Identification of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors from the Seeds of Passiflora edulis Cultivated in Vietnam

Soluble epoxide hydrolases (sEH) are enzymes present in all living organisms, metabolize epoxy fatty acids to 1,2-diols. sEH in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids plays a key role in inflammation. In addition, the endogenous lipid mediators in cardiovascular disease are also broken down to diols by the action of sEH that enhanced cardiovascular protection. In this study, sEH inhibitory guided fractionation led to the isolation of five phenolic compounds trans-resveratrol (1), trans-piceatannol (2), sulfuretin (3), (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) from the ethanol extract of the seeds of Passiflora edulis Sims cultivated in Vietnam. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were determined by the interpretation of NMR spectral data, mass spectra, and comparison with data from the literature. The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory activity of isolated compounds was evaluated. Among them, trans-piceatannol (2) showed the most potent inhibitory activity on sEH with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 µM. This study marks the first time that sulfuretin (3) was isolated from Passiflora edulis as well as (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) were isolated from Passiflora genus.

Murrayafoline A Induces a G0/G1-Phase Arrest in Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Stimulated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The increased potential for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth is a key abnormality in the development of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. Abnormally high activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is believed to play a central role in the etiology of these pathophysiological situations. Here, we investigated the anti-proliferative effects and possible mechanism(s) of murrayafoline A, a carbazole alkaloid isolated from Glycosmis stenocarpa Guillamin (Rutaceae), on PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs. Murrayafoline A inhibited the PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured using a non-radioactive colorimetric WST-1 assay and direct cell counting. Furthermore, murrayafoline A suppressed the PDGF-BB-stimulated progression through G0/G1 to S phase of the cell cycle, as measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay and cell cycle progression analysis. This anti-proliferative action of murrayafoline A, arresting cell cycle progression at G0/G1 phase in PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs, was mediated via down-regulation of the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). These results indicate that murrayafoline A may be useful in preventing the progression of vascular complications such as restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and atherosclerosis.

Isolation and 13C-NMR reassignment of chrysoeriol from eurya ciliata Leaves

From the leaves of Eurya ciliata(Merr),Chrysoeriol, a flavonoide, was isolated.The 13C-NMR reassignment of Chrysoeriol is based on the analysis of 2D-NMR experiments

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory effect of Vietnamese plants

The vertical HIV transmission from mother to infant can occur in the pregnant period (in utero), during labor or after delivery from breastfeeding. It’s difficult to diagnose HIV-infected newborns by means of serology test, since IgG antibody can infiltrate through placenta from HIV-infected mothers and therefore the serology test is always positive in their babies, even in case the babies were not HIV-infected. In this study, the vertical mother-to-infant HIV-1 transmission in utero was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with p17, c2v3 (gp120) and gp41 primers. 37 of 37 (100%) mother blood specimens and 2 of 37 (5.4%) their newborn umbilical cord blood samples were HIV-1 PCR positive. The PCR success rate with P17 and gp41 primers was much higher than that of PCR with c2v3 primer, especially on umbilical cord blood samples. It is recommended that a PCR test using the least 2 primers (p17 and gp41) should be performed at birth to detect HIV-1 seropositive infants and to allow the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. It is necessary to follow up baby health and perform repeatedly HIV-1 PCR on their blood samples to diagnose the timing of HIV-1 transmission.