Antiproliferative activity of stilbene derivatives and other constituents from the stem bark of Morus nigra L.

The antiproliferative activities of 2',3,4',5,5'-pentahydroxy-cis-stilbene 1, resveratrol 2, oxyresveratrol 3, norartocarpetin 4, kuwanon C 5, morusin 6, cudraflavone A7, kuwanon G 8, albafuran C 9, mulberrofuran G 10, 3-acetyl-O-α-amyrin 11, 3-acetyl-O-ß-amyrin 12, ursolic acid-3-O-acetate 13 and uvaol 14, previously identified from the barks of Morus nigra L., were investigated against HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines. In addition, a series of methylated stilbenes 15-19 were prepared using compounds 1-3 and their antiproliferative effects were similarly investigated. The structure of a new 2',3,4'-trimethoxy-5-hydroxy-trans-stilbene 19 was elucidated using spectroscopic techniques. It showed remarkable activity against MCF-7 cells with IC50 12.5 µM. However, kuwanon C (5) showed the highest antiproliferative activity with IC50 3.92 and 9.54 µM against MCF-7 and HepG2, respectively.

A new pregnane glycoside from Gomphocarpus fruticosus growing in Egypt.

Phytochemical investigation of Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) Ait. of Egyptian origin afforded the new pregnane glycoside lineolon-3-O-[ß-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-4)-ß-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-4)-ß-D-cymaropyranoside], along with six known compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic evidences derived from 1D, 2D NMR experiments, mass spectrometry and by comparing their physical and spectroscopic data to literature. These included the triterpenoids 3ß-taraxerol, 3ß-taraxerol acetate and betulinic acid, which are identified for the first time in G. fruticosus and the cardenolides uzarigenin, gomphoside and calotropin.

Assessment of some Herbal Drugs for Prophylaxis of Peptic Ulcer.

Aqueous (hydrophilic) and chloroform (Lipophilic) extracts of nine medicinal plants currently used in Egyptian traditional medicine to treat some gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders were tested for their gastro-protective effect against the incidence of peptic ulcer. Indomethacin-induced ulcer in a rat model was used for this testing. Mentha microphylla, Brassica oleracea Capitata (Cabbage), B. oleracea Botrytis (cauliflower) aqueous fraction, Portolaca oleracea polysaccharide fraction, Oreganum marjoranum, Matricaria recutita, Solanum nigrum hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions, in addition to the chloroform fraction of Portolaca oleracea and Cicorium intybus afforded high protection against the incidence of gastric ulcer (~95%). O. syriacum hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions and gum arabic afforded moderate prophylactic effect. L. sicerarea, C. intybus hydrophilic fractions and M. microphylla lipophilic fraction were inactive. Herbs represent excellent resources for cost-effective and readily available gastro-protective remedies without side effects.

A new antioxidant stilbene and other constituents from the stem bark of Morus nigra L.

A new stilbene, 2',3,4',5,5'-pentahydroxy-cis-stilbene (1), along with 13 known compounds, resveratrol (2), oxyresveratrol (3), norartocarpetin (4), kuwanon C (5), morusin (6), cudraflavone A (7), kuwanon G (8), albafurane C (9), mulberrofuran G (10), 3-O-acetyl-α-amyrin (11), 3-O-acetyl-ß-amyrin (12) ursolic acid-3-O-acetate (13) and uvaol (14), were isolated from the barks of Morus nigra. Compounds 2, 8, 10, 12 and 14 are reported for the first time from this plant. The isolated compounds were elucidated by means of 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR and MS, as well as by comparison with the literature data. The isolated compounds and the different extracts were evaluated for their potential antioxidant activity using 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(+) radical-scavenging capacity assay and compared with ascorbic acid. The new stilbene (1) exhibited remarkable antioxidant capacity with IC50 of 4.69 µM.

Taxodione, a DNA-binding compound from Taxodium distichum L. (Rich.).

8-beta-Hydroxypimar-15-en-19-oic acid (1), taxodione (2), 6,7-dehydro-8-hydrotaxodone (3), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), and shikimic acid (5) were isolated from the leaves of Taxodium distichum L. (Rich.) for the first time. Previously reported compounds [beta-sitosterol (6), isorhamnetin (7), quercetin (8), isorhamnetin-3-O-alpha-arabinofuranoside (9), quercetin-3-O-a-arabinofuranoside (10)] have also been isolated. The activity of taxodione as an inhibitor for hepatic stellate cells was determined. The antitumour activity of 2, 3, and 5 using a DNA affinity probe was examined.

Antibacterial polyphenol from Erodium glaucophyllum.

Geraniin and gallic acid were isolated from the alcohol extract of the aerial parts of Erodium glaucophyllum (Geraniaceae). The identity of the compounds was verified through different physical and spectrometric methods. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of geraniin is presented.

A new triterpene saponin from Chenopodium ficifolium.

The new triterpene saponin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 28-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid oleanolate was isolated from the roots of Chenopodium ficifolium. The known compounds stigmasterol-3-O-glucoside and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid, 28-beta-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolate were also isolated. The latter compound, oleanolic acid, beta-sitosterol and its glucoside were isolated from the aerial parts. The identity of these compounds was verified through different chemical and physico-chemical evidences including different 1D and 2D NMR experiments.

Flavonol glycosides from Cadaba glandulosa.

A new flavonol triglycoside, rhamnocitrin-3-O-neohesperoside-4'-O-glucoside was isolated from the ethanol extract of Cadaba glandulosa together with two known diglycosides rhamnocitrin-3-O-neohesperoside and rhamnetin-3-neohesperoside. Characterization of the three compounds was achieved by various spectroscopic methods.