Deaggregators inhibit TNF-α-induced leukocyte adhesion in vitro by breaking up hydrophobic lipophilic interactions.

AIM: Deaggregators (deAgrs) are nontoxic organic molecules that possess the ability to deaggregate simple aggregates formed by hydrophobic lipophilic interactions (HLI). Since HLI-driven organic molecule aggregates may induce leukocyte adhesion, we investigated the influence of deAgrs on TNF-α-mediated leukocyte adhesion in vitro. METHODS: For adhesion studies, vascular endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells monolayers were treated with TNF-α (10 µg/L) and deAgrs for 24 h, followed by addition of monocytes or neutrophils suspension. The non-adherent leukocytes were rinsed, and the number of attached leukocytes was measured using an ELISA plate reader. Simultaneously, fluorescence probes Np-12 and Np-Ch were used to measure the deaggregating efficiencies of these deAgrs. RESULTS: Among the nine deAgrs tested,eight significantly reduced the cell adhesion rates with the order of efficiencies: 260 > 160 > 568 > ZPMOP > R68 > 640 > TB6PMOP > CNS, but TBHQ had no effect. The deAgrs for deaggregating an aggregated probe (Np-12 or Np-Ch) exhibited a similar order of efficiencies: 260 > 160 > 568 > ZPMOP > R68 > 640 > TB6PMOP > CNS > 12-AA > 11-AA > TBHQ. Spearman correlation coefficient analyses indicated that the adherent rates of leukocytes to endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells treated with deAgrs had significantly negative correlation to their deaggregating abilities. CONCLUSION: DeAgrs effectively inhibit TNF-α-mediated leukocyte adhesion in vitro by breaking up hydrophobic lipophilic interactions, thus may be further tested for blocking atherogenesis.

A convenient and efficient one-pot conversion of peimisine into cyclopamine.

A convenient and efficient one-pot synthesis of cyclopamine from peimisine is described. The key steps involve one-pot hydrazination and subsequent Bamford-Stevens reaction. The mild reaction conditions, high overall yield as well as an easy purification indicate this process can potentially be used for the scale-up preparation of cyclopamine.

Geranylated flavonoids from the roots of Campylotropis hirtella and their immunosuppressive activities.

In an effort to identify new immunosuppressive agents from natural sources, 12 new geranylated flavonoids, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-[7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E)-octenyl]isoflavone (1), a racemate of 5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-[7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E)-octenyl]isoflavanone (2), 2''(S)-5,7-dihydroxy-[2''-methyl-2''-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)pyrano]-5'',6'':3',4'-isoflavone (3), (2''S,3''R,4''S)-5,7,3'',4''-tetrahydroxy[2''-methyl-2''-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)pyrano]-5'',6'':3',4'-isoflavone (4), a racemate of 3'-geranyl-5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxyisoflavanone (5), a racemate of 3'-geranyl-4'-methoxy-5,7,2'-trihydroxyisoflavanone (6), 3'-geranyl-5,7,4',5'-tetrahydroxyisoflavone (8), 3'-geranyl-5,7,2',5'-tetrahydroxyisoflavone (9), 3'-geranyl-4'-methoxy-5,7,2'-trihydroxyisoflavone (10), 2(R),3(R)-3'-geranyl-2,3-trans-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavonol (12), (2R,3R)-6-methyl-3'-geranyl-2,3-trans-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavonol (13), and 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-O-geranylisoflavone (14), were isolated from the roots of Campylotropis hirtella (Franch.) Schindl. together with three previously described flavonoids. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic measurements, including two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The immunosuppressive effects of these compounds were assessed using mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation, and the cytotoxicity of the compounds was also examined. The IC50 values of the compounds were found to be in the range of 1.49-61.23 microM for T lymphocyte suppression and 1.16-73.07 microM for B lymphocyte suppression. An analysis of their structure-activity relationships revealed that an isoflavonoid carbon skeleton with a C10 substituent at the C3' position was necessary for the activity. As many of the compounds exhibited good immunosuppressive activities, they may be promising as novel immunosuppressive agents.

Hirtellanines A and B, a pair of isomeric isoflavonoid derivatives from Campylotropis hirtella and their immunosuppressive activities.

A pair of isomeric isoflavonoid derivatives, Hirtellanines A (1) and B (2), has been isolated from the roots of Campylotropis hirtella (Franch.) Schindl. and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, with special emphasis on 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The in vitro assay showed that Hirtellanine A had strong B lymphocyte suppression activity (IC(50): 0.06microM) and T lymphocyte suppression activity (IC(50): 0.92microM). Hirtellanine B showed moderate B lymphocyte suppression activity (IC(50): 3.00microM) and T lymphocyte suppression activity (IC(50): 9.55microM). Due to the potent immunosuppressive activities and lower cytotoxicity, Hirtellanine A could be a promising lead towards novel immunosuppressive agents.

A new diterpenoid from Fritillaria anhuiensis.

The aim of this study was to look for the chemical constituents of the bulbs of Fritillaria anhuiensis S. C. Chen et S. E. Yin. The bulbs of Fritillaria anhuiensis were extracted with 95% EtOH at reflux. Isolation and purification were performed by silica gel column chromatography. Structures of pure compounds were established on the basis of spectral analysis. Three compounds were obtained and identified as 12,15-epoxy-8(17), 13-labdadien-19-ol (1), ent-3beta-acetoxy-kauran-16beta, 17-diol (2), ent-kaurane-3beta, 16beta, 17-triol (3). Compound 1 is a new labdane-type diterpenoid. Compounds 2 and 3 were obtained from Fritillaria anhuiensis for the first time.

Deaggregation behavior of the phenol gemini derivatives.

The phenol gemini compounds were synthesized by rebuilding the substituents and lateral chain on the phenyl ring. Two parts of the molecules were connected by a spacer of hydrocarbon chain via ester groups. The deaggregation behaviors of target molecules were investigated by studying coaggregation behaviors, evaluating the deaggregating abilities in terms of fluorescence measurements, the measurements of their aggregation number and the effects on restraining the cell adhesion. In present cases, all of these experiments give the same results; that is, in these molecules, the longer branched methyl hydrocarbon chain and the combination of methoxy with hydroxyl groups on the phenyl ring possess the higher deaggregating abilities in the studied situation. The molecules with two hydrocarbon chains, i.e., the phenol gemini compounds, are more effective to deaggregate the aggregated probes than the molecules with one hydrocarbon chain. To find an effective deaggregator might be helpful to design the medicine for the cure of arteriosclerosis.