectious agents among staphylococcal bacteria. Currently many strains of S. aureus have developed resistance against available antibiotics. Therefore, the treatment of infections caused by them is a major challenge. During current study, desogestrel (1), a contraceptive drug, was found to be a potent growth inhibitor of drug resistant strains of S. aureus. Therefore, in search of new and effective agents against multi-drug resistant S. aureus strains, whole-cell bio-catalytic conversion of desogestrel (1) by Cunninghamella blakesleeana ATCC 8688A at pH 7.0 and 25 °C was carried out, yielding three new metabolites, 13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-6β,15β,17β-triol (2), 13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3β,6β,17β-triol (3), and 13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17α-pregn-20-yn-3α,5α,6β,17β-tetraol (4), along with a known metabolite, 13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-6β,17β-dihydroxy-3-one (5). Among them, compounds 1–2 showed a potent activity against S. aureus EMRSA-17, S. aureus NCTC 13277 (MRSA-252), and S. aureus NCTC 13143, and clinically isolated Pakistani strain of S. aureus in an in vitro Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA). Vancomycin was used as the standard drug in this assay. In addition, compound 1 also showed a significant activity against vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) ATCC 700699. Compounds 1–5 were also evaluated against 3T3 normal cell line (mouse fibroblast) where they all were identified as non-cytotoxic. The present study thus provides new leads for the development of anti-bacterial drugs against MDR S. aureus

Two new prenylated flavonoids from the roots of <i>Berberis thunbergii</i> DC.

<p>Two new prenylated flavonoids, thunbergiols A (<b>1</b>) and B (<b>2</b>), along with three known compounds, chrysin (<b>3</b>), quercetin (<b>4</b>) and berberine (<b>5</b>) were obtained from the methanolic extract of roots <i>of Berberis thunbergii</i> DC. MS, NMR and other spectroscopic techniques were employed for their structural characterisation.</p