5-Hydroxyferulic acid methyl ester isolated from wasabi leaves inhibits 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation.

To investigate the compounds present in wasabi leaves (Wasabia japonica Matsumura) that inhibit the adipocyte differentiation, activity-guided fractionation was performed on these leaves. 5-Hydroxyferulic acid methyl ester (1: 5-HFA ester), one of the phenylpropanoids, was isolated from wasabi leaves as a compound that inhibits the adipocyte differentiation. Compound 1 suppressed the intracellular lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells without significant cytotoxicity. Gene expression analysis revealed that 1 suppressed the mRNA expression of 2 master regulators of adipocyte differentiation, PPARγ and C/EBPα. Furthermore, 1 downregulated the expression of adipogenesis-related genes, GLUT4, LPL, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS. Protein expression analysis revealed that 1 suppressed PPARγ protein expression. Moreover, to investigate the relationship between the structure and activity of inhibiting the adipocyte differentiation, we synthesized 12 kinds of phenylpropanoid analog. Comparison of the activity among 1 and its analogs suggested that the compound containing the substructure that possess a common functional group at the ortho position such as a catechol group exhibits the activity of inhibiting the adipocyte differentiation. Taken together, our findings suggest that 1 from wasabi leaves inhibits adipocyte differentiation via the downregulation of PPARγ.

The use of a Mitsunobu reagent for the formation of heterocycles: a simple method for the preparation of 3-alkyl-5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones from carboxylic acids.

The reaction of carboxylic acids with Mitsunobu reagents, prepared by the reaction of triphenylphosphine with dialkyl azodicarboxylates, followed by heating at 180-190 °C under solvent-free conditions, afforded 3-alkyl-5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones. This facile and convenient method readily provides the 1,3,4-oxadiazolone ring systems in good yields using a one-pot protocol starting from the corresponding carboxylic acids. It was also demonstrated that the presence of a catalytic base facilitates the final ring closure forming the 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a linalool synthase from lemon myrtle.

Using a homology-based PCR strategy, we identified a cDNA with sequence similarity to linalool synthase from lemon myrtle. Functional expression of the cDNA (designated BcLS) gene in Escherichia coli yielded an active enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of geranyl diphosphate to (-)-linalool, i.e., an acyclic monoterpene alcohol, and to lesser amounts of cyclic monoterpenes. The kinetic parameters of BcLS were similar to those of synthases producing cyclic monoterpenes. PCR analysis revealed that the BcLS gene transcript was ubiquitously expressed in lemon myrtle and was upregulated in response to jasmonic acid treatment. Although the physiological role of neryl diphosphate (NPP) dependency of BcLS remains unclear, the cyclization activity of BcLS was enhanced when NPP was used as substrate, resulting in predominant production of cyclic monoterpenes. These findings indicate that BcLS has novel specificity and kinetic parameters, but its physiological responses to stresses such as insect damage appear to be similar to known linalool synthases.

Interaction of epicatechin gallate with phospholipid membranes as revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Epicatechin gallate (ECg), a green tea polyphenol, has various physiological effects. Our previous nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) study using solution NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that ECg strongly interacts with the surface of phospholipid bilayers. However, the dynamic behavior of ECg in the phospholipid bilayers has not been clarified, especially the dynamics and molecular arrangement of the galloyl moiety, which supposedly has an important interactive role. In this study, we synthesized [13C]-ECg, in which the carbonyl carbon of the galloyl moiety was labeled by 13C isotope, and analyzed it by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Solid-state 31P NMR analysis indicated that ECg changes the gel-to-liquid-crystalline phase transition temperature of DMPC bilayers as well as the dynamics and mobility of the phospholipids. In the solid-state 13C NMR analysis under static conditions, the carbonyl carbon signal of the [13C]-ECg exhibited an axially symmetric powder pattern. This indicates that the ECg molecules rotate about an axis tilting at a constant angle to the bilayer normal. The accurate intermolecular-interatomic distance between the labeled carbonyl carbon of [13C]-ECg and the phosphorus of the phospholipid was determined to be 5.3±0.1 Å by 13C-(31)P rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) measurements. These results suggest that the galloyl moiety contributes to increasing the hydrophobicity of catechin molecules, and consequently to high affinity of galloyl-type catechins for phospholipid membranes, as well as to stabilization of catechin molecules in the phospholipid membranes by cation-π interaction between the galloyl ring and quaternary amine of the phospholipid head-group.

pH stat studies on bicarbonate secretion in the isolated mouse ileum.

Bicarbonate secretion occurs in almost all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. This study examined HCO(3)(-) secretion in the ileum, since it is less understood than HCO(3)(-) secretion in other intestinal segments. Mouse ileal mucosa was mounted in vitro in Ussing chambers, and the mucosal alkalinization rate (J(OH)) was determined by pH stat titration, while the mucosal side was bathed with a buffer-free solution (100% O(2)) and the serosal side with a HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)-buffered solution. The transmural potential difference (PD) was recorded. The mucosal alkalinization rate (J(OH)) was higher in the presence of mucosal Cl(-) than in its absence. Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, enhanced J(OH) and PD in both the presence and absence of mucosal Cl(-). Mucosal SO(4)(2-) also caused an increase in J(OH), although the magnitude was smaller than that induced by Cl(-). Mucosal Cl(-)-dependent J(OH) was partially inhibited by acetazolamide, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB), tenidap and probably also by niflumic acid, but not by glibenclamide, DIDS or bumetanide. The forskolin-induced J(OH) value and PD were both inhibited by NPPB and probably also by tenidap. It is concluded that HCO(3)(-)- secretion in the ileum follows a mucosal Cl(-)-dependent pathway and a cAMP-activated pathway, each being distinct from each other. The Cl(-)-dependent pathway is probably mediated by the slc26a6 anion exchanger, and possibly also by the slc26a3 anion exchanger. The cAMP-activated HCO(3)(-) secretion is probably mediated by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

A novel mutagen, 2-(5-hydroxy-4,6-dinitroindolyl) ethanol, formed in the reaction between 5-hydroxytryptamine and nitrite under acid conditions, especially in the presence of L-cysteine.

We examined the mutagenic activity of each of 29 amino acids mixed under acidic conditions with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and nitrite using Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 100 with or without a metabolic activation system (S9 mix). The reaction mixture containing L-cysteine was strongly mutagenic without S9 mix. We subjected an ethyl acetate extract of the reaction mixture to HPLC, isolated a mutagenic component, and investigated its chemical structure by LC-mass spectrometry (MS), high-resolution fast atom bombardment (HRFAB)-MS, and 1H and 13C NMR. We identified the mutagen as 2-(5-hydroxy-4,6-dinitro-3-indolyl) ethanol (2HDIE). We injected 8 mg/kg 2HDIE i.p. into male ICR mice and found that the compound increased the frequency of micronuclei in peripheral reticulocytes. Our results suggest that 2HDIE might be formed in vivo by consumption of 5-HT, nitrite and L-cysteine in foods, and might act as a mutagen.

Preparation of nitrogen-containing pi-deficient heteroaromatic Grignard reagents: oxidative magnesiation of nitrogen-containing pi-deficient halogenoheteroaromatics using active magnesium.

The oxidative magnesiation of nitrogen-containing pi-deficient halogenoheteroaromatics using active magnesium was accomplished. Both magnesiation followed by addition of a carbonyl compound (Grignard reaction) and magnesiation in the presence of a carbonyl compound (Barbier reaction) were carried out to afford the corresponding product. Especially, the latter method enabled fused halogenodiazines such as 4-chloro-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine or 2-chloroquinoxaline to magnesiate at a mild temperature (-20 to 30 degrees C).

[Zafirlukast (Accolate): a review of its pharmacological and clinical profile].

Today, bronchial asthma is considered as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway. It has been revealed that various chemical mediators are involved in the onset of bronchial asthma. Among them, particularly, the peptide leukotrienes, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, have been known to play a pathophysiological important role in asthma. Zafirlukast binds to the CysLT1 receptors competitively with these peptide leukotrienes and inhibited peptide leukotriene-induced constriction of isolated guinea pig trachea and lung parenchyma and isolated human bronchi. Zafirlukast also demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of LTD4-induced dyspnea in guinea pigs in vivo. Zafirlukast demonstrated preventive and alleviating effects on LTD4- and ovalbumin-induced decrease in the lung function. Zafirlukast also displayed inhibitory effects on LTD4-induced eosinophil infiltration into airway tissues and bronchial edema. In sheep naturally allergic to Ascaris suum antigen, zafirlukast exhibited inhibitory effects on Ascaris suum antigen-induced immediate and late type airway constriction and increase in airway hypersensitivity. In clinical pharmacology studies, zafirlukast inhibited LTD4- or allergen-induced airway constriction and exercise-induced reduction of the pulmonary function. It also prevented onset of methacholine-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Furthermore, good efficacy of zafirlukast was confirmed in clinical trials in adult bronchial asthma patients. As above, zafirlukast is effective for treatment of bronchial asthma, which is attributed to its peptide leukotriene antagonistic action.