Luteolin and its analog luteolin-7-methylether from Leonurus japonicus Houtt suppress aromatase-mediated estrogen biosynthesis to alleviate polycystic ovary syndrome by the inhibition of tumor progression locus 2.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leonurus japonicus Houtt (L. japonicus, Chinese motherwort), known as Yi Mu Cao which means "good for women", has long been widely used in China and other Asian countries to alleviate gynecological disorders, often characterized by estrogen dysregulation. It has been used for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder in women but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of flavonoid luteolin and its analog luteolin-7-methylether contained in L. japonicus on aromatase, a rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens and a drug target to induce ovulation in PCOS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Estrogen biosynthesis in human ovarian granulosa cells was examined using ELISA. Western blots were used to explore the signaling pathways in the regulation of aromatase expression. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to elucidate the potential mechanisms of action of compounds. Finally, animal models were used to assess the therapeutic potential of these compounds in PCOS. RESULTS: Luteolin potently inhibited estrogen biosynthesis in human ovarian granulosa cells stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone. This effect was achieved by decreasing cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-mediated expression of aromatase. Mechanistically, luteolin and luteolin-7-methylether targeted tumor progression locus 2 (TPL2) to suppress mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/6 (MKK3/6)-p38 MAPK-CREB pathway signaling. Transcriptional analysis showed that these compounds regulated the expression of different genes, with the MAPK signaling pathway being the most significantly affected. Furthermore, luteolin and luteolin-7-methylether effectively alleviated the symptoms of PCOS in mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a previously unrecognized role of TPL2 in estrogen biosynthesis and suggests that luteolin and luteolin-7-methylether have potential as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of PCOS. The results provide a foundation for further development of these compounds as effective and safe therapies for women with PCOS.

Diterpenoids with Aromatase Inhibitory Activity from the Rhizomes of Kaempferia elegans.

Investigation of bioactive compounds from the rhizomes of Kaempferia elegans led to the isolation and characterization of ten new diterpenoids, namely, five 12,13-seco-diterpenoids named elegansins A-E (1-5) and five new abietanes, elegansols A-E (6-10), together with seven known diterpenoids (11-17). The structure elucidation of the new compounds was achieved by HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD spectroscopic analysis. Compounds (1-5) are the first examples of 12,13-seco-diterpenoid-type compounds representing a decalin fused dihydropyran skeleton. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for compounds 1-5 are proposed. Aromatase inhibitory activities of all compounds were evaluated, and abieta-8,11,13-trien-11-ol (16) was found to be the most potent aromatase inhibitor with an IC50 value of 3.7 µM.

Viburnumfocesides A - D, 1-O-isovaleroylated iridoid 11-O-alloside derivatives from Viburnum foetidum var. ceanothoides.

Viburnumfocesides A - D, four undescribed 1-O-isovaleroylated iridoid 11-O-allosides modified with (Z / E)-p-coumaric acid, were isolated from the aqueous EtOH extract of the twigs of Viburnum foetidum var. ceanothoides, together with seven known natural products. Their structures were identified on the basis of the spectroscopic data interpretation and chemical derivation studies. Cell-based estrogen biosynthesis assays indicated that viburnumfoceside D (4), (2S,3R)-2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-benzofuranpropanol-3a-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (8), and (-)-eriodictyol (11) inhibit estrogen biosynthesis with IC50 values of 5.8, 1.5, and 1.1 µM, respectively, in human ovarian granulosa-like KGN cells via decreasing the expression level of aromatase.

Estrogen Receptor α (ERα)-targeting Compounds and Derivatives: Recent Advances in Structural Modification and Bioactivity.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer suffered by female, and the second highest cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. At present, hormone therapy is still the main treatment route and can be divided into three main categories: selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs), and aromatase inhibitors (AIs). However, breast cancer is difficult to cure even after several rounds of anti-estrogen therapy and most drugs have serious side-effects. Here, we review the literature published over the past five years regarding the isolation and synthesis of analogs and their derivatives.

Optimization and validation of RP-HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of palbociclib and letrozole.

A simple, rapid, and robust RP-HPLC method have been developed and validated to measure palbociclib (PB) and letrozole (LT) at single wavelength (254 nm). A isocratic elution of samples performed on Intersil C8 (4.6 mm × 250 mm particle size 5 µm) column with mobile phase consisting 0.02 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 5.5): acetonitrile: methanol (80:10:10 v/v/v) delivered at flow rate 1.0 mL min-1. A good linear response was achieved over the range of 5-50 µg mL-1. The LODs for PB and LT were found to be 0.098 and 0.0821 µg mL-1, while the LOQs for PB and LT were 0.381-0.315 µg mL-1, respectively. The method was quantitatively evaluated in terms of system suitability test, linearity, precision, accuracy (recovery) and robustness as per standard guidelines. The method is simple, convenient and suitable for the analysis of PB and LT in bulk drug.

Ergostane-Type Sterols from King Trumpet Mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) and Their Inhibitory Effects on Aromatase.

Two new ergostane-type sterols; (22E)-5α,6α-epoxyergosta-8,14,22-triene-3ß,7ß-diol (1) and 5α,6α-epoxyergost-8(14)-ene-3ß,7α-diol (2) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of king trumpet mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), along with eight known compounds (3-10). All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on aromatase. Among them, 4 and 6 exhibited comparable aromatase inhibitory activities to aminoglutethimide.

Extraction, isolation, and aromatase inhibitory evaluation of low-polar ginsenosides from Panax ginseng leaves.

A hyphenated accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) technique was elaborately coupled with centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), and photo-diode array detector (PDA). This approach was applied to obtain low-polar ginsenoside fractions from the leaves of Panax ginseng. The CPC fractions were isolated and analyzed using the hyphenated technique, and followed by testing and evaluation of their aromatase inhibitory effects. Subsequently, the aromatase inhibition rates of the compositions in the CPC fractions were calculated using a multivariable linear regression model. A biphasic ethyl acetate/n-butanol/ethanol/water solvent system with respective volume ratios of 10:2:2:8 was used for the ASE and CPC separation of 200g of leaves of P. ginseng raw material. The (lower) aqueous phase of the abovementioned solvent system was used as the extraction solvent. The ginsenosides were subjected to ASE, and the extraction solution was pumped into the sample loop and then directly into the CPC column. The CPC fractions were collected and monitored by an online UHPLC/PDA system at 5-min intervals. The aromatase inhibitory activities of CPC fractions were analyzed by a fluorescence method, with mathematical calculations indicating that the inhibition rates of ginsenosides Rk1, Rg5, Rs5, 20R-Rg3, and Rs4 exceeded 50.00%; indicating that the aforementioned chemical compounds have potential for further development. The results were validated by comparison with authentic standards, indicating that the method used in this research was accurate and advantageous for matrix analysis.

Aromatase Inhibitory Activity of Geranylated Coumarins, Mammeasins C and D, Isolated from the Flowers of Mammea siamensis.

A methanol extract of the flowers of Mammea siamensis (Calophyllaceae) was found to inhibit enzymatic activity against aromatase (IC50=16.5 µg/mL). From the extract, two new geranylated coumarins, mammeasins C (1) and D (2), were isolated together with seven coumarins: 8-hydroxy-5-methyl-7-(3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,6-dienyl)-9-(2-methyl-1-oxobutyl)-4,5-dihydropyrano[4,3,2-de]chromen-2-one (9), 8-hydroxy-5-methyl-7-(3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,6-dienyl)-9-(3-methyl-1-oxobutyl)-4,5-dihydropyrano[4,3,2-de]chromen-2-one (10), mammeas A/AA (14), A/AB (15), A/AA cyclo D (18), E/BA (23), and E/BC cyclo D (25). The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Among the isolates including 17 previously reported coumarins, 1 (IC50=2.7 µM), 2 (3.6 µM), and mammea B/AB cyclo D (21, 3.1 µM) showed relatively strong inhibitory activities comparable to the activity of the synthetic nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor aminoglutethimide (2.0 µM).

Anti-tumor effect of Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction in breast cancer is related to the inhibition of aromatase and steroid sulfatase expression.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue Decoction (SGLXD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula used to ameliorate the hot flushes in breast cancer patients, was reported to have anti-tumor effect on breast cancer. Estrogen plays a critical role in the genesis and evolution of breast cancer. Aromatase and steroid sulfatase (STS) are key estrogen synthesis enzymes that predominantly contribute to the high local hormone concentrations. The present study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of SGLXD on estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cell line ZR-75-1, and to investigate its underlying mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-tumor activity of SGLXD in vitro was investigated using the MTT assay. The in vivo anti-tumor effect of SGLXD was evaluated in non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized athymic nude mice. The effect of SGLXD on enzymatic activity of aromatase and STS was examined using the dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) based on bioluminescent measurements. Aromatase and STS protein level were assessed using Western blot assay. RESULTS: SGLXD showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ZR-75-1 cells with IC50 value of 3.40 mg/mL. It also suppressed the stimulating effect on cell proliferation of testosterone and estrogen sulfates (E1S). Oral administration of 6 g/kg of SGLXD for 25 days resulted in a reduction in tumor volume in non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized nude mice. The bioluminescent measurements confirmed that SGLXD has a dual-inhibitory effect on the activity of aromatase and STS. Western blot assay demonstrated that the treatment of SGLXD resulted in a decrease in aromatase and STS protein levels both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that SGLXD showed anti-tumor effect on breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-tumor activity of SGLXD is related to inhibition of aromatase and STS via decreasing their expression. SGLXD may be considered as a novel treatment for ER positive breast cancer.

Inhibitory effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract on human aromatase activity; butin is its major bioactive component.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In this study, the effect of R. verniciflua extract on human aromatase (cytochrome P450 19, CYP19) activity was investigated to elucidate the mechanism for the effect of R. verniciflua extract on androgen hormone levels. Androstenedione was used as a substrate and incubated with R. verniciflua extract in cDNA-expressed CYP19 supersomes in the presence of NADPH, and estrone formation was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. R. verniciflua extract was assessed at concentrations of 10-1000 µg/mL. The resulting data showed that R. verniciflua extract inhibited CYP19-mediated estrone formation in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 136 µg/mL. Subsequently, polyphenolic compounds from R. verniciflua extract were tested to identify the ingredients responsible for the aromatase inhibitory effects by R. verniciflua extract. As a result, butin showed aromatase inhibitory effect in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 9.6 µM, whereas the inhibition by other compounds was negligible. These results suggest that R. verniciflua extract could modulate androgen hormone levels via the inhibition of CYP19 activity and butin is a major ingredient responsible for this activity.

Eurycomanone, the major quassinoid in Eurycoma longifolia root extract increases spermatogenesis by inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase and aromatase in steroidogenesis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae family), known locally as 'Tongkat Ali' by the ethnic population, is popularly taken as a traditional remedy to improve the male libido, sexual prowess and fertility. Presently, many tea, coffee and carbonated beverages, pre-mixed with the root extract are available commercially for the improvement of general health and labido. Eurycomanone, the highest concentrated quassinoid in the root extract of E. longifolia improved fertility by increasing testosterone and spermatogenesis of rats through the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, but the mechanisms underlying the effects are not totally clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To provide evidences on the plant ethnopharmacological use and the involvement of eurycomanone, the major indigenous plant quassinoid in testosterone steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis increase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rat testicular Leydig cell-rich interstitial cells were isolated and incubated in the culture medium M199. The viability of the cells was determined with trypan blue staining and the concentration of the viable cells was counted with a haemocytometer. The 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) staining method was used to measure the abundance of Leydig cells in the preparation. Eurycomanone and the standard steroidogenesis inhibitors were incubated with 1.0 × 10(5) cells, and after 2h, the testosterone and the oestrogen concentrations were determined by the ELISA method. Computational molecular docking was performed to determine the binding affinity of the compound at the respective steroidogenesis enzymes. RESULTS: Eurycomanone (EN) significantly increased testosterone production dose-dependently at 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 µM (P<0.05), but the two lower doses when combined with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), the phosphodiesterase inhibitor were not significantly higher than EN or IBMX alone, except at a higher concentration. The molecular docking studies indicated EN and IBMX were binding at different sites of the enzyme. EN has no reversal of inhibition by aminoglutethimide, ketoconazole or nifedipine at the respective steroidogenesis enzyme. The quassinoid was also non-responsive to the inhibition of oestrogen receptor by tamoxifen, but displayed improved formestane inhibition of aromatase in reducing oestrogen production. The molecular docking studies further supported that EN and formestane bound to aromatase with similar orientations and free energy binding values. CONCLUSION: Eurycomanone enhanced testosterone steroidogenesis at the Leydig cells by inhibiting aromatase conversion of testosterone to oestrogen, and at a high concentration may also involve phosphodiesterase inhibition. The quassinoid may be worthy for further development as a phytomedicine to treat testosterone-deficient idiopathic male infertility and sterility.

Immunoprecipitation coupled with HPLC-MS/MS to discover the aromatase ligands from Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

Affinity chromatography, applied to discover the enzyme inhibitors, needs special column with target protein and its carrier. Selection of stationary phase and mobile phase needs careful considerations due to the characteristics of proteins. In this study, a method immunoprecipitation (IP) coupled with HPLC-DAD-MS was developed to discover the aromatase ligands from Glycyrrhiza uralensis. An SB-C18 column was employed to separate target compounds without special consideration in mobile phase. Twenty-one compounds, including isolated compounds 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18-20, 23 and non-isolated compounds A-J, were found to have good affinity to aromatase by LC-MS. Seven of them (7, 15, 18, 19, 23, D, E) were detected to bind with aromatase in MCF-7 cells by IP coupled with HPLC-MS/MS. Bioassays disclosed aromatase inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds mentioned above, verifying the efficiency of IP coupled with HPLC-MS/MS as a method to screen aromatase ligands.

Steroidal metabolites transformed by Marchantia polymorpha cultures block breast cancer estrogen biosynthesis.

Suspension of cultured cells of Marchantia polymorpha have the potential to hydrogenate the olefinic bonds present in androst-1,4-dien-3,17-dione (boldione, 1) to afford dihydroandrost-3,17-dione derivatives including: androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (androstenedione, 4-AD, 2), 5α-androstane-3,17-dione (androstenedione, AD, 4), and the less abundant metabolite 5α-androst-1-ene-3,17-dione (1-androstenedione, 1-AD, 3). After isolation and purification, these metabolites were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR as well as mass spectrometry. Cytotoxicity of the biotransformation products against breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) was assessed by a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and cell death (apoptosis or necrosis) was assayed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. Aromatase (cytochrome P450 19 enzyme, CYP19) inhibitory activity was measured by a tritiated water release assay and by direct measurement of bio-transformed steroids using the tritium labeled substrate (3)H-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. CYP19 mRNA expression in MCF-7 cells was analyzed by real-time PCR. Steroidal products 3 and 4 revealed a highly significant inhibition of MCF-7 cell growth that was predominantly due to apoptosis not necrosis. Steroidal products 3 and 4 are both potent inhibitors of aromatase activity and CYP19 mRNA expression, while 2 is a known substrate for aromatase. These data establish that metabolites 3 and 4 are potent chemical agents against breast cancer via aromatase inhibitory mechanism. Results were interpreted via virtual docking of the biotransformation products to the human placental aromatase active site.

Depsidones, aromatase inhibitors and radical scavenging agents from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus unguis CRI282-03.

Three new depsidones ( 1, 3, and 4), a new diaryl ether ( 5), and a new natural pyrone ( 9) (synthetically known), together with three known depsidones, nidulin ( 6), nornidulin ( 7), and 2-chlorounguinol ( 8), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus ASPERGILLUS UNGUIS CRI282-03. Aspergillusidone C ( 4) showed the most potent aromatase inhibitory activity with the IC (50) value of 0.74 µM, while depsidones 1, 3, 6- 8 inhibited aromatase with IC (50) values of 1.2-11.2 µM. It was found that the structural feature of depsidones, not their corresponding diaryl ether derivatives (e.g. 5), was important for aromatase inhibitory activity. Aspergillusidones A ( 1) and B ( 3) showed radical scavenging activity in the XXO assay with IC (50) values of 16.0 and < 15.6 µM, respectively. Compounds 1 and 3- 7 were mostly inactive or showed only weak cytotoxic activity against HuCCA-1, HepG2, A549, and MOLT-3 cancer cell lines.

Hybrid flavan-chalcones, aromatase and lipoxygenase inhibitors, from Desmos cochinchinensis.

Hybrid flavan-chalcones, desmosflavans A (1) and B (2), together with three known compounds, cardamonin (3), pinocembrin (4) and chrysin (5), were isolated from leaves of Desmos cochinchinensis. Cardamonin (3) and chrysin (5) exhibited potent antioxidant activity with 15.0 and 12.2 ORAC units. Desmosflavans A (1) and B (2), pinocembrin (4), and chrysin (5) were found to be inhibitors of aromatase with respective IC50 values of 1.8, 3.3, 0.9, and 0.8 µM. Desmosflavan A (1) inhibited lipoxygenase with the IC50 value of 4.4 µM. Desmosflavan A (1) exhibited cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 0.29-3.75 µg/mL, while desmosflavan B (2) showed IC50 values of 1.71-27.0 µg/mL.

Inhibition of aromatase and α-amylase by flavonoids and proanthocyanidins from Sorghum bicolor bran extracts.

We compared the ability of simple flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in Sorghum bicolor bran extracts to inhibit enzymes in vitro. In particular, aromatase is a target for breast cancer therapy, and inhibition of α-amylase can reduce the glycemic effect of dietary starches. Proanthocyanidin-rich sumac sorghum bran extract inhibited α-amylase at a lower concentration (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50]=1.4 µg/mL) than did proanthocyanidin-free black sorghum bran extract (IC50=11.4 µg/mL). Sumac sorghum bran extract inhibited aromatase activity more strongly than black sorghum bran extract (IC50=12.1 µg/mL vs. 18.8 µg/mL, respectively). Bovine serum albumin (BSA), which binds proanthocyanidins, reduced inhibition by sumac but not black sorghum bran extract. When separated on Sephadex LH-20, sumac sorghum proanthocyanidins inhibited both enzymes but showed reduced inhibition with BSA. Flavonoids from either cultivar had higher IC50 values than proanthocyanidins, and BSA had little effect on their inhibition. Proanthocyanidins and simple flavonoids in LH-20 fractions both inhibited aromatase with mixed kinetics and affected K(m) and V(max). The results show that potential health benefits of sorghum bran may include actions of monomeric flavanoids as well as proanthocyanidins.

Bioactive compounds from the fern Lepisorus contortus.

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Lepisorus contortus (Christ) Ching led to the isolation of five new phenylethanoid glycosides (1-5), each containing a caffeoyl group, a new flavonoid glycoside (10), and 14 known compounds (6-9 and 11-15, syringic acid, vanillic acid, phloretic acid, diplopterol, and ß-sitosterol). This is the first report of phenylethanoid glycosides from the family Polypodiaceae. Compounds 1-15 were evaluated for their cancer chemopreventive potential based on their ability to inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced NF-κB activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, and aromatase, quinone reductase 2 (QR-2), and COX-1/-2 activities. Quercetin-3-O-ß-d-glucoside (15) demonstrated inhibition against QR2 with an IC(50) value of 3.84 µM, which confirmed kaempferol/quercetin glycosides as the active compounds to inhibit QR2. The compound also demonstrated NF-κB activity with an IC(50) value of 33.6 µM. In addition, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 showed aromatase activity with IC(50) values of 30.7, 32.3, 26.8, and 35.3 µM, respectively.

Radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of isocoumarins and a phthalide from the endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp.

Five known isocoumarins, monocerin (1), derivative 2, and fusarentin derivatives 3-5, and a new phthalide (6) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. 2 selectively exhibited cytotoxic activity toward the HepG2 cell line. Compounds 2 and 4 scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals (IC(50) values of 23.4 and 16.4 µM, respectively) and inhibited superoxide anion radical formation (IC(50) values of 52.6 and 4.3 µM, respectively). The C-7 hydroxyl group in 2 and 4 might be important for radical scavenging activities. Isocoumarins 1-3 and phthalide 6 showed potent antioxidant activity.

Isolation and evaluation of kaempferol glycosides from the fern Neocheiropteris palmatopedata.

Kaempferol glycosides, named palmatosides A (1), B (2) and C (3), together with three known kaempferol glycosides, multiflorins A (4) and B (5), and afzelin (6), were isolated from the roots of the fern Neocheiropteris palmatopedata. Palmatosides A (1) and B (2) each possessed an unusual sugar moiety containing a 4,4-dimethyl-3-oxo-butoxy substituent group. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cancer chemopreventive potential based on their ability to inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced NF-kappaB activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, aromatase, quinone reductase 2 (QR2) and COX-1/-2 activities. Palmatosides B (2) and C (3) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activity with IC(50) values of 15.7 and 24.1 microM, respectively; multiflorin A (4) inhibited aromatase enzyme with an IC(50) value of 15.5 microM; afzelin (6) showed 68.3% inhibition against QR2 at a concentration of 11.5 microg/ml; palmatoside A (1) showed 52% inhibition against COX-1 enzyme at a concentration of 10 microg/ml; and multiflorin B (5) showed 52% inhibition against nitric oxide production at a concentration of 20 microg/ml. In addition, compounds 3-6 were shown to bind QR2 enzyme using LC-MS ultrafiltration binding assay.

In vitro chemopreventive potential of fucophlorethols from the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus L. by anti-oxidant activity and inhibition of selected cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Within a project focusing on the chemopreventive potential of algal phenols, two phloroglucinol derivatives, belonging to the class of fucophlorethols, and the known fucotriphlorethol A were obtained from the ethanolic extract of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus L. The compounds trifucodiphlorethol A and trifucotriphlorethol A are composed of six and seven units of phloroglucinol, respectively. The compounds were examined for their cancer chemopreventive potential, in comparison with the monomer phloroglucinol. Trifucodiphlorethol A, trifucotriphlorethol A as well as fucotriphlorethol A were identified as strong radical scavengers, with IC(50) values for scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH) in the range of 10.0-14.4 microg/ml. All three compounds potently scavenged peroxyl radicals in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. In addition, the compounds were shown to inhibit cytochrome P450 1A activity with IC(50) values in the range of 17.9-33 microg/ml, and aromatase (Cyp19) activity with IC(50) values in the range of 1.2-5.6 microg/ml.