Cynanbungeigenin C and D, a pair of novel epimers from Cynanchum bungei, suppress hedgehog pathway-dependent medulloblastoma by blocking signaling at the level of Gli.

Uncontrolled excessive activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is linked to a number of human malignant tumorigenesis. To obtain valuable Hh pathway inhibitors from natural product, in present study, a pair of novel epimers, Cynanbungeigenin C (CBC) and D (CBD) from the plant Cynanchum bungei Decne were chemically characterized by multiple spectroscopic data and chemical derivatization, and evaluated for their inhibition on Hh pathway. Mechanistically, CBC and CBD block Hh pathway signaling not through targeting Smo and Sufu, but at the level of Gli. In addition, both eipmers significantly suppress Hh pathway-dependent Ptch+/-; p53-/- medulloblastoma in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, both CBC and CBD inhibited two Smo mutants induced Hh pathway activation, which suggested that they are potential compounds for the treatment of medulloblastoma with primary or acquired resistance to current Smo inhibitors. These results highlight the potential of CBC and CBD as effective lead compounds in the treatment of medulloblastoma and other Hh-dependent malignancy.

Stephanthraniline A suppressed CD4(+) T cell-mediated immunological hepatitis through impairing PKCθ function.

Stephanthraniline A (STA), a C21 steroid isolated from Stephanotis mucronata (Blanco) Merr., was previously shown to inhibit T cells activation and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the in vivo immunosuppressive activity of STA and to elucidate its potential mechanisms. The results showed that pretreatment with STA significantly attenuated concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis and reduced CD4(+) T cells activation and aggregation in hepatic tissue in mice. STA directly suppressed the activation and proliferation of Con A-induced CD4(+) T cells, and inhibited NFAT, NFκB and MAPK signaling cascades in activated CD4(+) T cells in vitro. Moreover, it was proved that STA inhibited T cells activation and proliferation through proximal T cell-receptor (TCR) signaling- and Ca(2+) signaling-independent way. The molecular docking studies predicted that STA could tight bind to PKCθ via five hydrogen. The further findings indicated STA directly inhibited PKCθ kinase activity, and its phosphorylation in activated CD4(+) T cells in vitro. Collectively, the present study indicated that STA could protect against CD4(+) T cell-mediated immunological hepatitis in mice through PKCθ and its downstream NFAT, NFκB and MAPK signaling cascades. These results highlight the potential of STA as an effective leading compound for use in the treatment of CD4(+) T cell-mediated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

The Loss of a Sugar Chain at C(3) Position Enhances Stemucronatoside K-Induced Apoptosis, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Hedgehog Pathway Inhibition in HT-29 Cells.

Stemucronatoside K (SMK) and its aglycone stephanthraniline A (STA) are the most representative of a series of novel C21 steriodal compounds that we have previously isolated from Asclepiadaceae plants. The objectives of this study were to investigate the antitumor activity of SMK and STA, and clarify the effect of the sugar chain at the C(3) position. Our results showed that both SMK and STA decreased the growth of HT-29 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, STA showed much stronger inhibitory effect than SMK. Treatment of HT-29 cells with STA increased the apoptotic cell numbers and the protein expression of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved-PARP. G1 phase cell cycle arrest and decreased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinases 4 were also observed after STA treatment. Furthermore, STA reduced the mRNA levels of four Hedgehog pathway components (GLI1, GLI2, GLI3, and PTCH1) and suppressed Shh-induced Hedgehog pathway activation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicated that SMK and STA could inhibit the growth of HT-29 cells by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and hedgehog pathway inhibition. The loss of sugar chain at C(3) position could enhance SMK's activity. This study is beneficial to understand the use of natural C21 steroids as antitumor lead compounds.

Facile synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole analogs of SGLT2 inhibitors by 'click chemistry'.

Novel analogs of SGLT2 inhibitors containing the 1,2,3-triazole motif were designed and synthesized for urinary glucose excretion evaluation. The C-glucosides with triazole aglycone can be easily constructed by click chemistry. Most of the synthesized compounds increased urinary glucose excretion and demonstrated inhibition of glucose transport.

[Study on mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcome and complications of mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: From Feb 2007 to Jan 2009, mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery were performed on 66 women with pelvic organ prolapse stage III-IV. Pre and postoperative symptoms, pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q) stage and pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) measurements were studied to assess anatomic and quality-of-life outcome. Operative complications were also analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 65 patients underwent successful surgeries. The rate of follow-up was 97% (63/65) with a median follow-up of 17.2 months. Subjective cure rate and objective cure rate were both 97% (61/63) at 6 and 12 months after surgeries, 51 women completed PFDI-20 measurements and scores were 102 ± 50 before surgery, 16 ± 21 at 6 months and 15 ± 20 at 12 months. It reached statistical difference when scores were compared before and after surgeries (P < 0.05). Among 66 patients, 2 patients underwent organ injuries, 2 had recurrent prolapse, 4 had mesh-related complications and 1 had severe de novo stress urinary incontinence. Six patients underwent second surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery in treatment of pelvic organ prolapsed brought satisfied clinical outcome. The incidence of mesh-related complications was low and secondary operative interventions were effective.