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Mauritia flexuosa (M. flexuosa), commonly known as Aguaje or Moriche palm, is traditionally recognised in South America for its medicinal properties, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to isolate and characterise pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds from M. flexuosa and to evaluate their therapeutic potential. Using various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectrometry (MS), three pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds were successfully isolated. Among them, compound 1 (3,11-dioxours-12-en-28-oic acid) exhibited notable bioactivity, significantly inhibiting the activation of Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) (IC50 = 7.39–8.11 μM) and of Nitric Oxide (NO) (IC50 = 4.75–6.59 μM), both of which are key processes in inflammation. Additionally, compound 1 demonstrated potent antioxidant properties by activating the antioxidant enzyme Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) (EC50 = 1.87 μM) and the transcription factor Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) (EC50 = 243–547.59 nM), thus showing its potential in combating oxidative stress. This study is the first to isolate and characterise the three compounds from M. flexuosa, suggesting that compound 1 could be a promising candidate for the development of safer and more effective therapies for inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases.

Nocuolin A (1), an oxadiazine, was isolated from the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. Its chemical structure was elucidated using NMR and mass spectroscopic data. From this compound, two new oxadiazines, 3-[(6R)-5,6-dihydro-4,6-dipentyl-2H-1,2,3-oxadiazin-2-yl]-3-oxopropyl acetate (2) and 4-{3-[(6R)-5,6-dihydro-4,6-dipentyl-2H-1,2,3-oxadiazin-2-yl]-3-oxopropoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid (3), were synthesised. The chemical structures of these two compounds were elucidated by a combination of NMR and MS analysis. Compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against the ACHN (0.73 ± 0.10 μM) and Hepa-1c1c7 (0.91 ± 0.08 μM) tumour cell lines. Similarly, compound 3 significantly decreased cathepsin B activity in ACHN and Hepa-1c1c7 tumour cell lines at concentrations of 1.52 ± 0.13 nM and 1.76 ± 0.24 nM, respectively. In addition, compound 3 showed no in vivo toxicity in a murine model treated with a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight.

Nocuolin A (1), an oxadiazine, was isolated from the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. Its chemical structure was elucidated using NMR and mass spectroscopic data. From this compound, two new oxadiazines, 3-[(6R)-5,6-dihydro-4,6-dipentyl-2H-1,2,3-oxadiazin-2-yl]-3-oxopropyl acetate (2) and 4-{3-[(6R)-5,6-dihydro-4,6-dipentyl-2H-1,2,3-oxadiazin-2-yl]-3-oxopropoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid (3), were synthesised. The chemical structures of these two compounds were elucidated by a combination of NMR and MS analysis. Compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against the ACHN (0.73 ± 0.10 μM) and Hepa-1c1c7 (0.91 ± 0.08 μM) tumour cell lines. Similarly, compound 3 significantly decreased cathepsin B activity in ACHN and Hepa-1c1c7 tumour cell lines at concentrations of 1.52 ± 0.13 nM and 1.76 ± 0.24 nM, respectively. In addition, compound 3 showed no in vivo toxicity in a murine model treated with a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juan Carlos Rumberto, thoracic surgeon at the Hospital de Cruces, in Bilbao, and a long term participant in international cooperation projects, namely in Mozambique, speaks about the inequalities in the access to health care services in developed and Third World countries. One of the main promotors of these inequalities is the weak socio­economic and human development conditions that exist in these countries, particularly in areas devasted by calamities, reminding us of the need for fairer economic policies.

Tropaeolum tuberosum, commonly known as Mashua, is an herbal remedy used on the skin in order to treat local pain and to heal wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the extracts and isolated compounds from T. tuberosum with anti-glycative and anti-inflammatory activities. Guided isolation by bioassay led to the isolation and characterisation by NMR and MS of (S)-(-)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)-oleamide (1) and (S)-(-)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)-linoleamide (2). Both compounds inhibited the production of TNF-α with IC50 values of 9.38 µM (NIH/3T3 cells) and 10.06 µM (PA317 cells) for compound 1, and 5.3 µM (NIH/3T3 cells) and 6.48 µM (PA317 cells) for compound 2. Compounds 1 and 2 showed the inhibitory effect on the BSA-MGO formation at concentrations of 9.38 µM (3.39%) and 5.30 µM (8.53%), respectively. Moreover, both compounds showed significant breaking properties on the MGO-AGE-protein crosslink with percent modification of 6.58% (9.38 µM) and 18.08% (5.30 µM), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity-guided fractionations from the freshwater cyanobacterium Nodularia harveyana led to the isolation of two monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDG), two digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDG), two monoglucosyldiacylglycerols (MGlcDG) and 1-(O-hexose)-3,25-hexacosanediol (HG). Structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR analysis, HRMS and GC-MS. The potential for inhibition against TNF-α and NF-κB production of these seven compounds was tested in THP-1 cells. All compounds showed activity, but compound 7 showed higher inhibitory activity of TNF-α and NF-κB, with IC50 of 4.88 ± 0.13 and 3.64 ± 0.45 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity-guided fractionations of Jatropha macrantha Müll. Arg. led to the isolation of pomolic acid (1) and euscaphic acid (2). The potential for inhibition against NF-κB and HIF-1α production of these two compounds was tested in different tumour cell lines. Compounds 1 and 2 showed an inhibitory activity of HIF-1α in the SK-MEL-28 (IC50=3.01 ± 0.02 μM and 3.78 ± 0.02 μM), A549 (IC50=9.97 ± 0.01 μM and 10.25 ± 0.01 μM) and U-373 MG (IC50=6.34 ± 0.02 μM and 8.85 ± 0.02 μM) cell lines. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 showed an inhibitory activity on NF-κB in SK-MEL-28 (IC50=1.05 ± 0.02 μM and 2.71 ± 0.01 μM), A549 (IC50=3.63 ± 0.01 μM and 3.73 ± 0.02 μM) and U-373 MG (IC50=2.55 ± 0.02 μM and 3.39 ± 0.01 μM) cell lines. This is the first report that isolates these compounds from J. macrantha and tests their antitumor potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity-guided fractionations of leaves and stems from Loranthus acutifolius led to the isolation of 2',4',6-trimethoxyflavone (1), 3',4',5-trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone (2), 2'4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-chalcone (3) and 4',5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone (4). The potential for inhibition against melanin production and tyrosinase activity of these 4 compounds was tested in B16-F10 cells. 2',4',6-trimethoxyflavone, 3',4',5-trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, 2'4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-chalcone and 4',5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone showed an inhibitory activity of melanin production with IC50 of 3.6 ± 0.05 μM, 8.1 ± 0.05 μM, 1.6 ± 0.03 μM and 6.5 ± 0.05 μM, respectively. In addition, 2',4',6-trimethoxyflavone, 3',4',5-trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, 2'4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-chalcone and 4',5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone were able to inhibit tyrosinase activity with IC50 of 4.0 ± 0.03 μM, 11.3 ± 0.05 μM, 5.7 ± 0.02 μM and 8.6 ± 0.04 μM, respectively. This is the first time that these compounds are reported in the L. acutifolius species showing anti-melanogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nineteen N‐benzyl linoleamide analogues (macamide from Tropaeolum tuberosum) were synthesised, modifying the molecular structure (benzyl position, aromatic ring and carbonyl group). The structures were confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry techniques. Cell viability and anti‐inflammatory activity of these compounds were evaluated in three brain cell lines (C8‐D1 A, Neuro‐2a, and EOC 13.31). Regarding the effect on NF‐κB, several analogues had better inhibition potential than their natural precursor (N‐benzyl linoleamide), being the N‐(1‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐α‐methylbenzyl)‐linolethiamide the most active, with IC50 values of 0.01±0.01, 0.01±0.01 and 0.02±0.01 μM, respectively. Finally, all analogues activated Nrf2, with the same compound being the most active, presenting EC50 values of 0.03±0.01, 0.07±0.01 and 0.11±0.02 nM, respectively. Analysing the link between chemical structure and pharmacological activity, our study shows that the changes made to N‐benzyl linoleamide lead us to obtaining an analogue with greater anti‐inflammatory activity than its precursor and with potential for the treatment of migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a part of our studies on the biologically active substances from Spanish plants, we have undertaken an investigation of the chemical constituents of a typical mediterranean species, Phillyrea latifolia L. (Oleaceae). Two secoiridoid glycosides, three phenylpropanoid glycosides, one lignane and two triterpenic acids were isolated from the leaves of this species and identified. The phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of P. latifolia revealed that it is a rich source of oleuropeoside.