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The leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi (L.) Willd contain several compounds exhibiting different pharmacologic activities. However, studies on the cytotoxic activity of these compounds are limited. We aimed to investigate and isolate cytotoxic compounds with selective antitumor effects from the leaves of Z. spina-christi using bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract. Powdered, dried leaves were subjected to methanol extraction and fractionated using n -hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n -butanol. Fractions with positive cytotoxicity against HeLa and THP-1 cell lines were further fractionated and eluted using various concentrations of organic solvents. Active compounds were isolated using different chromatographic methods and their chemical structures were determined using extensive spectroscopic methods, such as 1D NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR, and DEPT), 2D NMR (COSY, HMBC, and HMQC), HRFAB-MS, and IR. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated against 62 tumor cell lines (including HeLa and THP-1) in addition to normal bone marrow cells. The chloroform and aqueous methanol fractions of the leaves showed cytotoxic activity. Two compounds were successfully isolated and named "sidrin" (13-β-hydroxy-lup-20(30)-ene-2,3-β-epoxy-28-carboxylate) and "sidroside" (3- O -β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1–3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-jujubogenin-20- O -α-L-rhamnopyranoside). Sidrin exhibited cytotoxic activity against the human leukemia (Hl-60, RPMI-8226), lung cancer (A549, EKVX), breast cancer (BT-549, MDA-MB-231/ATCC), colon cancer (KM12), melanoma (M14, SK-MEL-5), and central nervous system (CNS) cancer (SF-295) cell lines, and selectivity was observed against the Hl-60, EKVX, BT-549, KM12, and SF-295 cell lines. In addition, sidrin was more active than sidroside and doxorubicin against the Hl-60 and EKVX cell lines. In contrast, sidrin had a similar effect to doxorubicin against the BT-549 and renal cancer (UO-31) cell lines. Sidroside was more selective against the leukemia (CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4), lung cancer (HOP-92, NCI-H322M), breast cancer (MDA-MB-468), melanoma (LOX IMVI), CNS cancer (SNB-19), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-8), renal cancer (UO-31, RXF 393), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cell lines. Both compounds exhibited similar activity against the breast cancer (MDA-MB-231, T-47D), colon cancer (HCC-2998, HCT-116), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3), renal cancer (UO-31, 786–0, and SN 12C) cell lines. Normal bone marrow cells were unaffected at the same concentrations of sidrin and sidroside applied to tumor cells. These results suggest tumor-selective cytotoxicity of sidrin and sidroside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method based on variable wavelength detection for simultaneous quantification of ten bioactive triterpenes(Poricoic acid A, Polyporenic acid C, 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid, Poricoic acid AM, 3-O-Acetyl-16a-hydroxytrametenolic acid, Dehydropachymic acid, Pachymic acid, Dehydrotrametenolic acid, Trametenolic acid, Dehydroeburicoic acid) in Poria cocos was developed. The analysis was performed on an Agilent TC-C18(2) column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 pm) with a gradient mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-0.02% formic acid water. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and the detection wavelength was changed between 242nm and 210nm. The method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, repeatability, stability and recovery. It was found that the calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (R2> 0.9994) within the test ranges. The overall limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were less than 0.063 and 0.189pg/ml. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intra-day and interday repeatability were in the range 0.41-1.77% and 0.70-1.72% respectively. The sample was stable for at least 48h. The recoveries of ten triterpenes were 95.58-104.29%. It was successfully applied to analysis ten Poria cocos samples from different locations of China. The results of this study demonstrated the potential and applicability of the method. It was more comprehensive and scientific for the quality analysis of Poria cocos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• A Lygodium japonicum BLAST analysis found four squalene cyclase-annotated isotigs. • Two of four isotigs were chimeric sequences due to incorrect assembly. • Two isotigs constituted a single hopene synthase-encoding gene, designated LJH. • Homology-based PCR isolated a squalene cyclase pseudogene distinct from the isotigs. Transcriptome mining is a powerful tool for gene discovery in plant sciences. Biosynthetic enzyme transcripts of specialized metabolites have been isolated using transcriptome datasets of non-model plants; however, this methodology has not been applied to fern metabolites. Herein, we attempted to isolate transcripts of squalene cyclases from the Lygodium japonicum transcriptome database. A BLAST search revealed the presence of four isotigs (12872, 12873, 33018, and 33763) annotated as squalene cyclase, two of which contained full-length open-reading frame sequences. However, both isotigs failed to be amplified; our investigation revealed them to be chimeric sequences due to incorrect assembly. We also revealed that part of isotigs 12873 and 33018 constituted a single gene, designated LJH. Conversely, homology-based PCR resulted in the isolation of a squalene cyclase homolog, LjSCx , distinct from the four isotigs. Biochemical characterization of LJH and LjSCx revealed that LJH is a hopene synthase gene and LjSCx is a pseudogene. These findings highlight the usefulness and limitations of transcriptome datasets, especially with respect to genes comprising a gene family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squalene is a triterpene of pharmaceutical interest, due to its antioxidant and anticancer properties. Amaranth oil is a source of plant origin with high squalene content which is extracted by conventional methods that involve high cost, time-consuming and create large amounts of waste by-products or CO2 emissions. In this study, the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was used to obtain amaranth oil rich in squalene under closed conditions. The optimization of squalene yield (SQ) was conducted using response surface methodology by a Box-Behnken design (BBD) with 33 factors: time (20, 25, 30 min), solvent–co-solvent (50:50, 60:40, 70:30 v/v) and temperature (40, 60, 80 °C). The effect of factors on yield was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry followed by a comparison of the yield and chemical composition than those obtained by Soxhlet extraction (n-hexane during 6 h). Optimal conditions produced a squalene yield of 16,456 mg·100g−1 oil versus 7,967 mg·100g−1 oil for conventional extraction. The ratio solvent and heating time significantly affected the yield, but the chemical composition and quality of extract were not affected, there were no oxidation products derived from the heat treatment. MAE has proven to be an environmental-friendly option with a significant reduction in time, energy and avoids solvent consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation on the dichloromethane stem bark extract of Calophyllum castaneum resulted in the isolation of five compounds, namely isoblancoic acid (1), blancoic acid (2), euxanthone (3), friedelin (4) and friedelinol (5). All these compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-5 was assessed on a panel of cancer cell lines including bone (Saos-2, mg63), colorectal (HT29, Caco-2, HCC2998, SW48, HCT116, KM12), liver (HepG2), lung (H1299, Calu-3), and brain (C6), using 5-fluorouracil as positive control. Pronounced antiproliferative activities were observed for compound 1 which exhibited a comparable activity with the positive control, against brain (C6) and colorectal (SW48, KM12, HCT116) cancer cell lines showing IC50 values in the range of 14 to 65μM. Meanwhile, compound 5 displayed a greater cytotoxic effect showing at least 2-fold more strongly than the positive control, against C6 brain cancer cells. The assay findings have unveiled the therapeutic value of phytochemicals from Calophyllum castaneum as anti-cancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three new friedelane triterpenes and a new 30-norfriedelane triterpene were isolated from Anchietea pyrifolia. • Their structures were established based on spectroscopic techniques (HRMS and 1D/2D-NMR). • The new triterpenes exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against HeLa and HL-60 cell lines. Anchietea pyrifolia, commonly known as woody liana, belongs to the Violaceae family and is being used in Brazil as a herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and depurative properties. However, our knowledge on the phytochemicals that confer pharmacological properties to the plant extract remains limited. We report the identification of three new friedelane-type triterpenes (1 , 2a , 2b) and a new 30-norfriedelane triterpene (3) together with nine known compounds (4 - 12) that were isolated from the liana stems of A. pyrifolia. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including HRMS, and 1D/2D-NMR. In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed against two human cancer cell lines, HeLa and HL-60. The new triterpenes 1 - 3 and known compounds 9 , 11 , and 12 exhibited moderate activity with IC 50 values ranging from 5.7 to 45.0 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) has been used for anti-diabetes treatment for decades. Indian and Chinese bitter melons (BM) are two commonly produced cultivars in the US market. This study has comparatively evaluated the effects of two processing methods (fresh and freeze-drying) on Chinese and Indian BM by measuring their bioactivity in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total triterpene content (TTC), antioxidant activity, and antidiabetic properties using the DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power assays, and the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. The TPC (GAE mg/g dw) in freeze-dried BM were 6.03 and 6.09, and in fresh BM were 4.81 and 4.83 for Indian and Chinese BM, respectively. The TTC (OAE mg/g dw) in Indian BM were 7.25 and 5.63, and in Chinese BM were 5.88 and 3.87 for fresh and freeze-dried samples, respectively. TPC and TTC in the freeze-dried BM samples were significantly higher than that in the fresh ones (p < 0.05). The DPPH IC 50 of India BM was significantly lower than that of Chinese BM (p < 0.05). All BM samples ranged from 9.18 to 18.6 mg/ml. The reducing power was significantly different between Indian and Chinese BM (p < 0.01) for fresh samples, but after freeze-drying, there was no detectable difference in reducing power (p ≥ 0.05). The Indian BM showed a significantly stronger α-glucosidase inhibition effect as compared to the Chinese BM. TTC was positively correlated with reducing power (p < 0.05). TPC was negatively correlated with α-amylase inhibition efficiency (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucurbitaceae plants contain characteristic triterpenoids. Momordica charantia, known as a bitter melon, contains cucurbitacins and multiflorane type triterpenes, which confer bitter tasting and exhibit pharmacological activities. Their carbon skeletons are biosynthesized from 2,3-oxidosqualene by responsible oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC). In order to identify OSCs in M. charantia, RNA-seq analysis was carried out from ten different tissues. The functional analysis of the resulting four OSC genes revealed that they were cucurbitadienol synthase (McCBS), isomultiflorenol synthase (McIMS), β-amyrin synthase (McBAS) and cycloartenol synthase (McCAS), respectively. Their distinct expression patterns based on RPKM values and quantitative RT-PCR suggested how the characteristic triterpenoids were biosynthesized in each tissue. Although cucurbitacins were finally accumulated in fruits, McCBS showed highest expression in leaves indicating that the early step of cucurbitacins biosynthesis takes place in leaves, but not in fruits. Abbreviations: OSC: oxidosqualene cyclase; RPKM: reads perkilobase of exon per million mapped reads [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has led to an intense interest in developing its inhibitors as anti-diabetes, anti-obesity and anti-cancer agents. The fruits of Rubus chingii (Chinese raspberry) were used as a kind of dietary traditional Chinese medicine. The methanolic extract of R. chingii fruits exhibited significant PTP1B inhibitory activity. Further bioactivity-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of three PTP1B inhibitory ursane-type triterpenes: ursolic acid (1), 2-oxopomolic acid (2), and 2α, 19α-dihydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (3). Kinetics analyses revealed that 1 was a non-competitive PTP1B inhibitor, and 2 and 3 were mixed type PTP1B inhibitors. Compounds 1–3 and structurally related triterpenes (4–8) were further analyzed the structure-activity relationship, and were evaluated the inhibitory selectivity against four homologous protein tyrosine phosphatases (TCPTP, VHR, SHP-1 and SHP-2). Molecular docking simulations were also carried out, and the result indicated that 1 , 3-acetoxy-urs-12-ene-28-oic acid (5), and pomolic acid-3 β -acetate (6) bound at the allosteric site including α3, α6, and α7 helix of PTP1B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • One new cembrane-type diterpenoid was obtained from the gum resin of B. carterii. • One new dinortirucallane triterpene was obtained from the gum resin of B. carterii. • One new ursane triterpene was obtained from the gum resin of B. carterii. • Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated for the isolated terpenes. Abstract Three new terpenes, classified as one cembrane-type diterpenoid (rel)-(1 S ,5 R ,7 E ,11 E)-1-isopropyl-8,12-dimethyl-4-methylenecyclotetradeca-7,11-diene-1,5-diol (1), one dinortirucallane-type triterpene 20,21-dinortirucalla-8,24-diene-3 β -ol-7-one (2) and one ursane-type triterpene 21 β -hydroxy-3- O -acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid (3), respectively, along with four known triterpenes, were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii. Their structure elucidations were achieved by in-depth spectroscopic examination, mainly including experiments and analyses of multiple 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells of all the isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro. Compound 1 , 4 , 5 and 7 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO production with IC 50 values of 1.32, 3.04, 1.42, and 3.25 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl (Euphorbiaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant, popularly known as "favela", "faveleira" and "urtiga-branca". In folk medicine, its leaves and stem barks are used to treat urinary tract infections. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of a mixture of two lupane-type triterpenes and one bis- nor -diterpene from the hexane extract of the stem barks. Methods An aliquot of hexane extract was fractioned by means silica gel chromatography column, yielding a mixture of two compounds (1 and 2). Compound 3 was obtained from the chloroform subfraction through preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC). The compounds were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data to those reported in the literature. The antibacterial activity of these compounds was evaluated by the microdilution method, through determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), using gram-positive (E. faecalis and S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli , K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens) strains. Results The chemical constituents were identified as a mixture of lupeol-3β- O -cinnamate (1) and lupeol-3β- O -dihydrocinnamate (2) and, phyllacanthone (3). Compounds 1 / 2 and 3 showed a bacteriostatic effect ten and twenty times higher (MIC = 0.5 and 0.25 mg.ml−1, respectively) than the hexane extract, respectively (MIC = 5.0 mg.ml−1). The molecules also showed a relevant bactericidal effect, mainly compound 3 (MBC = 0.25 mg.ml−1). Conclusion These results suggest that C. quercifolius may be considered a promising source of new antibacterial agents. In addition, this investigation supports the medicinal use of this plant for the treatment of urinary tract infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jiaogulan ( Gynostemma pentaphyllum ) tea as one functional food has been commercially available over the world. In this study, the chemical constituents and health properties of Gynostemma pentaphyllum ( G. pentaphyllum ) has been investigated. Three new dammarane-type triterpenes Gypenoside C, Gypenoside D, Gypenoside E as well as twenty-four known compounds were isolated from the total G. pentaphyllum saponins. The structural determination was accomplished with spectroscopic analysis, in particularly 1D, 2D-NMR and HRESIMS. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for inhibition activities of the growth of human Hepatic Stellate Cells (t-HSC/Cl-6) and compounds 2 , 9 , 10 , 17 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 showed significant cytotoxic activities. Among them, compound 27 exhibited more excellent inhibitory activities whose IC 50 value (24.4 μM) was 10-fold lower than positive control silymarin. The discovery of new t-HSC/Cl-6 inhibitors from G. pentaphyllum expands its usage as a functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical investigation of the cytotoxic n -hexane fraction of the rhizomes of Gazania linearis (Thunb.) Druce (Asteraceae), led to isolation of a steroid-glucoside and three triterpenes, together with three sesquiterpene lactones. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established based on their spectroscopic analyses (IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and mass spectroscopy) to be: lupeol-3- O -stearate ( 1 ), costunolide ( 2 ), 11,13-dihydro-costunolide ( 3 ), santamarine ( 4 ), in addition to lupeol ( 5 ), β -amyrin ( 6 ), and β -sitosterol-3- O - β - d -glucopyranoside ( 7 ). The n -hexane fraction and compounds 4 and 6 displayed moderate cytotoxic activity toward MCF-7 and COLO-205 with IC 50 values of 24.3, 34.0 μg/mL and 53.25 μM and 61.27, 21.10, and 25.70 μM, respectively compared to doxorubicin (IC 50 0.11 and 0.44 μM, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CH 2 Cl 2 -MeOH (1:1) extract of the whole plant of Rhynchospora corymbosa (L.) Britton, led to the isolation of two new secondary metabolites 1 , 2 ( 1 and 2a ) together with nine known compounds 3–11. The flavone named tricin (11) was partially modified by esterification reaction to three semi-synthetic derivatives 11a–11c ). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The antimicrobial, tyrosinase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities revealed that, extract and compounds 1 , 2a , 6 , 11, 11a - c exhibited variable MICs (1–512 μg/mL) and significant antimicrobial activity, depending on the microbial species; Antifungal activity of 11 and 11c was more important than that of nystatine used as reference antifungal drugs. The inhibitory activity of 4 (IC 50 = 43.28 μg/mL) was higher than that of the kojic acid (IC 50 = 49.62 μg/mL) which is known tyrosinase inhibitor. The extract, compounds 1 , 7–10 , and 11a-c exhibited significant ( p < 0.05) differences in the concentrations of 50% BuChE inhibition (IC 50 ). These results suggest that the, R. corymbosa could be exploited as a potential source of natural antimicrobial, and antibutyrylcholinesterase agents as well as tyrosinase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triterpenes 3β,25-dihydroxy-7β-methoxycucurbita-5,23( E )-diene (DHM) and 3β,7β,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23( E )-dien-19-al (THC) were previously isolated from Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and identified as hypoglycaemic principles. This study further investigated their hypoglycaemic mechanisms. FL83B cells were treated with tumour necrosis factor-α to result in insulin resistance, a feature of type 2 diabetes. DHM and THC increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate isoform 1 and the phosphorylation of Akt only in the presence of insulin in insulin-resistant cells, suggesting that they are insulin sensitizers. However, they enhanced the phosphorylation of AS160 (Akt substrate of 160 kDa), the migration of glucose transporter-4 and the glucose uptake of insulin-resistant cells in the absence of insulin, suggesting that they can substitute for insulin to promote glucose clearance. The insulin substitution function was blocked by an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, whereas the insulin-sensitizing function may involve the inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B). The IC 50 of DHM and THC to PTP-1B is 92.84 µM and 25.42 µM, respectively. In summary, DHM and THC have insulin-sensitizing and insulin-substitution functions, which are likely correlated with their effects on inhibiting PTP-1B and activating AMPK, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new anthraquinones, (2 S )-8-carboxy-9-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1,2-dihydroanthra[2,1-b]furan-6,11-dione ( 1 ), 1,2,3,6-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone ( 2 ), and 1,2,3,5,6-pentahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone ( 3 ), as well as four known 9,10-anthraquinones ( 4 – 7 ) and five known triterpenes ( 8 – 12 ), were isolated from the roots of Knoxia valerianoides . Their structures and the absolute configuration of 1 were determined through interpretation of spectroscopic data, including UV, IR, NMR and CD spectra. The isolates were evaluated for their antiviral activities, and compounds 1 and 4 showed inhibitory effects on Coxsackie virus B3 replication with IC 50 values of 19.24 μM and 11.11 μM, respectively. Compound 4 showed activity against influenza virus A/Hanfang/359/95 with an IC 50 value of 11.11 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chevalierinosides B (1) and C (2), two new isoflavonoid glycosides, characterized as biochanin A 7-O-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside] and genistein 7-O-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside], together with the known isoflavonoids, chevalierinoside A (3) and genistein 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) and triterpenes, friedelin (6), betulinic acid (7), 30-oxobetulinic acid (8), 30-hydroxybetulinic acid (9), were isolated from the stem bark of Antidesma laciniatum Muell. Arg. (syn. Antidesma chevalieri Beille). Their structures were established by direct interpretation of their spectral data, mainly HR-TOFESIMS, 1D-NMR (¹H, 13C and DEPT) and 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC), and by comparison with the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new spiro-lanostane has been isolated from Tridesmostemon omphalocarpoides Engl. [•] Its structure was determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. [•] Eight known compounds were isolated from the same organism. [•] Two known metabolites show a significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Ethyl acetate extract of fruit of Momordica charantia MDS72 (EAEF-MCMDS72) was obtained. [•] EAEF-MCMDS72 inhibited the production of NO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. [•] EAEF-MCMDS72 inhibited the production of IL-6, PGE2, TNF-α, and MCP-1. [•] iNOS and COX-2 protein expression was inhibited by EAEF-MCMDS72. [•] The expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α genes was suppressed by EAEF-MCMDS72. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Laser skin resurfacing of the face by CO2-laser ablation is causing superficial wounds that need rapid recovery to reduce the risk of infection, the risk of chronification and as a result the risk of unaesthetic scars. The question being addressed by this study is to demonstrate benefit of betulin emulsion skin care after CO2-laser wounds. The outcome of this aesthetic comparison between betulin emulsion, moist wound dressing and gauze covering in promoting the recovery process in laser skin ablation is to demonstrate improved aesthetic benefit for the patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two new metabolites were obtained by microbial transformation of the triterpene nigranoic acid (3,4-secocyloarta-4 (28), 24 (Z)-diene-3,26-dioic acid), (1) in the culture of Trichoderma sp. JY-1, a fungus obtained from the branches of Kadsura angustifolia. Their structures were established as 15α, 16α-dihydroxy-3,4-secocyloarta-4 (28), 17 (20), 17 (E), 24 (E)-triene-3,26-dioic acid (2) and 16α, 20α-dihydroxy-18 (13→17β) abeo-3,4-secocyloarta-4 (28), 12 (13), 24 (Z)-triene-3,26-dioic acid (3) by analysis of NMR and MS data and by analogy with the data for the substrate nigranoic acid (1). Compound 2 was found to possess an unusual 17(20), 17 (E)-ene structure while compound 3 featured an unprecedented 18(13→17β)-abeo-secocyloarta skeleton. Additionally, compounds 1–3 showed weak anti-HIV activity with EC50 values of 10.5, 8.8 and 7.6μg/mL, therapeutic index values (CC50/EC50) of 8.48, 9.12 and 10.1, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Extracts from aerial parts and roots of Tanacetum L. (emend. Briq.) chiliophyllum (Fisch. & Mey.) var. monocephalum Grierson from Turkey were investigated for their DPPH scavenging activity and contact toxicity against Sitophilus granarius. The ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts yielded a new sesquiterpene lactone 1-epi-chiliophyllin (1) which is a derivative of the compound chiliophyllin previously isolated from T. chiliophyllum var. heimerlei. Also known compounds; neolupenyl acetate (lup-12-ene-3β-acetate) (2), 4′,5,7-trihydroxy-3′,8-dimethoxyflavone (3), 4′,5,7-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (4) were isolated together with (1). Structures of the compounds were determined by spectral methods including UV, IR, MS and 1D, 2D NMR. Highest contact toxicity against the stored granary products pest S. granarius was observed after 48h (68.49±0.67%). Highest DPPH scavenging activity observed for ethyl acetate extract of the roots at 10mg/mL concentration (87.8±0.84%). The DPPH scavenging activities of the pure flavonoids (3,4) at 1mg/mL concentration were unsignificant (3, 16.4±0.16%; 4, 17.6±0.82%) when compared with the positive controls α-tocopherol (91.7±1.07%) and BHT (91.7±0.37%) at the same concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The phytochemical investigation of Trichodesma amplexicaule guided by bioassay, to isolation of triterpenoids and aliphatic phytoconstituents. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of isolated phytoconstituents, models with carrageenan-induced acute arthritis and complete Freund''s adjuvant (CFA)-induced chronic arthritis in rats were conducted. The investigated results showed that alkanoic acid significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced acute arthritis. Moreover, alkane also supressed the development of chronic arthritis induced by CFA. It has been reported that alkane was the major phytoconstituent (1.03±0.00135%) in in vivo studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Hyperglycemia-induced cardiovascular dysfunction has been linked to oxidative stress and accelerated apoptosis in the diabetic myocardium. While there is currently no treatment for diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), studies suggest that the combinational use of anti-hyperglycemic agents and triterpenes could be effective in alleviating DCM.Hypothesis: To investigate the therapeutic effect of methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oate (RA3), in the absence or presence of the anti-diabetic drug, metformin (MET), against hyperglycemia-induced cardiac injury using an in vitro H9c2 cell model.Methods: To mimic a hyperglycemic state, H9c2 cells were exposed to high glucose (HG, 33 mM) for 24 h. Thereafter, the cells were treated with RA3 (1 μM), MET (1 μM) and the combination of MET (1 μM) plus RA3 (1 μM) for 24 h, to assess the treatments therapeutic effect.Results: Biochemical analysis revealed that RA3, with or without MET, improves glucose uptake via insulin-dependent (IRS-1/PI3K/Akt signaling) and independent (AMPK) pathways whilst ameliorating the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the H9c2 cells. Mechanistically, RA3 was able to alleviate HG-stimulated oxidative stress through the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation as well as the reduced expression of the PKC/NF-кB cascade through decreased intracellular lipid content. Subsequently, RA3 was able to mitigate HG-induced apoptosis by decreasing the activity of caspase 3/7 and DNA fragmentation in the cardiomyoblasts.Conclusion: RA3, in the absence or presence of MET, demonstrated potent therapeutic properties against hyperglycemia-mediated cardiac damage and could be a suitable candidate in the prevention of DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Latex from Euphorbia lactea (Euphorbiaceae), a native Dominican medicinal plant, is claimed to be useful in the treatment of inflammation. Topical application of tirucallol, a tetracyclic triterpene isolated from Euphorbia lacteal latex, suppressed ear edema in the mouse model in a dose-dependent manner, as well as affecting the influx of polymorphonuclear cells in response to topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate (TPA) in the mouse ear. In addition, the effect of tirucallol, on some macrophage functions was analyzed in vitro. Non-toxic concentrations of tirucallol potently inhibited nitrite production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. Western blot analysis showed that nitric oxide reduction was a consequence of the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthetase expression although tirucallol slightly affected to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) generation. The results of the study revealed that tirucallol (0.3%), present in Euphorbia lactea latex, exerts a topical anti-inflammatory effect in vivo, via a mechanism of action related to the neutrophil migration. On the other hand, it can be deduced that the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of this triterpene is related to the control of the production of NO and its effect on the expression of iNOS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the antiproliferative property of 16-O-acetyle-leucotylic acid which acts against human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). The study examined the separation of the lichen substance from Myelochroa aurulenta and compared the result with the activities of lupanetriterpene, betulin and betulinic acid. Results of the study showed that lichen substance actually had an antiproliferative property which was greater compared to that of betulinic acid.

Abstract: Intention of the study (EudraCT No 2009-017418-56) is a proof of aesthetic benefit of triterpene treatment in superficial wounds. In an open, prospective, controlled, randomized, blindly evaluated multicentre phase II clinical trial a triterpene ointment (OG-S10) is compared intra individually with a state-of-the-art moist wound healing dressing (Mepilex®) in split thickness skin graft donor sites. The graft wound areas at the upper leg were divided into two equal halves, one proximal and one distal site. Decided by randomization the one site was treated with triterpene and the other in comparison with moist dressing. Triterpene treatment went on for 14days as covering the wound at every change of wound dressing with the ointment (100 mg/cm2). The comparative treatment went on as covering the site by this dressing alone. The outcome of these different treatments was evaluated by two blindly observing distant experts on the basis of photographs of the wound healing progress. Photographs were taken day 14, 3month and 1year after treatment. The only criterion for evaluation of the two sites was similarity of the wound area to the surrounding skin in terms of colour and texture: which of the two sites, the proximal or the distal, was aesthetically superior in normal skin appearance after 14days at the end of treatment, after 3month of follow up and 1year after treatment? The descriptive comparison is demonstrating quite a remarkable advantage of the ointment versus the moist wound dressing in promoting wound healing: even having in mind the small number of 24 patients within the protocol, the superiority of aesthetic benefit by triterpene treatment after 14days (22 out of 24 patients), after 3month (15 out of 19 patients) and after 1year (8 out of 10 patients) is obvious. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]