ABSTRACT
In the present study, a new ceramide, namely 2S, 3R-4E, 8E-2-(heptadecanoylamino)-heptadeca-4, 8-diene-1, 3-diol (1), along with four known steroids, including 24-methylcholesta-5, 24(28)-diene-3β-ol (2), 24-methylcholesta-5, 24(28)-diene-3β-acetate (3), 4-methyl-24-methylcholesta-22-ene-3-ol (4), and cholesterol, was isolated and characterized from CHCl/MeOH extract of Cespitularia stolonifera. A new acetate derivative of compound 1, termed 2S, 3R-4E, 8E-2-(heptadecanoylamino)-heptadeca-4, 8-diene-1, 3-diacetate (1a), was also prepared in the present study. All the structures were established on the basis of modern spectroscopic techniques, including FT-IR, 1D, 2D-NMR, HRESI-MS, and GC-MS, in addition of chemical methods. (-)-Alloaromadendren, ledane, (1)-alloaromadendren oxide, isoaromadendrene epoxide and (-)-caryophellen oxide were identified from the n-hexane fraction using GC-MS. The extract and the two ceramides (1) and (1a) exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against lung cancer A549 cells, while the extract and the two steroids (2) and (3) exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The CHCl/MeOH extract exhibited significant antiulcer activity in both ethanol and acetic acid induced ulcer models in rats, as evidenced by histopathological, histochemical, and biochemical examinations.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Rats , A549 Cells , Acetic Acid , Anthozoa , Chemistry , Anti-Ulcer Agents , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Antineoplastic Agents , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Biological Products , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Breast Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , Ceramides , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Disease Models, Animal , Ethanol , Lung Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , MCF-7 Cells , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Methods , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Methods , Steroids , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Ulcer , Drug TherapyABSTRACT
Depression is one of the most serious and common mental diseases with major negative social consequences. Transresveratrol [trans-3,5,4´-trihydroxystilbene] is a polyphenolic compound with a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. It has been detected in some fruits and herbs, including the Asian plant Polygonum cuspidatum. The aim of this study was to assess the antidepressant-like effect of transresveratrol in a reserpine subchronic model of depression. Depression-like behaviours were induced in rats by reserpine injection [0.25 mg/kg, subcutaneously] every 48 h, for 20 days. Transresveratrol [60 and 120 mg/kg] and fluoxetine [10 mg/kg] were administered orally daily during the 20 days of the study. Behavioural tests, namely, open-field test and forced swimming test, as well as brain neurotransmitters levels and antioxidant contents and liver functions, were assessed. Data revealed that transresveratrol improved the rats' behaviour in both the open-field test and forced swimming test, and also elevated the brain's neurotransmitter content, normalized the liver enzymes level, and improved the antioxidant status of both the brain and liver, compared with those of fluoxetine. The present study provided a clear evidence for the antidepressant-like of transresveratrol in the experimental model of depression. Further investigations are required to investigate the mechanism of action of transresveratrol as well as its applicability to be used as an antidepressant