Putrescine-1,4-dicinnamide from Pholiota spumosa (Basidiomycetes) inhibits cell growth of human prostate cancer cells.

Previously, it was isolated from the fruiting bodies of the gilled mushroom Pholiota spumosa (Basidiomycetes, Strophariaceae), putrescine-1,4-dicinnamide, a phenylpropanoid derivative conjugated with polyamine putrescine never isolated before as a natural compound. Recently, polyamine analogs that are similar in structure to the natural polyamines but that cannot mimic their functions that are essential for cellular growth and differentiation, have shown antitumor activity in several types of human cancer cells. Therefore, we have now investigated the response of DU-145 cells, a well characterized androgen-independent human prostate cancer (PCA) cell line, to this phenylpropanoid derivative. The results presented here demonstrate that putrescine-1,4-dicinnamide, as suggested for polyamine analogs synthesized artificially, inhibits the cell growth of cancer cells inducing apoptosis cell death, mediated, at least in part, by the activation of caspase cascades, that at higher doses shift to necrosis, through the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

The structures of new lanostane triterpenes from the fruiting bodies of Hebeloma senescens.

Three new lanostane triterpenes, hebelomic acids B[4], E[5], and F[6], were isolated from the inedible mushroom Hebeloma senescens. The latter two compounds are acyl derivatives of the new triterpene senescensol (12-deoxycrustulinol) [12]. The structures of compounds 4-6, including the absolute configuration of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid moiety, were established on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.

A bioactive tetraprenylphenol from Lactarius lignyotus.

2-Geranylgeranyl-1,4-dihydroxybenzene [1] and a mixture of fatty acid esters of this phenol were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Lactarius lignyotus. Compound 1 was highly active in the brine shrimp test and showed significant inhibitory activity on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in HeLa and HL-60 cell lines.

New fatty acid esters of drimane sesquiterpenes from Lactarius uvidus.

This study of lipids of Lactarius uvidus has revealed the presence of new fatty acid esters of uvidin A [2a-d] and drimenol [6a-d]. Treatment of uvidin A [1] with base induced a Favorskii-like rearrangement leading to compounds with a new sesquiterpenoid skeleton. Uvidin A [1] showed insect antifeedant and cytotoxic activities.

Flavonol glycosides from Dryas octopetala.

Six flavonol glycosides and ent-epicatechin were isolated from Dryas octopetala and their structures elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Two new flavonoids, 3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-8-methoxyquercetin (2) and 3-O-beta-galactopyranosyl-8-methoxykaempferol (6), were identified along with 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosylquercetin (hyperin) (3), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosylquercetin (avicularin) (5), 3-O-beta-L-arabinopyranosylquercetin (4), and 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-8-methoxyquercetin (1).

Constituents of essential oil of Aframomum giganteum.

The composition of the essential oil of Aframomum giganteum was investigated by GC-MS. Forty seven terpenes were identified, the oil contained a high percentage of linalool and linalyl acetate which are mainly responsible for the smell of the A. giganteum stems. Fatty acids, paraffins, n-octanol, n-nonanol and guaiacol were also identified.