Differentiation-Promoting Effects of Okeaniamides A and B from an Okeania sp. Marine Cyanobacterium on Preadipocytes.

The linear lipopeptides okeaniamide A (1) and okeaniamide B (2) were isolated from an Okeania sp. marine cyanobacterium collected in Okinawa. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations were elucidated based on a combination of chemical degradations, Marfey's analysis, and derivatization reactions. Okeaniamide A (1) and okeaniamide B (2) dose-dependently promoted the differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the presence of insulin.

Odookeanynes A and B, Acetylene-Containing Lipopeptides from an Okeania sp. Marine Cyanobacterium.

Odookeanynes A (1) and B (2), two acetylene-containing lipopeptides, were isolated from an Okeania sp. marine cyanobacterium collected in Okinawa, Japan. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and Marfey's analysis of acid hydrolysates. Odookeanynes A (1) and B (2) dose-dependently promoted the differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the presence of insulin.

Prenylflavonoids from fruit of Macaranga tanarius promote glucose uptake via AMPK activation in L6 myotubes.

Skeletal muscle is a major tissue of glucose consumption and plays an important role in glucose homeostasis. Prenylflavonoids, a component of Macaranga tanarius fruits, have been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer effects. However, the effects of these compounds on skeletal muscle glucose metabolism are unclear. Here, we isolated five prenylflavonoids from M. tanarius fruits, and investigated the mechanism of action of these compounds on skeletal muscle cells using L6 myotubes. We found that isonymphaeol B and 3'-geranyl naringenin increased glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, both isonymphaeol B and 3'-geranyl naringenin increased AMPK phosphorylation but did not affect PI3K-Akt phosphorylation. Isonymphaeol B and 3'-geranyl naringenin also increased Glut1 mRNA expression and plasma membrane GLUT1 protein levels. These results suggest that isonymphaeol B and 3'-geranyl naringenin have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism through AMPK and GLUT1 pathway. Isonymphaeol B and 3'-geranyl naringenin may be potential lead candidates for antidiabetic drug development.

Effect of pinocembrin isolated from Alpinia zerumbet on osteoblast differentiation.

Bone mass is regulated by osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Osteoporosis is a bone metabolism disorder in which bone mass decreases due to increased bone resorption rather than bone formation. We focused on the traditional plant Alpinia zerumbet in Okinawa, Japan, and searched for promising compounds for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Pinocembrin isolated from the leaves of A. zerumbet showed enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization and increased mRNA expression of osteoblast-related genes Alp and Osteocalcin (Ocn) in MC3T3-E1 cells. Pinocembrin increased the mRNA expression of Runx2 and Osterix, which are important transcription factors in osteoblast differentiation, and the mRNA expression of Dlx5 and Msx2, which are enhancers of these transcription factors. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist noggin, its receptor kinase inhibitor LDN-193189 and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 attenuated pinocembrin-promoted ALP activity. Pinocembrin increased the mRNA of Bmp-2 and its target gene Id1. In addition, the estrogen receptor (ER) inhibitor ICI182780 suppressed pinocembrin-stimulated ALP activity. Pinocembrin may increase BMP-2 expression via ER. Then, the BMP-2 promotes osteoblast specific genes expression and mineralization through both Smad-dependent and independent pathway following Runx2 and Osterix induction. Our findings suggest that pinocembrin has bone anabolic effects and may be useful for the prevention and treatment of bone metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis.

Effect of methoxyflavones contained in Kaempferia parviflora on CRE-mediated transcription in PC12D cells.

The cAMP-response element (CRE) is critical in the formation of long-term memory. To prove the pharmacological effects of the methoxyflavones-rich residue (MRR) and its constituent methoxyflavones (1-9) extracted from the rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora on the nervous system, we examined the effects of the MRR and methoxyflavones (1-9) on CRE-mediated transcription in PC12D cells. The MRR increased CRE-mediated transcription in PC12D cells. In addition, among methoxyflavones (1-9) isolated from MRR, compounds 1-4 increased CRE-mediated transcription. These results suggest that K. parviflora and methoxyflavone might be very useful materials for preventing and recovering from cognitive decline.

Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Majusculamides A and B and Their Analogues on Osteogenic Activity.

We discovered that majusculamide A (1) and majusculamide B (2), isolated from a marine cyanobacterium collected in Okinawa, induced osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Although majusculamide A (1) has a different configuration only at the C-19 stereocenter, bearing a methyl group, compared to majusculamide B (2), the effect of 1 was stronger than that of 2. We synthesized some analogues of the majusculamides (3-15) and evaluated osteogenic activities of these analogues. The structure-activity relationship study of majusculamide analogues suggested that the number of methyls and configuration at C-19 and the nature of the substituent at C-20 of majusculamide A (1) may be important for the osteoblast differentiation-inducing effect of 1.

Irijimasides A-E, Macrolide Glycosides from an Okeania sp. Marine Cyanobacterium.

Irijimasides A-E (1-5), a series of new 14-membered macrolide glycosides, were isolated from a marine cyanobacterium collected in Okinawa. The gross structures of 1-5 were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR, while absolute stereostructures were determined based on NOESY spectra, chemical derivatization, and ECD data. All five macrolides suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in mouse RAW264 macrophage cells, indicating that these compounds inhibit osteoclast formation.