Tinosporaside from Tinospora cordifolia Encourages Skeletal Muscle Glucose Transport through Both PI-3-Kinase- and AMPK-Dependent Mechanisms.

The stem of Tinospora cordifolia has been traditionally used in traditional Indian systems of medicine for blood sugar control, without the knowledge of the underlying mechanism and chemical constitution responsible for the observed anti-diabetic effect. In the present study, Tinosporaside, a diterpenoid isolated from the stem of T. cordifolia, was investigated for its effects on glucose utilization in skeletal muscle cells, which was followed by determining the anti-hyperglycemic efficacy in our diabetic db/db mice model. We found that tinosporaside augmented glucose uptake by increasing the translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane in L6 myotubes, upon prolonged exposure for 16 h. Moreover, tinosporaside treatment significantly increased the phosphorylation of protein kinase B/AKT (Ser-473) and 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK, Thr-172). These effects were abolished in the presence of the wortmannin and compound C. Administration of tinosporaside to db/db mice improved glucose tolerance and peripheral insulin sensitivity associated with increased gene expression and phosphorylation of the markers of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and AMPK signaling in skeletal muscle tissue. The findings revealed that tinosporaside exerted its antidiabetic efficacy by enhancing the rate of glucose utilization in skeletal muscle, mediated by PI3K- and AMPK-dependent signaling mechanisms.

New lignan glycosides from Cissus quadrangularis stems.

Phytochemical investigation of Cissus quadrangularis stems led to the isolation of one new phenolic glycoside (1) and two new lignan glycosides (7 & 8) along with twelve known compounds (2-6 & 9-15). Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis using 1D, 2D NMR, and mass spectrometric analysis. Among the known compounds, 4-6, 9 and 12 were isolated for the first time from the genus Cissus whereas compounds 10, 11 and 13 for the first time from this plant.

Development of Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Simultaneous Identification and Quantitation of Potential Osteogenic Phytochemicals in Butea monosperma.

An ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid triple-quadrupole linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QqQLIT-MS-MS) method in multiple reaction monitoring mode was developed for identification and simultaneous determination of potential osteogenic compounds in ethanol extracts of different plant parts of Butea monosperma collected from different geographical regions. The chromatographic separation was carried out on an Acquity UPLC CSH C18 column (1.7 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm) with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water and methanol as mobile phase under gradient conditions in 8 min. The developed method was validated according to the guidelines of international conference on harmonization. The correlation coefficients of all the calibration curves were ≥0.9995 and recoveries ranged from 95.2 to 105.8% (RSD ≤ 1.95%). Relative standard deviations of intra-day, inter-day precisions and stability were ≤1.74, 1.84 and 2.8%, respectively. The quantitative results showed remarkable differences in the content of all potential osteogenic compounds in different parts of the plant as well as samples from different geographical regions. Quantitative variations studied from principal component analysis indicated tentative markers for B. monosperma cultivars which can discriminate sample of different geographical regions.

Coptisine-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells.

This study aimed to explore the effect of coptisine on non-small-cell lung cancer and its mechanism through various in vitro cellular models (A549). Results claimed significant inhibition of proliferation by coptisine against A549, H460, and H2170 cells with IC50 values of 18.09, 29.50, and 21.60 µM, respectively. Also, coptisine exhibited upregulation of pH2AX, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and downregulation of the expression of cyclin B1, cdc2, and cdc25C and upregulation of p21 dose dependently. Furthermore, induction of apoptosis in A549 cells by coptisine was characterized by the activation of caspase 9, caspase 8, and caspase 3, and cleavage of poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase. In addition, coptisine was found to increase reactive oxygen species generation, upregulate Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential, and cause cytochrome c release into the cytosol. Besides, treatment with a reactive oxygen species inhibitor (N-acetyl cysteine) abrogated coptisine-induced growth inhibition, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species generation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, the mediation of reactive oxygen species in the apoptosis-induced effect of coptisine in A549 cells was corroborated. These findings have offered new insights into the effect and mechanisms of action of coptisine against non-small-cell lung cancer.

Three new acyltyramines from Anisodus luridus Link et Otto (Solanaceae).

Three new acyltyramines, N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]hentriacontanamide (1), N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]nonacosanamide (2) and N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]heneicosanamide (3) have been isolated from n-hexane extract of leaves of Anisodus luridus (Solanaceae). Successive extraction of defatted leaves of A. luridus with methanol afforded a residue on removal of solvent under reduced pressure. Residue was partitioned by means of chloroform and n-butanol. Chromatographic resolution of n-BuOH extract afforded six known compounds, apigenin (4), luteolin (5), quercetin (6), quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnoside (7), kaempferol 3-O-α-rhamnoside (8) and quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (9). The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned with the help of spectroscopic techniques. This is the first report of isolation of these compounds from this plant.

Cytotoxicity of withasteroids: withametelin induces cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells.

Considerable interest has been gained by withasteroids because of their structural uniqueness and wide spectrum of biological activities. However, limited systematic studies for proving their cytotoxic potential have so far been reported. Hence, an attempt was made to test the cytotoxicity of six withasteroids viz., withametelin (WM), withaphysalin D, withaphysalin E, 12-deoxywithastramonolide, Withaperuvin B, and physalolactone against A549, HT-29, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. Significant cytotoxic effect of WM against A549 cells (IC50 value of 6.0 µM), MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 value of 7.6 µM), and HT-29 cells (IC50 value of 8.2 µM) was observed. Withaperuvin B and physalolactone were found to be effective against MDA-MB-231 cells. The significantly active WM arrested the A549 cells at G2/M phase and downregulated the expression of G2/M regulatory proteins such as cdc2, cyclin B1, and cdc25C. Apoptosis induced by WM in A549 cells was associated with the generation of ROS and depletion of MMP. Furthermore, WM treatment resulted in Bax upregulation, Bcl-2 downregulation, translocation of cytochrome c to mitochondria, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and PARP cleavage corroborating the apoptosis induction through intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Thus, WM possessing broader cytotoxic effect is a promising lead molecule which has the potential to be developed as a new therapeutic agent for NSCLC.

N-Methyl-6, 7-dimethoxyisoquinolone in Annona squamosa twigs is the major immune modifier to elicit polarized Th1 immune response in BALB/c mice.

Annona squamosa (AS) has traditionally been used as ethnomedicine. We have earlier extracted and fractionated the twigs of AS based upon its bioactivity and observed its immune potentiating activity that was localized in its three fractions. Present communication deals with the phytochemical analysis and pharmacological investigation of the most active chloroform fraction that led to isolation and identification of a number of compounds whose structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Amongst the twelve pure compounds isolated, five compounds Lanuginosine (1), (+)-O-methylarmepavine (2), (+)-anomuricine (3), Isocorydine (4), and N-methyl-6, 7-dimethoxyisoquinolone (5) were evaluated in vivo for their immune modifier activities in BALB/c mice after oral administration at three log doses of 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. Of these, three compounds (1, 2 and 5) showed dose dependent immune stimulating activity. However, the uppermost activity was noted in the compound N-methyl-6, 7-dimethoxyisoquinolone at the 3.0mg/kg oral dose. The activity was assessed in the form of increased splenic T and B cellular proliferation, up-regulated CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ cell population and accentuation in the peritoneal macrophage function. The compound possibly acted modifying the expression of Th1- and Th2- cytokines via stimulation of pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ. These results warrant the use of the above compounds as an efficient immune-stimulant or immune-adjuvant against diseases with immune suppression. The analogs of the compound may further be chemically synthesized to achieve desired immune modifying activity.

Anti-ulcer constituents of Annona squamosa twigs.

Phytochemical investigation of Annona squamosa twigs, resulted in isolation and identification of twelve known (1-12) compounds among them one 1-(4-ß-D-glucopyranosyloxyphenyl)-2-(ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-ethane (11) is synthetically known but first time isolated from natural sources. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds (2-8, 11) were evaluated for H(+) K(+)-ATPase activity. Three of these compounds (+)-O-methylarmepavine (2), N-methylcorydaldine (3), isocorydine (6) showed promising anti-secretory activity. Activity of these compounds, comparable to the standard drug omeprazole is novel to our finding. Moreover, there is no information accessible regarding the pharmacological effect of A. squamosa on the gastrointestinal system. This study is the first of its kind to show the significant anti-ulcer effect of A. squamosa. The present study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of A. squamosa (AS) and to identify its active constituents. Anti-ulcer activity was evaluated against cold restraint (CRU), pyloric ligation (PL), aspirin (ASP), alcohol (AL) induced gastric ulcer and histamine (HA) induced duodenal ulcer model and further confirmed through in vitro assay of H(+) K(+)-ATPase activity and plasma gastrin level. AS and its chloroform and hexane fraction attenuated ulcer formation in CRU, PL, HA model and displayed anti-secretory activity in vivo through reduced free, total acidity and pepsin in PL, confirmed by in vitro inhibition of H(+) K(+)-ATPase activity with corresponding decrease in plasma gastrin level. Cytoprotection of AS was apparent with protection in AL, ASP models and enhanced mucin level in PL.

Synthetic analogs of daidzein, having more potent osteoblast stimulating effect.

A series of didzein derivatives were synthesized and assessed for stimulation of osteoblast differentiation using primary cultures of rat calvarial osteoblasts. Data suggested that three synthetic analogs, 1c, 3a and 3c were several folds more potent than daidzein in stimulating differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts. Further, these three compounds did not show any estrogen agonistic activity, however had mild estrogen antagonistic effect. Out of the three compounds, 3c was found to maximally increase the mineralization of bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells. Compound 3c also robustly increased the mRNA levels of osteogenic genes including bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteocalcin in osteoblasts. Unlike daidzein, 3c did not inhibit osteoclastogenesis. Collectively, we demonstrate osteogenic activity of daidzein analogs at significantly lower concentrations than daidzein.

Study of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of seeds of Hyoscyamus niger and isolation of a new coumarinolignan.

A chemical and biological validation of the traditional use of Hyoscyamus niger seeds as anti-inflammatory drug has been established. The methanolic extract of seeds of H. niger (MHN) was evaluated for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in experimental animal models at different doses. MHN produced significant increase in hot plate reaction time, while decreasing writhing response in a dose-dependent manner indicating its analgesic activity. It was also effective in both acute and chronic inflammation evaluated through carrageenin-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma methods. In addition to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, it also exhibited antipyretic activity in yeast-induced pyrexia model. Furthermore, the bioactive MHN under chemical investigation showed the presence of coumarinolignans as major chemical constituent and yielded a new coumarinolignan, cleomiscosin A methyl ether (1) along with four known coumarinolignans, cleomiscosin A (2), cleomiscosin B (3), cleomiscosin A-9'-acetate (4) and cleomiscosin B-9'-acetate (5). The structure elucidation of 1 was done by spectroscopic data interpretation and comparative HPLC analysis. Cleomiscosin A, but not its isomer cleomiscosin B, reduced dry and wet weight of cotton pellet granuloma in mice. This suggests that cleomiscosin A is an important constituent of MHN responsible for anti-inflammatory activity.

Hyoscyamal, a new tetrahydrofurano lignan from Hyoscyamus niger Linn.

In addition to the isolation and complete characterisation of a new lignan, hyoscyamal, three other compounds, balanophonin, pongamoside C and pongamoside D have been isolated from the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger. The structures of the compounds were settled on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. This is the first report on the isolation of these compounds from a solanaceous plant.

Osteogenic activity of constituents from Butea monosperma.

Phytochemical investigation from the stem bark of Butea monosperma, led to the isolation and identification of three new compounds named buteaspermin A (1), buteaspermin B (2) and buteaspermanol (3), along with 19 known compounds. The structure of compounds 1-22 were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The isolated compounds 2-17 were evaluated using neonatal (1-3 day old) rat calvaria derived primary osteoblast cultures. Five of these compounds 7, 10-13 showed promising osteogenic activity, attributed to increased osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and mineralization as evidenced by marked increase in expression of alkaline phosphatase, an early phase differentiation marker, and alizarin Red S staining of osteoblasts cultured for 48 h and von Kossa silver staining of nodules formed 15 days after culture with these compounds. Quantification of mineralization by optical density measurement of Alizarin Red S extracted from stained osteoblasts cultured for 7 days in presence of these compounds showed significant (P<0.05, vs corresponding vehicle control group) increase in mineralization. On the basis of biological results, structure-activity relationships are discussed.

A new kaempferol diglycoside from Datura suaveolens Humb. & Bonpl. ex. Willd.

A new flavonol glycoside, kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), has been isolated from methanol extract of leaves of Datura suaveolens (Solanaceae), along with six other known compounds, which include kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (2), 3-phenyl lactic acid, 3-(3-indolyl) lactic acid, and its methyl ester, physalindicanol A and physalindicanol B. The structural elucidation of 1 and characterization of the known compounds are based on detailed spectral analysis (ESI-FTICR-MS and 2D-NMR). This is the first report of isolation of these compounds from this plant.

Hyosgerin, a new optically active coumarinolignan, from the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger.

Hyosgerin, a new optically active coumarinolignan, has been isolated and characterized along with three other coumarinolignans, venkatasin, cleomiscosin A and cleomiscosin B, from the seeds of Hyoscyamus niger L. The structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical conversion. The optical properties and absolute stereochemistry of these coumarinolignans have also been studied and discussed.

Two acyl sucroses from Petunia nyctaginiflora.

Two new acyl sucroses were isolated from the epigeal parts of Petunia nyctaginiflora Juss. (Solanaceae). Their structures were determined to be 2, 3, 4-tri (5-methylhexanoyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D-fructofuranoside (2) and 2, 3, 4-tri (6-methylheptanoyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D-fructofuranoside (4) on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.

Squamocin-O(1) and squamocin-O(2), new adjacent bis-tetrahydrofuran acetogenins from the seeds of Annona squamosa.

Two bis-tetrahydrofuran acetogenins, squamocin-O(1) (1) and squamocin-O(2) (2), were isolated from a MeOH extract of seeds of Annona squamosa L. Their structures were determined by spectral means including precursor-ion scanning mass spectral analysis for their aminal derivatives. The configurations at the oxymethine chiral centers were assigned as 12R,15R,16R,19R,20R,23R,24S,28S,36S for 1 and 12S,15R,16R,19R,20R,23R,24S, 28S,36S for 2, based on 1H NMR analysis of their Mosher's ester derivatives and CD data.