Chemistry & Biodiversity最新文献

The Euphorbia greenwayi essential oil (EGEO) was analyzed by GC-MS, and 17 components were identified, accounting for 99.70%, predominantly monoterpene (98.28%). The major components were limonene (26.46%), α-pinene (18.50%), 1,8-cineole (25.62%), β-pinene (6.52%), and γ-terpinene (4.36%). Antioxidant potential was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. The EGEO exhibited dose-dependent activity, with respective IC₅₀ values of 417.7 and 448.8 mg/L, indicating moderate antioxidant capacity. Cytotoxic activity was assessed on THLE-2 (normal liver), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and HepG2 (liver cancer) cells. The EGEO exhibited negligible cytotoxicity toward THLE-2 cells (> 93% viability at 0.1-500 µg/mL), while showing pronounced cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ = 166.65 µg/mL) and moderate activity against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ = 328.03 µg/mL), highlighting selective antiproliferative effects. Molecular docking further substantiated the anticancer potential of EO constituents. Limonene demonstrated the strongest binding affinity against aurora kinase A (-10.586 kcal/mol) and the tumor suppressor PTEN (-6.397 kcal/mol), outperforming other tested monoterpenes. It established key interactions with hinge (Ala273), DFG motif residues in aurora A, and P-loop residues (Cys124, Arg130) in PTEN, positioning it as a dual-target lead compound. Sabinene also showed favorable binding to aurora A (-9.964 kcal/mol) but was less active toward PTEN. These findings suggested that EGEO possesses promising antioxidant and anticancer properties, with limonene emerging as a potential multitarget therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related and proliferative disorders.

The integration of sustainable synthesis with biological relevance is a key objective in contemporary medicinal chemistry. Herein, we report a catalyst-free, one-pot multicomponent protocol for the rapid synthesis of spirooxindole-based pseudo-natural products under mild and environmentally benign conditions. The reaction proceeds efficiently in methanol at room temperature, affording high yields (80%-90%) within 30 min without the need for external catalysts or chromatographic purification, highlighting its operational simplicity and scalability. Mechanistic studies suggest the in situ formation of a stable azomethine ylide, which undergoes a highly diastereoselective [3+2] cycloaddition and enables broad substrate tolerance across electron-deficient isatins and substituted maleimides. Biological evaluation using a methyl methanesulfonate-induced oxidative stress model in human lymphocytes revealed distinct structure-activity relationships. Compounds 4c and 4i significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and restored cell viability close to control levels, identifying them as promising antioxidative leads. Overall, this study demonstrates a sustainable approach to structurally diverse spirooxindole scaffolds with potential relevance to redox-associated pathologies.

To examine the blood components of Swertia davidii Franch. (SDF) and its effects on acute liver injury (ALI) in mice, ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology was used to analyze the blood of rats after oral SDF extract administration. Potential targets of blood components for improving ALI were screened using Pharmmapper Server, Swiss Target Prediction, and Genecards databases. The STRING 12.0 database and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software assisted in constructing and analyzing the protein-protein interaction network, while the Metascape database facilitated Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct and analyze networks to identify key targets of SDF blood components in improving ALI. The molecular docking of blood components with core targets was carried out using Schrödinger Maestro 11.1 software. Based on KEGG pathway analysis results, PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathways were selected for experimental verification. Eight blood components, including loganin, gentiopicroside, and oleanolic acid, were detected in serum samples of rats after oral administration. These blood components may influence CDK2, EGFR, and MAPK1, altering PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathways to aid liver injury recovery in mice. SDF showed superior liver protection, likely by activating these pathways. This study provides references for the development of hepatoprotective products and clinical applications of SDF.

Salvia ceratophylloides Ard. (Sc), a rare endemic species from Southern Italy, has been chemically unexplored. We report the first analysis of its polyphenolic profile, antioxidant potential, and preliminary toxicity, compared with the well-studied Salvia officinalis L. (So). Plants were cultivated under identical Mediterranean conditions to minimize variability. Leaf hydroalcoholic extracts were examined for polyphenols (high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry [HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS]), antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], reducing power, Fe²⁺ chelation), and toxicity (Artemia salina lethality bioassay). Although differing qualitatively, both species showed nearly identical total phenolic content (So 274.59 mg/g; Sc 274.27 mg/g). Notably, Sc was rich in rosmarinic acid and consistently exhibited superior antioxidant activity. It was also nontoxic against A. salina, in contrast to So (LC₅₀ = 79.27 ± 11.62 µg/mL). These findings highlight Sc as a promising source of bioactive compounds and warrant further pharmacological and conservation studies.

Cancer is a worldwide health burden that influences about every geographic location and socioeconomic class. One of the main challenges that remains is the appearance of resistance to cancer therapy. It is found that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) is overexpressed in a number of tumours. Few FDA approved drugs (such as Sorafenib, Sunitinib, Nintedanib and Cabotanzinib), which target VEGFRs, however, a significant issue with the monotherapy of these agents is drug resistance. Hence, in the present work. Some isatin-aromatic amides (5a-q) were synthesised via Ag(I)-NHC/TBHP-promoted tandem one-pot oxidative amidation between 3-((3-hydroxypropyl)imino)-1-methylindolin-2-one (3) and anilines (4a-q) in water as a key approach. The anti-proliferative activity of amides (5a-q) revealed that compound 5j (50% inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀] = <2 µM) displayed superior activity against MCF-7 and HepG-2 cell lines than the standard drug Sunitinib (IC₅₀ = 2.2-4.8 µM). Compounds 5d and 5n showed greater activity (IC₅₀ = <4 µM) against MCF-7 than the positive control (IC₅₀ = 4.8 µM). In addition, compound 5d had a comparable activity (IC₅₀ = 2.5 µM) against HepG2 to the positive control (IC₅₀ = 2.2 µM). As well, compounds 5d (IC₅₀ = 0.09 µM) and 5j (IC₅₀ = 0.06 µM) were found to be 1.55- and 2.33-fold, respectively, more active against VEGFR-2 inhibition than Sunitinib (IC₅₀ = 0.14 µM). Compound 5n showed comparable (IC₅₀ = 0.16 µM) VEGFR-2 inhibition to Sunitinib. Furthermore, in vitro bioavailability studies showed that compound 5n crossed the Caco2 cell membrane and showed the highest intracellular concentration after sixth hour incubation, in comparison to compounds 5d, 5j and Sunitinib. Finally, in silico molecular docking studies on VEGFR-2 (PDB ID 3VHE) revealed that compounds 5d, 5j, and 5q showed encouraging inhibition constants (68.5-154.92 nM) and binding energies (-9.29 to -9.77 kcal/mol) compared to Sunitinib (inhibition constant = 248.72 nM) and binding energy = -9.01 kcal/mol). Specifically, compounds 5d and 5j established an H-bond with the ASP1046 residue, similar to the standard drug Sunitinib.

During the last decades, polysaccharides have emerged as promising molecules with valuable pharmacological properties. Within this vein, this study aimed to characterize polysaccharides derived from the pulp of Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw (POS), with particular focus on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The phytochemical composition of POS was evaluated through an extensive analytical assessment, including structural features and the identification of compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The chemical composition analysis showed that POS encompasses 56.73% of polysaccharide, with glucose, mannofuranose, and rhamnose being the shift compounds detected by GC-MS. Fourier-transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra confirmed the presence of critical functional groups. The antioxidant activity demonstrated that POS effectively scavenged DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic) acid) radicals, exhibited significant reducing power, and inhibited the β-carotene bleaching assay. The in vivo test proved that pre-treatment with POS significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation in skin tissues, while improving antioxidant enzyme activities. These findings were further supported by hematological analyses, C-reactive protein levels, and histopathological examination of paw tissue, showing cellular infiltration reduction. In addition, in silico docking investigations against cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 targets were carried out, and significant results were obtained. All these results highlight the outstanding performance of POS as a promising natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory features, warranting further clinical investigation.

Marine microbial metabolites have long served as valuable sources for drug discovery, exhibiting diverse biological activities, including antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects. Chagas disease (CD), a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects approximately 8 million people worldwide. Currently, only two drugs are available for treatment, both associated with significant toxicity, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic alternatives. In this context, and considering the remarkable chemical diversity of marine bacteria, the present study investigated the anti-T. cruzi potential of metabolites produced by sediment- and sponge-associated microbial communities from Buzios Island, Brazil. The sponges were identified as Cinachyrella alloclada and Haliclona (Soestella) caerulea. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, nine marine bacterial isolates were identified, belonging to the genera Dokdonia, Vibrio, Alteromonas, Planococcus, Shewanella, Micrococcus, and Pseudoalteromonas. The antiparasitic activity of the extracts was evaluated against trypomastigote forms, yielding potent IC₅₀ values ranging from 1 to 87 µg/mL. Dereplication studies based on ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses of the Pseudoalteromonas piscicida extract revealed putative antitrypanosomal compounds, annotated as alkaloids and polycyclic tetramate macrolactams. Overall, this study demonstrates the high pharmacological potential of marine bacterial strains as sources of drug candidates for CD.

Cratoxylum formosum (Jack) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Dyer is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Southeast Asia. This study presents the first investigation of the essential oil from leaves of C. formosum collected in Vietnam, focusing on its chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and mosquito larvicidal potential. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID)/mass spectrometry (MS) analysis identified 35 compounds in the essential oil, with (E)-caryophyllene (39.30%), α-humulene (12.90%), and (E)-β-ocimene (11.85%) as the major constituents. The essential oil exhibited notable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 16 to 64 µg/mL and IC₅₀ values between 7.55 and 20.56 µg/mL. Larvicidal assays demonstrated strong activity against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 44.27 to 77.71 µg/mL and LC₉₀ values from 57.74 to 102.61 µg/mL after 24 and 48 h of exposure. These findings suggest that C. formosum essential oil is a promising natural source of antimicrobial and mosquito control agents.

Ferula is a genus of flowering plants known for its edible and medicinal properties. The gum of the Ferula kokanica was selected for this study based on its traditional uses. From the gum of F. kokanica, an undescribed sesquiterpene coumarin was isolated, named kokanin A, along with 22 known compounds. Structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was carried out by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry data analysis. Using NOE correlation, the relative configurations of the isolated compounds were established. The absolute configurations of isolates were established by electronic circular dichroism calculation. Cytotoxicity and anti-vitiligo activity of the isolated compounds were tested. Gummosin demonstrated strong cytotoxicity against the HT-29 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 6.96 ± 0.38 µM. Colladonin, farnesiferol A, and feshurin provided greater relative melanin content than that of the positive control at 50 µM. The elemental composition of the gum of F. kokanica using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method allowed the determination of trace levels of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Na, Mg, K, and Ca. The toxic elements were determined in the sample, and their content was found to be lower than the maximum acceptable concentration established by the World Health Organization. This study showed that some isolated compounds demonstrated significant anti-vitiligo activity and showed promise for future drug discovery. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the chemical composition and the bioactivities of the gum of F. kokanica.

This study focuses on Kickxia lanigera (Def.) Hand.-Mazz., a plant that is traditionally used in Turkey and some other Middle Eastern countries to treat diabetes, kidney stones and venomous bites. The study aimed to determine the molecular basis of these traditional medicinal uses by evaluating the in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of K. lanigera, as well as ten known compounds (mosloflavone 2, baicalein 3, salvigenin 4, chrysin 5, acacetin 6, jaseosidin 7, hispidulin 8, apigenin 9, luteolin 10 and daucosterol 11) and one previously unidentified flavone (lanigeraflavone 1), which were obtained by activity-directed isolation. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics were then performed to confirm the activity of the targets. The isolated compounds exhibited lower antioxidant activity than the original extracts. However, chrysin and lanigeraflavone exhibited the most effective H₂O₂ scavenging activity in comparison to the standard, with respective values of 24.17 and 26.90 µg/mL. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations confirmed the activity of the new compound against erythrocyte catalase. This study demonstrates the potential of K. lanigera as a source of bioactive compounds that could be used in anticancer pharmacological formulations and food additives.