Active Components from Cassia abbreviata Prevent HIV-1 Entry by Distinct Mechanisms of Action

Cassia abbreviata is widely used in Sub-Saharan Africa for treating many diseases, including HIV-1 infection. We have recently described the chemical structures of 28 compounds isolated from an alcoholic crude extract of barks and roots of C. abbreviata, and showed that six bioactive compounds inhibit HIV-1 infection. In the present study, we demonstrate that the six compounds block HIV-1 entry into cells: oleanolic acid, palmitic acid, taxifolin, piceatannol, guibourtinidol-(4α→8)-epiafzelechin, and a novel compound named as cassiabrevone. We report, for the first time, that guibourtinidol-(4α→8)-epiafzelechin and cassiabrevone inhibit HIV-1 entry (IC₅₀ of 42.47 µM and 30.96 µM, respectively), as well as that piceatannol interacts with cellular membranes. Piceatannol inhibits HIV-1 infection in a dual-chamber assay mimicking the female genital tract, as well as HSV infection, emphasizing its potential as a microbicide. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) showed that pharmacophoric groups of piceatannol are strictly required to inhibit HIV-1 entry. By a ligand-based in silico study, we speculated that piceatannol and norartocarpetin may have a very similar mechanism of action and efficacy because of the highly comparable pharmacophoric and 3D space, while guibourtinidol-(4α→8)-epiafzelechin and cassiabrevone may display a different mechanism. We finally show that cassiabrevone plays a major role of the crude extract of CA by blocking the binding activity of HIV-1 gp120 and CD4.     

Structure and Antitumor and Immunomodulatory Activities of a Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Dimocarpus longan Pulp

A new water-soluble polysaccharide (longan polysaccharide 1 (LP1)) was extracted and successfully purified from Dimocarpus longan pulp via diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose anion-exchange and Sephacryl S-300 HR gel chromatography. The chemical structure was determined using Infrared (IR), gas chromatography (GC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. The results indicated that the molecular weight of the sample was 1.1 × 10⁵ Da. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that LP1 was composed of Glc, GalA, Ara and Gal in a molar ratio of 5.39:1.04:0.74:0.21. Structural analysis indicated that LP1 consisted of a backbone of →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-α-d-GalpA-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→ units with poly saccharide side chains composed of →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1→2)-l-sorbose-(1→ attached to the O-6 position of the α-d-Glcp residues. In vitro experiments indicated that LP1 had significantly high antitumor activity against SKOV3 and HO8910 tumor cells, with inhibition percentages of 40% and 50%, respectively. In addition, LP1 significantly stimulated the production of the cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), increased the activity of murine macrophages and enhanced B- and T-lymphocyte proliferation. The results of this study demonstrate that LP1 has potential applications as a natural antitumor agent with immunomodulatory activity.     

New Labdane-Type Diterpenoids and Anti-Inflammatory Constituents from Hedychium coronarium

Four new labdane-type diterpenoids: hedychicoronarin (1), peroxycoronarin D (2), 7β-hydroxycalcaratarin A (3), and (E)-7β-hydroxy-6-oxo-labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial (4), have been isolated from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium, together with 13 known compounds (5–17). The structures of these new compounds were determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. Compounds 3, 5, 6, and 10 exhibited inhibition (IC₅₀ values ≤4.52 μg/mL) of superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils in response to formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB). Compounds 3–6, 10, and 11 inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release with IC₅₀ values ≤6.17 μg/mL.     

The Effect of the Aerial Part of Lindera akoensis on Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-Induced Nitric Oxide Production in RAW264.7 Cells

Four new secondary metabolites, 3α-((E)-Dodec-1-enyl)-4β-hydroxy-5β-methyldihydrofuran-2-one (1), linderinol (6), 4′-O-methylkaempferol 3-O-α-l-(4″-E-p-coumaroyl)rhamnoside (11) and kaempferol 3-O-α-l-(4″-Z-p-coumaroyl) rhamnoside (12) with eleven known compounds—3-epilistenolide D₁ (2), 3-epilistenolide D₂ (3), (3Z,4α,5β)-3-(dodec-11-ynylidene)-4-hydroxy-5-methylbutanolide (4), (3E,4β,5β)-3-(dodec-11-ynylidene)-4-hydroxy-5-methylbutanolide (5), matairesinol (7), syringaresinol (8), (+)-pinoresinol (9), salicifoliol (10), 4″-p-coumaroylafzelin (13), catechin (14) and epicatechin (15)—were first isolated from the aerial part of Lindera akoensis. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. All of the compounds isolated from Lindera akoensis showed that in vitro anti-inflammatory activity decreases the LPS-stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cell, with IC₅₀ values of 4.1–413.8 μM.     

Access to New Cytotoxic Triterpene and Steroidal Acid-TEMPO Conjugates by Ugi Multicomponent-Reactions

Multicomponent reactions, especially the Ugi-four component reaction (U-4CR), provide powerful protocols to efficiently access compounds having potent biological and pharmacological effects. Thus, a diverse library of betulinic acid (BA), fusidic acid (FA), cholic acid (CA) conjugates with TEMPO (nitroxide) have been prepared using this approach, which also makes them applicable in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Moreover, convertible amide modified spin-labelled fusidic acid derivatives were selected for post-Ugi modification utilizing a wide range of reaction conditions which kept the paramagnetic center intact. The nitroxide labelled betulinic acid analogue 6 possesses cytotoxic effects towards two investigated cell lines: prostate cancer PC3 (IC₅₀ 7.4 ± 0.7 μM) and colon cancer HT29 (IC₅₀ 9.0 ± 0.4 μM). Notably, spin-labelled fusidic acid derivative 8 acts strongly against these two cancer cell lines (PC3: IC₅₀ 6.0 ± 1.1 μM; HT29: IC₅₀ 7.4 ± 0.6 μM). Additionally, another fusidic acid analogue 9 was also found to be active towards HT29 with IC₅₀ 7.0 ± 0.3 μM (CV). Studies on the mode of action revealed that compound 8 increased the level of caspase-3 significantly which clearly indicates induction of apoptosis by activation of the caspase pathway. Furthermore, the exclusive mitochondria targeting of compound 18 was successfully achieved, since mitochondria are the major source of ROS generation.     

Urolithin and Reduced Urolithin Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of Tyrosinase and Melanogenesis: Importance of the 4-Substituted Resorcinol Moiety

We previously reported (E)-β-phenyl-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold ((E)-PUSC) played an important role in showing high tyrosinase inhibitory activity and that derivatives with a 4-substituted resorcinol moiety as the β-phenyl group of the scaffold resulted in the greatest tyrosinase inhibitory activity. To examine whether the 4-substituted resorcinol moiety could impart tyrosinase inhibitory activity in the absence of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of the (E)-PUSC scaffold, 10 urolithin derivatives were synthesized. To obtain more candidate samples, the lactone ring in synthesized urolithins was reduced to produce nine reduced urolithins. Compounds 1c (IC₅₀ = 18.09 ± 0.25 μM), 1h (IC₅₀ = 4.14 ± 0.10 μM), and 2a (IC₅₀ = 15.69 ± 0.40 μM) had greater mushroom tyrosinase-inhibitory activities than kojic acid (KA) (IC₅₀ = 48.62 ± 3.38 μM). The SAR results suggest that the 4-substituted resorcinol motif makes an important contribution to tyrosinase inhibition. To investigate whether these compounds bind to human tyrosinase, a human tyrosinase homology model was developed. Docking simulations with mushroom and human tyrosinases showed that 1c, 1h, and 2a bind to the active site of both tyrosinases with higher binding affinities than KA. Pharmacophore analyses showed that two hydroxyl groups of the 4-substituted resorcinol entity act as hydrogen bond donors in both mushroom and human tyrosinases. Kinetic analyses indicated that these compounds were all competitive inhibitors. Compound 2a inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in α-MSH plus IBMX-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells more strongly than KA. These results suggest that 2a is a promising candidate for the treatment of skin pigment disorders, and show the 4-substituted resorcinol entity importantly contributes to tyrosinase inhibition.     

Design,Synthesis, Antibacterial,Antifungal and Anticancer Evaluations of Novel β-Pinene Quaternary Ammonium Salts

β-pinene is a monoterpene isolated from turpentine oil and numerous other plants’ essential oils, which has a broad spectrum of biological activities. In the current work, six novel β-pinene quaternary ammonium (β-PQA) salts were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities. The in vitro assay results revealed that compounds 4a and 4b presented remarkable antimicrobial activity against the tested fungi and bacteria. In particular, compound 4a showed excellent activities against F. oxysporum f.sp. niveum, P. nicotianae var.nicotianae, R. solani, D. pinea and Fusicoccumaesculi, with EC₅₀ values of 4.50, 10.92, 9.45, 10.82 and 6.34 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, compound 4a showed the best antibacterial action against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and B. subtilis, with MIC at 2.5, 0.625, 1.25 and 1.25 μg/mL, respectively. The anticancer activity results demonstrated that compounds 4a, 4b, 4c and 4f exhibited remarkable activity against HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranged from 1.10 to 25.54 μM. Notably, the compound 4c displayed the strongest cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines, with the IC₅₀ values of 1.10 and 2.46 μM, respectively. Furthermore, preliminary antimicrobial mechanistic studies revealed that compound 4a might cause mycelium abnormalities of microbial, cell membrane permeability changes and inhibition of the activity of ATP. Altogether, these findings open interesting perspectives to the application of β-PQA salts as a novel leading structure for the development of effective antimicrobial and anticancer agents.     

Dibenzofuran, 4-Chromanone,Acetophenone, and Dithiecine Derivatives: Cytotoxic Constituents from Eupatorium fortunei

Five new compounds, eupatodibenzofuran A (1), eupatodibenzofuran B (2), 6-acetyl-8-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-one (3), eupatofortunone (4), and eupatodithiecine (5), have been isolated from the aerial part of Eupatorium fortunei, together with 11 known compounds (6‒16). Compounds 1 and 2 featured a new carbon skeleton with an unprecedented 1-(9-(4-methylphenyl)-6-methyldibe nzo[b,d]furan-2-yl)ethenone. Among the isolates, compound 1 exhibited potent inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 5.95 ± 0.89 and 5.55 ± 0.23 μM, respectively, against A549 and MCF-7 cells. The colony-formation assay demonstrated that compound 1 (5 μM) obviously decreased A549 and MCF-7 cell proliferation, and Western blot test confirmed that compound 1 markedly induced apoptosis of A549 and MCF-7 cells through mitochondrial- and caspase-3-dependent pathways.     

New Dihydro-β-agarofuran Sesquiterpenes from Parnassia wightiana Wall: Isolation,Identification and Cytotoxicity against Cancer Cells

Five new (4–8) and three known (1–3) dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpene polyesters were isolated from the whole plants of Parnassia wightiana. The structures of all compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis including 2D-NMR and HR-MS. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by X-ray diffraction analysis, comparison of NOESY spectra and biogenetic means. The cytotoxities of compounds 2–8 were evaluated in vitro against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7 and SW480 cell lines. Compounds 5–7 exhibited the highest activities with IC₅₀ values of 11.8–30.1 μM in most cases. The SAR revealed that the introduction of hydroxyl group was able to significantly improve the activities of the compounds for most of the cell lines.     

Self-Assembly Nanoparticles of Natural Bioactive Abietane Diterpenes

Different approaches have been reported to enhance penetration of small drugs through physiological barriers; among them is the self-assembly drug conjugates preparation that shows to be a promising approach to improve activity and penetration, as well as to reduce side effects. In recent years, the use of drug-conjugates, usually obtained by covalent coupling of a drug with biocompatible lipid moieties to form nanoparticles, has gained considerable attention. Natural products isolated from plants have been a successful source of potential drug leads with unique structural diversity. In the present work three molecules derived from natural products were employed as lead molecules for the synthesis of self-assembled nanoparticles. The first molecule is the cytotoxic royleanone 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (Roy, 1) that has been isolated from hairy coleus (Plectranthus hadiensis (Forssk.) Schweinf). ex Sprenger leaves in a large amount. This royleanone, its hemisynthetic derivative 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxy-12-benzoyloxyroyleanone (12BzRoy, 2) and 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (DHR, 3), isolated from the essential oil of thicket coleus (P. madagascariensis (Pers.) Benth.) were employed in this study. The royleanones were conjugated with squalene (sq), oleic acid (OA), and/or 1-bromododecane (BD) self-assembly inducers. Roy-OA, DHR-sq, and 12BzRoy-sq conjugates were successfully synthesized and characterized. The cytotoxic effect of DHR-sq was previously assessed on three human cell lines: NCI-H460 (IC₅₀ 74.0 ± 2.2 µM), NCI-H460/R (IC₅₀ 147.3 ± 3.7 µM), and MRC-5 (IC₅₀ 127.3 ± 7.3 µM), and in this work Roy-OA NPs was assayed against Vero-E6 cells at different concentrations (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/mL). The cytotoxicity of DHR-sq NPs was lower when compared with DHR alone in these cell lines: NCI-H460 (IC₅₀ 10.3 ± 0.5 µM), NCI-H460/R (IC₅₀ 10.6 ± 0.4 µM), and MRC-5 (IC₅₀16.9 ± 0.5 µM). The same results were observed with Roy-OA NPs against Vero-E6 cells as was found to be less cytotoxic than Roy alone in all the concentrations tested. From the obtained DLS results, 12BzRoy-sq assemblies were not in the nano range, although Roy-OA NP assemblies show a promising size (509.33 nm), Pdl (0.249), zeta potential (−46.2 mV), and spherical morphology from SEM. In addition, these NPs had a low release of Roy at physiological pH 7.4 after 24 h. These results suggest the nano assemblies can act as prodrugs for the release of cytotoxic lead molecules.     

Anti-Inflammatory Components from the Root of Solanum erianthum

Two new norsesquiterpenoids, solanerianones A and B (1–2), together with nine known compounds, including four sesquiterpenoids, (−)-solavetivone (3), (+)-anhydro-β-rotunol (4), solafuranone (5), lycifuranone A (6); one alkaloid, N-trans-feruloyltyramine (7); one fatty acid, palmitic acid (8); one phenylalkanoid, acetovanillone (9), and two steroids, β-sitosterol (10) and stigmasterol (11) were isolated from the n-hexane-soluble part of the roots of Solanum erianthum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical and spectroscopic data analyses. The anti-inflammatory activity of these isolates was monitored by nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The cytotoxicity towards human lung squamous carcinoma (CH27), human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep 3B), human oral squamous carcinoma (HSC-3) and human melanoma (M21) cell lines was also screened by using an MTT assay. Of the compounds tested, 3 exhibited the strongest NO inhibition with the average maximum inhibition (E_max) at 100 μM and median inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 98.23% ± 0.08% and 65.54 ± 0.18 μM, respectively. None of compounds (1–9) was found to possess cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines at concentrations up to 30 μM.     

Development of a Highly Sensitive β-Glucan Detection System Using Scanning Single-Molecule Counting Method

To overcome the limitations of the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay method for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infection, we applied a reaction system combining recombinant β-glucan binding proteins and a scanning single-molecule counting (SSMC) method. A novel (1→3)-β-D-glucan recognition protein (S-BGRP) and a (1→6)-β-glucanase mutant protein were prepared and tested for the binding of (1→6)-branched (1→3)-β-D-glucan from fungi. S-BGRP and (1→6)-β-glucanase mutant proteins reacted with β-glucan from Candida and Aspergillus spp. Although LAL cross-reacted with plant-derived β-glucans, the new detection system using the SSMC method showed low sensitivity to plant (1→3)-β-D-glucan, which significantly improved the appearance of false positives, a recognized problem with the LAL method. Measurement of β-glucan levels by the SSMC method using recombinant β-glucan-binding proteins may be useful for the diagnosis of fungal infections. This study shows that this detection system could be a new alternative diagnostic method to the LAL method.     

Synthesis and Anti-Breast Cancer Evaluation of Novel N-(Guanidinyl)benzenesulfonamides

A series of 4-(substituted)-N-(guanidinyl)benzenesulfonamides bearing biologically active pyrazole, pyrimidine and pyridine moieties were prepared and evaluated for their anticancer activity against human tumor breast cell line (MCF7). These sulfonamides showed promising activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 49.5 to 70.2 μM. The structure-activity relationship of the synthesized compounds was studied. Interestingly, it was found that the most potent compounds in this study were the corresponding 2-cyanoacrylate 3, 3-oxobutanoate 4, pyrazole 6, pyridine 9 and pyrazole 13. Compounds 7 and 8 are nearly as active as Doxorubicin as reference drug with (IC₅₀ values = 70.2, 68.1 μM), while compounds 5, 10 and 11 exhibited a moderate activity.     

Norcembranoidal Diterpenes from the Cultured-Type Octocoral Sinularia numerosa

A known norcembranoidal diterpene, 5-episinuleptolide (1), along with a new analogue, 4α-hydroxy-5-episinuleptolide (2), were isolated from a cultured-type soft coral Sinularia numerosa. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the data with those of the related metabolites. Cytotoxicity of metabolites 1 and 2 against a panel of tumor cells is also described. Compound 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity toward CCRF-CEM cells with an IC₅₀ value 4.21 μg/mL. Preliminary SAR (structure activity relationship) information was obtained from these two compounds.     

Structural Determination and Genetic Identification of the O-Antigen from an Escherichia coli Strain,LL004, Representing a Novel Serogroup

The O-antigen is the outermost component of the lipopolysaccharide layer in Gram-negative bacteria, and the variation of O-antigen structure provides the basis for bacterial serological diversity. Here, we determined the O-antigen structure of an Escherichia coli strain, LL004, which is totally different from all of the E. coli serogroups. The tetrasaccharide repeating unit was determined as →4)-β-d-Galp-(1→3)-β-d-GlcpNAc6OAc(~70%)-(1→3)-β-d-GalpA-(1→3)-β-d-GalpNAc-(1→ with monosaccharide analysis and NMR spectra. We also characterized the O-antigen gene cluster of LL004, and sequence analysis showed that it correlated well with the O-antigen structure. Deletion and complementation testing further confirmed its role in O-antigen biosynthesis, and indicated that the O-antigen of LL004 is assembled via the Wzx/Wzy dependent pathway. Our findings, in combination, suggest that LL004 should represent a novel serogroup of E. coli.     

Antiproliferative Activity of β-Hydroxy-β-Arylalkanoic Acids

Article describes the synthesis of fifteen β-hydroxy-β-arylalkanoic acids by Reformatsky reaction using the 1-ethoxyethyl-2-bromoalkanoates, aromatic or cycloalkyl ketones or aromatic aldehydes. The short survey of previously reported synthetic procedures for title compounds, is given. The majority of obtained compounds exert antiproliferative activity in vitro toward human: HeLa, Fem-X cells, K562, and LS174 cells, having IC₅₀ values from 62.20 to 205 μM. The most active compound is 3-OH-2,2-di-Me-3-(4- biphenylyl)-butanoic acid, having the IC₅₀ value 62.20 μM toward HeLa cells. Seven examined compounds did not affect proliferation of healthy human blood peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC and PBMC+ PHA), IC₅₀ > 300 μM. The preliminary QSAR results show that estimated lipophilicity of compounds influences their antiproliferative activity in the first place. The ability of dehydration, and the spatial arrangement of hydrophobic portion, HBD and HBA in molecules are has almost equal importance as lipophilicity.     

Metabolite Profiling of Manilkara zapota L. Leaves by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Coupled with ESI and APCI and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity, α-Glucosidase,and Elastase Inhibition Assays

High-resolution mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources was used to enhance the characterization of phytochemicals of ethanol extracts of Manilkara zapota L. leaves (ZLE). Sugar compounds, dicarboxylic acids, compounds of phenolic acids and flavonoids groups, and other phytochemicals were detected from the leaves. Antioxidant activity and inhibition potentiality of ZLE against α-glucosidase enzyme, and elastase enzyme activities were evaluated in in vitro analysis. ZLE significantly inhibited activities of α-glucosidase enzyme at a lower concentration (IC₅₀ 2.51 ± 0.15 µg/mL). Glucose uptake in C2C12 cells was significantly enhanced by 42.13 ± 0.15% following the treatment with ZLE at 30 µg/mL. It also exhibited potential antioxidant activities and elastase enzyme inhibition activity (IC₅₀ 27.51 ± 1.70 µg/mL). Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI–MS) detected more m/z peaks than electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS), and both ionization techniques illustrated the biological activities of the detected compounds more thoroughly compared to single-mode analysis. Our findings suggest that APCI along with ESI is a potential ionization technique for metabolite profiling, and ZLE has the potential in managing diabetes by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity and enhancing glucose uptake.     

Effect of β-Glucan Supplementation on Acute Postprandial Changes in Fatty Acid Profile of Lymph and Serum in Pigs

Triglycerides are absorbed by the lymphatic system and have various functions in the body. It has been shown that some types of β-glucans have a positive effect on the systemic concentrations of cholesterol and lipid, presumably through interference with the absorption of lipid and/or reabsorption of bile acids. In the current study we investigated the acute effects of ingesting 2 g of β-glucan concentrates derived from barley β-(1→3)(1→4)-d-glucan or yeast β-(1→3)(1→6)-d-glucan on fatty acid content and composition in lymph and serum of 10 female pigs (initial weight 34.7 ± 1.1 kg) fitted with a permanent catheter in the jejunal lymphatic trunk in a cross-over design. Lymph was collected continuously for 8 h followed by a spot sample taken 24 h after. A significant effect of time after feeding was observed for all fatty acids in serum and for 18:0, 18:2ω6 and 18:3ω3 in lymph, but a significant effect of β-glucan was only observed for 14:0 (p = 0.049) and 22:6ω3 (p = 0.048) in lymph and 18:0 (p = 0.019) in serum. While the concentration of dietary fatty acids increased postprandially in lymph, the concentration of arachidonic and docahexanoic acid tended to decrease. Furthermore, there was a drop in concentration of all fatty acid in serum 1 h after the meal.     

Triterpenoids from the Roots of Rhaphiolepis indica var. tashiroi and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Two new triterpenoids, 2α,3β-dihydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-19β,28-olide (1) and 3β,5β-dihydroxyglutinol (2), together with eight known compounds (3–10) were isolated from the roots of Rhaphiolepis indica var. tashiroi (Rosaceae). The structures of 1–10 were determined by spectroscopic techniques. Among these isolates, 2α,3β-dihydroxyolean-13(18)-en-28-oic acid (9) exhibited inhibitory effect on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide production, with an IC₅₀ value of 16.50 μM.     

The Constituents of Michelia compressa var. formosana and Their Bioactivities

Phytochemical investigation of the heartwood of Michelia compressa afforded forty-four compounds, which were identified by comparison of experimental and literature analytical and spectroscopic data. Some compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactivities. The result showed that soemerine (1) and cyathisterol (2) exhibited significant nitric oxide (NO) inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 8.5 ± 0.3 and 9.6 ± 0.5 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, liriodenine (3) and oliveroline (4) exhibited cytotoxicity to human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC-TW01), non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H226), T cell leukemia (Jurkat), renal carcinoma (A498), lung carcinoma (A549) and fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 15.7–3.68 μM.