Journal of Asian Natural Products Research最新文献

Many organic reactions rely on CO₂ sources to generate important structural units and valuable chemicals. In this study, we compared the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) on the supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂)-induced de/carboxylation reaction. The results showed that CBD was directly carboxylated in the ortho-position to form CBDA with up to 62% conversion. Meanwhile, CBDA decarboxylation occurred on hemp plant material via varying composition. Mechanistic studies revealed that CBD carboxylation was influenced not only by the physical properties of scCO₂, but also by the vegetable matrix.

KRAS mutations linked with cancer. Flavonoids were docked against KRAS G12C and G12D receptors. Abyssinone III, alpha naphthoflavone, beta naphthoflavone, abyssinone I, abyssinone II and beta naphthoflavone, genistin, daidzin showed good docking scores against KRAS G12C and G12D receptors, respectively. The MD simulation data revealed that Rg, RMSD, RMSF, and SASA values were within acceptable limits. Alpha and beta naphthoflavone showed good binding energies with KRAS G12C and G12D receptors. DFT and MEP analysis highlighted the nucleophilic and electrophilic zones of best-docked flavonoids. A novel avenue for the control of KRAS G12C and G12D mutations is made possible by flavonoids.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis of breast cancer. Thiostrepton exerts anti-tumor activities against several cancers including TNBC. Herein we discussed the new molecular mechanisms of thiostrepton in TNBC. Thiostrepton inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell viability, accompanied by a decrease of c-FLIP and p-SMAD2/3. c-FLIP overexpression reduced the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to thiostrepton, while SMAD2/3 knockdown increased the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to thiostrepton. Moreover, c-FLIP overexpression significantly increased the expression and phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 proteins and vice versa. In conclusion, our study reveals c-FLIP/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway as a novel mechanism of antitumor activity of thiostrepton.

A new 14-membered resorcylic acid lactone (RAL₁₄), chaetolactone A (1), along with three known ones (2−4), was obtained from the fermentation of the soil-derived fungus Chaetosphaeronema sp. SSJZ001. Their structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic data analyses (UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR),¹³C NMR chemical shifts calculations coupled with the DP4⁺ probability method, theoretical calculations of ECD spectra, as well as X-ray diffraction analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects against A549, HO-8910, and MCF-7 cell lines.

Bicyclol is a hepatoprotective agent widely used for treating chronic hepatitis and drug-induced liver injuries in clinics. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the contribution of CYP450 enzymes to the metabolism of bicyclol using the relative activity factor approach. After incubation with human liver microsomes and recombinant human liver CYP450 enzymes, the calculated contribution of CYP3A4 and 2C19 to the metabolism of bicyclol was 85.6–90.3% and 9.2–9.7%, respectively. The metabolism was interrupted in the presence of CYP3A4 and 2C19 selective inhibitors. These findings help to predict or avoid metabolic drug–drug interactions or toxicity in clinical applications of bicyclol.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neurodegenerative lesions and cognitive impairment. In this study, a series of novel palmatine derivatives were designed and synthesized through the introduction of a heteroatom using carbodiimide-mediated condensation. The synthesized compounds were then screened for toxicity and potency, leading to the identification of compound 2q, which exhibited low toxicity and high potency. Our findings demonstrated that compound 2q displayed significant neuroprotective activity in vitro, emerging as a promising candidate for Alzheimer’s disease treatment.

Phytochemical investigation on the fruiting bodies of the medicinal fungus Ganoderma lingzhi led to the isolation of a new norsteroid, namely ganonorsterone A (1), together with one known steroid, cyathisterol (2). The structure and absolute configuration of compound 1 were assigned by extensive analysis of MS, NMR data, and quantum-chemical calculations including electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and calculated ¹³C NMR-DP4+ analysis. Bioassay results showed that compound 1 displayed moderate inhibition on NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

A sensitive UPLC-HRMS method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of four active flavonoids from Chimonanthus nitens Leaf Granules (CNLG) in biological matrix. The method was utilized in pharmacokinetic study of the four flavonoids in rats as well as other evaluation assays in vitro. It was revealed that rutin, nicotiflorin, and astragalin had poor oral bioavailability in rats possibly due to low intestinal permeability and metabolism in intestinal flora. Kaempferol underwent rapid glucuronidation and sulphation in rat plasma with medium permeability coefficient. The results provided valuable data for future research and development of CNLG flavonoids.

Four new tirucallane-type triterpenoids, polystanins H–K (1–4), were obtained from the stems and leaves of Aphanamixis polystachya. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of the spectroscopic data and comparison with literature data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed week inhibitory effects against NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. All the isolates were investigated for their antifungal activities against drug-resistant Candida albicans.

Two new triterpene fatty acid esters, 3β-palmityloxy-12,27-cyclofriedoolean-14-en-11α-ol (1) and 3β-palmityloxy-19α-hydroxyursane (2), together with 3β-hydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-enyl palmitate (3) were isolated from the potent anti-inflammatory active fraction of the petroleum ether-soluble part of Cirsium setosum ethanol extract. Compound 1 was found to be a rare 12,27-cyclopropane triterpenoid. Their structures were determined through spectral data analysis combined with literature reports. Furthermore, in vitro experiment, compounds 1-3 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse RAW264.7 macrophages.