An Integrated Strategy of UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS Combined with Bioactivity-Based Molecular Networking for Identification of Antitumoral Withanolides from Athenaea fasciculata (Vell.) I.M.C. Rodrigues & Stehmann.

BACKGROUND: Athenaea fasciculata, a Brazilian native species from the Solanaceae family, is recognized as a promising source of bioactive withanolides, particularly Aurelianolide A and B, which exhibit significant antitumoral activities. Despite its potential, research on the chemical constituents of this species remains limited. This study aimed to dereplicate extracts and partitions of A. fasciculata to streamline the discovery of bioactive withanolides. METHODS: Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), various extracts-including n-hexane, methanol, and ethanol-were analyzed, and their mass spectrometry data were processed through the GNPS platform for the generation of molecular networking. The results indicated that crude extracts displayed comparable cytotoxicity against Jurkat cells, by treatment at 150 µg/mL, while alcoholic extracts achieved approximately 80% inhibition of K562 cells and K562-Lucena 1 at the same concentration. Notably, the dichloromethane partition exhibited the highest cytotoxicity across leukemia cell lines, particularly against Jurkat cells (IC50 = 14.34 µg/mL). A total of 22 compounds were annotated by manual inspection and different libraries, with six of them demonstrating significant cytotoxic effects. CONCLUSIONS: This research underscores the therapeutic potential of A. fasciculata and highlights the effectiveness of integrating advanced analytical methods in drug discovery, paving the way for further exploration of its bioactive compounds.

Withaphysalin Derivatives from Iochroma arborescens Induce Antiproliferative and Antimigratory Activities in vitro.

Withanolides are steroidal lactones commonly found in plants of the Solanaceae family that have significant medicinal value. In this study, three withanolides extracted from Iochroma arborescens leaves were isolated and characterized. These included withaphysalin F (3: ) and two newly identified epimeric compounds: 18R- and 18S-O-methyl-withaphysalin F (1: and 2: ). Their structures were elucidated by NMR, IR, MS, CD, and X-ray diffraction analysis, and their potential against cell proliferation and migration was investigated. The cytotoxic assay revealed activity against different tumor and non-tumor cell lines. (18S)-O-methyl-withaphysalin F (2: ) presented cell death effects after at least 6 hours of exposure. MDA-MB-231 cells were exposed to 0.06 and 0.6 µM of (18S)-O-methyl-withaphysalin F (2: ), and reductions in cell adhesion, migration, and clonogenicity were observed. Morphological analysis revealed negative regulation in filopodia, salience, and roughness, as well as alterations in cellular microarchitecture. These results provide clues as to the effects of (18S)-O-methyl-withaphysalin F (2: ), allowing new molecular modifications to improve potency and selectivity and increase our antineoplastic arsenal.

Withanolide Profile and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Two Argentinean Jaborosa Species.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are still an important option for managing symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential in vitro AChE inhibitory activity of two Argentinian endemic Solanaceae species, Jaborosa bergii and J. runcinata. UHPLC-DAD-HRMS metabolite profiling revealed the presence of withanolides in the active CH2Cl2 subextracts. Their fractionation led to the isolation and identification of two known spiranoid withanolides from J. runcinata and three new withanolides with a skeleton similar to that of trechonolide-type withanolides from J. bergii. The known compounds showed moderate AChE inhibitory activity, while the new ones were inactive.

Antibacterial activity of withanolides and their structure-activity relationship.

Two new withanolides, (17R,20S,22R)-4ß-acetoxy-5ß,6ß-epoxy-19,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,24-dienolide (withalongolide A 4-acetate (5) and (17R,20S,22R)-5ß,6ß-epoxy-27-hydroxy-1,4-dioxo-witha-24-enolide (9), and seven known withanolides with normal structure (1-4, 6-8) were isolated from aerial parts of Cuatresia colombiana. Several semisynthetic derivatives were prepared from the natural metabolites withaferin A and jaborosalactone 38. The compounds were fully characterized by a combination of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR and MS). The compounds isolated from C. colombiana, sixteen withanolides previously isolated from different Solanaceae species with different skeletons and semisynthetic derivatives were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against a selected panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. According to the bioactivity against S. aureus and E. faecalis, the compounds evaluated were divided into three groups: compounds with high activity (MIC 0.063 mM), compounds with moderate activity (0.5 mM > MIC > 0.125 mM) and non-active compounds (MIC ≥1 mM); in addition, some structure-activity relationship keys could be inferred.

Anti-inflammatory withajardins from the leaves of Athenaea velutina.

Withajardins, uncommon modified withanolide-type steroids, have been isolated exclusively from plants of the Solanaceae family so far. Two undescribed withajardins and the known tuboanosigenin were isolated from the hexane/EtOAc 1:1 extract from Athenaea velutina leaves. Their structures were established by an extensive analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR and HRMS data. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray diffraction (withajardin L and tuboanosigenin) and circular dichroism (CD) analyses (withajardin M). The anti-inflammatory activity of compounds was evaluated through the inhibition of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-6 release in RAW264.7 cells. The cell viability effects to RAW 264.7 cells showed IC50 values of 74.4-354.4 µM. The compounds attenuated LPS-induced release of NO and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells.

Withalutin, a new cytotoxic withanolide from Athenaea velutina (Sendtn.) D'Arcy.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of dichloromethane extract from Athenaea velutina leaves led to the isolation of three withanolides, all being reported for the first time in this species. They were identified as withacnistin (1), withacnistin acetate (2) and a new withanolide, designated as withalutin (3). The structures were established by spectral data analysis, including MS, 1D and 2D NMR. In addition, in silico ADMET studies were employed to understand the pharmacokinetic properties of these withanolides. The withanolides isolated from A. velutina reduced cancer cell viability with IC50 values ranging from 1.52 to 5.39 µM. In silico prediction revealed that withanolides have good gastrointestinal absorption or oral bioavailability properties; and are not likely to be mutagenic or hepatotoxic. These findings revealed that A. velutina is an important source of cytotoxic withanolides.

Cytotoxic withanolides from Datura innoxia.

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts (except fruits) of the medicinal, hallucinogen and toxic plant Datura innoxia Mill. [Solanaceae] led to the isolation of the new withanolide, dinnoxolide A (1), along with the known compounds 21,27-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,24-trienolide (2), daturamalakin B (3) and withametelin (4). Their structures were established by analysis of their spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and MS. Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated as natural products for the first time and the name dinnoxolide B was given to compound 2. The four withanolides showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against U251 (glioblastoma) and SK-LU-1 (lung adenocarcinoma) human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 1.2 to 19.6 µM, and also against the noncancerous monkey kidney cell line (COS-7), with IC50 values ranging from 5.0 to 19.7 µM. Compound 4 was two times more active than the reference compound, etoposide, against lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Withanolides from the genus Exodeconus (Solanaceae). Chemotaxonomical considerations.

Five Exodeconus species were phytochemically analyzed. From the aerial parts of E. pusillus, the 7α,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-22R-witha-2,5,24-trienolide and three other previously unreported normal-type withanolides were isolated. All the studied species had normal type and/or ring-D aromatic withanolides, and some had already been isolated from other Solanaceae genera, and therefore, these compounds are not chemotaxonomic markers at the generic level. The chemical composition of an undescribed Exodeconus species analyzed here supports the designation of this taxon as a new entity. The integral chemical profile of Exodeconus can be evaluated for its taxonomic implication when a more robust phylogeny of Solanaceae is available that allows the phylogenetic relationships with its closest genera to be clarified.

Leishmanicidal Activity of Withanolides from Aureliana Fasciculata var. Fasciculata.

Leishmaniasis is the generic denomination to the neglected diseases caused by more than 20 species of protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania. The toxic and parenteral-delivered pentavalent antimonials remain to be the first-line treatment. However, all the current used drugs have restrictions. The species Aureliana fasciculata (Vell.) Sendtner var. fasciculata is a native Brazilian species parsimoniously studied on a chemical point of view. In this study, the antileishmanial activity of A. fasciculata was evaluated. Among the evaluated samples of the leaves, the dichloromethane partition (AFfDi) showed the more pronounced activity, with IC50 1.85 µg/ml against promastigotes of L. amazonensis. From AFfDi, two active withanolides were isolated, the Aurelianolides A and B, with IC50 7.61 µM and 7.94 µM, respectively. The withanolides also proved to be active against the clinically important form, the intracellular amastigote, with IC50 2.25 µM and 6.43 µM for Aurelianolides A and B, respectively. Furthermore, withanolides showed results for in silico parameters of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) similar to miltefosine, the reference drug, and were predicted as good oral drugs, with the advantage of not being hepatotoxic. These results suggest that these compounds can be useful as scaffolds for planning drug design.

Withanolides from leaves of cultivated Acnistus arborescens.

Seven withanolides, including four previously unknown, were isolated from the acetone and ethanol extracts of cultivated specimens of Acnistus arborescens. These four compounds were identified as rel-(18R,22R)-5ß,6ß:18ß,20-diepoxy-3ß,18α-dimethoxy-4ß-hydroxy-1-oxowith-24-enolide, rel-(20R,22R)-5ß,6ß-epoxy-4ß,16α,20-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24dienolide, rel-(20R,22R)-16α-acetoxy-6α-chloro-4ß,5ß,20-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide and rel-(20R,22R)-16α-acetoxy-20-hydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,24-trienolide. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR), HRESIMS experiments and comparison with published data for similar compounds. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against a panel of four tumor cell lines (HL-60, HCT-116, SF-268 and PANC-1). Withanolide D was the most active, with an IC50 value in the range of 0.3-1.7 µM, rel-(18R,22R)-5ß,6ß:18ß,20-diepoxy-3ß,18α-dimethoxy-4ß-hydroxy-1-oxowith-24-enolide and rel-(20R,22R)-5ß,6ß-epoxy-4ß,16α,20-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24dienolide were moderately active, while all the others were non-cytotoxic.

Withanolides with antibacterial activity from Nicandra john-tyleriana.

Eleven new withanolides (1-11) were isolated and characterized from the aerial parts of Nicandra john-tyleriana. Five of these withanolides have an unmodified skeleton (1-5), two are acnistins (6, 7), and four are withajardins (8-11). These new isolates were fully characterized using a combination of spectroscopic techniques (including multidimensional NMR) and mass spectrometry. All compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Bacillus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Listeria, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus strains.

Withanolides from three species of the genus Deprea (Solanaceae). Chemotaxonomical considerations.

Nine withanolides were isolated from the aerial parts of Deprea bitteriana, Depreacuyacensis, and Depreazamorae. D.bitteriana yielded two withaphysalins, D. cuyacensis gave two 13,14-seco withaphysalins, while D. zamorae yielded five physangulidines. The compounds were fully characterized by a combination of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR and MS). All compounds isolated from D.bitteriana and D. cuyacensis were obtained as epimeric mixtures at C-18. The structure of physangulidine D was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The skeletons found in this research support the chemotaxonomical position of the genus Deprea in the tribe Physalideae.

Withanolides with phytotoxic activity from two species of the genus Salpichroa: S. origanifolia and S. tristis var. lehmannii.

Seven new withanolides, salpichrolides O-U (1-7), the known 2,3-dihydrosalpichrolide B (9), a substance not previously isolated from a natural source, and three known compounds, salpichrolide D (8), salpichrolide A (10), and salpichrolide C (11), were isolated and characterized from the aerial parts of Salpichroa origanifolia and S. tristis var. lehmannii. Compounds 1-4 and 8 have an oxygenated D ring, while compounds 5-7 and 9-11 possess a six-membered aromatic D ring. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by analysis of their spectroscopic data including NMR and MS. Withanolides 1, 3, 8, 10, and 11 exhibited selective radicle growth inhibition toward Lactuca sativa (lettuce) at 150 and 400 ppm.

Antiproliferative activity of withanolide derivatives from Jaborosa cabrerae and Jaborosa reflexa. Chemotaxonomic considerations.

Three withanolides were isolated from the aerial parts of Jaborosa reflexa Phil. Jaborosa cabrerae Barboza yielded five sativolide withanolides (including jaborosalactones R, S, 38, and 39) and two trechonolide withanolides epimeric at C-23 (trechonolide A and jaborosalactone 32). In addition, five derivatives were obtained by chemical derivatization of jaborosalactone 38, and all compounds were fully characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. The in vitro antiproliferative activities of the major natural withanolides and the semisynthetic derivatives were examined against HBL-100, HeLa, SW1573, T-47D, and WiDr human solid tumor cancer cell lines. Some chemotaxonomic considerations are discussed.

Withaferin A, a cytotoxic steroid from Vassobia breviflora, induces apoptosis in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

As part of a program to discover drug leads from plant biodiversity, the present investigation was undertaken to explore the anticancer potential of compounds derived from selected Latin American plants. Bioassay-guided fractionation of a crude extract of the aerial parts of Vassobia breviflora led to the isolation of the withanolide-type steroidal lactone withaferin A (1). This compound was tested for antiproliferative activity against the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines, MDA1986, JMAR, UM-SCC-2, and JHU011. The inhibitory concentrations to reduce cell viability to 50% (IC(50)) were determined by the MTS cytotoxicity assay, and 1 reduced cell viability with IC(50) values in the range 0.5-2.2 µM. A mechanistic study showed that 1 induces apoptosis and cell death in HNSCC cells as well as a cell-cycle shift from G(0)/G(1) to G(2)/M. Cells treated with 1 exhibited inactivation of Akt and a reduction in total Akt concentration. This investigation constitutes the first report of the antiproliferative activity of withaferin A (1) against head and neck squamous carcinoma.

Antifungal and cytotoxic activity of withanolides from Acnistus arborescens.

Three compounds were isolated from Acnistus arborescens, a tree commonly used in South and Central America in traditional medicine against several infectious diseases, some of which are caused by fungi. Bioassay-guided fractionation of a MeOH extract of leaves, based on its anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity, led to the isolation of compounds 1-3. Mono- and bidimensional NMR analyses enabled identification of two new withanolides, (20R,22R)-5beta,6beta-epoxy-4beta,12beta,20-trihydroxy-1-oxowith-2-en-24-enolide (1) and (20R,22R)-16beta-acetoxy-3beta,4beta;5beta,6beta-diepoxy-12beta,20-dihydroxy-1-oxowith-24-enolide (2), and withanolide D (3). Antifungal activity on 13 fungi responsible for human infections (five dermatophytes, one nondermatophyte mold, six yeasts, and Pneumocystis carinii) was examined. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was also evaluated in vitro.

Withanolides from Jaborosa laciniata.

Six new trechonolide type withanolides (compounds 1- 6), together with trechonolide A, jaborotetrol, and 12- O-methyl jaborosotetrol, were isolated from the aerial parts of Jaborosa laciniata. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, MS).

Withanolides from Jaborosa kurtzii.

Two new withanolides were isolated and characterized from the aerial parts of Jaborosa kurtzii, namely, jaborosalactone 43 (1), with a spiranoid delta-lactone at C-22, and jaborosalactone 44 (2), a 12-oxowithanolide, which may function as a biosynthetic precursor to 1. These new compounds were fully characterized by a combination of spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 showed selective phytotoxicity toward a dicotyledon species, Lactuca sativa (lettuce).